InterviewNetflix ‘Teach You a Lesson’ star talks global success, true meaning of educationKim Moo-yul, who stars as the ruthless Na Hwa-jin, a field inspector for the Korean Educational Rights Protection Bureau, in Netflix’s high-octane drama “Teach You a Lesson,” is currently enjoying a new height in his acting career. The drama, which follows a government-sanctioned vigilante squad deployed to rescue classrooms ruined by unruly teenagers and toxic parents, has skyrocketed in popularity, claiming the top spot in Netflix's global non-English TV series category just three days after its release. Kim has become a hot topic among global fans for his striking resemblance to John Cena, and the Hollywood star himself posted Kim's photo on his social media. "I honestly don’t quite know what to do with myself," Kim said, expressing his gratitude for the show's global reception during an interview with The Korea Times at a cafe in Seoul, Friday. In the series, his character is a former special forces operator who is dispatched to schools to use any means necessary — including corporal punishment — to discipline students. Every episode tackles heavy, real-world issues, froJun 12, 2026By Park Jin-hai
Korean guesthouse reality shows find new global audience on NetflixGuesthouse-style reality shows are experiencing a renaissance. Unlike traditional travel programs that simply feature tourist destinations and restaurants, these unscripted TV series focus entirely on the shared experience of living, eating and sleeping under one roof. From Netflix's "Kian's Bizarre B&B," released last year, to the recently launched "Jae-seok's B&B Rules!" the guesthouse reality format is maintaining momentum. "Kian's Bizarre B&B" set itself apart from existing travel shows by merging the eccentric sensibilities of webtoon artist and TV personality Kian84 with the challenge of guesthouse management. The Netflix unscripted series earned praise for drawing genuine laughs through its chaotic environments, unpredictable operations and natural chemistry with guests. The newly released "Jae-seok's B&B Rules!" expands the formula. Veteran host Yoo Jae-seok leads a cast featuring actors Lee Kwang-soo, Ji Ye-eun and Byeon Woo-seok as they run a campsite and welcome visitors. This new Netflix unscripted show focuses on the chemistry built by spending time together, starting withJun 12, 2026By Hankookilbo
'His Man' creators return with Korea's first bisexual dating showStreaming platform Wavve will launch a new bisexual dating show "StandBIMe" on June 19, following its gay dating series, "His Man." The new series introduces a format that allows cast members to explore various romantic connections regardless of gender. Participants will pursue relationships without predetermined boundaries, focusing entirely on personal attraction and romantic possibilities to find the dynamic they truly desire. Wavve said that "StandBIMe" is produced by the company behind "His Man," with Kim Hyun-kyung serving as director. Kim previously directed Season 4 of "His Man." Breaking away from the conventional dating show formula, "StandBIMe" captures the cast members getting to know each other and exploring their feelings. As the cast navigates shifting dynamics during their time together, the participants' journey to face their true emotions is expected to be the primary draw. The official poster and teaser have also been released. The poster features three participants seated side by side as seen from behind, utilizing a unique composition to imply fluid romantic dynamicsJun 11, 2026By Hankookilbo
Are multiple seasons becoming the new norm for Korean dramas?Korean dramas are increasingly adopting a multi-season format. Following the lead of streaming platforms, traditional broadcasters have begun releasing new dramas that build on the worlds and characters of earlier installments. Industry watchers say the shift reflects efforts to reduce the risk of failure at a time of increasing production costs and growing uncertainty over whether new projects will succeed. SBS stands as powerhouse in season-based dramas SBS sits at the forefront of Korea's season-based drama production. The massive success of its three-season project “Dr. Romantic,” which first aired in 2016 and at one point reached peak ratings of 28.4 percent, fueled a push for multi-season drama production. The successes that followed, including “The Fiery Piest,” “The Penthouse: War in Life” and “Taxi Driver,” have turned SBS into an undisputed powerhouse for dramas that keep going. “What makes SBS’ season-based dramas so successful is a combination of strong worldbuilding, compelling characters and stories of karma where justice prevails,” said Kim Ki-seul, hJun 11, 2026By Hankookilbo
From temple stays to TV: The rise of Korea's 'hip Buddhism'In an age overflowing with dopamine-chasing content, travel reality shows have become a small pause for viewers worn down by busy routines. SBS’ new program “Sunim and Sonim: Soul Trip in India” takes that familiar format a step further, adding comfort and practical guidance from the widely respected Buddhist monk Ven. Pomnyun. Premiered on May 19, the show follows Ven. Pomnyun and cast members Noh Hong-chul, Lee Sang-yun, Lee Joo-bin, Lee Ki-taek and Woochan as they travel to India in search of their “true self.” But what seems to be a travel reality show soon takes a more serious turn, moving closer to a documentary and a form of spiritual practice. The celebrity cast members arrive with large suitcases, only to be told to leave most of their belongings behind and carry just one backpack, a gesture that also points to letting go of desire in Buddhist terms. With only a single backpack, they set out across India not as ordinary tourists, but as people on a spiritual journey, including to parts of the country where hardship is most visible. The show becomes a journey between aJun 10, 2026By Hankookilbo
