Entertainment
NeNe Leakes Says Kim Zolciak Is ‘Not OK’ After Son KJ’s Arrest
The Real Housewives of Atlanta alum NeNe Leakes is revealing how former costar Kim Zolciak is faring amid her son Kroy “KJ” Biermann Jr’s arrest and disturbing allegations of sexual assault and having sex with a minor female relative.
“I recently spoke to Kim, I think it was last week,” Leakes, 58, said while appearing on the Friday, September 11, episode of the “Big Tigger Morning Show.”
“I just hit her up, wanting to know how she’s doing, congratulating her on [her daughter] Brielle [Biermann] and making sure she was okay with what her son [KJ] is dealing with — I know that’s a tough time and I know she’s not okay,” Leakes continued. “So I wanted to reach out. And I did, okay? I reach out to a lot of these girls. We just reach out to each other. But we’re not in contact on the daily basis.”
Zolciak’s 15-year-old son KJ was arrested in August on aggravated sexual assault and aggravated sodomy charges over an alleged incident with an unidentified minor female at a local gym. He was subsequently indicted on charges of aggravated child molestation, aggravated sexual battery, aggravated sodomy, false imprisonment and three counts of sexual battery against a child under the age of 16.
“The allegations being made against my son are nothing short of reckless and deeply troubling,” Zolciak, 48, said in part of a lengthy statement to Us on August 21 in the wake of her son’s arrest. “He categorically denies ever being involved with this woman or engaging in the conduct she has alleged. My son voluntarily took a polygraph examination regarding these allegations and passed. Additionally, an examination was conducted, and no DNA belonging to my son was found.”
Following KJ’s arrest, investigators discovered footage on KJ’s phone that showed him and an unidentified family member under the age of 12 engaging in sexual activity, according to Deputy District Attorney Caitlin McGillicuddy. Per prosecutors, they allegedly also found evidence of “multiple encounters” where KJ used “predatory [and] derogatory” language toward the victim.
KJ has not publicly addressed the latest accusations. Us has reached out to his lawyer for comment.
In addition to revealing she reached out to Zolciack in the wake of her son’s legal troubles, Leakes also gave an update on where she stands with all of her former costars and current Housewives.
“I’m cool with Kim,” she revealed. “Friend? You know, when you say the word friend, that’s just a serious word to me so that’s just… Friend? No. Associates? Yes.”
She continued, “If I need to call Porsha [Williams], K. Michelle, any of them on the show they all will answer. I don’t have no beef with them to the level that they won’t answer my call. Girls from the past, If I called Shereé [Whitfield] right now she would answer. Damn if I called Kandi [Burruss] she would answer. I don’t have enough beef with them where they’re just not going to answer my call. I’m not fighting with anybody — I call Kenya [Moore], she’s answering. Marlo [Hampton], she’s answering. Cynthia [Bailey] — I just spoke to her, like, two days ago. We just don’t have a beef. We’re just not close like people would think that we are but we don’t have a beef.”
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
Entertainment
Rock of Love’s Daisy De La Hoya Says Corey Feldman ‘Saved’ Her
Rock of Love alum Daisy De La Hoya is crediting a dear friend for saving her life amid her addiction struggles and after previously revealing she is homeless and unable to work.
“I have suffered from addiction and I was in a situation where my addiction got very bad,” she said while speaking to TMZ in an interview published on Saturday, September 12. “I was being evicted and some really good friends of mine helped me. I’m very close with Corey Feldman — he’s, like, my best friend. He’s been my best friend for over 18 years now and I love him to death and he saved my life.”
She continued, “I was living in Las Vegas, where I’m currently doing a reality show out there right now with some good friends. And I was living there and he picked me up and, you know, helped me save my dog — took my dog in – and I ended up in Ocean Side [California] getting recovery and I’ve been clean now since February 29, 2024 … He just got my stuff — got my dog and put me back in California and I just spent all that time since 2024 just recovering.”
De La Hoya went on to claim that she “lost everything” as a result of her relocating to California for substance abuse treatment.
“I lost my relationship, I lost my apartment,” she continued. “I was homeless — like, legitimately homeless — and I spent all the time in shelters. I was assaulted. You know, I was unfortunately assaulted.”

She added, “I’m not happy or proud of myself for what happened but I’m so grateful that I have recovered and I’m here today and my journey is still in recovery. I’m so grateful to not be on drugs.”
The former reality TV star revealed last month that she is currently unhoused and unable to secure any work in order to financially support herself in the wake of her addiction struggles.
“I’m poor and homeless, that’s the truth,” the VHI star told the Daily Mail in August. “I’m staying with a friend, but it’s a temporary thing, and I’m in school and looking for a freakin’ job.”
She added of her financial struggles at the time, “It’s embarrassing, and it’s very hard, but I keep searching. I don’t know what it is about me, but I guess God does not want me to have a job. I’d work at McDonald’s, Starbucks, anything. Maybe I’m overqualified or maybe I’m underqualified. I don’t know.”
Viewers were introduced to De La Hoya when she appeared on 2008’s season 2 of Rock of Love With Bret Michaels. After coming in second place, the reality star earned her own dating show called Daisy of Love.
While speaking to the Daily Mail, De La Hoya claimed she does not receive any residuals from her reality dating series, contributing to her financial issues.
“It’s still there on streaming platforms, but I don’t get any of that money,” she claimed. “The good news is that I’m still getting fans and people can watch it, but I don’t get any money from it.”
In addition to finding sobriety, De La Hoya revealed she’s also on medication for anxiety and a diagnosed bipolar disorder.
