You may know her as Yeo Da-kyung in The World of the Married and as the sweet Yu Na-bi starring alongside Song Kang in Nevertheless. In My Name, Han So-hee does a 180-degree turn as Jiwoo, who enters a criminal underworld and goes undercover as a police officer in order to find her father’s killer.

Watch Han So-hee as she leaves the world of luxury and comfort behind for bruises and bloodstains. It won’t be pretty but it will be an adventure that keeps you at the edge of your seat as she charges into the pursuit of revenge.

Check out the reasons why you should catch Han So-hee in My Name below:

1. Han So-hee as Jiwoo is everything
Jiwoo has had it tough since childhood, but her life takes a tragic turn when she witnesses her father's murder on her 17th birthday. Feeling like she has no choice but to avenge her father, Jiwoo approaches her father's long-time friend Mujin (Park Hee-soon) - the head of the largest drug ring in Korea - to help her find her father's killer.

As her quest for revenge leads her down a dark path, watch as So-hee transforms from a damsel in distress to one of the most headstrong members of Mujin's organisation.

2. Han So-hee gained 10kg of muscle for the role
Taking inspiration from female-led action films such as Atomic Blonde and The Old Guard, So-hee prepared for the physically demanding role by working with martial arts directors and even gained 10kg of muscle from all her training. The actress also carried around a knife so that she could get used to the feeling.

3. Han So-hee takes emotionally charged action scenes in her stride Director Kim Jin-min wanted the action in the series to be realistic and reflect Jiwoo as an undercover agent who is risking her life. It needed to showcase the characters’ desperation to survive and it definitely came alive on screen. Watch as Han So-hee single-handedly takes down a group of bad guys with flair in the clip HERE.

4. Han So-Hee and Ahn Bo-Hyun’s on-screen chemistry
Jiwoo is transferred to the Narcotics Unit and ends up joining a sting operation to take down Mujin where she has to balance between investigating her own crime boss and maintaining her cover. This is where she meets ace detective Jeon Pildo (Ahn Bo-hyun) and they become partners. Their prickly relationship takes a surprising turn when the pair opens up about their past to each other. Watch as this friendship blooms with some trust and understanding.

Which of these reasons have you hooked? Don’t miss out when My Name is released on 15 October 2021, only on Netflix!

Image courtesy of Netflix

South Korean Rapper, Singer-Songwriter, and Record Producer, B.I, has teamed up with Indonesian Artist, Afgan, and Manchester-based Electronic Artist, Bipolar Sunshine. Out today via IOK and Transparent Arts, B.I x Bipolar Sunshine x Afgan - Lost At Sea (Illa Illa 2) is a fusion of cultures from all across the globe; effortlessly putting together their talents into one track.

B.I speaks on the collaboration; “Bipolar Sunshine was an artist that I always enjoyed listening to, his unique vocals have such a distinct sound that I’ve always imagined what it would be like to be on a track together. I try listening to as much music as possible from all around the world, so that I myself can evolve as a producer. I also think Indonesia is one of the most culturally diverse countries in Asia. Especially in terms of music, and I learn a lot from listening to music created by Indonesian artists. When I first heard Afgan’s voice, his soulful vibe really made an impression on me and as a producer, I really love how he represents a new age of artist. I thought the balance of this collaboration was just perfect.”

The original version of “Illa Illa,” which TIME Magazine listed as one of “The Best K-Pop Songs of 2021 So Far,” was part of B.I’s first full-length studio album, Waterfall, released back in June. The music video for “Illa Illa” broke a record of 12.7 million views in 24 hours, making B.I the most viewed male solo artist debut music video within the first 24 hours. Additionally, his album Waterfall was #1 on iTunes in 24 countries. Most simply put, this track is about hope, B.I elaborates; “I wrote the song wishing that it could provide comfort to those that listen to it. Everyone has their own struggles whether it be with relationships, work, family, loneliness. As much as it can seem difficult at the time, there is a beach in the distance. To remember that every chapter that closes just means that a new chapter is about to begin.”

Referred to as a “record-breaking hit” by Teen Vogue, B.I’s initial release of “Illa Illa,” which has been streamed over 30 million times across all platforms to date, continues to infiltrate markets across the globe. Starting in Seoul, Korea: this Remix has now joined forces with Manchester’s very own Bipolar Sunshine, who has billions of streams under his belt and collaborations with artists like DJ Snake, and Jakarta’s fastest rising star, Afgan, who has five solo albums under his belt, countless number one hits, and over 44 million Spotify streams with over 1 million listeners across a staggering 79 countries just in 2019.

Afgan says of the Remix- "I just feel so honored that I got to be a part of this track. I love the song and I think it was beautifully written. The lyrics are very deep and vulnerable and I think it’s important for us to show vulnerability sometimes because it can bring out the strengths that we didn't know we have as a human being. For me, I personally think B.I and Bipolar Sunshine both are such great artists. I respect their artistry. I respect their talent and I’m so happy I got to be a part of this song. I can’t wait for everybody to hear this collaboration. I think it’s gonna be really dope. I hope you like it."

Stream B.I x Bipolar Sunshine x Afgan - Lost At Sea (Illa Illa 2) HERE

Upcoming series The King's Affection tells the story of a forbidden romance between Yi Hwi (Park Eun-bin), who impersonates her late crown prince twin brother, and the crown prince’s tutor Jung Ji-un (Rowoon).
Yi Hwi hides the burdensome secret of her true identity, but must be strong as she plays the role of the crown prince. Initially cast aside for being a girl, she ends up impersonating her crown prince brother after he passes away. Behind her cold front, Yi Hwi suffers from loneliness and sadness. She finds herself attracted to her tutor Jung Ji-un, but cannot risk getting too close for fear of having her secret discovered. Jung Ji-un is also drawn to Yi Hwi and becomes confused about their relationship.

In the new poster, Yi Hwi is dressed as a princess and gazes into Jung Ji-un’s eyes. Jung Ji-un holds a royal robe around her as though he’s protecting her identity from being discovered. The affection they have for each other is palpable and hints at a heartfelt romance.

The teaser trailer shows Jung Ji-hun interacting with Yi Hwi who is dressed as the crown prince. He’s puzzled when he begins seeing a princess’ reflection in the mirror and the silhouette of a princess instead of a prince. He continues observing Yi Hwi and feels flustered when they get closer. It ends with Jung Ji-hun wondering about her identity.

The King’s Affection is directed by Song Hyunwook of Beauty Inside and Another Miss Oh, and written by Han Hee Jung of Clean with Passion for Now. The first episode will be released on 11 October with new episodes every Monday and Tuesday, only on Netflix!

Watch the trailer below:

2021 MOKKOJI KOREA, a festival created by beloved K-pop artists and Hallyu fans around the world, has begun as of September 6 (Monday) and will be held online until November 14 (Sunday). MOKKOJI is a Korean word that refers to a gathering of people for a party, entertainment, and other occasions. MOKKOJI KOREA started last year as a festival to promote various aspects of Korean culture and lifestyle such as food, beauty, fashion, and entertainment to the world.

Every year, “MOKKOJI KOREA” selects the Focus Countries. In 2021, Russia, India, and Indonesia were selected as the Focus Countries. Starting from September, the Festival Week for each country has been being held every month. The India Week is to be held in the upcoming October.

Popular K-pop artists such as MONSTA X, PENTAGON, and AB6IX will participate in Festival Week India, held from October 4 (Monday) to October 10 (Sunday). The Festival Week will be filled with special programs such as “MOKKOJI MINI TALK”, “MOKKOJI LIVE”, and “Online Exhibition”, providing an opportunity for Hallyu fans to broaden their understanding of the culture and lifestyle of Korea and India.

During Festival Week India, “MOKKOJI MINI TALK” will be broadcast every day at 14:30 IST. Featuring artists are AB6IX on October 4 (Mon) and 6 (Wed) and PENTAGON on October 8 (Fri). The program will be first released on the MOKKOJI KOREA website and YouTube channel. PENTAGON’s talk show will be live streamed to communicate with the fans through live chat. Also, they will be bringing their fans a special topic, the Hangeul (Korean alphabet), to celebrate the Hangeul Proclamation Day on Friday, 8th of October.

Popular Indian YouTubers such as Curly Tales, Debina Decodes, and PoohinKorea is to be featured as well, on October 5 (Tue), 7 (Thu), and 8 (Sat), respectively. In addition, an “Online Exhibition” will provide information on exceptional Korean brands and products that have been introduced to the Indian market.

“MOKKOJI LIVE” will be streamed live on “MOKKOJI KOREA” YouTube channel at 14:30 IST on October 10 (Sunday), as a grand finale of the “MOKKOJI FESTIVAL” Week India. AB6IX, PENTAGON, and MONSTA X will communicate with the fans in India through live performances and online fan-meeting segments to top off the event. Together with K-pop artists and hosts, Lisa Kelly and Nidhi Agrawal, the event will become an opportunity to widen the experience and understanding of both countries’ cultures. Fans can join the online fan meeting through the pre-application process on the MOKKOJI KOREA website from September 21 (Tuesday) to October 1 (Friday).

The MOKKOJI KOREA official website features web dramas and webtoons that portray various aspects of the Korean lifestyle and culture. “The First Spring with You” is a webtoon depicting the life of a Russian exchange student while studying in Korea for a year, while “MOKKOJI KITCHEN” is a romantic web drama that is set in a Korean restaurant. The online content will be a unique experience for Hallyu fans who are interested in Korean lifestyle and culture. The web drama “MOKKOJI KITCHEN,” which premiered on September 6 (Monday), has been in the spotlight, as it features K-pop artist Gongchan from B1A4 playing the role of “Muyoung”, a chef and sole owner of a Korean restaurant.

Furthermore, the “K-Lifestyle Playground” platform will provide opportunities for Hallyu lovers in India and around the world to experience Korean culture through various participatory content such as “MOKKOJI Contest”, “Online Game”, “K-Lifestyle Wiki”, and “K-Lifestyle Webzine”.

The main programs and schedules for “MOKKOJI KOREA” can be found on the website (mokkojikorea.com), and they are provided in English for Hallyu fans around the world for their convenience and for easy access.

In Southeast Asia, Korean shows are very loved and some research has found they are watched more than Hollywood productions. In the last three months, on average, four of the top 10 titles on Netflix in Southeast Asia have been Korean. Why is that? Some have pointed to the appeal of storylines which show Asian heroines striving to express themselves personally and professionally — a theme which perhaps resonates with women in more traditional Southeast Asian societies.