Lee Seung-gi announces severance of ties with in-laws over father-in-law’s misconductSinger and actor Lee Seung-gi said Tuesday that he is cutting ties with his in-laws, expressing deep disappointment over his father-in-law’s repeated involvement in stock manipulation. In an official statement issued on Tuesday, he said, "It is with a heavy heart that I deliver this message. Although my father-in-law was previously fined in an appellate court over ongoing legal issues, he has recently been indicted again for similar misconduct. Having waited for the outcome based on family trust, I can no longer contain my devastated feelings regarding his actions." Lee also reflected on his past comments, saying, "I deeply regret speaking carelessly last year without thoroughly reviewing the matter involving my father-in-law." He said that he believes appropriate punishment should be carried out for any wrongdoing. "I sincerely apologize to the victims who may have suffered due to my hasty judgment," he said. "I also feel deeply sorry to everyone who believed in me and supported me." Lee said that the trust within his family has been damaged to a point beyond repair. "After long and caApr 29, 2025By KTimes
InterviewPark Ji-hoon transforms from idol to intense actor in 'Weak Hero Class 2'After making waves in a gritty, R-rated school action drama on Korea’s streaming platform Wavve, the second season of 2022 sensation "Weak Hero" has found new life and greater exposure under the wing of streaming giant Netflix. "Weak Hero Class 2," wasted no time igniting buzz with its Friday release — not just in Korea, but across Asia and Latin America — signaling a dramatic leap from domestic hit to international phenomenon. The series soared to No. 1 in Netflix's non-English content category across 32 countries. Based on the hit webtoon of the same name, "Weak Hero" follows the story of Yeon Si-eun, a model student born physically weak but fiercely intelligent, who mastered the art of fighting from a young age. Singer and actor Park Ji-hoon, taking the title role, reunites with the original creative team and continues his fight to protect his friends in the second season. Through this series, Park — who was previously known for work as a singing idol and former member of the K-pop boy band Wanna One, formed through the music survival show Produce 101 — has been reevaluatedApr 28, 2025By Park Jin-hai
Kim Sa-rang turns heads with bold look, comedic timing on 'SNL Korea'Actor Kim Sa-rang, who was crowned the winner of the Miss Korea 2000 pageant, is drawing attention for her flawless appearance. Now in her late 40s, she continues to impress with her youthful figure and radiant skin, rivaling that of someone in their twenties. Kim appeared as the fourth host of Coupang Play’s comedy show "SNL Korea" Season 7 on Saturday, marking her return to variety shows after a four-year hiatus following the conclusion of the 2021 TV Chosun drama "The Goddess of Revenge." Kim made a striking entrance in a white tube top dress that showcased her neckline. With her signature long hair and slender figure, she left fellow cast members Kwon Hyuk-soo and Kim Min-kyo visibly stunned. As the audience erupted in cheers, show host Shin Dong-yup joked, "It feels like a military base here today. It’s been a long time since we’ve seen such a delightful face. Just hearing her name makes my heart flutter." Expressing her emotions, Kim said, "I have not been very active for a while, so it is unbelievable to see so many people welcoming me. I am truly grateful." Kim’s fearlessApr 28, 2025By KTimes
'Resident Playbook' surpasses 5%, but reality is different?The tvN drama "Resident Playbook" has surpassed 5 percent viewership ratings, but many point out that reality is far different from what is depicted on screen. The series focuses on the life of first-year obstetrics and gynecology residents, but in real life, the field is facing a severe staffing shortage. "Resident Playbook" centers around Oh I-young (played by Go Youn-jung), a first-year resident in obstetrics and gynecology. Other characters, such as Pyo Nam-kyung (Shin Si-ah), Eom Jae-il (Kang Yoo-seok), and Kim Sa-bi (Han Ye-ji), are also first-year residents in the same department. While the drama incorporates some elements of reality, it does not fully mirror the current conditions in the medical field. Director Shin Won-ho acknowledged during a press conference that the number of obstetrics and gynecology residents depicted in the drama is unrealistically high. "We hear a lot of comments like, 'This part is not realistic,'" Shin said. "Our team creates fictional stories that seem plausible based on reality. Since drama is about creating fiction, it is difficult to reflect everyApr 26, 2025By KTimes
'Spring of Youth' joins band boom in dramas: Will it be the next 'Lovely Runner?’The youth band romance "Spring of Youth" is set to hit the small screen. SBS’s new drama "Spring of Youth" tells the story of Sa-gye, a top K-pop band star who is expelled from his group and embarks on a turbulent college life where he meets Kim Bom and stages a brilliant comeback. The project brings together director Kim Sung-yong of "The Veil," the "band powerhouse" FNC Entertainment, and SBS, known as the "drama kingdom." "Spring of Youth" is expected to continue the legacy of the 2009 sensation "You're Beautiful," another musical romance drama. "You're Beautiful" starred FT Island's Lee Hong-gi and CNBLUE's Jung Yong-hwa, both from FNC Entertainment, and achieved explosive popularity at the time. Adding to the authenticity, real FNC band members appear in "Spring of Youth." Ha Yoo-joon, vocalist of the band AxMxP, and Lee Seung-hyub of N.Flying are part of the cast. Lee Seung-hyub also gained attention last year for his role as Baek In-hyuk in the tvN drama "Lovely Runner." "Lovely Runner" depicted the story of passionate fan Im Sol (played by Kim Hye-yoon), who, devastated by theApr 26, 2025By KTimes
