Pierce Conran

Good news for struggling Korean film industry? Not really. THE KING’S WARDEN accounts for almost 60% of Korean film BO this year (possibly 75% by end of March) and will match a quarter of 2025’s total Korean film revenue. This imbalance makes survival all the more difficult.

THE KING’S WARDEN is doing insane numbers. Crossed 10 mil viewers Friday, but at this rate it’ll become the highest grossing domestic film in Korean BO history (record is ₩139.6B, ₩150B seems assured). 50/50 whether it unseats ROARING CURRENTS’ all-time admissions haul (17.6M).

Stepping back into the K-Cinema Library column over on @KoreanFilmBiz with a dive into cinematic iconoclast Lee Myung-se's sumptuous reverie FIRST LOVE, a criminally underseen landmark of 90s Korean cinema starring Kim Hye-soo. #첫사랑 koreanfilm.or.kr/eng/news/inFoc…

Yorgos Lanthimos’ BUGONIA, the scintillating adaptation of the Korean cult classic SAVE THE GREEN PLANET, delivers the paranoid goods and then some. screenanarchy.com/2025/09/busan-…

The ambitious disaster-SF film THE GREAT FLOOD dazzles and confounds at #BIFF2025. #대홍수 screenanarchy.com/2025/09/busan-…

Lee Kwang-kuk returns to #BIFF2025 with BEAUTIFUL DREAMER, his most sober work to date. #단잠 screenanarchy.com/2025/09/busan-…

Grungy high school drama FUNKY FREAKY FREAKS is a compelling calling card for new director Han Chang-lok. #충충충 #BIFF2025 screenanarchy.com/2025/09/busan-…

A wry new voice in Korean indie film debuts at #BIFF2025. #지우러가는길screenanarchy.com/2025/09/busan-…

Had a grand time with Byun Sung-hyun's stylish and furiously entertaining satire GOOD NEWS, screening at #BIFF2025. #굿뉴스 screenanarchy.com/2025/09/busan-…

These are all bangers. Now now, get your head out of the gutter, I'm being serious. This is a fascinating subgenre filled with genuinely great films, and, lucky for you, many are free to watch on the Korean Film Archive's YouTube channel, the gift that keeps on giving.

Inspired by the recent release of AEMA, I felt it was high time that someone compiled the definitive ranking of the best Korean Erotic films of the 80s. scmp.com/lifestyle/k-dr…

AEMA dives into Korea’s ‘80s ero film industry and digs up more than a few surprises. #애마 scmp.com/lifestyle/k-dr…

In lieu of a minute of silence, I offer my favourite Brian Wilson deep cut. youtube.com/watch?v=scIncj…

“If you should ever leave me Well life would still go on believe me” There are times when Brian Wilson’s music was the only thing that got me through the day. Today, as we say goodbye to my favourite 20th century composer, looks to be another one of those days.

Well this was a lovely surprise. #JIFF2025 screenanarchy.com/2025/05/jeonju…

WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU TANGERINES explores Koreanness in a way that is rich, raw and profoundly moving. The series sets a lofty benchmark for homegrown K-drama that could guide the industry for years to come. #폭싹속았수다 scmp.com/lifestyle/k-dr…

"Love it or hate it, there's no denying that this future camp cult classic is the 'real' deal." Well, it finally happened, but not at all how I expected it would. modernkoreancinema.com/2017/08/review…

The phenomenal K-drama WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU TANGERINES continues. #폭싹속았수다 scmp.com/lifestyle/k-dr…

Lim Sang-choon's WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU TANGERINES, with IU and Park Bo-gum, bridges the K-drama gap between bright romcoms and pricey genre tentpoles. This is a true prestige drama, rich, evocative, heartfelt and intrinsically Korean. scmp.com/lifestyle/k-dr…

Lots of soul-searching in Korea this week, but is this society that repeatedly and senselessly pushes people to the brink ready to change?

Kim Sae-ron's tragic death has been a difficult one to process. Another bright light snuffed out by craven netizens and a cruel media hungry for scandal. scmp.com/lifestyle/k-dr…