Latest news with #TheMaster'sSun
Tatler Asia
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Tatler Asia
From dokkaebi to gwishin: 6 horror K-dramas with a mythic twist
'Hotel Del Luna' (2019) Above In 'Hotel Del Luna' (2019), Jang Man-wol (IU) helps her ghostly guests find peace before heading to the afterlife. Jang Man-wol (IU) is the millennia-old, eternally fashionable owner of a mystical hotel that only caters to ghosts with unfinished business. Her job is a penance for past sins, managing a spectral staff and ensuring her ghostly guests find peace before heading to the afterlife, all whilst navigating the complexities of her curse and the arrival of a very human general manager (Yeo Jin-goo). Hotel del Luna draws inspiration from shamanistic and mythological themes, including deities and spirits who oversee transitions between life and death, such as the Grim Reaper. The hotel itself, with its ever-changing, fantastical appearance (the mystical beach, the Moon Tree), serves as a modern interpretation of a liminal space, blending traditional Korean beliefs about spirits and atonement with a visually stunning aesthetic. 'Goblin' (2016) Above 'Goblin' (2016) transforms the traditional Korean dokkaebi into a former general cursed for his past deeds. Kim Shin (Gong Yoo) is a 939-year-old goblin who endures immortality while searching for his human bride (Kim Go-eun) to end his curse. His unexpected flatmate is an equally dapper but amnesiac Grim Reaper (Lee Dong-wook), whose job is to guide souls to the afterlife, leading to a divine cohabitation filled with bickering and unexpected friendship. This supernatural K-drama takes on the traditional Korean dokkaebi, which is often portrayed in folklore as a mischievous or fearsome trickster spirit. Whilst traditional dokkaebi arise from inanimate objects stained with blood, the narrative innovation transforms the Goblin into a former general cursed for his past deeds, weaving folkloric elements into an exploration of loneliness and redemption. 'The Master's Sun' (2013) Above 'The Master's Sun' (2013) taps into the gwishin or ghosts bound to the mortal realm by unresolved grudges. Tae Gong-shil (Gong Hyo-jin) sees ghosts, which turns her life into a waking nightmare until she discovers that touching the arrogant CEO Joo Joong-won (So Ji-sub) makes them temporarily disappear. This makes the CEO her personal ghost shelter, whom she clings to for survival, inadvertently becoming his assistant in dealing with various spectral predicaments tied to his business and past. Penned by the legendary Hong Sisters, this horror K-drama taps into the Korean folkloric understanding of gwishin, ghosts bound to the mortal realm by unresolved grudges and unfinished business that prevent their peaceful transition. Each episodic spirit carries a poignant story, from deceased mothers yearning to provide for their children to lonely schoolgirl ghosts seeking friendship, reflecting human desires and regrets. 'The Uncanny Counter' (2020) Above 'The Uncanny Counter' (2020) draws its concept from traditional Korean beliefs about spirit realms. The Eonni's Noodles crew appear as unassuming employees at a noodle shop, but they are Counters, demon hunters tasked by spirits from the afterlife to capture malevolent spirits. Each member, including the newly recruited So Mun (Jo Byeong-gyu), uses unique supernatural abilities like psychokinesis, healing or incredible strength in their dangerous, otherworldly profession. The horror K-drama draws its concept from traditional Korean beliefs about spirit realms, but modernises these ancient themes through superhero-esque team dynamics and distinctive powers. Within this framework, the series delivers adrenaline-pumping action with impressive special effects, particularly in the representation of the Territory, which amplifies the Counters's powers. But at its core, the show explores the narrative of trauma survivors who find healing in their found family bond. 'Sell Your Haunted House' (2021) Above 'Sell Your Haunted House' (2021) reimagines traditional exorcism by combining real estate with supernatural elements. Hong Ji-ah (Jang Na-ra) runs Daebak Real Estate, but her primary service isn't just selling properties; it's exorcising the vengeful spirits that haunt them, a skill she inherited from her mother. Her unique profession involves teaming up with a conman-turned-psychic, Oh In-beom (Jung Yong-hwa), to not only cleanse houses but also uncover the truth behind their intertwined, tragic pasts. The horror K-drama reimagines traditional exorcism by combining real estate with supernatural elements, incorporating rituals deeply rooted in Korean spiritual practices: psychic mediums absorb ghostly memories and experience intense physical effects, such as sudden drops in body temperature, adding a visceral dimension to the haunting. Featuring ghosts bound by unresolved grudges, each episode explores how personal trauma connects across generations. Credits This article was created with the assistance of AI tools
GMA Network
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- GMA Network
South Korean actor Seo In Guk is coming to Manila this September!
