Welcome to my Weekly Update – June 5 – 11. This week, no news is good news as far as military news. Three kdramas aired their finales this week and there was LOTS of new music. For some reason, futuristic space videos seemed to be surprisingly popular. I hope you had a great week. Until next time, enjoy your kdrama and ramen.
Casting News
Ahn Hyo Seop
Ahn Hyo Seop has been confirmed to star in the upcoming romantic comedy “Office Blind Date”. Based on a web novel and webtoon, Ahn Hyo Seop will play a rich chaebol with trust issues when it comes to love. The female lead role has yet to be cast. “Office Blind Date” is scheduled to premiere early next year.
Jaeyoon, Seol A, and Hangyul
SF9’s Jaeyoon, WJSN’s SeolA, and BAE173’s Hangyul have been cast in the upcoming fantasy web drama “Love in Black Hole”. When a college student receives a note from a secret admirer through white hole in her room she begins a journey into the worlds of astonomy and cosmology in the hopes of finding out who it is. Filming will begin this month although a premiere date has not been scheduled yet.
Hyungwon
MONSTA X’s Hyungwon has been cast as the lead in the upcoming web drama “Fly Again”. “Fly Again” will follow the lives and struggles of idols who are constantly in the limelight. Though this is not his acting debut, this will be Hyungwon’s first time starring as a lead.
Music News
Lightsum
Vanilla
Lightsum is serving up something sweet in their pop debut “Vanilla”. Idol reality show fans will recognize some familiar faces in this newly formed girl group. Brass and percussion give this track a bouncy beat that goes from marching band to electronica. While colorful and cute, the track showcases the strong vocal talents of this young group of experienced singers.
Woo Jinyoung
Happy Birthday
D1CE’s Woo Jinyoung is celebrating his brithday by gifting fans with this energetic new single. Rap, hip hop, and EDM merge for this heavy-hitting track. The MV shows the artist throwing himself a lavish birthday party at a fancy luxury hotel.
WEi
BYE BYE BYE
WEi is hitting the road for the summer in their new pop single “Bye Bye Bye”. Full of breezy music and upbeat lyrics, the track highlights the groups youthful exuberance. The MV shows the band relaxing as they soak in the sun and surf in a tropical paradise, while the lyrics encourage fans to put the past behind them and embrace a new journey.
Twice
Alcohol-Free
TWICE is getting drunk on love in their new single “Alcohol-Free”. Joining the race toward summer fun, TWICE give a simple chill performance with bossa nova style music and plucky backup. This pop anthem is accompanied by a MV that shows the band surrounded by palm trees and sand as they frolic and enjoy colorful cocktails.
TXT
Magic
TXT is hoping to save us from the machines in their new futuristic MV for “Magic”. Following in the footsteps of label-mates BTS, “Magic” is an all English track with a disco pop vibe. The funky upbeat song shows off TXT’s charm and fun energy.
EXO
Don’t Fight the Feeling
EXO is taking us back to Planet EXO in their newest sci-fi themed MV for “Don’t Fight the Feeling”. The timing on their newest album strategically involved the most members they could gather between military enlistments. And fans are thrilled that Lay was included with the group for the first time since 2018. The title track is a dance track with heavy bass and energetic snyths.
N.Flying
Moonshot
N.Flying treats us to a rooftop serenade in “Moonshot”. Featuring a smooth rocky groove that is complimented by bursts of brass, the track swings along as the lyrics encourage fans to step a confident step toward change. The MV shows the band members starting in fear but slowly working up the courgae to challenge the boundaries that have been imposed on them.
Han SungWoon
Sneakers
Han Sungwoon lets us join him on a magical journey throught the great outdoors in “Sneakers”. This bright pop song shows off Han Sungwoon’s wonderfully airy vocals that are relaxing in that “lazy days of summer” kind of way. The MV shows him finding an old pair of sneakers on the shelf that take him to places inspired by the pictures and things around his house.
NCT 127 x Amoeba Culture
Save
NCT 127 teams up with Amoeba Culture in “Save”. The thumping dance track races forward at break neck speeds while still allowing the vocals to shine through. The futuristic video relays the idea of saving the things we find valueable as a culture, whether that be a person, the environment, or our plantet as a whole.
Drama News
Youth of May
The historical romance “Youth of May” aired it’s finale on June 8th. Rather than focusing on the distant past, “Youth of May” takes place in the turbulent 1980’s, as a young couple uses their knowledge of medicine to fight for freedom and democracy among other student demonstrators.
Law School
The law drama “Law School” also aired it’s finale this week. When a murder occurs at a prestigious law university, a strict professor with unorthodox methods draws in a group of his best students to solve the mystery of who is responsible. All 16 episodes are now available on Netflix.
Sell your Haunted House
“Sell your Haunted House” ended on June 9th. The mystery thriller tells the story of an exoricist who specializes in selling houses that are haunted teaming up with a charming con man. Will their partnership be able to get rid of the territorial ghosts and still turn a profit?