Disney+ has an exciting holiday gift for fans as Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Strange World is heading to the streaming service beginning Dec. 23. New key art and a special look are now available to download and share.
They’re in their element when exploring this world…
“Strange World” introduces a legendary family of explorers, the Clades, as they attempt to navigate an uncharted, treacherous land alongside a motley crew that includes a mischievous blob called Splat; Legend, the family dog; and a slew of ravenous creatures. The voice cast includes Academy Award®- and Tony Award®-nominated actor Jake Gyllenhaal as Searcher Clade, a family man who finds himself out of his element on an unpredictable mission; Emmy®- and two-time Golden Globe®-nominee Dennis Quaid as Searcher’s larger-than-life explorer father, Jaeger; comedian, actor, writer, filmmaker and musician Jaboukie Young-White as Searcher’s 16-year-old, adventure-seeking son, Ethan; actress, producer, bestselling author and TIME100 cover honoree Gabrielle Union as Meridian Clade, an accomplished pilot and Searcher’s partner in all things; and critically acclaimed actress, producer, director and fine artist Lucy Liu as Callisto Mal, Avalonia’s fearless leader who spearheads the exploration into the strange world. Helmed by director Don Hall (Oscar®-winning “Big Hero 6,” “Raya and the Last Dragon”) and co-director/writer Qui Nguyen (co-writer “Raya and the Last Dragon”), with Roy Conli (Oscar®-winning “Big Hero 6,” “Tangled”) producing, “Strange World” is in theaters now.
K-drama fans, here’s a new thrilling Netflix title starring Song Hye-kyo and Lee Do-hyun! A trailer for the upcoming series The Glory has been revealed, teasing an intriguing tale filled with revenge, childhood trauma, and confrontations.
Watch the trailer for The Glory below:
In this new K-drama, Song Hye-kyo (Descendants of the Sun) stars as Dong-eun, who harbors the painful memories of her being bullied and subjected to violence in her school. Now, 18 years later, she begins to take her revenge by driving all of the perpetrators and the people around them to the brink of ruin.
She encounters Yeo-Jung, played by Lee Do-Hyun (Sweet Home), who is another victim of a miserable tragedy. Circumstances will bring the two together, becoming co-conspirators in their own paths to exact revenge on the guilty.
The Glory is an 8-episode drama directed by An Gil-ho (Stranger) with a story written by Kim Eun-sook (Guardian: The Lonely and Great God, Mr. Sunshine). The series premieres on Netflix this December 30.
Heads up! Here are the titles that you’d want to check out on Prime Video ASAP! From Drag Den with Manila Luzon to Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan season 3, the streaming service is sure to entertain you this holiday season. Check out this month’s highlights of Prime Video release below:
Your Christmas Or Mine? December 2, 2022
Students Hayley and James are young and in love. After saying goodbye for Christmas at a London train station, they both make the same mad split-second decision to swap trains and surprise each other. Passing each other in the station, they are completely unaware that they have just swapped Christmases. Hayley arrives at a vast mansion in a small village in the Gloucester countryside to find a place where Christmas does not exist, whilst James heads north to a small semi-detached in Macclesfield and steps into the warm and chaotic pandemonium that only a large family Christmas can bring. When the entire country is blanketed in the biggest snowfall on record, our star-crossed lovers are trapped at the most manic time of the year. Christmas traditions are turned on their head, secrets are revealed, and family truths are told with hilarious consequences. The couple realize that there is an awful lot they don’t know about each other. Will they be able to swap back in time for Christmas Day? And will Hayley and James’ fledgling relationship make it through to the New Year?
Drag Den with Manila Luzon December 8, 2022
The world’s most famous Filipino drag queen Manila Luzon hosts a reality drag competition where the Philippines’ finest drag queens compete in performance, comedy and fashion challenges in hopes of snatching the historic crown as the first ever drag supreme.
