Kingdom: Ashin of the North, a special episode from the Kingdom series universe, is coming soon! The special episode will show the beginning of everything in the popular series as it dives into Ashin’s story and the origins of the resurrection plant. Whether you’ve watched the first two seasons or not, you can start your journey through Kingdom: Ashin of the North. If you have seen the first two seasons and need a refresher on what to expect, check out the details below!

1. The Time and Place
Kingdom: Ashin of the North is where everything begins. The zombie plague that spreads in the first season takes place in the southern region Dongnae. However, the origin of the resurrection plant begins in the northern region. The northern border close to the Pajeowi tribe and the Seongjeoyains is where the action will take place. Pyesa-gun, a place where entrance is forbidden for 100 years, is where young Ashin discovers the resurrection plant.

2. The Resurrection Plant
The resurrection plant, which we learn about in the first two seasons, is a rare purple flower that can resurrect the dead. Unfortunately, someone who is resurrected through the plant becomes a bloodthirsty zombie. The plant has white eggs which hatch into parasitic worms when ingested. The worms infect the brain and turn the person into a monster.

3. The Context
Prior to the zombie problem, the kingdom of Joseon faced various issues with its neighbors. One area of concern is the northern region where Jurchens have consolidated into a powerful group called the Pajeowi tribe. Joseon keeps an eye on the tribe by using another group of Jurchens called the Seongjeoyains to spy on them. The Seongjeoyains are Jurchens who have lived in Joseon lands for over a 100 years.

4. Ashin
The story will begin with young Ashin (Kim Si-a)’s life in her Seongjeoyain village. Her father is the head of their village and her mother is bedridden. Desperate to cure her ill mother, Ashin ventures deep into the forbidden area in search of something to help. She comes across the resurrection plant, but she experiences a great tragedy. As a result, adult Ashin (Gianna Jun) is intent on getting revenge.

5. Key Characters
Besides the adult Ashin we see at the end of the second season, the special episode also includes Min Chi-rok (Park Byung-eun) who was the Head of the Royal Commandery in season 2. Some new important characters include Ashin’s father Tahab (Kim Roi-ha) who is the head of their Seongjeoyain village and Aidagan (Koo Kyo-hwan) who is the Pajeowi tribe leader.

Now that you’ve checked out this overview, you’re ready to enjoy all of Kingdom. Don’t miss out when Kingdom: Ashin of the North is released on July 23, only on Netflix!

Image Courtesy of Netflix

Singer 10CM to hold an online concert 'History Live' on July 24, 8PM KST.

Hospital Playlist S2 is such a feel-good show, never failing to make us laugh. Amidst the heartwarming and cute scenes, the funny scenes always make us smile and put us in a good mood. While we wait impatiently for our next dose of Hospital Playlist, here are some of our favourite LOL moments to get you through the week!

1. The time Kim Jun-wan got hit in the face with toilet paper
Pettiness can often be a mark of true friendship. Kim Jun-wan (Jung Kyung-ho) gets hit in the face with a toilet paper roll after he admits to using Ahn Jeong-won (Yoo Yeon-seok)’s shampoo. Even though Jeong-won uses most of his salary to help those in need, he gets annoyed when his friend and roommate uses his nice shampoo.

2. When Song-hwa said she wants to be the greatest “villain” in this hospital
Chae Song-hwa (Jeon Mi-do) tells Yong Seok-min (Moon Tae-yoo) and Heo Seon-bin (Ha Yoon-kyeong) that she doesn’t want to become a geezer, she wants to be a “villain” instead. This is a fun joke crossing over from the first season where Lee Ik-jun (Cho Jung-seok) lies to Song-hwa that the English word “villain” means someone who works hard.

3. The fight over crackers
Ik-jun gets caught eating Jun-wan’s crackers and Jun-wan scolds him for eating his favourite snacks. Ik-jun then sprinkles water on Jun-wan to get Jeong-won’s petty spirit out of Jun-wan.
This prompts Jun-wan to attack Ik-jun with a pillow. Ik-jun hilariously manages to eat another cracker during all of this and they eventually end up having a tickle fight. Their childish behaviour is such a funny contrast from their serious doctor moments.

4. The friends’ interaction with Song-hwa’s new car
Seeing the four friends gape at Song-hwa’s swanky new car was cute, but it gets even funnier once they’re inside the car. Ik-jun gets on Song-hwa’s nerves by peeling the plastic film from the car and Jeong-won keeps complaining about sitting in the middle seat.

