my timesThe Korea Times
baekby

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.

Go to Email

Read more

Films

‘Your Letter’ shines on global stage with pre-sales in 166 countries

The Korean animated film, "Your Letter," achieved a milestone by securing overseas distribution and pre-sales in 166 countries, its distributor Lotte Entertainment said Monday. Among the countries where the film has been pre-sold are Japan, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Italy, Spain and the U.K., highlighting its broad international appeal. “The film's overseas release schedule began with Vietnam on Oct. 10, [which will then be] followed by Indonesia on Oct. 22, Malaysia on Oct. 23 and Singapore and Thailand on Oct. 30. It is scheduled to meet audiences in North America in early 2026,” Lotte Entertainment said. Directed by Kim Yong-hwan, “Your Letter” is an animated feature film that tells the story of So-ri, a transfer student who accidentally discovers a mysterious letter in her desk drawer. Following the hints in the first letter, she embarks on a journey to find the subsequent messages. The animation gained attention as singer Lee Su-hyun of duo AKMU performed the voice of So-ri and also sang songs for the soundtrack of this film. The film has already demo

Oct 20, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
‘Your Letter’ shines on global stage with pre-sales in 166 countries
Films

Korean film industry seeks lifeline amid crisis of investment, creativity

Korea’s burgeoning cultural content industry is facing a serious financial crisis, with the local film sector, which currently relies heavily on a single success formula such as “The Roundup” series, facing structural challenges that many believe cannot be solved by government emergency funding alone. On Thursday, Chae Hwi-young, minister of culture, sports and tourism, sounded the alarm at a cabinet meeting presided over by President Lee Jae Myung, saying that Korea’s cultural industry has become a significant tool to raise national brand awareness, but faces serious challenges. “K-culture is not merely a cultural phenomenon. It is a core engine of our economy and a future source of growth,” the minister said at the presidential office in Seoul. “However, the K-culture production scene I have visited indicates a tremendous crisis with no breakthrough in sight. Emergency government funds are desperately required to serve as a catalyst for recovery. Money must circulate first.” The culture minister highlighted the domestic film industry as the most desperate sector. He not

Oct 17, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
Korean film industry seeks lifeline amid crisis of investment, creativity
Trends

World Webtoon Festival returns to Seoul on massive scale

The World Webtoon Festival is set to return to Seoul for its second edition from Sunday to Wednesday, transforming Lotte Town in Jamsil — the complex including Lotte World Mall and other locations — into a premier destination for global comics enthusiasts. Building on its mission to strengthen Korea’s status as the webtoon industry’s originator, this year’s festival boasts a notably expanded scale, featuring massive pop-up stores, a special history exhibition and fan-centric events across the complex in southeastern Seoul. The four-day celebration concludes with the World Webtoon Awards, a ceremony to honor the year’s best works. Co-hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA), the festival aims to create a vibrant space for interaction among creators, platforms, production houses and fans. Jamsil becomes webtoon hub The Lotte Town Jamsil complex will be transformed into a cultural hub as the site of the largest webtoon festival of its kind in Korea. The event features more than 200 webtoons and combines exhibitions, experienc

Oct 16, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
World Webtoon Festival returns to Seoul on massive scale
Films

From SM trainee to Billboard No. 1: EJAE credits early struggles for global triumph of ‘Golden’

For years, EJAE’s low, husky voice was dismissed as a flaw in the polished world of K-pop. Today, it’s the sound behind “Golden,” the soaring anthem from Netflix’s hit animated film “KPop Demon Hunters” that catapulted her to global fame. The Korean American singer-songwriter, who both composed the track and performed it alongside vocalists Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami, reflected on her path to becoming the voice of the film’s protagonist Rumi during a press conference in Seoul Wednesday. “Thinking back to my time as an SM trainee until I became who I am now, I believe everything happens when the time is right. Everything seems to have a reason,” EJAE said. EJAE, whose real name is Kim Eun-jae, wrote other songs for the film’s soundtrack, including “Your Idol” and “What It Sounds Like.” The sudden international attention she’s received since the film’s release has been both overwhelming and gratifying. “Two months ago, I was just a composer, but suddenly I’m receiving such great love and attention, which is very new to me,” EJAE said. “Every day is am

Oct 15, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
From SM trainee to Billboard No. 1: EJAE credits early struggles for global triumph of ‘Golden’
Films

Black comedy 'Good News' reimagines real-life hijacking for modern era

The upcoming Netflix movie "Good News" is based on a true story but will present a narrative that can resonate with the current generation through reimagined characters, director Byun Sung-hyun said. "This film was inspired by the true story of a plane hijacking incident that occurred in the 1970s. It doesn't completely follow the true story," Byun said during a press conference at a hotel in Seoul Tuesday. "We incorporated a story that can be relevant to the current generation. We wanted to show this through recreated characters, not real people." The black comedy film is based on the Yodogo hijacking incident, a 1970 event where nine members of the Japanese communist group Red Army Faction hijacked a plane traveling from Tokyo to Fukuoka and demanded the pilots fly to North Korea. Yodogo was a nickname for the aircraft. Sul Kyung-gu, one of the lead actors, plays Nobody, a mysterious troubleshooter whose name is not known. Sul said he had many concerns about playing the character. "This character was neither this nor that and just called as Nobody. So, honestly, I was confused," said Sul

Oct 14, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
Black comedy 'Good News' reimagines real-life hijacking for modern era
Films

