INTERVIEW 'Veteran actors showed it's never too late to tackle challenges': 'Hot Singers' producer Shin Young-gwang, the producer of JTBC's “Hot Singers” / Courtesy of JTBCBy Dong Sun-hwaOne of the most attention-grabbing moments at the 58th Baeksang Arts Awards held in May was when the cast members of JTBC's show “Hot Singers” sang together “This Is Me” ― a song featured in the 2017 musical biopic, “The Greatest Showman.” During the event that took place at Kintex northwest of Seoul, the members, most of whom were not professional singers, struck a chord with the audience for showing their spirit of challenge. The video of their show has surpassed 1.4 million views as of Sunday.“It was my first time to shed tears after watching a performance by people who are not flawless singers,” an internet user commented. “All members of 'Hot Singers' had something beyond singing ability that touched people's hearts.” Premiered on March 14, “Hot Singers” featured the journey of 15 celebrities ― including veteran actors Kim Young-ok, 84, and Na Moon-hee, 80 ― taking a crack at singing by forming their own choirJun 5, 2022By Dong Sun-hwa
'Ms. Marvel' is homage to MCU fans: directors From left, director Bilall Fallah, actress Iman Vellani, and director Adil El Arbi pose during an online press conference for Disney+'s new series "Ms. Marvel,” Friday. Courtesy of Disney+ Disney+'s new series features first Muslim superhero in MCUBy Lee Gyu-leeMarvel Studios is set to present a new addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) with its first Muslim superhero, Kamala Khan, through Disney+'s new series "Ms. Marvel.”The co-directors and executive producers of the series, Bilall Fallah and Adil El Arbi, who co-led the 2020 action film “Bad Boys for Life,” expressed that the superhero character in the upcoming series will offer an inspiring story to MCU fans around the world. “This character of Kamala is a bit of an homage to the fandom, to people who are fans of all the Avengers and heroes in the MCU. And it is one of the first times that we really delve deep into what it means to be a fan and what it means to aspire to become part of that kind of chJun 3, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee
Bae Suzy's new series, 'Anna,' to premiere June 24 By Lee Gyu-leeThe poster for Coupang Play's original series, “Anna” / Courtesy of Coupang PlayCoupang Play's new original series, “Anna,” starring singer and actor Bae Suzy as the lead, is set to come out on June 24.The local streaming platform announced the release date, Tuesday, unveiling a teaser poster of the upcoming drama.The platform's second original series, following the thriller series, “One Ordinary Day,” revolves around a woman named Yu-mi (Bae). Starting with a simple lie, she turns her life around to live a completely different life, leading her to a series of bigger lies to continue the delusion. Actor Kim Jun-han will play the role of Yu-mi's ambitious husband, Ji-hun. Actress Jung Eun-chae will play the role of Hyun-joo, who seems to have everything and always has been above everyone. The series is directed by filmmaker Lee Joo-young, who is known for leading the 2016 drama film, “A Single Rider.”Bae debuted as a member of K-pop girl group Miss A in 2010 and made her way into acting after landing a lead role in the teenMay 31, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee
INTERVIEW Kim Hee-sun wants to give encouraging messages through 'Tomorrow' Actress Kim Hee-sun played the lead role in the recently wrapped up series, “Tomorrow.” Courtesy of Hinge Entertainment Kim played unconventional grim reaper in fantasy seriesBy Lee Gyu-leeActress Kim Hee-sun, who played a stylish grim reaper in the recently wrapped up series, “Tomorrow,” shared that she wanted to offer a sense of positive encouragement to the viewers through the series. “I wanted to deliver the value of life, warm messages, and courage to those people who are struggling. I feel like I also came to learn to care for people around me, to empathize with and comfort others' pain from watching the series. It also helped me grow,” she said during a written interview with The Korea Times. Based on the webtoon of the same name, the fantasy drama series, which ended on May 21, revolves around a group of hardworking grim reapers at an underworld company that saves suicidal people rather than taking their lives. Kim played the character of Koo Ryeon, a charisMay 30, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee
Ong Seong-wu to star in 'Strong Girl Bong-soon' spinoff series Singer and actor Ong Seong-wu has taken a role in the new series “Strong Girl Nam-soon.” Courtesy of Fantagio By Lee Gyu-leeSinger and actor Ong Seong-wu, who is known as a former member of the disbanded K-pop boy band Wanna One, will be starring in the upcoming romantic comedy series “Strong Girl Nam-soon,” a spinoff series of the 2017 fantasy rom-com “Strong Girl Bong-soon.” Actress Lee You-mi / Courtesy of Varo Entertainment The actor's agency, Fantagio, announced that Ong has been confirmed as the lead in the new series, co-starring with Lee You-mi, the star of the smash hit dramas “Squid Game” and “All of Us Are Dead.”The new series revolves around three women of different generations in a family: Kang Nam-soon (Lee), her mother Hwang Geum-joo (Kim Jung-eun) and her grandmother Gil Joong-gan (Kim Hae-sook), with Bong-soon being Nam-soon's secondMay 30, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee
Disney+ original 'Kiss Sixth Sense' to offer high-spirited, fantasy rom-com From left, actors Kim Ji-seok, Seo Ji-hye and Yoon Kye-sang pose during an online press conference for Disney+'s new series, "Kiss Sixth Sense," Wednesday. Courtesy of Disney+ By Lee Gyu-leeDisney+'s new Korean-language original series, "Kiss Sixth Sense," will offer a lighthearted romantic comedy to viewers, the series' lead actor Yoon Kye-sang said. “Nowadays, a lot of series seem to carry serious, dark plots. But this series is high-spirited and funny and has such good energy. Viewers will be able to enjoy the series lightheartedly,” Yoon said during an online press conference for the series, Wednesday. Based on the webcomic of the same name, the new series, which premiered on Wednesday on the platform, revolves around advertising specialist Hong Ye-sul (Seo Ji-hye), who has a special ability to see another person's future when she kisses them. One day, she accidentally kisses her mean, hypersensitive boss, Cha Min-hu (Yoon), and sees their future together in bedMay 26, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee
INTERVIEW 'We want to help Korean dancers build global fandoms' From left are producers Kwon Young-chan, Choi Jung-nam, Hwang Sung-ho and Kim Na-yeon during a media interview at a restaurant in central Seoul, Tuesday. Courtesy of MnetBy Dong Sun-hwa“Be Mbitious” is cable channel Mnet's latest dance competition show for male dancers who do not belong to a crew. Premiered on Tuesday, the program has been garnering positive reviews from many young viewers, who used to be big fans of Mnet's previous survival dance programs such as “Street Woman Fighter” (2021). In fact, “Be Mbitious” ties in with “Street Man Fighter,” the men's version of “Street Woman Fighter” which will hit the air in August. The winners of the program will form a new crew named “Mbitious” and join “Street Man Fighter,” going head-to-head with other dance teams. According to Mnet, a lot of dancers specializing in different genres applied for the show, and among them were veteran dancers with nearly two decades of experience, as well as K-pop stars like the former INFINITE member Hoya. A poster for &May 25, 2022By Dong Sun-hwa
Korean remakes, romance series to hit small screen in June Posters for Netflix's new original series, “Money Heist: Korea ― Joint Economic Area,” left, and Tving's new romance series, “Yumi's Cells 2” / Courtesy of Netflix, Tving By Lee Gyu-leeThe Korean adaptation of Netflix's smash-hit Spanish series, “Money Heist,” is finally set to debut in the upcoming month along with a string of other series, ranging from romantic comedies to fantasy romances. Netflix's new Korean original series, “Money Heist: Korea ― Joint Economic Area,” scheduled to hit the streaming platform on June 24, brings together a star-studded cast: Yoo Ji-tae from the crime film, “Oldboy,” Kim Yun-jin from the U.S. series, “Lost,” Park Hae-soo from Netflix series “Squid Game,” and Jeon Jong-seo from mystery film “Burning.”Following the central plot of the original crime drama, the remake will revolve around a group of skilled thieves from both North and South Korea. The story will follow the group trying to pull off a major heist, led by a genius strategMay 21, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee
Jung Hye-sung to lead new series 'New Normal Zine' Actress Jung Hye-sung will lead the new series, “New Normal Zine,” set to premiere on June 10. Courtesy of J Wide CompanyBy Lee Gyu-lee Actress Jung Hye-sung has taken the lead role in the upcoming series, “New Normal Zine,” co-produced by entertainment giant CJ ENM and production studio Playlist. Directed and written by Choi Sun-mi, who helmed the 2018 web series, “Chubby Romance,” and the 2020 teen web series “The World of My 17,” the new drama revolves around an editor who newly joined a digital magazine called New Normal Zine.Jung will play the editor, Cha Ji-min, who pursues a slow-paced life and is rather uninterested in ongoing trends. Ji-min has worked as a news reporter for a local magazine for five years. But after the magazine gets discontinued, she joins the digital magazine, which is at the forefront of current trends. Trying to keep up with the trendiness the magazine requires, she struggles to get used to the new environment and people. Actors Hwang Seung-eon, Jang Eui-soo, and Lee Won-jeong will also star in the series. May 20, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee
'Heart Signal' production team presents new audition show 'Stars Awakening' From left, TV personality Jun Hyun-moo, singer Kang Seung-yoon, lyricist Kim Ea-na, singers Yoon Jong-shin, Lee Seung-hwan and Younha, dancer Noze, and producer Park Chul-hwan pose during an online press conference for the new audition show, “Stars Awakening,” in Seoul, Thursday. Courtesy of Channel A Celebrity panelists will not be judges but mentorsBy Lee Gyu-leeThe production team of Channel A's hit reality dating show, “Heart Signal,” teamed up again to launch a new audition show, “Stars Awakening,” which premiered Thursday. “'Stars Awakening' is the show that will foster an icon of this era. It's the story of those who dedicate their young adulthood to their dream of becoming a star,” the show's chief producer, Park Chul-hwan, said during an online press conference for the new show, Thursday. The survival show invites 108 contestants, divided into three categories: vocalists, singer-songwriters, and K-pop idols. Using their specialty, the contestants will perfoMay 20, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee
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