Latest news with #Kundo:AgeoftheRampant
Korea Herald
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Take a train to Busan for retreat in comfort, luxury
Latest high-speed train service takes you from Seoul to Busan in two hours and 20 minutes BUSAN -- From a serene walk through a bamboo forest to a scenic ride along the coast on an aerial rail, Busan offers a luxurious escape for summer travelers. Known for stunning beaches like Haeundae and its busy port, Busan is easily accessible from Seoul in just two hours and 20 minutes via Korail's latest express train, the KTX-Cheongryong. Into the heart of nature On hot summer days, Ahopsan Forest in Gijang-gun, northern Busan, offers a cool, shaded retreat. The forest features rare turtle bamboo (Phyllostachys heterocycla), pine trees and hinoki cypress. Owned by the Moon family of Nampyeong, South Jeolla Province, for over 400 years, the forest has been carefully preserved as an ecological space to be passed down through generations. 'It is a forest that has been carefully cultivated by one family over many years, with the purpose of preserving it as an exemplary ecological space to be passed down to future generations. This place has also served as a filming location for well-known productions such as 'The King' and 'Kundo: Age of the Rampant,'' said Choi Young-sun, on-site manager of Ahopsan Forest. 'We're here in Korea for a month and really wanted to visit Busan, especially this forest, because I'm a big fan of Lee Min-ho and the series he starred in, 'The King.' I'm in love with this beautiful place. K-pop and K-dramas lured us all the way from Mexico,' said Floricel, a 25-year-old Mexican visiting Korea with four family members. Sunset on the sea After a breezy stroll through the aromatic forest, visitors can indulge in a luxury yacht tour departing from The Bay 101, a marina near Haeundae known for its dazzling nightscape. The private yacht, accommodating up to 30 guests, sets sail at sunset and cruises toward Gwangalli, where passengers can view Korea's first permanent synchronized drone show. Featuring 1,500 drones lighting up the sky in two 10-minute weekend performances, the show is followed by a stop near Gwangandaegyo Bridge for a fireworks display arranged by the crew. Complimentary beer, soft drinks and snacks are served on board. Relax at the spa To unwind after a packed itinerary, guests can enjoy a rejuvenating spa treatment at Sundari Retreat Spa, the only spa in Busan capable of accommodating groups of up to eight people. Its 60-minute premium Sundari Signature treatment, priced at 204,000 won ($150), begins with a warm cup of Rooibos tea, followed by a massage using hot stones and organic oils, all in a private room with panoramic ocean views. 'We've tailored our services to suit Korean preferences, especially the firm-pressure massage style that many clients here prefer. All of our therapists receive specialized training, and over 90 percent are full-time staff with relevant certifications. Our treatments are primarily based on traditional Indian massage techniques,' said Yeom Jung-sook, general manager of Sundari Retreat Spa. Sipping tradition Another notable destination is Brewery Gidarim, a makgeolli brewery committed to crafting traditional Korean liquors with a healthy twist. 'We started this business 10 years ago, when Korea's drinking culture was centered on heavy, unhealthy consumption. Instead of changing the culture, we decided to make the drinks healthier,' said Cho Tae-young, CEO of Brewery Gidarim. Their makgeolli is brewed exclusively with Korean rice, with no aspartame or artificial additives. It undergoes 240 hours of fermentation and low-temperature aging. Visitors can sample four different brews, make a makgeolli cocktail and even seal their own creation in a can to take home. The brewery, also Korea's first open-view makgeolli facility, currently exports to Japan, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Coastal ride above the sea No visit to Busan would be complete without a ride on the Haeundae Sky Capsule, an aerial rail running along a 2-kilometer stretch from Haeundae Mipo to Cheongsapo. Offering romantic coastal views, the capsule moves automatically at an average speed of 4 kilometers per hour. Each carriage fits up to four people, with one-way fares starting at 40,000 won for two passengers, 45,000 won for three and 50,000 won for four. Departing from Cheongsapo Station, visitors can snap photos of a striking scene: a train crossing a pedestrian track against a backdrop of the glittering ocean. On the way to Mipo Station, the capsule passes Cheongsapo Pebble Beach and the Cheongsapo Sky Walk. For travelers seeking a seamless luxury experience, Korail is launching a new premium travel package on July 11. This two-to-three-night, all-inclusive itinerary includes private transportation in a Benz Sprinter, premier accommodations at Signiel Hotel, and door-to-door luggage service. The package offers exclusive programs such as a private art gallery tour, Oriental spa treatments, a night yacht tour and a traditional liquor-tasting session. The package, priced at 2.5 million won per person, departs every Friday in small groups of four to eight, and reservations can be made at
Pink Villa
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Did Son Suk Ku let go of acting hiatus plans? Everything we know about his role in Ordinary People with Ha Jung Woo
