5 queens of K-drama return: Kim Go-eun, Suzy, Han Hyo-joo, IU, Park Bo-youngKakao Entertainment has announced an exciting slate of fall projects for its management label actors, spotlighting a lineup of leading actresses often referred to as Korea’s “queens.” Kim Go-eun returns with Netflix series Kim Go-eun stars in Netflix series “You and Everything Else,” released Sept. 12, which has already entered the Top 10 across 14 countries, including Korea, according to FlixPatrol. Kim plays Eun-jung, a character whose candid charm contrasts with her complex, decades-long friendship with Sang-yeon (Park Ji-hyun). The series traces their relationship through multiple life stages, from the 1990s to the 2020s, with evolving fashion and emotional depth. Kim is also set to return later this year in Netflix's “The Price of Confession,” where she will portray a mysterious figure known as a “witch” among prison inmates for her psychological insight. Suzy explores fantasy romance Suzy will captivate global viewers starting Oct. 3 with the Netflix series “Genie, Make a Wish,” a fantasy rom-com about a genie awakened after a thousand years who meets Ga-young,Sep 20, 2025By Xportsnews
Korean dramas begin tackling physician and medically assisted suicide, breaking cultural taboosKorean dramas are beginning to address the sensitive theme of physician and medically assisted suicide, with recent series exploring the controversial subject in ways rarely seen on television. MBC’s recently concluded its Friday-Saturday drama “Mary Kills People,” while JTBC’s weekend drama “Beyond the Bar” and the Netflix series “You and Everything Else” all weave similar themes into their storylines. “Mary Kills People,” starring Lee Bo-young and Lee Min-ki, is a suspense drama about a doctor who aids terminally ill patients seeking to end their lives and the detective who pursues her. “Beyond the Bar,” starring Lee Jin-wook and Jung Chae-yeon, includes an episode involving assisted suicide in Switzerland, with lawyer Yoon Seok-hun (played by Lee) defending a husband who accompanied his wife. Netflix’s “You and Everything Else” opens with a character asking her estranged best friend to join her on a journey to her own death, a request that drives the narrative through the final episode. Assisted suicide and its context Assisted suicide refers to a terminaSep 20, 2025By Xportsnews
Webtoon artist Kian84 says running helped him overcome alcohol dependenceWebtoon creator and TV personality Kian84 says running has played a major role in helping him recover from a period of severe alcohol dependence and panic disorder. Kian84 appeared on rapper Sean’s YouTube channel on Thursday for a video titled “How Running Changed My Life,” in which he ran with the host and discussed his struggles and recovery. He said his panic attacks began around age 31, when he started serializing the webtoon "Bokhakwang," and that medical treatment and counseling had little effect. “Doctors all told me the same thing: exercise,” he said, explaining why he turned to running. Three years ago he entered a marathon at Daecheong Lake, west of Daejeon, and began running regularly. “Because my work keeps me at a computer all day, I felt like I would die if I didn’t do something. Running is something I can do quickly, so I made it a habit to run 5 to 7 kilometers,” he said. Before he took up running, Kian84 said his alcohol use had reached dependency levels. “Even when my body hurt, I drank. I couldn’t sleep without it. I used to drink half a bottle ofSep 19, 2025By Hankookilbo
Jung Woo-sung returns to public stage at Buil Film Awards after year of controversyActor Jung Woo-sung made his first official public appearance in a year, attending the 34th Buil Film Awards handprinting ceremony in Busan on Thursday. Held at Signiel Busan in Haeundae District, the event marked Jung’s return to the spotlight following personal controversies that drew public attention last year. Wearing a black double-breasted suit and sporting a trimmed beard, the actor projected a classic look, complemented by his swept-back hairstyle. Jung also took the stage as a presenter alongside Kim Geum-soon. “Whether I am presenting or receiving, standing on the stage of a film award ceremony is always nerve-racking,” he said. “I don’t think this pleasant sense of excitement will ever stop until the day I quit acting.” He then handed the trophy to Lee Byung-hun, who won best actor for “The Match,” and offered his congratulations. He briefly mentioned his upcoming Disney+ series “Made in Korea,” which is set to premiere in December, noting that “it is difficult to explain in a few words.” Jung won Best Actor at last year’s ceremony for his performance iSep 19, 2025By Xportsnews
‘KPop Demon Hunters’ becomes first Netflix title to top 300 million viewsNetflix original film “K-pop Demon Hunters” has surpassed 300 million cumulative views, setting a new record for the platform. According to Netflix’s official site Tudum on Wednesday, the film reached 314.2 million views as of Sunday. The milestone came less than three months after its release on June 20. It marks the first time any Netflix title has crossed the 300 million-view threshold. “KPop Demon Hunters” had already become the most-watched Netflix film, and its viewership topped shows such as “Squid Game” Season 1 (265.2 million) and “Wednesday” Season 1 (252.1 million). The animated action fantasy follows Huntrix, a K-pop girl group whose members Rumi, Mira and Zoey lead double lives as hidden heroes behind the glamorous stage. Produced by Sony Pictures Animation, known for “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse,” the film was co-directed by Korean Canadian Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans. Korean stars Lee Byung-hun and Ahn Hyo-seop lent their voices for the English version, while TWICE members Jeongyeon, Jihyo and Chaeyoung contributed to the soundtrack. Among thSep 18, 2025By Hankookilbo
