The Korea Times

Ma Dong-seok goes all out to create iconic action hero in 'The Outlaws' threequel

A scene from the film "The Roundup: No Way Out" / Courtesy of ABO EntertainmentBy Kwak Yeon-sooActor Ma Dong-seok said he has poured his heart and soul into making “The Roundup: No Way Out,” the third installment of “The Outlaws” series.The bone-crunching action comedy film follows detective Ma Seok-do (Ma) after he has joined the Regional Investigation Unit. He and his colleagues discover that Japanese gangsters have smuggled illegal drugs into Korea and an unidentified villain is involved in the distribution. ?Actor Lee Jun-hyuk joins the franchise as the new film's villain while Japanese actor Aoki Munetaka will play Riki, a member of the yakuza syndicate.Unlike the two previous films ― “The Outlaws” (2017) and “The Roundup” (2022) ― that featured a single villain, “The Roundup: No Way Out” features two antagonists.“The two villains are not parallel characters. They are three-dimensional, powerful characters who build the thrill and complicate Ma's investigation,” he said during an interview with The Korea Tim

May 25, 2023By Kwak Yeon-soo

Ma Dong-seok goes all out to create iconic action hero in 'The Outlaws' threequel

Films

Ha Jung-woo to direct, star in comedy film, 'OB'

Actor-director Ha Jung-woo / Courtesy of NetflixBy Kwak Yeon-sooActor Ha Jung-woo will direct and star in comedy film tentatively titled, “OB,” about a man lobbying financiers and lawmakers by taking them on golf tours to win a government contract.“Ha is in the process of writing the script and casting new faces for his upcoming film 'OB,'”his management agency, Workhouse Company, said, Friday. Ha previously helmed the 2013 disaster comedy film, “Fasten Your Seatbelt,” and 2015 drama film, “Chronicle of a Blood Merchant.” As an actor, he has several projects lined up for cinematic release this year. “Boston 1947,” which chronicles the exploits of Korean athletes during the Boston Marathon in 1947, will be released in theaters in September. Another film, “Kidnapped” (working title), which tells the story of Korean hostages captured in Beirut, Lebanon in the 1980s, is also set for release this year. The exact date is yet to be announced. Ha's movie career took a back seat while he was investigated for drug use in 2

May 22, 2023By Kwak Yeon-soo

Ha Jung-woo to direct, star in comedy film, 'OB'

Shows & Dramas

K-dramas 'True to Love,' 'Doctor Cha' under fire for insensitive dialogue

A poster for the ENA drama, “True to Love,” also known as “Bo-ra! Deborah” / Courtesy of ENABy Kwak Yeon-sooTwo Korean dramas ― “True to Love” and “Doctor Cha” ― have drawn criticism in recent weeks for an inappropriate historical analogy and remarks about Crohn's disease.The production company of ENA drama “True to Love,” also known as “Bo-ra! Deborah,” apologized, Thursday, after viewers overseas complained about a scene where the lead character compares the importance of taking care of one's appearance with prisoners of the Auschwitz Nazi concentration camp attempting to maintain their dignity. In the ninth episode of “True to Love” that aired on May 10, Bo-ra (Yoo In-na) made the misguided analogy when stressing the importance of wearing make-up and dressing up.“In the Auschwitz concentration camp, where people were living in deplorable conditions, some of them managed to take half a cup of water and used the remaining portion to wash their faces. They even used a piece of glass and the back

May 21, 2023By Kwak Yeon-soo

K-dramas 'True to Love,' 'Doctor Cha' under fire for insensitive dialogue

Trends

Yoido Full Gospel Church celebrates 65th anniversary

Yoido Full Gospel Church Senior Pastor Lee Young-hoon speaks during a press conference to celebrate the church's 65th anniversary at Fairmont Ambassador Seoul hotel, Thursday. Courtesy of Yoido Full Gospel ChurchBy Kwak Yeon-sooAs part of activities marking its 65th anniversary, Yoido Full Gospel Church expressed commitment to expand support for the needs of underprivileged people in society.Yoido Full Gospel Church, which started in 1958 by holding services under a makeshift tent in northwestern Seoul, grew to become the world's largest congregation. It now has around 580,000 members. “In the past 65 years, the church has reached out to thousands of people providing relief materials and food for them. Our mission lies in helping marginalized communities,” Lee Young-hoon, senior pastor of the church, said during a press conference held at Fairmont Ambassador Seoul Hotel, Thursday. “I recently became aware of groups that need our assistance. They are North Korean children born to defectors who were sold to Chinese men by traffickers. They have no access to citizenshi

