Avatar: The Way of Water

Im Sooyeon (CINE21 reporter): After his awakening as Toruk Makto, Jack Sully (Sam Worthington) chooses to remain on Pandora and now has five children with Na’vi Neytiri (Zoe Saldana). However, peace is under threat as the Resources Development Administration back on Earth attacks the planet of Pandora again, prompting them to leave the forest and start a new life on the ocean to protect their family. The series started 13 years ago, when its first entry, Avatar, brought together the imaginative power of film and the environment of the alien planet with breakthrough 3D technology and compelling performances but that wasn’t what made it a smash blockbuster. The first movie offered insight into the relationship between humanity and the Earth by providing a unique cinematic experience that could only be fully appreciated in a theater setting. Building on this, Avatar: The Way of Water further highlights the pressing environmental issues of our time on a scale spanning land, sea and the whole universe. The environmentalist question posed by the movie dramatically unfolds through the relationship with the Metkayina people living on the oceanside. The long running time (192 minutes) has raised some concern, but it ultimately serves to better highlight the enchanting experience of fluctuating feelings and the roller coaster of emotions throughout the film. James Cameron has called the Avatar franchise his lifelong passion and he plans to make five films in total.

Apple Music’s Feeling Festive playlist

Seo Seongdeok (music critic): It’s not unusual to see unanticipated victories, defeats and comebacks in an ever-changing world. Christmas songs count among the comebacks. With the rise of streaming services, the way people listen to and share music has started to be reflected in chart rankings more than record sales, and with that, it’s become common knowledge that Mariah Carey will again be rising on the Billboard Hot 100 as the end of the year approaches. The Christmas songs on Apple Music’s main holiday playlist, Essential Christmas, have stood the test of time and are loved by multiple generations and thus worthy of being called modern classics. However, if you’re looking for a more unique holiday experience, I would recommend Feeling Festive. It’s difficult to define the mood or genre of this playlist other than in simple words like “quiet indie rock.” “Winter Wonderland” by beabadoobee captures the classic Christmas atmosphere, while Arlo Parks gives us a calm and peaceful rendition of “Last Christmas.” “Just Like Christmas” is brought in from Low’s legendary Christmas album, and while songs like the XX’s “Angels” and St. Vincent’s “New York” don’t mention Christmas directly, they still have an emotional connection to the holiday. “White Winter Hymnal” by Fleet Foxes and “Xmas Curtain” by My Morning Jacket have become indie rock staples despite their subject matter. Everyone can shape the holiday atmosphere that suits them best. When streaming services provide 100 million songs to choose from, there’s no reason not to.

SUCHWITA (Time to Drink with SUGA), episode one

Lee Jiyeon: DJ SUGA is back. Great news for fans who have been waiting for a comeback from DJ SUGA and Honey FM 06.13, his old talk show: Here, at last, is SUCHWITA, also known as Time to Drink with SUGA. True to its name, guests of the show bring their favorite drinks as admission to the set and have talks with host SUGA over drinks and music. SUGA’s first guest is RM, his friend of 13 years, who just dropped his solo album Indigo. RM brings his alcohol of choice, a bottle of traditional Korean alcohol plus a bottle of whiskey featured in his favorite movie of late, Decision to Leave. After RM explains that the two “represent my past and my present,” SUGA follows up with details about Korean traditional alcohol. When RM describes how “Wild Flower” (with youjeen) has “the traditional 16:8 structure” and is “four minutes and 30 seconds long,” SUGA goes into full detail about the 16:8 structure and why it’s so experimental and incredible, pointing out the great efforts RM goes to to produce his music. Throughout the show, SUGA makes good use of his wide-ranging knowledge for the sake of a deeper understanding of his guest’s personal background. As they pour each other’s drinks and empty their glasses, the conversation grows deep and intimate. Here, two good friends who have walked, and will continue to walk, the same path together share their personal stories. Every second of the 35-minute episode is filled with stories and memories like dreams of becoming a rapper, as well as their personal experiences with their respective solo albums and mixtapes, their personal takes as members of BTS on what happened on February 25, 2020 and their thoughts about what the future might hold for them in 2025. In the absence of music talk shows from the major TV networks, let’s be thankful for the arrival of this new talk show that gives young artists a chance to share their music and their life stories.