| Enemies conquer poverty to rekindle love (Source) |
2008/09/30 |
Love and hate, as the saying goes, are two sides of the same coin. This is nowhere more apparent than in Lee Yoon-ki's "My Dear Enemy", a story which explores the way love can create hatred and vice versa.
The film's two main characters, Hui-soo (Jeon Do-yeon) and Byung-un (Ha Jeong-woo), share a tempestuous relationship.
Hui-soo, single, jobless and poor, is desperate for money. While searching for ways to earn a living, she remembers the 3.5 million won ($3,073) that her ex-boyfriend Byung-un borrowed from her a year ago.
She asks him for the money but he's in equally dire straits. He is also jobless and worn out.
He got married after breaking up with Hui-soo but divorced two months later. His business failed, miring him even deeper in debt. His bad luck forces him out onto the streets.
Despite the breakdowns, Byung-un is optimistic. He still dreams of becoming a jockey and opening a makgeolli, or rice wine, shop in Madrid.
While the two dispute over money, their lo... |More
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| [Review] 'Shadows in the Palace' (Source) |
2008/08/15 |
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
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| "Shadows in the Palace" Women's film of 2007 (Source) |
2007/12/17 |
"Shadows in the Palace" Women's film of 2007
Women in Film selected director KIM Mi-jeong's "Shadows in the Palace" as the 2007 women's film deserving special attention. The court mystery is KIM's directorial debut and PARK Jin-hee was her leading lady.
PARK played a medically skilled court lady who investigates a murder cover-up and becomes entangled in power relations in the Chosun dynasty royal court where the women are suppressed. Shadows in the Palace received praise from the critics and was successful at the box office. The San Sebastian Film Festival selected the film for its competition section.
KIM's debut film was produced by Achim Pictures and distributed by Cinema Service. PARK previously acted in LEE Yoon-ki's "Love Talk", among others.
Yi Ch'ang-ho (KOFIC)... |More
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| KIM Mi-jeong adds Another Female Perspective
(Source) |
2007/10/19 |
Debuting director KIM Mi-jeong joined the increasingly influential ranks of female directors in Korea. She starts out with a historical thriller set in a harem at a royal court, titled "Shadows in the Palace".
PARK Jin-hee portrays the protagonist. She investigates a murder in the court which is kept under wraps. The headstrong woman pushes on while being opposed and uncovers a dark secret. PARK's previous films include "Love Talk" and "Love in Magic".
"Shadows in the Palace" was selected by the San Sebastian Film Festival for its competition section. The film is distributed by Cinema Service and opens mid-October in Korea. Achim Pictures produced KIM's film.
Yi Ch'ang-ho (KOFIC)... |More
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| Cannes winner takes her next step (Source) |
2007/10/03 |
What's next? This was the question Jeon Do-yeon has faced since she won the best actress award at the Cannes International Film Festival in May for her performance in "Milyang", or "Secret Sunshine", directed by Lee Chang-dong. But after a months-long wait, fans will be glad to hear that Jeon's next film will be "Meotjin Haru" (or "A Fine Day" - "My Dear Enemy") to be directed by Lee Yoon-ki.
Jeon is to star as an unemployed spinster. One day, she meets up with her ex-boyfriend and spends a day full of adventure with subtle shades of feelings. Director Lee has been a darling of international film festivals with films like "This Charming Girl" (2004) and "Love Talk" (2005), which provided a sophisticated, warm look at female sensibilities. Jeon's male counterpart in the new film has yet to be decided. The movie is slated to start filming next month and open early next year.
The first Korean actress to win the award at Cannes, Jeon has cemented her fame at home with versatile perform... |More
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