The Korea Times

INTERVIEW Documentary 'Free Chol Soo Lee' revisits landmark Asian American movement

The documentary “Free Chol Soo Lee” tells the story of a wrongfully convicted man in the 1970s. Courtesy of Connect PicturesBy Lee Gyu-leeFor Chol Soo Lee, a Korean American immigrant in San Francisco, 1973 was the year that turned his life completely upside down, going from a 21-year-old street punk to being wrongfully convicted of murder, spending 10 years in prison. Lee was found guilty of the murder of a man in Chinatown following a racially profiled arrest and trial that only had three white visitors as witnesses, leaving many flaws in the case. He received life imprisonment, followed by death row for defending himself against a fellow inmate during his sentence. Julie Ha and Eugene Yi, makers of the documentary “Free Chol Soo Lee” / Courtesy of Connect PicturesThe injustice he faced ignited an unprecedented pan-Asian movement that went on for years until his exoneration when the Sacramento Union's investigative reporter K.W. Lee brought his case to the surface.A new documentary, “Free Chol Soo Lee” directed by Julie Ha and Eugene Yi, revisits

Sep 7, 2023By Lee Gyu-lee

[INTERVIEW] Documentary 'Free Chol Soo Lee' revisits landmark Asian American movement

Shows & Dramas

INTERVIEW Ra Mi-ran finds her life as working mom mirrored in 'Cold Blooded Intern'

Actress Ra Mi-ran plays the role of Go Hae-ran in the Tving original series, “Cold Blooded Intern.” Courtesy of TvingBy Lee Gyu-lee“Instead of feeling like I was playing this role, the life of the character Go Hae-ra did not seem to be that different from my own life.”Actress Ra Mi-ran / Courtesy of TvingIn an overlap between art and reality, actress Ra Mi-ran finds herself deeply connected to her role as a working mom navigating career challenges after a maternity break in Tving's latest original series, "Cold Blooded Intern."The 12-part workplace dramedy series, which kicked off on the platform on Aug. 11, revolves around Go Hae-ra (Ra), a mother who returns to her job after seven years of caring for her daughter and sick mother to find herself in the role of a planted intern. Go used to be a workaholic, highly respected for her ability as a marketer until she left it behind to take care of her family. Years later, she starts fresh, given a secret mission from her former coworker and her current boss, Choi Ji-won (Uhm Ji-won), to encourage fellow working mom

Sep 7, 2023By Lee Gyu-lee

[INTERVIEW] Ra Mi-ran finds her life as working mom mirrored in 'Cold Blooded Intern'

Shows & Dramas

Blockbuster action shows to comedies set to hit small screen this month

From left, posters for "Arthdal Chronicles: The Sword of Aramoon," “The Abduction Day” and "The Worst of Evil" / Courtesy of tvN, KT Studio Genie and Walt Disney Company KoreaBy Lee Gyu-leeTV dramas of an array of different genres, from big-budget action shows to comedy thrillers, are ready to roll out this month. The much-anticipated second season of tvN's 2019 blockbuster series “Arthdal Chronicles” is finally set to premiere on Sept. 9. Set in the fictional land of Arth, the action series revolves around the inhabitants of the titular ancient city and its surrounding regions fighting for power and domination as they build a new society.The new season, titled "Arthdal Chronicles: The Sword of Aramoon," will have two new actors, Lee Joon-gi and Shin Sae-kyeong, replacing the previous season's lead characters. It will pick up on the story after Ta Gon (Jang Dong-gun) became the king of Arthdal and Eun Seom (Lee) uniting 30 tribes as the ruler of the Agos. Along with the kingdom's high priest, Tan Ya (Shin), and Tae Al Ha (Kim Ok-vin), Ta and Eun are set to fac

Sep 5, 2023By Lee Gyu-lee

Blockbuster action shows to comedies set to hit small screen this month

Shows & Dramas

INTERVIEW Lee Han-byeol on leading opening part of 'Mask Girl'

