Latest news with #CGV
Time of India
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Revolutionary AI Filmmaking: Kim Il-dong's 'I'm POPO' Sets New Standards in Independent Cinema
Ai Film 'I'm POPO The Visionary Behind the AI Revolution Kim Il-dong isn't your typical filmmaker - he's been pushing creative boundaries long before AI became the buzzword it is today. This Korean director has already made waves with his imaginative works like "108 Dalma-do," "Run! Coin Man," and "Space-Time Imagination," showcasing the kind of creative vision that reminds us of how our own independent filmmakers are constantly juggling multiple roles to bring their stories to life. His work has been featured in domestic art galleries, international biennales, and art fairs, proving that good storytelling transcends traditional boundaries. What's even more impressive? He's collaborated with major brands like CGV, BMW, World Vision, and Incheon International Airport Corporation - something that resonates deeply with how our own creative professionals are constantly seeking brand partnerships to fund their passion projects. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Providers are furious: Internet access without a subscription! Techno Mag Learn More Undo Breaking Records with AI Filmmaking - A Game-Changer for Independent Creators Here's where it gets really interesting for anyone who's ever dreamed of making films on a shoestring budget - Kim managed to complete his full-length AI film " I'm POPO " in just about 2 months. For context, most traditional films take years from concept to completion, with months spent just on pre-production. In our film industry, we know how challenging it can be for independent creators to secure funding and resources for lengthy production schedules. Kim handled everything himself: AI video generation, direction, prompt design, camera angles, and scene composition. This approach mirrors what many of our young content creators are already doing - wearing multiple hats and using technology to democratize filmmaking. It's like watching someone master the art of jugaad in filmmaking, using AI as the ultimate creative tool. The Philosophy Behind AI Cinema - Echoing Our Own Digital Revolution What makes Kim's approach truly refreshing is his core message: "AI films are ultimately still films." This philosophy resonates deeply with our own digital transformation journey. Just like how we've embraced everything from UPI payments to streaming platforms without losing our cultural essence, Kim demonstrates that AI can be a tool for creative expression rather than a replacement for human creativity. His film has even been submitted to general international film festivals, competing alongside traditionally-made movies. This reminds us of how our own filmmakers are increasingly making their mark on global platforms, proving that good content transcends geographical boundaries.
Time of India
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Are BTS' V and J-Hope set to join Jin on stage? Eldest member urges ARMY: no rehearsal spoilers before 'RUNSEOKJIN_EP.TOUR'
After months of anticipation, BTS' eldest member Kim Seokjin, also known as Jin, has officially launched his first solo fan-concert tour, RUNSEOKJIN_EP.TOUR, beginning June 28 in Goyang, South Korea. Excitement around the concert surged after BIGHIT MUSIC confirmed a surprise appearance by Choi Ye Na, who will join Jin on stage to perform Loser, a beloved track from his second mini album Echo. The last-minute announcement, made just a day before the show, thrilled fans who hadn't expected any special guests. 💜 진(Jin)의 색깔로 표현하는 다채로운 음악과 퍼포먼스를CGV에서 더 큰 화면, 풍부한 사운드로 함께 하세요!🎁 #RUNSEOKJIN_EP.TOUR in JAPAN : LIVE VIEWING관람객 전원에게 '스페셜 엽서 & 포토카드'를 증정합니다.📌진행일정 : 2025.07.12(토) 📌예매오픈 : 2025.06.26(목) ~ (극장별 순차… Rumours swirl: Are V and J-Hope attending Jin's concert? While Choi Ye Na's inclusion had already delighted ARMYs, fans on social media began speculating that fellow BTS members V aka Kim Taehyung and J-Hope were also present during rehearsals. Videos and audio clips shared on X (formerly Twitter) appeared to hint at their presence, with some even suggesting they might join Jin on stage. Taehyung and J-Hope's voices were heard while they were rehearsing on stage at the concert venue. 🐹🐯🐿#kimtaehyung #KimSeokjin #junghoseok #taehyung #jin #jhope #RUNSEOKJIN_EP_TOUR Although the news remains unconfirmed, the possibility has sparked excitement across the fandom. However, it seems Jin is unhappy with the rumours spreading online and has sent a clear message to fans. Jin to ARMY: "No spoilers!" On June 27, just before the tour's opening, Jin posted a light-hearted yet pointed message on Weverse, addressing fans who were spotted watching rehearsals from outside the venue. "ARMYs, see you tomorrow. Rehearsal is over. For those who watched the rehearsal from far away, no spoilers," he wrote, alongside two photos. The playful warning only added to the buzz, encouraging fans to preserve the element of surprise for the official show. [🌟 WEVERSE]#Jin wrote a new post on Weverse..!