Memories of Murder (Movie - 2003)

• 
  Song Kang-ho
  송강호
  As
  Park Doo-man
  (박두만)
• 
  Kim Sang-kyung
  김상경
  As
  Seo Tae-yoon
  (서태윤)
• 
  Kim Roi-ha
  김뢰하
  As
  Jo Yong-goo
  (조용구)
• 
  Song Jae-ho
  송재호
  As
  Chief Sin Dong-cheol
  (신동철 반장)
• 
  Byun Hee-bong
  변희봉
  As
  Chief Goo Hee-bong
  (구희봉 반장)
• 
  Ko Seo-hee
  고서희
  As
  Kwon Gwi-ok
  (권귀옥)

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• 

  Convict Seeks Retrial After Serial Killer's Confession
  2019/10/13, Source
  Lee Chun-jae (center) in a photo from his high-school yearbook A man who served 20 years in jail for a murder recently confessed to by Hwaseong serial killer Lee Chun-jae is seeking a retrial to clear his name. The 52-year-old identified as Yoon was convicted of what prosecutors at the time claimed was a copycat killing of the serial murders that shook the town in the 1980s,...More

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  Hwaseong Serial Killer's Confession Rattles Police
  2019/10/13, Source
  /Yonhap Police have been rattled by Hwaseong serial killer Lee Chun-jae's confession that he committed another murder that had been ruled out as part of the grisly crime spree in the 1980s. Lee claims he also committed a eighth of 10 murders in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, which police had pinned on a copycat who was arrested and convicted,...More

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  Hwaseong Serial Killer Confesses
  2019/10/06, Source
  A photo of Lee Chun-jae from his high school yearbook The suspect in a series of grisly serial murders in Hwaseong south of Seoul in the 1980s has confessed to the crimes. Lee Chun-jae (56), who serves a life sentence in Busan for murdering his sister-in-law in 1994, confessed to the serial killings during interrogation in prison that started late last month after he was recently identified from DNA samples,...More

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  [HanCinema's News] Jung in-sun's Childhood Photos Revealed
  2019/09/25
  While Jung In-sun is best known for her recent appearance in the lead role of "Terius Behind Me", the actress has a surprisingly long pedigree in the South Korean entertainment industry. Recently, photos have been spread of her brief role in the famed serial killer investigation flick "Memories of Murder", where she appears as the girl in the ending,...More

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  Korean Box Office for the Weekend 2019.09.06 ~ 2019.09.08
  2019/09/08, Source
  The number one movie this week is "It Chapter Two",...More

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  [HanCinema's News] Bong Joon-ho Prepares to Publish Official "Parasite" Script and Storyboards
  2019/08/19
  Starting on August 19th online and offline bookstores will start accepting preorders for Bong Joon-ho's upcoming book with script and storyboarding details for "Parasite". Bong Joon-ho is writing the book personally. He has written similar books for "Mother - 2009", "The Host", and "Memories of Murder",...More

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  Song Kang-ho Wins Excellence Award at Locarno Film Festival
  2019/08/14, Source
  Song Kang-ho poses with the Excellence Award trophy at the Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland on Monday. /Yonhap Actor Song Kang-ho received the Excellence Award at this year's Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland on Monday, becoming the first Asian actor to earn the honor. The award is given to internationally acclaimed actors who have enriched the cinema with their work and talent,...More

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  [Interview] "Investigation Partners Season 2" No Min-woo, "Ready for Season 3"
  2019/08/01, Source
  It was something new, to see a handsome man take off his 'pretty boy' image and become a secret multi-character. Actor No Min-woo played a physician named Jang Cheol, who is quiet and always seems to be hiding something, and serial killer Doctor K without a sense of difference in the MBC drama "Investigation Partners Season 2". "When I first saw the synopsis I felt greatly pressured, because my character had three personalities including Jang Cheol, Doctor K, and Jang Cheol's mother. The PD advised me to watch some psycho killer movies so I watched up to three or four movies up to the day we started filming. I watched "Memories of Murder" and even "Dexter". I watched dramas and films about doctors until I got to a point where the violence didn't disturb me at all".,...More

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  [HanCinema's News] "Parasite" Invited to San Sebastian Film Festival
  2019/07/19
  "Parasite" has been invited to the Perlak section of the San Sebastian Film Festival. It will compete with seven other international films for the San Sebastian Audience Award among others in the Spanish film festival, which will run from September 20th to September 28th,...More

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  [HanCinema's News] Jeon Mi-sun Leaves Behind a Long Legacy in the South Korean Entertainment Industry
  2019/07/03
  In the wake of her death more attention is being paid to the sheer depth of Jeon Mi-sun's long career in the South Korean entertainment industry. She started working in dramas in 1989 and films in 1990. When the Korean Wave took off in the early 2000's, she was a well-established name,...More

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  "Rest in Peace", Song Kang-ho, Yum Jung-ah and Others Say Goodbye to Jeon Mi-sun
  2019/06/30, Source
  Content warning: The following text handles topics of depression and suspected suicide. The showbiz is in mourning. Fellow actors and actresses who have known the deceased and her fans can't hide their sorrows. The late Jeon Mi-sun's funeral has been arranged at the Seoul Asan Hospital on the 30th of June at 11AM. Visitors have been paying their respects, and according to the bereaved family, reporters are nowhere near the funeral room in the basement,...More

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  [HanCinema's News] Following Success of "Parasite" Expectations Are High for Song Kang-ho and "The King's Letters"
  2019/06/25
  While Song Kang-ho has already had a big hit this year in the form of "Parasite", his real major movie this year is "The King's Letters". Song Kang-ho will play the role of King Sejong, and depict the unseen agony and loneliness he went through for the sake of producing the Korean alphabet,...More

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  [HanCinema's News] "Parasite" Has Renewed Interest in Other Bong Joon-ho Films
  2019/06/05
  In a statement released on June 5th a representative from the online streaming service Watcha Play claimed that in the top five movies requested between June 1st and June 3rd, three films from director Bong Joon-ho have emerged in the top five. "Mother - 2009", "Memories of Murder" and "Snowpiercer" were those movies,...More

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  Korean Box Office for the Weekend 2019.05.31 ~ 2019.06.02
  2019/06/02, Source
  The number one movie this week is "Parasite" (기생충),...More

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  Bong Joon-ho and the Government Black List
  2019/05/29, Source
  2 years ago when Bong Joon-ho first entered the competition section of the Cannes Film Festival, French news agency AFP once covered his interview from Seoul. The article was titled "From Black List to Blockbuster" and Bong Joon-ho had looked back on the past government saying, "The last few years were a nightmare, as they deeply affected many Korean artists. We knew something was wrong in the film industry somewhere, but we couldn't pinpoint what it was". It was the 'Black List' that was revealed in the process of the impeachment. Bong Joon-ho, who was the head of the Korean Film Directors' Association at that time, was also black listed as a film maker who supported the Sewol investigation,...More

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  Bong Joon-ho Becomes 1st Korean to Win Palme d'Or at Cannes
  2019/05/27, Source
  Director Bong Joon-ho poses with the Palme d'Or for his film "Parasite" during a photo call at the Cannes Film Festival in France on Saturday. /Courtesy of CJ E&M Director Bong Joon-ho won the prestigious Palme d'Or at this year's Cannes Film Festival in France on Saturday for his film "Parasite", becoming the first Korean ever to receive the top prize,...More

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  Korean Box Office for the Weekend 2019.05.24 ~ 2019.05.26
  2019/05/26, Source
  The number one movie this week is "Aladdin",...More

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  Korean Box Office for the Weekend 2019.05.17 ~ 2019.05.19
  2019/05/19, Source
  The number one movie this week is "The Gangster, The Cop, The Devil" (악인전),...More

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  [Artists' Choice]: Director Son Tae-gyum Lists His 10 Favorite Korean Movies
  2018/10/13
  Son Tae-gyum was born in 1986 in South Korea and graduated from the Department of Cinema Studies at Chung-Ang University,...More

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  [Guest's Post] Artists' Choice: Director Eom Tae-hwa lists his 10 Favorite Korean Movies
  2018/06/16
  Eom Tae-hwa (born 1980) is a South Korean film director and screenwriter. His directorial feature debut "Ingtoogi" (2013) - a graduation project for the Korean Academy of Film Arts (KAFA) - was nominated for Best Film, Best Director and Best New Director at the 1st Wildflower Film Awards and Best New Director (Film) at the 50th Baeksang Arts Awards in 2014. His second film, "Vanishing Time: A Boy Who Returned" was even more succesful, netting him the Best New Director Award at the 54th Grand Bell Awards,...More

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  [HanCinema's Box Office Review] 2018.03.23 - 2018.03.25
  2018/03/26
  "Pacific Rim" sequel narrowly outplays local drama "Be with You"... Director Steven S. DeKnight's "Pacific Rim: Uprising", the sequel to Guillermo del Toro's 2013 kaiju blockbuster, entered the fray last Wednesday and came out ahead of last week's number one, "Be with You". From 1,143 screens, "Uprising" topped the chart with $5.2 million from 655,193 admissions (39.76%). The fantasy melodrama "Be with You" (starring So Ji-sub and Son Ye-jin), director Lee Jang-hoon-I's debut, had 57 more screens to pool from, but the 577,032 admissions (33.88%) it walked away with at the end of the weekend were not enough to secure a second straight week at the top,...More

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  Korean Box Office for the Weekend 2018.03.23 ~ 2018.03.25
  2018/03/25, Source
  Korean Box Office for the Weekend 2018.03.23 ~ 2018.03.25 The number one movie this week is "Pacific Rim: Uprising",...More

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  [Interview] Kim Sang-kyung Was Fooled by "The Vanished" Script
  2018/03/05, Source
  "Someone said 'monthly publication Kim Sang-kyung'", referring to his frequent appearances in film. Actor Kim Sang-kyung laughed. He came out with the movies "The Discloser" on the 24th of January and "The Princess and the Matchmaker" on the 28th of February. On the 7th of March, he's coming out with "The Vanished",...More

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  [Lily's Take] Kim Sang-kyung Steps Into 4th Detective Role
  2018/02/14, Source
  Actor Kim Sang-kyung is taking on the fourth detective character in his career with this year's "The Vanished",...More

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  Korean Directors Bong Joon-ho and Park Chan-wook Work Abroad
  2018/01/11, Source
  Two of Korea's biggest masters in cinema are headed West. Director Bong Joon-ho, who is known for movies "Memories of Murder" and "The Host", is working on making his movie "Snowpiercer" into a TV drama. American cable channel TNT is adapting "Snowpiercer" with Bong Joon-ho as its producer. However, he will be less involved as he's currently preoccupied with the release of his movie "Parasite",...More

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  [HanCinema's Digest] Cinema Snippets
  2017/09/10
  Film critic/journalist Pierce Conran reviews Won Shin-yun's "Memoir of a Murderer" for Modern Korean Cinema, KoBiz explores why some hard-working actors appear in more films than others, see the performers who paired up for some of Korea's best buddy cop films, and "A Taxi Driver" is officially Korea's Oscar contender for 2018,...More

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  Song Kang-ho has an accumulated attendance of 100 million
  2017/08/14, Source
  Song Kang-ho is the creme of the crop in the Korean movie industry. The film "A Taxi Driver", which surpassed 8 million viewers in 13 days and stands at the threshold of the first 10 million film in 2017, depicts the painful history of the Gwangju Democratization Movement. It resonates with the audience with its thoughtful directing and story that touches the painful past. Above all, the reason why this movie was able to stay fast in the minds and hearts of audiences is the perfect performance of lead actor Song Kang-ho,...More

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  [HanCinema's Digest] Cinema Snippets
  2017/07/16
  KoBiz visualises the history of giant monsters in one towering infographic, catch some of Bong's best on Netflix, Lee Min-ho explores the DMZ's wildlife for an MBC series, and what does "Okja" have against 'Big Meat'?,...More

