Latest news with #TheHandmaiden
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Bae Seong-woo makes dramatic comeback to 'SNL Korea' after 5-year drunk driving hiatus; says 'I'm really nervous and anxious'
South Korean actor Bae Seong-woo has finally returned to the variety show scene after serving a 5-year self-imposed exile following his drunk driving controversy . The 50-year-old actor, known for his performances in films like "Parasite" and "The Handmaiden," appeared on Coupang Play 's " SNL Korea Season 7" on May 24th. Dressed in a sharp black suit, he bowed deeply to the audience - a gesture that immediately conveyed his remorse and gratitude. The moment was incredibly emotional as Bae covered his face with his hands, smiled sheepishly, and visibly teared up. When host Shin Dong-yup asked about his feelings regarding the warm reception from the audience, Bae opened up about his vulnerable state of mind. "I thought I'd be okay since I started with musicals and did a lot of theater work, but seeing everyone directly made me choke up. I'm really nervous and anxious," he admitted, showing his genuine, unguarded side to the public for the first time in years. SNL Korea The 2020 Incident That Changed Everything Bae's self-imposed exile began with a drunk driving incident in November 2020. After drinks with friends in Seoul's Gangnam district, he was caught at a police checkpoint with a blood alcohol level above 0.08% - the legal limit for license revocation in South Korea. The incident forced him to leave the popular SBS drama "Fly Dragon" midway through production, with his role being taken over by actor Jung Woo-sung. In January 2021, he was fined 7 million Korean won for violating traffic laws. South Korea's Strict Drunk Driving Laws South Korea has implemented some of the world's strictest drunk driving regulations. The blood alcohol limit for license suspension is just 0.03% - equivalent to about one shot of soju or a single beer. For license revocation, the threshold is 0.08%, and drivers with 0.2% or higher face imprisonment of 2-5 years or fines of 10-20 million won. The " Yoon Chang-ho Law ," implemented in 2019 after a university student's death in a drunk driving accident, has been remarkably effective. Statistics show that drunk driving fatalities dropped by 65% in just two months after its implementation, with overall drunk driving accidents falling by 37.2%. This compares to India's legal limits of 0.03% for two-wheelers and 0.08% for four-wheelers, though enforcement consistency varies across states. India records over 150,000 road accident deaths annually, with alcohol being identified as a significant contributing factor. Celebrity Accountability in Korean Society Korean society holds celebrities to exceptionally high moral standards, viewing them as public figures with significant social responsibility. This cultural expectation means that celebrity DUI cases often result in career-ending consequences, regardless of the legal penalties. Recent incidents involving other Korean celebrities illustrate this pattern. BTS member Suga registered a blood alcohol level of 0.227% in his recent case, while trot singer Kim Ho-joong faced additional charges for a hit-and-run incident. These cases demonstrate that fame offers no protection from consequences in Korean society. The Korean public's reaction extends beyond legal violations to perceived betrayal of public trust. Celebrities are expected to be role models, especially given their influence on younger fans who follow K-pop and K-dramas globally, including millions of Indian youth. The Long Road to Redemption Bae's gradual return began in May 2024 when he attended a press conference for the drama "The 8 Show," followed by his appearance in the Disney+ series "Lighting Shop." However, his variety show appearance has sparked mixed reactions among Korean audiences. Some view his return as appropriate after serving his time and showing genuine remorse, while others criticize it as "image laundering." Critics worry that the comedic format of variety shows might trivialize his past mistakes and diminish the seriousness of drunk driving as a crime. This debate reflects broader cultural questions about forgiveness and second chances. Korean society typically demands longer periods of reflection and public penance compared to many other countries, including India, where celebrity controversies often have shorter recovery periods.
Bangkok Post
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Bangkok Post
Explore Korean film design at 'Build On-Screen Worlds'
The Korean Cultural Center is hosting the exhibition "Production Design: Scene Architects Build On-Screen Worlds". The exhibition displays works by production designers such as Ryu Sung-hee, who won the Vulcan Prize at the Cannes Film Festival in 2016 (Decision To Leave and The Handmaiden), Cho Hwa-sung (Hansan: Rising Dragon) and Han Ah-reum (Kill Boksoon and Kingmaker). The works present concepts such as storyboard, concept design, set plan and graphic design, with a video of the set and film scenes to provide a glimpse of the process of the production process. Sunju Lee, director of the Korean Cultural Center, said that Korean films have played a huge role in strengthening the country's soft power. She emphasised the sophistication and realistic representation achieved in these films are central to their global success, as they not only convey the film's message but also elevate its aesthetic achievements. Lee also added that the centre will host a "Special Talk With The Director" on July 18 with Ryu, the production designer behind Netflix's popular series When Life Gives You Tangerines. The event will welcome members of the Thai film industry, film students and movie enthusiasts. "I hope that the exhibition will contribute to developing the film industry of Korea and Thailand and cultural exchange between the two countries," she ended. "Production Design: Scene Architects Build On-Screen Worlds" is on view weekdays at the Korean Cultural Center from now until July 26 from 8.30am until 5pm. For more details, visit
Pink Villa
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
After V, BTS' RM hangs out with Oldboy director Park Chan Wook, fans wonder what's cooking
BTS fans are once again in detective mode. And this time, their attention is on RM and V possibly stepping into the world of acting. The speculation reignited after RM shared an Instagram story showing him posing with Park Chan Wook. He's the legendary director behind Oldboy, Decision to Leave, and The Handmaiden. Also in the photo was Myung Whun Chung, a globally respected pianist and conductor. The image quickly set ARMY buzzing; and not just because of the company. It also raised eyebrows because this wasn't the first BTS-Park Chan Wook connection fans had noticed. V spotted with Park Chan Wook weeks ago Just weeks earlier, on June 17, 2025, V was spotted attending a classical music performance by Jo Sung Jin. He was sitting beside none other than Park Chan Wook himself. And even earlier, on June 9, V had shared an Instagram story that showed him deep in conversation with the director. Fans were already intrigued by the interaction, and with these continued sightings, the buzz only intensified. Now, with RM's latest photo, ARMY feels like they've just been handed another dot to connect. Given the timing and shared appearances, fans are wondering: Could something be brewing behind the scenes? Perhaps a film, drama, or even a collaborative project in the works? Are RM and V eyeing acting roles? Although no official statements have been made, fans are buzzing with the possibility that both RM and V may be considering acting ventures under Park's direction. For V, this would mark a long-awaited return to acting following his role in Hwarang (2016). As for RM, it could be his on-screen debut, a moment many fans have been dreaming of. For now, it's all speculation While nothing has been confirmed, the series of recent sightings and shared company with Park Chan Wook is too intriguing for fans to ignore. Whether it's a drama, film, or an artistic collaboration of another kind, ARMY is holding out hope that something exciting is on the horizon.
