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By Jean-Marc Thérouanne

This year, Korea was the guest of honor. A retrospective of fourteen key films in the history of Korean cinema — from The Housemaid (1960) by Kim Ki-young to The Land of Morning Calm (2024) by Park Ri-woong, winner of the Golden Cyclo at the 31st Fica Vesoul in 2025 — was presented in the presence of many prominent Korean cinema figures.

Jang Joon Hwan, Kim Dong Hi, Moon So Ri, Jean-Marc Thérouanne, Mo Chul Min (photo crédit Jmt)

Among them were Kim Dong-ho, founder of the prestigious Busan International Film Festival and co-founder of Netpac (Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema); Park Kwang-su, current president of Biff and director of Black Republic; Jang Joon-hwan, director of the cult film Save the Green Planet!; and actress Moon So-ri. Also present were academics and officials, including His Excellency Choi Youngsam, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Vietnam.

June 30 was the key day dedicated to Korean cinema,...

Arguably, the best Korean drama of the year, if not beyond, comes from the quiet shores of Jeju Island. While many of the others tend to lean into fantasy, “When Life Gives You Tangerines” successfully appeals to audiences by grounding itself in reality, offering a narrative that resonates deeply with everyday life.

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The story closely follows Oh Ae-sun, the daughter of a haenyeo (female diver), from the early 1950s to the 21st century. Divided into four parts, the work reflects the changing seasons of her life. It begins with her rocky childhood, where she blooms like a spring flower regardless of the hardships she has to go through. Beside her is Yang Gwan-sik, a quiet yet determined boy who cares deeply for Ae-sun despite his family’s disapproval. We then move into the summer of their life as a married couple.

On Jeju Island in the 1960s, the always dependable Gwan-sik falls in love with gifted but troubled Ae-sun — and, ever since, he’s devoted his life to her. Over the course of several decades, the two fated lovers forge a life together despite the disapproval of Gwan-sik’s family and Ae-sun’s personal setbacks. Starring Iu, Park Bo-gum, and Moon So-ri, the sweeping romance series When Life Gives You Tangerineswas created by Kim Won-suk (My Mister) and Lim Sang-choon (When the Camellia Blooms).

At the 61st Baeksang Arts Awards, When Life Gives You Tangerines received four honors: Best Drama, Best Screenplay for writer Lim, Best Supporting Actor for Choi Dae-hoon, and Best Supporting Actress for Yeom Hye-ran.

Stream it now. The series will release four new episodes every Friday through March 28.

Check it out at the top of this page.

Now in her 70s, Ae-sun (Iu), looks back on her...

What Did Park Bo-Gum Say About His Screentime In When Life Gives You Tangerines? (Photo Credit – Instagram)

The ongoing Netflix K-drama When Life Gives You Tangerines, featuring Iu and Park Bo-Gum in the lead, is receiving much love from the audience. However, while Iu can be seen in almost every episode as she plays Oh Ae-Sun (the mother) and Guem Myung’s (the daughter) characters, Park Bo-Gum has quite a limited screen space as Yang Gwan-Sik’s younger version in the series.

This sparked discussions among netizens, leading some to talk about the unfairness. However, the two lead stars recently collaborated on the Hotel del Luna actress’ YouTube channel talk show, where they addressed the scenario. On March 22, Iu posted a video on her channel titled Mini Palette/ Sweet Chemistry with Bo-Gum, in which they discussed their working experience.

During the conversation, Park Bo-Gum and Iu discussed their feelings toward...

Did Iu have to drink real alcohol on When Life Gives You Tangerines? ( Photo Credit – Instagram )

After a long gap, Iu made her comeback into the world of K-dramas with When Life Gives You Tangerines alongside Park Bo-Gum. The actors have already garnered a lot of appreciation for their onscreen chemistry, and the drama has been earning the highest ranking, taking top spots and breaking global records on Netflix. The heartwarming storyline, the relevance and backgrounds of the characters, and the innocence of the drama have won millions of hearts so far.

But did you know that in one of the scenes, the actress didn’t use any makeup? Instead, she went for method acting to make it look more real. Yes, you heard that right. The singer-turned-actress recently shared that in an interview, and we really think that no one could have justified Ae-Sun’s role other than her.

A new Netflix K-drama has become a global hit. Netflix is one of the most popular streaming platforms in the world and has become well-known for its original content, including movies and television series. Their most popular series, which have drawn hundreds of millions of viewers, include the Addams Family reimagining Wednesday, the 1980s-set sci-fi fantasy drama Stranger Things, and the Regency-era romance Bridgerton.

Some of the most popular shows on the platform are Netflix original K-dramas. This includes the survival thriller Squid Game, which has been watched by more than 455 million viewers, with season 1 being the most-watched season on the platform across all languages and season 2 being the third. Squid Game season 3 is also on the way and may perform similarly. Other notable K-dramas on the platform include the crime drama Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area, the zombie series All of Us Are Dead, and the romance Melo Movie.

