How much are top Korean actresses paid? These two file photos show actresses Song Hye-kyo, left, and Jun Ji-hyun. Korea Times fileBy Yoon Ja-youngWith the rising popularity of Korean dramas around the world, salaries paid to actors and actresses have also risen dramatically. The top actresses appearing in Korean dramas are now paid over 200 million won ($170,000) per episode.According to the Hankook Ilbo, sister paper of The Korea Times, Song Hye-kyo and Jun Ji-hyun, popular actresses whose dramas are currently on air, are each making over 200 million won per episode. Song is currently playing the lead in SBS's melodrama, “Now We Are Breaking Up,” while Jun is starring as a mountain ranger in tvN's mystery series, “Jirisan.”While the salaries of the actors and actresses are not made public in most cases, it was reported that Song was paid over 100 million won per episode in tvN's “Encounter,” which aired in 2018. The actress was already among the most sought-after stars when she enjoyed surging international popularity with “Descendants of the Sun,” one of the most talked aboDec 2, 2021By Yoon Ja-young
Yook Sung-jae to lead in MBC's upcoming series 'The Golden Spoon' Actor and singer Yook Sung-jae / Courtesy of MBCBy Lee Gyu-lee Actor and singer Yook Sung-jae, who is also known as Sungjae of K-pop boy band BtoB, will play the lead role in the new MBC series, “The Golden Spoon,” the broadcaster announced Wednesday.The series, scheduled to air next summer, is a live-action adaptation of the popular webcomic of the same name by HD3. Led by star director Song Hyun-wook, who directed the romantic comedy series “Another Miss Oh” and “The Beauty Inside,” the drama revolves around the life of a poverty-stricken boy Seung-cheon (Yook). One day, Seung-cheon gets his hands on a magical spoon that allows him to switch his life with a wealthy best friend. The magic, which felt like the best thing ever to have happened to him, starts to become overwhelming as he faces life-altering decisions. Faced with a series of ultimatums, he must make choices that will change his life forever. The series is written by the scriptwriting duo Yoon Eun-kyung and Kim Eun-hee, who wrote the smash-hit series, “Winter Sonata,” and rDec 1, 2021By Lee Gyu-lee
'Hellbound' drops to 2nd on Netflix's official chart in its 2nd week A scene from "Hellbound" / Courtesy of NetflixSouth Korean fantasy horror "Hellbound" has dropped to second place on Netflix's weekly official viewership chart for non-English TV programs in its second week of release, the global video streaming service said Wednesday.Yeon Sang-ho's dystopian horror ranked No. 2 on the chart for the week from Nov. 22-28, posting 67.5 million hours of viewing. It was closely followed by the Colombian telenovela "The Queen of Flow: Season 2" with 69 million hours.The Korean-language original slipped one notch from the top position with a viewership of 43.5 million hours last week, just three days after its premier on Nov. 19.Netflix said "Hellbound," which depicts social turmoil and unrest after a series of inexplicable supernatural phenomena, made the top 10 in TV in 93 countries over the one-week period and topped the list in 34 nations, including France, Belgium and South Korea.Meanwhile, three more South Korean series were included in the top 10 non-English TV show category for the previous week.The sensational survival drama "Squid Game," releasedDec 1, 2021
'Squid Game' wins two prizes at Gotham Awards Lee Jung-jae, from left, Jung Hoyeon and director Hwang Dong-hyuk of "Squid Game," attend the Gotham Awards at Cipriani Wall Street, Nov. 29, in New York. AP-YonhapThe South Korean outbreak hit "Squid Game" won the best long-form TV series title at the Gotham Awards, becoming the country's first winner at the U.S. awards ceremony for lower-budget indie movies and TV series.At the awards ceremony held at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City on Monday (U.S. time), the Netflix original was awarded Breakthrough Series ― Long Format (over 40 minutes), beating "Small Axe," "It's A Sin," "The Good Lord Bird, "The Underground Railroad" and "The White Lotus."But its lead actor Lee Jung-jae did not win the category of Outstanding Performance in a New Series. Instead, Thuso Mbedu in "The Underground Railroad" and Ethan Hawke in "The Good Lord Bird" shared the honor."It took 12 years to make this show and present it to people, but it took less than 12 days to become the no. 1 show on the planet. It's a miracle," director-writer Hwang Dong-hyuk said in an acceptance speech. "Thank you for watchiNov 30, 2021
Park Hyung-sik, Han So-hee to star in new romance series 'Soundtrack #1' Park Hyung-sik, left, and Han So-hee will be featured in the upcoming romance series, “Soundtrack #1.” Courtesy of P&Studio, 9ato Entertainment By Dong Sun-hwaSinger-actor Park Hyung-sik and actress Han So-hee are set to star in a new romance series, tentatively titled “Soundtrack #1,” according to music streaming platform NHN Bugs Monday. “Soundtrack #1” is the first part of a new project by NHN Bugs and its partners including video production company Red Nine Pictures. The project intends to produce music dramas that feature a range of musical elements. “Soundtrack #1,” which is scheduled to premiere next year, revolves around two old friends who happen to live together for two weeks. As they spend time together in the same home, they move gradually from friends to lovers. Park is going to play Han Sun-woo, a reserved yet warm-hearted photographer. Han will play opposite Park, taking the role of a lyricist named Lee Eun-soo, a humorous and outspoken woman. DirectoNov 29, 2021By Dong Sun-hwa
