While foreign superheroes and people with supernatural powers are taking up the local cinema screens, stories of desperate ordinary people will propel JTBC’s new series “Miss Hammurabi.” The series is an adaptation of a best-selling novel of the same title, written by real-life judge Moon Yoo-suk, who also participated in the scriptwriting of the series. The story will center on three judges with completely different perspectives. Go A-ra plays a rookie judge while Kim Myung-soo, better known as

Kim Dong-jun to fill up Lee Seo-won’s leave amid sexual harassment allegation

Mina of the girl group Gugudan has joined the cast of the upcoming TV drama series “Gyeryong Fairy Tale.” Gugudan member Mina (Jellyfish Entertainment)Based on a well-known webtoon of the same title, “Gyeryong Fairy Tale” is a series that revolves around seonnyeo -- women who appear in Korean folklore and who live in heaven. In the series, actress Moon Chae-won plays a seonnyeo who tries to find her husband. Mina will play the daughter of the seonnyeo. In the story, the daughter reunites with he

Network broadcaster MBC on Wednesday said the producers of a controversial episode of its entertainment show “Omniscient” had no intention of offending the victims of the Sewol ferry disaster with the use of news footage of the accident.The committee formed on May 9 to conduct an internal audit over the entertainment show’s use of news clips and a word regarding the Sewol ferry disaster made the announcement during a press conference held at the network’s headquarters located in Sangam-dong, wes

Network broadcaster MBC is conducting an investigation of its hit entertainment show for its offensive use of news clips from the Sewol ferry disaster. In an episode of “Omniscient” aired on May 5, the production team used news coverage clips from the Sewol ferry sinking to describe comedian Lee Young-ja, one of the cast members on the show, eating fish cake.  Screenshots of “Omniscient” using Sewol ferry accident news coverage clips (MBC)More than 300 people, mostly high school students on a fi

Hollywood actor Ryan Reynolds wowed Korean audiences by making a surprise appearance on MBC’s “King of Mask Singer” on Sunday. Reynolds, who visited Korea on May 1 to promote “Deadpool 2,” which opens this week, reportedly took part in the show in the middle of the movie promotions tour.Clad with a silver cape and unicorn-shaped mask, Reynolds sang “Tomorrow” from the “Annie” musical.Not knowing who was behind the mask, the panel of the show expected he would be either local TV personality Rober

Upcoming SBS drama series “Secret Mother” hopes to draw attention to the overheated Korean education environment, adding elements of mystery along the way. The Saturday-Sunday TV series features Kim So-yeon and Song Yoon-ah as the main leads. The story is set around “Gangnam mothers,” referring to moms excessively committed to their children, especially for their academic achievements.  Song Yoon-ah (left) and Kim So-yeon pose for photos at a press event held for “Secret Mother” at SBS headquart

Ha Ji-won has agreed to become a full-time cast member of a new tvN sci-fi series, according to her agency on Friday. Ha Ji-won (Yonhap)TvN’s new sci-fi reality show is designed to bring viewers information regarding Mars. The cast will visit the Mars Desert Research Station in the US state of Utah to film in June. The station offers a simulated Mars environment and space missions for Earth-based research. Girl group Gugudan’s Kim Se-jung and well-known celebrity explorer of “Law of the Jungle”

Cable channel tvN’s new courtroom drama series “Lawless Lawyer” aims to set itself apart from other works of the genre, with its lawyers winning not just lawsuits, but also fights. The new Saturday-Sunday series features actors Lee Joon-gi and Seo Ye-ji as the main leads. Lee is to play a gangster-turned-lawyer who seeks revenge against the powerful. The story takes place in the fictional city of Kisung, where corruption is rampant.  Lee Joon-gi and Seo Ye-ji pose for photos at a media briefing

Actress Park Shin-hye will star in tvN’s new drama series “Memories of the Alhambra.”Park is to take the role of a character named Jung Hee-ju, who owns an old hostel in Granada, Spain. Hyun Bin is the other protagonist in the series, playing a mysterious man who visits the hostel on a business trip.  Park Shin-hye (SALT Entertainment)Alhambra, which means “red palace” in Arabic, is a palace located in the city of Granada, a popular tourist destination. The actress is currently traveling in Spai

Comedian Park Myung-soo will star in a new health-themed variety show, according to OtvN on Monday.“Today Tomorrow” (working title) will feature a cast of middle-aged men traveling around the country to ease their health concerns with healthy food after undergoing medical checkups.  Park Myung-soo (Yonhap)The program hopes to resonate with middle-aged men who strive to find a balance between work and a healthy lifestyle, and provide health tips, said its director Sung Jong-kyu. “It’s quite an ob

The 54th Baeksang Arts Awards ceremony was held Thursday, honoring outstanding local entertainment productions. The awards ceremony has been held annually since 1965 to recognize achievements in the TV and film industry. This year’s event took place at the Coex Convention & Exhibition Center in southern Seoul. It was hosted by comedian Shin Dong-yup, singer-actress Suzy and actor Park Bo-gum.  Winners of the 54th Baeksang Arts Awards (Yonhap)TvN’s mystery-thriller drama “Stanger” and the period

Succeeding the hit entertainment show “Infinite Challenge,” MBC’s new quiz show “Quiz Q” begins with a great burden.Beloved TV series “Infinite Challenge” aired its last episode on April 21, after a 13-year run. The series earned the nickname “national entertainment show,” gaining popularity across all age groups. Producer Kim Tae-ho of the show announced a sudden halt last March, citing the need for a break. He explained, “It has been hard to keep the show’s original color while maintaining fre

(Afreeca TV)Dahee, formerly of now-defunct K-pop girl group Glam, started a new career as a BJ on popular video-streaming service.After breaking the news on her social media account last week, she took to her first broadcast on Tuesday with a new moniker Kim Si-won. It was Dahee’s first broadcast appearance in four years. “I have been working in part-time jobs and as a fitting modes. I wanted to sing so badly,” said Dahee during the broadcast. “I decided to become a BJ after much thought. I ask

Popular animation character Pucca is to off to a new start, partnering with media mogul CJ E&M. Pucca, created by Korean company VOOZ, is an internationally known animation character. Designed with an image of an Asian girl, the red-and-black character is active, energetic and bold, not hesitating to express her affection for ninja Garu. Pucca (VOOZ)Pucca, as a brand, marked $90 million in royalty profit over the past 10 years. More than 90 percent of the profit was generated overseas. According