Latest news with #Misaeng
New Straits Times
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: 'Running Man' host Yu Jae-seok leads celeb support for flood-hit Koreans
SEOUL: South Korean celebrities are stepping up with donations to help victims of the country's deadly floods, which have left at least 14 dead and 12 missing since last Wednesday. Popular 'Running Man' host Yu Jae-seok and actor Yim Si-wan each donated 50 million won (RM135,000) to the Hope Bridge Korea Disaster Relief Association last Friday, as reported by the news outlet Korea JoongAng Daily today. "My heart felt heavy with sorrow to see so many people's lives harmed by the heavy rain. I hope the damage doesn't worsen," said Yu. Yim, known for his roles in 'Squid Game 2' and the popular drama 'Misaeng', joined him in donating the same amount. Veteran actress Lee Hye-young, famous for 'Queen of Housewives' and her fashion career, contributed 20 million won. More K-stars followed suit, including singer-actress Kim Se-jeong, star of the rom-com hit 'Business Proposal' and fantasy series 'The Uncanny Counter', who donated 10 million won last Saturday. Winner member Kang Seung-yoon, who has also acted in 'Prison Playbook' and released solo tracks like 'It Rains', contributed 12 million won. Celebrity couple Park Si-eun and Jin Tae-hyun, both recognised for their acting work and charitable efforts, gave 10 million won. "We thank everyone who has helped us with their warm hearts. We will make sure to deliver such kindness to the people who have suffered," the Hope Bridge was quoted as saying in response. News agencies reported that torrential rain had triggered landslides and flooding across the country this week, with Gapyeong – a resort town northeast of Seoul – among the hardest hit. In Gapyeong, two people were killed and two others are missing after a landslide engulfed homes and floodwaters swept away vehicles.
Korea Herald
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Disney+'s ‘Low Life' brings 1970s treasure hunt to life
Tentpole series brings together A-list stars, 'Big Bet,' 'Misaeng' creators One of Disney+ Korea's most ambitious original series for 2025 is about to make its debut, backed by a star-studded cast and the creative forces behind Korean hits such as "Misaeng" and "Big Bet." Bringing together director Kang Yoon-sung — best known for Disney+'s "Big Bet" and the box office smash "The Outlaws" — and "Misaeng" creator and acclaimed webtoon writer Yoon Tae-ho, 'Low Life' unfolds in 1977, following a group of individuals locked in a battle over a sunken treasure ship. The project boasts a star-studded lineup, including Disney+ "Moving" star Ryu Seung-ryong and Lim Soo-jung, beloved for K-content classic hits such as "I'm Sorry, I Love You" and "Finding Mr. Destiny." Rounding out the ensemble are TVXQ's Jung Yun-ho and Lee Dong-hwi, known for "Reply 1988" and "Casino." Director Kang noted that working with such a diverse group of performers injected a distinctive energy into the production. 'It was my first time creating such a large number of characters with so many actors, each with their own unique personalities. I found this way of making a drama fun," said Kang, at a press conference in Yeouido, Seoul, Tuesday. The characters come alive on screen, each with distinct personalities, gathering around the treasure like a pack of hungry hyenas. According to the director, their portrayals were shaped significantly through the actors' input during filming. 'Each character carries the language of the actors," said Kang. "I set the standard that if a character transforms through the actor's unique style, we should embrace it as it is, and that's how we filmed. Since every character is essentially created by the actors themselves, whenever there were differences from what I had imagined, I accepted them all and allowed for changes accordingly," he said. 'As the actors helped the characters grow with each shoot, I had no choice but to revise the original script that had been prepared in advance. I think I ended up revising the lines at every moment,' added Kang. The cast and creators also highlighted the effort made to faithfully recreate the 1970s. Lim Soo-jung, who plays Jung-sook — an ambitious woman financing the treasure-hunting group — shared how she embraced the fashion of the era. 'I did the most glamorous things a woman of that era could do. From hair and makeup to jewelry, she wore everything that could represent that time period. It's a portrayal that perfectly fits the character Jung-sook. A lot of effort was put into the visual details,' she said. Kang added, 'Through 'Low Life,' I want to share with many viewers how fiercely our parents lived in the 1970s and what kind of emotions they carried.' The first three episodes of "Low Life" will premiere July 16 on Disney+, with two new episodes releasing every Wednesday thereafter.
Hindustan Times
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Squid Game actor Yim Si-wan: I didn't read the script, I just knew I had to be in it
Korean singer and actor Yim Si-wan has built a strong filmography that showcases his range as a performer. Si-wan began his career as a member of the K-pop group ZE:A but it was his breakout role in The Attorney (2013) that earned him critical acclaim. Establishing himself as an actor with a knack for portraying complex and intense characters, he has since been part of several popular shows and films, including Misaeng (2014), Run On (2021), Emergency Declaration (2022), and Summer Strike (2023). Now, he returns in the final season of the mega-hit Squid Game. Si-wan plays Myung Gi, a.k.a. Player 333—a former cryptocurrency influencer whose misguided investment scheme results in heavy financial losses for both himself and his followers. On the run, Myung Gi enters the deadly game, only to come face to face with those he had wronged, including his now-pregnant former girlfriend, whom he had previously ghosted. The actor reveals that he tends to immerse himself deeply in the roles he plays—so much so that he carries his on-screen characters with him long after the shoot has ended. 'I'm not the type who can easily switch on and off—that is, go in and out of character. I carry my screen characters with me to a certain extent. Rather than detaching from them immediately, I find that these characters become part of me, etched into the fabric of my life.' In an exclusive interview with HT City, the actor shares that he accepted the part of Myung Gi without even reading the script, simply because he was a fan of Squid Game. 'The first time I saw the character of Myung Gi, he came across as someone who is constantly straddling the line between good and evil. But as the show progressed, he felt very human—someone who was not capable of making the right choices due to his greed. I think it's fair to say that he may not be purely evil, but rather, a foolish person.' Si-wan says that his takeaway from playing Myung Gi is that one should neither be too greedy nor make foolish investments out of greed. One of the most sought-after actors of his generation, the 36-year-old Si-wan is also listed among the Korean actors who represent the present and future of cinema. Having lent his voice to soundtracks for The King in Love, Tracer, and Boyhood, would Si-wan contemplate the possibility of an Indian collaboration? 'Going forward as an actor, I wish to continue to wrestle with my characters, make every effort to portray them diligently, and continue developing myself. One day, I sincerely hope to have the opportunity to perform in India,' he signs off with a smile.
