'Marry My Husband' Japanese version debuts with K-drama creators, J-drama starsA highly anticipated Japanese version of the hit Korean drama "Marry My Husband" was released Friday. The collaboration project, bringing together K-drama production staff with Japanese actors and a local Japanese crew, has garnered attention as a "J-drama created by K-drama production staff." Notably, this Japanese version doesn't simply rehash the Korean drama. Instead, it's a meticulously crafted adaptation of the original web novel, reimagined and tailored specifically for Japanese audiences. "When we acquired the original web novel and were planning the Korean version, the webtoon also became a hit in Japan," said Studio Dragon's producer Son Ja-young during a press conference at Ramada by Wyndham Seoul in Sindorim, Seoul, Thursday. "Usually, when a Korean drama is produced overseas, it's a remake. However, the Japanese version of this drama was planned even before the Korean version began filming. Since it's not a remake but an original Japanese drama, it's a new attempt and a significant challenge," she said regarding the planning process. Based on the popular web novel of the sameJun 27, 2025By Park Jin-hai
Director Choi Yun-jin accuses producer of abuse after ouster from ‘Big Deal’Director Choi Yun-jin broke her silence over her dismissal from the film “Big Deal,” alleging workplace abuse by the production company The LAMP and its CEO Park Eun-kyung. At a press conference in Seoul Thursday, Choi called for structural reform in Korea’s film industry, stressing the need to protect creators from exploitation and unfair labor practices. The conflict began when The LAMP announced it had removed Choi from the director’s seat over allegations of script appropriation. Choi filed for an injunction to invalidate the dismissal, but a Seoul court rejected the request, allowing the film to be released domestically without her name in the director credit. Speaking publicly for the first time since the ruling, Choi said she had remained silent during the film’s theatrical run to avoid negatively affecting the project. “For a director, a film is like a child,” she said. “Now that the release is winding down, I can finally speak.” Choi accused Park of long-standing abuse of power. “She once said I should be pushed out of the film industry,” Choi said. SpecificJun 27, 2025By Hankookilbo
Lee Byung-hun, Kim Tae-ri lead wave of actors turning to voice actingAn increasing number of Korean actors are stepping into the world of voice acting, a domain traditionally occupied by professional voice actors. Relying solely on vocal performance rather than physical expressions, these actors are finding new ways to convey emotion and winning praise for it. Netflix’s animated film “Lost in Starlight” premiered on May 30, telling a romance set in a futuristic 2050 Seoul. It follows Nan-young, an aspiring astronaut, and Jay, a former musician, as they chase their dreams and look for love. Actor Kim Tae-ri voices Nan-young, while rising star Hong Kyung lends his voice to Jay. Another upcoming animated feature, “The King of Kings,” is set for domestic release on July 16. A global hit Korean animation, the film imagines 19th century British author Charles Dickens joining his youngest son, Walter, on a tour through the life of Jesus Christ. The film previously made headlines by becoming the highest-grossing Korean film at the North American box office, passing Bong Joon-ho’s Oscar-winning “Parasite.” The Korean dubbed version features star-sJun 27, 2025By Hankookilbo
'Squid Game' finale arrives Friday, brace for despairNetflix's global phenomenon "Squid Game" returns for its highly anticipated third and final season Friday, bringing the gripping Korean saga that began in 2021 to its conclusion. The final season will feature six episodes, a more concise run compared with Season 1's nine and Season 2's seven episodes. Picking up directly from Season 2's cliffhanger, the final installment is expected to resolve lingering questions about the contestants and the enigmatic organizers behind the deadly games. Series creator, writer and executive producer Hwang Dong-hyuk said the season aims to pose fundamental questions about humanity's capacity to forge a better world amid the intense pressures of capitalist society. These conflicting ideologies are mirrored in the central characters: protagonist Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) and the Front Man (Lee Byung-hun). The upcoming season will depict Gi-hun navigating further deadly games, grappling with profound loss and heading toward an ultimate showdown with the Front Man. The narrative will also delve into the individual stories of other key characters, including the mothJun 27, 2025By Yonhap
Can ‘Squid Game’ Season 3 recapture global hype amid viewer fatigue?Netflix's "Squid Game" is set to unveil its highly anticipated final chapter Friday, promising to conclude the brutal contest for 45.6 billion won ($33.6 million) that has captivated global audiences. As the series that redefined the international standing of Korean dramas prepares to air its last episodes, industry insiders and viewers alike are questioning whether "Squid Game" Season 3 can match, or even surpass, the record-breaking legacy of its debut. While anticipation for the final season remains formidable, it has softened compared to previous seasons, according to a Consumer Insight survey. The local survey institution said its poll of 500 Korean streaming platform users aged 20-59 revealed that the intent-to-watch rate for Season 3 stands at 55 percent on the eve of its release. This is noticeably lower than the 60 percent range recorded for Season 2. Awareness rates have also dipped slightly, with Season 3 holding steady in the 80 to 85 percent range, compared to 88 to 91 percent for Season 2. The survey company attributes this shift to several factors, such as the natural fatJun 26, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
