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A Koala's Playground

I'll talk about dramas if I want to

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When the Stars Gossip Drops Out of Netflix Global Top 10 Non-English Shows and Opens with a Low 5.4 on Douban with Chinese Viewers

A Koala's Playground Posted on January 23, 2025 by ockoalaJanuary 23, 2025
Futuristic train scene with seated passengers.

The low domestic ratings of K-drama When the Stars Gossip in South Korea is now being met with the same fate in other major broadcast platforms. In the full second week of streaming since its release on Netflix, Stars is no longer in the global top 10 of non-English shows, and in the first week it placed #8 behind three … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Gong Hyo Jin, Lee Min Ho, When the Stars Gossip

Xu Kai and Zhou Ye Confirmed to Star in Period Romance C-drama A Cup of Love Starting Filming in March

A Koala's Playground Posted on January 22, 2025 by ockoalaJanuary 25, 2025
Two characters in traditional Eastern attire.

With so many period C-dramas airing between November of last year through January now it feels like the backlog of projects got released so now I’m back on the anticipation wagon for a slew of projects getting announced or starting to film. This week there is insider industry confirmation that Zhou Ye and Xu Kai will be pairing up for … Continue reading →

Posted in TW & C dramas | Tagged A Cup of Love, Xu Kai, Yi Ou Chun, Zhou Ye

C-actress Zhao Lu Si Reportedly to Resume Entertainment Activities After Hospitalization and Subsequent Hiatus

A Koala's Playground Posted on January 22, 2025 by ockoalaJanuary 21, 2025
Woman enjoying food with a dog nearby.

It’s been a quiet month of January for C-actress Zhao Lu Si after a very eventful December last month where she was hospitalized after her health deteriorated on the filming set of her drama Almost Lover and later she revealed that she was suffering from depression after she was verbally mistreated by her former agency early on in her career. … Continue reading →

Posted in TW & C dramas | Tagged Zhao Lu Si

A Tyrant’s Chef with Yoona and Lee Chae Min to Start Filming This Week on January 23rd

A Koala's Playground Posted on January 22, 2025 by ockoalaJanuary 21, 2025
Young woman with long hair, smiling.

So the timing seems off to kick start filming right before the lunar new year holiday stretch but likely this drama was already delayed after needing to re-cast the male lead. Sageuk romance A Tyrant’s Chef with Yoona and Lee Chae Min will start filming this week on January 23rd. Complaints from netizens have ended after original male lead Park … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged A Tyrant's Chef, Lee Chae Min, Yoona

Guardians of the Dafeng Ends on Strong Reviews of the Drama Turning From Comedy to Delivering Pathos and Tied Up Ending

A Koala's Playground Posted on January 21, 2025 by ockoalaJanuary 21, 2025
Two warriors preparing for battle.

It’s rarer and rarer to see huge budget S+ level C-dramas as the economy is also not throw money at entertainment level it used to be, so the end of December came the first big male lead led period drama with Guardians of the Dafeng starring Dylan Wang marketed as a make or break it type of project. The early … Continue reading →

Posted in TW & C dramas | Tagged Dylan Wang, Guardians of the Dafeng, Tian Xi Wei

First Poster and Script Reading Stills for Next MBC Fri-Sat K-drama Undercover High School

A Koala's Playground Posted on January 21, 2025 by ockoalaJanuary 20, 2025
Young man holding a gun in uniform.

So of course the two most famous undercover cop in high school onscreen stories has to be Fight Back to School which launched Stephen Chow‘s career and the 21 Jump Street US series. I mention this because those two are totally different tones and takes on the idea of a top cop going back to high school undercover and I’m … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Jin Ki Joo, Seo Kang Joon, Undercover High School

Douban Opening Ratings for Yang Zi’s Flourished Peony at 7.8 Towers Over Moonlight Mystique with Bai Lu at 5.9

A Koala's Playground Posted on January 20, 2025 by ockoalaJanuary 23, 2025
Two couples in traditional Chinese attire.

