Vera Farmiga (베라 파미가)

Let Horror Take Control of Summer Heat

Source | 2009/08/04 | 0 comments | Permalink |

By Han Sang-hee, Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporters

Local broadcasters and the movie industry are preparing to help viewers kill the summer heat with horror programs and movies this month. Here is some of what's being offered.

Small Screen

MBC, which has had a successful history of horror dramas, including "M - Drama", starring popular actress Shim Eun-ha in 1994, hopes to reprise that success with the drama " Possessed".

"'Possessed' ('HON - Soul') is not based on `Korean Ghost Stories' nor is it a part of the movie series `Whispering Corridors'. We used the film `Let the Right One In', which is about a relationship between a vampire girl and young boy, as a model, and started working from there", Kim Sang-ho, the producer, said at a press conference held at MBC, Ilsan, Monday.

`'Possessed' ('HON - Soul')' revolves around a high school student, Ha-na (newcomer Lim Ju-eun), who can see dead people, and a profiler named Shin Ryu, played by Lee Seo-jin ("Yi San", 2008). When S...| More

Exhilarating 'Take Off' in Korean Sports Drama

Source | 2009/07/23 | 0 comments | Permalink |

By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter

Imagine, being perched above a vertigo-inducing height, swishing down a roller coaster-like slope and then freewheeling through the air ― with only a pair of skis to safeguard the landing.

Ski jumping is a minority within the sports scene here, but onscreen the icy game provides for the hottest summer movie experience. Packed with adrenaline rush, tastefully crafted drama and a rocking soundtrack, "Take Off" ("Ski Jump") lifts viewers onto a pulsating flight in this story about ski jumpers that dared to dream ― and fly.

Director Kim Yong-hwa didn't need to adopt the standard formula for sports films. Sure, the movie features conventional elements ― setting hurdles to overcome, overturning team dynamics and lots of sweating ― but truth is sometimes more interesting than fiction, and the filmmaker simply had to tell the amazing story, which he does with finesse.

Inspired by true events, the movie takes viewers to 1997 Muj...| More

Jeon, Ha's Chemistry Give Life to 'Enemy'

Source | 2008/09/18 | 0 comments | Permalink |

By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter

One day, two characters, lots of dialogue and hushed emotions ― only Jeon Do-yeon and Ha Jeong-woo could pull it off. South Korea's most in-demand actors get together as former lovers in the post-break up road movie "My Dear Enemy". Of course none other than director Lee Yoon-ki ("This Charming Girl") orchestrated this enchanting story about spending an abnormal day with an ex.

Jeon chose a rather mundane character to emerge from her immortalized Cannes Best Actress-winning role in "Secret Sunshine". But the actress shines through more than ever as she sustains dramatic tension for two hours with an ordinary persona, saying more in what is unsaid rather than hysterical tears. Heui-su is an irritable, uptight 30-year-old who, wearing immaculate eye makeup, never forgets to tuck away her road navigator before getting out of the car. Jobless, unmarried and broke, she tracks down her ex-boyfriend Byeong-un (Ha), who disappeared a year ago after b...| More

US Release of Gina KIM's "Never Forever"

Source | 2008/04/10 | 0 comments | Permalink |

South Korean director Gina KIM's third feature, the New York set "Never Forever " (2007), will receive a limited release in select cities across the US this Spring. The US-Korean co-production had its world premiere in the competition section of the 2007 Sundance Film Festival. After a release in Korea last June and various festival appearances, the film won the Jury Prize at the 33rd Deauville American Film Festival in France.

The film continues KIM's exploration of the issues of woman's relationship to her own body and bodily desires as laid out in her previous feature "Invisible Light" (2003). Never Forever tells the story of an upper class Caucasian woman living in New York (played by Vera Farmiga) who is unable to conceive a child with her Korean-American husband. As her husband (played by Korean-American actor David McInnis) grows increasingly despondent she attempts to get pregnant by paying a young illegal immigrant from Korea (played by HA Jeong-woo) to have sex with ...| More

Ha Jeong-woo explores his dark side

Source | 2008/02/06 | 0 comments | Permalink |

Internationally recognised actor Ha Jeong-woo, explores the dark side of humanity through his take on a serial murderer in "Choogyeokja" ("The Chaser", English translation: "pursuer"). He is tracked down by a shady former detective played by KIM Yoon-seok. First-time feature film director NA Hong-jin was in charge.

The dark thriller examines society and politics through a story that sees a confessed killer released unpunished while touching upon issues as prostitution and corruption.

HA commanded attention with his role in "The Unforgiven", a film praised at international film festivals. He increased his international appeal opposite of Vera Farmiga in Gina Kim's Never Forever.

KIM received praise for his supporting roles in numerous films which earned him this leading role. NA previously directed the short film "A Perfect Red Snapper Dish". Choogyeokja opens on February 14.

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