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A Koala's Playground

I'll talk about dramas if I want to

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KBS Celebrates as Descendants of the Sun Breaks 30% Ratings Nationwide with Episode 9

A Koala's Playground Posted on March 23, 2016 by ockoalaMarch 24, 2016
Soldier and woman embracing outdoors.

The long wait is over as the Korean drama industry can finally let out a collective breath today – episode 9 of Descendants of the Sun broke the illusive 30% ratings mark and is the first prime time drama to do so in four years. Not since February of 2012 with The Moon Embraces the Sun has a prime time … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Descendants of the Sun

Lost You Forever Chapter 49: Fear that Reunion is But a Dream

A Koala's Playground Posted on March 23, 2016 by ockoalaMarch 24, 2016
Romantic embrace in traditional attire.

I can’t believe it’s finally time for the final countdown as this chapter 49 of Lost You Forever marks the third to last chapter of the sprawling novel. There were definitely moments along the way I nearly burned out or simply wanted to quit, but my perseverance is your continued reward along this gripping journey much as Xiao Yao’s tenacity … Continue reading →

Posted in Books | Tagged Lost You Forever

Uncontrollably Fond with Kim Woo Bin and Suzy Sets Premiere Date of June 29th

A Koala's Playground Posted on March 23, 2016 by ockoalaMarch 22, 2016
Smiling man and singer on colored stage

Details are coming together for my next most anticipated K-drama now that Descendants of the Sun has premiered. That would be Uncontrollably Fond, or Arbitrarily Fond as I’ve been calling it before but now will switch to Uncontrollably Fond as that’s the official English title KBS is going with. The drama is still filming with the main cast of Kim … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Arbitrarily Fond, Im Joo Eun, Im Joo Hwan, Kim Woo Bin, Suzy, Uncontrollably Fond

Answer Me 1988’s Ryu Jun Yeol is Hwang Jung Eum’s Leading Man in MBC Drama Lucky Romance

A Koala's Playground Posted on March 22, 2016 by ockoalaMarch 22, 2016
Young man in black jacket, thoughtful expression.

For those of you still crying over Ryu Jun Yeol‘s character getting shafted in Answer Me 1988, it’s time to dry those tears and move on because something bigger and better is coming his way. Ryu Jun Yeol’s rising star status took a giant leap forward today as he’s just been announced as the leading man in upcoming MBC Wed-Thurs … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Ryu jun Yeol

Drama Posters and New Preview for Jackpot Ramp Up the Battle for the Joseon Throne

A Koala's Playground Posted on March 22, 2016 by ockoalaMarch 22, 2016
Three characters in historical attire, examining artifacts.

A long and relatively successful run ended today for the SBS 50-episode sageuk Six Flying Dragons, the ratings leader in the Mon-Tues time slot but never high enough in ratings to bring back the days of yore when serious longs sageuks could average 20%. While Yoo Ah In and co is off getting much needed earned rest, up next is … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Choi Min Soo, Jackpot, Jang Geun Seok, Jeon Kwang Ryul, Lim Ji Yeon, The Royal Gambler, Yeo Jin Gu

Descendants of the Sun Confirms No Extension and Leads Song Joong Ki and Song Hye Kyo Deny Dating Rumors

A Koala's Playground Posted on March 22, 2016 by ockoalaMarch 22, 2016
Actors speaking at a press conference.

A K-drama as big a hit as Descendants of the Sun is sure to generate news headlines nonstop during its run. This past weekend was filled with a succession of new tidbits about the drama and/or its stars so let’s start with the substantive news. KBS has officially nixed recent rumors of a special episode or extension, confirming that the … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Descendants of the Sun, Song Hye Kyo, Song Joong Ki

Newlywed Hwang Jung Eum Returns to MBC with Rom-com Lucky Romance

A Koala's Playground Posted on March 22, 2016 by ockoalaMarch 21, 2016
Smiling woman in a white blouse outdoors.

There’s no rest for the uber-successful and that suitably describes K-actress Hwang Jung Eum‘s acting career in the last two years. She’s one of those hard working toilers that does drama after drama but in 2015 she really hit the right project jackpot not once but twice. She started off the year with Kill Me Heal Me and finished with … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Ha Suk Jin, Hwang Jung Eum, Lucky Romance

Lee Min Ho Makes Appearance at Eider Fan Event in Seoul

A Koala's Playground Posted on March 21, 2016 by ockoalaMarch 21, 2016
Young man in a white jacket outdoors.

It’s nice to see Lee Min Ho out and about this past week attending a sportswear event for Eider, a company he’s represented for the past few years. Other than the drama news last month that he was going to be screenwriter Park Ji Eun‘s next drama, she of Producer and You From Another Star fame, things remain quiet on … Continue reading →

Posted in Miscellaneous | Tagged Lee Min Ho

Park Shin Yang and Kang Sora Sell the Quirky Oddball KBS Drama Neighborhood Lawyer Jo Deul Ho

A Koala's Playground Posted on March 21, 2016 by ockoalaMarch 21, 2016
Man sitting, woman standing in office.

There’s a good chance on quality alone that KBS might dominate all the prime time slots next week when new Mon-Tues drama Neighborhood Lawyer Jo Deul Ho (My Lawyer, Mr. Jo) premieres. If Neighborhood Lawyer wins the ratings battle over Monster on MBC and SBS‘s Jackpot (The Royal Gambler) then KBS will finally have dug itself out of the Mon-Tues hole … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Kang Sora, Neighborhood Lawyer Jo Deul Ho, Park Shin Yang, Park Sol Mi, Ryu Soo Young

SBS Locks Down Entertainer with Leads Ji Sung, Hyeri, Kang Min Hyuk, and Chae Jung Ahn

A Koala's Playground Posted on March 21, 2016 by ockoalaMarch 20, 2016
Three people at event against branded backdrop

SBS has locked down the cast for its next Wed-Thurs drama and not a moment too soon. Entertainer premieres at the end of April after Please Come Back Ahjussi and even if it’s a modern drama there is still time needed to get ahead of the live filming crush. The drama confirmed male lead Ji Sung last week, a major … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Chae Jung Ahn, Entertainer, Gong Min, Hyeri, Ji Sung, Kang Min Hyuk

Kang Ji Hwan Looks Diabolic in New Poster for MBC Drama Monster

A Koala's Playground Posted on March 20, 2016 by ockoalaMarch 21, 2016
Couple embracing with an emotional backdrop.

I think audiences who are going to tune in for upcoming MBC Mon-Tues drama Monster (Tyrant) will be doing so for the screenwriter as much as the talented cast. Writer Jang Young Chul rocketed to fame thanks to Giant and since then has penned a slew of well-received dramas from Incarnation of Money, History of the Salaryman, and Empress Ki. This … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Bolin Chen, Kang Ji Hwan, Monster, Park Ki Woong, Soo Hyun, Sung Yuri, Tyrant

Telegenic and Charming Leads of Descendants of the Sun Back Together for Mid-drama Press Conference

A Koala's Playground Posted on March 20, 2016 by ockoalaMarch 20, 2016
Man speaking at press conference with microphone.

I usually see the mid-drama press conference from lower rated K-dramas trying to drum up interest in the show as a last chance hurrah. In the case of Descendants of the Sun, the highest rated prime time K-drama in over three years, gathering the popular main cast together for a media chat is all about the fan service and striking … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Descendants of the Sun, Jin Goo, Kim Ji Won, Song Hye Kyo, Song Joong Ki

Reunion and Feels Abound at the Bali Wedding of Bu Bu Jing Xin Costars Liu Shi Shi and Nicky Wu

A Koala's Playground Posted on March 20, 2016 by ockoalaMarch 20, 2016
Group of friends celebrating together at night.

The star-studded Bali destination wedding of C-actress Liu Shi Shi and TW-actor Nicky Wu went off without a hitch this weekend and went an overflow of feels. Every single person there, bride and groom leading the way, looked bursting with joy and contentment. The happy couple met on the set of C-drama Bu Bu Jing Xin over six years ago when … Continue reading →

Posted in Miscellaneous | Tagged Bu Bu Jing Xin, Liu Shi Shi, Married, Nicky Wu, Wedding

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  • Yuhyi on K-ent Industry Insiders Vote on Worst K-drama of 2026 and Royal Romance Drama Perfect Crown with IU and Byun Woo Seok Leading the Ignominious List
  • Yuhyi on K-ent Industry Insiders Vote on Worst K-drama of 2026 and Royal Romance Drama Perfect Crown with IU and Byun Woo Seok Leading the Ignominious List
  • Bluey on C-actress Wang Chu Ran Lands Big Budget Female Lead Centric Hunan TV Period C-drama General Chang Ning Set for 2027
  • Elena Gallagher 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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  • Ehhhh on C-actress Wang Chu Ran Lands Big Budget Female Lead Centric Hunan TV Period C-drama General Chang Ning Set for 2027
  • Raya on C-actress Wang Chu Ran Lands Big Budget Female Lead Centric Hunan TV Period C-drama General Chang Ning Set for 2027
  • K 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
  • arlene on Meng Zi Yi Reportedly Selects Republic Era Revenge Drama Jing Gui as Next Project and Male Lead Rumored to be Cheng Lei
  • 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
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