The Korea Times

Academy Museum of Motion Pictures to feature Korean filmmakers

The Saban Building of the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles / Courtesy of JWPictures, Academy Museum FoundationBy Kwak Yeon-sooThe Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, which is set to open in Los Angeles on Sept. 30, will include a handful of high-profile Korean filmmakers. Being the first large-scale museum in the U.S. dedicated to film, the museum will house more than 12.5 million photographs, 237,000 film and video assets, 85,000 screenplays, 65,000 posters and 133,000 pieces of production art collected since 1927.At an online press conference held on Tuesday, Bill Kramer, director and president of the museum, said that several Asian filmmakers, including Bong Joon-ho, Kim Ki-duk and Lee Chang-dong, will be displayed at their opening and long-running exhibitions. He added the Korean language will be added to the audio guide service. Visitors will be able to walk through the history of the Academy Awards and explore the complex world of cinema ― its artistry, technology and social impact. Admitting the lack of racial diversity of winners and lack of female representati

Mar 24, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo

Academy Museum of Motion Pictures to feature Korean filmmakers

Films

INTERVIEW Cho Dal-hwan happy about acting alongside EXO's Chanyeol in 'The Box'

Actor Cho Dal-hwan / Courtesy of Studio TakeBy Kwak Yeon-sooCho Dal-hwan, who plays a down-on-his-luck music producer in the film “The Box,” said he tried to express subtlety in his acting and let his fellow actor Chanyeol of EXO upstage him.Directed by Yang Jung-woong, the musical film is a coming-of-age story of an aspiring musician (Chanyeol), who can sing only when he is behind a box. He meets once-popular music producer (Cho Dal-hwan) and busks to overcome his fear and come out from behind his box.Cho said Chanyeol was part of the reason he chose to star in “The Box.” “By the time I was cast in the film, Chanyeol was already a global music star and I've always had a desire to take part in a musical film like Begin Again or Once. I was also excited about the idea of traveling across the country and trying regional specialty dishes,” he said. As to how he related to his character Min-soo, who believes in the nameless singer and would do anything to help Ji-hoon overcome the fear of singing in front of the audience, Cho said he got major help fro

Mar 24, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo

[INTERVIEW] Cho Dal-hwan happy about acting alongside EXO's Chanyeol in 'The Box'

Films

INTERVIEW Lee Joon-ik turns to history to shed light on overlooked Joseon scholar

Filmmaker Lee Joon-ik / Courtesy of Megabox Plus MBy Kwak Yeon-soo“The Book of Fish” is the latest in director Lee Joon-ik's exploration of overlooked historical figures. In “The Throne” (2015), the master of period films shed light on the life of neglected Crown Prince Sado (1735-1762), who was deemed unworthy to rule and was locked inside a wooden chest and left to die by his own father, King Yeongjo.Lee's black-and-white film “Dongju: The Portrait of a Poet” (2016) delved into the lives of famous Korean poet Yoon Dong-ju and his best friend and cousin, independence activist Song Mong-kyu. “Anarchist from Colony” looked into independence activist Park Yeol and Fuiko Kaneoko, who was Park's lover and was imprisoned with him on treason charges.The upcoming biopic revolves around Jeong Yak-jeon (Seol Kyung-gu), the older brother of one of the leading scholars in the late Joseon era, Jeong Yak-yong. While living in exile on Heuksan Island in South Jeolla Province, he meets a young fisherman named Chang-dae (Byun Yo-han).With the help of C

Mar 21, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo

[INTERVIEW] Lee Joon-ik turns to history to shed light on overlooked Joseon scholar

Films

More K-pop stars leaping to big screen

A poster for “Shades of the Heart,” left, and a poster for “The Box” / Courtesy of At9 Film, TAKEBy Kwak Yeon-sooMany K-pop idols have tried to make the leap to the big screen, but not so many have succeeded. Despite lackluster results at the box office, more K-pop singers are branching out to the film industry where they find opportunities to break out of the confines of their image as impeccable idols and demonstrate their multiple talents.Of the many who have crossed over from music to film, IU seems to be the master of doing both at the same time. While the singer-actress is gearing up to drop her fifth studio album “LILAC” on March 25, she is also returning to the silver screen with, “Shades of the Heart,” directed by Kim Jong-kwan.Set for release on March 31, the upcoming film revolves around Chang-seok (Yeon Woo-jin) who engages in conversations with four different people to write a new book based on his relationships with them.IU jumped into acting in 2011 through KBS's teenage drama, “Dream High,” and since then app