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  Song Kang-ho, 'the most trusted actor'
  2017/05/18, Source
  Song Kang-ho is the most entrusted actor. Data Spring Korea conducted a survey of 15,307 people from the 13th to 17th on who they relied on the most to watch a movie and Song Kang-ho came in first with 28.3%,...More

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  [HanCinema's Digest] Cinema Snippets
  2017/01/21
  "The Handmaiden" and "Train to Busan" lead the way ahead of the Asian Film Awards in March, KoBiz explores the rise of web fiction adaptations, Movie Pilot gets political with K-cinema, and Asian Movie Pulse lists six Korean films to get excited about this year,...More

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  [HanCinema's Digest] Cinema Snippets
  2016/12/11
  "King of Prism" breaks Korea's record for the longest-running Japanese anime, The Quint lists must-see Korean films for newbies, LA Film Critics honor Park Chan-wook's "The Handmaiden", and see the rookie actors and actresses that burst onto the K-cinema scene this year,...More

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  [HanCinema's Digest] Cinema Snippets
  2016/11/26
  Hangul Cinema's podcast reflects on "Memories of Murder", Kobiz presents the highest-grossing Korean films in America, Im Kwon-taek honoured in India, and the Guardian reviews Yeon Sang-ho's zombie blockbuster,...More

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  [HanCinema's Box Office Review] 2016.09.16 ~ 2016.09.18
  2016/09/19
  "The Age of Shadows" looms large in the wake of the Chuseok festivities... Kim Jee-woon's historical action flick, "The Age of Shadows", Korea's official submission to the Oscars, retained pole position over the weekend and moved its total tally passed the 6 million admissions mark. South Korea recently celebrated one of its biggest national holidays, the harvest festival Chuseok, and over 2 million filmgoers (38.6%) came out to see Song Kang-ho, Gong Yoo, and Han Ji-min feature in Kim's latest outing. Last weekend, "The Age of Shadows" captured 41% of the box office pie, and with the weekend's admissions added, the film's new bottom line pushes it to number seven in the list of the country's highest-grossing films,...More

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  Korean Box Office for the Weekend 2016.09.16 ~ 2016.09.18
  2016/09/18, Source
  The number one movie this week is "The Age of Shadows" (밀정),...More

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  [HanCinema's Box Office Review] 2016.09.09 ~ 2016.09.11
  2016/09/12
  Korea's official Oscar submission wows local audiences... After a month-long run as Korea's number one, Kim Seong-hun's action thriller "Tunnel" (Ha Jung-woo, Bae Doona, Oh Dal-soo) was finally dethroned over the weekend following the release of a string of new films. The most successful of which came in the form of Kim Jee-woon's latest, "The Age of Shadows": Korea's official submissions to next year's Oscars,...More

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  Korean Box Office for the Weekend 2016.09.09 ~ 2016.09.11
  2016/09/11, Source
  The number one movie this week is "The Age of Shadows" (밀정),...More

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  [HanCinema's Drama Preview] "Signal"
  2016/01/16
  Regular viewers of tvN may have noticed that the station likes to keep its usual actors and creators close. Here to take this one step further is "Signal", the approach of which brings back memories of the station's "Gabdong - The Serial Killer". The drama will be the second tvN show based on the Hwaseong serial murders, but unlike its predecessor it comes with a supernatural twist,...More

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  [Los Angeles] CJ Entertainment Celebrates 20 Years of Korean Film History with Screenings November 5-7
  2015/10/22, Source
  Conversations with Director JK Youn of "Ode to My Father" and Hwang Dong-hyuk of "Miss Granny" to follow screenings Two special screenings of Bong Joon-ho films including premiere of Digitally remastered "Memories of Murder" and Rare showing of "Mother - 2009" in black and white,...More

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  [HanCinema's Digest] Cinema Snippets
  2015/09/20
  The 2nd 'Chinese Korean Share Your Dream Short Film Festival' is now on, Song Kang-ho and Marina Golbahari to host BIFF next month, what to see, do, and eat in Busan, and 5 incredible South Korean films that drew inspiration from troubling real-world events,...More

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  [HanCinema's Digest] Cinema Snippets
  2015/04/04
  Cinema Scope mention's "Memories of Murder" in the decade's Top Ten film, "What's Korean Cinema?" talks about the prolific filmmaker Im Kwon-taek and others, the 5th Beijing International Film Festival announces four Korean films, and a filmmaking workshop for immigrant women starts soon,...More

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  [Interview] Kim Sang-kyung, waiting for the fourth detective
  2015/03/31, Source
  Kim Sang-kyung is known as the 'detective specialist' among fans. He's played a detective three times in his 17 years of acting. This time he plays detective Tae-soo in the recently released movie "The Deal",...More

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  [Interview] Kim Sang-kyung, "I knew Kim Woo-bin would succeed"
  2015/03/05, Source
  Actor Kim Sang-kyung is like the guy next door. We met him in a café for this interview and he had a laugh loud enough to ring the entire café and was very humorous. He knows each and everyone's names on site when he's at work and he also uses the reporter's name when addressing one. He seems just like Moon Tae-joo, one of the characters in the record breaking 40% KBS 2TV drama "This Is Family". However, he is already famous for his seriousness. He's known to be one of the most sincere actors as he played a detective in the movies "Memories of Murder" and "Montage" and a king in the drama "The Great King Sejong",...More

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  Veteran actors shine in 'The Deal'
  2015/03/04, Source
  The stellar performances of three veteran actors take center stage in upcoming film "The Deal". The plot is hardly groundbreaking - the subject matter is a serial killer being chased by a detective and a victim's husband plotting his revenge,...More

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  [Photos] Im Si-wan recreates classic scenes
  2015/02/15, Source
     Singer and actor Im Si-wan recreated a scene from a movie. Im Si-wan, who is busy with ads and fan meetings ever since the end of tvN drama "Incomplete Life", has been chosen to be the cover model of the fashion magazine The Celebrity March issue,...More

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  "Memories of Murder" to be made into a drama
  2015/01/29, Source
    According to SBS, writer Kim Eun-hee-I is going to rewrite "Memories of Murder" into a drama. The movie is about the Hwaseong serial killings. "Signal", the unofficial title for the drama, will broadcast in August this year. "Signal" will be similar but written in a different style. Kim Eun-hee-I is going to work her magic into the frame of investigation,...More

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  [HanCinema's Film Review + Video] "Red Eye": A Terrible Trip Down Memory Lane
  2014/09/27
  My introduction to Korean cinema was less than stellar. It wasn't "Old Boy", "Memories of Murder", or "The Host" (i.e. some or other respectable modern masterpiece), but the trope-driven train wreck "Red Eye". I recently stumbled across this overzealous zeitgeist again on Viki.com, and my nagging nostalgia turned against my better judgement and I fired it up,...More

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  "Haemoo" and "Memories of Murder" come together
  2014/06/25, Source
  Bong Joon-ho and Sim Seong-bo have reunited as producer and director of the movie "Haemoo". "Haemoo" is about six crewmen of a ship smuggling people getting tangled in an uncontrollable situation,...More

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  [HanCinema's Drama Preview] "Gabdong - The Serial Killer"
  2014/04/05
  This spring, tvN will be adding yet another more rare genre in its history which happens to be very popular this spring season. Following this suspense thriller trend, the channel gives us 'Gabdong - The Serial Killer', which is inspired by the real case of the Hwaseong serial killings on which Bong Joon-ho's movie "Memories of Murder" is also based,...More

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  [HanCinema's Lists] The Top 5 Korean Thrillers of All-Time
  2014/01/17
  One of the most popular trends we saw in 2013 was the rampant release of action-packed thrillers! It's a genre that Korean cinema favours and continues to return to, but in 2013 the industry really did pump out a number of successful hits that contributed to the record-breaking tickets sales last year enjoyed. It's tricky to pinpoint films that are 'pure' thrillers because Korean films often blend and bend their genres in unique and creative ways. That being said, here is a quick look at the top 5 Korean thrillers that have stormed their way to box office glory,...More

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  [HanCinema's Film News] Korea's Top Ten Most Popular Films of 2013
  2013/12/28
  It's been an astonishing and record-breaking year at the Korean box office, but before we usher in 2014, here's a quick look at the top ten Korean films that locals were throwing their hard-earned won at,...More

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  Bong Joon-ho, "Memories of Murder"
  2013/10/30, Source
  Director Bong Joon-ho picked out a scene which he wants to re-direct the most from "Memories of Murder". At the event, "10 Years Memories of Murder" on the 29th held at the Cinematheque KOFA, Bong Joon-ho, Song Kang-ho, Kim Sang-kyung, Song Jae-ho, Byun Hee-bong, Ryoo Tae-ho, Park No-shik, Park Hae-il, Jung In-sun and others made an appearance,...More

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  Jung In-sun grows up fast
  2013/10/14, Source
  Jung In-sun (22) from the movie "Memories of Murder" has grown up fast. Jung In-sun attended the production press conference of the tvN drama "Basketball" on the 14th,...More

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  Seol-Song-Kim, the time has come
  2013/09/29, Source
  Sol Kyung-gu, Song Kang-ho and Kim Yun-seok come back with movies. Sol Kyung-gu (45), Song Kang-ho (46) and Kim Yun-seok (45) all come back with movies,...More

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  [HanCinema's Hall of Fame Review] "The Host"
  2013/09/28
  In the Spotlight this Week: "The Host" (2006) by Bong Joon-ho Seeing genetically mutated monsters on the big screen is a fascinating thrill. These cinematic devils infect us with panic along with a twisted sense of responsibility that echoes, "what have we done?" The directors who manage to successfully birth these beasts are digital sorcerers from another time, mad storytellers whose creatures haunt the society they release them on. In 2006 Bong Joon-ho regurgitated "The Host" on Seoul, a monstrous mash that climbed to the top of Korea's all-time grossing greats, and there it has stubbornly sat for seven years now. The myth is that Bong delivered 13 million Koreans into its clutches, a record body count that helped to make him one of the most sought-after directors in the South. This wanted outlaw was last seen heading west on a French train, but he left his monster behind to remember, remember,...More

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  Bong Joon-ho's 'Snowpiercer' Screened in France
  2013/09/10, Source
  After several early screenings of the post-apocalyptic hit "Snowpiercer" in France in recent days, ahead of its official release in the country, director Bong Joon-ho said he felt like he was bringing the project back to its original roots. "As I present 'Snowpiercer', based on a comic book that was published three decades ago in France, I feel like a salmon coming home after a long journey upstream", he said at a press event in Paris on Monday,...More

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  [HanCinema's Hall of Fame Review] "Memories of Murder" and Watershed Wonderings
  2013/09/07
  In the Spotlight this Week: "Memories of Murder" (2003) by Bong Joon-ho Bong Joon-ho's sophomore feature "Memories of Murder" is, quite simply, a must-see modern classic. This sophisticated crime drama recounts the investigation of a series of unsolved murders that occurred in the city of Hwaseong (Gyeonggi Province) between October 1986 and April 1991. Bong reportedly drew inspiration from Kim Gwang-rim's play "Come See Me", as well as Alan Moore's graphic novel "From Hell". The film earned the interest of more than five million viewers when it was released in Korea in 2003, which made it the most watched Korean movie that year. In addition to being a huge crowd pleaser, "Memories of Murder" was awarded a number of accolades locally and abroad. Most notably winning Best Director and Best Actor (Song Kang-ho) at the 2003 Grand Bell Awards – Korea's longest running and most prestigious awards ceremony,...More

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  'Hide and Seek' May Set Box Office Record for a Korean Thriller
  2013/09/03, Source
  "Hide and Seek", a thriller by rookie director Huh Jung, has attracted over five million viewers in just 19 days. According to its distributor, cumulative attendance for the flick hit the number early Monday afternoon,...More

