The Korea Times

Joo Won to lead tvN's new comedy action series

By Lee Gyu-lee Joo Won / Courtesy of tvN Actor Joo Won is making a small screen comeback with tvN's upcoming comedy action series. The network announced, Friday, that the actor will be taking the lead role in the series, “Stealer” (literal translation), set to go on air in the first half of next year. His last small screen appearance was SBS' action romance series “Alice” in 2020.Directed by Choi Joon-bae, whose previous work includes the mystery, suspense series “Mouse,” the caper-genre series will revolve around a group of government officials who form an unofficial team named “Karma” to retrieve missing cultural assets. Joo will play the role of Dae-myung who is an official at the Cultural Heritage Administration. He is easygoing with little interest in his work. One day, he gets accused of having a connection with a mysterious thief, dubbed Skunk, and joins Karma to hunt down the thief. “Although it is fictional, it tells a meaningful story. I was drawn to how the

Oct 8, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee

Joo Won to lead tvN's new comedy action series

Shows & Dramas

INTERVIEW Kwon Sang-woo, Lim Se-mi portray comical yet relatable reality in 'X in Crisis'

Kwon Sang-woo plays the character of a middle-aged man in Wavve original series “X in Crisis.” Courtesy of WavveSeries follows ordinary middle-aged man struggling after layoffBy Lee Gyu-leeLocal streaming platform Wavve's recent comedy series “X in Crisis” garnered popularity by touching on the relatable lives of people living through tough economic struggles these days with sitcom-style humor.Actors Kwon Sang-woo, left and Lim Se-mi from the comedy series “X in Crisis” / Courtesy of Wavve“'X in Crisis' didn't have the plot structure that we have normally seen in most series,” actor Kwon Sang-woo, who plays the lead, said during a recent interview with The Korea Times in Gangnam District, southern Seoul.“It has the comedy aspect but also gives a sense of comfort through the character's narration. The story is so full of events, so I thought the viewers will find it interesting to follow along.”Led by filmmaker Kim Jeong-hoon, who directed the comedy flick "The Accidental Detective" (2015), the six-part series, which was rele

Oct 7, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee

[INTERVIEW] Kwon Sang-woo, Lim Se-mi portray comical yet relatable reality in 'X in Crisis'

People & Events

INTERVIEW KOCCA helps link K-content creators to investors

Jo Hyun-rae, president of the Korea Creative Content Agency, speaks during an interview with The Korea Times at the agency's office in downtown Seoul, Tuesday. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-sukContent agency's role increases as Korean culture rises in prominence in global marketBy Lee Gyu-leeIn the fast-paced, rapidly evolving content industry, Korean content, from music and TV dramas to webcomics and fashion, has been growing its presence in the global market more than ever. And as the country's content business has pushed toward new horizons, the role of the Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA), a state-run organization under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, has become more crucial in serving its purpose to promote Korean culture content overseas.“The Korean content industry is a very competitive market … And its local consumers are really known to be picky. So Korean creators and producers have endured the competition and suited the tastes of those picky audiences,” Jo Hyun-rae, president of KOCCA, said during an interview with The Korea Times, held

Oct 6, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee

[INTERVIEW] KOCCA helps link K-content creators to investors

Shows & Dramas

INTERVIEW Singaporean producers help create stunning visual scenes for 'Little Women'

A scene from tvN's thriller series “Little Women,” which revolves around three sisters entangled in a murder mystery. Some parts of the series were filmed in Singapore. Courtesy of tvNCreative director says she learned a lot from working with Korean productionBy Lee Gyu-leeKorean dramas have been increasingly spotlighted by international audiences and the entertainment industry, with many of the programs becoming hugely successful, such as Netflix's biggest hit, “Squid Game,” last year. More and more Korean series are expanding their reach to overseas audiences, and their production is increasingly utilizing global locations as their stage to meet the growing expectations of international audiences.One recent case is tvN's thriller series, “Little Women,” which debuted at seventh place on Netflix's top 10 non-English series chart in September and surged to the No. 5 spot last week.The new interpretation of the classic novel of the same name, led by director Kim Hee-won, follows three close-knit sisters entangled in the dark secret and mystery of a

