News

S. Korean movies see box office hike in January

2025/02/27 20:00

Local movies had a strong showing in January. According to the Korean Film Council on Thursday, the number of moviegoers opting to watch Korean films last month increased by 46-point-8 percent from a year ago, with about 6-point-8 million tickets sold. "Harbin" topped the box office with more than 2-million people watching the movie in January. The box office success was largely attributed to a series of blockbusters released during the Lunar New Year holidays, including "Hitman 2" and "Dark Nuns," also gaining popularity.

Korean content tops Netflix's non-English content chart

2025/02/27 20:00

Korean content continues to be popular abroad. Netflix stated on Thursday that Korean content such as movies, series, and variety shows topped the non-English content rankings for the second consecutive year in 2024. "Squid Game Season 2" was the most-watched series in the second half of last year, with approximately 87-million views. "Officer Black Belt," "Uprising," and "Mission: Cross" also proved popular.

K-wave AI News

2025/02/27 14:00

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. Asia's premier K-content festival, the 'Busan One Asia Festival' will kick off its three-day extravaganza on June 11 in the southern port city. Now in its 9th year, BOF has grown beyond a K-pop event into a global cultural exchange platform attracting young people worldwide. The flagship K-pop concert will be held indoors for the first time this year, at BEXCO, with an initial lineup featuring popular boybands WayV and NCT DREAM. The highly acclaimed 'Park Concert' will return this year as a free event at Hwamyeong Ecological Park. The festival will also showcase K-beauty, K-art, and K-food programs, offering attendees a deep dive into Korea's vibrant cultural landscape. A retirement ceremony for eight Jeju haenyeos, or female divers, has been held aboard a yacht in the island's waters, their lifelong workplace. Ranging in age from 79 to 95, their combined years of diving total 528. Kim Ok-sun, one of the retirees, tearfully reflected on her journey, saying that it's hard to describe all the hardships while working tirelessly to support her children. The ceremony is part of ongoing efforts to preserve the fading Jeju haenyeo culture. Haenyeo culture is recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, and remains a strong symbol of female empowerment. The 28th 'Yeongdeok Snow Crab Festival' will take place from March 14 to 17 at Haeparang Park in Gyeongsangbuk-do Province. Yeongdeok snow crabs are among the finest in Korea, known for their sweet, tender meat. This year's festival will offer a range of activities, including snow crab fishing and pot trapping experiences. It also features specialty dishes such as snow crab kimbap, snow crab tteokbokki, and sea cucumber bibimbap. Established in 1998 the event has grown steadily to become one of Korea's most celebrated food festivals. That's all from me. Keep it tuned to the Kulture Wave.

[Hallyu-People] Meet Philippine star-turned K-vlogger Kristel Fulgar

2025/02/27 14:00

With the growing interest in Korean culture, more and more foreigners are sharing their personal experiences in Korea on a range of platforms. Some, like Filipina content creator Kristel Fulgar promote Korean culture through vlogs capturing their daily life here. And Kristel is our guest for "Hallyu People" today, she joins us live in the studio. Hello Kristel! Welcome! 1) Kristel, you are an actress, singer, model and content creator, with a YouTube channel called "KrisTells Vlogs". The last time I checked you had 2.79 million subscribers. And that's not the only platform you are active in. Please tell us a bit about yourself. 2) A couple of years ago, you also received an award as an influencer here in Korea. Can you tell us more about it? 3) Back in the Philippines you are a well-known actress and singer. As a "child star" you gained the nickname "nation's little sister" When did you debut? And tell us about your songs, movies or TV shows. 4) How were you introduced to Korean culture in the Philippines and what do you especially like about the K-Wave? 5) And what made you move to Korea? 6) What has been the most rewarding part of running a vlog channel with Korean contents? 7) What would you recommend to your fans who are planning a visit to Korea? (Must-see attractions, must-try foods, must-do experiences etc.) 8) What are your plans for year 2025 and your ultimate goals in Korea?

