Weighing 100kg, Lee Jang-woo loses roles but gains success in variety, mukbang, and businessActor Lee Jang-woo has seen fewer acting offers since gaining weight, but ironically, he is now more active than ever across television, digital media and business. On Wednesday’s episode of MBN and MBC Every1’s “Do You Know Jip Bap?”, Lee candidly admitted that his acting career has slowed due to his weight gain after he reached 100 kilograms. (“Jip bap” means home-cooked food.) “I gained weight, roles stopped coming in, and people criticized me a lot,” he said. “But when I accepted that this is who I am, new doors opened.” Lee rose to variety show fame through MBC’s “I Live Alone” in 2019, where he formed the beloved mukbang (binge-eating show) trio “Pamp Oil Family” with Park Na-rae and Jun Hyun-moo. His relatable image has since made him a favorite in the entertainment industry. He has gone on to host his own solo variety show, “Lee Jang-woo in the Countryside,” solidifying his status as a reliable TV personality. His popularity has also extended into advertising, with endorsement deals such as a convenience store lunchbox brand that capitalizes on hAug 1, 2025By Xportsnews
Rising trend of co-writing teams reshapes Korean drama industryKorean dramas are embracing a new model of storytelling, shifting away from individual veteran writers toward collaborative writing teams, with an increasing number of series now being penned by multiple writers, many of them newcomers. One recent example is “Hunter with a Scalpel,” a crime thriller that aired on U+TV and topped Disney+ Korea’s overall content rankings. Based on a novel, the drama follows a forensic pathologist tracking her serial killer father. The script was co-written by four rookie writers — Jo Han-young, Park Hyun-shin, Hong Yeon-yi and Jin Se-hyuk — and gained international attention even before its release, having been invited to the Rendez-vous section of the Cannes International Series Festival in June. Another current drama, JTBC’s “The Nice Guy” starring Lee Dong-wook and Lee Sung-kyung, features a writing process split between two experienced screenwriters. Veteran writer Kim Woon-kyung, known for the 1994 classic “The Moon of Seoul,” drafted the initial script, while Kim Hyo-seok, who wrote this year’s Korean box office hit “Yadang:Aug 1, 2025By Hankookilbo
Busan emerges as Asia’s filming hotspot, riding Korean waveAs the global fascination with K-culture continues to captivate audiences around the world, Busan is steadily gaining recognition as a filming destination for international film and television productions. Long overshadowed by the bustling capital Seoul, Korea’s second-largest city is now stepping into the spotlight. With its unique landscape — where mountains meet the sea and modern skyscrapers rise above storied alleyways — Busan is increasingly finding its place on screens worldwide. This boom in filming is happening right alongside K-culture's huge popularity across the globe. International studios and streaming companies aren't just looking for Korea to be a cool background anymore. Instead, they're really trying to put local culture and unique atmosphere of the nation into their stories. New data from the Busan Film Commission (BFC) underscores the southeastern port city’s surging appeal. In the first half this year, Busan supported the filming of 39 projects, including six feature films and 33 other productions, a 30 percent increase from the 30 projects in the same perioAug 1, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
‘Mary Kills People’ takes on euthanasia debate with bold storytellingMBC’s upcoming drama “Mary Kills People” will confront audiences with the provocative topic of assisted suicide, exploring the ethical boundaries of life and death through a suspenseful and emotional narrative. At a press conference held at MBC headquarters in Mapo District, Seoul, Thursday, cast members Lee Bo-young, Kang Ki-young, Lee Min-ki, Kwon Hae-hyo and Yoon Ga-yi, along with director Park Joon-woo, introduced the drama and its themes. The series follows a doctor who assists terminally ill patients with euthanasia and the detective who pursues her, questioning the legality and morality of her actions. “This is a story about a doctor helping patients with incurable diseases and a police officer chasing that doctor,” said director Park. “From the perspective of the law, she could be seen as a serial killer. But why did she begin committing these so-called murders in the name of euthanasia? That’s the question we want to ask.” Park, known for hits like “Taxi Driver” and “Crash,” said, “This is the first time a Korean drama is spotlighting euthanasia. Each eJul 31, 2025By Hankookilbo
Mystery post about hush money from actor’s agency sparks online frenzy before vanishingA now-deleted online post alleging that an entertainment agency paid 8 million won ($6,150) in hush money to an ex-girlfriend of one of its actors has triggered a wave of speculation and unintended fallout for uninvolved celebrities. The anonymous claim first appeared on Monday on Blind, an app-based community platform for verified office workers. The poster claimed to have received the payment in exchange for staying silent about an alleged “rebound breakup or cheating” ahead of the actor’s upcoming televised marriage plans with a new partner. The post quickly went viral across social media and online communities, leading internet users to guess the identities of the parties involved using initials, resulting in several actors being wrongly implicated. Actor Lee Jang-woo took to social media to respond. “It’s not me. Please stop calling me. I’m working," Lee wrote. On Joo-wan’s agency also told Xportsnews, “The rumor has nothing to do with On Joo-wan. He is not involved in any way.” Lee is currently engaged to actress Jo Hye-won and On is engaged to Girl's Day member BaJul 31, 2025By Hankookilbo
