Netflix’s new romantic comedy K-drama Frankly Speaking is here to make your 2024 bingeing session exciting. Curious to know about the plot, episode release schedule and other details of Frankly Speaking? We have you covered.

In the first episode of the 2024 K-drama, audiences are introduced to Song Ki-baek (played by Go Kyung-pyo), a successful radio announcer working for Ultra FM. Soon, he is seen dominating a dodgeball game show. This is when he manages to impress On Woo-ju (played by Kang Ha-na), a competitive variety show writer, who was closely observing the event.

Later, when Woo-ju comes across Ki-baek, she warns him to keep his win-at-all-costs attitude in check, as it might, one day, cost him his fame. The episode ends with a sudden gas leak, leaving Ki-baek unconscious. When he regains consciousness, his life is altered forever.

In episode 2, Ki-Baek tries to figure out why he’s being so bluntly honest. His no filter behaviour leads to multiple repercussions, the first one being his boss suspending him. Devastated, Ki-baek decides to take a break and travels out of town with his friend Yoon Ji-hoo (played by Ko Kyu-pil). There he once again runs into Woo-Joo, who sees him climbing rocks and gets worried about his mental health. The episode ends with the duo dramatically falling off the rocks.

In episodes 3 and 4, fans can likely expect the Netflix K-drama to delve deeper into Ki-baek’s struggle to redeem his career.

Here are more details about the K-drama Frankly Speaking

Helmed by Nevertheless fame director Jang Ji-yeon, Frankly Speaking, focuses on a successful announcer whose fame begins to diminish after developing a disorder that makes him speak without a filter on air. Woo-ju, a TV show writer, finds Ki-baek’s disorder interesting and invites him to her variety show. Will this new opportunity in reality TV help Ki-baek redeem his career?

One of the highly anticipated K-dramas releasing in May 2024, the Netflix original is written by scriptwriter Choi Kyung, who penned the 2020 hit Korean mystery series CHIP-IN.

When are episodes 3 and 4 of the K-drama releasing?

Episodes 3 and 4 of Frankly Speaking will be out on Netflix on 8 and 9 May, respectively. The first episode of the show premiered on the OTT platform on 1 May 2024.

Watch the K-drama here.

How many episodes of Frankly Speaking are there?

The romantic drama has a total of 12 episodes.

What is the runtime of each episode?

Each episode of Frankly Speaking has a runtime of approximately 80 minutes.

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Frankly Speaking episode release schedule

So far, Netflix is releasing two episodes every Wednesday and Thursday. Below is the complete episode release schedule of Frankly Speaking:

• Episode 1 – Wednesday, 1 May (Out now)
• Episode 2 – Thursday, 2 May (Out now)
• Episode 3 – Wednesday, 8 May
• Episode 4 – Thursday, 9 May
• Episode 5 – Wednesday, 15 May
• Episode 6 – Thursday, 16 May
• Episode 7 – Wednesday, 22 May
• Episode 8 – Thursday, 23 May
• Episode 9 – Wednesday, 30 May
• Episode 10 – Thursday, 31 May
• Episode 11 – Wednesday, 5 June
• Episode 12 – Thursday, 6 June

Is there a trailer for Frankly Speaking?

Yes, watch the heartwarming trailer of the Netflix Korean drama below:

(Hero and Featured image: Courtesy Netflix) 

The post Check out the complete episode release schedule of <i>Frankly Speaking</i> on Netflix appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

Over the past few years, Thai BL series have caught the attention of the fans of the romance genre with many popular titles like Until We Meet Again and KinnPorsche. And going by the line-up of the Thai BL series set to release in 2024, we are sure fans will not be disappointed. With six of the most popular pairings blessing fans with new storylines but the same old palpable chemistry, we’ve rounded up eight Thai BL series that must be on every BL-lovers’ watchlist.

The popularity of the Thai BL industry, and as a direct result of it, actor pairings, is no small feat. Recently, GMMTV, one of the major production companies, announced lightsticks for several of the lead couples. These include the famous pairings of Off-Gun, Earth-Mix, Fourth-Gemini, and Tay-New, among others. The lightstick reveal created much buzz among fans, as people had only heard of them through the Hallyu wave, as all K-pop idols and groups have a designated lightstick to represent their fandom.

The introduction of lightsticks for Thai BL actors proves just how much the industry has grown in recent years. One of their major attractive factors is that many of these dramas are available to watch on YouTube for free. This tactic helps them increase their reach across international waters and bring in a sea of new viewers. While streaming services like Netflix have begun including Thai BL series in their roster, it is channels like GMMTV, Mandee Channel, Studio Wabi Sabi and Be On Cloud that have cemented their position as top BL series creators.

Here’s a list of Thai BL series you can watch on YouTube for free

Most-anticipated Thai BL series to watch in 2024

4Minutes

Cast: Bible Wichapas, Jes Jespipat

Synopsis: Great, the son of a wealthy business owner, studies at the Business Administrative Faculty at a reputed university. After some unknown circumstances, he gets the power to see into the future for four minutes. He meets resident surgeon, Tyme, and their friendship soon begins to grow. But is it for the better or worse? Only time will tell.

Kidnap

Directed by: Noom Attaporn Teemarkorn (Midnight Museum)
Cast: Ohm Pawat, Leng Thanaphon

Synopsis: Min (Ohm) starts kidnapping people for money to get his brother’s medical treatment done. When someone demands Min kill Kyu (Leng), a rich young man, he hesitates and ends up hiding him in his house. Min and Kyu’s secrets bring them together as they try to fight against people who threaten their and Min’s brother’s lives.

Love Sea

Directed by: Ne Neti Suwanjinda
Cast: Peat Wasuthorn, Fort Thitipong

Synopsis: Tongrak (Peat) ends up in bed with Mahasamut (Fort) after he travels in search of inspiration for his next romance novel. As a popular writer, Tongrak finds Mahasamut irritating. But it gradually fades into affection.

About the show: Director Ne Neti Suwanjinda brings back Peat and Fort, the actor couple who wowed the audience with their chemistry in one of the most popular Thai BL series of 2022 — Love in the Air.

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Love Upon a time

Directed by: Aoftion Kittipat Jampa
Cast: Net Siraphop, James Supamongkon

Synopsis: Nakhun (James) doesn’t believe in superstitions. Fate plays a messy game as he suddenly time travels 400 years in the past and is mistaken for Klao, a young man who went missing. His mannerisms seem quite different to his friend Phob (Net). As Nakhun tries to find out how to get back home, Phob starts falling in love with him.

About the show: This Thai BL series not only has a popular lead pairing but a famous director as well. While Net and James enjoyed great popularity thanks to the R-rated show Bed Friend last year, Aoftion Kittipat Jampa has directed celebrated BLs like Cutie Pie seasons 1 and 2.

My Love Mix-Up!

Directed by: Au Kornprom Niyomsil
Cast: Fourth Nattawat, Gemini Norawit

Synopsis: Atom (Fourth) tries to confess his crush to Matmee but when she gives him her eraser to use, he notices Kongthap’s (Gemini) name on it. In frustration, Atom drops the eraser and Kongthap picks it up. He then assumes that Atom has a crush on him, resulting in a chaotic high school love mix-up.

About the show: This Thai adaptation of a popular Japanese manga has brought together the lead cast of the massively famous 2022 Thai BL series, My School President, Fourth and Gemini, along with director Au Kornprom Niyomsil.

The Next Prince

Directed by: Aoftion Kittipat Jampa
Cast: NuNew Chawarin, Zee Pruk

Synopsis: Set in a fictional kingdom of Emmaly, Royal Guard Charan Phithakthewa (Zee) is tasked with bringing Prince Khanin (NuNew), the heir of the royal Atsawathewathin family back to his rightful place as competition for the next monarch comes closer. Khanin has no idea about his royal position as he’s been living as an ordinary person.

Revamp: The Undead Story

Directed by: New Siwaj Sawatmaneekul
Cast: Boun Noppanut, Prem Warut, Boss Chaikamon

Synopsis: Vintage shop owner Punn (Prem) suddenly gets interested in Jet (Boss) and Ramil (Boun). He encounters creepy things and is both intrigued but scared of a group of people, who have an eerie aura of being vampires.

About the show: This is one of the most anticipated Thai BL series set for a release this year because of the famous pairing of Boun and Prem, who gained popularity with Until We Meet Again (2019) and Between Us (2022).

The Trainee

Directed by: Pat Thachai Komolphet, Prang Sasinan Pattanal
Cast: Off Jumpol, Gun Atthaphan

Synopsis: Ryan (Gun) gets an internship as a director’s assistant. Since he’s a fresher, he somehow always lands in trouble. However, one time when he messes things up, his direct boss Jane (Off) comes to rescue him. The duo start noticing each other a lot more and start gravitating towards each other.

About the show: Off and Gun is one of the top BL couples in the Thai industry due to their famous work in Theory in Love (2019), Not Me (2021) and Cooking Crush (2023).

(Hero image credit: Love Upon A Time/Twitter; Feature image credit: beoncloud.official/Instagram)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best Thai BL drama?

Cutie Pie, SOTUS, KinnPorsche, Tale of a Thousand Stars, Bad Buddy, and TharnType are some of the best Thai BLs that have generated a massive international interest in Thai dramas.

Who is the most powerful BL couple in Thailand?

Some of the popular BL couples in Thailand include Off-Gun from Cookie Crush (2023) and Not Me (2021), Tay-New from Kiss Me Again (2018) and Our Skyy, Bright-Win from 2gether: The Series (2020), and Bilkin-PP from I Told Sunset About You (2020). Because of the wide variety of Thai BL pairings, there isn’t just one powerful couple, but plenty that enjoy extreme popularity domestically and internationally.

Who is the most famous Thai BL actor?

Many famous Thai BL actors have gained recognition inside and outside of Thailand. Some of them are Bright Vachirawit, Win Metawin, Fourth Nattawat, Gemini Norawit, Tay Tawan, New Thitipoom, Off Jumpol and Gun Atthaphan.

Which BL is the most popular?

In recent years, Thai production companies such as GMMTV, Studio Wabi Sabi, Be On Cloud and Mandee have produced some of the most popular BL dramas. These include Tale of a Thousand Stars, Bad Buddy, My School President, Between Us, Cutie Pie and Bed Friend.

The post ‘4Minutes’ and other new Thai BL series to watch in 2024 appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

Lovely Runner, the South Korean TV sensation, continues to impress audiences across the globe. A K-drama, the series is genre-bending as it is primarily a romance drama but boasts of a science fiction twist in the form of a time travel plot. Featuring Byeon Woo Seok, known for 20th Century Girl (2022) and Kim Hye Yoon, known for Extraordinary You (2019) in lead roles, the series has managed to strike a chord with millions with its simple premise, tragic undertones and an awesome soundtrack. Find out all the Lovely Runner episode release schedule details here, including episodes 9 and 10 and beyond.

Ever since it released, Lovely Runner has been neck and neck with Queen of Tears, starring Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Ji-Won, when it comes to the most popular South Korean K-dramas of 2024. In the topicality results revealed by Good Data Corporation, Lovely Runner even beat Queen of Tears during the first week of its release with 42,393 points in topicality. If you don’t know, topicality is the amount of buzz a TV show (or a movie, as the case may be) is generating at a given moment. Clearly, Lovely Runner has many, many fans around the world.

Soompi quoted Neilsen Korea as saying that the latest episodes of Lovely Runner have also garnered strong ratings. The 30 April episode of the show, its eighth episode, had an impressive rating of 4.1 per cent. It was a decline from the Monday episode (seventh), however, which had garnered a rating of 4.5 per cent.

Minor spoilers ahead!

​In the eighth and latest episode of Lovely Runner, we go back in time to 1 January 2023. Sun Jae is impatient and opens a time capsule earlier. He finds a letter from Im Sol in which she expresses gratitude. Once Sun Jae realises that his stalker is none other than Im Sol, he is eager to find her. They come across each other on a bridge and Im Sol invites Sun Jae to spend the night with her. Sun Jae, although shocked, agrees and foregoes an after-party. He goes with Im Sol to a hotel. On the way, they talk frankly about each other.

It turns out Im Sol believes they are going to make love, but is embarrassed when she learns that Sun Jae just wishes to chat in private. Both act as if they did not try to find the time capsule. Speculations are rife about Sun Jae’s whereabouts. Im Sol is resolved to save Sun Jae from prying eyes. They end up sharing a passionate kiss, despite interruptions. In the end, Sun Jae falls victim to an assault by a recently release man. Im Sol is shocked, wondering how it all happened. Could it be that Sun Jae’s “suicide” was not suicide at all but a murder? And is that why Im Sol is unable to change his fate even if she keeps ensuring he is happy?

All about Lovely Runner: Plot, cast, crew and episode release schedule

What is the plot of Lovely Runner?

Lovely Runner is a K-drama series that has sci-fi and comedic elements but they are largely in service to a deeply felt romantic story. A young woman called Im Sol is a huge fan of musician Ryu Sun Jae (Woo Seok). One day, her world ends when she learns that Sun Jae has died by suicide. As she mourns his death, she finds herself going back in time to 2008 when Sun Jae was a teenager.

At first, she is delighted since she believes her new time-travelling abilities might allow her to undo the tragic fate of Sun Jae, but as she learns it is easier said than done. Will her feeble attempts to alter the past bear fruit? Is it even possible? If she does succeed, will there be unforeseen effects in the form of changes to her and Sun Jae’s story she did not intend?

Check out our list of highest-rated K-dramas of 2024 so far

Who is behind Lovely Runner?

This K-drama series is based on a web novel called The Best of Tomorrow by Kim Bbang. Kim Tae Yeop and Yoon Jong Ho have directed the episodes. Lee Shi Eun has penned the scripts of the episodes.

Lovely Runner complete episode release schedule

Lovely Runner originally comes from South Korea’s tvN network. In India, it can be watched on the streaming service Rakuten Viki. The first two episodes can be watched for free, but the rest need a paid subscription. Two episodes are released every week, which is not too different from Queen of Tears, also a tvN show.

The first episode premiered on 8 April and the second on 9 April. The seventh and eighth episodes were released on 29 and 30 April, respectively. Each episode is over an hour long and there will be a total of 16 episodes. Expect the finale on 28 May. The timing of the episodes is 8:50 pm KST (7:50 pm ICT). Here is the full release schedule:

• Episode 1 – Monday, 8 April (out now)
• Episode 2 – Tuesday, 9 April (out now)
• Episode 3 – Monday, 15 April (out now)
• Episode 4 – Tuesday, 16 April (out now)
• Episode 5 – Monday, 22 April (out now)
• Episode 6 – Tuesday, 23 April (out now)
• Episode 7 – Monday, 29 April (out now)
• Episode 8 – Tuesday, 30 April (out now)
• Episode 9 – Monday, 6 May
• Episode 10 – Tuesday, 7 May
• Episode 11 – Monday, 13 May
• Episode 12 – Tuesday, 14 May
• Episode 13 – Monday, 21 May
• Episode 14 – Tuesday, 22 May
• Episode 15 – Monday, 27 May
• Episode 16 – Tuesday, 28 May

Is there a trailer for Lovely Runner?

Indeed, watch the trailer for this romance sci-fi drama below:

Where to watch Lovely Runner in India?

The show is available to stream on the streaming service Rakuten Viki.

(Hero and featured image: Courtesy of tvN/IMDb)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

-How many episodes of Lovely Runner are out?

Until now, eight episodes of Lovely Runner have been released by tvN. The seventh episode began airing on 29 April and the eighth and latest episode was released on 30 April.

-Where can I watch Lovely Runner K-drama?

Lovely Runner is available to watch on Rakuten Viki.

The post <i>Lovely Runner</i> episode release schedule: When are episodes 9 and 10 out? appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

Curious to know which upcoming K-dramas will make your May 2024 bingeing session exciting? We have you covered.

While April was full of surprises for K-drama lovers with shows like Parasyte: The Grey, May will entertain viewers with one of the most anticipated series of 2024, The 8 Show. Starring K-sensation Ryu Jun-yeol in the leading role, this upcoming new 2024 K-drama will effortlessly remind you of the cult Korean survival series Squid Game. Written and directed by The King fame Han Jae-rim, The 8 Show is an adaptation of Bae Jin-soo’s webtoon Money Game.

Keeping up with the appeal of crime dramas is the Park Joon-woo directorial Crash. Starring Lee Min-ki and Kwak Sun-young in lead roles, this upcoming new Disney Plus original is one of the most popular K-dramas to release in May 2024. According to the streaming giant, the show will tell the story of a young detective Cha Yeon-ho (played by Lee), who “has a special ability to simulate the time of an accident, using his sharp analysis and reasoning abilities.” Helping him with his investigations is his mentor Min So-hee (played by Kwak). Talking about the bond between their characters in the drama, Lee said in an interview with MK Korea that they share an “ideal senior-junior relationship in the office where guidance and learning go hand in hand.” He also described Kwak’s character So-hee as a “nice, reliable senior.”

Meanwhile, Wi Ha-joon, who was last seen fighting evil in the 2023 hit show The Worst of Evil, will return with the romance drama The Midnight Romance in Hagwon. A tvN original, this upcoming 2024 K-drama is helmed by director Ahn Pan-seok, known for heartwarming rom-coms like Something in the Rain.

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The post ‘Uncle Samsik’ and other must-watch upcoming K-dramas in May 2024 appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

From muay thai training to rock climbing, these are some of our favourite moments from Conan O’Brien Must Go in Thailand.

Conan O’Brien’s new travel show Conan O’Brien Must Go has finally premiered on HBO GO here in Thailand. No disrespect to the other countries the show features, but since one of the four episodes was shot here in Bangkok, we immediately watched that episode. Those who have watched Conan’s specials shot in other countries know that it’s a chaotic fun time, and thankfully, the Thailand episode was no different. Here are some of our favourite moments from the Conan O’Brien Must Go episode shot in Thailand.

[Hero image: HBO GO]

 “Why did I come to Bangkok?”: Eight moments from Conan O’Brien Must Go in Thailand that we love

Anna’s mum smacking the living daylights out of Conan

Like a typical Thai auntie who speaks little English and is clueless as to who the tall red-headed menace is in her living room, Anna’s mum proceeds to welcome Conan to the Land of Smiles by giving forced laughs and slapping Conan in the face. While Conan is off doing his shenanigans and lifting weights, Anna’s mum sees it as a perfect opportunity to smack his face, which she says is also exercise. Sure, why not?

Conan’s attempt at a stalkery Thai song and the awkwardness that ensues

True to Conan fashion, the late night vet took to a Thai TV show just hours after landing to sing a Thai song. He does a pretty good job… sort of. At least the crew who were watching seemed to enjoy it… kinda. 

The girl with the finger stick pointing at the words on the prompter

When Conan finally took the stage to actually perform, it was safe to assume that he was reading the “karaoke” lyrics off a board or prompter. What we weren’t expecting was that there was someone there with a finger stick pointing at which words he should sing. Good thing Conan’s iconic assistant, Sona, wasn’t there or else she would have probably had to do that for him. 

Conan brandishing an “ornament” while floating down Don Mueang river

While on the Floating Market, it was unsurprising that one of Conan’s first purchases was a phallic ornament, one that we commonly see in tourist traps around the city. Of course, he wouldn’t be Conan if he didn’t go around showing the thing off and even trying to get one of the vendors to uh, kiss it. To be fair, the vendor was also pushing Conan to kiss his snake. It’s ana actual snake though, we swear. 

The tourist guide inadvertently suggesting something to Conan

In an exchange with the local tourist guide before going around some of Bangkok’s famous temples, Conan says that this life was already too much and doesn’t wish to be reincarnated. The tourist guide, ever so helpful, suggests something to the comedian that’s both shocking and hilarious that we had to pause, laugh for a good few minutes, and regain our composure.

The chaotic result of Conan eating spicy street food

We already know what Conan is like with spicy food thanks to his Hot Ones episode, but it’s quite possible his trip here prepared him for it. It was still as manic and chaotic as expected though, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. 

Whitney, the “Don Rickles of Bangkok”

The breakout star of the episode is a fan of Conan’s here in Thailand named Whitney, a rock climbing enthusiast who challenges the comedian to a climb. But really, comedy should also be one of her hobbies. At one point, she tells Conan he doesn’t have to worry about the harness damaging his, uh, lower area because he’s already had kids.

“Just ‘cause I have children already, I don’t need a penis?” Conan shoots back. “Yes,” she replies bluntly. She puts Jeff Ross to shame. 

The Muay Thai action sequence

We’ve already seen the promo shots of Conan in the ring but the actual sequence is so much more chaotic. He doesn’t just train but he also goes up against a bunch of fighters and dispatches them in hilarious Conan fashion. It reminded us of Conan’s old skits back in his late night shows and we’re just glad to see his shenanigans on our screen once again. 

Conan O’Brien Must Go is now streaming on HBO GO

The post Our favourite moments from the Thailand episode of ‘Conan O’Brien Must Go’ appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

Prime Video’s latest romantic flick with Anne Hathaway could have been different but falls into the trope trap instead. Here’s our review of The Idea of You.

It’s insane that Anne Hathaway is 41 years old. First off, she doesn’t look like it, and secondly, she will always be Amelia Mignonette Thermopolis Renaldi, Princess of Genovia to this ageing millennial. It took a little suspension of disbelief for me when watching this movie because not only was she playing a nearly-middle-aged woman but she also has a teenage daughter. In the end, that wasn’t bothersome at all. In fact, Pime Video’s The Idea of You has a great premise that sets the stage for a great story, and though it attempts to do something different, it unfortunately falls into the typical tropes of similar romantic films. 

[Hero image: Prime Video]

The Idea of You review: Full of potential—and your typical romantic plot

Notting Hill-esque 

Solène Marchand (Hathaway) is a single mother who lives a successful and quiet life. She just turned 40 and spends her nights burying her nose in a book and isn’t interested in dating despite her friends trying to push her because the dating pool is, to put it succinctly, abysmal. On a spur-of-a-moment trip to Coachella with her daughter, she has a meet-cute with Hayes Campbell (Nicholas Galitzine), the 24-year-old member of a boyband her daughter used to adore. Eventually, the two of them strike up a passionate romance that eventually develops into something deeper.

There are plenty of romantic stories similar to this: normal person meets superstar person, they fall in love, and they now have to deal with the harsh reality of having a relationship in the spotlight. We’ve seen it in the likes of Notting Hill and America’s Sweethearts (coincidentally, Julia Roberts plays the superstar and the “normie” in each, respectively). But The Idea of You has one thing these other films don’t: a middle-aged woman falling for a young man.

What could have been

The movie does make use of this plot point a little bit, showing just how unnecessarily cruel people can be to a woman in this situation compared to a man. Leo having a cut-off age of 25 years for his girlfriends is hilarious; Solène, in this film, is labelled a cougar, which sadly reflects true life. The movie delves a little into the toxicity Solène and her daughter have to face because of her relationship with Hayes. As a character in the movie bluntly puts it, “People hate happy women.”

But here’s the thing: it only makes use of this plot point a little bit when it should have been the main focus of the entire film. That’s what sets it apart. Instead, the film delves into it towards the end. Sadly, the majority of the movie is just your run-of-the-mill romantic story: meet-cute, denial of desires, the eventual giving in and happiness, and then trouble. Even the writing is typical: when Hayes is trying to convince Solène to pursue their relationship and asks why she’s hesitant, she responds with “Because you’re you and I’m me.” Later on, she even manages to say the world-famous “It’s not you, it’s me” line. 

By the power of Hathaway

The film also tries to be somewhat edgy. It gets steamy at times—and granted, the chemistry between Hathaway and Galitzine is palpable—and the film tries to amp up the eroticism but it just felt out of place. It was as if it didn’t know what tone to go for, going from fun and romantic in one scene then immediately becoming titillating and steamy in the next. 

Anne Hathaway, however, can do no wrong, and even her co-star Nicholas Galtizine does a terrific job. Both were able to do their best with subpar writing, a predictable plot, and two-dimensional characters but even their efforts weren’t enough to give the film depth. 

