kwak Jae-Yong (곽재용)

KOFIC's Quartely "Korea Cinema Today" just Published

Source | 2009/07/24 | 0 comments | Permalink |

The Pucheon International Fantastic Film Festival(PiFan) edition of KOFIC's quarterly Korean Cinema Today magazine, has just been published. With the title 'Expand the Market Expand the Views' this edition focuses on international co productions and international Korean film business.

The title article in particular looks at successful co production and cinematic international changes with the Asia region. In terms of investment, Ellen KIM details issues of co production financing in Investment and Production Environment of Korean Films. As a particular case study, in Working with New Zealand LEE Nam-jin revisits the current state of cinematic play between New Zealand/Korea and their barely 1 year old Film Co-production Treaty.

On the same international theme, the magazine also contains interviews with KWAK Jae-yong director of "Cyborg She" and Juno LEE producer of "Boat", both who shot their respective films in Japan. Foreign language speaking Korean actors are also given ...| More

Korean Line-up at Fantasia Int'l Film Fest

Source | 2009/07/06 | 0 comments | Permalink |

North America's largest genre film fest, the Fantasia International Film Festival boasts an impressive line-up of notable Korean films this year; among them the North American premiere of PARK Chan-wook's Cannes-winning vampire drama, "Thirst". Held annually in Montreal, Canada, the event will run from July 9 – 29 at several theaters in the city.

Along with PARK's latest is "Crush and Blush", a film he produced for debut director LEE Kyoung-mi. Two int'l festival favorites, NOH Young-seok's micro-budget but acclaimed debut, "Daytime Drinking", and JANG Hoon's "Rough Cut" will screen. Both films have had their Canadian rights bought by Canada's Evokative Films which plans to release "Rough Cut" in Canadian theaters in January of 2010.

Rotterdam winner "Breathless" by YANG Ik-joon will screen along with sleeper hit of 2008, "The Chaser" by NA Hong-jin. LEE Yoon-ki's Seoul odyssey, "My Dear Enemy" and KWAK Jae-yong's Japanese made "Cyborg, She", were also invited. Other film...| More

'Cyborg She' : My Sassy Girl-Turned-Robot

Source | 2009/05/07 | 0 comments | Permalink |

Director Kwak Jae-yong urges viewers not to compare his Japanese movie "Cyborg She" to his previous production "My Sassy Girl". But the latter comes to mind when watching "Cyborg She". The robot-girlfriend in the film, played by Japanese star Haruka Ayase, is like an updated version of the "sassy girl", who was played by Jeon Ji-hyeon. This bizarre character seems to have no limits when it comes to eccentricity.

Jirou, played by Keisuke Koide, resembles the innocent boy who was played by Cha Tae-hyeon in "My Sassy Girl". His naive behavior, silly facial expressions and the way he responds to the erratic behavior of his girlfriend mimic those of Cha's character.

Though "Cyborg She" is a fantasy movie, its emotional aspect is in many ways similar to that of "My Sassy Girl". The female characters of both these movies are proactive in their relationships but don't want to invest their feelings, whereas the male characters are very dedicated to their girlfriends despite being kept und...| More

'Cyborg She', One Man's Perverse Fantasy

Source | 2009/04/30 | 0 comments | Permalink |

By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter

Director Kwak Jae-yong has been giving less than stellar performances ever since the South Korean megahit "My Sassy Girl" (2001) and the mellow romance "The Classic" (2003) ― and he makes an effort to redeem himself, rather fruitlessly, in "Cyborg She".

The Korea-Japan joint production nevertheless held a top spot in the Japanese box office for five weeks and sold over 110,000 DVDs. The movie translates into real action akin to Japanese sci-fi anime, and is not without its charms, particularly with some striking visuals and top stars Haruka Ayase and Keisuke Koide giving endearing performances.

But this reporter ― having loved Kwak's "Sassy" and "The Classic" (2003), despised "Sassy's" prequel "Windstruck" (2004) and felt pity for "My Mighty Princess" (2008) ― was not at all convinced by "Cyborg's" perverse pursuit of an older man's self-gratifying fantasy. "This movie is like a gift to myself, to my lonely days as a young man ...| More

PiFan adventure closes with prizes

Source | 2008/08/01 | 0 comments | 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