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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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Politics

Lee Jae-myung, factory worker-turned-reformer, to lead Korea

Lee Jae-myung of the liberal Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), who won Tuesday’s presidential election, capped what has been one of the nation’s most compelling political ascents. Lee's journey from a teenage factory worker who overcame hardship and physical injury to become a prominent human rights lawyer and political leader has become central to his story, positioning him as a symbol of resilience and inspiration for many. From humble beginnings to legal advocate Born in 1964 in a remote village in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province, Lee grew up in extreme poverty. After completing elementary school, financial hardship forced him to work as a teenage factory laborer in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, earning just 200 won (about $0.15) a day at a clock factory. A workplace accident left him with a permanent disability in his left arm, but Lee refused to let hardship define his future. Determined to change his circumstances, Lee passed the high school qualification exam and earned a scholarship to Chung-Ang University’s law school. During his university years, the 1980 Gwangju Uprising

Jun 4, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
Lee Jae-myung, factory worker-turned-reformer, to lead Korea
Films

'How to Train Your Dragon' director details challenges, rewards of live-action adaptation

Dean DeBlois, director of the live-action “How to Train Your Dragon,” emphasized that his foremost goal was to honor the emotional heart and sense of wonder that defined the original animated classic, while embracing the opportunity to make the fantastical tale a vivid reality. “It was essential to keep the sense of wonder and the emotional journey that made the original so beloved,” DeBlois said during an online interview with Korean reporters, Monday. “At the same time, we wanted to ground the film in a believable reality. That meant searching for real-world locations, like Iceland, Scotland and the Faroe Islands, to create a convincing home for Berk (a fictional island) and its dragons.” “How to Train Your Dragon” follows Hiccup (Mason Thames), a young Viking who struggles to fit in, and Toothless, a mysterious dragon, as they overcome prejudice and forge a unique friendship that changes both their world and the fate of their village. DeBlois highlighted the key differences between animation and live-action filmmaking. “The biggest difference I've found between animat

Jun 2, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
'How to Train Your Dragon' director details challenges, rewards of live-action adaptation
Films

Political scandals reduced to box office battles, entertainment ahead of snap election

With an early presidential election looming, Korean cinemas have transformed into an unexpected battleground for political narratives, reflecting the nation's heightened civic engagement. Leading the charge is “The Pact,” an occult political thriller that has quickly garnered attention, climbing to fourth in ticket sales just days before its official release. “The Pact,” scheduled to hit theaters on June 2, a day before the presidential election, is capitalizing on the surge in political discourse. The film has drawn significant attention as it is seen by many to evoke former President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife, Kim Keon Hee, who were at the center of controversy following an abrupt declaration of martial law last December, which led to Yoon’s impeachment. The movie features a prosecutor-turned-political candidate and a woman (Kim Gyu-ri) caught in a mysterious spell, with investigative journalists closely following their story. Despite fierce competition from major Korean and Hollywood releases, “The Pact” is making a surprising leap to fourth place in real-time ticket res

May 31, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
Political scandals reduced to box office battles, entertainment ahead of snap election
Films

Busan filmmakers head to Cannes, Quezon for UNESCO exchange

Two Busan-based directors are set to embark on an international filmmaking journey, with director Kwon Yong-jin heading to Cannes in France and director Lee Si-o to Quezon, Philippines, as part of the 2025 UNESCO Creative Cities of Film Residency Film Production Project. This initiative, spearheaded by Busan, aims to foster local filmmaking talent through global collaboration. On Friday, the Busan Metropolitan Government confirmed the participants and partner cities for this project, designed to give a platform for filmmakers to produce new works in renowned film cities. Since its inception in 2017, the Residency Film Production Project has supported filmmakers from Busan and other international UNESCO Creative Cities of Film, including Galway, Ireland; Santos, Brazil; Fukuoka, Japan and Rome. The program has contributed to Busan filmmakers achieving global recognition and garnering awards at major international festivals. Kwon, a student studying filmmaking at Pusan National University, will work on a new film in Cannes. Kwon gained recognition for his feature film “On a Beautiful Da

May 30, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
Busan filmmakers head to Cannes, Quezon for UNESCO exchange
Films

‘Big Deal’ unfolds soju war, personal values shaping work life

"Big Deal,” a new Korean film, takes its Korean title — "Soju Jeonjaeng," literally meaning soju war — from Korea’s most popular distilled spirit, but it’s about more than just alcohol. Its story invites audiences to reflect on the meaning of work, loyalty and personal values by showing how people’s choices are tested as the world and ideas of success change around them. Set against the backdrop of the turbulent 1997 financial crisis, the movie centers on a beloved soju company in financial trouble because of aggressive expansion which causes it to puts its fate in the hands of ruthless global investors. At the heart of the story are two opposing forces — Pyo Jong-rok (Yoo Hae-jin) and Choi In-beom (Lee Je-hoon). Pyo is a loyal employee who takes pride in his company and the cherished Korean spirit it produces. He believes in doing what’s right for the company. In contrast, Choi is a sharp strategist from a global investment firm who sees the company as a business opportunity. “A company is just a place to make money, not the vessel of my life,” Choi said in the film,

May 29, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
‘Big Deal’ unfolds soju war, personal values shaping work life
Shows & Dramas

Choi Min-sik to lead Netflix psychological drama ‘Notes from the Last Row’

