Long-running travel show 'Welcome, First Time in Korea?' returns with major revampMBC's "Welcome, First Time in Korea?," a long-running reality travel show, has returned after a thoughtful makeover, kicking off its fourth season this evening. The show has been a trailblazer for foreigner-led travel shows and one of network's flagship programs, charming viewers with real stories from international guests exploring Korea. It has delivered fun and cultural connection over more than 400 episodes, all with solid 3 percent average ratings. Breaking free from traditional trips, the new season opens its doors to anyone worldwide with an interest in Korea, allowing visitors to explore and share their journeys. The production team has handpicked unexpected figures to uncover Korea's hidden charms and reaffirm the show's enduring power. "We dropped 'invited' because fans — big names even — emailed us wanting in. After some 300 Zoom calls over six months, we selected those genuinely eager to travel Korea. The show will also introduce unique national traits, inviting hosts from each country to the studio," the show's producer Jeon Min-kyung said during an online press confereMar 19, 2026By Park Jin-hai
BLACKPINK Jisoo's 'Boyfriend on Demand' takes No. 1 spot globally amid acting debateBLACKPINK member and actress Jisoo marked her biggest acting career milestone yet with her lead role in the Netflix series, "Boyfriend on Demand," though the debate over her acting skills persists. The romantic comedy took the No. 1 spot in the Global Top 10 Non-English TV show category on the Netflix Tudum website Wednesday, reaching the Top 10 list in 47 countries. The series also maintained the top spot for two consecutive weeks in the TV-OTT integrated drama online buzz rankings for the second week of March, according to Good Data Corporation's FUNdex . "Boyfriend on Demand" generated massive prerelease buzz purely based on Jisoo's casting. While her status as a global K-pop star drew initial interest, critics raised concerns about her individual capacity to carry the narrative alone. Viewers previously criticized her performance in her earlier works, "Snowdrop" and "Newtopia." Upon release, the show quickly climbed viewership rankings worldwide. Jisoo's global fandom drove initial momentum, but sustaining long viewing times requires more than star power. The show succeeded by combiMar 19, 2026By Hankookilbo
Netflix keeps Cha Eun‑woo series on track despite tax allegationsNetflix is pushing ahead with the second-quarter release of an upcoming series starring Cha Eun-woo, despite the actor facing a 20 billion won ($13.8 million) tax evasion scandal in Korea. "As announced at the 'Next on Netflix' event, the release schedule remains unchanged," a Netflix official told Hankook Ilbo Tuesday. "We will announce the specific release date and key dates as soon as they are confirmed." Netflix had previously included "The Wonderfools" among its second quarter releases at the Next on Netflix 2026 Korea showcase held on Jan. 21. After the event, tax evasion allegations involving Cha surfaced, prompting questions about whether the series’ release schedule would be affected. The National Tax Service assessed a 20 billion won tax penalty against the actor. This financial penalty is known to be the largest tax surcharge imposed on a Korean celebrity. Following the controversy, Fantagio, Cha's agency, said it is "reviewing the facts" according to tax authority procedures and will responsibly take necessary measures once legal and administrative judgments become clear. "IMar 18, 2026By Hankookilbo
Review2 young souls find light amid life's gray realities in 'Still Shining'A gentle, beautifully observed coming-of-age romance, "Still Shining" isn’t really about campus hijinks so much as it is about tracing two teens into their 30s, where love, work and family quietly reshape their hearts across more than a decade of subtle transformations. At 19, Tae-seo (Park Jin-young) arrives in the countryside after losing both parents in a car accident. He grew up in a household where money was always short, to the point that his parents only wished for "something safe and peaceful, where Tae-seo can make a living without struggle." Now, with a younger brother who has been left with a permanent limp and grandparents to support, Tae-seo spends the entire summer alone in an empty school library, studying as if his family’s survival depends on every page. On the surface, Tae-seo looks solid and unshakable, but that composure masks constant tension. He is a boy who learned too early that there is no safety net. Into this tightly controlled life slips Eun-a (Kim Min-ju). Talkative, playful and just a little chaotic, she becomes the one person who makes him unclench hiMar 18, 2026By Park Jin-hai
Jisoo's rom-com 'Boyfriend on Demand' tops Netflix weekly chartThe romantic comedy "Boyfriend on Demand" rose to the No. 1 spot of Netflix's weekly non-English series chart, the streaming giant said Wednesday. The 10-part Korean-language series garnered 4.8 million views for the week ending March 15, topping the charts in 47 countries. It centers on Mi-rae, played by BLACKPINK member Jisoo, a webtoon producer worn down by work who seeks romance through a virtual dating subscription service. The Netflix original has generated buzz for its star-studded cast. Alongside female lead Jisoo, Seo In-guk stars as her opposite. In addition, Seo Kang-joon, Lee Jae-wook, Kim Young-dae, Ong Seong-wu and Lee Soo-hyuk make special appearances in the show, a setup that plays perfectly into the drama's premise of offering viewers a wide variety of boyfriends to choose from. Meanwhile, two other Korean shows made the top 10 list, with the legal fantasy drama "Phantom Lawyer" ranking seventh with 1.8 million views and the romantic series "Still Shining" coming in at No. 10 with 1.2 million views.Mar 18, 2026By Yonhap
