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A Koala's Playground

I'll talk about dramas if I want to

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2021 Year of the Youth Sageuks with Grown Up Child Actresses Kim So Hyun, Park Eun Bin, and Kim Yoo Jung Fails So Much Talent with Lee Se Young on Deck for the Final at Bat

A Koala's Playground Posted on November 2, 2021 by ockoalaOctober 31, 2021
Woman in traditional pink attire outdoors.

It hurts my drama loving heart to have seen so much talented wasted so far and I wish these young actresses came of age a decade ago when there was actually good female lead sageuk roles and amazing scripts. The year of 2021 was supposed to the arrival of the grown up child actress talents and their headlining role in … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Hong Chun Gi, Kim So Hyun, Kim Yoo Jung, Lee Se Young, Lovers of the Red Sky, Park Eun Bin, River Where the Moon Rises, The King's Affection, The Red Sleeve Cuff, Yeonmo

New Mom Ariel Lin Posts Glowing Birthday Pic to Thank Fans and Shares First Look at Daughter’s Cute Hand in Hers

A Koala's Playground Posted on November 1, 2021 by ockoalaNovember 3, 2021
Woman celebrating birthday and enjoying seaside view.

It was hard enough to imagine perennially baby-faced TW-actress Ariel Lin as a mom already but then seeing her first post-delivery picture it’s even harder to believe she just gave birth. The radiant new mom shared a picture over the weekend thanking fans for their well-wishes on her becoming a mom. She also thanked her new daughter for making her … Continue reading →

Posted in Miscellaneous | Tagged Ariel Lin

K-netizens Have Positive First Impression of the Complementary Visuals of Song Hye Kyo and Jang Ki Yong in New Stills for Now, We Are Breaking Up

A Koala's Playground Posted on November 1, 2021 by ockoalaNovember 1, 2021
Couple in intimate black and white portrait.

This drama is hard to predict the Korean domestic viewer reaction to it before it airs. I don’t think it’s a given that upcoming romance drama Now, We are Breaking Up is guaranteed any type of ratings just because the female lead is Song Hye Kyo, so it’s really going to come down to story and directing, and then the … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Jang Ki Yong, Now We Are Breaking Up, Song Hye Kyo

2021 Blue Dragon Film Award Nominations Led by Leads and Films Escape From Mogadishu, The Book of Fish, and Space Sweepers

A Koala's Playground Posted on November 1, 2021 by ockoalaOctober 31, 2021
Three Korean movie posters displayed together.

The nominations are out for the 2021 year end Blue Dragon Film Awards, which only fetes the big screen works and remains the most prestigious of the cinematic only prizes in South Korea. This year the nominations are a mix of young talented stars and the usual established lauded veterans. Starting with Best Actor, the nominations are Kim Yoon Seok … Continue reading →

Posted in Awards, Films | Tagged Byun Yo Han, Escape From Mogadishu, Hostage: Missing Celebrity, Jeon Jong Seo, Jeon Yeo Bin, Jo In Sung, Kim Hye Soo, Kim Yoon Seok, Moon So Ri, Sol Kyung Gu, Song Joong Ki, Space Sweepers, The Book of Fish, The Day I Died, Yoona

Jirisan Episode 4 Jumps Back to 9.384% Rating and Better Yet Audience Reviews are Positive and Say This Should Have Been Episode 1 as the Directing Problems are Gone and the Script is Tight

A Koala's Playground Posted on October 31, 2021 by ockoalaOctober 31, 2021
Diverse group of characters in various situations.

This has been a see-saw weekend for tvN weekend drama Jirisan (Mount Jiri) so it’s once again hard to see where this drama is headed for the long run in terms of ratings and audience reception. This Sunday’s episode 4 brought in an increase to 9.384% ratings which isn’t as high as the breaking 10% episode 2 but the better … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Jeon Ji Hyun, Jirisan, Joo Ji Hoon

Lovers of the Red Sky Memorable Bodyguard Song Won Seok Rejoins with Ahn Hyo Seob in Upcoming Rom-com Office Blind Date

A Koala's Playground Posted on October 31, 2021 by ockoalaOctober 28, 2021
Man in suit holding papers outdoors.

