my timesThe Korea Times
gyulee

Lee Gyu-lee

Korea Times Business Reporter

Lee Gyu-lee is a business writer at The Korea Times, focusing primarily on IT & telecommunications, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and KOTRA. Prior to this, she has covered a wide range of cultural news, from film, television and K-pop to lifestyle and fashion.

Go to Email

Read more

Shows & Dramas

Metaverse hits TV biz: shows featuring avatars, virtual reality on rise

MBN's music show “Avatar Singer” invites artists to perform anonymously through avatars. Courtesy of MBNMusic, dating shows incorporate metaverse technologyBy Lee Gyu-leeMetaverse, a term referring to a fictional, immersive world facilitated by virtual and augmented reality (VR, AR) technologies, has been considered to be the next big tech trend over the past couple of years, especially with the COVID-19 pandemic opening up the contactless era.Many industries, ranging from gaming and social media to banking and retail, have been on their toes to implement the technologies and incorporate metaverse technology into their business. Expanding its presence, metaverse is now hitting the TV business, with networks running series that feature related technologies like virtual avatars and VR or AR.Local network MBN debuted a big-budget project, “Avatar Singer,” which began airing on Aug. 26.The new program, which prides itself as the first metaverse music show in Korea, invites recognized musicians to perform and compete with each other.But there is one twist: the musi

Sep 15, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee
Metaverse hits TV biz: shows featuring avatars, virtual reality on rise
Shows & Dramas

'Squid Game' heralds new era in global entertainment industry

Actor Lee Jung-jae, left, and director Hwang Dong-hyuk pose with the awards for Outstanding Lead Actor and Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series, respectively, for the Netflix series, "Squid Game," during the 74th Primetime Emmy Awards, held at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, California, Monday (local time). AFP-YonhapActor Lee Jung-jae, director Hwang Dong-hyuk score historic wins at Emmy AwardsBy Lee Gyu-lee Everything “Squid Game” has achieved at the Emmy Awards is a first: the first Korean, the first Asian and the first non-English performing actor, director and series to be nominated and clinch awards. The Netflix original series has set records in the Korean and global entertainment industries, winning a total of six awards, including Outstanding Lead Actor and Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series. Actor Lee Jung-jae was named best lead actor at the 74th Primetime Emmy Awards held in Los Angeles on Monday (local time), becoming the first Korean, the first person of an Asian nationality and the first non-English performer ever to nab the trophy in the cate

Sep 13, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee
'Squid Game' heralds new era in global entertainment industry
Films

INTERVIEW Daniel Henney, Lim Yoon-a talk about characters in 'Confidential Assignment 2'

Comedy action film "Confidential Assignment 2" hit local theaters, Sept. 7. Courtesy of CJ ENM By Lee Gyu-lee“Confidential Assignment 2: International,” the sequel to the 2017 hit comedy action film “Confidential Assignment,” had a successful opening day, Wednesday, topping the local box office with over 216,000 ticket sales.Directed by Lee Seok-hoon, who directed the 2014 comedy action film “The Pirates” and 2015 drama “The Himalayas,” the latest blockbuster flick picks up on the original film's plot, about North Korean agent Lim Cheol-ryung (Hyun Bin) and South Korean detective Kang Jin-tae (Yoo Hae-jin) forming an unusual partnership in a joint operation. The sequel welcomes a new actor, Daniel Henney, as a Korean American FBI agent named Jack. To hunt down North Korean crime lord Jang Myung-joon (Jin Sun-kyu), the two Korean agents reunite for another mission, joined by the FBI agent, while secretly working toward their own objectives.“(About six or seven years

Sep 11, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee
[INTERVIEW] Daniel Henney, Lim Yoon-a talk about characters in 'Confidential Assignment 2'
Shows & Dramas

