'Mad Concrete Dreams' satirizes Korea's debt-laden real estate obsessionVeteran actor Ha Jung-woo returns to the small screen with tvN's dark comedy "Mad Concrete Dreams," 19 years since his last role in the 2007 drama "H.I.T." The 47-year-old stars as Ki Su-jong, a small building owner pushed to the brink by debt. After stretching his finances to the limit in an attempt to hold on to his prized property, he becomes entangled in a fake kidnapping scheme as he struggles to protect both his family and his investment. The story unfolds against the backdrop of Korea’s real estate-obsessed culture. It reflects the so-called "yeongkkeul" phenomenon — a Korean slang combining "yeonghon" (soul) and "kkeulda" (to drag), referring to buyers who "pull together their soul" to enter the property market. The phrase describes people, mostly in their 30s and 40s, who stretch their finances through high-ratio mortgages in hopes of riding continued rising housing prices. As lending rules tighten and interest rates remain elevated, many of these heavily leveraged buyers now face mounting financial pressure. Director Yim Pil-sung credited the series' strong script for brinMar 9, 2026By Park Jin-hai
IU and Byeon Woo-seok as royal couple? Kakao Entertainment bets big on 'Perfect Crown'Kakao Entertainment is betting big on romance this spring, unveiling a lineup of K-dramas designed to deliver “pink-tinted excitement” to global viewers — including one highly anticipated pairing that has already stirred online buzz: IU and Byeon Woo-seok as a newly married royal couple. The entertainment giant said it will release several romance titles in quick succession, beginning with “Still Shining” and Netflix’s “Boyfriend on Demand,” Friday, followed by the April premiere of “Perfect Crown.” All three projects involve collaborations between Kakao Entertainment’s production studios, management labels and affiliated creators, highlighting the company’s integrated content strategy. JTBC’s new Friday drama “Still Shining” explores the emotional journey of two young people who once shared a private world together and eventually become guiding lights in each other’s lives. The series stars Park Jin-young and Kim Min-ju, both actors affiliated with Kakao Entertainment management labels. Park plays Yeon Tae-seo, a subway driver who quietly carries the memorMar 7, 2026By Xportsnews
Idol-turned-actors depict timeless love story in ‘Still Shining’Park Jin-young, best known as a member of the K-pop boy band GOT7, and Kim Min-ju, formerly of IZ*ONE, are set to star together in a youthful melodrama that captures the beauty of growing up and finding love. The pair will lead JTBC’s new Friday-Saturday drama “Still Shining,” which follows the intertwined lives of two characters from their teenage years into their 30s. The series portrays how they become each other’s light throughout the changing seasons of life. Director Kim Yoon-jin, known for “Our Beloved Summer,” (2021) described the drama as “a story about Tae-seo (Park) and Eun-ah (Kim), who first meet at the age of 19 in the countryside and reunite years later to confront their true feelings” during a press conference in Seoul on Thursday. “The writer didn’t place the characters amid any grand events. Instead, the story captures the quiet passage of seasons and the accumulation of time, which I believe will stay with viewers in a special way. While ‘Our Beloved Summer’ evoked the warmth of spring and early summer, ‘Still Shining’ portrays love that enMar 5, 2026By Park Jin-hai
Yerin Ha says 'Bridgerton' shows ideal world without prejudiceSince its 2020 debut, Netflix's "Bridgerton" has ignited a global sensation with each season. What sets Season 4 apart is the addition of Korean Australian actor Yerin Ha. She portrays Sophie Baek, the new heroine — a maid who slips into the Bridgerton masquerade ball as the enigmatic “Lady in Silver,” sparking a romance with Benedict Bridgerton. Through her role, Ha injects fresh energy and perspective into the series. "Sophie is a witty, sharp-minded maid with a duality — tough on the outside, vulnerable within. That complexity made her fascinating and fun to play,” she said, explaining what drew her to the role during a press conference at Community House Masil in Seoul, Wednesday. "Bridgerton" Season 4 unfolds as a sweeping romance that crosses the boundaries of love, identity and class. At its heart is Benedict Bridgerton (played by Luke Thompson) — a free spirit indifferent to marriage — who becomes entangled between two worlds after meeting Sophie. Ha emphasized that it’s no standard Cinderella tale, but a story of fighting for love, telling that Sophie isn’t somMar 4, 2026By Park Jin-hai
Shin Hae-sun reflects on fake luxury in 'Art of Sarah'Actor Shin Hae-sun spent her 20s without a single luxury bag, choosing instead to ignore what she could not afford. Now, she anchors the Netflix mystery thriller "The Art of Sarah" as a woman so consumed by the desire for status that she fabricates her entire identity around counterfeit designer goods. During a recent interview at a cafe in Samcheong-dong, Seoul, Shin discussed the psychological toll of playing Sarah Kim, the Asia branch manager for the fictional luxury brand Boudoir. The series deliberately subverts traditional morality, opening with Sarah's sudden disappearance and the discovery of an unidentified corpse in a sewer outside a high-end boutique. While Sarah boasts a flawless attitude and impeccable styling, her life is an illusion. Her designer bags are manufactured in an underground sweatshop in Sinwol-dong, and her name hides her original identity as Mok Ga-hee. The character's profound ambiguity forced the veteran actor to discard her meticulous preparation methods. Shin typically designs her emotional arcs and physical movements long before arriving on set. "The scriptMar 4, 2026By Hankookilbo
