Can ‘Resident Playbook’ extend gentle drama momentum?TvN’s new medical drama "Resident Playbook" premiered on April 12 after a yearlong delay and is drawing attention both at home and abroad. As the first spin-off of the widely popular "Hospital Playlist," the series was originally set to air in early 2024. However, it was postponed amid prolonged conflicts between doctors and the government over plans to increase medical school admissions, a controversy that intensified public criticism of medical interns. Despite the stumbling block, the show drew strong responses upon its debut. Netflix released the first two episodes at the same time, and they quickly topped TV show rankings in Korea, Thailand, Vietnam and other parts of Asia. Following the megahit success of "When Life Gives You Tangerines" last month, industry watchers are wondering whether "Resident Playbook" could signal a continued appetite for “gentler” dramas. Unlike most medical series focused on brilliant, infallible doctors, "Resident Playbook" centers on four first-year obstetrics and gynecology residents — each struggling with their own flaws and circumstances. MedicApr 22, 2025By KTimes
Insooni apologizes for sharing photo from Kim Jong-min’s private weddingSinger Insooni has issued a public apology after posting a photo from Koyote member Kim Jong-min’s wedding, which sparked criticism for revealing the identity of his bride. Insooni shared a lengthy apology on social media Monday, following backlash over a photo she posted the day before from the wedding ceremony held at The Shilla Seoul's Yeong Bin Gwan venue. The image showed the face of Kim’s bride — a non-celebrity whom he had previously chosen to keep out of the public eye. “I didn’t realize the wedding was meant to be private,” Insooni wrote. “The couple looked so beautiful that I shared the photo without thinking. It was my mistake.” She added that she had apologized to the bride and groom earlier in the day and that they told her it was okay. “Still, my heart feels heavy. I should have been more careful and protective. I sincerely apologize to both of them and wish them a life full of happiness and love.” Kim’s bride is an entrepreneur 11 years younger than he is. During a press conference before the wedding, Kim said, “It feels like a new life is about to bApr 22, 2025By KTimes
Netflix revives hit school action 'Weak Hero' with Season 2The 2022 school action sensation "Weak Hero," which first drew attention on local platform Wavve, returns with a bold new chapter — this time for a global audience. Facing funding hurdles at home, the series has found new life and scale under the production wing of streaming giant Netflix, signaling a dramatic leap from domestic hit to international phenomenon. Director You Su-min, who led the series to success by adding unique action to a school drama to break away from typical conventions, has teamed up once again with executive producer Han Jun-hee. The new season is expected to captivate viewers with even more explosive action and raw emotions. Actor Park Ji-hoon, who takes on the lead role Yeon Si-eun, introduced the "Weak Hero" series as "the coming-of-age story of a boy who stands up to even greater violence." Even when looking at the storyboards, the actor said he was surprised at how much Si-eun's fighting abilities had improved. "He isn’t someone who looks for trouble, but he constantly finds himself dragged into violent situations. Through these repeated encounters, I belApr 21, 2025By Park Jin-hai
Yale professor praises Youn Yuh-jung for speaking about son’s sexual identityActor Youn Yuh-jung has received praise from Yale University professor Peter Jongho Na after she publicly shared that her eldest son is gay. Na, a professor of psychiatry at Yale School of Medicine, wrote Sunday on Facebook, “If I had to name the most courageous celebrity in Korea, I would say Hong Seok-cheon without hesitation,” referring to Korea’s first openly gay entertainer. “The fact that no other prominent celebrity has followed in his footsteps since his 2000 coming out speaks volumes.” He continued, “I pay my respects to Youn,” referring to her recent interviews in which she discussed her connection to the film “The Wedding Banquet.” “As Youn said, Korea is still a very conservative society. From the perspective of someone living in the United States, it may not seem like a big deal. But for someone navigating life in that society, it takes immense courage — and that is why I respect her.” In interviews with media outlets, Youn shared that her personal experiences closely paralleled her role in “The Wedding Banquet,” which opened in North America on FApr 21, 2025By KTimes
‘Heavenly Ever After’ rises to 6.1% viewership after 2 episodesJTBC’s fantasy romance "Heavenly Ever After," starring Kim Hye-ja and Son Suk-ku, is gaining early traction, with its second episode drawing a nationwide viewership rating of 6.1 percent. The episode, which aired on Sunday, followed Lee Hae-sook (Kim Hye-ja) and Go Nak-joon (Son Suk-ku) as they began their second life together in heaven. According to Nielsen Korea, the drama recorded 6.1 percent viewership nationwide and 7.2 percent in the Seoul area, topping all non-terrestrial programs for the day. While Lee Young-ae (Lee Jung-eun) vanished from Earth in search of Hae-sook, a mysterious woman (Han Ji-min) suddenly appeared at the couple’s heavenly home, calling Nak-joon by name and adding a layer of suspense. Hae-sook was visibly unsettled upon seeing her husband in his 30s again. On her second day in the afterlife, a conversation with the Heavenly Support Center director (Chun Ho-jin) deepened her suspicions, while a mysterious gaze seemed to follow her throughout the day. Nak-joon eventually realized why Hae-sook had arrived in heaven as her 80-year-old self and why her reaction tApr 21, 2025By KTimes