5. When Jun-wan and Jeong-wan freeload off of Ik-jun’s card
After discovering Jang Gyeo-ul (Shin Hyun-been) in possession of Ik-jun’s card, they take it and order practically everything from the menu.

Poor Ik-jun gets so flustered when he gets notifications about the pricey purchases and almost loses a shoe.

6. When Song-hwa accidentally splashes Ik-jun’s face with ramyun
Song-hwa and Jun-wan are the biggest eaters of the group, so it’s no surprise when Song-hwa tries to grab as much noodles as she can. Unfortunately, the noodles slip and fall resulting in Ik-jun’s face getting splattered with ramyun soup. It gets even more funny when Jun-wan takes advantage of the opportunity to grab the lid and eat up.

7. When Ik-jun dances in the cafeteria
Cho Jung-seok has got some moves! Ik-jun has danced in the previous season, but his cheeky little dance here on his way out of the cafeteria was quite funny.

8. All the times the Winter Garden Couple didn’t get caught

Gyeo-ul and Jeong-won are keeping their relationship a secret, but their hospital colleagues have seen Jeong-won taking care of Gyeo-ul in various ways. While this kind of behaviour would make most people assume they are dating, everyone chalks it up to Jeong-won being a gentleman and incredibly well-mannered. It gets funnier when Jeong-won threateningly pinches Ik-jun after Ik-jun almost blows the secret couple’s cover.

There are so many funny moments whether the friends are being silly or petty. Which is your favourite? Go and watch all the funniest moments of Hospital Playlist S2 only on Netflix, with new episodes available every Thursday at 10 PM MYT.

Venture into the vast forests, a forbidden land where a strange plant grows. Netflix unwraps the trailer for Kingdom: Ashin of the North, taking us back to the beginning of the great tragedy that fell upon Joseon and a story of Ashin, and the origins of the resurrection plant.

The tragedy began in the depths of the northern region of Pyesa-gun, an area that has been forbidden for 100 years where dead bodies were suddenly discovered.

We meet young Ashin who loses everything in a blink of an eye when her village is horrendously attacked. Driven by loss and with vengeance on her mind, Ashin makes it her mission to “kill every living thing”. The anticipation builds as we unravel the calamities that besiege Joseon.

Starring Gianna Jun, Kim Sia, and Park Byung-eun, Kingdom: Ashin of the North will be released on 23 July 2021, only on Netflix.

Check out the official trailer below

Since her debut in 2017, followed by her head-turning role in The World of the Married and her latest series Nevertheless, Han So-hee’s beauty has always been the talk of the town. The gorgeous actress has portrayed diverse characters with a variety of fashion styles throughout her career, ranging from posh looks to vibrant traditional hanboks and comfy sweaters. Let’s take a closer look at some of the outfits she has pulled off through her K-drama characters below!

Reunited Worlds
Lee Seo-won from Reunited Worlds is Han So-hee’s debut character and possibly the trendiest on this list. As a journalist for a fashion magazine, she’s always on top of all the trends and is always wearing the new season’s latest items before they’re even introduced through the magazine. Lee Seo-won is also the daughter of the director of a hospital, so she has deep pockets to afford these high-end pieces. She’s always trying different trends and often wearing pretty dangly earrings.

100 Days My Prince
In 100 Days My Prince, Han So-hee portrays crown princess Kim So-hye who is regarded as a woman of matchless beauty. Kim So-hye’s father is vice-premier and the most powerful man in the nation. She’s also married to the crown prince Lee Yul. Given her status, Kim So-hye is always dressed in the most luxurious and intricately designed hanboks. She also often dons ornate and elegant hair ornaments. This series is Han So-hee’s first and only historical drama so far, but hopefully not her last since she looks so stunning in traditional hanboks too.

Abyss
Han So-hee’s character in Abyss, Jang Hui-jin, receives a lot of love from her boyfriend turned fiancee Cha Min. She has an innocent appearance and often wears white. Off-the-shoulder tops and dresses are a favourite of hers. However, when she faces dangerous circumstances later on in the series, Jang Hui-jin wears more comfortable clothes such as jeans and cardigans. While Jang Hui-jin’s style does not stand out as much as Han So-hee’s other characters’, it’s definitely relatable and still appealing.

