Welcome to the Weekly Update – January 13 – 19. Three new dramas across multiple platforms and genre lead this week’s news. There are also several star-studded casting announcements for fans to look forward to. I’m especially intrigued by the the summary of webtoon based drama “Light Shop”. Sub-units are everywhere in music this week, which gives us some fun variation on groups we are already familiar with. I hope you had a great week. Until next time, enjoy your kdrama and ramen!
Casting News
Jung Gun Joo
Jung Gun Joo will be joining previously confirmed Kim Hee Sun and DMZ’s Jaechan in the upcoming dark comedy “Our Home”. The drama is about a famous family psychiatrist who is being blackmailed. Jung Gun Joo will play a tutor for Jaechan’s character, who displays some suspicious actions. “Our Home” will air some time later this year.
Joo Won, Kwon Nara, Yoo In Soo, and Eum Moon Suk
Joo Won, Kwon Nara, Yoo In Soo, and Eum Moon Suk will star in the upcoming mystery drama “Midnight Photo Studio”. A prickly photographer runs a studio that is used for taking portraits of the deceased. But when he joins forces with a stubborn lawyer, the pair will embark on adventures that blur the lines between the living and the dead. “Midnight Photo Studio” will premiere some time in March.
Kim Go Eun, Park Ji Hyun, and Kim Gun Woo
Kim Go Eun, Park Ji Hyun, and Kim Gun Woo will appear in the upcoming Netflix life drama “Two Women”. The story follows a script writer and a filmmaker who grew up as best friends. Now in their 40s, the pair will reunite. But as one of them faces the end of her journey in life, they will look back on their relationship with a fresh perspective. “Two Women” will air some time later this year.
Jo Yeo Jeong, Park Ha Sun, Dex, Go Kyu Pil, Seo Ji Hoon, Lee Joo Bin, Kim Sung Tae, Eunjung and Oh Yu Jin
Jo Yeo Jeong, Park Ha Sun, Dex, Go Kyu Pil, Seo Ji Hoon, Lee Joo Bin, Kim Sung Tae, T-ara’s Eunjung and Oh Yu Jin will all star in respective episodes for the upcoming omniverse horror drama “Tarot” . The drama will contain 7 episodes that feature different characters experiencing strange events in their lives related to their use of tarot cards. “Tarot” will air some time later this year.
Joo Ji Hoon, Park Bo Young, Bae Sung Woo, Uhm Tae Goo, Seolhyun, Lee Jung Eun, Kim Min Ha, Park Hyuk Kwon, Kim Dae Myung, Shin Eun Soo, and Kim Ki Hae
This star-studded cast will appear together in the upcoming pyschological mystery drama “Light Shop”. Based on a webtoon of the same name, the drama will follow patrons of a lamp shop who come from both the worlds of living and the dead. “Light Shop” will premiere some time this year.
Music News
aespa
Regret of the Times
aespa says goodbye to their age of honesty with their new single “Regret of the Times”. This remake of Seo Taiji’s and Boys 1996 grunge rock track brings just a sampling of modern trends that manages to enhance the song without making it totally unrecognizable from the original. The edgy grunge sound is refreshed with some subtle hip-hop influences and the groups powerful vocals. The MV gives us a couple series of flashy home movies that shift from fun vacation shots to more serious images and themes.
YENA
Good Morning
YENA is letting go of yesterday in her new single “Good Morning”. This dynamic pop punk track is meant to be a morning anthem that will get your toes tapping and your blood pumping. Using a retro 2000s rock sound, the song hinges on the simple use of guitar and percussion to build a bounding beat. While YENA’s bright vocals are youthful and sweet, the instrumentation gives the song a gritty edge. The MV shows the singer trying to put her nightmares about work out of her mind so that she can face a fresh, new day.
SISTAR19
Ma Boy
11 years after their last release, SISTAR19 have your back in their comeback single “Ma Boy”. This sultry dance pop track takes its cues from the retro disco sound that has been very popular recently. The funky beat and solid, confident vocals make the song playful and rhythmic. The MV shows the duo side by side as they go through some simple choreography.
THE BOYZ (Special Unit)
Rat In The Trap
THE BOYZ sub-unit, consisting of Sangyeon, Jacob, Kevin, New, and Ju Haknyeon are feeling dangerous in their new single “Rat In The Trap”. This crunchy pop track has a smooth, slinky feel and understated vocals that add to the feeling of danger and mystery. The MV shows the members involved in some kind of heist straight out of a “Mission Impossible” style movie.
Yunho and Mingi
Youth
ATEEZ sub-unit Yunho and Mingi try to shake it off in their new single “Youth”. This mid-tempo jazzy pop track features slow, deliberate beats with lo-fi sound and mellow, hazy vocals. The rainy day vibe is soothing and shows off the singers warm tones. The MV shows the members trying to find rest and solace in a rustic cabin in the middle of nowhere.
NMIXX
Dash
NMIXX is running in their new single “Dash”. This hip-hop pop track brings in traces of grungy rock and R&B. The vocal harmonies give the song some nice texture while the catchy chorus is bold and confident. The MV features multiple locations as the members present themselves in prison, out on the urban streets, and in a cloudy pastel wonderland.
Aria
Door
Super group tripleS has rolled out another sub-unit with their new single “Door”. This time, setting aside the trendy pop sounds, this new sub-unit opts for a wintry ballad. Mournful piano, simple percussion, and melancholy vocals create a somber, emotional mood. The MV shows the singers in quiet reflection as they think about a relationship that has ended and wait for the snow to finally stop falling.
Drama News
Maestra: Strings of Truth
The hulu mystery drama “Maestra: Strings of Truth” ended on January 12th. A successful musician works her way up the ranks to gain the coveted position of maestra. But a secret from her past could threaten her job and even her life. And when strange things start happening to the members of her orchestra, she will follow the clues that may help her uncover the truth about her own life.
LTNS
The comedy drama “LTNS” will premiere on hulu on January 19th. A young couple who have lost the passion in their relationship try to rekindle the sparks by working together to blackmail people who are cheating on their loved ones. But can the thrill of adventure and long stakeouts help them find the love they once shared?
A Shop For Killers
The mystery action drama “A Shop For Killers” began airing on Hulu on January 17th. A young woman learns that the uncle who caringly raised her since the death of her parents killed himself. Still reeling from her grief, she suddenly finds her life in danger, and as she takes cover in the home of her uncle, she is reminded of some strange things that her uncle taught her about survival growing up.
The Bequeathed
The Netflix mystery thriller “The Bequeathed” released all 6 episodes on January 19th. Following the death of her uncle, a young woman suddenly finds herself the hesitant owner of a burial ground that seems steeped in dark secrets and evil deeds. But as she begins to trace her family history in an effort to find out more about this strange property, pieces of her past and that of her family begin to slowly unravel.