K-pop, K-film and K-food: Why not K-games?Role-playing game Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 by French video game studio Sandfall Interactive and Hollow Knight: Silksong, the sequel to the critically acclaimed Hollow Knight, by Australian indie game studio Team Cherry were both released in 2025, marking a very memorable year for video games. Both titles were heralded as hallmarks in video game development, showcasing bold artistic choices, player-driven narratives and exploration of complex themes. Most importantly, however, the two games would continue to remain culturally relevant, spawning numerous inside jokes, memes and fan creations through most of the year — a remarkable staying power for a video game that few, if any, developed in Korea have yet to achieve. In recent years, Korea has become a cultural powerhouse in fields such as music, film and food, cultivating a loyal global fandom. Yet, the country has continuously struggled in the nascent video game market. It raises the question: Within the K-storm, why are there no K-games? How do games find cultural relevance? Video games have become a highly saturated market, withJun 2, 2026By Kim Young-moo
'I am living happily': Former idol finds new life as flight attendant after group disbandsIt is a question that has crossed the minds of every K-pop fan at least once: What do idols do after their group disbands? For former MYTEEN member Choi Eun-su, the answer has taken him from the stage to the skies. Choi, who debuted in 2015 as a member of NPI before re-debuting with MYTEEN in 2017, recently shared an update on his life after idol activities, revealing that he is now working as a flight attendant. On May 27, Choi opened up about whether he still feels regret over leaving behind his career as a singer. “People often ask me if I have any lingering feelings or regrets,” he wrote. “It would be a lie to say I don’t, but I am fully satisfied with my life now and living happily.” In a video, Choi said that after MYTEEN’s sudden disbandment in 2019, he completed his military service and went through a number of jobs, including waiting tables, working in kitchens, selling clothes and doing office assistant work. Then, in 2024, he was hired as a cabin crew member by Jeju Air. Choi has been combining his past and present lives on social media, posting videos under the themMay 29, 2026By Xportsnews
Hit occult film ‘Exhuma’ to get Naver Webtoon adaptationThe sprawling occult universe of “Exhuma,” the supernatural thriller that captivated more than 10 million moviegoers to become one of Korea’s biggest box office sensations, is expanding into the digital comic realm. Naver Webtoon said Friday that it will launch “Maengjong,” a prequel spinoff of the blockbuster film, on its platform Saturday evening. The debut arrives just as local appetite for horror and supernatural thrillers begins its seasonal spike ahead of the humid summer months. The new series delves into the formative teenage years of Hwa-rim and Bong-gil, a charismatic duo of shamans whose slick, youth-driven subversion of ancient rituals anchored the emotional core of the film. “Maengjong” explores the eerie undercurrents of their lives before the timeline of the movie, tracing the genesis of their partnership. The narrative follows Hwa-rim, a high school student living a quiet, cloistered life after a childhood entanglement with a snake deity named Jin. Her fragile status quo is upended when she meets Bong-gil at school, initiating a chain of supernatural eventsMay 29, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
Disney+ says Kim Soo-hyun’s ‘Knock-Off’ remains on hold despite case turnaroundDespite the arrest of YouTuber Kim Se-ui, who allegedly made defamatory claims about actor Kim Soo-hyun, Disney+ said it has no immediate plans to release Kim’s shelved drama “Knock-Off.” A Disney+ official told Xportsnews on Wednesday that “Knock-Off” remains temporarily postponed and that the company’s position has not changed. The drama follows a man whose life is completely transformed by the 1997 Asian financial crisis and who goes on to build an empire in the global counterfeit goods market. When the project was announced, it drew attention for its 60 billion won ($40 million) production budget and its cast, led by Kim Soo-hyun. However, the series’ press event and release plans were canceled after Kim became embroiled early last year in a personal controversy involving the late actor Kim Sae-ron. The renewed attention came after Kim Se-ui, a YouTuber who was sued for defamation and spreading false information against Kim Soo-hyun, was taken into custody Tuesday. According to a statement released by Kim Soo-hyun’s agency, investigators concluded that the allegationsMay 28, 2026By Xportsnews
Broadcaster apologizes for airing Stray Kids member Hyunjin’s childhood photo as murder victimMBC Every1’s “Hidden Eye” production team apologized Tuesday for airing a childhood photo of Stray Kids member Hyunjin after falsely identifying it as a photo of a murder victim. The error occurred in December, when the true-crime commentary show used the photo as reference material while covering a murder case. It was later revealed that the image was a childhood photo of Hyunjin, prompting immediate complaints from fans. A production official for “Hidden Eye” apologized for the misuse of the photo in an interview with the Hankook Ilbo. “We have taken down the clips on YouTube, and the VOD for the episode in question has also been removed from most OTT (streaming) platforms,” the official said, acknowledging the production team’s mistake. The official explained that the error occurred while the crew was extracting reference photos from electronic devices used by the victim and provided by the bereaved family. The production team responded immediately after discovering the mistake, the official said, adding that it would double-check materials to prevent similar errors frMay 27, 2026By Hankookilbo