🐹 ARMYs See you tomorrow. Rehearsal is those who watched the rehearsal from far away, no spoilers Global tour details: Stops, setlist, and what to expect This tour isn't just about live performances—it's also a celebration of Jin's new chapter as a solo artist following his military discharge. The tour title cleverly references his variety series Run Seokjin, signaling a continuation of the heartfelt and humorous tone fans loved. RUNSEOKJIN_EP.TOUR will continue across South Korea before heading to Japan, with concerts in Chiba and Osaka. Jin will then visit major U.S. cities including Anaheim, Dallas, Tampa, and Newark, before wrapping up the European leg in London and Amsterdam. Each city is set to host two shows, giving fans around the world multiple chances to see him live. [NOTICE] 진 (Jin) 'RUNSEOKJIN_EP.TOUR in GOYANG' - 공식 상품 현장 판매 및 부스 운영 안내(+ENG/JPN/CHN)📍GOYANG: PLAY: #Jin #Jin_TOUR_KOREA#RUNSEOKJIN_epTOUR_KOREA The setlist promises to highlight Jin's growth as a solo artist. Alongside new songs from Echo like Don't Say You Love Me and Nothing Without Your Love, fans can expect performances of earlier tracks from his Happy album. The mix of fresh material and nostalgic hits will offer a full-circle moment for fans following Jin's journey. For all the latest K-drama, K-pop, and Hallyuwood updates, keep following our coverage here.
Korea Herald
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Meet, perhaps date your favorite K-pop star with VR headgear
VR technology brings fresh energy to K-pop-themed films Imagine your favorite K-pop star being just within reach, confessing their love or playfully teasing you. Picture them beaming as they offer a bouquet of your favorite flowers. It's no longer just a fantasy — thanks to VR concerts. On Wednesday, CGV released "Cha Eun-woo VR Concert: Memories." Viewers wear a VR headset and are immersed in a romance-movie-like experience, stepping into the role of the romantic lead opposite the singer. By raising a hand while wearing the headset, the system recognizes your gestures, allowing you to choose essential story items based on your preferences, leading to different scene outcomes. As the film is also a concert movie starring the K-pop idol, performances are woven into the storyline. Viewers can watch Cha singing and dancing just like in any other concert, but much closer. "It was fascinating to see a nearly 180-degree background view and how Cha Eun-woo seemed to come right up close. The headset was a bit heavy, but it was really fun," said Ha Ji-yeon, a fan in her 20s. Just a few years ago, K-pop films were either documentaries that shed light on artists' off-stage lives or concert films that captured performances and behind-the-scenes footage. Wheesung's "Live in 3D Wheesung: It's Real," released in 2010, is often remembered as the beginning of this trend. It was followed by BigBang's "Big Show 3D" in 2011, Beast's "Beast Encore Concert 3D" and Infinite's "Second Invasion Evolution The Movie 3D" in 2012 — all live concert films watched with 3D glasses that became quite the trend at the time. After the 3D film wave passed, BTS's "Burn the Stage: The Movie," which documented the group's world tour "Trilogy Episode III The Wings Tour," was released in 2018 and drew 315,010 viewers. Since then, many major K-pop acts have followed up their world tours or large-scale concerts with accompanying films to extend the excitement. Now, VR films are breathing new life into the now largely predictable patterns of K-pop cinema. The company behind Cha Eun-woo's VR concert, Amaze VR, which previously produced TXT's "Hyperfocus: Tomorrow X Together VR Concert" in 2024, has ambitious plans to expand the K-pop VR concert market. Amaze VR CEO Lee Seung-joon confidently predicted that VR concerts to become one of the leading trends in the K-pop scene. 'Last year's TXT VR concert sold over 170,000 tickets worldwide. That's about 30-40 percent of what a live concert sells, and based on that success, we plan to launch a new VR concert every two months starting June,' said Lee. He explained that the filming process for realistic VR visuals is similar to shooting a Marvel movie. 'We film the artist directly on a green screen stage and then add backgrounds and effects using CG. All of the backgrounds are computer-generated,' explained Lee. "Cha Eun-woo VR Concert" is also set to be released in Japan, the US and South America. To screen the concert, each seat must be equipped with a VR headset, synchronized with the screen and sound system and managed by staff overseeing the devices. Amaze VR owns over 2,400 headsets and has set an ambitious goal of establishing 'Amaze Theaters' worldwide, akin to IMAX auditoriums. "Using just one or two days of an artist's time to create an experience that lasts forever holds immense value. I hope someday all artists would release a VR concert alongside every new album or tour — and this marks our first step toward that world," said Lee.
