The Korea Times

Netflix period drama ‘Dear Hongrang’ to showcase beauty of Korean tradition

A new period drama set in the 1392-1910 Joseon Dynasty is coming to Netflix, giving fans around the world another glimpse into Korean historical stories, after the popular 2019 series "Kingdom." Premiering Friday, "Dear Hongrang" is a mystery melodrama that follows Hongrang (Lee Jae-wook), the long-missing son of Joseon's most powerful merchant family, who returns after 12 years with no memory of his past. As only his half-sister Jae-yi (Cho Bo-ah) suspects his true identity, an inexplicable relationship begins to grow between them, weaving together love and suspicion in this period drama. “The series is based on author Jang Da-hye’s novel ‘Tangeum: Swallowing Gold.’ I read the book first and finished it in one sitting. People often talk about fate, but the characters in this book are all people who have no intention of following their destinies, which made the intense story especially memorable to me," series director Kim Hong-sun said Tuesday during a press conference for the drama at Ramada by Wyndham Seoul Sindorim, in Seoul's Guro District. For him, the biggest theme of the

May 13, 2025By Park Jin-hai

Netflix period drama ‘Dear Hongrang’ to showcase beauty of Korean tradition

Films

How will Trump's film tariffs impact Korean entertainment industry?

After U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to impose a 100 percent tariff on all movies produced in foreign lands on May 4, aiming to revive "dying" Hollywood and save American jobs, the Korean entertainment industry is on a high alert over what challenges this possible move might bring to the K-content industry, which has been enjoying emerging global prominence through tie-ups with Netflix, Disney+ and major Hollywood studios. Trump, even before the start of his second presidency, appointed three renowned actors — Jon Voight, Sylvester Stallone and Mel Gibson — as “Special Ambassadors” to revive Hollywood, which has lost much of its business to overseas markets over the past years. There is widespread uncertainty about how such tariffs would actually be applied to films — especially since movies are different from physical goods and the rules for digital content and streaming platforms remain unclear. Experts predict the impact on K-content will not be significant as Korea is neither a key production base nor a major filming location for Hollywood. However, there are

May 11, 2025By Park Jin-hai

How will Trump's film tariffs impact Korean entertainment industry?

Shows & Dramas

Studio Dragon to launch three Japanese dramas

The global expansion of K-content is now extending to Japan through joint drama productions. Studio Dragon, a leading Korean drama production company under CJ ENM, announced Thursday that it plans to release three Japanese dramas this summer, marking a shift from simple remakes or rights sales to full-scale joint productions that combine the creative forces of both Korea and Japan. The summer lineup of Japanese-language series includes the adaptation of "Marry My Husband" on Amazon Prime Video in June; "Hatsukoi Dogs," co-produced with TBS and slated for release in July; and "Soul Mate," a Japanese Netflix series to be released worldwide in July. Studio Dragon has been working with international talent to highlight the strengths of K-dramas, resulting in projects such as the American series "The Big Door Prize," jointly produced with U.S. studio Skydance and released through Apple TV+. "The American drama 'The Big Door Prize,' the Japanese dramas 'Marry My Husband,' 'Hatsukoi Dogs' and 'Soul Mate' are all examples of Korean production companies directly creating dramas in the local langu

May 8, 2025By Park Jin-hai

Studio Dragon to launch three Japanese dramas

Trends

K-pop girl group member's home shopping comeback shows new trend

Sung Yu-ri, a celebrated member of iconic K-pop girl group Fin.K.L, has made a return to the spotlight this week with the launch of her own show “Sung Yu-ri Edition” on GS Home Shopping. The home shopping broadcast, which premiered Wednesday, featured Sung as both host and lifestyle curator, recommending handpicked living essentials and unveiling fresh, thoughtfully chosen items in every episode. It marks her first major public activity in about two years, following a hiatus caused by controversy over her husband’s alleged fraud. The 44-year-old professional golfer Ahn Sung-hyun was sentenced to prison for receiving tens of billions of won in illicit payments related to cryptocurrency listings. After the broadcast, online communities responded with a mix of admiration and surprise, with comments like “She’s still beautiful,” “I was shocked to see her on home shopping,” and “Her visuals are on another level.” Others expressed disappointment, saying, “Fin.K.L is selling tableware?” and “It’s unfortunate. When a celebrity turns to home shopping, it often means t

