The Korea Times

National Ballet dancer fired for breaking self-quarantine rules

By Kwak Yeon-sooBallet dancer Na Dae-han. / Courtesy of Korean National BalletKorean National Ballet (KNB) dancer Na Dae-han has been fired for traveling to Japan with his girlfriend during a self-quarantine period amid the spread of COVID-19. The ballet held a disciplinary committee meeting Monday and decided to dismiss the dancer for breaking the self-quarantine regulations. This is the first time the KNB has fired a member since its establishment in 1962.Na, 28, a member of the corps de ballet (non-soloist dancers) traveled to Japan in late February and uploaded photos of himself and his girlfriend on his social media account.The KNB had advised all members to place themselves in quarantine from Feb. 24 to March 1 after performing in coronavirus-hit Daegu on Feb. 14 and 15. Due to the surge in coronavirus cases, the government designated hard-hit Daegu and parts of North Gyeongsang Province as “special disaster zones.”All artists, including Na, were instructed to stay home and report every day after checking their body temperature.According to the KNB's internal regula

Mar 17, 2020By Kwak Yeon-soo

National Ballet dancer fired for breaking self-quarantine rules

Films

Sci-fi thriller 'Paradise Hills' captures life in dystopian fantasy

Emma Roberts, left, and Eiza Gonzalez in “Paradise Hills” / Courtesy of All Star EntertainmentBy Kwak Yeon-sooSci-fi mystery thriller “Paradise Hills” is underpinned with gender and class commentary, but these ideas are failing to resonate with audiences here due to its convoluted plot and flamboyant imagery.The film follows a group of women from wealthy families who are sent to a “reform” institution on an island that turns young women into supposedly perfect versions of themselves in two months. The protagonist Uma (Emma Roberts) is set to marry an arrogant rich man, whom she is not keen on, and wakes up at the institution which Uma later describes as a “fascist boarding school.” There she is trained to be a submissive wife. Uma tries to flee in vain, but is dragged back to the Duchess (Milla Jovovich), a strict headmistress at what she calls a “center for emotional, holistic and sustained healing.” Uma soon makes friends with Chloe (Danielle Macdonald), who is being forced to diet by her rich parents, Yu (Awkwafina), who

Mar 16, 2020By Kwak Yeon-soo

Sci-fi thriller 'Paradise Hills' captures life in dystopian fantasy

Films

Horror films fill void for moviegoers amid COVID-19 fears

From top left, clockwise, are posters for “The Invisible Man,” “Brahms: The Boy 2,” “The Nightmare,” “St. Agatha,” “Stray,” “The Turning,” “It Comes” and “Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark.” / Courtesy of KOFICBy Kwak Yeon-sooWhile major film releases are being cancelled or postponed due to the spread of COVID-19, a batch of relatively low-budget horror films are being released as planned.The number of moviegoers in Korea fell to a 15-year low last month due to fears of the coronavirus outbreak. According to data provided by the Korean Film Council, 7.37 million people went to the cinema in February, down 66.9 percent from last year.Overall box office ticket sales have plummeted because of the COVID-19 outbreak, with the openings of 50 domestic and foreign films being postponed, including Disney's live-action version of “Mulan” and its new animated adventure, “Onward.”However, horror films are seeing the hiatus as a means of avoiding competition and an opportunity t

Mar 15, 2020By Kwak Yeon-soo

Horror films fill void for moviegoers amid COVID-19 fears

Music

Late Goo Ha-ra's family in legal battle over her estate

Late K-pop artist Goo Ha-ra / Korea Times file By Kwak Yeon-sooLate K-pop artist Goo Ha-ra's brother is currently in a legal battle with their estranged mother over the singer's estate. Her elder brother Goo Ho-in has filed a legal suit against their mother seeking a ruling on the division of the K-pop star's inheritance.Their mother, who abandoned them as children, has appointed legal representatives to acquire 50 percent of the inheritance on the basis that she is Ha-ra's biological mother. Under Korea's current law, even parents who have not taken care of or lost contact with their children have the right to inherit half of the deceased child's estate. Goo, the former member of K-pop girl group KARA, was found dead in her home in Seoul in last November at the age of 28. She had suffered from depression due to excessive online bullying and a legal battle with her ex-boyfriend, who threatened to leak sex tapes he recorded without her consent.Goo Ha-ra's brother cam

Mar 12, 2020By Kwak Yeon-soo

Late Goo Ha-ra's family in legal battle over her estate

People & Events

Godfather of late night talk show dies at 84

Johnny Yune performs on SBS' “Johnny Yune Story Show” at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Seoul, in this November 15, 1992 file photo. / Korea Times fileJohnny Yune was America's most visible Asian comicBy Kwak Yeon-sooPopular Korean American comedian and TV show host Johnny Yune, whose Korean name was Yune Jong-seung, died in Los Angeles, Sunday (local time). He was 84.He was taken to Alhambra Hospital Medical Center last Wednesday due to sudden drop in blood pressure but failed to recover.Following the deceased's wishes, Yune's body will be donated to the University of California-Irvine Medical Center.Yune pioneered a stylish late night show that walked a satirical tightrope in Korea. His show, however, was way ahead of its time and thus cut short.He was a well-known figure in both the American and Korean stand-up scenes, featuring in NBC's “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson” and hosting KBS2's “The Johnny Yune Show.”Born on Oct. 22, 1936 in Eumseong, North Chungcheong Province, Yune graduated from Sungdong High School in Seoul before attending Ohi

