Journalist
Lee Hugh
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The King's Warden breaks Korean film drought with 10-mln crossing SEOUL, March 07 (AJP) - In the arithmetic of the Korean film industry, there are hits — and then there are “ten-million films.” Crossing the 10-million-admissions threshold in a country of roughly 52 million people bears significance beyond a commercial milestone. It means a film has escaped the gravity of niche audiences and become something closer to a shared national experience. With more than 10 million moviegoers now through theater doors, The King’s Warden has quietly joined that club — becoming the first Korean film to reach the milestone in about two years, after a prolonged blockbuster drought in local cinemas. For director Jang Hang-jun, it marks a breakthrough that took 24 years to arrive. For star Yoo Hae-jin, it represents a different kind of achievement — the fifth time he has been part of a ten-million blockbuster. In an industry increasingly fragmented by streaming platforms and shortened attention cycles, that double milestone says something larger about how Korean audiences still choose their cinema heroes. For much of his career, Jang Hang-jun was known less as a box-office director than as one of Korean television’s most versatile storytellers. He entered the industry in the early 1990s and made his directorial debut with the comedy “Break Out the Lighter” in 2002. The film drew notice for its quirky humor and sharp dialogue but never hinted at blockbuster credentials. The projects that followed — including romantic comedy “Spring Breeze” and sports drama “Battlefield Heroes” — struggled to find audiences. For years afterward, Jang’s filmography thinned. He wrote television dramas such as Sign and The King of Dramas, became a familiar face on talk shows and variety programs, and developed a reputation for quick wit and effortless storytelling. For much of the public, he was better known as the genial television personality — and as the husband of star screenwriter Kim Eun-hee, creator of hit series Signal and Kingdom. The success of The King’s Warden changes that narrative almost overnight. What once looked like a career of diversions now resembles a long apprenticeship in storytelling. Jang’s television instincts — dialogue timing, character warmth and narrative rhythm — became the film’s quiet engine. Critics note that his biggest strength lies not in spectacle but in orchestrating performances. The film’s ensemble — from Yoo Hae-jin’s grounded humor to Yoo Ji-tae’s unexpectedly imposing interpretation of historical power broker Han Myeong-hoe — feels calibrated rather than imposed. In Korean cinema terms, the industry sometimes calls this stage “the director just before becoming a master.” If Jang’s success arrives as a breakthrough, Yoo Hae-jin’s milestone feels more like confirmation. The veteran actor has now appeared in five films that surpassed 10 million admissions, joining a small group of performers who have repeatedly anchored major hits, including The King and the Clown (2005), Veteran (2015), A Taxi Driver (2017), and Exhuma (2024). Few Korean actors have navigated so seamlessly between supporting roles, comic relief and leading performances. He has brought the texture of everyday life into historical epics and genre films alike. In The King’s Warden, Yoo plays village chief Eom Heung-do, the man tasked with guarding the exiled teenage king Danjong. The character is neither hero nor villain — simply a pragmatic villager trying to survive the politics of the Joseon court. Yoo’s performance moves easily between humor and melancholy, embodying the film’s central tone: ordinary humanity in the shadow of history. The film’s success carries broader significance for the industry. In recent years, Korean theaters have struggled to reproduce the blockbuster momentum that once defined the market. Streaming services have fragmented audiences, and mid-budget films often disappear quickly from screens. Against that backdrop, The King’s Warden represents something increasingly rare: a word-of-mouth blockbuster built on emotional trust rather than spectacle. Instead of palace intrigue, the film focuses on a dethroned boy-king living among villagers — a shift that reframes tragedy through intimacy rather than grandeur. The result is a historical drama that families can watch together, bridging generations in a way few modern releases manage. It reminds of the rule of thumb: even in an era dominated by algorithms and streaming platforms, a well-told story can still draw an entire nation to the big screen. 2026-03-07 08:31:18 -
