Lee Hae-joon (이해준)

KOFIC Korean films showcase in Tokyo, will be held this year from November the 21st to the 30th as an official section of FILMEX. The annual event, designed to promote a diversity of Korean films to Japanese audiences will show everything from more commercial fare such as the current box office number one "Good Morning President" to art house films including the international film festival hit "...More

In a celebration of Korean film, a record 44 will screen at this year's 2009 International Film Festival of Marrakech. In addition, representatives from Korean government organizations, the Korean film industry: producers, directors, actors and film festival delegates will be in attendance. The festival, which began in 2000 has in the past focused on the national cinemas of Italy, Egypt and Spain. This year, signaling the growing importance of Korean film and certainly spurred by recent successes such as Bong Joon-ho's "Mother - 2009" and Park Chan-wook's "Thirst", the festival turns its ...More

46th Annual Daejong Film Awards Nominees

- Best Movie: "Take Off", "Mother - 2009", "The Divine Weapon", "Sky and Sea", "Haeundae"

- Best Director : Kim Yong-hwa ("Take Off"), Yoon Je-kyoon ("Haeundae"), Jeon Yoon-soo ("Portrait of a Beauty"), Jeong Gi-hoon ("Ae-ja"), Bong Joon-ho ("Mother - 2009")

- Best Actor : Kim Myeong-min ("Closer to Heaven"), Kim Yoon-seok (Running Turtle), Seol Kyeong-gu ("Haeundae"), Jeong Jae-yeong ("The Divine Weapon"), Ha Jeong-woo ("Take Off")

- Best Actress : Kim Min-seon ("Portrait of a Beauty"), Kim Hye-ja ("Mother - 2009"), Soo-ae ("Sunny"), Jang Nara ("Sky and Sea"), Choi Kang-hee ("Ae-ja")

- Best Supporting Actor : Kim In-kwon ("Haeundae"), Jin Goo ("Mother - 2009"), Jeong Kyeong-ho ("Sunny"), Jang Geun-seok ("The Case of Itaewon Homicide"), Kim Nam-gil ("Modern Boy")

- Best Supporting Actress : Kim Bo-yeon ("...More

'These budding directors shot their first films when Korean cinema was at its peak, so it's no wonder they now feel pressure'. -PIFF programmer

The "sophomore slump" refers to when a second effort fails to meet the standards or expectations of the first. It affects bands, performers and artists of all types - and movie directors are no exception.

Six emerging Korean directors discussed the pressure and the anxiety they felt while making their second films, as well as the challenges of dealing with the changing landscape of filmmaking in Korea at "Open Talk No. 2" during the Pusan International Film Festival, which closed its nine-day run last Friday.

The six directors - Park Chan-ok, Lee Song-hee-il, Lee Seong-han, Lee Hae-joon, Kim Tae-sik and Kim Dong-won-I - first gained recognition for their debut features at previous Pusan film festivals, and returned to this year's event with their second works.

"I feel like I keep growing through filmmaking, even though growing up is something one can look forward to and be afraid of at the same time", said Lee Song-hee-il, who is well-known for his films, which deal mostly with homosexuality.

The director returned to PIFF this year with "Break Away", which had its world premiere there and tells the story of runaway soldiers. His first feature, "No Regret", a gay romance, premiered at PIFF three years ago.

"I feel like a little child who is just about to learn how to walk", Lee said. "In the beginning, people always cheer for you, but once people t...More

CJ/CGV, Korea's leading cinema chain, announced a 49.1% domestic market share for Korean films in May. Of the 16,322,551 million visitors, 8,018,465 people bought tickets to a Korean film. It is the highest May record for Korean cinema since 2005.

Since 2005, the highest percentage for Korean films in May was in 2006 when Korean films captured a 36.1% market share. Last year May, Korean films accounted for merely 7.8% of the box office.

50% of the top ten most popular films were Korean. ...More