Scout (2007) - 스카우트 (Seu-ka-woo-teu)

Eom Ji-won, first attempt at historical play with movie "Mr. Vertigo"

2008/07/03 | Source | Permalink |

The movie "Mr. Vertigo" is a thriller about Hong Jin-ho (Hwang Jeong-min), who is chasing a mysterious serial killer, and medical student Kwang-su (Ryoo Deok-hwan), his helper.

This movie is Eom Ji-won's first attempt at a historical play. She plays Soon-duk, a noble's wife who secretly acts as a female inventor and helps Jin-ho by making him inventions that he needs for his investigation.

Eom Ji-won has been recognized for her acting through movies "Trace of Love", "The Scarlet Letter", and "Scout". Through the role of Soon-duk, she will have a wonderful and elegant side as a noble's wife, and also a tough and powerful side as a female inventor.

Eom Ji-won said, "Soon-duk, both a noble's wife and a new woman, is an important character. She has a lot of charm and I personally feel an attachment to her. I'm looking forward to it and I hope you will be interested in "Mr. Vertigo"".

The movie, also starring Hwang Jeong-min and Ryoo Deok-hwan, started filming last 20th and will...| More

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Complex thrillers lead the pack in annual film awards

2008/06/11 | Source | Permalink |

The biggest event in the Korean film industry is back.

On June 27, the 45th Daejong Film Awards will take place at COEX, southern Seoul. This year one of the Korean films under the spotlight is "The Chaser", a film about a serial murderer.

The film drew audiences of more than 5 million, and as of April it is the most successful Korean film of 2008, according to the Korean Film Council.

"Forever the Moment" trailed behind "The Chaser" with over 4 million viewers.

"The Chaser" currently is nominated in 11 categories, hoping to win the hearts of film critics as well.

This year thrillers are garnering the most interest in Chungmuro, Korea's Hollywood.

Currently the top three films on the most nominated lists are from this genre.

"Seven Days", a thriller about a child who gets kidnapped, is second in the number of nominations.

The film is nominated in all 10 categories. "Shadows in the Palace", a thriller that takes place within the palace of the Joseon Dynasty, is n...| More

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The 44th PaekSang Arts Awards Sparkles with Stars

2008/04/24 | Source | Permalink |

Korean TV and film stars gathered together for The 44th PaekSang Arts Awards Thursday evening in Seoul. The Awards honors filmmakers, TV actors and actresses, producers and programs that made distinguishing marks in the field of visual media arts.

In the film category, the grand prize went to "The Chaser" directed by Na Hong-jin, who also won the best new director award. "The Chaser" has attracted over 5 million filmgoers so far, winning the top-grossing film title for the first half of 2008. The best director award went to Lee Chang-dong of "Secret Sunshine" and the best picture award to "Forever the Moment", based on a true story of the Korean women's handball team. Im Chang-jeong of "Scout" was named the best actor and Kim Min-hee of "Hellcats" the best actress. Also hunky superstar Kwon Sang-woo and lovely Kim Jeong-eun won the popularity vote.

The grand prize in the TV category was given to Kang Ho-dong for his leadership in the "One Night Two Days" segment of the entertainm...| More

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In Jeonju, spring brings wonderful films

2008/04/19 | Source | Permalink |

By Nigel D'Sa
Contributing Writer

The 9th Jeonju International Film Festival (JIFF) is nearing, and an impressive line-up of films has been announced for this year's event.

Set in its picturesque namesake city in Jeollabuk-do (province), JIFF runs May 1-9, bringing together innovative and independent films and filmmakers from around the world.

This year's program boasts a record total of 169 films with opening night going to Manda Kunitoshi's The Kiss in its International Premiere.

Japanese writer-turned-director Manda has already gained notice and won prizes at Cannes for his previous films, making this latest work highly anticipated.

JIFF's curtain-closer will be the Korean omnibus film "If You Were Me 4", produced by the National Human Rights Commission.

Each film in the series has a human rights issue as its theme with past concerns ranging from discrimination to forced surgery and bringing together a group of talented directors.

This year's project fe...| More

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Korean Films Premiering at 9th JIFF

2008/04/16 | Source | Permalink |

Ten Korean features will have their World Premiere at the Jeonju International Film Festival (JIFF) this spring. Now in it's 9th edition the festival will run May 1st – 9th in the attractive and historical city of Jeonju, in North Jeolla province.

Korean highlights include documentary director KIM Dong-won's latest, "63 Years On", about the 'comfort women' enslaved by the Japanese military in stations across Asia during WW2. The film provides an historical investigation along with interviews with victims still living in Korea, China, and the Philippines. KIM is best known for his 2003 film Repatriation which raised the documentary genre to commercial prominence in South Korea.

In the Korean Cinema on the Move section, presents 10 new independent features mostly by debut directors. Among the most interesting are "Synching Blue" by SEO Won-tae, a director whose shorts films have garnered praise for their visual arrangements. This HD feature is about a man who seeks comfort i...| More

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