Korean animation ‘Solo Leveling’ makes history at Crunchyroll Anime Awards“Solo Leveling,” an animated adaptation of the popular Korean web novel and webtoon, swept the 2025 Crunchyroll Anime Awards Sunday, taking home a record nine awards, including the top honor of Anime of the Year. This marks the first time a Korean animation has received the grand prize at the award ceremony, known as one of the most prestigious honors in the animation industry. Kakao Entertainment, a content studio here responsible for developing and managing the “Solo Leveling” franchise, said Monday that the animation won nine categories out of its 13 nominations at the ceremony held in Tokyo. The series claimed awards, including Best New Series, Best Action and three regional Best Voice Artist Performance awards in English, Brazilian Portuguese and Castilian Spanish. The competition was fierce, with “Solo Leveling” surpassing popular titles like “One Piece,” “Attack on Titan: The Final Season” and "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba — Hashira Training Arc.” The animation’s director, Shunsuke Nakashige, expressed his gratitude. “The entire production team pouredMay 26, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
Musical actor Jeon Ho-jun denies assault allegations by ex, releases photo of head injuryPopular musical theater actor Jeon Ho-jun has denied allegations of dating violence made by a former partner, stating that while a physical altercation did occur, it was a result of unavoidable circumstances during an attempted home intrusion. On Sunday, Jeon addressed the controversy through social media, responding to accusations that he assaulted his ex-girlfriend, identified as A, and exploited her financially during their relationship. “I’m deeply shaken by the one-sided claims A posted on social media, which are spreading unchecked without verification,” he wrote. Jeon also released an audio recording of a confrontation with the woman, acknowledging that while it contains profanity that could be mistaken as his own, he wanted the public to understand the broader context of the situation. “Rather than judging based only on edited claims online, I hoped people would listen to what actually happened,” he said. He further claimed that the incident took place when A attempted to enter his home uninvited in the early morning hours. “I initially tried to de-escalate the situatiMay 26, 2025By Hankookilbo
Actor Ko So-young to make variety show debut after 33 years on healing programActor Ko So-young will appear on her first-ever variety show in 33 years, joining close friend and renowned psychiatrist Oh Eun-young in the upcoming MBN program “Oh Eun-young Stay” (working title). Premiering June 23 as part of MBN’s 30th anniversary lineup, the show is a nationwide healing project that follows individuals grappling with emotional pain. Participants stay overnight at a temple for two days, seeking comfort, empathy and possible resolutions to their deeply rooted wounds. “Oh Eun-young Stay” brings together celebrities from various backgrounds to accompany the guests through their healing journey. They offer support and share in conversations aimed at recovery and self-discovery. Ko’s decision to join the show reportedly stems from her long-standing friendship with Oh and her resonance with the show’s mission to comfort those in pain. The production team revealed that Ko, known for her sharp insight and meticulous approach, will display a softer, empathetic side, offering heartfelt encouragement to participants. “She brings both star power and emotional depMay 26, 2025By Hankookilbo
Son Suk-ku makes surprise guest appearance on fan's YouTube channelActor Son Suk-ku surprised fans by appearing in a video released Saturday on the YouTube channel of one of his most passionate followers, a rare gesture that has captured public attention for its sincerity and warmth. The fan in question, Kim Mi-so, who runs the YouTube channel Jimmizo, first caught Son’s attention in 2022 during a stage greeting for the action film “The Roundup.” Dressed in a Spider-Man costume and holding a playful banner that read, “How dare you skip me,” she stood out to actor Ma Dong-seok, who invited her onstage. There, she asked Son for a photo, which he took with his own phone and shared on social media, saying, “I’ll post it on my story.” The encounter marked the beginning of Kim’s rise as a content creator. Her video recounting the Spider-Man moment garnered over 110,000 views, and she continued to create content with wit and energy, eventually growing her channel to over 140,000 subscribers. Son, known for his genuine affection for fans, crossed paths with Kim again at another movie event for “Troll Factory” (2024). Wearing a mask shapedMay 26, 2025By Hankookilbo
Korean period dramas evolve with fantasy, occult twistsKorean historical dramas, or "sageuk," are undergoing a transformation. Once defined by historically-based storytelling centered on royal courts and political intrigue, recent offerings are mixing genres in new ways — blending fantasy, mystery, romance and even horror to meet the expectations of a global streaming audience. The occult romance period drama "The Haunted Palace” is drawing viewers in for its fresh premise — a romance between an "imugi" (a mythical serpent) and a shaman. Set in a fictionalized late Joseon Dynasty-era (1392-1910) backdrop, the drama is earning praise for its distinctive perspective on ghost stories, distinguishing itself from conventional occult narratives. Each episode introduces new spirits with tragic backstories. Rather than portraying these spirits simply as chilling figures meant to heighten tension and fear, the show gives them a sense of humanity. A "drowned ghost" living in the palace well turns out to be a court lady who took her own life after being wronged by the reckless Prince Yeongin. With female lead Yeo-ri’s help, she is able to resoMay 26, 2025By Park Jin-hai