[K-enter] Jisoo's "earthquake" tops World Digital Song Sales chart

2025/02/27 14:00

So Bella, let's start off with a story on BLACKPINK's Jisoo. Soa, did you take a listen to Jisoo's new song, "earthquake?" Well, this song is getting tremendous love as its topping a Billboard chart. According to Billboard's official website on Wednesday, Jisoo's title song "earthquake" from her latest mini-album "AMORTAGE" topped the "World Digital Song Sales" chart this week. On top of this feat, "earthquake" also ranked 47th on the Billboard "Global 200" chart and 22nd on Billboard Global 200 excluding the U.S. That's not all. It proved its global influence by ranking 20th on "LyricFind Global" as well. "earthquake" is catching the eyes and ears of global music fans with 36 million views on YouTube, 20 million streams on Spotify, and 800-thousand individual TikTok videos. Meanwhile, Jisoo starred in the recently released Coupang Play series "Newtopia" and her upcoming movie "Omniscient Reader: The Prophet" is also set to be released in July. In addition, she will hold the 2025 fan meeting tour "LIGHTS, LOVE, ACTION!" in seven Asian cities, including Manila, Tokyo and Hong Kong. Moving onto our next story about a Netflix series. What do you have for us Bella? "Squid Game" season 2 has been announced as the most-watched TV series on Netflix in the second half of 2024. According to Netflix's latest Engagement Report sharing what people watched from July to December 2024, the subscribers spent more than 94 billion hours on Netflix in the second half of last year, which is a 5% increase compared to the previous year. Now, what's very impressive is that "Squid Game" Season 2 premiered on December 26th of last year, but it dominated the second half of 2024 as Netflix's most-viewed series with 87 million views. So it topped the chart in just 6 days. Other Korean content also did well, including the film "Officer Black Belt," the drama "Love Next Door" and the reality TV show "Culinary Class Wars." And for our last story today, we'll talk about an upcoming film that stars one of the actors from "Squid Game." The actor Lee Byung-hun will come back to the screen with his upcoming film "The Match." The new film, set in the 1990s, is centered on the board game go, or "baduk" in Korean, and explores the mentor-disciple relationship and rivalry between the two of Korea's real-life go legends, Cho Hun-hyun and Lee Chang-ho. Lee Byung-hun will play Cho Hun-hyun, while Yoo Ah-in will step into the shoes of Lee Chang-ho. "The Match" will premiere in movie theaters on March 26th. Thank you Bella for today's stories. Now time to go over to our AI anchor Ari, who has festivals and ceremonies to report on. Ari, take it away!

Michelle Trachtenberg, Gossip Girl and Buffy actress, dies aged 39

2025/02/27 10:00

Actress Michelle Trachtenberg, best known for her roles in Gossip Girl and other hit TV dramas, has died at the age of 39. She was found dead in her New York apartment on Wednesday morning, local time. The exact cause of death remains under investigation. According to police, no signs of foul play were detected, but Trachtenberg had recently undergone a liver transplant and may have suffered complications. Born in New York in 1985, Trachtenberg began her career as a child actress, and later gained widespread recognition for her roles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Gossip Girl.

Sharing the beauty of Korean calligraphy

2025/02/26 17:00

Korean calligraphy that is the art of writing hangeul is now a national treasure and my colleague Ahn Sung-jin shares its appeal in this following report. Do take a look. A delicate brush stroke lands on the paper. These single strokes come together to create characters from the Korean alphabet Hangeul. This is known as Hangeul seoye, or Hangeul calligraphy. 94-year-old Jung Joo-hwan has dedicated more than 60 years of his life to practicing calligraphy, and is one of the first to practice the artform. "Hangeul was easy to learn and memorize. It's also very scientifically made. Look at the beauty of these characters." Calligraphy in Korea has used both Hanja, which are Chinese characters, and the Korean alphabet Hangeul. But last month, Hangeul seoye was designated as a national intangible cultural heritage recognizing its unique writing style using Korea's own alphabet as well as its unique font and brushwork. Jung runs his own academy where he passes on his knowledge of calligraphy. "I like letters, but I also started learning calligraphy to control my mind more peacefully and cultivate a sense of virtue, which I think has been helping." "An old saying says that calligraphy helps grow patience and trains the mind. Not only does this calligraphy demonstrate the beauty of the written characters but it also can develop one's own character." And calligrapher Lee Jung-hwa feels Hangeul is a better medium to convey meaningful messages. "The reason why I like Hangeul seoye is because I can convey emotions through characters that really represent our sound since it is the Korean alphabet. That's why moving forward I want to try everything I can using Hangeul seoye and find what I really can accomplish." The Korea Heritage Service said it will provide support for scholarly studies and initiatives aimed at promoting the transmission of cultural heritage. Seoye is an age-old tradition, and with efforts like these to promote it further, this calligraphy could play a key role in sharing not only the Korean writing system, but also its culture. Ahn Sung-jin, Arirang News.

