“Light Shop,” the webtoon behind Disney+’s original series of the same name, is enjoying a dramatic surge in popularity following the success of its adaptation. After episodes 5 and 6 of Disney+’s "Light Shop" were released on Dec. 11, Kakao Entertainment -- the platform distributing the webtoon -- reported a 187-fold increase in views of the original webtoon on Kakao Webtoon and Kakao Page. Revenue from the webtoon also grew 159 times during the same period,

Television Dec. 20, 2024

South Korea has descended into political turmoil following President Yoon Suk Yeol’s unexpected declaration of emergency martial law on the night of Dec. 3. The move shocked many, particularly after it was revealed that Yoon had ordered troops to the National Election Commission on that chaotic night. Many suspect that Yoon’s actions were influenced by far-right extremist YouTube channels, which have long propagated election fraud conspiracy theories, including claims about irregular

Culture Dec. 19, 2024

As the first Korean drama to be set primarily in space, "When the Stars Gossip" will play a significant role in "diversifying" K-dramas, according to the series' lead actor, Kong Hyo-jin, on Wednesday. South Korean cable channel tvN is scheduled to premiere the first episode of "When the Stars Gossip," a 16-episode sci-fi romantic comedy starring Hallyu superstars Kong and Lee Min-ho on Jan. 4, 2025. The series centers on Eve (played by Kong Hyo-jin), a command

Television Dec. 18, 2024

Korean dramas are projected to face challenges in the overseas market in 2025, with export performance expected to be dim due to surging production costs, according to the Korea Creative Content Agency on Wednesday. The Culture Ministry-affiliated government agency released export outlooks for content sectors such as K-pop and webtoons, based on a survey it conducted. The survey gathered insights from 167 content industry experts and directors of KOCCA's overseas business centers. On 7-poin

Culture Dec. 18, 2024

A wave of Korean entertainment show sequels is set to dominate television screens at the end of this year and early next year. JTBC’s popular entertainment show "Chef & My Fridge," one of the first programs to spotlight chefs in Korea, made a long-anticipated comeback with its first episode on Sunday. Known for its unique premise -- celebrities' actual refrigerators are brought to the studio, where chefs engage in an intense cook-off using only the ingredients inside --

Television Dec. 17, 2024

Ko Hyun-jung, renowned for her performances in iconic series such as "The Great Queen Seondeok" and "Sandglass," is returning to TV with the Genie TV original drama "Namib." In "Namib," Ko takes on the role of Su-hyun, a celebrity recruiter with a disabled son. Her life takes a dramatic turn when she is abruptly fired from her job and crosses paths with long-time trainee Jin-woo, played by Ryeoun. When asked what inspired him to cast Ko, director Kang Min-

Television Dec. 16, 2024

With all eyes on the National Assembly’s second vote to impeach President Yoon Suk following his unexpected declaration of martial law, South Korea witnessed a significant surge in news viewership ratings on Saturday. According to Nielsen Korea, "MBC News Desk," the flagship program of Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation, recorded the second-highest household viewership on Saturday at 11.7 percent. This figure nearly doubled the 5.9 percent it logged on Nov. 30, the Saturday before t

Television Dec. 15, 2024

A Taste of Britain in Seoul Tucked away in an Euljiro alley, where old buildings, high-rise towers, and a variety of eateries coexist, there’s a cozy, inviting space that’s easy to miss if you’re not paying attention. Follow a small, modest sign, climb a narrow staircase, and you’ll find yourself in a warm and homey cafe. Cafe Eulji Lewis is run by Lewis, the British owner, together with his Korean wife. The red-toned wallpaper, curtains, and a collection of vintage ornam

Culture Dec. 13, 2024

Sean, best known as one half of hip-hop duo Jinusean, as well as Lee Hee-bum, minister of commerce, industry and energy from 2003 to 2006 and currently the chair of Booyoung Group, shared their perspectives on navigating global and local challenges at the Global Business Forum on Wednesday. The GBF, organized by The Korea Herald, serves as a platform for experts from various fields, including business leaders, diplomats and public figures. The forum convenes weekly to foster insightful discussio

Culture Dec. 12, 2024

A film related to Korea's contemporary history has seen a remarkable surge in viewership following President Yoon Suk Yeol's short-lived martial law declaration on Dec. 3. According to the Korean Film Council, "12.12: The Day" attracted 1,150 views on Dec. 4 across Internet Protocol Television platforms, including SK Btv, LG U+ TV, and Genie TV. IPTV services provide online access to live broadcasts, films and TV shows. The data represents a 1,085 percent increase from the 9

Film Dec. 11, 2024

Shares linked with South Korean actor Lee Jung-jae are soaring after the announcement that "Squid Game 2" has been nominated for Best Television Series at the Golden Globes, ahead of its release. As of Wednesday, shares of Artist United— Lee's agency in which he is the largest shareholder with a 23.49 percent stake -- closed at 13,320 won ($9) per share, marking a 29.25 percent increase from the previous day. Meanwhile, shares of Artist Studio, the Korean drama production co

Television Dec. 10, 2024

The second season of "Squid Game" has been nominated for best TV series by the prestigious Golden Globes, even before its release. The 2025 Golden Globes, to be held Jan. 5, 2025, required submissions by Nov. 4 for shows that premiered within the 2024 calendar year. With its Dec. 26 premiere, the second season of "Squid Game" narrowly qualified, with Netflix reportedly submitting the series early for consideration. In the best TV drama series category, for which the show was

Television Dec. 10, 2024

With about two weeks to go until "Squid Game" returns for its second season, the show's director unveiled Monday that the thriller will invite viewers to reflect on the chaos of modern society. "From my perspective, people are drawing lines, becoming hostile toward one another, and such conflicts seem to be deepening globally," Hwang Dong-hyuk, director of the first and second seasons of "Squid Game," said during a press conference held on Monday in Jung-gu,

Television Dec. 9, 2024

The National Assembly on Saturday failed to vote on the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol as all but three People Power Party legislators boycotted the vote. Voting came to a close at 9:20 p.m. with the motion automatically rejected, as the number of lawmakers who cast ballots did not reach the quorum of 200. Passing a presidential impeachment motion requires the approval of at least two-thirds of all sitting lawmakers, equivalent to 200 votes. The failed attempt to impeach Yoon came four d

Politics Dec. 7, 2024

South Korean film industry professionals, including actors Gang Dong-won, Kim Go-eun and Jeon Do-yeon have called for the dismissal and arrest of President Yoon Suk Yeol. A statement released Saturday morning, endorsed by 2,518 individual film professionals representing 77 industry organizations -- including the Screen Actors Guild of Korea, Directors Guild of Korea, and Producers Guild of Korea -- condemned Yoon’s sudden declaration of martial law and demanded his resignation. The stateme

Social Affairs Dec. 7, 2024