ktown konnection #14 | Song Joong-ki cameo, Yeon Sang-ho's latest

Song Joong-ki’s cameo on “Queen Of Tears” has been firing up the interwebs; Song reprised his mafia lawyer “Vincenzo” character in Episode 8.

Thesps Kim Ji-won and Song Joong-ki previously shared the screen in “Descendants Of The Sun” and “Arthdal Chronicles.”

This week’s Top Global Titles 🌎  Audiences are continuing to watch: “Queen of Tears,” and Season 2 of “Physical: 100” on Netflix.

PREMIERES

• April 5 “Parasyte: The Grey” (Netflix)

• April 8 “Lovely Runner” (tvN) (Viki)

Yeon Sang-ho (“Train To Busan,” “The Bequeathed”) is back with horror series “Parasyte: The Grey,” and in “Lovely Runner,” a K-pop fan travels back in time to save a pop star.

Friday-Saturday Apr 5-6
“Wonderful World” (MBC) (Disney+)
“Escape of the 7: Resurrection” (SBS) (Viki)
“Parasyte: The Grey” (Netflix)

Saturday-Sunday Apr 6-7
“Queen of Tears” (tvN) (Netflix)
“Beauty and Mr. Romantic” (KBS2) (Viki)
“Hide” (Coupang Play, JTBC) (Viki)

Monday-Tuesday Apr 8-9
“Lovely Runner” (tvN) (Viki))
“The Midnight Studio” (ENA) (Viki)
“Nothing Uncovered" (KBS2) (Viki)

(*Streaming platforms shown are for U.S. only; distributors vary by country.)

KDRAMA/FILM/TV

Kocowa+ launches in Europe, Oceania The Korean platform is expanding into more markets. The OTT will have same-day releases and fully subtitled content. Deadline

Six-week streak 🍿 “Exhuma” continues to top Korea’s box office. Variety

Shelved film and TV A backlog of produced Korean TV series and films waiting for distribution is in limbo, even with star names like Song Joong-ki attached.

Despite a global increase in demand for Korean content, industry strife and unsustainability continues to grow: a lack of domestic platforms, drops in funding, and increasing costs have production companies strapped, resulting in fewer productions. The Korea Times

“A Normal Family” Hur Jin-ho’s latest feature film, “A Normal Family” starring Jang Dong-gun and Sol Kyung-gu, is picking up accolades on the festival circuit. (I’ve seen it: 10/10 would recommend.) The Korea Times 

Song Kang-ho’s TV debut ”Uncle Samshik” the Disney+ Kdrama starring Song Kang-ho (“Parasite,” “A Taxi Driver”) and Byun Yo-han (“Mr. Sunshine”) premieres May 15. It will also be available on Hulu in the U.S. THR

Need a ridiculously soapy watch? “The Escape of the Seven: Resurrection” is from “The Penthouse” filmmaking team. So, in case you’re keeping an eye out for characters getting dramatically pushed down the stairs. SCMP

K-pop crossover iKON’s Koo Jun-hoe continues his acting pursuits in feature “Again 1997,” which premieres April 10 in Korea. The Korea Times

Bullying allegations Song Ha-yoon’s agency has denied bullying rumors for the “Marry My Husband” actor. KJD

Latest breakup 💔 Celeb splits have shortly followed public announcements of pairings lately, with Lee Jae-wook and Karina’s news following Han So-hee and Ryu Jun-yeol’s parting.

SOUTH KOREA NEWS 🇰🇷

Election campaigns heat up 🗳 The window up to the April 10 election for the National Assembly is quickly closing, and races are tight. With issues aplenty, much is at stake, including: economic inequality, an aging population, suspected hate crimes against migrants, real estate policies, and lowering taxes.

North Korea, still at it - keeps firing missiles into the ocean. The Korea Herald

Cherry blossoms, without colonial roots 🌸 A movement to replace cherry blossoms that came from the Japanese colonial era with native Korean ones continues, but theories of native origins, abound. NYT

Koreans are spending more on monthly interest than rent. The Korea Times

Supporting returning mothers 👩🏻‍💻 A nonprofit is assisting mothers returning to work. The Korea Herald

‘BBC Kids’ launches in Korea. Variety

Exporting youth(ful injections) Korean botox manufacturers are clamoring to get into the U.S. market. TCD

Leveling up 👾 Sandy Floor Games, maker of casual shooting game “Great Toy Showdown,” announced a round of new investments - and hiring. KED Global

J-Hope pop-up  A weeklong, three-story pop-up store celebrating all things J-Hope, including his recent docuseries, runs til April 5. TCD

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