Journalist

Choi Song-hui
  • ‘The Man Who Lives With the King’ Hits 6 Million Viewers as Cast Recalls Key On-Set Moments
    ‘The Man Who Lives With the King’ Hits 6 Million Viewers as Cast Recalls Key On-Set Moments A single movie scene holds many perspectives. Even in the same place and time, a director and actors may remember it differently. <Choi Song-hee’s B-Cut> looks beyond the polished “A-cut” on screen to the behind-the-scenes record that still carries the set’s atmosphere. By cross-checking interviews with the people who made the film, it reconstructs the “B-cut” moments that were often more intense than the finished frame. <Editor’s note> The film “The Man Who Lives With the King” has topped 6 million moviegoers in 20 days, moving at a pace comparable to past hit Korean historical dramas. While audiences celebrate the box-office numbers and the finished scenes, the people who made the film point to different turning points: an off-script suggestion, or a moment of sincerity that surfaced only after the camera stopped rolling. Director Jang Hang-jun said the ensemble began not with popularity but with instinct. He brought together Yoo Hae-jin, Park Ji-hoon, Yoo Ji-tae and Jeon Mi-do, saying he focused on acting rather than name recognition. "People might call it good fortune, but if you flip it around, who gathered them all? Ha ha," Jang said. "If you gave the script to 10 directors, they’d all cast it differently. Before casting, I looked only at acting, excluding popularity. Jeon Mi-do’s role as Maehwa was small, so I thought she might pass, but she accepted readily — and we actually increased her part. For Park Ji-hoon as King Danjong, I decided based only on his eyes in ‘Weak Hero,’ without even knowing he was an idol. And Yoo Hae-jin as Eom Heung-do was automatic in my head from the writing stage." On set, the actors became mirrors for one another. Yoo and Park, separated by nearly 30 years in age, said their work together went beyond a typical senior-junior relationship. Yoo said he discovered unexpected intensity from Park during a cliff scene. "I knew he was from the idol group Wanna One, but I didn’t really know his activities," Yoo said. "After I learned we’d work together, I looked up clips from ‘Weak Hero.’ When we met for the project, his energy was very strong. In the cliff scene, that energy was so intense it surprised me. It pushed me to think, ‘I can’t get complacent.’ I felt I had to stay sharp." One of the film’s most lyrical moments, the riverside water-play scene, was not in the script. It grew out of a behind-the-scenes image of Park spending time alone by the river between takes — a moment Yoo proposed turning into story. "At the end, when Eom Heung-do recovers Danjong’s body, there’s a scene that returns to the past," Yoo said. "I suggested the shot of Eom Heung-do looking sadly at Danjong playing in the water. As we filmed, I felt Eom Heung-do would have the gaze of a parent looking at a young child — someone too young, someone you feel sorry for. I thought we needed a scene where he looks at him with sadness and pity. It’s a tragic death, but I hoped it would convey that someone was by his side." "I heard it started from a single photo," Park said. "During a break, I was playing in the water by the river, and there was a photo taken from behind. What made sense to me was this: I’m at an age when I should be playing with friends, but I’m in exile with no one around, splashing alone. Even though it was me, it felt heartbreaking. I was impressed by his idea." Both actors said their off-camera rapport carried into scenes, where they judged each other’s sincerity through eye contact more than dialogue. "When you’re delivering lines, you look into the other person’s eyes," Yoo said. "You can tell whether they’re in the story or not. In sad scenes, when I look at Ji-hoon’s eyes, they’re already that wet. That pulls your emotions in. And when I’m emotional, his eyes can redden quickly, too. Through that, I thought, ‘He’s in this story.’ He expressed the path of a fragile character like Danjong toward death very well, and I think it was grounded in genuine sincerity." "I admired his acting and always respected him," Park said. "I couldn’t help but be amazed — even shocked — by the energy and rhythm he brought each time." The film’s momentum to 6 million viewers, the participants said, rested not only on careful direction but also on the actors’ close observation of one another and the choices that emerged on set — including a quiet, unscripted moment by the river that helped define the king’s loneliness.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-25 15:33:28
  • Jo In-sung says he’s no action natural, credits director for Humint fight scenes
