Why experts say Korea needs ‘Next K’ strategy beyond global K-culture boomFrom films and dramas to K-pop, literature, stage performances and animation, K-culture has secured a central place on the global stage. The question now is how long it can maintain its momentum. Alongside the Korean wave, or hallyu, narrative, concerns about saturation and decline persist. Experts argue that new strategies are needed to chart the course of the “Next K.” Analysts agree that Korean content has moved past relying solely on novelty. To become a global standard like Hollywood, K-culture must embrace localization. Song Jin, head of the Industrial Policy Research Center at the Korea Creative Content Agency, pointed to Netflix series “When Life Gives You Tangerines,” which adapted its title differently for each market. “From subtitles and dubbing to nuanced cultural adjustments, reducing barriers for global viewers requires meticulous effort,” he said. The series’ English title transformed the U.S. proverb “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade” by swapping lemons for tangerines. Song also emphasized co-production with local creators and casting diverse artAug 19, 2025By Hankookilbo
Netflix series 'Aema' revisits Korea's legendary erotic film of 1980s“Madame Aema,” the 1982 film widely regarded as the beginning of Korea’s erotic cinema boom in the 1980s, has been reimagined for the 21st century. During the military regime of Chun Doo-hwan, the government implemented the so-called “3S Policy” — screen, sports and sex — aimed at pacifying the public and diverting attention away from politics, which created the conditions for a rapid boom in the erotic film industry. The Netflix drama “Aema,” to be released Friday, tells the fraught journey of top star Hee-ran (Lee Ha-nee) and rookie actor Joo-ae (Bang Hyo-rin), who bravely confront the dark realities hidden behind the dazzling spotlight of that time in the process of bringing “Madame Aema” to life. “In the early 1980s, erotic films were actively encouraged and produced as a matter of policy. Ironically, there was also strict censorship and rampant cuts, meaning there was virtually no freedom of expression. By revisiting this irony from today’s perspective, I thought I could reinterpret it in 2025 and explore its meaning in a way that delivers a new message,Aug 18, 2025By Park Jin-hai
Lee Young-ae returns as housewife pulled into forbidden world in new KBS dramaActor Lee Young-ae will return to the small screen in the upcoming KBS weekend drama “Walking on the Thin Ice,” taking on the role of a housewife whose ordinary life is upended when she steps into the dangerous world of drugs. The drama, premiering Sept. 20 on KBS2, marks Lee’s comeback to television four years after JTBC’s “Inspector Koo.” Earlier in May, she returned to the stage for the first time in 32 years with Henrik Ibsen’s “Hedda Gabler,” underscoring her appetite for bold artistic challenges. Directed by Song Hyun-wook and written by Jeon Young-shin, “Walking on the Thin Ice" (titled "Eun-su’s Good Day" in Korean) follows Kang Eun-su, a devoted mother who stumbles upon a bag of drugs and partners with a duplicitous teacher in a desperate attempt to protect her family. As Eun-su’s choices push her deeper into crime, she undergoes a harrowing transformation that tests her resilience and morality. Lee said she was drawn to the character’s duality. “At first, I thought I could play her naturally, like myself. But as Eun-su moves beyond her essence and trAug 18, 2025By Hankookilbo
Bill Gates to guest star on hit show 'You Quiz on the Block'Microsoft co-founder and global philanthropist Bill Gates is scheduled to appear on the popular talk show "You Quiz on the Block," CJ ENM said Monday. Hosted by beloved comedians Yoo Jae-suk and Jo Se-ho, tvN's popular Wednesday talk show is one of the country's most celebrated for its diverse lineup of guests, which ranges from everyday citizens to global superstars. "We are honored to invite Bill Gates to our show, who connects the world through technology and changes it through donations," the company said in a statement. The company noted that the show's mission to promote human dignity aligns with the Gates Foundation's core belief, "Every life has equal value." Since its launch on August 2018, the program has successfully attracted a number of high-profile global celebrities in the past, including Scarlett Johansson and Timothee Chalamet. The episode featuring Gates is slated to air sometime this month, with a specific date yet to be announced.Aug 18, 2025By Yonhap
Netflix’s ‘Better Late Than Single’ may return, producers sayNetflix has created fresh buzz in the crowded dating reality landscape with “Better Late Than Single,” the country’s first show to feature people who have never been in a romantic relationship. Selected from a pool of more than 4,000 applicants, the participants drew attention even before the program aired, and the series has since climbed into Netflix’s global Top 10 non-English TV chart. According to producing director Kim Noh-eun, the flood of applicants came as a surprise. “We didn’t expect such numbers. Not everyone applied because they couldn’t date. Some had simply chosen not to, while others wanted to challenge themselves by experiencing love for the first time,” she said. To ensure authenticity, producers conducted extensive background checks beyond simple applications. Families and friends were interviewed, dating histories were scrutinized and even affidavits were signed to guarantee that participants truly fit the program’s theme. Producing director Won Seung-jae said, “Talking to them, we understood why they hadn’t dated yet. It all made sense.” ImperfAug 18, 2025By Hankookilbo
