K-drama Oh My Ghost Clients review: middling supernatural K-drama with Jung Kyung-ho
3/5 stars
Lead cast: Jung Kyung-ho, Seol In-ah, Cha Hak-yeon, Tang Joon-sang
Latest Nielsen rating: 4.2 per cent
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South China Morning Post
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How KPop Demon Hunters took inspiration from Korea's female shamans who scare away spirits
Music and dance, the key similarity between real-life mudang and Huntrix, are central to gut rituals. While there are many types of gut held for different purposes across different regions in Korea, the two main categories are those held for the living and those held for the dead. To this day, mudang have specific religious and social roles, and conduct rituals known as gut to appease spirits, divine fortunes and heal illnesses. There are at least 300,000 – some figures estimate up to 800,000 – mudang in South Korea today. Unlike Huntrix, who wear what any other modern K-pop singers would wear, a mudang's traditional attire is a vibrantly coloured, flowy hanbok – a traditional Korean garment – and a wide-brimmed gat or hat. These women may also carry swords. The inspiration for the heroines comes from Korean priestesses, or shamans , known as mudang. For thousands of years, mudang have been used for divination and supernatural support by Koreans, though they were historically marginalised in general society. On the surface, they are wildly popular Korean idols who charm their fans with catchy tunes and electrifying dance choreography. Beneath the glitz and glam, however, are three strong warriors who use their song, dance and magical weapons to slay demons and to reinforce the honmoon – a barrier between the human world and the demon one. A binarigut, for example, is a ritual in which a mudang prays to a god, thanks the ancestors, and wishes for the happiness and prosperity of a community. The name comes from the Korean word bilda, which means to pray. On the other hand, the jindo ssitgimgut is one held in the southern Jindo region of South Korea for those who have died. This particular gut consists of around 10 stages and is held to pray for the dead, help release their unresolved resentments, purify their souls and ultimately guide them to rebirth. The name comes from the Korean word ssitgim, which means 'to wash'. The ritual was designated as a national intangible cultural heritage in 1980. In a gut, the sounds of drums, gongs and chants, along with rhythmic movements, create a powerful experience that invites the gods, tells stories and even heals the sick. Shim Jin-song, pictured here in 1996, is a shaman who accurately predicted the death of the late North Korean leader Kim Il-sung. Photo: AFP Music is central to a gut ceremony. Without it, a ritual would not have the same energy or meaning. The rhythm sets the pace, tells the spirits it is time to come, and guides the shaman and the audience through different parts of the ceremony. The most important instruments are the janggu, a double-headed drum; the buk, a barrel-shaped drum; and the kkwaenggwari, a small brass gong. They create fast, rousing beats that can make people dance or fall into a trance. The shaman sings special songs called muga, which tell stories about the gods and ask for their help. Different rhythms are used for different purposes. Some are slow and steady to call forth peaceful spirits. Others are fast and wild and are used to drive away evil or when the mudang is becoming possessed by a god. There are about 12 main rhythms, but each region of Korea has its own variation. Two female shamans dance during a ritual to pray for a good catch of fish on South Korea's eastern island of Ulneungdo. Photo: Reuters Dance in a gut is not just about movement; it is a way for the mudang to become one with the spirits, and there are different kinds of dances for different reasons. They might start slowly with the spirit-calling dance, swaying and spinning to invite the gods. As the music tempo increases, or in the possession dance, their movements become more powerful and they might start shaking or jumping, as if a spirit has taken control of their body. With healing dances, the shaman might use a fan, a knife or bells to scare away sickness or bad luck. The dances often imitate animals or natural forces, like the flapping of a bird's wings or the prowling of a tiger. These movements are not just for show; they hold deep meaning, connecting the human world to the spirit world. Oftentimes, a gut is an event that brings a community together. The audience does not just watch, but becomes part of the ritual. They clap, sing along and sometimes join in with the simple dances. This makes a ceremony feel like a shared experience, bringing everyone closer to the spirits. Advertisement
South China Morning Post
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In South Korea and Japan, culture bridges historical divides: ‘quite a contrast'
In Seoul's hip Hongdae neighbourhood, 19-year-old Choi Jae-eun is already deep in conversation with her friend about the latest anime drop on Netflix . The pair are making their way to Animate, a shop inside AK Plaza whose shelves overflow with Japanese manga, anime figurines and limited-edition merchandise. Advertisement Pop-up stalls themed around blockbuster series lure teenagers and twenty-somethings who, until recently, might have been dismissed as otaku – a once-derogatory term for obsessive fans. But now, Japanese pop culture is everywhere: in the manga-laden shelves of Animate, in the queues for anime-themed pop-ups, in the playlists of teenagers. Eighty years after Japan 's colonial rule ended in 1945, South Koreans – especially the young – have made Japanese culture part of their daily lives. The same is true of Tokyo, where the Hallyu wave hit especially hard and K-pop concerts sell out in minutes. A man walks past an advertisement featuring Japanese and South Korean flags outside a shop in Tokyo. Photo: AP 'I started to watch Japanese animation from a young age as my parents introduced me to classics like Dragon Ball Z and Studio Ghibli,' Choi said. 'I'm always asking my friend if they watched the new Japanese anime that dropped on Netflix.'
South China Morning Post
20 hours ago
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Who is Kentaro Sakaguchi, Lisa from Blackpink's rumoured beau?
Japanese actor Kentaro Sakaguchi, 34, has recently become the focus of intense rumours about whether he is dating Lisa from Blackpink The buzz began after fans noticed both stars using Lisa's new single 'Dream' as background music to a similar scenic photo on their Instagram stories. Sakaguchi was also present at Blackpink's 'Deadline' concert in South Korea alongside Lisa's family members. The rumours were fuelled further when a photo of Lisa playfully biting a man's arm emerged, with the mystery guy later confirmed to be Sakaguchi. However, any involvement in recent weeks now in fact appears to have been related to a short film for 'Dream' that the pair made together. Some have accepted the film as Sakaguchi and Lisa's reason for spending so much time with the actor, others still aren't convinced. The White Lotus actress, 28, was previously linked to LVMH heir Frédéric Arnault Advertisement Here is everything you need to know about Lisa's rumoured beau, who has more than two million followers on Instagram. Kentaro Sakaguchi began his career as a model Kentaro Sakaguchi is no stranger to the world of modelling, and is something of a heartthrob in his native Japan. Photo: @sakaguchikentaro/Instagram Sakaguchi began his career as a model in 2010 when he was 19 years old, according to the Korea JoongAng Daily. Known for his 'shio-gao' or 'salt-face' look – characterised by fair skin, delicate features, and a charming smile – he quickly gained popularity in the fashion world. Kentaro Sakaguchi modelling for Uniqlo Korea in February. Photo: @sakaguchikentaro/Instagram He has worked with brands including Gucci , Prada, Tamburins and Uniqlo. Earlier this year, he attended the Prada SS26 Milan menswear fashion show as a brand ambassador, per Vogue Taiwan. He is a talented actor
