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
'Escape from Mogadishu' becomes Korea's No. 1 hit movie this year Director Ryu Seung-wan, top left, and the cast of the film, “Escape from Mogadishu,” pose with handwritten thank you notes to fans, after the film surpassed the three-million ticket sales mark on Sunday. Courtesy of Lotte EntertainmentBy Kwak Yeon-soo“Escape from Mogadishu,” an action blockbuster by director Ryu Seung-wan, has become the most-viewed film this year to date, its distributor said Sunday.The film posted over three million ticket purchases as of Sunday, on the 33rd day of its release, according to Lotte Entertainment. It outnumbered the previous No. 1, “Black Widow,” released in July, which garnered around 2.95 million ticket sales. To celebrate this record, Ryu and the cast, including Kim Yoon-seok, Zo In-sung, Huh Joon-ho, Koo Kyo-hwan, Kim So-jin and Jeong Man-sik, thanked fans for their support in photos of each actor holding a “thank you” note.Based on a true story, “Escape from Mogadishu” follows stranded South Korean and North Korea embassy workers who join forces to escape Somalia during the civil war in Aug 29, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo
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 OAug 29, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo
Venice film fest returns with another blockbuster lineup This image released by 20th Century Studios shows Matt Damon as Jean de Carrouges in a scene from "The Last Duel." The film will premiere at the 78th Venice International Film Festival. 20th Century Studios via AP-YonhapThe Venice Film Festival returns Wednesday with an ultra-glitzy lineup, including the world premiere of sci-fi blockbuster "Dune" and Kristen Stewart's turn as Princess Diana, cementing its status as a serious rival to Cannes.After a low-key event last year due to the pandemic, “La Mostra” is raising the stakes once again in the battle for film fest supremacy with the sort of lineup that has drool running down the chins of red carpet gawkers and pretentious film critics alike. The world's oldest film festival has embraced Hollywood in recent years and its 78th edition, running from Sept. 1 to 11, is no exception."Dune" brings hot young things Timothee Chalamet and Zendaya to the Venice festival, while Ridley Scott's "The Last Duel" marks the bromantic return of Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, writing and starring together for the first time since their Oscar-wAug 28, 2021
Busan film fest opens its door to online streaming platforms Characters from Netflix's “Hellbound.” Courtesy of BIFFThe Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) has opened its doors to non-theatrical original content from online streaming services.BIFF, one of the largest film festivals in Asia, said Friday that it newly launched the "On Screen" section for screening new drama series to be released on online video streamers, like Netflix. This year's 26th edition will be held from Oct. 6-15 in the southern port city of Busan."The section aims to precisely reflect the current state of the market, which is expanding multi-directionally, while embracing the extended flow and value of cinema," the festival said.Some renowned film fests like the Venice International Film Festival and the Toronto International Film Festival are also running similar programs for TV series or films made for streaming platforms.Three drama series ― Netflix's "Hellbound" and "My Name," and HBO Asia's original series "Forbidden" ― were invited to BIFF's inaugural "On Screen" section this year."Hellbound," directed by Yeon Sang-ho of "Train to Busan" (2016), iAug 27, 2021
KOCCA-sponsored documentaries to screen at EIDF Scenes from “Fourteen Masters,” from top, “Speed of Happiness” and “Namaste Kim Sir,” which will be screened at this year's EBS International Documentary Festival / Courtesy of KOCCABy Lee Gyu-leeThree of the documentaries that were made through the sponsorship programs of the Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA) will be screened at this year's EBS International Documentary Festival. The agency announced Friday that “Fourteen Masters,” “Speed of Happiness” and “Namaste Kim Sir” have been invited to the festival for official screenings and to be broadcast on the local educational TV network, EBS. “I express my respect to all of those who have persistently strived to show the power of broadcasting content even through the situation with COVID-19,” Lee Do-hyeong, the head of KOCCA's broadcasting division, said in the statement. “We will continue to provide support towards the local broadcasting industry to expand its presence in the global market with its content, regardless of the genre.” &Aug 27, 2021By Lee Gyu-lee
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
