Latest news with #TheGlory
Indian Express
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Song Hye Kyo names the K-drama that made her quit love stories for good: ‘I stopped feeling excited ever since…'
Song Hye Kyo ruled the screen as a queen of romance for decades. Her name alone could pull any rom-com or mellow drama, making her one of South Korea's highest-paid female stars. But in recent years, her career trajectory has completely shifted, leaving fans wondering and waiting for her to return to her old groove. Now in her 40s, Song says love stories just don't excite her anymore. In a rare appearance on musician Jung Jae Hyung's YouTube talk show, she opened up about her recent choices and how her transformative role in Netflix's 2022 hit changed her point of view. When Song showed up on the talk show, she was promoting her supernatural thriller Dark Nuns, marking her return to films after 11 years. While she stayed active in K-dramas, her screen time was way less than expected, just two mellow dramas (Encounter and Now, We Are Breaking Up), and a full stop on rom-coms ever since Descendants of the Sun shot her to global fame, back when OTT wasn't even a thing. Dark Nuns comes right after the massive success of Netflix's 2022 hit The Glory, the revenge-driven K-drama that turned out to be another blockbuster in Song's career, and arguably the reason she decided to lean deeper into darker roles. Also read: Song Hye Kyo reveals filmmaker tried to confiscate her passport after sensing she wanted to escape: 'I was stuck for three years' She admitted she might not return to love stories anytime soon. 'Personally, I really love melodramas. It's just that I stopped feeling excited about acting after doing them for so long,' she said. 'After finishing The Glory, I didn't want to go back to a love story again.' These days, she's more drawn to genre-based scripts. After seeing the popularity of The Priests, she considered doing the sequel. 'There was some pressure about that,' Song said, adding that the occult genre already has a loyal fanbase. Still, she wanted to give it a shot. 'It's a type of acting I've never tried before… I feel excited about seeing a new side of myself.' Also read: Park Bo Young wanted to run away on first day of Netflix's Our Unwritten Seoul: 'I was scared viewers wouldn't see…' Song debuted in the acting scene during her teen years with the show Soonpoong Clinic. Ever since, her natural beauty and sea-like eyes had her typecast in romance shows, something she was ready to break out of after a long hiatus from acting, determined to make a proper comeback. In an earlier interview with a Korean media outlet, Song said, 'Honestly, when I was younger, my focus when watching my projects was on how I looked on screen. Whether I appeared pretty or not was my top priority.' She added, 'Of course, I still want to look good, but now my perspective has shifted. What matters most to me now is whether my performance has been captured well and if I've conveyed what I intended. Looking pretty or not just doesn't feel as important to me anymore,' according to Chosun Biz. The actor now single-handedly carries the entire K-drama on her shoulders while taking home some of the biggest paychecks in the industry. On the work front, Song Hye Kyo is gearing up for a business K-drama alongside Goblin star Gong Yoo. The series is penned by Noh Hee-kyung and will revolve around professionals in the entertainment industry, focusing on the ones behind the scenes, set in the 1960s and 1980s
Mint
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
Byeon Woo-seok cast as Sung Jin-woo in live-action ‘Solo Leveling', fans say ‘next phenomenon after Squid Game'
Rising Korean actor Byeon Woo-seok has officially been cast in the lead role of Sung Jin-woo in the much-anticipated live-action adaptation of Solo Leveling, one of South Korea's most globally beloved webtoons. The announcement has generated immense buzz across social media, as fans eagerly anticipate how the actor — best known for his emotional range and recent breakout performance in Lovely Runner — will embody the iconic character. Netflix officially announces Byeon Woo-seok as live action Sung Jin-woo. Solo Leveling, originally a web novel by Chugong, was later adapted into a hit webtoon illustrated by the late artist Jang Sung-rak (aka Dubu), and published on KakaoPage and Tapas. It has since garnered millions of readers worldwide and was successfully adapted into a Japanese-Korean anime series that premiered in early 2024. The story follows Sung Jin-woo, initially known as the 'weakest hunter,' who is thrust into a mysterious system that allows him to level up without limit. Through intense battles, moral dilemmas, and growing power, Jin-woo evolves into a formidable shadow monarch, making him one of the most compelling protagonists in recent fantasy media. While details of the production studio and release schedule have yet to be confirmed, industry insiders suggest the series will be produced jointly by Korean and international partners, aiming to replicate the global success of Netflix's The Glory and Sweet Home. While some fans have responded with cautious optimism, others have expressed their scepticism regarding the casting and the live-action version of the extremely loved anime. Take a look at some reactions: Fan reactions Fan reactions. Many also hope the series honours the artistic legacy of Dubu, whose work played a crucial role in bringing the original story to life. With Byeon Woo-seok at the helm, the live-action Solo Leveling could mark a new era of Korean fantasy storytelling on screen — blending K-drama sensibilities with international production scale.