Netflix series 'Narco-Saints' to tell real-life story of Korean drug lord

From left, actors Yoo Yeon-seok and Park Hae-soo, Director Yoon Jong-bin, actors Hwang Jung-min, Ha Jung-woo and Jo Woo-jin pose during a press conference for the new Netflix series, “Narco-Saints,” at Josun Palace in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Wednesday. Courtesy of NetflixBy Lee Gyu-leeNetflix is set to release another blockbuster Korean original series, “Narco-Saints,” scheduled to hit the platform on Friday, in time for the Chuseok holiday long weekend. Based on a true story, the thriller crime series revolves around entrepreneur Kang In-gu (Ha Jung-woo), who travels to Suriname, a small country in South America, to start a fish trading business to make ends meet for his family back in Korea. One day he comes across a Korean priest, Jeon Yo-hwan (Hwang Jung-min), who helps him out during a dispute with the local Chinese mafia.When he is accused of smuggling drugs, In-gu finds out Yo-hwan is actually the country's Korean drug lord who uses his fish business to export drugs. He then joins a secret government mission to take him down with agent Choi Chang-ho (Park Ha

Sep 8, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee
Netflix series 'Narco-Saints' to tell real-life story of Korean drug lord
Shows & Dramas

Joy takes lead in feel-good rom-com 'Once Upon a Small Town'

From left, actor Chu Young-woo, director Kwon Seog-jang, actors Park Soo-young and Baek Sung-chul pose during an online press conference for the KakaoTV series “Once Upon a Small Town,” Monday. Courtesy of KakaoTVNew KakaoTV series is romantic comedy between policewoman, vet By Lee Gyu-leeSinger and actor Park Soo-young, who is also known as Joy of K-pop girl group Red Velvet, is having a busy year juggling both singing and acting. Following the group's mini-album release, “The ReVe Festival 2022 ― Feel My Rhythm,” the singer-cum-actor has taken the lead in the new KakaoTV original series “Once Upon a Small Town.”“I'm proud to say that I've dedicated the whole summer of my 27th year to making such a beautiful piece like this, together with the staff, cast members and director,” Park said during an online press conference for the series, Monday. Based on the web novel of the same name, the romantic comedy series follows the country life of policewoman Ja-yeong (Park) and veterinarian Ji-yul (Chu Young-woo) in a small town called Huidong.

Sep 6, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee
Joy takes lead in feel-good rom-com 'Once Upon a Small Town'
Shows & Dramas

'Squid Game' bags 4 awards at Creative Arts Emmys with Lee You-mi making history

Lee You-mi poses in the press room with the award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series for "Squid Game" on the second night of the Creative Arts Emmy Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, Sunday (local time). AP-YonhapBy Lee Gyu-leeNetflix's smash-hit Korean original series “Squid Game” has become the first non-English series to win an Emmy award, notching four awards at this year's Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards, Sunday (local time).The award winnings have boosted an optimistic outlook for the show's win at the main event of the awards, set to be held on Sept. 12, for which the Korean drama is nominated in another six categories.Actress Lee You-mi, who played Ji-yeong in the series' episode “Gganbu,” has won Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series, making history as the first Korean and first actor with nationality of an Asian country to win an Emmy. “Thank you so much for this huge honor,” Lee said in her acceptance speech for her win. “I want to give my thanks to the TV Academy, especially a big thanks to my N

Sep 5, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee
'Squid Game' bags 4 awards at Creative Arts Emmys with Lee You-mi making history
Films

'Decision to Leave' invited to more international film festivals

A scene from the suspense romance film “Decision to Leave” / Courtesy of CJ ENMBy Lee Gyu-leeDirector Park Chan-wook's suspense romance film “Decision to Leave,” which won him the Best Director Award at this year's Cannes Film Festival, has been invited to two more international film festivals ― the BFI London Film Festival and Fantastic Fest. The film's distributor, CJ ENM, announced Sunday that the film, which has been sweeping various film festivals globally since the Cannes win, has added two more to the list. The film will compete at the 66th BFI London Film Festival, set to be held from Oct. 5 to 16. It will also have its U.S. premiere at Fantastic Fest, scheduled for Sept. 22 to 29. Park will also receive a lifetime achievement award at the event for making acclaimed films, such as "Old Boy" (2004), "Thirst" (2009) and "The Handmaiden" (2016). The genre-bending “Decision to Leave” revolves around detective Hae-joon (Park Hae-ill) and a mysterious Chinese immigrant named Seo-rae (Tang Wei), who is the wife of a murder victim. Despite the natu

