Journalist

Choi Song-hui
  • 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
  • Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway Bring The Devil Wears Prada 2 to Seoul Ahead of April 29 Release
    Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway Bring 'The Devil Wears Prada 2' to Seoul Ahead of April 29 Release The fashion-world duo of Miranda and Andy returned to the spotlight in Seoul, two decades after the original film, as "The Devil Wears Prada 2" arrives in a media landscape reshaped by smartphones and digital disruption. A press event for the film was held Tuesday afternoon at the Four Seasons Hotel Seoul in Jongno-gu. Stars Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway attended. Streep, visiting South Korea for the first time, thanked the audience for the welcome. "This is my first time coming to Korea. Thank you for welcoming us warmly," she said. "I’m happy we can show you a film we love so much, and I’m glad to be here with a project I’m proud of." Hathaway said she wished she could stay longer. "I’m a little disappointed — I wish I could have been here a bit longer," she said, adding that visiting Starfield Library was on her bucket list but time was short. "Still, I’m going to try to do as much as I can with the time I have. I’m trying to figure out how to eat as much delicious food as possible," she said, drawing laughter. Asked what kind of story they would pursue if they were fashion-magazine editors covering Korean culture, Hathaway pointed to the country’s global influence. "Korea is leading youth culture right now and has so many strengths worldwide," she said, citing music, fashion and skin care. She added that, as an editor, she would want to interview directors Park Chan-wook and Bong Joon-ho. Streep said she was interested in Korean barbecue, noting there is a restaurant near a hockey arena her son frequents in Los Angeles. She also described how Korean pop culture reaches her family. "I have six grandchildren, and every day they talk about 'K-pop Demon Hunters' and they really love the songs," she said. "They’re being influenced by K-pop and K-culture. It feels like the world is connected. We affect each other’s lives." Streep said the sequel needed time. "I never thought, 'Why couldn’t we do it earlier?'" she said. "We needed 20 years. This story has to be 'now.' Because 20 years have passed, just as audiences were surprised by the first film, they can be surprised by the second, too." She said the 2026 media environment is central to the film. "When the first film came out in 2006, it was before the iPhone was released," Streep said. "Now everyone has a smartphone. Smartphones changed everything. Journalism and print culture changed, and entertainment changed, too. Our industry is going through major upheaval, and financially there are questions about how to get through these difficulties. This film is set against a rapidly changing media environment 20 years later." Hathaway agreed, saying the film reflects the impact of "digital innovation" on journalism and fashion. She said Andy, once a 22-year-old new graduate, returns 20 years later with experience, skills and confidence, and appears as Miranda’s potential partner. Hathaway said the sequel’s message extends beyond independent women to independence as an individual. "In the second film, Andy is paying all the bills she needs to pay," she said. "It would be nice if there’s a good person, but she thinks she’s great even 'on her own.'" Streep spoke about representation for older women on screen. "It’s rare in films to see a woman over 70 play a boss like this," she said, adding she was glad to portray a character with that kind of presence. She also said she recently appeared on a Vogue cover with editor Anna Wintour, with a 76-year-old photographer. "Women over 50 gradually disappear, and their opinions and thoughts are reflected less in culture," she said. "I’m happy we can show people with a strong presence." Hathaway praised Streep’s approach to acting. "Meryl listens to what other people say when she acts, and she gains so much from that," she said. "If our chemistry is anything, it’s that Meryl is so good and I’m just in awe. That’s our chemistry." Streep said filming the sequel was energized by the reunion. "When we made the second film, the energy between us caught fire — it was lively and fun," she said. She added she enjoyed working again with Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci, and said the group’s chemistry grew stronger. Near the end of the event, the production presented the actors with red high heels inspired by traditional Korean flower shoes. Streep called them "incredible" and "so beautiful," while Hathaway said they felt like a treasure and that she would remember the day when she looked at them. The two said they were looking forward to meeting fans later Tuesday at 7 p.m. Streep thanked the public for the warm reception and said she wanted to greet everyone in Korea. Hathaway said she was grateful to talk about life and dreams and called it an honor to return. "The Devil Wears Prada 2" follows Miranda, editor-in-chief of the legendary fashion magazine Runway, and Andy, who returns as a features editor after 20 years. They reunite with Emily, now an executive at a luxury brand, and struggle to regain leadership in the fashion world amid a transformed media environment. The film opens in South Korean theaters on April 29, ahead of the rest of the world. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-08 11:42:26
  • Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway Share Impressions of Visit to South Korea for Devil Wears Prada 2
    Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway Share Impressions of Visit to South Korea for 'Devil Wears Prada 2' Hollywood actors Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway shared their impressions of visiting South Korea.  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. Streep said she was excited on the flight in after seeing mountain ranges and that she had not known much about Seoul. "I've traveled a lot, but I would pass by Korea. This is my first time coming," she said. She added that the hotel where she is staying was the best she has experienced, saying the bed was so comfortable she could hardly wake up. "Thank you for welcoming us so warmly," she said. "I'm happy we can show you a film we love so much, and I'm glad to bring a work we are proud of to Korea." Hathaway, visiting South Korea for the first time in eight years, said she wished she could stay longer. She said visiting Starfield Library was on her bucket list but she did not have enough time. "Still, I want to do as much as I can in the time we have," she said, adding that she was thinking about how to eat as much good food as possible. 'The Devil Wears Prada 2' follows Miranda (Streep), editor-in-chief of the legendary 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 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 11:33:18
  • BTS Places 10 Songs on Billboard Hot 100 for Second Straight Week With Arirang
    BTS Places 10 Songs on Billboard Hot 100 for Second Straight Week With 'Arirang' BTS continued its global run with 10 songs on Billboard’s main singles chart, the Hot 100. According to Billboard’s latest charts released April 7, the title track “SWIM” from the group’s fifth full-length album, “ARIRANG,” ranked No. 2 on the April 11 Hot 100. Other album tracks also charted: “Body to Body” at No. 42, “Hooligan” at No. 64, “NORMAL” at No. 73, “FYA” at No. 74, “2.0” at No. 75, “Aliens” at No. 84, “Like Animals” at No. 90, “they don’t know bout us” at No. 94 and “Merry Go Round” at No. 96. The group also held strong on Billboard’s global charts. “SWIM” stayed No. 1 for a second straight week on both the Global 200 and Global Excl. U.S. charts. “Body to Body” ranked No. 2 on both charts, and all 13 vocal tracks from “ARIRANG” placed within the top 30 on Global Excl. U.S. and within the top 40 on the Global 200. BTS also led several major Billboard rankings this week, topping the Artist 100, Digital Song Sales, Top Album Sales and Billboard 200 charts. Its second consecutive week at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 was described as a first for a Korean artist. The group also ranked No. 1 on World Digital Song Sales, No. 2 on Streaming Songs, and No. 3 on Top Streaming Albums and Vinyl Albums. In Japan, “ARIRANG” remained popular on Oricon. In the latest Oricon chart released April 8, the album ranked No. 1 for a second straight week on the Weekly Streaming Ranking with about 8.55 million weekly plays. Oricon said it was the first time since November 2024’s “APT.” that an overseas artist had led the chart for two consecutive weeks. “ARIRANG” is BTS’ first new release in three years and nine months. The album is described as capturing universal emotions, while “SWIM” expresses a determination to keep moving forward through life’s hardships. RM took part broadly in writing the lyrics, reflecting what the group wants to say now.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-08 08:27:50
  • BTS’ ‘Arirang’ Tops Billboard 200 for Second Week, Netflix Live Draws 18.4 Million
    BTS’ ‘Arirang’ Tops Billboard 200 for Second Week, Netflix Live Draws 18.4 Million After a 3-year, 9-month wait, BTS returned with its fifth full-length album, “Arirang (ARIRANG),” and quickly posted major results across charts and streaming platforms. ◆Billboard 200: Two straight weeks at No. 1, a first for a Korean act BTS’ “Arirang” held the top spot for a second consecutive week on the Billboard 200, the main U.S. albums chart. A chart preview published on the 6th said the album remained No. 1 on the April 11-dated chart. It is the first time a Korean artist has led the Billboard 200 for two straight weeks. It is also BTS’ seventh No. 1 album on the chart. In its second week, “Arirang” recorded 187,000 album units. That included 114,000 in pure album sales, 65,000 streaming equivalent album (SEA) units and 8,000 track equivalent album (TEA) units. The album debuted with 641,000 units in its first week, the group’s best weekly total for an album, and maintained strong numbers in week two. ◆Spotify and Netflix: Strong results across platforms BTS also led Spotify’s latest weekly global charts, taking No. 1 on “Weekly Top Albums,” “Weekly Top Songs” and “Weekly Top Artists” for a second straight week. A key moment in the comeback came on March 21 at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, where about 100,000 