Ma Dong-seok says he’s glad to see Byeon Woo-seok succeed after 10 tough yearsActor Ma Dong-seok, internationally known as Don Lee, who has forged strong friendships with many colleagues throughout his career since his 2004 debut, recently spoke about his bond with fellow actor Byeon Woo-seok. In January, Ma created a buzz by sharing a photo with Byeon on social media, captioned, "Run away with Dong-seok on your back." The photo shows Ma with his right hand clenched into a fist and his left arm draped over Byeon’s shoulder. Byeon, smiling warmly at the camera, gives a thumbs-up, adding to the friendly atmosphere. After the photo was posted, netizens were amused by how Ma’s fist appeared bigger than Byeon’s face, while many expressed curiosity about how the two had formed their unexpected friendship. When asked about the attention the photo received, Ma said, "We are close," before joking, "We do look like an odd pair, right?" Ma, who played geology professor Kang Bong-rae in the 2019 film "Ashfall," which deals with the eruption of Mount Baekdu, explained, "Byeon Woo-seok also appeared in that movie. At the time, he had a small role." He continued, "There isApr 28, 2025By KTimes
'Yadang: The Snitch' stays atop box office for 2nd weekend, fending off 'A Minecraft Movie'The Korean crime-action film "Yadang: The Snitch" held onto the No. 1 spot at the local box office for the second consecutive weekend, despite the debut of Warner Bros.' "A Minecraft Movie," data showed Monday. Over the weekend, "Yadang" sold 521,000 tickets nationwide in its second weekend of release, bringing its cumulative total to 1.63 million admissions, according to data from the Korean Film Council. Directed by Hwang Byeong-guk, the film centers on the intertwined ambitions of a cunning criminal informant, a driven prosecutor who recruits him as a snitch, and a detective who risks everything to take down a major drug trafficking ring. "Minecraft," which opened Saturday, amassed about 341,000 admissions through Sunday to place second but fell short of dethroning "Yadang." Placing third was "The Match," which has remained on the chart for a month. The Korean sports drama added about 55,000 admissions over the weekend, bringing its cumulative total to 2.09 million. "Search and Seizure: The Rise of an Insurrection," a Korean documentary about the prosecution's 2023 raid of an online neApr 28, 2025By Yonhap
Actors Woo Ji-hyun, Lee Tae-kyung marryActor Woo Ji-hyun, known for his role as a reckless chaebol heir in the film "Yadang: The Snitch, married fellow actor Lee Tae-Kyung in a private ceremony in Seoul on Saturday. Woo, born in 1986, and Lee, born in 1991, have a five-year age difference. The two first met while co-starring in the 2021 short film "Tomorrow's Lovers," where they played an onscreen couple, a relationship that has now blossomed into real life. Woo made his debut in 2014 and has appeared in numerous dramas, including "SKY Castle" and "Gyeongseong Creature." His film credits include "Missing," "Park Hwa Young," and "The Plot." Currently, he is making a strong impression in theaters as chaebol heir Oh Jae-chul in "Yadang: The Snitch." Lee has built her career with roles in dramas such as "Itaewon Class," "Jirisan," "Military Prosecutor Doberman" and "The Uncanny Counter 2: Counter Punch," as well as films like "After My Death," "Fictions" and "The Dream Songs." This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.Apr 28, 2025By KTimes
Girls’ Generation’s Sooyoung to appear in 'John Wick' spinoff ‘Ballerina’Sooyoung, a member of the K-pop group Girls’ Generation and an actor, is set to appear in the Hollywood film "Ballerina," a spinoff of the popular "John Wick" series. Sooyoung surprised fans by unveiling her character poster for "Ballerina" on her social media Friday. She wrote, "Must protect her. Meet Katla in the movie 'Ballerina' on June 6," promoting her Hollywood debut. "Ballerina" is the first spinoff film from the mega-hit "John Wick" franchise. It follows Eve (Ana de Armas), a ballerina from the Ruska Roma who trained John Wick (Keanu Reeves) as an assassin. After her family is killed, Eve embarks on a journey of revenge. In the film, Sooyoung plays Katla, the daughter of Il-sung, a fellow member of the Ruska Roma. Her character is protected during Eve’s first field mission. News of Sooyoung’s unexpected Hollywood appearance has generated a wave of support from fans. "Ballerina," featuring Sooyoung, is scheduled to premiere in North America on June 6. This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edApr 28, 2025By KTimes
Yoo Hae-jin, Lee Je-hoon wage war over soju company in ‘Big Deal’The tumultuous 1997 financial crisis serves as the backdrop for a fierce corporate battle in the upcoming film “Big Deal,” centering on the fate of a company producing Korea’s beloved distilled spirit: soju. The movie, titled “Soju War” in Korean, pits Pyo Jong-rok (Yoo Hae-jin), a loyal employee who tries to keep the soju company alive despite facing a financial crisis, against Choi In-beom (Lee Je-hoon), a sharp-witted strategist from a global investment firm driven solely by profit and intent on acquisition. Veteran actor Yoo shared his initial connection with the movie’s script, saying he was attracted to its plot. “The story revolves around soju. Perhaps because of the subject matter, the script read very smoothly. I was drawn to the human side of the characters,” Yoo said Thursday during a press conference in Seoul. “My character might appear ordinary on the surface; a typical office worker. However, he possesses an inner strength, a certain stubbornness and conviction. He’s not one to simply say ‘yes’ to everything. He’s someone who will speak his mind foApr 28, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
