Netflix apologizes for filming 'Single's Inferno 3' in marine sanctuary Netflix has acknowledged a recent claim by an environmental activist group that the production crew of “Single's Inferno 3” had filmed the show in a marine sanctuary without authorization. Courtesy of NetflixBy Woo Da-binNetflix has issued an apology after controversy surrounding the unauthorized filming of the reality show “Single's Inferno” in an environmentally protected area.On Wednesday, Netflix said it was currently looking into the matter to determine if there were any loopholes in the discussion process between the company and local government authorities prior to the filming. Netflix expressed its commitment to review the incident and rectify any shortcomings they uncover.According to Netflix, “Single's Inferno” seasons one and two were filmed on Saseungbong Island with the express approval of local government officials and property owners. The company said it submitted a request to the Incheon Metropolitan City Government and Ongjin County asking for approval to film the latest show on the same island but claimed to be unaware that the arJun 1, 2023
From hardcore action to heart-throbbing romance, series to hit in June From left, posters for Netflix series “Bloodhounds,” tvN series “See You in My 19th Life,” and ENA series “Lies Hidden in My Garden” / Courtesy of Netflix, tvN and KT Studio GenieBy Lee Gyu-leeThe month of June is set to see several new series from a range of genres including action and suspense thrillers as well as romantic comedies. Netflix is rolling out a new hardcore action series, “Bloodhounds,” on June 9 as its latest Korean original series offering.Based on the webcomics of the same name, the 8-part series revolves around two promising, young boxers, Kim Geon-woo (Woo Do-hwan) and Hong Woo-jin (Lee Sang-yi). Kim gets involved in the loan shark business when his mother owes a huge debt to ruthless loan shark Kim Myeong-gil (Park Sung-woong). With the help of Hong, he forms a bond with a benevolent moneylender to take down the loan shark who preys on the financially desperate.This will be the series directorial debut for filmmaker Kim Joo-hwan, who is known for helming the 2017 comedy action movie “Midnight Runners.”AcJun 1, 2023By Lee Gyu-lee
Actor Yoon Seo-bin impresses in photo shoot for Thai magazine Yoon Seo-bin took part in a photo shoot for a Thai fashion magazine. Courtesy of L'Officiel ThailandBy Woo Da-binImages from Yoon Seo-bin's latest photo shoot for a Thai fashion magazine have been unveiled.L'Officiel Thailand published a set of photos and an interview featuring the Korean actor last Friday. Under the theme of, Slice of Life, Yoon's masculine side was on full display in the photo shoot, showing off his well-toned muscles, piercing gaze and sleek jawline. He wore a suit over a sleeveless top, grabbing the attention of readers with a broad range of different looks.At the time of the shoot, Yoon Seo-bin was visiting Thailand for his first fan meeting outside of Korea. The actor couldn't contain his excitement, saying “I don't feel that nervous. I'm really looking forward to the event and it's going to be a lot of fun. I've also prepared a song as a surprise for my fans in Thailand.” In the interview, Yoon also talked about his childhood, candid opinions about his career as an actor and singer, and reflections on his previous work.Yoon Seo-bin is a rising starMay 31, 2023
Survival show 'Game of Blood 2' helps Wavve increase subscribers A poster for Wavve's survival show “Game of Blood 2” / Courtesy of WavveBy Woo Da-binWavve's survival show, “Game of Blood 2,” has become an instant hit, helping the local streaming service increase the number of subscribers. The second season of the reality competition show, which premiered on April 28, features 14 contestants from different backgrounds. They are taken to a remote area in Bali, Indonesia, to play a series of games that require both intelligence and physical strength to win a 300 million won ($223,780) prize. On top of winning the games, they must play politics within the group to avoid elimination and become the sole survivor for the prize.“Game of Blood 2” has defied expectations to become the most-watched show in Korea in the final week of May. It topped the over-the-top (OTT) drama category and the TV-OTT integrated buzz index, surpassing other popular shows like “Earth Arcade Season 2," "Heart Signal Season 4," and "I Live Alone." The show's success has also been a boon for Wavve, which has attracted the highest number oMay 30, 2023
Chun Woo-hee becomes chameleon con artist in 'Delightfully Deceitful' Actors Chun Woo-hee, left, and Kim Dong-wook pose during an online conference for the crime comedy series “Delightfully Deceitful,” Thursday. Courtesy of tvNBy Lee Gyu-leeActress Chun Woo-hee will portray con artist, Lee Ro-woom, in tvN's new crime comedy series “Delightfully Deceitful,” which is set to go on air Monday.“Ro-woom hatches different schemes to take revenge and in each case, she transforms into a different persona. You'll get to see various facades, from a prisoner to a career woman,” the actress said during an online press conference for the series, Thursday.The new series revolves around a clever con artist, Lee Ro-woom (Chun Woo-hee) who suffers from a distinct lack of empathy. One day, she is falsely implicated on charges of killing her estranged parents. She is exonerated after 10 years with the help of a passionate, highly empathetic lawyer, Han Moo-young (Kim Dong-wook).The two come to form an unlikely alliance to fight against wrongdoers and exact revenge on them.Chun shared that she was drawn to the irony of the plot. “TMay 28, 2023By Lee Gyu-lee