Iu and Park Bo-Gum’s When Life Gives You Tangerines hits No. 1 (Photo Credit – Netflix)

Iu has returned to the world of K-dramas with When Life Gives You Tangerines, and the series has already made a strong debut and recorded great viewership numbers on Netflix. It has gained a lot of attraction across the globe and has become an international hit. The series stars Park Bo-Gum, Moon Sori, Park Hae-Joon, and others, apart from the Korean idol-turned-actress.

It premiered on March 7, 2025, and has dropped only four episodes. And within these, the fans have fallen in love with the characters and their dynamics. While the Hotel del Luna actress is receiving a lot of love for her role as Ae-Sun, Bo-Gum is equally appreciated for portraying such a diligent and innocent character. Scroll ahead to know more.

When Life Gives You Tangerines was written by Lim Sang-Choon and directed by Kim Won-Seok.

Caleb Anderson here, sharing my take on the opening segment of When Life Gives You Tangerines. This series invites us to experience life’s rough patches transforming into moments of warmth and comfort.

Set against the historical backdrop of Jeju Island, the story follows Ae-sun’s life from her youthful defiance to the measured maturity shaped by family ties and cultural heritage. The plot unfolds over several decades, capturing a relationship that grows from childhood camaraderie to a mature bond marked by shared struggles and silent understandings.

The storyline centers on Ae-sun and Gwan-sik, whose paths cross in a world where personal dreams intersect with traditional expectations. Their evolving connection is portrayed through a series of reflective sequences that jump through time, creating a rich mosaic of memories. The island itself, with its distinctive traditions like the haenyeo practice, plays a central role, lending authenticity and a sense of place to the narrative.

When Life Gives You Tangerines (Korean: 폭싹 속았수다) is a heartwarming South Korean drama that blends romance and slice-of-life storytelling. Written by Im Sang-choon and directed by Kim Won-seok, the series stars Iu, Park Bo-gum, Moon So-ri, and Park Hae-joon in a nostalgic tale of youthful dreams, first love, and family bonds.

Set against the scenic backdrop of Jeju Island and partially filmed in Andong, the drama takes viewers on an emotional journey through the past, capturing the tender moments of our parents’ younger years. Premiering on Netflix on March 7, 2025, the series follows a unique release pattern, dropping four episodes per week over four weeks.

This article provides everything you need to know about When Life Gives You Tangerines—its full episode release schedule, plot details, main cast, highlights, and where to stream it.

‘When Life Gives You Tangerines’ Plot Overview:

When Life Gives You Tangerines is a heartfelt drama...

Here’s Why Iu Chose To Join When Life Gives You Tangerines K-Drama (Photo Credit – Netflix)

There is a new K-drama on the horizon for the fans of Iu and Park Bo-gum. Titled, When Life Gives You Tangerines, this slice-of-life drama follows a couple as they navigate ups and downs together living in the idyllic Jeju Island. When Life Gives You Tangerines premiered on Netflix on March 7, 2025.

Two days before the drama’s premiere, that is March 5, the director Kim Won-seok, along with the cast members Iu, Park Bo-gum, Moon So-ri, and Park Hae-joon met for a press meeting. They spoke about their characters, experiences on the set, and more.

The female lead of When Life Gives You Tangerines, Iu, spoke about her reason for picking the drama. Iu, aka Lee Ji-eun, is an established singer and actress known for her songs like 25, eight (ft. BTS Suga) and dramas like My Mister,...

Picture: The Potato Lab, When Life Gives You Tangerines and Revelations

Thanks to the recent string of announcements, 2025 is going to be a busy year. But first, we look ahead to March 2025, which has its own batch of exciting new K-dramas.

In case you missed them, we’ve also tracked the latest K-drama releases in February 2025 and all the new K-dramas coming in 2025 and beyond.

New Netflix Original K-Dramas Coming to Netflix in March 2025 When Life Gives You Tangerines (Season 1) N

Episodes: 16

Genre: Drama, Romance | Runtime: 70 Minutes

Cast: Iu, Park Bo Gum, Moon So Ri, Park Hae Joon, Kim Tae Yeon

Netflix Release Date: March 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th, 2025

Netflix is no stranger to weekly K-drama releases, but it is unusual for one fully produced by the streamer. Four batches of four episodes will be released across March as fans of Iu and Park Bo Gum get to see the pair in an on-screen romance.

"Don't hang back. Live your life to the fullest." Netflix has revealed the full official trailer for a mesmerizing series set on the beautiful Jeju Island in Korea titled When Life Gives You Tangerines, which is ready for streaming this March. This series also goes under the title You Have Done Well in other countries (formerly Thank You for Your Hard Work) which is a strange title for a story about working through life's surprises. The much-anticipated series When Life Gives You Tangerines, starring Iu and Park Bo-gum, takes viewers into the vibrant world of Ae-sun and Gwan-sik. The trailer beautifully captures the changing seasons of life while also highlighting the duo’s palpable chemistry. The series follows the adventures of Ae-sun, "the remarkable rebel," and Gwan-sik, nicknamed "unyielding iron," through four vibrant seasons on Jeju Island. Born on Jeju in the 1950s, it follows them as they grow...

