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A Koala's Playground

I'll talk about dramas if I want to

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Episodes 13-14 Tease OTP Conflict But Ends with Smexy Boating as Dali and the Cocky Prince Maintains Perfect Rom-com Momentum Heading into Finale Week

A Koala's Playground Posted on November 6, 2021 by ockoalaNovember 6, 2021
Young couple sharing intimate moments together.

In nearly two decades of K-drama watching, the rom-com genre has the most unique Korean flavor (other genres can be similar to non-Korean shows) but is also the one most frequently and easily messed up. It’s the souffle of K-dramas if you well. I feel like most K-drama rom-coms follow the “Don’t F*&k This Up” mentality as I see the … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Dal Ri and Gamjatang, Dali and the Cocky Prince, KIm Min Jae, Kwon Yul, Park Kyu Young | 9 Replies

tvN Infectious Disease Thriller Drama Happiness with Han Hyo Joo and Park Hyung Sik Premieres to 3.300% First Episode Ratings

A Koala's Playground Posted on November 6, 2021 by ockoalaNovember 5, 2021
Three actors posing for a promotional event.

It’s a big premiere few days going on in K-drama land as a bunch of dramas are arriving in short succession. The first is tvN Fri-Sat drama Happiness starring Han Hyo Joo, Park Hyung Sik, and Jo Woo Jin. Despite the positive sounding title, it’s a dark drama involving the spread of an infectious disease and what looks like maybe … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Han Hyo Joo, Happiness, Park Hyung Sik | 19 Replies

Squid Game and then D.P. Selected by Joynews Insider Poll of Best Streaming Shows of 2021

A Koala's Playground Posted on November 5, 2021 by ockoalaNovember 5, 2021
Person intensely inspecting cookie piece.

Looks like the Joynews Best Of insider poll this year has split the television programs with the streaming only programs. That’s fine though it would be interesting to see the same program stacking up against each other since where it aired doesn’t matter as to quality. The entertainment industry group selected Netflix drama Squid Game with 120 runaway votes as … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged D.P., Kingdom: Ashin of the North, My Name, Space Sweepers, Squid Game, Yumi's Cells | 27 Replies

K-ent Looks Forward to the Discharge of Four Male Actor Leads in the Next Few Months: Park Bo Gum, Woo Do Hwan, Yang Se Jong, and Yook Sung Jae

A Koala's Playground Posted on November 5, 2021 by ockoalaNovember 5, 2021
Smiling man in white shirt raising fist.

The year 2021 is winding down and another batch of enlisted male lead level actors are returning from nearly two years away in mandatory military service. That means the casting calls for next years K-dramas and/or movies will have returning names to shake up the scene. The biggest name return is also the last to come back in this batch … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Partk Bo Gum, Woo Do Hwan, Yang Se Jong, Yook Sung Jae | 21 Replies

Dazed Korea Drops Fashion Pictorial Featuring Jang Ki Yong and Song Hye Kyo for Now, We are Breaking Up

A Koala's Playground Posted on November 5, 2021 by ockoalaNovember 5, 2021
Couple in intimate black and white portrait.

The promos are really coming fast for upcoming SBS drama Now, We are Breaking Up, with just one week left before airing. Male lead Jang Ki Yong filmed and photographed all his promo activities in August before enlisting in the military so even the forthcoming press conference was already completed with the cast back then. This week Dazed Korea magazine … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Jang Ki Yong, Now We Are Breaking Up, Song Hye Kyo | 20 Replies

KBS Kicks Off Promotions for Long Delayed School 2021 with Kim Yo Han and Choo Yi Hyun

A Koala's Playground Posted on November 4, 2021 by ockoalaNovember 4, 2021
Four students in colorful backgrounds and outfits.

There were four School seasons in the early Hallyu days that launched the career of many a now top K star before KBS paused the franchise for a decade until School 2013 came along. This upcoming School 2021 will be the fourth in the rebooted franchise and we will have to wait and see if this will also mark the … Continue reading →

Posted in Musings | Tagged Cho Yi Hyun, Choo Yeong Woo, Hwang Boreumbyeol, Kim Yo Han, School 2021 | 13 Replies

Netflix in Final Talks to Remake Crash Landing on You as a US Series

A Koala's Playground Posted on November 4, 2021 by ockoalaNovember 4, 2021
Four characters posing in a dramatic backdrop.