Park Yoon-ho emerges as rising star with ‘Trigger’ and ‘Our Unwritten Seoul’Actor Park Yoon-ho, who first drew attention with his striking performance in “Study Group,” is rapidly establishing himself as one of the most promising new talents on screen. With back-to-back appearances in Netflix’s “Trigger” and tvN’s “Our Unwritten Seoul,” he has demonstrated a wide acting spectrum, though he describes himself modestly as still being “in the seedling stage before bearing fruit.” Park said the real turning point came with “Trigger,” where he played the role of Gyu-jin after enduring five rounds of auditions. “I worked closely with the director to shape the character. It wasn’t just about following the script but about understanding why Gyu-jin makes certain choices, especially his feelings for his mother,” he said. He even trained in live shooting to fully embody the role but emphasized that the most meaningful discovery was realizing that his character never actually fired a gun. “That choice carried the series’ message about the dangers of firearms and the power of restraint,” he added. Park also credited his co-star Son Bo-seungAug 18, 2025By Hankookilbo
Shinhwa’s Lee Min-woo introduces fiancee and her daughter on reality showSinger Lee Min-woo of boy band Shinhwa introduced his fiancee, 11 years his junior, along with her 6-year-old daughter on KBS2’s “Mr. House Husband" Season 2 on Saturday, revealing during the broadcast that the couple is expecting a baby in December. During the broadcast, Lee, 46, traveled to Japan to meet his Korean Japanese fiancee and her daughter for the first time in three months. At Gimpo International Airport, he was seen carrying a suitcase and said, “I’m going to Japan to see my girlfriend, who will become my wife, and her 6-year-old daughter. It’s been about three months since my last visit.” He added, “The baby’s nickname is Yang-yang. They told me the gender has been revealed and asked me to come.” The fiancee, a Pilates instructor, surprised viewers by sharing that despite being 21 weeks pregnant, she continued working to avoid becoming a financial burden to Lee and even suffered a health scare from overexertion. Lee expressed sorrow and guilt at her condition, while his fiancee and her daughter prepared a gender reveal party during his trip to the groceryAug 18, 2025By Hankookilbo
YouTuber KwakTube reveals he is dating, says marriage is on his mindYouTuber and TV personality KwakTube, 33, has revealed he is in a relationship with a non-celebrity and is considering marriage. In a video uploaded to his channel on Aug. 13 titled “A strange 3 nights 4 days Thai eating tour where the guide eats more,” Kwak was shown traveling to Bangkok with subscribers. During a Q&A session, one asked if he had a girlfriend. “Yes, I have a girlfriend. I’m thinking about marriage. She’s not a celebrity,” he replied. Kwak also shared details about their relationship. “We usually date at home, and we often go to good restaurants,” he said, adding that they met through an introduction. He expressed gratitude that his girlfriend understands when he travels far for work. The revelation has prompted many congratulatory messages from viewers in the video’s comments. Kwak, known for his travel content, began his channel in 2018 with videos on Azerbaijan and has since produced content featuring various countries. He reached one million subscribers within three years. Expanding into television, he has appeared in programs such as “Earth MarbleAug 14, 2025By Hankookilbo
Kim Tae-hee returns to variety shows after 15 years following Hollywood debutActor Kim Tae-hee will appear on the tvN variety show “You Quiz on the Block,” marking her first variety show appearance since "Win Win," 15 years ago. Her agency, Story J Company, said Wednesday that Kim was filming the episode that day, which is set to air on Aug. 20. Her return to the variety scene has drawn keen interest, especially as it will reunite her with host Yoo Jae-suk for the first time in 19 years, since their appearance together on “Infinite Challenge” in 2006. The announcement comes on the heels of Kim’s Hollywood debut in the Prime Video original series “Butterfly,” a spy thriller based on the graphic novel of the same name. The series stars and is produced by Korean American actor Daniel Dae Kim, and follows David Jung, a mysterious former U.S. intelligence operative, and Rebecca (Reina Hardesty), the active agent sent to kill him. Known for her fluent English, Kim delivers her lines entirely in English in the series. She attended the world premiere at Regal Theater in New York on Aug. 5, where she discussed the project. Since her debut in 2000, Kim has starAug 14, 2025By Hankookilbo
80th Liberation Day Must-watch dramas, films on Korea’s independence struggleThis year’s Liberation Day, marking the 80th anniversary of the end of colonial Japanese rule, offers a moment to remember both the atrocities committed by Japan and the sacrifices of Korea’s independence activists. One way to reflect on this history is by watching a drama or film that brings these stories to life. The Korea Times asked five experts to recommend dramas and films that embody the spirit of this historic occasion. The panel includes culture critic Jung Duk-hyun; Kim Hern-sik, culture critic and professor of social and cultural studies at Jungwon University; Yun Suk-jin, cultural critic and professor of Korean language and literature at Chungnam National University; CedarBough Saeji, assistant professor of Korean and East Asian studies at Pusan National University; and Lee Ha-na, associate professor of history at Seoul National University. Among their recommendations, four standout titles emerged: the acclaimed drama "Mr. Sunshine"; the gripping thrillers "The Age of Shadows" and "Assassination"; and the poignant black-and-white classic from the Japanese colonial perioAug 13, 2025By Park Jin-hai
