Latest news with #StudyGroup
Express Tribune
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
'Isolating' Pakistan not in US interest: think tank
A US think tank has advised the Trump administration to pursue a pragmatic and interest-driven relationship with Pakistan, emphasising that isolating the South Asian nation is counterproductive to American national security interests. "Isolating Pakistan is not in the United States' national security interests. Pakistan's cooperation, even if selective and limited, is better than its intransigence," reads a report of Hudson Institute, a research organization promoting American leadership for a secure, free, and prosperous future. Titled "Engaging Pakistan in a New Era of US Foreign Policy", the report is the product of the US-Pakistan Study Group, comprising seasoned diplomats and analysts. Contributors include Former Ambassador Husain Haqqani, Sahar Khan, Michael Kugelman, Ambassador Cameron Munter, Ambassador Anne Patterson, Ambassador Robin Raphel, Harlan Ullman, Dr Marvin Weinbaum, and Uzair Younus. The report says the United States and Pakistan have a long history of working together. Moving forward, both countries could benefit from identifying common interests and cooperating accordingly. Even selective or limited cooperation from Pakistan is seen as more valuable than disengagement. The report says the recent India-Pakistan crisis reportedly brought the two nuclear-armed South Asian countries to the brink of war before the United States intervened and pulled them back. "This crisis highlights the need for continued US engagement with Pakistan, a critical country in a geostrategic location with which Washington has historically had a complex relationship," it adds. The relationship between Pakistan and the United States has weathered many ups and downs. In the opening months of his second term, President Donald Trump has indicated that he intends to adopt a more pragmatic foreign policy, one that maintains relations even with countries that hold beliefs or values different from his own, according to the report. As a result, the relationship between the United States and Pakistan has a better chance of improvement than it has enjoyed in recent yearsif both countries' leaders are able to focus on shared interests rather than ideological differences. In the aftermath of the 2025 crisis, US policymakers are emphasising the importance of engaging with both India and Pakistan to prevent and manage crises between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. Given the serious threat posed by any future conflict or nuclear escalation in South Asia, the United States is encouraged to take an active role in mediation efforts during such crises. The experience of past administrations has shown that Pakistan's strategic calculus about India is unlikely to change through either incentives or pressure. Instead, a more realistic approach is advisedone that accepts Pakistan's self-perception and works within that framework rather than attempting to reshape it. Another area of mutual interest is counterterrorism. While the United States continues to monitor terrorist groups, Pakistan also faces internal threats from militant extremist organizations.
Pink Villa
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Kim Do Wan, Lee Jung Ha's One: High School Heroes — release date, time, where to watch, cast, plot, and more
ONE: High School Heroes is a South Korean action drama, focused on bullying, oppression and the struggle against injustice within a high school setting. If you love shows like Study Group and Weak Hero Class 2, then this drama is just for you. Starring Lee Jung Ha and Kim Do Wan in lead roles, this series promises thrilling action and triumph of good over evil. Here are the latest updates on the release date, plot, character details and streaming information. ONE: High School Heroes– Plot and character details The drama, adapted from the webtoon of the same name, tells the story of Kim Eui Gyeom (played by Moving star Lee Jung Ha), a high-achieving student. His life is marred by abuse at home and school, leaving him without anyone to turn to for support. At home, he suffers at the hands of his father, while at school, he's subjected to bullying. Initially, he chooses to endure the torment, prioritizing his academic performance over confrontation. However, as the abuse gets to an unbearable level, he is compelled to stand up for himself. During his darkest period of physical and emotional torment, Kim Eui Gyeom forms a bond with a classmate, Kang Yun Gi (played by Wedding Impossible star Kim Do Wan). Kang Yun Gi seeks to exploit Kim Eui Gyeom's fighting prowess, and together, they become known as the 'High School Heroes'. As a team, they not only fight against Kim Eui Gyeom's tormentors, but also join forces to rid the school of its violent atmosphere and support the victims of bullying. ONE: High School Heroes– When and where to watch ONE: High School Heroes will premiere on May 30 on Wavve. The subsequent 7 episodes of the mini drama will be released every Friday till June 13. ONE: High School Heroes– Supporting cast Veteran actor Kim Sang Ho, known for The Haunted Palace and Second Shot at Love, will star as Kim Eui Gyeom's abusive father, Kim Seok Tae. Queen of Tears actress Kim Joo Ryoung will play his wife, Myung Da Bin. Other supporting roles include Shooting Stars' Im Sung Kyun as Kim Seung Jun and Singles Inferno 4 fame Yuk Jun Seo as Lee Gwi Jae.
