SNSD's Sooyoung features in new ‘Ballerina' character posters set in ‘John Wick' world
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).
pic.twitter.com/tyNauPDPmm
— 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.
pic.twitter.com/3vY1VFKTmo
— 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. pic.twitter.com/Z8WkLmQGSu
— 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.
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Los Angeles Times
5 hours ago
- Los Angeles Times
At KCON, fans from around the world dance with their favorite K-pop idols — and each other
On Friday, the Los Angeles Convention Center was a sea of green. The convention center was home to L.A.'s 12th annual KCON, a Korean music festival that ran from Friday to Sunday. While the three-day convention began in 2012 as a celebration of K-pop, its programming has expanded to feature panels with K-drama actors, skincare booths and Webtoons, or Korean digital comics. Each day of the convention culminates in a concert at the Arena. On Friday, the concert closed with an act by K-pop boy group NCT 127, whose signature color is lime green (or, to get specific, 'Pearl Neo Champagne'). At both the convention and the show, fans of the group showed their support by sporting green clothing, accessories, bags and banners. For many, KCON offers a unique opportunity for fans to get up close with their favorite idols. One of the event's marquee performances is the Dream Stage, where a few lucky winners were selected to dance onstage with a K-pop group during the mainstage show. 24-year-old Jaelyn Jones flew to L.A. from Virginia to audition for Friday's Dream Stage. Arriving in a lime green T-shirt and matching bandana, she's one of dozens of applicants vying to perform NCT 127's 'Fact Check' on the KCON stage. 'I'm so proud of everybody here,' Jones says. 'Everybody worked so hard, so I'm really excited for the day.' After receiving the email that she had passed the online round of auditions, Jones put her all into perfecting the dance. A member of the dance crews District Soul and Konnect DMV, she studied videos of NCT 127, learning their style but also adding her own flair to the choreography. 'I'll work a full 9 to 6 or something, and I'll still come home and just keep practicing,' Jones says. 'I was very dedicated to this.' The success of KCON, which has attracted 2.1 million in-person concertgoers over its 12 years of operation, signifies a growing international audience for Korean pop culture. Since its beginning, the festival has expanded to 10 countries including Japan, Saudi Arabia and Germany, as interest in Korean culture has spread globally in what has become known as the hallyu wave. Park Chan Uk, the head of live entertainment business at KCON organizer CJ ENM, points to the popularity of K-pop groups like BTS, Blackpink and Stray Kids as contributing to Korean culture's international appeal. But Park also cites the global reach of Korean movies and TV shows such as 'Squid Game' and 'KPop Demon Hunters,' as well as Korean beauty products. Indeed, KCON's primary sponsor this year is the Korean cosmetics chain Olive Young. Park says that all these different avenues, from music to skincare, have turned the overseas perception of Korean culture into 'a very promising lifestyle that appeals to the global audience.' K-pop's international reach was evident in this year's KCON lineup, which included Full Circle Boys, an American boy group that takes influence from K-pop. The group was created by choreographer Keone Madrid, who is behind several of K-pop's most famous dances, including Jungkook of BTS's 'Standing Next to You.' 'There are all these amazing groups in Korea,' Madrid says about what inspired him to form the group. 'Why isn't there a group at home for us to work with that will lean into dance as much as these Korean groups do, but also put that American spin on it?' Aidan Talingting from San Diego, Calif., decided to come to KCON because several of his favorite groups were performing. But for him and many others, going to the convention had a second purpose: to meet and spend time with other K-pop fans. Talingting traveled to KCON with friends Anitza Cerna and Dahrla Silva, both of whom hail from Tijuana, Mexico. 'We got to meet a lot of new people,' Talingting says. 'It's been a great experience making friends and seeing your favorite artists. I really love it because it brings everyone together like a family.' Talingting and Silva, who attended the same high school, met Cerna at a concert in 2023. She approached the two after overhearing them talk about K-pop. For many fans, their shared love of Korean music provides an avenue for forming lasting friendships. One such friendship was evident at KCON's X Stage, where rookie boy group Newbeat performed to a cheering audience. In the middle of the crowd was a group of a dozen or so enthusiastic fans, many of whom were wearing personalized Newbeat jerseys. Though a large number of fans may have interacted with each other online, KCON was their first time seeing each other in person. One fan, who goes by Ash online, first saw the group at last year's KCON and was instantly a fan. Benji, who is based in Boston, became a fan when her K-pop dance crew collaborated with the group. Many of them have supported Newbeat since — or even before — their official debut in March. 'We're here to wholeheartedly support Newbeat, literally from beginning of the day to end of the day,' says a fan named Olive. While Newbeat is a lesser-known act, performing only at the convention and as an opening act for Sunday's main concert, the fans' enthusiasm is anything but small. They waved signs with the members' names and pass out homemade pamphlets about Newbeat to convention-goers. They gushed about the group's multiple performances on the convention floor, which included the premiere of their new song 'Cappuccino' and a cover of Katseye's 'Gnarly.' When asked what made them decide to come to KCON together, they all say in unison: 'Group chat!' The fans, who met on X, are an example of how K-pop and its fandom — particularly overseas fans who can't travel to see their idols live — leans heavily on the internet. They cast online votes for Newbeat on music shows, attend video fan calls and communicate with the members using Plus Chat, an app that lets fans and idols message each other. But they also made a group chat to discuss the possibility of seeing Newbeat — and each other — in person at KCON. Several traveled across the country to make their plans a reality, sometimes taking multiple flights. 'As they say, the plans made it out of the group chat,' Olive says. In the few days since meeting in person for the first time, the group has quickly bonded, sharing inside jokes and talking over each other like longtime best friends. 'It's literally been nonstop talking, laughing — it certainly feels like we've known each other for months,' Olive says. 'We get along very well because we're so passionate about the same thing and supporting Newbeat,' Benji adds. 'We can relate to each other, so I think that's how we became very close.' For some attendees, their aspirations at KCON go beyond meeting other fans and seeing their favorite artists. The convention included an open audition for Season 4 of 'Produce 101 Japan,' a competition reality TV franchise that aims to create a Japanese idol group. Male applicants were invited to try out for the program with a one-minute song, rap or dance. 19-year-old Chris Zamora from Torrance, Calif., decided to audition after staff at the convention's 'Produce 101' booth encouraged him to do so. 'I thought going into it would be very nerve-racking, but they were really welcoming,' Zamora says. 'They asked a lot of questions, and they obviously care about everyone who enters the audition.' Outside the Dream Stage tryout room, Jaelyn Jones waits with bated breath. A KCON staff member announces the numbers of the dancers who passed the final audition — and sure enough, Jones' number is called. 'It just feels very surreal. I feel like I'm not here,' Jones says. At the mainstage concert that night, the Dream Stage winners rush onto the stage to dance to the chorus of 'Fact Check' with NCT 127. The arena lights up in green as K-pop fans — male and female, young and old, from around the globe — perform the high-energy song alongside the group that recorded it. In the audience are Jones' friends from home, cheering her on. 'I think it's gonna become a ritual or traditional type of thing with my friends [where] we come here every year,' she says.
Screen Geek
5 hours ago
- Screen Geek
'The Blair Witch Project' Franchise Receives Positive Update
While The Blair Witch Project did spawn a franchise following its successful theatrical release in 1999, the follow-ups never quite captured the same atmosphere or momentum that made the original a worldwide sensation. Fortunately, a major positive update has been given regarding The Blair Witch Project and its future from one of the original movie's stars. The cast behind The Blair Witch Project were instrumental for the original film's success, though they were never properly compensated or included with the franchise's future. It looks like this could change, as original star Michael C. Williams has discussed some exciting developments with the franchise under Blumhouse and Lionsgate. As shared below via Instagram, Williams chose this month – which marks the 26th anniversary of the original film – to share the good news. As fans know, Williams and his co-stars Heather Donahue and Joshua Leonard, have struggled to make themselves heard by the studios involved with the franchise. It seems that finally happened: 'In a world where it increasingly seems as though no one listens to one another any longer, I'm beyond grateful to report that Lionsgate and Jason Blum/Blumhouse actually did listen. While I won't get into the details, I can say that after 26 years, I finally feel like a valued contributor to the world of The Blair Witch Project (though, in fairness, you fans have always made me feel that way!) and I truly appreciate these folks hearing us out and coming to the table. They proved to be thoughtful and responsive to our concerns and it is important to me to acknowledge this with public gratitude and appreciation towards them.' Regarding the franchise's future, details were scarce, but it sounds like things are moving forward and Williams seems to be involved: 'I am excited for what's to come next in the Blair Witch universe. I've found the map and we're definitely moving forward.' Here's the complete statement featuring his update on the Blair Witch franchise: Hopefully we'll have more details soon. Fans of The Blair Witch Project have been eager to see whether or not Hollywood can recreate the magic of the original film, and similarly they've hoped the original cast could be part of it, so perhaps we'll finally get that opportunity. As always, stay tuned to ScreenGeek for more updates as we have them.
Cosmopolitan
7 hours ago
- Cosmopolitan
Top 5 Lollapalooza 2025 Sets: Katseye, Doechii, and More
I know what you're thinking: After a whirlwind trip to the Indio desert for my first Coachella experience and a seemingly non-stop weekend at NYC's local Governors Ball Music Festival, I'd be crazy to attend another 3-to-4-day live music event, let alone travel across the country for it. Well, dear reader, I did just that, because backstage is my happy place, and I've always wanted to experience Lollapalooza, which has taken place in Chicago's Grant Park since 2005. This officially marked my first time at the beloved fest, which has bred iconic moments from Lady Gaga's 'Summerboy' performance in the early aughts of her career to Tomorrow X Together's record-breaking set as the first K-pop group to headline the fest in 2023. Of course, this year's lineup was also stacked with star power that was sure to bring more. A ton of Cosmopolitan faves made the bill, too, from KATSEYE, Clairo, and Olivia Rodrigo to Doechii, Gracie Abrams, and Sabrina Carpenter. I ran to and from Chitown's festival grounds to catch a few sets that made for an incredibly memorable experience at Lolla. While the fest goes on for four days, I was only there for two full ones and, unfortunately, missed some acts I'd been dying to see. But that didn't stop me from ranking my favorites as a first-time attendee. To keep it fair, I'm including my top sets minus headliners, since it's not fair to compare them to that production value. Here are the 5 best Lollapalooza sets, ranked from a VIP's POV.
