Latest news with #Japanese-Korean
Mint
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
Byeon Woo-seok cast as Sung Jin-woo in live-action ‘Solo Leveling', fans say ‘next phenomenon after Squid Game'
Rising Korean actor Byeon Woo-seok has officially been cast in the lead role of Sung Jin-woo in the much-anticipated live-action adaptation of Solo Leveling, one of South Korea's most globally beloved webtoons. The announcement has generated immense buzz across social media, as fans eagerly anticipate how the actor — best known for his emotional range and recent breakout performance in Lovely Runner — will embody the iconic character. Netflix officially announces Byeon Woo-seok as live action Sung Jin-woo. Solo Leveling, originally a web novel by Chugong, was later adapted into a hit webtoon illustrated by the late artist Jang Sung-rak (aka Dubu), and published on KakaoPage and Tapas. It has since garnered millions of readers worldwide and was successfully adapted into a Japanese-Korean anime series that premiered in early 2024. The story follows Sung Jin-woo, initially known as the 'weakest hunter,' who is thrust into a mysterious system that allows him to level up without limit. Through intense battles, moral dilemmas, and growing power, Jin-woo evolves into a formidable shadow monarch, making him one of the most compelling protagonists in recent fantasy media. While details of the production studio and release schedule have yet to be confirmed, industry insiders suggest the series will be produced jointly by Korean and international partners, aiming to replicate the global success of Netflix's The Glory and Sweet Home. While some fans have responded with cautious optimism, others have expressed their scepticism regarding the casting and the live-action version of the extremely loved anime. Take a look at some reactions: Fan reactions Fan reactions. Many also hope the series honours the artistic legacy of Dubu, whose work played a crucial role in bringing the original story to life. With Byeon Woo-seok at the helm, the live-action Solo Leveling could mark a new era of Korean fantasy storytelling on screen — blending K-drama sensibilities with international production scale.
Daily Record
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Scotland's best street food spots crowned as Edinburgh eateries claim top prizes
The popular will compete in the British Street Food Awards in London this September and may reach the European final in Munich in October Two street food favourites are set to represent the country on an even bigger stage after taking top honours at this year's Scottish Street Food Awards 2025. Smoked Tamago, known for its contemporary Japanese-Korean dishes, was crowned Scottish Street Food Award Champion, while Fire Bowl, specialists in fiery East Asian fusion, scooped the People's Choice Award. Both will now head to London in September to compete in the British Street Food Awards, with the chance to reach the European final in Munich this October. Smoked Tamago wowed the judges with its signature seaweed Tamagoyaki, a fluffy Japanese rolled egg, and a Korean-style rice burger. Headlining a line-up of nine finalists, each trader presented their two best dishes to a formidable panel, including Sam Yorke, Head Chef at Michelin-starred Heron; Jo Laidlaw, Food & Drink Editor at The List Edinburgh; musician Callum Easter; Gaby Soutar, restaurant critic at The Scotsman; Navida Galbraith, Head of Ops and Programme at The Pitt; and British Street Food Awards founder Richard Johnson. 'We always hope to find something completely different and new when judging these awards and that's exactly what Smoked Tamago served up,' said Johnson. 'The unique mix of sweet, savoury and smokiness in the Tamagoyaki was incredible, and all of the judges agreed the rice burger was a revelation.' Smoked Tamago has a history of breaking new ground. After introducing Tamagoyaki to the Hong Kong street food scene in 2016, where it quickly became a sensation, the team relocated to Scotland. Since then, they've built a loyal following through pop-ups and events, with regular appearances at Errol Sunday Market and the Leith Walk Police Box. With every made-to-order roll, they're on a mission to spread 'the gospel of the mighty Tamagoyaki'. Meanwhile, Fire Bowl, based at The Pitt, impressed enough eaters to take the People's Choice award. Their chicken skewers were hailed by judges as 'some of the best ever tasted'. The street food stall was born from a trip across East Asia, where founders Andie and Euan ate their way from Seoul to Osaka. Today, Fire Bowl blends those inspirations with Scottish flair, from donburi bowls and yakitori skewers to Highland beef with whisky tare and their signature 'neep' kimchi. Dumpling Mama took second place in the overall Best in Scotland award, with beautifully crafted dumplings that the judges described as 'exquisitely presented and perfectly balanced'. Serving up a mix of Cantonese flavours and creative global twists, including Mexican Cowboy dumplings and even Banana and Nutella, Dumpling Mama prides itself on its handmade approach and vibrant recipes passed down through generations. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. In joint third were Oven Pizza and Fire Bowl. Oven Pizza, based in Fife, earned praise for 'light and delicious' Neapolitan-style pizzas made with luxury ingredients imported from Italy. The family-run business has become known for its cheeky Scottish twists on Italian classics, from fried mozzarella to dirty fries, and promises a culinary tour through Venice, Florence and Naples. Reflecting on the quality of this year's finalists, Navida Galbraith, Head of Ops and Programme at The Pitt, said: 'It was a really tough job judging the nine amazing finalists. "All of them did themselves proud and we've had an incredible time hosting them at The Pitt. Smoked Tamago and Fire Bowl are worthy winners and we wish them the best of luck representing Scotland at the British Street Food Awards in September.'