I knew this was coming just because it was so popular but unless the final result just magically works this will not be the best idea to spend time and money on. Netflix aired hit tvN drama Crashing Landing on You when it aired last year and also got amazing streaming views on the platform. The drama definitely played a … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Crash Landing on You | 52 Replies

Joseon Exorcist Leads the Joynews Poll of K-ent Insiders Pick for Worst Drama of 2021 Followed by Penthouse

A Koala's Playground Posted on November 4, 2021 by ockoalaNovember 4, 2021
Historical drama poster with three characters.

The counterpart to the Joynews insider poll on the Best Dramas of 2021 is also here, the same group of over 200 K-ent professionals were asked what their pick for Worst Drama of the year was. I was not expecting to see this drama make the list since it aired only 2-episodes before it was yanked but by a Titanic … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Gentleman and Young Lady, Joseon Exorcist, Lost, Marriage Lyrics and Divorce Music, Penthouse, Sisyphus: The Myth | 25 Replies

K-actor Lee Ji Hoon Alleged by Production Staff on K-drama Sponsor of Bringing Thug Friend to Set Causing Disturbance and Original Screenwriter Adds that He was Fired and the PD and Staff Changed When He Complained About Too Little Scenes

A Koala's Playground Posted on November 3, 2021 by ockoalaNovember 5, 2021
Young man in a black suit portrait.

This week there was a drama production behind-the-scenes brouhaha and it surrounds upcoming revenge melodrama Sponsor and male lead Lee Ji Hoon. A production team member on the drama posted online that Lee Ji Hoon brought a friend to the set who seemed like a thug or gangster and that person then acted threatening towards him. He said Lee Ji … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Lee Ji Hoon | 11 Replies

Joynews Poll of Over 200 K-ent Insiders Selects Hospital Playlist 2 as Best Drama of 2021 Followed by Hometown Cha Cha Cha and then Vincenzo

A Koala's Playground Posted on November 3, 2021 by ockoalaNovember 3, 2021
Group of doctors in scrubs and lab coats.

Korean newspaper Joynews is celebrating its 17th anniversary this year and during the week of October 12th-19th it commissioned a poll of over 200 Korean industry insiders to vote for what drama they think was the best in 2021. The voters consisted of production honchos, producers, PDs, screenwriters, agency management heads, and entertainment news reporters. Hospital Playlist 2 received the … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Beyond Evil, Hometown Cha Cha Cha, Hospital Playlist, Racket Boys, Vincenzo | 62 Replies

Snack Cart Support Pictures Show First Look at Son Ye Jin Filming Upcoming Female-centric jTBC Drama Thirty Nine

A Koala's Playground Posted on November 3, 2021 by ockoalaNovember 3, 2021
Three women posing for portraits.

The mega hit that was Crash Landing on You is now almost two years ago, and since then neither leads Hyun Bin or Son Ye Jin tried to capitalize on that surge of popularity with another drama or movie in quick succession. Not surprising since both are A-list established stars but now its Son Ye Jin who will be the … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Son Ye Jin, Thirty Nine | 15 Replies

Woo Do Hwan Readies for January 2022 Discharge From Military Service and in Talks for Netflix Drama Hounds

A Koala's Playground Posted on November 2, 2021 by ockoalaNovember 2, 2021
Young man leaning against a wall.

The news is starting to shift to the K-actors coming back from military service soon, and there are a bunch who are male leads already or slated to slot into being one. Seeing aside Park Bo Gum and Yang Se Jong who are coming back in early 2022, the first will be Woo Do Hwan in January 2022, he’s currently … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Hounds, Woo Do Hwan | 8 Replies

Even Lee Young Ae Can’t Revive jTBC’s 2021 Year Long Flagging Ratings as Weekend Drama Inspector Koo Premieres to 2.640%

A Koala's Playground Posted on November 2, 2021 by ockoalaNovember 1, 2021
Person wearing a plastic cover and gloves.

