Travel shows head back overseas with big name stars A still from Tving's new original series “Bros on Foot” / Courtesy of Tving By Lee Gyu-leeSince the COVID-19 pandemic hit in early 2020, the production of many travel shows was suspended or canceled. But as travel restrictions have eased, more networks and streaming platforms are resuming the productions of such shows, but this time, with big-name stars as cast members.Tving is set to roll out its new original travel show “Bros on Foot” this month, starring famous actors Ha Jung-woo, Joo Ji-hoon, Choi Min-ho, and Yeo Jin-goo. The show will follow the four actors traveling around parts of New Zealand on foot. On their trip, the four come together to complete a series of missions to win chances for young adults to go on their dream trip. The actors wrapped up taping for the show in New Zealand last year, and the show will be released on Jan. 20. TvN is making three travel shows, led by actors like Lee Sun-kyun, Cho Jin-woong and Heo Sung-tae, to debut in the coming moJan 14, 2023By Lee Gyu-lee
Kim Min-gue's new series 'The Heavenly Idol' to premiere next month Kim Min-gue will play the lead in tvN's new fantasy romance series, “The Heavenly Idol.” Courtesy of Happy Tribe Entertainment By Lee Gyu-leeTvN's new fantasy romance series, “The Heavenly Idol,” starring actors Kim Min-gue and Go Bo-gyeol, will premiere on Feb. 15, the network said, Friday. Based on the web novel of the same name, the upcoming romantic comedy series will revolve around K-pop singer Woo Yeon-woo (Kim), who is possessed by a priest named Lembrary from a fictional world. Lembrary is the highest ranking figure in the other world and has a sacred power. One day, he wakes up in the body of Yeon-woo, who is a member of a struggling, not-so-popular boy group, in a completely different world. With the help of the group's manager, Kim Dal (Go), Lembrary struggles to get used to the cutthroat world of K-pop while trying to find a way back to his original world. Actor Lee Jang-woo will also star in the series as the antagonist, Lumena, who is the devil in the Jan 13, 2023By Lee Gyu-lee
Celebrity producer's new reality show with Lee Seo-jin, BTS' V to release next month Actor Lee Seo-jin will star in producer Na Young-seok's new reality show. Courtesy of TvingBy Lee Gyu-leeStar producer Na Young-seok, who created hit variety shows like “New Journey to the West” and “Three Meals a Day” series, is set to roll out a new reality series, “Seo-jin's” (tentative title), on tvN this February. The new show will be a spin-off to Na's previous reality show, “Youn's Kitchen,” which featured actress Youn Yuh-jung running a Korean restaurant abroad along with fellow actors Lee, Jung Yu-mi and Park Seo-joon. The exact date and timeslot have not been decided yet.Lee, who acted as the second-in-command in “Youn's Kitchen,” will step into the owner's role with the upcoming show. The cast members of the original show, Jung and Park, and actor Choi Woo-shik from another spin-off show, “Youn's Stay,” will join Lee, along with the newest cast, BTS member V. Running a Korean restaurant in Mexico, the stars will introduce Korea's street food to local people. They finished filming the show at the end ofJan 12, 2023By Lee Gyu-lee
Ok Taec-yeon to lead KBS' new romance series Actor Ok Taec-yeon has taken the lead role in an upcoming romance series for KBS. Korea Times file By Lee Gyu-leeActor and singer Ok Taec-yeon has picked up a romance drama with KBS' upcoming series, “My Heart Is Beating,” (direct translation) as his new project. The broadcaster announced that its new series has confirmed actors Ok and Won Ji-an as its leads and is scheduled to air in the first half of this year. The fantasy, romance series will follow the love story between half-human and half-vampire Sun Woo-hyul (Ok), and coldhearted woman Joo In-hae (Won). Woo-hyul is a trendsetter who is keen on new trends and technologies. He has been unsuccessfully trying to become human. One day, he crosses paths with hardworking but insensitive In-hae. Living under the same roof, the two bring unexpected changes to each other. Ok, who is also a member of K-pop boy band 2PM, made his way into acting with the 2010 KBS series "Cinderella's Stepsister." He recently starred in tJan 12, 2023By Lee Gyu-lee
'Poong, the Joseon Psychiatrist' returns for second season with more romance From left, actors Kim Min-jae, Kim Hyang-gi, and director Park Won-gook pose during an online press conference for tvN's new series “Poong, the Joseon Psychiatrist 2,” Tuesday. Courtesy of tvN By Lee Gyu-leeActor Kim Min-jae hinted that the second season of “Poong, the Joseon Psychiatrist” will delve deeper into the romance between the two lead characters. The period comedy series revolves around skilled physician Yoo Se-poong (Kim), who used to work for the royal family. After losing his job at the palace due to a medical incident, he meets a small-town medical practitioner Kye Ji-han (Kim Sang-kyung) and widow Seo Eun-woo (Kim Hyang-gi) and joins them to treat patients' physical and mental health issues.The new season, set to kick off Wednesday, will pick up on the story of Se-poong returning to Hanyang, the name of Seoul during the Joseon Kingdom period, where he used to work, with Ji-han and Eun-woo. With the help of two friends, Se-poong sets out on another queJan 11, 2023By Lee Gyu-lee
