Sunday, January 18, 2015

Review: Meditative POHANG HARBOR Doesn't Quite Connect


By Pierce Conran

In a country with so many hardships out in the open and an unspoken swell of pain swirling just beneath the surface, there needs to be a release valve for the frustrations of ordinary citizens. In Korea, that role is often taken on by cinema.

Saturday, January 17, 2015

News: Jung Woo-sung to Hunt Monsters in New Period Film


In the midst of the incredible popularity of Korean period films, yet another production has been announced. Jung Woo-sung has boarded Jakseoui Byeon - Attack of the Water Monster (a literal translation of the Korean title). A Joseon Era creature feature, the film be helmed by Chaw (2009) director Shin Jung-won.

Friday, January 16, 2015

News: For Our Sins, D-WAR 2 Is Going into Production


I'll be honest, I haven't seen D-War (at least not all of it), but it's with a heavy heart that I tell you that Shim Hyung-rae will start filming a sequel to his much-maligned 2007 CGI dragon action film. Following casting, the film is set to go into production in May. The story will this time take place in 1969, as the US and Russia race for the first moon landing during the Cold War.

New Korean Films: Love is Overdue (2015 Week 2)

Love Forecast
(오늘의 연애)


Jun-su was once a young man who had just fallen in love with Hyeon-wu. They started to date, but he couldn’t work up the nerve to confess his love. His feelings have been stuck in his mind for a long time… Like, for a very long time. Eighteen years later, Jun-su now has a job as an elementary school teacher, but he still cannot make his relationships last longer than a few months. Part of the reason is that he still sees Hyeon-wu every day; they have meals together, go to the movies, hold hands, always rely on each other and even know the door codes of each other’s apartment. While Hyeon-wu’s rising popularity as a weathercaster makes her surrounded with suitors, Jun-su wishes to get out of the so-called “friend zone” and make his move.

Thursday, January 15, 2015

News: Chinese MISS GRANNY Set to Become Top Korean Film in China


In its first four days, 20, Once Again!, the Chinese version of Korean hit Miss Granny, topped China's box office with $19.9 million. Produced by CJ Entertainment, which was also responsible for last year's Korean version, the film's strong debut suggests that it will soon become the most successful Korean-produced film in China to date.

News: Rotterdam to Host 19 Korean Films


The International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) is no stranger to Korean films but for their 44th edition, they've gone all out, programming 19 films across various sections. In addition to some of the latest Korean indie films, many from Busan, the festival has also announced a 12-title Jang Jin retrospective.

Wednesday, January 14, 2015

News: ODE TO MY FATHER Joins the 10 Million Viewer Club


After four weeks, JK Youn's blockbuster melodrama Ode to My Father joined the 10 million viewer club last night. It is the 11th Korean film to do so at the local box office and the 14th overall. It's also the fourth film of 2014 to reach the mark (a record), along with Frozen, Roaring Currents and Interstellar, and the first time that a director has breached the barrier twice, since Youn's previously managed the feat with Haeundae in 2009.