The number of moviegoers during the extended Chuseok holiday surged nearly 50 percent, largely driven by the success of the crime-action film "I, the Executioner," reported Yonhap News Agency Thursday.

From Saturday to Wednesday, local theaters saw 4.66 million visitors, a 49.7 percent increase compared with the 3.11 million recorded from Sept. 28 to Oct. 3 last year, according to the Korean Film Council. However, this year's figure remains lower than the 5.13 million attendees recorded over the three-day Chuseok holiday in 2019.
The strong performance is attributed to "I, the Executioner," a sequel to the 2015 blockbuster "Veteran." The film alone attracted more than 3.9 million viewers over the five-day period, accounting for an impressive 84.5 percent of total moviegoers. The movie doing well was not a surprise but the number of admissions was not predicted. Movie distributors basically refused to counter-program against “I, the Executioner” giving it an overwhelming number of screens (2500) over the holiday week and a 79 percent total revenue share.

The third biggest gross went to “Begin Again,” a 2023 US movie. It has drawn 3 percent of gross revenue during holiday week and a gross total since its mid-August release to $20.8 million in Korea. During its US run, it barely broke even with $16 million box office. But it was a smash hit overseas bringing its gross revenue to $69 million.

Movie studios decided to wait until late December through February calendar period to release their best films then because those weeks are traditionally this is the largest admission period. With any investment, trying to “time the market” is a risky strategy.

I watched a documentary about some child stars and even though the technicalities may be different between East & West, the difficulities and pressures and expectations are the same and it made me teary eyed.

I didn't particularly idolize anyone when I was a child or teen but I grew up during the Britney Spears era and remember how she was treated. In hindsight, it's gross and outrageous yet at the time people acted like it was totally okay because "she's a role model" or she's supposed to be one.

I feel kpop idols go through similar things nowadays.

One thing I admired about Lee Seung Gi is that seems to be fairly well adjusted given he was in the machine since he was 15 (I counting when he got scouted and started training)

And all the other idols/entertainers who started young. I don't many idols or entertainers' name. I think BOA (from Marry My Husband) started young.

Hell, even the people who are technically adults when they get into the industry deserve a hug and acknowledgement because it is BRUTAL.
It's just worse because kids and teens are stil developing and they're extremely vulnerable.

And I don't know if anything ever changes for the better or just evolves and adapts to the changing media landscape.

I've broached this subject before but once again I'm reminded about male friendships/dynamics in SK. I don't know if this is just a thing in Asian culture in general but it's certainly a thing in SK. Where bromances seem to be fostered. They can even refer to each other as 자기야 (which translates to honey or darling). Do women also do this? I don't notice strong female relationships in real life or onscreen (except for Business Proposal).
But the way it translates onscreen is still interesting to me because it's often a thing that's said when they cast talks about the cast chemistry; for example with No Gain No Love, I think Kim Young Dae said he got along with Shin Mina but he especially got along with Lee Sang Yi (I'm not sure if this was really said. Someone said he said it and I haven't found a SINGLE promotional video english subbed). And then when had his scenes with him, folks loved the "bromance" even though it was only a couple of scenes together. There's even guys who are known for being friends and hanging out or the iconic bromance of Lee Jung Jae & Jung Woo Sung.

Is it the cultural aspect of men and women being separated to prevent possible dating or dating rumors? I saw a video from I don't know how long ago where Lee Hyori said she didn't really associate with guys when she was younger because if she wasn't interested in them, she didn't need to be around them. I understand it as a preventative measure against predatory men or dating rumors but still, is it a larger cultural thing of men and woman not being allowed to solely be platonic? Jennie and BamBam were hanging out in LA, they were spotted, and then instantly the agencies have to get involved and make an official comment.

I wonder what happened to some korean actors such as Jo Yoo Jung. She was Still 17 (Thirty but Seventeen) and Adult Trainee. The latter she was a lead paired with Ryeoun.

The guy from My Secret Terrius, Kim Sung Joo, who played the tech guy. I guess he retired to have a normal life? And then I wonder what type of job you get into after being an actor.

There were some other actors I was curious about but I forgot who they were.

This weekend four of the eight dramas listed are ending! I'm watching them all too: Beauty and Mr. Romantic, Bad Memory Eraser, Good Partner, and Cinderella at 2AM.

I'm not quite sure what's coming up in their place next week (except of course Iron Family, the new weekender)...but I bet someone here knows? What's starting to air next weekend? Or, dare I ask, during the week, next week?

I also note on Hulu's website that Judge from Hell will not be starting up this weekend, but will instead start airing on Wednesday, September 25.

