Review'The Ordinary Jackpot' turns lottery windfall into workplace catharsis, not escapeWhat would you do if you won the lottery? For many office workers, the answer would be to quit their job. The Tving’s new workplace drama "The Ordinary Jackpot" begins with that familiar dream, but quickly turns it into something much more realistic. Its protagonist wins big and shows up to work anyway, using his newfound money not to abandon his career, but to stop unfair treatment at his workplace. Based on a popular web novel of the same title, the 10-epidose series follows Gong Eun-tae (Lee Jun-hyuk), the youngest team leader at an apparel company. Gong earned his title through sheer diligence, but his fast promotion left him facing disdain from older colleagues. Tired of office politics and approaching burnout, his routine life takes an unexpected turn when he unthikingly purchases a lottery ticket and hits a jackpot of around 1.3 billion won ($960,000). The windfall is not enough to retire forever, but the money serves as a solid financial safety net. Rather than resigning, Gong uses the prize money as a psychological shield, walking back into the office the next morning with theSep 27, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
From 'M' to 'Infinite Challenge': Korea's nostalgia revival takes over streamingIn 1994, Korean television history was rewritten when the legendary horror drama "M" hit the airwaves, eventually peaking at a staggering 52.2 percent viewership rating. Starring iconic actor Shim Eun-ha, the series mesmerized the nation with a groundbreaking visual feat in the ominous glowing green eyes of its possessed protagonist, marking one of Korean television’s earliest uses of computer-generated special effects. Beyond its chilling aesthetic, "M" sent shockwaves through society by tackling the deeply sensitive and taboo subject of abortion, framed through a dark supernatural lens. Over three decades later, that iconic green glow is coming back to life. Tving has officially announced "M: Reboot," a modernized psychological horror thriller that revives the core identity of the 1994 classic while reframing it for contemporary audiences. The original's narrative centered heavily around demonic possession and the social taboo of abortion, with Ma-ri (Shim) possessed by the soul of an aborted fetus seeking vengeance in a supernatural medical horror with a clear social message. The newSep 24, 2026By Park Jin-hai
From 'Love Alarm' to 'Start-Up,' beloved K-drama pairings reunite years laterSome of K-drama's most memorable pairings are getting another chance to share the screen, years after their romances first captivated viewers. From Song Kang and Kim So-hyun of "Love Alarm" to Suzy and Kim Seon-ho of "Start-Up," actors who once generated buzz with their romantic chemistry are reuniting in a string of new projects — sometimes in relationships dramatically different from the ones fans remember. The reunions come anywhere from four to about 10 years after the stars first worked together, bringing nostalgia as well as curiosity over how their chemistry may have changed. Song Kang and Kim So-hyun reunite 5 years after 'Love Alarm' Song Kang and Kim So-hyun are set to reunite in MBC's upcoming drama "White Scandal," five years after the Netflix series "Love Alarm." Based on a webtoon of the same name, "White Scandal" follows Dan Yi-hyuk, played by Song, a third-generation chaebol heir who does not want to inherit his family's business empire, and Ji Eun-seol, played by Kim, a former child star whose career has fallen apart. The two enter a fake relationship to deceive the pubSep 24, 2026By Xportsnews
Nana addresses criticism of her lips after Netflix's 'Scandal' premiereSinger-turned-actor Nana has responded directly to criticism of her appearance in Netflix's new period drama "Scandal," saying that her personal choices may not have been right for her role as an actor. Nana addressed the reactions surrounding her appearance, particularly her lips, in a message to fans on a fan communication platform Tuesday. "If my lips made viewers uncomfortable, that's my fault," Nana said. "I think a personal choice I made may not have been the right choice for me as an actor." She also said she felt sorry that her fans had to see the negative comments directed at her. "I think it must hurt the fans who love me to see the harsh criticism of me, and that makes me feel even more sorry," she said. "I'll work hard so that we can hear good things together from now on." Her comments came after "Scandal," released on Netflix on Sept. 18, sparked online discussion over whether Nana's distinctly modern image suited her character in the Joseon-era drama. The series centers on a dangerous love triangle involving Lady Cho, played by Son Ye-jin, Cho-won, played by Ji Chang-wook, anSep 23, 2026By Xportsnews
Interview'The Scandal' unconventional challenge worth taking, says actor Ji Chang-wookAdapting a literary classic is a double-edged sword. It comes with an enduring legacy, but also the daunting weight of comparison. When Netflix announced its series adaptation of "The Scandal" — a story popularized in Korea by the 2003 feature "Untold Scandal," which itself reimagined Pierre Choderlos de Laclos’ 1782 French novel Dangerous Liaisons — actor Ji Chang-wook knew the stakes were high. Yet, the actor said the opportunity to portray Cho Won, the enigmatic aristocrat at the center of the narrative, proved irresistible. "I couldn't help but feel the pressure of working on a piece with such a famous original," Ji said in an interview with The Korea Times at a cafe in Seoul, Tuesday. "However, because it is a classic, I really wanted to try playing Cho Won. I decided it was a challenge worth taking." Set against the strict moral backdrop of the 1392-1910 Joseon Dynasty, "The Scandal" follows Cho Won, a nobleman who pursues calculated romantic conquests. At the heart of his intrigue is Lady Cho (Son Ye-jin), a woman too extraordinary to be confined to women's quarters and theSep 22, 2026By Park Jin-hai
