INTERVIEW 'Nureongi:' US producer digs deep into Korea's dog meat industry with unbiased lens Kevin S. Bright, director and producer of the documentary, “Nureongi,” poses with his two dogs ― Hope, left, and Oscar. Both animals were rescued from Korean dog farms during his first visit to the country in 2017. Courtesy of Just Bright ProductionsDogs are dogs and there's no difference between pet dogs and 'meat dogs,' says Kevin S. BrightBy Park Han-solIt was one hot summer day in 2017 in Korea when Kevin S. Bright ― a producer and director whose long list of works includes the mega-popular American TV show, “Friends” (1994-2004) ― was invited for lunch at none other than a “bosintang” (which, in English, translates into a traditional soup for replenishing a weakened body with nutrients, but is more widely known as dog meat soup) restaurant.It was his first official meeting with the people from the Dog Meat Association after he contacted them for his documentary project on Korea's dog meat culture ― one that he explained would be unlike any other films made about the country's long-standing custom before.The members of the association suggestedSep 9, 2021By Park Han-sol
INTERVIEW Park Jeong-min feels 'lucky' to have good career Actor Park Jeong-min / Courtesy of Lotte EntertainmentBy Kwak Yeon-sooPark Jeong-min says it feels like a “miracle” that he's finally become a movie star from being an unknown. When he decided to drop out of prestigious Korea University to attend Korea National University of Arts in Seoul, many ― including his parents ― were skeptical of whether he would succeed as an actor.“During the early days of my career, I wasn't able to get any guidance. All I heard were discouraging words like, 'You're not cut out for the movies.' But I always believed that even if I don't have talent, I should at least do the thing I truly enjoy,” he said during an interview with The Korea Times via Zoom, Tuesday. His first opportunity came in 2011 when he made his major film debut with “Bleak Night.” Since then, Park has created memorable characters in a series of films that includes: the historical drama, “Dongju: The Portrait of a Poet,” (2016) the comedy, “Start-up,” (2019) and the hard-boiled action film, “Deliver us from Evil” (202Sep 8, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo
Byun Yo-han sees his potential as action star in 'On the Line' Actor Byun Yo-han / Megabox Plus MBy Kwak Yeon-sooByun Yo-han doesn't mind playing brash and hilarious or brooding and charismatic characters on screen. He skillfully steps into the shoes of any character and brings to life the role he plays. Through varied roles in a mixture of genres, he wishes to tell human stories and portray the depth of the characters he plays.The 35-year-old actor said crime action film “On the Line” helped him see his potential as an action star and learn about voice phishing and phone fraud crimes that manipulate people into giving away money or revealing personal information through their phones.In the upcoming film, Byun plays former police officer Han Seo-joon, who falls prey to a voice phishing scam and loses most of his money. He goes to China, the epicenter of cybercrime, to seek revenge against the criminal gang led by Mr. Kwak (Kim Mu-yeol).Byun performed most of his action sequences himself without the use of a stunt double. “Our martial arts director created elaborate fight sequences. All I did was build my stamina to showcase figSep 7, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo
'Men appear twice as often as women in Korean films,' data shows The poster for “Bechdel Day 2021” / Courtesy of the Directors Guild of KoreaBy Kwak Yeon-sooFemale actors had a big year in Korea's top films last year. In the comedy and drama genres, Uhm Jung-hwa, Kim Hye-soo and Ko A-sung headlined films. Yet, it is difficult to conclude that female-led films are increasing as many major big-budget films have delayed their releases due to the COVID-19 pandemic.Men were still seen and heard about twice as much as women in the 20 highest-grossing films that were released between July 1, 2020 and June 30, 2021. These 20 films are: “Deliver Us From Evil,” “Peninsula,” “Steel Rain 2: Summit,” “Samjin Company English Class,” “Collectors,” “OK! Madam,” “Hard Hit,” “The Golden Holiday,” “Mission Possible,” “Best Friend,” “Voice of Silence,” “Waiting For Rain,” “Oh! My Gran,” “Book of Fish,” “Recalled,” “The Day I Died,” “Josee” and “The Sep 6, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo
Kate Hudson, Jeon Jong-seo star in tribute to outsiders 'Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon' Kate Hudson poses at the photo call for the film “Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon” during the 78th edition of the Venice Film Festival in Venice, Sept. 5. AP-YonhapJeon Jong-seo / YonhapHollywood star Kate Hudson and South Korean actress Jeon Jong-seo play two outsiders on a collision course with their surroundings in Ana Lily Amirpour's Venice Film Festival competition entry "Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon."The fantasy adventure opens with Jeon's mysterious Mona Lisa using supernatural powers to break free from the maximum-security wing of a mental asylum in New Orleans. Running away from the police she finds herself in the city's raucous French Quarter where she comes to the rescue of exotic dancer and single mother Bonnie (Hudson) who in turn takes her in.Mona Lisa, with a taste for junk food and a tenderness towards the underdogs, strikes up an unlikely friendship with Bonnie's young son, Charles, and a local drug dealer (Ed Skrein), who are untroubled by her otherworldly abilities."I wanted to find what's optimistic about this madness that we're all in. And I do think friSep 6, 2021
