Byeon Yeong-joo (변영주)

Yoon Kye-sang's 'Leftist' Remarks Cause Online Stir

Source | 2009/11/03 | 0 comments | Permalink |

By Cho Jae-hyon
Staff Reporter

Actor Yoon Kye-sang, a former member of now-disbanded idol boy group G.O.D., is causing a stir on the Internet for his remarks that the Korean movie circle is dominated by "leftists".

In a recent interview with GQ Korea magazine, Yoon said, "The Korean movie circle is basically left-leaning, and very hostile to (an idol-turned actor)". He also said, "What I mean by leftists is that they are very closed. I don't care even if the word causes misunderstandings. I'm saying that as I myself experienced it".

However, as his remarks ignite disputes among Internet users, Yoon posted Monday an apologetic letter under the title of "A Shameful Day" on an online cafe of his fans.

"I'm really ashamed of my ignorance. I'm sorry to my fans", Yoon said. "Frankly speaking, I have wrongly understood the meaning of the word `leftist'. The word has no political connotation. And at the same time, I don't have any prejudice against the movie circle".

Yoon also ...| More

Yoon Kye-sang Determined to Gain Recognition as Actor

Source | 2009/10/30 | 0 comments | Permalink |

"I wanted to stay free of any thoughts when filming 'The Executioner'", said Yoon Kye-sang, who is known for his hard work in Chungmuro. Yoon admits that he is hard on himself because he wanted to receive recognition for his acting skills. He said, "I wanted people to recognize me as an actor".

To Yoon, being known only as a former member of the idol boy band G.O.D. is great pressure. That is also the reason he rarely appeared on variety shows. He wanted to be known as an actor, not as an entertainer.

Yoon debuted on the big screen in 2004 in Byeon Yeong-joo's movie "Flying Boys". It has already been six years since his debut. Yoon says he has walked a difficult road because of young passion.

In 2004, G.O.D. was embroiled in a scandal over its contract with its agency. That was also when Yoon received a movie script through his agency. It was the script for "Flying Boys". Director Byeon attached no importance whatsoever to Yoon's top celebrity status back then and gave him thr...| More

Women's Film Festival in Seoul Turns 10

Source | 2008/03/13 | 0 comments | Permalink |

The Women's Film Festival in Seoul (WFFIS) celebrates its 10th edition this year with a kick-off ceremony April 10th featuring an HD omnibus as its opener. Called Ten Ten, the movie features six 15 minute short films from five Korean female filmmakers (BYEON Yeong-joo, LEE Soo-yeon, JANG Hee-seon, LIM Sung-min, Helen Lee) and one German female director (Ulrike OTTINGER).

Running until April 18, WFFIS will screen a record 141 films from 30 countries under its banner motto "See the World through Women's Eyes". New this year, however, is a section titled Open Cinema in which feminist films by male directors will also be screened. Other sections of interest include Politics of the Body, which looks at how women's bodies are depicted and exploited, and the Fantastic Female Movie section, which highlights the imaginative side of the female psyche.

Festival organizer have named Korean director LIM Soon-rye recipient of its first Park Nam-ok Award for outstanding accomplishment. ...| More

"Hallyu Cinema Festival Premier" to Be Held in Tokyo

Source | 2006/03/09 | 0 comments | Permalink |

The "2006 Hallyu Cinema Festival Premier" introducing Korean films will be held in Tokyo, Japan for almost a month from Mar. 11 to Apr. 7.

The upcoming film festival has been organized by SPO, a Japanese film production and distribution agency, to celebrate the opening of its film outlet called "CineMart Roppongi" in Roppongi, Tokyo on Mar. 11.

CineMart Roppongi has been built as Japan's first cinema multiplex that will show only Asian films. SPO began promoting the upcoming hallyu film festival on Mar. 7, carrying full-page ads on major Japanese evening dailies.

Twenty Korean films of various genres will be shown to Japanese fans during this festival. "Flying Boys" (2004) directed by Byeon Yeong-joo and starring On Joo-wan will be shown as the opening film on Mar. 11. Byun and On are expected to say greetings to fans onstage.

Other films will include "Raging Years" ("Low Life") (2004, directed by Im Kwon-taek), "Taekwon Boys / Spin Kick" (2004, directed by Nam Sang-gook), ...| More

12 Korean Films Invited to Udine Far East Film Festival in Italy

Source | 2005/04/15 | 0 comments | Permalink |

A total of 12 Korean films have been invited to the 7th Udine Far East Film Festival in Italy, which will open on Apr. 22.

According to the Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF) secretariat on Apr. 15, 10 Korean films have been invited to the main division of this festival and two others invited to its special division entitled "Three Asian Directors of Photography".

The Korean films invited to the main division of the Italian international film festival include "Everybody Has Secrets" directed by Jang Hyeon-soo, "Arahan Jangpung Daejakjeon" by Ryoo Seung-wan, "Gajok (A family)" by Lee Jeong-cheol, "Someone Special" by Jang Jin, "Sisily 2 km" by Sin Jeong-won, "Gil (road)" by Bae Chang-ho, "Green Chair" by Park Chul-soo, "R-Point" by Kong Soo-chang, "Flying Boys" by Byeon Yeong-joo, and "Some" by Jang Yoon-hyeon.

For the "Three Asian Directors of Photography" division, "Peppermint Candy" and "Memories of Murder", produced by director of photography Kim Hyung-koo, will be...| More