The Korean connection in Hollywood horror film 'Sinners'"Sinners," Ryan Coogler’s latest film, has many moving parts — both literally and figuratively. But what grounds the story is a production team forged through trust, shared history and creative synergy. The emotional resonance of the film isn’t just felt on-screen; it echoes behind the scenes through the contributions of people like executive producer Rebecca Cho and executive music producer Serena Göransson — both of whom have roots in Korea. While the film doesn’t visually reference Korean culture, its connection to the peninsula is deeply tied to the production team. For both Cho and Göransson, bringing "Sinners" to Korea carries special significance — not just as professionals, but as individuals whose personal ties make the moment intimate and powerful. “For both of them having roots here and bringing a movie that very much touches on that subject, the moment for both is emotional and special for them to promote and show the movie here in Korea,” the team shared. “Both for the love and deep respect they have for the creator and how they can also relate to the sMay 28, 2025By Antonia Giordano
‘Sinners’ offers genre-bending tale of blues, blood and freedomRyan Coogler’s new film "Sinners" makes its Korean debut on Wednesday, blending horror with history, music and emotional weight. While previews might label it a horror film, "Sinners" goes far beyond the genre’s conventions, much like the blues music that drives its story. It’s a meditation on tragedy, love, family and the enduring search for freedom. Set in 1932 Mississippi, the film opens with Sammie Miller, played by breakout talent Miles Caton, rushing into his father’s church, bloodied and clutching part of a broken guitar. His father, a preacher, begs him to abandon the blues — the “devil’s music” — but Sammie clings tightly to both his father and his instrument. This tense scene, though short, already expresses themes such as religion, spirituality, self-expression and freedom that are seen throughout the movie. A flashback transports us to the day before, when the “Smokestack twins” — Elijah "Smoke" Moore and Elias "Stack" Moore, both played by Michael B. Jordan — return from Chicago, ready to open a juke joint in their hometown. Jordan gives a remarkaMay 28, 2025By Antonia Giordano
Netflix’s Korean animation ‘Lost in Starlight’ illuminates love, loss, Seoul’s futureNetflix will make history with the release of its first Korean animated feature film, “Lost in Starlight,” premiering globally on May 30. Written and directed by Han Ji-won, the film is a visually arresting, emotionally resonant romance set in a futuristic Seoul circa 2050, told through the voices of acclaimed actors Kim Tae-ri and Hong Kyung. “Lost in Starlight” follows the emotional connection between Nan-young (Kim), an ambitious astronaut dreaming of exploring Mars, and Jay (Hong), a talented musician who had to put aside his artistic pursuits. Their fateful encounter, sparked by Nan-young’s quest to repair her late mother’s cherished turntable, sets them on a journey that spans not only the city’s neon-lit streets but also the emotional distance between Earth and Mars. Director Han explained the significance of the film’s title and how the theme of love plays a pivotal role. “It’s about being far apart like Mars and Earth,” the director told reporters after screening at a theater in Seoul, Tuesday. “It’s a love story, but also about parting ways the moment lMay 27, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
‘When I Sleep’ offers tender look at grief, growth“When I Sleep” delves into the intertwined journeys of three women navigating their sleepless nights as director Choi Jung-moon offers a gentle exploration of grief that extends beyond death. "When I started writing the screenplay for 'When I Sleep,' the emotion I thought deeply about was grief. I thought not only about the grief that comes from death but also the grief of people who were by my side, changing and parting ways,” Choi said during a press conference Wednesday at a theater in Seoul. She added that she wrote the story while thinking about "people who have suffered because they are women, and those around me who resemble me." The movie delicately portrays the universal struggles of individuals grappling with their inner turmoil. It follows Seon-ah (Jung Ji-in), Ji-soo (Oh Woo-ri) and Bo-mi (Park Bo-ram) as they embark on a trip to visit a loved one’s grave, a journey that quickly takes an unsettling turn. The three protagonists carry their own burdens. Seon-ah, who works at an advertising company in Seoul, is engaged in a secret office romance with her superior. She leMay 22, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
'Parasite' director Bong Joon-ho joins livestream to celebrate Son Heung-min’s Europa League winFilmmaker Bong Joon-ho, best known for his 2019 Oscar-winning movie “Parasite,” brought his signature enthusiasm to the world of football, joining a live broadcast to cheer on Korean footballer Son Heung-min and his team, Tottenham Hotspur, as they won the UEFA Europa League title on Thursday. Tottenham ended their 17-year title drought with a 1-0 victory over Manchester United in the Europa League final at San Mames Stadium in Bilbao, Spain. The decisive moment came in the 42nd minute, when Brennan Johnson scored. The 55-year-old filmmaker, who had pledged earlier this year to join a live commentary if Tottenham reached the final, fulfilled his promise by appearing on football commentator Park Moon-sung’s YouTube channel Dalsu Live. Comedian Kim Shin-young, who made her big screen debut through director Park Chan-wook’s 2022 film “Decision to Leave,” also attended the broadcasting. Despite having slept only three hours before the match, which kicked off at 4 a.m. Korea time, Bong’s passion was clear from the start. When Son began the match on the bench, Bong predicted,May 22, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
