Animated film 'Soul' accumulates 870,000 viewers in Korea Animated film “Soul” topped the local box office on Sunday. Courtesy of Walt Disney Company KoreaBy Dong Sun-hwaAnimated movie “Soul” has sold more than 870,000 tickets in Korea as of Sunday, according to the Korean Film Council (KOFIC). The film also grabbed the No. 1 spot on the local box office Sunday, attracting more than 112,000 theatergoers, the council said Monday. It premiered on Jan. 20. Japanese animated movie “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yiba the Movie ― Mugen Train” and Korean drama film “Three Sisters” ranked second and third, accumulating about 35,000 and 11,000 viewers, respectively. “Soul” revolves around Joe Gardner, a middle school music teacher whose soul accidentally gets separated from his body and then taken to the Great Before ― a fantastical place where souls get personalities, quirks and interests before being sent to Earth. In order to return to Earth and reunite with his physical body, Joe teams up with soul "22," who has a dim view on life.American computer animation studio Pixar created “Soul,Feb 1, 2021By Dong Sun-hwa
Kim Young-kwang, Lee Sun-bin star in action comedy 'Mission Possible' From left, actor Kim Young-kwang, director Kim Hyeong-ju and actress Lee Sun-bin pose during a press event for the film “Mission Possible” in Seoul, Monday. /Courtesy of Merry ChristmasBy Kwak Yeon-sooAction comedy film “Mission Possible” tells the story of a private detective teaming up with a secret agent to complete a secret mission. In the upcoming film, Kim Young-kwang plays Woo Soo-han, who runs a private detective agency and gets embroiled in a dangerous operation after partnering with spy Yoo Da-hee (Lee Sun-bin). Director Kim Hyeong-ju explained that the upcoming film has nothing to do with Hollywood's “Mission Impossible” series. “I could have chosen a simpler title, but I thought Mission Possible best represents the genre and tone of the film. It would cost a lot of money to make something similar to Mission Impossible. I'd like the audience to understand that it's a separate creation,” he said during a press event for the film, Monday. On choosing action comedy for his debut feature, Kim said, “I've always liked fun moFeb 1, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo
Africa's largest film festival postponed by pandemic In this file photo taken on February 24, 2017, a woman poses in front of a poster for the Pan-African Film and Television Festival (FESPACO) in Ouagadougou, on the eve of the opening of the festival. AFP-YonhapAfrica's biggest film festival, which had been scheduled to run in Burkina Faso's capital Ouagadougou from February 27 to March 6, has been postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic.The Pan-African Festival of Cinema and Television of Ouagadougou, known by its acronym in French of FESPACO, is an eagerly-awaited showcase held every two years.Burkina's cabinet on Friday "took the decision to postpone the holding of FESPACO to a later date," government spokesman Ousseni Tamboura told a press conference.Founded in 1969, FESPACO stipulates that films chosen for competition have to be made by Africans and predominantly produced in Africa.Its top prize is the coveted Golden Stallion of Yennenga, a beast in Burkinabe mythology.The internationally-respected festival is closely followed by the US and European movie industries, which scout the event for new films, talent and ideas.BurJan 31, 2021
Jeong Jin-woon takes 1st movie lead role since military discharge Actor Jeong Jin-woon will star in the upcoming horror-comedy film “Only I can see you.” Courtesy of Mystic StoryBy Lee Gyu-leeSinger-actor Jeong Jin-woon, 29, a member of K-pop boy band 2AM, will return to the entertainment industry after completing his mandatory military service.Jeong's agency Mystic Story said Friday that he has decided to take the lead role in the upcoming horror-comedy film “Only I can see you” (unofficial direct translation).“I am excited to work on this genre film,” he said through the agency. “Since this is my first work since my discharge, I ask for your support.”The film, directed by Im Yong-jae, is about a movie production staff encountering a supernatural force that causes paranormal phenomena.Jeong will play the production head, Jang-geun, who leads fellow staffers to fight off the mysterious entity.Along with the actor, Solbin from K-pop girl group Laboum and actor Kwak Hee-sung will star in the film. This will be his first on-screen acting role since completing his mandatory duty in the Army. He was dischaJan 29, 2021By Lee Gyu-lee
'To All the Boys' star Lana Condor says filming in Korea was highlight of her career A scene from the film, “To All the Boys: Always and Forever” / Courtesy of Netflix By Kwak Yeon-sooLana Condor, who plays Lara Jean Covey in Netflix's upcoming romantic comedy, “To All the Boys: Always and Forever,” described to Korean reporters in a press conference on Friday, how excited she was to travel to South Korea to film part of the third and final installment of the “To All the Boys” series of teen romance films.In “To All the Boys: Always and Forever,” protagonist Lara Jean (Condor) enters her final year of high school and starts to plan her future. She is still dating Peter Kavinsky (Noah Centineo) and the two are planning to attend Stanford together. However, Lara Jean becomes interested in moving to New York and must make a choice after discovering she did not get accepted into Stanford.In the press conference, held via Zoom, “To All the Boys” book series author Jenny Han and the cast of the movie discussed filming in Korea, life-changing roles and seeJan 29, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo
Youn Yuh-jung bags more awards for 'Minari,' leads acting race for Oscars Actress Youn Yuh-jung in a scene from the film “Minari” / Courtesy of PAN CINEMABy Kwak Yeon-sooYoun Yuh-jung won the best supporting actress from the National Board of Review (NBR) for her work in “Minari,” while writer-director Lee Isaac Chung earned the best original screenplay title. Established in 1909, NBR recognizes superlative filmmakers and actors, and acts as a strong indicator as to whether winners will garner Oscar nods. Also winning the best supporting actress from the New York Film Critics Online on Tuesday (local time), the 73-year-old actress has nabbed a total of 20 trophies this season by far. “Minari” follows a Korean immigrant family relocating and adjusting to life on a remote farm in Arkansas in the 1980s. The film title refers to a Korean herb that “comes in the pockets of immigrants, dies in the first year, thrives in the second and purifies the water and the soil around it.”The film, since premiering at the Sundance Film Festival January last year, has been acclaimed by critics in the country and overseas with iJan 27, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo
AFI Awards: 'Minari' among the Best Films of 2020 “Minari” was named in the American Film Institute's 2020 awards for the movies of the year. Courtesy of PancinemaBy Lee Gyu-lee“Minari,” a drama film about an immigrant family in the United States, is among the winners of the American Film Institute's (AFI) awards for the top 10 movies of 2020.The nonprofit organization dedicated to educating filmmakers and honoring film heritage made the announcement Monday (local time) of its picks of the best films and TV shows of 2020.Along with “Minari,” the movies of the year list included four Netflix films ― Spike Lee's “Da 5 Bloods,” Aaron Sorkin's “The Trial of the Chicago 7,” David Fincher's “Mank,” and George C. Wolfe's “Ma Rainey's Black Bottom.” Another streaming platform, Amazon Studios, scored two wins with ― Regina King's “One Night in Miami” and Darius Marder's “Sound of Metal.” Pixar's latest film “Soul,” directed by Pete Docter, Chloe Zhao's drama film “Nomadland” and Shaka King's historical film &ldqJan 26, 2021By Lee Gyu-lee
Actress on being called 'fool' as newcomer, reuniting with Ha Jung-woo in 'Night Trip' Actress Yoo Da-in / Courtesy of Prain TPC By Kwak Yeon-sooYoo Da-in believes her life experiences and attention to social issues have improved her acting abilities, which she demonstrated in drama movie “I Don't Fire Myself.”Performing with considerable passion, empathy and integrity, she has clearly acted in part on the basis of social conscience. “I feel like I've become capable of playing a wider range of roles after gaining more life experience and taking an interest in social issues. I believe that my role as an actor is to give audiences an opportunity to start different dialogues,” she said during a recent interview with The Korea Times. Yoo stars in the movie as Jeong-eun who suffers gender discrimination at work and is dispatched to work for a subcontractor for one year. Despite the management's attempt to fire her, Jeong-eun intends to hold on to her job in hopes of returning to the head office a year later.“This film is inspired by real events and represeJan 25, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo
Kim Hyang-gi's new film 'I' shares glimpses of healing, hope Kim Hyang-gi in a scene from the film “I” / Courtesy of Lotte EntertainmentBy Kwak Yeon-sooAfter appearing in a number of thought-provoking movies such as “Thread of Lies” (2014) and “Innocent Witness” (2019), actress Kim Hyang-gi aims to share glimpses of healing with another heart-warming family drama “I.”“I” tells the story of former foster child named Ah-young (Kim) who gets hired as a babysitter by single mom Young-chae (Ryu Hyun-kyung). The two work to resolve their own conflicts, whether it be family struggles or financial troubles, but it's the power of sisterhood that eventually carries them through each of their life obstacles. Director Kim Hyun-tak, who is making his feature directorial debut with “I,” described the film as an inner journey of growth for two characters, who traverse the road to healing and recovery. “I'm interested in exploring different types of family and social minorities who may not always see their experiences represented on screen. I revolves around a foster child who is agJan 24, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo
INTERVIEW Model-turned-actress Jang Yoon-ju talks about becoming fearless on screen Jang Yoon-ju / Courtesy of Esteem EntertainmentBy Kwak Yeon-sooAfter accumulating nearly two decades of experience in the modeling world, Jang Yoon-ju finally made her acting debut at the age of 35. Acting has always been her passion, so Jang decided to pursue her dream while working as a model. Jang began her modeling career at age 17, and since then she has walked on fashion runways for major designers, worked with some of the greatest photographers in the fashion industry and landed modeling jobs for luxury brands.However, she also ensured she received an education, majoring in film studies at Seoul Institute of the Arts. There she went to college with some big name actors including Son Ye-jin, Jung Woo and Han Hye-jin as well as directors Kim Jong-kwan of “Josee” (2020) and Park Sang-hyun of “Innocence” (2020).“For me, I just do what I like. I love working and meeting people. I think life is all about experiences. Since debuting as a model, I've received countless film offers. But I turned them all down because I thought I wasn't ready,” she saJan 21, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo
