Latest news with #Non-English
The Star
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Star
K-drama 'When Life Gives You Tangerines' that made the president cry — and why it matters for South Korea's cultural policy
SEOUL: President Lee Jae-myung (pic) on Monday (June 30) underscored the power of culture in enhancing Korea's global standing, sharing how a hit drama series moved him to tears and convinced him of the nation's untapped cultural potential. Speaking at a meeting with cultural figures at the Presidential Office in Yongsan, Lee said watching the Netflix hit "When Life Gives You Tangerines" reassured him the industry could provide a turnaround in the nation's growth. 'It made me realise that Korea's cultural capabilities go beyond just music, and that we have new strengths to offer,' Lee said, adding that the drama's universal resonance, despite its deeply Korean themes, was proof of culture's ability to connect across borders. 'Now, I find myself thinking deeply about how we can nurture this potential, provide our people with access to high-quality culture, create jobs, and strengthen our national power through culture,' he said. Monday's event gathered some of Korea's leading cultural figures who have recently gained international recognition. Attendees included Kim Won-seok, director of "When Life Gives You Tangerines," which topped Netflix's Global Non-English TV chart; Park Chun-hue, who won multiple Tony Awards for the musical "Maybe Happy Ending"; and soprano Sumi Jo, who received France's prestigious Commandeur of the Order of Arts and Letters in May for her contributions to music and the arts. Emerging artists were also present, including Huh Ga-young, winner of first prize in the La Cinef section at this year's Cannes Film Festival with her short film "First Summer," and Park Youn-jae, a 16-year-old who became the first Korean male dancer to win the Prix de Lausanne in its 53-year history. Kim, who has yet to receive a formal award, made light of the moment. 'I'm the only one among the five of us here who didn't receive an award, yet I'm still here. It seems the tears of the president and first lady were the award,' Kim joked, adding that he intended to make viewers laugh, not cry. 'I never expected the entire nation to resonate and shed tears with us, but people liked it much more and for much longer than I had imagined.' The president shared that his vision aligns with that of independence leader Kim Gu, who once said that military power should be just enough to protect ourselves, economic power just enough for us to live well, but that culture is different because it only does good in the world and spreads positive influence. He hoped for Korea to become a nation with truly strong cultural power. "I feel that we are now standing at the entrance of becoming the kind of cultural powerhouse Kim Gu envisioned," Lee added. "I believe that if we, as a nation, significantly increase investment and support for the cultural sector, provide opportunities for the next generation, grow this into an industry and expand Korea's cultural influence globally, we can become a leading nation — a true global powerhouse. I think this could become our greatest strength. These days, just thinking about it makes me feel proud," he noted. He also acknowledged the challenge of appointing a culture minister capable of realising this vision. 'That's why I still haven't been able to appoint a Minister of Culture yet,' Lee said with a laugh. 'It's such a complex task that it needs to be someone who can handle all of this. I hope all of you will think about it too.' As of Monday, Lee has appointed 17 out of 19 ministers, with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport still led by ministers retained from the previous administration. - The Korea Herald/ANN
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Seoul marks 'Squid Game' final season with cosplay parade
Fans dressed in the characters' pink uniforms for the parade. Photo: AFP 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, reported AFP. 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. As per Variety, the first season of Squid Game still ranks as the most popular show on Netflix ever, with 265.2 million views. Season 2, which has pulled in 192.6 million views so far, achieved the most views for any Netflix show in its premiere week and entered the Top 10 Non-English Language TV chart in just three days. It is currently the overall third biggest season of a show in Netflix history. 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.
Korea Herald
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
A drama that made President Lee Jae Myung cry — and why it matters for Korea's cultural policy
In his meeting with cultural figures, President Lee stresses the country's cultural potential President Lee Jae-myung on Monday underscored the power of culture in enhancing Korea's global standing, sharing how a hit drama series moved him to tears and convinced him of the nation's untapped cultural potential. Speaking at a meeting with cultural figures at the Presidential Office in Yongsan, Lee said watching the Netflix hit "When Life Gives You Tangerines" was a turning point in his perception of Korea's cultural strengths. 'It made me realize that Korea's cultural capabilities go beyond just music, and that we have new strengths to offer,' Lee said, adding that the drama's universal resonance, despite its deeply Korean themes, was proof of culture's ability to connect across borders. 'Now, I find myself thinking deeply about how we can nurture this potential, provide our people with access to high-quality culture, create jobs, and strengthen our national power through culture,' he said. Monday's event gathered some of Korea's leading cultural figures who have recently gained international recognition. Attendees included Kim Won-seok, director of "When Life Gives You Tangerines," which topped Netflix's Global Non-English TV chart; Park Chun-hue, who won multiple Tony Awards for the musical "Maybe Happy Ending"; and soprano Sumi Jo, who received France's prestigious Commandeur of the Order of Arts and Letters in May for her contributions to music and the arts. Emerging artists were also present, including Huh Ga-young, winner of first prize in the La Cinef section at this year's Cannes Film Festival with her short film "First Summer," and Park Youn-jae, a 16-year-old who became the first Korean male dancer to win the Prix de Lausanne in its 53-year history. Kim, who has yet to receive a formal award, made light of the moment. 'I'm the only one among the five of us here who didn't receive an award, yet I'm still here. It seems the tears of the president and first lady were the award,' Kim joked, adding that he intended to make viewers laugh, not cry. 'I never expected the entire nation to resonate and shed tears with us, but people liked it much more and for much longer than I had imagined.' The president shared that his vision aligns with that of independence leader Kim Gu, who once said that military power should be just enough to protect ourselves, economic power just enough for us to live well, but that culture is different because it only does good in the world and spreads positive influence. He hoped for Korea to become a nation with truly strong cultural power. "I feel that we are now standing at the entrance of becoming the kind of cultural powerhouse Kim Gu envisioned," Lee added. "We might be at the enterance of a nation I believe that if we, as a nation, significantly increase investment and support for the cultural sector, provide opportunities for the next generation, grow this into an industry and expand Korea's cultural influence globally, we can become a leading nation — a true global powerhouse. I think this could become our greatest strength. These days, just thinking about it makes me feel proud," he noted. He also acknowledged the challenge of appointing a culture minister capable of realizing this vision. 'That's why I still haven't been able to appoint a Minister of Culture yet,' Lee said with a laugh. 'It's such a complex task that it needs to be someone who can handle all of this. I hope all of you will think about it too.' As of Monday, Lee has appointed 17 out of 19 ministers, with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport still led by ministers retained from the previous administration.
