INTERVIEW Director Han Jun-hee defines his own genre with socially charged dramasDirector Han Jun-hee is carving out a distinctive creative signature in Korean content with his unique approach to genre storytelling. From the gritty military drama “D.P.” to the high school action series “Weak Hero Class,” Han’s works resonate with both domestic and international audiences for their complex narratives and sharp social commentary. Rather than relying solely on action, Han’s storytelling integrates layered plotlines, blending suspense, drama and satire to highlight institutional violence and systemic injustice, often set within confined social spaces such as schools or military bases. These themes have struck a chord with modern viewers who are increasingly drawn to stories that ask deeper questions about power and accountability. Having made his feature debut with “Coin Locker Girl” and later directed titles such as “Hit-and-Run Squad,” Han is now also active as a creative producer. In addition to his role as director, he has served as a creator on “Weak Hero” series and the recent drama “Tastefully Yours.” His works consistently carry weighMay 12, 2025By KTimes
Cha Eun-woo interviews for military band, raising enlistment speculationActor and singer Cha Eun-woo may enlist in the military this year, as he recently attended an interview for the Republic of Korea Army band. According to his agency Fantagio, Cha attended an interview Friday at the Ministry of National Defense's military band unit, located at Seoul National Cemetery in Seoul. Applications for the Army band were accepted from March through April, with interviews taking place earlier this month. Born in 1997, Cha is 28 years old this year. The final results will be announced on the Military Manpower Administration’s website on May 29. If accepted, Cha is expected to enlist in July. Cha began his acting career in 2014 with the film “My Palpitating Life,” and debuted as a member of boy group ASTRO in 2016. He gained popularity through dramas such as “My ID is Gangnam Beauty,” and “Wonderful World.” He is currently filming the Netflix series “The Wonder Fools” and the movie “First Ride.” This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.May 12, 2025By KTimes
SBS reporter files complaint against YouTuber over audio clip of Kim Sae-ronSBS reporter Kang Kyung-yoon has filed a criminal complaint against Kim Se-eui, head of the far-right YouTube channel Hoverlab (Garo Sero Research Institute), over a controversial press conference in which Kim released what he claimed was an audio recording of the late actress Kim Sae-ron. Kang has strongly denounced the clip as a fake, allegedly generated using artificial intelligence. In a blog post on Thursday, Kang said, “I filed the complaint today and pleaded for a swift investigation. I hope this chaotic and hellish situation comes to an end.” The press conference, held the previous day by Kim and lawyer Bu Ji-seok representing Kim Sae-ron’s family, claimed that the actress had been in a sexual relationship with actor Kim Soo-hyun since she was in middle school. Kim claimed the audio was secretly recorded at a cafe in New Jersey on Jan. 10 and involved Kim Sae-ron speaking to a whistleblower about her relationship with Kim. He also accused Kang of flying to the U.S. to intimidate the whistleblower and alleged that others, including entertainment officials and YouTuber Lee JiMay 9, 2025By KTimes
Studio Dragon to launch three Japanese dramasThe global expansion of K-content is now extending to Japan through joint drama productions. Studio Dragon, a leading Korean drama production company under CJ ENM, announced Thursday that it plans to release three Japanese dramas this summer, marking a shift from simple remakes or rights sales to full-scale joint productions that combine the creative forces of both Korea and Japan. The summer lineup of Japanese-language series includes the adaptation of "Marry My Husband" on Amazon Prime Video in June; "Hatsukoi Dogs," co-produced with TBS and slated for release in July; and "Soul Mate," a Japanese Netflix series to be released worldwide in July. Studio Dragon has been working with international talent to highlight the strengths of K-dramas, resulting in projects such as the American series "The Big Door Prize," jointly produced with U.S. studio Skydance and released through Apple TV+. "The American drama 'The Big Door Prize,' the Japanese dramas 'Marry My Husband,' 'Hatsukoi Dogs' and 'Soul Mate' are all examples of Korean production companies directly creating dramas in the local languMay 8, 2025By Park Jin-hai
‘The Haunted Palace’ finds global success as K-occult fantasy gains traction abroadSBS fantasy drama “The Haunted Palace” has proven its international appeal, earning acclaim from global media outlets and drama fans alike and solidifying the reputation of K-occult storytelling. Airing on SBS every Friday and Saturday, “The Haunted Palace” tells the story of Yeo-ri, a shaman who rejects her fate as a spirit medium, and Kang Cheol, an "imugi" (mythical serpent) trapped in the body of Yoon Gap, Yeo-ri’s first love. The two become entangled in a supernatural battle against a vengeful eight-foot ghost harboring resentment toward the royal family — leading to a body-and-soul-twisting fantasy rom-com. Blending the eerie premise of an imugi possession with riveting palace mysteries, chilling K-occult elements and compelling character performances, the show has captured the attention of domestic viewers. It has topped its time slot for three consecutive weeks and ranked first among Saturday miniseries, continuing a strong streak in ratings. Now, the series is also making waves on the global stage. By its third week, “The Haunted Palace” had claimed the No. 1 spMay 8, 2025By KTimes
