In Korea, viewers are loving low-budget dating reality show over ‘Squid Game 2’

Featuring ordinary people, 'I’m Solo, Love Forever' soars to No. 1 on Netflix Korea “I’m Solo, Love Forever,” a low-budget show without a single celebrity cast member, has soared to the No. 1 spot on Netflix Korea as of Sunday, surpassing the globally popular “Squid Game 2.” The Korean dating show, a spin-off of SBS’ “I’m Solo,” presents a hyperrealistic portrayal of singles navigating the challenges of finding a partner. In this sequel, cast members who previously failed to find love on "I’m So

Jan. 5, 2025

Korean Cinema 2025: What to watch out for

Big names keep rolling in despite industry crunch As the new year dawns, Korean cinema finds itself at a precarious crossroads. The industry, still reeling from the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, faces a dual crisis: Streaming platforms are making theaters increasingly obsolescent, and risk-averse investors are gravitating toward safe bets, with remakes, sequels, and adaptations stacking up one after another. In a telling sign, Korea's five major production houses have barely squeezed out t

Jan. 1, 2025

Film industry lies low as nation mourns Muan crash

Major film promos, pressers on hold South Korea's film industry has begun scaling back promotional circuits following Sunday's devastating plane crash at Muan International Airport in South Jeolla Province, which claimed 179 lives when a Jeju Air flight from Bangkok crashed into a wall after veering off the runway. Hive Media Corp., the production company for "Secret: Untold Melody," called off Monday's press conference at Seoul's Megabox Coex in an announcement late Sunday. In a statement to re

Dec. 30, 2024

'Squid Game' Season 2 tops global Netflix chart one day after its release

Netflix's "Squid Game" Season 2 has ranked No. 1 on a global popularity chart for TV shows available on the streaming giant, just one day after its release, data showed. Netflix's Korean original series "Squid Game" Season 2 topped streaming analytics website FlixPatrol's global chart for top TV shows on Netflix on Friday (U.S. time) after its release the previous day. Of 93 nations compiled by FlixPatrol, it was the most-viewed TV show on the streaming service in 92 nations, including South Kor

Dec. 28, 2024

Bong Joon-ho's 'Mickey 17' set for March release

Internationally acclaimed Korean director Bong Joon-ho's new film, "Mickey 17," has been rescheduled for a March release, the film's distributor said Saturday. Warner Bros. Korea said that the sci-fi fantasy, initially set for a U.S. release in April, is now scheduled on March 7 next year in the North America region. As a result, the movie's Korean release is expected to be in early March. Initially planned for March, the film's release was previously postponed due to various reasons, including

Dec. 28, 2024

'Hitman: Agent Jun' returns for second round

On-screen chemistry spills over to press conference with actors taking jabs A secret agent-turned-webtoon artist faces another identity crisis in "Hitman: Agent Jun 2," but this time with bigger stunts, wilder animation and more ad-libs. The sequel, hitting theaters Jan. 22, finds Kwon Sang-woo's Jun battling both a mid-career slump and a terrorist organization -- his life seeming to copy his webtoon plots. Friday's press event at Seoul's Yongsan CGV played more like a variety show than a typica

Dec. 27, 2024

'Harbin' surpasses 1 mln admissions day after release

SEOUL, Dec. 25 (Yonhap) -- The Korean historical drama "Harbin" surpassed the 1 million admissions mark Wednesday, just one day after its release, the film's distributor said. As of Wednesday afternoon, the film's cumulative admissions reached over 1 million, after garnering more than 380,000 on its release day, according to CJ ENM and data from the Korean Film Council. "Harbin" debuted at No. 1 at the local box office Tuesday, dethroning the disaster film "Firefighters," which had topped the we

