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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.

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Shows & Dramas

Yoo Jae-suk's travel show returns with 'no apps' experiment in Europe

What happens when Korea’s most seasoned variety star is stripped of Google Maps, booking apps and online searches for traveling? In “Punghyanggo” Season 2, Yoo Jae-suk and his cast are allowed to use only their phones’ call and camera functions — everything else is disabled. That single rule turns the travel series into an unexpectedly fresh experiment in analog adventure in an increasingly digital era. True to its title, which loosely means “going wherever the wind takes you” in Korean, the show embraces spontaneity over strategy. After heading to Vietnam in 2024 for its first season, the team now travels to Austria and Hungary, once again without reservations or pre-planned itineraries. Instead of relying on search engines, they carry printed booklets and navigate by instinct. Their unplanned, reservation-free journey brings viewers a rare sense of spontaneity and rediscovery in travel as “Punghyanggo” offers something in contrast to today’s hyper-organized trips — the messy, uncertain joy of getting lost and finding your way again. The four members — Yoo, Lee

Feb 20, 2026By Park Jin-hai
Yoo Jae-suk's travel show returns with 'no apps' experiment in Europe
Travel & Food

Jilli SF turns makgeolli into Bay Area’s trendiest drink

SAN FRANCISCO — Jeong Hwang-hah, the young owner of Jilli SF, is bringing makgeolli — Korea’s centuries-old rice alcohol — to the heart of the Bay Area, bridging her background in tech with the rising popularity of Korean drinking culture in the United States. After spending years in the tech industry as a user interaction designer for Airbnb and several artificial intelligence (AI) companies, the 28-year-old made a shift to hospitality this year to launch Jilli SF, a San Francisco outpost of the popular Korean-inspired bar in Los Angeles. Her motivation was a deep love for Korean culture and a vision to create a communal space for food, drink and connection in the U.S. “I want Jilli SF to be seen as a Korean modern 'suljib,' but for everyone,” Jeong told The Korea Times. “I hope this place feels like a friend’s home — somewhere you can drop by after work, even alone, and instantly feel at ease. Familiar, yet new.” After years designing interfaces and AI products, Jeong felt everything online was starting to blur together and realized people were yearning for experien

Nov 6, 2025By Park Jin-hai
Jilli SF turns makgeolli into Bay Area’s trendiest drink
Shows & Dramas

Romance reality show ‘Real Love Lab: Poison Apple’ returns with extra-spicy flair

SBS Plus’ romance reality show “Real Love Lab: Poison Apple,” which drew controversy with its first season last year, is returning with an even more provocative and daring twist. Season 2, which will be released on Saturday, is expected to feature a format where a real-life couple is tested by a so-called “Apple Girl” who secretly tries to flirt with the male partner, all observed in real time via hidden camera. The show’s first season won positive reviews for its honest portrayal of Gen Z’s dating psychology and real relationship issues. However, its blend of candid emotional moments and physical intimacy has fueled debate over alleged staging — some viewers questioned if the situations and reactions were truly real — as well as concerns over provocative images and the privacy of male partners. Despite, or perhaps due to, these controversies, the show’s viewership and public profile have only climbed. Season 1 proved its popularity by staying in the Top 20 trending rankings on local streaming platform Coupang Play for eight weeks, while multiple short-form clips sur

Oct 31, 2025By Park Jin-hai
Romance reality show ‘Real Love Lab: Poison Apple’ returns with extra-spicy flair
Shows & Dramas

Kim You-jung becomes angel-faced devil in thriller romance 'Dear X'

Tving's much-anticipated thriller-romance “Dear X” will showcase a chilling transformation of actor Kim You-jung, long known for her wholesome child actor image. Set to premiere on Nov. 6, the series is Tving’s first production to stream globally via HBO Max across 17 Asia-Pacific regions, already generating significant buzz ahead of its release. “Dear X” is directed by Lee Eung-bok, the acclaimed director behind “Sweet Home” (2020), “Mr. Sunshine” (2018) and “Guardian: The Lonely and Great God” (2016). Adapted from the popular webtoon of the same name, “Dear X” follows Baek Ah-jin (Kim), a woman who hides behind a mask to escape her personal torment while relentlessly climbing toward the pinnacle of fame. In her ruthless pursuit of perfection, she leaves behind the “Xs” — those broken and discarded in her wake. The drama delves into the downfall of Korea’s top actress, who conceals a cruel reality behind her stunning beauty, and the tragic love of Yoon Jun-seo (Kim Young-dae), a man who willingly descends into hell to protect her. Kim Jae-oh (Kim Do-hoo

Oct 30, 2025By Park Jin-hai
Kim You-jung becomes angel-faced devil in thriller romance 'Dear X'
Shows & Dramas

Lee Jae-wook steps into first dual role in 'Last Summer'

KBS’ new romance drama "Last Summer," set to premiere this weekend, is ready to capture hearts with its blend of nostalgia, emotional depth and a daring performance by Lee Jae-wook — who takes on his first-ever dual role as twin brothers. In the 12-part series, also available on Netflix, viewers follow a pair of childhood friends whose long-buried first love emerges from the metaphorical Pandora’s box, set against the backdrop of sultry summer days. He embodies Baek Do-ha, a brilliant architect haunted by the memories of a love lost, and his twin Do-young, both boys sculpted by family trauma and separation. Do-ha’s only visits to Korea as a youth were limited to a fleeting 21 days each summer, resulting in bittersweet reunions with neighbor Song Ha-gyeong (Choi Sung-eun). After a life-changing incident two years ago, the pair become more estranged than ever. “It was my first time playing a dual role, so I felt a lot of pressure. It’s challenging to express distinct personalities in characters who look so similar. For Do-ha, I focused on impulsive, physical gestures; for Do-yo

