Notizie

How Much Viewership Rating Did Head Over Heels Finale Earn?(Photo Credit –Prime Video)

tvN’s K-drama, Head Over Heels, premiered its finale episode on July 29, 2025. While the series garnered a lot of love from the audience across the globe, it’s the ending that scored the highest viewership rating. For the unversed, the storyline of the show revolves around Park Seong-a (Cho Yi-Hyun), a high schooler by day and a powerful shaman by night, and Bae Gyeon-u (Choo Young-Woo), a high schooler whose life is in danger and might die within 21 days.

What happens between the two and whether Seong-a can save him or not with her shamanic powers is all the drama is about. Every episode has its own twists and turns, which kept the audience hooked till the end. Now that the series has ended, here’s how much viewership rating it garnered.

#HeadOverHeelsEp12 #HeadOverHeels

right person,...

5 Upcoming K-Dramas Worth Watching Next Month! (Photo Credit – Instagram)

A new month is on the horizon, and K-drama fans are eagerly waiting to watch the latest shows. August will be packed with compelling stories and a wider variety of dramas from fantasy to rom-com, family to thriller, and more. The list includes Mary Kills People, The Tyrant Chef, and others. So, without any further ado, let’s jump straight into the five new K-drama recommendations for you to watch this August 2025.

5. Mary Kills People Streaming On– Netflix Director: Park Joon-Woo

Plot: Mary Kills People is an adaptation of the Canadian series featuring Caroline Dhavernas. The medical thriller stars Lee Bo-Young, Lee Min-Ki, and Kang Ki-Young in the lead characters. The story revolves around a competent doctor, Woo So-Jung, who secretly helps terminally ill patients end their lives.

However, things get messy when a detective starts investigating the mysterious death cases.

Oscars 2026: Korean Films In Race With Harbin, Omniscient Reader, Dark Nuns & More (Photo Credit – Prime Video/Instagram)

After the massive global success of Parasite and Minari, the upcoming 98th Academy Awards might see a few more Korean films in the running for nominations. The Korean Film Council has revealed that 19 films have been submitted for the Oscars 2026 in the International Feature Film category and are currently under review.

The list includes Lee Min-Ho and Ahn Hyo-Seop’s recently released film Omniscient Reader: The Prophet, Lee Byung-Hun and Son Ye-Jin’s No Other Choice, Hyun Bin’s Harbin, and more. Here are the 19 Korean films that are up for consideration—read on!

Oscars 2026: The 19 Films That Are Submitted Omniscient Reader: The Prophet The Old Woman With The Knife Spring Night About Family The Killers The Ugly Yadang: The Snitch Love in the Big City Exorcism Chronicles: The Beginning...

Hyun Bin Dons Classic Black Suit In Drama ( Photo Credit – Instagram )

It’s been years since we saw Hyun Bin in a K-drama. He was last seen in Crash Landing On You alongside his now-wife, Son Ye-Jin. Now, the first look of Made In Korea is out and creating ripples online. After his marriage in 2022, even though the actor featured in a film, Harbin, which grossed quite well at the box office, he was missing from the television industry. But he is back at it with the political drama, Made In Korea, and his fans are going gaga about it.

What Is Made In Korea Really About?

Made In Korea is going to be a political drama driven by a power struggle. Set against the 1970s Korea, the storyline will revolve around two men who get stuck in a razor-thin line of power, struggle, ambition, politics, and justice. The first...

Netflix Dominates Baeksang Awards 2025 Night (Photo Credit – Wikipedia/Instagram)

Baeksang Arts Awards celebrated its 61st ceremonial event on May 5, 2025, at Coex in Seoul. It was established back in 1965, the Baeksang Arts Awards is considered as one of the most prestigious award ceremonies for South Korean film and television fraternity. This year’s event was hosted by Suzy, Park Bo-Gum, and Shin Dong-Yup.

Many popular actors and actresses were in attendance, including Song Hye-Kyo, Kim Tae-Ri, Kim Hye-Yoon, Byeon Woo-Seok, Hyunbin, Kim Go-Eun, and the list continues. Everyone looked quite charismatic in their attire. Everyone has been waiting to know who won which award, so we have noted down below the full winners’ list. Scroll ahead to find out.

The Grand Prize in the television category was won by Netflix’s Culinary Class Wars, whereas the Grand Prize in the film category went to the cinematographer of Harbin, Hong Kyung-Pyo. The...

Top South Korean 10 Box Office hits in 2025(Photo Credit –Netflix/Prime Video)

While you keep yourself busy with different K-dramas from different genres, South Korean movies are making ripples at the box office. 2025 had a good start with the films that have been released so far. From Dark Nuns to Hitman 2 to The Match, and others have made the list of top 10 South Korean Box Office hits. And we have compiled that list below, so scroll ahead.

These movies are across all genres, sci-fi, action thriller, sports drama, horror thriller – you name it, we have it. And if you are someone who only gets interested if there are well-known faces, then this list of films is for you, as these movies feature top stars like Song Hye-Kyo, Lee Byung-Hun, Robert Pattinson, and more.

Bong Joon-Ho’s Mickey 17 starring Robert Pattinson leads this Top 10 list as it earned over...

