Chinese/Korean Film 'Season of Good Rain' to be Released

Korea and China has cemented its cinematic relations with the about to be released "Season of Good Rain". The film directed by Heo Jin-ho brings together the biggest actors of both countries Gao Yuanyuan (Beijing Bicycle 2001) and Jeong Woo-seong ("Daisy" 2006) and blends them into a multi lingual, trans-cultural melodrama. The shooting and the narrative of the film seem to be symbolic of the rising amount of film business between the two countries. Kim Ji-woon's "The Good, the Bad, the Weird", also incidentally staring JEONG was shot in Manchuria, CJ Entertainment's "Haeundae" is to be released in China and the same company is producing a big budget Chinese/Korean comedy, "Sophie's Revenge" staring Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon's (2003) Zhang Ziyi.

Heo Jin-ho has directed a slew of romantic melodramas including the internationally successful "Christmas in August" (1998) and "April Snow" (2005). This latest film, while definitely falling back into this genre is decidedly more upbeat. Set in Chengdu, China JEONG plays architect Dong-ha who runs into May played by Gao who he originally met while the two were studying in the U.S. They then rekindle a romantic relationship that had never really begun.

The film inspired by and named after a poem by Tang Dynasty writer Dubo was originally part of an omnibus feature "Chengdu I Love You" (Chengdu wo ai ni)currently premiering at the Venice Film Festival. However, the film recognized for its commercial appeal was developed into a full feature. The film is to be released October the 8th, simultaneously in China, Korea and Japan.

David Oxenbridge (KOFIC)