Veteran actor Kim Hee-ra becomes Buddhist monk at 78Veteran actor Kim Hee-ra, once celebrated as an action star in Korean cinema, has embraced monastic life following years of personal turmoil, including infidelity and health struggles. The 76-year-old appeared on an MBN documentary program, where he shared his decision to become a monk and reflect on his life. He was officially ordained on March 23 and received a Buddhist name, now wearing monk robes even at home. "This is all part of atoning for the wrong paths I’ve taken," he said. Kim made his film debut in 1970 with "The Old Potter" (1969) and went on to appear in more than 500 works across four decades, including dramas such as "Country Diaries," and films such as "No Glory, No Flag" (1980) and "The Poetry" (2010). During his prime, Kim met actress Kim Soo-yeon, who he married. However, their relationship faced challenges, particularly during the 12 years they lived apart between Korea and the U.S. Kim Soo-yeon revealed she endured great emotional pain due to his affairs and repeated failures in business. “He did everything wrong — women, drinking, smoking. I was in such agonyApr 25, 2025By KTimes
InterviewMa Dong-seok channels dark hero energy in ‘Holy Night: Demon Hunters’Actor and producer Ma Dong-seok, best known for his bone-crunching action in the "The Roundup" series, is set to captivate audiences once again, this time venturing into the occult with his latest film, "Holy Night: Demon Hunters." In the movie, Ma plays Bau, a formidable troubleshooter using his fists to exorcise demons as a leader of the “Holy Night” team. The 54-year-old actor expressed his enthusiasm for the project, highlighting the action sequences made possible by the film’s fantasy elements. "I put a lot of effort into the action sequences, and the fantasy genre allowed for a more impactful and refreshing result," he told The Korea Times at a cafe in Seoul on Thursday. He also shared his satisfaction in supporting the debut of director Lim Dae-hee. While working on the highly anticipated next installments in "The Roundup," with at least one expected to film next year, Ma focused on the unique aspects of "Holy Night: Demon Hunters." He highlighted the emphasis on impactful sound and action best experienced in theaters. "With the absolute decrease in theater attendance, for pApr 24, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
'Yadang: The Snitch' tops box office for 8 days, surpasses 1 million viewersKorean thriller “Yadang: The Snitch” has maintained its grip at the top of the local box office for eight consecutive days, drawing over 1 million moviegoers in just over a week. According to data from the Korean Film Council’s integrated ticketing system, the film attracted a cumulative audience of 1,040,819 as of Wednesday, its eighth day in theaters. This figure surpasses the previous record held by “Hidden Face,” which reached the 1 million mark on its 33rd day and ended with a total of 1,014,867 admissions, the highest for a post-pandemic R-rated Korean film. Since its April 17 release, “Yadang: The Snitch” has consistently ranked No. 1 at the overall box office and continues to lead in reservation rates, holding strong against new releases like “A Minecraft Movie,” “Holy Night: Demon Hunters,” and “The Old Woman with the Knife.” The film’s audience scores have improved over time, with CGV’s Golden Egg Index rising from 96 percent to 97 percent and Lotte Cinema’s viewer rating climbing from 9.2 to 9.4 out of 10 in its second week. The movie earned a LoApr 24, 2025By KTimes
Pope Francis’ death renews fascination with films depicting papal elections, livesThe passing of Pope Francis has reignited public interest in cinematic portrayals of papal elections and the lives of popes, most notably in “Conclave,” currently showing in theaters, and Netflix’s 2019 movie, “The Two Popes.” Pope Francis, who led the world's 1.4 billion Catholics for nearly 12 years, died Monday at 88 after a battle with respiratory issues, despite brief signs of recovery and public Easter appearances. Following the news, “Francis” and “Conclave” became top trending keywords on X. In particular, “Conclave,” which means a private meeting where cardinals gather to elect the next pope, has garnered attention due to the proximity of its release to Pope Frances' passing. Directed by Edward Berger, “Conclave” portrays conflicts, conspiracies and betrayals that arise during a papal election. The movie premiered outside Korea last year and was released domestically on March 5. The film follows 140 cardinals who gather to elect a new pope, engaging in repeated rounds of voting while confined within the Vatican. It offers a detailed look at the secretivApr 23, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
'Reset' echoes unanswered questions of Sewol tragedy, offers few in returnEleven years have passed since a ferry slipped beneath the waves off Korea's southwestern coast, claiming 304 lives — mostly high school students bound for Jeju Island on a field trip that was never meant to end in sorrow. On an otherwise unremarkable Wednesday morning, the slow descent of the great ferry was broadcast live across the nation — a tragedy unfolding in real time. At one point, the screen momentarily offered false hope that all had been saved. Salvation, however, never came and the nation was left to bear, with aching helplessness, the weight of a loss too vast to comprehend. Four hours after the first SOS call rang out at 8:55 a.m. the ship had vanished under the dark waters. What followed was a collective mourning — government probes, a flood of films and documentaries, and aching reflection. Director-producer Min Bae's documentary film "Reset" primarily traces the emotional journey, over nine years since the tragedy's outset, of Moon Jong-taek, father of Moon Ji-sung, one of the 250 student victims. During the painstaking years, Moon emerged as both a fierce advocateApr 23, 2025By Yonhap
