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A Koala's Playground

I'll talk about dramas if I want to

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January 2018 New Wed-Thurs K-dramas Return and Mother Off to Strong Ratings Start

A Koala's Playground Posted on January 26, 2018 by ockoalaJanuary 26, 2018
Collage of romantic Korean drama scenes.

I’ve been mostly out of commission since the new year so haven’t watched any new K-drama in a few weeks. I’m trying to finish up I am Not a Robot (so nonsensical but sweet) and Hwayugi (entertaining but inconsistent) but two high profile new releases this month have both started off promising already. SBS Wed-Thurs police thriller Return with Go Hyun … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Black Knight, I Am Not a Robot, Mother, Return

Both Yoon Eun Hye and Yoon Hyun Min Turns Down AI Romance Drama Love Like a Human

A Koala's Playground Posted on January 26, 2018 by ockoalaJanuary 26, 2018
Two individuals at a press conference.

This is a rather unexpected turn of events but probably for the best. Both Yoon Eun Hye and Yoon Hyun Min have turned down the offer to be the leads for the upcoming sci-fi romance drama Love Like a Human. The drama would have been Yoon Eun Hye’s first drama since 2013 with Marry Him if You Dare whereas Yoon … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Yoon Eun Hye, Yoon Hyun Min

Song Hye Kyo and Song Joong Ki in Paris for Christian Dior Winter 2018 Fashion Show

A Koala's Playground Posted on January 26, 2018 by ockoalaJanuary 25, 2018
Woman in trench and headband, man patterned coat

Being able to do entertainment events together must make Song Hye Kyo and Song Joong Ki so happy, as newlyweds who have the same busy careers a pit stop in Paris doubling as a vacation is a nice treat. The couple jetted off to Paris last week for the fashion shows and were spotted at the Christian Dior show but … Continue reading →

Posted in Fashion | Tagged Song Hye Kyo, Song Joong Ki

Kim Woo Bin Exempt from Military Service and Jung Yong Hwa to Enlist in March 2018

A Koala's Playground Posted on January 25, 2018 by ockoalaJanuary 25, 2018
Smiling man in sweater poses confidently.

There was two big K-ent star military enlistment news today so I’m reporting it together. First up is the very expected news that cancer-recovering male actor-model Kim Woo Bin is officially exempt from military service. Like, d’uh. He spent the last 8 months undergoing chemo treatment for throat cancer and is currently in recovery, with his agency confirming the exemption … Continue reading →

Posted in Miscellaneous | Tagged Jung Yong Hwa, Kim Woo Bin

China Bans Hip Hop Culture on Television After the Recent Scandal with Winner of The Rap of China

A Koala's Playground Posted on January 25, 2018 by ockoalaJanuary 25, 2018
Hip-hop artists promoting "The Rap of China" show.

Going mainstream brings exposure and with it added financial gains, but the flip side is more scrutiny and this week the hammer fell on the burgeoning hip hop scene in Mainland China. The government broadcast authority released a memo basically banning hip hop on television, likely spurred on by the recent scandal with a very well known hip hop star … Continue reading →

Posted in Miscellaneous, Music | Tagged The Rap of China

Ahn Hyo Seob and Song Jae Rim Pairs with Kim Yoo Jung in Clean With Passion For Now

A Koala's Playground Posted on January 25, 2018 by ockoalaJanuary 25, 2018
Three smiling young adults at press backdrop

I’ll reserve judgment until the drama airs but this is certainly an interesting choice of male leads for Kim Yoo Jung in her upcoming drama Clean With Passion For Now. Confirmed as male lead is young actor Ahn Hyo Seob and Song Jae Rim is also joining the main cast playing a new character not in the webtoon which this … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Ahn Hyo Seob, Clean with Passion for Now, Kim Yoo Jung, Song Jae Rim

Jang Geun Seok and Han Ye Ri Confirmed as Leads for SBS Mon-Tues Legal Drama Switch

A Koala's Playground Posted on January 24, 2018 by ockoalaJanuary 25, 2018
Group of four smiling individuals in suits.

There’s been a drama title switch and also a lead confirmation for upcoming SBS legal thriller formerly called Peacock King. The title is now Switch (Change the World) and will still be headlining Jang Geun Seok, and he will be pairing up with Han Ye Ri who has accepted the role as female lead. Jang Geun Seok will be playing … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Han Ye Ri, Jang Geun Seok, Switch

Hyun Bin Offered Male Lead Opposite Park Shin Hye for New SBS Healing Romance Drama

A Koala's Playground Posted on January 24, 2018 by ockoalaJanuary 24, 2018
Two portraits of young adults posing.

I legit let out a high pitched yelp when I saw this casting combo floated over the news. K-ent is reporting that Hyun Bin has received the offer to be the male lead of upcoming SBS drama Yeowoo Gaksibyeo (translates to Fox Bride Star). Last week the production announced that it was courting Park Shin Hye to be the female lead … Continue reading →

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

Kang Ji Hwan and Kim Ok Bin Go From High Fashion in Vogue Korea to Solving Crime in New OCN Thriller Drama

A Koala's Playground Posted on January 24, 2018 by ockoalaJanuary 24, 2018
Fashionable couple in stylish coats, Vogue Korea.

I’m so so pleased with cable network OCN‘s casting of Children of a Lesser God, doing the police procedural thriller justice with two fantabulous leads. The leads Kang Ji Hwan and Kim Ok Bin aren’t just great actors they are also top eye candy of the unique and quirky variety. I also love their age-appropriate casting lest I need to … Continue reading →

Posted in Musings | Tagged Children of the Lesser God, Kang Ji Hwan, Kim Ok Bin

Kim So Hyun Heads to Pyeongchang as New Tourism Smile Ambassador for the Olympic City

A Koala's Playground Posted on January 23, 2018 by ockoalaJanuary 23, 2018
Smiling woman in blazer giving finger heart

Pyeongchang is the place to be in South Korea right now as the country ramps up for the 2018 Winter Olympics starting on February 8th and going for two weeks. Recent Olympic star ambassadors Jang Geun Seok and Lee Dong Wook didn’t look their best when doing promo events but newly minted Smile Ambassador for the city tourism push Kim … Continue reading →

Posted in My Loves | Tagged Kim So Hyun

Cheese in the Trap Movie with Park Hae Jin Along with New Cast Gets Valentine’s Weekend 2018 Premiere Date

A Koala's Playground Posted on January 23, 2018 by ockoalaJanuary 23, 2018
Young man and woman smiling together, casual setting.

I’m not sure who the target audience is for the Cheese in the Trap movie but if there are any then the film has been confirmed to hit the theaters on Valentine’s Day weekend of 2018. That’s less than a month away and there hasn’t been any promos yet so that’s not going to bring in the audience by stealth. … Continue reading →

Posted in Films, K-dramas | Tagged Cheese in the Trap, Oh Yeon Seo, Park Hae Jin, Park Ki Woong, Yoo In Young

Multiple Yoona Styles on Display for Grazia China January 2018 Edition

A Koala's Playground Posted on January 23, 2018 by ockoalaJanuary 23, 2018
Tall model in black slit dress

I feel funny when I mention K-stars ages per the Korean system of adding one when they are born and then another every turn of the new year. Under that system singer-actress Yoona is now 29 in Korean age though she was born in 1990 and just 27 in the Western system. I mention her age because it’s crazy she’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Fashion | Tagged Yoona

Kim Yoo Jung Confirmed as Female Lead for Romance Drama Clean With Passion For Now

A Koala's Playground Posted on January 22, 2018 by ockoalaJanuary 22, 2018
Young woman wearing a grey beret and blouse.

It’s hard to follow up a mega mega hit which is why it’s understandable that both leads of 2016 romance sageuk Moonlight Drawn by Clouds haven’t picked their followup drama since then. That’s changing now as female lead Kim Yoo Jung has finally said yes to the K-drama adaptation of webtoon Clean With a Passion for Now. K-ent is calling … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Clean with Passion for Now, Kim Yoo Jung

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Recent Posts

  • 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
  • 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
  • Reunion of Blossom Leads Li Yun Rui and Meng Zi Yi in C-drama Tigers Sniff the Rose is Heading Towards Flop Territory Midway Through Airing
  • 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
  • Wuxia C-drama The One with Wu Lei Releases Insanely High Budget Looking First Official Trailer
  • Song Wei Long and Tian Xi Wei Cast in Tencent 2027 Big Budget Period Drama Da Tang Pi Zhu Ji
  • Where the Mask Ends with Tian Xi Wei Remains Hot in Viewership and Buzz Heading into Final Third of Airing and Douban Ratings Open with 7.0
  • Doctor X: Mafia in White Hits 19.5% Ratings But Episode 6 Plotline About Gwangju Uprising Leads to K-netizens Calling for Drama to be Pulled From Broadcast
  • Zhang Ling He’s Application for Visa to Visit Taiwan for Fan Meeting is Denied by Taiwanese Government
  • Yoona and Lee Jin Wook Confirmed as Leads for K-drama Adaptation of Medical J-dorama Unnatural




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  • LW on 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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  • Royal We 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
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  • Somebody on Reunion of Blossom Leads Li Yun Rui and Meng Zi Yi in C-drama Tigers Sniff the Rose is Heading Towards Flop Territory Midway Through Airing
  • cheese on 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
  • Somebody on Reunion of Blossom Leads Li Yun Rui and Meng Zi Yi in C-drama Tigers Sniff the Rose is Heading Towards Flop Territory Midway Through Airing
  • Snails 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

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