Latest news with #MyLovefromtheStar
Pink Villa
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Kim Soo Hyun, Jun Ji Hyun's My Love from the Star broadcasts in Mexico and Brazil amid his Kim Sae Ron dating scandal
Kim Soo Hyun's global popularity remains strong, despite the ongoing dating controversy surrounding Kim Sae Ron. His 2013 hit drama, My Love from the Star, is experiencing a resurgence in popularity, expanding into new international markets and garnering fresh interest worldwide, as reported by K-media outlet Top Star News on July 22. Even with the actor's upcoming projects like Knock-Off getting shelved, his classic works continue to hold a lasting appeal. My Love from the Star marked its second South America entry through Mexico The iconic K-drama My Love from the Star, starring Kim Soo Hyun and Jun Ji Hyun, made its Mexican debut 11 years after its initial release in South Korea. The show's enduring popularity is a testament to its timeless appeal. In Mexico, the drama premiered on Azteca 7, a leading television network, at 6 pm on July 21. It is also available for streaming on the TV Azteca app. This marks the second time My Love from the Star has entered the South American market, following its successful broadcast in Brazil. My Love from the Star made its South America debut through Brazil SBT, Brazil's largest commercial broadcaster, aired the drama from June 2, as part of its new "Asian Production Line" programming block. The block is specifically designed to cater to the growing demand for Korean content in the region. The broadcaster noted that 'There has been an explosive increase in demand for Korean pop culture content in Brazil.' It drove their decision to air K-dramas and My Love from the Star was chosen as the inaugural series for the dedicated time slot. After the news broke, fans of Kim Soo Hyun took to social media to express their enthusiasm for the actor and the drama. They are thrilled that it's gaining more recognition globally even after years of its release. The renewed interest in Kim Soo Hyun's works isn't limited to America; it's also picking up steam in Asian countries like Taiwan and Japan. Kim Soo Hyun's dramas re-broadcasted in Japan In Japan, his dramas have been re-broadcasted, with The Moon Embracing the Sun (2012) having aired on Asia Dramatic TV from June 18 to 30. His 2015 drama Producer, also starring IU and Gong Hyo Jin, was broadcasted on TV Osaka and TVer from June 15 to June 23.
The Diplomat
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Diplomat
How Netflix Both Supercharges and Risks Derailing South Korea's Content Industry
Many of South Korea's most successful global hits were released through Netflix, but its growing monopoly is stoking concern. South Korea has emerged as a soft power heavyweight over the past few decades. It consistently ranks among the world's leading soft powers across major global indices. A central force behind this ascent is the global popularity of Korean culture, known as hallyu (the Korean Wave). Since the 1990s, Korean pop culture has gained widespread popularity across Asia, becoming a regional social phenomenon. It was during this period that the term hallyu was first coined. In recent years, however, the Korean Wave has evolved into a worldwide phenomenon, propelled in part by global tech giants that have accelerated the spread of South Korea's cultural influence. Chief among them is Netflix, which has played a pivotal role in bringing Korean TV shows to international audiences. South Korea's content industry and Netflix have formed a mutually beneficial partnership over the past decade. To begin with, Netflix opened the door to international markets for Korean content. Dramas like 'My Love from the Star' and 'Boys Over Flowers' had already achieved major success across Asia even before Netflix's arrival, but their appeal remained largely regional. Netflix's launch in South Korea in 2016 accelerated the global spread of Korean content. By offering subtitles and dubbing in dozens of languages, the platform helped Korean series overcome language barriers. Its vast international subscriber base also enabled Korean content to reach audiences far beyond Asia. Unsurprisingly, many of South Korea's most successful global hits, including 'Squid Game' and 'Kingdom,' were released through Netflix. Netflix, in turn, benefited significantly from the partnership as Korean content's global success contributed to the platform's rapid growth across the Indo-Pacific and beyond. After launching its streaming service in the United States in 2007, Netflix experienced rapid domestic growth. But by the mid-2010s, its subscription growth began to slow. In response, the company shifted its focus to international markets, where South Korea quickly became a key part of its strategy. A string of successes, starting with 'Kingdom,' Netflix's first original Korean drama, and followed by hits like 'Squid Game' and 'Sweet Home,' helped boost global viewership and positioned Korean content as a central element of Netflix's global offerings. Today, 'Squid Game' remains the most-watched original