Welcome to the Weekly Update – April 29 – May 5. The flow of new dramas has been pretty consistent recently, with 2 new ones this week. Music is turning to the brighter, more upbeat sounds of spring and summer, which is always a welcome change from the more subdued, colder seasons. I hope you had a great week. Until next time, enjoy your kdrama and ramen!
Casting News
Lee Dong Wook and Kim Hye Joon
Lee Dong Wook and Kim Hye Joon will star in the upcoming action drama “The Killer’s Shopping Mall”. This drama is a spin-off of last year’s 8 episode mini drama “The Killer’s Shopping List”. A young woman’s life is turned upside down when the uncle that raised her is suddenly found dead. But the mystery around his death seems to link back to the shopping mall that he ran for years. “The Killer’s Shopping Mall” will premiere some time next year.
Lee Moo Saeng, Hwang Bo Reum Byul, Kim Young Jae, and Park Ho San
Lee Moo Saeng, Hwang Bo Reum Byul, Kim Young Jae, and Park Ho San will be joining Lee Young Ae in her upcoming mystery drama “Maestra”. Adapted from a French story by the same name, the drama follows a female orchestra conductor who gets wrapped up in a series of mysterious events that take place among her orchestra’s members. And the pieces will lead her back to a surprising personal revelation. “Maestra” will air some time in 2024.
Yoon Ji On, Seo Ji Hoon, and Lee Si Woo
Yoon Ji On, Seo Ji Hoon, and Lee Si Woo will be joining Kim So Hyun and Hwang Minhyun in the upcoming mystery romance drama “Useless Lies”. A woman with the special ability that allows her to hear when someone is lying moves in next to a music producer who has spent years covering his true identity. But she soon discovers there is more to his story than meets the eye. “Useless Lies” will premiere some time in July.
Music News
LE SSERAFIM (ft. Nile Rodgers)
UNFORGIVEN
LE SSERAFIM is breaking the rules in their new single “UNFORGIVEN”. This hip-hop funk track features a sampling from the 1966 American Western movie “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly”. Collaborating with guest guitarist Nile Rodgers, we get some colorful guitar work to keep the background music interesting. The MV follows the Western theme, with saloon dancing and chaps, while the lyrics sing about breaking free from confining social norms.
aespa (ft. nævis)
Welcome To MY World
aespa makes a perfect contact in their new pre-release single “Welcome To MY World”. This beautiful alt pop track relies heavily on the group’s vocal harmonies before building into a dramatic crescendo of strings and symphonic magnificence. The MV shows the group on a road trip as they get back to nature, before encountering a mysterious AI.
BTOB
Wind and Wish
BTOB sends their warm regards in their new single “Wind and Wish”. This pleasant mid-tempo pop ballad is like a breezy breath of fresh air. It has a vague tropical feel that makes you think of a warm spring day. The MV follows this theme with fields of wildflowers, warm lighting, and casual loose fitting clothing.
iKON
U
iKON is throwing a party in their new single “U”. In this first album since leaving YG, the group is trying out some new genre, and it looks good on them. This upbeat summertime track has a retro disco feel, with plenty of funky electric guitar riffs. The MV adds to the fun, energetic mood by keeping things light and silly. It shows the band on a road trip to their next show. But the trip is wrought with troubles, which they all take in good stride.
Max Chang Min x Ha Hyunwoo
HYBRID
Max Chang Min and Ha Hyunwoo face a storm in their new collab single “HYBRID”. This SM duo are a vocal match made in heaven, with Max Chang Min’s powerful high register and Ha Hyunwoo’s rich, smooth tones. The symphonic rock track is theatrical and dramatic from start to finish. The eery MV shows the pair in various unsettling scenes with groups of people surrounding them.
tripleS + (KR)ystal Eyes
Cherry Talk
The new tripleS sub-unit (KR)ystal Eyes is sharing their daily life in their debut single “Cherry Talk”. This upbeat pop track is backed by dreamy synths and flourishes of new jack swing appeal. It’s vocally energetic vibe is catchy and danceable. The MV features lots of bright CGI influenced by social media and the group’s private chat room.
Drama News
Pandora: Beneath the Paradise
The thriller melodrama “Pandora: Beneath the Paradise” aired its finale on Hulu on April 30th. A woman whose life seems perfect suddenly remembers an event from her past that completely changes her reality and puts her on a crash course toward revenge.
My Perfect Stranger
The romantic mystery drama “My Perfect Stranger” premiered on May 1st. Two strangers are mysteriously transported from the present back to the year 1987. While their purposes in the past seem unconnected at first, they soon find that their missions overlap in an unexpected way.
All That We Loved
On May 5th, the romantic comedy “All That We Loved” began airing. When a popular high school basketball player donates a kidney to his best friend, he suddenly finds that they seem to share an unusual psychological connection. And their friendship is challenged when their shared interest turns into a romantic rivalry.