Korean hit TV series set to be remade in US A scene from "Crash Landing On You" / Courtesy of tvNA slew of South Korean hit TV series, like the romantic comedy "Crash Landing On You," will be remade in the United States amid the expanding worldwide reception for Korean-made content led by the sensation "Squid Game."The 2019 smash hit rom-com, starring Hyun Bin and Son Ye-jin, will get a Hollywood remake, reportedly co-planned and developed by Studio Dragon, the production studio of the original, and Netflix.The 16-episode "Crash Landing On You," which aired simultaneously on the South Korean cable channel tvN and Netflix in late 2019, is about star-crossed lovers from two Koreas, depicting the political and geographical division on the Korean Peninsula.It became one of the most popular South Korean TV series in recent years, marking the highest viewership for the cable channel's drama series. It also topped the most-viewed Netflix charts in many Asian regions, including Japan.Studio Dragon earlier said it has plans to produce a U.S. remake of the popular fantasy romance drama "Hotel del Luna" (2019) in collaboration with SkydaNov 29, 2021
INTERVIEW 'Hellbound' director explains series' message, ending and Season 2 Netflix's new Korean original series “Hellbound” topped its global streaming chart after debuting on Nov. 19. Courtesy of Netflix By Lee Gyu-leeOnly two months after Netflix's smash-hit Korean series “Squid Game” stirred up a global craze, the streaming platform's new Korean original series “Hellbound” has become another K-drama sensation, taking the top position on its global streaming chart. “Hellbound” director and creator Yeon Sang-ho / Courtesy of Netflix Since premiering on Nov. 19, the dystopian mystery horror series took the top spot in 29 countries ― including France, India, Poland, Japan, Singapore, Turkey and Egypt ― according to the streaming analytics platform FlixPatrol. “The most important message that I wanted to deliver through this work is asking questions on humanity and what it means to be a human,” the series' director and creatoNov 29, 2021By Lee Gyu-lee
'School 2021' series kicks off to a disappointing start Actors Kim Yo-han, from left, Jo Yi-hyun, Hwang Boreumbyeol, Choo Young-woo and Jeon Seok-ho pose for photos during the press conference for the new series, “School 2021,” Wednesday. Courtesy of KBSBy Lee Gyu-leeKBS's popular franchise, “School,” has finally unveiled its latest anthology series, which kicked off with disappointing viewership ratings, Wednesday. “School 2021,” starring actors Kim Yo-han, Jo Yi-hyun, Choo Young-woo and Hwang Boreumbyeol, saw a 2.8-percent viewership rating nationwide, which is about a 3-percent drop from the rating of the broadcaster's previous series in the same time slot, “Dali and Cocky Prince.”Set in a vocational high school, the series revolves around four classmates who are seeking to find their own path in life, while exploring their adolescence as well as love. Gong Ki-joon (Kim) used to be a promising taekwondo athlete who won a bronze medal in the national league. After suffering a serious ankle injury, he quits the sport and enrolls in a vocational high school, where he meets the strong-willed Nov 25, 2021By Lee Gyu-lee
'Hellbound': A half-cut gemstone A scene of “Hellbound” / Courtesy of Netflix The dark fantasy drama raises brilliant questions and confusing answers By Kang Hyun-kyungGemstones are meaningless unless they are cut, polished and refined by a designer into jewelry.This wisdom, inspired by the old Korean saying about “even if one has three baskets of beads, unless they are woven together they are valueless,” underscores the significance of an artisan's masterful finishing touches in giving life to their crafts. It's something writer-director Yeon Sang-ho may have wished to reflect upon when making his Netflix series, “Hellbound,” as it has garnered mixed reviews from viewers, rather than a universal nod of approval from people everywhere. Following its debut on Netflix last week, it rose to No. 1 spot on the streaming giant's top 10 most-watched shows. “Hellbound” is predominantly popular in Asia and Africa, while its presence in North America and Europe is relatively insignificant.The dark fantasy drNov 25, 2021By Kang Hyun-kyung
'Hellbound' tops Netflix's official weekly chart This image provided by Netflix shows a scene from "Hellbound." Courtesy of NetflixSouth Korean fantasy horror "Hellbound" was the most-viewed TV show over a recent one-week period among those on Netflix, the global video streaming service said Wednesday."Hellbound" topped Netflix's official weekly chart for non-English TV programs with 43.5 million hours of viewing for the week from Nov. 15-21, outnumbering "The Queen of Flower" with 38.6 million hours and "Squid Game" with 30.4 million hours. The feat is remarkable, considering "Hellbound" had only three days to count views, as it was released Friday.The Korean-language Netflix original even garnered far more views than "Arcane," which sat atop in the English-language TV show category with 38.4 million viewing hours.Netflix said "Hellbound" made the top 10 in TV in 71 countries over the one-week period and topped the list in 12 nations.Written and directed by Yeon Sang-ho of "Train to Busan," the six-part dystopian thriller depicts social turmoil and unrest after a series of inexplicable supernatural phenomena.In the non-English TV Nov 24, 2021