Veteran actor Choi Min-sik will star in Netflix’s forthcoming series “Notes from the Last Row,” raising expectations for the psychological drama set to debut on the global streaming platform. Netflix said Thursday that Choi, whose recent performance in the 2024 movie “Exhuma” reaffirmed his box office power, will play Heo Mun-oh, a literature professor and failed writer with deep-seated insecurities. The series is an adaptation of the Spanish play “El Chico de la ultima fila,” which has been praised for its psychological depth and suspenseful narrative. The story centers on Heo, whose life is turned upside down when he encounters Lee Kang (Choi Hyun-wook), a gifted student with a special talent for writing. The professor’s growing obsession with Lee’s work leads to tension between the two. He is joined by cast members Choi Hyun-wook, Huh Joon-ho, Jin Kyung and internationally recognized star Kim Yun-jin. Choi Hyun-wook, notable for standout roles in “Weak Hero Class 1” (2022) and “Twenty Five Twenty One” (2022), will portray Lee Kang, a reserved engineering stud

May 29, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
Choi Min-sik to lead Netflix psychological drama ‘Notes from the Last Row’
Films

Ra Mi-ran brings humor, heart to superhero film ‘Hi-Five’

Actor Ra Mi-ran takes on a new challenge in the upcoming superhero comedy film “Hi-Five,” which hits theaters Friday. The actor, known for her versatility and grounded performances, described the experience as both refreshing and unexpected. “It was a genre I had never tried before, so it felt new to me. I’ve mostly played ‘Mrs.’ roles, but this time, the director Kang Hyoung-chul persuaded me to play a ‘Miss’ and even said she is a pretty character. I thought, ‘When else will I get to perform this kind of role?’” Ra told The Korea Times at a cafe in Seoul, Wednesday. In “Hi-Five,” Ra portrays Seon-nyeo, a diligent yogurt salesperson who acquires mysterious superpowers after a kidney transplant. Unlike traditional superhero stories, “Hi-Five” centers on ordinary people who suddenly find themselves with extraordinary abilities. “I think our film is different from Marvel Studios’ movies, which show characters who are special beings with special powers. But in our film, it’s just ordinary people who suddenly get superpowers. This film is grounded in real

May 28, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
Ra Mi-ran brings humor, heart to superhero film ‘Hi-Five’
Films

Netflix’s Korean animation ‘Lost in Starlight’ illuminates love, loss, Seoul’s future

Netflix will make history with the release of its first Korean animated feature film, “Lost in Starlight,” premiering globally on May 30. Written and directed by Han Ji-won, the film is a visually arresting, emotionally resonant romance set in a futuristic Seoul circa 2050, told through the voices of acclaimed actors Kim Tae-ri and Hong Kyung. “Lost in Starlight” follows the emotional connection between Nan-young (Kim), an ambitious astronaut dreaming of exploring Mars, and Jay (Hong), a talented musician who had to put aside his artistic pursuits. Their fateful encounter, sparked by Nan-young’s quest to repair her late mother’s cherished turntable, sets them on a journey that spans not only the city’s neon-lit streets but also the emotional distance between Earth and Mars. Director Han explained the significance of the film’s title and how the theme of love plays a pivotal role. “It’s about being far apart like Mars and Earth,” the director told reporters after screening at a theater in Seoul, Tuesday. “It’s a love story, but also about parting ways the moment l

May 27, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
Netflix’s Korean animation ‘Lost in Starlight’ illuminates love, loss, Seoul’s future
Shows & Dramas

Korean animation ‘Solo Leveling’ makes history at Crunchyroll Anime Awards

“Solo Leveling,” an animated adaptation of the popular Korean web novel and webtoon, swept the 2025 Crunchyroll Anime Awards Sunday, taking home a record nine awards, including the top honor of Anime of the Year. This marks the first time a Korean animation has received the grand prize at the award ceremony, known as one of the most prestigious honors in the animation industry. Kakao Entertainment, a content studio here responsible for developing and managing the “Solo Leveling” franchise, said Monday that the animation won nine categories out of its 13 nominations at the ceremony held in Tokyo. The series claimed awards, including Best New Series, Best Action and three regional Best Voice Artist Performance awards in English, Brazilian Portuguese and Castilian Spanish. The competition was fierce, with “Solo Leveling” surpassing popular titles like “One Piece,” “Attack on Titan: The Final Season” and "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba — Hashira Training Arc.” The animation’s director, Shunsuke Nakashige, expressed his gratitude. “The entire production team poured

May 26, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
Korean animation ‘Solo Leveling’ makes history at Crunchyroll Anime Awards
People & Events

Olympic champion Jang Mi-ran donates medals ahead of sports museum opening

Jang Mi-ran, Korea’s Olympic weightlifting legend and current vice minister for culture, sports and tourism, has become the inaugural donor in a sports star donation relay campaign, a program launched ahead of the much-anticipated opening of the National Sports Museum in Seoul’s Olympic Park in late 2026. The sports ministry and the Korea Sports Promotion Foundation said Friday that they initiated the campaign to encourage Korea’s most celebrated athletes to contribute personal memorabilia, preserving the nation’s rich sporting legacy for future generations. Jang, the first Korean female athlete to win an Olympic gold medal in weightlifting, donated 88 personal items from her career. Among them are her full set of Olympic medals — a silver medal she won at the 2004 Athens Olympics, a gold medal from the 2008 Beijing Olympics and a bronze medal from the 2012 London Olympics — as well as Asian Games medals, competition uniforms, weightlifting belts and shoes she wore while setting a world record in Beijing. “I am honored to be the first donor in this donation relay. While th

May 23, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
Olympic champion Jang Mi-ran donates medals ahead of sports museum opening
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