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Epoch Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Epoch Times
Documentary ‘State Organs' Screens at Seoul Film Festival Despite Pressure to Cancel
The award-winning documentary 'State Organs' was screened at a film festival in South Korea's capital on May 30, after organizers were forced to change venues three times due to ' .' The film exposes a ' harrowing government-run organ harvesting operation ' in China, seven years gathering evidence and interviewing families of victims to complete the documentary. The Seoul Larkspur International Film Festival, an annual event centered on the themes of justice, freedom, and human rights, selected 'State Organs' as its opening film. Other films spotlighting human rights abuses in China and North Korea were also scheduled, with organizers reporting significant pressure from unnamed sources while finalizing the screening list. The festival's opening ceremony was ultimately held at KBS Hall, at the Korean Broadcasting System headquarters in Seoul—but not without obstacles. , one of the event's guest speakers, praised the organizers' perseverance and public support. 'I've seen real hope,' Tae said on stage, addressing the packed hall. 'When I first received the invitation, I had no idea how many people would come.' Related Stories 5/22/2025 5/14/2025 'Although we lack government support and haven't secured major sponsorships or donations, we'll continue to speak out for freedom, justice, and human rights,' Tae added. A former North Korean diplomat who to South Korea in 2016, Tae served in the 21st National Assembly and currently holds the position of Secretary General at the Peaceful Unification Advisory Council, a bipartisan presidential advisory body. Last-Minute Cancellations The Seoul Larkspur International Film Festival team spent a full year preparing for the five-day festival, which was held from May 30 to June 3. Initially, they arranged screenings at CGV, one of Korea's top cinema chains. After CGV pulled out, organizers moved the event to MEGABOX Dongdaemun, another major theater operator. However, on the eve of the festival's opening, MEGABOX unilaterally canceled all screenings, citing the ' ' of the films. This left organizers scrambling to relocate the event at the last minute. Director Calls for Investigation Raymond Zhang, director of 'State Organs,' told The Epoch Times that during screenings in Taiwan last year, his team received hundreds of threats via email and social media and faced online harassment from Chinese Communist Party (CCP)-aligned networks. 'I hope Korean authorities investigate whether Chinese interference was involved in the cancellations and bring the truth to light,' Zhang said. (L-R) Panel host Roman Balmakov, film director Raymond Zhang, and Wang Zhiyuan, director of the World Organization to Investigate the Persecution of Falun Gong, speak during a panel discussion after a screening of "State Organs" at Village East by Angelika in New York City on Nov. 9, 2024. Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times 'This Crime Must Be Stopped' Min Kyung-wook, a former Korean lawmaker and presidential spokesperson, shared his reaction after viewing the documentary. The 'testimonies of families struggling in pain, the firsthand accounts of doctors involved in [extracting organs], and the confessions of police and soldiers who once carried out persecution and torture left me so shocked that I wished none of it were true,' he told The Epoch Times. Min condemned the CCP's forced organ harvesting of mainly Falun Gong practitioners, calling it 'a crime against humanity.' 'It's almost beyond belief that such atrocities are being systematically carried out to suppress faith, elevated to the level of state-sponsored, industrial-scale operations,' he said. 'I hope the truth reaches not just the Korean people, but the global community—so these crimes can be stopped as soon as possible.' 'We must stop this brutal slaughter from continuing. We must pay attention. We must act,' Lee told The Epoch Times after watching the film. 'If Koreans Don't Wake Up, We'll Become Another China' Dayner Kim, a well-known South Korean YouTuber with over 288,000 subscribers, also spoke out after attending the State Organs screening. He said the CCP's persecution of Falun Gong and organ harvesting is widely known, but the film's focus on a single family presents that reality with a depth that's emotionally devastating. 'It left me with a profound sense of grief and solidarity,' Kim said. Kim also condemned the sudden cancellation of multiple human rights films at MEGABOX. 'There are forces in South Korea working in tandem with the CCP to block any content that criticizes or exposes its crimes. That's why we're seeing sponsorships withdrawn, venues revoked, and films banned,' Kim said in an interview after the screening. Other films affected by the last-minute cancellation include ' ,' ' ,' and ' .' The first two films depict the CCP's persecution of Falun Gong, a spiritual faith, in China, and the third film is a documentary on Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement in 2019. He added a pointed warning: 'If the Korean people aren't outraged—if we don't wake up—this country could become another China, no different from a nation under CCP rule.' Lee, from the University of Ulsan, expressed deep frustration over the obstacles the film faced in being screened, calling it 'painful and infuriating.' 