Latest news with #Korean-made
Hype Malaysia
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hype Malaysia
Secret Idol: What We Know About The New K-pop Spy Film Under Lee Jung Jae's Studio
It seems more Korean-made movies are going global, thanks to exciting partnerships with international companies. Recently, news outlets revealed that a South Korean production studio led by 'Squid Game' star Lee Jung Jae (이정재) has partnered up with a UK-based production company to work on a K-pop spy film. Tentatively titled 'Secret Idol', the movie is about a spy who goes undercover as a K-pop idol trainee. The movie is still in its early stages, but there are already a few notable details about the project. Here's what we know about the film so far: It's A Collaboration Between Lee Jung Jae's Studio & A Top UK Production Company The upcoming movie is a collaboration between Artist Studio and Imaginarium Productions. The partnership includes the early stages of story development and coordinating production strategies. The two companies are currently discussing the movie's casting, global distribution and expansion of international production partnerships. Artist Studio, led by Lee Jung Jae, is the content production division of the actors' agency, Artist Group. Meanwhile, Imaginarium Productions was co-founded by actor-director Andy Serkis and producer Jonathan Cavendish. The company is known for its expertise in performance capture and tech-driven storytelling. Some of its current projects include a 'Lord Of The Rings' prequel. The Movie Revolves Around A Young Spy-Turned-Kpop Trainee According to news outlets, the live-action film blends the K-pop world with the teen spy action genre. The story follows a secret agent who infiltrates the K-pop industry by going undercover as a K-pop trainee. The character has to navigate fierce competition behind glamorous stages while taking on a global crime syndicate. Lee Jung Jae Might Also Sign On As Producer & Director There's no news on what Lee Jung Jae's role is in the movie besides his studio's involvement. However, there is a high chance that the star might sign on as the executive producer for the project and even the director. If true, this wouldn't be the first time Lee Jung Jae helmed a spy movie. The actor's directorial debut was the 2022 South Korean film, 'Hunt', which follows two National Intelligence Service (NIS) agents. Fans Want BTS Jin & T.O.P In The Cast Since the movie revolves around the K-pop industry, it's no surprise that fans want a K-pop star in the cast. Some commonly mentioned names in fans' casting include BTS Jin (진) and former Big Bang member T.O.P (Choi Seung Hyun/최승현). Interestingly, T.O.P has played an assassin in the 2009 hit Korean drama 'IRIS' and has co-starred with Lee Jung Jae in 'Squid Game', so he might be a top contender for the spy role. Since the project is in its planning stage, there's probably another year or two before 'Secret Idol' could see a premiere date. What are your thoughts on the movie so far? Sources: Allkpop, Chosun, Instagram What's your Reaction? +1 0 +1 0 +1 0 +1 0 +1 0 +1 0
Bloomberg
08-05-2025
- Automotive
- Bloomberg
GM Imports More Cars Into the US Than Any Other Automaker
Long gone are the days when an imported car meant a foreign car. And no company proves the point more than General Motors. The Detroit stalwart imported more cars into the US last year than any other automaker, even Japan's Toyota. Nearly half of the vehicles GM sold in the US last year — 1.23 million autos — were built abroad, according to researcher GlobalData. That includes many of its most affordable models, like the Korean-made Chevrolet Trax and Buick Envista SUVs, whose low prices depend on cheap production.
Time of India
07-05-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
American car, made in Korea: Why General Motors is hurt by tariffs
Continue to video 5 5 Next Stay Playback speed 1x Normal Back 0.25x 0.5x 1x Normal 1.5x 2x 5 5 / Skip Ads by Live Events Long gone are the days when an imported car meant a foreign car. And no company proves the point more than General Motors Detroit stalwart imported more cars into the US last year than any other automaker, even Japan's Toyota Motor Corp. Nearly half of the vehicles GM sold in the US last year - 1.23 million autos - were built abroad, according to researcher GlobalData. That includes many of its most affordable models, like the Korean-made Chevrolet Trax and Buick Envista SUVs, whose low prices depend on cheap no American automaker stands to lose more in President Donald Trump's trade war. Trump has slapped 25% tariffs on imported autos, arguing it's a response to unfair barriers that American-made cars face in other countries. But the tariffs have GM scrambling to manage levies of up to $5 billion this year, which despite some offsets will slash 2025 earnings before interest and taxes by about 20%, the company US automakers - the very companies Trump says he's trying to help - will suffer as well, if not quite as much as GM. Except for Tesla and startups like Lucid Group and Rivian Automotive, they all build cars elsewhere to sell in the US. Ford Motor Co. on Monday said it is facing a $2.5 billion tariff hit this year, which it aims to offset with $1 billion in cost savings."It used to be that when you bought a Toyota, it was made in Japan and when you bought a Chevy, it was made here in the US," said Erik Gordon, a professor at the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business. "Now, some Toyotas are made in Japan and some are made in the US. And if you buy a Chevy, it might have been made overseas."GM shares have fallen more than 14% this year as tariffs and an uncertain economy weighed on the stock. Among American automakers, only Ford, which has the lowest tariff exposure, has seen its shares gain this will use cost cuts to offset 30% of its tariff impact, rather than raise prices on its cars, Chief Financial Officer Paul Jacobson told reporters last week. It also is moving production of some models, including pickup trucks, into its US factories. Analysts say GM could get some relief if a new trade agreement can be reached with South Korea, where the company operates three factories."There are ongoing discussions with key trade partners that may also have an impact," Mary Barra, GM's chief executive officer, said in a May 1 letter to shareholders. "We will continue to be nimble and disciplined."GM said in an email that it can't comment on its import the automaker remains committed to its Korean operations, which play a critical role as a global export base for GM's lower-priced models, a company official said, asking not to be identified because the plans were Schuster, former vice president of research at GlobalData, projects that car makers selling in the US will cease building 1.5 million mostly lower-priced vehicles because the tariffs will make them uncompetitive. That would worsen an auto affordability crisis in the US, where the average price of a new car tops $48,000, up 21% from five years ago."It does take away the entry market and obviously hurts those buyers that are in that space," Schuster said.