Two-year term sought for cyberbully targeting actor Shin Sae-kyeongProsecutors have requested a two-year prison sentence for a defendant accused of persistently harassing actor Shin Sae-kyeong online over the course of several years. Shin’s agency, The Present Company, issued a statement Thursday saying that the defendant had been indicted for continuous cyberbullying and that prosecutors had formally sought the prison term during the ongoing trial. According to the agency, the defendant engaged in anonymous harassment through online platforms by directing threats, malicious slander, false rumors and abusive language not only at the actress but also at her fans, family members and acquaintances. The prolonged behavior inflicted emotional distress on both Shin and those around her. The individual was arrested by police and is now awaiting a first-instance ruling. During trial proceedings, the defendant’s legal representative appealed for leniency, stating that the accused had been living in seclusion and was now attempting to reintegrate into society by working a part-time job. The defendant admitted to all charges. However, prosecutors, citing the rJun 26, 2025By Hankookilbo
‘Shaman wave’ takes hold in K-dramas and pop cultureOnce considered a cultural taboo, shamanism is emerging as a mainstream element in Korean dramas, films and variety shows, with young audiences embracing it as part of a broader “K-fantasy” trend. TvN’s new series “Head over Heels,” which premiered Monday, opens with a seemingly typical teenage romance. But its female lead, Park Seong-a, played by Cho Yi-hyun, is far from ordinary. A high school student by day and a shaman by night, she performs rituals and sees spirits. When her first love Bae Gyeon-u (Choo Young-woo) is fated to die, Seong-a uses her supernatural powers to try to save him. The show marks a striking shift, with shamanism, once avoided in youth-oriented entertainment, now serving as a central plot device. The genre’s transformation began gaining steam last year. The occult film “Exhuma,” centered around a shaman involved in a grave relocation gone wrong, drew over 10 million viewers. Around the same time, SBS launched the dating variety show “Fortune Tellers' Love,” featuring young shamans navigating romance. This year, the SBS historical drama “TheJun 26, 2025By Hankookilbo
BUMSUP brings Korea-inspired performance to 'World of Street Woman Fighter'What happens when street dance legends from around the world face off under one roof? Mnet’s dance competition show "World of Street Woman Fighter" (WSWF) ups the ante, transforming its hit series into a global showdown and igniting a dance craze with record-breaking performances. Korean dance crew BUMSUP is dominating the spotlight with their mega crew mission video, “Mongyeong — At the Boundary of Dreams,” directed by Honey J. Released on June 18 via Mnet’s YouTube channel The CHOOM, the performance racked up over 13 million views in just six days — the fastest climb ever across all mission videos in Mnet’s dance competition franchises, including "Street Woman Fighter," "Street Man Fighter" and "Stage Fighter." In the video, a pre-release for the global vote of the upcoming mega crew mission — featuring each teams mobilizing large numbers of performers — BUMSUP showcased a stunning collaboration with actor Roh Yoon-seo and 102 dancers. It received praise for its sophisticated blend of Korean tradition with a modern twist. The performance skillfully incorporates elemeJun 26, 2025By Park Jin-hai
Ha Jung-woo to break 19-year hiatus from TV via new tvN seriesHa Jung-woo is set to make his television comeback after 19 years in an upcoming tvN drama, the production's PR agency said Thursday. The series, with the Korean title "How to Become a Building Owner in South Korea," stars Ha as Soo-jong, a landlord grappling with interest payments on his building and ultimately getting caught up in a crime amid his financial struggles. The actor was last seen on television in MBC's 2007 drama "H.I.T." Im Soo-jung, whose latest work includes the 2023 film "Single in Seoul," will co-star as Soo-jong's wife. Im Phil-sung, director of Netflix's "Persona" (2019), will helm the series and novelist Oh Han-ki will make his debut as a series scriptwriter. The series is expected to premiere in the first half of next year.Jun 26, 2025By Yonhap
TV personality Seo Yu-ri opens up about debt, divorce, new romanceVoice actor and TV personality Seo Yu-ri broke her silence on past controversies, financial struggles and her current love life. In an episode of YouTuber @real_fin's variety show Wednesday, Seo appears alongside fellow guest Nancy Lang in a special feature on divorcees. Seo, now in her first year post-divorce, and Nancy, eight years out, both share their unfiltered experiences of life after marriage in a way they never have before. Seo took the opportunity to address ongoing public speculation for the first time. She reveals that she was left with 2 billion won ($1.45 million) in debt during her divorce process, of which she has since repaid around 1.3 billion won. “People around me suggested I file for bankruptcy,” she said. "But since I allowed my ex-husband to use my name for loans, I feel responsible and plan to repay every last bit.” In a lighter moment, Seo also shared news of a budding romance. “I recently started seeing someone,” she said. “When I told him I’d be on this show, he actually bought me a robe to wear — sweet, right?” Her remarks hinted at a new chaJun 26, 2025By Hankookilbo