'What kind of sovereign nation are we if a film can't even be shown freely?' he asked. 'We're seeing clear evidence that the CCP has deeply infiltrated many sectors in South Korea—politics, the arts, academia. It's heartbreaking.' While condemning the CCP for its interference in South Korea, Lee reminds people to distinguish Chinese people from the CCP. 'The film draws a clear distinction between the two—that's what makes this film so meaningful,' Lee said. 'The Chinese people must be freed from the CCP's oppression, and South Korea must break free from its influence,' Lee added. Organ Tourism and the Urgency of Exposure A 2017 by South Korea's TV Chosun revealed that with low domestic organ donation rates, only 10 percent of the 32,000 patients in need ever receive a transplant. As a result, many Koreans seek quicker options in China, where wait times are shorter and access is easier—despite growing concerns over the source of those organs. State Organs is now featured on the website of Doctors Against Forced Organ Harvesting ( ), an organization founded by medical professionals to expose and end forced organ harvesting practices. The film is no longer available on the internet. DAFOH describes forced organ harvesting as a 'crime against humanity' and works globally to promote ethical medical standards and protect human dignity. Cindy Song, one of the producers of 'State Organs,' emphasized the importance of the film's message for Korean audiences. 'The victims in the film are from Qingdao, which is just across the sea from South Korea,' she said. 'I believe it's important for the Korean public to hear this story.' An Jing contributed to this report.
Korea Herald
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
CGV AI film contest showcases amateur filmmakers breaking ground
Theater chain's inaugural contest demonstrates how artificial intelligence tools lower creative barriers for newcomers Mutiplex chain CGV's AI-generated film contest concluded Friday with an awards ceremony at CGV Yongsan in Seoul, showcasing how AI tools can enable creators to create sophisticated cinematic works previously beyond their reach. The theater chain's inaugural event drew submissions from amateur and first-time filmmakers who leveraged generative AI to produce short films that would have previously required massive budgets. "The Wrong Visitor" by Hyun Hae-ri claimed the grand prize among five winners selected from 15 finalists. "I think AI filmmaking isn't 'film by AI' but 'film with AI,'" Hyun said in her acceptance speech. Her 11-minute short film centers on a character with a wolf's head and the body of a human who guides fellow animals through death. The contest particularly highlighted AI's democratizing potential through entries like "Galaxy Cat Express," which earned third place alongside a college student's production, "Pinocchio: Begins." Kim Young-hyun, creator of "Galaxy Cat Express," quit his previous job to pursue filmmaking after AI tools became available. "I used to dream about making those imaginative stories I loved watching as a kid with my parents — 'Terminator' and 'Predator,'" Kim said during his acceptance speech. "When AI tech started developing, I thought 'I can actually do this now' and quit my job to give it a shot." College students from Sogang and Yonsei universities created "Pinocchio: Begins," a cyberpunk reimagining featuring an android programmed to eliminate liars. Screenwriter Kang Da-bin, in accepting the award on behalf of director Ahn Ye-eun, highlighted their amateur status: "We weren't film experts or AI specialists, but we pulled all-nighters and made this movie with just 200,000 won ($145) in our hands. We hope this shows other young people that you can make it happen." The panel of judges included "Concrete Utopia" director Um Tae-hwa, author Kim Jung-hyuk, science YouTuber Kim Jae-hyeok and CJ ENM's AI production director Jung Chang-ik. Evaluation criteria weighted storytelling at 40 percent, creativity at 30 percent and technical execution at 30 percent. The screened works proved AI excels at generating convincing imagery for wild concepts — from the half-human, half-animal characters with intricate fur textures in "The Wrong Visitor" and the dark cyberpunk cityscapes of second-place winner "0KB," to the sweeping galactic vistas with floating spaceships in "Galaxy Cat Express." These sequences would typically require expensive video effects teams to create, but AI has enabled solo creators to achieve comparable results on minimal budgets. It may be one thing to create high-concept short videos resembling on-demand commercials, but it is quite another to craft coherent narrative films, however short. The technology's limitations showed clearly in the editing, where constant hard cuts between scenes prevented narratives from gaining momentum. Visual consistency also proved problematic, with characters' facial features and physical detail shifting between shots, resulting in jarring discontinuities. Notably, most entries relied heavily on English dialogue, suggesting AI's translation capabilities may help creators overcome language barriers. For now, the technology appears positioned to complement rather than replace human creativity — potentially threatening video effects roles while helping screenwriters and directors expand their creative possibilities.
