JTBC’s ‘Doctor Cha’ captivates viewers with story of unusual resident

South Korea’s latest family medical drama “Doctor Cha” is slowly but surely garnering attention from both local and global drama viewers with a relatable, encouraging story of a middle-aged woman, Cha Jeong-suk. Many viewers empathized with Cha, who sacrificed her life and career for her family. The series' latest episode recorded a solid 13.2 percent viewership rating on April 29. “Doctor Cha” became the most viral drama series in the third week of April, with

May 3, 2023

Lee Dong-wook, Kim Hye-jun to star in 2024 Disney+ series

Walt Disney Co. Korea confirmed on Tuesday that actors Lee Dong-wook and Kim Hye-jun will star in “The Killer’s Shopping Mall,” a Disney+ original, as uncle and niece. The new mystery thriller is set for release in 2024, according to the global streamer. Adapted from a 2020 novel of the same title written by Kang Ji-young, the series will center around the story of Jung Ji-an, a young woman who is raised by her uncle Jung Jin-man following her parents' death. The story beg

May 2, 2023

tvN’s ‘Earth Arcade’ to return with second season set in Finland

The hit reality show “Earth Arcade” from 2022 will return with a second season on May 12, looking to continue its winning streak with a proven cast of stars. Helmed by TV director Na Young-seok, who was behind numerous smash hit variety shows including KBS’ “2 Days 1 Night” (2007-2012), tvN’s “Grandpa Over Flowers” (2013), “New Journey to the West,” “Three Meals a Day” and “Jinny’s Kitchen,” the upcoming pr

May 2, 2023

Park Eun-bin, "Decision to Leave" win top honors at Baeksang Arts Awards

Park Chan-wook's romantic thriller movie "Decision to Leave" and Park Eun-bin, who starred in the drama series "Extraordinary Attorney Woo," have taken top honors at this year's Baeksang Arts Awards. "Decision to Leave" won the grand prize in the movie category at the 59th awards ceremony on Friday night. Park Chan-wook clinched best director and Chinese actress Tang Wei received best actress for her role in the movie. The period thriller "The Night O

April 29, 2023

[News Analysis] Experts, industry insiders have mixed reactions to Netflix's investment pledge

Netflix chief Ted Sarandos’ decision to invest $2.5 billion in Korean content for the next four years made headlines across local media outlets on Tuesday. The announcement represented South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s first major accomplishment on his US state visit. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, President Yoon said he “sincerely welcomed the unprecedented investment” made by Netflix. But some speculation remains as to whether Sarandos’ announc

April 26, 2023

‘The Dessert’ poised to become the sweetest cooking competition

South Korea has had a diverse array of survival series, spanning everything from K-pop idol auditions to Korean cookery battles and grueling physical challenges. You might be forgiven for thinking there are no new survival ideas, Tving is set to add a touch of freshness with a dessert-making competition. “Dessert-related programs are not new in overseas countries but I found that South Korea did not have such programs yet. I simply wanted to take the first step to produce this type of pr

April 25, 2023

‘Yonder’ tops Paramount+ international series chart

Tving’s 2022 sci-fi series “Yonder,” which was released globally via Paramount+ on April 11, has topped the streamer's international series chart. “Yonder” became the most-viewed work among other international series that were aired this year the first week after its release, Tving said in a press release Monday, quoting Paramount+. The international series chart includes all non-American projects that are serviced by Paramount+. “Yonder,” which was

April 24, 2023

‘The Uncanny Counter’ to return with season 2

South Korea’s beloved 2020 fantasy thriller “The Uncanny Counter” is scheduled to return in the second half of the year with expanded stories for its second season, featuring new and original faces. Cable channel tvN confirmed Thursday the star-studded lineup for “The Uncanny Counter 2.” Adapted from Kakao Page’s popular web comic of the same title written by creator Jang Yi, “The Uncanny Counter” presents the story about the counters, a group of p

April 21, 2023

‘Bargain’ wins for best screenplay at Canneseries competition

“Bargain,” South Korean streamer Tving’s six-episode crime-thriller, won the award for best screenplay at this year’s Cannes International Series Festival, widely known as Canneseries. During the closing ceremony held Wednesday evening in Cannes, “Bargain” was announced as beating out nine other projects, including Israel’s 2022 series “Carthago” and South Africa's “Spinners.” It becomes Korea’s first-ever drama as well

April 20, 2023

Two star actors to lead new ENA thriller 'Lies Hidden in My Garden'

South Korean television channel ENA hopes to repeat the sensational popularity of its courtroom series “Extraordinary Attorney Woo” (2022) with a new suspense thriller, “Lies Hidden in My Garden,” scheduled for release in June. Numbers of ENA dramas, including romance series “Good Job” (2022), rom-com “Love is for Suckers” (2022), comedy series “Unlock My Boss” (2022) and more, were released after “Extraordinary Attorney Woo,&rd

