Latest news with #Sooyoung
Gulf Today
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Gulf Today
South Korea finish on top at Dubai Para Badminton event
The 6th Fazza Para Badminton International – Dubai 2025 concluded with South Korea finishing on top of the podium with six gold medals amid loud cheers and strong team support at the Shabab Al Ahli Club on Sunday. Promising shuttlers Sooyoung Yu and Gyeoul Jung claimed two gold medals each winning the men's and women's Wheelchair (WH2) finals. The highlight of the final day was Sooyoung's upset win over Paris 2024 bronze medallist and senior compatriot Kim Jung Jun in a nerve wrecking men's singles WH2 match that lasted 60 minutes. Sooyoung rallied from a game down to win 19-21, 25-23, 22-20 over his senior compatriot Jung Jun, much to the praise from the senior player. 'It was a great match — we knew each other very well and we tried to play like we do in the practice matches. Kim played better than practice today — I feel that legend is still alive,' said Sooyoung who won the first singles gold medal at the Fazza Dubai Championships in his third appearance. Meanwhile, he paired with Park Haeseong to beat legendary players Jung Jun and Choi Jungman 21-16, 21-13. In the women's events, unseeded Gyeoul shocked top seed and veteran player Emine Seckin from Turkiye in straight games 21-18, 21-11 for the women's WH2 title. Later, Gyeoul and Haeseong got the better of Turkish and Italian duo of Seckin and Yuri Ferrigno 21-16, 21-13. Two gold for Malaysian top seed: Among other top names, world number 1 Cheah Liek Hou clinched two gold medals for Malaysia winning the men's singles and men's doubles Standing Upper - SU5 events. While Cheah defeated compatriot Muhammed Fareez Anuar in straight games 21-12, 22-20 in the singles event, both the players paired up to win the doubles crown against India's promising duo of Hardik Makkar and Ruthick Ragupathi 21-18, 21-15. Playing her usual come-from-behind-winning game, Ukrainian Oksana Kozyna overcame France's Milena Surreau, who was playing her first match in the category, 24-22, 17-21, 21-10 in the women's singles Standing Lower – SL3 final. Malaysia took on more gold when Muhammed Ikhwan Ramli staged a remarkable comeback to win the men's wheelchair WH1 final over Korean Paralympic silver medallist Choi Jungman 13-21, 21-18, 21-6. Turkiye, India and England were the other nations who took a gold medal each at the sixth edition of the championships which was competed by around 150 players from 30 nations. Thani Juma Berregad, Fazza Championships Chairman, expressed his immense pride and admiration for the remarkable level of competition at the Fazza Championships. He was deeply impressed by the intensity, energy, and world-class performances displayed by the athletes who have gathered in Dubai for this elite event.
Indian Express
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Legendary K-pop idol makes Hollywood debut in John Wick spin-off Ballerina with Keanu Reeves and Ana de Armas
Second-generation female group idol Choi Sooyoung is reportedly making her big Hollywood debut in the iconic John Wick spin-off, Ballerina. The upcoming film will see Ana de Armas take on the central role. Scheduled for release on June 6, Ballerina takes place between John Wick: Chapter 3, titled Parabellum and Chapter 4. The movie explores a world of underground assassins and global crime networks, with Sooyoung playing a key role. The film also features Keanu Reeves and Anjelica Huston. Meanwhile, John Wick 5 has officially begun production. The franchise is also expanding with its first-ever animated prequel and a Caine spin-off. Girls' Generation Sooyoung to play key role in Ballerina Ballerina follows the story of Eve Macarro, a ballerina-turned-assassin played by Ana de Armas. As her path crosses with John Wick's, Eve's thirst to avenge her father's death only intensifies. Raised by the ruthless Ruska Roma syndicate, Eve is determined to track down every person responsible for the biggest tragedy of her life. As reported by The Korea Times, Sooyoung takes on the role of Katla Park. In the movie, fans will watch Armas' character as she faces her first mission: protecting Katla at the dangerous Minus Eleven club. Katla, the daughter of Il Seong, a major player in the Ruska Roma organisation, sets the stage for a chain of intense and thrilling events. New poster for 'Ballerina' featuring Sooyoung Choi Coming to theaters June 6 | 📸 @JohnWickMovie — PopX (@PopX) April 25, 2025 ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW VIDEO Also read: Lionsgate locks summer release for John Wick spinoff Ballerina While it's her first in Hollywood, Sooyoung is not new to acting. The K-pop idol long ago turned to on-screen roles and has played key parts in various K-dramas and movies, including Not Others, Fanletter, Please, If You Wish Upon Me, Move to Heaven, So I Married an Anti-Fan, Run On, and so on. The lead dancer and rapper of Girls' Generation made her debut in 2000 with SM Entertainment. For fans waiting for her new K-drama, she will first lead the soon-to-air tvN K-drama Second Shot at Love alongside Gong Myung, Jo Yoon Hee, Kang Hyung Suk, Kim Sung Ryung, and Kim Sang Ho. The K-drama is scheduled to premiere on May 12. Len Wiseman's directorial Ballerina promises a blend of professional choreography and intense action that fans expect from the John Wick series. Other stars like Lance Reddick, Norman Reedus, and Ian McShane are also part of the cast. The character posters of the movie were released a while ago. The movie will also star Gabriel Byrne, who will step into the shoes of Chancellor, the spinoff's main antagonist, facing off with Ana de Armas' Eve. 'The opportunity to have my movie and actually just go for it, go crazy, it was a no-brainer,' Armas said, speaking to USA Today about her role in the movie. 'I knew I wanted to be a part of that world, and that specific tone of 'John Wick' was really cool.' The Oscar-nominated star has time and again wowed her fans with actioners like Ghosted, The Gray Man, and the James Bond film No Time to Die. Keanu Reeves, Ana de Armas are teaming up for the third time after Exposed in 2016 and Knock Knock in 2015. During CinemaCon, Armas revealed how she first met Reeves, 'I met him when I barely spoke English when I moved to L.A. 10 years ago.' She recalled meeting the actor for the very first time in Santiago de Chile during a lunch with the filmmakers of Knock Knock. Armas was sitting across the table from him and was nervous. 'I couldn't talk to him much because I was so self-conscious about my English,' Ana recalled, adding, 'I was really struggling and really trying hard to follow the conversation,' she told The Hollywood Reporter.
Express Tribune
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
K-pop girl group Girls' Generation's Sooyoung joins ‘John Wick' spin-Off ‘Ballerina' as Katla Park
Girls' Generation member and actress Sooyoung has been confirmed for a role in Ballerina, the first official spin-off film from the John Wick franchise. Character posters released on 24 April revealed Sooyoung portraying Katla Park, the daughter of a Ruska Roma member named Il Seong. Ballerina stars Ana de Armas as Eve Macarro, a trained assassin seeking vengeance for past wrongs. The story introduces new characters while featuring familiar faces from the John Wick universe, including Keanu Reeves reprising his role as the titular assassin. Sooyoung's character, Katla Park, plays a critical role in the film's early plot. Eve is tasked with protecting Katla during one of her first assignments as a Ballerina. The new character posters signal a broader integration of international cast members into the expanding John Wick cinematic world. This marks a major step for Sooyoung's global acting career, adding to her growing portfolio of roles in both Korean and international projects. She is also scheduled to appear in the upcoming Korean drama Second Shot at Love, airing on tvN from 12 May. Directed by Len Wiseman and written by Shay Hatten, Ballerina expands the assassin-driven mythology that has defined the John Wick films. The spin-off aims to build on the original franchise's global success by spotlighting new leads and deepening the narrative surrounding the Ballerina programme introduced in John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum. Ballerina is set to premiere in US theatres on 6 June.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
SNSD's Sooyoung features in new ‘Ballerina' character posters set in ‘John Wick' world
LOS ANGELES, April 25 — Lionsgate has released 12 exclusive character posters for Ballerina, its upcoming action-thriller set in the John Wick universe. Among the posters is one featuring South Korean singer and actress Choi Soo-young, better known as Sooyoung of K-pop girl group Girls' Generation (SNSD). — Ballerina (@ballerinamovie) April 24, 2025 The images were revealed by IGN, which also shared new character details from the film, including the debut of Katla Park, played by Sooyoung. 'Katla Park is the daughter of the Ruska Roma's colleague Il Seong,' according to the character description. 'Eve's first field mission is to protect Katla Park at the lavish Minus Eleven club.' SNSD debuted under SM Entertainment in 2007 and quickly rose to fame across Asia with hits like Gee and Genie. — Ballerina (@ballerinamovie) April 24, 2025 Sooyoung, who has built a successful acting career in both television and film since her days with SNSD, now joins a high-profile international cast that includes Ana de Armas, Keanu Reeves, Norman Reedus and Anjelica Huston. 'Ballerina takes place in the John Wick world after the end of John Wick Chapter 3 and before the start of John Wick Chapter 4,' Keanu Reeves told IGN. 'It was so great to have the chance to play John Wick again and discover more of the John Wick world,' he added. Get a good look at the new character posters for #BallerinaMovie. Be seeing you in theaters June 6. — Ballerina (@ballerinamovie) April 24, 2025 Len Wiseman directs Ballerina, marking the first time someone other than Chad Stahelski is helming a John Wick feature. The film hits theatres on June 6. Watch the movie trailer here.
Malay Mail
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Malay Mail
SNSD's Sooyoung features in new ‘Ballerina' character posters set in ‘John Wick' world
LOS ANGELES, April 25 — Lionsgate has released 12 exclusive character posters for Ballerina, its upcoming action-thriller set in the John Wick universe. Among the posters is one featuring South Korean singer and actress Choi Soo-young, better known as Sooyoung of K-pop girl group Girls' Generation (SNSD). The images were revealed by IGN, which also shared new character details from the film, including the debut of Katla Park, played by Sooyoung. 'Katla Park is the daughter of the Ruska Roma's colleague Il Seong,' according to the character description. 'Eve's first field mission is to protect Katla Park at the lavish Minus Eleven club.' SNSD debuted under SM Entertainment in 2007 and quickly rose to fame across Asia with hits like Gee and Genie. Sooyoung, who has built a successful acting career in both television and film since her days with SNSD, now joins a high-profile international cast that includes Ana de Armas, Keanu Reeves, Norman Reedus and Anjelica Huston. 'Ballerina takes place in the John Wick world after the end of John Wick Chapter 3 and before the start of John Wick Chapter 4,' Keanu Reeves told IGN. 'It was so great to have the chance to play John Wick again and discover more of the John Wick world,' he added. Get a good look at the new character posters for #BallerinaMovie. Be seeing you in theaters June 6. — Ballerina (@ballerinamovie) April 24, 2025 Len Wiseman directs Ballerina, marking the first time someone other than Chad Stahelski is helming a John Wick feature. The film hits theatres on June 6. Watch the movie trailer here.
