The Korea Times

Can 'Squid Game' surpass its record-breaking legacy in Season 3?

The final game for a prize of 5.6 billion won ($4.1 million) is about to begin. "Squid Game," the record-breaking Korean drama that became Netflix’s most-watched original series, returns with its final episodes. Season 3, which will be released worldwide simultaneously on June 27, depicts the protagonist Seong Gi-hun’s struggle to put an end to the brutal game where competitors die and only one can survive to claim the prize. The return of this gripping series, which helped bolster Korean dramas and the streaming service, is generating buzz. Director Hwang Dong-hyuk unveiled new behind-the-scenes stills and a sneak peek at the VIP room set, Wednesday, teasing a season that will be "darker and more brutal than Season 2, but at the same time, it will be quite inventive and humorous." He added, “I wanted to ask a fundamental question: ‘Do we possess humanity and does that humanity have the ability and power to make the world a better place?,'" raising curiosity about how the core message of all three seasons will be conveyed in the final segments. “Squid Game” Season 3 centers a

Jun 5, 2025By Park Jin-hai

Can 'Squid Game' surpass its record-breaking legacy in Season 3?

Travel & Food

K-hiking: Korea’s urban mountains become must-visit tourist destinations

Wearing hanbok (Korean traditional attire) and walking around Gyeongbok Palace, eating street food and shopping for K-pop merchandise and cosmetics used to top to-do lists for people traveling to Korea. Now, a new experience is climbing in popularity — literally. Hiking Korea’s urban mountains, often dubbed “K-hiking,” has quickly become one of the most unexpected yet popular activities among international tourists. Searching hashtags like #seoulhiking, #hikingtourism or #hikinginseoul on Instagram now turns up over 10,000 posts. No matter which mountain in downtown Seoul, it is now common to see foreign tourists exploring mountain paths or taking photos at the summits. Urban hiking, Korean style The unique joy of hiking that Koreans have long known — slurping ramyeon (instant noodles) and eating gimbap (Korean seaweed rice rolls) at the peak and cooling down with makgeolli (Korean rice wine) after a trek — is now catching on among foreigners as well. One key reason behind its growing popularity is the ease and spontaneity it offers — tourists can enjoy a scenic hike surroun

Jun 4, 2025By Park Jin-hai

K-hiking: Korea’s urban mountains become must-visit tourist destinations

Shows & Dramas

From weather forecasts to lottery drawing, stars turn to unconventional promo tactics

In a move that caught viewers off guard, actor Park Bo-gum recently stepped onto the set of JTBC’s flagship news program "Newsroom," not as a guest, but as a one-day weathercaster. Wearing a sharp suit adorned with a Korean national flag, Park opened the forecast saying, “Early summer, a season when new beginnings come to mind.” He continued, “I will be making a new start as Yoon Dong-joo, a special police officer and former boxing gold medalist, in JTBC’s new drama ‘Good Boy,’ which premieres this Saturday. I hope to share this beginning with all of you.” This unconventional appearance reflects a growing trend in Korean entertainment, where stars are embracing creative promotional strategies to stand out in a content-saturated market. And for Park — who plays a rookie officer fighting corruption in a fast-paced action comedy — the polished weathercaster concept offered a fitting teaser for the role. This isn’t Park's first time engaging in innovative promotional strategies. In 2016, Park, dressed as a crown prince of the 1392-1910 Joseon Kingdom, danced to Shaggy's

Jun 3, 2025By Park Jin-hai

From weather forecasts to lottery drawing, stars turn to unconventional promo tactics

Shows & Dramas

Park Bo-gum plays boxing medalist-turned-cop in 'Good Boy'

