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‘Omniscient Reader: The Prophet’ bets big with star power and fan-favorite IP
What happens when you‘re the only person who’s read an obscure web novel, and then its story becomes reality? That mind-bending premise drives “Omniscient Reader: The Prophet,” this summer’s most ambitious tentpole in local theatres, built on a web comic juggernaut that‘s amassed over 425 million views worldwide since its launch in 2020. Adapted from the smash hit web novel "Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint" which first launched in 2018 and later spawned the comic, the film has everything riding on
June 17, 2025 -
Diving into uncharted waters
The Sewol Ferry disaster of 2014 remains one of Korea’s most deeply felt national tragedies. While public attention has long focused on those who were on board, the stories of civilian divers who risked their lives to recover victims' bodies have largely remained in the background. "Sea Tiger," Jung Yoon-chul’s (“Marathon,” “A Man Who Was Superman”) first film in eight years, brings those overlooked narratives to the fore through an experimental approach that strips cinema down to its theatrical
June 16, 2025 -
Korean comedy 'Hi-Five' hits million-ticket milestone
Korean comedy "Hi-Five" crossed one million admissions on Saturday, marking a milestone for local cinema amid generally favorable but mixed audience reactions. According to the Korean Film Council's latest box office data, the superhero comedy reached 1,040,358 total admissions as of Saturday evening, hitting the benchmark nine days after its May 30 release. The film ranked second in daily ticket sales with 134,333 admissions, trailing only the Hollywood live-action remake "How to Train Your Dra
June 9, 2025 -
World Webtoon Festival to return with global push
South Korea’s flagship web comic showcase is returning for a second year — this time, on a larger scale. As with last year, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will host the event, with the Korea Creative Content Agency overseeing operations. The 2025 World Webtoon Festival will take place Oct. 19–22 at the sprawling Lotte World Mall complex in Songpa-gu, Seoul, a 244,000-square-meter mixed-use development. The new venue marks a shift from last year’s boutique setup in Seongsu-dong to on
June 8, 2025 -
Ocean films return to Busan
The Korea International Ocean Film Festival is running for the eighth time from June 19-22 at Busan Cinema Center. Co-hosted by Busan Metropolitan City and the Korea Ocean Business Corp., with support from the International Ocean Film Foundation, this year’s festival brings together 33 films from 10 countries under the theme “Where the Sea Touches Us.” "Her Shark Story," directed by Ignacio Walker and Denis Arqueros, opens the festival on June 19 at 6 p.m. The documentary follows marine biologis
June 6, 2025 -
Lee Byung-hun to headline Korean dub cast for 'The King of Kings'
Actor Lee Byung-hun will lend his voice to Charles Dickens in the Korean dubbing of "The King of Kings," joining a star-studded cast for the animated film that has become the highest-grossing Korean production in US box office history. Thursday's cast announcement by Mofac Studio revealed Jin Sun-kyu as Jesus, Lee Ha-nee as Catherine Dickens alongside Lee and Yang Dong-geun as Peter. Veteran actors Cha In-pyo (Pontius Pilate), Kwon Oh-joong (King Herod), and Jang Gwang (High Priest Caiaphas) rou
June 6, 2025 -
'The Pact' taps former first lady's controversies for box office surprise
On the eve of South Korea's presidential election, an unlikely contender has made waves at the box office. "The Pact" — a darkly provocative occult thriller — claimed second place in nationwide ticket sales Monday, an unexpected showing for a low-budget production with a partisan political agenda. According to the Korean Film Council's latest box office data, "The Pact" drew 60,140 viewers on its opening day Monday, narrowly edging out $400 million Hollywood juggernaut "Mission: Impossible — Fin
June 3, 2025 -
Ma Dong-seok's 'Holy Night: Demon Hunters' to screen at Shanghai film fest