    Jo In-sung says he’s no action natural, credits director for 'Humint' fight scenes Jo In-sung has reunited with director Ryoo Seung-wan for a third time, following “Escape from Mogadishu” and “Smugglers,” returning in the film “Humint.” He plays “Manager Jo,” a South Korean National Intelligence Service agent who carries out missions with sharp instincts and judgment even in the middle of dangerous operations. After losing an informant for the first time, the character wavers between a cold-blooded assignment and a more human choice. Jo anchors the film with restrained emotion and a steady presence. “I’ve heard people say the action was shot elegantly, but the director and I are the type who get shy and don’t really talk like that,” Jo said. “Honestly, I don’t know much about action. I don’t really have a desire to become an action actor. If it felt (elegant), I think there must have been some kind of magic. If I used my body well, I’d probably dance well, too, but I don’t have that ability.” Because his character is an NIS agent, Jo said he visited and researched real locations as part of his preparation, describing the atmosphere on site and the impression it left. “You leave all your phones behind when you go (to the NIS),” he said. “They tell you not to post anything related, and there’s a tense mood. I got curious and asked (NIS agents) if they have black agents like Kim Doo-sik in ‘Moving,’ but they said it’s a state secret and they can’t talk about it. Ha ha.” To better understand the role, he said he relied on research, drawing on news and documentaries as well as popular TV programs. “By watching variety shows with North Korean defectors, like ‘Now On My Way to Meet You,’ I could look for information such as what kinds of conversations defectors had with the NIS,” he said. “I also used those conversations as reference.” ㅍ Jo said the details of the action were refined on set, and that the movements of a real instructor offered key clues in shaping the character. “The (NIS) instructor was really impressive,” he said. “There are parts I borrowed for the action. It’s feedback from a professional. In action scenes, you can get scolded for ‘trying too hard to look cool,’ but if it’s actually used in the field, then it’s accurate. I thought if we worked those practical elements into the action, audiences might enjoy it.” The opening action sequence also paired him with overseas actors. Jo said the unfamiliar rhythm heightened the tension. “I did action with overseas actors, and they were filming in an unfamiliar place in an unfamiliar way,” he said. “Of course they’d be tense. The action style was different. Even the martial arts director said, ‘So that’s how they react.’ Because it didn’t click perfectly, it made me nervous — like the action coming in deeper than expected. My eyes got wider and they captured that anxious look, and I think it came across as more realistic.” Jo described Manager Jo as a guide who brings viewers into the story, saying he tried not to push emotions too hard. “You identify through Manager Jo’s eyes, and you open and close the film through his daily life,” he said. “As a guide, I thought I shouldn’t make the acting too intense. I didn’t think it was good for my emotions to demand something from the audience. Still, I had to run the character, so I thought a lot about how. I felt the action scenes were important because they show his physical power, and they let me build him in a more three-dimensional way.” He also spoke about working with Park Jung-min, who plays Park Geon, a section chief in North Korea’s State Security Department, and Shin Se-kyung, who plays Chae Sun-hwa, a North Korean restaurant worker and human intelligence source. Though they did not share many scenes, he said their on-set chemistry stood out. “When you say someone has good acting intelligence, it’s sensory but also calculated,” Jo said. “You have to act within a set time, and I think it matters how well you understand what the director is saying. Even though I didn’t have many scenes with Jung-min and Se-kyung, that fit was really good. Everyone did their part, and we often got chances to save time and try what we wanted one more time.” Asked about change and growth after years of work, Jo said he thinks less in terms of being “new” and more in terms of becoming “solid.” “Being active for a long time also means you’re not new,” he said. “People have seen a lot of you. The 고민 about what to do differently is the same. Rather than showing something new, you can show that you’ve become more solid — though you can also change into new clothes. In acting, even staying still can be evolution. You ask whether it came across or not. In the end, I want to get to the point of not acting, but I wonder if that’s realistically possible. These days people talk a lot about naturalistic acting — capturing something truly natural. It’s about setting a goal more than personal development: This time, let’s stay still. Let’s see how I’m captured.” On overseas projects, he mixed in a candid joke, saying distribution has changed but he still sees himself as a “local” actor. “If something comes in, I’ll do it,” he said. “With OTT, our work can go overseas, and overseas expansion can happen. Distribution has improved. But since there are no offers yet, I think, ‘Ah, I’m local.’ Ha ha ha. So far, it doesn’t seem like there’s any reaction from overseas or people recognizing me. I don’t think I have the talent or qualities for overseas projects.” Jo’s next project is director Lee Chang-dong’s “Possible Love,” about two couples living opposite lives whose worlds become entangled, sending cracks through the daily lives of all four. Jo will play a married couple with Cho Yeo-jeong. The film, from the director of “Secret Sunshine” and “Poetry,” drew attention from the casting stage. “I’m curious about how I’ll look in director Lee Chang-dong’s film,” Jo said. “He’s an auteur director, and it’s grounded in reality. I acted in it, and I’m curious how it was captured.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-25 00:04:35
  • OK Records CEO Min Hee-jin to Hold Emergency News Conference After Trial Court Ruling
    OK Records CEO Min Hee-jin to Hold Emergency News Conference After Trial Court Ruling OK Records CEO Min Hee-jin will hold an emergency news conference on the 25th to present her position on a recently issued trial court ruling and outline her next steps. OK Records said on the 24th that Min is convening the event to personally explain the significance of the first-instance decision and her plans for future operations. Earlier, the Seoul Central District Court on the 12th dismissed a lawsuit filed by HYBE against Min and others seeking confirmation that a shareholder agreement had been terminated. The court, however, upheld Min’s lawsuit against HYBE seeking payment for shares tied to her exercise of a put option. The court ordered HYBE to pay Min 25.5 billion won, but HYBE has appealed. The dispute centers on whether the shareholder agreement remained valid. Min notified HYBE in November 2024 that she intended to exercise a put option on her ADOR stake. HYBE has argued the put option was no longer effective because it had already notified Min in July that year that it had terminated the agreement. Min has countered that HYBE’s termination was unjustified, and the trial court sided with her. It will be Min’s first appearance at an official event since the ruling. The news conference is expected to address the 25.5 billion won claim and OK Records’ management direction going forward.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-24 17:57:17
  • BTS’ Jimin, an Emotion-Driven Performer, Builds His Solo Story With ‘FACE’ and ‘MUSE’
    BTS’ Jimin, an Emotion-Driven Performer, Builds His Solo Story With ‘FACE’ and ‘MUSE’ With BTS preparing to return in March, anticipation is rising worldwide. News of the comeback and plans for a world tour has prompted immediate reactions beyond the music industry, including in tourism and local economies, signaling another major wave of interest. BTS is seen as both a global economic force and a symbolic name that elevates South Korea’s image. Ahead of the comeback, this outlet is publishing a “BTS member profile” series, taking a closer look at each of the group’s seven members. <Editor’s note> Jimin serves as BTS’ main dancer and a lead vocalist. Onstage, his strength is how movement and breath work together. As a singer, he uses breath to heighten emotion, shifting between a sensual edge and a softer tone. He is also known for smooth transitions between chest voice and falsetto, steady tone across his range and a distinctive vocal color that is easy to recognize. Dance is central to his identity as a performer. He began popping in middle school and entered Busan High School of Arts as the top student in its dance department. Before moving to Seoul, he focused on contemporary dance, refining line and emotional expression. That background helps explain why his performances often feel narrative-driven, with detailed facial expressions and mood changes that track each song’s concept. As a solo artist, Jimin started with self-examination. His first official solo album, “FACE,” centered on confronting emotional highs and lows during the pandemic. The pre-release track “Set Me Free Pt.2” opened with a rougher intensity, while the title track “Like Crazy” translated his inner world with a more delicate touch. Moving among pop, hip-hop and R&B, the album links its emotional arc across tracks, leaving what the title suggests: a record of facing his “real self.” Results followed. “Like Crazy” reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100, a first for a Korean solo artist, and also earned a certification from the Recording Industry Association