‘Poetic justice’ isn’t enough: K-courtroom dramas raise stakesAs a new year begins, dramas featuring legal professionals — lawyers, judges and prosecutors — continue to flood onto the small screen. But while the core formula remains the same — delivering catharsis through dramatic resolutions that uphold justice — new works are making bold attempts to set themselves apart by embracing unusual themes and diverse genres. A case in point is "Pro Bono," tvN’s new series that has been airing since Dec. 6, 2025. Built around public-interest cases, the drama places humanitarian concerns front and center. The protagonist, Kang Da-wit (Jung Kyung-ho), is a status-obsessed judge who unexpectedly sheds his robe and becomes a public-interest lawyer at a major law firm. Taking on so-called “unprofitable cases,” he encounters new clients — including abandoned dogs, children with disabilities and migrant women — who have been denied access to legal services because of economic or social barriers. Though buffeted by setbacks, Kang ultimately secures hard-won victories. The drama’s script is written by former judge Moon Yoo-seok, lending the seJan 9, 2026By Hankookilbo
Struggling ‘I Live Alone’ seeks to win back viewers by returning to basicsMBC's flagship show "I Live Alone" stands at a critical crossroads once again. While the long-running show has weathered controversies and cast changes, matters now feel unusually grave. The survival of MBC's “I Live Alone,” which first aired in 2013, now hangs in the balance following the consecutive departures of core members Park Na-rae and Key, a member of K-pop group SHINee. While "I Live Alone" has endured numerous scandals over the years, this latest blow might cut especially deep. To break through the turmoil, lead host Jun Hyun-moo made a promise to return to the show's basics during a recent awards ceremony, signaling a shift in direction. With the show's fate uncertain, all eyes are on whether this choice can turn the tide of public opinion. "I Live Alone" is a variety show that has survived numerous crises. In its early days, it drew attention for its fresh take on observing the lives of unmarried people and single-person households. But it has stumbled repeatedly due to cast controversies, departures and a stale formula. When key members like Jun Hyun-moo and Han Hye-jJan 9, 2026By Hankookilbo
From screen to table: Where to try dishes of Netflix’s 'Culinary Class Wars 2' finalistsWith the final episode of Netflix’s popular cooking contest show "Culinary Class Wars" Season 2 imminent, the competition has reached a fever pitch. On Friday, Netflix spotlighted the top seven participants by revealing new portraits and reflections on the core philosophies that define their cooking. While veteran chef Choi Kang-rok has already secured his place in the final round, the competition remains fierce between legendary Chinese chef Hou Deok-juk and the rising star known as Culinary Monster for the remaining spot. Here is a guide to the philosophies of these finalists and where you can experience their flavors. Haobin Led by the legendary Chinese cuisine master Hou Deok-juk, Haobin is located at the Ambassador Seoul Pullman Hotel in Seoul’s Jung District. Hou, who secured his spot in the final three, views cooking as a lifelong process of learning and responsibility. "I believe cooking is an endless study," he said, adding that his philosophy is to create food that heals both the body and mind. At Haobin, he continues to serve his signature dishes like Buddha Jumps Over the WJan 9, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOKLetter to 5 women from Netflix’s 'My Korean Boyfriend'First, let me congratulate all of you for having the courage to come all the way to Korea in search of a real-life K-drama romance and for putting your private lives on public display on Netflix. I enjoyed watching all eight episodes. Not only was the show entertaining, it was also thought-provoking, prompting me to reflect on love, cultural differences and romance between people from different cultural backgrounds. Beyond the relationships, the show offered an opportunity to rediscover the beauty of my home city, Seoul. The stunning views from cafés, the nocturnal light show along the Han River, the architecture of Dongdaemun Design Plaza, the cherry blossom-lined streets of Yeouido and Bukchon Hanok Village were all very beautiful. I would recommend the show to anyone who wants a glimpse of Seoul before visiting. To Morena: Congratulations on your marriage to Se-woong. While it came as a bit of a surprise, the two of you looked beautiful together, and I hope you will build a happy family. What stood out most to me about you was the trust you placed in Se-woong, even during moments ofJan 9, 2026By Kim Se-jeong
'Squid Game 3' earns Actor Award nomination for stunt ensemble action performanceWASHINGTON — Netflix's Korean original series "Squid Game" Season 3 received this year's Actor Award nomination for a stunt ensemble action performance category on Wednesday, as organizers unveiled the list of nominees for the annual prizes presented by a U.S. labor union representing actors and other media workers. The series was nominated in the category of the outstanding action performance by a stunt ensemble in a television series for the 32nd Actor Awards that the Screen Actors Guild–American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) will present on March 1. It was placed in the category along with four other competitors — Disney+'s "Andor," Paramount+'s "Landman," HBO's "The Last of Us" and Netflix's "Stranger Things." The Actor Awards is the new name for the SAG Awards. At the 2022 SAG Awards, Squid Game's first season won three awards — best male actor and female actor as well as outstanding action performance by a stunt ensemble. The Actor Awards recognizes individual and ensemble achievements in motion pictures, drama series and comedy series. Nominees andJan 8, 2026By Yonhap