Tatler Asia
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Tatler Asia
12 K-dramas where the leading lady does all the saving
2. 'The King: Eternal Monarch' (2020) Leading lady: Jung Tae-eul (Kim Go-eun) In this parallel-universe epic, Emperor Lee Gon (Lee Min-ho) crosses into modern-day Korea in search of a mysterious woman who once saved him. That woman turns out to be Detective Jung Tae-eul (Kim Go-eun), a rational, no-nonsense cop who's unimpressed by titles and palaces. Despite the cosmic romance, Tae-eul is rarely the one being rescued. Instead, she uncovers massive conspiracies, faces off with traitors and grounds Gon with her unwavering logic. She's not a royal consort; she's the backbone of the story's moral compass. Also, she's often the one charging in first. 3. 'Tale of the Nine Tailed' (2020) Leading lady: Nam Ji-ah (Jo Bo-ah) Nam Ji-ah (Jo Bo-ah) is a fearless TV producer obsessed with unravelling her parents' mysterious disappearance. Her investigation leads her to a supernatural underworld populated by gumiho (nine-tailed foxes), evil spirits and her eventual love interest, the immortal Lee Yeon (Lee Dong-wook). While Lee Yeon has centuries of power, it's Ji-ah who uncovers the truth, resists possession by malevolent forces and repeatedly chooses to fight for her destiny. She's not content to be the fox's damsel. Instead, she's his equal, with a spine of steel and instincts sharper than any fang. 4. 'Sell Your Haunted House' (2021) Leading lady: Hong Ji-ah (Jang Na-ra) Hong Ji-ah (Jang Na-ra) is more than a real estate agent. She's also a cold, calculating exorcist who rids properties of lingering spirits. She teams up with fake psychic Oh In-beom (Jung Yong-hwa), but make no mistake: she's the expert, he's the sidekick. While In-beom fumbles through the supernatural, Ji-ah takes charge with her talismans and spirit-slaying savvy. She's haunted (literally) by past trauma, but her emotional journey is hers to conquer. She fights ghosts and toxic masculinity, one haunted house at a time. 5. 'Inspiring Generation' (2014) Leading lady: Gaya Deguchi (Im Soo-hyang) Set in 1930s Shanghai, this historical action drama is filled with revolutionaries, mobsters and bare-knuckle brawls. At the centre of it all is Shin Jung-tae (Kim Hyun-joong), a street fighter with a tragic past and a bruised heart. But among all the testosterone is Gaya Deguchi (Im Soo-hyang), the Japanese-Korean heiress of a powerful gang. In fact, Gaya is the one who's pulling the strings amid all the chaos. She chooses strategy over sentiment and often saves Jung-tae from political death traps and emotional self-destruction. Her choices shape the plot as much as his fists ever could. 6. 'Hotel del Luna' (2019) Leading lady: Jang Man-wol (IU) Jang Man-wol (IU) is the centuries-old CEO of a hotel for ghosts with unresolved grudges. She's vain, vindictive and dresses like a runway model from the Joseon Dynasty. Beneath the designer hanboks, however, is a heart that slowly heals. Goo Chan-sung (Yeo Jin-goo) may help her process her trauma, but she's the one who protects him from rogue spirits and darker forces. She doesn't just lead the hotel—she commands it. And when it's time for one final sacrifice, it's Man-wol who walks into the fire on her own terms. See more: Dressed to dominate: 6 ways K-drama heroines used fashion to showcase their power 7. 'Strong Girl Nam-soon' (2023) Leading lady: Gang Nam-soon (Lee Yoo-mi) What did you expect when the plot revolves around a family wherein all the women have super strength? In this spin-off of Strong Woman Do Bong-soon , we meet Gang Nam-soon (Lee Yoo-mi), a quirky, lovable girl with superhuman strength who returns to Korea after being lost in Mongolia as a child. She's not only physically powerful (lifting everything from grown men to airplanes) but emotionally resilient, even after being separated from her family for years. Nam-soon uses her strength to take down an international drug cartel infiltrating Korea's elite circles, while juggling a budding romance with Detective Gang Hee-sik (Ong Seong-wu). Hee-sik may be the cop with the badge, but Nam-soon is the one busting drug rings and dragging villains to jail (sometimes literally by the collar). While he admires her, she doesn't wait around to be saved—she's the one doing the smashing and rescuing. 8. 'Search: WWW' (2019) Leading lady: Bae Ta-mi (Im Soo-jung), Cha Hyeon (Lee Da-hee), Song Ga-kyeong (Jeon Hye-jin) Three powerhouse female leads run the show. Set in the cutthroat world of web portals and tech giants, these women aren't wielding swords but also data, strategy and epic clapbacks. While romance threads through the story, these women are far more focused on saving their careers, reputations and personal agency. For example, Ta-mi's (Im Soo-jung ) relationship with Park Morgan (Jang Ki-yong) is sweet, but she never lets it derail her ambition. 9. 'My Name' (2021) Leading lady: Yoon Ji-woo (Han So-hee) This gritty revenge noir follows Ji-woo (Han So-hee), who joins a crime syndicate and infiltrates the police force to uncover the truth behind her father's death. She doesn't wait around for a man to take vengeance for her. Instead, she becomes the weapon. Ji-woo fights, bleeds and outsmarts men in both gangs and law enforcement, relying only on herself (and some serious knife skills) to survive. 10. 'The Glory' (2022–2023) Leading lady: Moon Dong-eun (Song Hye-kyo) In this gritty drama, Dong-eun (Song Hye-kyo) orchestrates an entire symphony of vengeance against the rich and remorseless bullies who ruined her youth. With intelligence, patience and icy resolve, she systematically dismantles each villain's life. While there's a gentle male ally (Lee Do-hyun), he's a supporting character in her game. Dong-eun saves herself and exposes the rot behind Korea's elite. 11. 'Arthdal Chronicles (2019-2023) Leading lady: Tan-ya (Kim Ji-won / Shin Se-kyung) Tan-ya (Kim Ji-won in Season 1) starts as a spiritual figurehead but slowly builds political power in a war-torn, fantasy civilisation. By the second season, she's (Shin Se-kyung) no longer just the emotional compass—she becomes a sharp strategist outplaying warlords, tribes and even her love interest, Eun-seom (Lee Joon-gi), when needed. She may wear a ceremonial robe, but make no mistake: Tan-ya saves everyone. 12. 'Extraordinary Attorney Woo' (2022) Leading lady: Woo Young-woo (Park Eun-bin) Yes, she may need someone to open her water bottles and escort her through revolving doors, but Woo Young-woo (Park Eun-bin) is as fierce as they come. As a rookie attorney on the autism spectrum, Young-woo doesn't just survive the challenges of a rigid legal world—she triumphs. With a brilliant mind, creative logic and emotional growth, she wins court cases, handles discrimination with grace and even converts sceptics. Male leads support her, but she's never dependent on them. Her victories are hers alone.
Time Out
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
New yakiniku restaurant opens in the heart of Central
Hong Kong has no shortage of yakiniku spots, but this newcomer is already sitting high up on our list. Sitting on Wyndham Street among the chaos of the LKF area, Yakiniku Sho brings something different to the table. It's a straightforward Japanese-Korean barbecue joint where quality Wagyu meets the soulful flavours of Korean home cooking – all at prices that won't make your wallet weep. The restaurant offers two omakase-style sets featuring the finest A5-grade Japanese Black Wagyu and a selection of rare cuts based on what's available each day. The $490 'Don't Think Yasu' set offers six premium cuts that might include anything from velvety Misuji shoulder to wine-marinated Hokkaido pork ribs, while the $790 'Don't Think Sho' adds premium touches with additions like Wagyu tartare and Hokkaido scallops draped in salmon roe. Everything's grilled right at your table – no fuss, just good meat cooked properly. What makes Yakiniku Sho different from the rest is the Korean dishes that are anything but some half-hearted fusion gimmick. Recipes were passed down from the owner's mother, including the homemade kimchi (fermented for three years), spicy tofu hotpot that comes bubbling to your table, and traditional Korean-style steamed egg stuffed with crab meat. They've also got a decent range of sake with pairings chosen to complement both the rich beef and the bolder Korean flavours. While the sets are the stars, à la carte options like the Yaki-Sabu (A5 sirloin with signature sauce) and the gomtang oxtail soup are worth the calories. And their sea salt caramel soft serve is the kind of simple-but-perfect ending this meal deserves.
What's On
04-04-2025
- Business
- What's On
In pics: A huge food and games hub just opened in Dubai Mall
It has 22 different food outlets… Click through the gallery to see more… 3 of 12 Social Distrikt has now opened in Dubai Mall Fountain Views and it's about to be the ultimate urban food and entertainment hub. Spanning 42,000 square feet, it pairs diverse food options with fun and immersive entertainment. Founded by hospitality group, Limestone Lab, who are known for creating innovative social and dining concepts, Social Distrikt has 22 premium food options plus an arcade and a bar, and multiple immersive gaming zones. The selection of food is from all around the world and includes La Barra (Peruvian tapas), Alba (fine dining Japanese-Korean fusion), Saigon (Vietnamese kitchen), and Double Like Burger & Lobster (gourmet burger and lobster dishes), Choco Fondue (chocolate based desserts), meet my sweet (authentic arabic sweets). Social Distrikt also has a duck-pin bowling alley, arcade games and will host an evolving lineup of community events, from comedy nights to music acts. It sounds like the newest place to be in Downtown Dubai. Social Distrikt comes after the opening of SLRP in Dubai Mall too, a ramen-lovers favourite. > Sign up for FREE to get exclusive updates that you are interested in
