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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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Films

24th Jeonju film festival opens with 'Tori and Lokita' by the Dardennes

Actors Jin Goo, left, and Gong Seung-yeon host the opening ceremony of the 24th Jeonju International Film Festival held at the Sori Arts Center in Jeonju, Thursday. YonhapBy Kwak Yeon-sooJEONJU ― The 24th Jeonju International Film Festival (JIFF), an annual celebration of indie films, kicked off on Thursday night with the Dardenne brother's immigration thriller, “Tori and Lokita.” The festival will run through May 6.Under the slogan “Beyond the Frame,” the festival will screen 247 films from 42 countries. The opening ceremony was hosted by actors Jin Goo and Gong Seung-yeon. “This year, events will be held in various streets and places to cater to the cinephiles of the city with a delightful cinematic experience. As the slogan says, step beyond the frame and don't be afraid to challenge yourselves. New experiments in cinema will bring a new world,” Jeonju Mayor Woo Beom-ki, who also serves as the chairman of the JIFF's organizing committee, said during the opening event held at the Sori Arts Center, Thursday. Some judges of this year's festival, in

Apr 27, 2023By Kwak Yeon-soo
24th Jeonju film festival opens with 'Tori and Lokita' by the Dardennes
Films

Jang Dong-yoon speaks about challenges of acting in first Korean 'screenlife' film 'Long D'

A scene from the film "Long D" / Courtesy of 12 JourneyBy Kwak Yeon-sooFor most of its runtime, “Long D” is just Jang Dong-yoon staring at a computer screen. Jang stars as Do-ha, who tries to get back together with his ex-girlfriend after a breakup.“Long D” follows a young couple dating via webcam after Do-ha's girlfriend Tae-in (Park You-na) moved to the southern coastal city of Geoje to make music. The couple's long-distance relationship starts to fall apart when Do-ha attends a Halloween party, blacks out and ditches his girlfriend at their fifth-anniversary dinner. Tae-in thinks Do-ha cheated on her, so he tries to restore her trust by proving his innocence.This film is primarily told via different types of screens― computers, smartphones and security cameras. “Screenlife” genre stories are told exclusively through the screens of various devices to create a narrative based on the characters' interactions within the digital world. All of the stories play out on Do-ha's monitor with the camera following his cursor's every move. It is co-produced

Apr 26, 2023By Kwak Yeon-soo
Jang Dong-yoon speaks about challenges of acting in first Korean 'screenlife' film 'Long D'
Shows & Dramas

Lee Je-hoon to star in 1960s-inspired 'Chief Detective' prequel

Actor Lee Je-hoon / Courtesy of Company OnBy Kwak Yeon-sooActor Lee Je-hoon has been tapped for the lead role in the new crime drama, “Chief Detective 1963” (working title), a prequel to the long-running MBC series, “Chief Detective” (1971-1989).“Chief Detective,” which told the story of a detective (Choi Bul-am) who investigates unsolved crimes, aired for 18 years and ended after its 880th episode. The series was highly popular, hitting a viewership rating of 70 percent.The upcoming series, which will be aired on MBC, is set in the 1960s and follows the early career of detective Park Young-han. Lee will portray the younger version of detective Park. The series will be helmed by director Kim Sung-hoon, whose previous works include the films, “Confidential Assignment” (2017) and “Rampant” (2018).Lee recently starred in the SBS drama, “Taxi Driver 2.” His other works include the dramas, “Signal” (2016) and “Move to Heaven” (2021), as well as films, “Architecture 101” (2012) and &

Apr 26, 2023By Kwak Yeon-soo
Lee Je-hoon to star in 1960s-inspired 'Chief Detective' prequel
Films

