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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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Shows & Dramas

K-dramas take center stage in Disney+ global expansion strategy

HONG KONG — Disney unveiled a sweeping lineup of upcoming originals from Korea and other countries for its streaming platform Disney+, reaffirming the significance of Korean productions in expanding the platform’s presence and global reach. “Korean storytelling — already beloved in Asia Pacific and the U.S. — is seeing significant growth and audience interest in Latin Amverica, with the strongest engagement in Brazil and Mexico,” Luke Kang, president of the Walt Disney Company Asia Pacific, said during the Disney+ Originals Preview event at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort on Thursday, reflecting Disney’s strategy of focusing on original Korean content as a key driver for expanding global viewership. At the event, attended by nearly 400 journalists from 14 countries, Disney spotlighted new series headlined by top Korean stars and emphasized the surging global demand for Asian storytelling. “It’s so encouraging to see the audience’s momentum and excitement around storytelling originating from our region. That said, when it comes to our production choices, we remain very se

Nov 13, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
K-dramas take center stage in Disney+ global expansion strategy
Films

'Deprivation' explores heartbreak of infertility amid Korea’s demographic crisis

Korea has long been known as a nation with one of the world’s lowest fertility rates, earning it the unfortunate moniker of a society that discourages childbirth. Amid this demographic crisis, however, there are still couples who desperately wish to have children, often suffering in silence when they cannot conceive. Set for upcoming release, the 2024 film “Deprivation” shines a light on these couples, chronicling the intense frustration and emotional toll caused by repeated attempts at in vitro fertilization. Co-directed by Kim Sol-hae and Lee Do-jin, the 85-minute feature follows Ji-yeon (Kim See-eun), who is desperate to conceive and explores every option, and her husband, Do-jin (played by director Lee himself), who is emotionally exhausted by the series of attempts and failures and wondering if they should simply be content with their life as a couple. The film openly depicts the heartbreaking journey as the couple’s love fails to create a child, and their initial hope slowly turns into sadness. Ji-yeon’s desperation is painfully clear, sometimes crossing into tragicomedy.

Nov 12, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
'Deprivation' explores heartbreak of infertility amid Korea’s demographic crisis
Films

Korean cult classic inspires Hollywood remake 'Bugonia'

"Bugonia," a Hollywood adaption of the 2003 Korean cult film "Save the Green Planet!," marks a key moment in the ascent of Korean cinema within the global film industry. Beyond traditional notions of cultural exchange, this high-profile adaptation, directed by Greek filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos and starring Emma Stone, demonstrates how Korean stories and creative industries are now influencing Hollywood’s most ambitious projects. The film, which was released in the U.S. on Oct. 31 and quickly climbed to second place at the box office with $1.8 million in ticket sales, underscores the growing appetite for Korean narratives in mainstream global filmmaking. The Korean original, directed by Jang Joon-hwan, earned acclaim for its inventive genre mix of black comedy, suspense and social commentary. Despite failing to succeed commercially, the movie's reputation grew over the years to become a cult classic. "Bugonia," which premiered at this year’s Venice International Film Festival to critical acclaim, retains much of the original storyline, focusing on a troubled young man (Jesse Plemons)

Nov 11, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
Korean cult classic inspires Hollywood remake 'Bugonia'
K-pop

EJAE goes beyond imagination on Grammy nomination for ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ soundtrack

Korean American singer-songwriter EJAE expressed overwhelming joy after her song “Golden” and the original soundtrack from the Netflix hit animated film “KPop Demon Hunters” together secured five nominations at the upcoming Grammy Awards. On Friday (local time), the Recording Academy that hosts the 68th Grammy Awards announced “Golden” earned nominations in four categories, including Song of the Year, Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, Best Song Written for Visual Media and Best Remixed Recording. The film's soundtrack also earned a nomination for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media. EJAE, who contributed to vocals, lyrics and composition for "Golden," expressed her joy, saying the Grammy nominations were something beyond her dream. “I don’t even have the adjectives to describe how I’m feeling. This is beyond anything I ever imagined, being nominated for a Grammy,” she wrote on Instagram on Saturday. The artist also delivered her gratitude to fans of “KPop Demon Hunters” and fellow Korean American musicians Rei Ami and Audrey Nuna, who also sang on the track

Nov 9, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
EJAE goes beyond imagination on Grammy nomination for ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ soundtrack
Trends

Webtoon industry seeks AI edge amid legal, ethical challenges

The Korean webtoon industry is at a critical juncture, aggressively pursuing the efficiencies of artificial intelligence (AI) even as creators resist the change citing serious legal and ethical risks, according to industry experts. This creativity-driven industry is one of the quickest to feel the effects of the emerging technology. Webtoon creators, while concerned that adopting the technology will compromise their originality, also understand that failure to embrace it could lead to exclusion from the market. This tension was a key point of debate during the 25th annual Manhwa Day ceremony on Nov. 3, where stakeholders gathered to reflect on the future of Korean comics. Manhwa is the Korean term of comics. Hosted by the Korea Cartoonist Association, the event, which drew over 160 industry officials, featured a lecture that focused on the challenge of AI integration. At the event, cartoonist Kwak Baek-soo pushed for AI as a necessary solution for creators facing fierce competition. Kwak explained how the technology helps cartoonists survive the hyper-competitive market driven by major w

Nov 6, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
Webtoon industry seeks AI edge amid legal, ethical challenges
Shows & Dramas

