Latest news with #Disney+Korea
Korea Herald
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Disney+'s ‘Low Life' brings 1970s treasure hunt to life
Tentpole series brings together A-list stars, 'Big Bet,' 'Misaeng' creators One of Disney+ Korea's most ambitious original series for 2025 is about to make its debut, backed by a star-studded cast and the creative forces behind Korean hits such as "Misaeng" and "Big Bet." Bringing together director Kang Yoon-sung — best known for Disney+'s "Big Bet" and the box office smash "The Outlaws" — and "Misaeng" creator and acclaimed webtoon writer Yoon Tae-ho, 'Low Life' unfolds in 1977, following a group of individuals locked in a battle over a sunken treasure ship. The project boasts a star-studded lineup, including Disney+ "Moving" star Ryu Seung-ryong and Lim Soo-jung, beloved for K-content classic hits such as "I'm Sorry, I Love You" and "Finding Mr. Destiny." Rounding out the ensemble are TVXQ's Jung Yun-ho and Lee Dong-hwi, known for "Reply 1988" and "Casino." Director Kang noted that working with such a diverse group of performers injected a distinctive energy into the production. 'It was my first time creating such a large number of characters with so many actors, each with their own unique personalities. I found this way of making a drama fun," said Kang, at a press conference in Yeouido, Seoul, Tuesday. The characters come alive on screen, each with distinct personalities, gathering around the treasure like a pack of hungry hyenas. According to the director, their portrayals were shaped significantly through the actors' input during filming. 'Each character carries the language of the actors," said Kang. "I set the standard that if a character transforms through the actor's unique style, we should embrace it as it is, and that's how we filmed. Since every character is essentially created by the actors themselves, whenever there were differences from what I had imagined, I accepted them all and allowed for changes accordingly," he said. 'As the actors helped the characters grow with each shoot, I had no choice but to revise the original script that had been prepared in advance. I think I ended up revising the lines at every moment,' added Kang. The cast and creators also highlighted the effort made to faithfully recreate the 1970s. Lim Soo-jung, who plays Jung-sook — an ambitious woman financing the treasure-hunting group — shared how she embraced the fashion of the era. 'I did the most glamorous things a woman of that era could do. From hair and makeup to jewelry, she wore everything that could represent that time period. It's a portrayal that perfectly fits the character Jung-sook. A lot of effort was put into the visual details,' she said. Kang added, 'Through 'Low Life,' I want to share with many viewers how fiercely our parents lived in the 1970s and what kind of emotions they carried.' The first three episodes of "Low Life" will premiere July 16 on Disney+, with two new episodes releasing every Wednesday thereafter.
Korea Herald
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Son Suk-ku reflects on his winning streak
TV, streaming clout discusses his latest project 'Nine Puzzles,' his sharpening acumen Son Suk-ku's hit series streak is showing no signs of stopping. His latest project, "Nine Puzzles," debuted on Disney+ on May 21 and quickly soared to become the second most-watched Korean title on the platform during its premiere week, trailing only behind Disney+ Korea's record-breaking series "Moving." Meanwhile, JTBC's fantasy human drama "Heavenly Ever After," which premiered on April 19, has emerged as one of the most buzzworthy dramas of the first half of 2025. This is thanks in part to its unexpected yet touching romantic storyline between Son and 83-year-old veteran actress Kim Hye-ja. Reflecting on his career, which includes back-to-back hits from "A Killer Paradox,' (2024) 'D.P. 2,' (2023) 'Big Bet' (2022) and 'My Liberation Notes,' (2022), and his criteria for choosing projects, Son said during a press roundtable in Seoul on Thursday that he thought his instincts were sharpening with experience. 'My standard when selecting projects is that it has to be fun,' he said. 'That word might sound light, but I think creating something genuinely fun is one of the hardest things to do. But I feel like I'm slowly developing an eye for spotting that kind of thing.' He added, 'If I can summarize the premise of a script in a sentence or two to a friend or family member, like, 'Hey, this story is about this' — then I see that as a sign it has a strong foundation. But if it's hard to do that, then I see it (as having a lower chance of success)." "Nine Puzzles" stars Kim Da-mi as Yi-na, a woman haunted by the unsolved murder of her uncle, for which she was the sole witness and a prime suspect. A decade later, Detective Han-saem (Son) remains convinced of her guilt. The case takes a turn when Yi-na receives a mysterious puzzle piece, echoing one discovered at the original crime scene. The series fuses heightened, stylized visuals with a noir-inflected mystery narrative, embracing a cartoon-like aesthetic that pulls viewers into an otherworldly world. According to Son, the creative team and the cast intentionally crafted that unique atmosphere throughout the production. 'The visual aspects — especially the costumes — were largely influenced by the established world that the director had already created. We followed the mise-en-scene that was carefully crafted to fit that world,' said Son. 'If we had placed this story in a purely realistic tone, I don't think it would have had the same charm, and it might have felt less convincing,' he added. He continued, 'The design choices stemmed from the metaphor of puzzles. Since the crimes unfold through puzzle pieces, the production, from costumes to set design, was built to reflect that imagery.' As for the show's ambiguous final moment, which teases the appearance of another puzzle, Son said he did not see it as an ending meant to open up another season. 'There were no discussions about a second season,' he said. 'I didn't view the ending as a lead-in, but more as a symbol of continuity — life goes on in that world, and new crimes emerge. That puzzle could be interpreted as a copycat case, but for me, it simply represented another incident.' On the possibility of returning for season 2, Son was measured: 'I think the chances are very slim. Not just due to scheduling conflicts, but because of various other circumstances. I don't think it's likely.'
Pink Villa
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Kim Da Mi, Son Suk Ku's Nine Puzzles becomes 2nd most-watched K-drama debut for Disney+ after Moving, check finale date
Following the unprecedented global success of Moving, another Korean original is taking center stage on Disney+. The gripping psychological drama Nine Puzzles has become the platform's second most-watched Korean series in its debut week based on cumulative viewing hours. The series, starring Kim Da Mi and Son Suk Ku, is trailing just behind Moving. Disney+ officially confirmed the news on June 2, sparking renewed excitement among drama enthusiasts worldwide. What's the plot of Nine Puzzles? Nine Puzzles isn't your average whodunit. The series follows the life of Ena, played by Kim Da Mi. As a teenager, she was the lone witness in a brutal murder case that remained unsolved for over a decade. She is a now-renowned criminal profiler whose career is rooted in deep personal trauma. Despite being cleared, suspicions lingered, especially from Detective Han Saem, portrayed by Son Suk Ku. He has long believed Ena knows more than she's letting on. Years later, a new chain of murders begins to mirror the original case. It drags both Ena and Han Saem back into a labyrinth of secrets, deception, and unresolved guilt. As the investigation progresses, the fragile line between hunter and hunted begins to blur. Is Ena truly the key to solving the mystery or is she still hiding something? A drama that makes you think What makes Nine Puzzles stand out isn't just its premise, but its execution. The series weaves together memory, psychological trauma, and emotional manipulation. It creates a constantly shifting web of trust and doubt. Rather than relying solely on suspense or action, the show excels in building tension through subtle foreshadowing and sharp character development. Kim Da Mi delivers a layered performance as Ena, whose cool composure hides a turbulent inner world. Son Suk Ku's portrayal of Han Saem brings intensity and vulnerability in equal measure. Anticipation skyrockets ahead of finale Nine Puzzles has maintained a slow burn over the weeks. However, with the final two episodes (10 and 11) set to drop simultaneously on June 4, the stakes are higher than ever. The plot has been inching toward a revelation that could completely upend everything viewers thought they knew. Fan theories are exploding online. With its bold narrative style and rich character studies, Nine Puzzles has proven that Korean thrillers continue to raise the bar in storytelling. Its climb to the second-highest debut in Disney+ Korea originals is a proof of its magnetic pull and widespread intrigue. Whether you're a fan of crime thrillers, psychological dramas, or just love smart writing, Nine Puzzles promises a finale that will leave audiences speechless. It may even have viewers rewatching the entire series to catch the subtle clues they missed the first time.
Korea Herald
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
MBC's decision to broadcast Disney+'s 'Big Bet' met with internal dissent
After airing 'Moving' in January, TV network increasingly looks to fill slots with content from streaming services MBC, one of South Korea's leading television networks, is facing mounting backlash from its own producers following the decision to broadcast Disney+ Korea's hit original series "Big Bet," beginning in July. The series, which stars veteran actors Choi Min-sik and Son Suk-ku, originally ran on Disney+ for two seasons between 2022 and 2023. MBC has confirmed that "Big Bet" season 1 will air Fridays and Saturdays at 10 p.m. throughout July, while season 2 will move to a regular Sunday night slot starting in August. The series will retain its original 19+ rating, though MBC said some edits would be needed to meet broadcast review standards. MBC said the broadcast of "Big Bet" reflects its ongoing effort to offer strategic curation of carefully selected, proven programs, adding that it aimed to broaden viewers' content choices. However, the move has triggered significant internal dissent. A total of 53 producers and production staff from MBC's drama division recently issued a joint statement condemning the decision. Via the statement, the producers criticized the management's push to delay its upcoming series — "Judge Lee Han-young" — originally slated for the same time slot as "Big Bet." 'The seriousness of the matter is heightened by the fact that the originally planned drama production was postponed to next year, in order to artificially create a budget surplus for this year,' the statement said. As a result of MBC's decision to air "Big Bet," "Judge Lee Han-young," an adaptation of a popular Naver webtoon, has been pushed back to early 2026. The drama, which features a cast including Ji Sung, Won Jin-ah and Park Hee-soon, follows a judge who, after his unjust demise, returns to the past to deliver righteous judgments. The statement accused MBC of bypassing producers in making the programming decision, and warned of a potential fallout with the series' cast. "Due to the management's decision to schedule 'Big Bet,' 'Judge Lee Han-young' now requires renegotiation with its lead actors,' it read. The producers are demanding a full reconsideration of the "Big Bet" rollout, the restoration of decision-making authority to drama teams, and reforms to what they call profit-centered management practices. Meanwhile, this is not the first time MBC has broadcast content from streaming services to fill its drama slots. In January, the network aired the Disney+ blockbuster "Moving," broadcasting two episodes every Sunday. The strategy reflects an emerging trend in Korean broadcasting, where legacy networks are increasingly looking to partner with streaming platforms to mitigate soaring content production costs and appeal to broader demographics. The shift comes amid growing financial strain across Korea's terrestrial broadcasters. KBS has reported a cumulative net loss of 14.1 billion won ($10,228,768) over the past three years, while SBS posted an operating loss of 19.2 billion won in 2024 -- its first deficit since 2016 -- and MBC's operating profit plunged from 56.6 billion won in 2022 to 6.6 billion won last year.
Time of India
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
From 'Start-Up' to 'Delusion': Suzy and Kim Seon Ho reunite for 2026 K-drama mystery thriller
Reuniting for the first time since their hit 2020 drama Start-Up, Suzy and Kim Seon Ho's highly anticipated K-drama Delusion has officially confirmed its release timeline. On May 23, Disney+ Korea made the announcement at an open house event at the Walt Disney Company Korea headquarters in Gangnam, Seoul. Delusion is slated to premiere in 2026 and filming for the same began in early 2025, with full-scale production scheduled between March and May. The 10-episode series will stream exclusively on Disney+ upon release. Casting changes The lead roles were initially offered to Ryu Jun-yeol and Han So-hee, but both actors withdrew from the project following their breakup in March 2024. Soon after, Suzy and Kim Seon Ho were cast for this role. About 'Delusion' The story is a mystery thriller with fantasy and romance elements and is based on the popular webtoon by Hongjacga. Set in 1935 Gyeongseong (modern-day Seoul), the story follows Yun Yi-ho (played by Kim Seon Ho), a struggling artist commissioned to paint Song Jeong-hwa (played by Suzy), the mysterious owner of the Nammoon Hotel — who is secretly a vampire. As the portrait progresses, Yun discovers a chilling pattern: previous artists have all vanished under mysterious circumstances, unraveling a dark and dangerous secret. The cast & characters Bae Suzy stars as Song Jeong-hwa, the alluring and eerie hotel owner who hasn't been seen in public for over 50 years. She hides a centuries-old secret beneath her eternal beauty. Kim Seon Ho plays Yun Yi-ho, an artist searching for meaning and artistic inspiration. As he becomes entranced by Jeong-hwa, he's drawn deeper into a web of mystery, fear, and forbidden romance. Other cast members include Huh Joon-ho, Choi Hyun-wook, and Kim Young-kwang. Production team details Director: Han Jae-rim (The King, Emergency Declaration, The 8 Show) Production companies: Showbox, Magnum Nine Platform: Disney+ Episodes: 10 Release year: 2026 For all the latest K-drama, K-pop, and Hallyuwood updates, keep following our coverage here.
