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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

Lee Byung-hun to star in martial arts action movie ‘Nambeol'

Top actor Lee Byung-hun has confirmed his lead role in "Nambeol" (tentative title), a project that marks the directorial debut of veteran cinematographer Lee Mo-gae, according to producer Hive Media Corp. on Wednesday. The film is a hard-boiled martial arts action flick set in the early Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). It follows nine warriors of different ranks and backgrounds who travel to Tsushima Island to rescue Korean captives kidnapped by Japanese pirates. The title "Nambeol" refers to a military expedition to conquer the south. While the film is fiction, it is set against the historical backdrop of the early Joseon era, when the nation struggled with frequent raids by Japanese pirates. These pirate groups caused significant damage through looting and illegal trade along the southern coast. In response, the Joseon government employed both military force and diplomatic activities to suppress their activities. The project is drawing significant attention as it marks the first time the cinematographer will take the director role. Since his debut with "A Tale of Two Sisters" (2003), Lee ha

May 6, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
Lee Byung-hun to star in martial arts action movie ‘Nambeol'
Films

Cinemas gear up for family-focused May holidays

With May packed with holidays dedicated to the family, local theaters are rolling out a diverse and highly anticipated lineup of movies for fans of different generations. From a brand-new "Star Wars" cinematic adventure and a legendary pop icon's biopic to homegrown animated features arriving just in time for Children's Day on Tuesday, this month's box office offers plenty of reasons for families to head to the cinema. Leading the charge for family blockbusters is "The Super Mario Galaxy Movie." Released on Wednesday to capture the holiday crowd, the film continues the massively successful animated journey of Nintendo's iconic plumber brothers. This time, the adventure goes cosmic, offering visually stunning intergalactic world-building that both nostalgic parents and young gamers can enjoy together. Driven by the high expectations of Nintendo fans in Korea, the film topped the weekend box office. According to data from the Korean Film Council, the movie has drawn 685,994 viewers as of Sunday, surpassing the long-awaited sequel "The Devil Wears Prada 2." For younger children, homegrown an

May 5, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
Cinemas gear up for family-focused May holidays
People & Events

Heaven Resort chairman receives honorary doctorate from Belhaven University

Kwon Mo-se, chairman of The Heaven Resort and a board member of the Far East Broadcasting Company (FEBC)-Korea, was awarded an honorary doctorate from Belhaven University in the United States, in recognition of his contributions to corporate management and social responsibility. Belhaven University, a private Christian institution founded in 1883, said the degree honors Kwon’s dedication to public values, citing his role in regional economic development, job creation and his consistent history of philanthropic activities. "We highly value Chairman Kwon’s role in boosting the local economy and creating jobs through his business management. He has consistently realized public values through his ongoing donations and commitment to social contribution," the university said through FEBC-Korea, Monday. Located in Jackson, Mississippi, the university is known for its focus on developing global leaders through a values-based education. Upon receiving the honor on Saturday (local time), Kwon attributed his achievements to his faith and pledged to continue his philanthropic mission. "I believe

May 4, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
Heaven Resort chairman receives honorary doctorate from Belhaven University
Society

6 out of 10 Koreans back raising senior age threshold to 70

A growing majority of Koreans support raising the legal age for senior benefits from 65 to 70, according to a recent survey, as debate over one of the country’s most symbolic age-based welfare policies — free subway rides for people aged 65 or older — gains momentum amid rising fiscal pressure and rapid population aging. A Gallup Korea survey conducted from Tuesday to Thursday found that 59 percent of respondents supported increasing the age threshold for senior benefits to 70 from the current 65, while 30 percent opposed it and 12 percent had no opinion. The results show a shift in public opinion over the past decade, as support for the proposal stood at 46 percent in 2015. Support for raising the threshold was relatively consistent across age groups, ranging between 55 percent and 65 percent. People in their 30s showed the highest support at 65 percent, while those in their 60s were the least supportive at 55 percent. By political orientation, 68 percent of liberal respondents backed the proposal, compared to 59 percent of conservatives and 61 percent of moderates. The survey also

May 1, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
6 out of 10 Koreans back raising senior age threshold to 70
Shows & Dramas

CJ ENM sets up joint venture with Japanese media giants to target global content market

CJ ENM established a new joint venture with two Japanese media giants TBS and U-NEXT Holdings to strengthen its presence in the global content market, the entertainment company said Friday. The company held a signing ceremony in Seoul, Thursday, to launch a joint venture StudioMonowa. The name combines the Japanese words for story, "mono," and harmony, "wa," symbolizing a space where Korean and Japanese content connect to create new value. TBS is a major Japanese television network and content creator, while U-NEXT Holdings operates the country's leading local streaming platform, U-NEXT. Under the partnership, the companies will integrate their capabilities to manage the entire content value chain. This includes original intellectual property (IP) discovery, content production and global distribution. Yoon Sang-hyun, CEO of CJ ENM, said the collaboration is oriented toward audiences well beyond Asia. "Through our collaboration with the leading content companies representing Korea and Japan, we will introduce hit content that targets not only Asia but the global market," Yoon said. The vent

