News bites: March 3, 2026
by tccolb
Park Chan-wook
- Acclaimed filmmaker Park Chan-wook (No Other Choice) has marked another milestone for Korean cinema and makes Cannes history as the first Korean to become President of the Jury, chairing the 49th Cannes International Film Festival this year. Park has a long history with Cannes, having served as a member of the jury panel in 2017, in addition to being honored with 3 awards: Old Boy (2004, Grand Prix); Thirst (2009, Jury Prize), and Decision to Leave (2022, Best Director). The 2026 festival will be taking place May 12-23. [Sports Donga]
- Speaking of movies, Ryu Hye-young (The Nice Guy) confirmed casting for the upcoming Assassin(s), acting alongside Yoo Hae-jin (The King’s Warden), Park Hae-il (Oh My Ghost Clients), Lee Min-ho (When the Stars Gossip), and Choi Yuri (My Daughter Is a Zombie, Itaewon Class). Based on the real-life assassination attempt on South Korean President Park Chung-hee in 1974, filming has already wrapped with director Heo Jin-ho (A Normal Family, Love in the Big City – drama series) at the helm. The period-crime feature is aiming to release in theaters later this year. [Newsen]
- Back in dramaland, KBS has transferred Park Sung-woong (Nine Puzzles) to his breezy new office with a view, equipping him to till the fields in the newest poster for Cabbage Your Life. Slated to broadcast in the new Thursday timeslot this month, the farming endeavor begins on March 26, together with wife Lee Soo-kyung (Dog Knows Everything) and their three sons: Lee Jin-woo (Namib), Seo Yoon-hyuk (Weak Hero Class 2), and Yang Woo-hyuk (Surely Tomorrow). [Newsen]
- Shin Ye-eun (The Murky Stream) is said to be reviewing an offer for a new fantasy-action called High School Queen. And if Shin accepts, she’ll become our title’s swashbuckling Joseon queen who retains her memories – and skilled swordsmanship – when she’s reincarnated into the body of a bullied teenager in the 21st century, present day. The webtoon-adaptation is currently in the early stages with PD Yoon Sung-shik (The Haunted Palace) attached to direct. [Newsen, Sports Chosun]
- Casting also continues for JTBC’s Human x Gumiho (working title), which now has Cha Joo-young (The Queen Who Crowns) reportedly in talks, potentially joining Jeon Ji-hyun (Tempest), Ji Chang-wook (The Manipulated), and Kang Yoo-seok (Law and the City). Directed by PD Kim Jung-shik (No Gain No Love) with scripts by Im Me-ah-ri (Doom at Your Service, Beauty Inside), the fantasy rom-com is expected to release internationally on Amazon Prime. [Ilgan Sports, Newsen]
- In the meantime, PD Kim Jung-shik’s new series Boyfriend on Demand is due to premiere on Netflix this week and the latest poster (finally) features leading man Seo In-guk (Twelve) next to Blackpink’s Jisoo (Newtopia). And we may as well get some bingo cards ready for the onslaught of cutie cameos to come, taking on the many faces of our heroine’s AI-dating boyfriends. The 10-episode rom-com will be dropping this Friday, on March 6. [Sports Donga]
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Tags: Blackpink Jisoo, Cha Joo-young, Jeon Ji-hyun, Ji Chang-wook, Kang Yoo-seok, Lee Jin-woo, Lee Min-ho, Lee Soo-kyung, news bites, Park Chan-wook, Park Hae-il, Park Sung-woong, Ryu Hye-young, Seo In-guk, Shin Ye-eun, Yoo Hae-jin