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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

Jeonju film festival to return to normal, highlight Lee Chang-dong's works

The organizing committee of the Jeonju International Film Festival holds a press conference in Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap By Kwak Yeon-sooThe 23rd Jeonju International Film Festival (JIFF), an annual celebration of indie films, will open later this month after being held online only in 2020 and on a reduced scale in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. JIFF will take place from April 28-May 7 featuring a total of 217 films from 56 countries and 112 of those films will also be available on the festival's online platform. The opening ceremony will be held at the Sori Arts Center in Jeonju.This year's selection includes 61 world premieres and four international premieres, which include Anders Emblem's Norwegian drama, “A Human Position,” Zhan Kai-di's Taiwanese drama, “Raydio,” and Hyuga Fumiari's Japanese documentary, “Tokyo Kurds.” “This year's JIFF aims to completely restore the festival's celebratory mood. We are looking at using about five local theaters, 19 screens an

Apr 1, 2022By Kwak Yeon-soo
Jeonju film festival to return to normal, highlight Lee Chang-dong's works
Films

'Spring Day' is hyperreal dissection of dysfunctional family

A scene from the film “Spring Day” / Courtesy of Contents Panda By Kwak Yeon-soo“Spring Day,” a movie about a man struggling to come to terms with both his unfortunate past and undesirable present, is a moving and melancholic family drama, according to actor Son Hyun-joo.In the film, Son plays the role of Ho-sung, a reticent and somewhat mysterious man who has been released after serving eight years behind bars. He returns home to find out that his father passed away. The death of his father saddles him with the unexpected responsibility of looking after his troubled brother, Jong-sung (Park Hyuk-kwon), and two children, who despise him for neglecting the family for such a long time.Ho-sung is a devastated man who is still picking through the wreckage of his life, but yearns for a second chance to make things better. He plans to collect condolence money from the guests at his father's funeral and flee. However, things don't work out as he intended as two rival gangs

Mar 31, 2022By Kwak Yeon-soo
'Spring Day' is hyperreal dissection of dysfunctional family
K-pop

BTS, Snoop Dogg to collaborate on new single

K-pop group BTS / AP-Yonhap By Kwak Yeon-soo American rapper Snoop Dogg / AP-Yonhap After months of rumors, Snoop Dogg confirmed that he will be releasing a collaboration with BTS. During the “American Song Contest” red carpet event on Sunday (local time), the American rapper hinted at the collaboration between himself and the Korean pop sensation.“The BTS experience you keep talking about. I'm going to let them tell you about it. It's official like a referee with a whistle. I make good music. They make good music. And we end up doing this. This is what it's always about, bringing our worlds together,” the rapper told U.S. entertainment outlets. He did not give any details about the song's title or its release date.Rumors began to swirl that the two would team up for a song after Snoop Dogg appeared on the Mogul Talk podcast in January and revealed t

Mar 28, 2022By Kwak Yeon-soo
BTS, Snoop Dogg to collaborate on new single
Films

'It is no mystery that Korean films are everywhere in the world'

French director Denis Dercourt / Courtesy of JNC Media Group French director of 'Vanishing' expresses satisfaction at working with Korean actors, staffBy Kwak Yeon-sooWith Korean content on a massive upward trajectory, there has been more collaboration between foreign directors and Korean talent. French filmmaker Denis Dercourt, who directed the multilingual film “Vanishing,” said he was most impressed with how everyone on the Korean production teams he worked with had a deep understanding of cinema and how well-prepared they were even before shooting.“From Korean cinema to music, everything about Korea is important in the world. It was a real pleasure to write a movie set in Korea and work with great actors, producers and technicians,” he said during a recent interview with Korean reporters.“It is no mystery that Korean films are everywhere in the world because they work so hard. I would write an email from Europe even though it is night in Korea, and I would immed

Mar 28, 2022By Kwak Yeon-soo
'It is no mystery that Korean films are everywhere in the world'
Films

Film music composer Bang Jun-seok dies at 52

Film music composer Bang Jun-seok / Courtesy of Private CurveBy Kwak Yeon-sooBang Jun-seok, contemporary Korean rock music's beloved guitarist and film music composer, died on Saturday at the age of 52 after battling stomach cancer.He is best known as the composer behind the instantly recognizable melodies from “Radio Star” (2006), “Along with the Gods” franchise (2017-2018) and “Escape from Mogadishu” (2021).After making his debut in 1994 as part of modern rock duo “U & Me Blue,” Bang set foot into the film music business with 1997 film “Man with Flowers.” The composer composed music for cinematic classics such as “Joint Security Area” (2000) and “Who Are You?” (2002). With his works spanning diverse genres, including thriller, period, melodrama and indie pieces, the composer was part of the renaissance of Korean cinema in the 2000s.During his lifetime, Bang worked on more than 60 films, including eight films for which he worked closely with director Lee Joon-ik. He composed a popular song titled

Mar 27, 2022By Kwak Yeon-soo
Film music composer Bang Jun-seok dies at 52
Shows & Dramas