people gathered for a comeback stage. The event was livestreamed on Netflix to about 190 countries. Netflix data cited in the article said 18.4 million people connected simultaneously on the day of the live broadcast. Afterward, it ranked in the weekly top 10 in 80 countries and No. 1 weekly in 24 countries. ◆HYBE cites U.S. song camps and a Korea-forward concept HYBE and BigHit Music pointed to three factors behind the results: a production system built around large song camps in the United States, a concept that puts Korean sensibilities at the center, and a strategy aimed at expanding beyond the core fan base. The companies said Bang Si-hyuk, HYBE’s board chairman, leased a U.S. studio for an extended period in 2025 and brought in multiple producers. Through repeated song camps, 200 to 300 candidate songs were gathered, with final tracks selected from that pool. The album’s concept highlights Korean elements. The article said “Arirang” incorporates a traditional rhythm pattern and other cultural motifs into a global pop framework. It said the track “ALIENS” reflects aspects of everyday Korean life, and the title track “SWIM” uses visuals tied to Korean spatial aesthetics. The sixth track, “NO. 29,” uses the sound of the bell of King Seongdeok’s Divine Bell from the Silla era. ◆Beyond the fan base: New listeners up more than 690% Spotify data cited in the article said the number of new listeners who first encountered BTS music on the album’s release day jumped by more than 690%. International reviews also followed. The Guardian said, “If ‘BUTTER’ was an attempt to move toward the Western mainstream market, ‘Arirang’ is an album that invites the world in BTS’ own way.” Rolling Stone UK gave the album a perfect score, praising its scale and completeness. ◆‘ARIRANG’ world tour to open in Goyang BTS is set to open “BTS WORLD TOUR ARIRANG” on April 9 at the main stadium of Goyang Sports Complex in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. With results already posted across album charts, streaming and online viewing, the group is now moving into touring as its next phase of activity. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-08 00:06:26
  • Korean Film Directors Lee Joon-ik, Lee Byung-hun Move Into Short-Form Dramas
    Korean Film Directors Lee Joon-ik, Lee Byung-hun Move Into Short-Form Dramas Korean film directors are increasingly turning to short-form dramas, a format once seen largely as a proving ground for newcomers. After director Lee Byung-hun joined Lezhin Snack’s original series “The Baby’s Dad Is My Guy Friend” as planner and director, director Lee Joon-ik has also stepped into the space with “A Father’s Home-Cooked Meal.” Lezhin Snack said “A Father’s Home-Cooked Meal” wrapped filming March 24 and has moved into postproduction. Based on a webtoon of the same name by writer Gorita, the story follows a family after the wife, Soon-ae, can no longer cook following an accident. Her husband, Ha-eung, who has kept his distance from the kitchen his whole life, begins making home-cooked meals for the first time, and family relationships shift along the way. The company said the adaptation builds on the original’s emotional tone — using food to explore intergenerational ties — while deepening the narrative and character interpretations for the screen. Lee Joon-ik, known for films including “The King and the Clown,” “Dongju: The Portrait of a Poet” and “The Book of Fish,” is directing a short-form drama for the first time. His move from feature-length theatrical storytelling to a vertical frame and faster pacing has drawn industry attention. Lee said, “This is my first time trying a short-form drama. Within a vertical frame, you can clearly observe even the deepest corners of a character. I set it up so we don’t miss the good parts of the original, while allowing the story to gain depth.” The cast includes Jung Jin-young, Lee Jung-eun and Byun Yo-han. Jung plays Ha-eung, who takes responsibility for home cooking after his wife can no longer do it. Lee plays Soon-ae, who has long anchored the family table but suddenly forgets how to cook, disrupting everyday life. Byun plays their son, Myung-bok, who watches the changes up close. Their participation reflects a broader trend of lead-level actors joining short-form projects. The shift is not limited to Lee Joon-ik. Lee Byung-hun’s “The Baby’s Dad Is My Guy Friend” has continued to draw viewers since its release and has emerged as one of the platform’s notable hits, according to the report. The involvement of directors already recognized for commercial appeal and directing skill in film and television suggests the market mood around short formats is changing. Lezhin Snack said it is expanding production of “premium content” that delivers polished storytelling within the short-form format. The company described “A Father’s Home-Cooked Meal” as a project drawing expectations through its combination of source material, creators and cast — and as an example of its strategy to pursue both quality and broad appeal within a short runtime. The company’s upcoming slate also points to a widening range for short-form dramas. Beyond “A Father’s Home-Cooked Meal,” Lezhin Snack plans to roll out “Special Conditions of My Live-in Boyfriend,” “A Naughty Blind Date,” “Bad Kid Good Partner” and “Mujin: A Female Professor Seduces Her Student,” spanning family drama, romance, BL and revenge stories. “Mujin: A Female Professor Seduces Her Student” is directed by Kim Hwi, who made the films “The Neighbors” and “The Murder Case at Itaewon,” while “Bad Kid Good Partner” is directed by Kim Sun-bin, who has drawn attention in the independent film scene. With Lee Byung-hun followed by Lee Joon-ik moving into short-form drama directing, industry watchers are paying closer attention to how the format could reshape content strategies going forward.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-07 16:09:14