Tatler Asia
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Tatler Asia
The breakout stars of ‘Weak Hero Class': Meet the next generation of K-drama talent
Choi Hyun-wook as Ahn Su-ho Above You can catch Choi Hyun-wook in the K-drama 'My Dearest Nemesis'. (Photo: IMDb) Choi Hyun-wook is one of South Korea's fastest rising young stars, first making his mark as Na Woo-chan in the heartwarming sports K-drama Racket Boys , and later stealing hearts as the charming second lead in the hit coming-of-age series Twenty Five Twenty One . In Weak Hero Class 1 , he plays Ahn Su-ho, an underachieving but physically formidable student at Byeoksan High School who befriends Si-eun and Beom-seok and protects them from bullies. Choi Hyun-wook's natural charisma is what makes Su-ho such a beloved character and his fate in Season 1 all the more tragic. In his role as Shin A-hwi in D.P. Season 2, he proved his range by playing a psychologically troubled young soldier who loses his moral compass. As one of the young leads in Twinkling Watermelon , he once again exuded the lovable boyish charm he has become known for, and cemented his reputation as an actor to watch. His most recent role, before returning as Su-ho in Weak Hero Class 2 , saw him paired with Moon Ga-young in the romantic comedy My Dearest Nemesis . Hong Kyung as Oh Beom-seok Above Hong Kyung plays the complex Beom-seok. (Photo: IMDb) Hong Kyung's portrayal of Oh Beom-seok, who goes from bullied and withdrawn to conflicted and dangerous in Weak Hero Class 1, is layered and haunting. Once part of Si-eun and Su-ho's inner circle, his desperate need for acceptance and belonging slowly leads him down the dark path of betrayal and revenge. It's to Hong Kyung's credit that he plays Beom-seok's downward spiral with nuance, making the character both menacing and tragic, unforgivable and sympathetic. This is not surprising given he's won the Baeksang for Best New Actor for his portrayal of a young man with autism in the movie Innocence . Don't miss: Baeksang Arts Awards 2025: Winners, history and why it's Korea's most prestigious night Cha Woo-min as Kang Woo-young Above Cha Woo-min has appeared in three K-dramas in 2025 so far. (Photo: screencap from 'Weak Hero Class 1', Netflix) Another young actor who is steadily making a name for himself is Cha Woo-min. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, he has starred in three back-to-back-to-back K-dramas— Study Group , Melo Movie and Buried Hearts . In Weak Hero Class 1 , he plays Kang Woo-young, a young MMA fighter harbouring a deep grudge against rival Su-ho. While not a central character, his role is significant and pivotal in driving the story forward and ultimately contributes to the season's gripping cliffhanger. Having also played antagonists in Study Group and Buried Hearts , fans are eager to see him branch out to playing lead roles in future K-dramas. Don't miss: 6 cliffhangers that make K-drama viewers impatient for the second season of 'Study Group' Ryeoun as Park Hu-min/Baku Above Ryeoun stars as the formidable Baku. (Photo: IMDb) Physically imposing and impossibly strong, yet jolly and good-natured, Ryeoun's Baku keeps everyone at Eunjang High in check in Weak Hero Class 2 . He is the school's walking anti-bullying campaign. Alongside his varsity pal Go Hyeon-tak, he becomes an unexpected ally and friend to Si-eun. The role is a far cry from the K-drama characters Ryeoun is best known for, such as the sensitive, angsty teen in 18 Again , or the artistic and introspective Ha Eun-gyeol in Twinkling Watermelon , further showcasing his range and potential as an actor. You can also catch him in Death's Game , Namib and A History of Losers . Choi Min-young as Seo Jun-tae Above Choi Min-young of 'XO, Kitty' stars in 'Weak Hero Class 2'. (Photo: IMDb) Choi Min-young has starred in Mr Sunshine and Itaewon Class , but his breakthrough role came in Twenty Five Twenty One , where