The highly anticipated drama When Life Gives You Tangerines, starring Iu and Park Bo-gum, has unveiled 16 new stills (alongside yesterday’s trailer), offering a glimpse into the emotional journey of Ae-sun and Gwan-sik. The story spans from 1960s Jeju to Seoul in 2025, following their experiences through love, hardships, and personal growth.

Iu plays Ae-sun, a young woman with big dreams and a passion for literature, while Park Bo-gum portrays Gwan-sik, a steadfast man who faces life’s difficulties with quiet strength. Their chemistry is on full display, making their story feel both heartfelt and genuine. The series also features Moon So-ri and Park Hae-joon as the older versions of Ae-sun and Gwan-sik, showing how their bond endures over the decades.

Newly released character stills provide a closer look at the people who shape Ae-sun and Gwan-sik’s lives. Kim Yong-lim plays Mak-cheon, while Na Moon-hee takes on the role of Chun-ok.

When Life Gives You Tangerines (L to R) Park Bo-gum as Yang Gwan-sik, Iu as Oh Ae-sun in When Life Gives You Tangerines Cr. Yoo Eun-mi/Netflix © 2025

K-pop star Iu will be starring in her second Netflix Original K-drama in the upcoming romantic drama When Life Gives You Tangerines. The series will have a split release in March, a first for an exclusive Netflix K-drama.

When Life Gives You Tangerines is an upcoming South Korean Netflix Original romantic drama series directed by Kim Won Suk (Arthdal Chronicles), and written by screenwriter Im Sang Choon (When the Camellia Blooms).

Editor’s Note: The title was previously titled You Have Done Well and has since been changed to When Life Gives You Tangerines.

Table of Contents What is the plot of When Life Gives You Tangerines? Who are the cast members of When Life Gives You Tangerines? What is the production status...

Netflix has revealed its 2025 slate of Korean films and television series, with the streamer cranking up the production of K-content to feed insatiable global demand.

In the scripted sphere, Netflix will debut a whopping 21 series in 2025. Of course, the crown jewel is the third and final season of Squid Game, that launches on June 27. Other highlights include the lavish period drama Dear Hongrang; the pulsating medical drama The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call; the Hospital Playlist spinoff Resident Playbook; the 80s set comedy Aema; and the action thriller Trigger.

Netflix Korea has quickly established itself as a leader in unscripted television and 2025 will see eight shows either debut or return to the streamer. Culinary Class Wars returns for its second season after breaking out and finding a worldwide audience, also Physical: 100 returns and expands into an international competition series with Physical: Asia. There are also new seasons of Single’s Inferno,...

Prehistoric Powerhouse

BBC Factual‘s landmark dinosaur series “Walking With Dinosaurs” roars back to life in a new reimagining, 25 years after its original stomp across television screens. The upcoming six-part series, slated for BBC One and iPlayer, promises to revolutionize natural history storytelling through cutting-edge visual effects and forensic science.

Series producer BBC Studios, alongside co-producers PBS, Zdf, and France Télévisions, will transport viewers into the prehistoric world by following individual dinosaurs whose remains are actively being discovered by leading paleontologists. Each episode, running 50 minutes, weaves paleontological discoveries with cinematic storytelling, bringing to life creatures like the feathered Albertosaurus, a deadly T. rex relative, and the distinctive Pachyrhinosaurus lakustai, sporting its characteristic “unicorn” horn.

The series is executive produced by Andrew Cohen and Helen Thomas, with Kirsty Wilson serving as showrunner. Jack Bootle, head of commissioning for specialist factual, greenlit the project for the BBC, with Bill Gardner consulting for PBS.

BBC Gives First Peak At ‘Walking With Dinosaurs’ Revival

Here’s a first look at Walking with Dinosaurs, as the BBC brings back the hit natural history show after a 25-year hiatus. Check out pic above as the corporation recreates the Triceratops, Pachyrhinosaurus and Young Albertosaurus using cutting edge techniques. The new series will air later this year on the BBC, PBS and France Télévisions. Walking with Dinosaurs tells the dramatic story of an individual dinosaur per ep whose remains are currently being unearthed by world-leading dinosaur hunters. The 1999 original was hailed as ground-breaking, and is still considered one of the biggest production triumphs in natural history programming history. The news comes on the same day we revealed Sreya Biswas, the BBC’s head of natural history commissioning, is moving over to production with a newly-created role at BBC Studios Natural History Unit.

Chris Oliver-Taylor Exiting The ABC

The ABC’s Chief Content Officer,...

Adapted from the fantasy comic book from 2019, Netflixs Hellbound includes some of the most talented actors from South Korea. The King of Pigs, Peninsula, Train to Busan, and Hellbound director Yeon Sang-ho first explored the series supernatural world in : or The Hell (Two Kinds of Life), an 11-minute rotoscope-animated short film that was finished in 2006. Hellbound season 1 received critical acclaim, and became one of the best horror K-dramas on Netflix.

In 2020, Netflix approved the production of the first season of the series, which was released in 2021. While Hellbound season 1 was a resounding success, Netflix didn't immediately renew the show for a sophomore season. Hellbound season 2 took three years to return to Netflix, initially premiering at the 29th Busan International Film Festival before being added to the streaming platform on 25th October. The Hellbound cast, which is tasked with unraveling a dark and intimately compelling fantasy world, did an incredible...

Every time a dystopian Korean drama gets a new season, I take a moment to step back and bury my expectations underground because, more often than not, the shows end up going down a predictable path of political drama that doesn’t do justice to the rich and deepworld-building of the previous season. Sweet Home is the perfect example of this concept and how a show can crumble under its own weight trying to be so many things at once. What I appreciate about Hellbound is that it doesn’t get bogged by too many ideas, but does it have any ideas at all? Hellbound season 2 takes place 8 years after Jin-Su seemingly disappeared from the sight of the world. After the resurrection of two main characters, Jung-Ja and Jung Jin-Su, the apparent messiah, there’s political warfare in the country. The Arrowheads have taken over, and there’s anarchy on the streets.

The full trailer for Hellbound Season 2 has officially been released, teasing what fans should expect to see from the return of Netflixs hit supernatural drama. The series is based on Train to Busan director Yeon Sang-hos dark fantasy webtoon of the same name.

The Hellbound Season 2 trailer highlights the resurrection of New Truth cult leader Jung Jinsu, and Park Jungja, as well as the dire consequences of their return to the living world. In Season 1, Park Jungjas decreed death was the first one witnessed by the world through a live broadcast by the New Truth Society. The video also teases the return of attorney Min Hye-jin, who has now seemingly become stronger and formidable compared to her Season 1 persona.

Related Squid Game Season 2 Trailer Previews Train to Busan Stars Return

The latest teaser trailer for Squid Game Season 2 drops, ahead of the highly-anticipated survival thriller series return on Netflix.

"As...

Actress Moon So-ri and Lee Dong-ha, CEO of RedPeter Film Company received the honorary Etoile du Cinema award at the Busan International Film Festival (Biff) on Saturday, October 5, at an event hosted in partnership with Screen International.

The ceremony took place during ‘French Night’ at Biff at the Paradise Hotel in Busan, held by the French Embassy in Korea and Unifrance.

Moon So-ri is an actress, director and screenwriter. She is best known for leading roles in films including Lee Chang-dong’s Oasis and in Im Sang-soo’s A Good Lawyer’s Wife.

Lee Dong-ha founded RedPeter in 2014, going on to...

The teaser trailer for Netflixs Hellbound Season 2 has finally dropped, unveiling the first look at Netflixs hit supernatural drama. This comes after nearly three years since the series had debuted its 6-episode first season.

The video introduces Kim Sung-cheol as Hellbound Season 2s new Jeong Jinsu, who was originally portrayed by Yoo Ah-in during the first season. Due to his current legal troubles, Yoo wasnt able to reprise his character, who was first introduced as a cult leader of the group called New Truth Society. The trailer highlights the unexpected resurrection of Kims Jinsu, after he has seemingly been killed multiple times by the underworld monsters. In addition to the trailer, the streamer has also announced the release date for Season 2, revealing that the dark fantasy series will be making its return on Friday, Oct. 25.

Related Squid Game Season 2 Trailer Continues the Game at Netflix

Gi-hun comes face-to-face with the...

Hellbound Season 2 is set to premiere on October 25, 2024, much to the excitement of fans after a three-year hiatus. This supernatural horror series, based on the popular webcomic Hellbound by Yeon Sang Ho (also known for Train to Busan) and Choi Kyu Seok, explores a world tormented by demonic beings, sparking the rise of various religious cults.

Season 2 will see the replacement of actor Yoo Ah In with Kim Sung Cheol as Jung Jin Soo, following Yoo Ah In’s involvement in an illegal drug case. On September 20, Netflix released the first teaser and poster for the season, showcasing the resurrection of Jung Jin Soo after being trapped in hell who is played by Kim Sung-cheol. The teaser shows the resurrection of the character after being trapped in hell for several years.

Netflix renews Emily In Paris for season 5

Before its official streaming debut on Netflix, the second season will first...

When looking for a badass female lead, K-drama audiences are hoping for a heroine who is both relatable and superhuman. While K-dramas are well known for their romance and drama, they're not devoid of strong female leads, meaning lead characters that can hold their own and won't back down. Various protagonists in K-dramas would make any grown adult shiver with their deadly stares. With so many K-dramas available, there are plenty of formidable female leads out there. Most defy the odds or general opinion of those who don't believe in them.

These women show that not all K-drama female leads have to be damsels in distress looking for their prince. In some of the best K-dramas, audiences meet dynamic and well-rounded characters, such as Kang Sae-Byeok from Squid Game and Nam On-Jo from All of Us Are Dead. The challenges that K-drama protagonists go through are not easy, since they mirror real-life societal issues.

