Stories that must be heard: docuseries that shook Korea returns

The docuseries that made waves in South Korea is back with a powerful sequel, this time delving into firsthand accounts by survivors of some of South Korea’s most harrowing events. “The Echoes of Survivors: Inside Korea’s Tragedies” is a Netflix documentary series that explores the stories of survivors and affiliates of four major modern Korean tragedies: the Jesus Morning Star cult, the Busan Brothers’ Home, the Jijonpa serial murder case and the Sampoong Department Store collapse. It follows t

Aug. 13, 2025

'My Troublesome Star' reunites Uhm Jeong-hwa, Song Seung-heon after decade

A beloved rom-com duo is reuniting for a new series from the network behind global hit “Extraordinary Attorney Woo.” “My Troublesome Star” follows Cheong-ja (Uhm Jeong-hwa), a onetime A-list celebrity fighting to reclaim her former glory. Along the way, she receives unexpected help from a police officer named Go-chul (Song Seung-heon). The project has been generating buzz as the first on-screen reunion in a decade for Song and Uhm, who co-starred in 2015 hit fantasy romantic comedy film “Wonderf

Aug. 12, 2025

Tim Burton’s Netflix smash 'Wednesday' creeps back

“Wednesday” is back for a second season, with Jenna Ortega reprising her role as the sharp-tongued, deadpan Wednesday Addams. Once again roaming the creepy corridors of Nevermore Academy, she and her friends — including Emma Myers’ Enid Sinclair — unravel more mysteries lurking within the school’s darkest corners. Season 1 was a global phenomenon, anchored by the vision of Tim Burton, the show's executive producer and director of four of its eight episodes. Both Burton — the filmmaker behind cla

Aug. 11, 2025

'Documentary 3 Days' revives viral 2015 pact with special reunion episode

The date for a decade-in-the-making reunion is finally drawing close, but will all participants keep the pact? On Saturday, the team behind KBS’ “Documentary 3 Days” revealed via its official social media channel that a special edition of the series will air Aug. 22 on KBS2. The network’s second channel is best known for its slate of dramas and variety programming, as opposed to KBS1’s news and public affairs focus. “A promise from August 15, 2015. ‘Let’s meet here on August 15, 2025.’ So, we de

Aug. 10, 2025

KBS-Naver AI partnership shakes up Korea’s broadcasting copyright battle

A recent decision by South Korea's public broadcaster KBS and tech powerhouse Naver to collaborate on artificial intelligence is drawing scrutiny as the media industry grapples with mounting copyright disputes over AI training data. According to the memorandum of understanding signed by the two companies in a ceremony on July 24, Naver will supply its AI technology solutions to the broadcaster, while KBS provides content and educational resources aimed at exploring next-generation media workflow

Aug. 10, 2025

From boo to boohoo: Korean ghosts tug at heartstrings worldwide

Korea’s traditional grim reapers, known as jeoseung saja, are gaining global recognition following their portrayal as key antagonists in the Netflix hit "Kpop Demon Hunters." The film follows shaman heroines who battle demons while performing as K-pop idols. Within two months of its release, it soared to become the fourth most-streamed movie on the platform, propelled by sustained global buzz. “There’s a growing sense that traditional Korean imagery feels more approachable and enjoyable, largely

Aug. 9, 2025

Disney+ bets on midform variety shows

Disney+ is set to launch five midform variety shows starting Aug. 22, each approximately 30 minutes in length, mirroring a format popularized by Netflix. The slate features five programs, each with its own concept and style, scheduled to premiere on fixed days from Friday through Tuesday. Episodes will release daily at 8 a.m., with the lineup expected to run through the end of the year. “We’re offering a fresh, flexible viewing experience that aligns with contemporary consumption habits,” a Disn

Aug. 9, 2025

Government officials dance to K-pop song to promote global summit

Picture this. A senior government spokesperson dressed like a K-pop idol, dancing to a viral Netflix tune ― on the official YouTube channel of Korea’s Ministry of Agriculture. On Tuesday, the ministry uploaded a video featuring spokesperson Jeon Han-young dressed as Abby, a muscular K-pop boy band member of the fictitious Saja Boys in Netflix's “Kpop Demon Hunters.” In the clip, Jeon takes on the “Soda Pop Challenge,” a trending dance from the show, bouncing his shoulders to the beat. The lighth

