Bae Chang-ho (배창호)

A backward glance for Mr. Bae

2008/05/27 | Source | Permalink |

Failures become most obvious in retrospect. The past allows you to see situations objectively. At least that's how life works for director Bae Chang-ho.

Currently, The Korean Association of Cinematheques is holding a "Retrospective on Bae Chang-ho" in Seoul Art Cinema in Jongno, central Seoul.

The featured films include Bae's debut work, "People in the Slum" (1982) and "Whale Hunting" (1984). The retrospective started last Tuesday and ends this Sunday.

"At first, opening a retrospective was a burden for me", Bae said. "On second thought, however, it was a chance to look back on my career from a third-person point of view".

Those films that Bae thought were failures based on audience attendance turned out to be significant for the lessons they taught him.

"Looking back relates to the future", the director said. "For future reference when making films, it's important to be in touch with what the public is interested in".

"Deep Blue Night" (1985), which plays tomorrow at...| More

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BAE Chang-ho's impressive oeuvre in the spotlight

2008/05/08 | Source | Permalink |

One of Korea's most influential directors BAE Chang-ho will be honoured with a retrospective of his entire body of films at the arthouse cinema Cinematheque in Seoul. The showcase will open on May 20 and close on the first of June.

BAE is one of the most successful directors of the 80s. In addition, his social dramas are critically acclaimed. Among his classics are "Whale Hunting" and "Our Happy Days of Youth" which was rereleased on DVD by Taehung Pictures Collection in 2006.

BAE continued his career in the 90s and "My Heart" (1999) is among his internationally better known films which garnered acclaim at international film festivals.

BAE is a prolific director and his latest film "Road" (Gil) was released in 2004. The film chronicles two troubled souls who encounter each other on a rural road. Road toured several international film festivals and won the major award at the 2005 Philadelphia International Film Festival.

Yi Ch'ang-ho (KOFIC)...| More

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Ahn Seong-gi Charms in "My New Partner"

2008/03/13 | Source | Permalink |

Veteran actor Ahn Seong-gi returns with another leading role in comedy-caper "My New Partner", opening March 6 across Korea. AHN is a face familiar to audiences of all ages, with a screen career that spans some 50 years. By the mid-80's he was Korea's most bankable lead, starring in many of the decade's top films.

In "My New Partner", AHN plays Min-ho, a veteran police detective who winds up teaming with his estranged son Yeong-joon (played by JO Han-seon), a cold-hearted cop fresh on the job. The pair have a chance to mend their damaged relationship as they try to crack a big drug case in Busan.

Actor AHN has appeared in over 100 films, winning numerous awards and working with top directors such as IM Kwon-taek, BAE Chang-ho, LEE Chang-ho, PARK Kwang-su and LEE Myeong-se. His most recent films include "May 18" (2007), "Radio Star" (2006), "Hanbando" (2006), "Duelist" (2005) and "Silmido" (2003).

My New Parnter has already drawn positive reviews from the local press f...| More

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A young actress becomes a mature gisaeng

2007/06/16 | Source | Permalink |

Hwang Jin-i, a woman of erotic style and flamboyant intelligence, was excellent at writing poems and drawing and she ridiculed the patriarchal society in which she lived.
Any actress would want to play Hwang Jin-I -- the famous gisaeng is one of the most colorful characters in Korean history, along with Chang Hee-bin and Seong Chun-hyang.
Many movies, dramas and novels have dealt with the life of Hwang Jin-i. Directors have sought out only the most beautiful actresses to play the role.
Do Geum-bong, an actress famed for her sensual body, was the first to play the gisaeng in modern film, starring in "Hwang Jin-i - Movie - 1957" in 1957.
After that, Kang Sook-hee starred in "The Life of Hwang Jin-i (1961)", and Kim Ji-mi followed her in "Hwang Jin-i's First Love (1969)". Kim Ji-mi had a Westernized rather than a traditional Korean appearance.
Chang Mi-hee in "Hwang Jin-i (1986)", directed by Bae Chang-ho, was the most outstanding Hwang Jin-i character, since she was not portraye...| More

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LEE Mi-sook, KIM Min-hee cast in new film

2007/04/12 | Source | Permalink |

Acclaimed actress LEE Mi-sook has signed on to her first new project since the 2003 drama "...ing".

LEE first emerged as a star in the 1980s in films such as BAE Chang-ho's box-office hit "Whale Hunting" and LEE Doo-yong's "Mulberry Tree". After retiring from the cinema for close to a decade, she made a highly-praised return in 1998 in LEE Jae-yong's "An Affair". More recently, she won local awards for her performance in the period drama "Untold Scandal" (2003).

In her new film she will be joined by actress KIM Min-hee ("Asako in Ruby Shoes", "Surprise Party") in the second feature by director KWON Chil-in, who enjoyed a box-office hit with "Singles" in 2003. The film focuses on the work and love lives of three women of various generations.

LEE plays the fortysomething single mom Young-mi, who balances a professional career and an active love life. KIM takes on the role of Ami, a woman in her twenties who must decide between two men played by KIM Heung-soo and KIM Sung-...| More

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