Choi Min-sik (최민식)

Experts are concerned that recent releases could encourage copycat crimes

Blades and guns are a thing of the past. Nail guns and guillotines are now the weapons of choice in the latest trend among local filmmakers, who are inventing characters that are increasingly cruel and producing films that are ever more bloody in nature. But this tendency has some experts worried that the excessive depictions of violence will encourage copycat crimes.

As of Wednesday, the film "Ajeossi" ("The Man From Nowhere") has topped box office attendance records for four weeks, and "I Saw the Devil" has been at No. 3 for the first three weeks since its release Aug. 12, according to Korean Film Council, the nation's film governing body.

Both films depict violent scenes that are extremely graphic and very realistic. In "The Man From Nowhere", traffickers extract human organs from people who are still alive and the protagonist uses a huge nail gun to "...More

After weeks of wrangling with the Korea Media Rating Board (KMDB), Kim Ji-woon thriller, "I Saw the Devil" was able to secure a theatrical release on August 12, after making seven cuts totaling 80 seconds of footage. The "Restricted" rating which would have effectively banned the film from theatrical release and prohibited any promotion or advertising, was reduced to an 18+ rating, allowing audiences over 18 to see the film.

The KMDB objected to scenes showing a human body being mutilated and human body parts being eaten by humans and a dog. Following a press screening August 11...More

Movie poster of thriller "I Saw the Devil" [Showbox]

Korean thriller "I Saw the Devil" has been invited to compete under the Official Selection category at the 58th Edition of the San Sebastian International Film Festival next month, according to official website of the fest on Tuesday.

"I Saw the Devil", helmed by famed Korean director Kim Ji-woon, will be competing against 16 other movies by internationally recognized directors for the Golden Shell and Silver Shell awards at the fest to be held at San Sebastian, Spain from September 17 to 25...More

No. 1 movie in the country "The Man From Nowhere" [CJ Entertainment]

Korean action pic "The Man From Nowhere" held onto to its title as the No. 1 movie in the country for the third straight week between August 20 to 22.

According to the Korean Box Office System (KOBIS) on Monday, "Man" attracted...More

Korean actor Lee Byeong-Heon [Chae Ki-won/10Asia]

The latest movie "I Saw the Devil" is not this year's best picture. However, it is certain that "I Saw the Devil” is the year's most controversial picture. Throughout the movie there are many brutal scenes combined with director Kim Ji-woon's unique sense of humor, which has been receiving mixed reviews from the Korean film industry. Along with the results of the movie, one may wonder why actor Lee Byeong-Heon chose this project. Why would Lee, who has successfully made his debut into Hollywood, make a choice that is dangerous as a commercial film? 10Asia sat with Lee to ask him that question.


10: What is your thoughts on "I Saw the Devil?" I heard you were quite shocked after seeing the final production of the movie during the screening.
Lee Byeong-Heon (Lee): It's not to the point where I was shocked. (laugh) I did feel that it was different from when I had first read the scenario because the film doesn't reveal all of the cruelty and violence. I thought that this project was unlike any other revenge film and I felt this powerful strength from just reading the script...More