The Korea Times

Yeon Sang-ho expands cinematic universe with gripping family mystery 'Paradise Lost'

Fresh off critical acclaim in Toronto, director Yeon Sang-ho’s latest film "Paradise Lost" — a project rooted in a story passed down by his mother — is making its way to home. The psychological thriller centers on So-young (Kim Hyun-joo), a grieving mother whose world is upended when her son, Sun-woo (Bae Hyeon-seong), whom she presumed dead after a camping bus went missing nine years ago, miraculously reappears. The film made its world premiere on Sept. 13 at the 51st Toronto International Film Festival. Following last year's "The Ugly," this marks Yeon's second consecutive year being officially invited to the festival's Special Presentations section — further expanding the ever-growing "Yeon-iverse." Based on the novel "Black Inferno," the plot follows So-young as she relies on an artificial intelligence program called "Children of Paradise" to interact with a digital avatar of her young son just to get through each day. Then comes the shock: Sun-woo returns home alive. While the public erupts over his miracle survival, So-young is gripped by a growing dread. Covered in scars,

Sep 18, 2026By Park Jin-hai

Yeon Sang-ho expands cinematic universe with gripping family mystery 'Paradise Lost'

Shows & Dramas

From dating simulators to co-producers: AI moves to center stage in K-entertainment

The Korean television and content industry are aggressively integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into its domain, ranging from technical background processing to front-of-camera narrative devices. The shift is most visible in non-scripted entertainment, where human relationships once formed the absolute core of viewer engagement. SBS’ reality show "My AI Partner — Strange Romance" recently placed humans and digital avatars side by side in double dates. During a recent episode, webtoon artist Kian84 introduced his AI partner Na-hee to his close acquaintance, Ji Ye-eun, casually referring to the digital persona as "honey." Despite the synthetic nature of the interaction, Ji reacted with skepticism, insisting that it seems hard to date an AI and adding that her own feelings were "real" love. Kian84, however, defended the psychological comfort provided by his digital companion, saying that "there is a sense of security that a human simply cannot give." Yet, as the boundaries blurred, he confessed to a complex inner conflict: "Rather than Na-hee becoming human, I feel like I am becom

Sep 18, 2026By Park Jin-hai

From dating simulators to co-producers: AI moves to center stage in K-entertainment

Travel & Food

From safari to zombies: Everland's day-to-night adventure

By day, people take leisurely strolls through the savannah to observe the wildlife, but the moment the sun dips below the horizon, Korea’s most iconic theme park transforms into an apocalyptic battleground where survival is your only objective. Following the return of Everland's "walking safari" experience, the park's autumn lineup puts horror front and center with Blood City Zero: Hell Gate, a live-action experience that brings visitors directly into a living nightmare. Operated by Samsung C&T Resort Group, this seasonal spectacle ditches traditional passive viewing in favor of heart-stopping immersion, for a 72-day run ending on Nov. 22. Escape zombie outbreaks Celebrating the horror zone's 10th anniversary, Everland joined forces with film director Lee Seok-hoon, known for box-office hits like "The Pirates" (2014) and "Confidential Assignment 2: International" (2022), to translate the visual language and cinematic staging of a blockbuster film to a theme park event. Starting at 4 p.m. every day, the boundaries between actors and audience completely dissolve as the entire area conver

Sep 17, 2026By Park Jin-hai

From safari to zombies: Everland's day-to-night adventure

Korean Heritage

Artisan behind Korea's legendary baduk boards

His right index finger tells the entire story before he utters a single word. Unable to straighten naturally and stuck resting lifted upward, misshapen from more than six decades of pressing down on hand planes, it is the quiet, undeniable badge of a craftsman who has spent a lifetime shaping raw timber into pieces of living history. At 75, Shin Wan-sik bears the physical toll of 60 years dedicated to an ancient craft. He commands 70 percent of Korea's domestic baduk board market through his company, Six Brothers Baduk. Baduk is more commonly known internationally as "go." Virtually every landmark event in modern Korean baduk has unfolded over his creations. Recently a custom board made by Shin was presented by Korean President Lee Jae Myung to Chinese President Xi Jinping during an APEC summit in Gyeongju in 2025. His influence reaches far beyond diplomatic gifts: One of his boards was used in the historic match between Lee Se-dol and AlphaGo, as well as the personal boards favored by legendary masters Cho Hun-hyun and Lee Chang-ho — the real-life inspirations behind the film "The Ma

