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  • Korean Official Projects Corporate Tax Revenue to Exceed 200 Trillion Won in 2027
    Korean Official Projects Corporate Tax Revenue to Exceed 200 Trillion Won in 2027 Ryu Deok-hyun, the Senior Secretary for Economic Affairs at the Blue House, projected on September 2 that corporate tax revenue for next year will exceed 200 trillion won, driven by a boom in the artificial intelligence (AI) industry and the semiconductor sector. He also estimated that total national tax revenue would surpass 580 trillion won.During an appearance on CBS Radio's 'Park Seong-tae's News Show,' Ryu stated, "We expect corporate tax revenue from the semiconductor boom to be over 200 trillion won next year," adding, "Total national tax revenue is expected to exceed 580 trillion won." Ryu identified the global growth of the AI industry as a key factor contributing to the increase in corporate tax revenue for domestic semiconductor companies. He noted that improvements in the domestic economic conditions are also enhancing overall tax revenue from income tax, securities transaction tax, and consumption-related taxes.Based on these projections, the government has prepared a budget plan for next year amounting to 820.9 trillion won, an increase of 93 trillion won from this year. Ryu emphasized that this budget is not merely an expansion of fiscal size but is focused on enhancing growth potential and improving citizens' lives.He pointed out that South Korea's potential growth rate has been declining by about one percentage point every five years, currently hovering around 1%, and could fall to zero. Ryu noted that the stagnation of the South Korean economy over the past three years, in contrast to the global economy, is partly due to a lack of proactive government involvement.While the semiconductor boom has expanded the overall economy, Ryu acknowledged that the improvement in citizens' quality of life has not been sufficient. He stated that the government needs to create a virtuous cycle of economic growth and fiscal stability while supporting the lower tiers affected by K-shaped polarization.The main directions of next year's budget include enhancing citizens' lives, providing support throughout the life cycle, ensuring equal opportunities, and fostering future growth industries. Plans are in place to expand support for education, entrepreneurship, and employment, as well as to invest in research and development and industrialization of three major mega projects and seven key seed industries.Regarding support for public universities, Ryu announced that starting next year, the government will subsidize tuition for new students at 30 public universities. He explained that currently, about 70% of enrolled students receive national scholarship benefits.The government plans to establish a future response fund amounting to 162.3 trillion won, rather than spending the entire increase in tax revenue at once. Of this, approximately 45 trillion won will be included in next year's budget of 820.9 trillion won, while over 100 trillion won will be reserved for future fiscal needs and fluctuations in the semiconductor market.In response to concerns that the future response fund would not be subject to parliamentary oversight, Ryu refuted this claim, stating, "We have established a mechanism to report to the National Assembly as soon as there is a demand."Ryu also addressed criticisms regarding the mismatch between the Bank of Korea's interest rate hikes and the government's expansionary fiscal policy. He asserted, "Selective support for small businesses and vulnerable groups struggling due to interest rate increases is a role that fiscal policy must fulfill," emphasizing that next year's managed fiscal deficit will be close to balance at about 0.1% of GDP.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-02 16:24:00
  • Chinese Stock Market Declines for Second Day Amid Rising Oil Prices, Defense Sector Surges
    Chinese Stock Market Declines for Second Day Amid Rising Oil Prices, Defense Sector Surges The Chinese stock market continued its decline on September 2, following a drop the previous day. The surge in international oil prices contributed to the negative sentiment. The Shanghai Composite Index closed down 0.97% at 3,941.39, the Shenzhen Component Index fell 1.88% to 13,611.55, and the ChiNext Index dropped 2.39% to 3,312.24.Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz escalated as the United States resumed airstrikes against Iran, prompting retaliatory attacks from Iran. This situation led to a significant increase in international oil prices, with West Texas Intermediate (WTI) rising 5.2% to $90.22 on September 1, and Brent crude climbing 4.6% to $94.65. Chinese media expressed concerns that global inflation could reignite.Additionally, the yield on the U.S. 10-year Treasury note surpassed 4.8%, with bond yields in major countries like Japan, the UK, and Germany reaching their highest levels in recent years. Chinese media described this as a 'global bond market sell-off.' Rising bond yields diminish the relative attractiveness of stocks, particularly growth and technology stocks that have high valuations.Huatai Securities noted in a report that the U.S. Federal Reserve is leaning towards a hawkish stance, and the inflow of foreign active funds into China has decreased. They assessed that the potential for sustained growth in the Chinese stock market has somewhat diminished.On the other hand, defense companies saw significant gains. Companies such as Inner Mongolia First Machinery Group, China National Chemical Engineering, and China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation hit their daily price limits. The combined revenue of over 80 defense firms listed in China reached 377.4 billion yuan in the first half of the year, an 18.9% increase compared to the same period last year, while net profits totaled 24.7 billion yuan, up 32.9%. This confirms that the defense sector is experiencing substantial growth, with reports indicating that Chinese defense companies are expanding their overseas exports.The power grid sector also showed strength, with companies like Taiyang Cable and Shenma Electric reaching their daily price limits. The National Energy Administration of China held a meeting on September 1 to discuss new power grid construction, focusing on accelerating research and development of new technologies in areas such as artificial intelligence, flexible power grids, smart grids, and energy storage systems (ESS), along with announcing more supportive policies.Meanwhile, the People's Bank of China set the yuan's central parity rate against the dollar at 6.7829 yuan, a 0.0020 yuan increase from the previous day, reflecting a 0.03% decline in the yuan's value.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-02 16:24:00
  • Government Withdraws Plan to Limit ISA Benefits
    Government Withdraws Plan to Limit ISA Benefits The South Korean government has reversed its plan to reduce benefits for the Individual Savings Account (ISA) just a month after its initial announcement. The proposal to limit the contract period to a maximum of five years and to prevent the carryover of unused contribution limits has been withdrawn. Existing and new subscribers can continue to utilize the general ISA as before.On September 1, the government finalized a tax law amendment during a Cabinet meeting, maintaining the current terms for ISA contract periods and contribution limit carryovers. The previously proposed expiration date for new general ISAs at the end of 2029 has also been rescinded.The initial reform plan announced last month included restrictions on the general ISA's contract period and a prohibition on carrying over unused annual contribution limits to the following year. This sparked backlash, as it was seen as incompatible with the ISA's purpose of long-term investment.Critics argued that the changes would disproportionately affect young people, low-income individuals, and self-employed workers with fluctuating incomes, who often struggle to meet the annual contribution limit of 20 million won. President Lee Jae-myung also instructed a comprehensive review of the ISA reform plan. Consequently, the government has decided to maintain the existing structure of the general ISA.The mandatory subscription period for the ISA is three years, after which the account can be extended indefinitely. The annual contribution limit remains at 20 million won, with a total limit of 100 million won. Unused annual limits can be carried over to the next year.For instance, if an individual contributes only 5 million won to their ISA this year, the remaining 15 million won does not expire. They can contribute up to 35 million won next year, combining the unused limit with the new annual limit of 20 million won. This allows individuals to open an account in advance and accumulate contribution limits even if they currently lack investment capacity.The key advantage of the ISA is its tax benefits. The net profit, calculated by combining gains and losses from the account, is tax-exempt up to 2 million won for the general type and 4 million won for the low-income and farming type. Any amount exceeding these limits is taxed at a rate of 9.9%, which is lower than the 15.4% tax rate on interest and dividend income from regular financial products.For example, if a general ISA generates a net profit of 5 million won from interest and dividend income, the tax applies to 3 million won after excluding the 2 million won tax-exempt limit. This results in a tax of 297,000 won, significantly lower than the 770,000 won tax that would be incurred if the entire 5 million won were taxed at the regular rate.The choice of assets is also crucial. Products like overseas index exchange-traded funds (ETFs) listed on the domestic stock market, which incur capital gains and dividend taxes in regular accounts, offer significant tax benefits when held in an ISA. Conversely, domestic stocks generally enjoy tax exemptions on capital gains for individual investors, making it more efficient to focus on dividend stocks and taxable ETFs within the ISA.The government plans to introduce a new productive finance ISA next year. If the proposal passes through the National Assembly, interest and dividend income from domestic stocks, domestic equity funds, national growth funds, and business growth collective investment schemes (BDC) will be tax-exempt without limits. Since capital gains from domestic stocks are mostly tax-exempt in regular accounts, additional tax benefits are expected to arise primarily from dividend stocks and taxable funds.The contribution limit for the productive finance ISA will be 20 million won annually, with a total limit of 200 million won. The revised proposal allows this account to maintain the maximum contract period limit without restrictions after the mandatory subscription period of three years, and unused contribution limits can be carried over to the next year.Once the productive finance ISA is introduced, it can be held alongside the existing ISA. Investors can contribute up to 20 million won to each account annually, totaling 40 million won. It is also possible to allocate overseas index ETFs to the existing ISA and domestic dividend stocks and domestic equity funds to the productive finance ISA.However, the productive finance ISA is still pending review by the National Assembly. There is no need to terminate the existing ISA or transfer investments beforehand. It is advisable to maintain the current ISA while waiting for the final investment targets and tax benefits of the productive finance ISA to be confirmed, allowing for a strategic approach to utilizing both accounts.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-02 16:20:20
  • Im Yi-ja Criticizes President Yoons Response to Kim Yong-beoms Resignation
    Im Yi-ja Criticizes President Yoon's Response to Kim Yong-beom's Resignation Im Yi-ja, the policy chief of the People Power Party, criticized the resignation of Kim Yong-beom, the head of the Presidential Policy Office, stating, "It is not a matter that can be resolved by just one person resigning." She emphasized the need for a national audit and a special prosecutor investigation regarding the single-stock leveraged exchange-traded funds (ETFs).During her appearance on KBS 1 Radio's 'Current Affairs', Im stated, "The President needs to change the overall direction of governance; simply changing personnel will not suffice."Regarding the circumstances surrounding Kim's resignation, she noted, "The market volatility caused by single-stock leveraged ETFs has resulted in significant harm to many investors," adding that the government's tax and real estate demand suppression policies have contributed to widespread accountability discussions within and outside the ruling party.Im echoed the sentiments of party representative Jang Dong-hyuk, who stated that Financial Services Commission Chairman Lee Ok-keun and Financial Supervisory Service Chairman Lee Chan-jin also share responsibility. She remarked, "The atmosphere within the party is very intense." The People Power Party is advocating for a national investigation followed by a special prosecutor's appointment concerning the introduction of single-stock leveraged ETFs led by Kim.In this context, Im insisted, "We need to clarify who proposed and approved the product, who supervised it, and who assessed its risks. An independent preliminary investigation should be conducted, and a national audit or a hearing at the standing committee level should take place. If any illegal or unjust aspects, such as bribery or data concealment, emerge, we must proceed with a special prosecutor investigation."Meanwhile, she strongly criticized Kim Seung-won, the newly nominated Minister of Justice and a member of the Democratic Party, saying, "He is someone who exists solely for the President."Im added, "He has co-led a group to cancel prosecutions and was at the forefront of the push to abolish investigative powers. If someone who has done this is appointed as Minister of Justice, who can believe that this will be handled fairly and impartially?"* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-02 16:20:10
  • Independent Lawmaker Jang Kyung-tae Denies Sexual Assault Allegations, Claims Incident Involved Dating Violence