  • SM Entertainment Subsidiary Studio Realive Names Kim Jong-min as CEO
    SM Entertainment Subsidiary Studio Realive Names Kim Jong-min as CEO Studio Realive, a subsidiary of SM Entertainment, has appointed Chief Creative Officer Kim Jong-min as its new CEO. Kim previously co-founded GiiOii Studio and has worked as an XR curator for the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival. He has also served as an adjunct professor at the Korea National University of Arts and as a full-time professor at the Korea Creative Content Agency’s New Content Academy. He joined Studio Realive as CCO in 2024 and has built expertise in planning, curating and producing content based on creative technology. During his tenure as CCO, Kim established collaboration frameworks with Meta, Google DeepMind and Moment Factory. He led immersive spaces and content projects, focusing on internalizing technology and strengthening platform competitiveness. The company said he has been recognized for balancing artistic quality with business viability, drawing on on-the-ground experience as both a producer and curator. Studio Realive said it plans to accelerate efforts to expand innovative media projects into a sustainable business ecosystem under Kim’s leadership. Studio Realive is an “entertech” company that combines K-pop with artificial intelligence and extended reality technologies to design next-generation entertainment experiences. It aims to build an ecosystem in which fans participate as co-creators through a content universe based on SM’s intellectual property and story worlds, and to present a new entertainment paradigm built around new experiences and narratives.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-07 14:12:15
  • 3 Audience Members Injured After Safety Barrier Collapses at Super Junior Concert, SM Says
    3 Audience Members Injured After Safety Barrier Collapses at Super Junior Concert, SM Says Three audience members were injured at a Super Junior concert after a safety barrier in the seating area collapsed, SM Entertainment said. SM said on the 6th that the incident happened the previous day during Super Junior’s 20th anniversary world tour concert, “Super Show 10,” at KSPO Dome in Seoul’s Songpa district. The barrier gave way during the encore, and three people fell and were hurt. “The injured were immediately taken to a hospital for necessary tests and treatment,” SM said. Medical staff advised that they need about two weeks of rest and treatment for sprains and bruises, the company said. SM apologized to those affected and their families, saying it would support treatment and “do our best” until the injured fully recover. The company said it “deeply feels the heavy responsibility” as the concert organizer and would strengthen facility safety checks and crowd safety management to prevent a recurrence.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-06 17:39:15
  • Byeon Woo-seok Returns in MBC’s ‘21st Century Grand Princess’ After Two-Year Gap
    Byeon Woo-seok Returns in MBC’s ‘21st Century Grand Princess’ After Two-Year Gap Actor Byeon Woo-seok shared his thoughts on returning to viewers about two years after “Lovely Runner.” A production presentation for MBC’s drama “21st Century Grand Princess” (written by Yoo Ji-won; directed by Park Jun-hwa and Bae Hee-young) was held on the afternoon of April 6 at Josun Palace Seoul Gangnam in Seoul. Director Park and cast members IU, Byeon, Noh Sang-hyun, Gong Seung-yeon, Yoo Su-bin and Lee Yeon attended. Byeon said he was grateful for the attention and love he received for “Lovely Runner.” “Rather than feeling pressured, I hope people will love me even more,” he said. “As much as I’m given interest and support, I’ll keep improving and do my best.” He added, “I really like the attention. As someone who works as an actor, I think it’s the mindset you should have when you act.” On playing Prince Ian, a role that requires delicate emotional acting, Byeon said he built the character through extensive talks with the director. “I also did my best in this project to play Prince Ian,” he said. “I paid attention so viewers could empathize emotionally, and I tried to focus on his story.” “21st Century Grand Princess” is set in a 21st century constitutional monarchy. It follows a romance between a wealthy conglomerate heiress frustrated that she is only a commoner by status and a king’s son saddened that he cannot have anything, as they try to shape their own fate and break through class barriers. It will be released at 9:40 p.m. on April 10 on MBC and Disney+.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-06 15:48:40