Film Review: 'Jjanggu' Revives a 'The Wind' Character 16 Years Later "It feels romantic. The lighting, the temperature, the humidity ..." a cast member said on a variety show. The point was that place, weather and even how you feel can add up to a mood. Movies are no different. A viewer’s emotions and experiences can become the yardstick for judging a film. In that spirit, "Choi Family Review" introduces films through the writer’s own perspective, in a more relaxed, everyday tone. <Editor’s note> Some films do not end when the theater lights come up. Lines and expressions linger, replaying in the memories of people who lived through that time. The 2009 film 'The Wind' was one of them. Its box-office numbers did not tell the whole story, but it later gained the label of an "unofficial 10 million" hit through IPTV and VOD, becoming a phenomenon. 'Jjanggu' (directed by Jung Woo and Oh Seong-ho) expands that world and brings back a figure from those memories 16 years later. Rather than leaning only on nostalgia, it looks straight at the harsh reality of youth that can feel stuck in place. After taking off his school uniform and moving to Seoul, Jjanggu does not find a breakthrough but a long, grinding stretch of endurance. The film’s engine is the reality of young people who cannot give up on their dreams, yet must get through today and line up again for tomorrow. In 2010, Jjanggu (played by Jung Woo), a young man from Busan, heads to Seoul on a single hope: to become an actor. He cannot even pay the electric bill and gets by on a bowl of ramen, but in front of friends back home he mixes in Seoul slang and puts on a show of confidence. Living with his younger roommate, Kkangnaengi (Jo Beom-gyu), Jjanggu bounces from audition to audition, where life is not a spotlight but a cycle of rejection and trying again. As with 'The Wind,' Jung Woo’s autobiographical story anchors 'Jjanggu.' The sense of peeking into a page of his youth is reinforced through audition scenes tied to major works that shaped his career, adding a sharper feeling of reality. That is why Jung Woo is often described as the film’s identity. Viewers are positioned like longtime friends watching Jjanggu’s struggle up close, laughing and hurting with him as they sink into his inner life. Jung Woo’s performance does not simply recreate a character; it lays out, plainly, both the brightest and most humiliating parts of his past, forging a strong bond with the audience. Though the story flows around Jung Woo, its energy is completed by the people around Jjanggu. The back-and-forth among Jjanggu, Jjangjae (Shin Seung-ho) and Kkangnaengi is the film’s strongest draw. These are recognizable, everyday characters who add momentum while sharpening the texture of Busan as a place. The film leans on the sense that it is showing real Busan people, not a polished imitation, along with views from around the city. The actors’ raw performances, paired with Busan’s night air, pull viewers quickly into the period’s atmosphere. The handling of female characters, however, leaves room for criticism. Minhee (Jung Soo-jung), who is paired with Jjanggu in a romance, is drawn in a familiar "male fantasy" mold, and the way the relationship unfolds can feel out of step with today’s sensibilities. Because the film is strongest when it focuses on Jjanggu’s pursuit of acting, his day-to-day struggle and his lived-in rhythm with friends, it raises the question of whether more weight there would have helped. Even so, 'Jjanggu' remains funny, bittersweet and, in the end, intense, because the characters’ sincerity is embedded throughout and ultimately persuades the viewer. Echoing a line in the film — "It’s darkest before dawn" — it aims to accompany those moving through their own dark tunnel, offering presence rather than easy comfort. Following behind Jjanggu like someone watching a best friend’s growing pains, viewers may find themselves looking back on their own past seasons. The film opens April 22. Running time is 95 minutes, and it is rated for ages 15 and up.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-22 11:06:53