Hulu May 2025 Releases ( Photo Credit – Instagram )

With the month of May just around the corner, there’s a whole new slate of content waiting for you to watch and enjoy on Hulu. The streaming platform wrapped up the season finale of The Kardashians last month and is set for more releases including Vanderpump Villa and Mission Impossible movies.

Hulu May 2025: Everything On Release Schedule May 1 Alone Australia Season 1 The Chicano Squad Season 1 History’s Greatest Escapes with Morgan Freeman Season 2 Inmate to Roommate Season 2 James Brown: Say it Loud Season 1 Jeopardy! Masters Season 3 Mormon Mom Gone Wrong: The Ruby Franke Story Naruto Shippuden Season 9 Pawn Stars Season 22 Alienoid Alienoid 2 Anaconda Anaconda En Español Attack The Block Attack the Block En Español Austenland Austenland En Español Babylon A.D. Bad Teacher Bad Teacher En Español Basic Basic En Espanol Battle of the Year Battle Of The Year En Español The Childe Con...

Wars of independence against colonizing forces across the world were founded upon the sacrifices of bravehearts, people who prioritized upholding the ideals of equality and freedom more than their own lives. Woo Min-ho’s historical drama, Harbin, meditates on the struggle of such valiant Korean revolutionaries, who laid down their lives to free their nation from oppressive Japanese control during the early twentieth century. Harbin chronicles martyr Ahn Jung-geun’s attempt to assassinate Japanese Prime Minister Ito Hirobumi, the first Resident General of Korea who played a key role in Japan’s annexation of the country. While the grounded, brutal spectacle of violent conflict showcased in the movie simultaneously highlights the futility of war, it also gives the stage to the desperation and agony of the Korean nationalists who lost everything and left a timeless legacy by inspiring upcoming generations. Aside from adept writing and strong performances, the unexpected visual grandeur of the movie,...

The 18th annual Asian Film Awards (Afa) announced the winners and special award recipients at a ceremony held at the West Kowloon Cultural District’s Xiqu Centre in Hong Kong on March 16, 2025. Sixteen competitive prizes and five honorary prizes were given out. The Afa ceremony featured a glamorous Red Carpet and Award Ceremony attracting participants from all over Asia, and was a great success. At this year’s Afa, the Hong Kong actor-director Sammo Hung served as the jury president leading other jury and voting members composed of filmmakers from around the world in selecting the winners. Daishi Matsunaga, along with fellow director Stanley Kwan, served as presenters.

Here are all the awards and nominees of this year’s edition

Best Film

All We Imagine as Light (India, France, Netherlands, Luxembourg)

Black Dog (Mainland China)

Exhuma (South Korea)

Teki Cometh (Japan)

Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In (Hong Kong)

Best...

Woo Do Hwan To Play Hyun Bin’s Brother In Made In Korea? ( Photo Credit – Instagram )

Woo Do Hwan, best known for his role in Bloodhounds, is gearing up for his highly anticipated Ott comeback. According to the latest reports, he has been cast in the upcoming series Made in Korea, set in the 1970s. Do Hwan will share a special connection with Hyun Bin in this upcoming work, joining actor Jung Woo Sung and director Woo Min Ho.

On February 13, Korean media outlet Jtbc News reported that Woo Do Hwan is joining the cast lineup of Made in Korea. According to the report, he is already filming for the series. The actor will reportedly play Hyun Bin’s brother. More details about his character will be revealed soon.

Woo Do Hwan is known for taking on versatile and challenging roles, so his addition to the cast lineup of this...

South Korea’s Plus M Entertainment arrives at the 2025 Berlin European Film Market (EFM) with a star-studded lineup led by “Squid Game 2” actor Kang Ha-neul in crime thriller “Yadang: The Snitch” and an international cast including Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander, Hwang Jung-min, Zo In-sung, and “Squid Game” actor Hoyeon in Na Hong-jin’s “Hope.”

“Yadang: The Snitch,” from the producers behind record-breaking hit “12:12 The Day” and “Inside Men,” follows professional informants called “yadang” who provide covert information about the drug world to prosecutors and police. When a drug bust at a party attended by high-profile second-generation VIPs leads to a dangerous conspiracy, a seasoned yadang must fight to survive. The film pairs Kang with “Exhuma” star Yoo Hai-jin and “The World of the Married” actor Park Hae-joon.

“Train to Busan” director Yeon Sang-ho returns with “The Ugly,” a mystery thriller starring “Harbin” lead Park Jeong-min and “Parasyte: The Grey” actor Kwon Hae-hyo,...

Action-comedy Hitman 2 dominated the Korean box office for a second consecutive weekend, claiming 28% of admissions.

The film earned $1.3m from Friday to Sunday (February 7 to 9), according to Kobis, the Korean Film Council’s box office tracking service.

The sequel has grossed $15m since its January 22 release, surpassing original Hitman: Agent Jun, which took $14.1m in 2020, and pushing the film past its break-even point of 2.3 million admissions. Kwon Sang-woo reprises his role as secret agent-turned-webtoon artist who, in this instalment, is falsely accused of plotting a terrorist attack.

Ranking second was mystery romance Secret: Untold Melody, which added $937,000. Based on...

The South Korean box office saw “Hitman 2” continue its run at the top, though with a steep decline, while the new release “Nocturnal” landed in third place over the weekend of Feb. 7-9.

