2 new Korean cooking reality shows to watch after 'Culinary Class Wars'Korea has long had a large culinary reality show scene, beginning with “MasterChef Korea,” followed by the “Korean Food War” series, before reaching a new peak with “Culinary Class Wars,” which drew attention from overseas. But once the wrap party ended, producers were left with a question: What now? They soon found an answer, and it was not to send chefs back into the kitchen to battle one another all over again. Instead, a new crop of culinary variety shows began using cooking in formats rarely seen before. Now, chefs are thrown into survival tournaments that test whether they can turn their food into a viable business, or sent back to the lowest rung of the kitchen hierarchy to relive the early days of their careers. Managing kitchens not enough “Street Restaurant Fighter,” which premiered on tvN on June 21, brings together some of the best-known chefs from different culinary specialties to determine who can run a food business most successfully. The lineup is stacked with prominent names, from Chinese cuisine master Lee Yeon-bok and Edward Kwon, a former head chef at DuJul 4, 2026By Hankookilbo
Interview'I like stories that lay human nature bare': veteran actor Choi Min-sikAfter more than 35 years in the industry, Choi Min-sik has solidified his status as a living legend of Korean cinema. In his latest project Netflix psychological thriller, "Notes from the Last Row," the 64-year-old veteran actor delivers a haunting performance as professor Heo Mun-oh, a failed novelist who becomes dangerously consumed by the voyeuristic genius of Lee Kang (Choi Hyun-wook), an enigmatic student sitting in the back of his classroom. "When I first got the script and read the original play, I instantly thought, 'This is a drama that leaves room for thought,'" Choi told The Korea Times at a cafe in Seoul, Thursday. He said the series has a classic feel, different from recent trends. "Much like my past film 'Failan' (2001), I was drawn to this short but incredibly intense story. It felt like one of those small, lightweight paperbacks we used to carry around in our pockets back in school," he said. Narrative stripping humans bare Choi has never been one to shy away from the darker, less glamorous corners of human nature. While mainstream media often favors flawless heroes, ChoiJul 2, 2026By Park Jin-hai
Netflix dating reality 'Better Late Than Single' Season 2 promises fierce returnIn a golden age of dating reality shows where perfectly curated singles trade razor-sharp flirtations, Netflix is doubling down on a completely different kind of romance — the clumsy and utterly genuine kind. Netflix show "Better Late Than Single" is a "dating makeover reality show," which tracks the first romantic steps of people with zero dating experience but maximum expectations. Following the sleeper-hit success of its first installment, the show's second season promises to dive even deeper into the relatable "swamp of delusions" that defines first love. For the show’s creators, the massive popularity of the series lies in its raw, unfiltered nostalgia. "I’ve previously described this show as an old diary," said producer Kim Noh-eun during a press conference for the show at Hotel Naru Seoul MGallery in Mapo District, Wednesday. "When you open it up years later, it makes you cringe so hard your hands and feet curl —yet you absolutely cannot stop reading. It's that universal human experience that resonated so deeply with viewers." Returning panelists actors Seo In-guk and KangJul 1, 2026By Park Jin-hai
'Teach You a Lesson' tops Netflix's weekly non-English chart for 4th weekThe action-packed Korean school drama "Teach You a Lesson" retained its top position on Netflix's non-English chart for the fourth consecutive week, the streaming platform said Wednesday. Released June 5, the series accumulated 7.3 million views during the latest tracking week ending Sunday, compared with 11.8 million views in the previous week, according to Netflix. "Teach You a Lesson" was the most-watched show in the category in six countries and regions, including Indonesia, Japan and Singapore, and also reached the top 10 in 69 others. Based on the webtoon "Get Schooled," the Netflix original follows a team of inspectors at the fictional Education Rights Protection Bureau -- Na Hwa-jin (Kim Mu-yeol), Im Han-rim (Jin Ki-joo) and Bong Geun-dae (Pyo Ji-hoon) -- who set out to teach bullies a lesson. The realistic episodes that mirror real-life incidents and a cathartic plot that prioritizes the rights of victims -- both students and teachers -- while also blending in comedy and action have resonated with global audiences. Three other Korean shows landed in the top 10. "Agent Kim ReactivJul 1, 2026By Yonhap
Why Netflix relies on fresh faces over celebrity star powerThe Korean content market is struggling to discover new actors. While familiar pairings ensure reliable entertainment, audiences have increasingly voiced fatigue over predictable A-list casting. In the midst of this stagnation, Netflix original series "If Wishes Could Kill" and "Teach You a Lesson" are drawing viewers by using fresh faces to enhance their narratives. Released June 5, "Teach You a Lesson" retained the top spot on Netflix’s Global Top 10 (Non-English TV) list for a second week. This success has driven growing interest in the cast. Viewers are focusing not only on the leads but also on the performers anchoring individual episodes. In Episode 5, Park Ji-yeon garnered widespread attention for her role as an overzealous parent who corners a teacher with malicious complaints. The actors portraying antagonists for the series have successfully provoked viewer anger, driving overall engagement with the series. Released earlier in April, "If Wishes Could Kill" succeeded by placing newcomers at the forefront. The series featured a rare ensemble of rising actors, including Jeon SoJun 26, 2026By Hankookilbo
