You won’t be bored at home this month; CJ ENM is bringing a wide variety of content to keep you glued to your chair
It’s time to break out the winter jackets, prepare hot cocoa and cozy up in a warm blanket! Turn on your TV and watch all the new CJ ENM content that will keep you entertained and make sure your winter is anything but boring.
Starting with the birth of tvN’s new Sunday variety show! Featuring a special appearance by BTS’ Jin in the first episode, entertainment veterans Cha Tae-hyun, Kim Dong-hyun and Lee Yi-kyung, along with up-and-coming figures Shin Seung-ho and Oh Sang-uk, have come together to star in this new series. “Handsome Guys” is the latest creation from producer and director Ryu Ho-jin, known for shows like “Unexpected Business” and “Hometown Flex.”
Travel to the European countryside! Watch Lee Je-hoon, Lee Dong-hwi, Kwak Dong-yeon and Cha Eun-woo live in the Finnish region of Lapland for a week, immersing themselves in the local way of life. This unique reality show, “Rented In Finland,” has premiered on December 6.
Return to Korea to uncover pivotal moments in Korean history, paired with the foods that accompanied them. “History Bites” is a historical entertainment show offering witty insights, with expert Korean History instructor Choi Tae-sung and actors Ryu Soo-young and Yura presenting a fun and unique slice of history for the audience. Embark on a gourmet journey through the past, recognized in historical records, premiering on December 12.
Amidst truth and suspicion, we must head to Harbin! Director Woo Min-ho from the hit films “The Man Standing Next” and “Inside Men,” is here with his new film, “Harbin.” Set in 1909, “Harbin” tells the story of individuals yearning for the goal of Korean independence, coming together in Harbin amidst pursuit and suspicion. Starring Hyun Bin as An Jung-geun, along with actors Park Jeong-min, Jo Woo-jin, Jeon Yeo-been, Park Hoon, Yoo Jae-myung and Lee Dong-wook, the film will be released on December 24.
Culture, Nature, Places and People Every Korean Should Know! “Handsome Guys”
Starring: Cha Tae-hyun, Kim Dong-hyun, Shin Seung-ho and Oh Sang-uk / Directed by: Ryu Ho-jin, Yoon In-hoe
Watch “Handsome Guys” as it introduces you to Korean culture, nature, places and people! Variety show fans are eagerly anticipating the reunion of the dynamic duo from “Unexpected Business 3,” Ryu Ho-jin and Cha Tae-hyun, who previously achieved a record-breaking viewership rating of 6.7%. As they join other cast members, the charisma and banter will only be intensified, creating excitement amongst fans.
“Handsome Guys” kicked off with the teaser revealing BTS’ Jin as the first guest. In the first episode, Cha Tae-hyun, Kim Dong-hyun, Shin Seung-ho, Lee Yi-kyung, Jin and Oh Sang-uk each competed in a bingo race as teams.
“We are going to take over Busan. Busan.” The sight of Cha Tae-hyun, Kim Dong-hyun and Shin Seung-ho exploring the temple and solving a quiz together captivated the viewers’ attention.
City Boys Explore the Countryside in “Rented In Finland”
Starring: Lee Je-hoon, Lee Dong-hwi, Kwak Dong-yeon and Cha Eun-woo / Director: Lee Se-young
If we lived like the locals in Finland, the world’s happiest country, would we find happiness too?
Men from Seoul have landed in Lapland, a rural Finnish region known as the “roof of the Earth,” where reindeer outnumber people. The city boys’ journey into this unfamiliar land of “Rented In Finland,” has premiered on December 6. Lee Je-hoon, Lee Dong-hwi, Kwak Dong-yeon and Cha Eun-woo experience life in a remote village with limited electricity, no Wi-Fi and no proper water systems. Viewers are eager to see the actors’ complete lack of survival skills and their struggle to adapt to life in the wild.
City boys who know nothing but acting must survive without assistance in a small corner of Finland! The newly released highlight teaser begins with actor Lee Je-hoon shocking the other actors into laughter with his helplessness against the wildlife of the Finnish countryside. The cast forms a perfect team: Lee Dong-hwi brings laughter, Kwak Dong-yeon does housekeeping and Cha Eun-woo adds to the comedy. Each character showcases their unique capabilities, sparking curiosity among the audience to see what each actor excels at in this new environment.
Unforgettable Moments and Foods in Korean History “History Bites”
Starring: Ryu Soo-young, Choi Tae-sung and Yura / Directed by: Lee Ye-rim, Kim So-jung
Historical moments and their dishes should never be forgotten, but how do we keep traditional cuisine alive?
“History Bites” will explore, with food experts and connoisseurs, what kind of food Koreans ate centuries ago. Discovering Korea’s first historical feasts, a gourmet journey into the past, “History Bites,” will premiere on December 12. Star Korean History lecturer Choi Tae-sung, actor Ryu Soo-young and actress Yura will bring history to life in a fun and delicious way. Choi Tae-sung will offer engaging history lessons, Ryu Soo-young will share valuable insights about ingredients, and Yura will bring positive energy to the show with her passion for food.
The first teaser video features actor Ryu Soo-young, known for his special recipes. He kicks things off by cooking in a cauldron, introducing an “original Korean recipe.” As he cooks, history expert Choi Tae-sung adds “historical wisdom” to the mix, while trendsetter Yura brings “the flavor of Korean cuisine,” amplifying everything that’s going on. This teaser, which highlights the unique blend of history, Korean food and taste, is sure to spark viewers’ curiosity.
Between Truth and Suspicion, the Team Must go to “Harbin”
Starring: Hyun Bin / Directed by: Woo Min-ho
“Harbin” is the sixth feature film made by producer and director Woo Min-ho, known for his works “The Man Standing Next” and “Inside Men.” Starring Hyun Bin as An Jung-geun, the film also includes Park Jeong-min, Jo Woo-jin, Jeon Yeo-been, Park Hoon, Yoo Jae-myung and Lee Dong-wook. The movie is centered around the 1909 assassination of Japan’s first Prime Minister by An Jung-geun, depicting the intense resistance Korea had against Japanese colonial rule and the struggles the Korean population faced while fighting for independence. To enhance the authenticity, “Harbin” was filmed in Mongolia and Latvia rather than using digital methods like extensive CGI. “While making a film about the independence fighters, I didn’t want to shoot their arduous journey in front of a green screen. I believed that filming closer to the actual route would help us connect the viewer to the environment on a deeper level,” said producer and Director Woo Min-ho. The film will be released on December 24.
