ktown konnection #27 | What are "shoulder gangsters"(어깨 깡패)?

IN THIS ISSUE:

• Rain plays Kim Ha-neul’s bodyguard in “Red Swan”

• BTS’ Jimin and Jungkook hit the road in travel show

• OTT’s ad growth: Netflix vs. Amazon vs. Disney+ vs. Peacock

• New ways to (digitally) slack off at work

• What are “shoulder gangsters” ? (Insult or compliment)?

PREMIERES

• July 3 “Red Swan” (Disney+)

• July 5 “The Pork Cutlets” (MBC) (Viki) (2 eps)

• July 6 “The Auditors” (tvN)(Viki)

This week’s premieres Happy July 4th, if you’re stateside. Rain returns to kdrama this week as bodyguard in “Red Swan” to Kim Ha-neul’s chaebol-in-law (cough! “Nothing Uncovered” reprise). Who doesn’t love a bodyguard action thriller ?

2-ep special “The Pork Cutlets” (yes, that’s the English title) with Jung Sang-hoon (“Twinkling Watermelon”) and Jeon Hye-bin (“Revolutionary Sisters”) looks pretty fun. An expecting household in the boonies already filled with testosterone, hopes for a daughter.

Offbeat comedy “The Auditors” jumps into the world of corruption, construction and chaebols. Some government-business collusion, perhaps? (Who says art doesn’t imitate life?) Shin Ha-kyun (“Yonder”), Lee Jung-ha (“Moving”), Jin Goo (“Shadow Detective 2”) stars.

What I’m Watching Admittedly, Uhm Tae-goo was made for his “My Sweet Mobster” character. In “The Midnight Romance in Hagwon,” (spoiler alert) that unexpected fight scene at the end - between 2 characters you’d least likely see coming - was satisfyingly righteous.

Now bingeable “The Midnight Romance in Hagwon,” “Dare To Love Me,” “Uncle Samsik,” “Crash,” “Bittersweet Hell.”

Wednesday-Thursday July 3-4
“My Sweet Mobster” (JTBC) (Viki)
“Red Swan” (Disney+)

Friday-Saturday July 5-6
“Connection” (SBS) (Viki)
“My Military Valentine” (Viki)
“The Pork Cutlets” (MBC) (Viki)
“The Auditors” (tvN) (Viki)

Saturday-Sunday July 6-7
“Beauty and Mr. Romantic” (KBS2) (Viki)
“Miss Night and Day” (JTBC) Netflix)

Monday-Tuesday July 8-9
“Player 2: Master of Swindlers” (tvN) (Viki)

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

KDRAMA/FILM/TV/ETC.

Top Global Titles 🌎 “Miss Night and Day,” “Marry My Husband.” FlixPatrol

Korea’s watching 📺  “Connection,” “Miss Night and Day,” “The Midnight Romance in Hagwon” (June 24-30). dramabeans

BTS’ Jimin and Jungkook x travel TV Filmed pre-military enlistment, the megastars hit New York, Jeju, and Japan in “Are You Sure?,” premiering August 8 on Disney+. Rolling Stone

Actor Ji-soo returns in Philippine series “Black Rider,” his first role since a bullying scandal arose in 2021. MSN

OTT NEWS ETC.

Viu picks up more Korean titles The streamer’s deal with SBS includes streaming upcoming series “Good Partner.” ContentAsia

Netflix is investing more in Southeast Asia than its rivals. The Business Times.