The Host (Movie - 2006)

괴물 (Goi-mool)

Screenplay by Baek Cheol-hyeon (백철현), Bong Joon-ho (봉준호), Ha Joon-won (하준원), Joo-byeol (주별)

119min | Release date in South Korea : 2006/07/27

Synopsis

Gang-du is a dim-witted man working at his father's tiny snack bar near the Han River. One day, Gang-du's one and only daughter Hyun-seo comes back from school irritated. She is angry at her uncle, Nam-il, who visited her school as her guardian shamelessly drunk. Ignoring her father's excuses for Nam-il, Hyun-seo is soon engrossed in her aunt Nam-joo's archery tournament on TV. Meanwhile, outside of the snack bar, people are fascinated by an unidentified object hanging onto a bridge. In an instant, the object reveals itself as a terrifying creature turning the riverbank into a gruesome sea of blood¡¦ Amid the chaos, Hyun-seo is helplessly snatched up by the creature right before Gang-du's eyes. These unforeseen circumstances render the government powerless to act. But receiving a call of help from Hyun-seo, the once-ordinary citizen Gang-du and his family are thrust into a battle with the monster to rescue their beloved Hyun-seo.

International Film Festivals

2006 39th Sitges International Film Festival, Competition
2006 59th Cannes International Film Festival, Directors Fortnight

Source

The Host | Cast

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Song Kang-ho
송강호
As
Kang-doo
(강두)
Byun Hee-bong
변희봉
As
Hee-bong
(희봉)
Park Hae-il
박해일
As
Nam-il
(남일)
Bae Doona
배두나
As
Nam-joo
(남주)
Go Ah-sung
고아성
As
Hyeon-seo
(현서)
Oh Dal-soo
오달수
As
The Host voice
(괴물 Voice)

Extended cast

The Host | HanCinema Reviews

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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
[HanCinema's Image Gallery] "The Host"
2013/09/28
A selection of shots from Bong Joon-ho's monster mash-up "The Host" (2006),...More

The Host | News

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[HanCinema's Film Review] "The Admiral: Roaring Currents": A Lionhearted Legend
2015/01/03
In the spotlight this week: Kim Han-min's "The Admiral: Roaring Currents"... Admiral Yi Sun-shin was an astonishing naval commander who, despite political persecution, personal tragedy, illness, and imprisonment, managed to successfully halt the Japan's invasion of Korea during the end of the 16th century. Toyotomi Hideyoshi's (Japan's 'great unifier') dreamt of expanding Japan's empire and needed Joseon to secure a solid foothold to mount an attack against the mighty Ming. Hideyoshi was denied free passage for his forces across the Korean mainland (King Seonjo and his cabinet thought that allowing the Japanese to cross unmolested would result in Korea being bloody battleground between their powerful neighbours), and so amassed a force and fleet and began their Invasion of Korea (1592-1598),...More
[HanCinema's Feature] Korea's Top Five Favorite Films of 2014
2014/12/20
2015 is nigh upon us, a fresh year with its own host of hits waiting to entertain and be enjoyed. There is still a little time before 2014 passes us by, and before it does I wanted to glance back and take stock of this year's most successful spectacles and see what rose to top in terms of ticket tallies. Last year Korean cinephiles were treated to an array of awesome attractions ("The Face Reader", "Snowpiercer", "The Attorney", "Miracle in Cell No.7"), but still Bong Joon-ho's 2003 hit "The Host" remained the nation's cash king with over 13M admissions. It would take something supremely special (historic) to rally such record-breaking support and slay this iconic stub-guzzler,...More
[HanCinema's Film Review] "A Hard Day": Honest Pay for an Honest Day?
2014/11/15
In the spotlight this week: Kim Seong-hun's "A Hard Day"… "A Hard Day" had a tough, but rewarding, time at the local box office. After a positive premiere at Cannes (where it screened as part of the independent "Directors' Fortnight" section), this intense and dogged thriller clung onto its top ten ticket for an impressive eight weeks; a solid stint that required battling million-dollar titans like "X-Men: Days of Future Past" (4.3M), "Edge of Tomorrow" (4.6M), "Transformers: Age of Extinction" (5.2M), as well a local dagger in Jo Beom-goo's "The Divine Move" (3.5M)-all of which can claim to be among the year's highest-grossing hits,...More
[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
"The Admiral: Roaring Currents" Becomes Highest Grossing Korean Language Film in North America
2014/09/22
Most Watched Film of All-Time in Korea Soars Past $2.5 Million in U.S. Admissions The record breaking and highly acclaimed Korean naval battle film, "The Admiral: Roaring Currents", is now the highest grossing Korean language film in North America surpassing $2.5 million at the U.S. box office. The stateside success of "The Admiral: Roaring Currents" follows dominance in its home country. Since the film's overseas premiere on July 30, "The Admiral" became the most watched film of all time in South Korea, garnering over 17 million admissions in domestic sales and breaking multiple box office records,...More
[HanCinema's Box Office Review] 2014.08.22 ~ 2014.08.24
2014/08/25
"Pirates" and "The Admiral" tussle at the top… It's been a thrilling month for Kim Han-min's "The Admiral: Roaring Currents" as it quickly became the highest grossing Korean film in history by surpassing the 13M admissions "The Host" put up back in 2006. Kim's epic depiction of Admiral Yi Sun-Shin's legendary role in the Battle of Myeongnyang may have been pushed down into second, but the additional 802K (29.9%) it cornered over the weekend pushes this mighty piece of moviemaking to a record 16.2M admissions ($123M),...More
[HanCinema's Take] The "Admiral" and his Impossible Fleet
2014/08/23
I'm always intrigued when patterns emerge in space-time; plausible improbabilities that speak to universal truths, or magically mirror the collective's consciousness. These uncanny alignments aren't always meaningful, or random, but there's a persistent allure to be found in such synchronicity; as if, when aligned, a precious pinhole appears, a vague vantage point awaiting some some golden thread to pierce and grab the message in bottle before it's too late. Last week a new Korea box office champion was crowned as Kim Han-min's "The Admiral: Roaring Currents" (2014) cruised past Bong Joon-ho's hybrid hit "The Host" (2006), becoming the peninsula's highest grossing film of all time,...More
[HanCinema's Box Office Review] 2014.08.15 ~ 2014.08.17
2014/08/18
Kim Han-min's "Admiral" rages on... After eight years as Korea's highest grossing film, Bong Joon-ho's hybrid hit, "The Host", has finally been toppled by Kim's epic "Admiral". "The Host" (which stars the prolific and prominent Song Kang-ho) claimed over 13M admissions back in 2006, but Kim Han-min's seafaring strategist (spectacularly spearheaded by Choi Min-sik) has already surged past Bong's buoy with over 14.6M ($111M)--the ultimate box office record to fall in its wake--and from here on out, it's simply history in the making,...More
'Roaring Currents' Most Successful Korean Film of All Time
2014/08/18, Source
"The Admiral: Roaring Currents" became the most successful film in Korean history on Saturday. Until that day the period flick had been seen by 13.99 million people, surpassing the previous record of 13.62 million set for Hollywood blockbuster "Avatar" in 2009. By Sunday morning, the Korean film had surpassed the 14-million mark. "The Admiral: Roaring Currents" managed the record in just 18 days since the release,...More
'The Admiral: Roaring Currents' Set for All-Time Box-Office Triumph
2014/08/11, Source
"The Admiral: Roaring Currents" set yet another record on Sunday by drawing 10 million viewers in just 12 days, almost halving the previous record. The previous best time was 21 days, achieved by "The Host" in 2006. "Avatar", the biggest overall box office hit in Korea, took 38 days, "Miracle in Cell No.7" 32, "Masquerade" 38, and "The Attorney" 33,...More
Roaring Currents poised to top 10 million viewers on Sunday
2014/08/09, Source
The movie "The Admiral: Roaring Currents" is poised to top 10 million in box office sales on Sunday, 12th day after its release. This represents nine days shorter than the record set by "The Host" (Goemul), which hit the mark in the shortest period of time (21 days in 2006) in the history of Korean movies,...More
'Roaring Currents' Breaks All Box-Office Records
2014/08/07, Source
"The Admiral: Roaring Currents" is breaking every box-office record in Korea and has now drawn 7 million viewers in the shortest time in Korean film history, just eight days after it opened. It was released on July 30 and needed a full five days fewer than the previous record held by "The Host" (2006), "The Thieves" (2012) and "The Face Reader" (2013),...More
Koreans Flock to Period Flick About War Hero
2014/08/05, Source
A strip of posters adertises the film "The Admiral: Roaring Currents" in Seoul on Sunday. "The Admiral: Roaring Currents", the story of Korean history's most astonishing military victory by Admiral Yi Sun-shin, has set new records in the country's cinematic history. In just five days since opening on July 30, the movie has drawn 4 million viewers, the shortest time on record. It already set the record for the most viewers on its first day at 683,072 and surpassed the 1 million mark in just 37 hours, another new milestone,...More
War Movie Pulls 1 Million Viewers in 2 Days
2014/08/01, Source
"The Admiral: Roaring Currents" pulled 1 million cinemagoers in just 37 hours after its release on Wednesday. According to distributor CJ E&M on Thursday, a total of more than 1 million moviegoers had watched the film as of 1.30 p.m., achieving the milestone faster than any other film,...More
[HanCinema's Hall of Fame Review] "Cold Eyes": Soulless City Surveillance
2014/04/26
In the Spotlight this Week: Cho Ui-seok & Kim Byeong-seo's "Cold Eyes"... 2013 was a stunningly successful year for Korean cinema that saw the top three films ("Miracle in Cell No.7", "Snowpiercer", and "The Face Reader") rack up more than 30 million admissions between them. In addition to these bulging blockbusters, the year's top ten also saw a number of spy films gain the public's favour. Ryoo Seung-wan's "The Berlin File" depicted a classy tale of international espionage, Jang Cheol-soo's sophomore feature "Secretly and Greatly" raced to nearly 7 million, and the domestic spy thriller "Cold Eyes" grinded through July to eventually claim nearly 6 million admissions. Although the podium finishers showcased glittering happy-ever-afters, devastating dystopias, and dreaming dynastic dreamscapes, the latter half of the year's top ten were more shadowy and sane,...More
Kim Seong-hun's "A Hard Day"
2014/04/22, Source
Director Kim Seong-hun's movie "A Hard Day" is going to Cannes Film Festival. The festival reviewed it as a 'detailed and pleasant movie with a fresh inspiration',...More
"Thread of Lies" Kim Hee-ae, Go Ah-sung and more
2014/02/10, Source
Movie "Thread of Lies" and the four actresses starring in it have everyone's attention on them. "Thread of Lies" is about a mother named Hyeon-sook (Kim Hee-ae) and sister Man-ji (Go Ah-sung) as well as a friend named Hwa-yeon (Kim Yoo-jung) looking for the secrets left by 14-year-old girl Cheon-ji (Kim Hyang-gi) up in heaven,...More
Veteran Supporting Actors Behind Success of Domestic Films
2014/02/03, Source
Clockwise from top left, Oh Dal-soo, Kim Jung-tae, Park Chul-min, Ra Mi-ran, Ko Chang-seok, and Kwak Do-won The influence of supporting actors is growing as they play a critical role in helping to set new box-office records for Korean films even though they may appear on screen for only a few minutes. In fact, the actor who has appeared in the highest number of Korean movies that drew more than 10 million moviegoers was not leading man Song Kang-ho. Instead, that honor goes to supporting actor Oh Dal-soo, who features in four of the nation's nine most successful flicks,...More
Korean movie "The Attorney" to be released in North America on Feb. 7, 2014
2014/01/23, Source
CITIES: New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Philadelphia, San Diego, Las Vegas, Boston, Washington D.C., Hawaii (Aiea), Toronto, Vancouver, Anchorage, Denver RELEASE DATE: FEBRUARY 7, 2014 (WELL GO USA),...More
[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
[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
[HanCinema's Box Office Review] 2013.09.27 - 2013.09.29
2013/09/30
Ticket sales slowed considerably in the aftermath of Korea's Chuseok holiday celebrations, but that didn't stop Han Jae-rim's "The Face Reader" from advancing past 8 million admissions ($54M). Last week Han's popular period yarn claimed 2.2 million admissions (51.5%) over a whopping 1,239 screens, but the harvest deities have fled and reduced the blockbuster's momentum here to just 641,786 (36.5%) over 857. "The Face Reader" is also now Korea's 14th highest grossing film of all-time, having just recently passed Kim Han-min's "Arrow, The Ultimate Weapon" (7.4M) and Bae Jong's "Welcome to Dongmakgol" (8M). Han's hit still has more than a million admissions to go if it wants to take on Bong Joon-ho's post-apocalyptic thrill ride "Snowpiercer" (9.3M), a feat that will make it the fifth film in two years to break into the Korea's increasingly unstable top ten,...More
[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
[HanCinema's Image Gallery] "The Host"
2013/09/28
A selection of shots from Bong Joon-ho's monster mash-up "The Host" (2006),...More
'The Face Reader' Exploits Changing Trends to Race up Film Charts
2013/09/23, Source
Director Han Jae-rim's "The Face Reader" is fast establishing itself as the nation's next box-office hit. The movie, which revolves around a power struggle in the Chosun Dynasty, attracted over six million viewers by Sunday, within just 12 days of its release. Pundits say that part of its success can be attributed to its all-star cast, and part to the way in which it has grasped the changing trends of the market in terms of target viewers and themes. It already ranks as the third-fastest Korean movie to attract this many viewers after "The Host" and "The Thieves", both of which subsequently went on to break the 10-million mark. The former sold 13.01 million tickets and the latter 12.98 million,...More
[HanCinema's Hall of Fame Review] "The King and the Clown"
2013/09/14
In the Spotlight this Week: "The King and the Clown" (2005) by Lee Joon-ik Before Bong Joon-ho's "The Host" in 2006, "The King and the Clown" was Korea's highest grossing film and was the country's official submission for the 2006 Academy Awards. Lee's feature was showered with the support of 12.3 million local viewers back in 2005, and remains Lee Joon-ik's most successful film to date. Set during South Korea's rich and fascinating Joseon dynasty, "The King and the Clown" is a classic period yarn that challenges contemporary issues such as homosexuality, personal freedom, and one's socio-economic status; themes that can be tracked in subsequent historical features such as Yoo Ha's controversial "A Frozen Flower" (2008) and Choo Chang-min's blockbuster "Masquerade" (2012). Gorgeously presented and swimming in symbols and performance motifs, Lee Joon-ik "The King and the Clown" is nostalgic spectacle the successfully bridges the divide between the constrictions of days past and a romantic hope for those still to come,...More
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
Bong Joon-ho almost killed himself before "The Host"
2013/08/26, Source
Director Bong Joon-ho went through some hardships while preparing for the movie "The Host". Actor Kim Soo-hyun narrated this show which spread out the story of Bong Joon-ho who created the movie "Snowpiercer" and his experience filming it all over the Czech Republic and Prague,...More
Ticket Sales for 'Snowpiercer' Still Racing Ahead at Bullet-Train Speed
2013/08/19, Source
"Snowpiercer" continues to attract large crowds despite competition from new releases at theaters. The film by Bong Joon-ho attracted 1 million spectators in its first two days, 3 million by day five and broke the 4-million mark on the seventh day of its release -- the fastest clip ever set by a movie in the country. Bong's "The Host" previously set the record in 2006,...More
[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
[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
Go Ah-sung to star in "Thread of Lies"
2013/07/18, Source
Actress Go Ah-sung is starring as Kim Hee-ae's daughter in "Thread of Lies". "Thread of Lies" is about a 14 year-old girl who commits suicide, leaving behind a mother and a sister. This movie is based on the original written by Kim Ryeo-ryeong. Kim Hee-ae is coming back with this movie for the first time in 3 years and Go Ah-sung is starring as her daughter,...More
[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
[UK] Park Chan-wook's "JSA - Joint Security Area" at the Prince Charles Cinema on Wednesday 31 July
2013/07/12, Source
For this summer's edition Terracotta Film Club revisits the early work from Park Chan-wook, the acclaimed South Korean director of "Old Boy" and "STOKER". The screening on 31 July follows days after the 60th anniversary of the ceasefire agreement between North and South Korea on 27 July,...More
[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
The Korean Film Festival comes to Montreal
2013/06/26, Source
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Canada and Korea, a selection of 10 outstanding Korean films will be showcased in Montreal from July 4th to 10th, 2013. Ciné-Asie, along with the major support of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea, presents the first edition of the Korean Film Festival in Canada – KFF – which will be launched in five Canadian cities, highlighting Montreal in partnership with the Cineplex Odeon Forum and Mosaicultures Internationales Montréal at the Montreal Botanical Garden (an event that expects nearly two million visitors this summer), the KFF anticipates to receive a large number of visitors for its first edition. For the first time, the KFF website is composed in three different languages: English, French, and Korean. The KFF will present ten full length feature films and five short films. The feature films are either the highest grossing movies in recent years, totalling 7 to 13 million admissions in South Korea, or have gained international critical acclaims, winning significant awards. Among them include Kim Ki-duk's "Pieta" (Le grand prix at Venice 2012), "Miracle in Cell No.7" (over 12 million admissions in Korea, 2013), and "Masquerade" starring actor Lee Byung-hun (over 12 million admissions in Korea, 2012),...More
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
[HanCinema's Box Office Review] 2013.04.05 ~ 2013.04.07
2013/04/08
Jo Dong-oh's action thriller "Running Man" is off to a good start as it snatched the top spot in its first weekend out. The film claimed 501,908 (30.89%) admissions over 568 screens, only just pushing outs its closest rival "G.I. Joe 2" which came close itself with 464,619 (30.49%). "Running Man" stars Shin Ha-kyun as Cha Jong-woo, a young man who accidentally gets caught up in a murder case and soon finds himself on the run because of it. This week's chart saw a number of new entries both local and foreign, in addition to some regular faces that have made the top ten their own the last few months. But overall admissions were low, with only the top two films seeing much action in this quieter week at the movies,...More
Korean Box Office for the Weekend 2013.04.05 ~ 2013.04.07
2013/04/07, Source
The number one movie this week is "Running Man" (런닝맨),...More
[Hancinema's Box Office Review] 2013.03.15 ~ 2013.03.17
2013/03/18
For the first time this year a foreign film has managed to claim the top spot in Korea's weekend box office. With 423,336 admissions, Jonathan Levine's "Warm Bodies" is the first outside entry to make it all the way to the top. However it does so with the lowest ticket count for first place this year. "Warm Bodies" is an adaptation from Isaac Marion's book of the same name; it's a paranormal romance that takes a zombie's perspective as he pursues his living love interest. "Warm Bodies" claimed 26.0% of the total ticket sales with the help of 475 screenings around the country. There were a string of new releases last week that caused a serious reshuffle in this weekend's top ten, including Yoon Jong-chan's "Paparoti", the Oscar winner "Lincoln", as well as the Italian animation "Gladiators of Rome" in 3D,...More
"Miracle in Cell No.7" jumps over "Masquerade"
2013/03/13, Source
Movie "Miracle in Cell No.7" is about to beat "Masquerade". According to the Film Commissions Statistics, "Miracle in Cell No.7" is second in the box office with 34,677 audiences in just 4 days. The accumulated number adds up to 12,279,538,...More
'Miracle in Cell No. 7' Draws Over 10 Million Viewers
2013/02/25, Source
"Miracle in Cell No. 7" broke the 10 million mark for ticket sales on Saturday, becoming the eighth Korean movie to do so, according to the Korean Film Council. The feat, which comes 32 days after release, was widely expected as the film hit the 1 million mark just four days after hitting theaters and the 5 million mark in 16 days,...More
[Canada] The simultaneous North American and Korean release of "The Berlin File" (2013)
2013/02/05
South Korea's mega action thriller by the masterful Ryoo Seung-wan Opens on Feb. 15, Cineplex Odeon Forum, Montreal CINEASIE Creatives is pleased to announce the simultaneous North American and Korean release of "The Berlin File" (2013), South Korea's mega action thriller written and directed by the masterful Ryoo Seung-wan. The film, by CJ Entertainment, centers on a battle between spies from North Korea and South Korea, with a tragic love triangle simmering beneath the surface. The Montreal public can discover the visual pyrotechnics of Korea's greatest action auteur on February 15th at Cineplex Forum,...More
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
[HanCinema's Film Review] "Deranged": A Refreshing Slap in the Face
2012/12/08
Film: "Deranged" (연가시 - Yeon-ga-si) Director: Park Jeong-woo Stars: Kim Myung-min, Moon Jung-hee, Kim Dong-wan & Lee Honey Review Score: 4 / 5 Also Try: "The Host" or "Haeundae" Many happily look back at contemporary disaster films such as JK Youn's "Haeundae", Bong Jong-ho's "The Host", and to a lesser and different degree, Kim Ji-hoon's monster "Sector 7", as films that pushed the scale and scope of what was possible for the genre. Biological or otherwise, "Deranged" teases with the boundaries of traditional disaster films, superimposing a refreshing sociopsychological element through its solid dramatic filter of fatherly duty and the 'golden mean' approach to social responsibility. Kim Myung-min plays Jae-hyeok, a man who makes daily sacrifices in service of his family and their wellbeing. He is initially stern, cold almost, and constantly scolds his ditsy and naive wife (Moon Jung-hee as Kyeong-soon) and their two children (a daughter and son played by Yeom Hyun-seo and Uhm Ji-sung) for their apparent sloppy behaviour,...More
[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
'Masquerade', 7th film to reach 10 million viewers
2012/10/22, Source
Poster for "Masquerade" By Rachel Lee The film "Masquerade" has surpassed the 10 million-milestone attendance, the film's distributor said Saturday. According to the Korean Film Council, the movie has drawn 10,041,566 viewers as of Sunday, becoming the 7th Korean film to reach the barometer of what defines a blockbuster here. It is also the second to reach the mark in 2012 after "The Thieves", which set the all-time attendance record earlier this month. The heist film directed by Choi Dong-hoon has attracted about 13.02 million people, beating out "The Host" (2006) that drew 13.01 million,...More
[Entertainment News Station] "The Thieves" caught in issue for summing up audience
2012/10/03, Source
There is an issue about the new record made by "The Thieves". Show Box revealed on the 2nd, "In the company standards, the movie went over 13,020,393 and beat "The Host" of 13,019,740 in 2006",...More
around town
2012/09/30, Source
Classical Concerts ROTTINI Debut Concert: Hero of Voice Seoul Arts Center* Oct. 7 Four of Korea's top opera singers, Park Ji-min, Joseph Lim, Lim Chang-ham and Aldo Heo, have come together in a group called Rottini. Rottini has successfully reached out to the international audience, and took first place at the New York Opera Competition. Tickets cost 40,000 to 100,000 won. For more information, call (02) 580-1300 or visit 222.sac.or.kr/eng. Museums Maya 2012 National Museum of Korea Through Oct. 28 Maya 2012 focuses on the life and death of the Mayans. The exhibition is organized in celebration of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Mexico, and Korea and Guatemala. For more information, call (02) 2077-9000 or visit www.museum.go.kr,...More
Korean films' renaissance with box office success
2012/09/01, Source
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"The Thieves", No. 2 Most Successful Movie In Korean Film History
2012/08/31, Source
Many saw it coming, but the movie "The Thieves" has just broken another record. According to the movie's distributors, as of 5 PM on August 30th, "The Thieves" had attracted about 12,310,000 people. This brings its total higher than the 12,302,831 that the movie "The King and the Clown" brought in several years ago. Now the only movie between it and the #1 spot is "The Host",...More
'The Thieves' outperforms 'Haeundae' to become 4th best-selling movie at home
2012/08/23, Source
The Korean heist film "The Thieves" became the fourth best-selling Korean film of all time, beating "Haeundae", a disaster drama that opened three years ago, according to the latest official box office tally. "The Thieves", featuring 10 Korean and Chinese thieves teaming up to steal a valuable diamond necklace at a Macao casino, had attracted about 11.5 million viewers as of Wednesday, the data from the Korean Film Council showed,...More
[Video] CJ Entertainment Takes Flight with "R2B: Return to Base"!
2012/08/13, Source
Action epic comes to North America on August 24, 2012 LOS ANGELES, CA (August 13, 2012) - CJ Entertainment America brings the aerial action thriller "R2B: Return to Base" to North American theatres on August 24, 2012. Inspired by the 1963 South Korean film, Red Scarf by legendary director Shin Sang-ok, "R2B: Return to Base" is set in modern-day Seoul and features top stars Rain ("Ninja Assassin"), SIN Se-kyeong, and Yu Jun-sang,...More
[USA - New York] Members' Free Film Night: THE HOST (THUR, AUG 9 @ 6:30PM)
2012/08/07, Source
The Korea Society has chosen "The Host" (2006) to screen at summer Members' Free Film Night. This family comedy/monster flick from acclaimed director Bong Joon-ho is Korea's highest grossing movie of all time and has won numerous awards, including Best Film at the Asian Film Awards,...More
[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
Jun Ji-hyun Gets Back into Groove with 'The Thieves'
2012/08/04, Source
The Korean heist film "The Thieves" attracted 2.11 million viewers as of last week, just four days after its release, to knock "The Dark Knight Rises" off its perch at the local box office. The only other domestic movies that have drawn over 2 million viewers in such a short space of time are the sci-fi slash-monster flicks "The Host" (2006) and "D-War" (2007). Among the most-memorable characters in "The Thieves" is an agile, rope-climbing bandit called "Anycall", played by Jun Ji-hyun. The slender thief scales building walls, not unlike Spider-man, and isn't afraid to spew out profanity-laden dialogue, contrary to the star's sexy but demure image in recent years,...More
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
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
CJ ENTERTAINMENT Goes for the Gold with "AS ONE"
2012/05/24
Sports film based on a true story hits North American theatres on June 1, 2012 CJ Entertainment brings "As One" (aka Korea, original title) to North American theatres this summer on June 1, 2012. The film, based on a true story about the first ever united North and South Korean sports team, will be releasing in New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Vancouver, Toronto, and Los Angeles (L.A. release on June 8, 2012). A touching true story about the historic first Team Korea "As One" recounts the dramatic tale of the first unified Korean team that competed at the 1991 World Table Tennis Championships in Chiba, Japan. South Korea's ping-pong star Hyun Jung-hwa and North Korea's LI Bun-hee have each suffered humbling defeats at the hands of China's formidable "Ping-Pong Witch" every time they reach the tournament's final rounds. Forced by politicians to suddenly team up as the first united team Korea, HYEON and LI experience only conflict and mistrust, and face the loss of their championship dreams. But game-by-game, the two begin to build teamwork and find a budding friendship. When political winds change again and just as suddenly an announcement is made to disband team Korea, the two young women must prove to their people and the world that teamwork can outshine the dark shadows of a painful history,...More
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
'King of Pigs' Animation Invited to Cannes
2012/04/25, Source
Yeon Sang-ho's animated feature film "King of Pigs" has been invited to Cannes next month to feature at a special screening of the festival's Directors' Fortnight. Other Korean films previously presented in the section include "Peppermint Candy" (1999) by Lee Chang-dong, "The President's Last Bang" (2005) by Im Sang-soo and "The Host" (2006) by Bong Joon-ho,...More
Casting announced for Kim Myung-min's "SPY"
2012/04/11, Source
Casting has been announced for Kim Myung-min's latest project "Spy", a film that revolves around the lives of 5 North Korean agents in South Korea. "Spy" is written and directed by Woo Min-ho, who was also behind "Man of Vendetta" (2010). This movie marks the second collaboration between the method actor and the director-scriptwriter. The film boasts a cast of well-known and established actors. Kim Myung-min's management agency, MM Entertainment revealed the official cast line-up lead by Kim Myung-min (39), who will play the role of Agent Kim. Agent Kim is a family man who lives a happy and contented life with his wife and two children. He is disguised as a manager in a company that sells fake viagra imported from China,...More
'Cine Class' - atypical guide to film
2012/03/16, Source
A scene from "The Host" by director Bong Joon-ho. Bong as well as other directors and their films are featured in the book "Cine Class", an introductory guide to Korean film. (Korea Times film) Film as a medium is much like language ― it performs many of the same functions of communication. From opening to ending scenes, films are full of signs, codes, episodes and stories directors want to show and tell. To better understand the language, one needs to have a basic knowledge about moviemaking,...More
North and South inter-Korean table tennis film "As One" to be released in May
2012/03/12, Source
The movie "As One", based on the true story of a 1991 North and South inter-Korean table tennis team, will be released this coming May. "As One" shows behind-the-scenes stories regarding the inter-Korean table tennis team that participated in the 1991 Chiba Worldwide Table Tennis Championships for 40 days. Ha Ji-won takes on the role of South Korean table tennis player Hyun Jung-hwa and Bae Doo-na takes on the role of her North Korean rival, Ri Boon-hee,...More
Kanryu Currents in Japan, Past and Present
2012/03/11, Source
Tokyo-based journalist, translator and filmmaker Jason GRAY examines the ebb and flow of the Korean Wave in Japan over the past ten years, pinpointing the highs and lows. The Korean wave of popular culture in Japan, referred to as "kanryu" or "hanryu" in Japanese, has had an interesting ebb and flow over the past decade. There were earlier booms here including traditional Korean ballads ("enka") in the late 70s, the Seoul Olympics in 1988 and the South Korea-Japan co-hosted World Cup in 2002. Japanese cinema exhibitors saw their first genuine Korean smash with Kang Je-gyu's "Shiri" (2000), which earned JPY1.8 billion (US$22.1 million) - an impressive result to this day. As we'll see, KANG is unique in that he figures into pre, peak and post kanryu cinema,...More
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
Berlinale Culinary Cinema has "Hindsight"
2012/01/30, Source
The 62nd Berlin International Film Festival (the Berlinale) has announced its Culinary Cinema 2012 program comprised of 15 films about food to include "Hindsight" from Korea. The 6th Culinary Cinema's motto this year is "Trust in Taste". Directed by Lee Hyun-seung, "Hindsight" stars Song Kang-ho ("The Host") as an ex-gangster trying make a clean start as a restaurant owner. While taking cooking classes, he meets and falls in love with a quirky girl (Shin Se-kyung),...More
CINEMA ON THE PARK Season 2 Announced!
2012/01/22, Source
The Korean Cultural Office in Sydney has just announced another exciting Season of Cinema on the Park, the film night that delighted audiences in 2011 will return once again in 2012. A surprise hit with more than 1,000 people attending, Thursday nights are now etched firmly on the Sydney cinema calendar as Korean night and will see 21 feature films and 14 guest speakers in the first half of the year alone, surely enough to satisfy anyone's appetite for Korean cinema!,...More
Four Korean nominations at the Asian Film Awards
2012/01/19, Source
The 6th Asian Film Awards has announced nominations in 14 categories including one for Park Hae-il, the star of period action thriller "Arrow, The Ultimate Weapon", and three nominations for South Korea's Academy Award Best Foreign Language Film submission "The Front Line". Park Hae-il was nominated in the Asian Film Awards' Best Actor category for his performance in "Arrow, The Ultimate Weapon", the top domestic film last year in South Korea. Park played a character who is forced out of his shell to wage a one-man war to save his sister and her fiancé when they are taken by foreign invaders,...More
Local films foray into Chinese market
2011/12/26, Source
Actress Ha Ji-won in a still from the movie "Sector 7" By Lee Hyo-won The past year has seen Korean cinema on an upward climb from the recession that hit the industry hard in the mid-2000s, particularly as homespun works made successful debuts in the Chinese box office and more experimental mid-budget films drew crowds domestically. In the early 2000s, few Korean movies enjoyed wide releases in large neighboring Asian markets such as Japan. In September, however, "The Man From Nowhere", a 2010 crime drama, made successful box office debuts not only in Japan but also in China, one of the world's fastest growing markets,...More
'Sector 7' is highest grossing Korean film in China
2011/12/20, Source
A scene from the movie "Sector 7", which became the highest grossing Korean film to have opened in China. / Courtesy of CJ E&M Pictures By Lee Hyo-won The Korean 3D monster movie "Sector 7" became the highest grossing local movie to open in China, its distributor CJ E&M Pictures said Tuesday,...More
"Sector 7" makes 4.3 billion won in China
2011/12/18, Source
Director Kim Ji-hoon's "Sector 7" gathered the best box office results for Korean movies that were shown in China. According to CJ E&M on the 19th, "Sector 7" was released in 4000 or so cinemas in China and raked in 4.3 billion won (~US$4 Million) until the 14th. Previously, main character Ha Ji-won visited Beijing and Shanghai for promotional events,...More
[User Review Batch] Movies 2011 - Blind, Sector 7, Head
2011/12/10
So, a while back I made some Korean Movies 2011 posts in my blog, talking about movies being released this year which drew my interest. There are a few more that popped up so I might need to make another post now, but at the same time, I'd like to start some mini-reviews of those I have seen. For a couple of them, I might even do dedicated bigger reviews, but for now, this is good enough. I will probably do 3 movies each time, to keep things tidier and keep up with the releases, which vary a lot. So, here is the first batch, featuring "Blind", "Sector 7" and "Head",...More
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
Four leading Korean directors working on overseas projects
2011/11/21, Source
By JU Sung Chul With leading Korean directors Park Chan-wook, Bong Joon-ho, Kim Jee-woon and Ryoo Seung-wan all working on overseas productions, journalist JU Sung Chul examines the details of their projects for "Korean Cinema Today" The year 2012 looks like it will see an unprecedented rush of Korean directors working onforeign projects. This phenomenon seems similar to the situation back in the late 1990s when Hong Kong directors John WOO, Ringo LAM, TSUI Hark, Kirk WONG and Ronny YU all directed films produced in Hollywood.What's different is that whereas they were inclined to make films only in Hong Kong's specialty genre - the action film, their Korean counterparts are expected to make films that will retains the directors' varyingstyles and sensibilities. Park Chan-wook's "Stoker" and Kim Jee-woon's "The Last Stand" are produced by Hollywood-based companies while Bong Joon-ho's "Snowpiercer" and Ryoo Seung-wan's "The Berlin File" (working title) are to be co-productions,...More
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
CHOI Equan appointed head of KAFA
2011/11/11, Source
Chairman Kim Eui-suk of the Korean Film Council (KOFIC) appointed film director Choi Ik-hwan as the new head of the Korean Academy of Film Arts (KAFA) on Nov. 10 in Seoul. Established in 1984, KAFA has played a leading role in producing some of contemporary Korean cinema's major filmmakers. Kim Eui-suk was actually one of the first graduates of KAFA before he directed the seminal hit "Marriage Story" (a.k.a. The Marriage Life). The school's alumni also includes directors such as Bong Joon-ho ("The Host"), Im Sang-soo ("The Housemaid - 2010"), Lee Jae-yong ("Untold Scandal"), and Heo Jin-ho ("One Fine Spring Day"),...More
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
[HanCinema's Film Review] "Sector 7": A Host of Issues
2011/10/29
Korea's first big budget 3D feature failed. The extreme hype and mass marketing served only to raise the film to a height from which it was destined to fall from. The success it received in its opening week was a good start to Kim Ji-hoon's monster flick but once word got out of the film's many failings, its numbers dropped sharply as a result of the scorn it received from critics and the public alike. "Sector 7" was a huge disappointment and the degree to which it fell short of glory is staggering. Before I dive into the criticism, let's first look at an area where the film did well, or at least showed the most potential. "Sector 7" had a number of things going for it, the most exciting of which was its premise. Sector 7 is an actual Joint Development Zone (JDZ) involving both Korea and Japan respectfully. Japan has shown little interest in it but the area has represented the hopes of Korea to become energy independent. Oil is the desire in the film and it carries not only the characters' hopes but the nation's as well. The oilrig tasked in finding the black gold is manned with individuals who strive to make a success out the exploration project. But, when a mysterious creature starts terrorising the rig, the needs of the crew suddenly become much simpler,...More
The Host Vs. Sector 7 - Monsters, Assume Your Positions!
2011/10/29, Source
I love horror movies. I love disaster movies. I love movies with monsters, aliens and anything else horrible and supernatural or monstrous. I have been watching horror and thrillers, action and sci-fi since I was a wee little girl. When others were watching only cartoons, I was watching cartoons, Star Trek TNG and Stephen King, among other things nerdy. So, for that reason, I expect a lot from a monster movie. Ever since I have been into Korean entertainment, "The Host" has hovered over my head like a majestic high bar that other things are apparently too short to reach. I had heard the best things about it and I knew it as some legendary movie, a masterpiece of Korean cinema. I was quite confused about it, because I had watched a part of it way back when it had first reached private cable television here. I remembered that I disliked it. That I found the balance of jokes and seriousness so "off" that I could not figure out what the movie wanted me to feel,...More
Japan Quake Explored in '3.11' at Short Film Festival in Seoul
2011/10/21, Source
The devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan in March that created a nuclear scare serves as the basis for "3.11 Sense of Home", a collection of short films about the horrors and aftermath of the quake. It features the works of 21 internationally renowned directors, including Thailand's Apichatpong Weerasethakul, Korea's Bong Joon-ho, who rose to critical acclaim after making "The Host" in 2006, Jia Zhangke of China and Japan's Naomi Kawase,...More
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
Jang Dong-gun and Bae Doona set to star in major foreign films
2011/10/06, Source
Top Korean actor Jang Dong-gun is set to star with Zhang Ziyi and Cecilia Cheung in director Heo Jin-ho's adaptation of the French novel "Les Liaisons Dangereuses". Jang is fresh off the shoot of Kang Je-gyu's sweeping WWII film "My Way" which wrapped recently. His previous films also include the English-language martial arts Western Warrior's Way and the iconic gangster film Friend,...More
KOFIC to open first and largest umbrella stand in Busan
2011/10/03, Source
By KOFIC Staff At the upcoming Asian Film Market held during the 1,...More
Top actors JANG Dong-gun and BAE Doona set to star in foreign films
2011/09/27, Source
by KOFIC Staff / Sep 27, 2011 Top Korean actor More
Bae Doona Ice Cool Ahead of Hollywood Debut
2011/09/26, Source
All it took was a video call and a short home movie, and the Wachowski brothers -- the brains behind "The Matrix" trilogy -- were sold on actress Bae Doona. The Wachowskis had been looking around for someone to fill a role in their upcoming movie, "Cloud Atlas", which has a star-studded cast including Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Susan Sarandon and Hugo Weaving. They sent Bae a script at the end of March. One week later, the young actress was talking with them on a video-link and they asked her to send her some clips of her acting out a couple of the scenes from the script,...More
Busan Int'l Film Fest to Shed Light on SE Asian Cinema
2011/09/20, Source
Asia's largest film festival, the Busan International Film Festival, will be held from Oct. 6 to14 at five theaters in the city of Busan. Some 307 films from 70 countries will be screened, with 135 premiering at the festival. The festival was formerly known as the Pusan International Film Festival but amended the spelling of its name this year to conform to the official Romanization of the city in which it is held,...More
The time has come. Sector 7 is released in the USA and Canada!
2011/09/13, Source
Where have you been? What are you doing this weekend? Something awaits 8000 feet under the sea off the southern tip of Jeju Island. As bodies begin disappearing one by one, the few surviving need to think fast and fight for their lives in a non-stop battle against the mutant monster from the sea. Survival looks unlikely, but Hae-jun and the crew are determined to take any chance to get out of "Sector 7" alive,...More
Kim Myung-min is cast in disaster movie "Yeongasi"
2011/08/20
Kim Myung-min is ready for his next project! According to Starnews, Kim Myung-min is confirmed to star in upcoming disaster film "Yeongasi" (English literal translation, Horsehair Worm), which Park Jeong-woo ("Big Bang", 2007; "Dance With The Wind", 2004) is set to direct,...More
Song, Sin star in uncanny drama
2011/08/11, Source
From left, "Hindsight" director Lee Hyun-seung poses with actors Shin Se-kyung, center, and Song Kang-ho in Seoul, Wednesday. / Yonhap By Lee Hyo-won In the upcoming film "Hindsight", actor Song Kang-ho hopes to tell an uncanny story through his collaboration with actress Shin Se-kyung. "(Sin and I) are an odd pairing, but I am glad the film seems to have captured an uncanny energy from this odd coupling and I hope audiences will be able to feel it, too", Song told reporters during a promotional event for the film in Seoul, Wednesday,...More
1st Korean 3D Film Draws 1.5 Million Viewers
2011/08/10, Source
The first Korean 3D film "Sector 7" pulled more than 1.5 million viewers in only five days despite mixed reviews. According to data compiled by the Korean Film Council, it lured 142,612 moviegoers nationwide on Monday, taking the no. 1 spot at the box office and bringing the total to over 1.5 million viewers,...More
"Sector 7" drives through 1,000,000 in 3 days
2011/08/07, Source
Movie "Sector 7" broke through 1,000,000 viewers in 3 days, running first in place in the Box Office. The accumulated number until 6PM on the 7th is 1,050,342 and it made sure the negative evaluation in the movie preview was put to shame.,...More
'Sector 7': groundbreaking tech, groundless drama
2011/07/28, Source
Actress Ha Ji-won, center, in a scene from "Sector 7". Korea's first 3D IMAX creature feature opens in theaters on Aug. 4. / Courtesy of CJ E&M Pictures By Lee Hyo-won The late legendary producer Samuel Goldwyn once said that Hollywood filmmakers "remain little more than glassblowers, huffing and puffing and blowing up slender ideas - their own or others - into some sort of shape for the screen. What has happened to fresh, honest, vital, original writing for the screen?",...More
The 15th PiFan opens tonight with star-studded red carpet
2011/07/18, Source
by KOFIC Asia's largest genre film fest, the 15th Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival (PiFan) opens tonight with a star-studded red carpet and a screening of the documentary Bollywood: The Greatest Love Story Ever Told. Several acting awards will be given out on Opening Night, including the 2nd Actors' Award, which will be presented by the Korean Film Actors' Association to Park Hae-il ("Moss", "The Host") and Soo Ae ("Midnight FM", "Sunny"),...More
3D film out to compete with Hollywood
2011/07/07, Source
From left, actors Ahn Sung-ki, Ha Ji-won, Oh Ji-ho, Song Sae-byeok and Park Chul-min appear in a scene from the upcoming 3D monster movie "Sector 7". / Courtesy of CJ E&M By Lee Hyo-won Makers of the 3D action film "Sector 7", of which distribution rights have already been sold to 46 countries, call it a ruthless venture that is out to compete with Hollywood. "It's not about trying to catch up with post-'Avatar' Hollywood but trying to compete with it, and someone has to keep on trying", director Kim Ji-hoon, who has helmed action-packed works such as "May 18", told the press in Seoul, Thursday,...More
[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
Top Korean Directors Attend Florence Korea Film Festival
2011/05/03, Source
by David Oxenbridge (KOFIC)

