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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

Disney-Pixar’s ‘Elio’ arrives in Korea with message of hope for the lonely

Disney and Pixar’s highly anticipated animated feature, “Elio,” promises a heartwarming tale of loneliness and connection, according to its producer and directors, Tuesday, ahead of its Korean premiere Wednesday. “Elio” is a sci-fi adventure centered on Elio, a solitary boy on Earth who finds himself unexpectedly transported through the cosmos, where he encounters unique friends and embarks on a journey of self-discovery. Co-director Madeline Sharafian, referencing her previous work on the beloved film “Coco” (2017), emphasized the central theme of “Elio” is finding a sense of belonging. “When you first meet Elio, he’s very lonely on Earth, and he feels the sort of desperation to find a place where he belongs. And all of us on our crew have been dealing with that after the pandemic. We did a lot of research into the psychology of loneliness and where it comes from, and what you can do to escape a bit, to heal from it,” Sharafian told Korean reporters during an online press conference, Tuesday. “We tried to make ‘Elio’ the kind of movie that if someone walks

Jun 17, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
Disney-Pixar’s ‘Elio’ arrives in Korea with message of hope for the lonely
Films

Korean box office pins hopes on summer blockbusters for revival

As the summer movie season approaches, Korea’s film industry is bracing for a pivotal period, with both domestic and Hollywood studios unveiling a slate of big-budget blockbusters in hopes of reversing a disappointing first half of the year at the box office. Despite a few surprise hits, the Korean cinema market has struggled to regain its prepandemic momentum. This year, the highest-grossing film so far is local crime movie “Yadang: The Snitch,” which has drawn just over 3.37 million viewers since its April release. This figure is significantly lower compared to last year’s box office hits “Exhuma” and “The Roundup: Punishment,” each of which surpassed the 11 million admissions mark in the first half of 2024. Even highly anticipated releases have struggled. Director Bong Joon-ho’s Hollywood sci-fi film “Mickey 17” and Tom Cruise’s “Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning” both fell short of expectations, each drawing just over 3 million viewers. The local box office is now looking to the summer season for a turnaround, as a diverse lineup of big budget fi

Jun 14, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
Korean box office pins hopes on summer blockbusters for revival
Shows & Dramas

'Wylde Pak' brings Korean American family life to Nickelodeon with heart, humor

"Wylde Pak," a new animated series exploring heartfelt and hilarious dynamics of a modern Korean American family, officially debuted on June 6 on U.S. cable channel Nickelodeon. The show sets itself apart by highlighting relatable experiences of cultural identity, family adaptation and intergenerational relationships, infused with genuine warmth and humor that can resonate globally. Centered around half-siblings Lily Pak and Jack Wylde adjusting to new family dynamics under one roof for the first time, the narrative is anchored by their parents — a Korean American mother, Min, and her white American partner, Will — with a strong presence of their Korean grandmother, Halmoni. The series humorously navigates themes of identity, cultural blending and familial love, offering an authentic portrayal of a multicultural household. The show's creators and voice actors recently shared with The Korea Times that "Wylde Pak" aims to present the relatable and often humorous experiences of a Korean American family, drawing from their own lives to foster a sense of belonging and cultural understan

Jun 14, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
'Wylde Pak' brings Korean American family life to Nickelodeon with heart, humor
People & Events

Gov't to issue AI copyright guidelines amid growing legal disputes

The government will publish new guidelines on the copyright of contents produced by generative artificial intelligence (AI) at the end of June to address escalating global copyright disputes and mounting legal and policy challenges driven by the rapid adoption of AI in creative industries. On Friday, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, together with the Korea Copyright Commission, convened the second meeting of the AI-related copyright system improvement council to discuss legal uncertainties surrounding the use of copyrighted materials for AI training and the copyright status of AI-generated outputs. Launched in March, the council brought together representatives from the AI industry, rights-holder organizations, academia, legal experts and government officials. Its primary goal is to address emerging copyright issues in the AI era and propose legislative reforms. The ministry said discussions covered insights from sub-committees and the latest international trends during the meeting. Notably, they reviewed two draft guides — one set for copyright registration of generative

Jun 13, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
Gov't to issue AI copyright guidelines amid growing legal disputes
Films

Korean cinemas are becoming showcases for past, not present

There was a time when stepping into a movie theater meant anticipation for the latest blockbuster or a daring new indie film. Today, the cinematic landscape in Korea has shifted dramatically. The most prominent banners at multiplexes now advertise 4K restorations of classics — Ridley Scott’s 1991 classic “Thelma & Louise,” Denis Villeneuve's “Incendies” (2010) and Hayao Miyazaki’s animated film “Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind” (1984). Re-releases of these prominent works are not just special events for moviegoers; they are becoming the main attraction, a bittersweet sign of how the role of the movie theater is changing. The thrill of discovering new movies is fading. Instead, people are gathering to rewatch classic movies that have already proven their lasting appeal. This isn’t all bad because it’s genuinely enjoyable to experience a masterpiece on the big screen again, looking as good as new. But movie fans may feel a sense of loss as the cinema, once a place for new possibilities and surprises, now feels like it’s becoming a shrine to the past. This transfor

Jun 11, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
Korean cinemas are becoming showcases for past, not present
Films

Actor Ryu Seung-ryong lends voice to Disney-Pixar’s ‘Elio’

Actor Ryu Seung-ryong is lending his distinctive voice to the highly anticipated Disney and Pixar animated feature “Elio,” Walt Disney Company Korea said Tuesday. The veteran actor, best known for his leading roles in hit movies such as “Miracle in Cell No. 7” (2013) and “Extreme Job” (2019), along with his appearance in the popular Disney+ series “Moving” (2023), will participate as a special voice actor in the film. He is set to invigorate the Korean-dubbed version of “Elio” by portraying the Universal User's Manual, a character holding the ultimate manual to everything that exists in the galaxy. Set to premiere in Korea on June 18, “Elio” depicts an adventure that centers on Elio, a young boy who feels like an outsider on Earth. His life takes an extraordinary turn when he is unexpectedly transported through the galaxy, encountering unique and fantastical friends while embarking on a journey of self-discovery. In the film, the Universal User's Manual is a character brimming with wisdom, capable of answering any question and possessing a mysterious voice, Walt D

Jun 10, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
Actor Ryu Seung-ryong lends voice to Disney-Pixar’s ‘Elio’
Films

Will new president revive Korea’s struggling film industry?

Hope is rising within the local film industry, currently facing challenges with the rise of streaming services and the increase of ticket prices, as President Lee Jae-myung takes office as Korea’s new president . President Lee’s inauguration comes at a critical time for the entertainment sector. According to the Korean Film Council, the revenue of local theaters last year was 1.1945 trillion won ($881.3 million) in 2024, just 65.3 percent of the average revenue of 1.8282 trillion won ($1.35 billion) between 2017 and 2019. Industry officials say while Korean films have increasingly been earning global recognition — highlighted by the Oscar-winning “Parasite” — the local industry is facing a crisis. Many officials blame the previous Yoon Suk Yeol administration for scaling back support for film festivals and independent cinema, which they say has eroded the industry’s diversity. “It is true that the rise of streaming platforms, which provide way more for production cost than local film production companies, have sparked difficulties for the local film industry. Theater cha

Jun 9, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
Will new president revive Korea’s struggling film industry?
People & Events

Yoido Full Gospel Church pastor appointed secretary general of Pentecostal World Fellowship

Lee Young-hoon, senior pastor of Yoido Full Gospel Church, was appointed the secretary general of the Pentecostal World Fellowship (PWF), the world’s largest association of Pentecostal churches. The PWF, established in Zurich in 1947, represents about 700 million believers across more than 150 countries. The appointment highlights the growing influence of Asian and Korean churches in the global Pentecostal movement, the Seoul-based church said. Pastor Lee was unanimously elected at a presbytery meeting of the PWF held in Helsinki, Finland, June 3, and his appointment was formally announced during the closing session of the 27th Pentecostal World Conference (PWC) on June 6, witnessed by Pentecostal leaders from around the globe. His term as secretary general is three years. The PWC, held every five years, serves as a crucial platform for Pentecostal leaders worldwide to connect, exchange ideas and forge common stances on missionary directions and global issues. The secretary general position is one of the highest leadership roles within the PWF, overseeing the organization, finances an

Jun 8, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
Yoido Full Gospel Church pastor appointed secretary general of Pentecostal World Fellowship
Films

'Lost in Starlight' director Han Ji-won sets new course for Korean animation

Han Ji-won, director for Netflix’s first Korean animated feature “Lost in Starlight,” showed a calm confidence as she discussed her film, emphasizing that animation still remains a profoundly effective medium, particularly for adults. "I think animation is a good medium for adults because we often leave behind certain emotions while living busy lives," the director told The Korea Times Monday at a cafe in Seoul. "Our film is about love and I believe animation is an efficient medium to show that." “Lost in Starlight” is a heartfelt romance that showcases Han’s unique artistic style, set in the futuristic world of Seoul in 2050. The film tells the story of Nan-young, an ambitious astronaut voiced by acclaimed actor Kim Tae-ri, who dreams of exploring Mars, and Jay, a talented musician voiced by Hong Kyung, whose artistic pursuits have taken a back seat. Their encounter, sparked by Nan-young's quest to repair her late mother's cherished turntable, leads them on a journey that transcends the space-age cityscapes of Seoul and the vast distance between Earth and Mars. When asked abo

Jun 4, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
'Lost in Starlight' director Han Ji-won sets new course for Korean animation
Politics

Kwon Young-gook remains unwavering beacon of hope for progressives

Kwon Young-gook, candidate of the minor Democratic Labor Party, secured less than 1 percent of the vote in Tuesday’s presidential election yet became an unexpected symbol of hope for Korea’s progressives. In the election, which saw Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party of Korea secure the presidency, Kwon won a share of 0.98 percent, or 344,150 votes. Despite the constraints of representing a minor progressive party, Kwon’s advocacy for workers and minorities allowed his voice to resonate clearly throughout the presidential race. He also succeeded in receiving more than 1.3 billion won ($949,112) in donations within hours after polls closed, signaling a strong show of support for his campaign and the values he has represented. “I will walk alongside those who have been excluded, those whose lives have been pushed to the margins, those whose identities go unrecognized and those who are poor and suffering,” Kwon wrote on his Facebook page after exit polls conducted by major broadcasters were announced Tuesday evening. “I will never betray the support you gave me. I understand t

Jun 4, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
Kwon Young-gook remains unwavering beacon of hope for progressives
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