series on the platform, and more than 80 percent of Netflix's 300 million subscribers have watched at least one Korean title. Despite its early benefits, the partnership is now entering a more precarious phase. While Netflix initially helped accelerate the growth of Korea's content industry, it is increasingly disrupting the sector's existing production and distribution systems. One of the most pressing concerns is the rapid inflation of production costs. Before Netflix entered the Korean market, domestic audiences were the primary target for Korean content. Although the industry had started expanding into overseas markets such as Japan and China, the growth of production budgets remained relatively constrained due to the limited market size. Netflix's entry brought a dramatic increase in financial investment. As a global platform targeting international audiences, the company injected unprecedented resources into Korean content, investing $700 million over its first five years, pledging another $500 million in 2021, and committing an additional $2.5 billion in 2023. This influx of capital has significantly driven up production costs. In 2015, the year before Netflix entered the Korean market, the average production cost per episode for a Korean drama was around $360,000. That figure has since surged. In 2019, Netflix spent $1.7 million per episode on its first Korean original, 'Kingdom.' In 2020, 'Sweet Home' cost $2.4 million per episode. Most notably, the budget for 'Squid Game' Season 2 reportedly reached $9.8 million per episode in 2024. On the distribution front, Netflix has also disrupted existing systems. The platform has emerged as the dominant distributor of Korean content, replacing traditional broadcasters and cable networks. Since entering the Korean market, Netflix has maintained its position as the leading streaming service and remains the only one generating reliable profits. Its revenue has steadily climbed, growing from $356 million in 2020 to $629 million in 2024. In contrast, traditional broadcasters and networks have entered a period of steep decline. As viewers shift toward streaming platforms and other digital media, television viewership has dropped sharply, reducing the influence of broadcasters in the advertising market. After peaking in 2020, average TV viewing time decreased by 24.8 percent over the next three years. During the same period, broadcasters' share of the national advertising market fell from 24 percent to 17.6 percent. This shift has made Korean content producers increasingly dependent on Netflix. With fewer resources, traditional broadcasters have cut back on the number of Korean dramas they air. In 2019, the year Netflix streamed its first Korean original, Korean broadcasters aired 109 dramas. By 2023, that number had fallen to 77. In contrast, Netflix steadily expanded its Korean content library through original productions, co-productions, and licensing agreements. This strategy has proven commercially successful; Korean content now comprises 17 percent of the top 500 non-U.S. titles on Netflix. However, this growing reliance raises concerns about creative diversity in the industry. As production companies tailor their output to suit the leading distributor's stylistic and commercial preferences, critics warn that Netflix's dominance risks homogenizing Korean content and diminishing its creative vitality. More concerning still is the decline in the overall volume and variety of content produced. Rising production costs and a distribution system dominated by Netflix have contributed to a sharp reduction in the number of new dramas. In 2022, South Korea produced 141 dramas. That number fell to 123 in 2023 and dropped again to 107 in 2024. This contraction has not affected all creators equally; young and emerging artists have been hit the hardest. Netflix tends to invest in high-budget projects that favor established industry figures. Meanwhile, traditional broadcasters, under mounting financial pressure, are reducing support for smaller-scale productions. These smaller projects once played a critical role in providing entry points for new directors and writers. As a result, the evolving content ecosystem is becoming increasingly inhospitable to the next generation of talent, which threatens the future of the industry as a whole. South Korea's content industry stands at a critical juncture. Netflix has brought global visibility and record levels of investment, but it has also disrupted long-standing industry structures. Within a decade, the streaming platform has fundamentally altered consumer behavior and reshaped the Korean content market. While the audience and market landscape have evolved rapidly, the industry itself has struggled to keep pace. Given that these changes are irreversible, the question is no longer whether to adapt, but how. Without meaningful structural reform, South Korea's content industry risks stagnation and long-term decline. The future will depend not only on how effectively the industry navigates disruption, but on its ability to proactively reinvent its production and distribution systems.