Actress Lee Han-byeol plays the lead character, Kim Mo-mi, in the Netflix original series “Mask Girl." Courtesy of NetflixBy Lee Gyu-leeActress Lee Han-byeol made a powerful debut in Netflix's recent original series “Mask Girl,” leaving a strong impression through her portrayal of the lead character, Kim Mo-mi, in the first two episodes.Actress Lee Han-byeol / Courtesy of NetflixThe seven-part crime thriller series, which hit the streaming service on Aug. 18, revolves around an insecure office worker, Kim Mo-mi ― played by three actors: Lee, Nana and Go. While working at an ordinary desk job, she invents a double life, putting on a mask as an internet personality, nicknamed Mask Girl, every night, until she finds herself entangled in a chain of ill-fated events.The series, based on the webcomic of the same name, is scripted and directed by filmmaker Kim Yong-hoon, who previously led the 2020 crime thriller film "Beasts Clawing at Straws."Lee plays the character of Kim in her 20s who has low self-esteem and is filled with frustration over failure to live up to her pa

Sep 3, 2023By Lee Gyu-lee

[INTERVIEW] Lee Han-byeol on leading opening part of 'Mask Girl'

Shows & Dramas

INTERVIEW Disney+ 'Moving' creator found creative freedom with series

Webcomic artist, Kang Full, wrote the scripts for the Disney+ original series “Moving.” Courtesy of Walt Disney Company KoreaBy Lee Gyu-leeKang Full, a popular webcomic artist, has had quite an experience where several of his creations were made into film adaptations. But this is the first time he took it into his own hands to script the series adaption of his original webcomic with Disney+'s Korean original series, “Moving.”A poster for the series “Moving” / Courtesy of Walt Disney Company Korea“I couldn't sleep for a week before the series' release. I was so worried that no one would find it interesting. I felt enormous anxiety which was nothing like what I felt when working on webcomics,” Kang said during an interview with The Korea Times, held in Jongno District, Seoul Monday. “With webcomics, I'm the only one who takes responsibility. But with 'Moving,' it wasn't like that. The series had a big budget and the staff and actors worked hard on it together. But thankfully, the response has been good.”The 20-part action seri

Aug 29, 2023By Lee Gyu-lee

[INTERVIEW] Disney+ 'Moving' creator found creative freedom with series

Shows & Dramas

INTERVIEW Ahn Jae-hong on creating peculiar character in 'Mask Girl'

Actor Ahn Jae-hong plays the role of Ju Oh-nam in the Netflix original series “Mask Girl.” Courtesy of NetflixBy Lee Gyu-leeActor Ahn Jae-hong's transformation into a half-bald, beer-bellied character in Netflix's latest Korean original series, “Mask Girl,” came as a surprise to viewers, with the actor becoming almost unrecognizable. Actor Ahn Jae-hong / Courtesy of Netflix“I read the script and thought that the character has a unique and quirky side. I felt that burying my actual face would make the viewers get confused like 'What kind of character is this?' and give a sense of strange and unfamiliar feeling,” the actor told The Korea Times during the interview, Friday, held at a cafe in Gangnam District. The seven-part crime thriller series, which was released on Aug. 18, follows the life of an insecure office worker, Kim Mo-mi ― played by actors Lee Han-byeol, Nana and Go. While working at an ordinary desk job, she invents a double life, putting on a mask as an internet personality, “Mask Girl,” every night, until a chain of ill-fate

Aug 28, 2023By Lee Gyu-lee

[INTERVIEW] Ahn Jae-hong on creating peculiar character in 'Mask Girl'

Shows & Dramas

INTERVIEW Go Hyun-jung feels 'lucky' about role in Netflix's 'Mask Girl'

Actress Go Hyun-jung plays the role of Kim Mo-mi in Netflix's thriller series “Mask Girl.” Courtesy of NetflixBy Lee Gyu-leeActress Go Hyun-jung said she felt lucky to get the lead character role in the dark crime thriller series, “Mask Girl,” stepping outside her usual characters and breaking her sophisticated, classy image. Actress Go Hyun-jung / Courtesy of Netflix“I really enjoy dark genre works … But I usually don't have many opportunities to show my real self in my private life and I've never shared my thoughts publicly. So I thought I would never have a chance to do such a genre,” she said in an interview with The Korea Times, held at a cafe in Gangnam District. “With 'Mask Girl,' I once again realized that appearance isn't very important. How lucky am I to have joined this series.”Netflix's latest Korean original series, which debuted on Aug. 18, revolves around the turbulent life of an office worker named Kim Mo-mi ― played by actors Lee Han-byeol, Nana, and Go. She grows to be insecure about her looks, failing to realiz

Aug 26, 2023By Lee Gyu-lee

[INTERVIEW] Go Hyun-jung feels 'lucky' about role in Netflix's 'Mask Girl'

