by Ra Hwak Jin / An Hayeon 

 

▲ This photo, a captured image from the official twitter account of BTS, shows BTS. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

 

 

◇ Parties discuss need for swift review of bill on alternative military duty for BTS

The National Assembly of the Republic of Korea is moving toward potentially offering the singers of K-pop group BTS exemptions from their mandatory military service. 

The ruling and opposition parties have discussed a need for a swift review of a bill allowing K-pop superstar BTS and other prominent pop celebrities to substitute their mandatory military service for another public service, a lawmaker said Tuesday.

Rep. Sung Il-jong of the People Power Party, who serves as executive secretary for the parliamentary defense committee, told MBC radio that he and his Democratic Party counterpart recently discussed the need to swiftly review the bill pending in the National Assembly.

"Since it is a matter related to fairness and national interest, I don't think there will be any disagreement between the ruling and opposition parties," Sung said.

Sung's remarks suggested that the two main parties have a positive stance on the bill.

All able-bodied South Korean men between the ages of 18 and 28 are required to carry out compulsory military service for about two years.

Exemptions have been granted to international award-winning athletes and classical musicians for their roles in elevating the country's reputation overseas.

 

There are both pros and cons to this issue.

Some argue that pop culture stars like BTS, who contributed to South Korea’s national interests, should be exempted from military service like Olympic medalists. However, others argue that, unlike sports, it is difficult to standardize achievement in pop culture, and expanding the scope of military service exemption does not fit the current trend of emphasizing fairness and justice.

 

▲ A poster of "Decision to Leave" by CJ ENM (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

 

▲ A poster of "Broker" by Zip Cinema (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

◇ 'Decision to Leave,' 'Broker' to compete for Palme d'Or at Cannes

"Decision to Leave" by Korean director Park Chan-wook and "Broker" by Japanese auteur Hirokazu Kore-eda were selected for the competition section of the 75th Cannes Film Festival, on Thursday.

It is the first time in five years that two Korean films have been invited to the official competition section since 2017 when Bong Joon-ho's "Okja" and Hong Sang-soo's "The Day After" made the list.

"Broker" is written and directed by Japanese director Kore-eda, who took home the Palme d'Or for "Shoplifters" in 2018, but produced by Korean companies, like CJ ENM, and starring Korean actors, including Song Kang-ho of "Parasite."

It is the Cannes-winning director's first Korean-language project about adoption, featuring the relationships of characters formed through a baby box, where people anonymously drop off newborns that they can't raise.

Park, who has won two titles at Cannes for "Oldboy" (2003) and "Thirst" (2009), will return with "Decision to Leave,” which is about a detective who suspects a mysterious widow in a murder case and later becomes interested in her. Chinese actress Tang Wei of "Lust, Caution" (2007) and Korean actor Park Hae-il star in the film.

At the same time, the spy action film "Hunt," which is "Squid Game" star Lee Jung-jae's directorial debut, was invited to the festival's out-of-competition "Midnight Screenings."

This year's Cannes Film Festival will kick off on May 17 and run through May 28.

▲ This file photo shows a movie theater in Seoul. (Yonhap)

 

◇ Complete lifting of social distancing announced to open breath in cultural industries

South Korea will lift all COVID-19 social distancing rules next week, including the culture sector, Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum said on Friday.

From the 18th, distant seating or reduction of operating hours will be lifted immediately in movie theaters.

A MARVEL hero genre "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness," which will be released on May 4th, is expected to signal the revival of movie theaters.

Music industries, which were not able to hold big stage performances during the COVID-19, are also pleased with the news.

The biggest performance to be held after the pandemic was BTS's concert held at Seoul Sports Complex last month, only accommodating a capacity of 15,000 people per show.

The National Theater of Korea has done distant seating with one space for every four seats but will operate the whole seats without distant seating after performances in June when ticket sales will be started on the upcoming 19th.

Sejong Center for the Performing Arts decided to sell all the seats in shows that will be held after April 18. The musical "Violin on the Roof," which has already started selling tickets, will also be performed without distant seating.

 

 

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