Advertisement
Advertisement
Pierce Conran
Journalist, producer and consultant Pierce Conran has been based in Seoul since 2012, where he served as the Korea Executive for LA-based production company and sales agent XYZ Films and as a long-time editor of the Korean Film Council’s English website KoBiz until 2021. Born in Ireland and raised in Switzerland, he received an MA in Film from Trinity College Dublin and is currently the Korean drama critic for the South China Morning Post in Hong Kong, as well as a programming adviser for the Fribourg International Film Festival and Fantastic Fest in the United States.
Journalist, producer and consultant Pierce Conran has been based in Seoul since 2012, where he served as the Korea Executive for LA-based production company and sales agent XYZ Films and as a long-time editor of the Korean Film Council’s English website KoBiz until 2021. Born in Ireland and raised in Switzerland, he received an MA in Film from Trinity College Dublin and is currently the Korean drama critic for the South China Morning Post in Hong Kong, as well as a programming adviser for the Fribourg International Film Festival and Fantastic Fest in the United States.
Areas of Expertise:
Korean film and K-dramaLanguages Spoken:
English, French, Korean
In Tastefully Yours, Kang Ha-neul plays a conceited heir who clashes with Go Min-si’s stubborn chef. Expect romance and tempting dishes.
With only four episodes to go, this Korean drama on Netflix is more interested in the novelty of its concept than any significant plot.
K-drama Pump Up the Healthy Love blends fitness and romance for an enjoyable show – it is just a shame it seems obsessed with body shaming.
Squid Game’s Lee Jung-jae will be part of Reborn Rich season 2, while Shin Ye-eun will be joining Lee Jae-wook in Endurance Doctor.
Advertisement
Where Hospital Playlist was compelling, spin-off struggles with its low stakes, syrupy-sweet moments and lack of charismatic characters.
From Spring of Youth to Tastefully Yours to Nine Puzzles, here’s our pick of the best Korean dramas coming to screens in May.
A shaman’s granddaughter and an official whose body a vengeful spirit has taken over end up in the royal palace. Will romance follow?
Chae Soo-bin has been approached for fantasy romance Charge Me Up, while Lee Jae-wook is set to lead horror fantasy Honey Jar Project.
Reluctant fighter Yeon Si-eun (Park Ji-hoon) is in another new school, where he tries in vain to avoid trouble, in this Netflix drama.
Starring Kim Hye-ja, Son Suk-ku and Han Ji-min, Heavenly Ever After sees a husband and wife reunite in the afterlife – with a twist.
This Korean drama mixes tragedy and humour in a tale of a Grim Reaper figure (Gong Myung) saving a guilt-ridden girl (Kim Min-ha).
Starring Lee Hye-ri, Chung Su-bin, Kang Hye-won and Oh Woo-ri, this new Korean drama has much to offer – if you don’t mind the bumpy ride.
This corporate revenge thriller Korean drama tries to juggle too many moving parts and twists, and ends up a confusing mess.
Go plays one of a group of new hospital resident doctors learning the ropes as this K-drama gets off to a chaotic start.
Between its nauseating visuals, its shallow characters and its uninspired K-drama tropes, Crushology 101 fails to entertain on any level.
Lee Kwang-soo, currently on screens in two Korean drama series, has enjoyed a long career, his credits including Confession and Running Man.
Sul Kyung-gu and Pak Eun-bin are duelling surgeons who share a dark secret. Their final showdown is powerful but not what we were expecting.
Lee Sun-bin plays a researcher and Kang Tae-oh an executive who antagonise, yet fall for, each other in this weak romantic comedy.
From a fantasy drama offer made to Jun Ji-hyun to one for Squid Game’s Park Sung-hoon, the latest Korean drama casting announcements.
A team of divorcees at an insurance company weigh the merits of selling divorce insurance in Killing Romance director’s small-screen debut.
The lives of six characters and their moral dilemmas are explored in a gruelling series that dives deep into human interconnectedness.
An emotionally rich script and a sensational cast make this series a gripping and rewarding watch from start to finish. Have tissues on hand.
Shin Min-a and Park Hae-soo team up in limited series thriller Karma, Kim Ji-yeon stars in a horror period drama and Son Suk-ku is in heaven.
This revenge drama about a swindler who targets a powerful man, then loses his memory, has a few high points but mostly lacks excitement.
The Netflix drama’s fun premise gives way to a run-of-the-mill story with developments that simply feel inconsequential.
The Korean zombie subgenre has rules, and creators break them at their peril. Newtopia is stylish, but its tone is off and it lacks tension.
Squid Game’s Wi ha-joon is joining murder mystery Siren, while Ji Sung could lead time-travel drama series Judge Lee Han-young.
Extraordinary Attorney Woo’s Park Eun-bin is barely recognisable as a talented young surgeon who falls out with her mentor (Sul Kyung-gu).
This touching story of Jeju islanders plays out over decades as urbanisation and modernisation change their worlds.
