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Asian cinema: Korean films

Asian cinema: Korean films
From the stylish blockbusters of Park Chan-wook and Bong Joon-ho to art-house gems by Hong Sang-soo and Kim Ki-duk, this is the place to go for reviews, interviews and features about movies both classic and new from South Korea.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM
Students perform during a speech day at Elementi College, in 1977, two years before the Shau Kei Wan school closed down. Photo: SCMP Archives

In pictures: the evolution of school uniforms in Hong Kong

From traditional qipao designs to navy-inspired sailor collars, how Hong Kong school uniforms evolved through changing culture, campus rules and shifting global fashion trends.

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So Fong, a gaff-rigged schooner measuring 82 feet, was built in the 1930s. Photo: courtesy HKHVF

Hong Kong’s historic vessels: from Victoria Harbour to Hollywood!

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Tsui Ao-lung, 29, winner of the Young Fashion Designers’ Contest 2026. Photo: Alexander Mak

From airport cargo to catwalk king: Hong Kong’s Tsui Ao-lung’s triumph

Supported by:HKTDC
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Canadian snowboarder Neil Tsui in Central, Hong Kong. Photo: Alexander Mak

Double-amputee snowboarder Neil Tsui’s quest for the 2030 Paralympics

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The late-19th century Central Station in Antwerp, Belgium. Photo: Getty Images

Discover Antwerp’s vibrant blend of Flemish art and global cultures

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Architect Kisho Kurokawa with his creation, Japan’s Nakagin Capsule Tower, in 1972. Photo: Tomio Ohashi/M+

How Japan’s innovative Nakagin Capsule Tower is finding new life

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Content from SCMP's Specialist Publications
South Korean actor Yoo Hae-jin attends the red carpet for “The Assassin(s)“ at the Toronto International Film Festival in Canada last month. Photo: Reuters
Singapore

The Assassin(s) political storm reaches Singapore as actor Yoo faces threats

Organisers said the political thriller will open the festival amid growing backlash in South Korea over claims of historical distortion.

European cinema

Best movies from the 2026 Venice Film Festival, including Possible Love and Musk

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K-drama news

Profile | Who is Nana, star of Netflix K-dramas The Scandal and Mask Girl?

Asian cinema

The making of Na Hong-jin’s sci-fi spectacle Hope, most expensive Korean film

The director talks about tension, timelines, sequel potential and a clash of tastes at Cannes as Hope gears up for US and Hong Kong releases.

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Hwang Jung-min (front) and Jung Ho-yeon on the set of Hope.
Art

Busan Biennale 2026: a ‘Dissident Chorus’ of sound, art and politics

This year, South Korea’s oldest biennale explores politics through sound, performance and art, but does it truly challenge the status quo?

Asian cinema

Review | Possible Love: Burning director Lee Chang-dong back with another masterpiece

Zo In-sung and Cho Yeo-jeong play a rich couple opposite Sul Kyung-gu and Jeon Do-yeon’s have-nots in Lee’s sharp critique of Korean society.

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K-drama news

Profile | Who is Kim Hye-jun, star of K-dramas A Shop for Killers and My Bias, My Boss?

Kim Hye-jun, who started in advertisements and on Saturday Night Live Korea, first dreamed of being a designer or a nurse, not an actress.

Kim Hye-jun in a still from A Shop for Killers season two. Photo: Disney+
Asian cinema

Review | Number One: Parasite stars reunite for food-themed family drama

Choi Woo-sik and Jang Hye-jin star as a pampered son and his doting mother who always cooks for him until tragedy strikes their family.

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Asian cinema

10 must-see movies and programmes at Hong Kong’s Summer IFF 2026

This year’s Cine Fan Summer International Film Festival boasts 37 features, from regional premieres to 4K restorations of Hong Kong classics.

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Asian cinema

My Sassy Girl at 25: how Jun Ji-hyun’s star turn changed South Korean cinema

Jun Ji-hyun’s role as a brash young woman in the 2001 romcom subverted gender stereotypes, today inspiring actresses like Park Eun-bin.

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Jun Ji-hyun (left) and Cha Tae-hyun in a still from My Sassy Girl. Photo: Film Movement.
K-drama news

Profile | Who is Nam Joo-hyuk, star of Netflix K-drama The East Palace?

Returning to the screen after three years, model-turned-actor Nam Joo-hyuk has starred in a number of hit Korean dramas.

Korean actor Nam Joo-hyuk is currently starring in the Netflix K-drama series The East Palace. Photo: Instagram/skawngur
Netflix

‘Oldboy’ Choi Min-sik on revenge, craft and Notes from the Last Row

Choi Min-sik points out parallels between 2003’s Oldboy and his new role in Netflix series Notes from the Last Row.

