After investing big in dramas, Netflix targets unscripted shows Yoo Ki-hwan, the manager of content (non-fiction) at Netflix Korea / Courtesy of Netflix By Kwak Yeon-sooAs a move to expand its entertainment offerings, Netflix Korea is aggressively investing in various forms of unscripted series. The streaming giant unveiled four new forthcoming unscripted shows, including a dating show, a travelogue and a competition show.Netflix has released only six reality shows over the past four years: “Busted!” “Twogether,” “Paik's Spirit,” “The Hungry and the Hairy,” “New World” and “Single's Inferno.” Four of them have been released since October 2021. Yoo Ki-hwan, the manager of content (non-fiction) at Netflix Korea, explained that the streaming service is just in the beginning stages of expanding its slate of unscripted content.“We admit that, until recently, many viewers accidentally watched Korean unscripted TV shows after scrolling down for dramas and films. We've been slow in launching new reality shows. Beginning in the second haJul 12, 2022By Kwak Yeon-soo
Kim Hyang-gi, Kim Min-jae to star in 'Joseon Psychiatrist Yoo Se-poong' The poster for tvN's upcoming series, “Joseon Psychiatrist Yoo Se-poong” / Courtesy of tvN By Kwak Yeon-sooMental health is a hot topic on Korean TV shows and a new drama series seems to confirm this trend.The upcoming period drama, “Joseon Psychiatrist Yoo Se-poong” (working title), tells the story of a physician during the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910) who gets expelled from the royal court after getting caught up in a conspiracy. He then meets with Seo Eun-woo (Kim Hyang-gi), who has a good understanding of patients' minds, and Gye Ji-han (Kim Sang-kyung), who practices traditional medicine in the strange village of Gyesu, and becomes a genuine doctor who supports people's mental health concerns. Kim Hyang-gi described the upcoming series as “humane,” adding that it depicts the stories of people with wounded hearts. “This emotional human drama has both funny and touching moments. This project together has been so harmonious, and I can't wait to see it when it comes Jul 12, 2022By Kwak Yeon-soo
Netflix's 'Umbrella Academy' featuring Rising Sun design causes stir A scene from the third season of the Netflix original series, “Umbrella Academy,” featuring Japan's Rising Sun flag design / Korea Times file By Kwak Yeon-sooThe third season of “Umbrella Academy” on Netflix has caused a stir for featuring the Imperial Japanese Army's flag design in episodes 6 and 10, prompting a Korean civic organization to request the streaming giant to edit out the controversial scenes. The latest season of Netflix's original series, which was released on June 22, displays the Rising Sun design, which was used by the Imperial Japanese Army during World War II and is regarded as a symbol of its wartime aggression, in multiple scenes. Many Koreans view it as a symbol of Japan's past imperialism and militarism.The Voluntary Agency Network of Korea (VANK) criticized Netflix for its ignorance and started a global petition to make Netflix remove controversial scenes from the series. VANK was established in 1999 with the mission to promote Korean culturJul 11, 2022By Kwak Yeon-soo
DMZ's most secluded village focus of upcoming action comedy drama From left, actors Kwon Hae-sung, Lee Hwang-eui, Jeong He-in and Kim Ah-ra and director Lim Chang-jae pose during a press conference for the comedy drama series “DMZ Daeseong-dong,” held in Seoul's Dongjak District, Wednesday. Courtesy of D'LiveBy Park Han-solA poster for the upcoming four-part drama series, “DMZ Daesung-dong” / Courtesy of D'LiveDaeseong-dong, also referred to in Korean as “Freedom Village,” is the only civilian settlement tucked inside the southern part of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) that has divided the two warring Koreas since the signing of the 1953 Korean Armistice Agreement.The village has remained the most secluded community across the Korean Peninsula for nearly seven decades, fortified by heavily armed soldiers and barbed-wire fences, due to its proximity to its northern neighbor.This year, the DMZ's most isolated village, which has become a window to reflect on the ideological tensions between the two Koreas, will come to the fore in the upcoming drama series, “DMZ Daeseong-dong” (direct translation).The fourJul 10, 2022By Park Han-sol
'In the Soop: Friendcation,' starring BTS' V, coming July 22 A poster for “In the Soop: Friendcation” / Courtesy of Disney+ By Kwak Yeon-soo“In the Soop: Friendcation,” a reality show featuring BTS' V hanging out with his celebrity friends, will premiere in July. This new show comes a month after BTS announced its hiatus for members to focus on solo projects.The four-episode series will star V, rapper Peakboy, singer-actor Park Hyung-sik from the Disney+ series “Soundtrack #1,” Choi Woo-shik from Oscar-winning film “Parasite” and Park Seo-joon, who has been confirmed to appear in “The Marvels.” The five men are collectively known as the “Wooga Squad.” The show, which is a spin-off of Hybe's reality show “In the Soop” focused on BTS, will follow the group of friends as they take a break in a remote woodland area, enjoying a getaway from the pressures of stardom. BTS' V has been featured before on the “In the Soop” series, appearing in two seasons with his bandmates in 2020 and 2021, during which they cooked dinner, played videJul 8, 2022By Kwak Yeon-soo
