Cha Eun-woo, Kim Seon-ho projects at risk over tax scandalsActors Cha Eun-woo and Kim Seon-ho are facing mounting pressure as allegations of large-scale tax evasion through family-run corporations threaten to derail their upcoming projects. The two stars, both represented by the agency Fantagio, have come under scrutiny for allegedly using shell companies to reduce their tax burdens, leading to concerns that their highly anticipated dramas may face significant delays or cancellations. Cha allegedly faces a tax bill of over 20 billion won ($13.8 million) after the National Tax Service investigated a company established by his mother. Tax authorities reportedly viewed the firm as a paper company created to split Cha's earnings and apply lower corporate tax rates instead of the much higher individual income tax. The impact is already affecting his career, with several brands removing his advertisements. Cha is currently serving in the military. The controversy is casting a dark shadow over the Netflix original series "The Wonderfools,” which stars Cha alongside Park Eun-bin, known for her 2022 drama "Extraordinary Attorney Woo." Although the serFeb 4, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
Why Korea, Japan are joining forces to make must-watch dramasNetflix’s romance series “Can This Love Be Translated?” has drawn attention for many reasons, including the casting of Japanese actor Sota Fukushi as Hiro, a Japanese superstar whose initial contempt for Cha Moo-hee (Go Youn-jung) gradually turns into love as the story unfolds. Fukushi’s role is smoothly woven into the narrative as a Japanese celebrity working alongside a top Korean star, with several scenes filmed in Japan. For viewers who follow both Korean and Japanese dramas, the casting of Japanese actors in Korean productions — and vice versa — is becoming increasingly common. More notably, this reflects a broader rise in cross-border content creation between the two countries. The scope of collaboration varies by project. “Can This Love Be Translated?” represents one of the simplest forms, involving mainly casting. Similarly, Season 3 of SBS’ action drama “Taxi Driver,” released November 2025, features Japanese actor Sho Kasamatsu as one of the villains. “Gimbap and Onigiri,” a Japanese drama released on Jan. 12, stars Korean idol-turned-actor Kang Hye-wFeb 4, 2026By Kim Se-jeong
'Once We Were Us' leads weekend box office for 4th weekThe romance drama "Once We Were Us" topped the weekend box office for the fourth consecutive week, data from the Korean Film Council showed Monday. The film, released Dec. 31, attracted 179,740 moviegoers from Friday to Sunday, bringing its cumulative total to 2.3 million admissions and 22.6 billion won ($15.6 million) in revenue. Starring Koo Kyo-hwan and Moon Ga-young, "Once We Were Us" is a Korean remake of the 2018 Chinese hit film "Us and Them," which stars Jing Boran and Zhou Dongyu. The film, directed by Kim Do-young, who garnered acclaim for her feature debut, "Kim Ji-young, Born 1982," follows a young couple, Eun-ho (Koo) and Jung-won (Moon), as they reflect on their relationship and missed chances in their 20s. Last week, it became the first Korean romance title to draw more than 2 million admissions since the 2019 hit "Crazy Romance." The runner-up was "Choir of God," a film about North Korea, facing international sanctions, seeking $200 million in aid by creating its first fake praise troupe. Also released Dec. 31, the film drew 148,336 viewers over the weekend, pushing its cumFeb 2, 2026By Yonhap
From real-life couple to on-screen contenders: IU and Lee Jong-suk’s rival projects draw buzzOne of Korea’s most talked-about celebrity couples is heading for an unusual kind of face-off this year — not in real life, of course, but on screen. IU and Lee Jong-suk, who have been publicly dating since 2022, are set to release competing lead projects in 2026, drawing attention to what fans are calling an ironic “rivalry” between two of the industry’s most productive stars. The long-term couple, now in their fourth year together, will each front high-profile fantasy romances backed by major broadcasters and global streaming platforms. IU will return to television in April with MBC’s new Friday-Saturday drama, “Perfect Crown.” Following the success of Netflix’s “When Life Gives You Tangerines,” a historical romance co-starring Park Bo-gum, she tackles a different genre this time: a fantasy historical drama blending royal politics and romance. In the series, IU plays Sung Hee-joo, a chaebol heiress who possesses everything except noble status. Determined to climb the social ladder, she enters a strategic marriage with Prince Ian, played by Byeon Woo-seok, settingJan 31, 2026By Xportsnews
Hyun Bin finds career-defining role in 'Made in Korea'“I was deeply drawn to Baek Ki-tae’s ambition — his unyielding, almost reckless drive toward wealth and power. It felt like a character through whom I could show a very different side of myself.” The setting is 1970s Busan, in southeastern Korea. The Korean Central Intelligence Agency (KCIA) — the sword and shield of the country’s military dictatorship — is at the height of its power and prestige. Baek Ki-tae, played by Hyun Bin, is a KCIA section chief in Busan, living a precarious double life. By day, he is a government official with immense power at his disposal; by night, he smuggles drugs. In the Disney+ series "Made in Korea," Baek is positioned as the main character, pursued by hot-headed, justice-obsessed prosecutor Jang Geon-young, played by Jung Woo-sung. Yet by the end, audiences are left grappling not with the prosecutor, but with Baek — and with Hyun Bin’s performance. In that sense, the series goes so far as to feel like a drama made for Hyun Bin, and, in many ways, made by him. “Is Ki-tae really an evil person?” Hyun Bin asked, as he sat down at a cafJan 31, 2026By Hankookilbo
