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Premiering in early 2025 on Disney+ (with Hulu distribution in North America), this South Korean drama arrives amid a wave of global interest in bold streaming originals. Director Kim Jung-hyun and writer Kim Sun-hee reunite to tell a story that plays out across gleaming hospital halls and shadowed backrooms, signaling Korea’s growing export of morally complex narratives.

At its center is Jung Se-ok (Park Eun-bin), once a celebrated neurosurgeon whose license was revoked after an unauthorized procedure. She now performs illicit brain surgeries for a crime syndicate, driven by a mix of adrenaline and resentment. When her former mentor, Choi Deok-hee (Sul Kyung-gu), resurfaces to enlist her help, their reunion ignites a power struggle that blurs the line between healing and harm.

Visually, the series balances sterile operating theaters with ominous underground settings. Its shifts between medical precision and criminal suspense underscore a wider trend in streaming: genre fusion that refuses neat categorization.

While K-dramas, the blanket term for South Korean scripted television programming of any genre, are increasingly beloved around the world, certain shows aren't without controversy. Korean audiences are understandably sensitive about how aspects of their culture and history are represented in television, and depictions received as below standards have endured substantial backlash. More than just public complaints and plunging viewership, some shows that have endured high levels of controversy have lost sponsors or been swiftly canceled entirely. On several occasions, the controversy has erupted from international audiences who are similarly unhappy about how their cultures have been depicted in K-dramas, leading to formal apologies.

Simply put, not all K-dramas are as universally celebrated as some of the industry's more critically lauded and enormously popular shows. This isn't to say that the shows included on this list should be shunned to unexplored corners of Netflix's growing K-drama library. Instead, it's important to see how audiences,...

Jun Ji-Hyun In A Chic Outfit(Photo Credit –Instagram)

Any drama or movie gets the likes of the audience because of the storyline, of course, but mainly because of the actors and actresses who play in it. Their calibre, talent, and dedication make those characters relatable and approachable. Even though there’s a bias between actors and actresses underneath everyone’s eyes, as believed by netizens, there are many female leads who have been getting the highest pay in the industry.

However, in the present time, there are a lot of talented actresses who are competing with each other to get a lead role in a project. This list of names includes big stars like Jun Ji-Hyun, Song Hye-Kyo, Park Shin-Hye, Park Bo-Young, and more. But do you know how much these actresses get paid? We have dug up some information about their remuneration and listed it below. Scroll ahead.

Did Lee Do-Hyun admit that he had left his ex-girlfriend because of a character? (Photo Credit – Instagram)

Lee Do-Hyun is one of the most versatile and talented actors in South Korea. He rose to fame after appearing in various projects, including The Glory, The Good Bad Mother, Exhuma, and others. However, the actor has always been very dedicated and passionate about acting, so much so that he once broke up with his girlfriend because he wanted to portray certain emotions in a character. Yes, that’s right.

But he didn’t gain attention for his acting skills; he also grabbed eyeballs after confirming his relationship with his The Glory co-star Lim Ji-Yeon (who played one of the antagonists in the drama and abused Song Hye-Kyo’s character). Now that Do-Hyun’s old interview surfaces everywhere revolving around his past relationship, netizens have raised concerns about his present romantic life.

However,...

Blackpink’s Lisa Stuns At Coachella 2025 Weekend 2 (Photo Credit – Instagram)

Weekend 2 of Coachella 2025 kicked off on April 18, and Blackpink’s Lisa is already trending with her second show. The K-pop idol returned to the stage with a new surge of energy in the second weekend and won hearts with her fashion skills and impressive vocal range. People have praised her performance as the songstress continued to perform even after a stage mishap.

In the first weekend’s performance, many netizens claimed that the Blackpink member’s backing track was too loud to hear her sing. However, that problem was fixed on the second weekend as her backtrack was quieter, letting the audience hear her voice. But it was her visual presentation that wooed people and her fans. She slayed in every outfit and rocked the stage like a rockstar.

For one of the sets, Lalisa wore an all-red jumpsuit from...

Kim Soo-Hyun Looses A Major Project (Photo Credit – Instagram)

Ever since Kim Soo-Hyun was accused of grooming and harassing the late Kim Sae-Ron, his career has seen a massive downfall. After the Bloodhounds actress committed suicide, her family members claimed that Soo-Hyun had dated her when she was a minor and even tried to extort money from her, which led to her death. Following these accusations and allegations, the Queen of Tears actor has been facing hatred. He is going through a lot, from brands terminating their contracts to his drama getting canceled.