Hindustan Times
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Amid The Royals backlash, clip of Bhumi Pednekar slamming people commenting on her big lips emerges
Actor Bhumi Pednekar is facing a social media storm over her latest web series, The Royals, with social media users fixating on her lips and wondering if she has had a lip job. But Bhumi's not new to this kind of scrutiny. As the backlash continues, an old interview clip of Bhumi has resurfaced on social media and is garnering significant attention. Also read: Despite flak, Ishaan Khatter, Bhumi Pednekar's Royals scores big on Netflix, features in top 10 Non-English show list In the resurfaced video, Bhumi is seen taking on similar criticism in the past, where she responds to troll comments about her lips, with confidence. It is posted on Reddit. The interview is from 2017 when she joined Rajkummar Rao and Ayushmann Khurrana for a chat with Anupama Chopra. In the clip, she said, 'You know the most bizarre thing that somebody actually told me was that 'your lips are too big''. 'I said since when is that a problem? I mean people pay in lakhs of money to get that done... They can say the most bizarre things. You should just be aware of what you are and not care,' she added. The actors were discussing the weird things that they have heard from people in the initial stage of their career, with Rajkummar and Ayushmann mentioning how their eyebrows turned out to be a hiccup in their journey. Bhumi is seen alongside Ishaan Khatter in the show The Royals, which has been released on Netflix. The web series has received a lukewarm response from audiences, with viewers taking to social media to express their disappointment. They are pointing out that the lack of chemistry between the lead actors and a weak, superficial screenplay fail to impress. As the backlash against The Royals intensified, Bhumi's lips became a focal point of discussion among social media users. One wrote, 'Her lips are doing more acting than her in The Royals', with another sharing, 'In recent times it looks like her lips have a personality and screen presence rather than her'. The Netflix show is created by Rangita Pritish Nandy and Ishita Pritish Nandy. It was released on Netflix on May 9.
Time of India
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Sakamoto Days Season 1 Part 2 OTT Release Date: When and where to watch the dad-turned-hitman strike again
Sakamoto Days Season 1 Part 2 OTT Release Date: Hold on to your snacks, anime fans, Netflix just dropped a bomb. The trailer for Sakamoto Days Season 1 Part 2 is out, and it looks every bit as explosive, emotional, and wild as fans had hoped. The official streaming date? July 14, 2025. Mark your calendars, because your favourite anime of 2025 is back with more punches, plot twists and heart. So, what's the buzz all about? In case you've been living under a rock (or just haven't tuned in yet), Sakamoto Days is based on the smash-hit manga by Yuto Suzuki. It tells the story of Taro Sakamoto, once Japan's most feared assassin, now a chubby, lovable family man running a local store with his wife and daughter. But don't let the apron fool you - when danger knocks, Sakamoto still packs the same deadly punch he always did. Recap: What happened in Season 1 Part 1? Part 1 of Season 1 hit Netflix back on January 11, 2025 and took the anime world by storm. For 10 straight weeks, it dominated the Netflix Global Top 10 (Non-English TV) list. We saw Sakamoto and his quirky-yet-lethal gang fend off deadly assassins sent by the mysterious villain known only as X (aka Slur). Between the fast-paced fights, hilarious one-liners, and emotional moments that tugged at your heart, Sakamoto Days became an instant fan favourite. What's new in Season 1 Part 2? If you thought Part 1 was intense, Part 2 is here to raise the stakes and possibly your blood pressure. The trailer gives us a glimpse of a high-octane three-way showdown between Sakamoto's crew, the elite assassin force called The Order, and the sinister X (Slur). Yes, it's chaos. Yes, it's going to be awesome. Directed by Masaki Watanabe, Netflix promises the upcoming one to have "bigger fights, more laughs, and new characters to fall in love with." And if you're someone who vibes with good music, the show has a treat for you too. The new opening theme, "Method" by Kroi, is already creating buzz online. Meet the voice cast Matthew Mercer as Taro Sakamoto Dallas Liu as Shin Asakura Vinnie Hacker as X (Slur) Rosie Okumura as Aoi Sakamoto Rosalie Chang as Lu Shaotang Lexi Cabrera as Obiguro Xolo Maridueña as Heisuke Mashimo If Sakamoto Days Season 1 Part 1 made you a fan, Part 2 will make you obsessed. If you haven't jumped in yet, now's the perfect time to binge Part 1 before the new episodes hit. July 14 is coming fast, and with it, the return of one of 2025's most beloved anime shows. Excited? Drop your thoughts @indiatimes.