The World of the Married
Han So-hee’s character from The World of the Married, Yeo Da-gyeong, is the only child of wealthy parents who are used to getting their daughter anything her heart desires. Da-gyeong is used to wearing luxe brands and expensive bags. She tends to prefer classic looks over trendier styles and doesn’t wear a lot of bright and colorful clothes. White, black, and muted colours are representative of most of her wardrobe. Da-gyeong tops it all off by wearing dainty gold jewelry.

Nevertheless
In Han So-hee’s latest series, she portrays university student Yu Na-bi in Nevertheless. As befitting a typical student, much of her clothes are casual and comfortable. Cardigans and hoodies are common choices. Since she’s an art student, she also often wears an apron or a coverall to protect her clothes from materials like paint and clay. From denim to sneakers, Na-bi’s clothes will stir up school day memories.

Which fashion style do you like best amongst Han So-hee’s characters? See more of them on Netflix!

Image Courtesy of Netflix

You Are My Spring is a new romance mystery drama to keep your eyes on! Starring Seo Hyun-jin, Kim Dong-wook, Yoon Bak, and Nam Gyu-ri, the series follows characters who live with their seven-year-old selves in their hearts. Hotel concierge Kang Da-jeon (Seo Hyun-jin) and psychiatrist Ju Young-do (Kim Dong-wook) form a heartfelt bond when they become entangled in a local murder case. Check out some reasons why you won’t want to miss out on it here!

1. Hit Director and Writer
Written by scriptwriter Lee Mi-na and directed by director Jung Jee-hyun (pictured above), you can be assured that You Are My Spring will be a quality drama. Lee Mi-na is known for having written the drama series Bubblegum and she is also a lyricist. She wrote the lyrics for the Guardian: The Lonely and Great God OST track “I Will Go to You Like the First Snow” and the Secret Garden OST track “You Are My Spring” among many other songs. Director Jung Jee-hyun also has an impressive track record, having worked on popular dramas like The King: Eternal Monarch and Search WWW.

2. Solid and Talented Cast
Jung Jee-hyun praised the main cast, saying, “They’re great actors, so I didn’t hesitate in casting them.”

That is not an understatement, especially with rom-com queen Seo Hyun-jin having acted in dramas like Beauty Inside, Another Miss Oh, and more. Lee Mi-na shared, “I just really wanted to work with her, with all my heart.”

Kim Dong-wook is also a talented actor whose recent works include Find Me in Your Memory and The Guest, while Yoon Bak is steadily gaining recognition with dramas like Legal High and Radio Romance under his belt. Likewise, Nam Gyu-ri is known for taking on diverse characters. With such a solid cast, you definitely won’t be disappointed.

3. Interesting Characters
Each of the characters have experienced trauma, but they’re all very different. Seo Hyun-jin explained, “Kang Da-jeong has the nickname ‘Trash Seat.’ The reason why is because people like trash always come her way.”

Meanwhile, Kim Dong-wook described his character as “a psychiatrist and very selfless. He’s someone who always tries to save people. He puts others before himself.”

Yoon Bak shared that his “straightforward” character Chae Jun “has a huge crush on Da-jeong”, while Nam Gyu-ri said, “My character is a top actress who gets betrayed by her ex-boyfriend. She’s very lonely and innocent. She is eccentric and warm, but she’s afraid to love someone.”

4. Introspective Healing Drama
Expanding upon some of the inspirations behind the drama, Lee Mi-na said, “Spring is associated with warmth and healing. Spring is something that comes and feels like hope.”

The scriptwriter also shared, “One day I was watching TV, and someone in their 60’s was eating in a hurry. When they were asked about why they were eating in a hurry, that person said, ‘Do you know the sadness of being the fifth child out of six?’”

Lee revealed that it sparked a curiosity that led her to question people’s memories when they were seven. She further explained, “People have memories from their childhood that have lasting effects.” The introspective look at childhood trauma and experiences will result in a healing story.

5. Romance Mystery
You Are My Spring is not just a romance story, as the characters soon find themselves entangled in a perplexing murder case that happened in the building they live in. If you’re concerned about the drama being similar to other romance murder stories, don’t worry. Lee Mi-na explained, “Rather than focusing on the who, it’s more about why they did it and why they got to this point.”

