Entertainment - The Korea Times

Netflix unveils star-studded cast for Squid Game Season 2

T.O.P, left, Lee Jin-wook, second from left, Park Gyu-young, center, are among the new cast of Squid Game. Courtesy of NetflixBy Woo Da-binA new group of star-studded cast members is set to join the upcoming second season of Squid Game.On Thursday, Netflix officially announced the long-awaited cast lineup of Squid Game Season 2.The new cast members include Park Gyu-young, who rose to global stardom thanks to her role in the Netflix hit “Sweet Home” and plays the lead in the streaming giant's upcoming new drama series, “Celebrity,” slated for release on June 30. Other new faces in Squid Game Season 2 include Jo Yu-ri, a singer and actress who was formerly a member of the girl group IZ*ONE, and Kang Ae-sim, who has had a long and successful career in film, television and stage, including roles in the Netflix series “Move to Heaven” and the drama “Be Melodramatic.”Actor David Lee will be reunited with director Hwang Dong-hyuk once more on Squid Game Season 2, after their previous collaboration on the films “The Fortress” and &l

Jun 29, 2023

Netflix unveils star-studded cast for Squid Game Season 2

Food business becomes new reality TV trend

From left, posters for cooking shows “Ramyun Brothers In Japan,” “Happy CEO” and “Welcome to Fishermen's Seafood Bar” / Courtesy of TV Chosun, JTBC and Channel ABy Lee Gyu-leeCooking shows featuring celebrities running their own restaurants have emerged as a new reality TV trend.JTBC rolled out a new cooking reality show, “Happy CEO,” Sunday, starring comedians Lee Kyung-kyu and Park Na-rae and actor Kang Yul. The show invites the cast to jump into the food delivery business. The three hosts each run their own delivery-only food service with a menu they personally invented. Joined by other celebrities like actors Han Seung-yeon and Yoon Park, the three team up and compete against each other to see who will survive in the business. “The show is about celebrities, who are devoted to food and cooking, competing for business. I'm interested in the tension that surrounds the kitchen,” producer Seo Dong-gil said during an online press conference for the show. “There are a lot of emotions within the kitchen and that brings ou

Jun 29, 2023By Lee Gyu-lee

Food business becomes new reality TV trend

Studio Dragon co-CEO resigns amid embezzlement scandal

A scene from Netflix's original series “The Glory," produced by Studio Dragon / Courtesy of Netflix By Lee Gyu-leeThe Co-CEO of CJ ENM's production subsidiary, Studio Dragon, has resigned to take responsibility for an internal embezzlement incident.“CEO Kim Young-kyu has resigned due to personal reasons,” the production company said through an inquiry disclosure system, Monday. Kim's resignation is reported to be related to an internal embezzlement incident. Recently, Studio Dragon received a tip-off about a content producer embezzling funds and conducted an internal audit, which verified the reported misconduct.Studio Dragon officials explained, "It is difficult to disclose specific details of the audit, but it has been confirmed that there was misconduct during the content production process." They added, "Kim Young-gyu, who was in charge of overseeing the content division, resigned, taking moral responsibility for the incident."The employee involved has been dism

Jun 27, 2023By Lee Gyu-lee

Studio Dragon co-CEO resigns amid embezzlement scandal

Ballerina Kang Mi-sun hoping to have positive influence on junior dancers

Ballerina Kang Mi-sun, who won the best female dancer award at this year's Benois de la Danse, speaks during a press conference held at Universal Arts Center in Seoul, June 27. YonhapBallerina Kang Mi-sun exuded a mixture of disbelief and excitement Tuesday as she reflected on her winning of the best female dancer award at this year's Benois de la Danse during a press conference here to mark her achievement."It's been almost a week since I attended the awards ceremony, but I still can't believe that I won the big honor," she said during the press conference. "Regardless of winning or not, just being nominated was a tremendous honor for me. But the fact that I was able to showcase Korean ballet on that stage itself was already a great privilege for me."She shared the honor with China's Qiu Yunting during the awards ceremony held at the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow a week ago, beating four other competitors from leading ballet companies from around the world.Kang, a principal ballerina at Korea's Universal Ballet, was recognized for her critically acclaimed lead role as a widow who bids f

Jun 27, 2023

Ballerina Kang Mi-sun hoping to have positive influence on junior dancers

Netflix's 'Celebrity' to portray competitive world of influencers

From left, actors Lee Chung-ah, Kang Min-hyuk, Park Gyu-young, Lee Dong-gun and Jun Hyo-seong and director Kim Cheol-kyu pose during the press conference for Netflix's new original series “Celebrity,” held in western Seoul's Mapo District, Monday. Courtesy of NetflixBy Lee Gyu-leeNetflix's new Korean original series, “Celebrity,” will take viewers into the competitive, cut-throat world of social media influencers, the series' director said.“The world of social media, primarily Instagram, emerged not too long ago. And as the majority of its users are of the younger generation, the content created within that world is often hot, hip and on the forefront of ongoing trends,” director Kim Cheol-kyu, said during a press conference for the series, held at a hotel in western Seoul's Mapo District, Monday. “So I tried to fill each episode of 'Celebrity' with such stories, aiming to create a hot, hip and trendy series.”The new series, set to hit the platform on Friday, follows an ordinary woman, Seo A-ri (Park Gyu-young), who becomes a social med

