Latest news with #kdrama
Forbes
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
‘My Lovely Journey' Wonders What's Next For An Ex K-Pop Trainee
Kang Yeo-reum has been on the same journey since she became a k-pop trainee at the age of 13, but that journey has ended, so she has to decide where she will go next. Yeo-reum, the main character in the k-drama My Lovely Journey, wanted to become a star so she could make her parents proud. But after her years in a girl group did not lead to success, she became a travel reporter for a show that explored Korea. Yet no matter how hard she tried to make that show a success, she was stymied by an annoying director and his choices eventually got the show cancelled. Yeo-reum, played by Gong Seung-yeon (Karma, Are You Human, Flower Crew Joseon Marriage Agency), is one of the year's most likable k-drama heroines. She works hard, remains optimistic and cheerful, but life keeps piling on the failures, including a failed relationship with a boyfriend who didn't deserve her. Her agent Oh Sang-sik, played by Yu Jun-sang (The Uncanny Counter 2, Alchemy of Souls, The Penthouse) is down to his last two clients and with the cancellation of her show, it seems the end of her career might lead to the end of his agency. Her sense of delight in the surrounding world is an untapped talent. When things start to get desperate, she's offered a fee to take a mystery trip and film the location. The concept is a little weird, but, out of options, she eventually agrees. For the first time in her life, she must make all the arrangements and call the shots. It's an emotional journey of self discovery. The drama explores what happens when the k-pop dream isn't realized . An ex-trainee might be unprepared to deal with practicalities once they are no longer micro managed by an agency. In that way it's a coming of age story even though Yeo-reum is old enough to take care of herself. She's sure that her trip means the end of her career but it might be a new beginning. Lee Yeon-seok, played by Kim Jae-young (Love In Contract, Reflection of You, Judge From Hell) is a TV editor connected with her show. Or he was until he spoke up to defend her. He's been watching her from afar and he knows how she's suffered. As a stymied film director he needs to change his life too. The drama is based on the 2021 novel Oka no Ue no Kenjin Tabya Okeri by Maha Harada. It's directed by Kang Sol and was adapted for the screen by Jang Hwee-hyun. My Lovely Journey airs on in the U.S.
Forbes
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Son Suk-Ku And Kim Da-Mi Share Clues To Their ‘Nine Puzzles' Characters
Interlocking puzzle pieces provide the clues that can identify a killer in the k-drama Nine Puzzles. At first none of the murders seem to be related, yet these mysterious puzzle segments appear around the time of each crime. Each puzzle piece features a surreal image, difficult to decipher. If detectives knew what the pieces meant and how they fit together, they might prevent another murder. The puzzle pieces may be sending a message to profiler E-na, played by Kim Da-mi (Itaewon Class, Our Beloved Summer). E-na was once a murder suspect, questioned about killing her uncle, but ultimately she was cleared. She's smart, quirky and confrontational. As a profiler she forms a duo with detective partner Han-saem, played by Son Suk-ku (A Killer Paradox, My Liberation Notes, Heavenly Ever After). Han-saem is a relentless detective. He's a little obsessive and he's initially wary of E-na. He doesn't completely trust her but respects her profiling skills. Playing a profiler was fun for Kim since she's a mystery fan. 'I enjoy both reading mysteries and watching mystery series,' said Kim. 'There's something fascinating about deducing and imagining how things might unfold. I think that's what draws me to the mystery genre. When I read viewers' reactions to Nine Puzzle, it was interesting to see how they came up with such a wide range of interpretations. Diverse interpretations are the charm of the mystery genre.' If she were a detective, Kim is sure she would pursue the truth to the end. 'It would probably be quite challenging,' she said. 'Since I may not be as brilliant as E-na, but I would still do my best to fulfill my responsibilities.' Son was not a fan of the mystery genre before Nine Puzzles, but began to get the appeal of the consistently popular genre. 