ktown konnection #7 | "Marry My Husband" tops global hits

This week’s Top 10 “A Killer Paradox” and “Doctor Slump” hit #3 and #9 on Netflix’s top global titles (as of this writing), “Marry My Husband” took the top spot on Amazon Prime Video. FlixPatrol

Unexpectedly explicit If you were shocked at the sudden sex scene in “A Killer Paradox,” you’re not alone. I agreed with some of dramabeans’ first impressions about Lee Tang’s apathy and the gratuitous nature of the series.

Political commentary? The show also faced an online backlash of supposed onscreen commentary of real-life political scandal. The Korea Times

OTT industry watch Paramount made another round of layoffs this week, it’s the latest grim news following a slew of cuts (Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, NBCU, Netflix, Roku, and rumored for Pixar).

The announcement comes after a record-breaking Super Bowl audience for Paramount and on the heels of Amazon’s ad launch, so it’s all pretty sus. Let’s see how each platform continues their approach to international content. TBI

Didn’t partake in any Lunar New Year meals? If you didn’t, here are some familiar faces who did. Rapper Jessi, actor Lee Yi Kyung (“Marry My Husband”), omnipresent host Yoo Jae-seok, and other friends cooked up a storm.

PREMIERES

• February 17 “Grand Shining Hotel” (tvN) (tba)

Premieres are on the light side this week; but rest assured, a bunch of new series and features await us next month. More to come.

CURRENTLY STREAMING AND ON-AIR

Wednesday-Thursday Feb 14-15
“Queen of Divorce” (JTBC) (Viki)

Friday-Saturday Feb 16-17
“Knight Flower” (MBC) (Viki)
“Flex x Cop” (SBS) (Disney+,Hulu)
“Grand Shining Hotel” (tvN)

Saturday-Sunday Feb 17-18
“My Happy Ending” (TV Chosun) (Viki)
“Captivating The King” (tvN) (Netflix)
“Doctor Slump” (JTBC) (Netflix)

Monday-Tuesday Feb 19-20
“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 REVIEWS

I did take a gander at “Branding in Seongsu” and wasn’t feeling the web minidrama. Though lacking in originality, it does look pretty light if you’re looking for a casual watch.

“A Shop For Killers” was kind of a letdown, though slick and buzzy. I got through a handful of eps, but this review underlined what I suspected. SCMP

IN SOUTH KOREA

Northern hostilities North Korea launched a round of missiles into the sea again on Wednesday, the latest in its series of recent provocations. Reuters

International relations In a surprising move, South Korea has opened diplomatic relations with Cuba, North Korea’s longtime ally. The Korea Times

Medical crisis A shortage of doctors, a med student quota, and a strike looms. The Korea Herald