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

Ma Dong-seok trades punches in demon-slaying movie ‘Holy Night: Demon Hunters’

Actor and producer Ma Dong-seok, who has delivered catharsis to audiences by taking down heinous criminals with his fists in "The Roundup" series, has returned as a member of a demon-exorcising team in the upcoming occult-action flick "Holy Night: Demon Hunters." The 54-year-old actor said he was able to deliver even more powerful punch action for audiences in “Holy Night: Demon Hunters” compared to his previous work in "The Roundup” because the movie contains fantasy elements. "I put a lot of effort into the action sequences, and seeing the final result, I anticipate that the fantasy genre will allow for explosive and refreshing action," Ma told reporters after a press preview of the movie in Seoul, Monday. "Fortunately, it was well-portrayed, and I think the action turned out to be even more explosive. The crime action movies I've done before were based on reality, so there were limitations to the action to maintain that realism. But here, I could expand on it more, which felt more satisfying." He added that he hopes audiences will feel a sense of excitement through this film, as

Apr 21, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
Ma Dong-seok trades punches in demon-slaying movie ‘Holy Night: Demon Hunters’
Films

Korean filmmakers demand halt to Korean Film Archive appointment amid political turmoil

Korean filmmakers demanded Culture Minister Yu In-chon to halt the ministry's recruitment process for a new head of the Korean Film Archive (KOFA), labeling the minister as a part of the “insurrection forces” linked to last December’s martial law declaration by now-impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol. With less than 50 days until the presidential election following the Constitutional Court's removal of former President Yoon, the Coalition for Overcoming Crisis in the Film Industry, comprising 18 local filmmakers' guilds, issued a statement Friday. "At this moment, with the Constitutional Court having unanimously voted to remove the impeached Yoon Suk Yeol and a new presidential election only 48 days away, a person who served as a spokesperson for the emergency martial law situation that destroyed Korean democracy and plunged the people into suffering has absolutely no authority to initiate the appointment process for the director of the Korean Film Archive, a crucial cornerstone of Korean film art and industry," the statement read. The coalition is calling for an immediate suspensio

Apr 18, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
Korean filmmakers demand halt to Korean Film Archive appointment amid political turmoil
Films

Ma Dong-seok’s Hollywood project ‘Pig Village’ begins filming

Actor and producer Ma Dong-seok is set to charm global audiences with his Hollywood project “Pig Village.” Distributors Plus M Entertainment and ABO Entertainment announced Friday that “Pig Village” has begun filming with a star-studded cast, including Michael Rooker and Colin Woodell. The movie is based on an original idea by Ma, also known as Don Lee. Lee Sang-yong, who directed the hit cop movies "The Roundup" (2022) and "The Roundup: No Way Out" (2023), both of which Ma produced and starred in, will helm this project as well. Ma is the creator, producer and lead actor for the film, which follows the story of professional bare-knuckle boxer Hammer and a cast of criminals with different backgrounds as they gather in San Diego. Having achieved the remarkable feat of three films with more than 10 million views in Korea's "The Roundup” and making a strong impression on global movie fans as Gilgamesh in Marvel Studios' 2021 movie "Eternals," Ma will showcase his signature action style in this new project, according to the distributors. "I have long dreamed of making a genuine Holl

Apr 18, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
Ma Dong-seok’s Hollywood project ‘Pig Village’ begins filming
Films

Korean feature films snubbed at Cannes for first time in 26 years

For the first time in 12 years, Korean cinema will be absent from the Cannes Film Festival, with no Korean features selected for the official lineup in May. The last time Korea's film industry failed to secure any invitations to screen at the official selection of the prestigious festival was in 1999, and it’s the first time since 2013 that no Korean film will be screened in the official selection. While no Korean feature films be screened at the festival, slated for May 13 to 24, the Critics' Week section, a parallel event held alongisde the main festival, invited director Joung Yu-mi's short animated film "Glasses." However, this still stands in stark contrast to Korea's celebrated history at Cannes, which began in earnest with Lee Doo-yong's "Mulleya Mulleya," invited to the festival in 1984. Since then, Korean cinema has consistently received attention from organizers and attendees. Experts highlight that this year's unprecedented exclusion is not merely a coincidence but a reflection of deeper issues within the film industry here, with the shift towards streaming platforms seen as

Apr 18, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
Korean feature films snubbed at Cannes for first time in 26 years
Films

Marvel's 'Thunderbolts*' editor reveals Bong Joon-ho, Park Chan-wook Easter eggs

Korean American film editor Harry Yoon, best known for editing the award-winning film "Minari" (2020), revealed that Marvel Studios' upcoming film "Thunderbolts*" will resonate more deeply with Korean fans due to its homages to prominent Korean directors such as Bong Joon-ho and Park Chan-wook. "Director Jake Schreier was inspired by the collaborative approach between director Bong Joon-ho and editor Yang Jin-mo and requested that my co-editor Angela Catanzaro and I also be on set to edit in real time while filming," the editor said in a written interview through Walt Disney Company Korea, Wednesday. "Schreier greatly respects Korean directors. Korean audiences will be able to find small and subtle homages and references to directors Bong Joon-ho and Park Chan-wook in this film." Yoon, also known for editing Marvel Studio’s 2021 film “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” and Netflix's 2023 series “Beef,” served as the editor for the new Marvel action blockbuster that revolves around former spies, assassins and hitmen as they face the world's greatest threat in the afterm

Apr 16, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
Marvel's 'Thunderbolts*' editor reveals Bong Joon-ho, Park Chan-wook Easter eggs
Films