Let me see, what can I talk about that's not related to my current favorite secondary couple with their own upcoming spinoff...

An OST track from Destined With You came up on my shuffle mode during my commute this morning. It made me think about how there were actually parts of that drama that were very, very good, although there were certainly parts that were not.

Also, my new obsession with Lee Sang-yi made me realize that I technically never finished watching My Demon. I never watched the final episode.

NOTES FROM 9TAILEDVIXEN'S 3RD WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 2024

1. THIS WEEK IN LIFE

This has been a rough week

- a friend died from cancer after battling it for over a year
- another friend finally opened up to tell all of us that the boyfriend that she left was an abusive gaslighting POS
- work is burying me as my anti-violence against women nonprofit heads prepares for Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

I'm now on my 3-day Mental Health weekend to just decompress and get some equilibrium back and process some big feelings.

In happier news:
- I managed to complete 3/4s of a full Aerial Yoga flow for the first time - after practicising for about 7 months, I'm finally getting there!
- I baked a Double Chocolate Buttermilk cake and it came out DELICIOUS!

2. THIS WEEK IN KOREAN WOMEN'S NEWS

(A) North Korea executes 2 women who fled and were forcibly repatriated from China

North Korea has executed two women who had been forcibly repatriated from China for helping other North Koreans in China escape to South Korea, a human rights organization told Radio Free Asia.

“These two women were executed because they had sent North Korean escapees from China to their enemy country, South Korea,” Jang told RFA Korean.

https://www.rfa.org/english/news/korea/north-korea-china-forced-repatriation-escapees-execution-09172024143449.html

(B) From spy cams to deepfake porn: fury in South Korea as women targeted again

South Korea holds the unenviable title of the country most targeted by deepfake pornography. Its female singers and actors constitute 53% of the individuals featured in deepfakes worldwide, according to a 2023 report by Security Hero, a US startup focused on identity theft protection.

Several years after South Korea made international headlines with its molka problem, the government is again under pressure to stamp out this wave of online sex crimes. A large protest is scheduled to be held in Seoul on 21 September.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/sep/13/from-spy-cams-to-deepfake-porn-fury-in-south-korea-as-women-targeted-again

Hi so we had some office drama this week

in the meeting a department was fried for not loving kids and asking another colleague about the concept of an event that involved kids rearranging books without consent and it became a commotion how we do not appreciate young readers.
and the lending dep was like fried 18 minutes, and we the clueless bystanders had even no idea what we had done wrong

and then today my boss and a colleague pop up before I am about to film a clip which had been agreed on, and I had gone thought hell of a trouble to book the time for bc we had to match 5 ppls schedule write a script and get the camera - and my reading partner left in tears and later she spent 2 and a half hours in the office and yet the bosses do not understand how they are killing all will in people to do something fun. humor is not our concept, weird is not our concept

arghh
I can see why Tim Burton would do whatever the heck he wants in Beetlejuice - not a great movie but I get why he made it. he is an animator and stop motion artist but studios hate stop motion for the time and money it takes and would prefer 3D and AI but Tim Burton is trying to and is showing you do Not. Need. A.I. if you know what you are bloody doing. If you are a real artist, it is not only futile but it would be boring and bland.

ok my hours are done, I flee

go see Beetlejuice, you will not know which drug you took by the end.

Sigh... @db-staff - Er, help? The system has put my original comment in the moderation queue again and all I was commenting about was this week's Korean women's news and baking a cake...

When I discover a Korean actor or entertainer who is good at speaking english, I get interested in them and their works. Like I could feel meh about the project I'm watching but as soon as they speak english well, I'm like "well, I would like to know more about you". That's what happened with Taecyeon, Ahn Hyo Seop, and Park Min Young.

I *think* I saw Abyss first and it's whatever but then Ahn Hyo Seop spoke english and I did a double take. And then I watched a Business Proposal only because I recognized him from Abyss.

My introduction to Taecyeon was Vincenzo where he often used english. I think my favorite moment is when he's freaking out after losing. "[However many] MILLION DOLLARS!!! AHHH!!! Am I dreaming? I've never lost twice in my life. STAY IN THE CAR!
And because of that drama, I watched in other dramas such as Blind, Heartbeat, The Secret Royal Inspector and Joy, and Bring it on Ghost (Let's fight Ghost).

