Ji Sung, Seo Ji-hye to co-star in new thriller series Actors Ji Sung, left, and Seo Ji-hye will play the lead roles in tvN's new series, “Adamas." Courtesy of Breitling Korea, Culture DepotBy Lee Gyu-leeActors Ji Sung and Seo Ji-hye will be co-starring in tvN's upcoming crime thriller series, “Adamas,” which is scheduled to air in the latter half of this year. The network announced Wednesday that the two actors have confirmed their lead roles in the new series and are set to begin filming. The series, directed by Park Seung-woo, whose previous works include the fantasy series, “Kairos,” which revolves around twin brothers who hunt down the truth behind their father's alleged murder conviction. It is written by scriptwriter Choi Tae-kang.Ji will be playing the double role of a best-selling mystery novel writer, Ha Woo-shin, and his twin brother, Song Soo-hyun, who is a prosecutor. The brother's biological father is convicted of killing their stepfather 22 years ago. But when they realize that there's more to the case and suspect that his biological father is innocent, they join hands to uncover the truth andJan 20, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee
Lee Seo-jin takes stab at comedy with 'Dr. Park's Clinic' Actors Ra Mi-ran, left, and Lee Seo-jin pose during the online press conference for Tving's new comedy series, “Dr. Park's Clinic,” Tuesday. Courtesy of Tving By Lee Gyu-leeActor Lee Seo-jin has taken on a new challenge, setting aside his well-established image of playing the protagonists of romance series, such as “Marriage Contract” and “Lee San, Wind of the Palace.” The 51-year-old actor, with 23 years of acting experience, is making his first attempt at comedy with local streaming platform Tving's new original series, “Dr. Park's Clinic.”“I have always liked comedy. Sketch comedy used to be the trend when I was young … and as I grew up watching that, I naturally came to like comics,” Lee said during the online press conference for the series, Tuesday. “I'm not the type of person who's always serious, so I have been wanting to do comedy. Up until now, I was always offered romantic comedies, but as romance isn't my thing anymore, (this time,) I took on the role inJan 19, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee
Netflix to release record 25 Korean-language originals this year A smartphone with the Netflix logo lies in front of the displayed words "Streaming service" in this illustration taken March 24, 2020. Netflix said Wednesday that more than 25 Korean-language works, including five original films, will be released in 2022. Reuters-Yonhap Global streaming service Netflix said Wednesday that more than 25 Korean-language works, including five original films, will be released in 2022, expected to fuel the stellar drive led by the global sensation "Squid Game" last year."In a bid to continue the successful Korean storytelling, Netflix will release more than 25 Korean contents this year," Netflix said in a statement. "We will provide Netflix-exclusive creative stories and high quality that meets viewers' demand."Last year, Netflix provided 20 Korean-language shows, including the survival drama "Squid Game," the fantasy horror "Hellbound" and the sci-fi thriller "The Silent Sea," all of which topped the company's official weekly viewership Jan 19, 2022
'Single's Inferno' star apologizes for wearing counterfeit luxury goods on show Song Ji-ah wears a tube top with the Dior oblique pattern on it on Netflix's reality dating show, "Single's Inferno." Courtesy of NetflixBy Lee Gyu-leeSong Ji-ah, a cast member of Netflix's Korean reality show, “Single's Inferno,” has admitted to the ongoing rumors that she wore counterfeited luxury brand goods in her YouTube videos and on the show. The social media star, who rose to global fame after starring in the dating show, released a statement through her Instagram account, Monday, apologizing to the public. “I apologize to everyone who has been disappointed and hurt by my actions. … There has been a controversy over clothes that I wore on social media and 'Single's Inferno.' And it is true that some of the items were knockoffs,” Song wrote. “I am sorry that my behavior damaged designers' creative work and infringed on copyright.”She added that as a person who “dreams of launching her own brand” in the future, she intends to take this issue seriously and deeply reflect on herself.“I have deleted all the videos that cJan 18, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee
'All of Us Are Dead' trailer shows zombie outbreak at Korean high school A scene from Netflix's series, "All of Us Are Dead" / Courtesy of Netflix Netflix is giving people a glimpse of the new series “All of Us Are Dead.”The streaming service shared a trailer for the Korean horror series Thursday.The preview shows teenage students attempt to survive a zombie outbreak that begins at their high school in Korea.In one scene, a student references “Train to Busan,” a popular zombie film by Yeon Sang-ho.“All of Us Are Dead” is based on the Naver webtoon “Now at Our School” by Joo Dong-geun. The TV series is written by Chun Sung-il and directed by Lee Jae-kyoo (“Damo,” “The King 2 Hearts”) and Kim Nam-su.Yoon Chan-young, Park Ji-hoo, Cho Yi-hyun, Park Solomon and Yoo In-Soo star.“All of Us Are Dead” will premiere Jan. 28 on Netflix. (UPI)Jan 15, 2022
