Journalist

Choi Song-hui
  • Jeonju International Film Festival Unveils Lineup, Names Opening and Closing Films
    Jeonju International Film Festival Unveils Lineup, Names Opening and Closing Films The Jeonju International Film Festival, a major showcase for independent and art-house cinema, has launched its 27th edition with a theme of pushing beyond traditional boundaries. Organizers named Kent Jones’ “My Private Artist” as the opening film, signaling what they described as a distinctly Jeonju-style program. A news conference announcing the lineup was held Monday afternoon at CGV Yongsan I’Park Mall in Seoul. Attendees included acting organizing committee chair Yoon Dong-wook; co-festival directors Min Sung-wook and Jung Joon-ho; programmers Moon Seok, Moon Sung-kyung and Kim Hyo-jung; and director Byun Young-joo, selected as this year’s “programmer of the year.” This year’s slogan is “We Always Cross the Line” (Beyond the Frame). Organizers said it reflects Jeonju’s efforts to expand its programs and venues beyond conventional film formats, while refocusing on human sensibility and the essentials of cinema amid rapidly advancing technology. “Jeonju International Film Festival has established itself as a valuable platform where creative filmmakers from around the world communicate with audiences, and as a leading film festival in Asia,” Yoon said. Jung, who secured another term as co-festival director, said, “The past three years went by so fast I don’t know where they went,” adding, “Now that I’ve been reappointed after addressing what was lacking, I will prepare for a better three years.” He added, “After spending three years in Jeonju, I realized there are many fun and thrilling works, like hidden local restaurants. I will take responsibility so the festival can shine even more.” Min said he would help create a richer festival through “Jeonju-like” films and programs. The opening film, Jones’ “My Private Artist,” was first unveiled at the Venice International Film Festival. It portrays an artist’s life in allegorical form, depicting a warm world that coexists with everyday pain, organizers said. The closing film is director Kim Hyun-ji’s documentary “Namtaeryeong,” which centers on an incident in Namtaeryeong in December 2024 and examines changes among women and farmers and the broader social impact. Special screenings will include “New York Underground — The Mavericks,” introduced by newly appointed programmer Kim Hyo-jung, focusing on New York underground artists of the 1960s and 1970s and tracing currents in experimental film. The festival will also present “Meeting Ahn Sung-ki, Slightly Anew,” honoring the late actor Ahn Sung-ki and revisiting lesser-seen aspects of his work in independent and art films. “Ahn Sung-ki is another name for Korean cinema,” programmer Moon Seok said. Byun, selected for “J Special: Programmer of the Year,” attended in person and said it was “a great joy and honor” to return as a programmer 27 years after attending the first Jeonju festival. “I will watch films diligently in Jeonju,” she said, introducing titles she curated. Organizers said the “Possible Cinema” program, which drew positive response last year, has been expanded into an official section. Audience-participation events, including alley screenings and urban camping-style screenings, will also be strengthened. The 27th Jeonju International Film Festival will run for 10 days from April 29 to May 8 at five theaters with 21 screens, including Moak Hall at the Sori Arts Center of Jeollabuk-do and venues around Jeonju’s Film Street.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-31 18:36:20
  • MONSTA X Wraps Kuala Lumpur Concert, Continues Asia Tour
