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.
For centuries, Korea's jang-making culture — symbolized by essential condiments such as "doenjang" (soybean paste), "ganjang" (soy sauce) and "gochujang" (red chili paste) — has been a cornerstone of its cuisine. Each jang tells a unique story as its flavor shaped by regional ingredients, fermentation methods and age-old practices passed down through generations.
![[INTERVIEW] 'Jang' is bedrock of Korean existence'](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
“Culinary Class Wars,” Netflix's hit culinary competition series that captivated audiences worldwide this autumn with its intense cooking battles and passionate chefs, is now looking for talented individuals eager to showcase their culinary skills for a new season.
Actor Song Kang-ho expressed his hopes for his upcoming volleyball film “One Win” to be "a small source of comfort and courage" for audiences, emphasizing the importance of the small victories people can achieve in life.
As the curtain fell on the 45th Blue Dragon Film Awards on Friday night, this reporter couldn't help but feel a sense of disappointment because what should have been a celebration of cinematic excellence had instead become a tabloid spectacle, centered around actor Jung Woo-sung's personal scandal.
Korea and Saudi Arabia are deepening their film industry ties, with young, talented filmmakers from the Middle Eastern country receiving valuable education under the guidance of Korean professionals.
Actor Jung Woo-sung publicly addressed, for the first time, his out-of-wedlock child with model Moon Ga-bi, pledging to take full responsibility as a father and remain committed to his parental duties.
Actors Kwak Do-won, Bae Sung-woo, and Choi Seung-hyun, who previously faced public backlash due to scandals involving drunk driving and drug use, are gradually returning to the spotlight through new films and drama series. However, their comeback has been met with chilly receptions from fans, reflecting lingering disappointment over their past actions and the weight of their influence as public figures.
The film "Harbin," which tells the story of Ahn Jung-geun (1879-1910), an independence activist who sought to break free from Japanese colonial rule, strived to capture the unwavering determination of the lieutenant general of the Korean resistance army and his comrades, director Woo Min-ho said Wednesday.
"The Firefighters" focused on depicting the intense efforts and sacrifices of firefighters who tried to save victims, rather than relying on too many cinematic techniques, as it reconstructs a tragic 2001 arson case that occurred in Seoul, film director Kwak Kyung-taek said Monday.
In response to the widespread feelings of loneliness exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, Korea is launching a "Cultural Discourse Project" to address and heal loneliness through culture, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced Monday. This initiative aims to utilize cultural engagement as a means to alleviate loneliness and foster social connection among citizens.