K-dramas' fresh take on fathersK-dramas are dismantling the archetype of the traditional patriarchs in favor of a more realistic figures who struggling and emotionally vulnerable. Fathers in Korean dramas were long depicted as distant protectors, authoritative figures who silently bore the financial burden within traditional family structures. Today, broadcasters are abandoning this formula. The modern onscreen father is a flawed character who makes mistakes, misunderstands his own emotions and continuously learns. This trend reflects a broader societal shift. While fathers still often shoulder much of household financial burdens, families have become more egalitarian . Nnarratives of personal growth are now being applied to middle-aged men. In dramas such as "The Dream Life of Mr. Kim," "Mad Concrete Dreams" and "Cabbage Your Life," viewers see fathers facing their limitations. These protagonists struggle to communicate but also push forward and fight to save their marriages. Pop culture critic Jung Duk-hyun said centering a narrative on a middle-aged man's struggles is a calculated risk, as drama viewership remainsApr 10, 2026By Hankookilbo
InterviewWoo Do-hwan pushes his limits for Netflix’s 'Bloodhounds'Since his 2011 debut, Woo Do-hwan has forged a reputation as a relentless actor, infusing gritty action series and soulful dramas alike with his singular intensity. Netflix’s crime thriller “Bloodhounds” has now thrust him onto the global stage. Woo said that after wrapping Season 1, exhaustion left him doubting whether he could summon the strength for more. “But once Season 2 got the green light, it felt like stepping onto a battlefield,” he told The Korea Times at a cafe in Seoul, Thursday. “Unlike other dramas, this one demands everything — body and soul — leaving no room for anything else. Even off days mean training, building strength for the fight ahead. But when Season 2 was confirmed, excitement took over. I trained harder than ever,” he said. “Bloodhounds” Season 2 sends Gun-woo (Woo) and Woo-jin (Lee Sang-yi) into the brutal arena of a global underground boxing league, where money and mayhem reign, unleashing another barrage of crowd-pleasing hooks. For Season 2, Woo bulked up 13 kilograms through more systematic training. “Season 1’s Gun-woo was stillApr 9, 2026By Park Jin-hai
InterviewJung Ji-hoon reinvents villain archetype in ‘Bloodhounds’ Season 2Singer-actor Jung Ji-hoon, better known by his stage name Rain, takes on his first villain role as Baek-jeong, the operator of a global illegal boxing league, in Netflix series "Bloodhounds" Season 2. The high-octane action crime thriller, directed by Jason Kim, centers on the two young boxers battling Iron Knuckle Fighting Championship, a dark web-based organization hosting brutal matches fueled by high-stakes gambling and coercion, pulling protagonists Gun-woo (Woo Do-hwan) and Woo-jin (Lee Sang-yi) into its violent underworld. He said the project was “physically exhausting but also emotionally draining.” “My character doesn’t have much of a backstory. The director didn’t want him to become a cliché villain. Usually, when you play a bad guy, you act nice and then suddenly turn evil — that roller‑coaster of intensity can make the performance stand out. But the director told me not to do that," he said in an interview with The Korea Times at a cafe in Seoul, Wednesday. "He wanted the character to start off already furious, with no change in tone, so that was challenging."Apr 8, 2026By Park Jin-hai
InterviewNetflix series ‘Beef’ Season 2 incorporates more Korean elements: directorThe award-winning Netflix series "Beef," which swept categories at the Emmys, Golden Globes and Critics Choice Awards, returns April 16 with its second season. Korean American director and writer Lee Sung-jin said he was excited but found Season 2 “even harder than the first” season to make as he aimed to “take some big swings and risks while retaining what is special about the show" during an online interview with The Korea Times on Tuesday. Unlike Season 1’s road rage feud between lonely strangers, Season 2 unfolds at an elite country club where a young couple witnesses a shocking fight between their boss and his wife, and the web of blackmail that follows involving both couples and the club’s owner, Korean billionaire Chairwoman Park (Youn Yuh-jung). While Season 1 focused on Korean American stories, Season 2 explores a mixed-race character’s Korean roots. “It’s a bridge between West and East,” Lee said. “Charles’ character is half Korean, caught in an identity tug-of-war as he’s pulled into the upper echelons of Korean society — the world of chaebol (congloApr 7, 2026By Park Jin-hai
Global No.1 but ignored in Korea? ‘XO, Kitty’ sparks split reactions at homeA Netflix teen drama set in Korea is dominating global charts — but drawing little attention in the very country it portrays, raising questions about cultural disconnect and audience taste. The third season of “XO, Kitty,” released Thursday, has quickly climbed to No. 1 worldwide on Netflix’s TV chart, according to data from FlixPatrol. The series, a spinoff of “To All the Boys I've Loved Before,” follows Kitty (played by Anna Cathcart), who returns to Korea after falling for a boy she met during a previous visit. The show gained early traction by entering the Top 10 in countries including Hungary and the Czech Republic on its release day. By its second day, it had reached No. 1 in 52 countries, eventually topping charts in 77 countries, including the United States. It even overtook “Bloodhounds Season 2” to claim the global No. 1 spot in the TV category, with expectations it will maintain the lead through its first week. Yet despite its international success — and being set in Korea — the series has failed to generate significant buzz domestically. It has not rankedApr 7, 2026By Xportsnews
