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Japan Times
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Japan Times
‘Harbin': Somber historical drama sees act of mercy lead to bloodshed
Ahn Jung-geun, a Korean independence fighter, shot and killed Japanese statesman Hirobumi Ito at the train station in Harbin — a northeastern Chinese city then under Russian control — on Oct. 26, 1909. Generations of Koreans have since revered him as a national hero. The Japanese government, which ruled Korea as a colony from 1910 to 1945, once regarded him as a terrorist. All of the movies about Ahn have understandably been Korean, though the latest, Woo Min-ho's 'Harbin' is not a flag-waving celebration of his violent gesture of resistance. Rather, the film, which became a No. 1 hit in South Korea following its December 2024 release, is somber in tone, shot in richly atmospheric browns and grays in South Korea, Mongolia and Latvia — the latter a stand-in for Harbin and Russia's Vladivostok. Also, Hyun Bin as Ahn is a complex personality with a cloud of self-chosen doom hanging over him. And his allies in his assassination plot have their own identities and narrative arcs that make 'Harbin' more of an ensemble piece than a one-man show. The only two Japanese characters — Lily Franky's Ito and Park Hoon's Maj. Tatsuo Mori, a gimlet-eyed army officer who becomes Ahn's implacable nemesis — are framed as villains, though Franky's layered performance, with its projection of inner steel beneath a velvety urbane exterior, is a master class in doing much with little. The action begins in the winter of 1908, when Anh, a Korean resistance army general, leads his outnumbered forces in a surprise attack on a Japanese unit that ends in brutal hand-to-hand combat (think 'Gladiator,' not 'Saving Private Ryan') and victory for the Korean side. Over the objections of several of his subordinates, Ahn decides to spare his handful of prisoners, but Mori, one of captured men, can never forgive Ahn for denying him an honorable warrior's death. Once freed, Mori promptly mounts a lightning raid on Ahn's camp while the general is away. Returning to a scene of slaughter, Ahn is swept by feelings of guilt and remorse. He decides to avenge the spirits of the dead by killing Ito, the leading Japanese architect of Korea's colonization. The story focuses on the days leading up to Ito's assassination and follows the outline of actual events, if with an emphasis more on thriller tension than the political and historical backdrop behind the plot. There are also twists aplenty, with the plotters divided between a true-blue loyalist like Woo Duk-soon (Park Jeong-min), who fought with Ahn and trusts his leadership, and a malcontent like Lee Chang-sup (Lee Dong-wook), who also served under Ahn but vehemently opposed his decision to let the Japanese prisoners live. These interpersonal clashes, as well as the complications that follow on the arrival of a possible traitor, may not be always easy to follow in the gloom of the various hideouts, alleyways and night journeys, but they add texture to what would have otherwise been a simple story running on predetermined rails. There is also a spare poetic beauty in cinematographer Hong Kyeong-pyo's camerawork, beginning with an opening drone shot of Ahn crossing a frozen lake in bitter cold, looking like a determined lone traveler in an alien hellscape. An apt metaphor for Ahn, who stopped at nothing to carry out his mission despite the nearly insurmountable difficulties — and the ultimate personal cost.
GMA Network
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- GMA Network
Hyun Bin is coming to Manila this August, and here's how you can win a chance to meet him
Hyun Bin is coming to Manila this August! Solaire Resort announced that they're bringing the South Korean star to the city on August 8, and fans can score a chance to meet him in person. Every P2,000 net single spend receipt in bars and restaurants at Solaire equals one raffle entry. You can transform the receipts into golden tickets at the Raffle Redemption Hub at: Solaire Resort Entertainment City: Solaire Box Office (across the Grand Ballroom) Solaire Resort North: Level 2 (beside the function lift) All raffle entries submitted from July 1 to 31 will be eligible for the draw. Winners will be drawn on July 31 at 7 p.m. Hyun Bin is famous for the popular drama "Crash Landing on You," where he starred alongside his now wife Son Ye Jin. The actor also starred in "My Lovely Sam Soon" and "Secret Garden," among others. —JCB, GMA Integrated News
Hindustan Times
15-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
From Kim Soo Hyun to Lee Jung Jae: List of top-paid Korean actors of 2025 revealed
Whether it's the explosive success of Squid Game or the slow-burn romance of Queen of Tears, K-dramas have carved out a massive global following. But while we binge these stories, the stars behind them are quietly making history with their earnings. According to Zee News, here's a detailed look at eight of Korea's top-paid actors and actresses in 2025, along with what they earn per episode. Also Read: From F1 to M3GAN 2.0: 7 major movies releasing in the second half of June 2025 you shouldn't miss The Squid Game star is reportedly the highest-paid Korean actor, according to Forbes, earning $1 million per episode for Seasons 2 and 3. That paycheck not only makes him the face of dystopian drama, it also places him at the top of South Korea's earnings chart. His popularity soars with each project—and so does his bank balance. Tatler Asia cited his per-episode fee for One Ordinary Day at $423,000, while The Korea Times pegged his Queen of Tears deal at $3.7 million for 16 episodes—roughly $231,250 per episode. A fan favorite since Crash Landing on You, Hyun Bin continues to command huge fees. reports his earnings at around $167,000 per episode, while Times of India states his total net worth stands at $21 million. From Boys Over Flowers to The King: Eternal Monarch, Lee Min Ho's appeal is universal. reports he earns $167,000 per episode, and GQ India says his net worth is $26 million. Known for Dae Jang Geum and Lady Vengeance, she remains a respected figure in Korean entertainment. Her reported fee is ₩100M per episode, which is approximately $90,700. The queen of My Sassy Girl and My Love from the Star, Jun Ji Hyun, reportedly earns ₩110M per episode, which converts to $99,900 USD. also lists her fee at around $83,500 per episode. ALSO READ: Netflix this weekend: 10 best K-dramas for thrillers and rom-coms lovers With Reborn Rich, he reportedly charged ₩300 million per episode. According to Bollywood Life, his net worth reached $40.3 million, thanks to blockbuster dramas like Vincenzo and his strategic role choices. From Autumn in My Heart to The Glory, her repertoire is as powerful as her pay. She earns ₩60M per episode, which is about $54,400. Lee Jung Jae, with $1 million per episode for Squid Game, is currently the highest-paid Korean actor. Jun Ji Hyun ranks among the top, earning nearly $100,000 per episode. Lee Min Ho and Hyun Bin are among the wealthiest male stars. Among actresses, Song Hye Kyo and Jun Ji Hyun lead the list. Kim Soo-Hyun and Lee Jung Jae are both top contenders, based on popularity and pay scale in 2025.
News18
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
From Romance To Revenge: 10 K-Dramas To Binge-Watch On Netflix This Weekend
Last Updated: With swoon-worthy love stories, spine-chilling thrillers and heartwarming tales of friendship, Netflix has got you covered. With such a wide range of Korean dramas available across streaming platforms, one is bound to get confused about what to watch next. So, if you are in the mood to binge-watch a drama this weekend, whether comedy, tragedy, thriller or romance, then hop onto Netflix as it has a perfect pick for each one of your moods. With swoon-worthy love stories, spine-chilling thrillers and heartwarming tales of friendship, Netflix has got you covered. Here's a list of the top 10 K-dramas on the streaming platform for your every mood. Crash Landing On You (2019) One of the best K-dramas in the rom-com genre, Crash Landing On You revolves around a South Korean heiress who lands in North Korea after a paragliding mishap. She meets with an officer, who falls in love with her and helps her get back to her home. It features Hyun Bin and Son Ye Jin as the lead couple. Vincenzo (2021) Vincenzo Cassano is not your average hero. He is a Korean-Italian lawyer who used to work for the mafia. When he returns to Seoul, he starts living in a building full of quirky tenants and battles a ruthless corporation. The crime drama with a hint of romance, featuring Song Joong Ki, Jeon Yeo Been and Taecyeon, is perfect if you are in the mood to watch some thrilling action. It's Okay To Not Be Okay (2020) This is not just another love story. It is all about healing. Starring Kim Soo Hyun, Seo Ye Ji and Oh Jung Se, it tells the story of a caregiver and a children's book author who slowly open up to each other and heal their deep emotional wounds. Kingdom (2019-2021) Kingdom, based on the webtoon Kingdom of Gods, is a blend of royal politics with a zombie outbreak. Set in 17th-century Joseon, the story follows the Crown Prince, who sets out to investigate the mysterious illness affecting the king when he finds himself in the middle of a zombie outbreak. It features Ju Ji Hoon, Bae Doona and Kim Sung Kyu in pivotal roles. Hospital Playlist (2020-2021) Looking for a heartwarming tale of friendship? Then, the Hospital Playlist should be your pick. It follows the lives of five doctors in their forties working at the Yulje Medical Centre, who became friends while they were in medical school. This slice-of-life medical drama is less about surgeries and more about connections with people. It stars Jo Jung Suk, Yoo Yeon Seok, Jung Kyung Ho, Kim Dae Myung, and Jeon Mi Do. The Glory (2022-2023) A woman, who was bullied beyond belief in high school, returns to take revenge on her bullies years later. This gripping revenge drama is intense, emotionally and morally complex. With Song Hye Kyo starring as the lead, The Glory left us asking just one question: How far can someone go for justice? Twenty-Five Twenty-One (2022) A love story at first, Twenty-Five Twenty-One ultimately turns into a heartbreaking tale. Set in the late '90s in Korea, the drama follows the lives of a passionate teen fencer and a hardworking young man, who rebuilds his life from scratch after the IMF crisis. It stars Kim Tae Ri and Nam Joo Hyuk as the lead couple. Extraordinary Attorney Woo (2022) The legal drama follows the life of an autistic lawyer named Woo Young Woo. Because she is different from her peers, she faces several challenges in her life. However, with every case that she takes up, Attorney Woo proves her mettle. Park Eun Bin stars as the titular character. Alchemy Of Souls (2022-2023) In the land of Daeho, souls can shift bodies, and good and evil powers fight to control the misuse of such magic. The story follows the lives of young mages as they overcome their twisted fates due to a forbidden spell known as the Alchemy of Souls. Lee Jae Wook, Jung So Min, Go Youn Jung, and Hwang Min Hyun are among the actors in this fantasy romance. Sweet Home (2020-2024) In Sweet Home, a group of strangers gets trapped in an apartment as people around them mysteriously turn into monsters based on their inner desires. All of them fight for survival. A mix of horror and survival genres, the drama features Song Kang as the lead. First Published: June 14, 2025, 12:42 IST
Hindustan Times
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Netflix this weekend: 10 best K-dramas for thrillers and rom-coms lovers
From swoon-worthy romantic comedies to edge-of-your-seat thrillers, Netflix has something for every K-drama fan. Whether you are in the mood for a dark, action-packed mystery or a heartwarming love story to enjoy with someone special, the platform's collection will not disappoint. Hyun Bin plays a North Korean army officer, and Son Ye-jin is a chaebol heiress who crash-lands in his territory. The show blends romance, politics, and culture clashes. Directed by Kim Hee-won, this one mixes crime, dark comedy and justice r. Song Joong-ki shines as Vincenzo Cassano, a Korean-Italian consigliere who returns to Seoul and ends up fighting a corrupt corporation from inside a run-down building with wild tenants. The show stands out for its gorgeous visual style, fairytale symbolism, and how it handles mental health – not in a preachy way, but with empathy and originality. The wardrobe and illustrations? Totally aesthetic. Created by screenwriter Kim Eun-hee and directed by Kim Seong-hun, Kingdom brings fast-moving zombies into palace politics. Set during a mysterious plague outbreak in Joseon times, it is loaded with suspense, smart twists and brutal survival scenes. Directed by Shin Won-ho, this slice-of-life medical drama is less about blood and surgery, and more about people. It follows five long-time friends who are now doctors in the same hospital. Their bond, band sessions, and daily chaos hit that perfect balance of comfort and feels. Song Hye-kyo leads as a woman who survives extreme bullying and waits years to get revenge on her abusers. Highlights include powerful performances and morally grey choices that keep you uncomfortable in a good way. ALSO READ: Binge-watching K-dramas? Expert says, it's good for mental health Set in the late '90s and early 2000s Korea, it tells the story of Na Hee-do, a passionate fencer and Baek Yi-jin, a young man rebuilding his life after the IMF crisis. Kim Tae-ri and Nam Joo-hyuk play the leads. Lead actress Park Eun-bin completely owns the role of Woo Young-woo, an autistic genius lawyer entering a high-pressure law firm. Each episode presents a new legal case that subtly connects to Woo's personal growth. A fantasy-romance with serious world-building. Set in the fictional land of Daeho, the drama revolves around soul-shifting magic, forbidden love, and ancient energy. Directed by Park Joon-hwa and written by the Hong sisters, it is known for its sword fights and unexpected plot turns. This horror-thriller follows Cha Hyun-soo (Song Kang) and his neighbors in an apartment complex as people around them start turning into monsters based on their inner desires. This one mixes creature horror with survival drama, loneliness and raw human instincts. Some of the best Korean thrillers on Netflix include Kingdom, Vincenzo, The Glory, Flower of Evil, Beyond Evil and Sweet Home. If you are new to K-Dramas, great shows to start with are Crash Landing on You, Extraordinary Attorney Woo, Itaewon Class, Our Beloved Summer and Hospital Playlist. Netflix has many fun rom-coms like Crash Landing on You, Our Beloved Summer, Business Proposal, Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha and Love to Hate You. These are perfect for light-hearted binge-watching. Yes, K-Dramas like Vincenzo, Flower of Evil, The Glory, A Time Called You and It's Okay to Not Be Okay mix romance with thriller elements, giving you the best of both genres. Some K-Dramas trending on Netflix in 2024 include Queen of Tears, The 8 Show, Hierarchy, Parasyte: The Grey and A Killer Paradox. These are fresh, buzzy and getting a lot of love from fans.
