TvN drama 'Rose Mansion' criticized for animal abuse scene In this screenshot uploaded by Korea Animal Rights Advocates (KARA) on Instagram, a cat is attacked by a man with a knife in the fourth episode of “Rose Mansion,” which aired on tvN, May 13. Screenshot from KARA's Instagram By Kwak Yeon-sooThe production team for tvN's drama, “Rose Mansion,” apologized over allegations that a cat was abused during filming. It has been under fire since the Korea Animal Rights Advocates (KARA) raised questions of animal abuse, addressing the scene from the fourth episode of the series aired on May 13 where a man stabs and kills a stray cat. “The cat appears several times in the scene and it is unclear which was shot with the real cat and which was CGI (computer-generated imagery),” KARA wrote on Instagram, Wednesday. “Animal abuse crimes are getting crueler and many cats are actually killed in real life ... it is unnecessarily sensational to show such a scene of abuse in detail in a drama,” it said, adding that the act of killing and May 20, 2022By Kwak Yeon-soo
Reality shows raise concerns by zooming in on private lives of people Reality show “Love Again” follows divorced celebrity couples reuniting and living under the same roof after their split. Courtesy of TV ChosunGlut of 'observational' reality shows leaves viewers scratching headsBy Lee Gyu-leeSince MBC's popular reality show, “I Live Alone,” was introduced in 2013 offering viewers an up-close look at the private lives of single celebrities, other programs that look into the lives of stars have become a staple of Korean television programming.Almost a decade later, such programs, which have been named “observational reality shows,” continue to be hugely popular with networks pushing out similar programs while attempting to find new themes and even expanding their cast members to include non-celebrities.However, such a rise has led shows to compete to get even more up-close into the lives of cast members, raising concerns about invading their privacy and causing side effects, especially on minors who are cast members appearing under the consent of their parents. Observational reality shows have had varying themes fromMay 20, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee
MBC's 'Tomorrow' denies intentional use of BTS members' name, birthdates A scene from MBC series “Tomorrow” which showed BTS member V's name and Jungkook's date of birth / Screenshot from the MBC series By Lee Gyu-leeLocal broadcaster MBC has denied allegations that the production team of its ongoing series, “Tomorrow,” used BTS members' information in one of the episodes for a “register of the deceased,” calling it a coincidence. The allegations surfaced when online users pointed out this week that the series' seventh episode, which aired on April 22, had BTS member V's name as well as V's and Jungkook's dates of birth in one of the scenes.The fantasy drama follows a grim reaper, Gu Ryeon (Kim Hee-sun), who leads a crisis management team at an underworld corporation. The team's job is to help struggling, suicidal people, rather than taking their lives, to give them a second chance in life.In the seventh episode, it showed the company having a technical system issue, leading people who just died and brought to the underworld to write theMay 18, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee
Veteran entertainer Song Hae considering leaving 'National Singing Contest' Veteran entertainer Song Hae / Courtesy of KBSBy Kwak Yeon-sooVeteran entertainer and emcee Song Hae is reportedly leaving “National Singing Contest,” a talent show broadcast from a different location each week, which has been on the air since 1980. The 95-year-old has hosted the show since May 1988. According to the Korean Broadcasting System (KBS), Song expressed his intention to leave the show, citing his deteriorating health. “It's true that Song is considering leaving the show. He thinks now is a good time to leave the show due to health reasons. However, the production team is still in discussions with Song about his possible departure and the future of the program,” the broadcaster told local media.Recently, Song has had health problems. In January, he was hospitalized due to a severe cold. In March, he tested positive for COVID-19. On Monday, he was admitted to a hospital with an undisclosed illness.The “National Singing Contest,” which used to be held in outdoor venues in various regions with thousands of residents gathering, stopped touriMay 17, 2022By Kwak Yeon-soo
Yeo Jin-goo offers glimpse of his role in new series 'Link: Eat, Love, Kill' Yeo Jin-goo plays the role of a chef in tvN's upcoming fantasy romance series, “Link: Eat, Love, Kill.” / Courtesy of tvN By Lee Gyu-leeYeo Jin-goo has offered a sneak peek into his new role as Chef Eun Kye-hoon in tvN's upcoming fantasy romance series, “Link: Eat, Love, Kill.” “I was drawn to how the series incorporates appealing elements from different genres, such as a romantic comedy, mystery, cooking and drama,” the actor said in a recent written interview released by the TV network. “The role of Eun Kye-hoon is unique and refreshing, so I decided to take on the role in 'Link.'”The new romance series revolves around a phenomenon between a man, Eun (Yeo), and a woman, Noh Da-hyun (Moon Ga-young), whose feelings are connected to share the same emotions. Eun runs a restaurant in a small town where his twin sister went missing about 20 years ago. Noh is an optimistic and kind woman who has been struggling to get a job. She finally gets to work at Eun's restaurant, May 16, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee
INTERVIEW 'Monstrous' creator Yeon Sang-ho gives his thoughts on divided reaction Creators Yeon Sang-ho, left, and Ryu Yong-jae wrote the Tving's new original series “Monstrous.” Courtesy of TvingOccult series revolves around small town swept up by supernatural phenomenaBy Lee Gyu-leeStar director and writer Yeon Sang-ho, known for directing the hit apocalypse film “Train to Busan” (2016) and Netflix's dystopian series “Hellbound” (2021), shared his thoughts on the polarizing reviews on his latest work, the Tving original series “Monstrous.”“Frankly speaking, there hasn't been a time when my work hasn't had split reviews. But I'm keeping track of the ratios (of those praising and criticizing),” the series' co-creator Yeon said during a recent interview with the Korea Times. “I review the factors that people responded positively and take them into account for my next work. It feels the trend and media platforms are changing every time I prepare my next project, so as an artist who makes works for the public audiences, it's not easy to predict and keep up with them.”The occult, suspense series, May 15, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee
INTERVIEW Ji Chang-wook nails magic, music and acting in Netflix's 'The Sound of Magic' Actor Ji Chang-wook plays the role of a mysterious magician in Netflix's original series, “The Sound of Magic.” Courtesy of Netflix Actor says he could resonate with storyBy Lee Gyu-leeActor Ji Chang-wook has had to multitask performing magic, singing and acting, while taking on the role of a mysterious magician, Lee Eul, in Netflix's new original series, “The Sound of Magic,” which hit the streaming site on May 6. “Performing magic and singing was important but the character of Lee Eul itself was also important. And for the character, singing and showing magic was such an inseparable part (of the character) so I got a lot of help from people around me,” the 34-year-old actor said in a recent interview with The Korea Times. “I learned and practiced magic for about three to four months. Magician Lee Eun-gyeol helped me a lot to design the scenes where (Lee Eul) performs magic shows.”The fantasy musical series, based on the 2010 popular webcomic of the same name by HaMay 12, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee
Tving's 'Rose Mansion' to portray obsession, twisted desires of humans Actors Lim Ji-yeon, left, Yoon Kyun-sang pose during an online press conference for Tving's new original series, “Rose Mansion,” Tuesday. Courtesy of TvingTving's new original series, 'Rose Mansion,' will premiere this FridayBy Lee Gyu-leeChang, whose real name is Yoon Hong-seung, the director of the local streaming platform Tving's new original series, “Rose Mansion,” says his upcoming suspense series will follow the deep twisted desires and obsession of people.“I wanted to tell a story with obsession as its theme. This series is about urges and obsessions. Each character is pulled toward their own obsession,” the director said during an online press conference of the series, Tuesday. The mystery thriller series, set to premiere on Friday, revolves around an apartment called the Rose Mansion that is about to undergo reconstruction. Ji-na (Lim Ji-yeon) is a hotelier who seems to have a normal life but suffers from insecurity. One day, her sister goes missing, leading her back to her family's home at the Rose Mansion, which she has been avoiding visMay 11, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee
Yoon Doo-joon picks up acting with 'Never Give Up' Actor Yoon Doo-joon poses during an online press conference for the comedy series “Never Give Up,” May 4. Courtesy of ENA By Lee Gyu-leeSinger and actor Yoon Doo-joon, the leader of K-pop boy group Highlight, has returned to the small screen with the new comedy series “Never Give Up,” about four years after the romance series “Let's Eat 3” in 2018, resuming his acting career after completing his mandatory military service. “I really enjoyed the script of the series. I was grateful to work with the series' co-stars, who are all great actors,” Yoon said during an online press conference about the series, May 4.Led by Choi Do-hoon, whose previous work includes the 2019 thriller series “Possessed,” the new series, which premiered on May 4, revolves around restaurant owner Goo Pil-soo (Kwak Do-won), who is a patriarch in his 40s, and Jung Seok (Yoon), an aspiring entrepreneur in his 20s. Pil-soo is a former athlete who has had a tumultuous life, going through different pMay 9, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee
Actor Kim Seon-ho apologizes to fans following abortion controversy Actor Kim Seon-ho / Courtesy of Salt EntertainmentBy Dong Sun-hwaActor Kim Seon-ho apologized to his fans, Saturday, about seven months after admitting that he had coerced his ex-girlfriend into having an abortion. “I am sorry that I made you face a hard time due to my shortcomings,” the 36-year-old actor wrote on Instagram. “I really appreciate you for celebrating my birthday. I will not forget your love and support and try my best to repay them.”Kim's fans donated 10 million won ($7,900) to charity organization Community Chest of Korea on May 8, in celebration of his birthday. It has taken more than half a year for Kim to leave a message to his fans, after he was embroiled in the scandal with his former girlfriend, who said Kim had forced her to get an abortion when they were dating. Kim admitted to it and apologized, saying, “I should have apologized to her in person … I am also sorry for failing those who have been supporting me.” In the wake of the scandal, he was removed from KBS' show, “Two Days and One Night,” among otherMay 8, 2022By Dong Sun-hwa