You have a different perspective after hitting rock bottom and losing everything. And I was lucky, but I’ve had to crawl my way back and I’m still crawling my way back up,” she said. “I don’t think of myself as being famous or being somebody. I just think of myself as a person who did a thing and wants to continue to be part of the entertainment industry. But sometimes I think I need to just give up on entertainment because at this point I just need a job.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
Entertainment
One of the 21st Century’s Most Stunning Sci-Fi Movies Is Officially Streaming for Free
It has been a solid summer for original sci-fi, although no movie has truly broken out at the box office. Steven Spielberg returned to the genre after nearly a decade with Disclosure Day, which grossed $241 million worldwide, while Ridley Scott‘s first sci-fi movie since 2017, The Dog Stars, has barely recouped half of its reported $70 million budget. J.J. Abrams returned to the genre as well, albeit as a producer. His new movie, The End of Oak Street, directed by David Robert Mitchell, has made around $115 million globally against a reported budget of $80 million. Spielberg, Scott, and Abrams, each of whom was at the front and center of the marketing for their respective films, are all synonymous with sci-fi. But the theatrical landscape isn’t what it used to be even as recently as the 2000s and the 2010s, when a bold original genre movie could come along and shatter box-office expectations. One such movie is streaming for free in the United States, as rumors of a sequel continue to swirl.
The film in question was released in 2009, and was directed by Neill Blomkamp, a first-time feature filmmaker who was adapting his own short. The short had caught the attention of Peter Jackson, who became attached to the feature adaptation as a producer. The jump for Blomkamp was similar to how directors Curry Barker and Kane Parsons transitioned to mainstream moviemaking this year after making YouTube videos. Also around the same time as Blomkamp, Fede Álvarez caught Hollywood’s attention with a viral sci-fi short, and was eventually hired to direct the Evil Dead remake.
Here’s Where You Can Watch the Sci-Fi Hit for Free
But we’re talking about Blomkamp’s District 9, a sci-fi allegory about apartheid, set in the filmmaker’s home country of South Africa. The movie starred Sharlto Copley and was a major box-office hit. It grossed $210 million worldwide against a reported budget of $30 million and received positive reviews. It now sits at a “Certified Fresh” 90% score on the aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, where the consensus reads, “Technically brilliant and emotionally wrenching, District 9 has action, imagination, and all the elements of a thoroughly entertaining science-fiction classic.” District 9 received four Oscar nominations, including in the Best Picture category. You can watch the movie on Pluto TV this month, and stay tuned to Collider for more updates.
- Release Date
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August 5, 2009
- Runtime
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112 minutes
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Jason Cope
Christopher Johnson / Grey Bradnam / Trent
Entertainment
8 Most Fun Fantasy Shows of All Time, Ranked
Fantasy television has been one of the most popular genres in the world for a long time, but it really hit its peak in the ’90s and 2000s, with high-concept supernatural fantasies and elaborate world-building, covering every subgenre from heartwarming family stories to grittier, more complex narratives. Some of those iconic fantasy shows are deeply detailed in their storytelling and world-building, while others are pure fun, without any deeply layered message or glorious production. But what all of them have in common is their undeniable ability to entertain.
The last few decades produced some of the most iconic fantasy shows on American television, now considered modern classics. Even if some of these shows may not be as popular as they used to be, they’re still icons of the genre that continue to command dedicated fan followings. With that in mind, here’s our ranked selection of some of the most fun fantasy shows of all time.
8
‘Once Upon a Time’ (2011–2018)
A fantasy drama created by Lost and Tron: Legacy writers Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz, Once Upon a Time stars Jennifer Morrison as Emma Swan, who meets her long-lost son Henry and is brought to the town of Storybrooke, populated entirely by cursed fairy-tale characters. The story shifts between the real-world town and the fantastical fairy tale world that these characters originally came from. Besides Morrison, the series stars Ginnifer Goodwin, Lana Parrilla, Josh Dallas, Jared S. Gilmore, Robert Carlyle, and more in key roles.
Blending fairy tales and contemporary mystery drama, Once Upon a Time is a highly imaginative show that turns classic Disney heroes and villains inside out. The show heavily relies on dramatic dialogue, theatrical magic, and campy comedy, which might feel soapy but makes for an engaging comfort show. Hopeful and positive, Once Upon a Time is praiseworthy for the effective plot twists, imaginative storytelling, and the standout performances by Morrison, Goodwin, and Parrilla.
7
‘Merlin’ (2008–2012)
Created by Julian Jones, Jake Michie, Johnny Capps, and Julian Murphy, Merlin is a British fantasy adventure drama series loosely adapted from the Arthurian legends, depicting the close friendship between King Arthur and his court wizard, Merlin. In the show, a young Merlin (Colin Morgan) is sent off to Camelot, where he rescues Prince Arthur (Bradley James) and becomes his most trusted aide, helping the young prince fulfill his destiny of greatness. The series also features Angel Coulby, Katie McGrath, Richard Wilson, John Hurt, and more as important characters.
Merlin is a cozy low-fantasy show that puts a lighthearted spin on the folklore of medieval mythology with fascinating worldbuilding and stunning visuals that won the series a BAFTA TV Award in 2011. The show reimagines the ancient legends of Merlin and Arthur as two young contemporaries navigating identity, loyalty, and destiny. Their fun dynamic, shifting from bickering frenemies to devoted friends, forms the heartwarming core of the show, which has made it enduringly popular with fans.
6
‘Charmed’ (1998–2006)
The WB Network’s second-longest drama series, created by Constance M. Burge, Charmed follows the story of three sisters possessing magical powers that they use to protect innocent lives from evil forces. While maintaining a “normal life” in modern-day San Francisco, the sisters navigate the challenges and consequences of their unique abilities, which also impact their social and romantic lives. The main characters, played by Shannen Doherty, Holly Marie Combs, Alyssa Milano, and Rose McGowan, grew to become pop culture icons of their time and are still beloved by fans today.