'Heaven: To the Land of Happiness' selected as opening film of 26th BIFF A poster for the film, “Heaven: To the Land of Happiness” / Courtesy of Lotte EntertainmentBy Kwak Yeon-sooDirector Im Sang-soo's “Heaven: To the Land of Happiness” has been named the opening film of this year's Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), the event's organizer announced Thursday. “Heaven,” which was selected for the official selection in the 2020 Cannes Film Festival, revolves around two men ― played by Choi Min-sik and Park Hae-il ― who inadvertently become wealthy and go on a road trip together in pursuit of happiness.Choi, best known for his previous hit films “Old Boy” (2003) and “Roaring Currents” (2014), plays the role of jail-breaker, Inmate 203, while Park of “The Host” stars as penniless patient, Nam-sik, in the film.In addition, Academy Award-winning actress Youn Yuh-jung will appear as the glamorous Madam Youn. “The harmony created from Im Sang-soo's outstanding directorial power and excellent acting by Choi Min-sik and Park Hae-il ultimately turns the film into an inquiry about haSep 3, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo
Korean actor Park Seo-joon to star in Marvel film Actor Park Seo-joon / Korea Times fileSouth Korean actor Park Seo-joon will star in Marvel Studios' new superhero film, his agency said Friday."Park has confirmed his appearance in a Marvel Studios film and left the country this afternoon," Awesome ENT said in a release.Details of the project, including the title of the movie, filming schedules and locations, will be announced later, it added.There have been rumors that Park was cast for the sequel of "Captain Marvel," officially titled "The Marvels," along with Brie Larson and Iman Vellani. The project, directed by Nia DaCosta, is known to begin filming this year and set for release in 2023.Park will be the third actor of Korean descent to star in a Marvel movie, following Soo-hyun, known as Claudia Kim, in "Avengers: Age of Ultron" (2015) and Korean American Ma Dong-seok, or Don Lee, in "Eternals." The 32-year-old Korean actor has carved out his acting career through hit TV series like the romantic comedy "What's Wrong with Secretary Kim" (2018) and the drama "Itaewon Class" (2020). He also made a cameo appearance in the Oscar-winnSep 3, 2021
'Miracle' director reminds us not to fear failure From left, actors Park Jeong-min, Lim Yoon-a, director Lee Jang-won, actors Lee Soo-kyung and Lee Sung-min pose after the online press conference for the film “Miracle,” Wednesday. Courtesy of Lotte EntertainmentBy Kwak Yeon-sooPark Jeong-min, an award-winning actor known for taking on many diverse roles in his career, described his new film, “Miracle,” as one of the most touching dramas of the year, that's genuine and witty to the core. Set in 1986, “Miracle” tells the story of math prodigy Joon-kyung (Park), who lives in a remote town in North Gyeongsang Province. His five-hour commute to school weighs on him, and that encourages him to come up with a plan to build a train station in his hometown.Joon-kyung joins hands with other townspeople to obtain approval for the project to create a train station. The film is based on a true story. Yangwon Station, located in Bonghwa County, North Gyeongsang Province, which was built by the townspeople in 1988, is recorded as Korea's first private train station.Director Lee Jang-hoon, who previously directedSep 1, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo
From Park Jeong-min to Lee Je-hoon, young actors to make directorial debuts Actors Park Jeong-min, left, and Lee Je-hoon / Courtesy of Lotte Entertainment, Company ONBy Kwak Yeon-sooFour young actors are expanding their expertise behind the camera for their directorial debuts. Actors Park Jeong-min, Lee Je-hoon, Son Suk-ku and Choi Hee-seo will create short films as part of the “Unframed Project,” which will be released exclusively on local streaming platform, Watcha. The project allows each actor to write his or her script and direct the creation of their movie. “Through the 'Unframed Project,' the actors will be able to go beyond acting and expand their artistic world to the new field of directing. They will highlight relationships and emotions we've been missing out on,” Watcha said in a statement. Park has had a tight work schedule since playing a groundbreaking role on “Dongju: The Portrait of a Poet” in 2015, but kept his writing jobs on the sideline. After years of writing columns for a magazine and a film blog, Park published his own book of essays, titled “Usable Human,” in 2018. The 34-year-old actor'Aug 31, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo
Jeong Jin-woon to return to big screen as rookie cop in crime action film Jeong Jin-woon in a scene from the film, “Brother” / Courtesy of The Great CompanyBy Kwak Yeon-sooSinger-actor Jeong Jin-woon will return to the big screen as a rookie cop in the crime action film, “Brother,” three months after starring in his first full-length horror film, “Only I Can See.”In the upcoming film, Jeong will play the role of Kang-soo, a righteous cop who unexpectedly joins hands with gang boss Yong-sik (Jo Jae-yun). Director Shin Keun-ho, well-known for his previous film, “Romantic Debtors,” (2010) directed the flick.“The two characters engage in a mind game as well as show off their fast-moving fight scenes and chase scenes to compel audiences to see through the eyes of Kang-soo or Yong-sik,” the production team said.Jeong debuted as a member of the four-member group, 2AM, in 2008 with the ballad, “This Song,” which led the group to stardom. The group has released a string of hits, including, “I Was Wrong” and “Like Crazy” (2010).He started acting in 2012 through a lead rolAug 30, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo
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