Bae Doona returns to romance in quirky comedy 'Virus' about contagious love

What if someone is infected with a virus that makes them fall in love for no reason? Director Kang Yi-hwan said Wednesday that his upcoming movie "Virus" began with this absurd imagination. "While preparing for this project, one of the things I thought was important was to create a story that blends well with reality, even though it's an imaginary virus. I did a lot of research hoping it would be a scientifically reasonable virus story," the director said Wednesday during a press conference in Seoul. "In the process, I discovered a parasite called Toxoplasma gondii, and it was peculiar in that it affects the brain, so I conceived of something called the 'Toxo Virus.’” The movie "Virus" depicts the story of Taek-sun (Bae Doona), who is infected with a fatal virus that makes people fall in love without reason. She becomes entangled with researcher Soo-pil (Son suk-ku), her former classmate Yeon-woo (Chang Ki-ha) and Kyun (Kim Yoon-seok), the only expert who can develop a cure. Though the movie finished filming in 2020, its release was postponed indefinitely due to the COVID-19 pandemic

Apr 16, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
Bae Doona returns to romance in quirky comedy 'Virus' about contagious love
Films

Yoo Hae-jin tackles ambition, nuance in crime thriller 'YADANG: The Snitch'

Veteran actor Yoo Hae-jin, fresh off the success of the 2024 occult hit "Exhuma," has returned to the big screen in the gritty crime thriller "YADANG: The Snitch." Playing an ambitious prosecutor entangled in the dangerous world of drug informants, Yoo delves into a character driven by a thirst for power, while consciously aiming to break audience expectations. "I just hope my new movie goes well," Yoo told The Korea Times during an interview at a cafe in Seoul Tuesday. “The weather is nice, so hopefully that energy carries into the theater. Although, when the weather’s this good, it might not be great for the box office,” he added with a laugh. "YADANG: The Snitch" explores the shadowy operations of "yadang," Korean slang for informants who provide information about drug dealers and buyers to law enforcement authorities. Yoo portrays Koo Kwan-hee, a prosecutor who uses information from a yadang, Lee Kang-su (Kang Ha-neul), to climb the career ladder, but clashes with a detective, Oh Sang-jae (Park Hae-joon), who is determined to stamp out the drug dealers. The film marks the 55-yea

Apr 15, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
Yoo Hae-jin tackles ambition, nuance in crime thriller 'YADANG: The Snitch'
Films

Tom Cruise confirms 12th visit to Korea for final ‘Mission Impossible’

Hollywood star Tom Cruise has confirmed his 12th visit to Korea as part of promotional efforts for his latest movie "Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning." Lotte Entertainment, the Korean importer and distributor of the film, said Monday that the 62-year-old actor is scheduled to visit Korea on May 8. Also, this will be his sixth visit to Korea for the "Mission: Impossible" series alone. Cruise's special connection with Korea began in 1994 with "Interview with the Vampire," and has continued with visits for films like "Mission: Impossible 2" (2000), "Vanilla Sky" (2001), "Valkyrie" (2009), "Top Gun: Maverick" (2022) and "Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning" (2023). During his visits, Cruise had always responded warmly to the overwhelming reception from fans here, impressing them with his exceptional fan service and friendly demeanor. "Hello Korea, I am so excited to share that I'll be returning to Seoul with the cast of 'Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning' in May," Cruise said in a video announcing his visit, posted on Monday. "I look forward to seeing you all very, ve

Apr 14, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
Tom Cruise confirms 12th visit to Korea for final ‘Mission Impossible’
Trends

Presidential hopefuls champion K-culture as key growth driver

Leading hopefuls in Korea's upcoming June 3 presidential election are pledging to foster the nation’s globally influential culture industries — spanning drama, music and games — recognizing these sectors’ vital role in boosting the national brand and economy. Experts suggested Sunday that the political figures are proclaiming they will intensify efforts to foster cultural content, primarily because it's currently one of the areas Korea excels at, and also because they anticipate that its success in the global market can be easily leveraged as a major achievement if they win the presidency. "Currently, K-pop and dramas made in Korea are achieving top performance in the global market," said Kim Dae-jong, a professor of business administration at Sejong University. "They have raised the banner of fostering cultural content to demonstrate that Korea is a cultural powerhouse. It seems they are declaring their intention to solidify Korea as a cultural powerhouse because this brand image, in turn, connects to other fields where Korea excels, such as manufacturing, including smartphone

Apr 14, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
Presidential hopefuls champion K-culture as key growth driver
Films

Korean animation 'The King of Kings' strikes gold in US box office

Animated film "The King of Kings," crafted by Korean studios and filmmakers, has taken North American box offices by storm, debuting at No. 2 in North America on Friday, marking a milestone for local animation on the global stage. "The King of Kings" raked in $7.01 million on its opening day across 3,200 theaters in North America, according to data from the U.S. tracking site Box Office Mojo. This unexpected success places the Korean production ahead of Hollywood releases like "Amateur" and "Drop," second only to the video game adaptation, "A Minecraft Movie." Media outlets in the U.S., including Variety, project the film's opening weekend earnings to reach about $18 million. The film's Easter release in Korea on April 20 is anticipated to further fuel its box office momentum. "The King of Kings" is a 3D animated feature produced by Korea's Mofac Studio. The film is directed, written and produced by Mofac CEO Jang Seong-ho, with cinematography by Kim Woo-hyung. The film reimagines the life of Jesus Christ through the lens of Charles Dickens' children’s book "The Life of Our Lord," a st

Apr 13, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
Korean animation 'The King of Kings' strikes gold in US box office
previous page
4445464748
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.