INTERVIEW Kim Yo-han talks about leading his first TV series 'School 2021' Actor Kim Yo-han played the lead role of Gong Ki-joon in the KBS series, “School 2021,” which ended Thursday. Image courtesy of Oui EntertainmentBy Lee Gyu-leeActor and singer Kim Yo-han, who is also known as Yohan of K-pop boy group WEi, talked about his experience playing his first lead role in the TV series, “School 2021,” after making his acting debut with the short-form web series, “A Love So Beautiful,” in 2020.“Filming during the hot summer all the way into the cold winter was not easy but I had such a fun and memorable time on set,” the actor said in a written interview with The Korea Times, Wednesday. The latest installment of KBS' popular franchise, “School,” followed four classmates in a vocational high school ― played by Kim, Jo Yi-hyun, Choo Young-woo and Hwang Boreumbyeol ― seeking to find their own path in life, while exploring their adolescence and romances.The series is directed by Kim Min-tae, whose previous work includes the romance series, "Cheat on Me If You Can," and is co-written by Dong Hee-seon, who Jan 14, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee
Netflix to step up investment in Korean content, Netflix Korea VP says Don Kang, left, the vice president of content for Netflix Korea, receives the Korea Image Stepping Stone Bridge award from Choi Jung-wha, the president of the Corea Image Communication Institute (CICI), at the 2022 Korea Image Awards, held at the InterContinental Seoul COEX, Wednesday. Courtesy of CICIBy Dong Sun-hwaGlobal streaming platform Netflix will continue to invest in Korean content and release more creative shows in 2022 to reach a global audience, says Don Kang, the vice president of content for Netflix Korea, who won an award at the 2022 Korea Image Awards, Wednesday, on behalf of his company. “As of now, we cannot reveal the exact amount of our investment for this year, but one thing is clear; we will not cut back the amount,” Kang said during a press conference held at the InterContinental Seoul COEX prior to the awards ceremony. Netflix, which said it would invest 550 billion won ($463 million) in Korean content in 2021, won the Korea Image Stepping Stone Bridge award for being a bridge between Korea and the world.“All our rivals are aggressively invesJan 13, 2022By Dong Sun-hwa
'Squid Game' creator Hwang Dong-hyuk says he still believes in humanity A scene from the popular Korean series "Squid Game," released by Netflix. AP-Yonhap"Squid Game" creator Hwang Dong-hyuk said he still believes in a humanity that moves people to put confidence in a better and more just society even under the life-and-death pressure of social survival games."We are living in a society where people dare to tread on other people to survive," he said Wednesday in a pre-taped interview with the Seoul-based Corea Image Communication Institute. "But I still believe that this society doesn't have to be one where we need to kill others and override them to go up."He cited a quote by Sae-byeok (Jung Ho-yeon) in the eighth episode ― "Don't do it. That isn't you. You're a good person at heart." The words interrupt Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae), who tries to stab his old friend and final competitor Sang-woo while he is sleeping, ahead of the final round of the deadly contest of heavily debt-ridden people fighting to win 45.6 billion won ($38.2 million) in prize money."I wanted to tell all of us 'that's not us' through this piece of work," said Hwang, who has made films wJan 13, 2022
'Squid Game' nabs four nominations at SAG Awards Lee Jung-jae, center, Park Hae-soo, right, and Oh Young-soo in a scene from the Korean series "Squid Game." AP-YonhapSouth Korea's global phenomenon "Squid Game" has earned four nominations, including the top prize of best ensemble, from the U.S. Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards.SAG unveiled its final list of nominations for its 28th edition of the awards ceremony slated for Feb. 27, Wednesday (local time)."Squid Game," a Korean-language Netflix original, is up for outstanding performance by an ensemble cast in a drama series, by a male actor in a leading role, by a female actor in a supporting role and by a stunt ensemble in a television series.It is the first time that a non-English TV series has received a nod at the SAG Awards given by Hollywood actors and considered a key indicator for the Oscars.On the film's side, Bong Joon-ho's Oscar-winning sensation "Parasite" was awarded the best ensemble trophy in 2020, given to the entire cast with the finest acting achievements in film.Last year, South Korean veteran actress Youn Yuh-jung won best supporting actress for her role in the Jan 13, 2022
Kim Nam-gil becomes criminal profiler in 'Through the Darkness' Actors Jin Seon-kyu, from left, Kim So-jin, and Kim Nam-gil pose for pictures during the online press conference for the SBS new crime series “Through the Darkness,” Tuesday. Courtesy of SBS By Lee Gyu-leeActor Kim Nam-gill is set to return to the small screen in the role of Korea's first criminal profiler in SBS' new crime series “Through the Darkness,” scheduled to premiere this Friday.“Working on this series has given me an opportunity to look into the work of a criminal profiler as a profession,” the actor said during the online press conference for the series, Tuesday. “I've been playing characters that are similar to me. And as I often took part in comedies and action genre flicks, I've actually been longing for roles that require a more delicate portrayal.”Based on the nonfiction novel of the same name by former profiler Kwon Il-yong and former journalist Ko Na-mu, the series revolves around Korea's first profiler Song Ha-young (Kim) who get inside the minds Jan 12, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee
