‘I Live Alone’ poised to become all-time favorite reality show in MBC

With its latest episode recording 11.7 percent viewership, terrestrial broadcaster MBC’s “I Live Alone” topped the viewership ratings among all Friday reality TV shows for 30 consecutive weeks. The Friday night unscripted show caught the viewers’ attention across the globe with the realistic depiction of the everyday life of its hosts and other guest celebrities, both in and outside of their homes. According to the Gallup Korea poll on the best Korean TV shows, “I L

Jan. 8, 2023

Jang Keun-suk returns to small screen with ‘Decoy’

Top star Jang Keun-suk is returning to the small screen for the first time in five years in Coupang Play’s new crime thriller “Decoy” set to start airing on Jan. 27. The upcoming project is the 35-year-old actor's first for a streaming service original series since his discharge from the military in May 2020. His most recent TV series include SBS’ “Switch” in 2018 and “The Royal Gambler” (2016). The 12-part series centers around the man behind

Jan. 4, 2023

Broadcasters’ drama awards mostly ignored by viewers

With lesser-known projects and decreasing viewership ratings, local broadcasters’ annual award ceremonies were largely ignored by the public. Since the 1980s, the three major broadcasters -- SBS, KBS and MBC -- have recognized outstanding achievements in Korean dramas through year-end award ceremonies aired on their respective networks. The prizes are awarded to applaud the stars’ performance and dedication. It was a chance for broadcasters to show what it felt were the biggest ser

Jan. 2, 2023

Streaming services to offer closer look at K-pop stars

Streaming services are looking to quench the thirst of K-pop fans with documentary series featuring their beloved artists in early 2023. Disney+ announced that it would release a music documentary of K-pop boy band Super Junior, titled “Super Junior: The Last Man Standing,” on Jan. 18. The upcoming series presents the 17-year journey of the boy band. The show looks back on past achievements as well as showcasing Super Junior as a group as well as individual members on TV shows, radio

Jan. 1, 2023

Jeon Hyun-moo wins his 2nd grand prize at MBC Entertainment Awards

TV personality Jeon Hyun-moo wrapped up the year in triumph, winning the grand prize at the MBC Entertainment Awards on Thursday. Recognized for his performances on smash-hit TV shows -- “I Live Alone” and “The Manager: Revel My Star’s Life,” widely known as its Korean title “Omniscient Interfering View,” the 45-year-old show host was awarded the top prize at MBC headquarters in Mapo-gu, western Seoul. Jeon won his second grand prize in MBC Entertainme

Dec. 30, 2022

KBS to air new music program ‘The Seasons’

Public broadcaster KBS will continue its 30-year legacy of late night music talk shows with a new program, “The Seasons,” starting in February. The new music program, which stars Korean singer and rapper Jay Park as its new host, will air Fridays in the same time slot as “You Heeyul’s Sketchbook,” which ended abruptly in July. The upcoming show is set to be aired in four different seasons with new hosts each quarter, the broadcaster said in a press release, with

Dec. 29, 2022

60 % of Netflix subscribers watched at least one K-drama in 2022

Six out of 10 Netflix subscribers globally watched at least one Korean title on the streaming platform this year, Netflix said Thursday. "The K-Wave is bigger than ever," Netflix said in a release posted on its global newsroom. "Sixty percent of our members watched a Korean title and Netflix had six of the Top 10 most searched K-Dramas in Korea." The zombie thriller "All Of Us Are Dead" and the legal drama "Extraordinary Attorney Woo" were two of Netflix&#

Dec. 29, 2022

Broadcasters up the ante for 2023

Receiving unprecedented attention from international viewers, South Korean TV series are hoping to continue the winning streak with more unique and thrilling stories, the return of top movie stars to the small screen and spinoffs of beloved dramas. Cable channel tvN’s “Crash Course in Romance” is scheduled to entertain viewers starting at the beginning of 2023. Starring the Cannes-winning actress Jeon Do-yeon, who returns to a romance series after 17 years since SBS’ me

Dec. 28, 2022

Viewers split over surprise ending of hit series ‘Reborn Rich’

Viewers voiced mixed responses over the ending of the latest hit series “Reborn Rich,” which was very different from the conclusion of the original web novel from which it was adapted. The last episode in the 16-part JTBC series aired Sunday, with a 26.9 percent viewership rating, according to ratings firm Nielsen Korea, Monday. The figure is the all-time second highest rating for a JTBC drama, following “The World of the Married” (2020), which was recorded at 28.4 percen

Dec. 27, 2022

Content business will be game changer in S. Korea’s soft power growth: ministry

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced Tuesday it would focus on maintaining the global popularity of Korea media and broadcast content with an increased budget of 190 billion won ($149.9 million) for the creative content sector next year. “Korean content is receiving an unprecedented attention from the global audience. Many say that they are watching the drama series, film or TV show, because it is from Korea," First Vice Culture Minister Chun Byong-geuk said at CJ E