The “mysterious and reticent warrior bodyguard” is such a K-drama sageuk trope especially for this younger lead romance centric sageuks. There have been countless rising K-actor that got their a memorable step up playing this role – Song Jae Rim in The Moon Embraces the Sun, Kwak Dong Yeon in Moonlight Drawn by Clouds, Hwang In Yeop in Tale of … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Office Blind Date, Song Won Seok

The OTP Relationship Deepens Meaningfully as the Big Bad Plot Coalesces to Break them Apart in Episodes 11-12 of Dali and the Cocky Prince

A Koala's Playground Posted on October 31, 2021 by ockoalaOctober 31, 2021
Romantic moments between two characters.

This week’s episodes 11-12 of Dali and the Cocky Prince is eating a meal with half good dishes and half awful dishes but together its thematically coherent. We need the bad in order to appreciate the good, though this drama romance doesn’t need to put the leads through the ringer in order for them to love and cherish each other, … Continue reading →

Posted in Musings | Tagged Dal Li and Gamja Tang, Dali and the Cocky Prince, KIm Min Jae, Park Kyu Young

tvN Mountain Action Drama Jirisan Has Surprising Steep 3% Ratings Drop in Episode 3 to 7.850%

A Koala's Playground Posted on October 30, 2021 by ockoalaOctober 30, 2021
Group of hikers exploring nature together.

Well this isn’t good news for the cast and crew of tvN high profile big budget action thriller Jirisan (Mount Jiri). Yesterday was the third episode airing for the drama and coming off a big premiere weekend prior where both episodes set new cable ratings record, the first for being the highest premiere rating and the second for being the … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Jeon Ji Hyun, Jirisan, Joo Ji Hoon

Lee Joon Hyuk and Lee Kyu Hyung to Cameo in Inspector Joy and Happiness, Respectively, Adding More Mature Sexy to the Upcoming Dramas

A Koala's Playground Posted on October 30, 2021 by ockoalaOctober 29, 2021
Person in traditional Korean clothing outdoors.

I was already planning to watch these two upcoming dramas but this just raises the interest level like exponentially. I love me some super underrated gems in K-ent and these two dudes fit the bill exactly. Lee Joon Hyuk will be doing a guest starring turn in upcoming comedic sageuk Inspector Joy with Taecyeon and Kim Hye Yoon, while over … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Happiness, Inspector Joy, Lee Joon Hyun, Lee Kyu Hyung

Shin Sung Rok Joins MBC Drama Doctor Lawyer with So Ji Sub and Im Soo Hyang

A Koala's Playground Posted on October 30, 2021 by ockoalaOctober 29, 2021
Profile of a man in a stylish coat.

Looks like MBC is bringing in the big guns for this drama and it definitely has the scope for doubling down on leading men. Shin Sung Rok will be returning to the network next year with Doctor Lawyer, starring So Ji Sub as a doctor who gets his medical license revoked and becomes a lawyer specializing in medical malpractice litigation. … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Doctor Lawyer, Im Soo Hyang, Shin Sung Rok, So Ji Sub

Kim Soo Hyun Teams Up with Cha Seung Won for His Last Chance in Tense Legal Thriller One Ordinary Day

A Koala's Playground Posted on October 29, 2021 by ockoalaOctober 30, 2021
Two men shaking hands in a jail cell.

Online streaming platform Coupang Play hasn’t been a player yet but it’s clear it’s investing in the streaming K-drama market and the biggest offer to date will be next month’s legal drama One Ordinary Day (original title That Night). This drama looks and conceptually sounds high brow, based on the BBC series Criminal Justice and of course going from intense … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Cha Seung Won, Kim Soo Hyun, One Ordinary Day

Shin Mina Arrives in Jeju to Join Lee Byung Hun to Start Filming Their Segment of the Omnibus Noh Hee Kyung Penned Drama Our Blues

A Koala's Playground Posted on October 29, 2021 by ockoalaOctober 28, 2021
Smiling person making a heart shape gesture.