Disney+ remains silent on ‘Knock Off’ as Kim Soo-hyun controversy drags onDisney+ has quietly removed “Knock Off,” starring Kim Soo-hyun, from its lineup of upcoming releases for the second half of the year. The platform also declined to comment on the series' halted production or potential penalty fees. On Friday, Walt Disney Company Korea hosted its “Disney+ Open House” at the Gangnam Finance Center in Seoul’s Yeoksam-dong. The event was attended by Choi Yeon-woo, head of local content at Walt Disney Company Korea, along with Kim Won-kook of “Made in Korea” producer HIVE Media Corp. and Yoo Jung-hoon of “A Shop for Killers” producer Merry Christmas. Choi unveiled Disney+’s slate of second-half releases, including “Polaris” starring Jun Ji-hyun and Kang Dong-won, “Made in Korea” with Hyun Bin and Jung Woo-sung, “Low Life” featuring Ryu Seung-ryong, Yang Se-jong and Lim Soo-jung, “Turbid Stream” starring Rowoon, Shin Ye-eun and Park Seo-ham, and “The Manipulated” with Ji Chang-wook and Doh Kyung-soo. However, “Knock Off,” once touted as a major release for the first half of 2024, was noticeably absent. The show hasMay 24, 2025By Xportsnews
Actors in 40s, 50s, beyond rush to YouTube amid traditional media declineVeteran actresses in their 40s, 50s and older are shedding their air of mystery and taking on the challenge of YouTube. The most recent example is Kim Nam-joo, who is jumping into YouTube for the first time in her 31-year career. Starting Thursday, she began sharing her life with the public through her eponymous YouTube channel. “It seems like the world has changed a lot. In this era when a fun world unfolds inside our phones, I found myself watching YouTube at some point. I wanted to get closer to everyone in this space, so I decided to start a YouTube channel to show my true self without any pretense,” she said in the introduction to her first video. The content is also being broadcast through SBS Life’s new program, “Queen of Taste," marking her first solo appearance on an entertainment program since her debut in 1994. Actor Han Ga-in began her YouTube activities last September, followed by Ko Hyun-joung, Lee Min-jung and Ko So-young. Han and Lee resonate with viewers by showing their real-life roles as mothers, while actor Ko Hyun-joung is gaining attention for sharing her skMay 23, 2025By Park Jin-hai
Jin Seo-yeon recalls decade-long struggle before breakout role in ‘Believer’Actor Jin Seo-yeon has opened up about her decade-long struggle as an unknown before rising to fame through the hit crime film "Believer" (2018), revealing that she even sold rice cakes to make ends meet during that period. In an upcoming episode of "Jun Hyun-moo's Plan Season 2," airing May 23 on MBN and Channel S, Jin joins Jun Hyun-moo and YouTuber KwakTube for a food-themed trip to Gangwon Province, where she shares candid stories from her early career. “It’s been 17 years since my debut,” Jin says. “But I spent 10 of those years in obscurity before 'Believer.'” She goes on to explain how she never took a break from part-time jobs during that time, working at gas stations and even selling rice cakes on the street. Jin also revealed a surprising detour in her journey: “I once ran an online shopping mall that ranked third nationwide. At one point, I was making tens of millions of won in daily sales,” she said. Despite the financial success, she couldn't let go of her dream of acting. “Even if I could only afford a 500-won pastry, I knew I had to keep acting,” she saidMay 23, 2025By Hankookilbo
Park Bo-young dives into complex duality in ‘Our Unwritten Seoul’Actor Park Bo-young is taking on a career-defining challenge in tvN’s upcoming weekend drama “Our Unwritten Seoul,” shedding her well-known soft and warm image for a bolder, more complex performance. At a press conference at CGV Yeongdeungpo in Seoul, Wednesday, Park appeared alongside co-stars Park Jin-young and Ryu Kyung-soo, as well as director Park Shin-woo, to discuss the series ahead of its premiere on May 24. “Our Unwritten Seoul” is a romantic coming-of-age drama that follows twin sisters who, apart from sharing the same face, are complete opposites. When they decide to swap lives through a lie, they embark on a journey of self-discovery, love, and personal growth. Director Park called the script “honest and unembellished,” expressing deep admiration for its sincerity. Park plays both sisters — Yoo Mi-ji and Yoo Mi-rae — as well as each pretending to be the other, effectively embodying four personas. “I don’t consider it four roles — to me, it’s two,” Park said. “But when I read the script, I knew this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. If not nowMay 22, 2025By Hankookilbo
These are classic K-dramas you must rewatchIn recent years, Korean dramas have undeniably ascended to world-class stature. With groundbreaking hits like "Kingdom," "Crash Landing on You" and "Sweet Home" captivating audiences on global streaming platforms (OTT), dramas have helped ignite a fresh Korean wave, enchanting fans across the globe and cementing the prestige of Korean storytelling. However, the popularity of Korean dramas is nothing new. Iconic series like "Stairway to Heaven," "Jewel in the Palace," and "Winter Sonata" once swept across Asia, captivating audiences and sparking a cultural phenomenon. These classic dramas from the 1990s and early 2000s, which were instrumental in launching the original Korean wave, are now finding fresh audiences worldwide thanks to the power of modern streaming services. U.S.-based Korean content streamer KOCOWA, operated by Wavve Americas, says these older shows' powerful storytelling continues to connect with today's viewers around the world. Here's a closer look into these all-time classics through a list provided by the North America-based Korean movie and drama streaming service, sMay 22, 2025By Park Jin-hai
