Journalist

Choi Song-hui
  • HYBE America’s Big Machine Label Group Rebrands as Blue Highway Records, Names Jake Basden CEO
    HYBE America’s Big Machine Label Group Rebrands as Blue Highway Records, Names Jake Basden CEO HYBE America said Tuesday that its label Big Machine Label Group, or BMLG, has rebranded as Blue Highway Records and appointed music and marketing veteran Jake Basden as CEO. The company said Blue Highway Records will keep BMLG’s existing assets, distribution deals and roster. Its artists and songwriters include Thomas Rhett, Brett Young, Justin Moore, Carly Pearce and Preston Cooper. Through Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment, it handles distribution for Riley Green, The Band Perry and Greylan James. Valory Music is set to be folded into Blue Highway Records, while publishing company Big Machine Music will remain under HYBE America. Basden most recently served as president of Nashville-based Sandbox Management, overseeing artist management and business development. HYBE America said he has worked with artists including Kacey Musgraves, Brandi Carlile, Kate Hudson and Kelsea Ballerini. Basden previously served at BMLG as senior vice president of publicity, working closely with Taylor Swift, Sheryl Crow, Tim McGraw and Steven Tyler, the company said. It also credited him with leading music campaigns for NBC’s “The Voice” and Fox’s “American Idol,” and noted that a song from the documentary “Glen Campbell: I’ll Be Me” earned an Academy Award nomination for best original song. Isaac Lee, HYBE America’s chairman and CEO, said the company prioritized choosing “someone who puts artists first” and called Basden a strong fit with deep ties to Nashville’s music community. Lee said Basden’s experience and “modern sensibility” for the digital era will help Blue Highway Records grow and expand HYBE’s influence in North America. Basden said Blue Highway Records is well positioned to help define the future sound of country and American roots music. He said combining HYBE’s capabilities with global synergy would remove limits on creativity, and that he plans to work with current and future artists on music and projects that resonate with audiences. Scott Borchetta, who led BMLG, recently left the company and reacquired the brand rights to “Big Machine Records” from HYBE America.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-19 09:09:00
  • BTS’ J-Hope Donates 350 Million Won for Children’s Care and Animal Welfare on Birthday
    BTS’ J-Hope Donates 350 Million Won for Children’s Care and Animal Welfare on Birthday BTS member J-Hope donated a total of 350 million won on his birthday, Feb. 18, supporting children’s health care, student scholarships and animal welfare. He gave 200 million won to Asan Medical Center in Seoul. The hospital said the money will be used to improve facilities and the medical environment for pediatric and adolescent patients, support home-based care for critically ill children, and run psychological healing programs. Through the child welfare agency ChildFund Korea, he also donated 100 million won in scholarships for students at his alma mater. J-Hope also donated 50 million won to animal protection groups, adding his own money to proceeds from an earlier auction of collaboration items with Human Made titled “HUMAN HOPE: A JOOPITER Special.” The donation will support the work of “Animal Rescue 119” and “My Love Baduki With Companion Animals.” “I'm grateful to be able to share in a meaningful way on my birthday,” J-Hope said through his agency, BigHit Music. He said he wanted to help children receiving treatment, students pursuing their dreams and animals in need of protection, and thanked ARMY, BTS’ fan community, for its support. He added that he hopes 2026 will be “a hopeful and warm year for everyone.” J-Hope has donated a cumulative 500 million won to Asan Medical Center. He has also joined ChildFund Korea’s Green Noble Trinity Club, a group for donors who have given more than 1 billion won in total.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-19 08:18:00
  • BTS’ J-Hope: Main Dancer Who Built a Distinct Solo Career
