Duelist (2005) - 형사 (Hyeong-sa)

"Crossing" sold to Japan and invited by Vancouver

2008/07/17 | Source | Permalink |

KIM Tae-gyoon's "Crossing" has been bought for a Japanese release by Cinekwanon, according to "Crossing"'s production company Camp B. In addition, the 27th Vancouver International Film Festival invited the film dealing with North Korea to its Dragon & Tigers: the cinemas of East Asia section.

"Crossing" stars CHA In-pyo as a husband and father in North Korea who crosses the Chinese border to find medicines for his ill wife. His son also enters China in search of his father who has not returned. The film carries an overtly Christian message which pleased some and displeased others. "Crossing" was released in June this year.

Vancouver International Film Festival will take place from September 25 until October 10. "Crossing" is the successor of films like "Secret Sunshine" (Miryang), "The Host" (Gwemool), "Memories of Murder" (Sarinui Choo-eok), and "Duelist" (Hyeongsa) in Vancouver's Dragon & Tigers section.

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

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JANG Dong-gun and LEE Myeong-se Return to Earth

2008/07/11 | Source | Permalink |

Korean wave star JANG Dong-gun is collaborating again with auteur director LEE Myeong-se on his latest project, simply titled Earth. JANG, who last worked with LEE 9 years ago, acting in his 1999 classic "Nowhere to Hide", will be doing voice-over narration for the new film this September.

"Earth" is said to be an atmospheric contemplation of life on earth, capturing beautiful and thought-provoking images with shooting taking place in Europe, Japan, and exotic locals around the world. JANG's deep, resonant voice was selected to enhance the meditative depth of the film.

Director LEE is known for his visually striking and meticulously choreographed features such as his recent films "M" (2007) and "Duelist" (2005), as well as his early work "Gagman" (1988) and "First Love" (1993). JANG has starred in numerous features including the hit film "Friend" (2001), "The Coast Guard" (2002) and his recently completed Hollywood debut in the upcoming fantasy-western "Laundry Warrior".

...| More

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Chungmuro film fest gets competitive

2008/05/07 | Source | Permalink |

The 2008 Chungmuro International Film Festival in Seoul will introduce a competition section this year in a bid to expand its coverage and attract more foreign movies for local moviegoers, organizers said yesterday.

"The Chungmuro festival will feature the international feature film category as a competition section so that local fans can enjoy watching more quality foreign films", festival planning chief Cha Seung-jae said at a press conference at the Daehan Cinema in Chungmuro, Seoul, yesterday. "All the foreign films in the section will be Korean premieres, and four awards, including the Grand Award, will be presented".

The second edition of the fledgling film festival will be held Sept. 3-11, during which time about 170 films from 40 countries will be screened.

But a string of pre-festival events will start from June in Chungmuro, the symbolic center for Korean filmmakers and actors, and Myeong-dong, with an emphasis on participation by Seoul citizens, Cha said.

The Jun...| More

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[THE HIGH TIDE OF THE KOREAN WAVE(25)] Hallyu: the Koreanization of world culture

2008/03/21 | Source | Permalink |

In the last few years, Korean films, TV dramas and pop music have become immensely popular abroad, a phenomenon known as the Korean Wave. This is the 25th in a series of essays by a select group of scholars and journalists looking at the spread of Korean pop culture in Southeast Asian countries and beyond. - Ed.

"Hallyu", or the Korean Wave, marks the long overdue re-emergence of Korean culture into the global arena. Korean culture's newfound international vogue situates South Korean cinema, TV melodramas, K-pop, and computer games as active participants in the transformation of world culture.

These "domestic" electronic audio-visual cultural creations are no longer limited to just the Korean peninsula and the global Korean diaspora despite that they are produced in the Korean language - a language that is not one of the globalized imperial languages such as English, French, Spanish, Japanese, and Chinese.

Despite this linguistic barrier, hallyu is now a recognized agent of gl...| 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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