Tag: Song Kang-ho

How “Broker” and “Return to Seoul” reveal hard truths about Korean adoption

Jae-Ha Kim

In an unusual cinematic coincidence, two critically acclaimed films about South Korean adoption were released in December depicting different sides of the adoption story. Broker focuses on a teenage girl who leaves her infant at a church’s safe haven baby box, while Return to Seoul tells the story of a French woman who reunites with her birth family just days after arriving in Korea. To better understand how these films speak to real-life adoptees, I talked to Korean academics, human rights experts, and adoptees. My reported piece for MASHABLE.

“Emergency Declaration” (비상선언)

Jae-Ha Kim

In the span of time it takes for a plane to fly from Seoul to Honolulu — approximately nine hours — a psychopath boards an airplane at Incheon International Airport and releases a deadly biological pathogen onboard, which results in passengers getting sick and/or dying (and turning on each other). And, oh yeah, scientists on the ground  develop an antigen to combat the virus.

“Parasite” (기생충)

Jae-Ha Kim

“Parasite” has already made history for South Korea as the country’s first film to win a Best Picture Academy Award. There are some moments I can’t wrap my head around though, and one of them was the inclusion of Illinois State into the dialogue.

Suga, Bong Joon-Ho & Other Korean Celebs Donate to Fight Against Coronavirus

Jae-Ha Kim

In an attempt to remain anonymous, Gong Yoo donated money to help fight coronavirus under his real name of Gong Ji-cheol. The star of the film “Train To Busan” was among a slew of Korean celebrities (including Suga from BTS) who gave money to help medical workers and those afflicted by the disease.

“Parasite” and the K-Drama Connection

Jae-Ha Kim

“Parasite” currently is one of the most-talked about films at the box office. Directed by Bong Joon-ho (“Snowpiercer,” “The Host, “Okja”), the international hit has already won the coveted Palme d’Or at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival. There’s a strong Oscar buzz, too, with industry experts predicting that the movie may bypass a nomination for the Best Foreign Film for more prestigious nominations (Best Picture, Best Director etc.) at the 2020 Academy Awards.