    BTS’ J-Hope: Main Dancer Who Built a Distinct Solo Career With BTS set to return as a group in March, anticipation is building worldwide. The comeback news, carried by Arirang, along with plans for a world tour, is prompting immediate reactions beyond the music industry, including in tourism and broader local economies. BTS is seen as both a force with global economic impact and a symbolic name that elevates South Korea’s image. Ahead of the comeback, this outlet is profiling the seven members in a “BTS Member Spotlight” series. <Editor’s note> J-Hope, whose real name is Jung Ho-seok, serves as BTS’ main dancer as well as a sub-rapper and sub-vocalist. Onstage, he is known for driving the rhythm early and anchoring the choreography. Choreographers and fellow members have cited him as the group’s top dancer. Since his trainee days, he has helped lead the members’ dance practice and is known for mastering difficult moves quickly, a responsibility that remains central to the group’s performances. Though he started as a dancer, his growth as a rapper has also stood out. He learned rap after joining the company and has shown clear progress with each album. Early tracks such as “BTS Cypher PT.3: KILLER” from “DARK & WILD” and “BTS Cypher pt.1” from “O!RUL8,2?” captured a rougher energy, while “Moving” from “The Most Beautiful Moment in Life pt.1” showed a smoother tone and flow. His rap is marked by wide shifts in pitch and a distinctive flow, heard in songs including “Save ME,” “BTS Cypher PT.3: KILLER” and “BTS Cypher 4.” His presence is also felt in vocal parts. His solo track “MAMA,” included on the second full-length album “WINGS,” foregrounded his personal story in a confession to his mother. He has delivered standout moments in songs such as “AWAKE” and “Whalien 52.” RM has praised him, saying he has “an excellent sense for creating popular melodies,” a line often cited to describe J-Hope’s musical instincts. J-Hope began moving as a creator relatively early. In December 2015, he released his first track, “1 VERSE,” signaling the start of more personal work. He followed with his first mixtape, “Hope World,” in March 2018. Its title track, “Daydream,” highlighted his bright energy and color, marking a shift from performer to an artist shaping his own world. That expansion continued with “Chicken Noodle Soup,” released in September 2019. The song borrowed the original chorus and drew attention through a collaboration with Becky G, gaining mainstream traction as a TikTok challenge spread. In 2022, he released his first official solo album, “Jack In The Box,” presenting a darker inner world and personal 고민 at the forefront. In March 2023, he released “on the street,” a warmer, lo-fi hip-hop track built around hope and comfort. Using the street as a motif, it looked back on his beginnings and the time since, with J-Hope participating in writing and composing to set the direction. The song reached No. 1 on iTunes in multiple regions and entered the U.K. Official Singles Chart and the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, underscoring his presence as a solo artist. On Spotify, it has continued to accumulate streams over time. In 2024, he broadened the “street” theme again with the special album “HOPE ON THE STREET VOL.1,” tied to a documentary project. In March 2025, he released “Sweet Dreams,” an R&B-leaning love song centered on a dreamy sound and soft vocal lines, described as a signal of full-scale solo activity after his discharge. Later that March, “MONA LISA” paired hip-hop R&B with a more relaxed vibe and performance, carrying a message about each person’s uniqueness rather than outward beauty. In June, “Killin’ It Girl” pushed a more direct hip-hop track and stronger performance. He took part in the production of these releases as well, reinforcing his identity as a solo artist. Onstage, J-Hope remains a dancer who holds the group’s center. He is especially strong in choreography that demands technique, including “technical wave” and popping, and he also stands out in freestyle. His past experience as a street dancer still shows in his performances. His opening freestyle in stages such as “MIC DROP” is often cited as a signature moment. Known for bright energy and a diligent approach, J-Hope is an artist who helps lift the group’s mood while shaping both performance and music. Within BTS, he has long been the one to raise the temperature of the stage first. His solo work has shown that role extends beyond the group.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-18 06:03:00
