Slow and Steady

1. The Birth of a New Powerhouse in the Summer Cinema Scene is Foreseen Traditionally, the box office becomes most vibrant during the school vacation season. Summer, in particular, with its scorching heat, is the peak season when audiences flock to cool theaters and large-scale, big-budget blockbusters are released, sparking fierce competition. The Korean film market is no exception to this trend, with production companies intensively releasing their most anticipated works during this period. In this summer's expected battle of major films, "Zombie Daughter," equipped with a fresh concept and all the right box-office codes, is off to a strong start, drawing keen audience interest on its path to becoming number one.   2. The Proven Formula for Success in Korean Cinema The Korean film market has long had a kind of "hit formula" that has been consistently loved by audiences. Unfortunately, the sci-fi genre, despite its sophisticated world-building and spectacular v...

The unsettling premise that gun ownership could become a reality, not just a fantasy, poses a weighty question to our society through the drama 'Trigger'. Until now, South Korea has had a strong image as a "gun-free nation," and for most citizens, guns were unfamiliar objects that existed only in movies or news reports. Consequently, when gunfights appeared in past Korean films or dramas, they were often criticized for their lack of realism. The subject of guns itself was simply too far removed from our daily lives.   However, as time has passed, it has become difficult to say that Korean society is completely free from guns. Although legal gun ownership is extremely limited, firearms permitted for hunting or sports exist and are managed under lock and key at police stations. Nevertheless, incidents and accidents involving firearms are occasionally reported in the news, startling us. In particular, a recent fatal shooting in Songdo, Incheon, has driven home the fact t...

The new ENA channel drama,  Unlike in the past, the prejudice against idols or television personalities becoming actors has significantly diminished. This is due to the growing number of cases where individuals successfully establish themselves as actors after thorough preparation, grueling practice, and passing auditions. However, Dex's performance in  The essence of acting lies in erasing oneself and breathing life fully into a character within the story. For a work to be truly immersive, the audience must follow the narrative and emotions of the character, not the actor's name. No matter how spectacular the action or powerful the dialogue, if the actor's own image lingers in the viewer's mind, it's difficult to call it a successful performance. Unfortunately, many viewers have pointed out this very issue while watching  The core of this controversy is that the powerful icon of 'Dex' overwhelms the character he plays, 'Jung-hyun.' The moment a scen...

1. A New Contender in Sports Dramas If one were to pick the most successful sports drama in the history of Korean television, it would undoubtedly be "Hot Stove League." Focusing on the business side of a baseball team—its front office operations and player trades—rather than the games themselves, it broke the conventional mold of the sports genre to deliver a fresh and compelling story. "Hot Stove League" transcended being a simple sports drama to capture the intense realities of professional life, organizational politics, and human growth, succeeding in securing both high viewership ratings and critical acclaim. While there have been other well-made dramas since, such as "Racket Boys," none have quite managed to surpass the benchmark set by "Hot Stove League." In this landscape, the new Friday-Saturday SBS drama, "Try: We Shall Be a Miracle," is gathering significant anticipation as to whether it can replicate that same glory. 2. Acto...

Recently, KBS 2TV dramas have been struggling to achieve significant results in terms of viewership. Nevertheless, the public broadcaster continues to fulfill its role by consistently introducing new works. Unfortunately, as the ratings slump has prolonged, casting top-tier actors, so-called "guaranteed hits," has become increasingly difficult. While this poses a challenge to the production environment, it paradoxically offers viewers a chance to discover new faces. This situation has become a valuable stage of opportunity for rookie actors. Just as KBS discovered numerous new stars in the past through series like "School" and other youth dramas, its current lineup is serving as a gateway for actors with fresh appeal. Although their public recognition may be somewhat low, it provides a chance for promising newcomers or actors known for supporting roles to step into the lead, injecting new vitality into the television landscape. "My Girlfriend is a G-Man" i...