Actor Jang Keun-suk has been assigned to the Seoul Metropolitan Fire and Disaster Headquarters to fulfill his alternative military service, according to industry sources Friday.The actor, 31, started educational programs run by the Military Manpower Administration on July 16, before beginning the service as a social worker. In 2011, he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, which classified him as ineligible for active duty in the military.  (Yonhap)The fire agency confirmed he has been serving th

A spinoff movie of the popular TV series “Bad Guys” will start shooting in September, with its cast to include most of the actors from the original OCN drama.According to CJ Entertainment, “Bad Guys: The Movie” -- a working title -- will feature actors Ma Dong-seok, Kim Sang-joong and Kang Ye-won who left a lasting impression in the series that aired from October to December in 2014. Ma, Kim and Kang will reprise their roles as gangster Park Un-cheol, detectives Oh Gu-tak and Yoo Mi-young, respe

Mission: Impossible - Fallout(US)Opened July 25Action, Adventure, Drama, MysteryDirected by Christopher McQuarrie“Mission: Impossible - Fallout” finds Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his IMF team (Alec Baldwin, Simon Pegg, Ving Rhames) along with some familiar allies (Rebecca Ferguson, Michelle Monaghan) in a race against time after a mission gone wrong. Henry Cavill, Angela Bassett, and Vanessa Kirby also join the dynamic cast.Illang: The Wolf Brigade(Korea)Opened July 25Action, Sci-fiDirected by K

Megahit sequel has elements of the original, humor and spectacle, but falls short on blending altogetherThere can be such a thing as too much “sinpa” in a movie. “Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds,” the second most successful Korean movie in history, was one case that got away with good acting and novelty of the set-up. Its sequel, “Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days,” could be the one that finally went over the line. For those of you not familiar with the term, sinpa in Korean cinema or dr

Korean starlet Kim Da-mi shined bright on the international stage as the star of “The Witch Pt 1: the Subversion” won the best actress award at this year’s Fantasia International Film Festival.“Newcomer Kim Da-mi delivers an immaculate, layered performance, displaying intricacy and range in realms both physical and emotional. This portrayal marks the introduction of a kick-ass new heroine,” the jury statement for the Cheval Noir best actress award read.  Kim Da-mi in “The Witch Pt 1: the Subvers

South Korean hypermarket chain E-mart unveiled Tuesday its plans to make a film based on its mascot Electro Man.Electro Man, a mascot for E-mart’s electronics store chain Electro Mart, will be featured as the main character in the film slated for release in 2020. The announcement came after overall sales of Electro Man-inspired products including an air fryer rose over 300 percent on-year in the first half of 2018. The film is part of the retailer’s efforts to attract more customers by using sof

Filmmaker Hong Sang-soo is to file for divorce against his wife, a local media outlet reported Monday. According to the report, Hong has decided to sue for divorce after failing to come to a settlement with his wife, who has so far refused any agreement.  Hong Sang-soo and Kim Min-hee (Yonhap)Citing personnel in the film industry close to Hong, the report said Hong is thinking about marrying actress Kim Min-hee. “A divorce is unavoidable. Hong regrets that he has to go through with a suit,” the

It is virtually impossible to picture Kim Young-kwang as a loser with his towering 187-centimeter frame and handsome face, a sentiment felt immediately by Park Bo-young when they were cast for the upcoming film “On Your Wedding Day.”“When I first heard about the casting, I was like ‘What?’... When I read the scenario, I thought it would be someone with a ‘loser’ appeal, but I was left to wonder if such a tall, handsome man would be obsessed with me,” said Park at a press conference for the film

The Hollywood animation "Incredibles 2" topped the box office over the weekend drawing 1.12 million moviegoers, while the Korean supernatural thriller "The Witch: Part 1. The Subversion" surpassed 3 million in total attendance, data showed Monday.The Disney/Pixar sequel earned 9.65 billion won ($8.5 million) or 47 percent of the total ticket sales from Friday to Sunday, according to the computerized box-office tally from the Korean Film Council. In total, the movie has garnered 1.36 million view

Scottish director talks death, “Anna and the Apocalypse”

A classic boy-meets-girl drama starring Park Bo-young and Kim Young-kwang will hit theaters next month, as producers of “On Your Wedding day” confirmed Aug. 22 as the opening date.A poster and a trailer for the romantic drama, directed by Lee Seok-geun, were released earlier in the day.The poster of “On Your Wedding Day” (Megabox)The film centers on Seung-hee -- played by Park -- who believes in true love at first sight, and Kim’s character Woo-yeon, who believes Seung-hee is “the one.” It will

“Top Gun” fans are in for a treat, as the 1986 film starring Tom Cruise will return to the big screens in Korea.The much beloved action film will hit cinema screens again on Aug. 23, 31 years since the film premiered in South Korea, the film’s distributor Little Big Pictures said Tuesday.The surprise return of the megahit comes only a month after the release of Cruise’s “Mission: Impossible – Fallout,” which is scheduled to be released July 25. (Little Big Pictures)Cruise’s fans will be able to

With the worldwide release of “Mission: Impossible -- Fallout” just around the corner, the latest installment in the spy action franchise is being hailed as the best in the series. Tom Cruise, known for doing his own stunts, keeps upping the ante as he actually flies a helicopter in a borderline-insane maneuver.Why would a Hollywood superstar constantly risk his life?“For you (the audience). To entertain you,” Cruise said, during a press conference for the film in Seoul on Monday. Tom Cruise (le

Hollywood superstar Tom Cruise arrived in Seoul on Sunday to promote his upcoming movie “Mission: Impossible – Fallout.” It was his ninth visit to Korea. The actor was welcomed by local fans who awaited his arrival at Gimpo Airport. Cruise greeted the fans by waving his hands with a big smile and spent about 40 minutes with them at the airport. The friendly manner of the 56-year-old actor has earned him a nickname “Hospitable Tom Ajeossi” among Koreans. Ajeossi is a word used to describe or addr

Actress and director Ku Hye-sun addressed recent rumors that she was either pregnant or had undergone plastic surgery. She was invited Saturday to speak with viewers about her new short film “Mystery Pink,” as part of the 22nd Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival. 　 Ku Hye-sun at GV event (Naver‘s V live)During an interview, she mentioned the rumors about her weight gain, saying she found it amusing how the matter had garnered attention. She also talked about accepting changes in her bo