Oct 29, 2025By Park Jin-hai
Lee Jae-wook steps into first dual role in 'Last Summer'
Shows & Dramas

K-dramas capture today's harsh reality, offer bittersweet escape

Amid a slow job market and deepening sense of social isolation, a wave of Korean dramas that offer emotional solace and fill the void of everyday life are resonating with viewers. In Korea, the employment rate among people between the ages of 15 and 29 fell to 45.1 percent last month, down 0.7 percentage points from a year earlier and marking a 17-month slide — the longest decline since the global financial crisis in 2008. Some young people have even become involved in voice phishing schemes in Cambodia that promise high earnings, only to end up imprisoned by criminal organizations. This desperation is also shared with older workers, many of whom experience forced early retirement in their 50s and are leaving major corporations in droves. This stark reality is being dramatized and delivered to viewers through dramas. JTBC’s “The Dream Life of Mr. Kim,” now available on Netflix, invites viewers into the world of a stereotypical middle-aged corporate manager, Kim Nak-su (Ryu Seung-ryong). Now in his 25th year as a sales representative, he has never missed a promotion. With a sharp

Oct 29, 2025By Park Jin-hai
K-dramas capture today's harsh reality, offer bittersweet escape
Shows & Dramas

Lee Jung-jae trades thrillers for laughs in rom-com ‘Nice to Not Meet You'

After winning global acclaim for his intense performance as Seong Gi-hun in Netflix’s "Squid Game," actor Lee Jung-jae switches gears to take on a lighter and more playful role in the upcoming tvN rom-com "Nice to Not Meet You." In the series, he plays Lim Hyeon-jun, a beloved A-list actor best known for his detective role in the fictional hit "Good Detective Kang Pil-gu" franchise. Despite his fame, Hyeon-jun longs to break out of the tough-guy mold and showcase his emotional depth in subtler melodramas. With his magnetic screen presence, Lee is expected to bring both wit and vulnerability to a character navigating Korea's glittering yet unforgiving entertainment world. “My previous works were quite genre-heavy, so I wanted to try something lighter, more vibrant and fun. At just the right moment, actor Lim Ji-yeon reached out and I jumped at the chance," Lee said Tuesday during the online press conference for the drama. Co-star Lim — known for her chilling turn as the villain Park Yeon-jin in "The Glory" — humorously recalled how she was the one to reach out first. “After readi

Oct 28, 2025By Park Jin-hai
Lee Jung-jae trades thrillers for laughs in rom-com ‘Nice to Not Meet You'
People & Events

The Hanok Heritage wins hospitality award in Hong Kong

Cho Chung-il, center, chariperson of Korea's largest hanok (traditional Korean architecture) hotel The Hanok Heritage, receives an award for Exceptional Architectural Preservation in South Korea in the Dramatic Design category at the Best of the Best 2026 Travel, Experiences & Hospitality Edition 2026, hosted by luxury lifestyle publication Robb Report Hong Kong, in Hong Kong, Oct. 23. The Hanok Heritage in Yeongwol, Gangwon Province, offers a refined hospitality experience through the contemporary reinterpretation of hanok. Launched in 2023 as a members-only property, the venue opened its doors to the general public in September. Courtesy of The Hanok Heritage

Oct 27, 2025By Park Jin-haiphoto
The Hanok Heritage wins hospitality award in Hong Kong
Shows & Dramas

Which K-dramas were filmed in Gyeongju? Discover filming locations hidden across historic city

Gyeongju, a city in North Gyeongsang Province steeped in history, is set to host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting from Oct. 31 to Nov. 1 — only the second time for Korea to hold the meeting. As the world’s attention turns to this ancient capital, Gyeongju continues to enchant filmmakers and viewers alike with its rich heritage and picturesque landscapes, making it one of the most sought-after filming destinations for both historical sagas and modern dramas. Gyeongju offers more than just a backdrop. It shapes the mood, tone and texture of the stories filmed there. The production team of MBC’s “The Great Queen Seondeok” (2009) credited the city’s “majestic yet intimate atmosphere” for allowing them to convey emotional nuance beyond the historical narrative. Korean Chinese film director Zhang Lu, who shot his movie “Gyeongju” (2014) in the namesake city, said, “Walking through Gyeongju, you can feel layers of time and emotion merging in the spaces themselves. That sense of history naturally seeps into the film.” From “Prince

Oct 26, 2025By Park Jin-hai
Which K-dramas were filmed in Gyeongju? Discover filming locations hidden across historic city
Trends

How K-beauty is taking over US skincare aisles

SAN FRANCISCO — In the Next Big Thing section of a Sephora in San Francisco, customers compare bottles of toner, eyes catching on the sleek pastel labels reading “Made in Korea.” “Korean skincare brands have a much wider range suited to different skin types and concerns,” said Jenny Kim, a Korean American customer. “K‑beauty responds quickly to trends like ‘glass skin’ or lighter formulations for ‘cosmetic dieting.’ That sensitivity to trend is impressive.” Her comments reflect a broader shift in global beauty preferences. Last year, Korea surpassed France to become the top cosmetics exporter to the United States, according to the Korea International Trade Association. K‑beauty sales in the U.S. have surged 53 percent year‑on‑year, driven largely by the minimal skincare routines favored by Gen Z customers. Ava Han, a Korean American makeup artist and sales executive for Amorepacific in the Bay Area, has witnessed the growing enthusiasm for Korean beauty up close. “When I tell customers I’m Korean, they rush over saying, ‘Oh, your makeup is

Oct 25, 2025By Park Jin-hai
How K-beauty is taking over US skincare aisles
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