Welcome to the Weekly Update – December 30 – January 5. It’s a new year with lots of new beginnings. There are 3 new dramas, 2 new babies, and a whole slew of new music videos and upcoming dramas. 2024, we got this! I hope you had a wonderful holiday season and a great week. Until next time, enjoy your kdrama and ramen!
Military News
Kevin Oh
Korean American singer Kevin Oh enlisted in the military on January 2nd. The celebrity, who married actress Gong Hyo Jin in 2022, shared through his agency that he decided to renounce his American citizenship and serve his military requirement so that he and his wife can continue to build their life and career in Korea. We wish him a safe and speedy return!
Casting News
Lee Sang Yi
Lee Sang Yi will be joining Shin Min Ah and Kim Young Dae in the upcoming romantic comedy “Because I Want No Loss”. A convenience store worker with a compulsion to always help those in need, agrees to marry one of his customers, who needs someone to pose as her fake husband. “Because I Want No Loss” will air some time later this year.
Suho
EXO’s Suho will be joining Hong Ye Jin in the upcoming historical rom-com “The Crown Prince Has Disappeared”. A crown prince ends up on the run after he is kidnapped by his intended wife. But as they travel together, he is surprised to find himself falling for the daring young woman. “The Crown Prince Has Disappeared” is scheduled to premiere in the first half of this year.
Jung So Min and Jung Hae In
Jung So Min and Jung Hae In will star in the upcoming romantic comedy “Mom’s Friend’s Son” . A woman who has lived her life driven by success is suddenly forced to quit her job as a project manager for a global corporation. But her sudden breakdown brings her surprisingly closer to a childhood friend. “Mom’s Friend’s Son” will air some time later this year.
Celebrity News
Jisoo
Former Tahiti band member Jisoo gave birth to her first child on January 2nd. The former idol announced her marriage to a non-celeberity in 2021 and is currently working as a pilates instructor. Jisoo took to Instagram to announce that she and her new son are healthy and doing well.
Hoon And Hwang Ji Seon
UKISS’ Hoon and former Girl’s Day member Hwang Ji Seon announced the birth of their son on January 2nd. The celebrity couple married in May of 2022 and this is their first child. Hoon posted his joyful announcement on Instagram, promising to work hard for his new family.
Music News
eTWS
Oh Mymy : 7s
Brand new group TWS takes to the streets for their pre-debut single “Oh Mymy : 7s”. This 6 member group from Pledis Entertainment represent the agency’s first new group since 2016. The name TWS represents an abbreviation of the phrase “Twenty Four Seven With Us”. The youthful pop funk track is bright and catchy. While the lyrics center around the excitement and stress of their approaching official debut, slotted for January 22nd, the MV shows the group going through the preparation process.
KIM JONGHYEON
MOTTO
KIM JONGHYEON, also know as former NU’EST’s JR, is looking for rainbows in his new title track “MOTTO”. This pop track is breezy and fast-paced lyrically, while the instrumentation creates a dreamy, atmospheric vibe. The MV uses speedy, crisp choreography as the singer dances in a movie parking lot and goes on an outdoor adventure with a beautiful canine companion.
ICHILLIN’
BITE ME
ICHILLIN’ shines in their new pre-release single “Bite Me”. This pop dance track uses electro bass beats that chug heavily along. The plonky chorus give the song an intentional drag that weights down the rhythm in a hazy fog of sound. The MV is shot using a vertical frame, as it shows the members making their way through the streets and subways of a city searching for clues in a unique game of hide and seek.
The Boyz Special Unit
Honey
The Boyz’ Sunwoo and Eric are feeling sweet in their new subunit duet single “Honey”. This smooth pop hip hop English track is rhythmic and hypnotic, with snappy percussion and heavy bass. The chorus is catchy and fun, and the combination of deep, resonant vocals with short burst of higher melodic moments give the song a nice balance. The MV focuses on the duos choreography with nice sleek movements.
Geenius
Voyage
We have our first official debut of the new year with Geenius’ digital single “Voyage”. This 5 member girl group are taking a page from some of the older style melodic powerhouses with this house pop track that is about taking an exciting adventure. The MV shows the group meeting up for a fun road trip before settling in for a dance, slumber party.
Drama News
My Happy Ending
The psychological thriller “My Happy Ending” premiered on December 30th. A successful CEO of a furniture company and social influencer finds her perfect life turned upside down after reconnecting with a jealous college classmate. And she suddenly faces betrayal from the people in her life that she thought she could trust the most.
Death’s Game Part 2
Season 2 of the Amazon Prime fantasy thriller “Death’s Game” was released on January 5th. A struggling, unemployed man decides life is no longer worth living. But irritated by his careless attitude, Death steps in to intervene. Now the man will be given 13 chances to live his life in the body of a variety of other people.
Marry My Husband
The Amazon Prime fantasy romance drama “Marry My Husband” started on January 1st. A young woman gets a second chance on life after travelling back in time to before she married her selfish and thoughtless husband. Now she has the opportunity to change the course of her life by making different decisions this time around.
GyeongSeong Creature Part 2
Part 2 of the Netflix historical sci-fi drama “GyeongSeong Creature” was released on January 5th. A woman who has spent her life looking for her mother, who disappeared 10 years ago, follows a new lead into GyeongSeong. When she arrives, she meets a handsome, well-connected stranger who may be able to help her finally find the answers she has been searching for.
Love Song For Illusion
The fantasy historical drama “Love Song For Illusion” began on January 2nd. A Crown Prince lives a double life by pursuing his artistic passion, posing as a fashion designer in a local shop. But his life will be irrevocably changed when he meets a dangerous and beautiful assassin set on killing the Crown Prince’s oppressive father, the King.