The Harmonium in My Memory (1999) - 내 마음의 풍금 (Nae maeumui pongkeum)

Korean movies morphed into musicals

2008/01/17 | Source | Permalink |

Musicals based on hit movies are set to dominate the local entertainment industry this year.

Of the musicals scheduled to be staged this year, more than 30 percent are based on or related to movies. There are already many Korean adaptations of Broadway musicals based on Hollywood films. But what makes this year remarkable is that there will be more musicals based on Korean movies.

Why are Korean production companies turning to "moviecals"? The answer is quite simple. Audiences already know and like the storylines of hit movies, and are therefore more likely to watch musicals that have been adapted from movies.

Moviecal productions in Korea are following in Broadway's footsteps.

Like Disney, MGM and Warner Brothers staged musicals based on the smash-hit movies they produced, Korean moviecals are mostly created by companies who hold the copyrights of scripts and titles. This allows companies to invest more in castings or employing famous composers as they don't need to fork o...| More

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Marriage of Movies, Musicals in 2008

2008/01/14 | Source | Permalink |

By Chung Ah-young
Staff Reporter

Koreans are using the word "movical" more and more these days. It is an apparent keyword to define a trend in the local musical industry.

"Movical", a combination of "movie" and "musical", refers to interaction between the two industries. It started with a local film, "Waikiki Brothers", (2001) directed by Lim Soon-rye, which was adapted for the musical stage in 2004.

For this year alone, about seven or eight musicals based on films are expected to be put on stage.

"Singles", the musical based on the namesake local film, which premiered last year, will launch its second season, starring singer-turned-actor Son Ho-young, former member of all-men pop group G.O.D. starting from Jan. 15 to Feb. 24 at Hoam Art Hall.

"Radio Star", based on the film featuring Park Joong-hoon and Ahn Seong-gi, will now be made into the musical, starring comedian-turned-actor Jung Sung-hwa who stole the limelight in last year's excellent performance of "Man of La...| More

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Cannes winner takes her next step

2007/10/03 | Source | Permalink |

What's next? This was the question Jeon Do-yeon has faced since she won the best actress award at the Cannes International Film Festival in May for her performance in "Milyang", or "Secret Sunshine", directed by Lee Chang-dong. But after a months-long wait, fans will be glad to hear that Jeon's next film will be "Meotjin Haru" (or "A Fine Day") to be directed by Lee Yoon-ki.
Jeon is to star as an unemployed spinster. One day, she meets up with her ex-boyfriend and spends a day full of adventure with subtle shades of feelings. Director Lee has been a darling of international film festivals with films like "This Charming Girl" (2004) and "Love Talk" (2005), which provided a sophisticated, warm look at female sensibilities. Jeon's male counterpart in the new film has yet to be decided. The movie is slated to start filming next month and open early next year.
The first Korean actress to win the award at Cannes, Jeon has cemented her fame at home with versatile performances, from a naiv...| More

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Jeon ! I really admire extraordinary women in the world. You are one of them. Keep it up. Especially, you are asian. I bow you sincerely. I like your acting in every movies you take. You are the woman my dear. Moe Moe 2007-10-04 22:04:24

Korean Films Premiering at PIFF

2007/10/02 | Source | Permalink |

A slew of Korean features will have their World Premiere at the 12th Pusan International Film Festival, which opens October 4 for a 9 day run. A special highlight of the festival is "The Friends", a long-awaited second feature from director LEE Yeong-jae, whose debut was the endearing classic "The Harmonium in My Memory" (1999). The Friends is the story of three 6th graders who, curious about death, decide to visit a dying old man.

Films from new voices and recent film school graduates include KIM Sun-hee's "Drawing Paper", her HD feature debut - a coming-of-age story about the members of a girls high school band, and "Somewhere Over Here" by debut director LEE Seung-young, a similar-themed story of a young musically inclined girl discovering life.

The documentary "Lineage of the Voice" follows two boys from very different backgrounds as they develop their talent for the traditional singing practice called pansori. It is directed by Baek Yeon-ah, who was the editor on Daniel...| More

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Human Emotions at This Year's PIFF

2007/09/28 | Source | Permalink |

A film festival is like a person: capable of making people laugh, it can also be neglected, rising and falling with the joys and sorrows of life. Nurtured with love from an early age, it prospers. So it is with the Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF), which marks its 12th birthday in the southern port city also spelled Busan this year. The 12th PIFF, now the leading Asian film festival, is held at Haeundae Beach and Nampo-dong in Busan from Oct. 4 to 12. The 275 films from 64 countries to be shown focus on several multiple aspects of our lives, from personal growth to alienation and family love.


Growth - "Somewhere Over Here" (Korea) directed by Lee Seung-young, 2007

The director's first feature film draws on his own experiences. In it, the heroine dreams of becoming a musician as she wanders around Hongik University. The vicissitudes of her life are depicted frankly in the movie. Lee also won acclaim for his previous film "I'm Not That Kind of Person".

Pain - "Ezra" (N...| More

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