Category: Entertainment Files

The success of K-Pop Demon Hunters is causing the South Korean entertainment industry to embrace a “Next-K” strategy to reflect how even studios outside of Korea are making Korean related content:

K-Pop Demon Hunters Director Maggie Kang

Reflecting this shift, the Korea Creative Content Agency has dropped the term “hallyu” and is promoting a “Next K” strategy. 

“We are now at a stage where K-content is attempting to leap into the global mainstream,” said Park Hyuk-tae, head of the agency’s industry policy team. “The focus is expanding from ‘Made in Korea’ to ‘Made with Korea.’”

One striking change can be seen in who makes K-content. Inspired by Korea’s history and culture, many foreign creators, often based outside Korea, are now producing works. 

The production team behind “KPop Demon Hunters” was largely non-Korean but recreated everything from shamanism and K-pop to bathhouses, N Seoul Tower, instant noodles and beef soup in meticulous detail.

Examples abound. Japan’s TBS adapted the narrative structure of Korean dramas and cast a Korean actor in its hit series “I Love You.” A U.S. production company staged an English-language version of the Korean musical “Maybe Happy Ending,” which went on to win multiple Tony Awards.

Diaspora Koreans are particularly prominent. “KPop Demon Hunters” director Maggie Kang, a Korean Canadian, drew on her childhood memories of K-content to create the film. 

“Many Korean immigrants struggle with identity, but that itself is a multicultural experience,” she said during a recent visit to Seoul. “Globalization of culture can give opportunities to creators with diverse backgrounds.”

Diaspora narratives have long been influential. The Oscar-nominated film “Minari” (2020), the drama “Beef” (2023) and the Apple TV+ series “Pachinko” (2022, 2024) were all made by Korean American creators. (……)

The “KPop Demon Hunters” boom has expanded the reach of K-content to new generations. Even children overseas with no previous awareness of Korean culture are humming K-pop songs and learning about gimbap (rice rolls) or Korean bathhouses. 

This early exposure is fostering what some call the “K-generation,” whose continuous engagement could lock in long-term global consumption of Korean content.

Korea Times

You can read more at the link.

This accolade comes after leading the U.S. box office last week after a two day limited theater release:

The animated sensation “KPop Demon Hunters” has officially become Netflix’s most-watched movie of all time.

The film has amassed 236 million views since its release on June 20, surpassing the previous record holder, the action-comedy “Red Notice,” which had 230.9 million views, according to Netflix.

Produced by Sony Pictures Animation, the Netflix original film centers on Huntr/x, who live a double life, balancing their music careers with their duties as warriors who protect the world from demonic spirits, like the overlord Gwi-Ma and the soul-stealing Saja Boys.

The film’s soundtrack has also achieved a historic milestone, becoming the first ever to have four songs — “Golden,” “Your Idol,” “Soda Pop” and “How It’s Done” — simultaneously in the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100.

Yonhap

You can read more at the link.

K-pop Demon Hunters has been a global phenomenon and it’s great soundtrack is what is driving its popularity:

“Golden” from the soundtrack of Netflix’s global hit animated film “KPop Demon Hunters” has soared to No. 1 on the British Official Singles Chart Top 100.

According to the chart unveiled Friday (local time), “Golden” jumped four places to claim the top position in its sixth week on the chart.

The Official Charts Company highlighted that Huntr/x, the fictional girl group featured in the film, became the first K-pop act to reach No. 1 in 13 years since Psy topped the chart with “Gangnam Style” in 2012.

Yonhap

You can read more at the link.

Another Korean celebrity has unfortunately decided to take her own life:

Late actress Kim Sae-ron left no note and her death will be ruled a suicide, police said Monday.

The 24-year-old was found dead at her home in Seoul on Sunday afternoon.

“We believe she made an extreme choice and plan to handle it as a suicide,” a police official told reporters.

Kim gained fame after appearing in films such as “The Man from Nowhere” and “The Neighbors,” but her career took a hit following a DUI incident in 2022.

Yonhap

By the way The Man from Nowhere was a great movie.

The K-Wave has swept the world and the BBC tries to explain why:

The so-called Korean Wave swept the world, experts say, when the success of streaming met American-inspired production value. And Korean entertainment – from pop music and mushy dramas to acclaimed hits built around universal themes – was ready for it.

BTS and Blackpink are now familiar names on the global pop circuit. People are swooning over sappy K-dramas from Dubai to India to Singapore. Overseas sales of all this Korean content – including video games – is now worth billions.

Last month, after 53-year-old poet and novelist Han Kang won the Nobel Prize for her literature, online boards were full of memes noting South Korea’s “Culture Victory” — a reference to the popular video game series Civilisation.

And there were jokes about how the country had achieved the dream of founding father Kim Koo, who famously wrote that he wished for Korea to be a nation of culture rather than might.

As it turns out, this moment had been in the making for years. (………..)

International fans are often looking for an alternative world because of disappointment with their own society, Prof Chung says.

The prim romances, with handsome, caring and chivalrous heroes, are drawing a female audience turning away from what they see as hypersexual American entertainment. And when social inequality became a stronger theme in Korean films and shows – such as Parasite and Squid Game – it attracted global viewers disillusioned with capitalism and a yawning wealth divide in their countries.

(BBC)

You can read more at the link, but I think Korean entertainment has become so popular because people are looking for original stories and not just the endless sequels and the usual storylines that Hollywood produces. I can remember going to the Korean markets in the U.S. to rent K-dramas and movies, but streaming has brought these movies for everyone to access. I suspect Korean entertainment will be a force for many years to come.

Big salute to Jin for completing his mandatory military service instead of trying to find some kind of exemption to get out of it:

Jin, the oldest member of K-pop supergroup BTS, was discharged from his 18 months of mandatory military service Wednesday, with fans worldwide eagerly anticipating his return to the music scene.

After hugging his fellow soldiers in turn during a brief, teary farewell ceremony inside the 5th Army Infantry Division in Yeoncheon, 61 kilometers north of Seoul, the singer walked out of the compound at about 9 a.m. to be welcomed by his bandmates.

During his service, he served as an assistant drill instructor at the Army recruit training center there.

After saluting in front of the main gate, Jin received a bouquet of flowers and was seen smiling brightly as he reunited with five of his bandmates — J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V and Jungkook. RM, currently serving in a military brass band, marked the occasion with a celebratory saxophone performance of the band’s megahit single “Dynamite.”

Yonhap

You can read more at the link.

I watched the season 2 and MAJ Kim did well, but he was not one of the main competitors featured on the show. Though he is fit, he was definitely not on the same level of the top competitors who’s fitness was extremly impressive. Overall though great job by MAJ Kim and I am sure it was a great experience for him:

An Army officer who competed in a South Korean reality show said he pushed beyond his physical limit to become one of the top 20 contestants battling in theatrical feats of strength for a chance to win roughly $220,000.

Maj. Gibson Kim of the 411th Contracting Support Brigade at Camp Humphreys was among 100 contestants on Netflix’s nine-episode second season of “Physical: 100,” which aired globally starting March 19. Kim, an avid powerlifter, said he was surprised to see his fellow contestants for the first time while filming in August at the Korea International Exhibition Center in Goyang city.

Male and female contestants this season ranged from mixed-martial arts fighters, rugby players, special forces soldiers, body builders, bobsledders, arm wrestlers and ballet dancers.

Stars and Stripes

You can read more at the link.