'A Bona Fide Killer': A working mom with a deadly secret wins over drama viewersThe void left by So Ji-sub's secret agent dad in "Agent Kim Reactivated" has been filled by “killer mom” Gong Hyo-jin, as MBC’s Friday-Saturday drama “A Bona Fide Killer” surpassed a nationwide viewership rating of 10 percent after just six episodes, taking first place in its time slot. Playing a contract killer named “Kingfisher,” Gong's character returns to work as an assassin to target vicious criminals let off with light sentences. Unbeknownst to everyone, “Kingfisher” is actually Yoo Bo-na, a working mom with a 4-year-old daughter. She works on a sales team at Durumi Electronics, which is the front for an organized group of killers specializing in poisoning, stabbing and sniping. Having just returned from parental leave, Yoo Bo-na worries when a nighttime assignment is suggested: “Let’s do it during the day. I have to go pick up my kid.” The drama has drawn praise from critics for its fresh blend of genres, combining the catharsis of punishing villains and the struggle to juggle work and private life with a touching family drama. The premise of a family-orient23h agoBy Hankookilbo
Netflix's 'Scandal' reimagines 'Dangerous Liaisons' in Joseon-era KoreaIn the rigid, patriarchal landscape of Korea’s Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), a woman’s brilliant intellect was often viewed as a dangerous liability. Enter Lady Cho, an extraordinarily gifted aristocrat whose grandest ambitions and deepest desires are choked by the strict societal limits placed upon her gender. Now, Netflix is bringing this timeless struggle of hidden desire and dangerous games to life in its upcoming original series “Scandal,” slated to premiere worldwide on Sept. 18. Adapted from the classic literary premise best known through Pierre Choderlos de Laclos’ 1782 French novel "Dangerous Liaisons" — which previously inspired Korea’s acclaimed 2003 hit film "Untold Scandal" — the series promises a sleek, psychological dive into human vulnerability disguised as period romance. Netflix released a new trio of character stills, Thursday, featuring lead actors Son Ye-jin, Ji Chang-wook and Nana, showcasing a web of seduction, secret correspondence and tragic ambition. Son, returning to period dramas for the first time in 24 years, plays Lady Cho. Trapped in an era1d agoBy Jhoo Dong-chan
'The Scandal' starring Son Ye-jin, Ji Chang-wook to release on Netflix on Sept. 18"The Scandal," a historic Korean romance drama starring Son Ye-jin and Ji Chang-wook, will premiere on Netflix next month, the streaming platform said Tuesday. The upcoming Netflix original series, set for release on Sept. 18, is a remake of the popular Korean film "Untold Scandal" (2003), featuring Bae Yong-joon, Jeon Do-yeon and Lee Mi-sook. The film was inspired by the 1782 classic "Dangerous Liaisons" by French novelist Pierre Choderlos de Laclos and adapted into a story set in the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). Jung Ji-woo, who helmed the Korean films "Eungyo" (2012) and "Tune in for Love" (2019), directed the series.Aug 25, 2026By Yonhap
Korea turns to short-form dramas as mobile viewing takes offSet against the nostalgic backdrop of the Korean countryside in the1980s, "Reply, Bok-hee!" centers on the warm yet chaotic bond between a rough-around-the-edges man and a young child, Bok-hee, neither of whom come from loving family backgrounds. As the two form an unconventional family, the series offers a softer alternative to the sensational storylines that have come to define short-form dramas. The series is part of a rapidly expanding market in Korea. Unlike conventional series, short-form dramas are typically shot vertically for smartphone viewing, with episodes usually running only one to three minutes long. They are designed for mobile platforms rather than traditional television, encouraging viewers to watch episode after episode in quick succession. Originating in China around 2018, short-form dramas typically consist of 50 to 80 serialized episodes, with each episode clocking at less than five minutes. Relying on melodramatic tropes — secret lineages, extramarital affairs and relentless revenge arcs — the format was designed to quickly hook audiences into a binge-watchingAug 24, 2026By Park Jin-hai
From deadly to day care: Female leads take over action genreA wave of dramas driven by formidable female leads is capturing widespread attention. Spanning action, psychological thrillers and dark crime stories, women are taking center stage and significantly broadening the scope of female-led narratives on TV. Bo-na (Kong Hyo-jin) is a legendary hitwoman capable of taking out high-profile criminals with a single bullet in MBC drama “A Bona Fide Killer.” Known by the moniker “Kingfisher” for the way she perches in the shadows before striking, she accepts her latest contract with an unusual caveat. When her superior asks when she plans to execute the target, Bo-na pauses before responding, “Let’s do it during the day.” The reason isn't tactical — it's because she has to pick up her 4-year-old daughter from day care. Jung Eun-chae delivers a commanding performance in SBS’ “Flex X Cop 2” as Hye-ra, a former counter-terrorism officer appointed head of the Violent Crimes Unit. As Yi-soo’s (Ahn Bo-hyun) former teacher at the police academy — the feared “demon instructor” — Hye-ra brings a distinct “master-apprentice”Aug 21, 2026By Park Jin-hai
Net-zero policy gets pop-culture makeover in SeoulHow do you persuade media-saturated young adults to care about net-zero emissions? In Korea, the answer lies in popular culture, digital comic characters and locked-room real-world puzzles. Starting Saturday, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is launching a nine-day pop-up experience in Hongdae — the bustling district in western Seoul renowned for youth culture and nightlife — designed to translate complex environmental policy into interactive entertainment. Partnering with the hit webtoon series “Yumi’s Cells,” the government is converting a central public square into a climate-themed escape room game titled “Save It! Cell Village.” From Aug. 22 to Aug. 30, visitors can tackle hands-on micro-missions alongside animated personas. In one challenge, participants fish plastic debris out of a simulated ocean at a “Blue Carbon” basin. In another, they attempt to free a jailed “Fashion Cell” by cracking clues related to fast fashion and textile waste. The daily late-afternoon event is free of charge and open to the public without prior reservation. The creativeAug 21, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
'Mousetrap' turns Korean folktale into Netflix thrillerThe stolen-identity thriller "Mousetrap" is officially primed for its global Netflix debut. The webtoon-based series follows Moon-jae (Ryu Jun-yeol), a novelist who loses his name, face and life to a mysterious entity known as "the Rat." He teams up with No-ja (Sul Kyung-gu), a loan shark, and Sun-yong (Lee Kyu-hyung), a detective, embarking on a high-stakes hunt to uncover the identity of the Rat. Helmed by director Kim Hong-sun, who was acclaimed for stylized action and tension in the Netflix series “Dear Hongrang” (2025) and hit dramas “The Guest” (2018) and “Voice” (2017), the drama is inspired by the classic Korean folktale premise that "a rat becomes human after eating fingernails," promising to deliver psychological dread alongside genre-thriller suspense. "The work is motivated by the folktale of the fingernail-eating rat. It is a thriller about a man whose life has been stolen trying to reclaim his identity," director Kim introduced the drama during a press conference at Hotel Naru Seoul - MGallery in Mapo District, Seoul, Thursday. Kim added that the webtoon scriptAug 20, 2026By Park Jin-hai
At home, K-drama audiences are hooked on teaching wrongdoers a lesson — and not just unruly studentsLooking at recently released Korean dramas, it appears that the average Korean viewer is ready to see someone being taught a lesson. From schools and office hallways to courtrooms, the prevailing plots of well-crafted productions revolve around identifying villains or injustices that go unpunished by the law or the system, and taking matters into one’s own hands to deliver justice — and, along with it, catharsis. A prime example is “Taxi Driver 3,” an SBS Friday-Saturday drama that aired from late last year into early 2026. Following the success of its first two seasons, the third season also concluded with enormous success and earned lead actor Lee Je-hoon his second grand prize at the SBS Drama Awards. The drama follows a private revenge service disguised as a taxi company, named Rainbow Transport Corp., and its employee Kim Do-gi, who exacts revenge on perpetrators at the request of their victims. One of the key elements of its success was a plot inspired by real-life events that once dominated newspaper front pages, ranging from online video platforms that distributed sexuallAug 20, 2026By Xportsnews
Actor Lee Soo-hyuk's mid-production departure from drama leaves many puzzledIn an unexpected and puzzling move, actor Lee Soo-hyuk withdrew from the Netflix drama “Men of the Harem” while production was underway. His agency, Saram Entertainment, confirmed Wednesday that the actor was dropping out of the project, citing scheduling conflicts. Based on a web novel of the same name, “Men of the Harem” is a palace romance-fantasy drama set in a fictional world. The story follows Latil, an empress of the Tarium Empire, and the political intrigue among her five royal consorts as they compete to win her affection. Lee Eung-bok, who previously directed “Guardian: The Lonely and Great God,” “Descendants of the Sun,” “Mr. Sunshine” and “Sweet Home,” is helming the project. The drama was set for release next year, with a cast that includes Suzy, Shin Seung-ho, Dex, Kim Dan and Yoo Jung-hoo. But Lee Soo-hyuk’s sudden departure is expected to cause complications for the production. His agency declined to provide further details. Actor Lee Jong-won is known to be considering a role in the drama. An official from his agency, The Black Label, told the HankAug 19, 2026By Hankookilbo
'Our Sticky Love' tops Netflix's weekly non-English chartThe rom-com series "Our Sticky Love" landed on top of Netflix's non-English chart, the streaming platform said Wednesday, despite controversy surrounding one of its lead actors. The Netflix original series, starring Jung Hae-in and Ha Young, accumulated 7.5 million views during the latest tracking week ending Sunday, according to Netflix. It reached the top 10 in 68 countries and ranked No. 1 in 26 of them, including South Korea, Brazil, Indonesia and Singapore. In the series, Jung portrays Jang Tae-ha, a boxing coach who claims to be the boyfriend of Go Eun-sae (Ha Young), an ambitious prosecutor who has lost her memory and wakes up at a hospital in the peaceful village of Yeot, which also refers to the sticky traditional Korean candy. Shortly after the show's release, Ha Young came under fire over initially dismissing allegations surrounding her great-grandfather's pro-Japanese activities during Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule of Korea. She later acknowledged that her great-grandfather was a member of an organization suspected by historians as taking part in pro-Japanese activities, sayinAug 19, 2026By Yonhap