Indian Express
04-06-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Kim Soo Hyun's global rebranding begins amid 50K+ demanding GaroSero crackdown
Amid the fallout in South Korea over the Kim Sae Ron dating controversy, Kim Soo Hyun is quietly getting an image makeover overseas. A longtime heavyweight in Korean entertainment, Soo Hyun's hit drama My Love from the Star, which originally aired back in 2013, is finally making its South American debut nearly 11 years later. Meanwhile, the series is being re-aired in Taiwan. Support trucks are being sent across borders, and the moment's being celebrated loudly on social media by his fan. All this while, GaroSero, the YouTube channel that first accused the actor of dating the late Sae Ron when she was a minor, is now in hot water, with the Anti-GaroSero Act gaining serious traction through a petition that's pushing for legal reform. Also read: Amid Kim Soo Hyun backlash, a look at 7 Korean actors who bounced back from controversies Weeks after reports that some of Kim Soo Hyun's early K-dramas have seen a sudden popularity spike on OTT platforms across various countries, Brazil's biggest private TV network, SBT, kicked off the broadcast of My Love from the Star on June 2. The move comes under a new programming block titled 'Asian Production Line,' dedicated to Asian shows in a nod to how the entertainment industry has grown and shifted globally. As for why they picked this particular drama, SBT said, 'The drama has achieved international popularity and commercial success across multiple countries. With its unique blend of romance, drama, sci-fi, and humour, along with a captivating script and stellar performances, it resonates with fans of all ages,' per KBIZOOM. The Brazilian audience seems excited as well. Fans have been flooding SBT's website and social media pages with messages, promotional content, and big support. SBT further said, 'The airing of My Love from the Star on SBT reflects how K-dramas are no longer niche content, but now a key part of mainstream programming. We're actively following social media and streaming trends to cater to the open TV audience.' Also read: Park Bo Gum made a request to Kim So Hyun years ago: 'Remember this when the time comes'; the story behind Good Boy casting Starring Jun Ji Hyun, Park Hae Jin, Yoo In Na, and Ahn Jae Hyun, My Love from the Star is a fantasy rom-com that follows Do Min Joon, an alien who landed on Earth during the Joseon Dynasty and has been stuck here for over 400 years. Do Min Joon's unsympathetic view of humans starts to crack when top actress Cheon Song Yi moves in next door and flips his life upside down. Kim Soo Hyun and his agency, Gold Medalist, have filed lawsuits against both Kim Se Ui and Kim Sae Ron's family, accusing them of defamation, privacy violations, and spreading personal material with malicious intent. According to Nate News, a few days ago, a public petition titled 'Petition to Improve the System to Prevent the Repeated Spread of False Information and Human Rights Violations on Online Platforms' was submitted to South Korea's National Assembly on May 22. By June 3, over 54,000 people had signed it, and it's still open until June 21. The act has been dubbed the Anti-Garo Sero, and it calls for action against YouTubers like Kim Se Ui (the host), including legal punishment, platform-based sanctions, and an independent investigation. Soo Hyun's Disney+ Plus series Knock Off, alongside actor Jo Bo Ah, has been put on hold. The actor has also lost major brand endorsements, including Shabu All Day, which recently replaced him with actor Kim Woo Bin. Soo Hyun earlier admitted to knowing Kim Sae Ron but insisted on being in a relationship only after the actor turned 18. During a press conference, he explained why he initially denied it. He said, 'I made that decision as the celebrity Kim Soo Hyun,' adding that he was trying to protect his image and the K-drama Queen of Tears. He now faces lawsuits demanding he pay back 5.8 billion KRW.
