Sin Han-sol (신한솔)

2008/04/28 | Source | Permalink |  Digg |  del.icio.us | Stumble It! | Share this news

"A Tale of Legendary Libido" (Garoojigi), directed by Sin Han-sol, is loosely based on "Byeon Gang-soe Tale", one of the most notoriously decadent and sexually provocative theatrical songs which took its current form in the late 19th century.

Byeon Gang-soe is a Joseon-era version of Austen Powers, as he has an amazing sexual energy. The original tale, transmitted by word of mouth, was documented and extensively edited by Shin Jae-hyo (1812-1884). Many of the explicit sexual descriptions were cut out in the process; nevertheless, the extant version contains imagery and expressions that are shockingly frank about sexuality, even by today's relatively liberal standards.

The challenges facing director Shin were obvious. First, the highly inflated and exaggerated metaphors throughout the risque story could not be easily revised for mainstream moviegoers, including some adults who are not familiar with the sex comedy genre. Second, the theme has been adapted for the big screen several...

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2006/04/20 | Source | Permalink |  Digg |  del.icio.us | Stumble It! | Share this news

Art of Fighting (Ssaumui Kisol) (2005)

Seoul Selection Bookstore

At 11:00 a.m. Saturday

Directed by Sin Han-sol, the movie revolves around a high school student who learns the art of fighting to avoid being beaten by school bullies. Song Byung-tae is a timid and weak high school student bullied by his schoolmates everyday. To defend himself, he tries to learn martial arts but he can't find anybody good at fighting, until he meets a mysterious man, Oh Pan-su. Byung-tae asks Pan-su to teach him practical skills but Pan-su seems indifferent. Eventually Byung-tae's desperate pleas change Pan-su's mind, and Byung-tae can finally learn how to win in a fight. The venue is located near Anguk Station on subway line 3. Tickets 3,000 won. For more information, call (02) 734-9565 or visit http://www.seoulselection.com ...

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2006/01/05 | Source | Permalink |  Digg |  del.icio.us | Stumble It! | Share this news

There is an opinion in some quarters that violence and comedy cannot go hand in hand. Yet in some movies they can, and that's what director Sin Han-sol seems to have had in mind when he sharpened the plot for "Art of Fighting" (Ssaumui gisul).

This is the kind of movie where viewers laugh occasionally and grimace the rest of the time. But the title is somewhat misleading. It is neither a serious martial arts movie nor a full-blown comedy.

The reason for the film's ambivalent identity lies largely in the equally confusing characteristics of Oh Man-su, a "legendary fighter". The character is played by Baek Yoon-sik, a veteran actor whose popularity is literally soaring among Korean moviegoers after showing off his renewed vigor as a notorious swindler in "The Big Swindle", a 2004 hit movie directed by Choi Dong-hoon.

In "Art of Fighting", Baek turns into a sort of hermit-cum-fighter who seems both a hero and a villain. His fighting skills appear relentless - even profound - and ...

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