Park Bo-gum throws punches in his newest role as a former boxing champion-turned-police officer in JTBC’s weekend drama "Good Boy," premiering Saturday. In this high-energy comic action series, Park leads a group of elite medalists — ranging from shooting and wrestling to discus and fencing — who are specially recruited into law enforcement. Together, they form a justice-driven “Avengers”-like team, taking down crime with both brains and brawn. Departing from his softer, heartthrob image seen in the recent Netflix sensation "When Life Gives You Tangerines," Park threw himself into performing with intense physicality and comedic timing for a genre he calls “a completely new start.” Park has been seeking fresh challenges since completing his mandatory military service in 2022, and the action-heavy drama "Good Boy" is one of them. Now 31, the actor said turning 30 gave him the push to pursue bolder choices. "I had a strong desire to try everything I want while I still can. If I had been building my filmography step by step until now, I now wanted to at least speed-walk, if not

May 29, 2025By Park Jin-hai

Park Bo-gum plays boxing medalist-turned-cop in 'Good Boy'

Shows & Dramas

'ONE: High School Heroes' is action series with emotional depth

Following the success of the hit school action series "Weak Hero," Wavve returns with another standout entry in the genre: "ONE: High School Heroes." Adapted from Lee Eun-jae’s webtoon "ONE," which has amassed over 65 million views, the drama centers on a top student with natural fighting prowess, who is tormented by relentless pressure from his father, and his classmate, a mysterious transfer student who is eager to exploit his friend's abilities. Together, the boys don masks and form the "High School Heroes," channeling their pent-up rage to upend the school’s violent hierarchy in a gripping, action-packed school drama. Lee Seong-tae, known for films like "Derailed" (2016) and "By Quantum Physics: A Nightlife Venture" (2019), is making his TV directing debut with this series. "We followed the theme of the original webtoon, so we don't just stop at a one-dimensional portrayal of school violence. This drama also delves deeply into layers of violence, such as domestic abuse and societal pressure that values academic achievement above all else. I believe we can deliver a profound emot

May 28, 2025By Park Jin-hai

'ONE: High School Heroes' is action series with emotional depth

Shows & Dramas

'The Devil’s Plan' producer, Season 2 champion respond to criticism

Netflix’s high-stakes survival game show "The Devil’s Plan" recently wrapped up its second season amid a flurry of controversy, prompting both the show’s producer and its final winner, Jeong Hyun-gyu of "EXchange 2" fame, to respond to the backlash. In "The Devil’s Plan: Death Room," players from various professions live together for seven days to determine the ultimate mastermind. It drew attention with its stellar cast of 14 participants, including former professional Go player Lee Se-dol, best known for his historic five-game match against artificial intelligence AlphaGo in 2016, Hollywood actor Justin H. Min, K-pop idol Kyuhyun, TV presenter Kang Ji-young, actor Yoon So-hui and poker player 7high. However, the show drew criticism from viewers over Jeong's gameplay and questionable decisions. In the finale, Kyuhyun sacrificed himself to save Jeong, while the final opponent Yoon gave up betting in the final game, leaving viewers puzzled. Jeong, a Seoul National University student who appeared on the dating reality show “EXchange 2,” was blamed for making viewers uncomforta

May 27, 2025By Park Jin-hai

'The Devil’s Plan' producer, Season 2 champion respond to criticism

Shows & Dramas

Comedian Lee Su-ji talks character comedy, further acting aspirations

Comedian Lee Su-ji, praised by many as "a comedian with a thousand faces," acts out a variety of original characters through streaming platforms and her own YouTube channel, bringing laughter to audiences. Her numerous characters on her YouTube channel Hot Issue Ji — from the Korean tiger mom nicknamed "Jamie Mom," an education-obsessed mother in Seoul’s affluent Daechi-dong neighborhood, to "Shuuvely Mom," a social media live commerce influencer with exaggerated sales pitches — have taken the internet by storm. Her success led to winning this year's Best Female Entertainer at the Baeksang Arts Awards on May 5. Since her debut in 2008, whenever she creates a new character, Lee says her "starting point always lies in the various people from everyday life with whom others can relate to." “When I go to the supermarket, a restaurant or a cafe, I try not to wear earphones as much as possible. I jot down speech patterns or relatable points in my notes app to catch them. For me, it feels like a hobby. I mimic the way other people talk or their habits," the 40-year-old comedian said dur

