Namkoong Min stars in this Thriller Mystery Romance. Did you like this drama?

and why?

edit: I didn’t make this collage

On July 21, Nam Joo Hyuk sat for an interview talking about the Netflix series The East Palace.

The East Palace tells the story of Gu Cheon (Nam Joo Hyuk), who has the ability to cross between the human world and the world of spirits, and Saeng Gang (Roh Yoon Seo), a court lady who harbors a secret. Summoned by the King (Cho Seung Woo), the two set out to uncover the cursed palace's secrets.

Going into the details about his preparation for The East Palace, Nam explained, "At the beginning and throughout the process, because it shouldn't be obvious physically, I focused on losing weight. It also came off naturally. Whenever I thought I needed to look even more emaciated — almost skin and bones — I relied on the makeup to get that [look]."

"When Gucheon was first dragged into the palace, he was quite chubby. But by the end, he was skin and bones to the extent of looking pointy."

The actor also said, "When we started filming The East Palace, it hadn't been long since I was discharged from the military, so I had put on quite a bit of weight. I wanted to go in with that as the starting point from the beginning.

We were also able to film the earlier scenes first. Considering the way I've done it in the past, I figured I would lose a lot of weight in about two months."
He then added, "I ended up losing about 7 kilograms." "Toward the end, I really wanted to express something different. I wanted to prepare as much as I could within the circumstances I was given. So I made sure to eat salads, which I normally didn't, and I stopped eating ramen."

Nam also spoke about working with Cho Seung Woo. "Cho Seung Woo sunbae treated not only his junior actors but also the staff very kindly," adding, "It's such a shame that we had fewer than 10 scenes together. I wanted to film many more scenes with a senior actor I admire."

Nam Joo Hyuk recalled that after filming wrapped, he personally handed Cho Seung Woo a handwritten letter. "I wrote that I hoped we could meet again in a project where we'd have the chance to work together more. I also wrote that although our time together was brief, I was grateful, and that I hoped we could act together again in the near future."

Nam Joo Hyuk also, for the first time, publicly spoke about the school bullying allegations that surfaced before his military enlistment. In June 2022, Nam Joo Hyuk became embroiled in controversy after allegations of school bullying were raised against him. At the time, his agency, Management SOOP, categorically denied the allegations and took legal action.

Then, in 2024, while Nam Joo Hyuk was serving in the military, the Goyang District Court imposed 7 million won fines on both "A", the informant who made the allegations, and the journalist who reported them. However, "A" has challenged the order and requested a formal trial.

Talking about it, Nam said, "I believe the facts are in the process of being set straight. For my part, I am currently going through that journey in silence."

"It's difficult for me to go into detail right now, but I never once felt wronged. I'm not the type of person to make it [my feelings] obvious, so I simply let things take their course and gave it enough time." He further emphasized, "There has already been a court ruling, and I believe the facts are now being set straight."

Given that The East Palace marks his return following the school bullying allegations, was the pressure any bigger?

"I feel pressure with every project. I don't think it's accurate to say I felt any more pressure for this one in particular."

"Ever since I first started acting in my twenties, I've approached every project with the same mindset — to always do my very best. I believe that if I keep doing that, there will come a time when many people will be able to enjoy a good project."

Since the release of The East Palace, Nam Joo Hyuk's acting has drawn a range of reactions from viewers. Addressing this, he said, "I'm aware that opinions are divided. In that regard, nothing has changed for me — it's the same now as it was before. I'm grateful for the positive feedback, and I also appreciate the criticisms and disappointments. They always make me think about how I can further improve. Those things serve as a significant source of motivation for me. I think the more people there are watching, the more inevitable it is that there will be a wide range of opinions.

Going forward, I'll continue reflecting [on these things] as I always have and work to create even better characters. I may receive praise on some projects, and I may not on others. Whatever people have to say, I'm grateful for it."

Lastly, when asked about the possibility of Season 2 of The East Palace, Nam Joo Hyuk replied, "I asked about it, but they didn't really tell me much. I don't know what will happen. But even I think they may have had a second season in mind." 

https://news.mydramalist.com/article/the-east-palace-nam-joo-hyuk-talks-season-2-bullying-allegations-mixed-reactions-to-his-acting

‘The Affair Was Just the Beginning’ is a Black Comedy in the manner of the joke “Today the cat died”. With the joke “Today the cat died”, by the time you are told everything which led up to the cat dying, you are on the floor gasping for breath. Look for this drama to be fast paced and unusual.
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‘The Affair Was Just the Beginning’ Thriller Suspense Crime Drama, with Kim Hye Soo, Cho Yeo Jung, and Kim Ji Hoon, and Kim Jae Chul, Country: South Korea, Episodes: 8, 🎈Airs: Jul 31, 2026 - ?🎈, Airs On: VIKI
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A Bona Fide Killer

This woman lives a double life. A doting mother and wife by day, nonetheless, she is a legendary sniper. Her mission is to get those ne'er-do-well who escape justice and right that wrong. And her husband does not know.

🔹 A Bona Fide Killer Bona Fide Killer Action Thriller Mystery, with Kong Hyo Jin, Jung Jun Won, and Lee Sang Yi,  Country: South Korea, Episodes: 14, Content Rating: 15+ - Teens 15 or older, 🎈Airs: Jul 31, 2026 - ?🎈VIKI  

Do you like this series? Would you recommend ‘Agent Kim Reactivated’?

Synopsis: A former Special Forces Agent is forced out of retirement to save his daughter.

Kim Reactivated, Country: South Korea, Episodes: 10,🎈Aired: Jun 26, 2026 - Jul 25, 2026🎈,
Content Rating: 15+ - Teens 15 or older

Photo from MDL

Did not see these coming for me.

Two dramas came out of nowhere but landed for me. I did not have them on my “Hit” List, however, each hit big for me.

‘Agent Kim Reactivated’, with actor Si JiSub (Korean)

‘Key to Phoenix Heart’, with** actor **Hou Ming Hao and actress Ai Mi (Chinese)

So Ji Sub has shown that he can do brutal action dramas before. However, in ‘Agent Kim Reactivated’ this time the story was meaningful too and he gave a heart-felt performance. There was a purpose for the violence. “You touched my child?”

In ‘Key to the Phoenix Heart’, singer actor Hou Ming Hao proved to me why he has such a huge following. I did not see the reasons for adoration before. He proved to me that he was an actor with this drama. Hou Ming Hao’s expressive eyes of sincerity, convincing naturalness, staying in the moment all made me get up each day with the purpose of watching him in ‘Key to the Phoenix Heart’.

Actors Bae Na Ra and Han Jae Ah will be tying the knot, just six months after going public with their relationship.

On July 17, Bae Na Ra's agency, YY Entertainment, confirmed to OSEN that the couple is preparing for marriage, adding, "The exact date has not yet been decided."

Earlier, a local media outlet reported that Bae Na Ra and Han Jae Ah recently decided to tie the knot and are currently preparing for a wedding, with plans to hold the ceremony either later this year or in early next year.

Bae Na Ra and Han Jae Ah first met as fellow actors after appearing together in the musicals Grease**,** Housewarming Concert**,** and** **Rappaccini's Garden, and went public as a couple in January.

Bae Na Ra made his debut in 2013 with the musical Promise** and has since appeared in productions including Weak Hero Class 2, Tastefully Yours** **and The WONDERfools.

Han Jae Ah first gained recognition in 2003 when she won the Grand Prize at the MBC Creative Children's Song Festival with her performance of Crescent Moon. She officially debuted as a musical actress in 2017 with Hamlet: Alive.

https://news.mydramalist.com/article/weak-hero-class-2-actor-bae-na-ra-to-tie-the-knot-with-han-jae-ah

Recommend peak good rom com kdrama. Something that makes you smile all the time when you are Watching the screen.

School 2017

‘School 2017’ is a Mystery Youth RomCom and Bromance. Disadvantaged student has to cope with the discrimination in her school, as a legendary person called Student X frames her by design. She teams up with two other students who are not on the in crowd. Together, the three fight School corruption.

School 2017, Country: South Korea, Episodes: 16, Aired: Jul 17, 2017 - Sep 5, 2017, Content Rating: 15+ - Teens 15 or older, Streamer: VIKI, Kocowa
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Here are the leading men cast in the upcoming drama series ‘Men of the Harem’ (starring Bae Suzy). They are Kim Dan, Shin Seung Ho, Yoo Jung Hoo, and Lee Soo Hyuk. Look for Ji Chang Wook to make a guest appearance. The series is adapted from the Web Novel by the same name.
 
The Story—A woman of Royalty loses her lover, but gains the thrown after the assassination of her father. In a role reversal, this Empress chooses several men as her consorts. They will be considered she concubines.
 
Men of the Harem, Country: South Korea, Episodes: 16, 🎈Airs: 2027, Original Network: Netflix

‘Men of the Harem’

   

It is kinda weird that the production team left bloopers in this drama.

 
In episode 4 @6:45 minutes the Female Lead (Lee Joo Myung) opens a bottle of Soju and the bottle cap pops hard right in her eye. It had to hurt. Watch it. The trooper that the actress is, Lee Joo Myung keeps going.
 
In episode 4 @17:30 minutes the side character (Park Bong Gi [Materials team 2 manager] played by Lee Sung Wook) exists the car. He quickly runs around the back of the car to go to the other side to open the door. Shielded partially by the car, you still can see the Manager’s legs fly up into the air as he falls hard to the ground. He slips and falls on his hip behind the car. It startles the FL and she literally jumps when he falls that hard. That had to hurt.

Acting can be a dangerous business. I am not sure why these takes were left in, but they are bloopers for the drama. I am hypersensitive to visual details. My eye catches this kind of movement all the time.
 
 
 
Final Numbers 
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Reborn Rookie started off with low viewership in Korea. It only got 3.70 % of the audience for episode 1. However, word spread quickly. Reborn Rookie ended its run with a whopping 13.57 % of the audience share on Nielsen Ratings. In Korea, audience shares of 10% is considered a hit drama. Reborn Rookie went past the mark by the finale. Is gained audience over time.
 
Photos are from the Internet

I started ‘Apartment Job’ with zero expectations, zip. Unlike usually, I had not looked up anything. I knew I would watch, because the drama starred Ji Sung, but I thought that the drama would be about apartments. Silly me! Nonetheless, it is such a surprise what ‘Apartment Job’ is really about that I won’t ruin the surprise for you. My brain would never have guessed this one. I say give it a try.
 
Suffice it to say, that I think that it is good enough to watch. Check it out.

Main Cast are actor Ji Sub, actress Ha Yoon Kyoung, and actor Park Byung Eun

A Shop for Killers Season 2, Airs: Jul 22, 2026 - Aug 12, 2026, Episodes 8. The family business is back in operation.