May 1, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
CJ ENM sets up joint venture with Japanese media giants to target global content market
Travel & Food

PHOTO Spring holiday rush

Foreign tourists visit Gyeongbok Palace in Jongno District, Seoul, Thursday, ahead of the May holiday travel season. According to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, around 80,000 to 90,000 Japanese tourists and 100,000 to 110,000 Chinese visitors are expected to travel to Korea during the holiday period, which coincides with Japan's Golden Week from April 29 to May 6, and China's Labor Day holiday from May 1 to 5. Yonhap

Apr 30, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
[PHOTO] Spring holiday rush
People & Events

K-culture must evolve into sustainable global asset

K-culture has grown into a global phenomenon over the past few years. To maintain this momentum, industry leaders and policymakers emphasized that Korean culture must evolve beyond a temporary trend into a sustainable asset that connects the world during The Korea Forum 2026 on Thursday. Seung Myung-ho, chairman of The Korea Times and its sister paper the Hankook Ilbo, said he hopes Korean culture will continue to elevate the country. "I expect K-culture to become a driving force that raises the national prestige of Korea and strengthens the competitiveness of various industries," Seung said during his opening remarks at the forum hosted by the two newspapers. "The spirit of pursuing practicality and beauty has combined with the innovation of companies and the sense of creators to develop into the K-culture we see today." Under the theme "K-culture, A New Grammar Connecting the World," experts from various fields gathered to share their insights on how Korean culture can maintain its global influence and prepare for the next stage of growth. You Hong-june, director of the National Museum

Apr 30, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
K-culture must evolve into sustainable global asset
Films

Horror comedy 'Teaching Practice' tackles school issues with ghosts, humor

"Teaching Practice: Idiot Girls and School Ghost" is a horror comedy that combines supernatural elements with a message of encouragement for teachers, its director Kim Min-ha said Wednesday. "I want them to know there is a movie that cheers for them while they protect our schools, and I hope this story allows them to dream again,” the director said during a press conference in Seoul. The film is a high school horror comedy that follows Eun-gyung, a passionate student teacher played by Han Sun-hwa, who returns to her former high school. She and the girls of a mysterious dark magic club face a deadly mock exam against ghosts representing different academic subjects like mathematics and foreign languages. To protect her students from these supernatural forces, Eun-gyung leads the young club members in a fight for survival. The director explained that his motivation for the film came from seeing the struggles of teachers and the overwhelming growth of private academies. "I wanted to create a high school horror comedy because I was inspired by the 'Whispering Corridors' series made by my sen

Apr 29, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
Horror comedy 'Teaching Practice' tackles school issues with ghosts, humor
Films

Hong Sang-soo captures actor's quiet day in ‘The Day She Returns’

The films of Hong Sang-soo often feel like a warm conversation with an old friend. His 34th feature, "The Day She Returns," is no different. While his work can sometimes feel complex or experimental, this latest project finds a peaceful rhythm in the everyday moments of a woman returning to her craft. The story follows actor Bae Jeong-su (Song Sun-mi). After a long break from acting following her marriage and subsequent divorce, Bae takes on a role in a small independent film. The movie captures the protagonist during a day of interviews at a German restaurant in Hanam, outskirt of Seoul, to promote her return. Shot in black and white, the film focuses on Bae as she gives three consecutive interviews with three young female journalists. Although the setting remains the same, the energy of each conversation shifts. The actor tries her best to answer every question with honesty, yet she carefully protects her private life when the reporters ask about her divorce or her young daughter waiting at home. As the interviews go on, the usual green soju bottles — a signature item in Hong’s wor

Apr 29, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
Hong Sang-soo captures actor's quiet day in ‘The Day She Returns’
Films

Jeonju Int’l Film Festival to open with tribute to late actor Ahn Sung-ki

The 27th Jeonju International Film Festival (JIFF) will kick off its 10-day run Wednesday, featuring 237 films from 54 countries. This year’s edition seeks to broaden the festival’s cinematic scope by bridging the gap between historical retrospectives and contemporary social discourse. With 78 world premieres on the schedule, the event is set to reinforce its status as a premier platform for independent and experimental cinema that challenges conventional narratives. A highlight of the opening will be the presentation of a special lifetime achievement award to the late Ahn Sung-ki, the legendary actor who passed away earlier this year. The festival organizers established the award to honor Ahn’s lifelong contribution in elevating Korean cinema. Ahn’s son, Ahn Philip, will accept the award on behalf of his father. The opening ceremony will be hosted by actors Shin Hyun-joon and Go Won-hee. The festival will open with the film "Late Fame," directed by Kent Jones. Based on a story by Arthur Schnitzler, the film portrays an aging former poet whose quiet life is revitalized by a new g

Apr 28, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
Jeonju Int’l Film Festival to open with tribute to late actor Ahn Sung-ki
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