Latest news with #BigBet
Korea Herald
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
MBC's decision to broadcast Disney+'s 'Big Bet' met with internal dissent
After airing 'Moving' in January, TV network increasingly looks to fill slots with content from streaming services MBC, one of South Korea's leading television networks, is facing mounting backlash from its own producers following the decision to broadcast Disney+ Korea's hit original series "Big Bet," beginning in July. The series, which stars veteran actors Choi Min-sik and Son Suk-ku, originally ran on Disney+ for two seasons between 2022 and 2023. MBC has confirmed that "Big Bet" season 1 will air Fridays and Saturdays at 10 p.m. throughout July, while season 2 will move to a regular Sunday night slot starting in August. The series will retain its original 19+ rating, though MBC said some edits would be needed to meet broadcast review standards. MBC said the broadcast of "Big Bet" reflects its ongoing effort to offer strategic curation of carefully selected, proven programs, adding that it aimed to broaden viewers' content choices. However, the move has triggered significant internal dissent. A total of 53 producers and production staff from MBC's drama division recently issued a joint statement condemning the decision. Via the statement, the producers criticized the management's push to delay its upcoming series — "Judge Lee Han-young" — originally slated for the same time slot as "Big Bet." 'The seriousness of the matter is heightened by the fact that the originally planned drama production was postponed to next year, in order to artificially create a budget surplus for this year,' the statement said. As a result of MBC's decision to air "Big Bet," "Judge Lee Han-young," an adaptation of a popular Naver webtoon, has been pushed back to early 2026. The drama, which features a cast including Ji Sung, Won Jin-ah and Park Hee-soon, follows a judge who, after his unjust demise, returns to the past to deliver righteous judgments. The statement accused MBC of bypassing producers in making the programming decision, and warned of a potential fallout with the series' cast. "Due to the management's decision to schedule 'Big Bet,' 'Judge Lee Han-young' now requires renegotiation with its lead actors,' it read. The producers are demanding a full reconsideration of the "Big Bet" rollout, the restoration of decision-making authority to drama teams, and reforms to what they call profit-centered management practices. Meanwhile, this is not the first time MBC has broadcast content from streaming services to fill its drama slots. In January, the network aired the Disney+ blockbuster "Moving," broadcasting two episodes every Sunday. The strategy reflects an emerging trend in Korean broadcasting, where legacy networks are increasingly looking to partner with streaming platforms to mitigate soaring content production costs and appeal to broader demographics. The shift comes amid growing financial strain across Korea's terrestrial broadcasters. KBS has reported a cumulative net loss of 14.1 billion won ($10,228,768) over the past three years, while SBS posted an operating loss of 19.2 billion won in 2024 -- its first deficit since 2016 -- and MBC's operating profit plunged from 56.6 billion won in 2022 to 6.6 billion won last year.
See - Sada Elbalad
19-04-2025
- Entertainment
- See - Sada Elbalad
Korean Crime Thriller "Nine Puzzles" in Development
Yara Sameh Disney+ is continuing its strong direction into Korean content with 'Nine Puzzles,' a cerebral crime thriller starring Kim Dami ('Itaewon Class') and Son Sukku ('Big Bet'). The 11-episode series follows Yoon Ena, a high school student who discovers her uncle's murdered body next to a single puzzle piece. Initially, the prime suspect, Ena reemerges a decade later as a criminal profiler only to find herself entangled in a new series of murders — each victim connected by puzzle pieces similar to the one from her uncle's crime scene. The show brings together notable Korean talent beyond its leads, with Kim Sungkyun ('Moving,' 'The Fiery Priest') as Police Captain Yang Jungho and Hyun Bongsik ('When Life Gives You Tangerines,' 'Gangnam B-Side') as Junior Detective Choi San. 