Richard Linklater reveals challenge of shooting Merrily We Roll Along

PerthNow - Sep 29, 2026

Richard Linklater has opened up about the challenges of shooting Merrily We Roll Along.

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Sep 29, 2026

BIGBANG takes over London with world tour marking 20th anniversary

BIGBANG held its first solo concert in London in nearly 14 years as part of its ongoing world tour marking the iconic K-pop act's 20th debut anniversary, the group's agency said Tuesday. The "XX: Cosmos" concert took place at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on Saturday, marking BIGBANG's first solo tour in the British capital since 2012, according to YG Entertainment. The gig opened with the group's megahit "Fantastic Baby" and included tracks such as "Haru Haru" and "Lies." At the concert, members of BIGBANG — G-Dragon, Taeyang and Daesung — thanked fans for their unwavering support and noted that celebrating the group's 20th debut anniversary feels like a "miracle," YG Entertainment said. The world tour, which began in South Korea last month, will continue across North America, Europe, Oceania and Asia through February next year.

Sep 29, 2026

Korean films on modern history walk line between fact, fiction

The controversy surrounding the historical thriller “The Assassin(s)” is the latest example of how Korean films depicting the country’s turbulent modern history can become flashpoints far beyond the cinema. From military dictatorships and political assassinations to Cold War operations, filmmakers have repeatedly faced disputes over how far artistic license can stretch when stories involve real people and events. Reactions have ranged from accusations of ideological bias and historical distortion to legal attempts to stop films from being shown. One of the most notable cases involved “The President’s Last Bang,” director Im Sang-soo’s 2005 black comedy about the assassination of President Park Chung-hee by his intelligence chief, Kim Jae-gyu, on Oct. 26, 1979. Before its release, Park’s son Park Ji-man sought a court injunction to block the film, arguing that its depiction of his father damaged his reputation. Unlike many later films inspired by actual political events, “The President’s Last Bang” used the real names of Park and other central figures. Another legal di

Sep 29, 2026

Seo Kang-joon joins Hyun Bin, Son Ye-jin in wealthy Seoul neighborhood

Actor Seo Kang-joon reportedly bought a luxury residence in Samseong-dong, Seoul. The YouTube channel wander planet recently uploaded a video titled "Seo Kang-joon sells Trimage apartment, becomes neighbors with Hyun Bin and Son Ye-jin: Samseong-dong's Sangji Ritzville Caelum." According to the video, Seo moved from Seongsu-dong to Samseong-dong in 2025. The Hyundai Residential Complex consists of luxury detached houses where numerous tycoons and celebrities reside. Former residents of this enclave include Jun Ji-hyun, Rain, Lee Mi-yeon, Cha In-pyo and Shin Ae-ra. Kim Seung-woo, Kim Nam-joo and Song Hye-kyo currently live there. The area also includes the home where Son Ye-jin lived before her marriage to Hyun Bin. Son sold the property for 4.8 billion won ($3.25 million). The upscale 13-unit residential building features one unit per floor. Current building residents include Super Junior's Kim Hee-chul and Seventeen's The8. Seo sold his Trimage apartment in Seongsu-dong for 5.8 billion won and bought his current Samseong-dong residence for 6 billion won. The unit spans 287 square meters

Sep 29, 2026

Son Ye-jin says 'The Scandal' role may not be likable for everyone but still charming

Actor Son Ye-jin, who starred in the Netflix original Korean series "The Scandal," said Tuesday her role in the historical drama may not be appealing to everyone but was a charming yet complex character for her to work on. Son plays Lady Cho, an independent woman who tried to defy the conservative atmosphere of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), in the eight-part series inspired by the 1782 French novel "Dangerous Liaisons." In the drama, Lady Cho and Cho Won (Ji Chang-wook), her longtime friend and relative who has grown up to become a famous playboy, begin a dangerous game involving virtuous widow Hui-yeon (Nana), a move that unsettles the lives of all three. "I had to keep thinking what thoughts were passing through her mind, and I still cannot say I have found the answer. But because it was a difficult character, it felt attractive to me," Son told reporters in a group interview. Son said she felt Lady Cho was a complex character who had to give up many desires as she married her powerful husband at a time when women's status had its limits. While she appears to be leading an elegant an

Sep 29, 2026

ATEEZ's San dating rumors puts spotlight on unauthorized photos of K-pop stars

What began as a dating rumor involving ATEEZ's San has reignited concerns over the unauthorized photographing of K-pop stars, after images taken without permission spread online and fueled speculation about their private lives. San became the subject of dating rumors after photos showing him walking alongside a woman in Milan circulated on online communities on Saturday. His agency said the woman pictured with him was affiliated with a brand and that security personnel and managers were also present at the scene. San personally denied the dating rumors while expressing frustration over people following and secretly photographing him during his overseas trip. "I'm saying this because I don't want fans to worry," San said on a fan communication platform. "There are dating rumors going around, but they are absolutely not true." The ATEEZ member said he had been surprised to find people following him wherever he went despite being in Milan for scheduled activities. "It's nice when we happen to run into each other, but this isn't right," he said, criticizing the behavior of obsessive fans, comm

Sep 29, 2026

[COVER STORY] 'The Assassin(s)' producers face probe over depiction of Park Chung-hee plotting wife's death

Director Hur Jin-ho's historical thriller "The Assassin(s)" became the top draw over this year's Chuseok holiday, but the movie is facing a growing political dispute and defamation investigation over its depiction of the 1974 shooting that killed then-first lady Yuk Young-soo. The controversy has spilled into Korea's already deep ideological divide, with conservatives accusing the film of distorting history and liberals defending it as a work of fiction. The debate escalated and took a legal turn on Tuesday, when a former city councilor from the conservative main opposition People Power Party (PPP) filed a police complaint against the director and producers. The complaint accuses them of defamation by spreading false information through the film, claiming the movie distorted history by implying that then-President Park Chung-hee, who took power in 1961 through a military coup, was involved in his wife's assassination. The movie is based on the Aug. 15, 1974, shooting in which Mun Se-gwang, a North Korea-linked Korean resident of Japan, opened fire in an attempt to assassinate Park and fa

Sep 29, 2026

'100 Days of Deception' brings colonial-era espionage romance to life

A new period espionage drama combining the noble sacrifices of Korean independence fighters with a high-stakes romance is set to premiere as cable network tvN's flagship project celebrating its 20th anniversary. Set in 1932 Gyeongseong (a former name for Seoul) during the 1910-45 Japanese colonial era, "100 Days of Deception" follows the city’s top pickpocket, who infiltrates the Japanese Government-General of Korea as an undercover agent and crosses paths with an elite translator in the heart of enemy territory. The 16-episode series brings together director Yoo In-sik, best known for "Extraordinary Attorney Woo" (2022) and "Dr. Romantic" (2016), and writer Rhyu Bo-ri, known for "Do You Like Brahms?" (2020). The drama stars Kim You-jung as Lee Ga-kyung, a thief turned undercover translator, and Park Jin-young as Sato Hideo, an elite interpreter for the colonial government and the adopted son of its director-general of political affairs. Kim, returning to the small screen a year after "Dear X," said she was instantly drawn to the project upon reading the script. "I chose this drama bec