of America. “FACE” quickly expanded its global streaming performance, firmly establishing the start of Jimin’s solo run. His second solo album, “MUSE,” shifts direction. If “FACE” confronted the self, “MUSE” looks outward for sources of inspiration. The album’s through line is love, moving from “Rebirth” through “Smeraldo Garden Marching Band” and “Slow Dance,” changing emotional texture, turning the mood with “Be Mine,” and peaking with the title track “Who.” Across seven tracks, Jimin frames love as searching, confirming and, at times, drifting. The album’s palette also widens. Working again with producer Pdogg and additional producers, Jimin aimed for higher polish, while collaborations with Loco and Sofia Carson broadened its harmonies. He has said the album drew inspiration from The Beatles’ “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,” a reference point for its romantic tone and structure. “Smeraldo Garden Marching Band,” which invokes the Smeraldo symbol from BTS’ broader narrative universe, presents a message for feelings that cannot be spoken, highlighting both Jimin’s lyricism and optimism. Above all, “Who” has become a song defined by endurance. Its cumulative streams on Spotify have continued to rise, sustaining long-term momentum, and “MUSE” has also expanded its presence through steady streaming results. The approach of letting the music build over time, rather than relying on flashy promotion, has become another side of Jimin’s solo identity. Jimin ultimately is an artist who speaks emotion first through dance and leaves it lingering through his voice. When his onstage immersion and the narratives in his recordings point in the same direction, his name comes into sharper focus. In this “BTS member profile” series, Jimin has built his chapter in that way.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-24 17:04:08
  • Disney+ ‘Fate War 49’ Apologizes for Segment Involving Fallen Police Officer, Firefighter
    Disney+ ‘Fate War 49’ Apologizes for Segment Involving Fallen Police Officer, Firefighter The producers of Disney+’s “Fate War 49” apologized Tuesday after the show drew backlash for a mission that asked contestants to guess the causes of death of a fallen police officer and firefighter. In a statement, the “Fate War 49” team said that while a shaman contestant was performing a reading without knowing the deceased, “inappropriate language and descriptions” were used. The producers said they “sincerely apologize” to those who died in the line of duty, their bereaved families, colleagues and others who were distressed by the segment. They added that staff are listening to the families, apologizing for failing to consider their feelings in advance, and working to resolve the issue. The producers also said they will take greater care across production and strengthen internal review and production processes going forward. “Fate War 49” is a survival variety show in which 49 fortune-tellers carry out missions to test their fate. In Episode 2, released Feb. 11, a mission asked contestants to guess the cause of death of the late Senior Police Officer Lee Jae-hyeon, who died in 2004 while apprehending a suspect in a violent crime case. During the segment, one shaman said, “People commonly call getting stabbed a ‘kalbbang,’ don’t they? I can see being stabbed, too.” The National Police Officers’ Workplace Council, described as an alternative organization to the police union, protested in a statement, saying it was “deeply angry and devastated” by what it called the cast and producers’ “senseless behavior” in belittling a public servant’s sacrifice with a crude slang term and turning it into entertainment. In the same episode, some contestants also discussed possible causes — including fire, collapse and being crushed — in connection with the death of the late Fire Sergeant Kim Cheol-hong, who died in 2001 at a fire scene in Hongje-dong, Seodaemun District, Seoul. The family and a firefighters’ union also raised objections.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-24 14:54:15
  • Panic Duo Lee Juck and Kim Jin-pyo to Hold First Solo Concert in 20 Years
    Panic Duo Lee Juck and Kim Jin-pyo to Hold First Solo Concert in 20 Years Singer Lee Juck and rapper Kim Jin-pyo, the duo known as Panic, will stage a solo concert for the first time in 20 years. According to Music Farm Entertainment on the 24th, Panic will perform “2026 Panic Concert - Panic Is Coming (PANIC IS COMING)” from April 16-19 at the LG Signature Hall of LG Arts Center Seoul in Gangseo-gu, Seoul. Panic debuted in 1995 and released four albums, producing songs including “Snail,” “Left-Handed,” “UFO” and “The Sea in My Old Drawer.” The group built a lasting reputation in Korean pop music with experimental yet widely popular tracks. Ticket sales begin at 4 p.m. on the 25th through the LG Arts Center Seoul website and NOL Ticket. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-24 13:48:17