So the same day premiere of two female actress led C-dramas with Flourished Peony starring Yang Zi and Bai Lu with Moonlight Mystique has a winner, and unlike last November’s female actress showdown this one is not a surprise. Peony has been trending more and gotten stronger reviews and now the opening Douban viewer voted ratings reflect that as well … Continue reading →

Posted in TW & C dramas | Tagged Ao Rui Peng, Bai Lu, Flourished Peony, Li Xian, Moonlight Mystique, Yang Zi

Kim Soo Hyun and Jung Hae In Attend Couture Shows in Milan as Italian Brand Reps

A Koala's Playground Posted on January 20, 2025 by ockoalaJanuary 19, 2025
Smiling person waving at the camera.

This is probably the last overseas trips for many Asian celebs as next week starts the countdown to lunar new year where its likely everyone goes home to spend time with family. This weekend saw fashion shows in Milan for menswear fall-winter season to come and two top Korean actors were there for their respective brand reps. Kim Soo Hyun … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Jung Hae In, Kim Soo Hyun

Legend of the Condor Heroes: The Great Hero Directed by Tsui Hark Starring Xiao Zhan Becomes Fastest C-movie to Notch 10 million Presale Tickets

A Koala's Playground Posted on January 20, 2025 by ockoalaJanuary 19, 2025
Dramatic scene from a martial arts film.

Yes, the economy sucks everywhere and the political climate is wonky so of course entertainment is down and has been on a decline. But it also means if the movie makers give the viewers what they want then the old adage of if you build it they will come remains true. This week is the start of the lunar new … Continue reading →

Posted in Films | Tagged Legend of the Condor Heroes, Xiao Zhan, Zhuang Da Fei

When the Stars Gossip with Lee Min Ho and Gong Hyo Jin Drops to 1% Ratings Range in Episode 5

A Koala's Playground Posted on January 19, 2025 by ockoalaJanuary 19, 2025
Four astronauts working in a spacecraft.

So the crown of biggest budget K-drama flop is no long Arthdal Chronicles to wear, time to pass it on to When the Stars Gossip. The space IVF, fruit fly, and romance K-drama aired episode 5 this Saturday and got a paltry 1.84% ratings, the lowest of all the dramas airing that night. Arthdal had at that time the biggest … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Gong Hyo Jin, Lee Min Ho, Oh Jung Se, When the Stars Gossip

Sisters Finding Love Period C-drama Perfect Match with Wang Xing Yue and Lu Yu Xiao Leading Large Cast Confirms January 25th Premiere

A Koala's Playground Posted on January 19, 2025 by ockoalaJanuary 18, 2025
Actors in colorful costumes promoting a show.

So this is really great timing, to release period C-drama Perfect Match (Wu Fu Ling Men 五福临门) right before lunar new year since it just seems like a fun family oriented show to watch when nestling at home. The Yu Zheng produced C-drama stars a bevy of his agency stars along with additional familiar names and faces to create a … Continue reading →

Posted in TW & C dramas | Tagged Chen He Yi, Huang Sheng Chi, Huang Yang Tian Tian, Ke Ying, Liang Yong Qi, Liu Xie Ning, Lu Yu Xiao, Perfect Match, Wang Xing Yue, Wu Xuan Yi

K-netizens Upset at Song Joong Ki and Lee Sung Min After Their Comments on the State of K-movies at the Media Event for Movie Bogota

A Koala's Playground Posted on January 18, 2025 by ockoalaJanuary 17, 2025
Film poster featuring multiple intense faces.

