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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

Ha Jung-woo’s comedy ‘The People Upstairs’ takes candid look at marriage

Actor-director Ha Jung-woo is known not only for his commanding screen presence but also for his growing confidence behind the camera, solidifying his place as one of the leading figures in Korean cinema. His latest project, "The People Upstairs," showcases both sides of his talent as he directs and stars in a film that offers a surprisingly frank and funny exploration of life together as a married couple. Adapted from the 2020 Spanish film "Sentimental," the 47-year-old takes on the roles of screenwriter, director and actor in this project. Ha reflected on how his previous directorial roles in "Fasten Your Seatbelt" (2013), "Chronicle of a Blood Merchant" (2015) and "Lobby" (2024) shaped his approach to this latest film. "Thanks to the lessons and experiences gained from 'Lobby' as well as 'Chronicle of a Blood Merchant' and 'Fasten Your Seatbelt,' I have the opportunity to meet the audience with this fourth project,” Ha said after the premiere in Seoul, Tuesday. "The entire process, ranging from finishing a film to releasing it, meeting the audience, accepting their feedback and lear

Nov 26, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
Ha Jung-woo’s comedy ‘The People Upstairs’ takes candid look at marriage
Shows & Dramas

Actor Lee Soon-jae, loved by all ages, dies at 91

Beloved veteran actor Lee Soon-jae, who remained active on stage and screen until his final days, died on Tuesday. He was 91. According to his family, Lee died early Tuesday morning. The actor had been battling health issues since late last year, which forced him to step down from a theater production to focus on recovery. Despite hopes for a return expressed by his agency in August, his health continued to deteriorate, ultimately bringing an end to an extraordinary career that spanned seven decades. Born in Hoeryong, North Hamgyong Province, now in North Korea, in November 1934, Lee moved to Seoul at the age of 4. He graduated from the prestigious Seoul National University with a degree in philosophy, but found his passion in acting, making his stage debut in 1956 with the play "Beyond the Horizon" during his college years. Having started his career with HLKZ-TV, Korea’s first television station, Lee was selected as part of KBS’ first class of actor recruits in 1960. He was a living history of Korean broadcasting. Throughout his 70-year career, he transcended genres, moving fluidly

Nov 25, 2025By Jane Han and Baek Byung-yeul
Actor Lee Soon-jae, loved by all ages, dies at 91
Films

'Demon Slayer' tops Korea’s box office while domestic films stumble

“Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba — The Movie: The Infinity Castle” claimed the top spot at the Korean box office, highlighting a major shift in the market as viewers turn away from lackluster Korean blockbusters in favor of immersive animated spectacles, according to industry analysts, Sunday. As of Saturday, the animated feature recorded 5,641,537 admissions, officially overtaking "My Daughter is a Zombie," which saw 5,637,455, according to data from the Korean Film Council (KOFIC). This signals a new reality for the local film industry, showing audience standards for selecting films have fundamentally changed. "The ticket price hike after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the game. Audiences no longer visit theaters for a decent story. Instead, they go for a spectacle they cannot watch on a smartphone," an official from a local film marketing company said. Speaking of the success of “Demon Slayer,” film critics and industry officials have said the animated feature has succeeded in providing audiences with a visual and auditory feast unlike recent domestic films

Nov 23, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
'Demon Slayer' tops Korea’s box office while domestic films stumble
Films

Heo Sung-tae sheds villain image in action-comedy ‘The Informant’

Actor Heo Sung-tae, renowned for his chilling villainous roles, particularly in "Squid Game" Season 1, makes a dramatic and hilarious shift in his first leading film, "The Informant." The action-comedy centers on Oh Nam-hyuk (Heo), a burned-out cop dreaming of retirement. He seeks to pull off a final operation by utilizing Jo Tae-bong (Jo Bok-rae), his informant within a smuggling ring. When Tae-bong betrays Nam-hyuk and steals the cash, Nam-hyuk gets kidnapped. This forces both of them to work together on a dangerous case to survive. Heo’s performance is a major highlight of this film as he broke away from his signature heavy roles. The actor said he felt a natural connection to the character. "I didn't prepare much for the role of Oh Nam-hyuk," Heo said after the premiere at a theater in Seoul on Thursday. "I felt many similarities to the character and just thought about what I would do." "The Informant" successfully capitalizes on Heo’s transformation from a chilling villain to a comedic actor, proving his versatility. “I channeled Won Bin from 'The Man from Nowhere’ during act

Nov 20, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
Heo Sung-tae sheds villain image in action-comedy ‘The Informant’
Films

Blue Dragon Film Awards highlight glimmers of hope amid industry slump

Despite Korea's ongoing box office slump, the 46th Blue Dragon Film Awards offered a blueprint for survival, proving that a mix of fresh webtoon adaptations and top-tier artistic talent can still captivate audiences. Held on Wednesday night, the Blue Dragon Film Awards are widely regarded as being among Korea’s most prestigious film honors. The clearest sign of a breakthrough came from Naver Webtoon's video subsidiary Studio N as the studio’s film "My Daughter is a Zombie" secured the Audience Choice Award for Most Popular Film, proving that powerful original content is showing a new direction for the industry's future. Based on the popular 2018 webtoon by Lee Yun-chang, the film has drawn 5.63 million viewers, becoming the most-watched film in 2025. The film was lauded as a well-balanced family movie that effectively used the original work's blend of dark comedy, family love and humanity. Studio N CEO Kwon Mi-kyung emphasized the forward-looking strategy behind the hit. "This award shows the power of our original stories. It proves we found the right balance between the webtoon's ima

