'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 gangsMar 31, 2022By Kwak Yeon-soo
'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 immedMar 28, 2022By Kwak Yeon-soo
Youn Yuh-jung presents supporting actor Oscar in sign language U.S. actor Troy Kotsur, left, accepts the award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for "CODA" from Korean actress Youn Yuh-jung onstage during the 94th Oscars at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood, California, March 27. AFP-YonhapKorean actress Youn Yuh-jung signed the name of Troy Kotsur, the first deaf actor winning an Oscar, in this year's Academy Awards.In the televised ceremony of the 94th edition Sunday (local time), Youn, as last year's best supporting actress, took the stage to present the prize of Actor in a Supporting Role, for which five nominees ― Kotsur of "CODA," Ciaran Hinds of "Belfast," J.K. Simmons of "Being the Ricardos" and Jesse Plemons and Kodi Smit-McPhee of "The Power of the Dog" ― were competing.Starting with the phrase "And the Oscar goes to," she paused and signed Kotsur's name before saying it aloud through the microphone.She handed the statuette to the actor and then quickly took it back in order to help him deliver his acceptance speech with free hands in sign language. She stayed on the stage holding the Oscar until Kotsur finished his speech with an interMar 28, 2022
Everything you need to know about the 2022 Oscars An Oscar statue is seen along the red carpet outside the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles, California, on March 26, one day before the 94th Academy Awards. AFP-YonhapThe 94th Academy Awards are set to air Sunday and a long awaited return to Hollywood's glamourous normalcy after a muted ceremony and ratings low last year.Here's everything you need to know about the 2022 Oscars, including how to watch the live show, who's expected to win and what the big controversies are this year. When are the Oscars?The Oscars will be held on Sunday, March 27, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. The ceremony is set to begin at 8 p.m. ET and will be broadcast live on ABC. Who is hosting the 2022 Oscars?Regina Hall, Amy Schumer and Wanda Sykes are taking the stage to co-host the ceremony, which has been without an emcee for the past three years. Producer Will Packer said each woman brings something different to the show. Which movies are nominated for best picture at the 2022 Oscars?The 10 movies competing for best picture this year are: ``Belfast''; ``CODA''; ``Don't Look Up''; ``Drive My Car''; ``Dune'Mar 27, 2022
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 titledMar 27, 2022By Kwak Yeon-soo
Korean Cultural Center New York screens Lee Jung-jae films free online A promotional banner for “Korean Movie Night at Home: Master's Series, Lee Jung-jae” / Courtesy of the Korean Cultural Center New YorkBy Park Han-solA free online screening highlighting “Squid Game” star Lee Jung-jae's filmography is scheduled to run throughout next month on the Korean Cultural Center New York's website.The event, presented as part of the center's “Korean Movie Nights at Home: Master's Series of 2022” to spotlight distinguished Korean actors' cinematic achievements, will feature six of Lee's movies ― from heartfelt romances to crime thrillers ― with English subtitles: “Deliver Us from Evil,” “New World,” “Assassination,” “The Thieves,” “Big Match” and “Il Mare.”It was the Netflix original survival drama that launched Lee to global stardom. But in Korea, he had already established his name as one of the most sought-after actors, with his career spanning nearly three decades on both the big and small screen.In addition to starring in “Sandglass,” an iMar 26, 2022By Park Han-sol
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 uMar 24, 2022By Kwak Yeon-soo
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 FesMar 23, 2022By Kwak Yeon-soo
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 debMar 23, 2022By Kwak Yeon-soo
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 involvMar 22, 2022By Kwak Yeon-soo