    MONSTA X Wraps Kuala Lumpur Concert, Continues Asia Tour 그룹 몬스타엑스(MONSTA X)가 말레이시아 쿠알라룸푸르 공연을 성황리에 마치며 아시아 투어 열기를 이어갔다. 몬스타엑스는 지난 28일 말레이시아 쿠알라룸푸르 메가 스타 아레나(Mega Star Arena)에서 ‘2026 몬스타엑스 월드 투어 ‘더 엑스 : 넥서스(2026 MONSTA X WORLD TOUR ‘THE X : NEXUS’)’ 인 쿠알라룸푸르’를 개최했다. The group returned to meet local fans, known as Monbebe, for the first time in seven years and opened with “DRAMARAMA.” It followed with “Love Killa” and “Rush Hour,” then moved into “LONE RANGER” and “Catch Me Now.” Members greeted fans and said the long gap did not dull the connection in the arena. The set also highlighted the group’s range with “MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT,” “Deny” and “AND.” They performed tracks from the mini-album “THE X,” released in September last year, including “Do What I Want,” “N the Front” and “Tuscan Leather.” The show continued with “Beautiful” and “Nobody Else,” with camera-driven staging drawing loud cheers. Midway through, the concert shifted to solo stages: Shownu performed “Around & Go,” Kihyun sang “Howling,” Hyungwon delivered “NO AIR,” and Minhyuk played guitar on “Reaching.” Jooheon performed “STING” and “하늘에 머리가 닿을 때까지.” A solo stage from I.M’s Seoul concert was shown on VCR because he could not join due to military service, and the members and fans watched together. The closing run featured “Autobahn,” “Beautiful Liar,” “Alligator” and “Shoot Out.” The group moved closer to the audience and ended by singing “Fire & Ice” with fans. Through Starship Entertainment, MONSTA X said it was moved throughout the show by the “passion and sincerity” of Malaysian Monbebe after a long time apart. The group said it was glad to make meaningful memories on tour and hoped the concert would remain a good memory for fans, adding that it would prepare diligently to meet more Monbebe with an even better stage. 한편 몬스타엑스는 오는 4월 4일 타이베이 공연을 통해 아시아 투어를 이어간다. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-31 15:09:44
  • Stray Kids’ ‘Chk Chk Boom’ music video tops 200 million YouTube views, 8th to hit mark
    Stray Kids’ ‘Chk Chk Boom’ music video tops 200 million YouTube views, 8th to hit mark Stray Kids has logged its eighth music video to surpass 200 million views on YouTube, with “Chk Chk Boom” reaching the milestone. According to its agency on the 31st, the music video for “Chk Chk Boom,” the title track from the mini-album “ATE” released July 19, 2024, exceeded 200 million views on YouTube that morning. The group now has eight videos above 200 million views: “God’s Menu,” “Back Door,” “Thunderous,” “MANIAC,” “S-Class,” “LALALALA,” “CASE 143” and “Chk Chk Boom.” “Chk Chk Boom” was written and composed by Bang Chan, Changbin and Han of the group’s in-house producing unit 3RACHA. The song centers on confidence in aiming clearly for a desired goal, built on a Latin-style hip-hop rhythm, a looping hook and a distinctive topline. The music video highlights polished visuals and powerful choreography, and features appearances by Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman. Stray Kids also released a new song for its fan community, STAY, titled “Stars, Light (STAY),” marking the group’s eighth debut anniversary on the 25th. Han and Seungmin took part in writing and composing the track, which compares hope for tomorrow—made possible by being together—to the universe and stars. The group opened its sixth official fan meeting, “Stray Kids 6TH FANMEETING ‘STAY in Our Little House,’” at Inspire Arena in Incheon on the 28th and 29th. The event will run for four shows through April 4 and 5.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-31 15:06:57
  • Netflix’s ‘Bloodhounds’ Season 2 Expands Fight to Global Illegal Boxing League
    Netflix’s ‘Bloodhounds’ Season 2 Expands Fight to Global Illegal Boxing League Netflix’s K-boxing action series “Bloodhounds” returns with heavier punches and a broader story line, as the Geon-woo and Woo-jin duo takes on a global illegal boxing league. A production presentation for “Bloodhounds” Season 2, directed by Kim Joo-hwan, was held Tuesday morning at the Ambassador Seoul Pullman Hotel in central Seoul. Kim and cast members Woo Do-hwan, Lee Sang-yi and Jung Ji-hoon attended and discussed the new season. Season 2 follows Geon-woo (Woo) and Woo-jin (Lee) after they took down a brutal illegal loan-sharking ring. This time, they face a larger opponent: an international underground boxing league ruled by money and violence, expanding the world introduced in Season 1, which premiered in 2023 and found global success for its bare-knuckle action. Kim said he focused on intensifying what viewers liked in the first season. “I thought about how to show the boxing action and bromance that were loved in Season 1 in a stronger way,” he said. “I put the emphasis on making what people already know taste even better.” Woo and Lee, reuniting