'Extraordinary Attorney Woo' 2nd-most searched keyword by S. Korean users in 2022: Google A scene from the Korean drama, “Extraordinary Attorney Woo” / Courtesy of KTThe title of the mega-hit Korean TV series "Extraordinary Attorney Woo" was the second-most popular search keyword on Google among South Koreans this year, the U.S. tech giant said Wednesday. The legal drama "Extraordinary Attorney Woo," aired on local cable channel ENA in June and available on Netflix, was just behind "climate change" on the annual trending list in South Korea released by Google."Ultrashort-term precipitation prediction" came in third on the search list, followed by "2022 FIFA Qatar World Cup" and "Itaewon crush," a tragic disaster in Seoul that claimed nearly 160 lives on the eve of Halloween.Netflix's Korean original crime thriller "Narco-Saints" placed seventh on Google's trending chart."Woo" is one of the hottest TV series in South Korea in 2022, featuring a lawyer who is brilliant with an outstanding memory but lacks social skills and empathy due to being on the autism spectrum.Its popularity continued overseas, topping Netflix's weekly viewership chart for non-English serieDec 7, 2022
Kim Hye-soo says she learned about motherhood in 'Under the Queen's Umbrella' A scene from tvN's series "Under the Queen's Umbrella" / Courtesy of tvN By Lee Gyu-leeActress Kim Hye-soo said that her role as a determined, eager queen in tvN's recent series “Under the Queen's Umbrella” taught her what a mother's love is. “I respect every mother in this world. (Through the series,) I've learned a lot about the power of a mother's love and love in general. I hope (the series) gave everyone in this world a sense of comfort,” she said through the network.Led by director Kim Hyung-sik, whose previous work includes the period series “Secret Door” (2014), the period drama series revolves around a queen (Kim) who is a dedicated mother of three rowdy sons. Throwing away her pride and grace as a queen, she does what it takes to mold one of her sons to become the king of the Joseon period, against her competitors. The 16-part series ended on Sunday with its highest viewership rating of 16.9 percent. Kim expressed gratitude toward the series' wrap, thankinDec 7, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee
Korean webtoon 'Romance 101' to debut as Japanese drama This image taken from TV Asahi shows the upcoming Japanese drama "Romance 101" based on a Naver webtoon. YonhapA Japanese drama based on popular Korean web-based cartoon series "Romance 101" will be aired on Japanese channel TV Asahi next month, according to industry sources Tuesday. TV Asahi and Naver Webtoon's Japanese-language service Line Manga teamed up for the campus romance drama starring rising Japanese stars, including Honda Kyoya, Toyoda Yudai and Otomo Karen. It is the first time that Naver Webtoon's intellectual property is being used for a Japanese drama production. The major Japanese broadcaster will air the drama's first episode on New Year's Day, which will be also available on its streaming service, Telasa. Since its release in 2017, the romance webtoon has been translated into eight foreign languages and attracted over 800 million views. It will be TV Asahi's second Korean webtoon adaptation, following "Roppongi Class," the Japanese remake of 2020 hit Korean series "Itaewon Class" based on a Kakao webtoon, aired in July. Roppongi is an entertainment district in TokyDec 7, 2022
2 Korean dramas nominated for Critics Choice Awards “Pachinko” is scheduled for release on March 25. Courtesy of Apple TV+ / Korea Times fileTwo Korean-language dramas, "Extraordinary Attorney Woo" and "Pachinko," have been nominated as best foreign language series for this year's Critics Choice Awards.According to the nominations announced by the Critics Choice Association on Monday (U.S. time), Korean legal drama "Extraordinary Attorney Woo," aired on local cable channel ENA and available on Netflix, and Apple TV+ original series "Pachinko" were listed in the TV category, along with seven other series.Extraordinary Attorney Woo/ Korea Times file"Woo" revolves around a lawyer named Woo Young-woo (Park Eun-bin), who is brilliant with an outstanding memory but lacks social skills and empathy due to being on the autism spectrum."Pachinko," based on the 2017 bestselling novel by Korean-American author Lee Min-jin, is a sprawling, multilingual epic that examines four generations of a Korean family during the Japanese occupation of Korea and the subsequent racism that followed.Winners will be announced at the 28th Critics ChoicDec 7, 2022
Disney focuses on Asian content in showcase Luke Kang, president of the Walt Disney Company Asia Pacific, opens the Disney Content Showcase in Singapore, Wednesday. Courtesy of Walt Disney Company By Lee Gyu-leeSINGAPORE ― The Walt Disney Company showed it is increasingly focusing on content creation and distribution in the Asia Pacific region during a two-day showcase in Singapore from Wednesday to Thursday.The company unveiled at the event, which drew 400 people from the international press and media industry, the upcoming lineups of its major studios, as well as Disney+ original series in the Asia Pacific region.“Today's showcase will bring to life how we are serving viewers in every market with globally branded content like Disney, Marvel, Star Wars and Pixar, as well as locally produced stories that resonate, while taking the best of those stories global,” Luke Kang, president of the Walt Disney Company Asia Pacific, said in an opening speech at the Disney Content Showcase APAC 2022, held at the Marina BDec 2, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee
Netflix's 'The Glory,' starring Song Hye-kyo, to be released in December The poster for "The Glory" / Courtesy of NetflixBy Kwak Yeon-soo“The Glory,” a series about a woman who experiences severe bullying in high school and seeks revenge against her tormentors after graduating, will premiere on Netflix on Dec. 30.The streaming giant said, Thursday, it will unveil all eight episodes of the Korean original series, starring Song Hye-kyo in over 190 countries.Directed by Ahn Gil-ho, whose other works include “Stranger” (2017) and “Memories of the Alhambra” (2018), the series follows the story of Moon Dong-eun, who plans an elaborate revenge scheme against the perpetrators and bystanders after surviving horrific abuse in high school. This marks Song's return to the small screen after “Now, We Are Breaking Up” (2021) and star scriptwriter Kim Eun-sook's new project after the fantasy romance “The King: Eternal Monarch” (2020). Song and Kim previously collaborated on the hit drama, “Descendants of the Sun” (2016).Lee Do-hyun, who appeared in “Hotel Del Luna” (2019) and “SweeDec 2, 2022By Kwak Yeon-soo
Jung Hae-in on his first sci-fi series with Disney+, 'Connect' From left, director Takashi Miike and actors Jung Hae-in, Ko Kyung-pyo and Kim Hye-jun pose during a press conference for Disney+'s upcoming Korean crime thriller original series, “Connect,” at the Disney Content Showcase in Singapore. Courtesy of Walt Disney Company By Lee Gyu-leeSINGAPORE ― Actor Jung Hae-in offered a peek into his role as an immortal human in the first sci-fi genre series in his career, Disney+ original series “Connect.”“This is the first sci-fi project I've taken part in and there were more computer graphic-made scenes than I expected. I came to realize how impressive those actors in the Marvel superhero projects that have a lot of CGI scenes are,” the actor said during the Disney Content Showcase APAC 2022 held at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, Thursday. “Shooting for a CGI scene is very hard. You have to act with your imagination and it feels awkward and uncomfortable. But we had such a great working environment and the staff, the director andDec 2, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee
Disney+ unveils upcoming Korean originals, 'Soundtrack #2,' BTS' new docu-series and more BTS will have another docu-series on Disney+, “BTS MONUMENTS: BEYOND THE STAR,” in 2023. Courtesy of Walt Disney Company By Lee Gyu-leeSINGAPORE ― Disney+ announced a list of upcoming Korean original series, from the sequels of its hit series to documentaries of K-pop stars BTS and Super Junior, during Disney Content Showcase APAC 2022 held at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, Wednesday.The second season of three originals ― the romantic series “Soundtrack #2,” the thriller suspense series “Shadow detective 2,” and the reality show “The Zone 2” ― are set to hit the platform in the coming months. A string of new original series, starring star-studded cast members, are also slated for next year. The romance series, “Call It Love,” led by the web series “No, Thank You” director Lee Kwang-young, will have actors Kim Young-kwang and Lee Sung-kyoung as the leads. It will revolve around a woman who faces a whirlwind of crises after finding out about her father's affair. “The Nov 30, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee
Korean actor Lee Jung-jae says 'happy' to be Disney family with Star Wars series Korean film director, actor and cast member Lee Jung-jae arrives for the screening of the movie 'Hunt' during the 47th annual Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in Toronto, Canada, Sept. 15. EPA-YonhapKorean actor Lee Jung-jae said Wednesday he is happy to become part of the Disney family with his new role in the upcoming Star Wars series "The Acolyte," which will be streamed on Disney +. The star of Netflix series "Squid Game" has been cast for new Star Wars series directed by Leslye Headland, along with Amandla Stenberg and Dafne Keen.Lee shared the news of his joining the highly anticipated series by Lucasfilm during a press and partner event, called Disney Content Showcase, held at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore. This image provided by The Walt Disney shows the logo of the new Star Wars series "The Acolyte." Yonhap"I star in Lucasfilm's original series 'The Acolyte,' I am happy to become a member of Disney family," Lee said in a video message. "I want you to look forward to 'The Acolyte.'"The major studio under Disney said the new series will focus on the emergence of darkNov 30, 2022
INTERVIEW Kim Young-kwang satisfied with his psychotic killer role in 'Somebody' Actor Kim Young-kwang plays the role of a serial killer in Netflix's new series “Somebody.” Courtesy of NetflixBy Lee Gyu-leeActor Kim Young-kwang has spent most of his career as a heartthrob, starring in romantic comedies like the 2018 film “On Your Wedding Day” and the 2021 series “Hello, Me!”Actor Kim Young-kwang / Courtesy of NetflixBut with Netflix's latest Korean original series “Somebody,” the actor steps out of his comfort zone to broaden his repertoire, playing a psychotic serial killer.“When I joined 'Somebody,' it felt like a challenge. I really wanted to complete this mission successfully,” Kim said during an interview with The Korea Times, Thursday, at a cafe in Jongno District, central Seoul. “I've always wanted to play diverse roles and take part in different genres … And I'm pleased to show a new persona with 'Somebody.'”Led by filmmaker Jung Ji-woo, whose previous work includes the romance film “Eungyo” and “Tune in for Love,” the eight-part suspense series releasedNov 30, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee
