Hottest Korean games to play while unwinding over long holiday

A few days' break to start the month of May will help you recharge with a refreshed mind and body. And while you're unwinding, here are some of the hottest Korean games to enjoy in your downtime. Mabinogi: Mobile Since its debut in late March, Nexon's Mabinogi: Mobile has become a sensation, drawing nearly 400,000 daily active users in its first week and establishing itself as the most-played mobile MMORPG in Korea within just one day. One of the game's standout features is its ability to cater

May 3, 2025

'Produce 101' star hits new career high tackling school violence

Park Ji-hoon, who rose to breakout fame after finishing second among 101 trainees on the hit K-pop audition series "Produce 101: Season 2 (2017)," is experiencing another major career high -- not as an idol, but as a rising star in the acting world. The singer-turned-actor has gripped audiences with his performance as the lead in the "Weak Hero" franchise, playing a troubled yet calculating high schooler who confronts school violence head-on. The adrenaline-filled youth drama initially found suc

May 1, 2025

Netflix's 'The Devil’s Plan' returns with star-packed season 2

Netflix Korea’s beloved survival competition series "The Devil’s Plan" is set to return with a second season, featuring an expanded cast and evolved gameplay. "The Devil’s Plan," which premiered in 2023, quickly ascended Netflix’s global charts, debuting at No. 3 on the streamer’s Top 10 Non-English TV Shows list during its first week. The series, known for its cerebral gameplay and high production values, features contestants from diverse professional backgrounds competing in games that test st

April 29, 2025

'Culinary Class Wars' star Paik Jong-won faces mounting controversies amid business, TV uncertainty

Paik Jong-won, the star of "Culinary Class Wars" and a powerhouse in the Korean food industry, faces an uncertain future in both his business and television series, amid mounting controversies ranging from workplace abuses of power to violations of food-related regulations. Paik was recently reported to authorities for allegedly breaching country-of-origin labeling laws for food products. Specifically, Paik-seok doenjang, a soybean paste produced by Theborn Korea, was marketed as a domestically

April 28, 2025

Popular British American series ‘Gangs of London’ returns, with Korean flair

The popular British American crime series "Gangs of London" is back with its much-anticipated third season — and this time, it's bringing a distinctly Korean flair. "Gangs of London" follows the stories of multinational crime organizations in London who clash for power after the head of the city's largest crime family is assassinated. The first two seasons of the series garnered significant popularity, with the show having clinched multiple British Academy of Film and Television Arts awards for

April 25, 2025

Hwang Dong-hyuk of 'Squid Game' clinches Creator Tribute Award at Gotham Television Awards

Director Hwang Dong-hyuk, the mastermind behind the global phenomenon “Squid Game,” will receive the Creator Tribute at the 2025 Gotham Television Awards. The Gotham Television Awards, held annually in New York City, is an American film ceremony that honors outstanding achievements in television. The Creator Tribute category celebrates visionary artists and creators who have significantly shaped and expanded the boundaries of television. “Since ‘Squid Game’'s breakout win at The Gotham Awards fo

April 25, 2025

'Unpretty Rapstar' to return after nine years in global reboot

“Unpretty Rapstar,” South Korea’s first female TV rap competition, is set to return to airwaves after a nine-year hiatus. The original series, which aired for three seasons until 2016, gained widespread popularity for spotlighting female talent in Korea’s hip-hop scene. The show gave rise to notable Korean female rappers including Jeon So-yeon, Cheetah and Jessi. Unlike its predecessor, which centered on discovering individual rap talent, the upcoming program will aim to form a hip-hop girl grou

April 24, 2025

Is Microsoft overlooking Korean gamers?

Microsoft’s decision not to release its latest title in South Korea has reignited criticism over its neglect of Korean gamers -- and game industry experts say such a move reflects Korea's declining standing in the global gaming industry. Bethesda Softworks, a US-based game publisher under Microsoft, released The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered at midnight Wednesday (Korean time), marking the return of the 2006 role-playing game classic. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered launched gl

April 23, 2025

'Star Wars' events to be held across Korea in celebration of Star Wars Day

In celebration of Star Wars Day on May 4, a variety of events honoring the beloved sci-fi franchise will take place across South Korea, according to Walt Disney Co. Korea on Tuesday. Star Wars Day is observed annually on May 4 due to the date's phonetic similarity to the franchise’s all-important phrase: “May the Force be with you.” From May 1 to 6, a special exhibition will be held at Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Jung-gu, Seoul, showcasing fan collections and Lego Star Wars creations. Visitors ca

April 22, 2025

'Weak Hero' returns, exploring raw teenage psychology of growing up

Adapted from the hit webtoon of the same name, "Weak Hero" -- the series that gripped global audiences with its raw portrayal of teenage psychology -- is set to return with a highly anticipated second season, "Weak Hero Class 2." This time, the story will unfold on Netflix, rather than Wavve, which aired the first season. "Weak Hero Class 2" picks up with Si-eun, still reeling from the trauma of failing to protect a close friend. Now transferred to a new school, he finds himself surrounded by ne

April 21, 2025