Bloomberg
07-05-2025
- Automotive
- Bloomberg
American Car, Made in Korea: Why GM Is Getting Roiled by Tariffs
Long gone are the days when an imported car meant a foreign car. And no company proves the point more than General Motors Co. The Detroit stalwart imported more cars into the US last year than any other automaker, even Japan's Toyota Motor Corp. Nearly half of the vehicles GM sold in the US last year – 1.23 million autos – were built abroad, according to researcher GlobalData. That includes many of its most affordable models, like the Korean-made Chevrolet Trax and Buick Envista SUVs, whose low prices depend on cheap production.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Polestar North America boss Anders Gustafsson quits, hinting at new auto retail gig
'Instead of selling cars, I will now be buying and selling around 1 million cars every year — a completely new and exciting challenge,' Anders Gustafsson said, hinting at his upcoming new job. Less than a year after taking the wheel at Polestar North America, Anders Gustafsson is leaving the electric car maker May 11. Rick Bryant, Polestar North America's operations chief and a Volvo Cars veteran, will take the top job overseeing the U.S. and Canada markets. Sign up for Automotive News' daily podcast series featuring interviews with industry leaders, insiders and our journalists. Bryant has more than three decades of automotive industry experience, including stints at BMW, Buick and Honda. He has held leadership roles in sales and operations, including nearly a decade as executive vice president of sales operations for Volvo Car USA. Smooth operator In a memo to retailers announcing his resignation that was reviewed by Automotive News, Gustafsson said of Bryant: 'From the moment I joined Polestar, it was clear we had the right person already in place.' Matthew Haiken, CEO of the Polestar Short Hills dealership in New Jersey, said Bryant has 'helped run the show' for the past year. 'Rick is the day-to-day operator, the sales guy, the dealer guy,' Haiken told Automotive News. Volvo dealer Ernie Norcross said Bryant knows how to balance the interests of retailers and the manufacturer. 'Rick always looks for a win-win, rather than a win-lose, because he understands that if dealers lose, the factory doesn't win,' said Norcross, owner of Volvo Cars Memphis in Tennessee. 'His leadership and skills were sorely missed when he left Volvo.' Rick Bryant has held leadership roles in sales and operations, including nearly a decade as executive vice president of sales operations for Volvo Car USA. Driving into headwinds Bryant's operational chops will be tested as Polestar navigates geopolitics and slowing electric vehicle sales growth in the U.S. The Trump administration has slapped tariffs of 145 percent on Chinese auto imports and 25 percent on cars from other countries. That poses an existential crisis for the young Polestar brand with only two nameplates — one of which is a sedan made in China — and plans to launch a Korean-made, coupelike crossover in the fourth quarter. Polestar CEO Michael Lohscheller warned of a blow from American import duties as the Swedish carmaker looks to shift manufacturing to the U.S. and Europe to reduce reliance on China. Because of geopolitical uncertainty, Polestar paused its 2025 forecast. Polestar gained market momentum in the U.S. last year after debuting its second model, the Polestar 3 midsize crossover. According to Automotive News Research & Data Center estimates, Polestar's first-quarter deliveries surged 50 percent from a year ago to 1,650, powered by an aggressive offer to conquest Tesla customers. The U.S.-built Polestar 3 accounted for 91 percent of Polestar's first-quarter deliveries, while Polestar 2 sales plunged 86 percent.