The first primetime television show about a coven of witches, Charmed became the longest-running hour-long TV series featuring an all-female lead cast in 2006, a title it held until it was surpassed by Desperate Housewives in 2012. Fun and campy with a cozy ’90s vibe, Charmed is an immensely popular fantasy drama, even if parts of it may now seem dated. The show left a lasting legacy with its depiction of witchcraft, influencing future fantasy and supernatural shows and even sparking academic discussions surrounding the genre.
5
‘Sabrina the Teenage Witch’ (1996–2003)
Created by Nell Scovell and based on the 1971 Archie Comics series of the same name by Dan DeCarlo and George Gladir, Sabrina the Teenage Witch follows the titular teenager who learns on her 16th birthday that she has magical powers. Living with her two eccentric, centuries-old aunts, Hilda and Zelda, and their talking cat, Salem, Sabrina learns to control her newfound powers while navigating teenage trials, with hilarious outcomes. The series stars Melissa Joan Hart as Sabrina, with Caroline Rhea, Beth Broderick, Nick Bakay, and Nate Richert in other main roles.
Sabrina the Teenage Witch is a lighthearted fantasy that blends magical mishaps with silly teenage comedy in a breezy narrative style. The fantasy sitcom successfully captures the spirit of the ’90s and ranks among the best fantasy shows of the decade. While it was not a critical darling, Sabrina the Teenage Witch was a cult favorite that stood out at the time with its charm, wit, and layered humor.
4
‘Wizards of Waverly Place’ (2007–2012)
A fantasy teen sitcom that transformed Selena Gomez from a child actor to a global star, Wizards of Waverly Place revolves around her character, Alex Russo, a teenage wizard living in the titular neighborhood of New York City. Alongside her brothers, Justin and Max, Alex trains to hone her magical abilities but faces challenges in keeping them a secret while navigating her teenage life. Created by Todd J. Greenwald, the sitcom also stars David Henrie, Jake T. Austin, Jennifer Stone, Maria Canals-Barrera, and David DeLuise as main characters.
Wizards of Waverly Place is a highly entertaining fantasy sitcom that blends magic with relatable family comedy. The show derives its fun from the everyday mischief, chaotic spell mishaps, and funny sibling rivalry of Alex, Justin, and Max, and has been praised for Gomez’s comic timing and endearing performance. With its themes of family, friendship, and teenage life of the 2000s, Wizards of Waverly Place is a charming and cheeky modern Disney (TV) classic.
3
‘Lucifer’ (2016–2021)
Developed by Tom Kapinos, Lucifer is an urban fantasy series reimagined from and named after the titular DC Comics character created by Neil Gaiman, Sam Kieth, and Mike Dringenberg in The Sandman comics. Starring Tom Ellis as the central protagonist, the series follows the Devil as he abandons Hell and moves to Los Angeles as a nightclub owner, where his life takes an unexpected turn when he becomes a civilian consultant to the LAPD and encounters Detective Chloe Decker, played by Lauren German. Kevin Alejandro, D. B. Woodside, Lesley-Ann Brandt, Rachael Harris, and Aimee Garcia play other key characters.
While the show did not open to great acclaim, Lucifer quickly transitioned into a cult hit and eventually evolved into a massive streaming success. Part fantasy, part procedural, the show is enjoyable because it refuses to take anything seriously, but still delivers its story with the utmost charm and flourish. Powered by Ellis’s deliciously dark depiction of the Devil, Lucifer is thoroughly entertaining and often heartwarming, ranking among the best crime comedies of the 21st century.
2
‘What We Do in the Shadows’ (2019–2024)
Created by Jemaine Clement, What We Do in the Shadows is a comedy-horror mockumentary series based on the 2014 film of the same name by Clement and Taika Waititi. The FX series revolves around five vampire roommates and their daily struggles with the modern world, other supernatural forces, and sharing a house. The show stars Kayvan Novak, Matt Berry, Natasia Demetriou, Harvey Guillén, Mark Proksch, and Kristen Schaal, with Clement and Waititi reprising their characters as guest stars.
What We Do in the Shadows merges ancient monsters with mundane modern New York life in an exceptionally entertaining and uniquely creative way. The combination of absurdist fantasy and dark, straight-faced comedy not only feels refreshing for the genre, but also ridiculously funny. Even though it was a cult favorite during its run, What We Do in the Shadows has since remained an underrated fantasy series that deserves to be watched by a much bigger audience.
1
‘Good Witch’ (2015–2021)
Developed by Craig Pryce and Sue Tenney, Good Witch is a continuation of the series of Hallmark films of the same name, following the story of a good-natured witch and widowed mother, Cassie Nightingale, who starts a new life in the fictional town of Middleton with her teenage daughter Grace. When a new neighbor moves in next door, they start suspecting Cassie and Grace of something fishy, leading to silly mishaps. Catherine Bell stars as Cassie, with Bailee Madison, James Denton, Catherine Disher, and Sarah Power as key characters.
Good Witch is rather a cozy and heartfelt show and not high-energy entertainment like most fantasy comedies, making it a great pick for a comfort watch. The show’s success largely relies on kindness, community, and practical wisdom, with its magic feeling more subtle and grounded than that of its contemporaries. Good Witch was not just popular during its run, but continues to enjoy a dedicated fanbase and is widely praised for Catherine Bell’s charming depiction of Cassie, who is undoubtedly one of television’s best witches.
