[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week

“Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” (US) Opened Feb. 15 Action Directed by Peyton Reed In this sequel to "Ant-Man" (2015) and "Ant-Man and the Wasp" (2018) and the 31st film of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Ant-Man and the Wasp explore the Quantum Realm and interact with strange new creatures. “Titanic” (US) Opened Feb. 8 Romance Directed by James Cameron Celebrating the 25th anniversary of James Cameron’s box office phenomenon “Titani

Feb. 18, 2023

Bong Joon-ho returns to Florence Korean Film Fest after 12 years

South Korean star director Bong Joon-ho will attend the Florence Korean Film Fest for the first time in 12 years. Bong will participate in a master class on April 6 at the festival, which introduces Korean films throughout Europe and particularly in Italy, according to festival organizer Taegeukgi Cultural Association. His last visit to the fest, which has been held annually for the past 21 years, was in 2011. “We are pleased to have director Bong, one of the most widely acclaimed filmmake

Feb. 18, 2023

Three Korean films head to 73rd Berlin Film Festival

Three Korean films have been invited to the 73rd Berlin Film Festival, which kicked off Thursday and runs until Feb. 26. The festival picked director Hong Sang-soo’s “In Water” to compete in the newly established Encounters sidebar competition category. It is the 62-year-old auteur’s 29th project. Hong is competing at Berlinale for the fourth consecutive year, following “The Novelist's Film” (2022), “Introduction” (2021) and “The Wom

Feb. 17, 2023

Yim Si-wan puts new twist on villian role in Netflix original ‘Unlocked’

Singer and actor Yim Si-wan said he took a different approach to playing the role of a villain in his new film, “Unlocked,” highlighting the character's child-like nature, rather than portraying him as a ruthless killer. “Unlocked,” a debut film by director Kim Tae-joon, is based on Shiga Akira's award-winning Japanese novel of same title. The thriller tells the story of Na-mi (Chun Woo-hee) and how her life is threatened by Jun-young (Yim Si-wan) after she lose

Feb. 15, 2023

Jin Seon-kyu’s boxing comedy film ‘Count’ tells story of fearless underdogs

Actor Jin Seon-kyu garnered the spotlight through his supporting roles in “The Outlaws” (2017) and “Extreme Job” (2018) after long years of anonymity. The 45-year-old actor finally made his debut as a leading role actor in the comedy film “Count,” which is in some ways a story about Jin himself. In “Count,” Jin plays Si-heon, a former boxing Olympic medalist who now teaches students at a high school in Jinhae, North Gyeongsang Province. A stubborn

Feb. 14, 2023

‘Little Dinosaur Dooly’ returns with remastered 4K version

In celebration of the 40th year anniversary of the beloved Korean cartoon character Dooly, the 1996 cartoon series “Little Dinosaur Dooly” is making a return after 26 years on the silver screen remastered in 4K. “Little Dinosaur Dooly” was initially a cartoon series from Kim Ju-jeong and published in a cartoon magazine called Bomulseom, which translates to Treasure Island, from 1983 to 1993. It was made into a TV animation series and later released in cinemas. The story c

Feb. 13, 2023

[Herald Interview] July Jung consoles victims of society’s structural abuse with her films

July Jung, who debuted with the 2014 feature film “A Girl at My Door,” has only released two films so far, but all both have been acclaimed at the Cannes Film Festival. Her second feature film in 9 years, “Next Sohee,” is a gut-wrenching drama which centers on a high school student, So-hee (Kim Si-eun), who is sent to a call center for a grueling internship. Later in the film, You-jin (Bae Doo-na), a detective, looks into the death of So-hee. The film, which been selected

Feb. 12, 2023

Actor Yoo Ah-in tests positive for marijuana use

Actor Yoo Ah-in has tested positive for marijuana after undergoing a drug test as part of a probe into his alleged illegal use of an anesthetic medication, police officials said Friday. Police sent his hair and urine samples to the National Forensic Service for testing Sunday when he arrived here from the United States over his alleged use of propofol for non-medical purposes. His urine sample came back positive for cannabis, classified as an illegal drug here, while results from his hair sample

Feb. 10, 2023

Cinecube to screen 2023 Academy Awards nominated films

Independent film theater Cinecube, located in Jongno-gu, central Seoul, announced Thursday that it will screen acclaimed films that have been nominated for the 95th Academy Awards. Eleven works nominated for this year's Oscars and three others selected by Cinecube will be screened through March 28. Among the 11 nominations are six films yet to be released in the country, including "Tar," "The Whale," "The Banshees of Inisherin," "Close," "EO"

Feb. 10, 2023

[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week

“Someday or One Day” (Taiwan) Opened Jan. 25 Drama Directed by Hwang Cheonin Struggling to get over her boyfriend after he dies in a plane accident, Huang Yu-Xuan receives a mysterious tape one day that allows her to travel back in time. She dreams of meeting her boyfriend again and questions whether she will be able to change his destiny, in this film continuation of the same-titled 2019 TV series. “The Point Men” (South Korea) Opened Jan. 18 Drama Directed by Yim So