    Independent Lawmaker Jang Kyung-tae Denies Sexual Assault Allegations, Claims Incident Involved Dating Violence Independent lawmaker Jang Kyung-tae held a press conference on September 2, denying allegations of sexual assault and asserting that the incident in question involved dating violence. He reiterated his innocence, stating, "I have never committed any act of sexual assault," and released contents from a group chat to support his claims.During the press conference held at the National Assembly, Jang emphasized his innocence, saying, "I have had to delay my statement until now. Once again, I assert that I have never committed any act of sexual assault." He then shared messages from a messaging app.Jang revealed that the chat included discussions among participants, including the complainant, indicating that the complainant's absence was due to dating violence. He stated, "The chat mentions dating violence. The complainant claimed her absence was due to a hangover. Why has an absence due to dating violence been misrepresented as a hangover?"He further noted that other participants in the chat expressed negative sentiments about the complainant's boyfriend, suggesting that their reactions stemmed from witnessing his violent behavior during a gathering. Jang shared messages from the chat that expressed concern for him and highlighted the friendly interactions he maintained with the other participants, including mutual social media connections.Jang concluded by stating, "The evidence I have released today is just a portion of what I possess. I will gradually disclose more materials to uncover the truth with all my efforts."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-02 16:20:10
  • Real Estate Agents Propose Viewing Fee Amid Rising Demand
    Real Estate Agents Propose 'Viewing Fee' Amid Rising Demand Real estate agents are reviving the proposal for a 'viewing fee system,' which would allow them to charge for property showings and site visits, even if no contracts are signed. This comes as demand for viewing multiple properties without the intention to purchase has increased, prompting calls for compensation for the time and costs involved in the brokerage process. However, the Korea Association of Realtors stated that there are currently no concrete plans to implement such a system, and the president's comments reflect personal opinions rather than official policy.During a press conference on August 26, held ahead of the launch of a legal entity, the association highlighted the necessity of introducing a viewing fee.Kim Jong-ho, president of the Korea Association of Realtors, stated, "When agents review property registration documents and explain rights, as well as show homes using their vehicles, it is essentially working for free if no contract is finalized. We will provide services that are worth the viewing fee to ensure customer satisfaction."The push for a viewing fee stems from the current brokerage fee structure, which makes it difficult to recoup time and expenses if a transaction does not occur. Industry insiders argue that the rise of 'viewing crews'—individuals touring properties for educational purposes or content creation rather than actual purchases—has increased the burden on agents.Last year, during a Q&A session, Kim proposed a 'prepayment and deduction method,' where a viewing fee would be charged upfront and deducted from the brokerage fee if a contract is signed. This approach aims to recognize the value of services provided before a contract is finalized, such as site visits and explanations of rights.However, the existing brokerage fee system presents challenges. The Real Estate Brokerage Act distinguishes between brokerage fees and actual costs incurred for verifying rights. Under the current system, it is difficult to uniformly charge a basic fee for standard site visits, indicating that further discussions on the scope of fees and costs are necessary to formalize a viewing fee.Consumer acceptance is also a variable. Given the existing perception that brokerage fees for home transactions are already substantial, there may be backlash against requiring payment from the outset of the viewing process.Competition among brokerage firms poses another practical obstacle. If one agency begins charging a viewing fee while others do not, consumers are likely to gravitate toward those offering free showings. Even if a system is established, it may be challenging to implement in the market.On the other hand, there is a belief that the introduction of a viewing fee could be more feasible for transactions involving land or factories, where site verification requires significant time and costs. This is particularly true for properties that necessitate long-distance travel or are difficult to access.Seo Jin-hyung, a professor of real estate law at Kwangwoon University, noted, "Brokerage fees are fundamentally success-based, making it difficult to receive payment when a transaction does not occur. Recently, there seems to be a movement to explore charging a portion of the fee to prevent excessive demands for information."Meanwhile, the Korea Association of Realtors clarified that there are currently no specific plans or official procedures underway regarding the introduction of a viewing fee, and the president's comments reflect personal views. 2026-09-02 16:20:10
  • September Mock Exam for 2027 College Entrance Test Excludes Killer Questions
    September Mock Exam for 2027 College Entrance Test Excludes Killer Questions The September mock exam for the 2027 College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) was completed, providing insights into the upcoming exam trends. According to analyses from education experts and the Korea Educational Broadcasting System (EBS), this exam successfully excluded so-called 'killer questions' that require mechanical problem-solving techniques often taught in private tutoring, while maintaining clear difficulty levels across subjects.The Korean and math sections were notably more challenging than the June mock exam, putting pressure on test-takers, while the English section was significantly easier in comparison.The Korea Institute for Curriculum and Evaluation conducted the September mock exam simultaneously at 2,162 high schools and 574 designated academies across the country starting at 8:40 a.m. on September 2.This mock exam focused on excluding questions that favored students trained through private education, aiming to maintain discriminative power within the public education framework. The EBS linkage rate, based on the number of questions per subject, remained around 50%, and the agency actively utilized charts, graphs, and passages from linked materials to enhance students' perceived connection to the exam.Korean Section Features Longer Passages and Choices, Increasing DifficultyExperts agree that the Korean section was more difficult than the relatively straightforward June mock exam. According to JinHakSa, the passages and answer choices were generally longer, requiring deeper thinking, which likely added pressure on students regarding time management. Jongno Academy noted that more time was spent on the literature section compared to the reading section, and the introduction of different question types may have contributed to this burden. Etoos predicted that the variation in interpretive information in literature and the differences in students' learning levels affected the overall perceived difficulty.EBS assessed this Korean section as being similar in level to last September's mock exam, noting that while the amount of information in the passages was appropriate, questions requiring precise understanding and inferential reasoning distinguished the test-takers. The most challenging questions were identified as number 7 and 8, which focused on humanities and philosophy, and number 13, which dealt with science and technology.Math Section Shows Increased Difficulty with Unfamiliar Question TypesThe math section was also deemed more difficult than the June mock exam, while being comparable to or slightly easier than last year's CSAT, demonstrating strict discriminative power. A notable feature was the relatively higher difficulty of the common subjects (Math I and Math II) compared to the elective subjects.JinHakSa noted that while the 2-3 point questions were relatively straightforward, the unfamiliar question types in common subjects 14 and 15 may have confused some students. Etoos pointed out that the question type for number 22 changed from a sequence problem in the June mock exam to a graph of exponential and logarithmic functions, making predictions difficult. The highest difficulty questions identified by students included number 21, which involved differentiation, and number 22, which asked about the shape of exponential and logarithmic function graphs, along with number 14, a sequence problem.In contrast, the elective subjects of probability and statistics, calculus, and geometry were all presented at a manageable level, suggesting minimal impact on students' choices. EBS evaluated that the exam avoided overly complex calculations and questions requiring too many concepts in one item, focusing instead on logically inferring basic concepts within the curriculum.English Section Features Less Abstract Passages and Trendy Topics, Making It EasierUnlike the Korean and math sections, the English section was significantly easier. Compared to last year's CSAT (with a top score rate of 3.11%) and this year's challenging June mock exam (with a top score rate of 4.13%), the difficulty was notably reduced.Jongno Academy analyzed that the vocabulary, sentence structure, and passage length were all easier, potentially causing issues in securing discriminative power among high-achieving students. JinHakSa also observed a marked reduction in abstract content and difficult vocabulary, stating that the basis for understanding the main ideas and fill-in-the-blank questions was clear from the passage content.Fresh and engaging topics in the passages also caught students' attention. EBS noted that trendy subjects such as 'the role of search engine autocomplete' and 'the function of dopamine' were included, helping to alleviate students' exam stress.However, measures to maintain discriminative power were still in place. Etoos analyzed that attractive distractors were used to adjust difficulty, and test preparation companies commonly identified questions 33 and 34 (fill-in-the-blank inference), 37 (order of text), and 39 (sentence insertion) as likely to have high error rates.Kim Byeong-jin, head of the Etoos Education Evaluation Research Institute, commented on the September mock exam, stating, “Both Korean and math sections appear to have been set at a higher difficulty level than the June mock exam. Particularly, adaptability in the literature section of Korean and the common subjects in math likely played a crucial role in this exam.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-02 16:20:00
