Latest news with #Kdrama
The Review Geek
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Review Geek
Second Shot at Love Season 1 Review – A wholesome K-drama with a mediocre ending
Season 1 Episode Guide Episode 1 -| Review Score – 3/5 Episode 2 -| Review Score – 2.5/5 Episode 3 -| Review Score – 3/5 Episode 4 -| Review Score – 3/5 Episode 5 -| Review Score – 3/5 Episode 6 -| Review Score – 3/5 Episode 7 -| Review Score – 3/5 Episode 8 -| Review Score – 3/5 Episode 9 -| Review Score – 2.5/5 Episode 10 -| Review Score – 2.5/5 Episode 11 -| Review Score – 2.5/5 Episode 12 -| Review Score – 2.5/5 Mini slice-of-life K-dramas hit just the right spots and usually crop up right after a barrage of intense, ambitious and melodramatic shows. They are perfect for a quick binge session with light angst that is quickly resolved, lovable ensembles and hilarious antics. We can easily recall several such wholesome shows like Once Upon a Small Town, Summer Strike and Hometown Cha Cha Cha. And the latest to join this genre happens to be Second Shot at Love. Second Shot at Love is an exciting K-drama from tvN which is known for fun rom-coms like Lovely Runner, What's Wrong with Secretary Kim and True Beauty. Said to be a wholesome rom-com, it has everything from small-town chaos and drunken mistakes to first love and healing. The cast includes Choi Soo-young, Gong Myung, Jo Yoon-hee, Kang Hyung-suk, Kim Sung-ryung and Kim Sang-ho among others. It is created by writer Myung Soo-hyun who is known for comedies with a message like Monthly Magazine Home and Drinking Solo. The K-drama follows Han Geum-ju, a genius mechanic and bubbly woman who loves drinking. But after her engagement falls apart, she loses her job and her apartment, her mother, Gwang-ok, tries to get her to stop drinking. As she is forced to move back to her home town, she struggles to come to terms with her alcoholism and the need to get sober. It doesn't help that her sister and father are alcoholics as well and seem to join her in her drunken antics. On top of that, Geum-ju's former best friend and first love, Dr Seo Ui-joon, hates alcohol and constantly preaches the treatment of alcohol abuse. Despite having a successful practice in Seoul, he moves back to their home town and is more than happy to ignore Geum-ju, much to her annoyance. Second Shot at Love Season 1 is the perfect mini-healing drama as it is full of minor conflicts which are quickly resolved. Along with it, all the characters grow, heal, find love and acceptance. The light and peppy music, paired with the bright and cheerful town of Bochun, sets up the atmosphere for Geum-ju and her friends to grow and get better. The physical comedy is hilarious and actually needed to stop the show from getting too heavy, given the tackling of a difficult issue like alcoholism. But don't worry, the show doesn't take it too lightly either. With alcohol abuse being a rampant issue in South Korea, it seems that the studio has taken it upon itself to churn out a gentle PSA with this show. Without getting too didactic, it explores the different perspectives of those who drink and the bystanders who are affected by it. It ends up fleshing all the secondary characters and giving them their own, relatable storylines like that of Gwang-ok, Geum-ju's sister and even the town gossip. The cast also puts on a commendable portrayal of sharing the story of Bochun's alcoholics, clowns and well-wishers. Soo-young plays into Geum-ju's desperation and co-dependency while also keeping it light and funny with all the goofy moments her character finds herself in. Those who watched Second Shot at Love live will definitely get whiplash from Gong Myung playing a psychopath in Mercy for None and then the lovable dork that is Ui-joon in the same breath. And Kim Sung-ryung deserves a shout-out as her Gwang-ok steals the scene, whether with a hilarious chase sequence or an emotional rant. Unfortunately, there is a melodramatic plot twist near the end involving damaged livers and transplants. Its purpose is to help the characters empathise with those suffering and to help them grow. The only problem is that the characters have already grown and accepted their mistakes, making the transplant twist unnecessary, except to add some spice to the story. This seems to be a recurring problem, as the main story is wrapped up in the first 10 episodes. And the final two episodes are reserved for a sudden thriller involving Ui-joon's missing parents. This is the second whiplash of this series, given that it completely changes the tone and is quite unnecessary as well. Had the writers never introduced this thriller subplot in the first place, maybe this wholesome K-drama and Han Geum-ju could have gotten the ending they deserve.
