Spring has arrived, and CJ ENM has a slate of new — and some returning — dramas and variety shows to brighten your season
New content from CJ ENM is here this April to help you enjoy the season as the weather warms up.
The immensely popular series, “Hospital Playlist,” finally has its own spin-off called “Resident Playbook.” The new show follows the lives and camaraderie of obstetrics and gynecology residents at the Jongno branch of Yulje Hospital, which fans will recognize from the previous seasons. The spin-off premiered on April 12.
“Earth Arcade Season 3,” the hit series that pioneered a new world of hybrid multiverse action-adventure variety shows, is set to premiere on April 25. Returning to delight viewers once again are the stars whose genuine friendship captivated Millennial and Gen Z audiences last year: comedian Lee Eun-ji, Mimi from OH MY GIRL, artist Lee Young-ji, and AN YUJIN from IVE.
Also coming this month is a show filled with the refreshing charms of nature. “Fresh Off the Sea,” a comforting and wholesome variety series featuring relaxing seaside adventures, delicious seasonal meals and hilarious entertainment to soothe busy minds, returns for its second season. This time, actors Lim Ji-yeon and Lee Jae-wook join the cast, promising to deliver even more warmth, laughter and feel-good moments. “Fresh Off the Sea Season 2” premiered on April 13.
YouTuber ChimChakMan meets actor Yeo Jin-goo? This unique team — along with actor Kang Han-na and Korea’s top history lecturer Choi Tae-sung — joins forces to unravel the stories of the epic “Romance of the Three Kingdoms.” Through iconic scenes and memorable lines, they transform the complex narrative of the “Three Kingdoms” into an easy-to-follow, thrilling historical variety show. Catch the premiere of “New Three Kingdoms” on April 22.
A girl who’s drifting through youth with her back turned to the world encounters a grim reaper, but wait… He’s actually her first love? Starring actors Gong Myoung and Kim Min-ha, the youth fantasy romance “Way Back Love” is here. Based on the bestselling novel, the show received strong attention even before its official release, having been featured in the “On Screen” section of the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) last year. The TVING original series is now streaming, having premiered on April 3.
*(Some English titles below are tentative/subject to change)
A Heartfelt Journey Toward Wisdom: “Resident Playbook”
Starring: Go Yoon-jung, Shin Si-ah, Kang You-seok, Han Ye-ji
The wise ones return in April 2025!
The beloved drama “Hospital Playlist” returns with its highly anticipated spin-off, called “Resident Playbook.” Following the growth and everyday struggles of rookie residents at the Jongno branch of Yulje Hospital, the series shines a light on the realities of young doctors learning to navigate both residency and adulthood. The cast features Go Yoon-jung, Shin Si-ah, Kang You-seok and Han Ye-ji, teaming up with the creative forces behind “Hospital Playlist,” “Reply 1988,” “The Stain” and “The Stranger.”
The recently released teaser offers a glimpse into the bright but bumpy journey of first-year residents — fresh to both medicine and adulthood — who often find themselves knowing less than their own patients. Set in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of the hospital, the story follows four young doctors as they navigate countless challenges and slowly grow into their roles, delivering a relatable and heartfelt experience for all viewers. “Through the daily struggles and growing pains of these residents, we hope to capture those fleeting, shining moments of youth — moments made all the more meaningful by the confusion, the mistakes, and even the scoldings,” shared the production team behind “Hospital Playlist.” “We invite you to support and follow these rookies as they take their first steps, one at a time, toward the day they’ll finally become wise.”
A Hybrid Multiverse Action-Adventure Variety Show: “Earth Arcade Season 3”
Starring: Lee Eun-ji, Mimi, Lee Young-ji, AN YUJIN
The flagship variety show for Millennials and Gen Z, “Earth Arcade Season 3” is set to premiere on April 25, and excitement is already sky-high. Fans have their eyes set on the latest installment of the wildly popular “Earth Arcade” series, which went viral in previous seasons. A preview released on the YouTube channel “channel fullmoon” has already racked up over 1.83 million views, while a livestream of the cast’s social media challenge surpassed 33.35 million views. This season follows the unpredictable, chaotic quest to recapture the mischievous rabbit Torong, who has once again escaped to Earth. With anticipation building, all eyes are on whether “Earth Arcade Season 3” can surpass the success of its previous seasons, which reached peak viewership ratings of 3.8% in Season 1 and 4.1% in Season 2.
Laughing from the Sea to the Table: “Fresh Off the Sea Season 2”
Starring: Yum Jung-ah, Park Jun-myun, Lim Ji-yeon, Lee Jae-wook
“Fresh Off the Sea” is returning for a second season!
With refreshing coastal views, seasonal feasts and honest hard work, “Fresh Off the Sea Season 2” premiered this month. Actors Lim Ji-yeon and Lee Jae-wook join the cast as the newest members, ready to dive into some seriously tough labor. From mouthwatering local specialties found only in the countryside to the most intense tasks yet, anticipation is running high. The series is helmed by the director of “Youn Stay.”
“It’s endless!”
“This is unprecedented!”
The newly released teaser ramps up the anticipation, hinting at even more intense, backbreaking work than in Season 1. At a massive site, where even a crane is mobilized, the four cast members are put to the test unloading heavy boxes of seaweed, sighing in disbelief as the challenge unfolds. There’s no faking it here — just real, strenuous work. The first episode will unveil the delicious dishes made from their hard-earned labor.
A Quest to Complete the Epic Story: “New Three Kingdoms”
Starring: ChimChakMan, Yeo Jin-goo, Kang Han-na
YouTuber ChimChakMan, actor Yeo Jin-goo and star history lecturer Choi Tae-sung team up — but what would bring such an unexpected trio together?
“New Three Kingdoms” (English title subject to change) is a groundbreaking historical variety show that reimagines the epic novel “Romance of the Three Kingdoms” through its most iconic scenes. By breaking down the vast narrative into digestible, cinematic moments, the show offers both entertaining commentary on the classic as well as life lessons. Certified “Three Kingdoms” superfan ChimChakMan teams up with Yeo Jin-goo, Kang Han-na and Choi Tae-sung to form a chemistry-laden group that’s already piquing the interest of longtime fans. Especially noteworthy is the narrator Yeo Jin-goo, who will deliver the novel’s legendary quotes with his signature deep, expressive voice. The show is directed by the creative mind behind “Naked History.”
A Tale That Feels Like a Lie: “Way Back Love”
Starring: Gong Myoung, Kim Min-ha, Jung Gun-joo, Oh Woo-ri
A brilliant story of young love, featuring Gong Myoung and Kim Min-ha.
“Way Back Love,” based on the bestselling novel, is a magical romance story that follows Hee-wan (Kim Min-ha), a young woman who has turned her back on the world — until her first love, Ram-woo (Gong Myoung), unexpectedly reappears. This fantasy romance weaves back and forth between a warm, nostalgic past and a cold, detached present, capturing the bittersweet beauty of young love. The series was recognized for its artistic quality even before its official release, when it was selected for the “On Screen” section of last year’s Busan International Film Festival (BIFF). With a stellar cast that also includes Jung Gun-joo, Oh Woo-ri, Ko Chang-seok and Seo Young-hee, the show promises not only heart-fluttering moments but also solid performances. A quiet miracle that arrives without warning — “Way Back Love” is now streaming exclusively on TVING.