he played Baek Ye-jin's (Nam Joo-hyuk) younger brother. International fans may also recognise him as Kim Dae-heon (Dae) in the Netflix series XO, Kitty . In addition to his screen work, Choi has a strong background in musical theatre, having performed in Empress Myeongseong and the South Korean production of Kinky Boots . In Weak Hero Class 2 , he plays Seo Jun-tae, a shy and timid Eunjang High student who becomes the fourth member of Yeon Si-eun, Baku and Go Hyeon-tak's friend group. Like Season 1's Beom-seok, Seo Jun-tae starts off meek and vulnerable. But unlike Beom-seok, Jun-tae remains loyal to his friends and eventually finds the courage to stand up, not just for them, but also for himself. Lee Min-jae as Go Hyeon-tak/Gotak Above Lee Min-jae makes the most of his role as Gotak. (Photo: IMDb) Although Lee Min-jae has appeared in numerous K-dramas, fans may remember him best as Seo Geon-hoo in Crash Course in Romance , where he played a former athlete adjusting to life as a regular student after a career-ending injury. His character also finds himself in the middle of a love triangle with Nam Hae-yi (Roh Yoon-seo) and Lee Seon-jae (Lee Chae-min). His role as the steadfast and no-nonsense Gotak in Weak Hero Class 2 marks his second major breakthrough role. Gotak is likeable, fiercely loyal and has a complicated history with Weak Hero Class 2 's main villain, Na Baek-jin. And much like his performance in Crash Course in Romance , Lee Min-jae makes the most of the character. Lee Jun-young as Geum Seong-jae Above You may recognise Lee Jun-young from the recently concluded K-drama 'When Life Gives You Tangerines'. (Photo: IMDb) This former member of the boy band U-KISS has also kept himself busy in 2025. Lee Jun-young's recent K-dramas include Melo Movie , When Life Gives You Tangerines , 24-Hour Health Club and Weak Hero Class 2 . You may also remember him from D.P. , The Impossible Heir and Love and Leashes . His participation in When Life Gives You Tangerines , arguably the biggest K-drama of the year so far, as the sweet and earnest Park Yeong-Beom left a lasting impact on audiences. It's a sharp departure from his role as the conniving and villainous Geum Seong-jae in Weak Hero Class 2 . This contrast shows impressive range and further cements his status as one of his generation's most versatile rising actors. See also: 5 life lessons from 'When Life Gives You Tangerines' Yoo Su-bin as Choi Hyo-man Above Yoo Su-bin has come a long way from his 'Crash Landing on You' days. (Photo: IMDb) Although he had already appeared in a handful of K-dramas, it's his role as the endearing and hilarious Kim Ju-Meok—one of Captain Ri Jeong-hyeok's (Hyun Bin) loyal sergeants and North Korea's biggest K-drama fan—in the global sensation Crash Landing on You that truly put him on the map. His follow-up role as the earnest and lovable Lee Chul-san in the equally popular Start-Up further cemented his status as a fan favourite. In Weak Hero Class 2 , he initially plays against type as Eunjang High's resident bully Choi Hyo-man. However, his character later undergoes a significant redemption arc, ultimately teaming up with Yeon Si-eun and his friends to take down Na Baek-jin. Bae Na-ra as Na Baek-jin Above Bae Na-ra turns in another compelling performance. (Photo: IMDb) Weak Hero Class 2 's big bad is Na Baek-jin, the leader of Union—an organisation of school bullies—played with sinister grace by newcomer Bae Na-ra. His performance is a masterclass in restraint, exuding a quiet intensity that makes Na Baek-jin one of the most compelling K-drama antagonists in recent memory. It may come as a surprise to many, then, that Bae Na-ra has only three acting credits to his name so far. His acting debut in the second season of D.P. , where he delivered a heartbreaking and deeply sensitive performance as Jang Sung-min, a military conscript bullied and mocked for defying traditional gender norms, won critical praise and signalled the arrival of a new talent capable of playing complex characters with emotional depth and range. NOW READ Star-studded K-dramas with next-level casting and unforgettable cameos 19 K-drama doctors who stole the show (and saved lives) Architects of Korean shows: 11 K-drama screenwriters whose works never miss