  • Kim Jang-gyeom: The Era of Physical AI is a Prime Opportunity for South Korea
    Kim Jang-gyeom: The Era of Physical AI is a Prime Opportunity for South Korea Kim Jang-gyeom, a member of the National Assembly from the People Power Party, stated on September 2 that "the era of physical AI presents a prime opportunity for South Korea to take a leap forward."Speaking at the 2026 Good Growth Global Forum (GGGF) held at The Plaza Hotel in Seoul, Kim emphasized the need to combine the country's manufacturing strengths with the new capabilities offered by AI.He noted that the forum's theme, 'KOREA, State of AI,' highlights South Korea's robust industrial foundation, which includes world-class manufacturing, semiconductor competitiveness, and strong sectors in automotive, shipbuilding, batteries, and robotics. "These are clear strengths," he said.Kim predicted that the outcome of future AI competition will depend on how the nation integrates its industrial capabilities, including semiconductors, data centers, robotics, manufacturing, energy, and communication infrastructure.He stressed the importance of seizing this opportunity, calling for continuous and proactive investment, as well as reducing regulatory barriers to allow companies to innovate freely. He also highlighted the necessity of developing sufficient infrastructure, including AI semiconductors, data centers, and power grids.In conclusion, he expressed hope that through more active investment and innovation, physical AI will provide new wings to South Korea's manufacturing sector, leading to a virtuous cycle of industrial growth and quality job creation. He wished for the GGGF to serve as a platform for presenting strategies and solutions for South Korea to become a leading nation in the AI era.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-02 16:16:10
  • Progress on 8,550 Social Housing Units Stalled Under Hong Ji-sun
    Progress on 8,550 Social Housing Units Stalled Under Hong Ji-sun Hong Ji-sun, the nominee for Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, initiated a social housing policy during her tenure as the head of the Urban Housing Division in Gyeonggi Province. However, as the final year of the plan approaches, the flagship pilot project has yet to break ground. Ongoing issues with land acquisition and an inadequate financing structure for long-term leases have hindered progress.According to Gyeonggi Province and the Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly, Hong, while serving as Urban Housing Division head, finalized the '2026 Gyeonggi Province Social Housing Basic Plan' in December 2021, aiming to supply 8,550 social housing units from 2022 to this year.Social housing is long-term rental housing supplied and operated by social enterprises or cooperatives with public support. Gyeonggi Province has proposed various supply models, including new town village types and community-based models.However, not all 8,550 units will be newly constructed by Gyeonggi Province. The total includes units supplied by the Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) and local governments, as well as existing public rental housing, making direct comparisons with individual new projects challenging.The pilot project directly pursued by Gyeonggi Province has faced difficulties from the start. Since 2020, the province has sought developers for land-lease social housing but has failed to attract applicants in three rounds of bidding. This issue of securing suitable land and attracting developers has been a persistent weakness in the policy since Hong's tenure.Hong also participated in establishing the necessary framework. In 2020, she proposed amendments to relevant ordinances in the Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly, laying the groundwork for public support through land leasing, loans, and subsidies for social housing. Concerns were raised in the assembly regarding the scope of support and accountability in case of project failures.Repeated Bidding but Construction Yet to Begin in Deokpung-dongFive years later, the flagship pilot project has still not commenced construction.Gyeonggi Province is working on social housing for young people without homes in Deokpung-dong, Hanam City. In the 2024 bidding process, potential developers withdrew due to disagreements over purchase prices, prompting a reevaluation of the project approach.The current plan involves social economy entities designing and constructing the