Can 'Squid Game' surpass its record-breaking legacy in Season 3?The final game for a prize of 5.6 billion won ($4.1 million) is about to begin. "Squid Game," the record-breaking Korean drama that became Netflix’s most-watched original series, returns with its final episodes. Season 3, which will be released worldwide simultaneously on June 27, depicts the protagonist Seong Gi-hun’s struggle to put an end to the brutal game where competitors die and only one can survive to claim the prize. The return of this gripping series, which helped bolster Korean dramas and the streaming service, is generating buzz. Director Hwang Dong-hyuk unveiled new behind-the-scenes stills and a sneak peek at the VIP room set, Wednesday, teasing a season that will be "darker and more brutal than Season 2, but at the same time, it will be quite inventive and humorous." He added, “I wanted to ask a fundamental question: ‘Do we possess humanity and does that humanity have the ability and power to make the world a better place?,'" raising curiosity about how the core message of all three seasons will be conveyed in the final segments. “Squid Game” Season 3 centers aJun 5, 2025By Park Jin-hai
'Mercy For None' promises Korean-style noir action to Netflix viewersIn Netflix's upcoming "Mercy For None," the protagonist Ki-jun starts with a critical weakness for a noir action series: a limp caused by a self-inflicted ankle injury. "Ki-jun is a character who bears the crucial handicap of a limp because he severed his own Achilles tendon," director Choi Sung-eun said at a press conference in Seoul on Thursday. "So instead of fast action, I designed his movements to be slow but constantly pressing forward." "I think it effectively conveys the character's struggle to forge ahead, no matter the odds," he added. 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. Actor So, who had long been a favorite among the webtoon's fans for the protagonist, said he had extensive discussions about action with the director. "Ki-jun is the kind of character who expresses himself through actions and his eyes, more so than wordsJun 5, 2025By Yonhap
Ryu Jun-yeol in talks to join Song Hye-kyo’s agency UAA, but no decision yetActor Ryu Jun-yeol may be heading to United Artist Agency (UAA), the management agency representing stars such as Song Hye-kyo, Kim Da-mi and Ahn Eun-jin — but nothing has been finalized. “It is true that we have met with Ryu Jun-yeol to discuss a potential exclusive contract, and we are positively exploring the possibility. However, nothing has been confirmed yet," an official from UAA told the Hankook Ilbo. Earlier reports had suggested that Ryu had officially signed with UAA, but the agency clarified that the deal has not been finalized. The news comes amid a wave of actor free agency moves following the April announcement by C-JeS Studio that it would be shutting down its actor management division to focus on content and music production. As a result, many of its former talents, including Ryu, entered the open market. Ryu, who rose to fame with the hit drama “Reply 1988,” has since built a career with roles in films such as “Believer,” “Alienoid” and “Revelations,” as well as the recent Netflix series “The 8 Show.” If Ryu officially joins UAA, he would be workinJun 5, 2025By Hankookilbo
‘The Haunted Palace’ earns global praise for turning Korean ghosts into relatable charactersSBS’ weekend fantasy romance “The Haunted Palace” is gaining popularity both in Korea and overseas, reaffirming the global appeal of the K-occult drama. Director Yoon Sung-sik has shared his thoughts on the series’ international success. “The Haunted Palace” tells the story of Yeo-ri, a shaman who rejects her fate as a spirit medium, and Gangcheoli, an imugi (mythical serpent) trapped in the body of Yeo-ri’s first love, Yoon Gap. As they confront the vengeful eight-foot ghost haunting the royal family, their bodies and souls become entangled. With its unique storyline, spectacular plot twists, and fantasy charm, the drama — led by Yook Sung-jae (as Gangcheoli/Yoon Gap), Kim Ji-yeon (Yeo-ri) and Kim Ji-hoon (Lee Jeong) — has become a fan favorite on weekend television. The drama is the only one among its competitors to surpass the critical double-digit ratings mark. It has topped its time slot and ranked first among all weekly miniseries in terms of viewership for every episode so far. It also leads in the coveted 2049 demographic, which gauges a show’s popularity amJun 4, 2025By Xportsnews
Celebrities including Lee Seung-hwan, Kim Gyu-ri celebrate Lee’s election winCelebrities have taken to social media to celebrate Lee Jae-myung’s victory in South Korea’s presidential election, sharing congratulatory messages and hopes for a better future. Singer Lee Seung-hwan posted a screenshot of the exit poll results on Tuesday, along with the caption, “From regression to progress,” signaling his optimism about the new administration. Known for his progressive views, Lee has openly voiced his political stance since the declaration of emergency martial law last year. He previously shared a photo of himself voting early on May 29, dressed in a blue shirt and cap — blue being the color of the Democratic Party of Korea. Actor Kim Gyu-ri also expressed joy over the election results, writing on Wednesday, “The most beautiful scenery in the world is everything returning to its rightful place,” quoting song lyrics from the band Towner & Town Chief. She paired the caption with a photo of herself smiling under a blue sky. Kim is currently starring in the occult political thriller, “The Pact.” Entertainer Harisu shared a direct message of support: “CoJun 4, 2025By Hankookilbo
