Author Archives: ockoala

K-netizens Find Netflix Drama Squid Game Just Meh with Bad Acting and Non-fresh Story the Opposite of I-viewers Who Love the Series

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It’s always fascinating to see how different cultures view the same product and just premiered Netflix drama Squid Game is generating opposite reactions from inside and outside South Korea. Unlike it’s predecessor D.P. (Deserter Pursuit) which got rave reviews and reception domestically, even reviving Jung Hae In‘s career and perception with K-netizens and rocketed Koo Kyu Hwan to a new … Continue reading →

Tons of New Stills Released of Leads Han So Hee and Ahn Bo Hyun in Upcoming Netflix Revenge Thriller My Name

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It’s so weird going from Ahn Bo Hyun dressed like a hobo space rabbit in the upcoming Yumi’s Cells to him looking smexy and kickass in the also upcoming My Name. He’ll be pulling a Joo Ji Hoon from last two in having two K-dramas airing on the same time come next month in October. My Name will be released … Continue reading →

Mega Drama Premiere Friday as The Veil, Yumi’s Cells, One: The Woman, and Squid Game All Premiere to Varying Ratings Reception

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Oh heck, I didn’t even get to write about the press conferences this week and BAM! all four dramas dropped on me this Friday. Goes to show what a busy work week can do for keeping on top of other things. This Friday was one of those rare events now, a multi K-drama premiere that used to happen all the … Continue reading →

Chinese Broadcasting Authorities Also Crackdown on C-stars CF Endorsements Requiring Heightened Pre-approval of Content

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Conspicuous consumption has long been a double-edged sword of freedom to buy versus the never ending pursuit of the thrill of acquisition. Commercials and star endorsements have been growing at record pace in China for the last two decades and is now also falling victim to the recent Chinese government crackdown on the broader entertainment industry. This week a new … Continue reading →

Netflix Releases Deadly Child’s Play K-drama Squid Game with Lee Jung Jae and Park Hae Soo

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This Friday September 17th is another Netflix K-drama drop, the previous one was the critically acclaimed D.P. (Deserter Pursuit) and this time its Squid Game with Lee Jung Jae and Park Hae Soo plus a bevy of supporting characters some of whom will probably not make it out of the first game alive. The drama is set in the present … Continue reading →

Kim Soo Hyun and Cha Seung Won Strike Up a Deal in First Teaser and Poster for Coupang Play K-drama One Ordinary Day

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Oh wow, this one snuck up on me in terms of a surprise teaser drop but it just made it more exciting to get this unexpected treat. Upcoming Coupang Play legal thriller drama One Ordinary Day (formerly known as That Night) starring Kim Soo Hyun and Cha Seung Won is officially on the promo radar as the first teaser poster … Continue reading →

Ro Woon and Park Eun Bin Only Have Eyes for Each Other in New Couple’s Poster for KBS Sageuk The King’s Affection

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Man, this drama could be the sanitized version of A Frozen Flower except totally het instead of BL, and that would be fine with me but probably couldn’t air on network television as yet. The way The King’s Affection is set up, the titular king is really girl Park Eun Bin (his twin sister) pulling the world’s most dangerous cross-dressing … Continue reading →

Ahn Hyo Seob Rises to the Sageuk Challenge in Lovers of the Red Sky and Rocks the Modern Man Look in Elle Korea October 2021 Pictorial

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Much is written about how young actor Song Kang is in, like, every other drama which feels like it but fellow young actor Ahn Hyo Seob is also ridiculously on a busy roll recently. He’s opposite Kim Yoo Jung in the currently airing drama Lovers of the Red Sky (Hong Chun Gi), has started filming upcoming office romance drama Office … Continue reading →

Pigs Do Fly as Hu Ge and Liu Shi Shi Cast in New 2022 Period Romance C-drama Playing the OTP Love Interest

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Oh dang, like, I’m legit both speechless and still disbelieving. I’ve been jerked around too much by C-casting with regards to these two that I’ll really only feel reassured when the drama actually AIRS. C-ent is reporting that Hu Ge and Liu Shi Shi have been cast in a new C-drama which will mark their first reunion onscreen in 7 … Continue reading →

Production Falls Apart for Rom-com Drama Accidental Country Diary with Jang Geun Seok and Sooyoung

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The success of tvN drama Hometown Cha Cha Cha could point to an opening for K-dramas set in the countryside with a coterie of eccentric down-to-earth villagers and two good looking sparky leads. The upcoming drama Accidental Country Diary sounded like it was a similar type of story with a Seoul vet who moves to the countryside and reconnect with … Continue reading →

tvN Holds Vote on Favorite Network K-drama for its 15th Anniversary Including Hits Vincenzo, Crash Landing on You, Misaeng, Goblin, Answer Me 1988 and Many More Nominees

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Well this is going to be interesting to see which drama wins, whether it’s quality or motivated by fan mobilization to get out the vote. tvN is partnering with TVing to run a vote (click here) for the audiences’ favorite K-drama in the network’s 15 year span. Running down the list there are SOOOOOO MANY entertaining and well made dramas, … Continue reading →

Lovers of the Red Sky Episode 6 Crosses 10% Ratings as Chun Gi Takes a Step Forward as a Painter and a Step Back in Her Childhood Love Reunion

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Lovers of the Red Sky isn’t a great sageuk (so far) by any measure of a drama but it does two things exceptionally well – keep the narrative fast paced and interesting and the elements tightly meshed together. There is a coherence to this drama and that threads are all interconnected. Episode 6 got 10.2% ratings so a new high … Continue reading →

Penthouse Villains Uhm Ki Joon, Bong Tae Kyu, and Yoon Jong Hoon Join Forces for Healing tvN Variety Show We Won’t Hurt You and Releases Epic Poster

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Man, I wish K-dramas were half as creative as whatever brain trust came up with this new variety show. tvN is launching We Won’t Hurt You (Don’t Hurt) with three male actors assembled together to take care of and celebrate people they want to thank. The twist is that all three are best known as The Nation’s Worst Husbands (Villains) … Continue reading →