"It's about time you grew up." Film Movement has revealed a brand new official trailer for a 4K restoration and re-release of a cult classic Korean indie film from 2002. Oasis was the third feature made by Korean auteur Lee Chang-dong, who later went on to make a splash worldwide with his film Burning in 2018. In this film Oasis, an irresponsible and childish ex-con fresh out of prison befriends a girl with cerebral palsy and develops a progressively stronger bond with her. Co-starring Sol Kyung-gu and Moon So-ri. Winner of the Silver Lion for Best Director and Best Young Actress at the Venice Film Festival, Lee Chang-dong's Oasis is a "brave film" that "shows two people who find any relationship almost impossible, and yet find a way to make theirs work." (From a positive Roger Ebert review.) It was also South Korea's official entry for Best Foreign Language Film at the...

Though South Korea’s hardly produced a better-seen, more-beloved auteur, Lee Chang-dong hasn’t been quite so represented as the reputation suggests. Thus the work of restoring his earlier films is a major necessity and all the more reason to celebrate Film Movement’s forthcoming releases of his feature debut, 1997’s Green Fish, and 2002’s Oasis, screening as part of Metrograph’s retrospective “Novel Encounters: the Films of Lee Chang-dong,” running from April 5 to April 28. Ahead of this momentous occasion we’re pleased to exclusively present trailers for both.

If, on the good chance you’re not familiar with either, here are synopses for Green Fish and Oasis, respectively:

Already established as a novelist and playwright, Lee made the leap to the director’s chair with this spectacularly assured first feature, a scourging commentary on South Korean society dressed up in film noir trappings, focused on a freshly demobbed young man (Han Suk-gyu) who,...

His next film, “Oasis”, was a transitional one, since his focus started to change from male characters to female, although in the particular movie, it lies in both. At the same time, his way of shooting also changed. As Lee states: “I used to plan everything out and shoot the scenes accordingly, but with “Oasis”, I tried not to script things. If I saw a pattern, I changed it. If you script things, you can only see the emotions of the main characters. We went through many takes with the supporting actors. And sometimes for the extras also. I think everything in the frame influences the main character's emotions. If their actions contradict this in any way, it can dilute the emotion. That's why I was so picky about these small details. Sol Kyung-gu told me that I could only see the drawbacks” (Source: Kim Young-jin, “Lee Chang-dong“, Seoul, Korean Film Council,...

New York's Metrograph Theater is proud to announce the details of Novel Encounters: the Films of Lee Chang-dong, their upcoming retrospective headlined by the New York Premieres of four new 4K restorations of Lee Chang-dong's directorial works; Green Fish (1997), Peppermint Candy (1999), Oasis (2002), and Poetry (2010). The series begins April 5th and also includes Lee's critically acclaimed Burning, South Korea's entry for Best Foreign Language Film at the 91st Academy Awards, and his 2007 Cannes Award-Winning Secret Sunshine, alongside a filmmaker-curated duo of his most celebrated and valued writing and producing efforts: Ouni Lecomte's A Brand New Life and July Jung's A Girl at My Door. Each restoration title, which are being released by Film Movement Classics in North America, will have a week-long run at the esteemed Lower East Side repertory and first-run cinema, marking their US Theatrical Premieres.

Poetry

Filmmaker, playwright, and novelist, Lee Chang-dong has been a vital force...

The 46-title line-up was announced on Wednesday (April 19).

The inaugural Danang Asian Film Festival (Danaff) is set to be Vietnam’s first film festival organised regionally, following the promulgation of a new Cinema Law that came into effect in January this year.

Danaff is jointly organized by Vietnam Association of Film Promotion and Development (Vfda) and Da Nang Municipal People’s Committee, with the support of the Network for the Promotion of Asia Pacific Cinema (Netpac). It will run from May 9-13 in the coastal city of Da Nang, situated in central Vietnam.

Vfda chairwoman and director of Danaff Ngo...

Kim Hee-Ae is back with an expensive wardrobe and a powerful performance on Netflix’s “Queenmaker.” For the most part, her character is rather meek compared to the one in “The World Of The Married,” but we’re only two episodes in, so much more is yet to happen. Alongside her, we have Moon So-Ri, Seo Yi-Sook, Yoon Ji-Hye, Kim Sae-Byuk, and Ryu Soo-Young in pivotal roles. We wouldn’t go so far as to call “Queenmaker” a “Makjang” drama just yet, but we can wait a little bit to confirm this. The K-drama takes time to set its pace and might get a bit slow in places. Let’s find out if there’s a payoff.

Spoilers Ahead

What Happens In ‘Queenmaker’ Episodes 1 & 2?

The first two episodes of “Queenmaker” are setting Hwang Do-Hee up to find her place against the massive Eunsung group. Hwang Do-Hee is like a loyal...

Queenmaker is a new Korean Netflix series directed by Jin Suk Oh and starring Kim Hee-ae, Luna So-ri and Su-yeong ryu.

