The Korea Times

2nd-generation K-pop idols head to big screen

Bang Min-ah, left, in a scene from the film, “Snowball” / Courtesy of At9 FilmBy Kwak Yeon-sooWhile the third and fourth generation of K-pop stars are gaining widespread international recognition with sizeable global audiences, a number of former performers from K-pop's second generation ― those who debuted 10 years ago or more ― have recently been starring in film projects.Bang Min-ah, also known as Minah of Girl's Day, will play shy and angst-ridden teenager Kang-yi in director Lee Woo-jung's debut feature, “Snowball.”Set for a Sept. 1 release, the thriller teen drama centers on a complicated friendship between three high school best friends. For her role in “Snowball,” the singer-actress won the Rising Star Asia Award at 2021 New York Asian Film Festival. Bang made her acting debut in 2011 in MBN's sitcom, “Vampire Idol,” and since then has appeared on many hit series, including, “Beautiful Gong Shim” (2016) and “My Absolute Boyfriend” (2019). Earlier in August, she starred in MBC's mini-series, “Check O

Aug 29, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo

2nd-generation K-pop idols head to big screen

Entertainment

Jang Ki-yong begins to serve mandatory military service

Jang Ki-yong / Courtesy of YG EntertainmentBy Kwak Yeon-sooModel-turned-actor Jang Ki-yong enlisted for mandatory military service on Monday after he finished filming the upcoming SBS drama “Now, We Are Breaking Up” alongside Song Hye-kyo.The actor's agency, YG Entertainment, said the time and location of the entrance of the army boot camp will not be disclosed due to the surge in COVID-19 cases. Jang posted a hand-written letter on his Instagram account, thanking his fans for the support. “Thanks to everyone who has loved and supported me, I was able to spend my 20s happily. For a wonderful thirties, I'll return stronger and healthier. Thank you and I love you all,” he wrote.Jang started his career as a fashion model in 2012 and made his small screen debut with SBS's romance drama “It's Okay, That's Love” in 2014. Jang gained popularity after taking supporting roles in KBS2's “Go Back Couple” (2017), tvN's “My Mister” (2018) and “Search: WWW” (2019).The 29-year-old actor most recently starred in tvN's fantasy ro

Aug 23, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo

Jang Ki-yong begins to serve mandatory military service

Films

Minah of Girl's Day dredges up past trauma to play big movie role in 'Snowball'

Singer-actor Bang Min-ah poses during a press conference for the film “Snowball” in Seoul, Friday. Courtesy of At9 FilmBy Kwak Yeon-sooBang Min-ah, better known as Minah of Girl's Day, said she dredged up her deep-seated trauma to play her big movie role in “Snowball,” a thriller teen drama about a complicated friendship between three high school best friends.Based on the novel of the same title, the film revolves around a shy and angst-ridden teenager Kang-yi (Bang) who wants to break out of her shell. She joins her friends ― self-serving model wannabe So-young (Hang Sung-min) and domestic abuse victim Ah-ram (Shim Dal-gi) ― to run away from home and escape from their problems.However, their friendship falls apart due to misunderstandings and they return to school. All of a sudden, Kang-yi is ostracized by her friends and she feels alienated. Her growing pain leads her to dire consequences. “I was intimidated approaching 'Snowball' and having to express my character's poignant yet unsettling emotions. But I took on the role, hoping that a chapter of my

Aug 23, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo

Minah of Girl's Day dredges up past trauma to play big movie role in 'Snowball'

Films

Crime action film 'On the Line' offers rare glimpse into evolving cybercrime

From left, actors Byun Yo-han, Kim Mu-yeol, Kim Hee-won and Park Myung-hoon pose during an online press conference for the film “On the Line,” Thursday. Courtesy of CJ ENM By Kwak Yeon-sooCrime action film “On the Line” takes viewers into the seedy industry of voice phishing and phone fraud, crimes that manipulate people into giving money or revealing personal information through their phones. In the upcoming film, Byun Yo-han plays Han Seo-joon, who falls prey to a voice phishing scam and loses most of his fortune. He goes to China to seek revenge against the criminal gang led by Mr. Kwak (Kim Mu-yeol). It is directed by Kim Gok and his twin brother Kim Sun, the duo behind the 2010 horror film “White” and the 2016 film “Horror Stories 3.” To show how these criminal groups operate, the filmmakers reenacted scenes where fraudsters prepare multiple scenarios according to common reactions of victims, induce people to commit crimes and even work at large-scale call cent

