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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

Korean film industry pins hopes on star-studded titles in 2026

The Korean film industry is looking to 2026 for a potential resurgence as it attempts to break free from a prolonged slump in ticket sales. While the total number of commercial films being released remains at around 20 titles — down significantly from the pre-pandemic average of roughly 40 per year — the industry is betting big on high-profile projects led by top-tier stars and famous directors to bring audiences back to the theaters. Actor Zo In-sung is set to dominate screens this year, appearing in three of the most anticipated films including “Humint,” “Hope” and award-winning director Lee Chang-dong’s Netflix title “Possible Love.” Zo is joined by veteran actors like Choi Min-sik, Sul Kyung-gu, Jeon Do-yeon and Yoo Hae-jin. Bringing ‘Hope’ to Korean cinema? The summer season will be headlined by “Hope,” which marks the long-awaited return of director Na Hong-jin, known for hits such as “The Chaser” (2008), “The Yellow Sea” (2010) and “The Wailing” (2016). “Hope” is a science fiction thriller set in a remote village near Korea’s Demilitarized

Jan 20, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
Korean film industry pins hopes on star-studded titles in 2026
Shows & Dramas

Disney+ series 'Made in Korea' reveals dark side of power

Disney+’s new series “Made in Korea” dives deep into the dark underbelly of 1970s Korea, a decade director Woo Min-ho calls an “age of barbarism.” Drawing from real events and personal ambition, the six-part drama follows the collision of two men: Baek Ki-tae (Hyun Bin), who will stop at nothing in his pursuit of money and power, and Jang Geon-young (Jung Woo-sung), a stubborn prosecutor determined to bring him to justice. Director Woo set out to explore how the hunger for power and a corrupt system can turn a person's ambition into something monstrous and destructive. "I am constantly throwing out the question of what the essence of power is and why people change so drastically once they attain it," the director told The Korea Times during an interview in Seoul, Monday. "Rather than providing a clear answer, I wanted to show the process of how history repeats itself through these characters." The series, which premiered last December and concluded its six-episode first season on Wednesday, does not shy away from the darker side of Korea’s rapid transformation. Against the bac

Jan 19, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
Disney+ series 'Made in Korea' reveals dark side of power
Films

Japanese anime returns to rescue struggling Korean cinema

The Korean film industry has turned to the proven savior of Japanese animation since the start of the year to offset the prolonged slump of domestic productions. The box office in 2025 remained largely stagnant. Among domestic movies, the webtoon-based film “My Daughter Is a Zombie” managed to surpass the 5-million-viewer mark, and only three Korean titles managed to squeeze into the top 10 annual box office rankings. To combat declining ticket sales and a lack of blockbuster movies, movie distributors have launched aggressive re-release strategies. By bringing back beloved Japanese classics and modern hits that have strong fandoms, movie theaters aim to ensure a steady influx of niche but loyal audiences. “Recently, the theater-going experience has shifted toward fandom consumption,” an official in the film marketing industry here said on condition of anonymity. "With animated features like ‘Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba — The Movie: The Infinity Castle’ and ‘Zootopia 2’ dominating the box office in 2025, theatres are prioritizing content that can guarantee physical a

Jan 19, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
Japanese anime returns to rescue struggling Korean cinema
Shows & Dramas

Kim Seon-ho, Go Youn-jung spark global rom-com frenzy with 'Can This Love Be Translated?'

Netflix’s new romantic comedy “Can This Love Be Translated?” is gaining rapid momentum here and abroad, fueled by the immense star power of lead actors Kim Seon-ho and Go Youn-jung. The series was released Friday and topped the streaming platform’s series chart on Sunday. The 12-part series also entered the top five in the global Netflix TV show category the same day, according to FlixPatrol data, signaling another major win for Korean romantic comedies. Unlike typical romantic comedies, the drama keeps viewers interested by adding a touch of mystery to the sweet moments. The unique way the characters express their feelings through different languages provides a fresh experience for fans of the genre. The drama, penned by the celebrated screenwriting duo Hong Jung-eun and Hong Mi-ran, tells the story of Joo Ho-jin (Kim), a professional interpreter who is fluent in several languages. His life takes a turn when he begins working for global superstar Cha Mu-hee (Go), leading to a series of misunderstandings and emotional discoveries across scenic locations in Japan, Italy and Canada

Jan 19, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
Kim Seon-ho, Go Youn-jung spark global rom-com frenzy with 'Can This Love Be Translated?'
Shows & Dramas

K-dating reality shows explore diverse facets of relationships

The landscape of Korean reality dating shows is undergoing a massive transformation, shifting from simple romantic encounters into complex psychological experiments involving past lovers, family members and tough romantic competitions. The dating show market this year is no longer about just one style, as it has split into distinct trends to satisfy different tastes. "Single's Inferno" Season 5 attracts global audiences seeking hot entertainment and dream-like romances, while "Match to Marry: With Parents" targets viewers who want real-life family drama. Meanwhile, "EXchange" Season 4 remains the top choice for those who enjoy deep, emotional stories about past loves. As Netflix's flagship series "Single's Inferno” prepares to launch its fifth season next week, eyes are on how this popular dating show will maintain its dominance against increasingly diverse competitors. While other shows focus on the real-life struggles of dating, the fifth season will stay true to its original style by focusing on good-looking participants and their attraction to each other, its producers said, Wedne

Jan 16, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
K-dating reality shows explore diverse facets of relationships
Books

