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'Low Life' unites hitmakers for riveting treasure hunt on Disney+

The stars of Disney+ hits “Big Bet” and “Moving” are teaming up for “Low Life.” With director Kang Yun-sung and actor Ryu Seung-ryong teaming up, expectations are high for the series to become the platform’s next flagship Korean original. Kang, known for his intense style in Disney+ series “Casino” and the film “The Outlaws,” joins forces with writer Yoon Tae-ho, who penned the webtoons “Moss,” “Misaeng” and “Inside Men.” Set in 1977, the story follows the adventures of diligent, hardworking bumpkins who gather to claim a sunken treasure ship beneath the sea. “I was thrilled to work with the brilliant webtoon artist Yoon, director Kang, whom I've always wanted to collaborate with, and the talented cast,” Ryu said, sharing his enthusiasm for joining the project during a conference promoting the drama at Conrad Seoul in Yeouido, Tuesday. “I’ve been a fan of director Kang, so it felt like a dream come true. It was a really enjoyable process, creating each character one by one.” Ryu stars as Oh Gwan-seok, a cunning leader willing to do anything for

Jul 8, 2025By Park Jin-hai
'Low Life' unites hitmakers for riveting treasure hunt on Disney+

TV personality Yoon Jung-soo reveals he is dating with marriage in mind

Comedian and TV personality Yoon Jung-soo has announced he is in a serious relationship with marriage as the goal. MBC’s home-hunting reality show “Where Is My Home” released a teaser video on Tuesday, titled “Yoon Jung-soo’s wedding announcement revealed for the first time.” In the video, Yoon says, “I’ve met someone I’m seeing with the intention of marriage,” adding, “I’ve already met her family, and if circumstances allow, I plan to marry her within this year.” Yoon is expected to share more about his relationship during the upcoming episode of “Where Is My Home,” set to air at 10 p.m., Thursday. Separately, StarNews reported that Yoon is dating a pilates instructor who is 12 years younger than him. According to the outlet, the two were acquaintances before their relationship turned romantic. Born in 1972, Yoon is currently 52 years old. Yoon made his entertainment debut in 1992 as part of SBS’s first class of comedians. He has since become a familiar face on numerous television programs, including “Love on the Air,” and “A Day of Leaders.” He a

Jul 8, 2025By Hankookilbo
TV personality Yoon Jung-soo reveals he is dating with marriage in mind

Cannes-acclaimed drama 'S Line' explores hidden human desires

Wavve's original series "S Line," which was officially invited to the 2025 Cannes International Series Festival and won the "Best Music" award in April, will finally be released Friday. The fantasy thriller, based on the popular webtoon of the same name by Kkomabi, author of "A Killer Paradox," delves into hidden truths and human desires, based on a provocative concept of the S Line, a red thread only visible between people who have had sexual relationships. In the original webtoon, the line was visible to all, but scriptwriter and director Ahn Joo-young reinterpreted the setting so that only some people can see the S Line, hinting at a different worldview. As the only Korean drama invited to the Canneseries this year, the response at the festival was enthusiastic, according to Ahn. "The auditorium was packed when the series was screened, and the cheers we received gave me an unforgettable sense of emotion as a director," she said, recalling the moment during a press conference for the drama at CGV Yongsan I'Park Mall in Yongsan District, Seoul, Monday. "Since it's a work where thriller a

Jul 7, 2025By Park Jin-hai
Cannes-acclaimed drama 'S Line' explores hidden human desires

Jun Ji-hyun launches new agency PEACHY to ‘seek a new direction’

Actor Jun Ji-hyun has launched a new entertainment agency, PEACHY, signaling a fresh chapter in her decades-long acting career. In a statement released Monday through the newly established company, Jun said, “After living as an actress for such a long time, I needed time to reflect on myself and explore a new direction. PEACHY is a choice that reflects where I am now, and a starting point to focus on what’s more essential.” The agency said it plans to expand beyond traditional management, noting that it will pursue a range of content-related business opportunities. “We aim to become a management company where the life and expression of the artist blend naturally, not just one that handles schedules,” PEACHY said. The news comes after Jun ended her contract with Ieum Hashtag, where she had been since 2022. She now embarks on her career under her own banner. Jun is set to return to the screen in Sept. through the Disney+ original series “Tempest.” The thriller follows Seo Mun-ju, a renowned diplomat and former U.N. ambassador, as she joins forces with an enigmatic special age

Jul 7, 2025By Hankookilbo
Jun Ji-hyun launches new agency PEACHY to ‘seek a new direction’

Lee Sang-min introduces wife for first time on TV, opens up about IVF journey

TV personality Lee Sang-min introduced his wife to the public for the first time on SBS’ variety show "My Little Old Boy," which aired Saturday. Lee, 50, revealed that he and his wife, who is 10 years younger, registered their marriage in April after a brief courtship. This marked the first public appearance of his wife, whose identity had been kept private until now. In the episode, the couple was seen holding hands in the car and chatting affectionately. Wearing a face mask, Lee's wife received praise from the show's hosts. “Her eyes are so beautiful,” said Shin Dong-yup, while Seo Jang-hoon noted, “I’ve only seen her in photos until now.” Shin emphasized that even Lee's close friends had not met his wife, as the couple opted not to hold a wedding ceremony. Lee asked his wife about the reaction from people around her following news of their marriage. “It was wild,” she said. “You uploaded our wedding announcement on social media, and some people screenshotted it and sent it to me faster than I could see it myself.” When Lee jokingly asked if anyone had questioned her

Jul 7, 2025By Hankookilbo
Lee Sang-min introduces wife for first time on TV, opens up about IVF journey

