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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

Bae Doona finds contagious charm in romantic comedy ‘Virus’

Actor Bae Doona, known for her intense performances in genres like thriller drama “Stranger” and zombie period drama "Kingdom,” is making a refreshing return to the romance genre after almost a decade with the upcoming quirky comedy "Virus." "After the mellow 'Air Doll’ (2009), I mainly did disaster and somewhat dark genre works. I actually missed a soft, warm and bright story," Bae told The Kore Times during an interview at a cafe in Seoul on Wednesday. "I think the virtue of a movie is to make the audience feel good and laugh for no reason. I had a longing for such a movie. That's when I encountered 'Virus.'" "Virus" presents a whimsical premise — what if a virus makes people fall in love uncontrollably? Bae plays Taek-sun, a woman infected with this peculiar virus, leading to unexpected entanglements with researcher Soo-pil (Son Suk-ku), her former classmate Yeon-woo (Chang Ki-ha) and Lee Kyun (Kim Yoon-seok), the only expert seeking a cure. Bae expressed her delight in revisiting a lighter genre after a while after a while, especially with a film that had its own journey of

Apr 30, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
Bae Doona finds contagious charm in romantic comedy ‘Virus’
Films

Netflix's 1st Korean animated film 'Lost in Starlight' set for May release

Netflix is gearing up to release its first Korean animated feature film, "Lost in Starlight," with the global premiere scheduled for May 30. The streaming giant unveiled a teaser poster and a trailer for the highly anticipated film on Tuesday. "Lost in Starlight" is written and directed by Han Ji-won and features the voices of acclaimed actors Kim Tae-ri and Hong Kyung. Set in Seoul in the year 2050, the film weaves a romantic tale between Nan-young (voiced by Kim), a determined astronaut with dreams of Martian exploration, and Jay (Hong), a gifted musician who has temporarily set aside his artistic ambitions. Their initial encounter blossoms into a heartfelt journey as they navigate their personal aspirations and a burgeoning love for each other. “They gaze affectionately at each other, setting the stage for this love story that has traveled 225 million kilometers to melt our hearts,” Netflix said in a statement. The poster captivates with its blend of pink and twilight hues, setting a tender scene for a romantic moment between Nan-young and Jay. The accompanying tagline, "Never for

Apr 29, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
Netflix's 1st Korean animated film 'Lost in Starlight' set for May release
Films

Busan Int'l Film Festival transitions to competitive format for 30th edition

The Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) will undergo a significant transformation this year for its 30th anniversary, becoming a competitive film festival as part of its efforts to expand its influence in the Asian film industry. "After concluding the 29th edition last year, we mentioned that the 30th festival would move from a non-competitive to a competitive format,” Park Kwang-su, chairperson of the organizing committee, said during a press conference held both in Busan and online Tuesday. Highlighting the significance of the anniversary, the chairperson noted, "The 30th festival will be a meaningful occasion to reflect on the journey of growth alongside Asian cinema over the past 30 years and to present a vision for the next 30 years." He further elaborated on the decision to introduce a competitive section. “We are aiming to discover and introduce the excellence and diversity of Asian cinema more actively and contribute to further elevating the status of Asian films in the global film industry,” he said. “The competitive section is expected to feature around 14 films, w

Apr 29, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
Busan Int'l Film Festival transitions to competitive format for 30th edition
Films

Jeonju Int’l Film Festival set for 26th year with diverse lineup, record ticket buzz

The global cinematic spotlight turns to Jeonju as the city in North Jeolla Province kicks off the 26th Jeonju International Film Festival (JIFF) on Wednesday, which runs through May 9. Under the slogan "Beyond the Frame," this year's edition will offer 10 days of cinematic exploration, showcasing independent, alternative and artistic films from around the globe. Launched in 2000, JIFF has solidified its reputation as a key Asian film festival, championing creative filmmakers and providing a platform for dialogue between artists and audiences. This year's theme underscores the JIFF's long-standing identity, highlighting its commitment to seeking new modes of expression and breaking cinematic boundaries. This year's festival will screen 224 films from 57 countries, including 126 international and 98 domestic selections. Among these, 80 films are making their world premiere in Jeonju. Kicking off the event is the highly anticipated opening film, “Kontinental '25,” the latest work from acclaimed Romanian director Radu Jude. Described as a "young genius" by programmers, Jude's film, which

Apr 28, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
Jeonju Int’l Film Festival set for 26th year with diverse lineup, record ticket buzz
Films

Yoo Hae-jin, Lee Je-hoon wage war over soju company in ‘Big Deal’

The tumultuous 1997 financial crisis serves as the backdrop for a fierce corporate battle in the upcoming film “Big Deal,” centering on the fate of a company producing Korea’s beloved distilled spirit: soju. The movie, titled “Soju War” in Korean, pits Pyo Jong-rok (Yoo Hae-jin), a loyal employee who tries to keep the soju company alive despite facing a financial crisis, against Choi In-beom (Lee Je-hoon), a sharp-witted strategist from a global investment firm driven solely by profit and intent on acquisition. Veteran actor Yoo shared his initial connection with the movie’s script, saying he was attracted to its plot. “The story revolves around soju. Perhaps because of the subject matter, the script read very smoothly. I was drawn to the human side of the characters,” Yoo said Thursday during a press conference in Seoul. “My character might appear ordinary on the surface; a typical office worker. However, he possesses an inner strength, a certain stubbornness and conviction. He’s not one to simply say ‘yes’ to everything. He’s someone who will speak his mind fo