Sep 5, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee
'Decision to Leave' invited to more international film festivals
Shows & Dramas

TvN's adaptation of 'Little Women' reimagines classic as fast-paced thriller

A scene from TvN's new suspense series, “Little Women,” which kicked off with a 6.4-percent viewership rating, Saturday / Courtesy of tvN By Lee Gyu-leeTvN's new suspense series, “Little Women,” has been highly anticipated right from the start of production with its lineup of creators: "Vincenzo" series director Kim Hee-won and “Thirst” and “Decision to Leave” films' scriptwriter Chung Seo-kyung.Meeting these expectations, the 12-part series presents a fast-paced storyline and scored a 6.4-percent viewership rating on Saturday, which is quite a high viewership figure for the start of a new drama. The series begins by showing the lives of three close-knit sisters ― bookkeeper In-ju (Kim Go-eun), journalist In-kyeong (Nam Ji-hyun) and high school student In-hye (Park Ji-hu) ― who are born into a family living in poverty. In-kyeong, who is overeager and has a strong sense of morality as a journalist, comes across a suspicion concerning a politician. Meanwhile, In-ju ge

Sep 4, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee
TvN's adaptation of 'Little Women' reimagines classic as fast-paced thriller
Films

INTERVIEW Yoo Hae-jin, Hyun Bin talk about changes in 'Confidential Assignment 2'

The film "Confidential Assignment 2: International," the sequel to the 2017 action film “Confidential Assignment,” is set to hit local theaters on Sept. 7. Courtesy of CJ ENMSequel picks up on team-up between agents from two Koreas, US By Lee Gyu-leeAbout five years after the comedy action film “Confidential Assignment,” about a cooperative operation between a South and a North Korean agent, was a hit, a more action-packed, nail-biting sequel is scheduled to be released on Sept. 7. Yoo Hae-jin plays the role of South Korean detective Kang Jin-tae in the film "Confidential Assignment 2: International." Courtesy of CJ ENMThe new blockbuster film, "Confidential Assignment 2: International," follows North Korean agent Lim Cheol-ryung (Hyun Bin) and South Korean detective Kang Jin-tae (Yoo Hae-jin) reuniting for another mission.Jang Myung-joon (Jin Sun-kyu), a North Korean crime lord who was caught by the FBI, escapes after a shootout on his way to be transferred to Pyongyang from New York. In order to catch the notorious criminal, the two Koreas' agents and FBI ag

Sep 2, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee
[INTERVIEW] Yoo Hae-jin, Hyun Bin talk about changes in 'Confidential Assignment 2'
Shows & Dramas

INTERVIEW 'Someday or One Day' star Hsu Kuang-han excited about 1st fan meeting in Korea

Taiwanese actor Hsu Kuang-han poses during an interview with local media in Gangnam District, southern Seoul, Monday. Courtesy of Lucky Jane TitleTaiwanese actor garners huge popularity through his role in romance seriesBy Lee Gyu-leeTaiwanese actor Hsu Kuang-han, also known as Greg Hsu, rose to stardom in Korea playing the lead role in the 2019 romance and mystery series “Someday or One Day.” The series was a sensational hit in the country after streaming on major local over-the-top platforms, creating a hardcore fan base which has held various events, leading the local distributor to hold special screenings in theaters last year. It's also set for a Korean remake, starring Jeon Yeo-been and Ahn Hyo-seop. Amid his high tide of fame, the 31-year-old actor is having his very first fan meeting event in Korea, which is scheduled for Sept. 3 and 4. “I've heard from other people that 'Someday or One Day' is popular in Korea. When I saw fans in Korea holding events and gatherings, I thought it was very cute and felt touched. I've been wanting to come ever since and I feel

Sep 1, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee
[INTERVIEW] 'Someday or One Day' star Hsu Kuang-han excited about 1st fan meeting in Korea
previous page
125126127128129
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.