Italy was once again awash with Korean colours at the 9th Florence Korean Film Festival.
This year the festival was able to secure a veritable whose who of Korean directors including Bong Joon-ho (,...More
Analysis of 2010 Korean Film Industry
2011/04/26, Source
by KOFIC Film Research & Development Center In 2010, the Korean film industry witnessed several significant changes, many of which were directly related to the worldwide success of the Hollywood blockbuster "Avatar". The box office gross increased by 6.5% as compared to last year, largely due to the increased ticket prices of 3D films, which boomed in popularity following "Avatar". However, the number of admissions actually decreased by 5.2%, scoring a total of only 146 million admissions. The number of times the average Korean went to the movie theater also dropped from 3.15 per individual in 2009 to 2.92 in 2010,...More
Song Kang-ho, "Host 2 cast? Not yet"
2011/04/13, Source
Actor Song Kang-ho conveyed that he hadn't been offered to be in the currently processing movie "The Host 2". His management said on a phone interview with My Daily, "He hasn't been asked to be in "The Host 2". Some say he received the scenario but that's not true".,...More
[YoungSang] Movie music means this man, guitarist Lee Byeong-woo
2011/04/10, Source
Movie music director Kim Byeong-woo (46), who increased the quality of movies "Haeundae", "The Host" and more with his music, was in his studio in Seoul,...More
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
Bong Joon-ho, appointed judge for Cannes, Golden Camera Award
2011/04/07, Source
Director Bong Joon-ho has been appointed as a judge for the Golden Camera Award at the Cannes Movie Festival. The movie executive office revealed on the 7th that director Bong was chosen to be the judge for the Golden Camera Award category at the 64th Cannes International Movie Festival. The Golden Camera Award goes to a rookie director for a feature film amongst the couple invited to the Awards this year.,...More
[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
[HanCinema's Film Review] "Barking Dogs Never Bite"
2011/03/26
Back in 2000, Bong Joon-ho made is directorial debut with the underrated "Barking Dogs Never Bite". This gloomy satirical drama failed to have any pull at the box office at the time and even Bong Joon-ho noted, "It was a total flop". Its lack of commercial success is a shame because the film carries itself beautifully.,...More
[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
Navy's rescue operation against Somali pirates to be made into film
2011/02/08, Source
A film production company said Tuesday that a commando rescue operation that freed a South Korean freighter from Somali pirates in the Arabian Sea last month will be made into a movie this year, according to a news report.

