Pinkfong's animation show 'Bebefinn Playtime' tops Netflix chart in eight countries

SEOUL -- "Bebefinn Playtime," an animation show created by South Korea’s educational entertainment company Pinkfong has garnered popularity mainly in English-speaking countries on Netflix. The animation content topped the over-the-top (OTT) service's daily chart featuring popular children's content in eight countries. Bebefinn Playtime was created in December 2023 as a follow-up to "Bebefinn," a three-dimensional animated series featuring the five

January 2, 2024

Historical film depicting 1979 military coup garners more than 12 mln viewers in less than 2 months

SEOUL -- "12:12 The Day," a historical film directed by Kim Sung-su, has garnered more than 12 million moviegoers in less than two months of release. Normally, any film that attracts more than 10 million people in South Korea with a population of about 5.2 million is considered a successful work. The military coup took place on December 12, 1979, after the assassination of President Park Chung-hee. Major General Chun Doo-hwan, who led the coup, took control of the govern

January 2, 2024

NewJeans performs on US broadcaster ABC's special New Year's Eve show

SEOUL -- NewJeans has become the first K-pop girl band to interact with American fans through an annual special New Year's Eve show hosted by American broadcaster ABC. The program titled "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest" broadcasts the countdown event at Times Square in New York and showcases promising artists of the year. The group's agency ADOR said on January 1 that NewJeans appeared on New Year's Rockin' Eve. The five-

January 2, 2024

Historical film about 1979 military coup d'état in Seoul exceeds $1 million in ticket sales in N. America

SEOUL -- "12.12: The Day," a historical film directed by Kim Sung-su, has surpassed $1 million in ticket sales in North America. The movie portrays the 1979 military coup d'état in Seoul which pushed South Korea into a new eight-year era of military dictatorship. The military coup took place on December 12, 1979, after the assassination of President Park Chung-hee. Major General Chun Doo-hwan, who led the coup, took control of the government and declared martial

December 28, 2023

Fans and fellow actors mourn death of 'Parasite' actor Lee Sun-kyun

SEOUL -- Fans and artists of Lee Sun-kyun mourned the death of the "Parasite" actor. Lee, who gained global fame through his appearance in the Oscar-winning film Parasite, directed by Bong Jun-ho, was found dead in his car parked at a public park in central Seoul on December 27. A block of burnt coal briquet was found near the 49-year-old's body. Burning coal briquet blocks to induce carbon monoxide poisoning is a method often used by people who take their own lives. T

December 28, 2023

'Parasite' actor Lee Sun-kyun found dead in car, sparking suicide speculation

SEOUL -- Actor Lee Sun-kyun, globally well-known for his role in the Academy Award-winning film "Parasite," directed by Bong Joon-ho, was found dead in his car after facing a series of allegations of illegal drug use. Despite three summons by law authorities for investigation, he tested negative for drugs. According to police, the 48-year-old actor was found dead in his car at a park in Seoul's central district of Seongbuk at about 10:30 a.m. (0130 GMT) on December 27.

December 27, 2023

G-Dragon to donate 300 mln won for establishment of foundation against drug abuse

SEOUL -- South Korean singer Kwon Ji-yong, known by his stage name G-Dragon, will donate 300 million won ($231,570) to set up "JusPeace," a foundation to combat drug abuse. The 35-year-old artist, who was put under a drug investigation, has been cleared of all charges, and the police have officially closed the case. Along with Lee Sun-kyun, who gained global recognition after appearing in the Oscar-winning film "Parasite," directed by Bong Joon-ho in 2019, G-Drag

December 26, 2023

BLACKPINK to release virtual reality version of Seoul concert

SEOUL -- Girl band BLACKPINK will showcase a special concert on Horizon Worlds, a virtual reality platform created by Meta formerly known as Facebook. The four-member band will perform various hit songs such as "Pink Venom" and "How You Like That" through the virtual concert available in seven countries including the United States, Canada, and France. The concert is the virtual reality version of BLACKPINK's encore concert held in Seoul in September. The Sept

December 26, 2023

S. Korean film production company recreates historic sea battle with visual effects technology

SEOUL -- South Korea's film production company Bigstone Pictures has recreated a historic marine battle using visual effects technology. The intense battle scenes were showcased in "Noryang: Deadly Sea," a war action film directed by Kim Han-min. The film highlights Korea's 16th-century naval commander Yi Sun-sin who scored dramatic victories against Japan. Visual effects (VFX) technology, which incorporates computer graphics (CG) elements, is often used by filmmak

December 23, 2023

G-Dragon's agency sends out deadline warning towards cyberbullies

SEOUL -- The agency representing singer Kwon Ji-yong, known by his stage name G-Dragon, has issued a deadline warning to cyberbullies spreading malicious rumors about the 35-year-old artist's drug scandal. The agency will take legal action if such comments are not deleted or corrected by December 28. Meanwhile, G-Dragon plans to establish a foundation to combat drug abuse. Along with Lee Sun-kyun, who gained worldwide popularity after appearing in the Oscar-winning film "Pa

December 21, 2023