I think my first Park Min Young drama was Her Private Life. Same as above, after seeing her in that, I looked at some of her other roles. I think I saw her in Busted next and she was the brain of the whole show haha. Again, her knowledge of english was helpful in some cases. I don't think I've seen *that* many of Min Young's projects (probably cause they don't particularly appeal to me since I'm not a huge romcom fan). I have seen Healer and Marry My Husband. I tried City Hunter but I didn't past episode 1. (I'm not into Lee Min Ho). I tried What's Wrong with Secretary Kim and the last thing I remember from that was the mom asking if her son was gay and barely being able to get the word out. So is that episode 2 or 3?
I know it's considered a classic but eh.

Similarly I watched some Jackson Wang appearences because I heard him speak english during a Buzzfeed thing. I learned of The Rose group from the same thing.

Finished One Spring Night.
Worst use of OST ever!

When watching the Bok Gi Un character, I had moments when I thought that he's an example of there's no small parts just small actors. The reason: he's always eating up the scenes he's in haha. He makes alot of exaggerated faces and is really comical. Come to find out, he's an actual comedian! Haha
It totally makes sense now
Also he was also a part of the Strong Woman Namsoon cast AND apparently he's gonna apart of the No Gain No Love spinoff (I'm not sure which title to use)

Happy Chuseok/Autumn Festival and Friday, Beanies!

If you naively thought that after filming ended one certain tall man will take this perfect and well earned opportunity to rest a bit, you are naive summer kids – I swear, he's like that teacher from HP books, forgot his name, that kept coming to work every day like nothing happened even after becoming a ghost... Then again, LYN's insane workaholism does bear its fruits – for starters, he's been nominated for upcoming (on 25th) Weibo Music Awards, in 3 categories total: Song Of The Year - “Offer” (all the tears it squeezed from us were worth it!), Song Of The Year (live stage) – his “Love Sketchbook/Canvas” duo with Penny Tai on Our Song S6 (it got great number views or something) and Chinese Singer Of The Year. I assume they won't let him go home without at least one trophy but our resident death anthem and its artist should get minimum 2 afaik^^ Upd.: it seems he and “Offer” won the voting/were short-listed – tried to look it up, but couldn't get how WMA works. We'll know in a week anyway)))

Speaking of OSTs, he's been a little slower with them this summer compared to last year, but likely intends to make up for it now – just this week alone we're getting 3 of them! One – for LOVE OF NIRVANA ending theme – was rescheduled to drop on Saturday, unfortunately, but other 2 are already here and I like them both, tho these songs couldn't be more different. First is for movie A FROZEN RAGE (I watched trailer and think it's a dark comedy - like BLOODY dark), titled with an idiom roughly translated as “Let bygones be bygones”. Ngl, its sound caught me off guard – did he just unlock a new genre entirely? Mando-reggae – is that even a thing? But ofc, there's nothing Ning-ge cannot do musically, I sorta feel like I'm insulting the guy with my lack of faith in his genius))) Spoilery MV (again, not entire track, how I hate that!):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-VI-BaCSfE

And full audio in good quality – he's certainly got the relaxing vibe of the genre right:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPqJymJdlMA

Second OST is for currently ongoing Republican drama DARK NIGHT AND DAWN with a very beautiful name “Search for shore”. Quite a mood whiplash after previous track – this one is super angsty, he even modulated his voice to sound downcast and exhausted (or maybe it was recorded during his sick era and he took advantage of his sore throat lol). Now that I thought of it, I believe I genuinely liked all his Republican OSTs – and he's done many! Must be my thing for noir aesthetics. MV (spoilers!) – thankfully I found it reuploaded, DB filter hates Weibo links:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPqJymJdlMA

Subbed lyrics – as gloomy as you'd expect from such sound as if Offer had a 1940s-themed little sister:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u81QFxdc7tQ

I feel like SK is really weird about bullying. It's considered a thing to be cancelled for and yet it's also allowed to some degree in everyday life. Sunbaes to hoobaes. Older folks to younger folks. Rich people to everyone under the wealth threshold. High academics vs low academics.

I'm about to mix reel and real but bear with me.

I saw a clip from the drama Dr Romantic where one of the characters was bullied, ostracized, and blackballed because he exposed a corrupt sunbae. The SUNBAE did wrong but HE was the one who was called a traitor and forced to leave his job. In reality, there were some female students who reported that a male teacher/instructor assaulted or harrassed them and THEY got backlash and threats because HE was a top teacher/instructor. And the backlash didn't even come from just other students but students' parents.

Recently some youtuber went on a bit of an apology spree because apparently he was empathetic to someone who was accused of bullying in the past. To be honest, I don't know all the specifics but from what I understand, she wasn't actually the bully or it wasn't a cut & dry situation. Regardless, the guy ended up having to apologize for the whole thing (recording the video with her).

