Latest news with #ItaewonClass
Korea Herald
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Kim Da-mi says she wants characters to eclipse her own persona
'The Witch,' 'Itaewon Class' star discusses her quirky detective role in 'Nine Puzzles' When it comes to actors, there are generally two types: those whose names come to mind first, and those whose performances lead you to recall their characters before the actor behind them. Kim Da-mi belongs in the latter category. Her role in the action-thriller "The Witch" (2018) as a remorseless killer, followed by her turn as a sociopathic genius in "Itaewon Class" (2020), established her as a chameleon-like actor whose characters overshadow her own identity. Her latest role in "Nine Puzzles", where she plays Yi-na, a quirky genius profiler with memory issues, continues that trend. Once again, Kim vanishes into the part, assuming a character that feels lived-in. Speaking about her portrayal of Yi-na, whom viewers compared to the popular Japanese anime character Detective Conan, Kim admitted she was initially concerned about how the audience would perceive such a unique character. 'All the other characters are calm and grounded, but Yi-na has a higher-pitched tone and feels childlike, so I had a lot of concerns in the beginning,' she said, during a press roundtable held in Samcheong-dong, Seoul, Thursday. She added, 'She's the most cartoonish among the characters, but that's what makes her unique and charming.' To heighten that animated quality, Kim was meticulous about the character's styling. 'I added a tie as a style point, and I changed her nail colors and earrings every day,' she said. 'I even tried wearing glasses during profiling scenes. It gave off a comic book character vibe. Both the director and I felt it really captured the detective feel we were going for.' As for Yi-na's internal world, Kim offered a more nuanced take. 'She loves people more than anyone, but she puts up thorns to protect herself from getting hurt,' she explained. 'I don't think of her as a sociopath.' Despite frequently playing emotionally complex or even sociopathic roles, Kim described herself as far removed from those personas. 'Personally, I'm actually quite introverted,' she revealed. 'When I did 'Itaewon Class' early on, it was really difficult because the character was so different from who I am. I struggled a lot with that. But I wanted to challenge myself, so I thought, 'Let's try it. Let's learn and give it a shot.'' Kim is also clear about the kind of presence she wants to cultivate in the industry — one where she is remembered for her characters, not for herself. 'To be honest, I'm actually quite introverted and not very good at speaking, but I think there's something I always keep in mind. I'd rather have the character come through more than myself. Since acting is the one thing I can show properly, I want the audience to see the character, not me. I don't think there's really anything I want people to know about me personally. If anything, I hope they don't focus too much on the human side of me.'
Time of India
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
12 Signs, 12 K-Dramas: If the Zodiac Were Scripted by Seoul
Each zodiac sign is basically a K-drama waiting to happen—plot twists, dramatic stares, slow-motion heartbreaks and all. The stars don't lie, they just binge-watch. Aries is Itaewon Class. Headstrong, rebellious, and walking into life like a one-person revenge arc. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Cue the dramatic 'I'll show them all' montage with fire in the background and zero chill in the dialogue. Taurus is Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha. Loves routine, comfort, and romanticizing grocery runs. Somehow turns minor inconveniences into poetic suffering—like losing Wi-Fi during a skincare routine. Gemini is Business Proposal. Double identities, corporate chaos, and enough witty banter to power Seoul. Charming one minute, plotting an escape plan the next. Basically two dramas for the price of one. Cancer is Twenty-Five Twenty-One. Emotional, nostalgic, and guaranteed to make everyone cry in episode sixteen. Cancer carries the weight of the world—and a box of tissues. Leo is Crash Landing on You. Lovely. Dramatic. Cinematic. Entering every room like a South Korean heiress who just accidentally fell into North Korea. Everyone watches, everyone remembers, and Leo soaks it up like a front-row seat at the Oscars. Virgo is Hospital Playlist. Analytical, detail-driven, and emotionally reserved… until they aren't. Fixes everyone else's messes with surgical precision, then apologizes for not doing it faster. Libra is Extraordinary Attorney Woo. Graceful, brilliant, socially beloved. Has deep thoughts mid-montage while dolphins jump around metaphorically. Conflict-avoidant? Yes. But adorable? Also yes. Scorpio is The Glory. Dark, intense, and always five steps ahead. Possibly planning world domination with flawless eyeliner and a well-timed violin score. Sagittarius is Legend of the Blue Sea. Wild plot? Check. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Time travel? Maybe. Mermaid? Sure, why not. Sagittarius is here for freedom, chaos, and confusing everyone while being charming enough to get away with it. Capricorn is Start-Up. Business pitch at 9, heartbreak by 12, and a life plan broken into five-year increments. Feels nothing until they suddenly feel everything. Aquarius is My Love from the Star. Alien-level intellect meets existential crisis. Often misunderstood, frequently late, and probably arguing about philosophical theories with an imaginary scriptwriter. Pisces is Hotel Del Luna. Dreamy, sensitive, and emotionally haunted—literally and figuratively. Carries centuries of pain and a wardrobe that slaps.
