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A Koala's Playground

I'll talk about dramas if I want to

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KBS Rom-com Dali and the Cocky Prince Continue to Deliver Colorful and Creative Posters and Teasers

A Koala's Playground Posted on September 7, 2021 by ockoalaSeptember 6, 2021
Romantic scene with artwork and two characters.

I wonder if KBS tried to start off so badly that anything after is nothing up better? How else to explain the godawful first poster of Dali and the Cocky Prince (Dalri and Gamjatang) followed by seriously creative and excellent ones? The latest after the character posters paying homage to famous paintings is one where the two leads Park Kyu … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Dali and the Cocky Prince, KIm Min Jae, Kwon Yul, Park Kyu Young, Yeonwoo

Seo Ye Ji and Park Byung Eun Offered Leads in Early 2022 tvN Drama Eve’s Scandal

A Koala's Playground Posted on September 6, 2021 by ockoalaSeptember 6, 2021
Two individuals posing for a fashion photo.

Alrighty then, I expected this at some point but it’s frankly so quick it’s a bit of whiplash. tvN has announced early 2022 K-drama Eve’s Scandal and the lead roles have been offered to Park Eun Byung and Seo Ye Ji. The former is an actor’s actor who excels at any role but this would be his first leading man … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Eve's Scandal, Park Byung Eun, Seo Ye Ji

Japan Confirms Remake of Hit jTBC Drama Itaewon Class with Male Lead Takeuchi Ryoma

A Koala's Playground Posted on September 6, 2021 by ockoalaSeptember 6, 2021
Smiling young man in a black jacket.

The buzz around Itaewon Class has died down since it’s ratings hit run last year during the early days of the pandemic, almost like a satisfying revenge balm for the downtrodden soul. It was a big hit in Japan as well and even got a television release there so it’s only logical that J-doramas would want to remake it. It’s … Continue reading →

Posted in J-doramas | Tagged Itaewon Class, Park Seo Joon, Takeuchi Ryoma

Ro Woon and Park Eun Bin Bring the Height Difference and Slow Burn in First Teaser Poster for KBS Sageuk Drama Affection

A Koala's Playground Posted on September 6, 2021 by ockoalaSeptember 6, 2021
Two figures silhouetted in a traditional setting.

This drama is cross-dressing on a life-or-death scale, and I couldn’t be happier. In K-drama cross-dressing stories it’s always the fear of being found out but here the female lead posing as her dead twin brother is cross-dressing as the Crown Prince of Joseon. Discovery means off with her head! The drama Affection (Yeonmo) has been filming in late spring … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Affection, Park Eun Bin, Ro Woon, Yeonmo

China’s Tightening of Citizenship Starts as HK-actor Nicholas Tse Applied to Relinquish His Dual Citizenship with Canada and Same with Young Actor Chen Fei Yu With His US Citizenship to Continue Working in China

A Koala's Playground Posted on September 5, 2021 by ockoalaSeptember 5, 2021
Man in leather jacket posing thoughtfully.

I write about dramas and industry not just in Korea but also covering Taiwan, Japan, and Mainland China so the recent uptick in articles on the latter is solely because so much wild stuff is happening there some of which are just alarming. In addition to the recent 8-points memo from the Chinese broadcasting authorities to reorganize C-ent on television, … Continue reading →

Posted in Miscellaneous | Tagged Chen Fei Yu, Nicholas Tse

Hometown Cha Cha Cha Shimmies Up 8.733% Ratings in Episode 3 as a Sign that the Romance Slice-of-life Drama Can Still Get Audience Interest

A Koala's Playground Posted on September 5, 2021 by ockoalaSeptember 5, 2021
Young couple interacting by the waterfront.

Congrats are in order for tvN Sat-Sun drama Hometown Cha Cha Cha, arriving late into the summer but has become the winner of the season in ratings for the network. Episode 3 rose 2% in ratings from episode 2 to garner 8.733%, and it’s predecessor The Devil Judge never got past 8% while earlier Mine got over 8% in the … Continue reading →

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

Lovers of the Red Sky Rises to 8.8% Rating in Episode 2 as the Story Transitions to Classic Sageuk with a Jolt of Fantasy in the Beating Heart

A Koala's Playground Posted on September 5, 2021 by ockoalaSeptember 4, 2021
Intimate moment between two historical figures.

I love when the majority of viewers, it appears, seem to enjoy the drama, and even better with a great sense of humor. The general consensus is that Lovers of the Red Sky (Hong Chun Gi) is an entertaining watch so far, the first episode was solely fantasy but now the second episode has transitioned to more traditional sageuk beats … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Ahn Hyo Seob, Hong Chun Gi, Kim Yoo Jung, Kwak Si Yang, Lovers of the Red Sky, Red Sky

Wang Yibo and Guan Xiaotong Last Minute Removed From CCTV Cultural Music Celebration Program After Dress Rehearsal Last Week as First Signs of Television Programming Changes to the New Restrictions

A Koala's Playground Posted on September 4, 2021 by ockoalaSeptember 6, 2021
Stage performance with various performers and script.

Even those who toe the line are not immune from the harsh hand of the Chinese government tightening of entertainment industry behavior. This weekend CCTV aired a cultural minority musical celebration program and netizens noticed that original star participants popular young stars Wang Yibo and Guan Xiaotong are both missing. They were at the dress rehearsal last week and listed … Continue reading →

Posted in TW & C dramas | Tagged Guan Xiaotong, Wang Yibo

K-variety Program Discusses the Highest Net Worth Korean Celebrities with Jeon Ji Hyun, Kim Soo Hyun, and Yoo Jae Suk Ranked Top Three

A Koala's Playground Posted on September 4, 2021 by ockoalaSeptember 4, 2021
Korean celebrity rankings with monetary values displayed.

Well this is a way for fraudsters to know who to target, lol. K-ent program Entertainment Company Live this weekend had a segment discussing the highest net worth individuals in the industry. This comes from a combination of salary for drama/movie/hosting and of course CF endorsements. The top of the chart is none other than Jeon Ji Hyun who commands … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Jeon Ji Hyun, Kim Soo Hyun, Lee Seung Gi, Song Hye Kyo, Song Joong Ki

TVing Showcases the Most Active of Yumi’s Cells in Adorable Cute Stills

A Koala's Playground Posted on September 4, 2021 by ockoalaSeptember 4, 2021
A couple sitting with cartoon characters on couch.

While I’m glad the cells are getting their spotlight in the upcoming tvN adaptation of popular webtoon Yumi’s Cells, I hope their charm doesn’t undercut the live action leads and the story proper. When I read first few chapters of the webtoon, honestly I was totally adoring the cells scenes and less so the ones with Yumi, despite the two … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Kim Go Eun, Yumi's Cells

China Broadcasting Issues the 8 Decrees to Broadly Reorganize Entertainment Industry Including No Sissy Male Stars Onscreen and Cancelling Idol Making Shows

A Koala's Playground Posted on September 3, 2021 by ockoalaSeptember 3, 2021
Four individuals in traditional Chinese costumes.

I don’t even know where to start so I’ll just tackle each major new restriction as is. China Broadcasting on behalf of the government issued an 8-point decree this week intended to broadly restructure and also restrict what is seen on television and the behavior of stars and their fans. Shows will not be able to show “sissy men” or … Continue reading →

Posted in TW & C dramas | Tagged China

First Look at Han So Hee Headlining Netflix Crime Revenge Drama My Name to Premiere After Squid Game

A Koala's Playground Posted on September 3, 2021 by ockoalaSeptember 3, 2021
Mysterious figure in dark, urban setting.

The year of Han So Hee chugs on and this one looks way more promising in quality than her last drama the jTBC complicated college romance Nevertheless. She’s headlining the Netflix K-drama My Name where she plays a member of an organized crime syndicate who goes undercover in the police drug unit in order to investigate her father’s death. It’s … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Han So Hee, My Name

First Stills of Junho and Lee Se Young in Traditional MBC Sageuk The Red Sleeve Cuff

A Koala's Playground Posted on September 3, 2021 by ockoalaSeptember 2, 2021
Man in traditional attire being dressed.

The fall of sageuk has officially started this week with the premiere of SBS drama Lovers of the Red Sky (Red Sky) which is NOT a traditional sageuk in any sense of the genre, but up next is MBC drama The Red Sleeve Cuff which looks super traditional. It deals with the love story and politics behind King Jeongjo and … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Junho, Lee Se Young, The Red Sleeve Cuff

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Recent Posts

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  • C-actor Song Zu Er to Ditch Her Stage Name and Go By Birth Name Sun Fan Qing Going Forward as Confirmed by Promos for New Dramas The Palace Stewardess and Wish You All the Best




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  • 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
  • Spears on CCTV and iQiyi Medical Drama Small Town Remedy with Xiao Zhan is the Most Well Received C-drama of October 2026
  • Mina 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

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