The Korea Times

Sci-fi thriller calls for emancipating humanoid robots

gettyimagesbank'A Human Court' asks if robots can be triedBy Kang Hyun-kyungAuthor and lawyer Cho Kwang-hee was picky about his food when he was a child. He hated eating meat. He eventually developed a taste for meat thanks to his persuasive parents, who patiently taught him about the importance of eating a balanced meal. But the little boy couldn't stand the abuse that animals suffered before ending up on people's dinner tables. Whenever he saw neighbors or merchants in a nearby market abusing or slaughtering animals, Cho said that the cruel scenes continued to linger in his mind and traumatized his innocent young soul.Cho's concern for humans abusing the rights of animals developed into a disgust toward society's ignorance of the mutually beneficial coexistence between humans and other living things on Earth.In his recent sci-fi thriller novel, “A Human Court,” released by local publisher Sol, Cho addresses his concern about the possible consequences humans may face if their ravage and greed are undeterred. Indeed, technology could turn its back on humans. “A Huma

May 4, 2021By Kang Hyun-kyung

Sci-fi thriller calls for emancipating humanoid robots

Films

Once a 'needs-driven' actor gets global spotlight

Oscar-winning actress Youn Yuh-jung in a scene from the 2009 film “Actresses” / Yonhap By Kang Hyun-kyungYoun Yuh-jung, 73, has achieved a feat that no other Korean actor has ever done in the 102 years of Korean cinema history ― winning an Oscar ― a half century after her big screen acting debut in 1971. Her life and career has parallels with director Lee Isaac Chung's award-winning film “Minari,” the movie that rocketed her acting career to the world stage. Like the low-budget film that has surprisingly drawn the global spotlight by grabbing hundreds of awards at film festivals held around the world, Youn was once a needs-driven actor who returned to the small screen to make ends meet and raise her two sons, but later successfully transformed herself into the crown jewel of Korean cinema. Just as the plant ― minari ― of the genus water dropwort is popular among Koreans with its multiple uses as a side dish and ingredient for Koreans' staple side-dish kimchi, Yo

Apr 26, 2021By Kang Hyun-kyung

Once a 'needs-driven' actor gets global spotlight

Films

Oscar-nominee Youn Yuh-jung's debut film to be screened on May 1

Youn Yuh-jung, right, performs in director Kim Ki-young's 1971 film, “Woman of Fire,” in this file photo. The vintage movie will be screened again on the occasion of Youn's nomination for the Best Supporting Actress Award at this year's Oscars. Korea Times fileBy Kang Hyun-kyungOscar-nominee Youn Yuh-jung's debut film, “Woman of Fire,” will be screened again at CGV Signature K theater in Seoul, a half-century after the film opened in local theaters. Distributor Design Soft said on Friday that director Kim Ki-young's 1971 film will be showcased for moviegoers on May 1 as part of the program titled, “Actor Youn Yuh-jung's Cinematic Journey: From Her Debut to the Present,” to commemorate her nomination for the Oscars' Best Supporting Actress Award. “Woman of Fire” revolves around a musician whose happy family is broken, as a nanny (played by Youn) has an affair with the husband. In the critically-acclaimed film, Youn drew the attention of critics for her successful characterization of a woman obsessed with furor. She received numerous acco

Apr 23, 2021By Kang Hyun-kyung

Oscar-nominee Youn Yuh-jung's debut film to be screened on May 1

Trends

#MeToo creates new job in film industry: Intimacy coordinator

gettyimagesbankIn Hollywood, actors get support from professionals during the filming of sex scenes; but in Korea, there is still no such professional support for actors By Kang Hyun-kyungIn 2018, the Supreme Court upheld the lower court's decision, ruling against actor Cho Deok-je, who was accused of sexual harassment during the filming of a sex scene for the 2016 movie, “Analog Human.” He was sentenced to a one-year jail term, which was suspended for two years for his inappropriate physical contact with actress Ban Min-jeong in a scene that was filmed in April 2015. Ban claimed Cho put his hands in her pants without prior consent, an allegation the male actor denied. The Supreme Court sided with the actress, confirming that Cho was guilty of sexual harassment. Despite the court ruling, Cho claimed he was innocent and posted several messages on the internet to clarify what actually happened during the filming. In January, he was put behind bars for defamation. The case shows that, whether intended or not, actors can be exposed to sexual harassment or other types of sexua

