A weary police officer, fed up with Seoul’s rising violent crime rate, makes a decision that would get most internal affairs departments foaming at the mouth: he recruits three criminals—the …
Ken Watanabe
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AnimeFilm/TV
SONY WANTS A BIGGER SLICE OF JAPAN’S $25B ANIME ECONOMY
by Ken Watanabeby Ken WatanabeJapan’s animation industry has crossed another historic milestone. New data from the Association of Japanese Animations shows the market reached $25.3 billion (¥3.84 trillion) in 2024 — the largest in …
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Film/TVReview & Analysis
SWAY (2006) MOVIE REVIEW: WHY IT REMAINS ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL ASIAN FILMS OF THE 2000S
by Ken Watanabeby Ken WatanabeWhen I first heard that Jo Odagiri briefly considered retiring from acting after this film because he believed he would never encounter another script with this level of depth and …
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Film/TVReview & Analysis
CONFESSION (GOOD FRIEND) MOVIE REVIEW: WHY IT REMAINS ONE OF KOREA’S SHARPEST FILMS ABOUT FRIENDSHIP
by Ken Watanabeby Ken WatanabeWhen you watch a film built around friendship, what you’re really searching for is authenticity. You want to see, hear, and feel that connection between people who share no bloodline …
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BusinessK-popMusic
IDOLS WHO CREATED THEIR OWN AGENCIES: WHO SUCCEEDED, WHO FAILED
by Ken Watanabeby Ken WatanabeIdols who created their own agencies and businesses.
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BusinessCompany News
NEW TICKETMASTER RULES: AI VERIFICATION, PRICE CAPS, AND THE WAR ON RESELLERS
by Ken Watanabeby Ken WatanabeTicketmaster is entering a new era of accountability. In October 2025, following an FTC lawsuit against its parent company, Live Nation, the platform announced a sweeping list of reforms designed …
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K-popMusic
STRAY KIDS TO RELEASE NEW EP ‘DO IT’ AS FANS WONDER ABOUT LEE KNOW’S ENLISTMENT
by Ken Watanabeby Ken WatanabeStray Kids are closing 2025 on a high note. Just three months after KARMA topped the Billboard 200, the group announced a new five-track EP titled SKZ IT TAPE: DO …
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FestivalsFilm/TV
GOT FILM? 43RD BUSAN INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM FESTIVAL IS LOOKING FOR ENTRIES
by Ken Watanabeby Ken WatanabeThe Busan International Short Film Festival (Korea) is accepting international shorts until January 5 (2026), and Korean shorts until January 15, 2026. About the Festival The Busan International Short Film Festival (BISFF) …
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FestivalsFilm/TV
SAN DIEGO ASIAN FILM FESTIVAL RETURNS FOR ITS 26TH EDITION
by Ken Watanabeby Ken WatanabeSan Diego Film Festival is one of the most respected in the world.
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Jin of BTS is poised to close out his monumental solo world tour with the much-anticipated encore shows of #RUNSEOKJIN_EP.TOUR_ENCORE on October 31 and November 1, 2025, at Incheon Munhak …