'While working on Nine Puzzles, I started to understand its unique charm," he said. "What I find most appealing about this genre is that it doesn't ask the audience to passively follow the story, rather it invites them to actively engage with it. The audience keeps questioning and looking for clues along the way and this makes them feel more like playing a game than just watching a show. I think that level of participation is what makes the mystery genre so captivating.' It's not the first time Son has donned a police badge for a role. He played a police detective before, trailing a killer of serial killers in A Killer Paradox. 'Aside from the fact that they share the same profession as detectives, the characters are actually very different,' he said. 'Personally, I don't find detective roles particularly attractive. It's really just a coincidence that I ended up playing one again.' One reason he took the Nine Puzzles role is his admiration for the drama's director, Yoon Jong-bin, who previously directed the films Kundo: The Age of Rampant and The Spy Gone North. "I've always admired his high-quality work, the bold but realistic storytelling and the strong visual style,' said Son. 'Especially, while working together, I was moved by his honesty and sincerity which made me respect him even more.' E-na and Han-saem grow closer as the puzzle is pieced together. E-na takes the initiative in winning Han-saem's trust, inserting herself into his investigation and even showing up in his kitchen. Han-saem can't deny the evidence she finds. 'I felt that the suspicion surrounding E-na naturally began to lose its weight as Han-saem started to investigate Lee Mi-young and Kang Chi-mok cases,' said Son. The working relationship between E-na and Han-saem is difficult to define. 'I think words like 'peculiar' or 'unusual' best describe it' said Kim. "Working together with a suspect you've been doubting for ten years wouldn't be easy. But human relationships are never entirely predictable. Likewise, E-na and Han-saem go through a wide range of emotions throughout the investigation. At first, it seems like their distinct personalities would clash, but somehow, they end up complementing each other. I believe it's those 'peculiar' or 'unusual' moments that make E-na and Han-saem's relationship so compelling.' They are both complicated characters. E-na seems to have a lot of confidence despite the trauma of her difficult life. It's largely show. 'E-na may appear strong on the outside, but deep down, she is a vulnerable and delicate person,' said Kim. 'She pretended to be strong to hide that inner fragility. However, her determination to catch the culprit is unshakable and so it makes her seem so confident." While others dismiss her insight, Han-saem appreciates it. Despite her quirky behavior he recognizes her passion for solving the case 'Han-saem is, at his core, someone who carries a warm heart toward victims and he has a real passion for detective novels and films,' said Son. 'I think that side of him plays a big role in what motivates him.' The actors did not have to wait to unravel the mystery. Their characters may have wondered who the culprit was but Son and Kim knew before the first puzzle piece was found in the drama. 'We filmed after reading the full script, so we knew the identity of the culprit from the beginning,' said Kim. Viewers will have to watch the series to test their own detective skills. Nine Puzzles airs on Disney/Hulu. The screenplay was written by Lee Eun-mi, who wrote Navillera and Tunnel.
Forbes
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
‘First Night With The Duke' Has Fun With A Fantasy One Night Stand
First Night With The Duke is a lighthearted k-drama romance about an unhappy modern-day woman who wakes up in her favorite novel and spends an unexpected night with a prince. It's not a fairy tale ending. At least not right away. When he assumes they will marry, she tries to escape. Is marrying a handsome prince such a bad idea? Yes and no. It's not how the story is supposed to go. Seohyun plays K, a young woman who retreats from the real world by reading a romantic historical novel. Her real life can't compare to the novel, so she stops paying attention to real life. She's on leave from her job and the bills are piling up. None of that is as interesting as the romance between the novel's poor orphan Eun-Jae and the handsome prince Yi Beon. Then one day K falls into the novel. It's an improvement. In the novel world she's Cha Sun-Chaek, a side character without too much to do except enjoy her fictional family's wealth. Then the plot goes sideways. The handsome but short-tempered prince, Yi Beon, played by Taecyeon, doesn't meet the female lead that he must fall in love with. At least according to the novel. Instead