Tired Of Your Friends Spoiling K-Dramas And K-Films For You? Learn How To Say "No Spoilers!" In Korean (스포 금지)
Learn how to stop getting Korean dramas and films spoiled for you with this helpful phrase!
Kay Sesoko, Kpopmap Editor < 1 min to read ·
Published : Mar 21, 2024
SHOWBOX / Kpopmap
Mood when someone spoils "Exhuma" for you before you've seen it...
Want to avoid giving your friend this look after they spoil a K-Drama or K-Film for you? We've got you covered with a simple and trendy Korean phrase. Simply say,
"스포 금지!"
(seu-po geum-ji)
'스포' is what Koreans call 'spoilers' and '금지' means 'not allowed' or 'forbidden'. You can see the latter in a lot of other settings in Korea, too.
Top 15 tvN Dramas With The Highest Ratings Ever (2024 Update)
Find out the tvN dramas with the highest ratings up until now.
Laure, Kpopmap Editor 5 min to read ·
Published : Apr 22, 2024
tvN
tvN is a cable channel of Korea and its dramas are popular in and out of Korea. The channel has quite a lot of hit dramas on its record. The channel keeps on having high ratings with interesting plots and Hallyu actors in its cast.
Here is a list of the tvN dramas with the highest ratings up until now (all years) (updated article).
The drama "Crash Landing On You" (2019-2020) with Hyun Bin and Son YeJin makes tvN history by breaking the record of its highest ratings. With the final episode of the drama, the drama ratings reached 21.7%. The love story of the North Korean soldier and South Korean chaebol hooked the country.
2. "Queen of Tears" - 21.6%
The awaited K-Drama "Queen of Tears" (2024) with top Hallyu stars Kim SooHyun and Kim JiWon started with 5.9% and reached impressive ratings of 21.6% with episode 14. Viewers are hooked and the drama went viral for its story and amazing acting. It is still airing.
3. "Goblin" - 20.5%
The drama "Goblin" also titled "Guardian: The Lonely and Great God" aired in 2016-2017 starring Gong Yoo, Kim GoEun, Lee DongWook and more. In and out of Korea, the drama was extremely popular. There was definitely a "Goblin craze". The final episode of the drama reached its highest personal ratings at 20.5%. "Goblin" held the record of tvN best ratings until "Crash Landing on You" broke it.
4. "Reply 1988" - 18.8%
The "Replies" series were popular and "Reply 1988" (2015-2016) was the most popular. The last episode reached 18.8%. Girl's Day's HyeRi, Park BoGum, Go KyungPyo, Ryu JunYeol and Lee DongHwi acted in the drama.
The historical drama "Mr. Sunshine" (2018) with Lee ByungHun and Kim TaeRi had a huge budget and it received a lot of love in and outside of Korea. The drama scored 18.1% of ratings on its last episode.
The comedy historical drama "Mr. Queen" (2020-2021) starring Shin HyeSun and Kim JungHyun was also popular. The drama started at 8.0% and kept on increasing its ratings up to 17.4% for the final episode.
7. "Crash Course In Romance" - 17%
The romance drama "Crash Course in Romance" (2023) starred Jeon DoYeon and Jung KyungHo. The drama started with 4.0% but gained a lot of popularity week after week with its love story, elite education, and scandals. The drama reached 17% with its last episode.
The historical drama "Under The Queen's Umbrella" (2022) starred Kim HyeSoo, Kim HaeSook, Choi WonYoung, Moon SangMin, SF9's Chani, Yoo SeonHo, Kim MinGi, and more. It was a hit drama. Starting at 7.6%, the drama kept on gaining viewers and reached 16.852% with its last episode. The story of the queen, her sons, and all the political schemes passionated.
The black comedy drama "Vincenzo" (2021) starring Song JoongKi, Jeon YeoBeen, 2PM's Ok TaecYeon, Kim YeoJin, and Kwak DongYeon was popular. The drama was also available on Netflix at the same time. The drama started at 7.7% and ended at 14.6%. Viewers have been stunned by the amazing acting and the catchy storyline of a mafia consigliere getting rid of the bad guys.
The life drama "Our Blues" (2022) starring Lee ByungHun, Shin MinA, Han JiMin, Kim WooBin, Cha SeoungWon, and Lee JungEun gathered a lot of interest with its touching story and its talented cast. The drama started at 7.3% and ended at 14.6%.
The comedy historical drama "100 Days My Prince" (2018) starring EXO’s D.O. and Nam JiHyun was also one of the most popular dramas of tvN. The last episode of the drama reached 14.4%.
The drama "Hospital Playlist" (2020) with Jo JungSuk, Yoo YeonSeok, Jung KyungHo, and Kim DaeMyung was popular. The drama kept increasing in ratings and reached 14.1% with its last episode. The story of these close friends working at the hospital had interested many.
13. "Signal" - 12.5%
The drama "Signal" (2016) with Lee JeHoon, Kim HyeSoo, and Choi JinWoong was also a hit. The drama reached 12.5% of ratings with its last episode. This drama is often mentioned as one of the best K-Dramas in the international K-Drama community.
IU and Yeo JinGoo addicted viewers to the ghosty fantasy drama “Hotel del Luna”. The drama was so popular that many are hoping for a second season. The drama reached 12.0% on its last episode.
15. "Marry My Husband" - 12.0%
The 2024 drama "Marry My Husband" based on a web novel and webtoon was a hit. With Park MinYoung, Na InWoo, Lee YiKyung, Song HaYoon, and Highlight's Lee GiKwang, the revenge drama caught attention from the start with 5.2%. It continuously grabbed viewers' attention until reaching 12.0% with its last episode.
March 2024 Chungmuro Report: Korean Box Office Hits & Upcoming Korean Movies In April
Check out what's happening in Hallyuwood with our Chungmuro report, complete with all the news on latest Korean movies & more.
Ishani Sarkar, Kpopmap Editor 3 min to read ·
Published : Mar 29, 2024
"Yumi's Cells: The Movie" Movie / "Troll Factory" Movie
Korean movies are stealing the spotlight on a global scale, and more and more international fans are interested in the Korean film industry. So, we're bringing to you the latest news from Chungmuro - the Korean Hollywood, also known as Hallyuwood. Check out the hottest movies at the Korean box office, what the upcoming Korean movie releases are, what's hot in Chungmuro, and more!
Top Korean Movies At The Box Office
Over the last month, the top 2 Korean films at the domestic box office were as follows, according to Cine21:
1. "Exhuma"
"Exhuma" Movie
The K-Occult film on everyone's radar these days - "Exhuma" - retained the top spot. Starring Choi MinSik, Kim GoEun, Yoo HaeJin, and Lee DoHyun, "Exhuma" continues to break records and set new ones, with a total of 10,512,767 admissions to date. "Exhuma" was released on February 22.
CineFact: "Exhuma" was not just the most-watched film among Korean releases but also international releases in Korea in March.
2. "Troll Factory"
"Troll Factory" Movie
Starring Son SukKu, Kim SungCheol, Kim DongHwi, and Hong Kyung, "Troll Factory" was the second most-watched Korean movie at the domestic box office in March 2024, with a total of 194,541 admissions to date. The film was released on March 27.
Upcoming Korean Movies
There are a number of Korean movies coming up in April. Among them, here are our picks for the top 3 Korean movies that you should look forward to!
1. "SEWOL: Years In The Wind"
"SEWOL: Years In The Wind" Movie
In April 2024, ten years will have passed since the terrible Sewol Ferry Tragedy. "SEWOL: Years In The Wind" is a documentary made by Moon JongTaek - a father who lost his daughter, JiSeong, in the tragedy, alongside documentary director Kim HwanTae. The film consists of footage by Moon JongTaek himself as he documents the lives of the bereaved families throughout the last ten years and emphasizes national and individual responsibility towards creating a safer society for all. It is also aimed at raising awareness about the tragedy among young people who may not be aware.
If there's one Korean film you watch in April, we hope it will be this one. "SEWOL: Years In The Wind" releases on April 3 in Korea.
2. "YuMi's Cells: The Movie"
"YuMi's Cells: The Movie" Movie
The hugely popular webtoon turned blockbuster K-Drama is now coming to you as a movie! This time, YuMi's cells are the main characters, so the movie is entirely animated. Watch your favorite cell characters from the webtoon and K-Drama return and fall in love with them all over again! This film will follow YuMi as she prepares for her writing contest after quitting her job to become a writer.
"YuMi's Cells: The Movie" releases on April 3.