Aug 20, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo

Crime action film 'On the Line' offers rare glimpse into evolving cybercrime

Films

INTERVIEW 'Female directors will lead Korea's next wave of film auteurs'

From left, the filmmakers, Yoon Dan-bi (“Moving On”), Jeon Go-woon (“Microhabitat”), Kim Bo-ra (“House of Hummingbird”) and Yoon Ga-eun (“The House of Us”) / Korea Times fileBy Kwak Yeon-sooRecent discussions on gender and feminism sparked by the #MeToo Movement, together with the rise of female voices in Korean cinema, have fueled growing interest in women and minorities in film.From Jeon Go-woon (“Microhabitat,” 2018) to Yoon Ga-eun (“The House of Us,” 2019) as well as Yi Ok-seop (“Maggie,” 2019) and Kim Bo-ra (“House of Hummingbird,” 2019), women have been making their presence felt in Korean cinema. In 2020, the Directors Guild of Korea (DGK) launched “Bechdel Day,” a week of gender equality and representation to encourage Korean filmmakers to produce films that capture the voices of all genders. This year, the DGK selected 10 films that passed the Bechdel test ― a measurement developed in the U.S., which is the bare minimum requirement for stories involving women. To pass

Aug 19, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo

[INTERVIEW] 'Female directors will lead Korea's next wave of film auteurs'

Films

INTERVIEW Childhood wound is still fresh for Tina Turner

Filmmaker Dan Lindsay poses before an interview with The Korea Times at Jecheon International Music and Film Festival, Friday. Courtesy of JIMFFFilmmaker Dan Lindsay speaks about capturing Tina Turner's turbulent life, enduring legacy in latest documentary By Kwak Yeon-sooJECHEON, North Chungcheong Province ― As a filmmaker, Dan Lindsay said he is naturally drawn to films that have emotional resonance ― whether it be something of triumph, failure or loneliness. His Oscar-winning sports documentary “Undefeated” (2011), a collaboration with T.J. Martin, told the story of an inner-city high school football team and its coach that try to win a season after years of losses. The duo's Emmy-winning film “LA 92” (2017) followed the days of violence, looting and arson during the Los Angeles Riots of 1992.Their latest film, “Tina,” premiered on HBO in 2021. It is perhaps their most glamorous film yet, centering on Tina Turner, the “Queen of Rock 'n' Roll.” But far from telling a sensational story, Lindsay and Martin instead captured the superstar

Aug 19, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo

[INTERVIEW] Childhood wound is still fresh for Tina Turner

Films

Action blockbuster 'Escape from Mogadishu' sold to 50 countries

Actor Zo In-sung in a scene from “Escape from Mogadishu” / Courtesy of Lotte EntertainmentBy Kwak Yeon-sooAction blockbuster “Escape from Mogadishu,” the most-watched homegrown film of this year, has been sold to 50 countries across the world, the film's local distributor said Thursday. Lotte Entertainment confirmed that it has locked in multiple deals on the international sales rights of “Escape from Mogadishu.” Among the 50 countries, the tent-pole film has sold to Europe (Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Austria and Switzerland), the Middle East and North Africa (the UAE, Egypt, Iraq, Iran, Israel, Kuwait, Yemen, Syria, Oman and Ethiopia) and Asia (Japan, the Philippines, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Mongolia, Indonesia and Malaysia).Since the film is intended for theater-only releases, the distributor is considering selling it in various formats, such as IMAX or 4DX. Directed by Ryoo Seung-wan, whose other works include, “The Berlin File” (2013), “Veteran” (2015) and “The Battleship Island” (2017

