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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

2021 top news in cinema

Actress Youn Yuh-Jung accepts the Oscar for Actress in a Supporting Role during the live ABC Telecast of the 93rd Oscars in Los Angeles, California, U.S., April 25. Reuters-YonhapYoun Yuh-jung brings Oscar home, protracted pandemic casting shadow on cinemaBy Kwak Yeon-sooThe COVID-19 pandemic is poised to enter its third year, showing few signs of easing with the presence of Omicron variant. Although, movie houses, which were hit hard since the outbreak of the pandemic, have cautiously reopened. But there is a bumpy road ahead for the film industry as streaming services have made the most of the pandemic to increase their subscribers and have eventually begun to emerge as an alternative to theaters. And while optimism for theaters is still dominating, some are voicing worries about their future. Despite the difficult times, some Korean actors made headlines in Hollywood, bringing renewed interest to the Korean entertainment industry. Here are this year's biggest moments in Korean film.1. Youn Yuh-jung wins Oscar for 'Minari'Youn Yuh-jung had her most memorable year as she became the

Dec 16, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo
2021 top news in cinema
Films

'Parasite' star Park So-dam recovering from thyroid cancer

Actress Park So-dam / Korea Times fileBy Kwak Yeon-sooActress Park So-dam, who rose to fame after playing the crafty daughter of the working-class family in the 2019 Oscar-winning film, “Parasite,” is recovering from surgery after she was diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer. According to her agency, Artist Company, Park was diagnosed during a regular health checkup. Due to the illness, the 30-year-old actress won't be able to promote her next film, “Special Cargo,” which is slated for theatrical release on Jan. 12. The press conference for the film was scheduled to take place on Dec. 9, but the event was canceled suddenly, with organizers citing COVID-19 concerns. Directed by Park Dae-min, “Special Cargo” is a crime action film that revolves around Eun-ha (Park), a driver for a criminal enterprise. She feels conscience-stricken about her duty when she is tasked with delivering a young boy, Seo-won (Jung Hyeon-jun). Eun-ha tries to save him from falling prey to traffickers while being chased by a corrupt cop associated with an organized crime gr

Dec 14, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo
'Parasite' star Park So-dam recovering from thyroid cancer
Shows & Dramas

Korean remake of BBC sitcom 'Uncle' is more family-oriented: director

From left, actors Lee Sang-woo, Jeong Hye-jin, Lee Kyung-hoon, Oh Jung-se, Lee Si-won and Hwang Woo Seul-hye pose during an online press conference for TV Chosun's new drama, “Uncle,” Thursday. Courtesy of TV ChosunBy Kwak Yeon-sooActor Oh Jung-se, who has demonstrated his ability to balance both comedic and dramatic roles in hit TV shows, including KBS's “When the Camellia Blooms,” tvN's “It's Okay to Not Be Okay” and “Jirisan,” is returning to the small screen to play a loser whose music career never took off. Adapted from a BBC comedy series of the same title, TV Chosun's new drama “Uncle” tells the story of unemployed musician Jun-hyuk (Oh) who forges an unlikely alliance with his 12-year-old nephew, Ji-hoo (Lee Kyung-hoon), after being forced into looking after him by his overbearing sister Jun-hee (Jeon Hye-jin).Director Ji Young-soo described the series as a coming-of-age story that follows the 30-something failed musician as he grows up and rescues his sister and nephew, who are struggling to make ends meet. Asked ab

Dec 10, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo
Korean remake of BBC sitcom 'Uncle' is more family-oriented: director
Films

Go Doo-shim, Moon So-ri named winners of 22nd Women in Film Korea Festival

From left, actors Moon So-ri, Go Doo-shim and Bang Min-ah / Courtesy of C-Jes Entertainment, Myung Film, Yooborn CompanyBy Kwak Yeon-sooGo Doo-shim, Moon So-ri and Bang Min-ah have been named winners of the 22nd Women in Film Korea Festival, which spotlights women both in front of and behind the camera and advocates gender equality in the film industry. Veteran actor Go won the Woman in Film of the Year Award for her performance in “Everglow,” in which she played a haenyeo (UNESCO-recognized female diver of Jeju Island) who falls in love with a young documentary director. The Best Actress Award went to Moon, who has swept main screen awards including the Blue Dragon Award and the Korean Association of Film Critics' Award. She appeared in drama film “Three Sisters” as the second-eldest daughter Mi-yeon, who had been the victim of domestic violence as a child and an extramarital affair of her husband as a grownup.Bang, better known as Minah of K-pop group Girl's Day, won the Best New Actress Award for portraying a teenager with deep-seated trauma in thriller tee

Dec 9, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo
Go Doo-shim, Moon So-ri named winners of 22nd Women in Film Korea Festival
Entertainment

KOCCA to present immersive, multisensory exhibition, 'Beyond the Reality'

A poster for the exhibition, “Beyond the Reality” / Courtesy of KOCCABy Kwak Yeon-sooKorea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA) will hold an immersive, walk-through exhibition titled, “Beyond the Reality,” which will offer visitors a multisensory experience of the country's contemporary art.The purpose of the event is to recognize businesses and artists that showed exceptional talent and creativity in media art projects this year. The exhibition will be divided into three different zones: projection mapping that turns objects into video displays, experience-based media art and holographic displays using the latest immersive technology.The projection mapping section features art works that exist at the intersection of science and the imagination. D'strict Holding's “Flower Camellia” and “Underwater,” Easy With's “Enter the Wind,” about the wind of life, and Science Show's “Dinoqua,” about dinosaurs and aquatic animals, will be displayed. The second part of the exhibition will allow visitors virtual and artificial reali