Sep 15, 2026By Park Jin-hai

Artisan behind Korea's legendary baduk boards

Travel & Food

Food journey through Korea's administrative capital

There is a striking dual identity in Sejong, the nation's administrative capital. Looking down from a cafe on the 49th-floor of a building in the city's newest district, nothing appears aged. Neat grids of avenues, government complexes, lakes and arboretums unfold like a master architect’s blueprint. However, a short drive into the old district reveals an entirely different rhythm —narrow market alleys lined with fish stalls, retro signs, train tracks and young artisans quietly setting up shop inside weathered brick houses. "Sejong Osik," or "Five-Meal tour" is an effort to bridge these contrasting worlds. Launched by Sejong's city government and the Sejong Culture and Tourism Foundation, the two-day, one-night culinary tourism program reveals the gastronomic potential of Korea's administrative capital. The tour draws inspiration from King Sejong the Great, who is said to have eaten five meals a day. The program takes participants to some of the city’s notable restaurants, markets and cafés to try a full range of culinary delights. Pork ribs The journey begins with local hearty fa

Sep 15, 2026By Park Jin-hai

Food journey through Korea's administrative capital

Books

How a London-based author is redefining kimchi

When Jihyun “Kimmy” Kim reflects on her childhood in Korea, her mind lands on the everyday rhythm of a family dining table. “There would be rice, my mother’s doenjang jjigae (soybean paste stew) or miyeokguk (seaweed soup), and kimchi would always be there. As a child, I hardly noticed it because it was so normal," she recalled during a recent interview with The Korea Times. Growing up in Korea, kimchi was simply part of everyday life — always present, rarely discussed and taken entirely for granted. Yet when Kim relocated to the United Kingdom in 2008 following her marriage, that quiet background fixture suddenly became a lens through which she viewed her distance from home. “I never really planned to start a kimchi business. It happened quite naturally after living in the U.K. ... In a way, I had to leave Korea to really appreciate something that had always been part of my life.” Kimchi misconceptions Living abroad exposed a striking disconnect between the cultural institution Kim knew and the way Western diners understood it. Overseas, kimchi was frequently reduced to a t

Sep 14, 2026By Park Jin-hai

How a London-based author is redefining kimchi

Shows & Dramas

'The Scandal' unleashes forbidden passion in reimagined Joseon

High-society secrets and forbidden passion collide in "The Scandal," Netflix’s bold Joseon-era reimagining of the classic 1782 novel "Dangerous Liaisons." Helmed by acclaimed director Jung Ji-woo, best known for films "Happy End" (1999) and "Eungyo" (2012), the series follows Lady Cho (Son Ye-jin) — a mastermind too extraordinary for the era’s rigid social boundaries — as she orchestrates a perilous wager with the ultimate playboy, Cho Won (Ji Chang-wook). When an innocent woman, Hui-yeon (Nana), becomes the target of their bet, a dangerous web of intrigue, rebellion and uncontrollable desire threatens to shatter society’s strictest taboos. "The late Joseon era was far more sophisticated and nuanced than we usually imagine," Jung explained during a press conference at JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Seoul in Seoul, Wednesday. "I wanted to capture that elegance on screen while exploring the complex, unseen dynamic between Lady Cho and Hui-yeon — a relationship never portrayed quite like this before." The novel was previously brought to life in the hit 2003 film "Untold Scandal,

