Monopoly (2006) - 모노폴리 (Mo-no-Pol-li)

Korea-Japan Business Campus Takes Place in Jeju

2008/07/10 | Source | Permalink |

KOFIC is hosting a 4-day business campus for Japanese and Korean producers at a resort on the balmy island of Jeju, south of the Korean mainland. Taking place July 8 – 11, the campus brings together 5 Korean and 5 Japanese producers each with projects in development.

Highlights of the itinerary include intensive seminars for the producers on Korea-Japanese co-productions, along with expert guest speakers, such as CJ Entertainment's foreign investment manager who will speak on co-production financing.

Among the 5 Korean participants are Jonathan KIM, a leading producer in the industry with films such as "Lies", "Silmido", "Monopoly", and several co-productions including "Virgin Snow" behind his belt. Also attending is KIM Mi-hee of production house Sidus FNH. She has produced such films as the sci-fi action hit "Arahan" and the Chosun mystery "Blood Rain".

KOFIC plans to take the campus a step further in 2009 when it launches a Co-Production Project Market, with the aim...| More

[DRAMA REVIEW] Yang produces 'Offending the Audience'

2007/05/18 | Source | Permalink |

The show starts with four actors announcing that there will be no play, no story and no performance. By questioning the essence of a theater performance, the show breaks every theatrical convention: the distinction between actors and the audience, the space between the stage and the seats, and the definition of right or wrong. Then actors start to point fingers at and insult the audience, making the observers aware of themselves that they are part of the show.

This is what happened in Daehangno Wednesday at Studio 76, which staged the Korean language adaptation of playwright Peter Handke's 1966 anti-play "Offending the Audience". The 2007 Korean version of the avant-garde play has been updated by rap vocals that made the house full of provocative, abusive language and unexpected embarrassment.

What makes the drama more noticeable is that it is the first production by Yang Dong-geun, successful actor and also a popular hip hop singer in the country.

Debuting in 1987 with the TV...| More

Concerts to Rock Hip-Hop Fans This March

2007/03/04 | Source | Permalink |

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Staff Reporter

Hip-hop fans have a lot to be excited about this month, with hip-hop concerts by their favorite artists scheduled to rock them. This month's scheduled performances include a solo concert by Yang Dong-geun and a show featuring Epik High and fusion group Clazziquai.

Popular actor and hip-hop star Yang has been drawing a lot of attention, as it is his first solo concert.

In Taejon on March 24, Yang will perform with Leessang, Tiger JK and T. His concert will be divided into four acts _ The History, New York Street, With Friends and Finale.

After the Taejon concert, he will perform in Seoul on March 31.

Titled "YDG Another Drama", the concert will be held at Olympic Hall in Olympic Park in Seoul. His friends in the hip-hop world such as DJ DOC, Dynamic Duo, Bobby Kim and Buga Kingz will join Yang on stage.

Yang made his debut as a hip-hop performer in 2001. Known as a leader in freestyle hip-hop, Yang has released three albums, with...| More

[Box Office]Monopoly (Korea 2006)

2006/06/03 | Source | Permalink |

"Monopoly" - Thriller. Directed by Lee Hang-bae. Kyung-ho (Yang Dong-geun) is an unsociable computer genius whose only companion is action figures that he has collected. Arich guy John (Kim Sung-soo) approaches him in an action figure store and they become friends. John suggests an irresistible offer to join a scheme to withdraw money from every bank account in Korea. Kyung-ho is tempted. However, John's girlfriend (Yoon Ji-min) hints John will take advantage of Kyung-ho and tells him to stay away from John. But Kyung-ho's unconditional belief in John makes him join the plot and puts his life in danger. (91 min.)...| More

`Monopoly' Is Too Familiar a Magic Trick

2006/06/01 | Source | Permalink |

By Kim Tae-jong
Staff Reporter

When you watch such films as "Sixth Sense" and "The Usual Suspects", you reach a point when you realize you've been totally deceived throughout the film or that your guess has taken you in the wrong direction.

Reaching such a moment of realization means you lost the guessing game, but you can still find film fun just like you enjoy a magic trick.

New crime thriller "Monopoly" tries hard to play tricks on audiences _ to offer them such realization in the end _ but it falls short as the director's tricks are too familiar and predictable.

Directed by Lee Hang-bae and starring Yang Dong-gun and Kim Sung-soo, the film revolves around two friends who team up to commit a crime.

In the film, Kyong-ho (played by Yang) is a computer genius, who works at a network security company protecting the nation's banks from computer hackers. He is sophisticated, intelligent, but unsociable, and his hobby is collecting action figures and playing with them.

...| More