Time of India
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
BTS' V's military discharge: From movie with Park Chan Wook to Squid Game 3, Kim Taehyung's rumoured acting comeback sparks buzz
In the final few hours before officially wrapping up his military service, BTS's V, whose real name is Kim Taehyung, decided to post something on Instagram that, at first glance, looked like nothing more than a peaceful dinner with good wine and warm lighting—but the second fans spotted who he was dining with, the speculations went wild. Sitting across from him was none other than Park Chan Wook, the director known for films like Oldboy , The Handmaiden , and Decision to Leave . The timing of the post, paired with the company he was keeping, was enough to send fans into a frenzy. With V finally stepping out of uniform and back into the public eye, people can't help but wonder if this quiet dinner was also hinting at his long-awaited return to acting amid buzz that he'd be making a cameo in Squid Game Season 3. V drops new picture with Park Chan Wook V dropped multiple photos ahead of his military discharge, but what the internet is truly talking about is the one he shared with Park Chan Wook. Posted with no caption, V was seen engrossed in the company of one of Korea's most legendary directors, sharing a quiet meal like it's the most normal thing in the world. And while it may have been just a friendly catch-up between two individuals, considering how selective Park Chan Wook is with his projects and V's pursuit of creativity, it's hard not to picture a collaboration of the creative powerhouses. Credit: Instagram BTS' V's past acting credits When it comes to acting, V hasn't exactly flooded his resume but the few moments he has taken on the screen have definitely stuck with fans. His most notable role was back in 2016, when he played the wide-eyed and loyal Hansung in the historical K-drama Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth, a role that felt like an extension of his gentle off-stage persona at the time. Since then, he's stayed mostly focused on music, but in 2023, just before his military service, he made a striking return to the screen through IU's short film-style music video Love Wins All. That appearance, though brief, had fans praising his natural expressions and emotional depth, reminding everyone that there's a quiet intensity to Taehyung's presence that translates beautifully on camera. Is Squid Game season 3 next? Timing has fans connecting dots At the same time, there's been rumours tying V to the upcoming and final season of Squid Game . Nothing official has been said, but the fan theories are stacking up in a way that's hard to dismiss. For starters, V has openly shown his love for the series in the past, and his close friendship with lead actor Lee Jung Jae only adds fuel to the fire. Add to that his recent hangouts with Squid Game cast member Im Si Wan, and the speculation starts to feel a little less far-fetched. For the unversed, V is scheduled to be discharged on June 10, while Squid Game Season 3 premieres on Netflix on June 27.
Mint
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
Fans thrilled as BTS' V shares gym selfie with Song Kang, photo with director Park Chan-Wook ahead of military discharge
Fans of BTS star Kim Taehyung, better known as V, were treated to a surprise on social media this week. Just days before his official return from military service on June 19, V shared a mirror selfie from the gym with popular actor Song Kang. The two were seen posing in their workout clothes after a joint session, which quickly went viral online. V and Song Kang's selfie The buzz didn't stop there. V also posted a playful video of himself with Song Kang trying different poses in front of the camera. The short clip captured the lighthearted chemistry between the two stars, sending their fans into an online frenzy. Adding to the excitement, V shared a photo with award-winning South Korean director Park Chan-Wook. Known for acclaimed films like 'Lady Vengeance', 'The Handmaiden', and 'Decision to Leave', Park's appearance with V sparked curiosity among fans about a possible future collaboration. While V is preparing to return to the spotlight on June 10, Song Kang is still serving in the military and is expected to complete his duties by October 1. The unexpected updates gave fans a rare glimpse into V's final days before discharge, and the posts have already racked up millions of likes and shares. With his return just around the corner, excitement is building around what's next for the BTS member—especially after being seen with such high-profile names in both entertainment and film. K-pop juggernauts BTS will be turning 12 on June 13. This year's theme, 'Twelve O'Clock,' draws inspiration from the group's 2020 track 'Zero O'Clock,' a song about resilience, healing, and the quiet beginning of something new. Fans believe this is more than symbolic, suggesting the dawn of a new era for BTS.