It’s not a week in K-ent if there isn’t a scandal or upset feeling somewhere. But with K-pop, variety, movies, and dramas it doesn’t always hit a segment that I follow but this week it’s all over the movie promos for thriller arthouse flick Bogota: City of the Lost. The movie, starring Song Joong Ki and Lee Hee Joon, has … Continue reading →

Posted in Films | Tagged Bogata, Lee Sung Min, Song Joong Ki

Rumored Casting of Li Geng Xi and Fan Cheng Cheng for the Drama Adaptation of The Rebirth of Malicious Empress of Military Lineage Has Novel Fans in Uproar

A Koala's Playground Posted on January 18, 2025 by ockoalaJanuary 16, 2025
Dramatic scene with horseback riders and red accents.

Okay, please for the love of novel gods let this rumored casting be just that, a rumor never to become reality. Since the announcement that the C-drama The Rebirth of Malicious Empress of Military Lineage (将门毒后) was happening it’s become a top IP for young actors and actresses. The female lead Shen Miao and her epmoress rebirth journey from bumbling … Continue reading →

Posted in TW & C dramas | Tagged Fan Cheng Cheng, Li Geng Xi, The Rebirth of the Malicious Empress of Military Lineage

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K-dramas: When the Phone Rings

Recent Posts

  • Modern Sci-Fi Romance C-drama Love on the Turquoise Land with Dilraba Dilmurat and Chen Xing Xu Wrap Uneventful Run and Nets a Relatively Low 6.2 Douban Ratings
  • 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
  • First Poster for iQiyi Modern Romance C-drama My Queen, My Rules with Ao Rui Peng and Shen Yu Jie Gives off Sleek Sexy Vibes
  • TW-tabloids Go Wild with News that F4 is Reuniting at Concert this December in Shanghai But Without Member Ken Chu and Adding Top TW-singers Jay Chou and Ashin of Mayday as Special Guests
  • C-netizens Think iQiyi C-drama Speed and Love with Yu Shu Xin and He Yu Will Airdrop Tomorrow December 10th After Public Promo Poster Lists that Date
  • Lee Min Ho and Moon Ga Young in Talks for Romance Sageuk K-drama Scent of the Night
  • Wang Xing Yue and Deng En Xi Cast for Modern Romance C-drama Confession with Filming to Start Next Month January 2026
  • K-actor Jo Jin Woong Announces Retirement From Prolific Acting Career in Light of Revelations of His Juvenile Record
  • Tian Xi Wei Confirmed for Youku Period C-drama Transfer Gold Hairpin with Likely Male Lead Yan An
  • Veteran Prolific Movie K-actor Jo Jin Woong Revealed to Have Been a Juvenile Offender Who Changed Adopted New Stage Name to Start Afresh




Latest Comments

  • Mia on Wang Xing Yue and Deng En Xi Cast for Modern Romance C-drama Confession with Filming to Start Next Month January 2026
  • Mia on Lee Min Ho and Moon Ga Young in Talks for Romance Sageuk K-drama Scent of the Night
  • ririn 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
  • prettyautumn on First Poster for iQiyi Modern Romance C-drama My Queen, My Rules with Ao Rui Peng and Shen Yu Jie Gives off Sleek Sexy Vibes
  • Gennita 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
  • Coralie on TW-tabloids Go Wild with News that F4 is Reuniting at Concert this December in Shanghai But Without Member Ken Chu and Adding Top TW-singers Jay Chou and Ashin of Mayday as Special Guests
  • latesleeper 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
  • Rero 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
  • Mie on Filming Starts for Hong Sisters Next Fantasy K-drama Grand Galaxy Hotel with Lee Do Hyun and Shin Si Ah
  • Wuu 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
  • AJ on TW-tabloids Go Wild with News that F4 is Reuniting at Concert this December in Shanghai But Without Member Ken Chu and Adding Top TW-singers Jay Chou and Ashin of Mayday as Special Guests
  • lil on TW-tabloids Go Wild with News that F4 is Reuniting at Concert this December in Shanghai But Without Member Ken Chu and Adding Top TW-singers Jay Chou and Ashin of Mayday as Special Guests

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