Feb. 10, 2023

Yoo Ah-in’s new films likely to be postponed

The film industry is closely following news of actor Yoo Ah-in being investigated by police for habitual illegal use of propofol. Release dates for Yoo’s new films slated for later this year are also highly likely to be delayed. According to Yoo’s agency UAA, police earlier this week investigated the 36-year-old actor. Yoo is currently prohibited from leaving the country. Industry insiders said the production staff and distribution companies are closely reviewing a plan to delay th

Feb. 9, 2023

Bong Joon-ho’s 4K remastered ‘The Host’ to hit France next month

Globally renowned filmmaker Bong Joon-ho’s 2006 thriller “The Host” will reopen in a 4K remastered version in France on March 8. Prior to the release of the new version, director Bong will attend a masterclass event and meet with audiences on Feb. 26 and 27 in France, according to industry sources. The event will take place at Le Grand Rex theater in Paris on Feb. 26 and at Institut Lumiere in Lyon on Feb. 27. Director Bong will meet with the audience in Paris on Feb. 26 with T

Feb. 8, 2023

Song Joong-ki to play North Korean defector in Netflix film ‘My Name is Loh Kiwan’

Actor Song Joong-ki will appear as North Korean defector Loh Ki-wan in a new Netflix film titled “My Name is Loh Kiwan,” the global streaming service said in unveiling the cast for the film Tuesday. The film will depict Loh’s struggles in Belgium as a new settler and his encounter with Mari (Choi Sung-eun) who has grown despondent about life and love. Song will play a North Korean defector for the first time in his 15-year career. He has shown great versatility in his filmograp

Feb. 7, 2023

[Herald Interview] Lee Dong-hwi adds realism to unlikely scenario

Since his debut in 2013, actor Lee Dong-hwi has played indispensable roles in TV dramas and films, including 2015 TVN series “Reply 1988” and 2019 comedy film “Extreme Job." From his short cameo appearance in director Hirokazu Koreeda’s “Broker” to Disney+ hit series “Big Bet,” Lee has impressed audiences with his witty but down-to-earth acting. In director Hyung Seul-woo’s feature film debut, “Someone You Loved,” Lee plays J

Feb. 7, 2023

CGV to screen 17 Oscar-nominated films

South Korean multiplex cinema chain CJ CGV said Monday that a total of 17 films nominated for the 95th Academy Awards will be screened at its cinemas across the country starting Saturday and until March 21. The list of films includes works yet to be released in Korea, such as “Tar,” “The Whale,” “The Quiet Girl,” “The Banshees of Inisherin,” “EO” and “Close.” “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” directed by Danie

Feb. 6, 2023

[Herald Interview] Bae Doo-na wants to spread social message through her film

After 25 years of acting, Bae Doo-na doesn’t want her real personality off camera to be too distinctive -- it may influence how the audiences view the characters she plays. Rather than drawing attention to herself, she wants to spread messages on social issues through her work. “Next Sohee” is based on a true event. It is about a 2017 incident in which a high school student took her own life after taking a grueling job training program at a call center. Bae plays a detective

Feb. 6, 2023

‘Devil’s Deal’ depicts instinctive desire, betrayal in crime noir

Director Lee Won-tae returns with another crime noir flick, “The Devil’s Deal,” four years after he was invited to the Cannes Film Festival for 2019’s "The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil.” Reunited with “The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil” actor Kim Moo-yeol, director Lee said he cast Cho Jin-woong early on and the acting roster was “nicely completed” when “Reborn Rich” actor Lee Sung-min joined at last. “From when I was re

Feb. 3, 2023

[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week

“Babylon” (US) Opened Feb. 1 Drama Directed by Damien Chazelle Set in Hollywood’s late 1920s, “Babylon” chronicles the rise and fall of ambitious dreamers -- singers, actors and filmmakers -- in the movie industry, depicting Hollywood’s transition from silent to sound films. The film, starring Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie and Diego Calva, is director Damien Chazelle's follow-up to the well-regarded La La Land in 2016 and First Man in 2018.     “BTS

Feb. 3, 2023

Berlin festival-bound ‘Kill Boksoon’ set for March 31 Netflix release

Upcoming action thriller “Kill Boksoon” confirmed its release on Netflix for March 31. The release follows the film's world premiere at the 73rd Berlin International Film Festival later this month. The film features Cannes-winning actor Jeon Do-yeon as Gil Bok-soon, a single mom who juggles being a professional killer and raising her teenage daughter Jae-young (Kim Si-a). Although Gil has an unblemished track record as an assassin and never has never missed a target, she decides

Feb. 2, 2023

[Herald Review] ‘Next Sohee’ a blunt portrayal of how adults destroy the dreams of youths

The character of Kim So-hee, played by Kim Si-eun, is an impulsive, hot-tempered high school student whose passion is dancing. The film opens with So-hee, in an empty dance studio, practicing over and over again to master a choreography. But this free spirit gradually collapses as she begins an internship at a grueling call center, part of her school’s curriculum, despite studying pet care. So-hee, nevertheless, tries to remain hopeful so as to not disappoint the adults in her life -- her

Feb. 1, 2023