May 18, 2023By Kwak Yeon-soo

Yoido Full Gospel Church celebrates 65th anniversary

Films

Ju Ji-hoon, Lee Sun-kyun's 'Project Silence' pre-sold to 140 countries

A poster for the film "Project Silence" / Courtesy of CJ ENMBy Kwak Yeon-soo“Project Silence,” starring actor Ju Ji-hoon and Lee Sun-kyun, was pre-sold to 140 countries across the world.The film's distributor CJ ENM said on Wednesday that the film, which was invited to the 76th Cannes Film Festival's Midnight Screening section, was sold to major European countries including France, Germany, Spain and Italy as well as Japan and Hong Kong. “Foreign buyers are confident about the quality of the film after watching already unveiled movie clips. What's encouraging is the interest in not coming from one specific region. After the film premieres at the Cannes Film Festival, we expect it will be sold to more countries overseas,” a CJ ENM official said. “Project Silent” tells the story of people struggling to survive against an unexpected threat while trapped on a bridge on the verge of collapse, in thick fog. Lee plays the role of a man who tries to protect his daughter from the disaster while Ju stars as a tow truck driver.The film's world premiere will b

May 18, 2023By Kwak Yeon-soo

Ju Ji-hoon, Lee Sun-kyun's 'Project Silence' pre-sold to 140 countries

Entertainment

BTS to captivate moviegoers via 'Fast X' soundtrack, documentary films

BTS' Suga, left, and J-Hope promote their documentary films in a video released by their agency Hybe / Courtesy of HybeBy Kwak Yeon-sooEver since BTS began its indefinite hiatus in June 2022, its members have been busy pursuing their solo works. Their line of projects includes the song “Fast X” and the release of documentary films.BTS' Jimin, who released his first solo album “Face” in March, lent his voice to a song in the 10th installment of the “Fast and Furious” series.He collaborated together with American hip-hop artist Kodak Black and rapper NLE Choppa on “Angel, Part. 1.” The full music video was released on Wednesday. Jimin became the first ever Korean artist to feature on an original soundtrack for a “Fast and Furious” movie franchise release. He recently landed at No. 1 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart with “Like Crazy” from his solo album “Face.”“Fast X” follows Dom Toretto (Vin Diesel) who confronts Dante Reyes (Jason Momoa), the villain who is out for revenge for the deat

May 17, 2023By Kwak Yeon-soo

BTS to captivate moviegoers via 'Fast X' soundtrack, documentary films

Entertainment

Culture ministry hopes to spur global spread of K-content

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Park Bo-gyoon speaks during a press conference marking his first year in office held in Seoul, Tuesday. YonhapBy Kwak Yeon-sooMinister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Park Bo-gyoon said strengthening ties with U.S. streaming giant Netflix aims to promote local talent on the world stage and drive innovations in the country's cultural sector. During President Yoon Suk Yeol's recent state visit to the U.S., the Korea Content Creative Agency and the Korean Film Council signed a memorandum of understanding with Netflix to foster young talent and produce a range of TV series, films and shows. “It was the first time in history that a culture minister accompanied the president on his state visit. This reflects the growing importance of K-content and the role of culture in relations with other countries,” the culture minister said during a press conference held in Seoul, Tuesday. However, he noted that attracting foreign investment may be a double-edged sword.“I understand that receiving heavy investment from global streamers has both b

