Seoul International Eco Film Festival returns with new format

The 22nd Seoul International Eco Film Festival will run June 5–30 under the slogan “Ready, Climate, Action!” at Yonsei University Auditorium, Megabox Hongdae and other venues across Seoul, organizers announced Wednesday. This year’s lineup features 77 films from 35 countries, including 33 features and 44 shorts. The competition section comprises 16 Korean works (6 features, 10 shorts) and 20 international selections (8 features, 12 shorts). Founded in 2004, the festival coincides with World Envi

May 15, 2025

Webtoon Entertainment reports Q1 net loss despite meeting revenue projections

Webtoon Entertainment, the global arm of South Korea’s Naver Webtoon, reported a net loss of $22 million in the first quarter, despite slightly exceeding revenue forecasts. The Los Angeles-based webcomics platform, which went public in June 2024, recorded revenue of $325.7 million, narrowly surpassing the $324 million estimate from analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research. While the figure remained largely unchanged from the $326.7 million reported a year earlier, revenue increased 5.3 per

May 14, 2025

'The Old Woman With the Knife' confirms North American theater locations ahead of Friday release

Theater locations across the United States and Canada for Korean action thriller "The Old Woman With the Knife" have been confirmed ahead of its Friday release, public relations firm Blade Vista announced Wednesday. The film will open across downtown and suburban venues throughout major metro areas, including CGV Los Angeles in LA's Koreatown, AMC River East 21 in downtown Chicago, AMC Raceway in Long Island's Westbury in New York and Cinemark Legacy in Plano, Texas, part of the Dallas-Fort Wort

May 14, 2025

Kim Sae-ron film set for May 30 release

A film featuring the late South Korean actress Kim Sae-ron will open in theaters May 30 following a press screening and audience Q&A session on May 21, the production company announced Monday. "Guitar Man," produced by local pharmaceutical firm Sungwon Pharmaceutical, centers on a struggling musician who finds purpose through his art. Kim plays Yoo-jin, a keyboardist in the band. Production materials describe her character as someone whose warmth helps the isolated protagonist reconnect with oth

May 12, 2025

Comic action 'Hi-Five' readies for release amid star's absence

The press conference for the upcoming superhero comedy "Hi-Five" convened Monday at Lotte Cinema Konkuk University in Seoul, with director Kang Hyung-cheol and his cast in attendance. Conspicuously absent was Yoo Ah-in, who has vanished entirely from public view following his drug conviction in September. "I wanted to make a fun, entertaining film — the kind you'd find in video rental shops back in the day," said Kang, explaining his vision. "I've been fortunate enough to direct several films, a

May 12, 2025

Interview: Bella Kim and poetry of identity

Rarely does an actor encounter a role that mirrors their own life experience with uncanny precision, especially for a debut performance. For Bella Kim, who plays the lead role in the French-Korean film "Winter in Sokcho" that recently made its Korean premiere at the Jeonju International Film Festival, the boundary between character and self proved remarkably thin. When Kim arrives at a cafe in Jeonju, having navigated through a sudden downpour, she carries herself with the effortless poise you'd

May 10, 2025

Interview: Jerome Yoo's dreamlike vision

Jerome Yoo bends precisely at 90 degrees, utters a greeting of "annyeong haseyo," then straightens up with a mischievous grin. Dressed in matching blue denim with a statement watch glinting on his wrist, he looks more like a college student on cultural exchange than a filmmaker on the festival circuit. A promising voice in Canadian independent cinema for some time, the 31-year-old's artistic footprint extends well beyond his casual appearance. "Mongrels," Yoo's feature debut, had already collect

May 10, 2025

Jeonju International Film Festival wraps up ten-day showcase

JEONJU, North Jeolla Province — The 26th Jeonju International Film Festival concluded its ten-day run on Friday evening, capping off an event that presented 224 films from 57 countries to over 70,000 attendees. This year's edition maintained its focus on independent and experimental cinema, with 80 works making their world premieres across various sections. Earlier in the week, American director Joel Alfonso Vargas's family drama "Mad Bills to Pay" took home the Grand Prize in the international

May 9, 2025

Movies in theaters this week

"The Old Woman With The Knife" (South Korea) Opened April 30 Action/Drama Directed by Min Kyu-dong A 65-year-old professional assassin (Lee Hye-young) finds her principles crumbling when she develops feelings for a veterinarian (Yeon Woo-jin) and his daughter, while a young, obsessive killer (Kim Sung-cheol) watches her every move. "Holy Night: Demon Hunters" (South Korea) Opened April 30 Action/Horror Directed by Im Dae-hee A powerful team of supernatural warriors (Ma Dong-seok, Seohyun, David

May 9, 2025

Tom Cruise brings 'Mission: Impossible -- The Final Reckoning' to Korea

"I enjoy the pressures of making movies. I enjoy the responsibility," Tom Cruise told reporters at a press conference for "Mission: Impossible -- The Final Reckoning" held Thursday at Lotte Cinema World Tower in Seoul. The 61-year-old superstar's visit marks his 12th trip to Korea, cementing his status as the most frequent Hollywood visitor to the country. Cruise arrived in Seoul Wednesday on a private jet, greeting fans at Gimpo Airport for about 20 minutes. Later, he was spotted in Seoul's Gon

May 8, 2025