  • CORTIS Debuts New Song at NBA Crossover Concert Series in Los Angeles
    CORTIS Debuts New Song at NBA Crossover Concert Series in Los Angeles 그룹 코르티스(CORTIS)가 미국프로농구협회(The National Basketball Association) 주관 페스티벌 무대에서 신곡을 깜짝 공개했다. 코르티스는 13일(한국시간) 미국 로스앤젤레스 컨벤션 센터에서 열린 ‘NBA 크로스오버 콘서트 시리즈’(NBA Crossover concert series)에 헤드라이너로 나섰다. 이 공연은 2026 NBA 올스타 주간에 열리는 ‘NBA 크로스오버’의 일환으로, 스포츠와 문화·음악·패션을 결합한 엔터테인먼트 행사다. 코르티스는 이 무대에 오른 첫 한국 가수라고 소속사는 전했다. 공연은 전석 매진됐다. 공연장에는 전날 새벽부터 코르티스 MD와 슬로건을 든 팬들이 몰렸고, 미국 각지에서 온 ‘코어’(팬덤명)로 인파가 건물 밖까지 이어졌다. 코르티스는 ‘What You Want’, ‘FaSHioN’, ‘JoyRide_’ 등 데뷔 앨범 수록곡과 함께, 이날 발표된 팀의 첫 OST ‘Mention Me’도 선보였다. 관객들은 노래를 따라 부르고 응원법을 함께했다. 마틴이 편곡한 리믹스 버전 ‘GO!’가 나오자 관객들은 포인트 안무를 함께 췄다. 앙코르에서는 신곡 ‘YOUNGCREATORCREW_’를 처음 공개했다. 코르티스는 “곧 컴백을 앞두고 있다. 이곳에서 신곡을 처음 들려드리게 돼 기쁘다. ‘코어’분들을 위해 오는 3월 ‘영크리에이터크루’ 무대를 보여드리는 색다른 자리를 마련할 예정이다. 계속 관심 갖고 지켜봐 달라”고 말했다. ‘영크리에이터크루’는 곧 공개할 신보 수록곡이다. 코르티스는 스스로를 팀을 설명하는 키워드인 ‘영 크리에이터 크루’라고 소개하면서도, 한 단어로 규정되고 싶지 않은 감정을 노래한다. 멤버들이 곡 작업에 참여했다. 코르티스는 14일 미국 캘리포니아 기아 포럼에서 열리는 ‘2026 러플스® NBA 올스타 셀러브리티 게임’(2026 Ruffles® NBA All-Star Celebrity Game)에서 K-팝 아티스트 최초로 하프타임 쇼를 펼친다. 행사는 ESPN을 통해 미국 전역에 생중계되며, 한국에서는 쿠팡플레이에서 시청할 수 있다. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-14 17:45:00
  • Wavve Unveils Lunar New Year Holiday Picks, From Originals to Blockbuster Films
    Wavve Unveils Lunar New Year Holiday Picks, From Originals to Blockbuster Films Wavve has released a Lunar New Year holiday watch list spanning originals, blockbuster films and animation. The lineup includes Wavve originals “Chefs of the Temple Kitchen” and “Reading a Criminal’s Letters,” along with food shows, bingeable dramas and movies. “Chefs of the Temple Kitchen” is a food reality series that follows six masters of Korean Buddhist temple cuisine as they prepare and share offerings, exploring the philosophy and meaning behind the food. The cast includes Sunjae, who made the Top 7 as “White Spoon” on “Black and White Chef Season 2,” and Jeonggwan, known internationally through “Chef’s Table,” along with monks Gyeho, Jeokmun, Daean and Uguan. The six appear together in one program for the first time. The series shows the monks sharing their approaches to cooking, episodes centered on traditional fermented sauces such as gochujang, soy sauce and doenjang, and moments of serving guests who seek out temple cuisine. The four-part series will be released in full on Friday, the 13th. “Reading a Criminal’s Letters” (also titled “Read”) is a crime-psychology commentary series that analyzes handwritten letters from people involved in real-life cases that drew national attention. Producers from “Unanswered Questions” and “The Day the Tail Caught the Tail” participated in the project. Lawyer and TV personality Seo Dong-ju and Park Kyung-sik, a producer from “Unanswered Questions,” appear with guests including profiler Pyo Chang-won, criminal psychology professor Park Ji-seon and attorney Park Jun-young, who specializes in retrials. The show covers letters tied to figures including Lee Yeong-hak, known as “Molar Dad,” Jang Dae-ho, dubbed the “Han River dismemberment killer,” Yoo Jeong-ho, described as a YouTuber with 1 million subscribers who became a fraud suspect involving tens of billions of won, and serial killers Yoo Young-chul and Jeong Nam-gyu. Episodes run about 30 minutes and follow an omnibus format, with a different case each time. The 12-part series is being released one episode at a time every Friday. Wavve also highlighted food programming for the holiday. MBN’s “World’s Best Baking: Bake Your Dream” is billed as South Korea’s first K-bakery survival show, with 72 contestants competing for 100 million won. tvN’s “Chagane” follows a “gangster family” trying to