From weather forecasts to lottery drawing, stars turn to unconventional promo tacticsIn a move that caught viewers off guard, actor Park Bo-gum recently stepped onto the set of JTBC’s flagship news program "Newsroom," not as a guest, but as a one-day weathercaster. Wearing a sharp suit adorned with a Korean national flag, Park opened the forecast saying, “Early summer, a season when new beginnings come to mind.” He continued, “I will be making a new start as Yoon Dong-joo, a special police officer and former boxing gold medalist, in JTBC’s new drama ‘Good Boy,’ which premieres this Saturday. I hope to share this beginning with all of you.” This unconventional appearance reflects a growing trend in Korean entertainment, where stars are embracing creative promotional strategies to stand out in a content-saturated market. And for Park — who plays a rookie officer fighting corruption in a fast-paced action comedy — the polished weathercaster concept offered a fitting teaser for the role. This isn’t Park's first time engaging in innovative promotional strategies. In 2016, Park, dressed as a crown prince of the 1392-1910 Joseon Kingdom, danced to Shaggy'sJun 3, 2025By Park Jin-hai
Lee Jun-young to lead new romance drama ‘Who Are You’Actor Lee Jun-young, who scored back-to-back hits this year with the dramas “When Life Gives You Tangerines” and “Weak Hero Class 2,” is set to return in a new romantic comedy series tentatively titled “Who Are You,” starring opposite Cha Joo-young. According to industry sources on Tuesday, Lee has chosen “Who Are You” as his next project, aiming to build on his recent success. The upcoming series tells the story of elite agent Lee Tae-joo, who has lost his memory, and national sweetheart Yoo Ah-rin, who has lost her love, as they search for their true memories and emotions. Lee is in talks to play the male lead, Lee Tae-joo. The drama will be directed by Myung Hyun-woo, known for Channel A’s “Check-in Hanyang,” while Cha Joo-young, best known for her lead role in “The Queen Who Crowns,” is the top candidate for the female lead. The pairing of the two in-demand actors is drawing attention for their potential chemistry in a romance-comedy setting. Lee Jun-young debuted in 2014 as a member of K-pop group U-KISS and launched his acting career in 2017 with tvN’sJun 3, 2025By Hankookilbo
Park Bo-young’s overseas fan meeting tour postponed due to internal reasonsActor Park Bo-young’s first overseas fan meeting tour has been postponed indefinitely due to internal circumstances, according to a statement released Monday by her agency BH Entertainment. “We regret to inform you that Park Bo-young’s overseas tour fan meetings have been temporarily postponed due to internal matters,” the agency said. “We sincerely apologize to everyone who has been looking forward to the events and will do our best to greet you again in better form.” Tickets already purchased will be fully refunded, the agency said. “We are truly disappointed and sorry to deliver this news, especially as the tour was being prepared with much care in response to fans’ interest and support,” the agency added. “We ask for your kind understanding and promise to return with better news soon.” Park had recently announced her first international fan meeting tour, 20 years after her debut. With a solid international following built through works such as the film “A Werewolf Boy” and “Concrete Utopia,” as well as the dramas “Strong Woman Do Bong Soon,” and “LJun 3, 2025By Hankookilbo
Actor behind towering ghost in ‘The Haunted Palace’ revealed: no CGI, full-body costume weighs 30kgSeo Do-young has been revealed as the actor playing the eight-foot-tall ghost in the SBS drama “The Haunted Palace.” In the Friday episode of the show, the identity of the terrifying “final boss” ghost was finally unveiled. The character, an eight-foot-tall ghost, is Cheon Geum-hwi, a royal guard from 100 years ago who became a vengeful spirit after the king sacrificed his people to escape the enemy. Seo Do-young, a model-turned-actor with 20 years of acting experience, shocked viewers with his transformation into the towering ghost. Known for his classic “first love” visuals and solid acting skills, Seo stands at 186 centimeters tall and has maintained a steady fan base throughout his career. Seo surprised fans further by hosting a livestream on Instagram immediately after the episode aired. Appearing in the ghost’s full mask, he greeted viewers, saying, “I’m not sure if it’s okay to greet you like this in the middle of the night.” Seo then shared behind-the-scenes details about his transformation into the ghost. He revealed that the eight-foot height was achievedJun 2, 2025By Xportsnews
Actor Lee Dong-wook urges fans to vote: ‘Choose the lesser evil’Actor Lee Dong-wook encouraged fans to vote in the upcoming presidential election, saying on Friday that even choosing the “lesser evil” is better than not voting at all, according to Newsis and other outlets Monday. Lee revealed on the fan platform Bubble that he had already cast his ballot during early voting. “I voted on the first day of early voting because I have a filming schedule on Election Day,” he wrote. “There were shorter lines, and it was much more convenient.” Lee went on to share his thoughts on voter apathy. “I often hear people say there’s no one worth voting for, but I believe voting is a way to prevent the worst,” he said. “If there’s no best option, go with the next best. If not even that, choose the lesser evil to avoid the worst — that’s how I see it.” The actor previously drew attention for subtly expressing his political stance. Last December, when former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment passed in the National Assembly, Lee posted a screenshot of himself playing Girls’ Generation’s “Into the New World” on Bubble, along wiJun 2, 2025By Hankookilbo
