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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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Choi Kang Hee and Kwon Sang Woo Hold Script Reading for Mystery Queen 2 with New Supporting Cast

A Koala's Playground Posted on December 29, 2017 by ockoalaDecember 29, 2017
Two people holding script pages together.

Yay for some positive news around a K-drama to wash away some of the worry of Hwayugi‘s beleaguered state. KBS held the script reading for season 2 of it’s cult favorite housewife cop partner detective drama Mystery Queen (Queen of Mystery), taking over in late February 2018 from Black Knight on the Wed-Thurs time slot. The fantastic leads are back … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Choi Kang Hee, Kwon Sang Woo, Mystery Queen

Productions Halts on Hwayugi as Labor Department Investigates and Episode 3 and 4 Will Both Air Weekend of January 6th

A Koala's Playground Posted on December 29, 2017 by ockoalaDecember 29, 2017
Couple taking a selfie in city lights.

I don’t recall a K-drama fraught with so many mishaps, and so soon after premiering. Wolf had to be halted after airing a few episodes when leads Eric and Han Ji Min got hurt in a stunt car accident and it was never finished, so hopefully the same does not happen with Hwayugi (A Korean Odyssey) and more importantly the drama … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged A Korean Odyssey, Hwayugi

Tzuyu of TWICE is Highest Ranked East Asian Star in 3rd Place on the TC Candler Most Beautiful Faces of 2017 List

A Koala's Playground Posted on December 29, 2017 by ockoalaDecember 28, 2017
Collage of popular Asian celebrities' portraits.

The TC Candler website list of the Most Beautiful Faces of 2017 is out and congrats is due to Taiwanese idol singer Tzuyu (Chou Tzu Yu) of TWICE for being the highest East Asian star on the list at number 3. Former number 1 ranked Nana, who repeated twice in a row in 2014 and 2015, takes second among the … Continue reading →

Posted in Miscellaneous | Tagged Dilraba Dilmurat, Go Ara, Ishihara Satomi, Jelly Lin, Jessica, Komatsu Nana, Lee Sung Kyung, Nana, Park Shin Hye, Suzy, Taeyeon

KBS Wed-Thurs Drama Black Knight Hits Own Series Ratings High of 13.2% in Episode 8

A Koala's Playground Posted on December 28, 2017 by ockoalaDecember 28, 2017
Dramatic moments between multiple characters.

It’s quite a turnaround for KBS on the Wed-Thurs time slot after the record ratings low for the network with Manhole a few months ago. That ignominy belongs to MBC now with its low-rated rom-com I am Not a Robot while KBS keeps getting higher ratings for the fantasy romance drama Black Knight (The Man Who Guards Me). This Thursday’s … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Black Knight

Classic Hallyu Drama What Happened to Bali to Get 2018 Remake with Same PD

A Koala's Playground Posted on December 28, 2017 by ockoalaDecember 28, 2017
Collage of romantic drama scenes featuring couples.

OMG! That was my reaction at the end of watching K-drama What Happened in Bali, and that is my reaction now upon hearing the news that the drama is barreling towards a 2018 remake that likely no one wants. Fourteen years after WHIB catapulted Jo In Sung, Ha Ji Won, and So Ji Sub to a new level in their … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged What Happened in Bali

Hwayugi Hires Second PD From Gu Family Book to Facilitate Extra Filming

A Koala's Playground Posted on December 28, 2017 by ockoalaDecember 27, 2017
Man in fur coat gestures in conversation.

I truly hope all the screw ups for tvN drama Hwayugi (A Korean Odyssey) is confined to the first broadcast weekend and the rest of the series will be smooth sailing. The drama’s second episode had to be halted during airing due to the pre-production not being done but it turned out the drama couldn’t have started filming earlier because … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged A Korean Odyssey, Hwayugi

Park Min Young Leaves Culture Depot After Three Years and Signs with Big Label Namoo Actors

A Koala's Playground Posted on December 27, 2017 by ockoalaDecember 26, 2017
Smiling person in stylish white blouse.

In a few days will be the new year and one K-actress is making a new change for her career. After three years with agency Culture Depot, Park Min Young has not renewed her contract and has signed with Namoo Actors instead. Namoo will be Park Min Young’s third agency after she started with King Kong Entertainment. Joining Namoo will … Continue reading →

Posted in Miscellaneous | Tagged Park Min Young

Chae Jung Ahn in Talks to Join K-drama Remake of Suits Opposite Jang Dong Geun and Park Hyung Sik

A Koala's Playground Posted on December 27, 2017 by ockoalaDecember 27, 2017
Woman in a white dress with serious expression.

