Fans celebrate 'Squid Game' finale with Seoul parade
Fans gathered near Seoul's Gyeongbokgung Palace, led by marchers dressed in the bright pink uniforms worn by the show's mysterious masked agents
Thousands of fans gathered in Seoul on Saturday to celebrate the final "Squid Game" season, ending a global Netflix hit that is seen as a symbol of South Korea's cultural clout.
The third and final season was released Friday, concluding the series that sees desperate people compete in deadly versions of traditional children's games for a massive cash prize.
Director Hwang Dong-hyuk said he had "poured everything" into the series, which launched nearly four years ago.
"So while it's sentimental to see it end," he said, "there's also a sense of relief".
Fans gathered near Seoul's Gyeongbokgung Palace, led by marchers dressed in the bright pink uniforms worn by the show's mysterious masked agents.
They were followed by others carrying oversize toys from one of the games featured in the series, along with the show's flag.
Park Sang-gyu, a fan who stayed up all night watching the final season, said the dystopian drama was "ultimately a story about people".
"As you watch, you realise it's not just about the games -- it reflects many aspects of real life."
The walls of the Seoul Metropolitan Library were lit up with key scenes, including Young-hee -- the giant motion-sensing animatronic doll featured in one of its brutal games.
Lee Byung-hun, who played the masked Front Man overseeing the competition, said the show had become "something of a cultural phenomenon".
"One that has drawn one of the boldest lines in the history of Korean content," he said.
The first two seasons of the series are among Netflix's most-watched shows, and in 2022, Hwang and the show's leading actor, Lee Jung-jae, became the first Asian men to win Emmy Awards.
The final season follows its hero Gi-hun, played by Lee, as he returns to the ultra-violent games to dismantle them from within after surviving the first round.
Along with filmmaker Bong Joon-ho's Oscar-winning 2019 thriller "Parasite" and K-pop sensation BTS, "Squid Game" is considered one of the most powerful examples of South Korea's rise as a global cultural force.
© 2025 AFP
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Japan Today
a day ago
- Japan Today
Fans celebrate 'Squid Game' finale with Seoul parade
Fans gathered near Seoul's Gyeongbokgung Palace, led by marchers dressed in the bright pink uniforms worn by the show's mysterious masked agents Thousands of fans gathered in Seoul on Saturday to celebrate the final "Squid Game" season, ending a global Netflix hit that is seen as a symbol of South Korea's cultural clout. The third and final season was released Friday, concluding the series that sees desperate people compete in deadly versions of traditional children's games for a massive cash prize. Director Hwang Dong-hyuk said he had "poured everything" into the series, which launched nearly four years ago. "So while it's sentimental to see it end," he said, "there's also a sense of relief". Fans gathered near Seoul's Gyeongbokgung Palace, led by marchers dressed in the bright pink uniforms worn by the show's mysterious masked agents. They were followed by others carrying oversize toys from one of the games featured in the series, along with the show's flag. Park Sang-gyu, a fan who stayed up all night watching the final season, said the dystopian drama was "ultimately a story about people". "As you watch, you realise it's not just about the games -- it reflects many aspects of real life." The walls of the Seoul Metropolitan Library were lit up with key scenes, including Young-hee -- the giant motion-sensing animatronic doll featured in one of its brutal games. Lee Byung-hun, who played the masked Front Man overseeing the competition, said the show had become "something of a cultural phenomenon". "One that has drawn one of the boldest lines in the history of Korean content," he said. The first two seasons of the series are among Netflix's most-watched shows, and in 2022, Hwang and the show's leading actor, Lee Jung-jae, became the first Asian men to win Emmy Awards. The final season follows its hero Gi-hun, played by Lee, as he returns to the ultra-violent games to dismantle them from within after surviving the first round. Along with filmmaker Bong Joon-ho's Oscar-winning 2019 thriller "Parasite" and K-pop sensation BTS, "Squid Game" is considered one of the most powerful examples of South Korea's rise as a global cultural force. © 2025 AFP
The Mainichi
2 days ago
- The Mainichi
South Korean-style photo-only weddings gain popularity in Japan
TOKYO -- "Instagrammable" South Korean-style photo-only weddings are gaining popularity in Japan amid the trend of young couples moving away from lavish ceremonies and receptions. As the term "June Bride" indicates, many couples seek to tie the knot in June. However, the long-term trend in Japan is showing a decline in the number of marriages, with an increase in small-scale ceremonies such as "family weddings" and "weddings for relatives." Additionally, the trend of no weddings, where couples skip ceremonies and receptions altogether, is growing. What strategies are being employed to uplift the bridal industry? The Mainichi Shimbun explored the latest trends. According to Yano Research Institute Ltd., the bridal-related market in 2024 was projected to reach roughly 1.84 trillion yen (about $12.7 billion), 99.9% of the previous year's figure. This is about 76% of the level seen in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic. The market includes six key sectors including weddings and receptions, honeymoons and jewelry, the largest of which are weddings and receptions. In 2024, the number of weddings decreased, and the number of guests did not fully recover, resulting in only a slight increase in sales, Yano Research Institute analyzes. Small-scale, personalized styles, such as family weddings and photo-only weddings, where couples focus on taking wedding photos, are becoming more common. The no-wedding option is also gaining a significant share. According to the 2024 preliminary Vital Statistics released by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare on June 4, there were 485,063 marriages, an increase of 10,322 from 2023. Although this marked a rise for the first time in two years, it is fewer than half of the peak in 1972, and the declining trend has continued