Sookmyung Women's University researchers identify potential treatment for rare muscle disease SEOUL, April 22 (AJP) - A research team led by Professor Kim Ju-mee at Sookmyung Women's University's Division of Pharmacy has identified a new pathological mechanism for GNE myopathy, a rare muscle disorder, and proposed a potential treatment strategy. By analyzing the genetic pathways of the disease, the team discovered that an existing drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration could be repurposed to restore cellular functions that are impaired by the condition, the university said Wednesday. UDP-GlcNAc 2-epimerase/N-acetylmannosamine kinase (GNE) myopathy is a rare genetic disease caused by mutations in the GNE gene, which leads to a decrease in the synthesis of sialic acid. This deficiency results in progressive muscle weakness throughout the body, and the condition currently lacks a fundamental cure. The research team used human pluripotent stem cell-derived muscle models to conduct a transcriptome analysis. Through this process, they confirmed that dysfunction in autophagy—the body's natural process of cleaning out damaged cells—is a primary driver of the disease's progression. Specifically, the study revealed that an excessive production of the extracellular matrix abnormally activates the PI3K-AKT-mTORC1 signaling pathway. This activation inhibits ULK1, a factor necessary for initiating autophagy, effectively blocking the cell's ability to maintain itself. Using a drug screening technique based on these genetic findings, the researchers identified Copanlisib as a strong candidate for treatment. Copanlisib, which is already an FDA-approved PI3K inhibitor, was found to suppress the abnormal signaling and restore ULK1 activity, thereby normalizing the autophagy process in the diseased cells. These results were further validated using human stem cell-derived neuromuscular organoid models. The study was conducted as a joint effort with a research team led by Professor Cha Hyuk-jin from Seoul National University (SNU). "This research is significant because it goes beyond identifying the fundamental molecular mechanism of the disease to suggest a treatment strategy using an already approved drug," Professor Kim Ju-mee said. "In particular, the use of drug repositioning for rare diseases greatly increases the possibility of clinical application." The findings were published in the April 2026 issue of Experimental & Molecular Medicine, a leading international journal in the field of molecular medicine. ◆Experimental & Molecular Medicine (Impact Factor 12.9, JCR top 4.1%) ◆Title: Defective autophagy in GNE myopathy is rescued by inhibition of noncanonical Akt–mTORC1 activation across multiple isogenic models ◆Link/DOI: https://bit.ly/4cXXoOP 2026-04-22 11:06:03

Fed Chair Nominee Kevin Warsh Denies Being Trump’s ‘Puppet’ as Independence Concerns Persist Kevin Warsh, President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Federal Reserve, told senators he is not the president’s “puppet,” but investors remain uneasy as Trump continues to publicly demand interest rate cuts. Warsh said at an April 21 Senate Banking Committee confirmation hearing that Trump had not asked him to promise a rate cut at any specific time. “I have not received such a request, and I would not have made such a promise,” he said. Asked by Republican Sen. John Kennedy whether he would become someone’s “human puppet,” Warsh replied, “Absolutely not.” The Washington Post and AFP reported that Warsh repeatedly called the Fed’s independence in monetary policy “essential.” Trump, however, kept up the pressure. Reuters reported that in a CNBC interview just before the hearing, Trump said he would be disappointed if Warsh did not cut rates soon after Senate confirmation. The AP reported that Trump has continued to argue the current rate level, in the mid-3% range, should be lowered to 1%. Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren accused Warsh of being Trump’s “sock puppet,” citing what she described as Trump’s rhetoric targeting Fed Chair Jerome Powell and an effort to remove Fed Gov. Lisa Cook. With politics appearing to intrude on central bank personnel and policy, concerns have grown that market anxiety could worsen. Warsh also drew criticism for not clearly distancing himself from Trump on several issues. Reuters reported that he avoided direct answers about an investigation involving Powell, the attempt to dismiss Cook and questions related to the 2020 election results. Bloomberg reported that while Warsh pledged independence, he did not directly address the current level of interest rates. Questions have also surfaced about whether Warsh’s policy stance has shifted. AFP described him as a leading inflation-focused hawk during his time as a Fed governor around the 2008 financial crisis. More recently, he has argued that artificial intelligence could lift productivity, a view that can support lower rates. Warsh’s finances have become another flashpoint. The Washington Post and AP reported he holds more than $100 million in assets and did not fully detail some private equity and unlisted investments, drawing sharp questioning at the hearing. Warsh said he would divest within 90 days if confirmed, but Warren said the disclosures still make it difficult to assess potential conflicts of interest. The confirmation timeline remains uncertain. Reuters and the Washington Post reported that Republican Sen. Thom Tillis has maintained he will block any Fed nominations until the matter involving Powell is resolved. Powell’s term as chair ends on May 15, but if confirmation is delayed, debate could intensify over a leadership gap. The article also noted that even if Powell steps down as chair, he can keep his remaining term as a Fed governor through January 2028, adding to the uncertainty.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-22 11:05:39

