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A Koala's Playground

I'll talk about dramas if I want to

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Yoo Yeon Seok, Moon Ga Young, Jung Ga Ram, and Geum Sae Rok Complicate Attraction in Teaser for jTBC Wed-Thurs Drama The Interest of Love

A Koala's Playground Posted on December 12, 2022 by ockoalaDecember 13, 2022
Two people smiling in a romantic setting.

I was initially just idly curious about this drama with the casting and it’s adaptation from a source novel with good reviews. But seeing the previews my interest has ratcheted it, it feels mature and restrained with some sexy sneaking through, all in the messy complication of adult attraction. jTBC is readying the next Wed-Thurs drama The Interest of Love … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Geum Sae Rok, Jung Ga Ram, Moon Ga Young, The Interest in Love, Yoo Yeon Seok

Alchemy of Souls: Light and Shadow Episode 2 Rises to 7.743% as the Narrative Shows Hand on the Resurrected Bu Yeon’s True Form and Writes the Central Conundrum Back to the Story

A Koala's Playground Posted on December 12, 2022 by ockoalaDecember 12, 2022
Two characters in a dramatic setting.

Man, watching the second episode of Alchemy of Souls: Light and Shadow was alternating between these two are cute and headdesking. It’s clear the Hong Sisters had a concept (soul switching! In sageuk fantasy times!) and then wrote the story around it, hence the complete and utter moral quandries they gloss over in attempts to give the female lead a … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Alchemy of Souls, Go Yoon Jung, Lee Jae Wook

K-netizens Discuss the SBS 2022 Year End Drama Daesang as a Two-way Race Between Kim Nam Gil and Namgoong Min with Nods to Lee Jun Ki, Seo Hyun Jin, and Kim Rae Won

A Koala's Playground Posted on December 12, 2022 by ockoalaDecember 10, 2022
Drama website featuring video clips and information.

It’s tough that of the three public channels in South Korea really only SBS had a good year. With the slate basically done it’s time to look at the contenders for Daesang at the Year End Drama Awards for 2022 and it’s looking like a two-man race between Kim Nam Gil for Through the Darkness and Namgoong Min for One … Continue reading →

Posted in Awards | Tagged Kim Nam Gil, Kim Rae Won, Lee Jun Ki, Namgoong Min, Seo Hyun Jin

Chen Fei Yu in Lighter and Princess Tops the Maoyan Entertainment November 2022 Hot Character Chart Followed by Xu Kai in She and Her Perfect Husband

A Koala's Playground Posted on December 11, 2022 by ockoalaDecember 12, 2022
Couple sharing intimate moments in various settings.

The Maoyan Entertainment hot chart for November 2022 is out and I only paid attention since I’ve recently watched a few C-dramas so I’m curious what resonated with Chinese viewers. Topping the list is the character of Li Xun in Lighter and Princess played by Chen Fei Yu. He was more interesting to me than female lead Zhang Jing Yi‘s … Continue reading →

Posted in TW & C dramas | Tagged Chen Fei Yu, Luo Yun Xi, Xu Kai

Lee Seung Gi Files to End Contract with Hook Entertainment After Expose that His CEO Gaslit Him, Withheld All His Music Earnings, and Used His Money to Spend Lavishly

A Koala's Playground Posted on December 11, 2022 by ockoalaDecember 10, 2022
Man in stylish blazer portrait.

The investigation into Hook Entertainment has uncovered a litany of awful and illegal stuff but the biggest victim appears to be the agency’s top earner singer-actor-MC Lee Seung Gi. He’s been with the agency since his debut 18 years ago so there is strong ties but a few weeks ago his side reportedly requested a full financial accounting of his … Continue reading →

Posted in Miscellaneous | Tagged Lee Seung Gi

Viewer Disconnect and Annoyance with the Loveline Between Song Joong Ki and Shin Hyun Bin in Reborn Reaches Crescendo as Romance Starts in Episode 10

A Koala's Playground Posted on December 11, 2022 by ockoalaDecember 12, 2022
Couple sharing intimate moments in a romantic scene.

jTBC weekend drama Reborn Rich is still doing banger ratings, this Friday and Saturday’s episode 9 and 10 dropped from last week’s high of 19% but the story continues to deliver the great plotting plus payoff. Plus the ending of episode 10 will definitely bring in viewers for Sunday’s episode 11. But this post is about the “romance” in this … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Reborn Rich, Shin Hyun Bin, Song Joong Ki

Alchemy of Souls: Light and Shadow Returns as Season 2 with Swapped Premise of Bu Yeon Now in Naksu’s Physical Body and First Episode Ratings of 6.719%

A Koala's Playground Posted on December 10, 2022 by ockoalaDecember 10, 2022
Romantic poster featuring two couples.

So…..despite all all the self-warning and repeated burning from summer tvN drama Alchemy of Souls, I did come back at least for the first episode of season 2 called Alchemy of Souls: Light and Shadow. The female lead switched from Jung So Min‘s Jin Bu Yeon physical form with Naksu’s soul to Go Yoon Jung so I figured she’s playing … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Alchemy of Souls, Go Yoon Jung, Lee Jae Wook

Song Hye Kyo Plays the Long Revenge Game and All Her Awful Enemies Look Totally Worth Her Vengeance in Long Preview for Netflix Drama The Glory

A Koala's Playground Posted on December 10, 2022 by ockoalaDecember 10, 2022
Collage of female character from Netflix series.

School bullying in South Korea has been discussed at length both in real life investigations and fictionalized often in dramas and movies to highlight the pervasive issue. Upcoming Netflix drama The Glory puts it front and center as female lead Song Hye Kyo plots a long revenge course solely due to her school bullying in high school days. The long … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Lee Do Hyun, Song Hye Kyo, The Glory

TVing Supernatural Action Thriller Island Releases Compelling Horror Tinged Previews to Up the Interest Level

A Koala's Playground Posted on December 10, 2022 by ockoalaDecember 10, 2022
Four characters posing with weapons dramatically.

Now this is what I’m talkin’ about! The new previews for upcoming TVing supernatural with horror tinged K-drama Island released substantive previews that are rollicking good fun. My first thought is that Kim Nam Gil is going back to high fighting Bidam roots but this time in modern garb, and then the long preview ended with a flashback to historical … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Cha Eun Woo, Island, Kim Nam Gil, Lee Da Hee, Sung Joon

Kim Hye Yoon Adorable in Best New Actress Win at the 2022 Grand Bell Awards and Leads the Way with Black Dress Done Right

A Koala's Playground Posted on December 9, 2022 by ockoalaDecember 9, 2022
Smiling woman making a heart shape gesture.

This Friday evening in Seoul was the Grand Bell Awards (Daejong Awards) which only covers the movie industry. It’s highly prestigious but most readers here are K-drama centered so may not have watched or followed the K-movie circuit this year, but everyone has heard about Decision to Leave which took home Best Movie and male lead Park Hae Il continues … Continue reading →

Posted in Awards | Tagged Byun Yo Han, Kim Hye Yun, Lim Ji Yeon, Oh Na Ra, Ong Seung Woo, Park Hae Il, Park So Dam, Yeom Jung Ah

C-netizens Upset that C-actress Zhang Jia Ni is Reportedly NOT Divorcing Her Cheating Husband Even After the Purported Mistress an Aspiring Actress Proudly Posts Updates on Her SNS

A Koala's Playground Posted on December 9, 2022 by ockoalaDecember 10, 2022
Woman in floral dress smiling outdoors.

Man, marriage in real life is messy and can be dirty and definitely is between the two people that signed the social contract for better or for worse. But it’s hard not to have bystander commentary and it’s quite one-sided in the case of C-actress Zhang Jia Ni and her husband who was caught going into a hotel with a … Continue reading →

Posted in Miscellaneous | Tagged Scandal, Zhang Jia Ni

Song Joong Ki and Lee Sung Min Take Their Reborn Rich Chemistry to the Pages of Elle Korea for Classic Korean Architectural Pictorial

A Koala's Playground Posted on December 9, 2022 by ockoalaDecember 8, 2022
Two individuals seated in a serene setting.

The quality and ergo the success of jTBC drama Reborn Rich (The Chaebol’s Youngest Son) is another validation that it’s not K-drama quality that has been decreasing is that not enough production teams dig deep to create the needed excellence. Song Joong Ki was in Singapore yesterday attending the streaming channel VIU’s press conference for the release of Reborn Rich … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Lee Sung Min, Reborn Rich, Song Joong Ki

Yang Mi and Xu Kai’s Frothy Modern Romance Drama She and Her Perfect Husband Ring in Douban Ratings of 5.8 Which is Pretty Spot On

A Koala's Playground Posted on December 8, 2022 by ockoalaDecember 9, 2022
Couple posing together for a promotional image.

I remember when auteurs in the cuisine world starts gastronomy and one of the inventions was culinary foams. So cool to look at and seemingly made dish]ed fun(ner) to eat but after you get past the superficial surface it’s just a bunch of nothing, even the flavor evaporates as quickly as it lands on the tongue. That’s what watching She … Continue reading →

Posted in TW & C dramas | Tagged She and Her Perfect Husband, Xu Kai, Yang Mi

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Recent Posts

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  • 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
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  • 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
  • MJ on iQiyi Airdrops Speed and Love with Yu Shu Xin and He Yu This Week as Expected Delivering an Old School Idol Romance Tableau
  • roll on Production of The Rebirth of the Malicious Empress of Military Lineage Makes Dylan Wang and Meng Zi Yi Joint Top Billing as Filming Slated for Q1 of 2026
  • Stardust 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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