Entertainment - The Korea Times

INTERVIEW Singaporean producers help create stunning visual scenes for 'Little Women'

A scene from tvN's thriller series “Little Women,” which revolves around three sisters entangled in a murder mystery. Some parts of the series were filmed in Singapore. Courtesy of tvNCreative director says she learned a lot from working with Korean productionBy Lee Gyu-leeKorean dramas have been increasingly spotlighted by international audiences and the entertainment industry, with many of the programs becoming hugely successful, such as Netflix's biggest hit, “Squid Game,” last year. More and more Korean series are expanding their reach to overseas audiences, and their production is increasingly utilizing global locations as their stage to meet the growing expectations of international audiences.One recent case is tvN's thriller series, “Little Women,” which debuted at seventh place on Netflix's top 10 non-English series chart in September and surged to the No. 5 spot last week.The new interpretation of the classic novel of the same name, led by director Kim Hee-won, follows three close-knit sisters entangled in the dark secret and mystery of a

Oct 5, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee

[INTERVIEW] Singaporean producers help create stunning visual scenes for 'Little Women'

Korean actor Lee Sun-kyun nominated for best actor at Int'l Emmys for 'Dr. Brain'

Actor Lee Sun-kyun in a scene from “Dr. Brain” / Courtesy of Apple TV+South Korean actor Lee Sun-kyun has been nominated for best actor at this year's International Emmy Awards for his performance in the sci-fi thriller "Dr. Brain."According to the nominations list for the 50th edition on Sunday (Korean time), Lee was among the four candidates for Best Performance by an Actor along with Sverrir Gudnason in "A Royal Secret" from Sweden, Scoot McNairy in "Narcos: Mexico" from Mexico and Dougray Scott in "Irvine Welsh's Crime" from Britain.Lee, who took the lead role in the Oscar-winning "Parasite" (2019), is the second Korean actor to be nominated in the category following Jang Hyuk who nabbed the first Emmy nod with the historical drama "The Slave Hunters" in 2011.In "Dr. Brain," the first Korean-language original of Apple TV+, Lee played a genius cerebral scientist who is obsessed with figuring out new technologies to access the consciousness and memories of the brain in order to find out the truth of his wife's death.In the best telenovela section, KBS' historical romanc

Oct 2, 2022

Korean actor Lee Sun-kyun nominated for best actor at Int'l Emmys for 'Dr. Brain'

INTERVIEW Jung Il-woo satisfied with his versatile character in 'Good Job'

Actor Jung Il-woo played the lead in ENA's comedy detective series, “Good Job,” which ended last Thursday. Courtesy of 9ato EntertainmentActor played role of detective-cum-CEO in comedy seriesBy Lee Gyu-leeFor actor Jung Il-woo, his recent role as a detective-cum-CEO in ENA's comedy detective series, “Good Job,” was an opportunity to explore his creative freedom.“I feel like I did everything I've wanted to do with this series,” the actor told The Korea Times in a recent interview at a cafe in central Seoul. “'Good Job' had such a unique concept and gave me a chance to play the character that I wanted. The series has wrapped up on a good note, so I'm personally satisfied.”The 12-part series, which ended last Thursday, revolves around the owner of a large conglomerate, Eun Seon-woo (Jung), who has both good looks and brains. He lives a double life, secretly running a private detective office.One day, he comes across poor but high-spirited Don Se-ra (Kwon Yu-ri), who possesses incredible vision. The two join forces to solve cases, includin

Oct 2, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee

[INTERVIEW] Jung Il-woo satisfied with his versatile character in 'Good Job'

'The Zone: Survival Mission' producers create large-scale disaster survival show

Disney+'s variety show, “The Zone: Survival Mission,” stars, from right, Yoo Jae-suk, Kwon Yu-ri and Lee Kwang-soo. Courtesy of Walt Disney Company Korea Disney+ show takes cast members into virtual world of simulated disasterBy Lee Gyu-leeDisney+'s Korean original variety show “The Zone: Survival Mission” garnered high anticipation from fans even before its premiere, as it brings together the producers of the hit show “Running Man” and its cast members Yoo Jae-suk and Lee Kwang-soo. Cho Hyo-jin, left, and Kim Dong-jin, co-producers of “The Zone: Survival Mission”/ Courtesy of Walt Disney Company Korea The large-scale survival show invites three players ― Yoo, Lee, and Kwon Yu-ri ― to a fictional world consumed in a pandemic, where there are virtual spaces simulating a disaster, called “The Zone.” The three cast members go through each zone that has

Sep 29, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee

'The Zone: Survival Mission' producers create large-scale disaster survival show

INTERVIEW Early elimination from 'Street Man Fighter' becomes 'springboard for future success': PrimeKingz

Members of dance crew PrimeKingz / Courtesy of MnetDance crew draws rave review with performance mixing krumping, haka movesBy Dong Sun-hwaThe fifth episode of Mnet's dance competition show, “Street Man Fighter" that aired on Sept. 20, shocked many viewers. Dance crew PrimeKingz ― which was thought of as one of the heavy favorites ― became the first team to be eliminated from the program after losing the battle with Bank Two Brothers (BIIB.) Some viewers even took to social media platforms to criticize the program's judges ― singer BoA, Eunhyuk of K-pop boy group Super Junior and Wooyoung of boy band 2PM ― for making an “unfair and biased” judgment. However, the six members of PrimeKingz ― Trix, Knucks, 2face, Counter, Door and Kyoyung Jr. ― say they have no grudges or regrets. “At first, it was hard to believe that we were the first crew to be eliminated, and we did go through some difficult times,” leader Trix said during a media interview on Zoom, Tuesday. “But thanks to support from so many people, we are perfectly fine now. We know how to use

