my timesThe Korea Times
jinhai

Park Jin-hai

Korea Times K-Culture Reporter

Park Jin-hai primarily focuses on K-dramas, entertainment shows and actor interviews. Beyond that, she also pens articles covering the broader arts scene, with a particular emphasis on classical music, dance and various aspects of lifestyle. Since joining The Korea Times in 2013, she has made significant contributions in the realms of hallyu (Korean wave), industry news and international affairs.

Go to Email

Read more

Shows & Dramas

Cannes-acclaimed drama 'S Line' explores hidden human desires

Wavve's original series "S Line," which was officially invited to the 2025 Cannes International Series Festival and won the "Best Music" award in April, will finally be released Friday. The fantasy thriller, based on the popular webtoon of the same name by Kkomabi, author of "A Killer Paradox," delves into hidden truths and human desires, based on a provocative concept of the S Line, a red thread only visible between people who have had sexual relationships. In the original webtoon, the line was visible to all, but scriptwriter and director Ahn Joo-young reinterpreted the setting so that only some people can see the S Line, hinting at a different worldview. As the only Korean drama invited to the Canneseries this year, the response at the festival was enthusiastic, according to Ahn. "The auditorium was packed when the series was screened, and the cheers we received gave me an unforgettable sense of emotion as a director," she said, recalling the moment during a press conference for the drama at CGV Yongsan I'Park Mall in Yongsan District, Seoul, Monday. "Since it's a work where thriller a

Jul 7, 2025By Park Jin-hai
Cannes-acclaimed drama 'S Line' explores hidden human desires
Shows & Dramas

K-dramas reinterpret shamanism

In the tvN fantasy romance drama "Head Over Heels," high school student Seong-ah, who secretly works as a shaman by night, says, "When life wavers in the face of crisis, people seek out shamans." She performs a ritual called "cheondoje" to send off spirits and holds exorcisms to drive away evil ghosts, but the overall tone of the drama is not entirely dark and gloomy. During the solemn ritual, her watch alarm goes off, prompting her to hurry the ceremony, saying, "If I can't finish the ritual in 10 minutes, I have to go." As a ghost protests, she says, "Today is the midterm exam. You know what it means for a high schooler to mess up their grades, right?" The drama, which premiered on June 23, depicts the relationship between Seong-ah (Cho Yi-hyun), a teenage shaman who can see ghosts, and Gyeon-woo (Choo Young-woo), a transfer student destined for an early death. Seong-ah strives to save Gyeon-woo, her first love, from his fate. The drama convincingly portrays the tensions between rituals and exams, shamanism and high school life, blending them naturally into a compelling coming-of-age

Jul 7, 2025By Park Jin-hai
K-dramas reinterpret shamanism
Shows & Dramas

Lee Jung-jae praises 'Squid Game' creator for ending series with integrity

"Above all, an overwhelming sense comes from undergoing a truly immense experience," Lee Jung-jae said of "Squid Game," the series that catapulted him to global fame. Lee never imagined "Squid Game" would change his life or the world’s perception of Korean drama. Now, as the global hit reaches its dramatic conclusion in Season 3, the Emmy-winning actor reflects on the series’ emotional weight, his character’s final sacrifice and why he admires the director’s decision to end it on his own terms. "For that, I am profoundly grateful and it's undeniable that the outpouring of attention and affection was substantial," he said during an interview with The Korea Times at a cafe in Seoul Thursday. In the latest and final season, Lee takes on the role of a man who has lost his friends due to the failure of the rebellion he spearheaded within the deadly game. Consumed by guilt and anger, he becomes despondent — until choosing to sacrifice himself for a baby born during the games. Expressing a tinge of wistfulness at the definitive conclusion, he noted that writer-director Hwang Dong-hyuk

Jul 3, 2025By Park Jin-hai
Lee Jung-jae praises 'Squid Game' creator for ending series with integrity
  • 'Squid Game' director reflects on bittersweet end of six-year journey
Shows & Dramas