"We will invest 20 billion won ($18 million) in making a film version of t,...More
'Theater makes me feel alive'
2011/02/01, Source
Actor Oh Dal-soo is set to return to his theater roots in the original "Sunset, Moon Dance" this month in Daehangno, central Seoul. / Courtesy of Eda Entertainment Oh Dal-soo to portray fatherhood in return to roots By Chung Ah-young When actor Oh Dal-soo played a private jail owner who detains the male protagonist in Park Chan-wook's "Old Boy", he left his impression on one of the film's most memorable scenes,...More
Park Hae-il and Moon Chae-won confirmed casting for movie "The Bow"
2011/01/31, Source
Actor and actress Park Hae-il and Moon Chae-won have been cast for the movie "Arrow, The Ultimate Weapon". Distributor Lotte Entertainment revealed on the 31st, "It has been confirmed that Park Hae-il a, Moon Chae-won, Ryu Seung-ryong, Kim Moo-yul and others will play lead roles in the thrilling action historical movie "Arrow, The Ultimate Weapon" based on 13 years after the artificial restoration".,...More
Actor Oh Dal-soo to return to stage
2011/01/18, Source
The play "Sunset, Moon Dance" will star actor Oh Dal-soo. / Courtesy of Eda Entertainment By Chung Ah-young Often called a scene stealer in his major hit films, actor Oh Dal-soo is returning to the stage,...More
Bong Joon-ho joins Sundance jury
2011/01/11, Source
Korean Film director Bong Joon-ho will join the judging jury for the Sundance Film Festival in Utah, festival organizers announced Tuesday.

,...More
Korean movie released today in Korea
2011/01/05, Source
Korean movie released today in Korea "Heartbeat",...More
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
"Haunters" sees highest advance tickets sales for 2010
2010/11/11, Source
Film "Haunters" [Zip Cinema] New film "Haunters" has become the movie to sell the most advance tickets so far this year, according to the findings of online reservation website Max Movie. Data by Max Movie on Wednesday, a day prior to the film's release today, showed that ticket reservation rate for the film starring actors Gang Dong-won and Go Soo stood at,...More
Bong Joon-ho's 'The Host' was seleted as one of Ten Great Horror Films
2010/10/26, Source
Director Bong Joon-ho's "The Host" became one of the Ten Great Horror Films, selected by an American film website. America's professional film information site, Screen Crave, released the result of the World's 10 Best Horror Movies, on the 25th. One of them was Korea's "The Host".,...More
Gang Dong-won says "wants the power to teleport"
2010/10/18, Source
Actor Go Soo speaks to reporters during a press conference for film "Haunters" held at a Megabox theater in Dongadaemun of Seoul, South Korea on October 18, 2010. [Park Sung-ki/Asia Economic Daily] Korean actor Gang Dong-won has said that he would want the ability to teleport to outer space although in the past, he wanted to have the power to control people's minds as his character does in his upcoming film "Haunters",...More
Five Korean films invited to Tokyo
2010/10/08, Source
This year a total of 5 Korean films will get the green carpet treatmentat the environmentally friendly 2010 Tokyo International Film Festival. Not to be confused with Toronto, the other 'TIFF', Tokyo is one of the biggest international film festivals in Asia, vying for attention with Pusan and Hong,...More
[INTERVIEW] Avex Asia Managing Dir. Buddy Marini - Part 1
2010/08/18, Source
Avex Asia Managing Director Buddy Marini [Avex Asia] As former head of the international division of Japanese entertainment conglomerate Avex Group's artist management company, Buddy Marini had spearheaded artist development and international artist management in Asia for the region's top singers such as Korea's BoA and TVXQ and Japan's Ayumi Hamasaki. Now, as Managing Director of Avex Asia Limited, Marini is in charge of the company's film business in Asia which invests and co-produces films with Asian filmmakers. One of their most noted productions is John Woo epic "Red Cliff", a co-production between Avex, U.S.-based Lion Rock and China Film Group,...More
Lee Byung-hun, Son Ye-jin, Bong Joon-ho to win APN Awards
2010/08/10, Source
By Chung Ah-young

The Asian-Pacific Producers Networks (APN) will honor Korean actor Lee Byung-hun, actress,...More
Korean filmmakers see need for global audience
2010/07/23, Source
Lee Sang-yong-I, Senior Vice President of the Film Production Planning Team at CJ Entertainment, speaks at a forum on "Solution for the Improvement of Korean Film Industry - In Matters of Investment and Distribution" held at Koryo Hotel in the city of Bucheon in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea on July 21, 2010, during the ongoing Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival. [PiFan] The Korean film industry is increasingly recognizing the need for big screen productions to be targeted toward the global audience as a way of helping the currently struggling industry revive and keep alive the "Hallyu", or Korean Wave. At a forum titled "Solution for the Improvement of Korean Film Industry - In Matters of Investment and Distribution", part of the industry specialized program Network of Asian Fantastic Films (NAFF) of the ongoing Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival (PiFan), numerous Korean film producers and investors gathered to discuss on the current state of the domestic film industry and ways to bring developments,...More
[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
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
Bae Doona returns to small screen
2010/06/22, Source
By Han Sang-hee
Staff reporter

Model-turned actress Bae Doona is returning to the small screen through a new drama series,...More
Bae Doona to play lead in new weekend drama "Gloria"
2010/06/22, Source
Korean actress Bae Doona [Barunson Entertainment] Korean actress Bae Doona has been cast as the female lead in a new weekend drama, according to the series' producer MBC on Tuesday. MBC announced in a press release that Bae will be playing the female lead role for an upcoming weekend drama titled "Gloria", based on the lives of people who work at a nightclub,...More
Finecut presells I Saw the Devil to three more territories
2010/06/08, Source
The eagerly anticipated new thriller from Korea's master stylist Kim Jee-woon, ",...More
Korean film "I Saw The Devil" pre-sold to four countries
2010/06/01, Source
Korean actor Lee Byung-hun in a scene from the film "I Saw the Devil" [Showbox] Korean thriller film "I Saw the Devil", which was pre-sold to France during Cannes film market last month, has been picked up by three more countries -- namely England, Taiwan and Turkey. According to a press release by Finecut, which handles overseas sales for the pic, U.K.-based film distribution company Optimum Releasing bought the overseas rights for the Korean thriller which is still in production with noted filmmaker Kim Jee-woon directing top actors Lee Byung-hun and Choi Min-sik,...More
Megabox COEX Celebrates 10th Anniversary
2010/05/13, Source
The COEX branch of cinema chain Megabox marks its 10th anniversary on Thursday. It opened in May 2000 as the largest multiplex cinema in Asia. While it still has 16 screens, seating capacity has shrunk slightly from 4,336 at the time of opening to 4,218 after facility repairs.

The cinema reached,...More
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
"The Good, the Bad, the Weird" Receives U.S. Release
2010/04/02, Source
Kim Jee-woon's "The Good, the Bad, the Weird" is to finally,...More
Bae Doona says "Air Doll" nude scene filming was "surprising"
2010/03/25, Source
Korean actress Bae Doona [Asia Economic Daily] Korean actress Bae Doona said she was surprised by the number of staff who were present for the filming of her skin-baring scenes in Japanese movie "Air Doll". Present at a press conference for the film held Thursday at a CGV Multiplex in Seoul, the actress made the remark in response to a question asking what the main difference on set was between shooting a Korean versus Japanese film,...More
BAE Doona's Air Doll to be Released in Korea
2010/03/12, Source
The long awaited Air Doll starring Korean actor Bae Doona is to get its Korean release. The actor has received a positive reception both internat,...More
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
[INTERVIEW] Actor Song Kang-ho - Part 2
2010/03/04, Source
Actor Song Kang-ho [photographed by Beck Una/10Asia] Beck: What did you find likeable and entertaining about the script for "Secret Reunion"? Song: Ten years ago, I did the films "Shiri" and "JSA - Joint Security Area" which are both about South Korea, North Korea and men. So, "Secret Reunion" was similar to them in a way, a similar story, but the overall outline of the movie is completely different from the previous films. The film doesn't treat the South-North division as its theme but rather takes an incredibly soft, light and sophisticated approach to it. I thought that was closer to how the audience currently feels about the division and there was something lovely about a North Korean spy and a former South Korean intelligence service agent living together. I don't think I would have done the movie if it dealt seriously about the division at times like now. Beck:But didn't you choose to do the film because of the character or the role you would get to take on?,...More
[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
"Avatar" becomes biggest blockbuster in Korea
2010/03/02, Source
Korean official movie poster of "Avatar" [20th Century Fox] James Cameron's Hollywood blockbuster "Avatar" has become the most-watched film in Korean box office history, according to estimates by the official Korean Film Council over the weekend. Statistics showed that the animated picture, which opened in theaters mid-December, had garnered over a total 13.04 million admissions by Saturday to rise above former record holder "The Host" with around 13.02 million viewers.,...More
'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
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
Korea's forbidden lovers of film return
2010/02/25
Since Oedipus, entertainers have been telling stories of forbidden romance - and they've been rewarded with thrilled audiences gasping for more. By that metric alone, the new Korean film,...More
"Secret Reunion" celebrates third win on Korean box office
2010/02/22, Source
No. 1 movie in Korea "Secret Reunion" [Showbox] Korean movie "Secret Reunion" continued its reign on the Korean box office to remain the most popular film in South Korea for the third consecutive week, according to estimates on Monday. The Korean Box Office Information System (KOBIS) revealed that the action pic sold 594,911 tickets during the weekend of February 19 to 21, admitting over three million viewers since its release in early February. "Secret Reunion" stars Korean actors Song Kang-ho who plays a former South Korean intelligence official and GKang Dong-won as the North Korean spy who reunite after six years since their first encounter.,...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
"Secret Reunion" takes another win on Korean box office
2010/02/16, Source
Movie poster for "Secret Reunion" [Showbox] Korean movie "Secret Reunion" remained the most popular film in South Korea for the second week in a row, according to estimates on Monday. Data released by the Korean Box Office Information System (KOBIS) indicated that the action flick hung onto spot atop the local box office, selling 726,116 tickets between February 12 and 14 and over a total two million since its release in early February. "Secret Reunion" is about the rendezvous of a former South Korean intelligence official, played by Sang Kang-ho, and North Korean spy, played by Gang Dong-won, meeting six years after their initial encounter.,...More
'Avatar' Beats 'The King and the Clown' to Second Place
2010/02/15, Source
Hollywood science fiction blockbuster "Avatar" has come from behind to the second place, outpacing local film, "The King and the Clown".

According to the compilation of ticket sales at cinemas by Korean Film Council via its,...More
Avatar leads domestic box office for seventh week
2010/02/01, Source
Scene from No. 1 movie "Avatar" [20th Century Fox] Worldwide box office champ "Avatar" continued to set new highs on Korea's box office, becoming the highest grossing film ever released in the country as it topped the tally for the seventh weekend in a row. According to estimates by the Korean Box Office Information System (KOBIS) on Monday, "Avatar" sold 545,323 tickets between January 29 and 31 to accumulate nearly 11.27 million admissions since its release mid-December. In cash terms, the sci-fi epic grossed about 101.2 billion won, or about 86.2 million dollars, to become the first film released on the domestic box office to breach the 100 billion won mark.,...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
"Avatar" takes sixth Korean box office win
2010/01/25, Source
Movie poster for "Avatar" [20th Century Fox] Hollywood blockbuster "Avatar" continued to remain the most-watched movie in Korea last week, taking command of the box office for the sixth weekend in a row, according to official box office figures on Monday. Statistics by the Korean Box Office Information System (KOBIS) showed that the sci-fi action flick drew in 633,881 viewers from January 22 to 24, totalling close to 10.3 million viewers since the film's opening in mid-December.,...More
'Avatar' Approaches Korean Attendance Record
2010/01/25, Source
James Cameron's "Avatar" has attracted more than 10 million viewers in Korea in just 38 days since its release. Now the questions are whether it will surpass the record of 13 million spectators set by the Korean film "The Host" (2006) and if,...More
Sci-Fi Blockbuster 'Avatar' Becomes Top Grossing Film
2010/01/24, Source
By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter

One out of five Koreans has seen "Avatar".

The blue alien movie is taking the country by storm, becoming the first foreign picture to draw over 10 million viewers, Saturday, according to its local distributor, 20th Century Fox Korea.

Moreover, it has brought,...More
Actress Bae Doona wins third award in Japan
2010/01/21, Source
Actress Bae Doona in Air Doll [AIR DOLL Production Committee] Korean actress Bae Doona will win her third best actress award in Japan for her role in film "Air Doll", according to her agency Barunson Entertainment on Thursday. "Bae received an overwhelming number of the votes amongst the nominees for best actress", director Takeshi Kitano was quoted as saying of the 30-year-old actress who will claim her prize at the Tokyo Sports Movie Awards to be held February 28.,...More
"Avatar" becomes sixth most-watched film in Korea
2010/01/14, Source
Hollywood film "Avatar" has set another record in Korea this week, becoming the sixth most-watched film in the country's history, according to the film's distributor 20th Century Fox Korea on Friday.

As of January 14, the James Cameron pic -- which on Monday was named the most-watched foreign fil,...More
Bae Doona wins best actress award at Japanese film fest
2010/01/14, Source
Korean actress Bae Doona [Asia Economic Daily] Korean actress Bae Doona has been named Best Actress at the 23rd Takasaki Film Festival in Japan, according to the festival's official website on Thursday. The actress won the award for her role in Japanese film "Air Doll", claiming her second win for the part at a film event. She will be receiving another acting title at the Japan Academy Awards on March 5.,...More
'Fantasy of Korea Key to Drawing Global Audience'
2010/01/11, Source
By Kang Hyun-kyung
Staff Reporter

Korea doesn't seem to spark the imagination of North Americans, and this partly explains why Korean films are not popular there, observed an award-winning filmmak,...More
[PREVIEW] KBS TV series "God of Study"
2010/01/06, Source
KBS TV series "Master of StudyMaster of Study" - The path to good schools can be found in a television drama KBS2 TV - Monday/Tuesday evening drama "Master of Study" Written by Yoon Kyeong-ah / Directed by Yoo Hyeon-gi Cast : Kim Soo-ro (as Kang Suk-ho), Bae Doona (as Han Soo-jung), Song Yoon-ah (as Jang Ma-ri), Yoo Seung-ho (as Hwang Baek-hyun), Go Ah-sung (as Gil Pul-ip), Lee Hyun-woo (as Hong Chan-doo), Jiyeon (as Na Hyeon-jeong) and Lee Chan-ho (as Oh Bong-goo) In brief : A biker-turned-lawyer whose life changed when he entered college attempts to teach a group of five rebellious students and help them get into the most prestigious college in Korea. Premiere date : January 4, 2010 at 9:55 P.M.,...More
2010 Korean Cinema Lineup
2009/12/27, Source
By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter

The past year represented hope and revitalization for Korean cinema. While problems such as piracy linger on, the forecast for 2010 cinema appears promising with diverse projects in the making.

