Ahn Hyo-seop faces a new challenge in ‘A Business Proposal’ trailer

EXO member Suho has shared his goals for the future, following the end of his two-year military service.In a recent interview with The Rolling Stone, the EXO leader opened up about the different milestones he wishes to reach, now that he has officially been discharged from the South Korean military.One goals in particular is eventually star in a Hollywood production, an ambition which was recently inspired by the global success of K-dramas, such as Netflix’s smash hit Squid Game, over the past year.“Squid Game became popular while I was gone,” he pointed out. “I thought about how now that Korea and our actors have captured the world’s attention, it would give me a bigger chance to star in a Hollywood movie.”Suho also added that the hiatus he had taken as a result of his military service had allowed him the time and space to reflect on where he’d like to take his career.

SF9 has spoken about his hopes for his upcoming K-drama Tomorrow.The singer-actor had discussed his experience shooting for the forthcoming fantasy drama in a new interview with South Korean outlet Newsen, during which he revealed that the show’s ultimate success was not something he was particularly concerned about.When asked whether he was feeling pressure about the success of Tomorrow, especially considering his previous project The King’s Affection was a hit with audiences, the K-pop idol revealed that this was not the case. “I don’t feel any pressure about results at all,” he said, as translated Soompi.

Pachinko.The clip begins with the birth of a baby in rural South Korea, before we find out that the baby is Sunja, the matriarch of the family the series will centre around. Academy Award winner Youn Yuh-jung (Parasite) and Kim Min-ha star as the elderly and teenage Sunja, respectively.“A child is coming.

The first trailer for “Pachinko” has been released, offering a first look at the upcoming Apple TV+ adaptation of Min Jin Lee’s sprawling multigenerational saga chronicling how one family’s journey from Korea to America over the course of decades, told in three different languages: Korean, Japanese and English.

Apple TV+'s ambitious adaptation, is here.Based on the 2017 best-selling novel by Min Jin Lee, the eight-episode, multilingual series launches Friday, March 25 with the first three episodes, while subsequent episodes drop weekly. Told in Korean, Japanese and English, the drama is told in two timelines — beginning in South Korea in the early 1900s, where the tale begins with matriarch Sunja, who triumphs against all odds, and that of the 1980s, which centers around her grandson, Solomon.Oscar winner Youn Yuh-jung () plays older Sunja and leads the ensemble cast, which includes Lee Min-ho as Hansu, Jin Ha as Solomon, Minha Kim as teenage Sunja, ANna Sawai as Naomi, Eunchae Jung as young Kyunghee, Inji Jeong as Yangjin, Jimmi Simpson as Tom Andrews, Junwoo Han as Yoseb, Kaho Minami as Etsuko, Steve Sanghyun Noh as Isak, Soji Arai as Mozasu and Yu-na Jeon as young Sunja.

Partner Content Content produced in South Korea, also known as K-content, has been rapidly expanding its reach to resonate with global audiences. K-pop recording artists and K-productions, such as “Parasite,” “Squid Game” and “Hellbound,” have experienced immense success ranging from winning awards to breaking streaming records.

Korea, one of the world’s most advanced economies and now one of the most competitive OTT markets.Now, local contender Tving reckons it has many of the tools it needs to unseat Netflix from its hard-earned position as Korea’s top dog streamer.Streaming industry numbers in Korea have risen in roughly inverse proportion to the decline of theatrical film industry. South Korea was the world’s fourth biggest box office market until 2019, but it is now chugging along with a dearth of local titles and aggregate revenues averaging a miserable $5 million per weekend so far in 2022.Consultancy, Media Partners Asia has estimated in contrast that Netflix may have ended 2021 with some six million paying subscribers (in a population of 51 million).

Brave Girls are set to release new music next month.Today (February 21), the quartet’s agency Brave Entertainment confirmed that the group are preparing to make their return in March. Further details on the as-yet-unnamed release are expected in the coming weeks.The Korea Herald had first reported in January that Brave Girls were working on new music, citing an industry source.

Epik High‘s Tablo is set to open up about his 2010 Stanford controversy in an upcoming podcast series from Vice and iHeartRadio.Yesterday (February 17), Vice and iHeartRadio announced the forthcoming 10 episode podcast series Authentic: The Story Of Tablo, which will delve into the story of the Epik High leader, the Standford controversy and the aftermath, per Deadline. The new series is scheduled to launch later this month on February 24.In 2010, Tablo became frontpage news in South Korea after the validity academic background was questioned by online users on various fan sites and forums.

Red Velvet and (G)I-DLE have confirmed plans to return with new music next month.Earlier today (February 18), Red Velvet’s label SM Entertainment confirmed in a statement to South Korean media that the five-piece act are currently preparing for “a new album”, as translated by Soompi. The company also noted that the group are aiming to release the project in March, although a solid release date was not stated.The upcoming album will mark Red Velvet’s first music project since their August 2021 mini-album ‘Queendom’.

