Rami Malek's 'The Amateur' offers fresh take on spy genre with underdog heroActor Rami Malek, star of the new espionage film “The Amateur,” believes the movie stands out from traditional spy thrillers by featuring an underdog protagonist, promising audiences the unique satisfaction of seeing an ordinary person achieve extraordinary things. "I think what resonated so much about ('Bohemian Rhapsody') was an underdog story, someone you least expect and is overlooked, who goes on to do something really special, extraordinary and moves people. And there is a real underdog story here with this film that I think if you like watching someone rise above all the obstacles to achieve something special, you can relate ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ to ‘The Amateur,’" Malek told Korean media during an online press conference on Wednesday, referencing his Academy Award-winning role as Freddie Mercury in “Bohemian Rhapsody” (2018). "The Amateur," which hit theaters here Wednesday, follows Charles Heller (Malek), a CIA cryptographer with no field experience, embarking on a mission to avenge the murder of his wife, Sarah (Rachel Brosnahan). He uses his exceptional intelleApr 9, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
Kim Min-hee and Hong Sang-soo welcome baby boyActor Kim Min-hee, 43, and director Hong Sang-soo, 65, recently became parents to a baby boy. According to sources on Tuesday, Kim gave birth at a hospital and later stayed at a postpartum care center in Hanam, Gyeonggi Province. Speculation about her pregnancy had circulated in January, when reports emerged that Kim was expecting a child with Hong and was due to give birth this spring. Witnesses also claimed to have seen the couple visiting an obstetrics clinic in Hanam for regular checkups. In February, the heavily pregnant Kim was spotted at Incheon International Airport with Hong, en route to attend the Berlin International Film Festival. Kim and Hong first met while working on the 2015 film "Right Now, Wrong Then," and later began dating. Hong publicly acknowledged their relationship at a press conference for the 2017 film "On the Beach at Night Alone." Hong remains legally married to a woman he wed in 1985 while studying in the United States. In 2016, Hong filed for divorce mediation, but the process fell through after his wife refused to receive the court documents. He later filedApr 9, 2025By KTimes
REVIEW ‘YADANG: The Snitch’ takes viewers on gritty ride through Korea’s drug underworld"YADANG: The Snitch" is a crime thriller that delves into the shadowy side of "yadang," a Korean slang term for informants who provide information about drug dealers and buyers to the police or law enforcement authorities. The film plunges viewers into the murky depths of Korea's drug trade as it follows the intertwined stories of Lee Kang-su (Kang Ha-neul), a yadang who has a name in Korea's drug scene, Koo Kwan-hee (Yoo Hae-jin), a prosecutor seeking to climb the ladder using Lee's information, and Oh Sang-jae (Park Hae-joon), a detective determined to crack down on drug crimes. The film follows the successful formula of Korean crime thrillers like "Inside Men" (2015) and "The Unjust" (2010), skillfully weaving in elements from real-life news stories about the collusion between crime syndicates and powerful figures. While using familiar elements found in crime thrillers, “YADANG: The Snitch” adds stylish visuals, exciting action, and a well-crafted plot that keeps the tension high throughout. At the center of the gripping story are the outstanding performances of the leading trio.Apr 8, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
Why films starring Yoo Ah-in, Kwak Do-won are defying odds at box officeTwo Korean films, "The Firefighters" and "The Match," have unexpectedly become box office hits despite production delays, scandal-plagued stars and fears they would bypass theaters altogether. Both were filmed during the COVID-19 pandemic but were shelved due to their lead actors becoming embroiled in controversies. As rumors of direct-to-streaming releases swirled, few expected them to succeed once they finally hit theaters. Yet both have proved otherwise. "The Firefighters," which opened earlier this year, has drawn 3.85 million viewers, while "The Match" has attracted 1.35 million moviegoers as of Sunday. "The Firefighters," directed by Kwak Kyung-taek of "Friend" (2001) and "The Classified File" (2015), is based on a real-life arson incident in Seoul’s Hongje-dong in 2001. The film wrapped shooting in 2020, but plans for release were derailed in September 2022 after lead actor Kwak Do-won was caught drunk driving, causing a public outcry. The film was eventually released on Dec. 4 last year. Despite the stigma of being labeled a “shelved film” and the additional burden of its leApr 8, 2025By KTimes
Bong Joon-ho’s 'Mickey 17' heads to streaming after disappointing box office performance“Mickey 17,” the latest film by acclaimed director Bong Joon-ho, will be released on U.S. streaming platforms just a month after its theatrical debut, following a lukewarm performance at the box office. U.S. media outlets estimate that the film incurred a loss of around $80 million (about 116.9 billion won) from ticket sales alone. Amazon Prime Video announced on Sunday that it would release the film Monday afternoon, local time. According to Forbes, the movie will also be available on platforms such as Apple TV and Fandango. The film, which opened in 3,807 theaters across North America on March 7, was reported to be underperforming at the box office within just two weeks of release. Industry analysts had flagged the weak ticket sales early on. Entertainment outlet Variety reported on March 20 that “Mickey 17” could end up losing as much as $80 million in global ticket sales. The outlet projected that the film’s worldwide gross would total around $143 million (about 209 billion won), far below its estimated break-even point of $300 million (about 438.5 billion won), factoringApr 7, 2025By KTimes