Oct 5, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee

[INTERVIEW] Singaporean producers help create stunning visual scenes for 'Little Women'

Films

Jung Ryeo-won to attend London, San Diego film festivals with 'The Woman in the White Car'

By Lee Gyu-leeA poster for the thriller, “The Woman in the White Car" / Courtesy of SLLActress Jung Ryeo-won will be attending this year's BFI London Film Festival and San Diego International Film Festival with her latest film “The Woman in the White Car.” The actress' agency, H& Entertainment, said that the thriller, in which Jung is the lead, has been invited to two international film festivals. Jung will attend the screening of the film at the 66th edition of the London event, the largest international film festival in the United Kingdom, held from Oct. 5 to 16.The film has been invited for the Thrill strand program of the festival and will have three screenings at the Prince Charles Cinema and the ODEON Luxe West End on Oct. 7 and 8. Tickets for all three screenings have sold out even before the opening of the festival. The actress will then head to the United States for the 22nd San Diego International Film Festival, held from Oct. 19 to 23. She will be attending the festival's official events, including the red carpet event. The thriller, led by newcomer K

Oct 4, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee

Jung Ryeo-won to attend London, San Diego film festivals with 'The Woman in the White Car'

K-pop

Monsta X's Kihyun to make solo comeback

K-pop boy group Monsta X's Kihyun will release a solo album on Oct. 24. Courtesy of Starship EntertainmentBy Lee Gyu-leeKihyun of K-pop boy group Monsta X will be picking up his solo act, dropping his new mini-album “YOUTH,” this month. A poster for the mini-album "YOUTH" by Kihyun of Monsta X / Courtesy of Starship EntertainmentThe singer's agency, Starship Entertainment, announced that he will release the mini-album on Oct. 24, unveiling a teaser poster for the album.Earlier this year, Kihyun made his solo debut seven years after beginning his music career with the group, rolling out the rock-genre, three-track album, “VOYAGER.” The album scored over 135,000 sales during the first week of its release on March 15. The title track topped global weekly top 10 charts on local album tracker Hanteo Chart soon after its release. The singer debuted as a member of the six-piece group Monsta X ― consisting of Kihyun, Shownu, Minhyuk, Hyungwon, Joohoney and I.M., with the album "Trespass" in 2015. The group has released a number of hit songs, including "Dramarama" (201

Oct 3, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee

Shows & Dramas

INTERVIEW Jung Il-woo satisfied with his versatile character in 'Good Job'

Actor Jung Il-woo played the lead in ENA's comedy detective series, “Good Job,” which ended last Thursday. Courtesy of 9ato EntertainmentActor played role of detective-cum-CEO in comedy seriesBy Lee Gyu-leeFor actor Jung Il-woo, his recent role as a detective-cum-CEO in ENA's comedy detective series, “Good Job,” was an opportunity to explore his creative freedom.“I feel like I did everything I've wanted to do with this series,” the actor told The Korea Times in a recent interview at a cafe in central Seoul. “'Good Job' had such a unique concept and gave me a chance to play the character that I wanted. The series has wrapped up on a good note, so I'm personally satisfied.”The 12-part series, which ended last Thursday, revolves around the owner of a large conglomerate, Eun Seon-woo (Jung), who has both good looks and brains. He lives a double life, secretly running a private detective office.One day, he comes across poor but high-spirited Don Se-ra (Kwon Yu-ri), who possesses incredible vision. The two join forces to solve cases, includin

Oct 2, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee

[INTERVIEW] Jung Il-woo satisfied with his versatile character in 'Good Job'

