'Squid Game 2' to explore whether individuals have power to change world: director

"Squid Game," a critique of social and economic inequality as well as widespread mistreatment of the disadvantaged, returns with a new season and a new theme: do individuals have power to change the world? "When Season 1 came out, many journalists asked why it became so popular, and I replied, ‘Maybe it’s because life has become as difficult as the world in 'Squid Game,''" said Hwang Dong-hyuk, director of the first and second seasons of "Squid

Nov. 13, 2024

Actor Song Jae-rim dies at 39

Actor Song Jae-rim died on Tuesday at the age of 39, with the cause of death still unclear as of Tuesday evening. According to Seoul Seongdong Police Station, Song was found dead at his home in Seoul in the afternoon Tuesday. “Currently, there is no evidence of foul play,” according to an official from the police station. Song's funeral is being held at the Yeouido St. Mary's Funeral Hall in Seoul. The actor had recently changed his Instagram profile message to “A lon

Nov. 12, 2024

[From the Scene] Step inside the world of 'Squid Game 2'

The countdown to "Squid Game 2" has begun as the global hit series is set to return this December. Last December, the press was given a tour of the "Squid Game 2" filming location for an exclusive sneak peek at the new season. Located in Daejeon Expo Science Park, the filming studio for "Squid Game 2" offered reporters a view of the show's iconic "maze corridors" and the massive dormitory for the fictional game’s participants. For the upcoming s

Nov. 11, 2024

[Herald Interview] 'Hellbound Season 2' director, actor discuss unanswered questions, cast change

The first season of Netflix's dark fantasy thriller "Hellbound" was an explosive success, racking up 110 million viewing hours just 10 days after its release with its distinctive narrative in which Koreans are unexpectedly warned by "angels" that they are destined to go to hell. Now, the series is back with a gripping second season and an unexpected twist -- people who were once condemned and cast to hell are now being brought back to life. According to the show's c

Nov. 5, 2024

Netflix's 'Mr. Plankton' to offer solace to 'plankton' of society

Known for his work exploring the lives of isolated individuals in modern society, director Hong Jong-chan returns with a new, feel-good romantic comedy series with a touching message. Netflix original “Mr. Plankton,” with its first episode to be released Friday, follows the story of Hae-jo (Woo Do-hwan), who was raised in an orphanage and suddenly discovers that he has limited time due to a brain tumor. Symbolically likened to plankton — tiny microorganisms that drift without s

Nov. 4, 2024

Looking for love, and drama? 'I am Solo' now casting foreign residents

"I am Solo," one of Korea’s most popular dating-themed reality shows, is accepting applications from foreign nationals interested in joining its matchmaking program. According to the program, the show is seeking "single foreign nationals living in Korea who are fluent in Korean," as well as "Korean national men who are interested in marrying foreign national women." Applicants should send a self-introduction email to lovematch911@naver.com. Selected candidates

Oct. 31, 2024

[Herald Interview] Park Sang-young aims to break taboos through his works

Novelist Park Sang-young is now a screenwriter, following the release of the television adaptation of his 2019 novel, “Love in the Big City.“ Park wrote the script for all eight episodes of the drama which explores the romantic and personal life of a young gay man in Seoul. The series was released in full on the local streaming platform Tving on Oct. 21. “As you may have guessed, it took some time to cast the actors and confirm the platform on which it will air due to the uni

Oct. 30, 2024

Has ‘SNL Korea’ satire devolved into mere insults?

Treading precariously on the fault line of socially accepted norms, satire often becomes a source of controversy. “Saturday Night Live Korea” -- running since 2011 with a three-year break before it was rebooted in 2021 -- enjoys the distinction of being the longest-running international adaptation of the iconic US show, and is appreciated by fans for its weekly satirical commentary on current affairs. However, not everyone approves of how its subjects are satirized. In a recent case,

Oct. 30, 2024

[Herald Interview] Love for K-drama, food defines 'Secret Ingredient'

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

Oct. 27, 2024

[What to Stream] 3 thought-provoking documentaries to dive into

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,

Oct. 26, 2024

Veteran actor Kim Soo-mi dies at age of 75

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

Oct. 25, 2024

[Herald Interview] Kim Dong-wook shifts gears to embrace comedy as crime buster

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,"

Oct. 22, 2024

'Hellbound' returns: new and old faces rise from hell

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

Oct. 21, 2024

[Herald Interview] Go Jun likens end of 'Snow White Must Die – Black Out' to breakup

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

Oct. 17, 2024

'Love in the Big City' lead actor says perceptions toward LGBTQ+ are changing

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

Oct. 16, 2024

[Herald Interview] 'Culinary Class Wars' explores today's views on fairness: creators

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

Oct. 16, 2024

Vigilantism on YouTube: For justice or for views?

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

Oct. 15, 2024

'Culinary Class Wars' to return with season 2

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.

Oct. 15, 2024

[Herald Interview] 'Jung-nyeon''s TV debut brings fresh take with cast straight out of webtoon

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

Oct. 14, 2024

[Herald Interview] Byun Yo-han embraced voice of powerless in ‘Snow White Must Die – Black Out’

Even for Byun Yo-han, an actor with a 14-year career, the role of Go Jeong-woo in “Snow White Must Die – Black Out” was new and challenging. “Every role is a challenge, but this one lingers. Even though he's fictional, I keep worrying about Jeong-woo and hope for his happiness as if he were a real person,” Byun said during a group interview with reporters Tuesday. The MBC series “Snow White Must Die – Black Out,” which aired its last episode F

Oct. 9, 2024