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Exes Hae Jo and Jo Jae-mi, who went through a bad breakup years ago, have both been diagnosed with life-changing conditions. So when they cross paths, Hae Jo gets an idea: He’ll free her from her misery by whisking her away — against her will — to find out who his father is. Directed by Hong Jong-chan (Juvenile Justice) and written by Jo Yong (It’s Okay to Not Be Okay), the South Korean rom-com series Mr. Planktonstars Woo Do-hwan, Lee Yoo-mi, and Oh Jung-se.

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Once an orphan, Hae Jo (Woo) now runs a business doing often-shady odd jobs. But his day job loses all meaning once he finds out he has a genetic and terminal brain condition, leaving him only a few months to live. Shortly after, he crosses paths with his ex-girlfriend, Jo Jae-mi (Lee Yoo-mi). Jae-mi...

My first thought while watching Mr. Plankton was, why is this show under the dark comedy label when it’s merely a comedy with dark themes and undertones? I don’t think this is necessarily satire; it’s simply dry humor but with a touch of slapstick. The yelling and screaming are the norm for any K-drama comedy fan, but for someone who is new to this stuff, they might be left wanting something different. And in all honesty, in a decade of watching K-dramas, I’ve got to admit, I’ve come to expect much more from these shows as well. Look, this is not to say that Mr. Plankton is terrible because it doesn’t live up to some random internet journalist’s high standard for dark comedy, but it does fall a little bit flat for the stakes at hand, and I’ll tell you why.

To begin with,...

Netflix is ready to horrify you with another season of its survival thriller series, Squid Game. Emmy-winning actor Lee Jung-jae is returning as Seong Gi-hun in the second season. The climax of the first season showed Player 456 deciding to go back to the bloody games, determined to go after whoever runs the games.

Lee Jung-jae in a still from Squid Game Season 2 | Credits: Netflix

However, from the glimpses shown to us through sneak peeks and teaser trailers, it doesn’t appear that things are under Gi-hun’s control. Following his apparent death in the first season, Detective Hwang Jun-ho also returns in the second season, though it remains a mystery why he hasn’t put an end to the games yet.

Squid Game Season 2 Release Date: When Does It Premiere? Lee Jung-jae as Player 456 in Squid Game Season 2 | Credits: Netflix

Squid Game first premiered on Netflix in September 2021. The second...

This November 2024, Korean drama fans can look forward to an exciting lineup of series showcasing diverse genres and compelling stories. Brewing Love (Viki) features a romantic comedy between a tough former special forces soldier and a sensitive brewmaster, while Face Me (KBS2) delivers a gripping medical thriller about a plastic surgeon embroiled in a mysterious crime. For those who enjoy crime thrillers, Gangnam B-Side (Disney+) explores disappearances tied to Seoul’s nightlife, while Mr. Plankton (Netflix) offers an emotional journey of self-discovery as two individuals search for their families.

The Fiery Priest 2 (Netflix) returns with its unique blend of action and humor, and Marry You (Channel A) examines societal pressures on love and marriage through a lighthearted lens. Meanwhile, Parole Examiner Lee (tvN) navigates the complex themes of justice and redemption, and When the Phone Rings (Netflix) explores love and communication amidst societal facades. Love Your Enemy (tvN) promises a...

Netflix has announced new Korean action film Mantis (working title), a spinoff of the 2023 feature Kill Boksoon.

The film will star Yim Si-wan, Park Gyu-young and Jo Woo-jin.

Mantis is set in the same contract killer world as Kill Boksoon, which premiered at the Berlinale last year. While Kill Boksoon explores the story of Gil Bok-soon struggling to balance her life as a single mother and assassin, Mantis shifts the spotlight to other contract killers, named Mantis, Jae-yi and Dok-go.

Yim will play the role of Han-ul, an ace assassin also known as “Mantis,” working for Mk Ent. The character Mantis was briefly mentioned by Kill Boksoon‘s Cha Min-kyu to “have gone on a vacation,” and this spinoff will trace Mantis’ return to the industry in search of new opportunities.

Upon Mantis’ return, he encounters...

Two of South Korea’s biggest male stars Hyun Bin and Jung Woo-sung will go head-to-head in “Made in Korea,” an upcoming crime series.

Set in the turbulent 1970s, “Made in Korea” is a crime thriller about Kitae, a man consumed with a desire for wealth and power, and Geonyoung, a stalwart prosecutor that stands in his way. Constantly at loggerheads, the pair find themselves involved in an era-defining incident that will forever change their futures.

The show stars Hyun Bin as Kitae, and Jung as Geonyoung. Other cast members include: Won Ji-an, Seo Eun-soo, Cho Yeo-jeong and Jung Sung-il.

The screenplay was written by Park Eun-kyo and Park Joon-seok (“A Normal Family”) and is directed by Woo Min-ho. Production is by Hive Media Corp., which was previously responsible for feature films “Inside Men,” “The Man Standing Next,” “12.12 The Day” (aka “Seoul Spring”).

For Woo, it is his first TV series as director.

From Yu Je-won and Shin Ha-eun, the people behind the phenomenal romantic comedy-drama series Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha, we just got a new South Korean series to swoon over in Love Next Door. Starring Jung Hae-in and Jung So-min in the lead roles, the tvN series follows the story of Bae Seok-ryu as she tries to reboot her life after calling off her marriage and leaving her job in America to move back home, where she meets her childhood frenemy Choi Seung-hyo, and they begin to fall for each other. So, if you loved the great leading couple, a heartfelt story, and relatable characters in Love Next Door here are some similar shows you should check out next.

Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (Netflix) Credit – Netflix

Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha is a South Korean romantic comedy-drama series developed by Kim Je-hyeon. Based on a 2004 romantic comedy film titled Mr. Handy, Mr. Hong by Kang Seok-beom and Shin Jung-goo,...

Squid Game: Meet the New Cast of the Highly-Anticipated Second Season - Main Image

Squid Game season 2 returns with new sets of players this year on Netflix, just in time for the holidays. Keep in mind that each new actor's roles for the second season have yet to be disclosed. Check out which stars you may recognize from their previous Kdramas!

Im Si-Wan

Outside being a member of the Kpop group, Ze:a, the award-winning actor Im Si-Wan has proven his talent when it comes to the acting industry.

Fans may recognize previous works of his from Jeong Seok-Won in tvN's Reply 1997, Yoon Jong-Woo from Strangers From Hell, Jang Byeong-Tae from 2023's Boyhood, but he is most popularly known for starring as the main culprit on the 2023 flick Unlocked as hacker Oh Jun-Yeong.

Kang Ha-Neul

The multiple best actor awardee Kang Ha-Neul has starred in prominent Kdramas since...

Romantic K Drama Series: Korean dramas, often referred to as K-dramas, have garnered immense popularity worldwide for their captivating storylines, charming characters, and heartwarming romance. From love triangles to forbidden romances, K-dramas offer a diverse array of romantic narratives that appeal to audiences of all ages. Here are the top 8 latest best romantic K-drama series that you don’t want to miss:

1. “Crash Landing on You” (2019-2020)

“Crash Landing on You” follows the story of Yoon Se-ri, a South Korean heiress who crash-lands in North Korea while paragliding. There, she meets North Korean army officer Ri Jeong-hyeok, and despite their differences, they develop a deep and forbidden romance. With its stellar cast, gripping plot, and beautiful cinematography, “Crash Landing on You” has captured the hearts of millions worldwide.

2. “It’s Okay to Not Be Okay” (2020)

“It’s Okay to Not Be Okay” tells the story of Moon Gang-tae, a psychiatric ward caregiver,...

Best Korean Dramas Dubbed in Hindi: Embark on a captivating journey into the realm of Korean entertainment with our meticulously curated list of the top 10 Korean dramas, expertly dubbed in Hindi for an enriching viewing experience. From timeless classics to contemporary masterpieces, these stellar productions transcend linguistic barriers, captivating audiences with their compelling narratives and captivating performances. Join us as we delve into each drama, accompanied by its respective release year, offering a glimpse into the rich tapestry of Korean storytelling.

1. Crash Landing on You (Yeh Mera Deewana Pan Hai) – 2019

Experience the epic romance of “Crash Landing on You” (Yeh Mera Deewana Pan Hai), released in 2019, as it unfolds against the backdrop of political intrigue and cultural divides. Follow the unlikely love story between a South Korean heiress and a North Korean soldier, navigating the complexities of forbidden love amidst geopolitical tensions.

2. Descendants of the Sun (Suraj Ki Kiran) – 2016

Journey...