K-wave AI News

2025/02/26 14:00

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. The culture ministry is stepping up efforts to promote inbound tourism by tapping into emerging markets. In partnership with the Korea Tourism Organization, it plans to expand global promotion centers from the current ten to twelve this year, adding one to serve Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg, and another in Türkiye. Since last year, Korea has been actively exploring new markets through promotion centers in countries without KTO overseas offices, including Sweden, Brazil, and Saudi Arabia. According to the latest data, the number of tourists from these countries grew by nearly 23% year-on-year in 2024. The Sejong Center for the Performing Arts will host a concert series offering world-class classical performances for as little as 1,000 won, or just 70 U.S. cents. From April to December, the center will hold eight performances featuring a diverse range of classical music, including works by renowned composers such as Rachmaninoff and Rachmaninoff and Beethoven, as well as opera and classical film music. Ticket prices will range from 1,000 won to a maximum of 10,000 won. The series will kick off on April 1 with a concert titled "Meeting Young Artists." Korea's renowned Pianist Lim Yun-chan will hold a surprise recital next month at the Goyang Aram Nuri Music Hall. From March 23 to 25, he will perform Bach's Goldberg Variations, along with a new piece by Lee Hanurij titled "Round and Velvety-Smooth Blend." Lim's agency explained that the performance is a special gift for fans in Korea who have been eagerly awaiting his rendition of the Goldberg Variations. It is not part of a formal recital tour but rather a guerrilla-style performance. The proceeds from the concert will be donated to pediatric patients. That's all from me. Keep it tuned to the Kulture Wave.

A look at Thailand's soft power and the status of hallyu

2025/02/26 14:00

Once a week we connect live to a correspondent overseas who fills us in on K-culture news in their country. Today, we go over to Thailand, a popular travel destination for Koreans as well as Korean stars with Thailand being at the center of hallyu in Southeast Asia. We are now connected to Aiyaphat Wankawisant , a Thai K-culture influencer. Hello Aiyaphat, good to see you! Q1. Please introduce yourself briefly to some of our viewers who might not be familiar with you and tell us how you have been. Any exciting updates? Q2. Today, we want to delve into Thailand’s soft power, based on which, the country’s tourism is being ramped up even more. Do you recognize such efforts around you? Q3. Thailand’s tourism sector has reportedly recovered to 90% of its pre-pandemic level, with more than 35.5 million tourists having visited the country last year. Among them, Korean tourists accounted for a high proportion. Do you see many Korean visitors around you, and I heard that hallyu-related tourist spots are popular among them as well? Q4. Thai people also like to visit Korea. What are the most popular places for them right now? Q5. The Korean wave also plays an important role in Thailand’s soft power, and at the center of it is Blackpink’s Thai member Lisa. How big of an influence does she have? Q6. Going back to K-pop. What’s the latest in terms of the popularity of K-pop in Thailand? Also, is it due to the Thai members in Korean groups that we’re seeing this big interest in K-pop in Thailand? Q7. In a bid to bolster Thailand’s soft power, the country also seems to be actively promoting the “Thai Wave”, or "T-Wave." Do you see similarities between the Thai Wave and the Korean Wave?

[K-enter] G-Dragon comes back with his 3rd full-length album 'ÜBERMENSCH'...tops charts upon release.