Mar 17, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo

Films

Oscar-nominee Youn Yuh-jung, down-to-earth actor with self-deprecating humor

Youn Yuh-jung / Courtesy of Hook EntertainmentYoun's nomination for Best Supporting Actress is one of the six Oscar nominations “Minari” received at the 93rd Academy Awards.By Kwak Yeon-sooStarting last year, actor Youn Yuh-jung's lucky break has shown no signs of ending. As of February, she has bagged 26 prizes from film festivals held around the world for her role as the eccentric grandmother Soon-ja in the critically-acclaimed film, “Minari.” On Monday, she earned one more honor, the odds of which she had said earlier were slim, considering the fact that her life has been one far from glitz and glamour: she was nominated in the Best Supporting Actress category at the 93rd Academy Awards. Yoon, 74, is the first Korean to achieve this feat. “I didn't imagine anything like this would happen to me at my age. To be honest, I felt grateful, but at the same time, it was burdensome. Although I'm not an athlete, I can understand the psychological distress of Olympic athletes. I hate competition. I feel honored to be nominated and I feel like I'm already a winn

Mar 16, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo

Oscar-nominee Youn Yuh-jung, down-to-earth actor with self-deprecating humor

'Minari' portrays strong Korean women

Shows & Dramas

Director Kim Jee-woon's 'Dr. Brain' to be released on Apple TV+ this year

A scene from the web comic “Dr. Brain,” which is being made into a live action series. / Courtesy of Apple TV+ By Kwak Yeon-sooDirector Kim Jee-woon's new sci-fi thriller series “Dr. Brain” will be released on Apple TV+ this year, the streaming giant said Monday. The Apple TV+'s first Korean-language project is currently filming in Korea. Based on the popular Korean web comic of the same title, the series revolves around a neuroscientist who tries to access the consciousness and memories of the brain in order to find out the truth behind a terrible tragedy that occurred to his family. Actor Lee Sun-kyun, who rose to fame after starring in Oscar-winning “Parasite” (2019), plays the lead role. Kim, who previously helmed thrillers such as “A Tale of Two Sisters” (2003) and “I Saw the Devil” (2010), said the premise of “Dr. Brain” was interesting to him.“It was interesting to follow the protagonist's journey as he looks into a mysterious accident and unravels what actua

Mar 15, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo

Director Kim Jee-woon's 'Dr. Brain' to be released on Apple TV+ this year

Films

Jeonju film fest announces 10 indie films in Korean competition, all tackling social problems

The poster for the 22nd Jeonju International Film Festival / Courtesy of Jeonju IFFBy Kwak Yeon-sooJeonju International Film Festival organizers announced on Friday 10 feature films that will compete in the Korean Competition category this year. The list, selected from 108 submissions, includes eight fictional films and two documentaries. “The current trend of Korea's independent films is sharply observing and tackling social problems and taboos. The 10 selections expose injustice or the absurdity of society, and show support for the marginalized,” said Moon Seok, the programmer of the JIFF. Among the lineup of finalists, “Awoke,” by Jung Jae-ik and Seo Tae-soo, and “Corydoras,” by Ryu Hyung-seok, depict the lives of disabled people. “Coming to You,” by Byun Gyu-ri is a documentary that features LGBTQ issues.“Aloners,” by Hong Sung-eun, is linked to the increase of single-person households in Korea, while “First Child,” by Hur Jung-jae, delves into the life of a married woman. “Influenza,” by Hwang Ju

