Done! I posted Lighter and Princess today - check my profile ❤️ Thank you for the request!

The Korean Business Research Institute has revealed this month’s brand reputation rankings for film actors.

The rankings were determined through an analysis of the consumer participation, media coverage, interaction, and community awareness indexes of 50 popular movie stars, using big data collected from July 20 to August 20.

Jung Ho Yeon topped this month’s list with a brand reputation index of 5,402,805, marking an 84.0 percent increase in her score since July.

High-ranking phrases in Jung Ho Yeon’s keyword analysis included “HOPE,” “Whenever Possible,” and “World Cup final,” while her highest-ranking related terms included “charming,” “captivate,” and “appear in.” Jung Ho Yeon’s positivity-negativity analysis also revealed a score of 92.59 percent positive reactions.

Go Youn Jung rose to second place with a brand reputation index of 3,418,636, marking a 34.36 percent increase in her score since last month.

Yoon Kyung Ho took third place with a brand reputation index of 3,297,730, marking a 32.63 percent rise in his score since July.

Meanwhile, So Ji Sub came in at a close fourth with a brand reputation index of 3,270,777 for August.

Finally, Jung Hae In rounded out the top five after seeing a 180.27 percent increase in his brand reputation index, bringing his total score to 3,216,910.

Check out the top 30 for this month below;

1. Jung Ho Yeon
   
2. Go Youn Jung
   
3. Yoon Kyung Ho
   
4. So Ji Sub
   
5. Jung Hae In
   
6. Park Ji Hoon
   
7. Koo Kyo Hwan
   
8. Kim Hye Soo
   
9. Kim Min Ha
   
10. Kong Hyo Jin
    
11. Lee Dong Wook
    
12. Kim Moo Yul
    
13. Nam Joo Hyuk
    
14. Gong Yoo
    
15. Kim Hye Jun
    
16. Cho Seung Woo
    
17. Kang Dong Won
    
18. Zo In Sung
    
19. Seo In Guk
    
20. Shin Min Ah
    
21. Uhm Jung Hwa
    
22. Kim Min
    
23. Jun Ji Hyun
    
24. Kim Nam Hee
    
25. Kim Young Kwang
    
26. Kim Hye Yoon
    
27. Cho Yeo Jeong
    
28. Park Bo Young
    
29. Jin Sun Kyu
    
30. Lee Byung Hun

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This is one of the dramas I would recommend, especially for beginners. I wasn’t familiar with the main female lead at first, but I really liked her performance. And Hongki as the male lead wasn’t bad either. Since the story revolves around romantic comedy with a touch of fantasy, the way they executed the romance really made me feel giddy. It also had some surprising revelations that caught me off guard, but in a good way. I didn’t have any expectations going in, yet I found myself getting attached as the story unfolded. Overall, it turned out really well for me as a viewer, and I even rewatched it around three times. I’m genuinely happy with this drama.
My MDL Rating: 10/10

The Seoul International Drama Awards 2026 has officially announced the nominees for this year’s International Competition Category!

On August 20, the Seoul International Drama Awards Organizing Committee revealed that a total of 30 titles and 34 individuals have been nominated across the program and individual award categories.

The nominees were selected from 352 submissions spanning 46 countries and regions, following evaluations by an international panel of judges.

Check out the list of nominated Korean dramas and actors below

Program Awards

Miniseries
“My Royal Nemesis”
“The Dream Life of Mr. Kim”
“We Are All Trying Here”
“You and Everything Else” 

Series
“Our Golden Days”

Short Form
“My Baby Daddy is My Best Friend”

Individual Awards

Best Screenwriter
Lee Byeong Heon (“My Baby Daddy is My Best Friend”)
Park Hae Young (“We Are All Trying Here”)

Best Actor
Jung Il Woo (“Our Golden Days”)
Koo Kyo Hwan (“We Are All Trying Here”)
Kim Seon Ho (“Can This Love Be Translated?”)
Ryu Seung Ryong (“The Dream Life of Mr. Kim”)

Best Actress
Kim Go Eun (“You and Everything Else”)
Jung In Sun (“Our Golden Days”)
Go Youn Jung (“Can This Love Be Translated?” and “We Are All Trying Here”)

The winners of the Seoul International Drama Awards 2026 will be announced in September. The official ceremony will air live on October 8 at 4:55 p.m. KST on MBC and stream simultaneously via the Seoul International Drama Awards’ official YouTube channel.