I haven’t written about recently premiered jTBC weekend drama Inspector Koo (Koo Kyung Yi) because the cast and premise didn’t interest me, it’s one of those dramas that I will watch if I hear it’s good. But it’s still Lee Young Ae in the lead and she’s retained a near mythical image in South Korea even with her ten year … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Inspector Koo, Lee Young Ae | 37 Replies

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Recent Posts

  • Four Consecutive Day C-drama Premieres Starting June 17th with Created in China with Zhang Xin Cheng and Song Zu Er and Ending with The Princess’s Gambit with Liu Xue Yi and Meng Zi Yi on June 20th
  • Ahn Hyo Seob, Lee Min Hyo, Chae Soo Bin, and Nana Gear Up for Part 1 of the Live Action Movie Adaptation of Omniscient Reader Viewpoint Releasing July 2025
  • Crystal Liu and Chen Xiao Set to Reunite for Big Budget Youku Qing Dynasty Period Drama Tearless Snow
  • Gong Jun in Talks for Wuxia and Politics Period C-drama Bai Yi Gong Qing
  • Cheng Yi and Lin Geng Yin in Casting Talks for Dual Male Lead Period Political C-drama Fifteen Days Between Two Capitals
  • iQiyi Period C-drama A Dream Within a Dream with Li Yi Tong and Liu Yu Ning Gets Distribution License and Scheduled for End of Month June Release
  • iQiyi Xianxia C-drama Feud with Bai Lu and Zeng Shun Xi Premieres to Strong Viewership But Polarizing Reviews
  • C-actor Zhai Xiao Wen in Talks for Male Lead Opposite Yu Shu Xin in the Period C-drama A Journey to Glow
  • Cheng Yi’s Drama The Journey of Legend Reportedly Delayed to 2026 Airing as Second Female Lead Li Kai Xin Will be AI Face Swapped with Actress Yang Xi Zi
  • C-actress Zhang Xue Ying the New Rumored Female Lead for Tencent Big Budget Period C-drama The One with Wu Lei




Latest Comments

  • Yui on Four Consecutive Day C-drama Premieres Starting June 17th with Created in China with Zhang Xin Cheng and Song Zu Er and Ending with The Princess’s Gambit with Liu Xue Yi and Meng Zi Yi on June 20th
  • Ophelia on Crystal Liu and Chen Xiao Set to Reunite for Big Budget Youku Qing Dynasty Period Drama Tearless Snow
  • HL on Four Consecutive Day C-drama Premieres Starting June 17th with Created in China with Zhang Xin Cheng and Song Zu Er and Ending with The Princess’s Gambit with Liu Xue Yi and Meng Zi Yi on June 20th
  • Sheila on Ahn Hyo Seob, Lee Min Hyo, Chae Soo Bin, and Nana Gear Up for Part 1 of the Live Action Movie Adaptation of Omniscient Reader Viewpoint Releasing July 2025
  • Somebody on Gong Jun in Talks for Wuxia and Politics Period C-drama Bai Yi Gong Qing
  • Somebody on Crystal Liu and Chen Xiao Set to Reunite for Big Budget Youku Qing Dynasty Period Drama Tearless Snow
  • Somebody on Ahn Hyo Seob, Lee Min Hyo, Chae Soo Bin, and Nana Gear Up for Part 1 of the Live Action Movie Adaptation of Omniscient Reader Viewpoint Releasing July 2025
  • Missjb on Ahn Hyo Seob, Lee Min Hyo, Chae Soo Bin, and Nana Gear Up for Part 1 of the Live Action Movie Adaptation of Omniscient Reader Viewpoint Releasing July 2025
  • jacqui on Everlasting Longing with Angelababy and Song Wei Long Airs to Low Viewership and Brutal Reviews
  • lev on Ahn Hyo Seob, Lee Min Hyo, Chae Soo Bin, and Nana Gear Up for Part 1 of the Live Action Movie Adaptation of Omniscient Reader Viewpoint Releasing July 2025
  • Ani on iQiyi Xianxia C-drama Feud with Bai Lu and Zeng Shun Xi Premieres to Strong Viewership But Polarizing Reviews
  • Faith on Cheng Yi and Lin Geng Yin in Casting Talks for Dual Male Lead Period Political C-drama Fifteen Days Between Two Capitals

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