Author: Denise Coley
Between the Two of Us – KCrush Interview With Filmmaker Sung Ji-hye by Carolyn Hinds Written and directed by filmmaker Sung Ji-hye, Between the Two of Us looks at the intersection between disability, pregnancy, and loneliness in marriage through her characters Eun-jin a paraplegic who chooses to continue her pregnancy in spite the doubts of her husband Ho-seon, and doctors. Following the film’s premiere at the 2024 Jeonju International Film Festival in the Korean Cinema program, Film Critic and Journalist, Carolyn Hinds speaks with Sung Ji-hye Played by Kim Si-eun, Eun-jin having learned to adapt to being disabled after losing her ability…
The Tenants – KCrush Interview With Filmmaker Yoon Eun-kyoung by Carolyn Hinds For the Fantasia International Film Festival premiere of her noir psychological thriller The Tenants, filmmaker Yoon Eun-kyoung spoke with Film Critic and Journalist Carolyn Hinds about the intricacies of constructing a film depicting the realities of living in a society, where the promise of utopia is dangled as a prize for pushing our bodies and minds to the limits working in a capitalist society. Starring Kim Dae-gun as Shin-dong, a 20 something young man working endlessly to be selected to live in Sphere 2 – a promised utopia…
Jo Bo Ah, famously known for her role in “Destined with You” and “Tale of the Nine-Tailed” dramas, will be walking down the aisle in 2 months. The star debuted in the entertainment industry with the “Flower Band” drama in 2012. Jo Bo Ah, who has boldly expressed her desire to have a family in her early 30s, will finally visualize her dreams. Jo Bo Ah is set to get married to her non-celebrity boyfriend in October. With the incoming dramas by the star, including Disney+ original’s “Knock-Off” series, Jo Bo Ah shows no signs of taking a bow from…
There is nothing more mesmerizing than watching fiction evolve into reality. This rare phenomenon is about to be solidified as “My Sibling’s Romance” k-drama co-stars Yoon Ha and Yun Jae announce their upcoming marriage plans. Famously known as the Yoon-Yun couple, Lee Yoon Ha and Kim Yun Jae announced their marriage plan on August 26. The couple also added in the YouTube announcement that they plan to walk down the aisle early next year. Lee Yoon Ha and Kim Yun Jae met on “My Sibling’s Romance” show, a dating reality show that premiered in March 2024. In the YouTube announcement,…
BTS’s Suga has written another apology with regard to his electric scooter accident while under the influence. This second apology, done on 25th August, comes after Suga’s police questioning that happened on 27th August at Seoul’s Yongsan Police Station in Seoul. Burdened by the weight of the matter, Suga poured out his heart on Weverse apologizing to BTS fans and fellow BTS members. In this second apology, Suga admitted that his first apology was rather lacking and confusing due to urgent matters. Hello. This is Suga. It is with a shameful heart that I would like to apologize to you…
After making waves in the K-idol dating world for months, Actor Lee Kyu Han and Former BB Girls’ Yujeong have decided to part ways. After denying dating rumors back in July 2023, the two stars conceded and finally confirmed to the public that they were indeed a couple in September 2023. Despite the over decade-long age gap, Lee Kyu Han and Yujeong’s dating announcement was welcomed with praise making them a notable couple in the entertainment industry. Lee Kyu Han’s agency, Billions, confirmed the two stars’ break up on 26th August 2024. R&D Company, Yujeong’s agency, also backed up the…
SHINee’s Taemin has once again proven his reign in the K-Pop industry with the latest ‘ETERNAL’ mini-album release. Taemin made a comeback on 20th August with his latest mini-album said to embody a mix of diverse genres including hip-hop, electronic pop, and R&B vibes. The 7-track mini-album marks Taemin’s 5th album solidifying the icon’s status in the entertainment industry. “Sexy in the Air” is one of the album’s most trending tracks showcasing Taemin’s articulate dancing moves. Taemin is scheduled to do his first solo world tour titled “Ephemeral Gaze” in late August and early September starting with Incheon Inspire Arena,…
The legendary SF9 band made the highly anticipated comeback on 19th August with their 14th mini-album titled ‘FANTASY’. SF9 debuted in October 2016 with the ‘Feeling Sensation’ single album under the FNC Entertainment agency. Being the agency’s first dance boy group, SF9 has soared high over the years to become a global sensation. After Rowoon left the group in 2023 to focus on his acting career, Zuho followed suit and changed agencies to Haewadal Entertainment to pursue his acting dream. Dawon and Jaeyoon are still undertaking their mandatory military duties leaving Youngbin, Inseong, Yoo Taeyang, Hwiyoung, and Chani to run…
The Seoul Metropolitan Police confirmed on August 19th that BTS’s Suga is expected to appear for questioning this week. Suga was involved in a scooter accident that later became a hot issue after several allegations including DUI and an unregistered scooter (if it indeed it was not an electric kickboard as claimed by Big Hit Music). The Seoul Metropolitan Police also added that they are yet to set the exact date for Suga’s questioning. Additionally, the representative said that Suga’s questioning will follow the normal process, which gives an individual the option of not appearing in front of the press.…
Life is unpredictable in oh so many ways, and no matter what plans we make for the path we want to take to our individual goals, hurdles and obstacles that are challenging to get over or around can be tricky and difficult. But more often than not, those obstacles and some deviations provide us with the experiences we need to complete our goals even if we don’t see it at first. For veteran Korean actor Jung Woo-sung, having over twenty years of experience in front of the camera playing a multitude of characters in practically every film genre, stepping behind…