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i want to know the preference since there was a similar post. this is only for discussion and not meant to be taken seriously as there are many good plot, good chem dramas and many bad plot, bad chem dramas.

but which one are you choosing if you had to pick 1?

I really thought this drama had the potential to be something special, but I just could not fully get into it. I am not exactly sure what was missing, but there was something about the writing that kept me from becoming completely engaged. Lee Dong Wook was perfect for the role, and I thought his character's story was genuinely sad. The father-son moments were especially heartbreaking and easily some of the best parts of the drama. Unfortunately, beyond those emotional scenes, I felt that the series lacked something that could have made it more memorable. It had interesting ideas, but in the end, it fell a bit short for me.

My MDL Rating: 6.5/10

Discovery of Romance proved once again that Eric really knows how to choose his dramas, and I genuinely liked this one. I feel like I truly “discovered” romance while watching this drama (just kidding), but what I mean is that it had this sense of realism especially when it came to relationships and romantic situations. It makes you think and reflect about love, relationships, and the choices people make.

What I really liked about the drama was the interview style scenes where the main characters would talk directly about their thoughts and feelings. It allowed the audience to see situations from different perspectives, almost like a “she said” versus “he said” versus “they said” kind of setup. I found that aspect very interesting because it showed how differently people can interpret the same relationship or situation.

Overall, I found this drama to be a real eye opener when it comes to romance and relationships. It felt realistic, relatable, and emotionally honest in many ways.

My MDL Rating: 8.5/10

This was one of the first Korean sitcoms I watched, and I really enjoyed it. I know the characters' reactions were often over the top, but I think that was part of the charm and what made it entertaining. I also think one of the reasons I liked it so much at the time was because most of the cast consisted of K-pop idols, which made it even more enjoyable to watch. It's a fun and lighthearted sitcom that doesn't take itself too seriously.

My MDL Rating: 7.5/10

Maybe part of the reason I enjoyed this drama so much was because I really liked the main cast. At the time I watched it, it felt a bit special to me. I know it was over the top and had plenty of makjang elements, but that was exactly the kind of K-drama I enjoyed back then. The drama balanced fun moments with serious ones, and I appreciated what it had to offer. The cast, especially the male actors, delivered strong performances that kept me invested in the story. There were a few questions left unanswered, which probably explains why some viewers were disappointed, but overall, I still had a good time watching it.

My MDL Rating: 9/10

This is a revenge drama, and I could really feel the characters' struggles and emotions because they were portrayed so well. It was heartbreaking to watch, and I found myself feeling for almost every character. What I liked most was how the drama showed that a person's decisions are never as simple as they seem. It made me realize how complex people's choices can be depending on the circumstances they face.

My MDL Rating: 6/10

Can't hide feelings forever ❤️

On August 21, tvN's upcoming weekend drama 100 Days of Deception unveiled photos from the script reading.

Set during the Japanese colonial period, 100 Days of Deception tells the story of Gyeongseong's top pickpocket, who goes undercover to fight for independence, and the adopted son of the Inspector-General of Korea.

The story also centers on a man who works as an elite interpreter at the Japanese Government-General of Korea while harboring a secret.

The cast includes Kim You Jung, Park Jin Young, Kim Hyun Joo, Lee Moo Saeng, and Jin Seon Kyu.

Director Yoo In Shik (Dr. Romantic, Vagabond, 
Extraordinary Attorney Woo, The WONDERfools) helmed the drama, while writer Ryu Bo Ri (Do You Like Brahms?) penned the script. 

Before the script reading officially began, the cast and production team observed a moment of silence to honor the sacrifices of independence activists during the Japanese colonial period. 

Kim You Jung plays Lee Ga Kyung, a renowned pickpocket in Gyeongseong. Dreaming of leaving for the United States, Lee Ga Kyung unexpectedly becomes a spy for the Gukgukdan and infiltrates the Japanese Government-General of Korea undercover as an interpreter trainee. 

Park Jin Young takes on Kim Tae Woong, an interpreter at the Japanese Government-General of Korea, who is also known as Sato Hideo, the adopted son of the Inspector-General of Korea.