“Hitman 2,” the action-comedy sequel, remained in first place with KRW1.93 billion ($1.3 million), according to Kobis, the tracking service operated by the Korean Film Council. The film accounted for 27.8% of the market share but saw a sharp 52.9% decline in revenue and a 55.3% drop in admissions, with 201,556 viewers over the weekend. Its cumulative total has reached $15.04 million.

Musical romance “Secret: Untold Melody” moved up to second place with $936,515, taking 19.6% of the market share. The film experienced a relatively mild 9.7% decline and attracted 138,241 viewers, bringing its cumulative total to $3.7 million.

“Nocturnal,” a neo-noir crime thriller directed by Kim Jin-hwang, debuted in third place with $622,790, securing 13.% of the market share with 94,267 admissions in its opening weekend. The film stars Ha Jung-woo as Min-tae,...

Action comedy Hitman 2 rose to the top of the Korea box office during the Lunar New Year holidays, claiming 39% of ticket sales.

The sequel earned $2.8m from more than 450,000 admissions from Friday to Sunday (January 31 to February 2). Released on January 22, it has generated a cume of $12.7m from nearly 2 million admissions to date, according to Kobis, the Korean Film Council’s box office tracking service.

Kwon Sang-woo reprises his role as a secret agent-turned-webtoon artist. The first film, Hitman: Agent Jun, took $14.1m when released in January 2020, a couple of months before the pandemic lockdown.

After leading the box office the previous weekend,...

The Lunar New Year holiday helped drive the South Korean box office over the weekend of Jan. 31-Feb. 2, with “Hitman 2” taking the top spot, while “Dark Nuns” experienced a steep decline.

“Hitman 2”, the action-comedy sequel, earned KRW4.1 billion ($2.8 million), accounting for 39.2% of the market share. The film saw a 6% rise in admissions, attracting 450,751 viewers and bringing its cumulative total to $12.9 million, according to Kobis, the tracking service operated by the Korean Film Council.

Horror-thriller “Dark Nuns” dropped to second place with $1.5 million, representing 21.8% of the weekend market share. The film declined 60.1% from the prior weekend, with 243,886 admissions. Its cumulative total now stands at $9.6 million.

Musical romance “Secret: Untold Melody” making its debut in third place, earned $1.05 million, taking 14.4% of the market share with 160,863 admissions in its opening weekend. “Harbin,” the historical thriller following Korean independence fighters, slipped to fourth place with $390,450, making up 5.4% of the market. The film...

The South Korean box office for the weekend of Jan. 24-26 was led by horror film “Dark Nuns,” which debuted with a commanding performance, while action sequel “Hitman 2” also had an impressive start.

“Dark Nuns,” a horror film where two nuns are driven to perform an exorcism, opened at the top of the chart, earning KRW5.71 billion ($3.9 million) over the weekend. With 588,498 admissions and 42.8% of the market share, the film has a cumulative total of $4 million, including previews.

Action-comedy sequel “Hitman 2” claimed the second spot with a $2.8 million weekend, capturing 30.3% of the market share and drawing 425,198 admissions. Its cumulative total, including midweek previews, stands at $3.9 million.

“Harbin,” the historical thriller about Korean independence fighters, dropped to third place after weeks at the top, earning $495,464. With 72,827 weekend admissions, the film’s cumulative total now stands at $30.9 million.

Animation “Pokémon the Movie Ag: Mew and the Wave Hero Lucario” debuted...

“The Substance” emerged as the standout story of the South Korean box office for the weekend of Jan. 17-19, climbing to fourth place with a significant 72% increase in sales.

The film, for which Demi Moore won a Golden Globe for her performance, earned KRW307.1 million, drawing 31,302 admissions and a 5.7% market share. This surge reflects growing audience interest in the film, which has now grossed $1.7 million since its December release.

Meanwhile, “Harbin” retained its top position. The historical drama, which follows Korean independence fighters plotting an assassination in 1909, brought in $1.2 million over the weekend, accounting for 32.7% of the market share. With 182,107 admissions, the film’s cumulative total now stands at $29.6 million.

“The Firefighters” remained in second place, earning $398,900 and capturing 10.7% of the weekend’s market share. The drama about the lives of first responders has now grossed $24.7 million.

“Pororo the Movie: Great Adventure Under the Sea” climbed to third place, taking in $190,490 from 31,686 admissions.

Historical thriller Harbin held its top spot at Korea’s box office on its third outing, taking 38% of all ticket sales across a relatively slower weekend.

The film, directed by Woo Min-ho, added $2m from January 10-12 to reach a cume of $27.1m from 4.1 million admissions since its release on December 24, according to Kobis, the Korean Film Council’s box office tracking service. South Korean outfit Cj Enm recently revealed sales of the feature to 117 countries.

The overall performance of the Korean box office over the weekend was down 37% year-on-year.

Maintaining its second-place position was Firefighters, which earned $582,000, bringing its gross takings to $23m.

Over the weekend, the South Korean box office saw “Harbin” extending its reign at the top.

According to data from Kobis, the tracking service operated by the Korean Film Council, “Harbin” retained its first-place position, adding KRW3.02 billion ($2 million) to its gross. Despite a 35.8% drop from the previous weekend, the film captured 37.5% of the market share with 308,016 admissions. Set in 1909, several years after Korea became a Japanese colony, the action-thriller follows freedom fighters plotting the daring assassination of Japan’s prime minister during their quest for independence. Its cumulative total now stands at $27.1 million.

“The Firefighters” held steady in second place, earning $582,400 and drawing 88,817 viewers over the weekend. This drama, centering on the challenges of South Korean first responders, has now accumulated $23.6 million.

Debuting in third, “Forbidden Fairytale” opened with $418,860 and 65,569 admissions, showing strong initial interest since its Jan. 8 release. The film follows Dan-bi, a member of the youth protection...

The Asian Film Awards Academy (Afa Academy or Afaa) announced the nominations for the 18th Asian Film Awards (AFA18) and the Jury President for this year in Hong Kong today.

Thirty outstanding films from 25 countries and regions have been shortlisted to compete for 16 awards at AFA18, which celebrates artistic and technical achievements in Asian cinema. The prestigious lineup of nominees from around Asia includes seven Japanese films: Teki Cometh, Desert of Namibia (Yamanaka Yoko), All the Long Nights, My Sunshine, Happyend (Sora Neo), The Box Man (Ishii Gakuryu) and Black Ox.

Korean auteur Jang Jae-hyun’s Exhuma received eleven nominations, making it the most nominated film this year. It will compete for Best Film with Yoshida Daihachi’s Teki Cometh, Cannes Grand Prix-winning film All We Imagine as Light (Payal Kapadia), China’s Black Dog (Guan Hu), which was screened in the 37th TIFF Gala Selection, and Hong Kong’s...

2024 was a fun year for Korean dramas. But there were so many TV series that reeled me in that I ended up overlooking a lot of movies or they are still on my list because they are not yet available to the US audience. Have you watched any of these 2024 films? ♦ (1) Harbin Genre: Spy Thriller, Historical period, based on historical events, based on historical figures Storyline: A dramatization of the real-life story of Korean independence activist Ahn Jung-geun, who assassinated Itō Hirobumi, the first Prime Minister of Japan, in 1909. Main Characters: An Jung-Geun Viewership and Rating: IMDb: 7 out of 10 stars My Drama List: 7.7 out of 10 stars ScreenAnarchy: 3.5 out of 5 stars Links Of Interest: The Weekend Warrior Jan. 3, 2025 | Reviews and Repertory Round-Up: Harbin (Well Go USA) Movie Review: ‘Harbin’ | The Lamplight Review “Centered on the daring exploits of Ahn Jung-geun (Hyun Bin), the film tells the story of a group...

Film LA has issued its permit protocol during the unfolding wildfire crisis, advising that permission granted for shoots in or near evacuation zones before the fires erupted is likely to be revoked.

The not-for-profit organisation said it will deny new applications in or near evacuation zones until local permit authorities instruct otherwise.

Approximately 130,000 people remain under evacuation orders, and theLos Angeles Timesreported that authorities estimate more than 9,000 structures have been destroyed in the deadly Palisades and Eaton fires.

Film LA said beyond the most dangerous areas, filmmakers planning to shoot in any of its jurisdictions must prove that public safety...

Korean historical thriller Harbin has been acquired for distribution in 117 countries.

Starring Hyun Bin, the film has topped the domestic box office since its release on December 24, grossing over $25M in South Korea through more than 3.8 million admissions.

Cj Enm, which is handling sales for the title, said that Harbin has been picked up for France (The Jokers Films), Spain and Portugal (Youplanet), Australia and New Zealand (K-Movie Entertainment), Poland (9th Planet), Cis (Capella Film) and inflight (Emphasis).

In Asia, Harbin has been sold to Japan (Kadokawa Kplus), Taiwan (Wve), Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Philippines (tvnMovies).

Harbin premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September in the Gala Presentations section and was released in the US through Well Go USA on January 3. It has also been released in Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia and Vietnam.

The film follows independence fighter Ahn Jung-geun (played by Hyun Bin), set in the early 1900s,...

Korean historical thriller Harbin, which has led the local box office since its release last month, has been acquired for distribution by 117 countries.

South Korea’s Cj Enm, which handles sales of the feature, revealed that it had been picked up for France (The Jokers Films), Spain and Portugal (Youplanet), Australia and New Zealand (K-Movie Entertainment), Poland (9th Planet), Cis (Capella Film) and inflight (Emphasis).

In Asia, the film has been acquired for Japan (Kadokawa Kplus), Taiwan (Wve), Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Philippines (tvnMovies).

Harbin premiered at Toronto International Film Festival in September and was released in the US through...

The South Korean box office witnessed “Harbin” fortify its dominant position during the weekend of January 3-5, 2025, while “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” made a notable ascent into fourth place.

According to Kobis, the tracking service operated by the Korean Film Council, “Harbin” added KRW4.71 billion ($3.2 million) to its gross, maintaining the top spot with 42% market share and 483,921 admissions. The film, which stars Hyun Bin as a Korean independence activist, now boasts a cumulative total of $23.9 million.

In second place, “The Firefighters” earned $850,366 for a 11.1% market share, contributing to a cumulative total of $22.9 million. The drama, centering on the challenges of South Korean first responders, brought in 129,252 viewers over the weekend.