World renowned Japanese director and animator Tatsuya Ishiwaki, and Aniplex producer Tatsuya Oishi, joined film critic and journalist Carolyn Hinds to chat about their world famous animated film ‘KIZUMONOGATARI – Koyomi Vamp’, which had its international theatrical premiere at the 2024 Fantasia Fest International Film Festival, in Montreal, Canada. Based on the famous manga series MONOGATARI created and written by Nisioisn, and drawn by Shaft, ‘KIZUMONOGATARI -Koyomi Vamp’ is a revamped version of of the three part film series originally released in 2016. In their interview the filmmaker and producer spoke about how the story’s protagonist’s Koyomi Araragi beliefs…
Some of B.A.P is back!! Debuting as a boy band in 2012, four out of six members are back and ready to show the world their music talents once again. After a six-year dry spell, fans wondered if a return would ever happen. But now they’ve debuted a release under the new name BANG&JUNG&YOO&MOON, which correlates with the four members. There’s a YouTube documentary series titled, “Man on the Moon” which showcases how the group has prepared for this comeback. It provides great insight into where the members are now and all that they’ve put into this project. For those…
Readers, get comfy and let’s revisit the Seoul International Wine & Spirits Exhibition (SIWS)! We’re still reeling from the excitement of the annual event held in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea, since 1992. The 2024 edition featured over 240 exhibitors and attracted tens of dozens of buyers and thousands of attendees from various countries. This three-day event included seminars, countless samples, and engaging exhibits, highlighting significant trends and innovations in wines and beers. The diverse, multilingual atmosphere made it a dynamic and educational experience for all participants. You can read more about my friend and colleague’s CoolHappyTash’s experience with the beverage…
Japanese boyband LIL LEAGUE have released ‘Youth Spark’, the lead track from their July 31 third single, on digital platforms. The song is accompanied by a music video. ‘Youth Spark’ is a thrilling dance track released during the last summer in which all members of LIL LEAGUE will still be in their teens. The track has a funk base, and just as the title suggests, the members’ passionate vocals are cut through with the spark of youth. The music video is set in a fictional city based loosely on the United States, showing a cinematic take on the irreplaceable time…
Pre-Sale began August 1 and General On-Sale begins August 2 at krazysuperconcert.com Pulse Events, the company known for bringing global music events to New York, today announces the full artist lineup for ‘Krazy Super Concert’ to be held September 14 and 15, at Long Beach Arena. Previously announced acts aespa, CL, ZEROBASEONE will take the stage along with newly confirmed acts DK from hit boy group iKON, SUNMI, BamBam, LAY ZHANG, Kim JongKook (Running Man), KATSEYE, and AKMU. Girl group aespa and boy group ZEROBASEONE are set to perform both days. Additionally, rising force in hip-hop and GRAMMY-nominated artist, The Kid LAROI will round out the predominantly K-pop lineup. General admission tickets and VIP Packages will be available through pre-sale on Thursday,…
LEX and LANA, a charismatic brother and sister pairing from Japan who are leading a new generation of hip-hop artists, have released a new collaboration song today, titled ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’. Following the success of ‘AKARUIHEYA’, which stole the attention of the hip-hop scene when it was released earlier this year, ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ is the second collaboration song from this commanding brother-sister duo. While ‘AKARUIHEYA’ spoke of evolving from a dark past to lead a bright future, this new song takes in the universal themes of communication typical of LEX and LANA, such as misunderstandings and reconciliation, set to…
▲ Dreamcatcher 2024 World Tour 【Luck Inside 7 Doors】 in USA official poster South Korean sensation Dreamcatcher is set to captivate audiences across the United States with their upcoming Dreamcatcher 2024 World Tour 【Luck Inside 7 Doors】 in the USA. Organized by MyMusicTaste, this eagerly awaited tour will kick off on November 2, 2024, in a journey that promises to bring their electrifying performances and distinctive sound to fans throughout the country. Known for their unique blend of rock-infused K-pop and powerful performances, Dreamcatcher has garnered a global following with hits such as ‘BOCA’, ‘Odd Eye’, and ‘Scream’. Their music…
For the World Premiere of their ensemble multi-genre western inspired film ‘Mash Ville’, at the 2024 Fantasia International Film Festival, Film Critic and Journalist Carolyn Hinds spoke with filmmaker Hwang Wook, co-writer and producer Lim Dong-min, and actors Jeon Shin-hwan and Kim Hee-sang. They spoke about how the creative team took inspiration from international films of various genres and styles, Cuba, bourbon, and world music to create this unique story – and score – about living in the grey and vices. For his unique directing and narrative style of this modern day Korean western, Hwang Wook won the Best…
Fourth of July this year brought in a new kind of bang when I attended the Seoul International Wines & Spirit Expo 2024 (SIWSE) hosted at the Coex Exhibition Centre in Gangnam, Seoul, organized by the Korea International Exhibition Co., Ltd. (KIECO). By the end of day three, I felt I had time traveled to tastes steeped in history and back again to the commanding allure that is modern-day Seoul. Unforgettable does not do the experience justice. Being a woman that is well into my ajumma (아줌마/married or middle-aged woman) phase at just a few years short of a half…
For the 2024 Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia, Film Critic and Journalist Carolyn Hinds spoke to writer, director, composer and actress Koo Hye-sun about her short film ‘STUDIO KOOHYESUN’ in which Koo takes a look back at what she wishes she could’ve done differently and audiences understood about her 2012 dramatic feature ‘The Peach Tree’. ‘STUDIO KOOHYESUN’ screened in the Korean Short Film Program of #SSFF2023. Interpreting for the interview was conducted by Jang Taek-soo. #KooHyeSun #KCrush #KoreanCinema #KoreanFilm #AsianCinema #KooHyeSun #KCrush #KoreanCinema #KoreanFilm #AsianCinema