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'Tempest,' one of biggest K-dramas of the year, is here
Disney+ is gearing up for the release of one of the year’s most talked-about Korean series, "Tempest," a sleek espionage romance that pairs two of South Korea’s most bankable stars. The series follows diplomat Moon-ju (Jun Ji-hyun) as she embarks on a relentless quest to uncover the truth behind the shooting of a presidential candidate. Entwined in her mission is special agent San-ho (Gang Dong-won), a man shrouded in mystery, who steps in to protect her. With "Tempest," Jun, also known as Giann
Sept. 2, 2025 -
In streaming, those with deepest Rolodex will win: expert
In today’s crowded streaming landscape, survival is not about battles but alliances, and Korea is uniquely positioned to thrive in this new era of strategic partnerships, says senior research director at Omdia, Maria Rua Aguete. Aguete, head of media and entertainment at London-based technology research and advisory firm Omdia, leads research on service providers and advises global media and tech companies. As an expert in the international media and broadcasting landscape, she has conducted due
Sept. 1, 2025 -
Bae Suzy, Kim Seon-ho's 'Delusion' faces backlash over Jeju filming trash
The production team behind upcoming Disney+ drama series “Delusion," starring Bae Suzy and Kim Seon-ho, has come under fire after leaving piles of trash behind at a filming location on Jeju Island. The controversy erupted Thursday when an online user uploaded a video to social media showing a forest site covered with bags of garbage, along with a caption that read, “After shooting the drama, they just left trash in the forest … even with the coffee holders sent by fans.” The clip revealed discar
Aug. 29, 2025 -
'FC Shooting Star' brings soccer legends back
It’s soccer legends versus today’s rising stars. The second season of Coupang Play’s “FC Shooting Star," premiering Friday on the streaming service, brings back retired icons as they chase a spot in Korea’s semiprofessional K3 League. Overseen by the Korea Football Association, the K3 League sits below the professional K1 and K2 circuits and, along with K4, bridges the gap between amateur and pro play. Season 2 sees the return of team leader and Korean soccer legend Park Ji-sung — a former Manch
Aug. 28, 2025 -
Lee Ha-nee unpacks sex, power in Netflix's 'Aema'
The Netflix series “Aema” is unapologetically provocative — revisiting Korea’s most popular erotic film "Madame Aema" (1982), while splicing in pointed references to real-life figures, including former President Chun Doo-hwan, to expose the sexual exploitation and abuse of power that plagued the country’s film industry in the 1980s. The series tackles sensitive material head-on, from casting couch to late-night “banquet halls” where female actors were expected to play hostess for politicians. Le
Aug. 27, 2025 -
Fates diverge among Korean streaming platforms
Watcha, one of South Korea’s earliest streaming platforms that peaked in the early 2020s, has entered corporate rehabilitation proceedings, even as domestic competitors see rapid growth. The Seoul Bankruptcy Court announced on Aug. 6 that it would initiate rehabilitation procedures following a petition filed July 8 by Enlight Ventures, one of Watcha’s investors. Under South Korea’s corporate rehabilitation laws, any creditor holding more than 10 percent of a company’s equity can request rehabili
Aug. 25, 2025 -
MBC removes drama teaser after backlash over inappropriate portrayal of Middle Eastern culture
South Korean broadcaster MBC has pulled a teaser for its upcoming drama “To the Moon” just a day after its release, following criticism over cultural insensitivity and concerns that it could be seen as mocking Middle Eastern culture. The teaser, released Wednesday, showed three female members of the show's cast -- Lee Sun-bin, Ra Mi-ran and Jo A-ram -- wearing Middle Eastern-style clothing and dancing in a comical manner. Some international viewers expressed discomfort and said the video was cul
Aug. 22, 2025 -
Korean DNA powers Amazon's spy thriller ‘Butterfly'
