SEOUL, October 23 (AJP) - Japanese film director and screenwriter of Zainichi Korean descent Lee Sang-il will visit Seoul next month. His visit, slated for mid-November to promote his latest film "National Treasure," also known as "Kokuho" comes ahead of its release in here on Nov. 19. The film, an adaptation of a novel by Shuichi Yoshida that chronicles the passionate lives of men devoted to art over half a century, was an instant hit in Japan shortly aft

SEOUL, October 20 (AJP) - Korea's once-vibrant movie scene is struggling to bring audiences back to theaters, and without serious soul-searching, it may follow the same decline once seen in Japanese and Hong Kong cinema. Multiplex chains are shuttering nationwide, often blaming global streaming platforms for their decline, but insiders argue the problem runs deeper — a shortage of compelling, diverse stories worth watching on the big screen. "The audience isn

SEOUL, October 20 (AJP) - Award-winning director Park Chan-wook added another gong under his belt as he won an award given to the best director with his latest film "No Other Choice." Park won the award at this year's Sitges Film Festival, which wrapped up in Spain last Sunday. The festival, the world's largest genre film festival, showcases fantasy and horror films celebrated for their creativity. Park has long been the festival's favorite, having previ

SEOUL, October 20 (AJP) - Animated film "Your Letter" has been sold to over 166 countries ahead of its global release. Countries where the film has been pre-sold include Japan, Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, Singapore, Spain, Thailand, and the U.K. Praised after its premiere at the Ottawa International Animation Festival in September last year, the 96-minute film was released here the following month. Starting with its overseas release in Viet Nam earlier this mon

SEOUL, October 06 (AJP) - Netflix's K-pop Demon Hunters is fueling a rush in South Korea’s secondhand market. Action figures, badges, and other show-themed goods are moving quickly on resale platforms as fans look for items tied to the animation's tiger and magpie characters. Released in June, the animation follows a K-pop idol group that secretly fights demons in Seoul. It blended mythology, music, and action and built major buzz. It became the first South Korea&nda

SEOUL, September 30 (AJP) - South Korea's film industry officials and legal experts largely brush off U.S. President Donald Trump's latest threat about slapping tariffs on movies filmed outside the American soil. Speaking on Monday, Trump said his administration would levy "100 percent tariffs" on films that were not fully produced within the United States, repeating a proposal he first raised in May. South Korea's national film agency, the Korean Film Counci

SEOUL, September 25 (AJP) - Another K-pop themed movie has begun filming after finalizing its cast, following the success of Netflix's South Korean anime "K-Pop Demon Hunters," talent mill HYBE's U.S. branch said on Thursday. Produced by HYBE in collaboration with Paramount Pictures, the film stars singer-songwriter Eric Nam and Yoo Ji-young, an American actress of Korean descent known for her roles in American drama "Expats" on Amazon Prime Video as well

SEOUL, September 25 (AJP) - Director Park Chan-wook's latest film "No Other Choice" attracted over 331,000 moviegoers on its opening day, instantly climbing to the top spot at the box office. The Korean Film Council on Thursday said the thriller starring Lee Byung-hun and Son Ye-jin topped the box office upon its release the previous day, setting the highest opening record among his previous hits like "Decision to Leave" in 2022 and "The Handmaiden&q

SEOUL, September 16 (AJP) - This year's Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) will begin its 10-day run, with an outdoor red carpet event in the southern port city on Wednesday. Award-winning director Park Chan-wook's latest film, "No Other Choice," starring Lee Byung-hun and Son Ye-jin, has been selected as the curtain-raiser for BIFF, with Lee Byung-hun hosting the opening ceremony. The thriller, based on American writer Donald E. Westlake's novel "