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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

From 'Shark: The Beginning' to 'The 8th Night,' more films going direct to OTT

Actor Kim Min-seok in a scene from “Shark: The Beginning” / Courtesy of Tving By Kwak Yeon-sooDuring the first wave of COVID-19 last year, Korean cinema witnessed a number of films heading straight to over-the-top (OTT) platforms as theatres remained virtually empty. Starting with “Time to Hunt,” the industry then saw a growing number of films take the direct-to-digital route all the way to the recent “Space Sweepers,” which opened new doors for film producers to embrace digital premieres.The ongoing pandemic, which has been keeping moviegoers at home, and the heated competition between homegrown and global OTT service providers have turned digital platforms into the world's most popular viewing spots.Producers are now looking into the option of sending films straight to OTT with the possibility of a simultaneous release in theaters. In April, local OTT player Tving made an unprecedented dual theatrical-streaming release for the sci-fi thriller “Seobok,” starring Go

Jun 21, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo
From 'Shark: The Beginning' to 'The 8th Night,' more films going direct to OTT
Films

INTERVIEW Why Jo Woo-jin regards his 'Hard Hit' role as highlight of his career

Actor Jo Woo-jin / Courtesy of CJ ENMBy Kwak Yeon-sooFor actor Jo Woo-jin, who toiled in obscurity for 16 years before his breakthrough as a merciless villain in the 2015 film, “Inside Men,” his late-blooming success feels like “a miracle.”Since making his acting debut in 1999 through a stage play called “Last Embrace,” the 42-year-old actor has played supporting roles on the big and small screens.More TV and movie roles followed until “Inside Men” brought him a level of recognition he had never experienced before. As his career progressed, Jo has taken a couple of opportunities to stretch his acting chops. In “Steel Rain” (2017), he played a North Korean agent and in “The Drug King” (2018), he played a notorious gang boss. More recently, he played bigger roles in the heist caper film, “Collectors” (2020), and sci-fi thriller, “Seobok” (2021).On how he endured difficulties as an obscure actor for nearly two decades, he said his easy-going attitude and lofty dream kept him going.“I've

Jun 20, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo
[INTERVIEW] Why Jo Woo-jin regards his 'Hard Hit' role as highlight of his career
Films

INTERVIEW Romantic comedy 'Sweet & Sour' tells unconventional love story

Filmmaker Lee Gye-byok / Courtesy of NetflixBy Kwak Yeon-sooDirector Lee Gye-byok's latest romantic comedy, “Sweet & Sour,” tells an unconventional love story. Unlike coming-of-age stories filled with heartwarming romance, he unfolds the “nasty breakup” of a couple who try to sort out what went wrong.“Some people say it's an 'anti-romantic comedy' because of the way that the film ends, but it's not really an anti-romantic comedy. I tried to depict one modern couple's bittersweet relationship in a realistic way,” he said during a recent interview with The Korea Times via Zoom.A remake of the Japanese film, “Initiation Love” (2016), “Sweet & Sour” revolves around Jang-hyuk (Jang Ki-yong), who is in a long-distance relationship with his girlfriend, Da-eun (Chae Soo-bin). As the popular saying goes, “out of sight, out of mind,” the couple drift apart and eventually break up.“Although it's a remake of a Japanese movie, I tried to reinvent the story so that it resonates with Korean audiences. I brought in

Jun 18, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo
[INTERVIEW] Romantic comedy 'Sweet & Sour' tells unconventional love story
Travel & Food

Japanese man builds treehouse in Korea to realize childhood dream

Mizuno Masayuki poses outside of a treehouse he built in front of his home in Gimje, North Jeolla Province, Monday. Korea Times photo by Kim Kang-minBy Kwak Yeon-sooGIMJE, North Jeolla Province ― A Japanese man is living his childhood dream in Gimje, a city located about 200 kilometers south of Seoul. In 2009, Mizuno Masayuki, 53, transformed a run-of-the-mill house in the city to resemble one straight out of a fairytale and built a treehouse in his front yard.With his skillful hands and creativity, Masayuki constructed a beautiful treehouse that takes us away from the real world. The small haven he created reflects the owner's youthful imagination and evokes peaceful childhood memories of summer.“I think everyone has nostalgia for a treehouse. People of my age grew up reading 'The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn' and 'The Adventures of Tom Sawyer' while the younger generation enjoy animations like 'My Neighbor Totoro,'” he said during an interview with The Korea Times, Monday. “Regardless of age, anyone can possess the innocence of childhood when they climb up into

Jun 17, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo
Japanese man builds treehouse in Korea to realize childhood dream
Films

Bucheon Int'l Fantastic Film Festival to open in July under 'Stay Strange' theme

From left, the BIFAN Organizing Committee General Manager Eom Yong-hoon, Chairman Jung Ji-young, Festival Director Shin Chul and Head Programmer Ellen Y.D. Kim attend a press conference for the 25th Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival, scheduled July 8-18. Yonhap By Kwak Yeon-sooThe Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFAN), the country's annual film festival devoted to fantasy, horror and sci-fi genres, will screen a total of 258 films from 47 countries this year. The 25th BIFAN will run from July 8-18, under the theme, “Stay Strange,” with special attention to films that tell “scary tales,” according to the organizing committee. During the festival, a total of 146 films (61 features, 85 shorts) will be streamed online via the local streaming platform, Waave, as part of social distancing efforts amid the COVID-19 pandemic.“In the midst of uncertainty, our message to the audience is 'it's okay to be weird.' Weirdness can be a powerful vehicle

