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Kwak Yeon-soo

Korea Times Digital Content Reporter

Kwak Yeon-soo is a digital editor at The Korea Times creating, editing and curating digital content for the newspaper’s website, mobile app and social media. She previously covered a diverse array of cultural, political and business topics.

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Foreign Affairs

Korea continues to confront Japan's history distortion concerning wartime forced labor

Photo of the Industrial Heritage Information Center in Tokyo. The center opened to the public in June 2020 to introduce 23 Meiji-era industrial sites that won UNESCO World Heritage recognition. / Courtesy of the Industrial Heritage Information CenterBy Kwak Yeon-sooThe South Korean government will continue to confront Japan's history distortion concerning wartime forced labor, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said on Friday.Condemning Japan's negligence in carrying out the UNESCO recommendation that the country should offer correct accounts of wartime forced labor when addressing the history of industrial sites recognized as World Heritage sites, the Ministry will join hands with the Cultural Heritage Administration (CHA) to produce videos and organize seminars to counter Japan's inaccurate claims about wartime forced laborWhen the 23 Meiji-era industrial sites ― including the notorious Hashima Island, where hundreds of Koreans were forced to work tirelessly in an undersea coal mine ― won World Heritage recognition in 2015, Japan made a pledge to set up an information cent

Jan 29, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo
Korea continues to confront Japan's history distortion concerning wartime forced labor
Films

'To All the Boys' star Lana Condor says filming in Korea was highlight of her career

A scene from the film, “To All the Boys: Always and Forever” / Courtesy of Netflix By Kwak Yeon-sooLana Condor, who plays Lara Jean Covey in Netflix's upcoming romantic comedy, “To All the Boys: Always and Forever,” described to Korean reporters in a press conference on Friday, how excited she was to travel to South Korea to film part of the third and final installment of the “To All the Boys” series of teen romance films.In “To All the Boys: Always and Forever,” protagonist Lara Jean (Condor) enters her final year of high school and starts to plan her future. She is still dating Peter Kavinsky (Noah Centineo) and the two are planning to attend Stanford together. However, Lara Jean becomes interested in moving to New York and must make a choice after discovering she did not get accepted into Stanford.In the press conference, held via Zoom, “To All the Boys” book series author Jenny Han and the cast of the movie discussed filming in Korea, life-changing roles and see

Jan 29, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo
'To All the Boys' star Lana Condor says filming in Korea was highlight of her career
Entertainment

Young Asian women most loyal 'hallyu' consumers: survey

From left, posters for the drama series “Itaewon Class,” “Start-Up,” “Kingdom” and “Crash Landing On You” / Korea Times file By Kwak Yeon-sooYoung Asian women were the main consumers of Korean wave products in 2020, according to a survey conducted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in collaboration with the Korean Foundation for International Culture Exchange, Thursday. The annual report showed that Asian women in their 20s and 30s were the “biggest spenders” on Korean cultural products last year.“The main hallyu consumers were Asian women between the ages of 29 and 31, and the results showed that women spent more than men on dramas, variety shows, films, books, beauty products and food. Men only outnumbered women in games,” the ministry said in a statement.The report was compiled based on a survey of 8,500 hallyu (Korean wave) consumers across 18 countries, including China, Japan, the U.S., Australia, the U.A.E. and Brazil. It was conducted last year in

Jan 28, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo
Young Asian women most loyal 'hallyu' consumers: survey
Films

Youn Yuh-jung bags more awards for 'Minari,' leads acting race for Oscars

Actress Youn Yuh-jung in a scene from the film “Minari” / Courtesy of PAN CINEMABy Kwak Yeon-sooYoun Yuh-jung won the best supporting actress from the National Board of Review (NBR) for her work in “Minari,” while writer-director Lee Isaac Chung earned the best original screenplay title. Established in 1909, NBR recognizes superlative filmmakers and actors, and acts as a strong indicator as to whether winners will garner Oscar nods. Also winning the best supporting actress from the New York Film Critics Online on Tuesday (local time), the 73-year-old actress has nabbed a total of 20 trophies this season by far. “Minari” follows a Korean immigrant family relocating and adjusting to life on a remote farm in Arkansas in the 1980s. The film title refers to a Korean herb that “comes in the pockets of immigrants, dies in the first year, thrives in the second and purifies the water and the soil around it.”The film, since premiering at the Sundance Film Festival January last year, has been acclaimed by critics in the country and overseas with i

Jan 27, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo
Youn Yuh-jung bags more awards for 'Minari,' leads acting race for Oscars
Shows & Dramas

Hit drama 'Hotel Del Luna' to be adapted into stage musical

Actors Yeo Jin-goo, left, and IU in a scene from the tvN drama series “Hotel Del Luna” / Courtesy of tvN By Kwak Yeon-sooThe hit fantasy-romance series “Hotel Del Luna,” starring IU and Yeo Jin-goo, will be adapted into a stage musical.Theater production company, Showplay, said Wednesday that the musical remake will include the TV series' fantasy elements and highlight the romance between the two main characters.The series revolves around Jang Man-wol (played by IU), the owner of the Hotel Del Luna, which is a mystical hotel that serves spirits. Cursed to live forever, she hires a reluctant hotelier Goo Chan-sung (Yeo) to manage the hotel, gifting him with the ability to communicate with ghosts.At the hotel, Goo's task is to make sure the guests feel comfortable and to help them satisfy their unfulfilled desires in life. Some evil spirits try to take advantage of the soft-hearted Goo, but Jang always shows up to save him.“The musical version of Hotel Del Luna will a

Jan 27, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo
Hit drama 'Hotel Del Luna' to be adapted into stage musical
Films

Actress on being called 'fool' as newcomer, reuniting with Ha Jung-woo in 'Night Trip'

