Most Popular
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Yoon sorry for shortcomings but insists policies were right
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1 in 3 Koreans live alone, family types becoming diverse
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S. Korea ‘strongly’ protests Japan’s claim over Dokdo in diplomatic bluebook
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US 'incredibly concerned' about suspected NK-Iran military ties
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Korean won weakens amid heightened uncertainty
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Korea, Japan finance chiefs vow to tame rampant FX market volatility
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Seoul says will cut power to porn festival planned on Han River
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Sewol victims commemorated on tragedy's 10th anniversary
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Chanel, Louis Vuitton see muted growth in Korea
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K-pop group's manager dismissed for setting up spycam in theater dressing room
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‘My Heart Puppy’ offers smiles, laughter with ‘bromance’
Cha Tae-hyun and Yoo Yeon-seok promise to bring smiles and laughter to a not-so-easy journey from Seoul to Jeju with eight dogs in “My Heart Puppy.” Written and directed by Jason Kim, the filmmaker behind the 2017 award-winning action comedy “Midnight Runners,” “My Heart Puppy” is based on his personal experience of separation from his 10-year-old dog. The film revolves around the efforts of Min-soo (Yoo) and Jin-guk (Cha) to find a new family for Min-soo&rsqu
Jan. 31, 2023
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Jin Seon-kyu takes on first lead role in ‘Count’
Actor Jin Seon-kyu took the role he was offered for comedy film “Count” immediately after reading the scenario because the character was just like himself, according to Jin. “When I first read the scenario four years ago, not only was the story fun, but many parts of Si-heon were similar to myself,” the actor told reporters during a press conference heldat CGV Yongsan, in Seoul, Monday. In “Count,” Jin plays Si-heon, a former boxing Olympic medalist who now
Jan. 30, 2023
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After pandemic postponements, Korean movies flow into theaters
A variety of Korean films are opening in cinemas after their releases were delayed due to COVID-19, as the local film industry starts to show signs of recovery. In the upcoming month, “The Outlaws” and “Extreme Job” actor Jin Seon-kyu’s new comedy film “Count” will open. The film centers on Si-heon, played by Jin, who is a former Olympic medalist and now teaches students at a high school as a stubborn and sometimes annoying physical education teacher. Af
Jan. 29, 2023
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[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week
“Someday or One Day” (Taiwan) Opened Jan. 25 Drama Directed by Hwang Cheonin Based on an adaptation of a 2019 TV series of the same name, this film revolves around a woman who is depressed after her boyfriend dies in a plane incident. Struggling to get over him, she receives a mysterious tape one day that allows her to travel back in time. She dreams of meeting her boyfriend once again and questions whether she will be able to change his destiny. “The Point Men” (So
Jan. 27, 2023
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Cannes-winning ‘Decision to Leave’ fails to get Oscar nod
Cannes-winning romance-thriller “Decision to Leave” by South Korea’s renowned filmmaker Park Chan-wook failed to become one of the five nominees in the best international feature film category at the 95th Academy Awards, surprising both critics and global fans, with some even saying that it was Oscars that “missed a chance.” “Argentina 1985” (Argentina), “All Quiet On The Western Front” (Germany), “Close” (Belgium), “The Qui
Jan. 25, 2023
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Hong Sang-soo's 'In Water' in competition at Berlin Film Festival
South Korean director Hong Sang-soo will vie in competition at the Berlin International Film Festival for the fourth consecutive year. Hong’s 29th feature, “In Water” is listed in the Encounters category with 15 other films at the festival scheduled for Feb. 16-23, according to the lineup for the 73rd edition announced Monday. Established in 2020, the Encounters category is a competitive section devoted to new cinematic visions. The platform aims to foster aesthetically and str
Jan. 24, 2023
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[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week
“The First Slam Dunk” (Japan) Opened Jan. 4 Adventure/Comedy Directed by Takehiko Inoue Based on the "Slam Dunk" manga series written and illustrated by Takehiko Inoue, this animated sports film follows Ryota Miyagi, a high school student who plays as a point guard on his school’s basketball team. It follows his journey of winning the championship at a nationwide basketball competition. “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” (United States) Opened Jan. 4 A
Jan. 22, 2023
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Director Yeon Sang-ho’s new sci-fi film ‘Jung_E’ tops global Netflix chart
Netflix original film “Jung_E,” which depicts a dystopian society through director Yeon Sang-ho’s iconic dark, futuristic setting, has topped the Netflix global chart only a day after the film has been released on Friday. According to an OTT content streaming ranking site Patrol, “Jung_E” ranked No.1 in the Netflix film category as of Saturday. This cyberpunk flick, set on Earth in the year 2194, was the most watched film in 31 countries including South Korea, US, M
Jan. 22, 2023
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[Weekender] 16 movies to watch over Seollal holiday
Watching movies at theaters during the Seollal holiday is a rite of sorts for South Korean moviegoers, as more people spend time at home rather than traveling outside the city over the extended holiday period. It is also an important season for filmmakers and distributors, as the country's box office hits prove that films opening during the family holiday season record relatively higher ticket sales. Examples abound, such as family drama "Miracle in Cell No. 7," which opened durin
Jan. 21, 2023
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Beloved actor Yoon Jeong-hee dies, aged 79