So Ji-sub awakens combat instincts in 'Agent Kim Reactivated'Actor So Ji-sub is set to deliver "brutal and intense action" in SBS’ highly anticipated revenge series "Agent Kim Reactivated," a drama centered on the fierce depths of paternal love. So stars as Kim Do-hyeon, known as Manager Kim, a former elite special agent living undercover as an ordinary employee at a small savings bank. Once a legendary operative known as "Codename 66" — even earning a spot on North Korea's blacklist — Kim had retired to honor his late wife's dying wish to "just live as a father." However, when his only daughter is thrust into extreme danger, he is forced to awaken his deadly combat instincts once more. "I really wanted to do an action drama again," So shared during a press conference for the drama at SBS headquarters in Mok-dong, Seoul, Thursday. "Manager Kim's narrative, alongside his desperate mindset while tracking down his daughter, felt like a compelling challenge." He noted that the show's action stands apart from his previous works, including his 2025 action noir "Mercy for None." "The difficulty was advanced," he said. "Unlike other dramas where theJun 25, 2026By Park Jin-hai
Choi Min-sik returns in Netflix thriller ‘Notes from the Last Row’Veteran actor Choi Min-sik is set to delve into the intricate layers of human nature in his highly anticipated Netflix project "Notes from the Last Row." The psychological suspense drama centers on Heo Mun-oh (Choi), a failed writer and Korean literature professor. His life takes a sharp turn when he uncovers the raw genius of Lee Kang (Choi Hyun-wook), a mysterious student who sits in the very back row of his classroom. Choi Min-sik, celebrated globally for his powerhouse performances in "Exhuma" (2024) and "Big Bet" (2022), masterfully portrays Mun-oh, a professor consumed by a deep sense of inferiority. "I found myself yearning for a project imbued with a rich literary fragrance," Choi said during a press conference at the Hotel Naru Seoul MGallery, Wednesday. "While there are plenty of highly popular and entertaining shows these days, I felt this script really gave the audience room to think. People might find Mun-oh's flaws hitting a bit too close to home, allowing viewers to see themselves in him." He added, "The message of the piece and the dynamic between the teacher and studentJun 24, 2026By Park Jin-hai
SBS hit drama 'My Royal Nemesis' ends on happy noteSBS romantic comedy “My Royal Nemesis,” starring Lim Ji-yeon and Heo Nam-jun, ended on a happy note, both narratively and commercially. The final episode, which aired Saturday, kept viewers on edge until the closing scenes. Shin Seo-ri, the female lead played by Lim, traveled back in time to the Joseon era to save Cha Se-gye, played by Heo, and took an arrow meant for him. Cha was left devastated, while Shin became trapped between two time periods. Ultimately, however, Cha’s unwavering devotion and patient waiting brought her back to the 21st century. The two reaffirmed their love and pledged to remain together for eternity, finally bringing their long-awaited romance to a fulfilling conclusion. A rom-com done right, delivering both laughs, romance The drama had drawn some skepticism before its premiere, but ultimately silenced its doubters with strong ratings. According to Nielsen Korea, the final episode recorded ratings of 11.8 percent both nationwide and in the Seoul metropolitan area. Its peak rating reached 14.1 percent, setting a new personal best for the series. Overall, theJun 24, 2026By Hankookilbo
'Teach You a Lesson' tops Netflix's weekly non-English chart for 3rd weekThe Korean school drama "Teach You a Lesson" reigned at No. 1 on Netflix's non-English chart for the third consecutive week, the streaming platform said Wednesday. Released June 5, the series amassed 11.8 million views during the latest tracking week ending Sunday, compared with 21.1 million views in the previous week, according to Netflix. "Teach You a Lesson" was the most-watched show in the category in 19 countries and regions, including South Korea, Japan, Vietnam and Peru, and also landed in the top 10 in 66 others. Based on the webtoon "Get Schooled," the action-packed series follows a team of inspectors at the fictional Education Rights Protection Bureau -- Na Hwa-jin (Kim Mu-yeol), Im Han-rim (Jin Ki-joo) and Bong Geun-dae (Pyo Ji-hoon) -- who set out to teach bullies a lesson. The realistic episodes that mirror real-life incidents and a cathartic plot that prioritizes the rights of victims -- both students and teachers -- while also blending in comedy and action have resonated with global audiences. Buoyed by the popularity of the series directed by Hong Jong-chan, Hong's previouJun 24, 2026By Yonhap
Netflix 'The Love Lab' forces singles into extreme states of romanceNetflix's new reality dating show "The Love Lab" is a social experiment that throws singles into wild, unpredictable scenarios, capturing the exact moment their dormant romantic instincts spark to life. The show features a revolving cast of a group of ordinary singles scouted and brought in for each unique experiment and scenario. Star producer for romance reality shows Lee Jin-ju joined the production. Likening the current influx of reality romance programs to a fiercely competitive "Warring States period," producer Lee emphasized that the long-term survival of the genre hinges on a production's ability to deliver compelling, innovative content. "The longevity of dating shows depends entirely on introducing novel concepts," Lee said during a press conference at the Stanford Hotel Seoul, Tuesday. "I spent a lot of time considering what would make a 'new product' truly compelling, and we are leveraging this experimental format to test various ideas. We are producing this with the distinct mindset that the show is a literal romance laboratory." The series marks a pivot to short-form, fast-Jun 23, 2026By Park Jin-hai
