Welcome to the Weekly Update – February 4 – 10. Thankfully we have a couple Japanese music videos this week to keep us going. And while the music industry remains somewhat sluggish so far this year, the drama news has really picked up this week. With 2 new dramas, 2 finishing, and a whole slew of upcoming casting announcements, there is plenty to talk about. I hope you had a great week. Until next time, enjoy your kdrama and ramen!
Military News
Baekhyun
On February 5th, EXO’s Baekhyun was officially discharged from the military. He spent the last 2 years serving as an active duty soldier. The artist immediately took to social media to greet his fans and announce a live broadcast for the next day on the group’s youtube channel. Fans are hopeful that with his return, the group can release new music with everyone taking part. Welcome home Baekhyun. You have been missed!
Casting News
Lee Joon Hyuk
Lee Joon Hyuk will be starring in the upcoming legal crime drama “Good or Bad Dong Jae”. The drama is a spin-off of the popular 2 season series “Stranger”. Fans will remember Lee Joon Hyuk as the corrupt prosecutor whose motives are often suspect. His hard-to-read character has received lots of positive attention, so the writers have decided to give him his own series. “Good or Bad Dong Jae” will air some time later this year.
Park Eun Bin
Park Eun Bin is confirmed to star in the upcoming romantic comedy “Diva of the Deserted Island”. A woman is rescued from a deserted island after spending the last 15 years in isolation, following an accident. Now she will have to adjust to a new world that she is totally unprepared for. “Diva of the Deserted Island” is scheduled to air in the first half of 2023.
Bae In Hyuk
Bae In Hyuk will star in the upcoming time travel romance “Park’s Contact Marriage Story”. Based on a webtoon of the same name, a woman from the 19th Century suddenly wakes up in the present. Alone and afraid, she enters into a marriage contract with a handsome bachelor. “Park’s Contact Marriage Story” will air some time later in 2023.
Seo In Guk and Park So Dam
Seo In Guk and Park So Dam will star opposite each other in the upcoming fantasy drama “Death’s Game”. Death grants a man 12 chances to relive his life rather than facing eternal hell. Seo In Guk will play one of those lives, with other big name actors, like Sung Hoon and Lee Jae Wook, in talks to play other lives of the title character. “Death’s Game” is scheduled to air in the second half of the year.
Jang Hyuk and Jang Nara
Jang Hyuk and Jang Nara will be starring together for the 4th time in the upcoming comedy spy drama “Family”. A skilled special agent and former sniper goes undercover as an average office worker. But the suddenly slower pace of life allows him to pay some much needed attention to his loving wife. And she hopes to persuade him that it is the perfect chance for them to finally start a family. “Family” will premiere in April.
Yoo Yeon Seok, Lee Sung Min, and Lee Jung Eun
Yoo Yeon Seok, Lee Sung Min, and Lee Jung Eun will appear together in the upcoming drama thriller “Unlucky Day”. Based on a webtoon of the same name, the drama tells the story of an unsuspecting taxi driver who picks up a serial killer. But the desperate mother of the killers latest victim is close behind, hoping to take revenge. “Unlucky Day” will air in the second half of 2023.
Kim Myung Soo, Sungyeol, and Choi Jin Hyuk
Infinite’s Kim Myung Soo (L) and Sungyeol will be appearing together with Choi Jin Hyuk in the upcoming business drama “Accounting Firm”. A young man works hard to become the first ever non-college graduate at a local accounting firm. Through his job and his co-workers he will learn more than just accounting, as the group faces their own individual joys and challenges of life. But fans will have to be patient, because “Accounting Firm” won’t air until the beginning of next year.
Music News
BSS SEVENTEEN (ft. Lee Young Ji)
Fighting
BSS SEVENTEEN collaborated with female rapper Lee Young Ji on their first release in 5 years. “Fighting” is a funky, energetic pop track that has an uplifting tone of encouragement for listeners. At a time when there isn’t a lot of new music coming out, “Fighting” is a fun shot of feel-good adrenaline and sunshine. The MV features the trio doing some bouncy choreography that is carried by their natural, positive charisma.
Stray Kids
THE SOUND
Stray Kids give us a new anthem with their new Japanese title track “The Sound”. Though the song itself has been available for awhile, the new accompanying MV is giving the track fresh attention. This hard-hitting J-pop track is exactly the style we have come to expect from the group. The aggressive vocals and heavy instrumentation drives the song along with unswerving force. The MV features powerful choreography, as the members dance inside the eye of a storm.
NCT DREAM
Best Friend Ever
NCT DREAM runs us through the emotions of friendship in their first Japanese single “Best Friend Ever”. This uplifting J-Pop track is full of bright synths and catchy, melodic vocals. The meaningful lyrics about this group’s longstanding friendship has fans thrilled and the light, fun concept is a fun hearkening back to some of the group’s earlier hits. The MV shows the group playfully enjoying time together.
Drama News
Our Blooming Youth
The historical romance “Our Blooming Youth” premiered on February 6th. A crown prince who is plagued with a terrible curse enlists the help of a beautiful young woman who is accused of killing her own family.
Love to Hate You
The Netflix romantic comedy “Love to Hate You” started on February 10th. A rookie attorney who works with performers from the entertainment industry meets an actor famous for his charm and good looks. Can two people who have both given up on relationships find love again together?
Interests of Love
The romantic drama “Interests of Love” aired its finale on Netflix on February 9th. A group of salary workers at Nara Bank experience the ups and downs of love and romance on the job. And as romance builds, the group will have to tread carefully to save their friendship.
Poong: The Joseon Psychiatrist 2
Season 2 of the popular series “Poong: The Joseon Psychiatrist” finished on February 9th. A royal physician is forced out of his job at the palace. He relocates to a small town where he finds an unusual mentor who has studied not just physical health but also mental wellness. Together they help patients find whole-body healing.