Test drive: Renault’s Filante hybrid aims to blend sedan comfort with SUV stability "On a straight road it feels like a sedan, and on rough pavement it feels like an SUV." That was the line that came to mind while driving Renault Korea’s next-generation hybrid model, the Filante. It is clearly an SUV, but it delivered sedan-like comfort and immediate acceleration, while adding upgraded artificial intelligence features aimed at convenience. At a test-drive event on March 4, the Filante was driven about 140 kilometers (87 miles) round trip, from an event site at Yellow Cafe in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang province, to Nine Hill Cafe in Ulju County, Ulsan, with a passenger. The drive highlighted the vehicle’s power and quietness. The Filante shown at the event was an E-segment flagship crossover featuring an illuminated signature lozenge logo. Renault said it is based on the SUV-platform Grand Koleos body but engineered for sedan-level quietness and ride comfort by technically lowering its center of gravity. At the turnaround point at Nine Hill Cafe, the driver took the wheel. In warm weather, a press of a button followed by the voice command, "Turn on the ventilated seat," prompted the car to respond immediately. The feature is enabled by SK Telecom’s A.Dot Auto voice service, which the company says can remember conversational context and continue answers based on follow-up questions. On the Ulsan expressway, the body felt stable and the accelerator response was quick. The electric motor stepped in rapidly, keeping initial acceleration brisk, with a sense of the chassis holding firm from below. The Filante uses Renault’s Hybrid E-TECH powertrain: a 100-kilowatt drive motor and a 60-kilowatt starter motor paired with a 1.5-liter turbo direct-injection gasoline engine for a maximum 250 horsepower. Renault said a large-capacity lithium-ion battery allows up to 75% of city driving in electric mode. On the winding Unmunsan section, the Filante showed SUV-like stability. It offers multiple drive modes, including Sport, Eco and AI. In Sport mode, responses felt more aggressive; in AI mode, it appeared to adapt to conditions and delivered a steadier feel. Even on rough surfaces, the body stayed composed through corners, maintaining balance. The driver’s seat, finished in Nappa synthetic leather, sits relatively high and provided firm lower-back support for long-distance comfort. Wind and road noise were noticeably reduced. With acoustic glass and an active noise-cancellation system, the cabin did not become uncomfortably loud even at speeds above 110 kph (68 mph), reinforcing the sedan-like quiet. In highway congestion, cruise control proved useful. The Filante includes 34 advanced driver-assistance systems, Renault said, including lane-departure prevention and an emergency steering assist designed to help the vehicle avoid sudden hazards. Returning to Gyeongju on national roads, the word that came to mind was "identity." On straight stretches, it tracked steadily like a sedan, while the cabin remained quiet. A front passenger panoramic screen provided access to the internet and other content, and the radio speaker sound quality was satisfactory. Renault said a karaoke function will be added later through an update.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-07 08:03:34 -
Hanmi Pharmaceutical Faces Renewed Governance Fight Ahead of Shareholder Meeting A governance dispute at Hanmi Pharmaceutical has reignited after cracks emerged in a “four-party alliance” formed in the name of stabilizing control of the group. The market is watching the company’s regular shareholders meeting expected later this month as a potential turning point for Hanmi’s governance, with a likely vote battle over whether CEO Park Jae-hyun will be reappointed and how the board will be reshaped. According to the industry on the 7th, the Hanmi Pharmaceutical Group ended a family management-control dispute that had continued from 2024 after Chairwoman Song Young-sook, Hanmi Pharmaceutical Group Vice Chairwoman Lim Ju-hyun, Hanyang Precision Chairman Shin Dong-kuk and private equity firm La Defense Partners joined forces to form the four-party alliance. Centered on Hanmi Science (41.42% stake), the alliance secured a majority of voting rights at Hanmi Pharmaceutical and launched a professional management system. Hanmi Pharmaceutical posted strong results last year, with revenue of 1.5475 trillion won and operating profit of 257.7 billion won, appearing to move into a more stable phase. Tensions surfaced late last year as Shin pressed what the article described as management interference. Shin increased his stake in Hanmi Science to as much as 30% and opposed Park’s reappointment, calling Hanmi Pharmaceutical “a corrupt organization.” Song, however, publicly