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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

INTERVIEW Lee Ha-nee talks 'Phantom' transformation, motherhood

Actress Lee Ha-nee / Courtesy of CJ ENM By Kwak Yeon-sooLee Ha-nee proves she is a certifiable action star through solid action sequences in spy thriller “Phantom.” Set in 1933 during the Japanese colonial occupation of Korea, “Phantom” follows five people suspected of being spies for an anti-Japanese resistance group. Trapped inside an isolated hotel, the five characters must use their wits to survive and escape while suspecting one another. The star-studded cast includes actors Seol Kyung-gu, Park Hae-soo, Park So-dam and Seo Hyun-woo. “Three years ago, I read the script for 'Phantom' and I loved it. As an actor, it was an intriguing project and I was overjoyed to be offered a role that has a lot of weight,” she said during a recent interview with The Korea Times. Lee described her character, Park Cha-kyung, a communications department employee and from an upper-class family, as “a person who lives in order to die.”“I was drawn to the whirlwind of fate Park finds

Jan 15, 2023By Kwak Yeon-soo
[INTERVIEW] Lee Ha-nee talks 'Phantom' transformation, motherhood
Films

'Kill Boksoon' to screen at 73rd Berlin Film Festival

A scene from the film, "Kill Boksoon" / Courtesy of Netflix By Kwak Yeon-sooDirector Byun Sung-hyun's Netflix film, “Kill Boksoon,” was invited to screen at the 73rd Berlin International Film Festival, which will run from Feb. 16 to 26. The film will be presented as part of the Berlinale Special program, a non-competitive section of the festival that includes “documentary, feature and short films that elevate and explore cinema as an art form.” Some recognizable titles for this year's program include: Guy Nattiv's “Golda,” Andrea Di Stefano's “Last Night of Amore” and Mario Martone's “Massimo Troisi: Somebody Down There Likes Me.”“Kill Boksoon” stars Jeon Do-yeon, who won the best actress award at the Cannes Film Festival in 2007 for her performance in “Secret Sunshine.” In the upcoming action thriller, she will star as single mother and hired killer who struggles to find work-life balance. Actor Seol Kyung-gu, a frequent collaborator of director Byun who starred in

Jan 15, 2023By Kwak Yeon-soo
'Kill Boksoon' to screen at 73rd Berlin Film Festival
Films

'Jung_E' director, cast pay tribute to legendary actor Kang Soo-youn

Actors Kim Hyun-joo, right, and Ryu Kyung-soo pose during a press conference for the film, “Jung_E” held in Seoul, Thursday. Courtesy of Netflix By Kwak Yeon-sooDirector Yeon Sang-ho and the cast of “Jung_E” paid tribute to legendary actor Kang Soo-youn during a press conference for the film held in Seoul, Thursday. Kang, 55, died of a cerebral hemorrhage in May 2022 while “Jung_E” was in post-production. Yeon, the mastermind behind hit films and series such as “Train to Busan” (2016) and “Hellbound” (2021), revealed that Kang was the reason he wanted to turn “Jung_E” into a film.Set in the post-apocalyptic 22nd century, “Jung_E” follows the story of Yoon Seo-hyun (Kang), a researcher at Kranoid Lab who clones the brain of an elite soldier called Jung_E to create a combat AI warrior in an attempt to end a civil war.“At first, I didn't have the intention of creating this film. I was rather skeptical because it's a rare science-fiction genre and a small, personal stor

Jan 12, 2023By Kwak Yeon-soo
'Jung_E' director, cast pay tribute to legendary actor Kang Soo-youn
Films

Lee Dong-hwi, Jung Eun-chae's anti-romance film to release in February

Actor Lee Dong-hwi in a scene from the film "Maybe We Broke Up" (tentative title) / Courtesy of 26 Company By Kwak Yeon-sooAn anti-romantic film, starring Lee Dong-hwi and Jung Eun-chae, will hit local theaters in February. Directed by Hyung Seul-woo, “Maybe We Broke Up” (tentative title) follows the story of a young couple who are in a long-term relationship. They are in the process of breaking up as they no longer share the same beliefs about life and love.Lee takes on the role of Jun-ho, who moves into girlfriend Ah-young's house to keep studying for the civil service exam. Things start to crumble when he loses hope in life and places blame on his girlfriend. “I instantly fell in love with the script. I liked how it portrays the struggles of young adults in a realistic way. I'm sure that the film can gain the audience's sympathy,” Lee said.Jung stars as Ah-young, who gives up on her dream and becomes a real estate agent to support Jun-ho financially. She graduall

Jan 11, 2023By Kwak Yeon-soo
Lee Dong-hwi, Jung Eun-chae's anti-romance film to release in February
Books

New books by disgraced poet Ko Un spark calls for boycott

The book covers of “Conversations with Ko Un,” left, and “Song of Nothingness” (literal translation) / Courtesy of Silcheon MunhakBy Kwak Yeon-sooPoet Ko Un recently published two new books, sparking a boycott movement in protest of his alleged past sexual misconduct.Last month, publisher Silcheon Munhak released Ko's collection of 129 poems titled, “Song of Nothingness” (literal translation), and “Conversations with Ko Un,” a compilation of conversations between him and Iranian philosopher Ramin Jahanbegloo, to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the poet's debut in 1958.This marks the disgraced poet's return to the literary scene following multiple sexual misconduct allegations that were brought forth against him beginning in 2017. Neither the publisher nor the poet made any mention of the allegations. The publishing house did not immediately respond to a request for comment.The release of Ko's books immediately led to a campaign to boycott the books online, with many urging others to give his books a miss.“It's nothing but the

Jan 11, 2023By Kwak Yeon-soo
New books by disgraced poet Ko Un spark calls for boycott
Films