Tropey but entertaining

There were moments during the film where I caught a glimpse of what it could have been. Unlike other actors who are obviously just there for the paycheck, Hathaway and Galtizine bring their A-game. The plot shines briefly, making me think that isn’t your typical cheesy romantic movie—until I realised that there are only about 30 minutes left of the film. The Idea of You could have been a one-of-a-kind romantic movie. Sadly, it’s just tropey and forgettable but still somewhat entertaining for a one-time watch. 

The Idea of You is streaming on Prime Video on May 2

The post Review: ‘The Idea of You’ has a great premise but gets muddled in romantic tropes appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

The new drama series Fallout is an adaptation of the iconic post-apocalyptic role-playing video game series of the same name. However, the series, which was released on 11 April 2024, does not directly adapt any of the game’s storylines. Instead, it builds on the bare-bone elements that make up the world introduced in the franchise and crafts a wholly new tale involving three distinct protagonists whose plotlines intersect. The Fallout TV show ending teases a new journey for our heroes and heroines. Let’s dive deep into what it means and how it sets up season 2.

Spoilers ahead!

Fallout: Everything to know about the TV show’s setting, cast, director and ending

Fallout setting explained

As you probably know, the franchise is set on a post-apocalyptic Earth that was fundamentally transformed into one big wasteland after a 2077 nuclear war between the United States and China. Thus, the title Fallout. But even before the war, this world was vastly different from ours.

On this alternate reality Earth, the collective fears about the rapidly advancing nuclear weaponry and proliferation in the 1950s and 1960s did not give way to the nuclear deterrent policy. The same fears kept heightening and a new Cold War erupted, this time between the US and China.

And finally, in a retrofuturistic (an aesthetic that blends tropes of an earlier era with futuristic elements) 2077, the nuclear bombs fell and civilisation, as we know it, was obliterated. A few well-off people had bought for themselves a place in the many underground shelters called vaults that were packed with supplies to last hundreds of years. But for most of humanity, there was nowhere to go. Those in close vicinity of the detonations were luckier, for they perished instantly. But those that were far died slowly and painfully from the deleterious effects of radiation.

Read our complete Fallout TV show review here

Many on the surface survived but were irrevocably changed. Some mutated, becoming shells of themselves. Most slowly degenerated into outright zombies called Ghouls who subsist on human flesh. The wildlife, also irradiated, was transformed as well. Predatory animals became bigger and more dangerous. Cockroaches and other insects became as big as domestic cats and regularly killed, injured or incapacitated humans. Some aquatic animals turned into unholy, Lovecraftian monstrosities. The surface world in a nutshell became inhospitable to all but the worst of humanity.

The show’s story is set 219 years after the armageddon.

Fallout TV show’s cast and characters

Our three heroes are Lucy MacLean, Maximus and Cooper Howard or The Ghoul. Let’s go through them one by one.

Lucy, played by Ella Purnell (you might remember from Zack Snyder’s zombie movie Army of the Dead as Dave Bautista’s estranged daughter), is the naïve, doe-eyed young woman from Vault 33, whose father Hank MacLean (Kyle MacLachlan) is the overseer of the vault. One day, their vault is attacked by ruffians from the surface, who murder many of them and kidnap Hank. Lucy, although born and bred in the vault and wholly unaware of what manner of creatures await her, is determined to rescue him on her lonesome. Conspiring with her brother, she opens the vault door and ventures out. The only clue she has is about a woman called Moldaver (Sarita Choudhury).

Maximus, played by Aaron Moten, is a squire of the Brotherhood of Steel, a cult-like organisation which keeps advanced technology out of undeserving hands. To that end, these people hoard every piece of tech that they can scrounge. They also have knights like the mediaeval ones whose ostensible purpose is to protect the weak. They use an almost impenetrable suit of armour with powers not too different from the first suit Robert Downey Jr’s Tony Stark built in Iron Man (2008). Being a squire, Maximus, who dreams of being a knight, is sent on a mission with a certain Knight Titus, whose arrogance miffs Maximus. In an ambush by a huge mutated bear, Titus is grievously injured. Maximus kills the bear but leaves Titus to die and dons the armour himself.

The Ghoul, played by Walton Goggins, is one of the aforementioned zombie-like ghouls who has been alive since before the doomsday. Although he was irradiated and turned into a zombie and consumes human flesh, he has stayed alive using a special chemical that also keeps his wits intact. Real-name Cooper Howard, was a Western actor before the nuclear bombs fell and still wanders around like a Wild West anti-hero, secretly searching for his family.

Who is behind the Fallout TV show? Creators, directors and other crew

Fallout was created by Geneva Robertson-Dworet and Graham Wagner. While Geneva is known for co-writing Tomb Raider (2018) and Captain Marvel (2019), Wagner’s credits include Silicon Valley (2014–2019) and The Office (2005–2013). Additionally, Fallout’s executive producers include Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy, responsible for creating HBO’s Westworld (2016–2022), which explored issues (like late capitalism) that are somewhat similar to Fallout.

Nolan, who is the brother of Christopher Nolan (director of acclaimed movies such as Oppenheimer and The Dark Knight), has also directed the first three episodes.

Check out our list of the best Christopher Nolan movies

What happens in the Fallout TV show’s ending?

As mentioned above, the three protagonists go on journeys that eventually converge. Lucy, believes everyone on the surface also follows human laws (including Jesus’ ‘Golden Rule’ of doing unto others as you would have them do unto you). She is proven horribly wrong and learns some hard truths about the cutthroat nature of the surface world and humans. A lot of humour is derived from Lucy regretting venturing out of the vault and her continual shock at the behaviour of the surface-dwellers. She comes across a scientist Dr. Siggi Wilzig, played by the brilliant Michael Emerson, who appears to be redoing Benjamin Linus from Lost (2004–2010). Upon learning that she is from one of the vaults, Wilzig, who is a fugitive from his community, tries to tell Lucy that the surface is not safe for her, but she is hell-bent on finding her father, come what may.

In a town called Filly (in former California), she reunites with Wilzig. But her acquaintance is attacked by the Ghoul out of the blue. But Maximus, now wearing the suit of armour, descends and proves their deliverance. Lucy agrees to take Wilzig across the wasteland as the doctor’s destination is Moldaver as well. Meanwhile, the Ghoul succeeds in disabling Maximus’ armour, who is left defenceless and pursues Lucy and Wilzig. Wilzig, bleeding profusely from his foot injury from the Ghoul’s bullet, asks Lucy to cut off his head and take it to Moldaver instead. When Lucy is understandably disgusted by the idea, he says it is the only way to save his father.

All through her journey, Lucy is brutalised and becomes a hardened version of herself. But she still refuses to give up her humanity like Ghoul and other surface-dwellers have. She is also captured by Ghoul at one point. Unlike your usual Western heroes, the Ghoul is a cold, calculating creature whose last vestiges of humanity have eroded. He is merciless towards Lucy. And yet, in the end, Lucy remains true to herself.

Maximus, initially just dreaming of being a knight one day, comes to a realisation thanks to Lucy that while the world may be awful at the moment, it doesn’t have to be this way. Humanity can rebuild a better world.

Even the Ghoul softens a little in the end after a kind act towards him by Lucy. When he is helpless, Lucy chooses to save him instead of letting him die as revenge. We also learn why Ghoul became what he used to be in a parallel narrative set in 2077. He was a normal human being and even a Hollywood star in pre-war Los Angeles two centuries ago. He was married to a woman called Barb (Frances Turner), an executive at Vault-Tec — the tech company responsible for building the vaults that housed thousands after the nuclear fallout.

With the help of Moldaver, who incidentally also existed so long ago, he learns that Vault-Tec was responsible for dropping nuclear bombs, an idea that was put forward by none other than his wife in a board meeting.

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It all ends when the Brotherhood of Steel sends knights, including Maximux, to Moldaver’s hideout and a battle ensues. The Ghoul also joins in the fun. Lucy succeeds in reaching Moldaver in one piece, but her target is not the villain Lucy thought she was. The real villain turns out to be her father. Hank himself had been a Vault-Tec worker in 2077 who cryogenically froze himself along with many other employees of the company in Vault 31. Vaults 32 and 33 were intended to house the genetically sound children of those employees. Her father was also responsible for the decimation of Shady Sands, the first capital of the New California Republic and a thriving town with a population of more than 34,000.

Although shell-shocked, Lucy instinctively believes Moldaver and refuses to unlock her father despite his pleading. At the same time, back in Vault 33, her brother learns the same fact from a robot but is locked inside a chamber to keep him from broadcasting the information.

Inside Wilzig’s skull, in possession of Moldaver, there was a cold fusion reactor that would restore the power to Shady Sands and hopefully turn it once again into a place for living. Moldaver does exactly that but dies of her injuries incurred from the battle.

The lights blink to life in the city below, which is also the setting of the 2010 game Fallout: New Vegas, one of the finest entries in the entire franchise.

A brief review of Fallout TV show

If you already cannot tell, I love Fallout. It was a genius move to skip adapting any of the game storylines, and actually not so different from what all the sequels in the franchise have done. Building a story from scratch allowed the writers to unleash their creativity. The series also nails the major aspects of the games. The dark humour, sharp commentary on capitalism, satirical elements and the inevitable nature of violence and war (the TV show also has the famous “War never changes” intro line from the games) — it’s all there.

For this show to work, the writing had to be perfect. And it is. It never felt like the makers were artificially stretching the story to stick to some mandated runtime like you see a lot these days. The humour, gallows or otherwise, is interspersed quite nicely into the narrative. A few grim events are depicted with an insouciance and frivolity that might disturb some people.

The pacing is just right. It is never too slow to bore the viewer and never too quick to skip over major character beats and plot developments. Oh, and everything comes into place beautifully and seamlessly at the end.

The performances are uniformly excellent. Purnell is a revelation, and so is Moten. But the star of this story, despite limited screen time, is Goggins. He has been a phenomenal actor for years, and here he crushes the role. Emerson, Choudhury and MacLachlan are also great in brief roles.

The Fallout TV show continues the recent, welcome tradition established by the likes of HBO’s The Last of Us of video game adaptations actually being good. The curse that used to surround video movies and shows based on video games finally appears to be over. The solution is something most of us have known all along — hiring good writers.

(Image: Courtesy of IMDb)

Will there be a second season of the Fallout TV show?

While Fallout season 2 has not got a green light yet, the finale of season 1 promises more interesting things in store for the three main characters: Lucy, Maximus and the Ghoul. Whether Amazon agrees to a season 2 will depend on the viewership, but looking at the reviews, an imminent season 2 renewal announcement seems likely.

Where is the Fallout TV show streaming?

The Fallout TV series is available to watch on Amazon Prime Video.

Bonus tips for watching Fallout

While Amazon Prime Video has released all the episodes at once for your bingeing pleasure, I would instead advise you to take your time. Watch the episodes one by one and let the story breathe in. This is the kind of show that will reward your patience. Also, play the games if you are a gamer. They are fun and genre-bending (in the sense that they combine several genres, including post-apocalyptic, adventure, horror and more).

Best horror video games(Hero and featured image: Courtesy of  JOJO WHILDEN/JoJo Whilden/Prime Video – © 2024 Amazon Content Services LLC/ IMDb)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

-What does the ending of Fallout mean?

Fallout season 1 ending indicates that while everything bright about Lucy is now gone. She has learned that humanity is inherently evil, though she is nowhere as cynical as the Ghoul. The ending also means that there is some hope, for Shady Sands will once again be a bustling town.

-What is the saddest ending in Fallout?

The saddest ending is definitely of Lucy’s character arc. Her whole worldview, based on goodness and kindness, has been changed. Maximus’ ending was also sad as his conception of a world that makes sense has also changed.

-Are Vaults 32 and 33 connected?

Yes, both Vaults 32 and 33 were meant to be inhabited by the offspring of Vault-Tec employees lying dormant in cryogenic sleeping chambers. Those offspring were then meant to colonise the surface world once the radiation levels were low enough.

The post <i>Fallout</i> shocking ending explained: Twists, turns and what lies ahead in the TV show appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

Since its release, the Netflix series 3 Body Problem has been garnering rave reviews from both critics and those who like sci-fi shows. The series is based on The Three-Body Problem, a sci-fi novel by Chinese author Liu Cixin. With the popularity of the series and the fame that the book commands, the internet is eager to know how the book stands vs the 3 Body Problem show.

Before getting into the explanation of this important question, it is pertinent to understand what the book series is about because, frankly, it is a complex story.

Published in 2008, The Three-Body Problem is the first of Liu’s three-part Remembrance of Earth’s Past series — the other two being The Dark Forest and Death’s End.

Liu’s trilogy, the third of which was released in 2010, became a cult hit in China, which eventually led to its popularity outside of the country following its English translation by American sci-fi writer Ken Liu in 2014.

The following year, Liu Cixin became the first Asian to win the prestigious Hugo Award for Best Novel.

Check out our list of the best Korean sci-fi movies

What is the Netflix show 3 Body Problem about?

The 3 Body Problem premiered on Netflix on 21 March 2024 to critical acclaim. The series, created by Game of Thrones (2011–2019) showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss with Alexander Woo of True Blood (2008–2014), is about an impending alien invasion of Earth. But this is not the kind of alien invasion that Hollywood fans have seen countless times.

In 3 Body Problem, detailed scientific explanations, debates, brainstorming and interpersonal threats abound. Yet viewers are intrigued because the suspense of the aliens about to invade and the backstory of how they came to know of Earth is incredibly engaging.

The title of the first book (and the Netflix series) comes from the real-world mathematical conundrum that has remained unsolved for centuries. It specifically deals with astronomy, wherein scientists attempt to determine the motion of three celestial bodies moving only under the influence of their mutual gravitation. Due to the complexity of the motions of the bodies over longer timescales, it is believed that it is next to impossible to find a concrete solution to the three-body problem.

At the heart of the story lies this complexity. However, the actual problem isn’t being faced by the humans; it is the alien world grappling with the three-body problem. The reason is the aliens, known as San-Ti in the Chinese language and Trisolarans in the English translation, once lived on a planet named Trisolaris, which had three suns. Due to the interplay of the orbits of the planet with these suns, the environment on the planet became unstable, forcing them to flee.

Despite their predicament, they are technologically far more advanced than Earth. Thus, when they come to know of our planet, which is stable because it has only one sun, they prepare to colonise it for their survival.

The book and the series dive into how a dark period in China’s history, the Cultural Revolution of the 1960s, led to a key character triggering the events that would eventually bring the Trisolarans to Earth and how humanity broke apart with some wanting the planet destroyed and others preparing to defend it.

There are quite a lot of explanations regarding several elements in the book as well as the series. To summarise, the impending arrival of the aliens leads to the formation of a secretive but powerful group known as the Earth-Trisolaris Organization (ETO). Factions within the group emerge due to differences in beliefs, with the Adventists wanting Earth’s complete destruction and the Redemptionists wishing to help the aliens find a solution to their home world by solving the three-body problem through a virtual reality video game called Three Body.

There is also a third group, the Survivors, who simply wish to survive. Much of the focus is on the Redemptionists, whose actions could help Earth escape its fate at the hands of Trisolarans. 

3 Body Problem show vs book: Major areas where things differ

Not all characters in the Netflix series are Chinese

The biggest and most obvious point in the 3 Body Problem book vs show comparison is the portrayal of the characters.

While nearly all characters in the book are Chinese, which is understandable for obvious reasons, several key characters in the show have been replaced to include greater representation.

“This is very much a story about humanity, and humanity’s struggle with a seemingly unsolvable mystery that snowballs into a full-on existential crisis,” Benioff told Tudum. “So we wanted to represent, as much as possible, all of humanity. We wanted people from all over the world. We tried to make this a very diverse, international cast to represent the idea that this isn’t just one country’s struggle; it’s a global struggle to survive.”

The one major character who has been left unchanged is Ye Wenjie (Zine Tseng/Rosalind Chao). It is Ye whose experiences during the Cultural Revolution made her so bitter with humanity that when she used her position at a secret Chinese alien research base to connect with the Trisolarans fully aware that doing so would lead to Earth’s doom.

Her daughter in the books is named Yang Dong, but she is named Vera Ye (Vedette Lim) in the series. In the books, Yang’s father is Yang Weining, but Vera’s father is Mike Evans (Ben Schnetzer/Jonathan Pryce) in the series.

Changes include Clarence Shi (Benedict Wong). The character in the novel goes by the name Shi Qiang, nicknamed Da Shi. He is a police officer in Beijing in the books, but a member of the Strategic Intelligence Agency (SIA) in the series. The SIA, on the other hand, is led by Thomas Wade (Liam Cunningham). Unlike the middle-aged Irishman Cunningham, Wade in the books is a young American and appears only briefly.

Similarly, some of the characters in the show have been fleshed out unlike how their original Chinese characters in the books appear. Some others are composites of several characters or completely new.

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All three books have been adapted for 3 Body Problem season 1

It is difficult to keep track of where the series shifts between the three books. Yet it is clear from season 1 of 3 Body Problem that it has already included elements from the second and third novels in the series.

The first five episodes are largely from the first novel. Starting with the sixth episode, the show begins including plotlines and characters that happen or appear only in The Dark Forest and Death’s End. The events in the two follow-up novels are set years into the future.

Events such as the death of Vera and her realisation that her mother caused the crisis that Earth faces in the modern day happen early on in the series, but it is only her death and not her knowledge of her mother’s act that is part of the first book. 

Check out this list for the best sci-fi books to read

There is a difference in how the Three Body game is played

The 3 Body Problem TV series on Netflix and the book do not differ in the core subject — the mathematical three-body problem. But they do differ in how the protagonists try to solve it.

For instance, even though the representation of the game, which emulates the world of Trisolaris, and its purpose are similar in both the books and the series, the tools used to do so are completely different.

In the books, the game is played using a virtual reality (VR) suit by the key characters who want to find the solution to the three-body problem. In the series, however, it is a VR headset instead of a suit.

Key protagonists are different in the books

Another major book vs 3 Body Problem series difference is that one character from the first book has been segregated into around three key characters in the series, a protagonist in the second book is already in the show, and one new protagonist is based on a character from the third book.

Liu’s protagonist in the present-day part of the first book is Wang Miao, a nanoscientist who gets involved as a player of the Three Body game. His characteristics and actions are diluted into primarily three characters in the series, all of whom are original. These are Auggie Salaza (Eiza González), Jin Cheng (Jess Hong) and Jack Rooney (John Bradley).

In the second book, the main protagonist is scientist Luo Ji. This character is changed to Saul Durand (Jovan Adepo) in the series. Will Downing (Alex Sharp) is the fifth protagonist, who is based on Yun Tianming from the third novel Death’s End.

Together, the five characters in the show are referred to as Oxford Five and are shown as students of Vera Ye. No such thing exists in the books.

Moreover, Jess Hong’s character Jin Cheng also has the characteristics of Cheng Xin, who is one of the main characters in Death’s End.

The Sophons have a representative form in the show

The purpose of the Sophons in the books and the series is the same — to prevent people on Earth from developing their science until the arrival of the Trisolarans. This is because the aliens, though they are only around four light years away, cannot travel at the speed of light, and it would take them over four centuries to reach Earth from the time they were made aware of the planet by Ye Wenjie in the 1960s.

The Sophons are, thus, sent by the aliens to create disillusionment in the minds of the people on Earth, spy on them, and make them distrust science as well as their governments.

In the novels, the Sophons are basically subatomic particles, which the Trisolarans have learned to unfold in higher dimensions. The Sophons can travel several times faster and have, thus, already arrived on Earth by the time of the events set in the modern day. They are shown to have infiltrated particle accelerators to prevent humans from getting proper scientific results. They also send a very short cryptic message “You are bugs” to humans worldwide.

A key difference in the series is that the Sophons communicate with the humans through video calls, an aspect not present in the books. And while they are formless and shapeless in the novels, the Netflix series shows at least one Sophon (Sea Shimooka) appearing like a woman with a sword on her back.

(Hero and Featured images: Courtesy of ED MILLER/NETFLIX – © 2024 Netflix, Inc./IMDb)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

– Does 3 Body Problem follow the book?

Yes, Netflix series 3 Body Problem largely follows the first book. However, it has several elements and characters from the latter books.

– Is The Three-Body Problem a series of three or four books?

The Three-Body Problem is the first in a series of three books, which are together known as the Remembrance of Earth’s Past trilogy.

– Is The Three-Body Problem book based on a true story?

No, The Three-Body Problem book or the trilogy it is part of are not based on any true events.

The post Netflix’s <i>3 Body Problem</i> show vs Liu Cixin’s books: Five major differences appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

From Olympians to fitness buffs and even actors, we take a look at the standout contestants of Netflix’s Physical: 100 Season 2 cast.

Netflix’s Physical: 100 has returned, leaving audiences on the edge of their seats with its exhilarating blend of physical prowess and mental tenacity. Season 2 of Physical: 100 elevates the competition, introducing a cast lineup of fascinating contestants whose backgrounds are as diverse as their skill sets. With its premiere on March 19 and a finale spanning its eighth and ninth episodes releasing on April 2, viewers are all set for a thrilling season.

From Olympic champions to hidden gems of the athletic world, this season promises to outdo its predecessor with more gruelling challenges and compelling stories of determination. Here’s a closer look at the standout athletes and fitness enthusiasts battling it out for the ultimate title in season 2 of Physical: 100.

What is Physical: 100 all about?

Physical: 100 is a riveting physical competition show that pits a hundred contestants against each other in a series of intense challenges designed to test their strength, endurance, and willpower. The unique twist of the show lies in its diverse cast, encompassing athletes from various disciplines, fitness enthusiasts, and even personalities from the entertainment industry.

The ultimate goal is to find the “most physically perfect human,” with the Physical: 100 season 2 contestants facing off in both individual and team challenges that push them to their limits. The show stands out for its brutal challenges, strategic alliances, and the sheer determination displayed by contestants, making it a captivating watch for fans of intense physical competition.

Meet the standout contestants and cast members of Physical: 100 Season 2

The diversity of season 2’s cast underscores the universal appeal of Physical: 100, blending athleticism, strategy, and personal stories of resilience and ambition. As viewers tune in, they’re not just witnessing a contest of strength but a compelling narrative of human endurance, ambition, and the unyielding desire to be the last one standing.

The Olympians and World Champions

Andre Jin Coquillard

 

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Age: 33 years

Making history as the first naturalised foreign player on South Korea’s national rugby team, Coquillard’s multicultural background and participation in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics make him a formidable contestant. His journey from U.C. Berkeley to the international stage exemplifies the fusion of talent and tenacity.

Chang Yong-heung

 

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Age: 30 years 

Another titan in the rugby field, Chang represented South Korea in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the 2022 Rugby World Cup Sevens, bringing a competitive edge sharpened on the world stage.

Jung Ji-Hyun

 

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Age: 40 years

A gold medallist in wrestling at the 2004 Athens Olympics, Jung transitions from the mat to the Physical: 100 arena, blending his Olympic-winning strategies with the raw intensity required in this brutal competition.

The Fitness Mavericks and Social Media Influencers

ActiveAmotti

 

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Age: 31 years 

Known for his dynamic presence both as a CrossFitter and a YouTube personality, Amotti’s dedication to fitness shines through his content, making him a contestant to watch.

Jung Dae-jin

 

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Age: 30 years

Jung Dae-jin or “Superbody Jin,” is not just a nickname but a testament to his achievements as a sports model and bodybuilder. His journey through various fitness competitions, combined with his social media influence, paints the picture of a contestant who’s more than just muscle.

Kim Min-su

 

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Age: 30 years 

Known as the “Korean Thanos,” Kim stands out not just for his physique but for his status as an IFBB Pro and his participation in the prestigious Mr. Olympia competition. His multifaceted background, from YouTuber to former Special Forces officer, adds layers to his already intimidating presence.

The Trailblazers and Pioneers

Joo Min-kyung

 

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Age: 35 years 

A titan in the arm wrestling world, Joo’s gold medals and victories in national competitions underline his strength and strategic prowess, making him a standout in physical confrontations.

Lee Won-hee

 

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Age: 43 years 

Known as “Mr. Ippon,” Lee’s legendary judo career, highlighted by his 2004 Athens Olympics gold medal, sets him apart as a tactical and physically dominant competitor.

Hong Beom-seok

 

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Age: 37 years 

A returning face from season 1, Hong’s background as a former firefighter and special forces soldier imbues him with a resilience and strategic mindset that’s hard to match.

