Record-budget sci-fi 'Hope' gears up for local theaters after CannesDirector Na Hong-jin said his new sci-fi blockbuster “Hope” underwent minor editing changes after its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in May to achieve the maximum cinematic effect for audiences. "The film has gone through some changes since its screening at Cannes," Na said during a press conference after the movie's Seoul premiere Monday. "If you saw the movie at Cannes, about five minutes of footage has been deleted. At the same time, around three to four minutes of new scenes were added, bringing the final runtime to a slightly different version." The highly anticipated sci-fi thriller follows Beom-seok (Hwang Jung-min), a small-town port outpost chief in the Demilitarized Zone, who puts the entire village on high alert after receiving reports of what they believe is a tiger sighting from local young men. The film features a star-studded international cast including Korean actors Hwang, Zo In-sung and Jung Ho-yeon, alongside Hollywood stars Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander, Taylor Russell and Cameron Britton. The film has already generated immense buzz as Korea's moJul 6, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
Christopher Nolan to make 1st Korea visit with Matt Damon, Charlize Theron for 'The Odyssey'In a major play for the Asian box office, Universal Pictures has locked in a historic promotional tour for Christopher Nolan’s upcoming cinematic tentpole, "The Odyssey." The Oscar-winning director is set to make his first-ever official promotional visit to Korea on Aug. 3, leading a star-studded delegation that includes actors Matt Damon and Charlize Theron. Korea has long served as an ultra-lucrative stronghold for Nolan, with his collective filmography — including "Interstellar," "Dunkirk," "Tenet" and "Oppenheimer" — raking in a staggering 36 million admissions in the country alone. Local exhibitors have affectionately dubbed the market "Nolan’s country," a reflection of a sophisticated moviegoing public that routinely turns his cerebral, complex narratives into massive cultural events. Yet despite this multidecade fandom, scheduling bottlenecks and tightly wound production timelines had previously prevented the filmmaker from executing a proper local press tour. The upcoming trip was initiated at the direct request of Nolan himself, who personally restructured his global pJul 6, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
No. of moviegoers for Korean films jumps 75 % in H1The number of moviegoers for Korean films jumped 75 percent on-year in the first half of the year, led by the historical film "The King's Warden," which topped 16 million admissions, data showed Sunday. Korean films drew 37.4 million admissions in the January-June period, compared with 21.4 million viewers the previous year, according to the data released by the Korean Film Council. In the cited period, ticket sales of domestic films soared 81.7 percent on-year to 370 billion won ($242 million). In the first half, the number of newly released Korean movies fell to 217 from 240 the previous year, but viewer admissions and ticket sales jumped on the back of the popularity of "The King's Warden." Directed by Jang Hang-jun, "The King's Warden" attracted 16.9 million admissions, becoming the second-most-watched film of all time in South Korea. The Korean zombie thriller "Colony" also broke 5 million admissions, and the supernatural horror film "Salmokji: Whispering Water" surpassed 3 million admissions.Jul 5, 2026By Yonhap
Netflix may be rewriting rules for Korean cinema with 'Possible Love'Lee Chang-dong’s seventh film, "Possible Love," has been confirmed for a theatrical release, a surprising turn from widespread expectations that it would debut on Netflix. Industry observers believe the move was made with major international film festivals in mind, given Lee’s long-standing reputation as one of Korea’s most acclaimed directors on the global stage. According to the Korea Media Rating Board, "Possible Love" received an adults-only rating for directly portraying nudity and sexual acts while depicting the lives of laid-off workers, as well as themes of love, loss, trauma and the restoration of human relationships. "Possible Love" is Lee’s first film in eight years and stars Jeon Do-yeon, Sol Kyung-gu, Zo In-sung and Cho Yeo-jeong. It follows two married couples leading completely different lives whose chance encounter sets off a series of emotional entanglements. With a running time of 164 minutes, it is the longest feature Lee has directed. The project was originally conceived as a theatrical release before shifting to a Netflix-backed production while seeking finanJul 5, 2026By Hankookilbo
'Marty Supreme' director praises Chalamet's intense performanceJosh Safdie, the director of the sports comedy movie “Marty Supreme,” expressed deep admiration for actor Timothee Chalamet, highlighting the unique combination of traits that made him perfect for the lead role. Speaking at an online press conference, Thursday, the filmmaker praised the actor for bringing a rare balance of power and innocence to the character. “One of the things that drew me to Timmy was his intensity, but his intensity was softened by a certain sort of eternal youth and a boyish wonder about the world,” Safdie said. “One of the things I did really admire about him is that he takes things very seriously, obsessively." “Marty Supreme,” which was released in theaters here on Wednesday, is set in the 1950s and follows the journey of Marty Mauser, a young man who tries to become a world champion table tennis player. To achieve his goal, he competes in underground gambling matches and performs circus-style trick shots. Safdie has built a reputation in Hollywood for his distinct filmmaking style, previously directing acclaimed titles such as “Good Time” (2017Jul 2, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
BIFAN set to open for 11-day run with record 321 filmsThe Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFAN), Korea's largest genre film fest, will kick off its 11-day run Thursday with a record 321 films, organizers said. BIFAN, which marks its 30th anniversary this year, will take place in venues across Bucheon, west of Seoul, through July 12, according to the organizers. Under the slogan "New era, new skin," this year's event will showcase features and shorts from 50 countries, including 93 films that will make their world premiere. Opening the film fest will be prominent Hong Kong filmmaker Yuen Woo-ping's "Blades of the Guardian," an action film starring martial arts icon Jet Li. To celebrate its 30th anniversary, the film fest will launch a new section called "Asian Genre Films 99," a three-year project to map the landscape of Asian genre cinema. A special section will be dedicated to French sci-fi films to mark both the film fest's 30th anniversary and the 140th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Korea and France this year. Reflecting the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) technology, the film fest wiJul 2, 2026By Yonhap
Vietnamese actor Kaity Nguyen looks to Korean cinema as model for global success“The appeal of Vietnamese cinema lies in its diversity,” Kaity Nguyen, a 27-year-old Vietnamese actor and producer said of the local film industry as the fourth Da Nang Asian Film Festival opened in the coastal city of Da Nang, Vietnam. “From the north to central Vietnam and the south, each region has a different culture, and there is history accumulated over many years. There are so many stories to tell audiences around the world,” she told the Hankook Ilbo in an interview on Sunday. “Not only historical events but also stories about the lives of Vietnamese people today are being made more and more.” Nguyen is the festival’s youngest juror and has also moved into production. She has built a career marked by critical recognition and box-office success in Vietnam. She rose to stardom with her 2017 debut film, “Em Chua 18,” winning best actress at the Viet Film Festival. She later appeared in Blood Moon Party” in 2020, “The Last Wife” in 2023 and “Hijacked” in 2025, films that won over critics and audiences. Looking back to the year she made her debut, Nguyen sJul 2, 2026By Hankookilbo
Live-action ‘Moana’ to deliver grand ocean adventureThe live-action adaptation of Disney’s animated movie “Moana” will offer a massive and entertaining theatrical experience that is perfect for the summer season, its director Thomas Kail said Monday. "There's big laughs, there's big adventure, and we tried to make a big summer movie for you," Kail said during an online press conference. "Moana" follows the journey of a brave young girl (Catherine Laga'aia) chosen by the ocean who teams up with the legendary demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson) to save her island from a terrible curse. The project has raised high expectations, especially given Kail's prestigious background as a Tony Award winner for directing the hit Broadway musical “Hamilton.” The casting process for the lead role was immensely competitive, with newcomer Laga'aia beating out tens of thousands of other young women. "Over 32,000 very talented young women submitted to play this part," Kail said. "When I saw the first tape that Katherine submitted, she was singing ‘How Far I'll Go,’ and she did two of the scenes. I just remember this feeling, and it was both in the quaJun 29, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
‘Hana Korea’ spotlights realistic journey of North Korean defectorA new cinematic collaboration between South Korea and Denmark is set to hit local theaters in July to offer an emotional and realistic look into the challenges faced by North Korean defectors settling in South Korean society. The film “Hana Korea” follows the journey of a young female defector named Hye-seon (Kim Min-ha), who strives to move forward despite facing an unfamiliar and harsh environment. The story is inspired by in-depth interviews with around 30 North Korean defectors who have settled in the South. The title of the film directly connects to Hanawon, officially named the Settlement Support Center for North Korean Refugees, where defectors stay to prepare for their new lives. The name combines the Korean word "hana," meaning one, and "won," meaning facility. This reflects the center's core mission to help defectors adapt and truly become "one" with South Korean society, explaining why the movie is called “Hana Korea.” The movie realistically portrays the struggles of immigrants through the lens of Hye-seon. While the protagonist arrives in South Korea seeking freedom,Jun 26, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
Korean film programmer named knight of French arts and lettersNam Jong-suk, a programmer for the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFAN), has been awarded France’s Chevalier rank in the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, marking the first time a film festival programmer in Korea has received the distinction. The festival, which opens its 30th edition on Thursday, said Nam received the honor in recognition of his contributions to film programming and international cultural exchange. The French Ministry of Culture’s Order of Arts and Letters is one of the country’s highest cultural honors and is divided into three ranks: Commandeur, Officier and Chevalier. Nam’s recognition is significant because it is the first awarded to a programmer, rather than a director or performer. The French government said it decided to confer the honor in October 2025 in recognition of Nam’s work promoting Korea-France film exchange, including through the 2025 NAFF Project Market program Focus: France. Philippe Bertoux, the French ambassador to Korea, said Nam’s career has helped open new horizons and offer innovative perspectives in cinema. “The awarJun 26, 2026By Lee Kyung-min