I saw a korean movie recap about a girl (girl A) who transferred schools and became a target of bullying because another student (girl B) claimed girl A had bullied her leading her to switch schools or take off time from school or something. It was revealed that Girl A *hadn't* bullied her but was friends with the bully or something. The class turned on Girl B (leading to bullying) and blamed Girl A for not saying she was lying. Girl A was like 😑😒🫥
The class felt it was justifiable to torment someone AS A GROUP no less because they felt the person "deserved" it. Netizens do the SAME thing to celebrities when they feel the celebs do something they disapprove of. Never forget what happened to Lee Sun Kyun or Sulli or Yoo Ah In or Lee Seung Gi or Seunghan from RIIZE.
I don't totally get this disconnect where folks are totally okay with bullying folks in everyday life but then when it's revealed that a celeb may (cause sometimes it's only accussations) have done something, it's an unforgivable sin.

Not to diminish the seriousness of bullying. I know it can be a traumatizing experience.

After rewatching some scenes from sh**ting stars, I wondered do Korean celebrities often go to Africa for PR stunts and/or actual charity? Is that a thing? Even in Marry My Husband, the grandfather told the villian to go Africa for some time.

Hi, beanies de mi corazón. I hope you had a great week.

Yesterday I went grocery shopping with my mom and in front of the market stall where we were supposed to buy the plátanos, a guy was smoking so my mom decided to fix him and all his life problems in a 10 minute talk (asking "please don't smoke" and moving on? What's that?).

This reminded me of how a couple months ago I went to buy a new pair of glasses and the ahjussi there tried to fix all my life problems (selling something and letting your client go home? What's that?).

And these two incidents remind me of that scene in No Gain No Love when Hae Young was smiling but internally boiling when Gi Woon's mom told her that she take care better of Ji Wook. 😂

Total strangers trying to fix (me) my life is my least favorite trope in real life.

When we were done buying everything I said "poor guy" and my mom laughed. Then I thought "that conversation alone probably stressed him enough to buy two more packs LOL".

We spent like 40 minutes shopping and at least 20 of them were just my mom talking with people. At one moment she was like "wait, I'm going to buy Z" and I thought she meant "I'm going to MAKE Z" because she came back like ten minutes later. "I was talking about the harvest" she said as if I wasn't literally dying from carrying everything.
At least we bought my favorite cheese. 😆

Anyway, have nice weekend, beanies. 💚

Haaist. I kept getting interrupted by the page refreshing. Is it normal for you? Then I cannot find what I was writing on. Anyway, trying to reply to 9tailedVixen’s update on what’s happening on the Korean front in terms of status of women. Thank you for this. Sorry for the loss of your friend. Is there any media discussion on women getting online relationships with celebrity actors? They’ll start by reaching out that their management prevents them but he/she needs the contact with fans and all. When there is no money involved (maybe early stage), I guess it goes under the radar of not being an urgent scam? But it still is as normally it’s the other end that is in a vulnerable position. Dears, please beware. For the actors, if it were true, please get some therapy. That is why I understand bromances and sismances observed nowadays really do make sense as a way of coping with the stress of a ‘caged’ life. There’s nothing wrong with them. Enjoy your week beanies. Oh, by the way, anyone in Seoul or Busan or Gyeongju from the last week of October to early week of November? Let’s have a café meetup.

Can we do something about the Subway ad? You dismiss it and it pops up over and over again.

Happy weekend Beanies and keep Beaning On!

I am late again, but typing this while enjoying my Saturday morning coffee in silence beats exhaustion on Friday night.☕

Sadly it will not last, because this weekend all rooms need to be cleared before the workers come to replace our windows from Monday onwards. To keep my sanity I will be spending my weekdays either at the office or shopping and running errands to stay away from home. Then again, my homebody will mourn quality times like these.🪟🪟🪟

There was also a health scare that finally got resolved this week. A few months ago my gynecologist sent me to an endocrinologist because my hormones have been acting up. Fortunately I do not have Cushing’s Syndrome/Disease as originally feared. To put it simpy, I am very sensitive to testosterone and other androgens, so I need to start hormone anticonception and another hormone treatment from next month onward. Now we know where the tomboy tendencies came from!♂️♂️

I also need to lose weight, so starting this afternoon I will go swimming with my sister every Saturday. I do not look forward to battling my weak body and body dysmorphia, but it needs to be done if I want to become a healthier and happier person in the long run.🏊‍♀️💪