The Korea Times

Ko So-young makes variety show debut as host of 'Dr. Oh's Stay'

Actor Ko So-young, known for her iconic roles in the 1990s, is making a highly anticipated return to the small screen as the host of a new reality program on MBN. The show, "Dr. Oh's Stay," marks Ko’s first step into the world of entertainment hosting, showcasing a new, more personal side of the star. The program follows individuals confronting personal pains and traumas as they take part in a one-night, two-day temple stay at Ssanggye Temple in Hadong, South Gyeongsang Province — a Buddhist temple dating back to the 9th century — guided by psychiatrist Oh Eun-young, widely known in Korea as “the nation’s mentor." Here they seek comfort, empathy and diverse solutions together. Ko serves as one of the hosts, alongside comedian Moon Se-yoon. "Especially as a parent with children, I had the opportunity to meet with Oh when I was worried if I was on the right path. I had a personal connection with her and was receiving a lot of help," the Ko said during an online press conference Monday, explaining why she decided to join the show. Rather than dispensing advice, the 52-year-old act

Jun 23, 2025By Park Jin-hai

Ko So-young makes variety show debut as host of 'Dr. Oh's Stay'

Shows & Dramas

Is it too late for Tving-Wavve merger to unseat Netflix in Korea?

In response to the Korea Fair Trade Commission's (FTC) June 10 decision to conditionally approve the merger of Tving and Wavve, experts have offered mixed reactions with some casting doubt on whether the move can seriously unseat Netflix, currently dominating Korea’s streaming market. While some see the merger as a strategic move to enhance competitiveness by scaling up, others remain skeptical whether it can challenge Netflix’s dominance in Korea. "The merger feels overdue. Even if it happens now, I question how much impact it will really have. For the merger to be effective, content exclusivity is necessary, but that has already been broken — SBS recently signed a deal with Netflix. There’s no guarantee that MBC or KBS won’t do the same in the future," said Yoo Geon-sik, an adjunct professor at Sungkyunkwan University’s Graduate School of Media and Culture. According to data analysis platform Mobile Index, Tving had 7.16 million monthly active users in May, while Wavve recorded 4.13 million. Their combined user base of 11.28 million still falls short of Netflix’s 14.5 mi

Jun 22, 2025By Park Jin-hai

Is it too late for Tving-Wavve merger to unseat Netflix in Korea?

Shows & Dramas

Where Sung Si-kyung, Yutaka Matsushige ate in ‘K-Foodie Meets J-Foodie’

Netflix reality show "K-Foodie Meets J-Foodie" brings together two celebrated food personalities from Korea and Japan: Korean balladeer and food YouTuber Sung Si-kyung and Japanese actor Yutaka Matsushige, best known for his role in the "Solitary Gourmet" series. The show aims to be a cross-cultural "taste exchange project," where the duo explores culinary gems across both countries, sharing not only food but also stories, traditions and the nuances of their respective food cultures. Here are some of those restaurants Sung and Matsushige visited on the show. Chinese restaurant Yang in Tokyo This beloved Chinese restaurant in Ikebukuro, Tokyo, known for its rich flavors and authentic atmosphere, is Matsushige's first pick on the show. Featured in the "Solitary Gourmet" drama series, this spot has been a favorite of the Japanese foodie for over 13 years, introduced as one of his personal go-to places. Run by an owner from Sichuan, China, the restaurant is famous for its spicy, brothless dandan noodles, pan-fried dumplings and hearty side dishes. For more information, visit its @yang.ikebukur

Jun 19, 2025By Park Jin-hai

Where Sung Si-kyung, Yutaka Matsushige ate in ‘K-Foodie Meets J-Foodie’

'K-Foodie Meets J-Foodie' explores Korean, Japanese food cultures through friendship, flavor

Shows & Dramas

'K-Foodie Meets J-Foodie' explores Korean, Japanese food cultures through friendship, flavor

What happens when Korea’s top foodie meets Japan’s ultimate solo diner? In "K-Foodie Meets J-Foodie," now streaming on Netflix, beloved Korean ballad singer Sung Si-kyung teams up with Japanese actor Yutaka Matsushige of "Solitary Gourmet" fame for a cross-cultural culinary tour. Hopping between Korea's hidden gems and Japan's nostalgic eateries, the pair share more than just meals — they serve up memories, flavors and laughter. Since its February premiere, the show is winning over viewers in both countries, with Season 2 currently airing. In the latest episodes, Matsushige introduced tonkotsu ramen, the rich pork bone broth noodle dish hailing from Japan’s Fukuoka region, while Sung spotlighted Korea’s own comfort classic — sundae gukbap, a hearty soup made with blood sausage and rice in a savory pork bone broth. “Most food shows stimulate some kind of instinctive desire. They show delicious food and intentionally highlight the sounds to make viewers crave food. But I always hoped it could be something more than that," Kim In-sik, the producer behind the show, said in an

Jun 19, 2025By Park Jin-hai

'K-Foodie Meets J-Foodie' explores Korean, Japanese food cultures through friendship, flavor

Where Sung Si-kyung, Yutaka Matsushige ate in ‘K-Foodie Meets J-Foodie’

Arts & Theater

Korean National Ballet to feature Kylian’s iconic works

The Korean National Ballet (KNB) will perform pieces by famed Czech choreographer Jiri Kylian at the newly renovated GS Arts Center. "Kylian Project," comprising three of Kylian's works, "Forgotten Land," "Sechs Tanze" (Six Dances) and "Falling Angels," will grace the stage from June 26 to 29, ready to captivate modern ballet fans. Kylian, one of the greatest choreographers in modern ballet history, is recognized for redefining the flow of contemporary dance. He served as the artistic director of the Nederlands Dans Theater (NDT) for nearly 30 years, leading NDT to become a central force in the world of contemporary dance. His works are regularly performed around the world and are known for their emotional depth and philosophical reflection. This Seoul production will present three of Kylian’s pieces that sensuously stage the multifaceted inner self and emotions. The KNB's second collaboration with Kylian, following the "Evening Gala" in 2019, is expected to not only bring the charm of contemporary ballet to Korean audiences but also to serve as a stage to showcase the breadth and dept

Jun 14, 2025By Park Jin-hai

Korean National Ballet to feature Kylian’s iconic works

Shows & Dramas

So Ji-sub channels John Wick in Netflix's 'Mercy for None'

Actor So Ji-sub returned to the noir genre with the Netflix series "Mercy for None," some 13 years after "A Company Man" (2012). Showcasing the cold and intense essence of noir action, he delivers hard-boiled action that earned him praise from domestic and international viewers as the "John Wick of Korea." The 47-year-old actor expressed his personal affinity for film noir, noting that he particularly enjoys "the energy that comes from characters clashing." "It seems like a lot of noir genre scripts are coming out, but they are actually rare. Maybe one or two come out in a year, so I was grateful when the script came to me," he said Thursday during an interview with The Korea Times at a cafe in Seoul. "It feels like I'm pulling out a cheat code after a long time. I chose the noir genre because I wanted to try something that suits me." He expressed gratitude for the comparisons to John Wick, but clarified the difference from the "John Wick" film series. "If the 'John Wick' series primarily features gun action from a distance, 'Mercy for None' is about close-quarters combat. I believe each

Jun 12, 2025By Park Jin-hai

So Ji-sub channels John Wick in Netflix's 'Mercy for None'

Shows & Dramas

'The First Night With the Duke' to premiere amid backlash over cultural heritage damage

KBS’ new fantasy romance drama "The First Night With the Duke" premieres Wednesday, while still shadowed by a controversy surrounding the show's production, namely damage caused to a cultural heritage site during filming. Based on a popular web novel and webtoon, the series garnered anticipation from drama fans due to its star-studded casting of second-generation K-pop idols-turned-actors — Seohyun of Girls' Generation and Ok Taec-yeon of 2PM. The fantasy drama revolves around an ordinary college student whose soul is transported into a background character in her favorite romance novel. She ends up spending a night with the novel's obsessive male lead, triggering a romance that deviates from the novel’s original plot. Seohyun plays Cha Sun-chaek, the student-turned-minor character whose name aptly means "the next best thing" in Korean, while Ok takes on the role of Yi Beon, the male lead in the novel, a royal figure in a fictional historical Korea. The unlikely “duke” in the drama’s English title stems from the original web novel and webtoon, which took place in a Western-st

