Seo Yeong-hee (서영희)

'The Chaser' Is a Superb Thriller

Source | 2009/01/04 | Permalink |

Na Hong-jin's debut feature restores faith in Korean genre cinema
Kyu Hyun Kim (qhyunkim)

Jung-ho (Kim Yoon-seok, "Tazza: The High Rollers" - "The War of Flower") is a former cop turned pimp for a "massage parlor". He is convinced that a young, dorky customer Young-min (Ha Jeong-woo, recently on a roll, also excellent in US-lensed "Never Forever") has kidnapped and sold his "girls", including Mi-jin (Seo Yeong-hee). Unfortunately, what the cops uncover is far worse: Young-min is an impotent serial killer who uses a chisel and a hammer to slaughter his female victims. While the police investigation stumbles and takes detour, Jung-ho becomes increasingly aware that Young-min's latest victim, Mi-jin, is still alive somewhere, bleeding and bound: and that he is the only person who can rescue her.

"The Chaser" is the hands-down grittiest, snazziest and gutsiest Korean thriller of 2008, possibly in last three years or so. It is difficult to believe that this is a feature film debut fo...| More

[Review] 'Shadows in the Palace'

Source | 2008/08/15 | Permalink |

A dark thriller exposes the underbelly of monarchical splendor
Kyu Hyun Kim (qhyunkim)

The time is the Joseon dynasty -- unspecified but presumed to be around 18th century. The place is the women's quarters inside the court, entirely staffed by women and governed by their own inhumanly strict rules. In this world completely devoid of a male presence, a simple act of stealing might result in amputated hands, while falling in love with a male court officer might lead to a Grand Guignol-like semi-public execution.

A royal maid, Wol-ryung (Seo Yeong-hee, "Jealousy is My Middle Name"), is found dead by hanging in a room, an apparent suicide. However, the medical officer, Cheon-ryung (Park Jin-hee, "Spy Lee Chul-jin", "Love Talk"), uncovers that not only was Wol-ryung murdered, but also that she recently gave birth to a child.

The supervising officer, Kim Seong-ryeong ("Rainbow Eyes"), who wants to whitewash everything, and the royal concubine (Yoon Se-ah, "Blood Rain"), who has be...| More

PiFan adventure closes with prizes

Source | 2008/08/01 | Permalink |

The 12th Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival (PiFan) came to a close Sunday Jul. 27 after a thrilling 10-day run. This year's fest brought 1978 official guests to the city of Bucheon, a record number for PiFan, helped along by the addition of its first project market called Network of Asian Fantastic Films (NAFF2008).

PiFan's always exciting official competition section saw 12 high quality films vying for cash prizes, with top honors this year going to a stand-out Korean film that has already shaken up local audiences and won a slew of awards. Sleeper hit The Chaser, directed by Na Hong-jin in his feature debut, captured the "Best of Puchon" prize along with two more awards, making it the night's big winner.

The festival's international jury also handed "The Chaser" a Best Actress prize for Seo Yeong-hee, who played a prostitute brutalized by a deranged serial killer. Another special jury from the European Federation of Fantastic Film Festivals (EFFFF) named The Chaser r...| More

Gritty psycho-thriller pursues audiences

Source | 2008/02/27 | Permalink |

Na Hong-jin's thriller "The Chaser" is now running at full throttle after a quiet start at the box office.
Since its release on Feb. 14, 1.7 million viewers as of last Sunday have bought tickets, edging the Hollywood sci-fi thriller "Jumper" from top spot.
The film was also sold to France, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Greece and Hong Kong at the Berlin Film Festival this year.
The film's success owes much to Kim Yoon-seok, the award-winning supporting actor from "The War of Flower" (2006), "Like a Virgin" (2006), and "The Happy Life" (2006).
Kim, 40, plays former detective Jung-ho, who gets fired for taking bribes. He's now a pimp in charge of a bodobang, an illicit "happy ending" massage parlor.
When the prostitutes under Jung-ho's management start to vanish, the former cop starts his own investigation.
He discovers that Young-min (Ha Jeong-woo), posing as a customer, has seduced and killed them.
The JoongAng Ilbo interviewed Kim Yoon-seok in Samcheong-dong, central Se...| More

"Chaser" Offers Heart-Thumping Thrills

Source | 2008/01/31 | Permalink |

By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter

Not another serial killer story ― and for St. Valentine's Day? You've got to be kidding. But "The Chaser", coming to theaters Feb. 14, is no joke. It's a film noir with a serious message, but is entertaining despite being ridden with social criticism from beginning to end.

While giving the much-exploited genre a novel edge, it's a classic edge-of-the-seat experience with pulsating action, cynical comic relief and elusively gripping characters. Two hours fly by in no time.

"The Chaser" marks director Na Hong-jin's feature film debut. He made a name for himself in the international scene for shorts like "A Perfect Red Snapper Dish", and presents an original story that was three years in the making.

Here, the cat-and-mouse game is not between the police and criminal: In American parlance, a less-than-average Joe tracks down a serial murderer, while the corrupt police and public prosecutors prove to be rather useless.

Kim Yoon-seok, the ...| More