K-pop

Astro to globally release first film highlighting its concert

By Lee Gyu-lee K-pop boy group Astro's first movie, “STARGAZER: ASTROSCOPE,” about the group's recent concert, will be released soon around the world, starting in Korea in October.A poster for K-pop boy group Astro's first movie “STARGAZER: ASTROSCOPE” / Courtesy of JIB CompanyThe new film will document the group's third concert series, which was held in Seoul on May 28 and 29. It was Astro's first concert in almost four years since their last one in 2018.The film will have exclusive behind-the-scenes stories of their performances, as well as footage of the members preparing for the show. It will also have individual interviews, including with MJ who is currently serving his mandatory military service, speaking candidly about their careers and their fans. The film will follow not only the group's concert performance but also will include unique solo performances from the individual members. It will also have credit cookies that have never been shared before. The group consisting of MJ, JinJin, Moonbin, Rocky, Sanha, and Cha Eun-woo debuted with the song "Sprin

Sep 30, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee

Astro to globally release first film highlighting its concert

Shows & Dramas

'The Zone: Survival Mission' producers create large-scale disaster survival show

Disney+'s variety show, “The Zone: Survival Mission,” stars, from right, Yoo Jae-suk, Kwon Yu-ri and Lee Kwang-soo. Courtesy of Walt Disney Company Korea Disney+ show takes cast members into virtual world of simulated disasterBy Lee Gyu-leeDisney+'s Korean original variety show “The Zone: Survival Mission” garnered high anticipation from fans even before its premiere, as it brings together the producers of the hit show “Running Man” and its cast members Yoo Jae-suk and Lee Kwang-soo. Cho Hyo-jin, left, and Kim Dong-jin, co-producers of “The Zone: Survival Mission”/ Courtesy of Walt Disney Company Korea The large-scale survival show invites three players ― Yoo, Lee, and Kwon Yu-ri ― to a fictional world consumed in a pandemic, where there are virtual spaces simulating a disaster, called “The Zone.” The three cast members go through each zone that has

Sep 29, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee

'The Zone: Survival Mission' producers create large-scale disaster survival show

Shows & Dramas

Netflix's new genre-bending series, 'Glitch,' to tell story of friendship, trust

From left, actor Jeon Yeo-been, director Roh Deok, and actor Im Jin-ah pose during a press conference for Netflix's new series, “Glitch,” held at a theater in Yongsan District, Seoul, Tuesday. Courtesy of NetflixTwo former friends reunited by mysterious disappearancesBy Lee Gyu-leeNetflix's upcoming sci-fi thriller series, “Glitch,” will follow the story of a special friendship between two women with trust as the keyword, the director said. “The important part (of the series) is faith. From the early stages of production, it has been the series' keyword,” the series' director, Roh Deok, said during a press conference for the series, held at a theater in Yongsan District, Seoul, Tuesday. “It throws out questions about the importance of faith, which is part of what makes human beings. It's important to think about what one believes in and what one makes out of that faith,” he said.Led by filmmaker Roh, whose previous work includes the crime thriller film, "The Exclusive: Beat the Devil's Tattoo," and the romance film, ”Very Ordinary

Sep 28, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee

Lee Gyu-lee

Read more

Joo Won to lead tvN's new comedy action series

INTERVIEW Kwon Sang-woo, Lim Se-mi portray comical yet relatable reality in 'X in Crisis'

INTERVIEW KOCCA helps link K-content creators to investors

INTERVIEW Singaporean producers help create stunning visual scenes for 'Little Women'

Jung Ryeo-won to attend London, San Diego film festivals with 'The Woman in the White Car'

Monsta X's Kihyun to make solo comeback

INTERVIEW Jung Il-woo satisfied with his versatile character in 'Good Job'

Astro to globally release first film highlighting its concert

'The Zone: Survival Mission' producers create large-scale disaster survival show

Netflix's new genre-bending series, 'Glitch,' to tell story of friendship, trust

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