Aug 12, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo

Action blockbuster 'Escape from Mogadishu' sold to 50 countries

Films

Women's film festival to open in Seoul, Aug. 26

A scene from “Tove” by Finnish filmmaker Zaida Bergroth / Courtesy of SIWFF, Sami KuokkanenBy Kwak Yeon-sooThis year's Seoul International Women's Film Festival (SIWFF) will open Aug. 26 and run through Sept. 1 in a hybrid of online and in-person activities amid a fourth wave of COVID-19 infections here.Under the slogan “A Caring Reflection,” 119 films that explore feminist issues, from 27 countries, will be screened during the festival at western Seoul's Megabox Sangam World Cup cinema and the nearby Oil Tank Culture Park. Digital screenings of 44 feature films and 22 short films will also be available through the online film festival network ONFIFN.The 23rd edition of SIWFF will open with Finnish filmmaker Zaida Bergroth's “Tove,” a biopic of Finnish author and illustrator Tove Jannson during the formative decade in which she invented the Moomin characters while managing family disapproval and a bisexual love triangle in the shadow of World War II.“Rather than focusing on Tove Jannson's career or the success of the Moomin series, the film c

Aug 12, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo

Women's film festival to open in Seoul, Aug. 26

Shows & Dramas

Netflix's 'Squid Game,' starring Lee Jung-jae, to be released in September

The poster for “Squid Game” / Courtesy of Netflix By Kwak Yeon-soo“Squid Game,” a series that revolves around a mysterious survival game and starring Lee Jung-jae, will premiere on Netflix on Sept. 17.The title is inspired by a children's game, in which players draw different geometric shapes on the ground and play until there is one final winner. The streaming giant confirmed the Korean original series' release date on Wednesday, adding that it will be available in 190 countries from that date.Directed by Hwang Dong-hyuk, whose other works include “The Fortress,” “Miss Granny” and “Silenced,” the series follows the story of 456 cash-strapped people who fight to the death in the mysterious game until there is only one survivor. The last survivor wins the prize money worth 45.6 billion won ($39.4 million). Lee, well-known for his works such as “The Thieves” (2012) and “Assassination” (2015), plays Gi-hun, a desperate man who decided to join the survival game after

Aug 11, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo

Netflix's 'Squid Game,' starring Lee Jung-jae, to be released in September

Shows & Dramas

Kang Ha-neul, Lee You-young to star in suspense action drama 'Insider'

Actors Kang Ha-neul, left, and Lee You-young / Courtesy of TH Company, Ace Factory By Kwak Yeon-sooActors Kang Ha-neul and Lee You-young will star in the new action suspense drama, “Insider,” local cable broadcaster JTBC said Wednesday. It tells the story of Kim Yo-han (Kang), a judicial trainee whose life turns upside down after he goes undercover to uncover the truth in relation to a prosecutor suspected of corruption.Kim, who has lived an earnest life, gives in to the reality that the world is ruled by power and wealth, and ends up behind bars. Grief-stricken and confused, he begins to plot revenge for the betrayal while in prison. “Insider” is directed by Min Yeon-hong, who produced the OCN drama, “Missing: The Other Side.” It is written by Moon Man-se, who previously penned “Priest.”Director Min explained that the new series will contain elements of crime series, psychological thrillers and action dramas. The character's excruciating quest for revenge will brin

Aug 11, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo

Kwak Yeon-soo

Read more

2nd-generation K-pop idols head to big screen

Jang Ki-yong begins to serve mandatory military service

Minah of Girl's Day dredges up past trauma to play big movie role in 'Snowball'

Crime action film 'On the Line' offers rare glimpse into evolving cybercrime

INTERVIEW 'Female directors will lead Korea's next wave of film auteurs'

INTERVIEW Childhood wound is still fresh for Tina Turner

Action blockbuster 'Escape from Mogadishu' sold to 50 countries

Women's film festival to open in Seoul, Aug. 26

Netflix's 'Squid Game,' starring Lee Jung-jae, to be released in September

Kang Ha-neul, Lee You-young to star in suspense action drama 'Insider'

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