Girls' Generation's Soo-young to make Hollywood debut in John Wick spinoff: sourcesChoi Soo-young, a member of the iconic K-pop group Girls' Generation and a rising actor, is set to make her Hollywood debut in "Ballerina," a spinoff of the John Wick film franchise, industry sources said Friday. Soo-young will play the role of Katla in "Ballerina," which is scheduled to be released in North America on June 6, according to film industry sources. The film follows the story of Eve, a ballerina trained as an assassin, who embarks on a journey to avenge her murdered father. Set in the same cinematic universe as the John Wick series, the film features Ana de Armas -- known for her roles in "Knives Out" and "No Time to Die" -- in the lead role. Keanu Reeves will also appear as John Wick in the film, the sources said. Soo-young's character, Katla, is reported to be the woman Eve is assigned to protect during her first mission. The singer-turned-actor debuted as a member of Girls' Generation in 2007. (Yonhap)Apr 25, 2025By Yonhap
Fantasy thriller 'S Line' selected for competition at CanneseriesThe fantasy thriller "S Line" has been selected to compete in the Cannes International Series Festival (Canneseries), the festival's organizers said Friday. Starring Lee Soo-hyuk, Lee Da-hee and Arin, the Korean drama depicts a world where people who have had sexual relationships are connected by a visible red line, which can only be seen by those wearing special glasses. Based on the webtoon of the same name, the six-episode series will have its world premiere at the eighth edition of the annual festival in Cannes, which opened Thursday and runs until Tuesday. "This Korean series with an extremely far-fetched concept plunges us into a supernatural atmosphere and confronts us with the consequences of losing intimacy and our secret gardens," according to Canneseries' website. Established in 2018, Canneseries showcases outstanding TV series from around the world through four official sections — Competition, Short Form Competition, Documentary Series Competition and Out of Competition — as well as the Rendez-Vous section. Four other Korean dramas, including MBC's "Doubt" and "Hunter WithApr 25, 2025By Yonhap
HYBE Latin America launches audition show in US to form Mexican bandK-pop powerhouse HYBE is making a major push into the Latin music market with a new audition program in partnership with U.S. Spanish-language broadcaster Telemundo. The survival-style music competition show, titled "Pase a la Fama," meaning "Step toward fame" in English, is set to premiere June 8 (U.S. time) on Telemundo, according to HYBE Latin America. The program aims to form a new Mexican band, marking HYBE's most ambitious project in the region to date. More than 55 contestants from diverse backgrounds have been selected to join the "Pase a la Fama" artist camp, where they will undergo intensive training and fierce competition. The show will document their journey as they compete for a spot in the final lineup. The winner will receive a $100,000 cash prize and a recording contract with HYBE Latin America. The series will also feature some of Latin music's biggest names. Edgar Barrera, a 21-time Latin Grammy winner and Grammy recipient at the 57th annual awards, will serve as executive music producer, creating the show's theme song and original tracks. The judging panel includes iconiApr 25, 2025By Yonhap
Comedian Lee Gook-ju starts fresh in Tokyo with rookie spiritComedian Lee Gook-ju has shared an update on her decision to move from Korea to Japan, revealing her new life in a modest one-room apartment in Tokyo. In a video titled “Lee Gook-ju’s Tokyo settlement story” uploaded to her personal YouTube channel on Wednesday, Lee said she recently began living alone in a 9-pyeong (30 square meters) apartment in the Japanese capital. “Next year will mark the 20th anniversary of my debut, and I’ve been feeling like I’ve just been going through the motions for the past four or five years — doing what I’m told, accepting what comes," the 38-year-old said, explaining her motivation for the move. She added that she had been longing for a new challenge and wanted to learn a new language, particularly Japanese. “I thought that if I could speak Japanese in the future, maybe I’d be able to try something new,” Lee said. “Instead of waiting around for work to come in during slower periods, I decided to take this opportunity and do something for myself.” Lee also expressed her determination to embrace the experience wholeheartedly. “I caApr 25, 2025By KTimes
'Squid Game' creator Hwang Dong-hyuk honored with Creator Tribute at Gotham AwardsHwang Dong-hyuk, the creator and director behind the global sensation "Squid Game," will be honored with the Creator Tribute at the upcoming Gotham Television Awards, the awards' organizer said Friday. The director was selected for "combining high-stakes storytelling with sharp cultural commentary to create the global phenomenon," the Gotham Film & Media Institute said in a press release. According to the institute, the Creator Tribute award category, introduced last year, "recognizes the iconic artists and creators who have enriched the landscape and pushed the boundaries of TV, making an indelible impact on the medium." Established in 1991, the Gotham Awards have annually recognized outstanding achievements in independent films and television series. "Squid Game" won the award for Breakthrough Series -- Long Form (over 40 minutes) in 2021. The awards ceremony will take place in person at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City on June 2.Apr 25, 2025By Yonhap