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  [HanCinema's Box Office Review] 2013.07.26 ~ 2013.07.28
  2013/07/29
  Despite the release of DreamWorks Animation's "Turbo" and the latest comic book film "The Wolverine", it was "Red 2" that managed to remain Korea's film of choice. Director Dean Parisot's "Red 2" claimed 666,048 admissions (25.9%) in its second weekend out, holding off a host of challengers to round out the month of July in good condition. In addition to these two Hollywood features getting stuck in, this week will also see two mammoth Korean films go head-to-head for the summer crowds and crown. Bong Joon-ho's "Snowpiercer" and Kim Byeong-woo's "The Terror Live" are both officially released on August 1st, with the latter having already scored a sneaky 122,762 (4.9%) admissions. "The Terror Live" stars the popular Korean actor Ha Jung-woo ("The Berlin File", "Nameless Gangster", "The Client") as a T.V. anchor that has to get back into the game when a bomb-blasting terrorist threatens Korea's capital city,...More

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  [HanCinema's Film News] New Korean Films Inbound...
  2013/07/27
  K-Films Coming Soon: ★★★★ " The Terror Live" (aka "90 Minutes of Terror"): A former T.V. anchorman gets an anonymous call from a bomb-blasting terrorist and has to get back in front of the camera to cover the story. (08/01) ★★★★★ "Snowpiercer": In a post-apocalyptic future mankind is forced to live on a constantly moving train that circles the Earth at great speeds. Within the train, social order is enforced through a harsh tyrannical system that is challenged by an organised revolution.(08/01),...More

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  [HanCinema's Film Talk] An Eye Towards "Snowpiercer"
  2013/07/13
  "Snowpiercer" hits Korean cinemas August 1st and will make Bong Joon-ho the third Korean director to be showcasing a Hollywood feature this year. The film has an interesting and exciting cluster of Korean talent and studios on board - all of which have worked together successfully in the past. Here though I wanted to draw the eye through some of that prestigious Korean talent and showcase the keen 'eye' behind "Snowpiercer". The film stars Song Kang-ho, one of Korea's most prestigious acting talents who has been a huge performer in Bong's impressive filmography; mostly notably in "Memories of Murder" (2003) and, the highest grossing Korean film of all time, "The Host" (2006). One of "Snowpiercer"'s producers has also made fairly good use of the 46-year-old actor. Park Chan-wook continues to cast Song in his films, most recently "Day Trip" (2012), but he's also starred in "JSA - Joint Security Area" [2000], "Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance" (2002); "Sympathy for Lady Vengeance" (2005-cameo); and "Thirst" (2009),...More

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  [HanCinema's Film Talk] SNOWPIERCER @ 24fps
  2013/06/29
  Bong Joon-ho's futuristic action epic "Snowpiercer" recently released a spectacular trailer to keep the saliva thick and wanting before the film's Korean release on August 1st. Here I'm going to take you through three sequences from that amazing trailer, and share some thoughts on what to expect from one of the most antcipated films of the year. In 2004, Bong reportedly came across the French comic book Le Transperceneige and read the entire series right there in the store. He shared his enthusiasm with fellow Korean director Park Chan-wook ("Old Boy", "Stoker") whose production company Moho Films secured the rights to it the following year. The film is a transnational exhibition that boasts a number of international talents in front of and behind the camera. Korean cinematographer Hong Kyung-pyo ("Taegukgi", "Mother - 2009", "The Good, the Bad, the Weird") and all-star Korean actor Song Kang-ho ("The Host", "Memories of Murder", "Secret Sunshine") are among an orchestra of creative personalities who brought their impressive cinematic talents into the mix,...More

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  Song Joong-ki in Bong Joon-ho's "Haemu"
  2013/05/28, Source
  Actor Song Joong-ki is revising the script produced by Bong Joon-ho. Song hasn't decided on what he wants to do yet as he's had many offers,...More

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  Bong Joon-ho produces "Haemu"
  2013/05/06, Source
  Director Bong Joon-ho will be producing a movie. Known for directing "Memories of Murder", "The Host" and "Mother - 2009", Bong Joon-ho will be producing this time. He's already busy with the release of the 40 billion won (~$40 Million) movie "Snowpiercer",...More

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  Sol Kyung-gu and Son Ye-jin's "The Tower" heads for Japan
  2013/04/24, Source
  Sol Kyung-gu and Son Ye-jin's movie "The Tower" will be screened in Japan as well as America. According to a Japanese media, "The Tower" will be released in Japan in August under the title, "The The Tower Fire on a High Rise Building",...More

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  Leading Korean Directors Ready to Invade Theaters Worldwide
  2013/01/21, Source
  The movie poster for "Stoker". Photo Credit: http://bit.ly/VIISwJ 2013 just might be the year when Korean directors go beyond Asia and win worldwide recognition. We recently wrote about director Kim Jee-woon's action-packed Hollywood debut, "The Last Stand", with none other than the indomitable Arnold Schwarzenegger. Kim's colleagues Park Chan-wook and Bong Joon-ho are also poised to show their first English language films to a wider international audience this year. Park Chan-wook is one of the most distinguished and popular directors in Korea. His famous Vengeance Trilogy consisting of "Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance" "Old Boy" and "Sympathy for Lady Vengeance" received critical acclaim. He's also the man behind the 2000 blockbuster "JSA - Joint Security Area" His work is known to contain dark and often brutal themes, which seems to carry on in his first Hollywood film, "Stoker,...More

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  Korean Filmmaker Serves Up a Schwarzenegger-style Action Film
  2013/01/18, Source
  Arnold Schwarzenegger finished his stint as Governator of California and is back in film! His action movie "The Last Stand" is opening in the US this week and it's his first leading role in a decade since Terminator 3. It's also a milestone film for director Kim Jee-woon. While Kim is well-known in Korea, this is his very first English language and Hollywood movie. Official movie poster for "The Last Stand". Photo Credit: http://bit.ly/12kxDhc Schwarzenegger plays Ray Owens, the resigned sheriff of a small town on the US-Mexican border where there's not much crime to fight. But when notorious drug cartel leader Gabriel Cortez escapes FBI custody and speeds towards Mexico with a hostage, Sheriff Owens is forced to stop him. Owens' sleepy little town is straight in the path of Cortez's escape and the scene is set for a fierce, no-holds-barred showdown,...More

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  CJ Entertainment brings THE TOWER the North America on 1.11.2013!
  2012/12/21, Source
  CJ Entertainment is thrilled to announce the North American release of "The Tower" on 1.11.2013. Already stirring up intense interest in Korea where it opens as the holiday blockbuster offering for this Christmas, "The Tower" features a star-studded ensemble cast including Sol Kyung-gu ("No Mercy", 2009; "Haeundae", 2009), Son Ye-jin ("A Moment to Remember", 2004; "Spellbound", 2011) and Kim Sang-kyung ("Memories of Murder", 2003). Interwoven dramatic storylines, heartfelt acting, and show-stopping pyrotechnics make "The Tower" a bold new addition to the disaster action movie genre,...More

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  [Guest Post] Daniel Tudor on Korean cinema
  2012/11/09, Source
  I'm not a true cinephile by any stretch of the imagination. I've always been the archetypal casual fan, who knows what he likes, but doesn't really like it enough to remember every line of the script. People ask, "have you seen [insert name of genius film here]?" and I honestly reply "yeah, I saw it a few years back, it was great". But then I'll be unable to back that up with any enlightened commentary on that scene with the uninterrupted shot that goes all the way around the bar and back again when all the mobsters are being introduced. Or even who was in it, sometimes. But when I first moved to Seoul in 2004, Korean cinema got to me. In some way it was a stroke of luck to be here while a golden era was still in swing,...More

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  [HanCinema's Film Review] "Howling"
  2012/08/04
  Film: "Howling" Director: Yoo Ha ("A Frozen Flower" and "A Dirty Carnival") Stars: Song Kang-ho, Lee Na-young, Shin Jung-geun, and Lee Sung-min Review Score: 6/10 Also try: "A Frozen Flower" and "Blind" Director Yoo Ha's last film, "A Frozen Flower", was a rich and compelling and it caught my attention when I was first getting into Korean cinema. It had an interesting mix of contemporary social issues painted through a historical lens, a combination that I always thoroughly enjoy when done right. It was close to four years after "Frozen Flower" that he released "Howling", a mystery drama that boasts some big name actors in the form of Song Kang-ho ("Secret Reunion", "The Host" and "Memories of Murder") and his co-star Lee Na-young ("Dream" and "Someone Special"). Together they made for some interesting on-screen chemistry, but was Yoo Ha able to give them enough to work with in his one?,...More

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  [HanCinema's Interview Corner] Ten Questions for the KOREAN CINEPHILE
  2012/06/30
  Your website, Modern Korean Cinema, has been up since mid-2010, how did you come to discover Korean cinema and what was it about Korea's film industry that really cemented your passion for it? My first exposure to Korean cinema came long before the inception of MKC and it's kind of a funny story (at least I think it is)! When I was in boarding school in Dublin (high school) we were studying Macbeth and as a nascent cinephile I wanted to seek classic filmed versions of Shakespeare's work, first came Polanski's, then Orson Welles' version but soon I came across Kurosawa's "Throne of Blood" (1957) and fell in love with it. Thus began my discovery of Japanese cinema and one day I was in my local media retail store in Switzerland when I came across a striking DVD in the Asian section. I thought it might have been something like a Takashi Miike film but it turned out to be none other than "Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance" (2002) and... I hated it, it made me furious. But I couldn't stop thinking about it and a week later I forced my self to watch it again and my whole world changed. My next film was Lee Chang-dong's "Peppermint Candy" (2000) and it's safe to say that the quality and social engagement of those works resulted in my becoming deeply attached to Korean cinema,...More

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  ANNOUNCING THE 1ST TORONTO KOREAN FILM FESTIVAL JUNE 22 TO JULY 1, 2012
  2012/06/12, Source
  Toronto - The 1st Toronto Korean Film Festival will be held at Innis Town Hall (2 Sussex Ave) from June 22nd to July 1st. This year's film listing was announced at the May 26th press conference. Confirmed films and highlights include:   June 22nd Opening:  The festival kick-starts with "Secret Sunshine" (2007). The leading actress of the film, Jeon Do-yeon, won Best Actress at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival. There will an opening party following the screening,...More

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  Toronto Korean Film Festival at the Korean DANO Spring Festival: Advanced Discount Ticket Sales and Outdoor Screening of The Host
  2012/05/26, Source
  Toronto, May 22, 2012 - The Toronto Korean Film Festival will sell advanced tickets and passes at the 20th Korean DANO Spring Festival, which will take place atChristie Pits Park on Friday, June 1st and Saturday, June 2nd. Toronto Korean Film Festival will also hold a free outdoor screening of "The Host" (2006) after sunset on June 1.  The Korean Dano Festival is a traditional Korean holiday that happens annually on May 5th in the lunar calendar. This year is the 20th anniversary of the Korean DANO Spring Festival in Toronto. The Korean DANO Spring Festival will feature Korean culture shows, business booths, live performances, and a variety of Korean food,...More

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  Toronto Korean Film Festival Brings Kimchi Chronicles to the Big Screen
  2012/05/07, Source
  Explore Korean food culture with Hugh Jackman and Heather Graham Toronto - On May 26, Toronto Korean Film Festival (TKFF) will screen Kimchi Chronicles as its last free screening before the actual festival in June.Kimchi Chronicles is a PBS food program dedicated to Korean food culture. For those who often visit Korean restaurants, Kimchi Chronicle will walks you through the history and the making processes of all your favorite Korean food: Kimchi, Bibimbap, Korean BBQ, and many more. If you are new to Korean food culture, don't worry. the half American, half Korean host Marja Vongerrichten, and her husband who is a renowned French chef, Jean-Georges Vongerichten, will unravel this fascinating aspect of Korean culture step by step,...More