Competing to get married? 'Physical:100' writer to roll out marriage survival show Scene from the teaser of tvN's upcoming survival show, “290 Million: Wedding War” (direct translation) / Courtesy of tvNBy Lee Gyu-leeThe writer of Netflix's hit survival show, “Physical: 100,” Kang Sook-kyung, has joined hands with Lee Won-woong, producer of the popular military competition show, “Steel Troops,” in a new experiment: a marriage survival show.TvN's upcoming reality show, “290 Million: Wedding War” (direct translation), scheduled to go on air July 2, will invite 10 engaged couples who are soon to get married. The couples with different stories and backgrounds will compete against each other in a series of missions for the ultimate prize, 290 million won ($218,752). While working together to win the prize money for their wedding, the couples will see their relationship tested, thereby showing if they are truly ready for marriage. The production team revealed that the prize money is set at 290 million won as it is the average spend for a wedding currently. “While the marriage rate is continuously getting lower every yMay 25, 2023By Lee Gyu-lee
All-female cast 'Siren: Survive the Island' to challenge prevailing biases From left, stuntwoman Kim Kyung-ae, soldier Kim Bom-eun, firefighter Kim Hyun-ah, police officer Kim Hye-ri, athlete Kim Hee-jung and former bodyguard Lee Soo-ryun pose during a press conference for Netflix's new survival show “Siren: Survive the Island.” Courtesy of NetflixBy Lee Gyu-leeProducer Lee Eun-kyung, who is known for co-creating Netflix's talk show “Paik's Spirit,” shared that her latest show on the platform, “Siren: Survive the Island,” will offer a new perspective on male-dominated professions.Producer Lee Eun-kyung / Courtesy of NetflixNetflix's 10-part survival show, set to be released on May 30, invites 24 female participants from six different physically demanding professions: police officers, firefighters, bodyguards, soldiers, athletes and stuntwomen. The participants spend a week on a remote island to compete against other teams for survival and to determine the strongest team.“Previous survival shows mostly revolved around men. And the professions in the show are often represented by males. In 'Siren,' it will be refreshiMay 25, 2023By Lee Gyu-lee
Lee Hyo-ri finds new confidence as singer with 'Dancing Queens on the Road' From left, singers Kim Wan-sun, Uhm Jung-hwa, Lee Hyo-ri, BoA and Hwasa pose during the online press conference for tvN's new music reality show “Dancing Queens on the Road,” Tuesday. Courtesy of tvNBy Lee Gyu-leeSinger Lee Hyo-ri is set to revive the best days of her career along with four K-pop divas from across generations with tvN's new music variety show “Dancing Queens on the Road.” Led by star producer Kim Tae-ho, the new show, set to go on air Thursday, brings five top female artists ― Lee, Kim Wan-sun, Uhm Jung-hwa, BoA and Hwasa ― to travel around the country to perform. Along the way, the singers meet their fans face-to-face and perform their hit songs.“It's been a while since I've performed. So instead of just reenacting my past (performances), I felt like I was creating something new. That's how much I had to prepare. Singing the songs that came out 20 years ago, it really felt like something new,” Lee said during the online press conference for the show, Tuesday.“I was worried that the songs might be considered outdated. But as May 24, 2023By Lee Gyu-lee
'Black Knight' tops Netflix's non-English TV show chart for 2nd week Korean-language sci-fi series "Black Knight" topped Netflix's non-English TV show chart for the week of May 15-21 with 35.11 million viewing hours, in this image captured from the Netflix homepage. YonhapNetflix's Korean-language sci-fi series "Black Knight" was the most-watched non-English TV show on the streamer for the second consecutive week, its viewership chart showed Wednesday. Premiered on May 12, the dystopian drama starring Kim Woo-bin topped Netflix's non-English TV show list for the week of May 15-21 with 35.11 million viewing hours. The six-episode series is set in a dystopian future devastated by air pollution where humanity's survival relies on "Black Knights," deliverymen who provide vital supplies. It follows a deliveryman and a refugee who challenge a powerful conglomerate that unfairly distributes resources based on social class. (Yonhap)May 24, 2023
K-dramas 'True to Love,' 'Doctor Cha' under fire for insensitive dialogue A poster for the ENA drama, “True to Love,” also known as “Bo-ra! Deborah” / Courtesy of ENABy Kwak Yeon-sooTwo Korean dramas ― “True to Love” and “Doctor Cha” ― have drawn criticism in recent weeks for an inappropriate historical analogy and remarks about Crohn's disease.The production company of ENA drama “True to Love,” also known as “Bo-ra! Deborah,” apologized, Thursday, after viewers overseas complained about a scene where the lead character compares the importance of taking care of one's appearance with prisoners of the Auschwitz Nazi concentration camp attempting to maintain their dignity. In the ninth episode of “True to Love” that aired on May 10, Bo-ra (Yoo In-na) made the misguided analogy when stressing the importance of wearing make-up and dressing up.“In the Auschwitz concentration camp, where people were living in deplorable conditions, some of them managed to take half a cup of water and used the remaining portion to wash their faces. They even used a piece of glass and the backMay 21, 2023By Kwak Yeon-soo
