K-dramas in 2021: 'Squid Game' redefines hallyu, homegrown OTTs survive streaming war Netflix's Korean-language original, "Squid Game," became the most-watched series on the streaming service after its release in September. Courtesy of NetflixBy Lee Gyu-leeKorea's drama scene has gone through quite a roller-coaster ride this year, filled with both positive and negative surprises.Netflix's biggest hit ever, “Squid Game,” took the world by storm, focusing global attention on K-dramas even more than before. A wave of diverse genres gained the spotlight on the small screen, from women-centered series to vigilante-style action dramas, whereas some much-anticipated TV series ended up with lackluster viewer ratings and one ― the period series “Joseon Exorcist” ― even got canceled due to controversy over distorting history.The battle among the over-the-top streaming platforms in Korea has continued, with each platform releasing their own original series hoping to win the game. According to app tracker WiseApp in September, Netflix continued to dominate the market with about 9.1 million users in July, followed by the local platforms, Wavve at 3.19 milliDec 28, 2021By Lee Gyu-lee
'Squid Game' creator says he's in talks with Netflix for 3rd season "Squid Game" director Hwang Dong-hyuk / AP-YonhapThe global TV sensation "Squid Game" will likely return not only with season 2 but also with season 3, its creator Hwang Dong-hyuk said Tuesday."I'm in talks with Netflix over season 2 as well as season 3," Hwang said in an online interview with Korean broadcaster KBS. "We will come to a conclusion any time soon."It is the first time that the director-writer has hinted at the possibility of a third season of the biggest Netflix original series after he confirmed a plan to produce another season in a media interview last month. He said the next season will feature the story of Gi-hun, the final winner of the deadly contest of heavily debt-ridden people to win 45.6 billion won (US$38.9 million) in prize money.Since its official release on Sept. 17, "Squid Game" has swept Netflix's top popular charts across the world, reaching the No. 1 spots in more than 90 countries where the streaming service is available.It also became the most-watched Netflix content of all time, with a total of 1.65 billion hours of streaming in the first four weeksDec 28, 2021
Moon Se-yoon grabs highest honor at KBS Entertainment Awards Comedian Moon Se-yoon receives the highest honor at the 2021 KBS Entertainment Awards. Courtesy of KBSBy Lee Gyu-leeComedian Moon Se-yoon won the Grand Prize at the 2021 KBS Entertainment Awards, Saturday. It was the first time since his debut 20 years ago that Moon managed to clinch the top award.During the year-end awards ceremony in Yeouido, western Seoul, the comedian notched the highest honor for his performances in three of the network's variety shows: "Two Days and One Night,” “Godfather” and “Trot Magic Performers.”“I'm speechless. Today is Christmas so Santa Claus came by at our house for my kids this morning. But I didn't expect to receive a gift from him as well,” Moon said as he was accepting the award. “I've been told that I don't have much luck with awards but instead, I've been lucky to have such great people around me. I always had someone who encouraged and supported me whenever I was down and weary. And I wouldn't have been here if it weren't for them.”Adding that he will continue to do his best to match the weigDec 26, 2021By Lee Gyu-lee
Kim Go-eun confirms collaboration with 'Vincenzo' director in next drama Actress Kim Go-eun / Courtesy of BH EntertainmentBy Kwak Yeon-sooActress Kim Go-eun confirmed that she will team up with the director of the popular series, “Vincenzo,” in her next tvN drama, “Little Women.”Directed by Kim Hee-won, “Little Women” is a drama that revolves around the lives of three sisters, each determined to live life on her own terms. The script is written by Jeong Seo-kyeong, well known for her frequent collaborations with acclaimed director Park Chan-wook, including “Sympathy for Lady Vengeance” (2005), “Thirst” (2009) and “The Handmaiden” (2016). Her latest work was the screenplay for tvN's drama, “Mother” (2018).Kim takes on the role of Oh In-joo, who works tirelessly to help her family climb out of poverty. Her only dream is to live a comfortable life, but her world is turned upside down by a major incident.The production noted, “Kim, an actor so convincing in any role she plays, will show off her whole new side in the upcoming series.”Kim debuted in 2012 with the filDec 24, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo
Son Na-eun gives glimpse of fantasy medical series 'Ghost Doctor' Actress Son Na-eun plays an intern doctor in tvN's upcoming fantasy medical series, “Ghost Doctor.” Courtesy of tvNBy Lee Gyu-leeActress Son Na-eun, who is also known as Naeun of K-pop girl group Apink, is set to play an enthusiastic intern doctor in the upcoming tvN fantasy medical series “Ghost Doctor,” scheduled to premiere on Jan. 3. The poster for tvN's “Ghost Doctor” / Courtesy of tvNThe actress gave a glimpse of her new role through the network, expressing her excitement to play Oh Soo-jung, an optimistic and bold character. “Soo-jung is an emergency room intern doctor, who is filled with enthusiasm and believes in miracles and fantasy. She can be quirky sometimes but is also daring. So I hope to show good energy with the character in the series,” Son said. “I'm grateful to take the role of Soo-jung and am trying my best to do a good job of portraying her in my own colors.”Directed by Boo Sung-chul, who is known for leading the smash-hit romance series “The Heirs,” and “My Girlfriend Is a Gumiho,&rdqDec 23, 2021By Lee Gyu-lee
