The Korea Times

'King's Affection,' CJ's Miky Lee win International Emmy Awards

Film producer Miky Lee, left, holds her 2022 International Emmy Directorate Award while standing with South Korean actor Song Joong-ki in the press room at the 2022 International Emmy Awards in New York, Nov. 21. EPA-Yonhap By Kwak Yeon-sooKBS drama “The King's Affection” made history as the first Korean series to win the Best Telenovela award at the 50th International Emmy, which took place at the New York Hilton Midtown Hotel, Monday (local time).Executive producer Yoon Jae-hyuk accepted the award for the series, which stars Park Eun-bin and Rowoon. It revolves around a princess pretending to be a prince in the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910).“We are delighted to have won the International Emmy Award for the first time as Korean series, and we believe the success of 'The King's Affection' recognizes the potential of K-dramas in general. We feel a great sense of responsibility and we will do our best so that KBS dramas can play a key role in K-content's popularity,” a K

Nov 22, 2022By Kwak Yeon-soo

'King's Affection,' CJ's Miky Lee win International Emmy Awards

Films

Kim Go-eun says it was tough singing live in musical movie 'Hero'

Actors Kim Go-eun, left, and Jung Sung-hwa attend a press conference for the film, “Hero,” held in Seoul, Monday. Yonhap Film on independence fighter to hit theaters in December By Kwak Yeon-sooActress Kim Go-eun said she regretted accepting her role in the musical film, “Hero,” adding she even cried because she was unhappy with her singing.Adapted from the original musical “Hero,” the film tells the story of Korean independence movement activist Ahn Jung-geun's (played by Jung Sung-hwa) final year after he assassinated Hirobumi Ito, Japan's prime minister and the first resident general of Korea, in October 1909, about a year before Japan's annexation of Korea and the start of its colonial occupation (1910-45). In March of the following year, Ahn was executed in a Japanese prison in China.In the upcoming film, Kim plays Seol-hee, a palace maid who supports Korea's independence movement by passing secret information to activists. Director Yoon Je-kyoon did not rely o

Nov 21, 2022By Kwak Yeon-soo

Kim Go-eun says it was tough singing live in musical movie 'Hero'

Films

INTERVIEW Chae Seo-jin talks about navigating film industry and big sister Kim Ok-vin

Actress Chae Seo-jin / Courtesy of Special Movie City By Kwak Yeon-sooChae Seo-jin, whose real name is Kim Go-un, said her family is everything to her. On returning to the big screen after five years since “Write or Dance” (2017), the 28-year-old actress said she was incredibly nervous about showing her new film “Cafe Midnight” to her family.Directed by Chong Yun-su, “Cafe Midnight” is a fantasy romance film that follows Yoon (Chae), who is stood up by her groom Tae-young (Lee Yi-kyung) on their wedding day. She goes out in search of him and arrives at a mysterious place called Cafe Midnight, which opens only from midnight. until sunrise. There she finds her husband-to-be but something is odd ― Tae-young looks years younger and does not recognize her. It turns out that the cafe is a place where people of different times gather. Chae said she fell in love with the script as soon as she read it. “Yoon's character was so touching to me. I have met a lot of people like

Nov 20, 2022By Kwak Yeon-soo

[INTERVIEW] Chae Seo-jin talks about navigating film industry and big sister Kim Ok-vin

Films

Ma Dong-seok is back with feel-good comedy film after marriage

From left, actors Jung Kyung-ho, Oh Na-ra, Ma Dong-seok, Oh Yeon-seo and Choi Byung-mo pose during a press conference for the film, “Men of Plastic,” in Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap'Men of Plastic' tells fictional story of Korea's plastic surgery businessBy Kwak Yeon-sooActor Ma Dong-seok, also known by his English name, Don Lee, thanked the audience for sending wedding congratulation messages and supporting his action thriller, “The Roundup,” which topped 10 million ticket sales this summer. The 51-year-old actor has been famously private when it comes to his six-year-long relationship with model and TV personality Ye Jung-hwa. In October, the star announced that he had tied the knot with Ye last year without a wedding ceremony.On returning to the big screen with a new comedy, Ma expressed his desire to make films that appeal to a wide range of tastes. “This time I wanted to make a feel-good movie that many fans would love to watch. It's a movie that families can watch together,” he said. In the upcoming film, Ma plays Dae-guk, a quick-talking conman w