Debuting in third, “Bogota: City of the Lost” earned $672,000, with an 8.8% market share and 102,979 admissions, and a cumulative total of $2 million, marking a respectable start for the thriller set in Colombia.

Meanwhile, “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” climbed to fourth place,...

A scene from the South Korean historical epic Harbin. Courtesy of Well Go USA Entertainment

The Korean epic Harbin is billed as historical and biographical, but I don’t know enough to vouch for the accuracy of either. It chronicles a specific plan by Korean resistance fighters against the occupying Japanese forces in late 1909. The focus is on General Ahn (Hyun Bin), who led a successful raid, but made a decision that proved costly to his band of rebels. Most of the running time concerns his next big plan of offense to revitalize the willing patriots.

That first encounter earned him the vicious enmity of defeated Japanese Major Mori (Park Hoon), who then made it his life’s mission to kill Ahn, as an even higher priority than protecting and advancing his country’s goals of annexation and dominance over their neighbor. As in every action film from China or...

Woo Min-ho’s historical drama “Harbin” stormed to the top of the South Korean box office for the weekend of Dec. 27-29.

The film, set in 1909, follows Korean independence activists plotting the assassination of Japan’s Prime Minister during their quest for independence. Starring Hyun Bin, Park Jeong-min and Jeon Yeo-been, “Harbin” earned $5.9 million over the weekend, accounting for 55.3% of the total box office with 903,865 admissions. This brings its cumulative earnings to $15.5 million. The box office figures are from Kobis, the tracking service operated by the Korean Film Council.

In second place, Kwak Gyeong-Taek’s “The Firefighters” portrays the lives of a dedicated team of firefighters as they confront dangerous situations and personal challenges while striving to protect their community. It secured $1.5 million over the weekend, accounting for 14% of the market share with 233,365 admissions and totaling $20.5 million to date, according to Kobis data.

Disney’s “Mufasa: The Lion King” ranked third,...

Worldwide box office December 27-29 RankFilm (distributor)3-day (world)Cume (world)3-day (int’l)Cume (int’l)Territories 1. Mufasa: The Lion King (Disney) $114.2m $327.9m $77.1m $214.5m 53 2. Sonic The Hedgehog 3 (Paramount) $112m $211.5m $74m $74m 53 3. Moana 2 (Disney) $54.3m $882.5m $36.1m $487.9m 53 4. Wicked (Universal) $33.1m $634.7m $13.6m $210.1m 82 5. Big World (various) $29.2m $29.2m $29.2m $29.2m 1 6. Nosferatu (Universal) $24.1m $43.3m $3m $3m 6 7. Octopus With Broken Arms (various) $21.5m $21.5m $21.5m $21.5m 1 8. A Complete Unknown (Searchlight) $11.6m $23.1m 1 9. Gladiator II (Paramount) $10.1m $435.2m $6m $272.1m 66 10. Harbin (various) $7.4m $7.6m $7.4m $7.5m 2

Credit: Comscore. All figures are estimates.

Broad appeal for ‘Mufasa...

Updated: Paramount’s Sonic The Hedgehog 3 is off and running overseas, where the threequel officially began rollout on Wednesday after last week’s sizable previews. Through Sunday, and with previews included, the little critter has amassed $74M from 52 offshore markets. That lifts the global tally to $211.5M; recall that Sonic started domestically last session.

Overall, we’re seeing a healthy holiday frame with family fare the big draw, including Disney’s Mufasa: The Lion King (which saw royal holds) and Moana 2 (also holding and closing in on $900M worldwide), as well as Universal’s Wicked which has now become the biggest stage musical adaptation ever globally.

Taking the newest overseas entry first, the Jeff Fowler-directed Sonic 3 raced in with the biggest overseas start of the franchise. On a like-for-like basis, including previews, the $74M launch is is 83% ahead of Sonic the Hedgehog 2.

So far, 84% of the...

Cannes premiering Santosh from Metrograph Pictures joins Neon’s 2073 in limited release with comedy horror Bloody Axe Wound from Rlj Entertainment/Shudder on several hundred screens for the last weekend of the year. Some of the highest profile films from Searchlight Pictures’ A Complete Unknown to Focus Features’ Nosferatu and A24’s Babygirl and more arrived in theaters on Christmas making for a nice cluster of year-end releases. They’re capping a solid run for indie films in 2024’s recovering post-strike box office.

Italian thriller Vermiglio from Sideshow/Janus Films opened 12/25 on one NYC screen (IFC Center) where it stays, adding LA and Chicago Jan 3. Directed and written by Maura Delpero (Maternal). Premiered at Venice. The distributor’s Latvian animated Flow, which has been an awards season phenomenon, is still out on 107 screens and just passed $2 million – making a run for Sideshow’s highest grosser, Drive My Car at $2.35 million.

‘Harbin’, the highly anticipated historical action film starring Hyun Bin, has taken the Korean box office by storm, surpassing 1 million viewers in a record-breaking two days. This unprecedented success underscores the film’s powerful resonance with audiences, tapping into a deep-seated national sentiment and igniting a wave of patriotic fervor.

