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Drama adaptation of webtoon 'The Elementary Student I Love' sparks backlash
The announcement of a drama adaptation of the webtoon "The Elementary Student I Love," which centers on a relationship between a female teacher and her elementary school student, has ignited strong backlash from the education community. The Korea Federation of Teachers’ Associations issued a formal statement Tuesday, sharply condemning the project. According to the group, "attempts to sexualize children under the guise of creativity and artistic originality can never be justified.” They also sta
July 2, 2025 -
'Squid Game' Season 3 originally had happy ending: director Hwang Dong-hyuk
"Squid Game,” director Hwang Dong-hyuk’s brainchild, wrapped its saga with Season 3, which topped Netflix’s global TV charts on FlixPatrol within a day of release on Friday. But reviews have been divided — some lauding its gripping twists and some criticizing it for falling short of the original's creativity. Much of the backlash also centered on the ending, where Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) dies to save a baby born during the deadly games. In a surprise twist, Hwang has revealed that the original pla
July 1, 2025 -
CJ ENM unveils plans to expand use of AI across content pipeline
South Korean entertainment powerhouse CJ ENM announced plans to expand its use of artificial intelligence across its content pipeline as part of a broader strategy to boost production and realize ideas that would otherwise be limited by budget constraints. During a press event Monday, the company said AI will be applied across four key areas: scriptwriting, production (such as the editing process), international distribution of content, and original content such as films and series developed usi
June 30, 2025 -
Seoul bids goodbye to 'Squid Game'
"Squid Game" swept through Seoul on Saturday night as a large-scale parade featuring towering character installations and figurines from the Netflix megahit marched through the heart of the city, drawing crowds of eager fans along Sejong-daero. Co-hosted by Netflix and the Seoul Metropolitan Government, the parade kicked off at around 7:50 p.m., about 20 minutes behind schedule. Held to celebrate the premiere of the show's third and final season, which debuted on Netflix on Friday, the processio
June 29, 2025 -
Seoul taken over by 'Squid Game'
Seoul was taken over by the world of "Squid Game" on Saturday as a fan event brought together the show's creators, fans, and key cast members. A parade showcasing iconic elements from the series, such as the infamous killer doll Young-hee and actors dressed as players and guards reenacting memorable scenes like the O and X voting, marched along the road from Gwanghwamun to Seoul City Hall, accompanied by bands playing the show's soundtrack. The parade, which concluded around 9 p.m., was followed
June 28, 2025 -
Will Korea’s barely-there stand-up scene stir to life?
When Netflix launched its first Korean stand-up special in 2018, the strategy seemed solid. The plan was to sign big-name comedians, tap into their star power, and introduce local audiences to a genre that had taken off in the US. But the jokes didn’t land. The debut, “Yoo Byung-jae: Discomfort Zone,” received a lukewarm response. The follow-up specials, “Park Na-rae: Glamour Warning” in 2019 and “Lee Su-geun: The Sense Coach” in 2021, didn’t perform any better. None generated the kind of buzz N
June 28, 2025 -
'Squid Game' Season 3 will make you weep
"Squid Game" has always been a spectacle -- bloody, brutal and bracingly political -- but at the same time deeply emotional, grounding its violence in stories of desperation and loss. The final season pushes that even further, delivering its most emotionally devastating chapter yet. On Wednesday, the press were given a first look at the entire third season, and the six-episode arc amplifies the series’ long-standing undercurrent of heartbreak and humanity. The performances carry much of the emot
June 27, 2025 -
Japanese version of 'Marry My Husband' hits Amazon Prime Video
The Japanese version of the widely popular Korean series “Marry My Husband" is hitting Amazon Prime Video. Based on the popular Naver web novel of the same name, the 10-part series marks a new chapter for Korean entertainment giant CJ ENM. The company looks to expand the K-drama playbook by producing localized content abroad — a strategy reminiscent of K-pop’s global growth model. Produced in collaboration with Studio Dragon, the studio behind numerous hit K-dramas, “Marry My Husband” is not a r
June 26, 2025 -
Facing W100b deficit, KBS moves to raise TV license fee
Public broadcaster Korean Broadcasting System is pushing to raise its TV license fee for the first time in 45 years, amid mounting financial pressures and a rapidly changing media environment. At a meeting held Tuesday at KBS’ Yeouido headquarters in Seoul, representatives from KBS viewers’ committees issued a joint statement, urging the broadcaster to prepare measures for financial stability. The 19 regional KBS viewers' committees, mandated by Korea’s Broadcasting Act, represent viewers’ inter
June 25, 2025 -
Leaked set photo, new games, and a baby's cry: What to expect in season 3 of 'Squid Game'
“Squid Game” wraps up with the release of its final season this Friday, closing out a franchise that redefined global streaming hits when it debuted in 2021. Season 1 saw cash-strapped players fight to the death in twisted children’s games, with Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) emerging as the lone survivor. Instead of escaping with his prize of 45.6 billion won ($33 million), he returns in Season 2 to end the games, only to be captured by masked guards before he can succeed. As the third season approaches
June 24, 2025 -
KBS’ 'Smoking Gun' marks 100 episodes, shifts focus from victims to perpetrators
Crime shows often concentrate on advising viewers how to avoid becoming victims, from locking doors to staying wary of strangers. But “Smoking Gun" takes a markedly different approach, aiming to explore how society can prevent the emergence of perpetrators. KBS' “Smoking Gun,” which premiered in 2023, has built a steady audience with its detailed examination of real-life crime cases, combining forensic science analysis with firsthand accounts. The show features leading forensic medicine expert P
June 23, 2025 -
Megahit webtoon 'Remarried Empress' to be turned into Disney+ original
Disney+ is set to adapt the smash-hit webtoon "Remarried Empress" into a live-action drama series, exclusively premiering on the platform next year. Based on the globally beloved web novel-turned-webtoon, "Remarried Empress" is a romance fantasy centered on Empress Navier of the Eastern Empire. When her husband, Emperor Sovieshu, demands a divorce, Navier agrees, on the condition that she be allowed to remarry Prince Heinrey of the Western Kingdom. Since its launch in 2019, the webtoon has garne
June 20, 2025 -
K-drama industry stands at crossroads: experts
The Korean drama industry stands at a critical juncture, as experts and industry leaders call for reforms focused on cultivating balanced partnerships with global streaming platforms and safeguarding Korean production companies’ IP rights to preserve the nation’s cultural influence. At a forum hosted by the Korea Creative Content Agency, leading experts, including professors of media communications and heads of production studios, gathered to discuss the next phase of Korea’s content industry. H
June 19, 2025 -
Frontman may get 'Squid Game' spinoff, says Lee Byung-hun on 'The Tonight Show'
Lee Byung-hun, who plays the Frontman in Netflix’s global sensation "Squid Game," appeared on the popular talk show "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" this week and hinted at a possible spinoff centered on his enigmatic character. During the interview, which aired Wednesday, Korean time, on NBC, the veteran South Korean actor discussed his initial reaction to reading the script for "Squid Game." He also shared lighthearted anecdotes regarding his family’s surprise when his secret identity
June 19, 2025 -
'Squid Game' finale fan event set for June 28 in Seoul
A fan event bringing together the creators and global fans of the cultural juggernaut “Squid Game” is set to take place in Seoul, marking the end of a series that took the world by storm. The one-day event will unfold in two parts on June 28, a day after the release of the Netflix series' last season. Kicking off at 7:30 p.m. from Gwanghwamun, the “Squid Game” parade will showcase iconic imagery from the series — including the killer doll Young-hee and the pink guards. The hourlong procession wi
June 18, 2025