Playing defiant character in 'Moonshine' inspired stronger passion for acting: Lee Hye-ri Actress Lee Hye-ri plays the role of Kang Ro-seo in the rom-com period drama series, “Moonshine.” Courtesy of Creative group ING Singer-actress expresses satisfaction over balance between story, character in new dramaBy Lee Gyu-leeActress Lee Hye-ri, who is also known as Hyeri of the K-pop girl group Girl's Day, said that playing the role of Kang Ro-seo, a woman who challenges the status quo, in her latest drama series, “Moonshine,” has inspired her to become a better actor.“As I played my role in 'Moonshine,' I came to feel more strongly about being better at acting,” Lee told The Korea Times. “Ro-seo is such a fascinating character and if I want to put myself into this kind of character again, I think I need to become a better actor. She helped me grow.”Set in the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), an era of alcohol prohibition, the romantic comedy series follows a love story between an inspector, Nam Young (Yoo Seung-ho), and an alcohol bootlegger Kang (Lee). Nam is knoFeb 25, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee
Ahn Bo-hyun, Jo Bo-ah team up for military courtroom drama series Actors Ahn Bo-hyun, left, and Jo Bo-ah pose during the online press conference for tvN's new legal series, “Military Prosecutor Doberman,” Wednesday. Courtesy of tvN By Lee Gyu-leeActor Ahn Bo-hyun, who became known to global audiences through Netflix's action series, “My Name,” last year, is joining forces with actress Jo Bo-ah to lead tvN's upcoming legal series, “Military Prosecutor Doberman,” scheduled to premiere on Feb. 28.“I read through four episodes of the series' script in one sitting. You might think that the story would be difficult to follow because it's a courtroom series, but its concept is really unique and the way it develops its plot will give you great satisfaction,” Ahn said during an online press conference on Wednesday. Directed by Jin Chang-gyu, whose previous work includes family drama “Bad Papa” (2018), the action courtroom series revolves around military prosecutor Do Bae-man (Ahn), who is hungry for success and money, and rookie prosecutorFeb 24, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee
Director Lee Chung-hyun's short film, 'Bargain,' to be remade into TV series Actors Jin Sun-kyu, left, and Jun Jong-seo / Courtesy of Tving By Kwak Yeon-sooDirector Lee Chung-hyun's award-winning short film, “Bargain,” will be remade into a television series. Produced by Climax Studio, which saw a surge of success with “Hellbound” and “D.P.,” the long-gestating TV adaptation will star Jin Sun-kyu and Jun Jong-seo.Lee's 2015 short film, “Bargain,” won several accolades, including the Jury Prize at the 33rd Busan International Short Film Festival, the Best Film Award at the 15th Mise-en-scene Short Film Festival in 2016 and the Best Short Film at the 11th Korean Film Festival in Paris (2017). “Bargain” is a disaster thriller that unfolds when a massive earthquake hits a town. The last surviving members, who are trapped in a building, where they negotiate for black market items such as human organs, struggle to survive. Although it takes references from the original film, the series will differentiate itself by devising fresh characters and ploFeb 24, 2022By Kwak Yeon-soo
Kim Hye-soo's new Netflix series 'Juvenile Justice' to touch on young offenders' issues From left, actors Kim Mu-yeol, Kim Hye-soo, Lee Jung-eun and Lee Sung-min pose during an online press conference for the new Netflix series “Juvenile Justice,” Tuesday. Courtesy of NetflixBy Lee Gyu-leeNetflix's upcoming courtroom series “Juvenile Justice” will spotlight the social issues surrounding juvenile delinquency, according to the director. “Previously, I only ever heard about issues regarding juvenile offenders from the news or media. But this series has given me a chance to look more closely into them,” the series' director and creator Hong Jong-chan said during an online press conference, Tuesday. “Young offenders are not the only ones responsible for their issues. I believe it also has to do with the fundamental problems of society.”Directed by Hong, whose previous work includes the subtle, heartfelt series "Dear My Friends" (2016), the new drama revolves around four judges at a juvenile court ― played by actors Kim Hye-soo, Kim Mu-yeol, Lee Sung-min and Lee Jung-eun ― tackling complex cases with their own beliefs and perspeFeb 23, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee
INTERVIEW 'SNL Korea' reboot's political satire rides popularity in election season “Saturday Night Live Korea” producer Kang Na-rae, left, and chief producer Oh Won-taek pose after an interview with The Korea Times at the office of the show's production company, AStory, Feb. 16. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-sukBy Lee Gyu-leeSatire has been a big part of the identity of the long-running NBC comedy show, “Saturday Night Live.” And it's no different in the show's Korean adaptation, “Saturday Night Live Korea” (SNL Korea), which earned a reboot last September on the local streaming platform, Coupang Play, four years after ending nine seasons with the local network, tvN.The political satire of the revived show's cold open to its “Weekend Update” segment has become the talk of the town just in time for the election season. The interview segment with real politicians, including the presidential candidates, with the callow, plain-speaking intern reporter ― played by cast member Joo Hyun-young ― has generated huge buzz for taking a chance with its unusual approach to the serious and complicated world of politics.“Joo's Feb 22, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee
Homegrown OTT services take leap forward to win in competitive market Local streaming service Wavve will release about 30 original content items this year. Courtesy of WavveBy Lee Gyu-leeLocal over-the-top (OTT) services are making vigorous efforts to step up their game in the country's heated streaming war by securing sizable investments and providing original content.Entertainment giant CJ ENM's streaming service Tving announced Friday that it has raised about 250 billion won ($291.1 million) in investments by issuing new stocks which were acquired by local private equity fund JCGI through a third-party allotment. The 382,500 shares acquired by JCGI account for about 12.8 percent of the total shares.According to CJ ENM, the streaming service's enterprise value is estimated at 2 trillion won, which is almost six times higher than its 350 billion won estimation from last July.Tving has reached several investment deals within the past year, including a 40 billion won one from tech giant Naver in July. Last December, the platform struck a global content licensing and distribution deal with the U.S.-based production company Paramount as part of its globalFeb 20, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee
Disney+ original mystery series 'Grid' sends message about saving Earth: director From left, actors Kim Sung-kyun and Lee Si-young, director Lee Khan, and actors Kim A-joong and Kim Mu-yeol pose during an online press conference of the Disney+ mystery series “Grid,” Wednesday. Courtesy of Disney+ By Lee Gyu-leeThe global streaming platform Disney+ debuted another Korean original series, the sci-fi mystery “Grid,” Wednesday, hoping to give a boost to its stagnating performance in Korea.Directed by filmmaker Lee Khan, who led the action film “The Divine Move 2: The Wrathful” (2019), the new suspense thriller revolves around a mysterious figure called “Ghost” (Lee Si-young) who disappeared after developing the system Grid that protected humans from a deadly disaster. About 24 years after her disappearance, she resurfaces and helps a serial killer get away. When detective Jung Sae-byeok (Kim A-joong) witnesses the existence of the mysterious being, she joins forces with government official Kim Sae-ha (Seo Kang-jun) to reveal the secret of Ghost and cFeb 16, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee
'All of Us Are Dead' tops Netflix weekly viewership chart for 3rd week A scene from "All of Us Are Dead" / Courtesy of NetflixThe coming-of-age zombie apocalypse drama "All of Us Are Dead" topped Netflix's weekly viewership chart for the third consecutive week, the global video streaming service said Wednesday.The 12-part Korean-language series marked 113.2 million hours of viewing for the week of Feb. 7-13 to lead Netflix's official top 10 list for non-English TV programs, according to Netflix.It has stayed at the No. 1 position since its first entry two weeks ago with 124.8 million hours of viewing just three days after its premier on Jan. 28.The series made the top 10 of the non-English TV category in 94 countries over the one-week period and ranked No. 1 in 35 countries, including the United States, Britain and South Korea.The Colombian romance "Cafe con aroma de mujer," also known as "The Scent of Passion," came in second with 51.8 million hours and the Mexican thriller "Dark Desire" placed third with 43.8 million hours.The Korean romance series "Our Beloved Summer" ranked ninth in the non-English TV show category with 11.9 million hours, remainingFeb 16, 2022
TV series 'Kill Heel' to delve into dark world of TV shopping hosts From left, actresses Lee Hye?young, Kim Ha-neul and Kim Sung-ryung pose during an online press conference for tvN series “Kill Heel,” Tuesday. Courtesy of tvNBy Lee Gyu-leeTvN's new female-centric series, “Kill Heel,” scheduled to premiere on Feb. 23, will offer a behind-the-scenes look into the world of home shopping hosts.“When you flip through the channels and come across a home shopping channel, sometimes you just get drawn to it and find yourself making a purchase. This series will give a backstage glimpse into the industry,” the series' lead actress Kim Sung-ryung said during an online press conference, Tuesday. Directed by Noh Do-cheol, whose previous works include the period series, “The Emperor: Owner Of The Mask,” the drama series follows the competitive power struggles of three female shopping hosts ― played by Kim Ha-neul, Kim Sung-ryung and Lee Hye?young ― at a home shopping network. Woo-hyun (Kim Ha-neul) is a decent shopping host who is ambitious to climb to the top. But after she falls into misery, she takes the hand of Feb 15, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee
'Unexpected Business 2' to highlight rural town customers' vibe: producer The poster for tvN's reality show, “Unexpected Business 2,” starring actors Cha Tae-hyun, left, and Zo In-sung / Courtesy of tvNBy Lee Gyu-leeRyu Ho-jin, the producer of tvN's reality show, “Unexpected Business,” was confident that its upcoming season 2 will be funnier, grander and more dynamic than the previous season. Starring A-list actors Zo In-sung and Cha Tae-hyun, the reality show invites the two long-time friends to take over a small grocery store for 10 days in a rural town. It follows the two actors' mishaps of running a business while interacting with the town's close-knitted neighbors and sharing parts of their lives. The first season, which premiered in February of last year, wrapped up with a 6.4-percent viewership rating, last May. The new season will show Zo and Cha running a larger supermarket. “This season will still capture stories about (local) people's lives, while the cast members will face more difficult missions. They wind up in more colorful misadventures as they try to run a bigger market for 10 days,” Ryu said through theFeb 15, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee
