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source: Stone Music Entertainment

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“Perfect Crown” is surging globally, but it's not just the romance that is driving the buzz.

The MBC Friday-Saturday drama has hit double-digit ratings within four episodes and climbed to No. 1 among non-English TV shows on Disney+, as international viewers increasingly focus on its striking blend of traditional Korean aesthetics and modern storytelling.

Set in a fictional 21st-century constitutional monarchy, the series follows a chaebol heiress who lacks noble status and a prince who has status but little personal freedom as the two enter a contract marriage that challenges social boundaries.

However, it is not just the plot but the visual elements of the series — particularly the traditional Korean clothes and architecture — that are fueling online fascination.

Actors Byeon Woo-seok and Gong Seung-yeon have drawn attention for the reinterpretations of traditional attire that their characters wear, combining Western silhouettes such as shirts and jackets with classic hanbok elements for a look that feels both familiar and fresh to global audiences.

Gong’s character, a senior royal figure, appears in hanbok made with bold colors, intricate embroidery and shimmering fabrics. While traditional hairstyles are omitted, accessories such as hairpins add a modern yet dignified touch, creating what viewers describe as a “21st-century royal aesthetic.”

Singer and actor IU also adds to the mix, shifting from a western business wardrobe to more relaxed modernized hanbok after moving into the prince’s residence.

The filming locations are drawing attention, too. Scenes set in traditional Korean houses, called hanok, have quickly spread across social media, with fans sharing locations and travel information.

One standout site is Awon House, a traditional estate in Wanju that has also appeared in BTS' works. Its serene architecture and natural surroundings have captivated global viewers.

Other locations gaining traction include Oreung Royal Tombs in Gyeongju, featured in a much-discussed kiss scene; Soyang House in Wanju, which is used as the prince’s residence; and Hwaseo Gate at Suwon Hwaseong Fortress where a royal birthday banquet scene showcased media art.

International media have also taken note. Outlets including The Review Geek and Prestige praised the drama, saying it blends the elegance of Joseon-era architecture with modern minimalism to present Korea’s beauty on a grand scale.

Viewer reactions echo the sentiment. Comments such as “The mix of tradition and modern style makes me fall in love with hanbok” and “Every scene feels like art, like rain falling on a hanok roof” have spread online.

Traditional cultural elements featured in the drama are also gaining renewed interest. A royal birthday banquet scene featuring fireworks based on "nakhwanori," a traditional form of Korean fireworks, left many global viewers asking, “Is this CGI?” The real-life festival in South Gyeongsang Province, along with similar events across the country, has since drawn increased attention.

Other moments including archery competitions, royal ancestral rites and traditional games have circulated widely as short clips and memes, further amplifying the show’s global reach.

As the contract between the two leads evolves into a full-fledged romance, anticipation continues to build over how their relationship will unfold.

“Perfect Crown” airs every Friday and Saturday at 9:50 p.m. on MBC.









source: The Korea Times

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source: MAGIC STRAWBERRY SOUND

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source: 82MAJOR

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source: 1theK Live - 원더케이 라이브

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source: HYBE LABELS

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Court says key content storage, transmission functions carried out by overseas entities, not Korean unit


The Seoul Administrative Court on Tuesday ordered the cancellation of 68.7 billion won ($46.7 million) in taxes imposed on Netflix Services Korea, ruling mostly in favor of the global streaming giant’s local unit in a lawsuit against tax authorities.

Netflix Services Korea filed the lawsuit in 2023 against the head of the Jongno Tax Office and other authorities, seeking to cancel about 76.2 billion won in taxes. The court accepted 68.7 billion won of that claim Tuesday.

The court found that Netflix Services Korea’s role was not that of a “copyright user,” but a “service intermediary.”

“The core functions of storing and transmitting Netflix content provided to Korean consumers are carried out by overseas entities,” the court said. “Netflix Services Korea appears to operate a platform that enables access to Netflix services in Korea and conduct auxiliary and incidental activities, such as advertising.”

The court also said payments made by Netflix Services Korea to overseas entities could not be viewed as compensation for the use of copyrights in video content.

“Rather, they appear to be compensation for the overseas entities’ provision of streaming services to Korean consumers,” the court said.

Regarding tax authorities’ allegations of tax avoidance, the court said, “The fact that overseas entities sell services through the plaintiff cannot in itself be viewed as an act of tax avoidance in Korea.”

However, the court upheld a smaller portion of the tax assessment related to server assets Netflix had installed at domestic internet service providers, saying they could be seen as assets “substantially used for advertising and other business activities” and under the “actual control” of Netflix Services Korea.

Netflix Services Korea posted about 415 billion won in sales in 2020, but paid only about 2.1 billion won in corporate tax.

Finding the discrepancy suspicious, tax authorities conducted an audit in 2021 and imposed 80 billion won in additional taxes.

The Tax Tribunal later granted only a partial reduction, prompting Netflix to file an administrative suit against the remaining 76.2 billion won.

During the trial, Netflix argued that the content was provided by overseas entities and that the Korean unit merely mediated and sold the service to local users. The company said the related income was generated overseas, meaning the Korean unit had no withholding obligation and was not subject to the disputed taxes.

Tax authorities countered that copyrights were effectively used in the process of providing the service through domestic telecommunications networks, making the resulting profits Korea-sourced income subject to taxation.

A Netflix official said after the ruling that the company complies with tax laws and regulations in every country it operates.

“We continue to make long-term investments in Korea’s content ecosystem and cooperate with the authorities,” the official said.








source: The Korea Herald

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Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway, the iconic duo from The Devil Wears Prada, meet longtime fan Jang Wonyoung who makes a surprise appearance in her take on Andy’s style.

In this episode of Life in Looks, the three share their stories through fashion. From Meryl Streep attending her very first fashion show to Anne Hathaway’s unexpected fall on the stairs during the filming of The Devil Wears Prada 2, discover the moments behind the scenes.

And after the shoot, a special moment suggested by Meryl herself “Bye, Vogue.” Don’t miss this unforgettable meeting of three icons, only on Vogue Korea.








source: VOGUE KOREA

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