Why hit corporate thriller 'Reborn Rookie' resonated across generationsSome of Korea’s most popular recent dramas share a clear formula. They place an exceptionally capable protagonist at the center of the action, giving viewers the satisfaction of watching wrongdoers face consequences. For instance, Netflix’s "Teach You a Lesson" follows inspectors who confront serious misconduct in schools. Meanwhile, SBS’ "Agent Kim Reactivated" features a father who draws on his formidable combat skills to find his missing daughter. The recently concluded JTBC drama "Reborn Rookie" follows the same powerful-hero formula. After an accident, a chaebol's chairman and a football player in his 20s wake up in each other’s bodies. Their second chance at life unfolds alongside family infighting over the control of the conglomerate. The premise adds a corporate succession struggle to the gratification of watching a hero who rarely loses. The mix highlights the drama’s appeal. The series peaked at a nationwide rating of 13.6 percent and ranked No. 1 among all Sunday programs in the key 20-49 age group. In an interview at a cafe in Seoul’s Mapo District on Monday, dire21h agoBy Hankookilbo
Chilling beyond ghosts: 'The East Palace' ushers in new era of K-occult“I will wipe out the King’s entire bloodline.” A mysterious ghost hunter arrives at a palace consumed by a sinister curse. Swarming with vengeful spirits, the royal court is a perilous labyrinth of buried secrets and political conspiracies. Navigating between reality and the eerie "world of spirits," the hunter tracks the source of the curse. This is the premise of Netflix’s new series "The East Palace" — a brutal, shadowy clash between a cursed dynasty, those desperate to break the spell and the ghosts hell-bent on taking over the throne. Breaking away from the conventional tropes of royal court period dramas and zombie apocalypses, "The East Palace" delivers a highly original piece of "Joseon Gothic occult action," seamlessly blending Korean shamanism with Western dark fantasy. Writers Kwon So-ra and Seo Jae-won, who previously laid the groundwork for modern K-occult thrillers with "The Guest" (2018), have successfully transplanted their expertise into the Joseon court, crafting a mesmerizing yet grotesque abyss. Ahead of its global release on July 17, the first four episodes1d agoBy Park Jin-hai
'Agent Kim Reactivated' tops Netflix's weekly non-English chart for 2nd weekThe action-packed revenge thriller "Agent Kim Reactivated" continued its chart-topping run on Netflix's non-English chart for the second straight week, the streaming platform said Wednesday. The SBS series portrays So Ji-sub as an ordinary father who hides his secret agent past but sets on a mission to find his missing daughter. The webtoon-based series accumulated 9.1 million views during the latest tracking week ending Sunday, according to Netflix. It was the most-watched show in 22 countries, including Korea, Singapore and Peru, and reached the top 10 in 50 others. "Teach You a Lesson," another Korean drama that has remained in the top ranks for the past few weeks, stayed at No. 2 with 3.6 million views. It also reached the top 10 in 51 countries. The second installment of the reality dating program "Better Late Than Single" debuted at No. 8 with 1.5 million views, while the new JTBC series "The Apartment Job," starring Ji Sung, debuted at No. 10 with 1.4 million views. In the non-English film category, the Korean action-comedy "Husbands in Action" ranked No. 10 with 900,000 views. In t2d agoBy Yonhap
'Spooky in Love' reimagines hit film with supernatural twistThe hit 2011 movie "Spellbound" is returning as a drama series. Actors Park Eun-bin, Yang Se-jong and Ong Seong-wu have teamed up to deliver tvN's occult romance "Spooky in Love," promising to blow away the midsummer heat. The series follows a hotel heiress who sees ghosts and a passionate prosecutor who team up to solve cases together. This 12-episode drama takes a bold approach to reimagining the original film, which previously garnered massive love and starred Son Ye-jin and Lee Min-ki. To differentiate itself from the movie, the drama completely revamps the story, keeping only the female lead's ability to see ghosts. Instead of just a strange woman who possesses a secret ability to see dead people, the female protagonist is now a hotel CEO Yeo-ri (Park), and the male lead is a prosecutor instead of a magician. The drama also introduces a unique supernatural twist where anyone who touches Yeo-ri's hand gains the temporary ability to see ghosts. This addition paves the way for far more diverse incidents than the original film. Park takes on the role of the luxury hotel heiress harborin2d agoBy Park Jin-hai
Netflix drama 'The East Palace' tests Nam Joo-hyuk after hiatus, scandalNam Joo-hyuk is returning to screens after a three-year hiatus to star in Netflix’s supernatural period drama “The East Palace.” The role required several action sequences, giving the actor a chance to show his development and testing whether he can regain momentum. “The East Palace” follows Gu-cheon, played by Nam, a man who can cross between the human world and the spirit world. Roh Yoon-seo plays Saeng-gang, a court lady with a secret. The king, played by Cho Seung-woo, summons the pair to investigate a haunting in the palace. Choi Jung-kyu, whose credits include “The Devil Judge” and “Children of Nobody,” directs the series. The production blends occult, horror, fantasy and action amid surging global interest in stories featuring Korean folk elements. Korean productions with supernatural angles have increasingly reached international audiences through streaming platforms. Netflix’s “If Wishes Could Kill,” released earlier this year, drew a large global audience. "The East Palace” follows suit, setting its story in a haunted palace and saturating the productJul 13, 2026By Hankookilbo
