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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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Health

Public anger intensifies over fatal child abuse

A scene from SBS's “Unanswered Questions,” aired on Jan. 2 / Captured from SBS “Unanswered Questions”Celebrities join “#sorryjungin” campaign to mourn death of 16-month-old girlBy Kwak Yeon-sooPublic anger is intensifying over the alleged child abuse of an adopted 16-month-old girl that resulted in her death. Celebrities have joined the “#sorryjungin” campaign to mourn her death and raise awareness on the problem of child abuse.In the latest episode of the SBS investigative reporting TV show “Unanswered Questions,” aired on Jan. 2, the program covered the story of an adopted child named Jung-in who died last October due to serious injuries to her head and abdomen. The girl died in hospital after being taken to an emergency room on Oct. 13 last year.She presented with multiple severe fractures to her skull, ribs and collar bone, and multiple organ failure. It was further revealed from an autopsy that the girl's pancreas was severely damaged and the mesentery covering her small and large intestine was torn. The cited cause of

Jan 4, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo
Public anger intensifies over fatal child abuse
  • Political circles seek heavier sentencing for child abuse
Entertainment

Pandemic-driven paradigm shift underway in hallyu

Cinemas still reeling from COVID-19 shock; K-pop's smooth sailing to continueBy Kwak Yeon-sooNetflix drew media attention back in 2019 when it locked horns with the organizers of the Cannes International Film Festival over two films produced and distributed by the global streaming giant. The attempt by Netflix to submit its films for consideration was rebuffed by Cannes.Their battle over cinematic turf illustrates the fear of theaters over the future of cinema. Theaters' worst-case scenario has become a reality. Backed by its surging subscribers during the pandemic, Netflix has transformed into a formidable threat to cinemas and film studios.For K-pop, the landscape is not so different from that of cinema. K-pop stars are in shock, too, as their scheduled tours have been cancelled and concerts have gone online as public gathering bans have been extended. A paradigm shift is underway in hallyu as major events go online. Despite the parallels, cinema and K-pop ― two major components of hallyu ― are being affected differently, according to three experts who participated in the Korea Tim

Jan 3, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo
Pandemic-driven paradigm shift underway in hallyu
  • Cinema in 2021: Netflix-Disney Plus battle looming large
  • K-pop in 2021: Social media-friendly musicians survive pandemic
  • Unstoppable hallyu: Will it last?
Entertainment

K-pop in 2021: Social media-friendly musicians survive pandemic

BTS performs during the “2021 New Year's Eve Live” online concert on Dec. 31, 2020. / Courtesy of Big Hit Labels'K-pop entrepreneurship' lauded for setting an example for global cultural leadership By Kwak Yeon-sooK-pop is tech-savvy. K-pop artists were able to build a global fandom thanks to their strategic use of YouTube and social media to interact with their fans abroad. Considering its tech-friendly nature, it's no surprise K-pop is remaining strong despite the pandemic. K-pop musicians' bonds with global fans are stronger than one might expect, partly because their decades-old relationships were built online, according to a K-pop expert. Lee Gyu-tag, assistant professor of cultural studies at George Mason University Korea, explained that more than 10 years of active promotional activities in Asia laid the groundwork for K-pop's worldwide success.“The popularity of K-pop rose in Asia in the late 2000s, and it grew bigger in the 2010s as K-pop became part of the mainstream,” he said. “In the 2000s, there were many second-generation Southeast Asian de

Jan 3, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo
K-pop in 2021: Social media-friendly musicians survive pandemic
  • Unstoppable hallyu: Will it last?
  • Pandemic-driven paradigm shift underway in hallyu
Entertainment

K-dramas to watch out for in 2021

A teaser image of tvN series “Cliffhanger” / Courtesy of A Story By Kwak Yeon-sooIn 2020, K-dramas soared in popularity as pandemic-driven lockdowns drove viewers to the small screen. They made waves across the globe thanks to streaming platforms like Netflix. Melodrama “Crash Landing on You” caused a sensation in Japan and historical zombie drama “Kingdom 2” attracted attention after viewers raved about the gripping storyline, sumptuous sets and elaborate costumes.After such a strong year, some of the freshest new TV series will land on TV this year. They traverse genres including fantasy, thriller and period dramas. Here are our picks of the K-dramas of 2021 to watch. TvN drama “Cliffhanger,” also known as “Jirisan” starring Jun Ji-hyun and Ju Ji-hoon, is a mystery thriller that depicts mountain rescuers and park rangers trying to help lost hikers. Written by Kim Eun-hee (“Kingdom”) and helmed by director Lee Eung-bok (“Mr. Sunshine” and “Sweet Home”), it is one o

Jan 2, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo
K-dramas to watch out for in 2021
Entertainment

Kim Go-eun cast in popular webcomic-based romance drama

Actress Kim Go-eun / Courtesy of Studio Dragon By Kwak Yeon-sooActress Kim Go-eun has been cast in the upcoming drama series “Yumi's Cells,” an adaptation of a popular webcomic of the same title.Set to begin filming sometime in the first half of 2021, “Yumi's Cells” is a story of a 30-something office worker named Kim Yumi and her anthropomorphized blue-hooded brain cells that control her mood, thoughts and actions.The Naver webcomic by Lee Dong-gun recorded over 3.2 billion accumulated views and wrapped up with 512 episodes last November. The series will combine live-action and animated elements so that the brain cells resemble Lee's depiction of them in the original webcomic. The script will be created by three writers ― Song Jae-jung of tvN drama series “Memories of the Alhambra” (2018), Kim Yoon-ju of MBC drama series “Find Me in Your Memory” (2020) and rookie writer Kim Kyung-ran. Lee Sang-yeop of tvN series “Familiar Wife” (2018) will produce the upcoming seri

