'Hyper Knife': 'Extraordinary Attorney Woo' actor Park Eun-bin’s thorny path of transformationDisney Plus’s "Hyper Knife" marks a bold new chapter for actor Park Eun-bin, who sheds her wholesome image to portray a sociopathic doctor in the series — a striking departure from her previous roles. Her intense performance on set has reportedly drawn praise and even astonishment from the crew. Known for consistently choosing challenging roles, Park returns as Jung Se-ok, a once-promising genius surgeon who now performs operations at an illegal clinic. What sets this project apart from her previous work is the towering presence of veteran actor Sul Kyung-gu. While Park led previous hits like "Extraordinary Attorney Woo" and "Castaway Diva" as a solo star, "Hyper Knife" introduces a new dynamic with Sul as her counterpart. As her first foray into an original streaming platform series, it raises the question of whether it will be another career-defining role. "Hyper Knife," released on March 19, is a medical thriller that depicts the fierce conflict between Se-ok and her former mentor Choi Deok-hee (played by Sul), the man responsible for her downfall. Directed by Kim Jung-hyun, knowMar 31, 2025By KTimes
Kim Soo-hyun to hold press conference Monday to address dating allegationsActor Kim Soo-hyun is scheduled to hold a press conference Monday to publicly address mounting controversies, including allegations of an underage relationship with the late actor Kim Sae-ron. Kim Soo-hyun's agency Gold Medalist announced Sunday that the actor and his legal representative will hold a press conference at 4:30 p.m. on Monday at Stanford Hotel in Mapo District, Seoul. "We sincerely apologize for the concerns caused by recent events," the agency said in a statement. "We have arranged this opportunity so that Kim Soo-hyun can speak directly to members of the media." The press conference will be attended by lawyer Kim Jong-bok from law firm LKB & Partners, along with Kim Soo-hyun himself. However, the agency said that only a statement will be delivered and no questions will be taken. This will be Kim Soo-hyun’s first public comment since the YouTube channel Hoverlab alleged on March 10 that he had been in a relationship with the late Kim Sae-ron. Her family claimed that the two were romantically involved for six years, beginning in 2016, when she was 15. "Kim Soo-hyun dated KMar 31, 2025By KTimes
Seo Kang-joon steals spotlight in ‘Undercover High School,’ but critics call for greater depthAction-comedy drama “Undercover High School” may have been light in tone, but it was the perfect stage to highlight Seo Kang-joon’s strongest weapon: his striking appearance. The final episode of MBC’s “Undercover High School” aired on Saturday. The story revolves around a National Intelligence Service (NIS) agent who goes undercover as a high school student to track down the lost gold bars of Emperor Gojong. In the finale, agent Jung Hae-seong (played by Seo Kang-joon) completes his final mission to recover gold bars hidden by the school’s founding director, Seo Byung-moon. After narrowly escaping a car crash, Jung is rescued by Oh Soo-ah (Jin Ki-joo) and reunited with his NIS team. Despite being falsely accused of killing Director Kim (Lee Seo-hwan) and pursued by the police, Jung locates critical evidence against the villainous principal Seo Myung-joo (Kim Shin-rok). With help from his team leader, Gong (Lim Cheol-hyung), he submits the evidence to the authorities. Seo Myung-joo tries to burn down the school in desperation, even aiming a gun at herself. However, she isMar 30, 2025By KTimes
‘When Life Gives You Tangerines’: How Korean stories touch hearts across the globeNetflix’s Korean drama “When Life Gives You Tangerines” has captured audiences around the world, topping the streaming platform’s global non-English TV chart. The series, originally titled "Pokssak Sogatsuda" in Korean — a Jeju dialect expression meaning “you worked so hard” — ranked No. 1 on Netflix’s global Top 10 for non-English series from its release on March 7 until Thursday, before the airing of its fourth episode. It also landed in the top 10 rankings in 42 countries, including Brazil, Colombia, Vietnam and Turkey. Viewers across the world are showering the drama with praise. On platforms like YouTube and Instagram, comments include, “I don’t know how they fit three generations of stories into such a short drama,” “The writer is amazing” and “This is the most impressive Korean content on Netflix.” On Netflix’s official YouTube channel, the series is described as “heartwarming” and a “masterpiece.” Set in Jeju from the 1960s onwards, the series tells the story of three generations of women, with a focus on the life of Oh Ae-sun (played bMar 30, 2025By KTimes
'Weak Hero Class 1' gains global traction on Netflix 3 years after debutThe Korean teenage action drama "Weak Hero Class 1" is experiencing a dramatic resurgence three years after its original release — this time on Netflix. Initially premiered in 2022 as a Wavve Original, the series is earning widespread international attention for its gripping performances and tightly woven storytelling. The show ranked No. 3 globally on Netflix's TV chart with a score of 629 as of Thursday, according to streaming analytics platform FlixPatrol. Since its release on Netflix, “Weak Hero Class 1” has topped the charts in Thailand and Malaysia, listed as No. 2 in countries like the Philippines, Indonesia and Brazil and secured the top 10 spots in major markets, including France (No. 3), Spain (No. 4), the United States (No. 5), Canada (No. 6), Germany (No. 8) and Italy (No. 10). Based on a popular webtoon of the same name, the series follows Yeon Si-eun, played by Park Ji-hoon, a high-achieving student who, despite his small stature and quiet nature, uses his intelligence and surroundings to fight back against school violence. The story centers on his bond with classmateMar 28, 2025By KTimes
