The Korea Times

'The First Responders' returns with more dynamic storyline

From left, actors Son Ho-jun, Gong Seung-yeon and Kim Rae-won pose during the press conference for the SBS series “The First Responders,” held at the network's headquarters in Yangcheon District, Seoul, Friday. Courtesy of SBSBy Lee Gyu-leeSBS' hit series “The First Responders” has returned for a second season, with the first two episodes garnering 7.1 and 5.1 percent viewership ratings on Friday and Saturday respectively.“When we started Season 1, the director wanted to emphasize reality and actuality, and we followed that direction. With Season 2, the story has become more dynamic and interesting, and has more dramatic elements,” lead actor, Kim Rae-won, said during a press conference, held at the network's headquarters in Yangcheon District, Seoul, Friday.“We've upgraded and strengthened the series significantly compared to Season 1. The director's style and nuance felt different this season. So we are looking forward to the result,” Kim said.The action procedural series, which debuted last year, revolves around people at a police st

Aug 6, 2023By Lee Gyu-lee

'The First Responders' returns with more dynamic storyline

Shows & Dramas

INTERVIEW 'D.P.' holds special place in Jung Hae-in's heart

Actor Jung Hae-in plays the role of Ahn Jun-ho in the Netflix original series “D.P.” Courtesy of NetflixBy Lee Gyu-leeActor Jung Hae-in said Netflix's military series “D.P.” holds a special place in his heart, adding that the project was especially meaningful to him.Actor Jung Hae-in / Courtesy of Netflix“The mandatory military service period, nowadays, is about a year and a half. And that's about the same amount of time I've spent on filming 'D.P.' so it holds a special place in my heart. This drama has decorated a page of my own life story,” the actor told The Korea Times during an interview, held at a cafe in southern Seoul's Gangnam District, Thursday. “As an actor, you can't always get a successful outcome with your work even if you put your best effort into it. And when the results are not good, you get depressed and feel insecure. On top of my personal family-related issue, I was going through a phase of low self-esteem when I started with 'D.P.'”Jung expressed that the series provided a boost in his confidence, helping him get t

Aug 5, 2023By Lee Gyu-lee

[INTERVIEW] 'D.P.' holds special place in Jung Hae-in's heart

Shows & Dramas

JTBC's new variety show to offer authentic side of Mongolia

From left, actors Kang Hoon, Hong Kyung-in, singer Hong Kyung-min, actors Cha Tae-hyun and Jang Hyuk, and singer Kim Jong-kook pose during the press conference for the new JTBC variety show, “Couriers in Mongolia,” held in Gangnam District, Wednesday. Courtesy of JTBC By Lee Gyu-leeJTBC is rolling out a new travel reality show titled “Couriers in Mongolia,” spotlighting the authentic sights of Mongolia, a country known for vast expanses of nature.The new show, set to kick off on Aug. 18, follows a group of long-time celebrity friends ― singers Kim Jong-kook and Hong Kyung-min, actors Jang Hyuk, Cha Tae-hyun, Hong Kyung-in ― and actor Kang Hoon, traveling across Mongolia for 10 days. The cast members get on horses to deliver mail to the residents in the country's remote areas.“The show started off with the cast members talking about delivering packages on horses,” the show's co-producer, Kim Min-seok, said during the press conference held in Gangnam District, Wednesd

Aug 4, 2023By Lee Gyu-lee

JTBC's new variety show to offer authentic side of Mongolia

Shows & Dramas

Ahn Eun-jin on acting in first period drama 'My Dearest'

Actress Ahn Eun-jin plays the role of Yoo Gil-chae in the new MBC series “My Dearest.” Courtesy of MBCBy Lee Gyu-leeActress Ahn Eun-jin shared her experience of working on her first period series with MBC's melodrama “My Dearest,” playing the lead character, Yoo Gil-chae. “It was really difficult to approach period genre series. To portray Yoo Gil-chae, I always questioned myself if this is the right way,” Ahn said through the network. “I started with getting myself used to the dialect first. So I had to study the script more than I did with previous ones.”The new period series, set to release on Aug. 4, follows a romance story of a couple during a wartime period of the Joseon Dynasty.Ahn plays Yoo who comes from a noble family. She has a lovely personality, growing up in a powerful and wealthy family. When she crosses paths with an enigmatic nobleman, Lee Jang-hyun (Namkoong Min), she gets entangled in his life, which changes her world. Lee is a mysterious man who makes his way into the community out of nowhere. Although he appears to

