Action-crime 'Bloodhounds' Season 2 tops Netflix's chart"Bloodhounds" Season 2 topped Netflix's weekly non-English shows chart, the streaming platform said Wednesday. The Korean action-crime series garnered 7.4 million views for the week ending Sunday, going up by one spot from a week ago. The show's popularity also sparked renewed interest in its first season, which landed at third on the chart with 3 million views. The boxing saga centers around two young boxers, Kun-woo and Woo-jin, portrayed by Woo Do-hwan and Lee Sang-yi, respectively, who band together to fight against an underground syndicate operating an illegal boxing league, run by the villainous Baek-jung (Jung Ji-hoon), whose hunger for violence and money fuels the conflict. The seven-episode series premiered April 3. One more Korean series cracked the top 10, with the legal fantasy drama "Phantom Lawyer," starring Yoo Yeon-seok and Esom, coming in at No. 10 with 1.5 million views.Apr 15, 2026By Yonhap
Spicier and faster than before: ‘Heart Signal’ returns after 3 years“This season is really spicy,” Roy Kim said. After a three-year break, “Heart Signal” is finally returning with its fifth season, promising a show that feels both fresher and more daring than before. With its new cast and a younger atmosphere, the show is hoping to bring back the charm that once made it one of Korea’s signature dating reality programs. An online press conference for Channel A’s “Heart Signal 5” was held Tuesday morning, with panelists Yoon Jong-shin, Lee Sang-min, Kim Eana, Roy Kim and Tsuki in attendance, along with producers Park Chul-hwan and Kim Hong-gu. Premiering later in the day, the program follows a group of young men and women living together in Signal House, where they navigate attraction and uncertainty while a celebrity panel watches, analyzes their emotions and tries to predict the final couples. Producer Park said he felt especially excited to bring the show back after three years away. “Returning after three years feels incredibly exciting,” he said. “Since working on ‘Heart Pairing,’ I kept thinking Season 5 could feel newer, youApr 14, 2026By Hankookilbo
'Absolute Value of Romance' turns teenage imagination into heartfelt dramaCoupang Play’s upcoming coming-of-age drama “Absolute Value of Romance” is expected to be a mix of awkward teenage moments, bittersweet humor and a touch of fantasy. At its heart is Yeo Eui-ju (Kim Hyang-gi), a seemingly ordinary high schooler who secretly pens bold “Boys’ Love” (BL) web novels. Her quiet routine takes an unexpected turn when four charismatic new teachers join the faculty, unknowingly becoming the muses for her stories and the catalysts for her emotional awakening. “When I had the chance to review scripts a few years ago, this project stood out the most,” director Lee Tae-gon said during a press conference for the series at The Saint in D-Cube City in Guro District, Seoul, Tuesday. “I signed the writer immediately. I wanted to direct this myself because of the youthfulness and fun it exudes. Just as Qin Shi Huang searched for the herb of eternal youth, I felt that working on this project would make me younger,” he added. The series marks a departure for lead actor Kim, known for the film “Along with the Gods Gods: The Two Worlds” (2017) and its 20Apr 14, 2026By Park Jin-hai
'The Scarecrow' revisits infamous serial murder caseThe infamous Lee Choon-jae serial murder case, which haunted Korea for decades, are returning to the small screen in the new crime thriller “The Scarecrow.” Inspired by one of Korea’s most notorious serial murder cases that began in 1986, the crime thriller delves into the investigation surrounding the nation’s worst killing spree. The real-life case left an indelible mark on the public’s memory. Once an unsolved mystery, it resurfaced in 2019 — 33 years later — when the full truth finally came to light, reigniting nationwide attention. The ENA series, which premieres April 20, follows an elite detective and a cold-blooded prosecutor as they form an unlikely alliance to uncover the truth behind a series of killings spanning 30 years. Park Hae-soo stars as Kang Tae-joo, an ace detective known for his sharp intuition and relentless observation skills. After being reassigned to his rural hometown of Gangseong, he becomes involved in a serial murder case and unexpectedly reunites with Cha Si-young (Lee Hee-jun), a prosecutor who was once his nemesis during their school days. “AApr 13, 2026By Park Jin-hai
'Agency packaging' raises concerns over fair competition in K-drama industryIt is no longer unusual for much of a drama’s lead cast to come from the same agency. A casting strategy built around a lead actor and fellow agency actors, once a rare occurrence, now dominates the casting process. While it offers production efficiency, critics say the trend stymies open auditions, production diversity and the discovery of new talent. The trend of "agency packaging" is distinctly visible across major recent broadcasts. Ongoing SBS drama "Phantom Lawyer" features lead Yoo Yeon-seok and supporting actor Kim Kyung-nam, both represented by King Kong by Starship. Recently concluded JTBC series "The Practical Guide to Love" cast Han Ji-min, Park Sung-hoon and Cho Bok-rae, all under BH Entertainment. Furthermore, upcoming SBS series "Good Partner 2" filled its lineup with Park Hae-jin, Kim Hye-yoon and Pyo Ji-hoon, all affiliated with Artist Company. Production companies defend the practice as a reasonable market strategy. Centering a project around a proven star secures buzz, while casting their agency peers increases production efficiency and onscreen chemistry. It alsoApr 13, 2026By Hankookilbo