Korea Herald
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
The best (lesser-known) things about Seoul for solo residents
A city perfect for solo dwellers has karaoke, barbecue joints and watering holes custom-made for a party of one I love to sing, but as a kid, belting out tunes on a karaoke machine usually meant rallying at least one friend to go to the local noraebang (singing room). For a boy who was a bit of a loner, this could be challenging. Then came the 2010s — and with them, a delightful invention: the coin noraebang (pay-per-song karaoke). A sanctuary for solo singers, it offered sweet salvation to those who want to sing their hearts out without the judgmental stares of others. Coin noraebang is just one of many urban pleasures catering to Seoul's growing population of solo dwellers. From one-person barbecue joints to bars and restaurants designed for a party of one, these spaces embrace those who choose to stay in their cocoon of voluntary solitude. And so, Seoul has become a haven for the "honjok," or people like me who choose to do things by themselves. Honjok is a portmanteau of 'hon' from the Korean word 'honja,' meaning alone, and 'jok,' meaning tribe. Movies, music and comics for solo escapes A common perception is that the 2020 outbreak of COVID-19 and the ensuing social distancing forced Koreans to spend more time by themselves, but this is only part of the story. A 2019 survey by the recruitment platform Saramin of 3,635 people showed that 67.7 percent of respondents identified as honjok, particularly 72.6 percent of those in their 20s. Being honjok doesn't mean being a loner, but rather taking the time to do as one pleases. The most popular reasons in the survey for doing things solo were "It's more convenient (72.5 percent)," "I don't have to be interrupted," and "There's no need to be emotionally spent," implying that the stress of social interaction puts pressure on many people. Going to the movies is widely considered an activity for couples, friends and family, but the pestering from the next seat -- "What just happened?" -- can be less than ideal. Local multiplex cinema franchises CGV and Megabox have adopted wide seats throughout their theaters, which have been promoted to one-person viewers. As mentioned, coin noraebang were among the first businesses to actively accommodate honjok, with some open around the clock and at cheaper prices than conventional karaoke. You can sing two or three songs for 1,000 won ($0.70), and most shops accept credit cards and offer time-based payment systems. If you are a fan of comics, comic book cafe chains like Beoltoon and Nolsoop are a great place to relax and read. Both chains operate similarly in that they offer not only a place to read comics but also sell simple dishes like tteokbokki and donkatsu that are of decent quality. Desks and chairs are available, but the preferred option is to hide out in isolated sections with curtains, blankets and cushions. It's actually a great place to kill a few hours or take a quick nap if you're caught between appointments. Grilling and booze, no friends required The popular 90s sitcom "Friends" had an episode in which the young adult character Rachel Green feels some shame and self-consciousness dining by herself. But a growing number of eateries here are offering dishes for solo diners, some installing one-person booths complete with dividers between seats to create partitioned areas for individuals. The founder of franchise eatery Ssaum Eui Gosu (Ssago) said his business started when he realized it was hard for a solo diner to find a place to eat bossam (boiled pork and side dishes). Ssago offers single portions of meat dishes that are more often eaten in groups, including bossam, samgyeopsal and jokbal, and most of its seats are tailored for those visiting alone. Barbecue joints are also typically for group dining, but some allow you to grill away by yourself. Hongo in Haebangchon, Yongsan-gu, takes its name from the Korean for "barbecue by yourself" and provides guests with mini grills in side-by-side seats. Seongsu-dong, known for its trendsetting establishments, has numerous one-person seats where individual diners can grill samgyeopsal and other types of barbecue. Each customer is blocked off from view by dividers, which can be easily removed if you want to sit with a friend. Mangwon-dong in Mapo-gu is another trendy neighborhood, and Chaeg Bar (book bar) is one destination in keeping with the honjok trend. As its name suggests, visitors have the option to pick up a book and read as they sip cocktails, although groups can sit in the "talking area" as well. The bars, eateries and other entertainment venues in Seoul are too numerous to cover in full, but what's certain is that honjok are a rapidly growing customer base, and businesses are attending to the needs of those who prefer to unwind and engage in their favorite activities by themselves.