INTERVIEW 'Money Heist: Korea' writer feels satisfied to expand series' franchise A scene from “Money Heist: Korea ― Joint Economic Area,” a Spanish series' Korean remake created and scripted by Ryu Yong-jae / Courtesy of NetflixRemake of Spanish series follows group of robbers trying to take over mint of unified KoreaBy Lee Gyu-leeBefore Netflix's non-English series, “Squid Game,” became a huge international hit, there was the Spanish original, “Money Heist,” which became a global sensation through the platform. Writer Ryu Yong-jae / Courtesy of NetflixRyu Yong-jae, the creator and writer for the Spanish series' Korean remake, “Money Heist: Korea ― Joint Economic Area,” said he feels excited to kick-start the Spanish series franchise and help introduce it to Asian countries. The new series, which was released on June 24, topped Netflix's official non-English Top 10 chart during the week of its release.“The original 'Money Heist' was already popular worldwide, but compared to the popularity, there were still a lot of people who didn't see it … It was not that popular in Asian countries (compared to EuropJul 6, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee
INTERVIEW Yoon Doo-joon juggles music and acting for series 'Never Give Up' Actor Yoon Doo-joon played the character of a tech startup founder in the series “Never Give Up.” Courtesy of KT Studio GenieBy Lee Gyu-leeActor and singer Yoon Doo-joon was building solid ground as an actor taking the lead in TV series before being called up for his mandatory military service in April 2020.About four years after his last series, “Let's Eat 3,” the actor has taken on the first series since his discharge from the military with the lead role in “Never Give Up,” while also resuming his K-pop activity with group Highlight upon the release of its new album “DAYDREAM.”“Filming this series has taught me a lot. I was involved as both the singer in Highlight and filming this series. And I've learned that you can't get anything easily and that detail matters greatly,” Yoon said during a recent interview with The Korea Times. He added that although juggling two activities wasn't easy, he learned to put his heart into the projects he takes on. “(The series') production period was longer than I expected. So it coulJul 4, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee
Park Eun-bin plays genius lawyer in 'Extraordinary Attorney Woo' From left, actor Kang Tae-oh, director Yoo In-sik, actors Park Eun-bin and Kang Ki-young pose during a press conference for the courtroom series, “Extraordinary Attorney Woo,” held in Gwangjin District, eastern Seoul, Wednesday. Courtesy of ENA By Lee Gyu-leeActress Park Eun-bin has taken on the role of a genius lawyer who is on the autism spectrum in ENA's new series, “Extraordinary Attorney Woo.” Led by director Yoo In-sik, who oversaw the hit series, “Dr. Romantic 2,” the heartfelt series revolves around a newbie at a top law firm, Woo Young-woo (Park). Due to her autism, Woo has an exceptional memory, remembering every single book she has read in her life, and was at the top of her class in law school.Starting her first job at the firm as a lawyer, Woo tackles challenges and prejudice beyond the courtroom as she wins lawsuits with the help of the firm's paralegal, Lee Jun-ho (Kang Tae-oh), and senior lawyer Jung Myung-seok (Kang Ki-young). The script is written Jul 1, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee
INTERVIEW Bae Suzy shows another side in 'Anna' Bae Suzy plays the title role in the Coupang Play's new original series “Anna.” Courtesy of Coupang Play Coupang Play's series revolves around woman living in lieBy Lee Gyu-leeActor and singer Bae Suzy, who has typically played a protagonist in romance series like “Start-Up” (2020), has taken a step toward expanding her acting repertoire with the title role in streaming platform Coupang Play's new original series, “Anna.” Actor Bae Suzy / Courtesy of Coupang Play “I had this desire to show a new side of myself,” Bae said during an interview with The Korea Times, held at a cafe in Jongno-gu, Seoul, Wednesday. “I wanted to show a different type of acting that I've never done before. And this is a series that any actor would want, so I didn't want to lose the chance. It was vague at first but since I made my decision, I felt the pressure and responsibiJun 30, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee
Korea's 1st queer romance reality show to hit air July 8By Dong Sun-hwa A poster for “Merry Queer,” Wavve's reality show on LGBTQ romance / Courtesy of Wavve “Merry Queer,” the first LGBTQ romance reality show made in Korea, will premiere on the streaming platform, Wavve, July 8. The program will show how LGBTQ couples in Korea tackle the different challenges they face as they try to keep their relationship strong. But Wavve has not revealed many details about the cast.The platform unveiled a poster on Thursday featuring the three hosts for the upcoming show ― comedian Shin Dong-yup, TV personality Hong Seok-cheon and Hani of K-pop girl group EXID. The poster also includes an image of a rainbow, symbolizing LGBTQ pride and social movements. “Shin is a sought-after cast member for any entertainment show, while Hong is the first Korean celebrity to come out back in 2000,” Wavve said in a statement. “Hani is well-known for her ability to empathize with people. We believe the three will excel in delivering the joys and sorrowJun 30, 2022By Dong Sun-hwa
