Life is Cool (2006) - 그녀는 예뻤다 (Geu-nyeo-neun Ye-bbeot-da)

New technological step in Korean animation

2008/06/05 | Source | Permalink |

After RYOO Seung-wan's "The City of Violence" (Jjakpae) and PARK Chan-wook's "I'm a Cyborg, but that's Ok" (Cyborgjiman Gwaenjanha), "Life is Cool" (Geunyeoneun Yeppeotta, English translation: "She was beautiful") will be the next instalment of CJ Entertainment's HD Project, and the first Korean animation film using the technique rotoscoping. With this procedure, live-action film is being traced by animators frame by frame.

KIM Soo-ro ("Vampire Cop Ricky"/Heuphyeol Hyeongsa Nadoyeol), and television actress PARK Ye-jin are among the actors involved in the project. CHOI Ik-hwan directs this tale about three distinct male friends who fall out with each other when they all fall for the same woman.

Rotoscoping opens new doors in filmmaking. One of the benefits is that it makes facial expressions more realistic than other forms of animation. The animation technique was also used for A Scanner Darkly, starring Keanu Reeves, and the music video Take on Me by A-ha. Also, the procedure i...| More

Rotoscoped Film Shows Life in '4D'

2008/06/05 | Source | Permalink |

By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter

Director Choe Ik-hwan ("Whispering Corridors 4: 'Voice Letter"') brings "Life Is Cool", South Korea's first rotoscoped film. In this HD film project by CJ Entertainment, local production company DNA, which whipped up animation and graphics for "The Animatrix", creates hip visuals for a friendly love story.

Rotoscoping is a process in which animators trace over a live action sequence, frame by frame. It goes beyond computer-generated imagery for larger than life effects. By utilizing what's only possible in animation, it gives 3D action added dimension ― it's tech savvy and digital but breathes life into the film.

"Life" took only a month of actual shooting but almost two years and 140 artists for rotoscoping. One may wonder, why go through the trouble, as leading lady Park Ye-jin said. The director said he was inspired by "Waking Life", a rotoscoped film that captures human life despite being digital.

The movie takes advantage of the be...| More

Korean movies leap into box-office fray

2008/05/29 | Source | Permalink |

In late April, Iron Man arrived in the Korean cinema, smashing the box office into very profitable pieces. In mid-May, Prince Caspian took the baton and kept up the pressure on Korean competitors. Last weekend, whip-wielding Indy joined the Hollywood-only party, roped in plenty of movie tickets sales.

The bombardment of Hollywood films dragged down the share of Korean films to a record low. But the bleak development was widely predicted since only a couple of new Korean releases were made. June might be slightly different, as eight Korean movies are set for release.

"Girl Scout", directed by Kim Sang-man, will hit theaters on June 5, featuring well-known actors such as Kim Seon-ah, Nah Moon-hee, Lee Kyeong-sil. The film will test whether the audiences still have an appetite for a chase-the-money drama with fewer funny moments than publicized.

Waiting in line for the June 12 release are four Korean films: "Life is Cool", "Beyond All Magic", "Spare" and "Like Father, Like Son". ...| More

Top star invests in domestic films

2006/05/25 | Source | Permalink |

Keyeast, a media contents investor co-established by actor Bae Yong-joon, recently signed a contract with CJ Entertainment to invest 700 million won ($730,000) in four movies produced by one of the most established movie producer/distributors in Korea.

The movies are director Park Chan-wook's "I'm a Cyborg, But That's OK", Ryoo Seung-wan's "The City of Violence", Lee Moo-yeong's "Like Father, Like Son" and Choi Ik-hwan's "Life is cool".

The media contents company will be given a primary chance to invest in four additional movies currently under preparation by CJ Entertainment.

Keyeast, which was set up in March, has also invested in a local television drama "Smile Again" and participated in funding "Taewangsasingi" ("The Legend") featuring Bae as well as co-hosting the 2006 Jeju Hallyu Expo. ...| More