'Law and the City' puts lens on everyday life of attorneys

At a time when trust in Korea’s legal profession is eroding — fueled by criticism on former Prosecutor General-turned-President Yoon Suk Yeol’s “prosecutor republic” politics and his own indictment and trial on charges of insurrection — tvN is set to premiere a drama that offers a look at the lives of lawyers. "Law and the City," premiering Saturday, will portray the triumphs and tribulations of five associate lawyers in Seocho-dong, Seocho District, in southern Seoul, known as the heart of Korea’s legal world. Home to the Supreme Court, high and district courts and top prosecution offices, the area hosts nearly 4,000 lawyers and a network of legal professionals, making it the perfect setting for a drama rooted in the real-life grind. The drama marks actor Lee Jong-suk’s return to the small screen, following a three-year hiatus since "Big Mouth" (2022). Lee described the drama as being about "everyday life and making a living," rather than high-stakes narratives about life and death or fighting evil. "Personally, I enjoy stories about life and death. However, when I thoug

Jul 1, 2025By Park Jin-hai
'Law and the City' puts lens on everyday life of attorneys
Shows & Dramas

'Squid Game' director reflects on bittersweet end of six-year journey

After investing what he calls a "life-draining effort" into the "Squid Game" series over three seasons, director Hwang Dong-hyuk confessed to a bittersweet sentiment on its conclusion — a complex mix of relief tinged with lingering sense of loss. "To be honest, I've been working on this project for six years. From the moment I started writing, this one project has really consumed a significant part of my life, giving me unimaginable success and glory, but also bringing many difficulties. I think that time will remain in my memory for a long time," he said during an interview with The Korea Times at a cafe in Seoul, Monday. "Thinking about when else I might receive such attention and love, I do feel a bittersweet feeling now that the project is really over. But at the same time, it was a project that carried a lot of pressure because it received so much global attention and anticipation. So, the thought that I've finally finished this project also gives me a sense of relief and peace," he added. "Squid Game" Season 3 dropped Friday, completing the saga that began in 2021 and continued

Jun 30, 2025By Park Jin-hai
'Squid Game' director reflects on  bittersweet end of six-year journey
  • ‘Squid Game’ ends saga with haunting questions
Shows & Dramas

From Young-hee to hanjeongsik: ‘Squid Game’ Season 3 brings back Korean childhood games, nostalgia

Having failed in his rebellion, "Squid Game" protagonist Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) feels guilty and helpless, believing that many people died because of him. He's even unable to participate in the vote to decide whether or not to continue the game. In the midst of this disaster, his anger turns towards Dae-ho (Kang Ha-neul). He believes the rebellion failed because Dae-ho, who was supposed to bring the magazine for the bullets, got scared and ran away. As Gi-hun is haunted by his failed rebellion and the weight of lives lost, dawn breaks and a new, more brutal game begins in "Squid Game" Season 3. As in previous seasons, the latest episodes are steeped in Korean cultural references, from the twisted reinvention of childhood games and nursery rhymes to retro settings and even Korean food. These cultural layers ground the global hit in a uniquely Korean identity. Young-hee and Chul-su This season introduces a new robotic doll, Chul-su, to join the infamous Young-hee animatronic. Previously seen in the chilling “Red Light, Green Light” game, Young-hee used motion sensors to gun down players

Jun 30, 2025By Park Jin-hai
From Young-hee to hanjeongsik: ‘Squid Game’ Season 3 brings back Korean childhood games, nostalgia
Shows & Dramas

Park Bo-young's mantra: 'Yesterday is over. Today is unknown. Let's go!'

"Yesterday is over. Tomorrow is yet to come. Today is yet unknown. Let's go!" Actor Park Bo-young said she frequently repeated these very words to herself while filming tvN's "Our Unwritten Seoul." These were the words her character, Mi-ji, would say to encourage herself to start her day after an injury had shattered her dream of becoming a track athlete, leading her to isolate herself in her room. "I was so scared, wondering what gave me the courage to think I could pull this off with confidence. What if it just looks like 'Park Bo-young 1' and 'Park Bo-young 2,' or what if there's no real difference? I just wanted to run away the night before the first shoot," Park said during an interview with The Korea Times at a cafe in Seoul, Thursday. In the drama, identical twins Mi-rae and Mi-ji decide to swap lives after Mi-rae, a character with top academic achievements and a successful career in a public enterprise, becomes an outcast at her company for exposing internal corruption. Slowly, they discover each other's hidden pain and learn to see the world from a different perspective. Four ch