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TV shows and streaming video

Review | Human Vapor: Shun Oguri, Yu Aoi anchor Netflix’s bold sci-fi thriller reboot

This exciting tale of a mysterious serial killer who can turn into a murderous cloud of gas is a reimagining of a classic Japanese thriller.

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Cinema

From the Vault: culturally significant films

In the From the Vault feature series, the South China Morning Post’s film experts reflect on culturally significant films celebrating notable anniversaries.

South China Morning Post’s From the Vault series looks back at culturally significant films. Photo: Shutterstock
Asian cinema

What’s showing this year at Asia’s top genre film festival BiFan?

The 2026 Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival boasts a formidable programme of horror, action, science fiction and fantasy titles.

Ryu Seung-yon in a still from the Korean comedy Extreme Job (2019), one of the many movies showing at the 2026 Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival, in South Korea.
K-drama news

Profile | Meet Park Ji-hyun, star of Flex X Cop and See You at Work Tomorrow!

After making a late start in acting, Park quickly rose to the top playing layered characters in K-dramas from Yumi’s Cells to Reborn Rich.

American cinema

The rise of liminal space horror movies like Backrooms and Exit 8

Box-office hit Backrooms highlights a growing obsession with eerie liminal spaces like hallways, alleyways and empty shopping centres.

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Asian cinema

How Colony features a new kind of zombie to reflect modern fears

Director Yeon Sang-ho of Train to Busan fame explains how AI and social media anxiety inspired the zombies in his new horror film.

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A still from Colony.
Asian cinema

Review | Hope: director Na Hong-jin of The Wailing fame returns with a monster mess

A promising beginning and strong performances are not enough to save Hope from being a messy spectacle with woeful CGI monsters.

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K-drama news

Profile | Who is Cha Eun-woo, K-pop idol starring in Netflix K-drama The Wonderfools?

Since his 2014 debut, the ‘Face Genius’ has embodied a fantasy figure in many roles. His latest hits screens as he performs military service.

Asian cinema

Review | Colony: Jun Ji-hyun returns in slick but empty zombie thriller

Jun Ji-hyun stars as a biotech professor battling bloodthirsty zombies in Train to Busan director Yeon Sang-ho’s new film.

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Jun Ji-hyun as biotech professor Kwon Se-jeong in a still from Colony (category IIB, Korean), directed by Yeon Sang-ho. Koo Kyo-hwan and Ji Chang-wook co-star.
Asian cinema

How The King’s Warden sold 16 million tickets and saved the Korean box office

Producer Lim Eun-jung, director Jang Hang-jun and actor Yoo Hae-jin explain why the historical drama struck a chord with Korean audiences.

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Yoo Hae-jin in a still from The King’s Warden, which has revitalised a sluggish Korean film industry.
Fame and celebrity

Meet Seoyeon Jang, who plays Eunice in Netflix’s Beef Season 2

The latest season of Beef stars Oscar Isaac, Carey Mulligan and Charles Melton – but what do you know about Seoyeon Jang, who plays Eunice?

K-drama news

Profile | Who is Byeon Woo-seok, IU’s co-star in romance K-drama Perfect Crown?

Coming to prominence in shows like Record of Youth and Strong Girl Nam-soon, Byeon Woo-seok returns this weekend in a hotly anticipated role.

Asian cinema

Review | Humint: dynamic Korean spy thriller from Ryoo Seung-wan on Netflix

Starring Zo In-sung, Park Jeong-min and Park Hae-joon, Humint rewards patient viewers with some of the best heroic bloodshed in recent times.

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Zo In-sung (right) in a still from Humint, a Korean spy movie from director Ryoo Seung-wan that is now streaming on Netflix.
Asian cinema

The 10 most-watched Korean films of all time, including The King’s Warden

Can The King’s Warden overtake The Admiral: Roaring Currents and Extreme Job to become the most-viewed South Korean film of all time?

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Park Ji-hoon (second from left) and Yoo Hae-jin in a still from The King’s Warden, which is fast becoming one of South Korea’s most popular films at the box office.
K-drama news

Profile | Who is Seo In-guk, star of Netflix K-drama Boyfriend on Demand?

From his musical beginnings to his breakout role in Reply 1997 to his turn in Boyfriend on Demand, Seo In-guk stands out for his versatility.

K-drama news

Profile | Who is Shin Hye-sun, star of Netflix K-drama The Art of Sarah?

Breaking out in 2016’s Five Enough, Shin Hye-sun has gone on to make her mark in series including Mr. Queen and Welcome to Samdal-ri.

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