Queenmaker is a curious Korean series with a very, very special protagonist played by Kim Hee-ae. A mix of comedy and drama quite, quite interesting and, above all, with a different flavor.

A series that makes the “bad guys” (supposedly) a little more human (just a little).

Plot

An excellent image consultant does the impossible: she cleans up the image of the meanest and cruelest bosses in town. After suffering an accident, she faces her greatest challenge: to make a woman lawyer becomes the mayor.

Is it really possible to give a lawyer a good image?

About the series

A fun and entertaining series that, at least, has a different plot, and that is appreciated among a grid of repetitive series and hackneyed plots.

Yes, South Korea is currently...

Whether it’s overcoming a mental handicap or fighting for their rights, Korea’s women-led stories are evolving as the local industry kicks some of its dated stereotypes for female characters.

Recent shows “The Glory,” “Extraordinary Attorney Woo,” “Little Women” and “Twenty-Five, Twenty-One” not only delve into social issues in Korea, but highlight the strength and depth of character of their female leads.

Three of these were top-10 shows for Netflix in 2022, while data from FlixPatrol shows revenge thriller “The Glory” as the number one TV show on the streamer this year in South Korea, as of Feb. 24.

While Korea’s rigidly hierarchical society and history has traditionally put women at the bottom of society, that same rigidity moulded strong, creative women who overcame hardship and prejudice. Finally, these traits are being reflected in content hitting the small screen.

“Back in the day when the country lived in great poverty...

When the history books are written to include modern world cinema, one name that is sure to be mentioned as a titan not just of Korean or Asian cinema, but cinema in general, will undoubtedly be that of South Korean maestro Lee Chang-dong. In a career spanning more than 25 years now, starting in the early days of the Korean New Wave all the way till the modern day, Lee has made a mere six feature films, almost all of which are generally considered among the finest. In their 2022 edition, the Jeonju International Film Festival held a retrospective of the celebrated director’s works, which included 4k remastered versions of all of Lee’s feature films, along with the world premieres of his new short “Heartbeat” and “Lee Chang-dong: The Art of Irony”, a new retrospective documentary by French director Alain Mazars.

Much like Lee’s breakthrough sophomore work “Peppermint Candy...

“Seoul Vibe”, the newest film directed by Moon Hyun-sung (whose previous works include 2012 period sports drama “As One” and 2017 even more period crime-mystery “The King’s Case Note”), certainly promises a lot of fun. It is a period piece set in the politically interesting times in recent history, and an action comedy with a lot of car chases. Regarding those things, it is a bit of pity that it came to us via Netflix, meaning only on the small screens, since a movie theatre feels like a natural setting for watching such a flick.

We meet our protagonists, Dong-wook and Joon-gi (Ong Seong-wu) at the end of their mission in Saudi Arabia where they were tasked by their Korean boss with transporting guns and ammo across the desert in the back of a pick-up truck. After the job is accomplished and paid, they return back to Seoul with a dream...

What: The 42nd edition of the Hawai’i International Film Festival (Hiff) presented by Halekulani continues celebrating the best of indie cinema through: in-person screenings, online presentations, and panel events with industry luminaries. As part of the annual Hiff tradition, the festival will recognize Hiff Awards Gala Honorees as outstanding artists for their commitment to excellence in their field. The Gala also provides an opportunity to announce the Competition Winners, including recipients for this year’s Made in Hawai’i Award.

When: This year’s honorees – Hirokazu Kore-eda, Jung Woo-Sung, Simu Liu, Kerry Warkia, Auli’i Carvalho and Josie Ho – will be honored at the Awards Gala on Sunday November 13th, 2022 at 6pm Hst.

HIFF42 Halekulani Vision in Film Award – Hirokazu Kore-eda

HIFF42 Halekulani Career Achievement Award – Jung Woo-Sung

HIFF42 Halekulani Maverick Award – Simu Liu

HIFF42 Leanne K. Ferrer Trailblazer Award Presented by Pacific Islanders in Communications...

Netflix announced in its worldwide “Tudum” event last year that they were going in hard on their investment in Korean content and while they had been producing tv dramas more often, they confirmed their resolution of doubling down on film productions. One of the most exciting titles they announced at the event was “Seoul Vibe” by “As One” director Moon Hyun-sung, which is finally gearing up for a release.

Synopsis

Worldwide excitement is escalating in Seoul in the days leading up to the opening of the 1988 Summer Olympics. The fashion is old school, the music is sentimental and the racing is the best in the world. The drivers of the Sanggye-dong Supreme Team receive an offer they can’t refuse and become mired in a VIP slush fund investigation.

– Top drifter, Dong-wook

– S.P.Y DJ, John

– Human navigation system, Bok-nam

– Master of disguise on a motorcycle, Yoon-hee

– MacGyver of Sanggye-dong,...

An eighth-grade student kills himself but not before writing down the names of the students who victimised him. Their parents are then called into the school and they begin to argue about who should shoulder responsibility.

