The Korea Times

Lee Jae Myung’s search for minister highlights K-culture's paradox

President Lee Jae Myung is having a hard time finding a new leader for the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism at a time when the nation's cultural industries have become a driving force for both the economy and national identity. As expectations for K-pop, movies and tourism continue to rise at home and abroad, a new culture minister would face growing pressure to guide these rapidly evolving sectors. Despite most government appointments being finalized, the position of culture minister remains unfilled. The president openly acknowledged the difficulty of finding the right candidate, even inviting suggestions from the cultural community itself during a meeting with artists on June 30. “The government seeks to significantly expand investment in culture and arts, provide opportunities for the growing generation to go global, grow Korea’s cultural influence and make the country a cultural powerhouse,” Lee said. “This is why I’m having difficulty naming the minister ... it should be a person who can do all these jobs.” In the past, well-known political or public service figu

Jul 8, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul

Lee Jae Myung’s search for minister highlights K-culture's paradox

Films

France seeks stronger film ties with Korea amid industry shifts

As the film industry experiences profound technological and consumption shifts, France is committed to deepening cultural exchange and collaboration with key global film partners and Korea is at the top of the list. "France boasts a 130-year history in cinema," Gaetan Bruel, president of the French National Centre for Cinema (CNC), said during a press conference at the French Embassy in Seoul, Friday. The chief of the state-run institution noted how the industry is experiencing changes, such as rapidly evolving artificial intelligence (AI) technology and the shift from traditional movie theater experiences to individual consumption on mobile devices. "France excels in defensive IP (intellectual property) protection, while Korea shows strengths in development of new IP," Bruel said. "By sharing our successful models, there's much to discuss regarding IP development and co-ownership, maximizing our synergies." Bruel visited Korea to attend the ongoing Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFAN), which runs through July 13. He said there is a shared need for Korea and France to adv

Jul 4, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul

France seeks stronger film ties with Korea amid industry shifts

Films

James Gunn promises fantastical, character-driven ‘Superman’ reboot

James Gunn, filmmaker and co-head of DC Studios, said Thursday that his “Superman” will be a fantastical, character-driven narrative that explores the hero’s personal relationships. “I thought it was especially important to start with ‘Superman’ because he is the world's first superhero. He is DC Studios’ first superhero and such an iconic character. I thought it was fun to examine for our first outing,” Gunn told Korean reporters during an online press conference. Gunn emphasized his desire to explore new facets of the hero, drawing inspiration from his childhood comic book experiences. “When I was young and I started reading comic books, I didn't enter a world that was just Superman and a bunch of humans. It was Superman and his superhuman friends,” he said. “I wanted to re-create that feeling in cinemas, that we would have this magical other world (that) is really a fantastic alternate dimension.” Asked about the cinematic vision and the importance of the theatrical experience, Gunn said, “we are creating another universe that people can enter, and I think th

Jul 3, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul

James Gunn promises fantastical, character-driven ‘Superman’ reboot

People & Events

Cardinal You hopes President Lee Jae Myung will meet Pope Leo XIV this year

Cardinal Lazzaro You Heung-sik, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Clergy at the Vatican, shared his special ties with the newly elected Pope Leo XIV and expressed hope that President Lee Jae Myung can visit the Vatican within the year for a meeting with the pontiff. “Before he became Pope, we lived on different floors of the same apartment building in the Vatican, so we often ran into each other,” You said during a press conference at Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea in Seoul, Thursday. “I’d joke about whether my footsteps were too loud and we’d laugh together.” The cardinal said the new Pope has visited Korea multiple times and has a high level of understanding of the country’s history and current affairs. “I have already conveyed to President Lee my hope that he visits the Vatican this year,” You said. “Pope Leo XIV has shown great interest in Korea and I believe he can contribute meaningfully to peace on the Korean Peninsula and dialogue between North Korea and the U.S.” The cardinal confirmed that he personally delivered two letters from President Lee — one

Jul 3, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul

Cardinal You hopes President Lee Jae Myung will meet Pope Leo XIV this year

People & Events

Rev. Lee takes Pentecostal leadership with vision for global growth, Asian hub

Lee Young-hoon, senior pastor of Yoido Full Gospel Church, unveiled an ambitious vision for the Pentecostal World Fellowship (PWF) following his unanimous election as secretary-general. He aims to increase the global number of Pentecostal adherents to reach 1 billion by 2033, planning to achieve the goal through robust next-generation leadership training and stronger solidarity with Asian churches, positioning the region as a central hub for the global Holy Spirit movement. On June 3, Rev. Lee was named secretary-general of the PWF. Established in Switzerland in 1947, the PWF is the world’s largest Pentecostal church alliance, representing around 700 million members across more than 150 countries. The organization holds a World Pentecostal Conference every five years as a platform for leaders to exchange insights and forge common stances on missions and global issues. Rev. Lee views his new role as a continuation of his decades-long dedication to the mission of the late Rev. Cho Yong-gi, founder of Yoido Full Gospel Church, also known as David Yonggi Cho. "I believe this election is a

Jul 3, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul

Rev. Lee takes Pentecostal leadership with vision for global growth, Asian hub

Films

Scarlett Johansson calls ‘Jurassic World: Rebirth’ her dream come true

Hollywood superstar Scarlett Johansson, back in Korea for the first time in eight years, shared her immense excitement for her new film “Jurassic World: Rebirth,” saying joining the iconic series was a lifelong dream. "I was incredibly lucky to be able to read the script that they wrote,” Johansson said during a press conference for the movie in Seoul on Tuesday. "No matter what, I would have been honored to be able to have a peek inside what the Jurassic World was going to be." While the opportunity to join the famous franchise was personal, the role also came with unexpected challenges — particularly acting opposite imaginary dinosaurs. "One of the hardest parts of making the movie is that we're not really fighting against the dinosaurs. We're fighting against a tennis ball on a stick,” she said, adding that filming those scenes demanded sustained stamina and focus — even if it wasn’t quite the same as battling real dinosaurs. “Jurassic World: Rebirth” is a reboot that follows the successful "Jurassic Park" and "Jurassic World" sagas, which collectively grossed over $

