The Korea Times

INTERVIEW Ahn Jae-hong on playing underdog basketball coach in 'Rebound'

Actor Ahn Jae-hong / Courtesy of Barunson E&ABy Kwak Yeon-sooActor Ahn Jae-hong said “Rebound” is a feel-good sports movie that reminds viewers to cherish every moment in life. Based on the true story of JungAng High School basketball team in 2012, the drama follows Ahn who takes on the role of enthusiastic basketball coach Kang Yang-hyun (Ahn Jae-hong), trying to rally a struggling basketball team.Under Kang's guidance, undersized and under-skilled players defy the odds and naysayers to rise to the finals of the national high school basketball league.“I think today's generation doesn't appreciate the present moment so much. Many sacrifice the present for the future. Our movie conveys a message of 'Let's cherish the moment,'” he said during an interview with The Korea Times, Wednesday. To capture the spirit of his real-life counterpart, Ahn studied the coach's mannerisms; the way he moved and talked. He even gained 10 kilograms in a week to fully embody the character.“I wanted to look and sound like coach Kang, so I watched every video of his intervi

Mar 29, 2023By Kwak Yeon-soo

[INTERVIEW] Ahn Jae-hong on playing underdog basketball coach in 'Rebound'

Shows & Dramas

Ra Mi-ran, Lee Re to lead fantasy drama 'The Mysterious Candy Store'

Actresses Ra Mi-ran, left, and Lee Re / Courtesy of C-Jes EntertainmentBy Kwak Yeon-sooActresses Ra Mi-ran and Lee Re will lead a new fantasy drama tentatively titled “The Mysterious Candy Store.” The series will be directed by Park Bong-seob, who previously helmed “Uncanny Counter” (2020-2021) and “Eve” (2022).Based on Reiko Hiroshima's children's novel of the same title, the drama revolves around a mysterious candy store only visible to lucky people. The store owner gives personalized candy recommendations for each visitor based on their worries. If people eat or use candies incorrectly, things may not go as planned. In the end, it is up to the person receiving the sweet whether it brings them fortune or misfortune.In the series, Ra will play the role of candy store owner Hong-ja who prescribes candies to make one's dream come true. “While reading the script of 'The Mysterious Candy Store,' I imagined how sweets sold by Hong-ja could grant wishes to her customers. I'm curious about how the script will be turned into a live-action drama,&rdq

Mar 28, 2023By Kwak Yeon-soo

Ra Mi-ran, Lee Re to lead fantasy drama 'The Mysterious Candy Store'

Entertainment

'My ID is Gangnam Beauty' to be adapted into live action series in Thailand

A poster of Thai drama “Beauty Newbie,” adapted from Naver webtoon “My ID is Gangnam Beauty” / Courtesy of Naver WebtoonBy Kwak Yeon-sooNaver's webtoon “My ID is Gangnam Beauty” will be adapted into a live-action Thai drama series, expected to air early in 2024. The original webtoon was already adapted into a Korean drama series in 2018, fronted by actors Lim Soo-hyang and Cha Eun-woo. The Thai remake titled “Beauty Newbie” will consist of 14 episodes and follow a college freshman who starts her campus life after undergoing plastic surgery. Thai actors Baifern Pimchanok and Win Metawin have been cast as leads.The original webtoon was published in eight different languages, including Thai, and earned more than 1.4 billion views.“It's been years since I completed 'My ID is Gangnam Beauty' and it was made into a drama series in Korea. Seeing how it's getting a foreign remake makes me realize that Korean webtoons are highly popular overseas,” author Gi Maeng-gi said in a statement. There has been a growing demand for foreign ada

Mar 28, 2023By Kwak Yeon-soo

'My ID is Gangnam Beauty' to be adapted into live action series in Thailand

Films

Will April releases revive Korean cinema? Films to look out for in April

A scene from the film "Dream" / Courtesy of Plus M EntertainmentBy Kwak Yeon-sooKorean cinema is lagging behind Hollywood and Japanese titles which have continued high records at the local box office in the first quarter of 2023. The number one and two films in February were Japanese anime “The First Slam Dunk” and Marvel superhero film “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.” They racked up ticket sales while homegrown films failed to break even.According to the Korean Film Council's (KOFIC) monthly report on the local film industry, Korean films accounted for 19.8 percent of total box office sales last month at 13.4 billion won ($10.3 million). That is the lowest level since KOFIC started compiling data in 2004. By contrast, foreign films posted stronger performances, posting 55.6 million won in sales.One notable factor in the poor Korean score was the lack of hit films, along with changing audience tastes, fragmentation in viewership between theaters and streaming services and expensive ticket prices. Much anticipated films like “The Point Men” and