'Love, Take Two' weaves mother-daughter bond, second chance at first loveYoo Je-won, director of the upcoming TvN series "Love, Take Two," said Wednesday that, while his new drama explores various relationships — an area he excels in — it gives special attention to the mother-daughter bond. Given his track record of warm and insightful hits, like "Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha," "Crash Course in Romance" and "Love Next Door," anticipation has been high among Korean drama fans for another heartfelt story. The drama follows a mother-daughter pair who relocates to a countryside village, where their new life becomes intertwined with a pivotal father-son duo. In a twist of fate, the father, Jeong-seok, is revealed to be the first love of the mother, Ji-an (Yum Jung-ah). "It is a very interesting drama with many stories of growth, not just in romance but in all relationships," Yoo said during a press conference in Seoul. The story juxtaposes the mature, rekindled romance of the middle-aged couple with the budding love story of their children, according to the director. The series is already generating significant buzz, largely due to its casting: Park Hae-joon, beloved fJul 30, 2025By Yonhap
Han Hye-jin and Ki Sung-yueng’s daughter draws attention for striking resemblance to parentsThe 10-year-old daughter of actor Han Hye-jin and football star Ki Sung-yueng has become the subject of online buzz after recent photos of her were shared on social media. An image of Han and her daughter Sion attending a sporting event went viral after being captured during a live broadcast. The photo, shared in online communities with the caption “Looks like both mom and dad,” shows Han wearing a simple pink cap and white T-shirt, yet still radiating her trademark star aura. Next to her, Sion impressed viewers with her striking features, including a high nose bridge and defined jawline that mirror her mother’s. Her eyes, however, are unmistakably like her father’s. As this is the first public glimpse of Sion in years, many netizens reacted with surprise and admiration, commenting, “She has the exact same nose as her mom,” “Truly a perfect mix of both,” “She grew up so well,” and “Already has the presence of an actress.” Earlier this year, Han made an appearance on SBS’s variety show “Dolsing Fourmen” alongside actresses Hong Eun-hee and Park Ha-sun. During tJul 30, 2025By Hankookilbo
Gong Yoo’s agency says malicious commenter sentenced to suspended prison termAn individual who spread false information and posted malicious content about actor Gong Yoo over several years has been sentenced to prison with a suspended term, the actor’s agency said Monday. His agency Management SOOP said in a statement Tuesday that a person in her 40s who had “habitually spread slander and falsehoods” about the actor since 2020 was recently found guilty by the Daejeon District Court and sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for two years. “The perpetrator repeatedly posted defamatory comments and fabricated claims online that severely damaged the actor’s reputation,” the agency said, adding that the court had recognized the “malicious intent and gravity” of the crimes in handing down the sentence. The agency reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policy toward online abuse, saying it would continue to take strong legal action without leniency or settlement, including in ongoing cases. Management SOOP has previously taken legal steps to protect other actors under its management, including Gong Hyo-jin and Suzy. This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sJul 30, 2025By Hankookilbo
Park Bo-gum sells out fan meeting in Japan, kicks off Asia tourActor Park Bo-gum has officially launched his solo fan meeting tour with a sold-out two-day event in Japan, drawing over 20,000 fans to Yokohama Pia Arena on July 26 and 27. Titled “Be With You,” the tour reflects Park’s message of always staying close to his fans. The actor will continue the tour across Asia, with stops in Seoul, Singapore, Kaohsiung, Manila, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur. Appearing on stage to thunderous applause, Park greeted fans in fluent Japanese and immediately connected with the audience through casual talk and personal updates. He also discussed his recent projects, including the hit drama “Good Boy.” A surprise highlight of the Yokohama shows was the unexpected appearance of his “Good Boy” co-stars Kim So-hyun and Lee Sang-yi, who joined Park onstage on different days. The three actors shared behind-the-scenes stories and memorable moments from filming, delighting the audience. The fan meeting also featured interactive segments where Park granted fans’ wishes and engaged directly with individuals in the crowd. He expressed deep grJul 30, 2025By Hankookilbo
School shooter in ‘Trigger’ revealed to be comedian Lee Kyung-sil’s son Son Bo-seungSon Bo-seung, the son of comedian Lee Kyung-sil, is earning attention for his striking performance in the Netflix series “Trigger,” where he portrays a school shooting suspect in a society unraveling under the weight of illegal firearms. “Trigger,” a dystopian gun-disaster action thriller starring Kim Nam-gil and Kim Young-kwang, unfolds in a Korea plagued by the mysterious spread of untraceable firearms and a surge in gun-related violence. The series follows two men who take up arms for different reasons amid mounting chaos. In the series, Son plays Seo Young-dong, a victim of school bullying who descends into darkness and unleashes a shooting spree. Starting off as a quiet, innocent figure, Son transitions with chilling precision into a hardened, emotionally scarred youth holding a gun. His performance leaves a lasting impression on viewers from episodes 2 through 7. His mother, Lee Kyung-sil, acknowledged her son’s performance on social media, writing, “That’s Bo-seung in ‘Trigger’ on Netflix. He appears from episodes 2 to 7. He’s doing pretty well.” Online audienJul 30, 2025By Xportsnews
