Latest news with #KangHaNeul
Gizmodo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Gizmodo
‘Squid Game' Delivers a Harrowing, Heartbreaking Final Installment
Squid Game's first season dropped seemingly out of the sky in 2021, spanning nine episodes and giving Netflix its biggest hit to date, winning Emmys for creator Hwang Dong-hyuk, star Lee Jung-jae, and others. Season two arrived in late 2024 with seven episodes, picking up three years after the events of season one. Six months later, season three is here; it has just six episodes and begins immediately after the season two cliffhanger. It's tempting to wish Netflix had just released all of season two and three as a single chunk—six months is enough time to almost forget certain plot points, but not long enough to make viewers want to do a full revisit—but you can see why the decision was made. Though its episode count is abbreviated, Squid Game's third and final season is still six-ish hours long, and the amount of agony and brutality infused into that running time cannot be overstated. Much of that agony and brutality, of course, comes as a direct result of the events of season two, especially as season three gets started. Player 456, Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae), is the only survivor of the rebellion besides 388 (Kang Ha-neul)—who had a meltdown while retrieving more ammunition—and 120 (Park Sung-hoon), who went after him to see what was taking so long. Player 001 (Lee Byung-hun) is presumed dead, though we of course know he's merely returned to being the Front Man full-time. Player 456 is baffled as to how he's still breathing. He's also nearly paralyzed with a confusing blend of survivor's guilt and a laser-beam determination to make 388 pay for his failings. But the other players take his miraculous return surprisingly in stride. Most of them are far more focused on the prize money, which has increased exponentially as a result of the player brawl and subsequent rebellion. Those events have also given the 'O' side a significant advantage over the 'X' side, meaning the next vote will favor continuing the games despite all the recent bloodshed. This is a non-spoiler review, so we won't be getting into the specific games introduced in season three—though a variation on jump-roping was previously revealed—but rest assured they follow the classic Squid Game formula of childhood favorites expanded into elaborate set pieces, then blended with shocking violence. This season in particular leans into player-on-player attacks, to the point that they're actively incorporated into the competitions. The results are gory and either heartbreaking or satisfying, depending on if the victim is likable or obnoxious. But this is Squid Game; the whole point is 'win or die.' Viewers already know that a majority of the players, even the ones who actually seem like good people, will not make it to the end. Again, we won't spoil any specifics here—part of the fun of the show is thinking someone's safe, only to be gruesomely proven otherwise—but certain deaths do make you wish, again, that seasons two and three had been combined into one. It would make the investment into individual players feel more rewarding, especially those who die early in this season but later in the actual cycle of games. Of course, that issue could be remedied by watching season two immediately ahead of season three—if you have the time. That approach might also help you dive more easily into the side plot involving No-eul (Park Gyu-young), the North Korean military vet turned pink guard. Remember the sick little girl she befriended while working at the amusement park at the start of season two? And whose father popped up in the games as Player 246? It all becomes very important in her season three arc, which also features No-eul's own bloody rebellion of sorts. Meanwhile, Squid Game's other big side plot—that team of mercenaries led by detective Jun-ho (Wi Ha-joon) frantically searching for the island where the games take place—finally justifies all the time it took up in season two. The audience knows the boat captain is secretly sabotaging the mission, but the show builds up the reveal to Jun-ho and company with some unexpected twists and, much like the games themselves, a ticking-clock element that ratchets the tension to sky-high levels. Other elements that come into play in a big way in season three: the masked 'VIPs,' who make a return to spectate the games and offer cruel commentary in the form of hilariously