'My Royal Nemesis' becomes bold new contender in rom-com genreSBS’ new drama "My Royal Nemesis" centers on Kang Dan-sim, a Joseon-era "villainess" executed by poison who wakes up 300 years later in the body of a struggling actress, Shin Seo-ri. While the premise risked being dismissed as just another derivative time-slip trope, the series has instead debuted as a bold and cheeky romantic comedy. Actress Lim Ji-yeon’s performance is the show's true anchor, as she effortlessly pivots between slapstick comedy and poignant romance to strike a perfect balance of comedy, angst and romantic chemistry. Driven by Lim’s powerhouse performance and a narrative that outpaces the typical fantasy rom-com formula, the show has already captivated audiences. By its second episode, it hit a 5.4 percent nationwide rating, according to Nielsen Korea, and clinched the top spot on Netflix Korea. The drama opens with a haunting sequence: Kang Dan-sim (Lim), a royal concubine branded a villainess, collapses after drinking poison. Her final cry — "My only crime was struggling to survive in a palace where everyone sought my head" — is cut short as a total lunar ecMay 13, 2026By Park Jin-hai
'My Royal Nemesis' tops Netflix's weekly non-English chartThe fantasy rom-com series "My Royal Nemesis" featuring "The Glory" star Lim Ji-yeon ranked No. 1 on Netflix's non-English chart, the streaming platform said Wednesday. The SBS drama series garnered 3.9 million views for the week that ended Sunday, according to Netflix. It ranked in the top 10 in 44 countries and regions, including South Korea, Japan, Thailand, Greece and Mexico. Released last week, "My Royal Nemesis" follows a legendary villain from the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) whose soul is reborn into the body of a modern-day actress with little fame. Korean shows swept the weekly chart, with the young adult horror series "If Wishes Could Kill" placing No. 2, followed by the rom-com series "Sold Out on You," which ranked third. In the English-language film category, "KPop Demon Hunters" ranked No. 5, staying in the top 10 for the 47th straight week.May 13, 2026By Yonhap
Despite controversy, 'The Wonderfools' aims to ‘Woo’ world with retro heroicsNetflix's "The Wonderfools" marks Cha Eun-woo's return to the global spotlight, coming just as the actor puts a high-profile tax controversy behind him. The series is already generating massive hype as it reunites director Yoo In-sik with star Park Eun-bin — the powerhouse duo who previously dominated global charts with "Extraordinary Attorney Woo." Set in 1999, "The Wonderfools" is a "superpower comic adventure" centered on a group of eccentric, bumbling townspeople who unexpectedly gain supernatural abilities. As the millennium approaches, this unlikely band of heroes must clumsily defend their home against villains intent on wreaking havoc. "I’ve always had a soft spot for superheroes; it’s been a dream of mine to create one. When I first saw the concept, it really got my heart racing. It felt fresh and unique, and I wanted to translate that excitement to the audience," Yoo said during a press conference in Seoul, Tuesday, speaking about his lifelong passion for the genre. He likened the viewing experience to a theme park ride. "I want the audience to feel that 'seatbelt-clickiMay 12, 2026By Park Jin-hai
‘My Royal Nemesis’: Korean historical rom-com tops Netflix’s global non-English TV chartLess than a week after its release, "My Royal Nemesis" has emerged as one of Netflix’s most popular non-English titles, rising to No. 1 on the platform’s global chart. The SBS romantic comedy, which premiered Friday, centers on Shin Seo-ri, an unknown actress who becomes possessed by a notorious villainess from Korea’s Joseon era, and her love-hate relationship with Cha Se-gye, a conglomerate heir nicknamed the “monster of capitalism.” Immediately after the release, the drama drew a strong response from overseas viewers. Following the release of its second episode, "My Royal Nemesis" ranked No. 1 on Netflix’s global non-English TV chart and No. 2 on the platform’s overall global TV chart. According to FlixPatrol, the series topped Netflix Korea’s daily Top 10 series chart and landed in the Top 10 in 84 countries and regions, including the United States, Spain, Poland and Japan. It also claimed the No. 1 spot in 24 markets, including Brazil, Taiwan, Qatar, Peru and Singapore, showing the breadth of its overseas popularity. Domestic audiences also showed positive reception.May 12, 2026By Hankookilbo
Why women in their 20s and 30s can’t stop watching ‘Yumi’s Cells 3’The third season of Tving original series "Yumi's Cells" concluded its run, overcoming franchise fatigue to dominate domestic and international streaming charts. The hit romantic comedy avoided the curse of seasonal television by focusing on empathy rather than a deeper narrative, capturing female Gen Z viewers in particular. The series also cemented its success by launching Kim Jae-won as a new rom-com breakout star. The season finale, released May 4, ranked No. 1 in driving paid Tving subscriptions for two consecutive weeks, demonstrating the popularity of the major franchise. This renewed interest created a strong halo effect on the streaming platform, pushing Season 1 to No. 4 and Season 2 to No. 6 in domestic viewership. The final episodes also translated into measurable platform momentum overseas. During its first week of release, the show ranked No. 1 on Rakuten Viki in the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Oceania. It also secured the top spot on Mongolia's Inche TV and ranked No. 3 on Disney+ Japan. Multiseason dramas pose inherent risks. While they have the advantage oMay 12, 2026By Hankookilbo