Sep 9, 2026By Park Jin-hai

'The Scandal' unleashes forbidden passion in reimagined Joseon

Shows & Dramas

Hyun Bin, Jung Woo-sung return for deeper conflict in 'Made in Korea' Season 2

The Disney+ original series “Made in Korea” returns for its second season with an even more intense narrative than before, shifting from an episodic structure to a singular, continuous arc spanning six episodes. Following its debut season — which ranked as the most-watched Korean original on Disney+ globally in 2025 and secured major accolades at the Baeksang Arts Awards — the drama leaps forward nine years in time from the last season. Set against the political backdrop leading up to the Dec. 12 military coup of 1979, Season 2 focuses on the power vacuum created by the assassination of the president. Unlike the first season, the entire six-episode installment delivers one overarching narrative. "If Season 1 featured distinct stories for each episode, Season 2 is one continuous rush from Episode 1 to 6," director Woo Min-ho said during a news conference at the Conrad Seoul hotel Wednesday, adding that viewers will find the new run significantly more immersive. "If Season 1 felt like a fight between kids, Season 2 feels like a battle among adults." Woo emphasized that while histor

Sep 2, 2026By Park Jin-hai

Hyun Bin, Jung Woo-sung return for deeper conflict in 'Made in Korea' Season 2

Shows & Dramas

How Ryu Jun-yeol tackled two roles in Netflix's series 'Mousetrap'

Korean actor Ryu Jun-yeol stepped into double-duty territory for his latest project, tackling a dual role for the first time in the Netflix original series "Mousetrap." The psychological thriller, directed by Kim Hong-sun, follows Moon-jae (Ryu), a novelist whose identity, face and life are stolen by a mysterious figure known as "the Rat." The chase escalates as loan shark No-ja (Sul Kyung-gu) fights to recover his lost funds, while detective Sun-yong (Lee Kyu-hyung) pursues the truth. Following its release on Aug. 28, the series quickly climbed the charts. By Sept. 1, "Mousetrap" reached No. 6 on Netflix's global TV show rankings via FlixPatrol, entering the Top 10 in 49 countries, including Korea, France, India, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates. "I’ve been getting so many calls from people around me since the show came out," Ryu said during an interview with The Korea Times at a cafe in Seoul, Tuesday. "I can really feel the response firsthand." Ryu admitted he was drawn to the script early on, even before the ending was finalized, curious about the fate of a man stripped of hi

Sep 1, 2026By Park Jin-hai

How Ryu Jun-yeol tackled two roles in Netflix's series 'Mousetrap'

Travel & Food

5 photo spots for perfectly timed September snaps in Seoul

For modern travelers, a photo is no longer just a souvenir after the end of a trip but rather the very reason to begin one. To capture their own distinct vision of Korea’s capital, visitors are increasingly venturing beyond traditional tourist sites and venturing into new neighborhoods, often hiring professional photographers to frame their journey. To mark the arrival of September's crisp breezes and autumn tints, the Seoul Tourism Foundation has released a curated guide to the city's most beautiful spots, mapped out by the best hour to visit for photography. By following the shifting daylight across the metropolis, visitors can capture Seoul’s unique aesthetic in its best light. Morning at Gyeongbok Palace The primary royal palace of the Joseon Dynasty in Jongno District in central Seoul, Gyeongbok Palace offers its most tranquil and beautiful side immediately after opening. Stepping into the quiet grounds before crowds arrive allows soft morning light to illuminate the intricate "dancheong" paintwork under the eaves while casting a warm glow over traditional hanbok attire. Renting

Sep 1, 2026By Park Jin-hai

Park Jin-hai

Read more

Yeon Sang-ho expands cinematic universe with gripping family mystery 'Paradise Lost'

From dating simulators to co-producers: AI moves to center stage in K-entertainment

From safari to zombies: Everland's day-to-night adventure

Artisan behind Korea's legendary baduk boards

Food journey through Korea's administrative capital

How a London-based author is redefining kimchi

'The Scandal' unleashes forbidden passion in reimagined Joseon

Hyun Bin, Jung Woo-sung return for deeper conflict in 'Made in Korea' Season 2

How Ryu Jun-yeol tackled two roles in Netflix's series 'Mousetrap'

5 photo spots for perfectly timed September snaps in Seoul

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