AJU PRESS ASIA FIRST NEWS AGENCY

Journalist

Choi Song-hui
  • Lotte Cinema to Exclusively Screen LE SSERAFIM’s First VR Concert Film
    Lotte Cinema to Exclusively Screen LE SSERAFIM’s First VR Concert Film 롯데시네마가 르세라핌(LE SSERAFIM)의 첫 VR 콘서트 ‘르세라핌 브이알 콘서트 : 인비테이션(LE SSERAFIM VR CONCERT : INVITATION)’을 단독 개봉한다. 롯데시네마는 르세라핌의 퍼포먼스를 VR 기술로 구현한 이번 작품을 월드타워에서 단독 상영한다고 밝혔다. 관객들은 현실과 환상이 교차하는 세계관 속에서 르세라핌의 무대를 새로운 방식으로 만나볼 수 있다. 롯데시네마는 오는 4월 15일부터 월드타워 3관을 ‘르세라핌 VR 전용 상영관’으로 운영한다. 상영관뿐 아니라 월드타워 곳곳도 르세라핌 비주얼로 꾸며 관람 전부터 몰입감을 높일 예정이다. 공식 머치도 선보인다. 롯데시네마는 VR 콘서트 최초로 극장 내에서 공식 상품을 단독 출시하고, 월드타워 스위트샵에서 뷰파인더와 렌티큘러 포토카드팩 등을 판매할 계획이다. 관람객을 위한 이벤트도 진행된다. 기본 특전에 더해 매주 다른 주차별 특전이 선착순으로 제공된다. 자세한 내용은 롯데시네마 공식 홈페이지와 애플리케이션에서 확인할 수 있다. 롯데시네마 관계자는 “이번 르세라핌 VR 콘서트는 전용 상영관을 마련해 공간 전체가 하나의 콘텐츠가 되도록 기획했다”며 “공식 머치 출시와 특전 등 다양한 현장 이벤트를 통해 극장에서 더욱 특별한 경험을 하길 바란다”고 말했다.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-09 10:09:19
  • Salmokji Tops Box Office on Opening Day With Best Horror Debut Since 2021
    'Salmokji' Tops Box Office on Opening Day With Best Horror Debut Since 2021 The horror film ‘Salmokji’ opened at No. 1 at the box office on its first day in theaters, according to industry data. The film follows a production crew that heads to a reservoir for a reshoot after an unidentified figure appears on a road-view image, only to encounter something lurking in the dark, deep water. According to the Korean Film Council’s integrated ticketing network, ‘Salmokji’ drew 89,912 moviegoers on its opening day, April 8, bringing its cumulative audience to 116,825. The figure topped the same-day daily box office totals for ‘The Man Who Lives With the King’ and ‘Project Hail Mary.’ Its opening-day turnout was the strongest for a horror release since ‘The Medium’ in 2021, and it also surpassed the 76,003 opening-day audience reported for ‘Project Hail Mary.’ Audience response has remained positive, with ‘Salmokji’ posting a 91% score on CGV’s Egg Index, a rating based on verified viewers. ‘Salmokji’ is now playing in theaters nationwide.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-09 08:54:15
  • BTS Launches ARIRANG World Tour in Goyang, Set for 85 Shows in 34 Cities
    BTS Launches 'ARIRANG' World Tour in Goyang, Set for 85 Shows in 34 Cities BTS opens its new world tour, “ARIRANG,” on April 9 at the main stadium of Goyang Sports Complex in Gyeonggi Province. According to agency BIGHIT MUSIC, the group will perform in Goyang on April 9, 11 and 12, then head to Japan, the United States, Germany, France, Canada, Peru, Chile, Thailand and other stops, meeting fans across 34 cities in 85 shows. The tour is built around stadiums and large domes and will feature a 360-degree open stage designed to deepen audience immersion. Demand has remained strong. Forty-six shows, including dates in Goyang and Tokyo as well as North America and Europe, have already sold out. Global concert promoter Live Nation said about 2.4 million tickets have been sold for the 41 North American and European shows alone. BTS is expected to perform songs from its fifth full-length album, “ARIRANG,” along with earlier hits. The album has continued its run after topping the Billboard 200 main albums chart for a second straight week. Member Jimin wrote on the fan platform Weverse, urging fans to dress warmly and adding, “We’ll prepare hard.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-09 08:00:15
  • KickFlip’s ‘My First Kick’ Tops Hanteo and Circle Daily Album Charts
    KickFlip’s ‘My First Kick’ Tops Hanteo and Circle Daily Album Charts JYP Entertainment boy band KickFlip posted strong results with its new release. The group returned on April 6 at 6 p.m. with its fourth mini album, ‘My First Kick,’ and the title track, ‘I Want to Stand Out.’ The album centers on youth facing first-time challenges and an ongoing first-love story. ‘My First Kick’ ranked No. 1 on Hanteo Chart’s daily album chart and Circle Chart’s daily retail album chart for April 6. It also appeared on iTunes K-pop album charts in several overseas markets, including Denmark, Canada, Singapore, Malaysia and the United States. The title track, ‘I Want to Stand Out,’ includes lyrics and composition credits for leader Gyehun. The song’s lyrics portray an unhesitating rush toward a first love, matching the group’s upbeat energy. On release day, it rose to No. 1 on Bugs’ real-time chart, and all tracks from the album entered the rankings. On the day of its comeback, KickFlip performed on Mnet M2’s ‘Annoying Comeback Show From Start to Finish’ at 7 p.m., staging the pre-release song ‘Twenty,’ B-side tracks ‘Reverse’ and ‘My Direction,’ and the title track. At 8 p.m., the group held an in-person fan showcase at YES24 Live Hall in Seoul’s Gwangjin District. The mini album ‘My First Kick’ and the title track are available on major music streaming platforms. A pop-up store marking the release will run through April 13 at LCDC SEOUL in Seoul’s Seongdong District.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-08 17:24:17
