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A Koala's Playground

I'll talk about dramas if I want to

Cast of a dramatic historical series together.

Author Archives: ockoala

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Supporting Actor Min Jin Woong Wins the Male Breakout Prize in Memories of Alhambra

A Koala's Playground Posted on January 28, 2019 by ockoalaJanuary 27, 2019
Two men in contrasting outfits sitting.

If child actress Lee Re playing the young sister role was the female breakout in tvN fantasy drama Memories of Alhambra, the male breakout has got to go to supporting actor Min Jin Woong as the loyal and goofy Secretary Seo. Little cutie pie secretary’s death was the hardest one to swallow in the drama, and in fact his entire … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Memories of Alhambra, Min Jin Woong

Japan’s Current Top Male Idol Group Arashi Announces End of Group Promotions in 2020

A Koala's Playground Posted on January 27, 2019 by ockoalaJanuary 30, 2019
Five men dressed in stylish jackets.

At the end, and still classy and united as always. Japan’s top boy idol group Arashi announced today that they are officially ending active group promotions at the end of 2020, leaving over a year remaining on their tenure as a group entity and leaving on such a high note it’s hard to remember an ending/pause as thoughtfully done as … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Tagged Arashi, Sakurai Sho

Jung Eun Chae Trades Creepy Ghost-fighting of The Guest for Feminine Chic in 1st Look Pictorial

A Koala's Playground Posted on January 27, 2019 by ockoalaJanuary 26, 2019
Close-up of a woman wearing elegant jewelry.

All it takes is one memorable performance and I’m a fan, and that’s the case for K-actress Jung Eun Chae who held her own opposite two charismatic male leads and a whole lotta crazy spooky in OCN horror thriller The Guest. She’s been acting for 8 years now but really hasn’t made an impression on me until now, and there … Continue reading →

Posted in Fashion | Tagged Jung Eun Chae

Penultimate Episode 19 of Cable Drama Sky Castle Hits 23.216% Ratings as It Reaches Untouchable Ratings Level Ahead of Finale Next Friday

A Koala's Playground Posted on January 27, 2019 by ockoalaJanuary 26, 2019
Promotional poster for the drama "SKY Castle."

Sorry for not updating on record shattering cable drama Sky Castle last week, I needed to recover from my brain being smashed in Memories of Alhambra and then whiplashing from the tedious episode 15 of Encounter to its beautiful final episode 16 ending. It appears the power of Sky Castle remains unfettered despite a one episode preemption on Friday night … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Sky Castle

tvN Sat-Sun Drama Romance is a Bonus Book Gets Solid Premiere Ratings of 4.280% and Really Positive Reviews

A Koala's Playground Posted on January 26, 2019 by ockoalaJanuary 26, 2019
Group of people beside colorful book spines.

I wasn’t rooting for this drama to succeed or fail, I just wanted it to be good and it looks like after the first episode it may just attain ratings success and be a good drama. tvN premiered book-centric rom-com Romance is a Bonus Book this Sat, taking over from the higher profile Memories of Alhambra which ended on a … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Lee Jong Seok, Lee Na Young

K-drama Producers Prepping for Second Season of Winter Sonata with Same Screenwriters

A Koala's Playground Posted on January 26, 2019 by ockoalaJanuary 26, 2019
Four friends smiling in a snowy landscape.

I think this is a terrible idea unless it’s a reboot set in an alternative universe. K-drama gods have apparently decided to kick into gear the long percolating project for a second season of the mega hit 2002 drama Winter Sonata. Starring Bae Yong Joon, Choi Ji Woo, the late Park Yong Ha, and Park Sol Mi, the drama is … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Winter Sonata

Encounter Cast Celebrates Drama Wrap and Ends with Slightly Higher Average Ratings than Same Network Memories of Alhambra

A Koala's Playground Posted on January 26, 2019 by ockoalaJanuary 25, 2019
Two people near a festive cake display.

It’s clear the screenwriter of Encounter (Boyfriend) took her writing classes seriously because there were no bad/poorly written characters in the drama. Every single role was three dimensional, and fleshed out despite limited screen time for the supporting cast. I’ll remember that fondly like I’ll miss Driving Miss Soo Hyun ahjusshi Manager Nam, good friend til the end Hye In, … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Boyfriend, Encounter, Park Bo Gum, Song Hye Kyo

K-ent’s First Couple of 2019 Jennie and Kai Breakup After Less than a Month

A Koala's Playground Posted on January 25, 2019 by ockoalaJanuary 25, 2019
Two South Korean celebrities posing side by side.

In what is the fastest dating-to-breakup turnaround in K-ent in like, ever, 2019’s first couple as outed by Dispatch has gone kaput. At least officially, who knows what’s going on behind the scenes. Blackpink‘s Jennie and EXO‘s Kai teased the possibility of a SM Entertainment and YG power couple after confirming their nascent relationship this January 1, but before the … Continue reading →

Posted in Miscellaneous | Tagged Breakup, Dating, Jennie, Kai

Lee Jong Seok and Lee Na Young Put on their Rom-com Hats as tvN Romance is a Bonus Book Premieres this Weekend

A Koala's Playground Posted on January 25, 2019 by ockoalaJanuary 25, 2019
Two characters in a cozy library setting.

