Lee Byung-hun wins Toronto film festival tribute award, first for a Korean actorActor Lee Byung-hun became the first Korean actor to receive the Special Tribute Award at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), joining global figures such as director Guillermo del Toro, filmmaker Hikari (Mitsuyo Miyazaki) and actress Jodie Foster. According to TIFF’s website on Sept. 11, Lee was recognized for his contributions to cinema and received the honor from director Park Chan-wook, who attended the festival with his latest film, “No Other Choice,” also featuring Lee. In his acceptance speech, Lee said, “I do not see this as an award for myself alone but as recognition of the proud achievements and progress of Korean culture. I receive it with humility.” “No Other Choice” was screened as a Gala Presentation at TIFF, with Lee and Park attending audience Q&A sessions on Sept. 9 and 10. Distributor CJ ENM said the screening ended with enthusiastic applause and cheering. Park said, “I worried that some of the subtle elements might be hard for a first-time audience to grasp, but they responded with both laughter and tears. I felt proud and grateful.” Lee alSep 12, 2025By Hankookilbo
Jung Woo-sung to attend Buil Film Awards, first official appearance since marriageActor Jung Woo-sung will attend the Buil Film Awards, marking his first official public appearance since registering his marriage earlier this year. Organizers of the event announced the winners of the Yu Hyun-mok Film Arts Award and the list of participants for its annual handprinting ceremony on Thursday. Jung is scheduled to take part in the handprinting event at the Signiel Busan Grand Ballroom in Busan on Sept. 18. Jung acknowledged last November that he had fathered a child out of wedlock with model-turned-celebrity Moon Ga-bi, who revealed the birth through social media. Jung later confirmed through his agency, Artist Company, that he was the father and pledged to “take full responsibility as a parent.” In August, reports surfaced that he had officially registered his marriage with his longtime partner, though his agency declined to comment, citing privacy. Established in 1958, the Buil Film Awards are the oldest film awards in Korea and played a key role in shaping the golden age of Korean cinema during the 1960s. This year, honors will be given in 16 categories, including thSep 12, 2025By Hankookilbo
Can Song Kang-ho’s new role as gardener spark box office comeback?Korean cinema icon Song Kang-ho, once the undisputed king of the box office, is gearing up for a comeback that could turn the tide on his recent string of disappointments. The 58-year-old actor has been confirmed to star in the upcoming film “The Gardeners” (working title), according to production company Hive Media Corp on Thursday. The movie will be directed by Nam Dong-hyub, a rising director known for last year’s surprise hit “Handsome Guys.” Song’s career is legendary. He has starred in many films that were both local commercial hits and critical darlings that received global praise, and has long been a key collaborator with acclaimed directors like Bong Joon-ho, Park Chan-wook and Kim Jee-woon. His work in films like “Memories of Murder” (2003) and “Snowpiercer” (2013) captivated audiences, and his performance in the Oscar-winning film “Parasite” (2019) cemented his status as an international powerhouse. He also won Best Actor at the 75th Cannes Film Festival for his role in “Broker” (2022), further solidifying his prominence in the industry. Despite hisSep 11, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
Yeon Sang-ho redefines his craft in ‘The Ugly’Director Yeon Sang-ho, famous for his 2016 blockbuster zombie hit "Train to Busan,” has taken a new path with his latest work "The Ugly," a psychological thriller that shifts away from large-scale action. The film, which recently had its international debut at the Toronto International Film Festival earlier this month, is a deeply personal project for Yeon, exploring the dark undercurrents of human nature and societal judgment. Based on Yeon's 2018 graphic novel "Eolgul,” the Korean word for face, the film follows Lim Dong-hwan (Park Jeong-min), the son of a celebrated visually impaired seal engraver, Lim Yeong-gyu. Park plays younger version of Yeong-gyu, while actor Kwon Hae-hyo plays the older version. The story unfolds as Dong-hwan discovers the skeletal remains of his mother Jung Yeong-hee (Shin Hyun-bin), who disappeared 40 years ago, forcing him to confront a web of family secrets. At a press conference held Wednesday via video call from Toronto, Yeon explained his motivation for the project. "I was obsessing over my achievements and where I came from," he said. "That led me toSep 10, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
'KPop Demon Hunters’ star Ahn Hyo-seop captivates fans with ‘nerdy yet deadly’ selfiesActor Ahn Hyo-seop has left fans mesmerized with his stunning visuals and charismatic presence. On Sept. 9, Ahn shared several photos on his personal account, capturing attention with behind-the-scenes selfies taken in a studio ahead of a photoshoot. Partnering with French luxury perfume brand Kilian Paris, Ahn showcased a soft, elegant look with his fringe down, exuding a natural charm that drew praise from fans. Another photo shows Ahn taking a mirror selfie while getting his hair styled, offering fans a glimpse into the photoshoot preparations. Even while being styled, Ahn made sure to leave snapshots for his followers, showing his appreciation for their support. Fans flooded the comments with reactions such as "An actor whose face is a national treasure" and "How can he look this deadly handsome?" Meanwhile, Ahn is enjoying global popularity for his role as Jinu in Netflix’s hit animated film “KPop Demon Hunters,” which has become one of the platform’s top-performing titles worldwide. This article from Xportsnews is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea TSep 10, 2025By Xportsnews
Musical 'Frankenstein' makes big-screen debut, aims to expand global reachAfter more than 10 years on stage, the Korean original musical "Frankenstein" is being reborn for the big screen as "Frankenstein: The Musical Live." Shot from a live performance during the musical's 10th anniversary season in summer 2024, the film captures the 19th-century tale of Victor Frankenstein, a scientist who defies divine authority by reviving the dead, and the tragic fate of the Monster born from his experiment, based on the Mary Shelley novel. Over the past decade, the production has become one of Korea's best-known musicals, celebrated for drawing repeat attenders and multiple sold-out runs. The screen version's director Park Jae-seok, cast members Kyuhyun and Park Eun-tae, and EMK Musical Company's vice president and producer Kim Ji-won attended a press screening at Megabox Seongsu in eastern Seoul, Tuesday. "The greatest advantage of filming a live show for theatrical release is that once it's filmed, people can keep watching it," Kyuhyun, who plays Frankenstein, said. "On stage, actors wear down their bodies and voices with each performance, but this preserves the work forSep 10, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min
Can K-animation counter ‘Demon Slayer’ wave?While Japan’s “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba — The Infinity Castle” is dominating Korean box offices, two highly anticipated homegrown animated films are gearing up for October releases, hoping to reignite interest in Korean animation and demonstrate its creative potential. The Japanese animated film has been a box office juggernaut since its release Aug. 22. Praised for its stunning visuals and fast-paced action, it has now surpassed 4 million cumulative viewers, cementing itself as one of the year’s biggest hits. This comes amid a broader “Japanimation craze” and the global success of the Netflix animated hit “KPop Demon Hunters” — a Sony Pictures Animation production inspired by K-pop and Korean culture. Since its June 20 release, the film has amassed over 266 million views, making it the most-watched Netflix title ever. The release of two distinctly Korean productions — the coming-of-age story “Run, Hany, Bad Girl” and the fantasy romance “Your Letter” — could help draw viewers back to Korean animation. ‘Run, Hany, Bad Girl’ adds twist on classicSep 10, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
'Love Untangled' hits No. 1 on Netflix non-English movies chartThe Korean romantic film "Love Untangled" has climbed to the top of Netflix's weekly non-English movies chart, the streaming giant said Wednesday. Premiering on Aug. 29, the film jumped from its initial No. 3 debut to the top, garnering 8.2 million views for the week ending on Sept. 7. It significantly outpaced the runner-up, the German erotic thriller film "Fall For Me," which logged 5.4 million views. The Netflix original, "Love Untangled," follows the story of Se-ri (Shin Eun-soo), a lovestruck 19-year-old who is determined to straighten her perpetually frizzy hair. Her goal is to perfect her appearance before making a confession to her high school crush, Kim Hyun (Cha Woo-min). Among non-English shows, three Korean programs landed in the top ten, with "Bon Appetit, Your Majesty," "Beyond the Bar" and "Queen Mantis" ranking 2nd, 3rd and 7th, respectively.Sep 10, 2025By Yonhap
Venice 2025: 10 of the festival's best films, from 'The Smashing Machine' to 'No Other Choice'One of the biggest surprises of the 82nd Venice Film Festival was saved until the very end, when Jim Jarmusch's "Father Mother Sister Brother" took the Golden Lion for best film. Starring Adam Driver, Tom Waits and Cate Blanchett, this slight, minimalist triptych study of familial relations recalled last year's winner, Pedro Almodovar's "The Room Next Door," in the sense that a director who has never won a major festival top prize finally did so with a relatively middling film. The film was presumably chosen as a safe bet. Rumour had it the jury, headed by director Alexander Payne, was split over the festival's most powerful movie, Palestinian drama "The Voice of Hind Rajab." With that film causing a genuine outpouring of emotion, it became the focal point for one of the strongest selections in memory. Here are 10 of the best movies seen at the festival this year. 1. 'Dead Man's Wire' For pure enjoyment, this 1970s-set thriller was right up there. Inspired by the true story of the kidnapping of a mortgage broker in Indianapolis in 1977, it stars a sensational Bill Skarsgard as the abductor,Sep 9, 2025By SCMP
Film ‘3670’ gains traction with tale of queer North Korean defectorAn independent queer film is quietly making waves at Korean theaters. Director Park Jun-ho’s debut feature “3670,” which won four awards at the Jeonju International Film Festival in May, has drawn more than 7,500 moviegoers since opening on Sept. 3. The film is on track to easily surpass the 10,000 mark, an indication of success for indie cinema. Its unusual focus on both queerness and issues faced by North Korean defectors has garnered attention, earning praise from critics and the gay community alike. Filmmaker Leesong Hee-il, known for a series of queer films, called it “the most vivid depiction yet of Korea’s gay community” and said it could become “another classic of queer Korean cinema.” The title “3670” comes from slang used in gay circles, shorthand for “meet at Jongno 3-ga Station Exit 6 at 7 p.m.,” with the final digit indicating the number of people gathering. The film follows Cheol-jun (Cho You-hyun), a defector who longs to find his place in the queer community but struggles with hesitation. Though he settled in South Korea after fleeing the North seveSep 9, 2025By Hankookilbo
