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India Today
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
Where fantasy fights real-life demons: Revisiting A Korean Odyssey after 8 years
'A Korean Odyssey', also known as 'Hwayugi', was released in 2017. It arrived like many K-dramas - full of chaotic charm, quirky banter, and a high-concept fantasy world. A loose reimagining of the Chinese classic 'Journey to the West', it offers brooding immortals, flying monsters, and a heroine who sees ghosts. But don't let the flashy supernatural facade fool you. Beneath the demons and relics lies a surprisingly sharp and tender dissection of loneliness, power, and the burdens that society places on the vulnerable. Its attempt at showcasing real social evil, and, at the same time, presenting layered characters, makes it a perfect choice to be explored in our you are a seasoned K-drama fan or a casual viewer looking for your next emotional roller-coaster, 'Hwayugi' offers far more than just fantasy fluff. It is stylish, heartbreaking, and, at times, disarmingly funny. The show asks a haunting question: Who are the real monsters in our society? A world where the divine meets the damned At the heart of 'A Korean Odyssey' is the unlikely bond between Jin Seon-mi (played by Oh Yeon-seo), a lonely real estate mogul cursed with the ability to see ghosts, and Son Oh-gong (played by Lee Seung-gi), a cocky, powerful immortal bound to her through a cursed bracelet. Together, they navigate a world where gods, demons, and humans collide, and nothing, not even love, is free from character is especially compelling. She has built a steely exterior, turning her childhood nightmare into a strength -using ghost-seeing curse as a cold, corporate advantage. But, beneath the sharp suits and calm demeanour lies a woman quietly crumbling under the emotional labour of everyone around her. As Samjang - a messianic figure destined to save the world through sacrifice, Seon-mi becomes a pointed metaphor for how women are expected to carry society's burdens without complaint, support, and often, without a promise of under a spell: The Geumganggo dilemmaSon Oh-gong (played by Lee Seung-gi) is the eternal rebel cloaked in sarcasm and supernatural powers. When he is magically forced to love Seon-mi through the Geumganggo bracelet, their romance takes a deeply unsettling turn. Is love still called love if it isn't a choice? Can affection be genuine when it's coerced? These questions simmer beneath every charged glance and playful insult, turning what could've been a tropey romance into something far more complex and human. The Geumganggo isn't just a magical shackle, it's a brutal metaphor for emotional manipulation and control. And Oh-gong, for all his swagger, is terrified of the real feelings he begins to develop. His bravado is a shield, his immortality a curse. In 'Hwayugi', love isn't a fairy tale; it's a battleground of autonomy, vulnerability, and in a crowded worldDespite its ensemble of gods and demons, 'A Korean Odyssey' is, at its core, a deeply lonely drama. Characters exist in shared spaces but remain emotionally siloed, unable or unwilling to connect. Ma Wang, a powerful demon and media mogul, is driven by guilt and longing. Buja, a resurrected zombie girl, searches for identity in a world that only sees her as a threat or a tool. Even Oh-gong, who seems invincible, is just another soul terrified of being truly this world, performance is survival. Everyone wears masks. They play roles. And in a society that values appearances over authenticity, the cost of being real is often isolated. Success doesn't protect Seon-mi from emptiness. Power doesn't save Oh-gong from despair. Immortality doesn't make them less human; it makes them more perception, and the performance of truthBeneath its magical chaos, 'Hwayugi' offers a sharp critique of modern systems of power over how media, corporations, and cult-like ideologies construct and control truth. Ma Wang's role as a media executive is more than a plot device; it's a symbol of how narratives are manipulated, how illusions are sold as reality, and how morality can be manufactured to serve the powerful. The show subtly asks: In an era of misinformation and curated identities, who gets to decide what's real, and what happens when belief once sacred is reduced to spectacle?The ghosts we abandon'A Korean Odyssey' presents a world where even spiritual forces can be bought, sold, or manipulated. Sacred objects are traded as antiques. Even supernatural elements carry weight. Sacred relics are auctioned off. Spirits haunt the forgotten corners of urban sprawl. The divine is commodified. And in the middle of it all is Buja, a tragic figure stitched together from fragments of a lost soul. Kind, curious, and deeply misunderstood, she represents the other: the mentally ill, the homeless, immigrants, or anyone society deems inconvenient. Her journey, marked by empathy, confusion, and eventual rejection, mirrors how the vulnerable are used, discarded, and dehumanised. advertisementRewatching 'A Korean Odyssey' is an experience beyond a fantasy escape. It uses mythology to reflect real-world struggles like loneliness, manipulation, gender roles, and power imbalances - all layered within its storyline. The show offers both an emotional journey and a powerful message by wrapping these themes in folklore and magic. The scariest monsters are not from ancient tales but the ones we face in everyday show is available on Netflix in India.
The Star
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
K-idol Lee Seung-gi cuts ties with in-laws over alleged stock manipulation
Some of Lee Seung-gi's fans had objected to his marriage to Lee Da-in, whose family was allegedly involved in a financial scandal. Photo: Handout South Korean heartthrob Lee Seung-gi has severed ties with his in-laws after his father-in-law is suspected of being involved in manipulating stock prices again. The 38-year-old singer-actor tied the knot with South Korean actress Lee Da-in, 32, in April 2023. They welcomed their first child, a girl, in February 2024. Some of Lee Seung-gi's fans had objected to the marriage, fearing that his clean-cut image would be affected, as Lee Da-in's family was allegedly involved in a financial scandal. Her mother is actress Kyeon Mi-ri and her stepfather is businessman Lee Hong-heon. Kyeon, 60, is best known for her role as the antagonist Lady Choi in the hit period drama Jewel In The Palace (2003 to 2004). According to South Korean media, Lee Hong-heon was charged in 2016 with manipulating the stock prices of a listed company between 2014 and 2016. He was sentenced to four years' jail and fined 2.5 billion won in 2018. South Korean entertainment news site Soompi said Kyeon was a major shareholder of the company. Lee Hong-heon was acquitted by an appellate court in 2019, but the South Korean Supreme Court overturned the ruling in June 2024 and sent the case back for retrial. He was arrested recently for his alleged involvement in stock price manipulation related to a renewable energy company, South Korean online news outlet Chosun Biz reported on April 29. 'My father-in-law was fined in a trial on allegations of illegal activities that had been continuously raised against him, but recently, he has been indicted by the authorities again over similar illegal acts,' Lee Seung-gi said in a press statement released through his agency Big Planet Made on April 29. 'As someone who has waited for the outcome based on trust between family members, I am devastated about my father-in-law's misconduct.' Referring to past statements he had made in defence of his father-in-law, he said: 'I deeply regret the careless remarks I made last year without sufficiently reviewing the matter related to my father-in-law. 'I believe that appropriate punishment must be given for illegal acts, and I sincerely apologise to the victims who suffered due to my hasty judgment.' The actor, who has starred in K-dramas such as Mouse (2021) and The Law Cafe (2022), added: 'The trust between the family members has been damaged irreparably due to this incident. 'After much deliberation, my wife and I have decided to cut ties with my in-laws. I once again bow and apologise for causing concern and disappointment due to my personal matters.' – The Straits Times/Asia News Network
Straits Times
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
K-idol Lee Seung-gi cuts ties with in-laws over alleged stock manipulation
Some of Lee Seung-gi's fans had objected to his marriage to Lee Da-in, whose family was allegedly involved in a financial scandal. PHOTO: BYHUMANMADE/INSTAGRAM South Korean heart-throb Lee Seung-gi has severed ties with his in-laws after his father-in-law has once again been suspected to be involved in manipulating stock prices. The 38-year-old singer-actor tied the knot with South Korean actress Lee Da-in, 32, in April 2023. They welcomed their first child, a girl, in February 2024. Some of Lee Seung-gi's fans had objected to the marriage, fearing that his clean-cut image would be affected, as Lee Da-in's family was allegedly involved in a financial scandal. Her mother is veteran actress Kyeon Mi-ri and her stepfather is businessman Lee Hong-heon. Kyeon, 60, is best known for her role as the antagonist Lady Choi in the hit period drama Jewel In The Palace (2003 to 2004). According to South Korean media, Lee Hong-heon was charged in 2016 with manipulating the stock prices of a listed company between 2014 and 2016. He was sentenced to four years' jail and fined 2.5 billion won (S$2.2 million) in 2018. South Korean entertainment news site Soompi said Kyeon was a major shareholder of the company. Lee Hong-heon was acquitted by an appellate court in 2019, but the South Korean Supreme Court overturned the ruling in June 2024 and sent the case back for retrial. He was arrested recently for alleged involvement in stock price manipulation related to a renewable energy company, South Korean online news outlet Chosun Biz reported on April 29. 