ktown konnection #31 | "Squid Game 2" gets release date

IN THIS ISSUE:

• Season two of “Squid Game” premiere date announced

• Korea’s athletes go viral: Kim Ye-ji, that North-South Korea selfie, and an Opening Ceremony gaffe

• No more ramen for Korean Air

• Dunkin’ offers free Bitcoin in Korea

PREMIERES

• August 2 “Bad Memory Eraser” (MBN) (Viki)

This week’s premieres Yikes, it’s already August. A former pro tennis player undergoes a procedure to get rid of his bad memories in “Bad Memory Eraser.” Kim Jae-joong (“Manhole”) and Jin Se-yun (“Born Again”) star.

(Sidenote: sometimes it’s hard to find a subtitled Kdrama trailer without a robotic voice-over - especially when many are not being provided by officially licensed OTT platforms.)

A couple shows are on hiatus due to the Olympics; also, stay tuned: there are at least 9(!) more new series premiering this month.

What I’m Watching “Serendipity’s Embrace” is a bit predictable and sugary so far, I’m still along for the ride in “Miss Night and Day.”

ICYMI Feature film “Wonderland” is now on Netflix; it premiered July 26. (I spotted some marketing earlier on, but wasn’t crazy about the premise.) Directed by Kim Tae-yong (“Late Autumn”) the film features AI as a service provider for interacting with loved ones lost. Cast includes Choi Woo-shik (“A Killer Paradox”), Jung Yu-mi (“Sleep”), Tang Wei (“Decision To Leave”).

Wednesday-Thursday July 31-August 1
“My Sweet Mobster” (JTBC) (Viki)
“Red Swan” (Disney+)

Friday-Saturday August 2-3
“The Auditors” (tvN) (Viki)
“Good Partner” (SBS) (Viki)[on hiatus this week]
“Bad Memory Eraser” (MBN) (Viki)

Saturday-Sunday August 3-4
“Beauty and Mr. Romantic” (KBS2) (Viki)
“Miss Night and Day” (JTBC) (Netflix)

Monday-Tuesday August 5-6
“Serendipity’s Embrace” (tvN) (Viki)[on hiatus this week]

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

KDRAMA/FILM/TV/ETC.

Season 2 of “Squid Game” ☂△✩ (finally) has a release date: December 26. (Capitalizing on holiday viewing, eh?) The bloody series is also getting a third and final season in 2025. THR

KCON 2024 LA had what looked to be its most jam-packed three days yet. (Even the scope of coverage seemed to reflect its ambitious volume of programming - and stars.) THR

Top Global Titles 🌎 “Miss Night and Day,” FlixPatrol. On Viki: “My Sweet Mobster,” “Serendipity’s Embrace,” “Good Partner.”

Korea’s watching 📺 “Good Partner,” “Serendipity’s Embrace,” “Miss Night and Day” (July 22-28). dramabeans