2,228 Screens: The Current State and Challenges of Indonesia’s Theater Industry

The ‘father’ of Indonesian cinema, Usmar Ismail, began filming the first local movie Darah dan Doa (Blood and Prayer) in March 1950. However, the very first film made in Indonesia was Loetoeng Kasaroeng, a silent film directed by Dutch filmmaker L. Heuveldorp ...

Ma Dong-seok’s Hollywood project ‘Pig Village’ begins filming

Actor and producer Ma Dong-seok is set to charm global audiences with his Hollywood project “Pig Village.” Distributors Plus M Entertainment and ABO Entertainment announced Friday that “Pig Village” has begun filming with a star-studded cast, including Michael...

Delayed by real pandemic, Bae Doo-na's 'Virus' is finally set for release

The upcoming film "Virus" features a fictional contagion with a critical twist: It induces overwhelming happiness and instant love in its victims. While it might sound appealing enough for many to want the infection, the virus is ultimately fatal.

Foreign fans of 'hallyu' mostly associate S. Korea with K-pop: report

Foreigners who have experienced South Korean pop culture associate the country with its popular music, dubbed K-pop, more than any other form of content, a government report showed Monday.

Korean Animation 'The King of Kings' Ranks 2nd at North American Box Office

Korean-made animated feature The King of Kings—known in Korea as The Life of Jesus—has taken the North American box office by storm, opening at No. 2 in its debut weekend.

Korean films absent from Cannes' official selection for first time in 12 years

For the first time in 12 years, no South Korean films have been included in the official selection of the Cannes Film Festival. According to the festival’s organizing committee, which announced the lineup for the 78th Cannes Film Festival on Thursday evening, ...

Hong Kong's Cinematic Potential is ‘Alive and Well’

Hong Kong has long maintained a close relationship with Korea’s film industry and continues to be a key export market for Korean cinema. In this edition of the <KOFIC Correspondents Report>, we take a closer look at the evolving landscape of Hong Kong’s ...

Generative AI users in S. Korea nearly double in 2024

The number of users of generative artificial intelligence (AI) services in South Korea nearly doubled from a year earlier in 2024, government data showed Sunday.

Era of Film Industry Contraction: The Future of Korean Cinema

The Korean film industry is going through a difficult period. In 2024, the total number of moviegoers was 123.13 million, which is only about 54% of the 226.68 million recorded in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic. The average number of times an individual wat...

'The Old Woman With the Knife' breaks ground with female assassin in her 60s

Director Min Kyu-dong of the upcoming action drama "The Old Woman With the Knife" said Thursday actress Lee Hye-young was essential to bringing the film to life. "Lee possesses a mysterious, unfathomable quality that naturally draws intrigue, fitti...