Tatler Asia
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Tatler Asia
10 K-drama friendships that define ultimate loyalty and unbreakable bonds
'Hospital Playlist' Above Friendship goals (Photo: tvN) The story revolves around the tight-knit friendship of the 99s—five doctors who entered medical school together in 1999. Practically inseparable since day one, Lee Ik-jun (Jo Jung-suk), Chae Song-hwa (Jeon Mi-do), Kim Jun-wan (Jung Kyung-ho), Ahn Jeong-won (Yoo Yeon-seok) and Yang Seok-hyeong (Kim Dae-myung) spend their days working together at Yulje Medical Centre and their nights jamming as a band in Ahn Jeong-won's basement. Their friendship is defined by the kind of familiarity that comes from decades of shared history, struggles, triumphs, love and loss…everything but Jun-wan's snacks. Don't miss: 8 slice-of-life K-dramas with no villains—just love, growth and healing 'Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo' Above They've got 'swag.' (Photo: MBC) Lee Sun-ok (Lee Joo-young), Kim Bok-joo (Lee Sung-kyung) and Jung Nan-hee's (Cho Hye-jung) endearing friendship transcends their shared love for weightlifting. Through laughter, tears and literal sweat, they've proven that they are more than just teammates, they're also each other's biggest cheerleaders. And whether they're cheering each other on in a competition, encouraging one another to finish a bowl of naengmyeon or navigating love, their friendship goes beyond lifting weights—it's about lifting each other up. 'Study Group' Above School buddies (Photo: IMDb) When Yoon Ga-min (Minhyun) set out to start a study group, his goal was simple: improve his academic standing to secure a spot in his dream university. What he didn't expect, however, was to find a group of fiercely loyal friends who would change his life far beyond the classroom. Each member of their study group started as a loner, quietly navigating the challenges of high school life on their own. But what their friendship teaches them is that burdens are much lighter when shared, and school bullies are easier to face when you've got someone in your corner. Don't miss: 6 cliffhangers that make K-drama viewers impatient for the second season of 'Study Group' 'Lovely Runner' Above The very definition of bromance (Photo: tvN) More than just someone who's around to provide comic relief, Bae In-hyeok (Lee Seung-hyub) is a constant in Ryu Sun-jae's (Byeon Woo-seok) life, no matter the timeline. Whether he's mercilessly teasing him, serving as Sun-jae's hypeman, accidentally ruining a romantic moment or even butting heads with him as a fellow Eclipse bandmate, they share a bromance tested by time—and time travel. See also: 9 of the most memorable K-drama weddings 'Itaweon Class' Above The DanBam Squad (Photo: JTBC) Itaewon Class ' DanBam Squad is a group of oddballs and misfits who find strength in their differences and come together to chase a shared dream. At the heart of their unconventional crew is Park Sae-ro-yi (Park Seo-joon), who's less of a boss and more like the head of their found family. Their workplace friendship goes beyond sales and profits. More than just coworkers, they become the kind of family you fight for—and the kind that fights for you. Together, they weather hardship, personal growth and the uphill battle of building something meaningful in a cutthroat world. 