Articles by Song Seung-hyun
Song Seung-hyun
ssh@heraldcorp.com-
[Eye interview] ‘Squid Game’ VIP actors address criticism of their performance
John D. Michaels and Daniel C. Kennedy faced harsh criticism after appearing on the Netflix global sensation “Squid Game” as two of the VIPs. They addressed that criticism during a recent interview with The Korea Herald. Critics said the foreign actors’ performances were over the top and did not fit the tone of the series. Although they are aware of the criticism, Michaels and Kennedy said they would not do it much differently even if they had the chance. They al
Film Nov. 26, 2021
-
Documentary film on people who are neither South nor North Koreans
One of the frequently asked questions of Koreans traveling abroad is: “Are you from the North or the South?” The protagonists of Kim Cheol-min’s independent documentary film, “I Am From Chosun,” would answer the question by saying they are from both, or perhaps neither. Kim’s documentary depicts his journey of learning about the Zainichi people in Japan, who are ethnic Koreans who moved to Japan mostly during the early 1900s before the Korean Peninsula was
Film Nov. 24, 2021
-
[News Focus] Winning three awards at AMAs, BTS’ universe makes Army proud
BTS indeed is the biggest boy band in history. The seven-member boy band on Monday bagged three trophies at this year’s American Music Awards, including the top prize -- the artist of the year. The 49th Annual AMAs was held at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. “Four years ago, we gave this first-time-ever TV live performance at this stage, AMAs, it was ‘DNA,’ and we were too excited and nervous at the time. And it’s been a long and amazing ride since then, bu
Performance Nov. 22, 2021
-
[Newsmaker] Netflix’s ‘Hellbound’ may be the next big Korean hit
Netflix’s fantasy thriller “Hellbound” directed by Yeon Sang-ho is off to a good start in following in the footsteps of global sensation “Squid Game.” A day after being released Friday, Yeon’s Netflix series topped the Top TV show on Netlflix chart, according to streaming analytics firm FlixPatrol. “Squid Game” grabbed the No. 2 spot on the chart Saturday. The global hit TV series directed by Hwang Dong-hyuk had stayed atop FlixPatrol’s T
Film Nov. 21, 2021
-
‘Nothing Serious’ director creates female character talking openly about sex
Rookie Korean director Jung Ga-young, 31, said she focused on creating a female character with a daring personality when writing the script for romantic comedy “Nothing Serious” “I wanted to make a rom-com. I am a big fan of the genre and on top of that I wanted to create a film that centers around a female character,” the director said during a press conference held at CGV Yongsan in central Seoul on Wednesday. “I also wanted the female character to be honest when
Film Nov. 20, 2021
-
[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week
Perhaps Love (Korea) Opened Nov. 17 Romantic comedy Directed by Cho Eun-ji Bestselling writer Hyun (Ryu Seung-ryong) is trying to overcome writer’s block after producing a hit novel seven years ago. One day, Hyun reads a rough draft of a novel written by his student, Yoo-jin (Mu Jin-sung), and suggests further developing the work together. Yoo-jin, who is gay and has feelings for Hyun, takes up the offer. Tomb of the River (Korea) Opened Nov. 10 Action Directed by Yoon Young-bin Gangste
Film Nov. 19, 2021
-
BTS’ time capsule displayed in National Museum of Korean Contemporary History
A time capsule that global K-pop phenomenon BTS presented to President Moon Jae-in on Sept. 19 during an event marking Youth Day held at Cheong Wa Dae is now on display at the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History. The box is displayed in the permanent exhibition hall located on the fifth floor of the museum. The box measures 40 centimeters in length, 30 centimeters in width and 26 centimeters in depth, according to the museum. The box is purple -- a color associated with the band and
K-pop Nov. 17, 2021
-
Seoul Independent Film Festival programmers recommend 17 films
Ahead of the 47th Seoul Independent Film Festival, program committee members Huh Nam-woong and Jung Ji-hye on Wednesday recommended 17 films for viewing. Ten recommended features include “Hot in Day, Cold at Night,” directed by Park Song-yeol, which depicts the story of Young-tae and his wife, Jeong-hee, who make ends meet with part-time jobs. The film is a great example of how a minimum amount of directing and acting can be effective, according to the programmers. “The Con
Film Nov. 17, 2021
-