Epoch Times
01-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Epoch Times
Documentary ‘State Organs' Screens at Seoul Film Festival Despite Pressure to Cancel
The award-winning documentary 'State Organs' was screened at a film festival in South Korea's capital on May 30, after organizers were forced to change venues three times due to ' .' The film exposes a ' harrowing government-run organ harvesting operation ' in China, seven years gathering evidence and interviewing families of victims to complete the documentary. The Seoul Larkspur International Film Festival, an annual event centered on the themes of justice, freedom, and human rights, selected 'State Organs' as its opening film. Other films spotlighting human rights abuses in China and North Korea were also scheduled, with organizers reporting significant pressure from unnamed sources while finalizing the screening list. The festival's opening ceremony was ultimately held at KBS Hall, at the Korean Broadcasting System headquarters in Seoul—but not without obstacles. , one of the event's guest speakers, praised the organizers' perseverance and public support. 'I've seen real hope,' Tae said on stage, addressing the packed hall. 'When I first received the invitation, I had no idea how many people would come.' Related Stories 5/22/2025 5/14/2025 'Although we lack government support and haven't secured major sponsorships or donations, we'll continue to speak out for freedom, justice, and human rights,' Tae added. A former North Korean diplomat who to South Korea in 2016, Tae served in the 21st National Assembly and currently holds the position of Secretary General at the Peaceful Unification Advisory Council, a bipartisan presidential advisory body. Last-Minute Cancellations The Seoul Larkspur International Film Festival team spent a full year preparing for the five-day festival, which was held from May 30 to June 3. Initially, they arranged screenings at CGV, one of Korea's top cinema chains. After CGV pulled out, organizers moved the event to MEGABOX Dongdaemun, another major theater operator. However, on the eve of the festival's opening, MEGABOX unilaterally canceled all screenings, citing the ' ' of the films. This left organizers scrambling to relocate the event at the last minute. Director Calls for Investigation Raymond Zhang, director of 'State Organs,' told The Epoch Times that during screenings in Taiwan last year, his team received hundreds of threats via email and social media and faced online harassment from Chinese Communist Party (CCP)-aligned networks. 'I hope Korean authorities investigate whether Chinese interference was involved in the cancellations and bring the truth to light,' Zhang said. (L-R) Panel host Roman Balmakov, film director Raymond Zhang, and Wang Zhiyuan, director of the World Organization to Investigate the Persecution of Falun Gong, speak during a panel discussion after a screening of "State Organs" at Village East by Angelika in New York City on Nov. 9, 2024. Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times 'This Crime Must Be Stopped' Min Kyung-wook, a former Korean lawmaker and presidential spokesperson, shared his reaction after viewing the documentary. The 'testimonies of families struggling in pain, the firsthand accounts of doctors involved in [extracting organs], and the confessions of police and soldiers who once carried out persecution and torture left me so shocked that I wished none of it were true,' he told The Epoch Times. Min condemned the CCP's forced organ harvesting of mainly Falun Gong practitioners, calling it 'a crime against humanity.' 'It's almost beyond belief that such atrocities are being systematically carried out to suppress faith, elevated to the level of state-sponsored, industrial-scale operations,' he said. 'I hope the truth reaches not just the Korean people, but the global community—so these crimes can be stopped as soon as possible.' 'We must stop this brutal slaughter from continuing. We must pay attention. We must act,' Lee told The Epoch Times after watching the film. 'If Koreans Don't Wake Up, We'll Become Another China' Dayner Kim, a well-known South Korean YouTuber with over 288,000 subscribers, also spoke out after attending the State Organs screening. He said the CCP's persecution of Falun Gong and organ harvesting is widely known, but the film's focus on a single family presents that reality with a depth that's emotionally devastating. 'It left me with a profound sense of grief and solidarity,' Kim said. Kim also condemned the sudden cancellation of multiple human rights films at MEGABOX. 'There are forces in South Korea working in tandem with the CCP to block any content that criticizes or exposes its crimes. That's why we're seeing sponsorships withdrawn, venues revoked, and films banned,' Kim said in an interview after the screening. Other films affected by the last-minute cancellation include ' ,' ' ,' and ' .' The first two films depict the CCP's persecution of Falun Gong, a spiritual faith, in China, and the third film is a documentary on Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement in 2019. He added a pointed warning: 'If the Korean people aren't outraged—if we don't wake up—this country could become another China, no different from a nation under CCP rule.' Lee, from the University of Ulsan, expressed deep frustration over the obstacles the film faced in being screened, calling it 'painful and infuriating.' 