  • Spy film Humint rebounds on Netflix after box-office flop
    Spy film 'Humint' rebounds on Netflix after box-office flop SEOUL, April 8 (AJP) - Director Ryoo Seung-wan's latest film "Humint" claimed the top spot on Netflix's chart for non-English movies, just a week after becoming available on the global platform, following its theatrical flop in February. According to Netflix's ranking site Tudum, the spy film garnered 11 million cumulative views in about a week after it began streaming last Wednesday, securing the top spot among non-English films. The 119-minute film also took the top spot in more than a dozen countries and ranked in the top 10 in 67 countries worldwide. "Humint" starring Park Hae-joon, Park Jung-min, Shin Se-kyung, and Zo In-sung revolves around a South Korean intelligence agent who hunts a drug ring in Russia and becomes entangled with a North Korean spy, pulling both into danger and hidden secrets. First released in theaters on Feb. 11, the film attracted a mere 1.98 million moviegoers, well below the estimated 4 million needed to break even. 2026-04-08 16:58:15
  • CRAVITY to Return April 29 With Eighth Mini Album ReDeFINE
    CRAVITY to Return April 29 With Eighth Mini Album 'ReDeFINE' CRAVITY has announced its return with a story-film video. Starship Entertainment said it posted the video on the group’s official social media accounts on April 7 and confirmed that CRAVITY’s eighth mini album, “ReDeFINE,” will be released April 29 at 6 p.m. The video opens like a strange, dreamlike fairy tale. It centers on a circular shape that appears in the sky, with witnesses insisting it looks different to each of them, adding to the mystery. The narrative then shifts to a cycle of disappearance and rebirth and a longing for permanence, teasing the album’s concept. Rendered in a surreal, storybook painting style, the clip pairs mythlike imagery with heavy, enigmatic music. Near the end, a close-up shot inside a snake’s mouth appears, followed by the album title and release schedule. CRAVITY last year released its second full-length album, “Dare to Crave,” and an epilogue album, expanding its musical range and storyline. All members took part in writing and composing, and the title track “SET NET G0?!” earned two music show wins. The group also held a solo concert at the Handball Gymnasium for the first time since debut, marking its fifth year. The group’s momentum carried into awards, including the performance male group category at the 2024 Super Sound Festival, the Best Performance Award at the 34th Seoul Music Awards, the K World Dream Best Performance Award at the 2025 K World Dream Awards, and the AAA Icon Singer honor at the 10th anniversary Asia Artist Awards. More recently, CRAVITY wrapped its “2026 CRAVITY FAN CONCERT VITY FESTA” and continued overseas activity with the release of its third Japanese single, “BLAST OUT.” CRAVITY will release “ReDeFINE” on April 29 and begin full-scale promotions. Additional content will be rolled out through the group’s official social media channels. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-08 16:27:16
  • Netflix Film Humint Tops Global Top 10 Movies List
    Netflix Film 'Humint' Tops Global Top 10 Movies List The film 'Humint' has surged to No. 1 on Netflix’s Global Top 10 list for non-English movies soon after its release, extending its strong run. According to Netflix’s Tudum Top 10 website on Tuesday, 'Humint' logged 11 million views for the week measured, ranking first in the non-English film category. The result came within five days of its April 1 release. It also outperformed the No. 1 title in Netflix’s English-language film category over the same period, making it the top-performing movie overall on the platform’s weekly chart. The film ranked No. 1 in 14 countries, including South Korea, Taiwan, Romania, Morocco, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Qatar, Kenya, Kuwait, the