he saves a very drunken Sun-chaek, who promptly spends the night with him. One night is all it takes for him to propose. It's not just that she seduced him. He's also intrigued by how much she seems to know about the inner workings of his mind. As a faithful reader she read his thoughts on the printed page. K/Sun-chaek knows that the prince is supposed to meet Jo Eun-ae, played by Kwon Han-sol, a character she genuinely likes. She loves the novel and doesn't want it to change. She's also afraid that if she becomes the prince's fiancée, she might be targeted by the cruel noblewoman Do Hwa-seon, played by Ji Hye-won (Hierarchy). Hwa-seon wants to marry the prince and will seek to eliminate any rivals. Sun-chaek tries to run but the prince is determined to find her and get her to accept his proposal. Acting in a fantasy rom-com like this must be a lot of fun and Seohyun and Taecyeon play their roles to great comic effect. Both actors have demonstrated their comedy skills before, Seohyun memorably in Jinxed At First and Taecyeon in Vincenzo, Seohyun, a member of Girls Generation, can also be seen in the dramas such as Private Lives and Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo, while Taecyeon, a member of the k-pop group 2PM, appeared in the dramas Heartbeat and Save Me. First Night With The Duke also stars Seo Bum-june (Hierarchy), playing Jung Su-gyeom, an officer who is Yi Beon's only friend. A note to viewers who like historical dramas for the costumes, the art production in this drama is lovely and the hanboks are ornately embroidered. The novel's fictional world is suitably embellished with richly patterned silks, colorful ornaments, flowers and decor. First Night With The Duke is directed by Lee Woong-hee, who directed My Perfect Stranger. The story is based on the webnovel "Namjuui Cheotnalbameul Gajeobeoryeodda' by Hwang Do-tol (published on Naver).
Forbes
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Two Food Lovers Meet In Search Of A Recipe In ‘Tastefully Yours'
The characters played by Kang Ha-neul and Go Min-si have very different takes on fine dining. Viewers of the k-drama Tastefully Yours may not initially like the character Han Beom-woo. He's kind of obnoxious. He's inconsiderate and pretentious, all qualities he comes by naturally. It's the way he was raised. His family runs a food empire and they are so competitive, he's encouraged to compete with his own brother. Beom-soo, played by Kang Ha-neul, works for the family business, but his real obsession is with his restaurant Motto. His brother (Bae Na-ra) also has a restaurant and whichever brother first earns three gold stars for his own restaurant will be chosen to run the family corporation. Both brothers are working hard to make that happen. But Beom-woo can't do it alone. Complicating his efforts is Motto's celebrity chef, Jang Young-hye, played by Hong Hwa-yeon (Buried Hearts, True to Love, Mental Coach Jegal). Young-hye is not as invested in the restaurant's ranking as Beom-woo so she's more casual about deadlines, which concerns him. There's a dish he wants to put on the menu that he's waiting for her to make. When someone posts a photo of a similar looking dish online, he goes all the way to Jeonju to see the dish for himself. Beom-woo is about to get the recipe for transforming his life. Go Min-si's character runs a restaurant in Jeonju that Kang Ha-neul's character wants to buy. The photo-posting restaurant turns out to be pretty obscure. It's not just hard to find, it seems to be a failure, at least in terms of making enough money to pay the rent. The homey restaurant is run by Mo Yeon-joo, played by Go Min-si (Sweet Home, Love Alarm and Youth of May) . Yeon-joo loves to cook for the sake of cooking, rather than for any restaurant ranking. After tasting her farm-to-table fare, Beom-soo is impressed. He offers to acquire her restaurant for his family's company, but Yeon-joo is not selling. Still, there is something about the flavor of her food that appeals to Beom-woo's senses. While these characters have different takes on fine dining, he's quick to recognize that she's a gifted chef. His plan for Motto's success may not work without the right chef to help create gold star worthy recipes. Yeon-joo may be just the right chef. Kang Ha-neul also appears in three films this year, Yadang: The Snitch, Streaming and Wall to Wall. The actor starred in the dramas Squid Game 2, Curtain Call, The Kidnapping Day and When The Camellia Blooms. Tastefully Yours is directed by Park Dan-hee, who directed Weak Hero Class 1. The drama airs on Netflix.