Two animated films enjoy increasing popularity at box office

A scene from the film, "The First Slam Dunk"/ Courtesy of SMF HoldingsBy Kwak Yeon-sooWhile “Avatar: The Way of Water” has been topping the box office for a month, two animated films, one from Japan and the other from the U.S., are enjoying a surge in popularity at the box office since their launch at local cinemas a week ago.“The First Slam Dunk,” based on Takehiko Inoue's basketball-themed manga series, “Slam Dunk,” ranked second with 460,000 moviegoers since Jan. 4, and DreamWorks' “Puss in Boots” sequel was ranked fourth with 330,000 people buying tickets to see the animated adventure. The top spot has been retained by “Avatar 2” with a total audience of 8.8 million since its Korean release on Dec. 14.“Slam Dunk” follows Ryota Miyagi, a high school student who plays point guard in his school's basketball team and his journey to become the champion of a nationwide tournament.According to data by CGV and Naver Movie, more than 60 percent of viewers were people in their 30s and 40s, who grew up reading the origi

Jan 10, 2023By Kwak Yeon-soo
Two animated films enjoy increasing popularity at box office
Shows & Dramas

Netflix to take 'K-zombie' genre to next level with 'Zombieverse'

From left, actress Lee Si-young, comedians Noh Hong-chul and Park Na-rae / Courtesy of Ace Factory, FNC Entertainment, JDB EntertainmentBy Kwak Yeon-sooZombie movies and TV series are some of the most popular titles in Korea. From the 2019 horror drama, “Kingdom,” to the 2022 zombie thriller, “All of Us Are Dead,” Netflix has invested heavily in zombie stories. Now, it is looking to take the “K-zombie” genre to the next level by producing a zombie-themed reality show in partnership with Kakao Entertainment.The streaming giant announced Monday a reality TV production based on its zombie universe that follows a group of contestants fighting for survival as Seoul comes under a zombie attack.Park Jin-kyung, writer and director of “My Little Television” and “Ant Be like Ddun Ddun,” has teamed up with Moon Sang-don, creator of “Hey! First Time in Korea?” and “Late Night Stroll,” to helm the new reality show titled, “Zombieverse.” The cast includes comedians Noh Hong-chul, Park Na-rae, singers Di

Jan 10, 2023By Kwak Yeon-soo
Netflix to take 'K-zombie' genre to next level with 'Zombieverse'
Films

Kim Seon-ho, Cha Seung-won reunite with director Park Hoon-jung in 'Tyrant'

Actors Cha Seung-won, left, and Kim Seon-ho / Courtesy of YG Entertainment, Salt Entertainment By Kwak Yeon-sooActors Kim Seon-ho, Cha Seung-won and Kim Kang-woo are set to star in “Tyrant,” a neo-noir action film directed by Park Hoon-jung, known for “New World” (2013) and “The Witch” franchise (2018, 2022).“Tyrant” follows the story of people who try to retrieve the last sample of the “tyrant” program, a secret government project, after it goes missing. Kim Seon-ho will play the role of a government agent who has been running the program unofficially. This is his second time the actor has teamed up with the director following “The Child,” an action thriller that is expected to be released in 2023.“It's an honor to work with director Park again after 'The Child' and be able to show a new side of me,” he said in a statement. The 36-year-old actor is best known for starring in the series, “Startup” (2020), and “Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha” (2021). Up next, he is in talks to

Jan 9, 2023By Kwak Yeon-soo
Kim Seon-ho, Cha Seung-won reunite with director Park Hoon-jung in 'Tyrant'
Arts & Theater

Theater lovers disappointed with hike in ticket prices

A poster for the stage play adaptation of "Shakespeare in Love" / Courtesy of ShownoteBy Kwak Yeon-sooWhen the first round of presale tickets for the stage play adaptation of “Shakespeare in Love” opened up in December, many theater lovers were shocked to find out that top ticket price was 110,000 won ($87). The lowest-priced ticket for the play was 50,000 won, higher than an average theater ticket price of 42,000 won, according to data from the Korea Performing Arts Box Office. “Tickets are becoming harder to find and more expensive to purchase. The VIP and the orchestra pit seats are usually sold out within minutes of the ticket opening,” a theater fan said on condition of anonymity.Shownote, the production company behind “Shakespeare in Love,” said the price hike was inevitable. One factor in the high ticket prices was the ambitious stage design. “The play is having its first run in Korea, so we had to create everything from scratch ― the set, lighting, costume and others. We had to bring most of the set props from outside of Korea because

Jan 6, 2023By Kwak Yeon-soo
Theater lovers disappointed with hike in ticket prices
Films

Film 'Gentleman,' starring Ju Ji-hoon, sold to 42 countries

A scene from the film, "Gentleman" / Courtesy of Contents Wavve By Kwak Yeon-sooFilm “Gentleman,” featuring actors Ju Ji-hoon and Park Sung-woong, has been sold to 42 countries across the world, its distributor said Thursday. According to Contents Panda, the list of countries includes Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Russia and Poland. The film is slated for release in Taiwanese theaters on Jan. 6, Vietnamese theaters on Jan. 27 and Mongolian theaters on Feb. 9. “'Gentleman' has steadily attracted attention from film distributors across the globe since its launch at the 2022 Cannes Market,” a Contents Panda official said in a statement. The crime comedy film centers on a private detective named Ji Hyun-soo (Ju) who is falsely accused of kidnapping his client. Ji disguises himself as a prosecutor to chase Kwon Do-hoon (Park), an alleged mastermind of kidnapping and sex trafficking crimes.It is local streaming platform Wavve's first original film and currently playi

Jan 6, 2023By Kwak Yeon-soo
Film 'Gentleman,' starring Ju Ji-hoon, sold to 42 countries
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