Khazsak Kramer’s debut in The Land of Morning Calm is a remarkably moving entry into the world of cinema. Taking on the role of Young Ran, a Vietnamese woman living in a rural Korean fishing village, Kramer brought to life a character who is strong yet emotional. From the moment she read the script, she…
Tag: news
TRENDZ: Unpacking the Journey of Their New Single Album “Chameleon” – Exclusive Interview
Catching up with TRENDZ, a K-pop group, always feels a bit like meeting up with old friends. This is our fourth time catching up with them, and honestly, it never gets old. Every time we chat, we’re reminded of just how much they’ve grown. Watching their journey take shape has been such a joy, and…
Exploring P1Harmony’s Bold Sound in “DUH!” Mini-Album
There’s always something so exciting when new music drops – the uncertainty and anticipation of what the album might hold, especially in K-pop. The genre itself is on another level when it comes to creativity and vibrancy, never feeling dull or lacklustre. One group consistently goes the extra mile to embody all of that while…
KANGDANIEL Delivers a Powerful and Polished Performance in London
If you’ve never heard of KANGDANIEL (also known as Kang Daniel) the South Korean singer who first captured hearts as a member of the wildly successful boy group Wanna One, then now is the perfect moment to discover him. Having debuted six years ago, Daniel’s journey in the music industry has been anything but linear….
Riding the Wave: Big Ocean Reflect on “Underwater” and Their European Journey – Exclusive Interview
Big Ocean, the world’s first K-pop group made up of hard-of-hearing members, is truly one of a kind. Formed through auditions by Parastar Entertainment, the trio uses a mix of smart technology, visual cues, and relentless practice to perfect their performances. Their debut single, GLOW, a cover of H.O.T’s classic, incorporates Korean sign language to…
Why KATSEYE’s “Gnarly” is a Must-Listen for 2025’s Music Fans
After crashing onto the scene with their debut EP SIS (Soft Is Strong) and snagging the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s Emerging Artists and Heatseekers Albums Charts, KATSEYE are back and louder than ever. Enter Gnarly, a no-holds-barred club banger filled with thundering 808s, rave-ready synths, and a swagger that refuses to quit. It’s bold,…
Festival of Korean Dance – Kim Sungyong: Dance as a Language of Truth – Exclusive Interview
For choreographer and artistic director Kim Sungyong, movement is more than art – it is an act of truth-telling. Guided by the belief that “dance is a language that cannot be described in words,” Kim has spent his career using dance to communicate the invisible and emotional dimensions of human life. His signature choreographic approach,…
Being and Nothingness: Existential Despair in TABLO x RM’s “Stop The Rain”
TABLO and RM are the leaders of the most iconic K-Pop/K-rap groups, Epik High and BTS, respectively. K-Pop groups tend to have specific roles, such as rapper, vocalist, visual, maknae, to which members are assigned. The position of leader is perhaps one of the hardest because, besides having to moderate any internal conflict, they are…
27th Udine Far East Film Festival: “The Square” Makes Its World Premiere
For over two decades, the Udine Far East Film Festival has been presenting a wide range of films from East and Southeast Asia. Often these features are making their European premieres or international festival premieres at Udine – but ever so often, the elegant Teatro Nuovo is graced with a world premiere, and audiences in…
27th Far East Film Festival: In Conversation with Arak Amornsupasiri and Vuthipong Sukhanindr, Directors of “The Stone”
What drives a person to lie in the name of faith – or to believe in something that can’t be proven? In The Stone, a directorial debut from Thai artists Arak Amornsupasiri and Vuthipong Sukhanindr, such questions take center stage. Known for their work in acting, music, and design, the duo steps confidently behind the…
27th Far East Film Festival: Exploring Asian Monsters in Film: From Yōkai to Gumiho
As much as you try to fight them, monsters never die. They are born out of old folkloric legends, influenced by religion, shamanism, society, and passed down through oral tradition. They live through time and space, re-emerging in different forms with every new generation. It’s of no surprise, then, that they also inhabit contemporary Asian…
27th Far East Film Festival: In Conversation with Park Ri-woong, Director of “The Land of Morning Calm”
The Land of Morning Calm, directed by Park Ri-woong, is a powerful portrait of a fading Korean fishing village and the emotional dislocation of its residents. Supported by moving performances from Yoon Joo-sang, Yang Hee-kyung, and Khazsak Kramer, the film explores generational divides, economic decline, and the complex, often unspoken tensions surrounding immigration and arranged…
27th Far East Film Festival: In Conversation with E.oni, Director of “Love in the Big City”
In the contemporary Korean cinema, director Lee Eon-hee, known professionally as E. oni, is recognised for her quietly revolutionary voice in telling human stories. E.oni was part of the first graduating class of the Korea National University of Arts, where she majored in film. Her early career was rooted in foundational, behind-the-scenes work: she served…
27th Udine Far East Film Festival: “Hear Me: Our Summer” Review
What’s the happiest film you can think of? Is it one painted with flowers, and a dreamy major-key score? Is it about the ending, or is it the journey the characters took together that filled your heart with the most warmth? Perhaps the happiest film isn’t the one so sickly-sweet that it veers from realism,…