Dec. 25, 2024

'Harbin' draws over 550,000 pre-sales, eyes box-office crown

The Korean historical drama "Harbin" has garnered over 550,000 advance ticket reservations, signaling strong potential for box-office success. Approximately 554,000 tickets have been booked for the film as of 8:50 a.m. Tuesday, the release day, accounting for 56.2 percent of all advance ticket sales for movies currently showing in local theaters, according to the Korean Film Council. Set in 1909, the espionage thriller depicts a tense mission to Harbin in northern China, featuring Korean indepen

Dec. 24, 2024

[Box office] Movies in theaters this week

"Firefighters" (South Korea) Opened Dec. 4 Drama Directed by Kwak Kyung-taek Rookie firefighter Chul-woong (Joo Won) and his veteran teammate Jin Seop (Kwon Do-won) find their relationship pushed to the brink after a rescue operation ends in tragedy. The duo must face their greatest challenge yet that will test not only their courage but also their fractured bond. Based on a true story. "Mufasa: The Lion King" (US) Opened Dec. 18 Drama/Adventure Directed by Barry Jenkins Yo

Dec. 20, 2024

Long-delayed 'Bogota: City of the Lost' not worth finding

Star actor Song Joong-ki's latest overseas venture was, ironically, his first. "Bogota: City of the Lost," which screened for reporters Thursday at Megabox Coex in Seoul, wrapped after an unusually prolonged production -- first halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Colombia in 2020, with completion taking several additional years. Although audiences now know Song from his Italian escapades in "Vincenzo" and Belgian journey in "My Name is Loh Kiwan," "Bogo

Dec. 19, 2024

[Beyond the Screen] Seasoned producers discuss film industry's unprecedented challenges

As the global entertainment landscape undergoes a seismic shift, South Korea’s film industry stands at a critical juncture. For more than two decades, industry professionals have weathered countless changes -- from the growth of imported films to the debates on screen quotas and the rise of piracy. Yet, nothing compares to the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Heads of South Korean production companies say the challenges range from dwindling content and investment to the need for

Dec. 19, 2024

'Harbin' cast and director chart legacy of Korean independence hero

A historical drama about Korea's legendary independence fighters is hitting IMAX screens just in time for the holidays. But first, its creators had to wrestle with the weight of history. "Harbin," starring top actor Hyun Bin as independence activist Ahn Jung-eun, follows the 1909 assassination of Ito Hirobumi, the first Japanese Governor-General of Korea and the first Prime Minister of Japan. The film reimagines a scenario in which, during his time in the armed resistance against

Dec. 18, 2024

Character actor Ra Mi-ran receives Women in Film honor

Actor Ra Mi-ran was awarded the Film Artist of the Year honor at the Women in Film Korea festival on Monday, in recognition of her achievements as one of the industry’s most versatile and reliable performers. Known for her seamless transition between comedy and drama, Ra has built a reputation for portraying characters with authenticity and depth, often stealing scenes with her nuanced performances. Ra’s rise has been anything but overnight. After years in theater, she spent nearly a

Dec. 17, 2024

In 'Dark Nuns,' Song Hye-kyo, Jeon Yeo-been face down demonic shadows

The shadow of "The Exorcist" (1973) haunts every occult film daring to tread the path of demonic possession. "The Priests 2: Dark Nuns," coming to theaters Jan. 24, takes on that specter by shifting the lens to territory rarely explored -- the world of nuns wrestling with dark forces beyond the church's sanctions. This spin-off of the 2015 Korean hit "The Priests" pivots from its predecessor by bringing two women to the fore. Where the original played like a su

Dec. 16, 2024

[Beyond the Screen] Indie films losing ground amid shifting cinema trends

Actor Lee Dong-hwi, known for his indispensable supporting roles in the mega-hit blockbusters “Extreme Job” (2019) and “The Roundup: Punishment” (2024), recently starred in the independent film “Will We Get Married?,” which opened on Oct. 23. Despite a production budget of approximately 1 billion won, Lee accepted little to no payment for his work. The film’s break-even point (BEP) of 100,000 admissions was high for an indie movie. “I’ve be

Dec. 16, 2024