2025/02/26 14:00

Time for our daily dose of K-enter with Walter Lee. Walter, let's start off with news on the "Übermensch" G-Dragon! Yes, its the long awaited full return of the king of K-pop, and nothing is slowing him down. "ÜBERMENSCH", the artist's third solo album which dropped on Tuesday was his first in 11 years since "Coup d'Etat" . "ÜBERMENSCH" includes eight tracks, including "TOO BAD feat. Anderson.Paak", and the pre-released songs "POWER" and "HOME SWEET HOME". Upon its release, "TOO BAD" topped the real-time charts of major domestic music streaming platforms, receiving a positive response. Meanwhile that world tour we talked about earlier will kick off on March 29 and March 30 at Goyang Sports Complex. Positive response indeed. "TOO BAD" is just "TOO GOOD". It was my immediate favorite on the album. Also, can't wait to hear how the world tour will go Next up another K-pop super star has some BIG news. When you think of the biggest awards shows, more than likely the Oscars would be on most people's lists. Well, history will be made for the world of K-pop at the 97th Academy Awards in March as BlackPink member Lisa will be the first K-pop singer to perform at the ceremony. Earlier this month, Lisa released a new song, "Born Again feat. Doja Cat and RAYE". The three artists are expected to perform the song live for the first time at the ceremony. The 97th Academy Awards will be held on March 2 (local time) in Los Angeles. It might be the year of BlackPink, so much accomplished already and still yet more to come. Let's stay on the topic of music today and talk about Spotify's "Global Impact List". On Tuesday, Spotify, the world’s largest music streaming platform, released its "Global Impact List", featuring the 30 most-streamed Korean songs overseas from July to December 2024. This chart ranks the most-played songs by Korean artists among Spotify users outside of Korea during the second half of last year. According to the list, half of the top 10 songs are solo tracks from BTS members. The song "Who" from Jimin's solo album "Muse" took the No. 1 spot on the 2024 Global Impact List. A total of five songs from "Muse" made it onto the chart, with "Be Mine" ranking at No. 5. Jin secured two spots in the top 10 with "Running Wild" at no. 6, the title track from his first solo album Happy, and "I Will Be There" at no. 8. V and Park Hyo-shin’s collaboration "Winter Ahead" also made it to no. 9. Meanwhile, according to Spotify’s 2024 Wrapped year-end campaign released in December last year, BTS was named the most-streamed Korean artist globally, amassing 3.9 billion streams. BTS has held the title of Spotify’s Most-Streamed K-Pop Artist for seven consecutive years since 2018. Great achievement. Thanks for that news Walter, don't go anywhere.

2024 global 'Hallyu' trends: K-pop dominates in Asia, Europe, Latin America; Korean food leads in North America

2025/02/25 17:00

K-pop is the most popular South Korea-related content in Asia Europe and Latin America while K-food topped the list in North America Africa and Oceania. This is according to the Culture Ministry's 2024 global analysis of the Korean wave made public on this Tuesday. Here in Asia over 35 percent of media coverage related to the Korean wave was centered on K-pop while in North America Korean food garnered most interest. Notably in the U.S. and Canada there was a tangible rise in online searches and social media remarks about kimchi spicy ramyeon and tteokbokki which was included in the Oxford dictionary last December.

