Ko Eun-ah (고은아)

[MOVIE REVIEW] 'The Houseguest' overstays its welcome

2007/08/02 | Source | Permalink |

Chu Yo-sup (1902-1972) wrote the memorable short story "Saranbang sonmin-gwa eomeoni (The Guest in My Mom's House)". Published in 1935, the creative tale portrays the subtle emotional tension between a widow and a house guest from the perspective of a six-year-old girl. Emotions are intentionally suppressed, reflecting the strict social norms placed on Koreans at the time.

"Sarangbang seonsuwa eomeoni" ("The Houseguest and My Mother"), directed by Lim Yeong-seong, borrows the title from the famous short story, but does not follow the original plot. In contrast to Chu's refined storytelling, "The Houseguest and My Mother" pursues a shamelessly trite Korean filmmaking format: Different cinematic elements are crammed onto the big screen not because they are essential but because the director wants to rescue a deplorable script.

In the film, Deok-gun (Jeong Joon-ho) is 100 million won in debt to gangsters thanks to his irresponsible father who is now behind bars. Desperate to pay bac...| More

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'Kidnappers' Needs Education to Be Funny

2006/11/02 | Source | Permalink |

By Kang Seung-woo
Staff Reporter

The first and most important mission of comedy movies is to see that the audience bursts into laughter.

But it seems that local directors are often obsessed with the idea that they should also include a new perspective or message at the end of their comedy films.

If their attempt is unsuccessful, however, viewers can get easily lost in between hilariousness and seriousness and the movie can flop.

The new film " Chanhokhan Chulgun" (Educating Kidnappers - "A Cruel Attendance") seems to be a victim of such an obsession.

In the first half, the film succeeds in cracking hilarious jokes from humorous situations, but the remainder of the film bores the audience with the theme of "the importance of family".

The film, directed by Kim Tae-yoon, is centered on the irony of a kidnapper's daughter being kidnapped.

The main character is Tong-chul (played by Kim Soo-ro), who finds himself in trouble after his failed stock investment, he loses a ...| More

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It's All Work and No Pay at 'Ssunday Seoul'

2005/04/19 | Source | Permalink |

By Kim Tae-jong
Staff Reporter

CHINAN, North Cholla Province - An upcoming film "Ssunday Seoul" tells of a series of strange and mysterious stories. However, for the makers of the movie, the strangeness is all in a day's work - literally.

The film crew, staff, marketing team and the director of the film agreed not to receive any wages while the film is being made. Instead of a salary, they will get a share of the profits after its release.


Actors from an upcoming film "Ssunday Seoul" pose in fighting positions during a news conference at the movie's set at Chinan, North Cholla Province, Monday.

Director Park Seong-hoon says that due to the recent success of local films, many domestic directors are finding it easier to get funding for their projects. However, because they have to answer to investors, "not many of them want take risks and make something new and unusual. This can threaten the diversity and creativity of local films", said Park during a news conference at th...| More

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