Mint
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
Kim Soo Hyun-starrer My Love from the Star to re-release globally amid Kim Sae Ron controversy
Korean actor Kim Soo Hyun continues to make headlines almost every day with the never-ending controversy around his involvement in late actor Kim Sae Ron's life. The actor previously admitted to dating the late actor, but several allegations have been raised by Sae Ron's family which the actor and his agency have rejected so far. Amid this, reports about his hit K-drama, My Love from the Star re-releasing in countries have surfaced. The K-drama will be making its debut in South America, Brazil, as per multiple reports. It will be broadcast on SBT, starting June 9. The show is said to be a part of the network's recently introduced Asian content block. It is set to air in Brazil for the first time, more than a decade after its original release in South Korea. SBT attributed the premiere to a growing appetite for Korean content among viewers in Brazil, which has seen a sharp rise in recent years, much like everywhere else in the world. Besides Brazil, the show will be reportedly re-airing in Taiwan where several fans previously came out in support of the actor amid reports about his relationship with Kim Sae Ron. In Taiwan, it will be released on Korea Entertainment TV. Its comeback amid the controversy is likely to benefit the ratings, especially in a time when Kim Soo Hyun is dealing with setbacks at work due to the controversy. My Love from the Star was originally released in 2013 on SBS) from December 18, 2013, to February 27, 2014. It has 21 episodes. It starred Jun Ji Hyun, Kim Soo Hyun, Park Hae Jin, Yoo In Na, Shin Sung Rok, and Ahn Jae Hyun. Directed by Jang Tae Yoo, the show is written by Park Ji Eun. It revolves around the story of an alien who landed on Earth in 1609 during the Joseon Dynasty. As he stays back, 400 years later he falls in love with a popular actor. The show is originally inspired by historical records from the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty dating to autumn 1609, when residents reported sightings of unidentified flying objects across the Korean peninsula. The K-drama is backed by Choi Moon Suk and Moon Bo Mi. The show was met with an average nationwide television viewership rating of 24 per cent in South Korea and is considered one of the cult K-dramas that contributed to spreading the Hallyu wave.
Tatler Asia
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Tatler Asia
15 K-dramas where the couple starts as childhood sweethearts
2. 'When the Camellia Blooms' (2019) Small-town charm meets low-key obsession in this Gong Hyo-jin and Kang Ha-neul drama. But rewind a few decades, and you'll find that Hwang Yong-sik had already fallen for single mom Dong-baek when they were just kids. His devotion never wavered, even if hers took a while to catch up. Proof that sometimes the loud kid in class turns into the man who'll love you through serial killer subplots. 3. 'Castaway Diva' (2023) The premise is unconventional: a girl (Park Eun-bin) stranded on an island for 15 years returns to civilisation to become a pop star. But buried beneath the survival storyline is a poignant twist: her long-lost childhood friend Mok-ha is unknowingly reunited with the boy who once protected her from an abusive father. Ultimately, this K-drama uses the childhood connection and enemies-turned-friends trope to full effect. What follows is a masterclass in longing, memory and quiet redemption. 4. 'My Love from the Star' (2013) Sure, he's an alien. But Do Min-joon (Kim Soo-hyun) first met Cheon Song-yi (Jun Ji-hyun) when she was a child in the Joseon era, and he saved her life. Centuries pass, but the universe has a flair for reunions. While the story doesn't dwell on their first meeting, the undercurrent of destiny is strong, and frankly, intergalactic devotion deserves a mention. 5. 'When Life Gives You Tangerines' (2025) This is a Jeju-set youth romance that delivers soft-focus cinematography and heartache in equal measure. Gwang-sik (Park Bo-gum) and Ae-sun (IU) grow up together, chasing each other through beaches and cabbage patches. Unlike the tropes where the couple meet once in their youth and then again as adults, When Life Gives You Tangerines is truly about childhood sweethearts. Unfailingly loyal to Ae Sun since they were nine years old, Gwang-sik stood by her side through family tragedy all the way to menopause. 6. '18 Again' (2020) Technically not childhood sweethearts, but an exception has to be made: Hong Dae-young (Yoon Sang-hyun/Lee Do-hyun) and Jung Da-jung (Kim Ha-neul) fell in love and had kids young. After a magical body-swap scenario, Dae-young becomes 18 again and sees his wife from a new lens, all while reliving the roots of their relationship. The flashbacks to their teenage years are pure nostalgia-fuelled romance. 