Korean Air First-Class Seat Complaint Highlights Gap Between Price and Comfort Comedian-turned-dentist Kim Young-sam’s complaint about a first-class seat has renewed attention on how passengers judge premium airline products — and how expectations can differ from what travelers feel in the cabin. Kim wrote on social media on the 21st, posting a photo from a flight to the United States: “How am I supposed to go all the way to the U.S. in a place this cramped? Even my high school study room was bigger.” He added, “Korean Air first class!” and “Burning miles!” Passengers can voice dissatisfaction with a service they used, regardless of ticket price or cabin class. On long-haul routes, first class is marketed as more than a seat, with customers expecting rest and a more private space. A traveler’s sense of tightness — or a gap between expectation and reality — can be a personal experience. According to Korean Air’s website, the Boeing 777-300ER Kosmo Suites 2.0 first-class seat has a pitch of 211 centimeters, a bed length of 203 centimeters and a width of 61 centimeters. The A380-800 first-class seat is listed with a 211-centimeter pitch, a 201-centimeter bed length and a 67-centimeter width. On paper, those measurements are far larger than economy seating. Some criticism of certain Korean Air first-class products has surfaced in reviews. One Mile at a Time, an airline review outlet, said Korean Air’s A380 first class “feels dated,” citing shortcomings such as the entertainment system. The review said the A380 product is less competitive compared with newer global first-class offerings. Another review of Korean Air’s 747-8 Kosmo Suites 2.0 described the seat as “spacious and private” overall, while noting a width of about 24 inches. That is wide compared with standard seating, but suggests limits when measured against the newest first-class suites offered by major airlines. In user comments, complaints often focused less on absolute size than on how the space feels. One Reddit user wrote that Korean Air’s first-class seat was only slightly larger than business class, was not as comfortable as expected, and had a noticeable step in “bed mode.” By specifications alone, Kim’s description of “cramped” appears exaggerated. Still, on long-haul flights, perceived comfort can be shaped by storage space, openness, aisle access, privacy, window-side layout and cabin fixture placement. First-class customers often expect a self-contained space for many hours, not simply a larger chair — and disappointment can follow when the experience falls short. The aircraft type and seat configuration Kim used cannot be confirmed from his post alone. His remarks appear to reflect a clash between premium-service expectations and what a customer feels in practice, rather than a verified defect in a specific seat. Premium cabins are sold as high-value products, differentiated by larger seats, meals, lounges and dedicated service. As a result, customer evaluations can directly affect competitiveness. At the same time, travelers who pay more — or redeem miles for a top-tier seat — often apply stricter standards.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-22 11:04:36

South Korea to Subsidize Up to 2 Percentage Points of Loan Interest for Steel, Aluminum and Copper Firms South Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said Tuesday it will subsidize up to 2 percentage points of loan interest through the end of next year for companies in steel, aluminum and copper, as well as related derivative products, to ease management burdens amid shifts in the global trade environment. The ministry said export conditions have worsened and financing costs have risen as major countries strengthen protectionist measures. On April 21 (local time), aluminum and copper futures on the London Metal Exchange closed at $3,532 per ton and $6.04 per ton, up 49.5% and 26.2% from a year earlier, the ministry said. To reduce financial costs and support business stability, the ministry said it signed agreements with five financial institutions, including Woori Bank, KB Kookmin Bank and Shinhan Bank, to create new loan products eligible for interest subsidies. The program targets small and midsize companies with export performance in steel, aluminum, copper and related derivatives. It will cover part of the interest on loans used for facility investment, mergers and acquisitions, research and development, or working capital. The loan limit is up to 10 billion won per company. Small businesses can receive support equal to 2 percentage points of interest, while midsize firms can receive 1.5 percentage points, through the end of next year. Applications will be accepted from Tuesday through May 21. The ministry said it will select recommended companies after evaluating submissions, followed by reviews by participating lenders before final loans are issued.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-22 11:03:45