Cineastes are finding inspiration from the past and are bringing rem,...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
Berlin invites A Brand New Life and Actresses
2009/12/24, Source
"A Brand New Life" directed by Korean-French adoptee Ounie Lecomte and produced by Lee Chang-dong and,...More
Bae Doona Receives Award From Japan Academy Prize
2009/12/23, Source
By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter

Korean actress Bae Doona won an award for best actress for her role in a Japanese film at the prestigious Japa,...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
'Woochi' Marks Birth of Korean Superhero
2009/12/17, Source
By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter

He might be offended if you call him the Korean Harry Potter, and pull a Taoist magic trick on you.

Jeon U-chi's genealogy can be traced back to the Joseon Kingdo,...More
'The Host 2' with the application of Korean technology is set to open in 2011
2009/09/08, Source
Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA, President & CEO: Lee Jae-woong) has selected 'The Host 2' co-produced by MACROGRAPH and Chungeoram as the recipient of 'Global Project for Technological Development 2009'.
As part of the project conducted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Kore,...More
Bong Joong-ho Scores Double Release in the U.S.
2009/09/03, Source
Bong Joong-ho's hugely successful "Mother - 2009" has just had its North American rights secured by Magnolia Pictures. The company whic,...More
'The Host' Sequel Up for Billions of Technology Funding
2009/09/02, Source
The sequel to Korea's biggest-ever box office hit "The Host" was chosen as a national project for technology funding of up to W1.9 billion over the next two years (US$1=W1,241). The Korea Culture and Content Agency on Tuesday picked "The Hos,...More
[ChanMi's movie news] "Mother - 2009" to be released in the U.S!
2009/09/01, Source
Director Bong Joon-ho's film, "Mother - 2009" starring Kim Hye-ja and Won Bin will be released in the U.S. The Magnolia Piactures has purchased the film and is going to release it in the U.S market! This company ha also released "The Host" in the U.S in 2007. Is it known that director Bong's debut film in 2000, "Barking Dogs,...More
[ChanMi's movie news] "The Host" sequel!
2009/09/01, Source
The hit film, "The Host" has a sequel coming soon! This film has been chosen as 2009 Global Project and is being supported by the technology innovations company for the two years as it will be produced.,...More
Success of 'Haeunda' Invigorates Korean Film Industry
2009/08/28, Source
The massive popularity of the disaster movie "Haeundae", which has drawn more than 10 million viewers so far, has ramifications that reach be,...More
'Haeundae' Attracts 10 Mil. Audience
2009/08/24, Source
By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter

More than 10 million viewers have now watched the big-budget disaster film "Haeundae" since its release o,...More
Disaster Movie 'Haeundae' Heads for 10-Million Mark
2009/08/17, Source
The Korean disaster film "Haeundae" has attracted more than 9 million spectators in the 26 days since its release and is about to surpass the,...More
BONG Joong-ho's 'Mother' to be Korea's Foreign Language Entry at Oscars
2009/08/14, Source
The Korean Film Council has selected BONG Joong-ho's "Mother - 2009" as the country's next Foreign Language entry at the Oscars. Althoug,...More
'Haeundae' Hits 7-Million-Viewer Mark
2009/08/09, Source
By Chung Ah-young
Staff Reporter

Local summer blockbuster "Haeundae", directed by,...More
Korean Movie Thirst to be Screened in Washington Metro Area
2009/08/07, Source
A Korean thriller titled "Thirst" by director Park Chan-wook, will be screened at th,...More
Korean Films Dominate Local Box Office in July
2009/08/06, Source
Korean movies grabbed a 51.1 percent share of the domestic market in July as locally-produced blockbusters such as "Haeundae" and "Chaw" drew throngs of moviegoers. This is a record mont,...More
Disaster Movie 'Haeundae' Draws 5 Mln. Moviegoers
2009/08/04, Source
The South Korean disaster movie "Haeundae" has lured over five-point-two million viewers since its opening on July 22nd.

Film distributor,...More
Singapore to Co-Produce Host 2
2009/07/31, Source
Chungeoram Film, the production company behind Korea's all-time box office champion "The Host", has secured a deal with Singapore's Boku Films that will inject US $5 million into its sequel, "Host 2". The deal follows on a similar injection,...More
KOFIC's Quartely "Korea Cinema Today" just Published
2009/07/24, Source
The Pucheon International Fantastic Film Festival(PiFan) edition of KOFIC's quarterly Korean Cinema Today magazine, has just been published. With the title 'Expand the Market Expand the Views' this edition focuses on international co productions and international Korean film business.

The title,...More
"Chaw" to be Unleashed July 16
2009/07/09, Source
Known for its innovative and daring use of genre combinations, Korean cinema breaks new ground yet again with "Chaw", a black comedy thriller abo,...More
The 8th Mise-en-Scene Short Film Festival Opens this Week
2009/06/26, Source
This year's Mise-en-scene Short Film festival will showcase a total of 120 films. The film festival whose focus is genre short films will feature films genres normally associated with feature length films. These genres include horror, fantasy, love and even action. It features 57 films in the offi,...More
Bong Joon-ho on the Controversy Surrounding 'Mother - 2009'
2009/06/13, Source
"Mother - 2009", the latest film by Bong Joon-ho, has drawn 2.19 viewers in 11,...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
Mother Tipped to be June's Best Bet
2009/05/22, Source
Director Bong Joon-ho, known here and abroad for his 2006 monster hit "The Host", (w,...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
Local Films to Shine at Cannes Fest
2009/05/10, Source
By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter

A total of 10 Korean movies will be shown at the Cannes International Film Festival from May 13-24, marking the highest number of local films ever to be included in the prestigious event's roster.

The first local film ever to be invited to the event was,...More
[ChanMi's star news] REUTERS, "Song Kang-ho is Korea's Tom Hanks!"
2009/05/08, Source
England's famous celeb news station has introduced Song Kang-ho who is the main star in the upcoming film, "Thirst" as Korea's Tom Hanks! They said that he is "heading to Cannes as a vampire". REUTERS have praise Song's acting in various other films he has been in such as, "No. 3" "JSA - Joint Security Area" and "The Host". The combination work with the director who directed the award winning film, "Old Boy" has brought even more attention from movie critics around the globe!,...More
62nd Cannes Selects 9 Korean Films
2009/05/08, Source
A total of 9 Korean films including 5 features have been invited to the official line-up of the 62nd Cannes Film Festival, which runs May 13 – 24 in the famed coastal city of southern France. Headlining the robust range of Korean films this year is,...More
Korean Stars Come under One Roof in the U.S.
2009/04/29, Source
The merger of two major talent agencies in America, William Morris and Endeavor, has brought Korean stars together under one roof. Contracted with William Morris are Singer Rain, actress,...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
Korean Filmmakers to Appear at Cannes
2009/04/24, Source
By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter

Top Korean movie directors have been invited to the prestigious Cannes Film Festival running from May 13 to 24.

The festival delegation announced the list of this year's competitors and jury members Thursday through the festival's official Web site ― they,...More
LEE Chang-dong production to premiere at Cannes
2009/03/25, Source
"A Brand New Life" – a film produced by Korea's leading director,...More
'Korean Directors Possible Candidates at Cannes'
2009/03/22, Source
By Hwang Sung-hee
Korea Times Intern

There may be a possibility for two big name Korean film directors to compete in the Cannes International Film Festival, to be held in May 13 to 24. Park Chan-wook's newest release,...More
AZ Works Opens Post-Production Complex in Busan
2009/03/19, Source
South Korea's leading post-production company AZ Works has opened a new 4-story complex in the southern port city of Busan, home to the Pusan Int'l Film Festival. Called 'AZ Works on the Beach' the building is fully-equipped for film processing, editing, graphics and other digital post-production w,...More
Korean Films sell well at Berlin's EFM
2009/02/11, Source
Korean company Fine Cut as well as CJ Entertainment can both claim success at this years EFM in the Berlin Film Festival. Fine Cut leads the pack selling 11 films alone to one company, Scandinavia's Non Stop Television. It also sold gay themed,...More
'Speedy Scandal' becomes the sleeper hit of the year
2008/12/15, Source
No industry insiders or analysts would have predicted the Cha Tae-hyun romp ",...More
"The Host" is next to be remade by Hollywood
2008/11/20, Source
The Hollywood list of Korean remakes is expanding rapidly; latest addition to the list will be Bong Joon-ho's "The Host". Pirates of the Caribbean director Gore Verbinski will produce,...More
CJ Presales "Thirst" and "Mother - 2009" at AFM
2008/11/12, Source
CJ Entertainment made two major deals at the American Film Market (AFM), signing presales on upcoming films by Korea's top directors Park Chan-wook and Bong Joon-ho. AFM was held in S,...More
YOO Ji-tae and LEE Yeon-hee in romantic film
2008/11/06, Source
Director Ryu Jang-ha is adapting the popular internet manwha (Korean equivalent of Japanese manga) Soonjeong Manwha by,...More
Pakistan & Myanmar Hold Korean Film Fests
2008/11/06, Source
The South Korean Embassy and Pakistan National Council of the Arts are holding a Korean Film Festival at the National Art Gallery in Islamabad, November 5 – 6. The event will screen four Korean features spanning eight years.

The festival will open with,...More
2 Korean Films Win at Sitges Int'l Film Fest
2008/10/27, Source
The 41st Sitges Int'l Film Festival, Europe's biggest fantasy film fest, awarded Kim Jee-woon's "The Good, the Bad, the Weird" the Best Director prize when it w,...More
[ChanMi's movie news] Won Bin is returning to the screens!
2008/10/27, Source
Our hot actor from "Taegukgi" is returning to the movie screens through a new movie, "Mother - 2009"! Won Bin is coming back! He has filmed a commercial film recently in Australia. And right after, he went to the set where the movie was being filmed without even rest. This film will be the first after his military service. "Mother " is his comeback film costarring with Kim Hye-ja directed by Bong Joon-ho who also directed "The Host".,...More
Guitarist Lee to Perform For Fans
2008/10/20, Source
By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter

Prepare for a romantic evening with the jazzy guitar licks of Korea's best guitarist Lee Byeong-woo.

L,...More
Kim Wins Best Director Award in Spanish Film Fest
2008/10/13, Source
By Chung Ah-young
Staff Reporter

Kim Jee-woon, director of Korean blockbuster film ",...More
BAE Doona in Koreeda film
2008/10/10, Source
Renowned Japanese director Hirokazu Koreeda told reporters at Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF) that he will work with actress Bae Doona on,...More
Hawaii fest highlights Korean cinema
2008/10/01, Source
The Louis Vuitton Hawaii International Film Festival (HIFF) not only includes a kimchi flavoured western, but a rich variety of Korean tastes. HIFF selected Kim Yoo-jin's ",...More
Two SONG Kang-ho films in U.S. cinemas
2008/10/01, Source
2008 Festival de Cannes' out-of-competition talk of the festival and Korean box office treasure hunter ",...More
[Festival] The 2008 Louis Vuitton Hawaii International Film Festival (HIFF) from October 9-19 in Honolulu
2008/09/26, Source
The event will open with the U.S. premiere of "The Divine Weapon" from director,...More
Jung Woo-sung to Receive 'Achievement in Acting Award' in Hawaii
2008/09/24, Source
Famous actor Jung Woo-sung will receive the 'Achievement in Acting Award' at the 2008 Hawaii International Film Festival, to be held from Octo,...More
Jeong honored with achievement award
2008/09/24, Source
Popular Korean actor Jung Woo-sung will be the recipient of the "Achievement in Acting Award" at The Louis Vuitton Hawaii International Film F,...More
[ChanMi's star news] Jung Woo-sung, nominated for Achievement in Acting Award
2008/09/23, Source
The Louis Vuitton Hawaii International Film Festival 2008 will be held next month where Jung Woo-sung was nominated the Achievement in Acting Award. Sidus HQ company said that his acting for his previous movies have been greatly applauded for which Jeong was nominated.,...More
Jeon Do-yeon on Pregnancy, Post-Cannes Film
2008/09/21, Source
By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter

Actress Jeon Do-yeon seems to have it all, having won the Best Actress award at Cannes last year and about to,...More
Universal / Focus Features Slake CJ's Thirst
2008/09/17, Source
Universal Pictures (UPI) and London-based Focus Features will invest in and co-produce director Park Chan-wook's latest film,,...More
Top Actors Cast in the Controversial '29 Years'
2008/09/04, Source
Actress Kim Ah-joong, who rose to national celebrity status last year with her debut role in ",...More
[ChanMi's movie news] Stuntmen are the main characters now
2008/08/30, Source
They are the stunt actors. Nobody can realize that they are action stars until they prove themselves and say it. Yet, they are bold and confident in their work. "Action Boys" is a new movie is about the stuntment who never get the spotlight and are always unnoticed. This new film makes the effect that you can not stand up right away to leave when the ending credits are rolling.,...More
2nd Chungmuro Int'l Film Fest Kicks Off Sept. 3rd
2008/08/30, Source
The second edition of the Chungmuro International Film Festival in Seoul (CHIFFS) will bring a mixture of old and new to screens September 3rd, opening fittingly with director HIGUCHI Shinji's 2008 remake of a classic 1958 KUROSAWA Akira film, The Hidden Fortress. The curtain raiser and closing fil,...More
Chinese 'The Host' Set in Sauna
2008/08/24, Source
By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter

Chinese director Ning Hao has decided to set his remake of "The Host" (2006) in a sauna.

Ning, 31, ann,...More
The Year's 2 Top Films Head to Sitges
2008/08/22, Source
The 2 top-grossing Korean films of 2008 thus far have both been invited to the 41st Sitges International Film Festival in Catalonia, Spain. Kim Jee-woon's kimchi-western ",...More
Digital Film Fest Kicks Off Competition
2008/08/19, Source
By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter

The Cinema Digital Seoul (CinDi), a weeklong celebration of digital films, opens Wednesday. Now in its second year, the event features 71 movies from 18 countries, including a competition for up and coming Asian directors, through Tuesday at CGV Apgujeong.