Exclusive: Grey’s Anatomy star Alex Landi has joined the cast of the upcoming romantic dramedy Mr. Plankton for Netflix. This will mark his debut in a Korean series.

Mr. Plankton is about a man who should not have been born. He and the unhappiest woman in the world are forced to accompany one another on the final journey of his life. It’s from writer Jo Yong (It’s Okay to Not Be Okay) and is directed by Hong Jong-chan.

The details of Landi’s role are being kept under wraps but he is confirmed to be a series regular. Landi is best known for his ongoing portrayal of Dr. Nico Kim on ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy. He’s repped by Buchwald and Asian Cinema Entertainment.

The rest of the cast includes Woo Do-hwan as Hae-jo, a man born out of wedlock who’s thrown into...

Kim Soo Hyun is currently one of the most highly paid actors in South Korea. He has been awarded four Baeksang Arts Awards, two Grand Bell Awards, and one Blue Dragon Film Award. He has also been featured on Forbes Korea Power Celebrity 40 list in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2021. In 2014, he was named Gallup Korea’s Television Actor of the Year and was recognized by Forbes in their 30 Under 30 Asia list in 2016.

Kim’s mother encouraged him to take acting classes to help him overcome his introverted nature during his school years. After performing in a few theatrical productions, he made his television debut in 2007 with the family comedy Kimchi Cheese Smile. He has since solidified his position in the industry with notable roles in popular dramas such as Dream High (2011), Moon Embracing the Sun (2012), as well as blockbuster films like The Thieves (2012) and Secretly, Greatly (2013). His portrayal of King Lee Hwon in...

Now that everyone's finally stopped gushing about season 1, the sophomore season of "Squid Game" is (hopefully) almost here. The horror-tinged dystopian thriller about a group of participants tricked into playing deadly versions of childhood games debuted back in 2021 and quickly became a cultural phenomenon. Originally planned as a limited series, the wild success of "Squid Game" led to its season 2 renewal, and it took some time to pull together a continuation of the story.

Will lightning strike twice for "Squid Game," or is it a premise that's about played out? We won't know until we see more of season 2, but everything we do know indicates that the show will be even more ambitious in its second outing. Season 1 exposed the corruption and greed behind the killer gameplay, but season 2 seems poised to dig deeper into the systems that enable the games as winner Gi-hun continues to be impacted by the...

The K-drama My Happy Ending keeps swerving every time we feel like we’re reaching a certain conclusion. The show that stars Jang Na-Ra in the leading role of a CEO who has bipolar disorder seems to be somewhat confused with what its true implications are. We all know it’s currently a “trend” (for lack of a better word) in the Korean entertainment industry to represent mental illnesses. Up until now, most of the shows we’ve seen have done a decent job of this; however, some of them do come across as straight PSAs. I suppose it all started with how well-received “It’s Okay to Not Be Okay” was. As much as I appreciate the intention, sometimes I’m left wondering if it’s really there or if it’s simply for the sake of ticking off the right boxes. My Happy Ending is a melodrama that goes...

Streaming platform Paramount+ has set a release date for Korean series “Yonder” that is one of the first titles flowing from Paramount Global’s alliance with Cj Enm.

The show will premiere on April 11 in the U.S., Canada, U.K., Australia, Latin America, Brazil, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Austria and France.

Set in 2032, “Yonder” is a science fiction-drama series about a man who receives a message from his deceased wife inviting him to a mysterious space. The space is designed for the dead to be able to live on by uploading memories of their lifetime from their brain. The show raises questions about life and death and what it means to have eternal happiness as humanity faces a world altered by advancements in science and technology.

It was directed by Lee Joon-ik who has numerous hit film credits including “The King and the Clown,” “Dongju: The Portrait of a Poet” and “The Book of Fish.

Finecut will handle French-speaking territories.

South Korea’s Barunson E&a is set to launch sales on director Kim Jee-woon’s much-anticipated drama and black comedy Cobweb, starring Cannes best actor awardee Song Kang-ho of Broker, at the European Film Market (EFM).

The recently launched sales unit of the production company behind Bong Joon Ho’s Oscar-winning Parasite will handle the film’s international sales excluding French-speaking territories, which will be handled by leading independent Korean sales agent Finecut.

The film is produced by Anthology Studios, Barunson Studio (an affiliate of Barunson E&a), and Luz y Sonidos.

Cobweb has been...

Korea’s Barunson E&a, the production company behind Oscar-winning drama Parasite, is launching international sales on Kim Jee-woon’s Cobweb, starring Song Kang-Ho, at the upcoming European Film Market (EFM) in Berlin.

The star-studded black comedy drama is the fifth on-screen collaboration between Song and director Kim, whose credits include gritty noir A Bittersweet Life (2005), revenge thriller I Saw The Devil (2010), ‘Kimchi’ western The Good, The Bad, The Weird (2008), period spy action The Age Of Shadows (2016), and recent AppleTV+ series Dr. Brain (2021).

Set in the 1970s, an era in which censors dictated the shape of a film’s plot, Cobweb stars Song as an obsessive director on a mission to reshoot the end of his latest film, Cobweb, in two days to create a masterpiece. His attempts are constantly thwarted by the censors and his confused and uncooperative cast and crew.

In addition to Song, the star-studded ensemble cast includes Im Soo-jung,...

Korean sales agents pick up feature debuts set to receive world premieres in Jeonju.

Seoul-based sales agents Finecut and M-Line Distribution have each picked up Korean directorial debut features set to premiere at the Jeonju International Film Festival (April 28-May 7).

Finecut has boarded international sales for director Lee Soon-sung’s feature debut My Perfect Roommate – aka Room Sharing – starring Na Moon-hee, best known for comedy-drama hits such as I Can Speak and Miss Granny.

Choi Woo-sung (TV’s It’s Okay To Not Be Okay) plays a college boy who ends up sharing a house with a cranky old lady who...

David Tennant, French comedy Call My Agent and Israeli drama Tehran are among those vying for prizes at the International Emmy Awards this year. Nominations for the awards this year saw 44 nominees across 11 categories and a record number of 24 countries.

Tennant is up for Best Performance from an Actor for his starring role in ITV crime series Des while Call My Agent has been nominated in the comedy category and Tehran in the Drama Series category.

Actress Menna Shalaby has earned her first ever Emmy nomination for her performance in the crime mini-series Every Week Has A Friday.

“We’re so proud of our nominees and the record-breaking number of countries,” said International Academy President and CEO Bruce Paisner in a statement. “To those who feared the pandemic would slow down TV production around the world, this is your answer.”

Winners will be announced at an in-person ceremony in New...

BBC Studios’ crime series “Criminal Justice” is to be adapted for local consumption in South Korea. The move follows an agreement between BBC and producer Studio M. A local broadcaster has not been revealed.

The Korean version will be directed by Myoung Woo Lee (Backstreet Rookie) and written by Soon Kyu Kwon (Warrior Baek Dong Soo). Top Korean actors Soo Hyun Kim (It’s Okay To Not Be Okay) and Seoung Won Cha (A Korean Odyssey) will star in the drama series. The version will be co-produced with Studio M, Chorokbaem media and Gold Medalist.

The original “Criminal Justice” series, created by Peter Moffat, centers around a young man’s ordeal against the justice system after he is accused of a murder he cannot remember committing. It enjoyed significant success in the U.K. market — where it picked up two BAFTA Television Awards in 2008 for best drama serial and best writer,...

The streaming giant stated its investment in Korean content from 2015 to 2020 reached $700m.

Netflix has signed leases for two new production facilities in South Korea in response to global demand for more original Korean films and series.

The streaming giant stated its investment in Korean content from 2015 to 2020 reached $700m “with more than 80 shows made in Korea and watched by audiences around the world.”

The two production facilities are situated in Gyeonggi Province in Paju-si and Yeoncheon-gun, outside Seoul.

Netflix is leasing six stages and supporting spaces of approximately 9,000 square meters at Ycdsmc - Studio 139 in Yeoncheon-gun. It is also...

Netflix is doubling down on Korean originals and has leased production studio space at two facilities to handle this growth.

The streamer is leasing nine stages at two production facilities in the country after revealing that it has spent $700M on Korean content in the last five years.

This includes originals such as Kingdom, The King: Eternal Monarch, Start-Up, and It’s Okay to Not Be Okay as well as an upcoming local adaptation of Money Heist.

At Ycdsmc – Studio 139, it will lease six stages and supporting spaces of approximately 9,000 square meters. At Samsung Studio, it will also lease three stages of approximately 7,000 square meters. Both studios are just outside of Seoul, in Gyeonggi Province, Korea.

It comes after Netflix struck a similar deal in the UK in 2019, where it created a dedicated production hub with 14 sound stages at Shepperton Studios.

