Welcome to the Weekly Update – March 25 – 31. The solos continue this week, with GOT7’s BamBam and BLACKPINK’s JISOO both making their solo debuts. A new extended weekend drama started up as well as a historical romance and a dystopian thriller. I hope you had a great week. Until next time, enjoy your kdrama and ramen!
Casting News
Joo Hyun Young
Joo Hyun Young will be joining Lee Se Young And Bae In Hyuk in the upcoming time-travel historical romance drama “Park’s Contract Marriage Story”. When a Joseon widow mysteriously finds herself in modern times, she agrees to a contractual marriage for her own protection and peace of mind. Park’s Contract Marriage Story” will air some time in the second half of this year.
Bora
Bora will be joining Kim Seo Hyung in the upcoming suspense thriller “Paper Moon”. Based on a Japanese novel of the same name, the story is about a bank teller who begins embezzling funds from her wealthy customers. “Paper Moon” will premiere on April 10th.
Nam Ji Hyun, Choi Hyun Wook, and Kim Moo Yeol
Nam Ji Hyun, Choi Hyun Wook, and Kim Moo Yeol will star together in the upcoming fantasy crime drama “Hi Cookie”. The story revolves around a magic cookie that can make peoples’ wishes come true and the people who are impacted by the powers it possesses. “Hi Cookie” is currently discussing filming and release dates.
Kim Jonghyeon, Lee Hyun Joo, and Cha Sun Woo
Kim Jonghyeon, Lee Hyun Joo, and Cha Sun Woo will star in the upcoming web rom-com “Started with a Kiss”. Set in 2009, this drama tells the story of 3 high schoolers navigating through the ups and downs of teenage life. Through music, styles, and trends, it will take us back to that time in our past. “Started with a Kiss” will air some time later this year.
Kim Hee Ae and Sol Kyung Gu
Kim Hee Ae and Sol Kyung Gu will play opposite each other in the upcoming Netflix political drama “The Whirlwind”. A Prime Minister aiming to root out political corruption is challenged by his Deputy Prime Minister. “The Whirlwind” will air some time in 2024.
Gong Seung Yeon
Gong Seung Yeon will star in the upcoming life drama “I Will Travel For You”. The actress will play a former idol who takes on a job as a reporter for a travel show. “I Will Travel For You” will begin filming soon and is still in talks about release dates.
Music News
IVE
Kitsch
IVE finds their style in their new pre-release single “Kitsch”. This mid-tempo pop track has a nice flowing beat and some surprising elements, including a quirky slide whistle. The group is hoping to break out of the K-Pop market and become part of the global pop scene, and this song is a fitting first step. The MV focuses on trendy retro styles and confident choreography.
Billie
EUNOIA
Billie makes a new friend in their new single “EUNOIA. This pop track has a bright synth sound and mid-tempo vocals that sing about the feeling of goodwill. The rhythm is groovy and addicting, with a relaxed pace that refuses to be rushed. The MV shows the band as high school students, performing the choreography in big school spaces while a magic cartoon owl flits in and out of the scenes.
BamBam
Sour & Sweet
GOT7’s BanBam is more than what you see in his new single “Sour & Sweet”. The retro synthpop track is the single for his long-awaited first solo studio album. Anchored in new wave sounds from the 80’s, the song chugs along with a dramatic drive. The MV focuses on the duality of human experience.
MAMAMOO +
GGBB
MAMAMOO sub-unit MAMAMOO+, featuring Solar and Moonbyul, need more than just a sweet guy in their new single “GGBB”. This theatrical doo-wop pop style track is light and fun, and feels very nostalgic. The title stands for Good Girl Bad Boy, and the MV shows the duo ignoring the sweet, kind guys and being irresistibly drawn to the bad boys instead.
sCSR
Shining Bright
CSR run and run in their new single “Shining Bright”. This positive, uplifting pop track is full of energy and enthusiasm. This bubble-gum pop approach is sorely missing in the K-Pop landscape these days, and CSR are a welcome breath of young, fresh air. The MV is cute and colorful as the group runs and dances through time and space.
JISOO
FLOWER
BLACKPINK’s JISOO flies like a butterfly in her solo debut single “FLOWER”. This pop dance track is dreamy and melodic. The song weaves a graceful spell and incorporates traditional Asian insturments. The MV is broken into 3 separate chapters that show the singer dressed in luxury brands against elegant backdrops.
Drama News
The Real Has Come!
The 50 episode weekend drama “The Real Has Come” premiered on March 25th. A successful online teacher agrees to a contractual marriage after discovering she is pregnant with her ex-boyfriend’s child. But the lines between a business arrangement and a real marriage will become blurred as the couple deal with family drama and the struggles of parenthood.
Joseon Attorney: A Morality
The historical romantic drama “Joseon Attorney: A Morality” started on March 31st. A talented lawyer agrees to help a young woman take revenge. But spending time with his client begins to make his mission feel more personal than professional.
Duty After School
The sci-fi thriller “Duty After School” will air on March 31st. When an alien invasion threatens the world as we know it, the Korean government issues a mandatory conscription for all high school seniors. And training will begin on the school grounds between classes and test preparations.