Mar 12, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo

Films

Song Kang-ho, Cho Jin-woong, Lee Ha-nee win big at Korea Gold Awards

Actor Song Kang-ho in the poster for “Parasite” / Korea Times fileBy Kwak Yeon-sooThe film “Parasite” (2019) was honored with the Best Picture Award, while actor Song Kang-ho won the Grand Prize, at the 40th Korea Gold Awards Festival held in Seoul, Thursday.The 40th edition of the festival was originally scheduled to take place in February of last year, but was postponed over a year due to the coronavirus pandemic. The annual event is organized by the Korean Society of Cinematographers, who determines the winners based on their technical and creative talent.Actors Cho Jin-woong and Lee Ha-nee grabbed the trophies for Best Actor and Best Actress, respectively, for their roles in “Black Money” (2019). Chung Ji-young, who helmed the white-collar crime film, also took home the Best Director Award. “Black Money” is based on a real story in which a Korean bank was sold to a U.S. private equity fund for a suspiciously low price and then sold later for a huge profit.“As I'm looking at the award winners, I feel tremendous weight on my sho

Mar 12, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo

Song Kang-ho, Cho Jin-woong, Lee Ha-nee win big at Korea Gold Awards

Films

INTERVIEW Ex-Pixar animator Erick Oh on his Oscar journey with 'Opera'

Filmmaker Erick Oh / Courtesy of Beasts and Natives AlikeBy Kwak Yeon-sooAward-winning filmmaker Erick Oh's new independent short film “Opera,” which was shortlisted in the animated short film category at the 93rd Academy Awards, depicts the beauty and cruelty of human life within a pyramid-shaped structure. With “Opera” being the only Asian film among the 10 shortlisted in the category, the former Pixar animator is now waiting for the nominations to be announced on March 15.“It feels surreal to be shortlisted in the animated short film category at the Oscars. If it wasn't for the pandemic, I would be going to cool places to hold physical screenings and promote the film. But due to the pandemic, I was able to devote more time on my next project,” Oh said during a recent interview with The Korea Times via Zoom. In “Opera,” Oh tackles issues like racism, terrorism, religion, natural disasters, education, war and class struggles within a society in 24 different sections.Each section is filled with separate stories and symbolism so the view

Mar 11, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo

[INTERVIEW] Ex-Pixar animator Erick Oh on his Oscar journey with 'Opera'

Trends

INTERVIEW Meet the creator of traditional jewelry for 'Mr. Queen'

Actress Shin Hye-sun, left, is seen wearing a phoenix “binyeo,” or hairpin, while Seol In-ah is seen wearing a lovebird “binyeo” in “Mr. Queen.” Courtesy of tvNBy Kwak Yeon-sooPopular movies and TV dramas influence and even set new trends. Recent period dramas such as Netflix's Joseon Kingdom zombie series “Kingdom” to tvN's fantasy historical drama “Mr. Queen” have sparked viewers' interest in costumes and jewelry that are both historically authentic and imbibed with new creative twists.Following the success of “Mr. Queen” that ended with its highest viewership rating of 17.4 percent in February, KBS2's “River Where the Moon Rises” set in the ancient Goguryeo Kingdom (37 B.C.-A.D. 668) is on a roll despite changing its lead actor from Jisoo to Na In-woo. Jisoo, who played the role of Ondal in the series, was forced out of the cast following recent accusations that he was a school bully.Kim Soung-eun, a jewelry designer and owner of NASCHENKA, whose items appeared in more than 70 period dramas and mov

Mar 11, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo

Kwak Yeon-soo

Read more

Academy Museum of Motion Pictures to feature Korean filmmakers

INTERVIEW Cho Dal-hwan happy about acting alongside EXO's Chanyeol in 'The Box'

INTERVIEW Lee Joon-ik turns to history to shed light on overlooked Joseon scholar

More K-pop stars leaping to big screen

Oscar-nominee Youn Yuh-jung, down-to-earth actor with self-deprecating humor

Director Kim Jee-woon's 'Dr. Brain' to be released on Apple TV+ this year

Jeonju film fest announces 10 indie films in Korean competition, all tackling social problems

Song Kang-ho, Cho Jin-woong, Lee Ha-nee win big at Korea Gold Awards

INTERVIEW Ex-Pixar animator Erick Oh on his Oscar journey with 'Opera'

INTERVIEW Meet the creator of traditional jewelry for 'Mr. Queen'

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