  • The Kings Warden takes box office by storm with 6 million viewers
    'The King's Warden' takes box office by storm with 6 million viewers SEOUL, February 24 (AJP) - Director Jang Hang-jun's "The King's Warden" has attracted over 600 million viewers since its release earlier this month. The period film surpassed 6 million in cumulative ticket sales as of Monday, three weeks after its release on Feb. 4, the film's distributor Showbox said on Tuesday. It reached the milestone faster than the 2005 hit period film "The King and the Clown," which took 29 days, raising expectations that "The King's Warden" could become this year's first film to draw over 10 million moviegoers. The 117-minute film starring Park Ji-hoon, Yoo Hae-jin and Yoo Ji-tae, tells the story of Danjong, the sixth king of the Joseon Dynasty, who was exiled to Yeongwol, Gangwon Province. 2026-02-24 10:21:47
  • Jung Hae-in to Hold March Fan Meeting in Seoul; Fan Club Presales Open Today
    Jung Hae-in to Hold March Fan Meeting in Seoul; Fan Club Presales Open Today Actor Jung Hae-in will meet fans at a March fan event in Seoul, his agency said. FNC Entertainment said on its official social media channels on Feb. 23 that it released an additional poster for the 2026 Jung Hae-in fan meeting, titled ‘Jung Hae-in Chwihyangin Gathering.’ The poster shows Jung smiling beside a teddy bear wearing a hat that reads “HAPPY BIRTHDAY,” marking the fan meeting ahead of his April 1 birthday. The 2026 fan meeting will be held March 28-29 at Ewha Womans University’s Grand Auditorium in Seoul. It will be his first in-person meeting with domestic fans in about a year. Fan club presales open at 8 p.m. today (24) through Melon Ticket. General sales begin at 8 p.m. on the 27th.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-24 08:49:21
  • Seoul Police Step Up Ticket Fraud Crackdown, Crowd Plans for BTS Gwanghwamun Show
    Seoul Police Step Up Ticket Fraud Crackdown, Crowd Plans for BTS Gwanghwamun Show Police are tightening measures to prevent ticket scams and manage crowds ahead of BTS’ concert set for March 21 at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul. With as many as 260,000 people — including foreign tourists — expected to gather, authorities said they will focus on safety. Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency Commissioner Park Jeong-bo said at a regular news briefing on Feb. 23 that police are “continuously monitoring” crimes that could arise around ticket sales. He said police have asked platforms to delete or block 34 posts so far, including listings for proxy purchases and resales. Police said offers online for ticket proxy buying or high-priced resales are likely to be scams. Park warned of possible secondary harm, saying scammers may steal and misuse personal information under the guise of proxy purchasing, and urged consumers to be cautious. Police also plan to prepare for illegal bookings using macros and scalping, as well as potential crimes on the day of the event, including sex crimes and theft. For crowd control, police will use a “stadium-style” approach. The event area will be divided into four zones by risk level — core, hot, warm and cold — and density will be managed through 29 entry routes. Crowd-control lines will also be installed by zone based on expected movement. Traffic restrictions are also being finalized. The agency has asked Seoul Metro to consider having trains pass through three nearby stations — Gwanghwamun, Gyeongbokgung and City Hall — without stopping. On the day of the concert, phased traffic controls will be imposed on major roads including Sejong-daero, Saemunan-ro, Jongno, Sajik-ro and Yulgok-ro. Park said a midterm safety review meeting on Feb. 20 rechecked overall preparations. “We will concentrate available personnel with public safety as the top priority,” he said. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-24 08:03:09
  • Jang Hang-jun’s ‘The Man Who Lives With the King’ Tops 6 Million Moviegoers in 20 Days
    Jang Hang-jun’s ‘The Man Who Lives With the King’ Tops 6 Million Moviegoers in 20 Days '왕과 사는 남자' has drawn more than 6 million moviegoers. Showbox said on the 24th that the film passed 6 million in cumulative admissions on its 20th day in theaters, on the 23rd. It reached the mark faster than '왕의 남자' (29 days) and '사도' (26 days), and matched the pace of the hit '광해, 왕이 된 남자.' Set in 1457 at Cheongnyeongpo, the historical drama follows a village chief who chooses exile to revive his community and a young deposed king sent into exile. The film is directed by Jang Hang-jun and stars Yoo Hae-jin, Park Ji-hoon, Yoo Ji-tae and Jeon Mi-do. '왕과 사는 남자' is now playing in theaters.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-24 07:57:15