Seo In Guk is coming back to Manila in September! On social media, L-Squared Productions Philippines announced that the South Korean actor will be bringing his 'Heart Cookie' fan meeting tour at the SM North EDSA Skydome on September 20, 6 p.m. Tickets will go on sale on June 14 via the SM Tickets online and outlets nationwide. Tickets are priced from P6,500 for Silver and up to P11,500 for SVIP. Here are the ticket prices. Silver (Bleachers) - P6,500 VIP (Bleachers) - P8,500 VIP (Ground Floor) - P9,500 SVIP (Ground Floor) - P11,500 Each ticket tier comes with several fan benefits. All ticketholders are entitled to a photocard and hi-bye session with Seo In Guk. Ten Silver ticketholders will get the chance to have a 1:10 group photo with the actor, while 20 and 70 people from VIP and SVIP, respectively, are entitled to the benefit. All will be chosen at random. Fifty SVIP ticketholders will also be chosen at random for a 1:1 group photo with Seo In Guk. Lastly, five Silver ticketholders, 10 VIP ticketholders, and 35 SVIP ticketholders will be chosen at random for a 1:1 signing ceremony with a poster. Seo In Guk was in the Philippines in February after being named as the Philippines' new tourism ambassador. While in the Philippines, he went to Boracay for the first time and tried their famous crystal kayak. In 2023, Seo In Guk visited Manila for a fan meeting. He is best known for his roles in 'Reply 1997,' 'The Master's Sun,' and 'Hello Monster.' He has also released OSTs for K-Dramas. His songs include, 'My Love,' 'All for You,' and 'Distant Fate.' —Jade Veronique Yap/CDC, GMA Integrated News
New Straits Times
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Cheated by ex-husband, actress becomes taxi driver to raise daughter
SEOUL: South Korean actress Jung Ga-eun, who began her career as a model and starred in The Master's Sun, has faced some challenging years. Now 48, she has embarked on a new career as a taxi driver to support herself and her daughter. Jung recently passed South Korea's official taxi driver qualification examination, a journey she documented on her YouTube channel, Wonder Ga-eun. Feeling positive about the change of profession, she said: "With hard work, you can earn around 10 million won (RM30,822.43) a month. These days, even major companies don't pay that much." Her decision comes after years of financial and emotional struggles, according to entertainment portal allkpop. Jung became a single mother in 2018 following her divorce from her businessman husband, who was later found to have defrauded investors of 13.2 billion won (RM40.7 million) using her name. He subsequently fled overseas and has not paid child support or contributed to their daughter's upbringing. Jung reportedly lost over 100 million won (RM308,472.95). "I used to be terrified of having no money, but now I just think, I'll live within my means. Things are still uncertain, but raising my child has made me stronger," she shared. With acting jobs drying up, Jung decided to follow in the footsteps of her father, who drove a private taxi for over 30 years. "He raised me with that job," she revealed. Prior to the examination, Jung had expressed confidence and said: "I'm confident I'll pass. I want to score over 90." However, she ultimately passed with 75 points. "The test was difficult," she said.
The Star
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Cheated by ex-husband who embezzled her assets, actress becomes taxi driver
Jung Ga-eun recently passed South Korea's official taxi driver qualification exam. Photos via China Press South Korean actress Jung Ga-eun – who began her career as a model and has acted in The Master's Sun (2013) – has faced some tough years. Now 48, she's taken on a new job as a taxi driver to support herself and her daughter. Jung recently passed South Korea's official taxi driver qualification exam, a journey she documented on her YouTube channel Wonder Ga-eun. Feeling positive about the change of profession, she said: 'With hard work, you can earn around 10mil won (RM30,822.43) a month. These days, even major companies don't pay that much.' Her decision comes after years of financial and emotional struggles, said entertainment portal allkpop. Jung became a single mother in 2018 following a divorce from her businessman husband – who was later found to have defrauded investors of 13.2bil won (RM40.7mil) using her name. He fled overseas and has not paid child support or contributed to their daughter's upbringing. Jung herself reportedly lost over 100mil won (RM308,472.95) to his scam. 'After my last film, there was no work. I looked at my bank account and felt completely lost,' she said in a past interview. 'I used to be terrified of having no money, but now I just think, 'I'll live within my means.' Things are still uncertain, but raising my child has made me stronger.' With acting jobs drying up, Jung decided to follow in the footsteps of her father, who drove a private taxi for over 30 years. 'He raised me with that job," she shared, adding that she wants her father – now battling esophageal cancer – to be her first passenger after passing the exam. In preparation for the test, she met with transportation YouTuber Park Rae-ho at the exam centre. Though nervous, she was determined. 'I'm confident I'll pass. I want to score over 90,' she said with a smile. Jung ended up passing with 75 points. 'The test was difficult," she said but felt proud to have passed. Although the test was difficult, she passed. Photo: YouTube