Among luxury brands, Prada was one of those that also ended its term with Soo-Hyun. Just months after appointing him as their brand ambassador in December 2024, the luxury fashion brand terminated him on March 14, 2025. Within a month, they have announced their new brand ambassador, sparking a new discussion online.

A month after ending Kim Soo-Hyun’s contract,...

Was Kim Yoo-Jung almost kidnapped?(Photo Credit –Instagram)

Being a celebrity means staying under a spotlight all the time. And often fame puts a celeb’s life in danger as they rise to popularity with much love from their fans. Now, these fans often cross that boundary and try to get too personal. That’s what could have happened to My Demon actress Kim Yoo-Jung if she had gotten kidnapped back in her elementary school days. Yes, that’s right.

Many celebs have talked about their own experiences with stalker fans, and in some cases, some fans have even hurt their favorite idol in the process. Once Yoo-Jung opened up about her experience of having a stalker fan who claimed to be her father and wanted to abduct her.

Kim Yoo-Jung started off her career as a child actor and model. She debuted at the age of four as a model,...

Yook Sung-Jae’s Best K-Dramas(Photo Credit –Instagram)

Yook Sung-Jae is one of the popular South Korean actors who is currently gearing up for his recent K-drama, The Haunted Palace, that premiered on April 18, 2025, on Rakuten Viki. As a lot of anticipation has been rising around the drama, the actor has come up in the searches more than usual. Now, if you are eager to experience the versatility of the actor, then before you stream The Haunted Palace, watch his other performances on various Ott platforms.

Goblin

Yook Sung-Jae’s one of the most loved characters in his entire career is from 2016’s Goblin. In the K-drama, he plays Yoo Deok-Hwa, a kind-hearted but cheeky chaebol heir and the grandson of the Yoo family, who is asked to look after Kim Shin, the Goblin (portrayed by Gong Yoo). Initially, he was seen as a spoiled brat who was just interested...

Seo Ye-Ji On Kim Jung-Hyun Controversy (Photo Credit – Wikipedia)

After a long gap, finally, It’s Okay Not To Be Okay actress, Seo Ye-Ji, is returning to the showbiz. For the unversed, Ye-Ji, after being accused of being a bully, the actress stepped away from the limelight and stayed low-key for years. But now she has made her comeback through various variety shows, SNL Korea, and has been interacting with her fans via her social media platforms. She even openly talked about the controversies that revolved around her name with a touch of humor that gained a lot of attention from netizens.

Ye-Ji turned increasingly active on her social media platforms, and her fans love her comeback behavior. She is taking no sh*t and recently when a fan started a conversation about Kim Jung-Hyun (her ex-boyfriend), the actress immediately put a ban on it and shut down the whole discussion.

South Korea has produced some of the most eccentric serial killers in reality, movies, and shows. Shows like Signal, Mouse, Flower of Evil, etc., have sometimes mirrored real-life serial murder cases and sometimes been completely fictional. “Hyper Knife” (Original title: Haipeo Naipeu), starring Park Eun Bin and Sol Kyung Gu in lead roles, is a fictional medical thriller that places itself as the thesis and antithesis of two warring psychotic surgeons.

Written by Kim Sun-hee and directed by Kim Jung-Hyun, “Hyper Knife” follows two extremely skilled genius neurosurgeons who also happen to be dangerous killers. They kill people, sometimes rather unreasonably, while engaging in a war of words, gestures, and ultimately egos. Highly egotistical and overconfident in their surgical abilities, consistently trying to outwit the other, this mentor-student duo of Choi Deok-hee and Jung Se-ok goes through ups and downs in their relationship to the point of obsession. Their egos...

Disney+'s New Medical Thriller Series Hyper Knife has just set a new record for the streaming platform.

According to Variety, the medical crime series' first episode has become Disney+'s most-viewed Korean premiere in 2025.Hyper Knife debuted on March 19 with two episodes and set the record in a matter of two weeks. The series stars Park Eun-Bin as Dr. Jung Se-ok, a disgraced neurosurgeon who begins performing illegal surgeries after losing her medical license. When she once again crosses paths with her former mentor, Choi Deok-hee, played by Sul Kyung-gu, old wounds are reopened, and moral dilemmas are presented.

Disney+

Series star Park was previously best known for her roles in Extraordinary Attorney Woo and The King’s Affection. Her co-star Sol can be seen in Memoir of a Murderer and Oasis. Hyper Knife's creative team includes director Kim Junghyun, known for After the Rain and My Fellow Citizens!, as well as writer Kim Sunhee.

Korean medical thriller “Hyper Knife” has emerged as Disney+’s most-viewed Korean premiere globally in 2025, the streamer revealed Tuesday.

