Rapper-turned-actor quashes ideas of returning to Big Bang, but hints at solo music Choi Seung-hyun, formerly known as rapper T.O.P from K-pop juggernaut Big Bang, marked his return to the screen after an 11-year hiatus in season two of "Squid Game." Previously embroiled in a scandal following a conviction for marijuana use that led to a 10-month suspended jail sentence in 2017, Choi's journey back to the limelight may be a tale of self-reflection. In the newest season of "Squid Game," Choi port

Short-form dramas, films show possibilities of untapped market in Korea Short-form video is already popular globally, including in China and the United States. It has tremendous potential in Korea when paired with the production expertise of K-drama creators to make short-form series, industry officials said Tuesday. PulsePick, a streaming platform specializing in servicing short-form series which soft-launched last December, announced a series of upcoming originals during a media event in Gangn

After New York, Madrid, Sydney, 'Squid Game: The Experience' lands in Seongsu-dong An immersive experience of global phenomenon "Squid Game" is coming to Seoul next month, offering a unique opportunity to step into the world of the hit series. Netflix announced Monday that it will operate "Squid Game: The Experience," an all-in-one immersive space where visitors can engage in various games, enjoy themed food and drinks, explore photo zones and browse exclusive merchandise, in Seongsu-dong, easte

Lee Soon-jae, a veteran actor and legendary figure in Korean broadcasting history whose career spans 69 years, claimed the grand prize at the 2024 KBS Drama Awards held Saturday night. KBS traditionally hosts the awards on Dec. 31 to celebrate excellence in its annual programming. However, due to the Jeju Air tragedy at Muan International Airport on Dec. 29, this year’s ceremony was recorded on New Year’s Eve and broadcast later. Lee received the grand prize for his role as lead character Soon-j

Popular webtoon depicting lives of doctors gets series adaptation Ju Ji-hoon, a Hallyu sensation known for his roles in cinematic hits such as "Light Shop" and "Kingdom," is set to debut as a courageous doctor in Netflix’s highly anticipated series, "The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call." Based on the wildly popular Naver Webtoon, the series delves into the high-octane world of heroic doctors as they navigate life-and-death situations involving criticially ill patients. Netflix unveiled stills from t

After cameo appearance in first season, Lee now returns as main villain A household name in Korea with a career spanning 34 years, Lee Byung-hun returns to the screen as the enigmatic villain in season two of Netflix’s global hit "Squid Game." Having made a tantalizing cameo in the show’s inaugural season, Lee now commands center stage as the complex mastermind known as Frontman. The acclaimed actor -- whose filmography boasts iconic hits such as "Inside Men" and "Mr. Sunshine" -- tackles the in

Household name Kim Hye-soo returns to TV screens for first time in three years as hard-hitting investigative reporter "Unmasked," which follows the journey of investigative TV producers seeking justice through hard-hitting reporting, is poised to offer a poignant reflection on Korean society while realistically portraying challenges faced in the demanding field. The 12-part series delves into the life of investigative program producer So-ryong (Kim Hye-soo) as she is joined by her new teammate H

Netflix‘s hit dating show returns with bold cast, spicier scenes The production team of Netflix's hit dating show "Single's Inferno" gathered at Hotel Naru Seoul in Mapo-gu Wednesday for a preview of its fourth season, with the producers and panels touting their hottest iteration yet. "This season zeroes in on the essence of dating," producer Kim Jae-won said, promising a rollercoaster of romance. "What happens in Paradise will have viewers questioning if this is the same show." Fellow producer

Jisoo of Blackpink continues solo career as main lead Coupang Play’s original series "Newtopia," starring K-pop sensation Blackpink’s Jisoo in her second lead role in a series, promises a reinvention of the zombie genre, according to the show’s director, Yoon Sung-hyeon. "Newtopia" plunges into the journey of Jae-yoon (Park Jeong-min) and his girlfriend Young-joo (Kim Ji-soo), whose relationship teeters on the brink of collapse just as a zombie apocalypse engulfs Seoul. The plot unfurls as the e

Vietnamese video regulatory authority to review series for violation of law "Squid Game" season two, Netflix Korea's biggest show, is facing backlash from Vietnamese audiences over a remark that implied South Korean soldiers who fought in the Vietnam War achieved a commendable feat. The controversial scene features Dae-ho (played by Kang Ha-neul), explaining his background to Jeong-bae (played by Lee Seo-hwan), a senior Marine Corps officer he encounters during the deadly games. When Jeong-bae c

Han Suk-kyu, a beloved fixture in the Korean entertainment scene, clinched the top accolade at Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation’s annual drama awards Sunday, marking a successful return to the network after a 29-year break. The 2024 MBC Drama Awards, a year-end staple typically held on Dec. 30 to honor excellence in MBC’s annual programming, took on a more somber tone this year. In a rare move, the network postponed the event following the Dec. 29 Jeju Air tragedy at Muan International Airport in

Police probe nail hammering into pavilion in Andong A KBS drama production team faces criticism as police look into unauthorized nail hammering that damaged a historic pavilion at a UNESCO-designated site. The police complaint, filed last week by a private citizen, alleges that the crew violated the law by hammering nails into Mandaeru at Byeongsanseowon, a 17th-century Confucian school in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province. In a public apology, KBS said it would cooperate with the probe and work

Reflecting on modern society, Hwang Dong-hyuk emphasizes anger should be aimed “upward” — at masterminds behind system The second season of Netflix’s global juggernaut "Squid Game" has sparked debate since its release, dividing critics and fans alike. While the show remains the talk of the town, its sequel to the groundbreaking original has faced both accolades and backlash. A week into its debut, murmurs of discontent have arisen, with detractors lamenting a perceived stagnation in storytelling

Actor-director says he is working on a script, with plans to develop new film as Korean-American production “Squid Game” has once again seized the world’s attention, with its highly anticipated second season sparking conversations around watercoolers worldwide. The latest installment logged 487 million hours viewed in its debut week, toppling the 448.73 million-hour benchmark set by season one's first week back in September 2021. At the heart of the saga is Lee Jung-jae, the lead whose portrayal

Korean Broadcasting System was reported to the police Friday following allegations of damaging a UNESCO world heritage site during a filming session. A complaint titled "KBS drama production team’s cultural heritage damage incident" was filed through the National Petition Service portal just after midnight on Friday, accusing a production team of violating the enforcement decree of the Act on Conservation and Utilization of Cultural Heritage. The complaint detailed how the team had left nail mar