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A Koala's Playground

I'll talk about dramas if I want to

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HK-superstar Gillian Chung Divorces TW Doctor Husband Michael Lai After 14 Months of Marriage

A Koala's Playground Posted on May 9, 2020 by ockoalaMay 9, 2020
Happy couple at a wedding celebration.

I wouldn’t chalk this up to COVID-19 cohabitation friction related split, more like it was bound to happen due to rash and immature getting together in the first place. HK singer Gillian Chung and her Taiwanese doctor husband Michael Lai confirmed their divorce this week, after 14-months of marriage though they did hold a wedding ceremony 6 months prior to … Continue reading →

Posted in Miscellaneous | Tagged Divorce, Gillian Chung

Zhou Dong Yu and the Chinese Bullying Movie Better Days Sweeps the 2020 Hong Kong Film Awards

A Koala's Playground Posted on May 9, 2020 by ockoalaMay 8, 2020
Movie poster for "Better Days" featuring two characters.

This week the Hong Kong Film Association announced the winners of the prestigious Hong Kong Film Awards, held via a video telecast for the first time in the award history rather than one of the most star-studded red carpets and ceremonies in Asian cinema. For me the magnificence, resonance, and inspiring impact of movies that challenge the heart, mind, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Films | Tagged Better Days, Zhou Dong Yu

New Ratings Low of 7.0% and 8.1% in Episode 7 of The King: Eternal Monarch Despite the Narrative Starting to Clarify and Coalese

A Koala's Playground Posted on May 8, 2020 by ockoalaMay 8, 2020
Couple having an intense conversation at night.

There is A LOT packed into what Kim Eun Sook wanted to do with The King: Eternal Monarch and I’m probably going to lay the majority of the blame for this drama being her first ratings flop on her above all the other problems. Sure there are directing lacks and acting inability to deliver depth and chemistry, but I cannot … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged The King: Eternal Monarch

The King: Eternal Monarch Adds New PD Yoo Je Won Who Directed Dramas Hi Bye, Mama!, Abyss, Tomorrow With You, and Oh My Ghost

A Koala's Playground Posted on May 8, 2020 by ockoalaMay 8, 2020
Collage of diverse characters in various scenes.

I’m of mixed mind on this and of course what I think doesn’t matter as the end result will speak for itself. In a wild attempt to address one of the three pillars of K-media and viewer criticism of big budget fantasy romance drama The King: Eternal Monarch (script, acting/chemistry, and directing), the production has added a new PD to … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged The King: Eternal Monarch

Choi Ji Woo Shares Picture and Letter Update 2 Weeks Out From Delivering Baby Girl

A Koala's Playground Posted on May 8, 2020 by ockoalaMay 7, 2020
Woman celebrating with balloons in a garden.

Awwwww, she looks so glowing and happy! K-actress Choi Ji Woo is expecting her first child and has revealed that it’s a little girl in her SNS update this week to fans. She posted a picture of herself likely at a baby shower holding a pink balloon sign that spells out Baby Girl. She wrote a handwritten note that expressed … Continue reading →

Posted in Miscellaneous | Tagged Baby, Choi Ji Woo

2020 Baeksang Award Nominations Out and Popular Dramas Crash Landing on You, The World of the Married, and When the Camellia Blooms Lead Drama Side

A Koala's Playground Posted on May 7, 2020 by ockoalaMay 7, 2020
Collage of Korean drama posters and themes.

The 2020 Baeksang Awards held on June 5, 2020 will take place without an audience for the first time in its history but at least it will take place and be broadcast. The nominations were released today on May 8th and there are a few surprises of who was in and not in but mostly I am really pleased! The … Continue reading →

Posted in Awards | Tagged Crash Landing on You, Gong Hyo Jin, Hyena, Hyun Bin, IU, Joo Ji Hoon, Kang Ha Neul, Kim Hye Soo, Kingdom, Namgong Min, Park Seo Joon, Song Ye Jin, Stove League, When the Camellia Blooms

The Cast of The King: Eternal Monarch are Chummy and Chill in Netflix Promotional Stills

A Koala's Playground Posted on May 7, 2020 by ockoalaMay 7, 2020
Five people posing in monochrome and patterned attire

I came across this week Netflix promotional stills featuring the cast of K-drama The King: Eternal Monarch. The drama is streaming an hour after it airs on SBS every Fri-Sat so that’s fast consumption for online and international viewers. I still think the cast of Lee Min Ho, Kim Go Eun, Woo Do Hwan, Jung Eun Chae, and Kim Kyung … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Jung Eun Chae, Kim Go Eun, Kim Kyung Nam, Lee Min Ho, The King: Eternal Monarch, Woo Do Hwan

Ji Chang Wook and Kim Yoo Jung Headline Script Reading for SBS Drama Convenience Store Morning Star

A Koala's Playground Posted on May 7, 2020 by ockoalaMay 7, 2020
Cast holding script pages and smiling

Right now SBS isn’t having the Fri-Sat night drama reception and ratings it was expecting with fantasy epic drama The King: Eternal Monarch. That doesn’t help the successor drama taking over that time slot in June with Convenience Store Morning Star (Convenience Store Saet Byul) with Ji Chang Wook and Kim Yoo Jung. Adapted from the same name webtoon, I’m … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Convenience Store Morning Star, Ji Chang Wook, Kim Yoo Jung

PD for The King: Eternal Monarch Apologizes for Warship Mixup in Episode 6 Battle Scene Along with Bad CGI and Design

A Koala's Playground Posted on May 6, 2020 by ockoalaMay 7, 2020
Person on horse against sunset and royal portrait.

Even Naver is covering The King: Eternal Monarch which 6-episodes in is mired in The King: Eternal Controversy. The third week’s airing has created the third wave of South Korean viewer gripes about the drama – (1) the Japanese warships depicted in the long naval standoff scene between the Kingdom of Korea and Japan, turns out the Japanese naval ships … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Lee Min Ho, The King: Eternal Monarch

First Teaser for Sci-fi Korean Movie Space Sweepers with Song Joong Ki and Kim Tae Ri

A Koala's Playground Posted on May 6, 2020 by ockoalaMay 6, 2020
Collage of characters in a sci-fi setting.

Okay, I legit have sooooooo many thoughts on this. The first teaser trailer is out for sci-fi swashbuckling Korean film Space Sweepers (Korean title Victory Ship) and I already hate the stupid English title. It’s so hokey and I’m sure the movie is not intended as tongue-in-cheek entertainment so bad its bad Starship Troopers so the name could just stick … Continue reading →

Posted in Films | Tagged KIm Tae Ri, Song Joong Ki, Space Sweepers, Victory Ship

Yoona, Lee Seung Gi, and Suzy Take Part in Thanks Challenge Showing Gratitude for First Responders in Covid-19 Crisis

A Koala's Playground Posted on May 6, 2020 by ockoalaMay 5, 2020
Young woman smiling with thumbs-up gesture.

K-ent has a new picture challenge and in 24-hours tons of famous stars have participated sincerely by posting really low key every day backdrop pictures to support medical professional first responders facing the COVID-19 crisis. It’s called the Thanks Challenge and stars make a sign language gesture that means respect, as a show of gratitude towards those who work on … Continue reading →

Posted in Miscellaneous | Tagged Han Hyo Joo, Han Ji Min, Ji Chang Wook, Jung Hae In, Kim Go Eun, Lee Seung Gi, Suzy, Yoona

Jo Jung Seok Revealed to Have Taken Nearly 30% Pay Cut to do Hit Drama Hospital Playlist

A Koala's Playground Posted on May 5, 2020 by ockoalaMay 5, 2020
Group of doctors walking in hospital corridor.

Success feels sweeter when it goes to someone truly deserving. The entire cast of tvN Thursday drama Hospital Playlist (Wise Doctor Life) has been INCREDIBLE, seriously I am only two episodes in as I want to savor this gem and love every bit of it. Now K-ent is reporting that male lead Jo Jung Seok took a nearly 30% pay … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Hospital Playlist, Jo Jung Seok, Wise Doctor Life

Crash Landing on You Makes K-drama Proud as 3rd Most Watched Show on Netflix in March 2020

A Koala's Playground Posted on May 5, 2020 by ockoalaMay 4, 2020
Couple smiling together in a scenic field.

I’m like a proud momma and would be if ANY K-drama made this list because the entire industry and genre has its unique appeal that it’s validating to see it get broader and broader exposure. It’s been nearly twenty years since Hallyu spread around first Asia and then the rest of the world but it’s still a niche market. Netflix … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Crash Landing on You

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  • Republic Era War and Romance C-drama The Lament of Autumn with Cheng Lei and Xu Ruo Han Peters Out From Hot Start and Frustrates Viewers with Ending




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  • HL on Top C-drama Actors Jing Bo Ran, Zhang Ling He, Song Wei Long, and Bai Jing Ting Showcase Fun and Fab Male Couture Fashion at W Magazine Event
  • Rero on Top C-drama Actors Jing Bo Ran, Zhang Ling He, Song Wei Long, and Bai Jing Ting Showcase Fun and Fab Male Couture Fashion at W Magazine Event
  • avarachika on Meng Zi Yi Reportedly Selects Republic Era Revenge Drama Jing Gui as Next Project and Male Lead Rumored to be Cheng Lei
  • avarachika on Top C-drama Actors Jing Bo Ran, Zhang Ling He, Song Wei Long, and Bai Jing Ting Showcase Fun and Fab Male Couture Fashion at W Magazine Event
  • 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
  • lev on C-actress Wang Chu Ran Lands Big Budget Female Lead Centric Hunan TV Period C-drama General Chang Ning Set for 2027
  • 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

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