Im Chang-jeong (임창정)

By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter

Cinema has seen its fair share of uncanny elderly heroines, from Miss Daisy (not) behind the driving wheel to the cross-dressing Mrs. Doubtfire, but feisty Korean grannies turning into larger-than-life bank robbers in the whim of a late-life crisis, is a first.

"Yukhyeolpo Gangdodan" ("Revolver Gangsters' Gang") is like a hearty bowl of "makgeolli". It's brewed from vintage humor like the traditional rice wine -- the physical farce, crude jokes and other comic formulas may not be strikingly novel but they are just the stuff that make local audiences drunk with laughter.

But the family comedy is also determined to inspire tears with a dose of heartfelt drama, and Charlie Chaplin's famous saying comes to mind -- "Life is a tragedy when seen in close-up but a comedy in long-shot".

Basically, three senior citizens decide to rob a bank, or more precisely, recla...More

Clockwise from top center, actor Im Chang-jeong, actor Song Seung-heon, actress Choi Ji-woo, director Kim Ji-woon and actress Kim Tae-hee [10Asia]

Lee Byeong-Heon
He grabbed people's attention as soon as he made his acting debut. And he did great. He would then encounter a crisis but everytime, he would somehow find his way back. And he went around the world to look for new work. This is the life of this top star whose life is like a drama or drama turns out to be what his life is....More

Korean movie "Harmony" [CJ Entertainment]

Kim Yun-jin starrer "Harmony" attracted the most moviegoers on Thursday, making it the first Korean film to place atop the local box office in 78 days.

According to the statistics from the Korean Film Council (KOFIC), "Harmony" attracted 103,196 viewers on the day of its release, topping daily admissions to become the first local film to rank above an overseas production.

The film pushed down 43-day winner "Avatar" to second place with admissions of 95,637 for Thursday. The James Cameron sci-fi action flick has brought in a total 10,721,615 viewers since its release mid-December, making it the sixth most-watched film in Korea's box office history....More

By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter

Funnyman Im Chang-jeong returns opposite yet another screen beauty, Park Ye-jin, in the slapstick "Fortune Salon". It appears difficult for the "Sex Is Zero" star to shed his typecast character in this half-way sex (rather than romantic) comedy, which rather strenuously tries to show that love (or lust) can prevail in the face of cruel destiny.

But more often than not, fate laughs at chance.
It's a shame because the movie could have done so much more with the classic premise of fate versus free will set against the exotic shamanist subculture that exists in modern Korea. Instead, it makes a disgrace out of one of the oldest traditions/religions here.

South Korea has long been rooted in shamanist beliefs. The fortune-telling market here amasses up to 3 trillion won annuall...More

Gang Su-ji - Won Mi-yeon - Lee Seon-hee - Im Chang-jeong - Park Ji-yun

Singers are making a steady comeback this year. Last year wrapped up with a harmonious mix of the young and old. Global stars Rain and Dong Bang Shin Ki, '90s stars Sin Seung-hun, Kim Gun-mo and Seo Tae-ji and singers Kim Jong-guk and Kim Beom-su--after completing their military service--all came back last year.

Though not as bountiful as last year, this year's first half will also see the return of familiar faces.

The list includes Won Jun-hee, known for her hit "Love Is Like Glass", more '80-90s singers such as Gang Su-ji, Won Mi-yeon and Lee Seon-hee, ...More