(Source: Far East Films)

Based on the Japanese play “Oya no Kao ga Mitai” by Seigo Hatasawa, this film is directed by Kim Ji-hoon (Sinkhole) with a stellar cast including Sol Kyung-gu, Chun Woo-hee, Moon So-ri, Ko Chang-seok, Oh Dal-su, Kim Hong-fa and Nam Gi-ae.

Theatrical release in South Korea: April 27, 2022.

Sometimes a film gets stuck in release hell due to events out of the production and distribution companies’ hands. Kim Ji-hoon’s “I Want to Know Your Parents” is one such feature. A production that has been ready since 2017, long before Kim’s latest release which was last year’s “Sinkhole”, but had to be shelved because of allegations of sexual harassment against actor Oh Dal-su in the early days of Korea’s #metoo movement. However, since his name was cleared by the courts in Korea, films involving him are starting to find their way into theatres and “I Want to Know Your Parents” is easily the most high profile of the gestating projects.

Synopsis

Kim Geon-woo, student of the prestigious Haneum International Middle School attempts suicide, but not before naming four of his classmates for incessantly bullying him and driving him towards the step. All four perpetrators are children...

It is not just Korean actors that are trying their hand at directing. After Moon So-ri made a promising directorial debut with “The Running Actress”, it is “The Villainess” actress Jo Eun-ji who steps behind the camera for the upcoming comedy “Perhaps Love”.

Synopsis

“Perhaps Love” is a comedy about a best selling writer named Hyeon who’s been in the slumps for 7 years meeting a wannabe writer Yoo-jin.

The feature, which was previously titled “Not the Lips”, stars Ryoo Seung-ryong, one of Korea’s most bankable stars and whose last released film was the smash-hit “Extreme Job”, in the lead role of writer Hyeon. Joining the cast are Oh Na-ra (“Casa Amor: Exclusive for Ladies”), Kim Hee-won (“The Man from Nowhere”), Lee Yoo-young (“Grass”) and Sung Yoo-bin (“Moonlit Winter”). “Perhaps Love” is scheduled for a November, 2021 release.

The bonds between the cinemas of East and West continue to strengthen with each passing year and the Feff Campus will again help further this vital cause by hosting (online) 10 aspiring journalists – five from Asia and five from Europe –at this year’s 23st edition of the Far East Film Festival in Udine, Italy from 24 June to 2 July. After sorting through applications that came in from across the globe, Feff is very proud to announce that this year’s successful Campus candidates are Jason Tan Liwag (Philippines), Sakura Ip (Hong Kong), Richard Olano (Philippines), Hai Anh Vu (Vietnam), Yuxi Wang (China), Emilia Cristante (Itay), Jenni Leppihuhta (Finland), Levan Tskhovrebadze (Georgia), Chris Cassingham (United Kingdom), and Nejc Fegus (Slovenia). They will now officially join the Feff family across the course of this year’s festival, beaming in from around the world as they engage in a programme that will help them...

Court room dramas are not exactly common in Korean cinema, but the genre does have a legacy, with films like “Unbowed” and “The Attorney”. “Juror 8” comes to continue in those footsteps, although in a completely different style, since the script is based on the first jury trial in Korea, thus focusing on them and not a lawyer or an accused, while the approach is more entertainment-oriented. Lastly, it is also worth noting that the protagonist, Park Hyung-sik, who is also a member of the boy group Ze:a, won a number of newcomer awards for his performance.

“Juror 8” is screening at the Florence Korea Film Fest

As the first Citizen Participation Trial is about to commence is South Korea, all the media’s attention is on the case, along with the jurors, the presiding judge Kim Joon-gyeom, and the accused, a man who is obviously of limited mental ability...

In true Hong Sang-soo fashion, “Hahaha” is riveting in its surface level simplicity, with a remarkable amount of underlying depth. Featuring fantastic performances from Kim Sang-kyung, Yoo Jun-sang and recent Oscar winning Youn Yuh-jung, “Hahaha” is a must watch for any arthouse enthusiast.

“Hahaha” is screening at the Florence Korea Film Fest

“Hahaha” tells the intertwined story of two men, movie director Jo Moon-kyung (Kim Sang-kyung) and writer Bang Joong-sik (Yoo Jun-sang), who catch up while having a drink, both narrating the story of their recent travels to the same town of Tongyeong, South Korea. Unbeknownst to both of them, their stories are heavily connected, with each interaction having an impact on the other’s story, and characters overlapping.

If you enjoy Hong Sang-soo, there is no reason you shouldn’t love “Hahaha”. It ticks all the Hss boxes, and it does so in an incredible way. When watching “Hahaha...

Over 100 films, stories of women, of precarious work, portraits of contemporary Korean society, between bourgeoisie and working classes; this is the 19th edition of the Florence Korea Film Fest, the most important Italian festival dedicated to the best of cinematography of contemporary South Korea, from 21 to 28 May in Florence, live (pending the provisions regarding the health emergency) at the La Compagnia cinema and online on the Più Compagnia and Mymovies.it platforms. The event, conceived and directed by Riccardo Gelli of the Taegukgi – Toscana Korea Association, is organized with the support of the Tuscany System Foundation, the Tuscany Region, the Metropolitan City of Florence, the Municipality of Florence, Kofic – Korean Film Council.

