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Korea Herald
12-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Embattled Yang Ik-june takes stage at 'Confession' event
Movie director defends himself against last year's assault allegations, while promoting his new thriller at pre-release event in Seoul as actor Movie director and actor Yang Ik-june showed up at Lotte Cinema in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, on Wednesday with an air of defiance. The "Breathless" (2008) actor-director, fresh off an investigation for allegedly assaulting a staff member in December, pulled off an almost playful swagger during his solo appearance at the pre-release screening for Nobuhiro Yamashita's upcoming psychological thriller "Confession." "I may look terrifying in the film, but that's not who I am," Yang said. Adapted from Japanese artist Nobuyuki Fukumoto's 1998 manga, the film centers on two former climbing club members trapped in a mountain hut after one confesses to murdering their fellow club member 16 years ago. Yang plays Ji-yong, the confessor, opposite Japanese star Toma Ikuta's Asai. When asked about the allegations, Yang reached for a prepared statement. He flatly denied the charges, casting his accuser as a manipulator who planted anonymous stories in the press. "When the truth comes out, you (reporters) might laugh at what you've published -- or be shocked by what you discover." He then turned his attention directly to his accuser: "You've been controlling and exploiting too many people behind my back. I know everything you've done. Maybe I'm your final strikeout." Police handed the case over to prosecutors on Tuesday. "Apart from this incident," he added, softening his tone, "I hope you'll focus on this film our cast and crew worked so hard to create." The film wastes no time spinning from claustrophobic two-hander into something far messier. Its psychological cat-and-mouse game crashes into outright chaos as Yang tears through the isolated mountain shelter in an unhinged display of rage. His wild performance ping-pongs between phantasmagorical menace and theatrical excess -- oftentimes landing in unintentionally funny territory. The film's lurch from slow-burn psychological thriller to Grand Guignol horror-action muddles the complex moral terrain it sets out to probe. Yet Yang's savage portrayal of spiraling madness more or less makes for enjoyable viewing, even as it undermines the film's more measured premise. "Confession" opens Feb. 19.
Korea Herald
07-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Korean theaters roll out Oscar showcase programs
Major chains offer nominees lineup ahead of March 2 ceremony Awards season is kicking into high gear as the 97th Academy Awards nominations have arrived after multiple delays due to wildfires in Los Angeles. Riding the awards season wave, South Korea's leading theater chains are treating film enthusiasts to a wide array of special screenings featuring major Oscar-nominated films. Running through February and March, these exclusive showcases offer both unreleased works and recent hits before the March 2 ceremony. Multiplex chain CGV leads the charge with 15 nominated films -- six unreleased works and nine recent releases -- across 17 locations through March 11, delivering the country's most comprehensive Oscar showcase. The lineup features best picture nominees "Anora," "The Brutalist," "A Complete Unknown," and "Emilia Perez," alongside other multi-category contenders like Latvia's "Flow" (nominations for animated and internationalfeature) and "The Wild Robot" (animated feature, Sound). "September 5" joins the lineup with its original screenplay nomination. Detailed schedules and ticketing options are available through the CGV mobile app and official website. To spice up the viewing experience, CGV offers limited-edition collectibles for select films, available on a first-come, first-served basis. Attendees of "Emilia Perez" will receive special 2025 Oscar-themed voting ballots, while fans of "Conclave," "Flow," "Maria," and "Substance" can collect A3-sized posters. Art House Club members are eligible to receive a movie review notebook to jot down their reflections on the screenings. Lotte Cinema takes a focused approach through March 4 with seven major contenders, including awards frontrunner "The Brutalist," which leads its slate with nominations for best picture, actor (Adrien Brody), and supporting actress (Felicity Jones). The cinema chain is adding to the excitement with an Oscar prediction bracket -- moviegoers who nail their picks across categories can take home prizes. Interested moviegoers can find complete details and grab tickets through the Lotte Cinema website and mobile app. Megabox showcases five nominees through Feb. 23 at its premium settings. The Bob Dylan biopic "A Complete Unknown," featuring best actor nominee Timothee Chalamet, takes the spotlight with the theatre chain's signature Dolby Cinema and Atmos Sound presentations amplifying its musical focus. The chain sweetens the deal with a tiered rewards system -- multiple viewings unlock discounts and free tickets, plus exclusive poster giveaways for select screenings. Arthouse cinema Cinecube will show 13 nominees through March 18 at its Gwanghwamun location. The program ranges from best picture contenders to technical achievement nominees like "Maria" for cinematography. Cinecube's full Oscar season program, along with booking information, is available through its website, mobile app, and social media channels.