Good Witch
- Release Date
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2015 – 2021-00-00
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Catherine Bell
Cassie Nightingale
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James Denton
Dr. Sam Radford
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Catherine Disher
Martha Endicott Tinsdale
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Sarah Power
Abigail Pershing
Entertainment
Lady Gaga Shared Motherhood Priorities Before Welcoming Baby
Lady Gaga predicted what she would be like as a mom nearly one year before reportedly welcoming her first baby.
“Disappear? I don’t think so. But look, I think music will be a part of our child’s life,” Gaga, 40, said on a July 2025 episode of The Howard Stern Show when asked whether she planned to take a step back from the spotlight after becoming a parent. “I also have to see what it’s like and what our kid needs, you know?”
Gaga has been engaged to Michael Polansky since 2024. News broke on Friday, September 11, that Gaga and Polansky, 42, quietly welcomed baby No. 1. (The couple has not publicly confirmed the news. Us reached out for comment at the time.)
While speaking with host Howard Stern, Gaga speculated on how her priorities would likely shift if and when she became a first-time parent.
“I just really want them to have a very safe and happy childhood, so you’re not wrong that that will become my No. 1 priority,” she added during her radio appearance after Stern, 72, guessed the pop star would go “all-in” on family duties. “You’re actually right on the money with that.”
Gaga was first romantically linked to Polansky in 2019 after the pair were introduced by her mother. (Gaga’s mom, Cynthia Germanotta, first met Polansky at a charity event.)
“I had never met anyone like Michael. He’s so smart and so kind. And his life and my life are very different,” Gaga told Vogue in September 2024. “He’s a very private guy and he’s not with me for any other reason than that we are right for each other. I think what I want my fans to know is that I’m just, like, so happy. I’m healthy.”
She continued at the time, “I feel like the last time they heard from me — in this way — was Chromatica, and that album was about an absolutely horrible time for me with my mental health. I was in a really dark place. I struggled for, like, many years before that. But everything started to change.”
According to Gaga, Polansky “wasn’t afraid to truly hold my hand” and get to know her on “a very deep level.”
“I didn’t know much about her and honestly wasn’t sure what to expect,” he recalled to the outlet. “I was struck immediately by her warmth and openness — she was so genuinely curious about what my life was like growing up in Minnesota.”
Entertainment
10 Netflix K-Dramas Where Every Episode Is a Masterpiece
With Netflix rolling out K-dramas left and right, the list of their best original works is expanding. Netflix has already released over a dozen K-dramas just this year, including other stellar original content in the Korean language, from the spy action thriller Humint and the goofy action comedy Husbands in Action to the wholesome variety series Take a Hike! and Kian’s Bizarre B&B.
Of course, not every piece of content Netflix produces is a masterpiece, and lots of us learned that the hard way. However, if you’re looking to get into some Korean series and aren’t sure where to start, the streamer absolutely has a very decent list of brilliant shows. Some of them are borderline perfect, and others have already made history, despite being fresh. Here are the Netflix K-dramas where every episode is a masterpiece (in no particular order).
‘Kingdom’ (2019–2020)
Kingdom is the first K-drama Netflix has ever released, and it’s not just a pioneer in that aspect. It’s also the first K-drama that combines sageuk, a popular genre in the K-drama world that depicts the (usually) medieval times in South Korea, and horror, in particular the zombie genre. It’s an incredible feat for Netflix and everyone involved in it because every part of it is perfect, from the production value, cinematography, and score to the performances and casting. Kingdom has two six-episode seasons and one prequel in the form of a film, and it’s as close to perfection as possible.
Kingdom is set in the Joseon era, following the Crown Prince Lee Chang (Ju Ji-hoon) as he looks for a cure for the virus that is rapidly spreading across the kingdom. At the same time, Lee Chang struggles to stay in court after his father contracts the same virus, as rivals from other families try to oust him and take charge of the Royal Court. Ju is joined by the legends of South Korean film and TV, Bae Doona and Ryu Seung-ryong, and if you haven’t seen these GOATs give their best in Kingdom, you’re long overdue for a great time.
‘All of Us Are Dead’ (2022–Present)
High school K-dramas are a dime a dozen, but very few command as much attention as All of Us Are Dead has. This Netflix original is another zombie series, just like Kingdom, but this one’s set in modern times and tests the boundaries of school dynamics. However, this isn’t something only high schoolers can relate to; All of Us Are Dead is appealing to viewers of all ages who like to cheer for underdogs, teamwork, and great visual effects. The success of Season 1 was widespread and instant, so much so that people are still counting down the days when Season 2 is going to premiere.
All of Us Are Dead is set within the confines of a Seoul-based high school, when a zombie outbreak overtakes the classrooms after a rabid pet bites one of the students. Across 12 episodes, the dynamics are tested, as well as the humanity and survival instincts of the teachers and students. Season 2 is expected to move outside the school, or at least follow the one student who seems to have a natural immunity to the virus, but the information available to the public is so limited that fans don’t know anything. The only thing Rolling Stone India reported on is that the show might come out in late 2026 or 2027; if it’s the latter, it will have been five years since Season 1 premiered.
‘If Wishes Could Kill’ (2026)
Since we’re on the topic of high school K-dramas, If Wishes Could Kill is the most recent Netflix original with the same theme. It represents the first-ever young adult horror K-drama on the streamer (and wider, some claim), and it’s a brilliantly crafted ghost story that pulls out all the stops to make its jumpscares effective and justified. Stacked with a cast of already-beloved newcomers and a couple of experienced actors with a great acting streak, like Jeon So-nee and Roh Jae-won, If Wishes Could Kill may not really be everyone’s cup of tea, but each of its episodes is genuinely highly amusing.
