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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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Rainie Yang Celebrates 18th Anniversary of Debut at Hong Kong Concert

A Koala's Playground Posted on November 23, 2017 by ockoalaNovember 22, 2017
One-sleeve black dress with side cutout

No one would consider 18 years the blink of an eye but somehow it feels that way when told that Taiwanese actress-singer Rainie Yang just celebrated her 18th year in the entertainment industry. She debuted in 1998 but didn’t really hit the limelight until a supporting role in Meteor Garden, and her career truly has surpassed that of MG’s female … Continue reading →

Posted in My Loves | Tagged Rainie Yang

SBS Wed-Thurs Drama Judge vs. Judge Has Mediocre Premiere Despite Weak Competition

A Koala's Playground Posted on November 22, 2017 by ockoalaNovember 22, 2017
Two smiling individuals posing playfully together.

It’s the start of Thanksgiving long weekend here in the US but in South Korea it’s not a holiday weekend but there was a palpable lack of exciting new fare almost like a break. MBC‘s long delayed new rom-com I am Not a Robot continued into week 3 of not premiering yet but will finally reach the small screen next … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Judge vs Judge, Nothing to Lose

Third Preview for Black Knight Piles on the Moody Imagery and Sneak Peek at Sageuk Scenes

A Koala's Playground Posted on November 22, 2017 by ockoalaNovember 22, 2017
Melancholic lead in cinematic Korean series montage

I’m still not sure what to expect from upcoming KBS romantic melo-fantasy drama Black Knight, other than all the teasers and promo pictures make it seem like the cast is filming a music video rather than a drama. It harkens back to the overkill visuals of the early Hallyu drama days as pioneered by the seasons dramas, think Winter Sonata … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Black Knight, Kim Rae Won, Seo Ji Hye, Shin Se Kyung

MBC and KBS May Not Hold Annual Year End Drama Awards for 2017 Due to Strike Fallout

A Koala's Playground Posted on November 22, 2017 by ockoalaNovember 21, 2017
Celebrities at award ceremonies posing together.

I do love covering the year end Big Three network K-drama awards ceremony, it’s like a company banquet rewarding high performing employees and another chance to check out red carpet fashion. That’s why I’m genuinely sad that we may only have one year end drama award for 2017 over at SBS, with strike-plagued MBC and KBS announcing today that they … Continue reading →

Posted in Awards, K-dramas | Tagged KBS, MBC

SBS Drama Nothing to Lose Becomes Judge vs Judge and Ready For Wed Premiere

A Koala's Playground Posted on November 21, 2017 by ockoalaNovember 21, 2017
Four characters in formal attire, dramatic backdrop.

I feel like SBS Wed-Thurs dramas just blended together as the newly arriving one formerly known as Nothing to Lose but now has the English title of Judge vs. Judge is straight up a continuation of predecessor drama While You Were Sleeping, minus the fantasy element of dreaming about the future. There’s the judicial bench, crimes to be prosecuted, and … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Dongha, Judge vs Judge, Kim Hae Sook, Lee Deok Hwa, Na Hae Ryung, Nothing to Lose, Park Eun Bin, Yeon Woo Jin

This Life is Our First Screenwriter Yoon Nan Joong in Multiple Plagiarism Controversy

A Koala's Playground Posted on November 21, 2017 by ockoalaNovember 21, 2017
Promotional images for a Korean drama series.

I don’t know if this is much ado about nothing but it’s certainly gotten more attention as the drama airing has gone on for tvN‘s hit rom-com This Life is Our First (Because This is Our First Life). Japanese entertainment has now taken note of similarities of that drama with the hit J-dorama from 2016 We Married as a Job … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Scandal, This Life is Our First

Beautiful Winter Wear and Interesting Premise Keeps MBC Drama I am Not a Robot Fresh for Dec 6th Premiere

A Koala's Playground Posted on November 21, 2017 by ockoalaNovember 20, 2017
Three portraits of a young man styled differently.