Time of India
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'Squid Game' Park Sung Hoon on how he played a transgender role in the series: 'I thought it shouldn't be caricatured at all'
Actor Park Sung Hoon , who is known for various other roles like 'Queen of Tears', 'The Glory', and 'Not Others', recently portrayed a transgender character on the ' Squid Game ' series, becoming one of the most talked about subjects of the show. Recently, the actor opened up about the challenges that he had to face while playing such a role, and what he used to do and not do in order to perfect his skills on screen. Park Sung Hoon plays a trans character on screen Park Sung Hoon's role in the series, Choi Hyun Ju , has been perhaps one of the most talked about characters due to its representation. The actor recently delved into the role and how he was able to portray it on screen. In an interview with InStyle, the actor revealed that he wanted to represent her authentically on screen. In order to achieve that, he shared that he went beyond the stereotypical representations of transgender people and believed that he had to do it differently. He shared in a comment that "The transgender characters that we've had in Korea before Hyun Ju, have been written flatly like a caricature and I thought Hyun Ju shouldn't be caricatured at all'. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Providers are furious: Internet access without a subscription! Techno Mag Learn More Undo He revealed that he focused on the character's inner abilities, specifically how she was around others, how sincere and kind she was, etc. He shared that he even avoided anything that could be observed as over-exaggerated in order to represent a transgender person with respect and accuracy. About Hyun Ju's character Hyun Ju's character was first shared with the world in season 2 of the hit series. She is shown to be a timid yet caring woman, who has yet to transition completely. She entered the game to earn enough money to move to Thailand and pay for her surgery as well.
The Star
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Park Sung-hoon says it was fun to film Squid Game & Queen Of Tears at same time
Hyun-ju (right) or Player 120 is a highly trained ex-Special Forces soldier. Photo: Handout Park Sung-hoon recalls that, for a while, he was viewed unfavourably by the public. That's because he had just come off playing two particularly unlikeable characters – first in The Glory (2022), then in Queen Of Tears (2024). In both dramas, the characters he played made life miserable for the leading ladies. 'I played two villains back-to-back, and whenever I went out to eat, some people would actually be mad at me for those roles,' the 40-year-old actor tells StarLifestyle with a laugh over Zoom. Fortunately, things began to change when the second season of Squid Game premiered at the end of 2024. In it, Park portrays Hyun-ju, also known as Player 120 – a highly trained ex-Special Forces soldier who was discharged after coming out as a trans woman. She enters the deadly competition to win the cash prize in order to foot her transition surgery. 'I'm really happy that I have played Hyun-Ju, who is such a cool character. She kind of turned everything around for me and made people like me,' says Park fondly of his character. 'Actually, I was shooting Squid Game and Queen Of Tears almost simultaneously, and it was really fun for me, going back and forth between two totally opposite characters,' he adds. Hyun-ju quickly became a fan-favourite thanks to her courage and always trying to do the right thing, even in dangerous situations. Park Sung-hoon says his character in 'Squid Game' is a cool person. Photo: Handout However, when the series premiered, there were criticisms about casting a male actor instead of a transgender actor for the role of Hyun-ju. Series creator-director Hwang Dong-hyuk told an American outlet that he did anticipate that this matter would crop up. 'In the beginning we were doing our research, and I was thinking of doing an authentic casting of a trans actor... When we researched in Korea, there are close to no actors that are openly trans,' he explained to Entertainment Weekly . Nonetheless, Hyun-ju stands out among the players in Squid Game especially in the scenes where she's interacting with Geum-ja (Player 149, played by Kang Ae-sim) and Jun-hee (Player 222, played by Jo Yu-ri). According to Park, the camaraderie among cast members helped strengthen their on-screen chemistry, even though they were always filming intense, emotionally charged scenes. 'We often talked about our performances, and about life in general. After wrapping for the day, we'd sometimes go for drinks just to relax and chat,' he says. 'I think the bond formed really naturally. Since most scenes were shot in chronological order, we didn't have to force the chemistry – it built up on its own, with emotions stacking scene by scene. 'So even though some scenes were emotionally draining, the connection made it all feel easier.' South Korean stars Kang Ae-sim (lef) and Park Sung-hoon bonded while making the show. Photo: AFP Next up for Park is a new drama opposite Han Ji-min, set to premiere in 2026, an entertainment portal reported. Only earlier this year, he was dropped from another K-drama, The Tyrant's Chef , after receiving backlash for uploading on social media an image of a porn video parodying Squid Game . Reflecting on the Squid Game experience, Park says: 'Over the past few months, I've been doing promotions overseas and met so many people – it's been fascinating to see how many of them already know me and welcome me so warmly. 'It still hasn't fully sunk in, especially since I look a bit different now with a new hairstyle, but people still recognise me instantly. 'It's been such a cool experience. And I really hope it opens up more opportunities for me to be part of global projects in the future.' Squid Game is available on Netflix.