The Review Geek
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Review Geek
Has Our Unwritten Seoul been renewed for Season 2? Here's what we know:
Renewed Or Cancelled? Our Unwritten Seoul is an intriguing K-drama, taking the typical thriller and romance vibes, then adding in an identical twin to spice things up. If you've been following this one, you may be wondering if this has been renewed or cancelled. Here's what we know: What is Our Unwritten Seoul about? Yu Mi-ji and Yu Mi-rae are identical twin sisters, but they are different in everything except for their appearance. Younger sister Yu Mi-ji ended her short heyday as a promising track and field athlete and she now lives a freewheeling life. Meanwhile, Older sister Mi-rae is a perfectionist. She has been on an elite path since her school days and currently works at a government owned company. For some reason, Mi-ji and Mi-rae begin to tell audacious lies about exchanging their lives and thus, they then go ahead and do just that. We have ongoing coverage of Our Unwritten Seoul across the site including recaps for the season. You can check those out HERE! Has Our Unwritten Seoul been renewed for season 2? At the time of writing, tvN have not renewed When the Stars Gossip for season 2. Given the ratings over the weeks, it'll be interesting to see if they actually do renew this for a follow-up. The ratings began with a respectable 3.6% share nationwide but since then, the show has been increasing in popularity with every passing week, with the later episodes hovering around 7.4% nationwide. Regardless of ratings, it's extremely rare to find Korean dramas renewed for another season. That has changed in recent years but given the sheer wealth of talent in this that are sure to move onto other projects, we predict that Our Unwritten Seoul will not be renewed for a second season. On top of that, this is billed as a limited series which only has 1 season. We'll be sure to update this section with more details as they become available. What we know about season 2 so far: Barely anything is known about season 2 right now. Given most Korean dramas are reserved to one season, it's rare to find these sort of shows renewed. With the rare exception of ongoing Netflix shows (Love ft. Marriage and Divorce, Hospital Playlist etc.) then it seems unlikely that this one will be renewed. Having said that though, we have seen Taxi Driver and Tale of the Nine Tailed renewed recently, alongside Alchemy of Souls too. Given how steady the ratings are for this series, could we see this one buck the trend? It seems very unlikely that Our Unwritten Seoul will, but you never know! We'll be sure to update this section when we know more. Would you like to see Our Unwritten Seoul return for a second season? Or do you think the story has run its course? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
The Review Geek
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Review Geek
Upcoming K-dramas to Watch in June 2025
Here is your monthly update on K-dramas! June 2025 is shaping up to be an exciting month for K-drama fans, with a diverse slate of new releases ranging from gritty crime thrillers and historical fantasies to heartwarming romances and even one unique take on Sherlock Holmes. Expect names like So Ji-sub, Ok Taec-yeon, Jeon Yeo-been, and Choo Young-woo on your screens. Whether you're in the mood for action-filled tales of revenge, universe-bending love stories, or schoolyard dramas, this month promises something for every kind of viewer. Most anticipated of all is Squid Game 3, the final season of the iconic K-drama. Read on to learn more about the K-dramas and their release date, plot, cast, and where to watch them. Without further ado, here are all the exciting new K-dramas releasing in June 2025: Release Date: 6th June Lead Cast: So Ji-sub, Huh Joon-ho, Ahn Kil-kang, Lee Bum-soo, Gong Myung, Choo Young-woo, Jo Han-chul Network: Netflix Plot: An adaptation of a webtoon named Plaza Wars, this gritty crime drama set in Seoul's underbelly follows Gi-jun, one of the underworld's fiercest. However, he retires due to a certain incident. Years later, his brother Gi-seok's ruthless murder reignites Gi-jun's thirst for vengeance and he's convinced the culprit lurks close. Release Date: 11th June Lead Cast: Seohyun, Ok Taec-yeon, Kwon