after three years, said they worked to show their characters’ growth. Woo said he changed his physique to reflect Geon-woo’s drive to become a world champion. “To show that Geon-woo lived for three years with the goal of becoming a world champion, I gained 5 kilograms more than Season 1, for a total of about 15 kilograms,” he said. “If Season 1 showed him as someone just starting out in society, this time I tried to show him as a bit more of an adult,” Woo added. Lee said Woo-jin becomes Geon-woo’s coach and stays with him through every moment, describing the character with the keyword “responsibility.” “You’ll see how his sense of responsibility deepens as he tries to protect his people,” he said. The two described their chemistry this season as “bromelo,” blending bromance and melodrama. Woo said they are “friends who have experienced losing someone precious,” adding that they are “a community of fate and a relationship like a support system.” Kim said, “When we filmed a scene where they cried together, I cried too. It’s the best bromance I’ve made.” A major addition in Season 2 is Jung, who plays Baek-jeong, the ruthless architect of the illegal boxing league. The role marks Jung’s first time playing a villain since his debut. “Playing a villain itself was a burden, but I had a thirst to try an evil role,” Jung said. “It felt good to be ‘trained’ by director Kim again after a long time. From an evil look to bulking up enough to box, I followed the director’s direction thoroughly.” “I only thought about how to make the two main characters miserable,” he said. “You’ll end up hating me.” The cast said the season’s draw is its rough-edged, straightforward action. Woo said that after Season 1 he wondered if there was more to show, “but there’s still a lot we can do with just our two fists.” Lee said that while AI is a trend, “for our project, we made it in an analog way, sweating for real.” Jung also pointed to the dynamic among five members of the villain group. “The ‘bromance within the organization,’ where the bad guys envy and compete with each other, will also be interesting,” he said. “Bloodhounds” Season 2 will be released April 3 on Netflix in more than 190 countries.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-31 13:18:22
  • Actor Jung Woo to Part Ways With BH Entertainment After Eight Years
    Actor Jung Woo to Part Ways With BH Entertainment After Eight Years Actor Jung Woo is ending his eight-year run with BH Entertainment. BH Entertainment said on 31일 that Jung Woo’s exclusive contract will expire. The agency said it will continue supporting him through the release of his first directing project, the film ‘Jjangu,’ until it reaches audiences. “We were happy to be with actor Jung Woo, and that time was a meaningful journey for both of us,” BH Entertainment said. “We will continue our full support until ‘Jjangu’ meets audiences.” The agency added, “We sincerely support Jung Woo so he can expand his activities in more diverse ways, grounded in his own style.” Jung Woo signed an exclusive contract with BH Entertainment in 2019. The agency said the two are maintaining an amicable relationship even after the contract ends, based on long-standing trust. Jung Woo drew public attention with the 2009 film ‘Wish.’ He later gained wide popularity for his role as “Trash” in the tvN drama ‘Reply 1994.’ His credits include the films ‘C’est Si Bon,’ ‘The Himalayas,’ ‘New Trial,’ ‘Heung Boo: The Revolutionist,’ ‘Next Door Neighbor’ and ‘Hot Blooded,’ as well as the drama ‘Mad for Each Other.’ Jung Woo is also moving into directing. ‘Jjangu,’ which he directed and stars in, is scheduled to open April 24. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-31 10:15:16
  • Lotte Cinema Unveils April ‘Lossipic’ Lineup, From ‘Farewell My Concubine’ to ‘Scream 7’