'Return to Seoul' reflects on adoptee's journey of self-discovery

From left, director Davy Chou, actors Park Ji-min and Oh Kwang-rok pose during a press conference for the film “Return to Seoul” held at CGV's Yongsan Branch in Seoul, Monday. YonhapBy Kwak Yeon-sooOn the surface, “Return to Seoul” looks like another film about an adoptee's emotional journey to find her biological parents. However, Cambodian French director Davy Chou goes one step further, providing a unique perspective from foreign eyes and focusing on the protagonist's journey of self-discovery.“Return to Seoul” tells the story of 25-year-old Freddie who searches for her birth parents during a spontaneous trip to Korea. The film spans over eight years in a series of episodes in which the Korean-born, French-adopted woman reconnects with her biological family and rediscovers her Korean heritage.Chou explained that his latest project is based on a true story of his friend, who was adopted when she was a baby and raised in France.“In 2011, when I first came to Korea to present a film at Busan International Film Festival, my friend Laure had be

Apr 25, 2023By Kwak Yeon-soo
'Return to Seoul' reflects on adoptee's journey of self-discovery
Trends

Joseon-era ritual stage in front of Gwanghwamun to be restored by October

An archaeological survey is carried out at the "woldae" site in front of Gwanghwamun, the main gate of Gyeongbok Palace in Seoul, Tuesday. YonhapBy Kwak Yeon-sooThe Joseon-era ritual stage in front of Gwanghwamun, which was damaged during the 1910-45 Japanese colonial period, will be restored by this October, the Cultural Heritage Administration (CHA) said on Tuesday.“Woldae” was the name for a terrace where kings carried out public rituals or ceremonies during the 1392-1910 Joseon Kingdom. The one in front of Gwanghwamun was damaged as a result of road construction and laying tracks for streetcars during Japan's 35-year occupation. According to “The Daily Record of the Construction of Gyeongbokgung Palace,” an account of the reconstruction process from early April 1865 until its completion in July 1868, Woldae was established in 1866 during the reign of King Gojong. Whether it existed in the early Joseon period before the Imjin War (1592-98) is still unknown, according to CHA officials. The distance from north to south of the original Woldae was 48.7 meters a

Apr 25, 2023By Kwak Yeon-soo
Joseon-era ritual stage in front of Gwanghwamun to be restored by October
Films

INTERVIEW IU credits 'My Mister' as turning point in her decade-long acting career

Singer-actress IU / Courtesy of EDAM EntertainmentBy Kwak Yeon-sooSince bursting onto the K-pop scene in 2008, IU has built an incredibly successful career as both a singer and an actress. IU credited the 2018 tvN series “My Mister” as a turning point in her decade-long acting career, adding that it enabled her to play more complex roles. “To me, every character is unforgettable. But I would say Ji-an's character role in 'My Mister' allowed me to take on a diverse slate of projects. In 2013, I starred in KBS series 'Bel Ami.' The show wasn't successful, but the role I played in that drama was a major source of inspiration for my character in 'Dream,'” she said during an interview with The Korea Times at a cafe in Seoul, Thursday. The sports comedy film “Dream” tells the story of a football coach named Hong-dae (Park Seo-joon) training a team of homeless people to compete in the Homeless World Cup. In the film, IU plays the role of a TV director named So-min who wants to make a documentary on Korea's first homeless football team.The singer-actress s

Apr 24, 2023By Kwak Yeon-soo
[INTERVIEW] IU credits 'My Mister' as turning point in her decade-long acting career
Films

Song Joong-ki and fellow cast of 'Hopeless' excited about Cannes invitation

A scene from the film, "Hopeless" / Courtesy of Plus M EntertainmentBy Kwak Yeon-sooActor Song Joong-ki and his fellow cast members said they are happy to be invited to the 76th Cannes Film Festival, which is screening their film, “Hopeless,” in the non-competitive Un Certain Regard section. Un Certain Regard features noteworthy films and is considered the most prominent among the out-of-competition sections. Director Bong Joon-ho's “Mother” and director Na Hong-jin's “The Yellow Sea” were screened at Un Certain Regard section in 2009 and 2010, respectively. Song, who will be attending the Cannes Film Festival for the first time, said he is honored to present his project on the global stage. He starred in the low-budget film for free.“I am honored and proud to be invited to the Cannes. 'Hopeless' is a film that was made with pure passion and dedication of everyone involved. I'm excited to watch it with the international audience and I look forward to sharing our thoughts and feelings about the film,” Song said through the film's distrib