housing, which will then be purchased and managed by the Gyeonggi Housing and Urban Corporation (GH) under a 'specialized purchase and lease' model. This year, 29 units are set to be supplied.According to Gyeonggi Province's comprehensive housing plan for 2026, the Deokpung-dong project is scheduled to begin construction after a contract is signed. However, it has not yet started by the end of the plan's final year.Choi Kyung-ho, director of the Housing Neutrality Research Institute, emphasized the need to change the land acquisition method. He noted, "While plans are being reviewed, landowners sometimes sell their land to others," suggesting that the public should secure land first before separately soliciting project proposals.Concerns have also been raised regarding the financing structure, which needs to align with long-term leasing. Social housing relies on long-term rental income to recoup investments, differing from sales projects in terms of cash flow.Choi stated, "In sales projects, investments can be recouped within 2-3 years through sales proceeds, but for long-term rentals like social housing, it can take over 20 years to recover initial capital." He urged a reduction in the proportion of high-pressure repayment funds and an increase in low-interest, long-term financing.If Hong is to expand new rental housing supply models, including social housing, upon her appointment as Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, she must address the land acquisition and financing issues that have already emerged in Gyeonggi Province.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-02 16:16:10
  • Director Kim Mi-jo on Humor and Perspective in Gyeongju Journey
    Director Kim Mi-jo on Humor and Perspective in 'Gyeongju Journey' Director Kim Mi-jo, who gained attention at domestic and international film festivals with her debut film 'Seagull,' has released her first commercial film, 'Gyeongju Journey.' The film skillfully intertwines the heavy theme of personal revenge with elements of thriller, black comedy, and family drama, establishing her unique style. The film features a tight ensemble of veteran actors, each character vividly brought to life, expertly balancing moments of humor, sadness, and tension. The film's high level of craftsmanship ultimately stems from Kim's solid directorial skills."This film is a family drama. I thought it would be nice if the family members appeared in matching outfits, like a military unit. I wanted them to look like a united group, seemingly on a mission for revenge. However, as the story progresses, I wanted to depict the process of the family's disintegration as their inner wounds are revealed. I see it as a story of a family that gathers together but ultimately disassembles as each member reveals their true feelings," Kim said.The setting of Gyeongju holds significance beyond just a filming location. The strange coexistence of the living and the dead, along with the tension and everyday life intersecting, originated from a landscape Kim encountered in 2014."In 2014, when I started making films, I traveled to Gyeongju with my family. As a child, I only thought of Gyeongju as a school trip destination, but visiting as an adult felt different. I saw laundry hanging next to tombs and houses nearby. I often thought, 'This is a city where the living and the dead coexist.' The irony was captivating. While walking next to Daereungwon in blue raincoats with my family, I suddenly thought, 'This looks like a visual of killing someone.' I took a photo, and that image became the starting point for 'Gyeongju Journey.'"Despite the complex narrative involving numerous characters, Kim ensured that none were underutilized. It was her responsibility as a director to create an environment where veteran actors could fully showcase their talents."With so many characters, I often worried that some might be used merely as tools. Therefore, I paid close attention to character development and wanted to give each character a 'key scene.' The actors were all highly talented, and I didn't want to hear that I had written them in a certain way. I aimed to create a work that highlighted the ensemble of actors, focusing on each character's important moments," she explained.'Gyeongju Journey' does not merely view tragic events as 'sad.' It blurs the lines between tragedy and comedy, solidifying its unique tone. This approach reflects Kim's everyday life and perspective."My father has a great sense of humor. The greatest legacy he gave me was the ability to see tragedy not just as tragedy. The atmosphere in my family is like that. I believe 'Gyeongju Journey' is essentially me. It naturally contains my way of viewing the world. While they are seeking revenge, I wondered if they would only focus on that. Wouldn't they get hungry? Wouldn't they need to use the restroom? Those thoughts naturally layered into the black comedy aspect of the film," she said.The film also flows with the pain of those left behind