Latest news with #JoseonDynasty
Pink Villa
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Lee Joon Gi to end 2-year hiatus with lead role in periodic detective drama Gyeongbokgung Detective Agency: DETAILS
Lee Joon Gi is set to return to acting after a break of 2 years. The actor might be seen taking an exciting role in the upcoming drama Gyeongbokgung Detective Agency, as reported by K-media outlet My Daily on July 23. He was offered the lead role in the multi-genre series, featuring an unique plot and reportedly confirmed his participation, although his agency is yet to respond to the news. Role offered to Lee Joon Gi in Gyeongbokgung Detective Agency Gyeongbokgung Detective Agency is a periodic detective series, including a blend of comedy, action and mystery elements. Lee Joon Gi might be seen playing the role of the central character King Hyejong if he confirms his participation in the drama. On July 23, an insider told My Daily, " Lee Joon Gi will be starring as the main character in the drama Gyeongbokgung Detective Agency." King Hyejong is a mastermind with unparalleled reasoning skills. He effortlessly gets what he wants with a mere snap of his fingers, exemplifying the true essence of royal power. Accustomed to having his way, he navigates the complexities of palace life, solving mysteries that arise during the Joseon Dynasty. His behavior is marked by a tendency to ignore those around him, throw unexpected tantrums, and deliver hurtful sarcastic comments. His sharp tongue and biting remarks are one of his defining characteristics. Due to his loud and exuberant nature, reminiscent of a cuckoo's call, he's referred to as 'Ppeokkugi Seonsaeng'. The nickname reflects his eccentric and attention-grabbing demeanor. Besides him, another important chracter of the series is rookie officer Lee Seo, who brings a unique set of skills to the table. Her exceptional memory makes her a valuable asset despite her book-smart approach to life and love. Lee Joon Gi's latest projects Lee Joon Gi was last in the 2023 tvN/Netflix series Arthdal Chronicles: The Sword of Aramun as Eun Seom/Saya. His last role as the central character was in the 2022 SBS drama Again My Life, starring alongside Kim Ji Eun. Now he is set to impress in a historical role in Gyeongbokgung Detective Agency.
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Travel + Leisure
10-07-2025
- Travel + Leisure
This City Was Named the Coziest in Asia
You know the feeling of curling up in an oversized chair with a hot cup of tea in hand, just as the sun is going down, with a book you've been dying to crack open? It turns out, there are entire towns that feel just like that. In late 2024, All Clear, a travel insurance company, released its study showcasing the coziest cities in the world. To figure out which places offer this warm and inviting feeling best, it first had to define what "cozy" really means. To define 'cozy,' the team focused on places that evoke comfort, warmth, and relaxation—measuring the number of cafes, bookstores, cinemas, theaters, and museums per square mile. They also considered historical architecture (via UNESCO sites) and social media mentions using the hashtag #cozy. Another variable was each spot's annual precipitation, noting that few things feel cozier than staying inside with a view while it rains outside. It combined all these metrics to give each destination a "cozy" score. And after all that data searching, it named Seoul, South Korea, the coziest city in all of Asia and the No. 19 coziest city overall. The city ranked highly on the list thanks to its three UNESCO World Heritage sites, Jongmyo Shrine, Changdeokgung Palace Complex, and the Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty, along with its astonishing number of coffee shops, with more than 75,000 across the entire nation of South Korea and more than 10,000 in Seoul alone. (Though, some estimates say Seoul has nearly 25,000 coffee shops.) And let's not forget the rain: Seoul experiences roughly 80 rainy days a year with June, July, and August being the rainiest months. However, there are places even cozier than Seoul. At the top of the list is Brussels, a place that "plays host to beautiful architecture and great food," the findings noted. "Better experienced in the colder seasons than the summer months, its medieval buildings paired with its comforting food (chocolate and Belgian waffles, anyone?) make this a great choice for a cozy break." The rest of the top five include Paris in second, followed by Geneva, Copenhagen, and Lisbon. See the full cozy list and start planning your warm and fuzzy getaway at
