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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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Shows & Dramas

A look inside BTS' mansion from 'In the Soop 2'

Seen above is a two-story mansion in PyeongChang, Gangwon Province, July 25. It was featured in the second season of the “BTS In the Soop” reality show. Korea Times photo by Kwak Yeon-soo'BTS In the Soop' mansion available on Airbnb for $7 per nightBy Kwak Yeon-sooPYEONGCHANG, Gangwon Province ― For BTS fans who cannot help but wonder if they could escape the stress of city life and relax in the countryside like BTS did in HYBE's “In the Soop” docuseries, there's a one-of-a-kind stay package to experience it for themselves. For just one night in August for just one lucky person and one companion, Airbnb will rent out the place where the global superstars enjoyed a brief getaway from the pressures of fame in the second season of “BTS In the Soop.” The residence is located in PyeongChang, Gangwon Province, which is about a three-hour drive from Seoul. The 2018 Winter Olympics host city is well-known for its dense forests and mountain scenery.Multiple ski resorts as well as ranches with frolicking sheep and wind turbines are situated across mountain r

Jul 28, 2022By Kwak Yeon-soo
A look inside BTS' mansion from 'In the Soop 2'
Trends

New Cultural Heritage Administration head shrugs off criticism over preservation of Cheong Wa Dae

Choi Eung-chon, the new head of the Cultural Heritage Administration, speaks during a press conference at Korea House in Seoul, Wednesday. YonhapBy Kwak Yeon-sooChoi Eung-chon, the new head of the Cultural Heritage Administration (CHA), shrugged off criticism from the Cultural Properties Committee and the CHA labor union regarding the government's alleged indifference to preserving the historical and cultural value of the former presidential office, Cheong Wa Dae.“The labor union doesn't represent the voice of the CHA. However, I agree that Cheong Wa Dae needs to be managed and preserved in the future and discussions about it have not been adequately held. That's because we are still in the process of inspecting the compound,” Choi said during a press conference held at Korea House in central Seoul, Wednesday. The CHA and the Secretary Office to the President have managed the former presidential complex since the Yoon Suk-yeol administration moved the presidential office to Yongsan District in May. However, the gatekeeper of the compound could change in the future, accord

Jul 27, 2022By Kwak Yeon-soo
New Cultural Heritage Administration head shrugs off criticism over preservation of Cheong Wa Dae
Politics

Cannes-winning actor Song Kang-ho donates $152K to charity

Actor Song Kang-ho / Courtesy of CJ ENMBy Kwak Yeon-sooSong Kang-ho, who recently won the Best Actor award at the 75th Cannes Film Festival for his performance in director Hirokazu Kore-eda's “Broker,” has donated 200 million won ($152,000) to disadvantaged communities.According to the Hope Bridge Association of the National Disaster Relief, the actor donated 100 million won in March to the victims of massive wildfires that hit the country's eastern coastal region. He also donated 100 million won in March 2020 to help people in the fight against COVID-19. The 55-year-old actor is now a member of the Honor Society, a club for those who donate more than 100 million won to the organization.“Song has been thinking about how to return some of the love he has received from the public,” his management agency, Sublime, said in a statement, Friday. “He realized one way to do it was to donate money to neighbors in need. He will be engaged in the sharing culture.”Song made his screen debut in Hong Sang-soo's 1996 directorial debut, “The Day a Pig Fell i

Jul 23, 2022By Kwak Yeon-soo
Cannes-winning actor Song Kang-ho donates $152K to charity
Films

INTERVIEW Director Kim Han-min on making another heroic tale of Admiral Yi Sun-sin

“Hansan: Rising Dragon” director Kim Han-min / Courtesy of Lotte Entertainment By Kwak Yeon-sooDirector Kim Han-min, the brilliant mind behind the 2014 film “Roaring Currents,” said he was adamant about making another heroic story of Admiral Yi Sun-sin (1545-98), who led a small fleet to improbable victory over a much larger Japanese fleet in the late 16th century.His new film, “Hansan: Rising Dragon,” centers on the Battle of Hansan Island in 1592, while the 2014 period film focused on the Battle of Myeongnyang in 1597.Although “Roaring Currents” became the highest-grossing film in Korean cinema history with more than 17 million tickets sold, some criticized him for taking advantage of Korea's naval hero to evoke passion for patriotism. However, Kim revealed he had originally intended to shoot more than “Roaring Currents” in the first place to complete a trilogy.“I get asked a lot questions like, 'Do you feel pressure to top Roaring Currents?' But I treat them as s

Jul 22, 2022By Kwak Yeon-soo
[INTERVIEW] Director Kim Han-min on making another heroic tale of Admiral Yi Sun-sin
Arts & Theater

Kim Seon-ho makes tearful apology as he returns to stage after 9 months

Actor Kim Seon-ho stars as mountain climber Joe Simpson in the play, “Touching the Void.” Courtesy of The Best Play Inc. By Kwak Yeon-sooActor Kim Seon-ho delivered a tearful apology as he made his first public appearance in nine months on Wednesday at a press showcase for the play, “Touching the Void,” following a hiatus after admitting that he had coerced his ex-girlfriend into getting an abortion. “I am deeply sorry for causing concern. I have used these past several months to reflect on my shortcomings,” he read out the written letter of apology ahead of the press conference for the play.The actor shed tears as he continued, “Many people worked hard all spring and this summer to put this show on the stage. I would like to apologize to the team for the hindrance I caused. I will try harder to be a better actor and a better person.”On choosing the play, “Touching the Void,” as his new project, the 36-year-old actor said he loved the script. “I don't set boundaries

Jul 21, 2022By Kwak Yeon-soo
Kim Seon-ho makes tearful apology as he returns to stage after 9 months
Entertainment

'Parasite' executive producer to receive International Emmy Directorate Award

CJ Group Vice Chairperson Lee Mie-kyung, also known as Miky Lee / Courtesy of CJ By Kwak Yeon-sooCJ Group Vice Chairperson Lee Mie-kyung, also known as Miky Lee, will receive a 2022 International Emmy Directorate Award, which is given to individuals or organizations for their outstanding contributions to international television over a long period of time. She will receive the award honoring her life's work and contributions at the 50th International Emmy Awards gala in New York on Nov. 21.“Miky Lee is in a class of her own, a visionary leader who has harnessed her exceptional business acumen and love of her country's culture by tirelessly spearheading the global phenomenon of the Korean wave for over twenty-five years,” Bruce L. Paisner, the president and CEO of the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, said in a press release. “The whole world witnessed her commitment to our industry and Korea when she, along with the creators of 'Parasite,' enthusi

Jul 20, 2022By Kwak Yeon-soo
'Parasite' executive producer to receive International Emmy Directorate Award
Arts & Theater

'Kim Ji-young: Born 1982' gets stage adaptation

The stage adaptation of the bestselling novel, “Kim Ji-young: Born 1982,” has announced its casting lineup. Courtesy of SpotlightBy Kwak Yeon-sooCho Nam-ju's bestselling novel, “Kim Ji-young: Born 1982,” will get its first stage adaptation in September. Upon its publication in 2016, the book sold more than a million copies in Korea. The publishing rights have been sold to 30 countries, including the U.S., Japan, France and Spain. The story was also adapted into a film of the same title in 2019 that sold over 3.67 million tickets. Adapted by Kim Ga-ram, who previously wrote the musical, “Aranga,” “Kim Ji-young, Born 1982,” tells the story of an ordinary woman in her mid-30s who is on a career break and slowly loses her identity through being someone's wife, a daughter-in-law and a mother. It will be directed by Ahn Kyung-mo, known for helming the Korean version of the Pulitzer-winning “SWEAT.”The show stars So Yu-jin, Im Hye-young and Park Ran-ju as Ji-young. Since her debut in 2000 in SBS drama “Duk-hee,” So has

Jul 19, 2022By Kwak Yeon-soo
'Kim Ji-young: Born 1982' gets stage adaptation
Films

INTERVIEW Director blends Hollywood superhero genre, Asian traditional martial arts in 'Alienoid'

“Alienoid” director Choi Dong-hoon / Courtesy of Caper FilmBy Kwak Yeon-sooDirector Choi Dong-hoon's latest sci-fi action fantasy “Alienoid” is a mixture of Hollywood superhero blockbuster and Asian martial arts film. Set in two different worlds of the 14th and 21st centuries that cross paths when a time-traveling portal opens, the epic film combines Taoist “magic” with science fiction elements, like aliens and spaceships.The director, whose previous films “The Thieves” (2012) and “Assassination” (2015) each attracted over 10 million admissions, explained that his new film was greatly inspired by Samgukyusa (Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms), a collection of folktales mainly from the Korea's Three Kingdoms: Goguryeo, Silla, Baekje. “I've always been fascinated by Korea's ancient myths and folktales, which are entertaining and filled with supernatural creatures. I think infusing Korean sentiment and cultural traits into the sci-fi film makes it more interesting. I hope 'Korean magic' appeals to foreign audiences as wel

Jul 17, 2022By Kwak Yeon-soo
[INTERVIEW] Director blends Hollywood superhero genre, Asian traditional martial arts in 'Alienoid'
Shows & Dramas

Ji Chang-wook to lead KBS' new series 'If You Wish Upon Me'

Posters for KBS' new drama “If You Wish Upon Me” / Courtesy of KBS By Kwak Yeon-sooActor Ji Chang-wook will play the lead role in the upcoming KBS series “If You Wish Upon Me,” directed by Kim Yong-wan, who helmed tvN's 2020 series “The Cursed.” The new drama revolves around Yoon Gyeo-rae (Ji) who works in a hospice center and fulfills the last wishes of terminally ill patients.Yoon is barely hanging onto life with no motivation to live. Growing up, he moved from an orphanage to a correctional facility and then to prison, which made him believe that rebuilding his life would be almost impossible. However, he opens up to people gradually in the hospice center and regains the will to live.Actors Sung Dong-il and Choi Soo-young will also star in the series. Sung will play the volunteer group leader while Choi will be a hospice nurse.The 16-part series will premiere on KBS2 on Aug. 10 at 9:50 p.m. and air every Wednesday and Thursday. Ji made his small screen debut in t

Jul 15, 2022By Kwak Yeon-soo
Ji Chang-wook to lead KBS' new series 'If You Wish Upon Me'
Films

18th Jecheon International Music & Film Festival to offer expanded program

Maeng Soo-Jin, right, the programmer of the 18th Jecheon International Music & Film Festival (JIMFF), speaks during a press conference held at the Haso Living Culture Center Walk in Jecheon, North Chungcheong Province, Thursday. Other participants are, from left, journalist Jang Sung-ran, organizing committee head Kim Chang-gyu and festival director Cho Sung-woo. Courtesy of JIMFFBy Kwak Yeon-sooThe 18th Jecheon International Music & Film Festival (JIMFF) will offer a program packed with music-centered films and present a special concert by Justin Hurwitz, the multi-award-winning film composer behind films “Whiplash” (2015) and “La La Land” (2016). The festival, which will be held in Jecheon, North Chungcheong Province, from Aug. 11 to 16, will also feature original film concerts accompanied by a live orchestra, named “Film in Live,” to promote Korean film scores abroad. The film concerts of “Leafie: A Hen into the Wild” and “One Fine Spring Day” will be presented at Urimji stage, while “E.T: The Extra-Terrestr

Jul 14, 2022By Kwak Yeon-soo
18th Jecheon International Music & Film Festival to offer expanded program
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