Yoon Jeong-hee, a South Korean cinema icon and beloved actor, passed away at the age of 79 in Paris, according to a movie industry official on Friday. She had long suffered Alzheimer's disease. She had been staying in Paris since 2010 with her violinist daughter Paik Jin-hee. "Yoon Jeong-hee, my wife and beloved actress, left the world peacefully, as if she was dreaming, listening to the sound of our daughter Jin-hee playing a violin. Based on her will, we will quietly conduct a privat
Jan. 20, 2023
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‘Decision to Leave’ receives two nominations at BAFTA
Although director Park Chan-wook left this year’s Golden Globe Awards and Critics Choice Awards empty handed, now all eyes are on whether he will be given a trophy at the 2023 British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA), whose finalists were announced Thursday night. According to BAFTA, Cannes-winning romance-thriller “Decision to Leave” has been nominated in two categories: Best director and best film not in the English language. It marks Park’s second time recei
Jan. 20, 2023
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[Herald Interview] Director Yim Soon-rye’s first-ever action movie minimizes killing, focuses on humanism
Many know director Yim Soon-rye for her flagship storytelling about humanism and art-house scenes in “Little Forest” (2018) and “Forever the Moment” (2008). “The Point Men,” which opened in theaters Wednesday, is Yim's first-ever action film in a career that spans nearly three decades. The film, starring two much sought-after stars, shows Yim's unconventional approach to action scenes that reflects her insistence on relaying a heartfelt drama. &ldquo
Jan. 18, 2023
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Yeon Sang-ho tells another dystopian story through sci-fi film ‘Jung_E’
“Jung_E,” an upcoming Netfilx sci-fi film, depicts a dystopian society through director Yeon Sang-ho’s iconic dark, inscrutable characters and futuristic setting. Having told stories through zombies in “Train to Busan” (2016) and humongous supernatural monsters in “Hellbound” (2021), Yeon has chosen AI robots for his latest sci-fi project -- a rare genre in South Korea. In this cyberpunk flick, Yeon said he wanted to portray AI robots in the most Korea
Jan. 16, 2023
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[Herald Review] ‘Phantom,’ a colorful, classy spy action film set in 1930s
Director Lee Hae-young’s upcoming period action flick “Phantom” is set in Korea under Japanese colonial rule, but patriotic or historical messages are well-hidden throughout a highly-charged plot. Rather, it invites the audience to immerse themselves in stunt-studded action. Lee’s articulate approach to mise-en-sceneis also on show through the five protagonists' outfits in leather or velvet that match their characters. After shortly showing the background on how anti
Jan. 15, 2023
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'Kill Boksoon' invited to Berlin International Film Festival
The 2023 Berlin International Film Festival has added Netflix' film "Kill Boksoon" at its Berlinale Special program, according to Netflix on Saturday. Selections for the Berlinale Special include documentary, feature and short films that elevate and explore cinema as an art form. The special films also try to reconnect the audience with beloved characters or people while reflecting upon current topics or history. A total of eight films have been invited to the program this year, i
Jan. 14, 2023
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Film industry post-pandemic recovery remains slow
Forecasts for the domestic film industry's sales are pessimistic, amid a weaker than expected recovery at the box office. The number of moviegoers reached 112.8 million in 2022, according to the 2022 Korean film industry's sales report released by the Korean Film Council on Thursday. That was more than double the 52.28 million of the year before, but still sharply down from 226.68 million in the last pre-pandemic year of 2019. Sales were 1 trillion won ($807 million) last year, 49.8 pe
Jan. 13, 2023
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[Newsmaker] Stop-motion animation 'Mother Land' stays away from 3D effect for story about nature
“Mother Land,” South Korea’s first major stop-motion animated film in 45 years, did not use 3D effects in the film to better portray the mother nature story, the film’s director Park Jae-beom told reporters Tuesday. “When I first thought about the storyline of ‘Mother Land,’ it was obvious for me to turn it into a stop-motion animation. Not only because I’m a huge fan of stop-motion animation, but because I wanted to portray a story of mother natur
Jan. 13, 2023
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[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week
“Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” (United States) Opened Jan. 4 Adventure/Comedy Directed by Joel Crawford Puss in Boots decides to live a life as a pet cat instead of a hero, after discovering that he has burnt through eight of his nine lives. Knowing that an adventure will take its toll, Puss departs for a legendary journey to find the mythical Last Wish for the Wishing Star and restore the rest of his eight lives. With his unexpected companions -- Kitty Softpaws and the kind-hearted
Jan. 13, 2023
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Park Chan-wook misses out at Golden Globe Awards
Internationally acclaimed director Park Chan-wook’s romance thriller, “Decision to Leave,” failed to win the best non-English language film prize at the 80th Golden Globe Awards Wednesday. The award went to "Argentina, 1985," an Argentine historical drama film written, produced and directed by Santiago Mitre. The film became the first recipient after the award was renamed from best foreign language film, amid controversy over ethical lapses and a lack of diversity in
Jan. 11, 2023
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[Herald Interview] Director He Shuming tells Singaporean story through Korean drama in ‘Ajoomma’
In Singaporean film director He Shuming's debut “Ajoomma,” the description of "ajumma," a Korean term for middle-aged women, is somewhat different from what Koreans understand it to be. The film centers on a widowed housewife played by Singaporean TV actor Hong Huifang, who steps out of her comfort zone by making a trip to South Korea by herself. During her trip she embarks on a journey of self-discovery and strikes up an unexpected friendship. The director said he wan
Jan. 10, 2023