after losing family members and the memories of social tragedies. It reflects the painful 'tragedies' that audiences who have lived in the same era as Kim are familiar with."I think many events I've seen and heard have naturally blended into the film. Incidents like the Sewol ferry disaster, the Sampoong Department Store collapse, the Sea Land incident, the Daegu subway disaster, the Itaewon tragedy, and even the 9/11 attacks. I have always been curious about why people could not return, why such events keep repeating, and how the survivors live afterward. Those questions seem to have naturally found their way into this film," she noted.The collision of humor and tragedy, genre and reality, required meticulous calculation and coordination. Kim stated, "The biggest challenge was adjusting the film's tone," explaining that she refined the work through numerous takes and post-production efforts."While I had done black comedies and dramas in short films, this was my first time expanding into genres like this. When writing, I let my imagination run wild, but meeting the actors changed the texture. So, I worked extensively with the senior actors on various takes, shooting exaggerated versions and more realistic ones. While the film is shot in segments, the audience sees it as a whole. If the emotional lines were disconnected, it wouldn't work, so I had to approach it that way. In post-production, I worried about whether it would look like a mishmash, and I communicated with the music director about balancing tragedy and comedy, like '70% tragedy, 30% comedy.' It required continuous adjustments during editing," she explained.Ok-sil's choices and conclusion do not aim for simple catharsis through good triumphing over evil. Instead, they confront the reality of "humans who must live with the fire in their hearts," aiming to resonate deeply with the audience."We often say, 'You must forgive.' But does forgiveness solve everything? What if you don't forgive? I've always been curious about that. Ok-sil is someone who has lost her husband and daughter. I believe that a single phrase like 'you must forgive' cannot comfort someone who has suffered such a deep wound. I was curious about what the face of someone who goes to the end looks like and what state they are in. I thought that the fire in Ok-sil's heart might only be extinguished by going through with it. I see her line, 'I was afraid I might forgive you,' as central to the story. For Ok-sil, not forgiving seems to be her way of repaying her feelings toward Gyeongju and her husband," she said.The process of revenge leads to the departure of her daughters, leaving Ok-sil to confront Baek Sang-hyun alone, a core element that remained unchanged since the first draft."From the first draft, the structure of Ok-sil acting alone in committing the crime never changed. When I showed the script to various people, the most common question was, 'Would a mother choose to become a criminal with her children?' I thought that part might be difficult to grasp. What I wanted to convey was not that the family does something together, but that one person carries out what they believe in to the end. As the daughters express their feelings, they inevitably drift apart, leaving Ok-sil alone. Ultimately, I thought it was necessary for Ok-sil to face Baek Sang-hyun directly," she explained.Kim's decision to fade out during Ok-sil's trial scene at the end of the film reflects her compassion. She expressed a desire to offer a warm perspective and hope for the character of Ok-sil."I faded out because I couldn't conclude that part myself. Ironically, I hoped that Ok-sil would receive 'leniency from the law.' However, I think what I desire and what is expressed in the film are different issues. There are complex problems between strict punishment and leniency. Some people continue to cry, and there are wounded families. I wanted to focus more on how those families can continue to live," she said.Kim Mi-jo's perspective, which encompasses heavy social questions and genre entertainment, has broadened through this work. This journey, starting from intimate curiosity and expanding into empathy with others, has become a valuable milestone for the director as she moves to the next stage."In the past, I often made films because I wanted to see stories that intrigued me. However, 'Gyeongju Journey' is the first work I created while considering stories that might also intrigue others. During 'Seagull,' I wanted to see the process of a character resisting within a system, while 'Gyeongju Journey' explores family stories. It’s about a tragic journey where they collapse together but simultaneously discover each other. Just as interests change over time, I think the themes will continue to shift. When I tell stories, I often feel a sense of resolution. Having completed 'Gyeongju Journey,' I feel ready to move on to another topic after family stories."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-02 16:16:00