[K-wave] Retro trend bridging generations with timeless vintage charm

2025/02/25 14:00

From 1980s game arcades to Korea’s classic “dabang” cafes, these nostalgic spots are attracting both the young and old, bridging generations with their timeless vintage charm. Our Han Da-eun zooms in on the growing retro trend. A retro café featuring a live trot singer and "ssanghwa tea" topped with egg yolk. This isn’t a K-drama set—it's the real deal. From the decades-old cash register to the vintage-patterned sofas, this café preserves the classic charm of Korea’s old-school “dabang.” Yet, most of its visitors are teenagers and young adults, reliving the nostalgia of their parents' generation. “I discovered this retro café through Insta Reels and had to see it for myself. It feels just like a scene straight out of a drama or movie.” “This place offers not only classic teas but also various fusion drinks that blend tradition with modern flavors." This "dabang" has been passed down through generations as a part of “Sewoon Sangga,” Korea’s once iconic electronics market. The cafe’s guiding principle is to preserve its original charm while enhancing convenience. "I was considering getting rid of it, but I just couldn’t bring myself to. I thought maybe I could try reviving it. You know, today’s younger generation is into 'newtro,' while our generation is into retro." The café has become a "holy site" for certain K-pop fans, with their idols visiting for YouTube shoots. Its popularity is now playing a key role in revitalizing the nearby commercial area, which had been struggling due to redevelopment. An 80s-style sign reading "Computer Games" leads into a bustling arcade. Each game costs just 100 won, or about seven cents. Visitors dive into their favorite childhood games, reliving nostalgic memories. "These games bring back so many childhood memories. My favorite used to be Street Fighter, as you can see right here." From the classic dancing game, “DDR” to “Tekken,” players shake the joystick to unwind and unwind. The arcade also features a "lady boss" character to manage the store and assist with the games, also connecting with customers through social media. "Many parents bring their kids and share the games they loved in their childhood." The nostalgic scene, recreating the neighborhood arcade from back in the day, has gained word-of-mouth popularity drawing thousands of visitors on weekends. These retro charms are seamlessly linking the past with the present, creating a unique bridge that connects generations through shared memories and new discoveries. Han Da-eun, Arirang News.

K-wave AI News

2025/02/25 14:00

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. Early registration for G-STAR 2025 is now open. Companies that apply early will receive a 10% discount on booth fees. Early registration is available on the official G-STAR website until April 30, but it may close sooner if all booths are booked before the deadline. General applications will begin in May. This year's exhibition will kick off on November 13 at BEXCO in Busan. G-STAR is one of the world's largest gaming exhibitions, drawing over 200,000 attendees annually. An exhibition offering a vivid glimpse into the lives of ancient Koreans who lived in harmony with nature is currently on display at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Seoul. Co-hosted by the Sejong Center and the National Heritage Service, the exhibition brings the beauty of Korean traditional gardens to life through cutting-edge digital technology. Using data collected since 2021 through precise surveys, it recreates historical gardens and natural scenery with remarkable realism. A standout feature is a media art installation crafted from 3D scans of a rear garden of Changdeokgung Palace and Bogildo Garden of Yun Seon-do, a scenic site with historical significance. The exhibition runs through April 27, free of charge. From August to September, it will be showcased at the Korean Cultural Centre in London. How about immersing yourself in the world of geraniums this spring? The Sejong National Arboretum is showcasing over 300 varieties of geraniums from around the world, meticulously collected and researched by the Geranium Professional Association. Native to South Africa, geraniums are celebrated for their vibrant blooms and fragrant foliage. The exhibition also features diverse educational programs in geranium gardening, entrepreneurship, industry trends, and practical ways to incorporate geraniums into everyday life. You can register for the programs on the Sejong Arboretum's website. The exhibition will be open until April 27. That's all from me. Keep it tuned to the Kulture Wave.

[Short-form] K-marine plant products captivate the world

2025/02/25 14:00

Discover Korea’s favorite marine plant foods and snacks that have taken the world by storm!

