'Squid Game' most favorite Korean drama in 2021: survey A poster for the Korean thriller series "Squid Game" / Courtesy of NetflixBy Lee Gyu-lee“Squid Game,” Netflix's biggest hit Korean original series, was the most popular Korean drama among global audiences in 2021, according to a survey on hallyu trends by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange, Monday.In the survey of 8,500 people in 18 countries, including Thailand, India, the United States, France and Brazil, who have consumed Korean cultural content last year, the dystopian thriller series garnered the highest percentage by far among Korean dramas with 21.2 percent. TvN's romance series “Crash Landing on You,” which ranked highest in the survey the year before with 9.5 percent, was voted the second this year with 2.2 percent, followed by the crime series “Vincenzo,” at 1.9 percent. K-pop juggernaut BTS was named as the most popular K-pop artist for the fourth consecutive year, at 26.7 percent, which is more than double the ratio of runner-up BLACKPINK at 10.4 percent. Solo artistFeb 14, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee
Park Min-young, Song Kang unite for romance 'Forecasting Love and Weather' From left, actors Song Kang, Park Min-young, Yura and Yoon Park pose during an online press conference for JTBC's new series, “Forecasting Love and Weather.” Courtesy of JTBCBy Kwak Yeon-soo“Forecasting Love and Weather,” starring actors Park Min-young and Song Kang, takes a closer look at the ins and outs of working in the business of predicting the weather. The plot follows the story of Jin Ha-kyung (Park), a meteorologist who has decided never to commit to a workplace romance after a brutal break-up, but falls into a relationship with Lee Si-woo (Song), a newcomer in the team.Yoon Park appears as Ha-kyung's ex-fiance, Han Ki-joon, while Yura plays Chae Yu-jin, a weather forecaster for a daily newspaper who is bright on the outside, but has a dark side to her.Director Cha Young-hoon explained that “Forecasting Love and Weather” is about people at the Korea Meteorological Administration who fall and get back on their feet to become a better version of themselves.“There are some striking similarities between weather and life. Like many thingsFeb 13, 2022By Kwak Yeon-soo
'All of Us Are Dead' most popular Netflix TV series for two weeks straight A scene from "All of Us Are Dead" / Courtesy of Netflix South Korea's zombie apocalypse drama "All of Us Are Dead" has been the most popular TV series on Netflix for two consecutive weeks, a market tracker said Saturday. According to data by streaming analytics firm Flixpatrol, the 12-part show has stayed atop its daily list of top TV series from Netflix all around the world for 14 days since it was released Jan. 28. The Netlix original topped the rankings in 37 countries, including South Korea, Japan, Britain, France, Hungary, Greece, New Zealand and Australia. It ranked second in the United States, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, the Czech Republic and Sweden.The series received 807 points based on its rankings by country Friday, staying in the 800s for the 14th day.Coming in a distant second was the Mexican thriller "Dark Desire," which gained 493 points. It was followed by the American romance "Sweet Magnolias" with 449 points.Based on a popular webtoon, "All of UsFeb 12, 2022
Park Hae-joon takes to small screen with Tving's new comedy series From left, actors Kim Gab-soo, Park Jung-yeon and Park Hae-joon pose during an online press conference for the Tving's new original series, “I Haven't Done My Best Yet,” Friday. Courtesy of TvingBy Lee Gyu-leeActor Park Hae-joon is set to lead local streaming service Tving's new original series, “I Haven't Done My Best Yet,” about two years after playing his breakthrough role in JTBC's hit series, “The World of the Married,” in 2020. Based on the Japanese comic series, “I'll Give It My All ... Tomorrow,” the comedy series revolves around a 44-year-old man, Nam Geum-pil (Park), who is living with his father and teenage daughter.One day, he suddenly decides to quit his job of 10 years. With his carefree, optimistic nature, he goes on a journey to find himself and takes a stab at becoming a comic creator.“I decided to take the role on the day I read the script,” Park said during the online press conference of the series, Friday. “I've been wanting to do this type of work: a series with a story that is relatable to our daiFeb 12, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee
INTERVIEW Lee Seo-jin goes all-out for laughs in 'Dr. Park's Clinic' Actor Lee Seo-jin plays the role of Dr. Park Won-jang in Tving's original series, "Dr. Park's Clinic." Courtesy of TvingVeteran actor hopes to stay relevant to younger-generation viewersBy Lee Gyu-leeActor Lee Seo-jin's latest character ― a bald, struggling doctor ― in the comedy series, “Dr. Park's Clinic,” shocked many people who are familiar with his image as a gentle, sophisticated NYU Stern graduate with memorable performances in romantic series. The actor expressed that he was ready to go all-out in creating the hilarious character for the very first comedy series of his 23-year acting career.“As an actor, wearing special effects makeup and props is not something to be ashamed of. If I gave many people a good laugh, then my work has been successful. And I'm willing to do it again if it can entertain the audience,” he said during an interview with The Korea Times, Tuesday. Based on the webtoon of the same name by doctor and creator Jang Bong-su, Tving's original series unfolds the story of Dr. Park Won-jang (Lee) opening a clinic.He dreams of raking in caFeb 11, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee
Kim Tae-ri set to return to small screen with 'Twenty Five Twenty One' Actress Kim Tae-ri poses during an online press conference for tvN's new romance drama “Twenty Five Twenty One,” Wednesday. Courtesy of tvNSouth Korean star actress Kim Tae-ri will return to the small screen after more than three years off as a teenage fencer in the new coming-of-age romance drama "Twenty Five Twenty One."Rising to stardom for her role in Park Chan-wook's period thriller "The Handmaiden" (2016), she chose the tvN's weekend primetime series for her first TV project since the historical romance "Mr. Sunshine" (2018)."I know there are many popular genre movies and TV series now, but 'Twenty Five' is different," Kim said Wednesday in a press conference streamed online. "It's a story that makes people feel happy and gives them a fluttering feeling.""Twenty Five" depicts love and the lives of five young people in the late 1990s, when South Korea suffered the Asian financial crisis and experienced a seismic change in economy, society and culture.Kim plays Hee-do, a member of a high school fencing team that is about to be disbanded due to financial issues. She ovFeb 9, 2022
KBS adopts animal filming guideline following fatal horse incident during production Animal rights activists organize a protest in front of KBS TV headquarters in Seoul, Jan. 21, following revelations that a horse used during the filming of the period drama "The King of Tears, Lee Bang-won" died due to alleged animal abuse. NewsisKBS TV said Wednesday it has adopted a guideline to ensure the welfare of animals used in television production, following public outrage over revelations that a horse used during filming died due to apparent abuse.The public network has come under fire after it was learned last month that showrunners of the TV series "The King of Tears, Lee Bang-won" intentionally tripped a running horse and caused the creature to fall violently to the ground for filming purposes.The horse died about a week later amid accusations of animal abuse. The epic period series centered around Lee Sung-gye, the founder of the Joseon Dynasty, has been suspended since Jan. 22 following the controversy.In a press release announcing the resumption of the show on Feb. 26, the broadcaster said it has newly adopted a production guideline on ensuring the welfare and safety Feb 9, 2022
INTERVIEW Lead actress of 'All of Us Are Dead' focuses on complex emotions about loss, survival Actress Park Ji-hu played the role of On-jo in the Netflix's new zombie horror series "All of Us Are Dead." Courtesy of NetflixPark Ji-hu of Netflix's latest hit enjoyed filming with peer actorsBy Lee Gyu-leeActress Park Ji-hu, who won accolades and best actress prizes in Korea and abroad with the lead role in the 2018 indie film "House of Hummingbird,” has garnered further global spotlight with her latest role in Netflix's new zombie apocalypse series “All of Us Are Dead.”“I've always been a fan of zombie apocalypse films and series and the fact that the series is a Netflix original made me want to take part in the project,” Park told The Korea Times, Tuesday, adding that it prompted her to audition for the platform's latest hit. “The plot of K-zombies meeting K-high school students came very intriguingly to me.”The 12-part apocalyptic series follows a group of high school students who fight against zombies for survival after their school became the ground-zero of the virus outbreak. The series, which was released on Jan. 28, has been soarinFeb 9, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee
Jung Chae-yeon to co-lead upcoming fantasy series with Yook Sung-jae By Lee Gyu-leeActress Jung Chae-yeon / Courtesy of MBK EntertainmentActress Jung Chae-yeon, who is also a member of the K-pop girl group DIA, will be taking the lead role in MBC's upcoming series “The Golden Spoon” (direct translation), the network announced, Wednesday.She will be co-starring with singer and actor Yook Sung-jae, who is also known as Sungjae of K-pop boy group BtoB. Based on the webcomics of the same name, the new series will revolve around a character named Seung-cheon (Yook), who comes from a poor family. One day, he gets a magical spoon that allows him to switch lives with his friend Tae-yong, who comes from a wealthy family. Despite the perks of the magic, Seung-cheon starts to become overwhelmed as he faces life-altering decisions between money and his loved ones. Jung will play the role of Na Joo-hee who is a romantic counterpart of Seung-cheon. An heiress of a wealthy family, Joo-hee has a straightforward personality and stands up against injustice. The series will be led by star director Song Hyun-wook, who helmed the romantic comedy series "AnotheFeb 9, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee
Korean zombie drama becomes latest victim of piracy in China A scene from the Netflix Original zombie series, "All of Us Are Dead" / Courtesy of NetflixBy Park Han-solNetflix's new zombie apocalypse series, “All of Us Are Dead,” the third Korean show to top the streaming giant's global chart since its debut on Jan. 28, has become the latest victim of piracy and illegal distribution in China.In Taobao, one of the biggest online shopping platforms in the country, a pirated copy of the horror series, renamed “Zombie Campus” in Mandarin, is currently being sold for the price of 5 Chinese yuan, or around 1,000 won ($0.84).Already purchased more than 2,000 times, the video can be downloaded via a file-sharing service, with Mandarin subtitles provided.As Netflix remains unavailable in China, it is understood that businesses and individuals there have been cashing in on the popularity of the hit series by downloading the high-quality clips illegally through VPNs.All of the drama's episodes have also been made available for free through dozens of unofficial streaming services and the popular microblogging platform, Weibo.In DoubFeb 9, 2022By Park Han-sol