7. 'I'll Go to You When the Weather Is Nice' (2020) This slow-burn gem centres on introvert bookstore owner Eun-seob (Seo Kang-joon) and cellist Hae-won (Park Min-young), whose connection stretches back to high school. Without spoiling too much, it's later revealed that Eun-seob has quietly loved her since childhood. Set against a wintry village backdrop, the show whispers its way into your heart. Childhood love, but make it melancholic and snow-dusted. 8. 'The Smile Has Left Your Eyes' (2018) Not your typical romance—this drama is darker, twistier and potentially traumatic. But yes, our leads (Seo In-guk and Jung So-min) share a tragic link from childhood that fuels the entire mystery. It's less 'we were meant to be' and more 'we were bound to collide', but the emotional weight of their past makes the adult romance all the more intense. 9. 'She Was Pretty' (2015) Once upon a playground, Kim Hye-jin (Hwang Jung-eum) had the world—good looks, good grades and a best friend who adored her. Years later, life has rearranged the chessboard: Hye-jin now hides behind frizzy bangs and an unpaid credit card bill, while her childhood pal Ji Sung-joon (Park Seo-joon) has transformed into a magazine-cover version of success. When they meet again, he doesn't recognise her, and she doesn't correct him. What follows is a masquerade of mistaken identity, office antics and buried affection, all underlined by the ache of once being seen and now being invisible. 10. 'See You in My 19th Life' (2023) We're redefining childhood sweethearts a bit with See You in My 19th Life . Ban Ji-eum (Shin Hye-sun) remembers every life she's ever lived—all 18 of them. But in her 19th, she wants only one thing: to find the boy she once loved. Her pursuit of Moon Seo-ha (Ahn Bo-hyun) isn't just romantic; it's cosmic, a collision of past and present griefs. He, of course, remembers nothing, only the aftermath. A reincarnation romance soaked in melancholy and second chances, See You in My 19th Life asks: how far would you go to reclaim a love the universe keeps rewriting? 11. 'Come and Hug Me' (2018) They met in childhood, shared first kisses and playground promises. But then his father murdered her parents. Come and Hug Me is not a gentle love story, but a raw, unnerving meditation on trauma and survival. Years later, Chae Do-jin (Jang Ki-yong) wears a police badge; Han Jae-yi (Jin Ki-joo) lives behind stage lights. Their connection is fragile, haunted and quietly defiant, a love not defined by the violence that surrounded it but by the strength it takes to remember who they were before it. Don't miss: 12 intense K-drama thrillers that will keep you on the edge of your seat 12. 'Our Beloved Summer' (2021) First love rarely comes with a film crew, but Choi Woong (Choi Woo-shik) and Kook Yeon-soo's (Choi Woo-shik) romance was documented from the start: awkward, bickering, electric. Years after they break up, fate (and a nosy producer) drags them back on camera for a sequel no one asked for. What unspools is part rom-com, part emotional autopsy, as flashbacks blur into present longing. It's messy, modern and disarmingly tender: the story of two people trying to make sense of a love that never fully faded. 13. 'Pinocchio' (2014) Their lives are stitched together by coincidence and calamity. Choi In-ha (Park Shin-hye), who hiccups when she lies, and Choi Dal-po (Lee Jong-suk), who wears his grief like armour, share a household, not by blood, but by circumstance. She considers him family; he's spent years quietly redefining the word. Behind their sibling façade lies a tension neither dares name, forged in tragedy and nurtured in quiet companionship. When the past catches up, their bond must weather more than just societal judgment. 14. 'Reply 1988' (2015) There are dozens of love stories in Reply 1988 , woven through dinner tables, alleyways and late-night chats under shared blankets. Set in the analogue warmth of the late '80s, Reply 1988 isn't just about who marries whom. It's about how love grows when no one's looking—via childhood games, neighbourly teasing and the way a boy silently gives you an extra tight hug. This classic is a love letter to community, nostalgia and the kind of affection that sneaks up after years of friendship. Also read: 11 heart-warming found families in K-dramas 15. 'Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo' (2016) She lifts like a tank, cries like a teenager and falls in love like someone who's never really been looked at before. Kim Bok-joo (Lee Sung-kyung) is no manic pixie. She's an athlete with calloused hands and a deeply awkward crush. Her banter with swimming star Jung Joon-hyung (Nam Joo-hyuk) is peak college rom-com, but what elevates their story is a flicker of memory: a childhood encounter, long buried but quietly formative. He once helped her, and now he sees her. And slowly, so does she.
