UTA Signs ‘Along With the Gods’ Filmmaker Kim Yong-hwa; Big-Grossing Korean Film Franchise Set For TV Series Spin-Off

Kang Soo Yeon has sadly passed away.

BTS‘ exemption from the nation’s mandatory military service.The Culture Minister proposed in a press briefing on May 4 that globally recognised male pop-culture artists should be allowed to substitute their compulsory two-year conscription for alternative programmes.“It’s time to create a system for incorporating popular culture-art figures as art personnel,” Hwang said, per Yonhap News Agency, in recognition of figures such as award-winning athletes and classical musicians and their roles in enhancing South Korea’s image overseas.“The [exemption] system has been operated meaningfully to give those who have enhanced the national status based on their excellent skills more chances to contribute to the country, and there is no reason the popular art-culture field should be excluded from this,” he continued.Under South Korea’s current Military Service act, all able-bodied Korean men are required to enlist for approximately two years of military service before the age of 30. This was after an amendment to the act was made in late-2020 where the age limit was raised from the initial 28.“I thought somebody should be a responsible voice at a time when there are conflicting pros and cons ahead of the enlistment of some of the BTS members,” Hwang added.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau ChiefAcclaimed Canadian nature documentary “Geographies of Solitude” was Wednesday named the best film in the international competition section at South Korea’s Jeonju International Film Festival. The parallel Korean competition was won by “Jeong-Sun,” directed by Jeong Ji-hye.The two previous editions of Jeonju were disrupted by COVID. But this year the festival, with 217 films from 52 countries, was held predominantly as an in-person event.

and get into the habit of building other safe sun practices.” Whatever formula you choose, make sure you apply a generous amount and reapply consistently (that's every two hours when outdoors, according to the ). Pair this with hats and UV protective clothing for beach days, and you can help prevent wrinkles and dark spots while protecting your skin from harmful UV rays.Ready to find your perfect ? Whether you have acne-prone skin, dryness, or sensitivity, this list makes it easy to find a K-beauty creation you'll actually want to wear daily.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau ChiefCinemas in South Korea received the good news last week that anti-COVID measures, including reduced seating capacity and bans on consumption of food and drink, were to end. But audiences reacted gingerly.“Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore” led the box office for a second weekend with $1.63 million, a drop of 44% from its opening weekend, and a 12-day cumulative of $6.55 million.

Kim Kardashian has revealed that her boyfriend Pete Davidson owns items from her shapewear company Skims. Kardashian, 41, discussed the items that the 28-year-old comedian has during a recent interview with E! News. According to the model, her boyfriend feels “super comfy” in Skims “T-shirts” and “underwear”.

Warner Music Asia has announced that it has signed Thai artist Valentina Ploy in a deal that will see the major work in partnership with her existing record company, indie label What The Duck.“I am so happy to be working with Warner Music”, says Ploy. “[I’m] very excited and grateful to become part of the family as I feel that they support my vision of developing my artist career beyond limits”.“It’s always been a dream of mine to bring my music to the world and Warner Music is perfectly suited to help me reach the widest audience possible”, she adds.

SEOUL, South Korea -- State media anchor Ri Chun Hi is one of North Korea’s most famous voices after announcing the country's major events of past decades — among them nuclear and missile tests and the death of a leader — in a resounding, booming voice filled with emotion.The anchor dubbed abroad as the “pink lady” for her bright, traditional attire was the topic of official North Korean media herself Thursday after leader Kim Jong Un gave Ri a luxurious residence and asked her to continue to vigorously serve as the voice of his ruling Workers’ Party.Experts say Kim is trying to boost his support from elite North Koreas while the country deals with pandemic hardships and a diplomacy stalemate.“(Kim) said it is the sincerity of the party that there is nothing to spare for the treasures of the country like her who has worked as a revolutionary announcer for the party for more than 50 years since her girlhood,” the official Korean Central News Agency said. Kim expressed “expectation that she would as ever vigorously continue her work in good health as befitting a spokeswoman for the party.”Kim met Ri at a newly built riverside terraced residential district that was inaugurated Wednesday in Pyongyang.

EXCLUSIVE: After collaborating  on the film Greyhound — with  sequel in the works — and the just wrapped WWII series Masters of the Air, Playtone partners Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman have made multi-year exclusive television overall deal with Apple TV+.

WJSN’s Bona has opened up about her love for Twenty Five Twenty One co-star Kim Tae-ri and what it was like to work together.In a recent interview with Newsen, the 26-year-old K-pop idol and actress voiced her deep admiration for Twenty Five Twenty One co-star Kim Tae-ri, and shared more about how the pair grew close on set.“There was a lot I learned through unnie (Korean honorific meaning ‘older sister’),” Bona said of Kim, referring to their meeting as “fate”, as translated by Soompi. “She always asked me, ‘Is there anything uncomfortable? Should I do this for you?’ so thanks to her, I was able to follow comfortably in her steps.”Bona went on to share that both actresses, who trained vigorously for their roles professional fencers in the series, played showed their competitive sides on set.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau ChiefThe release of “Sonic the Hedgehog 2” and “Ambulance” gave Hollywood a rare one-two-three at the South Korean box office over the weekend. But neither newcomer managed to earn $1 million in another deeply depressed session.“Sonic 2” earned $843,000 over the weekend and $979,000 over its opening five days, according to data from Kobis, the theatrical tracking service operated by the Korean Film Council (Kofic).“Ambulance” earned $450,000 between Friday and Sunday and a total of $674,000 over its five days since release on Wednesday.

Tiffany Young sang an a cappella, bilingual rendition of the song ‘For Good’, from the popular stage musical Wicked.In a new video interview with Elle Korea, the Girls’ Generation member opened up about the stage musical roles she would like to play after her successful run as Roxie Hart in the South Korean production of Chicago. The singer named Glinda the Good Witch from Wicked (originated by Kristin Chenoweth) as the role that she hoped to tackle next.Young then launched into an impromptu, partial rendition of ‘For Good’, in both English and Korean, from the long-running musical, before recalling her emotional experience watching the production.