Set in 1909, a period of intense Japanese colonial rule in Korea, “Harbin” tells the gripping story of Ahn Jung Geun, a Korean independence activist who dedicated his life to resisting Japanese imperialism. The film masterfully weaves together historical events with thrilling action sequences, creating a cinematic experience that is both emotionally resonant and deeply moving.

Highly Anticipated ‘Harbin’ About Activist Ahn Jung Geun Storms South Korean Box Office To Over 1 Million Viewers In 2 Days

Hyun Bin delivers a powerful and nuanced performance as Ahn Jung Geun, capturing the character’s unwavering resolve, his deep-seated patriotism, and his profound sense of duty to his country.

Disney’s newest movie, Mufasa: The Lion King, has been shown for the first time in several Asian markets. It dominated the box office in China, but it was hard to beat in South Korea.

“Mufasa” made Rmb 56.1 million during its first weekend in China, about $8 million. Thanks to this performance, it passed the local favorite “Her Story,” which had been number one for four weeks. Despite this success, the Chinese box office is experiencing a slowdown overall, with year-to-date numbers down 21.5% compared to 2023.

With $1.6 million in weekend sales, “Mufasa” debuted in second place in South Korea. It made a total of $2.1 million in the first five days. The movie couldn’t beat the local hit “The Firefighters,” which stayed at the top for a third weekend, making $3.3 million for a total of $16.8 million.

How “Mufasa” was received in these important areas shows Hollywood and local films’ competitiveness. Along with Donnie Yen,...

Local hit “The Firefighters” continued to lead the South Korean box office above a brace of Disney titles.

In its third weekend, “The Firefighters” remained in the top spot with a $3.3 million gross, 510,975 admissions and a 35.4% market share, according to data from Kobis, the tracking service operated by the Korean Film Council. The film now has a cumulative gross of $16.8 million in the territory. However, the total box office for the top 10 titles remains below $10 million, continuing its sluggish pace.

Directed by Kwak Gyeong-Taek (“A Love”), “The Firefighters” revolves around a fire station in Seoul, where a rookie firefighter joins the Rescue Unit and is quickly sent out on his first mission alongside a seasoned veteran, celebrated for saving many lives. In the chaos of a raging fire, the veteran defies the chief’s orders to withdraw, determined to save an occupant. Though he succeeds in rescuing a young girl,...

Which Shah Rukh Khan Song Did Seventeen’s The8 Perform? (Photo Credit – Instagram)

For those of us who love Bollywood and K-pop, a mashup between the two would be a dream come true. But more often than not, this is just a daydream. Recently, Dua Lipa combined her song Levitating with the evergreen song Woh Ladki from Shah Rukh Khan’s archives, but K-pop fans still dream of their favorites dancing to Hindi songs.

Hold on because you’re in for a treat! If you are a multi-stan or a Carat who loves Seventeen, this news is perfect for you. Did you know that our very own Xu Minghao once danced to an iconic song from Mohabbatein while wearing a peacock suit?

Xu Minghao, Aka The8, Danced To A Shah Rukh Song

The8 from Seventeen left people’s hearts racing when he danced to the Chinese version of Aankhein Khuli...

Did You Know BTS Jin Once Accidentally Dyed His Hair Purple Before A Show? (Photo Credit – Instagram)

If you are an avid fan of BTS and have been stanning them for a long time, then you know Kim Seokjin, aka Jin, does not listen to anyone! He is his own boss, and there have been many funny incidents where he did not listen to a staff member about something.

Jin, the eldest of the world-famous K-pop band with the most melodious voice, can be one of the funniest members among the seven. One such hilarious instance was when he accidentally created a masterpiece related to his hair colour.

BTS Jin Accidentally Coloured His Hair In The Shades Of The Galaxy

Worldwide Handsome, aka Jin, has always made the headlines by speaking the truth or protecting his members. On his birthday, December 4, Jin made it a happy day for the Army...

Korean filmmaker Kwak Kyung-taek has responded to calls to boycott his latest feature Firefighters, sparked by recent political unrest in the country.

The film has come under fire from an angry public as the director’s brother is Kwak Gyu-taek, a member of South Korea’s People Power Party (Ppp), who failed to attend the parliamentary vote to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol.

In a statement, director Kwak said: “Recently, my younger brother, representative Kwak Gyu-taek of the People Power Party, did not participate in the impeachment vote in accordance with the party’s stance, which has led some people to criticise the film Firefighters.

"I must kill that old wolf." Well Go USA has revealed an official US trailer for a Korean historical thriller called Harbin, the latest from director Woo Min-ho. This premiered at the 2024 Toronto Film Festival a few months ago, giving it a chance to shine at a film festival before its debut in theaters in the US & also in Korea this winter. In 1909, several years after Korea is forced into becoming a Japanese colony, freedom fighters plot the daring assassination of Japan’s prime minister during their quest for independence. The film tells the true story of the 1909 assassination of Itō Hirobumi - who was the Prime Minister of Japan and former Resident General of Korea. It's the story of a group of passionate Korean freedom fighters who organized and planned the assassination in opposition to the Japanese rule of Korea. The film stars Hyun Bin, Park Jeong-min, Jo Woo-jin,...

Is Hyun Bin making a comeback with Harbin? ( Photo Credit – Instagram )

The South Korean film industry has repeatedly delivered good historical fiction stories. The themes are often about patriotism, valor, freedom struggle, etc. These movies familiarise viewers with the country’s history and transport them to a time when things were starkly different from the present. Actors in the South Korean industry have been well-noted for their roles in period dramas.

Hyun Bin is one of the most celebrated actors in the South Korean film industry. He is known for roles in dramas and movies like Crash Landing on You, Secret Garden, The Negotiator, Confidential Assignment 1 & 2, and The Point Men. Now he is set to return to the screen after pausing Crash Landing on You. He will be seen as the lead in the upcoming historical fiction period drama Harbin. Woo Min Ho, known for movies like Inside Men and The Drug King,...

‘Harbin’ To Be Present At Christmas

Poised to be one of the biggest blockbusters of an uneven year for Korean cinema, “Harbin” is finally confirmed to release on Christmas Day (Dec. 25). The movie had its premiere in September at the Toronto International Film Festival but its distributor and financier Cj Enm chose to hold back the commercial release in its native Korea until the busy end-of-year season.

The period action film follows Korean independence activists who launch a daring attack against the Japanese occupying forces in Manchuria (modern-day China).

It is directed by Woo Min-ho and stars Hyun Bin (“Crash Landing on You”), Park Jeong-min (“Decision to Leave”) and Jeon Yeo-been (“Cobweb”), who were all in action at a press launch event Monday in Seoul.

Apple Cider

Netflix has unveiled a trailer for Australian-produced “Apple Cider Vinegar,” a limited series which it will upload in 2025. The six-part drama chronicles the...

South Korea’s Acemaker movieworks has revealed a first look at supernatural thriller Gory: A Horror Tale, which it will introduce to buyers at the Asian Contents & Film Market in Busan this weekend.

The film is directed by Hong Won-ki, whose credits include 2020 series Goedam and its spin-off feature Urban Myths, horror anthologies based on popular Korean urban legends that feature K-pop idols.

The cast includes Yoo Jae-myung of period action film Harbin, which premiered at Toronto, and Moon Chae-Won of TV series Payback: Money And Power and features Fengshui and Mood Of The Day.

Also part of the ensemble...

South Korea’s Acemaker movieworks is set to launch international sales on horror thriller Gory: A Horror Tale and romantic comedy Dreams Of You at the upcoming Asian Contents & Film Market in Busan.

Gory: A Horror Tale is directed by Hong Won-ki, whose credits include 2020 series Goedam and its spin-off feature Urban Myths, horror anthologies based on popular Korean urban legends that feature K-pop idols.

The feature stars Yoo Jae-Myung of period action film Harbin, which premiered earlier this month at Toronto, and Moon Chae-Won of TV series Payback: Money And Power and features Fengshui and Mood Of The Day.

This year, Toronto International Film Festival was back. TIFF typically kicks off the North American fall festival season alongside Telluride, but it has had a rocky past couple of years. The pandemic in 2020 put a temporary pause on in-person festivities, and 2021-2022 featured a tentative rollout of hybrid festivities. Though 2023 committed to total in-person attendance, the SAG-AFTRA strikes of 2023 limited the amount of American celebrity presence on the red carpet; festival buzz too had been similarly muted. This year’s edition, however, witnessed the famed festival in full swing. With 278 films in this year’s programming, the 2024 edition of TIFF was jam-packed with Berlin/Cannes favorites, Awards season’s to-be-darlings, and of course, a good chunk of independent cinema.

Among the Asian cinema contenders, Korean and Taiwanese cinema have held an especially strong presence this year. There were nine Korean and Korean-adjacent entries – almost 100% more than in 2022, when there were...

Your browser does not support the video tag.

Korean cinema returns to the Toronto International Film Festival with director Woo Min-ho's latest effort Harbin, starring Hyun Bin as the Korean independence activist Ahn Jung-geun. The period piece, which is told as a spy thriller, follows Jeung-geun's planned assassination of It Hirobumi, the first Japanese Resident-General of Korea. Aside from the gorgeous visuals, the story rests on the tenacity of Korea's Righteous Army in the face of their oppressor's onslaught of colonization.

Hyun Bin leads an all-star cast in Harbin, including Decision To Leave's Park Jeong-min, Jo Woo-jin, Vincenzo's Jeon Yeo-been, Yoo Jae-myung, and the perennially popular Lee Dong-wook in a memorable special appearance. Hyun himself has been at the top of the Korean entertainment industry for two decades, ever since he first skyrocketed to fame with the Bridget Jones' Diary-esque drama My Lovely Sam Soon. More recently, he made...

In the early 1900s, Korea found itself occupied by Japanese forces and embroiled in a fight for independence. Director Woo Min-ho’s film Harbin shines a light on this volatile period through the eyes of revolutionary Ahn Jung-geun. Played by renowned Korean actor Hyun Bin, Jung-geun is a commander in the Independence Army struggling to free his homeland. After a costly battle, he forms a desperate plan: travel incognito to Russia and assassinate Hirobumi Ito, Japan’s powerful prime minister.

