Film on 1979 coup sees surge in viewers amid political unrest

A film related to Korea's contemporary history has seen a remarkable surge in viewership following President Yoon Suk Yeol's short-lived martial law declaration on Dec. 3. According to the Korean Film Council, "12.12: The Day" attracted 1,150 views on Dec. 4 across Internet Protocol Television platforms, including SK Btv, LG U+ TV, and Genie TV. IPTV services provide online access to live broadcasts, films and TV shows. The data represents a 1,085 percent increase from the 9

Dec. 11, 2024

[Herald Interview] Saudi's Red Sea Film Festival chief sees growing presence of Korean cinema in MENA region

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia -- The 4th Red Sea International Film Festival, taking place through Dec. 14 in the historic Al-Balad district of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, is out to cement itself as a hub for global cinema. Held under the theme of “The New Home of Film,” this year’s RSIFF highlights a diverse program with 120 films from over 80 countries, including 16 competing in the Red Sea: Competition section. At the center of this celebration of global cinema is a notable focus on Korean

Dec. 9, 2024

[Exclusive] Bong Joon-ho’s new animated film halfway done: Barunson C&C CEO

South Korean auteur Bong Joon-ho’s upcoming hand-drawn animation film is about “halfway done,” according to Barunson C&C CEO Seo Woo-sik, who is working on the project. “Director Bong’s new animation film is halfway done,” Seo told The Korea Herald Sunday after an event held on the sidelines of the 4th Red Sea Film Festival taking place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The festival kicked off on Dec. 5. This is the first time progress on Bong’s first-ever an

Dec. 9, 2024

Film industry personnel call for President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment

South Korean film industry professionals, including actors Gang Dong-won, Kim Go-eun and Jeon Do-yeon have called for the dismissal and arrest of President Yoon Suk Yeol. A statement released Saturday morning, endorsed by 2,518 individual film professionals representing 77 industry organizations -- including the Screen Actors Guild of Korea, Directors Guild of Korea, and Producers Guild of Korea -- condemned Yoon’s sudden declaration of martial law and demanded his resignation. The stateme

Dec. 7, 2024

'12.12: The Day' in spotlight amid martial law aftermath

Amid the aftermath of President Yoon Suk Yeol's emergency martial law declaration on Tuesday night, the film "12.12: The Day" has surged to the top of Netflix’s movie rankings, drawing renewed attention for its historical themes. As of Friday, "12.12: The Day" claimed the No. 1 spot among Netflix’s popular films, overtaking newer releases like "Pilot" and "Because I Hate Korea." Released over a year ago, on Nov. 22, the movie has newfound

Dec. 6, 2024

Song Joong-ki takes on his most desire-driven role in in 'Bogota: City of the Lost'

Song Joong-ki, the Hallyu sensation known for his roles in Korean hits like "Vincenzo," "Reborn Rich" and "My Name is Loh Kiwan," is ready to portray one of his most passionate and desire-driven characters in the upcoming film, "Bogota: City of the Lost," premiering Dec. 31. The film follows the journey of Guk-hee (played by Song Joong-ki), who escapes with his family to Bogota, Colombia, after South Korea’s IMF bailout in 1997. Struggling to survive

Dec. 6, 2024

[Box office] Movies in theaters this week

“Moana 2” (US) Opened Nov. 27 Fantasy/Adventure Directed by Dana Ledoux Miller, Jason Hand, David Derrick Jr. After receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors, Moana (Auli'i Cravalho) embarks on a journey to the far seas of Oceania into dangerous, long-lost adventures unlike anything she has never faced. “Wicked” (US) Opened Nov. 20 Musical/Fantasy Directed by Jon M. Chu Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo), a green-skinned outcast with extraordinary magical abi

Dec. 6, 2024

BTS RM's documentary to be released in 110 countries

A documentary film chronicling the making of BTS leader RM's solo album was released Thursday in theaters in 110 countries, including Korea. The film "RM: Right People, Wrong Place" captures the eight-month journey behind RM’s second solo album, "Right Place, Wrong Person." It offers an intimate look at RM navigating the multiple roles of BTS' leader, solo artist and an ordinary man named Kim Nam-joon. Directed by Lee Seok-jun, the documentary also features th

Dec. 5, 2024

Actor Ra Mi-ran awarded Film Artist of the Year by Women in Film Korea

Women in Film Korea announced Wednesday that actor Ra Mi-ran of the comedy flick “Citizen of a Kind” and series “Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born,” has been named this year’s recipient of the Film Artist of the Year award. Ra, known for her versatile and transformative performances, has been recognized for her outstanding contribution to Korean cinema, the association said. In her latest film “Citizen of a Kind,” she plays Deok-hee, an ordinary citizen fig

Dec. 4, 2024

[Herald Review] ‘One Win,’ a refreshing addition to sports film genre

Director Shin Yeon-sik’s sports comedy “One Win” differs from many other sports films that lean heavily into dramatic, tear-jerking moments. The movie sets itself apart by avoiding melodrama, instead filling the narrative with humor and relatable passion as it tells the story of an underdog women’s volleyball team in South Korea. It is also the first film in the country to center on women’s volleyball. Director Shin takes a fun, light-hearted approach to the story o

Dec. 3, 2024

Who helped bring star-studded K-drama series 'The Trunk' to life?