Aug 2, 2023By Lee Gyu-lee

Ahn Eun-jin on acting in first period drama 'My Dearest'

Shows & Dramas

'Arthdal Chronicles 2' to debut in September

A scene from the upcoming tvN series “Arthdal Chronicles: The Sword of Aramoon” / Courtesy of tvNBy Lee Gyu-leeThe second season of tvN's fantasy action series "Arthdal Chronicles”, titled "Arthdal Chronicles: The Sword of Aramoon,” will be released on Sept. 9, according to the network.tvN announced its premiere date, Tuesday, unveiling the series' teaser featuring the lead actors Jang Dong-gun, Lee Joon-gi, Shin Sae-kyeong, and Kim Ok-vin. The first season of the blockbuster series aired in 2019. The second season follows people in the mythical land of Arth, striving for power and domination as they build a new society.The new season will revolve around Arthdal kingdom's new head, Ta Gon (Jang Dong-gun), and Eun Seom (Lee Joon-gi), who is the ruler of the Agos, uniting 30 tribes under the Ago Union. Ta and Eun are set to face an inevitable great war against each other's kingdoms.Shin will play the role of Tan Ya, the kingdom's high priest, who is one of the three powerful figures along with Ta Gon and Tae Al Ha, Ta's political partner played by Kim.The season

Aug 2, 2023By Lee Gyu-lee

'Arthdal Chronicles 2' to debut in September

Shows & Dramas

INTERVIEW 'Shadow Detective' Lee Sung-min on crafting detective character

Actor Lee Sung-min plays the role of detective, Kim Taek-rok, in the Disney+ series “Shadow Detective.” Courtesy of Walt Disney Company KoreaBy Lee Gyu-leeActor Lee Sung-min expressed satisfaction with his role as a dedicated veteran detective in his latest series “Shadow Detective,” which recently wrapped up its second season.Actor Lee Sung-min / Courtesy of Walt Disney Company Korea“I feel we've created a memorable series and a new kind of detective character,” the actor said during an interview with The Korea Times, held at a cafe in Jongno District, Monday. “There are many popular detective characters in Korea. But we've created a unique detective character that is nothing like any of them.”The Disney+ original series revolves around detective Kim Taek-rok (Lee), who was planning for a peaceful life after retirement. But his life is turned upside down when he receives a mysterious phone, leading him to become the prime suspect in a murder case.The second season followed Kim getting transferred to a different division after getting a

Aug 1, 2023By Lee Gyu-lee

[INTERVIEW] 'Shadow Detective' Lee Sung-min on crafting detective character

Shows & Dramas

'The Uncanny Counter' kicks off season 2 with new villains, bigger action

The second season of action series “The Uncanny Counter” premiered on Saturday. Courtesy of tvNBy Lee Gyu-leeThe second season of the hit action series “The Uncanny Counter” is off to a good start. Based on the popular webcomic "Amazing Rumor," the series follows a group of exorcists with supernatural powers ― played by Cho Byeong-kyu, Yoo Jun-sang, Kim Se-jeong, Yeom Hye-ran and Ahn Suk-hwan. The group, who call themselves "counters," use their powers to track down evil spirits and demons and face off against them.The new season debuted its first two episodes on Saturday and Sunday, scoring a 5.4 percent viewership rating with episode 2. The first two episodes followed the counters continuing their mission to hunt down the evil spirits that harm humans and the introduction of their newest member, farmer Na Jeok-bong (Yoo In-soo). Na gets hit by a car while trying to save his date. Ga Mo-tak (Yoo Jun-sang) witnesses his heroic deed and recommends Na as a new recruit. Meanwhile, it also showed a villain trio of demons ― played by Kang Ki-young, Kim Hieora and K

