Yoon Kyung-ho on 'My Daughter Is a Zombie' and why he apologized to directorActor Yoon Kyung-ho says the success of “My Daughter Is a Zombie” has made him more cautious than celebratory. Describing himself as careful and sensitive, he noted that “80 percent of what sustains my acting is worry.” He also recalled a compliment from director Shin Won-ho, who once told him he had “a face that can deliver 100 percent with only 50 percent acting.” While co-star Jo Jung-suk is known for his expansive performances, Yoon said he feels his own subtle expressions often let audiences imagine more, which he believes is why “people see me favorably and trust me,” adding, “that’s why they think I act well, and I’m grateful.” In the comedy, which opened July 30 and has drawn over 3.5 million viewers, Yoon plays Dong-bae, a role that gave him plenty of laughs but also pressure. Yoon expressed strong trust in co-stars Jo Jung-suk, Lee Jung-eun, Cho Yeo-jung, and Choi Yu-ri, saying, “They’re all actors known for their skill, so I worried a lot about whether I’d fit the balance, whether my tone would match,” he said. Still, he was drawn to the characteAug 14, 2025By Hankookilbo
'Only God Knows Everything' explores true meaning of faithHow cruel can a distorted belief make a person? And how should a priest, who serves as God's representative, deal with the dilemma they face when their own faith is shaken? Director Paek Seung-hwan poses these questions in his new film "Only God Knows Everything,” which explores the dark side of people who fall into cults and what true faith really means. This thriller follows Do-un (Shin Seung-ho), a newly ordained priest. When he hears a confession about the death of his mother, who disappeared 13 years ago, he becomes entangled in a dilemma between revenge and his faith, and begins to unravel the secrets behind her disappearance. "I have been involved in various religious activities myself and often wondered if my beliefs were right, or what was the right thing to do when I saw the dark side of religion," Paek said after the premiere on Wednesday. "So when I first read this screenplay, I thought I should make a film that explores these kinds of questions." He added that the original title of the film was "The Borderliner" with the subtitle "Only God Knows Everything," but he decidedAug 13, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
Korean animation 'Bad Girl: Run Hani' to hit theaters this OctoberThe beloved Korean TV animation “Run Hani” will make its big-screen debut this October with its first official theatrical release “Bad Girl: Run Hani” (tentative title), marking the 40th anniversary of the original series. On Wednesday, the film’s distributor NEW said the animated feature based on cartoonist Lee Jin-joo's original comic "Run Hani” will be released in cinemas nationwide. The company also unveiled a special poster inspired by the Taegeukgi (national flag of Korea) in commemoration of the 80th anniversary of Liberation Day, which falls on Friday. The image features the characters Aeri and Hani running boldly against the Korean national flag, symbolizing both nostalgia for a timeless story and pride in the nation’s history. The original comic and TV series follow Hani, a talented sprinter from a troubled background, whose strong will drives her forward alongside her devoted teacher and rival Aeri. In a twist that sets it apart from the original, the upcoming film places Aeri in the central role, NEW said. The narrative promises to reveal Aeri’s backstory andAug 13, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
Japanese anime 'Demon Slayer' logs record presales despite Liberation Day sensitivitiesJapanese animated feature "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba — Infinity Castle" is showing notable presale success in Korea, signaling strong anticipation despite the sensitive atmosphere surrounding National Liberation Day, a holiday commemorating the end of Japanese colonial rule which falls on Aug. 15. The film’s release timing, Aug. 22, just days after this significant historical holiday, adds layers of cultural and historical complexity to how it is received by Korean audiences. However, many fans of this popular comic book-based animation argue that cultural content should be appreciated on its own merits, questioning the necessity of attaching historical and political issues to a work of fiction. According to data from the Korean Film Council, the film has already surpassed 320,000 presale tickets, securing the top spot in ticket reservations with 321,806 presale ticket record as of Tuesday. This impressive figure suggests a strong fan base and high anticipation for the movie, which is based on the massively popular comic book by Koyoharu Gotouge. The original comic series has sAug 12, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
'Murder Report' forces reporter to face killer in psychological cageThe upcoming film "Murder Report" centers on a psychiatrist-cum-serial killer who requests a scoop-hungry reporter does an exclusive interview with him. Any other details about the plot would spoil the narrative, according to the male lead Jung Sung-il, who portrays the killer, Young-hun. "He is both a psychiatrist and a serial killer; everything else about the film is a spoiler," said the actor, best known for his role in Netflix's hit series "The Glory." "I didn't think much about the scenario and just flipped it open for a quick look, but I ended up reading the whole book in one sitting," he said, describing how the story instantly captivated him. His attraction to the script was so strong that he felt compelled to accept the role immediately. "I had to grab the casting offer as soon as I finished reading it. I feared someone might take the role," he said. The sentiment was echoed by his co-lead, Cho Yeo-jeong of "Parasite," who portrays Seon-ju, the reporter who agrees to the perilous interview with Young-hun in a hotel room, fully aware of his identity as a serial killer. "The movie'sAug 12, 2025By Yonhap
'My Daughter is a Zombie' smashes box office, hits 3 mil. views in just 11 daysThe Korean box office is buzzing with the success of “My Daughter is a Zombie," a comedic drama that has captivated audiences nationwide as the zombie-comedy film officially surpassed 3 million cumulative viewers on Saturday, just 11 days after its release on July 30, making it the fastest film of 2025 to reach this milestone. According to data from the Korean Film Council (KOFIC), the movie logged 3,000,558 viewers as of 8:05 p.m. on Saturday. This achievement places "My Daughter is a Zombie" at No. 4 on this year's box office chart, overtaking blockbusters like "Mickey 17." The film’s remarkable speed reaching the 3 million viewer milestone is unprecedented this year. For instance, "Mission: Impossible — Final Reckoning" took 23 days, “Yadang: The Snitch” took 23 days and “Mickey 17” and "F1: The Movie" needed 39 days and 40 days, respectively, to hit the same mark. The film's success also echoes that of previous summer hits. It matched the record of 2023's top summer film, "Smugglers," and reached the milestone one day faster than 2024's "Pilot." This string of hits furAug 10, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
‘Omniscient Reader’ tops Hong Kong box officeThe fantasy action film “Omniscient Reader,” starring Ahn Hyo-seop and Lee Min-ho, is making a powerful impact overseas, claiming the No. 1 spot at the Hong Kong box office on its opening day. Released in Hong Kong on July 31, the movie grossed over 3.1 million Hong Kong dollars in its first week, surpassing the performance of “Exhuma.” It marks the highest opening-week revenue for a Korean film in the region since 2021. Previously released in Taiwan on July 23, “Omniscient Reader” also outpaced the opening scores of “Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds” and “Exhuma.” As of Aug. 5, the film holds the No. 2 position on Taiwan’s overall box office chart and ranks No. 1 among Korean films released in the country in 2025. Based on a popular serialized web novel, the movie follows Kim Dok-ja (played by Ahn Hyo-seop), the sole reader of a long-running web novel, who finds the fictional world becoming reality after the story concludes. Teaming up with the novel’s protagonist Yoo Jung-hyuk (Lee Min-ho) and other allies, Kim fights to survive in a post-apocalyptic world. EveAug 8, 2025By Hankookilbo
‘My Daughter Is a Zombie’ breathes life into summer box office“My Daughter Is a Zombie,” a quirky comedy about a father protecting his zombie daughter, is proving a surprise hit at the Korean box office. Since opening on July 30, the film has drawn more than 2.37 million moviegoers in just eight days through Aug. 6, accounting for over 40 percent of national ticket sales. It has already surpassed its break-even point and is expected to overtake the year’s previous top-grossing film, “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning,” which drew 3.39 million viewers. Based on a Naver webtoon, the movie is directed by Pil Gam-seong, known for “Hostage: Missing Celebrity” and the Tving series “A Bloody Lucky Day.” In a phone interview on Thursday, Pil said he never expected such a strong response. “Even after seeing the opening day numbers, I couldn’t believe it. This kind of success came completely out of the blue,” he said. Unlike his previous dark thrillers, the director takes a new turn with this lighthearted and heartfelt family comedy. Rather than a grim apocalyptic tone, “My Daughter Is a Zombie” offers gentle laughs and tAug 8, 2025By Hankookilbo
Song Kang-ho parts ways with Sublime, becomes free agentActor Song Kang-ho has officially ended his exclusive contract with Sublime, the agency he joined in 2020. The company confirmed the separation on Thursday, saying, “After lengthy discussions, both sides have mutually agreed to part ways while respecting each other’s perspectives.” According to industry sources, the agreement was finalized earlier that day. Song had previously worked independently for about a year after leaving Hodu&U Entertainment in 2019, before signing with Sublime. One of Korea’s most celebrated actors, Song has starred in a string of critically acclaimed and commercially successful films, including “No. 3,” “The Foul King,” “Joint Security Area,” “Memories of Murder,” and “Thirst.” His global fame soared with “Parasite,” which won four Oscars at the 92nd Academy Awards in 2020, including Best Picture. Song recently withdrew from the upcoming drama “Insiders” due to scheduling conflicts, according to sources close to the actor. With his departure from Sublime, Song is now considered one of the most sought-after free agents in the eAug 8, 2025By Hankookilbo
‘Pretty Crazy’ offers hilarious spin on demonic possessionDirector Lee Sang-geun, who won over audiences nationwide with his 2019 disaster blockbuster “Exit," is back after six years with his new comedy "Pretty Crazy," which promises to cool down the summer heat. His latest film is a whimsical comedy-fantasy that follows a familiar-but-fresh premise — a woman who turns into a demon every night. The film showcases his signature blend of humor and heart as it follows the chaotic journey of Sun-ji (Yoona), a woman who runs a bakery by day but becomes a mischievous devil by night. Her misadventures are handled by Gil-gu (Ahn Bo-hyun), a part-time worker who reluctantly becomes her protector. The film marks a long-awaited comeback for Lee, who spent three years on post-production after wrapping filming in 2022. "When I debuted six years ago, I didn't know anything, so I wasn't as nervous," Lee said at the film’s premiere. "Now, I feel a hundred times more anxious. I'm so curious to see how the audience will receive this new work, and I hope they can feel the sincerity we put into it." Lee shared that the film's protagonists, like the lead inAug 6, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