May 3, 2025By Park Jin-hai

K-pop girl group member's home shopping comeback shows new trend

Shows & Dramas

Director Kim Hong-sun brings Korean flair to UK drama 'Gangs of London'

The British TV series "Gangs of London," which received critical acclaim as a "modern crime family masterpiece," has returned for a third season, this time with a Korean director at the helm. Kim Hong-sun — known for brutal action sequences and his dark and intense visual style as seen in films like "The Con Artists" (2014), "Metamorphosis" (2019) and "Project Wolf Hunting" (2022) — joined as the lead director and executive producer for the series' newest season. As the first Asian director to oversee the British series, Kim admitted it was a challenge to set the overall tone and direction for such a popular and established franchise. He directed episodes 1, 2, 7 and 8 out of the season’s eight episodes, working alongside two other directors who handled the remaining installments. “I couldn’t overhaul too much, since I had to preserve the original identity while weaving in my own style. If I made even the slightest misstep, I’d have to shoulder all the blame. But despite the pressure, I truly enjoyed the process," the director told The Korea Times in an interview at local st

Apr 29, 2025By Park Jin-hai

Director Kim Hong-sun brings Korean flair to UK drama 'Gangs of London'

Shows & Dramas

Park Ji-hoon transforms from idol to intense actor in 'Weak Hero Class 2'

After making waves in a gritty, R-rated school action drama on Korea’s streaming platform Wavve, the second season of 2022 sensation "Weak Hero" has found new life and greater exposure under the wing of streaming giant Netflix. "Weak Hero Class 2," wasted no time igniting buzz with its Friday release — not just in Korea, but across Asia and Latin America — signaling a dramatic leap from domestic hit to international phenomenon. The series soared to No. 1 in Netflix's non-English content category across 32 countries. Based on the hit webtoon of the same name, "Weak Hero" follows the story of Yeon Si-eun, a model student born physically weak but fiercely intelligent, who mastered the art of fighting from a young age. Singer and actor Park Ji-hoon, taking the title role, reunites with the original creative team and continues his fight to protect his friends in the second season. Through this series, Park — who was previously known for work as a singing idol and former member of the K-pop boy band Wanna One, formed through the music survival show Produce 101 — has been reevaluated

Apr 28, 2025By Park Jin-hai

Park Ji-hoon transforms from idol to intense actor in 'Weak Hero Class 2'

Trends

Ballerina-turned-designer reinvents Russian tutu for Korea's ballet stars

Chung Han-ah, once a ballerina herself, now channels her artistry into designing ballet costumes rather than gracing the stage. Her elegant and charming ballet costumes are sought after not only by Korean performers but also by renowned dancers from abroad. She has designed “La Bayadère” and “La Esmeralda” costumes for Korean ballerinas competing at various international ballet competitions. For the inaugural performance of the Busan Opera House Ballet, she wove distinctly Korean colors and motifs into her creations, earning widespread acclaim. As Korean ballet gains global recognition, Chung notes with some regret that many original productions with overseas licenses bring in costumes made by local designers abroad, leaving Korean designers with only the fitting process. Her greatest satisfaction comes from seeing young Korean dancers wear her creations at top competitions and hearing praise from audiences and peers alike. “Korean dancers are now performing as soloists, principals, and company members in the world’s most renowned theaters. At major international competition

