Latest news with #AKillerParadox
The Star
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Hit webtoon 'S Line' turned into drama series, exploring world with visible sexual connections, make its way to Malaysia's Tonton channel
'S Line', a Korean series that is currently creating a phenomenon and is being talked about across Asia and breaking new ground in South-East Asia, can now be watched exclusively on Tonton starting 11 July 2025. Imagine if your past could be known – not through stories or rumours, but through a red thread that seemed to float above your head. Sounds strange ... Crazy... Scary... But this is the shocking truth in the latest Korean drama, 'S Line', which is now airing exclusively and first, simultaneously with Korea, in Malaysia. A crimson thread appears above the heads of those who have had a sexual relationship. When one of the connected individuals dies, the thread vanishes. This is the eerie premise behind 'S Line,' a webtoon by author Kkomabi, who also penned the original story behind the Netflix original series 'A Killer Paradox' (2024). In this world, the most private of secrets — who has slept with whom — are laid bare. Meanwhile, speaking at a press conference in Yongsan, Seoul, director Ahn Joo-young addressed creative liberties taken with the adaptation. Ahn credited music as a central element of the show's atmosphere. 'The music director tailored the score to suit the fantasy-infused thriller tone and added variations to each episode's soundtrack to complete it,' she said. 'I hope viewers stay engaged until the end, focusing on how far the characters can change within the drama,' she added. 'It might be even more enjoyable if you imagine what it would be like if S Lines were visible in real life.' Hyun-heup, played by Arin, a high school student, has seen the threads since birth. Others gain the ability through special glasses. Most people, however, remain unaware of the threads. Kkomabi said that the series version expands the universe of the original story with new episodes and characters. 'It was fascinating to experience the drama's unique charm,' they added. The series opens with Hyun-heup's narration: 'There are things in life that don't need to be seen — no, things that mustn't be seen. I have seen these lines since I was born.' Believing that her ability caused a tragedy in her family, Hyun-heup isolates herself. One day, she witnesses a murder in her neighborhood. Suspecting a connection to the mysterious lines, she leaves the house. She then encounters glasses that allow the wearer to see the threads, just like she does. The story grows increasingly complex as she becomes involved with Detective Han Ji-wook, played by Lee Soo-hyuk, who is investigating the murder, and a mysterious teacher Lee Gyu-jin, played by Lee Da-hee, who has no threads at all. Recently, Lee was also Malaysia and had a special meet-and-greet session with Malaysian fans in Kuala Lumpur. The event drew thousands of fans at the famous shopping mall in centre of the city. Lee, during the meet and greet session, himself, said that the series promises to be a groundbreaking event by itself. The series also had its world premiere at the Grand Lumiere Theater during the 8th Cannes International Series Festival in May, where it was invited to compete in the long-form series category. 'S Line' also took home the Best Music award in its category — the first time a Korean production has earned that distinction at Canneseries. The score was directed by composer Lee Jun-oh, known for his work on films 'The Terror, Live' (2013) and 'Little Forest' (2018) and the Tving period drama series 'Queen Woo' (2024). Arin, a member of girl group Oh My Girl and an actress who has built her filmography through series like 'Girl's World' (2020) and 'Alchemy of Souls' (2022), takes on a dramatically different role in 'S Line.' 'When I first met Arin, I saw a determination in her to throw herself into the character, even into fire if necessary,' said director Ahn. 'I felt like we could do anything together.' Director Ahn, known for her 2018 indie feature 'A Boy and Sungreen,' which portrayed youth in a non-stereotypical way, makes her fantasy-thriller debut with 'S Line.' 'It feels surreal to win an award with a music director I've worked with since my short film days,' she said at the press event. 'Each episode has a slightly different concept, so we tailored the tone with variations in instrumentation.' 'I love the original, but I couldn't include every episode,' Ahn said. 'At its core, 'S Line' is about people. I tried to show how individuals change through the existence of the line.' Meanwhile, Arin said she is just grateful to be involved in such a prestigious and amazing venture. 'I thought, if not this work, when would I get to attempt something like this?' said Arin. 'I really tried to show a different side of myself. I'm so glad the feedback has been wonderful.' For more insight of the incredible drama, fans now can catch the show in Tonton. The series consists of six episodes, with the first two was shown on Tonton July 11 and then another two on July 18 and the exciting conclusion this Friday (July 25). Info media for the series were from the Official Media Kit, Korea JoongAng Daily and The Korea Herald/Asia News Network
Time of India
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Son Suk Ku announces extended break after back-to-back hits: "Time to refocus"