strike it big by developing a new spicy sauce, featuring Cha Seung-won and Choo Sung-hoon, along with Tommy, DinDin and Danny Koo. MBC’s “K-GIM Revolution” is a global documentary on the stability and competitiveness of gim, a major Korean seafood product, hosted by Michelin three-star chef Ahn Sung-jae and tracing the process from production to tables worldwide. MBC’s Lunar New Year special “Discovery of the Table” is a K-food road documentary featuring Jang Keun-suk and top chefs as they explore the taste, wisdom and beauty of everyday meals, including appearances by Yoon Nam-no, Fabri and David Lee. JTBC’s “Please Take Care of My Refrigerator since 2014” is also available on Wavve. For drama viewers, Wavve recommended three current hits. “Judge Lee Han-young” follows Lee Han-young (Ji Sung), a corrupt judge living as a servant to a major law firm, who returns to 10 years earlier and makes new choices to punish a powerful enemy; it has held the No. 1 spot on Wavve’s drama rankings. “Spring Fever” centers on teacher Yoon Bom (Lee Joo-bin) and Sun Jae-gyu (Ahn Bo-hyun), and has been gaining popularity as viewing time rises. The historical romance “Eunaehaneun Doduknim-a” follows Hong Eun-jo (Nam Ji-hyun), who becomes a famed thief, and Prince Yi Yeol (Moon Sang-min) after their souls are swapped. “Spirit Fingers,” starring Park Ji-hu and Jo Jun-young, will be released in full starting Friday, the 13th; it follows a girl who has lived without a distinct identity as she finds her own color. Wavve said several “10 million-ticket” films are also available for family viewing. “A Taxi Driver” (2017), based on events surrounding the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement, stars Song Kang-ho, Ryu Jun-yeol, Yoo Hae-jin, Choi Gwi-hwa and Eom Tae-goo. “Extreme Job” (2019) is a comedy about narcotics detectives who open a chicken restaurant as a cover, starring Ryu Seung-ryong, Lee Ha-nee, Jin Sun-kyu, Lee Dong-hwi and Gong Myoung. Other picks include “The Admiral: Roaring Currents” (2014), about Adm. Yi Sun-sin’s Battle of Myeongnyang, and “Masquerade” (2012), about a commoner who becomes king of Joseon overnight. Bong Joon-ho’s “Parasite” (2019), which won four Academy Awards, is also on the service. Wavve also said it offers works by Japanese animation director Makoto Shinkai exclusively, including “Your Name” (2016), “Suzume” (2022), “Weathering With You” (2019) and “5 Centimeters per Second” (2007). Wavve noted that “5 Centimeters per Second,” about Takaki and Akari’s love and longing as they move forward at different speeds, is set to be released as a live-action film on Feb. 25. Wavve said it will offer a wide range of content for the Lunar New Year holiday, including Wavve originals, films, animation and international series. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-14 10:21:00
  • TVING Unveils Lunar New Year Holiday Streaming Lineup for Binge-Watching
    TVING Unveils Lunar New Year Holiday Streaming Lineup for Binge-Watching TVING has unveiled a Lunar New Year holiday lineup aimed at viewers looking to binge-watch throughout the break. The slate ranges from easy-to-watch variety shows to buzzed-about series some viewers may have missed, plus TVING-exclusive originals.  Among the scripted titles is "Judge Lee Han-young," starring Ji Sung, Park Hee-soon and Won Jin-a. The series follows a corrupt judge, once a pawn of a major law firm, who returns to 10 years earlier and seeks to punish powerful wrongdoers. The show mixes revenge-driven justice with tension among the three leads, keeping viewers guessing how far the reckoning will go and who will survive to the end. The undercover reality-variety show "Manito Club" centers on secretly delivering gifts to people who need encouragement. Its first lineup features Choo Sung-hoon, Noh Hong-chul, Lee Soo-ji, Dex and Jennie. Later rounds add Jung Hae-in and Go Youn-jung, along with Cha Tae-hyun and Park Bo-young, reuniting on a variety show for the first time since the film "Scandal Makers." "Extreme 84" follows Kian84 in what TVING describes as an ultra-demanding running variety show. Built around marathon running, it