South Korea Industry Ministry Conducts Joint Safety Inspections at Mines South Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said Tuesday it carried out intensive safety inspections of vulnerable facilities at mines with a joint public-private inspection team. The team, made up of private-sector mining experts and officials from the ministry and the Korea Mine Rehabilitation and Mineral Resources Corp., checked underground work sites considered vulnerable and aging mining facilities. Inspectors also reviewed drainage systems and other potential hazards, the ministry said. The annual inspections are intended to identify and remove risks in advance at facilities seen as prone to disasters or accidents. The ministry said it plans to conduct two months of joint inspections through June 19, focusing on resource facilities including national critical infrastructure with significant potential social impact. Kim Jong-cheol, the ministry’s director general for resource industry policy, said domestic mineral resources have become more important than ever as a key foundation for ensuring continuity in core national industries. He urged site managers to strengthen checks of vulnerable facilities and to communicate closely with related agencies, including mine safety offices and the Korea Mine Rehabilitation and Mineral Resources Corp., for a swift response in emergencies.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-22 11:03:15

Holt Gangdong Welfare Center Holds 8th Balral Festival in Gangil-dong A hands-on community festival bringing together people with developmental disabilities and local residents was held at a plaza in Gangil-dong, Seoul’s Gangdong District. Holt Gangdong Welfare Center, operated by Holt Children’s Services, said it held the eighth Balral Festival at the Gangil-dong plaza on April 18. The event was organized to mark Disability Day, observed annually on April 20 and established in 1972 to promote understanding of people with disabilities and advance their rights. People with developmental disabilities, their families and neighborhood residents took part in programs focused on disability awareness and community inclusion. On-site activities included augmentative and alternative communication, or AAC, demonstrations; a visual-impairment experience; and a disability-awareness quiz. Visitors also joined hands-on booths such as ball-toss games and other participatory activities. AAC refers to communication methods that use picture boards, symbols or electronic devices for people who have difficulty expressing themselves through speech or writing. The center said its use is expanding in South Korea’s support services for people with developmental disabilities. Other activities included decorating pens, making keychains, a portrait-drawing talent donation by an artist with a developmental disability, and a samulnori percussion performance. The center said a notable feature of this year’s festival was that some programs were planned and run with direct participation from people with developmental disabilities, reflecting a broader push in welfare services to expand participant-led roles beyond attendance. Local organizations including the Seoul Metropolitan Gangdong Youth Center and the Korea Welfare Center for the Blind joined the event. The Gangil-dong Community Service Center and police supported on-site safety management, and private sponsors including retailers and restaurant businesses helped with operations. Participants said the disability-experience programs and activities helped deepen their understanding of disability, the center said. A center official said, “We have continued to hold events in which the local community participates together to mark Disability Day,” adding, “We plan to keep expanding programs that bring people with developmental disabilities and those without disabilities together.” Holt Gangdong Welfare Center provides day care, family support and community-integration programs for people with developmental disabilities and regularly runs community-based disability awareness efforts. 2026-04-22 11:01:03

LS-VINA to Supply Extra-High-Voltage Cables for Vingroup’s Hai Phong New City Project LS Eco Energy said Tuesday that its Vietnam manufacturing unit, LS-VINA, has supplied extra-high-voltage cables for Vingroup’s new city development project in Hai Phong. LS-VINA is the top player in Vietnam’s extra-high-voltage cable market, with about an 80% share, the company said. It said the order strengthens LS-VINA’s position as a key supplier for local power infrastructure. Vingroup, Vietnam’s largest private company with businesses spanning real estate, retail, automobiles and energy, is developing a mixed-use new city in Hai Phong that combines residential, commercial and tourism functions under the Vinhomes Vu Yen project. The company said Vietnam’s accelerating urbanization is supporting demand. The government aims to raise the urbanization rate to 50% by 2030 and, under the national power development plan known as PDP8, is pursuing about 200 trillion won in generation and transmission investment. LS-VINA is the only company producing extra-high-voltage cables in Vietnam, LS Eco Energy said, positioning it to benefit directly from the investment cycle and to sustain mid- to long-term revenue growth. LS Eco Energy said the trend is reflected in results: first-quarter revenue and operating profit rose about 30% from a year earlier, and revenue hit a quarterly record. Extra-high-voltage cable sales jumped 177%, driven by grid investment and rising demand tied to AI data centers. “Urbanization and expanding power investment are combining to rapidly broaden LS-VINA’s mid- to long-term growth base,” a company official said. The official added that LS-VINA recently obtained quality certification for 230-kilovolt extra-high-voltage cables from a global certification body, laying groundwork to enter the North American market. LS-VINA entered Vietnam’s domestic market in 1994 as LG-VINA and has since grown into ASEAN’s largest wire and cable company, with annual revenue of about 1 trillion won, and Vietnam’s top cable exporter, LS Eco Energy said. 2026-04-22 10:57:47