American spy thriller “Butterfly,” which heralds Korean screen icon Kim Tae-hee’s Hollywood debut, fuses Korean sensibilities with American storytelling. The series follows David Jung (Daniel Dae Kim), a former US intelligence operative who faked his death years ago and who now seeks to reconnect with his daughter Rebecca (Reina Hardesty), an assassin. Kim, who took on the dual roles of executive producer and lead actor for "Butterfly," described the show as a reflection of himself. “I think the
Aug. 21, 2025 -
President Lee eyes cultural content as pillar of national power
President Lee Jae Myung emphasized South Korea’s push to make cultural content a key national industry during a special broadcast that convened leading figures in the entertainment industry, including "KPop Demon Hunters" co-director Maggie Kang. The televised special, titled “K-Pop: The Next Chapter,” aired Wednesday on Arirang TV, South Korea’s international public broadcaster. Hosted by TV personality Jang Sung-kyu, the episode featured Lee alongside Kang; Twice members Jihyo and Jeongyeon; p
Aug. 21, 2025 -
Star power meets spy games in 'Tempest'
Disney+ previously revealed that its content strategy going forward would be prioritizing quality over quantity — rolling out a steady pipeline of high-profile originals. And among its most anticipated Korean tentpoles this year is “Tempest," a big-budget espionage romance that unites two of Korea’s most bankable stars, Jun Ji-hyun (also known as Gianna Jun) and Gang Dong-won. The series boasts an equally pedigreed roster of creative talent, with Kim Hee-won (“Queen of Tears”) and Heo Myung-haen
Aug. 20, 2025 -
Siren out to make money: Lim Soo-jung discusses her role in hit webtoon-turned-drama
You might remember Lim Soo-jung as the doe-eyed, ingenue Eun-chae in the K-drama classic "I’m Sorry, I Love You" or as Su-mi, the tormented older sister fiercely protective of her sister, in the seminal Korean horror film "A Tale of Two Sisters." Lim has long been synonymous with roles that highlight her delicate, naive appearance. That image is thoroughly upended in “Low Life.” Disney+ Korea's tentpole series is set in the 1970s in gritty Mokpo, South Jeolla Province, where it follows a cadre o
Aug. 20, 2025 -
President Lee to join K-pop leaders in Arirang TV special
President Lee Jae Myung is set to appear on the special broadcast "K-Pop: The Next Chapter," joining key entertainment industry figures in discussing the current state and future of K-pop. The program, scheduled for broadcast on Arirang TV, South Korea's public international broadcaster, at 5 p.m. Wednesday, will feature a lineup that includes President Lee; Maggie Kang, who co-directed the animated feature “KPop Demon Hunters” with Chris Appelhans; Twice’s Jihyo and Jeongyeon; producer-DJ R.Tee
Aug. 19, 2025 -
Korean sex symbol returns in 'Aema'
Boldly titled after the ’80s Korean sex symbol lead in the film "Madame Aema," Netflix Korea’s newest offering isn’t afraid to turn heads. But the six-part comedy series "Aema" is more than a tribute to a legendary screen figure: It exposes the violence and exploitation entrenched in the Korean film industry of the past, while celebrating the resilience of the actors who were the forerunners of today's Korean film scene. “Madame Aema" created a sensation upon its release in 1982, so much so that
Aug. 18, 2025 -
'Running Man' star Kim Jong-kook, 49, to wed in private ceremony
Kim Jong-kook is officially off the market. The 49-year-old singer and television personality announced his wedding plans Monday via a handwritten letter posted to his official fan forum, revealing plans for a private ceremony in Seoul. "I'm getting married," Kim wrote in the letter, saying that while he had "tried dropping hints here and there," the news would likely surprise many fans. The wedding is to take place "in the near future" with family and close friends in attendance. The announceme
Aug. 18, 2025 -
Bill Gates to appear on hit Korean talk show 'You Quiz on the Block'
Tech billionaire and philanthropist Bill Gates is set to make an appearance on the Korean TV talk show “You Quiz on the Block,” CJ ENM announced Monday. The long-running series, which launched in 2018, has become one of Korea’s most-watched talk shows. Hosted by top comedian Yoo Jae-suk alongside Cho Sae-ho, “You Quiz on the Block” spotlights conversations with guests from a wide range of fields and backgrounds. Nam Seung-yong, a management leader at CJ ENM who helped orchestrate Gates’ upcoming
Aug. 18, 2025