Jang Gyoo-seong (장규성)

'Rivals' Is Funny With Clumsy Story

Source | 2007/03/29 | Permalink |

By Kim Tae-jong
Staff Reporter

You might think that the new comedy "Small Town Rivals" was made by those who ought to know the ingredients of a good comedy.

In his new film, director Jang Gyoo-seong, who has shown talent in such previous hit comedies as "My Teacher, Mr.Kim" (2003) and "Lovely Rivals" (2004), teams up with veteran actors Cha Seung-won and Yoo Hae-jin _ well known for their comic performances in the past.

Cha and Yu don't deliver anything especially new _ they are quite comfortable in such roles with Cha playing a corruptive teacher in "My Teacher, Mr.Kim" and Yoo a talkative gambler in "Tazza: High Roller" ("The War of Flower" - 2006). But the two combined to produce satisfying results, eliciting bursts of laughter from audiences in this new film _ a story about rivalry and friendship between two old friends.

But the director may have tried too hard to be smart and ambitious in this movie. He unsuccessfully tries to weave heavy issues, such as politics, int...| More

[MOVIE REVIEW] 'Small Town Rivals' puts comic twist on friendship

Source | 2007/03/22 | Permalink |

Rivalry is a double-edged sword: It can be a bitter yet healthy pill to accelerate sound competition, or it can cut into a formerly amicable relationship, driving a wedge between friends.

Either way, rivalry is an interesting theme for filmmakers, and director Jang Gyoo-seong has attempted to dissect what underlies a bittersweet competition between close friends in his latest flick "Small Town Rivals (Yijanggwa gunsu)".

The Korean title offers a clue about the film's structure. "Yijang" refers to the head of a small town, a nominal title that does not carry much public authority. "Gunsu", meaning magistrate, is one of the highest positions in a provincial government. Their gap is as wide as, well, the stylistic discrepancy between Cha Seung-won and Yoo Hae-jin.

Cha is widely recognized as Korea's fashion icon. In fact, he used to be a top-rated fashion model. Yoo does not have such fashionable credentials because his strength lies in comic roles that do not require good looks ...| More

Screen 2007: Return of Master Directors

Source | 2007/01/09 | Permalink |

By Kim Tae-jong
Staff Reporter

The number of films produced last year was 108, the most ever in Korean cinematic history, and many of them were feature debut works by emerging directors. But more familiar names will be seen at the box office this year as many renowned directors are preparing to return to the big screen.

After Long Break

After a long break, Im Kwon-taek is back with his 100th movie, "Chonnyonhak" ("Beyond the Years").

With the movie, 61-year-old Im will have made the greatest number of films ever in Korea. It wasn't all smooth sailing, as the film's production was almost cancelled because the original investor and production company suddenly pulled out.

The film is a sequel to the successful 1993 film "Sopyonje", a story about singers of pansori, or Korean traditional music. The new film is a story of the characters 30 years after the story of "Sopyonje" ended.

Another anticipated work is "Secret Sunshine" by director Lee Chang-dong, who is returning ...| More

`Lovely Rivals' Wins Over Local Audience's Hearts

Source | 2004/11/18 | Permalink |

By Kim Tae-jong
Staff Reporter

A fight for love always sounds romantic, but what if the battle field is an elementary school and the two rivals in love are a female teacher and her 12-year-old student trying to win the heart of a good-looking teacher? A new local comedy successfully takes the funny factors from this exact situation and develops it as bitter sweet.

"Yosonsaeng VS Yojeja (Lovely Rivals)", directed by Jang Gyoo-seong, seems like a sequel for the director's previous comedy "My Teacher, Mr.Kim", since it is also set in a primary school and is about a teacher who doesn't have any affection towards his students but later finds the true meaning of teaching.

However, "Lovely Rivals" presents more uncontrived humor over the natural development of its story, delivered by main actress Yeom Jeong-ah from "Pomchoe-ui Chaegusong (The Big Swindle)" and "Changhwa, Hongryon (A Tale of Two Sisters)", and Lee Se-yeong from "Ahopsal Insaeng ('When I Turned Nine')".

Completely...| More

Using comedy to provoke thought about education

Source | 2004/11/17 | Permalink |

November 17, 2004 ㅡ Can an elementary school teacher and one of her students really fight over the same man? That's what director Jang Gyoo-seong's new film "Lovely Rivals" (Yeoseongsang vs. Yeojeja) is all about.
He describes it as a comical story of competition between a childish teacher and a mature student.
The two competitors' beloved target is a handsome art teacher who has come to the school for the new semester. The teacher and the student struggle to get his attention, going through many funny happenings in the process.
At first glance it may appear to be a sequel to Mr. Jang's "My Teacher, Mr.Kim" (Seongsaeng Kim Bong-du), which was also set in a small, rural school.
In "Rivals", however, Mr. Jang pushes the envelope further, not only making people laugh but using social commentary as well. Mr. Jang says his first film, "Fun Movie" (Jaemineun Yeonghwa), inspired him to be more conscious about the substance of his work.
"You know, "Fun Movie" parodies many scen...| More