PM Kim Min-seok: Oil Price Cap Shows Benefits; Decision on Fourth Round Soon Prime Minister Kim Min-seok said April 22 that the government will decide soon whether to launch a fourth round of the oil price cap after weighing its benefits and differing views. In opening remarks at an Emergency Economic Headquarters meeting at the Government Complex Seoul, Kim said the third round of the cap ends Tuesday, and a decision on a fourth round will follow. While some have questioned the policy’s effectiveness, Kim said the cap has shown clear positive effects, including preventing sharp inflation, easing a pullback in consumption and softening the impact on groups sensitive to fuel prices, such as freight drivers. Kim said small and midsize businesses and working households are the first to feel the biggest effects from a prolonged war in the Middle East. He said the government will actively communicate and seek ways to ensure the supplementary budget it has prepared provides practical help to small firms and ordinary people. Kim also said the COVID-19 crisis prompted improvements to the public health system and a stronger push to foster the biopharmaceutical industry. He urged ministries to manage immediate challenges while also identifying tasks needed to move toward change and innovation with an eye on the future. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-22 10:57:14

Special Counsel to Question Lee Si-won on Alleged Pressure in Marine Death Probe Kwon Chang-young’s second comprehensive special counsel team, which is investigating unresolved allegations following three earlier special counsel probes (insurrection, Kim Keon Hee and the fallen Marine), will summon Lee Si-won in connection with claims of outside pressure on the Marine death investigation. The special counsel said Lee will be questioned as a witness on the 23rd. The team said the questioning concerns matters tied to the earlier special counsel cases and is unrelated to the North Korea remittance case transferred from the Seoul High Prosecutors Office human rights inspection task force to the Suwon District Prosecutors Office. The inquiry centers on allegations of interference surrounding the death of a Marine Corps 1st Division private in July 2023. At the time, Marine investigator Park Jeong-hun, then head of the Marine Corps investigative unit, transferred the case to police after applying negligent homicide charges to Lim Seong-geun, then commander of the 1st Division, and others. After the transfer, the records were retrieved, prompting suspicions that the presidential office and the Defense Ministry intervened in the investigation. The episode also fueled the so-called “VIP anger” claim — that Yoon Suk Yeol, described in the case as a former president, strongly reprimanded officials after being briefed on the findings and that the direction of the investigation then changed. The special counsel views whether there was improper pressure in the record-retrieval process as a key issue. Investigators plan to examine whether Lee was involved in the retrieval of the records. He is suspected of taking part in checking the transfer process, including speaking in August 2023 with Yoo Jae-eun, then the Defense Ministry’s legal affairs chief, and contacting police after receiving instructions from Cho Tae-yong, described as a former national security adviser, the report said. The earlier special counsel team on the Marine case, led by Lee Myung-hyun, indicted 12 key figures, including Yoon, without detention. It granted Lee discretionary immunity and issued a suspension of indictment, citing his cooperation. The special counsel said it will use the new questioning to recheck the decision-making process at the time and how instructions were conveyed. Separately, Lee is on trial in a case involving allegations that Lee Jong-sup, described as a former defense minister, fled overseas. That case concerns whether the presidential office intervened in the process of appointing him as ambassador to Australia, amid claims he was a central figure in the pressure allegations. The comprehensive special counsel is also separately reviewing whether the presidential office intervened in the investigation into Ssangbangwool’s alleged remittances to North Korea. The special counsel recently received related materials from the Seoul High Prosecutors Office task force, formed a dedicated team and is examining whether Lee and others influenced the direction of that investigation. The special counsel said it will analyze the secured materials and conduct witness interviews to determine, step by step, whether there was organized intervention by the presidential office. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-22 10:54:20