Apr 25, 2025By Park Jin-hai

Ballerina-turned-designer reinvents Russian tutu for Korea's ballet stars

Shows & Dramas

Disney+ rolls out Korean originals for second half of 2025

Riding high on the phenomenal success of its Korean originals last year, Disney+ is set to make an even bigger splash in the second half of 2025 with a bold new lineup of content. Korean series dominated the global stage last year — an impressive nine out of the 15 most-watched Disney+ originals outside the U.S. were Korean productions, a testament to the worldwide appetite for the country’s sophisticated storytelling and cinematic excellence. Among these hits, “A Shop for Killers” stood out as the crown jewel, captivating audiences with its inventive universe and stylish action. The series not only claimed the title of most-watched Korean original on Disney+ in 2024, but also sparked such fervor that the streamer has officially greenlit a second season. As Disney+ doubles down on its investment in Korean content, viewers can expect an electrifying lineup that continues to set the pace for global streaming — and cements Korea’s place at the forefront of premium entertainment. Among the most eagerly awaited titles, slated to debut for the second half of this year, are the grip

Apr 25, 2025By Park Jin-hai

Disney+ rolls out Korean originals for second half of 2025

Shows & Dramas

Embattled celebrity restaurateur Paik Jong-won faces scrutiny amid scandals

Paik Jong-won wears many hats: owner of 25 restaurant franchises, CEO of an entertainment company, TV personality best known for the Netflix series "Culinary Class Wars," and husband of actress So Yoo-jin. Yet amid multiple scandals — ranging from business practices to personal behavior — public sentiment has begun to shift, raising questions about the future of his brand and career. On Monday, a petition was submitted to the National Assembly calling for the enactment of the so-called “Paik Jong-won Prevention Act.” The petitioner cited repeated violations of food hygiene regulations by Paik’s company at local festivals, accusing TheBorn Korea of operating as a de facto monopoly. It was the latest blow in a string of controversies. Earlier this year, his compant TheBorn Korea sold gift sets of ham through his YouTube channel, claiming a 45 percent discount at a price of 28,500 won. Marketed as a “once-in-a-lifetime low price,” the promotion sparked backlash when it was revealed that the original price was only 30,000 won — prompting complaints from consumers who accused

Apr 24, 2025By Park Jin-hai

Embattled celebrity restaurateur Paik Jong-won faces scrutiny amid scandals

Shows & Dramas

Netflix revives hit school action 'Weak Hero' with Season 2

The 2022 school action sensation "Weak Hero," which first drew attention on local platform Wavve, returns with a bold new chapter — this time for a global audience. Facing funding hurdles at home, the series has found new life and scale under the production wing of streaming giant Netflix, signaling a dramatic leap from domestic hit to international phenomenon. Director You Su-min, who led the series to success by adding unique action to a school drama to break away from typical conventions, has teamed up once again with executive producer Han Jun-hee. The new season is expected to captivate viewers with even more explosive action and raw emotions. Actor Park Ji-hoon, who takes on the lead role Yeon Si-eun, introduced the "Weak Hero" series as "the coming-of-age story of a boy who stands up to even greater violence." Even when looking at the storyboards, the actor said he was surprised at how much Si-eun's fighting abilities had improved. "He isn’t someone who looks for trouble, but he constantly finds himself dragged into violent situations. Through these repeated encounters, I bel

Apr 21, 2025By Park Jin-hai

Park Jin-hai

Read more

Netflix period drama ‘Dear Hongrang’ to showcase beauty of Korean tradition

How will Trump's film tariffs impact Korean entertainment industry?

Studio Dragon to launch three Japanese dramas

K-pop girl group member's home shopping comeback shows new trend

Director Kim Hong-sun brings Korean flair to UK drama 'Gangs of London'

Park Ji-hoon transforms from idol to intense actor in 'Weak Hero Class 2'

Ballerina-turned-designer reinvents Russian tutu for Korea's ballet stars

Disney+ rolls out Korean originals for second half of 2025

Embattled celebrity restaurateur Paik Jong-won faces scrutiny amid scandals

Netflix revives hit school action 'Weak Hero' with Season 2

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