'King the Land' Above Friends and roomies (Photo: JTBC) Beyond the swoon-worthy love story, another standout element of the drama is the friendship between roomies Cheon Sa-rang (Im Yoon-ah), Oh Pyeong-hwa (Go Won-hee) and Kang Da-eul (Kim Ga-eun). The trio faces career struggles and relationship drama with humour and heart. From living room karaoke sessions to public bathhouse visits and trampoline park misadventures, their camaraderie is instantly familiar to anyone who's ever been part of a close-knit group of girlfriends. 'Thirty-Nine' Above Celebrating female friendships (Photo: JTBC) The K-drama celebrates the decades-long friendship of three women on the cusp of turning 40. Cha Mi-jo (Son Ye-jin), Jung Chan-young (Jeon Mi-do) and Jang Joo-hee's (Kim Ji-hyun) deep love for each other illustrates how vital it is to have female friends you can grow old with—someone you can walk into the next chapter of your life with and who shares the same struggles and fears. Their relationship is tested in the many ways old friendships usually are, but they get through with honesty, a lot of heart and not a small amount of humour. 'Reply 1988' Above Childhood friends (Photo: IMDb) Set in the small neighborhood of Ssangmun-dong in the late '80s, the K-drama revolves around the friendship of Sung Duk-sun (Lee Hye-ri), Kim Jung-hwan (Ryu Jun-yeol), Sung Sun-woo (Go Kyung-pyo), Ryu Dong-ryong (Lee Dong-hwi) and Choi Taek (Park Bo-gum), examining the deep bonds these childhood friends have formed as they try to navigate adolescence and early adulthood. It takes viewers on a nostalgic trip back to simpler days when afternoons were spent with friends. It's a tribute to the lifelong bonds formed in youth that stay with you into adulthood, even when life pulls you in different directions. See also: 7 memorable roles played by Park Bo-gum in dramas and films 'Business Proposal' Above The ultimate besties (Photo: SBS) True friendship is agreeing to your friend's harebrained ideas even though you know they'll probably get you in trouble. And that's exactly what Shin Ha-ri (Kim Se-jeong) does for her bestfriend Jin Young-seo (Seol In-ah). That alone tells you the kind of friendship they have is built on deep trust and unconditional support. Their connection is effortless and genuine, free from jealousy and judgment. NOW READ 12 inspiring K-drama monologues that capture life perfectly 8 K-drama villains that fans have finally forgiven Meet the future of K-drama: 5 breakout actors you need to know
BBC News
31-03-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Strikes at Sheffield International College called off
Staff at the University of Sheffield International College (USIC) have called off strike action after management guaranteed there would be no compulsory six staff were initially at risk of redundancy, with private operator Study Group blaming falling student numbers, but all redundancy notices have subsequently been of the University and College Union (UCU) had scheduled strike action throughout February and March, but each of those strike days was suspended amid ongoing talks - meaning no industrial action has taken place on members will now vote whether to end the dispute. Sam Morecroft, UCU branch chair, said: "We're obviously glad we finally, eventually, got a guarantee from our employer."He said the final redundancy notices had not been withdrawn until twelve hours before a planned strike, which he called "frustrating"."We don't want to be saying to our students, 'look, we're going to have to go on strike' - then scrambling around to get our members voting on whether to suspend the action."However, he called the outcome "a reflection of how trade union power works".A Study Group spokesperson said: "Throughout the months of active engagement with our employees and their representatives, including the UCU, we have been able to avoid compulsory redundancies through redeployment and voluntary redundancies.""Several staff have been redeployed to take up new opportunities elsewhere in our network of international study centres." Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds or catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