If Wishes Could Kill follows a group of high school friends and their intricate dynamics, tested through the discovery of an app that fulfills wishes. Whoever makes a wish via the app gets it granted almost immediately but also gets a 24-hour countdown until their own death, embodying the very message of the saying: “Be careful what you wish for.” Jeon and Roh portray an odd couple, with Jeon stepping into the role of a shaman who cannot leave her home; there are ghosts, curses, friendships broken, and secret romances, and each aspect of the show comes together very well here. If you still haven’t seen it, its eight one-hour episodes will fill your weekend with joy (and some scares).
‘D.P.’ (2021–2023)
One of the best K-dramas ever made, period, is D.P., short for Deserter Pursuit. The series was based on the popular web comic of the same name, and the show was co-created by the comic’s author, Kim Bo-tong, and Han Jun-hee, who served as director, co-writer, and producer. A lot of the experiences in the series come from Kim and Han’s mandatory military service, whether it’s something they personally experienced or have only seen or heard of. D.P. sheds light on the bullying, hazing, and humiliation rituals of South Korea’s military service, which often lasts a couple of years and is mandatory for all adult male citizens. With this introduction, one can only imagine the things that happen in the series—there are marginalized characters, depictions of general social dynamics, and the efforts of the officials to cover up incidents for the sake of saving face.
D.P. follows Private Ahn (Jung Hae-in), who joins the military and gets assigned to the deserter pursuit unit because of his exceptional observation skills and a strong sense of justice. He is paired with the seemingly carefree but actually very caring Corporal Han (Koo Kyo-hwan), and through their chases of military deserters, we see how diverse characters are treated and what drives them to run away. Emotionally poignant and incredibly well-made, D.P. is a must-watch for any Netflix viewer.
‘Bloodhounds’ (2023–2026)
Another Netflix K-drama that follows a pair of well-intentioned guys with awesome chemistry is Bloodhounds, and the way it depicts their dynamic is incredibly wholesome and fun. While the friendship (both on-screen and real-life) between Woo Do-hwan and Lee Sang-yi is the heart and soul of Bloodhounds, the body that surrounds their relationship is a meticulously crafted action series. In fact, the chases, one-on-one fights, and outnumbering battles are all filmed with such precision, excitement, and tension.
Bloodhounds follows Gun-woo (Woo), an amateur boxer who joins a tournament and makes friends with a former Marine, Woo-jin (Lee). The two join forces to take revenge on a dangerous loan shark who bullies Gun-woo’s mother after she fails to pay him back. Bloodhounds has two seasons, and Season 2 follows the two friends some three years later, as they square off against a brand-new enemy testing their physical and emotional limits. Incredible from start to finish, Bloodhounds really is a one-of-a-kind show, and though its violence is probably not everyone’s cup of tea, fans of this type of stuff will surely love it.
‘When Life Gives You Tangerines’ (2025)
TIME’s best K-drama of 2025, When Life Gives You Tangerines, is a unique slice-of-life series that would make a stone cry. Starring two stunning and incredibly talented actors, IU and Park Bo-gum, When Life Gives You Tangerines focuses on Jeju Island, a seemingly exotic but often overlooked part of South Korea; the show also depicts the careers and dedication of female divers called haenyeo, who are unique to the island and their profession a UNESCO-declared heritage. The women of Jeju were forced to go diving themselves after many men went to war in 1950, and many women who became divers then are still active in the community.
When Life Gives You Tangerines follows Oh Ae-sun (IU) and Yang Gwan-sik (Park) from their teen years until their old age; the story is divided into four parts (comprised of four episodes each) and depicts, often in a nonlinear way, Ae-sun and Gwan-sik’s romance, their lives, careers, and trials. The name of the series is a play on the phrase “When life gives you lemons…” but replacing lemons with tangerines, as they’re the official fruit of Jeju. What was once Reply 1988 to people who enjoyed TV in the 2010s is now this show—wholesome, pivotal for culture and history, and a great representation of the Korean Wave.
‘The Glory’ (2022–2023)
The most talked-about K-drama of the 2020s is undoubtedly The Glory, a revenge story that is elaborate, dark, and sinister, and yet emotional and beautiful in so many ways. It’s gritty and grim when it depicts its villains but soft and seething with rage when it focuses on the heroine, played beautifully by Song Hye-kyo. This is her return to being once again one of the most compelling and stunning female leads in K-drama, but her part is different here; the romance in The Glory is sidelined to give a little more space to the revenge tale, but it’s still there as a reward for witnessing an unraveling of a woman who grew up with violence.
The Glory follows Moon Dong-eun (Song), a substitute teacher in a primary school whose past is muddy. Soon, we learn that Dong-eun is in fact looking for revenge against her former schoolmates, especially the four who relentlessly and brutally bullied her, forcing her to drop out of school completely. She plotted her revenge over the past 19 years, and executes each part with precision, even if it chips away at her own humanity bit by bit. The school violence depicted in the series is, unfortunately, based on real-life events that took place in South Korean schools; The Glory prompted the discussion of systemic cover-ups and peer violence, something that was seemingly ignored until then.
‘The East Palace’ (2026)
A show that combines Kingdom and If Wishes Could Kill, The East Palace is a recent addition to Netflix’s ever-increasing K-drama roster, and this one is borderline perfection. Some moments slow down the plot, but these are minimal and don’t take away from the show’s overall quality. Brilliantly performed, written, and executed, The East Palace is a unique dark fantasy series that takes horror’s best elements and combines them with the star power of Nam Joo-hyuk, Roh Yoon-seo, and Cho Seung-woo.
