The Korea Herald

BoA plays withering young lover in her 1st solo lead role

Oct 12, 2017

BoA plays withering young lover in her 1st solo lead roleBy Yoon Min-sik It is not easy to imagine BoA -- a 30-year-old vivacious K-pop star with a commanding presence -- on her death bed. “There’s not much I can do about my face, so the first thing I did was dye my hair black,” BoA said with a smile during a premiere of “Autumn Sonata,” a movie which she carries by playing terminally ill patient Su-ryeon who prepares her death quietly and privately. This includes pushing away the love of her li
Hollywood's long ugly history with sexual harassment

Oct 11, 2017

For anyone thinking the days of the so-called casting couch were long gone, this past week has been eye-opening. The growing list of women directing allegations at Harvey Weinstein suggests they never left Hollywood. Here‘s a look at some cases from the past and present. First major sex scandalIn the first scandal to shake Hollywood, the comedian Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle attended a wild party in San Francisco in 1921 that ended in the death of actress Virginia Rappe. Rappe, writhing in pain from
Hyun Bin, Yoo Ji-tae team up in ‘The Swindlers’

Oct 11, 2017

Hyun Bin and Yoo Ji-tae embark on an unusual partnership in the upcoming film “The Swindlers.” Hyun plays Hwang Ji-sung, a scam artist who only pulls tricks on other scammers. Yoo plays prosecutor Park Hee-soo, who teams up with Hwang to catch another notorious scam artist. “What I talked about the most with the director was how to express the fluidity of the character,” Hyun said at a press conference Wednesday. “The setup that he only scams other scammers was interesting. Hyun Bin (left) and Y
[Newsmaker] In polarized society, documentary lends ear to Park supporters

Oct 11, 2017

Director says film the beginning of conversation between generations and search for coexistence
Korea's film scene not free from allegations of sexual exploitation of women

Oct 10, 2017

Hollywood has been shaken by last week’s New York Times expose on major film producer Harvey Weinstein‘s alleged history of sexual harassment of actresses and employees spanning nearly three decades. Weinstein has since been fired from the Weinstein Company, which he cofounded, and actresses, film industry insiders and friends have been voicing their opinions on the issue, condemning or defending the film industry bigwig. The so-called “couch casting,” where actresses are forced to trade sexual
Italian film ‘Perfect Strangers’ to be remade by Korean director

Oct 9, 2017

Director Lee Jae-gyu to spin his own version of a dramedy about seven longtime friends
Bae Doo-na, Song Kang-ho finish shooting ‘Drug King’

Oct 8, 2017

Filming of the much-anticipated crime flick “Drug King” featuring Bae Doo-na, Song Kang-ho and Jo Jung-suk has wrapped up, according to an Instagram post by Bae on Saturday. Bae uploaded a photo of herself receiving a bouquet of flowers from a member of the filming crew.“That’s a wrap,” Bae captioned the photo. Actor Song is also seen clapping in the picture. (Bae Doo-na's Instagram)The film set in 1970s Korea traces the story of the infamous drug kingpin Lee Doo-sam, who was a major distributo
‘The Fortress’ dominates box office over Chuseok

Oct 8, 2017

Historical drama “The Fortress” topped the Korean box office by a wide margin over the Chuseok holiday.　The film amassed 424,409 viewers across the country Saturday, according to the Korean Film Council’s statistics, ranking first place daily for five consecutive days since Tuesday. 　 “The Fortress” (CJ Entertainment)The film directed by Hwang Dong-hyuk tells the story of the 1636 Chinese invasion of Joseon and stars Lee Byung-hun, Kim Yoon-seok and Park Hae-il. It has sold over 2.6 million tick
Indie movies to see during the holidays

Oct 4, 2017

Theaters throughout Seoul offer selection of delightful small-scale films during Chuseok season
[Herald Interview] Why Park Hae-il is called a ‘blank sheet’

Oct 4, 2017

Hailed as one of Korea’s most versatile actors, Park takes on role of struggling Joseon king
[Movie Review] 'The Fortress' depicts defeated king and aides facing tough choices, existential threat

Sept 29, 2017

Mount Namhan Fortress on the outskirts of Seoul harbors one of the most shameful memories in Korea's history. In the winter of 1636, King Injo of Joseon Dynasty sought refuge inside the bulwark fleeing an invasion by the Qing Dynasty. "The Fortress," a new film released Tuesday, illuminates the embattled king's 47 days of hiding which ended in a humiliating surrender to a conquering Chinese general. Directed by Hwang Dong-hyuck and adapted from a best-selling novel, the movie is not simply
[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week

Sept 29, 2017

Kingsman: The Golden Circle (UK)Opened Sept. 27Action, adventure. Directed by Matthew VaughnThe headquarters of Kingsman, hidden inside a tailors shop, has been destroyed and the fate of the planet is at risk once more. Eggsy (Taron Egerton), now a full agent with a year of experience under his belt, and Merlin (Mark Strong) follow the Doomsday protocol and seek the help of Kingsman’s American counterpart Statesman, located in a Bourbon whiskey distillery in Kentucky. The elite agents from both
Kim Soo-hyun to enlist on Oct. 23

Sept 28, 2017

Actor Kim Soo-hyun will enlist on Oct. 23, his agency said Thursday.“Since (Kim) is just fulfilling his duties as a Korean citizen, he wishes to enlist quietly without a fan event or a press conference,” Keyeast Entertainment said in a press release. (CJ E&M)All able-bodied Korean men are required to serve in the military for around two years, with some being allowed to serve in non-combat positions.While he had originally pledged to enlist this year, there has been speculation that his plans ma
'Kingsman 2' claims biggest S. Korean opening ever for R-rated film

Sept 28, 2017

The British-American spy comedy "Kingsman: The Golden Circle" had the biggest opening day for an R-rated film in South Korea, data showed Thursday.According to the real-time box-office tally from the Korean Film Council, the Fox movie sold 481,891 tickets on 1,686 screens across the country, taking the box-office crown on its first day.It surpassed the first-day record of 475,482 set by the South Korean crime action film "Asura: The City of Madness" last year. (21st Century Fox Korea)The "Kings
[Herald Interview] Kim Yoon-seok on playing principled Joseon minister

Sept 27, 2017

Veteran actor says ‘The Fortress’ is ‘uncompromising,’ authentic period piece