The Korea Times

Celebrity producer's new reality show with Lee Seo-jin, BTS' V to release next month

Actor Lee Seo-jin will star in producer Na Young-seok's new reality show. Courtesy of TvingBy Lee Gyu-leeStar producer Na Young-seok, who created hit variety shows like “New Journey to the West” and “Three Meals a Day” series, is set to roll out a new reality series, “Seo-jin's” (tentative title), on tvN this February. The new show will be a spin-off to Na's previous reality show, “Youn's Kitchen,” which featured actress Youn Yuh-jung running a Korean restaurant abroad along with fellow actors Lee, Jung Yu-mi and Park Seo-joon. The exact date and timeslot have not been decided yet.Lee, who acted as the second-in-command in “Youn's Kitchen,” will step into the owner's role with the upcoming show. The cast members of the original show, Jung and Park, and actor Choi Woo-shik from another spin-off show, “Youn's Stay,” will join Lee, along with the newest cast, BTS member V. Running a Korean restaurant in Mexico, the stars will introduce Korea's street food to local people. They finished filming the show at the end of

Jan 12, 2023By Lee Gyu-lee

Celebrity producer's new reality show with Lee Seo-jin, BTS' V to release next month

Shows & Dramas

Ok Taec-yeon to lead KBS' new romance series

Actor Ok Taec-yeon has taken the lead role in an upcoming romance series for KBS. Korea Times file By Lee Gyu-leeActor and singer Ok Taec-yeon has picked up a romance drama with KBS' upcoming series, “My Heart Is Beating,” (direct translation) as his new project. The broadcaster announced that its new series has confirmed actors Ok and Won Ji-an as its leads and is scheduled to air in the first half of this year. The fantasy, romance series will follow the love story between half-human and half-vampire Sun Woo-hyul (Ok), and coldhearted woman Joo In-hae (Won). Woo-hyul is a trendsetter who is keen on new trends and technologies. He has been unsuccessfully trying to become human. One day, he crosses paths with hardworking but insensitive In-hae. Living under the same roof, the two bring unexpected changes to each other. Ok, who is also a member of K-pop boy band 2PM, made his way into acting with the 2010 KBS series "Cinderella's Stepsister." He recently starred in t

Jan 12, 2023By Lee Gyu-lee

Ok Taec-yeon to lead KBS' new romance series

Shows & Dramas

'Poong, the Joseon Psychiatrist' returns for second season with more romance

From left, actors Kim Min-jae, Kim Hyang-gi, and director Park Won-gook pose during an online press conference for tvN's new series “Poong, the Joseon Psychiatrist 2,” Tuesday. Courtesy of tvN By Lee Gyu-leeActor Kim Min-jae hinted that the second season of “Poong, the Joseon Psychiatrist” will delve deeper into the romance between the two lead characters. The period comedy series revolves around skilled physician Yoo Se-poong (Kim), who used to work for the royal family. After losing his job at the palace due to a medical incident, he meets a small-town medical practitioner Kye Ji-han (Kim Sang-kyung) and widow Seo Eun-woo (Kim Hyang-gi) and joins them to treat patients' physical and mental health issues.The new season, set to kick off Wednesday, will pick up on the story of Se-poong returning to Hanyang, the name of Seoul during the Joseon Kingdom period, where he used to work, with Ji-han and Eun-woo. With the help of two friends, Se-poong sets out on another que

Jan 11, 2023By Lee Gyu-lee

'Poong, the Joseon Psychiatrist' returns for second season with more romance

Shows & Dramas

INTERVIEW Lee Jae-wook builds new repertoire with fantasy series 'Alchemy of Souls'

Actor Lee Jae-wook plays the role of Jang Uk in the tvN series “Alchemy of Souls.” Courtesy of tvNActor enjoys sense of accomplishment after taking challengeBy Lee Gyu-leeFor actor Lee Jae-wook, it was both challenging and satisfying to take the lead role in the year-long, two-season tvN fantasy romance series “Alchemy of Souls.” “I was worried if I could carry out such a long project well … but in the end, as an actor, I'm pleased with the series so I'm grateful (to have been in it),” the actor said during an interview with The Korea Times in southern Seoul, Jan. 5.Actor Lee Jae-wook / Courtesy of C-JeS EntertainmentThe romance series, set in a fictional period and country called Daeho, revolves around Jang Uk (Lee), a man from a prestigious family who is seeking to change his destiny with the help of Mu-deok (Jung So-min), a blind woman who is possessed by a powerful sorceress called Nak-su.The series wrapped its second season, Sunday, ending its 30-part run since June last year. The new season picked up three years after Uk recovers from