Han-sol, Seo Bum-june, Ji Hye-won Where to Watch: Viki, KBS2 Plot: The series follows a college student known as K who suddenly finds herself transported into a historical romance novel. Stuck in the body of a minor noble character named Seon-chaek, she ends up spending a night with the male lead, a royal named Lee Beon. Lee Beon then insists they get married and K is tasked with keeping the story intact and making sure he falls for the female lead instead of her. Release Date: 13th June Lead Cast: Nam Koong-min, Jeon Yeo-been Where to Watch: Disney+ Plot: The Korean drama follows Lee Je-ha, a film director who feels overshadowed by his father's success and is struggling to make his second film. He decides to make a film about a person with a terminal illness and ends up meeting Lee Da-eum in the process, an aspiring actress who suffers from a rare disease. The drama will have 12 episodes and will air every Friday and Saturday. Salon de Holmes Release Date: 16th June Lead Cast: Lee Si-young, Jung Young-joo, Kim Da-som, Nam Gi-ae Where to Watch: ENA Plot: Salon de Holmes is a comedy action drama that revolves around four women who live in the same apartment complex. They team up in order to deal with a range of villains, from people who don't park properly and refuse to separate their waste to darker, more sinister criminals. Release Date: 16th June Lead Cast: Park Ju-hyun, Park Yong-woo, Kang Hoon Where to Watch: Disney+ Plot: Hunter with a Scalpel centers its story on the past coming back to haunt a forensic pathologist considered to be the top of her field. The father she presumed dead all these years has returned to threaten everything she worked for, and with everything on the line, she has no choice but to face her past to save her future. I Am a Running Mate Release Date: 19th June Lead Cast: Yoon Hyun-soo, Lee Jung-sic, Choi Woo-sung Where to Watch: TVING Plot: I Am a Running Mate is a high school drama following the life of model student Noh Se-hoon. His reputation takes a hit when an unfortunate incident earns him the nickname 'Erector'. Determined to retrieve his dignity, he decides to become a running mate for the school's student council and gets involved in a flurry of competition. Head Over Heels Release Date: 23rd June Lead Cast: Cho Yi-hun, Cha Kang-yoon, Choo Young-woo, Choo Ja-hyun Where to Watch: tvN Plot: A fantasy romance drama, Head Over Heels revolves around a young woman who moonlights as a shaman. When she realises her first love is bound for an early death, she decides to save him from his destiny. This is a 12-episode drama that will air every Monday and Tuesday. Squid Game 3 Release Date: 27th June Lead Cast: Lee Jung-jae, Lee Byung-hun, Wi Ha-joon, Im Si-wan, Kang Ha-neul, Park Sung-hoon and more Where to Watch: Netflix Plot: The third and final season of Squid Game will release this year as well! Helmed by Hwang Dong-hyuk, the final instalment of the thriller series will continue to follow Seong Gi-hun's fight to shut down the games once and for all. Love Phobia Release Date: 27th June Lead Cast: Yeon Woo, Kim Hyun-jin, Jo Yoon-seo, Choi Byung-chan Where to Watch: U+ Mobile TV Plot: Love Phobia gives us another opposites-attract story between an unlikely pair. On the one hand is Yoon Bi-ah, the CEO of an AI-powered dating app who is emotionally detached. On the other hand is Han Sun-ho, a novelist who is all about emotions and feelings. This drama will have 8 episodes. Which Korean drama are you most looking forward to in the month of June? Which do you think could become the best of 2025? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
New York Times
a day ago
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Watching South Korean TV Won't Make You Want to Have a Baby