Spirits, survival shows and saju: Korea's unlikely shamanism entertainment boomKim Ji-eun, 35, starts her morning with a ritual — asking ChatGPT for her daily fortune. “I used to visit a fortune teller for the New Year or when I had worries, but now I just ask ChatGPT,” she told The Korea Times. “I tried it once for fun and the result was surprisingly similar to what I’d heard at a fortune teller’s, so now I ask about things like money problems or whether my boyfriend and I are a good match. It’s not like I trust it completely, but I don’t think it hurts to be a bit more careful.” She also watches the Disney+ show "Battle of Fates," a shamanism-themed competition show that has left her with goose bumps. "Watching these so-called Gen MZ (Millennials and Gen Z) shamans casually deliver ‘messages from the gods’ was actually fun and all the different ways they tried to read people’s fates were fascinating. I didn’t even know foot reading was a thing, and seeing them pick out a homeless person just by looking at someone’s feet was really shocking," she said. Kim is far from alone. Shamanism-themed content is surging in popularity among youngeMar 4, 2026By Park Jin-hai
Korea’s 'shock twists queen' returns with brain-swap thriller ‘Doctor Shin’Writer Im Sung-han, better known as Phoebe, is returning with a bold new project, “Doctor Shin,” set to premiere this month. Often dubbed the “queen of shock twists,” Im is once again embracing an unconventional structure and storyline. This time, she has opted not for a continuation of “Love (ft. Marriage and Divorce)” or “Durian’s Affair,” but for a completely new series. Even the title, “Doctor Shin,” signals an unfamiliar and provocative direction. Im previously penned a string of hit melodramas known for their extreme plot devices, including “See and See Again,” “Miss Mermaid,” “Lotus Flower Fairy,” “Dear Heaven,” “New Tales of Gisaeng,” “Princess Aurora” and “Apgujeong Midnight Sun.” After declaring a hiatus following the end of “Apgujeong Midnight Sun” in 2015, she returned six years later with TV Chosun’s “Love (ft. Marriage and Divorce)” and followed it with “Durian’s Affair” in 2023. Her latest comeback, arriving two years after her previous work, has drawn significant attention. While “Durian’s Affair” reMar 3, 2026By Hankookilbo
REVIEW In 'Mad Dance Office,' comfort arrives one step off-beatMuch like the moving Japanese drama "Shall We Dance" (1996), finding release from the tedium of daily life through dance remains one of cinema's most beloved themes. "Mad Dance Office" delivers a similarly warm message of comfort through the story of a perfectionist civil servant whose life begins to shift after an unexpected encounter with flamenco. Yet, the film never fully breaks free from the familiar conventions of the "dance as liberation" trope. Although it clearly conveys its core message that "it's okay not to be perfect; live at your own rhythm," the storytelling feels somewhat thin due to a lack of emotional depth, preventing the film from truly resonating with its audience. To survive in a male-dominated professional world, Kim Guk-hee (Yeom Hye-ran) has built her life around strict control, serving as a lifelong government official and a tenacious single mother. Known for her high competence and "bulldozer" drive, Guk-hee is on the verge of a major promotion, while her only daughter, Haeri (Arin), has just passed the state exam to become a teacher. Her troubles begin, howevMar 3, 2026By Yonhap
Kim Soo‑hyun’s return on horizon? Disney+ reconsiders fate of 'Knock-Off'Signs are emerging that actor Kim Soo-hyun may be gearing up for a return to the spotlight after a hiatus prompted by controversy over his private life. Discussions have reportedly resumed about scheduling “Knock-Off,” a Disney+ original series that has been shelved for nearly a year, raising speculation about the actor’s potential comeback. Kim’s legal representative Kho Sang-rock shared a news report on Feb. 28 on Instagram noting that Disney+ is reconsidering the release schedule for “Knock-Off” as part of its lineup restructuring for the first half of 2026. “The report is likely to be true,” Kho commented, adopting a cautious stance. The statement followed a report from The Fair News, which claimed that Disney+ is coordinating a first-half release for “Knock-Off” as part of its content revamp. The series had been indefinitely postponed after allegations emerged last year that Kim had been romantically involved with the late actress Kim Sae-ron while she was still a minor. Kim’s side strongly denied the claim, stating the relationship began only after both wereMar 2, 2026By Park Jin-hai
K-drama classic 'Winter Sonata' returns to Japan 24 years after debut"Winter Sonata," the Korean drama that first sparked the Korean wave in Japan, is returning to the big screen Friday. According to Japanese media outlets including Sports Hochi, the production team has reedited the 1,400‑minute TV series into a two‑hour 4K remastered film. Originally aired on KBS in 2002, the drama, starring Bae Yong‑joon and Choi Ji‑woo, captivated audiences with its wistful tale of first love, recording an average viewership rating of 23.1 percent. When NHK broadcast the series in Japan the following year, it swept the nation and came to symbolize the beginning of Japan’s fervor for Korean pop culture. Its lead actor Bae — affectionately called “Yonsama” by Japanese fans — became an icon of that era and a defining face of the early Korean wave boom. At a special preview event in Tokyo, director Yoon Seok‑ho described "Winter Sonata" as “a story about reclaiming the memory of one’s first love,” adding, “Just as viewers were able to rediscover those emotions twenty years ago, I hope the film once again evokes that feeling.” Misato Tanaka, theMar 1, 2026By Park Jin-hai