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOKWhen sports legends become variety show villainsA single remark from a football legend has reignited an old dispute in the Korean sports world. Kim Nam-il, a key player who helped lead Korea to the semifinals in the 2002 FIFA World Cup, recently made headlines by saying that he does not consider baseball to be a sport. His comment was made on JTBC’s new variety show “Yesman,” where retired sports stars try to create a sense of tension and humor, on Saturday. While the studio audience laughed at the time, the reaction from the public and professional athletes was far from humorous. The remark highlights a growing tension in the Korean entertainment industry. As retired sports stars move into the world of variety shows, they often find themselves caught between their professional identity and their new role as entertainers. To grab the attention of viewers, they are often pushed to say shocking things or to put down other sports. In “Yesman,” Kim targeted former baseball player Yoon Suk-min, who played for the Kia Tigers in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) League and the Norfolk Tides, a Triple A affiliate of Major LeaguJan 30, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
5 charming filming locations from Netflix’s 'Can This Love Be Translated?'While Netflix series "Can This Love Be Translated?" has captured fans with its cross-cultural romance and compelling characters, it is also fueling travel envy with stunning international filming locations, transporting viewers from Japan’s serene temples to the dramatic canyons of Canada and sun-drenched ruins of Italy. The show’s wanderlust factor hasn’t gone unnoticed: According to Netflix, the 12-episode series starring Kim Seon-ho, Go Youn-jung and Japanese actor Sota Fukushi attracted 9 million viewers last week, becoming the most popular non-English show of the week. The Korea Times compiled a list of real-life destinations featured in the show worth visiting on your next holiday. Kamakura, Japan Kamakura, a small city in Japan, is where the two main characters, Cha Mu-hee (Go) and Joo Ho-jin (Kim), spend part of the day together in the first episode. A memorable scene in which the two are separated by a train adds to the location’s charm, highlighting its picturesque streets. Located in Kanagawa prefecture, just about an hour outside Tokyo, Kamakura is a historic seaside cJan 30, 2026By Kim Se-jeong
Kim Seon-ho’s fashionable on-set outfit draws buzzActor Kim Seon-ho is drawing attention not just for his latest Netflix series, but for the quietly polished outfits worn by his character that have fans dissecting every detail. On Jan. 28, Kim shared multiple photos and videos from the filming site of “Can This Love Be Translated?” on his personal social media account, posting only a short caption that read, “Oro~ra~ah~~” — likely in reference to the aurora the cast reportedly saw while filming in Alberta, Canada. In the images, Kim wears an outfit from the show consisting of a dark-toned long coat layered over a beige turtleneck knit, creating a restrained yet sophisticated look. The coat’s relaxed, flowing silhouette adds an effortless elegance, while the clean turtleneck brings balance and structure, resulting in a classic winter styling that feels intentional. Paired with jeans, the outfit avoids excess and leans into understated casualwear, presenting a textbook example of how minimalist layering can elevate everyday fashion. Against the natural backdrop of Lake Louise, the muted color palette enhances the calm, stableJan 29, 2026By Xportsnews
Surprising Korean spots that look just like Italy, Canada in ‘Can This Love Be Translated?’Netflix’s hit romantic comedy “Can This Love Be Translated?,” starring Kim Seon-ho as Joo Ho-Jin and Go Youn-jung as Cha Mu-hee, follows a romance that unfolds across languages and cultures. The chart-topping series takes viewers on a globetrotting journey — but not every dazzling European villa or Canadian getaway is what it seems. While the show boasts memorable scenes filmed abroad, some of its “overseas” locations were actually shot in Korea, transformed by clever set design and scenery to double for spots in Italy, Canada and beyond. Here’s a guide to the Korean locations standing in for international destinations — places that made the drama’s world-hopping romance possible and can be visited without ever leaving Korea. Peninsula Lounge, Lotte Hotel Seoul The hotel where top star Cha meets interpreter Joo in Italy was actually filmed at the Peninsula Lounge inside Lotte Hotel Seoul. The hotel is known for its winter strawberry buffet featuring a selection of premium desserts. Visitors can also enjoy live jazz performances at the lounge. Website: www.lottehotel.com/Jan 28, 2026By Ahn Seo-hyeon
'Can This Love Be Translated?' tops Netflix weekly chartThe romantic comedy "Can This Love Be Translated?" topped Netflix's weekly non-English series chart, the streaming giant said Wednesday. The 12-part series garnered 9 million views for the week ending Jan. 25, climbing from last week's No. 2 spot and outperforming the runner-up, Korean dating reality show "Single's Inferno: Season 5," which recorded 4.5 million views. Starring Kim Seon-ho and Go Youn-jung, the series centers on the budding romance between Cha Mu-hee (Go), an actor who catapults to global fame overnight, and Ju Ho-jin (Kim), a multilingual translator fluent in six languages, including Italian, English and Japanese, yet struggling to comprehend the language of emotions. It is written by Hong Jung-eun and Hong Mi-ran, who use Hong Sisters as their collective pen name and have numerous hit series, including "Master's Sun" (2013), "Hotel del Luna" (2019) and "Alchemy of Souls" (2022-23). Two additional Korean series made the top 10 list, with SBS TV's romantic drama "No Tail to Tell" at No. 5 and tvN's office drama "Undercover Miss Hong" at No. 6, with 2 million and 1.9 milliJan 28, 2026By Yonhap
