ktown konnection #5 | Disney+ picks up "Wonderful World," "Light Shop"

This week’s picks “Long Time No Sex” tops my watch list (the short series wraps this week); “Marry My Husband” is a runner-up.

Though Lee Sung-min (“Reborn Rich”) and Lee Jung-eun (“Daily Dose of Sunshine”) are superstar draws for “A Bloody Lucky Day,” which premieres this week, I just can’t stomach more grisly-laden episodes atm. While “Doctor Slump” is more lighthearted, its first two eps didn’t venture beyond the formulaic.

PREMIERES

• January 31 “Queen of Divorce” (JTBC) (Viki)

• February 1 “A Bloody Lucky Day” (Paramount+)

CURRENTLY STREAMING AND ON-AIR

Wednesday-Thursday Jan 31-Feb 1
“Like Flowers in Sand” (ENA) (Netflix)
“A Shop For Killers” (Disney+, Hulu)
(Thur) “LTNS” (Long Time No Sex) (Viki)
(Thur) “A Bloody Lucky Day” (Paramount+)
“Queen of Divorce” (JTBC) (Viki)

Friday-Saturday Feb 2-3
“Knight Flower” (MBC) (Viki)
“Flex x Cop” (SBS) (Disney+,Hulu)

Saturday-Sunday Feb 3-4
“My Happy Ending” (TV Chosun) (Viki)
“Captivating The King” (tvN) (Netflix)
“Doctor Slump” (JTBC) (Netflix)

Monday-Tuesday Feb 5-6
“Love Song For Illusion” (Viki)
“Marry My Husband” (tvN) (Amazon Prime Video)

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

KDRAMA NEWS

Going strong Globally, “Marry My Husband” hangs on to the Top 10 on Amazon Prime Video. Kdrama “Doctor Slump” and feature film “Badland Hunters” premiered to the Top 10 on Netflix.

Disney+ picks up more titles The mouse house has picked up Cha Eun-woo and Kim Nam-joo revenge drama “Wonderful World,” set to premiere March 1. The Hollywood Reporter 

Also for Disney’s K-library later this year: “Light Shop” by “Moving” creator Kang Full starring Ju Ji-joon, Park Bo-young, and Lee Jung-eun; “Uncle Samsik” starring Song Kang-ho.

“Welcome to Samdal-ri”: The Tour A new article highlights the drama’s filming locations. KJD

Dae Jang-geum (!) sequel Hit Kdrama Dae Jang-geum” (aka “Jewel in the Palace”), which had a whopping 57% in viewer ratings in 2003-2004 (and critical to the formative years of hallyu), is getting another season. Lee Young-ae will reprise her role in the historical drama; lensing to begin in October. KJD

Remake news “King The Land,” “Doctor Cha,” “Reborn Rich” and “Strong Woman Do Bong Soon” are in the works for remakes in Thailand, Turkey, and Malaysia. KJD

Choi Woo-shik talks “A Killer Paradox” The actor is back on the small screen, promising “fantasy, noir and thriller genres,” shared at a press conference in Seoul today. KJD

STREAMING NEWS

Now on VOD Post-apocalyptic feature “Concrete Utopia” starring Park Seo-joon and Park Bo-young is now available on Viki. (The film gives me “Happiness” vibes - but “Happiness” was much more enjoyable IMO.)

Trendwatch Streamers in the U.S. move toward licensing, thus generating more revenue (instead of hoarding worldwide rights). Also in the U.S. : “Suits” was the most streamed show of 2023; “Ted Lasso” was the most streamed original series. The Hollywood Reporter