Shows & Dramas

Jo Bo-ah, Rowoon to star in fantasy romance, 'Destined With You'

Actors Rowoon, left, and Jo Bo-ah pose during a press conference for the JTBC's fantasy series “Destined With You,” held in Guro District, Seoul, Wednesday. Courtesy of JTBCBy Lee Gyu-leeActors Jo Bo-ah and Rowoon are starring in JTBC's new fantasy series, “Destined With You,” a light-hearted romantic comedy.The rom-com series, which kicked off Wednesday with a 2.9 percent viewership rating, revolves around a civil servant, Lee Hong-jo (Jo), and a lawyer, Jang Shin-yoo (Rowoon).Jang is a star lawyer, who has been suffering from a curse that has been passed down from his family for generations. Due to the curse, he has been sick for an unknown reason, until he meets Lee who holds the key to his freedom. Lee is a low-ranking official at the Department of Greenery who manages to stay optimistic despite the challenges of handling citizens' complaints. One day, she unexpectedly becomes the owner of an ancient book, Mokham, which has been cursed and sealed for 300 years and gets herself entangled with Jang.Director Nam Ki-hoon, whose previous work includes the Disne

Aug 24, 2023By Lee Gyu-lee

Jo Bo-ah, Rowoon to star in fantasy romance, 'Destined With You'

Shows & Dramas

INTERVIEW Go Youn-jung on resemblance to her character in 'Moving'

Actress Go Youn-jung plays the role of Hee-soo in the Disney+'s action series “Moving.” Courtesy of Walt Disney Company KoreaBy Lee Gyu-leeActress Go Youn-jung expressed huge satisfaction with her latest role as an athletic high schooler, Jang Hee-soo in Disney+'s Korean original series “Moving,” saying she shared a lot of similarities with the character. Actress Go Youn-jung / Courtesy of Walt Disney Company Korea“I've always wanted to play a character that is similar to my real personality. And Hee-soo was it,” she said during an interview with The Korea Times at a cafe in Jongno District, central Seoul, Wednesday. “I got the script for the first time at the audition for the role. I didn't have enough time to prepare or grasp the backstory. But because the character seemed to have a similar personality and way of talking as me, the script felt very comfortable to read. That's how much the character resembles me.”Based on the popular webcomics of the same name by Kang Full, the blockbuster action series follows a group of teenagers wit

Aug 24, 2023By Lee Gyu-lee

[INTERVIEW] Go Youn-jung on resemblance to her character in 'Moving'

Shows & Dramas

Kim So-hye returns with 'My Lovely Boxer' after bullying scandal

Actors Kim So-hye, left, and Lee Sang-yeob pose during the press conference for KBS's new romance series “My Lovely Boxer,” held in Guro District, Seoul, Monday. Courtesy of KBSBy Lee Gyu-leeSinger and actor Kim So-hye, who shot to stardom as the project girl group I.O.I, is making a small screen return with KBS's new romance series “My Lovely Boxer,” about two years after she was embroiled in accusations of bullying, which she claimed was a misunderstanding between friends. “During the past 1-2 years, I've been looking for ways to fix my shortcomings as a person who enjoys and wants to excel in acting. Then I came across 'My Lovely Boxer.' And I felt the work contained a message about the determination of a person facing misfortune,” Kim said during the press conference for the series, held in Guro District, Seoul, Monday.“The choices (my character), Kwon-sook, makes in such adversity and how she grows from them felt quite similar to my own. I was deeply impressed (with the story) and really wanted to do it.”Based on the novel of the s

Aug 22, 2023By Lee Gyu-lee

Lee Gyu-lee

Read more

INTERVIEW Documentary 'Free Chol Soo Lee' revisits landmark Asian American movement

INTERVIEW Ra Mi-ran finds her life as working mom mirrored in 'Cold Blooded Intern'

Blockbuster action shows to comedies set to hit small screen this month

INTERVIEW Lee Han-byeol on leading opening part of 'Mask Girl'

INTERVIEW Disney+ 'Moving' creator found creative freedom with series

INTERVIEW Ahn Jae-hong on creating peculiar character in 'Mask Girl'

INTERVIEW Go Hyun-jung feels 'lucky' about role in Netflix's 'Mask Girl'

Jo Bo-ah, Rowoon to star in fantasy romance, 'Destined With You'

INTERVIEW Go Youn-jung on resemblance to her character in 'Moving'

Kim So-hye returns with 'My Lovely Boxer' after bullying scandal

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