A guide to the history and folklore woven into 'The East Palace'

The Joseon-era mystery drama "The East Palace," starring Nam Joo-hyuk and Roh Yoon-seo, has won over global audiences, nabbing the No. 2 spot on Netflix's non-English TV chart in its second week. The series follows an investigation into spectral presences haunting the royal grounds, spinning a narrative rooted in Korea’s tapestry of history, ritual and supernatural folklore. Understanding the nuanced cultural motifs embedded throughout the series might offer a deeper appreciation of its world. I

2026-07-29 12:42:47:00

CJ ENM expands India push with Prime Video content partnership

South Korean entertainment company CJ ENM announced that it signed a strategic content partnership with Prime Video India in Mumbai on Monday to expand the reach of its intellectual property in one of the world's fastest-growing entertainment markets. Under the multi-year agreement, more than 100 CJ ENM titles will be made available on Prime Video India over the next two years, including 26 new series alongside a broad selection of the company's library titles. The partnership is designed to mee

2026-07-28 14:34:35:00

AI weathercaster's outfit reignites debate over sexism in broadcasting

An AI-generated female weathercaster delivering a forecast has sparked widespread debate in South Korea over the portrayal of women in the media, highlighting growing ethical concerns as broadcasters increasingly turn to AI-generated anchors, reporters and virtual presenters. The controversy stemmed from a generative AI video uploaded on July 20 to the YouTube channel Weather Environment Agency, operated by Kweather, a meteorological and air-quality service provider. The video featured a virtual

2026-07-28 14:20:56:00

Lee Dong-wook returns from the dead

The dead uncle is back. As South Korean action series continue to exert dominance over the summer television scene, Disney+ is doubling down on one of its critically lauded properties. Riding the momentum of recent global juggernauts — including "Teach You a Lesson," which clinched the title of Netflix’s most-watched Korean drama for the first half of 2026, and "Agent Kim Reactivated" — the second season of "A Shop for Killers" premiered Wednesday with a narrative pivot: Lee Dong-wook’s deceased

2026-07-28 11:35:59:00

'Lovely Runner' creator's next choice is Nam Joo-hyuk

The writer behind breakout K-drama hit "Lovely Runner" is returning with a new romance series, with Nam Joo-hyuk in talks to lead alongside Han So-hee, whose casting is currently under consideration. Lee Si-eun, the screenwriter behind hit romance K-dramas including "True Beauty" and "Lovely Runner," is developing her next fantasy romance, "Heartbeat." The series follows a romance between a woman who can see people's pasts and a man who must conceal his own. Lee's "Lovely Runner," starring Byun

2026-07-26 15:47:10:00

Korea's dating show for the terminally ill sparks debate ahead of premiere

SBS' new reality dating show "Love Against Time," featuring contestants in their 20s and 30s who have received terminal diagnoses in the past or experienced life-threatening illnesses, is drawing scrutiny over the ethics of turning such deeply personal experiences into entertainment ahead of its August premiere. The broadcaster is set to premiere the series Aug. 3. Details about how the format will unfold remain under wraps, but the network has revealed one of its central mechanics. Each night,

2026-07-26 12:11:35:00

Nam Joo-hyuk's renaissance: moving from 20s to 30s

The transition from one’s 20s to 30s is rarely seamless, but for Nam Joo-hyuk, it represents a chance to redefine himself. His 20s were marked by a rapid ascent as one of South Korea's most recognizable youth stars, endearing himself to audiences through a string of popular romantic comedies and coming-of-age dramas. Now entering his 30s and returning from his military service hiatus, the actor is ready to begin a new phase of his career. Netflix's upcoming tentpole series "The East Palace" is b

2026-07-24 09:00:00:00

Devsisters brings Korea's World Heritage to life through CookieRun campaign

Devsisters, the company behind the popular mobile gaming CookieRun franchise, has launched the "K-Heritage with CookieRun" campaign in partnership with the Korea Heritage Service to commemorate the 48th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, currently being held in Busan. The campaign, which runs through July 29, aims to promote Korea's World Heritage sites to domestic and international audiences through the distinctive visual style of CookieRun. As part of the exhibition, Devsisters is

2026-07-22 13:49:25:00

CJ ENM lands 12 nominations at ContentAsia Awards

CJ ENM has secured 12 nominations across seven categories at the 2026 ContentAsia Awards, the Korean entertainment company said Wednesday. Organized by media platform ContentAsia, the awards recognize content and creative talent from across the Asia-Pacific region. Winners will be announced August 27 in Bangkok. In the drama categories, Studio Dragon-produced "Bon Appetit, Your Majesty" and Tving original "Dear X" were nominated for best drama series made in Asia for a regional or international

2026-07-22 11:52:11:00

South Korea’s gaming giants bet on global talent

South Korean gaming companies are increasingly turning to overseas talent and executives as they look to expand beyond a domestic market that has become both saturated and increasingly challenging. Gravity, the Korean game developer and publisher best known for its global hit massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) "Ragnarok Online," said July 13 that it has shifted to a co-CEO structure, appointing Park Hyun-chul and Yoshinori Kitamura to jointly lead the company. Founded in 200

2026-07-21 15:46:19:00