Mar 27, 2023By Kwak Yeon-soo

Films

Lee Sun-kyun, Lee Ha-nee reunite in new rom-com 'Killing Romance'

A scene from the film, "Killing Romance" / Courtesy of Lotte EntertainmentBy Kwak Yeon-sooActors Lee Sun-kyun and Lee Ha-nee are reuniting in the upcoming film, “Killing Romance,” 13 years after starring together in hit TV series “Pasta.” The comedy film is directed by Lee Won-suk, who helmed the 2013 romantic comedy, “How to Use Guys with Secret Tips.” The script was penned by “The Beauty Inside” (2015) writer Park Jeong-ye. The story follows a retired actress named Yeo-rae who marries a chaebol family member named Jonathan (Lee Sun-kyun) and meets her avid fan Beon-woo (Gong Myung) who lives next door to her. Lee Ha-nee said, “Killing Romance” captures something never seen before in a Korean film. It has a bit of every genre in it, including drama, comedy, romance and thriller, she added.“This film is so unusual and unique in a way that takes viewers on a hilarious journey,” she said during a press conference for the film, Friday. “For the first time, I had to look beautiful on screen because Yeo-rae is a

Mar 26, 2023By Kwak Yeon-soo

Lee Sun-kyun, Lee Ha-nee reunite in new rom-com 'Killing Romance'

Entertainment

Kim Nam-gil to embark on Asia fan-meeting tour

Actor Kim Nam-gil / Courtesy of GILSTORY ENTBy Kwak Yeon-sooActor Kim Nam-gil will go on a fan-meeting tour in seven cities across Asia, according to his agency GILSTORY ENT on Thursday.The actor will embark on a fan meet-and-greet tour titled “Again” starting from Seoul on June 10. After the Seoul meet-and-greet event, the tour will continue to Tokyo, Osaka, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Taipei and Singapore. The agency will later announce exact dates and information on ticket reservations. “I'm excited about meeting my overseas fans after the pandemic. I'm preparing a lot so that we can all spend a memorable time together,” Kim said in a press release, adding that he will perform the songs from hit series' soundtracks and the cover versions of songs. Kim debuted with a minor role in the KBS' “School” in 1999, and since then starred in various films and TV shows, including the hit TV series “Queen Seondeok” and “Through the Darkness.”His latest series “Island” entered the top 10 Best TV shows on Amazon Prime Video and sta

Mar 24, 2023By Kwak Yeon-soo

Kim Nam-gil to embark on Asia fan-meeting tour

Trends

Palaces, Cheong Wa Dae offer cultural events to celebrate arrival of spring

Gyeongbok Palace at night / Courtesy of the Cultural Heritage AdministrationBy Kwak Yeon-sooVarious cultural events are expected to take place at Joseon-era (1392-1910) palaces and Cheong Wa Dae (the former presidential office) in Seoul to celebrate spring's arrival. Flowers are expected to blossom at the end of this month before reaching peak bloom in April, according to the state-run Cultural Heritage Administration (CHA) Royal Palaces and Tombs Center.Gyeongbok Palace will offer its spring nighttime tour program from April 5 to May 31, the government agency said Thursday.The night view of Gyeongbok Palace in spring is well-known for its stunningly illuminated cherry blossoms. Up to 2,500 visitors will be admitted per evening. Reservations are required and can be made through the 11Street website. Online reservations will open on March 29 for April admissions and April 26 for May admissions, with each person limited to two tickets. Each day 200 tickets will be set aside for foreigners to purchase at the Gwanghwamun Ticket Office. There are no nighttime tours on Mondays and Tuesdays

Mar 23, 2023By Kwak Yeon-soo

Palaces, Cheong Wa Dae offer cultural events to celebrate arrival of spring

Films

Jeon Jong-seo discusses her first Hollywood role in 'Mona Lisa and Blood Moon'