The sm,...More
Seo Teams Up With Marilyn Manson
2008/08/14, Source
By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter

Korean singer Seo Taiji, known as "Culture President" to fans, appeared at a press conference prior to his ETP FEST 2008 (Eerie Taiji People Festival) last night, along with American band Death Cab for Cutie an,...More
'The Good, The Bad, The Weird' Invited to Sitges Festival
2008/07/25, Source
Director Kim Jee-woon's "The Good, the Bad, the Weird" and <,...More
"The Good, the Bad, the Weird" strikes gold
2008/07/23, Source
The fight and race over what is believed to be a valuable map - titled "The Good, the Bad, the Weird" (Joheun Nom, Na,...More
[ChanMi's movie news] U.S Directors love "The Chaser"
2008/07/19, Source
Many U.S directors are interested in buying "The Chaser" movie's scenario for a Hollywood remake! "The Chaser" was released this 18th and right away, many top class directors are waiting for the scenario including writer William Monahan from the movie "The Departed"!,...More
Filmfest offers a summer haven for indie fans
2008/07/17, Source
Sultry summer days drive people to seek shelter.

Getting a comfy seat at an air-conditioned movie theater is a fine choice; watching indie-style films is an excellent choice.

The second annual Nextplus Summer Film Festival is targeting those who want some cinematic relief from the sizzling wea,...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
The Good, the Bad, the Weird's U.S. release
2008/07/17, Source
Kim Jee-woon's latest film "The Good, the Bad, and the Weird" (Joheun Nom, Nappeun Nom, Isanghan Nom) will open in the U.S. in the first half o,...More
"The Host" Sequel Set for China
2008/06/27, Source
"The Host" was a Korean box office blockbuster directed by Bong Joon-ho and, while i,...More
[Interview] Song Kang-ho, "The answer is to not do it if it's not the best"
2008/05/29, Source
A paler Song Kang-ho said, "It took 23 hours and 50 minutes to come to Martinez Hotel from Pusan where I was filming,...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 Korean Gangland Is 'a Dirty Carnival'
2008/05/26, Source
Yoo Ha's searing crime melodrama deserves kudos

Kyu Hy,...More
Borders Blur for Director Bong as Cannes Calls for 'Tokyo!'
2008/05/16, Source
For Bong Joon-ho, the Cannes International Film Festival is an extra-special event. His 2006 film,...More
D-War to open in Chinese cinemas
2008/05/15, Source
Shim Hyung-rae's "D-War" will receive a wide release in China on May 11. The monster film will screen in hundred Chinese cities, including the major cities Beijing and Shanghai, on 500,...More
Korea's "D-War" Targeting Chinese Theaters
2008/05/09, Source
This Sunday, director Shim Hyun-rae's sci-fi flick "D-War" will be opening in theaters across China. There is great interest about whether this,...More
[BRIEFLY] 'D-War' to hit Chinese screens
2008/05/08, Source
"D-War", a sci-fi flick directed by former comedian Shim Hyung-rae, will be released,...More
Korean Films to See at Cannes
2008/04/27, Source
By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter

The world's premier film event, Festival de Cannes, will open for the 61st time May 14-25 in the southern French port city. While there are no Korean entrees this ye,...More
Books Map Out Korean Film History
2008/04/25, Source
By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter

Korea is increasingly becoming an important film market ― ranking sixth and seventh in the world in terms of audience size and ticket sales, respectively, acc,...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
Cine 21 Names CJ's KIM Joo-seong Most Influential
2008/04/22, Source
Local film weekly magazine, Cine 21, provided its annual list of the most powerful players in the Korean film industry, with CJ Entertainment president KIM Joo-seong at the top for the first time. With the industry taking a downturn last year, CJ Ent. has grown to become the key investor and distri,...More
WON Bin to Star in BONG Joon-ho's Latest
2008/04/09, Source
Korean Wave star and household heartthrob Won Bin has been cast in director Bong Joon-ho's,...More
Actress Kim and Won Bin to Star in Bong's Film
2008/04/07, Source
By Chung Ah-young
Staff Reporter

Veteran actress Kim Hye-ja and hallyu star Won Bin will star in a new film directed by Bong Joon-ho,...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
'Secret Sunshine' Wins 3 Awards at the Asian Film Festival
2008/03/18, Source
Director Lee Chang-dong's 'Secret Sunshine' has won three awards at the sec,...More
Actress Jeon Picks Another Top Award
2008/03/18, Source
By Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Staff Reporter

The internationally acclaimed Korean film "Secret Sunshine" (Miryang) grabbed the spotlight,...More
Sequel to "200 Pounds Beauty" planned
2008/03/06, Source
Korean production company KM Culture has announced plans to make a sequel to the popular romantic comedy "200 Pounds Beauty".

A s,...More
Music director of 'The Host' Lee Byeong-Woo makes his first online game soundtrack
2008/02/22, Source
Famous Korean guitarist and movie music director Lee Byeong-woo will make his first online game music.

Lee will make the background music,...More
Director Park Chan-wook Chooses Heroine for Steamy Vampire
2008/02/12, Source
Acclaimed director Park Chan-wook has chosen Kim Ok-vin as the star of his next film,,...More
Yoon Eun-hye, Rain, Han Ye-seul... Stars cried and laughed over substitute casting
2008/02/07, Source
What is a common thing between Yoon Eun-hye, Rain, Han Ye-seul, Cho Seung-woo an,...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
It's Song Kang-ho's 'Show' All the Way
2008/01/29, Source
'The Show Must Go on' a vehicle for Korean star's amazing talent

Kyu Hyun Kim (qhyunkim)

Kang In-gu (,...More
Ryoo Seung-bum and Kim Sa-rang bewitch audiences
2008/01/25, Source
"Radio Dayz" is a feel-good comedy set during the Japanese colonisation of Korea in the early 20th century and revolves around a group of radio employees who develop a radio drama that captures the heart of Korean audiences.
,...More
The Host 2 'Prequel' to Feature Multiple Monsters
2008/01/18, Source
Bong Joon-ho's "The Host" (2006) still holds the title of top grossing film of all t,...More
Song Kang-ho Named Best Actor at Palm Springs
2008/01/16, Source
By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter

Actor Song Kang-ho, who turns 41 on Jan. 17, received a memorable birthday present: His role in,...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
"The Host 2" Features Monsters in Cheonggye
2008/01/02, Source
By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter

For people who visit the Han River, some may have wondered if there is anything living under the deep waters. That fantasy was brought to life in the 2006 hit movie,...More
Cruel Innocence
2007/12/27, Source
The production company, as well as its director Yim Pil-sung (",...More
Disaster Movie in the Works
2007/12/11, Source
In a joint-venture with U.S.-based Polygon Entertainment, Korean production company Doosabu Film is in the development stage for what will be South Korea's first disaster film. Titled,...More
Park Chan-wook's New Project Pre-sold to France
2007/11/06, Source
Park Chan-wook once said he felt destined to make a vampire film ("Thirst"). The di,...More
'Secret Sunshine' Not Satisfying
2007/10/07, Source
Directed by Lee Chang-dong (2007)

Howard Schumann (howard16)

According to the Buddhist tradition, because the world is subject to imp,...More
Korean Special Effects Houses Internationally Recognized
2007/09/30, Source
The Jet Li and Jackie Chan star-vehicle Forbidden Kingdom's special effects will be in the hands of the Korean Macrograph Inc, Digital Tetra Inc (DTI), and Footage. Forbidden Kingdom is a big-budget Chinese-American co-production.

Producer,...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
'D-War' Breaks Korean Box Office Record in U.S.
2007/09/17, Source
Korean monster blockbuster "D-War" is screened at movie theater AMC 25 in Manhattan, New York./Newsis
",...More
Free Outdoor Screening of "The Host" at Korean Culture Event in Virginia
2007/09/12, Source
In celebration of autumn, the season of abundance, the KORUS House of the Korean Embassy is holding a free outdoor cultural event open to the public which aims to introduce Korean culture and movies t,...More
'Dragon Wars' to Debut at 2,000 U.S. Theaters
2007/09/11, Source
Comedian-turned-film-director Shim Hyung-rae is in the international spotlight.
The New York Times has covered his latest film, Dragon Wars,...More
Bae Doona, "Right now? I'm having the time of my life!"
2007/09/07, Source
The viewer bulletin board of the SBS drama series "How to Meet a Perfect Neighbor" is overflowing with posts about Yoon,...More
Hawaii Film Fest to Spotlight Lee Joon-gi
2007/09/04, Source
By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter

Actor Lee Joon-gi will receive the Rising Star Award at the upcoming 27th Louis Vuitton Hawaii International F,...More
[MOVIE REVIEW] Upbeat spin on Korean men
2007/08/30, Source
For the family. For the company. For the future. There is almost always some excuse for not doing something that we really want to do. We proudly call it "sacrifice" that is necessary for our happiness. After all, our true wishes will be realized some day if we gladly persevere present suffering.

,...More
Lee Joon-ik Casts Soo Ae and Uhm Tae-woong
2007/08/29, Source
The leading roles for Lee Joon-ik's "Sunny" (Nimeun Meon Gose, English translation: "someone dear is far away") went to Soo Ae and,...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
Global Film Festival Tours in Seoul
2007/08/17, Source
By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter

Every year film experts and fans flock to one city to take part of one of the numerous international film festivals. Yet this month there is no need to book a flight, because the traveling RESFEST Film Festivals arrives in Seoul Aug. 24 to provide a weekend of audio,...More
Critic Jin, Film Fans Duel Over 'D-War'
2007/08/15, Source
By Lee Hwan-hee
Staff Reporter

Cultural critic Jin Jung-gwon, also a professor at Chung-Ang University, defended himself against attacks from the online supporters of the film,...More
"The Host" US DVD in for the Full Treatment
2007/08/13, Source
Magnolia studio calls Bong Joon-ho a "critically acclaimed visionary director" and,...More
Korean Computer Animators Rising to Challenge Hollywood
2007/08/13, Source
The recent turnaround in Korea's movie industry is helping local producers of computer graphics (CG) to challenge the world. "D-War", a sci-fi monster flick produced completely with Korean CG technology, is expected to record five million viewe,...More
Dragon FIlm 'D-War' Still Rules Box Office
2007/08/13, Source
By Lee Hwan-hee
Staff Reporter

Shim Hyung-rae's monster film "D-War" is still th,...More
"The Host"'s Monster Surfaces in India
2007/08/08, Source
"D-War"'s predecessor, last year's "The Host" is now an attraction in Indian cinemas. Bong Joon-ho's monster film is successfull,...More
D-War Wreaks Havoc at Home
2007/08/07, Source
Showbox blockbuster "D-War" was unleashed Wednesday August 1st on 530 screens, taking in 417,000 admissions which makes it the biggest Wednesday,...More
'D-War' Draws Millions in First Week Box Office
2007/08/06, Source
The film "D-War" directed by comedian-turned-filmmaker Shim Hyung-rae has drawn two-p,...More
Supports and Applause to D-War, Along With Ambivalent Reactions
2007/08/06, Source
"D-War", directed by Shim Hyung-rae, has recorded a 2.2 million-ticket sale as of Sat,...More
D-War attracts over 2.2 million in four days
2007/08/05, Source
The science fiction blockbuster "D-War" attracted 792,000 viewers Saturday alone to reach a figure of 2.2 million viewers in its first four days,...More
Korean Films Strike Back
2007/08/05, Source
By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter

The staggering Korean film industry, with production levels plummeting and international sales down, glows with a ray of hope as two domestic blockbusters are shining through.

Comedian-turned-director,...More
'D-War' Breathes Fire on Opening Day
2007/08/03, Source
The legendary Korean serpent Imoogi is about to become a full dragon. Shim Hyung-rae's new sci-fi flick ",...More
Wrap Up of Korean Cinema in Year's First Half
2007/07/30, Source
Looks like the year's first half was a disappointment for Korea's film industry, especially since the strong performance of domestic blockbusters like "The Host" last year.
Son Heekyung has a wrap up of Korean cinema in the first six months,...More
Korean films' diverse genres pursue summer season niche
2007/07/23, Source
With the crucial summer season in full swing, Korean filmmakers are getting ready to mount counterattacks against Hollywood blockbusters in August. This time around, what is noticeable is Korean films' strategic discretion in selecting and diversifying genres.

In recent years, a handful of the so,...More
Korean movies falter in first half of 2007
2007/07/16, Source
In the first half of this year, the combined share of Korean films fell to 47.3 percent, marking the lowest level since 2001. The continued drop in market share, partly prompted by the relatively stronger performance of Hollywood blockbusters, is now sounding alarms in the domestic film industry.

,...More
Korean filmmakers face uphill battle
2007/07/09, Source
In the second half of 2006, Korean films led by "The Host", "Tazza: The High Rollers" ("Tazza: The High Rollers") and ",...More
'Black House' to Open in Japan in October
2007/07/05, Source
The Korean thriller 'Black House', starring veteran actor Hwang Jung-min, will,...More
Bucheon Film Festival Fathoms Fantasies
2007/07/04, Source
By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter

Escape the oppressive monsoon season by diving into the fantastic world of cinema at the 11th Puchon (Bucheon) International Fantastic Film Festival (PiFan). Celebrat,...More
Monster Movie Maker Wangles Huge U.S. Release
2007/06/29, Source
Shim Hyung-rae is about to return with a new science fiction blockbuster "D-War" as in "war of the dragons". Opening in Korea on Aug. 2, the movie will be released in the U.S. on Sept.,...More
Secrets of The Host's success revealed by Director Bong
2007/06/28, Source
Director Bong, Joon-Ho is revealing the details on the planning and production of "The Host".

The Cultural Content Planning and Creation A,...More
6th Mise-en-scene's Genre Film Festival
2007/06/26, Source
Opening June 27th at Yongsan CGV in central Seoul, the 6th edition of the Mise-en-scene's Genre Film Festival (MGFF) will run until July 3rd, screening over 60 short films. This year's slogan is "Beyond the Barrier of Genres", the event will celebrate films that challenge conventional genres.

M,...More
Short Films Think Tall
2007/06/24, Source
By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter

Though running as briefly as six minutes, short films show that size is not a factor for capturing the limitless power of imagination. Andre Bazin, film critic and founding father of the French New Wave, called short films "the film of the future".

As the 6th Mis,...More
Pruning the Grapevine in Competition at Karlovy Vary
2007/06/22, Source
Korean film "Pruning the Grapevine" (2006), by Min Byeong-hoon, will,...More
Lotte Cinema Holds Rerun of Grand Bell Awards Winners
2007/06/19, Source
Winners of the main prizes at this year's Grand Bell Awards were screened again in cinemas from June 18. Lotte Cinema presented reruns of top-prize winner "Family Ties" ("The Birth of a Family") along with other awardees:,...More
Chungeorahm Announces The Host Sequel
2007/06/19, Source
Production company Chungeorahm Films plans to revive their record-smashing monster and to let it roam the cinema again next year. Shooting for "The Host 2" should commence in the fall of this year. Wr,...More
Hollywood Sequels Take Over Korean Screens
2007/06/19, Source
A much-reduced screen quota for Korean movies and a lackluster time for domestic works is allowing a bevy of Hollywood sequels to slug it out among themselves on Korean screens.