Dec. 27, 2022

Actor Song Joong-ki in a relationship: agency

Actor Song Joong-ki is in a relationship, entertainment agency HighZium Studio said Monday, confirming a local media report. “Song is dating a woman," Song's agency, also a content production firm, said in an official statement. HighZium Studio added that it cannot divulge any additional information about the woman, including her age and nationality. Speculation about Song's new girlfriend erupted Monday morning when a local media outlet reported that Song is in a relations

Dec. 26, 2022

Han Seok-kyu‘s ‘Recipe for Farewell’ a local hit

Watcha’s latest drama series “Recipe for Farewell” has staked out a spot in the streaming market's fierce year-end competition with its heartwarming story. The series revolves around a middle-aged man named Chang-wook (played by Han Seok-kyu) whose wife is terminally ill. The series develops as the husband learns to cook for his sick wife. “Recipe for Farewell” remained in the No. 1 slot on the service’s viewership chart for three consecutive weeks after

Dec. 26, 2022

Screenwriter Kim Eun-sook challenges new genre with Song Hye-kyo

Top Korean screenwriter Kim Eun-sook and actor Song Hye-kyo is set to highlight the year-end with the female-led revenge drama “The Glory” on Netflix. While many drama fans were surprised with the renowned melodrama writer’s decision to make her Netflix debut with a thriller suspense, Kim explained that the life as a mother of a high school student gave her huge inspiration for the story. “I will become a mother of an 11th grade student in 2023. School violence is a ver

Dec. 20, 2022

Mbic Live streams hit MBC dramas and TV shows for free

Terrestrial broadcaster MBC announced Friday that its video streaming service Mbic Live will offer hit MBC dramas and unscripted shows. Mbic Live is a free, ad-supported streaming platform that allow viewers to enjoy MBC’s popular shows without sign-in or additional payment. A total of 30 programs, including “Infinite Challenge” (2005-2018), “I Live Alone,” “Radio Star” and “County Diaries” (1980-2002), are available. Twenty shows will be a

Dec. 16, 2022

‘Oldboy’ star Choi Min-sik says he missed TV dramas

Top movie star Choi Min-sik did not hide his excitement at his return after 25 years to the small screen in Disney+ noir series “Big Bet.” His last television drama was MBC’s “Love and Farewell” (1997-1998). “I decided to star in ‘Big Bet’ because I really missed TV dramas,” Choi said in a press conference at JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Seoul on Wednesday. The veteran actor explained he wanted the opportunity to work on a project featurin

Dec. 14, 2022

Independent female leads: Key to success for TV dramas in 2022

Female characters, who were once limited to men’s sidekicks, lovers or mothers in TV series, are making a splash with powerful women leading this year’s Korean drama trend. As more Korean actresses tried to break the country’s stereotype of women -- as needing men’s protection and help -- diversity in female characters is no longer new in Korean dramas. While many attempts were made to put women in central roles, no noticeable results had been seen since MBC’s perio

Dec. 14, 2022

[Herald Interview] Kim Hye-jun has more to show to ‘Connect’ fans

Actor Kim Hye-jun shared the combination of excitement and regret she felt after starring in Disney+’s fantasy-thriller series “Connect.” “I am certain that I have put my utmost effort into every project that I take part in. But I always recognize what could be improved after monitoring the finished work. It was the same for ‘Connect’ as well,” Kim said in an interview with reporters at a cafe in Samcheong-dong, central Seoul, Monday. Kim emphasized ther

Dec. 13, 2022

Song Joong-ki’s ‘Reborn Rich’ dominates year-end ratings

Cable channel JTBC’s hit drama “Reborn Rich” is on track to becoming one of the most-watched TV shows in South Korea, according to ratings firm Nielsen Korea, Monday. The latest episode, which aired Sunday, recorded a 21.1 percent viewership, becoming the first TV series this year to reach over a 20 percent viewership rating among terrestrial broadcast and cable channels. The highest viewership ratings for cable channel ENA’s megahit legal drama “Extraordinary Attor

Dec. 12, 2022

'Extraordinary Attorney Woo' 2nd-most searched keyword by S. Korean users in 2022: Google

The title of the mega-hit Korean TV series "Extraordinary Attorney Woo" was the second-most popular search keyword on Google among South Koreans this year, the U.S. tech giant said Wednesday. The legal drama "Extraordinary Attorney Woo," aired on local cable channel ENA in June and available on Netflix, was just behind "climate change" on the annual trending list in South Korea released by Google. "Ultrashort-term precipitation prediction" came in thi

Dec. 7, 2022

Global dating show ‘Ramyun & Chill’ picks up steam on YouTube

Korean dating reality show “Ramyun & Chill” is gaining global attention following its launch on the official YouTube channel of DKDKTV earlier last month. “Ramyun & Chill” is a five-episode show that features five Korean male participants and five female participants from the US, Hong Kong, Belgium, South Africa and Malaysia, dating each other for four days and three nights to find true love while overcoming language and cultural barriers. “The biggest cha

Dec. 2, 2022