    Lotte Cinema Unveils April ‘Lossipic’ Lineup, From ‘Farewell My Concubine’ to ‘Scream 7’ Lotte Cinema has announced its April lineup for “Lossipic,” its exclusive-release brand. The April slate includes seven films, ranging from re-releases of classics to new titles across genres. Several older films, including “Farewell My Concubine: The Original,” will return in 4K remastered versions. “Farewell My Concubine: The Original,” a signature film of the late Leslie Cheung, will be re-released to coincide with the anniversary of his death on April 1. Marking the film’s 33rd anniversary, it centers on the relationship between two men, Dieyi and Xiaolou, who share a love of Peking opera, portraying love, jealousy and the art form’s beauty. Also included is “Scream 7,” the latest installment in the horror franchise. The film topped the box office after its North American release and brings back Sidney Prescott, the lead from the first film. The story focuses on Sidney and her daughter, Tatum, and the return of a more formidable Ghostface. For family audiences, the animated film “Magic Forest Animal Friends: The Great Adventure” follows a trio of young goats and their friends as they confront a black wolf in a once-peaceful enchanted forest. Audrey Hepburn classics “Roman Holiday” and “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” will also be re-released in 4K remastered versions, offering audiences a chance to see the films again in theaters. The 1998 film “The Truman Show” will likewise return in a 4K remastered version, telling the story of Truman as he begins to suspect his life is part of a massive show. The action film “Normal” will open first worldwide at Lotte Cinema. Made with participation from the production teams behind “John Wick” and “Nobody,” the film stars Bob Odenkirk and depicts secrets hidden in the seemingly peaceful town of “Normal” through fast-paced action. A Lotte Cinema official said the lineup was planned “to provide the best immersion that can only be experienced in theaters,” adding that the company expects moviegoers to enjoy a broad range of choices from re-releases to new films. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-31 09:06:43
  • BTS’ ‘SWIM’ Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100 as ‘ARIRANG’ Tops Billboard 200
    BTS’ ‘SWIM’ Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100 as ‘ARIRANG’ Tops Billboard 200 BTS swept Billboard’s two main charts, with its fifth full-length album, ‘ARIRANG,’ reaching No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and its title track, ‘SWIM,’ debuting atop the Hot 100. Billboard said in a chart preview posted on its website on March 31 that ‘SWIM’ is No. 1 on the April 4-dated Hot 100. It is the group’s seventh Hot 100 leader, following ‘Dynamite,’ ‘Savage Love (Laxed - Siren Beat) (BTS Remix),’ ‘Life Goes On,’ ‘Butter,’ ‘Permission to Dance’ and ‘My Universe.’ Billboard said ‘SWIM’ is the 1,190th No. 1 song in Hot 100 history and the 89th to debut at No. 1. The outlet also said BTS ranks fifth among groups for the most Hot 100 No. 1 hits. The Beatles lead with 20, followed by the Supremes with 12, the Bee Gees with nine and the Rolling Stones with eight. Released on March 20, ‘SWIM’ logged 15.3 million streams, 25.8 million radio audience impressions and 154,000 in combined digital and physical single sales in tracking through March 26. The song entered Billboard’s Streaming Songs chart at No. 2, a new best for the group, and debuted at No. 18 on Radio Songs. It topped Digital Song Sales, becoming BTS’ 13th No. 1 on that chart. Billboard previously reported in a March 30 chart preview that ‘ARIRANG’ is No. 1 on the April 4-dated Billboard 200. The album debuted with 641,000 album units, the best weekly total for a group album since Billboard began tracking units in December 2014. Pure album sales were 532,000, and streaming equivalent album units totaled 95,000. The results give BTS another week leading both the Billboard 200 and Hot 100, after doing so in 2020 with ‘BE’ and ‘Life Goes On.’ With ‘ARIRANG,’ BTS has seven No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200, following ‘LOVE YOURSELF 轉 ‘Tear’,’ ‘LOVE YOURSELF 結 ‘Answer’,’ ‘MAP OF THE SOUL : PERSONA,’ ‘MAP OF THE SOUL : 7,’ ‘BE’ and ‘Proof.’ In a statement released through BigHit Music, BTS said it was “a great honor” to earn a Billboard No. 1 with an album released after “a long wait of three years and nine months.” The group thanked ARMY and “everyone who listened to our music and shared their feelings with us.” BTS said it worked to capture “universal emotions” that many people could relate to while preparing the new release, adding that it hoped ‘SWIM’ would offer “a small measure of courage and comfort” to listeners beyond borders. ‘ARIRANG’ is BTS’ fifth full-length album and was executive produced by HYBE Chairman Bang Si-hyuk. BigHit Music said the album reflects the group’s identity and shared emotions, while ‘SWIM’ sings of pressing forward without stopping amid life’s waves.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-31 07:54:39
