Cha Eun-woo tax controversy puts new Netflix series to the testNetflix is releasing its highly anticipated series "The Wonderfools" on Friday, but a tax evasion scandal involving one of its stars, Cha Eun-woo, threatens to overshadow the project. The series previously stood as a guaranteed hit, marking the highly anticipated return of actress Park Eun-bin. Now, the production faces a critical test to determine whether the show's inherent quality can survive immense public scrutiny and reputational risk. The narrative follows a group of eccentric townspeople — or misfits — who accidentally acquire superpowers in 1999 and unite to fight a villain. The comic adventure generated significant early attention because it reunites Park with director Yoo In-sik. The duo previously collaborated on the massive global hit "Extraordinary Attorney Woo." Cha's casting also generated significant initial interest. Leveraging a loyal fandom and an ability to consistently generate online buzz, Cha established a solid track record of lead roles. "The Wonderfools" was considered a crucial turning point for the actor as he sought to broaden his acting range beyond hiMay 14, 2026By Hankookilbo
'Yumi's Cells' concludes 5-year journey of success, character growth"It is dry and tasteless. No matter what I see or experience, I don't feel much excitement." Popular romance novelist Yumi (Kim Go-eun) finds dating tedious and trivial. As her days blur together without any sparks, the cells driving her joy, anger, sorrow and pleasure enter hibernation. Then, her publisher assigns her a new editor, Soon-rok (Kim Jae-won), and vitality returns to Yumi's inner world of cells. Soon-rok’s direct replies and blunt "truth bombs" first awaken her Swearing Cell, triggering a massive swarm of "angry snappers" — a rare, aggressive fish species that appears only when Yumi experiences deep anger. Once her annoyance and embarrassment transition into affection, her Love Cell reclaims its position as the powerful "Prime Cell." Tving drama series "Yumi's Cells," based on the popular webtoon, ended its run on May 5. While the first two seasons, which aired in 2021 and 2022, chronicled her romantic history and her leap from an ordinary office worker to a budding author, the third season returned after a four-year hiatus to capture Yumi's journey as she encounters SoMay 14, 2026By Hankookilbo
'My Royal Nemesis' becomes bold new contender in rom-com genreSBS’ new drama "My Royal Nemesis" centers on Kang Dan-sim, a Joseon-era "villainess" executed by poison who wakes up 300 years later in the body of a struggling actress, Shin Seo-ri. While the premise risked being dismissed as just another derivative time-slip trope, the series has instead debuted as a bold and cheeky romantic comedy. Actress Lim Ji-yeon’s performance is the show's true anchor, as she effortlessly pivots between slapstick comedy and poignant romance to strike a perfect balance of comedy, angst and romantic chemistry. Driven by Lim’s powerhouse performance and a narrative that outpaces the typical fantasy rom-com formula, the show has already captivated audiences. By its second episode, it hit a 5.4 percent nationwide rating, according to Nielsen Korea, and clinched the top spot on Netflix Korea. The drama opens with a haunting sequence: Kang Dan-sim (Lim), a royal concubine branded a villainess, collapses after drinking poison. Her final cry — "My only crime was struggling to survive in a palace where everyone sought my head" — is cut short as a total lunar ecMay 13, 2026By Park Jin-hai
'My Royal Nemesis' tops Netflix's weekly non-English chartThe fantasy rom-com series "My Royal Nemesis" featuring "The Glory" star Lim Ji-yeon ranked No. 1 on Netflix's non-English chart, the streaming platform said Wednesday. The SBS drama series garnered 3.9 million views for the week that ended Sunday, according to Netflix. It ranked in the top 10 in 44 countries and regions, including South Korea, Japan, Thailand, Greece and Mexico. Released last week, "My Royal Nemesis" follows a legendary villain from the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) whose soul is reborn into the body of a modern-day actress with little fame. Korean shows swept the weekly chart, with the young adult horror series "If Wishes Could Kill" placing No. 2, followed by the rom-com series "Sold Out on You," which ranked third. In the English-language film category, "KPop Demon Hunters" ranked No. 5, staying in the top 10 for the 47th straight week.May 13, 2026By Yonhap
Despite controversy, 'The Wonderfools' aims to ‘Woo’ world with retro heroicsNetflix's "The Wonderfools" marks Cha Eun-woo's return to the global spotlight, coming just as the actor puts a high-profile tax controversy behind him. The series is already generating massive hype as it reunites director Yoo In-sik with star Park Eun-bin — the powerhouse duo who previously dominated global charts with "Extraordinary Attorney Woo." Set in 1999, "The Wonderfools" is a "superpower comic adventure" centered on a group of eccentric, bumbling townspeople who unexpectedly gain supernatural abilities. As the millennium approaches, this unlikely band of heroes must clumsily defend their home against villains intent on wreaking havoc. "I’ve always had a soft spot for superheroes; it’s been a dream of mine to create one. When I first saw the concept, it really got my heart racing. It felt fresh and unique, and I wanted to translate that excitement to the audience," Yoo said during a press conference in Seoul, Tuesday, speaking about his lifelong passion for the genre. He likened the viewing experience to a theme park ride. "I want the audience to feel that 'seatbelt-clickiMay 12, 2026By Park Jin-hai