Apr 28, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
Yoo Hae-jin, Lee Je-hoon wage war over soju company in ‘Big Deal’
People & Events

Anseong opens Korea, China, Japan cultural exchange events

Anseong City hosted the opening ceremony of the 2025 Culture City of East Asia events on Friday, as part of an initiative to promote cultural exchange and strengthen cooperation among Korea, China and Japan, the city in Gyeonggi Province announced Sunday. Since the culture ministers of Korea, China and Japan reached an agreement in 2012, the three countries have annually designated a city with a distinct local culture from each nation as a Culture City of East Asia, starting in 2014. The designation fosters diverse cultural exchanges and collaborations. For 2025, the designated Culture Cities of East Asia are Anseong, approximately 70 kilometers south of Seoul; Huzhou and Macao of China; and Kamakura of Japan. The recent event held in Anseong was organized by Anseong City and supported by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. During the opening ceremony, Namsadang Baudeogi, a traditional Korean performing arts troupe, presented a vibrant "pungmulnori," a Korean percussion music and dance performance. Performing groups from China showcased a traditional dragon dance and Japan prese

Apr 27, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
Anseong opens Korea, China, Japan cultural exchange events
Films

Ma Dong-seok channels dark hero energy in ‘Holy Night: Demon Hunters’

Actor and producer Ma Dong-seok, best known for his bone-crunching action in the "The Roundup" series, is set to captivate audiences once again, this time venturing into the occult with his latest film, "Holy Night: Demon Hunters." In the movie, Ma plays Bau, a formidable troubleshooter using his fists to exorcise demons as a leader of the “Holy Night” team. The 54-year-old actor expressed his enthusiasm for the project, highlighting the action sequences made possible by the film’s fantasy elements. "I put a lot of effort into the action sequences, and the fantasy genre allowed for a more impactful and refreshing result," he told The Korea Times at a cafe in Seoul on Thursday. He also shared his satisfaction in supporting the debut of director Lim Dae-hee. While working on the highly anticipated next installments in "The Roundup," with at least one expected to film next year, Ma focused on the unique aspects of "Holy Night: Demon Hunters." He highlighted the emphasis on impactful sound and action best experienced in theaters. "With the absolute decrease in theater attendance, for p

Apr 24, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
Ma Dong-seok channels dark hero energy in ‘Holy Night: Demon Hunters’
Trends

Korean moviegoers ditch multiplex chains in favor of smaller, independent cinemas

As Korea's cinema landscape continues to evolve, a growing number of moviegoers are seeking alternatives to the ubiquitous multiplex chains. Dissatisfied with standardized experiences, audiences are increasingly drawn to smaller, independent venues that offer unique concepts, curated film selections and intimate atmospheres. From retro-themed theaters showcasing classic gems to private screening rooms serving meals during the movie, these emerging cinemas are redefining the film-watching experience. Digging for dusty gems at Movie Land A prime example of this trend is Movie Land, nestled in Seoul's trendy Seongsu-dong neighborhood. Housed in a renovated three-story building, Movie Land has quickly become a hotspot since its opening in February 2024, not just for showing films, but also for cultivating a community around a love of cinema and storytelling. The theater’s director, known as Soho, elaborated that Movie Land is more than just a place to watch films, saying it was conceived as “a place for digging for dusty gems.” The director added it stems from a belief that older films,

Apr 24, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
Korean moviegoers ditch multiplex chains in favor of smaller, independent cinemas
Films

Pope Francis’ death renews fascination with films depicting papal elections, lives

The passing of Pope Francis has reignited public interest in cinematic portrayals of papal elections and the lives of popes, most notably in “Conclave,” currently showing in theaters, and Netflix’s 2019 movie, “The Two Popes.” Pope Francis, who led the world's 1.4 billion Catholics for nearly 12 years, died Monday at 88 after a battle with respiratory issues, despite brief signs of recovery and public Easter appearances. Following the news, “Francis” and “Conclave” became top trending keywords on X. In particular, “Conclave,” which means a private meeting where cardinals gather to elect the next pope, has garnered attention due to the proximity of its release to Pope Frances' passing. Directed by Edward Berger, “Conclave” portrays conflicts, conspiracies and betrayals that arise during a papal election. The movie premiered outside Korea last year and was released domestically on March 5. The film follows 140 cardinals who gather to elect a new pope, engaging in repeated rounds of voting while confined within the Vatican. It offers a detailed look at the secretiv

Apr 23, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
Pope Francis’ death renews fascination with films depicting papal elections, lives
Films

CJ’s Miky Lee to address USC film school graduates

Miky Lee, vice chairwoman of CJ Group, will deliver the 2025 commencement address for the University of Southern California (USC) School of Cinematic Arts, the U.S. university and the Korean conglomerate said Wednesday. They said Lee, a key figure in driving CJ’s entertainment and media ventures through its entertainment arm CJ ENM, is scheduled to attend the graduation ceremony on May 16. USC School of Cinematic Arts Dean Elizabeth M. Daley lauded Lee as "a champion of artists and storytellers and a trailblazer in the evolution of multinational film collaborations." "She loves international cinema and brings that appreciation to every project she produces. Her career stands as a global model of success in the creative industries, and her dedication to creating cultural connection is an inspiration for us all. We are so pleased to welcome her to USC," Daley added. Lee has made a significant history in the industry, including CJ’s early investment in DreamWorks SKG. As an executive producer, she has been involved in critically acclaimed films such as Bong Joon-ho’s “Parasite” (2

Apr 23, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
CJ’s Miky Lee to address USC film school graduates
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