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Baek Byung-yeul

Korea Times K-Culture Reporter

Baek Byung-yeul is a journalist at The Korea Times focused on cultural content, including films and cultural events in South Korea. You can contact him at baekby@koreatimes.co.kr to share your insights.

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Films

Record-budget sci-fi 'Hope' gears up for local theaters after Cannes

Director Na Hong-jin said his new sci-fi blockbuster “Hope” underwent minor editing changes after its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in May to achieve the maximum cinematic effect for audiences. "The film has gone through some changes since its screening at Cannes," Na said during a press conference after the movie's Seoul premiere Monday. "If you saw the movie at Cannes, about five minutes of footage has been deleted. At the same time, around three to four minutes of new scenes were added, bringing the final runtime to a slightly different version." The highly anticipated sci-fi thriller follows Beom-seok (Hwang Jung-min), a small-town port outpost chief in the Demilitarized Zone, who puts the entire village on high alert after receiving reports of what they believe is a tiger sighting from local young men. The film features a star-studded international cast including Korean actors Hwang, Zo In-sung and Jung Ho-yeon, alongside Hollywood stars Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander, Taylor Russell and Cameron Britton. The film has already generated immense buzz as Korea's mo

Jul 6, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
Record-budget sci-fi 'Hope' gears up for local theaters after Cannes
People & Events

Pope Leo invited to homeland of St. Andrew Kim Taegon next year

The mayor of Dangjin requested a papal visit to the birthplace of St. Andrew Kim Taegon (1821-1846), Korea’s first Catholic priest, ahead of the upcoming 2027 World Youth Day in Seoul, the city said Monday. On Sunday, Dangjin Mayor Kim Ki-jae met with Cardinal Lazzaro You Heung-sik, the prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy of the Holy See, to request that Pope Leo visit the Solmoe Holy Ground during the global Catholic festival. The meeting took place at the Solmoe Holy Ground in Dangjin, South Chungcheong Province, where the cardinal was visiting to celebrate a mass commemorating the feast day of St. Andrew Kim Taegon. During the meeting, the mayor emphasized the symbolic importance of the birthplace of Korea’s first priest, calling it the cradle of Korean Catholicism. Additionally, looking ahead to a potential papal visit to North Korea, he proposed a performance of the Gijisi tug-of-war, a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage that originated in Dangjin, as a symbolic gesture to convey a message of peace and inter-Korean harmony. You, who spoke with reporters in Seoul on Friday

Jul 6, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
Pope Leo invited to homeland of St. Andrew Kim Taegon next year
Shows & Dramas

'Agent Kim Reactivated' finds success by focusing on father's love

Actor So Ji-sub's action drama "Agent Kim Reactivated" surpassed the 20 percent viewership mark just four episodes into its run. According to ratings tracker Nielsen Korea on Sunday, the fourth episode of the SBS Friday-Saturday drama, recorded a nationwide rating of 21.6 percent on Saturday. That makes it the third-highest-rated SBS Friday-Saturday drama in history, trailing only "The Penthouse 2," which hit 29.2 percent, and "The Fiery Priest,” which reached 22 percent. The show has climbed steadily since its premiere. It opened with 9.5 percent, jumped to 15.7 percent in the second episode, reached 18.8 percent in the third and broke 20 percent by the fourth episode. The series, which premiered on June 26, follows Kim (So Ji-sub), a former special agent, who now lives a quiet life as a worker at a small bank. The change in job was the last wish of his late wife, who asked him to "just live as a father." However, when his only daughter Min-ji (Seo Su-min) is kidnapped, he draws on his deadly fighting skills to save her. In the fourth episode, Kim teams up with his old friends Seong Ha

Jul 5, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
'Agent Kim Reactivated' finds success by focusing on father's love
People & Events

Koreans mourn Kang Hee-seon, voice actor for ‘Crayon Shin-chan,’ Hollywood actresses

Voice actor Kang Hee-seon, best known as the Korean voice of Misae Nohara, referred to by local audiences as Bong Mi-seon, Shin-chan's mother in the Japanese animation "Crayon Shin-chan," died Saturday after battling cancer. She was 65. Over a career spanning more than four decades, Kang became one of Korea's most recognizable voices through animation, foreign film dubbing and public transportation announcements. She provided the Korean voice for Hollywood actors including Sharon Stone, Julia Roberts and Nicole Kidman, while her subway announcements accompanied millions of commuters in Seoul and Busan for nearly three decades. News of her death prompted an outpouring of tributes across social media, where many users described her voice as a defining part of their childhood. Posts featuring Bong Mi-seon's memorable scenes from "Crayon Shin-chan" quickly filled with messages thanking Kang for bringing warmth, humor and emotion to one of Korea's most beloved animated mothers. Public figures also paid tribute. Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon said Kang's voice had accompanied Seoul citizens throughout

Jul 5, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
Koreans mourn Kang Hee-seon, voice actor for ‘Crayon Shin-chan,’ Hollywood actresses
Trends

Making the most of summer in Seoul

Summer in Seoul is not something locals try to escape. Instead, they have learned to adjust to it. Outdoor activities begin early, afternoons are often spent indoors and evenings become the best time to enjoy the city. Seasonal foods also play a role in helping people cope with the heat. For visitors, following these local habits may be the easiest way to experience Seoul during its hottest months. Start early The best way to enjoy Seoul in summer is to begin the day before the heat reaches its peak. Historic attractions such as Gyeongbok Palace, Bukchon Hanok Village and Mount Nam are generally quieter and more comfortable during the morning. Many residents also schedule exercise, walks and daily tasks before lunchtime rather than spending long hours outdoors in the afternoon. Starting early not only helps visitors avoid the strongest sunshine but also leaves time to explore indoor attractions later in the day. Slow down during the afternoon As temperatures and humidity rise, many Seoul residents simply change pace instead of trying to stay outside. Large shopping malls, museums, department