'Narco Saints' director Yoon Jongbin helms the project from a script by Lee Eunmi ('Tunnel,' 'Navillera'). The first six episodes will drop on May 21 on Disney+ internationally. 'Nine Puzzles' adds to Disney+'s growing slate of Korean originals that has already seen success in 2025 with the investigative thriller 'Unmasked' and medical drama 'Hyper Knife,' the latter becoming the platform's most-viewed Korean premiere globally this year. Disney+ has continued investment in Korean content with upcoming 2025 releases including the treasure-hunting drama 'Low Life' starring Ryu Seungryong and the international conspiracy series 'Tempest' featuring Jun Gianna, Gang Dongwon, John Cho, and Michael Gaston. Disney+ is the dedicated streaming home for movies and shows from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, and Star. read more New Tourism Route To Launch in Old Cairo Ahmed El Sakka-Led Play 'Sayidati Al Jamila' to Be Staged in KSA on Dec. 6 Mandy Moore Joins Season 2 of "Dr. Death" Anthology Series Don't Miss These Movies at 44th Cairo Int'l Film Festival Today Amr Diab to Headline KSA's MDLBEAST Soundstorm 2022 Festival Arts & Culture Mai Omar Stuns in Latest Instagram Photos Arts & Culture "The Flash" to End with Season 9 Arts & Culture Ministry of Culture Organizes four day Children's Film Festival Arts & Culture Canadian PM wishes Muslims Eid-al-Adha News Egypt confirms denial of airspace access to US B-52 bombers News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia Lifestyle Pistachio and Raspberry Cheesecake Domes Recipe News Australia Fines Telegram $600,000 Over Terrorism, Child Abuse Content Arts & Culture Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban's $4.7M LA Home Burglarized Videos & Features Bouchra Dahlab Crowned Miss Arab World 2025 .. Reem Ganzoury Wins Miss Arab Africa Title (VIDEO) Sports Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple Arts & Culture Arwa Gouda Gets Married (Photos)
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Korean Crime Thriller ‘Nine Puzzles' Set at Disney+
Disney+ is continuing its strong push into Korean content with 'Nine Puzzles,' a cerebral crime thriller starring Kim Dami ('Itaewon Class') and Son Sukku ('Big Bet'). The 11-episode series follows Yoon Ena, a high school student who discovers her uncle's murdered body next to a single puzzle piece. Initially the prime suspect, Ena reemerges a decade later as a criminal profiler only to find herself entangled in a new series of murders — each victim connected by puzzle pieces similar to the one from her uncle's crime scene. More from Variety Prime Video's Korean Rom-Com 'The Divorce Insurance' Stars Make the Case for Life After Heartbreak: 'Choices That We Make to Become Happier' Ncuti Gatwa's Second 'Doctor Who' Season Starts Off Strong, Despite Speculation About Show's Future: TV Review 'Phineas and Ferb' Revival Trailer: Disney's Step-Brothers Return After 10 Years for More Summer Vacation Adventures The series brings together notable Korean talent beyond its leads, with Kim Sungkyun ('Moving,' 'The Fiery Priest') as Police Captain Yang Jungho and Hyun Bongsik ('When Life Gives You Tangerines,' 'Gangnam B-Side') as Junior Detective Choi San. Behind the camera, 'Narco Saints' director Yoon Jongbin helms the project from a script by Lee Eunmi ('Tunnel,' 'Navillera'). The first six episodes will drop May 21 on Disney+ internationally, with U.S. viewers accessing the content through Hulu. 'Nine Puzzles' adds to Disney+'s growing slate of Korean originals that has already seen success in 2025 with the investigative thriller 'Unmasked' and medical drama 'Hyper Knife,' the latter becoming the platform's most-viewed Korean premiere globally this year. Disney+ has signaled continued investment in Korean content with upcoming 2025 releases including treasure-hunting drama 'Low Life' starring Ryu Seungryong and the international conspiracy series 'Tempest' featuring Jun Gianna, Gang Dongwon, John Cho, and Michael Gaston. Disney+ is the dedicated streaming home for movies and shows from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic. In select international markets, it also includes the general entertainment content brand, Star. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week What's Coming to Disney+ in April 2025 The Best Celebrity Memoirs to Read This Year: From Chelsea Handler to Anthony Hopkins