Korea Herald
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
CGV unveils showcase of restored French classics
Bresson, Godard, Melville return to big screen in digital restorations CGV will screen four restored French classics as part of a special remastered showcase at its select arthouse locations through June, the theater chain announced Monday. The program opens May 21 with Robert Bresson's "Quatre nuits d'un reveur" ("Four Nights of a Dreamer," 1971), an adaptation of Dostoevsky's "White Nights." The Jury Prize winner at the 21st Berlin International Film Festival, the film follows a dreamer's fleeting rendezvous with a heartbroken woman on the streets of Paris. Jean-Luc Godard's "Pierrot le Fou" (1965) arrives June 4 in celebration of its 60th anniversary. Starring Jean-Paul Belmondo and Anna Karina, the film charts a disillusioned man's escape from bourgeois life as he takes off on a road trip to the Mediterranean with a mysterious woman. Also screening is Godard's "Alphaville" (1965), which won the Golden Bear at Berlin. This genre-blending sci-fi noir following secret agent Lemmy Caution's mission in a computer-run dystopian city will be shown in Korea for the first time in 4K restoration. Rounding out the lineup is Jean-Pierre Melville's "L'Armee des ombres" ("Army of Shadows," 1969), a stark depiction of French Resistance fighters during World War II adapted from Joseph Kessel's 1943 novel. CGV will offer special promotions, including A3-sized posters for all screenings and exclusive merchandise available at select showings of "Pierrot le Fou."
Korea Herald
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Six years in storage, ‘Virus' breaks free at last
A pandemic rom com held hostage by an actual pandemic finds its way to theaters The irony wasn't lost on anyone at Monday's press conference for the romantic comedy "Virus" -- a film about a fictional pathogen that causes people to fall madly in love was itself quarantined for nearly six years, due to a real pandemic that kept people apart. "Although there were many twists and turns leading up to the release, I'm thrilled we can finally present the film," director Kang Yi-kwan told reporters at Seoul's Yongsan CGV cinema on Monday. The film, which completed production in late 2019, became an unwitting casualty of timing when the COVID-19 pandemic made releasing a virus-themed work virtually impossible. Its narrative centers on Taek-sun (Bae Doo-na), a disaffected translator drifting through life, who suddenly blooms after becoming infected with the "Toxovirus" -- a pathogen with a curious symptom: it induces overwhelming happiness and instant love. The virus places her in the orbit of three men: researcher Soo-phil (Son Suk-ku), who becomes the first infected person; her childhood friend Yeon-woo (Chang Ki-ha); and the brilliant Dr. Lee Kyun (Kim Yoon-seok), the only person capable of developing a cure. For actor Kim Yoon-seok, the unexpected delay created a surreal disconnect between filming and release. "The world changed between shooting this film and now," he reflected. "Things we imagined -- PCR tests, lab protocols, protective equipment -- suddenly became everyday reality. It felt incredibly strange to watch our fictional scenario materialize in real life." The film represents a tonal shift for Bae, who has spent much of the past decade in darker genre pieces like "Kingdom," the zombie-historical horror series, and "Stranger," the critically acclaimed investigative thriller. "After projects involving disasters or intense themes, I missed something soft, warm and bright," she said. "I've always believed that making audiences happy is a major charm of movies." Bae hesitated to categorize the film as merely a romance, though. "I'm not sure it's a love story per se," she said. "It's more about a person discovering a different side of themselves when their emotional barriers are forcibly opened." The film marks singer-songwriter Chang Ki-ha's lead acting debut, a challenge he initially balked at. "When I first read the script, there seemed to be too many lines. I didn't think I could do it," he admitted. "Then Kim Yoon-seok called and said, 'Film people know what they're doing. We'll create the environment -- you just come and have fun.'" Director Kang emphasized how "Virus" offers a refreshing counterpoint to typical infection film conventions. "Most virus narratives are apocalyptic, focusing on societal collapse," he noted. "We wanted to explore a virus that makes people better versions of themselves, and examine it from a personal perspective rather than a macro view of pandemic response." For Bae, the film's theatrical release remains important despite its long delay. "We shot this specifically for the big screen," she said. "When actors perform for the cinema, we're conscious of how even subtle expressions will read on a large screen. "Honestly, I wouldn't say you absolutely must watch it in theaters -- it would work anywhere -- but those small details and nuances we crafted specifically for cinema viewing might get lost on smaller devices." Kim echoed this sentiment in more philosophical terms: "The cinema is another kind of public square. It's where unconnected strangers focus collectively on one experience, creating energy you can't replicate at home." "Virus" opens nationwide on May 7.