The Entertainment and Pop Culture Icons

Justin Harvey

 

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Age: 32 years

Justin John Harvey is a South African actor and model based in South Korea, and has starred in movies such as Ashfall (2019) and The Witch: Part 2. The Other One (2022). His transition from the big screen to the Physical: 100 Season 2 arena is a narrative of versatility, blending his acting skills with an unyielding physical discipline.

Lee Jae-yoon

 

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Age: 39 years

An actor known for roles in heartwarming dramas and intense action series, Lee’s dedication to fitness and martial arts makes him a formidable competitor outside the acting studio. His best known television dramas include My Love By My Side (2011), Heartless City (2013), and Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo (2015–2016).

A list of all the 100 contestants on the show

Which of the Physical: 100 season 2 cast members are you rooting for?

Watch the show here.

(Main and featured images: Netflix) 

Frequently Asked Questions:

Is Physical: 100 filmed in one day?

Based on what the actors have said and how the show is set up, it looks like they took at least a day to get everything ready for each part of the show. Since the first season had seven different challenges and activities, it is mostly likely to have taken around a week to film everything.

What is the controversy surrounding Physical: 100?

In the finale of season 1, CrossFit athlete Woo Jin Yong won against cyclist Jung Hae Min in a rope pulling contest. But after the episode was shown, viewers noticed that Woo’s rope seemed easier to pull than Jung’s. As the round was played three times, some allege that Jung was winning the first part until Woo mentioned his rope had issues. Jung also supposedly won the second part, but they had to do a third one because there were problems with the sound. After agreeing to a third match, Jung lost to Woo.

“Jung Hae Min is very discouraged by what happened on the show. I think Jung Hae Min is not associating with Physical: 100 at all after the show because of what happened on set,” an anonymous insider told Hypebae. MBC, the network that produced the show, stated, “We can confirm it’s not true the final game was done three times. The production team is discussing taking legal action against these baseless rumours.”

This article originally appeared on Prestige Online Singapore.

The post Meet the hottest cast members of ‘Physical: 100’ season 2 appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

From the chaotic Berzatto dinner to Richie belting out Taytay, these are some of the best moments and quotes from the second season of The Bear.

In the wake of awards season, fans of critically acclaimed comedy series The Bear have much to celebrate, from the show’s landslide wins to stars Jeremy Allen White and Ayo Edebiri’s well-deserved accolades. With season 3 of the FX series cooking just around the corner, reports have surfaced to suggest that fans will be blessed with yet another delicious morsel: The green-lighting of season 4, which, rumour has it, will be filmed back-to-back with season 3. Ahead of its June release, we look at the best quotes and moments from The Bear season 2.

With 18 anarchic and explosive episodes spanning two extraordinary seasons, The Bear has more than earned its place among contemporary television greats. Chaotic pacing and frenetic cinematography perfectly encapsulate the madness and method of the modern-day Michelin star kitchen, flawlessly delivered in sterling performances from the show’s stellar cast. Among them, Emmy winners Jeremy Allen White, Ayo Edebiri, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach, along with Matty Matherson, Abby Elliott, Oliver Platt, and Jamie Lee Curtis.

Scriptwriting genius, stellar portrayals, and profound themes

From deadpan snark to drunken hysterics discharged in impassioned speeches, season 2 of The Bear followed the amuse-bouche of its inaugural season, expanding on the tasting menu of Carmen ‘Carmy’ Berzatto and friends to proffer an entree to remember.

The fictional establishment is certainly worthy of its (let’s face it, impending) Michelin stars; but so too is the show, with its plucky and acrimonious portrayal of the struggle excellence entails.

Ask any chef who has worked in the pit of a high-stakes kitchen, and they will tell you that The Bear gets it right. From the power struggles and shouting matches to the debilitating breakdowns and the push for perfection, The Bear accurately depicts the culinary journey behind closed doors.

With short episodes that range from 30 to 40 minutes in length, the series is a relatively easy watch with profound and often thought-provoking themes that lie dormant beneath a veil of sass and comedy. The show does not shy away from taboo topics, with characters freely confronting their vices from addiction and sobriety to anger management and abuse, conveyed through brilliant scriptwriting, razor-sharp wit, and the talent of Hollywood’s finest. The resultant episodes are fun and feisty, giving rise to a multitude of moments to remember.

Ahead of its upcoming third season, we look at the best quotes and moments from The Bear season 2.

The best quotes and moments from The Bear season 2

1. Sydney falls through a wall

The Beef is falling apart, and Sydney is literally falling through its walls. This scene aptly depicts the dilapidation of the eatery, cleverly setting up its home improvement arc. A passing Marcus remarks wryly on Syd’s feat, joking, “You got strong” in response to the destruction of property. The hole in the wall later used as a conversation starter, with Carmy dryly pointing it out to Sugar, who literally watched the whole thing unfold. The entire scene is comedy gold, with snappy deliveries that depict the characters as whip-smart reprobates who love ribbing one another just as much as they actually love one another.

2. Heard and resented

Who is Richie and how is he related to the Berzattos? Turns out he’s not. In this scene, Uncle Jimmy (who is famously also not a Berzatto) breaks the fourth wall to say what we’re all thinking, and Richie wants us to know he resents it. Once a cousin, always a cousin.

3. A Carmy problem

He may be a genius in the kitchen, but Carmy is terrible at math. From lowballing costs and set-up time to being literally unable to count the number of forks required, Carmy is quite evidently a devotee to Girl Math. That is, he should not be trusted to crunch the numbers, lest they result in Carmy Problems.

4. The new Sydney

Having spent much of her life being underestimated, Tina is rightly touched when Sydney asks if she would like to be trained to become the new sous chef. She accepts with a heartwarming hug, leaving Syd impressed with her strength and viewers sobbing at the exchange.

5. Carmy’s three stars

Working together to develop new recipes for The Bear, Carmy and Syd share a poignant exchange about his previous Michelin experience. The conversation accurately portrays the intensity and single focus required to survive in high-octave kitchens, where every dish is a masterwork of explosive flavours. Albeit hesitant at first, Carmy eventually opens up about his initial reaction upon receiving the Michelin call informing him that the establishment had retained their three stars.

He shares, “The first 10 seconds felt like a sort of panic ’cause I knew I just had to keep ’em. I had to retain ’em. And your brain does this weird thing where it just bypasses any sense of joy. It just like attaches itself to dread. And, um, I don’t know, after those 10 seconds, I had to turn over a really slow table ’cause the, uh, entire United Nations Security Council was coming in.”

6. Richie loves his daughter, and also Taylor Swift

Throughout The Bear’s two seasons, Cousin Richie has proven himself to be many things, but a bad father he is not. This delightful scene finds Richie delivering his daughter Eva back home to her mother. Upon arrival, he proclaims his love to her, and for the Eras tour headliner with, “I love you. And, Eva? I love Taylor Swift too. I just needed a break, you know?” And if that isn’t one of the best quotes of The Bear season 2, we don’t know what else would make the cut.

7. The opposite of a pregnancy glow

Considering the complex nature of her relationship with her mother and the difficult childhood she endured alongside her brothers, it makes perfect sense for Sugar to approach her pregnancy with caution. Elbow deep in morning sickness, she nonetheless finds enough gumption to respond with cheek when asked whether she’s okay, quipping, “Sometimes I look like February.”

8. Richie vs mold

Yet another moment that deserves the spotlight in the show’s second season, Richie’s battle against mold alongside Fak and Marcus is equal measures entertaining and exasperating. From his dogged refusal to call the authorities to the literal collapse of his argument, Richie’s reaction aptly highlights the perils mold can present for a restaurant, with Fak even calling it the ‘death knell’.

9. Car trouble

Through season 2 of The Bear, the relationship between Syd and her father Emmanuel contrasts that of Carmy, Sugar, and Mike with their mother Donna; the former is loving and supportive, whilst the latter is decidedly not so. This touching scene finds Syd celebrating her deceased mother’s birthday with Emmanuel. While Emmanuel expresses concern for his daughter and the state of her career, he nonetheless does so with grace and gentleness, and the duo share a heartfelt conversation about his first date with her mother.

10. Did you say ‘keep it a secret’?

Yet another moment of comedy gold in season 2 of The Bear is when Sugar finally decides to share the news of her pregnancy with Carmy. Tucked away behind a wall, she struggles briefly to gather her thoughts and words, assuring him that she is happy and swearing him to secrecy before finally blurting out that she is pregnant. There’s just one caveat: the wall behind them literally collapses as she says it, effectively letting the cat out of the bag in one fell swoop.

11. Google is man’s best friend

To further hone and expand his skills, baker Marcus travels to Copenhagen to learn from a pastry chef named Luca (played by newly minted Marvel star Will Poulter). In this hilarious scene, Luca asks Marcus if he has ever made shiso gelee — and like everyone who has ever lied on their resume, Marcus says yes, and immediately Googles it.

12. Messing up is the answer to life

The show’s themes of imperfection, burnout, failure, and the triumphs of hard work, are expressed through Luca’s lived experiences in this scene, highlighting the value of genuine human connection.

Marcus asks Luca how he ‘got good at this’, to which Luca responds that he made a lot of mistakes. The duo then drops one of the best quotes and exchanges of The Bear season 2, further highlighting the theme of the show at large with, “That’s the secret, just f-ck up?”, and “It might be, you know, f-ck up.”

13. Getting the point across

Uncle Jimmy’s role between season 1 and 2 of The Bear has resulted in some of the best quotes and moments of the show, from “Shoulda stopped by to break your legs, but, you know, I guess I’m becoming forgetful,” to the masterpiece that is him putting Richie in his place, “Gotta be honest. I’m becoming concerned that we are taking our eye off the ball here, and I just wanna be — shut the f-ck up — hyper clear.”

Despite his rough edges and his questionable connection to the Berzatto family, Uncle Jimmy nonetheless displays moments of genuine care for Carmy, Sugar, and Richie. So much so that Richie feels comfortable asking him about Taylor Swift tickets. Because even in the fictional world, Eras tour tickets are hard to come by.

14. Budgeting woes

Yet another quippy scene that showcases the delivery of the show’s stellar cast, we find Syd and Carmy discussing plates for the restaurant. Carmy’s initial selection is met with resistance by Syd, who insists that she doesn’t share his vision with, “Okay. Well, that’s 55 bucks a plate for that type of silence, so…”

To this, Carmy relents with, “Then we can use the sh-ty ones,” proving once and for all that Syd really is the boss of him.

15. Siblings

Cementing the fact that siblings will never give up a chance to poke fun at one another, this scene depicts a heartfelt moment between Syd and Sugar. In a moment of vulnerability and connection, Syd shares with Sugar that, “The menu’s f-ckеd. And I need Carmy, but he is… being Carmy somewhere. Sorry. I really, I-I shouldn’t talk sh-t. I don’t mean to. I know that’s your brother,” to which Sugar simply remarks, “No, he sucks.”

16. Power play

One of the best quotes to come from one of the best moments of The Bear season 2 is the aftermath of Richie’s attempt to steal power from a neighbouring establishment. This genius plan clearly fails, and Richie effectively trips the fuse, causing an argument to erupt in which he continues to assert that the neighbours are his friends while a fed-up Syd says, “Are they still?”

17. Manic Christmas and a Chaotic New Year

While The Bear has always been filmed and edited to reflect the chaotic and fast-paced nature of the service industry, the flashback Christmas episode takes it one step further into madness. Within the pandemonium of Donna Berzatto’s increasingly suffocating kitchen, the episode depicts the grim realities of undiagnosed mental health problems and parental abuse.

Despite its agonising, yet nuanced portrayal of these issues, The Bear season 2 nonetheless manages to infuse its script with humour, leading to one of its most memorable quotes and best moments. In the wake of his eighth fish mishap, Sugar’s husband Pete attempts to salvage the situation with a good-natured, “Merry Christmas, guys,” followed by a response from yet another questionable relative, Uncle Lee, who simply says, “Maybe somewhere.”

18. The duality of a dark place

Portrayed by Jamie Lee Curtis, the character of Donna Berzatto is polarising, yet not without reason. Evidently battling an alcohol addiction and suffering from an undiagnosed cocktail of mental health problems, Donna cycles through her emotions with the speed of a yo-yo, one moment a doting mother and the next an abusive drunk.

Curtis’ portrayal of her is incredibly nuanced, allowing viewers to connect and emphatise with the character even as she delivers one of the most heartbreaking quotes of The Bear season 2, “I make things beautiful for them, and no one makes things beautiful for me.”

19. Garrett’s little grin

To earn some restaurant management skills, Richie stages at a Michelin-starred restaurant Ever. While his presence is initially met with mild derision, Richie eventually finds his footing, befriending a front-of-house server named Garrett whom he shadows over several days.

The duo attends a staff meeting that makes light of how seriously the restaurant industry has come to take itself, but it is during these moments that we are presented with one of the best quotes of The Bear season 2. Whilst speaking, the chef berates his staff for causing a delay in service with a ‘smudge’, and at the end of his impassioned rant, yells, “F-ck you, Garrett!” In response, Garrett, ever eager to please, simply says, “Yes, chef, f-ck me.”

20. Deep dish makeover

Put aside the ethics of serving another establishment’s cooking and presenting it as your own, and you’ll see the absolute genius behind Ever’s deep dish pizza makeover. From its clever ‘repackaging’ to the little haute cuisine additions (basil gel and micro basil), the entire scene is a masterclass in pivoting, making for one of the most unforgettable moments in season 2 of The Bear.

21. A hospitality Love Story

Richie’s success at Ever is perfectly capped off with a car karaoke session, featuring an incredible rendition of Taylor Swift’s Love Story — surely a sign that he has finally found something to love about the restaurant business.

22. The Michael cannoli

Paying homage to Mike and his role in bringing together the crew of The Bear, Marcus presents Carmy and Syd with a savoury cannoli, sharing that, “This one is a little bit of all of us. Everything that we all kinda know about each other and… And I wouldn’t know any of you if I didn’t work at The Beef.” The kicker? The cannoli is named The Michael.

23. Richie’s growth, and a napkin

One of the best things to emerge from the series is Richie’s character development, from his earliest days of insecurity to the self-assuredness of his post-stagiaire days as a front-of-house manager. In one of The Bear season 2’s most memorable scenes, Richie tests his interviewees by rotating a napkin, insisting that they would rearrange it if they were truly up to snuff. The resultant look of pride that Sugar shoots him tells us everything we need to know about his glow-up — that he’s well on his way to making amazing things happen.

24. Checking in

Season 2 of The Bear is a masterpiece of many memorable quotes, and that proves to be true in this scene, which is yet another heartfelt moment shared between Syd and Sugar. In the lead-up to opening night, Sugar checks in on Syd, asking if she is ‘Okay on the puntarelle sub’. In response, Syd tells her yes, and follows up with a quip that is equal measures concerned and cheeky, “Are you okay on, like, life?”

Sugar, naturally, is just hungry, and so follows one of the greatest scenes of all time — the making of The Bear’s iconic omelette topped with crushed sour cream and onion chips.

25. A family business

Further cementing Richie’s character growth, this adorable scene wonderfully highlights the value of ‘found family’. On the night of the opening, Richie helps Fak with his necktie, leading to one of the most memorable exchanges and quotes of The Bear season 2. Once an outsider to the kitchen, Fak is now fully inundated into the family, sharing, “I’m lookin’ really good. So I’m thinking you should start calling me Chef.” To that, Richie simply counters, “Well, I’ma keep calling you jagoff, ’cause that’s what you like.”

26. Toilet trouble

Given the premise of the entire series, opening night is certain to go with many a hitch. Chief among them: Toilet problems. This hilarious exchange between Carmy and Sugar is rife with resignation, with the former asking why the latter is drenched. Clearly unsurprised by the chaos, Sugar shares that, “Uh, because the toilet exploded,” to which Carmy reacts with a nonchalant, “Oh, good.”

27. When Richie and Syd do The Thing

With Carmy literally locked away for a cooling down time-out, it’s up to Richie and Syd to do ‘The Thing’. Harnessing his experience at Ever, Richie’s masterful call outs provide method to the madness of the kitchen, making the epic scene one of the most powerful triumphs in modern-day television.

28. A mother’s regret

In the final episode of season 2 of The Bear, Jamie Lee Curtis returns as Donna to deliver one of the most gut-wrenching quotes of the show. Having received an invitation from Sugar to the restaurant’s opening night, Donna shows up but finds herself unable to enter. At the entrance, she encounters Pete, who catches her smoking outside. Their heartfelt exchange culminates in Donna’s expression of guilt for having traumatised her children. Showcasing self-awareness despite her personal demons, Donna shared, “I want them to have this good thing, and I don’t want to hurt it.”

29. That’s wild

If there’s one thing The Bear does exceptionally well, it is its unflinchingly forthright portrayal of substance abuse and addiction. When Marcus discovers Josh smoking up behind the restaurant, he brings it up to Syd, who, like him, has the most nonchalant reaction ever — “That’s wild.” The duo then shares an amusing exchange, expressing their admiration for Josh’s carrot-cutting skills before summarily dismissing him in the same breath. This exchange features some of the best quotes and moments on season 2 of The Bear, showcasing the depth of Marcus and Syd’s friendship and the overall growth of the OG kitchen crew as a whole.

30. Fridge fight

Season 2 of The Bear culminates in an all-out shouting match between Carmy and Ritchie, leading to perhaps one of the simplest, but best quotes of the show: “I love you”. While Carmy has often displayed difficulty repeating the phrase back to people in his family, the scene is a true testament to just how far Ritchie has come since his earliest days, and he responds to Carmy’s anger-fuelled tirade with “I love you”.

True to The Bear’s style of portraying familial love, Richie’s admissions of love and caring also (rightly) come with a side of colourful expletives. However, the scene does set the stage for season 3 of The Bear, which is due for release in June of this year.

Excited? We sure are.

Watch The Bear on Disney + Hotstar.

This story first appeared here.

(Main and featured images: FX)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

– What is the famous saying about bears?

There are numerous sayings and idioms that include this magnificent beast. In The Bear, the Berzatto family and their friends discuss the nature of bears, sharing that they are fierce, loyal, protective, and loving among other notable qualities.

– Is The Bear Season 2 stressful?

Because it is filmed in a chaotic and fast-paced nature, The Bear season 2 may present a stressful watch for viewers with anxiety. Additionally, its focus on often taboo subjects like mental health, addiction, childhood trauma, and abuse may trigger those with similar experiences. In terms of its storyline, however, opening and operating a restaurant at a Michelin level is indeed a stressful experience. Just ask Carmy.

– What is The Bear’s quote about consistency?

One of the best quotes in The Bear season 2 is, “We Can’t Operate At A Higher Level Without Consistency,” an ideal echoed throughout the course of the entire series.

– Why is The Bear series so popular?

The Bear is a hilarious and incredibly accurate take on the high-stakes restaurant industry and just how much chefs must sacrifice to make their dreams come true, whether it is in opening a restaurant or earning the elusive Michelin star. The FX show also intertwines compelling storylines in the form of its varied cast of characters, making for a fun watch.

The post The best quotes and moments from ‘The Bear’ Season 2 appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

The apocalypse is where video game adaptations seem to thrive. Here’s our review of Prime Video’s Fallout.

A post-apocalyptic retrofuturistic world ravished by a nuclear war filled with mutated creatures, ambiguous morality, and violent absurdity—if there was any video game that was perfectly poised to be adapted, it’s Fallout. The original game was released all the way back in 1997 before Bethesda took over the game with Fallout 3, ushering in the era of the franchise that many know and love. The world of Fallout is a playground, as those who’ve experienced the games will know, and fortunately, Lisa Joy and Jonathan Nolan have taken the same approach for the TV series.

[Hero image: Prime Video]

Prime Video’s Fallout: All’s fair (not really) in the post-apocalyptic world

The TV series revolves around three people. First, there’s Lucy (Ella Purnell), the naive Vault Dweller who faces a rude awakening when traveling to the surface to find her father who was taken from their vault. Second is Maximus (Aaron Moten), a young Aspirant of the Brotherhood of Steel who wants nothing more than to be a knight and don his own power armour. Finally, there’s The Ghoul (Walton Goggins), a mysterious and morally grey character who has his own mission that he keeps close to his chest. 

All three must face the harsh reality (and the ridiculous absurdity) of the Wasteland, specifically the West Coast of the post-nuclear United States, a location the games haven’t featured before. Eventually, they cross paths when they discover that what they’re looking for is found in one man—or one man’s head more specifically.

Read our explainer on Fallout ending here

Welcome to the Wasteland

Jonathan Nolan once described the series as “almost like… Fallout 5”, and he was right. Much like the games where everything is set in the same world but centred on different stories, the TV series features different locations and characters that fans of the games haven’t seen yet. Nolan and Joy really understood what it meant to play around in this post-nuclear war world. Come to think of it, “adaptation” might be an incorrect description of the series since it’s a completely new story but set in the same world the games are in.

Speaking of the world, the series successfully recreates the look and feel of the Wasteland. From the ramshackle town of Filly to the barren urbanscape of a once-thriving retrofuturistic city, the design of the world is as beautiful and fascinating as it is in the games. Even the pre-nuclear war world, which we get a short glimpse of in flashbacks, is beautifully designed.

Twists, turns, and a whole lot of blood and guts

What’s clear from the get-go is that this series was made with someone who knows the games. Aside from the fact that Todd Howard, who’s directed some of the franchise’s games, is an executive producer on the show, Nolan is an avid fan of the games and has played it for years. There are plenty of references to the games that fans can spot from Grognak the Barbarian to the VATS-style slow-mo shot. But the true accomplishment here is that the series isn’t going to make non-gamers feel left out, so don’t worry if you haven’t played any of the Fallout games. 

That said, there needs to be a good story to keep you watching all eight episodes, which all drop in one go tomorrow (April 11). There are plenty of twists and turns, which again, is in the same vein of the games. In between, there’s a good helping of humour and violence, though sometimes I felt that the latter goes overboard. Seriously, the boot scene in the first episode will haunt me for the rest of my days. 

More than the twists and revelations that you’ll eventually discover in later episodes though, it’s the journey of each of these characters that’s very entertaining. Lucy having to wrestle with the reality of the world outside of the Vault and being pushed to do things she never thought she would do and Maximus making decisions that may or may not endear you to him are all part of the fun and the experience. Even The Ghoul’s past and the story of how he got to where he is now is one heck of a ride. 

The End… sort of

The Fallout TV series stays faithful to the world of the games and makes use of it to tell a compelling, fun, and ridiculously gory story. It does end on a bit of a cliffhanger, and while there hasn’t been a second season announced yet, IGN has reported that Prime Video has been offered tax credit to relocate filming to the state for Season 2. I’m keeping my fingers crossed because I really want to go back to the Wasteland soon and continue the journey with these three characters. 

The post Review: ‘Fallout’ is a gory fun time appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

Mary & George is a riveting treat for history buffs and fans of actor Nicholas Galitzine who seems to be having a moment in show business right now. But what is the true story behind Mary and George?

The royal drama miniseries created by the ingenious mind D.C. Moore and helmed by Oliver Hermanus, Alex Winckler and Florian Cossen takes viewers to the early 1600s into the world of intrigue, ambition, power and almost infectious sexual energy. The plot unfurls the saga of Mary Villiers, portrayed by the captivating Julianne Moore, and her magnetic son, George, brought to life by Nicholas Galitzine. Together, they concoct a daring scheme – sex, flattery and charm – to ascend to the highest ranks of the aristocratic hierarchy.

Drawing inspiration from Benjamin Woolley’s gripping book, The King’s Assassin: The Fatal Affair of George Villiers and James I, this Jacobean-era masterpiece traces George’s improbable rise from relative nobility to the esteemed chambers of King James VI and I in 1615. However, as the title of Woolley’s book subtly hints, the narrative takes a perilous turn.

So, what’s the true story behind Mary and George Villiers’ royal game? Here’s unravelling the enigma that surrounds this provocative drama and everything else you need to know about these historical figures.

Mary and George Villiers: Were they real people?

