ktown konnection #15 | "Parasyte" tops global titles

This week’s Top Global Titles 🌎  Within 2 days of its April 5 premiere, new Kdrama “Parasyte: The Grey” hit #1 on Netflix globally. “Queen Of Tears” and “Marry My Husband” are still in the Top 10 on Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, respectively. FlixPatrol (a/o 4/11/24)

PREMIERES

• April 10 “Blood Free” (Disney+)

“Blood Free” premieres this week. The 10-ep series from Disney+ stars Ju Ji-hoon (“Kingdom”) and Han Hyo-joo (“Moving”); the trailer gives me a mix of “Okja” and “Soylent Green” vibes.

It’s written by Lee Soo-yeon (“Forest of Secrets”), so expect a carefully woven thriller stocked with intrigue and twists that’ll keep you guessing.

Wednesday-Thursday Apr 10-11
“Blood Free” (Disney+)

Friday-Saturday Apr 12-13
“Wonderful World” (MBC) (Disney+)
“Escape of the 7: Resurrection” (SBS) (Viki)

Saturday-Sunday Apr 13-14
“Queen of Tears” (tvN) (Netflix)
“Beauty and Mr. Romantic” (KBS2) (Viki)
“Hide” (Coupang Play, JTBC) (Viki)

Monday-Tuesday Apr 15-16
“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

What Korea’s watching “Queen Of Tears” is dominating broadcast, while Monday-Tuesday dramas “Nothing Uncovered” and “The Midnight Studio” had significant ratings boosts this week.

New reality, dating shows Among the new titles screened at MIPTV and Canneseries, Korean shows “Bloody Game” and “Couple Palace.” Variety

TCL+ adds Korean programming Chinese-based TCL+ picks up content from distributor NEW ID; titles include Korean dramas and films, children’s programming, and more. Content will be available for audiences in U.S. and Canada this month. Cynopsis

And “The 8 Show” teases a very stylish series with familiar faces (Park Jung-min, Ryu Jun-yeol, Chun Woo-hee) to add to your watchlist for May:

SOUTH KOREA NEWS 🇰🇷

Election results 🗳 Voter turnout was 67% - the highest in 32 years. Korea’s National Assembly majority has gone to the Democratic Party - and current opposition party to Pres. Yoon Suk-yeol, who has three years left in his term. NYT

It was “a stinging defeat” for Pres. Yoon’s party, some officials resigned, and others are citing lame duck status. Election night broadcasts were noisy and ripe for parody. The new parliament begins its four-year term in May.

It’s a polarized time, by all counts, with no lack of issues brought to the forefront: a deep gender divide, conservative-liberal divide, and the doctors’ strike continues to drag on.

And if you’re a celeb Came across this article and yet, I’m not completely surprised. Korea’s public opinion - and scrutiny - is on another level.

KJD outlined major “don’ts” for celebs during election season: don’t wear or show certain colors (there are a lot), don’t share what books you’re reading, don’t talk about history - lest you be incorrect, show political leanings, or get labeled a ‘feminist.’

Flat croissants trending The compressed pastry is said to hail from Seoul - and is now trending everywhere. Food+Wine

Go fish (virtually) Korean VR fishing game Real VR Fishing is gaining fans - mostly overseas. Users average an hour of play per day, nearly 3x the average for other VR games. Financial Times

NewJeans seeks U.S. legal support The K-pop group is looking to combat defamation outside of Korea. NYT

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