B.I is set to be managed by Billie Eilish‘s agent following a new deal with WassermanEarlier today (February 17), the South Korean musican’s label IOK Company announced that B.I has officially signed with United States-based talent management company Wasserman, per Korea JoongAng Daily. Wasserman is home to several noteworthy musicians in the music industry, including Coldplay, Imagine Dragons, Ed Sheeran, Skrillex, Billie Eilish and more. Notably, Eilish’s agent, Tom Windish, will also be managing B.I as part of his promotions in South and North America, as well as Australia.According to B.I’s new profile on the Wasserman website, the K-pop idol is said to be preparing for several new projects for international promotions.

Epik High have unveiled a nostalgic music video for their new single ‘Gray So Gray’ featuring soloist Younha.Today (February 14), the trio – which comprises Tablo, Mithra Jin and DJ Tukutz – returned with their long-awaited record ‘Epik High Is Here 下, Part 2’, the follow-up to last year’s ‘Epik High Is Here 上, Part One’. The album dropped alongside a music video for lead single ‘Gray So Gray’, which features singer Younha, who had previously worked with the trio on their 2014 song ‘Umbrella’.Filmed in the style of a home video, the new visual follows a young woman as she experiences moments of happiness in her life.

(G)I-DLE vocalist Miyeon has hinted that the girl group may soon be making their long awaited return.In an interview with E-Daily, where the K-pop idol spoke about her now song ‘Someday’, which was featured on the soundtrack of the historic K-drama Moonshine, the singer revealed that (G)I-DLE might be promoting as a group sooner than fans expect.“I hope that you’ll also keep an eye on my promotions with (G)I-DLE,” Miyeon told the South Korean news outlet while discussing the year ahead, as translated by Soompi. “We’ll show you lots of new and cool sides of ourselves this year.”(G)I-DLE’s last official release was over a year ago, in January 2021, when they dropped their fourth mini-album ‘I Burn’, alongside its lead single ‘HWAA’.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau ChiefAlmost two years since “Parasite” won a handful of Oscars, the impact of COVID has meant that the Korean theatrical sector has been largely unable to capitalize on the trickle-down effect of those wins. Its current malaise stands in contrast to the pandemic windfalls enjoyed by other parts of the Korean entertainment biz — think BTS, Blackpink, “Squid Game” and the latest streaming phenomenon “All of Us Are Dead.”The current year potentially holds great things for Korean film, with nearly all of the country’s top-name directors having completed works, but the prospect remains tantalizingly out of reach.And the longer the hard times continue, the less likely a return to the old normal becomes.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau ChiefThe impact of COVID-19 was ingrained throughout the annual financial results of CJ ENM, the most diversified entertainment company in South Korea. Music gained ground, while film was lossmaking. Similarly, the group’s streaming business rapidly grew its top line, but its heavy investment costs kept the unit in the red.For the year to end of December 2021, CJ ENM recorded a 5% increase in sales, to KRW3.55 trillion ($2.97 billion), and a 9% increase in operating profit, at KRW297 billion ($248 million), it sais in a regulatory filing on Thursday.

Bae Suzy is set to make to return to music later this month with a brand-new single.Today (February 10), the South Korean singer-actress took to her personal Instagram to share a new teaser image for her long-awaited musical comeback ‘Satellite’, featuring the singer’s side profile illuminated by a blue-tinged spotlight.Her agency Management Soop also announced that the former Miss A member is set to drop the song next week on February 17 at 6pm KST.

Soundtrack #1, starring Han So-hee of My Name fame.In the new clip, Seo Eun-soo (played by Han) opens her front door to see her best friend of 20 years, Han Sun-woo (Happiness’ Park Hyung-sik), standing before her house. “Why did you open the door so late?” he asks as she looks in confusion, clearly not expecting his arrival.“Are we friends, or lovers?” Reads the accompanying caption as the pair begin to question their interactions in a compilation of scenes, including one where Sun-woo stops in his tracks after seeing Eun-soo at a restaurant with another man.

Twenty-Five Twenty-One.The new preview follows high school student Na Hee-do (Space Sweepers‘ Kim Tae-ri) as her passion for fencing grows. She watches fencing prodigy Go Yoo-rim (WJSN member Bona) on television, voicing her admiration for the athlete, later going as far as to watch her train every Saturday.However, Hee-do’s dreams are crushed when a teacher announces that her school has decided to shut down its fencing club due to underfunding.

OH MY GIRL will be releasing a new album next month, according to their agency WM Entertainment.Earlier today (February 7), South Korean news outlet SPOTV News reported that the seven-member act were currently preparing to make a comeback in March. The news was later confirmed by their agency, WM Entertainment.“OH MY GIRL are scheduled to return with a new album in March,” WM Entertainment said in a statement to Newsen.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau ChiefAfter a flurry that lasted only for the duration of the recent Lunar New Year holidays, theatrical box office in South Korea slumped again over the latest weekend. Nationwide, Korean cinemas earned just $3.22 million between Friday and Sunday. That was the lowest scoring weekend so far in 2022 and followed a disappointing holiday period.The Lunar New Year holidays – if measured from the previous Saturday until Wednesday (Jan 29- Feb.