Southeast Asia's largest streaming platform Viu's original "Secret Ingredient" is an adventurous attempt. The series, which Viu labels a regional drama series, is a unique collaboration between a number of countries, featuring a Filipina showrunner, Korean director and a Korean writer as well as Korean, Filipino and Indonesian actors. The six-part romantic comedy follows Ha-joon, played by Lee Sang-heon from Netflix's hit high-teen romance series "XO Kitty," as

Television Oct. 27, 2024

As the days turn cooler and shorter, grab your blanket, a warm drink and settle in for a perfect autumn weekend with some great documentaries. Whether you’re seeking to dive into real-world subjects and gain deep insights or just want to lose yourself in thought-provoking stories, these well-made documentaries will meet all your needs while you stay cozy and warm indoors. "What Jennifer Did" on Netflix This true crime documentary delves into the harrowing story of Jennifer Pan,

Television Oct. 26, 2024

The 26th Bucheon International Animation Festival, showcasing animated works from across the globe, will begin its five-day run starting this Friday afternoon. BIAF 2024 is set to kick off with an opening ceremony at 6 p.m. on Friday at the Korea Manhwa Museum in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province. The opening ceremony, attended by a number of renowned animation industry officials, including Raul Garcia, the animator behind Disney's "Beauty and the Beast" and "Aladdin," and Rhie

Culture Oct. 25, 2024

Actor Kim Young-ok, more commonly known by her stage name, Kim Soo-mi, a prominent presence in Korean film and television, passed away on Friday morning. She was 75. According to the Seoul Seocho Police Station, Kim suffered a cardiac arrest and was transported to The Catholic University of Korea Seoul St. Mary's Hospital in Seocho-gu, Seoul, around 8 a.m., where she was later pronounced dead. Kim's son is reported to have told the local media that the cause of her death is due to hype

Film Oct. 25, 2024

Kim Dong-wook, who shot to fame with his portrayal of the lovable barista in MBC's romantic comedy "Coffee Prince," has since embraced a range of dark and intense roles -- including the tragically murdered soldier in box office megahit "Along With the Gods" and a former violently bullied student in Tving's "The King of Pigs." After a lengthy break from comedic and lighthearted roles, Kim has recently returned as the main lead in "Seoul Busters,"

Television Oct. 22, 2024

The international hit dark fantasy thriller "Hellbound" is returning to Netflix with a new season after three years. The show's first season recorded an accumulated 110 million viewing hours within 10 days of its release, captivating local and international audiences alike with the story of Koreans receiving messages from ethereal beings about their impending damnation. The second season, slated to release its first episode Friday, picks up the story eight years later with a drama

Television Oct. 21, 2024

A set of creative interpretations of Ernest Hemingway’s short story “The Killers” is set to hit Korean cinemas, captivating audiences with stunning cinematography and an innovative approach. The Korean film "The Killers" is an anthology comprising four short films, each directed by a different filmmaker: Kim Jong-kwan, Roh Deok, Chang Hang-jun and Lee Myung-se. These directors are well known for their previous works: “Josee,” “Very Ordinary Couple,&r

Film Oct. 20, 2024

Actor Kim Jun-ho, better known by his stage name Go Jun, recalled feeling a deep sadness after the airing of the final episode of "Snow White Must Die – Black Out" -- a feeling like breaking up with a girlfriend. "It was both touching and bittersweet, like being heartbroken," said Go, during an interview with a group of reporters on Oct. 7. "I had never enjoyed (filming) a drama this much before. I got deeply immersed in it, as if I had been in a relationship for a

Television Oct. 17, 2024

A new series based on an internationally recognized novel, exploring the romantic life of a young gay man in Seoul, is set to hit streaming service Tving next week. “Love in the Big City” centers on Go Young, a novelist navigating the highs and lows of romance with various partners, from a club-goer to a member of a royal family, over the course his life. The series is adapted from the bestselling novel by author Park Sang-young, which has sold over 100,000 copies since its 2019 rele

Television Oct. 16, 2024

The creators of "Culinary Class Wars," the hottest Korean original on Netflix right now, stated they felt they had accomplished the impossible when recruiting participants for the show. According to the show's creators, there were a total of 600 applicants. Around 10 writers participated in the casting process, with the final 100 participants being selected through interviews. Interviewing the applicants was a difficult process, but recruiting some of the chefs the creators wanted

Television Oct. 16, 2024

Today, YouTube exerts an equal or possibly greater influence over young audiences than traditional broadcasters, yet there is a lack of oversight concerning illegal content, including acts of vigilantism. The spread of such videos, crime experts caution, could result in dangerous outcomes, underscoring the need for authorities to ramp up efforts to curb the streaming of such content. Three weeks ago, a huge uproar ensued when a man in his 30s died when his car crashed into a parked trailer truck

Television Oct. 15, 2024

Netflix Korea’s megahit entertainment show “Culinary Class Wars” will return with a second season, Netflix said Tuesday. The streaming giant unveiled plans to release a new season in the latter half of 2025. Details regarding the concept, participants and filming schedule have yet to be finalized, according to the producers of the series. However, one creator of "Culinary Class Wars" said the show is hoping to invite celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay for the second season.

Television Oct. 15, 2024

The highly anticipated series "Jung-nyeon," which aired its first two episodes on Saturday and Sunday, is the first Korean drama to delve into the world of "gukgeuk" -- a type of performance art that took Korea by storm in the 1950s -- with a cast which appears to have been plucked directly from the original webtoon. Set in 1950s Korea, "Jung-nyeon" follows the titular character as she pursues fame as a gukgeuk artist—a female performer skilled in pansori, a

Television Oct. 14, 2024

"Heavy Snow," exploring a fragile yet beautiful romance budding between two friends, examines societal perceptions faced by those with striking physical beauty. “Heavy Snow” follows aspiring actor Soo-ahn (Han Hae-in) as she falls in love with her beautiful schoolmate, popular teen actor Yoon-seol (Han So-hee). Riding high on its artistic qualities, the film has been invited to a number of domestic and international film festivals, including the Jeonju International Film Fe

Film Oct. 11, 2024

Renewed interest has emerged in potential film adaptations of Han Kang's works, after she became the first Korean author to receive the prestigious Nobel Prize in literature. However, experts suggest that one of the most anticipated adaptations, "Human Acts," may face significant challenges in its transition to film. To date, there have been two film adaptations of Han's works. The film adaptation of Han's International Booker Award-winning novel "The Vegetarian,&qu

Travel Oct. 11, 2024