As every year, the Programme features a rich lineup of over 100 films, including short films and documentaries. Spotlights are on the homage to Kim Ki-Duk, one of the most important filmmakers in world cinema – who recently passed away, at...

Some films just leave you dumbfounded. Dead in your tracks they leave you speechless, standing in awe at their very presence, the journey they immerse you in arouses your curiosity in previously unfathomable ways. Their very creation beggar’s belief. These films come but once in a blue moon and need to be shouted about from the rooftops for all to hear, drawing in as large a crowd as possible to witness the same audio-visual stimuli you just experienced. They need to be seen to be believed. In the case of Lee Okseop’s outwardly bizarre debut feature-length ‘Maggie’, such a sensation occurs for all the wrong reasons.

“Maggie” is screening in Hong Kong Arts Centre on Friday 21/5 at 7:30 pm

as part of Women Direct. Korean Indies! – Korean Women Independent Film series, under the signature programme of the Hong Kong Arts Centre, Independently Yours

A visual stream-of-consciousness if ever there was one,...

There is far more to the plot of Lee Chang-dong’s “Oasis” than initially meets the eye. The opening hour of the movie appears to be a rather bland and generic take on a melodrama with an unlikely match, between an ex-con Hong Jong-du (Sol Kyung-du) and Han Gong-du (Moon So-ri), who suffers from cerebral palsy. Fortunately, the romantic plot is later nuanced by a more layered focus on social issues and tensions within the families of both of the main characters.

We meet Jong-du a mere couple of hours after his release from a prison. He did time for killing a man in a hit-and-run, but shows lack of remorse for the deed. His comeback isn’t welcome by the family. A sister-in-law admits to him bluntly: “with you out of the way I felt good about life”. With no money in his pocket, lack of...

It is often through specific places and memories that we try and re-connect with our past, a chance encounter or perhaps a missed opportunity, However, as these concepts change, we are often left disappointed when comparing what we associate with the place to the way it is in reality, and how it has been shaped by time and people over the years. This is one of the themes which is at the core of Korean director Hong Sang-soo’s feature “Hill of Freedom”, which premiered during the 71st Venice Film Festival and also won Best Film at the 34th Korean Association of Film Critics Award. Combining his sense of place and realism, which is a common feature in his body of work, Hong Sang-soo tells a story about a man who is trying to re-connect with a past love in a place that was once very special to both of them,...

Moon So-ri returns to the big screen and this time, she is bringing two on-screen sisters with her in Lee Seung-won’s drama “3 Sisters”.

Synopsis

A story that follows 3 sisters: oldest sister Hee-sook, middle sister Mi-yeon and youngest sister Mi-ok.

Oldest sister Hee-sook is a devoted housewife, who takes care of her husband and daughter. She has the type of personality where she does not express her feelings. One day, Hee-sook learns that she has cancer. Middle sister Mi-yeon wants a peaceful life with her husband, who is a professor. She works as church choirmaster. She experiences extreme turmoil when she witnesses her husband having an affair with a choir member. Youngest sister Mi-ok works as a playwright. She married a divorced man in a fit of anger. Now, she has a husband and a stepson.

These three sisters carry own their personal wounds. For their father’s birthday, they gather at his home.

I Don’T Want To Die Alone

The year is 1999. A man on the verge of a psychotic breakdown attends a reunion organized by his old classmates, some of whom he hasn’t seen in 20 years. The gathering takes place near a river and some train tracks, and it isn’t long before he decides to use them. He starts going nuts, frantically sprinting through the water until he vanishes. Only to reappear on the train tracks, in a complete state of distress, yelling out the final words: “I’m going back!“. The poor man then willingly lets the oncoming train crush him into oblivion. That man was Kim Yongho and what happens next in “Peppermint Candy” is quite interesting…

In reverse chronology*, we go back three days to see what lead to his sudden departure from this world. What we find is a man on the brink of insanity,...

VENICE, Italy -- Scottish actor-director Peter Mullan's The Magdalene Sisters, a hard-hitting depiction of brutality within Ireland's Catholic Magdalene convent schools, won the 59th Venice International Film Festival's Golden Lion, the event's top prize, on Sunday. Venice's best director award went to Russian director Andrei Konchalovski's Dom Durakov (House of Fools), a drama set in a psychiatric institute during the 1966 Chechen war. Korean director Lee Chang-dong's Oasis, a touching tale of a difficult love affair between two handicapped people, won the Grand Jury Prize as well as the Marcello Mastroianni Award for best young performer, which went to actress Moon So-ri. Mullan's depiction in Magdalene of jail-like conditions coupled with psychological violence that thousands of Irish women allegedly suffered in the recently abolished institutions has ruffled feathers within the Italian Catholic Church. Catholic daily L'Osservatore Romano has charged that the film misrepresents reality.