Actor Yoon Ji-on admits drunk driving motorcycleActor Yoon Ji-on has admitted to drunk driving and stepped down from his latest project. Yoon issued a public apology on social media Wednesday, acknowledging that he had been caught driving under the influence the previous day. “On Sept. 16, I made a grave mistake by riding off on a parked motorcycle while I was so intoxicated that I could not even remember the situation,” he said. Yoon added that he accepted all charges and was working to confirm whether any damages occurred. “I deeply apologize to everyone who supported me. My reckless behavior has caused disappointment and hurt, and I have no excuse,” he said. He further pledged to cooperate fully with the investigation and accept any punishment. “I will live with lifelong regret so that such an incident never happens again,” he said. Following the incident, Yoon withdrew from the Channel A drama “Positively Yours,” which was in the middle of filming. His contract with his former agency, Ieum Hashtag, had expired in July. The controversy has drawn sharp criticism, especially as Yoon rose to prominence after replacing acSep 18, 2025By Hankookilbo
Park Hyung-sik’s agency denies reports of $290,000 per-episode feeActor Park Hyung-sik’s agency has dismissed rumors that he was paid 400 million won ($290,000) per episode for his recent drama. Reve Entertainment, Park’s management company, issued a statement refuting media speculation over his pay on Wednesday. “Reports about Park’s per-episode fees, from ‘Doctor Slump’ to the recent ‘Twelve,’ are not true,” the agency said. “As inaccurate figures are being treated as fact, we are making our official position clear.” The agency added, “Park approaches every project with sincerity. We would be grateful if his future activities are followed with warm support.” Still, the agency offered no details on how much he was paid per episode. Speculation about the high salaries of leading actors has drawn increasing scrutiny in the drama industry. Dispatch recently reported that Park received 400 million won per episode for “Twelve,” while earlier rumors claimed he earned 500 million won for “Doctor Slump.” Concerns have been raised that soaring star salaries are pushing up overall production costs, straining the industry. In one hSep 17, 2025By Hankookilbo
Lee Young-ae returns to KBS after 26 years with ‘Walking on the Thin Ice’Actor Lee Young-ae is making her first appearance in a KBS drama in 26 years, taking on the role of a housewife in the upcoming series “Walking on the Thin Ice.” At a press conference held Tuesday at D-Cube City in Guro District, Seoul, Lee joined co-stars Kim Young-kwang and Park Yong-woo along with director Song Hyun-wook to introduce the drama. “Walking on the Thin Ice” follows Kang Eun-su (Lee), a mother who wants to protect her family, and her entanglement with Lee Kyung (Kim), a teacher leading a double life. Their fates collide after they come into possession of a bag of drugs, sparking a dangerous and desperate partnership. Song, known for works such as “The Beauty Inside” and “Another Miss Oh,” said he approached the drug-related storyline with caution. “It is a sensitive theme, especially on public broadcasting. Rather than depict it sensationally, I wanted to show the unease and shock characters feel when encountering an unfamiliar world,” he said. Lee said the drama aims to raise broader questions. “‘Walking on the Thin Ice’ is not only about drugs buSep 17, 2025By Hankookilbo
‘Crime Scene Zero’ reboots mystery-solving reality for global audiencesNetflix is bringing back the cult hit “Crime Scene” with a new season titled “Crime Scene Zero,” aiming to rekindle the show’s classic mystery-solving thrill while expanding its reach worldwide. Reviving the popular series that originally aired from 2014 to 2017 on JTBC and later on Tving, the new installment reunites the creative team and cast that made “Crime Scene” a phenomenon. Producers say the new season stays true to the heart of the original while leveling up the scope, scale and accessibility for Netflix’s global audience. Producer Yoon Hyun-jun said the new season was guided by a “back to basics” mindset. “What Netflix offers is the chance to reach a much larger audience, but at the same time it’s about evolution with a beginner’s spirit,” he said during a press conference at the Ramada by Wyndham in Guro District, Seoul, Tuesday. Co-producer Hwang Seul-woo emphasized the balance between innovation and authenticity, crediting the show’s revival on Netflix to the strong support from fans. “We focused on originality — the core mystery and an expanSep 16, 2025By Youn Ye-jin
'Bon Appetit, Your Majesty' makes Yoona the queen of Korea’s drama marketActor Im Yoon-ah, also known as Yoona, has proven herself a commanding presence in the Korean drama market, earning praise as a true “ruler” in her latest role. Her tvN weekend series “Bon Appetit, Your Majesty” ranked No. 1 in the second week of September in Korea’s TV-OTT integrated drama buzz index. She also held the top spot in the actor category in the four consecutive weeks since the show’s premiere, underscoring her overwhelming popularity alongside that of the program itself. Throughout the drama’s cooking sequences, Im heightens the tension with her delicate rhythm and natural expressions. She minimized the use of stunt doubles and performed much of the cooking herself, lending further credibility to her character. Each week, her strong performance has fueled rising ratings and online buzz, drawing widespread acclaim that “Yoona never disappoints.” Critics noted that she maximizes immersion by portraying emotions with meticulous detail while radiating both soft charisma and warmth. Her deep understanding of the character, combined with careful preparation, hasSep 16, 2025By Xportsnews
