The Korea Times

French director mixes Korean, European cultures in film 'Vanishing'

From left, actors Yoo Yeon-seok, Park Soi, Ye Ji-won and Choi Moo-sung, as well as director Denis Dercourt on the screen, speak during an online press conference in Seoul for the suspense film, "Vanishing," Tuesday. Courtesy of JNC Media Group By Lee Gyu-leeFrench filmmaker Denis Dercourt has said that his upcoming mystery thriller film, “Vanishing,” a French-made film set in Korea, will blend European and Korean cultures. “It's such an honor for a French director to do a Korean movie. I wanted to have the mix of two cultures: European culture (through the making of the film) in Korea,” the director said during an online press conference for the film, Tuesday. The suspense flick brings together French actress Olga Kurylenko, who is known for playing a Bond girl in “Quantum of Solace” (2008), and Korean actors Yoo Yeon-seok of tvN's romance series, “Mr. Sunshine,” and Ye Ji-won.It revolves around forensic scientist Alice (Kurylenko) who visits Korea for a conference.

Mar 9, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee

French director mixes Korean, European cultures in film 'Vanishing'

Shows & Dramas

Jung Eun-ji to star in OCN's new mystery thriller

By Lee Gyu-leeSinger and actress Jung Eun-ji / Courtesy of IST EntertainmentSinger and actress Jung Eun-ji, who is also known as Eunji of K-pop girl group Apink, will be joining OCN's upcoming mystery series, “Blind.” The actress' agency IST Entertainment announced, Tuesday, that Jung has confirmed her role as a social worker in the series.The mystery thriller series will follow the story of those who have fallen victim to different crimes, their offenders, and those who try to catch the offenders. Jung will play the character, Cho Eun-ji, who has her fair share of struggles in her life and is uncompromising in helping children in need of social welfare support. Actors Ok Taec-yeon and Ha Seok-jin have already confirmed their lead roles in the series. Ok will be playing detective Ryu Sung-joon, who confronts evil with justice, and Ha will be playing judge Ryu Sung-hoon, who is a coolheaded perfectionist. The series is directed by Shin Yong-hwi, whose previous work includes the 2017 thriller series, “Tunnel,” and the mystery crime series, “Voice 4”

Mar 9, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee

Jung Eun-ji to star in OCN's new mystery thriller

Shows & Dramas

'Squid Game' production designer wins prize at ADG Awards

The production designer of Netflix series “Squid Game” won an award at the 26th Art Directors Guild (ADG) Awards, Monday. Courtesy of NetflixBy Lee Gyu-leeChae Kyoung-sun, the production designer of Netflix's smash-hit series “Squid Game,” has notched an accolade at the 26th Art Directors Guild (ADG) Awards.Chae Kyoung-sun, the production designer of Netflix's smash-hit series “Squid Game” / Courtesy of Chae Kyoung-sunThe designer won in the One Hour Contemporary Single-Camera Series category with the sixth episode of the series, “Gganbu,” during this year's ceremony held in Los Angeles, Saturday (local time). Other nominees competing for the category were Stephen Carter from HBO's comedy-drama series “Succession,” Elisabeth Williams from Hulu's dystopian series “The Handmaid's Tale,” Nelson Coates from the Apple TV+ drama series “The Morning Show” and Cary White from Paramount Network's “Yellowstone.”The art director has worked on various films, including comedy disaster film "Exit" (2019

Mar 7, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee

'Squid Game' production designer wins prize at ADG Awards

Shows & Dramas

Lee Jae-wook, Jung So-min to lead tvN's new series, 'Return'