pushes beyond 42.195 kilometers and aims to capture the raw emotions people feel when they hit their limits. Retro-themed "Undercover Miss Hong" is set in Yeouido just before the IMF crisis and follows an elite worker who goes undercover to steal a chaebol family’s secret ledger, blending nostalgia with suspense. Romance series "Spring Fever" pairs Ahn Bo-hyun — playing a tough-looking man with a devoted streak — with Lee Joo-bin as a coolheaded teacher, highlighting their contrasting chemistry. TVING said Ahn’s first dialect performance and visual transformation will drive the show’s fast-paced banter. For viewers seeking lighter fare, "Bogum Magical" follows Park Bo-gum, Lee Sang-yi and Kwak Dong-yeon as they provide hair and nail care and a meal to residents visiting a barbershop, leaning on small-town warmth and the trio’s on-screen rapport. Park’s skills are highlighted after he earned a barber’s license during his military service. Also included are "Please Take Care of My Refrigerator since 2014," which returned after 11 years and has been trending in real time on social media and online communities, and "Manager Kim Works at a Conglomerate and Owns a Home in Seoul," about the struggles of the Kim Nak-su family after a major-company department head gives up his status and starts over. TVING said the lineup is designed to keep viewers busy throughout the holiday. TVING also promoted a set of exclusives, including the original "Baseball Oddball Lim Chan-kyu," which follows pitcher Lim Chan-kyu with close-up access to his candid talk and off-field daily life, positioning it as a new kind of "baseball entertainment." For binge-watchers, TVING pointed to all seasons of the dating-reality franchise "EXchange" and "Show Me the Money: Yacha’s World," focused on Korean hip-hop. It also highlighted "Reply 1988 10th Anniversary Special," bringing back the Ssangmun-dong family for a reunion marking the show’s 10th anniversary. More plot-driven options include Hwang Min-hyun’s action series "Study Group" and the mystery thriller "Dear X," featuring what TVING called a bold acting transformation by Kim Yoo-jung. TVING also spotlighted international programming for viewers staying home. In its Apple TV brand section, it is offering a promotion that lets users watch the first episode for free of major titles including "Pachinko," "Severance," "Hijack," "Dr. Brain" and "K-Popd." Other picks include the Japanese adaptation of "Marry My Husband," as well as Chinese romance titles "Yi Xiao Sui Ge" and "Jiao Yang Si A." TVING also pointed to full-season viewing of "Severance," built on a premise that separates memories of work and daily life, and the U.K.-made aviation action thriller "Hijack," framing the package as a way to sample series from around the world on one platform.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-14 09:21:00
  • Netflix Unveils Lunar New Year Holiday Lineup With New Series and Reality Spinoffs
    Netflix Unveils Lunar New Year Holiday Lineup With New Series and Reality Spinoffs Netflix has rolled out a varied slate of new releases for the Lunar New Year holiday, mixing mystery, reality TV and documentaries. Can you call it fake if it’s indistinguishable from the real thing? ... "Lady Dua" Netflix’s series “Lady Dua” follows Sarah Kim, a woman who wants to become a luxury brand even if she is a counterfeit, and Mu-gyeong, a detective who tracks her ambitions. In Seoul’s upscale Cheongdam-dong shopping district, a body is found frozen in a storm drain with the face badly damaged. Mu-gyeong, assigned to the case, uses an ankle tattoo and a luxury handbag left at the scene to identify the victim as Sarah Kim, the Asia branch head of the luxury brand “Budoir.” But the more he investigates, the more confused he becomes as new details about Sarah Kim emerge. Shin Hye-sun plays the enigmatic Sarah Kim, and Lee Jun-hyuk stars as Mu-gyeong, the detective who relentlessly follows her trail. Directed by Kim Jin-min, known for Netflix series “Extracurricular” and “My Name,” and written by newcomer Chu Song-yeon, the show promises an unpredictable plot and a tightly woven