backed Park, saying, “Major shareholders should not directly intervene in management and should only present a sound direction.” With the alliance’s shareholder agreement on joint voting effectively neutralized, the lines of confrontation have sharpened ahead of the meeting. Attention is focused on the Hanmi Pharmaceutical shareholders meeting expected this month, where Park’s reappointment and a board overhaul are key agenda items. Shin has continued buying shares, raising his overall stake to 29.83%. Song’s side has secured 25.58% of voting rights, including shares held by the Im Seong-gi Foundation. The National Pension Service (6.64% stake) and retail shareholders, who account for about 30%, are also expected to be pivotal. At the center of the dispute is whether to keep the professional management system. Song has stressed governance stability, saying, “Founder Chairman Im Seong-gi also trusted professional managers,” while Shin has countered by pointing to “insufficient internal controls.” If Park wins reappointment, the current board is expected to remain and the professional management system would likely be reinforced. If the proposal fails, directors aligned with Shin could enter the boardroom, and the dispute could drag on. An industry official warned that despite pipeline progress in areas such as obesity and diabetes, management uncertainty could weigh on the stock price and hinder technology transfers, adding that governance risk could hurt global partnerships. The official said the meeting will be watched as either a turning point for Hanmi’s future or the start of a “third round” of the dispute.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-07 06:04:21 -
BTS’ Gwanghwamun comeback show set to draw huge crowds and boost Seoul economy BTS’ comeback stage at Seoul’s Gwanghwamun Square is two weeks away, and the city is already bracing for a surge of visitors. The group is set to hold a concert on the 21st to mark the release of its fifth full-length album, “Arirang (ARIRANG).” Retailers and the tourism industry are preparing for fans of the global BTS fandom known as ARMY arriving from around the world, with attention focused on the event’s economic ripple effects. ◇ 15,000 tickets gone in 30 minutes; officials forecast 260,000 people According to the industry on the 6th, general ticket sales for the Gwanghwamun concert — 15,000 seats sold through NOL Ticket last month — sold out in 30 minutes. Police and the Seoul city government estimate about 260,000 people will gather on the day of the show, centered on Gwanghwamun Square where the stage will be installed and extending to Deoksugung’s Daehanmun Gate and the area around Sungnyemun. Fans who failed to get tickets have already been camping near the seating area to get as close as possible, underscoring the intensity on the ground. Nearby lodging has been scarce. Hotels and guesthouses in the area are fully booked, and remaining rooms are being offered at prices several times higher than usual. Nearby shopping districts such as Myeongdong are also promoting BTS-related merchandise as they prepare for an influx of foreign visitors. ◇ Gyeongbokgung to close; Sejong Center cancels shows amid safety concerns The Korea Heritage Service said it will close Gyeongbokgung Palace and the National Palace Museum of Korea on the 21st to prevent safety accidents tied to crowding. The Sejong Center for the Performing Arts also canceled all indoor performances scheduled for that day, including musicals and ballet. BTS members are expected to follow a “king’s road” route — starting at Geunjeongjeon Hall inside Gyeongbokgung, passing the Woldae platform at Gwanghwamun and then taking the stage — a plan that organizers say will be broadcast live worldwide. ◇ KCTI estimates up to 1.2 trillion won per show; Gwanghwamun seen amplifying impact Industry officials expect the concert’s economic impact to reach the trillions of won. The Korea Culture & Tourism Institute has estimated that a single BTS concert in South Korea at a 65,000-seat venue after the end of the COVID-19 pandemic could generate an economic ripple effect ranging from at least 619.7 billion won to as much as 1.2207 trillion won. A research team led by Korea University Business School professor Pyeon Ju-hyeon found the direct and indirect economic impact of BTS’ three-day final concert at Jamsil Olympic Stadium in 2019 totaled about 922.9 billion won. A single concert held at Busan Asiad Main Stadium in 2022 was also assessed to have produced an economic effect approaching 1 trillion won. Some in the culture and tourism industry said the Gwanghwamun show’s reach could be larger because it will be livestreamed worldwide via Netflix and staged at what they called the symbolic heart of the nation’s capital. They said the impact could extend beyond tourism revenue to indirect value such as promoting K-culture and strengthening national branding. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-07 06:03:24 -