Philippines and Hong Kong, and appeared in the Top 10 lists in 67 countries worldwide. International reviews have followed. The South China Morning Post said the film delivers “nonstop action without a break,” highlighting the genre payoff in the latter part. Users on IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes also praised its balance of action and emotion and the tension typical of spy thrillers. The performance suggests the film’s genre appeal has resonated with viewers beyond South Korea’s theaters, where it was released before arriving on Netflix. Set in Vladivostok, portrayed as a place where secrets and truths are buried in an icy sea, 'Humint' follows characters with different aims as they collide. The film is directed by Ryoo Seung-wan and stars Jo In-sung, Park Jeong-min, Park Hae-joon and Shin Se-kyung.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-08 15:03:07
  • Review: ‘Salmokji’ turns a reservoir into the engine of fear
    Review: ‘Salmokji’ turns a reservoir into the engine of fear "It feels romantic. The lighting, the temperature, the humidity ..." a guest on a variety show once said. The point was that place, weather and even how you feel can combine to create an atmosphere. Movies work the same way: your mood and experience can become part of how you judge what you see. In that spirit, "Choi’s Review" introduces films through the writer’s perspective, in a more relaxed, everyday voice. <Editor’s note> In some films, a location does not stay in the background. It changes the characters’ rhythm and becomes a force that drives the story. That is the case in “Salmokji,” where the reservoir that gives the film its title functions less as a setting than as the narrative’s anchor. On a weekend morning, producers at the road-view service company Onroad Media are urgently called in after an unidentified figure appears on a road-view image of the rumor-filled reservoir known as Salmokji. PD Han Su-in (Kim Hye-yoon) is ordered to reshoot the footage that day and quickly assembles a team to head to the site. At the reservoir, junior PD Seong-bin (Yoon Jae-chan), PD Se-jeong (Jang Da-a), who runs a “horror exploration” channel, and filming-company head Gyeong-tae (Kim Young-sung) and his younger brother Gyeong-jun (Oh Dong-min) step into an uneasy tension created by the place itself. Once filming begins, their missing senior, Gyo-sik (Kim Jun-han), emerges from the fog, and a series of hard-to-explain events follows. Su-in’s ex-boyfriend, Gi-tae (Lee Jong-won), heads to Salmokji to try to save them, but the situation spirals into confusion and fear. The film builds the reservoir into an active presence, not a mere backdrop. Salmokji steadily unsettles the characters’ senses and even redirects their gaze, making the fear feel physical. Rather than simply recycling familiar ghost-story imagery, the movie reshapes it into the sensation of being pulled under water. Designed elements — a grove of large willows, oddly stacked stone towers and tangled aquatic plants — heighten the reservoir’s texture. The mise-en-scene works to draw viewers downward, as if the space itself is pushing the characters forward. Director Lee Sang-min also translates that space into a contemporary experience. Equipment such as a 360-degree panorama camera, motion detectors and a ghost box is used not as decoration but as a way to make an unseen presence feel immediate. Handheld camerawork, off-kilter framing, fog and the waterline as a boundary build pressure, while jump scares release it with precision. Sound design amplifies stillness, water and small movements, tightening the film’s grip. For that reason, “Salmokji” appears best suited to premium formats rather than standard screenings. The staging suggests an eye toward ScreenX and 4DX, where expanded visuals and physical vibration can turn the audience from observers into participants. The ensemble is a strength. Kim holds the film’s center with a sharp, restrained presence. Lee, introduced in earnest after the midpoint, blends naturally into the story and raises tension. Kim deepens the mystery and chill, while Jang and Yoon help keep the pacing alive. Kim Young-sung and Oh, as the Gyeong-tae brothers, stand out by giving potentially functional roles a sense of everyday realism that reinforces the reservoir’s grounded feel. “Salmokji” aims for more than startle effects, pushing viewers to feel what it means to be held by a place. By layering fiction onto a real reservoir and placing the source of fear in the location itself, it blends classic horror mood with contemporary technique. The film opens in theaters April 8. It runs 95 minutes and is rated for ages 15 and older.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-08 14:09:26
