Lee Chang-dong returns with Netflix's 'Possible Love'

Acclaimed director Lee Chang-dong returns to marquee filmmaking with Netflix's "Possible Love," the streamer announced Tuesday. The project marks Lee's first feature since his acclaimed psychological thriller "Burning" (2018). The Netflix film reunites Lee with powerhouse actors from past critically celebrated works. Jeon Do-yeon, who won for best actress at the Cannes Film Festival for Lee's "Secret Sunshine" (2007), will star alongside Sul Kyung-gu, the leading actor from Lee's loved earlier f

Aug. 5, 2025

Actor Song Young-kyu found dead at 55

Actor Song Young-kyu was found dead Monday morning inside a parked vehicle in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, police said. He was 55. Authorities said there were no signs of foul play. An investigation is ongoing, with plans to question family members to determine the circumstances surrounding his death. The veteran actor, best known for his supporting role as the gruff squad chief in the 2019 box office hit "Extreme Job," had been under scrutiny since late July, when it was revealed he had been arre

Aug. 4, 2025

Park Chan-wook’s ‘No Other Choice’ to open this year's Busan International Film Festival

Park Chan-wook’s latest film, "No Other Choice," will open the 30th Busan International Film Festival on Sept. 17, festival organizers announced Monday. The black comedy marks Park’s return to feature filmmaking three years after "Decision to Leave." Based on Donald Westlake’s 1996 novel "The Ax," the film follows a laid-off middle-aged man who begins eliminating rival job seekers in a desperate bid to secure employment and support his family. Park reportedly spent 17 years developing the screen

Aug. 4, 2025

Box office suffers historic first-half decline as theaters adapt survival strategies

It's almost a truism at this point to say that movie theaters are in deep trouble, and Thursday's midyear report from the Korean Film Council confirmed that yet again with hard numbers. According to the report, box office revenue declined 33 percent year-on-year to 408 billion won ($293 million) in the first half of 2025, with attendance dropping 32.5 percent. Only two films managed to break the 30 billion won threshold: Tom Cruise's Hollywood blockbuster "Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoni

Aug. 3, 2025

Movies in theaters this week

"My Daughter is a Zombie" (South Korea) Opened July 30 Comedy/Drama Directed by Pil Gam-seong Devoted father Jung-hwan (Jo Jung-seok) flees to his rural hometown with his zombie-infected teenage daughter (Choi Yu-ri), enlisting his mother (Lee Jung-eun) and childhood friend (Yoon Kyung-ho) in a comedic scheme to hide and rehabilitate her. "The Fantastic Four: First Steps" (US) Opened July 24 Action/Fantasy Directed by Matt Shakman In this 1960s-set MCU entry, four scientists (Pedro Pascal, Vanes

Aug. 1, 2025

Interview: Jo Jung-suk gets personal in his latest role

Jo Jung-suk has, in recent years, built a career on beating the odds. His 2019 disaster comedy "Exit," made on a modest budget, became that year’s breakout hit with 9.4 million viewers. Even more impressive was last year’s cross-dressing satire "Pilot," which drew 4.7 million admissions in a brutal post-pandemic market where even big-budget blockbusters were falling flat. Now he’s back with "My Daughter is a Zombie," a family-friendly zombie comedy that sounds like a tough sell — until you remem

July 25, 2025

Why 'My Daughter is a Zombie' could be summer's pleasant surprise

Korean cinema showed up fashionably late to the zombie party. But when it finally arrived with 2016’s "Train to Busan," it more than proved it could hold its own. Now we’re dealing with an even quirkier subspecies: The so-called zom-com, a hybrid genre as awkwardly constructed as its shambling subjects. From cult favorites like "Shaun of the Dead" to "Warm Bodies" and "Zombieland," this mash-up of horror and comedy has staked out real cinematic territory — one that turns blood-soaked chaos into

July 24, 2025

Cue the popcorn — Korea is giving out 6,000 won discounts on movie tickets

Moviegoers in South Korea can receive discounts of 6,000 won on regular admission prices starting Friday at 10 a.m. The joint initiative by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korean Film Council, aims to revive the struggling cinema industry and boost consumer spending. The ministry allocated 27.1 billion won ($19.6 million) of the second supplementary budget to the program, which passed a National Assembly vote on July 4. Moviegoers can claim up to two coupons each through the

July 23, 2025

Yoon Ga-eun's 'The World of Love' selected for Toronto's Platform competition

South Korean director Yoon Ga-eun's latest feature "The World of Love" has been selected for the Platform section at the 50th Toronto International Film Festival, the film's local distributor Barunson E&A said Wednesday. The selection marks the first time a Korean film has competed in the festival's prestigious auteur-focused competition. The Platform section, founded in 2015, primarily showcases distinctive works from early-to-mid-career filmmakers. It serves as the festival's only competitive

July 23, 2025

Park Chan-wook’s ‘No Other Choice’ heads to Venice competition

Director Park Chan-wook’s upcoming feature "No Other Choice" has been selected for the main competition at the 82nd Venice Film Festival, festival organizers announced Tuesday evening during a livestream unveiling the official lineup. An adaptation of Donald Westlake’s 1996 novel "The Ax," "No Other Choice" follows a laid-off middle-aged man who begins eliminating rival job candidates to secure employment and support his family. Lee Byung-hun stars alongside Son Ye-jin, Park Hee-soon, Lee Sung-m

July 22, 2025