“Netflix is thrilled to deepen its investment in Korea, as...

EntertainmentOther popular films from the south include 'Kannum Kannum Kollaiyadithaal', 'Kappela' and 'Uma Maheswara Ugra Roopasya'.Tnm StaffAllu Arjun’s Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo, Dulquer Salman’s Kannum Kannum Kollaiyadithaal, Anna Ben's Kappela, and Satyadev's Uma Maheswara Ugra Roopasya were among the top 10 most watched films from south India in 2020, according to Netflix. Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo starring Allu Arjun,Pooja Hegde, Tabu, Jayaram and others is a blockbuster Telugu film, which remains one of the top-grossers in Allu Arjun’s career. While Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo and Kannum Kannum Kollaiyadithaal enjoyed a good theatrical run, Kappela was taken off theatres due to the coronavirus pandemic. Uma Maheswara Ugra Roopasya was released exclusively on Netflix due to the prolonged closure of theatres. According to Netflix, popular Spanish series Money Heist featured on their top 10 series in India for 170 days followed by German sci-fi series Dark which featured in their top 10 for 95 days.

Authentic stories that resonate with local audiences should be the priority for Taiwanese content creators who want to go global, international producers told a Taiwan Creative Content Fest panel on Thursday.

“The ability to produce local stories that can travel is a special skill. We look for stories that have the ability to engage audiences in the local market and (which are) at the same time universal, so that they can become a hit outside, across Asia and the U.S.,” said Ricky Ow, president of WarnerMedia Entertainment Networks, Asia-Pacific.

Ow cited the 2019 series “The World Between Us” as an example. The 10-episode drama was co-produced by Taiwan’s Public Television Service, HBO Asia and (local streamer) Catchplay. It won critical acclaim, with writer Lu Shih-Yuan winning best original screenplay at the Asian Academy Creative Awards last year and bagged six awards at the Golden Bell Awards, including best television series.

Most of the chatter about Netflix’s success has been focused on Enola Holmes recently, as the mystery caper breaks records around the world, and is surely set to become one of the streaming service’s most popular original movies ever. But let’s not forget that there’s no shortage of bingeable TV shows also available at the push of a button.

Now that we’ve entered October, the numbers have been crunched for last month, and they reveal that Lucifer was the most popular series on Netflix in September. That’s especially impressive when you consider that the first half of season 5 dropped six weeks ago, so there must be a whole lot of new fans checking it out from the start for it to retain the number one position.

The runner-up, meanwhile, was Cobra Kai, which has surprised a lot of people with how popular the small...

While we’re never short of new content on Netflix, the streaming giant only added one title today. The program in question is the K-drama It’s Okay to Not be Okay, with the series releasing new episodes weekly. For now, we just get one installment, although in line with other Korean dramas, that one alone is 75 minutes. What, then, can Netflix subscribers expect from It’s Okay to Not be Okay?

Well, the romantic drama focuses on the relationship between Moon Kang-tae (Kim Soo-hyun) and Go Moon-young (Seo Ye-ji), and in true K-drama fashion, their situation is somewhat unusual. Moon is a community health worker within a psychiatric ward, while Go is a children’s book author with an antisocial personality disorder. In addition, Moon is an orphan who has great listening skills, but is cynical regarding love.

The show was developed by Studio Dragon in South Korea, with the entertainment...

With a new week beginning, Netflix has a ton of new content arriving to stream. The following few days will see a bunch of original movies and TV series hit the site, as well as a few underrated films from the past decade or so that you should definitely check out. Whether you’ve got a hankering for horror, comedy, drama or documentaries, Netflix should have you covered.

Here’s a full list of everything coming to the service in the U.S. from Monday June 15th to Sunday June 21st:

Released June 15

Underdogs (2013)

Borgen: Seasons 1-3

Last Flight to Abuja (2012)

The Show Must Go On: The Queen + Adam Lambert Story (2019)

Wira (2019)

Released June 16

Coronavirus Explained: Episode 2 *Netflix Documentary

Baby Mama (2008)

Charlie St. Cloud (2010

The Darkness (2016)

Frost/Nixon (2008)

Released June 17

An Evening with Beverly Luff Linn (2018)

Hope Ranch (2020)

Mr. Iglesias: Part 2 *Netflix Original

Released June 18

A Whisker Away *Netflix Anime...