Byeon Woo-seok, IU dazzle in heart-fluttering palace romance 'Perfect Crown'A royal romance brimming with charm is on its way as Byeon Woo-seok and IU step into the spotlight in MBC’s upcoming series “Perfect Crown,” one of the year’s most buzzed-about dramas. The network unveiled the project Monday. Set in an alternate modern-day Korea that still retains a constitutional monarchy, the romantic comedy traces the fateful encounter between a “rich heiress and powerless prince.” It tells the story of a woman born into immense wealth but burdened by her commoner status and a prince who, despite his royal blood, has been stripped of privilege. Together, they embark on a journey to break social barriers and rewrite their destinies. The series has drawn particular attention as MBC’s next big royal romance following its 2006 hit “Princess Hours.” IU, who plays Seong Hui-ju, the intelligent and ambitious daughter of conglomerate Castle Group, said, “I play a woman who has everything but the official title to match,” introducing her character during a press conference for the drama at Josun Palace in Gangnam District, Seoul, Monday. “She gets frusApr 6, 2026By Park Jin-hai
Review'XO, Kitty' ends on ambitious, chaotic final seasonTo all the fans who've loved "XO, Kitty," Season 3 of the show, released last Thursday, might feel bittersweet. This isn't just the third season, after all. It's also the last chapter, not only for Kitty Song-Covey (Anna Cathcart), but for the franchise as a whole. The world started with Netflix's film adaptation of Jenny Han's "To All the Boys I've Loved Before," and after three films and the first two seasons of the "XO, Kitty" spinoff, there was still plenty of unfinished business — especially after last season's cliffhanger to end all cliffhangers. After 18 episodes of will they, won't they, Kitty and Moon Min-ho (Lee Sang-heon) almost kissed. Almost. But just when it looked like she'd missed her chance to XO the boy of her dreams, Kitty suddenly blurted out a question, asking Min-ho if she could join him on the tour he's managing that summer. The third season picks up immediately where we left off, and in typical fashion, things don't go how you'd expect. After an awkward misunderstanding, Kitty travels to Busan with Min-ho and the rest of their friend crew, still unsure of what tApr 6, 2026By David Opie
Made abroad, set in Korea — ‘XO, Kitty’ returns with Season 3 as K-content gets ‘re-imported’A U.S.-produced teen drama set in Korea is once again making waves globally, highlighting a growing trend where Korean culture is repackaged overseas and then “re-imported” as global content. Netflix’s “XO, Kitty” dropped its third season on Thursday, reigniting buzz among international fans and drawing renewed attention at home. The series is a spinoff of the hit film franchise “To All the Boys I've Loved Before.” It follows Kitty, played by Anna Cathcart, who moves to Korea after falling for a boy she met during a previous visit, setting off a coming-of-age story centered on love, identity and life abroad. Since its debut in May 2023, the show has proven its global appeal. Season 1 ranked No. 2 on Netflix’s global English TV chart for two consecutive weeks and stayed in the Top 10 for four weeks, leading to a second season. Season 2 maintained momentum with similar rankings, staying in the Top 10 for three weeks. While the show portrays Korea through a teen drama lens, it has drawn praise for its relatively detailed depiction of Korean culture. Though some viewers saidApr 4, 2026By Xportsnews
Legal dramas dominate Korean TV as ‘Phantom Lawyer’ builds momentum, raising hopes for ‘Good Partner 2’Courtroom dramas are turning into one of the biggest success stories on South Korea’s broadcast TV scene this year, with back-to-back ratings wins fueling fresh excitement for SBS’s upcoming “Good Partner 2.” The latest standout is SBS’s Friday-Saturday drama “Phantom Lawyer.” Its sixth episode, which aired on Saturday, posted a nationwide viewership rating of 10 percent and 10.6 percent in the Seoul metropolitan area, according to Nielsen Korea, extending its noticeable upward run. The series has broken its own ratings record for three straight weeks, reinforcing the view that it has fully entered hit-drama territory. “Phantom Lawyer” has drawn attention for keeping the familiar frame of a legal drama while mixing in emotionally charged storytelling and “han-puri,” a distinctly Korean narrative element tied to the release of long-held grief, resentment or sorrow. That blend of courtroom cases and human drama appears to be connecting with viewers. As the first quarter of 2026 closes, legal dramas have emerged as a clear strength for Korea’s terrestrial broadcasterApr 2, 2026By Xportsnews
‘Extraordinary Attorney Woo’ writer loses case over extra streaming revenueThe latest ruling centering on the scope of TV drama writers' copyrights is triggering mixed responses in the entertainment industry. A court has ruled that production companies are not required to separately share revenue generated from online streaming platforms with writers, in a legal dispute between the screenwriter of ENA's "Extraordinary Attorney Woo" and its production company. The writer filed a suit claiming the production company violated the contract by independently selling the drama’s distribution rights to Netflix. While the court sided with the production company, some critics argue that the standard contract for TV writers needs to be revised to better reflect changes in the media landscape. Changes in media landscape and writers' rights According to legal sources on April 1, the Seoul High Court’s Civil Division 4 upheld a lower court ruling against the Korea Television Writers Association, which had filed a damages suit against production company AStory. The association chose not to appeal to the Supreme Court, and the ruling was finalized in February. The case datesApr 1, 2026By Hankookilbo