The East Palace is set in a fictionalized version of the Joseon era, where the King’s (Cho) children keep dying from unknown illnesses. Called to find the root of the problem, spirit-slayer Gu-cheon (Nam) finds out that the King and his family dabbled with sinister forces in the past. Gu-cheon teams up with Saeng-gang (Roh), a court lady who can hear the dead, and the two try to lift the curse all while figuring out their own roles in the scheme. The East Palace is incredibly fun and easy to binge-watch; if you need more proof of its masterpiece status, its current critics’ rating on Rotten Tomatoes is a perfect 100%. There’s hope for a continuation—there’s definitely material for it—but all that’s left is the hope that Netflix Korea loves its shows as much as their viewers do.
‘We Are All Trying Here’ (2026)
If you like My Mister and My Liberation Notes, We Are All Trying Here was written by the same author, Park Hae-young, and might be her best work yet. The other two shows depict depression and feelings of inadequacy with precision, but there’s something about We Are All Trying Here that feels like an amalgamation of the two. Park is a master at dividing attention to multiple characters without making them shallow or unfinished; in We Are All Trying Here, she once again tackles the feelings of depression and inadequacy but lines it perfectly with the importance of camaraderie, hope, and openness.
The show depicts the “reopening” of Hwang Dong-man (D.P.‘s Koo Kyo-hwan), who shut himself off from his friends when they all began making strides in their film careers except for him. Everyone in his college friend group has debuted as a writer, director, or both, and he finds it hard to relate to them, alienating them instead. He soon befriends the quiet but warm screenwriter Eun-ah (Go Youn-jung), who helps him write his first film. Where My Liberation Notes takes slow strokes on purpose, We Are All Trying Here delivers some devastating blows all of a sudden; they’re similarly paced, but this show really takes the time to create an atmosphere where viewers can relate to its characters but also feel intense empathy for some of them. Koo is at his most charismatic here, and his performance is one of the most memorable of the 2020s.
‘Teach You a Lesson’ (2026)
Another show that easily could (and arguably should) have a second season is Teach You a Lesson, an action comedy that is grounded in real life. It was based on a popular web comic but tackles the topics of school violence, systemic cover-ups, and exploitation of education as serious topics; it was both an instant streaming hit, holding the number 1 spot on Netflix for over two consecutive weeks, and a point of controversy because of its vigilante premise. Teachers across South Korea welcomed the depictions of the harshness of the school world, but some didn’t like the part where things are done out of revenge.
Teach You a Lesson follows a fictional department formed by the Minister of Education (Lee Sung-min) called the Educational Rights Protection Bureau (ERPB). The ERPB is led by former Special Forces captain-turned-inspector Na Hwa-jin (Kim Mu-yeol), who, together with his unpredictable Special Forces junior, Im Han-rim (Jin Ki-joo) and mild-mannered techie Bong Geun-dae (Pyo Ji-hoon), investigates cases of violence in high schools across South Korea. However, their cases aren’t only rooted in student-on-student violence, but also in all forms of malversations in the education system, from professors taking bribes to students getting caught up in gambling schemes. It’s feel-good, fun, and incredibly addictive; Teach You a Lesson is probably the best K-drama of 2026, though competition is very high and still very active.
Teach You A Lesson
- Release Date
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2026 – 2026-00-00
- Network
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Netflix
- Directors
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Hong Jong-chan
Cast
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Lee Sung-min
Choi Kang-seok
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-
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Pyo Ji-hoon
Bong Geun-dae
Entertainment
Perez Hilton Believes ‘The Devil’ Was Behind His Livestream Crisis
Perez Hilton reportedly believes his recent mental health crisis was a “spiritual attack” connected to the Christian faith he embraced after surviving a life-threatening medical emergency earlier this year. The celebrity blogger remains hospitalized in Florida after harming himself during a disturbing TikTok livestream.

As he continues receiving medical and psychiatric treatment, an insider claims Hilton is trying to understand the incident through both mental health care and his newfound religious beliefs. “Hilton is convinced that he was under spiritual attack. This is spiritual warfare,” the source told the Daily Mail. “He believes that the devil is not happy that he became a Christian, and was doing whatever to attack him.”
The insider claimed Hilton has become “more committed to his faith than ever” since the incident. “And it’s Biblical that the closer one draws to Christ, the more the enemy will attack. He believes that’s what happened,” the source said.
Hilton reportedly does not currently have access to his phone or the internet. Instead, his days have been centered on medical treatment, prayer, and reading the Bible. “He’s reading his Bible and praying while getting treatment,” the insider shared. “Leaning on Christ like never before. He’s really leaning in.”
The source also claimed Hilton has gained greater clarity about his recovery and recognizes that he needs help in multiple areas. “He’s got a clarity now that he didn’t have before. He knows what he needs to do. He is going to get better,” the insider said. “He will treat this every way he can: medically, psychologically, emotionally, and spiritually. This is a physical and mental problem that also has a spiritual dimension.”
Hilton is reportedly being held under Florida’s Baker Act. The law permits an involuntary mental health examination when specific legal criteria are met, including evidence that a person may pose a danger to themselves or others because of a mental illness.
The Blogger Is Recovering From Serious Injuries

Hilton sustained numerous injuries during the livestream and reportedly required stitches for dozens of wounds. He is also said to have suffered broken bones during a fall, leaving him with limited mobility. His physical condition has reportedly begun to improve. “That’s given him some real encouragement. If his physical health is improving, then mentally and spiritually he must be improving as well,” the source said.
Following the August incident, Hilton’s family confirmed that he was receiving professional care and asked the public to respect the family’s privacy. As The Blast reported, Hilton’s children, niece and sister had been inside the house shortly before the crisis. His family said they left to prevent the children from witnessing any further trauma once they realized Hilton was harming himself.
A Miami-Dade County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson said Hilton was alone inside the home when deputies arrived. Authorities transported him to a hospital after responding to calls from people who had seen the livestream.
TikTok subsequently banned Hilton’s account. The company reportedly said its moderation system flagged the broadcast within minutes, although a moderator error delayed its removal.
His Mother Has Temporary Custody Of His Children

Hilton’s mother, Teresita Lavandeira, currently has temporary custody of his three children, Mario, 13, Mia, 11, and Mayte, 8. A judge has granted Hilton supervised hospital visits with them, but he must receive psychiatric clearance before those visits can take place. Any contact must also be supervised by an approved family member or therapist.
A source close to the family told the Daily Mail that Hilton’s injuries remain too upsetting for the children to see. They have reportedly not visited him since the incident. The children’s proximity to the crisis has reportedly become an important part of Hilton’s changing outlook. “Before, he was feeling like the world would be better off without him; he’s not there anymore,” the insider said. “He understands that his kids need him, his family needs him, and he has worth. It’s encouraging.”
Perez Hilton Found Faith After Surviving Sepsis

Hilton’s religious transformation began after he spent 21 days in the hospital earlier this year. The 48-year-old said he developed a stomach ulcer after taking medication without food while battling the flu. The ulcer perforated and led to severe sepsis, emergency surgery, and other medical complications. Hilton was later readmitted with deep vein thrombosis.
While reflecting on the frightening experience in March, Hilton said he had an encounter that completely changed his religious beliefs. “God presented himself to me,” he said through tears. “I was never a believer until now. I could only call it miraculous. And I was very lucid. It was real. And this has been life-changing. I’m so grateful.”
Hilton explained that he was raised Catholic but had never considered himself a true believer. “And I grew up Catholic. I was baptized, had my Communion, was confirmed, and went to a Jesuit school for seven years. But I was never a believer until now,” he said.
The experience inspired Hilton to begin taking his children to church and reassess how he had treated people throughout his career.
The Celebrity Blogger Apologized For His Past Behavior

Days after discussing his spiritual experience, Hilton released another video apologizing for the cruel and humiliating celebrity coverage that helped make him famous. “I made a lot of mistakes in my past. We all have. Nobody’s perfect,” he admitted. “But my mistakes are very public. I carry with me deep shame and regret. I’m sorry. I will continue to apologize. I have also reached out to make amends. I have apologized publicly and privately to dozens of people.”
Hilton acknowledged that attention, money, and website traffic once mattered more to him than the damage his coverage caused. “Because I was so selfish, because I didn’t care who I hurt, I just cared about the views, the attention, the money – people hated me,” he said. “Some people enjoyed it, but it felt like most people hated me. And last week, since I’ve been home, I haven’t been getting as much hate, and I’ve been getting love and prayers.”
His website has resumed publishing celebrity news through its small staff, but Hilton remains unable to work while receiving treatment. “He prays all the time. He is still very connected to God after his near-death experience, and he is hoping his guardian angels will guide him towards better health, both mental and physical,” another source told the Daily Mail.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the United States.
Entertainment
‘Breaking Bad’ Creator’s Cult Classic Superhero Epic Officially Soars Onto Free Streaming
The year 2008 is important in the history of superhero movies because it produced two industry-altering hits — Marvel’s Iron Man and Christopher Nolan‘s The Dark Knight. Both movies changed the way Hollywood makes tentpoles, and their influence can be felt to this day. There was, however, a third superhero movie that came out in the summer of 2008. The movie was a bigger hit at the box office than Iron Man, and was primed for a sequel that was never made. Conversations about the long-rumored follow-up resurface from time to time, but no concrete progress has been made on the project in nearly two decades. That said, the original movie was recently added to the free streaming library of Pluto TV, making it easier to access for an audience that likely wasn’t born when it was first released.
The movie in question was directed by Peter Berg, with Will Smith in the lead role of an immortal superpowered being who wastes his life on drinking and debauchery. When he saves the life of a PR professional played by Jason Bateman, he agrees to an image makeover that projects him in a more favorable light. What he doesn’t realize is that he is part of a duo of immortal superheroes whose powers decline when they come into proximity with each other. His other half is played by Charlize Theron, who would revisit the same themes years later in The Old Guard and its sequel, The Old Guard 2.
The Forgotten 2008 Superhero Movie Is Streaming for Free
We’re talking, of course, about Hancock. Produced on a reported budget of $150 million, the movie made nearly $630 million worldwide. It was co-written by none other than Breaking Bad‘s Vince Gilligan, and was co-produced by an even more unexpected person: Michael Mann. Hancock received mediocre reviews, and is now sitting at a 42% score on the aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, where the consensus reads, “Though it begins with promise, Hancock suffers from a flimsy narrative and poor execution.” The latest update for a sequel came in 2025, when Smith hinted that Zendaya may be involved. With I Am Legend 2 in the works, it wouldn’t be surprising if Hancock is resurrected as well. You can watch the movie on Pluto TV, and stay tuned to Collider for more updates.
- Release Date
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July 2, 2008
- Runtime
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92 minutes
Entertainment
The Biggest Fantasy Series Ever Made Is Officially Still a #1 Global Streaming Smash
2026 has been a great year for fans of fantasy TV shows, with HBO dropping two big-budget series that dominated watchlists for months. The first big HBO fantasy series to wow the world was the debut season of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, the Game of Thrones spin-off show following Ser Duncan the Tall and his young squire, Egg. The show takes place over only a few days at a small jousting tournament, which is a considerable departure from Thrones shows of the past. HBO also struck gold with the third season of House of the Dragon, and the streamer has also confirmed that the fourth and final season will be released in 2028. There are plans to shoot it in 2027. Prime Video is also bringing back The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power back for Season 3 in November.