Jan 11, 2023By Lee Gyu-lee

[INTERVIEW] Lee Jae-wook builds new repertoire with fantasy series 'Alchemy of Souls'

Shows & Dramas

Jeon Do-yeon takes on lighthearted rom-com role with 'Crash Course in Romance'

Actors Jeon Do-yeon, left, and Jung Kyung-ho pose during an online press conference for tvN's new series “Crash Course in Romance,” Monday. Courtesy of tvN By Lee Gyu-leeActress Jeon Do-yeon has taken on her first role in a romantic comedy series in about 18 years with tvN's new series “Crash Course in Romance.” “When I got the script for this series, I was drawn to its sparkly story,” Jeon said during an online press conference for the series, Monday. “At the same time, I couldn't even remember the last time I had gotten a script for a lighthearted piece. So I felt overwhelmed with concerns about if I could pull it off.”The series, set to premiere on Jan. 14, revolves around a former national handball player, Nam Haeng-sun (Jeon), who is now running a small food shop to raise her high school daughter alone. When her daughter tries to get into a private education course, run by a celebrity math instructor, Choi Chi-yeol (Jung Kyung-ho), Haeng-sun steps into the cutt

Jan 10, 2023By Lee Gyu-lee

Jeon Do-yeon takes on lighthearted rom-com role with 'Crash Course in Romance'

Shows & Dramas

Lee Sun-kyun, Moon Chae-won to deliver message of justice with 'Payback'

Actors Moon Chae-won, right, and Lee Sun-kyun, center, in a scene from SBS series “Payback." The series follows the two as they fight against a dark, corrupt financial cartel. Courtesy of SBS By Lee Gyu-leeSBS' new series, “Payback,” starring actors Lee Sun-kyun and Moon Chae-won, is delivering a fast-paced, action-packed good-beats-evil story. “'Payback' is about a revenge story of (characters) fighting against the evils in this world,” series director Lee Won-tae said during an online press conference for the series, Friday. “The important theme (of the series) is the corruption and injustice evident in society and human desire. When I got the script, I liked the energy the story had. It has different portrayals of people dealing with money and power. But most importantly, I thought we could offer a message that justice can win so I decided to lead it,” Lee said.The series debut of the director, who previously led the thriller film, “The Gangster, The Cop, The Dev

Jan 8, 2023By Lee Gyu-lee

Lee Sun-kyun, Moon Chae-won to deliver message of justice with 'Payback'

Shows & Dramas

Series with stars returning to small screen to air in January

From left, posters for SBS series "Payback,” MBC series “Kokdu: Season of Deity,” and ENA series “Can We Be Strangers” / Courtesy of SBS, MBC, ENABy Lee Gyu-leeA number of actors, including Jeon Do-yeon, Lee Sun-kyun, Moon Chae-won, Kang So-ra, and Kim Jung-hyun, are making small-screen comebacks with a list of upcoming series set for this month. SBS will drop its first series of the year, "Payback,” starring Lee and Moon. This will be the first TV series in four years for Lee and three years for Moon.The legal action series, which will premiere on Friday, revolves around investment manager Eun Yong (Lee) who owns and runs a private equity firm, and military judicial officer Park Joon-kyung (Moon), who is a former prosecutor.After her mother takes her own life, Joon-kyung moves to find the truth and take revenge on the people who drove her mother to suicide. Joining hands, Joon-kyung and Yong go against a dark, powerful financial cartel and shed light on its corrupt practices.The series is led by filmmaker Lee Won-tae, whose work includes the thril

Jan 5, 2023By Lee Gyu-lee

Series with stars returning to small screen to air in January

People & Events

INTERVIEW Pixar's Korean animator hopes to deliver message of compassion through her work