IU, Byeon Woo-seok deny exit rumors from drama 'Wife of a 21st Century Prince'The agencies handling IU and Byeon Woo-seok denied reports claiming the two actors are stepping down from the upcoming MBC drama “Wife of a 21st Century Prince” (working title). A spokesperson from IU's management, EDAM Entertainment, said on Friday, "The rumors about IU leaving 'Wife of a 21st Century Prince' are completely untrue. She is actively preparing for the project." Separately, an official from Byeon's management, Varo Entertainment, also dismissed the claims, saying, "It's not true that Byeon Woo-seok is leaving the drama." Earlier that day, a Korean media outlet reported that the actors were leaving due to disagreements over the series’ streaming distribution. The show is set to air on MBC later this year, but its streaming platform remains undecided. While MBC reportedly held talks with Disney+, both IU and Byeon allegedly prefer Netflix. “Wife of a 21st Century Prince” is a romantic drama set in an alternate version of modern Korea governed by a constitutional monarchy. It tells the story of a chaebol heiress frustrated by her low-born status and a royal prince whMar 28, 2025By KTimes
MBC’s 'Good Day' to resume broadcast without Kim Soo-hyunMBC’s variety show Good Day is set to return on Sunday after a one-week hiatus, continuing without actor Kim Soo-hyun. His appearance will be omitted from upcoming episodes due to backlash surrounding his ties to the late Kim Sae-ron. The upcoming episode will spotlight a reunion of the “Good Day” cast led by G-Dragon. Celebrities confirmed to appear include Jung Hyung-don, Defconn, Code Kunst, Jo Se-ho, and guest stars Hwang Jung-min, Kian84, Hong Jin-kyung, Kim Go-eun, chef Anh Sung-jae, Seventeen’s BSS, aespa and CL. Members of G-Dragon’s close-knit “88 line” group — Kwanghee, Im Si-wan, Lee Soo-hyuk and Jung Hae-in — all born in 1988, are also slated to join. However, Kim Soo-hyun, who was initially featured in earlier recordings, is not expected to appear in the final broadcast. Previously, “Good Day” drew heavy criticism after airing footage of Kim Soo-hyun despite ongoing public scrutiny over his connection to Kim Sae-ron. The show later apologized and promised to “minimize his appearance through editing.” Following the backlash, the show canceled its MarMar 28, 2025By KTimes
China's Global Times praises 'When Life Gives You Tangerines' amid warming cultural tiesThe Global Times, a Chinese Communist Party-affiliated newspaper known for its nationalistic stance, has surprised many by praising the Korean drama "When Life Gives You Tangerines." The paper is typically known for provocative coverage that fuels tensions with Korea, including claims that kimchi and "hanbok" originated in China. On Thursday, the Global Times published an article titled “A new hit emerges among Korean period dramas,” highlighting that “When Life Gives You Tangerines,” starring IU and Park Bo-gum, has received widespread acclaim both in Korea and abroad since its Netflix release on March 7. It noted that the show earned a 9.4 rating on DouBan, a Chinese review platform, making it the highest-rated Korean drama on the site in recent years. The paper's unexpected shift in tone has sparked speculation that it could indicate a loosening of China's "Korean wave ban," also referred to as the "hallyu ban." The Global Times explored the factors behind the drama's success, drawing comparisons to another popular Korean series, "Reply." The paper noted that while Korean showsMar 28, 2025By KTimes
Yook Sung-jae, Bona’s fantasy rom-com ‘The Haunted Palace’ to premiere in AprilSBS’ new fantasy romantic comedy series “The Haunted Palace,” starring actors Yook Sung-jae and Kim Ji-yeon, who is also known as Bona, will debut on April 18. The 16-part period series will revolve around glass craftswoman Yeo-ri (Kim) and royal officer Yun-gap (Yook), whose lives intertwine in the aftermath of a paranormal incident within the palace. Yeo-ri is the only granddaughter of a famous shaman, but she is reluctant to accept her divine gift and fate to carry on his legacy. One day, she encounters a powerful evil spirit with a grudge against the royal family, leading her to help her creature-possessed first love Yun-gap and the king to get rid of the spirit. The series is directed by Yoon Sung-shik, who previously led the hit series “Mr. Queen” (2020) and “Hwarang” (2016), and is scripted by writer Yoon Soo-jung, whose previous work includes the 2014 period series “The King's Face” and the 2015 teen rom-com “Cheer Up!” Yook, who debuted as a member of the K-pop group BTOB in 2012, made his way into acting in 2013 with a minor role in the hit series “ReplyMar 27, 2025By Lee Gyu-lee
Will Korea open pop culture Hall of Fame?The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is collaborating with entertainment industry figures — from actors and singers to voice artists and comedians — to create Korea's first official pop culture Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame will be a commemorative space covering all areas of Korean popular culture, serving as a comprehensive facility for archiving materials, providing education and creating a monument for artists who have contributed to the nation’s global cultural impact. To support this initiative, a private committee was launched last month, consisting of 27 notable figures from various entertainment fields, including actors Yoo Dong-geun, Lee Jung-jae, singer Rain and comedian Shin Dong-yup. From March to August, the ministry hosts monthly seminars to collect feedback and ideas from industry experts and popular artists about how best to develop the Hall of Fame. “This idea was first proposed 17 years ago but didn't materialize at the time. Now, however, the cultural environment has evolved drastically, and the global recognition and value of Korean pop culture have gMar 27, 2025By Lee Gyu-lee
