Broadcasters embrace global streaming platforms to surviveWhen MBC's "Perfect Crown" premiered on April 10, two very different audiences tuned in simultaneously — those who switched on their television sets the traditional way, and others who pressed play on Disney+. The series, featuring two Korean stars — IU and Byun Woo-seok — had become the most-watched Korean series on the streaming platform worldwide. On Sunday, MBC said the fourth episode aired on Saturday night recorded its highest ratings yet with 11.1 percent. The response on streaming platforms tells a similar story. The show has held the No. 1 spot on Disney+ Korea's Top 10 since its release, and, as of April 18, ranks fifth globally on FlixPatrol's Disney+ Top 10 TV chart. The drama is set in a fictional Korea that operates as a constitutional monarchy rather than the republic it is today. The series centers on Sung Hee-joo (IU), a chaebol heiress who has wealth and ambition but finds herself held back by her status as a commoner. Her path crosses with Grand Prince Ian (Byeon), a royal, the king’s second son. The show airs on MBC every Friday and Saturday and is availableApr 20, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
Cha Eun-woo’s new Netflix project 'The Wonderfools' set for May releaseSinger and actor Cha Eun-woo will return with a new project next month. According to Netflix, "The Wonderfools" will premiere on May 15. The Netflix series is a comedic superhero adventure set at the turn of the millennium in 1999, following a group of ordinary neighborhood misfits who accidentally gain superpowers and struggle to save the world from villains threatening peace. The series has drawn attention with a production team behind dramas such as "Extraordinary Attorney Woo" and "Dr. Romantic." It also marks a reunion between director Yoo In-sik and actress Park Eun-bin from "Extraordinary Attorney Woo." Alongside Park, the cast includes Cha Eun-woo, Choi Dae-hoon and Im Sung-jae. "The Wonderfools" has attracted particular interest as it is Cha's first post-controversy project. Earlier this year, he faced allegations of owing hundreds of billions of won in unpaid taxes. He also faced criticism over suspicions that a one-person corporation established under his mother’s name may have been used for tax avoidance. On April 8, Cha Eun-woo said, “I respect the National Tax ServiceApr 20, 2026By Hankookilbo
ABT Studio Company's Korean ballet dancers headline Seoul performancesThe American Ballet Theatre (ABT) Studio Company will present a gala performance in Seoul, April 17-18. Based in New York, the company has produced about 85 percent of the dancers in the prestigious American Ballet Theatre (ABT). Korean dancers Park Soo-ha, Park Geon-hee and Park Youn-jae are set to star in the performances at Mapo Arts Center. At a press conference held April 16, ABT Studio Company Artistic Director Sascha Radetsky praised the strength of Korean dancers. A Korean community has been developing within ABT since principal Seo Hee joined the top U.S. ballet company in 2005. She became a principal dancer in 2012, a rise that inspired budding Korean dancers to follow in her footsteps, resulting in the increasing prominence of Koreans in ballet capitals and major competitions around the world. Park Geon-hee, who won the Grand Prix at the Youth America Grand Prix while studying at Korea National University of Arts, joined ABT Studio Compnay in September 2025. Park Youn-jae, who became the first Korean male dancer to win the Prix de Lausanne last year, also joined the company laApr 17, 2026By Hankookilbo
'KPop Demon Hunters' star to play farmer in SBS rom-comAhn Hyo-seop, who shot to global fame as the voice of Jinu in the animated film "KPop Demon Hunters," is returning to the small screen as a perfectionist farmer. In SBS’s new romantic comedy "Sold Out on You," Ahn plays Matthew Lee, a genius cosmetic researcher and passionate mushroom farmer who becomes entangled day and night with Ye-jin (Chae Won-bin), a “sell-out queen” home-shopping host. Ahn, who attended the 98th Academy Awards last month after "KPop Demon Hunters" took home two trophies, said, “I actually finished all my dubbing work before shooting this drama, so I had some breathing room," during a press conference for the drama at SBS headquarters in Yangcheon District, Seoul, Wednesday. “After working on emotionally heavy projects that made me think deeply about life, reading this script felt very healing. There’s no villain here — just an honest story about everyday life,” he said. He said he threw himself into learning to drive a tractor. “I wanted to soak in the countryside and really live the life of a farmer.” Director Ahn Jong-yeon described the seriesApr 15, 2026By Park Jin-hai
Action-crime 'Bloodhounds' Season 2 tops Netflix's chart"Bloodhounds" Season 2 topped Netflix's weekly non-English shows chart, the streaming platform said Wednesday. The Korean action-crime series garnered 7.4 million views for the week ending Sunday, going up by one spot from a week ago. The show's popularity also sparked renewed interest in its first season, which landed at third on the chart with 3 million views. The boxing saga centers around two young boxers, Kun-woo and Woo-jin, portrayed by Woo Do-hwan and Lee Sang-yi, respectively, who band together to fight against an underground syndicate operating an illegal boxing league, run by the villainous Baek-jung (Jung Ji-hoon), whose hunger for violence and money fuels the conflict. The seven-episode series premiered April 3. One more Korean series cracked the top 10, with the legal fantasy drama "Phantom Lawyer," starring Yoo Yeon-seok and Esom, coming in at No. 10 with 1.5 million views.Apr 15, 2026By Yonhap