INTERVIEW Lee Jae-wook builds new repertoire with fantasy series 'Alchemy of Souls' Actor Lee Jae-wook plays the role of Jang Uk in the tvN series “Alchemy of Souls.” Courtesy of tvNActor enjoys sense of accomplishment after taking challengeBy Lee Gyu-leeFor actor Lee Jae-wook, it was both challenging and satisfying to take the lead role in the year-long, two-season tvN fantasy romance series “Alchemy of Souls.” “I was worried if I could carry out such a long project well … but in the end, as an actor, I'm pleased with the series so I'm grateful (to have been in it),” the actor said during an interview with The Korea Times in southern Seoul, Jan. 5.Actor Lee Jae-wook / Courtesy of C-JeS EntertainmentThe romance series, set in a fictional period and country called Daeho, revolves around Jang Uk (Lee), a man from a prestigious family who is seeking to change his destiny with the help of Mu-deok (Jung So-min), a blind woman who is possessed by a powerful sorceress called Nak-su.The series wrapped its second season, Sunday, ending its 30-part run since June last year. The new season picked up three years after Uk recovers from Jan 11, 2023By Lee Gyu-lee
Actors Park Eun-bin, Kim Min-ha to fly to US for Critics' Choice Awards Actors Park Eun-bin and Kim Min-ha are seen in the above photos provided by their agencies. YonhapKorean actors Park Eun-bin and Kim Min-ha will attend the 28th annual Critics' Choice Awards to be held in Los Angeles on Sunday (U.S. time), their agencies said Tuesday.The two actresses will take part in the ceremony as main actors of their TV series, "Extraordinary Attorney Woo" and "Pachinko," respectively, as both were nominated in the best foreign language TV series category."Extraordinary Attorney Woo" is a Korean legal drama about a lawyer who is brilliant with an outstanding memory but lacks social skills and empathy due to being on the autism spectrum. The drama aired on local cable channel ENA and available on Netflix."Pachinko" is an Apple TV+ original series based on the 2017 bestselling novel by Korean-American author Lee Min-jin about four generations of a Korean family living in Japan.In the film category, Korean director Park Chan-wook's romance thriller "Decision to Leave" was nominated for best foreign film.Last year, the Netflix sensation "Squid Game" won the best nonJan 10, 2023
Jeon Do-yeon takes on lighthearted rom-com role with 'Crash Course in Romance' Actors Jeon Do-yeon, left, and Jung Kyung-ho pose during an online press conference for tvN's new series “Crash Course in Romance,” Monday. Courtesy of tvN By Lee Gyu-leeActress Jeon Do-yeon has taken on her first role in a romantic comedy series in about 18 years with tvN's new series “Crash Course in Romance.” “When I got the script for this series, I was drawn to its sparkly story,” Jeon said during an online press conference for the series, Monday. “At the same time, I couldn't even remember the last time I had gotten a script for a lighthearted piece. So I felt overwhelmed with concerns about if I could pull it off.”The series, set to premiere on Jan. 14, revolves around a former national handball player, Nam Haeng-sun (Jeon), who is now running a small food shop to raise her high school daughter alone. When her daughter tries to get into a private education course, run by a celebrity math instructor, Choi Chi-yeol (Jung Kyung-ho), Haeng-sun steps into the cuttJan 10, 2023By Lee Gyu-lee
Netflix to take 'K-zombie' genre to next level with 'Zombieverse' From left, actress Lee Si-young, comedians Noh Hong-chul and Park Na-rae / Courtesy of Ace Factory, FNC Entertainment, JDB EntertainmentBy Kwak Yeon-sooZombie movies and TV series are some of the most popular titles in Korea. From the 2019 horror drama, “Kingdom,” to the 2022 zombie thriller, “All of Us Are Dead,” Netflix has invested heavily in zombie stories. Now, it is looking to take the “K-zombie” genre to the next level by producing a zombie-themed reality show in partnership with Kakao Entertainment.The streaming giant announced Monday a reality TV production based on its zombie universe that follows a group of contestants fighting for survival as Seoul comes under a zombie attack.Park Jin-kyung, writer and director of “My Little Television” and “Ant Be like Ddun Ddun,” has teamed up with Moon Sang-don, creator of “Hey! First Time in Korea?” and “Late Night Stroll,” to helm the new reality show titled, “Zombieverse.” The cast includes comedians Noh Hong-chul, Park Na-rae, singers DiJan 10, 2023By Kwak Yeon-soo
Lee Sun-kyun, Moon Chae-won to deliver message of justice with 'Payback' Actors Moon Chae-won, right, and Lee Sun-kyun, center, in a scene from SBS series “Payback." The series follows the two as they fight against a dark, corrupt financial cartel. Courtesy of SBS By Lee Gyu-leeSBS' new series, “Payback,” starring actors Lee Sun-kyun and Moon Chae-won, is delivering a fast-paced, action-packed good-beats-evil story. “'Payback' is about a revenge story of (characters) fighting against the evils in this world,” series director Lee Won-tae said during an online press conference for the series, Friday. “The important theme (of the series) is the corruption and injustice evident in society and human desire. When I got the script, I liked the energy the story had. It has different portrayals of people dealing with money and power. But most importantly, I thought we could offer a message that justice can win so I decided to lead it,” Lee said.The series debut of the director, who previously led the thriller film, “The Gangster, The Cop, The DevJan 8, 2023By Lee Gyu-lee
