Robert Pattinson's Korean food adventure turns spicy during 'Mickey 17' press tour

Robert Pattinson's first brush with Korean street food turned into a hilarious ordeal of sweat and laughter as The Batman star kicked off the press tour for Bong Joon-ho's latest sci-fi venture "Mickey 17." In a clip posted on the film's official Instagram account on Thursday, Pattinson hit up a local Yongsan eatery with director Bong. The actor dives straight into the tteokbokki, only to discover that the supposedly "mild" dish was actually the "very spicy" option -- a prank set up by the staff

Jan. 24, 2025

Korean Film Council rolls out AI-enhanced masterclass in Saudi Arabia

The Korean Film Council has launched a global film education initiative in Saudi Arabia in partnership with the Korean Academy of Film Arts and NEOM Company to assist emerging Saudi filmmakers. Director Kim Tae-yong of "Late Autumn" and "Wonderland" is heading the six-day intensive program that began Jan. 21, joined by "Wonderland" producer Park Kwan-soo and KAFA professor Na Kyung-chan. The masterclass breaks new ground by incorporating OpenAI's "Sora" for AI-powered storyboarding. It builds on

Jan. 24, 2025

Adaptation of Baek Hee-na's 'Magic Candies' lands Oscar nomination

Animation made Academy shortlist after New York festival jury prize win "Magic Candies," the Japanese adaptation of South Korean author Baek Hee-na's beloved children's books, was nominated for Best Animated Short Film at this year's Academy Awards Thursday. The 20-minute Toei Animation production, directed by Daisuke Nishio, weaves together two of Baek's works to tell the story of a boy who discovers magical candies that unlock the inner thoughts of people, pets and even objects around him. The

Jan. 24, 2025

Movies in theaters this week

"Dark Nuns" (South Korea) Opened Jan. 24 Horror/Fantasy Directed by Kwon Hyeok-jae In this spin-off of "The Priests" (2015), a rebellious nun (Song Hye-kyo) and her contemplative partner (Jeon Yeo-been) join forces to perform forbidden exorcisms, confronting both demonic forces and church doctrine to save a young boy's life. "Hitman 2" (South Korea) Opened Jan. 22 Action/Comedy Directed by Choi Won-sub A former spy-turned-webtoon artist (Kwon Sang-woo) must scramble into action when a terrorist

Jan. 24, 2025

Doh Kyung-soo brings quiet intensity to 'Secret'

Versatile K-pop star takes on piano scores, love notes Doh Kyung-soo speaks barely above a whisper at a cafe in Seoul's Samcheong-dong. Wearing a flannel shirt and a backward baseball cap, he maintains a deadpan expression that occasionally cracks into inadvertent humor, prompting ripples of laughter from the group of reporters. "I'm a very normal person," he says with such sincerity that it elicits another round of laughter. "I just sit around watching YouTube cooking videos in my spare time,"

Jan. 23, 2025

In 'Dark Nuns,' Song Hye-kyo finds freedom in measured horror

Small screen goddess ventures into supernatural thriller with measured swagger With a slight smile forming, Song Hye-Kyo says, "I'm actually more of a realist, so not really into the supernatural stuff." "I did try tarot though," she adds. The observation comes with her characteristic nonchalance as she sits in a quiet cafe in Samcheong-dong, Seoul, her silhouette emanating an understated elegance that feels less calculated than innate. This sense of earned confidence, born of decades of experie

Jan. 22, 2025

Director Hong Sang-soo's latest makes sixth straight Berlinale run

South Korean arthouse icon Hong Sang-soo's latest feature "What Does Nature Say to You" will compete at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival, which opens Feb. 13 in Berlin. This is Hong's sixth consecutive Berlinale nomination. The auteur has had a notable presence at Berlinale. "On the Beach at Night Alone" earned Kim Min-hee Best Actress in 2017, "The Woman Who Ran" won Best Director in 2020, "Introduction" received Best Screenplay in 2021, "The Novelist's Film" claimed the Grand Jury P

Jan. 22, 2025

At 'Mickey17' preview, death on repeat in outer space

Robert Pattinson visits Seoul as disposable space worker in Oscar winner Bong Joon-ho's latest "How did I survive that?" asks a frost-covered Mickey (Robert Pattinson), lying mangled in an icy pit. His supposed friend, played by Steven Yeun, approaches with an unsettling grin, only to ask with morbid fascination: "What does it feel like to die?" The chilling scene, unveiled Monday at Seoul's Yongsan CGV in a first-look preview of Bong Joon-ho's "Mickey17," suggests something more grotesque than

Jan. 20, 2025

Korean cinema tests AI waters

From AI-restored classic to virtual actors, industry ventures into machine learning technology The AI revolution that's been shaking up Hollywood for the past few years has made its way to South Korean shores. From remastering classics to creating productions entirely through generative AI, the local film industry is starting to test out using AI tools for experimental projects. This week brings a remastered version of "Leafie, a Hen into the Wild." The 2011 animated feature gets new life throug

Jan. 19, 2025

Winter's tales: Stories that bloom in the cold

From Swedish vampires to Japanese letters, these stories show how winter makes the perfect canvas for exploring love, loss and memory In cinema, winter isn't just a backdrop -- it's a character itself, shaping emotional landscapes as much as it shapes physical ones. As the freezing cold tightens its grip, here are three films that use snow-covered settings as vital elements in their storytelling, each exploring complex human emotions against a pristine white canvas. 'Let the Right One In' (2008)

Jan. 18, 2025