The Forbidden Marriage December 9, 2022
When the crown princess dies, the crown prince is so sad he doesn’t get married for 7 years and proclaims a law that bans everyone in the 8 provinces of Joseon from getting married. Ye So-rang, who calls herself Hanyang’s greatest matchmaker, takes her greatest scheme to the king in order to save the dreary country.
Something from Tiffany’s December 9, 2022
Nothing compares to the magic and excitement of the holidays in New York City, where the streets blaze with lights, windows dazzle and a special box from Tiffany could change the course of a person’s life. Or several lives. Rachel and Gary (Zoey Deutch, Ray Nicholson) are happy enough but not quite ready for that big commitment. Ethan and Vanessa (Kendrick Smith Sampson, Shay Mitchell), the perfect picture, are just about to make it official. When a simple mix-up of gifts causes all of their paths to cross, it sets off a series of twists and unexpected discoveries that lead them where they’re truly meant to be. Because love – like life – is full of surprises, in the holiday romance Something from Tiffany’s.
Ultimate Oppa December 15, 2022
Follows the story of Yana, a K-drama enthusiast and a die-hard fan of Shiwoo- A big celebrity in Korea, and her journey after winning the meet-and-greet contest with her idol in South Korea. As the contest comes to a close, she realizes that the man she has been crushing on for years is not what she thinks he is in real life and she has developed feelings with Shiwoo’s manager- Jay.
Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan Season 3 December 21, 2022
In the third season of the action-thriller series, Jack Ryan is working as a CIA case officer in Rome, when he is tipped off that the Sokol Project, a secret plan to restore the Soviet Empire, is being resurrected more than 50 years after it was thought to have been shut down. Jack embarks on a mission to confirm the intelligence, but things quickly go awry, and he is wrongly implicated in a larger conspiracy. Accused of treason, with a Red Notice out for his arrest, Jack is forced to run from his own government, if he has any hope of uncovering the rogue faction before it’s too late. Crisscrossing Europe as he is hunted by former allies and new enemies alike, Jack races against the clock to stop the cascade of destabilizing conflicts from leading to global catastrophe.
Always December 22, 2022
A romantic drama about two people with different outlooks on life, both damaged by the cruelties of the world – one physically and the other emotionally. It tells the story of Anna, a blind girl who remains cheerful despite her disability, and Lino, a former boxer who tries to stay away from people because of some bitter personal experiences he encountered. They make a connection, fall in love and Lino learns later that he is somehow responsible for the accident that killed Anna’s parents and made her blind. Weighed down by guilt, he will then make a sacrifice just for Anna to get the chance to regain her eyesight but Lino goes missing when Anna gained her sight back.
Island December 30, 2022
Island is a fantasy action series based on the comic/webtoon of the same name by Yoon In-wan and Yang Kyung-il. Set in Jeju island, it depicts the journey of the characters fighting the evil force that is trying to destroy the world. Produced by YLab Flex, Studio Dragon and Gilstory Ent, Island assembles one of the best on and off screen teams, including director Bae Jong (Welcome to Dongmakgol, Fabricated City), writer Oh Bo-hyin and an A list cast including Kim Nam-gil, Lee Da-hee, Cha Eun-woo, and Sung-joon in lead roles. Set in the most famous and beautiful Korean island of Jeju, Island taps into the legends and folklore of the well known tourist destination through which the audience gets to experience its natural beauty.
Titled SUPER JUNIOR: THE LAST MAN STANDING, this documentary follows the band from their inception as SUPER JUNIOR 05, and traces their record success – first across Asia and then the world. Offering fans a behind-the-scenes look at SUPER JUNIOR and its members – Lee Teuk, Hee Chul, Ye Sung, Shin Dong, Eun Hyuk, Dong Hae, Si Won, Ryeo Wook, and Kyu Hyun – this documentary features never-before-seen interviews with the group’s members as they look back on their stellar career, recounting personal stories and feelings to provide fans and viewers with unmissable new insights into the group and the modern K-pop industry.
