Hybe contents featuring BTS to arrive on Disney+

Original content featuring BTS will arrive on Disney+ following a global content collaboration between Hybe Corporation and The Walt Disney Company Asia Pacific. On Tuesday, Hybe, the media conglomerate behind BTS, announced that it is set to provide a total of five major content projects to the US-based content giant’s platform. The package includes two exclusive series featuring BTS. Among the content coming to Disney’s streaming platform is the 4K Ultra High Definition versio

July 12, 2022

[Feature] LGBTQ streaming content influences Koreans' perception of sexual minorities

Two men fall into each other‘s arms on a bed. This scene, which might have been nearly unthinkable on Korean TV only a few years ago due to negative attitudes toward homosexuality, was part of the first episode of Korean streaming service Wavve’s new reality show “Merry Queer,” starring gay, lesbian and transgender couples. The co-hosts of the show, famous comedian Shin Dong-yup and TV personality and restaurateur Hong Seok-cheon, who came out as gay several years ago,

July 11, 2022

Tving sees increase in mobile users in June on partnership with Paramount+

Tving, the South Korean online streaming service provider run by entertainment giant CJ ENM, saw its mobile users rebound last month on the back of the launch of a new service with US streamer Paramount+, industry data showed Monday. The number of its monthly mobile users reached 4.02 million in June, up 5.4 percent from the previous month's 3.81 million, according to the data compiled by IGA Works. It is Tving's first on-month increase in the monthly figures in 2022, as the local stre

July 11, 2022

Oh Eun-young, Kang Hyeong-uk, Paik Jong-won: Three most sought-after TV mentors

The three most sought-after experts for many Koreans nowadays may be child psychiatrist Oh Eun-young, dog trainer Kang Hyeong-uk and star chef, food researcher and businessman Paik Jong-won. The three, at the pinnacle of their respective fields, have captivated both online and offline viewers with their insights, sense of wit and strong charisma, making consulting programs a mainstay of TV programming in Korea. Kang Hyeong-uk, ‘president of dogs’ The rising pet ownership in the c

July 5, 2022

[Herald Interview] Jun Jong-seo understands varied responses to Korean remake of ‘Money Heist’

Jun Jong-seo, who plays the role of a gang member known by the codename “Tokyo,” said she agrees with widely differing reviews about Netflix’s latest Korean original series “Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area.” “I believe there are both strengths and weaknesses to the original and remake of ‘Money Heist.’ Even I found some aspects, featured in the original series, were better than our project,” the 27-year-old actor said in an o

July 1, 2022

'Extraordinary Attorney Woo': a legal drama with a twist

Television director Yoo In-sik hopes to fight prejudices by presenting a story of a talented lawyer who is on the autism spectrum. “Everything began as I watched ‘Innocent Witness’ (2019), written by the screenwriter Moon Ji-won,” Yoo said during a press conference at Lotte Cinema Konkuk University in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul on Wednesday. In the film “Innocent Witness,” a young autistic girl (played by Kim Hyang-gi) wishes to become a witness, believing that she

June 30, 2022

Coupang Play offers 1,000 episodes of hit TV series, new movies

Video streaming service Coupang Play is expanding its offerings with the addition of hit titles from NBCUniversal and Warner Bros. Discovery. Coupang Play, which ranked third in the domestic streaming market in terms of the number of users, a standing achieved primarily through broadcasts of sporting events, is diversifying is offerings by securing foreign TV and film content. With this expansion, about 1,000 episodes will be available to users, according to the company on Tuesday. NBCUniversa

June 29, 2022

'Money Heist: Korea' ranks No. 2 on global Netflix chart

Netflix's new South Korean series "Money Heist: Korea - Joint Economic Area" rose to No. 2 on a global popularity chart for TV series available on the streaming service. According to data released by streaming analytics company FlixPatrol on Tuesday (US time), the Korean remake of the streamer's smash-hit series "Money Heist" placed second on its daily global chart for TV programs on Netflix, four days after it was released. The ranking was up one notch from third p

June 29, 2022

[Herald Interview] Yoo Ji-tae studies hard for new ‘Money Heist’ role

Top actor Yoo Ji-tae said that it’s time to be remembered for something new, viewing the Korean remake of “Money Heist” as the “perfect opportunity.” “I think many viewers, especially foreign audiences, will remember me as an actor from ‘Oldboy’ (2003),” Yoo said during an online interview Monday. Recounting how he read the script via his agency BH Entertainment, a co-production company on “Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic

June 28, 2022

[Herald Interview] ‘Money Heist’ director contemplates series remake

Director Kim Hong-sun of “Money Heist: Korea -- Joint Economic Area” was a little surprised to hear that some viewers were disappointed that the Korean version bared too much resemblance to the hit Spanish crime drama on Netflix. “Our series was a remake of the hit Spanish drama. I believe the process of making a remake involves keeping the characteristics of the original, retelling the story of the previous production, but using a different cast and setting,” Kim said

June 28, 2022

‘Crash Landing on You’ couple confirms pregnancy

Star couple Son Ye-jin, 40, and Hyun Bin, 39, on Monday, confirmed that Son is pregnant three months after their March wedding. “New life has arrived,” Son announced on her Instagram account with a picture of wildflowers on Monday. “We are still bewildered, but with concerns and excitement, I‘m going through the daily feeling of the changes in my body.” “We will protect the precious life that has arrived,” Son added. Last month, Son posted a photo o

June 27, 2022

[Herald Interview] Yoon Doo-joon 'felt pressure' to return to drama after military

More than two years have passed since K-pop boy band Highlight’s group leader Yoon Doo-joon was discharged from his mandatory military service, but the singer and actor is still figuring out how to best juggle his many jobs.  “I felt a huge responsibility when I accepted the lead role in ‘Goo Pil-soo Is Not There.’ I wanted many viewers to watch the drama, and hoped that it wouldn’t come to an end with the public not even noticing the series had aired,”

June 26, 2022

KBS doc ‘Oops! We Forgot Your Order 2’ to meet local, global viewers in Asia

Public broadcaster KBS is scheduled to release a new documentary series, “Oops! We Forgot Your Order 2,” featuring four mild dementia patients challenged to cook and sell their own food. Located on the beautiful island of Jeju, a small restaurant is run by four seniors with star chef Lee Yeon-bok, comedian Song Eun-i, actor Jin Ji-hee, and television celebrity and chef Hong Seok-cheon. A second season was commissioned after the huge success of its first, which explored issues such

June 23, 2022

Korean version of 'Money Heist' adds twists to Spanish original

Netflix’s upcoming series “Money Heist: Korea - Joint Economic Area” hopes to set itself apart from the original Spanish drama with a new setting, new storyline and masks. “Watching the original series back in 2018, I was mesmerized by the fascinating characters. I was certain that bringing them to another time and space, like South Korea, would definitely catch the viewers’ attention,” director Kim Hong-sun said during a press conference held at the Grand B

June 22, 2022

TV director Na Young-seok takes chance with new partners in tvN reality show 'Earth Arcade'

Star television director Na Young-seok returns with tvN’s new reality show “Earth Arcade,” featuring stars with whom he has not worked previously on television. “I have worked on many projects with television celebrities who I felt very comfortable with and spent a lot of time with, like comedian Kang Ho-dong, actor Lee Seo-jin and more. And I wanted to do something new for the upcoming series,” director Na said in an online press conference held on Monday. &ldqu

June 21, 2022

[Herald Interview] Yerin Ha stays humble amid Hollywood blockbuster debut

Korean Australian actor Yerin Ha is thrilled that her project “Halo” is being premiered on two major streaming platforms -- Korean streaming platform Tving and US-based Paramount+. Hoping to be judged for her acting in Paramount+‘s military action series before being recognized as a granddaughter of Korea’s acclaimed stage actor Son Sook, Ha shared her thoughts on starring in the series. “I was honored and thrilled to be part of an amazing project, surrounded by m

June 20, 2022

Director Lee Joon-ik to make small screen debut through Tving, Paramount+

In response to the increasing popularity of streaming platforms, numerous top movie stars have crossed over to streaming services. Big-name film directors, including Lee Joon-ik, are no exception. “I am feeling a mixed bag of emotions,” director Lee said during a Paramount+ press conference held at the Four Seasons Hotel in Jongno-gu, central Soul, on Thursday. “I am excited and nervous to present my series to viewers on a streaming platform for the first time.” Lee, 6

June 17, 2022

Netflix orders new seasons of hit Korean originals including 'Squid Game'

Global streaming giant Netflix has recently announced its plans to renew a slew of its hit Korean-language originals, like the smash-hit survival drama "Squid Game," for more seasons in an apparent bid to gain fresh momentum as the pandemic winds down. Earlier this week, Netflix confirmed that "Squid Game" (2021) will return for a second season. It was the official announcement by the streamer of the continuation of the nine-part series that grabbed headlines in the West, alt

June 17, 2022

Paramount+ launches in S. Korea on Tving with high hopes, goals

Paramount+ landed in South Korea Thursday as a free-to-view addition to Tving, local entertainment powerhouse CJ ENM‘s subscription-based streaming platform. “It is no secret that Korean-made content is becoming one of the most important things in the world. CJ ENM and Tving are playing a crucial part,” Mark Specht, managing director for Central & Northern Europe and Asia in Paramount Global, said in a press conference held at Four Seasons Hotel in Jongno-gu, central Seou

June 16, 2022

MBC's 'Hey! First Time in KOREA?' to return to pre-pandemic format

Terrestrial broadcaster, MBC, announced that their hit reality telivision-travel show “Hey! First Time in KOREA?” would return to its original broadcast format of a foreigner living in South Korea who invites friends from their home country to visit. Since its premiere in mid-2017, the program has invited visitors from more than 35 countries, including Germany, the US, South Africa, Finland and Nepal. In response to the travel restrictions and social distancing rules imposed during

June 16, 2022