Ups and downs of being a director’s ‘muse’: Familiarity, risks, creative limitsIn Korean cinema and television, some actors have become known as the “muses” of certain directors — recurring collaborators who bring a director’s artistic vision to life. These repeated partnerships can offer creative synergy, but they also come with risks, including audience fatigue and reputational blowback if controversies arise. Shin Hyun-been is widely regarded as the muse of director Yeon Sang-ho. The two have worked together on multiple projects, including "Monstrous" and "Revelations," and are teaming up again on the upcoming series "Gunche" and "The Ugly." In "Revelations," recently released on Netflix, Shin dramatically changed her appearance with a short haircut, signaling a shift in her screen image. Other notable actor-director pairings include Jeon Jong-seo and her partner, director Lee Chung-hyun, who worked together on "Call" and "Ballerina," Jeon Do-yeon and Oh Seung-wook, who collaborated on "The Shameless" and "Revolver," and Kim Min-hee and director Hong Sang-soo, whose long-running personal and professional relationship has spanned numerous films. Some dirApr 7, 2025By KTimes
CJ ENM-backed film soars to 7th in Vietnam’s all-time box officeCJ ENM's investment in the Vietnamese film market produced impressive results as a film the Korean entertainment giant backed, produced and distributed climbed to seventh place in Vietnam’s all-time box office rankings, the company said Thursday. "The Ancestral Home," which premiered Feb. 21, was a project in CJ ENM's Vietnamese unit, CJ HK Entertainment. The company was involved in the film from its initial funding and production stages through to its distribution and marketing efforts, all specifically tailored for the Vietnamese market. The movie, a horror drama about family, legacy, ghosts and a hidden conspiracy, garnered 2.58 million viewers as of March 5 to enter the top 10 highest-grossing films in Vietnam and moved up to the seventh position on March 8, with a total of 2.75 million viewers. The film exceeded 3.07 million admissions as of Thursday, the company said. Writer-director-actor Huynh Lap’s deep understanding of local culture and audience preferences is considered a crucial factor in the film's success. Huynh is a notable figure in Vietnam's entertainment industry aApr 3, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
'When Life Gives You Tangerines' actor to lead movie on Jeju UprisingActor Yeom Hye-ran, who impressed viewers with her portrayal as a mother working as a "haenyeo" (woman diver) on Jeju Island in the Netflix series "When Life Gives You Tangerines," is set to appear in another film set on the southern island, this time centered on the Jeju April 3 Uprising. The film’s production companies, Let's Films and Aura Pictures, said Thursday that renowned filmmaker Chung Ji-young began shooting his latest film, whose Korean title translates to "My Name Is." The film is set against the backdrop of the Jeju April 3 Uprising and Massacre, which resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of people amid ideological conflicts on Jeju Island between 1947 and 1954, a period marked by state-led suppression and widespread civilian casualties in the aftermath of Korea's liberation from Japan's 1910-1945 colonial rule. The film depicts the story of a middle-aged woman named Jeong-sun, who cannot remember anything before the age of 8, as she gradually recalls memories related to the Jeju April 3 incident. Yeom will portray the lead role. The production companies aim to comApr 3, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
Arin of Oh My Girl to walk pink carpet at Cannes for ‘S Line’ premiereArin of K-pop girl group Oh My Girl is set to walk the pink carpet at the upcoming Cannes International Series Festival. The drama “S Line,” starring Arin, has been officially invited to compete in the long-form competition at the Cannes International Series Festival, which will be held from April 24 to 29. As the lead actress, Arin will attend the event and appear on the festival’s signature pink carpet. Based on a popular webtoon of the same name, S Line tells the story of a mysterious red line — known as the "S line" — that connects individuals who have had sexual relationships, appearing above their heads regardless of time or place. The show explores the ripple effects of this phenomenon on their lives. In the drama, Arin plays Hyeonheup, a high school student who has been able to see S-lines since birth. The role marks a dramatic shift from her previous work, as she takes on a darker and more emotionally complex character, raising expectations for a striking transformation in her acting. Arin has been steadily building her acting résumé through roles in dramas such asApr 3, 2025By KTimes
'Revelations' tops Netflix non-English films chart for 2nd weekThe mystery thriller "Revelations," starring Ryu Jun-yeol and Shin Hyun-been, claimed the No. 1 spot on Netflix's non-English films chart for the second consecutive week, the streaming platform said Wednesday. The Netflix Korean original film amassed 6.9 million views, far outperforming "Deva," the Hindi-language action thriller that garnered 2.8 million views for the week ending on Sunday. Premiering on March 21, "Revelations" debuted atop the chart. It revolves around a pastor (Ryu) and a detective (Shin), each driven by their own beliefs, as they pursue a missing person case that forces them to confront their inner demons. The movie is the latest work by director Yeon Sang-ho, a familiar name to Netflix fans through his previous collaborations with the company on the hit series "Hellbound" and "Parasyte: The Grey." Meanwhile, two Korean shows made it into the platform's non-English series chart, with "Weak Hero: Class 1," a drama about school bullying, ranking second with 6.7 million views, closely followed by "When Life Gives You Tangerines" with 6 million views. (Yonhap)Apr 2, 2025By Yonhap