May 26, 2025By Park Jin-hai

Comedian Lee Su-ji talks character comedy, further acting aspirations

Shows & Dramas

Korean period dramas evolve with fantasy, occult twists

Korean historical dramas, or "sageuk," are undergoing a transformation. Once defined by historically-based storytelling centered on royal courts and political intrigue, recent offerings are mixing genres in new ways — blending fantasy, mystery, romance and even horror to meet the expectations of a global streaming audience. The occult romance period drama "The Haunted Palace” is drawing viewers in for its fresh premise — a romance between an "imugi" (a mythical serpent) and a shaman. Set in a fictionalized late Joseon Dynasty-era (1392-1910) backdrop, the drama is earning praise for its distinctive perspective on ghost stories, distinguishing itself from conventional occult narratives. Each episode introduces new spirits with tragic backstories. Rather than portraying these spirits simply as chilling figures meant to heighten tension and fear, the show gives them a sense of humanity. A "drowned ghost" living in the palace well turns out to be a court lady who took her own life after being wronged by the reckless Prince Yeongin. With female lead Yeo-ri’s help, she is able to reso

May 26, 2025By Park Jin-hai

Korean period dramas evolve with fantasy, occult twists

Shows & Dramas

Actors in 40s, 50s, beyond rush to YouTube amid traditional media decline

Veteran actresses in their 40s, 50s and older are shedding their air of mystery and taking on the challenge of YouTube. The most recent example is Kim Nam-joo, who is jumping into YouTube for the first time in her 31-year career. Starting Thursday, she began sharing her life with the public through her eponymous YouTube channel. “It seems like the world has changed a lot. In this era when a fun world unfolds inside our phones, I found myself watching YouTube at some point. I wanted to get closer to everyone in this space, so I decided to start a YouTube channel to show my true self without any pretense,” she said in the introduction to her first video. The content is also being broadcast through SBS Life’s new program, “Queen of Taste," marking her first solo appearance on an entertainment program since her debut in 1994. Actor Han Ga-in began her YouTube activities last September, followed by Ko Hyun-joung, Lee Min-jung and Ko So-young. Han and Lee resonate with viewers by showing their real-life roles as mothers, while actor Ko Hyun-joung is gaining attention for sharing her sk

May 23, 2025By Park Jin-hai

Actors in 40s, 50s, beyond rush to YouTube amid traditional media decline

Shows & Dramas

These are classic K-dramas you must rewatch

In recent years, Korean dramas have undeniably ascended to world-class stature. With groundbreaking hits like "Kingdom," "Crash Landing on You" and "Sweet Home" captivating audiences on global streaming platforms (OTT), dramas have helped ignite a fresh Korean wave, enchanting fans across the globe and cementing the prestige of Korean storytelling. However, the popularity of Korean dramas is nothing new. Iconic series like "Stairway to Heaven," "Jewel in the Palace," and "Winter Sonata" once swept across Asia, captivating audiences and sparking a cultural phenomenon. These classic dramas from the 1990s and early 2000s, which were instrumental in launching the original Korean wave, are now finding fresh audiences worldwide thanks to the power of modern streaming services. U.S.-based Korean content streamer KOCOWA, operated by Wavve Americas, says these older shows' powerful storytelling continues to connect with today's viewers around the world. Here's a closer look into these all-time classics through a list provided by the North America-based Korean movie and drama streaming service, s

May 22, 2025By Park Jin-hai

Park Jin-hai

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Can 'Squid Game' surpass its record-breaking legacy in Season 3?

K-hiking: Korea’s urban mountains become must-visit tourist destinations

From weather forecasts to lottery drawing, stars turn to unconventional promo tactics

Park Bo-gum plays boxing medalist-turned-cop in 'Good Boy'

'ONE: High School Heroes' is action series with emotional depth

'The Devil’s Plan' producer, Season 2 champion respond to criticism

Comedian Lee Su-ji talks character comedy, further acting aspirations

Korean period dramas evolve with fantasy, occult twists

Actors in 40s, 50s, beyond rush to YouTube amid traditional media decline

These are classic K-dramas you must rewatch

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