Korean short film fest returns after 4-year hiatus

The Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival (MSFF), one of Korea’s top contests for emerging cinematic talents, is poised for a return as the 21st edition is set to open its doors Thursday after a four-year hiatus. Running through Monday at CGV Yongsan I’Park Mall in Seoul, the five-day film fest’s return marks a crucial moment for Korea's film industry here at a time when the industry is undergoing significant upheaval. Since its launch in 2002, the MSFF has distinguished itself as Korea's sole short film festival centering on films of diverse genres. It is also famous for playing an incubator role by finding next generation filmmakers, with support from major industry figures like Bong Joon-ho and Park Chan-wook. The festival was suspended after its 20th edition in 2021 due to operational difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic but was resurrected this year by filmmakers who joined forces. The enthusiasm for the festival among young filmmakers was intense. It invited submissions of short films across its five distinct genre sections — social commentary; romance and melodrama; c

Oct 13, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
Korean short film fest returns after 4-year hiatus
People & Events

5 nations' UNESCO cultural heritage to take stage in Suwon

A rare convergence of global cultural masterpieces is set to take place in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, which will host the 2025 UNESCO-Gyeonggi Province World Cultural Heritage Festival Showcase on Oct. 18. The event will bring traditional cultural performances from five countries — Vietnam, India, Mongolia, the Philippines and Korea — to the Jeongjo Theme Performance Hall in Suwon to offer a free showcase of UNESCO-listed intangible cultural assets, the organizer said Sunday. The organizer said the performance will feature the essence of human cultural and artistic heritage, found in Vietnam’s Ca tru singing performance, India’s Chhau dance form, Mongolia’s morin khuur (horsehead fiddle) music, the Philippines’ Hudhud chants by the Ifugao people and Korea’s lion mask dance. In addition to the main performances, the event will feature an Indian cultural heritage photo exhibition and a world mask experience corner, providing interactive and educational opportunities for attendees. The inaugural event was initiated by the Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly’s Culture, Sports and Tou

Oct 12, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
5 nations' UNESCO cultural heritage to take stage in Suwon
K-pop

EJAE returns to Korea after global hit 'Golden'

EJAE, the composer and vocalist of the globally popular song “Golden” from the Netflix animated film “KPop Demon Hunters,” is set for a highly anticipated return to Korea this week, where she will share her stories behind the internationally successful movie and her new song. The Korean American artist, currently based in the United States, is scheduled to arrive in Korea this week and will meet with local media for a press conference on Wednesday. During this visit, EJAE is also set to appear on the popular tvN talk show “You Quiz on the Block.” Adding to the excitement, EJAE will release her solo debut single “In Another World” on Oct. 24. On the talk show, she is expected to share stories about her involvement in the soundtrack production for “KPop Demon Hunters” and the recent live performance of “Golden” on a U.S. talk show. EJAE, a former trainee at SM Entertainment, a major Korean entertainment agency, shifted to working as a composer after studying abroad in the U.S. Her career has recently taken a new turn, propelled by the global success of “KPop Demon

Oct 12, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
EJAE returns to Korea after global hit 'Golden'
People & Events

US professor honored for spreading Korean literature globally

Mark Peterson, a professor emeritus at Brigham Young University in Utah, will receive one of the nation’s highest honors for his exceptional contributions to the Korean language and the global spread of traditional Korean literature, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said Wednesday. Professor Peterson is one of two individuals to earn the Bogwan Order of Cultural Merit, the third-highest national medal in culture, on the 579th Hangul Day, which falls Thursday, according to the culture ministry. The awardees are being recognized for their efforts in advancing the Korean alphabet, or Hangeul, and the Korean language. Peterson is recognized for his long career as a Korean language educator, his efforts to advance Korean language pedagogy as a member of key associations, and his dedicated work in translating and introducing sijo, the three-line Korean poetic form, to the world. Peterson is also a columnist for The Korea Times. Sharing the top honor is Jang Hyung-doo (1906-49), a former professor at Seoul National University, who will be posthumously awarded the Bogwan Order of C

Oct 8, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
US professor honored for spreading Korean literature globally
Films

Comedy flick ‘Boss’ dominates Chuseok box office, sets new post-pandemic record

The Korean comedy-action film "Boss” emerged as the champion of the Chuseok holiday box office this year, securing the No. 1 spot for five consecutive days and setting a new record for a Korean film released in October since the COVID-19 pandemic. Released Oct. 3, the movie quickly surpassed 1 million admissions faster than any other Korean film released in October since 2020. On Tuesday, the film recorded 322,760 admissions. Its accumulated attendance stands at 1,308,140, demonstrating its widespread popularity. The film's momentum successfully beat out competing titles, including award-winning director Park Chan-wook’s "No Other Choice" and the Japanese animation "Chainsaw Man — The Movie: Reze Arc," and securing its position as the most broadly appealing choice during the family-centric holiday period. The movie’s success is rooted in its highly original premise as high-ranking gang members desperately try to yield the boss position to one another to pursue their own personal dreams, rather than fighting for the crown. In the movie, which offers an ironic twist on the conventi

Oct 8, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
Comedy flick ‘Boss’ dominates Chuseok box office, sets new post-pandemic record
previous page
2829303132
next page

Top 5 stories

Korea Times
About Us
Introduction
History
Contact Us
Products & Services
Subscribe
E-paper
RSS Service
Content Sales
Site Map
Policy
Code of Ethics
Ombudsman
Privacy Policy
Youth Protection Policy
Terms of Service
Copyright Policy
Family Site
Hankookilbo
Dongwha Group
FacebookXYoutubeInstagram
CEO & Publisher: Oh Young-jinDigital News Email: webmaster@koreatimes.co.krTel: 02-724-2114Online newspaper registration No: 서울,아52844Date of registration: 2020.02.05Masthead: The Korea TimesCopyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.