↓
 
A Koala's Playground 
 
  • Home
  • About
  • Drama/Book Recaps
  • Favorites
  • Glossary
  • Headers
  • Privacy Policy
  • Ratings/Top Ten
    • K-dramas Ratings/Top Ten
    • TW/C dramas Ratings/Top Ten
  • Reviews

A Koala's Playground

I'll talk about dramas if I want to

Person with bright hair and whimsical text.

Post navigation

← Older posts
Newer posts →

Love Game in Eastern Fantasy Slightly Tops The Story of Pearl Girl in First Reception Numbers After Opening Weekend

A Koala's Playground Posted on November 3, 2024 by ockoalaNovember 3, 2024
Fantasy scene with two characters in motion.

So the big November C-drama premiere actually had two high profile dramas arrive on the same first day of the month. Female empowerment Tang dynasty drama The Story of Pearl Girl with Zhao Lu Si and Liu Yu Ning and game play fantasy xianxia drama Love Game in Eastern Fantasy (The Guide to Capturing a Black Lotus) with Yu Shu … Continue reading →

Posted in TW & C dramas | Tagged Ding Yu Xi, Liu Yu Ning, Love Game in Eastern Fantasy, The Story of Pearl Girl, Yu Shu Xin, Zhao Lu Si

Versatile Male Lead Park Sung Hoon Transforms Once Again in First Look at His Role in Squid Game 2 as Netizens Think Another Cult Role is in the Works

A Koala's Playground Posted on November 3, 2024 by ockoalaNovember 2, 2024
Group of contestants in green tracksuits.

This weekend the promos for Squid Game 2 started rolling out and it’s certainly going to be a mega to astronomical hit depending on how good it is. There is a huge big name cast but one member is getting additional buzz thanks to a hilarious new look in the drama. Park Sung Hoon debuted what is best described as … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Park Sung Hoon

With Two Months Remaining in 2024 K-netizens Wonder What the Biggest “Thing” to Happen This Year is: From Queen of Tears to Byun Woo Seok Onward

A Koala's Playground Posted on November 2, 2024 by ockoalaNovember 3, 2024
Couple posing closely for a romantic photoshoot.

Oh this is a fun question to ponder! A recent hot post has K-netizens heatedly discussing what they think the biggest “Thing” to happen in 2024 is/will be. It’s basically what a top zeitgeist event is for K-ent and here are some of the contenders: mega hit and award winning movie Exhuma, new cable ratings champion Queen of Tears, the … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Byun Woo Seok, Culinary Class Wars, Exhuma, Lovely Runner, Queen of Tears

C-viewers Not Feeling Any of the Higher Profile C-dramas Airing in October 2024 as Douban Ratings are All Low-ish

A Koala's Playground Posted on November 2, 2024 by ockoalaNovember 2, 2024
Group of characters in traditional costumes.

So hopefully the November 2024 C-dramas will fare better than it’s prior month brethren as the Douban ratings are out for the slew of October airings. The Rise of Ning with Zhang Wan Yi and Ren Min opened with 5.8 and Kill Me Love Me with Liu Xue Yi and Wu Jin Yan was a teeny bit lower with 5.7. … Continue reading →

Posted in TW & C dramas | Tagged Fangs of Fortune, Kill Me Love Me, Snowy Night: Timeless Love, The Rise of Ning

Dilraba Dilmurat’s Fans Demand Director of C-drama Love Beyond the Grave Give Her More Action Scenes

A Koala's Playground Posted on November 2, 2024 by ockoalaNovember 1, 2024
Woman in elegant traditional dress, forest background.

Okay, now I genuinely feel bad for Dilmara Dilmurat. Yes, she’s absolutely insanely beautiful and has worked hard and has a rock solid fandom who is her ride and die. But it feels like the last two years or so her fandom has been a crutch more than support, in that way when your mom insists on calling your teacher … Continue reading →

Posted in TW & C dramas | Tagged Dilraba Dilmurat, Love Beyond the Grave

Joynews Poll of Industry Insiders Names Byun Woo Seok as Top K-drama Actor of 2024 Followed by Jang Nara and Kim Soo Hyun

A Koala's Playground Posted on November 1, 2024 by ockoalaNovember 1, 2024
Young man smiling by a window.

So the Joynews poll of over 200 industry insiders spanned many topics and the one on Top of Best K-drama actor/actress of 2024 is out. Topping the poll with a commanding 56 votes is Lovely Runner breakout Byun Woo Seok, cementing that he’s the real deal even among industry folks and not just viewers. Now I don’t think this vote … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Byun Woo Seok, Jang Nara, Kim Soo Hyun

Space Romance K-drama When the Stars Gossip with Gong Hyo Jin and Lee Min Ho Confirmed for tvN Weekend Premiere on January 4th, 2025

A Koala's Playground Posted on November 1, 2024 by ockoalaOctober 31, 2024
Two people sharing a joyful moment indoors.

