Park Chan-wook vows 'pure audience' approach as Cannes jury chiefKorean director Park Chan-wook said he will evaluate films at this year's Cannes Film Festival with the "pure eyes of an audience." Speaking at a press conference in Cannes, France, for the festival's competition jury, held before the festival opened Tuesday (local time), Park outlined his dual approach to viewing and evaluating the entries as the jury president. "I want to watch the films with a sense of excitement, without prejudice, preconceptions or fixed ideas, waiting to see which work will surprise me," Park said in a video of the event posted on the festival's website. "But when it comes time to discuss them, I will speak as a professional with clear views and an understanding of cinema history." Asked by a reporter whether art should be separated from politics, Park rejected the idea. "It is strange to think of politics and art as opposing concepts," he said, adding that films with political messages should not be seen as "the enemy of art" if expressed effectively. The 79th edition features three Korean films across sections, underlining the country's growing global cinematic prMay 13, 2026By Yonhap
Korean cinema ascends from Cannes outsider to global standard-bearerFor years, Korean cinema arrived at the Cannes Film Festival as a celebrated outsider, a source of visceral, high-concept energy that reliably jolted the traditional hierarchy. This year, as the 79th edition of the festival begins, that energy has been translated into institutional power. The most visible sign of this new status is the appointment of Park Chan-wook, the director of "Oldboy" and "Decision to Leave," as the first Korean to serve as president of the main competition jury. His role as the festival’s lead arbiter marks a transition for the Korean film industry: It is no longer just a trend to be watched, but a standard-bearer for the medium. To turn this symbolic prestige into structural influence, the Korean Film Council (KOFIC) launched an expansive commercial offensive on the Croisette. Operating from a dedicated pavilion in the International Village, the council is moving beyond the promotion of finished films toward a strategy of deep-rooted international integration. At the heart of this effort is the "KO-PICK" initiative, a program designed to embed Korean producersMay 13, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
Japanese auteur Hirokazu Kore-eda to visit Korea next monthAward-winning Japanese filmmaker Hirokazu Kore-eda will visit Korea next month to promote his recent work "Sheep in the Box," its distributor said Tuesday. Kore-eda will be accompanied by child actor Rimu Kuwaki for his visit scheduled for June 4-5, according to Media Castle. "Sheep in the Box" portrays a Japanese couple who welcomes a humanoid robot resembling their late son into their family. The sci-fi drama is one of the 22 films that have been invited to compete for the top honor at this year's Cannes Film Festival. It will premiere at the film fest and hit Korean theaters on June 10.May 12, 2026By Yonhap
Na Hong-jin's sci-fi thriller 'Hope' eyes win at CannesDirector Na Hong-jin's sci-fi thriller film "Hope" will vie for the top honor at this year's Cannes Film Festival set to begin Tuesday, alongside 21 other titles invited to the competition section of the 79th edition of the prestigious film awards. "Hope" is the first Korean film in four years to compete for the Palme d'Or since renowned director Park Chan-wook's "Decision to Leave" and "Broker" by award-winning Japanese auteur Hirokazu Kore-eda, produced by Korean companies and starring Korean actors, were both invited for competition in 2022. The blockbuster portrays the sudden appearance of mysterious entities in a small coastal town near the heavily fortified Demilitarized Zone, with Hwang Jung-min playing a local police chief and Zo In-sung appearing as a villager. The movie's star-studded cast also includes "Squid Game" star Jung Ho-yeon and Hollywood actors Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander and Taylor Russell. "Hope" is set to have its global premiere in Cannes on Sunday, with Na and the cast expected to attend a red carpet event during the festival set to run through May 23 inMay 12, 2026By Yonhap
Supernatural horror 'Salmokji' hits 3 mil. admissionsThe supernatural horror film "Salmokji: Whispering Water" has attracted more than 3 million viewers, just about a month after its release, data showed Monday. The Korean film logged 147,323 admissions from Friday to Sunday, bringing its total audience number to 3.02 million, according to the Korean Film Council. The figure ranks just behind the 2003 movie "A Tale of Two Sisters," which reigns as the most-watched Korean horror film at 3.14 million admissions. Premiering April 8, "Salmokji" follows a filming crew, led by Soo-in (Kim Hye-yoon), who travels to a location to complete a shoot within a deadline — only to find themselves sinking deeper into an inescapable, swamp-like terror as time runs out. The filming location, Salmokji, is a reservoir in Yesan County, South Chungcheong Province, long rumored among locals to be a paranormal hotspot with a history of reported ghost sightings. "The Devil Wears Prada 2," a prequel to the 2006 Hollywood comedy "The Devil Wears Prada," topped the weekend box chart with 195,514 admissions, followed by the animation "The Super Mario Galaxy Movie" wiMay 11, 2026By Yonhap