IU returns with ‘Perfect Crown,’ aims to revive MBC dramas with bold royal romanceIt is, once again, IU. IU has returned with a new project following the Netflix series “When Life Gives You Tangerines,” joining hands with Byeon Woo-seok in a high-profile attempt to revive struggling ratings at broadcaster MBC. MBC’s new drama “Perfect Crown,” which premiered April 10, is set in a fictional 21st-century constitutional monarchy. It follows the romance between a wealthy heiress who has everything but social status and a royal prince who has status but little personal freedom. The first episode depicted how Sung Hee-joo (IU), a chaebol heiress, comes to propose marriage to Grand Prince Ian (Byeon Woo-seok). Despite her wealth, Hee-joo faces discrimination for being a commoner, while Ian, as the king’s second son, lives under constant pressure and limitations within the royal family. Both characters, pushed into arranged marriages by their families, cross paths at a royal birthday banquet. Determined to change her fate, Hee-joo seeks an audience with Ian and, upon meeting him, boldly proposes marriage — setting the tone for the drama’s unconventional romanApr 11, 2026By Hankookilbo
K-dramas' fresh take on fathersK-dramas are dismantling the archetype of the traditional patriarchs in favor of a more realistic figures who struggling and emotionally vulnerable. Fathers in Korean dramas were long depicted as distant protectors, authoritative figures who silently bore the financial burden within traditional family structures. Today, broadcasters are abandoning this formula. The modern onscreen father is a flawed character who makes mistakes, misunderstands his own emotions and continuously learns. This trend reflects a broader societal shift. While fathers still often shoulder much of household financial burdens, families have become more egalitarian . Nnarratives of personal growth are now being applied to middle-aged men. In dramas such as "The Dream Life of Mr. Kim," "Mad Concrete Dreams" and "Cabbage Your Life," viewers see fathers facing their limitations. These protagonists struggle to communicate but also push forward and fight to save their marriages. Pop culture critic Jung Duk-hyun said centering a narrative on a middle-aged man's struggles is a calculated risk, as drama viewership remainsApr 10, 2026By Hankookilbo
InterviewWoo Do-hwan pushes his limits for Netflix’s 'Bloodhounds'Since his 2011 debut, Woo Do-hwan has forged a reputation as a relentless actor, infusing gritty action series and soulful dramas alike with his singular intensity. Netflix’s crime thriller “Bloodhounds” has now thrust him onto the global stage. Woo said that after wrapping Season 1, exhaustion left him doubting whether he could summon the strength for more. “But once Season 2 got the green light, it felt like stepping onto a battlefield,” he told The Korea Times at a cafe in Seoul, Thursday. “Unlike other dramas, this one demands everything — body and soul — leaving no room for anything else. Even off days mean training, building strength for the fight ahead. But when Season 2 was confirmed, excitement took over. I trained harder than ever,” he said. “Bloodhounds” Season 2 sends Gun-woo (Woo) and Woo-jin (Lee Sang-yi) into the brutal arena of a global underground boxing league, where money and mayhem reign, unleashing another barrage of crowd-pleasing hooks. For Season 2, Woo bulked up 13 kilograms through more systematic training. “Season 1’s Gun-woo was stillApr 9, 2026By Park Jin-hai
InterviewJung Ji-hoon reinvents villain archetype in ‘Bloodhounds’ Season 2Singer-actor Jung Ji-hoon, better known by his stage name Rain, takes on his first villain role as Baek-jeong, the operator of a global illegal boxing league, in Netflix series "Bloodhounds" Season 2. The high-octane action crime thriller, directed by Jason Kim, centers on the two young boxers battling Iron Knuckle Fighting Championship, a dark web-based organization hosting brutal matches fueled by high-stakes gambling and coercion, pulling protagonists Gun-woo (Woo Do-hwan) and Woo-jin (Lee Sang-yi) into its violent underworld. He said the project was “physically exhausting but also emotionally draining.” “My character doesn’t have much of a backstory. The director didn’t want him to become a cliché villain. Usually, when you play a bad guy, you act nice and then suddenly turn evil — that roller‑coaster of intensity can make the performance stand out. But the director told me not to do that," he said in an interview with The Korea Times at a cafe in Seoul, Wednesday. "He wanted the character to start off already furious, with no change in tone, so that was challenging."Apr 8, 2026By Park Jin-hai
InterviewNetflix series ‘Beef’ Season 2 incorporates more Korean elements: directorThe award-winning Netflix series "Beef," which swept categories at the Emmys, Golden Globes and Critics Choice Awards, returns April 16 with its second season. Korean American director and writer Lee Sung-jin said he was excited but found Season 2 “even harder than the first” season to make as he aimed to “take some big swings and risks while retaining what is special about the show" during an online interview with The Korea Times on Tuesday. Unlike Season 1’s road rage feud between lonely strangers, Season 2 unfolds at an elite country club where a young couple witnesses a shocking fight between their boss and his wife, and the web of blackmail that follows involving both couples and the club’s owner, Korean billionaire Chairwoman Park (Youn Yuh-jung). While Season 1 focused on Korean American stories, Season 2 explores a mixed-race character’s Korean roots. “It’s a bridge between West and East,” Lee said. “Charles’ character is half Korean, caught in an identity tug-of-war as he’s pulled into the upper echelons of Korean society — the world of chaebol (congloApr 7, 2026By Park Jin-hai