'What kind of sovereign nation are we if a film can't even be shown freely?' he asked. 'We're seeing clear evidence that the CCP has deeply infiltrated many sectors in South Korea—politics, the arts, academia. It's heartbreaking.' While condemning the CCP for its interference in South Korea, Lee reminds people to distinguish Chinese people from the CCP. 'The film draws a clear distinction between the two—that's what makes this film so meaningful,' Lee said. 'The Chinese people must be freed from the CCP's oppression, and South Korea must break free from its influence,' Lee added. Organ Tourism and the Urgency of Exposure A 2017 by South Korea's TV Chosun revealed that with low domestic organ donation rates, only 10 percent of the 32,000 patients in need ever receive a transplant. As a result, many Koreans seek quicker options in China, where wait times are shorter and access is easier—despite growing concerns over the source of those organs. State Organs is now featured on the website of Doctors Against Forced Organ Harvesting ( ), an organization founded by medical professionals to expose and end forced organ harvesting practices. The film is no longer available on the internet. DAFOH describes forced organ harvesting as a 'crime against humanity' and works globally to promote ethical medical standards and protect human dignity. Cindy Song, one of the producers of 'State Organs,' emphasized the importance of the film's message for Korean audiences. 'The victims in the film are from Qingdao, which is just across the sea from South Korea,' she said. 'I believe it's important for the Korean public to hear this story.' An Jing contributed to this report.
Korea Herald
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
CGV AI film contest showcases amateur filmmakers breaking ground
Theater chain's inaugural contest demonstrates how artificial intelligence tools lower creative barriers for newcomers Mutiplex chain CGV's AI-generated film contest concluded Friday with an awards ceremony at CGV Yongsan in Seoul, showcasing how AI tools can enable creators to create sophisticated cinematic works previously beyond their reach. The theater chain's inaugural event drew submissions from amateur and first-time filmmakers who leveraged generative AI to produce short films that would have previously required massive budgets. "The Wrong Visitor" by Hyun Hae-ri claimed the grand prize among five winners selected from 15 finalists. "I think AI filmmaking isn't 'film by AI' but 'film with AI,'" Hyun said in her acceptance speech. Her 11-minute short film centers on a character with a wolf's head and the body of a human who guides fellow animals through death. The contest particularly highlighted AI's democratizing potential through entries like "Galaxy Cat Express," which earned third place alongside a college student's production, "Pinocchio: Begins." Kim Young-hyun, creator of "Galaxy Cat Express," quit his previous job to pursue filmmaking after AI tools became available. "I used to dream about making those imaginative stories I loved watching as a kid with my parents — 'Terminator' and 'Predator,'" Kim said during his acceptance speech. "When AI tech started developing, I thought 'I can actually do this now' and quit my job to give it a shot." College students from Sogang and Yonsei universities created "Pinocchio: Begins," a cyberpunk reimagining featuring an android programmed to eliminate liars. Screenwriter Kang Da-bin, in accepting the award on behalf of director Ahn Ye-eun, highlighted their amateur status: "We weren't film experts or AI specialists, but we pulled all-nighters and made this movie with just 200,000 won ($145) in our hands. We hope this shows other young people that you can make it happen." The panel of judges included "Concrete Utopia" director Um Tae-hwa, author Kim Jung-hyuk, science YouTuber Kim Jae-hyeok and CJ ENM's AI production director Jung Chang-ik. Evaluation criteria weighted storytelling at 40 percent, creativity at 30 percent and technical execution at 30 percent. The screened works proved AI excels at generating convincing imagery for wild concepts — from the half-human, half-animal characters with intricate fur textures in "The Wrong Visitor" and the dark cyberpunk cityscapes of second-place winner "0KB," to the sweeping galactic vistas with floating spaceships in "Galaxy Cat Express." These sequences would typically require expensive video effects teams to create, but AI has enabled solo creators to achieve comparable results on minimal budgets. It may be one thing to create high-concept short videos resembling on-demand commercials, but it is quite another to craft coherent narrative films, however short. The technology's limitations showed clearly in the editing, where constant hard cuts between scenes prevented narratives from gaining momentum. Visual consistency also proved problematic, with characters' facial features and physical detail shifting between shots, resulting in jarring discontinuities. Notably, most entries relied heavily on English dialogue, suggesting AI's translation capabilities may help creators overcome language barriers. For now, the technology appears positioned to complement rather than replace human creativity — potentially threatening video effects roles while helping screenwriters and directors expand their creative possibilities.
