Welcome to the Weekly Update – January 21 – 27. Music continues to be a bit slow this week, but but TXT and OnlyOneOf give us some new material. Two new dramas started up this week. And fans say goodbye to a talented and respected actor gone too soon. I hope you had a great week. Until next time, enjoy your kdrama and ramen!
Casting News
Kang Mal Geum, Cha Hwa Yeon, Jeon Bae Soo, and Han Eun Sung
Kang Mal Geum, Cha Hwa Yeon, Jeon Bae Soo, and Han Eun Sung will appear in the upcoming legal drama along with the previously confirmed starring cast. Based off a webtoon by the same name, the drama is about a successsful divorce lawyer who goes above and beyond to help her clients.
IU and Park Bo Gum
IU and Park Bo Gum will be starring together in the upcoming life drama “You Have Done Well”. The historical drama follows a young couple in the 1950s on Jeju Island, letting the story unfold season by season. “You Have Done Well” will begin filming during the first half of this year.
Lee Hak Joo and Lee Da In
Lee Hak Joo and Lee Da In will play the second leads in the upcoming historical romance drama “Lovers”. The drama, starring Namgoong Min and Ahn Eun Jin, is set in the Joseon Era during the time of the Qing invasion. “Lovers” is scheduled to air some time in the second half of this year.
Celebrity News
Na Chul
Actor Na Chul passed away on January 21st. The actor, famous for roles in many dramas including “Vincenzo”, “D.P.”, and “Happiness“, was 36 years old and died due to health issues. Our condolenses go out to his friends and family during this painful time.
Music News
YESUNG
Small Things
SUPER JUNIOR’s YESUNG shines bright in his new single “Small Things”. This chill indie pop track is soft and laidback. YESUNG gives a warm and husky vocal performance that pulls in a breathy style while the simple musical arrangement relies on quiet percussion and minimal guitar. The MV is about an indie singer who meets a beautiful husker and the 2 bond over their love of music.
OnlyOneOf
chrOme arts
OnlyOneOf has wrapped up their “Underground Idol” series and are preparing for a Korean comeback. But in the meantime, they released a Japanese single “chrOme arts”. This edgy dance track brings back the group’s grittier, more intense style. It has an edgy, industrial sound full of sharp edges and lurching beats. The MV is a choreography based performance in a large, open room.
TXT
Sugar Rush Ride
TXT is addictive in their new single “Sugar Rush Ride”. This funky pop track is full of stops and starts as it plays heavily on the anti-drop trend. The sudden shifts in tempo will definitely take you on a ride and the vocal work is strong, especially when they go into their more alluring falsetto. The MV takes the members to a beautiful island teeming with flowers that seem to have the power to put them into some kind of sugar rush trance.
AIMERS
Fireworks
The young group AIMERS is back after their debut last year with the song “Fight Inside”. In preparation for their upcoming first comeback, they have released a “special single” titled “Fireworks”. This mid-tempo EDM track has bright tones and upbeat, positive energy. The MV shows the group playing together in the snow.
Drama News
The Forbidden Marriage
The historical romance “The Forbidden Marriage ” aired its finale on January 21st. A young widowed King pines has been pining for his first love for the last 7 years. But a mysterious con artist shows up at the palace claiming she is possessed by the spirit of his dead wife. But as her lies grow, so does her desire to actually help the King find peace.
Kokdu: Season of Deity
The romantic fantasy drama “Kokdu: Season of Deity” started airing on January 27th. A bitter and tired grim reaper is sent back to earth to punish the sins of evil humans. But when he is sent into the body of a young medic, he finds his spiritual mission at odds with the life and career of his new body.
Decoy Season One
The crime thriller “Decoy Season One” premiered on January 27th. A detective teams up with a reporter and a con artist to solve a case that has important ties to his past. The first 6 episodes will air now and the next 6 for season two are scheduled to be released some time later this year.