'Pachinko' author’s next novel examines Korea’s passion for education

Min Jin Lee, the bestselling author of the global sensation "Pachinko," will return this fall with a new novel titled "American Hagwon," focusing on the intense Korean commitment to private education. Cardinal, the publisher of Lee’s new book, said Wednesday that “American Hagwon” is scheduled for release on Sept. 29. It marks the third installment in Lee’s "diaspora quartet," following "Free Food for Millionaires" (2007) and "Pachinko" (2017). The term "hagwon" in the title refers to Korean private tuition companies that provide intensive after-school lessons. Lee explained that her curiosity about why Koreans are so obsessed with education was a primary motivation for the book. The novel follows a middle-class Korean family whose lives are shattered by a betrayal and the 1997 Asian financial crisis. Their journey takes them from Seoul to Sydney and finally to Southern California as they try to find their footing again. "Almost a decade ago, I started to write 'American Hagwon' because I wanted to understand why education is so important to Koreans everywhere," Lee said in a sta

Jan 16, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
'Pachinko' author’s next novel examines Korea’s passion for education
Films

How 'Once We Were Us' wins over weary souls to lead box office

“Once We Were Us,” a romance film released on the last day of 2025, has defied expectations by taking the No. 1 spot at the Korean box office, winning over audiences with a relatable story of love and loss rather than flashy visual effects and action. Directed by director Kim Do-yeong, the film recorded over 1.5 million admissions, edging out the Hollywood blockbuster “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” according to data from the Korean Film Council, Sunday. The movie also topped the overall reservation rate for the first time, Wednesday, in 75 days for a domestic film, which is a feat not seen since “The First Ride” led the charts on Oct. 31, 2025. As a remake of the 2018 Chinese film “Us and Them,” the movie follows Eun-ho (Koo Kyo-hwan) and Jeong-won (Mun Ga-yeong), who were once deeply in love but forced to part due to the harsh realities of life. The story happens 10 years later when they meet again by accident and start to remember their past love. The film’s growing popularity appears to be driven by strong word of mouth. Viewers have praised the movie for its emotional depth

Jan 15, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
How 'Once We Were Us' wins over weary souls to lead box office
Shows & Dramas

‘Culinary Class Wars’ 2 serves moving tribute to hard work

Netflix’s cooking show “Culinary Class Wars” Season 2 came to an end Tuesday, leaving behind more than just a winner and a 300 million won ($203,129) prize. While the competition was fierce, it also felt like a warm message to everyone working hard in their own lives. At the center of this emotion was the contest’s winner Choi Kang-rok. For over a decade, Choi had been known to the public as a specialist in braised dishes, a label that brought him fame but also proved to be a burden as he tried to live up to that image. In the final round, he finally broke free expectations. After winning, he moved many viewers by revealing his inner exhaustion, saying, “I wanted to rest from being the 'Braised Man' for just one day.” It was a special moment of honesty from a master who had spent years focusing only on one thing, keeping his stress hidden. Choi won the title after a tough battle against Lee Ha-sung, who was nicknamed "Culinary Monster." But the true success of this season lies in how it respected the hard work and persistence of ordinary people who give their best to their job

Jan 14, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
‘Culinary Class Wars’ 2 serves moving tribute to hard work
Shows & Dramas

'Can This Love Be Translated?' explores romance beyond language barriers

"Can This Love Be Translated?," a new Netflix Korean original series, takes the classic rom-com and gives it a global spin. Instead of just focusing on language barriers, the show asks if it is really possible to fully understand another person — especially when it comes to love. The 12-part series tells the story of Joo Ho-jin (Kim Seon-ho), an interpreter who is fluent in several languages but clumsy when it comes to the language of romance, and Cha Mu-hee (Go Youn-jung), an actor who is adored by many but struggles with her love life. "It is a romantic comedy where characters gradually come to interpret each other's languages of love through their own perspectives," director Yoo Young-eun, known for the 2022 drama “Bloody Heart,” said during a press conference in Seoul, Tuesday. The drama is penned by the celebrated screenwriting duo Hong Jung-eun and Hong Mi-ran, better known as the Hong Sisters, who have written many hits including "Sassy Girl Chun-hyang" (2005), "Couple or Trouble" (2006), “Hotel Del Luna” (2019) and “Alchemy of Souls” (2022). The series is highly ant

Jan 13, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
'Can This Love Be Translated?' explores romance beyond language barriers
Films

Director Ryoo Seung-wan expands spy universe with 'Humint'

The upcoming espionage action film "Humint" is a gripping tale set in Vladivostok, Russia, a city where lethal secrets and hidden truths sink into the cold sea, according to its director Ryoo Seung-wan. "The core keywords for this film are fun and tension," Ryoo said during a press conference in Seoul, Monday. "Even while reviewing the footage after filming, I found myself flinching, unwillingly. The suspense is so intense that I’d recommend audiences take a warm bath to relax their muscles before coming to the theater." The film follows four individuals who gather in the border area between North Korea and Russia to learn more a mysterious incident. The narrative unfolds around a South Korean intelligence agent (Zo In-sung), a North Korean security official (Park Jeong-min), a North Korean consul general (Park Hae-joon) and a North Korean waitress neamed Seungwha who becomes an informant (Shin Sae-kyeong). The film continues the director’s genre work in spy thrillers, drawing on his experience with "The Berlin File" (2013). While "Humint" shares a similar atmosphere with his previou

Jan 12, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
Director Ryoo Seung-wan expands spy universe with 'Humint'
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