If MBC‘s upcoming Wed-Thurs drama I am Not a Robot ends up not working, I may still stick around to gaze upon male lead Yoo Seung Ho in various snappy winter wear outfits. The drama finally has a premiere date of December 6th, three weeks after it should have aired after Hospital Ship other than that pesky network labor strike … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Chae Soo Bin, Eom Ki Joon, I Am Not a Robot, Yoo Seung Ho

Seo Ji Hye Makes Immortal Antagonist Appearance in First Stills for KBS Drama Black Knight

A Koala's Playground Posted on November 20, 2017 by ockoalaNovember 20, 2017
Woman seated in a chair, looking contemplative.

Leave it to Seo Ji Hye to steal the drama even before it airs from the two leads, or at least from the female lead for sure. The first stills are out for Seo Ji Hye as the antagonist character in upcoming KBS fantasy melo romance Black Knight (The Man Who Guards Me), playing the character of Sharon (love the … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Black Knight, Seo Ji Hye

Three Huge Age Gap Korean Projects Coming in 2018 with Mr. Sunshine, My Ahjusshi, and Love Sling

A Koala's Playground Posted on November 20, 2017 by ockoalaNovember 20, 2017
Person in a black beret and jacket.

I’m amused by the hand wringing by K-netizens on the coming 2018 romance (or romance-adjacent) K-dramas with huge age gaps. Like this hasn’t happened before, and enough times to make it just a meh reaction from me. I even loved one particular such pairing the Lee Bum Soo and younger than him by 20 years Yoona in Prime Minister and … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged IU, Kim Min Seok, KIm Tae Ri, Lee Byung Hun, Lee Seon Kyun, Lee Sung Kyung, Love Sling, Mr. Sunshine, My Ahjusshi, Yoo Hae Jin

Lee Young Ae and Song Joong Ki Lead Big Name K-star Appearances at 2017 MAMA

A Koala's Playground Posted on November 20, 2017 by ockoalaNovember 20, 2017
Collage of various contemporary Asian celebrities.

Keep you eyes peeled on November 25th for the 2017 Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA), the latest spectacle put on by music network Mnet to further promote Hallyu pop and entertainment. I’m guessing big K-pop winners are likely the big names this year with BTS, EXO, TWICE, and others, but also making appearances as presenters are plenty of famous Korean … Continue reading →

Posted in Awards | Tagged Ahn Jae Hyun, Ji Soo, Kim Jae Wook, Kim Yoo Jung, Lee Bun Soo, Lee Je Hoon, Lee Young Ae, Nam Joo Hyuk, Song Ji Hyo, Song Joong Ki

Lee Seung Gi’s K-fanclub Mocks Up Smexy Hwayugi Posters for Subway Promos

A Koala's Playground Posted on November 19, 2017 by ockoalaNovember 19, 2017
TV poster featuring two close-up portraits.

Coming soon cannot come soon enough for me even without the official first promo yet for upcoming fantasy K-drama Hwayugi inspired by the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West. All I see is Lee Seung Gi‘s incredibly intense and dedicated Korean fan club creating posters for the drama and plastering it all over Seoul subway stations and I’m sold. … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Hwayugi, Lee Seung Gi

Hyun Bin Dons a Gentleman Professor Look at The Swindlers Movie Press Conference

A Koala's Playground Posted on November 19, 2017 by ockoalaNovember 19, 2017
Man in glasses at press event backdrop.

I’m so amused by Hyun Bin‘s latest looks, mostly because I can’t figure out if I like it or not. It’s not the best showcase for Binnie’s insanely handsome features but I do like that he’s changing things up, and for this latest look at the press conference for caper movie The Swindlers I totally came away with a theme. … Continue reading →

Posted in Films | Tagged Hyun Bin, The Swindlers

Park Shin Hye Glowing in Fall Colors at Pleasia CF Event in Seoul

A Koala's Playground Posted on November 19, 2017 by ockoalaNovember 19, 2017
Woman waving in front of product display.

It’s a nice to see Park Shin Hye doing a simple product endorsement event, she gets so much scrutiny which comes with her incredible popularity but I think she does everything solidly well there isn’t much other than the occasion nitpick. It was a busy week for her having attended the 2017 Asia Artist Awards, where she either skipped the … Continue reading →

Posted in Fashion | Tagged Park Shin Hye

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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
  • 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
  • Lmao on Meng Zi Yi Reportedly Selects Republic Era Revenge Drama Jing Gui as Next Project and Male Lead Rumored to be Cheng Lei
  • 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
  • Raya 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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