'Divorce Attorney Shin' starring Cho Seung-woo off to good start A scene from the series “Divorce Attorney Shin" / Courtesy of JTBCBy Lee Gyu-leeActor Cho Seung-woo's new series “Divorce Attorney Shin” got off to a good start, Saturday. JTBC's new series, based on a webcomic by the same name, follows a divorce lawyer, Shin Sung-han (Cho), who is a former pianist and music professor. After a personal tragedy, he becomes a lawyer and starts navigating the complex world of divorce with two of his best friends by his side, paralegal Jang Hyeong-geun (Kim Sung-kyun) and realtor Jo Jeong-sik (Jung Moon-sung).It is led by director Lee Jae-hun whose previous works include the romance series “Run On” (2020) and the comedy series “Good Manager” (2017), and is penned by Yu Young-a, who scripted the 2018 romance series “Encounter.”The first episode showed actress-turned-radio host Lee Seo-jin (Han Hye-jin) facing a divorce, after a video of her affair with another man was leaked. She requests Sung-han to represent her, revealing she has been abused by her husband, and all she wants is custody of her son. SMar 5, 2023By Lee Gyu-lee
Drama line-up for March: thrillers to period genre series to hit this month Posters for tvN's new series "Pandora: Beneath the Paradise," left, and Netflix's original series “The Glory” / Courtesy of tvN and NetflixBy Lee Gyu-leeIn this month's lineup, we will see a number of series, ranging from period dramas to dark thrillers, including the much-anticipated Part 2 of Netflix's original series, “The Glory.”Following the premiere of its eight-part season last December, “The Glory” is set to launch eight more episodes on March 10.The thriller series follows the revenge story of a victim of bullying (Song Hye-kyo). The first part showed Dong-eun's high school years, during which she was repeatedly assaulted by the school's bullies ― Park Yeon-jin (Lim Ji-yeon), Jeon Jae-jun (Park Sung-hoon), Lee Sa-ra (Kim Hieora), Choi Hye-jeong (Cha Joo-young) and Son Myeong-o (Kim Gun-woo). In order to get even with the bullies who ruined her life, Dong-eun becomes a teacher at the school her abuser's daughter attends. The second part will pick up on Dong-eun carrying out her revenge as the police investigate Myeong-o's sudden disappearanMar 3, 2023By Lee Gyu-lee
Religious group's request for court injunction to block release of Netflix documentary rejected A promotional poster for a new Netflix documentary series, "In the Name of God: A Holy Betrayal" / Courtesy of NetflixA Korean court on Thursday rejected a local religious group's request for an injunction to stop the release of a new Netflix documentary series about its chief.The Seoul Western District Court turned down the request that the religious fringe sect Christian Gospel Mission, better known as JMS (Jesus Morning Star), made against MBC, a major television network, and Netflix.The eight-part documentary series, "In the Name of God: A Holy Betrayal," is about four Korean religious figures, including Jeong Myeong-seok, head of JMS, who claim to be prophets, according to the global streaming platform. MBC participated in the production of the series.Jeong, 78, is standing trial on charges of sexually assaulting several female followers.JMS filed for the injunction, claiming that featuring a case being handled by a court in a documentary series breaches the "principle of presumption of innocence" and undermines religious freedom.The court said MBC and Netflix appear to have madMar 2, 2023
Travel reality shows featuring celebrity buddies become more common A poster for tvN's "Europe Outside Your Tent," left, and "The Most Private Asia" / Courtesy of TVINGBy Kwak Yeon-sooIt was once the norm for travel TV shows to explore aesthetically pleasing spots while offering travel tips on things to do and places to eat. However, now that there is an abundance of travel-related content on YouTube, broadcasters are shifting their focus to show more realistic circumstances of traveling as well as the interaction between celebrities.As a reflection of the changing trend, it is becoming more common for travel reality shows to feature celebrity buddies. For travel TV shows, actors who make rare appearances on reality TV but are known for their fun personalities are highly sought after. Producers are looking to uncover the hidden sides of actors.Scenes from tvN's "Bros on Foot" / Courtesy of TVINGActors Ha Jung-woo and Ju Ji-hoon, who famously played grim reapers in “Along with the Gods” film franchise (2017-2018), are currently starring in tvN's “Bros on Foot.” In the show, they set out on a rough backpacking road trip around NMar 1, 2023By Kwak Yeon-soo
INTERVIEW Lee Bo-young talks about creating confident character in 'Agency' Lee Bo-young played the role of a creative director in JTBC's series “Agency.” Courtesy of How Pictures and Drama House StudioBy Lee Gyu-leeJTBC's workplace series “Agency,” starring Lee Bo-young as the lead, kicked off earlier last month with only a 4.8 percent viewership rating, despite taking the time slot of the smash-hit series “Reborn Rich.”But it did not take long for the female-centric series, about an advertising agent breaking the glass ceiling, to catch on thanks to its compelling storyline and Lee's charismatic portrayal as the self-assertive agent. The series wrapped on Sunday with its highest rating of 16 percent.Actress Lee Bo-young / Courtesy of J Wide Company“There aren't many characters with such a strong personality like this. I had so much fun playing her,” Lee said during a recent interview with The Korea Times, held at a cafe in Gangnam District. “This was a type of character I've never played before and this was my first office series … so it felt as if I was heading to the office to work.”The 1Feb 27, 2023By Lee Gyu-lee
