Jeong Ji-woo (정지우)

KOFIC to promote Korean films at Cannes

2008/05/15 | Source | Permalink |

The Korean Film Council (KOFIC) will be engaged in diverse efforts to promote Korean cinema at the upcoming Cannes Film Festival.

With five titles screening in various sections of the festival including KIM Ji-woon's "The Good, the Bad, the Weird" (Official Selection, Out of Competition), NA Hong-jin's "The Chaser" (Midnight Screenings), omnibus film Tokyo! (Un Certain Regard) which contains a contribution by BONG Joon-ho, PARK Jae-ok's animated short "STOP" (Cinefondation), and KIM Ki-young's 1960 masterpiece "The Housemaid" (Cannes Classics), KOFIC will be doing its best to provide advance publicity for the screenings. At the same time, it will exert efforts to support sales companies in the Cannes Market who are selling Korean films.

As usual, representatives will also operate the KOFIC Pavilion (Booth #122) in the International Village. The large booth next to the beach will provide a space where festival visitors can collect promotional materials and learn more about Kore...| More

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Movie industry struggling with slowdown

2008/04/10 | Source | Permalink |

"The Chaser" (Chugyeokja), a Korean thriller directed by Na Hong-jin, has turned out to be a surprising hit in the slump-laden local film industry in the first quarter. Released on Feb. 14, it is still showing strong performances at the box office, outsmarting other Korean and foreign competitors.

If the current trend continues, the ticket sales of the thriller is now expected to reach the 5-million landmark soon, possibly emerging as the most successful Korean film in the first half of 2008.

The trailblazing success of "The Chaser" at the box office reflects the dearth of successful Korean flicks. Even foreign films are not faring so well, with Hollywood blockbusters mysteriously absent in the box office slots.

The problem with the film lineup in April has been compounded by the current downturn hitting local productions and distributors hard.

Discouraged by the poor showings of major Korean films last year, production houses are delaying the release dates of some of the m...| More

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KIM Hye-soo transforms "Modern Boy" PARK Hae-il

2008/01/30 | Source | Permalink |

Writer/director JEONG Ji-woo wrapped up filming one of the highly anticipated films of this year: "Modern Boy", set during the occupation of Korea by Japan. The titular character is played by PARK Hae-il, a superficial young man who only cares about enjoying the fruits of modernization. Things change when he meets the mysterious and multi-talented character played by KIM Hye-soo.

KIM was chosen for the female lead since the character needs to be a very strong woman who has a profound impact on the young man's life, according to director JEONG's motivation. KIM has been lavishly praised for her commanding role in "Tazza: The High Rollers" ("The War of Fower").

With filming finished, "Modern Boy" is in the final stages after a development process of three years, including a shooting period of almost seven months in numerous locations spread over the Korean peninsula.

Expectations are high, since "Modern Boy" promises strong characters, impressive visuals, an interesting recrea...| More

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Retro movies rediscover colonial era

2008/01/28 | Source | Permalink |

Gyeongseong is emerging as a popular background for Korean films, reflecting the public's recent penchant for retro style, and filmmakers' newfound interest in the Japanese colonial period -- evidence of their quest for fresh characters and themes.

During the Japanese colonial rule of the early 20th century, today's Seoul was called Gyeongseong. It was the very cultural center where tradition and Western modernity began to fuse.

Four new films exemplify this dipping into the past -- "Once Upon a Time", "Radio Dayz", "Modern Boy" and "The Good, The Bad, The Weird", all of which come with high-profile directors and actors. Production houses are pinning their hopes on the success of this new breed of Gyeongseong films at a time when home-grown movies face an uphill battle against Hollywood blockbusters.

In the past few decades, a host of filmmakers already used Gyeongseong as a historical setting -- but only superficially. In contrast, these upcoming films rely heavily on the cul...| More

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Local films go for mega flicks in 2008

2008/01/21 | Source | Permalink |

Chungmuro, Korea's answer to Hollywood, had a gloomy 2007.
Despite major hits such as "D-War" and "May 18" and Jeon Do-yeon winning the Best Actress award at the 2007 Cannes International Film Festival, overall revenue dropped significantly.
With the number of people going to the movies decreasing for the first time in 11 years, some commentators claim that the decade-long Chungmuro renaissance is finished.
The JoongAng Ilbo surveyed 25 movie experts, including producers, investors and critics, on movies earmarked for release this year.
Included in the survey were the movie critics Kang Yu-jeong and Jeon Chan-il as well as Jeong Seung-hae, the owner of Achim Productions.
For them, the renaissance is still alive, though not in the first bud of youth.
Two trends describe Korean movies this year: blockbusters and period movies.
According to these 25 movie buffs, the most promising movie for 2008 is "The Good, the Bad, the Weird".
It's a Korean-style western set in Manchuria, t...| More

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