Intriguing drama to lure moviegoers with complex moral themes this fall

SEOUL, October 16 (AJP) - Filmmaker Heo Jin-ho's latest film "A Normal Family" is set to attract many moviegoers this fall with its enthralling story about ethical quandaries. The family-centric drama, released on Wednesday, revolves around two wealthy parents struggling to cope with a crime committed by their teenage kids. Based on the Dutch novel "The Dinner" by Herman Koch, the Korean adaption was first unveiled at the Toronto International Film Festiva

October 16, 2024

NewJeans' Hanni speaks out about alleged workplace bullying at National Assembly

SEOUL, October 15 (AJP) - Hanni, a member of K-pop girl band NewJeans made a baffling appearance at the National Assembly on Tuesday. In a parliamentary audit of the Ministry of Environment and Labor, Hanni was scrutinized regarding workplace bullying and other forms of harassment she had endured. "What I experienced, which was not a one-time issue, is something anyone could go through," said the 20-year-old Vietnamese-born girl. "I came forward because I felt it s

October 15, 2024

Han Kang's books sell like hotcakes after Nobel Prize win

SEOUL, October 14 (AJP) - Koreans are snapping up Han Kang's books following her Nobel Prize win last week. A throng of people lined up in front of Kyobo Book Centre, the country's largest bookstore chain in Gwanghwamun, central Seoul, even before it opened early Monday morning, rushing to get their hands on her books. Best known for her surreal novel "The Vegetarian," which won the International Booker Prize in 2016, Han won this year's Nobel Prize in Liter

October 14, 2024

Period drama 'Uprising' now available on Netflix after debut at Busan film fest

SEOUL, October 11 (AJP) - Netflix' latest South Korean film "Uprising" is generating excitement among movie fans as it became available on the U.S. video-streaming platform on Friday. Set in the Joseon Dynasty, the period drama created initial buzz due to the involvement of acclaimed filmmaker Park Chan-wook, who contributed to both the production and screenplay. It gained further attention as the curtain-raiser for this year's Busan International Film Festival (B

October 11, 2024

Han Kang: A master of lyrical storytelling

SEOUL, October 10 (AJP) - Announcing South Korean author Han Kang as the recipient of this year's Nobel Prize in Literature, the Swedish Academy praised her "intense poetic prose that confronts historical traumas and exposes the fragility of human life." Han's work explores the intricate connection between the body and soul, the living and the dead. Through her innovative and poetic style, she has become a leading figure in contemporary literature. Anna-Karin

October 10, 2024

Peruvian singer lights up autumnal night with fusion concert in Seoul

SEOUL, October 4 (AJP) - Peruvian singer Lenin Tamayo stole the autumnal night with a concert in central Seoul on Thursday. The multi-talented young singer, 21, who created his own music genre, dubbed "Q-pop," captivated audiences with unique and exotic performances that blend elements of K-pop with the indigenous languages widely spoken in the central Andes of South America. "Q-pop is rooted in the heritage and culture of the indigenous Quechua people, one of the

October 4, 2024

Busan film fest to open with Korean historical drama

SEOUL, October 2 (AJP) - The annual Busan International Film Festival is set to kick off with an outdoor red carpet event in the southern port city on Wednesday, featuring some 224 films from 63 countries. Netflix's Korean historical drama "Uprising" opens this year's festival, which marks its 29th year. The film, starring Gang Dong-won and Park Jeong-min, explores the complex relationship between two close friends from different social classes. The much-anticipate

October 2, 2024

BTS member Suga fined 15 million won for drunk driving

SEOUL, September 30 (AJP) - BTS member Suga was fined 15 million won (US$ 11,463) on Monday for driving under influence earlier this year. The Seoul Western District Court ordered the 31-year-old rapper to pay the fine. Suga, who is currently fulfilling his mandatory military service with a public-sector desk job, was caught riding under the influence after falling off his electric scooter near his residence in Hannam-dong, Yongsan on Aug. 6. At the time of the accident, his

September 30, 2024

Korean cooking show becomes most-watched non-English series on Netflix in its debut week

SEOUL, September 26 (AJP) - Netflix's latest Korean show debuted as the most-watched non-English series worldwide in its first week. Reality show "Culinary Class Wars" garnered 3.8 million views about a week after its release on Sept. 17, the U.S. video-streaming site said on Wednesday. In the 12-episode survival show, 80 lesser-known chefs, referred to as "Black Spoon," compete against 20 celebrity chefs known as "White Spoon" in an intense culi

September 26, 2024

Korean short-story collection longlisted for French literary award

SEOUL, September 24 (AJP) - Korean novelist Park Sang-Young's queer novel has been longlisted for France's prestigious literary award. The French edition of "Love in the Big City," released in August this year, is vying for the Prix Médicis, one of the most prestigious literary awards recognizing works of fiction annually in France. Other included works are "Question 7" by Australian author Richard Flanagan, "The MANIAC" by Chilean nov

September 24, 2024