Jun 11, 2025By Park Jin-hai

'The First Night With the Duke' to premiere amid backlash over cultural heritage damage

Shows & Dramas

'Krazy Rich Korean' sheds lights on Korean trailblazers

New observational reality show "Krazy Rich Korean" will highlight the lives and stories of world-class Koreans who showcase a "crazy presence" in their respective fields. Producer Lee Chang-soo revealed that he was inspired by the unapologetic ambition of former Ador CEO Min Hee-jin, known for her creative leadership behind some of K-pop's most successful acts, including NewJeans. Despite her ongoing legal battles with HYBE, Ador's parent company, Min's infamous press conference served as a catalyst for Lee’s idea. "This program came about after much thought following former Ador CEO Min's press conference," Lee said during a press conference Tuesday at the KBS Annex in Yeongdeungpo District, Seoul. "I think Min clearly showed how 'crazy' one needs to be to succeed on the world stage, so I looked into it, and indeed, she was crazy." Turning heads at the event, Lee paid cheeky homage by wearing a blue cap and green striped shirt — the same outfit Min wore during her April 2024 press conference. The outfit made headlines and quickly sold out after going viral. He explained that the prog

Jun 10, 2025By Park Jin-hai

'Krazy Rich Korean' sheds lights on Korean trailblazers

Shows & Dramas

'Squid Game' final season deepens moral conflict between Gi-hun, Front Man

Netflix's sensation "Squid Game" returns June 27 with its highly anticipated final season, promising a dramatic showdown between Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) and the mysterious Front Man (Lee Byung-hun). As the brutal competition reaches its climax, the two former players clash over their opposing beliefs on humanity, justice and survival. The global phenomenon — the first non-English language work to sweep major categories at the Primetime Emmy Awards — picks up where Season 2 left off. Gi-hun reenters the deadly arena with his own motives, only to suffer devastating losses, including the death of his closest friend. Meanwhile, the Front Man continues to manipulate the game from within, concealing his true identity and agenda. The last remaining players' fates will be revealed within the brutal contest. Asked what message he wanted to convey with the new season, director Hwang Dong-hyuk said he approached the final chapters not to deliver a specific message, but to "raise deeper questions" about the world we live in. “If we talk about the many side effects of capitalist society, it

Jun 9, 2025By Park Jin-hai

'Squid Game' final season deepens moral conflict between Gi-hun, Front Man

Shows & Dramas

'Our Unwritten Seoul': Healing drama of twin sisters' growth

The new weekend drama from tvN, “Our Unwritten Seoul,” follows identical twins Yu Mi-rae and Mi-ji, who look exactly alike but live completely different lives. When they make the choice to swap places, they learn about each other's hidden pain and to understand the world from the other’s perspective. Mi-rae, who spent most of her childhood in the hospital due to a congenital heart condition, has always felt indebted to her family for caring for her fragile health. Driven by a sense of obligation, she studies hard, attends a prestigious university and lands a job at a public corporation in Seoul. In contrast, Mi-ji was born healthy and dreamed of becoming a track athlete. But after an injury dashes her hopes, she stays in her hometown, working various part-time jobs like cleaning the local school and seasonal agricultural labor. Their personalities are also polar opposites. While Mi-rae is used to enduring and holding back, Mi-ji is cheerful and robust no matter the situation. As children, they would sometimes swap places to help deal with adversity. As adults, with Mi-rae facing

Jun 9, 2025By Park Jin-hai

Park Jin-hai

Read more

Ko So-young makes variety show debut as host of 'Dr. Oh's Stay'

Is it too late for Tving-Wavve merger to unseat Netflix in Korea?

Where Sung Si-kyung, Yutaka Matsushige ate in ‘K-Foodie Meets J-Foodie’

'K-Foodie Meets J-Foodie' explores Korean, Japanese food cultures through friendship, flavor

Korean National Ballet to feature Kylian’s iconic works

So Ji-sub channels John Wick in Netflix's 'Mercy for None'

'The First Night With the Duke' to premiere amid backlash over cultural heritage damage

'Krazy Rich Korean' sheds lights on Korean trailblazers

'Squid Game' final season deepens moral conflict between Gi-hun, Front Man

'Our Unwritten Seoul': Healing drama of twin sisters' growth

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