The 29th BIFF to hold special program on late actor Lee Sun-kyun

The late actor Lee Sun-kyun will get special attention during the 29th Busan International Film Festival when it presents a special program entitled “In Memory of Lee Sun-kyun.” Six of Lee’s films will be screened and a special talk event will be held as part of the program that sheds light on Lee’s work. “Through the program, the festival aims to reflect on and commemorate the achievements of the late actor, whose diverse and profound performances have represented

FilmAug. 23, 2024

Fun, laughters to fill port city as Busan International Comedy Festival opens for 10-day run

Korean and international comedians will converge for the 12th Busan International Comedy Festival, one of Asia's largest comedy events, which kicks off Friday. This year's BICF will begin with an opening ceremony on Friday at 7 p.m. at the Busan Cinema Center, hosted by popular Korean comedians Yoo Se-yoon and Jang Dong-min. The opening ceremony will showcase performances by the group Koyote and comedian Youn Sung-ho, also known as DJ Ven. New Jean. International comedians, including p

CultureAug. 23, 2024

YouTube account of former singer convicted of raping minors shut down

The YouTube account of Go Young-wook, a former member of the popular '90s band Roo'Ra who served 30 months in prison for raping and sexually harassing minors, was shut down Friday, 17 days after its creation. "It seems my YouTube channel was shut down overnight. I didn't upload any harmful content, yet it seems YouTube applied a rule (to shut down accounts) solely to me just because of my criminal record. I've already served my legal punishment, so why is it that some pe

TelevisionAug. 23, 2024

‘Pachinko’ season 2 about characters’ growth, emotions

Apple TV+’s Korean original series “Pachinko” has returned with the new second season narrating the internal growth of the characters and their portrayal of a range of emotions, the show’s main actors said Friday. Based on Korean American author Min Jin Lee’s bestselling novel of the same name, the period drama chronicles the life of a Korean family spanning four generations, who moved to Japan in the early 1900s. The second season continues to depict the life of Su

TelevisionAug. 23, 2024

Changgyeonggung Nighttime Feast to open during Chuseok

An interactive program where participants can experience what it was like at celebrations hosted by Joseon-era (1392-1910) heirs to the throne will be open to the public during the Chuseok holiday at Changgyeonggung. The Changgyeonggung Nighttime Feast, an annual event in its fourth year, will accept 90 people a day to take part in the feast as ranking officials in traditional attire, prepared by the Joseon-era palace in Seoul. Royal music performances and food will follow. Tickets purchases in

Arts & DesignAug. 23, 2024

[Well-curated] Retreat and confront extreme heat

In today’s busy modern society, people often seek a retreat from the city -- a place where they can find peace and fresh air in nature. Chwihoga, meaning "Temple of the Tiger" in Korean, offers just that. Consisting of three private houses, the property was curated by a married couple who left the bustling capital of Seoul in 2020 to find a new home in Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province. The couple encountered Pyeongchang during their travels and felt an inexplicable sense of peace th

CultureAug. 23, 2024

[Box office] Movies in theaters this week

“Twisters” (US) Opened Aug. 14 Action/Adventure Directed by Lee Isaac Chung Retired tornado chaser and meteorologist Kate (Daisy Edgar-Jones) is persuaded to return to Oklahoma to work with a new team and test a groundbreaking tornado tracking system. “Land of Happiness” (South Korea) Opened Aug. 14 Drama Directed by Choo Chang-min Passionate lawyer In-hoo (Jo Jung-suk) strives to defend his client Tae-joo (Lee Sun-kyun), a soldier implicated in the assassination of P

FilmAug. 23, 2024

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Busking in Sillim-dong Check out street music, a flea market and restaurants all in one venue right next to Sillim Station Exits No. 3 and 4, a vibrant commercial neighborhood in Gwanak-gu’s Sillim-dong. The Sinsary Festival will run from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Fridays and from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturdays until Nov. 9. Interactive activities like terrarium-making are planned. Check out the festival’s official Instagram @sinsary100. Seoul Fringe Festival Don’t miss out

TravelAug. 23, 2024

'No divorce planned' between Frieze Seoul, Kiaf after five-year contract

Frieze Seoul and Kiaf Seoul held a joint press conference in Seoul ahead of the collaborating fairs in early September, with all eyes on whether the local and global art fairs will continue their partnership as they pass the halfway mark of their five-year contract. “There is no such marriage that one continues on one hand while preparing for a divorce on the other,” said Hwang Dal-sung, president of the Galleries Association of Korea, on Thursday in Seoul. “I expect our part

Arts & DesignAug. 22, 2024

Experience the magic of Korean crafts in just 1 hour

Signing up for hagwon, private academies in South Korea, or applying for weekly cultural programs at local community centers have been some of the go-to ways for Koreans to learn new skills and techniques. While those traditional options often require a significant time commitment, a growing trend has emerged: one-day classes. These short-term programs offer a convenient and efficient way to explore diverse hobbies and discover new passions. From flower arranging and jewelry making to perfume