Apr 21, 2021By Kang Hyun-kyung

#MeToo creates new job in film industry: Intimacy coordinator

Trends

Buddhist monks call for leniency on jailed Samsung Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong

The head monks of Jogye Order's 24 branch temples in a meeting in this 2018 file photo / Korea Times fileBy Kang Hyun-kyungThe head monks of the 24 branch temples of the country's largest Buddhist sect, the Jogye Order, pleaded with President Moon Jae-in and two other key politicians to give jailed Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong a second chance.Although they stopped short of asking for a pardon, they said Lee deserves such a chance to repent his past and take action to fulfill his commitments. “We understand that Mr. Lee has made plenty of efforts to repent on his past and even released a public apology prior to the court's ruling. In the statement, he admitted Samsung didn't play by the rules and was unethical. He also said he was sorry for being unable to respond to the heightened social norms of society,” they said in a joint statement. The statement was delivered to President Moon, Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun and National Assembly Speaker Park Byeong-seug. The Buddhist leaders called on the Korean public to observe whether Lee lives up to his past co

Apr 20, 2021By Kang Hyun-kyung

Buddhist monks call for leniency on jailed Samsung Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong

Eyes are on how Samsung scions will pay one of world's largest tax bills

Books

Trucker saddened by tragic fate of bird he cared for

Swan goose captured by photojournalist Kim Jin-su / Courtesy of Kim Jin-suPhoto journalist releases bird watching book, delves into bond between humans and birds By Kang Hyun-kyungOne day, a truck driver based in Danyang County, North Chungcheong Province, saw a redstart flying in and out of a small hole created in a broken bumper of a truck left in the playground of an abandoned elementary school.Out of curiosity, he peered into the hole and discovered a nest the bird had built. And there were eight eggs inside!Feeling the urge to protect them, the truck driver quit his day job and looked after the redstart, so the bird could incubate the eggs and leave the nest after the chicks grew up.The trucker, who identified himself as “Mr. Bear,” made a sign for the bird family, “A House of Redstart Family,” and put another watch-out sign underneath it. It read: “Do Not Open the Door of the Truck. A Redstart Is Incubating Eggs. Be Quiet!”The redstart successfully incubated eight eggs, thanks to the trucker's month-long protection.But the family of birds did

Apr 18, 2021By Kang Hyun-kyung

Trucker saddened by tragic fate of bird he cared for

Politics

Politicians' artist children raise eyebrows over conflict of interest

gettyimagesbankIn the past, spoiled children cut parents' political careers short, but now politicians remain unscathed By Kang Hyun-kyungLast year, President Moon Jae-in's son Joon-yong was in a war of words with a main opposition party lawmaker over a 14 million won emergency relief fund the President's son received from the Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture.Rep. Kwak Sang-do of the People Power Party initiated the wrangling by openly addressing the concern about a conflict of interest. “I wonder if it was appropriate for the President's son to receive the state subsidy aimed to help the pandemic-stricken artists,” the prosecutor-turned-lawmaker wrote on social media. His social media message irritated Moon's son. Moon Jr was quick to react, cynically, to Rep. Kwak's remarks, claiming the lawmaker appeared not to have fully understood what the fund is for. “I think he's mistaken,” he wrote on social media. “The 14 million won relief fund that I received is not a living expense…. I would like to underline that I was chosen as one of the recip