A scene from the film, "Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon" / Courtesy of Pan CinemaBy Kwak Yeon-sooJeon Jong-seo said she found it liberating to play Mona Lisa Lee in her Hollywood debut feature “Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon.”The sci-fi thriller film follows a mysterious woman named Mona Lisa Lee (Jeon) with supernatural abilities, who escapes from a closed psychiatric ward and makes her way to the streets of New Orleans. Once out in the world, she befriends Bonnie Hunt (Kate Hudson), a local stripper and single mother.“It was liberating to star alongside Hollywood actors. Because music plays an important role in our movie, there was always a big speaker on set playing punk music. We were all in a festive mood,” she said in a written interview released by distributor Pan Cinema, Wednesday.Her audition process was rigorous, with Jeon going a week without sleep to prepare for the audition.“I submitted an audition tape and was cast without any in-person meeting. I had to join the cast right after I finished filming 'The Call,' so there was a lot of anxiousness.

Mar 22, 2023By Kwak Yeon-soo

Jeon Jong-seo discusses her first Hollywood role in 'Mona Lisa and Blood Moon'

Films

'Kill Boksoon' star Jeon Do-yeon talks about why she signed up without reading script

From left, actors Seol Kyung-gu, E Som, Jeon Do-yeon, Kim Sia and Koo Kyo-hwan pose during a press conference for the film, "Kill Boksoon," held at the Grand InterContinental Seoul, Tuesday. Courtesy of NetflixBy Kwak Yeon-sooBefore she even got her hands on the script for "Kill Boksoon," Jeon Do-yeon said she had already committed to the Netflix film. Eager to take on different roles and different genres, she agreed to be the co-lead with Seol Kyung-gu. “Kill Boksoon” marks their third collaboration following “I Wish I had a Wife” (2001) and “Birthday” (2019).“I've always wanted to do action movies, so I was intrigued by director Byun Sung-hyun's proposal. But I didn't really know about the specifics of the movie because the script wasn't ready,” she said during a press conference for the film, Tuesday. “After reading the script, I got scared because the action and fight scenes were more intense than I expected.”Director Byun, a self-proclaimed fan of Jeon, admitted that he offered her the role of a professional killer beca

Mar 21, 2023By Kwak Yeon-soo

'Kill Boksoon' star Jeon Do-yeon talks about why she signed up without reading script

Films

Park Sung-woong talks about filming 'Woong Nam' with comedian-turned-director

Actor Park Sung-woong / Courtesy of CJ CGVBy Kwak Yeon-sooActor Park Sung-woong is well-known for taking roles that are outside of his comfort zone. While most people know him for the 2013 crime thriller, “New World,” Park has appeared in many other noteworthy films such as “Inside Me” (2019), “OK! Madam” (2020) and “Gentleman” (2022).He is also one of the A-list stars who frequently collaborates with first-time filmmakers. Last year, he starred in Lee Han-jong's feature directorial debut “Daemuga.” Park's latest “Woong Nam” is directed by Park Sung-kwang, who is well-known as a comedian. His next project is actor Jung Woo-sung's directorial debut, “A Man of Reason.”In the comedy film, “Woong Nam,” the actor plays the dual role of bear-turned-superhuman Woong-nam and his twin brother Woong-bok who were separated at birth. Woong-nam, raised by his loving stepparents, serves as a police officer, while Woong-bok becomes the second-in-command of a criminal gang. One day, Woong-nam becomes invo

Mar 20, 2023By Kwak Yeon-soo

Kwak Yeon-soo

Read more

INTERVIEW Ahn Jae-hong on playing underdog basketball coach in 'Rebound'

Ra Mi-ran, Lee Re to lead fantasy drama 'The Mysterious Candy Store'

'My ID is Gangnam Beauty' to be adapted into live action series in Thailand

Will April releases revive Korean cinema? Films to look out for in April

Lee Sun-kyun, Lee Ha-nee reunite in new rom-com 'Killing Romance'

Kim Nam-gil to embark on Asia fan-meeting tour

Palaces, Cheong Wa Dae offer cultural events to celebrate arrival of spring

Jeon Jong-seo discusses her first Hollywood role in 'Mona Lisa and Blood Moon'

'Kill Boksoon' star Jeon Do-yeon talks about why she signed up without reading script

Park Sung-woong talks about filming 'Woong Nam' with comedian-turned-director

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