While it’s good to see new seasons of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms and House of the Dragon tear up streaming charts, it was the original Game of Thrones show that paved the way for either of its spin-offs to even exist. There was even some initial apprehension about the first season of House of the Dragon after the disastrous Game of Thrones series finale, and while the show hasn’t been perfect, it’s managed to win over most fans of the original Game of Thrones show. What’s even more impressive is Game of Thrones‘ current streaming run — although it’s been more than six years since the show went off the air, Game of Thrones is still among HBO’s most-watched titles in more than 25 countries around the world.
Is HBO Making a ‘Game of Thrones’ Movie?
Warner Bros. is working with HBO right now developing a Game of Thrones movie centered around Aegon’s Conquest. Very few details are known about the project at this time, as it’s still in the early stages of development, but Warner Bros. has confirmed that it’s being developed for theatrical release — the film will not drop straight to HBO Max. Fans are also anxiously waiting for George R.R. Martin to finally finish The Winds of Winter, but with each year that it remains unfinished, it seems less likely to be something he’ll ever return to.
Check out all eight seasons of Game of Thrones on HBO Max and stay tuned to Collider for more updates and coverage of the Game of Thrones universe.
Entertainment
Lady Gaga, Michael Polansky Spotted With Baby for 1st Time
Lady Gaga and her fiancé, Michael Polansky, are seemingly embracing parenthood with ease.
Gaga, 40, was recently spotted carrying a newborn in a beige baby carrier on a walk with Polansky, 42, in photos obtained by Page Six on Friday, September 11.
Multiple outlets, including People and Page Six, reported on Friday that the Grammy winner and Polansky quietly welcomed their first baby. The couple, who have been engaged since 2024, have not publicly addressed their family plans at the time of publication. Us reached out for comment.
Gaga has previously been candid about her desire to become a mom.
“[I want to do] more music, not retiring any time soon … all kinds of different music,” she told YouTube star NikkieTutorials in a December 2019 video when asked about whether she had a 10-year plan. “I wanna do more movies, I wanna have babies and I want to continue to build the behemoth that is Haus Laboratories into the makeup company of my dreams.”
She continued, “I’m living my inspirations right now, in this moment. When I get inspired, I do things right away. There will be tons of crazy things that I do over the next decade. I just don’t know exactly what they are, which is why they’ll be extra crazy.”
That same year, Gaga began dating Polansky.
“I had never met anyone like Michael. He’s so smart and so kind. And his life and my life are very different,” Gaga told Vogue in September 2024. “He’s a very private guy and he’s not with me for any other reason than that we are right for each other.”
She added at the time, “I think what I want my fans to know is that I’m just, like, so happy. I’m healthy. I feel like the last time they heard from me — in this way — was Chromatica, and that album was about an absolutely horrible time for me with my mental health. I was in a really dark place. I struggled for, like, many years before that. But everything started to change.”
Gaga further gushed that Polansky “wasn’t afraid to truly hold my hand” and get to know her on “a very deep level.”
“She’s someone who is happiest when she’s creating. It’s one of the qualities I love most about her,” Polansky told Vogue at the time. “But I see her enjoying it so much more than she did when I met her back in 2019.”
Polansky was first introduced to Gaga through her mother at a charity event.
“I didn’t know much about her and honestly wasn’t sure what to expect,” he recalled of the pop star. “I was struck immediately by her warmth and openness — she was so genuinely curious about what my life was like growing up in Minnesota.”
Entertainment
Is Lil Durk Out of Jail? Jury Acquits Rapper of Murder-for-Hire
Rapper Lil Durk remains incarcerated after a jury found him not guilty in his murder-for-hire trial.
A federal jury acquitted Lil Durk (real name Durk Banks), 33, on Friday, September 11, after he was accused of orchestrating a murder-for-hire plot, per Los Angeles’ ABC affiliate.
Lil Durk was arrested in 2024 for allegedly ordering the murder of fellow rap star Quando Rondo two years prior. (Shots were fired at Rondo and his cousin in Los Angeles in 2022 by three masked gunmen. Rondo’s cousin died during the incident.)
Lil Durk pleaded not guilty to the charges, with his defense team arguing in court that the “All My Life” performer had no involvement in the alleged scheme. Lil Durk stood trial alongside two other defendants, who also pleaded not guilty to conspiracy, stalking using a dangerous weapon, stalking resulting in death, and two counts involving murder-for-hire allegations.
Lil Durk’s codefendants, Deandre Dontrell Wilson and David Brian Lindsey, were each convicted of stalking and conspiracy to commit stalking charges and acquitted on the remaining counts. Lil Durk, for his part, was acquitted on all charges.
Despite the acquittal, Lil Durk will remain in jail while awaiting a second trial for several federal counts of racketeering murder and firearms charges, scheduled for next month. (Lil Durk has pleaded not guilty to all charges.)
The rap star rose to fame in 2013 with the release of his Signed to the Streets mixtape series. Lil Durk was signed to Def Jam Records the following year. Under the record label’s umbrella, Lil Durk dropped two studio-length albums before leaving Def Jam in 2018.
Lil Durk later signed with Alamo Records and went on to release two more albums. He won his first Grammy in February 2024 for Best Melodic Rap Performance.
“It feels good to be at the Grammys,” Lil Durk told Billboard after winning the trophy for his “All My Life” collaboration with J. Cole. “You come in the studio with J. Cole, you gotta come with your A-game, you know what I’m saying? … It was a task [with] a lot of bumps in the road, but I think that’s for everybody. As long as you stay focused and get it together, you’re good. Coming from the trenches to the Grammys!”
He added, “I like what they’re doing now [in the rap genre]. They aren’t putting now cap on it. They ain’t trying to do it for somebody else, they doing it for them, you know what I’m saying? So, shout out to the whole generation under us and with us.”
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