First announced last month as part of an expanded slate of local APAC content at the Disney Content Showcase in Singapore, SUPER JUNIOR: THE LAST MAN STANDING joins a whole host of other eagerly anticipated Korean titles coming to Disney+ in the coming months, including the sequel to Soundtrack #1, Soundtrack #2; Shadow Detective Season 2; RACEand several other world-class K-pop documentaries.
Watch SUPER JUNIOR: THE LAST MAN STANDING exclusively on Disney+ starting January 18.
Christmas is coming early this year for fans of “The Simpsons!” Today, Disney+ announced that the new short “The Simpsons meet the Bocellis in ‘Feliz Navidad’” will launch December 15 exclusively on the streaming service. In the upcoming short from “The Simpsons,” Homer surprises Marge with the ultimate gift: an unforgettable performance from Italian opera superstar Andrea Bocelli and his 25-year-old son Matteo and 10-year-old daughter Virginia. New key art featuring a first look at the Bocelli family in “The Simpsons”.
The festivities continue December 17 as “The Simpsons” celebrates 33 years since its first episode aired in 1989. The first 33 seasons of “The Simpsons” are currently available to stream on Disney+.
“The Simpsons meet the Bocellis in ‘Feliz Navidad’” is the latest in a collection of shorts from “The Simpsons” created exclusively for Disney+. The previously released shorts “Welcome to the Club,” “When Billie Met Lisa” (Emmy® nominated), “Maggie Simpson in ‘The Force Awakens from Its Nap’” (Emmy® nominated), “The Good, The Bart, and The Loki” and “The Simpsons in Plusaversary” are currently available on Disney+. All of these and more can be found in “The Simpsons” collection on the streaming service here: https://www.disneyplus.com/franchise/the-simpsons
The new Korean drama The Forbidden Marriage which is streaming exclusively on Prime Video recently held a press conference in South Korea to introduce the drama and answer burning questions. Set 7 years after the king loses his beloved wife, the kingdom of Joseon is impacted by a marriage ban set up in the aftermath of the queen’s passing. A swindling matchmaker gets arrested for her matchmaking work and ends up making up lies about being able to see the late queen’s spirit in order to get out of her predicament. Her lies get larger as relationships get entangled and romance grows.
Unique Characters
The main actors introduced their characters and they’re definitely unique. Park Ju-hyun said, “My character So-rang is someone I fell in love with as soon as I read the script. She’s very good with words, a smooth talker, and extremely quick-witted. She’s a cool woman who is able to accomplish whatever she sets her mind on.” You’ll have to watch to see how So-rang ends up making the king believe her schemes.
Kim Young-dae shared, “My character Lee Heon is a Joseon king, he loses his crown princess wife 7 years ago in a mysterious incident and falls into despair. After he meets So-rang, he rediscovers love and grows.” There have been plenty of kings in historical dramas, but a widower king who deeply loved his queen is pretty novel.
Kim Woo-seok explained, “He’s a royal investigator and his personality is warm yet cold, but ultimately he’s a warm character.” His character Lee Shin-won is the king’s best friend who is also looking for the woman he almost married before the marriage ban prevented him from doing so.
Full of Cheer
If you’re looking for a series that will make you smile and help you unwind after a long day, look no further. Director Park Sang-woo commented, “I think our series has a more carefree vibe.” Kim Woo-seok said, “So-rang’s personality is very lively and cheerful, there’s an unpredictable charm to it. I think that this blends well so that the series itself is very vivacious, fresh, and fun.” Park Ju-hyun added, “With our drama, you’ll be able to laugh a lot,” and, “We had so much fun on set, so I believe viewers will also have fun.”
K-Culture Centric
K-dramas have become increasingly popular globally over the years, and interest in K-culture has grown too. Director Park Sang-woo said, “I made a lot of effort to present K-culture in an audiovisual way.” Visually, there are many props and locations to enjoy that reflect Korean culture. The director also talked about how he “prepared music that heavily incorporates a lot of traditional Korean music instruments” for the audio element. He summed up, “I hope it can be a great series that portrays K-culture in a cool way.”