Son Suk Ku , one of South Korea's most critically acclaimed and versatile actors, has announced that he will be taking an extended break from acting. Known for his compelling performances in dramas like 'Matrimonial Chaos', 'Designated Survivor: 60 Days', 'D.P.', 'My Liberation Notes', and 'A Killer Paradox', as well as films like 'Nothing Serious' and 'The Roundup', the actor says it's time to hit pause and recharge. Slowing Down After a Non-Stop Streak In a recent interview with Sports Seoul, Son Suk Ku revealed his decision to step back after wrapping up his current projects. With major roles in the upcoming 2025 dramas ' Heaven Is More Beautiful ' and ' The Ninth Puzzle ', 'Son' has become one of the most talked-about and hardworking actors in recent years. "I'm still working right now, but once I finish what I've already committed to, I plan to take quite a long break," he shared. "In the past, I was focused on appearing in as many works as possible. I've learned a lot through that experience, but now I feel it's time to focus on more meaningful expressions." He added, 'Producing a large number of works takes a tremendous amount of time and energy. I think it's the right moment to explore different ways of performing and bring about change.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Eat 1 Teaspoon Every Night, See What Happens A Week Later [Video] getfittoday Undo About The Ninth Puzzle In his upcoming drama The Ninth Puzzle, Son Suk Ku plays detective Kim Han Saem—an introspective, calculating character quite different from his previous role as the intense Jang Nam Gam in A Killer Paradox. While both roles belong to the detective genre, Son pointed out their distinct nature. He explained that the key wasn't in creating differences but in discovering them. He described his character Han Saem as someone who exists somewhere between reality and fantasy, and said he worked hard to strike the right balance without leaning too far in either direction. Reflecting on his deep commitment to the role, he shared that people often asked what he was working on, and he would simply reply, 'Just this.' He emphasized that the drama was a tightly constructed mystery, and he didn't want to stand out in a distracting way. He added that director Yoon Jong Bin had a clear vision and extensive experience, so all he had to do was place his trust in him and stay focused. Choosing Ensemble Over Stardom Despite his popularity, Son Suk Ku says he never aspired to be the quintessential 'one-top' male lead. 'In the early 2000s, it was common to see male-centered projects. I was never cast as the number one lead in that sense,' he explained. 'The Comments Army was probably the closest to that, but even then, I was drawn to it because of the ensemble—Kim Sung Cheol, Hong Kyung, Kim Dong Hwi. I believe that synergy comes from working together.' Admiration for Kim Hye Ja Speaking about Heaven Is More Beautiful, Son expressed deep admiration for his co-star, legendary actress Kim Hye Ja. 'I try to visit her whenever I start a new project,' he said. 'Her sincerity in acting inspires me. She's someone whose life and acting are seamlessly intertwined.' Writing and Reflecting As he looks ahead to his break, Son Suk Ku is also working on a screenplay. Reflecting on the support from his audience, he said, 'Whether people liked my projects or not, if they watched, they're my number one fans.' He concluded, 'I do have dreams and plans during this break—mainly to take on new challenges I haven't explored before.'
Time of India
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
‘Heavenly Ever After' actor Son Suk Ku to go on extended break; to finish current projects – says 'it's time to focus on more meaningful expressions'
Actor Son Suk Ku , who has recently gone viral for his back-to-back hit TV shows ' Heavenly Ever After ' and ' Nine Puzzles ', has now announced that he will be going on a break. The actor shared that after finishing up his current projects, he plans to take a well-deserved and extended break from his career. 'Heavenly Ever After' actor to take a break from career In a recent update, actor Son Suk Ku shared that he is planning to take an extended break for the time being. In a statement from Sports Seoul, the actor revealed that he wishes to take a long break after finalising his current commitments. "I'm still working right now, but once I finish what I've already committed to, I plan to take quite a long break. In the past, I was focused on appearing in as many works as possible. I've learnt a lot through that experience, but now I feel it's time to focus on more meaningful expressions,' the actor shared in a statement. The actor has managed to become one of the most prolific actors in the Korean entertainment industry , but shares that 'producing a large number of works takes a tremendous amount of time and energy.' He then continued by pointing out that 'it is the right time for change.' He stated that 'I think it's the right moment to explore different ways of performing and bring about change.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Brass Idols - Handmade Brass Statues for Home & Gifting Luxeartisanship Buy Now Undo Son Suk Ku , while talking about taking a break and working on new things, also mentioned that throughout his acting gigs, he has also been working on writing a screenplay. He stated that 'Whether people liked my projects or not, if they watched, they're my number one fans. I do have dreams and plans during this break—mainly to take on new challenges I haven't explored before.' Talks about his latest role as Han Saem The actor also briefly mentioned his latest role in 'Nine Puzzles' as Han Saem . He stated that 'the key isn't creating differences but discovering them. Han Saem exists somewhere between reality and fantasy. I worked hard to strike the right balance without going too far in either direction.' The actor directly talked about how similar and different his two detective roles in 'Nine Puzzles' and 'A Killer Paradox' were. He also mentioned how when he started working on 'Nine Puzzles', he managed to reject every other offer that came his way. The actor detailed how he wanted to focus and put his everything into this project to make it a success. 'People kept asking what I was doing, and I'd always answer, 'Just this.' It's a tightly constructed mystery, so I didn't want to stand out in a distracting way. The director Yoon Jong Bin has a clear vision and extensive experience, so all I had to do was trust him and focus,' he shared in the report.