The series, which debuted with two episodes on March 19, has reached this milestone less than two weeks after its launch, with the ranking based on seven days of streaming data. The Park Eunbin and Sul Kyunggu starrer has dominated viewership in the Asia-Pacific region and worldwide.

“Hyper Knife” centers on Jeong Seok (Park), a brilliant neurosurgeon whose exceptional surgical skills are matched only by her obsession with perfecting them. After uncovering a shocking revelation, Seok finds herself betrayed by her mentor and stripped of her medical license. Refusing to abandon her calling, she begins performing underground surgeries for society’s outcasts until her former mentor comes seeking her expertise.

The series presents Seok with a moral dilemma: use her talents to complete a seemingly impossible operation or exact revenge on the man who destroyed her career.

"Everything she does in the operating room, she learned from me." Disney+ Korea has unveiled an official trailer for a new medical thriller series titled Hyper Knife, arriving for streaming this week right away. This Korean series features a disgraced neurosurgeon performing illegal surgeries while confronting her dark past. Directed by Kim Jung-hyun, this medical thriller series centers on Seok, a genius neurosurgeon. She is reunited with Dr. Choi Deok-hee, the professor who ruined her life long ago. Now with nothing but hatred toward each other, Seok is furious that he is back in her life and she vows to take revenge. A battle of power and control unfolds as she pushes ethical boundaries all in pursuit of medical breakthroughs. Park Eun-bin stars as Jung Se-ok, next to Sul Kyung-gu as Choi Deok-hee, plus Yoon Chan-young and Park Byung-eun. All eight episodes of this series will be available for streaming...

5 amazing K-dramas about historical romance that you must watch (Photo Credit – Instagram)

Lee Jae-Wook and Jo Bo-Ah have paired up together for their upcoming historical romantic K-drama, ‘Dear Hongrang’. Let’s look at 5 such K-dramas before the new series hit the screens.

‘Dear Hongrang’ is Netflix’s upcoming K-drama featuring Lee Jae-Wook and Jo Bo-Ah. The first look has been unveiled, and already, the show has been making quite a buzz online. The storyline of the mystery romance set in the Joseon dynasty follows the disappearance of Hong Rang (Jae-Wook). He is the son of a powerful merchant family. On the other hand, Jae-Yi (Bo-Ah) who is his step-sister, searches for Hong Rang for years.

But things start to get messier when Hong Rang returns with a secret and some unknown emotions toward Jae-Yi that may either be sibling love or a romantic attraction. Fans are very excited to see...

Ambassadors Assemble

The Asian Film Awards Academy (Afaa) has tapped actor Dean Fujioka as Ambassador for its upcoming 18th edition, along with four Youth Ambassadors who are fellow actors – Aokbab Chutimon (Thailand), Austin Lin (Taiwan), Lo Chun Yip (Hong Kong) and Okada Masaki (Japan).

Fujioka, known for “Fullmetal Alchemist” and winner of Best Actor at the 12th Confidence Drama Awards for “Monte Cristo: A Beautiful Revenge,” started his career in Hong Kong before gaining recognition across Asia in Taiwanese dramas. The Youth Ambassadors bring diverse experience to their roles. Chutimon gained recognition with “Bad Genius” (2017) and won an International Emmy for “Hunger.” Lin received two Golden Horse Award nominations for “I WeirDO” and “Marry My Dead Body,” while Lo earned a Hong Kong Film Award nomination for “Time Still Turns the Pages.” Okada appeared in the Oscar-winning “Drive My Car.”

The Academy, founded by the Busan, Hong Kong, and Tokyo International Film Festivals,...

In a year characterized by presenting amazing anime productions that have already taken their place in history, such as Solo Leveling, Dandadan, or Delicious in Dungeon, other series have unfortunately not reached the same level of impact, going unnoticed by many viewers. However, there are worthwhile animes that are hidden gems that promise to deliver an equally or even more enjoyable experience to the audience than the most popular titles.

2024 has left many refreshing and unique series that serve as incredible recommendations despite being overshadowed. Whether because they are niche series, their particular animation style, or troubles during their simulcast, these underrated animes didn't get the attention they deserved during their airing time but will definitely impact those who give them a chance and leave them wondering why they didn't watch them sooner.

Brave Bang Bravern! Original Anime Series Directed by Masami Ōbari & Written by Keigo Koyanagi

Animation Studio:...

When it comes to reading manhwa, some of the best of all time can be found on the popular comic website Webtoon. With new titles releasing every other week and countless titles across every genre, there's no shortage of excellent reads for fans of every trope and every genre. While some of the most underrated manhwa of all time can be found on Webtoon, some of the most popular can be found there as well.

Regardless of whether someone's looking for heart-racing romances or action-packed thrillers, the best manhwa offer a wide variety of experiences that are sure to please fans of every genre. From exceptional art to social commentary and themes that make the reader question the human condition itself, each of the best manhwa has something unique to offer that has earned them a spot among the best graphic stories ever told.

Surviving Romance (2021) Written and Illustrated by...

Warning: Minor spoilers for Viral Hit episode #12!!

Mysteries in storytelling can create ambiguity and deeper interpretations than revealing the truth. "Viral Hit" highlights the importance of effective marketing and presentation in addition to content. The mystery of Samdak's identity serves as a shonen trope and reflects the potential consequences of his effective teachings.

The season finale of the criminally underrated adapted manhwa Viral Hit is indicative of a truth about a more nuanced role that mysteries can play in storytelling. Mysteries are not always a good narrative device for creators to employ because they compel viewers to keep watching to learn the truth, but because the resulting ambiguity creates a more profound interpretation of a possible underlining theme than what the story is actually hiding. Regarding Viral Hit, the anime's exploration of live-streaming and publishing clips on video platforms, in this case called NewTube, helps reinforce a compelling reading that's...

Warning: The following contains spoilers for Viral Hit episode #8!

Viral Hit combines a shonen cliche with the genre's best formula by repurposing techniques in unconventional ways. Episode #8 showcases Hobin winning not through newfound strength, but by adapting moves seen in previous training sessions. The episode offers a realistic twist by showing how shonen repurposes supernatural abilities in a mostly reality-based setting.

The criminally underrated anime adaptation of the manhwa Viral Hit has now added yet another stunning achievement to its already long list of successes by improving upon a classic shonen formula despite hailing from South Korea. Of course, the episode where it happens still delivers everything that Viral Hit is now beloved for, including its incredible satirical commentary of viral social media livestreams, but this adapted deconstruction of manga's most popular demographic brings the episode to a whole other level.

In episode #8, Hobin is able to get back to...

Adapted from a Korean webcomic, “Yongamhan Shimin” created by Kim Jung-hyun, serialized first on Comico platform and later published on Naver Webtoon platform from 2014 to 2016. The story focuses on a female former boxing champion who starts her new career as a substitute teacher in a high school. In order to achieve her definite goal of becoming a full time teacher, she tries her best to avoid and ignore troubling situations. But she eventually has to confront the school's most feared and cruel bully after seeing too much intolerable violence and becoming a victim herself.

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“Too Young to Die” (2002), a film about an elderly couple rediscovering sex was Park's feature film debut. With his highly acclaimed “You Are My Sunshine” (2005), a tearjerker about the love between a farmer and a sex worker, he received the Best Director at the 26th Blue Dragon Film Awards.

Viral Hit's episode 3 combines action, romance, and social commentary superbly, proving its quality despite lack of attention. Comments during livestreams in episode 3 add a new dynamic, highlighting a character's importance and depth of martial arts. The fighting in Viral Hit's episode 3 is well-balanced with romance, showcasing a modern twist on the classic underdog trope.

Warning: Spoilers for Viral Hit episode 3Like its first two explosive installments, the third episode of Viral Hit continues to prove that this anime adaptation of the original manhwa by writer Taejun Pak and illustrator Kim Junghyun is the most underrated show on Crunchyroll this season. Episode 3 now not only combines a perfect blend of action and romance to keep all sorts of viewers on the edge of their seats, but is once again escalating its superbly delivered commentary on the prevalence and influence of social media livestreaming on today's teen culture.

While Viral...

We're not pulling any punches this season, as the English dub of Viral Hit officially squares up on Crunchyroll tomorrow! Here's the cast and crew for Episode 1: Viral Hit English Dub Cast Hobin voiced by Brandon Acosta Snapper voiced by Jessie James Grelle Pakgo voiced by Corey Wilder Rumi voiced by Morgan Lauré Bomi voiced by Molly Zhang Jihyeon voiced by Stephanie Young Gaeul voiced by Trina Nishimura Munseong voiced by Ricco Fajardo Viral Hit English Dub Crew Voice Director: Cris George Producer: Zach Bolton Adaptation: Jared Smith Mixer: Gino Palencia Engineer: Jeremy Woods Related: Crunchyroll Spring 2024 Dubs Include Kaiju No. 8, Konosuba Season 3 and More Key Visual Related: Wind Breaker English Dub Reveals Cast and Crew, Release Date Based on the manhwa by Taejun Park and Kim Junghyun, Viral Hit is directed by Masakazu Hishida ( Fairy Ranmaru ) at studio Okuruto Noboru, with series composition by Toshiya Ono, character designs...