This forms the basis of the intricate plot that Woo Min-ho weaves. But beyond recounting Jung-geun’s mission, the film also aims to convey the turmoil of the era. Scenes depict the brutality of clashes between Korean rebels and Japanese troops. We see how Jung-geun’s compassionate release of enemies earns distrust from his own allies. And as the assassination scheme launches, creeping paranoia sets in over a suspected mole within their ranks.

A visually striking period drama from Woo Min-ho, “Harbin” follows Korean independence activist Ahn Jung-geun (Hyun Bin) as he plans the assassination of Japan’s Prime Minister in 1909, shortly after Korea’s annexation. The ploy involves numerous trains and several moving parts, resulting in a gripping last act that makes for a wonderful historical imagining. En route to this engaging climax, Woo also introduces a mystery element that keeps the wheels of the story turning, even when it may not have enough steam.

Woo’s eye-popping vistas stand out right from the start, during lonely shots of Ahn traversing an icy hellscape. Context is eventually added to this scene of wandering, just as it’s added to the lives of Ahn and his fellow freedom fighters. The events that led them to the movie’s central scheme, and those that cause mistrust between them, are depicted in stark and ugly detail,...

“Harbin,” the South Korean spy action thriller that debuted this week at the Toronto International Film Festival, has been picked up for North American release.

Well Go USA, a specialty distributor which has a long track record of handling commercial film titles from Asia, has licensed the rights for the U.S. and Cananda. It has confirmed to Variety that it will give the film a theatrical release, but did not confirm a schedule.

Directed by Woo Min-ho, who previously helmed 2015 hit “Inside Men” and “The Man Standing Next,” the film dramatizes pivotal events in the arduous struggle for Korean sovereignty.

In 1905, Japan forced Korea to sign the Eulsa Treaty, stripping the nation of its diplomatic rights and reducing the entire Korean peninsula to a Japanese colony. By 1909, when “Harbin” begins, Korea’s small but tenacious Righteous Army militia is deep into a campaign of armed resistance against the Japanese.

Song Kang-ho, star of Oscar-winning film “Parasite,” will headline a series adaptation of hit film “Inside Men.”

The project was revealed on Thursday by producer Hive Media Corp. which said that the show is in the early stages of pre-production. Cameras are expected to roll in 2025.

No broadcaster or streamer has yet been attached.

The 2015 film was a political thriller that was adapted from an incomplete webtoon, penned by Yoon Tae-ho called “The Insiders” and which was published 2010-2012 in the Hankyoreh newspaper.

The webtoon featured a political bruiser, played by Lee Byung-hun in the film, who seeks revenge after being ruined by politicians and the media. Directed and written by Woo Min-ho, the film added other elements including a prosecutor (portrayed by Cho Sueng-woo), a presidential candidate Portrayed by Lee Gyeong-young) and a newspaper editor (portrayed by Baek Yoon-sik).

The series, which will be directed by Mo Wan-il (“The World of the Married...

This review may contain spoilers.

Of the nine Korea-centered stories this year, Woo Min-ho’s blockbuster “Harbin” stands out in this year’s Toronto International Film Festival line-up. For the film’s world premiere, the Gala Presentation filled the Roy Thomson Hall to the brim. For each time visiting talent – including none other than Lee Dong-wook and Hyun Bin himself – walked along the aisles, squeals and stray “Saranghae’s” rippled through the crowd. Needless to say, the excitement in the air was palpable.

Harbin is screening at Toronto International Film Festival

The film itself was not as brilliant as its festival sheen, however. “Harbin” revives the Korean independence hero, Ahn Jung-geun (reincarnated through Hyun Bin) in early 20th century Manchuria. Ahn, alongside a group of dedicated independence militia the Righteous Army, plots to assassinate Ito Hirobumi, the first Japanese Resident-General of Korea who totally annexed Korea to the Japanese Imperial Army.

Cinema box office in South Korea amounted to a dismal $5.45 million over the weekend, propelling “Alien: Romulus” back to top spot, despite the film’s steep week-on-week decline. Among new releases there was joy for a Korean-produced panda documentary and disappointment for “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.”

“Alien: Romulus” earned $905,000 between Friday and Sunday, according to data from Kobis, the tracking service operated by the Korean Film Council. That represented a 45% week-on-week decline and market share of less than 17%, but it pushed the horror franchise title to a $14.0 million cumulative since releasing on Aug. 14.

Early September has historically been a weak spot on the calendar for Korean cinema business as the summer season fades out and the biggest local titles delay their releases until the Chuseok (or Korean thanksgiving) holiday season towards the end of the month. The latest Friday-Sunday aggregate followed that seasonal pattern and represented the third weakest weekend haul of the year.

Exclusive: Although Korean star Hyun Bin first hesitated to take on the role of Korean independence fighter Ahn Jung-geun in Harbin, he knew deep down that he could not pass up such a rare opportunity.

Director Woo Min-ho tried three times before he managed to convince Hyun to take on the leading role. Woo understood Hyun’s hesitation, given the magnitude of Ahn’s stature in Korean history.

“It isn’t easy as an actor to accept the offer to play the role of Ahn Jung-geun, because Koreans have their own ideas and thoughts about him as a patriotic martyr,” Hyun told Deadline. “I knew that playing Ahn wouldn’t be an easy task and it took a lot of courage. But after discussing with the director, I thought about how there might not be a lot of opportunities to play a great hero of Korean history, and that it...