The Korea Herald

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‘Entertain Us’ to highlight dark side of Korean entertainment industry

By Korea Herald

Published : July 29, 2014 - 18:38

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Mnet’s upcoming series “Entertain Us” will highlight the hidden side of the Korean entertainment business by mixing reality into the new drama series.

“Entertain Us” is a black comedy that hits on the dark, illegal and unfaithful side of K-pop that takes place behind its glamorous façade.

The unusual series attempts to blend reality and fiction by following real-life boy band Teen Top as it is placed in the hands of overly ambitious producer Yoon Jong-shin, founder of Mystic89. While the stars will be playing themselves and other Mystic89 performers will also make cameos, the series itself is not a reality show.

The show’s producer, Park Jun-soo, said he will use the blurred lines between reality and fiction to portray the hidden stories of the K-pop world. He admits this could confuse viewers, however he sees this ambiguity as a way to bring out the humor in the drama, straying from mainstream television.

“Ambiguity is our character. The ambiguity may be unfamiliar, but the dramatic factors and characters acting as themselves will harmonize reality and drama very well,” Park Jun-soo said during a press conference on Tuesday.

Members of Teen Top, producer Yoon and Kim Ye-rim, another singer with Mystic89, agreed, saying that it was “half-acting and half-reality.” Park also promised to show all the dark secrets of the entertainment industry, which may surprise big agencies.

“There are stories that real (entertainment) staff may go through and experience, which may be confusing for viewers as it mixes reality and fiction. But this will bring the joy of watching authentic stories,” Yoon said.

The drama series will begin airing on Thursday at midnight on cable channel Mnet.

By Ha Ji-won, Intern reporter (jiwonha@heraldcorp.com)