Alrighty this is great news to get an actual date rather than a general time period. K-ent is reporting that tvN has scheduled When the Stars Gossip (Ask the Stars) for a January 4th premiere on its biggest timeslot on Sat-Sun. The drama stars Gong Hyo Jin and Lee Min Ho with a big name supporting case and even bigger … Continue reading →

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

Period C-drama Shadow Love with Song Yi and Cheng Lei is His Second Drama in a Row with a Female General

A Koala's Playground Posted on November 1, 2024 by ockoalaOctober 31, 2024
Actors promoting "Shadow Love" at an event.

So Cheng Lei had a small breakout at the end of 2023 with My Journey to You and spent the next year filming C-dramas so he has two on deck for 2025 both of which I am mega looking forward to. There is of course the buzzy Legend of the Female General with Zhou Ye, but after that he filmed … Continue reading →

Posted in TW & C dramas | Tagged Cheng Lei, Shadow Love, Song Yi

Ahn Hyo Seop in Talks for Melo Romance K-drama The Night of Heaven from the PD of Lovely Runner

A Koala's Playground Posted on October 31, 2024 by ockoalaOctober 31, 2024
Person in formal suit making a heart gesture.

Since there aren’t as many K-dramas being produced compared to year prior there isn’t as much casting news to report on so anytime there is one that piques my interest I get so excited lol. This one sounds interesting but also fraught with hhhhmmmm wondering if its going to be any good. Ahn Hyo Seop is in talks for the … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Ahn Hyo Seob, Ahn Hyo Seop

Revenge and Romance C-drama Kill Me Love Me with Liu Xue Yi and Wu Jin Yan Ends Amid Complaints the Second Half Fell Apart Spectacularly

A Koala's Playground Posted on October 31, 2024 by ockoalaOctober 31, 2024
Historically inspired romantic drama poster.

Well this certainly gives me incentive to watch Kill Me Love Me more now lol. The drama was on my watch radar but the last two weeks I’ve been traveling for work and just swamped with life so put it on deck for later watch but in the meantime the entire drama aired and wowsers was the reactions probably more … Continue reading →

Posted in TW & C dramas | Tagged Baron Chen, Kill Me Love Me, Liu Xue Yi, Wu Jin Yan, Zhao Xiaotang

C-industry Insider Explains What Constitutes an Explosive Hit C-drama in the Past Decade Including Joy of Life, The Untamed, Nirvana in Fire and More

A Koala's Playground Posted on October 31, 2024 by ockoalaOctober 31, 2024
Two characters in historical costumes posing together.

So I read this really helpful explanation of what constitutes an explosive hit C-drama (爆剧 Bao Ju) and what dramas made it that big in the past decade or so. The five dramas that are genuine mega mega mega hits that earned the moniker of Bao Ju were (in no particular order): Joy of Life, The Legend of Zhen Huan, … Continue reading →

Posted in TW & C dramas | Tagged Joy of Life, My Own Swordsman, Nirvana in Fire, The Knockout, The Legend of Zhen Huan, The Untamed

Luo Yun Xi Reportedly Loses Role in Period C-drama Opposite Yu Shu Xin as Producing Company Tangren Replaces Him with Own Agency Actor Lin Yi

A Koala's Playground Posted on October 30, 2024 by ockoalaOctober 30, 2024
Male character in elaborate costume with wings.

There is a period C-drama in development titled Hua Zui Man Tang 花醉满堂 or Drunk Flowers Full Pavilion, and I’ve seen the novel machine translated to Drunk House lol. It was reportedly to star Luo Yun Xi and Yu Shu Xin and was to start production soon, but this week there was a melon that the male lead is Lin … Continue reading →

Posted in TW & C dramas | Tagged Lin Yi, Luo Yun Xi, Yu Shu Xin

Queen Woo Tops Joynews Poll of Worst K-dramas of 2024 and Surprisingly Love Next Door Makes the Top 5 of the List

A Koala's Playground Posted on October 30, 2024 by ockoalaOctober 30, 2024
Historical drama poster featuring six characters.

The year end polls appear to be starting earlier than usual what with two months left to actual produce a mega hit or another turkey. But it’s still interesting to see what Korean industry insiders think and Joynews polled 200 media, television station employees, production companies, and reporters to ask what they thought was the worst K-drama of the year. … Continue reading →

Posted in K-dramas | Tagged Beauty and Mr. Romantic, Love Next Door, Queen Woo, Sweet Home, The Escape of Seven

Post navigation

← Older posts
Newer posts →

Currently watching:

K-dramas: When the Phone Rings

Recent Posts

  • iQiyi Period C-drama How Dare You with Wang Chu Ran and Cheng Lei Release New Comedic Trailer Ahead of Likely Early February 2026 Release
  • Choi Hyun Wook Joins Fantasy K-drama Soul Starring Kang Dong Won and Kim Go Eun From the Screenwriter of Queen of Tears and Crash Landing on You
  • C-netizens Sad that Zhao Jin Mai Will Not Attend Event that Would Reunite Her with Both Top Visual Male Leads Zhang Ling He and Song Wei Long for a Fanfic Love Triangle
  • Wu Jin Yan and Wei Zhe Ming Cast in Hunan TV Period C-drama Feng Bu Qi to Kick Off Filming in Two Months March 2026
  • Young K-stars Shin Eun Soo and Yoo Seon Ho Confirmed to be Dating
  • Hunan TV Period C-drama Dancing with the Tide Kicks Off Filming with Leads Tan Jian Ci and Lu Yu Xiao
  • Lee Jun Ki in Taiwan Filming New Project with TW-actress Alice Ko and J-actor Sakaguchi Kentaro
  • Tang Dynasty Investigative C-drama Unveil: Jadewind with Bai Lu and Wang Xing Yue Release Full Trailer Ahead of Likely Premiere in Next Week or Two
  • First Stills and Posters for Modern Romance C-drama Genius Girlfriend with Tian Xi Wei and Hu Yi Tian
  • K-netizens Note that Shinhan Bank is Now the Cursed Advertiser in South Korea After Three Consecutive Spokesmodels Cha Eun Woo, NewJeans, and Kim Soo Hyun Encounter Scandals




Latest Comments

  • Rero on iQiyi Period C-drama How Dare You with Wang Chu Ran and Cheng Lei Release New Comedic Trailer Ahead of Likely Early February 2026 Release
  • Rero on Choi Hyun Wook Joins Fantasy K-drama Soul Starring Kang Dong Won and Kim Go Eun From the Screenwriter of Queen of Tears and Crash Landing on You
  • Cc on Hunan TV Period C-drama Dancing with the Tide Kicks Off Filming with Leads Tan Jian Ci and Lu Yu Xiao
  • Linti on Yang Yang and Zhou Jie Qiong to Start Filming Tencent Wuxia C-drama Bu Rang Jiang Shan Next Month February 2026
  • Yuhyi on Choi Hyun Wook Joins Fantasy K-drama Soul Starring Kang Dong Won and Kim Go Eun From the Screenwriter of Queen of Tears and Crash Landing on You
  • Yuhyi on Young K-stars Shin Eun Soo and Yoo Seon Ho Confirmed to be Dating
  • Sayaris on Lee Jun Ki in Taiwan Filming New Project with TW-actress Alice Ko and J-actor Sakaguchi Kentaro
  • Avarachika on C-netizens Sad that Zhao Jin Mai Will Not Attend Event that Would Reunite Her with Both Top Visual Male Leads Zhang Ling He and Song Wei Long for a Fanfic Love Triangle
  • Shineonmefan on C-netizens Sad that Zhao Jin Mai Will Not Attend Event that Would Reunite Her with Both Top Visual Male Leads Zhang Ling He and Song Wei Long for a Fanfic Love Triangle
  • Shineonemefan on C-netizens Sad that Zhao Jin Mai Will Not Attend Event that Would Reunite Her with Both Top Visual Male Leads Zhang Ling He and Song Wei Long for a Fanfic Love Triangle
  • LW on Wu Jin Yan and Wei Zhe Ming Cast in Hunan TV Period C-drama Feng Bu Qi to Kick Off Filming in Two Months March 2026
  • Somebody on Tang Dynasty Investigative C-drama Unveil: Jadewind with Bai Lu and Wang Xing Yue Release Full Trailer Ahead of Likely Premiere in Next Week or Two

Categories

  • Awards
  • Books
  • Discussion Forum
  • Download Links
  • Drama Previews
  • Fashion
  • Films
  • First Impressions
  • J-doramas
  • Japanese Manga
  • K-dramas
  • Miscellaneous
  • Music
  • Musings
  • My Loves
  • Oldies but Goodies
  • Recaps
  • Recess
  • TW & C dramas
  • Year End Reviews

Tags

Dating Gong Hyo Jin Gong Yoo Ha Ji Won Han Ji Min Hyun Bin IU Jang Geun Seok Jeon Ji Hyun Ji Chang Wook Ji Sung Jung Hae In Jung So Min Kim Go Eun Kim Ji Won Kim So Hyun Kim Soo Hyun Kim Woo Bin Kim Yoo Jung Lee Dong Wook Lee Jong Seok Lee Jun Ki Lee Min Ho Lee Seung Gi Liu Shi Shi Married Moon Geun Young Nam Joo Hyuk Park Bo Gum Park Min Young Park Seo Joon Park Shin Hye Shin Se Kyung Song Hye Kyo Song Joong Ki Song Seung Heon Son Ye Jin Suzy Wedding Yang Mi Yoo Ah In Yoona Yoon Eun Hye Yoo Seung Ho Zhao Lu Si

Archives

Blogroll

  • Dramabeans
  • Jomo's Findings
  • Mookiehyun
  • Thundie's Prattle
  • WaterOB

Favorite Book Translations

  • Da Mo Yao (Ballad of the Desert) Da Mo Yao (Ballad of the Desert)
  • Lost You Forever Lost You Forever
  • Yun Zhong Ge (Song of the Clouds) Yun Zhong Ge (Song of the Clouds)

Favorite Drama Recaps

  • In a Good Way In a Good Way
  • Nice Guy (The Innocent Man) Nice Guy (The Innocent Man)
  • The King 2 Hearts The King 2 Hearts
©2026 - A Koala's Playground - Weaver Xtreme Theme
↑
error: Content is protected !!