3. "Again 1997"
"Again 1997" Movie
"Again 1997" is a Korean movie that tells the story of a young man named WooSeok, who wanted to be an actor, but because of a scar he got on his face, he ended up making a living as a stuntman. Now, he is the breadwinner of his family but not a great father or husband. After a fateful encounter with a monk, he gets into an accident and travels back in time to his high school days, before he got the scar. With this second chance at life, WooSeok is determined to do things right.
"Again 1997", starring Cho ByeongKyu, Han EunSu, iKON Ju-ne, Choi HuiSeung, and more, releases on April 10.
That concludes this month's Chungmuro report! Which Korean movies are you excited about? Tell us on X!
6 Empowering Female K-Drama Writers To Celebrate On Women's Day
In honor of International Women's Day, check out some female K-Drama writers who empowered women through their works recently.
Ishani Sarkar, Kpopmap Editor 4 min to read ·
Published : Mar 7, 2024
Netflix
The unsung heroes of the K-Drama industry are undoubtedly the writers, whose contributions are immensely significant but can often be overlooked. In particular, female K-Drama writers, who have been pillars of the industry for years, definitely deserve more attention.
The creators of our favorite K-Drama characters' destinies, these writers are the backbone of the finished product we see on screen, and their work can transform a good K-Drama into a fantastic, groundbreaking piece of art.
March 8 is celebrated as "International Women's Day" all over the world, and while it is not the only day when we should shine the spotlight on all the amazing, talented, magical women around the world, it is certainly one where you simply cannot forget to do so.
So, in honor of International Women's Day, let's take a look at some immensely talented female K-Drama writers whose work contributed to female empowerment in recent years!
A stalwart of the Korean entertainment industry, Kim EunSook is a force to be reckoned with. Her latest work, "The Glory", led by Song HyeKyo, highlights the strength and fortitude of the main character, Moon DongEun, as she rises up against abuse, sheds the constraints of societal expectations, and seeks vengeance on her own terms. In creating such an impactful character, Kim EunSook imparted strength and courage to her female viewers, urging them to take back and stand in their own power.
At the core of "Gyeongseong Creature" is a story about a mother and her daughter fighting for each other against inhumane oppression. Kang EunKyeong delicately imbued this element of tenderness in stark contrast with sharp female rage, elevating the drama to a whole new level. Yoon ChaeOk (Han SoHee) and Choi SeongSim (Kang MalGeum) are definitely well-written characters, but so is the primary antagonist Maeda Yukiko (Claudia Kim), and that is where the skill of Kang EunKyeong shines.
One of the most inspiring tales of resilience, perseverance, and purpose to come out in recent years was "Castaway Diva", written by two female K-Drama writers - Park HyeRyeon and Eun Yeol (picture not available). Led by Park EunBin as the centre of the drama's universe, Seo MokHa, "Castaway Diva" showed the joys of female friendship through MokHa's relationship with Yoon RanJoo (Kim HyoJin), and how such an enduring connection can heal hearts. The writers equipped both women with the skill to reach for their dreams and effortlessly allowed them to support each other in their endeavors while growing as human beings, giving us the most feel-good story ever!
Kim EunHee has long established herself as a master storyteller, so this list could never be complete without her. Gu SanYeong (played by Kim TaeRi) in "Revenant" is an incredibly complex, layered, and unconventional character who forces the audience to look beyond the surface. She struggles with inner conflict and her own moral code, the wounds of having an absent father while dealing with the dangers he left behind. She stumbles but is steadfast and is the architect of her own salvation. Such a powerful female character is one for the history books, and we have Kim EunHee to thank for that.
Are we surprised that one of the most iconic female-led K-Dramas of recent times was written by a woman? "Little Women" is a testament to sisterhood that stands the test of modern society. Each of the three Oh sisters represents a distinct shade of femininity - InJoo (Kim GoEun), a matriarch, the protector; InKyeong (Nam JiHyun) - a driven and ambitious career woman, the truth-seeker; and InHye (Park JiHu) - a young creative, free-spirited and self-assured. Writer Jeong SeoKyeong masterfully unveils the nuanced facets of each character's femininity, captivating viewers and compelling them to delve into the profound intricacies of the narrative.
Let's all thank these incredible female writers for their fantastic work this International Women's Day, and we look forward to what they have in store for us next!
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