Netflix's 'As You Stood By' explores murder, friendship through women-led thriller

Netflix’s latest K-drama "As You Stood By" is a powerful reimagining of Japanese author Hideo Okuda’s 2014 novel "Naomi & Kanako" through a Korean lens. The eight-part series follows two women who hatch a desperate plan to murder an abusive husband, an act that sets off a chain of unexpected consequences, testing their friendship, morality and resolve. Director Lee Jeong-lim revealed her affection for the original work, confessing she is a longtime fan of the novelist and had dreamed of adapting the novel. "I am a fan of the original author, so I read the novel soon after it was released. I still vividly remember that I was grieving for the two women while reading it," Lee said during a press conference at a theater in Seoul, Wednesday. "When I heard that this book was going to be adapted into a series, I was delighted and had a strong desire for it to come to me. When the offer came, I happily accepted. I felt a strong ambition to make it well." The series’ Korean title is more provocative in tone than its English name, "As You Stood By." The director explained that the title was c

Nov 5, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
Netflix's 'As You Stood By' explores murder, friendship through women-led thriller
Korean Heritage

Gyeongju APEC summit delivers cultural win for Korea

The successful Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, transformed the historic capital of Silla Kingdom (57 B.C.-A.D. 935) into a global diplomatic stage. Over the last week, 21 APEC member economies gathered not only to discuss pressing economic matters, but to experience Korea’s powerful blend of ancient heritage and soft power, positioned now as a crucial asset in international diplomacy. The APEC summit’s greatest asset was its setting. By holding the meeting in the city often called a living museum, instead of a modern capital, Korea showcased the depth and relevance of its heritage. The city’s long history and cultural sites were not passive scenery, but instead served as a powerful language, communicating and promoting Korea’s core diplomatic message of harmony and tradition to the APEC members in attendance. To better show how the country blended past and future, Gyeongju’s historical sites such as the Daereungwon royal tomb complex were used for spectacular media art shows, seamlessly merging 1,000-year-old

Nov 3, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
Gyeongju APEC summit delivers cultural win for Korea
Travel & Food

Korea unveils Gyeongju-inspired menu for APEC leaders’ dinner

Gyeongju-inspired cuisine and a star-studded cultural performance were the highlights of the official welcome dinner for the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting Friday, hosted by President Lee Jae Myung and the first lady Kim Hea Kyung, the presidential office said. This highly-anticipated banquet was the peak of a series of APEC official events where the drinks served, ranging from sparkling nonalcoholic tea drinks to traditional Korean rice alcohols, demonstrated Korea's deft blend of protocol and cultural diplomacy. Lee and his wife hosted the official dinner at the Lahan Select hotel for about 400 distinguished guests, including the heads of the 21 APEC member economies, representatives of international organizations and CEOs of multinational companies. The presidential office said the official dinner was designed to be a meaningful event where Korean culture, technology and a commitment to cooperation across the Asia-Pacific region connected seamlessly. The banquet featured a carefully curated menu developed with the help of Korean American celebrity chef Edward Lee, aiming to show bot

Oct 31, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
Korea unveils Gyeongju-inspired menu for APEC leaders’ dinner
K-pop

Court rules NewJeans must stay with Ador until 2029

The Seoul Central District Court ruled Wednesday that K-pop group NewJeans must honor their exclusive contract with their agency Ador until 2029, dismissing the group’s attempt to terminate the agreement early. The ruling, delivered about 11 months after NewJeans announced their intention to terminate their contract with the agency, sided with Ador in its lawsuit seeking to confirm the agreement’s validity. The court also denied the group’s claims that the agency had breached its obligations, thereby justifying termination. Central to the case was the dismissal of Ador’s former CEO, Min Hee-jin, who played a prominent role in shaping NewJeans’ creative direction and production. The five members of the girl group argued that her removal undermined their trust in the agency and disrupted their artistic activities. However, the court found that Min’s dismissal did not constitute grounds for contract termination. “The circumstances surrounding the dismissal of former CEO Min Hee-jin from Ador alone do not support the view that a void occurred in management for NewJeans, or tha

Oct 30, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
Court rules NewJeans must stay with Ador until 2029
Films

Jung Il-woo credits universal family theme for Korea-Vietnam joint film

Actor Jung Il-woo said he did not anticipate the massive box-office success of the Korean-Vietnamese joint film "Leaving Mom" in Vietnam, expressing gratitude for the positive reception. "I didn't know it would be such a hit. I cried a lot and was very moved after watching the film. I had a feeling that these emotions would be conveyed to the Vietnamese audience, but I am grateful that it has become a bigger success than expected," he said during a press conference in Seoul, Wednesday. "Leaving Mom" is a drama that follows Hoan (Tuan Tran), a street barber who cares for his mother, and Le Thi Han (Hong Dao), who suffers from Alzheimer's disease. Hoan embarks on a journey to take his mother to his long-lost older brother in Korea. Actor Jung made a special appearance as Jeong-min, Le Thi Han’s Korean husband in her younger days. The movie topped the Vietnamese box office for 15 consecutive days, attracting 2 million viewers. This film was a Korean-Vietnamese collaboration. Korean production staff, including director Mo Hong-jin, worked with the Vietnamese crew for more than three years

Oct 29, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
Jung Il-woo credits universal family theme for Korea-Vietnam joint film
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