Park Na-rae says home theft case resolved, pushes back on rumorsComedian and TV personality Park Na-rae has confirmed that her recent home burglary case has been resolved and that all stolen items have been recovered. Speaking in a video uploaded to her YouTube channel on Wednesday, Park reassured fans. “Everything has been settled. I got back all the items that had gone missing.” Her agency had previously confirmed that valuables were stolen from her home in a burglary. Speculation soon followed online, with some suggesting an inside job. Park's side denied those claims. In her latest video, she addressed the misinformation. “There were some wild rumors. I heard someone said my best friend Jang Do-yeon and Han Hye-jin were behind it. As far as I know, they don’t even have each other’s numbers. I felt so bad for Do-yeon.” She added that some had even accused the production teams behind "I Live Alone" and her YouTube channel being involved, but said those claims were totally groundless. Park also shared details about how she discovered the theft. “I found out sooner than expected. (Comedian) Kim Ji-min is getting married this July, and wMay 8, 2025By KTimes
TV networks scrambling as Paik Jong-won halts all on-air activitiesBroadcast networks are on alert as restaurateur and businessman Paik Jong-won, CEO of Theborn Korea, suspends his television appearances amid a string of product quality controversies. At least three shows featuring Paik have already completed filming and are set to air this year, prompting criticism that the industry relied too heavily on his popularity and was producing content without sufficient scrutiny. Among them is the Netflix show “Culinary Class Wars,” which gained popularity last year and is set to return for a second season in the latter half of 2025. Season 2 began filming in March, with Paik appearing again as a judge. A Netflix official declined to comment on the specific production or release schedule. TvN had also planned to air the third season of “The Genius Paik,” a variety show in which Paik teams up with celebrities to sell Korean food abroad. The latest season was filmed in France last month. “It was included in this year’s programming lineup, but the airdate has not been finalized,” a tvN official said. MBC abruptly canceled the planned April 14 broadMay 8, 2025By KTimes
'Squid Game' stars to attend Netflix's fan event in LAThe cast of the global hit series "Squid Game" will appear in Netflix's annual global fan event in Los Angeles late this month, the streaming giant said Thursday. According to Netflix, Lee Jung-jae, Lee Byung-hun, Park Sung-hoon, Kang Ae-sim and Choi Seung-hyun are set to attend "Tudum 2025" on May 31 (local time). The event, to be livestreamed from the Kia Forum, will feature Netflix news and exclusive reveals, and also includes stars from other popular series, such as "Emily in Paris" and "Frankenstein." Fans may also get a sneak peek into the highly anticipated third season of "Squid Game," which is scheduled to premiere June 27.May 8, 2025By Yonhap
‘Squid Game’ Season 3 teases deadly finale ahead of June 27 releaseNetflix’s global phenomenon “Squid Game” is set to return for its final chapter on June 27, and anticipation is mounting with a new teaser poster, trailer and stills unveiled Tuesday. The teaser, shared on Netflix’s official YouTube channel with the tagline “The final game for 45.6 billion won ($33.5 million) begins,” quickly gained traction, racking up over 7 million views within a day of upload. Season 3 picks up where the story left off, following Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae), who reenters the brutal game with a personal mission after losing his closest friend during a failed revolt. Also returning are the Front Man (Lee Byung-hun), who hides his identity to rejoin the game, and other surviving contestants, whose fates hang in the balance as they face one last round of deadly challenges. The teaser poster captures Gi-hun standing among pink ribbon–wrapped coffins. The imagery hints at the emotional weight of this season as Gi-hun grapples with the loss of his friend Deok-su (Lee Seo-hwan) and prepares for what may be his final transformation. The trailer opens with a scene of PiMay 7, 2025By KTimes
Park Bo-gum, Hyeri to reunite on YouTube show ahead of drama 'Good Boy'Actors Park Bo-gum and Hyeri are reuniting on Hyeri’s YouTube variety show “Hyell’s Club,” marking their first appearance together on a variety program since the hit drama “Reply 1988.” According to industry sources Tuesday, Park and co-star Kim So-hyun will film an episode of Hyeri’s web show on Thursday to promote their upcoming JTBC series “Good Boy,” which premieres May 31. Fans are excited to see Park and Hyeri together again, as this year marks the 10th anniversary of “Reply 1988,” the 2015 drama in which they played leading roles and captivated viewers with their on-screen chemistry. Their appearance at the 61st Baeksang Arts Awards on Monday also thrilled fans, with Hyeri nominated for Best New Actress for the film “Victory,” and Park Bo-gum serving as host while being nominated for Best Actor in the TV category for “When Life Gives You Tangerines.” “Good Boy” is an action comedy drama that follows former Olympic medalists who join the police force through a special recruitment program. Trading in their medals for badges, they take on corruptionMay 7, 2025By KTimes
![[INTERVIEW] Director Han Jun-hee defines his own genre with socially charged dramas](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)