Jun 30, 2025By Park Jin-hai
Park Bo-young's mantra: 'Yesterday is over. Today is unknown. Let's go!'
Shows & Dramas

'Marry My Husband' Japanese version debuts with K-drama creators, J-drama stars

A highly anticipated Japanese version of the hit Korean drama "Marry My Husband" was released Friday. The collaboration project, bringing together K-drama production staff with Japanese actors and a local Japanese crew, has garnered attention as a "J-drama created by K-drama production staff." Notably, this Japanese version doesn't simply rehash the Korean drama. Instead, it's a meticulously crafted adaptation of the original web novel, reimagined and tailored specifically for Japanese audiences. "When we acquired the original web novel and were planning the Korean version, the webtoon also became a hit in Japan," said Studio Dragon's producer Son Ja-young during a press conference at Ramada by Wyndham Seoul in Sindorim, Seoul, Thursday. "Usually, when a Korean drama is produced overseas, it's a remake. However, the Japanese version of this drama was planned even before the Korean version began filming. Since it's not a remake but an original Japanese drama, it's a new attempt and a significant challenge," she said regarding the planning process. Based on the popular web novel of the same

Jun 27, 2025By Park Jin-hai
'Marry My Husband' Japanese version debuts with K-drama creators, J-drama stars
Shows & Dramas

BUMSUP brings Korea-inspired performance to 'World of Street Woman Fighter'

What happens when street dance legends from around the world face off under one roof? Mnet’s dance competition show "World of Street Woman Fighter" (WSWF) ups the ante, transforming its hit series into a global showdown and igniting a dance craze with record-breaking performances. Korean dance crew BUMSUP is dominating the spotlight with their mega crew mission video, “Mongyeong — At the Boundary of Dreams,” directed by Honey J. Released on June 18 via Mnet’s YouTube channel The CHOOM, the performance racked up over 13 million views in just six days — the fastest climb ever across all mission videos in Mnet’s dance competition franchises, including "Street Woman Fighter," "Street Man Fighter" and "Stage Fighter." In the video, a pre-release for the global vote of the upcoming mega crew mission — featuring each teams mobilizing large numbers of performers — BUMSUP showcased a stunning collaboration with actor Roh Yoon-seo and 102 dancers. It received praise for its sophisticated blend of Korean tradition with a modern twist. The performance skillfully incorporates eleme

Jun 26, 2025By Park Jin-hai
BUMSUP brings Korea-inspired performance to 'World of Street Woman Fighter'
Shows & Dramas

'Parasite' writer Han Jin-won makes directorial debut with school election drama

Han Jin-won, the writer behind the Oscar-winning film "Parasite," officially made his directorial debut with Tving's "I Am a Running Mate." The 39-year-old, who shared the Best Original Screenplay Academy Award with Bong Joon-ho in 2020, initially joined the new project as a scriptwriter. However, a desire to direct soon blossomed. "I wasn't initially contracted to direct, but as I wrote, I became more ambitious, so I said I wanted to direct. This wasn't just a delivery-ready script, it was a screenplay with a director's vision already embedded. I even made notes on camera movements," Han said during an interview with The Korea Times in Seoul Tuesday. "That's how my affection grew, and when a script I wrote over a decade ago started to be developed, I found myself with a craving to direct. Unlike my previous works, I was nervous about seeing a creative project that I had spearheaded put to the test." With a cast of rising stars, the Tving series, which dropped all episodes on Thursday, is a cheerful teen political drama that follows Se-hoon (Yoon Hyun-soo), who becomes the school's laugh

Jun 24, 2025By Park Jin-hai
'Parasite' writer Han Jin-won makes  directorial debut with school election drama
previous page
1314151617
next page

Top 5 stories

Korea Times
About Us
Introduction
History
Contact Us
Products & Services
Subscribe
E-paper
RSS Service
Content Sales
Site Map
Policy
Code of Ethics
Ombudsman
Privacy Policy
Youth Protection Policy
Terms of Service
Copyright Policy
Family Site
Hankookilbo
Dongwha Group
FacebookXYoutubeInstagram
CEO & Publisher: Oh Young-jinDigital News Email: webmaster@koreatimes.co.krTel: 02-724-2114Online newspaper registration No: 서울,아52844Date of registration: 2020.02.05Masthead: The Korea TimesCopyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.