Seol Kyeong-gu (설경구)

Public Enemy Returns third to reach 4 million mark

2008/07/17 | Source | Permalink |

KANG Woo-seok's third instalment of Public Enemy (Gangcheoljoong: Gonggongui Jeok 1:1) – "Public Enemy Returns" attracted over 4 million spectators. After LIM Soon-rye's "Forever the Moment" (Woori Saengae Chwegoui Soongan) and HA Nong-jin's "The Chaser" (Choogyeokja), "Public Enemy Returns" is the third Korean film to reach the 4 million mark this year.

Public Enemy 3 reached the landmark in less time than his predecessors, only 25 days. CJ Entertainment – the producer of the film – expects that the film will go on to reach 5 million viewers; so far this year, only "The Chaser" managed to achieve that feat.

Public Enemy 3 will see tough competition from this week, with the release of "The Good, the Bad, and the Weird" (Joheun Nom, Nappeun Nom, Isanghan Nom) on over 600 screens.

Public Enemy 3 is this time written by JANG Jin who fed it some of his characteristic humour. SEOL Kyeong-gu ("Oasis") returns as a law enforcer, this time he battles a criminal played by JEONG Jae-...| More

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Romance missing from Korean films

2008/06/25 | Source | Permalink |

Two genres - the melodrama and the romantic comedy - used to do very well at the box office.

"200 Pounds Beauty" is a case in point. It deals with plastic surgery, but it is deeply rooted in the romantic comedy tradition in which love ultimately conquers all.

But Korean theaters in recent months have had few, if any, offerings that stir people to talk about the triumph of romance. The summer lineup continues the paucity of romantic flicks.

What happened?

Last week, "Public Enemy Returns", directed by Kang Woo-seok, rose to the No. 1 slot, offering a much-anticipated reprieve to the protracted slump in the local film industry. But the film, starring Seol Kyeong-gu and Jeong Jin-yeong, does not have any elements that can be categorized as romantic.

"Crossing", a film about North Korean defectors which is also getting a lot of attention, is about to hit theaters this week, but there is no room in that story for romance.

"The Good, The Bad, The Weird", a big-budget Korean...| More

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"Public Enemy Returns" to Shake up the B.O.

2008/06/24 | Source | Permalink |

The first Korean blockbuster of the summer, "Public Enemy Returns", opens June 19th, just in time to shake up a national box office that has been dominated by Hollywood fare for several weeks. Director KANG Woo-seok brings forth his third installment in the successful franchise that began with "Public Enemy" in 2002.

Star actor SEOL Kyeong-gu ("Oasis", "Silmido") reprises his original role as Chul-joon, a quick-tempered, tenacious detective on the prowl. SEOL also starred in the 2005 installment, "Another Public Enemy" ("Public Enemy 2"), yet playing a completely different character in that film. The new film was penned by writer-director Jang Jin, bringing his trademark humor and wit to the action feature.

The latest film pits detective Chul-joon against Lee Won-sul (played by JEONG Jae-yeong) the chairman of Geo-seong Group. Lee, an affectionate family man running several seemingly legitimate businesses, is really a longstanding mafia boss at the helm of a criminal ente...| More

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Seol 'Returns' as Kang Cheol-jung

2008/06/19 | Source | Permalink |

By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter

This year has so far marked the return of many screen heroes, such as Indiana Jones and Rambo - and the antihero Kang Cheol-jung. In "Public Enemy Returns", Seol Kyeong-gu ("Public Enemy", 2002; "Another Public Enemy" - "Public Enemy 2" 2005) brazenly exhibits his sixth sense for acting as the diehard detective. Cheol-jung does not let his boss - or the audience - down in this funny, street-smart sequel, which also raises some critical social issues.

With disheveled hair, an unwashed windbreaker and a scar here and there, Cheol-jung is always diving headfirst into crime scenes. After 15 years of close calls with death, he's seen and done it all. The most notorious criminals sheepishly surrender to this thug of a man, who recklessly beats men twice his size, referees duels between schoolboys and openly accepts small bribes.

And of course, when a situation calls for good cop, bad cop tactics, we can guess the role Cheol-jung takes. But it's hard n...| More

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Public enemy #1 swaggers back to cinema box office

2008/06/17 | Source | Permalink |

'The action scenes might be less impressive, as I tried to emphasize character and drama more'.

Cheol-jung, the stubborn detective from "Public Enemy" (2002) is back.

But this time, he is even more tenacious in hunting down vicious villains.

"Public Enemy Returns", the sequel to Public Enemy by director Kang Woo-seok gets released tomorrow.

Kang is also well known for "Silmido" (2003), a blockbuster based on a botched assassination attempt on the late North Korean leader Kim Il Sung in the 1970s.

In Public Enemy Returns, Cheol-jung (Seol Kyeong-gu), seeks a career change.

He feels his job isn't secure enough and he wants to buy a decent house for his daughter and mother.

But quitting his job isn't easy. Just in time, his squad uncovers a murder that involves the team's longtime enemy Won-sul (Jeong Jae-yeong), the chairman of the Geo-seong group.

Even though Won-sul appears to be benevolent toward his family, he is in fact a malicious thug who recruits high sc...| More

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