Welcome to the Weekly Update – April 16 – 22. It was relatively quiet among the big music companies this week, which means we got to dig into a couple fun solo releases. “Kill Heel” finished up this week and “Sh**ting Stars” is just getting started. There were lots of new cast announcements, as well. I hope you had a great week. Until next time, enjoy your kdrama and ramen!
Casting News
Han Ji Hyun, Bae In Hyuk, Lee Eun Saem, Jang Gyuri, and Yang Dong Geun
Han Ji Hyun, Bae In Hyuk, Lee Eun Saem, fromis_9’s Jang Gyuri, and Yang Dong Geun will all be appearing together in the upcoming mystery rom-com “Cheer Up“. A washed up college cheeerleading squad tries to regain the popularity it once had. But success doesn’t happen on the cheer floor without a lot of hard work and cooperation. “Cheer Up” will air some time later this year.
Choi Daniel
Choi Daniel will be joining Kim Sejeong and Nam Yoon Su in the upcoming business comedy “Today’s Webtoon“. Based on the Japanese drama “Sleepeer Hit”, the drama is about a judo athlete who joins a webtoon editorial department. “Today’s Webtoon” will premiere some time later this year.
Lee Junho And YoonA
2PM’s Lee Junho and Girls’ Generation’s YoonA will be starring opposite each other in the upcoming romantic comedy “King the Land“. Lee Junho will play a chaebol set to inherit King Group. YoonA plays a young woman who works in one of his company’s hotels. “King the Land” will premiere some time next year.
Jung Il Woo and Yuri
Fans are excited to hear that Jung Il Woo and Girls’ Generation’s Yuri will be reuniting to star in the upcoming Mystery Romance “Good Job“. The actors recently starred together in the historical romance “Bossam: Steal the Fate”. This new drama is about a chaebol who runs a detective agency on the side and a woman who has “super vision”. “Good Job” will premiere some time later this year.
Kim Young Kwang
Kim Young Kwang has confirmed that he will be starring in the upcoming romantic drama “Tell Me It’s Love“. Lee Sung Kyung is currently in talks for the role of his co-star, although nothing has been confirmed yet. The drama follows a woman bent on revenge against the man who destroyed her family. “Tell Me It’s Love” is hoping to premiere some time in the first half of 2023.
Celebrity News
Lee Jung Hyun
Actress and singer, Lee Jung Hyun, gave birth to her first child on April 20th. The baby girl was born in Seoul, and mom and baby are both healthy and doing well. Lee Jung Hyun married her non-celebrity boyfriend 3 years ago. The actress most recently appeared in the film “Decision to Leave”. Congratulations to the happy family.
Music News
YOUNITE
1 of 9
YOUNITE waits for an answer in their title track “1 of 9”. This retro pop track breezes along with a strong percussion beat and blasts of horn. The MV is colorful and upbeat and gives lots of individual shots so fans can pick their bias. The mood is summery and playful, as, once again, YOUNITE shows off their youthful enthusiasm.
DRIPPIN
So Good
DRIPPIN is back with their J-Pop debut, the single, “So Good”. Go ahead and whistle along with this happy, summer pop track. It’s upbeat and fun with a simple sing-song style. The MV shows the band playing basketball in their favorite NBA team jerseys. The band member’s names are flashed through the video so new Japanese fans can get a chance to pick their favorite new idol.
BOL4
Seoul
BOL4 is searching for love in her new title track “Seoul”. The sweet mid-tempo pop track has strummy guitar and synth flourishes that form the backdrop for Ahn Ji Young’s beautiful vocals. The MV shows the singer wandering through Seoul on her own, until she runs into a handsome stranger.
Kim Sung Kyu
Savior
Infinite’s Kim Sung Kyu is looking for someone to save him in his new solo single “Savior”. The soft rock track features the singer backed by a minimalistic band. While the instruments create a nice foundation, the vocals bob and weave with a smooth finesse that casts a beautiful spell. The MV switches between performance shots and scenes of Kim Sung Kyu appearing thoughtful and introspective.
Ryewook
Bluebird
Super Junior’s Ryewook is living a fairy tale in his pre-release single “Bluebird”. This jazzy pop track feels lazy and comforting as the singer trills along in a breathy falsetto. The lazy guitar strum in the background gives it a cool, relaxed vibe. The MV shows Ryewook chasing the bluebird through a hazy forest, past empty birdcages.
Drama News
Kill Heel
The thriller drama “Kill Heel” aired it’s finale on April 21st. Three employees for a home shopping network fight to dominate the industry and find fame and success. But will their greed end up costing them any true happiness?
Sh**ting Stars
“Shooting Stars” is a romantic comedy starring Lee Sung Kyung and Kim Young Dae. The drama premiered on April 22nd. A hard working PR team leader spends her days behind the scenes of the entertainment industry. But the stars she works to protect often feel more like enemies.