The Moonlight of Seoul (Movie - 2007)

Yoon Kye-sang Determined to Gain Recognition as Actor

Source | 2009/10/30 | 0 comments | Permalink |

"I wanted to stay free of any thoughts when filming 'The Executioner'", said Yoon Kye-sang, who is known for his hard work in Chungmuro. Yoon admits that he is hard on himself because he wanted to receive recognition for his acting skills. He said, "I wanted people to recognize me as an actor".

To Yoon, being known only as a former member of the idol boy band G.O.D. is great pressure. That is also the reason he rarely appeared on variety shows. He wanted to be known as an actor, not as an entertainer.

Yoon debuted on the big screen in 2004 in Byeon Yeong-joo's movie "Flying Boys". It has already been six years since his debut. Yoon says he has walked a difficult road because of young passion.

In 2004, G.O.D. was embroiled in a scandal over its contract with its agency. That was also when Yoon received a movie script through his agency. It was the script for "Flying Boys". Director Byeon attached no importance whatsoever to Yoon's top celebrity status back then and gave him thr...| More

'Executioner' Looks at Death Row

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

By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter

There have been a good number of movies that deal with the agony of being on death row or feature capital punishment as the (un)just consequence of crime.

"The Executioner", which premiered at the 14th Pusan (Busan) International Film Festival (PIFF) earlier this month, however, delves into the actual process of the death penalty, which involves more than just a quick snap of the neck and a dead body (hanging is still the method used in South Korea).

In his feature directorial debut, Choi Jin-ho ("Reunion", which competed at the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival) invites viewers to step into the shoes of prison staff who must carry out the actual deed.

The film poses some big ethical questions but manages to be clear cut in eliciting specific emotional responses from the audience. Nevertheless, "Executioner" gets caught in a sort of muddled gray zone; it's too formulaically mainstream for arthouse cinema yet, albeit being rep...| More

Korean Indie Film Wins at French Film Fest

Source | 2009/03/17 | 0 comments | Permalink |

By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter

"Breathless" by director Yang Ik-joon won both the grand prize (Le Lotus du meilleur film) and the international critic's award at the 10th Deauville Asian Film Festival in France, which came to a close, Sunday. This is another feat in the international film circuit by the South Korean indie film, which recently won the top award at the 38th International Film Festival Rotterdam.

This is the second consecutive year the two coveted prizes went to a Korean movie at the esteemed event, following Jeon Soo-il's "With a Girl of Black Soil".

Numerous other local works appeared at the festival. Baek Seung-bin's "Members of the Funeral" competed in the competition section alongside "Breathless"; Na Hong-jin's hit film "The Chaser" and Kim Yoon-jin's big budget epic "The Divine Weapon" were shown in Action Asia; and Yoo Ha's controversial "A Frozen Flower" and Yoon Jong-bin's noir drama "The Moonlight of Seoul" were screened in the Panorama section.

The...| More

6th Asiana International Short Film Fest

Source | 2008/11/06 | 0 comments | Permalink |

The 6th edition of the Asiana International Short Film Festival (AISFF) kicks off November 5th at Cinecube theater in Gwanghwamun, central Seoul. Opening the fest is the World Premiere of Korean short, "Seven Superheroes VS. Monster F" by director PARK Jay. The tale is of seven superheroes living ordinary lives in the same building until one day their peace is disrupted by a ferocious monster. It will be followed by French short, Manon of the Asphalt.

Veteran actor AHN Seong-gi ("Duelist") heads AISFF, which runs for 6 days. It will close November 10th with an awards ceremony and 10 prizes including a Grand Prize worth US$ 12,000 and a screening of the top winner.

Heading this year's international jury is Japanese auteur director Kôhei Oguri, whose 1996 film Sleeping Man, starred fest director AHN. The jury also includes director YOON Jong-chan, whose latest film "I am Happy" closed the Pusan Int'l Film Fest.

Top Korean actress KIM Hye-soo will participate as a special...| More

Jeon, Ha's Chemistry Give Life to 'Enemy'

Source | 2008/09/18 | 0 comments | Permalink |

By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter

One day, two characters, lots of dialogue and hushed emotions ― only Jeon Do-yeon and Ha Jeong-woo could pull it off. South Korea's most in-demand actors get together as former lovers in the post-break up road movie "My Dear Enemy". Of course none other than director Lee Yoon-ki ("This Charming Girl") orchestrated this enchanting story about spending an abnormal day with an ex.

Jeon chose a rather mundane character to emerge from her immortalized Cannes Best Actress-winning role in "Secret Sunshine". But the actress shines through more than ever as she sustains dramatic tension for two hours with an ordinary persona, saying more in what is unsaid rather than hysterical tears. Heui-su is an irritable, uptight 30-year-old who, wearing immaculate eye makeup, never forgets to tuck away her road navigator before getting out of the car. Jobless, unmarried and broke, she tracks down her ex-boyfriend Byeong-un (Ha), who disappeared a year ago after b...| More