'Pachinko' star Jin Ha apologizes for inappropriate blog posts

Jin Ha poses during an interview with Korean media outlets, in Los Angeles, March 17 (local time). Courtesy of Apple TV+ By Kwak Yeon-sooKorean-American actor Jin Ha, who plays Solomon Baek in Apple TV+'s “Pachinko,” has apologized for his Tumblr blog featuring photos of Korean middle-aged and older women, taken without their consent, along with sexually suggestive captions.Ha posted 90 photos of Korean women on his “Korean Flowers in Bloom” Tumbler account from July 2010 to September 2011. Most of the photos were taken on subways or streets, and the women's faces were not pixelated. He left sexually harassing comments in the captions of some photos, saying “Working with such a provocative model, I found it hard to keep myself and my concupiscence under control,” and, “Now we have an excuse to stare directly at her right nipple.”The actor's decade-old account drew attention after Ha's latest series, “Pachinko,” premiered on March 25. The multilingual show stars Kore

Mar 27, 2022By Kwak Yeon-soo
'Pachinko' star Jin Ha apologizes for inappropriate blog posts
Films

Jared Leto traverses between good and evil in 'Morbius'

From left, actors Jared Leto, Adria Arjona and director Daniel Espinosa speak during an online press conference for the film, “Morbius” / Courtesy of Sony Pictures By Kwak Yeon-sooJared Leto, who plays supervillain “Morbius” in the Sony Marvel film of the same name said he feels honored to bring the nuanced character to life for very first time.Leto stars as Dr. Michael Morbius, an acclaimed biochemist with a rare deteriorated blood disease. When he injects himself with what he believes will be his cure, Morbius acquires superhuman strengths and capabilities and turns into a vampire. In the press conference with Korean reporters, held via Zoom, Leto said he liked the duality of Dr. Morbius.“He's not exactly a hero or a villain, but something in between…The gray area between good and evil. I think audiences are ready for different takes into a Marvel character. The transformation was already built in the character,” Leto said.The 50-year-old actor explained that he u

Mar 24, 2022By Kwak Yeon-soo
Jared Leto traverses between good and evil in 'Morbius'
Films

Korean films hit it big at international film festivals

Posters for the films, “Loners,” left, and “Tomb of the River” / Courtesy of The Coup, JNC Media Group By Kwak Yeon-sooDespite the sluggish film market amid the COVID-19 pandemic, several Korean films are hitting it big at international film festivals. Director Hong Sung-eun's “Aloners,” about a solitary young woman working in a call center, won the grand prize at the Osaka Asian Film Festival, which closed on March 20. This feat comes three years after Yi Ok-seop's “Maggie” picked up the grand prize there in 2019.The drama film debuted at last year's Jeonju International Film Festival ― where it won the Best Actress Award for lead actor Gong Seung-yeon ― and the CGV Korean Independent Feature Distribution Award. It also played in the Discovery section at the 2021 Toronto International Film Festival.“Tomb of the River,” together with crime action flick “Special Delivery” and political thriller “Kingmaker,” have been invited to Italy's popular Udine Far East Film Fes

Mar 23, 2022By Kwak Yeon-soo
Korean films hit it big at international film festivals
Films

Chun Woo-hee returns as news anchor in mystery thriller

Actress Chun Woo-hee in a scene from the film, “Anchor” / Courtesy of Acemaker MovieworksBy Kwak Yeon-sooActress Chun Woo-hee will return to the big screen as a news anchor in the mystery thriller, “Anchor,” a year after starring in the romance drama, “Waiting for Rain.”The upcoming film follows the story of Sera, who must deal with strange occurrences after she receives a call from an anonymous informant about a murder case.Chun described Sera as a psychologically complex character who undergoes transformation as the plot unfolds.“The audience will be able to see different aspects of Sera, who possesses a carefree, fiery personality with a touch of madness,” she said.Actress Lee Hye-young, who portrays Sera's mother in the film, lauded Chun for her passion and brilliant acting.“Chun's work is so organic and powerful. She has so many strengths as an actor. She dazzled us all,” Lee said. Actor Shin Ha-kyun will play the role of the psychiatrist of the informant, who ultimately comes to an unfortunate end. Since making her deb

Mar 23, 2022By Kwak Yeon-soo
Chun Woo-hee returns as news anchor in mystery thriller
Films

INTERVIEW 'In Our Prime' writer explores mathematical questioning, courage

“In Our Prime” screenwriter Lee Yong-jae / Courtesy of ShowboxBy Kwak Yeon-sooOn the surface, “In Our Prime” is about a brilliant but troubled mathematician, but it's really about socially withdrawn people offering emotional support to each other, according to screenwriter Lee Yong-jae.Lee, who worked as a journalist and fund manager before becoming a full-time screenwriter, took inspiration from his own experience and interest in mathematics to write the script of “In Our Prime.” He acquired important insights by reading about the history of mathematics and renowned mathematicians.In the human drama, Choi Min-sik plays North Korean mathematician Lee Hak-sung, who has defected to South Korea and chooses to work as a janitor at a high school. There, he meets Han Ji-woo (Kim Dong-hwi), a student who has trouble fitting into the social hierarchy.When Hak-sung's talents are discovered, Ji-woo asks him to be his mentor. Through math lessons, the two social outcasts form a close bond. The events of the film unfold as Hak-sung becomes more and more involv

Mar 22, 2022By Kwak Yeon-soo
[INTERVIEW] 'In Our Prime' writer explores mathematical questioning, courage
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