Disney+ rolls out Korean originals for second half of 2025Riding high on the phenomenal success of its Korean originals last year, Disney+ is set to make an even bigger splash in the second half of 2025 with a bold new lineup of content. Korean series dominated the global stage last year — an impressive nine out of the 15 most-watched Disney+ originals outside the U.S. were Korean productions, a testament to the worldwide appetite for the country’s sophisticated storytelling and cinematic excellence. Among these hits, “A Shop for Killers” stood out as the crown jewel, captivating audiences with its inventive universe and stylish action. The series not only claimed the title of most-watched Korean original on Disney+ in 2024, but also sparked such fervor that the streamer has officially greenlit a second season. As Disney+ doubles down on its investment in Korean content, viewers can expect an electrifying lineup that continues to set the pace for global streaming — and cements Korea’s place at the forefront of premium entertainment. Among the most eagerly awaited titles, slated to debut for the second half of this year, are the gripApr 25, 2025By Park Jin-hai
‘The Haunted Palace’ brings occult, romance together in genre-bending fantasy hitSBS’s new fantasy period drama “The Haunted Palace” is drawing major attention in April’s lineup of feel-good dramas, standing out with a fresh mix of historical fiction, romantic comedy, fantasy action and occult storytelling. Billed as SBS’s only fantasy historical drama of 2025, “The Haunted Palace” follows Yeo-ri, a shaman who rejects her fate as a medium, and Gang Cheol, an ancient serpent spirit trapped in the body of Yeo-ri’s first love, Yoon Gap. As they confront the vengeful spirit Palcheok-gwi, their bodies and souls become entangled in an unusual battle for physical control — anchoring the show’s unique blend of body-swapping romance and supernatural conflict. Premiering to strong numbers, “The Haunted Palace” recorded a peak nationwide viewership of 10.7 percent, with 9.2 percent in both the capital area and nationwide, according to Nielsen Korea. It not only claimed the highest premiere rating of any SBS drama in 2025 but also topped the week’s miniseries ratings and ranked number one in the TV series category across five Asian countries on NetfliApr 24, 2025By KTimes
‘When Life Gives You Tangerines’ star Kim Seon-ho reveals new profile photos, signals returnActor Kim Seon-ho has unveiled a new set of profile photos, kicking off activities under his new agency. Fantagio released the official images on Thursday, showcasing Kim’s trademark dimpled smile and a wide range of expressions — from cool intensity to charismatic elegance. In the photos, Kim exudes a deep aura and commanding presence, further emphasized by his gentle eyes and polished style. His versatility as an actor shines through in the different looks, from a crisp suit ensemble to a relaxed, casual outfit, highlighting his ability to pull off diverse styling with ease. With a natural hairstyle and a simple white t-shirt, Kim creates a soft and refreshing impression. A faint smile adds a touch of warmth. In a contrasting black concept shoot, Kim gives a glimpse of a darker, more refined charisma that fans have rarely seen before. Yet even in the midst of his chic transformation, he flashes his trademark dimples, adding a hint of his familiar charm. One photo featuring him in an ivory knit brings out Kim’s easygoing and comforting vibe, blending his relaxed charm with a tenderApr 24, 2025By KTimes
Will 'Weak Hero Class 2' be Netflix’s next smart move?In today’s content landscape, it is not uncommon to distinguish between what is on Netflix and what is not. Such is the platform’s global influence and financial power that people often half-jokingly ask, “What if this show had been on Netflix?” It is in this context that “Weak Hero Class 2,” a sequel to one of Wavve’s most successful dramas, is now gaining industry-wide attention as it transitions to Netflix. Originally released in November 2022 as a Wavve original, “Weak Hero Class 1” gained traction globally after its domestic success. With Netflix now the producer for Season 2, the streaming giant has also acquired the rights to Season 1 and began streaming it on March 25, one month ahead of the season two premiere, to build momentum and stir interest. The first season was a strong performer, credited with driving the largest increase in Wavve subscriptions that year. Based on a webtoon, the drama featured rising stars Park Ji-hoon, Hong Kyung and Choi Hyun-wook, keeping production costs low while maximizing appeal. Lee Yeon, Shin Seung-ho and the late Na Chul also lApr 24, 2025By KTimes
TV personality Shin Jung-hwan alleges knowledge of celebrity sex-for-favors scandalShin Jung-hwan, a veteran entertainer and former member of the duo Country Kko Kko, claimed to have overheard conversations involving celebrity sex-for-favors arrangements, drawing attention and concern online. During a recent appearance on the YouTube talk show Non Non Non, produced by the channel gofixhae, Shin shared that he had once unintentionally overheard older acquaintances discussing alleged transactions involving younger celebrities. “I happened to overhear some older guys talking,” Shin said. “They didn’t care that I was there and just talked freely. They were naming junior celebrities and saying things like, ‘I met so-and-so yesterday,’ even mentioning the amounts — 5 million won ($3,700), 10 million won. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.” When co-host Kang Byung-kyu asked for details, Shin declined to identify any individuals. “I can’t even tell the production team. These are people meeting businessmen, playing golf, dining, drinking ... it goes that far,” he said. Kang added, “There were times in the past when such rumors were listed in gossipApr 24, 2025By KTimes
Embattled celebrity restaurateur Paik Jong-won faces scrutiny amid scandalsPaik Jong-won wears many hats: owner of 25 restaurant franchises, CEO of an entertainment company, TV personality best known for the Netflix series "Culinary Class Wars," and husband of actress So Yoo-jin. Yet amid multiple scandals — ranging from business practices to personal behavior — public sentiment has begun to shift, raising questions about the future of his brand and career. On Monday, a petition was submitted to the National Assembly calling for the enactment of the so-called “Paik Jong-won Prevention Act.” The petitioner cited repeated violations of food hygiene regulations by Paik’s company at local festivals, accusing TheBorn Korea of operating as a de facto monopoly. It was the latest blow in a string of controversies. Earlier this year, his compant TheBorn Korea sold gift sets of ham through his YouTube channel, claiming a 45 percent discount at a price of 28,500 won. Marketed as a “once-in-a-lifetime low price,” the promotion sparked backlash when it was revealed that the original price was only 30,000 won — prompting complaints from consumers who accusedApr 24, 2025By Park Jin-hai
Actress Song Hye-kyo praised for past acts of kindnessActress Song Hye-kyo is drawing renewed attention over a recently resurfaced story highlighting her compassion and integrity. The anecdote was shared in the comment section of a Fairy Jaehyung YouTube video featuring Song, uploaded in January. One commenter wrote, “Here’s a heartwarming story about (Song) Hye-kyo that I can’t keep to myself.” According to the commenter, many years ago, a professor criticized inflated housing prices and pointed to celebrity endorsement fees as a contributing factor. The professor sent letters to celebrities who at the time were modeling for apartment advertisements. Song was the only one who responded — and subsequently declined to renew her apartment ad contract. The commenter also shared another incident from roughly 20 years ago, when Song was shooting a commercial that involved awarding a scholarship to a financially struggling student. The plan was to film the scholarship handover, but Song objected, saying the publicity could emotionally harm the student, who was at a sensitive age. Instead, she arranged for the scholarship to be delivereApr 23, 2025By KTimes
BTS' Jin and Kian84 bring discomfort and absurdity to new Netflix showA guesthouse where the front door is 3.8 meters off the ground, meals require sliding down a pole and guests sleep on a bed bolted to the outer wall of the building. This is the setting of Netflix’s new variety show "Kian’s Bizarre B&B," hosted by webtoon artist and TV personality Kian84. Joined by BTS member Jin and actress Ji Ye-eun, Kian84 welcomes guests to a space he personally designed with one goal: to make things as uncomfortable as possible. The show has turned heads since its release on April 8, ranking high on Netflix Korea’s TV show chart and subverting every convention of the “healing guesthouse” genre that has defined Korean variety over the past decade. From healing to hardship The gold standard for guesthouse reality shows has long been "Hyori’s Bed and Breakfast" (2017), in which singer Lee Hyo-ri and her husband hosted travelers in their Jeju Island home. The slow pace, natural setting and warm guest interactions offered comfort and reflection for viewers. Successors like "Snail Hotel" (2018), "Boarding House in Spain" (2019), and "Youn’s Stay" (2021) folloApr 23, 2025By KTimes
Producer defends Paik Jong-won amid abuse of power allegationsPaik Jong-won, CEO of Theborn Korea and a prominent television personality, is once again facing controversy, this time over allegations of abuse of power raised by former MBC producer Kim Jae-hwan. However, not all staff who have worked with Paik share that view. A producer who previously worked with Paik on the hit show "My Little Television" told the Hankook Ilbo that both the crew and Paik had made great efforts to ensure the show’s success. “We filmed up to four days a week. Since it involved visiting restaurants across the country, just getting to the shooting locations often took five to six hours,” the producer said. “There were many days when filming, including travel, lasted more than 15 hours.” According to the producer, Paik showed immense passion and even contributed personal funds when the production budget fell short. He added that there was no abuse of power during their time working together — no cast members were replaced at Paik’s request, and Paik did not demand specific writers or crew members be assigned. “He worked with staff he met for the first tiApr 23, 2025By KTimes
Park Bo-gum of ‘When Life Gives You Tangerines’ turns rainy commute into cinematic momentActor Park Bo-gum turned a rainy spring morning into a cinematic moment, dazzling fans with his striking appearance on his way to work. On Tuesday, Park was seen arriving to film an episode for KBS 2TV’s music talk show “The Seasons – Park Bo-gum’s Cantabile,” where he serves as the MC. Despite the rain pouring throughout the day, Park was seen holding an umbrella, catching everyone’s eye despite the dreary weather. His flawless appearance stood out even under the overcast sky. He wore a varsity jacket in gray and ivory paired with navy pants, creating a casual yet stylish ensemble. The large letter “C” embroidered on the jacket evoked a classic college campus look, adding a youthful charm. Posing under his umbrella, Park displayed a clean-cut hairstyle and glowing skin. Despite the natural styling, his sharp features and model-like proportions turned the moment into a real-life photo shoot. He also delighted fans with playful gestures such as finger hearts and peace signs, reminiscent of his warm-hearted character Yang Gwan-sik from the Netflix hit “When Life Gives YouApr 23, 2025By KTimes