Jeonju film festival concludes with focus on hidden realitiesThe 27th Jeonju International Film Festival (JIFF) wrapped up its 10-day run on Friday, reinforcing its identity as a hub for independent and alternative cinema by shining a spotlight on the hidden realities of disappearing spaces and those suffering in the shadows of society. This year’s festival, held under the slogan "Beyond the Frame," showcased 237 films from 54 countries. The festival recorded a high seat occupancy rate of 82.1 percent, with 442 out of 610 screenings selling out. The festival concluded with the screening of the documentary "The Longest Night: Namtaeryeong," directed by Kim Hyun-ji. The documentary captures the aftermath of Korea’s martial law declaration on Dec. 3, 2024, focusing on the protesters who gathered in southern Seoul on Dec. 21. "I discovered hope in the way different people faced one another and accepted their differences at Namtaeryeong, which is why I chose this subject," Kim said during a press conference on the closing day. Earlier on Wednesday, the festival announced its major award winners, highlighting films that delve into the anxieties of rMay 10, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
Webtoon IP gains traction in Hollywood, emerging marketsKorean webtoon companies are expanding their presence in the global content market, as entertainment studios increasingly seek proven intellectual property (IP) with established fan bases for film and streaming adaptations, according to industry officials, Thursday. “Global studios are showing strong interest in webtoon IP because the stories already come with well-developed narratives and proven popularity,” an official from the local webtoon industry said. The trend is reflected in a growing number of overseas adaptation projects involving webtoon and web novel IP. Webtoon Entertainment, the parent company of Naver Webtoon, recently confirmed that its English-language original webtoon "ShootAround" will be adapted into a live-action film in the United States. The zombie horror-comedy series has accumulated around 28 million views globally. The screenplay will be written by Ayanna K. White, who previously participated in Apple TV+’s "Severance" and Netflix’s "The Night Agent." The project will be developed by its in-house studio, Webtoon Productions, together with U.S.-based LioMay 8, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
'Wild Sing' follows faded idol group’s hilarious comeback“Wild Sing” is a comedy about a former idol group making a reckless attempt to return to the stage after 20 years, its director Sohn Jae-kon said Thursday. "This film started with the question of what it would be like if Gang Dong-won, Um Tae-goo and Park Ji-hyun became idols," Sohn said during a press conference in Seoul. The movie follows Triangle, a once-popular three-member group that disbanded due to an unexpected incident. Two decades later, the members reunite to seize a final chance at fame. The director, known for "My Scary Girl" (2006), "Villain and Widow" (2010) and "Secret Zoo" (2020),” said he researched many singers from the 1990s and 2000s during the production process. He added he did not base the story on any specific real-life events but rather developed the plot within the fictional setting. "It is not easy for an actor like Gang to choose a comedy film. Rather than me picking him, he was the one who chose this project," the director said. Gang stars as Hyun-woo, the leader of Triangle. The actor portrays the character's journey from a stylish idol to struggling tMay 7, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
Lee Byung-hun to star in martial arts action movie ‘Nambeol'Top actor Lee Byung-hun has confirmed his lead role in "Nambeol" (tentative title), a project that marks the directorial debut of veteran cinematographer Lee Mo-gae, according to producer Hive Media Corp. on Wednesday. The film is a hard-boiled martial arts action flick set in the early Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). It follows nine warriors of different ranks and backgrounds who travel to Tsushima Island to rescue Korean captives kidnapped by Japanese pirates. The title "Nambeol" refers to a military expedition to conquer the south. While the film is fiction, it is set against the historical backdrop of the early Joseon era, when the nation struggled with frequent raids by Japanese pirates. These pirate groups caused significant damage through looting and illegal trade along the southern coast. In response, the Joseon government employed both military force and diplomatic activities to suppress their activities. The project is drawing significant attention as it marks the first time the cinematographer will take the director role. Since his debut with "A Tale of Two Sisters" (2003), Lee haMay 6, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
Cinemas gear up for family-focused May holidaysWith May packed with holidays dedicated to the family, local theaters are rolling out a diverse and highly anticipated lineup of movies for fans of different generations. From a brand-new "Star Wars" cinematic adventure and a legendary pop icon's biopic to homegrown animated features arriving just in time for Children's Day on Tuesday, this month's box office offers plenty of reasons for families to head to the cinema. Leading the charge for family blockbusters is "The Super Mario Galaxy Movie." Released on Wednesday to capture the holiday crowd, the film continues the massively successful animated journey of Nintendo's iconic plumber brothers. This time, the adventure goes cosmic, offering visually stunning intergalactic world-building that both nostalgic parents and young gamers can enjoy together. Driven by the high expectations of Nintendo fans in Korea, the film topped the weekend box office. According to data from the Korean Film Council, the movie has drawn 685,994 viewers as of Sunday, surpassing the long-awaited sequel "The Devil Wears Prada 2." For younger children, homegrown anMay 5, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