Kim Sae-ron’s final film ‘Guitar Man’ to premiere May 30“Guitar Man,” the final film featuring the late actress Kim Sae-ron, is set to be released on May 30, offering fans a glimpse of her on-screen presence one last time. A press screening for the movie took place at Lotte Cinema World Tower in Seoul, with directors Kim Jong-myeon and Lee Sun-jung in attendance. “Guitar Man” is a musical film that follows the emotional journey of a gifted guitarist who seeks hope through music and relationships amid life’s hardships. Kim plays Yoo-jin, the keyboard player in a live band called Volcano, which the main character Ki-chul (played by co-director Lee Sun-jung) joins. The story portrays the band members’ struggles and growth as they journey together in search of hope. Lee reflected on his dual role as lead actor and co-director. “It’s my first time directing, acting and working on music for a film,” he said. “I wanted to share the music I’ve made, and this movie was born out of that desire.” Lee added that he had drawn heavily from his own experiences in a band. “What made life both the hardest and the happiest was always pMay 22, 2025By Hankookilbo
Africa Film Festival brings continent’s vibrant cinema to KoreaThe Africa Film Festival, organized by the Korea-Africa Foundation, is showcasing the diversity, creativity and cultural depth of African cinema, bringing the vibrancy and rich narratives of the continent to Korean audiences. The seventh edition, which opened Tuesday, runs through June 15 and unfolds across three cities — in Seoul through May 26, in Busan from May 27 to June 1 and for the first time in Jeonju from June 12 to 15 — marking a significant expansion in its reach. Launched in 2019, the festival intends to break down negative stereotypes and introduce the many diverse facets of Africa through the power of film. Now in its seventh year, the festival continues to grow, offering a more comprehensive look at the continent’s cinematic landscape. Highlighting the festival’s mission to foster cultural exchange and mutual understanding, Kim Young-chae, president of the Korea-Africa Foundation, said in his opening remarks that “this festival is not just about watching films but about building strong bridges between Korea and Africa, and shaping a future based on mutual respecMay 21, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
'Mission: Impossible 8' hits 1 mil. viewers in 5 days"Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning" has drawn over 1 million moviegoers within five days of its release, its local distributor Lotte Entertainment said Wednesday. The eighth installment of Tom Cruise's popular action franchise opened in local theaters Saturday, dominating the local box office and setting this year's record for opening day attendance with 423,945 admissions. The film surpassed the 1 million admissions mark three days earlier than "Yadang: The Snitch," the most popular Korean movie of the year so far. In a video message shared by the distributor, stars Simon Pegg and Greg Tarzan Davis thanked Korean fans for their love and support.May 21, 2025By Yonhap
Tom Cruise appears on BTS member Jin’s YouTube showHollywood star Tom Cruise has appeared on BTS member Jin’s online entertainment show, marking a high-profile meeting between two global celebrities. Cruise, who visited Korea to promote his new film "Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning," joined Jin on his YouTube show Run Jin, creating a buzz among fans worldwide. In the interview, Jin kicked things off playfully with the question, “Do you know BTS?” to which Cruise replied with an enthusiastic “Yeah,” setting the tone for their friendly exchange. Jin shared that the first film he watched after turning 15 was from the Mission: Impossible series, expressing admiration for Cruise. Cruise returned the warm sentiment, praising Korean culture: “Korean culture is amazing, the people are incredibly warm, the history is fascinating and the food is delicious,” he said. "I feel energized being in this culture." The two also discussed Cruise’s now-famous aerial stunt, which involved hanging off a plane 2,438 meters in the air. “It was the hardest weight workout you have done," in five minutes, Cruise said, describing it asMay 21, 2025By Hankookilbo
Why Jeonju is now Korea's hottest filming location?Korean filmmakers and streaming giants are turning their cameras to Jeonju, a city where tradition and cinematic innovation meet, making the city in North Jeolla Province one of the hottest filming locations for movies and dramas. From the bustling Hanok Village — a cluster of traditional Korean houses — to the city’s film studio complex, Jeonju’s blend of history, culture and modern infrastructure is drawing the attention of both domestic and international production teams. The city’s recent partnership with New Zealand’s Kumeu Film Studios — famed for producing global blockbusters like “Avatar” and “Mulan” — signals Jeonju’s growing ambitions as an international film industry hub. The agreement, made last year, includes plans for Asia’s second Kumeu Film Studios and a virtual production facility. “Jeonju has made film and video production one of its core development priorities for over 20 years,” an official from Jeonju City Government's culture, sports and tourism bureau said. “The city’s Hanok Village and tranquil atmosphere make it an ideal locatiMay 20, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
