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Jeonju International Film Festival wraps up ten-day showcase
JEONJU, North Jeolla Province — The 26th Jeonju International Film Festival concluded its ten-day run on Friday evening, capping off an event that presented 224 films from 57 countries to over 70,000 attendees. This year's edition maintained its focus on independent and experimental cinema, with 80 works making their world premieres across various sections. Earlier in the week, American director Joel Alfonso Vargas's family drama "Mad Bills to Pay" took home the Grand Prize in the international
May 9, 2025 -
Rose drops track for Brad Pitt film 'F1: The Movie'
Rose of Blackpink has returned to the music scene with an original track for the upcoming film "F1: The Movie." Warner Music Korea announced that Rose released the song “Messy” on Friday as part of the film’s soundtrack. The film is scheduled to premiere next month. "F1: The Movie" follows veteran driver Sonny Hayes, played by Brad Pitt, as he teams up with rookie racer Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris) to lead a struggling Formula 1 team back to victory. The music video features scenes of Rose walki
May 9, 2025 -
Tom Cruise brings 'Mission: Impossible -- The Final Reckoning' to Korea
"I enjoy the pressures of making movies. I enjoy the responsibility," Tom Cruise told reporters at a press conference for "Mission: Impossible -- The Final Reckoning" held Thursday at Lotte Cinema World Tower in Seoul. The 61-year-old superstar's visit marks his 12th trip to Korea, cementing his status as the most frequent Hollywood visitor to the country. Cruise arrived in Seoul Wednesday on a private jet, greeting fans at Gimpo Airport for about 20 minutes. Later, he was spotted in Seoul's Gon
May 8, 2025 -
Late Kim Sae-ron's family lodges complaint against Kim Soo-hyun over child welfare violations
The family of the late actress Kim Sae-ron on Wednesday filed a complaint with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency against actor Kim Soo-hyun, accusing him of violating the Child Welfare Act and making false accusations. Bu Ji-seok, the family's legal representative, discussed this latest legal action during a press conference in Seoul earlier in the day, reiterating the late actress's previous claims that she had been romantically involved with the actor starting when she was in her second yea
May 7, 2025 -
Tom Cruise visits Seoul to promote new 'Mission: Impossible' film
Hollywood star Tom Cruise returned to South Korea on Wednesday, marking his first visit in two years -- this time to promote the latest installment in the "Mission: Impossible" franchise. Cruise arrived at Gimpo International Airport in western Seoul aboard his private jet around 4:20 p.m. He was greeted by a large crowd of enthusiastic fans, some chanting his name and waving posters featuring scenes from his blockbuster films, including the "Mission: Impossible" and "Top Gun" series. Wearing a
May 7, 2025 -
Jeonju film fest announces 2025 award winners
Director Joel Alfonso Vargas' "Mad Bills to Pay" took home the grand prize in the international competition at the 26th Jeonju International Film Festival, while Cho Hyun-suh's "Winter Light" received the same prize for the Korean competition on Tuesday, at an awards ceremony held at Jeonbuk National University's Samsung Cultural Center in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province. Winners across the festival's international, Korean and short film competitions were crowned at the awards ceremony, with 50 fi
May 7, 2025 -
Jeonju film fest side events to enliven long holiday weekend
The 26th Jeonju International Film Festival kicked off Wednesday with an opening ceremony at the Sori Arts Center in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province -- drawing film enthusiasts and industry professionals from around the world. Now in full swing, the 10-day festival continues through May 9 with a packed schedule of screenings and events designed to take advantage of the long holiday weekend. With South Korea enjoying a four-day break stretching from Saturday through Tuesday, the festival has lined
May 2, 2025 -
Jeonju film fest opens 26th edition
JEONJU, North Jeolla Province — The Jeonju International Film Festival kicked off its 26th edition Wednesday, with 224 films from 57 countries scheduled to screen across multiple venues in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province, during its 10-day run through May 9. The festival's opening ceremony at the Sori Arts Center drew film enthusiasts who filled the venue hours before the event. The red carpet welcomed an array of film professionals, including actor Lee Jung-hyun, who is the festival's "programmer
May 1, 2025 -
BIFF unveils vision for 30th edition
The Busan International Film Festival, having announced its transition to a competitive festival, unveiled comprehensive plans and a vision for its upcoming 30th edition during a press conference Tuesday at the Busan Cinema Center. The festival, which is set to run from Sept. 17-26 in Busan, will focus on Asian films in its inaugural competition category. Last year, the festival announced its transition to a competitive format after operating as a non-competitive event since its 1996 founding. T
April 29, 2025 -
Filmmaker Hong Sang-soo joins Cannes jury panel
Director Hong Sang-soo has been selected as a member of the Competition jury for the 78th Cannes Film Festival, according to the festival's website Tuesday. The prolific director-screenwriter joins eight other members on the prestigious jury, which includes American actress and filmmaker Halle Berry and Indian director and screenwriter Payal Kapadia. The festival described Hong as "a staple" of the festival for many years, adding that he "is evolving while remaining faithful to his cinema, which
April 29, 2025 -
Animation 'The King of Kings' becomes highest-grossing S. Korean film in US
"The King of Kings," a South Korean animation about the life of Jesus, has become the most popular ever South Korean film in the United States in terms of revenue, data showed Monday. The animation film has posted a combined $54.51 million in ticket sales at the US box office as of last week since its release on April 11, according to data compiled by its production company, Mofac Studios. The figure broke the previous record of $53.84 million set by Oscar-winning Korean director Bong Joon-ho's
April 28, 2025 -
Six years in storage, ‘Virus’ breaks free at last
The irony wasn't lost on anyone at Monday's press conference for the romantic comedy "Virus" -- a film about a fictional pathogen that causes people to fall madly in love was itself quarantined for nearly six years, due to a real pandemic that kept people apart. "Although there were many twists and turns leading up to the release, I'm thrilled we can finally present the film," director Kang Yi-kwan told reporters at Seoul's Yongsan CGV cinema on Monday. The film, which completed production in la
April 28, 2025 -
Girls' Generation's Soo-young to make Hollywood debut in John Wick spinoff: sources
Choi Soo-young, a member of the iconic K-pop group Girls' Generation and a rising actress, is set to make her Hollywood debut in "Ballerina," a spinoff of the John Wick film franchise, industry sources said Friday. Soo-young will play the role of Katla in "Ballerina," which is scheduled to be released in North America on June 6, according to film industry sources. The film follows the story of Eve, a ballerina trained as an assassin, who embarks on a journey to avenge her murdered father. Set in
April 25, 2025 -
Huh Ga-young's 'First Summer' heads to Cannes
"First Summer," director Huh Ga-young's graduation film from the Korean Academy of Film Arts, has been selected for the Cinefondation section at the upcoming 78th Cannes Film Festival, the Korean Film Council said Wednesday. The short film, which pairs veteran actor Heo Jin with Jung In-ki, follows an elderly woman who begins to chart a new path for herself after having dedicated her life solely to her family. In interviews with local media, Huh described the work as a tribute to her grandmother
April 24, 2025 -
Culture Minsitry unveils plans to boost animation industry, expand global reach
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on Thursday unveiled its “Basic Plan for the Promotion of the Animation Industry,” which seeks to address structural challenges in the Korean animation sector. These include overreliance on preschool content, dependence on television broadcasting and poor production conditions. To revitalize the industry, the government will establish a 20 billion won ($14 million) animation-focused fund this year expanding it to 105 billion won by 2029. A new cash reb
April 24, 2025