Nov 17, 2022By Kwak Yeon-soo

Ma Dong-seok is back with feel-good comedy film after marriage

Trends

89-year-old knitting artist proves age is just number

Knitting artist Seo Yoon-nam poses with her BTS dolls after the interview with The Korea Times at Naury Art Center in Seoul, Wednesday. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chulLate-bloomer Seo Yoon-nam holds 10th exhibition with clothes for BTS dollsBy Kwak Yeon-sooKnitting artist Seo Yoon-nam is living proof that it is never too late to follow one's dreams. Most people in their 80s would consider it a blessing if they don't suffer from serious illnesses. At the age of 89, however, Seo spends hours knitting clothes for dolls. She also has a better vision than many people half her age. Seo has had an interest in art since she was a high school student. She dreamed of studying art in college. However, change came suddenly. The 1950-53 Korean War put a stop to her dreams. Instead of going to college, she ended up taking classes at a knitting school.“It was a really tough time for everybody. I felt like I needed to learn practical skills. Women struggled to find work and they were not left with many options. So I learned knitting and crocheting like many girls of my age did,” Seo

Nov 17, 2022By Kwak Yeon-soo

89-year-old knitting artist proves age is just number

Shows & Dramas

TV producer Lee Wook-jung explores intersection of food, culture

Documentary producer Lee Wook-jung / Courtesy of TvingNew documentary 'Food Chronicle' searches for spiritual significance, forms of foodBy Kwak Yeon-sooLee Wook-jung is a rare mainstream documentary producer who explores everything related to food ― from the fine dining world to local street food. A trailblazer of food documentary, he explores the intersection of food and culture from an anthropological point of view. He always looks to tell a personal story and studies the origins and cooking styles of each cuisine.“The foods that captivated the world are plain and simple. I call them 'capsule food' because they can be eaten in one bite. Sandwiches, pizza, dumplings, tacos and sushi are all like that. They are easy to make and easy to eat, and you can enjoy a variety of flavors at once,” he said during a recent interview with The Korea Times.His new documentary, “Food Chronicle,” currently available on local streaming platform Tving, is an eye-opening food documentary that follows his journey exploring different forms of popular cuisine. The series features

Nov 16, 2022By Kwak Yeon-soo

TV producer Lee Wook-jung explores intersection of food, culture

Films

INTERVIEW Yoo Hae-jin plays mad king in 'The Night Owl'

Actor Yoo Hae-jin / Courtesy of NEW By Kwak Yeon-sooActor Yoo Hae-jin had an “overwhelming feeling” when he was first offered King Injo's role in the historical thriller “The Night Owl.” Despite his initial hesitation, Yoo ultimately agreed to play a royal role for the first time in his acting career.“My first reaction was, 'Why me?' Director An Tae-jin told me that he wants to deviate from portraying typical kings of the Joseon Kingdom, who often appear as gracious and noble in other films,” he said during an interview with The Korea Times at a cafe in Seoul, Friday. Yoo said he was afraid that audiences, most of whom are familiar with his fun, easygoing and free-spirited personality, might not accept his sudden transformation into a mad king who kills his own son, Crown Prince Sohyeon, to maintain his throne. “I wanted the audience to be prepared to see a new side in me, so the director used a long, slow zoom-in when King Injo first appears in the film,” he said.