‘A Man Living With the King’ Becomes 2026’s First Film to Top 10 Million Viewers in South Korea The film “A Man Living With the King” has drawn 10 million moviegoers, marking a new milestone at the South Korean box office. According to the Korean Film Council’s integrated ticketing network on Thursday, the film, directed by Jang Hang-jun, surpassed 10 million cumulative admissions at about 6:32 p.m. on its 31st day in theaters. The achievement makes it the fourth historical drama in South Korea to reach the 10 million mark, following “The King and the Clown,” “Masquerade” and “The Admiral: Roaring Currents.” It is also the first film in two years to cross 10 million admissions since “The Roundup: Punishment” sparked a box-office boom in 2024, a sign of renewed momentum for theaters after a prolonged slowdown. Set in 1457 at Cheongnyeongpo, the story follows a village chief who volunteers to live at an exile site to revive his community and a young deposed king sent into exile. The film has won broad support from both critics and audiences, the distributor said. The 10 million milestone is also a career marker for its cast. Yoo Hae-jin, who anchors the film as village chief Eom Heung-do, now has five films that have reached 10 million admissions. Yoo Ji-tae, who plays power broker Han Myeong-hoe, earned his first 10 million-viewer film. Actor Park Ji-hoon, who plays the exiled young king Lee Hong-wi, achieved a rare feat by joining the “10 million actor” ranks with his first commercial film, the distributor said. Showbox told this outlet, “We sincerely thank all audiences who supported ‘A Man Living With the King’ and joined us in theaters.” A company official added that with family and friends gathering at theaters during the holiday period becoming less common, “every step taken by audiences to come to the cinema feels even more meaningful.” The official said the company would “work to present good films” and asked for continued interest and support. With its ensemble performances and weighty message, “A Man Living With the King” is expected to maintain its box-office run even after passing 10 million admissions.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-06 21:30:12 -
Celltrion Vice Chairman Kim Hyeong-gi to Step Down; Inside Director Nominee Changed Kim Hyeong-gi, vice chairman and head of Celltrion’s global sales business who is known as a close aide to Chairman Seo Jung-jin, is stepping away from day-to-day management. Celltrion said on March 6, in a revised regulatory filing on its notice convening a shareholders meeting, that it changed its nominee for inside director ahead of its regular shareholders meeting scheduled for March 24. The company replaced Kim with Shin Min-cheol, head of the management division and a company president. A key agenda item for the meeting had been proposals to reappoint co-CEOs Ki Woo-sung and Kim as inside directors, with their terms set to expire at the end of March. After Kim indicated his intention to retire, the company plans to seek shareholder approval to appoint Shin as an inside director in his place. Kim is known as a core associate of Seo, with ties dating back to their time at Daewoo Motor. Shin, who is set to fill Kim’s role, oversees the management division after serving as head of the financial management headquarters and the management headquarters, and is expected to be appointed an inside director pending shareholder approval. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-06 20:57:00 -
KPGA Tour Sets 20 Events for 2026 Season With Total Purse of at Least 24.4 Billion Won The 2026 Korean Professional Golf Association (KPGA) Tour will feature 20 tournaments with a total purse of at least 24.4 billion won, the tour said. The Korea Professional Golf Tour (KPGT) announced the 2026 schedule on March 5, saying the average purse per event so far is about 1.28 billion won. It said the season is focused on improving quality and the tour’s structure rather than simply expanding the number of events or total prize money. The season opens April 16-19 at La Vie Est Belle Golf & Resort with the 21st DB Insurance Promy Open, which has a 1 billion won purse. The event has served as the KPGA Tour opener 12 times, from 2014-2019 and from 2021-2026. A run of major events follows in late April and early May. The Woori Financial Championship (1.5 billion won) is set for April 23-26 at Seowon Valley Country Club. The 45th GS Caltex Maekyung