Latest news with #K-content
Forbes
2 hours ago
- Business
- Forbes
Netflix, Martha Stewart, T.O.P And Lil Yachty Welcome You To The K-Era
Lil Yachty, Martha Stewart and T.O.P appear in Netflix's new K-content campaign. Let's face it—a collaboration between lifestyle mogul Martha Stewart and South Korean rapper and actor T.O.P was something no one saw coming, but that's precisely what happened when Netflix revealed its latest ad for Korean content. The two-minute video on Netflix's YouTube channel also features American rapper Lil Yachty, himself a longtime K-culture fan who famously paid tribute to the iconic K-pop boy band BIGBANG (of which T.O.P is a former member) in 2016 by freestyling to their songs. (And seeing as how T.O.P is clearly his favorite BIGBANG member based on that clip, it was probably only a matter of time before he and the real T.O.P found themselves in the same video.) In Netflix's promotional clip, Stewart is caught crying while watching the hit K-drama When Life Gives You Tangerines. When told that she doesn't speak Korean, Stewart responds, 'I don't, it speaks to me.' Stewart is later seen actively engaging with and taking cues from other blockbuster Korean shows like Squid Game, All of Us Are Dead and Physical: 100. She also chats with Lil Yachty about Single's Inferno while wearing a snail mucin sheet mask on her face—one of (many) items popularized by the ever-growing K-beauty trend. T.O.P (real name Choi Seung-hyun), who plays Thanos in Squid Game season 2, appears in Stewart's dressing room in the latter half of the video and flashes her the classic Korean 'finger heart' sign. At this point, the camera cuts to a barrage of additional K-culture references found throughout the room, from the song 'Like Jennie' by BLACKPINK member Jennie blasting from a speaker to a tray filled with Korean snacks and beverages to Stewart wearing an Extraordinary Attorney Woo T-shirt. 'I've seen this before… You're in deep on K-content. Don't worry, she'll be fine,' T.O.P remarks, at least according to the English subtitles. (A more literal translation of what he actually says would be something like: 'Oh, I see you're hooked on not only K-content but Korean culture as well. Don't worry, that happens to everyone.') He then makes his exit with the now-iconic 'Skrrt!'—which all three stars repeat at the very end while dressed in Squid Game tracksuits. Social media reactions to the unexpected collab have been overwhelmingly enthusiastic, with many users praising Netflix for the surprise video and gushing over T.O.P's appearance in the clip. Some of the user comments on the "Welcome to Your K-Era" video on Netflix's YouTube channel More user comments on Netflix's new K-content promotional video Commenter on YouTube references the 2016 BIGBANG tribute video in which Lil Yachty raps and talks to ... More cardboard cutouts of BIGBANG members. Screenshot of a post on X Netflix's slogan for its 'Welcome to Your K-Era' campaign is 'You Don't Have to Speak It to Love It' (for anyone who's interested, a more literal translation of the Korean phrase would be: 'Even if you don't know the language, you know the feeling!'), acknowledging the power of K-content to resonate with audiences across the globe despite the language barrier. That said, as an aside, it should be noted that the Korean language is also experiencing a worldwide boom these days. For instance, a recent study by the Modern Language Association found that out of the 15 most commonly taught foreign languages at U.S. colleges and universities, Korean was the only language to show remarkable growth between 2016 and 2021—a whopping 38.3% increase in enrollment over that five-year period. Biblical Hebrew and American Sign Language were the only other languages that showed increased enrollment—9.1% and 0.8% respectively—while all other foreign languages showed a marked decline in enrollment over that time period. To feed your K-content obsession—and perhaps help you improve your Korean listening comprehension skills—Netflix now has a 'Welcome to Your K-Era' panel on its interface, which serves as a one-stop shop to find all your favorite Korean films and shows on Netflix. (Tip for those new to Korean movies and shows: ALWAYS watch them subbed, NEVER dubbed!) Residents of Los Angeles, California might have also seen these Netflix billboards along Sunset Boulevard featuring Korean-only captions, often superimposed on ads for popular Netflix Korean shows: Billboard in LA with Netflix's new K-content slogan "You Don't Have to Speak It to Love It" written ... More in Korean (a more literal translation would be: "Even if you don't know the language, you know the feeling!") Netflix billboard in LA for 'Squid Game' that reads, "It's now time to end the game" in Korean Netflix billboard in LA for 'Single's Inferno' that reads, "Jun-seo over Tae-oh, you've crossed the ... More line" in Korean Netflix billboard in LA for 'The Glory' that reads, "You've messed with the wrong person" in Korean There's also a video billboard in New York City's Times Square that shows all of these ads along with a few more featuring other Korean shows. Below is a still frame for the K-zombie thriller All of Us Are Dead: Netflix digital billboard in Times Square for 'All of Us Are Dead.' The Korean words read, "Now our ... More school is in the middle of a survival class." Netflix's K-content promotional campaign comes on the heels of its global fan event Tudum, which featured many K-culture moments both during and in the lead-up to the live event held in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 31st. That weekend, Tudum coincided with other events in Los Angeles that celebrated K-culture, including an epic sold-out concert by K-pop boy band Stray Kids (whose global fanbase is predominantly non-Korean), a concert by Korean singing legend Baek Ji-young, and 88rising's annual Head in the Clouds music festival, which saw many K-indie and K-pop artists take the stage at the Rose Bowl, including BIGBANG's leader G-Dragon (dubbed by many fans as the 'King of K-pop') and iconic K-pop girl group 2NE1. As I've mentioned before, it's a K-content world, and we're all just living in it. And Netflix is one of the players leading the Korean Wave, known as 'Hallyu" (한류) in Korean.
Pink Villa
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
BLACKPINK's Jennie and ex-BIGBANG's T.O.P appear in surprising K-pop x Squid Game crossover, fans react
K-pop fans are abuzz with excitement over an unexpected crossover involving BLACKPINK's Jennie and former BIGBANG member T.O.P. And no, it's neither a dating rumour nor a joint music release or a physical meeting that got fans excited. It's something entirely different, and fans have gone into a frenzy due to this. It was about a recent appearance of T.O.P in a video that had a surprising Jennie connection. Jennie connection in T.O.P's K-content promotion Netflix recently unveiled a video including snippets from its popular South Korean shows like All of Us Are Dead, When Life Gives You Tangerines and Single's Inferno 4. The video titled "Martha Stewart, @lilyachty, and T.O.P invite you to enter your K-Era" aimed at promoting Netflix's K-content, through short skits of the mentioned people. T.O.P appeared at the end as a Squid Game 2 cast, pretending to walk into a Hallyu wave-hit Martha Stewart. As he looks around to check how much she was into the K-culture currently, he sees Koren snacks, Martha Stewart wearing a t-shirt featuring Park Eun Bin and hears a radio playing Jennie's Like JENNIE. This unexpected crossover delighted the fans. Check out fan reactions to Like JENNIE X T.O.P crossover T.O.P's former group BIGBANG and Jennie's BLACKPINK are two of the biggest names in the K-pop industry and both belong to YG Entertainment. However, the two artist in question previously announced their departure from the group, and following that, there were almost no chances of their public appearances together. However, the usage of Ruby album's Like JENNIE as a background music for T.O.P got fans thrilled. They gushed over the "T.O.P X JENNIE CRUMBS" and said, "YG/Ex YG remaining on top because they're using T.O.P and Jennie's song in the background." A lot of fans of the idols made their joint edits and jokingly labelled them "father daughter." Fans couldn't get over it and demanded more such content release in the future. A T.O.P and Jennie collaboration, whether in music or acting, would be a dream come true for fans. They are eagerly hoping for their wish to come true.
Korea Herald
4 days ago
- Business
- Korea Herald
K-beauty wears US crown — Can it survive tariff test?
A resounding win, but hurdles remain as K-beauty's US lead signals deeper push into mainstream It's now clear that Korean beauty has far outgrown its modest local beginnings. Last year was truly a banner year for the industry, with cosmetics exports surging 20.3 percent to $10.2 billion, ranking third globally behind the US ($11.19 billion) and France ($23.26 billion), according to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. Zooming in on US-bound exports last year, Korea's stature continues to rise: The country is not only in the top three in global exports, it ranks first in the world's largest consumer market, eclipsing former leader France. To the top: US breakthrough K-beauty's success formula, rooted in the global K-content wave and lab-based innovation, has worked its magic worldwide, but it's the affordability and e-commerce factors that have propelled K-beauty onto mainstream American shelves. The online retail platform Amazon, unsurprisingly, is the prime stage for K-beauty brands, a gateway essential to nationwide popularity in the US. 'Many leading K-beauty brands have found success entering the US market through Amazon,' noted a Seoul-based cosmetics researcher, adding that their strong sales, fueled by K-beauty's competitive pricing, have only further driven demand. Amazon reported that K-beauty sellers' net sales on its US platform jumped roughly 170 percent on-year last year, with the number of brands climbing to 230, a 1.4-fold increase over the past three years. Success in online sales creates synergies with social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, where K-beauty builds familiarity and trust with consumers through viral videos. So much so that TikTok's e-commerce channel, TikTok Shop, has become a new space where brands like Medipeel and Anua now hold top spots. Outside the digital realm, Korean beauty has moved into a new phase of visibility, now stocked in major beauty retailers like Sephora and Ulta Beauty, and supermarket chains such as Walmart and Target. Widespread retail contact, however, is not enough to sustain the K-beauty hype if the products fail to deliver on their promised efficacy. 'K-beauty's ascent owes much to its deep understanding of American consumers and its agility in meeting their needs,' explained Kim Ju-duck, professor in the beauty industry department at Sungshin Women's University. 'It has been quick to deliver localized, high-quality products tailored to American preferences and skin types, while putting emphasis on clean formulations that resonate with sustainability-conscious consumers.' Famous examples include TirTir, whose 30-shade cushion compact appealed to a diverse range of skin tones, topping Amazon's US beauty sales last year. In skincare, Medicube has gained popularity for its collagen-boosting properties, while brands such as Cosrx and Anua stand out for star ingredients like snail secretion and heartleaf extract. Driving this growth in part are original design manufacturers, according to Kim, whose advanced development and production capabilities have enabled smaller Korean brands to scale rapidly. This marks a subtle yet profound shift in consumer behavior from brand loyalty to a product-first mindset, one industry observer noted. Regardless of brand size, more consumers, especially younger generations, are weighing product quality and price above all. Korea's top two ODMs, Kolmar Korea and Cosmax, both posted record-high sales last year at 2.45 trillion won and 2.16 trillion won, respectively. Storied brands and contract manufacturers, which handle the bulk of production for smaller K-beauty brands, also remain well-prepared to meet US regulations, including stricter FDA registration, product listing and labeling requirements under the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act. 'We have a dedicated team that monitors US regulations, including MoCRA and the FDA's requirements for over-the-counter drugs like sunscreens, to ensure compliance,' said a Cosmax official. At the top: US hurdles K-beauty's hard-won rise to prominence faces a looming challenge: a delayed 25 percent tariff set to hit on July 8, adding to the minimum 10 percent tariff already in place. In a bid to offset the impact, some firms are leveraging their existing capabilities, while others are eyeing market entry. Kolmar Korea is ramping up its US operations, with a second facility entering pilot operations in the second quarter of this year, complementing its existing factory in Pennsylvania. 'With the Trump administration's tariffs in play, we're seeing a rise in domestic brand inquiries for US-based production," a Kolmar official said. Once the second plant comes online, Kolmar Korea expects its local annual production capacity for sunscreens and basic skincare to nearly double from the current 180 million. Cosmax projected its sunscreen production in Korea and the US will more than triple this year, as four times as many clients plan to enter the US OTC sunscreen market. Cosmax's facility in New Jersey produces around 280 million units annually, accounting for 10 percent of the company's total production. The move coincides with a tariff scare that, in April, sent US consumers into a buying spree for Korean sunscreens prized for their superior UV protection and seamless compatibility with layered makeup. South Korea's top two beauty giants, Amorepacific and LG Household & Health Care, are also stepping up their US operations. LG H&H announced in April a $130 million paid-in capital increase for its North American subsidiary in order to expand its product lineup and boost marketing initiatives. Amorepacific hinted at building its own US manufacturing facilities. In April, CEO Kim Seung-hwan told Bloomberg TV the company plans to invest in US logistics and modular production infrastructure within the next three to five years. Though the tariff situation may seem dire, some industry insiders are more concerned about the strong won against the dollar, which could drive up the prices of Korean imports in the US market. 'Tariffs strike far and wide, not just Korea, and for companies heavily dependent on exports, the won-dollar exchange rate could prove even more critical,' said one insider on condition of anonymity. They went on to describe a new chapter in which technological prowess will shape success in an increasingly personalized and segmented market for years to come: 'In fact, consumers' love for K-beauty is no longer about price alone." K-beauty brands are hardly running behind as they pursue rapid innovation in their products. At this year's CES in January, for instance, beauty powerhouses like Amorepacific, Kolmar Korea and APR showcased next-generation beauty tech, including AI-powered devices, as they charge forward into the tech-infused future.
Korea Herald
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Nol Universe partners with KOFICE to boost global reach of MyK Festa
South Korean travel and leisure platform Nol Universe said Friday that it signed a memorandum of understanding with the Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange to promote the global expansion of MyK FESTA, a major government-hosted hallyu festival, and attract more tourists to Korea. Park Chang-sik, president of KOFICE, which is an affiliate of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and Nol Universe CEO Bae Bo-chan attended the signing ceremony on Wednesday in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province. Under the agreement, the two sides will collaborate on international marketing and audience expansion for MyK FESTA, which is scheduled to run from June 19 to 22 at venues around Seoul's Olympic Park. Hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and organized by KOFICE, the event is a large-scale hallyu festival featuring performances by K-pop artists such as ITZY, Lee Young-ji and aespa, as well as exhibitions, experience zones, an international conference and export consultation sessions. By leveraging Nol Universe's K-pop concert ticket platform Interpark Global and the company's capabilities in marketing based on customer relationship management, the partnership aims to position MyK FESTA as a must-visit destination for global K-pop fans. 'This partnership marks a step forward in strengthening the inbound tourism ecosystem centered on K-content,' said Bae. 'We aim to offer unique cultural experiences through strategic collaborations with key industry players.' 'This memorandum is a strategic move linking the global expansion of hallyu-related industries with efforts to draw more international visitors," Park said.