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  Song Kang-ho, Jang Hyuk and Jo In-sung are coming
  2012/02/22, Source
  "Snowpiercer", "The Flu", "Kwon Bob" great masterpieces Top stars and veteran directors attempt at another leap hand in hand Blockbusters are still in depression ever since 2009 movie "Haeundae". A failure in a large scale blockbuster can sometimes lead to a change in the investing environment. Still, the challenge continues. Top stars and veteran directors dream of another rebirth in Korean blockbusters,...More

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  Lotte announces new Jeong Ji-woo film
  2012/02/13, Source
  Major Korean investor and distributor Lotte Entertainment has announced "Happy End" director Jeong Ji-woo's upcoming film "A Muse" (working title) at the European Film Market (EFM). The film is currently in post-production. Based on PARK Bum-shin's bestselling novel of the same title, "A Muse" follows a 70-year-old poet who has an affair with a high school student and is inspired to write a book about her. However, his best student, jealous of the relationship, steals this work,...More

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  Korea's most anticipated films of 2012
  2012/02/10, Source
  With the start of the new year, the Korean film industry looks to its brightest prospects. Kang Byung-jin profiles eight highly anticipated films of 2012. "The Fortune Tellers"  In production. Directed by Sin Jeong-won. Starring Kim Soo-ro, Lee Je-hoon, Kang Ye-won. Produced by Dasepo Club, Saram Entertainment. Distributed by N.E.W.Release planned for the first half of 2012.   Korean fortune-tellers not only tell the future, but they also chase away ghosts. The background of "The Fortune Tellers" is Uljinri where a decades-old evil spirit rules. When mysterious accidents and events keep happening without avail, fortune-tellers from all over the country gather to hold a shaman ritual,...More

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  Song Kang-ho "Shin Ha-kyun's "Brain" became popular because of me?"
  2012/02/09, Source
  Actor Song Kang-ho showed his love for Shin Ha-kyun. Song Kang-ho met with Sekye Dot Com in Seoul on the 8th and said, "I am very happy that Shin Ha-kyun is doing so well",...More

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  Song reprises detective role in 'Howling'
  2012/01/12, Source
  A scene from Yoo Ha's serial murder story "Howling", which opens in theaters on Feb. 9 By Lee Hyo-won Song Kang-ho will return with "Howling" as a detective, one of his signature roles that marked his breakthrough in Bong Joon-ho's "Memories of Murder". The actor says that he has brought a more mature characterization to the upcoming film. "Male actors are often cast as detectives and gangsters, and I don't try to stay away from these parts. But it's already been eight years since Memories of Murder, and my character in Howling is a bit more humane and sensitive. I think in that sense he is someone with more depth and wisdom", Song told reporters Tuesday in Seoul during a promotional event for the film,...More

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  Big-budget films to open in 2012
  2012/01/05, Source
  ,...More

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  Bittersweet Life: Korean cinema's secret popularity in the UK
  2011/12/07, Source
  International distribution expert and analyst and former Screen International journalist Robert Mitchell looks at the gulf between artistic and business successes of Korean cinema in the UK. Ask any cine-literate film-goer, critic, blogger or tweeter in the UK about Korean cinema and you'll be greeted with an enthusiastic response. They will talk of the Hallyu period of the past decade, a wealth of some of the most creative and interesting film-making in the world. They will speak with passion about Park Chan-wook, Kim Ki-duk and Bong Joon-ho. International festivals like Cannes play a major role in building this awareness. "The route to the international market is through festivals", says Danny PERKINS, CEO of StudioCanal UK, which released Bong's "The Host" and Kim's "3-Iron" amongst other Korean titles. "If a director's film features in one of the bigger festivals it can put them and their work permanently on the map",...More

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  [Movie Review] The Blind Witness
  2011/11/26, Source
  By Jason Yu from Green Tea Graffiti (guest posting) ------- Minor Spoilers Ahead ------- A serial rapist is loose on the streets of Seoul. Kidnapping young females, this perpetrator brutally rapes them before putting them out of their misery. As police issue a massive search for this sick criminal, a female witness is soon found. She unknowingly entered the killer's car one night, remembered exactly how the car smelt, felt the texture of the car seat, and even heard the killer's voice. Luckily, she escapes the rapist's grasp before she became his next victim. This witness is too good to be true. This sicko will be caught in no time. But there is only one problem: the witness is blind,...More

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  Bong Joon-ho Gives Lecture at Chapman University
  2011/11/15, Source
  Film director Bong Joon-ho appeared at Chapman University in Orange County, California on Saturday (local time) to give a master class as part of the Busan West Asian Film Festival hosted by the university's Dodge College of Film and Media Arts. The festival screens a selection of films featured at the Busan International Film Festival that are likely to interest an American audience. Last year, directors Park Chan-wook and Kim Jee-woon were invited,...More

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  BUSAN WEST ASIAN FILM FESTIVAL UNVEILS 2011 LINE-UP
  2011/11/01, Source
  Feng Xiaogang's "AfterShock" Named Closing Night Film Festival Welcomes the North American Premieres of Oh Seong-yoon's "Leafie, A Hen Into The Wild" and Loy Arcenas‚ "Niño" Orange, CA (October 31, 2011) - Chapman University's Dodge College of Film and Media Arts, recognized as one of the premiere film schools in the United States, in continued partnership with South Korea's Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), Asia's largest film festival, today announced the official program for the upcoming Busan West Asian Film Festival, November 11-13 in Orange, Calif,...More

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  [HanCinema's Film Review] Authority and Power in Korean Cinema
  2011/10/15
  The representation of authority in modern Korean cinema has me perplexed. The power and agency public organisations should hold is lacking, with institutions being portrayed as weak, incompetent and unprofessional. This is not a judgement but rather an observation that recent films such as "Silenced" and "Poongsan" have confirmed. Political corruption, police incompetence, and individual responsibility seems to be some of strongest themes running through contemporary Korean cinema. The 2011 film "Silenced" has sparked outcry from the Korean public as the true-life story, on which is was based, remains unresolved even in this cinematic retelling. The Korean populous has refused to accept the results of the investigation and have sited a number of laws and procedures they want to have change in order to prevent another tragedy from occurring,...More

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  Chapman U Presents The Busan West Asian Film Festival Nov. 11-13, 2011 in Orange, CA
  2011/10/10, Source
  CHAPMAN UNIVERSITY, IN CONTINUED PARTNERSHIP WITH THE BUSAN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (BIFF), WILL PRESENT THE BUSAN WEST ASIAN FILM FESTIVAL NOVEMBER 11-13, 2011 Influential Director Bong Joon-ho to Receive Busan West Icon Award and Present Opening Night Film ˆ The North American Premiere of "The Host" in 3D Orange, CA (October 5, 2011) - Chapman University's Dodge College of Film and Media Arts, recognized as one of the premiere film schools in the United States, in continued partnership with South Korea's Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), Asia's largest film festival, is proud to announce the Busan West Asian Film Festival, November 11-13 in Orange, Calif. Busan West presents a unique filmmaker showcase that brings select Asian films and filmmakers from BIFF to the U.S. to create a new platform for heightened recognition outside of Asia. This year the festival organizers are excited to welcome internationally acclaimed writer/director Bong Joon-ho ("Mother - 2009", "The Host", "Memories of Murder"), as the Busan West Icon Award recipient,...More

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  "Memories of Murder", "Voice of a Murderer", the power of true movies!
  2011/09/28, Source
  There are many risks that follow making a movie about a real life event. However, sincerity that can't be found in made up movies and detailed structure based on facts brings great inspiration. One movie that was based on a true story was the 2003 box office hit, "Memories of Murder". It dealt with the mysterious serial killings in the 1980s. Society woke up once again as it revived the grudge of innocent women that were murdered.,...More

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  [HanCinema Korea's Diary] Introduce Yourself to Korean Cinema: 7 Films to Get You Started
  2011/05/28
  Are you interested in Korean cinema but don't know where to start? The following is a short list of films that I believe would give any film enthusiast a good grounding for what Korean cinema has to offer. They include award-winning films, films that provide insight into Korea's history and culture, as well as a couple of fantastic genre films that Korean cinema tends to favour.,...More

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  Bong to steer Camera d'Or jury at Cannes
  2011/04/08, Source
  Director Bong Joon-ho will chair the jury that picks the winner of the Camera d'Or prize for best first film at this year's Cannes film festiva,...More

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  [HanCinema's Film Review] Ha Ha Ha
  2011/04/02
  Hong Sang-soo gave the Korean film industry a jolt back in 1996 with début film "The Day a Pig Fell Into the Well", a contemporary examination of everyday lives. As one of the raising auteurs of 90s, his refreshing perspective and approach to narratives still persists as welcomed motifs to his acclaimed and continuing filmography.,...More

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  'Late Autumn - 2010' picks up awards at Fribourg Fest
  2011/03/29, Source
  A scene from 'Late Autumn - 2010' By Lee Hyo-won Lee Chang-dong's "Poetry" won the top award, the Regard d'Or, at the 25th Fribourg International Film Festival while Kim Tae-yong's "Late Autumn - 2010" picked up two prizes at the Swiss event. Co-starring China's Tang Wei and South Korea's Hyun Bin, "Late Autumn - 2010" won the Special Mention of the Jury of the International Federation of Film Societies and the Ex-Change Award. The latter is a prize selected by a special jury of youths,...More

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  [HanCinema's Film Review] Mother
  2011/03/26
  Bong Joon-ho's "Mother" won big at the 4th Asian Film Awards last year. Taking home Best Screenwriter, Actress, and the Best Film Award. Building on his previous successes ("The Host" and "Memories of Murder"), Bong Joon-ho produces another stunner with an interesting mix of comedy, mystery and tragedy.,...More

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  An American Shares His Passion for Korean Cinema with the World
  2011/03/22, Source
  American Darcy Paquet is on a mission: he wants to inform the world about the greatness of Korean films. The 39-year-old writer and editor hosts a program called "Highlights of 20th Century Korean Cinema" by the Korean Film Archive. The bimonthly event, which started in February, screens a classic Korean film with English subtitles followed by a commentary and Q&A session with Paquet,...More

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  [HanCinema's Film Review] "Memories of Murder"
  2011/03/12
  Released in 2003, "Memories of Murder" is a true Korean genre film. Famed director Bong Joon-ho ("Barking Dogs Never Bite", "The Host", "Mother - 2009") has created a deeply rich crime thriller that is well paced, captivating and very satisfying to watch. The film is inspired by a series of brutal murders of 10 women during the 80's in a small town in Gyeonggi Province. Korea was still under a militaristic and authoritarian government at the time when progressive social and political change was just on the horizon,...More

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  [HanCinema's Film Review] Children...
  2011/03/05
  In 1991 five country boys ventured out into the mountains to catch salamanders and were never seen again. Their bodies were then discovered in 2004 but investigators were still unable to determine exactly why these young lives were prematurely taken. Now, in 2011, Lee Kyoo-man brings us "Children...", a crime thriller that is currently dominating at the top of the Korean box office.,...More

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  Korean Movies: "Children..." Creating Buzz in Korea
  2011/01/21, Source
  Ahead of its scheduled theatrical release in Korea on February 10, 2011, director Lee Kyoo-man's "Children..." is already the focus of much public attention. As explained by journalist Sung-eun Jang in the Wall Street Journal's Korea Real Time: "It's based on the so-called 'frog boys' case,...More

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  Bong Joon-Ho announced as one 'World Dramatic' Jury Members at Sundance 2011
  2011/01/19, Source
  Sundance Institute has announced members of five juries awarding prizes at the upcoming Sundance Film Festival which runs January 20-30, 2011. According to Sundance, " juries are comprised of 23 individuals spanning the global arts community",...More