From left, actors Lee Jae-wook, Jung So-min, Hwang Min-hyun and Shin Seung-ho will star in tvN's new series, “Return.” Courtesy of C-JeS Entertainment, Blossom Entertainment, Pledis Entertainment and King Kong by StarshipBy Lee Gyu-leeActors Lee Jae-wook and Jung So-min will be co-starring in the upcoming tvN series, “Return,” scheduled to go on air later this year. The network announced the lineup of the series' cast members, Thursday, which included the two lead actors, along with K-pop singer and actor Hwang Min-hyun and Netflix's “D.P” star, Shin Seung-ho.The fantasy series is the latest project of the star writer duo, sisters Hong Jeong-eun and Hong Mi-ran, who have scripted various hit series, such as the romance series, “The Master's Sun” (2013) and “Hotel Del Luna” (2019). Directed by Park Joon-hwa, who led the 2018 rom-com, “What's Wrong with Secretary Kim?” the new series will follow a nobleman, Jang Wook (Lee), and his servant Mu Deok (Jung) in a fictional country called Daeho from the past. Jang is a

Mar 6, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee

Lee Jae-wook, Jung So-min to lead tvN's new series, 'Return'

Shows & Dramas

INTERVIEW Kim Hye-soo felt great responsibility for her role in 'Juvenile Justice'

Actress Kim Hye-soo plays a juvenile court judge in Netflix's new courtroom series, “Juvenile Justice.” Courtesy of Netflix By Lee Gyu-leeActress Kim Hye-soo has felt great responsibility in portraying her role of Shim Eun-seok, a juvenile court judge, in Netflix's latest Korean language series, “Juvenile Justice,” she said. “I've felt much more responsibility with this work than I ever had before,” Kim said in an interview with The Korea Times, Friday.“I contemplated a lot how I could portray my role so that I could deliver (to the audience) the things I've learned and felt while preparing for this series, and messages through the role of Shim. There was a greater sense of pressure in making this series than in my previous works.” The courtroom series, which premiered on Feb. 25, revolves around a stern, unsympathetic judge, Shim, who has a strong antipathy towards young offenders. Holding firm on her beliefs and the values of justice, she tackles complex cases com

Mar 6, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee

[INTERVIEW] Kim Hye-soo felt great responsibility for her role in 'Juvenile Justice'

Shows & Dramas

TV shows offer virtual trips overseas during pandemic

A poster for Channel S' new travel show / Courtesy of Channel S By Lee Gyu-leeReality shows featuring its cast members traveling overseas, such as “Battle Trip” and “Grandpas Over Flowers,” used to be common in the Korean entertainment scene.However, when the coronavirus started to sweep across the world in early 2020, such TV shows experienced a major crisis as many countries put up barriers to restrict overseas travelers. KBS' travel show, “Battle Trip,” ended its four-year run in April of that year, and other shows like “Salty Tour” and “Youn's Stay” turned to local spots for production. Now, about two years into the pandemic, travel shows are reappearing, but this time, to offer virtual trips abroad. JTBC launched a six-part pilot show, “Talk Pawon,” earlier last month, which kicked off with a 2.6-percent viewership rating. The show invites Koreans who are living in different countries, like Italy, France, Japan and the United States, as foreign correspondents.

Mar 3, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee

TV shows offer virtual trips overseas during pandemic

Shows & Dramas

From TV to OTT, March to be jam-packed with K-dramas

“Pachinko” is scheduled for release on March 25. Courtesy of Apple TV+By Lee Gyu-leeA string of new series are expected to hit both TV and streaming platforms this month, including the much-anticipated Apple original series, “Pachinko,” and top actress Kim Hee-sun's new fantasy series, “Tomorrow.”“Pachinko,” based on the best-selling novel of the same name by Min Jin Lee, is finally set to launch on Apple TV+, March 25. The eight-part series, which stars Oscar-winning actress Youn Yuh-jung and actor Lee Min-ho, follows the life of a Korean immigrant family through poverty, tragedy and survival in Japan during and after the Japanese occupation of Korea (1910-45).Actress Kim is taking on another fantasy series, following her last fantasy action series, “Alice,” in 2020. Based on the webtoon of the same name, MBC's upcoming action fantasy series, “Tomorrow,” is about an otherworldly crisis management team of Grim Reaper-like beings that help suicidal people to get a second chance in life. A jobseeker, Choi Joon-woon

Mar 2, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee

From TV to OTT, March to be jam-packed with K-dramas

Shows & Dramas

'Squid Game' wins best series screenplay, director and actress at Director's Cut Awards

