InterviewDisney+ series 'Made in Korea' reveals dark side of powerDisney+’s new series “Made in Korea” dives deep into the dark underbelly of 1970s Korea, a decade director Woo Min-ho calls an “age of barbarism.” Drawing from real events and personal ambition, the six-part drama follows the collision of two men: Baek Ki-tae (Hyun Bin), who will stop at nothing in his pursuit of money and power, and Jang Geon-young (Jung Woo-sung), a stubborn prosecutor determined to bring him to justice. Director Woo set out to explore how the hunger for power and a corrupt system can turn a person's ambition into something monstrous and destructive. "I am constantly throwing out the question of what the essence of power is and why people change so drastically once they attain it," the director told The Korea Times during an interview in Seoul, Monday. "Rather than providing a clear answer, I wanted to show the process of how history repeats itself through these characters." The series, which premiered last December and concluded its six-episode first season on Wednesday, does not shy away from the darker side of Korea’s rapid transformation. Against the bacJan 19, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
Kim Seon-ho, Go Youn-jung spark global rom-com frenzy with 'Can This Love Be Translated?'Netflix’s new romantic comedy “Can This Love Be Translated?” is gaining rapid momentum here and abroad, fueled by the immense star power of lead actors Kim Seon-ho and Go Youn-jung. The series was released Friday and topped the streaming platform’s series chart on Sunday. The 12-part series also entered the top five in the global Netflix TV show category the same day, according to FlixPatrol data, signaling another major win for Korean romantic comedies. Unlike typical romantic comedies, the drama keeps viewers interested by adding a touch of mystery to the sweet moments. The unique way the characters express their feelings through different languages provides a fresh experience for fans of the genre. The drama, penned by the celebrated screenwriting duo Hong Jung-eun and Hong Mi-ran, tells the story of Joo Ho-jin (Kim), a professional interpreter who is fluent in several languages. His life takes a turn when he begins working for global superstar Cha Mu-hee (Go), leading to a series of misunderstandings and emotional discoveries across scenic locations in Japan, Italy and CanadaJan 19, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
‘Lovely Runner’ stars return with new partners and fresh romancesTwo years after the hit youth romance drama “Lovely Runner” wrapped up, its breakout stars are finally returning to television — this time with new costars and very different love stories. “Lovely Runner,” which aired on tvN in the first half of 2024, became a surprise sensation and firmly established Byeon Woo-seok and Kim Hye-yoon as leading figures of the next-generation K-drama scene. Both actors were widely praised for delivering what fans called their “career-defining roles,” but their next projects were slow to materialize, fueling impatience among viewers. That wait is now over. Kim is returning to the small screen with SBS’ new Friday-Saturday drama “No Tail to Tell.” In the series, she stars opposite Lomon (Park Solomon), exploring a new romance that contrasts sharply with her previous role. At a production presentation, Kim said she was eager to show a different side of herself. “This character has a completely different charm from Sol in ‘Lovely Runner,’ and I thought that contrast could be interesting,” she said. “We filmed continuously for abouJan 17, 2026By Xportsnews
From jungles to temples: How chefs took over entertainmentThe standing of chefs in the entertainment industry has shifted. Once limited to appearing as panelists or assistants to celebrities on cooking programs, they have now risen to take center stage. Following the recent success of Netflix's "Culinary Class Wars" and JTBC's "Chef & My Fridge," also known as "Please Take Care of My Refrigerator," broadcasters are scrambling to cast celebrity chefs. "Culinary Class Wars" went beyond a simple cooking survival show, building individual narratives and worldviews for each chef. The “Black Spoon” versus “White Spoon” concept turned chefs into stars. "Chef & My Fridge" further proved the winning formula by highlighting chefs’ improvisational skills, competitive dynamics and distinct characters. Broadcasters have since jumped into a fierce bidding war to cast chefs. Channel A’s "The Chef and the Hunter" highlights chefs’ survival skills and creativity as they forage for ingredients in the wild. In contrast, Wavve’s new cooking show sets a different tone by combining spiritual practice with food in a Buddhist temple setting. Even the tJan 16, 2026By Hankookilbo
K-dating reality shows explore diverse facets of relationshipsThe landscape of Korean reality dating shows is undergoing a massive transformation, shifting from simple romantic encounters into complex psychological experiments involving past lovers, family members and tough romantic competitions. The dating show market this year is no longer about just one style, as it has split into distinct trends to satisfy different tastes. "Single's Inferno" Season 5 attracts global audiences seeking hot entertainment and dream-like romances, while "Match to Marry: With Parents" targets viewers who want real-life family drama. Meanwhile, "EXchange" Season 4 remains the top choice for those who enjoy deep, emotional stories about past loves. As Netflix's flagship series "Single's Inferno” prepares to launch its fifth season next week, eyes are on how this popular dating show will maintain its dominance against increasingly diverse competitors. While other shows focus on the real-life struggles of dating, the fifth season will stay true to its original style by focusing on good-looking participants and their attraction to each other, its producers said, WedneJan 16, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