Aug 1, 2023By Lee Gyu-lee

'The Uncanny Counter' kicks off season 2 with new villains, bigger action

Entertainment

Internet troll fined for defamation against Lee Jun-ho

Singer-actor Lee Jun-ho / Courtesy of JYP EntertainmentBy Lee Gyu-lee An internet troll, who made malicious comments about singer-actor Lee Jun-ho, has been fined 3 million won ($2,343) for defaming the star. The court ruling came after the actor's agency JYP Entertainment recently took legal action against the troll for continuously posting false information about Lee.“The defendant posted numerous articles of content containing false information on the online community platform, showing bitterness against the victim (Lee Jun-ho). The defendant damaged the victim's reputation by deliberately spreading false information via an online network with the intention to defame the victim,” the court said in its ruling. The actor's agency vowed that it will not show zero tolerance towards those who spread false and malicious comments about the actor. “We are intensifying the monitoring system and have appointed additional law firms as legal representatives to take stronger action. Our company will not turn a blind eye to the spreading of baseless false information and malic

Jul 29, 2023By Lee Gyu-lee

Internet troll fined for defamation against Lee Jun-ho

Shows & Dramas

Hwang Min-hyun, Kim So-hyun unfold story about relationships in 'My Lovely Liar'

Actors Hwang Min-hyun, left, and Kim So-hyun pose during the online press conference for the tvN's new romantic comedy series “My Lovely Liar,” Thursday. Courtesy of tvNBy Lee Gyu-leeActors Hwang Min-hyun and Kim So-hyun are set to strike up a romance with the tvN's upcoming romantic comedy series “My Lovely Liar.”The new series, which will start airing on Monday, revolves around a woman, Mok Sol-hee (Kim), who has born with the ability to know if people are telling lies. She used to think of it as a gift, but soon realizes the harsh reality and learns it's a curse that has led her to have a deep mistrust of humans. She masquerades as a shaman, using the ability to determine lies for clients. One day, she meets a successful composer and producer, Kim Do-ha (Hwang Min-hyun), as her new next-door neighbor and soon finds interest in him when she doesn't detect any lies from him. The series is led by Nam Sung-woo, who has helmed numerous rom-com series like "Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo" (2016) and “My Roommate Is a Gumiho” (2021), and is penned by

Jul 28, 2023By Lee Gyu-lee

Hwang Min-hyun, Kim So-hyun unfold story about relationships in 'My Lovely Liar'

Shows & Dramas

Na In-woo takes stab at mystery-thriller with 'Longing for You'

From left, actors Na In-woo, Kim Ji?eun, and Kwon Yul pose during the press conference for ENA's new series “Longing for You,” held in southwestern Seoul's Guro District, Wednesday. Courtesy of ENABy Lee Gyu-leeActor Na In-woo has taken on the mystery thriller genre for the first time with ENA's new series “Longing for You.”The new series, which kicked off on Wednesday, revolves around a high-spirited detective, Oh Jin-sung (Na), living in the countryside. His peaceful life takes a turn when his brother becomes the suspect in a serial murder case. He gets recruited for the taskforce dedicated to the case, leading him to work with two prosecutors ― his childhood friend, Go Young-joo (Kim Ji?eun), and her colleague Cha Young-woon (Kwon Yul). But as he investigates the case to clear his brother's name, he faces a dark secret. The 14-episode series is directed by Han Chul-soo, whose previous work includes the 2022 crime action series “Again My Life” and the 2019 mystery series “Graceful Family.” He teamed up with “Graceful Family&rdqu

Jul 28, 2023By Lee Gyu-lee

Lee Gyu-lee

Read more

'The First Responders' returns with more dynamic storyline

INTERVIEW 'D.P.' holds special place in Jung Hae-in's heart

JTBC's new variety show to offer authentic side of Mongolia

Ahn Eun-jin on acting in first period drama 'My Dearest'

'Arthdal Chronicles 2' to debut in September

INTERVIEW 'Shadow Detective' Lee Sung-min on crafting detective character

'The Uncanny Counter' kicks off season 2 with new villains, bigger action

Internet troll fined for defamation against Lee Jun-ho

Hwang Min-hyun, Kim So-hyun unfold story about relationships in 'My Lovely Liar'

Na In-woo takes stab at mystery-thriller with 'Longing for You'

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