Apr 14, 2021By Kang Hyun-kyung

Politicians' artist children raise eyebrows over conflict of interest

Trends

Survivors of xenophobia, hate crime captured in photos

An elderly 'Koryo-saram' with deep wrinkles on his face is seen in this 2001 photo taken by documentary photographer Kim Ji-youn. Kim recently released the photo essay book, “Korean Diaspora,” which delves into the harsh lives of ethnic Koreans overseas. Courtesy of Noonbit Publishing 'Korean Diaspora' shows struggle of Koreans overseas to retain ethnic identityBy Kang Hyun-kyungDocumentary photographer Kim Ji-youn was puzzled when she learned about a group of Koreans in Japan called “Chosen-seki,” or “Korean domicile,” the descendants of Koreans who migrated to Japan before its surrender in 1945.Unlike Zainichi Koreans or Korean-Japanese who are legal residents in Japan, Chosen-seki identify themselves as the people from Joseon, the Confucian dynasty that existed on the Korean Peninsula from 1392 until Korea was annexed by Japan in 1910, and chose to live as stateless aliens there, enduring the consequences of negative stereotyping.Children are bullied due to their parents' vulnerable legal status. For adults, discrimination is part of life and so

Apr 12, 2021By Kang Hyun-kyung

Survivors of xenophobia, hate crime captured in photos

Opinion

Tacit knowledge

By Kang Hyun-kyung“Keep me posted on heart-warming stories, or any irregularities in the sports scene. Protection of sources guaranteed.”These odd phrases, which were posted under the profile photo of the former spokesman for the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics, Sung Baik-yoo, caught my eye when I checked my KakaoTalk the other day.The smartphone chatting app gives its users a reminder of their KakaoTalk friends whenever their birthdays come, and that's how I came to see his profile photo and message. Curious, I checked with him over the phone about the message. He said he has been working with a local sports daily as a senior reporter for some time since the Olympics.I think his career U-turn to journalism will benefit many in the sports scene ― not to mention the sports daily he is working for ― because of his expertise, insider's view of the international sports scene and most importantly, his passion for his work. Mr. Sung had covered several Olympics during his decades of work for SBS, and joined the Korean Olympic organizers after he retired from broadcasting. As a

Apr 7, 2021By Kang Hyun-kyung

Books

Author calls left-wing commentator 'villain'

Kim Ou-joon, right, in this 2015 file photo / Korea Times fileBook delves into how Kim Ou-joon became enemy within liberals By Kang Hyun-kyungChoi In-ho's new book “Kim Ou-joon Is Worse than Choi Soon-sil” is the liberal commentator's sharp-tongued criticism of his fellow commentator and radio show host, Kim Ou-joon. Choi, a YouTuber and also founder of a civic group created to put pressure on politicians to adopt a liberal-minded policy agenda, opens fire at Kim, calling him a “villain” who has manipulated public opinion in his favor by using his influence.The book claims that some liberals began to harbor suspicions about Kim since his sympathetic remarks about the prosecution that investigated the corruption scandal surrounding the former Justice Minister Cho Kuk in 2019. “Choi Soon-sil had flexed her muscles behind the scenes and didn't reveal herself to the public until her controversial role came to light. She didn't deceive the public at least,” the book reads. “Unlike her, Kim Ou-joon has duped the public every day with his presence i

Apr 5, 2021By Kang Hyun-kyung

Kang Hyun-kyung

Read more

Sci-fi thriller calls for emancipating humanoid robots

Once a 'needs-driven' actor gets global spotlight

Oscar-nominee Youn Yuh-jung's debut film to be screened on May 1

#MeToo creates new job in film industry: Intimacy coordinator

Buddhist monks call for leniency on jailed Samsung Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong

Trucker saddened by tragic fate of bird he cared for

Politicians' artist children raise eyebrows over conflict of interest

Survivors of xenophobia, hate crime captured in photos

Tacit knowledge

Author calls left-wing commentator 'villain'

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