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  Will film do justice to missing children case?
  2011/01/11, Source
  Poster for the upcoming film "Aideul" ("Children..."), which is based on an unsolved case involving five children who went missing in the 1990s. By Lee Hyo-won A hushed yet most palpable tension marked the press conference Tuesday in Jongno for "Aideul" ("Children..."), ahead of its release next month,...More

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  Cineaste's picks at cinematheque
  2011/01/10, Source
  From left, directors Kim Tae-yong, Lee Joon-ik and Lee Hae-yeong and programmer Kim Sung-wook speak during a press event for the 6th Cinematheque Friends Film Festival on Jan. 5 at Seoul Art Cinema, Jong-no. /Courtesy of Seoul Art Cinema By Lee Hyo-won Ever wondered what kind of works inspire famous filmmakers? Fans will have a chance to find out through the Cinematheque Friends Film Festival, featuring 44 domestic and foreign works including those that were handpicked by directors who have paved new possibilities in Korean cinema. The 6th edition of the annual event kicks off on Jan. 18 at Seoul Art Cinema, Jongno, and will continue through Feb. 27,...More

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  Park Hae-il: 'I Want to Present Diverse Acting'
  2011/01/04, Source
  Actor Park Hae-il, who will play a character named Hui Do in the movie "Heartbeat", said, "My first goal is to act naturally. I might not be able to satisfy every audience, but I might need to try my best to satisfy more audiences". Actor Park Hae-il debuted with his appearance in the movie "Waikiki Brothers" (2001), which was directed by Yim Soon-rye, and ten years have already passed since his debut. He appeared in more than twenty movies, including those works that he had appeared in as a supporting actor. He HAS ALSO transformed into various characters in those movies,...More

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  Korean Movies – Secret Union
  2010/12/20, Source
  This movie was awarded the "Best Film" prize at the 2010 Blue Dragon Film Awards in Korea theatrical admissions totaled some 5,460,00. It is about how a South Korean NIS agent comes to understand and become a brother to a derelict spy from North Korea,...More

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  Korean Indie Movie Wins Award at Tokyo Int'l Film Fest
  2010/11/03, Source
  The fantasy musical film "Passerby #3" by Korean director Shin Su-won won the Be,...More

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  Actor Jung Woo-sung's Movie Picks
  2010/10/25, Source
  Actor Jung Woo-sung [10Asia] Where would each South Korean actor rank if lined up by order of interviewee capability? There are definitely more than a few names that would make the list but actor Jung Woo-sung without doubt would be one of them leading the pack. Our conversation with him did not concentrate merely on recent issues such as his latest film "Reigns of Assassin" or his visit to the Venice Film Festival. The answers he put forth rather made the listener chase after the thoughts he holds within his mind. "You're not considered awake just because your eyes are open or you're speaking. I think what's important is that you keep looking back on what you think instead of letting a single thought settle in your mind,...More

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  "I Saw the Devil" to compete at San Sebastian film fest
  2010/08/24, Source
  Movie poster of thriller "I Saw the Devil" [Showbox] Korean thriller "I Saw the Devil" has been invited to compete under the Official Selection category at the 58th Edition of the San Sebastian International Film Festival next month, according to official website of the fest on Tuesday. "I Saw the Devil", helmed by famed Korean director Kim Jee-woon, will be competing against 16 other movies by internationally recognized directors for the Golden Shell and Silver Shell awards at the fest to be held at San Sebastian, Spain from September 17 to 25,...More

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  [INTERVIEW] Hollywood's "Remake King" Roy Lee
  2010/08/03, Source
  Roy Lee [Seoul Digital Forum] For years, Korean-American producer Roy Lee of Beverly Hills-based Vertigo Entertainment has well maintained his reputation as Hollywood's "Remake King". It first started with "The Ring", where Lee gained his first onscreen credit as executive producer after selling the remake right of Japanese horror flick "Ringu" on behalf of its Asian distributor to DreamWorks, which became a surprise hit in the United States in 2002, grossing over 129 million dollars on the box office,...More

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  [INTERVIEW] Actor Park Hae-il - Part 1
  2010/07/19, Source
  Park Hae-il [Chae Ki-won/10Asia] When told he had not changed much appearance-wise from the days of his debut film "Waikiki Brothers", Park Hae-il responded, "Because I'm still immature.".. But the caution he showed in explaining his role as Yoo Hae-gook in film "Moss" which he had won support for by fans of the original comic even while casting was in process, and using as minimal conclusive expressions about working with director Kang Woo-seok for the film, revealed that Park was far from being the boy in "Waikiki Brothers" who out of drunkeness, handed the score for a self-composed song to the girl he likes. It has already been nine years since then, during which he has enjoyed success from movies such as "Memories of Murder" or "The Host", as well as leave short yet long-lasting impressions in unique productions such as "Shim's Family". In short, he has constantly grown as an actor. And that is why we predicted he has grown yet again while working on "Moss". 10: When fans of original comic "Moss" simulated casting for the movie adaptation, you were the actor that was chosen the most for the role of Yoo Hae-gook. Park Hae-il: I think that's just in terms of my image,...More

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  New wave of pop culture redefines Korea
  2010/07/05, Source
  By Andrew Salmon
  Contributing writer
  
  In 1990, the American academic Joseph Nye coined the term "soft power". This referred to nations winning friends and influencing people through the attraction,...More

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  Park Hae-il: I Want to Become Good Actor Completely Immersed in Movie'
  2010/07/02, Source
  Actor Park Hae-il had been a rising star actor on the theater stage and debuted as a movie actor by appearing in director Yim Soon-rye's movie "Waikiki Brothers" in 2001. As he has already acted for ten years, he has become a star actor popular enough to be cast as the main lead of the Korean movie industry's powerful director Kang Woo-seok's ambitious new film "Moss". In the movie "Moss", which will be released on July 14, Park Hae-il will play Yoo Hae Kook, who has to confront remote village people to find out the truth regarding his father's death. He successfully heads the cast of the movie without faltering while acting competitively with other great experienced actors,...More

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  [10LINE] Korean actress Jeon Do-yeon
  2010/05/28, Source
  Clockwise from top center: actress Lee Hye-young-I, actress Moon So-ri,director Lee Chang-dong, actor Song Kang-ho, and director Im Sang-soo [10Asia] Jeon Do-yeon "A friend who says she wants to become like me so badly that she will seal the deal at the risk of her future has only seen the pretty and fancy side to me. It's not difficult to become like me. It's just hard for someone to want to become like you". - Jeon Do-yeon's line from her cameo appearance on SBS TV series "On Air". About life as an actress. About life as Jeon Do-yeon. Kang Shin-hye A reporter who worked for teenage magazine Hi-teen in 1990. She encouraged Jeon, who during her senior year in high school went to the magazine to receive a prize from a postcard contest, to become a cover model,...More

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  Festival of beginnings ending well
  2010/05/06
  Amid the fresh green of a long-awaited spring in the small city of Jeonju, North Jeolla, moviegoers old but mostly young were standing in line Sunday as early as 8:30 a.m., waiting for ticketing to be,...More

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  [INTERVIEW] Director-actor Yang Ik-june - Part 1
  2010/04/09, Source
  Director and actor Yang Ik-june [Lee Jin-hyuk/10Asia] "This interview doesn't do me any good -- it's for the production company and the press", Yang Ik-june said with a grin at the start of his interview. He was referring to his latest film "Runaway from Home" released April 8. The remark could have killed the atmosphere had it been said by any other, but rather helped to ease and loosen up both parties when said by the free-spirited actor and director, known for his goofy and easy-going ways. At the same time, this same man swept international acclaims last year with his feature debut "Breathless" which he starred in as a bitter and abusive debt collector. Yang spoke with 10Asia to reveal the utterly frank truth behind his filmmaking and acting career,...More

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  Director Bong Lauded by US Critics
  2010/03/17, Source
  By Cho Jae-hyon
  Staff Reporter
  
  Director Bong Joon-ho of the local top-grossing movie,...More

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  Bong Joon-ho wins praise from L.A. Times for Mother
  2010/03/12, Source
  Korean filmmaker Bong Joon-ho [Asia Economic Daily] Famed Korean filmmaker Bong Joon-ho has won praise from U.S. daily newspaper L.A. Times for his film "Mother - 2009", which opens today in Los Angeles. In his March 10 movie review, Times' film critic Andy Klein called Bong "one of the best South Korean directors and arguably the most accessible to U.S. audiences".,...More

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  [INTERVIEW] Actor Song Kang-ho - Part 3
  2010/03/04, Source
  Korean actor Song Kang-ho [photographed by Beck Una/10Asia] Beck: That's actually what I wanted to ask you. Do you think it's possible to become an artist, or an actor, by pure effort and no natural talent? Song: The concept behind the word 'effort' is a bit vague. There is no such thing as putting in an effort to act well. Effort could be another word for your determination to work hard but not the secret to good acting. If you are shooting an action scene, you can make effort at improving on your physique and working better with your co-stars. And I put in an effort to play the recorder in "Thirst". But I don't think one can act based solely on effort. 90 percent of it comes from natural talent and 10 percent from experience. The experience that you gain from countless acting roles. Beck:You've already been an actor for very long -- ten years since the public recognized you as 'actor Song Kang-ho' and even much longer counting your career in theater. Don't you go through a slump or have less fun having to repeat the same job over and over again?,...More

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  'The Host' Director Bong Joon-ho to Screen Latest Film in Washington D.C.
  2010/03/01, Source
  Korean director Bong Joon-ho, well known for his work that blends and transcends the parameters of the humor, suspense, and horror genres, will,...More

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  Book Features Korean Film Renaissance
  2010/02/26, Source
  By Chung Ah-young
  Staff Reporter
  
  In recent years, it has become more likely for Korean cineastes to be placed under the international spotlight at major film festivals worldwide.
  
  Over the past,...More

• 

  "Season of Good Rain" to close Korean film fest in L.A.
  2010/02/23, Source
  Movie poster of "Season of Good Rain" [Pancinema] Korean film "Season of Good Rain", starring Korean actor Jung Woo-sung and Chinese actress Gao Yuanyuan, has been selected as the closing film for a Korean film festival to be held in Los Angeles next month. "Season of Good Rain", by famed directed Heo Jin-ho, will close the four-day long Korean Film Festival in Los Angeles (KOFFLA) on March 7. The fest is set to open with Korean film "Le Grand Chef - Kimchi War" starring Kim Jung-eun and Jin Goo.,...More

• 

  Bong Joon-ho retrospective to screen in NY
  2010/02/18, Source
  A retrospective of Korea's top name-brand director Bong Joon-ho is headed to Brooklyn, New York, for a showcase at the BAM cinématek from Febru,...More

• 

  Film journalists pick Song Kang-ho, Kim Hye-ja top actors
  2010/01/28, Source
  Poster for film "Thirst" [CJ Entertainment] Song Kang-ho and Kim Hye-ja have been recognized last year's top film actors by Korean film journalists. The Korea Film Reporters Association (KOFRA) held the 1st Korean Film Award on Wednesday, naming Song best actor for his role in film "Thirst" and Kim as best actress for her role in "Mother - 2009". Song, 43, is considered one of Korea's most successful actors who has starred in a handful of hit films including "Memories of Murder", "The Host" and "Thirst", which won the Jury Prize at Cannes earlier last year.,...More

• 

  Song Kang-ho's New Movie 'Secret Reunion'
  2010/01/17, Source
  In an interview at a hotel in Sokong-dong, actor Song Kang-ho said, "First of all, I could easily identify my own personality with the character I played in the movie ‘Secret Reunion' better than in any of my other movies. The character of Han-kyu in Secret Reunion seems to me to be a mix of previous characters I played before, including Doo-man ("Memories of Murder") and Kyung-pil ("JSA - Joint Security Area"). I think that my character Han-kyu is a unique character, but I also used several of my previous characters from my other movies to influence the character 'Han-kyu'. I see my role as Han-kyu to be an assorted gift of my acting experiences for my fans. I tried to show the essence of my acting through Han-kyu and to express him as a father and a husband in his daily life, even though Han-kyu is an agent of the National Intelligence Service (laughing)". Song, who has gained growing popularity and recognition for his acting credentials, plays Han-kyu, a former agent of the NIS in the movie "Secret Reunion", which is the second movie by director Jang Hoon, whose first project as the main director was "A Movie is a Movie". "Secret Reunion" will be released on February 4.,...More
• 13th Director's Cut Awards Winners Announced
  2009/12/24, Source
  240 Korean directors have picked the best director, movie and actors for 2009. Most notably, Park Chan-wook picked up the best director award for the Cannes winning "Thirst". Previou,...More

• 

  Park Chan-wook Picked Best Director
  2009/12/17, Source
  By Cho Jae-hyon
  Staff Reporter
  
  Korean directors picked Park Chan-wook, for his dark vampire thriller,...More

• 

  'Mother - 2009' : A Must See
  2009/10/12, Source
  Howard Shumann rates "Mother - 2009" by Bong Joon-ho an A. Editor's Note
  
  Aft,...More
• 'Chaw' and 'Haeundae' Get More International Exposure
  2009/09/18, Source
  Both "Chaw" and "Haeundae" are to be released overseas, respectively to the U.K and Canada.
  