‘My Royal Nemesis’: Korean historical rom-com tops Netflix’s global non-English TV chartLess than a week after its release, "My Royal Nemesis" has emerged as one of Netflix’s most popular non-English titles, rising to No. 1 on the platform’s global chart. The SBS romantic comedy, which premiered Friday, centers on Shin Seo-ri, an unknown actress who becomes possessed by a notorious villainess from Korea’s Joseon era, and her love-hate relationship with Cha Se-gye, a conglomerate heir nicknamed the “monster of capitalism.” Immediately after the release, the drama drew a strong response from overseas viewers. Following the release of its second episode, "My Royal Nemesis" ranked No. 1 on Netflix’s global non-English TV chart and No. 2 on the platform’s overall global TV chart. According to FlixPatrol, the series topped Netflix Korea’s daily Top 10 series chart and landed in the Top 10 in 84 countries and regions, including the United States, Spain, Poland and Japan. It also claimed the No. 1 spot in 24 markets, including Brazil, Taiwan, Qatar, Peru and Singapore, showing the breadth of its overseas popularity. Domestic audiences also showed positive reception.May 12, 2026By Hankookilbo
Why women in their 20s and 30s can’t stop watching ‘Yumi’s Cells 3’The third season of Tving original series "Yumi's Cells" concluded its run, overcoming franchise fatigue to dominate domestic and international streaming charts. The hit romantic comedy avoided the curse of seasonal television by focusing on empathy rather than a deeper narrative, capturing female Gen Z viewers in particular. The series also cemented its success by launching Kim Jae-won as a new rom-com breakout star. The season finale, released May 4, ranked No. 1 in driving paid Tving subscriptions for two consecutive weeks, demonstrating the popularity of the major franchise. This renewed interest created a strong halo effect on the streaming platform, pushing Season 1 to No. 4 and Season 2 to No. 6 in domestic viewership. The final episodes also translated into measurable platform momentum overseas. During its first week of release, the show ranked No. 1 on Rakuten Viki in the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Oceania. It also secured the top spot on Mongolia's Inche TV and ranked No. 3 on Disney+ Japan. Multiseason dramas pose inherent risks. While they have the advantage oMay 12, 2026By Hankookilbo
InterviewIdol-turned-actor Cha Hak-yeon tackles first dual role in 'Absolute Value of Romance'Cha Hak-yeon, charismatic leader of the K-pop group VIXX who is widely known as N, is proving that his artistic range extends far beyond the concert stage. In the trending series "Absolute Value of Romance," he has taken on the ambitious challenge of a dual role that effectively bridges the gap between cold logic and fictional fantasy. The drama utilizes a clever story-within-a-story structure that follows the life of Eui-ju (Kim Hyang-gi), a high school student secretly moonlighting as a popular web novel author. This meta-commentary on storytelling allows Cha to flex his acting muscles by portraying two vastly different personas within a single narrative. In the show’s reality, he plays Woo-su, a cold, calculated high school teacher. Conversely, within the pages of Eui-ju’s BL (boys' love) novel, he transforms into Si-on, a mysterious and alluring protagonist defined by over-the-top styling, exaggerated acting and a penchant for spitting out cringeworthy lines. "I felt a great deal of vitality from the script," Cha said during an interview with The Korea Times at a cafe in Seoul oMay 11, 2026By Park Jin-hai
Review'We Are All Trying Here' answers fear of worthlessnessThe JTBC drama "We Are All Trying Here" is creating a quiet sensation, depicting the deep-seated anxieties and deficiencies of the human psyche alongside a warm humanism that embraces them. Fans have offered "testimonials" for the show, claiming "not a single line of dialogue is wasted" and that they "savor each episode carefully." The story follows Dong-man (Koo Kyo-hwan), a man who has written 14 screenplays but has yet to film a single one, and Eun-a (Go Youn-jung), a film producer haunted by the trauma of being neglected by her mother during childhood. Dong-man remains the only member of "The Eight Club" — a group where members share their dreams of directing during their "pathetic" college days — who has yet to debut in 20 years. Portrayed as a somewhat pitiful character who talks incessantly among friends and freezes the atmosphere by scathingly criticizing the new release of a former best friend, Dong-man is a man racing downhill, shouting, "If I can’t prove myself through success, I’ll prove myself by falling apart." However, his nonstop chatter is actually a way to confiMay 11, 2026By Park Jin-hai
CNN, Hyundai Motor spotlight K-culture in new documentaryCNN launched a new four-part documentary series, “K-Everything,” exploring the creative power and historical journey of Korean culture from its traditional origins to its current global dominance, with Hyundai Motor as the project's sole sponsor. CNN said it decided to develop the documentary, which began airing Saturday, to showcase the underlying forces behind Korea’s cultural rise. The documentary series covers various aspects of the Korean wave including music, film, food and beauty. It highlights how Korea’s unique history and experiences have shaped a cultural movement that now leads global trends. The project is produced and hosted by Daniel Dae Kim, a Hollywood actor and producer known for his roles in major television series and films. Kim leads the audience through the evolution of Korean media and its rise to the world stage. The first episode focuses on K-pop, featuring global stars such as Psy, Taeyang and Jeon Somi to discuss the growth of the industry and the power of global fandoms. The second episode examines the film and drama industry through conversations withMay 10, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