Historical But Relatable
While The Forbidden Marriage is a historical drama and set during the Joseon era, the series has a youthful and contemporary flair to it. Focusing on young, single characters who are navigating relationships, the story can be surprisingly relatable to today’s youths and singles. Kim Young-dae said, “When I read the script, I saw many fusion style elements. I thought the public could watch the series and could relate to it easily.”
If the interesting premise and up-and-coming actors aren’t enough to hook you, listen to Park Ju-hyun’s wise words: “There have been many historical dramas thus far, but none like ours.” The Forbidden Marriage incorporates all the facets of historical K-dramas we love while putting a unique and fun spin on the story and its characters. Don’t miss out and be sure to watch the series, only on Amazon Prime Video!
Disney+ released the trailer and key art for season 2 of acclaimed Lucasfilm Animation series “Star Wars: The Bad Batch.” When the new season opens, months have passed since the events on Kamino, and the Bad Batch continue their journey navigating the Empire after the fall of the Republic. They will cross paths with friends and foes, both new and familiar, as they take on a variety of thrilling mercenary missions that will take them to unexpected and dangerous new places. “Star Wars: The Bad Batch” season 2 stars Emmy Award® nominee Dee Bradley Baker (“American Dad!”) as the voice of the Bad Batch and Emmy Award® nominee Michelle Ang (“Fear the Walking Dead: Flight 462”) as the voice of Omega. Emmy Award® winner Rhea Perlman (“The Mindy Project,” “Cheers”) returns to guest star as Cid, Noshir Dalal (“It’s Pony,” “The Owl House”) returns to guest star as Vice Admiral Rampart and Emmy Award® winner Wanda Sykes (“The Upshaws,” “Black-ish”) makes her guest starring debut in the series as Phee Genoa.
“Star Wars: The Bad Batch” is executive produced by Dave Filoni (“The Mandalorian,” “Star Wars: The Clone Wars”), Athena Portillo (“Star Wars: The Clone Wars,” “Star Wars Rebels”), Brad Rau (“Star Wars Rebels,” “Star Wars Resistance”), Jennifer Corbett (“Star Wars Resistance,” “NCIS”) and Carrie Beck (“The Mandalorian,” “Star Wars Rebels”) with Josh Rimes (“Star Wars Resistance,” “Star Wars: Visions”) and Alex Spotswood (“Star Wars: The Clone Wars,” “Star Wars Rebels”) as producers. Rau is also serving as supervising director with Corbett as head writer and Matt Michnovetz as story editor.
“Star Wars: The Bad Batch” streams exclusively on Disney+ beginning January 4, 2023, with the first two episodes.
List of episodes and airdates:
Jan. 4 — Episode 201 “Spoils of War” & Episode 202 “Ruins of War”
Jan. 11 — Episode 203 “The Solitary Clone”
Jan. 18 — Episode 204 “Faster”
Jan. 25 — Episode 205 “Entombed”
Feb. 1 — Episode 206 “Tribe”
Feb. 8 — Episode 207 “The Clone Conspiracy” & Episode 208 “Truth and Consequences”
Feb. 15 — Episode 209 “The Crossing”
Feb. 22 — Episode 210 “Retrieval”
March 1 — Episode 211 “Metamorphosis”
March 8 — Episode 212 “The Outpost”
March 15 — Episode 213 “Pabu”
March 22 — Episode 214 “Tipping Point”
March 29 — Episode 215 “The Summit” & Episode 216 “Plan 99”
There’s just something so satisfying about a good revenge drama. From watching the downtrodden protagonists get their bearings and become this determinedly vengeful and scheming protagonist to finally witnessing the villains get their well-deserved comeuppance, revenge dramas show that sometimes you just have to take karma into your own hands.
With Viu, the go-to streaming platform for all things Korean and Asian entertainment content, fans of the genre can have their pick of the most nail-biting and addictive revenge dramas –many of which are played by some of the industry’s biggest stars.
If you’re on the lookout good revenge K-dramas, here are some of the biggest titles available on Viu – best streamed through the country’s fastest broadband PLDT Home.
Reborn Rich (2022)
In Reborn Rich, this year’s most anticipated series exclusively shown in the Philippines on Viu, certified K-drama hottie Song Joong Ki plays Yoon Hyun-Woo, a long-serving steward of the Soonyang Conglomerate. Finding himself falsely accused of embezzlement by the conglomerate’s family, he is killed by their youngest son Jin Do-Joon.
That should’ve been the end of his story, but fate has other plans for our wronged hero, as shortly after his death, Yoon Hyun-Woo wakes up in the body of his killer. Not one to miss a chance for revenge, Hyun-Woo decides to not only destroy the family from within, he also schemes to take over and run the company himself.
The Innocent Man (2012)
Song Joong Ki is no stranger to shows where he plays characters out for revenge. He is as equally broody and scheming in his debut drama from 10 years ago, The Innocent Man. In the series, Joong Ki plays a promising young student who gets betrayed by his lover who left him for another – richer – man. Years later, he becomes a bartender-gigolo out to exact revenge on his former lover. What happens next: The student becomes the master as he then seduces the daughter of the man she earlier left him for.
Lawless Lawyer (2018)
In the series, yet another K-drama heartthrob, Lee Joon Gi, who shows you how revenge is best served cold. A lawyer raised by his gang member uncle, Bong Sang Pil (Lee Joon Gi) uses what he learned – which often skirts the definition of what’s legal – to mete out justice. This, all while he’s investigating and trying to avenge his mother’s death.
Taxi Driver (2021)
Perfect for fans of true crime, Taxi Driver is a series based on recent crimes that happened in South Korea with the offenders being punished lightly or, in some instances, let go. Lee Je Hoon plays Kim Do Gi, a not-so-ordinary taxi driver as he is part of a company that provides “revenge service.” The underground group drives their taxis around the city hunting down criminals themselves.
The World of the Married (2020)
Based on a popular BBC UK drama, The World of the Married stars Kim Hee-ae as Ji Sun Woo, a successful doctor who discovers that her ideal life isn’t what it seems after she begins to uncover all the lies surrounding her and discovering her husband’s affair. They say hell hath no fury than a woman scorned with Sun Woo being the perfect personification. The show has become one of the highest-rated K-dramas in Korea and has spawned its own hit Filipino adaptation, TheBroken Marriage Vow.
Get your K-drama fix with your Viu Premium subscription powered by PLDT Home – and win prizes!
Watch today’s top-trending revenge show Reborn Rich and more drama series through a Viu Premium subscription powered by PLDT Home, the country’s fastest fastest and most reliable broadband service. With PLDT Home, enjoy more shows with no ads and with same-day subtitled releases for select titles at just P80/month – the most affordable Viu Premium subscription in the Philippines. Subscribe now at pldthome.com/viu.
This December, new and existing PLDT Home customers can binge more of Asia’s hottest entertainment content on Viu while getting a chance to win P5,000,000 cash in the PLDT Home Grand Giveaway. To know more about the giveaway, visit pldthome.com/grandgiveaway.
Celebrate a national dream in Thailand with The Lost Lotteries Now streaming on Netflix
Looking for a belly-aching laugh fest this holiday season? This is your winning ticket. Five unlucky strangers are brought together in their fight against a mafia boss, in order to steal back winning lottery tickets worth millions. Tapping on the national dream of winning lotteries in Thailand, The Lost Lotteries appeals to both domestic and international audiences through its delicate balance of various comedic styles that cater to different sensibilities.
