​Skip and Loafer

Oh Minji: Mitsumi Iwakura, who moved from the outskirts of Ishikawa Prefecture to a prestigious high school in Tokyo goes through “the hustle and bustle” of school life, like getting lost on the day of her entrance ceremony. But Mitsumi is the type of girl who says, “You know, I may fall down bad, but I’m just as good at getting back up!” and can see herself straight though she’s not be perfect. And she is surrounded by friends who may be a bit clumsy but want to move forward (or improve): Shima, who looks bright on the outside but is “jealous” of those with dreams and passion; Egashira, who “isn’t particularly beautiful, innocent, or honest” and has self-esteem issues; Yuzuki, who wants to make friends and not be mistaken for her fancy appearance; Kurume, who wants to stop judging people by their looks; Takamine, who always tries her best so she won’t have any regrets but often doesn’t get what she deserves; and Kanechika, who’s so passionate about her dream as to wear high heels daily so she could be cast in a play. As they prepare for some major school events including the entrance ceremony, club student council activities, sports events, and festivals, they compare themselves to one another, feeling inferior and jealous, even frustrated or admitting that they’ll never be like the pure, honest Mitsumi.

Shima, who used to follow Mitsumi running barefoot in the first episode, saying, “I’ve only come to a stop because I’m not qualified,” beams and runs in the opposite direction of Mitsuma in the last episode. This scene gives a warm, comforting message to the students of Tsubame High as well as all its viewers: that even if you may sometimes come to a stop, fight, fail, regret, or don't know what your dream or goal is, all those small and big experiences we face today will eventually be a part of us that would help us move forward.

​Playlist: ‎“Thrive” on Apple Music 

Seo Seongdeok (Music Critic): It’s common to see OTT streaming services offering a collection of related contents on Pride Month in June each year. And of course, Apple Music has also come up with a great selection of playlists, DJ mixes, radio shows, and more. Among these, let’s take a look at the playlist “Thrive”. While LGBT artists and communities had a significant impact on the history of popular music, “Thrive” tries to prove how “thriving” they are at this very moment. In that sense, it’s only natural that the playlist starts with “Unholy” by Sam Smith and Kim Petras—the first song by non-binary and transgender artists to have won such a strong commercial success and the Grammy Award for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. Yet, to thrive means more than just popular success. Thrive goes beyond that. In terms of genre, it even reaches country music like Adeem the Artist. Then what about the front lines that test the boundaries of todays’ pop music? Artists like SOPHIE, 100 gecs, Arca, and Yves Tumor keep their place. There are also singer-songwriters like Cloud or Brown Belt, who are now creating their own genres. In short, ‘Thrive’ provides a summary of the recent pop music trend and reveals what lies underneath. That's why the playlist is named ‘Thrive’.

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny

Im Sooyeon (CINE21 reporter): The iconic Indiana Jones franchise that set the formula for adventure movies is back in 15 years with Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. In 1944, towards the end of World War II, Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) and his fellow archaeologist Basil Shaw (Toby Jones) discover the Archimedes dial, the half of the Antikythera Mechanism, on a train carrying relics looted by Germans. And in 1969, when the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union reached its peak with the race to the moon, Indiana Jones spends his latter years teaching at a university, putting his adventure heyday behind. Then comes Helena (Phoebe Waller-Bridge), the daughter of Basil Shaw, and tells him she is studying about the secrets of the Antikythera Mechanism and suggests they go out and search for its other half. But their plan gets twisted whenthe scientist, Doctor Jürgen Voller (Mads Mikkelsen), who believes in the magic of Antikythera, that it’s capable of time travel, has been tracking it down since the Nazi era. As an homage to its previous series, the film keeps what fans love about Indiana Jones like intuitive narratives, analog action sequences, and unique humor. James Mangold, who also directed Logan, knows how to pay tribute to the hero of our time while accepting his aging and skillfully producing the last scene in the most beautiful way. He also demonstrates this in the final film starring Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones. This sequel shows the power of timeless classic and how to properly bring it to the present.