mystery. Released on the 13th. Behind the flirting war that crosses the line ... "Single’s Inferno Reunion" Netflix will release “Single’s Inferno Reunion,” a spinoff featuring behind-the-scenes stories from “Single’s Inferno” Season 5, the streamer’s longest-running variety show. Season 5 follows singles on a remote island called “Inferno,” where they can leave only if they become a couple. The season has drawn attention for bold flirting and constantly shifting pairings, and it reached No. 2 on Netflix’s Top 10 list for non-English shows after its release, the best performance in the franchise. The cast reunites to share candid production stories and what happened after the show, including emotional turns not captured in the main series and where relationships went after filming. Set for release on the 14th. Revisiting the glamour — and the controversy — of a supermodel reality show ... "Reality Check: America’s Next Top Model and the Dark Side" “Reality Check: America’s Next Top Model and the Dark Side” is a documentary that examines the lesser-known side of the survival competition “America’s Next Top Model,” which selected a top supermodel from aspiring contestants. Participants and key figures, including judge and host Tyra Banks, look back on the show’s most glamorous moments and its controversies. Once seen as a high-profile gateway for would-be models, the series became a pop-culture force even as it was marked by conflict, emotional blowups and disputes that are still discussed today. The documentary asks how far people should go in the name of entertainment. Released on the 16th. An old friend’s death arrives by email after 20 years ... "How to Get to Heaven From Belfast" “How to Get to Heaven From Belfast” follows three lifelong best friends as they dig into the mystery behind the suspicious death of a childhood friend. The trio includes Siersha, a smart, free-spirited drama writer; Robin, who looks glamorous but is worn down raising three children; and Dara, a dependable, introverted caregiver. Now in their late 30s, they remain close. After receiving an email saying their childhood friend Greta has died, they attend a memorial service. Strange events there pull them into unpredictable incidents that span across Ireland. The series comes from the team behind Netflix’s comedy “Derry Girls,” shifting the focus to adult friendships and the lives built around them. A survival story in top kitchens ... "The Korean Chef" “The Korean Chef” is a documentary series about the intense daily pressure faced by six owner-chefs, including chefs at restaurants that have earned Michelin stars. Behind the elegance, the kitchen is portrayed as a place where even a one-second, one-millimeter or 0.1-gram mistake is not tolerated. The series features Kang Min-goo, owner-chef of Mingles, Korea’s only Michelin three-star restaurant; Atomix co-CEOs Park Jeong-eun and Park Jeong-hyeon, whose restaurant ranked No. 1 in North America on World’s Best Restaurants; Shin Chang-ho, owner-chef of Michelin two-star Joo Ok; Lee Yong-woo, owner-chef of French restaurant Harris; Lee Ha-seong, owner-chef of Oyat and known as a “cooking monster” who drew attention as a “black spoon” contestant on Netflix’s variety show “Culinary Class Wars 2”; and Lim Gi-hak, owner-chef of Lespwa, described as an icon of classic French cuisine. The series follows them as artists and business owners making decisions where their survival is on the line.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-14 09:18:00
  • Actor Jang Hye-jin on Number One, Reuniting With Choi Woo-shik and Playing a Mother Again
    Actor Jang Hye-jin on 'Number One,' Reuniting With Choi Woo-shik and Playing a Mother Again Actor Jang Hye-jin, who left a lasting impression on global audiences with the film 'Parasite,' has since moved between movies, TV dramas and theater, building a reputation for grounded performances. Often cast as a mother, she has approached each role with a different emotional texture. In 'Number One,' she returns as Eunsil, a mother who quietly watches over her son, Hamin. Her restrained performance supports the film’s tone as Eunsil endures a major loss without giving up on life. "People say my acting feels like real life, and I think that’s partly because I’m actually a mom," Jang said. "Life gives you a wider range. Even if I say, 'I don’t want to play moms,' I’ve already lived as a mom, and that naturally comes through. When I look at my older work, it was clean and sharp. As I’ve gotten older, I joke, 'Life makes me an actor.' I like approaching acting comfortably rather than forcing it. In the end, I think I act based on myself." In the film, Hamin sees a number drop each time he eats a home-cooked meal, and as it falls, he senses his mother’s end is nearing. Jang said the device of "seeing a number" felt less like fantasy than a harsher version of reality. "In real life, you can’t see a number," she said. "But my mom’s number is going down, too — it’s just not in front of our eyes. We don’t even know how many are left. It’s cruel, but maybe that’s why you can do your best. You know there’s an end. It’s not 'We’ll meet tomorrow.' You think today could be the last." A Busan native, Jang said she wrestled with how much dialect to use, trying to balance authenticity with clarity. "If I speak in a real Busan dialect, people say, 'What are you saying?'" she said. "The hardest part was deciding how much to use so people could still understand. I also worried people would think, 'She’s from Busan and that’s all she can do?' After talking with the production company’s CEO, we decided, 'Let’s just do it. If people don’t understand, they don’t understand, and if they say Seoul speech got mixed in, it can’t be helped.' Regional feeling is something you absorb growing up." After 'Parasite,' Jang and actor Choi Woo-shik reunite on screen again as mother and son. She said their prior experience let them skip the usual getting-to-know-you phase and focus immediately on acting. "You might think that’s why they cast us, but I see it as its own thing," she said. "'Parasite' was huge, and this film feels like a different story being made. Because it’s our second time, it’s comfortable. We don’t have to figure out what kind of person the other is, or whether their rhythm is fast or slow. Watching Woo-shik again, I thought he’d gained a lot of know-how. Sometimes I’d look at the monitor and think, 'I want to do it like that.' He also seems to feel more responsibility on set and takes care of people around him. A lot changed in a few years — in a good way. And he looks exactly like my son, which really helped me immerse myself. He really does!" Jang, a first graduating class alum of the Korea National University of Arts’ School of Drama, returned to her hometown in 1998 and lived away from acting for a time. She resumed acting in 2007 through director Lee Chang-dong’s film 'Secret Sunshine,' but said it still took years to become widely known. "I decided I wanted to act before I even started elementary school," she said. "I was deeply moved after seeing 'Ben-Hur' in a theater. In college, I’d watch seniors act and cry and laugh — they looked amazing. Making people laugh and cry on TV is like comforting their hearts. Acting was so fun, and expressing my emotions was fun. But reality hit, and acting stopped being fun. I took about nine years off, and then I started again with Lee Chang-dong’s 'Secret Sunshine.' It felt like my blood was flowing again. I realized I was the one who didn’t believe in myself. The joy of being on set was huge." She said the path did not open immediately after 'Secret Sunshine.' She spent years in small roles and, while raising a child, considered other options. Even now, she said she approaches each project as if it could be her last. "I thought I’d do well after 'Secret Sunshine,' but it didn’t work that way," she said. "I did small roles for nearly 10 years, and I thought, 'I’ve done enough — should I focus on raising my child?' Even now, I feel similar. I work thinking, 'This is the last one.' If there’s too much, it’s overwhelming and you get tired of it. Thinking it’s the last makes me do my best and focus more. That’s why it’s more fun every time." Asked about several big films opening ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday, Jang said she thought less about competition than about rebuilding momentum for Korean cinema. "There’s a good restaurant next to another good restaurant," she said. "Like successful people next to successful people, Korean films are also seeing hits these days, like 'Moshuhnal Uri.' I hope it all builds together and creates good synergy. I hope people find the fun of going to theaters again. I don’t like leaving the house, either. But the emotion you felt in theaters as a kid, being startled by loud sound — those are things you only get there. Even the air where you’re aware of hiding or showing your feelings is something you only feel in a theater. With three films coming out together, I hope people rediscover that." Asked what she hopes for as an actor, Jang said she wants to be someone who shares the pains and joys of the same era — an actor audiences feel grateful to have alongside them. "I want to be an actor who always walks with people," she said. "Someone who can share the same pain and the same joy in the same time. I once saw the phrase, 'Thank you for being in the same era,' and I thought, 'I want to be that kind of actor.' Not a star, but someone who feels like a friend."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-14 00:03:00
  • Actress Hwang Jung-eum’s Itaewon home hit with court-ordered provisional seizure
    Actress Hwang Jung-eum’s Itaewon home hit with court-ordered provisional seizure Actress Hwang Jung-eum’s former agency, Y.One Entertainment, has sought a provisional seizure of a luxury single-family home she owns in Itaewon. In a statement released on the 13th, Y.One said it “respects the court’s decision” regarding the ongoing legal process. It added that it is difficult to confirm or comment on specifics at this stage because doing so could affect judicial proceedings, and said it would continue to respond in good faith in line with the process. Earlier on the 13th, SPOTV News reported that Y.One recently applied for a provisional seizure of the land and building of Hwang’s Itaewon home. According to the report, the Seoul Central District Court accepted the request on the 10th, with the claimed amount reported at 282 million won. Hwang bought the home in 2020 for 4.6 billion won. Hwang was indicted without detention last year on allegations of embezzling about 4.3 billion won in company funds, and in September she was sentenced to two years in prison, suspended for four years. She also faced controversy after it was revealed that she set up a one-person agency, “Hunminjeongeum Enter,” in 2022 and did not register it as a popular culture and arts planning business for four years.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-13 17:18:00
  • A Man Living With the King Tops Box Office Ahead of Holiday; Humint No. 2
    'A Man Living With the King' Tops Box Office Ahead of Holiday; 'Humint' No. 2 "A Man Living With the King," which drew 1 million moviegoers in its first five days, has climbed to No. 1 at the box office. According to the Korean Film Council’s integrated ticketing network, the film drew 83,919 viewers on Wednesday, bringing its cumulative total to 1,365,906 and putting it atop the overall box office. It also led all films in advance ticket sales and is holding a 97% score on CGV’s Golden Egg Index. Set in 1457 in Cheongnyeongpo, the film follows a village chief who volunteers to live in exile to revive his community and a young deposed king sent into exile after being driven from the throne. The movie is drawing attention as the first South Korean film to bring a little-known story about King Danjong to the screen. Ryu Seung-wan’s "Humint" ranked No. 2 over the same period, with 81,189 admissions and a cumulative total of 212,817. The title refers to intelligence work using human networks — in other words, informants. Set in Vladivostok, where secrets and truths alike are buried in an icy sea, the film centers on people with different aims who collide. It stars Jo In Sung, Park Jeong Min, Shin Se Kyung and Park Hae Joon.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-13 14:24:00