Actor-producer Ma Dong-seok's occult action film "Holy Night: Demon Hunters" has been selected for screening at the 27th Shanghai International Film Festival's Midnight Fantasy section, distributor Lotte Entertainment announced Tuesday. One of China's major cinema events, the Shanghai International Film Festival is the only Chinese festival accredited by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations. "The Wailing" (2016), "Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum" (2018), "The Roundup: Punishment"
June 3, 2025 -
'Hi-Five' tops weekend box office, edging out 'Mission: Impossible 8'
South Korean action comedy "Hi-Five" seized the top spot at the local weekend box office, unseating the latest "Mission: Impossible" installment, data showed Monday. According to the Korean Film Council, the comedy movie, directed by Kang Hyeong-cheol, drew approximately 380,000 moviegoers from Friday to Sunday. Premiering Friday, the movie follows five ordinary people whose lives take a dramatic turn after receiving organ transplants. "Hi-Five" ended the reign of "Mission: Impossible -- The Fin
June 2, 2025 -
CGV AI film contest showcases amateur filmmakers breaking ground
Mutiplex chain CGV's AI-generated film contest concluded Friday with an awards ceremony at CGV Yongsan in Seoul, showcasing how AI tools can enable creators to create sophisticated cinematic works previously beyond their reach. The theater chain's inaugural event drew submissions from amateur and first-time filmmakers who leveraged generative AI to produce short films that would have previously required massive budgets. "The Wrong Visitor" by Hyun Hae-ri claimed the grand prize among five winner
May 30, 2025 -
Cannes-selected Korean animated short heads to theaters
Multiplex chain Megabox will screen director Joung Yu-mi’s animated short "Glasses" in theaters starting June 11, following its selection for the 78th Cannes Film Festival, the company announced Thursday. Competing in the Critics' Week short film section, the 15-minute animation was one of only two Korean works at this year's Cannes. No Korean films appeared in the main competition or other official sections, the first such absence in 12 years. "Glasses" centers on a woman who begins seeing shad
May 30, 2025 -
BIFF opens volunteer applications for 30th edition
The Busan International Film Festival began recruiting volunteers Thursday for its milestone 30th edition. Applications are open through June 29 for positions ranging from guest services and event coordination to technical support across seven operational categories. The festival runs Sept. 17-26 at multiple venues throughout Busan. Korean citizens and foreign nationals aged 18 and older with valid resident registration cards are eligible to apply. Work schedules vary by department and assignmen
May 30, 2025 -
'I Invite you to my funeral': 83-year-old actress stages her own farewell
On Sunday, on the windswept shores of Sunpo Beach in Gangneung, 83-year-old actor Park Jeong-ja broke into a shoulder-shimmying dance. She wore a green floral dress that fluttered in the sea breeze and a pair of red shoes. But this was no ordinary festival -- it was a scene from her upcoming film, "Between Cheongmyeong and Gogu" (tentative), directed by actor-director Yoo Jun-sang. The scene being filmed was a funeral -- specifically, that of the character “She,” played by Park. But in a rare an
May 26, 2025 -
Lee Jung-jae's studio teams with 'Lord of the Rings' producer for K-pop spy film
Artist Studio, the production banner headed by actor Lee Jung-jae, has signed a development partnership with UK-based Imaginarium Productions to co-create a global K-pop spy thriller, the companies announced Monday. The collaboration will bring "Secret Idol" (working title) to the screen -- a live-action thriller that blends the glitzy world of K-pop with high-stakes espionage. The plot centers on a secret agent who goes undercover as a K-pop trainee to take down an international crime ring. The
May 26, 2025 -
Cannes awards Palme d'Or to Iranian revenge drama 'It Was Just an Accident'
Iranian dissident filmmaker Jafar Panahi won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival on Saturday for his revenge thriller “It Was Just an Accident," handing the festival's top prize to a director who had been banned from leaving Iran for more than 15 years. Cate Blanchett presented the award to Panahi, who three years ago was imprisoned in Iran before going on a hunger strike. For a decade and a half, he has made films clandestinely in his native country, including one film ("This Is Not a Fi
May 25, 2025