Apr 23, 2023By Kwak Yeon-soo
Song Joong-ki and fellow cast of 'Hopeless' excited about Cannes invitation
Films

'The Roundup: No Way Out' to be released in first half of year

A poster for the film, "Roundup: No Way Out" / Courtesy of ABO EntertainmentBy Kwak Yeon-soo“The Roundup: No Way Out,” the third installment of “The Outlaws” series, will be released in the first half of this year.Ma Dong-seok, also known by his English name, Don Lee, will reprise his role as police officer Ma Seok-do, whose team cracks down on members of a Japanese yakuza group that commits crimes in Korea. Actor Lee Joon-hyuk will play the villain and Japanese actor Munetaka Aoki will play a Japanese gangster. Lee Sang-yong will be back in the director's chair following 2022's “The Roundup.”The filming of “Roundup: No Way Out” wrapped up in November, according to ABO Entertainment. “The film is currently in post-production for its release in either late May or early June. It boasts an expanded cinematic universe with more than one villain,” it said in a statement.“The Roundup” became the 13th most-watched film in Korean box office history, topping 12.6 million ticket sales last year. It tells the story of polic

Apr 19, 2023By Kwak Yeon-soo
'The Roundup: No Way Out' to be released in first half of year
Films

Hong Sang-soo's 'In Our Day,' Jason Yu's 'Sleep' to screen at Cannes 2023

A scene from the film, "In Our Day" / Courtesy of Jeonwonsa Film Co.By Kwak Yeon-sooKorean auteur Hong Sang-soo's “In Our Day” and director Jason Yu's “Sleep” have been selected to screen at side events of the Cannes Film Festival.Hong's 30th feature film was chosen as the closing film of Directors' Fortnight selection and Yu's debut feature was invited to Cannes Critics' Week. The two parallel selections run alongside the Cannes International Film Festival, but are operated independently. “In Our Day” follows the story of a woman in her early 40s living at the home of a friend and a man in his 70s living alone. Both have conversations with visiting friends and eat noodles. It stars Kim Min-hee, Song Sun-mi and Ki Joo-bong who are frequent collaborators of Hong. The makers of the film have not yet announced its release date.“For me, it is one of the lightest, most moving and funniest films Hong has made in recent years. The film epitomizes simplicity and minimalism and it deals with the little pleasures in life: food, alcohol, cigarettes, pet

Apr 19, 2023By Kwak Yeon-soo
Hong Sang-soo's 'In Our Day,' Jason Yu's 'Sleep' to screen at Cannes 2023
Films

James Gunn says 'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3' is more emotional than its predecessors

From left, director James Gunn, actors Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff and Chris Pratt pose during a press conference for the film, “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” at Conrad Seoul in Seoul, Tuesday. YonhapBy Kwak Yeon-sooDirector James Gunn said “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” tells an intimate story far more emotional than its predecessors and ends with the focus on Rocket's origin story.“This is the biggest and the smallest 'Guardians of the Galaxy' movie. When I say the smallest, I mean personal. The characters interacting with one another are so emotional. They are so close and intimate and that's much different from other MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) movies,” he told Korean reporters during a press conference for the film at the Conrad Seoul, Tuesday.“Rocket is really important to me because I relate to him a lot. He's an ultimate outsider. When I took this job in 2011 or 2012, it was Rocket's story that drove me to tell the Guardians' story. This movie is an exploration of this sad creature ― how he came to be so angry, where he came

Apr 18, 2023By Kwak Yeon-soo
James Gunn says 'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3' is more emotional than its predecessors
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