Kim Soo-hyun case signals dangerous new era of AI cybercrimeAfter an arrest warrant was sought for the notorious YouTuber who allegedly used artificial intelligence (AI) to spread malicious rumors about actor Kim Soo-hyun, the resulting damages lawsuit is expected to expand from 12 billion won to a staggering 30 billion won ($20 million). Kim Se-ui, operator of the controversial YouTube channel HoverLab (Garo Sero Institute), was taken into custody Wednesday. The case gained nationwide attention last year when the channel released an audio recording of deceased actor Kim Sae-ron allegedly discussing her relationship with Kim Soo-hyun, sparking intense public backlash and forcing the actor to halt his activities for over a year. However, police have now concluded that the audio was generated using AI voice technology. The actor's legal representative, Ko Sang-rok, characterized the incident as unprecedented. "They not only manipulated public perception by spreading unverified allegations and distorting narratives, but even fabricated core evidence such as KakaoTalk messages and voices," Ko said. The case caused immense financial and professional daMay 29, 2026By Park Jin-hai
Park Eun-bin 'had a blast' playing chaotic hero in Netflix’s ‘The WONDERfools’From an autistic lawyer in “Extraordinary Attorney Woo” to a genius surgeon and serial killer in “Hyper Knife,” Park Eun-bin consistently inhabits her characters, whether protagonist or antagonist. This time, she returns to Netflix as a spirited young woman swept up in the turn-of-the-millennium mood. In Netflix’s superhero comedy adventure “The WONDERfools,” Park plays Eun Cha-ni, a jobless 27-year-old known around her neighborhood as a walking disaster. After unexpectedly gaining the power of teleportation, Cha-ni, together with a group of unlikely comrades gifted with superhuman strength, adhesive secretions and telekinetic abilities, sets out to protect peace in her neighborhood. The uncanny pull of ‘The WONDERfools’ “Uncanny” was the word Park used when asked to describe her first impression of “The WONDERfools.” She first read the draft script on a flight to the United States, where she was headed to attend the Critics Choice Awards and the Grammys following the global success of “Extraordinary Attorney Woo.” The script had been handed to her by directoMay 27, 2026By Hankookilbo
Divorced singles and dating rookies learn how to love in new Korean reality showA woman wanting to find love again meeting with a man who has never been in love: MBC Every1's new dating reality show “Dating Boarding School" is creating a ripple in Korean romance entertainment. The show, which premiered on April 14, sets an unconventional tone from the start by bringing divorced women, who hope to move on from their past and find new love, together with men who have never dated. The awkwardness is visible from the first episode, not only in what the participants say but also in their facial expressions and body language as they struggle to express interest without quite knowing how. That romantic awkwardness is the show’s central concept — and what sets it apart from other dating reality programs. Recent dating shows have often emphasized polished romance, emotional roller coasters, skillful flirting, razor-sharp calculations and psychological tactics, but “Dating Boarding School” turns that premise on its head. It instead offers viewers fumbling honesty and the charm of inexperience. Participants stumble through attempts to say they are attracted to one aMay 27, 2026By Hankookilbo
Viewers question TV variety shows' exploration of infertility issuresCelebrity couples discussing pregnancy plans and fertility struggles have become a growing theme in South Korean television variety shows, reflecting a society grappling with record-low birthrates and rising infertility concerns. While such programs have been praised for openly addressing issues that were once considered taboo, criticism is also growing over increasingly explicit discussions aired on mainstream entertainment programs. Singer Bae Ki-sung and his wife recently revealed details of their efforts to conceive on the TV Chosun variety show “Lovers of Joseon.” The couple said they had been trying to have a child, with Bae revealing that he was even diagnosed with sudden hearing loss during the process. “One of my ears can barely hear now,” Bae said. “Because we wanted to have a baby, my wife and I had sex every day for eight days.” His highly personal confession was broadcast without much filtering, drawing mixed reactions from viewers. The issue is not limited to one couple. Comedian Kim Jun-ho and comedian Kim Ji-min have also publicly documented their efforts to prMay 25, 2026By Hankookilbo
Korean stars call out divorced-themed reality show casting DMsA wave of Korean celebrities is publicly criticizing divorce-themed reality shows for sending what many describe as random and intrusive casting messages to happily married couples. The controversy resurfaced after the wife of former NRG member Noh Yoo-min on Thursday shared screenshots showing messages of producers from JTBC’s divorce-counseling reality program who had contacted her about appearing on the show. She said the invitation was not the first one the couple had received. “Sometimes we get annoyed with each other, but not enough to divorce,” she wrote on social media. “We’re going to stay together until we die, so please stop messaging us. We’re soulmates.” The message she shared included an apology from the production team, which said, “First of all, if receiving this message made you uncomfortable, we sincerely apologize.” The issue has sparked wider discussion online about how aggressively Korean relationship reality shows are recruiting cast members as divorce-focused programs continue to gain popularity. Earlier this month, Ok-soon from Season 15 of the hitMay 23, 2026By Xportsnews
