CGV Screens Latest Korean Movies With English Subtitles

By John Redmond
Contributing Writer

Korean cinema has a prolific output of local content. New movies being released on a weekly basis consist not only of blockbusters, but also art house and low budget features that are winning awards even at the international level.

For most foreigners wishing to sample homegrown films with English subtitles, the only alternatives were regular DVD screenings on a large screen at Seoul Selection Bookshop in Seoul, or renting the DVD yourself and watching it at home.

For most movie lovers, watching a movie on the small screen, irrespective of surround sound system, still pails when compared to watching a movie in the way the director intended ― on the big screen.

CGV cinema complex in Yongsan has screened a few Korean new releases complete with English subtitles. The latest is the hit movie "The Divine Weapon".

The film is the third English subtitled movie CGV has released at regular show times.

The film tells the story of the world' first rocket launcher developed under the reign of King Sejong (Ahn Seong-gi) in the 16th century during Korea's Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910). After the intervention of Chinese officials, the inventor commits suicide and the inventor's daughter Hong-ri (Han Eun-jeong) guards the national secret. It was used as a key defensive tool against the imperial ambitions of China's Ming Dynasty.

The action-packed film offers great visuals plus elements of romance and tension-filled drama.

A lot of the film's estimated $8 million budget was spent on recreating the Korea that existed at the time of King Sejong's reign. In this respect, the film affords foreign residents and visitors the additional benefit of witnessing Korea as it was at that time.

The film screens at Yongsan CGV until Sept. 25. The cinema is located at i Park in the Yongsan Station complex.

For more information and screening times, visit the Web site at Open the link or call 02 1330. The site is in Korean only.