Director Lee Chang-dong's "Possible Love" has earned international acclaim, winning the Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival and securing invitations to major film festivals worldwide. Yet behind its remarkable success lies an uncomfortable reality: The film nearly never got made because it could not attract enough investment. The acclaimed project, released on Netflix on Friday, highlights a growing problem in the Korean film industry, where even internationally respected filmmakers and star-studded casts can struggle to secure financing. "Possible Love" follows two married couples whose lives intersect through the making of a documentary. One couple consists of a laid-off worker and his wife, while the other comprises a documentary filmmaker and her husband. As they become involved in the project, their contrasting lives and hidden desires come to the surface. The film marks Lee's return to directing eight years after "Burning" and features an ensemble cast led by Sol Kyung-gu, Jeon Do-yeon, Zo In-sung and Cho Yeo-jeong. Even before its official s

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Macklemore claims US arenas are blocking his Free Palestine tour and he has been turned down by nine major venues.

Macklemore claims US arenas are blocking his Free Palestine tour and he has been turned down by nine major venues.

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Six applicants make it to the final interview at a major corporation after beating odds of 5,000 to 1. With COVID-19 cases surging and youth employment plummeting, they spend a month preparing together for the final hurdle: a team discussion. But just before the interview, the company's human resources department, which had initially said all six could be hired, informs them that only one person will be selected. Their task is even more daunting: They must choose the successful candidate themselves within two hours. Due to COVID-19 gathering restrictions, the human resources department monitors the six applicants' discussion through surveillance cameras installed in the interview room. The applicants agree to establish their own “fair” rules for the discussion and vote on who should be hired every 30 minutes. But they soon discover mysterious envelopes bearing each of their six names. The first envelope to be opened, belonging to Baek Seung-bin (Shin Seung-ho), contains a news article and photographs revealing that he was involved in school bullying during high school. The discussi

"Possible Love" director Lee Chang-dong said Friday that he would give his all in the Academy Awards race despite what he described as a challenging environment for Korean films. The film, which marks Lee's first feature film in eight years after the critically acclaimed "Burning" (2018), won the Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize at the prestigious Venice International Film Festival and has been selected as Korea's entry for the Oscars. "The success of 'Parasite' has caused an optical illusion, but while it is an outstanding work, that kind of success may not come again easily (for Korean films)," Lee said in a group media interview when asked about the film's Oscar prospects. Korean director Bong Joon-ho's black comedy thriller "Parasite" (2019) made history as it became the first Korean film to win Best Picture at the Academy Awards in 2020. "For Korean films, as well as for other Asian films and those from outside the United States and Europe, the barriers remain high," Lee said, while noting efforts by the Academy Awards to become more inclusive. The maestro, known for his realistic yet po

Korean culture is finding new audiences in Southeast Asia through ballet, live music, classical performances and digital art, with nearly 40,000 people attending or participating in events in Thailand and Vietnam this year, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said Friday. The 2026 Korea Season, organized by the ministry, along with the Korea Foundation for International Cultural Exchange and Korean cultural centers in both countries, has attracted 39,917 participants since launching in May. The program aims to broaden the reach of Korean culture beyond K-pop and television dramas by introducing traditional art in contemporary forms and creating opportunities for collaboration with local artists. The series opened with “GAT,” an original ballet by Yoon Byeol Ballet Company inspired by the traditional Korean horsehair hat known as gat. Performances in Bangkok on May 23 and Hanoi on May 27 drew a combined 1,650 spectators, with accompanying exhibitions and workshops introducing audiences to the cultural significance of the headwear. October's K-LIVE FESTIVAL BAND:AGE brought toge

"Avengers: Doomsday" stars Chris Evans and Chris Hemsworth will visit Korea next month to meet fans ahead of the film's release here, its distributor said Friday. The two Hollywood stars are scheduled to arrive Dec. 7 for a two-day visit, accompanied by Kevin Feige, president of Marvel Studios, according to the Walt Disney Company Korea. It marks the first time Evans will visit Korea in 11 years since he visited the country in 2015 to promote "Avengers: Age of Ultron" (2015). For Hemsworth, it marks his first official trip to meet Korean fans after he visited the country last year to film the second season of the Disney+ series "Chris Hemsworth: Limitless." The latest sequel of the Avengers film is set for release Dec. 16.

Jennie, a member of K-pop girl group BLACKPINK, has taken part in the soundtrack for the upcoming Netflix animated film "Steps," her agency said Friday. "Someone to Hold," the song she recorded for the Netflix release, marks the first time the singer-rapper has participated in a soundtrack for an animation, according to OA Entertainment. The singer was quoted as saying she thoroughly enjoyed the experience and felt happy to become part of a world of warm-hearted and interesting characters. The song has been nominated for the Song — Animated Film category of the Hollywood Music in Media Awards — even before its official release. "Steps" is set for release Nov. 20.

Chaeryeong, a member of K-pop girl group ITZY, has released short previews of every song on her first solo album, “Lovesick,” three days before her solo debut, according to her agency JYP Entertainment. Chaeryeong will release the mini album and its title track of the same name Monday. A mini album, also called an EP, is a shorter release than a full-length studio album. “Lovesick” has four tracks. At midnight Friday, JYP posted an “album spoiler” video with brief clips from all four songs: “Lovesick,” “Moonlit Club,” “Scent” and “Favorite Reason.” In K-pop, these previews are part of the promotional rollout before a release. The video shows Chaeryeong in a range of looks, from bright and fresh to chic and mysterious. Before the spoiler video, the agency had posted two music video teasers for the title track on its official social media channels. The title track centers on the excitement of falling for someone, the agency said. Chaeryeong co-wrote the lyrics for the fourth track, “Favorite Reason.” She also started a blog where she writes about getting the

Boy group NCT DREAM will host a listening party and a livestreamed comeback show around the release of its sixth full-length album, “DREAM AFTER DREAM,” the group’s agency SM Entertainment said Friday. The listening party will be held Saturday at a venue at 16 Yeonmujang 7-gil in Seongdong District, eastern Seoul. The group will play every track on the album for fans before its official release and talk with them about the new record. On Monday, the album’s release day, the group will broadcast a comeback live show titled “Let’s Boogie Woogie!” starting at 5 p.m. on NCT DREAM’s YouTube channel, NCT’s TikTok channel and other platforms. In K-pop, a “comeback” means an artist’s return with new music. It usually comes with a series of promotional events, broadcasts and stage performances. The broadcast follows the album’s festival theme, with the members playing a team getting a festival ready. According to the agency, the show will include segments about the music on the album and talk about the group’s upcoming promotional activities. “DREAM AFTER DREAM” ha

K-pop girl group Illit is reviving its popular collaboration with Korean character brand Little Mimi, turning its upcoming fifth mini-album into a collectible release designed to appeal to younger fans. According to BELIFT LAB, part of HYBE Music Group, the Little Mimi edition of “BREAK EVEN” will be released Dec. 30, marking the group's second collaboration with the character brand. The partnership follows last year's Little Mimi edition of Illit's first single album, “NOT CUTE ANYMORE,” which sold out during its preorder period and required additional production. The new release takes the form of a Little Mimi doll key ring and includes a mini CD, a lyrics sheet, three photocards and stickers, combining music with collectible merchandise. Its design draws inspiration from the “black agent” concept of the album's title track, “I'll Get You,” incorporating ribbons and frills into the character's outfit to echo the group's appearance in the music video. BELIFT LAB said the doll could also be styled alongside whistle key rings and charms previously released as part of the al