  • Lee Dong-hwi Balances Acting Immersion and Producer Realities in Method Acting
    Lee Dong-hwi Balances Acting Immersion and Producer Realities in 'Method Acting' Every production holds countless perspectives. The same place and time can feel different depending on where a director or actor stands. “Choi Song-hui’s B-Cut” looks beyond the “A-cut” on screen to the vivid record of what happened off camera. By weaving interviews with directors and actors, it reconstructs the “B-cut” moments that were often more intense than the finished frame. <Editor’s note> For actor Lee Dong-hwi, “Method Acting” is more than another credit. It is his first report card as a producer: He helped expand a friend’s short-film idea into a feature and took responsibility on set. Like the character who struggles to break out of a “comedy actor” label, Lee said he wanted to become someone who “creates opportunities” and pushed the project to completion. The film began with trust between two friends, actor Lee Gi-hyeok and Lee Dong-hwi. As the short’s job-specific premise was combined with the universal theme of “family,” the story took on the structure of a mainstream feature. “Director Lee Gi-hyeok was preparing another story at first, then decided to turn the short ‘Method Acting’ into a feature because it could be told in a more popular way,” Lee said. “If the short focused on the mood on set, the feature broadened with the keyword of family, in a direction that could draw more universal empathy. I thought it would be easier to play someone close to who I am, but once we started shooting, every day felt like homework. I had to keep adding layers so it wouldn’t look like a documentary or an observational variety show.” Caught between an actor’s immersion and a producer’s need for distance, Lee said he witnessed a chaotic “B-cut” reality. As the boundary between life and performance blurred, he decided he had to stay firmly inside the role. “When I saw Geum-sun’s back, it looked like my real mother, and the emotions rose too much,” he said. “I thought if it got too close to my life, it would be hard to endure. So for parts that didn’t completely overlap with my family’s story, I made them more fictional and approached them that way. In the end, I thought I had to treat it as a role. I had to act the details — an actor being mocked, an actor enduring that mockery and returning to set, and even the moment he becomes a king — so it was a set that gave me a real headache.” A monologue scene as a king in the historical drama “Gyeonghwasuwol” became the point where producer Lee and actor Lee clashed — and then reconciled. Under pressure from a 4 a.m. sunrise and budget constraints, he said he found “the king’s face” in just two takes. “We were in a rush because we were shooting at 4 a.m.,” he said. “The sun was coming up, and there was no time, so it was an anxious situation. We couldn’t do many takes. Since I was participating as a producer, the longer it took, the more the production cost. In the past, as an actor, I would have wanted to shoot more, but as a producer I strongly felt I had to complete the mission within the exact opportunity. After two takes, I looked up and the sun had risen.” Lee said watching actor Ma Dong-seok made him want a life that “gives someone opportunities.” He said he is now preparing a true transformation by portraying a character in harsher circumstances. “Watching Ma Dong-seok, I saw with my own eyes the new opportunities that appear when one person starts something,” Lee said. “I wanted to become that kind of person someday. If I’ve been thinking about what makes a mainstream film work, the story I want to make next is the opposite. A lonelier, harsher story of one person — for me, that kind of work feels like a real transformation.” On screen, Lee’s character obsesses over “method acting.” Off camera, Lee said he kept checking the clock. He held back an actor’s desire for more takes and wrapped the scene in two, weighing time and production costs. More striking than the king’s face in the “A-cut,” he suggested, was the producer’s posture in the moments before sunrise.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-30 16:51:14
