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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

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
Shows & Dramas

Netflix's 'Physical: Asia' offers Olympic‑style battle of nations

Netflix’s Korean original reality series “Physical: 100” has evolved into a global franchise with the launch of its first international spinoff, “Physical: Asia,” premiering Oct. 28. Following the two record-breaking seasons, this new edition expands the show’s universe into a nation-versus-nation showdown of sheer power, endurance and pride. Described by creator and director Jang Ho‑gi as an “Olympic‑style competition you’ll only see on Netflix,” “Physical: Asia” brings together 48 athletes from eight countries — Korea, Japan, Thailand, Mongolia, Turkey, Indonesia, Australia and the Philippines — battling under their national flag in six‑member teams. The series assembles a lineup of sporting legends, including Filipino boxing hero Manny Pacquiao and former UFC champion Robert Whittaker from Australia, alongside Olympic medalists and champions from wrestling, ssireum (traditional Korean wrestling), Muay Thai and other sports. “When I first got the call, I was really excited and thrilled to be chosen. After meeting with the producers, I decide

Oct 24, 2025By Park Jin-hai
Netflix's 'Physical: Asia' offers Olympic‑style battle of nations
People & Events

Why mobile game icon Kwon Joon-mo turned to meditation

Kwon Joon-mo, former CEO of Nexon and chairperson of mobile game developer Four Thirty Three, hosted a meditation class on Tuesday, joined by some 20 Korean and international dignitaries. Organized as part of the Corea Image Communication Institute (CICI)'s monthly CQ Forum, the psychology professor-turned-entrepreneur said he has practiced meditation for over a decade, describing himself as a long-time believer in its healing power. Kwon invited singing bowl meditation instructor Lee Ju-hyun to lead the session using singing bowls of various shapes, sizes and materials, as well as a Koshi chime, making the vibrations of each sound resonate with the listeners’ bodies. Two years ago, Kwon founded a multi-purpose cultural space, Prajna, in central Seoul. The name is derived from the Sanskrit word for “great wisdom.” “Great wisdom is when the mind becomes clear. When the mind is clear, it feels calm and at peace. This is a place where people can experience that clarity and tranquility of mind,” he said. Kwon hopes to invite young people to experience the space, to help in "creating

Oct 22, 2025By Park Jin-hai
Why mobile game icon Kwon Joon-mo turned to meditation
Shows & Dramas

Tving taps HBO Max to take K-dramas across Asia-Pacific

CJ ENM’s homegrown streaming platform Tving announced a full-scale expansion into 17 Asia-Pacific markets last week, through a strategic partnership with global media giant Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD). Under the agreement, Tving will launch a dedicated branded section within WBD’s streaming service HBO Max, available across regions including Southeast Asia, Taiwan and Hong Kong by early next year. Ahead of the official rollout, a set of prerelease titles — including the highly anticipated thriller romance "Dear X" starring Kim Yoo-jung and Kim Young-dae — will premiere in November in select territories. Industry watchers see this move a “win-win” for both players. “In Tving’s case, with Netflix dominating the global market, it needed a partner to go international; and for HBO Max, to expand its market share in Asia, it inevitably has to rely on the strong demand for K-content,” Jung Han, CEO of K EnterTech Hub and an adviser to KOCOWA, the overseas counterpart of Korean streaming platform Wavve, said. Tving can leverage HBO Max’s extensive distribution network across

Oct 22, 2025By Park Jin-hai
Tving taps HBO Max to take K-dramas across Asia-Pacific
Books

Actor Park Joong-hoon publishes essay book celebrating 40 years since his debut

Actor and director Park Joong-hoon, marking the 40th anniversary of his debut, will publish an essay collection, with a title that translates to “No Regrets,” on Oct. 29. According to Sayuwagonggam Publishers, “No Regrets” recounts Park’s four decades on screen, reflecting on both the hardships and triumphs that shaped his career. Throughout the book, Park shares how his guiding principle — reflect, but never regret — has influenced his journey to becoming a “national actor,” a status reserved for Korea’s most beloved performers. “Years ago, after writing a newspaper column, I received multiple offers to publish a book. Back then, I didn’t feel confident enough to write one. I used to think I would try when I turned 60, but this year I felt compelled to write. So I spent that entire summer tucked away at the foot of Daegwallyeong, writing,” he shared. Debuting in 1986 with the film “Kam-Bo,” Park went on to star in a long list of hits, including “Springtime of Mimi and Cheol-Su” (1987), “Chilsu and Mansu” (1988), “Don Quixote on Asphalt,” (1988)

Oct 17, 2025By Park Jin-hai
Actor Park Joong-hoon publishes essay book celebrating 40 years since his debut
Shows & Dramas

‘Itaewon Class’ to be remade in Philippines, Vietnam

JTBC’s hit drama “Itaewon Class” will be remade for audiences in the Philippines and Vietnam. The adaptation rights were recently sold, confirming that local production teams in both countries will bring new versions of the series to life. Attention is now focused on who will fill the role of Park Saeroyi — the character originally portrayed by Park Seo-joon — as casting decisions for the Philippine and Vietnamese remakes become a topic of anticipation and speculation. Based on Kakao Entertainment’s widely popular webcomic of the same name, “Itaewon Class” follows Park Saeroyi, whose life undergoes a dramatic shift after he is expelled from school for punching a bully and rich heir, Jang Geun-won (Ahn Bo-hyun). Following the death of his father, Park opens a restaurant in the popular Itaewon neighborhood, going head-to-head against the Jang family’s big food company. Premiering in January 2020, “Itaewon Class” rapidly captured viewers’ attention, starting with a 5 percent viewership rating (Nielsen Korea) and ending its 16-episode run with a peak rating of 16.5 pe

Oct 17, 2025By Park Jin-hai
‘Itaewon Class’ to be remade in Philippines, Vietnam
Shows & Dramas

Rowoon sheds pretty-boy image for gritty role in ‘The Murky Stream’

Disney+’s first Korean period drama, “The Murky Stream,” throws Rowoon into a completely unexpected transformation. Instead of the pretty-boy looks he’s known for, he’s covered in soot, sporting ragged clothes and an unruly beard — almost unrecognizable as he steps into the role of a rogue during the Joseon era (1392-1910). The singer-turned-actor, who first rose to fame with K-pop boy group SF9, deliberately sheds his polished persona this time. In fact, director Choo Chang-min reportedly set out to “strip Rowoon of his biggest asset — his handsomeness.” True to his word, Rowoon tosses aside his refined image for a downtrodden underclass figure and delivers a performance marked by raw emotion and the pain of family tragedy. “At first, some people didn’t recognize me. I realized that since I’ve mostly done romantic comedies, they probably expected something like that — so my new image must’ve surprised them. But the fans actually said it suited me well and I thought so too," he said during an interview with The Korea Times at a cafe in Seoul Wednesday. Asked if

Oct 15, 2025By Park Jin-hai
Rowoon sheds pretty-boy image for gritty role in ‘The Murky Stream’
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