French Cinema Week 2021 kicks off with new releases, classics
Great news for French film fans in Korea: French Cinema Week 2021, organized by the French Embassy in Seoul and the association of Korean Buyers & Distributors of Foreign Films in Korea, kicked off Monday with screenings of 40 films. The event, running through Sunday, is being held at 14 local theaters in five different cities, including Seoul, Incheon and Daejeon. This year’s French Cinema Week is held under the theme of “Save Our Cinema.” “We hope to support the
Film Nov. 15, 2021
-
Oh Na-ra talks about portraying a secret love affair in rom-com ‘Perhaps Love’
“Perhaps Love,” a new movie directed by Cho Eun-ji and starring Oh Na-ra, offers a different take on relationships than most South Korean films. Oh’s character, Mi-ae, secretly dates Soon-mo (played by Kim Hee-won), a close friend of her ex-husband, Hyun (played by Ryoo Seung-ryo). Soon-mo, a publisher, works with Hyun, a writer struggling to overcome writer’s block. Oh explained during an interview with a group of reporters via Google Meet that she hadn’t exper
Film Nov. 12, 2021
-
[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week
Eternals (US) Opened Nov. 3 Action Directed by Chloe Zhao Ten superheroes, known as Eternals, have been on Earth for 7,000 years protecting humans from the threat of Deviants, a bestial and savage race that swallow humans, without revealing their identity. In 1500, the heroes killed the last of the Deviants. However, in present day, the Deviants have returned, and the Eternals have to work together to protect mankind. Ron’s Gone Wrong (US) Opened Oct. 27 Animation Directed by Jean-Phili
Film Nov. 12, 2021
-
NMK aims to finish classifying, examining Lee Kun-hee donations by 2025
The National Museum of Korea announced Thursday that it will complete classifying and examining the artworks bequeathed by the late Samsung Group Chairman Lee Kun-hee by 2025. The announcement came after the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced Tuesday that nearly all of the works of art bequeathed Lee would be housed together at the “Lee Kun-hee Donation Hall,” which is to open in Songhyeon-dong, Seoul, in 2027. The museum added that it will transfer all the donated
Culture Nov. 11, 2021
-
Sitting side-by-side, two Pensive Bodhisattvas offer calm
For those looking for a moment of peace, the National Museum of Korea has prepared a therapeutic experience through a new permanent exhibition titled “A Room of Quiet Contemplation,” presenting two Pensive Bodhisattvas, which are designated as National Treasures No. 78 and No. 83. “I created this exhibition with the intention of making Pensive Bodhisattvas the iconic item of Korea,” National Museum of Korea Director General Min Byoung-chan said during a press confere
Culture Nov. 11, 2021
-
‘Yumi’s Cells’: Versatile multimedia content that keeps on taking new forms
The Naver webtoon series “Yumi’s Cells” may be the perfect example of versatile multimedia content, with plans for it to be adapted as an animation and a musical. The animation version of the webtoon for cinematic release will be co-produced by a Naver subsidiary, Studio N, and by local animation production company Locus, which created the 2019 hit “Red Shoes and the Seven Dwarfs. The company is aiming to release the animation in cinemas in the first half of 2023, acco
Television Nov. 11, 2021
-
Korean animation ‘Catch! Teenieping’ gaining global popularity
Joining the ranks of Korean dramas and K-pop in gaining popularity worldwide is Korean animation series “Catch! Teenieping,” which has caught on with kids around the globe. “Catch! Teenieping” topped Netflix Korea’s trending kids category four days after the launch of its first season. YouTube channel Teenieping TV, meanwhile, has over 208,000 followers. The series has been widely watched in Australia and North America, where it has ranked No. 5 and No. 9, respect
Television Nov. 9, 2021
Most Popular
-
1
1 in 3 Koreans live alone, family types becoming diverse
-
2
Korea, Japan finance chiefs vow to tame rampant FX market volatility
-
3
US 'incredibly concerned' about suspected NK-Iran military ties
-
4
K-pop group's manager dismissed for setting up spycam in theater dressing room
-
5
K-pop singer lost consciousness after being hit by foul ball, cancels show
-
6
Korean Muslim YouTuber's plan to build mosque in Incheon goes viral
-
7
Contentious grain bill put directly to plenary meeting for vote
-
8
Why is Apple Pay struggling to get purchase in Korea?
-
9
Yoon's office denies considering liberal figures for key posts
-
10
Seoul says Fu Bao loan 'not going to happen'