First up was "Spider-Man 3", which opened on May 1, three days ahead of the U.S. release. Some 502,000 viewers saw the,...More
Korean Films Attack the Big Apple
2007/06/19, Source
By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter

Korean cinema will take a big bite of the Big Apple as the 2007 New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF) begins Friday. The festival will feature more than 30 works from the East, of which almost a third are Korean. The event will take place at the IFC Center until July,...More
'The Host' Sequel Planned For 2009
2007/06/18, Source
By Seo Dong-shin
Staff Reporter

Chungeorahm Film, the film production and distribution company of the blockbuster hit "The Host", plans t,...More
"Family Ties" ("The Birth of a Family") Wins Top Prize at Home
2007/06/12, Source
The nation's oldest film awards ceremony, the Grand Bell Awards, gave its top prize to low-key hybrid-family-drama "Family Ties" ("The Birth of a Family") , directed by,...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
Korean Film Deals at the Cannes Market
2007/06/11, Source
Cineclick Asia pre-sold Kim Jee-woon's "The Good, the Bad, the Weird" to France (ARP) and the UK (Tartan). Tartan also secured the UK and US rights for,...More
The Top Korean Movies by Box Office Takings
2007/06/08, Source
As big Hollywood blockbusters start flooding our screens this summer, with every one claiming some box office record or other, the Chosun Ilbo for the first time rates the ticket sales of Korean movies, as opposed to audience numbers. The numbers come from movie distributors like CJ Entertainment, S,...More
44th Grand Bell Award Nominations
2007/06/05, Source
One of South Korea's top two annual film awards ceremonies will take place June 8th in the city of Daejeon. The 44th Grand Bell Awards, which is televised nationally, will be accompanied by the week long Daejeon Film Festival which will showcase 66 domestic films including last year's sensational <,...More
Wide Release of D-War in Korea and US
2007/06/04, Source
Showbox announced that the six year production of "D-War" has come to an end. The science-fiction film will be released in Korea on August 2. Also, the film will enjoy the biggest release of a Korean film in the US with a number reaching as hig,...More
Korean Film 'D-War' to Debut in US
2007/06/04, Source
Jung Joo-yang
Korea Times Intern

The Korean science fiction film "D-War" by Shim Hyung-rae is to debut on 1,500 screens in the United States in late August according to Showbox Medi,...More
Daejong Film Festival Opens
2007/06/02, Source
Curtains have gone up for ONE of Korea's most prestigious movie events, the Daejong Film Festival.
The week-long festival is showcasing 66 domestic films, including the sci-fi romance "I'm a Cyborg, But That's OK" by,...More
Hollywood Filmmaker Shows Interest in Remaking "The Host"
2007/05/30, Source
Renowned Hollywood filmmaker Michael Bay is interested in producing a remake of the movie "The Host", according to Hollywood film producer Ro,...More
'200 Pounds Beauty' Charms Overseas Film Fans
2007/05/30, Source
By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter

Korean made movie "200 Pounds Beauty" is taking audiences by storm abroad _ smashing box office re,...More
Hollywood Blockbusters Deepen Korean Cinema Woes
2007/05/29, Source
By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter

Following "Spider-Man 3", "Pirates of the Caribbeans: At World's End" (Pirates 3) is sweeping the domestic box office at a fast and furious rate _ but the alarming dominance of foreign films is only an indicator of a deeper problem in the Korean film industry.

"P,...More
'Hwang' Is Lovely But Lackluster
2007/05/24, Source
By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter

"Hwang Jin Yi" delivers a novel interpretation of one of the most celebrated women in the Joseon Kingdo,...More
Filmmakers seek cost cuts to secure profits
2007/05/16, Source
Korean filmmakers are initiating a campaign to slash production costs to improve profitability amid growing concerns over a slump plaguing a domestic film industry hurt by intensifying competition both at home and abroad.

Filmmakers, led by the Korea Film Producers' Association, are poised to lau,...More
"200 Pounds Beauty" proves a hit in Singapore
2007/05/10, Source
Comedy "200 Pounds Beauty" is enjoying a highly successful release in Singapore, having set a new record for Korean films in the cit,...More
'Spider-Man 3' entombs Korean prey
2007/05/10, Source
Spidey's sticky web turned out to be more lethal than expected for Korean filmmakers. "Spider-Man 3", released here on May 1, entangled and entombed Korean films in the past week. Even "Beyond the Years", the 100th film by,...More
Korean filmmakers face a gloomy summer
2007/05/03, Source
It was not long ago that Korean filmmakers appeared to be winning the game. A steady stream of well-made films and blockbusters crushed Hollywood flicks at the box office, signaling a new renaissance,...More
Spider-Man 3 Sets Box Office Records
2007/05/02, Source
The movie "Spider-Man 3" sold over 500,000 tickets on its first day of release, the nation's highest opening ticket sales ever.

The film's distributor said that the superhero sequel played on six-hundred-17 screens on Tuesday. It broke the record set last year by the domestic hit,...More
Kim Sun-ah Officially Casted In Movie "Girl Scout"
2007/05/01, Source
Kim Sun-ah, who gained top star status after the success of the drama ",...More
Top Stars Win Andre Kim Awards
2007/05/01, Source
By Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Staff Reporter

Top Korean fashion designer Andre Kim gave recognition to Korea's most beautiful and popular stars during his 2007 Best Star Awards at the Grand Hyatt Hotel,...More
Bae Doona to Join Kim Seung-woo in Drama Series
2007/04/25, Source
Actor Kim Seung-woo and Bae Doona were both cast in the SBS drama series 'How to Meet a Perfect Neighbor',,...More
Two Korean Films to Be Shown in Competition at Cannes
2007/04/20, Source
Two Korean movies will be screened in competition of this year's Cannes Film Festival. "Secret Sunshine" by Lee Chang-dong and,...More
14 Korean Films go to Italy's Far East Fest
2007/04/17, Source
The 9th Udine Far East Film Festival boasts one of the largest showcases of Asian cinema in Europe. This year around 60 titles from across Asia were selected to screen at the event which runs April 20th to 28th in the picturesque northern Italian city. This year 14 top Korean films were invited, o,...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
Minister Returns as Director of 'Sunshine'
2007/04/10, Source
By Bae Keun-min
Staff Reporter

A piano teacher and her son come to her husband's hometown in a province after the death of her husband. However, she even loses her son in the town. She is cornered,...More
Local Release of KIM's Breath
2007/04/05, Source
Director Kim Ki-duk's 14th feature, "Breath", has been pre-sold to 11 different countries, including Spain, Italy, Mexico, Greece, Belgium and most recently, France. Distributor ARP picke,...More
Director Is Back, Milder
2007/04/01, Source
By Kim Tae-jong
Staff Reporter

Famous filmmaker Kim Ki-duk is back with a new film. And he is visibly a lot milder.

Kim was at the center,...More
Japanese Actor Ken Watanabe to Make First Visit to Korea
2007/03/30, Source
World famous Japanese actor Ken Watanabe will make his first visit to Korea to participate in the press preview of his latest film "Memories of Tomorrow", scheduled to be released in Korea on April 23.

Watanabe has become famous worldwide for his charismatic acting shown in Hollywood films such a,...More
Kim Ki-duk's New Work Sold to France
2007/03/29, Source
Director Kim Ki-duk's 14th film "Breath" has been sold to French distributor ARP before its domestic release.

Film marketer CineClick Asia sai,...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
"The Host" Exceeds 1 Mil. in US Earnings
2007/03/28, Source
The film "The Host" has earned one million US dollars at the US box office in the three weeks after its release there, its producer Chungeora,...More
The Host Wins the Most at 1st Asian Film Awards
2007/03/27, Source
South Korea's all-time blockbuster "The Host" dominated prizes at the very first edition of the Asian Film Awards which took place March 20th,...More
[MOVIE REVIEW] 'Small Town Rivals' puts comic twist on friendship
2007/03/22, Source
Rivalry is a double-edged sword: It can be a bitter yet healthy pill to accelerate sound competition, or it can cut into a formerly amicable relationship, driving a wedge between friends.

Either way, rivalry is an interesting theme for filmmakers, and director,...More
"The Host" Tops Asian Film Awards
2007/03/21, Source
South Korea's monster flick "The Host" has dominated Hong Kong's inaugural Asian Film Awards after winning four awards out of its five nominations.

The movie, directed by,...More
Brussels Fantastic Invites 2 Korean Films
2007/03/20, Source
Two of last year's big budget fantasy thrillers have been invited to compete at the Brussels International Festival of Fantastic Film (BIFFF), set to run April 5th – 17th, 2007 in Belgium. Bong Joon-ho's record-smashing monster film,...More
'The Host' Tops Chinese Box Office for 2nd Straight Week
2007/03/20, Source
Korean blockbuster monster movie "The Host" has topped the Chinese box office for a second straight week.

The film directed by,...More
Song Kang-ho Wins Best Actor at HK Film
2007/03/20, Source
By Kim Tae-jong
Staff Reporter

HONG KONG _ The South Korean film "The Host" shone at the Asian Film Awards yesterday, grabbing four awards.

"The Host" won Best Film, Best Cine,...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 $320,000 in its fir,...More
'The Host', 'The Restless' Invited to Brussels Fantastic Film Festival
2007/03/19, Source
The movies "The Host" by director Bong Joon-ho and "The Restless" by director,...More
"The Host" Tops Chinese Box-office
2007/03/15, Source
The movie "The Host" by director Bong Joon-ho topped the Chinese box-office last wee,...More
The Host Successful in China and US
2007/03/14, Source
"The Host" has the scoop of becoming the first Korean film opening at the top of the box office in China. The film earned about US$ 630,000 i,...More
Korean thriller takes No. 1 spot in Chinese box office: distributor
2007/03/14, Source
Korea's record-breaking horror flick, "The Host", topped the Chinese box office last week, reeling in 5.2 million yuan ($670,000), the movie',...More
'The Host' Tops China's Box Office All Week
2007/03/13, Source
Korea's record-breaking movie, "The Host" seized China's box office last weekend and is staying there.
Its producer says the film was releas,...More
"The Host" Draws Positive Reviews in U.S.
2007/03/13, Source
Korea's blockbuster monster flick, "The Host", is emerging as a major hit in the United States after raking in 320-thousand dollars since its,...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
The Host and actor HA Jeong-woo awarded at Fantasporto
2007/03/09, Source
The Oporto International Film Festival, better known as Fantasporto, presented two awards to Korean cinema in its closing ceremony on March 3.

Bong Joon-ho's acclaimed third feature,...More
'The Host': A Monster Movie With Teeth
2007/03/09, Source
Korean blockbuster is a thrilling ride

Brian Orndorf (briano)

While it roars and gobbles innocents, I wouldn't necessarily classify the South Korean film,...More
Washington DC takes a sneak peak at 'The Host'
2007/03/08, Source
With a great anticipation of its first major release in the U.S., the Korean box-office hit, "The Host", had the first promotional screening,...More
Korean movie industry at a crossroads
2007/03/07, Source
Shrinking exports, rising costs and unstable profits put the brake on heady expansion across Asia

This is the first in an eight-part series of articles that looks into the country's cultural and entertainment sectors and explores ways to help sharpen their competitive edge. - Ed.

By Yang Sung-,...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
Korean Movie 'The Host' to be Released in US
2007/03/02, Source
The nation's all-time box office hit "The Host" will screen in U.S. theaters on March ninth.

U.S. distributor Magnolia Pictures said on it,...More
Exports plummet for Korean films
2007/02/12, Source
Overconfidence in Korean Wave results in poor strategy, with a series of major flops in Japan sparking setbacks

By Yang Sung-jin

The Ministry of Culture and Tourism is poised to infuse more ener,...More
Kim Ki-duk
2007/02/08, Source
Interviewer: Could you explain further why you made such an extreme statement at last year's premiere of "Time"?

,...More
How to Spot the Real Crowd-Pleaser Movies
2007/02/06, Source
Lee Joon-ik's "Radio Star" has earned average ratings of 9.22 out of 10 in a poll of 7,749 Netizens by the portal site Naver late last month, easily topping the popularity chart among,...More
The Host Attacks China this March
2007/02/02, Source
Korean all-time box office champion "The Host" is set to open in China on 250 screens. Beijing recently approved the film in a deliberation process that began last September. The film will be the widest release thus far granted to a Korean,...More
Bi-sang Breaks Documentary Record
2007/01/29, Source
Director Im Yoo-cheol's football documentary "Bi-sang" has set a new record for Korea,...More
Japanese Critical Success for The Host and Hula Girls
2007/01/29, Source
Bong Joon-ho's "The Host" is considered third best in the top ten of best foreign films by the critics of Japan's influential film magazine Kinema Junbo. The Host replaces last year's,...More
'The Host' Hits China in March
2007/01/24, Source
The biggest Korean blockbuster to date, "The Host" by director Bong Joon-ho, will op,...More
Korean netizens choose Radio Star
2007/01/18, Source
Online film reservations site Maxmovie and Channel CGV have announced the results of their 4th annual Best Film Awards selections based on voting by internet users. With a total of 425,613 votes cast, the surprise winner for Best Picture was,...More
"The Host" Included Kinema Junbo's Best Foreign Movies
2007/01/10, Source
Director Bong Joon-ho's "The Host" has been included among the 10 best foreign movie,...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
Korean film 'Host' hits American reviewer's top 10 list for 2006
2007/01/08, Source
The "Headgeek" of the major American movie review site Ain't It Cool News put the Korean movie "The Host" on his top ten list for the movies,...More
Korean films take 60% share
2007/01/03, Source
Korean movie's domestic market share surpassed 60 percent in 2006 despite the reduced screen quota system which went into effect last June, the Korean Film Council said yesterday.

The state-funded film agency said the total number of moviegoers in Korea reached 138.5 million last year, and Korean,...More
Behemoths in the Movie Industry
2007/01/02, Source
Low-Budget Films Suffer From Unfair Market Practices of Three Big Companies

By Kim Tae-jong
Staff Reporter

The local film industry last year produced two mega hits _ the historical piece "The King and the Clown" and the,...More
Director's Cut Awards Diversity of Films
2006/12/28, Source
The Director's Cut Awards bestowed the Best Director Award upon Hong Sang-soo for the film "Woman on the Beach" (Haebyeonui Yeoin), the film depicts the struggle of relation,...More
WSJ: Korean Film Booms Despite Lower Screen Qta.
2006/12/28, Source
The Wall Street Journal says the South Korean film industry boomed this year despite fears over a decrease in the screen quota.

The South Korean government decided in July to ease a regulation on how much screen time was devoted to domestic movies from one-hundred-47 days to 73 days a year.

Th,...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
College students vote for "The Host" as the Korean film of the year
2006/12/27, Source
The record-setting box-office hit film "The Host" was named as the Korean film of the year by college students, with the film's director Bong Joon-ho as the year's best director.

Ac,...More
2nd University Film Festival Begins
2006/12/27, Source
The Korean film industry has made big strides in recent years with film directors and actors earning international recognition for their work.
To encourage more young people to nurture their creative talents in the field, there's a special film festival, and our Sok Jongwook was there.