Independent Singapore
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Independent Singapore
Park Seo Joon's contribution saves boy's life
KOREA: As reported by the New Straits Times, South Korean actor Park Seo Joon did a good deed recently and shared a touching story on his Instagram story. The actor contributed money to aid a young boy's life-saving surgery for a brain tumour. Photo: Instagram/Park Seo Joon Park Seo Joon, 36, uploaded a photo of a handwritten letter from the boy's family, who expressed their appreciation for his support that enabled their son to undergo a successful stem cell transplant. The family recounted their devastation in their letter upon learning of the boy's brain tumour diagnosis in January last year. Feeling hopeful They wrote that they felt helpless both mentally and financially because of the surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, along with the overwhelming treatment costs. The family began to feel hopeful after the boy went through his first stem cell surgery. The son was surprised to learn that a celebrity had sponsored his surgery. The family wrote that the boy expressed his desire to meet Park Seo Joon in person after his recovery and hoped to become famous so that he, too, could help others. They added that for the first time in a long while, it brought a smile to their faces. Park Seo Joon, who's popular for his roles in dramas like ' What's Wrong With Secretary Kim ' (the one where he's the charming boss!), ' Itaewon Class ' (the one about the guy starting his own bar), and most recently, ' Gyeongseong Creature ,' made his big Hollywood debut in the movie ' The Marvels ' just in 2023. Hope and courage The family expressed their gratitude, saying that the actor's invaluable support has given the family hope and courage. They aspire, along with their child, to become a family that extends help to others. Park Seo Joon responded by sharing the letter on Instagram, reiterating his commitment to 'live well' and expressing his hope to meet the boy after his recovery. He also provided a Samsung Medical Centre letter verifying that his donation allowed a patient to undergo surgery. Park Seo Joon has shown charity before. Back in 2020, he showed his big heart by donating a pretty significant amount—100 million won (S$92,000)—to help people in South Korea who were affected by the floods. Then, in 2023, when terrible earthquakes hit Turkey and Syria, he didn't hesitate to donate another 100 million won to help with the relief efforts there too. It's really admirable how he steps up to help when people are going through tough times. A popular and accomplished actor Park SeoJoon (박서준), born Park Yong Kyu (박용규) on Dec 16, 1988, is a highly popular and accomplished South Korean actor. He made his entertainment debut in 2011 but gained significant recognition for his charming and versatile performances in numerous successful television dramas and films. He's known for his ability to excel in various genres, from romantic comedies to action-packed thrillers.
The Star
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Park Seo-joon's donation enabled life-saving surgery for boy with brain tumour
Back in 2020, the actor donated 100 million won to help victims affected by floods in South Korea. Photo: Park Seo-joon/Instagram South Korean actor Park Seo-joon has shared the heartwarming story of how he helped a child suffering from a brain tumour. The 36-year-old K-drama star posted a photo of a handwritten letter on Instagram Stories on April 29, from the family of a boy who successfully underwent a stem-cell transplant thanks to Park's donation. The family wrote that they were devastated when the child was diagnosed with a brain tumour in January 2024. 'Terms like surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, as well as the enormous treatment costs, left us overwhelmed mentally and financially,' the family wrote. 'We are starting to feel hopeful now that he has completed his first stem-cell surgery.' The young patient was apparently surprised to learn his surgery had been sponsored by a celebrity. 'Our child said he would like to meet you in person after he recovers, and that he hopes to become famous so that he can help others too,' the family said. 'It made us laugh for the first time in a long while.' Park has starred in dramas such as What's Wrong With Secretary Kim (2018), Itaewon Class (2020) and Gyeongseong Creature (2023 to 2024). He also made his Hollywood debut in American superhero film The Marvels (2023). Expressing their gratitude to Park, the family added: 'Mr Park's valuable support has given our family hope and courage. Together with our child, we hope to be a family who help others.' Park replied to the family while sharing the letter on Instagram: 'I reiterate my determination to live well and hope to meet him after he recovers.' He also shared a separate letter sent by the Samsung Medical Centre, which stated that a patient was recently able to get the surgery thanks to his donation. Park had previously donated 100 million won (RM302,600) to help victims affected by floods in South Korea in 2020 and donated the same amount to earthquake relief efforts in Turkey and Syria in 2023. – The Straits Times/Asia News Network
