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Son Sook donates earnings as 'Spirits' Homecoming' returns to honor sex slavery survivors

Veteran actor Son Sook revealed that she donated all her earnings from "Spirits' Homecoming" (2016) to support survivors of Japanese military sex slavery, ahead of the film's 10th-anniversary re-release. In the film, the 82-year-old actor played the present-day elderly version of the main character Young-ok, a survivor of Japan's wartime sex slavery. On Aug. 26, the movie is scheduled for nationwide re-release with an extended cut version. Ahead of the film's return to theaters, the 82-year-old actor explained why she declined her initial appearance fee and donated all her box office bonuses. "Because the film holds a deep place in my heart, asking for compensation was never a consideration," Son said Monday through the movie’s distributor Connect Pictures. "Money was never the priority for a project with such profound meaning." Son recalled the difficult production conditions at the time, praising director Cho Jung-rae for his dedication to completing the movie. The actor expressed deep sorrow over the sharp decline in the number of surviving victims over the past decade. When the orig

Aug 11, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
Son Sook donates earnings as 'Spirits' Homecoming' returns to honor sex slavery survivors

Hong Kong filmmaker Ann Hui to be honored at BIFF

Hong Kong director Ann Hui will be honored at this year's Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) for her contributions to empowering women in the film industry, organizers said Tuesday. Hui, who made her directorial debut with "The Secret" (1979) and has helmed 27 feature films and two feature-length documentaries, will receive the Camellia Award at the upcoming film festival, according to the organizers. In addition to numerous accolades she has won at home, Hui received the Asian Filmmaker of the Year Award at BIFF in 2014 and the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the Venice International Film Festival in 2020. "In my previous years, I felt unwilling to receive such taking-stock prizes because I wished to continue making movies," she was quoted as saying in a press release. "Now that I am nearly eighty and find it difficult to make a film, I think the prize comes just in time for me to appreciate it more." The award will be presented at the opening ceremony of the 31st edition of BIFF, scheduled for Oct. 6-15 in the southeastern port city of Busan. Inspired by the city flower of

Aug 11, 2026By Yonhap
Hong Kong filmmaker Ann Hui to be honored at BIFF

'The Assassin(s)' unravels mystery behind 1974 killing of first lady

Director Hur Jin-ho emphasized maintaining a balanced, unbiased perspective when depicting the mystery surrounding the 1974 assassination of first lady Yuk Young-soo in his new movie "The Assassin(s)." "When I first thought about making this story into a film a decade ago, it was not an easy topic because some figures involved are still alive," Hur said during a press conference in Seoul, Monday. "Through extensive research and interviews, I tried to maintain a balanced and objective perspective without prejudice, while also incorporating the cinematic tension and pace of a mystery thriller." Inspired by the Aug. 15, 1974 assassination of the wife of President Park Chung-hee, "The Assassin(s)" follows three men as they pursue their suspicions and chase hidden motives. Although based on real events, the movie does not explicitly use the real names of the historical figures it depicts. In the movie, six gunshots ring out live on national television during a Liberation Day ceremony, but only four bullets are recovered, leaving two unaccounted for in official records. The plot revolves around

Aug 10, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
'The Assassin(s)' unravels mystery behind 1974 killing of first lady

'The Odyssey' debuts atop weekend box office

Christopher Nolan's epic "The Odyssey" debuted atop the weekend box-office chart in Korea, dethroning the latest Spider-Man film, "Spider-Man: Brand New Day," from the top spot, data showed Monday. The Hollywood blockbuster added 1,333,437 admissions over the weekend, bringing its total admissions to 1,874,731 as of Sunday, according to the data released by the Korean Film Council, which compiles admissions from Friday through Sunday for its weekend chart. Released last Wednesday, it follows the perilous homecoming journey of Odysseus (Matt Damon), the Greek king of Ithaca, after winning the Trojan War. Its star-studded cast also includes Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Charlize Theron and Zendaya. "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" drew 1,264,531 admissions over the weekend, bringing its total admissions to 5,911,933. The latest Spider-Man film surpassed 6 million admissions Monday morning, its 13th day of release, Sony Pictures, the film's distributor, said in a separate release. With the record, the film became the second most-watched film in Korea this year, dethroning the zombie thriller "Colon

Aug 10, 2026By Yonhap
'The Odyssey' debuts atop weekend box office

'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' exceeds 5 mil. ticket sales in Korea

The latest Spider-Man film surpassed 5 million ticket sales on the 11th day of its release in Korea, the film's local distributor said Saturday. "Spider-Man: Brand New Day," the fourth installment starring Tom Holland, hit the 5 million mark Saturday morning, its local distributor, Sony Pictures, said. According to the distributor, "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" has become the fastest foreign film released in Korea since 2023. The movie reached the 3 million sales mark on its third day and the 4 million sales mark on the seventh day. The movie follows an adult Peter Parker (Holland) as he confronts new threats while grappling with having been forgotten by everyone who knows him, including his girlfriend MJ (Zendaya) and best friend Ned (Jacob Batalon).

Aug 8, 2026By Yonhap
'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' exceeds 5 mil. ticket sales in Korea

ReviewSchizophrenia, family and heartbreaking choices

What should we have done? How should we have done it? What would have been the best choice? These are unanswerable questions that anyone with a sick family member must have asked themselves at least once, silently suffering as a household struggles. The Japanese documentary "What Should We Have Done?" poses these very questions. By honestly depicting the conflict, silence and endurance of a family caring for someone suffering from an illness surrounded by social stigma, the film continuously prompts viewers to confront these dilemmas. Directed by Tomoaki Fujino, the documentary captures a painful 20-year record of a family quietly breaking down. The story begins in 1983, when the director’s older sister Masako, then a medical student, first showed signs of schizophrenia. Though both their parents were medical researchers, they refused to pursue proper psychiatric treatment. Instead, bound by pride, concern over the social stigma and the belief that they could handle it themselves, they kept the doors locked and cared for her inside the house for decades. Right from the start, the film ma

Aug 7, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
Schizophrenia, family and heartbreaking choices

Na Hong-jin's 'Hope' to screen at Toronto film fest

The Korean sci-fi epic "Hope" by director Na Hong-jin has been invited to screen at this year's Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), the film's distributor said Friday. "Hope" will be screened at the Midnight Madness section of the 51st TIFF, set to open Sept. 10, according to Plus M Entertainment. The category is dedicated to creative genre films featuring an intense concept and sensational visuals. Starring Hwang Jung-min, Zo In-sung and Jung Ho-yeon, the film follows police officers and villagers in the remote coastal town of Hopo as they become embroiled in a series of spiraling events after encountering powerful yet mysterious extraterrestrial beings. It premiered at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival this year before being released in Korean theaters last month. Its North American opening is set for Sept. 9.

Aug 7, 2026By Yonhap
Na Hong-jin's 'Hope' to screen at Toronto film fest

Jecheon music film festival to offer unique cinematic blend

The 22nd Jecheon International Music & Film Festival (JIMFF) is set to offer a unique cultural experience next month as Asia's sole international film festival dedicated to music, featuring its largest lineup to date with 189 films from 45 countries. The annual festival will run for six days from Sept. 3-8 in Jecheon, North Chungcheong Province. To broaden its scope, the festival will divide its competition section into two tracks — one dedicated to music-focused films to strengthen its core identity, and another for general feature films to expand cinematic diversity. Under the new system, the event will present the International Music Film Competition for music-focused works, while the new International Competition welcomes films of any genre or subject. "The reorganization aims to sharpen our identity in music, while expanding artistic diversity," festival programmer Cho Myung-jin said during a press conference in Seoul, Thursday. As part of its identity as a music-focused festival, JIMFF is also placing a strong spotlight on domestic film scoring through its Music Insight competitio

Aug 6, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
Jecheon music film festival to offer unique cinematic blend

Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh to be honored at 31st BIFF

Oscar-winning actor Michelle Yeoh will receive the Asian Filmmaker of the Year award at the opening night of the 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) on October 6, the festival organizers said Thursday. The prestigious award is presented annually to individuals who have made significant contributions to the Asian film industry and its culture. Yeoh, who turned 64 on Thursday, has forged a groundbreaking path across both Asian and Western cinema. Taking on her first lead role in "Yes, Madam" in 1985, she redefined action roles for women in male-dominated genres through hits such as "Police Story 3: Supercop" (1992) and "Wing Chun” (1994). She gained international prominence through the James Bond film "Tomorrow Never Dies" (1997) and solidified her status as a global star in "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” (2000). In 2023, Yeoh made history as the first Asian actor to win the Academy Award for Best Actress for her lead role in "Everything Everywhere All at Once" (2022). She further cemented her legacy on the world stage by receiving the Honorary Golden Bear at the 2026 Berlin

Aug 6, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh to be honored at 31st BIFF

Korean animation 'Long Long Night' to screen at Toronto film fest

The Korean animation "Long Long Night," an adaptation of the bestselling novel of the same title, has been invited to screen at this year's Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), the film's distributor said Thursday. The 3D animation, the directorial debut by Youm Kyu-bock, will have its world premiere at TIFF's Centrepiece section, according to The Contents On. It marks the first time in 13 years that a Korean animation feature has been invited to screen at TIFF since "Colony" director Yeon Sang-ho's animation "The Fake" (2013). "Long Long Night," written by Ru Ri, is a children's story that has sold more than 800,000 copies in Korea and has been adapted into a musical and pansori, or traditional Korean opera. It tenderly portrays the bond between two animals — the last remaining white rhinoceros on Earth and a baby penguin born from an abandoned egg — as they set on a journey to find the ocean. Youm is a seasoned producer who has worked in the local advertising industry for about 20 years and has authored a picture book. The date for the release of "Long Long Night" in Korea is

Aug 6, 2026By Yonhap
Korean animation 'Long Long Night' to screen at Toronto film fest
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