At the 2024 Asia Artist Awards (AAA), actors Byeon Woo Seok and Kim Hye Yoon were awarded the Popularity Award, capturing the hearts of fans everywhere.

On December 27th, the prestigious event took place at the IMPACT Challenger Hall in Bangkok, Thailand.

The AAA is a major awards ceremony celebrating the brightest stars from K-Pop, K-Drama, and K-Movie across Asia, with hosts including actor Ryu Junyeol, IVE’s Jang Wonyoung, and ZEROBASEONE’s Seong Hanbin.

This year’s Popularity Award winners were Byeon Woo Seok and Kim Hye Yoon, who were recognized for their roles in the hit tvN drama Lovely Runner (선재 업고 튀어).

The two actors attended the ceremony together for the first time since the drama’s end, and fans were excited to see them share the stage.

Byeon Woo Seok expressed his gratitude, saying, "I’m so thankful to all my fans for helping me receive this award. I’ll never take your love for granted, and I promise to keep working hard as an actor."

Kim Hye Yoon followed with, "Thank you so much for the love you gave to Lovely Runner. I’m especially grateful to our role models and the Happy Ending fans. I will continue to grow and repay you with even better acting."

Although Lovely Runner’s highest rating was 5.8% (Nielsen Korea, nationwide), the drama created a huge buzz and captured attention.

Both actors gained massive popularity from their roles, with Byeon Woo Seok landing nearly 20 advertising deals and Kim Hye Yoon becoming the face of several brands.

Looking ahead, Kim Hye Yoon will star in SBS’s From Today, I’m Human (오늘부터 인간입니다만) alongside Romon, while Byeon Woo Seok has been cast in MBC’s upcoming drama The 21st Century Great Queen (tentative title), where he will star alongside IU.

The future looks bright for both of these rising stars, and fans are already eagerly awaiting their next projects!

Source: [1]

Squid Game 2 has sparked intense reactions from viewers all around the world, with opinions swinging from high praise to harsh criticism. In the midst of all the buzz, director Hwang Dong Hyuk is confidently looking ahead to Season 3, even promising that it will be better than the second season.

In an interview with AP News on November 26, ahead of Squid Game 2’s release, Hwang Dong Hyuk shared his thoughts on the series’ future. The director admitted to feeling some pressure about discussing the third season but gave a sneak peek of what’s to come.

"It’s set in the future, 10 to 20 years from now", he revealed. "Season 3 will have a darker atmosphere, very brutal and sad, but also quite bizarre and humorous." Hwang boldly added, "Season 3 will be better than Season 2," fueling even more anticipation from fans.

While the director remains optimistic, Squid Game 2 has received mixed reviews from both domestic and international media. Major foreign outlets have voiced disappointment with the season.

The New York Times published an article titled "Squid Game Turns on the Red Light," criticizing the second season for being too similar to the first, claiming that it repeats the same elements without offering anything new.

Similarly, Hollywood Reporter slammed the season, saying, "The second season of Squid Game was a complete disappointment. It lacked the fun and ingenuity of the first season and didn't provide new details or insights into the essence of the game."

However, not all reviews were negative. Some international outlets gave praise to Squid Game 2. IGN highlighted the script’s exploration of economic and political systems, adding a layer of democracy that increases the tension of the game.

Meanwhile, Independence UK appreciated how the season expanded beyond the first, skillfully twisting key moments of the story and shining a light on humanity's worst traits.

Despite the criticism, Squid Game 2 continues to dominate the global scene. It quickly reached the top of the viewership charts in 92 countries, including the United States, France, and Mexico, just a day after its release. Fans are already buzzing about the upcoming third season, which is expected to drop in the first half of next year.

As for Squid Game 2 itself, the story picks up where the first season left off, with Gihun (played by Lee Jung Jae) returning to the game for revenge. His fierce confrontation with the Front Man (Lee Byung Hun) and the reintroduction of the deadly game itself create intense drama and suspense.

However, some viewers found the season lacking in momentum, particularly in the second half. Criticism has also been aimed at former BIGBANG member T.O.P., who plays the role of Thanos, a drug-dealer rapper. Many fans expressed their disappointment with his acting, with some even saying they stopped watching because of it.

Others criticized the show for its repetitive costume designs and character concepts, claiming that the female characters felt too similar to those from Season 1.

Despite these mixed reactions, Squid Game 2 remains a major cultural phenomenon, setting the stage for an even bigger Season 3. Fans will be eagerly waiting to see if Hwang Dong Hyuk’s promises come to life.

Source: [1]