JTBC to air key episodes of 'Snowdrop' in advance to ease heated debate over 'historical distortion' A scene from the series “Snowdrop” / Courtesy of JTBCJTBC, the South Korean broadcaster of the controversial romance "Snowdrop," said Thursday that it will release key episodes of the show this week, earlier than its original schedule, in an attempt to straighten out misunderstanding about historical issues depicted in the show."The debate over 'Snowdrop' seems to be caused by the story that unfolded in the early episodes," the cable channel said in a statement. "To ease the concerns of viewers, we will advance the scheduled broadcast of the fifth episode, which features a twist in the narrative."Under the new program time table, the third to fifth episodes of JTBC's weekend primetime drama will be broadcast at 10:30 p.m. from Friday to Sunday, the TV station said.The move came as the show, about a romantic relationship between a female South Korean university student and a North Korean spy, has been under growing criticism that it distorted the history of South Korea's pro-democracy movement of the late 1980s right after the first two parts were aired last weekend.PeopleDec 23, 2021
KOCCA's support of content creators scores effective outcomes Posters for reality shows “Who am I,” from left, “Battle in the Box” and “Run Out,” which received support from the Korea Creative Content Agency / Courtesy of KOCCABy Lee Gyu-leeThe Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA) has seen positive outcomes from its support programs, which are designed to help creators secure the intellectual property rights to their work and promote the sales of their content formats in the global market. “With the growing popularity of K-content since Netflix's series Squid Game, there have also been issues arising over rights between the channels/platforms and the creators/producers,” Lee Do-hyeong, head of KOCCA's Broadcasting Division, said in a statement. “KOCCA will continue to support creators and producers to secure the intellectual property rights to the formats they are developing, as well as strive to lead the global market in developing formats that will appeal to audiences globally.”Under the state-run agency's program, which provided assistance to small and medium-sized independent prodDec 23, 2021By Lee Gyu-lee
Netflix's imaginative 'The Silent Sea' series will show Korean-style sci-fi Director Choi Hang-yong, from left, scriptwriter Park Eun-kyo, actors Lee Mu-saeng, Kim Sun-young, Gong Yoo, Bae Doo-na, Lee Joon, Lee Sung-wook and executive producer Jung Woo-sung pose for pictures during an online press conference for the new Netflix series, “The Silent Sea,” Wednesday. Courtesy of NetflixBy Lee Gyu-leeNetflix's star-studded sci-fi series, “The Silent Sea,” produced by actor Jung Woo-sung, is set to take off this Friday. “There are a lot of sci-fi flicks out there, but to make one in Korea is not as easy. But with the series' brilliant concept, I think it could create a Korean-style sci-fi story,” Jung, the executive producer of the show, said during an online press conference for the series, Wednesday. Set in a dystopia where resources on Earth have been depleted, the mystery thriller series unfolds the story of space explorers who carry out a perilous mission on the moon. A group of astronauts ― played by Bae Doo-na, Gong Yoo, Lee Joon and Kim Sun-young ― goes on a 24-hour mission in outer space to retrieve samples from an abaDec 22, 2021By Lee Gyu-lee
Yoo Seung-ho, Hyeri develop romance in Joseon-era 'Moonshine' Actors Yoo Seung-ho, left, and Lee Hye-ri pose for pictures during the online press conference for KBS' new period series, “Moonshine,” Monday. Courtesy of KBSBy Lee Gyu-leeActors Yoo Seung-ho and Lee Hye-ri ― better known as Hyeri ― are set to portray the romance of a couple in the alcohol prohibition era, with KBS' new period series, “Moonshine.” Set in the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), the series revolves around the time when the king strictly prohibited alcohol consumption across the country.Inspector Nam Young (Yoo), who has a rigid personality and is known as a man of principle, works in the division that oversees the enforcement of the alcohol ban and is responsible for cracking down on violators. While on his mission, he comes across Kang Ro-seo (Lee), who illicitly brews alcohol to make a living to support her family. The two characters are in completely different positions ― one is involved in law enforcement and the other is a violator of the law ― and don't hit it off from the start but eventually find themselves falling in love with each other. The Dec 21, 2021By Lee Gyu-lee
'My Name' director Kim Jin-min to head another Netflix series Director Kim Jin-min / Courtesy of NetflixBy Lee Gyu-leeDirector Kim Jin-min, who led the two Netflix hit original series “Extracurricular” and “My Name,” will be directing another Netflix series, “The Fool at the End of the World.” The global streaming platform announced, Monday, that it has confirmed the star director will be at the helm of the new sci-fi series.Adapted from the novel of the same name by Kotaro Isaka, the series follows the story of people confronted with a natural disaster. NASA announces that an asteroid is heading towards the Earth and the collision will occur in 280 days, with the Korean Peninsula to be one of the regions affected by the impact. The people in the country react with mass fear and chaos, leading many to attempt to flee the country to avoid the impending disaster. The series will touch on the lives of the people facing certain death and the choices they make to save themselves and find meaning in life. The series is scripted by writer Jung Sung-ju, whose previous work includes the TV series “Secret Affair&Dec 21, 2021By Lee Gyu-lee