Two of Korea's most sought-after actors, Ha Jung Woo and Son Suk Ku, are reportedly being lined up to star in the upcoming historical drama Ordinary People. It will be directed by acclaimed filmmaker Yoon Jong Bin. The news was first reported by JTBC Entertainment News on July 4. It has stirred anticipation among fans and insiders alike. This is because the project could mark a powerful collaboration between three industry heavyweights. What's Ordinary People about? Though specific plot points remain a mystery, Ordinary People is said to be set during the presidency of Roh Tae Woo. Roh served as South Korea's sixth president from 1988 to 1993, following former president Chun Doo Hwan. He was a former army general turned politician. Roh played a key role in the country's shift toward democratic governance after years of authoritarian military rule. It offers a politically charged backdrop for the upcoming series. According to reports, much of the storyline and characters are still being kept confidential. The production team intentionally maintains secrecy as they move through early development stages. Despite the lack of confirmed details, the drama is already drawing buzz thanks to its promising concept and A-list team. Ha Jung Woo and Director Yoon's long creative history Ha Jung Woo and Yoon Jong Bin share a strong creative partnership that dates back nearly two decades. Their first collaboration was on Yoon's directorial debut The Unforgiven. And they've since worked together on several acclaimed films. They include Beastie Boys, Nameless Gangster: Rules of Time, Kundo: Age of the Rampant, and Netflix's series Narco Saints. With such an extensive and successful history, Ha Jung Woo's potential return in another Yoon-directed project is generating major excitement. Son Suk Ku's recent team-up with Yoon As for Son Suk Ku, this project could mark his second collaboration with director Yoon Jong Bin. The two recently worked together on the Disney+ mystery drama Nine Puzzles, where Son took on the lead role. His portrayal of a sharp, determined detective earned praise from both domestic and international audiences. Now, his possible casting in Ordinary People alongside Ha Jung Woo could be a career-defining moment. Meanwhile, during an interview on June 15, the actor shared that he was planning to take an extended break once he wrapped up his ongoing projects. However, it now appears that either his break has been postponed, or Ordinary People is part of the commitments he previously mentioned, though that remains unclear. Production timeline and casting status While nothing has been officially confirmed yet, both Ha Jung Woo and Son Suk Ku are reportedly reviewing their casting offers positively. Due to their current filming schedules, full-scale production on Ordinary People is expected to begin in 2026. Additional casting for supporting roles is expected to take place in the coming months. The drama does not yet have a confirmed release date, but anticipation continues to build as more details slowly emerge.
Korea Herald
31-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Star-studded 'Karma' to weave haunting thriller
Netflix Korea bets on thriller project to replicate success of 'When Life Gives You Tangerines' Netflix Korea's star-studded April release "Karma" will feature dark, high-stakes storytelling -- a dramatic turn from the popular human drama "When Life Gives You Tangerines" that launched in March. The six-part thriller delves into the sinister, interwoven fates of six individuals, including an unnamed man who witnesses an accident (Park Hae-soo) and a woman burdened by deep emotional scars (Shin Min-a). The characters' lives collide, leading to an unexpected climax. Director Lee Il-hyoung, known for his work on the hit crime-comedy "A Violent Prosecutor" (2016) and as the screenwriter for the historical action film "Kundo: Age of the Rampant," makes his series debut with "Karma." The drama unfolds through six episodes, each told from a different character's perspective. Lee emphasized the importance of character relationships in shaping the viewing experience, noting that he meticulously structured the narrative to maintain suspense and deliver twists. "I also tend to lose focus and think about other things if a drama doesn't make me curious about the next episode," he said, during a press conference held in Jongno-gu, Seoul, Monday. "I kept thinking about how to make it impossible for viewers to resist clicking on the next episode immediately." Veteran actors Jo Jin-woong and Kim Nam-gil make special appearances in "Karma," according to Lee. "Their roles are significant, but their screen time isn't extensive. They needed to make an impact, and since we had a connection, I reached out to them. They helped enrich the project and maintain the tension until the very end." "When Life Gives You Tangerines," which recently topped both Netflix Korea's and the platform's global rankings, the series' creator stated that "Karma" is set to maintain the momentum of the resounding success of "When Life Gives You Tangerines." While acknowledging the pressure of following up such a hit, Lee remains confident in the series' distinct appeal. "It would be a lie to say I don't feel any pressure. We're meeting viewers back-to-back, but our series has its own unique genre appeal. If audiences enjoyed the warmth of humanity in the previous work, they might find the 'spicy flavor' of this one even more satisfying," he said. "Karma" is adapted from a popular Kakao webtoon of the same name. "What drew me the most when I first received the script was that the extreme and intense story unfolds in one breath," Park Hae-soo said. He went on to say that the complexity of his character was a major factor in his decision to join the project: "(My) character is dogmatic, terrifying and repulsive, yet there's a foolish side to him that feels almost comical, which intrigued me." "Karma" premieres on Netflix this Friday.