[K-enter] "It's going to be the future of SM"...Hearts2Hearts debut

2025/02/25 14:00

It's now time for our daily K-enter news with Walter Lee. And starting in the world of K-pop specifically with SM's new girl group. We have been patient here on the Kulture Wave, but finally, we have the next generation of SM Entertainment stars, It's taken five years, I'm talking about Hearts2Hearts. On Monday, Hearts2Hearts held their 데뷔 쇼케이스 at YES24 Live Hall in Seoul. The group's name represents their mission to connect hearts with global fans. The group consists of eight members: The leader Jiwoo , Carmen, Yuha , Stella, Jueun , A-na , Ian, and Ye-on . Hearts2Hearts is the first girl group SM Entertainment has introduced since aespa, five years ago. Their first single, "The Chase", marks Hearts2Hearts’ debut with the themes of "dreams" and "beginnings." The members have set goals such as securing first place on music shows and expressing their wish to be recognized as the best rookie group of 2025. If they follow in the footsteps of a group as big as aespa I am sure they will have no problem achieving great success. Moving onto boy bands now who are we talking about next? Yes, Monday was a busy day for K-pop groups and releases, as ZEROBASEONE have come out with their fifth mini-album, BLUE PARADISE, at Blue Square Mastercard Hall in Seoul. The album consists of six tracks, including the title track "BLUE", as well as "Devil Game", "Doctor! Doctor!", "Out of Love", "Step Back", and "Cruel". It also features three unit "sub-group" songs, marking the first time ZEROBASEONE has introduced unit tracks since their debut. From their debut album to their fifth mini-album, ZEROBASEONE has achieved an impressive milestone of five consecutive million-seller records. Following this success, they embarked on their first Asian tour last year, Timeless World, attracting a total of 140,000 fans. Congratulations to ZEROBASEONE on their recent album release, we wish them more success in the future. And finally we move onto K-movie news. Actor Ha Jung-woo’s film "Lobby", which he directs and stars in, has been confirmed to be released on April 2. A trailer was also recently uploaded on YouTube. "Lobby" follows the story of Chang-wook , a startup CEO who is a master of research in his field of tech but needs to secure a 4 trillion Korean won government project, and to do so, he figures the only way is to embark on his first-ever lobbying golf game, but he has some stiff competition in his way. "Lobby", is Ha Jung-woo’s third directorial work showing that his talent is not just in front of the camera but also behind it. Sounds like a fun movie and one to look out for. Thanks for the news Walter and like always stick around.

Killing Me Softly singer Roberta Flack dies at 88

2025/02/25 10:00

Renowned American singer Roberta Flack, celebrated for classics like "Killing Me Softly with His Song," passed away on Monday at the age of 88. Born in Black Mountain, North Carolina, she began her career as a classically trained pianist before transitioning to vocal performance. She earned multiple Grammy Awards recognized for her soulful performances, including consecutive Record of the Year honors in 1973 and 1974. Flack was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in 2022, eventually making it impossible for her to sing or speak. Nevertheless, her music continued to inspire and influence artists worldwide.

K-wave AI News

2025/02/24 14:00

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. Poems by Korea's revered resistance poet Yun Dong-ju echoed through the chapel of Rikkyo University in Tokyo on Sunday, commemorating the 80th anniversary of his passing. Rikkyo University, the first institution Yun attended in Japan, hosted the event. Hideki Nakagawa, a chaplain at the university, highlighted Yun's legacy, noting that he penned numerous iconic poems amid Japanese colonial rule and remains an irreplaceable figure for the Korean people. Rikkyo University plans to erect a monument dedicated to Yun this year. Yun was arrested by Japanese authorities for his involvement in a student group discussing Korea's independence and died in prison in 1945, just six months before Korea's liberation from Japan. Miryang City in Gyeongsangnam-do Province has been named the "2024 Cultural City of the Year." The culture ministry recognized Miryang for presenting a model for sustainable cultural city development, placing the city on top among Korea's 24 designated cultural cities. Miryang initiated various cultural projects last year that generated an estimated 9.7 billion won, or around 6.8 million U.S. dollars in economic benefits. It has transformed old spaces into cultural hubs and significantly expanded support for local artists and young creators, laying the foundation for a sustainable cultural city. This year, Miryang plans to further strengthen its cultural city governance and focus on boosting the local economy through cultural initiatives. Injeongjeon Hall, the historic structure of the UNESCO World Heritage site, Changdeokgung Palace, will open its doors next month. The Korea Heritage Service will host a special tour program throughout March allowing visitors to explore the interior of Injeongjeon every Wednesday through Sunday. Designated as a National Treasure in 1985, Injeongjeon is the central building of Changdeokgung. Its name, meaning "Hall of Benevolent Rule," reflects its historical role as the site for significant state ceremonies, including royal coronations, weddings, and receptions for foreign envoys. That's all from me. Keep it tuned to the Kulture Wave.

What's behind the popularity of "Cheongchun romance" remakes?

2025/02/24 14:00

“Cheongchun“ is a Korean word meaning “youth“. “Cheongchun romance“ films or dramas are love stories revolving around young people like high school students or those in their twenties. These youth melo-dramas are back on the screen, especially with remakes of Taiwanese works from the 2000s. that have been transformed into Korean-styled “cheongchun“ romance movies. Let’s talk more about this trend with culture critic Professor Chie Hye-won at Kyung Hee University’s Arts and Cultural Management Program. Welcome Professor Chie! Q1. We’ve got a number of “cheongchun romance“ remakes that hit the screens lately. Which ones are they? Q1-1. What do you think is behind these numerous remakes of Taiwanese movies? Q2. When comparing with the original work, which Korean remakes have been successful and which not so much? Q3. I think the biggest difference in remakes is not only the language or setting, but especially the actors. In the latest remakes, was there any actor that stood out or was perfect in their role? Q4. What are the characteristics of this “cheongchun romance“ genre that appeal to the Korean audience? Q5. Let’s also mention Korean “cheongchun romance“ movies that were remade in OTHER countries. Q6. Remakes are usually made when the original movie was successful, (or are there other cases?) meaning some amount of pressure probably always exists. Yet, they are continuously being released, due to which strengths would you say? Q7. On the other hand, are there concerns regarding the lack of new original romance movies in the Korean film industry? Q8. What kind of new original “cheongchun romance“ movie would capture audiences' hearts today? What kind of new attempts would you recommend?

[K-enter] Bong Joon-ho's filmmaking showcase exhibition to open in LA

2025/02/24 14:00

It's now time for our K-enter news with Walter Lee. And we start with some exciting news for filmmakers out there. That's right, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures is opening an exhibition in Los Angeles next month that showcases director Bong Joon-ho’s creative filmmaking process. The special exhibition which opens on March 23rd is part of the "Director's Inspiration series," which provides an in-depth exploration of the chosen director's cinematic world. It will showcase more than 100 original items, including previously unseen archive materials, personal collections, storyboards, research documents, film posters, concept illustrations, models, props, and behind-the-scenes photographs from Bong’s filmmaking process. While the Academy Museum has previously held retrospectives featuring the works of Korean actors such as Song Kang-ho and Youn Yuh-jung, this marks the first long-term exhibition dedicated to a Korean director’s body of work. The exhibition runs until January 2027. That sounds like an exciting showcase. Anyone over in LA or anyone who plans a trip before Jan. 2027, it might be something for you. Okay, from talking about Korean movie directors to talking about Korean movies. The main trailer for the Netflix series "When Life Gives You Tangerines", starring IU and Park Bo-gum, has been released. The Netflix series tells the adventurous lives of Ae-soon and Gwan-sik, childhood friends born and raised on Jeju Island. It follows their family stories and friendship as the years pass until they become young adults. When Life Gives You Tangerines is set to premiere on Netflix on March 7. Any TV series with IU is worth waiting for. Lastly let us turn to K-pop. What do you have for us? Boy group ASTRO released the song "Twilight" on Sunday to celebrate their 9th debut anniversary and express their heartfelt gratitude to fans. "Twilight" is a track personally produced by leader JinJin, symbolising the group’s journey through difficult and dark times, now the feeling like a rising sun. If we sadly cast our minds back to 2023 former member Moonbin passed away. Since then, each ASTRO member has been actively pursuing individual projects. MJ showcased his talent in the musical Zorro: Actor-Musician last year. JinJin successfully held his first solo concert on February 16. Cha Eun-woo is currently filming for the new Netflix series "The WONDERfools" and Yoon San-ha is set to hold a small-theater concert on March 21.

'Ugliest dog' Deadpool star wins top prize at canine Oscars

2025/02/24 10:00

Finally, in the United Kingdom, Peggy, a five-year-old pug and Chinese crested mix, has won the Best Canine Newcomer award at the Fidos Awards, an Academy Award for dogs, in London. Peggy had been crowned Britain's Ugliest Dog in 2023 for her unique appearance, characterized by her sparse white hair and tongue sticking out. Those looks caught the attention of filmmakers, leading her to the role of "Dogpool" in the blockbuster "Deadpool and Wolverine." On set, Peggy charmed co-stars Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, mastering tricks like jumping into Reynolds' arms. Her journey from rescue dog to successful silver screen star has inspired many to consider adopting rescue dogs.