  • Anne Hathaway Says Meryl Streep Shaped Her Career: A Great Gift to My Life
    Anne Hathaway Says Meryl Streep Shaped Her Career: 'A Great Gift' to My Life Anne Hathaway on Tuesday spoke warmly of Meryl Streep, saying Streep’s influence has been a lasting “gift” in her life. A press conference for the film ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ (directed by David Frankel) was held Tuesday afternoon at the Four Seasons Hotel Seoul in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Streep and Hathaway attended. “This movie gave me a lot,” Hathaway said. “I was 22 at the time (of the first film), and my character was 22, too. I had a boss who was scary and amazing, and as a new actor I got to act with the most amazing actor. That experience made me who I am.” “I was influenced by Meryl in every way,” she said. “I think it was a great gift in my life. So many doors opened, and because audiences loved me, I was able to take on other roles.” Hathaway also praised Streep’s approach on set. “Meryl listens to what other people say when she acts, and she gains so much from that,” she said. “As a young actor, I could have gotten stuck in my own performance, but watching Meryl, I could feel what a deep mind is and how quickly her mind works. If you call it our chemistry, Meryl is so good and I just admire her. That’s our chemistry.” ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ follows Miranda (Streep), the legendary editor-in-chief of fashion magazine ‘Runway,’ and Andy (Hathaway), who returns as a planning editor after 20 years, as they reunite with Emily (Emily Blunt), now an executive at a luxury brand. The story centers on their struggle to regain leadership in the fashion world amid a dramatically changed media environment. The film is set for its first theatrical release worldwide on April 29. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-08 13:15:18
  • Meryl Streep Says Grandkids Talk Daily About K-Pop Demon Hunters as K-Culture Spreads
    Meryl Streep Says Grandkids Talk Daily About 'K-Pop Demon Hunters' as K-Culture Spreads Hollywood actors Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway spoke about their interest in Korean culture during a press conference in Seoul. The event for the film 'The Devil Wears Prada 2' (directed by David Frankel) was held Tuesday afternoon at the Four Seasons Hotel Seoul in Jongno-gu. Streep and Hathaway attended. Asked what they would want to cover in Korea if they were fashion editors, Streep said she was especially interested in Korean barbecue. "I’m very interested in Korean barbecue. I spend a lot of time in L.A., and there’s a Korean barbecue place near a hockey arena my son goes to a lot," she said. Streep added that she often hears about Korea while living in the United States. "I have six grandchildren, and every day they talk about 'K-Pop Demon Hunters,' and they really love the songs," she said. "They’re influenced by K-pop and K-culture. It seems to mean the world is connected. Don’t we affect each other’s lives? When I was young, it was hard to experience foreign cultures, but my grandchildren are being influenced by Korean culture. It’s meaningful that we’re connected." Hathaway said Korea is shaping youth culture and has strengths recognized worldwide. "In particular, it’s leading in music, and it’s also outstanding in fashion and skincare, so I’m very interested," she said. "I think there’s a lot of rich content. If I were a features editor like Andy in the film, I would highlight those points and target readers." She added that, as a fashion editor, she would want to interview many people, including directors Park Chan-wook and Bong Joon Ho. 'The Devil Wears Prada 2' follows Miranda (Streep), the legendary editor-in-chief of fashion magazine 'Runway,' and Andy (Hathaway), who returns as a features editor after 20 years. They reunite with Emily (Emily Blunt), now an executive at a luxury brand, and struggle to regain influence in the fashion world amid a dramatically changed media environment. The film is set for its first worldwide theatrical release April 29. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-08 11:48:19