Dec 9, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo
KOCCA to present immersive, multisensory exhibition, 'Beyond the Reality'
Shows & Dramas

Two outdoorsy celebrities head out on motorbike road trip in 'The Hungry and the Hairy'

Singer-actor Jung Ji-hoon, left, and TV personality Ro Hong-chul pose during an online press conference for Netflix's variety show, “The Hungry and The Hairy,” Wednesday. Courtesy of NetflixBy Kwak Yeon-sooSinger-actor Jung Ji-hoon, better known by his stage name Rain, and TV personality Ro Hong-chul hinted that their new reality show “The Hungry and the Hairy” explores some of the most beautiful places and best food in Korea as they head out on a road trip across the country.Netflix's upcoming variety show centers on two celebrities taking a motorcycle road trip to uncover hidden gems of Korea, exploring some tourist destinations and local food specialties. It offers beautiful views of the countryside with music by veteran guitarist and singer-songwriter Lee Sang-soon.Star TV director Kim Tae-ho, who produced the show, said he never planned on doing a show featuring Rain and Ro. Kim was behind several hit variety shows such as “Infinite Challenge” and “Hangout with You.”“After the success of SSAK3, a project group from MBC's Hang

Dec 8, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo
Two outdoorsy celebrities head out on motorbike road trip in 'The Hungry and the Hairy'
Films

Cast speak about growing up with 'Spider-Man'

From left, actors Jacob Batalon, Tom Holland and Zendaya answer questions from reporters during an online press conference for the film, “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” Tuesday. / Courtesy of Sony PicturesBy Kwak Yeon-sooTom Holland, who plays the titular hero in “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” gave a sneak peek into the latest installment in the franchise, sharing his thoughts about the superhero film and how his take on Peter Parker differs from earlier Spider-Man runs starring Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield.“We leaned into high school aspects of the character. We grounded him in reality, gave him everyday problems and made a film about a high schooler being a superhero rather than a superhero being a high schooler. For me, that's probably the main difference,” he told reporters.In an online press conference with Korean reporters, Holland also talked about the bittersweet end of the “Spider-Man” trilogy.“It's very emotional for the three of us. We started working together when we were 19 years old. We became fast friends and had grown

Dec 7, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo
Cast speak about growing up with 'Spider-Man'
Shows & Dramas

Bae Doo-na, Gong Yoo talk challenges of filming outer-space drama 'The Silent Sea'

Actors Gong Yoo, left, and Bae Doo-na in a scene from Netflix's series “The Silent Sea” / Courtesy of NetflixBy Kwak Yeon-sooBae Doo-na and Gong Yoo, who play astronauts in Netflix's new series “The Silent Sea,” described it as one of the most exciting, yet challenging projects of their careers.Set in 2075, when Earth has become almost uninhabitable, a group of astronauts are sent to retrieve samples from an abandoned research facility on the moon. Bae portrays space biologist Song Ji-an while Gong plays the role of space agency team leader Han Yoon-jae.“I love taking on projects that are full of adventure. I was curious about the film set in outer space and wanted to push my creative boundaries as an actor,” Bae said. “This is the kind of movie I've been waiting for a long time. I've always had a desire to do a science fiction thriller movie and, as soon as I read the script, I immediately wanted to take part in it,” Gong said. “There were some challenges of filming a movie set in a weightless environment. Hard work went into mak

Dec 7, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo
Bae Doo-na, Gong Yoo talk challenges of filming outer-space drama 'The Silent Sea'
Films

Actors share experiences as directors in 'Unframed'

From left, actor-directors Park Jeong-min, Son Suk-ku, Choi Hee-seo and Lee Je-hoon pose during an online press conference for their “Unframed” project, Monday. Courtesy of WatchaBy Kwak Yeon-sooActor Lee Je-hoon, who led Watcha's “Unframed” project through which he and three other actors took on new roles as directors, said he came to have a better appreciation for filmmakers after being challenged by the new field of directing. Actors Lee, Park Jeong-min, Son Suk-ku and Choi Hee-seo directed short films as part of the project, with each writing their own screenplays and then directing their work.“After directing my own movie, I felt more grateful for filmmakers and I'm willing to devote more effort to helping them make great movies,” Lee said during an online press conference for the film project, Monday.Park directed “Class Representative Election,” a short film that centers on 5th grade students running for class representative. The actor revealed he had always wanted to make a film about elementary students because schools are a mi

Dec 6, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo
Actors share experiences as directors in 'Unframed'
Films

From 'Spider-Man: No Way Home' to 'Matrix 4,' big movies gearing up for cinema releases in December

A poster for "Spider-Man: No Way Home," "Matrix Resurrection" / Courtesy of Sony Pictures, Warner Bros. KoreaBy Kwak Yeon-sooThe year-end holiday season has big films lined up for release, but the resurgence of COVID-19 cases is likely to continue to weigh on cinema operators. The government banned food and beverage consumption in cinemas again starting Dec. 1, a month after it had lifted such restrictions.From “Spider-Man,” starring Tom Holland, to another “Kingsman” spy comedy franchise, and the long-awaited “Matrix 4,” there is plenty for film buffs to enjoy during this holiday season.“Spider-Man: No Way Home” will open in Korea, Dec. 15, two days prior to its release in the U.S. The film picks up at the point where Spider-Man's identity is exposed, and his superhero responsibilities come into conflict with his normal life as Peter Parker. He calls for Doctor Strange's help to restore his secret identity, but the magic spell breaks open the multiverse, releasing supervillains who have never before fought Spider-Man. “The King's

Dec 6, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo
From 'Spider-Man: No Way Home' to 'Matrix 4,' big movies gearing up for cinema releases in December
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