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Cha Eun-Woo Reportedly Declined Hong Sisters (Photo Credit – Instagram)

Popular South Korean actor and idol Cha Eun-Woo, who also leads the boy band Astro, was in talks to feature in the upcoming Hong Sisters’ K-drama. The Hong Sisters – Hong Jung-Eun and Hong Mi-Ran are renowned writers in the industry who are known for popular dramas like Alchemy of Souls, A Korean Odyssey, and Hotel del Luna, among others. However, as per recent reports, it has been stated that the actor has declined the offer, sparking speculations about his future plans.

Eun-Woo was recently seen in a few K-dramas last year, including Island, A Good Day to Be a Dog, and Wonderful World. The actor enjoys a massive fanbase who love him not only for his acting skills or vocal range but also his good looks and charming presence. He balances both of his worlds – acting and music beautifully.

However, Cha...

We’re about halfway through the 2024-25 Broadway season, and there are 12 productions of musicals set to open this spring. Could any of them contend at this year’s Tony Awards? Below, find the summaries of each plot, as well as its author, cast, composer, and director. You’ll also get the opening, and (where applicable) closing dates.

SEETony Talk: Plays ‘Oh, Mary!’ and ‘The Hills of California,’ actor Kit Connor are on track for nominations Redwood

Previews began: Jan. 24

Opens: Feb. 13

Official synopsis: Jesse seems to have it all, a successful career and devoted family, until a life-altering event drives her far from everyone and everything she knows. When she finds herself at the foot of the redwoods in Northern California, a chance encounter and a leap of faith will change her life forever.

Book by Tony nominee Tina Landau

Score by Kate Diaz and Tina Landau

Directed by...

We’re about halfway through the 2024-25 Broadway season, and there are eight productions of plays set to open this spring. Could any of them contend at this year’s Tony Awards? Below, find a summary of the plot of each play as well as the author, director, and cast, plus the opening and (where applicable) closing dates.

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Opened: Jan. 23

Closes: March 2

Official synopsis: The comedy unfolds in an Iranian classroom where adult English learners practice for their proficiency exam. As they leapfrog through a linguistic playground, their wildly different dreams, frustrations, and secrets come to light. This production presented by Roundabout Theatre Company follows a successful premiere with off-Broadway’s Atlantic Theatre Company. It won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

Written by Sanaz Toossi

Directed by Knud Adams

Starring Tala Ashe, Ava Lalezarzadeh, Pooya Mohseni, Marjan Neshat, and...

Joe Hale, who spent 35 years as an animator, layout artist and producer at Disney and received an Oscar nomination for his effects work on the 1979 film The Black Hole, has died. He was 99.

Hale died Jan. 29 of natural causes at his home in Atascadero, California, his wife of nearly 60 years, Beverly Hale, told The Hollywood Reporter.

Hale started out as an inbetweener on Alice in Wonderland (1951) and worked on such other classics as Peter Pan (1953), Lady and the Tramp (1955), Sleeping Beauty (1959), One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961), Mary Poppins (1964), The Jungle Book (1967), The Fox and the Hound (1981), Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971) and Pete’s Dragon (1977).

In 1980, Hale was named a first-time producer on The Black Cauldron (1985), a project that had been languishing at Disney for about seven years, and he oversaw a staff of 300 artists — including a young Tim Burton — and a big budget of $44 million.

When some children found scenes in the...

Welcome to Tony Talk, a column in which Gold Derby contributors Sam Eckmann and David Buchanan offer Tony Awards analysis. With only four months to go until the 2025 nominations are announced, we’ve reconvened for a retrospective on the musicals from the first half of the Broadway season, during which a total of nine new works and revivals have bowed out of the anticipated 21 total that will be eligible.

David Buchanan: Hey, Sam! It’s hard to believe, but we’re less than four months away from the 2025 Tony Awards nominations. While the Broadway season has been flying by, we’ve already seen five new musicals and four musical revivals open, including some truly first-rate productions. How do you think the competition for the top category of Best Musical has been shaking out so far?

Sam Eckmann: David, at some point in November I had to double-check my calendar to...

From record-breaking romances to revenge dramas full of incredible twists and turns, 2024's best K-dramas have been nothing short of entertaining. Though some of the shows have been well-anticipated successes, others have been a big surprise and have proven that a Netflix release isn't crucial to a K-drama's international success. In that way, the future of the genre is looking even more exciting.

2024's shows are some of the best K-dramas of all time and are all bingeworthy, despite their different tones and stories. Career-best performances, tightly woven storylines, and incredible K-drama couples are just some of the keys to their individual successes and show the very best of what the genre has to offer. These 2024 K-dramas make bold choices to deliver hours of entertainment and solidify them as must-watches for all K-drama fans.

K-drama

IMDb Rating

Love In The Big City

9.0

Lovely Runner

8.8

Death's Game

8.5

Queen of Tears

8.2

Mr....

The anime adaptation of Honey Lemon Soda kicks off tomorrow, January 8, right here on Crunchyroll—but you can enjoy the opening and ending right now! Tms Anime has released creditless versions of both on their YouTube channel in advance of the shojo manga adaptation's premiere. Check out the opening, set to "Magic Hour" by boy band &Team: Honey Lemon Soda Creditless Op Related: Honey Lemon Soda TV Anime Debuts on January 8 And the ending, set to another new track by &Team—"Wonderful World": Honey Lemon Soda Creditless Ed Related: Medaka Kuroiwa is Impervious to My Charms Anime Releases Opening Song Video Shueisha has serialized the original Honey Lemon Soda manga by Mayu Murata in their Ribon shojo manga magazine since December 2015. Yen Press also publishes an English language version of the series . Hiroshi Nishikiori directs the TV anime at animation studio J.C. Staff. Akiko Waba provides the series composition,...

Honey Lemon Soda , an upcoming TV anime based on the shojo romance manga, has unveiled a new trailer, a new piece of key art (below) and the opening and ending theme song performers. The series will broadcast in Japan on Fuji TV and other stations beginning on January 8, 2025. Crunchyroll will also stream the series as part of the winter 2025 anime simulcast season. Honey Lemon Soda New Trailer &Team perform the opening and ending theme songs—"Magic Hour" and "Wonderful World," respectively—for the series. Shueisha has serialized the original Honey Lemon Soda manga by Mayu Murata in their Ribon shojo manga magazine since December 2015. Yen Press also publishes an English language version of the series. Hiroshi Nishikiori directs the TV anime at animation studio J.C. Staff. Akiko Waba provides the series composition, Aimi Tanaka provides the character designs and Akira Kosemura provides the music. Honey Lemon Soda key art...

The Thanksgiving holiday is playing its usual tricks on the Broadway show schedule, with nearly all productions having gone dark on Turkey Day itself and making up for the missed shows with added performances on Black Friday and, in a few cases, later in the weekend.

Many shows have added matinee performances today (Friday) to their schedules (in addition to their usual evening shows).

Check the individual show sites for ticket availability and times for regularly scheduled performances.

The following shows have added a 1 p.m. Friday matinee (all times listed are Et):

Elf

Hamilton

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

The Hills of California

Mj

Once Upon a Mattress

Stereophonic

Tammy Faye

Productions that have added a special 2 p.m. Friday matinee are:

& Juliet

Aladdin

Back to the Future

The Book of Mormon

Cabaret

Death Becomes Her

Hell’s Kitchen

The Great Gatsby

Hadestown

Left on Tenth

The Lion King...

Sunset Blvd. had its best box office numbers yet last week, while Maybe Happy Ending showed some welcome improvement and both Elf and A Wonderful World opened to houses with 90% of seats filled.

The pre-holiday news wasn’t quite so cheery for all of Broadway though, as no fewer than 26 of the 37 productions saw downturns, some small, some not so small, for the week ending November 17. In all, the 37 shows took in $35,104,796, a slip of just about 4% from the previous week, with attendance of 304,368 off by less than a full percentage point.

Among the notable numbers:

Sunset Blvd., a couple weeks out from the Nicole Scherzinger social media flap, posted a gross of $1,902,072, up more than $44,000 over the previous week. Attendance at the St. James was at 95% of the venue’s capacity; A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical, opened at Studio 54 to mostly decent reviews, filling 92% of seats and...

Well, hello, Louis! Add another talent to the already prodigious roster of Louis Armstrong: Jazz giant, trumpeter par excellence, great American vocal stylist and, now, the rare musical historical figure powerful and charismatic enough to drape a jukebox musical around and come out a victor.