  Optimum Releasing who also handled,...More

• 

  Bong Joon-ho's Latest Challenge in 'Mother - 2009'
  2009/07/04, Source
  By Kyu Hyun Kim
  
  Kim Hye-ja marvels in an overwhelming thriller
  
  Small country town, Korea. Do-joon (,...More
• Korean Movie Screened With English Subtitles
  2009/06/16, Source
  By John Redmond
  Contributing Writer
  
  For lovers of good cinema, Korea has a wealth of local releases. Some are of the finest quality, showing innovation and moving cinema in a new direction as applauded by Chris Berry on a recent Discovery Channel program.
  
  What had been a major problem for fil,...More
• Hong Sang-soo casts Moon So-ri
  2009/06/12, Source
  2002 Venice Film Festival's Best actress winner Moon So-ri will challenge herself this time with a leading role in director Hong Sang-soo's next project. Details about Hong's film are spa,...More

• 

  "Mother - 2009" Triumphs over Competition
  2009/06/05, Source
  The Korean weekend box-office saw peak traffic with Bong Joon-ho's latest thriller,...More

• 

  Bong's 'Mother - 2009' Highlights Maternal Love
  2009/05/21, Source
  By Lee Hyo-won
  Staff Reporter
  
  "Mother - 2009", coming to theaters May 28, had its world premiere at the 62nd Cannes International F,...More

• 

  Director Bong Promises Hotter Movie With 'Mother'
  2009/04/27, Source
  By Lee Hyo-won
  Staff Reporter
  
  Filmmaker Bong Joon-ho promises something "hotter" for his upcoming film,...More

• 

  'The Chaser' Is a Superb Thriller
  2009/01/04, Source
  Na Hong-jin's debut feature restores faith in Korean genre cinema
  Kyu Hyun Kim (qhyunkim)
  
  Jung-ho (,...More
• JEON Ji-hyeon and SEOL Kyeong-gu portrayed greatest characters
  2008/12/19, Source
  Major Korean film magazine Movieweek polled to find out who Koreans regard as the ten greatest screen personas. Jun Ji-hyun's role in "My Sassy Girl" claimed the top spot for great,...More

• 

  [ChanMi's movie news] Won Bin returns in new movie " Mother "
  2008/07/24, Source
  We all missed him! Its been four years...Won Bin is back from the military and is working for a new film again! You all know him from "Autumn in my Heart" and now he is in " Mother " costarring Kim Hye-ja.,...More

• 

  "Crossing" sold to Japan and invited by Vancouver
  2008/07/17, Source
  Kim Tae-gyoon's "Crossing" has been bought for a Japanese release by Cinekwanon, ac,...More

• 

  Bong Joon-ho "Won Bin is youthful country style"
  2008/07/03, Source
  Director Bong Joon-ho of the movie "Mother - 2009" revealed an episode involving the two leading characters. In a meeting with his acquaintances, he said, "Won Bin was far from his image of a refined city-dweller. He is from Kang-won, so I sensed more of a country style". Before debuting in 1996, Won Bin worked in a auto service center in Kang-won. Director Bong said, "There is still a pure innocent image left in his face. He seems more human, for he likes tennis and soccer more than he likes working out or golf". As a director, he was glad that Won Bin still had an innocent image left in him. Won Bin plays a youth who is falsely accused of being a murderer.,...More

• 

  KIM Ki-duk's "Dream" to compete in San Sebastian
  2008/06/26, Source
  "Dream" (Korean title: "Bimong"), the fifteenth film by director Kim Ki-duk, has been sel,...More

• 

  BONG Joon-ho Discusses Le Transperceneige
  2008/05/28, Source
  Director of Korea's all-time box-office monster, The Host (2006), and the now classic serial-killer mystery, Memories of Murder (20,...More
• 12th SICAF Ends With Promises for More
  2008/05/28, Source
  By Lee Hyo-won
  Staff Reporter
  
  The 12th Seoul International Cartoon & Animation Festival, the only one of its kind in Korea, wrapped up Sunday after five days of festivity. Cartoon and animation buffs were able to mingle with world premier artists and take part in other fun events.
  
  This year',...More

• 

  [THE HIGH TIDE OF THE KOREAN WAVE(32)] Spain discovers Korea and cries out for more
  2008/04/22, Source
  In the last few years, Korean films, TV dramas and pop music have become immensely popular abroad, a phenomenon known as the Korean Wave. This is the 32nd in a series of essays by a select group of sc,...More

• 

  [THE HIGH TIDE OF THE KOREAN WAVE(25)] Hallyu: the Koreanization of world culture
  2008/03/21, Source
  In the last few years, Korean films, TV dramas and pop music have become immensely popular abroad, a phenomenon known as the Korean Wave. This is the 25th in a series of essays by a select group of sc,...More

• 

  JEON's Girl In Competition at the Fribourg Film Festival
  2008/03/04, Source
  Director Jeon Soo-il's independent feature ",...More

• 

  BONG Joon-ho to Switch Pace with Crime-drama "Mother - 2009"
  2008/02/05
  Director Bong Joon-ho, known best for his 2006 monster hit "The Host", which remains,...More

• 

  KIM Hye-soo transforms "Modern Boy" PARK Hae-il
  2008/01/30, Source
  Writer/director Jeong Ji-woo wrapped up filming one of the highly anticipated films of this year: ",...More

• 

  "Hansel and Gretel" ends the year on a high
  2008/01/02, Source
  Director Yim Pil-sung assembled a fine cast and a great team of experts, the result is a well-crafted film, finely calibrated on every level.
  ,...More
• Rise of Korean Films Seen in World Cinema
  2007/09/25, Source
  The New York Times ran a story in June headlined "Korea emerges as epicenter of Asian film and music", which focused on the rise of Korean films in world cinema.
  
  The story said Asian genre films, especially those from Korea, have built a steady following in the West since Hong Kong cinema broke o,...More

• 

  "May 18" Tops 7 Million Admissions
  2007/09/04, Source
  According to the latest box office, historical-tragedy "May 18", has surpassed 7 million ticket sales as of September 3, making it the highest,...More
• BONG Joon-ho Films Aoi Yu in Tokyo
  2007/08/29, Source
  Renowned Korean director Bong Joon-ho chose Aoi Yu to star in his short film "Shaking Tokyo", part of an omnibus film project titled "TOKYO!". Filming is under way and Aoi Yu plays a p,...More
• Sidus Enters US Cable Market
  2007/08/27, Source
  Major South Korean entertainment company Sidus Corp. has bought a US $20 million slice of ImaginAsian TV (IA TV), a 24-hour Asian-American cable network in the US. The network reaches about 4 million subscribers nationwide and is the first of its kind in the US. Under the agreement, Sidus will pro,...More

• 

  Horror Flick 'Epitaph' Invited to San Sebastian Film Festival
  2007/08/16, Source
  The Korean horror flick "Epitaph" has been invited to the 55th San Sebastian International Film Festival in Spain.
  
  The film production comp,...More

• 

  Actor Kim Sang-kyung to Wed
  2007/08/13, Source
  Popular actor Kim Sang-kyung will marry a dentist five years his junior in coming October, his agency said yesterday.
  
  The 35-year-old acto,...More
• Sidus Signs MOU With ImaginAsian TV
  2007/08/07, Source
  By Cathy Rose A. Garcia
  Staff Reporter
  
  Top Korean film company Sidus and U.S.-based broadcasting company ImaginAsian TV signed an agreement for the distribution of Korean entertainment contents in the United States, it was announced on Tuesday.
  
  Under the memorandum of understanding, Sidus wil,...More

• 

  "May 18" off to a Promising Start
  2007/07/30, Source
  "May 18" opened strong, taking in US$ 10.1 million in its first weekend. The CJ Entertainment title took the top spot at the box office with 1.,...More

• 

  "May 18th" to Open July 26th
  2007/06/26, Source
  Dealing with the events leading up to one of the tragedies in Korean history known as the Gwangju Massacre, "May 18th", directed by Kim Ji-hoon,,...More
• New York film festival showcases Korean shorts
  2007/06/12, Source
  Award-winning short films of various genres from Korea's Mise-en-scene's Genre Film Festival (MGFF) will be invited to the 6th annual New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF) from June 22 to July 8 in New York City.
  
  Launched by the Subway Cinema in 2002, the New York Asian Film Festival is a widely a,...More
• Hallyu Events Continue in Europe
  2007/04/10, Source
  The Korean pop culture wave of "Hallyu" is continuing in Europe in the form of various Korea-related exhibitions and film festivals.
  
  The Korea Foundation says that an exhibition of Korean traditional paintings opened at a public Asian museum in Greece on April 1 and will continue through the end,...More

• 

  "Nobody knew me on the island"
  2007/03/29, Source
  A serial killer haunts the 17 residents of a small Island named Geuklakdo (Geuklak Island). Everyone is treated as a suspect, yet no one knows who will be the next victim. The mystery begins to unrave,...More

• 

  Song Kang-ho tests his versatility again
  2007/03/29, Source
  Song Kang-ho played an eccentric yet strangely charming gangster in "No. 3" (1997), w,...More

• 

  American Viewers Enticed by Korean Movie "The Host"
  2007/03/19, Source
  In a strong showing for a foreign film, the Korean movie "The Host" opened in the United States on 74 screens and grossed $320,000 in its fir,...More

• 

  Actor Plays Murder Suspect Again
  2007/03/13, Source
  By Kim Tae-jong
  Staff Reporter
  
  Does actor Park Hae-il have a thing about being a murderer with a handsome face?
  
  He did an excellent job o,...More

• 

  BONG joins Gondry and Carax for Tokyo Project
  2007/03/06, Source
  According to the Hollywood Reporter, "The Host" director Bong Joon-ho will participa,...More
• Director Bong Joon-ho's Works Shown in US
  2007/03/06, Source
  A special showing of director Bong Joon-ho's works has been held in three US cities of New York, Chicago and San Francisco.
  The Korean Film Council said Monday that it has organized the event to mark the release of Bong's recent film,...More

• 

  Actor Song's New Show Goes On
  2007/03/06, Source
  By Kim Tae-jong
  Staff Reporter
  
  Surefire hit maker Song Kang-ho is back with a new film _ however, it is a gangster film, a genre that is no,...More

• 

  Korean Movie "The Host" to Hit U.S. Theaters on March 9
  2007/03/02, Source
  Korean director, Bong Joon-ho's critically acclaimed blockbuster, "The Host", which,...More
• Monthly film screening series
  2007/02/12, Source
  "The King and the Clown" 2005, 119 min
  
  Directed by Lee Joon-ik. Starring Lee Joon-gi. Recorded the highest gross,...More

• 

  Korean Blockbuster "Host" Scheduled for Jan. 24 Debut in U.S.
  2007/01/09, Source
  Have you been waiting for a realistic monster movie? You are in luck because the Korean blockbuster "The Host" will open at a theater in Bost,...More
• This Year's Cinematic Outlook
  2007/01/08, Source
  Records were broken in the Korean film industry last year including one for the largest number of movies produced.
  It doesn't look like that record will be challenged this year, but there are nonetheless big expectations for the domestic film industry.
  Son Heekyung has this preview for 2007.
  
