Kim So-hye returns with 'My Lovely Boxer' after bullying scandal Actors Kim So-hye, left, and Lee Sang-yeob pose during the press conference for KBS's new romance series “My Lovely Boxer,” held in Guro District, Seoul, Monday. Courtesy of KBSBy Lee Gyu-leeSinger and actor Kim So-hye, who shot to stardom as the project girl group I.O.I, is making a small screen return with KBS's new romance series “My Lovely Boxer,” about two years after she was embroiled in accusations of bullying, which she claimed was a misunderstanding between friends. “During the past 1-2 years, I've been looking for ways to fix my shortcomings as a person who enjoys and wants to excel in acting. Then I came across 'My Lovely Boxer.' And I felt the work contained a message about the determination of a person facing misfortune,” Kim said during the press conference for the series, held in Guro District, Seoul, Monday.“The choices (my character), Kwon-sook, makes in such adversity and how she grows from them felt quite similar to my own. I was deeply impressed (with the story) and really wanted to do it.”Based on the novel of the sAug 22, 2023By Lee Gyu-lee
INTERVIEW 'Zombieverse' creators react to mixed response from viewers Netflix's new reality show “Zombieverse” chief producer Park Jin-kyung and producer Moon Sang-don / Courtesy of NetflixBy Lee Gyu-leeThe creators of Netflix's new unscripted show “Zombieverse” spoke out on the mixed response from its viewers. “It's really interesting to see how feedback shifts each day (from the viewers). We feel we've set ourselves a challenge to venture into a new genre,” the show's chief producer Park Jin-kyung told The Korea Times during a recent interview, held at a cafe in Jongno District. “On the first day of its release, the reaction split into two like 'what is this?' and 'it's fun.' But over time, I'm seeing people coming around to being receptive towards the show on the internet and social media, which felt like a process of gaining people's support.”The new reality show, which hit the platform on Aug. 8, follows 10 celebrities in Seoul, swept by a zombie virus outbreak. The cast members must go through different challenges and quests to outwit the undead and survive the chaos.The 8-part show was created by PAug 20, 2023By Lee Gyu-lee
Entertainment industry experts eye 'next turn of the wheel' with format exports BBC's Entertainment Commissioning Editor Katie Taylor, second from left, speaks during a conference session at this year's BroadCast WorldWide (BCWW), held at COEX in Gangnam District, southern Seoul, Thursday. Courtesy of KOCCABy Lee Gyu-leeBBC's Entertainment Commissioning Editor, Katie Taylor, noted that one of the key factors that the entertainment industry is looking for in content formats is the willingness to take risks.During a conference session held during this year's Broadcast Worldwide (BCWW), held at COEX in Gangnam District, southern Seoul, Thursday, the editor urged creators and producers to be bold with innovative ideas to pick up the success Korean content has been enjoying. BCWW, organized by the Korean Creative Content Agency (KOCCA), is an annual global broadcasting content convention. This year, it was held from Aug. 16 to 18.“In the entertainment of a public service broadcaster, we're looking for specific, innovative ideas that represent Britain, that unite Britain and are unique. We don't do cruel formats but we do ones that are diverse and represent the Aug 18, 2023By Lee Gyu-lee
Will 'Street Woman Fighter 2' outperform debut season? The dancers and judges of the upcoming dance competition show, “Street Woman Fighter 2,” pose during a press conference at DMC Tower in Mapo District, northern Seoul, Thursday.'Street Woman Fighter 2' to premiere on Aug. 22By Dong Sun-hwaWill Mnet's new dance competition show “Street Woman Fighter 2” outdo its previous season and create another dance boom?The upcoming program, which is scheduled to hit the air on Aug. 22, will pit eight female dance crews against one another. Unlike the first season which only featured the crews based in Korea, “Street Woman Fighter 2” aims to go global by inviting additional dancers from various countries. The contestants are JAM REPUBLIC (U.S., New Zealand, Australia and China), TSUBAKILL (Japan), 1MILLION (Korea), BEBE (Korea), Deep N DAP (Korea), LADY BOUNCE (Korea), MANNEQUEEN (Korea) and WOLF'LO (Korea). Asked about the unique edges of the second season, producer Kim Ji-eun said there will be special judges.“From choreographer Bae Yoon-jung to dancer Mike Song, the special judges will join usAug 17, 2023By Dong Sun-hwa
Actress Song Hye-kyo donates guidebooks focusing on Korea's historic sites in Hawaii Professor Seo Kyung-duk, left, and actress Song Hye-kyo / Courtesy of Seo Kyung-dukBy Dong Sun-hwaActress Song Hye-kyo has collaborated with Seo Kyung-duk, a professor at Sungshin Women's University and an active promoter of Korea, to donate 10,000 guidebooks on Korea's historic sites in Hawaii to the Center for Korean Studies at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.The donation was made to commemorate Korea's Liberation Day which falls on Aug. 15. Hawaii was a place where ethnic Koreans raised funds for the independence movements during Japan's colonial rule of Korea (1910-1945). The guidebooks, available in Korean and English, provide details of different heritage sites linked to the independence activities, including Oahu Cemetery where the bodies of Korean independence fighters are buried. “This year marks the 120th anniversary of Korean immigration to the U.S.,” Seo said. “We published and donated guidebooks hoping that more people would visit Korea's historic sites in Hawaii in addition to its major tourist attractions.”Actress Song Hye-kyo and Professor SeAug 15, 2023By Dong Sun-hwa
Lee Sun-kyun, Yoo Jae-myung to lead mystery thriller series 'No Way Out' Actors Lee Sun-kyun, left, and Yoo Jae-myung / Courtesy of Ace Factory, HODU&U EntertainmentBy Kwak Yeon-sooLee Sun-kyun and Yoo Jae-myung will lead the new mystery thriller series “No Way Out,” which will begin filming in October.The upcoming series follows Kim Gook-ho (Yoo), a serial killer who is freed after spending 13 years in jail. He is hunted by civilians after a mysterious crime stopper offers a reward of 20 billion won ($15 million) for the murder of the recently released criminal. Lee plays the role of Baek Joong-sik, a police officer who has to prevent Kim from being killed by bounty hunters, while Yoo portrays Kim, dubbed the “axis of evil.”The series is helmed by director Choi Kook-hee, known for his previous works “Split” (2016), “Default” (2018) and “Life is Beautiful” (2022). The script is written by Lee Soo-jin who wrote the screenplay for “The Devil's Deal” (2023). It is produced by LG U+'s video content brand Studio X+U with TwinFilm.“We will continue to produce works that can deliveAug 14, 2023By Kwak Yeon-soo
INTERVIEW Kim Hee-sun returns to silver screen for 'Honey Sweet' Actress Kim Hee-sun plays the role of a single mother in the new rom-com movie “Honey Sweet.” Courtesy of Mind MarkBy Lee Gyu-leeActress Kim Hee-sun is making a silver screen comeback with the new romantic comedy “Honey Sweet.” This marks her first starring role in a film in 10 years since the 2011 Chinese-produced "The Warring States” and 20 years since the 2003 locally made “A Man Who Went to Mars.”Actress Kim Hee-sun / Courtesy of Hinge EntertainmentDirected by Lee Han, known for his 2011 drama film "Punch," the new film set to premiere on Aug. 15 depicts a romance between a man inexperienced with women and a bubbly single mother.Chi-ho (Yoo Hae-jin) is a researcher at a confectionery company, who is clueless when it comes to anything other than his work. One day, he visits a loan company to pay off the debt for his shameless gambler brother Seok-ho (Cha In-pyo) and meets a bright-spirited single mom, Il-young (Kim Hee-sun).The unexpected encounter develops into a romantic relationship, bringing vibrant changes to Chi-ho's otherwise simpleAug 11, 2023By Lee Gyu-lee
Shin Ha-kyun, Kim Young-kwang to lead new crime series Actors Shin Ha-kyun and Kim Young-kwang will play lead roles in the upcoming crime series “Biography of a Villain” (direct translation). Courtesy of HODU&U Entertainment and Wide-S CompanyBy Lee Gyu-leeActors Shin Ha-kyun and Kim Young-kwang will be leading Genie TV's upcoming crime series “Biography of a Villain” (direct translation). The new series, set to roll out in October, revolves around a lawyer, who is barely making ends meet, turning into a villain.Shin will play the role of the struggling lawyer, Han Dong-soo. He makes a living by visiting prisoners and taking on their cases. On the surface, he seems to be logical and rational. But when his innate desire takes over, he sets foot in the dark, villainous world. Kim will play the character of Seo Do-young, who is the second-highest boss of a crime syndicate. He is a handsome, former baseball player who tries hard not to look like a mobster. But underneath his look, he holds a ruthless, unpredictable rage. Actor Shin Jae-ha will join the lineup of cast members, taking on the role of Han Dong-soo's sAug 10, 2023By Lee Gyu-lee
INTERVIEW Son Suk-ku says Netflix 'D.P.' allowed new approach to creating character Actor Son Suk-ku plays the role of Lim Ji-seop in the Netflix's military action series “D.P.” Courtesy of NetflixBy Lee Gyu-leeActor Son Suk-ku shared that his latest role as a soldier named Lim Ji-seop in the Netflix original series “D.P.,” gave him an opportunity to try a new approach to acting. Actor Son Suk-ku / Courtesy of Netflix“(With the character,) I learned to try creating and shaping the character as I go, exploring what will come out of it, rather than creating and planning the character in a box. It was an opportunity to switch the process. And Lim was the right character to try such an approach,” the actor told The Korea Times, during an interview in Gangnam District, Monday.Led by director Han Jun-hee, the military action series follows soldiers Ahn Joon-ho (Jung Hae-in) and Han Ho-yeol (Koo Kyo-hwan), who are part of a special unit called Deserter Pursuit (D.P.) responsible for bringing back soldiers who go AWOL. The two track down deserters facing injustices and corruption in the organization as they learn about what caused the solAug 9, 2023By Lee Gyu-lee
Ra Mi-ran, Uhm Ji-won reunite for Tving office drama 'Cold Blooded Intern' The promotional poster for Tving office drama series, "Cold Blooded Intern," is seen in this photo provided by Tving. YonhapVeteran actresses Ra Mi-ran and Uhm Ji-won reunited for the first time in 10 years for the upcoming Tving series "Cold Blooded Intern" to tell a relatable office drama story with a comedy vibe. Directed by Han Sang-jae whose previous hit was another office drama series "Rude Miss Young-ae," it tells the story of Go Hae-ra (Ra) who lands an internship position after a seven-year break from her successful career due to marriage.Go receives a secret and cruel proposal from the director of the product planning team, Choi Ji-won (Uhm), who was once her colleague at another company, and confronts obstacles in the process of fulfilling her mission.Ra, who has performed distinctive mother characters in films and dramas, mostly recently in JTBC drama "The Good Bad Mother," said she focused on realistically portraying the working mom's challenges and struggles in the workplace. "Career interruptions could happen to anyone regardless of if they are women and men. Resuming Aug 8, 2023
