Dramas reflecting abuse of power gain rave reviews Poster for MBC’s period drama “Rebel: Thief Who Stole the People” / Courtesy of MBCBy Park Jin-haiIn the real word, the nation is grappling with the fallout of the Choi Soon-sil scandal. But Choi and her cronies are infuriating the public by dodging questions by parroting the same phrase ― they don’t remember. Viewers yearning for justice can find peace in the drama world, as broadcasters have released shows telling the story of ordinary people fighting against social injustice and abuse of power.MBC’s period drama “Rebel: Thief Who Stole the People,” the SBS thriller “Defendant” and the KBS office comedy “Good Manager,” echoing the shared feeling of the public of today, enjoy rave support from viewers. MBC’s “Rebel,” starring Kim Sang-joong and Yoon Kyun-sang, tells the story of Hong Gil-dong, a popular Korean literature figure based on a real life Joseon-era person.In the first episodes of the 30-part period drama, revolving around the miserable life of Amogae, Hong’s fathFeb 17, 2017
Actresses to show their bare faces in 'Guesthouse Daughters' Lee Mi-suk poses at the press conference for “Guesthouse Daughters,” Tuesday. / YonhapBy Park Jin-haiWhat would it be like if popular actresses showed their faces without make-up and revealed their daily lives?Viewers are about to find out.“Guesthouse Daughters,” a new reality show on KBS, which premieres Tuesday, features veteran actresses Lee Mi-suk, Park Si-yeon, Jang Shin-young, Lee Da-hae and Yoon Soy and male entertainers Park Soo-hong and Lee Su-geun.The show will present daily life involving Lee Mi-suk, a guesthouse owner and mother of four daughters, her son, played by Lee Su-geun, and Park Soo-hong, who lives in the house. It is expected to reveal the actresses talking straight with their faces free of make-up.“The most often asked question has been if it is a drama or a sitcom,” the show’s producer Jung Hee-seop said during a media event at the broadcaster’s headquarters in Seoul Tuesday. “I guess it was because actresses make up the majority of the cast members. I wanted to show that actresses cannot only do well on vaFeb 14, 2017
Eighth time lucky: Actor to marry Mongolian after breakup with bhiksuni Yoo Toong / Screen capture from YouTubeBy Ko Dong-hwanKorean actor, businessman and self-claimed artist Yoo Toong, 60, is getting married in March ― for the eighth time ― to a Mongolian woman, 27.Despite decades of failed marriages, Yoo assured in an interview with online news outlet The Fact on Tuesday that “this will be my last marriage.”“Until now, I have lived upon my fidelity (to former wives) and guts. This time, it’s different,” Yoo said, adding that he is a “little shy and ashamed that my news has grabbed many people’s attention.”Yoo plans to hold the ceremony in Citizens Park, in the coastal city of Busan where he was born. Comedian friends will host the wedding and perform, according to the city’s local daily.Yoo, describing his life as similar to that of “an itinerant vendor,” admitted his rambunctious lifestyle “may appear abnormal to many” but “holding the wedding, which I see as a joyous festival, at an open space is the most natural to me.”Yoo debuted with a movie in 1987 and was Feb 14, 2017
'Good Manager' rises from underdog to favorite Namkoong Min in a scene from “Good Manager” / Courtesy of KBSBy Park Jin-hai“Good Manager,” the drama currently airing on KBS, continues to make headlines as a ratings underdog, surprising the viewers.The initially downplayed workplace comedy with no big-name stars has beaten the rivaling 20 billion won budget SBS drama “Saimdang, Memoir of Colors” in viewer ratings after four episodes and continues to enjoy nearly explosive popularity.The drama starring Namkoong Min started out with 7.8 percent viewership, but viewership has doubled in five episodes. Its sixth episode, aired last Thursday, posted a record 16.7 percent rating.The satirical comedy series revolves around Kim Sung-ryong, played by Namkoong, an accountant at the fictional TQ Group, hired by the company, which wanted to use his genious skills to misappropriate corporate funds for personal use.The surprise success of the drama lies in its punchy and satirical lines on the corrupt corporate owners and the society, which quench the thirst of the viewers, who have been infuriated and tired Feb 14, 2017
Actor Park Bo-gum greeted by 4,000 fans in Thailand Park Bo-gum, the star of 2016 South Korean TV series "Love in the Moonlight," has met about 4,000 fans in Thailand as part of his tour of Asian countries to repay international fans for their love and support, his agency said Monday."I was surprised to see so many fans gathered at the airport when I arrived at a late hour," Park was quoted as saying by Blossom Entertainment during the fan meeting Saturday. "I appreciate your passion, but I hope you return home early. Still, I can feel the overflowing of love.""Descendants of the Sun" star Song Joong-ki, who belongs to the same talent agency and is one of Park's close friends, took part in the Bangkok event as a guest.The two actors expressed hope to appear in the same drama series.When asked if there is any role they would be eager to play in each other's dramas, Park chose the title role in the 2012 romance-fantasy film "A Werewolf Boy" and Song the charming Crown Prince Lee Yeong in "Love in the Moonlight."The 23-year-old actor, who rose to stardom in his role in the 2015-16 TV series "Reply 1988," began the tour in Malaysia on DecFeb 13, 2017
US broadcaster to air remake of S. Korean TV thriller U.S. channel ABC will broadcast a remake of a Korean murder mystery series starting in June, the original drama's distributor said Wednesday."Somewhere Between" would be the first American series based on a Korean format, according to SBS TV.The network has unusually given a straight-to-series order for 10 episodes of the series apparently based on its president's positive reviews of the original drama, SBS TV said.The 2014 SBS series "God's Gift" tells the story of a mother who goes back in time to bring her murdered child back to life. It starred Lee Bo-young, Jo Seung-woo, Kim Tae-woo and Kim Yoo-bin.The American remake will be written by Stephen Tolkin of "Legend of the Seeker" and "Brothers & Sisters," who will serve as executive director along with Ivan Fecan and Joseph Broido.Actress Paula Patton, best known for "Mission Impossible - Ghost Protocol" and "Deja Vu," has been set as lead. The series will begin shooting in Vancouver, Canada, in March. (Yonhap)Feb 8, 2017
'Infinite Challenge' hiatus halves TV commercial sales By Park Jin-hai With its long-running reality show “Infinite Challenge” currently off the air for seven weeks, starting from Jan. 28, MBC is estimated to have lost over 2 billion won in lost commercial sales, Yonhap News Agency reported Wednesday.Yonhap said commercial sales for a variety special that MBC is airing instead of “Infinite Challenge” have fallen 50 percent.The three-part variety special, starring 40-year-old hallyu star Kwon Sang-woo and entertainer Jung Jun-ha, is suffering from a drop in viewers, which led to the poor commercial sales.The new show’s viewership recorded 5 to 6 percent, a sharp drop from the 11 to 15 percent of “Infinite Challenge.”“For the past two weeks, while Infinite Challenge took a break, more than half of MBC’s commercials aired during that time slot have gone,” said an advertizing industry insider. “Until Infinite Challenge resumes, we expect similar or worse losses.”Following the replacement show “Best of Infinite Challenge” specials will hit the air waves iFeb 8, 2017
'Infinite Challenge' hiatus may cost MBC nearly W2 billion in lost sales The hiatus of popular weekend show "Infinite Challenge" is estimated to cost its network MBC TV around 2 billion won ($1.75 million) in lost sales, according to industry forecasts Wednesday.First aired in 2005, the mission-oriented reality TV show is one of the most viewed non-drama programs in South Korea and a major breadwinner for the terrestrial broadcaster. The Saturday evening program entered a seven-week hiatus on Jan. 28 to "take time for reorganization." The "golden timeslot" is being substituted with a four-episode comedy special and reruns."Infinite Challenge," which features a regular cast of popular celebrities, including Yoo Jae-suk and Park Myeong-soo, has attracted 40 commercials per episode, worth a total 540 million won in sales. Accordingly, during the seven weeks it would have raked in sales worth 3.8 billion won.With the new comedy special on Jan. 28, the number of commercials for the timeslot dropped to 20. Viewership of the show, starring actor Kwon Sang-woo and comedian Jung Jun-ha, languished in the 5-6 percent range, far below the average 11-15 percent Feb 8, 2017
'Guardian' fever continues BIGBANG’s G-Dragon posted this picture imitating a scene from “The Guardian” in his Instagram, Sunday. / Captured from G-Dragon’s InstagramBy Park Jin-haiFantasy-romance drama “Guardian: The Lonely and Great God” ended more than two weeks ago, posting a record high 20.5 percent viewership for the cable network tvN.The story of immortal goblin Kim Shin, played by Gong Yoo, and his human bride is no longer airing but it continues to make waves on social media by fans who miss the drama.Online social networking sites are swarming with photos, where fans have uploaded edited images of themselves with Gong. Typing in hash-tags of “Gong Yoo selfie” “Goblin bride” or “Guardian side effect” will turn up many such photos.Celebrities, including K-pop singers Girls' Generation's Taeyeon, AOA’s Seol Hyun and BoA, also join the hype as they posted their photographs with a sword penetrating through the chest as Kim Shin was seen in the drama. SISTAR’s Bora on her birthday video blew candles making a wish saying &ldFeb 7, 2017
Actress Moon Geun-young recovering from surgery Moon Geun-young / Korea Times fileBy Park Si-sooTop actress Moon Geun-young is recovering from surgery to treat acute compartment syndrome, her agency, Namoo Actors, said Sunday.She underwent the first surgery on Friday and the second on Saturday. Moon is expected to have another surgery.“She is OK for now,” an agency official said. “It is hard to say when she will return (to work).”According to the agency, the actress, 30, suddenly felt pain in her right hand on Wednesday. It was so strong that she had to cancel appearing in the play “Romeo and Juliet.” She was diagnosed with acute compartment syndrome the following day.The syndrome occurs when pressure builds up in an enclosed muscle space. It typically occurs after a traumatic event, most commonly a fracture.The cycle of events leading to acute compartment syndrome begins when the tissue pressure exceeds the venous pressure and impairs blood outflow. The lack of oxygenated blood and the accumulation of waste products result in pain and decreased peripheral sensation.Severe tissue damage can resuFeb 5, 2017