Open (1.3 billion won) will be held April 30-May 3 at Namseoul Country Club as a co-sanctioned event by the Korea Golf Association (KGA) and the Asian Tour. In May, the KPGA Founders Cup (700 million won), created to honor founding members who established the KPGA in 1968, will be played May 7-10 at Golfzon County Yeongam45. The KPGA Gyeongbuk Open (700 million won) follows May 14-17 as a four-round event at Golfzon County Seonsan. The Kolon 68th Korea Open returns to Woojeong Hills Country Club on May 21-24. The KGA and Asian Tour co-sanction the event; its 2026 purse will be announced later. Last season it was played for 1.4 billion won. June begins with the 69th KPGA Championship with A-ONE CC, the tour’s longest-running event, on June 4-7 at A-One Country Club. It will offer 1.6 billion won, the largest purse among KPGA-only events. A-One has hosted the championship since 2016, making 2026 the 11th edition there. The KPGA Classic (700 million won) will be held on Jeju Island on June 11-14. The Hana Bank Invitational (1.3 billion won) follows June 18-21 at Namchuncheon Country Club; it shifts this year from a co-sanctioned event with the Japan Tour to a KPGA-only tournament. The first half ends June 25-28 with the KPGA Gunsan CC Open at Gunsan Country Club, with a purse of at least 700 million won. Since 2024, the event has added tournament proceeds and food-and-beverage sales to the purse. The total purse was set at 979,297,000 won in 2024 and 1,000,484,300 won in 2025, and the event plans to add proceeds again this year. The second half begins Aug. 27-30 with a new event, the SBS Open (tentative name), offering 700 million won. Another new tournament with an 800 million won purse is scheduled for Sept. 3-6. The 42nd Shinhan Donghae Open (1.5 billion won) will be played Sept. 10-13 at Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea. The event had been co-sanctioned by the KPGA Tour, Japan Tour and Asian Tour through last year, but will shift this year to a two-tour event with the KPGA Tour and Japan Tour. Ahead of Chuseok, the Golfzon Open (1 billion won) is set for Sept. 17-20. The Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance Choi Kyung-ju Invitational (1.25 billion won) will be held Oct. 1-4 at Ferrum Club. Another new event with a 700 million won purse is scheduled for Oct. 8-11. The Charity Classic 2026 (1 billion won) will be played Oct. 15-18 at Seowon Valley Country Club. The Genesis Championship will be held Oct. 22-25 at Woojeong Hills Country Club. Co-sanctioned by the KPGA Tour and the DP World Tour, it will offer $4 million (about 5.91512 billion won). The 2026 Lexus Masters (1 billion won) follows Oct. 29-Nov. 1. The season finale, the KPGA Tour Championship in JEJU, will be played Nov. 5-8 at Teddy Valley Golf & Resort on Jeju. Players ranked high in Genesis Points after the Lexus Masters will be eligible, and the purse is 1.1 billion won. KPGT CEO Kim Won-seop said the 2026 season is designed to raise the standard of each event and improve the tour’s structure. “We will add distinctive elements to each tournament and make it a premium stage that creates new value for players, fans and brands,” Kim said. He also thanked title sponsors for their support “under difficult conditions,” and said the association would do everything it can for the sustainable growth of men’s golf in South Korea.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-06 19:30:00 -
'The Man Who Lives With the King' Tops 10 Million Moviegoers in South Korea The film 'The Man Who Lives With the King' has surpassed 10 million admissions. Distributor Showbox said the movie’s cumulative audience topped 10 million as of 6:30 p.m. on its 31st day in theaters. It is the 34th domestic release in South Korea to reach the milestone. The achievement comes as overall theater attendance has fallen sharply. It is the first domestic release in two years to draw 10 million moviegoers. The period drama follows the deposed King Danjong, Yi Hong-wi (Park Ji-hoon), during his final days in exile in Gwangcheonggol, Yeongwol, Gangwon Province, where he mixes with local residents. The story centers on village chief Eom Heung-do (Yoo Hae-jin), tasked with protecting and monitoring the exile, as he forms a bond with Yi that transcends status and age. The film reached 1 million admissions on its fifth day, 2 million on its 12th, and 3 million on Lunar New Year’s Day on Feb. 17, its 14th day in release. It passed 4 million the next day. On March 1, it drew about 817,000 viewers in a single day, its biggest daily total since opening, and went on to exceed 10 million in 31 days. It is the fourth period film to reach 10 million admissions, following 'The King and the Clown' (2005), 'Masquerade' (2012) and 'The Admiral: Roaring Currents' (2014). * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-06 18:51:19 -