Aug. 6, 2025

JMS files injunction to block Netflix docuseries exposing misconduct

Jesus Morning Star, a controversial Korean cult group, has filed an injunction to block the release of "The Echoes of Survivors: Inside Korea’s Tragedies," an upcoming Netflix documentary series that spotlights accounts of sexual abuse victims within the organization. On July 29, JMS submitted a request for a broadcast injunction against both MBC and Netflix to the Seoul Western District Court. A hearing on the injunction is scheduled for Aug. 12. Produced by Korean broadcaster MBC and set to pr

Aug. 5, 2025

'Kpopped' brings together K-pop artists, pop icons

K-pop and pop will be teaming up in the new cross-cultural music competition series heading to Apple TV+ at the end of this month. "Kpopped" pairs global pop icons with K-pop acts, tasking them with delivering a collaborative performance that fuses their distinct musical styles. Performances take place before a live audience in Seoul, who will vote to select the episode’s winning pair. According to Apple TV+, each of the series' eight episodes will wrap up with a finale performed by a K-pop grou

Aug. 5, 2025

The best 'KPop Demon Hunters'-style merch that’s not from Netflix

When “KPop Demon Hunters” dropped on Netflix in June, the title alone made many viewers cringe. But the animated film turned out to be a welcome, pleasant surprise. The animation was slick, the characters were fresh and adorable and the cultural references hit all the right notes. Fans around the world took notice. Naturally, merchandise soon followed. Netflix rolled out the usual lineup, including hoodies, graphic tees and bucket hats. As of Monday, there are 126 different items under its “KPop

Aug. 5, 2025

Jung Woo-sung reportedly registered marriage with longtime girlfriend

Jung Woo-sung has reportedly tied the knot. According to local media reports, Jung recently filed for marriage registration with his longtime girlfriend. As of press time, Jung's agency, Artist Company, had not responded to The Korea Herald's request for confirmation. The identity of Jung’s reported spouse remains undisclosed, though reports suggest she is not a public figure. The news comes months after the 52-year-old star made headlines in November for acknowledging he had fathered a child wi

Aug. 5, 2025

13th Busan Int'l Comedy Festival to take over coastal city in August

The 13th Busan International Comedy Festival, one of Asia’s largest comedy showcases, is set to run for 10 days from Aug. 29 to Sept. 7 across multiple venues in the coastal city of Busan. Kicking off with an opening ceremony at Bexco, the event will bring together around 100 performers, including Korea’s top comedians, international acts and rising digital creators. The comedy troupe from "Gag Concert" — Korea’s iconic sketch show — will open the event with a live performance. Popular comedian

Aug. 1, 2025

Japanese version of 'Marry My Husband' becomes Prime Video Japan’s most-watched series

The Japanese adaptation of the hit Korean drama "Marry My Husband" has become Amazon Prime Video Japan’s most-watched series. Having premiered on June 27, the series soared to the top of the platform's viewership charts, drawing the largest audience in Japan within its first 30 days, from June 27 to July 27, 2025, according to data provided by Amazon Prime Video. As of Thursday, the drama also clinched the No. 1 spot on Prime Video’s Top 10 chart in Japan, based on rankings compiled by FlixPatro

Aug. 1, 2025

JTBC's 'Beyond the Bar' promises to refresh crowded legal drama genre

Amid a saturated market of legal dramas, "Beyond the Bar" aims to deliver healing stories that explore the emotional wounds behind legal cases. "Beyond the Bar" is an office drama centered on Hyo-min (Jung Chae-yeon), a rookie lawyer, and Seok-hoon (Lee Jin-wook), an elite attorney at the same firm. Despite the star power of Jung, known for "Family By Choice" and as a former member of the K-pop group I.O.I, and Lee, a seasoned actor with hit K-drama credits including "Sweet Home" and "Squid Game

July 31, 2025