Indian Express
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Our Unwritten Seoul first impression: Does Park Bo Young even need a male lead in her K-dramas anymore?
Park Bo Young may not be riding a major winning streak lately, but she never fails to surprise with her genre-hopping choices and magnetic chemistry with co-stars. In Our Unwritten Seoul, Netflix's latest K-content drop, she proves she's not just the queen of rom-coms for her leading men, but she also can have crackling chemistry with herself as well. The story revolves around twin sisters, Mi Rae and Mi Ji, both played by Bo Young. The show debuted to a modest 3% viewership in Korea, but pulled a dramatic U-turn, soaring to No. 1 on Netflix Korea's Top 10 Series list just three days post-premiere. Globally, it's already pulling more heat than her Daily Dose of Sunshine and the Melo Movie (her last two OTT hits). And what's a Seoul story without a little swoon? GOT7's Jinyoung is a scene-stealer in a sea of the same. Also read: Go Min Si's school bullying controversy explained: Is her new Netflix K-drama being axed? A typical twin story in the K-drama world would've gone the Shakespearean route, a modern-day Comedy of Errors spin, with rivalry and chaos between two identical sisters separated at birth. But when the maker is Park Shin Woo (Our Beloved Summer, Romance Is a Bonus Book), you know the script won't play by the rules. And though Seoul might be the backdrop, it's the soul of the two sisters that's truly interlinked. These sisters, who, as kids, playfully swapped lives to dodge punishments, always stayed in sync—Mi Rae, the studious one, would study for Mi Ji, while Mi Ji, who oddly enjoyed gulping medicines, would return the favour. But life, as always, had other plans. A tragedy hits the younger sister. Mi Rae moves to Seoul, and distance creeps in; soon, they're no longer the inseparable duo they once were. And just when they think they've drifted too far, fate brings them back together. Mi Ji sees the cracks in her sister's façade and proposes a familiar solution: swap lives again. Only this time, it's not a game, it's a high-stakes gamble. And there's way more at risk. Also read: Good Boy: Park Bo Gum says he'd 'love to do an Indian musical', talks Muhammad Ali as he gears to pack a punch in upcoming K-drama There's something oddly poetic about the names Mi Ji and Mi Rae. Maybe it's how they sound—or what they mean: 'unknown' and 'future'. Fitting. Like the names, they grow up, drift, bend, and break. Just two episodes in, and it's already circling the space that Kim Ji Won, Son Suk Ku's My Liberation Notes once held. Our Unwritten Seoul taps into that gut-level feeling of being an adult who suddenly realises they've stopped dreaming, not because they don't want to, but because the rent's due and survival is the dream now. Two sisters, two lives, carrying different kinds of weight. One's chasing a dream. The other's already in it, burnt out, stuck, can't quit, can't complain. If we have to to classify, Our Unwritten Seoul leans slice-of-life over rom-com or your usual sibling-centric K-drama. Life takes away Mi Ji's only talent, running, gone after a brutal injury kills her shot at becoming a national athlete. Mi Rae, meanwhile, climbs the ranks to become a senior specialist in Korea's finance department. She's got the title, the paycheck, the sharp wardrobe, while her twin's back in the village, juggling jobs, farming, cleaning schools, caring for their grandmother. Same face. Different worlds. But while Mi Rae quietly endures it all, drowning in thoughts she can't speak, Mi Ji still burns bright. Park Bo Young's switch-up is a rare move in her rock-solid career. She's always been familiar, safe, Healer, Strong Girl Bong-soon, Oh My Ghost. Not anymore. While it's too early to judge JinYoung's character, what we do know is this: he's the boy with partial hearing loss from an accident, burns from childhood, and a quiet place in the sisters' orbit. The only one who can tell Mi Ji and Mi Rae apart, even when their own mother can't. He carries a soft spot for Mi Ji, but something tells me he's going to carry a lot more by the time this wraps. His arc is far from done. Our Take Our Unwritten Seoul is a must-watch, especially if you've seen Bo Young's journey from the bubbly, petite girl next door to someone who still carries that charm, only now she's carrying the whole drama. This isn't just another pretty K-drama dipped in soft lighting, it digs into burnout, emotional fatigue, the daily job grind, and still makes space for love. And when the sisters start swapping places, you almost feel like you're switching with them, one moment you're Mi Ji, the next, Mi Rae. Torn between dreams and duty, burnout and hope, but somehow still whole. On the surface, it's a beautiful tale, but when you zoom out, it's a heartbreak. And yes, we'll absolutely be back for episode 3.
