GOKPOP | Exclusive K-News in Malaysia & Singapore

Jackson Wang Wrapped His Busy 4D3N Magic Man World Tour in KL! Do Return for 2nd Show

Friday, December 23, 2022

Actor Lee Jae Wook 1st Visit & Receives Warm Welcome From Malaysian Fans!

Friday, December 23, 2022

Actor Lee Jae Wook made his way to Malaysia on December 20 for the 'Annyeong Kawan with Lee Jae Wook' meet and greet organised by Korea Tourism Organization (KTO). Through the event, KTO officially announced Lee Jae Wook as the Honourary Ambassador of the Korea Tourism Organization. With his appointment, KTO hopes to further elevate Korea as the top travel destination for Malaysians and create more opportunities for Malaysians to discover Korea with Lee Jae Wook.

Ahead of the meet and greet, Lee Jae Wook met the press and talked about his first impression of Malaysia, "I received so much love and warm welcome when I arrived in Malaysia; this will remain as one of my fondest memories. So I would like to say thank you once again." It was reported that more than 500 fans welcomed Lee Jae Wook at the airport. When asked which Malaysian food is his favourite, he said, "I have not tried any of them but I heard there are many delicious foods such as nasi lemak and laksa. So I would definitely give it a try when I have the chance." Fans suggested the actor to go mamak.

Fans recommended #LEEJAEWOOK to eat Mamak food!

Which Mamak stall would you recommend to him? 😍#AnnyeongKawan #AnnyeongKawanWithLeeJaeWook #TraveltoKoreaBeginsAgain #LeeJaeWookinMY pic.twitter.com/bTw7BqYIB0
— GOKPOP (@goKPOP) December 20, 2022

Forwarding to the 'Annyeong Kawan with Lee Jae Wook' meet and greet held at PJPAC at 1 Utama E on the same day - thousands of fans thronged the theatre to catch a glimpse of the celebrity. Rapper Kisum made a special appearance and performed as the opening act for the event. After the opening ceremony, Lee Jae Wook appeared on stage and greeted the fans.

Our first guest, #KISUM is finally here on stage! 😍#AnnyeongKawan #AnnyeongKawanWithLeeJaeWook #TraveltoKoreaBeginsAgain #KISUMinMY pic.twitter.com/ffXNzagZSC
— GOKPOP (@goKPOP) December 20, 2022

The actor also shared his favourite place to visit in Korea and gave hints on what to expect for his ongoing drama Alchemy of Souls season 2. "I often go for a bicycle ride at Han River; do visit the place, and you might see me there." So now, we know where to spot Lee Jae Wook in Seoul. When asked which scene in 'Alchemy of Souls' he liked the most, Lee Jae Wook replied, "The first scene is most impactful as it's three years after his resurrection." The crowd even has the battle to choose between the character Naksu and Mudeok. Guess what Lee Jae Wook's choice is?

Lucky fans also walked away with exclusive Lee Jae Wook merchandise and one-on-one photo opportunities with the actor.

Although it is the actor's first visit to Malaysia, we can see that the actor has a fun day with the fans on stage! Hope Lee Jae Wook will return to Malaysia for his Asia Fan Meeting tour, starting from Seoul on January 14. Will you be there if Lee Jae Wook returns?

Special thanks to KTO Malaysia for the invite.

Im Ji-yeon

Writer Kim Eun-sook and Actress Song Hye-kyo meet for the 2nd time for Netflix 'The Glory'

Tuesday, December 20, 2022

Song Hye-kyo, Lee Do-hyun, Im Ji-yeon, Yeom Hye-ran, Park Sung-hoon, Jung Sung-ill, writer Kim Eun-sook and director An Gil-ho graced 'The Glory' press conference today in Seoul. The Glory objectively and faithfully tells the story of characters who are led to destruction following Dong-eun’s footsteps of vengeance, which she has prepared her whole life.The plot unravels layer after layer with the focus on sympathy and partnership stronger and sturdier than love, so that Dong-eun, “manifestation of honor and glory,” does not lose sight of her goal of revenge. The theme is made clear in the go matches between Dong-eun and Yeo-jeong, and Dong-eun and Do-yeong.

Writer Kim Eun-sook and actress Song Hye-kyo meet for the second time on a series in The Glory, garnering much attention. The two, who have written history on romance dramas, come to viewers as a surprise with this series as it is on a chilling revenge. The main character Dong-eun has endured a long and bleak tunnel of pain planning her vengeance, while her wounds and scars hardened her. Director An Gil-ho was confident in his casting Song Hye-kyo as the lead as he said, “Song Hye-kyo was the best fit for the role of Dong-eun, who is weak but strong at the same time.” Joo Yeo-jeong, Dong-eun’s greatest supporter, seems delicate and naïve but has a hidden darkness within. Writer Kim Eun-sook spared no praise for Lee Do-hyun, who was the manifestation of the character she created, by saying “he was Joo Yeo-jeong from the beginning.”

Dong-eun’s meticulously thought-out vengeance takes into consideration many different players. Yeom Hye-ran takes on the role of Kang Hyeon-nam, who aids Dong-eun by surveilling the group of perpetrators in order to escape domestic violence.

The group of school violence perpetrators led by Yeon-jin include Jeon Jae-jun (portrayed by Park Sung-hoon), Lee Sa-ra (Kim Hieora), Choi Hye-jeong (Cha Joo-young), and Son Myeong-o (Kim Gun-woo), who also add to the colorful storyline. The hierarchy and power dynamics even within this group exposes their nasty sides, making the series more realistic.

Check out some of the interview questions:

Q. What was your first impression of the script?

Song Hye-kyo: Even though it was my second time working with Writer Kim Eun-sook, I was in shock for a while after reading the script for The Glory for the first time. It was intriguing because it was completely different from her past works, which are usually focused on romance, and it was a pleasure to see a different side of her work.

Lee Do-hyun: I read the script in one sitting, without knowing how much time had passed because I couldn’t wait to find out what happens in the end. Yeo-jeong doesn’t appear much in the beginning, which is why I became more curious to find out what kind of character he is. I was up for the challenge to make this character come to life. The storyline itself is very interesting and the flow is spectacular, so I was excited to work on this piece. I knew this wasn’t something I could pass up on.

Lim Ji-yeon: I was shocked and surprised while reading the script, and became really immersed in the storyline. The genre was so new and refreshing that I caught myself thinking, “Writer Kim Eun-sook did it again” and “Wait, is this really Kim Eun-sook?” These thoughts made me want to take on this piece immediately. I wanted to take on this challenge, since I had always wanted to play the antagonist like Yeon-jin.

Q: What kind of character is Moon Dong-eun?

Song Hye-kyo: She is a victim of terrible school violence. She endures an endless tunnel of darkness filled with wrath and hatred, and works bitterly and meticulously for revenge.

Q. What kind of character is Joo Yeo-jeong?

Lee Do-hyun: He might look light and naïve at first, but he has many hidden layers once you get to know him on a deeper level.

Q. What kind of character is Park Yeon-jin?

Lim Ji-yeon: She is a character who gets off scot-free from her childhood bullying days, and lives like nothing had ever happened. Once her past catches up with her picture-perfect life, she fights back to keep what she holds dear.

Q. What is your most memorable line?

Song Hye-kyo: There were many lines that struck me, but I thought the most about the line, “there is no forgiveness, no glory, either.” Though she is a victim of extreme violence, she can become a perpetrator through her revenge. I interpreted this line as Dong-eun wanting her perpetrators to be punished, and at the same time, accepting her own consequent punishment. This is what I kept in mind while portraying Dong-eun.

Lee Do-hyun: “Your life will be in ruins once your revenge is over.” I think this is the first and last time that he earnestly cares for and gives advice to Dong-eun. He wants to help the person he loves get her revenge because she has an ultimate goal in sight, but he’s still worried about her. He goes back and forth those two conflicting thoughts.

Lim Ji-yeon: “Between extreme darkness and white nights, my entire life has been just white nights. It’s always been bright.” This is the line that best shows how Yeon-jin views the world and how she thinks of herself. Rather than looking up characters from other pieces, I tried to build Yeon-jin’s character by finding meaning in her lines.

Q. What should viewers watch for in The Glory?

Song Hye-kyo: All of the cast put their hearts and souls into their characters, which motivated me as well. While I would love for viewers to follow me and my character, I’m sure their experience will be more enjoyable if they also followed other actors as well throughout the show. Director An Gil-ho, Writer Kim Eun-sook, and all of the staff on site really worked hard to make each character come to life.

Lee Do-Hyun: Pay attention to the title, think about what glory means to you. Was that glory a good influence or a bad influence? I want this drama to serve as an opportunity for viewers to reflect on their own lives.

Lim Ji-yeon: I think viewers will find the series even more interesting keeping in mind that this is a chilling and refreshing genre never seen before. Its plot development is immersive, characters are diverse and the story is resounding. These will definitely add to the viewer experience.

Q. Any words for viewers looking forward to The Glory?

Song Hye-kyo: I’m excited that many viewers from around the world can watch The Glory through Netflix. All of the cast and crew members put their best efforts in this show. I hope that our efforts will be recognized by global fans. Please stay tuned for The Glory!

Lee Do-Hyun: This piece contains a lot of Korean sentiments, so I’m really curious to see how it’s received among global audiences. I hope they’ll be immersed in it and enjoy it, since human nature is similar regardless of different cultures. Our cast, crew, directors and writer all worked really hard on this, so I look forward to your support. We won’t let your expectations down. Please stay tuned, spread the word, and I hope the glory of The Glory is all of you, our global viewers.

K-drama

'The Glory' Reveals Song Hye-kyo’s Provocative and Terrifying Vengeance in Main Trailer

Saturday, December 17, 2022

Netflix has released the main trailer for The Glory, the year end’s most anticipated Korean series. Set to premiere on 30 December, The Glory tells the story of a woman who dedicated her life to planning a meticulous web of vengeance against the bullies and their accomplices who made her childhood a nightmare.

Watch 'The Glory' Trailer:

The trailer begins with an ominous narration by Moon Dong-eun (portrayed by Song Hye-kyo) juxtaposing the wedding of Yeon-jin (Lim Ji-yeon), who is smiling brightly as she is congratulated by many wedding guests. As writer Kim Eun-sook put it, “I want The Glory to be remembered as a grim drama, like a breathtaking sword dance.”

Glimpses of Dong-eun’s lifelong plan for revenge plays out as she slowly but surely confronts her childhood bullies — Yeon-jin, Jae-jun (Park Sung-hoon), Sa-ra (Kim Hieora), Hye-jeong (Cha Joo-young), Myeong-o (Kim Gun-woo), and Yeon-jin’s husband Do-yeong (Jung Sung-ill), with some help from Joo Yeo-jeong (Lee Do-Hyun) and Hyeon-nam (Yeom Hye-ran).

Song Hye-kyo aims to shine the spotlight on revenge rather than her character, as she is trying “not to portray Dong-eun as so pitiful, as she needs much consolation.” Working together with director An Gil-ho, the actress put a lot of effort into the details by smoothing out the tone and speed of narration lines to illustrate Dong-eun’s clear sense of purpose in her vengeance.

Lee Do-Hyun introduces Joo Yeo-jeong as “a character with many layers, though he comes off as a light and naïve person.” The actor focused on depicting his character’s soft, delicate side and the hidden darkness within. Director An Gil-ho praised Lee Do-Hyun for his complete immersion into his character and the great lengths he went to for Dong-eun, saying, “He beautifully embodied Yeo-jeong, who seemed to stand opposite Dong-eun at first but changes as the story unfolds.”

Lim Ji-yeon, who portrays Dong-eun’s childhood bully Park Yeon-jin, was confident to take on the challenge of her character, saying that, “I wanted to create an antagonist that only I can play. If I become one with Park Yeon-jin, the character will surely be enthralling.” Writer Kim Eun-sook applauded the actress’ immersion into the complex and demanding character, as the latter agreed with the former’s view that “there will be no logic behind Yeon-jin’s evildoing, nor any romanticisation of her actions. That is the reason for this series.”

Dong-eun’s dangerous and meticulous revenge saga will be revealed when The Glory premieres on 30 December, only on Netflix.

Disney Content Showcase

Star-Studded Lineup for Disney Content Showcase in Singapore Featuring Jung Hae-in, Ko Kyung-pyo, Lee Sung-kyung, Kim Young-kwang and More

Saturday, December 17, 2022

Several of Korea’s biggest entertainment stars and creatives touched down in Singapore on 30 November to attend the Disney Content Showcase. Featuring announcements for over 50 titles, including an upcoming slate of movies and series from Marvel Studios, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar, Lucasfilm and an expanding collection of APAC Originals for Disney+ and Disney+ Hotstar, day one of the showcase delighted Korean drama and K-pop fans with exciting updates for over a dozen shows set to launch on Disney’s streaming service in the next year and beyond.

Hosted at Singapore’s iconic Marina Bay Sands, some of the top talent from Big Bet, Connect, and the newly announced series Call It Love were on stage at the showcase to share details of what audiences can expect from the upcoming series.

Cast of 'Connect' Posing at Red Carpet

Jung Haein for Kdrama 'Connect'

Ko Kyungpyo for K-drama 'Connect'

Kim Hyejun for K-drama 'Connect'

With all episodes to launch on Disney+, Disney+ Hotstar and Hulu on December 7, Connect stars Jung Haein as Ha Dongsoo - a new type of immortal human known as a “connect”, who is kidnapped by a gang of organ harvesters determined to take his eyes. During the showcase, Korean stars Jung Haein, Ko Kyungpyo, Kim Hyejun and legendary Japanese director Miike Takashi made appearances on stage, sharing their excitement about the upcoming series with over 400 international press and partners in attendance.

Cast of 'Big Bet' Posing at Red Carpet

Heo Sungtae, Lee Donghwi and director Kang Yunsung for crime drama 'Big Bet'

Big Bet stars Lee Donghwi and Heo Sungtae, and director Kang Yunsung also made an appearance to promote this upcoming tale of a man who struggles to become a casino mogul but soon after hits rock bottom due to a chain of unfortunate events. Set to debut on Disney+, Disney+ Hotstar and Hulu on December 21, Big Bet also stars legendary Old Boy actor Choi Minsik in his first return to TV in 25 years.

Cast of 'Call It Love' Posting at Red Carpet

Lee Sung-kyuung for K-drama 'Call It Love'

Kim Youngkwang for K-drama 'Call It Love'

Director Lee Kwangyoung and stars Kim Youngkwang and Lee Sungkyoung rounded out the Korean segment’s surprise appearances to officially announce their Korean drama Call It Love, which is set to launch on Disney+ Hotstar next year. Centered around the main protagonist, Woojoo, Call It Love follows her on a downward spiral after she discovers her father’s infidelity. Woojoo’s situation goes from bad to worse when her father unexpectedly dies and his mistress kicks her out of the family home, but while she plans her revenge, Woojoo begins to fall in love with a man who turns out to be the son of the woman who ruined her life.

Big Bet, Connect and Call it Love were just a few of the newly announced Korean series updates from today’s content showcase, including:

Moving: Starring Ryu Seungryong, Han Hyojoo and Zo Insung, Moving is based on a popular webtoon by Kang Full and tells the story of three teenagers who discover they’ve inherited unusual powers from their secret agent parents.

The Worst of Evil: Set in 1990s Korea, The Worst of Evil follows an investigative taskforce as their undercover officer, Park Joonmo, infiltrates a new criminal organization responsible for fuelling a drug trafficking triangle. Starring Ji Changwook, Wi Hajun and Lim Semi, production is currently underway on this exciting new crime drama.

The Zone 2: Survival Mission: Following a breakout first season, veteran entertainers Yu Jaesuk, Lee Kwangsoo and Kwon Yuri return to The Zone for a second season of this beloved variety show that will challenge them to survive several everyday disaster scenarios.

Soundtrack # 2: Music enthusiasts Hyunseo and Suho met as a vocalist and keyboardist in a college band and fell in love, spending almost every day together for six years. However, once they graduated, the pressures of life began to build and the two eventually split. Four years after their breakup, fate brings them back together again, but will they be able to rekindle what they once had?

Shadow Detective Season 2: Directed by Han Donghwa, Lee Sungmin, Gyeong Sujin, and Lee Hakjoo return for another series of Shadow Detective. With the stakes now higher than ever, will Detective Taekrok be able to solve his final case before it’s too late?

RACE: Written by acclaimed screenwriter Kim Roori and starring Lee Yeonhee, Moon Sori, Hong Jonghyun and Chung Yunho, RACE is about a mediocre employee who unleashes her potential after discovering she was hired at her top-tier publicity company for diversity reasons.

SUPER JUNIOR: THE LAST MAN STANDING: On November 6, 2005, a K-pop group, SUPER JUNIOR 05, made their debut. First leaving their mark on Asia, they rapidly grew, becoming SUPER JUNIOR, and amazed audiences across the world. In SUPER JUNIOR: THE LAST MAN STANDING, viewers are taken behind-the-scenes in a one-of-a-kind exploration of SUPER JUNIOR and its members, offering new insights into the modern K-pop industry.

NCT 127 The Lost Boys (Working Title): Documenting this popular Korean boyband on their 2022-2023 World Tour across North America, Korea, Japan and South East Asia, NCT 127 The Lost Boys will follow Mark, Johnny and Yuta in a series that will track the band's growth and success over the years.

j-hope Solo Documentary (Working Title): Following pop star j-hope in the lead-up to his recently released solo album, this upcoming documentary features never-before-seen interviews with j-hope, a behind the scenes look at his solo album preparation process, his 2022 Lollapalooza performance and a unique look at the album’s listening party.

BTS MONUMENTS: BEYOND THE STAR: An exclusive Disney+ Hotstar original, this music docu-series will chart the incredible journey of 21st century pop icons BTS. With unprecedented access to a vast library of music and footage over the past nine years, the series will feature the daily lives, thoughts and plans of BTS members, as they prepare for their second chapter.

Announced as part of the Disney Content Showcase, these Korean Originals were also revealed alongside a host of Japanese live action and anime titles and Indonesian dramas as part of the Company’s ambitious plans to greenlight over 50 APAC Originals by 2023.

Jackson Wang Wrapped His Busy 4D3N Magic Man World Tour in KL! Do Return for 2nd Show

Actor Lee Jae Wook 1st Visit & Receives Warm Welcome From Malaysian Fans!

Writer Kim Eun-sook and Actress Song Hye-kyo meet for the 2nd time for Netflix 'The Glory'

'The Glory' Reveals Song Hye-kyo’s Provocative and Terrifying Vengeance in Main Trailer

Star-Studded Lineup for Disney Content Showcase in Singapore Featuring Jung Hae-in, Ko Kyung-pyo, Lee Sung-kyung, Kim Young-kwang and More

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