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A Koala's Playground

I'll talk about dramas if I want to

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Lee Jung Jae in The Face Reader Tops K-netizens Most Impressive Entrance in a Movie Followed by Kang Dong Won in Temptation of Wolves and Jo Ji Woong in A Hard Day

A Koala's Playground Posted on October 4, 2021 by ockoalaOctober 4, 2021
Man in traditional attire seated at a table.

It’s funny to see Western media write about Netflix K-drama Squid Game and lead Lee Jung Jae as if it’s his first foray with blockbuster fame. In a worldwide level for sure, but he’s been a top movie star in South Korea for nearly three decades and is so famous he’s often taken cameo/guest starring/villain roles in recent years to … Continue reading →

Posted in Films | Tagged Jo Jin Woong, Kang Dong Won, Kim Soo Hyun, Lee Jin Wook, Lee Jung Jae

Ice King Park Eun Bin Stirs Up Feelings From Royal Tutor Ro Woo in New Posters and Preview for The King’s Affection

A Koala's Playground Posted on October 4, 2021 by ockoalaOctober 4, 2021
Historical Korean drama poster with two characters.

I’m starting to get nervous/excited for the upcoming KBS sageuk The King’s Affection, the more promos I see the more I find the set up totally swoony yet the more I’m super wary of idol-actor Ro Woon tackling his first headlining sageuk role. I think he’s shown plenty of potential and delivered enough in each of the dramas I’ve seen … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Park Eun Bin, Ro Woon, The King's Affection, Yeonmo

C-ent Abuzz with Purported Leaked List of 25 Stars the Government Put on an All Kill Permanent Ban List

A Koala's Playground Posted on October 4, 2021 by ockoalaOctober 3, 2021
Woman in black dress with red lips.

I thought things were dying down in C-ent after the summer of scandals and crackdowns, but this early fall may bring with it clarity for who and for what reasons certain stars are no longer going to be allowed to continue being in the entertainment industry in China. A list is spreading like wildfire that includes the names of 25 … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Fan Bing Bing, Jaycee Chan, Kai Ko, Li Xiao Lu, Show Luo, Vicki Zhao, Wu Yi Fan, Zhang Zhe Han, Zhao Wei, Zheng Shuang

Episodes 3-4 of Dali and the Cocky Prince Rise in Ratings to 5% Range as the Drama Continues to Balance Lovely Rom-com Development with Great Chemistry and Acting

A Koala's Playground Posted on October 3, 2021 by ockoalaOctober 3, 2021
Dramatic scene with tense expressions and outfits.

The second week of KBS Wed-Thurs rom-com Dali and the Cocky Prince (Dal Ri and Gamjatang) has the drama building on an unexpectedly solid premiere character and relationship setting to take it one step further. Leads Kim Min Jae and Park Kyu Young continue to be the shining stars of the show, their characters are so opposite yet complementary and … Continue reading →

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

New Stills of Park Min Young and Song Kang as Weather Bureau Colleagues Filming Rom-com Office Cruelty Romance

A Koala's Playground Posted on October 3, 2021 by ockoalaOctober 3, 2021
Two smiling individuals in stylish outfits.

The Indian summer is finally over and the stirrings of fall footsteps are starting to head my way. It’s all about weather and romance for upcoming Office Romance Cruelty set in the meteorological office bureau and starring Park Min Young and Song Kang. I’m glad the drama is still filming so there is a bigger break between what felt like … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Office Romance Cruelty, Park Min Young, Song Kang

Squid Game Achieves First Ever All Kill on Netflix, #1 in Every Single Country of the Streaming Platform

A Koala's Playground Posted on October 3, 2021 by ockoalaOctober 2, 2021
Two smiling men in matching outfits.

Netflix original drama Squid Game isn’t just a K-drama anymore, it’s officially THE BIGGEST SHOW worldwide currently as the series just achieved the first ever All Kill on the streaming platform. As of Saturday this week it is #1 in every single country that Netflix airs in, all 83 countries. Two days earlier it was nearly there taking #1 in … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Squid Game

Park Hyung Sik, Jeon So Ni, Pyo Ye Jin, and Lee Tae Sun Start Filming K-drama Sageuk Loosely Adapting C-novel The Golden Hairpin

A Koala's Playground Posted on October 2, 2021 by ockoalaOctober 2, 2021
Four stylish individuals posing for photos.

Okay, I need an official name for this drama because there are so many translations. Filming has commenced for upcoming sageuk drama Youth, Glancing at the Moon (Youth, Climbing Over the Wall) which less important than what the title means is that the drama was what would have been the K-drama adaptation of the C-novel The Golden Hairpin. The direct … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Jeon So Nee, Lee Tae Sun, Park Hyung Sik, Pyo Ye Jin

Watch an Entire Drama Love Story in One Picture: A Visual Homage to Some of the Best K-romances

A Koala's Playground Posted on October 2, 2021 by ockoalaOctober 2, 2021
Couple sharing a romantic moment.