Indeed, Mary and George Villiers were rather significant figures in history, and the web series Mary & George draws heavily from the mother and son’s remarkable story. In 1603, with James VI‘s ascension to the English throne, a wave of Scottish courtiers flooded the royal court, raising concerns among English courtiers about the lack of English influence. Sensing an opportunity, the duo conspired to introduce George Villiers to the king’s inner circle, with the unwavering support of his mother, Mary Villiers.

By 1614/15, George had captured the king’s attention, soon becoming his favourite, securing a prominent place in court and reaching unprecedented heights of power.

Separating facts from fiction: Is ‘Mary & George’ a true story?

Yes, Mary & George draws extensively from historical accounts, finding its origins in Benjamin Woolley’s 2017 book The King’s Assassin: The Fatal Affair of George Villiers and James I. Woolley stumbled upon the story of Mary and George during his research on the death of King James VI and I.

The drama plunges viewers into the early life of George Villiers, the second son of a family straddling the fringes of royal favour. His mother Mary Villiers’ thirst for status and power propels her son’s ascent.

Mary’s relentless ambition shaped George’s trajectory. Following the demise of her first husband, also named George, she strategically entered into two advantageous marriages, allowing her to settle debts and climb the social ladder. Among her children, she identified George’s charm and allure as key assets for success. Drawing closer to court circles, she orchestrated his journey from France, where he honed courtly manners, to the royal court, where he captivated King James’s attention who was believed to be queer and having a special affinity towards cultured young men.

Woolley sheds light on James’s relationships with young Scottish men, highlighting the absence of English companions in his inner circle. George, wielded as a tool by Mary, seamlessly filled this void, rising to prominence with remarkable efficacy.

The convergence of historical accounts and dramatic portrayal in Mary & George offers an intriguing glimpse into a tumultuous era, where ambition and power intertwine with the threads of reality and sexuality. 

King James VI and I’s relationship with George Villiers and other favourites

Dubbed ‘the cradle king’, King James VI and I’s (portrayed by Tony Curran) ascent to the Scottish throne at just 13 months old was marred by instability, marked by the tragic murder of his father, Lord Darnley, and the captivity and execution of his mother, Mary, Queen of Scots. From a young age, James was groomed to believe in his divine right as God’s representative on earth, fostering an intellectual prowess that shaped his reign.

In Mary & George, audiences encounter James in his later years, after his ascension to the English throne, portrayed with a blend of loudness, vulnerability and neurosis. The period drama unveils his intimate relationships with male favourites, hinting at the complexities that permeated behind the closed doors of his bedchamber.

The fateful encounter between King James and George Villiers took place at the esteemed Apethorpe estate in Northamptonshire during a royal visit in 1614. George, introduced as a cupbearer, swiftly caught the king’s attention with his mesmerising dance moves, sparking a bond that would challenge the reign of James’s existing favourite, the Scottish noble, Earl of Somerset, Robert Carr (played by Laurie Davidson).

Despite the ambiguity, James and his favourites wielded considerable influence, shaping royal policy and acting as conduits between the king and his court.

As Mary & George unravels the intricate dynamics between the monarch and his favourites, it delves into a realm where political alliances blur with personal attachments.

Mary and George Villiers’ alleged role in the King’s demise

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The passing of King James at Theobalds Palace in Hertfordshire on 27 March 1625 remains shrouded in ambiguity. Official records attribute his death to dysentery, compounded by prevalent diseases of the time such as malaria or typhus. Yet, the mysterious circumstances surrounding his final days fuelled rampant speculation.

Amidst the whispers and conjecture, the presence of Mary and George Villiers in the king’s sick room became a focal point for their political adversaries. Allegations swirled, accusing the mother-son duo of poisoning the King and orchestrating his demise, a notion underscored by scholars Alastair Bellany and Thomas Cogswell in BBC History Magazine.

The intrigue deepens as Benjamin Woolley delves into the treatments administered to manage James’s condition. Despite the king’s disdain for conventional medicine, George Villiers, in consultation with his mother, procured a plaster purportedly to alleviate the king’s suffering. This clandestine intervention raised suspicions and cast a shadow over the Villiers family.

In the aftermath of James’s passing, George faced outright accusations of regicide, with Woolley conceding the likelihood of his involvement in the king’s demise. However, conclusive evidence remains elusive, leaving the historical royal narrative veiled in uncertainty.

Where to watch ‘Mary & George’

Mary & George is currently airing on Sky Atlantic, released in the UK and Australia on 5 March 2024, with a forthcoming debut on Starz in the US on 5 April. 

The cast of this royal drama miniseries includes Julianne Moore as Mary Villiers, Countess of Buckingham, Nicholas Galitzine as George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham, Tony Curran as James VI and I, Laurie Davidson as Robert Carr, 1st Earl of Somerset, Nicola Walker as Elizabeth Hatton and Khalil Ben Gharbia as Jean among other supporting actors.

Meanwhile, check out the trailer for ‘Mary & George’ below: 

This article first appeared on Augustman Singapore.

(Main and featured image: Mary & George/IMDb)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

– Is Mary & George based on a true story?

Yes, Mary & George is inspired by real historical events surrounding Mary and George Villiers, as documented in Benjamin Woolley’s book, The King’s Assassin: The Fatal Affair of George Villiers and James I.

– Where can I watch Mary & George?

Mary & George is airing on Sky Atlantic in the UK and Australia and will be available on Starz in the US starting April 5.

– Who was Mary Villiers?

Mary Villiers was an ambitious figure in the Jacobean era, known for her strategic manoeuvres to elevate her family’s status. She orchestrated her son George Villiers’ rise to power in the royal court by charming his way to King James VI and I’s heart and bed, as depicted in Mary & George.

This article originally appeared on Prestige Online Malaysia.

The post ‘Mary & George’ true story: Tracing the history behind the royal drama appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

From Violet Evergarden to ReLife, here are the finest anime series that deal with depression and other mental health struggles.

Over the last decade, anime has emerged as a powerful medium for exploring various themes — psychological thrillers, horror, neo-noir and even mental health issues like depression. Thanks to their lucid portrayal of complex human emotion and psyche, the anime world has caught audiences’ attention by shedding light on these.

Seasoned anime fans must be aware that this genre possesses numerous emotionally intense series that transcend mere tearjerkers. These shows grapple with profound philosophical concepts concerning humanity, existence and morality while addressing intimate issues like depression and social anxiety. From thought-provoking dramas to surrealistic fantasies, mental health-related anime tackle themes of depression, anxiety, trauma and the quest for self-discovery with sensitivity.

Audiences are often hooked to these as they can relate to the societal stigmas and experiences portrayed. Thus it becomes an opportunity to explore one’s innermost emotions and find solace in the power of shared experiences.

From classic shows that are a must-watch for beginners, like Neon Genesis Evangelion, Violet Evergarden and Serial Experiments Lain, to contemporary favourites such as Orange, Fruits Basket and ReLife, here are some of the most impactful anime series about depression and other mental health issues that can pave a path for conversations around mental well-being.

Best anime about dealing with depression, social anxiety and other mental health struggles

Fruits Basket (2019)

Fruits Basket tells the story of Tohru Honda, an orphaned girl who discovers 13 members of the Sohma family are cursed to transform into animals from the Chinese zodiac when hugged by someone of the opposite gender or under stress.

The series underscores elements related to depression through the struggles of some characters. For example, several characters in the Sohma family, such as Yuki and Kyo, battle internal conflicts and emotional wounds stemming from their past traumas and family dynamics. Yuki faces feelings of worthlessness and struggles with self-esteem due to his upbringing. Kyo deals with self-loathing because of his curse and the belief that he is unworthy of love and acceptance.

IMDb rating: 8.6/10

Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995)

Set in a post-apocalyptic world where humanity faces threats from mysterious beings known as Angels, Neon Genesis Evangelion primarily follows the experiences of its main characters, particularly Shinji Ikari. He is a teenager recruited by an organisation to pilot a giant bio-mechanical robot called an Evangelion to defend against the Angels.

Shinji grapples with a bunch of psychological issues including depression, anxiety and feelings of worthlessness. His complex relationship with his estranged father, Gendo Ikari and the pressure to live up to expectations only deteriorate his mental health struggles.

Additionally, other characters in the series including Rei Ayanami and Asuka Langley Soryu, also deal with their psychological issues, adding layers of complexity to the overall exploration of mental health topics. Their interactions with Shinji and each other further highlight the impact of trauma and emotional vulnerability on the human psyche.

IMDb rating: 8.5/10

Your Lie in April (2014)

In Your Lie in April, Kousei Arima is a former child prodigy pianist who cannot hear the sound of his piano playing, after his mother’s death. Kousei develops a condition known as psychogenic or conversion disorder, which manifests physical symptoms. As the series progresses, we see Kousei’s struggle with grief and the psychological barriers that prevent him from reconnecting with his passion for music.

Throughout the story, he handles guilt, self-doubt and the fear of failure emotions, all of which contribute to his depressive struggles. The anime sensitively explores the complexities of grief, highlighting the importance of emotional support and healing.

IMDb rating: 8.5/10

Violet Evergarden (2018)

An original anime series, Violet Evergarden is about a former soldier who struggles to reintegrate into civilian life due to her past trauma and emotional detachment after the war. She works as an Auto Memory Doll, ghostwriting letters for people who struggle to express their emotions. As she helps others convey their feelings through her writing, she unravels her emotions to begin healing.

The anime offers an introspective exploration of the human condition, touching upon aspects of emotional well-being through its excellent writing and character development.

IMDb rating: 8.4/10

The Tatami Galaxy (2010)

The Tatami Galaxy tells the story of a nameless protagonist, referred to as Watashi, as he navigates his college life. The series is told through a unique narrative style, where Watashi relives his college years over and over again, each time making different choices that lead to various outcomes. He joins various clubs, meets different people and tries to find love.

Along the way, he encounters eccentric characters such as Ozu and Akashi. Throughout the series, Watashi is driven by the desire to achieve the campus life he has always dreamed of but repeatedly falls short due to his insecurities, indecisiveness and self-imposed limitations.

While the anime series may not directly address mental health issues, it looks into themes closely related to mental well-being and personal development.

IMDb rating: 8.4/10

March Comes in Like a Lion (2016)

March Comes in Like a Lion portrays themes of mental health, loneliness and depression through Rei Kiriyama’s experiences. He is a professional shogi (Japanese chess) player who has struggled with profound emotions of isolation and depression since childhood. Orphaned at a young age, Rei is haunted by traumatic memories and struggles to connect with others.

Through interacting with various characters including the three Kawamoto sisters who offer warmth and support, he starts confronting his inner demons and embraces the prospect of discovering happiness and belonging.

The anime series underlines the healing power of creativity and self-expression with Rei finding solace in shogi and discovering a sense of purpose through his passion for the game.

IMDb rating: 8.3/10

Welcome to the N.H.K (2006)

Welcome to the NHK emphasises mental health, particularly through the experiences of its main character, Tatsuhiro Satou. The plot follows Satou, a young man who suffers from severe social withdrawal and struggles with various psychological issues, including depression, anxiety and paranoia. He is portrayed as a troubled individual who finds himself trapped in a cycle of self-destructive behaviour and isolation, often unable to break free from his negative thoughts and patterns. He begins to tackle his issues by seeking help and support from various sources, including a mysterious girl named Misaki Nakahara.

The anime series is a realistic portrayal of mental health struggles, highlighting the challenges faced by individuals dealing with conditions such as depression and social anxiety. It provides a sensitive and thought-provoking exploration of the importance of seeking help, building meaningful connections and finding hope during troubled times.

IMDb rating: 8.3/10

Serial Experiments Lain (1998)

Serial Experiments Lain explores complex themes of identity under the influence of evolving technologies. While mental health isn’t the central focus of the plot, it is a recurring theme throughout the series.

Lain Iwakura is a quiet and introverted teenage girl who becomes increasingly involved with the virtual world known as the Wired after receiving an email from a classmate who recently died by suicide. As Lain immerses herself further into the Wired, she starts to doubt her existence and ponder the essence of reality.

The anime series raises important questions about the nature of consciousness and the effects of technology on our mental well-being.

IMDb rating: 8.1/10

ReLife (2016)

ReLife follows the story of Arata Kaizaki, a 27-year-old man facing professional and personal difficulties. He decides to participate in an experimental program, where he is provided with a pill that makes him appear 10 years younger and is enrolled as a high school student for a year. For Arata, the programme aims to relive his high school years and reevaluate his life choices.

The anime subtly reflects Arata’s self-growth journey. Through this, it highlights the significance of acknowledging one’s emotions, healing past traumas and finding hope for the future.

IMDb rating: 7.8/10

Honey and Clover (2005)

Honey and Clover follows the intertwining lives of five art college students — Yuta, Takumi, Shinobu, Hagumi and Ayumi. They navigate friendship, love and artistic ambitions amidst personal struggles and growth. Yuta has unrequited feelings for Hagumi, while Takumi pines for Ayumi. Shinobu grapples with his past and Hagumi struggles with her talent and emotions.

The anime series offers nuanced portrayals of human emotions and the challenges young adults face as they transition to adulthood. Young anime fans are bound to find the characters’ experiences relatable.

IMDb rating: 7.8/10

Orange (2016)

Orange uncovers one of the most heartfelt stories in the anime universe. Naho Takamiya, a high school student receives a letter from her future self, warning her about the regrets she will have if she doesn’t change her actions. The letter focuses on Naho’s interactions with a new transfer student named Kakeru Naruse.

As Naho and her friends receive more letters from their future selves, they learn about Kakeru’s struggles with depression and the role they play in his life. The series portrays Kakeru’s emotional turmoil and the challenges he faces. To alter the future, the group of friends confront their insecurities and learn the importance of reaching out to others in need.

Along with addressing mental health and depression concerns, the series delivers an earnest story of hope, redemption and personal growth.

IMDb rating: 7.6/10

Sayonara, Zetsubou-Sensei (2007)

Sayonara, Zetsubou-Sensei revolves around a high school teacher Nozomu Itoshiki, constantly overwhelmed by despair and hopelessness. While the comedy anime uses humour as its primary mode of storytelling, it touches upon various aspects of mental health, particularly through the characters’ eccentricities and exaggerated traits.

Nozomu frequently finds himself in absurd situations, often contemplating existential dread, societal issues and life’s meaning. His extreme pessimism and constant desire to escape from reality serve as a satirical commentary on the human condition, including mental health struggles such as depression and anxiety.

IMDb rating: 7.5/10

Wonder Egg Priority

In Wonder Egg Priority, Ai Ohto is a teenage girl who begins to experience vivid dreams where she is tasked with saving people by retrieving Wonder Eggs from a surreal world known as the Egg World. As Ai and her friends discover the mysteries of the Egg World, they confront their traumas and insecurities, which attack in the form of monstrous creatures called Seeno Evils.

Each episode explores the backstory and struggles of different characters deeply affected by societal pressures, abuse and bullying.

IMDb rating: 7.4/10

WataMote: No Matter How I Look at It, It’s You Guys’ Fault I’m Not Popular! (2013)

Tomoko Kuroki, a 15-year-old otaku, anticipated high school popularity owing to her expertise in otome games and dating simulators. However, she finds herself isolated and unsocial, yet determined to apply her knowledge of social dynamics. Tomoko chases to enhance her social standing among her classmates, throughout her high school journey.

Tomoko’s inner thoughts and insecurities highlight the negative effects of her social anxiety on her daily life and mental well-being. She frequently experiences loneliness, self-doubt and frustration as she deals with adolescence and attempts to break out of her shell.

The series provides a relatable look at the internal struggles faced by teenagers, offering both humour and empathy.

IMDb rating: 7.2/10

(Hero and feature image credit: IMDb)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

– Which is the best anime series about depression?
Orange, Fruits Basket, Violet Evergarden, ReLife and Wonder Egg Priority are some of the best anime series that sensitively portray depression.

– Which is the best anime movie about depression?
A Silent Voice, Violet Evergarden, 5 Centimeters per Second, Perfect Blue and Her Blue Sky are some of the best anime movies about mental health conditions like depression and their impact.

The post 15 anime series on mental health that perfectly capture mental struggles like depression appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

What to watch on Netflix, HBO GO, Prime Video, and Apple TV+ this April 2024.

Songkran season is in full swing which means it’s time to turn the AC up, get some soda, order pizza, and binge. See Michael Douglas take on the role of a Founding Father, watch Andrew Scott step into the shoes of an iconic character, or spend some time in Wes Anderson’s pastel-coloured world. If that doesn’t seem to pique your interest, consider a delightful and violent romp through a post-nuclear world. 

[Hero image: Prime Video]

Here’s what’s new on Netflix, HBO GO, Prime Video, and Apple TV+ this April 2024

Ripley

April 4, Netflix

Based on the renowned novel of the same name, Andrew Scott takes on the iconic character of Tom Ripley, a con-man. Hired for what seems to be a simple job, he finds himself delving deeper and deeper into a web of deceit and murder. 

Musica

April 4, Prime Video

Rudy Mancuso has synesthesia, a rare condition that makes him experience noises as complex rhythms, meaning he struggles to keep himself being distracted by the music that’s ringing in his ears. A chance encounter with Isabella (Camila Mendes) makes him feel like he finally found someone who understands him, but is she worth giving up his current girlfriend?

Fallout 

April 11, Prime Video

Based on one of the greatest video game franchises of all time, the series follows three characters. Lucy (Ella Parnell) is a naive Vault-dweller who, after spending her whole life underground in Vault 33, must now emerge to the irradiated surface. Maximus (Aaron Morten) is an Aspirant for the Brotherhood of Steel who wants nothing more than to be a Knight. And then there’s The Ghoul (Walton Goggins), a bounty hunter who witnessed the nuclear bombs fall. 

Franklin

April 12, Apple TV+

Benjamin Franklin (Michael Douglas) was a well-known inventor and scientist but in December of 1776, he took on a seemingly daunting task. Sailing across the Atlantic to France, Franklin smooth talks his way into the French court with a secret mission: get them on the side of the American Revolution. 

The Sympathizer

April 15, HBO GO

A Vietnamese-French communist spy is struggling as the Vietnam War enters its waning days. When he moves to the United States, he decides to continue spying for the Viet Cong, reporting on what he’s witnessing. However, he finds himself torn between his loyalties and his newfound life. The miniseries, which is based on the novel of the same name, also stars Robert Downey Jr. 

Rebel Moon — Part Two: The Scargiver

April 19, Netflix

Kora and the surviving warriors buckle down and prepare for the fight of their lives to defend the once-peaceful town of Veldt. But as they steel themselves for the coming battle, they must first wrestle and confront their pasts. 

Asteroid City

April 27, HBO GO

Wes Anderson’s latest film centres around the desert town of Asteroid City in 1955, which has become the venue for the Junior Stargazer/Space Cadet Convention. As students and parents from all across the country gather in the town, their lives are suddenly disrupted by worldwide events. 

The post LSA Watchlist: What’s new on Netflix, HBO GO, Prime Video, and Apple TV+ this April appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

Based on a horrific true story at Academy at Ivy Ridge, the new Netflix TV show The Program: Cons, Cults, and, Kidnapping promises a terrifying plot that might leave you hyperventilating after.

Netflix has been producing some really interesting true crime series and documentaries, which have been keeping the audience hooked. It was only last week when the docuseries about Indrani Mukerjee arrived on the streaming platform and became the talk of the town. Now, Netflix is bringing the audience another TV series called The Program: Cons, Cults, and Kidnapping, which is based on a disturbing true story. 

The new TV mini-series is directed by Katherine Kubler and is produced by Diane Becker, Rachel Libert, Melanie Miller, Brain Knappenberger, Ann Rogers and Brooke Workneh under Fishbowl Films. The Program: Cons, Cults, and Kidnapping will arrive on Netflix on 5 March, and the three-episode TV series will follow the students of The Academy at Ivy Ridge as they narrate the true story of the horrific incidents that took place at the school. 

The true story of The Program: Cons, Cults, and Kidnapping will leave you shocked

The Netflix TV show, Program: Cons, Cults, and Kidnapping is based on the true story of the students of the Academy at Ivy Ridge, which was located in Ogdensburg, New York, a therapeutic boarding school that was functional from 2001 to 2009. The school enrolled troubled teens and offered a structured environment aiming at addressing behavioural, emotional, and academic issues. We dug deeper to learn more about the school and the shocking incidents that took place here.

The founder of The Academy

The Academy at Ivy Ridge was founded by Robert Lichfield (pictured above), who also founded other similar institutions. It operated as a residential treatment centre for adolescents, providing a blend of academic education and therapeutic interventions.

The school’s program was designed to address a range of issues including substance abuse, defiance, academic struggles, and behavioural problems. Students typically underwent a rigorous daily schedule that included academic classes, therapy sessions, physical activities, and chores. Till the spring of 2005, there were a total of 460 students enrolled at the Academy.

Facilities provided at the school

The school offered facilities like classrooms, dorms, recreational areas, computer centres, science labs, food services, and offices. The school also advertised that it had cross-country ski trails, nature trails, tennis courts, basketball courts, sand volleyball area, baseball, football and soccer fields. Students who were on lower levels were not allowed to look out the windows.

However, one could upgrade to the upper level in 8 months and gain access to look outside and occasionally go outside to play during a monthly upper-level activity.

Where did the problem begin?

Despite its intentions to help troubled youth, Academy at Ivy Ridge was surrounded by controversy. Reports surfaced alleging instances of abuse, neglect, and mistreatment of students. Concerns were raised about the harsh disciplinary practices employed by staff members, including isolation, physical restraints, and verbal abuse.

Poor living conditions, unauthorised medical procedures, psychological torture, sexual abuse, and physical abuse were some of the wrong methods being used at the facility. The true story of these controversies will be a part of the Netflix TV mini-series, Program: Cons, Cults, and Kidnapping.

The beginning of an investigations

The controversies surrounding the school led to investigations by state authorities and media scrutiny. In 2009, following numerous complaints and legal actions, The Academy at Ivy Ridge was shut down by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services. The closure followed a series of events that included lawsuits, allegations of misconduct, and mounting pressure from parents and advocacy groups.

Barely a week after the Netflix documentary dropped, phones in the St. Lawrence County district attorney’s office started ringing with complaints of the lack of investigation, prompting the District Attorney to open investigations into the school. Dozens of calls and emails from former students who believe they were abused were also received. However, as some of these allegations are 20 years old, there may be an issue with the statute of limitations.

The infamous boarding school has also been put on the market for the first time since it was closed in 2009, with an asking price of USD875,000. Days after the documentary aired, the area became an attraction in itself,  prompting the private owner of the property to block the area off.

The aftermath

The school was shut in 2009 when around 60 students were enrolled in the facility. All of the students were sent home or transferred to similar boarding schools. The campus was later purchased by a Delaware corporation. The company’s spokesperson revealed that the school would not reopen.

In 2005, Ivy Ridge was instructed to pay civil penalties of USD 250,000 and make partial refunds to former students. The school was also asked to stop issuing unauthorised high school diplomas and abstain from advertising that it is an accredited school since it was just a behaviour modification program. The true story of how school life affected the students will also be a part of the Netflix TV show, Program: Cons, Cults, and Kidnapping.

Hero & Featured Image: Courtesy IMDb

The post The disturbing true story behind Netflix’s ‘The Program: Cons, Cults, and Kidnapping’ appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

Love Korean romantic dramas that make you root for the lead pair? These best K-dramas about forbidden love are just what you need.

Be it a South Korean chaebol falling for a North Korean soldier in Crash Landing on You or a demon pining for his one true mortal love in shows like My Demon and Goblin, there’s something about K-dramas with the forbidden love trope that seems to strike a chord across the world.

With a captivating tale that explores the complications of an otherworldly romance between demon Jeong Gu-won (played by Song Kang) and a mortal chaebol Do Do-hee (played by Kim Yoo-jung), My Demon tops the list of the best Korean dramas about forbidden love. According to Netflix, the 2023 Korean series ranked #2 on the OTT platform’s Global Top 10 TV (Non-English) category.

Meanwhile, a Lee Jung-hyo directorial, the 2019 Korean romance drama Crash Landing on You (CLOY) won hearts globally with its intriguing plot about cross-border scenarios and forbidden love. With a solid 98 per cent Rotten Tomatoes ranking, CLOY is the second-highest-rated cable drama in South Korea. This Son Ye-jin starrer K-drama, which portrays the ‘forbidden love’ trope at its best, enjoyed a nationwide average viewership of 21.7 per cent and over 6.3 million views, according to Nielsen Korea.

Not to forget the 2018 masterpiece The Hymn of Death, inspired by the love story of a real couple living in Japan and Korea during the tumultuous 1920s colonial period. Starring K-drama heartthrob Lee Jong-suk, the title of this popular Korean drama series is taken from the name of Yun Sim-deok’s last (recorded) song about forbidden love, called “Hymn of Death”.

These best K-dramas about forbidden love will tug at your heartstrings

The post Song Kang starrer <i>My Demon</i> and other best K-dramas about forbidden love appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

A few days after it releases on Max, the legendary late night host’s antics in the Land of Smiles will finally be seen when Conan O’Brien Must Go premieres on April 23 here in Thailand on HBO GO.

It was almost a year ago that Conan O’Brien surprised us by suddenly appearing in Bangkok. In the week or so that he was here, he visited the floating market, took a Muay Thai class, and tried fried scorpion. His visit here wasn’t just for a fun vacay though. The American comedian and recent Hot Ones alum was shooting his brand new show, and not only do we have a new trailer that shows off a little more of his time here in Thailand, but we also have a premiere date.

[Hero image: Max]

Conan O’Brien Must Go premieres on April 23 on HBO GO

The former late night host explains in the trailer that the show chronicles his travels as he visits his fans around the world. His podcast Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend has given him the opportunity to speak with his fans around the globe about their lives. Conan visited Anna, one of his fans who lives here in Bangkok, and even helped her out with some problems she was having with her mom.

Aside from mending familial relationships, Conan dressed in traditional Thai garb and walked along a classic Bangkok khlong. He did some Muay Thai and also tried his hand at rock climbing. He experienced the Bangkok heat for himself, which he also bemoaned like we do, and then took a cruise down the floating market.

But Thailand isn’t Conan’s only stop in the first season of his show. The brand new trailer shows the comedian in full-on viking garb in Norway, returning to his Irish roots in Ireland, and learning how to tango in Argentina. His fans will be delighted to know that his funny and odd companion, Jordan Schlansky, will also be accompanying and irritating him on the show. 

Conan O’Brien Must Go premiered on April 18 on Max but will be premiering here in Thailand on HBO GO on April 23. You also won’t have to wait for new episodes to drop: all four episodes will be available to stream on the day of the premiere. Watch the latest trailer for the show below. 

The post ‘Conan O’Brien Must Go’ is premiering in Thailand on April 23 appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

Upcoming anime series Sword of the Demon Hunter is set to release in Summer 2024. Here is everything to know about it.

The series is based on the light novel of the same name, written by Moto’o Nakanishi and illustrated by Tamaki, which is quite popular among manga readers for its setting in the feudal Japanese era.

Set in the Edo period, Jinta is a protector assigned to safeguard a priestess in a secluded mountain village. Despite being an outsider to the community, he is given the responsibility of hunting down a demon in the forest to defeat it.

NEWS: Sword of the Demon Hunter: Kijin Gentosho TV Anime Reveals Summer 2024 Debut

⚔ MORE: https://t.co/gpcEUulRIj pic.twitter.com/qBiIkb9dUX

— Crunchyroll (@Crunchyroll) February 23, 2024

Kazuya Aiura, known for works such as Assassins Pride and Hori-san to Miyamura-kun (OAV), is directing the anime at Yokohama Animation Lab. Deko Akao, whose credits include Arakawa Under the Bridge and Noragami, is in charge of overseeing the series’ scripts. Taro Ikegami is responsible for character design. Meanwhile, the music composition is a collaborative effort involving Ryuuichi Takada, Keiichi Hirokawa and Kuniyuki Takahashi from MONACA.

Here are the Sword of the Demon Hunter anime series’ plot, voice cast, release date and teaser trailer details.

Sword of the Demon Hunter anime series’ plot and voice cast

Seven Seas Entertainment has described the upcoming anime series as follows: “For generations, a shrine has stood in the mountain village of Kadono, and for each generation, the shrine has had an Itsukihime — its shrine maiden — and the maiden has had her guardian.

“During the Edo period, a young man named Jinta protected the town and the Itsukihime. When he confronts a strange demon in the nearby forest, it tells him that in the distant future, a Demon God will threaten all people, everywhere, and it claims that the Demon God’s rise to power springs from this very time and place, in the village of Kadono. So begins the centuries-spanning journey of a man tainted by demons, hunting through time to seek justice for what he’s lost and find a reason to keep fighting.”

Coming to the voice cast of the Sword of the Demon Hunter anime, Taku Yashiro takes on the role of Jinta, while Saori Hayami portrays Shirayuki. Additionally, Reina Ueda (known for her role as Kanao Tsuyuri in Demon Slayer) brings Suzune to life.

Sword of the Demon Hunter anime’s release date

Sword of the Demon Hunter anime will be released in the Summer of 2024. The production house has not disclosed the exact date.

Check out the teaser trailer below:

Hero and feature image: Courtesy Crunchyroll

This story first appeared here.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

– When will the Sword of the Demon Hunter anime be released?
Sword of the Demon Hunter anime is set to release in Summer 2024. As of February 2024, the exact date has not been revealed. 

– What is the plot of Sword of the Demon Hunter anime?
In Sword of the Demon Hunter, Jinta is assigned as a protector to safeguard a priestess in a secluded mountain village during the Edo period in Japan. 

The post ‘Sword of the Demon Hunter’ anime: Plot, cast, trailer and release date appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

Need something to tide you over until Season 2 arrives? Here are some shows like Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender that you can watch.

After the massive success of live-action adaptations of anime and manga series, Netflix has now introduced its latest rendition of Avatar: The Last Airbender. The series, created and produced by Albert Kim, was released on the streaming giant on 22 February 2024. It stars Gordon Cormier, Kiawentiio, Ian Ousley, Dallas Liu, Paul Sun-Hyung Lee, Ken Leung and Daniel Dae Kim, and the show made it to Netflix’s Top 10 in 92 countries. If you’re still getting over that Aang-sized hole in your life, here are more shows like Avatar: The Last Airbender.

Set in a war-torn world inspired by diverse Asian and Indigenous American cultures, Avatar: The Last Airbender features individuals, who possess the unique ability to bend one of the four classical elements — water, earth, fire or air. Aang, aka Avatar, and the last surviving Airbender, serves as the connection between the mortal and spirit realms.

Unlike others, he possesses the exceptional capability to bend all four elements, crucial for maintaining the world’s balance and peace. He is tasked with ending the aggressive objectives of the militaristic Fire Nation.

With his newfound allies Katara and Sokka, Aang sets out to master all four elements, all the while being pursued by Zuko, the exiled crown prince of the Fire Nation.

what @NetflixGeeked said https://t.co/Tw7gCEDrMV

— Avatar: The Last Airbender (@AvatarNetflix) March 5, 2024

Some may wonder about their next watch after completing the series, and so we’ve done the legwork by curating a list of shows like Avatar: The Last Airbender that could effectively fill the void.

Involving magical quests featuring super-powered teens and exploring the challenges of growing up in an unusual and intimidating world, here are some of the best live-action shows like Avatar: The Last Airbender.

9 live-action series like ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’ to add to your watchlist

One Piece (2023)

The live-action adaptation of One Piece is based on the manga series of the same name by Eiichiro Oda and was released on Netflix in August 2023. The series follows the Straw Hat Pirates’ pursuits in search of the legendary One Piece, a coveted treasure that could potentially crown their captain, Monkey D. Luffy, as the ‘King of the Pirates’. The series features an ensemble cast, including Iñaki Godoy, Emily Rudd, Mackenyu, Jacob Romero Gibson and Taz Skylar.

Critics and fans widely praised the series, commending the performances, writing, visual effects and sticking to the source material. Reviews have hailed it as one of the top live-action adaptations of a manga or anime series. Just two weeks after its release, Netflix confirmed the renewal of the series for a second season, currently in active development.

IMDb rating: 8.3/10

Watch 'One Piece' here

Wednesday (2022)

Wednesday is a supernatural live-action series centred around the character Wednesday Addams from Charles Addams’ creations. Developed by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, the story unfolds as Wednesday is expelled from her school due to her unconventional response to bullying against her brother Pugsley.

Subsequently, her parents, Gomez and Morticia Addams enrolled her at Nevermore Academy. Wednesday’s distant and emotionless personality challenges her to build connections with her schoolmates. Despite these interpersonal struggles, she undergoes a transformative experience when she learns she has inherited her mother’s psychic abilities.

The series features Jenna Ortega in the titular role along with Gwendoline Christie, Riki Lindhome, Jamie McShane, Hunter Doohan, Percy Hynes White, Emma Myers, Joy Sunday, Georgie Farmer, Naomi J. Ogawa, Christina Ricci and Moosa Mostafa. Within three weeks of its release, the series became the second-most-watched English-language show on Netflix. It garnered significant acclaim, receiving two Golden Globe nominations and winning four Primetime Emmy Awards.

IMDb rating: 8.1/10

Watch 'Wednesday' here

His Dark Materials (2019)

His Dark Materials is a fantasy live-action series based on the trilogy of novels by Philip Pullman. The series is set in a parallel universe and follows the adventures of a young girl named Lyra Belacqua as she explores a complex and mysterious world. The story involves multiple universes, daemons (animal companions representing a person’s soul), armoured polar bears and a powerful particle called Dust.

The first season, which premiered in 2019, covers the events of the first novel, Northern Lights (also known as The Golden Compass). The second season, which aired in 2020, adapts the second novel, The Subtle Knife and the final season covers the third novel, The Amber Spyglass. The series has been well-received by audiences and critics for its ambitious storytelling and imaginative world-building.

IMDb rating: 7.8/10

Watch 'His Dark Materials' here

Sweet Tooth (2021)

Sweet Tooth is a fantasy live-action series by Jim Mickle, adapted from the comic book series developed by Jeff Lemire. The show debuted on Netflix in June 2021, with a second season dropping in April 2023. Following the second season, it was announced that a third and final season was in the works.

The series unfolds in a world devastated by a virus that has claimed the lives of the majority human population. Subsequently, hybrid babies with animal attributes are born. Christian Convery portrays Gus, a 10-year-old boy with deer-like features, who goes to locate his mother following his father’s demise. The show has garnered widespread critical acclaim, accumulating 20 nominations over its initial two seasons at the Children’s and Family Emmy Awards.

IMDb rating: 7.7/10

Watch 'Sweet Tooth' here

The Sandman (2022)

The Sandman is a live-action series that draws inspiration from the 1989–1996 comic book series by Neil Gaiman. The plot follows Dream, one of the Endless, a group of seven powerful and immortal beings, each associated with a particular aspect of existence. Dream, also known as Morpheus, governs dreams and oversees the Dreaming, a realm where dreams and nightmares take shape.

Developed by Neil Gaiman, David S. Goyer and Allan Heinberg for Netflix, the production is a collaboration between DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. The series features Tom Sturridge in the title role, supported by Boyd Holbrook, Vivienne Acheampong and Patton Oswalt in supporting roles.

IMDb rating: 7.7/10

Watch 'The Sandman' here

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (2018)

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina is based on the Archie Comics character Sabrina Spellman, who first appeared in Archie’s Madhouse #22 in October 1962. The live-action series reimagines the character and her world, taking a darker and more mature approach compared to previous adaptations.

Set in the make-believe town of Greendale, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina offers a dark coming-of-age transition to adulthood and covers elements of horror, dread and witchcraft. Sabrina Spellman (Kiernan Shipka) faces the challenge of reconciling her identity as both a half-witch and half-mortal, all the while combating evil forces that jeopardise not only her existence but also the safety of her family and the human world in the light of day.

IMDb rating: 7.4/10

Watch 'Chilling Adventures of Sabrina' here

Lockwood & Co. (2023)

Lockwood & Co. is an adaptation based on Jonathan Stroud’s book series with the same title. The plot closely follows the storylines of the first two books in the series — The Screaming Staircase and The Whispering Skull.

The show is set in an alternate version of present-day Britain, where an unusual phenomenon known as The Problem has emerged over the last five decades. Here, ghosts have risen from their graves, halting technological progress. While adults remain oblivious to these spirits, children possess the ability to sense them. As a result, teenagers have been organised into licensed ghost-hunting agencies responsible for identifying and eliminating these threats.

Lucy Carlyle (Ruby Strokes), a teenager with psychic abilities, flees her home and arrives in London, hoping to join one of these ghost agencies. She applies for a position at a small agency named Lockwood & Co., operated by two boys out of an ancient townhouse.

IMDb rating: 7.4/10

Watch 'Lockwood & Co.' here

Yu Yu Hakusho (2023)

Netflix’s Yu Yu Hakusho is a live-action adaptation of the manga and anime series of the same name, written and illustrated by Yoshihiro Togashi. Yusuke Urameshi, a junior high student meets with a fatal accident while saving a child. Following a series of tests administered by Koenma, the son of the ruler of the afterlife, Yusuke is resurrected and bestowed with the title ‘Underworld Detective’.

Within the first two weeks of its release, Yu Yu Hakusho quickly soared to the top of Netflix’s rankings for non-English TV series, gaining immense popularity among both anime enthusiasts and fans of live-action content. The series earned acclaim for its action sequences and fight scenes. However, it faced criticism for the compressed plot, fitting the entire story within five episodes.

IMDb rating: 7.2/10

Watch 'Yu Yu Hakusho' here

Percy Jackson and the Olympians (2023)

Percy Jackson and the Olympians is based on the book series penned by Rick Riordan. The story follows 12-year-old demigod Percy, who has been accused by the Greek god Zeus of stealing his thunderbolt. He sets out to locate the stolen item and restore order to Olympus.

The cast includes Walker Scobell stars as Percy Jackson, alongside Leah Sava Jeffries and Aryan Simhadri. It debuted in December 2023, on Disney+, featuring eight episodes. Critics responded positively, particularly praising its worldbuilding and the performances of the cast. In February 2024, the series was officially renewed for a second season.

IMDb rating: 7.1/10

Watch 'Percy Jackson and the Olympians' here

(Hero and feature image credit: Netflix)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

– Which is the best show like Avatar: The Last Airbender?
One Piece, Yu Yu Hakusho, Wednesday, His Dark Materials, and The Sandman are some of the best shows like Avatar: The Last Airbender.

The post 9 shows like Netflix’s ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’ you need watch appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

With the anime adaptation officially returning, here’s what we know about Netflix’s Avatar Seasons 2 and 3.

Here’s some wonderful news for fans of Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender live-action series. The thrilling journey of the Avatar will continue as Netflix has officially expanded the live-action adaptation of the original iconic animated series. Not only has season 2 been confirmed, but Avatar: The Last Airbender season 3 has also been given the green light by Netflix, ensuring a satisfying and complete adaptation of the original series.

All about Avatar: The Last Airbender season 2 and 3

Avatar: The Last Airbender: Plot and other details

The original animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender, created by Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, aired on Nickelodeon from 2005 to 2008. Set in a fantastical world where people can manipulate the elements of water, earth, fire and air, the Netflix TV series follows Aang (played by Gordon Cormier), the last surviving Airbender. He is the Avatar, destined to master all four elements and restore balance to the world.

Aang, along with his friends Katara, Sokka and later Toph, sets out on a journey to defeat the tyrannical Fire Nation and end its century-long war of conquest. Along the way, they encounter complex characters, grapple with difficult choices and uncover the power of friendship and determination.

The live-action Netflix series isn’t the first attempt to translate Avatar: The Last Airbender into a different medium. In 2010, M. Night Shyamalan directed a live-action film adaptation that was met with largely negative reception from fans and critics alike. However, Netflix’s adaptation aims to be a more faithful retelling of the beloved animated series.

What to expect in seasons 2 and 3

While specific plot information is still under wraps, seasons 2 and 3 will undoubtedly continue Aang’s quest to master the elements and confront the Fire Nation. Season 2 will likely see more of Zuko’s complex struggle with redemption, the introduction of fan-favourite characters like Azula and Suki and Aang grappling to control the mighty Avatar State.

Season 3 promises to deliver even higher stakes, with Aang and his friends potentially facing the formidable Fire Lord Ozai and reaching a climactic conclusion to the Hundred Year War.

Cast

The talented cast from season 1 is expected to reprise their roles in the sequels, with Cormier returning as Aang, Kiawentiio Tarbell as Katara, Ian Ousley as Sokka and Dallas Liu as Zuko. We are also likely to hear new voices added to the mix as new characters from the animated series join the live-action adaptation.

Avatar: The Last Airbender season 2 release date

Although the release date is yet to be announced, fans speculate a potential premiere in late 2024 or early 2025, as production on season 2 is already underway.

Avatar: The Last Airbender season 3 confirmed

While Netflix typically renews TV series on a season-by-season basis, the early confirmation of Avatar: The Last Airbender season 3 suggests the show garnered significant viewership. And indeed, according to Netflix, Avatar: The Last Airbender achieved rapid success, becoming the No. 1 English-language TV show within two weeks of its premiere. It garnered a staggering 41.1 million views in the first 11 days. The show’s global appeal is evident, ranking No. 1 in 76 countries and reaching the Top 10 in 92.

The renewal of seasons 2 and 3 guarantees that the live-action adaptation will have the chance to fully realise the epic scope of the original animated series.

Watch Season 1 of Avatar: The Last Airbender on Netflix here.

(Hero and featured image: Courtesy of Robert Falconer/Netflix – © 2023 Netflix, Inc/ IMDb)

This story first appeared here.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

– When is Avatar: The Last Airbender season 2 releasing?

Netflix has not yet announced an official release date for season 2, but we can expect it to arrive sometime in 2024 or 2025.

– Is Avatar: The Last Airbender season 3 confirmed?

Yes, Netflix has confirmed that Avatar: The Last Airbender will continue beyond season 2 with a third season.

– When will Avatar: The Last Airbender season 3 release?

The production of season 3 may likely begin shortly after season 2 airs.

The post What we know about Netflix’s ‘Avatar’ Seasons 2 and 3 appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

Fans of The Bear, prepare for another acclaimed culinary drama experience with an incredible cast as the Emmy-winning show has been renewed for season 4. The news comes just months after it was confirmed that The Bear season 3 is in the works.

The FX-Hulu comedy stars Jeremy Allen White and Ayo Edebiri in the lead roles of fine-dining chef Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto and sous chef Sydney Adamu, respectively.

It begins with Carmy trying to save his family’s failing Chicago sandwich shop named The Original Beef after the suicide of his brother Michael, played by Jon Bernthal. There he teams up with Sydney and they build a new restaurant, The Bear, from scratch.

Deadline and other media outlets reported on 14 March 2024 that the critically acclaimed show has been secretly given the green light to work on season 4 while they film season 3.

Therefore, there is no official announcement yet. ET reported that FX had not responded to the publication’s query on the talked-about season 4.

Official announcement or not, everyone is now eager to know about The Bear season 4.

All about The Bear season 4

How did word about The Bear season 4 spread?

Reports suggest that the news of The Bear getting a season 4 started when local outlets in Illinois reported about filming of extra episodes for the show.

According to ET, an outlet named Reel Chicago revealed that some members of the production team said that the extra episodes are for season 4.

Thus, The Bear season 3 and season 4 episodes are reportedly filmed back-to-back.

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Will The Bear season 4 be the final season?

There is no clarity on whether The Bear season 4 will be the show’s last.

Deadline reported that the decision to film both seasons 3 and 4 back-to-back has given rise to speculation that the show could be nearing its end, especially since the acclaimed FX comedy series, Atlanta, ended after back-to-back shooting of seasons 3 and 4.

But citing sources, the report also said that something like that hasn’t been confirmed and, therefore, a The Bear season 5 could happen.

What to expect from The Bear season 4?

The Bear season 2 was about the preparation and eventual opening of the eponymous restaurant. Things do not go as planned for Carmy, who gets trapped inside the walk-in refrigerator which triggers his pent up frustration and leaves his girlfriend Claire heartbroken.

Meanwhile, Sydney achieves a sense of confidence by making the opening night a success despite Carmy failing to contribute at the last moment due to the refrigerator incident.

It is expected that The Bear season 3 will reveal more about the personal trajectories of the two main characters as they try to come to terms with the new developments in their lives. Whether Carmy is able to fight his inner demons and win back the love of Claire will be known in the upcoming seasons. On the other hand, the talented Sydney has shown remarkable growth as a chef and could be seen as someone taking a deeper role in the restaurant business.

When will The Bear season 3 release?

The Bear season 3 is expected to premiere in June 2024. According to Variety, FX chairman John Landgraf made the announcement during the network’s presentation at the Television Critics Association’s winter 2024 press tour in February.

He confirmed that all episodes will be released at the same time instead of the week-to-week system.

“It wasn’t lost on me or anyone who worked on the show that it was anxiety-inducing,” he said. “So we made a decision to drop the whole thing because it has a beautiful, uplifting ending.”

Cast of The Bear season 4

Apart from Jeremy Allen White and Ayo Edebiri, The Bear season 3 will also have a returning cast comprising Lionel Boyce as Marcus Brooks, Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Richard “Richie” Jerimovich, Molly Gordon as Claire and Jamie Lee Curtis as Donna Berzatto among others.

Since the main cast members would likely remain unchanged, it is, therefore, anyone’s bet that season 4 of The Bear will also have White, Edebiri and most of the rest.

Guest stars were a highlight of The Bear season 2. Bob Odenkirk, Sarah Paulson, John Mulaney and Gillian Jacobs appeared in a flashback Christmas episode of the season titled “Fishes.”

Commenting on a question on whether the upcoming seasons would feature as many high-profile guest stars as they did in season 2, Landgraf reportedly said, “Unfortunately, I can’t. I was surprised as you were when the Christmas episode came through the door.”

Expectations are thus high that some of them or equally prominent new names could be returning as guest stars in seasons 3 or 4.

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Awards won by The Bear 

The Bear has been received with worldwide critical acclaim and has been showered with accolades.

It has won 10 Primetime Emmys for season 1 alone, including Outstanding Comedy Series and acting wins for White, Edebiri, and Moss-Bachrach. The success of season 2 has made The Bear a hot favourite for nominations for the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards to be announced on 17 July 2024.

White also won the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy twice, for seasons 1 and 2. The show won the Golden Globe for Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy for season 2 in 2024 and Edebiri received Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy.

For those who wish to rewatch The Bear seasons 1 and 2, the show is also available for streaming internationally on Disney+.

Watch The Bear on Disney+ Hotstar.

(Hero and Featured images: Chuck Hodes – © 2023, FX Networks. All Rights Reserved./IMDb)

The post Everything you need to know about <i>The Bear</i> season 4 appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

A tale of a secret bioweapon handover will join Disney+’s slate of Korean titles. Here’s all about Kdrama The Tyrant, from cast to release date.

Over the past few years, Korean shows and movies have come to occupy a large amount of real estate on OTT platforms. This includes Disney Plus — which is home to highly-rated titles like Dr. Romantic, Snowdrop, and Rain or Shine. The popular streamer made it to the headlines for picking up Uncle Samsik — a historical series that marks veteran Parasite actor Song Kang-ho’s first television rodeo. It also backed the highly-anticipated Light Shop and the ongoing Wonderful World.

The latest addition to this list is an action spy-thriller Kdrama titled The Tyrant with a release date sometime late this year. At the helm of affairs is director Park Hoon Jung who’s brought the likes of Cha Seung-won, Jo Yoon-su, Kim Seon-ho, and Kim Kang-woo to the team. According to numerous reports, the project was set to be a movie — switching gears to a longer, four-part format to better do justice to the characters and story. Here’s all about it.

The plot of The Tyrant Kdrama

After a secret South Korean government-backed project to enhance human abilities is discovered by the US intelligence agencies, things go awry. The latter asks the former to shut it all down and surrender any samples. However, just as the handover is about to happen, the bioweapon is stolen. Agents from both countries then embark on a dangerous mission to recover it before it falls into the hands of the wrong people.

Meet the cast of The Tyrant Kdrama

The action will be led by young actress Jo Yoon-su — of the True Beauty and Juvenile Justice fame. She will step into the shoes of a skilled engineer and infiltrator Chae Jagyeong — whose mission is to steal the last sample of the bio enhancing project from the Tyrant Program.