Favorite K-drama scenes become real-life vacation spotsLong after the final credits roll, the emotional pull of a beloved television show can leave viewers yearning to step into its world. A new exhibition in the heart of Seoul is turning that impulse into a blueprint for exploration, inviting fans to translate their screen time into real-world adventures across Korea. The Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) has partnered with production studio Studio Dragon to host an interactive showcase called Scenes to Destinations. Open through Nov. 19 at HiKR Ground — the KTO's multistory tourism innovation hall in downtown Seoul known for its immersive tech and K-content zones — the exhibition aims to convert international fandom into actual foot traffic by mapping famous television moments directly onto physical geography. The event features iconic dialogue, original soundtracks, props and location guides from over 40 hit series, including global phenomena like "Guardian: The Lonely and Great God," "Crash Landing on You," "Mr. Sunshine," "Hotel Del Luna," "Vincenzo," "Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha," "Queen of Tears" and "The Tyrant’s Chef." Rather than seSep 21, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
Korean dramas put successful parents on trial"Why aren't they turning them on, the police lights?" Actor Kim Hye-soo put the question to the production team during filming of "The Affair Was Just the Beginning," the highly anticipated Coupang Play series. In the scene, a patrol car dispatched after a report from residents pulls up with its emergency lights off. "We hear they often respond with the lights off these days, because of complaints," the production team told her, and shooting resumed. 'Squid Game' director turns eye on high-flying parents The neighborhood disturbance that brought police to the street was not about noise complaints. Here is what happened. In the drama, high school daughters from two households are caught up in a hit-and-run that killed someone. Their parents make a scene, each pointing fingers over what was done. The parents of the two teenagers tied to the killing are doctors, played by Cho Yeo-jeong and Kim Jae-chul, and a popular influencer and an entertainer, played by Kim Hye-soo and Kim Ji-hoon. At the time her daughter caused the accident, the influencer was attending a wine party at a neighbor's homSep 20, 2026By Hankookilbo
YG producer Perry missing case draws TV appeal after 16 yearsProducers of the SBS investigative program "Unanswered Questions" have asked the public for information on the whereabouts of rapper and producer Perry (Perry Thomas Borja), an early musical pioneer for YG Entertainment who has been missing for 16 years. The production team posted an appeal on its official social media account Thursday, saying, "We are seeking information from anyone who knows the current whereabouts of Perry, who was active in Korea's music scene from the mid-1990s and is reported missing after he was last seen in Los Angeles in 2010, or from anyone in contact with his family." Perry, who hails from Oakland, California, is a rapper and producer who entered the Korean hip-hop scene in the 1990s. He helped shape YG Entertainment's defining hip-hop sound, working on songs for acts including Jinusean, 1TYM, Lexy and SE7EN. He released a solo rap album in 2001 and disappeared from the music scene after working on BIGBANG's 2010 Japanese single "Beautiful Hangover." Perry was reportedly last seen in Los Angeles that year and his whereabouts have remained unknown since. In 202Sep 18, 2026By Hankookilbo
From dating simulators to co-producers: AI moves to center stage in K-entertainmentThe Korean television and content industry are aggressively integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into its domain, ranging from technical background processing to front-of-camera narrative devices. The shift is most visible in non-scripted entertainment, where human relationships once formed the absolute core of viewer engagement. SBS’ reality show "My AI Partner — Strange Romance" recently placed humans and digital avatars side by side in double dates. During a recent episode, webtoon artist Kian84 introduced his AI partner Na-hee to his close acquaintance, Ji Ye-eun, casually referring to the digital persona as "honey." Despite the synthetic nature of the interaction, Ji reacted with skepticism, insisting that it seems hard to date an AI and adding that her own feelings were "real" love. Kian84, however, defended the psychological comfort provided by his digital companion, saying that "there is a sense of security that a human simply cannot give." Yet, as the boundaries blurred, he confessed to a complex inner conflict: "Rather than Na-hee becoming human, I feel like I am becomSep 18, 2026By Park Jin-hai
Cross-platform partnership saves broadcasters, streaming servicesThe relationship between streaming platforms and broadcast networks is changing. Once considered competitors actively trying to poach each other's viewers, they are now sharing content and forging partnerships. Streaming originals have increasingly premiered on broadcast television, while broadcast content is distributed on streaming platforms, reaching new audiences even after release. The trend, continuing with MBC's "Anna" to "Bonjour Bakery" on KBS, is a prime example of the changing content distribution structure. Streaming platforms no longer confine their content to their own ecosystems, instead expanding into traditional broadcast networks. Broadcasters likewise view streaming services as partners capable of expanding their content offerings. Previously, as domestic and foreign streaming platforms grew rapidly, audiences shifted from television to consuming content on demand through mobile devices, PCs and tablets. Broadcast networks experienced the double blow of falling ratings and a slumping advertising market. Conversely, streaming platforms viewed the powerful content and pSep 18, 2026By Hankookilbo