Mar 11, 2020By Kwak Yeon-soo

Godfather of late night talk show dies at 84

Trends

Homemade 'dalgona' latte goes viral amid epidemic

By Kwak Yeon-sooYouTube videos related to making dalgona coffee / Captured from YouTubeAmid the spread of COVID-19 and the social distancing campaign in Korea, many people are choosing to stay at and work from home. With more time at home, some try new things and create their own food recipes. Dalgona coffee, or Korean sugar candy latte, is one of the newest, popular hot beverage concoctions. A social distancing campaign, suggested by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, is aimed at preventing the spread of the new coronavirus by encouraging citizens to stay at home and shun public gatherings to reduce the chances for them catching the virus.It also suggests keeping in touch by using social media instead of meeting people personally.As the outbreak continues, young Koreans are turning to social media platforms to ease their anxiety and to find something to do.Yi Hyun-joo, 26, who has been working from home for two weeks, recently found a new hobby. “It's really frustrating to stay at home and not meet people. Because coronavirus-related news is depressing, I spend more time look

Mar 10, 2020By Kwak Yeon-soo

Homemade 'dalgona' latte goes viral amid epidemic

People & Events

Comedian Johnny Yune dies at 84

Comedian Johnny Yune / YonhapBy Kwak Yeon-sooPopular Korean American comedian Johnny Yune, whose Korean name is Yune Jong-seung, died in Los Angeles on March 8 (local time). He was 84. He had been receiving treatment in the U.S. after experiencing a brain hemorrhage in 2016.Born in Eumseong County, North Chungcheong Province in 1936, and raised in Seoul, Yune moved to the U.S. to attend Ohio Wesleyan University. He renounced his Korean citizenship and became a U.S. citizen in 1978. Yune earned fame on “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson,” appearing on the show 34 times in the 1970s and 1980s. He was one of the few Asian stand-up comedians to make it big. He also acted in a number of films.Meanwhile, he shot to fame in Korea in 1989 after hosting the “Johnny Yune Show,” the first American-style talk show here. He regained Korean citizenship, becoming a dual citizen in 2013.

Mar 10, 2020By Kwak Yeon-soo

Films

Spring film festivals delayed over COVID-19

By Kwak Yeon-sooA string of spring film festivals have been delayed amid the spread of COVID-19. The postponement of numerous film-related events is raising questions over the viability of the Jeonju International Film Festival, which is set to take place in just seven weeks.Seoul Independent Documentary Film Festival, originally slated for March 26-April 1, has been postponed to take place May 28-June 3.“To help protect our staff and attendees from COVID-19, we have decided to postpone this year's festival,” the organizing committee said in a statement. Additionally, the 25th annual Chunsa Film Art Awards, originally scheduled for April, has been postponed to June in light of the growing health hazard, organizers said Monday. The new dates have yet to be announced.“Bong Joon-ho's four Oscar wins and Hong Sang-soo's Silver Bear award at the Berlin International Film Festival have opened a new era for Korea's film industry. But with the outbreak of COVID-19, it's time to take a short hiatus,” festival director Yang Yun-ho said.According to the festival organize

Mar 9, 2020By Kwak Yeon-soo

Spring film festivals delayed over COVID-19

Entertainment

Korea to nurture Hallyu-linked sectors as growth engine in 2020

First Vice Culture Minister Kim Yong-sam speaks during a press briefing at the Central Government Complex, Seoul, Thursday. / YonhapBy Kwak Yeon-sooKorea will spend a total of 1.69 trillion won ($1.42 billion) in assistance funds in 2020 as part of its plan to foster local creativity and boost global sales of Korean cultural content, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said Thursday.Under its 2020 policy plan, the culture ministry plans to make 80 billion won worth of venture investments to support pioneering projects. It will also increase its financial support for augmented reality and virtual reality content to 75.1 billion won this year, from 55.6 billion won in 2019, to further encourage research and development in the emerging high-tech sector.For the first time in history, the country's content industry saw its combined exports surpass the $10 billion mark in 2019. Director Bong Joon-ho's black comedy “Parasite” won four Academy Awards, including best picture and best director, in February. K-pop phenomenon BTS also topped the Billboard Top 200 album chart

Mar 6, 2020By Kwak Yeon-soo

Korea to nurture Hallyu-linked sectors as growth engine in 2020

Shows & Dramas

'Kingdom' cast hint that young queen will play big role in season 2

Cast members pose for a photo during a press conference for the new Netflix series “Kingdom” Season 2 in Seoul, Thursday. / Courtesy of Netflix KoreaBy Kwak Yeon-sooThe much anticipated Netflix original series “Kingdom” season 2 will premiere on March 13 with the original cast. The new season will pick up from the ending of season 1 with a more intense storyline and additional characters.“Kingdom” is a zombie mystery thriller set during the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1897). Consisting of six episodes, the story revolves around Crown Prince Yi Chang, played by Ju Ji-hoon, who fights against a mysterious plague and the people behind an evil scheme.Season 2 will star the previous main cast, including Ju, Bae Doo-na and Ryu Seung-ryong, and will feature a guest appearance by Jun Ji-hyun. Details about Jun's character are still under wraps. Screenwriter Kim Eun-hee, who also wrote popular TV series “Signal,” drew the story from a 19th century royal court document that recorded tens of thousands of deaths in the capital amid the outbreak of an unid

Mar 5, 2020By Kwak Yeon-soo

Kwak Yeon-soo

Read more

National Ballet dancer fired for breaking self-quarantine rules

Sci-fi thriller 'Paradise Hills' captures life in dystopian fantasy

Horror films fill void for moviegoers amid COVID-19 fears

Late Goo Ha-ra's family in legal battle over her estate

Godfather of late night talk show dies at 84

Homemade 'dalgona' latte goes viral amid epidemic

Comedian Johnny Yune dies at 84

Spring film festivals delayed over COVID-19

Korea to nurture Hallyu-linked sectors as growth engine in 2020

'Kingdom' cast hint that young queen will play big role in season 2

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