Metro
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
'It's a hell of a ride!' Your favourite shows like Squid Game
Squid Game is back for a third season, and fans are no doubt binge-watching the hit Korean drama at breakneck speed. Which means many will already be looking for a similarly high-stakes, morally complex series to watch next. And while reality shows like Netflix's Squid Game: The Challenge and MrBeast's Beast Games have tried to capture the essence, the Squid Game creator has admitted they leave a 'bitter taste'. Fortunately, the world of streaming is rich with gripping K-dramas and survival thrillers that scratch the same itch — and several viewers have taken to Reddit to share their favourite Squid Game alternatives. Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro's TV Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we'll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you. A user calling themselves ed_five suggested Netflix drama The 8 Show. Explaining the premise, they wrote: 'Eight people agree to a game show where they don't know the rules. I have to warn you, it gets very dark.' And TommyRobotX added of the Korean series: 'Despite the lower stakes, they somehow made it harder to watch (anxiety) than Squid Game.' Meanwhile, Dazzling_Pipe_9910 also mentioned The 8 Show, but preferred revenge thriller The Glory. They said: 'I watched The 8 Show and The Glory after Season 2 of Squid Game…The Glory is definitely worth watching and has left a lasting impression. I'd recommend.' Another user, Pettyyoungthing, suggested Alice in Borderland, which proved to be a huge hit on Netflix when it was first released in 2020. They explained: '[It's a] Japanese show where [people] get stuck in a mix of Hunger Games and Squid Game type scenario. Hijinx ensue'. And ChattyWalker suggested dark thriller Bargain, on Paramount Plus, writing: 'It's a hell of a ride! Only 6 episodes, unfortunately, but a nice binge.' One user suggested 3%, a Brazilian series available on Netflix. Explaining the plot, they wrote: 'The majority of the population live on the improvised 'inland' and, at the age of 20, people compete to become the 3% of humanity that gets to live in the affluent 'offshore' community.' A K-drama that's received lots of comparisons to Squid Game, The 8 Show focuses on eight strangers, each facing serious financial trouble, who agree to join a dangerous reality TV show as a way of earning money. Reviews are mixed, with the show earning a respectable 75% score on Rotten Tomatoes from the critics, compared to a 66% Audience Score. One impressed audience member wrote: 'I watched the entire series in 24 hours, a first for me. I found it impossible to stop watching. The cliffhangers were great, the suspense was at a fever pitch, and the social commentary was spot on. Good comic relief as well. Highly recommend.' Another said: 'Excellent show! Every episode is unexpected and surprising. A more deep and shocking Squid Game. This show will make you reflect on the society and on human nature.' Where to watch: Stream all eight episodes on Netflix. Years after surviving being brutally bullied in high school, teacher Moon Dong-eun devises a calculated plan to make her abusers pay for what they did, unravelling their now successful lives from within. The Glory received praise from critics, with the San Francisco Chronicle writing in their review: 'Visually arresting and carefully constructed, The Glory sharpens its central theme to a fine point.' Audiences were also impressed, with viewers taking to Rotten Tomatoes to hail The Glory as 'captivating', 'beautiful' and 'a slow-burn masterpiece'. Where to watch: Stream all 16 episodes on Netflix. This Japanese sci-fi series follows 'an aimless gamer and his two friends [who] find themselves in a parallel Tokyo, where they're forced to compete in a series of sadistic games to survive'. The show, which has been compared to Squid Game in the past and even achieved a higher Audience Score on Rotten Tomatoes, has proved itself a hit with both fans and critics. 'This sprawling Japanese manga adaptation is rarely subtle, but its ability to deliver on wide-scale expectations make it a true TV standout,' IndieWire wrote in a season two review. Meanwhile, Google reviewer Sarah wrote: 'This is one of the best TV series I have ever watched! Season one reminded me a lot of Squid Game mixed with a little bit of Hunger Games but leaves off with a better cliffhanger.' A highly anticipated third season of Alice in Borderland is coming to Netflix in September 2025. Where to watch: Seasons 1 and 2 are available on Netflix. Described as 'addictive' in The Guardian's four-star review, Bargain is set in a remote hotel in Korea where human organs are auctioned off to the highest bidder. A synopsis adds: 'After a catastrophic earthquake, the victims, traffickers and buyers are all trapped inside the crumbling building. Cut off from the outside world, they must fight to survive the aftermath at any cost. With a perfect 100% Rotten Tomatoes score, the show has impressed critics, who have described it as 'engrossing', 'wildly unpredictable' and 'gloriously vicious'. Where to watch: All six episodes are available to stream on Paramount Plus. There are four seasons to binge of this Brazilian show, which is set in a future society where most of the population lives in poverty. But, every year, each 20-year-old gets one chance to join the privileged 3%, who have been saved from squalor and now live in a utopian paradise. More Trending The show has a very respectable 85% on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics praising its twists and strong characters. Screen Rant wrote in their review: 'When 3% isn't making thoughtful observations about the human race and how we wall ourselves off from one another, it's dazzling you with clever moments and genuinely shocking twists all designed to keep you hopelessly hooked.' And Refinery29 said: 'The Brazilian show will itch the Hunger Games scratch, but still add an entirely new element of excitement.' View More » Where to watch: Seasons 1 to 4 are available to stream on Netflix. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Netflix WWE SmackDown live stream cuts out with millions unable to watch MORE: WWE Night of Champions 2025 preview with early UK start time on Netflix MORE: TV fans torn between bingeing Netflix hit series or 'anxiety-inducing' drama this weekend