  20,...More
• [YEAR-END REVIEW]Prominent figures in arts, entertainment
  2006/12/28, Source
  Director Bong Joon-ho sets new standard
  
  By Yang Sung-jin
  
  Director Bong Joon-ho enjoyed the most memorable moment of 2006. His latest feature film,...More

• 

  The World of Silence's Strong Cast
  2006/12/15, Source
  The World of Silence's Strong Cast
  
  The newly released thriller ",...More
• Voice of a Murderer: New Feature from PARK Jin-pyo
  2006/12/13, Source
  Voice of a Murderer: New Feature from Park Jin-pyo
  
  While many Korean directors such as Im Sang-soo, Kim Ki-duk, and,...More

• 

  Bong Joon-ho: Writing New Chapter in Korean Film History
  2006/11/15, Source
  Targeting the world
  
  The movie "The Host" by filmmaker Bong Joon-ho is set to find,...More
• 'Korean Wave' now testing U.S. waters
  2006/11/09, Source
  There is no question that a Korean Wave is sweeping Asia. Sophisticated and trendy Korean movies, television dramas and music are widely loved throughout the region. But skeptics have long doubted the regional wave would ever cross the Pacific Ocean to hit North America, much less become significant,...More

• 

  Korea Film Festival to Be Held in China
  2006/10/20, Source
  The Korean Film Festival will be held in Beijing and Shanghai from Friday through Sunday, after the CJ China Film Festival was held in the two biggest Korean cities of Seoul and Busan last month. The,...More
• 2006 Korea Film Festival Opens in London
  2006/09/20, Source
  The 2006 Korea Film Festival will open in London September 27.
  
  Organized by the Korean Culture Center in the U.K. and the Korea Culture & Content Agency, this year's festival will mark the year of mutual visits to South Korea and the U.K. The festival will screen eight domestic hit movies and fou,...More

• 

  'The Host' Is Viciously Smart
  2006/08/25, Source
  Monster film devours Korean and U.S. competitors
  
  Kyu Hyun Kim (qhyunkim)
  
  One particular scene in "The Host" in retrospect almost looks,...More

• 

  Japanese Newspaper Praises Song Kang-ho
  2006/08/25, Source
  A Japanese newspaper lavished acclaim on Korean actor Song Kang-ho, advising Japanese moviegoers to take note of any film with the actor's name,...More
• Monster Film Success Soothes S. Korea's Worried Cinema Industry
  2006/08/16, Source
  A rare monster film is blazing a trail in South Korea's cinema history, drawing record audiences and bolstering a local movie industry being weaned from decades of a protective screen quota.
  
  The Host, directed by a daring 37-year-old prod,...More
• Director Bong: "I am looking forward to seeing how the Mecca of monster films would respond to my movie"
  2006/08/16, Source
  Japan's major daily newspaper Asahi carried an exclusive interview with Bong Joon-Ho, Korean director of The Host, on Aug. 16.
  
  Director Bong Joon-Ho's thriller,...More
• Director Bong Joon-Ho raises need for minor film quota system
  2006/08/08, Source
  "The current situation, in which The Host is taking up some 600 of the 1,600 theaters in Korea, is due to Korea's unique circumstances", said Bong Joon-Ho, the film's director. As,...More
• The Host opens on a record 620 screens
  2006/07/28, Source
  Just prior to its theatrical release, Bong Joon-ho's "The Host" is already setting records.
  
  The film is scheduled to open on an all-time high of 620 screens, which easily surpasses,...More
• [MOVIE REVIEW] Bong's film reveals monster in all of us
  2006/07/27, Source
  Sometimes, horror is best created by staring at something very familiar from a slightly different angle. Alfred Hitchcock, the master of suspense, was the one who understood this simple truth very well. He didn't try to bring life back to zombies or create hideous space creatures, but as far as horr,...More
• Song Kang-ho Conquers Fear of Monsters
  2006/07/21, Source
  If the creature movie The Host pulls audiences above all with director Bong Joon-ho's ingenious directorial skills and superb special effects, that does not diminish the pleasure of se,...More
• Chungmuro Pins Summer Hopes on 'The Host'
  2006/07/05, Source
  Monster Flick Ups Hype With Five-Poster Campaign
  
  Chungmuro is in crisis. The Hollywood conquest of domestic screens this summer was launched by "Mission: Impossible 3", and followed up with four more that have kept the monopoly going. On top of that, the screen quota reserved for domestic films h,...More
• ‘Host’ Captures
  2006/07/05, Source
  Unique Monster Movie Deals With Family and Current Issues
  
  By Kim Tae-jong
  Staff Reporter
  
  Director Bong Joon-ho's new film The Host was unveiled here on Tuesday.
  
  The most anti,...More
• Korean Films at Shanghai Int. Film Festival
  2006/06/16, Source
  A record 11 Korean features will be shown in the official selection of this years 9th Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) to take place June 17th to the 25th. Among them Park Jin-pyo's 2005 film You Are My Sunshine will run in the offi,...More
• 'Host' Is a Fight Against Prejudice, Director Says
  2006/06/11, Source
  By Kim Tae-jong
  Staff Reporter
  
  The director of "The Host (Koemul)", one of the most anticipated local films this year, said last week his new film challenges prejudice against local sci-fi films.
  
  "Everybody wanted to dissuade me from making a sci-fi film in the very beginning when they first,...More
• New York Times interviews Korean director Bong Joon-Ho
  2006/06/01, Source
  The New York Times recently featured an interview with Korean director Bong Joon-ho after his new film, The Host, was received well by the critics at the Cannes International Film Festival.
  
  "Director Bong has a monster in his head, which h,...More
• Korean Director Bong Grabs World’s Attention with Haunting Film “The Host”
  2006/05/31, Source
  A cutting-edge thriller entitled The Host by the Korean director Bong Joon-ho, was screened on May 21 at the Cannes Film Festival and received good response from audience. The world pr,...More
• CANNES '06 MARKET DAILY: Magnolia Makes a Deal For Host
  2006/05/30, Source
  by Eugene Hernandez and Tamara Schweitzer (May 24, 2006)
  
  Buyers and sellers began checking out of the Marche du Film Wednesday, some heading back to their home offices. But many others stayed longer in Cannes to try to close another deal or two before exiting Cannes. In a rare deal from an Americ,...More
• Korean Movie 'The Host' Received Well
  2006/05/25, Source
  By Paolo Bertolin
  Contributing Writer
  
  CANNEs - "The Host" is a real masterpiece and Bong Joon-ho is one of the greatest directors in the world. That is how Olivier Père, the director of the Cannes Film Festival selection Quinzaine des Real,...More
• Second wave of Korean top stars crossing over to Japan
  2006/05/15, Source
  Even before the heat of Yomiuri Giants slugger Lee Seung-yeop's bat cooled off, Tokyo Dome hummed with over 40,000 fans waiting for Korean actor Lee Byung-hun, fondly known as "Byonsama" in Japan.
  
  Sporting a gent look in white suit, punctu,...More
• Korean Films at the 59th Cannes Film Festival
  2006/05/09, Source
  Yoon Jong-bin
  The Unforgiven in Un Certain Regard
  
  First-time feature director Yoon Jong-bin makes his international,...More
• Asian Representation Weak at Cannes
  2006/05/03, Source
  By Gautaman Bhaskaran
  Contributing Writer
  
  Expected to be one of the most sought-after South Korean movies of the year, "The Host" by Bong Joon-ho, will be premiered at the Cannes F,...More
• Bong Joon-ho's new film, "The Host", invited for screening at the Cannes Film Festival
  2006/05/01, Source
  "The Host", a new film by Korean director Bong Joon-ho, has been invited for screening at the Director's Fortnight of the Cannes Film Festival.
  
  "On April 26, The Host was been invited to the Director's Fortnight at the 59th Cannes Film Fest,...More
• Cine-cafe invites director
  2006/04/05, Source
  Director Jeong Jae-eun of last summer's inline-skater movie The Aggressives, was present at an English-subtitled screening of her 2001 feature debut,,...More
• Korean Film Directors series published by KOFIC
  2006/04/04, Source
  To increase the international standing of Korean film directors and to promote the international circulation of Korean films, KOFIC announces the publication of the first three books in the Korean Film Directors series. By publishing this series, KOFIC aims to help Korean films and Korean film direc,...More

• 

  'The King and the Clown'
  2006/03/21, Source
  This blockbuster features period setting, traditional arts and a gay subtext
  
  Darcy Paquet (internews)
  
  The closing days of 2005 saw th,...More
• Play About Unsolved Murders on Encore Run
  2006/03/13, Source
  By Bae Keun-min
  Staff Reporter
  
  People often forget things whether they want to or not. But there are things that must not be forgotten like merciless felonies, especially unsolved cases.
  
  This may be the major reason that the troupe for an encore run of the play "Come and See Me (Nal Porowayo),...More
• 'A Bittersweet Life' [DVD Review]
  2006/01/26, Source
  Comparing it to Park Chan-wook's "Old Boy" is off the mark
  
  Kyu Hyun Kim (internews)
  
  Lee Byung-hun plays Seon-woo, a,...More
• Domestic Movies With English Subtitles
  2006/01/19, Source
  Cine-Cafe Evenings
  
  At 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 26
  
  Somerset Palace Seoul
  
  This charity movie session will screen the 2003 hit crime thriller "Memories of Murder". Based on a real-life serial-murder case in the 1980s, the film takes,...More
• Based on a True Story?
  2006/01/15, Source
  Recent Films Use Fictional Elements to Help Recount Real Events
  
  By Kim Tae-jong
  Staff Reporter
  
  After "Memories of Murder", a thriller about a real-life serial-murder case in the 1980s, became the biggest hit of 2003, a slew,...More
• 2005 Saw Most Plays Turned Into Films
  2006/01/05, Source
  The Korean film industry last year saw the most number of new releases that were based on stage plays.
  Judging from what critics say what these films had in common were a well thoughtout plot that had already won over theater-goers.
  Son Hee-kyung reports on the trend.
  
  This was Korea's top-gross,...More
• "Memories of Murder" to be ranked 30th in The Village Voice's "Best Film"
  2005/12/29, Source
  The film "Memories of Murder" directed by Bong Joon-ho was ranked 30th in "Best Film", which was conducted by the U.S. leading weekly culture magazine "The Village Voice".
  
  The magazine did "The 7th Annual Film Critics Poll 2005" and a Kore,...More
• Plays, Films Feel Synergy Effect
  2005/12/27, Source
  By Bae Keun-min, Kim Tae-jong
  Staff Reporters
  
  Theater stages have been seeking revitalization with various schemes, including celebrity marketing. Many film and television stars, including Yoo Ji-tae,,...More
• "A Moment To Remember" made the best box-office record in Japan
  2005/12/11, Source
  "A Moment to Remember" starring Jung Woo-sung and Son Ye-jin (Director,...More
• Film stars attract audience to drama
  2005/10/31, Source
  Daehangno in downtown Seoul, often dubbed the "Korean Broadway", has recently repositioned itself as a retraining center for film stars who want to polish their acting chops.
  