From ‘Danjong oppa’ to military cook drama, Park Ji-hoon’s second act is explodingPark Ji-hoon is having the kind of career moment few K-pop idols successfully achieve: dominating music, television and film all at once. The former Wanna One member has become one of South Korea’s hottest entertainers after a breakout run fueled by a high-profile historical film role, a solo music comeback and a highly anticipated Wanna One reunion project. Released in February, “The King’s Warden” surpassed 16 million moviegoers, an extraordinary result in South Korea’s struggling theater market. Park drew praise for his emotionally layered performance and intense screen presence, helping fuel word-of-mouth buzz surrounding the movie. As clips spread online, Korean viewers began affectionately referring to him as “Danjong oppa,” referencing the tragic young king from Korea’s Joseon Dynasty. The viral nickname quickly became part of the film’s cultural phenomenon, with many viewers saying they had “rediscovered” Park as a serious actor rather than simply a former idol. Although Park first rose to fame through K-pop, his acting career has been steadily building for yMay 25, 2026By Xportsnews
Tang Wei, Han Da-gam, Choi Ji-woo spotlight pregnancy, childbirth in their 40sA series of pregnancy announcements from celebrities in their 40s is offering welcome news in an aging society where marriage and childbirth are increasingly delayed, making pregnancy in one’s later years a more realistic option for many. Chinese actress Tang Wei recently drew attention after announcing her second pregnancy at the age of 46. The news carried the nuance of an unexpected joy rather than a planned pregnancy, prompting discussion over the possibility of natural conception. For women in a similar age group, that has made the announcement read as a source of realistic hope. Around the same time, other celebrities in their 40s, including Han Da-gam, born in 1980, and Kim Min-kyung, born in 1981, also shared news of their pregnancies. Han drew congratulations after revealing that she became pregnant after just one round of in vitro fertilization. Though their paths may differ, from fertility treatment to possible natural conception, the announcements have struck a common chord: Pregnancy later in life is increasingly becoming part of the public conversation. Actress Choi Ji-woMay 12, 2026By Hankookilbo
‘Not first class?’ Idol Annie draws buzz for economy flightK-pop fans are reacting with surprise after Annie, known for her family's ownership of one of Korea's largest conglomerates, shared a glimpse of herself flying economy class while studying for finals. The idol, a member of ALLDAY PROJECT, uploaded a photo through a fan communication platform on Tuesday, writing, “I’m on a plane going on a trip with my friend.” In the photo, Annie is seen sitting in a standard airplane seat, wearing headphones and focusing on a notebook. She said she was studying for final exams during the flight. “My friend secretly took this photo,” Annie said. “I thought Day One fans would like it, so I decided to post it.” What caught people's attention online was not just the casual snapshot, but the fact that Annie appeared to be flying economy instead of first or business class. Annie is the eldest daughter of Chung Yoo-kyung, president of Korean retail giant Shinsegae, and the granddaughter of Lee Myung-hee, chair of the Shinsegae Group. In Korea, descendants of powerful family-run conglomerates — commonly called “chaebol” — are often associatMay 9, 2026By Xportsnews
'I’m Popo,' Korea’s first all-AI film, asks what comes next for cinema“I’m Popo,” billed as the first full-length Korean film created with generative artificial intelligence (AI), is set to open in theaters on May 21. The film centers on Popo, a robot designed to protect humans, who begins killing people identified as potential criminals. Its premise sets up a clash between an AI that bases its decisions solely on statistical probability and humans who continue to believe in hope. At the same time, the film tackles one of today’s most pressing social questions: the rapid development of AI technology and the threat it may pose to humanity. The movie marks the latest extension of AI use, which continues to expand across short-form viral videos on social media, advertising and short films. And while bold attempts to use new technology, along with broader industry changes driven by technological advances, are generally welcomed, this case has been met with considerable concern over whether films created by AI can be regarded as creative works. As a first-of-its-kind project, “I’m Popo” carries significance as the first full-length Korean film crMay 7, 2026By Hankookilbo
'Never forgive': Director blames authorities for leaks in 'Parasite' actor Lee Sun-kyun probeByun Young-joo, the director of the film "Helpless," expressed grief over the late actor Lee Sun-kyun, who died in 2023, saying she would “never forgive the prosecution and police for the rest of my life.” Her remarks appeared to refer to the handling of the drug investigation into Lee, during which details of the allegations and contents of private phone calls were leaked to the media. Byun voiced anger over the exposure while Lee was still under investigation. In an interview released Thursday on YouTube, Byun recalled her time with Lee when they filmed "Helpless" in 2012. She said the production’s low budget and tight schedule often forced her to make unreasonable demands on the actors, but Lee always gave everything he could. Byun said, “There are many great actors who act brilliantly and help elevate a film, but actors who truly stand by the director are rare,” she said. “Losing Sun-kyun was not simply the loss of one actor,” she added. “For directors making Korean films, I think it was the loss of a comrade.” During the interview, Byun also revealed that she had seApr 27, 2026By Hankookilbo
