Byun Hee-bong, Korean Actor in Multiple Boon Joon Ho Films, Dies at 81

Michael Gambon has died at the age of 82. The beloved English actor had a lengthy and prodigious career in theater, television, radio, and film, and was known for his portrayal of Albus Dumbledore in the “Harry Potter” films. Argentine actress Silvina Luna has passed away at the age of 43Sandra Bullock’s partner Bryan Randall dies at 57: what is ALS?Gambon’s death was confirmed by a statement released on behalf of his family.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief Paramount+ has unveiled three new Korean TV shows which it will launch in selected international territories including North America, the U.K. and parts of continental Europe.

All directors get their start somewhere, right? And in the case of acclaimed, Oscar-winning filmmaker Bong Joon Ho, that start was in the Yellow Door Film club. Now, decades later, the director is reminiscing about his time spent with friends talking about movies.

Yellow Door: ’90s Lo-fi Film Club, a new documentary that will feature Parasite director Bong Joon-ho.According to Netflix, the upcoming documentary is an “ode to the golden era of Korean cinephilia” that will take a look at the “young film enthusiasts who paved the way for the Korean cinematic renaissance”The upcoming film is directed by Lee Hyuk-rae (2022’s Sewing Sisters) and will delve into the history and members of the Yellow Door Film Club, of which Oscar-winning Parasite director Bong Joon-ho was a member of.“The 1990s witnessed an explosion of film clubs on Korean campuses, providing young students with a creative outlet and a platform to study the art of cinema,” said Netflix of the film in a press release. “Yellow Door Film Club was one of them.”In the new trailer for Netflix’s Yellow Door: ’90s Lo-fi Film Club, Bong and his fellow Yellow Door Film Club are seen reuniting to speak about the club, how it came about and its influence on the South Korean entertainment industry.“At overseas film festivals in the early to mid-2000s, people would ask, ‘Where did all these directors come from?'” Bong recalls in the trailer.

Lee Sang Yeob is getting married!

Anna Marie de la Fuente In one of the first deals to emerge from the San Sebastian Film Festival, powerhouse indie studio, Filmax, which celebrates its 70th anniversary at San Sebastian Festival, has snapped up international rights to LGBTQ+ dramedy “Norbert(a)” from Imposible Films, the producers of hits “Truman,” “The People Upstairs” and “Stories not to be Told.” Directed by newcomers Sonia Escolano, who also penned the script, and Belén López Albert, it is toplined by Luis Bermejo (“Magical Girl”), Adriana Ozores (“Alba”), Mariona Terés (“The Girls at the Back”) and María Romanillos. Norbert(a) follows Norberto and María, who’ve been married for decades and live what seems like an ordinary life in their working-class neighborhood.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief Steven Yeun has bucked stereotypes and carved a new niche as sexy Asian leading man with his roles in “Burning” and “Beef.” Justin Chon transitioned from a supporting role in “Twilight” to directing “Gook,” “Jamojaya” and half of Apple TV+’s “Pachinko.” And Busan-born Daniel Dae Kim has expanded from “Lost” and “Hawaii” to becoming one of Hollywood’s leading producers. The stateside successes of Korean-born and Korean American talent are growing and are worth celebrating. But the Busan International Film Festival’s planned party is being dialed down a notch under the impact of the twin writers’ and SAG Actors strikes in the U.S. Busan’s ‘Special Program in Focus: Korean Diasporic Cinema’ will go ahead with a screening schedule including six films, public talk sessions that include Oscar-winning actor Youn Yuh-jung, Lee Isaac Chung, director of Oscar-winning film “Minari,” and John Cho, the Seoul-born “Star Trek” and “Searching” star.

A toddler is dead and multiple others were rushed to the hospital after a fentanyl exposure incident at a daycare in New York City. According to multiple media reports, last Frida

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief A+E Networks is continuing its investment in Korean entertainment content with “A Good Day to Be a Dog,” a fantasy romantic comedy that will upload from Oct. 11. Within Korea, the show will play on public broadcaster MBC and Lifetime Korea, releasing at the rate of one episode per week, every Wednesday.

