Rough Cut (Movie - 2008)

Korea culture to be on the screen at 4th London Korean Film Festival

Source | 2009/11/06 | 0 comments | Permalink |

The fourth London Korean Film Festival 2009 runs from Nov. 1 to 18 and already some of the big name directors in Korea have flown to the United Kingdom to promote Korean movies. Prior celebrations and functions aside, the actual first screening was on Thursday (Nov. 5).

This year's film festival, with 25 feature films and four animations from Korea, is organized by the Korean Cultural Center in the United Kingdom and the Korea Creative Content Agency, with the support of the Korean government.

The films will be screened at the BFI (British Film Institute) from Nov. 1 to 14; the London Barbican Centre from Nov. 5 to 12; Manchester Cornerhouse from Nov. 7 to 9; and Nottingham Broadway Cinema from Nov. 16 to 18.

Some award-winning directors from Korea, namely director Park Chan-wook and Bong Joon-ho will visit London with their respective works, "Thirst" (2009) and "Mother - 2009" (2009). The Thirst, which won a Jury Prize at the 62nd Cannes International Film Festival this year,...| More

46th Annual Daejong Film Awards Nominees

Source | 2009/10/23 | 0 comments | Permalink |

46th Annual Daejong Film Awards Nominees

- Best Movie: "Take Off", "Mother - 2009", "The Divine Weapon", "Sky and Sea", "Haeundae"

- Best Director : Kim Yong-hwa ("Take Off"), Yoon Je-kyoon ("Haeundae"), Jeon Yoon-soo ("Portrait of a Beauty"), Jeong Gi-hoon ("Ae-ja"), Bong Joon-ho ("Mother - 2009")

- Best Actor : Kim Myeong-min ("Closer to Heaven"), Kim Yoon-seok (Running Turtle), Seol Kyeong-gu ("Haeundae"), Jeong Jae-yeong ("The Divine Weapon"), Ha Jeong-woo ("Take Off")

- Best Actress : Kim Min-seon ("Portrait of a Beauty"), Kim Hye-ja ("Mother - 2009"), Soo-ae ("Sunny"), Jang Nara ("Sky and Sea"), Choi Kang-hee ("Ae-ja")

- Best Supporting Actor : Kim In-kwon ("Haeundae"), Jin Goo ("Mother - 2009"), Jeong Kyeong-ho ("Sunny"), Jang Geun-seok ("The Case of Itaewon Homicide"), Kim Nam-gil ("Modern Boy")

- Best Supporting Actress : Kim Bo-yeon ("Living Death"), Kim Hae-sook ("Thirst"), Kim Yeong-ae ("Ae-ja"), Choo Ja-hyeon ("Portrait of a Beauty"), Nam Neung-mi ("Clos...| More

TV Program Guide During 'Chuseok'

Source | 2009/09/29 | 0 comments | Permalink |

By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter

The "Chuseok" weekend is just around the corner and both major and cable broadcasters have prepared various programs for friends and family to enjoy.

Special Programs

KBS is traveling back in history to explore the ancient boat that carried celadon porcelain a thousand years ago with their special program "Goryeo Celadon Porcelain; Temptation of Green Celadon". The program searches for the ancient route the famous porcelain traveled, along with the reason why it was so popular in China and Japan. "Goryeo" will air Oct. 4 at 8 p.m. on KBS.

"A Lecture from Heaven" will feature violist Richard Yongjae O'Neill's trip to a small village in South Chungcheong Province. The students live in a small village where it is hard to visit even a museum, let alone a music concert. O'Neill teaches them the basics of classical music and holds a small concert with them. "A Lecture From Heaven" will air Oct. 2 at 11:15 p.m.

Meanwhile, SBS is offering "Tastin...| More

'Sophie's Revenge' Satisfies to a Point

Source | 2009/08/20 | 0 comments | Permalink |

By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter

"Sophie's Revenge", which marks Zhang Ziyi's first romantic comedy role and stint as a producer, can be likened to a protein shake. It offers all the expected ingredients ― romance, slapstick and melodrama ― as well as the easy, genre-approved characters and plotline, and even a wrap-around opening story that foretells the fairytale ending.

Mix those up with heavy doses of influence from peers "Bridget Jones's Diary" and "My Sassy Girl", and add in some "Amelie"-style live-action-meets-animation and New York chick-lit dialogue in Mandarin. Director Eva Jin shapes the cliched mess into something edible with a sweet aftertaste ― but like most artificial sources of protein it is not completely filling.

The "pan-Asian" production, however, tactfully serves its magical purpose, as diet drinks do for those eager to become slim. Featuring some adorable visual gimmickry ― including, naturally, its star cast ― Sophie's Reven...| More

So Ji-sub Makes Chinese Film Debut with Zhang Ziyi

Source | 2009/08/19 | 0 comments | Permalink |

Actor So Ji-sub, who surprised many by choosing the low-budget film "Rough Cut" to mark his screen return after completing his compulsory military service in April 2007, has made another unexpected decision -- to make his Chinese film debut in a movie called "Sophie's Revenge", starring Zhang Ziyi in her first romantic comedy. The film opens in Korea on Thursday.

In a press conference last Thursday, So explained why he chose this particular film. "I wanted to do a bright and cheery role because I've played so many sad and gloomy ones". So's part in the film was originally meant to be just a cameo, but as shooting progressed his role gained more and more importance. Even so, his fans might be disappointed by his limited time onscreen. But So was more concerned with "how I could harmonize my performance with those of the other top Chinese actors and actresses". Another challenge was delivering his lines in 100 percent Chinese. "I really struggled throughout the shoot. I made so many e...| More