KO-Pick: A Korean odyssey toward democracy

Last week, the Korean cinema industry experienced a much-needed revitalization with the release of12.12: The Day, a poignant film that delves into a somber chapter in Korea's modern history. The response from the local audience has been overwhelming, with ...

KO-pick: Hwang Jung-min, the chameleon actor

Hwang Jung-min is one of the most versatile and prolific actors in Korean cinema. He has played a wide range of roles, from comedy to drama, from action to romance, and has worked with some of the most acclaimed directors in the industry. His latest film, 12.1...

KO-pick: From the screen of a smartphone to a silver screen

Webtoons have been a staple of Korean culture ever since the introduction of this format of digital comics took over the small screens we constantly carry in our palms. First coined in 1999, the term was initially employed in Korea to designate all kinds of an...

KO-pick: From page to screen

Korean cinema's storytelling often bridges the realms of literature and film, as witnessed in the opening of the 2023 Busan International Film Festival with "Because I Hate Korea." Directed by Jang Kun-jae and adapted from Chang Kang-myoung's n...

KO-pick: A smorgasbord of Korean food on the big screen

Korean cinema has acquired a global audience by telling captivating stories of people maturing in the criminal underground, unusual romances between characters living very different lives, and arthouse films addressing socioeconomic inequality. Outside of the ...

KO-Pick: The stories beyond the scoreboard

As the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games, one of the largest sports competitions, concluded a few weeks ago. The KBO league, Korea's prime baseball league, also has just come to an end, Korean films offer thrills aplenty to every sports fan who suddenly find thems...

KO-Pick: The Emancipation of Korean cinematographers

In the world of cinema, South Korea has earned a well-deserved reputation for producing some of the most visually arresting and slick images. While we often give most of the credit to the directors, it's the cinematographers who are directly responsible fo...

KO-Pick: The two most prominent female producers

Kim Ji-yeon, the CEO of Crankup Film, has been chosen as the winner of the Choon-yun Award, which is bestowed as part of the Busan International Film Festival to recognize the contribution of producers to the development of Korean cinema. This is only the seco...

KO-Pick: The artistry of Korean makeup and hairdressing

Make-up and hairstyling are frequently cited last when discussing the technicians who make films possible, despite the fact that they are an important cog in the machine. Song Jong-hee, a brilliant makeup artist based in Seoul, has played an important role in ...

KO-pick: Films to remember Byun Hee-bong

Few performers in Korean cinema have left an everlasting impact as profound as Byun Hee-bong. Even if you are unfamiliar with his name, it is statistically quite probable that you have already seen his unforgettable face and his characteristic smile due to she...