Veteran Korean actor Byun Hee-bong, best known for his collaborations with Oscar-winner Bong Joon-ho, including Okja and Memories of Murder, has died. He was 81.

Okja fame has died. He was 81.Byun’s death was confirmed by his family today (September 18), as reported by South Korean news outlet Yonhap News Agency.

Actor Billy Miller has sadly passed away at age 43.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief Korean crime-action webtoon “Knuckle Girl” is being adapted as an original film production for Amazon’s Prime Video. It is structured as a Korea-Japan co-venture. The narrative revolves around a promising woman boxer, Ran, who takes on school bullies and participates in illegal bouts.

Vin Diesel is remembering his good friend and ‘Fast & Furious‘ co-star Paul Walker on what would have been his 50th birthday, with a very emotional tribute, honoring his life and legacy. The Hollywood star, who walked Paul’s daughter down the aisle for her wedding, wrote a message, detailing his friendship with the late actor and remembering his 40th birthday celebration 10 years ago.“A decade… ten long years… and yet it feels like yesterday when we were singing happy birthday to you for the big 40!” Diesel wrote, sharing a sweet photo with the actor at his birthday party.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief Oscar-winning Korean actor Youn Yuh-jung (“Minari,” “Pachinko”) will headline the Actors’ House section of the upcoming Busan International Film Festival, it was announced on Thursday. Introduced in 2021, Actors’ House is a special series that connects audiences and film enthusiasts with iconic actors from the current generation through its in-depth discussions. “There’s much anticipation to hear her words of wisdom, as she’s known for her insightful observations,” said the festival. Others this year include: Han Hyo-joo, Song Joong-ki and Korean-American actor and author John Cho.

McKinley Franklin editor Edward Hume, the Emmy-nominated writer of “The Day After” and creator of “The Streets of San Francisco,” has died, his rep confirmed to Variety. He was 87. Hume was known for his work on the critically acclaimed, 1983 sci-fi TV movie “The Day After,” which was nominated for a total of 10 Emmys and won two.

EastEnders star Brian Conley has seemingly fallen out of love with the role of Tom 'Rocky' Cotton, and will depart the BBC soap later this year. First appearing back in May 2021, Rocky became a major player amongst the denizens of Walford after tying the knot with Gillian Taylforth's character Kathy Beale. But according to The Sun, the show's writers are now scrambling to come up with a worthy ending for him and may even be tempted to bump Rocky off in the Christmas murder plot.

Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion are set to give their new collaboration ‘Bongos’ its live debut at next week’s 2023 MTV VMAs.The track was announced earlier this week and landed on Friday (September 8). It’s the first time that the two have joined forces since their global hit ‘WAP’, which dropped back in 2020.On September 12 at the Prudential Centre in Newark, New Jersey, the pair will play the song live for the first time alongside other performers including the recently-announced Olivia Rodrigo, Måneskin, Doja Cat, Fall Out Boy and more.Taylor Swift, Doja Cat and SZA lead the list of nominations for this year’s VMAs, which was revealed last month.Swift is leading the way with eight nominations, SZA earned six and Doja Cat, Kim Petras, Miley Cyrus, Nicki Minaj and Sam Smith have all earned five each.

Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion will be hitting the stage together at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards!

Elsa Keslassy International Correspondent “Vogter,” a psychological thriller directed by Gustav Möller, whose previous film “The Guilty” won the Audience Award at Sundance, has been pre-sold by Les Films du Losange to multiple territories. “Vogter,” which was just completed and is now in post, has been picked up for Germany, Austria, Switzerland (Ascot Elite), Spain (La Aventura), Italy (Movies Inspired), Japan (Happinet Phantom Studios), Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg (Cineart), Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania (Kino Pavasaris) and Hungary (Vertigo). Les Films du Losange has closed these deals since unveiling the project at Cannes and is negotiating further sales in other key territories.