Jan 1, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo
Kim Go-eun cast in popular webcomic-based romance drama
Entertainment

Five Korean movies to look forward to in 2021

By Kwak Yeon-sooWith plenty of films that were slated to hit the screen in 2020 being forced to delay their release dates and also brand new films, there's a lot to look forward to in 2021. From historical action to thriller and romance movies, this year looks to be promising for the big screen. A poster for the film “Hansan: Rise of the Dragon” / Courtesy of Lotte Entertainment Hansan: Rise of the Dragon Director Kim Han-min, the masterful mind behind “War of the Arrows” (2011) and “Roaring Currents” (2014), is returning with another naval epic “Hansan: Rise of the Dragon” that centers on the legendary historical figure Admiral Yi Sun-sin. “Roaring Currents” is by far the highest-grossing film in Korea, which garnered over 17 million moviegoers. Park Hae-il will play the Admiral while Byun Yo-han will depict his Japanese rival. Set five years prior to the events of “Roaring Currents,” the film will dramatize the Battle of Hansan Island, which took place in 1592. Deci

Jan 1, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo
Five Korean movies to look forward to in 2021
Entertainment

Rising star Lee Do-hyun likely to rule 2021 after starring in monster thriller

Actor Lee Do-hyun / Courtesy of Netflix By Kwak Yeon-sooOver the past three years, Lee Do-hyun has ascended from up-and-coming actor to becoming a bona fide A-list star appearing in the Netflix original series “Sweet Home.” The actor has demonstrated his talents in a number of TV series since making his debut in 2017.In the tvN drama “Prison Playbook,” he played the younger version of Jung Kyung-ho's character. He then attracted more attention acting across from IU as her character's first love in the tvN drama “Hotel Del Luna” (2019). This year he starred in the JTBC drama “18 Again” as the younger version of Yoon Sang-hyun who becomes his teenage self again. In the latest Netflix original series “Sweet Home,” he played the character of Lee Eun-hyuk who is realistic and a natural leader in an apartment complex “Green Home” where he must separate and protect people from infected humans turning into monsters.“Eun-hyuk is realistic and rational. People dislike him for

Dec 31, 2020By Kwak Yeon-soo
Rising star Lee Do-hyun likely to rule 2021 after starring in monster thriller
Films

Netflix film 'What Happened to Mr. Cha?' showcases real Cha In-pyo

A scene from the film "What Happened to Mr. Cha?" / Courtesy of NetflixBy Kwak Yeon-sooActor Cha In-pyo has never been too far from the public eye, but his acting career was overshadowed by his personal life and charity work. Cha was enjoying life as one of the biggest stars in the 1990s with his roles in MBC's drama “All My Love For You” (1994) and “Star in My Heart” (1997). But his personal life ― marrying actress Shin Ae-ra, adopting two daughters and actively participating in charity work in and outside the country ― confined him to the “good guy” image and limited his roles. Confessing he was getting tired of the image portrayed on TV shows, Cha chose Netflix to break the mold. The upcoming Netflix film “What Happened to Mr. Cha?” follows Cha's struggle to claw his way back to the top and restore the glory of his heydays as an actor.The eponymous star plays himself in a role that he has never before attempted. He crosses the boundaries between his real self and the fictional character in the film. He showcases his outgoing, relatab

Dec 29, 2020By Kwak Yeon-soo
Netflix film 'What Happened to Mr. Cha?' showcases real Cha In-pyo
Trends

Hanok-themed tea room offers unique herbal blends

Herbalist Kim Dam-bi wraps a Christmas tea box at her tea room located in central Seoul, Dec. 16. / Korea Times photo by Choi Won-sukHerbalist offers de-stressing recipes to make it through pandemicBy Kwak Yeon-sooKim Dam-bi, 30, runs a tea room in a 90-year-old hanok, or traditional Korean house, and directs experience-focused workshops and events on the themes of tea, incense, music and meditation.Like many in contemporary society who are exposed to vast amounts of information daily, she often feels stressed as a result of the tech and social media overload.“In the 21st century, people are always exhausted because they stare at computers and smartphones for many hours. I want to keep their eyes from feeling tired and turn their attention to their other senses,” she said. Before becoming a herbalist, Kim was a DJ who was active in Seoul and Berlin. “I've always wanted to live abroad and explore new cultures. So I majored in French and English in college and lived in Australia in my early 20s,” she said. “After experiencing the party culture there, I rea

Dec 24, 2020By Kwak Yeon-soo
Hanok-themed tea room offers unique herbal blends
Entertainment

Chae Rim divorces Chinese actor

By Kwak Yeon-sooChae Rim / Courtesy of Hunus EntertainmentKorean actress Chae Rim, best known for acting in 2000's “All About Eve,” has split up from her husband Chinese actor Gao Ziqi after six years of marriage.Reports and rumors about their divorce surfaced Thursday, and the actress admitted that she has recently parted ways with Gao and moved back to Korea with her son. She didn't elaborate on the exact timing or cause of the separation. “I'm not the type of person who wants to explain everything and hopes for understanding. I just choose to live my life to the fullest in silence,” Chae wrote on Instagram. Gao posted on Weibo, saying “I sincerely thank Liu's mother and wish her the best in the future.”The two first met while shooting a 2013 Chinese TV drama “The Lee Family,” in which they starred as a couple. They married in October 2014, and welcomed their son in December 2017.Chae debuted after winning the 1994 Miss Haitai beauty pageant, and has appeared in hit TV series such as SBS' “KAIST” (1999), KBS' “Oh! Pi

Dec 18, 2020By Kwak Yeon-soo
Chae Rim divorces Chinese actor
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