Jun 27, 2023By Lee Gyu-lee

Netflix's 'Celebrity' to portray competitive world of influencers

Sequels to hits, comedy series to screen in July

From left, posters from “The Uncanny Counter 2: Counter Punch,” “D.P. 2”, and “Not Others” / Courtesy of tvN, Netflix and KT Studio GenieBy Lee Gyu-leeMuch-awaited follow-up seasons to hit series are slated to hit the small screen next month, along with lighthearted comedy programs.The new season of tvN's fantasy action series, “The Uncanny Counter,” will premiere on July 28 about three years after its first season.Based on the popular webcomic, "Amazing Rumor," the series follows a group of noodle shop employees, including a teenager named So-mun (Cho) with supernatural powers. Members of the group, who call themselves "counters," use their power to track down evil spirits and demons and fight them off. Along with the original cast members, “The Uncanny Counter 2: Counter Punch” will welcome a new season, played by actor Yoo In-soo from the Netflix series "All of Us Are Dead,” as well as new villains, played by actors Kang Ki-young from "Extraordinary Attorney Woo” and Kim Hieora from "The Glory.”Director

Jun 26, 2023By Lee Gyu-lee

Sequels to hits, comedy series to screen in July

EXO's Suho to return to small screen with Han Ji-min and Lee Min-ki

From left, actors Han Ji-min, Lee Min-ki and Kim Jun-myeon / Courtesy of BH Entertainment, Sangyoung Entertainment, SM EntertainmentBy Lee Gyu-leeSinger and actor Kim Jun-myeon, better known as Suho from the K-pop boy group EXO, will return to the small screen with JTBC's new comedy detective series “Behind your Touch.” He will star alongside actors Han Ji-min and Lee Min-ki. This will be his first TV spot in about five years since he played the lead role in the 2018 romance series “Rich Man.” Scheduled to premiere on Aug. 12, the new series revolves around a peaceful small town in the countryside. The town's busybody, veterinarian Bong Ye-boon (Han Ji-min), unexpectedly gains a special ability that allows her to see the past of animals and people. She uses her ability and teams up with Moon Jang-yeol (Lee), a detective from Seoul. Together they solve a series of minor crimes, only to find themselves entangled in a serial murder case.Director Kim Suk-yoon, whose previous work includes the 2022 melodrama “My Liberation Notes,” reunites with scriptwr

Jun 25, 2023By Lee Gyu-lee

EXO's Suho to return to small screen with Han Ji-min and Lee Min-ki

Netflix committed to fostering creative talent in Korea: co-CEO

Ted Sarandos, a co-CEO of Netflix, speaks during a press conference at Four Seasons Hotels in Seoul, Thursday. Courtesy of NetflixBy Lee Gyu-leeTed Sarandos, the co-CEO of Netflix, said the company's recent announcement of a $2.5 billion investment in Korea will contribute to nurturing creative talent in the country.“It's been an amazing partnership between the Korean content community and Netflix. But I believe we are just scratching the surface of the possible. And that's why Netflix is investing in the long run,” the co-CEO said during a press conference in Seoul, Thursday, during his three-day visit to the country.“Over the next four years, Netflix will be investing over $2.5 billion in Korea. That's twice as much as we have invested when we launched here in 2016. It includes funding for training programs for next-generation creators in front of and behind the camera.”He added that the platform is committed to growing its presence in Korea due to the rising demand for Korean content following the global popularity of series and movies including “Squi

Jun 22, 2023By Lee Gyu-lee

Netflix committed to fostering creative talent in Korea: co-CEO

Kang Mi-sun wins best female dancer at Benois de la Danse

Kang Mi-sun, a principal ballerina at Universal Ballet, has shared the best female dancer award at the Benois de la Danse, one of the world's most prestigious ballet awards. YonhapKang Mi-sun, a principal ballerina at Universal Ballet, has shared the best female dancer award at the Benois de la Danse, one of the world's most prestigious ballet awards.The Korean dancer picked up the honor at the awards ceremony in Moscow on Tuesday (Moscow time), together with China's Qiu Yunting. The winners beat four other competitors from ballet companies from around the world.Universal Ballet is one of Korea's two major ballet companies, along with the Korean National Ballet.The 40-year-old Kang was recognized for her lead role as a widow in "Mirinaegil," a creative piece premiered by the ballet company at a theater in Seoul in March."Honestly, I had completely no expectations as I was emptying my mind. I was truly surprised when my name was called, and I am grateful to receive this honorable award," she told Yonhap News Agency by phone after receiving the honor.She performed the ballet "Mirinaegi

Jun 21, 2023

Kang Mi-sun wins best female dancer at Benois de la Danse

INTERVIEW Kim Min-jae shares how 'Dr. Romantic' series changed his life

Actor Kim Min-jae plays the role of a nurse in the SBS medical series “Dr. Romantic 3.” Courtesy of SBSBy Lee Gyu-leeWhen actor Kim Min-jae was starting his career, he landed a supporting role in the SBS medical romance series “Dr. Romantic” in 2016, which became a huge hit ending with a 27.6 percent viewership rating. The role won him a rising star trophy at the broadcaster's year-end awards ceremony.Actor Kim Min-jae / Courtesy of YamYam EntertainmentSeven years later, the actor has wrapped up Season 3 of "Dr. Romantic," having spent his entire twenties working on the series.“I met 'Dr. Romantic' in my early 20s, a time when you begin to shape your perspective. Through the series, I not only learned about acting, but it also had a profound impact on my understanding of life and how we should live," the actor shared during an interview with The Korea Times, Monday, at a cafe in Gangnam District.The medical series, which ended its third season on Saturday, revolves around people at a small hospital named Doldam, in a remote countryside area, led by the g

Jun 20, 2023By Lee Gyu-lee

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