The casting for the K-drama remake of US legal show Suits is suiting up just right even if there’s still many elements to do right if this project wants to avoid the predilection for K-drama remake fail. The latest casting news is that Chae Jung Ahn has been offered a role in Suits, joining already confirmed male leads Jang Dong … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Chae Jung Ahn, Jang Dong Gun, Park Hyung Sik, Suits

Popular Teen C-actor Wu Lei Turns 18 Years Old and Ready for Leading Man Roles

A Koala's Playground Posted on December 27, 2017 by ockoalaDecember 26, 2017
Birthday celebration poster for a young man.

December 26th is the day after Christmas, and also the birthday of C-actor Wu Lei it turns out. Age starts to mean less after a certain point but in the trajectory of child-teen acting prodigies it means a lot because the audience is curious to see watch a child grow up before our eyes. Wu Lei has been a child … Continue reading →

Posted in My Loves | Tagged Wu Lei

Jang Geun Seok to Guest Star in Episode 3 of Hong Sister’s New Drama Hwayugi

A Koala's Playground Posted on December 26, 2017 by ockoalaDecember 26, 2017
Romantic scenes from a television drama.

The rise of the screenwriting Hong sisters as a true Hallyu powerhouse with their own name recognition has to be credited to the incredible pan-Asia popularity of You’re Beautiful in 2009. Before then their dramas were hits in Korea and was part of the Hallyu wave, with Sassy Girl Chun Hyang, My Girl, Fantasy Couple, and Hong Gil Dong all … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged A Korean Odyssey, Hwayugi, Jang Geun Seok

SBS Releases 2017 Drama Award Daesang Nominees with Ji Sung and Lee Bo Young Front-running the List

A Koala's Playground Posted on December 26, 2017 by ockoalaDecember 26, 2017
Korean drama posters featuring intense characters.

The list is out for the nominees SBS is considering for the Daesang at its 2017 Year End Drama Awards, and frankly I’m more interested in who was not on the list since it’s basically a who’s who of prime time drama leads for the year. Ji Sung leads the pack as his Defendant was the highest rated prime time … Continue reading →

Posted in Awards | Tagged Ji Sung, Lee Bo Young

K-stars Active in Charity and Volunteer Work During the Holiday Season to Give Back

A Koala's Playground Posted on December 26, 2017 by ockoalaDecember 25, 2017
Volunteer preparing food with fellow helpers.

The holidays are in full swing and that means the temperature dips and folks gather with families to celebrate. For many who are less fortunate, the holidays must be harder than usual to get through and for those who have the means giving back is always appreciated and a generous way to show thanks. K-stars have been quite active in … Continue reading →

Posted in Musings | Tagged Bae Jong Ok, Han Ji Min, Kim Hye Sung, Noh Hee Kyung, Park Jin Hee, Park Shin Hye, Solbi, Yoo Ji Tae

Ratings Dip for Episode 2 of Hwayugi Due to Mistakes and tvN to Air Episode 3 Next Weekend and Delay Episode 4 Until Following Weekend

A Koala's Playground Posted on December 25, 2017 by ockoalaDecember 26, 2017
"Promotional poster and scenes from a drama."

Next week will tell if the snafu with the airing of episode 2  of Hwayugi (A Korean Odyssey) will affect the ratings for this tvN drama in the long run. For now there was a slight blip as Sunday night’s episode 2 ratings fell from the high premiere of 5.290% to 4.849%. Episode 2 saw longer than usual commercials for … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged A Korean Odyssey, Hwayugi

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  • Jeannie on CCTV and iQiyi Medical Drama Small Town Remedy with Xiao Zhan is the Most Well Received C-drama of October 2026
  • Biedronka on CCTV and iQiyi Medical Drama Small Town Remedy with Xiao Zhan is the Most Well Received C-drama of October 2026
  • Jeannie on Cast Confirmed for Royal Revenge Drama Sister, I am the Queen in This Life with Kim Tae Ri, Ha Yoon Kyung, Jo Han Gyeol, and Moo Jin Sung
  • Rina on Cast Confirmed for Royal Revenge Drama Sister, I am the Queen in This Life with Kim Tae Ri, Ha Yoon Kyung, Jo Han Gyeol, and Moo Jin Sung
  • Somebody 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
  • Somebody on CCTV and iQiyi Medical Drama Small Town Remedy with Xiao Zhan is the Most Well Received C-drama of October 2026
  • Somebody on Meng Zi Yi Reportedly Selects Republic Era Revenge Drama Jing Gui as Next Project and Male Lead Rumored to be Cheng Lei
  • Rero on Meng Zi Yi Reportedly Selects Republic Era Revenge Drama Jing Gui as Next Project and Male Lead Rumored to be Cheng Lei
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  • Simon Johansen on Tencent Period Drama The Road to Splendor with Ding Yu Xi and Deng En Xi Gets More Good Reviews than Viewership with Solid 7.1 Douban Ratings
  • prettyautumn on Meng Zi Yi Reportedly Selects Republic Era Revenge Drama Jing Gui as Next Project and Male Lead Rumored to be Cheng Lei
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