Nov 20, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
Blue Dragon Film Awards highlight glimmers of hope amid industry slump
Others

Doha Forum 2025 calls on global leaders to deliver ‘Justice in Action’

The international community is facing the urgent need to implement concrete steps to ensure fairness, accountability and opportunity for everyone, moving beyond mere commitments. To discuss the critical challenges, policymakers and decision-makers from around the world will gather for the 23rd edition of the Doha Forum, a leading global platform for diplomacy and dialogue, in Qatar on Dec. 6 and 7. The organizer unveiled the theme of the forum earlier this year: “Justice in Action: Beyond Promises to Progress.” Mubarak Ajlan Al-Kuwari, executive director of the Doha Forum, highlighted the forum’s renewed focus on creating real-world impact through its theme. "With ‘Justice in Action: Beyond Promises to Progress,’ we reaffirm our mission to foster meaningful dialogue and drive transformative change," the executive director said in a January press release. Maha Al-Kuwari, general manager of the forum, also stressed the event’s commitment to achieving its vision through broad consultation. "We look forward to advancing this vision by fostering impactful conversations and generatin

Nov 20, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
Doha Forum 2025 calls on global leaders to deliver ‘Justice in Action’
Films

Kim Hyang-gi embraces motherhood in ‘Hallan’

Kim Hyang-gi, a seasoned actor with 20 years of experience, said that when she took on her first role as a mother in the upcoming movie "Hallan," she focused mostly on the strong story of survival, rather than worrying about being cast as a maternal character. “I didn't think much about playing a mother, from the moment I read the screenplay until we wrapped up filming,” the 25-year-old actor told The Korea Times during an interview in Seoul, Tuesday. “In that era, it was natural for someone my age to be a mother. More importantly, I felt the mission was to showcase the story of the mother and daughter.” “Hallan,” which is the name of an orchid from the province, is inspired by the tragic Jeju Uprising in 1948, where the government forces killed tens of thousands of islanders during an anti-communist campaign. The movie follows the arduous journey of a mother, Ah-jin (Kim), and her daughter (Kim Min-chae) as they seek refuge in the mountains and travel across the sea to survive. “Hallan” ensures history is not forgotten, presenting the stories of the people caught within

Nov 19, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
Kim Hyang-gi embraces motherhood in ‘Hallan’
Films

'Zootopia 2' to explore diversity, growth through new worlds, characters

The beloved animal-centric world of "Zootopia" (2016) is returning to the big screen after nine years, with its creators and actors promising an even more timely and resonant adventure. Compared to the original, "Zootopia 2" will challenge the beloved duo of Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde by taking them to new and unfamiliar environments, while maintaining their strong partnership, according to director Jared Bush. “When we're stepping into a new story, we knew this really had to center around Judy and Nick and their partnership, and the whole point of this movie is to really start to push them out of their comfort zones,” Bush said during an online press conference with Korean reporters Tuesday. The sequel picks up only a week after the end of the first film, with newly established partners Judy (voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin) and Nick (Jason Bateman) tackling a new case involving the sudden and mysterious appearance of reptiles in Zootopia’s otherwise mammal‑dominated world. Reprising her role as the energetic bunny cop, Goodwin said this tight timeline between the films allows the aud

Nov 18, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
'Zootopia 2' to explore diversity, growth through new worlds, characters
Shows & Dramas

'Heroes Next Door' turns reservists into neighborhood defenders

Upcoming action-comedy series "Heroes Next Door" brings together former special forces soldiers who set out to protect their own neighborhood. "The scope of the incident is grand, but the way they solve it is rooted in protecting their community," director Jo Woong said during a press conference in Seoul, Monday. "That is why I believe viewers will be able to empathize." The 10-episode series, which starts airing Monday, follows a group of reservist special forces members who unite not for ambitious goals like defending the entire nation, but purely for their families and neighborhood. "It's not just about following the incident as it unfolds. It’s a drama that generates tension and humor as the characters clash and interact," the director explained. Signer-turned-actor Yoon Kye-sang plays Choi Kang, a former special operations unit agent and current insurance investigator. "My character is a dual personality. The image he presents in daily life is different from his true self that emerges during a crisis. That aspect was very appealing to me," Yoon said, highlighting the duality of his

Nov 17, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
'Heroes Next Door' turns reservists into neighborhood defenders
Shows & Dramas

Korean content steals spotlight at Disney+ preview event

HONG KONG — At Disney+ Originals Preview held Thursday at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, Korean content emerged as the undeniable star of the show, drawing thunderous applause and reactions from around 400 journalists representing 14 countries, including Indonesia, Singapore, the Philippines, Brazil, Japan and the United States. The atmosphere was electric and felt more like a K-pop concert than a corporate showcase. The moment Korean titles were announced, the hall burst into cheers, underscoring Korea’s growing influence in Disney’s global content strategy. The excitement hit its peak when actor Ji Chang-wook, a lead actor of “The Manipulated,” stepped on stage. His appearance turned the venue into a sea of flashing cameras and loud cheers, bringing back memories of Hollywood stars visiting Seoul in the early 2000s. Every move and word from Ji drew applause, while teaser clips featuring other Korean stars set off loud cheers across the room. Fellow Korean stars Hyun Bin, Ju Ji-hoon, Park Bo-young and Lee Dong-wook received the same energy and excitement when they appeared onst

Nov 14, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
Korean content steals spotlight at Disney+ preview event
  • K-dramas take center stage in Disney+ global expansion strategy
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