Sep 28, 2022By Dong Sun-hwa

[INTERVIEW] Early elimination from 'Street Man Fighter' becomes 'springboard for future success': PrimeKingz

Netflix's new genre-bending series, 'Glitch,' to tell story of friendship, trust

From left, actor Jeon Yeo-been, director Roh Deok, and actor Im Jin-ah pose during a press conference for Netflix's new series, “Glitch,” held at a theater in Yongsan District, Seoul, Tuesday. Courtesy of NetflixTwo former friends reunited by mysterious disappearancesBy Lee Gyu-leeNetflix's upcoming sci-fi thriller series, “Glitch,” will follow the story of a special friendship between two women with trust as the keyword, the director said. “The important part (of the series) is faith. From the early stages of production, it has been the series' keyword,” the series' director, Roh Deok, said during a press conference for the series, held at a theater in Yongsan District, Seoul, Tuesday. “It throws out questions about the importance of faith, which is part of what makes human beings. It's important to think about what one believes in and what one makes out of that faith,” he said.Led by filmmaker Roh, whose previous work includes the crime thriller film, "The Exclusive: Beat the Devil's Tattoo," and the romance film, ”Very Ordinary

Sep 28, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee

Netflix's new genre-bending series, 'Glitch,' to tell story of friendship, trust

'Narco-Saints' places 2nd on Netflix chart for non-English series

This image provided by Netflix highlights that "Narco-Saints" placed No. 2 on Netflix's weekly top 10 chart for non-English TV shows for the week of Sept. 19-25. YonhapNetflix's Korean-language crime thriller "Narco-Saints" has placed second on the streamer's latest weekly viewership chart for non-English TV shows.The six-part series, released on Sept. 9, marked 27.4 million hours of viewing for the week of Sept. 19-25 to finish No. 2 on the official top 10 list for non-English TV programs available on the service, according to Netflix on Wednesday.It dropped one notch from the top position a week earlier, while the Mexican biological drama "El Rey, Vicente Fernandez" rose to the No. 1 spot with 33.3 million hours."Narco-Saints," directed by famous Korean filmmaker Yoon Jong-bin, is about a businessman who takes undercover missions to capture a drug kingpin in a South American country.Three more Korean dramas were included in the top 10 list for the week.The smash-hit legal drama "Extraordinary Attorney Woo" ranked fourth with a viewership of 16.9 million hours, staying on the popula

Sep 28, 2022

'Narco-Saints' places 2nd on Netflix chart for non-English series

Popular short films get adapted for cinema, streaming series

Posters for Tving's new series “Bargain,” left, and film “Daemuga” / Courtesy of Tving, Cookie PicturesBy Lee Gyu-leeA string of well-received short films are getting picked up and adapted for film and streaming series. Tving's upcoming original series “Bargain,” scheduled to hit its streaming service in October, is based on the short film of the same name which came out in 2015.The 14-minute short film, led by filmmaker Lee Chung-hyeon, who is known for helming the thriller “The Call,” is about a school girl and a man meeting to engage in sexual conduct for a fee. The man then tries to negotiate the price but it turns out that the girl lured him to the motel to steal and sell his organs.The film garnered acclaim, notching several awards at film festivals including the Busan International Short Film Festival and Korean Film Festival in Paris. The new adaptation, starring Jin Seon-kyu and Jun Jong-seo, will pick up on the original short film's plot and develop it into what happened after the original short film's ending. Amid the negotia

Sep 27, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee

Popular short films get adapted for cinema, streaming series

Namkoong Min takes lead role in comedy series 'One Dollar Lawyer'

Actor Namkoong Min plays the role of lawyer Cheon Ji-hun in SBS' new comedy series “One Dollar Lawyer.” Courtesy of SBSBy Lee Gyu-leeActor Namkoong Min, who made his debut in 2001, had his major breakthrough with KBS' 2017 hit comedy series, “Good Manager,” which earned him the second-highest honor at the network's year-end award.About five years later, the actor has returned to comedy with SBS' new series “One Dollar Lawyer,” taking the lead role as a peculiar lawyer, Cheon Ji-hun. The new comedy series revolves around the stylish lawyer who only charges his client 1,000 won ($0.7) for his fee, despite being one of the best attorneys around. A soon-to-be graduate of the Judicial Research and Training Institute, Baek Ma-ri (Kim Ji-eun), who comes from a family with a legal background, comes to finish her training at Ji-hun's office. Joining hands, they fight against the privileged and their high-priced, fancy lawyers from getting away with crimes. The series kicked off on Friday with an 8.1 percent viewership rating, and had 8.5 percent on Saturday

Sep 26, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee

Namkoong Min takes lead role in comedy series 'One Dollar Lawyer'

Kim Sun-a returns to small screen as prosecutor in 'The Empire'

Actors Kim Sun-a, left, and Ahn Jae-wook pose during an online press conference for JTBC's new series “The Empire,” Thursday. Courtesy of JTBCBy Lee Gyu-leeActress Kim Sun-a is returning to the small screen as a privileged, high-class prosecutor in JTBC's new legal crime series, “The Empire,” set to air on Saturday. Her last appearance in a TV drama was in the 2019 SBS drama series, “Secret Boutique.”“The series' script is written by actual lawyers. So when I first got the script, I found it was very realistic and had the details only people in the legal world would know. I learned that (the script) came after years of development and effort,” Kim said during an online press conference for the series, Thursday. Led by director Yoo Hyun-ki, who helmed the 2018 rom-com “Matrimonial Chaos” and the 2011 medical series “Brain,” the new series follows the scandal and dark secrets of a wealthy, privileged family with a deep law background. Kim plays the daughter of the family, Han Hye-ryool, who leads a special investig

Sep 23, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee

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