Like A Virgin (Movie - 2006)

Six filmmakers confront the struggle of the second time

Source | 2009/10/22 | 0 comments | Permalink |

'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...| More

JANG Mi-hee and KIM Yoon-seok to Open PIFF

Source | 2009/10/01 | 0 comments | Permalink |

Two Korean stars have been named to host the opening ceremony of the 14th Pusan International Film Festival. Actress JANG Mi-hee, who made her debut in 1976 and actor KIM Yoon-seok, who rose to lead status with his role in 2007's The Chaser, will raise curtains for the star-studded ceremony on Oct. 8th at the Busan Yachting Center on Haeundae beach.

JANG was one of Korea's top stars throughout the 80s, starring in films such as BAE Chang-ho's "Hwang Jin-Yi" (1986) and "Deep Blue Night" (1985). She is currently enjoying a renaissance in her acting career though TV drama "Mom Has Grown Horns" ("Mom's Dead Upset") in which she plays the colorful and unique character "GOH Eun-a".

KIM Yoon-seok is a charismatic actor known for his supporting roles in many Korean films including "The Happy Life" (2007), "Tazza: the High Rollers" ("The War of Flower" - 2006), "Like A Virgin" (2006), and "The Big Swindle" (2004). His gritty lead role in "The Chaser" put him in the national spotlight...| More

English subtitled cinema screenings of "Private Eye"

Source | 2009/04/16 | 0 comments | Permalink |

Director PARK Dae-min's debut feature film "Private Eye" stars Korea's top character actors HWANG Jeong-min ("You Are My Sunshine") and RYOO Deok-hwan ("Like a Virgin"). Besides solid acting performances the film is praised for its intelligent and entertaining story by critics.

Cinus Myeongdong (northern Seoul) and Cinus Gangnam (southern Seoul) – in cooperation with the Seoul Metropolitan Government – will offer screenings of "Private Eye" with English subtitles. The detective film premieres on 2 April.

A medical student (RYOO) tempts a reluctant private detective (HWANG) into a murder case of a dead body he stumbled upon. The two polar opposites complement each other in order to solve the volatile case involving powerful politicians.

Cinus is currently showing two Korean films with English subtitles. One is the melodrama "More than Blue" starring KWON Sang-woo and LEE Bo-yeong; the other is record breaking surprise hit documentary "Old Partner" about the bond between an old...| More

LEE Hae-joon films JEONG Jae-yeong's adventures and JEONG Ryeo-won

Source | 2008/09/11 | 0 comments | Permalink |

LEE Hae-joon is attempting his solo feature film directorial debut with the film "Castaway on the Moon", Kimssi pyoryoogi (English translation: "the adventures of Mr. KIM"). He previously co-directed the acclaimed "Like a Virgin" with LEE Hae-yeong.


The titular character will be played by JEONG Jae-yeong. JEONG's character runs to the Han River in Seoul to commit suicide, but it won't come that far. JEONG previously starred in JANG Jin's "Someone Special" and "Guns and Talks". He is currently in cinemas with "Public Enemy Returns" and "The Divine Weapon".

Mr. KIM's change of plans is due to another KIM, a woman played by JEONG Ryeo-won. JEONG was seen in last year's "2 Faces of My Girlfriend".

Filming started in late August. The film is scheduled for a release in next year.

Yi Ch'ang-ho (KOFIC)...| More

Top Actors Cast in the Controversial '29 Years'

Source | 2008/09/04 | 0 comments | Permalink |

Actress KIM Ah-joong, who rose to national celebrity status last year with her debut role in "200 Pounds Beauty", will star alongside RYOO Seung-beom ("Arahan", "Bloody Tie") in '29 Years', a film adaptation of a controversial comic series by Kang Pool ("A.P.T").

The story centers on a former soldier with a guilty conscience after his taking part, 29 years earlier, in the Gwangju Massacre, a real-life tragic episode in Korean history, in which state troops were ordered to open fire on civilians in the city, killing thousands. The former soldier, played by RYOO, sets out to assassinate the person suspected of ordering the massacre, namely former Korean president CHUN Doo-hwan.

The US $6.5 million film is to be directed by LEE Hae-yeong, who debuted in 2006 with the critical and commercial success, "Like a Virgin". LEE also penned the screenplay for the new project. Korean shingle Chungeorahm, the production force behind all-time local box office king, "The Host" (2006), will p...| More