  • TWS Builds Momentum With Seoul Fan Meeting and Sold-Out VR Concert Ahead of April 27 Comeback
    TWS Builds Momentum With Seoul Fan Meeting and Sold-Out VR Concert Ahead of April 27 Comeback Group TWS has extended its momentum from a fan meeting to a successful VR concert as it heads toward a comeback on April 27. Moving between live venues and movie theaters, the group has expanded its presence in the first quarter of 2026. TWS met fans from March 27-29 at Ticketlink Live Arena at Olympic Park in Seoul’s Songpa district, holding its second fan meeting, “42:CLUB” in Seoul (2026 TWS 2ND FANMEETING “42:CLUB” IN SEOUL). The three-day event ended to strong crowd response, underscoring the group’s drawing power. That interest carried into its first VR concert, produced with AMAZE. “TWS VR CONCERT : RUSH ROAD” sold out key sessions soon after ticket sales opened. During a second round of ticket sales, heavy traffic briefly brought down the server, organizers said. “RUSH ROAD” has continued to perform strongly. Based on high viewer satisfaction, it posted a perfect audience rating on Megabox and ranked No. 1 on the overall movie chart in its fourth week of release. With an extended run confirmed, it has been cited as an unusual box-office case for a VR concert release. The project is TWS’ first VR concert and has been described as combining the group’s fanbase with AMAZE’s production capabilities. TWS also took part in pre-shoot camera rehearsals, an uncommon step for VR concert artists, to improve the final result. TWS is set to continue fan meetings in April at Pia Arena MM in Yokohama, Japan, as it broadens overseas activities. The group previously released “YOU LIKE IT I LOVE IT,” a new song made in collaboration with U.S. artist 24kGoldn, and won two awards at the 40th Japan Gold Disc Awards. With a comeback scheduled for April 27, attention is on whether the momentum from the fan meeting, the VR concert’s performance and overseas activities will carry into the group’s next album. Meanwhile, “TWS VR CONCERT : RUSH ROAD” is being shown exclusively at Megabox COEX and will be available to watch through April 12.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-03-30 14:36:15
  • BTS’ ‘ARIRANG’ Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200 for Seventh Career Top Spot
    BTS’ ‘ARIRANG’ Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200 for Seventh Career Top Spot BTS has returned to the top of the U.S. Billboard 200 with its fifth full-length album, “ARIRANG,” setting new weekly marks for a group album on sales and streaming. According to Billboard’s chart preview posted Monday on its website, “ARIRANG” debuted at No. 1 on the April 4-dated Billboard 200 with 641,000 equivalent album units. Billboard said it is the biggest weekly total for a group album since the chart began tracking units in December 2014. Pure album sales totaled 532,000. Billboard said that was the highest weekly sales figure for a group album in the past decade. Streaming-equivalent album units came to 95,000, a weekly streaming high for BTS. Physical sales were also strong. “ARIRANG” sold 516,000 physical copies, including 208,000 vinyl records. It marked BTS’ best vinyl week and the largest weekly vinyl sales for a group since Luminate began tracking in 1991. The album also led Billboard’s Top Album Sales and Top Streaming Albums charts. The No. 1 debut gave BTS its seventh career leader on the Billboard 200. The group previously topped the chart with six albums, starting with 2018’s “Love Yourself: Tear,” including “Proof.” The album also topped major charts overseas, including four categories on Japan’s Oricon, as well as the U.K. Official Charts, Australia’s ARIA and Germany’s official music charts, the report said. The title track, “SWIM,” rose to No. 2 on the U.K. Official Singles Top 100, the group’s best showing on that chart. In South Korea, it won four music show trophies without separate broadcast appearances. 2026-03-30 13:39:07