New show tests ethical limits of Korean divorce reality televisionKorean broadcasters have turned broken marriages into a ratings formula. What began as an effort to break the taboo around divorce has increasingly become a race for ratings, with producers relying on provocative editing and intense conflict. TV Chosun now attempts to broaden the genre's scope with its upcoming show. "X's Private Life" is a reality show featuring an unconventional format where divorced couples watch footage of each other's separate post-divorce lives, including their attempts to date new people. Even the people involved recognizes the intensity of the new format. In a previously released teaser video, host Kim Gu-ra expressed his apprehension regarding the show's premise. "I was worried that the setting was too strong," Kim said. The premise raises questions about whether the program can deliver meaning to viewers without relying on the sensationalism that currently plagues the genre. Broadening genre scope The program joins a diverse roster of divorce-themed shows that have met viewers. Past iterations include divorced celebrities reuniting in "We Got Divorced," couples oMar 16, 2026By Hankookilbo
‘Love After Divorce’ star Lee Sora reveals $7,300 plastic surgery — and shares her long-term dating secretReality TV personality Lee Sora, known for her appearance on the dating show “Love After Divorce 3,” has drawn online attention after candidly discussing her plastic surgery and relationship advice with fans. Lee recently interacted with followers through her social media account, answering questions about her life and relationship. She had previously been open about undergoing cosmetic procedures, including breast and nose surgery. When a follower asked about her breast surgery, Lee said the procedure cost 10 million won ($7,300) and that the expense was paid for by her mother. “It cost 10 million won. My mom paid for it,” Lee said. “She told me I could either spend the money on something I needed or use it for breast surgery.” Lee also addressed questions about her relationship with Choi Dong-hwan, her partner from the show. Asked about the secret to maintaining a long-term relationship, she said mutual respect for personal space plays a key role. “You have to respect each other’s time,” Lee said. She added that both she and Choi may better understand each other becauseMar 16, 2026By Xportsnews
TV shifts toward soothing, heartfelt reality showsKorean television is quietly shifting from shock to solace, with more programs trading relentless stimulation for what viewers call "good dopamine" — not the adrenaline rush of drama, but the gentle satisfaction of genuine human care. At the forefront of this trend is SBS “Mongle, Mongle? Mongle!,” a dating reality show that premiered March 8 and follows young adults with developmental disabilities or who are neurodivergent as they attempt something both ordinary and radical: romance. Guided by real-life couple Lee Hyo-ri and her husband Lee Sang-soon, the show treats dating not as spectacle but as a basic right often denied to people who are often not seen as adults with desires and boundaries. Casting alone tells us how hungry people were for this premise: producers reportedly met with more than 500 applicants before selecting three participants whose lives and personalities anchor the three-part series. For Ji-hyun, an artistically gifted woman who dreams big despite her intellectual disability, Ji-hoon, an autistic barista, and Ji-won, an actor with Down syndrome, even gettingMar 16, 2026By Park Jin-hai
BLACKPINK’s Jisoo shrugs off acting controversy with cheerful ‘Boyfriend on Demand’ behind-the-scenes photosBLACKPINK member Jisoo is drawing attention online after sharing a batch of behind-the-scenes photos from her new Netflix series “Boyfriend on Demand” — a move that comes as the idol-actress once again faces mixed reactions over her acting. On March 12, Jisoo posted several photos on her personal social media account along with the caption, "I'm freshman Seo Mi-rae." The images quickly spread across fan communities and social platforms, where fans praised the cheerful set atmosphere and the singer’s college-student transformation. The photos show scenes from the filming of Netflix’s original series “Boyfriend on Demand,” which stars Jisoo in the lead role. In several shots, she appears dressed as a freshman university student wearing a varsity-style department jacket, portraying a youthful campus look. Other images capture her smiling alongside fellow cast members on set. One scene features Jisoo wearing a kendo uniform, while actor Seo Kang-joon, who plays a senior member of the university’s kendo club and a virtual-reality date partner in the story, stands beside her.Mar 14, 2026By Xportsnews
From chaebol to secret agent: Virtual roster of 'Boyfriend on Demand'Since its release on March 6, Netflix’s "Boyfriend on Demand," starring BLACKPINK’s Jisoo, has captured both local curiosity and global buzz. Beyond its star power and glossy production, the show taps into a distinctly modern fantasy — the comfort of love without the risk of heartbreak. At the heart of the story is Seo Mi-rae, a webtoon producer worn down by deadlines, a difficult author she manages and the emotional residue of a breakup. Her ex-boyfriend is about to marry someone else. Out of loneliness, exhaustion and a flicker of curiosity, she turns to a virtual reality subscription service promising up to 900 kinds of love. With a simple headset and the push of a button, Mi-rae can meet boyfriends who fulfill every imaginable romantic ideal — from a devoted CEO to a sentimental artist — all without the messy unpredictability of real life. Fans adore its straightforward bliss. "I miss K-dramas just for fun — no murders, just love and butterflies," one Reddit user raved. Others nod to its real-world edge: "It nails the fear of relationships ending," while another mused, "PMar 13, 2026By Park Jin-hai