Nov 11, 2022By Kwak Yeon-soo

[INTERVIEW] Yoo Hae-jin plays mad king in 'The Night Owl'

Films

INTERVIEW Actor Kim Rae-won sees bigger picture with 'Decibel'

Actor Kim Rae-won in a scene from the film, "Decibel" / Courtesy of Mind MarkBy Kwak Yeon-sooActor Kim Rae-won said he has begun to think about the bigger picture instead of focusing solely on his roles when working on a series or film. The actor, who has delivered many unforgettable performances since debuting in 1997 in the MBC drama “Me,” reflected on how his approach to acting has changed over 25 years.“I think way back when I was starting out, I had a desire to stand out as the lead actor. More recently, however, I have been thinking about how I should act out my character considering the entire storyline. For this film, I put much emphasis on understanding the flow, tension and plot,” he said during an interview with The Korea Times at a cafe in Seoul, Wednesday, ahead of the release of his latest film, “Decibel.”Kim said that for this film, he put much emphasis on understanding the flow, tension and plot.“Even though it was a nerve-racking day of shooting for me, I would monitor my costars' acting. Studying their performances also help

Nov 10, 2022By Kwak Yeon-soo

[INTERVIEW] Actor Kim Rae-won sees bigger picture with 'Decibel'

Films

Filmmaker Park Chan-wook honored at LACMA Art+Film Gala

Director Park Chan-wook attends the 11th LACMA Art+Film Gala at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art in Los Angeles, California, Saturday. AFP-YonhapBy Kwak Yeon-sooFilmmaker Park Chan-wook was honored at this year's Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) Art+Film Gala. Another honoree was American visual artist Helen Pashgian, a pioneering member of the Light and Space art movement of the 1960s.Park won the Best Director award for his latest film “Decision to Leave” at this year's Cannes Film Festival. The film has been chosen as Korea's submission for Best International Feature Film at the 95th Academy Awards, scheduled for March 23, 2023.“I initially wanted to begin with the following words: 'I do not know how to thank you for such an award that is beyond me,' but I remembered advice from a friend that is familiar with both Korean and American culture. She told me that you should not be too humble in America … So I will take in that advice and say the following words instead: 'I am not at all surprised for the award that I obviously deserve,'” Park

Nov 7, 2022By Kwak Yeon-soo

Filmmaker Park Chan-wook honored at LACMA Art+Film Gala

Films

Actor's late-blooming mother sweeps awards at overseas film festivals

Directors Park Young-hye, right, and Shin Seong-hoon of the film, "JajangMyeon Thank You" / Courtesy of Light PicturesBy Kwak Yeon-sooActor Lee Tae-sung's mother, Park Young-hye, who made her directorial debut this year with the short film, “JajangMyeon Thank You,” is sweeping awards at film festivals overseas.Park, 62, first became known to the public through the SBS reality show, “Mom's Diary, My Ugly Duckling.” She was among a group of mothers who watch and comment on footage of their unmarried, middle-aged sons performing daily routines. Earlier in July, she stepped down from the show to pursue a career in filmmaking.“JajangMyeon Thank You,” co-directed by Park and Shin Seong-hoon, has won 37 awards so far, according to film production company Light Pictures on Monday. Most recently, the film won the Best Short Award at the 13th LA Web Series Festival.It also won three awards at the third Best Istanbul Film Festival in Turkey and two awards at the fifth Cult Critic Movie Awards in India.“I'm sorry that I can't attend all the sudden film f

Nov 6, 2022By Kwak Yeon-soo

Kwak Yeon-soo

Read more

'King's Affection,' CJ's Miky Lee win International Emmy Awards

Kim Go-eun says it was tough singing live in musical movie 'Hero'

INTERVIEW Chae Seo-jin talks about navigating film industry and big sister Kim Ok-vin

Ma Dong-seok is back with feel-good comedy film after marriage

89-year-old knitting artist proves age is just number

TV producer Lee Wook-jung explores intersection of food, culture

INTERVIEW Yoo Hae-jin plays mad king in 'The Night Owl'

INTERVIEW Actor Kim Rae-won sees bigger picture with 'Decibel'

Filmmaker Park Chan-wook honored at LACMA Art+Film Gala

Actor's late-blooming mother sweeps awards at overseas film festivals

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