Ten K-pop singers star in horror film ‘Urban Myth’

The Megabox Coex branch in Seoul on Monday was crowded with fans with cameras, an uncommon scene for most press preview and press conference events. Given that the event was for the upcoming horror film “Urban Myth,” however, which stars 10 current and former K-pop stars, the crowd could be expected. Jaehyun of Golden Child, SeolA and Exy of WJSN, Shownu of Monsta X, Arin of Oh My Girl, Min-hyuk of BTOB, Ju Haknyeon of the Boyz, solo artist Alexa, former Lovelyz member Seo Ji-soo

April 19, 2022

[Herald Interview] ‘Anchor’ director dives into women‘s fear of motherhood

Director Jeong Ji-yeon, 38, said her new film “Anchor” intentionally deals with topics related to maternal love in a way that commercial films often do not show. “I was not happy with commercial films and dramas depicting mothers as simply people who are willing to make sacrifices (for their children),” Jeong said. “I had a problem with such stereotypical depictions of mothers.” The director explained that she was also one of many women who was afraid to

April 18, 2022

Three Korean films to be screened at Cannes

One of the most recognized film festivals worldwide, Cannes Film Festival announced its official selection list for this year Thursday, including three Korean films-- “Decision to Leave,” directed by Park Chan-wook, “Broker” directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda and “Squid Game” star Lee Jung-jae’s directorial debut “Hunt.” Park and Kore-eda’s films were invited to the festival’s main competition category. A total of 18 contenders were

April 15, 2022

[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week

Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore (US) Opened April 13 Fantasy Directed by David Yates In the 1930s, professor Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law) finds out the powerful Dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald (Mads Mikkelsen) is gaining power. Unable to stop him alone, he entrusts Magizoologist Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) to lead an intrepid team of wizards, witches and one brave Muggle baker on a dangerous mission. They have to encounter old and new beasts and clash with Grindelwald‘s

April 15, 2022

[Herald Interview] Chun Woo-hee says she felt ‘fulfilled’ playing news presenter Se-ra in ‘Anchor’

For actor Chun Woo-hee, playing veteran news presenter Se-ra in “Anchor,” directed by Jeong Ji-yeon, was an opportunity she had never had before. “I felt fulfilled playing her because my female character had her own story told from beginning to end,” Chun said in an interview with a group of local reporters Wednesday. In the film, Se-ra is a famous news presenter with a mother, So-jung (Lee Hye-young), who micromanages her life. One day, Se-ra receives a phone call fro

April 14, 2022

Chun Woo-hee returns as successful news presenter in thriller ‘Anchor’

Actor Chun Woo-hee is returning to the big screen as a successful news presenter in the thriller “Anchor,” directed by Jeong Ji-yeon. “My job was to convince audiences that I am a professional news presenter with 9 years of experience,” Chun said during a press conference held Monday at Lotte Cinema Konkuk University. “I did my best. The director, staff and news presenter Kim Min-jung gave me positive feedback during the shooting. I wonder what the audience will

April 12, 2022

Local streamers look to unique originals to survive fierce competition

With HBO Max set to add to the competition provided by global platforms in the second half of the year, local streaming services are looking to original series to give them a unique selling point. Korean service Watcha began to stake out a position in the streaming market with new romance series “Semantic Error.” Adapted from an R-rated web novel of the same title, “Semantic Error” revolves around a gay couple on campus. The adaptation is a PG series that aims to pres

April 11, 2022

Hirokazu Koreeda’s first film with Korean superstars set for June release

Japanese director Hirokazu Koreeda’s film ”Broker,“ starring several Korean actors including Song Kang-ho, Bae Doo-na, Gang Dong-won and IU, is set to hit local theaters in June, according to film distributor CJ ENM. Koreeda wrote and directed the film and also worked with CJ ENM, the entertainment unit of South Korean conglomerate CJ Group, which financed and produced the project. It is the first Korean movie directed by Koreeda, the Palme d’Or winner at the Cannes F

April 11, 2022

[Herald Interview] How ‘Pachinko’ executive producer Theresa Kang brought bestseller to Apple TV+

When Theresa Kang read “Pachinko,” by Korean American author Lee Min-jin, around four years ago, she felt that the book captured the feeling of being Korean very well. “It was a story about Korean history but also Korean immigration and the diaspora. I thought it covered a lot of ground and it was a point of view of Zainichi that I haven’t heard about within the Korean diaspora before. At least not onscreen or on the page,” she said in an interview via Zoom with T

April 10, 2022

‘Squid Game’ Jung Ho-yeon to star in Joe Talbot’s ‘The Governesses’

South Korean model and actor Jung Ho-yeon, who rose to global stardom in the Netflix hit series “Squid Game,” will star in Joe Talbot’s sophomore feature “The Governesses,” according to the actor’s agency Saram Entertainment on Thursday. Talbot is a director known for his critically acclaimed debut feature “The Last Black Man in San Francisco.“ A24, the company behind “Minari” directed by Lee Isaac Chung, is to produce Talbot‘s

April 9, 2022

[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week

Vanishing (France) Opened March 30 Crime Directed by Denis Dercourt Alice (Olga Kurylenko) is a forensics scientist, widely known for inventing a revolutionary technique that can restore the damaged skin of corpses. She receives a request from the Korean police to apply her technique to an unidentified corpse found in a river. With help from Alice, Jin-ho (Yoo Yeon-seok), a detective, learns the case is connected to an organ trafficking syndicate. Hot Blooded (Korea) Opened March 23 Cri

April 8, 2022

‘Disturbing, but important’: ‘I Want to See Your Parent’s Face’ deals with school bullying

Director Kim Ji-hoon’s new film, “I Want to See Your Parent’s Face,” tells a deeply uncomfortable story about school bullying. The cast, who have come to realize the weight of the subject matter, pleaded with moviegoers to come to the theater to watch the film during an online press conference held Thursday. “Since the movie is about school bullying, audiences might feel uncomfortable watching it. Even though it can be uncomfortable, I think it is a topic that w

April 7, 2022

Netflix movie ‘Yaksha: Ruthless Operations’ director aims to show Asian spy film‘s power

There has been no shortage of Hollywood spy movies, but we have not seen many well-made Asian spy films, Na Hyeon who directed the Netflix movie “Yaksha: Ruthless Operations,” said during an online press conference held Tuesday. “Through Netflix, I think we can show the world that an Asian spy movie also can be entertaining,” Na added. Na’s film introduces Kang-in (Sol Kyung-gu), a ruthless leader of a secret National Intelligence Service team who is also known a

April 6, 2022

Director Hwang Dong-hyuk’s new project ‘more violent’ than ‘Squid Game’

“Squid Game” director Hwang Dong-hyuk’s next film will ”surely be another controversial film,“ according to the director. Hwang revealed the working title for his new project, “K.O Club,” also known as “Killing Old People Club,” during a panel session on Monday at MipTV, an international trade fair for TV and media that takes place in parallel with the Cannes International Series Festival from April 4 to 6. “It will be more violent t

April 5, 2022

[Herald Interview] Actor Son Ho-jun shows off chemistry with ‘Stellar’ co-star -- a car

Actor Son Ho-jun, who rose to stardom after appearing in tvN’s hit drama “Reply 1994,” said his latest project challenged him to build on-screen chemistry with an unlikely co-star -- a car. Son, who was cast as the main lead in the movie “Stellar” directed by Kwon Soo-kyung, said it was much harder than working with human actors. “Performing with a car was not easy since there was no reaction from it,” Son said during an interview with a group of repo

April 2, 2022

23rd Jeonju International Film Festival announces selections for this year

The upcoming Jeonju International Film Festival will feature 217 films, including works by “Hellbound” director Yeon Sang-ho and “Pachinko” creator Kogonada, its organizing committee said Thursday during a press conference at CGV Yongsan in central Seoul. The 23rd edition of Jeonju IFF will kick off April 28 and run through May 7 at five theaters in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province. It will be an online-offline hybrid festival, similar to last year, but the committee sa

April 1, 2022

[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week

Hot Blooded (Korea) Opened March 23 Crime, Action Directed by Cheon Myoung-kwan In 1993 in Kuam, a small port town outside Busan, third-rate gangster Hee-su acts as a hotel manager under Don Son (Kim Kap-soo). One day, Yong-kang (Choi Mu-sung), who fled the country suspected of murder, returns home and begins causing trouble. Hee-su finds out that the trouble was caused by the drugs that Yong-kang has been smuggling. Moonfall (US) Opened March 16 Science-fiction Directed by Roland Emmer

April 1, 2022

[Herald Interview] Yoo Yeon-seok takes part in long-awaited global project ‘Vanishing’

For Korean star Yoo Yeon-seok, an opportunity to work with actors and staff from different countries was something that he has been longing to do. “I always had lots of interest in global projects but unfortunately I did not have much opportunity,” Yoo said during his interview with a group of local reporters via videoconference Tuesday. He finally got the chance to work on the global project “Vanishing” directed by French director Denis Dercourt in the fall of 2020.

March 30, 2022

Korean media laud Youn Yuh-jung’s Oscars presentation

Local news outlets and netizens complimented actor Youn Yuh-jung for using American Sign Language in presenting the best supporting actor Oscar to Troy Kotsur for his role in “CODA.” At the award ceremony held at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday, Youn first signed Kotsur’s win before carefully pronouncing his name. She also held the Oscar trophy for Kotsur, who made history as the first deaf male actor to win the top prize, as he signed his acceptance speech. &ldqu

March 28, 2022

Three Korean actors of ‘Drive My Car’ attend 94th Academy Awards

Three Korean actors -- Park Yu-rim, Jin Dae-yeon and Ahn Hwi-tae -- attended the 94th Academy Awards ceremony Monday and celebrated the Japanese film “Drive My Car” directed by Ryusuke Hamaguchi winning the best international feature film award. During Hamaguchi’s acceptance speech, the director expressed his gratitude toward the actors, including the three Korean actors. “I also would like to thank the actors here. Nishijima Hidetoshi, Okada Masaki, Kirishima Reika, P

March 28, 2022