The K-Entertainment scene is no stranger to last-minute switch-ups or injuries (unfortunately), and this week was a very hectic one on both those counts.
- “8 out of 10 Korean-Americans express need for Korean unification.” This is a short but interesting look at Korean-American attitudes toward reunification, including why people think reunification should happen, predictions on what would happen if the current government collapsed, and foreseeable difficulties in a post-unification world (including fears of increased taxes). I wonder how these stats compare to Koreans currently living in South Korea. Time to google.
- “Walking in Beauty: On Seeing Fat Women in Asian Dramas and Body Positivity.” This article focuses primarily on Korean dramas, but it does mention a few others in passing and includes links to other essays/studies on the topics. I am definitely interested in seeing more fat women in media of all types, especially when they aren’t seen as something that needs to be fixed or serve only as the comedic or protagonist-supporting prop.
- “‘Train to Busan’ to premiere at Cannes.” ZOMBIES. GONG YOO AND ZOMBIES. How could I not be excited about this? Here’s the trailer:
- “Park So Dam finally confirmed as female lead for Beautiful Mind.” Cutting it a bit close, aren’t you? The first episode is supposed to air on June 20th!
- “SBS replaces Deal with thriller Wanted, courts Kim Hyun-joo.” Sheesh, this is even worse. You’re going to slot in an entirely new show in less than six weeks? Here’s hoping this script writer is a miracle worker (and already had a good chunk of this show done), or else this thing is going to crash and burn. (Which is a shame, because it sounds like it could be God’s Gift, and this late of a start makes me worry it will faceplant on the ending, too.)
- “Go Hyun Jung’s Return To ‘Dear My Friends’ Filming Still Undecided After Injury.” Ow, ow, ow. Third-degree burns are awful, and I hope she recovers soon. I don’t know if she’ll recover in time, even if the show is half pre-produced. Yikes.