Cable channel JTBC’s latest rom-com series, “King the Land,” has come under fire over its character Prince Samir, with criticisms directed at the show's misleading representation of Arabic culture. Samir -- who is introduced as a prince with an Arabic background -- made his first appearance in the seventh episode of “King the Land” on July 8, surrounded by the women in a club. As Samir was scheduled to visit South Korea to negotiate the import of Korean warplan

Television July 11, 2023

Netflix on Monday confirmed that its upcoming action variety program “Zombieverse” will premiere on Aug. 8. The global streaming service, which mesmerized many viewers with its hit zombie-themed projects -- “Kingdom” (2019) and “All of Us Are Dead” (2022), seeks to expand the Korean zombie sensation in variety shows as well. Popular TV directors Park Jin-kyung, who was behind MBC’s iconic entertainment show “My Little Television,” and Moon Sa

Television July 10, 2023

Responding to the fast-changing environment of the content industry, South Korean broadcasters are changing up drama release schedules. Terrestrial broadcasters SBS and MBC recently announced that they will showcase their upcoming drama projects with a different strategy, parting ways with the traditional schedule in which new episodes are released back-to-back over two consecutive days per week. While many TV channels air new episodes on either Mondays and Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays or

Television July 9, 2023

Culinary journey around the world at Yongnidan-gil Less than five steps after passing an American-style bistro, you will find yourself in a Vietnamese back alley. However, just around the corner, a casual Japanese diner awaits you. Welcome to "Yongnidan-gil," a cluster of streets between Samgakji Station and Sinyongsan Station in Yongsan-gu. Yongnidan-gil follows on the heels of Itaewon's Gyeongnidan-gil and Haebangchon -- hot spots for both Koreans and foreign nationals alike. Co

Culture July 7, 2023

Haman Sunflower Festival, Haman The Haman’s Sunflower Festival started its 15-day journey on Wednesday at Gangju Sunflower Village in Haman, South Gyeongsang Province. The event presents a 37,000-square-meter field of yellow, filled with sunflowers of various kinds, including those from the French Provence region and Japanese Tohoku region. The festival also has a special venue to promote Haman’s specialties. Visitors of all ages are welcome and the tickets cost 2,000 won. Preschoo

Travel July 7, 2023

The Korea Communications Commission, the state broadcasting watchdog, cleared the way for the license fees for public broadcasters KBS and EBS to be removed from household electricity bills. The change, which does not require Assembly approval, is expected to be confirmed in mid-July after it is passed by the vice ministers, the Cabinet and then approved by the president. But the KCC expects it will take more time to put the change into effect as KBS and the state-run company Korea Electric Po

Television July 5, 2023

Documentary director Chung Hyun-sook shared that her latest food documentary series, “The Food of Love,” meant more than just creating entertaining video content. “The Food of Love” was a joint production series between five Asian countries -- South Korea, India, Mongolia, Thailand and Malaysia, featuring their cuisines to present each country's culture and life. Chung was the director who helmed the entire project. The veteran director discussed some of the difficul

Television July 5, 2023

Veteran actor Lee Sung-min, who dominated 2022's year-end with two suspense series -- “Shadow Detective” and “Reborn Rich” -- shared his confidence about the second season of Disney+’s mystery-thriller “Shadow Detective.” Lee said the series returns with new characters and has expanded the original stories. “My character Taek-rok has changed a bit. If ‘Shadow Detective’ had dynamic, breathtaking action, the upcoming season will be

Television July 4, 2023

The popularity of thrillers like “Lies Hidden in My Garden” and “Revenant” suggest that horror-themed shows and movies have become a spine-chilling way for many Koreans to escape the blistering summer heat. Cable channel Genie TV kicked off the summer season on June 19 with “Lies Hidden in My Garden” an eight-part suspense thriller series. With the release of its fifth episode on Monday, the project continues to draw drama fans, meeting the show's well-de

Television July 3, 2023

GOSEONG, Gangwon Province -- The steep rise in temperature signals it's prime time to hit the beach. While the seaside along the West Sea draw people in with its fascinating tidal flats, East Sea beaches have always been known for their fine powdery sand and clear waters. Hwajinpo Beach, a sandy getaway some 240 kilometers east of Seoul, one of the 86 beaches on the east coast of Gangwon Province, is widely known for its tranquil atmosphere and unique type of sand. The 1.7-kilometer stretch

Travel July 1, 2023

Korean action comedy animation “Shasha & Milo” is scheduled to make its local and global premiere in the second half of the year. The animation was sold to Chinese and Latin American distributors during the 2023 Annecy International Animated Film Festival and Market in Annecy, France, the world’s largest event for animation industry, according to the Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA). Domestically, "Shasha & Milo" will be released on public education TV ch

Television June 30, 2023

Local streaming service Wavve announced Friday that has launched a special Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival section, offering online screenings of the films that are being screened at this year’s film festival. The 27th edition of BIFAN, which kicked off Thursday, mainly focuses on Korean and international horror, thriller, mystery and fantasy films. Wavve subscribers can enjoy the same program as at BIFAN, including films in the international competition, Korean competition,

Television June 30, 2023

Semiwon Lotus Cultural Festival The Semiwon Lotus Cultural Festival will begin Saturday and run through Aug. 15 at Semiwon Garden in Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi Province. The festival presents beautiful lotus flowers, which flourish in the summer season. Visitors can enjoy the white- and red-colored lotus, various water flowers and a special type of water lily, which is only raised in Semiwon Garden. The festival will be open everyday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tickets cost 5,000 won for adults and 3,000 wo

Travel June 30, 2023

Netflix Korea on Thursday revealed the additional cast members joining the second season of South Korean phenomenon “Squid Game.” Actors Park Gyu-young, Kang Ae-sim, Jo Yu-ri, formerly of disbanded IZ*ONE, Choi Seung-hyun -- also known as Big Bang member T.O.P. -- are among eight more to be confirmed for the cast of “Squid Game 2.” Though the cast may seem unfamiliar to some viewers, many of them have made a name for themselves in other Netflix Korean originals. Park, 2

Television June 29, 2023

A number of smash hit Korean dramas that enjoyed both local and global popularity are scheduled to return for second seasons this summer, gunning to shoot past a sophmore slump. Global streaming service Netflix confirmed that the military series “D.P.” (2021) will return for a second season on July 28. Short for “Deserter Pursuit,” the series presents the lives of Pvt. Jun-ho (played by Jung Hae-in) and Cpl. Ho-yeol (played by Koo Kyo-hwan). The show reveals the reasons w

Television June 28, 2023