When I watched the long 5-minute preview for tvN Sat-Sun drama Romance is a Bonus Book (Romance Supplement), I got a weird sense of deja vu that I’ve seen this all before. It’s a bit like male lead Lee Jong Seok encountered in his last drama While You Were Sleeping, trying to place all the where did I see it … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Lee Jong Seok, Lee Na Young, Romance is a Bonus Book

Happily Married K-stars Eugene and Ki Tae Young Showcase Bestie Romance in New Grazia Pictorial

A Koala's Playground Posted on January 25, 2019 by ockoalaJanuary 22, 2019
Couple sharing a warm moment outdoors.

With Christmas and now New Year’s over, the next big Western holiday is Valentine’s Day in mid-February and with it comes the barrage if couples pictorials. Married for 7 years K-star couple Eugene and Ki Tae Young dropped a lovely pictorial this week to kick off the romantic festivities, being one of the reel-to-real couples that played a drama OTP … Continue reading →

Posted in Miscellaneous | Tagged Eugene, Ki Tae Young

Jang Hyuk Adds Veteran Gravitas to Sageuk Drama My Country with Young Leads Yang Se Jong, Seolhyun, and Woo Do Hwan

A Koala's Playground Posted on January 24, 2019 by ockoalaJanuary 24, 2019
Casual turtleneck and blazer waving

Being a veteran K-actor or actress has the additional perk of picking even supporting roles that can end up more critical to the narrative. One needn’t always be the lead to scene steal and my gut tells me Jang Hyuk is going to hold down the fort in upcoming sageuk My Country. He’s joining the cast of young leads Yang … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Jang Hyun, My Country, Seolhyun, Woo Do Hwan, Yang Se Jong

tvN Drama Encounter Concludes with a Well-earned Happy Ending and the Best Episode Since the Strong Premiere

A Koala's Playground Posted on January 24, 2019 by ockoalaJanuary 24, 2019
Collage of joyful interactions among diverse characters.

I’m super stoked to write about the final episode 16 of tvN Wed-Thurs drama Encounter (Boyfriend), a drama that I followed closely for 9 weeks and am thrilled I loved it so much from the start because the conclusion didn’t disappoint me. Of course it was a happy ending, the relationship of older, richer Soo Hyun and young, idealistic Jin … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Encounter

Kang Sora is Pretty as a Flower for Marie Claire February Pictorial

A Koala's Playground Posted on January 24, 2019 by ockoalaJanuary 22, 2019
Woman with flowers, soft makeup, serene expression.

Some actors or actresses never have a single hit so Kang Sora having a massive hit in both drama and movie is already an achievement. But she’s sitting on five years since Misaeng and eight years since Sunny, with so many disappointing projects since especially in the drama space with Warm and Cozy and Revolutionary Love. She’s due for another … Continue reading →

Posted in Fashion | Tagged Kang Sora

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  • Quinn Zhao on Youku Modern Romance C-drama The Early Spring with Jing Bo Ran and Sun Qian Becomes Unexpected Summer Hit and Notches a Respectable 6.7 Douban Ratings
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  • Opal on CCTV and iQiyi Medical Drama Small Town Remedy with Xiao Zhan is the Most Well Received C-drama of October 2026
  • K on Vertical Mini C-drama Male Lead Dai Gao Zheng Breaks Out with Mainstream Hit C-drama Where the Mask Ends as the Oft Beaten Beefcake Antagonist
  • kam on Where the Mask Ends Completes Airing with 19th Consecutive Days of Over 10,000 Heat Index on Youku Surpassing 18 Day Record Set By Legend of Zang Hai and The Immortal Ascension
  • HL on CCTV and iQiyi Medical Drama Small Town Remedy with Xiao Zhan is the Most Well Received C-drama of October 2026
  • avarachika on Agent Kim Reactivated Chosen by K-ent Industry Insiders as Best Drama of 2026 Followed by Teach You a Lesson and We Are All Trying Here
  • Kate on CCTV and iQiyi Medical Drama Small Town Remedy with Xiao Zhan is the Most Well Received C-drama of October 2026
  • AWUC26 on CCTV and iQiyi Medical Drama Small Town Remedy with Xiao Zhan is the Most Well Received C-drama of October 2026
  • Ximena Delgado on Youku Modern Romance C-drama The Early Spring with Jing Bo Ran and Sun Qian Becomes Unexpected Summer Hit and Notches a Respectable 6.7 Douban Ratings
  • LW on Where the Mask Ends Completes Airing with 19th Consecutive Days of Over 10,000 Heat Index on Youku Surpassing 18 Day Record Set By Legend of Zang Hai and The Immortal Ascension
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