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A Koala's Playground

I'll talk about dramas if I want to

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SBS Soapy Melo An Empress’s Dignity Reaches 14.6% Rating in Episode 20 Near Halfway Point

A Koala's Playground Posted on December 24, 2018 by ockoalaDecember 25, 2018
Korean drama ensemble in modern and historical attire

My Wed-Thurs are currently preoccupied with tvN quiet slow burn romance Encounter (Boyfriend) but even if it wasn’t I don’t think I would still want to watch An Empress’s Dignity. None of the four leads Jang Nara, Shin Sung Rok, Choi Jin Hyuk, or Elliya Lee are must watches and the story line didn’t interest me initially as The King … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged An Empress's Dignity, Choi Jin Hyuk, Elliya Lee, Jang Nara, Shin Sung Rok

Veteran Stage Actor Kim Joo Hun Steals Scenes as Hyung to Park Bo Gum in tvN Drama Encounter

A Koala's Playground Posted on December 24, 2018 by ockoalaDecember 20, 2018
Smiling man enjoying a meal with friends.

To me tvN Wed-Thurs drama Encounter (Boyfriend) is the drama that keeps on giving, like a Christmas tree that deposits a hidden present every time I shake it. I can devote a post to every scene stealer in a drama where the OTP is holding their own, such as cupid Manager/Driver Nam or put-upon Secretary Jang and of course Jang … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Boyfriend, Encounter, Kim Joo Hun

Episodes 7-8 of Memories of Alhambra Stays Ratings Steady as Jin Woo’s Quest Remains the Central Focus

A Koala's Playground Posted on December 23, 2018 by ockoalaDecember 24, 2018
Dramatic scenes from a romantic thriller series.

This weekend’s episode 7-8 of Memories of Alhambra got me interest back fully and completely building upon the better episodes 5-6 from last week. But the caveat is that this drama no longer has any hope of a meaningful romance for me and the sole narrative is Jin Woo’s quest – his mistakes and the need (literally his life is … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Hyun Bin, Memories of Alhambra, Park Shin Hye

C-drama Story of Yanxi Palace is the Most Google Searched Television Show in 2018

A Koala's Playground Posted on December 23, 2018 by ockoalaDecember 21, 2018
Imperial court portrait with emperor and consorts

Congrats to the Qing dynasty C-drama Story of Yanxi Palace which is confirmed to be the top Google searched television show around the world. The search engine released country specific search results but also a worldwide top 10 for the various categories and it was the summer Yu Zheng produced court drama Story of Yanxi Palace that had all the … Continue reading →

Posted in Musings | Tagged Yanxi Palace

First Christmasy Teaser for tvN Wed-Thurs Drama Touch Your Heart

A Koala's Playground Posted on December 23, 2018 by ockoalaDecember 22, 2018
Couple decorating a Christmas tree together.

This drama isn’t premiering until after Christmas but it’s starting promos with a lovely Christmas romantic mood. tvN dropped the first teaser for its next Wed-Thurs dram Touch Your Heart this weekend with a nod towards Christmas on Tuesday. Leads Yoo In Na and Lee Dong Wook are seen decorating a tree and we see the frisson of romantic spark … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Touch Your Heart

Lee Seung Gi is a Cool Vagabond Alongside Cute Agent Suzy in New Drama Stills

A Koala's Playground Posted on December 22, 2018 by ockoalaDecember 22, 2018
Person sitting thoughtfully, wearing a green jacket.

The production team behind April 2019 pre-produced thriller K-drama Vagabond dropped an early Christmas present for fans of leads Lee Seung Gi and Suzy, sharing two new drama stills that are clearly the two characters in the same location. Both are drinking from paper cups and giving off different vibes. Lee Seung Gi looks serious and a tad tense while … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Lee Seung Gi, Suzy, Vagabond

Song Joong Ki, Jang Dong Gun and Kim Ji Won Kick Off Filming for Epic Sageuk Drama Asadal Chronicles

A Koala's Playground Posted on December 22, 2018 by ockoalaDecember 22, 2018

We’re off to the races for 2019 as this year winds to an end, with filming commencing for the massive scale sageuk drama epic Asadal Chronicles. Starring Song Joong Ki, Jang Dong Gun, Kim Ji Won, and Kim Ok Bin, the drama is set in the early days of Gojoseon (Old Joseon), a time period even before Goguryeo. Asadal was … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Asadal Chronicles, Choi Moo Sung, Jang Dong Gun, Jo Sung Ha, Kim Ji Won, Kim Ok Bin, Song Joong Ki

C-ent Abuzz with Confirmed News that Married Former Drama Costars Yang Mi and Hawick Lau are Divorced

A Koala's Playground Posted on December 22, 2018 by ockoalaDecember 22, 2018
Smiling couple posing against pink background.