  Among them are those who have come back to their roots, such as,...More
• The 10 Young Leaders of Korean Cinema
  2005/10/20, Source
  Directors Bae Jong, Choi Dong-hoon, and Chung Yoon-chul have each written a new chapter of Korean movie history with a single fi,...More
• What Do Koreans Love About Domestic Movies?
  2005/09/09, Source
  With the addition of "Welcome to Dongmakgol", there are now 10 Korean films that have drawn audiences of more than 5 million at home. Considering the size of the domestic film market, that must be due to more than the allure of,...More
• 'Tale of Cinema' Star Looks Back at Cannes Fest
  2005/05/25, Source
  By Shim Sun-ah
  Yonhap News Agency
  
  Film actor Kim Sang-kyung calls himself a fatalist. Believing all events are predetermined by destiny, he does not like to make any plans in advance _ about his work, marriage, anything.
  
  So he says it,...More
• Song Kang-ho to Give Voice to Animation Film
  2005/05/23, Source
  Actor Song Kang-ho will perform a voice in the Korean version of the upcoming Hollywood animation film "Madagascar".
  
  Song will be the voice to the lion Alex, which in the original English version is done by Ben Stiller.
  
  "Madagascar", pro,...More
• 12 Korean Films Invited to Udine Far East Film Festival in Italy
  2005/04/15, Source
  A total of 12 Korean films have been invited to the 7th Udine Far East Film Festival in Italy, which will open on Apr. 22.
  
  According to the Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF) secretariat on Apr. 15, 10 Korean films have been invited to the main division of this festival and two others invit,...More
• Documentary on South Korean Directors to Show
  2005/02/14, Source
  A documentary chronicling the lives of 16 prominent directors will be shown on the cable channel Catch On.
  
  "The Center of Korean Films: Directors" consists of interviews with top directors, including Park Chan-wook of "Old Boy",,...More
• Omnibus Film Festival draws Indie flicks
  2005/01/24, Source
  A string of films by unknown and veteran directors will be featured at a festival in Seoul in an effort to support the creation of independent movies in Korea.
  
  Organized by Indiestory, an independent films distribution company, "Omnibus Film Festival" will screen the works of Asian, American and,...More
• Korea Crowds out Hollywood in Japan's Top 10 of Foreign Movies
  2005/01/07, Source
  Four of the Top 10 foreign films in Japan for 2004 came from Korea, according to a list compiled by the nation's leading movie magazine "Kinema Junbo".
  The magazine's annual roundup of the cream of the foreign film crop is selected by film critics and viewer's votes. It is one of the most prestigi,...More
• Two English-subtitled film festivals for expats in Korea
  2004/11/01, Source
  Korean movies are riding a wave of popularity, with noticible artistic and commercial appeal brought on by a new generation of stylish directors grabbing prizes in major international film festivals. For foreign residents in Korea, two events provide a chance to enjoy some quality offerings - with E,...More
• Local Features to Screen With English Subtitles
  2004/10/24, Source
  By Joon Soh
  Staff Reporter
  
  If you want to get a free crash course in contemporary Korean cinema, check out the Korea Film Archive all next week.
  
  Twelve critically acclaimed feature films from the past five years, along with 13 short films, will be shown for five days beginning Nov. 1 at th,...More
• [9th Piff] - Interview With Park Hae-il: Actor and Movie Lover Takes In PIFF
  2004/10/10, Source
  By Kim Tae-jong
  Staff Reporter
  
  "This year is my third time to visit PIFF and I think every year I come to Pusan, I see improvement in the festival", Korean actor Park Hae-il said.
  
  Park, whose films include ",...More
• Spider Forest selected for San Sebastian competition
  2004/08/11, Source
  Song Il-gon's second feature film Spider Forest has been invited to the competition section of the 52nd San Sebastian International Film Festival in Spain.
  
  One of the autumn se,...More
• `Old Boy' Director Explores Dark Side of Humanity in New Film
  2004/08/09, Source
  By Kim Tae-jong
  Staff Reporter
  
  Would you be able to kill an innocent child to save your wife's life? Although it sounds like a really bizarre or even ridiculous question, "Old Boy" director,...More
• Five Korean Flicks Get Nod at NZ Film Fest
  2004/07/13, Source
  Cheong Cheol Yong (internews)
  
  New Zealand's 5-month-long film fantasy has a world of great films on tap
  
  When New Zealand's biggest film fest, the 2004 New Zealand International Film Festival, opened on the 9th, the beginning of a five-month-long movie marathon hit the road.
  
  Known as a,...More
• Director Kang looks to the world
  2004/07/01, Source
  Kang Jae-gyu's office in Gangnam, southern Seoul, is a cross between a bachelor pad and a lesson in modern interior decorating. Outfitted with a black leather furniture set, small metal trinkets and full-length posters of his movies, his office looks like something right out of a Nick Hornby novel.,...More
• Actor Song Will Be Back as Captain of Expedition Team
  2004/06/21, Source
  By Kim Tae-jong
  Staff Reporter
  One of the country's most popular actors, Song Gang-ho, who played an ordinary barber in the latest film "Hyoja-dong Ibalsa (The President's Barber)", has now decided to become a captain of a S,...More
• Saying Sayonara to Screen Quotas
  2004/06/13, Source
  Korean filmmakers are winning big at the box office, leaving Seoul to reconsider protectionism
  
  Todd Thacker (internews)
  
  It was an abrupt about-face for the staunch film industry ally.
  
  On Friday the Minister of Culture and Tourism and former film director,,...More
• DVD market rides 'Korean Wave'
  2004/05/18, Source
  The Korean Wave, which has sparked a Korean movie and drama fad elsewhere in Asia, is infusing fresh energy into the local entertainment sector. Its impact is also palpable at PapaDVD, a major online DVD shopping mall.
  "As much as 30 percent of revenue comes from foreign clients, chiefly those in,...More
• `Memories' Director Takes Cold Look at Violence
  2004/04/28, Source
  By Joon Soh
  Staff Reporter
  Chonju, North Cholla Province _ From the ceiling of a near empty underground parking lot, a security camera slowly moves back and forth while keeping watch over the rows of cars. As the camera swivels from side to side, we catch a glimpse of a man casually getting out,...More
• 'Korean Culture' According to Foreigners 3 - Mr. Babakhani (Canada)
  2004/04/21, Source
  "Korea fever"
  
  One of the most widely talked about cultural phenomena of the last decade or so is the renaissance of the Korean cinema and TV. Korean cinema has become a major success story both commercially and artistically, and both in domestic and international markets. Just in recent months,,...More
• 'Memories of Murder' Wins Four Cognac Awards
  2004/04/14, Source
  "Memories of Murder", directed by Bong Joon-ho, opened on April 11 in France and won four awards at the Festival de Film Policier de Cognac, CJ Entertainment said on Wednesday.
  The awards received were the Grand Prix Cognac 2004, the Prix Sp,...More
• Film People to Support Labor Party
  2004/04/02, Source
  Actress Moon So-ri, director Park Chan-wook and 145 other members of the local film industry will gather on Wednesday to officially announce their support for the Democratic Labor Party,...More
• [Local Films With English Subtitles]
  2004/03/25, Source
  ▣ Salin-ui Chuok (Memories of Murder) (2003)
  Saturday at noon
  Seoul Selection Bookstore
  With the right combination of entertainment and social awareness, ",...More
• Korean Film Highlighted at Philadelphia Festival
  2004/03/24, Source
  Philadelphia's film goers will have a feast of Korean cinema to choose from when the 13th Philadelphia Film Festival opens on April 8.
  South Korea is well represented with 11 features out of the 133 to be screened, including a special category called New Korean Cinema. The category's six films incl,...More
• Filmmakers offer investors starring role
  2004/03/17, Source
  Movie companies shine spotlight on stock markets, online sales
  
  Unable to gain access to investors by traditional means, Korean filmmakers are rewriting the script to give stock traders and cyber fans starring roles.
  
  The industry currently generates an estimated 700 billion won ($605 million),...More
• 'Korean Culture' According to Foreigners <1> - Mr. Sanae (Japan)
  2004/03/15, Source
  Korean cultural products such as TV series, movies, music and games are entering market abroad one by one. Korean Wave, popularity of Korean popular culture, which started in China and Southeast Asia, is continued in Japan, and Korea has become a contents exporter. We should be proud of our cultural,...More
• CNN to Broadcast Special on Korean Film
  2004/02/25, Source
  The cable news network CNN will run a special broadcast on Korean blockbusters like "Taegukgi", giving recognition to their global worth. "Taegukgi" production company,...More
• 'Silmido' powers past 6 million viewers
  2004/01/20, Source
  The Korean film "Silmido" has attracted 6 million viewers in the shortest time in Korean cinema history, sparking speculation that it may break the all-time attendance record held by "Friend", which drew 8.2 million viewers in 2001.
  ",...More
• Korean films top video market
  2004/01/15, Source
  strength of Korean films in the theatrical market was closely matched by their performance in the video market in 2003. According to figures compiled from Jan. 1 - Dec. 20, 2003 by the video chain Cinetown, which runs 589 stores across the country, Korean films accounted for the seven most frequentl,...More
• CJ Entertainment CEO named 'power leader'
  2003/12/31, Source
  Reflecting a year in which Korean films reached new heights, CJ Entertainment CEO Park Dong-ho was named the pop culture "power leader" of 2003 by The Herald Business, a sister newspaper of The Korea Herald.
  
  CJ Entertainment, a film investment and distribution company, claimed 20.6 percent of th,...More
• Memories of murderous success in 2003
  2003/12/18, Source
  This was a very good year for Korean cinema. Perhaps actress Moon So-ri said it best at a screening of one of her films in Paris: "French cinema has a history of over 100 years, but not Korea. If France is an adult, Korea is a child. But it is a,...More
• Surprise winner for best picture
  2003/12/13, Source
  Director Kim Ki-duk's "Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter and Spring", a quiet meditation on a Buddhist monk's quest for truth, was named the best picture of the year at the Blue Dragon Film Awards on Thursday.
  
  The result defied widespread predict,...More
• Korean films sell well at MIFED
  2003/11/21, Source
  Korean international sales companies saw strong business at the recent MIFED film market in Milan, Italy. A large number of Korean films were sold to other territories, with strong interest being shown in titles Old Boy, Untold Scandal, Legend of the Evil Lake and others.
  
  ,...More
• Memories of Murder wins Critics Choice Awards
  2003/11/19, Source
  Director Bong Joon-ho's acclaimed Memories of Murder was the big winner at the 23rd Critics Choice Awards, held on November 13. The film was presented with the Best Picture,,...More
• Hawaii festival invites 7 Korean films
  2003/10/31, Source
  The Hawaii International Film Festival, held on various islands throughout the state of Hawaii, has invited seven Korean films to screen in its 23rd edition.
  
  Baek Woon-hak's "Tube" and,...More
• "Noble Affair" Appeals to Audience
  2003/10/14, Source
  "Untold Scandal" premiered on October 2 and sold two million tickets in 11 days, remaining the top box office hit for two consecutive weeks. The long-term box-office record is expected as it claimed more than 60 percent of total online,...More
• Memories of Murder takes 3 awards at San Sebastian
  2003/10/01, Source
  Memories of Murder, the acclaimed hit film by director Bong Joon-ho, was named winner of three awards by three different juries at the 51st San Sebastian International Film F,...More
• Movie exports equal 1,420 car sales abroad
  2003/09/26, Source
  Korea exported 18.1 billion won ($15.7 million) worth of movies during the first half, generating as much added value as the sale of 1,419 passenger cars abroad, a central bank report showed yesterday.
  
  The nation's movie exports in the six-month period were nearly equivalent to last year's annua,...More
• Eleven Korean features to screen at Vancouver
  2003/09/19, Source
  Eleven feature films and five short films from Korea will screen in the upcoming Vancouver International Film Festival, scheduled to take place from 25 September to October 10. Programmed by British film critic Tony RAYNS, the selection features a wide range of critically acclaimed arthouse work and,...More