“Rebound,” a basketball film by director Jang Hang-joon that opened in local theaters on April 5, is based on the real-life event of a national high school basketball championship that was held in 2012. The Busan Chung Ang High School team, the Underdogs, makes it to the finals for the first time ever with only six members. “When I first heard that it was a film about basketball, I thought basketball is an old sport liked by some fans here who have a special attachment to the S

Film April 11, 2023

Director Kim Tae-joon had dreamed of becoming a filmmaker since when he was in high school. After graduating from university in a non film-related major, he went straight into the film industry, working on shooting locations without any pay. The 39-year-old filmmaker’s debut film, “Unlocked,” a mystery thriller based on Higa Akira's award-winning Japanese novel of the same title, tells the story of Na-mi (Chun Woo-hee) and how her life is threatened by Jun-young (Yim Si-wa

Film April 10, 2023

Sinchon in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul is home to a number of top Korean universities such as Yonsei University, Sogang University and Ewha Womans University. Welcoming students from across the country as well as foreign students, Sinchon's wide boulevards are lined with bustling shops and cute cafes that create the vibrant atmosphere of a college town. One can frequently see cool street performances, young students busking with their guitars or rapping in the open air. Walking by them, what ultima

Food April 8, 2023

“Rebound” (South Korea) Opened April 5 Drama Directed by Jang Hang-joon Kang Yang-hyun (Ahn Jae-hong), a former basketball player and public service worker, returns to his alma mater as a newly recruited basketball coach to take charge of a team on the verge of disbandment. It’s not an easy journey. “Air” (US) Opened April 5 Drama Directed by Ben Affleck “Air,” a biographical sports drama film directed by Ben Affleck and written by Alex Convery, tell

Film April 8, 2023

Actors Yoo Hae-jin and Lee Je-hoon will work together for the first time in “Moral Hazard” (working title) by director Choi Yoo-jin, who wrote the films, “Steel Cold Winter” (2013) and “Office” (2015). “Moral Hazard” revolves around South Korea’s No.1 soju company, which is on the verge of bankruptcy, and its struggles against a global investment firm that wishes to take advantage of the situation. Yoo will star as Pyo Jong-rok, a financial d

Film April 7, 2023

Netflix original drama “Black Knight” starring Kim Woo-bin and Song Seung-heon will be released on May 12 via Netflix, according to the global OTT service platform. Based on the webtoon “Delivery Knight” by Lee Yoon-kyun, published from 2016 to 2019, director Choi Ui-seok of “Cold Eyes” (2013) and “Master” (2016) tells a story of the Earth in 2071 hit by toxic air pollution. People rely on parcel delivery services for their basic needs and delivery

Film April 7, 2023

Japanese architect Tadao Ando's work at Museum SAN Museum SAN, designed by renowned Japanese architect Tadao Ando, is nestled in the mountains of Wonju, Gangwon Province and much appreciated for its striking building and beautiful surroundings. In commemoration of its 10th anniversary, the museum has opened a solo exhibition on the architect titled, “Tadao Ando – Youth,” the architect’s first show at the museum, shedding light on his artistic career since the 1970s.

Culture April 7, 2023

French luxury powerhouse Louis Vuitton will hold its 2023 pre-fall fashion show at Sebit Island on the Han River in Gangnam-gu, the brand’s first-ever fashion show in Korea, on April 29. The occasion marks the brand's first fashion show for its pre-fall collection. Until now, the brand has only showcased pre-fall items via a look book. Pre-fall fashion, also referred to as a "buy now, wear now" collection, is a smaller collection that presents wearable yet stylish clothes

Arts & Design April 6, 2023

Jeon Do-yeon said it was she who first approached Byun Sung-hyun, director of the Netflix action film “Kill Boksoon.” She was looking to collaborate with young and rising filmmakers after her own silver screen projects had faltered. “I had spent quite a long time waiting for the right project to come along, but I wanted to become more of an independent actor. So I approached a number of young and rising directors and director Byun was one of them,” Jeon told The Korea Her

Film April 5, 2023

Kang Gil-woo, an established actor in the South Korean independent film scene who has played notable roles in award-winning indie films, recently starred in a number of supporting, yet indispensable, roles in large-scale productions such as Netflix series “The Glory,” JTBC drama “Reborn Rich” and Hirokazu Kore-eda’s “Broker.” The 37-year-old actor has never been so active as he is now, going back and forth between indie films and commercial projects. &ld

Film April 5, 2023

Netflix Korea has announced a lineup of reality shows, including a new type of talk show and a zombie-themed reality show, in addition to their flagship dating shows and survival competitions. “We are ready to release at least seven different reality shows throughout the year,” Yoo Ki-hwan, Netflix Korea’s director in charge of non-fiction content, said during a press conference in Seoul on Tuesday. In recent years, Netflix Korea has collaborated with reality TV creators to pro

Television April 4, 2023

When actor Kim Si-eun made her Cannes and commercial film debut in July Jung’s “Next Sohee,” many paid attention to how realistically Kim portrayed So-hee, a high school student exploited as an intern at a call center. “I’m sure any actor at my age must have been interested in playing So-hee, because it was a project helmed by July Jung and co-starring veteran actor Bae Doo-na. But besides that, for me, So-hee expressed a message that resonated deeply inside me, mak

Film April 3, 2023

Award-winning director Na Hong-jin will take the helm for “Hope,” assembling a veteran cast from around the world. The thriller will mark Na's first film since his commercially and critically acclaimed success “The Wailing,” released in 2016. Hwang Jung-min and Zo In-sung will appear as a police officer Beom-seok and a young hunter Sung-ki, respectively. Hollywood power couple Michael Fassbender from “X-men” and his wife Alicia Vikander from “The Da

Film April 2, 2023

The 24th Jeonju International Film Festival aims grab the public’s attention by representing both the authenticity and mass appeal of South Korea’s indie film scene, according to the organizing committee. This year’s JIFF will be held from April 27th to May 6 in Jeonju, showcasing 247 films from 42 countries. A total of 11 Korean films, 25 Korean indie films and 10 international films have been invited to the festival. “JIFF has become one of the most representative cultu

Film March 31, 2023

Cherry blossoms at Jamsil Cherry blossoms are in full bloom earlier than usual to welcome spring. This weekend is the perfect time of the year to enjoy cherry blossoms with your beloved ones across the country. One of the most popular spots is Seokchon Lake in Jamsil, southeastern Seoul, which was once shut down during the pandemic. The lake is surrounded by beautiful cherry blossoms during the springtime, visited by people strolling around the 2.5-kilometer road round the lake with their belove

Culture March 31, 2023