Director Hwang Dong-hyuk won Best Series Screenplay and Best Director with his smash-hit series, “Squid Game,” at this year's Director's Cut Awards, held online, Thursday. AP-NewsisBy Lee Gyu-leeThe creator of Netflix's smash-hit series, “Squid Game,” has won two accolades at the 20th Director's Cut Awards, live-streamed through Naver TV, Thursday.The series' director and writer, Hwang Dong-hyuk, won both Best Screenplay and Best Director in the series category, which was newly added to the awards this year.“It's an honor to win the first awards in this category. I'm really thankful,” the director said after receiving the awards. “Working on this series has been a long, tough, lonely and painful journey. I thought about giving up a few times in agony. And to receive such meaningful awards made those times worth it.”He added that although his next project is not yet determined, he said it will likely be a movie or the second season of “Squid Game.”Jung Ho-yeon, who starred in “Squid Game,” also won Best Actor in t

Feb 26, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee

'Squid Game' wins best series screenplay, director and actress at Director's Cut Awards

'Squid Game' makes history in Korea's drama industry

Shows & Dramas

Playing defiant character in 'Moonshine' inspired stronger passion for acting: Lee Hye-ri

Actress Lee Hye-ri plays the role of Kang Ro-seo in the rom-com period drama series, “Moonshine.” Courtesy of Creative group ING Singer-actress expresses satisfaction over balance between story, character in new dramaBy Lee Gyu-leeActress Lee Hye-ri, who is also known as Hyeri of the K-pop girl group Girl's Day, said that playing the role of Kang Ro-seo, a woman who challenges the status quo, in her latest drama series, “Moonshine,” has inspired her to become a better actor.“As I played my role in 'Moonshine,' I came to feel more strongly about being better at acting,” Lee told The Korea Times. “Ro-seo is such a fascinating character and if I want to put myself into this kind of character again, I think I need to become a better actor. She helped me grow.”Set in the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), an era of alcohol prohibition, the romantic comedy series follows a love story between an inspector, Nam Young (Yoo Seung-ho), and an alcohol bootlegger Kang (Lee). Nam is kno

Feb 25, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee

Playing defiant character in 'Moonshine' inspired stronger passion for acting: Lee Hye-ri

Shows & Dramas

Ahn Bo-hyun, Jo Bo-ah team up for military courtroom drama series

Actors Ahn Bo-hyun, left, and Jo Bo-ah pose during the online press conference for tvN's new legal series, “Military Prosecutor Doberman,” Wednesday. Courtesy of tvN By Lee Gyu-leeActor Ahn Bo-hyun, who became known to global audiences through Netflix's action series, “My Name,” last year, is joining forces with actress Jo Bo-ah to lead tvN's upcoming legal series, “Military Prosecutor Doberman,” scheduled to premiere on Feb. 28.“I read through four episodes of the series' script in one sitting. You might think that the story would be difficult to follow because it's a courtroom series, but its concept is really unique and the way it develops its plot will give you great satisfaction,” Ahn said during an online press conference on Wednesday. Directed by Jin Chang-gyu, whose previous work includes family drama “Bad Papa” (2018), the action courtroom series revolves around military prosecutor Do Bae-man (Ahn), who is hungry for success and money, and rookie prosecutor

Feb 24, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee

Lee Gyu-lee

Read more

French director mixes Korean, European cultures in film 'Vanishing'

Jung Eun-ji to star in OCN's new mystery thriller

'Squid Game' production designer wins prize at ADG Awards

Lee Jae-wook, Jung So-min to lead tvN's new series, 'Return'

INTERVIEW Kim Hye-soo felt great responsibility for her role in 'Juvenile Justice'

TV shows offer virtual trips overseas during pandemic

From TV to OTT, March to be jam-packed with K-dramas

'Squid Game' wins best series screenplay, director and actress at Director's Cut Awards

Playing defiant character in 'Moonshine' inspired stronger passion for acting: Lee Hye-ri

Ahn Bo-hyun, Jo Bo-ah team up for military courtroom drama series

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