terrible English dialogue. There's so much of the latter this time around, you have to imagine Squid Game's creators are leaning into how cringe-inducing it is. The cross necklace belonging to the not-so-dearly departed Thanos finds new importance as other players consume the hidden stash of drugs he left behind. And it's no secret that Player 222 (Jo Yu-ri) was extremely pregnant in season two. Netflix's marketing for this final installment even included the sound of a baby crying—and unsurprisingly, the situation swirling around 222 shapes season three's most emotional moments. But the center of Squid Game's universe has always been Gi-hun, and that remains the case throughout season three. Even though there are episodes where he barely has any dialogue, Lee's performance speaks volumes: his haunted expression, particularly the look in his eyes, telegraphs the depths of his pain. He was already grappling with having witnessed so many deaths in the previous game—and the cycle continues here. The audience still can't help but root for him, but in season three you also worry for him. His soul is clearly broken beyond repair. Gi-hun's suffering anchors Squid Game season three in a deeply bleak place; there are far fewer lighthearted moments to be found, and that may be challenging for some viewers. But in the end, the story does figure out how to punctuate this vicious final chapter in a memorable, very terminal way. You're allowed, however, to roll your eyes at what feels very much like a tacked-on Netflix tease for more to come. Squid Game season 3 is now streaming on Netflix. Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what's next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
Pink Villa
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Kang Ha Neul's Wall to Wall drops eerie poster and trailer: Know all about plot, cast, when and where to watch on OTT, more
Netflix's highly anticipated psychological thriller Wall to Wall has just dropped its official trailer and poster! And it's already sparking buzz among fans for its spine-tingling concept and gripping visuals. The film stars Kang Ha Neul in the lead role, and Yeom Hye Ran and Seo Hyun Woo in supporting roles. It explores the eerie unraveling of a man's life after he achieves what many in Korea dream of: owning his own apartment. But what begins as a victory soon spirals into a living nightmare when inexplicable sounds from above shatter his peace. A new beginning... or the start of madness? Wall to Wall follows the story of Woo Seong, played by Kang Ha Neul. He's a young man who pours every penny he has, from his severance pay and lease deposit to his mother's garlic field, into buying a modest 84-square-meter apartment. The trailer opens with upbeat music and a cheery 'Congratulations on your new home!' narration. This led viewers to believe they're in for a heartwarming story of new beginnings. However, the tone quickly shifts. Woo Seong's long-awaited peace is shattered by relentless, untraceable noise from the upstairs unit. What starts as mild irritation turns into full-blown paranoia. Woo Seong finds himself descending into obsession and despair as sleepless nights take their toll. Disturbing neighbors and a murder mystery As Woo Seong attempts to track down the source of the noise, he begins encountering strange neighbors and bizarre events inside the building. His search for answers takes a darker turn when he becomes entangled in a mysterious incident: a murder case. The trailer teases just enough to hint at psychological suspense and the fragility of sanity. It also touches on the high cost of chasing stability in an urban society obsessed with home ownership. Poster raises more questions than answers The newly released poster sets an ominous tone. It features Woo Seong standing in front of a looming high-rise apartment building, his face frozen in confusion and fear. The tagline reads: 'A life of debt. An endless noise. Am I to blame?' The line encapsulates the film's core themes: financial pressure, emotional isolation, and the sinister side of seemingly normal city life. Coming soon to Netflix Wall to Wall is directed by filmmaker Kim Tae Joon. He's famous for the movie Unlocked (2023) starring Chun Woo Hee and Im Siwan in lead roles. Meanwhile, Wall to Wall is set to premiere on July 18, 2025, exclusively on Netflix. With its unique plot, eerie tone, and Kang Ha Neul's compelling performance, the film is poised to become one of this summer's must-watch thrillers.
South China Morning Post
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Netflix K-drama Tastefully Yours review: happy ending for delectable if formulaic romcom
This article contains spoilers. 3/5 stars Lead cast: Go Min-si, Kang Ha-neul, Kim Shin-rok, Yoo Soo-bin Latest Nielsen rating: 3.8 per cent
Pink Villa
04-06-2025
- Business
- Pink Villa
Park Bo Young's Our Unwritten Seoul follows Tastefully Yours in Netflix's top 3 non-English TV series list
Netflix has seen a surge in K-dramas and K-content over the past few years, catering to the growing global popularity of Hallyu. The increasing viewership of K-dramas worldwide has prompted the platform to add more Korean content to its lineup every year. Recent data from Netflix supports this trend, with Korean dramas claiming five spots in the top 10 most-watched non-English TV shows. Tastefully Yours and Our Unwritten Seoul featured among the top 3. Tastefully Yours ranks No. 2 in Netflix's global chart On June 3, five ongoing and recently-concluded K-dramas trended on Netflix. They were part of the OTT's giant's top 10 non-English TV shows. The currently most-watched Korean drama on Netflix is Kang Ha Neul and Go Min Si's Tastefully Yours. The culinary romantic series ranked at No. 2 among the non-English shows, following Secrets We Keep. It featured in the top 10 list in 44 countries and recorded 44 lakh views. The K-drama that followed Tastefully Yours in the list is Our Unwritten Seoul. Park Bo Young and Park Jinyoung's emotionally-rich romantic drama Our Unwritten Seoul took the #3 spot on the most-watched non-English television series. It recorded 28 lakh views and is trending among top 10 in 40 countries. The show recently dropped its third and fourth episodes and ended on a climatic note, impressing viewers and fetching good viewership. Check out full list of K-dramas featured in the top 10 list of Netflix's most-watched non-English shows: Tastefully Yours (overall rank 2) Our Unwritten Seoul (overall rank 3) Dear Hongrang (overall rank 5) Heavenly Ever After (overall rank 9) Oh My Ghost Clients (overall rank 10) Lee Jae Wook and Jo Bo Ah's historical romance thriller drama Dear Hongrang secured 15 lakh views as of June 3. Notably, the show was released on May 16, will all its 11 episodes dropping together. Even after almost three weeks it is still trending among top 10 Netflix shows in 10 countries. Heavenly Ever After concluded last week and currently boasts 11 lakh views. Jung Kyung Ho's Oh My Ghost Clients rounds off the top 10 most-watched non-English Netflix show list with 9 lakh views.
Indian Express
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Go Min Si's school bullying controversy explained: Is her new Netflix K-drama being axed?
Actor Go Min Si is currently facing backlash after an anonymous post accused her of being a bully back in middle school. The post, titled 'We are the victims of actor A's school violence,' popped up on South Korea's online community, claiming the actor not only extorted money from her classmates but also verbally abused them, and hounded the differently abled. The actor, who is currently starring in Netflix's Tastefully Yours, alongside Kang Ha Neul, responded fiercely to the allegations, slamming them as false and baseless. However, the author of the post claimed that even the teachers and fellow classmates are aware of those incidents. The post further demanded that the actor step away from the spotlight. This comes ahead of Go Min Si's next big project, Perfect Job. Also read: Tastefully Yours first impression: Weirdly addictive duo Go Min Si, Kang Ha Neul cook up quirky kitchen romance in Netflix's new-age Business Proposal This is not the first time a Korean celeb at the peak of their career has faced school bullying accusations. Along with actors such as Seo Ye Ji to Kim Hieora, multiple K-pop stars have been accused of bullying, the most recent being Go Min Si, whose global popularity was soaring with big Netflix hits. The post's author claimed they were a middle school classmate from Daejeon and, without mentioning the actor's stage name, identified her using her old name along with other clues like age and past shows. 'I don't want any apology or compensation,' the author wrote, adding that Go's aggressive behaviour was well known to teachers as well. 'What I want is for this actor to end her public activities permanently so no further victims are created,' the post read, as translated by The Korea Times. The post further added, 'There's no need for a belated, performative apology to avoid contract disputes. If the actor truly feels remorse, she should step away from the spotlight and live the rest of her life sincerely regretting her past actions.' Also read: Dear Hongrang star Lee Jae Wook reveals his 'jealous personality,' says Park Ji Hoon's Weak Hero made him envious: 'It could become poison' Go Min Si's agency, Mystic Story, released a statement claiming there was no truth in the post and dismissed it as a smear campaign against the actor. 'We ask that people refrain from spreading unverified rumours and speculative reports, as they can cause significant harm not only to the actor but also to her family,' the agency said. They further revealed they are seeking legal action on both civil and criminal grounds. 'We express our deep concern and regret that malicious posts based on false information are damaging the reputation of our agency's actor. We appointed a legal representative today and have begun reviewing and taking legal action, both civil and criminal.' Go Min Si debuted in 2017 with the SBS drama My Sassy Girl and has since become a household name with shows like Sweet Home, The Frog, The Witch and Smugglers. This is not the first time the actor has been embroiled in a controversy. Back in March 2021, photos showed her entering an adult entertainment venue and drinking when she was still underage. At the time, she dismissed the rumours as a simple youthful mistake and apologised. In light of the new controversy, Netflix reportedly informed the South Korean media outlet OSEN that Go Min Si is continuing with her upcoming project Perfect Job as planned, with no changes to her filming schedule.
