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'Namib' marks return of Ko Hyun-jung to small screen
Ko Hyun-jung, renowned for her performances in iconic series such as "The Great Queen Seondeok" and "Sandglass," is returning to TV with the Genie TV original drama "Namib." In "Namib," Ko takes on the role of Su-hyun, a celebrity recruiter with a disabled son. Her life takes a dramatic turn when she is abruptly fired from her job and crosses paths with long-time trainee Jin-woo, played by Ryeoun. When asked what inspired him to cast Ko, director Kang Min-
Dec. 16, 2024 -
News viewership surges amid political turmoil, MBC ranks first as go-to news broadcaster
With all eyes on the National Assembly’s second vote to impeach President Yoon Suk following his unexpected declaration of martial law, South Korea witnessed a significant surge in news viewership ratings on Saturday. According to Nielsen Korea, "MBC News Desk," the flagship program of Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation, recorded the second-highest household viewership on Saturday at 11.7 percent. This figure nearly doubled the 5.9 percent it logged on Nov. 30, the Saturday before t
Dec. 15, 2024 -
‘When the Phone Rings’ sparks renewed interest in original web novel
The growing popularity of the drama series “When the Phone Rings” has led to a surge of interest in the original web novel that inspired it and the simultaneously produced webtoon. The eponymous web novel on Kakao Page saw its sales increase 14.6-fold and its views grow five-fold following the drama
Dec. 13, 2024 -
Film on 1979 coup sees surge in viewers amid political unrest
A film related to Korea's contemporary history has seen a remarkable surge in viewership following President Yoon Suk Yeol's short-lived martial law declaration on Dec. 3. According to the Korean Film Council, "12.12: The Day" attracted 1,150 views on Dec. 4 across Internet Protocol Television platforms, including SK Btv, LG U+ TV, and Genie TV. IPTV services provide online access to live broadcasts, films and TV shows. The data represents a 1,085 percent increase from the 9
Dec. 11, 2024 -
Shares linked to Lee Jung-jae soar following 'Squid Game' Golden Globe nomination
Shares linked with South Korean actor Lee Jung-jae are soaring after the announcement that "Squid Game 2" has been nominated for Best Television Series at the Golden Globes, ahead of its release. As of Wednesday, shares of Artist United— Lee's agency in which he is the largest shareholder with a 23.49 percent stake -- closed at 13,320 won ($9) per share, marking a 29.25 percent increase from the previous day. Meanwhile, shares of Artist Studio, the Korean drama production co
Dec. 10, 2024 -
'Squid Game' nominated for Golden Globes, even before release
The second season of "Squid Game" has been nominated for best TV series by the prestigious Golden Globes, even before its release. The 2025 Golden Globes, to be held Jan. 5, 2025, required submissions by Nov. 4 for shows that premiered within the 2024 calendar year. With its Dec. 26 premiere, the second season of "Squid Game" narrowly qualified, with Netflix reportedly submitting the series early for consideration. In the best TV drama series category, for which the show was
Dec. 10, 2024 -
'Squid Game 2' will leave audience reflecting on social chaos of today
With about two weeks to go until "Squid Game" returns for its second season, the show's director unveiled Monday that the thriller will invite viewers to reflect on the chaos of modern society. "From my perspective, people are drawing lines, becoming hostile toward one another, and such conflicts seem to be deepening globally," Hwang Dong-hyuk, director of the first and second seasons of "Squid Game," said during a press conference held on Monday in Jung-gu,
Dec. 9, 2024 -
Gong Yoo of ‘The Trunk’ says he wanted to explore darker sides of love
Gong Yoo, one of South Korea‘s top actors, famous for his iconic role as the immortal heartthrob in the megahit K-drama “Guardian: The Lonely and Great God” and his performances in other popular titles like “Coffee Prince,” has returned with “The Trunk” -- a Netflix mystery melodrama released Nov. 2
Dec. 5, 2024 -
Ex-martial law commander Park An-su draws attention for past appearance on reality TV show ‘Real Man’
Army Chief of Staff Gen. Park An-su, who was named martial law commander following President Yoon Suk Yeol’s declaration of martial law on Tuesday, has become a topic of discussion due to his 2013 appearance on the popular reality TV show “Real Man.” The appointment of Gen. Park as martial law commander quickly sparked online chatter, with internet users on social media recalling his appearance on the local reality show 11 years ago. Back then, he was a colonel commanding the 5
Dec. 5, 2024 -
G-Dragon's 'Home Sweet Home' banned from KBS
K-pop icon G-Dragon's latest song, "Home Sweet Home," has been ruled unsuitable for broadcast by the state-run Korean Broadcasting System. The song violated Article 46 of the broadcasting review regulations, which prohibits content with advertising effects, including lyrics that reference specific product brands, KBS said Wednesday. While KBS did not detail the exact lyrics, the song’s mention of "Airbnb," a global online marketplace for homestays and experiences,
Dec. 5, 2024 -
Broadcasters fall short in covering martial law crisis
South Korea was thrust into a dramatic political crisis Tuesday night amid President Yoon Suk Yeol's unexpected declaration of martial law. The rapidly unfolding situation, which developed over approximately six hours, exposed shortcomings in media coverage as major broadcasters struggled to respond in real time. While Yonhap News TV and Seoul Broadcasting System were among the few outlets to provide immediate live coverage of the martial law declaration, others lagged behind. The state-run
Dec. 4, 2024 -
Popular liberal YouTuber Kim Ou-joon claims to be in hiding
Kim Ou-joon, a liberal journalist and the popular former host of Traffic Broadcasting System’s "News Factory," said via phone during his YouTube news show on Wednesday morning that military troops had visited his home, prompting him to escape. Known for being openly left of center and publicly critical of the conservative government, Kim stated that he is now "in hiding at an unknown location" after being targeted by authorities. Kim hosted TBS’ radio podcast &quo
Dec. 4, 2024 -
Disney+ series 'Light Shop' hopes to replicate success of 'Moving'
Hot on the heels of the massive success enjoyed by "Moving," Disney+ is back with another poignant tale by Kang Full, one of South Korea's most celebrated cartoonists. "Light Shop" tells the story of individuals who are drawn to a mysterious light shop run by Won-young (Ju Ji-hoon). The visitors are all unusual in their own way, exhibiting strange characteristics such as dirt perpetually falling from their ears, nails growing on the backs of their hands, or having water
Dec. 3, 2024 -
'Culinary Class Wars' season 2 seeking applications
The applications for the second season of Netflix's “Culinary Class Wars” is now open for aspiring participants, the global streaming platform announced Tuesday. The popular series, which features intense cook-offs between underdog chefs from the "black team" and star chefs from the "white team," as well as various individual challenges, made history with its first season. The show, attracting viewers from Korea and beyond, became the first Korean entertainme
Dec. 3, 2024 -
Who helped bring star-studded K-drama series 'The Trunk' to life?
The highly anticipated Netflix Korean original series "The Trunk," released on Friday, has quickly soared to eighth place on Netflix's global trending series chart Sunday, according to Flixpatrol. The series marks the return of one of Korea's top actors, Gong Yoo, to the small screen — but its success isn't solely due to its star-studded cast and gripping storyline. So, who played a key role in bringing "The Trunk" to life for non-Korean speaking audience
Dec. 2, 2024