in recent years. Amid these changes, where is the industry focusing its efforts? Saki Gondo, an editor at the Bridal Industry Newspaper, noted that more "pre-brides" are searching Instagram for dresses, venue decorations and presentation. "Whether a venue or plan is Instagrammable has become a key consideration," she said. Venue operators are apparently responding by offering more options that cater to this demand, focusing on visually appealing elements for social media. Examples include unified decorations with dried flowers, candlelight services at "night weddings," and photo booths for capturing moments with guests. These efforts aim to create "photo-worthy moments." "Visuals and presentations with photographic appeal for social media contribute to the satisfaction of the actual ceremony and leave lasting memories for participants. In this sense, how photogenic they are on social media is becoming an essential perspective when understanding today's bridal trend," said Gondo. She added that recently, South Korean-style photo-only weddings, inspired by popular Korean TV dramas, have gained attention. Traditional wedding photos often featured simple, straightforward lighting techniques focusing on documentation. In contrast, dramatic Korean-style photos use sets akin to movie studios, capturing beautiful moments like scenes from a film. Studio Luminous, operated by leading marriage consultancy Tameny Inc., offers such photo settings. The company runs six studios nationwide, winning approval among customers by offering filmlike photos. In Tokyo, its Odaiba studio boasts about 30 sets -- one of the largest in the Kanto region. Plans vary by location, with prices starting at 49,500 yen ($340), including tax, without an album at Tokyo's Shibuya studio, and 89,650 yen ($620), including tax, with an album at the Tenjin studio in Fukuoka. The basic package includes outfits, hairstyling, photo retouching, an album and photo data. Unlike traditional front-lit photos, their style emphasizes special lighting and composition for a unique finish. A studio representative noted, "During the coronavirus pandemic, when weddings couldn't be held, these photo plans became widely known and are now established as an alternative to actual weddings or pre-wedding photo shoots." Meanwhile, wedding venue operators are offering virtual reality experiences of chapels and reception halls, allowing couples to explore ceremonies through 360-degree videos using special goggles. "Casual wedding plans," featuring buffet-style meals and set fees, are also emerging. Furthermore, technologies aiming to cut costs and improve operational efficiency are being introduced to the industry, including a system to create advertising materials tailored to the season and mood using AI-generated model images. Weddings, past and present, serve as a "milestone in life" and a chance to "express gratitude to family and friends." Addressing the trend of younger generations moving away from ceremonies is a major challenge for the industry. Gondo emphasized, "The pandemic has reduced opportunities to attend weddings, leaving an increasing number of people unaware of their value. If someone hasn't attended a wedding, it's hard to imagine hosting one. That's why it's crucial for each reception to convey the value of weddings."
Japan Today
2 days ago
- Japan Today
New film academy members include Danielle Deadwyler, Ariana Grande, Jason Momoa, Conan O'Brien
By JAKE COYLE The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences invited 534 new members to its organization on Thursday, adding recent Oscar nominees and many more to Hollywood's most exclusive club. The newest class of Oscar voters includes a number of stars like Dave Bautista, Jason Momoa, Aubrey Plaza, Danielle Deadwyler and Andrew Scott. They, along with filmmakers, below-the-line professionals and executives will bring the film academy's membership total to 11,120, with voting members numbering 10,143. That's the largest membership ever for the academy. Since the #OscarsSoWhite backlash, the film academy has added thousands of members to swell its ranks and diversify its voting body. This year's class is 41% female, 45% from underrepresented communities and 55% from outside the U.S. Those new members will make the entire academy 35% women, 22% from underrepresented communities and 21% international. 'We are thrilled to invite this esteemed class of artists, technologists, and professionals to join the Academy,' said academy chief executive Bill Kramer and president Janet Yang in a statement. 'Through their commitment to filmmaking and to the greater movie industry, these exceptionally talented individuals have made indelible contributions to our global filmmaking community.' Invitations went out to 91 Oscar nominees and 26 winners, including best actress winner Mikey Madison ("Anora") and best supporting actor winner Kieran Culkin ("A Real Pain"). Recent nominees who were invited include Ariana Grande, Jeremy Strong, Sebastian Stan and Monica Barbara. Gints Zilbalodis, the director of best animated film winner 'Flow" will join the animation branch. Other filmmakers set to join the academy include Mike Flanagan ('Doctor Sleep'), Azazel Jacobs ('His Three Daughters'), Brady Corbet ('The Brutalist'), Coraline Fargeat ('The Substance') Jane Schoenbrun ('I Saw the TV Glow'), Halina Reijn ('Babygirl') and Gia Coppola ('The Last Showgirl'). Payal Kapadia ('All We Imagine As Light'), Lena Waithe ('Queen & Slim') and Greg Kwedar and Clint Bentley of 'Sing Sing' were all invited in the writers branch. In the music branch, new members include Brandi Carlile ('Elton John: Never Too Late'), Branford Marsalis ('Rustin') and Youssou N'Dour ('Youssou N'Dour: I Bring What I Love'). The last two emcees to host the Oscars — Jimmy Kimmel and Conan O'Brien — were also invited as members. After a well-reviewed broadcast that drew 19.7 million viewers, O'Brien is returning to host the 2026 Academy Awards on March 15. A few new rules will await the 2025 academy members. For the first time, members will be required to watch all nominated films in each category to be eligible to vote in the final road of Oscar voting. This year, a new award category for casting will be voted on for the upcoming Oscars. The academy has also established a new Oscar for stunt design, but that won't be given out until 2028. © Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
