INTERVIEW 'Frozen' creator pessimistic about Korean animation's future Kim Sang-jin at Walt Disney Animation Studios. He headed production of the Korean animation movie "Red Shoes" that hit Korean theaters in July 2019. Courtesy of Kim Sang-jinBy Ko Dong-hwanKim Sang-jin, who breathed life into the characters of the 2013 meteorite hit “Frozen,” says the Korean animation industry faces a gloomy future if poor management of talent continues.The reputed animator from Walt Disney Animation Studios headed production of the Korean animation feature “Red Shoes.” The movie hit Korean theaters in July and has been sold to about 120 countries.Also known as Jin Kim, the animator said talented people had been leaving Korea to work overseas because the working environment here was unsatisfactory, with a lack of animation studios capable of producing quality movies. Local theater-goers also have never had a rich selection of attractive Korean animation features. Kim said that when he came to Seoul to work with Korean animation studio Locus on “Red Shoes,” he found that most of the studio artists were not skillful enough to meet hisAug 25, 2019By Ko Dong-hwan
Angelina Jolie signs lease for high-class Seoul apartment Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie reportedly signed a lease for a luxury apartment in Seoul. The image shows Jolie and her son Maddox Jolie-Pitt against the backdrop of the apartment she rented recently. AFP, Capture from Naver MapBy Dong Sun-hwaHollywood actress Angelina Jolie recently signed a lease for a luxury apartment in Gwanghwamun, Seoul, according to industry sources Friday. The residence is presumably for her son Maddox Jolie-Pitt, 18, who has been accepted to the Underwood International College of Yonsei University. Yonsei has its Seoul campus in Seodaemun-gu, only five kilometers from the rented house. Jolie's agent is known to have inked the contract on her behalf. Apartment rent is about 700 million won ($580,000) for 113 square meters and 960 million won for 176 square meters. The exact size of Jolie's rented house is unknown. “The apartment is high-security and in proximity to Yonsei,” a source was quoted as saying. “It seems Jolie clinched the contract also because she is planning to visit Korea frequently.” Jolie-Pitt will study life science aAug 23, 2019By Dong Sun-hwa
'Veep' creator's 'David Copperfield' film finds distributor Dev Patel stars in “The Personal History of David Copperfield.” Courtesy of Lionsgate UKFox Searchlight has acquired the North American distribution rights to Armando Iannucci's latest film, “The Personal History of David Copperfield,” before its Toronto International Film Festival premiere, the company said Thursday.Based on Charles Dickens' David Copperfield, the film stars Dev Patel as David, Tilda Swinton as Betsey Trotwood, Hugh Laurie as Mr. Dick, Peter Capaldi as Mr. Micawber, Ben Whishaw as Uriah Heep, Aneurin Barnard as Steerforth, Morfydd Clark as Dor, Benedict Wong as Mr. Wickfield, Gwendoline Christie as Jane Murdstone, Anthony Welsh as Ham, Sophie McShera as Mrs. Crupp and Rosalind Eleazar as Agnes. Paul Whitehouse and Daisy May Cooper also play roles.“The Personal History of David Copperfield” is the third film for “Veep” creator Iannucci, following “In the Loop” and “The Death of Stalin.” Iannucci directed, co-wrote with Simon Blackwell and produced."'The Personal History of David Copperfield' mastAug 23, 2019
PHOTOS Angelina Jolie in Seoul (2) Hollywood star Angelina Jolie stands with her son Maddox Jolie-Pitt at Yonsei University's Songdo campus on Aug. 21. Jolie returned to the United States that day after arriving on Aug. 18. She was here to help her son set up his new life in South Korea. Maddox will study at Yonsei from next month. Captured from Instagram.Jolie waits for an elevator at Yonsei University's Songdo campus on Aug. 21. Captured from InstagramJolie and her son pose with students at Yonsei University's Songdo campus on Aug. 21. Captured from InstagramJolie enjoys shopping at a department store in Seoul on Aug. 19. Captured from InstagramJolie writes in a guest book while visiting the Seoul residence of the U.S. ambassador on Aug. 20. Captured from InstagramJolie at the Seoul residence of the U.S. ambassador on Aug. 20. Captured from InstagramJolie shakes hands with Harry Harris, the U.S. ambassador to South Korea, at his residence on Aug. 20. Captured from InstagramAug 23, 2019
Megan Fox debuts here as Korean War correspondent From left, actors Kim In-kwon, Kim Myung-min, directors Kim Tae-hoon, Kwak Kyung-taek, actress Megan Fox, actor Kim Sung-cheol and actress Lee Ho-jung pose for a photo during a media conference held in southern Seoul, Wednesday, for the historical blockbuster “Battle of Jangsari.” YonhapBy Lee Gyu-leeA month after "The?Battle: Roar to Victory" brought the first victory of Korean independence fighters against Japan to the silver screen, another historical film “Battle of Jangsari” will shed more light on the historical battle during the 1950-53 Korean War that has remained largely forgotten. Co-directed by Kwak Kyung-taek and Kim Tae-hoon, the film depicts the guerilla attack organized by 722 students from the South against North Korean forces during the Korean War. “This is the history that the world should know,” Hollywood star Megan Fox, who starred as war correspondent Maggie in the Korean War flick, said during a press conference in Seoul, Wednesday. Her appearance in the film drew much attention during its production.As this is the first histoAug 22, 2019By Lee Gyu-lee
Film shines spotlight on era of love without smartphones Actors Jung Hae-in and Kim Go-eun during a press event on Tuesday at the CGV Yongsan, Seoul. YonhapBy Dong Sun-hwaCellphones play a central role in helping people have a relationship these days. Thanks to them, people can talk and see each other even when they are far apart. So how did couples keep in touch and maintain relationships before the cellphone era? Melodramatic film “Tune in for Love,” starring Jung Hae-in and Kim Go-eun, brings attention to this question. “I wanted to unfold a romance story of young people in the bygone days, when there was (virtually) no cellphone,” filmmaker Jung Ji-woo said during a press event on Tuesday at the CGV Yongsan, Seoul.“Tune in for Love,” set in the late 1990s and early 2000s, is the bittersweet love story of Misoo (Kim Go-eun) and Hyunwoo (Jung Hae-in.) They first meet at Misoo's bakery on October 1, 1994, when the radio program “Yoo Yeol's Music Album” premiered. Their lives and romance flow with the program, going through ups and downs. In fact, the movie's Korean title is “Yoo Yeol'sAug 21, 2019By Dong Sun-hwa
PHOTOS Angelina Jolie in Seoul Angelina Jolie dines with unidentified people at a restaurant in central Seoul in this undated photo that has recently gone viral on community websites. The Hollywood star is in Seoul with her son Maddox Jolie-Pitt, waiting for his entrance ceremony at Yonsei University on Aug. 26. Jolie entered the country on Sunday through Incheon International Airport.Jolie, left, and her son Maddox Jolie-Pitt walk with a man believed to be their interpreter near Lotte Department Store in central Seoul in this undated photo.Jolie walks down a shopping street in Myongdong, Seoul.Her son Jolie-Pitt and another man follow her.The three enjoy shopping in Myongdong.The three enjoy shopping in Myongdong.Angelina Jolie arrives at Incheon International Airport on Sunday. Captured from InstagramAug 20, 2019
Angelina Jolie in Seoul to see son enter Yonsei University Angelina Jolie arrives at Incheon International Airport on Sunday. Captured from InstagramBy Park Si-soo Hollywood star Angelina Jolie is in Seoul with her son Maddox Jolie-Pitt, waiting for his entrance ceremony at Yonsei University on Aug. 26. Jolie arrived at Incheon International Airport on Sunday.Jolie-Pitt has been accepted to Underwood International College at Yonsei to study life science and biotechnology. The entrance ceremony will take place after a two-day orientation, part of which will be open to parents, according to the university.The son and mother toured Yonsei last November when she came here as a special envoy of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Jolie-Pitt, the actress's adopted son from Cambodia, is said to be a big K-pop fan. He has reportedly studied the Korean language intensively to prepare for his stay here.Aug 20, 2019
Fast & Furious series tops local weekend box office with new franchise's record A scene from the film “Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw,” which topped the weekend local box office / Courtesy of Universal Pictures InternationalBy Lee Gyu-lee“Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw,” the latest from the Fast & Furious series, has topped the weekend local box office, becoming the fastest installment of the franchise to surpass 2 million ticket sales in Korea.The film sold over 1 million tickets over the weekend and has been leading the local box office since the film hit theaters on Aug. 14. This spinoff of the street-racing action franchise also set the record as the biggest opening day sales for the franchise in Korea with 350,000. And the sales almost doubled the next day, coinciding with Korea's National Liberation Day, Thursday.In response to the record-breaking sales in Korea, the main cast Dwayne Johnson thanked the Korean fans through his social media for “making the film break another franchise record.”Directed by David Leitch, the action film revolves around two rivals, Luke Hobbs (played by JohnsAug 19, 2019By Lee Gyu-lee
Pedro Costa's 'Vitalina Varela' wins top prizes at Locarno film fest The official trailer of the movie “Vitalina Varela.” Capture from YouTube account of “Andre Caetano Ferreira “"Vitalina Varela,” Portuguese director Pedro Costa's dark portrayal of a Cape Verde woman who flies to Lisbon to bury her husband, scooped the top prize at the Locarno film festival in Switzerland Saturday.The film tells the story of the middle-aged widow Vitalina, who arrives in the Portuguese capital days after the death of the man who left her to seek work in Europe a quarter of a century earlier.The film carries the name of its star, who was also named Best Actress for her powerful performance.Now in its 72nd year, the Locarno festival takes place every summer in the picturesque Swiss town on the shores of Lake Maggiore.The runner-up Special Jury Prize this year went to South Korean director Park Jung-bum's “Height of the Wave,” while French director Damien Manivel snapped up the Best Director award for his film “Isadora's Children.”Regis Myrupu, meanwhile, won the award for Best Actor for his role in Brazilian filmmakAug 18, 2019
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