Moon So-ri of ‘When Life Gives You Tangerines’ says she aged fast after playing the elderly version of Ae-sunIn the Netflix series “When Life Gives You Tangerines,” actress Moon So-ri delivers a heart-wrenching performance as a mother overflowing with unconditional love. As a real-life mother herself, Moon said she often thought of her own mom while reading the script or filming the series. Her raw emotion blurred the line between fiction and reality, bringing viewers closer to the heart of Ae-sun, her character. “Ae-sun stays the same, but people shine in spring and summer, don’t they? With blooming flowers and bright sunlight. Then autumn and winter come, and many just turn into ordinary moms,” Moon said in a recent interview with the Hankook Ilbo. “That also had to be reflected in the story — Ae-sun’s essence had to remain intact. Finding a way to express both individuality and universality was challenging, especially because I had to insert myself into that balance.” “She’s a mom like any other. The kind who answers the phone at night and cooks for you when you drop by, who reminds you to wear socks,” she said. “Capturing all those moments and blending them intoApr 19, 2025By KTimes
Kim Hye-ja returns with 'Heavenly Ever After,' reimagines afterlifeJTBC's new weekend drama "Heavenly Ever After" is expected to become another poignant drama by veteran actor Kim Hye-ja, reuniting with director and screenwriters of acclaimed collaboration "The Light in Your Eyes" (2019) after six years. In this heart-warming drama, Kim pairs with actor Son Suk-ku, who is 42 years younger than her, to portray a romance that gracefully transcends their age difference. Director Kim Suk-yoon said they "crafted a stage where Kim can pour her entire being," heightening anticipation. "This project was conceived from the outset with Kim in mind. The screenwriters even halted their other scripts to join what we affectionately called the 'Kim Hye-ja Project,' focusing on how to create a platform where she could fully immerse herself. It's essentially a bespoke creation aimed at delivering both entertainment and profound emotion," he said during an online press conference on Friday. The drama, penned by the celebrated writing team of Lee Nam-kyu and Kim Su-jin from "The Light in Your Eyes," presents actor Kim as Lee Hae-sook, an 80-year-old who finds herself in hApr 18, 2025By Park Jin-hai
Hyper-realistic workplace comedies enjoy enduring popularityAs the clock strikes six, workers of DY Planning, a marketing agency, get ready to leave work in high spirits. Then, CEO Shin Dong-yup enters the office with actor and client Kang Ha-neul, who wants to have a meeting at this exact time. The employees' expressions turn cold. CEO Shin plays it cool, saying, "Those with prior engagements can go," but he adds, "Those who will save the company with me, let's stay and work." With forced smiles, the employees head to the meeting room, their lips smiling but not their eyes. This is a scene from the recently concluded Coupang Play comedy, "The White Collars," which gained huge popularity by delivering stories of life at a fictional small- and medium-sized enterprise in Korea. Based on a format where celebrity guest stars seek image consulting at the show's marketing company, the six-part comedy tackles aspects of office life such as the subtle battles over leaving work on time, company dinner culture, salary negotiations and corporate welfare. Examples include a subordinate who makes bold statements taking advantage of so-called "yaja time," a KoApr 18, 2025By Park Jin-hai
Supporting actors leave lasting impact in ‘When Life Gives You Tangerines’ and ‘Buried Hearts’A well-crafted drama doesn’t rely on lead actors alone, as great supporting characters are often what bring the story to life. Recently, several well-made Korean dramas have featured memorable supporting casts who delivered as much emotional weight and narrative impact as the headliners. Whether it’s Choi Dae-hoon in “When Life Gives You Tangerines” or veteran actors like Woo Hyun and Lee Hae-young in “Buried Hearts,” these standout performances have helped shape some of the year’s most compelling series. The success of a drama doesn’t rest solely on strong direction and lead actors. The supporting cast, who fill out the story’s emotional and thematic layers, are essential to creating unforgettable moments. In recent hit dramas, actors like Cha Mi-kyung and Lee Hae-young have drawn widespread acclaim and quickly lined up new roles, signaling a new peak in their careers. In Netflix’s “When Life Gives You Tangerines,” a show with few clear villains, Choi Dae-hoon’s portrayal of Bu Sang-gil — a petty rival known for ending his sentences with the exclamation “HaApr 18, 2025By KTimes
Cha Tae-hyun, Zo In-sung launch new agency built on 20-year friendshipActors Cha Tae-hyun and Zo In-sung have established a new management agency, Base Camp Company, marking a fresh start in their careers based on over two decades of friendship and trust. The two stars announced the new management company's founding on Friday, choosing the name to symbolize a reliable foundation for artists — just as a base camp is essential for scaling a mountain or embarking on an expedition. The agency is staffed by team members who have worked closely with both actors over a long period. Their shared history and mutual trust are expected to guide the agency’s future endeavors. Through the new agency, Cha and Zo expressed their intention to continue focusing on their craft, remaining grounded and committed to delivering meaningful performances in quality projects. Cha is currently appearing in the tvN variety show "Handsome Guys," while Zo recently wrapped filming for the movies "Hope" and "Humint." This article from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.Apr 18, 2025By KTimes
