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A Koala's Playground

I'll talk about dramas if I want to

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Author Archives: ockoala

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2020 Asia Artist Awards Release Star Studded Attendees Including Kim Soo Hyun, Lee Jun Ki, Lee Jung Jae, Lee Sung Kyung, Seo Ye Ji and Many More

A Koala's Playground Posted on October 23, 2020 by ockoalaOctober 23, 2020
Nine portraits of diverse individuals.

I figured the awards circuit was going to be toast this fall season but the upcoming 2020 Asia Artist Awards held on November 25th will certainly be worth checking out. The awards body released the names of the expected actor and actress attendees and it’s star-studded for sure with successful veterans and up-and-comers. Attending will be Kim Soo Hyun, Lee … Continue reading →

Posted in Awards | Tagged Ahn Hyo Seob, Asia Artist Awards, Han So Hee, Kim Hye Yoon, Kim Soo Hyun, Kim Sun Ho, Lee Jae Wook, Lee Joon Hyuk, Lee Jun Ki, Lee Jung Jae, Lee Sung Kyung, Seo Ye Ji

Kyung Soo Jin in Talks for 2021 tvN K-drama Mouse With Lee Seung Gi, Park Joo Hyun, and Choi Jin Hyuk

A Koala's Playground Posted on October 23, 2020 by ockoalaOctober 23, 2020
Promotional poster for a sci-fi thriller series.

It’s wonderful how a great drama/performance can make it for me in terms of changing my opinion on an actor or actress. I’ve been meh on Kyung Soo Jin for so many years since she annoyed the shit out of me in Secret Love Affair but after Train she’s on my all good list. That makes this news a positive … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Lee Seung Gi, Mouse, Park Joo Hyun

Tale of Gumiho Drops Below 5% in Ratings for Episode 6 as the Mythology and Prior Life Entanglements are Slowly Doled Out

A Koala's Playground Posted on October 22, 2020 by ockoalaOctober 22, 2020
People in traditional attire interacting in various scenes.

Watching Tale of Gumiho really helps that I have such a long drama watching history to compare to, and it’s the comparison that highlights the strengths and weaknesses of this fantasy K-drama. Episode 6 ratings dropped below 5% for the first time to 4.926% and it’s fitting. This drama is suffering from the writing framing the way that Goblin really … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Jo Boa, Kim Bum, Lee Dong Wook, Tale of Gumiho

Gong Yoo and Park Bo Gum in the Same Frame as Top Actors Drop First Promo for Sci-fi Movie Seo Bok

A Koala's Playground Posted on October 22, 2020 by ockoalaOctober 21, 2020
Two men in suits smiling at camera.

Thank you movie gods for this great treat to come. K-movie Seo Bok wrapped filming earlier this year and is gearing up for a release who knows when and how but oh boy am I still super excited. The male leads are Gong Yoo and Park Bo Gum, the former playing a government agent and the latter the first cloned … Continue reading →

Posted in Films | Tagged Gong Yoo, Park Bo Gum

Official Posters for SBS Drama Penthouse Makes Wealth Social Climbing Seem Like a Horror Movie

A Koala's Playground Posted on October 22, 2020 by ockoalaOctober 21, 2020
Woman in elegant bronze outfit seated confidently.

The promos for upcoming SBS melodrama Penthouse is getting attention for being how horrid everything looks. I mean, that Penthouse and the people living in it or aspiring to live in it all look like horror movie denizens. Straight out of American Horror Story gothic and Shin Eun Kyung is doing a bang up job of always having crazy eyes … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Bong Tae Gyu, Eom Ki, Eugene, Kim So Yeon, Lee Ji Ah, Penthouse, Shin Eun Kyung

Tale of Gumiho Drops to 5.100% Rating in Episode 5 as Sympathy Grows for Little Bro Lee Rang and Sheds More Light on the OTP Backstory

A Koala's Playground Posted on October 21, 2020 by ockoalaOctober 21, 2020
Romantic scenes with couple in traditional attire.

I could see tvN Wed-Thurs drama Tale of Gumiho (Tale of the Nine-Tailed) crumbling under the weight of its own mythology building, not yet in episode 5 but the weak spots are there. I still enjoy the drama and episode 5 took Lee Yeon and Ji Ah major steps closer but I still don’t connect with their modern romance. Conversely … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Jo Boa, Kim Bum, Lee Dong Wook, Tale of Gumiho

jTBC Releases Script Reading Stills of Run On With Im Shi Wan, Shin Se Kyung, Sooyoung, and Kang Tae Oh

A Koala's Playground Posted on October 21, 2020 by ockoalaOctober 21, 2020
Group of four young adults in a studio.

Oh gosh this drama has so much potential, I do hope the twice now filming shut downs due to COVID-19 didn’t impact the production chemistry. jTBC has released script reading stills from earlier in the summer showing the cast of upcoming K-drama Run On sitting down for the table read. Starring Im Shi Wan, Shin Se Kyung, Kang Tae Oh, … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Im Shi Wan, Kang Tae Oh, Run On, Shin Se Kyung, Sooyoung

Park So Dam Trades Her Everygirl Look in Record of Youth for Edgy Couture in New W Korea November 2020 Pictorial

A Koala's Playground Posted on October 21, 2020 by ockoalaOctober 21, 2020
Elegant woman in a white dress at event.