TravelAug. 22, 2024

'Influencer' winner disqualified from W300m prize for leaking outcome

Korean YouTuber Oh Byeong-min, better known as Oking, the winner of Netflix TV competition "The Influencer," will not be eligible to claim the 300 million won ($225,000) prize after leaking information about being the final winner, according to Netflix on Thursday. "Maintaining confidentiality before a title's release is essential in order to ensure that the efforts of everyone involved in the production are rewarded and that the intended enjoyment is fully delivered to the a

TelevisionAug. 22, 2024

BIFAN-winning director Francis Galluppi says ‘don’t go to film school’

“I would argue that this movie is not a Western,” Francis Galluppi, director of “The Last Stop in Yuma County,” said about his first feature film just hours before it won the audience award and top competitive Best of Bucheon title at Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival on July 12. The film takes place deep in the desert of 1980s Arizona at a diner next to the only gas station in a hundred miles. More than one mysterious stranger makes an entrance, denim and cow

CultureAug. 22, 2024

Newest Netflix Korea thriller to depict 'frogs' coping with sudden calamities

Inspired by the Korean saying "A carelessly thrown stone can kill a frog," the newest Netflix Korea series unfolds the stories of "frogs," or ordinary individuals, who are suddenly faced with terrible misfortune, the director said Wednesday. "The Frog" is an 8-part mystery thriller featuring Young-ha (Kim Yun-seok), who runs a bed and breakfast in the woods. Young-ha seeks a peaceful life in isolation, but his tranquility is disrupted by a mysterious guest, Sung-ah

TelevisionAug. 21, 2024

Traditional crafts and their contemporary adaptions to be shown at Changdeokgung

An exhibition of Korean artifacts and contemporary artworks from clothing to window wallpaper will take place Sept. 3-8 at Nakseonjae in Changdeokgung, one of the five Joseon-era (1392-1910) palaces in Seoul. Around 50 intangible cultural heritage title holders and contemporary artists will show some 80 pieces at the “Korean Heritage Art Exhibition.” Clothing made using the “nubi,” or quilting, known for distinctive, tightly spaced rows of stitches, and celadon will be on

Arts & DesignAug. 21, 2024

Gyeongju to offer nighttime walking tours

Gyeongju has announced that the city will offer nighttime walking tours for families from early September to November. The trip is available for children above age 9 and their parents, allowing participants to explore Gyeongju’s iconic cultural heritage sites -- such as the Daereungwon complex of 23 ancient tombs dating to the Silla period and the Gyerim, a small forest -- with a guide to the city’s cultural heritage and history. Travelers are asked to make their reservations online

TravelAug. 21, 2024

They went for the gold, They're now ads' golden ticket

This year's Olympics may be over, but star players continue to appear on TV -- through advertisements. Convenience store chain GS25 launched "Shin Yu-bin's Snack Time" on Wednesday in collaboration with the table tennis player. Shin's viral on-camera moments at the Paris Games famously showed her snacking. OB Beer, an official sponsor of the Paris Olympics, has selected fencing champion Oh Sang-uk, who won gold in both the individual and team saber events, to promote its

TelevisionAug. 21, 2024

Season 2 of 'The Acolyte' reportedly cancelled, following low ratings

Disney+'s original "Star Wars" series "The Acolyte," starring Lee Jung-jae from "Squid Game," will not be renewed for a second season, said US media outlets Wednesday. According to Deadline, a Hollywood entertainment news outlet, Lucasfilm has recently decided to cancel further production of "The Acolyte." Lucasfilm is a subsidiary of Walt Disney Studios and the producer of the "Star Wars" series. "The Acolyte" had the biggest debu

TelevisionAug. 21, 2024

‘I, the Executioner’ exudes ‘new kind of energy’: director, actors

Ryoo Seung-wan, who directed the 2015 action blockbuster “Veteran,” is returning with sequel “I, the Executioner” this fall. The movie picks up the story of veteran detective Seo Do-chul (Hwang Jung-min) nine years after the first installment, as he is joined by rookie detective Park Sun-woo (Jung Hae-in), who is full of passion and a sense of justice. Do-chul and Sun-woo investigate a high-profile murder case of a professor which seems to be in line with the previous mur

FilmAug. 21, 2024

International acts across genres to thrill Korean music fans

As the hot summer slowly comes to an end, several international artists announce their concerts in Korea. On Aug. 28, Emotional Oranges, a California-based duo, will hold their first concert in Korea at the Yes 24 Live Hall, Seoul. Emotional Oranges was formed in 2017 in California, by audio engineer Azad Right and vocal coach Vali. The group has gained a large following in Korea, particularly for tracks from their second album, such as "West Coast Love" and "Sundays," which

PerformanceAug. 20, 2024

Exhibition juxtaposes iron, glass -- two products of intense heat

A bowler-turned-blacksmith, Jeong Hyeong-goo finds it surreal to hear people call him an artisan, a description he says he will probably get used to by the time the two-month exhibition of his metal works ends in October. “The Craft of Temperature and Sound: A Guide to the Four Seasons,” which opens Thursday at the Yeol Korean Heritage Preservation Society showroom, is this year’s annual showcase of works by the Yeol artisan of the year and Yeol young craftsperson of the year,

Arts & DesignAug. 20, 2024