Jul 1, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul

Scarlett Johansson calls ‘Jurassic World: Rebirth’ her dream come true

People & Events

Yoido Full Gospel Church leads efforts to tackle Korea's low birthrate

Yoido Full Gospel Church is leading the way in tackling Korea’s ongoing demographic crisis by showing that the church’s faith-centered approach to fostering a family-friendly environment is actually working. The church said Tuesday that households led by church members in their 20s to 40s boast an average of 1.61 children per household as of May. This figure is more than double the national total fertility rate of 0.72. At a time when the country grapples with a record-low fertility rate, these statistics offer a glimpse of how community life can shape family structures. Lee Young-hoon, senior pastor of the church, emphasized that addressing the low birthrate is not merely a matter for government policy, but a vital mission for the church. "The issue of low birthrate is not simply an administrative challenge for the country, but a calling for the church to protect and practice the gospel of life," he said. "We will continue to work hand in hand with the government to spread a healthy community culture." Over the past decade, Yoido Full Gospel Church has launched a variety of initiativ

Jul 1, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul

Yoido Full Gospel Church leads efforts to tackle Korea's low birthrate

Films

Jo Jung-suk returns to summer big screen with ‘My Daughter Is a Zombie’

What if your daughter turned into a zombie and you still couldn't stop being her dad? Actor Jo Jung-suk returns to the big screen this summer with "My Daughter is a Zombie," a quirky, heartwarming twist on the zombie genre that blends dark comedy with the story of a devoted father who will do everything for his child. Jo, known for his roles in box office hits such as "Exit" (2019) and "Pilot” (2024), will reveal a new side of himself in this offbeat yet touching role. "Both 'Exit' and 'Pilot' were great projects, but this summer, I'm greeting you with 'My Daughter Is a Zombie,'" Jo said during a press conference in Seoul Monday. "'Exit' and 'Pilot' both opened on July 31, and coincidentally, 'My Daughter Is a Zombie' opens one day earlier on July 30. I hope for good results this time as well." Adapted from a popular webtoon of the same title, Jo takes on the role of Jung-hwan, a father and zookeeper. "Jung-hwan is a zookeeper who handles fierce animals. Because of his profession, he thinks, 'What if I can turn my zombie daughter back through training?' So he's a devoted father who trie

Jun 30, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul

Jo Jung-suk returns to summer big screen with ‘My Daughter Is a Zombie’

Shows & Dramas

‘Squid Game’ ends saga with haunting questions

Netflix’s “Squid Game” dropped its long-awaited third and final season Friday, drawing the curtain on a series that transformed a dark Korean drama about deadly childhood games into a global pop culture phenomenon. What started as a sleeper hit has now become a symbol of 21st-century survival storytelling. While the series retains its trademark brutality and sharp social commentary, Season 3 ventures into even more unsettling territory, exploring the boundaries of morality and the psychology of choice. Season 3 opens in the aftermath of the failed rebellion within the lethal Squid Game that concluded the previous season. Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae), once driven by hope and a sense of justice, is left devastated by the loss of his comrades and the collapse of his ideals. Forced back into the brutal arena, Gi-hun faces not only new games but also the haunting realization that the cycle of violence continues. What sets this season apart is the chilling shift from forced participation to voluntary entry. The arena is now filled with contestants who, fully aware of the risks, choose to

Jun 29, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul

‘Squid Game’ ends saga with haunting questions

Films

Independent cinema to light up shores of Jeongdongjin in August

The picturesque coastal town of Jeongdongjin in Gangneung, Gangwon Province, is gearing up to host the 27th Jeongdongjin Independent Film Festival (JIFF) from Aug. 1 to Aug. 3, transforming Jeongdong Elementary School into a vibrant hub for independent cinema right by the beach. Unlike most film festivals, the JIFF is renowned for its open-air screenings held on the school grounds just steps from the beach, creating a unique atmosphere where audiences can enjoy films under the summer night sky. All 27 selected films — 25 shorts and two features — will be screened free of charge, making the festival accessible to all movie fans and beachgoers, the organizer said Friday. Organized by Gangneung CinemaTheque, the JIFF has been held annually since 1999, always on the first weekend of August. It is the only open-air independent film festival in Korea that screens all films for free, fostering a welcoming environment for both filmmakers and audiences. The committee emphasized that this year’s lineup balances polished, genre-driven works with raw, visionary films that may be making their

Jun 28, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul

Baek Byung-yeul

Read more

Lee Jae Myung’s search for minister highlights K-culture's paradox

France seeks stronger film ties with Korea amid industry shifts

James Gunn promises fantastical, character-driven ‘Superman’ reboot

Cardinal You hopes President Lee Jae Myung will meet Pope Leo XIV this year

Rev. Lee takes Pentecostal leadership with vision for global growth, Asian hub

Scarlett Johansson calls ‘Jurassic World: Rebirth’ her dream come true

Yoido Full Gospel Church leads efforts to tackle Korea's low birthrate

Jo Jung-suk returns to summer big screen with ‘My Daughter Is a Zombie’

‘Squid Game’ ends saga with haunting questions

Independent cinema to light up shores of Jeongdongjin in August

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