Netflix to produce 'Culinary Class Wars' Season 3Netflix has confirmed production of the third season of its hit Korean cooking competition show "Culinary Class Wars." Unlike the first two seasons in which the format centered on individual competition, the new season will shift to team-based battles between restaurants, the global streaming service announced in a release. "Culinary Class Wars" pits celebrity "white spoon" chefs — those recognized by institutions such as Michelin — against lesser-known but skilled "black spoon" chefs in a high-stakes culinary showdown. Premiering in 2024, the show's first season topped Netflix's chart for most-popular non-English TV shows for three consecutive weeks. Season 2, released late last year, held the same spot for two weeks. Director Kim Eun-ji and writer Mo Eun-seol of Studio Slam — the creative duo behind the first two seasons — will return for the new installment. "Thanks to the love from viewers around the world, we became able to produce Season 3," Kim said in the release. "We will do our best to deliver an even more refined format and excitement that meets the expectations of ourJan 16, 2026By Yonhap
Hip-hop survival program 'Show Me the Money' returns with star producers, global contestantsMnet's "Show Me the Money" franchise is returning with its 12th edition after years of hiatus, with a renewed focus on music, high-profile lineup and expanded pool of contestants. Launched in 2012, "Show Me the Money" is widely credited with cementing hip-hop as a mainstream music genre in Korea after producing numerous hit rappers and songs over the years. Its latest season marks the show's first new installment in over three years and is expected to once again energize the local hip-hop scene. A press conference for the new season was held Thursday morning at a hotel in Seoul's Gangnam District. Attendees included chief producer Choi Hyo-jin and this season's star producers — Zico, Crush, GRAY, Loco, J-Tong, Hukky Shibaseki, Lil Moshpit and Jay Park — who will be divided into four teams to judge and mentor contestants. Park is returning to the program for the first time in nine years, while Loco previously won the competition as a contestant. Choi explained that the production team spent considerable time rethinking the program's structure ahead of its return. "Because it's been a lJan 15, 2026By Pyo Kyung-min
The return of star screenwriters: K-dramas reclaim the spotlight with original storiesStar television writers with devoted fan bases are lining up to return to Korea’s small screen this year, offering original stories at a time when adaptations of webtoons and web novels dominate the drama market. Rather than relying on familiar intellectual property, they are betting on character-driven narratives and distinct authorial voices — a strategy that has already generated buzz among viewers and industry watchers. The first to return are Hong Jung-eun and Hong Mi-ran, the "Hong sisters," who are renowned for crafting genre-defining romantic dramas such as “The Greatest Love,” “Hotel Del Luna” and “Alchemy of Souls.” Their new Netflix series, “Can This Love Be Translated?,” is set for release on Friday. The romantic comedy centers on Ju Ho-jin, a multilingual interpreter played by Kim Seon-ho, and Cha Mu-hee, a global superstar portrayed by Go Youn-jung. As Cha joins a global reality show with Ju as her interpreter, the two are drawn into an unpredictable romance. “The drama grows out of moments when they try to put their feelings into words,” the Hong siJan 14, 2026By Hankookilbo
Meet chefs who sparked buzz in ‘Culinary Class Wars’ Season 2“Culinary Class Wars” Season 2 reignited public interest in competitive cooking shows in Korea — not simply by crowning a winner, but by spotlighting chefs whose personalities, philosophies and life stories resonated with viewers. The season featured an unusually diverse lineup, ranging from veteran chefs with decades of experience to late bloomers who found their calling after multiple career detours, as well as a Buddhist nun devoted to temple cuisine. While the competition was a battle of skills, many viewers found themselves drawn to the contestants’ humor, confidence, vulnerability and willingness to challenge convention. Social media buzz, viral memes and spirited online debates followed each episode, turning the chefs into cultural talking points. Lim Seong-geun Although he did not take home the top prize, chef Lim Seong-geun left perhaps the strongest impression on viewers. Cooking for more than four decades, Lim is both a veteran chef and a content creator, and previously won “Korean Food War” Season 3. Audiences were drawn to his sharp sense of humor, frequent bluffs,Jan 14, 2026By Kim Se-jeong
‘Single’s Inferno’ Season 5 teases sexiest pool scenes yetNetflix’s hit Korean dating show “Single’s Inferno” is promising its hottest season yet — and even the man who once went viral for his own legendary pool scene is conceding he has been topped. At a production showcase held Wednesday in Seoul, the creators and panelists of “Single’s Inferno” Season 5 teased what they described as the most explosive pool scenes in the show’s history. The event brought together producers Kim Jae-won and Park Soo-ji along with celebrity panelists Hong Jin-kyung, Lee Da-hee, Super Junior’s Kyuhyun, rapper Hanhae and Dex, the breakout star from Season 2. “Single’s Inferno” is a reality dating series in which singles are stranded on a remote island called “Inferno,” where they must form romantic connections in order to leave. The show has become one of Netflix’s most-watched Korean reality franchises, fueled by viral moments, social media obsession and contestants who frequently become overnight celebrities. Kyuhyun said the Season 5 cast is far less guarded than in previous seasons. “On dating shows, people usually try to manJan 14, 2026By Xportsnews
