South Korea was thrust into a dramatic political crisis Tuesday night amid President Yoon Suk Yeol's unexpected declaration of martial law. The rapidly unfolding situation, which developed over approximately six hours, exposed shortcomings in media coverage as major broadcasters struggled to respond in real time. While Yonhap News TV and Seoul Broadcasting System were among the few outlets to provide immediate live coverage of the martial law declaration, others lagged behind. The state-run

Television Dec. 4, 2024

Kim Ou-joon, a liberal journalist and the popular former host of Traffic Broadcasting System’s "News Factory," said via phone during his YouTube news show on Wednesday morning that military troops had visited his home, prompting him to escape. Known for being openly left of center and publicly critical of the conservative government, Kim stated that he is now "in hiding at an unknown location" after being targeted by authorities. Kim hosted TBS’ radio podcast &quo

Television Dec. 4, 2024

Hot on the heels of the massive success enjoyed by "Moving," Disney+ is back with another poignant tale by Kang Full, one of South Korea's most celebrated cartoonists. "Light Shop" tells the story of individuals who are drawn to a mysterious light shop run by Won-young (Ju Ji-hoon). The visitors are all unusual in their own way, exhibiting strange characteristics such as dirt perpetually falling from their ears, nails growing on the backs of their hands, or having water

Television Dec. 3, 2024

The applications for the second season of Netflix's “Culinary Class Wars” is now open for aspiring participants, the global streaming platform announced Tuesday. The popular series, which features intense cook-offs between underdog chefs from the "black team" and star chefs from the "white team," as well as various individual challenges, made history with its first season. The show, attracting viewers from Korea and beyond, became the first Korean entertainme

Television Dec. 3, 2024

The highly anticipated Netflix Korean original series "The Trunk," released on Friday, has quickly soared to eighth place on Netflix's global trending series chart Sunday, according to Flixpatrol. The series marks the return of one of Korea's top actors, Gong Yoo, to the small screen — but its success isn't solely due to its star-studded cast and gripping storyline. So, who played a key role in bringing "The Trunk" to life for non-Korean speaking audience

Film Dec. 2, 2024

Global Hallyu sensation Byeon Woo-seok is set to star alongside Lee Ji-eun, better known as singer-songwriter IU, in an upcoming romance series, Kakao Entertainment announced Monday. The series, tentatively titled "21st Century Grand Prince's Wife," is a romance drama set in an alternate version of Korea ruled by a constitutional monarchy. Lee Ji-eun will portray Seong Hee-joo, the second-oldest daughter of the nation's leading conglomerate family, who comes from commoner r

Television Dec. 2, 2024

Hit series "Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born," which has achieved a peak viewership rating of a whopping 16.5 percent during its run, has left a remarkable impact on the K-drama landscape. By reviving a forgotten historical theme for modern audiences, it not only reintroduced a piece of cultural history but also managed to draw viewers of all ages and genders to the small screen -- breaking away from the typical viewership of Korean dramas, which primarily consist of women aged 20 to 49. T

Television Dec. 1, 2024

Winter has cast its frosty spell over South Korea, transforming its streets into a picturesque wonderland draped in snow. As December officially begins next week and the chill deepens, why not wrap yourself in a blanket and indulge in these masterfully crafted series set against enchanting winter backdrops? Let their stunning mise-en-scenes unveil the many captivating faces of winter, perfect for a cozy weekend escape. "Sorry, I Love You" on Prime Video "Sorry, I Love You"

Culture Nov. 30, 2024

The box-office hit "12.12: The Day" won big at the 45th Blue Dragon Film Awards on Friday, sweeping multiple top honors at one of Korea’s most prestigious film ceremonies. Held at KBS Hall in Yeouido, Seoul, the Blue Dragon Film Awards celebrate standout Korean films released in theaters or on streaming platforms. This year, the awards considered 165 films released between October 2023 and October 2024, with 20 films, 10 directors, and 30 actors nominated across 18 categories.

Film Nov. 29, 2024

With just a month to go until the highly anticipated release of Netflix's "Squid Game 2," a stunning new game venue has been revealed -- an unexpected yet striking addition to the show’s roster of deadly arenas: a Ferris wheel. On Wednesday, Netflix unveiled the main trailer for "Squid Game 2" on its official YouTube channel. The 108-second video showcases never-before-seen footage, including a haunting glimpse of the Ferris wheel, which is seen bloodstained, as co

Television Nov. 27, 2024

Disney+ may have delivered one of its most gripping new Korean originals with the crime thriller “Gangnam B-side” -- which offers a compelling blend of suspense, character depth, and sharp social commentary on South Korea’s growing drug problem. Bringing affluent Gangnam district’s extravagant club culture to screen with a neon-lit, visually dazzling mise-en-scene that highlights its duality of glamour and grit, “Gangnam B-side” explores the intertwined lives

Television Nov. 25, 2024

Swim and sauna in paradise For those torn between swimming and a sauna experience, Cimer provides a luxurious retreat with its combination of swimming pools and spa facilities. Located in Jung-gu, Incheon, Cimer is primarily divided into two zones: the Aqua Spa Zone, which features a variety of swimming pools, and the Jjimjil Spa Zone, with spa facilities. In Korean, "jjimjil" refers to heat therapy, emphasizing relaxation and wellness. This luxurious destination is ideal for friends,

Culture Nov. 22, 2024

SINGAPORE — Disney+ offered a sneak peek at its highly anticipated lineup of Korean originals for 2025 during a series of press conferences, giving fans of Korean content an early look at next year’s star-studded releases. As part of the Disney Contents Showcase Asia Pacific 2024 event held at the Sands Expo & Convention Center on Thursday, the platform unveiled details about several upcoming titles, with the slate including "Unmasked," "Hyper Knife," "Kn

Television Nov. 21, 2024

Winston Churchill's observations on architecture suggest that we shape our buildings, thereafter, they shape us. In today's Korean society, the buildings shaping many people's lives are cookie-cutter apartment complexes, practical havens that prioritize convenience, safety and investment value over individual expression. These standardized structures have become the go-to choice for many, reflecting the priorities of a fast-paced urban lifestyle. However, there are those challen

Culture Nov. 21, 2024

SINGAPORE -- News that a second season of the Korean megahit series "Moving" is currently in development was among the slew of announcements made by The Walt Disney Company Asia Pacific Thursday regarding the upcoming slate of Disney+ Asia Pacific content. "Moving" is an action-fantasy series, but at its core, it is a coming-of-age story about friendship, family and human relationships told in a brand new way," said Carol Choi, executive vice president of original conten

Film Nov. 21, 2024