InterviewIdol-turned-actor Cha Hak-yeon tackles first dual role in 'Absolute Value of Romance'Cha Hak-yeon, charismatic leader of the K-pop group VIXX who is widely known as N, is proving that his artistic range extends far beyond the concert stage. In the trending series "Absolute Value of Romance," he has taken on the ambitious challenge of a dual role that effectively bridges the gap between cold logic and fictional fantasy. The drama utilizes a clever story-within-a-story structure that follows the life of Eui-ju (Kim Hyang-gi), a high school student secretly moonlighting as a popular web novel author. This meta-commentary on storytelling allows Cha to flex his acting muscles by portraying two vastly different personas within a single narrative. In the show’s reality, he plays Woo-su, a cold, calculated high school teacher. Conversely, within the pages of Eui-ju’s BL (boys' love) novel, he transforms into Si-on, a mysterious and alluring protagonist defined by over-the-top styling, exaggerated acting and a penchant for spitting out cringeworthy lines. "I felt a great deal of vitality from the script," Cha said during an interview with The Korea Times at a cafe in Seoul oMay 11, 2026By Park Jin-hai
Review'We Are All Trying Here' answers fear of worthlessnessThe JTBC drama "We Are All Trying Here" is creating a quiet sensation, depicting the deep-seated anxieties and deficiencies of the human psyche alongside a warm humanism that embraces them. Fans have offered "testimonials" for the show, claiming "not a single line of dialogue is wasted" and that they "savor each episode carefully." The story follows Dong-man (Koo Kyo-hwan), a man who has written 14 screenplays but has yet to film a single one, and Eun-a (Go Youn-jung), a film producer haunted by the trauma of being neglected by her mother during childhood. Dong-man remains the only member of "The Eight Club" — a group where members share their dreams of directing during their "pathetic" college days — who has yet to debut in 20 years. Portrayed as a somewhat pitiful character who talks incessantly among friends and freezes the atmosphere by scathingly criticizing the new release of a former best friend, Dong-man is a man racing downhill, shouting, "If I can’t prove myself through success, I’ll prove myself by falling apart." However, his nonstop chatter is actually a way to confiMay 11, 2026By Park Jin-hai
CNN, Hyundai Motor spotlight K-culture in new documentaryCNN launched a new four-part documentary series, “K-Everything,” exploring the creative power and historical journey of Korean culture from its traditional origins to its current global dominance, with Hyundai Motor as the project's sole sponsor. CNN said it decided to develop the documentary, which began airing Saturday, to showcase the underlying forces behind Korea’s cultural rise. The documentary series covers various aspects of the Korean wave including music, film, food and beauty. It highlights how Korea’s unique history and experiences have shaped a cultural movement that now leads global trends. The project is produced and hosted by Daniel Dae Kim, a Hollywood actor and producer known for his roles in major television series and films. Kim leads the audience through the evolution of Korean media and its rise to the world stage. The first episode focuses on K-pop, featuring global stars such as Psy, Taeyang and Jeon Somi to discuss the growth of the industry and the power of global fandoms. The second episode examines the film and drama industry through conversations withMay 10, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
Son Ye-jin caught smiling behind the camera as Hyun Bin thanks wife and son in emotional awards speechSouth Korea’s celebrity power couple Hyun Bin and Son Ye-jin melted fans’ hearts at this year’s Baeksang Arts Awards after Son was spotted proudly filming her husband’s acceptance speech from the audience. The moment quickly drew attention online after Hyun Bin won the TV division’s Best Actor award Friday for Disney+ original series “Made in Korea.” As Hyun Bin’s name was announced at the 62nd Baeksang Arts Awards held at COEX in Seoul’s Gangnam district, cameras captured Son Ye-jin beaming while holding up her phone to record the moment. The actor beat out a strong lineup of nominees including Park Jin-young for “Our Unwritten Seoul,” Ryu Seung-ryong for “The Dream Life of Mr. Kim,” Lee Jun-ho for “Typhoon Family” and Ji Sung for “The Judge Returns.” During his acceptance speech, Hyun Bin thanked viewers and reflected on filming the series. “First of all, I want to thank viewers who enjoyed ‘Made in Korea,’” he said. The actor said the director encouraged him to fully enjoy the project while filming, unlike the emotionally heavy atmosphere surrouMay 9, 2026By Xportsnews
Fantasy in everyday life: K-dramas bring supernatural powers and a Joseon-era villain to modern KoreaWith courtroom revenge dramas and dark crime thrillers having dominated broadcast schedules recently, fantasy comedies are now moving in, seeking to offer viewers something fresh by putting stories with offbeat premises in the hands of veteran directors. First to arrive is “My Royal Nemesis,” an SBS Friday-Saturday drama set to premiere on May 8. The romantic comedy centers on the stormy romance between an unknown actor possessed by the spirit of a notorious Joseon-era villainess and a ruthless chaebol heir, blending the genre with a time-transcending possession. Shin Seo-ri, played by Lim Ji-yeon, carries the sharp edges she developed to survive. After firing back at the rude male lead with an archaic insult, she laughs and cries her way through centuries of Korean history. Throwing military life, cooking and game-like elements into one fantasy mix, Tving is set to start airing “The Legend of Kitchen Soldier” on the 11th. The series follows a fresh recruit who carries a kitchen knife instead of a rifle and wears an apron rather than a cartridge belt, as he follows instructionsMay 9, 2026By Hankookilbo
