So Ji-sub on 'Agent Kim Reactivated' breakout, being called Korea's Liam Neeson

"Agent Kim Reactivated" was a summer phenomenon few in the industry saw coming. The 10-episode series wrapped its run on July 25, with ratings peaking at a nationwide series-high of 23.1 percent, according to Nielsen Korea. The dramatic surge cemented the project as one of Korea's defining television hits of the year — with veteran star So Ji-sub anchoring the show's massive breakout as a long-established name among the country's blue-chip action leads. Playing the titular Kim, a former special

2026-07-31 13:51:05:00

'Battle of Fates' spinoff 'House of Fates' set to launch with global guesthouse concept

Korea’s hit entertainment show "Battle of Fates" is getting a spin-off titled "House of Fates," which will follow popular shamans as they run a guesthouse where they welcome travelers from around the world, prepare meals and offer a space for personal guidance. "House of Fates" will feature Yoon Dae-man, the winner of "Battle of Fates," along with Seol-hwa and Lee So-bin, the show’s top three contestants. The spinoff will bring back other standout figures from the original series, including Ji S

2026-07-30 13:51:06:00

'Merry Berry Love' set for October premiere amid rise of cross-border dramas

South Korean entertainment giant CJ ENM’s global TV series project "Merry Berry Love" is set to premiere worldwide in October, marking the first drama series co-produced by a Korean production company and Japan’s Nippon TV. The cross-border romance follows Yoo-bin (Ji Chang-wook), a struggling Korean spatial designer, and Karin (Mio Imada), a Japanese farmer, as their lives become intertwined while they navigate love across cultural and national boundaries. The series also features Nam Yoon-su,

2026-07-30 12:24:02:00

Kim Soo-hyun cleared of Child Welfare Act allegations linked to Kim Sae-ron

Actor Kim Soo-hyun has been cleared of allegations of violating South Korea's Child Welfare Act after police decided not to refer the case for prosecution. The Seoul Seongdong Police Station concluded its investigation into allegations that Kim Soo-hyun had violated the Child Welfare Act and committed false accusation, deciding not to forward the case to prosecutors. The case stemmed from a criminal complaint filed in May 2025 by the family of the late actor Kim Sae-ron. They alleged that Kim So

2026-07-29 16:44:50:00

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