'Squid Game' production designer wins prize at ADG Awards The production designer of Netflix series “Squid Game” won an award at the 26th Art Directors Guild (ADG) Awards, Monday. Courtesy of NetflixBy Lee Gyu-leeChae Kyoung-sun, the production designer of Netflix's smash-hit series “Squid Game,” has notched an accolade at the 26th Art Directors Guild (ADG) Awards.Chae Kyoung-sun, the production designer of Netflix's smash-hit series “Squid Game” / Courtesy of Chae Kyoung-sunThe designer won in the One Hour Contemporary Single-Camera Series category with the sixth episode of the series, “Gganbu,” during this year's ceremony held in Los Angeles, Saturday (local time). Other nominees competing for the category were Stephen Carter from HBO's comedy-drama series “Succession,” Elisabeth Williams from Hulu's dystopian series “The Handmaid's Tale,” Nelson Coates from the Apple TV+ drama series “The Morning Show” and Cary White from Paramount Network's “Yellowstone.”The art director has worked on various films, including comedy disaster film "Exit" (2019Mar 7, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee
Lee Jae-wook, Jung So-min to lead tvN's new series, 'Return' From left, actors Lee Jae-wook, Jung So-min, Hwang Min-hyun and Shin Seung-ho will star in tvN's new series, “Return.” Courtesy of C-JeS Entertainment, Blossom Entertainment, Pledis Entertainment and King Kong by StarshipBy Lee Gyu-leeActors Lee Jae-wook and Jung So-min will be co-starring in the upcoming tvN series, “Return,” scheduled to go on air later this year. The network announced the lineup of the series' cast members, Thursday, which included the two lead actors, along with K-pop singer and actor Hwang Min-hyun and Netflix's “D.P” star, Shin Seung-ho.The fantasy series is the latest project of the star writer duo, sisters Hong Jeong-eun and Hong Mi-ran, who have scripted various hit series, such as the romance series, “The Master's Sun” (2013) and “Hotel Del Luna” (2019). Directed by Park Joon-hwa, who led the 2018 rom-com, “What's Wrong with Secretary Kim?” the new series will follow a nobleman, Jang Wook (Lee), and his servant Mu Deok (Jung) in a fictional country called Daeho from the past. Jang is a Mar 6, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee
INTERVIEW Kim Hye-soo felt great responsibility for her role in 'Juvenile Justice' Actress Kim Hye-soo plays a juvenile court judge in Netflix's new courtroom series, “Juvenile Justice.” Courtesy of Netflix By Lee Gyu-leeActress Kim Hye-soo has felt great responsibility in portraying her role of Shim Eun-seok, a juvenile court judge, in Netflix's latest Korean language series, “Juvenile Justice,” she said. “I've felt much more responsibility with this work than I ever had before,” Kim said in an interview with The Korea Times, Friday.“I contemplated a lot how I could portray my role so that I could deliver (to the audience) the things I've learned and felt while preparing for this series, and messages through the role of Shim. There was a greater sense of pressure in making this series than in my previous works.” The courtroom series, which premiered on Feb. 25, revolves around a stern, unsympathetic judge, Shim, who has a strong antipathy towards young offenders. Holding firm on her beliefs and the values of justice, she tackles complex cases comMar 6, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee
Korean drama 'Something in the Rain' to air in China A scene from JTBC's drama series, "Something in the Rain" / Courtesy of JTBCThe Korean romance "Something in the Rain" will be streamed on a Chinese online platform from Thursday, becoming the first Korean TV show to have won approval from Beijing's TV watchdog in about six years.According to iQIYI, "Something in the Rain," starring Son Ye-jin and Jung Hae-in, will be available from 8 p.m. on Thursday.The company will also release a Chinese version of the popular Korean TV series, which premiered in 2018 on JTBC, in May.It is the second Korean TV series that has been released through an official TV channel or video platform in mainland China this year following the 2017 fantasy romance series "Saimdang: Memoir of Colors" in January.But "Something in the Rain" is considered the first Korean TV show approved by the Chinese National Radio and Television Administration (NRTA) since 2017, when Beijing imposed a tacit ban on Korean content in protest of Seoul's decision to deploy a U.S. missile defense system, known as THAAD."Saimdang" was permitted to be broadcast in November 2016, but itMar 3, 2022
TV shows offer virtual trips overseas during pandemic A poster for Channel S' new travel show / Courtesy of Channel S By Lee Gyu-leeReality shows featuring its cast members traveling overseas, such as “Battle Trip” and “Grandpas Over Flowers,” used to be common in the Korean entertainment scene.However, when the coronavirus started to sweep across the world in early 2020, such TV shows experienced a major crisis as many countries put up barriers to restrict overseas travelers. KBS' travel show, “Battle Trip,” ended its four-year run in April of that year, and other shows like “Salty Tour” and “Youn's Stay” turned to local spots for production. Now, about two years into the pandemic, travel shows are reappearing, but this time, to offer virtual trips abroad. JTBC launched a six-part pilot show, “Talk Pawon,” earlier last month, which kicked off with a 2.6-percent viewership rating. The show invites Koreans who are living in different countries, like Italy, France, Japan and the United States, as foreign correspondents. Mar 3, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee
From TV to OTT, March to be jam-packed with K-dramas “Pachinko” is scheduled for release on March 25. Courtesy of Apple TV+By Lee Gyu-leeA string of new series are expected to hit both TV and streaming platforms this month, including the much-anticipated Apple original series, “Pachinko,” and top actress Kim Hee-sun's new fantasy series, “Tomorrow.”“Pachinko,” based on the best-selling novel of the same name by Min Jin Lee, is finally set to launch on Apple TV+, March 25. The eight-part series, which stars Oscar-winning actress Youn Yuh-jung and actor Lee Min-ho, follows the life of a Korean immigrant family through poverty, tragedy and survival in Japan during and after the Japanese occupation of Korea (1910-45).Actress Kim is taking on another fantasy series, following her last fantasy action series, “Alice,” in 2020. Based on the webtoon of the same name, MBC's upcoming action fantasy series, “Tomorrow,” is about an otherworldly crisis management team of Grim Reaper-like beings that help suicidal people to get a second chance in life. A jobseeker, Choi Joon-woonMar 2, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee
Alcohol in TV shows: Why show so much booze? A scene from Tving's drama series, “Work Later, Drink Now” / Courtesy of TvingBy Kwak Yeon-sooAs alcohol consumption has become more common on television, some concerned viewers and experts are questioning whether there might be too many drinking scenes in dramas and entertainment shows. The increasing displays of drinking on TV may reflect the medium's increased respect for realism.Netflix's “Paik's Spirit,” which was released last October, features culinary star Paik Jong-won and celebrity guests talking about life over intoxicating meals. Han Ji-min, who appeared as a guest in the second episode, later said in an interview that she felt less pressure drinking in front of the camera on the show. “I would have been hesitant to appear in the show if it aired on one of three major broadcasters. But since it's an over-the-top (OTT) platform, I felt I could be more true to myself,” Han said. The OTT and cable-TV revolution have changed the way alcohol is portrayed. Tving's “Work Later, Drink Now,” which will be renewed for a second season Mar 1, 2022By Kwak Yeon-soo
'Squid Game' makes history in Korea's drama industry “Squid Game” costars Lee Jung-Jae, left, winner of the award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series, and Jung Ho-yeon, winner of the award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series, pose in the press room at the 28th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California, Sunday (local time). AP-YonhapLee, Jung win best actors at SAG Awards By Dong Sun-hwaThe Korean dystopian drama “Squid Game” and its actors have made history in Korea's drama industry by winning three awards at the U.S. Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards, Sunday (local time).Lee Jung-jae and Jung Ho-yeon, who starred in Netflix's mega-hit 2021 series, took home best male actor and female actor awards in the TV drama category, becoming the first Korean actors to pull off the feat. The drama also clinched the Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a TV Series award. This is the first time for non-English-speaking performers to notch the SAG's drama acting awards. “It is a notable accomplishment, considerFeb 28, 2022By Dong Sun-hwa
'Juvenile Justice' debuts at No. 10 on global Netflix chart A poster for the Korean legal drama "Juvenile Justice" / Courtesy of Netflix The new South Korean TV series "Juvenile Justice" has made it into the top 10 rankings of Netflix shows two days after its release.According to data released by streaming analytics company FlixPatrol, Sunday (local time), the Netflix's Korean-language original, released Friday, placed 10th on its latest global chart for TV programs available on the streaming service.The 10-part Korean legal drama topped the popularity list in five countries, including Malaysia and Vietnam, and placed second in Singapore and Taiwan. Starring Kim Hye-soo, "Juvenile Justice" revolves around a judge who is assigned to take charge of conducting trials and administering punishment for underage offenders.The U.S. historical drama "Vikings: Valhalla" took the lead and the crime drama "Inventing Anna" finished runner-up on the chart while the Korean zombie apocalypse thriller "All of Us Are Dead" ranked fourth. (YFeb 28, 2022
'Squid Game' wins best series screenplay, director and actress at Director's Cut Awards Director Hwang Dong-hyuk won Best Series Screenplay and Best Director with his smash-hit series, “Squid Game,” at this year's Director's Cut Awards, held online, Thursday. AP-NewsisBy Lee Gyu-leeThe creator of Netflix's smash-hit series, “Squid Game,” has won two accolades at the 20th Director's Cut Awards, live-streamed through Naver TV, Thursday.The series' director and writer, Hwang Dong-hyuk, won both Best Screenplay and Best Director in the series category, which was newly added to the awards this year.“It's an honor to win the first awards in this category. I'm really thankful,” the director said after receiving the awards. “Working on this series has been a long, tough, lonely and painful journey. I thought about giving up a few times in agony. And to receive such meaningful awards made those times worth it.”He added that although his next project is not yet determined, he said it will likely be a movie or the second season of “Squid Game.”Jung Ho-yeon, who starred in “Squid Game,” also won Best Actor in tFeb 26, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee
