'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
‘My Daughter Is a Zombie’ hits break-even point in just 7 daysComedy thriller “My Daughter Is a Zombie,” starring Jo Jung-suk, has surpassed its break-even point just one week after release, continuing its impressive box office momentum. According to the Korean Film Council’s integrated ticketing network, the film exceeded 2.2 million cumulative admissions as of 6:40 p.m. on Aug. 5, reaching profitability just seven days after its July 30 premiere. “My Daughter Is a Zombie” has already seen the highest opening numbers among Korean comedies this year and achieved the fastest climb to both one million and two million viewers. Despite strong competition, it has held the No. 1 spot at the box office for seven consecutive days and currently ranks first in both seat occupancy and advance booking rates. The film tells the story of a devoted father who undergoes secret training to protect his daughter — the last remaining zombie on Earth. The cast also includes Lee Jung-eun, Jo Yeo-jeong, Yoon Kyung-ho and Choi Yu-ri. Brad Pitt’s “F1: The Movie” ranks second at the box office with just over 3 million tickets sold. This article from the HankAug 6, 2025By Hankookilbo
Lee Byung-hun to receive Special Tribute Award at Toronto International Film FestivalLee Byung-hun, star of Park Chan-wook’s new film “No Other Choice,” has been selected to receive the Special Tribute Award at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), organizers announced on Tuesday. The prestigious honor, which recognizes outstanding contributions to global cinema, will be presented during the festival’s opening on Sept. 4. TIFF praised Lee as a “global sensation.” The Special Tribute Award has previously gone to figures such as Chinese actress Zhao Tao, Hong Kong actor Andy Lau and Canadian composer David Foster. This year’s honorees also include Mexican filmmaker Guillermo del Toro, American actress Jodie Foster and Japanese director-producer HIKARI (Mitsuyo Miyazaki), each recognized in separate categories. “A global sensation, Lee Byung Hun has achieved massive success across film and television in both South Korea and Hollywood,” the TIFF said on its website. Lee will attend the festival, where his latest film “No Other Choice” will premiere as a Gala Presentation for the North American audience. The film, which marks its worldAug 6, 2025By Hankookilbo
'Burning' director Lee Chang-dong to helm new Netflix film"Burning" director Lee Chang-dong joined hands with Netflix to make his next feature film, with the working title, "Possible Love," the streaming giant said Tuesday. "Possible Love" centers around two married couples with starkly different lives who become entangled and collide with each other. The star-studded project marks a significant reunion for the director with his past collaborators. Jeon Do-yeon, who won Best Actress at the Cannes Film Festival for her role in Lee's "Secret Sunshine" (2007), will play Mi-ok, and Sul Kyung-gu, who starred in Lee's "Peppermint Candy" (1999) and "Oasis" (2002), will play Mi-ok's husband, Ho-seok. Zo In-sung and Cho Yeo-jeong of "Parasite" play the other couple, Sang-woo and Ye-ji, respectively. For Jeon and Sul, the film will be their fourth on-screen collaboration, following "I Wish I Had a Wife" (2001), "Birthday" (2019) and "Kill Boksoon" (2023). One of the country's most celebrated directors, Lee won the Silver Lion for Best Direction at the Venice International Film Festival for "Oasis" in 2002. His 2018 film, "Burning," starring Yoo Ah-in andAug 5, 2025By Yonhap
Park Chan-wook’s ‘No Other Choice’ to open this year’s Busan film festival“No Other Choice,” the latest film from celebrated director Park Chan-wook, has been selected to open the 30th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF). The choice is being celebrated for both honoring a master of Korean cinema and revitalizing the industry, the festival organizer said Monday. "We are overwhelmed and thrilled that we can share the story that director Park Chan-wook most wanted to tell with a large audience on the first day of the festival,” said Jung Han-seok, director of BIFF. The film, which is based on the novel “The Ax” by Donald E. Westlake, will have its Asian premiere at the festival, which will take place in Busan from Sept. 17 to 26. It's Park's first feature film in three years since his critically acclaimed “Decision to Leave” in 2022. “No Other Choice” tells the story of Man-su, a white-collar worker played by actor Lee Byung-hun, who seemingly has it all. But his life is upended when he's suddenly laid off. To protect his wife, two children and their hard-earned home, he embarks on a desperate and grueling quest for reemployment. Lee, who wiAug 4, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
Actor Song Young-kyu of 'Extreme Job' found deadActor Song Young-kyu, who featured in the 2019 comedy film "Extreme Job," was found dead Monday, police said. Song was discovered by an acquaintance inside a car in a residential complex in Yongin, just south of Seoul, around 8 a.m., according to the police. Police said there was no sign of foul play and no suicide note. The actor was recently mired in controversy after he was caught drunk driving in Yongin in June. Born in 1970, the actor made his debut in a 1994 children's musical. After a memorable supporting role in the hit action comedy "Extreme Job," he has appeared in numerous dramas, movies and plays. His recent work included roles in the popular Netflix Korean original series "Narco-Saints" (2022) and Disney+'s "Big Bet" (2022). At the time of his passing, he was appearing in ENA's "The Defects" and SBS TV's "Try," both currently on air. He is survived by his wife and two daughters.Aug 4, 2025By Yonhap
