Kim Han-min (김한민)

'Hand Phone' Showcases Top Talent

Source | 2009/02/12 | 0 comments | Permalink |

By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter

"Paradise Murdered" ("Paradise 1986") director Kim Han-min brings yet another unconventional thriller, "Hand Phone". But unlike his previous work, the setting shifts from an isolated island to the big city and, like its title suggests, revolves around every urbanite's essential hardware, the cell phone

The cell phone, which South Koreans commonly call "hand phone" and thus the title of the film, has appeared without fail in recent thrillers such as "Seven Days". "Hand Phone" also has the victim running around as the perpetrator whispers orders from the other line. It capitalizes on the familiar anxiety of looking for a charger when the battery starts dying out on an important conversation. It also shows the perils of losing one's personal information held by cell phones.

The beauty of the film lies in its haunting revelation of the grotesque in things mundane and the unleashing of the latent beast within individuals, including the most docile, u...| More

Thriller 'Hand Phone' rings true to reality

Source | 2009/02/03 | 0 comments | Permalink |

Korea was shocked by the news last month that actress Jeon Ji-hyeon's cell phone had been cloned by her management company so that it could keep an eye on her. The case played into the fears of many that the digital devices that have become such an indispensable part of our lives can also serve to violate our privacy.

But, of course, once the movies get ahold of this idea, all of our worst fears get taken to the next level, as they do in the thriller "Hand Phone", which comes out at local theaters on Feb. 19.

"The film is full of suspense", said director Kim Han-min at a recent press conference at the Seoul Plaza Hotel. Kim directed "Paradise Murdered" ("Paradise 1986" - 2007), another thriller that attracted more than 2.2 million viewers.

"Though the film belongs to the thriller genre, it doesn't depend on crime or revenge; it's more reality-based suspense", the director added.

Treading well-travelled ground, Hand Phone tells the story of struggling talent manager Seung-mi...| More

Cell phone topic of new thriller

Source | 2009/01/15 | 0 comments | Permalink |

Mobile devices have become the norm, saving time and energy for a person on-the-go.

Many folks, however, use them to store sensitive information like intimate photos and videos. It is not usually until they have been lost that the owner realizes they should have been more cautious.

That is the premise cooked up by director Kim Han-min for his second feature-length film, "Hand Phone", as Koreans usually refer to mobile phones. It stars Eom Tae-woong and Park Yong-woo as the story's anti-hero and villain.

Kim is considered a major up-and-coming director. His debut work, "Paradise Murdered" ("Paradise 1986") two years ago drew 2.2 million to the theater, more than adequate by local standards, and also met with critical approval.

For Eom, this is his first lead role in a feature film. He tries to convince viewers his life is coming apart as his character is hounded by an unknown ominous figure played by character actor Park. Eom is the younger brother of Uhm Jung-wha, a leading...| More

KIM Han-min casts EOM Tae-woong

Source | 2008/09/11 | 0 comments | Permalink |

EOM Tae-woong will tackle the role of a manager in KIM Han-min's Haendeupon (English translation: "Mobile Phone"). The main characters of the thriller are the manager and his female top star.

KIM Han-min wrote and directed last year's box office hit "Paradise Murdered" ("Paradise 1986"). It was his first feature film after being successful with awarded short films.

EOM is active in both Television and cinema. EOM was successful earlier this year with the surprise box office hit "Forever the Moment", a sports drama from the hands of LIM Soon-rye. He also plays in LEE Joon-ik's "Sunny" which is playing in cinemas at the moment.

KIM revealed that this film will brim with suspense like his previous film "Paradise Murdered" ("Paradise 1986"), a well-structured film with a twist. The casting of the other roles have not been announced yet.

Yi Ch'ang-ho (KOFIC)...| More

Top directors assemble for short film fest's jury

Source | 2008/06/13 | 0 comments | Permalink |

The Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival (MSFF) assigned a high profile jury consisting of Korea's leading mainstream and independent directors. PARK Jin-pyo heads a jury further comprised of: KIM Tae-yong, KIM Yong-hwa, JO Chang-ho, KIM Hyeon-seok, KIM Tae-sik, KIM Han-min, JEON Gye-soo, CHOI Dong-hoon, and NA Hong-jin.

The Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival will open its doors on June 26 at Yongsan CGV in Seoul. The festival will finish on July 2. Among the upcoming directors, the festival also screens actor YOO Ji-tae's directorial short film effort "Out of My Intention" (Nado Moreuge) in the competition section.

PARK Jin-pyo directed "You Are My Sunshine" (Neoneun Nae Woonmyeong) and "Voice of Murderer" (Geu Nom Moksori). KIM Tae-yong received acclaim for his "Family Ties" ("The Birth of a Family", Gajokui Tansaeng). KIM Yong-hwa was the man behind the box office hit "200 Pounds Beauty" (Minyeoneun Gwereoweo). CJO Chang-ho competed at several international film festivals with "Th...| More