Meanwhile, actor Cha Seoung-won — who was last seen in Our Blues and Believer 2 — will play the role of former agent Lim Sang. The character’s task is to do away with any forces attached to the Tyrant Program.

The series also marks popular actor Kim Seon-ho’s return to television — with his last being the cult-classic 2021 romantic comedy Hometown Cha Cha Cha. He will essay the role of the mysterious Director Choi who leads the Tyrant Program.

Rounding out this stellar lineup is The Missing and The Taste Of Money actor Kim Kang-woo. He will portray the role of Paul — a member of an overseas intelligence agency that’s keen to eliminate the Tyrant Program wholly.

Is there a trailer for The Tyrant?

Disney Plus is yet to release a trailer or teaser for the show but it has dropped a few stills from it. Each displays a character in their element.

Is there a release date for The Tyrant?

According to several reports, Kdrama The Tyrant will release in the second half of 2024.

All images: Courtesy Disney Plus Korea

The post ‘The Tyrant’ k-drama: Release date, plot, cast, and more appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

Here’s what you need to know about The Glory, Squid Game, Sweet Home, Beyond Evil and other best psychological thriller K-dramas to watch on Netflix right now.

Leading the list with over 1.65 billion hours of viewership in the first 28 days of release, Squid Game remains one of the best and most-watched psychological thriller K-dramas on Netflix. The 2021 show, which focuses on a series of games that challenge human morals, enjoys a solid IMDb rating of 8 and 95 per cent on Rotten Tomatoes.

Not just that. Squid Game also won six Primetime Emmy Awards in 2022, including Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series for Hwang Dong-hyuk and Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for Lee Jung-jae.

Meanwhile, replete with mind games, Ahn Gil-ho’s psychological thriller The Glory is #5 on the top 10 all-time Non-English TV series on Netflix, with over 436.90 million hours watched in the first 28 days of release.

Not to forget the Song Kang starrer Sweet Home, which was viewed by more than 22 million paid subscribers worldwide after its release in 2020. One of the best psychological horror thriller K-dramas to watch on Netflix, the third season of the show is slated to drop in 2024, according to Tudum.

These best psychological thriller K-dramas on Netflix are a must-watch

The post Psychological thriller K-dramas on Netflix to check out right now appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

Parasyte: The Grey is an upcoming Korean horror series, based on the Parasyte manga. Know all about its plot, cast, and release date details.

Netflix’s new Korean horror series, Parasyte: The Grey, is set to offer a unique interpretation of the popular manga, Parasyte, making it potentially one of the most intriguing live-action adaptations in years. Director Yeong Sang-ho, renowned for the popular series Hellbound and the critically lauded movie Train to Busan, is at the helm of Netflix’s upcoming show.

Hitoshi Iwaaki’s Parasyte manga series gained acclaim for its intricate character development and profound philosophical themes with an excellent combination of body horror and quirky humour. Over the past decade, the manga has successfully transitioned into a well-received TV anime series, accompanied by two live-action movies.

For those who are new to this series, it follows Shinichi Izumi, a senior in high school, who becomes the target of a parasitic organism’s unsuccessful attempt to seize control of his brain. However, the parasite ends up infecting and taking control of his arm instead. Interestingly, Netflix’s Parasyte: The Grey is a completely original story, which takes place in South Korea and includes some elements from the original manga.

Parasites are hidden amongst us.

Parasyte: The Grey, based on the manga by Hitoshi Iwaaki, premieres April 5. Directed by Yeon Sang-ho (Hellbound, Train to Busan) and starring Jeon So-nee, Koo Kyo-hwan, and Lee Jung-hyun. pic.twitter.com/Xkp2BDQkGd

— Netflix (@netflix) February 28, 2024

If you are curious to learn more about the plot and cast, we have got you covered! Here is everything to know about the upcoming horror Korean series.

Parasyte: The Grey live-action K-drama’s plot and cast

Set in contemporary South Korea, Parasyte: The Grey unfolds the story of a new ensemble of characters known as ‘Team Grey’, dedicated to combatting parasitic creatures.

According to IMDb, the plot of the upcoming series begins with Jeong Su-in, who becomes a host to a parasite on her hand, leading to an unusual coexistence as the parasite fails in its attempt to seize control of her brain. Simultaneously, Seol Kang-woo chases a parasitic entity in search of his vanished sister, and Choi Jun-kyung is the team leader for the anti-parasitic life squad called ‘The Grey’. Her sole purpose? To eradicate parasitic entities, having lost her husband to one.

Speaking about the new series in the press release, director Yeon said, “In my twenties, Parasyte was a staple for those of us who were passionate about manga and animation. Having the opportunity to build upon it and create something new is not only a great honour, but also a dream come true from my younger years.”

Jeon So-nee (Our Blooming Youth, When My Love Blooms and Soulmate) takes on the role of Jeong Su-in. She portrays an original character connected to a mysterious parasite with unknown origins. Additionally, Koo Kyo-hwan (known for Peninsula and Monstrous) takes on the role of Seol Kang-woo, a man in search of his sister.

Other cast members include Lee Jung-hyun as Choi Jun-kyung, Kwon Hae-hyo as Kim Chul-min and Kim In-kwon as Kang Won-seok.

Parasyte: The Grey release date

Parasyte: The Grey will be available for streaming starting 5 April 2024 on Netflix.

Check out the trailer below:

Hero and feature image: Courtesy IMDb and Netflix

This story first appeared here.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

– When is the Parasyte: The Grey live-action series releasing?
Parasyte: The Grey is releasing on Netflix on 5 April 2024.

– Who is in the cast of Parasyte: The Grey?
Parasyte: The Grey cast features Jeon So-nee, Koo Kyo-hwan, Lee Jung-hyun, Kwon Hae-hyo and Kim In-kwon.

The post ‘Parasyte: The Grey’: All about Netflix’s live-action adaptation appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

Here’s what we know about Sand Land: The Series, the upcoming anime adaptation of the manga series of the same name.

Sand Land: The Series, the anime adaptation of Akira Toriyama’s short manga series Sand Land, is set to debut this March. The anime will continue the story from the movie adaptation, which premiered in Japan on 18 August 2023.

Directed by Toshihisa Yokoshima, the series is set in a post-apocalyptic wasteland where water is under the control of a ruthless ruler. Sheriff Rao recruits Beelzebub, the son of the demon king and his assistant Thief on a mission to locate a lost lake. Together, they navigate the harsh landscape and tackle dangers to find the water source.

Along with the upcoming series, an open-world Sand Land video game is scheduled for release on 25 April. The game will allow players to traverse the desert wastelands in the shoes of the demonic hero Beelzebub. It will be available to users on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC.

“SAND LAND: THE SERIES” begins streaming worldwide this month:

Episodes 1–7 on March 20, then a new episode every Wednesday from March 27 for a total of 13 episodes.

Newly launched website: https://t.co/mtSUBKbVGt

As previously announced, Disney will exclusively stream the… pic.twitter.com/X6n4zqDj1t

— A.I.R (Anime Intelligence (and) Research) (@AIR_News01) March 4, 2024

So, without further ado, here is all you need to know about the plot, cast, release date and teaser of Sand Land: The Series.

What is the plot of Sand Land: The Series?

According to the series’ official website, “In a desert world where both demons and humans suffer from an extreme water shortage, Beelzebub, the prince of demons and Rao, a small-town sheriff, form a tag team and set off on an adventure in search of the Legendary Spring somewhere in the desert.”

According to Crunchyroll, the anime series will be split into two arcs — the Prince of Demons arc and the Angelic Heroes arc. The first arc will feature the first six episodes, which will integrate scenes from the anime movie. These scenes have been carefully reworked into an episodic format and enhanced with additional footage. This arc is set to deliver an immersive experience for viewers, offering an expanded narrative beyond the original story.

Episodes seven through 13 are part of the Angelic Heroes arc. Taking place in the setting of Forest Land, a creation of Toriyama himself, this arc guarantees exciting and novel adventures for Beelzebub and his companions as they face new challenges.

Sand Land: The Series anime characters and voice cast

Sand Land: The Series will see the return of the original voice cast from the anime film. Mutsumi Tamura will once again take on the role of Beelzebub, Kazuhiro Yamaji as Rao and Chō as Thief. Additionally, General Are and General Zau will be voiced by Satoshi Tsuruoka and Nobuo Tobita, respectively.

The series is also set to introduce two fresh characters named Anne and Meunière, who will appear in the Angelic Heroes arc. Anne is portrayed by Mikako Komatsu (known for her role as Maki Zenin in Jujutsu Kaisen) and Meunière voiced by Ayumu Murase (the voice behind Shoyo Hinata in Haikyu!!)

Sand Land: The Series anime release date

The creators of Sand Land: The Series announced the show is set to debut on 20 March 2024. The first seven episodes will be available to stream on Disney+ globally. Starting from episode 8, the rest of the episodes will be released every Wednesday.

Check out the teaser trailer below:

Hero and feature image: Courtesy IMDb/Sand Land The Series

This story first appeared here.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

– When is Sand Land: The Series releasing?
The series is set to debut on 20 March on Disney+. 

– What is the plot of Sand Land: The Series?
The upcoming series will be split into two arcs — the Prince of Demons arc and the Angelic Heroes arc. The first arc will feature a storyline from the movie and the second arc is set in Forest Land. 

The post What we know about ‘Sand Land: The Series’ appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

Netflix has quite the arsenal of military Kdramas — each of which are deemed the best Kdramas of all time by IMDB ratings. Here’s our picks.

Featuring hair-raising action scenes, complex plot-twists, and romantic entanglements with a hint of danger — some of the most exciting Korean shows are centred on the army. And Netflix has quite the arsenal of military titles — from cult-classics to contemporary hits — each of which are deemed the best Kdramas of all time, if IMDB ratings are anything to go by. Here’s our pick of the lot.

For South Korean citizens the army is an essential part of life, intricately woven into its fabric. This, owing to the country’s mandatory enlistment rule — which requires men aged 18-30 to serve in a branch of the defence forces for anywhere between 18-21 months. And as life inspires art — the entertainment industry has been touched by this as well. For starters, many popular names take a break from the spotlight to fulfil their national duties — most recently the members of BTS and actor Song Kang.

Several popular titles are centred on men in uniforms — offering an insight into their tumultuous, gritty world with a side of romance, drama, and comedy. This includes the highly-anticipated Bloody Romance, featuring Nam Gyu-ri and Kim Min-seok. And of the sea of military Kdramas ever produced, Netflix is home to some of the best — as evidenced by their IMDB ratings. We’re talking classics helmed by the finest in the business with storylines that will keep you hooked. Whether you’re a Korean entertainment veteran on the lookout for their next binge or a new recruit eager to discover everything it has to offer — here’s a look at titles worth tuning into.

Best military Kdramas to arm yourself with for a fun Netflix sesh

Crash Landing On You

Directed by: Lee Jung-hyo

Cast: Hyun Bin, Son Ye-jin, Seo Ji-hye, Kim Jung-hyun

Episodes: 16

Release date: 14 December 2019

Synopsis: A paragliding accident puts billionaire heiress Yoon Se-ri (played by Son Ye-jin) in North Korea. There she’s discovered by the upstanding North Korean military man Ri Jeong-hyeok (played by Hyun Bin). As she fights to find her way back home, the latter decides to help her get there. Along the way, they fall in love. This is deemed one of the best military Kdramas of all time.

IMDb rating: 8.7

Mr. Sunshine

Directed by: Lee Eung-bok

Cast: Lee Byung-hun, Kim Tae-ri, Yoo Yeon-seok, Byun Yo-han

Release date: 7 July 2018

Episodes: 24

Synopsis: In 1871 — during Shinmiyangyo (The Korean Expedition) — Eugene Choi or Mr. Sunshine (played by Lee Byung-hun) heads to the US and joins the marine corps. On a military mission in Joseon, he falls in love with an aristocrat’s daughter named Go Ae Shin (played by Kim Tae-ri). In the process, he learns of a ploy by foreign forces to colonise Korea.

IMDb rating: 8.7

Descendants Of The Sun

Directed by: Lee Eung-bok, Baek Sang-hoon

Cast: Song Joong-ki, Song Hye-kyo, Jin Goo, Kim Ji-won

Episodes: 19

Release date: 24 February 2016

Synopsis: In this military Kdrama — one of the best of all time — a rather bizarre set of occurrences lead to South Korean Special Forces agent Captain Yoo Shi-jin (Song Joong-ki) crossing paths with hardworking Haesung Hospital surgeon Kang Mo-yeon (played by Song Hye-kyo). Sparks fly and the two give dating a go — all while navigating their hectic schedules. Soon, fate brings them together in a war-torn country — where they work to protect and keep the health of the local population.

IMDb rating: 8.2

D.P

Directed by: Han Jun-hee

Cast: Jung Hae-in, Koo Kyo-hwan, Kim Sung-kyun, Son Suk-ku

Episodes: 12

Release date: 27 August 2021

Synopsis: Within the Korean military a team is tasked with capturing soldiers who are deserters.
This includes new recruit Private Ah Jun-ho (played by Jung Hae-in), Sergeant First Class Park Beom-gu (played by Kim Sung-kyun), Captain Im Ji-sup (played by Son Suk-ku), and Corporal Han Ho-yeol (played by Koo Kyo-hwan). As the Deserter Pursuit unit goes about its mission, grim realities of the army come to the fore.

IMDb rating: 8.2

Military Prosecutor Doberman

Directed by: Jin Chang-gyu

Cast: Ahn Bo-hyun, Jo Bo-ah

Release date: 28 February, 2022

Episodes: 16

Synopsis: Driven purely by the desire for money and fame, Do Bae-Man (played by Ahn Bo-Hyun) becomes a military prosecutor. On the other hand, Cha Woo-in (played by Jo Bo Ah) was born into a rich family and chooses to become a military prosecutor to exact revenge for her father’s death. The two join hands to take down corrupt forces.

IMDb rating: 7.7

Which of these military Kdramas do you think best does justice to its genre?

All images: Courtesy Netflix

The post The best military K-dramas to watch for your next Netflix binge appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

From My Love From the Stars to It’s Okay to Not Be Okay, here are the best movies and TV shows by charming K-drama actor Kim Soo Hyun.

From being the face of a record-breaking 14 products simultaneously to earning the title of the highest-paid actor in his industry — one of the most popular celebrities in South Korea has been there, done that. His filmography is a smorgasbord of hit titles — from Joseon-era romances to present-day comedies — each lending itself well to a binge-watching session. Here are a few of actor Kim Soo Hyun’s best movies and TV shows every K-drama fan should be familiar with.

While in school, Kim Soo-hyun enrolled in acting classes on the recommendation of his mother. What started as an exercise in beating introversion soon transformed into a thriving career — with a string of back-to-back hit titles making him a household name early on. These spanned a range of genres — historical, romance, fantasy, melodrama — earning him a reputation of being versatile. A recent addition to this growing lineup of stellar k-dramas includes Queen of Tears — which will see him be one half of a married couple struggling to keep their relationship afloat in the face of challenges.

“I want to be like actor Christoph Waltz. More than anything, I want to become a trusted actor. I want to act all my life,” the star was quoted saying by Soompi. Combine this with his ever-growing popularity and a stellar work ethic and it’s no surprise that he was crowned the highest-paid K-drama actor in 2020 — ahead of Crash Landing On You star Hyun Bin with an estimated earning of USD 165,000 per episode, according to a report by SCMP. Here’s a look at a few career-defining movies and TV shows of Kim Soo Hyun.

Best movies and K-dramas starring Korean superstar Kim Soo Hyun

Dream High

Directed by: Lee Eung-bok and Kim Seong-yoon

Cast: Bae Suzy, Kim Soo-hyun, IU

Release date: 3 January 2011

Episodes: 16

Synopsis: Six students of a prestigious academy dream of being K-pop idols. In line with this, they work to improve on their singing, dancing, and songwriting skills. All while coping with the emotional and physical repercussions of their challenging schedules. Along the way, they develop feelings for each other. This includes country boy Song Sam-dong (played by Kim Soo hyun) who suffers from a rare disease and is a musical genius.

About the show: Raking in the views, this K-drama transformed Kim Soo Hyun into a household name almost overnight. His stellar performance — which included training at JYP Entertainment and recording two songs for the soundtrack — earned him Best New Actor and Popularity Award at the 4th Korea Drama Awards and KBS Drama Awards as well as the Hallyu Award at SKY PerfecTV! Awards.

The Thieves

Directed by: Choi Dong-hoon

Cast: Kim Yoon-seok, Kim Hye-soo, Lee Jung-jae, Jun Ji-hyun, Simon Yam, Kim Hae-sook, Oh Dal-su, Kim Soo-hyun

Release date: 25 July 2012

Synopsis: Six thieves plan a million-dollar heist — stealing a diamond from a casino in Macau. However, a few unexpected hiccups make this quite the challenge.

About the movie: This big-screen title marked Kim Soo Hyun’s film debut. Having made millions in ticket sales, it was crowned one of the highest-grossing movies at the time — boosting the actor’s popularity further. For his performance, he won the Popularity Award at the 33rd Blue Dragon Film Awards and was nominated for Best New Actor at 21st Buil Film Awards.

The Moon Embracing The Sun

Directed by: Kim Do-hoon, Lee Seong-jun

Cast: Kim Soo-hyun, Han Ga-in, Jung Il-woo, Kim Min-seo

Release date: 4 January 2012

Episodes: 22

Synopsis: A queen dowager in the Joseon era orders an assassination in an attempt to clear the path to the throne for her son. This is foiled by a witness who sneaks the child away and raises her own, only to be caught and executed later. The child, Heo Yeon Woo (played by Han Ga In) grows up with a shaman and falls for the crown prince Lee Hwon (younger played by Yeo Jin-Goo, older played by Kim Soo Hyun). However, politics lead to her untimely death as well, only to be undone by the shaman. This leads to a loss in memories and life as a shaman herself — with fate taking its course when she’s called to the palace to cure the king of an illness.

About the show: High viewership ratings accorded this drama the honour of ‘national drama,’ with Kim Soo Hyun bagging the Best Actor award at the 48th Baeksang Arts Awards for his performance. He also won the Excellence Award, Actor at the 1st K-Drama Star Awards, Top Excellence Award and Actor in a Miniseries at the 2012 MBC Drama Awards.

Secretly, Greatly

Directed by: Jang Cheol-soo

Cast: Kim Soo-hyun, Park Ki-woong, Lee Hyun-woo

Release date: 5 June 2013

Synopsis: A set of North Korean special forces officers — 5446 Corps — are sent to spy in South Korea, with the goal of unifying the two countries. Each disguises themselves as a high school student, singer, and a fool — waiting for orders and settling into their new lives well until they’re handed an important mission one day out of the blue.

About the movie: This film raked in the views, becoming one of the most successful box office hits of the year. For his stellar performance Kim Soo Hyun bagged the Best New Actor (Film) awards at the Baeksang Arts Awards as well as the Grand Bell Awards that year.

My Love From The Star

Directed by: Jang Tae-yoo, Oh Chung-hwan

Cast: Jun Ji-hyun, Kim Soo-hyun, Park Hae-jin, Yoo In-na, Shin Sung-rok, Ahn Jae-hyun
Episodes: 22

Release date: 18 December 2013

Synopsis: Do Min-joon (played by Kim Soo-hyun) is an alien who was stranded on earth 400 years ago. He is cynical about humans and hopes to return to his planet. However, he soon comes across popular and cheery actress Chun Song-Yi (played by Jun Ji-hyun). Soon enough, the two fall in love, and the former loses his resentment for Earth-based species.

About the show: The TV series earned South Korea international acclaim, with its filming locations drawing tourists in scores. For his stellar performance, Kim Soo Hyun earned an award at the 7th Korea Drama Awards as well as the Best Actor in Asia title at the 8th International Drama Festival in Tokyo.

It’s Okay To Not Be Okay

Directed by: Park Shin-woo

Cast: Kim Soo-hyun, Seo Ye-ji, Oh Jeong-se

Episodes: 16

Release date: 20 June 2020

Synopsis: Psych ward caretaker Moon Kang-tae (Kim) crosses paths with antisocial writer Ko Moon-young (Son) when his brother attends one of the latter’s book reading events. The trio slowly grow fond of each other and begin a journey of self-discovery.

About the show: This tearjerker has proven to be immensely popular — earning eight nominations at the prestigious Baeksang Arts Awards as well as the International Emmy Awards. No surprises that it also upped Kim Soo Hyun’s popularity, with him bagging the Grand Prize (Daesang) at the Asia Artist Awards and the Popular Star Award, Actor at the APAN Star Awards 2021.

(Hero and featured image credit: @soohyun_k216/Instagram)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

– Does Kim Soo Hyun have a sister?

According to several reports, Kim Soo Hyun has a half sister named Kim Ju-na who’s a singer.

– Why is Kim Soo Hyun so rich?

His acting prowess, a series of hit movies and TV shows, and a fee of USD 165,000 per episode make K-drama actor Kim Soo Hyun quite rich.

The post Best movies and TV shows starring K-drama star Kim Soo Hyun appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

Will the Thai rom-com be renewed? Here’s what we know about a possible Season 2 for Ready, Set, Love.

Ready, Set, Love, Netflix’s Thai romantic-comedy show, is winning people over with its story that takes place in a parallel universe where love unfolds in unexpected ways and extraordinary ways.

A satirical and unconventional creation, the drama takes place in a realm where a pandemic has significantly diminished the male population. It blends satire with a humorous take on reality television and modern perspectives on love and relationships, offering a unique and offbeat commentary on societal dynamics.

With such an intriguing plotline and an interesting conclusion for season one, it is quite obvious for fans to expect a season 2. Here is everything to know about Ready, Set, Love season 2.

Has Netlfix renewed ‘Ready, Set, Love’ for season 2?

As of March 2024, Netflix has not officially renewed Ready, Set, Love for season 2. The streaming giant is consistently looking for notable international shows, so it all depends on how the first season has performed.

There is a chance that the showrunners have contemplated the potential for another season, especially considering that season one concludes with a bit of a cliffhanger. In the sixth episode, there is a time jump taking us four years after the in-show events, revealing that Son and Day now have a son. However, Mrs. Kwan has discovered their location in City Ground, leaving the ending with a sense of ambiguity, suggesting that there may be more to the story.

In the second season, the story might take off from the first part’s climax or can be set in a new place altogether.

Ready, Set, Love’s plot and cast

According to Netflix’s official synopsis, “In this parallel universe, the government sponsors a game show named Ready, Set, Love where women compete for the men’s affection. Day, an ordinary woman, unexpectedly gets a chance to participate in this competition. Though hesitant, she plunges in and crosses paths with Son, one of the five bachelors, leading to true love with a twist.”

The ensemble cast of this romantic comedy features Kemisara Paladesh in the role of Day, with Pongtiwat Tangwancharoen as Son. Joining them are other talented actors — Trisanu Soranun, Nichapalak Thongkham, Natthaweeranuch Thongmee, Panadda Wongphudee, Trisanu Soranun and Jaytiya Naiwattanakul.

‘Ready, Set, Love’ season 2 release date

If Netflix decides to renew Ready, Set, Love for a second season, viewers can expect the series to air sometime between late 2025 and early 2026.

Check out the ‘Ready, Set, Love’ trailer below:

You can stream season one here.

(Hero and feature image credit: Netflix)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

– When will Ready, Set, Love season 2 be released?
As of March 2024, the series has not been renewed for season 2. If it gets greenlit, fans can expect the next season sometime in late 2025 or early 2026.

– What will be the plot of Ready, Set, Love season 2?
If the show gets renewed for season 2, it will pick up from where the first season left or might take place in an entirely new setup.

This story originally appeared in Augustman India

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Explore the best Korean dating reality TV shows to fill the Singles Inferno void. Add these titles to your binge-watching queue here.

The enthralling journey of Single’s Inferno Season 3 has concluded after a thrilling eleven-episode journey filled with drama and emotions. This reality-dating show, set against the backdrop of a deserted island, not only captivated audiences with its stunning cast of singles but also etched its name as the first South Korean reality series to grace Netflix’s esteemed top-ten list globally during its debut season.

As fans await the arrival of a new group of attractive singles navigating the complexities of love on a sun-soaked beach, the void left by the conclusion of Single’s Inferno Season 3 prompts the inevitable question – what’s next?

Fortunately, if the weekly anticipation of witnessing romantic connections and unexpected twists has become a part of your routine, there’s a plethora of similar South Korean dating reality shows awaiting to be discovered. These shows, complete with English subtitles, promise to deliver the same addictive blend of subtle drama, captivating decisions, and unexpected bonds.

Whether your enjoyment stemmed from psychoanalysing contestants for red flags or simply basking in the eye-catching aesthetics, the world of South Korean dating reality shows has much more to offer.

So, as we patiently await the return of Single’s Inferno, let’s explore nine other Korean dating reality shows that will seamlessly fill that scorching Single’s Inferno–sized hole in your binge-watching queue. Get ready for a journey filled with love, laughter, and the intriguing dynamics of romance that will keep you entertained until the next wave of singles hits the beach.

Best South Korean dating reality shows to watch if you liked Singles Inferno

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Take a look at the set and behind the scenes of Netflix’s Physical: 100 Season 2.

Netflix reality show Physical:100 season two will finally grace our screens on March 19! And we have all the details of the new season. The signature aspects of the show such as the exploration of the question, “What is the perfect physique” will continue. This upcoming season, there will still be 100 contestants who will need to protect their torsos.

As previously revealed, the concept of the second season will be an underground mine. For the first time ever, we’re unveiling an exclusive first look of the Korean Netflix hit Physical: 100 Season 2 – Underground set from our visit to South Korea last August. Keep reading to find out more details.

Prepare yourselves for exciting new quests and set-ups

If the first season had contestants hanging, the second season will have them running. The pre-quest will be a manual treadmill. Producer Jang highlighted that the most important aspect of this quest is that “it has to be something that everyone can do”. But at the same time, “it has to discern between abilities and strengths” which reflects one’s physical abilities.

“We had 100 participants stepping onto the manual treadmills and running at the same time,” said Jang Ho-gi, the producer of the show. This is to see how far each player could run within a given time. However, the treadmill is different from the machined ones. This one is manual and makes players run at their own pace as far as they want to. It may look simple at first glance but it’s completely different.

 

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Viewers may remember the ball-taking quest from the debut season. In season two, the team expanded the floor area to twice that of the first season. Arena A will test the agility with all the slopes and poles while Arena B, the trench is filled with water and mud. They also added plenty of sand in the corner for safety. A new addition in season two is the cage arena, where contestants can have fierce hand-to-hand combats. “This is exactly the cage that you would use in an MMA fight,” Jang revealed. He also added that the new arena proved to be popular.

In between the main stages are the corridors. After players exit the Death Match Challenge, they will see their torso. If they’re a winner, they get to hug it but if they lose, they’d have to tear down the torso with a sledgehammer. This signature from the first season will remain in the next. “When contestants are playing the games, I hope they immerse themselves as if they’re in another world. So, that’s what we try to make with these sets,” said producer Jang.

‘Physical 100: Season 2 – Underground’ will have a diverse line-up of contestants

There will be new aspects of season two to be excited about. For instance, there will be more representation of different occupations as well as different physiques. The weights of the contestants range from 44 kilograms to 200 kilograms. The new season will also have more women competing for the top prize.

“We have created a mine that is the inspiration and the motif of the second season. I want to highlight that the second season is going to be a completely new and refreshed look from the first season,” said Jang.

Netflix recently announced the line-up of contestants for season two that includes MMA fights and army officers to those with ‘it’ bodies such as a skateboarder, a nurse, a ballerino, and more. Athletic celebrities such as Single Inferno’s Kang So-yeon and singer Lee Jang-jun will be part of the new season. There will be 30 out of 100 contestants who are either former or current national athletes.

Catch Physical: 100 Season 2 – Underground on 19 March 2024 only on Netflix.

All images credit: Netflix

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What to watch on Netflix, HBO GO, Prime Video, and Apple TV+ this March 2024.

As the heat ramps up, it’s getting more and more tempting to just crank the AC and spend your time indoors binging a good series or watching a new movie. Thankfully, the month of March is looking great, binge-wise. Go on a globe-trotting foodie adventure with Phil Rosenthal, take off into outer space with Adam Sandler, or watch John Cena make a complete fool of himself. Whichever route you choose, it’s sure to be an entertaining month for streaming.

[Hero image: Prime Video]

Here’s what’s new on Netflix, HBO GO, Prime Video, and Apple TV+ this March 2024

Somebody Feed Phil (Season 7)

March 1, Netflix

Phil Rosenthal returns on his globe-trotting adventure of trying out cuisines in every corner of the world. Join Phil as he goes to Washington, DC, Taipei, Kyoto, Dubai, and Scotland, and tastes all that they have to offer. 

The Regime

March 4, HBO GO

Chancellor Elena Vernham (Kate Winslet) is the dictator of an authoritarian regime that’s on the verge of collapse. After locking herself in her palace and being extremely paranoid, Vernham finds solace in a disgraced soldier who becomes her confidant but as a result, makes those around her suspicious as the soldier’s influence over her grows. 

Spaceman

March 1, Netflix

Astronaut Jakub (Adam Sandler) has been on a research mission at the edge of the solar system for six months. When he realises that his marriage may be in jeopardy, he gets help from the most unlikely being: a creature that’s been hiding in his ship (Paul Dano).

The Gentlemen

March 7, Netflix

Eddie Horniman (Theo James) discovers that his father’s estate has been given to him. Any other person would be ecstatic about something like that, but he discovers that the estate is also part of a cannabis empire—and the most notorious criminals want a piece of it. 

Ricky Stanicky

March 7, Prime Video

For twenty years, three friends have used their imaginary buddy, Ricky Stanicky, as an excuse to hang out. But the jig is finally up when their spouses demand to meet the mythical Stanicky, which then leads the friends to do something that could only be brilliant or end up as a total disaster: hire a washed-up actor (John Cena) to play him.

Damsel

March 8, Netflix

A damsel (Millie Bobby Brown) agrees to marry a handsome prince. But the “happy ever after” is cut short when she discovers that the only reason she’s marrying him is so she can be offered up as a sacrifice. Now all alone, she must rely on her skills and wits to survive. 

Irish Wish

March 15, Netflix

Lindsay Lohan is going back to her rom-com roots. She plays Maddie, who agrees to be the bridesmaid for her best friend—who’s marrying the love of her life. After making a wish, Maddie suddenly finds her dream coming true, but she soon realises that her dream may not be exactly what she wants. 

Manhunt

March 15, Apple TV+

The President is dead, shot and killed unceremoniously while attending a play. As the nation mourns, Edwin Stanton, Lincoln’s Secretary of War and friend, mounts a manhunt for one of history’s most infamous killers: John Wilkes Booth.

Chicken Nugget

March 15, Netflix

A mysterious closet-like device has turned a young woman into a chicken nugget, sending her father and the intern who works for him scrambling to figure out how to transform her back. Hilarity and a whole lot of weirdness ensue. 

Invincible (Season 2, Part 2)

March 14, Prime Video

Mark continues his journey as he tries to move on from his father’s betrayal while still wrestling with his inner demons. Will he ever be able to escape his father’s infamous legacy? Or worse, will he continue it?

Road House

March 21, Prime Video

This remake of the 1989 classic stars Jake Gyllenhaal as Dalton, an ex-UFC fighter who becomes the bouncer of a roadhouse in the Florida Keys. A group of thugs who used to terrorise the bar and its owner find themselves no match against Dalton, so they hire a ruthless mercenary (Conor McGregor) to go up against him.

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From Queen of Tears to Wonderful World, these are the best new K-dramas all Korean drama fans should watch this March 2024.

Following the record-breaking popularity of K-dramas like A Killer Paradox in February 2024, K-town is all set to entertain you with their upcoming line-up of new k-dramas releasing in the following month of March. From the romance drama Queen of Tears to the thriller Wonderful World, these Korean dramas will keep you glued to your screens this March 2024.

Leading the list is Netflix’s ‘must-watch rom-com of the year’ Queen of Tears, starring Kim Soo-hyun. The show also stars leading Korean actress Kim Ji-won, who is popular for her critically acclaimed performances in Arthdal Chronicles (2019) and My Liberation Notes (2022). Written by the same writer who did Crash Landing on You, Queen of Tears is one of the most-awaited upcoming K-dramas releasing in March 2024.

Meanwhile, portraying a mother’s unconditional love for her son is the Yi Seung-young directorial Wonderful World. One of the best new thriller K-dramas releasing in March 2024, the Disney+ original is penned by Kim Jieun, who is famous for the 2020 hit series Lie After Lie.

According to an official statement by the streaming giant, Wonderful World will tell the hard-hitting story of desperate mother Eun Soo-hyun (played by Kim Nam-joo), “who will go to extraordinary lengths to exact revenge for the death of her son.” The show also stars K-pop group ASTRO’s member Cha Eun-woo in the lead role.

Not to forget the supernatural romance series Midnight Photo Studio, which marks K-drama heartthrob Joo Won’s return to the silver screen after nearly a year. The series is helmed by The Beauty Inside fame director Song Hyun-wook and will see Joo Won portray the role of a photographer inheriting a ghastly studio.

best new K-dramas releasing in March 2024 to watch

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She’s beauty, she’s grace, she’s just…sitting there. Check out the best reactions on Twitter (X) after a picture of Emma Stone at the 35th Annual Producers Guild Awards went viral.

Emma Stone recently caused quite a stir on the internet with an amusing photo that was taken during the 35th Annual Producers Guild Awards. Unlike the scandalous paparazzi shots where celebrities are caught lunging at a certain photographer, this picture caught her in the act of savouring a chicken pot pie—creating a moment that left observers both amused and puzzled about the choice of timing for the photograph.

This candid shot swiftly gained viral status, and fans across digital platforms found humour in the situation, drawing parallels between the photo and those familiar moments when a waiter interrupts to inquire about the food while one is mid-bite. Some even playfully compared it to a mother taking a spontaneous snapshot of her child in the midst of ordinary circumstances.

While opinions varied, with some suggesting the photographer should have allowed Emma to relish her meal uninterrupted, others saw a certain charm in the snapshot, equating it to a lighthearted cruise photo opportunity.

In the midst of this entertaining incident, an intriguing piece of trivia emerged, revealing that Emma had indulged in an impressive 60 Portuguese tarts while portraying her character, Bella Baxter, in the critically acclaimed film, Poor Things. The internet rallied around Stone’s foodie enthusiasm, with fans expressing their love for the actress’s relatable joy in enjoying a delicious chicken pot pie.

In the wake of this viral moment, Twitter (X) became a hotbed of reactions, with users sharing their witty and amusing responses to Emma Stone’s candid pose, creating a virtual space filled with laughter and camaraderie.

As we sifted through the myriad reactions on Twitter (X), we compiled a selection of the most entertaining and humorous responses to her unexpected viral moment, capturing the essence of the internet’s lighthearted and playful spirit.

Best Twitter (X) reactions to Emma Stone eating a chicken pot pie

This Twitter user really said ‘let the flood gates open’

Why would a photographer snap a picture of Emma Stone mid-chicken pie pic.twitter.com/5OoRnRQthq

— Rafa Sales Ross (@rafiews) February 26, 2024

We relate to this on a spiritual level

when you’re out for dinner with a friend and they suddenly pull out their phone for an insta story https://t.co/fWtgQvaM7G

— Lauren (@laurencrillyy) February 26, 2024

He said Emma who?

I honestly cannot stop admiring the beauty in this photo. The pie looks amazing. Emma too I guess. https://t.co/OKUtYOtfS2

— Matt Coggins (@MattCoggins) February 27, 2024

 Honestly, same

I just want to be as happy as Emma Stone with chicken pot pie

— politics and poetry (@rebelpioneer) February 27, 2024

Has this guy ever heard of inflation?

Also, at least serve people a real pie with a base, Emma Stone deserves that much

— Guy Lodge (@GuyLodge) February 27, 2024

It’s always that one friend

when your friend asks for some of your popcorn after saying they didn’t want any https://t.co/6ACnB451YM

— Cineworld (@cineworld) February 27, 2024

Sometimes God isn’t fair

Could you imagine looking this good mid-chicken pie though https://t.co/5OX9zgbLuT

— Libby Masters (@LibbyMasters) February 26, 2024

When they serve you cold pasta after you’ve been waiting for an hour

Service Person: “How’s your meals?”

Me: https://t.co/LcBQbOW8hg

— Choklit Chenna (@AydeeMaybrew) February 27, 2024

And that random aunt is me, guilty as charged

This is a picture that would be taken by a random aunt at a family reunion https://t.co/UjSuEiPlP8

— syd (@sydmichalangelo) February 26, 2024

A moment of silence for our brother

my gay ass when my grandmother asks me if i have a girlfriend yet at the thanksgiving dinner table: https://t.co/SCN30PyeXx

— Mason🤍🏁 (@GetawayKarma) February 27, 2024

Celebrities are humans too

I’m losing it that under their plates was a thing to win $500 in travel credit on Delta????? Like these celebs need that??? https://t.co/dXq9TkOPOL

— kristen⁷🪐✨ (@Y_u_n_k_i_M_i_n) February 26, 2024

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Netflix series One Day (2024) is a slow-burn romance show that is garnering rave reviews. Here are other similar series to watch.

One Day is perhaps the most recent addition to the concept of slow-burn romance shows. Starring Ambika Mod as Emma Morley and Leo Woodall as Dexter Mayhew, it follows the 2009 novel of the same name by David Nicholls and the 2011 film adaptation starring Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess.

The limited-series follows the main leads from the late 1980s to mid 2000s as they go through their relationship for 20 years. It is the perfect slow-burn romance for fans.

Slow-burn, for the uninitiated, is a very unique sub-genre within the larger romance genre. It centres on the gradual simmering of feelings, the charged glances, and the whispered confessions that build anticipation to a satisfying boil.

Most American slow-burn romances, which are not too many, are set within a completely different storyline. For instance, shows such as The Office and Suits also have some characters who invest time in establishing their relationship. But these are not the typical slow-burn romance dramas, as the romance angle is far removed from the central story. Additionally, the characters involved in such an angle are usually not the main leads.

An exception is, for example, Gilmore Girls, where audiences see that the romance angle of the show’s central character is blossoming organically alongside her personal growth and engagement with familial issues.

Korean dramas, on the other hand, are on a completely different level when it comes to slow-burn romances primarily due to the cultural differences and perceptions between American and Asian societies. Thus, there are quite a few romantic K-dramas completely devoted to the emotional growth in the relationship between its central characters. In fact, most of the romantic K-dramas, and some in other genres, technically have a slow-burn romance angle where the main leads often develop their relationship over a period of time while dealing with other matters that are central to the plot.

Some, such as Our Beloved Summer and Something in the Rain, are, however, slow-burn romantic shows in the true sense, given the focus on internal conflicts, societal pressures and the characters’ pasts all forming the core elements.

Irrespective of the type of geographic region, slow-burn romances are an emotional investment which deepens as audiences witness shared experiences, vulnerabilities, and support the characters go through, making the eventual romantic connection feel earned and deeply rewarding.

American and Korean slow-burn romance shows to watch if you liked One Day

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Historical romances to spy thrillers — here’s a look at a few popular movies and TV shows starring the multitalented Shin Se Kyung.

From an ambitious royal historian in the Joseon Era to a spy who grows close to her target — one of South Korea’s most multi-talented actresses has been there, played that. Her filmography has the most exciting set of titles — each speaking to her mettle as an artist. Here’s a look at a few popular movies and TV shows starring Shin Se Kyung.

In 1998 eight-year-old Shin Se Kyung starred on the poster and cover of an album titled Take Five. What followed were a series of projects — appearances in children’s shows, hosting gigs, and minor roles in films and dramas. Cut to a few years later and she’s got a string of successful titles to her name — spanning a range of genres from historical fantasy to romantic comedy. Soon enough, she’d cemented her place in the entertainment industry and become one of the most recognisable faces in South Korea.

In an interview with Korea Times, she reflected on her process. “I learned that I should not choose characters thoughtlessly according to my preference. It entails a big responsibility and when I star in a piece, I am being part of it,” she said before adding, “I have to consider my responsibility and think twice about my ability.” Most recently, this carefully thought-out process has translated to the role of vengeful spy Kang Hee-soo who disguises herself as a baduk player in the period drama Captivating The King. In a nod to her growing popularity, here’s a look at Shin Se Kyung’s most career-defining movies and TV shows.

Best movies and TV shows starring actress Shin Se Kyung

High Kick Through The Roof

Directed by: Kim Byung Wook

Cast: Lee Soon-jae, Kim Ja-ok, Jeong Bo-seok, Oh Hyun-kyung, Choi Daniel, Hwang Jung-eum, Shin Se-kyung, Yoon Shi-yoon

Episodes: 126

Release date: 2 September 2009

Synopsis: Sisters Shin Se Kyung (played by Shin Se Kyung) and Shin Shin Ae (played by Seo Shin-ae) move from a remote village to Seoul — after an unfortunate family situation lands them in trouble with loan sharks. Once in the big city, they work as a house help in the home of Lee Soon Jae (played by Lee Soon-jae) — the owner of a small food company. What follows is love, loss, comedy, and everything in between — complete with the sisters’ wide-eyed adjustment to a faster, more swanky world.

About the show: The TV show quickly raked in the views — making Shin Se Kyung a household name. In fact, for her stellar performance, she earned a Best New Actress in a Sitcom/Comedy award at the 2009 MBC Entertainment Awards. As her popularity soared, commercial deals came knocking at her doorstep — so much so that she reportedly earned a reputation of being one of the most sought after brand endorsers at the time.

Hindsight

Directed by: Lee Hyun-seung

Cast: Song Kang-ho, Shin Se-kyung

Release date: 31 August 2011

Synopsis: After quite the eventful career in organised crime, retired gangster Doo Heon (played by Song Kang Ho) wishes to lead a quiet life. He hopes to run a restaurant and meets Se Bin (played by Shin Se Kyung) at a cooking class. Unbeknownst to him, the latter has been sent to spy on him, later being ordered to kill him. However, during this time the two grow closer.

About the movie: This film marked one of Shin Se Kyung’s first high-profile projects and she contributed several songs to the soundtrack as well. For her performance, she earned nominations in the Best New Actress categories at the 2011 Grand Bell Awards and Blue Dragon Film Awards.

The Bride Of Habaek

Directed by: Kim Byung-soo

Cast: Nam Joo-hyuk, Shin Se-kyung, Lim Ju-hwan, Krystal Jung, Gong Myung

Episodes: 16

Release date: 3 July 2017

Synopsis: God of the Land of Water Lord Ha-baek (played by Nam Joo-Hyuk) needs to visit earth in order to reclaim the throne of the divine realm. Once there, he turns to So-ah (played by Shin Se Kyung) — a neuropsychiatrist from a middle-class family, who is fated to serve him for generations.

About the show: The show was a massive success. For her performance, Shin Se Kyung was nominated for several awards. This includes the Best Kiss and Best Couple categories at the 2017 Soompi Awards with her co-star Nam Joo-hyuk. In an interview with Korea Times, she revealed that the character was her favourite. “My recent role as Yoon So-ah in The Bride of Habaek stays clear in my memory…playing Yoon was like breaking the rules of playing a typical woman in a romance comedy or melodrama genre,” she said.

Black Knight: The Man Who Guards Me

Directed by: Han Sang-woo

Cast: Kim Rae-won, Shin Se-kyung, Seo Ji-hye, Chang Mi-hee

Episodes: 20

Release date: 6 December 2017

Synopsis: Businessman Moon Soo-ho (played by Kim Rae-won) is diligent, successful, and romantic. After the death of his parents, he was raised by a guardian and grew up alongside the latter’s daughter Jung Hae-ra (played by Shin Se-kyung), who now works as a travel agent. Soo-ho is irrevocably in love with Hae-ra and is willing to go to any lengths for her.

About the show: For her performance in this hit title, Shin Se Kyung earned nominations in the Excellence Award, Actress category at the 2011 Korea Drama Awards as well as the Top Excellence Award, Actress and Excellence Award, Actress in a Mid-length Drama categories at the 2011 KBS Drama Awards. Elaborating on why she chose to work on the project, she told Korea Times, “My character in the new TV series is unique, somewhat different from my previous roles and I am happy to work with actor Kim Rae-won and director Han Sang-woo.”

Rookie Historian Goo Hae-Ryung

Directed by: Kang Il-soo, Han Hyun-hee

Cast: Shin Se-kyung, Cha Eun-woo

Episodes: 20

Release date: 17 July 2019

Synopsis: Aspiring royal historian Goo Hae-ryung (played by Shin Se-kyung) feels strongly about social equality. Prince Dowon (played by Cha Eun-woo), meanwhile goes by Yi Rim, secretly works as a romance novelist, and is not interested in political matters. However, sparks fly when the two meet.

About the show: The drama was a wild success, placing Shin Se Kyung in global headlines. For her performance, she earned a Top Excellence Award, Actress in a Wednesday-Thursday Drama at the 2019 MBC Drama Awards.

Arthdal Chronicles: The Sword of Aramun

Directed by: Kim Kwang-shik

Cast: Lee Joon-gi, Jang Dong-gun, Shin Sae-kyeong, Kim Ok-bin

Release date: 9 September 2023

Episodes: 12

Synopsis: Eight years into Ta Gon (played by Jang Dong-gun) becoming the king of Arthdal — the threat of a war looms. On the other side? Eun Seom (played by Lee Jong-gi) the head of the East and Ago Union. Also in the picture? High priestess Tan-ya (played by Shin Se Kyung).

About the show: One of the most popular shows in 2023, this one raked up views by the millions and topped numerous charts. With her performance, the actresses’ popularity only grew.

Happy watching!

All images: Courtesy Netflix

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

– How tall is Shin Se Kyung?

According to several sources online, Shin Se Kyung is about 166 cm tall.

The post The most binge-worthy movies and TV shows starring actress Shin Se Kyung appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

Blackpink member Lalisa ‘Lisa’ Manobal is joining the cast of The White Lotus Season 3, but what role will she play? We have a few ideas. 

Blinks may soon be joining the crowds and tuning into HBO’s hit series The White Lotus, as it was announced earlier this month that Lisa Blackpink will be joining the cast of the show. Production is rumoured to have already begun in Lisa’s home country of Thailand, taking place around Koh Samui, Phuket, and Bangkok. 

Lisa will be joining a cast that already includes Leslie Bibb, Jason Isaacs, Aimee Lou Wood, Parker Posey, and Patrick Schwarzenegger, amongst many others. She will also be in good company with fellow Thai cast members Dom Hetrakul, Tayme Thapthimthong, and Lek Patravadi. 

Whilst the cast list has finally been revealed, plot details are yet to be unveiled for The White Lotus Season 3. Ever the super-fans, and always the theory-weavers, however, we already made a few predictions based on previous episodes, and based on filming locations. Thereby, it only made sense that we came up with a few ideas for Lisa Blackpink’s role in The White Lotus, too. Here’s what we’re thinking.

Travel

Inside ‘The White Lotus’ Season 3 filming locations (and the plot lines they inspire)

Entertainment

A few ideas for ‘The White Lotus’ Thailand, as creator Mike White is currently in town

What role will Lisa play in The White Lotus? A few ideas

Front Desk Manager: Manning the reception desk at The White Lotus resort

We love this theory the most, because it just makes so much sense. Fluent in multiple languages, we’d love to see Lalisa Manobal man the reception desk at the The White Lotus resort in Koh Samui, welcoming guests and giving out keycards for any and all of their adventures. There is always something going on at the front desk, and together with Dom Hetrakul (whom we totally see as resort manager), this would add a friendly local touch. We’d love to see B-roll of Lisa snacking on moo ping during her lunch break, and greeting guests with a warm “Sawasdee ka.” 