This post doesn’t need any editorializing, and really just needs to be viewed and savored. A talented and oh so generous K-netizen (doing the drama gods service!) created a one picture image for some of the most popular and beloved K-drama romances in the last two decades that captures the beginning and end. It’s called “Watch an entire K-drama in … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged All About My Romance, Answer Me 1988, Boyfriend, Coffee Prince, Come and Hug Me, Encounter, Goong, Heirs, Hotel Del Luna, It's Okay It's Love, Kill Me Heal Me, Mr. Sunshine, Pasta, Queen Seon Deok, That Winter When the Winter Blows, The Light in Your Eyes, The Master's Sun, Thirty But Seventeen, Touch Your Heart, Will It Snow for Christmas, You From Another Star

Taecyeon Prepares for Impending Job Death After Receiving His Imperial Summons in New Drama Teaser for Inspector Joy

A Koala's Playground Posted on October 2, 2021 by ockoalaOctober 1, 2021
Actors at a team meeting making heart gestures.

Okay, this could actually work, because it’s a sageuk that’s definitely not trying to be on the traditional path. And that non-traditional element allows male lead Taecyeon, who is beyond modern man in the vibe he gives off and lacks any of the sageuk gravitas per usual, to work this character. In upcoming tvN sageuk Inspector Joy (Tale of Secret … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Inspector Joy, Kim Hye Yoon, Taecyeon, Tale of Secret Royal Inspector and Jo Yi

Viewers of tvN Hit Drama Hometown Cha Cha Cha Divided Over K-reporter Article About the Drama Using Crime Repeatedly for the Male Lead to Save the Female Lead and Turn into a Romantic Moment

A Koala's Playground Posted on October 1, 2021 by ockoalaOctober 2, 2021
Couple embracing under dim streetlights.

This week a K-entertainment reporter wrote a long article (here) that critiques currently airing hit weekend drama Hometown Cha Cha Cha for one specific element and it’s a thoughtful take that is worth discussing and even better is the responses from viewers are equally thoughtful, nothing is knee jerk. The writer took issue with Hometown using the “woman in danger … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Hometown Cha Cha Cha, Kim Sun Ho, Shin Mina

Vincenzo and It’s Okay to Not be Okay are the Most Watched on Netflix Television Simulcast K-dramas of the 2020-2021 Period

A Koala's Playground Posted on October 1, 2021 by ockoalaOctober 1, 2021
Promotional image for the series "Vincenzo."

Everyone’s talking about the Netflix produced K-dramas of the last two years which really has been an incredible success for the streaming platform, but it also has shelled out generously for the streaming rights to K-dramas that aired on television whether cable or prime time. For the period of 2020-2021 the viewership numbers are in and Vincenzo is the most … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Its Okay to Not be Okay, Vincenzo

tvN Releases First Off-Kilter and Dizzying Poster for Thriller Drama Happiness with Han Hyo Joo and Park Hyung Sik

A Koala's Playground Posted on October 1, 2021 by ockoalaSeptember 30, 2021
Apartment windows at night with silhouettes.

This drama has been low on my radar mostly because the title and short synopsis is just so at odds I don’t know how to anticipate it. tvN released the first poster for Happiness today, the thriller drama starring Han Hyo Joo, Park Hyung Sik as his first post military project, and Jo Woo Jin. Unlike the positive sounding title, … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Han Hyo Joo, Happiness, Jo Woo Jin, Park Hyung Sik

Squid Game Generates Worldwide Media Coverage as it Tops Netflix, Currently on Track to Become Most Watched Netflix Series Ever to Surpass Bridgerton

A Koala's Playground Posted on September 30, 2021 by ockoalaSeptember 30, 2021
Three men in green tracksuits, looking scared.

This is the broadest media coverage I have ever seen for a Korean drama with what is happening with Squid Game, and formerly it was Crash Landing on You when it became a pan-Asia hit last year and got mainstream viewership as well on Netflix. The Netflix drama premiered on September 17th and in the two weeks since has topped … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Squid Game

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Recent Posts

  • Shin Mina and Kim Woo Bin Tie the Knot at Private Wedding in Seoul with Top Industry Star Friends in Attendance
  • KBS Soul Swap Sageuk Romance To My Beloved Thief with Nam Ji Hyun and Moon Sang Min Release Pretty New Poster and Preview
  • Im Shi Wan and Seol In Ah Confirmed for tvN Mystery Romance Cross-dressing K-drama My Guilty Person
  • 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
  • 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
  • Hyun Bin and Jung Woo Sung’s Disney+ Drama Made in Korea Holds Rare Television Star-studded Premiere with Lee Min Ho and Jang Geun Seok Among Others Attending
  • Youku Premieres Period Strategy Thriller The Vendetta of An with Cheng Yi to Positive First Reviews
  • Chae Soo Bin and Kim Young Kwang Kick Off Filming for Rom-com K-drama Take Care of My Heart
  • Kim Hye Yoon and Park Solomon Embark on Their Own Nine-Tailed Fox and Human Rom-Com in SBS K-drama Human From Today
  • Modern C-drama Sniper Butterfly with Michelle Chen and Zhou Ke Yu Reportedly Doing Very Well in the Older Woman-Younger Man Romance Genre




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