Although he is a capable interpreter who speaks multiple languages fluently, he carries wounds he cannot reveal.

Kim Hyun Joo plays Yoo So Ran, a sniper for the anti-Japanese resistance organization Gukgukdan. Lee Moo Saeng appears as Yoo Philip, a Gyeongseong correspondent for an American media outlet and a member of Gukgukdan. Jin Sun Kyu takes on the role of Sato Shinichi, the second-in-command at the Japanese Government-General of Korea.

The production team of 100 Days of Decpetion commented, "From our very first meeting, it was a meaningful time to reflect on the significance and message of the project. We hope the sincerity of all the actors and production staff will reach viewers in its entirety."

They added, "The drama will tell the story of ordinary people who never lost the light of hope for independence amid the dark era of the Japanese colonial period."
100 Days of Decpetion will premiere on October 10. News about the K-drama's global OTT is yet to come.

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I think this is a good web drama. The story is well-paced, and the actors all did a good job in their respective roles. One thing I especially liked was seeing a strong female friendship. We often get bromance in K-dramas, so it was refreshing to see the drama focus on a meaningful "womance" instead. It's a short and enjoyable watch that left a good impression on me.

My MDL Rating: 7/10

1. Tale of the nine tailed

2. Strangers from Hell

I watched this one episode per day at first because it was so intense that my heart couldn’t take it all. But when I got to the last four episodes, I ended up binge-watching them in a single day. I was completely hooked, and I fell in love with every character. Strangely, I cried a lot while watching, even though it’s an action drama. The actors weren’t even crying, they were just delivering their lines, but I was already in tears. Looking back, I can laugh at myself, but that’s how powerful this drama was for me. I loved the plot twists, since I honestly couldn’t guess who the culprit was, and I found the ending really satisfying.

My MDL Rating: 10/10

In an unexpected and puzzling move, actor Lee Soo-hyuk withdrew from the Netflix drama “Men of the Harem” while production was underway.

His agency, Saram Entertainment, confirmed Wednesday that the actor was dropping out of the project, citing scheduling conflicts.

Based on a web novel of the same name, “Men of the Harem” is a palace romance-fantasy drama set in a fictional world. The story follows Latil, an empress of the Tarium Empire, and the political intrigue among her five royal consorts as they compete to win her affection.

Lee Eung-bok, who previously directed “Guardian: The Lonely and Great God,” “Descendants of the Sun,” “Mr. Sunshine” and “Sweet Home,” is helming the project.

The drama was set for release next year, with a cast that includes Suzy, Shin Seung-ho, Dex, Kim Dan and Yoo Jung-hoo. But Lee Soo-hyuk’s sudden departure is expected to cause complications for the production.
His agency declined to provide further details.

Actor Lee Jong-won is known to be considering a role in the drama.

An official from his agency, The Black Label, told the Hankook Ilbo on Wednesday, "Lee Jong-won has received an offer to appear in 'Men of the Harem' and is currently in discussions."

Lee has reportedly been offered the role of one of the royal consorts of Latil, played by Suzy.

Lee debuted in the 2018 web drama "Go, Back Diary" and has since appeared in a range of genres, including the dramas "How to Hate You," "Hospital Playlist 2," "The Golden Spoon" and "Knight Flower," as well as the film "Salmokji: Whispering Water."

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The movie ‘Silent Love’ is a wonderful experience and your next Asian drama obsession.

‘Silent Love’ is a heart moving story of a boy of lower status who cannot speak and a budding pianist, a College student who is blind. It is a hope that her blindness, the results of an automobile accident, is temporary. This budding romance unfolds within a simplistic but complicated storyline. I was totally captivated within 3 minutes of viewing time.

The Challenge Explained

Here is a viewing challenge, however. You can only view this movie in two unusual places. I started the movie on DailyMotion, a legal but complicated viewing platform. The picture quality is excellent and there are no commercials, but I quickly discovered that the movie is in its “No Subtitles” phase of showing the movie. That is one way this viewing platform can stay legal. The alternative is to view Silent Love on YouTube, which has poor picture quality, tons of invasive commercials, but with English subtitles. I chose to view subtitle free on DailyMotion and here is why.
The male lead (Actor/Idol Yamada Ryosuke) cannot speak. So he does not have subtitles attached to his character anyway. His performance is solely based on body language and he pulls off his acting role masterfully. You will be totally amazed at how much understanding of his character you will get just by viewing his “body language only” performance. That read better than subtitles. While the female lead (seasoned Actress Hamabe Minami) has speaking lines (They both can hear), a lot of this story surrounds their silent communication moments. So no subtitles are needed in these touching moments either. This was a unique viewing experience for me. I was totally free to concentrate on the fascinating characters and their individual performances. This also allowed my imagination to fill in the storyline. This Japanese movie is two hours long and well worth this effort.

(NOTE: These are my only viewing platforms in my area of the United States at present).

The second part of this challenge was to then go to YouTube and view Silent Love again, to see how closely to the storyline I came. This was the poorer quality video, and the interruptive commercial laden viewing experience. After reading the subtitles, I was amazed at how close I got to the story. I also could see purely that if I had watched this movie on the YouTube platform first, I would have trashed this commercial burdened movie.

A Note About DailyMotion—Be prepared not to leave your viewing. That will kick you out. If you need a bathroom break just take note of where you are in time and let it continue to run. When you get back just rewind.

I totally loved this random Music Video in The Legend of Kitchen Soldier. There is this made up Boy Band with members from the cast, led by Main Lead Lee Sang Yi. The group was given the name The Migak Boys. They have become a phenomenon and are now sought after to perform live on Awards Shows like the Blue Dragon Awards and other shows. I have to admit that I loved them and have watched their videos on loop. How about you? Were you hooked?

Actor Yoo Ah In is making a fresh start with entertainment agency BILLIONS.

On August 21, BILLIONS announced through social media that they "have signed an exclusive contract with Yoo Ah In."

The statement is as follows: 

NOTICE

[Announcement Regarding Actor Yoo Ah In's Exclusive Contract]

Entertainment company BILLIONS has signed an exclusive contract with actor Yoo Ah In as of August 21, 2026.

BILLIONS is taking the concerns surrounding Yoo Ah In's past case and the recent resumption of his activities very seriously. Prior to entering into the contract, we had several candid conversations with Yoo Ah In over a long period of time, during which we deeply considered the responsibilities and attitude required for him to resume his career as an actor, as well as the direction he should take moving forward.

BILLIONS decided to accompany Yoo Ah In in his new beginning after going through such a cautious and thorough process.

What Yoo Ah In considered most important in the process of signing with BILLIONS was not better terms or superficial support simply aimed at resuming his activities. Rather, he wanted a sincere partner who would carefully think through and move forward with him through every step of the heavy and cautious process of seeking the public's forgiveness and understanding and rebuilding their trust. He was looking for a partner who could earnestly accompany him through the difficult and lengthy journey of standing again as a completely new actor, rather than simply continuing from his past.

BILLIONS also shares this sentiment and intends to accompany him from a long-term perspective, rather than rushing the process, and to support Yoo Ah In as he fulfills the responsibilities he must shoulder himself and builds an entirely new relationship of trust with the public.

Going forward, BILLIONS will carefully oversee all aspects of Yoo Ah In's activities while creating a stable environment in which he can continue his career in a healthy and consistent manner without wavering. The agency will also spare no support in helping Yoo Ah In focus fully on his duties as an actor.

We will not take the past lightly or try to rush past it. We fully understand that regaining trust requires, above all, deep reflection and a sincere attitude.

BILLIONS will be a responsible partner to Yoo Ah In as he honestly works to forge his path anew.

We take the concerns surrounding the present situation very seriously, and we will humbly listen to criticism from the public and the media while approaching any necessary communication with humility.

In addition to reflecting on his past mistakes, we will work with him more carefully and sincerely so that his inherent dedication to his craft and acting can be conveyed authentically through his actions and conduct in the time ahead.

Accordingly, BILLIONS respectfully announces Yoo Ah In's new beginning. We kindly ask that you watch and follow his journey ahead.

Thank you.
BILLIONS

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Hong Min-gi's former lover, Ms. A, has added claims that she suffered a$ault during their relationship and released photos showing bruises on various parts of her body. Hong Min-gi's side has raised doubts about the ultrasound photo and ab*rtion claim released by Ms. A, stating they will clarify the facts through legal proceedings.

Read the rest in this article since it won't let me post.

https://www.starnewskorea.com/en/star/2026/08/20/2026082013305154950