Entertainment

What did Lisa Blackpink eat at Jay Fai? A few ideas

Poolside Troublemaker: Lounging on the sun beds with a partner in crime

Whether it’s the judgemental poolside digs from Paula and Olivia in Season 1, or the illegal partying with Mia and Lucia in Season 2, there always seems to be a female power duo that causes trouble on The White Lotus. Part of an actual girl band in real life, Lisa Blackpink may find some appeal in this, teaming up for girl power with a partner in crime on the show. They probably wouldn’t break out in a dance number mid-season, but it would be cool. 

Superstar Incognito: Hiding from the paparazzi in the villas

A little closer to home, perhaps Lisa Blackpink plays the female solo traveller on The White Lotus. She could be a tired pop star looking for inspiration to strike, hiding out from a PR scandal, or seeking out rest and recovery at the exclusive luxury resort. Lalisa could play a cat lady trying to catch a break, and since we know she loves cats in real life, this makes for grand cat cameo potential. 

Newly-wed with Unbearable Husband: Passive aggressive comments at the breakfast buffet

The White Lotus is notorious for featuring toxic males, and often they are paired with very likeable female counterparts. As The White Lotus resort often welcomes couples, perhaps Lisa will be paired with one of these unbearable men. Her sweet smile will act as a fierce foil to her gaslighting husband, and in her first acting role, we’d love to see her lash out and take the power back at the end of the season. 

Scheming Love Interest: Maker of the major plot twist at the end

Remember in Season 1 when we meet Greg Hunt and we think he’s great, and then in Season 2 he turns out not-so-great? We’re not saying that Lisa should team up with “high-end gays” and plot unspeakable things, but we can imagine her character causing a major turning point in the storyline. Will Lisa Blackpink be capable of murder on The White Lotus Season 3? We’re not sure, but we can only hope she doesn’t do what Greg did.

What Greg did was not cool, Lisa.

The White Lotus Season 3 is currently in production, and will air on HBO GO in 2025. 

The post What role will Lisa play in ‘The White Lotus’? A few ideas appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

No, seriously. An upcoming Netflix Korean comedy series tells the tale of a girl who gets transformed into a crispy chicken nugget.

If you’re a fan of Korean shows then you’re well aware of just how talented they are in storytelling. From breath-stealing love stories to historical dramas—even historical dramas with zombies—there’s a lot of variety when it comes to Korean series. 

Netflix just unveiled a teaser for a brand new show. A new Korean Netflix series is not surprising, but is it a riveting love story or a political thriller? Is it another historical show rife with drama and intrigue?

Well, not quite. This new show is about a girl who gets transformed into a chicken nugget.

[Hero image: Netflix]

The new Netflix show Chicken Nugget is about a girl who becomes a literal snack

From director Lee Byeong-heon comes the aptly-named series Chicken Nugget, a brand new Korean show with a very straightforward and outlandish plot. The less-than-a-minute trailer gives us a gist of the ridiculousness we can expect from the show: a girl named Min-ah decides, for some insane reason, to enter a mysterious purple cabinet and pushes an equally mysterious button (wasn’t she ever taught not to just press anything?). This results in her transformation into a chicken nugget. Chaos and hilarity ensue, and as the description on the YouTube video so punnily states, “The plot ‘chickens’”.

There isn’t much we know about the series. It’s releasing very soon on March 15th and stars Ryu Seung-ryong as Min-ah’s father and Ahn Jae-hong as an intern who both go on a quest of trying to return Min-ah into her non-nugget form. Jung Ho-yeon from Squid Game will also be in the show.

If you’re in the mood for something absurd or are just a big fan of these crispy delights, tune into Netflix when Chicken Nugget drops on the streaming service this March 15. 

The post There’s a new Netflix show about a girl who turns into a chicken nugget appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

From an enemy-to-lovers trope to a teenage romcom, Thai Boys Love dramas have it all. Here are the best Thai BLs to add to your list.

When it comes to boy love stories, Thai BLs (Boy’s Love) have carved their own niche in the industry. With the plethora of series available for free on YouTube, the Thai entertainment industry has marked its territory with series that have garnered millions of views online. Considered the start of all Boy Love dramas, SOTUS: The Series, released in 2016, was one of the first few gay love stories that earned massive appreciation and views. Soon enough, the Thailand BLs drama industry grew manifold, with recent couples even being given their own light sticks, musical tours, and other impressive things to engage with the fans.

Thai BLs provide a way of escapism and unique storytelling from the generic heterosexual love stories. The best part about the same is that many of them are free to binge-watch on YouTube. One of the major production companies in the Thai industry is GMMTV, which has created several popular shows such as 2gether: The Series, My School President, Bad Buddy, F4 Thailand: Boys Over Flowers, and I Told Sunset About You.

Whether it’s an enemy-to-lovers story, a teenage romcom, or a story about finding love as mature adults, Thai BLs, especially in recent times, have gone far and above with their captivating storytelling. Often sprinkled with some sensuous activities on screen, the weaving of LGBTQ+ stories works like a charm on viewers across the world. What then matters is the easy accessibility. Most of these BL Asian dramas are split into four sections per episode and uploaded fully, for free, on YouTube.

So, if you’re someone who’s just starting their BL journey or just someone who’s looking for more free content to watch online, continue reading our recommendation list below.

6 Thai BLs that you can binge-watch for free on YouTube

SOTUS: The Series (2016-2017)

Director: Lit Phadung Samajarn

Cast: Krist Perawat, Singto Prachaya

Episodes: 15

Synopsis: Righteous and brimming with young courage, Engineering freshman Kongpob is the only one who stands up against the rigid, touch-looking third-year senior Engineering student Arthit’s power abuse in school. Kongpob’s way of irritating Arthit is through brave yet flawless flirting. Before they know it, the animosity turns into love.

About the show: SOTUS is considered one of the top Thai BLs because of its first-of-a-kind nature, as it was released in 2016 and in a way marked the start of Boys Love dramas in Thailand.

Watch here

2gether: The Series (2020)

Director: Champ Weerachit Thongjila

Cast: Win Metawin, Bright Vachirawit

Episodes: 13

Synopsis: Cheerleader Tine requests Sarawat, the most popular guy in college, to pretend to be his boyfriend to get rid of someone chasing him continuously. Unknown to him, Sarawat had always had his eyes on Tine. With this opportunity, Sarawat flirts his way into Tine’s heart.

About the show: Bright and Win’s chemistry in the show was so popular that 2gether was given a sequel titled Still 2gether, which showcased Tine and Sarawat’s life after college.

Watch here

Tale of a Thousand Stars (2021)

Director: Aof Noppharnach Chaiyahwimhon

Cast: Earth Pirapat, Mix Sahaphap

Episodes: 10

Synopsis: Rich brat Tian visits a village in search of the life of his heart donor in guilt. He meets Chief Officer Phupha, and ends up falling head over heels for him, ultimately changing his ways for the better as well.

About the show: Earth and Mix earned great recognition and popularity through this show. This led to them working with the same director for another impressive project.

Watch here

My School President (2022-2023)

Director: Au Kornprom Niyomsil

Cast: Fourth Nattawat, Gemini Norawit

Episodes: 12

Synopsis: Student president Tinn is tasked with shutting off clubs that don’t boost the school’s reputation. One of them is the music club, which his crush, Gun, is the leader of. Gun unknowingly locks horns with Tinn, unbeknownst to Tinn’s feelings for him. However, they soon pass this hurdle, only to be restricted from dating by another important club rule.

About the show: Fourth and Gemini are one of the most recent couple pairings introduced by GMMTV. Their chemistry in the rom-com made them a Thai BL fan-favourite couple in no time, leading them to get their own songs outside the official soundtrack and an entire My School President musical tour.

Watch here

Cutie Pie (2022)

Director: Aoftion Kittipat Jampa

Cast: New Chawarin, Zee Pruk

Episodes: 12

Synopsis: Lian, a businessman, believes that he has nothing in common with Kuea, a musician. While the latter likes the former, Lian calls off their engagement, which was set up as an arranged marriage by their parents. However, as he starts getting to know Kuea more after the split, he gradually starts falling for him.

About the show: On our Thai BLs list, Cutie Pie is another show that produced a sequel, owing to its extreme popularity. The sequel is titled Cutie Pie 2 You.

Watch here

Moonlight Chicken (2023)

Director: Aof Noppharnach Chaiyahwimhon

Cast: Earth Pirapat, Mix Sahaphap, Fourth Nattawat, Gemini Norawit, Khaotung Thanawat, First Kanaphan

Episodes: 8

Synopsis: Jim, the owner of a chicken rice restaurant, ends up having a one-night stand with Wen, an attractive customer. However, it becomes complicated when the two can’t stop thinking about each other, despite one being in an unloved relationship.

About the show: This show was much anticipated and garnered much appreciation as it brought together three fan-favourite pairings – Earth and Mix from A Tale of Thousand Stars, Fourth and Gemini from My School President, and First and Khaotung from The Eclipse. Because of the ensemble cast, it might just be the best BL drama to watch for all BL lovers.

Watch here

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

– What is the most famous BL drama?

While contenders for the most famous BL drama are only a few, the drama that is considered one of the earliest and most famous BLs is the 2016 Thai drama, SOTUS: The Series. Other series include KinnPorsche (2022), Semantic Error (2022), I Told Sunset About You (2020).

– What is a boy’s love drama?

A Boy’s Love drama, aka BL dramas, is a genre where two males are portrayed to be in a romantic relationship. BL series have recently seen a rise in viewership and popularity, especially thanks to the Thai entertainment industry.

– What is the most famous BL in Korea?

There have been plenty of famous BL dramas originating from South Korea. The most recent popular drama was Semantic Error, starring DKZ’s Jaechan and Park Seo-ham. Other famous Korean BLs are Cherry Blossoms After Winter, Color Rush, and To My Star, among others.

– What is the best BL drama in Thailand?

BL dramas created in Thailand have garnered incredible popularity across the globe. Some of the best BL dramas from Thailand include SOTUS: The Series, Why R U? KinnPorsche, TharnType, A Tale of a Thousand Stars, and My School President.

– Who is the best Thai BL couple?

The famous Thai BL couples who made waves across the globe are Bright and Win from 2gether: The Series, Tay and New from Kiss The Series, Ohm and Nannon from Bad Buddy, Earth and Mix from A Tale of a Thousand Stars, and Fourth and Gemini from My School President.

The post 6 Thai BL series to binge watch on YouTube for free, from ‘SOTUS’ to ‘Moonlight Chicken’ appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

Wondering when Invincible season 2 part 2 is premiering? Here is all we know about the release date for episode 5.

New episodes of the wildly popular animated show on Prime Video are coming our way on 14 March – and we’ve got a shiny new trailer to delve into.

It’s been a long wait for fans, after the first half of the season finished airing on 24th November 2023.

The opening episodes have already seen plenty of twists and turns, with Mark Grayson (Steven Yeun) attempting to make amends following the massacre he involuntarily caused as he battled his father, Nolan, aka Omni-Man (JK Simmons), in Chicago.

In the second half of Season 2, I’m sure Mark goes back to college, reads his father’s books, and has nothing eventful happen to him or his family… pic.twitter.com/14EwBXXv8U

— INVINCIBLE (@InvincibleHQ) January 22, 2024

Executive producer Simon Racioppa recently gave an update on the new episodes, telling Geekcentric: “Those four episodes were hopefully emotionally draining in some places, exciting in others.

“Hopefully, they make you think for the next few weeks or months to just make you reflect on it, so that you don’t just forget it. That’s what I’m hoping people will take back.”

Meanwhile, the creator of the original comic, Robert Kirkman, was previously asked about how production on season 3 was going, telling Collider: “I can’t say. Far enough along that there won’t be a similar gap between season 2 and season 3.”

He continued: “This is the pain. This area right now is the pain for Invincible fans. So, once we’re through this, once season 2 comes out, hopefully, it should be smooth sailing from there on. There won’t be these big, large gaps, theoretically.”

Besides Invincible season 2 part 2’s release date, watch this space for more updates on all future episodes.

Watch Invincible season 2 part 1 on Amazon Prime Video.

(Hero and feature image: Courtesy IMDb)

This story first appeared here.

© Immediate Media Company London Limited, 2023. All rights reserved. First published on RadioTimes.com and reproduced with permission of Immediate Media Company London Limited. Reproduction in any manner in any language in whole or in part without prior written permission is prohibited. Radio Times and the Radio Times logo are registered trade marks of Immediate Media Company London Limited and used under licence.

The post ‘Invincible’ season 2 part 2: Release date on Amazon Prime Video appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

One last ride, Brellies. Here’s everything we know about The Umbrella Academy Season 4.

It’s a bittersweet time for all fans of The Umbrella Academy because Netflix has confirmed the release date for season 4, the final one for the TV series.

Netflix announced the date of the superhero show’s highly anticipated return on X (formerly known as Twitter), writing: “The final season of The Umbrella Academy arrives 8 August 2024!”

The comic book adaptation will see everyone’s favourite – albeit dysfunctional – Hargreeves siblings back for one last adventure.

☂️☂️☂️ NEWS ☂️☂️☂️

The final season of The Umbrella Academy arrives 8 August 2024!

— Netflix UK & Ireland (@NetflixUK) February 15, 2024

While there is some time before fans will find out the fate of the Hargreeves siblings, we do know it’ll be the last time they’re all on screen causing mayhem.

So what is the plot of ‘The Umbrella Academy’ season 4?

Not much is known about the plot of season 4, but showrunner Steve Blackman previously teased that the stakes will be higher than ever.

“I think inevitably if we got a season 4, it’s going towards an endgame,” Blackman told TheWrap. “I think at a certain point, I’m not sure where we’d go after season 4. We have to be careful.”

He continued: “My plan for next year is not to continually tread on the same ground we have before. It’s a challenge to come up with a new way to subvert this storyline, and I think we have an idea how to do that. But I think if we got to season 4, it would be a great ending for the run of the show.

“I’m not saying I couldn’t do more, but you know, I think that would be very satisfying for the audience, four seasons.”

Speaking of ending the show after four seasons, Blackman said: “I know where I want to go. I know where I want it to end, and if we’re lucky enough, I hope the fans will get to see it.”

‘The Umbrella Academy’ season 4 cast

Elliot Page (Vanya/Viktor), Tom Hopper (Luther), David Castañeda (Diego), Emmy Raver-Lampman (Allison), Robert Sheehan (Klaus), Aidan Gallagher (Number Five), Justin J Min (Ben) and Ritu Arya (Lila Pitts) will all be back, no doubt annoying each other as they have to save the world from yet another disaster, likely caused by them… again.

When is season 4 of the Netflix show dropping?

The Umbrella Academy season 4 will arrive on Netflix on Thursday, 8 August. Seasons 1-3 are available to watch now.

(Hero and featured image credits: X/UmbrellaAcademy)

This story first appeared on www.radiotimes.com

© Immediate Media Company London Limited, 2023. All rights reserved. First published on RadioTimes.com and reproduced with permission of Immediate Media Company London Limited. Reproduction in any manner in any language in whole or in part without prior written permission is prohibited. Radio Times and the Radio Times logo are registered trade marks of Immediate Media Company London Limited and used under licence.

The post Everything we know about ‘The Umbrella Academy’ Season 4 appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

Explore Netflix’s most riveting murder mystery series with addictive storylines, including Mindhunter, Bodies, and a whole lot more to binge.

Prepare to delve into captivating cases alongside unorthodox detectives like troubled yet endearing ex-con-turned-police-consultant in The Good Cop (2018), or follow the chilling trails of Iceland’s elite murder squad in The Valhalla Murders (2019–2020). Shatter the barriers of chronology in Bodies (2023), or unravel a web of secrets hidden within a seemingly ordinary English town in The Stranger (2020).

For those who favour atmospheric European chills, the French countryside in Black Spot (2017–2019) conceals a sinister truth, while a London detective in Marcella (2016–2021) grapples with personal demons amidst her relentless pursuit of justice.

Craving something fresher? The action-packed Indian police procedural of Kohrra (2023) delivers, while The Chestnut Man (2021) throws you into the chilling hunt for a serial killer targeting Copenhagen families. So settle in for a thrilling ride through some of the best murder mystery series Netflix has to offer.

11 of the most riveting murder mystery series on Netflix

The post The best murder mystery series on Netflix to watch now appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

From Chainsaw Man to The Rising of the Shield Hero, here are the best anime series like Solo Leveling.

The 2024 anime lineup started with one of the most anticipated anime series of the year — Solo Leveling. Soon after, fans gave the show the title of one of the best new anime of 2024. Following the conclusion of Jujutsu Kaisen season 2, fans yearned for another show to fill the void and Solo Leveling has been the perfect match.

Based on a South Korean web novel written by Chugong, Solo Leveling anime is set in a world where hunters, individuals endowed with magical powers, face the task of combating lethal monsters to safeguard humanity from imminent destruction. Sung Jin-woo is a weak hunter, who gets caught up in a ceaseless battle for his existence.

Our hero has a new look 👀 pic.twitter.com/6Mg42M13Qv

— Solo Leveling (@sololeveling_en) February 3, 2024

During a particularly dangerous dungeon raid, Sung Jin-woo and other hunters find themselves facing a life-threatening situation. After a mysterious event, he gains a unique power that allows him to level up as if he were in a game. He then sets out on a journey to become stronger, facing increasingly powerful enemies and uncovering the mysteries of his newfound abilities.

While you wait for more episodes of Solo Leveling, why not binge-watch similar anime shows? From Chainsaw Man, Goblin Slayer and Tower of God to So I’m a Spider, So What?, let us take a look at some of the most interesting anime titles that match Solo Leveling‘s essence.

Best anime series like Solo Leveling to add to your watchlist

Chainsaw Man (2022)

Chainsaw Man chronicles Denji’s journey as a destitute young man, who enters a pact merging his body with a devil resembling a dog named Pochita. This fusion grants Denji the remarkable ability to morph parts of his body into chainsaws. He eventually becomes a member of the Public Safety Devil Hunters, a government organisation dedicated to combating devils whenever they pose a threat to Japan.

Solo Leveling and Chainsaw Man both star protagonists who start as weak characters and eventually, evolve into the most powerful beings within their respective universes.

IMDb rating: 8.4/10

The Rising of the Shield Hero (2019)

While The Rising of the Shield Hero might not be directly connected to Solo Leveling, it has an interesting storyline that gives familiar vibes. It tells the story of Naofumi Iwatani, a young man, who is mysteriously transported to a parallel world along with three others. There, he learns that he is one of four heroes chosen to wield legendary weapons and tasked with preventing the world’s demise. Despite being bestowed with the title of the Shield Hero, the supposed weakest among the fighters, Naofumi’s journey takes a dark turn and he is left alone and betrayed by those he trusted.

IMDb rating: 7.9/10

Tower of God (2020)

Tower of God revolves around a young boy named Twenty-Fifth Bam, who has been confined beneath a colossal Tower for the majority of his life, with only Rachel as his company. So when Rachel enters into the Tower, Bam is devastated. However, he succeeds in unlocking the Tower’s door and is determined to reunite with Rachel at any cost, even if it entails risking his life.

This anime series bears striking similarities to Solo Leveling in terms of its plotline. Both shows depict protagonists who were once considered underdogs, gradually evolving into strong characters after taking on multiple adventures.

IMDb rating: 7.6/10

The Devil Is A Part-Timer (2013)

The Devil is a Part-Timer is based on Satan’s quest to conquer the realm of Ente Isla. However, when faced with opposition from the Hero Emilia, he is compelled to escape through a portal that transports him to contemporary Tokyo in Japan. To endure and devise a means to return, Satan assumes the identity of Sadao Maou and secures part-time employment at a fast-food establishment known as MgRonald’s, a playful parody of McDonald’s.

Here, like Solo Leveling, we see the constant comparison between good versus evil but in a humorous way.

IMDb rating: 7.5/10

Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? (2015)

Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? is set in a fantasy world where daredevils explore dungeons and battle various monsters to earn their livelihood. New to the task, Bell Cranel, the only member of the Hestia Familia, a small and struggling guild, wants to become a great adventurer. However, he finds himself in various misadventures and often gets derailed trying to woo girls, particularly his crush, Ais Wallenstein.

The story delves into the concept of deities and their relationships with adventurers, as each of them is affiliated with a particular family. For example, Bell’s relationship with the goddess Hestia, who is deeply devoted to him, plays a central role in the plot.

Like Solo Leveling, this anime features characters who rely on a dagger to make a living in their world. While the series may take some time to gain momentum, the storyline promises a thrilling journey that engages audiences with a mix of familiar and fresh aspects.

IMDb rating: 7.4/10

Goblin Slayer (2018)

Like Solo Leveling, Goblin Slayer is also set in a fantasy world where characters take on quests and missions to defeat various monsters and creatures. However, the story primarily focuses on a nameless protagonist known as the Goblin Slayer, who is singularly dedicated to eradicating goblins. The Goblin Slayer is often seen working with other adventurers and forming alliances to take on goblin nests and protect villages.

IMDb rating: 7.4/10

So I’m a Spider, So What? (2021)

So I’m a Spider, So What? unfolds as a class meets an untimely end in a mysterious explosion, only to be reborn in an alternate world where one girl takes on the form of a dungeon spider. The spider unexpectedly gains considerable influence, emerging as one of the world’s most powerful creatures. Meanwhile, the students and their teacher grapple with the repercussions stemming from her actions and the activities of various armies in the realm.

This anime series shares similarities with Solo Leveling as the main protagonist experiences continuous growth, steadily becoming overwhelmingly powerful with each passing episode.

IMDb rating: 7.2/10

Death March to the Parallel World Rhapsody (2018)

In Death March to the Parallel World Rhapsody, a 29-year-old programmer Ichirou Suzuki becomes mysteriously transported into a fantasy world resembling a role-playing game he was working on. However, he finds himself in the body of a 15-year-old named Satou. Satou discovers that he possesses incredibly powerful abilities and a high level, making him almost invincible in the new world. Despite this, he decides to keep a low profile and embarks on a journey, exploring the vast and diverse landscapes of this fantasy world.

Like Solo Leveling’s Sung Jin-woo, Satou also finds a way to survive in this land of make-believe.

IMDb rating: 6.6/10

(Hero and feature image: Courtesy IMDb/Solo Leveling)

This story first appeared here.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

– Is there any other anime series like Solo Leveling to watch on Netflix?
Demon Slayer and Chainsaw Man are some animes like Solo Leveling available to watch on Netflix.

– Which is the best anime like Solo Leveling?
Chainsaw Man, Tower of God, Goblin Slayer and The Devil is a Part-Timer are some of the best anime series like Solo Leveling.

The post 8 animes to start binging if you liked ‘Solo Leveling’ appeared first on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok.

Even after years of Suits releasing its finale season in 2019, we continue to binge-watch episodes of the series. After a nine-season run, Suits remains one of the most-watched legal dramas of all time with witty lines and relatable characters portrayed by an enigmatic cast, including Patrick J. Adams as Mike Ross and Gabriel Macht as Harvey Specter. So, for those looking for new shows like Suits to watch, we have handpicked the best ones that keep courtroom drama alive.

The OTT platforms have tapped into law practice as a genre and expanded their library with outstanding legal shows spanning various subgenres. From the hit Korean series Extraordinary Attorney Woo (2022-) to the Breaking Bad spin-off Better Call Saul (2015-2022) which is based on the titular character Saul Goodman (Bob Odenkirk), as well as older series like Psych (2006-2014) and The Good Wife (2009-2016), Suits fans will have no dearth of legal shows to watch.

Suits: An easy-to-digest legal drama that captivated the world

Created by Aaron Korsh, Suits debuted in 2011 and turned legal drama into a successful segment. The USA Network series revolves around Mike Ross, whose photographic memory and a thorough knowledge of the LSAT and bar exams impress the arrogant yet charming lawyer Harvey Specter. Such is Mike’s charisma that he becomes Harvey’s sought-after apprentice and is even hired by his law firm. All this without ever attending law school. Over time, the two become each other’s strong accomplices.

Suits focuses on the characters’ partnerships both inside and outside the courtroom. The drama also features fabulous performances from Meghan Markle as Rachel Zane, Wendell Pierce as Robert Zane, Sarah Rafferty as Donna Paulsen and Gina Torres as Jessica Pearson.

If the legal system and this hit drama had you hooked on to the screens, there’s a world of other shows like Suits that deserve to be on your watchlist.

Here are the best shows like Suits to watch right now, based on IMDb ratings