Jul 3, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
Making the most of summer in Seoul
Films

'Marty Supreme' director praises Chalamet's intense performance

Josh Safdie, the director of the sports comedy movie “Marty Supreme,” expressed deep admiration for actor Timothee Chalamet, highlighting the unique combination of traits that made him perfect for the lead role. Speaking at an online press conference, Thursday, the filmmaker praised the actor for bringing a rare balance of power and innocence to the character. “One of the things that drew me to Timmy was his intensity, but his intensity was softened by a certain sort of eternal youth and a boyish wonder about the world,” Safdie said. “One of the things I did really admire about him is that he takes things very seriously, obsessively." “Marty Supreme,” which was released in theaters here on Wednesday, is set in the 1950s and follows the journey of Marty Mauser, a young man who tries to become a world champion table tennis player. To achieve his goal, he competes in underground gambling matches and performs circus-style trick shots. Safdie has built a reputation in Hollywood for his distinct filmmaking style, previously directing acclaimed titles such as “Good Time” (2017

Jul 2, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
'Marty Supreme' director praises Chalamet's intense performance
Trends

Travelers take a shine to Korean beauty, wellness tourism

A viral video of a Japanese calligraphy teacher's reunion with her famous student offered an interesting glimpse at one of Korea's fastest-growing tourism trends. In a YouTube video uploaded on June 28 by rising K-pop girl group RESCENE, Japanese member Minami visited her hometown in Chiba and reunited with her former calligraphy teacher. During their conversation, the teacher revealed that she had flown back to Japan that day, after undergoing a cosmetic procedure near Sinnonhyeon Station in southern Seoul, drawing laughter from the group. Although the conversation was lighthearted, it showed one of the reasons why many foreign tourists choose to visit Korea. For years, K-beauty was largely synonymous with cosmetics. Tourists would fill their suitcases with sheet masks, skin care products and makeup before heading home. Today, however, an increasing number of visitors are booking appointments at dermatology clinics, receiving scalp treatments, consulting personal color experts, visiting pharmacies and participating in wellness programs that promise healthier lifestyles as well as improv

Jul 2, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
Travelers take a shine to Korean beauty, wellness tourism
Films

Live-action ‘Moana’ to deliver grand ocean adventure

The live-action adaptation of Disney’s animated movie “Moana” will offer a massive and entertaining theatrical experience that is perfect for the summer season, its director Thomas Kail said Monday. "There's big laughs, there's big adventure, and we tried to make a big summer movie for you," Kail said during an online press conference. "Moana" follows the journey of a brave young girl (Catherine Laga'aia) chosen by the ocean who teams up with the legendary demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson) to save her island from a terrible curse. The project has raised high expectations, especially given Kail's prestigious background as a Tony Award winner for directing the hit Broadway musical “Hamilton.” The casting process for the lead role was immensely competitive, with newcomer Laga'aia beating out tens of thousands of other young women. "Over 32,000 very talented young women submitted to play this part," Kail said. "When I saw the first tape that Katherine submitted, she was singing ‘How Far I'll Go,’ and she did two of the scenes. I just remember this feeling, and it was both in the qua

Jun 29, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
Live-action ‘Moana’ to deliver grand ocean adventure
Films

‘Hana Korea’ spotlights realistic journey of North Korean defector

A new cinematic collaboration between South Korea and Denmark is set to hit local theaters in July to offer an emotional and realistic look into the challenges faced by North Korean defectors settling in South Korean society. The film “Hana Korea” follows the journey of a young female defector named Hye-seon (Kim Min-ha), who strives to move forward despite facing an unfamiliar and harsh environment. The story is inspired by in-depth interviews with around 30 North Korean defectors who have settled in the South. The title of the film directly connects to Hanawon, officially named the Settlement Support Center for North Korean Refugees, where defectors stay to prepare for their new lives. The name combines the Korean word "hana," meaning one, and "won," meaning facility. This reflects the center's core mission to help defectors adapt and truly become "one" with South Korean society, explaining why the movie is called “Hana Korea.” The movie realistically portrays the struggles of immigrants through the lens of Hye-seon. While the protagonist arrives in South Korea seeking freedom,

Jun 26, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
‘Hana Korea’ spotlights realistic journey of North Korean defector
People & Events

Korean language morphs from cultural curiosity into lifelong opportunity

Watching the winners of the third Korean Language Speaking Contest on stage at the Korea Cyber University on Wednesday brought a wave of quiet emotion to the hall. The winners delivered their speeches with highly impressive and fluent Korean. However, the real emotion came from their personal stories of growth, which connected different parts of the world to Seoul, thanks to their command of the Korean language. Organized by The Korea Times, this year’s contest drew a record-breaking 3,908 entries from 110 countries, a massive 120 percent jump from the previous year. The diversity of the participants clearly reflected the growing global popularity of the Korean language. While Asia still represented the largest group of applicants at 72.3 percent, a significant number came from Europe, with 12.8 percent, followed closely by a growing presence of applicants from Africa, with 6.8 percent. This wide geographic spread showed the language is becoming a practical tool for youth worldwide. Viewed through the lens of national pride, it is easy to simply celebrate these record numbers. However,

Jun 26, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
Korean language morphs from cultural curiosity into lifelong opportunity
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