K-dramas reinterpret shamanism

In the tvN fantasy romance drama "Head Over Heels," high school student Seong-ah, who secretly works as a shaman by night, says, "When life wavers in the face of crisis, people seek out shamans." She performs a ritual called "cheondoje" to send off spirits and holds exorcisms to drive away evil ghosts, but the overall tone of the drama is not entirely dark and gloomy. During the solemn ritual, her watch alarm goes off, prompting her to hurry the ceremony, saying, "If I can't finish the ritual in 10 minutes, I have to go." As a ghost protests, she says, "Today is the midterm exam. You know what it means for a high schooler to mess up their grades, right?" The drama, which premiered on June 23, depicts the relationship between Seong-ah (Cho Yi-hyun), a teenage shaman who can see ghosts, and Gyeon-woo (Choo Young-woo), a transfer student destined for an early death. Seong-ah strives to save Gyeon-woo, her first love, from his fate. The drama convincingly portrays the tensions between rituals and exams, shamanism and high school life, blending them naturally into a compelling coming-of-age

Jul 7, 2025By Park Jin-hai
K-dramas reinterpret shamanism

‘Squid Game’ saga ends, leaves behind global legacy and new challenge for K-content

The record-breaking Netflix series “Squid Game” has officially wrapped its journey with the release of Season 3, closing a chapter that reshaped the global perception of Korean content and elevated its creators and cast to international stardom. While a spinoff remains a possibility, the main narrative concluded on June 27 with release of the show's third and final season. Since its debut, “Squid Game” has shattered numerous records. Combined, Seasons 1 and 2 garnered a cumulative 600 million views (calculated by dividing total viewing hours by the runtime). Season 1 became Netflix’s most-watched series of all time, and Season 2 followed with strong momentum, topping the non-English series chart three days after release and finishing at No. 3 in Netflix’s all-time global rankings. As of Wednesday, Season 3 recorded 60.1 million views, climbing to No. 1 on Netflix’s global Top 10. From June 27 to 29 alone, viewers logged 368.4 million hours watching the new season. It topped viewing rankings in all 93 countries where Netflix’s Top 10 is tracked, including the United States,

Jul 5, 2025By Hankookilbo
‘Squid Game’ saga ends, leaves behind global legacy and new challenge for K-content

Girl’s Day’s Minah, actor On Joo-wan to marry in November

Singer and actor Bang Minah, 32, formerly of K-pop girl group Girl’s Day, will marry actor On Joo-wan, 41, this November, their agencies announced Friday. According to On’s agency Haewadal Entertainment, the two stars “have decided to spend the rest of their lives together after a serious relationship.” The couple will hold a private wedding ceremony attended by only close family and friends. “We ask for warm blessings and support for their new beginning as husband and wife,” the agency said, noting the ceremony will be kept low-key out of respect for the couple’s privacy. SM C&C, Minah’s agency, echoed the announcement, confirming the longtime acquaintances developed a romantic relationship over time. “They nurtured their love from a longstanding connection and have decided to build a life together this November,” the agency said, adding that both will continue their careers as actors after marriage. Minah and On first met while filming the 2016 SBS drama “Beautiful Gong Shim.” They reunited in 2021 during the stage musical “The Days,” which deepened their rel

Jul 4, 2025By Hankookilbo
Girl’s Day’s Minah, actor On Joo-wan to marry in November

Park Seo-joon wins lawsuit against restaurant over unauthorized use of image

Actor Park Seo-joon has won a lawsuit against a restaurant owner who repeatedly used a scene from one of his dramas without permission to promote the business. “Since 2019, we have made multiple requests to stop the unauthorized use of Park’s image. Despite taking down banners and online ads at times, the restaurant resumed using them, ignored further requests and continued malicious behavior, prompting us to file a lawsuit," an official from his agency, Awesome ENT, said Thursday. The agency said the official claim for damages in the lawsuit amounts to 60 million won ($43,500), taking into account the scale of the restaurant’s business. “We’ve also confirmed that the defendant is engaging in secondary harm, including malicious mockery and slander of the court ruling,” the spokesperson added. “We will respond firmly to any infringement on our artist’s image rights and personal rights without leniency or settlement.” The case stems from a scene in the 2018 tvN drama “What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim,” in which Park’s character is shown eating soy-marinated crab. T

Jul 4, 2025By Hankookilbo
Park Seo-joon wins lawsuit against restaurant over unauthorized use of image

Why ‘Squid Game’ pink guard No-eul never lost her humanity

"Squid Game" Season 2 and 3 mark the first time the Netflix hit series explores the lives of the masked enforcers known as the pink guards. One such character is Kang No-eul, played by Park Gyu-young, a former North Korean soldier who quietly endures the brutal reality of the game while clinging to the memory of her daughter left behind across the border. If Season 1’s Kang Sae-byeok (played by Jung Ho-yeon) embodied hope, No-eul represents what it looks like to lose it. In a recent interview in Seoul, Park spoke about building the emotionally restrained character and what drove No-eul’s final choices. “No-eul lives in complete despair,” Park said. “I kept her voice low and flat, almost robotic. She doesn’t reveal her emotions easily.” Still, No-eul stands out as the only pink guard who never loses her humanity. She tries to stop organ trafficking within the organization and risks everything to save contestant Park Kyung-seok (played by Lee Jin-wook), who is caring for a child with leukemia. “I think No-eul saw herself in him — that by saving someone else’s daughter,

Jul 4, 2025By Hankookilbo
Why ‘Squid Game’ pink guard No-eul never lost her humanity
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