It’s not much rest for K-actress Shin Mina as K-ent is reporting that this week she’s headed to Jeju Island to start filming her section of the upcoming K-drama Our Blues. She sure has an affinity with beach locales this year in her dramas but there are way worse places to be. It’s written by award winning writer Noh Hee … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Our Blues, Shin Mina

Han So Hee Cast in Vincenzo PD’s 2022 Musical Romance Drama Why Did You Come to My House

A Koala's Playground Posted on October 29, 2021 by ockoalaOctober 28, 2021
Young woman in stylish outfit, facing sideways.

The strong positive reaction to K-actress Han So Hee‘s headlining Netflix revenge action drama My Name absolutely validates now her rise to among the top of the casting food chain for roles in her age group in record time. K-ent has brushed aside the underwhelming reception to jTBC romance Nevertheless as outside of her control while seeing the good reviews … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Han So Hee, Why Did You Come to My House

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Recent Posts

  • Long Time K-celeb Couple Jung Kyung Ho and Sooyoung Confirm Breakup After 14 Years Together
  • Chen Yao is the Female Lead Opposite Deng Wei in Director Guo Jing Ming’s Next Drama the Fantasy Romance Bai Yao Pu
  • Tencent Modern Thriller C-drama Kai Dao Tu Mi in Talks with Bai Lu, Peng Guan Yin, and Chang Hua Sen as Leads
  • Well Known Supporting C-actor Jin Zhe Confirmed to Have Passed Away at 33 Years Old
  • K-netizens Call for Netflix to Remove Newly Premiered K-drama Teach You a Lesson with Kim Moo Yeol Due to Controversial and Edgy Take on School Violence and Discipline
  • Tian Xi Wei Offered Female Lead in Big Budget Adaptation of C-novel Deng Hua Xiao From the Writer of The Glory and Legend of the Female General
  • K-actress Moon Chae Won is a Glowing Bride in Wedding Pictorial Ahead of Upcoming June 2026 Wedding
  • SBS Confirms Release of So Ji Sub K-drama Agent Kim Reactivated for End of June 2026 and Reveals the Drama Used AI to Cut Costs and Increase Speed
  • Ji Chang Wook Reported to Owe Billions of Won in Taxes After Government Audit in Continued Crackdown on High Earning K-stars
  • Chen Du Ling and Zhou Yi Ran’s Revenge Politics Period C-drama Ashes to Crown Premieres Today June 2nd on Youku




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  • yarnie on Long Time K-celeb Couple Jung Kyung Ho and Sooyoung Confirm Breakup After 14 Years Together
  • Sigh on Long Time K-celeb Couple Jung Kyung Ho and Sooyoung Confirm Breakup After 14 Years Together
  • ll on Well Known Supporting C-actor Jin Zhe Confirmed to Have Passed Away at 33 Years Old
  • Neen on K-netizens Call for Netflix to Remove Newly Premiered K-drama Teach You a Lesson with Kim Moo Yeol Due to Controversial and Edgy Take on School Violence and Discipline
  • Dakchigo on SBS Confirms Release of So Ji Sub K-drama Agent Kim Reactivated for End of June 2026 and Reveals the Drama Used AI to Cut Costs and Increase Speed
  • Dix on Chen Yao is the Female Lead Opposite Deng Wei in Director Guo Jing Ming’s Next Drama the Fantasy Romance Bai Yao Pu
  • Mel on Chen Yao is the Female Lead Opposite Deng Wei in Director Guo Jing Ming’s Next Drama the Fantasy Romance Bai Yao Pu
  • reigi on Period C-drama A Splendid Match with Ren Men and Ci Sha to Premiere May 2nd on Hunan TV
  • Somebody on Chen Yao is the Female Lead Opposite Deng Wei in Director Guo Jing Ming’s Next Drama the Fantasy Romance Bai Yao Pu
  • Somebody on Yu Shu Xin and Hou Ming Hao Cast in Xianxia C-drama Longing for My Beloved with Rumored Supporting Cast Being all AI Generated
  • GloryGirl on Chen Yao is the Female Lead Opposite Deng Wei in Director Guo Jing Ming’s Next Drama the Fantasy Romance Bai Yao Pu
  • Somebody on Chen Du Ling and Zhou Yi Ran’s Revenge Politics Period C-drama Ashes to Crown Premieres Today June 2nd on Youku

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