Actress Yoo Da-in / Courtesy of Prain TPC By Kwak Yeon-sooYoo Da-in believes her life experiences and attention to social issues have improved her acting abilities, which she demonstrated in drama movie “I Don't Fire Myself.”Performing with considerable passion, empathy and integrity, she has clearly acted in part on the basis of social conscience. “I feel like I've become capable of playing a wider range of roles after gaining more life experience and taking an interest in social issues. I believe that my role as an actor is to give audiences an opportunity to start different dialogues,” she said during a recent interview with The Korea Times. Yoo stars in the movie as Jeong-eun who suffers gender discrimination at work and is dispatched to work for a subcontractor for one year. Despite the management's attempt to fire her, Jeong-eun intends to hold on to her job in hopes of returning to the head office a year later.“This film is inspired by real events and represe

Jan 25, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo
Actress on being called 'fool' as newcomer, reuniting with Ha Jung-woo in 'Night Trip'
Films

Kim Hyang-gi's new film 'I' shares glimpses of healing, hope

Kim Hyang-gi in a scene from the film “I” / Courtesy of Lotte EntertainmentBy Kwak Yeon-sooAfter appearing in a number of thought-provoking movies such as “Thread of Lies” (2014) and “Innocent Witness” (2019), actress Kim Hyang-gi aims to share glimpses of healing with another heart-warming family drama “I.”“I” tells the story of former foster child named Ah-young (Kim) who gets hired as a babysitter by single mom Young-chae (Ryu Hyun-kyung). The two work to resolve their own conflicts, whether it be family struggles or financial troubles, but it's the power of sisterhood that eventually carries them through each of their life obstacles. Director Kim Hyun-tak, who is making his feature directorial debut with “I,” described the film as an inner journey of growth for two characters, who traverse the road to healing and recovery. “I'm interested in exploring different types of family and social minorities who may not always see their experiences represented on screen. I revolves around a foster child who is ag

Jan 24, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo
Kim Hyang-gi's new film 'I' shares glimpses of healing, hope
Shows & Dramas

Hyun Bin thanks Son Ye-jin after winning grand prize at 2020 APAN Star Awards

Actor Hyun Bin poses at the 2020 APAN STAR AWARDS held at the Grand Peace Palace of Kyung Hee University in Seoul, Jan. 23. / Courtesy of 2020 APAN AWARDS organizing committee By Kwak Yeon-sooHyun Bin thanked his girlfriend Son Ye-jin after winning the grand prize at the 2020 APAN Star Awards for his role as a North Korean elite soldier in tvN's “Crash Landing on You.” The two became a real-life couple after acting together in the hit drama. While giving his acceptance speech for the grand prize, Hyun told the audience, “I'm happy to be starting off 2021 with such a big award. I feel like I should work even harder this year to repay this honor. I will continue to work hard so I can show a more improved side of myself.”He added, “I'm grateful to Son Ye-jin, whose Yoon Se-ri was the perfect partner for Ri Jung-hyuk. Thanks to her incredible acting, Ri was able to shine in the series.”Hyun will begin shooting the sequel to his 2017 action film “Confidential Assignment”

Jan 24, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo
Hyun Bin thanks Son Ye-jin after winning grand prize at 2020 APAN Star Awards
Films

INTERVIEW Model-turned-actress Jang Yoon-ju talks about becoming fearless on screen

Jang Yoon-ju / Courtesy of Esteem EntertainmentBy Kwak Yeon-sooAfter accumulating nearly two decades of experience in the modeling world, Jang Yoon-ju finally made her acting debut at the age of 35. Acting has always been her passion, so Jang decided to pursue her dream while working as a model. Jang began her modeling career at age 17, and since then she has walked on fashion runways for major designers, worked with some of the greatest photographers in the fashion industry and landed modeling jobs for luxury brands.However, she also ensured she received an education, majoring in film studies at Seoul Institute of the Arts. There she went to college with some big name actors including Son Ye-jin, Jung Woo and Han Hye-jin as well as directors Kim Jong-kwan of “Josee” (2020) and Park Sang-hyun of “Innocence” (2020).“For me, I just do what I like. I love working and meeting people. I think life is all about experiences. Since debuting as a model, I've received countless film offers. But I turned them all down because I thought I wasn't ready,” she sa

Jan 21, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo
[INTERVIEW] Model-turned-actress Jang Yoon-ju talks about becoming fearless on screen
Books

INTERVIEW Harvey Award-winning graphic novelist highlights history in cartoons

Graphic novelist Keum Suk Gendry-Kim poses after an interview with The Korea Times at a cafe on Ganghwa Island, Jan. 15. / Korea Times photo by Choi Won-sukBy Kwak Yeon-sooGANGHWA ISLAND ― In 2020, cartoonist Keum Suk Gendry-Kim's graphic novel “Grass” won the prestigious Harvey Award for best international comic book. She was the first Korean cartoonist to win the prize, becoming a trailblazer in showing how subtle and serious the graphic narrative can be. “Grass,” which has been translated into 14 languages, depicts the life of a “comfort woman,” a victim of Japan's wartime sexual slavery. Based on the testimony of the now elderly survivor of wartime sex slavery, Lee Ok-sun, Gendry-Kim addresses issues related to women and social class. In addition to the Harvey Award, the book also earned the Slate Cartoonist Studio Prize, Krause Essay Prize, and nominations for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, Eisner Awards, Believer Book Award, Ringo Award, YALSA Alex Award and YALSA Great Graphic Novels for Teens list.Gendry-Kim's latest book “The Wait

Jan 21, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo
[INTERVIEW] Harvey Award-winning graphic novelist highlights history in cartoons
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