South Korea is in the midst of a childbearing catastrophe. Birthrates are dropping below replacement level all over the world, including in the United States, and South Korea has the world's lowest fertility rate, with only 0.75 children born for every woman of childbearing age. (Replacement level is considered 2.1 births per woman.) As a result, if the trend continues, South Korea's population is expected to decline by half by the end of this century. Why are South Koreans so reluctant to have children? There are the usual explanations: a high cost of living, young people delaying marriage and the stubbornly patriarchal nature of South Korean society — a problem so persistent that it sparked the feminist 4B movement, which contends that women should forgo four activities: dating men, having sex with men, marrying men and having kids. (The Korean prefix that denotes negation is pronounced 'bee.') If you want to understand how these factors play out in the experience of South Korean women, look to the plots of the most popular K-dramas on TV. The K-drama business is one of the few industries in South Korea where women dominate; according to a 2018 estimate, 90 percent of K-drama writers are women. The popularity of these shows, in part because of their global distribution on Netflix, has given South Korean women a potent venue to tell their stories, and many of these stories can rightly be heard as a cry for help. On paper, the rights afforded new and expecting mothers in South Korea can sound positively Scandinavian in their generosity — including up to three years of combined paid parental leave and generous government baby bonuses. And the country, which fully shed authoritarian rule only in 1987, is enjoying a period of prosperity and cultural influence. South Korea has the world's most popular boy and girl bands, the world's second-biggest cosmetics export industry and a thriving cultural sector that has produced an Academy Award for best picture ('Parasite') and one of Netflix's most popular shows ('Squid Game'). But women's advancement has been sporadic and unequal, and in practice, few of the benefits ensconced in the law have shifted the country's deeply held beliefs about the pressures and demands of parenthood. Many South Koreans believe parental leave is for wimps. The Korea Herald reported that mothers still have a hard time re-entering the work force and that 'many of the women residing in Seoul whose careers have been interrupted by family-related issues tend to sustain a job for less than two years after returning to work.' Population collapse is largely a first-world problem. But as the most popular Korean dramas are desperately trying to tell us, you can't fix a first-world problem when crucial areas of your society are still stuck in an outdated mentality about gender roles. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
The Review Geek
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Review Geek
Hunter With A Scalpel Episodes 5-8 Preview: Release Date, Time & Where To Watch
Hunter With A Scalpel Hunter With A Scalpel centers its story on the past coming back to haunt a forensic pathologist considered to be the top of her field. The father she presumed dead all these years has returned to threaten everything she worked for, and with everything on the line, she has no choice but to face her past to save her future. If you've been following this one, you may be curious about when the next episode will be released. Well, wonder no more! Here is everything you need to know about episodes 5-8 of Hunter With A Scalpel, including its release date, time, and where to watch it. Where Can I Watch Hunter With A Scalpel? Hunter With A Scalpel is set to air on U+mobiletv and Disney+ for Koreans, while it has been listed as Disney+ internationally. However, Disney do tend to region-lock their K-drama offerings so it's unclear right now if this is a global release or only in certain regions. For those in the UK, this definitely isn't streaming there. Hunter With A Scalpel Episodes 5-8 Release Date Episodes 5-8 of Hunter With A Scalpel will be released once a day on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday on 23rd-26th June at 4pm (GMT), 10am (ET). For those in Korea though, this one will drop at 12am (KST) on the streaming platform. Expect episodes to be roughly 30 minutes long each, which is consistent with the timeframe for the rest of the show. How Many Episodes Will Hunter With A Scalpel Season 1 Have? Hunter With A Scalpel is expected to have 16 episodes in total, with four episodes releasing once per week. With that in mind, there will be 8 more episodes to go after this one. Is There A Trailer For Hunter With A Scalpel? Yes, there is! You can check out the trailer below: What do you hope to see as the series progresses? Are you excited to watch Hunter With A Scalpel? Let us know in the comments below!