'Physical: 100' contestant faces allegations of dating violence A poster for Netflix's “Physical: 100” / Courtesy of NetflixBy Lee Gyu-leeA contestant in Netflix's hit reality show, “Physical: 100,” is facing allegations of assaulting his girlfriend, according to Seoul Gangnam Police Station.The police said it received a report from the woman at around 10:50 a.m., Thursday, saying she was beaten by the contestant, whose identity has not been disclosed, but was booked for questioning. He is currently under investigation on charges of assault and battery. Following the news, Netflix canceled the show's upcoming press conference scheduled for next week.“Netflix and the production team are still grasping the situation after seeing news reports that one of the cast members of 'Physical 100' is involved in a wrongful incident,” the streaming platform said in a release, Friday. “Before we discuss the global success of the show, among others, with the media through the press conference, we felt it is best for us to look into the details of the incident. So we decided to cancel the event.”This is not the firFeb 25, 2023By Lee Gyu-lee
Yoo Ah-in's hair samples yield traces of another illegal drug Actor Yoo Ah-in is under investigation for illegal drug use. Courtesy of NetflixBy Lee Gyu-leeActor Yoo Ah-in, whose real name is Uhm Hong-sik, has tested positive for the anesthetic drug, propofol, adding to earlier charges of illegal drug use he already faces for marijuana use.The National Forensic Service recently tested Yoo's hair sample and informed him, Thursday, that the results came back positive. The police will summon Yoo for further questioning to look into additional charges.“We will release a formal statement once we appoint a lawyer,” the actor's agency, UAA, told media outlets.The recent probe into the actor's drug use was initiated after the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) requested that the police investigate a list of people suspected of illegal drug use."The Narcotics Information Management System keeps records of information on the types of psychoactive substances used last year and people who were administered with them ... This system displays information about the medical facilities that prescribe much higher doses than the average and whom Feb 24, 2023By Lee Gyu-lee
Lee Min-ki, Han Ji-hyun to co-star in Wavve's new thriller series Actors Lee Min-ki, left, and Han Ji-hyun will star in Wavve's upcoming original series, “Look At Me.” Courtesy of Sangyoung Entertainment and SBD EntertainmetBy Lee Gyu-leeActors Lee Min-ki and Han Ji-hyun will be taking lead roles in local streaming platform Wavve's new original series, “Look At Me.”The series' production company, Westworld Story, announced that the two have confirmed their roles and will begin shooting the series next month.The upcoming thriller mystery series follows the story of a doctor who specializes in plastic surgery. Lee will play the character of Cha Jung-woo, a prominent plastic surgeon. At the height of his career, he encounters an unexpected incident that leads to his downfall.He put his skills to use in helping victims of crimes by performing reconstructive plastic surgery on their injuries while trying to uncover the truth behind the incident that turned his life upside down.Han will play a crime detective named Lee Min-hyung.“The series will delve into the world of 'K-plastic surgery,' from cosmetic to reconstructive surFeb 24, 2023By Lee Gyu-lee
INTERVIEW Cha Eun-woo gets new take on acting with Tving's 'Island' Actor Cha Eun-woo sits in a cafe in Gangnam District, Seoul, during an interview for Tving's original series “Island,” Tuesday. Courtesy of TvingBy Lee Gyu-leeSince launching his entertainment career with a minor role in the 2014 drama film “My Brilliant Life,” singer and actor Cha Eun-woo has been building his acting portfolio by starring in different genre films and series from romantic comedies to action.In his latest acting project, Tving's original series “Island,” the actor took on the challenge to play the lead in his first fantasy, action piece.The series, based on the webcomics of the same name, follows the grim journey of three main characters ― a half-human, half-immortal Van (Kim Nam-gil), rich heiress Won Mi-ho (Lee Da-hee), and exorcist Johan (Cha).The three join hands to unveil a dark secret that has been hidden on Jeju Island and fight against the supernatural power to stop it from destroying the world.The first part of the series ended last month, and part 2 will be released on Friday. It was directed by filmmaker Bae Jong, whose pFeb 23, 2023By Lee Gyu-lee
V shares unexpected experience from 'Jinny's Kitchen' From left, Park Seo-joon, Jung Yu-mi, Lee Seo-jin, Choi Woo-shik, Kim Tae-hyung and producer Na Young-seok pose during the online press conference for tvN's new reality show “Jinny's Kitchen,” Wednesday. Courtesy of tvNBy Lee Gyu-leeV of K-pop group BTS, whose real name is Kim Tae-hyung, shared his experiences as a cast member of star producer Na Young-seok's new reality show “Jinny's Kitchen,” which he said was full of surprises. “I had high hopes when I joined the show. And when I got there (to shoot the show), I had several new experiences. The show has left me with such unforgettable memories,” the singer said during an online press conference for the show, Wednesday.The upcoming reality show, set to kick off on Friday, is a spin-off to producer Na's 2017 show, "Youn's Kitchen." That show followed Oscar-winning actress Youn Yuh-jung running a Korean restaurant abroad with fellow actors Lee Seo-jin, Jung Yu-mi, and Park Seo-joon. As Youn's successor, Lee will run a restaurant with Jung and Park, along with actor Choi Woo-shik, who joined the creFeb 23, 2023By Lee Gyu-lee