Anime director Masakazu Hishida, known for his work in Yashahime, InuYasha, Ensemble Star!, recently gave an interview to Mantan Web talking about the currently airing anime adaptation of Taejun Pak and Kim Junghyun’s Viral Hit webtoon.

Hishida, who is currently helming the series, shared insights into the adaptation process of webtoons into anime series in the interview, where he emphasized the unique compatibility between the storytelling of webtoon with that of anime storyboard structures.

While this might not always be the case with other webtoon to anime adaptations, Hishida felt that unlike traditional manga, which often relies on double-page spreads, the one-way scrolling of webtoon is more compatible with anime storyboard structures.

He then went on to back the statement with an example and also highlighted the seamless flow and continuity of storytelling facilitated by this format, likening it to the passage of time in animated sequences.

“It’s completely different from traditional manga.

Episode 2 of Viral Hit on Crunchyroll delivers peak content, mixing social commentary and classic shonen tropes brilliantly. The protagonist's revenge tactic backfires in a devastatingly surprising way, leading to unexpected twists and stunning turns. The series skillfully explores themes of social media culture and the rise of the underdog hero in a unique and engaging manner.

Warning: Spoilers for Viral Hit episode 2The incredible second episode of Viral Hit on Crunchyroll continues this new manhwa adaptation's immediately established tradition of delivering persistently peak content to the point where it's a contender to replicate the success of last season's smash manhwa Solo Leveling.

Like Viral Hit episode 1, every trope that's flawlessly executed in episode 2 is further amplified by not only the series' unique satirical commentary of social media livestreaming culture through the lens of YouTube, but the underlining classic shonen theme that follows the archetypal rise of the underdog.

Not surprisingly,...

Viral Hit is a satirical commentary on the obsession with social media influencers, shining a light on the frustrations faced by many today. The series follows the protagonist, Hobin Yu, as he navigates bullying, societal norms, and a unique twist that puts him in control. While not like Solo Leveling, Viral Hit presents an underdog story with potential for massive success, offering a fresh take in the world of manhwa anime.

Warning: Spoilers for Viral Hit episode 1Viral Hit definitely has the narrative momentum from its debut episode on Crunchyroll to become the next manhwa anime hit after Solo Leveling. The only problem is that this series didn't have such a rabid fandom as Solo Leveling benefited from before its anime debut to help give it the boost to attract more attention. Crunchyroll also didn't promote Viral Hit as extensively as Solo Leveling. Regardless, all the necessary ingredients to make...

The official music video recently launched for "Viral Hack," the ending theme to the Viral Hit anime by Crab Kani Club. A creditless version of the anime's ending video has since gone live, and you can check it out to the tune of the catchy theme song below. Viral Hit Creditless Ending Video Related: Viral Hit Anime Streams Creditless Opening Video Ahead of April 10 Premiere Writer Taejun Pak and illustrator Kim Junghyun’s Viral Hit originally premiered on the Webtoon platform in November 2019 in Korean, and English in October 2020. The Viral Hit TV anime premiered in Japan on April 10, 2024. The first episode "First Upload" is now available for Crunchyroll Premium members in North America, Central America, South America, Europe, Africa, Oceania, Cis, India and Southeast Asia. Crunchyroll describes the series: Like and subscribe to NewTube’s latest streaming sensation, Hobin Yu! Tired of bullies, the scrawny high schooler is fighting back and streaming it.

The punch connects and the world screams “pog!” Later this month will see the premiere of the TV anime adaptation of writer Taejun Pak and illustrator Kim Junghyun’s hit Webtoon series Viral Hit (titled Kenka Dokugaku in Japanese). Ahead of then, the official Fuji TV anime YouTube channel released the creditless opening video set to "Wild Boy" by MA55IVE The Rampage. Related: Viral Hit Anime Punches in April 10 Premiere, New Visual and Trailer Masakazu Hishida ( Fairy Ranmaru ) will direct the series at Okuruto Noboru. Toshiya Ono will provide the series composition, alongside Satomi Miyazaki ( Attack on Titan animation director) providing character designs and Yutaka Yamada ( Tokyo Ghoul ) on music, with Slow Curve producing the series. Crunchyroll will stream the series as it airs in Japan. The series premieres on April 10. Viral Hit originally premiered on the Webtoon platform in November 2019 in Korean, and English in October 2020. The platform...