Korean noir 'Mercy For None' tops Netflix's non-English series chartThe action noir "Mercy For None" claimed the top spot on Netflix's global non-English series chart, the streaming giant said Wednesday. The series garnered 7.6 million views for the week ending on Sunday, far outperforming the runner-up, "Cocaine Air: Smugglers at 30,000 Ft." which drew 4.2 million views. Adapted from the hit webtoon "Plaza Wars," "Mercy For None" centers on Ki-jun (So Ji-sub) as he reenters the criminal underworld to avenge the mysterious death of his younger brother Ki-seok (Lee Jun-hyuk). Both the series and the original webtoon share the Korean title "Gwangjang," meaning plaza. The series premiered on June 6. Two other Korean series also landed in the top 10: "Tastefully Yours" at No. 5 and "Our Unwritten Seoul" at No. 6.Jun 18, 2025By Yonhap
‘Our Unwritten Seoul’ becomes a breakout hit among young viewersIn the tvN's drama “Our Unwritten Seoul,” the character Mi-ji, played by Park Bo-young, clings to a simple mantra as she steps back into the world after years of isolation: “Yesterday is gone, tomorrow is far away, and today is still unknown.” That line has resonated deeply with young Koreans grappling with uncertainty, past wounds and fears about the future. Once a promising high school athlete, Mi-ji retreats from the world after a career-ending injury, spending three years in isolation. Haunted by past trauma and fearful of the future, she slowly reenters society, drawing strength from her grandmother’s words. Though life remains difficult, Mi-ji begins each morning by reciting the phrase and stepping out the door. Since premiering last month, the drama has seen its viewership more than double, from 3.6 percent to 7.4 percent as of June 15, earning a passionate fanbase and being hailed by many as “drama of a lifetime.” A twin-switch story that goes beyond the cliche The series centers on twin sisters Mi-rae and Mi-ji (both portrayed by Park) who switch lives and slowly uncJun 18, 2025By Hankookilbo
Hwang Jung-eum repays embezzled funds in full, agency saysActor Hwang Jung-eum has fully repaid 4.3 billion won ($3.1 million) to her private company after being accused of embezzlement, her agency said Tuesday. Y.One Entertainment said Hwang used her personal assets to reimburse the total amount she had received from her company, Hunminjeongeum Entertainment, in the form of provisional payments. The repayment was made in two installments, on May 30 and June 5, the agency said. “As of now, all financial matters between Hwang and Hunminjeongeum Entertainment have been resolved,” the agency said. “As the sole owner of the corporation without professional accounting or tax management knowledge, Hwang deeply regrets the situation and is taking all necessary legal and ethical steps to resolve the matter responsibly.” Earlier reports revealed that Hwang had withdrawn 700 million won from the company’s funds, allegedly to invest in cryptocurrency. She is accused of embezzling a total of 4.3 billion won. In a previous statement, Hwang said the funds were technically in the company’s name but had been earned through her personal work, admittJun 18, 2025By Hankookilbo
Supreme Court to rule on Yoo Ah-in’s drug abuse case on July 3The Supreme Court will deliver a final verdict next month in the drug abuse case involving actor Yoo Ah-in, who faces multiple charges related to habitual use of medical narcotics. According to legal sources, the Supreme Court, presided over by Justice Ma Yong-joo, has scheduled Yoo’s sentencing for 10:10 a.m. on July 3. Yoo was initially sentenced to one year in prison by a lower court in September 2023 and taken into custody. However, in February 2024, the appeals court suspended the sentence and granted him a two-year probation. Yoo stands accused of administering four types of medical narcotics — propofol, midazolam, ketamine and remimazolam — a total of 181 times between September 2020 and March 2022. He also allegedly obtained more than 1,100 sleeping pills through 44 illegal prescriptions by using others’ names between May 2021 and August 2023. In addition, prosecutors say Yoo smoked marijuana in the U.S. in January 2023 with others, including an acquaintance surnamed Choi, and incited others to do so as well. The upcoming Supreme Court decision will mark the conclusion of aJun 18, 2025By Hankookilbo
Park Bo-young shines with compelling dual role in 'Our Unwritten Seoul'Actor Park Bo-young continues to prove why she is frequently cited as a top casting choice, delivering a compelling performance in tvN’s weekend drama “Our Unwritten Seoul.” In the series, Park plays twin sisters Yoo Mi-ji and Yoo Mi-rae, two characters with identical appearances but drastically different lives. The role demands precise emotional control and layered acting, yet Park distinguishes each sister with subtle but clear differences, earning critical acclaim for expanding the possibilities of dual-role performances in Korean dramas. Recent episodes explored pivotal moments for both characters. Mi-ji’s evolving relationship with Ho-soo (played by Park Jin-young) hinted at a shift in her emotional landscape. Park Bo-young captured this with delicate nuances, adjusting her speech tempo, eye movements, and timing to portray Mi-ji’s growing vulnerability and hesitation. In one standout scene set at a bus terminal at dawn, her brief but firm response to Ho-soo’s confession marked a turning point, executed with Park’s signature restraint and precision. Meanwhile, Mi-rae revJun 17, 2025By Hankookilbo
