The Korea Times

2022 K-Culture Festival to be held Sept. 30

A K-pop fan fair is held during the 2021 K-Culture Festival at KINTEX, Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, Nov. 14, 2021. / Courtesy of the Korean Foundation for International Cultural ExchangeHallyu fans invited to enjoy concerts, fan meetings, hands-on cultural experiencesBy Kwak Yeon-sooKorean culture fans from around the world will get the chance to enjoy a wide range of activities related to Korean music, dramas, food, beauty and more, at the K-Culture Festival, which will kick off in Seoul this month. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange (KOFICE) said, Thursday, that they will hold the 2022 K-Culture Festival at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul and Seoul Sports Complex in Jamsil, eastern Seoul, from Sept. 30 to Oct. 8.Under the theme of “Into the-K,” the festival will allow hallyu (Korean wave) enthusiasts from around the world to experience the full extent of Korean culture. After the last two editions of the annual festival that were held online or offline with many limitations due to the COVID-19 pand

Sep 20, 2022By Kwak Yeon-soo

2022 K-Culture Festival to be held Sept. 30

Films

Ryu Jun-yeol, Jeon Yeo-been to co-host opening ceremony of Busan film festival

Actors Ryu Jun-yeol, left, and Jeon Yeo-been / Courtesy of C-JeS Entertainment, Management mmmBy Kwak Yeon-sooActors Ryu Jun-yeol and Jeon Yeo-been will co-host the opening ceremony of the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) next month, organizers said Wednesday. The 27th BIFF is set to kick off its 10-day run at the Busan Cinema Center on Oct. 5. This year's opening ceremony will be held without any social-distancing requirements for the first time in over two years using all available seats and will be attended by filmmakers and stars from home and abroad.Both actors have long ties with the BIFF. Ryu was invited to the 20th BIFF's Korean Cinema Today ― Panorama section with “One Way Trip,” (2015) while Jeon won the Actress of the Year Award at the 22nd edition for her performance in “After My Death” (2017).Since his debut film, “Socialphobia,” (2015) Ryu has been one of the most versatile actors on both the small and big screens, starring in “Reply 1988” (2015-2016), “Lucky Romance” (2016) and “A Taxi Driver&rdq

Sep 15, 2022By Kwak Yeon-soo

Ryu Jun-yeol, Jeon Yeo-been to co-host opening ceremony of Busan film festival

Films

Musical film 'Life is Beautiful' features songs from 1970s to 2000s

A scene from the film, "Life is Beautiful" / Courtesy of Lotte EntertainmentBy Kwak Yeon-soo“Life is Beautiful,” which promises laughter and tears, is a jukebox musical film featuring Korean songs from the 1970s to 2000s. Director Choi Kook-hee said he picked out the best retro songs from artists including Shin Joong-hyun, Choi Ho-seob, Lee Seung-chul, Lee Juck and Toy that dominated the eras from the 1970s to early 2000s. Some of the iconic songs featured in the film are Lee Moon-sae's “Unpredictable Life” and “The Cult of Solo,” as well as Lim Byung-soo's “Ice Cream Love.” “We tried to select songs that can propel the arc of characters and convey a heightened sense of emotions,” he said during a press conference for the film, Tuesday. “The script first reminded me of my mother. Anyone who has a mother or a family will be able to relate to the story.” The comedy-drama film follows Se-yeon (Yum Jung-ah), who is diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. Her dying wish is to reconnect with her first love, so she asks he

Sep 14, 2022By Kwak Yeon-soo

Musical film 'Life is Beautiful' features songs from 1970s to 2000s

Films

'Korean classical musicians are like rock stars,' says Belgian filmmaker

A scene from the film, “K-Classics Generation” / Courtesy of ATNINEFILMBy Kwak Yeon-sooBelgian filmmaker Thierry Loreau, who has seen many Korean classical musicians rise to the top at international music competitions in recent years, says Korea is one place where classical artists can be treated like rock stars. A total of 37 Korean nationals have won prizes at 25 international classical music competitions held in the first half of this year, according to Kumho Cultural Foundation. Loreau, who has been broadcasting the prestigious Queen Elisabeth International Music Competition for 26 years, explores what factors led Korean musicians to invade the classic music world in his latest documentary, “K-Classics Generation.” In the film, he interviews the Queen Elisabeth Competition winners soprano Hwang Sumi and violinist Lim Ji-young, the Ferruccio Busoni International Piano Competition winner pianist Mun Ji-yeong, the Esme Quartet that won the 2018 Wigmore Hall International String Quartet Competition, as well as their family and teachers.“Classical music i

Sep 12, 2022By Kwak Yeon-soo

'Korean classical musicians are like rock stars,' says Belgian filmmaker

Films

Busan film festival promises full-scale return with big-name guests

From left, Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) programmer Nam Dong-chul, BIFF Director Huh Moon-young, BIFF Chairman Lee Yong-kwan and BIFF Director of the Asian Contents & Film Market Oh Seok-geun speak at an online press conference, Wednesday. Courtesy of the BIFFBy Kwak Yeon-sooReturning to its full scale after two years of scaled-down events due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 27th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) will be a showcase of some truly exceptional Asian cinema.A total of 243 films from 71 countries will be screened over 10 days from Oct. 5 to 14, its organizer said, Wednesday. Guests attending this year's festival include renowned Hong Kong actor Tony Leung Chiu-wai, who will be honored with the Asian Film Actor of the Year Award. Six of his films, including “Happy Together” (1997), “In the Mood for Love” (2000) and “2046” (2004), will be screened during the festival.Other major names include Japanese filmmakers Kore-eda Hirokazu with his Korean-language debut film, “Broker,” and Miike Takashi, whose Korean

Sep 7, 2022By Kwak Yeon-soo

Busan film festival promises full-scale return with big-name guests

Films

Oscar-winning Troy Kotsur hopes to 'open floodgates' for deaf actors

Troy Kotsur, Oscar winner of the best supporting actor for his role in "CODA," poses in the press room at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, March 27. AP-Yonhap'CODA' actor named honorary ambassador of World Federation of the Deaf 2023 congressBy Kwak Yeon-sooOscar-winning actor Troy Kotsur suggested that deaf actors follow their dreams and passion, saying they deserve more opportunities. During his visit to Korea on the occasion of being named the promotional ambassador of the 19th World's Congress of the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD), he talked about his long road to stardom. “Throughout my career, I've gone through many trials and tribulations. In the past, I faced financial struggles and had communication issues with fellow cast members. Most of all, it was really hard to break into the mainstream. However, I somehow managed to grab an opportunity and break the barrier as a deaf actor,” he said in sign language during a press conference in Seoul, Tuesday. The actor made history as the first deaf man to win an Oscar for his performance in 2021's “CODA,”

Sep 6, 2022By Kwak Yeon-soo

Oscar-winning Troy Kotsur hopes to 'open floodgates' for deaf actors

Films

INTERVIEW Actor Yoo Ah-in talks balancing comedy, heart in 'Seoul Vibe'

Actor Yoo Ah-in in a scene from the film "Seoul Vibe" / Courtesy of NetflixBy Kwak Yeon-sooActor Yoo Ah-in has established himself as an icon for youth culture, first by appearing in the coming-of-age TV series “Sharp” (2003-2006). Then, he starred as a rebellious teen in “Punch” (2011), an ill-fated crown prince in “The Throne” (2015) and a poor farm boy in “Burning” (2018), among many others. However, the actor said that at the age of 36, he is no longer a representative of the youth and doesn't see himself as one. “As much as I try to maintain a young mindset, I would love to see younger actors take up the stage and become the new icons for the youth,” Yoo said during an interview with The Korea Times held via Zoom, Monday.In the new Netflix film “Seoul Vibe,” Yoo plays skillful driver Dong-wook, who is the de-facto leader of a group of young drivers and mechanics called the Sangye-dong Supreme Team. Set in 1988, during the Seoul Olympics, the film revolves around Dong-wook and his team who are hired to infilt

Sep 6, 2022By Kwak Yeon-soo

[INTERVIEW] Actor Yoo Ah-in talks balancing comedy, heart in 'Seoul Vibe'