Tving’s bet on Korean viewers in their 20s and 30s pays off with ‘Yumi’s Cells,’ ‘The Legend of Kitchen Soldier’First came “Yumi’s Cells.” Then came “The Legend of Kitchen Soldier.” In Korea’s increasingly cutthroat streaming market, Tving has landed back-to-back hits, showing it can produce original series capable of cutting through a crowded content landscape. According to Tving, Season 3 of its original series “Yumi’s Cells” ranked No. 1 in paid subscriber contribution from its first week of release through its final week, while posting 226 percent growth from the first season to achieve the strongest performance of the entire franchise. The series also showed steady growth with each installment, with Season 2 up 88 percent from Season 1 and Season 3 up 73 percent from Season 2. Released shortly after “Yumi’s Cells,” “The Legend of Kitchen Soldier” achieved the feat of recording the highest paid subscriber contribution in its opening week among all dramas Tving has released in the past three years. For Tving, the back-to-back successes are especially noteworthy. For one, the two shows are emerging as marquee titles that help define the platform’s identity. But theMay 23, 2026By Hankookilbo
How short-form video platforms turned Netflix's 'My Royal Nemesis' into global hitThe SBS romantic comedy “My Royal Nemesis” is showing unusually strong momentum. Since its initial release, it has rapidly gained word-of-mouth popularity, drawing positive reactions not only from domestic audiences but also from viewers around the world. Amid a period when K-dramas had briefly lost some momentum, “My Royal Nemesis” is now charting a fast and impressive growth trajectory. The series surged from a 5.4 percent viewership rating in its second episode to 6 percent by fourth episode, according to Nielsen Korea. Globally, the show reached No. 1 on Netflix’s Global Top 10 (Non-English TV) list and No. 2 in overall television. According to FlixPatrol, the drama landed in the Top 10 in 84 countries — including the United States, Spain, Poland and Japan — and claimed the No. 1 spot in 24 markets, such as Brazil, Taiwan, Qatar, Peru and Singapore. This rapid ascent stands out in the fiercely competitive Friday-Saturday broadcast slot. As the boundaries between traditional television networks and the streaming market continue to blur, viewers are overwhelmed by an expMay 21, 2026By Hankookilbo
'KPop Demon Hunters' co-director says Song Joong-ki inspired Jinu's characterChris Appelhans, co-director of Netflix's hit animated film "KPop Demon Hunters," is revealing the creative process behind the movie's characters. He will appear MBC every1's travel reality show "Welcome, First Time in Korea?" which will air Thursday evening, marking his first appearance on a Korean entertainment program. Appelhans made his directorial debut with the 2021 animated film "Wish Dragon." The box office success raised his profile, earning him the backing of Sony Pictures to produce any project he desired. To build the narrative and emotional depth of "KPop Demon Hunters," Appelhans analyzed hit Korean dramas including "Boys Over Flowers," "Vincenzo" and "Crash Landing on You." He said he specifically referenced actor Song Joong-ki's facial expressions in "Vincenzo" to design Jinu, a member of the demon boy band Saja Boys. "KPop Demon Hunters" follows Rumi, Mira and Zoey, members of the fictional K-pop girl group HUNTR/X, who perform as artists during the day and fight world-ending evil spirits at night. The movie won the two Academy Awards for Best Animated Feature and Best OrMay 21, 2026By Hankookilbo
How 'We Are All Trying Here' comforts exhausted Koreans“We Are All Trying Here” explores emotional vulnerability. While many contemporary series mask trauma behind metaphors, the JTBC drama openly exposes the deepest insecurities of its characters. Instead of relying on idealized figures to offer comfort, the series centers on clumsy, self-doubting social misfits. This focus provides viewers with an unexpected sense of relief through the characters' imperfections. Hwang Dong-man exemplifies this departure from the norms. Portrayed by actor Koo Kyo-hwan, Dong-man completely lacks the unwavering confidence and charisma typical of male leads. He constantly anticipates failure and is easily shaken by minor anxieties. Even when achieving success, he focuses on the potential for disaster rather than celebrating the milestone. Yet, audiences find his profound self-doubt highly realistic rather than frustrating. The show also subverts contemporary romantic tropes, which often prioritize fast-paced, intense emotional arcs. The relationship between Dong-man and Eun-a, played by actor Go Youn-jung, unfolds slowly and quietly. They do not attempt toMay 21, 2026By Hankookilbo
From Disney+ hit to historical controversy: What went wrong with ‘Perfect Crown’?The controversy surrounding MBC drama “Perfect Crown” is continuing to grow even after the series finale, with historians and public figures criticizing what they describe as repeated historical distortions in Korean fantasy dramas. The series, originally titled “21st Century Grand Prince’s Wife” in Korean, ended May 16 with its highest viewership rating at 13.8 percent. It also found major global success on Disney+, where it reportedly became the most-watched Korean series worldwide within a month of its release. But instead of celebrating the ratings, online discussion has increasingly focused on alleged historical inaccuracies and symbolism viewed by some as diminishing Korea’s sovereignty. The backlash became so intense that lead actors IU and Byeon Woo-seok posted public apologies on their personal social media accounts. Director Park Joon-hwa also addressed the criticism during a post-finale interview on Tuesday. “The writer has been struggling a lot,” Park said. “They regret causing discomfort to viewers and have been having a difficult time.” The drama is set inMay 20, 2026By Xportsnews