May 16, 2023By Kwak Yeon-soo

Culture ministry hopes to spur global spread of K-content

Films

'Extraordinary Attorney Woo' writer to debut as director

Screenwriter Moon Ji-won / Courtesy of ENABy Kwak Yeon-sooThe screenwriter of the hit drama, “Extraordinary Attorney Woo,” will make her directorial debut with a mystery thriller that features a hearing child of deaf parents. Barunson Studio, the production company behind Kim Jee-woon's black comedy, “Cobweb,” will produce Moon Ji-won's feature directorial debut.“Deaf Voice” (working title) is a mystery thriller following the story of a child of deaf adults who uncovers new evidence in an unsolved murder case 20 years after the crime. The film is based on Japanese writer Maruyama Masaki's novel, “Deaf Voice: A Sign-Language Interpreter in Court.” Moon will also pen the script for the project. “'Deaf Voice' centers on a protagonist who is caught between the deaf and hearing worlds. His story highlights the complexities of mixed identity in hearing status. As a police officer proficient in sign language, he also seeks the truth behind an unsolved murder case that took place in the deaf community,” Moon said in a statement. &ld

May 15, 2023By Kwak Yeon-soo

'Extraordinary Attorney Woo' writer to debut as director

Films

Taiwanese star Greg Hsu visits Korea to promote 'Marry My Dead Body'

A scene from the film "Marry My Dead Body" /Courtesy of Lian ContentsBy Kwak Yeon-sooTaiwanese actor Greg Hsu visited Korea for the third time this year to promote his new film “Marry My Dead Body.”In January, Hsu visited Korea to promote the movie adaptation of the 2019 hit Taiwanese series “Someday or One Day” with his co-stars Alice Ko and Patrick Shih. In April, he attended Baeksang Arts Awards to present the Best Director award. “I'm so glad to come back to Korea to promote my latest film,” he said during a press conference for the film in Seoul, Friday. Directed by Cheng Wei-hao, “Marry My Dead Body” is a supernatural comedy film that follows a homophobic detective named Ming-han (Hsu) who is coerced into a “ghost marriage” with the gay ghost Mao-mao (Austin Lin). Ming-han reluctantly agrees to help Mao-mao fulfill his wish list, which includes searching for Mao-mao's killer. Hsu said he was drawn to the film's unusual subjects of gay rights and the environment. “When I received the script, I was attracted to the

May 14, 2023By Kwak Yeon-soo

Taiwanese star Greg Hsu visits Korea to promote 'Marry My Dead Body'

Films

BIFF director Huh Moon-yung announces shock resignation

Huh Moon-yung, director of the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) / Courtesy of BIFFBy Kwak Yeon-sooHuh Moon-yung, director of the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), has offered his resignation five months before this year's edition scheduled for Oct. 4-13. According to local reports, Huh expressed his intention to step down from his post during an internal meeting last week. The reason for his alleged resignation is unknown. He still has about 10 months left before his term expires in March 2024. The BIFF said Huh's resignation has yet to be processed. Some suggest that Huh's sudden resignation is over his frustration with the festival's decision to create the new post of a joint director. On Tuesday, the festival's board of directors appointed Cho Jong-kook as managing director.“Festival Director Huh Moon-yung will continue to oversee the official selection of films and festival events and discover prominent directors and films in Korea and Asia, while Managing Director Cho Jong-kook will oversee the operation of the organization, such as corporate operation, gen

May 14, 2023By Kwak Yeon-soo

Kwak Yeon-soo

Read more

Ma Dong-seok goes all out to create iconic action hero in 'The Outlaws' threequel

Ha Jung-woo to direct, star in comedy film, 'OB'

K-dramas 'True to Love,' 'Doctor Cha' under fire for insensitive dialogue

Yoido Full Gospel Church celebrates 65th anniversary

Ju Ji-hoon, Lee Sun-kyun's 'Project Silence' pre-sold to 140 countries

BTS to captivate moviegoers via 'Fast X' soundtrack, documentary films

Culture ministry hopes to spur global spread of K-content

'Extraordinary Attorney Woo' writer to debut as director

Taiwanese star Greg Hsu visits Korea to promote 'Marry My Dead Body'

BIFF director Huh Moon-yung announces shock resignation

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