SC First Bank Net Profit Plunges 57% on Hong Kong H-Index ELS Provision, One-Off Costs SC First Bank said its net profit plunged last year, hit by one-time costs including a provision tied to sanctions over Hong Kong H-index equity-linked securities (ELS) and expenses for a special retirement program. The bank said Thursday that net profit for the year totaled 141.5 billion won, down 57.3% from 331.1 billion won a year earlier. The decline was driven largely by sizable one-off charges. In the fourth quarter, the bank booked 88.0 billion won in special retirement costs and set aside 151.0 billion won in provisions related to sanctions over Hong Kong H-index ELS. Net interest income fell as the net interest margin narrowed amid lower market rates. Net interest income came to 1.2076 trillion won, down 2.0% from 1.2321 trillion won the previous year, and the net interest margin dropped 0.16 percentage points over the period. Noninterest income also declined. While wealth management performed well, gains from securities and foreign-exchange derivatives fell, pulling noninterest income down 8.0% to 311.2 billion won from 338.3 billion won. Selling and administrative expenses rose on special retirement costs and higher labor and inflation-related expenses. The bank reported 1.0754 trillion won in such costs, up 17.7% from 913.6 billion won a year earlier. By contrast, total expected credit losses and other provisions fell 16.9% to 106.7 billion won from 128.4 billion won. Assets expanded. Total assets stood at 92.2781 trillion won at the end of last year, up 7.5% from 85.8409 trillion won a year earlier. Profitability indicators weakened. Return on assets was 0.15%, down 0.23 percentage points, and return on equity was 2.56%, down 3.53 percentage points. The ratio of nonperforming loans rose 0.14 percentage points to 0.56%. The bank also said its board approved a year-end dividend of 125.0 billion won and will submit it as an agenda item for a regular shareholders meeting on the 30th. After the dividend, the bank said its BIS total capital ratio was 18.59% and its common equity Tier 1 ratio was 15.65% as of the end of last year, remaining above regulatory requirements.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-06 18:04:16 -
South Korea to Unveil First Mass-Production KF-21 Fighter This Month South Korea will unveil the first mass-production KF-21 Boramae fighter jet later this month, a milestone expected to start reshaping an Air Force fleet long centered on U.S.-made aircraft. Industry officials said Friday that a rollout ceremony for the first production aircraft will be held in the final week of this month at Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) headquarters in Sacheon, South Gyeongsang province. Government and other key officials are expected to attend. The aircraft to be unveiled will undergo ground and flight testing before being delivered to the Air Force in the second half of this year. The Air Force plans to introduce 40 domestically built KF-21s in stages by 2028. It aims to secure 80 more by 2032, for a total fleet of 120. Deliveries of the KF-21 are expected to affect the Air Force’s fighter mix, including replacing aging F-4 and F-5 jets and reducing reliance on U.S. technology. Most of the Air Force’s main fighters, including F-16s and stealth aircraft, are produced in the United States, making the development of the supersonic KF-21 a significant step, officials said. South Korea’s push to develop indigenous combat aircraft gained momentum in December 2005, when the first mass-produced T-50 supersonic advanced trainer was delivered. In December 2015, the country began development of the KF-21, moving toward an independent fighter production system. Expectations are also rising for export growth, with Southeast Asian countries such as Indonesia and the Philippines, as well as Middle Eastern nations, cited as potential customers. Supporters point to the T-50’s exports to those markets as evidence of performance, and say additional orders are possible. The article said President Lee Jae-myung has also engaged in direct defense sales efforts with those countries, adding to export optimism. KAI plans to secure 6.544 trillion won — 62.7% of its overall order target this year — through exports of complete aircraft such as the KF-21. “The KF-21 project began with a feasibility review during President Kim Dae-jung’s administration in 2001, and full-scale development started in December 2015,” a KAI official said. “We expect both domestic adoption of the KF-21 and expanded exports.” 2026-03-06 18:03:25