9 most anticipated K-dramas of 2026From star-studded casts to high-budget fantasy worlds and bold reinterpretations of familiar stories, 2026 is going to be a major year for Korean dramas. Global streaming platforms and local broadcasters are rolling out ambitious projects that pair top actors with acclaimed writers and directors, reflecting the continued global appetite for K-content. Several of the most anticipated series feature long-awaited returns by major stars and genre-blending narratives that span historical romance, legal thrillers and fantasy epics. From Netflix and Disney+ to Genie TV and ENA, content creators are vying for viewer attention with productions designed for both domestic and international audiences. 1. 'Can This Love Be Translated?' Scheduled for release on Jan. 16 on Netflix, "Can This Love Be Translated?" is expected to be the platform's first major Korean original drama of the year. The 12-episode series will depict an unpredictable romance between Joo Ho-jin (Kim Seon-ho), a multilingual interpreter, and Cha Moo-hee (Go Yoon-jung), a top global star. Ho-jin is fluent in multiple languages, incJan 8, 2026By Kim Se-jeong
Quiet leadership of chef Hou Deok-juk from 'Culinary Class Wars'While there are many culinary greats emerging from Netflix’s "Culinary Class Wars 2" Hou Deok-juk stands out not as a new star but rather as a stalwart master of Korean Chinese cuisine. Born in 1949, his culinary career spans 57 years, including a 42-year tenure at Palsun, the Chinese restaurant in the Shilla Hotel. He remains an active chef, still working the wok himself. Just two years after taking charge of Haobin at the Ambassador Seoul Pullman Hotel in 2021, he earned the restaurant a Michelin star. Even today, he reportedly checks every dish emerging from his kitchen to ensure it is served at the perfect temperature. Chef Hou began his career in 1968 as a kitchen assistant in a hotel restaurant, enticed by the promise that he "could eat plenty of ham and sausage." Through grueling training that started with cleaning and laundry, and through tenacious research into culinary secrets, he became a master chef. He introduced the Chinese dish "Buddha Jumps Over the Wall," a Fujianese shark fin soup, to Korea in 1987. He transformed the landscape of Chinese cuisine here, which had beJan 7, 2026By Hankookilbo
'Gimbap and Onigiri' turns shared meal into cross-border romanceFood is the starting point for romance in "Gimbap and Onigiri," a new Japanese drama pairing Japanese actor Eiji Akaso and Korea's idol-turned-actor Kang Hye-won. Set to premiere Jan. 12 on TV TOKYO, the upcoming series follows two young adults as they navigate uncertainty in their lives and experience romance despite their different cultures. Rather than centering on cultural clashes, the story unfolds through quiet encounters, creating a story of intimacy that is gradual and relatable. Akaso stars as Hase Taiga, a former college track athlete who loses direction after a major setback. With his confidence shaken, Taiga drifts through daily life without a clear vision for the future, working part time at a small restaurant in Japan. "Taiga meets Park Rin through his part-time job and the show centers on how he grows after that," Akaso said at a press conference in Seoul, Wednesday afternoon. "When I first saw the title, I was curious about what kind of story it would be. The characters are as warm and approachable, as the title suggests. It is a story about people who live sincerely andJan 7, 2026By Pyo Kyung-min
Hyun Bin shows touch of ‘Bond’ in elegant noir ‘Made in Korea’“So this is also for the nation. It’s patriotic.” Set in 1970s Busan, Baek Gi-tae (Hyun Bin), a section chief at the Korean Central Intelligence Agency (KCIA), calmly seeks his younger sister’s help as he enters the methamphetamine smuggling business. He argues that exporting the drugs to Japan — without domestic distribution — is no different from being an export warrior earning foreign currency and helping usher in a new era. His sister hesitates, saying addicts would suffer and it would weigh on her conscience, but she soon nods at the mention of “Japan” and “patriotism.” Streaming on Disney+ since late last month, “Made in Korea” is a crime thriller centered on the clash between Baek, who aims to reach the pinnacle of wealth and power by selling Korean-made drugs under the KCIA’s protection, and Jang Geon-young (Jung Woo-sung), a perpetually sidelined prosecutor who relentlessly hunts him down. Against the backdrop of an era when power equates to justice, the series unfolds a dense and elegant noir in which unrestrained desire collides with near-obsessive cJan 7, 2026By Hankookilbo
'Squid Game 3' named Best Foreign Language Series at Critics ChoiceNetflix's Korean original series "Squid Game" has won the Best Foreign Language Series award for its third season at the 31st annual Critics Choice Awards. The Critics Choice Association announced the winner in Los Angeles on Sunday (local time), marking the third time the popular series has won the award after it previously took home the honor in 2022 for its first season and in 2025 for the second season. Its lead, Lee Jung-jae, won Best Actor in a Drama Series in 2022. The third and final season picks up directly from the second season's cliffhanger, following Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae), who, after a failed rebellion and the loss of his comrades, is driven by guilt and rage to destroy the deadly game from within. Meanwhile, director Park Chan-wook's film "No Other Choice" was nominated in the categories of Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Foreign Language Film but failed to take home the latter award. The Best Foreign Language Film honor went to the highly acclaimed Brazilian political thriller "The Secret Agent." The winner for Best Adapted Screenplay has yet to be announced. In addition,Jan 5, 2026By Yonhap