The married and dating tags on my blog have been filled to the point of being a top tag but I know it’s only a matter of time before the divorce tag also shows up. This week there was happy confirmed pregnancy news of married former costars Liu Shi Shi and Nicky Wu, but sadly the week is ending with … Continue reading →

Posted in Miscellaneous | Tagged Divorce, Hawick Lau, Married, Yang Mi

Park Shin Hye and Hyun Bin in New Media Stills for Memories of Alhambra

A Koala's Playground Posted on December 21, 2018 by ockoalaDecember 20, 2018
Couple posing closely in elegant attire.

It took me six episodes to get invested in Memories of Alhambra but better late than never. I really do love episode 6, it’s the only one I’ve felt the urge to rewatch and got more out of it the second time around especially the visceral fear yet tight control Hyun Bin is showcasing as Jin Woo. I hope the … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Hyun Bin, Memories of Alhambra, Park Shin Hye

Jung So Min and Junho Attend Script Reading for Joseon Era Romance Movie Courtesan Bachelor

A Koala's Playground Posted on December 21, 2018 by ockoalaDecember 20, 2018
Pair of actors absorbed in pages

I normally don’t post script reading for movies but these two cuties have me excited for this gender twisted Joseon era romance flick. Junho and Jung So Min headline the movie Courtesan Bachelor about the first ever male courtesan (gisaeng) in Joseon and his romance with a progressive minded noble lady. It sounds adorable even in the wafer thin set … Continue reading →

Posted in Films | Tagged Courtesan Bachelor, Jung So Min, Junho

Episodes 7-8 of Encounter Ratchet Up the Romance and Separation as Rating Goes Above 9% Again

A Koala's Playground Posted on December 20, 2018 by ockoalaDecember 20, 2018
Two close-up frames of a tender TV kiss

I felt like this week’s episodes 7 and 8 of tvN Wed-Thurs drama Encounter (Boyfriend) felt like one very long episode, or at least the meat of one dense episode spread a tad too thin into two installments which is why I’m writing about both together. The romance between the OTP Jin Hyuk and Soo Hyun has started in earnest … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Boyfriend, Encounter, Park Bo Gum, Song Hye Kyo

Suzy in Talks to Play Ha Jung Woo’s Wife in Volcano Action Movie Mount Paektu

A Koala's Playground Posted on December 20, 2018 by ockoalaDecember 20, 2018
Person holding an award trophy, smiling.

Now this is what I legit call a truly bizarre casting choice other than for the buzz. Suzy has been offered the role of Ha Jung Woo‘s wife in upcoming Korean thriller movie Mount Paektu (Paektu Mountain). Forget their twenty plus age difference in real life, in the movie it would only narratively make sense that Ha Jung Woo is … Continue reading →

Posted in Films | Tagged Ha Jung Woo, Mount Paektu, Suzy

Donga News Polls Entertainment Insiders with Mr. Sunshine and My Ahjusshi Topping 2018 Best List

A Koala's Playground Posted on December 20, 2018 by ockoalaDecember 19, 2018
K-drama promotional poster featuring two series.

This poll may not be large but it’s got an insider’s perspective on what was considered the best in drama land for 2018. Donga News polled entertainment industry insiders including directors, screenwriters, and producers to pick their top of the year on the television front. Best Drama went to Mr. Sunshine and coming in second was My Ahjusshi. Lee Byung … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Mr. Sunshine, My Ahjusshi, Pretty Noona Who Buys Me Food, Prison Playbook

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  • Ximena Delgado 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
  • LW 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
  • Nina Quiroga 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
  • Elena Underwood 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
  • Somebody on Vertical Mini C-drama Male Lead Dai Gao Zheng Breaks Out with Mainstream Hit C-drama Where the Mask Ends as the Oft Beaten Beefcake Antagonist
  • Paula 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
  • ariana on Vertical Mini C-drama Male Lead Dai Gao Zheng Breaks Out with Mainstream Hit C-drama Where the Mask Ends as the Oft Beaten Beefcake Antagonist
  • Lmfaooo on Vertical Mini C-drama Male Lead Dai Gao Zheng Breaks Out with Mainstream Hit C-drama Where the Mask Ends as the Oft Beaten Beefcake Antagonist
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