Disney+ bets on 'A Shop for Killers' sequel to break Netflix winning streakThe Disney+ original series "A Shop for Killers" returns for a second season on July 22, two-and-a-half years after its debut. The platform expects the returning series to regain momentum following a sluggish first half of the year dominated by Netflix. Ji-an, played by Kim Hye-jun, now controls the online weapons shop following a brutal initiation into the business. She mounts a counteroffensive against the global syndicate Babylon alongside her uncle Jin-man, played by Lee Dong-wook, who turns up alive. The sequel expands the narrative and deepens the central relationships between the characters. The follow-up builds on the first season's success. The original series led the Disney+ viewership charts for three consecutive weeks and attracted a global audience. It also gained critical acclaim, earning spots on The New York Times' list of best international TV shows of 2024 and TIME magazine's top four Korean dramas of the year for its distinctive premise and strong cast performances. The platform previously established a successful multi-season format with "Big Bet." That series brokeJul 13, 2026By Hankookilbo
JTBC's 'The Apartment Job' showcases hilarious teamwork from 'fake family'Boasting a powerhouse cast and explosive acting synergy, JTBC’s upcoming crime-comedy "The Apartment Job" is set to deliver a highly relatable, down-to-earth human drama set right in our everyday living spaces. The series, which will also stream globally on Netflix, follows Park Hae-gang (Ji Sung), the former boss of the Oasis gang. In an attempt to pocket a massive stash of hidden cash within the complex, Hae-gang runs for president of the residents' council. Instead of an easy heist, however, he ends up partnering with the residents to clean up deep-rooted local corruption. The cast noted that the show’s setting was a major selling point, as a massive apartment complex is a deeply familiar backdrop for most people. "The premise of all these events unfolding inside a massive residential complex was instantly intriguing. I was completely captivated by the charm of this team play — setting up a fake family just to pull off a scam — and the fact that it's a bright, refreshing comedy rather than a heavy crime noir," said Ji Sung, who stars as the ex-mobster who becomes head of a fraJul 10, 2026By Park Jin-hai
Song Joong-ki, Park Ji-hyun to unite in rom-com series 'Love Cloud'Song Joong-ki and Park Ji-hyun will unite in the KBS rom-com series "Love Cloud" set to air next year, the broadcaster said Thursday. In the upcoming series, Song portrays Kang Woo-joo, a flight instructor-turned-air traffic controller who can see his lover's feelings in the form of weather, according to KBS. Park plays Ahn Ha-nee, a workaholic pilot who falls under a curse in which her emotions become the weather. It marks the pair's first joint project in four years since the JTBC hit drama series "Reborn Rich" (2022). For Song, the upcoming series will mark his first return to KBS in a decade since the megahit "Descendants of the Sun" (2016).Jul 9, 2026By Yonhap
Youn Yuh-jung nominated for best supporting actress at EmmysLegendary Korean actress Youn Yuh-jung has received a nomination for best supporting actress from this year's Primetime Emmy Awards. Youn was named as one of the candidates for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for her role in the Netflix series "Beef," according to the announcement by the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences on Wednesday (U.S. time). In the second season of the acclaimed anthology, Youn plays Chairwoman Park, the billionaire chair of a country club. She appears alongside Korean actor Song Kang-ho, who plays the role of Dr. Kim, her private doctor and second husband. Should Youn win the award, it will mark another accolade for the actress, following her 2021 Oscar win with "Minari." "Beef" scored 16 Emmy nominations with its second installment, including Outstanding Limited Anthology or Series, Outstanding Lead Actor, Outstanding Lead Actress and Outstanding Supporting Actor. The 78th edition of the Primetime Emmy Awards is set to take place at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Sept. 14. In 2022, Korean actor Lee Jung-jae receiJul 9, 2026By Yonhap
Netflix aims for next global K-occult hit with 'The East Palace'Netflix’s upcoming original series "The East Palace" is aiming to become the next global sensation in the rising wave of occult-themed content. Capturing international momentum surrounding Korean shamanism and horror, the eight-episode period drama blends occult themes, horror, fantasy and high-octane action. "The East Palace," follows Gu-cheon (Nam Joo-hyuk), a man with the unique ability to cross over into the spirit realm, and Saeng-gang (Roh Yoon-seo), a court lady harboring a mysterious past. Summoned by the king (Cho Seung-woo), the duo is tasked with untangling dangerous histories to uncover a secret buried in the very heart of the palace. The project marks the return of Nam, who chose the series as his first screen appearance after a three-year hiatus for mandatory military service. He revealed that he received the casting offer while still serving in the army. "The military is a place where there are many moments to stretch your imagination. Reading the script in that kind of environment increased my desire to take on the challenge. I was also intensely curious about how a spJul 8, 2026By Park Jin-hai