Korea Herald
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Son Suk-ku reflects on his winning streak
TV, streaming clout discusses his latest project 'Nine Puzzles,' his sharpening acumen Son Suk-ku's hit series streak is showing no signs of stopping. His latest project, "Nine Puzzles," debuted on Disney+ on May 21 and quickly soared to become the second most-watched Korean title on the platform during its premiere week, trailing only behind Disney+ Korea's record-breaking series "Moving." Meanwhile, JTBC's fantasy human drama "Heavenly Ever After," which premiered on April 19, has emerged as one of the most buzzworthy dramas of the first half of 2025. This is thanks in part to its unexpected yet touching romantic storyline between Son and 83-year-old veteran actress Kim Hye-ja. Reflecting on his career, which includes back-to-back hits from "A Killer Paradox,' (2024) 'D.P. 2,' (2023) 'Big Bet' (2022) and 'My Liberation Notes,' (2022), and his criteria for choosing projects, Son said during a press roundtable in Seoul on Thursday that he thought his instincts were sharpening with experience. 'My standard when selecting projects is that it has to be fun,' he said. 'That word might sound light, but I think creating something genuinely fun is one of the hardest things to do. But I feel like I'm slowly developing an eye for spotting that kind of thing.' He added, 'If I can summarize the premise of a script in a sentence or two to a friend or family member, like, 'Hey, this story is about this' — then I see that as a sign it has a strong foundation. But if it's hard to do that, then I see it (as having a lower chance of success)." "Nine Puzzles" stars Kim Da-mi as Yi-na, a woman haunted by the unsolved murder of her uncle, for which she was the sole witness and a prime suspect. A decade later, Detective Han-saem (Son) remains convinced of her guilt. The case takes a turn when Yi-na receives a mysterious puzzle piece, echoing one discovered at the original crime scene. The series fuses heightened, stylized visuals with a noir-inflected mystery narrative, embracing a cartoon-like aesthetic that pulls viewers into an otherworldly world. According to Son, the creative team and the cast intentionally crafted that unique atmosphere throughout the production. 'The visual aspects — especially the costumes — were largely influenced by the established world that the director had already created. We followed the mise-en-scene that was carefully crafted to fit that world,' said Son. 'If we had placed this story in a purely realistic tone, I don't think it would have had the same charm, and it might have felt less convincing,' he added. He continued, 'The design choices stemmed from the metaphor of puzzles. Since the crimes unfold through puzzle pieces, the production, from costumes to set design, was built to reflect that imagery.' As for the show's ambiguous final moment, which teases the appearance of another puzzle, Son said he did not see it as an ending meant to open up another season. 'There were no discussions about a second season,' he said. 'I didn't view the ending as a lead-in, but more as a symbol of continuity — life goes on in that world, and new crimes emerge. That puzzle could be interpreted as a copycat case, but for me, it simply represented another incident.' On the possibility of returning for season 2, Son was measured: 'I think the chances are very slim. Not just due to scheduling conflicts, but because of various other circumstances. I don't think it's likely.'
Pink Villa
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
23rd Director's Cut Awards full winners list: Lee Do Hyun wins big for Exhuma, A Killer Paradox takes top drama honor
The 23rd Director's Cut Awards ceremony took place on May 20 at 7 PM KST (3:30 PM IST) and the winners list was shared online by the DGK (Directors Guild of Korea) on May 21. The DKG members (Korean directors) are the ones who select the winners through a majority vote system. During the event, the association honoured best films, series, actors and rising stars with prestigious accolades. Among them, a notable mention was Exhuma, who swept multiple titles. Exhuma bagged four awards from among 13 categories, becoming the most-awarded one among movies and series at the 2025 award show. The occult film was bestowed with titles of Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Actress (won by Kim Go Eun) and Best New Actor (won by Lee Do Hyun). Exhuma achieved an impressive feat by winning in most of its nominated categories, except for two. Lee Byung Hun and Lee Hee Joon clinched best actor titled in film and drama categories for The Match and A Killer Paradox respectively. A Killer Paradox received two more awards– Kim Yo Han for Best New Actor and Lee Chang Hee for Best Director. It was the second-most awarded, following Exhuma. Check out who all won in the rest of the categories below. 23rd Director's Cut Awards full list of winners:
