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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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K-pop

BTS comeback concert sparks tourism boom in Seoul

Seoul is bracing for a massive influx of international tourists as BTS’ upcoming comeback concert at Gwanghwamun Square triggers a major demand shock, with downtown hotels hitting full capacity and travel searches for the capital skyrocketing. The seven-member K-pop sensation will hold a free concert in downtown Seoul on March 21, a day after their fifth studio album “Arirang” is released. The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on Jan. 22 that it granted conditional permission. The BTS effect is most visible in data from major lodging platforms. According to the domestic travel app Yeogi Otte, reservation numbers for accommodations in the Jongno and Jung districts for the concert weekend surged by 450 percent compared to the same period last year. Global interest is even more intense as Hotels.com reported that overseas searches for Seoul travel spiked by 155 percent within just 48 hours of the tour announcement on Jan. 14. "We will prioritize safety management for both the audience and citizens visiting the square," said Kim Chang-gyu, head of the city government’s Balance

Feb 1, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
BTS comeback concert sparks tourism boom in Seoul
Films

Korean filmmakers urged to take creative leadership in productions with Hollywood

Korean filmmakers must move beyond the passive role of selling original content and secure creative leadership in Hollywood partnerships to overcome the current domestic slump, according to the Korean Film Council (KOFIC). KOFIC, a state-run agency that supports and fosters the local film industry, warned in its report released Friday that the industry can no longer grow just by relying on local box office sales or selling remake rights. "A shift in the North American market entry paradigm is urgent," said Han Sang-jun, chairman of KOFIC. Stating the importance of the North American market, which is the largest in the world, he emphasized that the council must establish a practical policy foundation that reflects the actual needs of the field to ensure that Korean film professionals can secure their share on the global stage. “We need to prepare a promotion base centered on on-site demand along with the transition of the North American entry policy paradigm," he said. He added that he expects this study to serve as a major resource for pushing forward policies that vitalize Korean film

Feb 1, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
Korean filmmakers urged to take creative leadership in productions with Hollywood
Shows & Dramas

When sports legends become variety show villains

A single remark from a football legend has reignited an old dispute in the Korean sports world. Kim Nam-il, a key player who helped lead Korea to the semifinals in the 2002 FIFA World Cup, recently made headlines by saying that he does not consider baseball to be a sport. His comment was made on JTBC’s new variety show “Yesman,” where retired sports stars try to create a sense of tension and humor, on Saturday. While the studio audience laughed at the time, the reaction from the public and professional athletes was far from humorous. The remark highlights a growing tension in the Korean entertainment industry. As retired sports stars move into the world of variety shows, they often find themselves caught between their professional identity and their new role as entertainers. To grab the attention of viewers, they are often pushed to say shocking things or to put down other sports. In “Yesman,” Kim targeted former baseball player Yoon Suk-min, who played for the Kia Tigers in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) League and the Norfolk Tides, a Triple A affiliate of Major Leagu

Jan 30, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
When sports legends become variety show villains
Films

‘Number One’ captures precious value of life, family

In the upcoming film "Number One," a young man begins seeing a mysterious number decrease every time he eats his mother’s cooking, an unsettling countdown that forms the emotional core of director Kim Tae-yong’s latest film about family and mortality. The filmmaker said that he wanted to create a story about the preciousness of life that will stay in the hearts of the audience at a time when many have grown numb to death in an era saturated with provocative content. "While there are many violent and provocative stories today, this movie talks about how valuable a single person's life is," Kim said during a press conference in Seoul, Tuesday. “Number One” follows a young man named Ha-min (Choi Woo-shik), who comes to realize that the number represents the remaining times he can eat a meal by his mother, Eun-sil (Jang Hye-jin) and that her life will end when the count reaches zero. Desperate to change her fate, Ha-min struggles to save her as time runs out. The film is based on Japanese writer Sora Uwano’s novel “The Number of Times You Can Eat Your Mother's Cooking Is 328” (

Jan 29, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
‘Number One’ captures precious value of life, family
Films

Park Ji-hoon breathes new life into tragic Joseon monarch in 'King's Warden'

Singer and actor Park Ji-hoon is taking a major step in his acting career with his big-screen debut, portraying one of Korea’s most tragic monarchs in the historical film "The King’s Warden.” Taking on the role of deposed King Danjong (1441–57) of the 1392-1910 Joseon Dynasty, the 26-year-old actor felt a deep respect for the character and the weight of portraying a historical figure who led a lonely and difficult life. "I was honestly scared when I first received the offer. I wondered if I could truly understand the heart of King Danjong, who lost his family and felt such emptiness," Park told The Korea Times, Tuesday. "I questioned whether I could express that depth of emotion in my first movie." “The King’s Warden” tells the story of the dethroned king during his exile as he forms unexpected bonds with villagers and Eom Heung-do, the village's head played by veteran actor Yoo Hae-jin. Through these relationships, the film explores how a fallen monarch finds the will to live once more. While history remembers him as a boy king who was deposed by his uncle and met a sorrow

Jan 28, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
Park Ji-hoon breathes new life into tragic Joseon monarch in 'King's Warden'
Films

Miky Lee solidifies legacy as visionary architect of Korean cinema

You may not know her name, but you've likely seen the impact of her work. From introducing multiplex cinemas to Korea to backing filmmakers who would later redefine world cinema, Miky Lee has spent decades building the foundation of an industry that now commands global attention. Long before "Parasite" introduced her to the world stage, she was already transforming how Korean stories were created, distributed and shared with the world. The CJ Group vice chairperson's legacy was recognized once again as she earned a spot as the only Korean on Forbes' 50 Over 50 Global 2026 list — joining influential figures such as Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Oscar-winning actor Penelope Cruz. The U.S. business magazine praised Lee for her enduring leadership and transformative role in shaping Korea’s cultural industry and its global rise. While many in the West first became familiar with Lee after the historic Oscar win of "Parasite" in 2020, Forbes noted that her influence stretches back much further. "Though the world first learned her name in 2019, when she served as a producer for

Jan 28, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
Miky Lee solidifies legacy as visionary architect of Korean cinema
Shows & Dramas

‘Made in Korea’ is mirror of human greed, ambition, Hyun Bin says

"Made in Korea" is a tense crime drama that explores the dark collision of power and ambition during the 1970s, while questioning the difficult choice between personal greed and national interest. According to lead actor Hyun Bin, the story depicts universal human desires that could happen in any country, not just in Korea. Hyun Bin takes on the role of Baek Ki-tae, a calculating intelligence director navigating the shifting tides of Korea’s modern history. "I did not approach the character of Baek Ki-tae with the mindset that he is a simple villain," the actor told The Korea Times in an interview in Seoul, Tuesday. "I view the character as a man driven by clear beliefs and a strong will to survive, which gave me a sense of satisfaction playing a person who acts quickly and directly without worrying about what is right or wrong." Directed by Woo Min-ho, the Disney+ series focuses on the fierce rivalry between Baek, an agent of the Korean Central Intelligence Agency, and Jang Geon-young, an uncompromising prosecutor played by Jung Woo-sung. The first season recently finished with Baek

Jan 27, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
‘Made in Korea’ is mirror of human greed, ambition, Hyun Bin says
Films

Sam Raimi explores workplace power dynamics in survival thriller 'Send Help'

Director Sam Raimi returns to his genre-bending roots with "Send Help," a survival thriller that sees workplace hierarchies flipped on their head when a plane crash strands an overworked employee and her demanding boss on a remote island. "I hope that the film has an effect on the audience, not knowing who to identify, who's safe to follow," the director said during an online press conference, Monday. "Is it this woman who seems like our protagonist or is it this man who at first seems like our antagonist, but later we are attracted to? I love the switching back and forth of the audience identification." Starring Rachel McAdams as Linda and Dylan O’Brien as her boss Bradley, the film explores shifting power dynamics, psychological tension and moral ambiguity in a hostile environment. Raimi, known for films ranging from the cult classic "The Evil Dead" to the blockbuster "Spider-Man" trilogy and "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness," returns to his horror roots for this project. He explained that the genre provides a unique sense of catharsis for viewers. "I think people like fac

Jan 26, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
Sam Raimi explores workplace power dynamics in survival thriller 'Send Help'
Shows & Dramas

Disney+ bets big in 2026: Can it win over Netflix subscribers?

With 12 million fewer subscribers than market leader Netflix, Disney+ is betting its survival in Korea on a star-studded 2026 lineup to prove that K-content fans will switch platforms if the storytelling is powerful enough. Disney+ is leaning into its long-term strategy of producing top-tier Korean originals, aiming to close the gap with Netflix as the latest industry data shows Korean content remains a key driver for subscriber growth. In 2025, Netflix effectively solidified its dominant status, with its monthly active users in Korea soaring to 15.59 million as of December, according to market researcher Mobile Index. Disney+ remains the smallest among the major streaming services, with 3.22 million subscribers — only a slight increase from 2.93 million in December 2024. During the same period, other competitors saw far stronger growth. Korean platform Coupang Play jumped from 7.09 million to 8.43 million subscribers, while Tving edged up from 7.25 million to 7.34 million, leaving Disney+ on the sidelines in the heated competition. For Disney+, the problem isn’t creating hits like "

Jan 24, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
Disney+ bets big in 2026: Can it win over Netflix subscribers?
Shows & Dramas

Kim Seon-ho decodes language of love in ‘Can This Love Be Translated?’

Actor Kim Seon-ho believes that everyone possesses a unique language of their own, a realization that deeply resonated with him while filming his latest romantic comedy series, “Can This Love Be Translated?” “The line stating that everyone has their own language left a huge impression on me,” Kim told The Korea Times during an interview in Seoul on Thursday. “I realized I hadn’t really thought about how everyone speaks differently before filming this project. Seeing how people handle misunderstandings made me be more patient. Now, I try harder to listen and understand others when we talk.” In this Netflix series, penned by the famous screenwriting duo Hong Jung-eun and Hong Mi-ran, Kim plays Joo Ho-jin, a multilingual interpreter who works for top star Cha Mu-hee (Go Youn-jung). While he is an expert at translating foreign words, the story hinges on the complicated translation of human emotions. To portray a professional interpreter, Kim spent four months practicing with real-life experts before filming began. He focused on the technical aspects of the job, such as maintain

Jan 22, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
Kim Seon-ho decodes language of love in ‘Can This Love Be Translated?’
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