Forbes
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
How A Tale Of Resilience ‘Itaewon Class' Became A Japanese Musical
Itaewon Class is more than a popular webtoon, garnering over 430 million cumulative views on Kakao Webtoon. It's a source of ongoing inspiration. The engaging storyline has inspired a variety of adaptations, including the 2020 Korean TV series, starring Park Seo-joon and Kim Da-mi, and a 2022 Japanese TV series titled Roppongi Class, which topped Netflix Japan's most watched list for weeks. A Taiwanese series is being developed and the first-ever musical adaptation of Itaewon Class is currently in rehearsal. The stage adaptation of the original webtoon will be performed at Brillia Hall in Tokyo from June 9 through 30, with a national tour following through July 21. Produced by the Japanese entertainment company Toho Co., Ltd., the musical is a collaboration between Korean, Japanese, and U.S. creators, including composer and lyricist Helen Park. The award-winning South Korean-born composer is best known for the score of the Broadway musical KPOP and she's the first Asian female composer/lyricist for a Broadway play to be nominated for a Tony Award. Park is also a fan of the original Itaewon Class webtoon by Kwang Jin. 'I loved how compelling the webtoon is in its rawness and humanity,' said Park. 'What struck me most was how grounded and flawed the characters were—and how deeply relatable their struggles felt.' The webtoon was serialized from 2016 to 2020 on Kakao Webtoon, a platform operated by Kakao Entertainment. "It features Park Sae-ro-yi as the protagonist ― a character who steadfastly adheres to his own beliefs and principles ― while unfolding the stories of various young people navigating life in contemporary society," said Jake Hwang, chief manager of Story IP Business at Kakao Entertainment. Sae-ro-yi (Nozomu Kotaki) is an ex-convict who opens a pub in Seoul's Itaewon neighborhood and tries to live in a way that would make his late father proud. As a high school student he transferred to a new school because his father (Masahiro Asano) transferred to that location for work. There he saw his classmate Jang Geun-won (Kentaro Akizawa) bullying others. Everyone looked the other way, but Sae-ro-yi hit him. Because Geun-won is the son of Jang Dae-hee (Kenta Satoi), the chairman of the restaurant chain where Sae-ro-yi's father works, Sae-ro-yi drops out of school and his father quits his job. "The story of Itaewon Class is one of resilience, ambition, and the pursuit of justice—all set against the vibrant, ever-changing backdrop of Itaewon, Seoul,' said Park. 'Musically, I wanted to reflect that energy by blending contemporary musical theater with k-pop, rock, and the lush, emotionally rich style of Korean drama that defined the TV adaptation.' When his father later dies, Sae-ro-yi learns about Geum-won's involvement. He assaults Geum-won and ends up in prison, crushing his hopes for the future and his budding romance with classmate Soo-ah (Minami Umezawa/Yurina Kawaguchi). Years after his release Sae-ro-yi opens a restaurant in Itaewon. He doesn't know a lot about business but he instinctively knows who to trust. As an ex-con Sae-ro-yi knows what it's like to be looked down on. He assembles a crew of workers, who might find it hard to fit in anywhere else, and together they excel in the convivial setting of the pub DanBam. He teams up with the smart sociopath Yi-seo, played by Sora Kazuki/Sara). He also hires Hyeon-yi (Kate Doi), Seung-won (Kodai Yoshida), and Geun-soo (Tasuke Niihara), Geun-won's younger brother who has feelings for Yi-seo. 'I was also inspired by the characters' emotional journeys,' said Park. "Each of them has a distinct voice, and I tried to capture that individuality and depth in the score.' For Hwang the ongoing adaptations of Itaewon Class stem from its vivid, lifelike characters and its close reflection of real-world narratives. 'The story deeply resonates with readers, offering comfort and encouragement to many young people living through today's challenging times,' said Hwang. For Park the story is timely, but the message is timeless. 'I believe it's the timelessness of the themes—perseverance, integrity, love, and revenge—set within a culturally specific context,' said Park. "It's a classic hero's journey, but one deeply rooted in contemporary Korean society, which gives it both universality and a fresh perspective. That balance is what makes the story resonate so strongly across different mediums and cultures, including the Japanese audience we're honored to present this musical to.' The musical's script was written by Riko Sakaguchi, best known for her work on the productions The Tale of the Princess Kaguya and Mary and The Witch's Flower. The production will be directed by Koyama Yuna, who won the Yomiuri Theater Award for Outstanding Director. The musical's choreography is by Kyle Hanagami, who has worked with k-pop group Blackpink. Lee Hee-joon is the lyricist and composer, known for his work on the musical Darwin Young's Origins of Evil. The webtoon Itaewon Class is available in English on Tapas and the live-action Korean adaptation is available on Netflix.