Spicier and faster than before: ‘Heart Signal’ returns after 3 years“This season is really spicy,” Roy Kim said. After a three-year break, “Heart Signal” is finally returning with its fifth season, promising a show that feels both fresher and more daring than before. With its new cast and a younger atmosphere, the show is hoping to bring back the charm that once made it one of Korea’s signature dating reality programs. An online press conference for Channel A’s “Heart Signal 5” was held Tuesday morning, with panelists Yoon Jong-shin, Lee Sang-min, Kim Eana, Roy Kim and Tsuki in attendance, along with producers Park Chul-hwan and Kim Hong-gu. Premiering later in the day, the program follows a group of young men and women living together in Signal House, where they navigate attraction and uncertainty while a celebrity panel watches, analyzes their emotions and tries to predict the final couples. Producer Park said he felt especially excited to bring the show back after three years away. “Returning after three years feels incredibly exciting,” he said. “Since working on ‘Heart Pairing,’ I kept thinking Season 5 could feel newer, youApr 14, 2026By Hankookilbo
'Absolute Value of Romance' turns teenage imagination into heartfelt dramaCoupang Play’s upcoming coming-of-age drama “Absolute Value of Romance” is expected to be a mix of awkward teenage moments, bittersweet humor and a touch of fantasy. At its heart is Yeo Eui-ju (Kim Hyang-gi), a seemingly ordinary high schooler who secretly pens bold “Boys’ Love” (BL) web novels. Her quiet routine takes an unexpected turn when four charismatic new teachers join the faculty, unknowingly becoming the muses for her stories and the catalysts for her emotional awakening. “When I had the chance to review scripts a few years ago, this project stood out the most,” director Lee Tae-gon said during a press conference for the series at The Saint in D-Cube City in Guro District, Seoul, Tuesday. “I signed the writer immediately. I wanted to direct this myself because of the youthfulness and fun it exudes. Just as Qin Shi Huang searched for the herb of eternal youth, I felt that working on this project would make me younger,” he added. The series marks a departure for lead actor Kim, known for the film “Along with the Gods Gods: The Two Worlds” (2017) and its 20Apr 14, 2026By Park Jin-hai
'The Scarecrow' revisits infamous serial murder caseThe infamous Lee Choon-jae serial murder case, which haunted Korea for decades, are returning to the small screen in the new crime thriller “The Scarecrow.” Inspired by one of Korea’s most notorious serial murder cases that began in 1986, the crime thriller delves into the investigation surrounding the nation’s worst killing spree. The real-life case left an indelible mark on the public’s memory. Once an unsolved mystery, it resurfaced in 2019 — 33 years later — when the full truth finally came to light, reigniting nationwide attention. The ENA series, which premieres April 20, follows an elite detective and a cold-blooded prosecutor as they form an unlikely alliance to uncover the truth behind a series of killings spanning 30 years. Park Hae-soo stars as Kang Tae-joo, an ace detective known for his sharp intuition and relentless observation skills. After being reassigned to his rural hometown of Gangseong, he becomes involved in a serial murder case and unexpectedly reunites with Cha Si-young (Lee Hee-jun), a prosecutor who was once his nemesis during their school days. “AApr 13, 2026By Park Jin-hai
'Agency packaging' raises concerns over fair competition in K-drama industryIt is no longer unusual for much of a drama’s lead cast to come from the same agency. A casting strategy built around a lead actor and fellow agency actors, once a rare occurrence, now dominates the casting process. While it offers production efficiency, critics say the trend stymies open auditions, production diversity and the discovery of new talent. The trend of "agency packaging" is distinctly visible across major recent broadcasts. Ongoing SBS drama "Phantom Lawyer" features lead Yoo Yeon-seok and supporting actor Kim Kyung-nam, both represented by King Kong by Starship. Recently concluded JTBC series "The Practical Guide to Love" cast Han Ji-min, Park Sung-hoon and Cho Bok-rae, all under BH Entertainment. Furthermore, upcoming SBS series "Good Partner 2" filled its lineup with Park Hae-jin, Kim Hye-yoon and Pyo Ji-hoon, all affiliated with Artist Company. Production companies defend the practice as a reasonable market strategy. Centering a project around a proven star secures buzz, while casting their agency peers increases production efficiency and onscreen chemistry. It alsoApr 13, 2026By Hankookilbo
IU returns with ‘Perfect Crown,’ aims to revive MBC dramas with bold royal romanceIt is, once again, IU. IU has returned with a new project following the Netflix series “When Life Gives You Tangerines,” joining hands with Byeon Woo-seok in a high-profile attempt to revive struggling ratings at broadcaster MBC. MBC’s new drama “Perfect Crown,” which premiered April 10, is set in a fictional 21st-century constitutional monarchy. It follows the romance between a wealthy heiress who has everything but social status and a royal prince who has status but little personal freedom. The first episode depicted how Sung Hee-joo (IU), a chaebol heiress, comes to propose marriage to Grand Prince Ian (Byeon Woo-seok). Despite her wealth, Hee-joo faces discrimination for being a commoner, while Ian, as the king’s second son, lives under constant pressure and limitations within the royal family. Both characters, pushed into arranged marriages by their families, cross paths at a royal birthday banquet. Determined to change her fate, Hee-joo seeks an audience with Ian and, upon meeting him, boldly proposes marriage — setting the tone for the drama’s unconventional romanApr 11, 2026By Hankookilbo