'My father-in-law was fined in a trial on allegations of illegal activities that had been continuously raised against him, but recently, he has been indicted by the authorities again over similar illegal acts,' Lee Seung-gi said in a press statement released through his agency Big Planet Made on April 29. 'As someone who has waited for the outcome based on trust between family members, I am devastated about my father-in-law's misconduct.' Referring to past statements he had made in defence of his father-in-law, he said: 'I deeply regret the careless remarks I made last year without sufficiently reviewing the matter related to my father-in-law. 'I believe that appropriate punishment must be given for illegal acts, and I sincerely apologise to the victims who suffered due to my hasty judgment.' The actor, who has starred in K-dramas such as Mouse (2021) and The Law Cafe (2022), added: 'The trust between the family members has been damaged to such a level that it is difficult to restore, due to this incident. 'After much deliberation, my wife and I have decided to cut ties with my in-laws. I once again bow and apologise for causing concern and disappointment due to my personal matters. ' Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Hindustan Times
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
A Korean Odyssey actor Lee Seung-gi cuts off ties with wife's family: Devastated by my dad-in-law's wrongful actions
Lee Seung-gi, known for the series A Korean Odyssey, has shared a note announcing that he severed ties with the family of his wife-actor Lee Da-in. As reported by Soompi, Seung-gi said that he is "devastated and at a loss for words over" his father-in-law Lee Hong-heon's "wrongful actions". (Also Read | Lee Seung Gi and Lee Da In blessed with baby girl) The actor spoke about his father-in-law's "unlawful acts" and legal proceedings. "Hello, this is Lee Seung-gi. It is with a heavy heart that I write this message. Although my father-in-law was previously sentenced to a fine in the retrial regarding the ongoing allegations of illegal activities, he has recently been indicted again by investigative authorities for similar unlawful acts. As someone who had been waiting for the outcome based on trust within the family, I am devastated and at a loss for words over my father-in-law's wrongful actions," he wrote. Seung-gi also apologised to those who "may have suffered due to my hasty judgment". "I deeply regret having spoken carelessly last year without thoroughly reviewing the matters related to my father-in-law. I firmly believe that any illegal acts must be met with appropriate punishment, and I sincerely apologize to the victims who may have suffered due to my hasty judgment. I am also truly sorry to everyone who trusted and supported me," he added. He shared that the trust "within our family" has been damaged. "This incident has irreparably damaged the trust within our family, and after much deliberation, my wife and I have decided to sever ties with her family. From now on, I will strive to uphold the right values and live with a sense of responsibility for a healthier society. Once again, I bow my head in apology for causing concern and disappointment over this personal matter," concluded his note. In April 2023, Seung-gi tied the knot with Da-in, the second daughter of actor Kyeon M-ri. Earlier, Hong-heon was under suspicion for having made billions in illicit gains by artificially inflating the stock price of a company called COREBEAT in 2016. Two years later, he was sentenced to four years in prison and fined 2.5 billion won (approximately $1,735,600). He was later acquitted. In June 2024, the Korean Supreme Court overturned the acquittal and sent the case back for retrial. It was then ruled that he was guilty. Mi-ri was a major shareholder in the same company. Reportedly Hong-heon was arrested on Tuesday on charges of being involved in stock price manipulation of a company Quantapia. Fans also saw Seung-gi in popular dramas such as Brilliant Legacy (2009), My Girlfriend Is a Gumiho (2010), The King 2 Hearts (2012), Gu Family Book (2013), You're All Surrounded (2014), A Korean Odyssey (2017–2018), Vagabond (2019), Mouse (2021), and The Law Cafe (2022).