Tatler Asia
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Tatler Asia
Heartwarming K-dramas that tackle the complexities of male friendships
2. 'Reply 1988' (2015) Set in a 1980s Seoul neighbourhood, Reply 1988 follows five friends as they stumble through adolescence. The series is nostalgic but not cloying, portraying the boys' friendship with awkward charm and emotional restraint. What makes it stand out: Their connection isn't about grand gestures. It's built on everyday interactions—after-school snacks, late-night chats and the quiet reassurance that someone is always around. This is a study in how male friendships often thrive in silence. 3. 'Incomplete Life' ('Misaeng') (2014) A former baduk prodigy enters the corporate world without credentials or connections. What begins as a lonely uphill battle becomes a subtle, moving story of how professional relationships can evolve into something more meaningful. What makes it stand out: Friendship here is understated and expressed through late-night support, subtle mentorship and small acts of solidarity. It's a rare depiction of adult male friendships formed not in youth but through shared professional pressure. 4. 'Weak Hero' Class 1 (2022) and Class 2 (2025) What starts as a tale of survival transforms into a haunting exploration of teenage trauma and emotional codependency. In Class 1, three boys form an intense bond while facing school violence. Class 2 explores the aftermath—how friendship can curdle into guilt, anger and a desperate need for redemption. What makes it stand out: These series refuse to idealise male friendships. Instead, they dig into the emotional cost of loyalty and the quiet pain of boys who've never been taught to ask for help. 5. 'My Mister' (2018) At first glance, this might seem like a story about an unlikely cross-generational connection. But My Mister is just as much about the three middle-aged brothers who drink together, bicker endlessly and carry each other through emotional wreckage without ever naming it. What makes it stand out: It's a rare portrayal of male vulnerability that doesn't rely on breakdowns or confessions. Friendship is rendered through routine, patience and the unspoken agreement to keep each other going. 6. 'Hospital Playlist' (2020–2021) Five doctors who've been friends since medical school navigate the chaos of their personal and professional lives with levity and depth. They tease, argue and perform together in a band—but underneath the humour is a steady, unwavering support system. What makes it stand out: The series presents male friendships that are emotionally generous without becoming overwrought. It shows that emotional intimacy among men doesn't require crisis, just time and trust. These K-dramas resist the urge to simplify male friendships. They acknowledge the emotional repression, loyalty and social pressures that shape how men relate to one another, whether in high school corridors, corporate offices or hospital break rooms. In doing so, they offer something more nuanced: friendship as survival, as memory, as a kind of grace. NOW READ 10 fashionable '90s TV shows to inspire your wardrobe 10 books about travel that will spark your wanderlust Shy escapes: 9 quiet destinations for introverts who love to travel
Pink Villa
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
The Devil's Plan star Lee Si Won welcomes her first baby after 4 years of marriage
The Devil's plan star Lee Si Won has become a mother for the first time, welcoming a baby girl four years after her marriage. Her agency, KX Entertainment, confirmed the happy news, sharing that both mother and child are healthy and doing well. On May 20, KX Entertainment revealed, 'Lee Si Won gave birth to a daughter at the end of last month.' As per Hankook Ilbo, Lee Si Won expressed her joy over the public's warm response. 'I didn't even know the article had come out, but suddenly people started calling to congratulate me,' she said with a laugh. The couple named their daughter Si Woo, a meaningful choice that combines one syllable from each of their names. Lee Si Won mentioned, 'At first, she looked like me, but she's starting to resemble my husband more and more each day. It's amazing how her face keeps changing.' Lee Si Won reflected on the experience of giving birth with gratitude. 'I just hoped for a healthy delivery, and I'm so grateful everything went smoothly,' she shared. 'She's growing up healthy, and that makes me so happy.' The actress also mentioned how quickly her daughter is developing. 'I've heard that babies these days are developing a little faster. Our daughter is already really responsive and growing well,' she said, noting her baby's strong eye contact and alertness. Although she recently gave birth, Lee Si Won is already thinking about her return to the screen. 'It's been about a month since I gave birth, and I'm starting to feel like myself again,' she said. 'I'm planning to resume activities soon, including commercials and films.' A graduate of Seoul National University, Lee Si Won debuted in 2012 with the drama The Great King's Dream and has since appeared in numerous acclaimed series, including Misaeng, Memories of the Alhambra, Maestra and Netflix's The Devil's Plan. In 2021, she married a fellow Seoul National University alumnus, a doctor. Congratulations, new mama!
