K-drama stars' post-military comebacks: From Song Kang to Lee Do-hyun

A new class of K-drama leading men is stepping back into the spotlight following their mandatory military service, with tentpole projects lined up for their returns. First among them is the "Sweet Home" superstar Song Kang. The actor, known for his roles in "Love Alarm," "My Demon" and Netflix's hit "Sweet Home" franchise, is headlining tvN’s upcoming drama "Four Hands Two Sonatas," premiering Aug. 29. Set within an elite music school, the series stars Song as Bi-o, a piano prodigy who clashes w

2026-08-11 13:49:19:00

Korea’s market volatility becomes TV entertainment

Amid the highs and lows of South Korea’s stock market, a new television trend is taking shape — entertainment programs built around the emotional rollercoaster of investing. Rather than traditional financial programs, the shows turn stock trading into comedy and entertainment, following celebrities as they weather gains and losses. But as the format gains traction, concerns are also emerging over whether turning significant financial losses into entertainment could desensitize viewers to the ris

2026-08-10 13:54:54:00

Korea's film industry grapples over six-month holdback rule

One of the most pressing issues facing South Korea’s film industry is the debate over the holdback system. The holdback system refers to the period during which a film’s release on other distribution platforms, such as streaming services, is delayed following its theatrical run. The practice is designed to protect box-office revenue and maintain a sustainable revenue cycle for the film industry. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korean Film Council launched a public-private con

2026-08-09 12:28:21:00

David Fincher's 'Squid Game' US spinoff reportedly scrapped by Netflix

Netflix is no longer moving forward with a US spinoff of its global smash hit "Squid Game," according to reports. Although Netflix has not officially confirmed the news, "Heckler," the project’s reported working title, is no longer in development. The series was reportedly being developed by acclaimed US filmmaker David Fincher, whose credits include "Se7en," "Zodiac" and "The Social Network." According to an exclusive report from The Playlist, Netflix has scrapped the project, with the outlet c

2026-08-09 10:50:17:00

Korean dating sensation 'I'm Solo' gets Netflix global rollout

Korean dating reality show "I'm Solo" is set to stream globally on Netflix for the first time. Netflix said it will expand the availability of "I'm Solo" to overseas markets this year. The program is currently available on Netflix only in Korea, although it is also offered through other streaming platforms — including Rakuten Viki — in different markets. Specific regions and the exact release date have yet to be announced, but Netflix confirmed that the show will be available in Asia and the Ame

2026-08-06 15:28:59:00

League of Legends and classical music? Gaming seeks cultural prestige through art

Riot Games, the company behind global gaming phenomenon League of Legends, is bringing its intellectual property into the classical arts through a new partnership with the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, reflecting a broader effort among game companies to expand franchises into cultural fields to strengthen their corporate image, experts say. The agreement, formalized July 29, establishes a multiyear collaborative framework spanning live performances, studio recordings and original crossover progr

2026-08-06 14:04:06:00

'D.P.' star Jung Hae-in's 'Our Sticky Love' turns Korean wordplay into romance

Netflix Korea’s upcoming romantic comedy “Our Sticky Love,” starring Jung Hae-in and Ahn Ha-young, takes its title from a Korean idiom that resists a simple English translation. The original Korean title, “Ireon Yeot-gateun Sarang,” translates literally to “This Love Is Like Yeot.” While “yeot” denotes a traditional, sticky Korean confection, it simultaneously serves as a slang term roughly equivalent to "F---ed up." For Jung, who returns to Netflix after his critically acclaimed turn in the “D.

2026-08-05 16:17:23:00

Kim Woo-bin returns to TV with popular webtoon remake

Kim Woo-bin, the Hallyu star behind K-drama classics such as "Uncontrollably Fond" and "The Heirs," is returning to television for the first time in four years. The actor is set to star in tvN’s upcoming drama "Gift," which follows a former professional baseball pitching coach who gains a special ability after an unexpected accident and takes over as the coach of a high school baseball team ranked last nationwide. Described by tvN as a coming-of-age sports drama, the series depicts characters na

2026-08-05 13:45:09:00

Will 'Agent Kim Reactivated' make the jump to games?

Could an "Agent Kim Reactivated" game be on the way? Kakao Games has inked a deal with webtoon studio The Grimm Entertainment to develop and publish games using its webtoon library. Founded by popular webtoon creator Park Tae-jun, The Grimm Entertainment holds the rights to popular titles such as "Lookism" and "Manager Kim." The latter was the source behind SBS’s smash-hit action drama "Agent Kim Reactivated." "Partnering with The Grimm Entertainment and its powerful, fanbase-backed (intellectua

2026-08-05 10:44:24:00

Can love beat the clock? New dating show 'Love Against Time' explores romance after serious illness

What if you knew your time for love was limited? SBS’ new dating reality series "Love Against Time" takes that question literally, bringing together young adults in their 20s and 30s who have faced life-threatening illnesses and had at some point received terminal diagnoses. The series follows them as they navigate dating and search for meaningful connections, reckoning with what it means to live and love with a heightened awareness of time. At the center of the format is a 100-minute clock. Eac

2026-07-31 17:25:34:00