Pixar Animation Studios senior animator Kim Hye-sook poses with a Buzz Lightyear figurine, a character popularized through the Toy Story film franchise. She has been working at Pixar since 2021. Courtesy of Kim Hye-sook'Animators breathe life into characters like Pinocchio's father, Geppetto'By Lee Gyu-leeGrowing up in the small town of Hongseong, South Chungcheong Province, located about 150 kilometers southeast of Seoul, Kim Hye-sook was just an ordinary girl from the country who loved drawing.But when her teacher in middle school, after seeing her drawings, introduced her to possible professions in the animation industry, Kim began to imagine that drawing could become a career for her. About 25 years later, she came to work for one of the biggest animation studios, Pixar Animation Studios, as a senior animator, taking part in the production of the 2022 film “Buzz Lightyear.”“When I moved abroad (from Korea), I started to have more thoughts about empathy and understanding. The language and culture; the confusion and struggles that come from the new environment can

Jan 4, 2023By Lee Gyu-lee

[INTERVIEW] Pixar's Korean animator hopes to deliver message of compassion through her work

Shows & Dramas

Jung Yong-hwa, Cha Tae-hyun team up for comedy detective series 'Brain Works'

Actors Jung Yong-hwa, left, and Cha Tae-hyun pose during an online press conference for KBS' new series, “Brain Works,” Monday. Courtesy of KBS By Lee Gyu-leeActors Jung Yong-hwa and Cha Tae-hyun have teamed up to play a comedy duo in KBS' new detective series, “Brain Works.”“I've been wanting to work with Cha,” Jung said during an online press conference for the series, Monday. “He's the type of person who doesn't overtly take care of you but rather makes it subtle and you can realize that later on. I've gotten a lot of help with acting from him.”The 16-part series revolves around neuroscientist Shin Ha-ru (Jung), who has a special brain, and selfless detective Geum Myung-se (Cha), joining together to investigate brain disease-related criminal cases. Ha-ru comes from an elite background ― three generations of doctors and a wealthy family. He is smart and assertive, yet his overconfidence often offends people. Myung-se is a neuroscience squad detective who is kindhe

Jan 3, 2023By Lee Gyu-lee

Jung Yong-hwa, Cha Tae-hyun team up for comedy detective series 'Brain Works'

Shows & Dramas

Bae Doona's new film 'Next Sohee' to hit theaters in February

A scene from the film “Next Sohee" / Courtesy of Twinplus Partners By Lee Gyu-leeThe thriller drama film “Next Sohee,” starring Bae Doona, will hit local theaters next month. Production company Twinplus Partners on Monday announced the movie's local premiere, following its debut as the closing film at last year's Critics' Week in April.Critics' Week is a sidebar event of the Cannes Film Festival, and is dedicated to the first or second features of filmmakers from all around the world. The movie follows the story of high school student So-hee (Kim Si-eun) and detective Oh Yu-jin (Bae) who is investigating So-hee's murder. So-hee starts job training at a call center but struggles with the pressure from the stressful workplace environment, which leads to her death. The detective, who has something in common with her, starts to follow traces to reveal the truth behind the mysterious incident that leads to So-hee's death. The movie is directed and written by July Jung, w

Jan 2, 2023By Lee Gyu-lee

Lee Gyu-lee

Read more

Celebrity producer's new reality show with Lee Seo-jin, BTS' V to release next month

Ok Taec-yeon to lead KBS' new romance series

'Poong, the Joseon Psychiatrist' returns for second season with more romance

INTERVIEW Lee Jae-wook builds new repertoire with fantasy series 'Alchemy of Souls'

Jeon Do-yeon takes on lighthearted rom-com role with 'Crash Course in Romance'

Lee Sun-kyun, Moon Chae-won to deliver message of justice with 'Payback'

Series with stars returning to small screen to air in January

INTERVIEW Pixar's Korean animator hopes to deliver message of compassion through her work

Jung Yong-hwa, Cha Tae-hyun team up for comedy detective series 'Brain Works'

Bae Doona's new film 'Next Sohee' to hit theaters in February

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