Jun 15, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo
Bucheon Int'l Fantastic Film Festival to open in July under 'Stay Strange' theme
Trends

BTS concert, 'Parasite' film sets to be explored in VR exhibition in Paris

A poster for the exhibition, "Korea: Cubically Imagined” / Courtesy of KOCCABy Kwak Yeon-soo“Korea: Cubically Imagined,” an immersive exhibition that offers a glimpse into the film set of the Oscar-winning film “Parasite” and BTS's concert stage, will be held at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris.Co-hosted by UNESCO and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the exhibition will allow visitors to engage in a virtual reality experience while exploring Korea's contemporary culture.The purpose of the event is to celebrate the U.N.-designated international year of the creative economy and mark the 71st anniversary of Korea's accession to UNESCO, according to the Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA). The exhibition will be divided into three sections ― the Korean Wave, Art and Cultural Heritage and Studio. The first part will present an immersive extended reality (XR) experience that enables visitors to use VR gear and stand before a three-wall LED stage to explore the backgrounds of BTS's “Dope” and “DNA” music videos. “Parasite

Jun 12, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo
BTS concert, 'Parasite' film sets to be explored in VR exhibition in Paris
Films

Most anticipated movies this summer, from 'Escape from Mogadishu' to 'Black Widow'

From left, posters for films “Escape from Mogadishu,” “Hostage: Missing Celebrity” and “Black Widow” / Courtesy of Lotte Entertainment, NEW, Walt Disney Korea By Kwak Yeon-sooWith Hollywood films like “F9” and “Cruella” doing better than expected at the box office and the country's vaccination rate picking up quickly, delayed blockbusters are finally hitting the big screen in time for the summer blockbuster season. The action blockbuster “F9” has sold over 2 million box office tickets here since its release on May 19, becoming the highest-grossing film of the year. Disney's “Cruella” has attracted over 760,000 moviegoers, grossing 7.2 billion won ($6.4 million) so far. The country's inoculation rate has been rising with some 20 percent of the population having received at least their first COVID-19 vaccine shots since February. Under these conditions, Lotte Entertainment announced its plans to release the big-budget action blockbuster “Escape from Mogadishu,” featur

Jun 11, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo
Most anticipated movies this summer, from 'Escape from Mogadishu' to 'Black Widow'
Films

Jin Ki-joo plays deaf person who confronts serial killer in thriller film 'Midnight'

From left, actors Wi Ha-jun, Jin Ki-joo, Kim Hye-yoon and Park Hoon, pose during an online press conference for the film “Midnight,” Wednesday. Courtesy of CJ ENM, TvingBy Kwak Yeon-sooActor Jin Ki-joo said she discovered the hidden charms of the thriller genre by starring in “Midnight,” which offers a suspense-laden plot that alternates between vigorous action and cerebral riddle-solving.“I was a little hesitant at first because I'm not a huge fan of thrillers. But after watching the completed film over and over again, to the point that I can watch from beginning to end with my eyes open, I now understand why thrillers are such a popular genre,” she said during a press conference for the film on Wednesday.“Midnight” revolves around a deaf woman named Kyung-mi (Jin) who engages in a battle of wits with serial killer Do-sik (Wi Ha-jun). After Kyung-mi witnesses a crime, Do-sik begins to stalk and hunt her down.Jin explained that the deafness of her character Kyung-mi serves as a major strength in the film. In the film, Kyung-mi is able t

Jun 10, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo
Jin Ki-joo plays deaf person who confronts serial killer in thriller film 'Midnight'
Trends

No. of King Sejong Korean language institutes to rise by 26 to 234

Culture Minister Hwang Hee, right, speaks at the press conference for unveiling new King Sejong Korean language institutes worldwide, held in Seoul, Wednesday. Courtesy of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism By Kwak Yeon-sooThe King Sejong Institute Foundation will add 26 Korean language institutes in 18 countries this year, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said, Wednesday. With the additions, the number of institutes to promote Korean language education and Korean culture abroad has increased to 234 in 82 countries worldwide, according to the ministry. The institutes were first established in three countries in 2007.The 26 new institutes were selected from among 85 applicants in 43 countries ― mostly national or state universities with Korean language courses. For the first time, the foundation will newly establish institutes in Morocco, Tanzania, Bolivia, Slovenia and Nepal.The ministry added that the foundation will open five institutes in Viet

Jun 9, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo
No. of King Sejong Korean language institutes to rise by 26 to 234
Films

Kim Seo-hyung aims to become 'scream queen' through 'Whispering Corridors 6'

Actors Kim Seo-hyung, left, and Kim Hyeon-soo pose during a press conference for the film “Whispering Corridors 6: The Humming” held in Seoul, Wednesday. Courtesy of kthBy Kwak Yeon-sooActress Kim Seo-hyung, known for playing charismatic roles including the cold-blooded tutor in JTBC's drama “Sky Castle,” said she wants to become known as a “scream queen” through the upcoming horror film “Whispering Corridors 6: The Humming.”“Honestly, I can't watch scary movies. I screamed while watching this one. The scenes in the latter half of the film were especially challenging because I had to walk into a room covered in blood. Although I was aware it was fake, it scared the hell out of me,” she said during a press conference for the film, Wednesday. “Although I can't handle horror films, I really want to become a scream queen.”The upcoming film centers on Eun-hee (Kim Seo-hyung), who has no memory of her high school years due to a traumatic event, returning to her alma mater as vice principal.One day, a student named Ha-y

Jun 9, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo
Kim Seo-hyung aims to become 'scream queen' through 'Whispering Corridors 6'
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