Peek into the complex world of Thai boxing in Hurts Like Hell Now streaming on Netflix
With its humble origins in Thailand, Muay Thai has seen its influence spread across the globe. Get an up-close-and-personal look at the world of this beloved sport in Hurts Like Hell, a part-anthology, part-documentary mini series. Fans and even non-fans of the sport will be able to indulge themselves in tracing the sport’s history, as well as its entanglements with the underworld today.
Trapped in a flooded cave complex in the summer of 2018, 12 young Thai footballers had the world watching them over the span of 17 days. Helmed by award-winning director, Pailin Wedel, the compelling documentary, The Trapped 13: How We Survived The Thai Cave, reflects the perspectives of the survivors, delving into the intricacies of the dangerous rescue mission and how they survived this life-changing event.
If documentaries aren’t your thing, tune in to the drama series Thai Cave Rescue. Told with care, compassion, and a commitment to authenticity, this drama series sheds light on the real story behind the cave rescue, with real-life elements including scenes filmed at some of the boys’ homes.
INDONESIA
High-octane action and comedy in Timo Tjahjanto’sThe Big 4 Now Streaming on Netflix
Abimana Aryasatya, Putri Marino, Arie Kriting, Lutesha, and Kristo Immanuel star in the first action-comedy from Indonesian director Timo Tjahjanto. The Big 4 sees four retired assassins joining forces to track down an elusive murderer. Faced with a straight-arrow cop, will this gang of experts be able to catch the killer?
Chase wanderlut in Bali in A Perfect Fit Now Streaming on Netflix
What if fate comes a little too late? A fashion blogger finds herself going down an unexpected path during a life-changing trip to Bali, where she meets a gifted shoemaker. The only question in this whirlwind romance is: can she keep her commitment to her fiancé?
PHILIPPINES
Snuggle up for an emotional story on second chances in Doll House Now Streaming on Netflix
We all need a good cry sometimes, and Doll House is here to help with just that. Praised as a heartwarming tale poignantly portraying the complexities of father-daughter relationships, Doll House’s sentimental plot will have you holding your loved ones a little closer this year.
BONUS: CHINESE LANGUAGE PICKS!
Get ready for heart-pumping action with Louis Koo, Sean Lau and Carina Lau in Warriors of Future Now Streaming on Netflix
When a meteor carrying a destructive plant strikes the world, a suicide squad is given mere hours to save their post-apocalyptic city from total collapse. As humanity faces the threat of extinction, can our heroes emerge victorious against powerful alien creatures? Featuring Hong Kong’s biggest names in the film industry, including Louis Koo, Sean Lau and Carina Lau, Warriors of Future is an ambitious production that is well-placed to live up to the hype.
Go on an emotional roller coaster in Shards of Her Now Streaming on Netflix
The line between what’s real and what’s not gets blurred in this Taiwanese mystery thriller starring Hsu Wei-Ning, Toby Lee and Wen Chen-Ling. After a coma leaves her with amnesia, an accomplished career woman finds herself navigating a warped reality where she is forced to revisit her painful past.
Laugh along with your favorite aunty as she explores the dating life in Mom, Don’t Do That! Now Streaming on Netflix
Everyone has that one aunty whose love life is constantly on the rocks. In this Taiwanese family dramedy, a widow sets out to find new love and comes head-to-head with her own daughter. Filled with hilarious moments while following the ups and downs of relationships, Mom, Don’t Do That! is a heartfelt lesson in sincerity and the value of family.
HBO has finally dropped the full trailer for their upcoming live-action TV adaptation of the hit video game, The Last of Us.
Combining the talents of the Emmy Award-winning creator of Chernobyl, Craig Mazin, and the creator of the acclaimed video game Neil Druckman, The Last of Us stars the Game of Thrones alums Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey as the iconic characters of Joel and Ellie respectively.
Watch the trailer for The Last of Us below:
Alongside Pascal and Ramsey, the series also stars Gabriel Luna, Merle Dandridge, and Anna Torv. It is set for release on HBO and HBO GO this January 15, 2023.
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