'Teach You a Lesson' debuts atop Netflix's weekly non-English chartThe school drama series "Teach You a Lesson" released last week hit No. 1 on Netflix's non-English show chart, while several other Korean shows also landed in the top 10, the streaming platform said Wednesday. "Teach You a Lesson," released on Friday, garnered 6.4 million views for the week ending Sunday, according to Netflix. It ranked in the top 10 in 48 countries and regions, including Korea, Singapore, Turkey and Egypt. Based on the webtoon "Get Schooled," the action-packed series follows a team of inspectors at the fictional Education Rights Protection Bureau, which receives full-fledged support from Education Minister Choi Gang-seok, played by Lee Sung-min. Under Choi's leadership, who believes the bureau exists "not to fight students but to fight monsters," the inspectors — played by Kim Mu-yeol, Jin Ki-joo and Pyo Ji-hoon (also known as P.O. of K-pop boy group Block B) — set out to teach bullies a lesson. Other Korean shows also performed strongly, with four other titles ranking in the weekly top 10. The drama series "My Royal Nemesis," "The Wonderfools" and "Sold Out on You,"Jun 10, 2026By Yonhap
Ditching exclusivity: Streaming platforms pivot to TVOriginal series once confined only to streaming services are increasingly finding new audiences as well-made productions that were once on the verge of remaining hidden gems — restricted by streaming platforms' paywalls — are now returning to traditional TV channels. This unconventional strategy abandons the closed-off approach of exclusive releases, crossing platform boundaries to maximize touchpoints with viewers. Apple TV+’s ambitious project "Pachinko" (2022) landed on the small screen via tvN, airing its first episode on Saturday. Despite its overwhelming capital and exquisite cinematography, the drama had long remained a show people "wanted to watch but couldn't," largely due to the platform's relatively small subscriber base in Korea. Starring Lee Min-ho and Kim Min-ha, the drama examines four generations of a Korean family during the Japanese occupation of Korea and the subsequent racism that followed. Through a familiar TV channel, it has finally connected properly with viewers across all generations. The move is intended to leverage the high accessibility of local TV toJun 8, 2026By Park Jin-hai
From Bill Gates to Jensen Huang: How 'You Quiz' became a global booking powerhouseSouth Korea's hit talk show “You Quiz on the Block” is once again expanding its reach — this time with one of the most influential figures in the artificial intelligence (AI) industry. TvN announced Tuesday that Jensen Huang, founder and CEO of Nvidia, will appear on the popular variety program, marking another high-profile international booking for the show hosted by Yoo Jae-suk. The appearance is drawing attention because Huang has rarely appeared on entertainment talk shows despite becoming one of the most recognizable faces of the AI boom. As Nvidia transformed from a graphics chip maker into a central player in the generative AI era, Huang emerged as a celebritylike figure in the tech world. Huang arrived in Korea Friday. During a previous two-day trip last October, he generated headlines after meeting with Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong and Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Chung Euisun in a casual fried chicken gathering. His upcoming appearance on “You Quiz on the Block” has fueled curiosity over what kind of conversation he will have with Yoo, one of KoreaJun 6, 2026By Xportsnews
ReviewNetflix drama 'Teach You a Lesson' serves as reality check for Korea’s broken education systemNetflix’s new series "Teach You a Lesson" exposes a Korean education system so fundamentally fractured that it feels like a dystopian thriller. Yet the story, based on a webtoon, strikes a painfully real chord. Gone are the days when the primary headline was overzealous teachers abusing students with corporal punishment. Today, the pendulum has swung to the opposite extreme. Guided by a cultural climate that fiercely prioritizes student rights and coddles aggressive parents, the classroom has devolved. Disruptive students openly mock their instructors, while educators are left utterly powerless, forced into willful ignorance just to survive the school day. It is against this grim, real-world backdrop that the series launches its ultimate power fantasy. The show tracks the Korean Educational Rights Protection Bureau, a government-sanctioned vigilante squad deployed to salvage classrooms ruined by boundary-crossing teenagers and toxic parents. Anatomy of a broken classroom The drama anchors its stakes immediately through Gyeong-min, a high schooler systematically ostracized by his entireJun 5, 2026By Park Jin-hai
InterviewPark Ji-hoon’s seamless shift in 'The Legend of Kitchen Soldier'After captivating audiences in the blockbuster historical film "The King’s Warden," actor Park Ji-hoon is breaking records once again — this time, in a completely different genre. Starring in Tving’s original comedy series "The Legend of Kitchen Soldier," Park has swapped intense period drama for the playful world of B-grade humor, proving his incredible range as a performer. "I think the strength of our show lies in how relaxing it is," Park shared during an interview with The Korea Times at a cafe in Seoul, Tuesday. In a sea of heavy, high-stress thrillers, his new project offers viewers a chance to unwind. "It’s light, comfortable to watch and has a breezy, flexible storyline rather than a tight, stressful one." Based on a popular webtoon, the military-cooking-fantasy drama follows Seong-jae, who knows absolutely nothing about cooking. His life turns upside down when a cooking game window for "Guardian" — visible and audible only to him —suddenly appears. By clearing various quests to revive failing dishes, he eventually grows into a legendary military chef. In Monday's epJun 4, 2026By Park Jin-hai