A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical, starring a terrific James Monroe Iglehart as the legendary Satchmo, opens on Broadway tonight at the Roundabout Theatre Company’s Studio 54, and if it doesn’t escape every pitfall of the jukebox musical, it certainly comes closer than most. Wonderful World is too expansive in chronological scope to delve too deeply into the crucial question of what made Armstrong such an incomparable figure in the history of American music, but with Iglehart and a fine supporting cast of excellent singer-actresses portraying Armstrong’s four wives – Dionne Figgins as Daisy Parker, Jennie Harney-Fleming as Lil Hardin,...

Lovely Runner is a refreshing romantic comedy hit of 2024, blending different genres and offering something for everyone. Despite modest ratings in South Korea, Lovely Runner has gained international fame and high ratings on platforms like IMDb. The well-crafted storyline and performances of Lovely Runner's cast, led by Kim Hye-yoon and Byeon Woo-seok, make it a standout in 2024's K-drama lineup.

There has been no shortage of great K-dramas in 2024, and one of the year's best, Lovely Runner, has finally been released on Netflix in some territories. From record-breaking romances to epic tales of monsters and humans, competition for the best K-dramas of 2024 has been fierce. These shows have captured international attention with their well-crafted storylines, incredible performances, and great chemistry. As a result, they have made 2024's K-drama slate one that is already hard to forget.

Though many shows are internationally released through Netflix, some of 2024's best K-dramas...

Disney’s thriller K-drama Wonderful World aired its finale on April 13, 2024. The melancholic thriller has ended on a much more upbeat note than when it began. The show follows Soo-Hyun, a professor and author whose life is going wonderfully, until one day, her young son gets hit by a car and tossed to die near a park. Soo-Hyun instantly takes revenge when the alleged perpetrator doesn’t show any remorse for her baby’s death and doesn’t even apologize when she requests it. Then, a series of events begins that change Soo-Hyun’s life permanently. Inadvertently, Soo-Hyun’s life becomes intertwined with that of the son of the man she killed. At first, he deceives her, but soon she learns who he is; however, together, they discover that they have one common enemy. Seon-Yul realizes that Soo-Hyun isn’t really a bad person, and she did what she thought...

Women’s History Month may be over, but that doesn’t mean that women aren’t leading many of Hulu’s top picks for April. The month begins with the premiere of Vanderpump Villa, a Hulu Original reality series that follows Lisa Vanderpump and the hand-selected staff members employed at her lavish French estate, Chateau Rosabelle. This next chapter in the Vanderpump saga is sure to be full of drama, decadence, and debauchery as the staff caters to Vanderpump, her wealthy guests, and their own desires.

Hulu Original Under the Bridge, based on the 1997 true-crime novel of the same name, also premieres this month. This limited series follows the investigation of Reena Virk’s disappearance –the fourteen-year-old left to meet some friends and never returned home. Starring Riley Keough and Academy Award nominee Lily Gladstone, Under the Bridge has all the makings of a true-crime hit. Rounding out this month,...

With more streaming platforms like Netflix and Disney+ adapting novels and webtoons into series, Korean dramas are seeing more frequent premieres. While the medium was formerly famous for romance stories, it is currently witnessing an increase in other genres, such as thrillers, action, and horror. This is good since K-dramas are more than simply swoon-worthy chemistry between the lead characters or comfy humor.

There are numerous underrated thriller Korean dramas, like Mouse, The Signal, and Voice, which are often overshadowed by romance dramas. Streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, and Viki have been adding a growing number of K-dramas lately, mostly on a weekly basis. In March 2024, for example, we saw Wonderful World, Queen of Tears, and Chicken Nugget, but the next month includes quite a few anticipated titles. With that in mind, here is every Korean drama coming out in April 2024.

Parasyte: The Grey Streaming on Netflix on Apr. 5

Parasyte: The Maxim...

Concerned anime fans report that the first episode of the highly anticipated isekai anime KonoSuba: God's Blessing on This Wonderful World! Season 3 has leaked online ahead of its official April 10, 2024 premiere date.

According to multiple sources on X (formerly Twitter), KonoSuba Season 3, Episode 1 has leaked onto a major torrent site ahead of its formal premiere. While the reason remains unconfirmed, one account suggests that the issue arose due to a vulnerability in Crunchyroll still using Funimation servers. "Nyaa leakers supremacy," an X account said, "I'm going to help you a little @Crunchyroll, even if I shouldn't. Stop using Funi servers."

Related Massive Reddit Chart Ranks the Top 300 Most Popular Anime on Crunchyroll A Reddit chart showing the most popular anime series on Crunchyroll by reviews shows that newer series dominate older legends. I'm going to help you a little @Crunchyroll, even if I shouldn't. Stop using Funi servers. — baguette...

Astro’s Cha Eun Woo At No. 1 In March’s Brand Reputation Individual Ranking ( Photo Credit – Instagram )

South Korean dramas and bands have been ruling our hearts for years, and their popularity has increased every passing day. One of the famous names is Cha Eun Woo. He is not only an actor but also a K-pop idol associated with the boy band Astro. He has been making headlines for his solo debut and show Wonderful World, which has led him to gain the top spot in this month’s individual brand reputation ranking.

Eun Woo is known for shows like True Beauty and Gangnam Beauty. He also recently made his solo debut by releasing the mini album Entity. The True Beauty star is also a famous face on social media, with 43.4 million fans on Instagram. He often keeps his admirers engaged by posting pictures of him from the sets, behind-the-scenes snaps of his photoshoots,...

Disney+ is adding another series to its fast-growing Korean drama library, picking up the action spy show The Tyrant.

The series tells the thrilling story of the race to find a bioweapon that is stolen during a secret handover between Korean and US intelligence agencies. The logline reads: “After years of toiling away on a secret project designed to drastically enhance human abilities, the Korean government’s plan is exposed by U.S. intelligence agencies. Furious about being kept in the dark, the U.S. demands all samples be handed over and the project be immediately shut down. But when the covert handover is attacked by an unknown party, agents from both sides will have to work together to avoid the dangerous new formula falling into the wrong hands.”

The series stars Jo Yoon-soo (True Beauty, Juvenile Justice) as skilled infiltrator Chae Jagyeong; Cha Seung-won (Our Blues, A Korean Odyssey...

Wonderful World highlights the beauty in tragedy, showing how darkness can make people shine brighter in the end. The chemistry between Kim Namjoo and Cha Eunwoo is unexpected yet crucial to the show's focus on their mysterious relationship. Character growth and healing drive the mysteries in Wonderful World, with well-meaning individuals facing hard times.

Wonderful World, a new K-drama premiering March 1 on Hulu in the U.S., marks a major comeback for veteran actor Kim Namjoo. Known for ratings blockbusters such as My Husband Got a Family and critically acclaimed cult dramas such as Misty, Kim is finally returning to Korean dramas for the first time since 2018. She plays the role of Eun Soohyun, a beloved author and psychology professor who unravels after the tragic loss of her son and the justice system's failure to punish the culprit.

Starring alongside Kim is actor and K-pop idol Cha Eunwoo, who plays...

Korean dramas are branching into more genres as time goes on, ranging from horrors to psychological thrillers, as opposed to being mostly romance-oriented a decade ago. As a result, viewers are rarely bored with K-dramas, and the wide variety properly entertains them without making them lose interest.

While many Korean dramas have been adapted from webtoons in recent years, many more popular webtoons have yet to be made into dramas. In February 2024 alone, various highly anticipated K-dramas were released, including Branding in Seongsu, A Killer Paradox, and Wedding Impossible. With that said, here are some exciting Korean dramas to watch in March 2024.

Wonderful World Streaming on Disney+ on Mar. 1 Close

Wonderful World is an upcoming thriller K-drama starring Cha Eun Woo and Kim Nam Joo. The drama will premiere on Disney+ across all regions on Mar. 1. Following her son's untimely demise, Eun Soo Hyun, a psychology professor and writer, finds...

The list is officially in for Crunchyroll's May 2024 home video lineup. There's a lot to look forward to in terms of anime on Blu-ray and DVD, including limited edition releases for both Mob Psycho 100 III and the second season of Uzaki-chan Wants to Hang Out! . There's also Konosuba -An Explosion on This Wonderful World! , more Blue Lock and One Piece , and that's just for starters. Take a look below at the full list of home video solicits for May 2024, and let us know what you'll be adding to your collection. Crunchyroll May 2024 Home Video Releases KamiKatsu: Working for God in a Godless World The Complete Season (Blu-ray) As heir to a cult leader, Yukito centers his life around the mysterious goddess Mitama. But everything changes after he’s killed during a ritual gone wrong. To his surprise, Yukito is reborn into a world with no concept of god!