K-pop

BTS' Busan concert changes venues

K-pop superstars BTS / Korea Times file By Kwak Yeon-sooFollowing safety concerns over BTS' scheduled concert in Busan, Hybe has decided to change the venue from a former glass factory site near Ilgwang Beach to Busan Asiad Main Stadium, which can accommodate about 60,000 spectators.“We have decided to change the concert venue from a special stage near Ilgwang Beach to the Busan Asian Main Stadium to maximize attendees' safety and comfort and ensure a smooth concert,” the septet's agency said in a statement, Friday. K-pop superstar group BTS made a recent announcement about the free concert on Oct. 15 in Busan, titled “BTS Yet to Come in Busan,” to support the city's bid to host the World Expo in 2030. The group is one of the Expo bid ambassadors.Busan Metropolitan City has been facing severe criticisms from BTS fans and local residents who argued that the earlier location is not appropriate to hold 100,000 spectators. Some raised concerns that such a large public g

Sep 2, 2022By Kwak Yeon-soo

Films

INTERVIEW Moon Jeong-hee plays sympathetic villain in female-led thriller 'Limit'

Actress Moon Jeong-hee in a scene from the film “Limit” / Courtesy of JNC Media Group By Kwak Yeon-sooActress Moon Jeong-hee said she enjoyed playing a villain with a genuine if twisted motivation in the female-fronted crime thriller “Limit.”“Limit” follows the story of So-eun (played by Lee Jung-hyun), a police detective who goes undercover to help two parents locate their abducted child. She then finds herself in a tense psychological battle with the kidnapper after finding out that her son, too, has been abducted. Moon plays Hye-jin, the menacing and unlikeable leader of the ring that kidnaps children for organ trafficking. The 46-year-old actress said she chose to look at Hye-jin from a different perspective as she found the character to be someone who fights to protect herself and her brother, both victims of domestic abuse.“Hye-jin is a very different type of villain because she has a clear motivation for committing a crime. It's to protect herself and those

Sep 2, 2022By Kwak Yeon-soo

[INTERVIEW] Moon Jeong-hee plays sympathetic villain in female-led thriller 'Limit'

People & Events

'I'm willing to die for the Pope and the Church,' says new Cardinal You

New Cardinal Lazzaro You Heung-sik receives the red three-cornered biretta hat from Pope Francis during a consistory inside St. Peter's Basilica, at the Vatican, Saturday. AP-Yonhap Archbishop Lazzaro You Heung-sik becomes Korea's fourth cardinalBy Kwak Yeon-sooPope Francis appointed Archbishop Lazzaro You Heung-sik, the prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy, as cardinal, the second most senior position among the ranks of the Roman Catholic clergy after the pope.You is Korea's fourth cardinal following late Cardinal Stephen Kim Sou-hwan in 1969, the late Cardinal Nicholas Cheong Jin-suk in 2006 and Cardinal Andrew Yeom Soo-jung in 2014.At a consistory held at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, Saturday, You and 19 other men were named as the Catholic Church's newest cardinals. You was the second to be called after Cardinal Arthur Roche of England, and after receiving a red biretta and a cardinal's ring, he briefly spoke with Pope Francis and shared a hug.“The

Aug 28, 2022By Kwak Yeon-soo

Kwak Yeon-soo

Read more

2022 K-Culture Festival to be held Sept. 30

Ryu Jun-yeol, Jeon Yeo-been to co-host opening ceremony of Busan film festival

Musical film 'Life is Beautiful' features songs from 1970s to 2000s

'Korean classical musicians are like rock stars,' says Belgian filmmaker

Busan film festival promises full-scale return with big-name guests

Oscar-winning Troy Kotsur hopes to 'open floodgates' for deaf actors

INTERVIEW Actor Yoo Ah-in talks balancing comedy, heart in 'Seoul Vibe'

BTS' Busan concert changes venues

INTERVIEW Moon Jeong-hee plays sympathetic villain in female-led thriller 'Limit'

'I'm willing to die for the Pope and the Church,' says new Cardinal You

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