April 18, 2023

[Herald Interview] ‘Bargain’ stars say Cannes seems 'like a dream'

The cast of "Bargain" did not hide their excitement and anticipation as Tving's new crime thriller competes at this year's Cannes International Series Festival, setting a major milestone as the first Korean streaming service to be invited to the international television event. “When I walked out of the airport, a foreign fan came up to me with posters of my past films," said Jin Sun-kyu, adding that it was the first time a foreign fan asked for his autograph ove

April 17, 2023

Government to promote Korean TV series at Cannes series festival

The South Korean government said Sunday it will hold special screening and showcasing events at this year's Cannes International Series Festival to promote Korean-made content to global media and producers. Three Korean TV and web series are invited to the festival's non-competition Rendez-vous section -- "Island" (2022), "Midnight Horror: 6 Different Nights" (2022) and "Pale Moon" (2023) -- at the sixth edition of the festival, also known as Canneseri

April 16, 2023

More webtoons coming to TV

After proving themselves as major TV hits, more popular webtoon series are being adapted into TV dramas in Korea and around the world. The Grimm Entertainment announced Wednesday that the webtoon studio had signed copyright contracts related to its beloved series “Manager Kim” and “Hannamdong K-House” (unofficial translation) for their drama adaptations. “Manager Kim,” an action webtoon series illustrated by Jeong Jong-taek, revolves around Kim, a single fathe

April 14, 2023

3 Korean drama series to be screened at Canneseries in non-competition section

Three South Korean drama series – “Pale Moon,” “Midnight Horror: 6 Different Nights” and “Island” -- will be screened in the non-competition Rendezvous section of the sixth Cannes International Series Festival, widely known as Canneseries, which runs from Thursday until April 19 in the French city. This free screening program will hold conversation sessions for international drama fans with invited directors and actors. The program starts at 2 p.m. local

April 13, 2023

Joo Won excited to star in antihero drama 'Stealer: The Treasure Keeper'

Actor Joo Won is returning to the small screen for the first time in three years with action-packed comic series “Stealer: The Treasure Keeper.” The 12-part action drama revolves around Hwang Dae-myung, who lives his life as a Cultural Heritage Administration official during the day and becomes a cultural artifact thief named Skunk at night. Aware that Skunk steals illegally owned national treasures, the members of Team Karma -- an unofficial heritage repatriation team -- approach Da

April 12, 2023

MBC apologizes for featuring controversial singer Horan

Terrestrial broadcaster MBC admitted to carelessness and apologized for featuring vocalist Horan on Sunday's prime time TV show “King of Masked Singer.” While broadcasting the music show in which singers and celebrities compete while wearing masks, MBC released footage of Horan removing her mask and being interviewed about her upcoming albums, plans and concerts. Controversy erupted Sunday night with viewers’ comments on the official website of “King of Masked Singer

April 11, 2023

Disney+ to release Psy concert film

Disney+ -- the flagship streaming service of US media giant Walt Disney Co. -- has announced the release of Psy’s 2022 concert film “Summer Swag 2022.” The film features the global K-pop star’s signature summer concert series, where some 350,000 concertgoers took in the artist's hit songs while being sprayed with water. According to the streaming service, the film presents some of the most exciting performances among Psy’s “Summer Swag 2022” concert

April 10, 2023

Studio Dragon confirms 2nd season of 'The Big Door Prize'

South Korean entertainment powerhouse CJ ENM’s drama production subsidiary, Studio Dragon, decided to renew its first original US drama series, “The Big Door Prize,” with expanded stories for the second season. The production company confirmed the launch of its second season through a press release on Friday, ahead of the first season's fifth episode to be aired on April 15. The series premiered on March 29. Adapted from a novel of the same title written by American writer

April 9, 2023

Netflix Korea to roll out seven reality shows including adult talk show

Netflix Korea has announced a lineup of reality shows, including a new type of talk show and a zombie-themed reality show, in addition to their flagship dating shows and survival competitions. “We are ready to release at least seven different reality shows throughout the year,” Yoo Ki-hwan, Netflix Korea’s director in charge of non-fiction content, said during a press conference in Seoul on Tuesday. In recent years, Netflix Korea has collaborated with reality TV creators to pro

April 4, 2023

Webtoon-based animated series to entertain overseas viewers

After becoming a major source for smash hit TV dramas and movies, Korean webtoons seek to continue their success abroad with animation adaptation in overseas markets. Naver Webtoon, South Korean tech giant Naver’s digital comics platform, announced Monday that a romance webtoon “My Cross-dressing Crush" will be adapted into a Japanese animated series. "My Cross-dressing Crush" by Japanese webtoonist Pom ran at the service’s Japanese platform Line Manga from Decem

April 3, 2023