Time of India
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Star power, low ratings: K-dramas that flopped or split audiences in first half of 2025
In the glitzy world of K-dramas, star-studded casts and big budgets often promise blockbuster success - but 2025 had other plans. Despite high expectations, several dramas stumbled out of the gate, leaving audiences divided and ratings in freefall. Here's a look at the shows that shone on paper but faltered on screen in the first half of the year. Spring of Youth Cast: Ha Yoo-joon, Park Ji-hu, and Lee Seung-hyub Plot: After an accident derails his career, The Crown's lead vocalist Sa Gye is forced to enroll at Hanju University, where he meets Kim Bom - a gifted keyboardist who gave up Ivy League dreams after her mother's death. As they grow closer, Sa Gye rekindles his passion for music and quietly forms a new band. But tensions rise with Seo Tae Yang, a brilliant guitarist and med student, sparking a rivalry in both music and love. Despite its compelling premise, the K-drama struggled in South Korea, with ratings dropping below 1% after just three episodes. However, it did find a strong international following, especially on streaming platforms in North America and Southeast Asia. Dear Hongrang Cast: Lee Jae Wook, Jo Bo Ah, Jung Ga Ram, Uhm Ji Won, Park Byung Eun & Kim Jae Wook Plot: Set in the late Joseon Dynasty, the drama follows Hong Rang, who returns home after a 10-year disappearance with no memory of his past. His half-sister Jae I, once close to him, is determined to uncover the truth behind his vanishing. Raised in privilege, Hong Rang now searches for his true identity, while Jae I battles a difficult home life with an abusive stepmother and distant father. The drama drew mixed reactions from viewers. While its stunning visuals, strong performances, and evocative soundtrack earned praise, many criticized the rushed storytelling, underdeveloped characters, and problematic romantic arc. The short 11-episode format, along with controversial themes - particularly the implied 'incest' storyline - fueled further debate and divided opinions. Tastefully Yours Cast: Kang Ha Neul, Go Min Si, Kim Shin Rok and Yoo Soo Bin Plot: Han Beom U, the heir to a major food conglomerate, runs Seoul's top fine dining restaurant - but ironically, he has no real appreciation for taste. Meanwhile, Mo Yeon Ju, a chef driven by her obsession with flavour, operates a hidden one-table restaurant in a remote countryside village. When their paths cross, the two opposites come together to open a small restaurant in the city of Miraek, Jeonju. As they navigate the challenges of running it, they grow closer, learn from each other, and slowly fall in love. The series, struggled with low ratings in South Korea but found global success on Netflix, topping charts in several countries. Its popularity abroad highlights a clear divide between domestic and international audience appeal. Our Movie Cast: Namkoong Min, Jeon Yeo Been, Lee Seol and Seo Hyeon Woo Plot: Lee Je Ha, once hailed a genius for his debut film, went on a 5-year hiatus, haunted by fears of a sophomore slump. Ready to return, he begins working on a romance about someone with a limited time to live. During research, he meets Lee Da Eum, an aspiring actress battling a rare, incurable disease. Drawn to the script, she helps shape the story and sees it as a turning point in her dream to act. As they collaborate, the two - each grappling with their own struggles - slowly fall in love. The drama failed to generate the same buzz or positive word-of-mouth as other popular K-dramas, falling short of expectations. Overall, it didn't achieve the level of success that was anticipated. Divorce Insurance Cast: Lee Dong Wook, Lee Joo Bin, Lee Kwang Soo and Lee Da Hee Plot: No Gi Jun, a product developer at an insurance company, has been divorced three times. He decides to create a divorce insurance policy, viewing divorce as an unexpected life disaster. He forms a special team that includes Kang Han Deul, an underwriter who changed her outlook after her own divorce; An Jeon Man, a cautious risk surveyor stepping out of his comfort zone; and Jeon Na Rae, a financial mathematician who has no regrets about her short-lived marriage. Together, they tackle rising divorce rates with a bold new insurance idea. Despite a strong cast and high expectations, the drama underperformed in Korea. While it did well on Amazon Prime Video, notably in Asia, domestic viewing in South Korea dropped dramatically, with the final episode receiving a relatively low 0.9% rating. Potato Lab Cast: Lee Sun Bin, Kang Tae Oh and Lee Hak Joo Plot: Set in a mountain valley potato research center, the story follows Kim Mi Gyeong, a quirky scientist obsessed with developing a new potato variety named 'Mi Gyeong.' Her routine is disrupted by So Baek Ho, the handsome but aloof new director. Though they start off clashing, an unexpected office romance blooms between these two flawed yet endearing adults. The drama elicited varied responses. While some viewers praised the unusual premise and chemistry between the protagonists, others found the plot unclear and the finale unsatisfying. Some felt that the drama concentrated too heavily on the potato lab, while others thought the main couple's reconciliation was hasty and implausible. Kick Kick Kick Kick Cast: Ji Jin Hee, Lee Kyu Hyung, Baek Ji Won and Lee Min Jae Plot: Ji Jin Hui, a former star actor, teams up with ex-top PD Cho Yeong Sik - despite their rocky past - to start a production company called Kick Kick Kick Kick Company. Together, they run the company with a small team, including therapist Baek Ji Won and ambitious workaholic Lee Min Jae. The drama failed in every manner, with many viewers not even noticing its release. Ratings hovered well at 2%, but by episode 10, had dropped to 0.3%. Many stated it lacked the personality and warmth of classic programs like High Kick, and that it exemplified why a genre should not be recreated. Crushology 101 Cast: Roh Jeong Eui, Lee Chae Min, Cho Jun Young, Hong Min Ki and Kim Hyun Jin Plot: Bunny, a top sculpture student at Yein University, once believed personality outweighed appearance - until a painful breakup shattered her confidence and left her questioning her worth. Now openly drawn to handsome men but still battling self-esteem issues, her world shifts when two captivating figures enter her life: Hwang Jae Yul, a warm and driven visual design student, and Cha Ji Won, a seemingly perfect chaebol heir. Despite its global success, the drama is usually seen as a flop, especially in South Korea. It debuted with tremendous hopes and even topped global charts, but received extremely low viewership figures in Korea. According to some accounts, the ratings were as low as 0.8% and 0.9%, making it one of MBC's lowest-rated dramas ever. When the Stars Gossip Cast: Lee Min Ho, Gong Hyo Jin, Oh Jung Se and Han Ji Eun Plot: The story follows an astronaut and a tourist who fall in love at a space station. Kong Ryong, an OB-GYN and future son-in-law of Korea's richest conglomerate, visits the station as a space tourist with a hidden agenda. Commander Eve Kim, a strict perfectionist, is on her first mission as commander. Also aboard is Kang Gang Su, a carefree heir-turned-scientist studying fruit flies. Back on Earth is Choi Go Eun, Kong Ryong's brilliant and beautiful fiancée, and the sole heir to the powerful MZ Group. Despite its expensive budget and star-studded cast, this drama received low viewership and scathing reviews. It was criticized for its narrative, notably the space idea, and the chemistry between the two actors, Lee Min-ho and Gong Hyo-jin. Motel California Cast: Lee Se Young, Na In Woo, Choi Min Soo, Kim Tae Hyeong and Choi Hee Jin Plot: Ji Gang Hui grew up at Motel California, run by her father in a rural village, and faced gossip due to her mixed heritage and unusual family background. Her first love was childhood friend Cheon Yeon Su, but at 20, she left for Seoul. Now a successful interior designer, she unexpectedly returns home after 12 years and reunites with Yeon Su. Cheon Yeon Su, now a village veterinarian, has only ever loved Gang Hui. Though pursued by locals hoping to match him with their daughters, he avoids confrontation by letting a rumour about marrying a fellow vet linger. Her sudden return reignites old feelings and unresolved emotions. While not deemed a flop, the reviews were varied. While some viewers found it tiresome and monotonous, others praised the performances and character development, and some thought the cinematography was stunning. However, the drama acquired popularity on social media, mainly due to Lee Se-young's performance. For all the latest K-drama, K-pop, and Hallyuwood updates, keep following our coverage here.
Korea Herald
03-07-2025
- Automotive
- Korea Herald
Carro releases second instalment of 'No Drama', first ad of campaign garners over 27.4 million views in 6 weeks
- Carro's 'No Drama' award-winning ad series parodies drama cliches to highlight its trustworthy, reliable, and transparent practices, with the latest ad paying homage to the Hong Kong crime genre - Their first 'No Drama' ad earlier in May recently hit 27.4 million views in total - Its 2023 'No Drama' campaign garnered more than 28 million views and took home six awards at the YouTube Works Awards Southeast Asia SINGAPORE, July 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Carro, Asia Pacific's largest and fastest-growing online used car platform, has released its second 'No Drama' ad, as part of their campaign that spotlights their drama-free and seamless car buying and selling experience. The first ad released in May, set in the Joseon Dynasty, has garnered more than 27.4 million views in total. Produced by Carro's in-house team, the next 'No Drama' ad takes viewers to a potentially shady deal being made on top of a Hong Kong rooftop. Is there an undercover cop reveal happening, or will we see tragedy unfold? And more importantly, is Carro involved in all of this? Carro's 'No Drama' series first launched in 2023 in the form of 3 short films that tapped into typical drama cliches to juxtapose the drama-free nature of buying a Carro Certified car that is As Good As New. The campaign went viral with more than 38 million views in total, and earned Carro six awards at the YouTube Works Awards Southeast Asia, including the Overall Winner for "The Big Bang Southeast Asia" category. "The used car industry has long been associated with shady deals, ambiguous processes and unreliable rides. With this ad, we want to reiterate that we're Asia Pacific's #1 online marketplace for a reason, and we are focused on delivering a reliable Carro Certified car that is As Good As New to every customer," says Carro Chief Marketing Officer Katherine Teo. "In fact, Carro doesn't just stop at delivering quality rides. From financing and insurance to aftersales, we're at every step of the customer's car ownership experience, making sure that they can drive with peace of mind no matter what." Carro Certified is Carro's technology-backed certification that offers customers the assurance and service of buying a quality used car. It includes a rigorous 160-point Inspection, 5-day return policy, 12-month warranty on engine and gearbox, no mileage tampering, as well as no major accidents, fire and flood damage. Since its founding in 2015, Carro has been building its proprietary technologies and tapping into AI solutions to revolutionise the car ownership experience. Carro has grown from a Singaporean used car marketplace to Asia Pacific's No. 1 used car online marketplace spanning 7 markets, complete with a strong in-house ecosystem that includes financing options, insurance offerings and aftersales services. The company also started selling brand new cars in Singapore, with plans to roll out this product line in other selected markets. The latest ad is running in Singapore, Malaysia, Japan and Hong Kong, China, and customers can look forward to exclusive promotions. For all your car buying and selling needs, head over to ***** About Carro Founded in 2015, Carro is Asia Pacific's largest online used car marketplace. By offering a trustworthy and transparent experience, Carro transforms the traditional way of buying and selling cars through proprietary pricing algorithms, AI-enabled capabilities, and innovative technological solutions. As of March 2025, Carro has started selling Brand New cars in Singapore. Headquartered in Singapore, the unicorn startup has raised over S$700 million from Softbank Vision Fund and several sovereign funds. It recorded its best ever full-year positive EBITDA of S$43 million in FY2024. Together with its subsidiaries and business lines, Carro is supported by more than 5,000 employees across Asia Pacific: - Carro, Asia Pacific's largest online used marketplace with a strong key presence Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand, and a recent expansion into Japan, Taiwan, China and Hong Kong, China - Carro Care Powered by Jardine & Cycle, Carro's in-house refurbishment and after-sales servicing capabilities - Genie Financial Services, a next-generation fintech automotive financing provider in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand - MPM Rent, leading mobility solutions company in Indonesia specialising in leasing / fleet financing transportation services - Innorithm, a next-generation fleet management solutions company leveraging state-of-the art IoT and machine learning - Kaidee, Thailand's largest online shopping and classifieds platform
Courier-Mail
27-06-2025
- Courier-Mail
I got naked in Spa Land in Centum City Busan a South Korean spa experience
Don't miss out on the headlines from Lifestyle. Followed categories will be added to My News. Call me crazy, but I generally try to avoid getting naked in large crowds. Obviously, it's generally frowned upon in the eyes of the law, but there's also a level of… let's call it 'quiet discomfort' that comes with getting down to skins in front of hundreds. Unless, of course, I'm in South Korea and I'm headed to a bathhouse, then all rules go out the window and I can't strip down fast enough. True, being of Turkish ancestry, I'm no stranger to a group bathing experience, but unlike hamams which are positively lawless compared to its Asian counterparts, a Korean bathhouse experience (known locally as Jjimjilbang. or quite literally, 'heated rooms') involves a specific set of rules to abide by. The best place to immerse yourself in the local spa culture? The port city of Busan which has been an international bathhouse destination since the Joseon Dynasty. If you like bath houses, Busan should be on your bucket list. Now, it's easy to become overwhelmed by the choice of spa complexes dotted around Busan. Some may prefer the dazzle of the all-new (and positively gargantuan) ClubD Oasis, a spa and waterpark which can accommodate up to 3,500 people, while others might prefer a 2am bathing option with the 24-hour Hill Spa. I'm a sucker for a multitude of glowing reviews, so I opt for a day at Spa Land, located in Centum City, one of the world's largest department stores. Here, those willing to part with 25,000 Won (around $28) for a four-hour bathhouse adventure can make the most of 18 hot spring baths and 13 themed steam baths drawn from natural hot spring water some 1,000 metres underground. Guests are given these cute head towels. Picture: Dilvin Yasa Spa Land, like most Jjimjilbang, has two distinct areas: the baths, which are same-sex only, and the saunas, which are for everyone to share. First, you have to put your shoes in an assigned locker before collecting your fetching spa uniform of chequered shorts and oversized grey marle t-shirt at the linen counter and then heading back to a locker to decide if you want to put on your uniform to enjoy the sauna facilities (yep, no towel wearing in the saunas here), or if you want to disrobe completely and head to the baths. Towels are forbidden in saunas here. Of course, you also have the option of heading upstairs to the 2nd floor to make the most of the entertainment quarter, which includes a restaurant, a casual noodle bar, a relaxation zone and many massage chairs. I dump my clothes, gather my courage and strut my naked self through the change rooms out to the hot springs (they give you a hand towel, but it is nowhere near enough to protect your modesty). Everyone has to scrub down at a washing station before entering the bath and I do, but the minute I enter a body of 40-degree water some five minutes later, a spa mistress becomes incensed that I haven't washed my hair (which is up in a bun) and starts shouting at me to get back out and try again. The floral decor is a nice touch too. Instead, I run away, taking my time to try all the baths, which range in size and temperature, from cold plunge (15 degrees) to 45 degrees (more my speed). There is, I should note, an option to book in for a scrub or a massage in a room nearby, but I'm so relaxed I can barely move (also, the spa mistress terrifies me). After yet another shower, it's time to put on my spa uniform and head up to the saunas. See also: Why you can't trust reviews in South Korea Will it be a Finnish sauna, a Roman sauna, a salt room, clay room or a hamam? Whatever your preference, you can be sure to open a door to a roomful of locals staring at their phones under a thick cloak of steam. I involuntarily listen to endless TikTok videos in all of the rooms (with the exception of the ice room) and before I know it, I have just enough time for my complimentary ice-cream and yet another shower before my locker key is handed back and I'm back out in the department store. Is a Jjimjilbang experience for you? Only if you're completely comfortable with public nudity. Me? I plan to go back, but next time, I'll be sure to bring ear plugs. Originally published as I got naked in a sauna in South Korea, I didn't expect this