I think there could be some genuinely insightful analysis for Record of Youth, the good, the bad, and mostly just the feeling of something missing or not quite fitting right. That really fits how I felt about Park So Dam in the drama, both her character and performance. But as the drama has progressed it’s really coalesced until I don’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Fashion | Tagged Park So Dam

Episode 14 of Record of Youth Brings in 7.772% Ratings with Surprise Cameo of Choi Soo Jung and Hye Joon Moping About His Success

A Koala's Playground Posted on October 20, 2020 by ockoalaOctober 20, 2020
Three scenes featuring two characters in conversation.

We’re one week away from the final two episodes of Record of Youth and it can’t happen fast enough for me. This drama is both treading water and on its last breath in sincere narrative development, I’m grasping at straws to enjoy episode 14. The best was the surprise (total shock as it was not spoiled by the news) cameo … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Park Bo Gum, Park So Dam, Record of Youth

Production Company of Sci-fi Movie Space Sweepers with Song Joong Ki and Kim Tae Ri Mulling Different Release Options Including Netflix

A Koala's Playground Posted on October 20, 2020 by ockoalaOctober 19, 2020
Three characters in a futuristic control room.

Third time may not be the charm for sci-fi Korean movie Space Sweepers (Spaceship Victory). The movie has been delayed twice now due to COVID-19 shut downs and limitations at movie theaters, first in March and then later again in August. Some Korean movies have premiered and within the context of limited seating still managed to do well, but this … Continue reading →

Posted in Films | Tagged Song Joong Ki, Space Sweepers

Kim Kyung Nam, Jeon Hye Bin, Go Won Hee, and Lee Tae Ran Confirmed for KBS Weekend Drama Happy Other People

A Koala's Playground Posted on October 20, 2020 by ockoalaOctober 19, 2020
Person in plaid suit seated against wall.

Weekend K-dramas remain a safe and happy place for actors and actresses, devoid of fanwars and the viewers tend to connect with 50-episode lengths like a family. The number of weekend dramas being produced has also gone down and hopefully that means more quality fare. KBS has cast its 2021 spring weekend K-drama called Other Happy People (Happy Other Family) … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Go Won Hee, Jeon Hye Bin, Kim Kyung Nam, Lee Tae Ran

Record of Youth Episode 13 Gets 7.760% Ratings But the Relationships Stagnate in Career and Life Complications

A Koala's Playground Posted on October 19, 2020 by ockoalaOctober 19, 2020
Conversational scene with three characters and newspaper.

Okay, I’m officially so bored by Record of Youth, even the Park Bo Gum magic charisma isn’t enough the save it at this point. Episode 13 stayed steady in ratings from last week at 7.760% but honestly fell off a cliff for me on narrative and relationship development every which way in the main storytelling. Maybe Hae Hyo’s mom inching towards … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Byun Woo Seok, Park Bo Gum, Park So Dam, Record of Youth

Lee Min Ho Signs on for Apple+ K-drama Adaptation of Award Winning Novel Pachinko About Korean Immigrants in Japan

A Koala's Playground Posted on October 19, 2020 by ockoalaOctober 19, 2020
Man in a black suit sitting on stool.

Wow, everything about this project sounds great! Hallyu top star actor Lee Min Ho has picked his next acting project and it’s an elevation of K-dramas to a broader audience. He will be the male lead for streaming platform Apple+ 8-episode adaptation into a K-drama the award winning novel Pachinko. The novel follows three generations of Koreans starting during the … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Lee Min Ho, Pachinko

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  • lai on Chae Soo Bin and Kim Young Kwang Kick Off Filming for Rom-com K-drama Take Care of My Heart
  • lai on Hyun Bin and Jung Woo Sung’s Disney+ Drama Made in Korea Holds Rare Television Star-studded Premiere with Lee Min Ho and Jang Geun Seok Among Others Attending
  • Yuis on Netflix Releases Posters and First Teaser Preview for Romance K-drama Can This Love be Translated with Go Yoon Jung and Kim Sun Ho Premiering January 2026
  • ordinary on Youku Premieres Period Strategy Thriller The Vendetta of An with Cheng Yi to Positive First Reviews
  • Royal We on Chae Soo Bin and Kim Young Kwang Kick Off Filming for Rom-com K-drama Take Care of My Heart
  • Meemaw on Hyun Bin and Jung Woo Sung’s Disney+ Drama Made in Korea Holds Rare Television Star-studded Premiere with Lee Min Ho and Jang Geun Seok Among Others Attending
  • eva on Netflix Releases Posters and First Teaser Preview for Romance K-drama Can This Love be Translated with Go Yoon Jung and Kim Sun Ho Premiering January 2026
  • Lil on Netflix Releases Posters and First Teaser Preview for Romance K-drama Can This Love be Translated with Go Yoon Jung and Kim Sun Ho Premiering January 2026
  • Annette on Netflix Releases Posters and First Teaser Preview for Romance K-drama Can This Love be Translated with Go Yoon Jung and Kim Sun Ho Premiering January 2026
  • Rero on K-ent Scandal Month of December 2025 Continues as TV Host and Comedienne Park Na Rae Faces Lawsuit Allegations of Workplace Bullying, Abuse of Power, and Violation of Medical Laws
  • Rero on Netflix Releases Posters and First Teaser Preview for Romance K-drama Can This Love be Translated with Go Yoon Jung and Kim Sun Ho Premiering January 2026
  • foulthings on iQiyi Airdrops Speed and Love with Yu Shu Xin and He Yu This Week as Expected Delivering an Old School Idol Romance Tableau

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