Yoo Ah-in’s ‘risk’ overshadowed as films ‘The Match’ and ‘Hi-Five’ find box office successTwo Korean films featuring actor Yoo Ah-in — “The Match” and “Hi-Five” — have defied concerns surrounding the embattled star and emerged as box office hits, signaling that the so-called “Yoo Ah-in risk” may no longer be a decisive factor for audiences. “The Match,” released in March, surpassed 2 million admissions by its 27th day, becoming the second-highest-grossing Korean film of 2025 so far. The movie also crossed its break-even point of 1.8 million viewers. Meanwhile, “Hi-Five,” which opened in May, has drawn over 1 million moviegoers, placing it fifth among Korean films released this year — behind “Hitman 2,” “The Nun,” “The Match” and “Yadang: The Snitch” — despite strong competition from international blockbusters such as “How to Train Your Dragon” and “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning.” Both films had faced uncertain futures due to Yoo’s involvement. “The Match,” originally slated for release in 2023, was postponed amid controversy over Yoo’s drug use. “Hi-Five” was similarly delayed and began its rolloutJun 16, 2025By Hankookilbo
‘Squid Game’ stars T.O.P, Park Sung-hoon see mixed reactions at home and abroadAs Netflix ramps up promotions for the upcoming third season of the global hit “Squid Game,” two of its cast members, T.O.P and Park Sung-hoon, are drawing attention for very different reasons, both at home and abroad. Netflix unveiled the main trailer for “Squid Game 3” during its Tudum 2025 event in Los Angeles on June 1. The event drew global fanfare and featured appearances by cast members Lee Jung-jae, Lee Byung-hun, Park Sung-hoon, Kang Ae-shim and T.O.P (Choi Seung-hyun). Although T.O.P’s character, Thanos, died in Season 2, the rapper-turned-actor took part in the event, making headlines for his return to the spotlight after years of controversy in Korea. T.O.P has actively promoted the series on his social media, sharing photos from the LA event and embracing his role as a “Squid Game” ambassador. His renewed public presence signals a possible reentry into full-time acting, a notable shift given his rocky past. The former BIGBANG member was convicted of marijuana use in 2017 and faced criticism over alleged preferential treatment during his alternative military serJun 16, 2025By Hankookilbo
Actor Shin Ae-ra refutes death rumor: 'I'm alive and well'Actor Shin Ae-ra has responded to a false report about her death that recently circulated online. Shin posted a video on social media on Saturday with a caption that read, “I’m alive.” In the video, she says, “I’m not dead. Someone I volunteer with called me crying, asking if I had really passed away. Why are people posting such baseless news?” She continued, “It’s not just me. If you browse YouTube, many celebrities are supposedly dead. Please don’t believe it. If you see that kind of news, just search the person’s name.” Fellow actress Yoon Yu-sun commented on Shin’s post, “Right. Several people asked me too. There’s so much fake news these days — we really need to train ourselves to tell truth from fiction.” Netizens also left supportive messages for Shin. Shin Ae-ra is not alone. A number of Korean celebrities have been forced to clarify that they are alive after becoming targets of fake death rumors. Actress Ko Hyun-jung expressed her shock after learning of such rumors during a recent YouTube show appearance. When the host mentioned a “Ko Hyun-jung dJun 16, 2025By Hankookilbo
‘The Haunted Palace’ ends with strong ratings, boosting SBS’s ‘K-occult’ success storySBS continues its winning streak in Korean television with another successful foray into the occult genre. The weekend fantasy drama “The Haunted Palace,” which concluded with an 11 percent nationwide rating, maintained the top spot in its time slot for eight consecutive weeks, reinforcing SBS’s reputation for bold programming. Its success follows the network’s 2023 occult mystery hit “Revenant,” highlighting the broadcaster’s commitment to revitalizing and globalizing “K-occult” content. Amid a wave of K-romance and genre dramas, occult-themed shows have struggled to maintain momentum, despite their early global breakout through series “Kingdom” and films “Train to Busan.” SBS, however, has emerged as a rare exception, demonstrating consistent success with darker, folklore-based narratives. The first half of 2025 has been particularly fruitful for SBS. With back-to-back hits including “Love Scout,” “Buried Hearts” and “The Haunted Palace,” the broadcaster attributes its strong performance to continued investment in original storytelling and strateJun 14, 2025By Hankookilbo
'Wylde Pak' brings Korean American family life to Nickelodeon with heart, humor"Wylde Pak," a new animated series exploring heartfelt and hilarious dynamics of a modern Korean American family, officially debuted on June 6 on U.S. cable channel Nickelodeon. The show sets itself apart by highlighting relatable experiences of cultural identity, family adaptation and intergenerational relationships, infused with genuine warmth and humor that can resonate globally. Centered around half-siblings Lily Pak and Jack Wylde adjusting to new family dynamics under one roof for the first time, the narrative is anchored by their parents — a Korean American mother, Min, and her white American partner, Will — with a strong presence of their Korean grandmother, Halmoni. The series humorously navigates themes of identity, cultural blending and familial love, offering an authentic portrayal of a multicultural household. The show's creators and voice actors recently shared with The Korea Times that "Wylde Pak" aims to present the relatable and often humorous experiences of a Korean American family, drawing from their own lives to foster a sense of belonging and cultural understanJun 14, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