The highly anticipated Netflix Korean original series "The Trunk," released on Friday, has quickly soared to eighth place on Netflix's global trending series chart Sunday, according to Flixpatrol. The series marks the return of one of Korea's top actors, Gong Yoo, to the small screen — but its success isn't solely due to its star-studded cast and gripping storyline. So, who played a key role in bringing "The Trunk" to life for non-Korean speaking audience

Dec. 2, 2024

'12.12: The Day' wins big at 45th Blue Dragon Film Awards

The box-office hit "12.12: The Day" won big at the 45th Blue Dragon Film Awards on Friday, sweeping multiple top honors at one of Korea’s most prestigious film ceremonies. Held at KBS Hall in Yeouido, Seoul, the Blue Dragon Film Awards celebrate standout Korean films released in theaters or on streaming platforms. This year, the awards considered 165 films released between October 2023 and October 2024, with 20 films, 10 directors, and 30 actors nominated across 18 categories.

Nov. 29, 2024

The 45th Blue Dragon Film Awards kick off with new MCs

The 45th Blue Dragon Film Awards kick off Friday with new MCs, honoring hit films released in theaters or on streaming platforms between October 2023 and October 2024. The award ceremony takes place at KBS Hall in Yeouido, Seoul. Across 18 categories, 20 films, 10 directors and 30 actors have been nominated to compete for the prestigious accolades. One of the most anticipated competitions this year is between “Exhuma,” directed by Jang Jae-hyun, and “12.12: The Day,” dire

Nov. 29, 2024

[Box office] Movies in theaters this week

“Wicked” (US) Opened Nov. 20 Musical/Fantasy Directed by Jon M. Chu Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo), a green-skinned outcast with extraordinary magical abilities, and Glinda (Ariana Grande), a popular and ambitious young woman, form a complex and transformative friendship as they navigate the challenges of their world. “Hidden Face” (South Korea) Opened Nov. 20 Thriller Directed by Kim Dae-woo Orchestra conductor Seong-jin (Song Seung-heon) notices that his fiancee Su-yeon (Cho

Nov. 29, 2024

'Harbin' redefines Korean cinema with reimagining of Ahn Jung-geun

“Harbin,” which has been confirmed for a Christmas release, is poised to redefine Korean cinema by reimagining the legendary historical figure Ahn Jung-geun with world-class visuals and sound. While Korean films revisiting the period of Japanese colonization and the independence movement are nothing new, “Harbin” takes a fresh approach. Instead of portraying Ahn Jung-geun solely as a martyr and activist, the film reimagines him as a military leader commanding the Korean I

Nov. 27, 2024

Agency says Jung Woo-sung unsure on awards attendance after lovechild revelations

Actor Jung Woo-sung, who was recently revealed to have fathered a child out of wedlock, is reportedly discussing with his agency whether to attend the Blue Dragon Film Awards on Friday. The 51-year-old actor, who is under intense public scrutiny over his private life, is said to be deliberating on the matter with his team, his agency Artist Company said Tuesday. Some local media reported on the same day that Jung has decided to forgo attendance at the film award. Jung has been nominated for best

Nov. 26, 2024

[Herald Review] ‘About Family’ warms hearts this winter

This winter, family comedy “About Family” is set to leave moviegoers feeling warm and fuzzy with its unique blend of humor and emotion. Directed by Yang Woo-seok, known for “The Attorney” and “Steel Rain,” the film invites viewers to rediscover the value of family. Set in 2000, the story follows Moo-ok (Kim Yoon-seok), the gruff yet successful owner of a popular dumpling shop in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Having amassed a fortune through generations of hard work, Moo-o

Nov. 25, 2024

Actor Jung Woo-sung admits to being father of model Moon Ga-bi’s child

Actor Jung Woo-sung admitted Sunday that he was the father of a model Moon Ga-bi’s child. Moon, 35, had announced about her recent childbirth on her social media on Nov. 22. While local media reported that Jung was her child’s father, Jung on Sunday admitted through his agency that he is the baby boy’s father. However, he chose not to disclose details about his relationship with Moon. According to a media report on Sunday, Moon and Jung first met at a gathering in 2022 and kept

Nov. 24, 2024

Top actors heat up December box office

As the year draws to a close, the South Korean box office is gearing up for a fierce, star-studded showdown featuring the country’s top actors. Song Kang-ho, Kim Yoon-Seok, Hyun Bin and Song Joong-ki will each bring their star power to highly anticipated films, ranging from an underdog sports drama to a heartwarming family comedy, a historical epic and a gritty survival tale. Kicking off December is director Shin Yeon-sik’s sports comedy-drama “One Win.” The film follows

Nov. 24, 2024

[Box office] Movies in theaters this week

“Devils Stay” (South Korea) Opened Nov. 14 Mystery Directed by Hyun Moon-seob Cardiologist Seung-do (Park Shin-yang) believes his daughter is still alive after an exorcism. During her funeral, he comes into conflict with Hae-shin (Lee Min-ki), a priest, over her fate. “Gladiator II” (US) Opened Nov. 13 Action/Adventure Directed by Ridley Scott The story of Lucius (Paul Mescal), the former heir to the Roman Empire, continues 20 years after he takes on Maximus’ lega

Nov. 22, 2024