Hong Sang-soo (홍상수)

2008/04/28 | Source | Permalink |  Digg |  del.icio.us | Stumble It! | Share this news

The Korean Wave has been spreading Korean pop culture across Asia and beyond for more than a decade, although it has barely reached Poland, in the centre of Europe. It is sad to admit, but Korean culture (traditional as well as the "new wave") does not exist in Polish minds as a distinctive identity. It is often mixed in with Chinese and Japanese cultures, which are more defined in Poland yet still often confused with each other.

Still, it is trendy nowadays in Poland to go to an East Asian restaurant, buy Chinese souvenirs, own Japanese-style furniture, follow feng-shui rules, watch an Asian movie or send kids to taekwondo or karate classes.

Although Polish knowledge of Korean culture is minimal, the present article aims to show that there is a gentle Korean wind that is blowing into Poland faster than the mainstream Wave.

There is, however, still no trace of: (1) the Korean entertainment industry invading the Polish media market; (2) any Polish fans adopting the lifestyles o...

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2008/04/21 | Source | Permalink |  Digg |  del.icio.us | Stumble It! | Share this news

Director/writer RYOO Jang-ha makes his comeback after his 2004 "Springtime" (Kkotbineun Bomi Omyeon) featuring CHOI Min-sik, with the romantic drama Soonjeongmanwha (English translation: "pure comic strip") starring YOO Ji-tae and LEE Yeon-hee.

The film's about a thirty-year-old office employee and a female student who run into each other every morning at an elevator. Both are secretly in love with each other.

Filming commenced on the first day of April. The film is scheduled for a release in the fall. The romantic drama is produced by Let's Film.

YOO Ji-tae played CHOI Min-sik's character's nemesis in PARK Chan-wook's "Old Boy". He also starred in the period piece "Hwangjin-y - Movie - 2007" and HONG Sang-soo's "Woman is the Future of Man" (Yojaneun Namjaui Miraeda). In addition, YOO directs short films.

LEE Yeon-hee is seen in LEE Myeong-se's "M" opposite of KANG Dong-won and the romantic teen film "A Millionaire's First Love" (Baekmanjangjaui Cheotsarang). She's one ...

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2008/04/19 | Source | Permalink |  Digg |  del.icio.us | Stumble It! | Share this news

By Nigel D'Sa
Contributing Writer

The 9th Jeonju International Film Festival (JIFF) is nearing, and an impressive line-up of films has been announced for this year's event.

Set in its picturesque namesake city in Jeollabuk-do (province), JIFF runs May 1-9, bringing together innovative and independent films and filmmakers from around the world.

This year's program boasts a record total of 169 films with opening night going to Manda Kunitoshi's The Kiss in its International Premiere.

Japanese writer-turned-director Manda has already gained notice and won prizes at Cannes for his previous films, making this latest work highly anticipated.

JIFF's curtain-closer will be the Korean omnibus film "If You Were Me 4", produced by the National Human Rights Commission.

Each film in the series has a human rights issue as its theme with past concerns ranging from discrimination to forced surgery and bringing together a group of talented directors.

This year's project fe...

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2008/04/16 | Source | Permalink |  Digg |  del.icio.us | Stumble It! | Share this news

Ten Korean features will have their World Premiere at the Jeonju International Film Festival (JIFF) this spring. Now in it's 9th edition the festival will run May 1st – 9th in the attractive and historical city of Jeonju, in North Jeolla province.

Korean highlights include documentary director KIM Dong-won's latest, "63 Years On", about the 'comfort women' enslaved by the Japanese military in stations across Asia during WW2. The film provides an historical investigation along with interviews with victims still living in Korea, China, and the Philippines. KIM is best known for his 2003 film Repatriation which raised the documentary genre to commercial prominence in South Korea.

In the Korean Cinema on the Move section, presents 10 new independent features mostly by debut directors. Among the most interesting are "Synching Blue" by SEO Won-tae, a director whose shorts films have garnered praise for their visual arrangements. This HD feature is about a man who seeks comfort i...

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2008/02/28 | Source | Permalink |  Digg |  del.icio.us | Stumble It! | Share this news

Actor Park Eun-hye (30) is going to marry 4-years senior Mr Kim on 27th April in Seoul Jang Chung-dong Shilla Hotel Diner's Hall.

The couple met at the beginning of last year through their friend and received permission from both parents to get marry at the beginning of this year.

At the moment, Park Eun-hye is having the happiest time of her life, where a series of matters for congratulation follows one after another. On 12th, Park Eun-hye stepped onto her first international red carpet as Director Hong Sang-soo's film "Night and Day" was nominated in the 58th Berlin International Film Festival.

Park Eun-hye made her debut in a film "Zzang" in 1998 and rose in popularity after appearing as "Yeon Sang-i' in the MBC drama "Dae Jang Geum" in 2003.
...

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