Kim Dong-wook commented, “I found myself having fun while reading each script I received and being curious about the next one. I think viewers will also enjoy it and we’re working hard to make it even more fun.”

Tune in for the romance and thrilling suspense in You Are My Spring, now streaming on Netflix, with new episodes every Monday and Tuesday at 10PM MYT.

Image Courtesy of Netflix

Feeling the wanderlust during this stay-home season? Escape into another realm with the best of Asian entertainment, only on Viu! Why go out in pairs when you can grab five of your friends to kick back and binge-watch amazing new shows in the comfort and safety of home? Have a blast as you and your friends are whisked away to another reality with the best and latest action thrillers, romantic comedies, dramas, variety shows and more.

Streaming on Viu from 4 July with new episodes every Sun & Mon, 5 hours after Korea Starring Ji-Sung, Kim Min-Jung, GOT7's Jin-Young & Park Gyu-Young

Mood Boosters To Lighten The Mood Looking to unwind with some laughs? Popular Korean Variety show The Great Escape will be returning for its fourth season on July 12. Six celebrities with a long list of fears are trapped inside a locked structure, each with a unique theme harbouring a web of secrets. In order to escape, they will have to face their fears, test their limits and solve the mystery! 

Netflix, the world’s leading streaming entertainment service, has confirmed the production of Director Yeon Sang-ho’s new sci-fi film Jung-E (Working Title) starring Kang Soo-youn, Kim Hyun-joo, and Ryu Kyung-soo as the main characters.

The setting of this film is in the 22nd century where climate changes have made Earth inhabitable, and humans are living in a man-made shelter. An internal war breaks out, and its outcome hinges on the success of brain cloning technology of the legendary robot mercenary Jung-E. Director Yeon Sang-ho, who has been redefining the future of Korean films with Train to Busan, Peninsula and Hellbound, focuses on central themes of brain cloning and human-like mercenary robots for this story.

His casting choices are also worth noting. Kang Soo-youn returns from an eight-year hiatus to play Seo-hyeon, the team leader of a lab for brain cloning and AI technology who is responsible for testing the cloning of Jung-E’s brain and combat capabilities. Kang is the first Korean actor to receive the Best Actress award at The Venice Film Festival, one of the “Big Three” film festivals, for her role in the 1986 film The Surrogate Womb. Her performances in Blue In You and Ladies of the Palace as well as other numerous works mark her as a legendary actor who paved the way for a renaissance in the Korean film industry.

Kim Hyun-joo plays the titular role of Jung-E, the most elite soldier of the allied forces fighting the shelter troops and a subject of brain-clone testing. With powerful performances in diverse dramas such as Watcher and Undercover, Kim will elicit complex emotions through her portrayal of the “legendary mercenary” fighting in dynamic combat scenes and suffering through repeated brain cloning testing.

Ryu Kyung-soo plays Sang-hun, the research centre director who is determined to succeed in cloning Jung-E’s brain in order to bring the allied forces to victory. His character in this film shows a 180-degree transformation from his previous roles in the film A Resistance as well as in the dramas Itaewon Class and Lovestruck in the City. For Kim Hyun-joo and Ryu Kyung-soo, they will continue to collaborate with director Yeon Sang-ho after working with him on his soon-to-be-released Netflix Series, Hellbound.

Jung-E (WT) has many things going for it: it is director Yeon Sang-ho’s imaginative new sci-fi film; it presents the novel theme of brain cloning a “legendary mercenary” in the 22nd century; it marks the return of the legendary actor Kang Soo-youn and transformative roles for both Kim Hyun-joo and Ryu Kyung-soo; and it delivers plenty of spectacular and realistic action.

The Netflix Film Jung-E (WT) will be released only on Netflix.

Production Information
Title: Jung-E (WT)
Story / Written / Directed by: Yeon Sang-ho
Starring: Kang Soo-youn, Kim Hyun-joo, Ryu Kyung-soo et al.
Produced by: Climax Studio
Distributed by: Netflix

The second season of Hospital Playlist S2 is everything we hoped for and more, and we’re so happy to see everyone again. In addition to the relatable and heartwarming stories, the soundtrack boosts the feels and perfectly complements each episode. Since the soundtrack often consists of covers of popular Korean songs from the ‘90s and ‘00s, it adds a sense of nostalgia and familiarity.

Just like the first season, the songs from the new season are climbing up music charts and hitting all the right notes. Let’s take a closer look at the songs’ lyrics and see how they tie into the episodes.

Bad boys. We love them. We hate them. We love to hate them. The latest K-drama bad boy after our hearts is Song Kang’s character in Nevertheless. His subtle touches and meaningful gazes make us weak in the knees even though there are so many red flags. Bad boys like him definitely make us feel a plethora of emotions, but their appeal is undeniable. There are a lot of different bad boy types and they’ve each got an alluring side to them. Check out some popular bad boys you’ll want to see more of here.

Park Jae-eon — Nevertheless
Nevertheless centers around two art school classmates who feel an instant attraction to one another. Yu Na-bi (Han So-hee) is a love cynic and she knows that Park Jae-eon (Song Kang) might be bad news, but she can’t help being drawn to him. Park Jae-eon has an intoxicating charm that wins over everyone in his vicinity. Whether he’s drawing butterflies on the arms of pretty ladies or giving a smoldering gaze, we can’t talk our eyes off of him. Despite being a playboy with smooth moves, Jae-eon also has a thoughtful side to him making him all the more enticing.

Vincenzo Cassano — Vincenzo
Vincenzo features titular character Vincenzo Cassano (Song Joong-ki) as a mafia consigliere. He’s a smart lawyer who easily outwits his enemies, and he could care less about breaking any rules. Not only is he able to foil the plans of his adversaries, he’s also a sharpshooter and very capable of defending himself. We know Vincenzo has blood on his hands, but he’s got his own moral code and only targets people who deserve punishment. Besides his mafioso side, he always looks super handsome in his slick suits and knows how to win people (and pigeons) over. His soft yet sexy voice and cunning mind will remain in our memories for a long time.

Lee Rang — Tale of the Nine Tailed
Lee Rang (Kim Beom) is a mischievous (and sexy) character who harbors a lot of resentment towards his brother in Tale of the Nine Tailed. His rebellious and spiteful nature makes him out to be an annoying character for much of the drama. However, behind all of his petty bitterness and devious plans to destroy his brother, lies a guy who just wants to be acknowledged by his only brother. He’s too proud to admit that he actually looks up to his brother and wants to be like him. After realizing that he’s actually a softie underneath his pent up abandonment issues, you can’t help but love Lee Rang and see his cute side.

Baek Gyeong — Extraordinary You
Baek Gyeong (Lee Jae-wook) appears to be a stereotypical bad boy character, but he can’t help it since he’s a comic book character in Extraordinary You. He can be rude and haughty, but he’s also very troubled. Never able to defy his abusive father, Baek Gyeong is expected to marry Eun Dan-o (Kim Hye-yoon) to benefit his father’s business. In the comic, Baek Gyeong has to act cold and nonchalant to Dan-o. However, once he becomes aware of the fact that he’s in a comic book, he regrets his actions and opens his heart to Dan-o. Even though he sometimes has a tough exterior, the fact that he feels remorse helps us forgive him.

Gu Dong-mae — Mr. Sunshine
Gu Dong-mae (Yoo Yeon-seok) was born to the lowest caste as the son of a butcher in Mr. Sunshine. After suffering from discrimination, he flees to Japan after the death of his parents. He becomes a violent killer and returns to his homeland to help the Japanese overtake Joseon. Ruthlessly killing innocent people due to his hatred of Joseon’s social hierarchical system, Gu Dong-mae is a vicious character. However, he has a soft spot for Ae-sin (Kim Tae-ri) due to her kindness to him as a child. His tragic childhood and deep affection for Ae-sin makes him a bad boy who gets a chance to redeem himself.

Kwon Si-hyeon — Tempted
Tempted shows chaebol heir Kwon Si-hyeon (Woo Do-hwan) who likes to stir up trouble with his close friends. He ends up agreeing to a bet and taking on the challenge of seducing a college student as a part of a revenge plan. Si-hyeon is well-skilled at the game of love and is considered a great seducer. Once he sets his sights on his target, he never fails. However, things start to stray from his plans when he finds himself falling for her. Through experiencing love, Si-hyeon gradually changes from his spoiled rich kid ways. His sensual charm is what we’ll remember most about his handsome character.

Which of these bad boys do you find irresistible? See all of them in action on Netflix!

Image Courtesy of Netflix