The 2nd U,...More
[YEAR-END REVIEW]Looking back on Korean culture scene
2006/12/27, Source
Popsters go solo to ride Korean Wave

One of the most conspicuous phenomena of 2006 was the "going-solo" trend among former boy band and girl band members. In fact, this year's K-pop scene has been crowded with what seems like an endless procession of "first solo albums".

,...More
The Host and King and the Clown named hit products of 2006
2006/12/26, Source
Bong Joon-ho's "The Host" and Lee Joon-ik's ",...More
Hong Wins 'Director of the Year' Award
2006/12/22, Source
A gathering of domestic directors has named Hong Sangsoo this year's "Director of the Year".
Director's Cut has given the annual prize to the talented filmmaker, whose movie "Woman on the Beach" was a critical success at home and,...More
Hong Sang-soo Named Best Director
2006/12/22, Source
Hong Sang-soo of "Woman on the Beach" fame was chosen the best director by his peers.

At the Director's CUT Awards held Thursday evening, Hong was honored with the Best D,...More
BONG's Host Takes Top Prize at Blue Dragon
2006/12/21, Source
Bong Joon-ho's all-time box-office champion "The Host" made a splash at the 27th Blue Dragon film awards, which held its year-end ceremony Dec. 15th in Seoul. The summer blockbuster a,...More
Top 10 News Part 4- The Year's Cultural High Notes
2006/12/20, Source
In this fourth installment of the year's top ten news, we look at the cultural high notes of 2006.
The year's highlights range across the creative spectrum from pop music and movies to dramas and non-verbal performances.
Son Heekyung has this overview.

Korean pop culture has quickly spread acro,...More
"The Restless" to Be Released in 450 Theaters
2006/12/20, Source
The fantasy blockbuster "The Restless" will be shown in as many as 450 theaters across the nation on Friday. CJ Entertainment, the film's distributor, said Wednesday that the exact number of theaters has yet to be decided, but it has sec,...More
Korean Movies' Success Here no Cause for Complacency
2006/12/09, Source
The new James Bond movie "Casino Royale" to be released on Dec. 21 is distributed here by Sony Pictures Releasing Buena Vista International. The mouthful of a company name was created by a Nov. 30 merger between the Korean operations of Sony and Buena Vista, which entered the domestic market in 1990,...More
The Host's Rare Inclusion in Hollywood Dominated 'Must-See' List
2006/12/04, Source
One of America's leading film magazines Premiere included the Korean film The host in their Fall's 75 Must-See Movies in their U.S. edition. The list of 'must-see' films this fall is quite extensive,,...More
Korea Wins Six at Asia Pacific Film Fest
2006/12/04, Source
South Korean films won the majority of the awards at the 51st Asia Pacific Film Festival which concluded November 25th in Taipei after a four day run. All-time record holder "The Host" did extremely well, winning three awards: Best Editing f,...More
Resfest to Celebrate 10 Innovative Years
2006/12/03, Source
By Kim Tae-jong
Staff Reporter

"Creep", a music video by British rock band Radiohead, is shown as part of the retrospective for the band at the film and digital arts festival Resfest. It opens Dec. 6.
The film and digital arts festival Resfest is celebrating its 10th year with richer programs f,...More
Korea Dominates Asia-Pacific Film Festival
2006/11/26, Source
Korean films have won the most awards at the 51st Asia-Pacific Film Festival in Taiwan.

Actor Lee Jae-eung won the Best Actor award for his role in "Bravo, My Life" (",...More
The Host Screenings Ended, Success Continues
2006/11/23, Source
Korea's most popular film "The Host" had it's last screening in Korea after attracting over 13 million viewers in 105 days since late July this year. Director Bong Joon-ho's film featu,...More
My Wife is a Gangster 3 Tops Pre-Sales to Asia
2006/11/23, Source
The American Film Market (AFM) saw a number of Korean films soldto various markets, with pre-sales on Korean sequel My Wife is a Gangster 3, closing successive deals throughout Asia. Korean distribution arm Showbox claims deal,...More
Record Yearly Market Share Expected
2006/11/21, Source
A report by Korea's leading cinema chain CJ CGV predicts a 60% plus market share of Korean films in the domestic market this year. After the first ten months of 2006 a market share of 61.9% is recorded by CJ CGV.

Even if the admissions will turn out lower than the prospect during the remaining mo,...More
'The Host' Wins Six Awards at Korea Film Awards
2006/11/20, Source
The Korean blockbuster "The Host" clinched six titles including that of Best Picture, and Best Director at this year's Korea Film Awards.
Director Bong Joon-ho's,...More
'King and the Clown' voted as No. 1 film
2006/11/20, Source
"King and the Clown" (Wang-ui namja), a low-budget period drama featuring homosexuality, grabbed the No. 1 spot on Korea's top 100 favorite films list, local movie cable channel OCN announced yesterday.

The film depicts the sexual tension between a Joseon monarch and two male court jesters - a se,...More
Which Korean Stars Have the Greatest Pulling Power?
2006/11/17, Source
Who is the actor in Chungmuro today who can mobilize the greatest number of fans? And just how many tickets can be sold on the basis of that actor's name alone? We asked a group of 12 producers and PR execs that know actors' commercial value best who in Korea can "open" a movie and ranked the top 20,...More
'The Host' Ends Lengthy Run on Screens Nationwide
2006/11/15, Source
Korea's most-watched film "The Host" has ended its run on screens nationwide after a,...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
"A good story, coupled with good direction and acting, make a good film".
2006/11/14, Source
"It has been said that a director makes over 15,000 decisions as regards a film, and a producer, some 10,000 decisions. Actors and cinematography, lighting, and other staff have their own share of responsibilities. As such, the making of a film involves hundreds of thousands of ideas and decisions b,...More
Korea at American Film Market
2006/11/13, Source
A record total of 85 Korean films were shown at this month's American Film Market (AFM), which ranks along side Cannes as one of the largest of its kind in the world. Most South Korean films this year were entered in AFM in an effort to find foreign buyers.

Among them were many local hits includi,...More
New Projects from KIM and KIM
2006/11/13, Source
Director Kim Jee-woon, known best for his ultra-violent art-house gangster film 'A Bittersweet Life' and his horror-hit ',...More
Good Sequels
2006/11/09, Source
Most popular movies this year are expected to generate sequels. It is evidence that Korean films also have "brand" power. It is a phenomenon caused by sequels that were more popular than the sequels. The key to success is to continue with the sequel but differentiate it by adding new material.

Tu,...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
Korean movies turning heads in Hollywood: LA Times
2006/11/07, Source
The Los Angeles Times has reported that Korea's burgeoning movie industry is penetrating the international movie market, enjoying a creative surge reminiscent of 1970s Hollywood when the films of Martin Scorsese and Hal Ashby first burst onto the big screen.

In an article titled "Coming attractio,...More
Korean Films' Share Triples in 8 Years
2006/11/07, Source
The share of domestic films this year is expected to record 60 percent on average, according to the box-office chain CJ CGV on November 6.

CJ CGV's report says that the average share of Korean movies in the first ten months of the year (based on Seoul viewers) stood at 61.9 percent. CGV predicts,...More
'The Host' breaks 13 million viewer record, English version on the way
2006/11/06, Source
"The Host" breaks 13 million viewer record, English version on the way

Local sci-fi film,...More
'S. Korea Broadens its Global Cinema Market Share'
2006/11/06, Source
The Los Angeles Times says the nation's film industry is broadening its share of the world cinema market, reliving the glory days of Hollywood 30 years ago.

In a special report, the daily said that a South Korean horror flick, "The Host",,...More
Korean Blockbuster "The Host" Posts Universal Pictures Remake Deal
2006/11/03, Source
Universal Pictures purchased remake rights to "The Host" on November 1.

The remake deal posting at $600,000 with the American film studio,,...More
Copyright for Remake of "The Host" Sold to Universal
2006/11/03, Source
"The Host", which made Korean film history this summer with the record-setting number of viewers of some 13 million, is likely to be remade i,...More
'Hallyu' Not Enough for Korean Films
2006/10/31, Source
Systematic Approaches Are Necessary to Tap Foreign Market

By Kim Tae-jong
Staff Reporter

It has been an ordinary scene in recent years for a Korean movie star to be surrounded by thousands of,...More
Korean Movies to Make Inroads into Los Angeles
2006/10/30, Source
The three Korean films, which have been highly recognized from the world's movie critics and viewers, will make inroads in the mainland of the United States.

The Korean movies will be screened at the AFI Los Angeles Film Festival, which is to be held at Arclight Hollywood and other venues around,...More
Box Office Champ Wins Award at Hawaii Film Festival
2006/10/29, Source
The nation's all-time box office king "The Host" has won the DHL Audience Choice Award for Best Feature at the Hawaii International Film Festival.
Director Bong Joon-ho's blockbuster,...More
Korean, Taiwanese Stars to Compete at Korean Box Office
2006/10/18, Source
Korean top actress Kim Tae-hee will have to compete with Taiwanese top actress Shu Qi at the box office in December, when movies starring the two are released simultaneously.

The competition,...More
[HERALD INTERVIEW] Andy Lau urges Asian films to experiment
2006/10/16, Source
Hong Kong star expresses his wish to work with filmmakers in Korea

By Cho Chung-un

BUSAN - A key focus for this year's Pusan International Film Festival is to encourage more pan-Asian film productions by bolstering the increased commercial influence of Asian movies.

At the center of this mi,...More
Market Share Record Domestic Films
2006/10/12, Source
Korea's leading film exhibitor CGV reported a record breaking market share of Korean films last September. Korean films dominated the domestic market with 82.7% of the sold tickets, edging over February 2004's record, when Korean films had a market share of 81.8%.

Two strong performing Korean fil,...More
LEE Chang-dong Directs again after Four Years
2006/10/12, Source
Director Lee Chang-dong started filming Secret Sunshine last September. The,...More
Korean Films Hit New Market Share Record
2006/10/04, Source
The Korean film industry's share of the domestic market reached a record high last month.

According to a survey by CGV, the nation's top movie theater franchise, local productions dominated 82-point-seven percent of September's domestic box office sales, breaking the previous record of 81-point-e,...More
Sponge Offers New Worlds Through Cinema
2006/10/01, Source
By Yi Chang-ho
Contributing Writer

Sponge Ent. opened two non-mainstream Sponge Houses _ in Chongno and Apkujong _ for screening foreign and domestic films early this year. When sitting down with Sponge's president Sungkyu (David) Cho, he'll talk enthusiastically about the films programmed or to,...More
'King and Clown' Chosen for Academy
2006/09/22, Source
By Kim Tae-jong
Staff Reporter

South Korea's second most viewed film "The King and the Clown" will be submitted to next year's Academy Awards.

The historical piece by director Lee Jun-ik was picked as the nation's conte,...More
King and the Clown aims for the Oscar
2006/09/21, Source
On September 21, the Korean Film Council announced the movie "King and the Clown" for their bid on the Academy Award.

Three films were considered for the opportunity: "The King and the Clown" by Lee Joon-ik,,...More
11th PIFF Announces Line-Up
2006/09/21, Source
Last week in Seoul at an unusually crowded press conference, Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF) director Kim Dong-ho and his team, presented an impressive line-up of premieres, programs, and celebrity events, all to take place during its,...More
King and the Clown chosen as Korea's Oscar entry
2006/09/21, Source
KOFIC has announced that Lee Joon-ik's King and the Clown will be Korea's submission for the Foreign Language Film category of the 79th Academy Awards.

The film was selected by a KOFIC-appointed committee after considering factors such as th,...More
"The King" up for Academy Nomination
2006/09/21, Source
The domestic blockbuster "The King and the Clown" will vie for the honor of Best Foreign Language Film at next year's Academy Awards in the U.S.

The Korean Film Council says its selection of the "The King" for submission to,...More
Are Korean Movie Stars Too Expensive?
2006/09/13, Source
The Korean film industry continues to grow at an alarming pace. After "Silmido" opened an era of 10-million ticket sellers in 2004, four more films quickly followed suit. "The Host" r,...More
Share stories of successful cultural contents such as The Host
2006/09/12, Source
DICON 2006 held on Sept. 18 and 19... joined by many Korean cultural contents specialists

Business knowhow on Korean cultural contents including "The Host"which is still rewriting the history of Korean films that have garnered huge succes,...More
Originators of Korean Wave Still Loved in Japan
2006/09/12, Source
Four Korean actors who are considered the originators of the Korean Wave, or Korean pop culture craze, have been found to still be the favorites among Japanese fans.

In its internet edition on Monday, the Japanese entertainment magazine Oricon Style announced the results of its survey of Japanese,...More
"The Host" Most Popular Korean Film in Singapore
2006/09/12, Source
"The Host" has become the most popular Korean movie ever in Singapore by ranking second at the country's box office on Sept. 7, the first weekend after its release there, the movie's producer Chungeorahm Film said on Tuesday.

The Hollywoo,...More
The Host Tops King and the Clown
2006/09/08, Source
Korean monster thriller "The Host" smashed all box office records last weekend, supplanting "The King and the Clown" as the highest grossing film in Korean history. The,...More
Three Films Vie for Foreign Film Oscars
2006/09/08, Source
Three local films will compete to represent Korea in the 2007 Academy Awards category for Best Foreign Language Film. They are "The King and the Clown", "The Host", and,...More
'The Host' Boosts Market Share of Domestic Movies
2006/09/06, Source
The blockbuster film "The Host" significantly boosted the market share of domestic movies last month.

Theater chain CGV said Wednesday tha,...More
KOFIC names recipients of subtitle support fund
2006/09/05, Source
The Korean Film Council has announced the recipients of the second round of its 2006 Subtitle Translation and Print Production support program. Seven feature films and three short films were selected out of 18 total submissions (15 feature films, 3 short films).

The program provides funding for t,...More
"The Host", "King and the Clown" to Compete Overseas
2006/09/04, Source
"The Host" and "King and the Clown" -- the two most popular movies in Korea this year -- have emerged as rivals in Korean, Japanese and American box-offices.

Last weekend,,...More
Monster-Themed Film Sets New Record in Seoul
2006/09/03, Source
Homegrown monster-themed film "The Host" has set a new ticket sales record in South Korea by drawing more than 12.37 million viewers, its dis,...More
'The Host' Smashes Box Office Record
2006/09/03, Source
The blockbuster film "The Host" is the country's new all-time box office champion, as it broke 12.3 million in the number of tickets sold Sat,...More
Monster Takes Millions to Theaters
2006/09/03, Source
'Host' Leads to Phenomenal Success, Setting New Records

By Kim Tae-jong
Staff Reporter

Local monster movie "The Host" overtook the ep,...More
'The Host' Claims All-time Box Office Title
2006/09/02, Source
The Korean blockbuster movie "The Host" has finally done it in just its 38th day of release.
Breaking the mark of 12-million-300,000 tickets,...More
'The Host' Set for All-Time Box-Office Record
2006/09/01, Source
Monster flick "The Host" is poised to overtake the ",...More
"The Host" to Break Box Office Record
2006/09/01, Source
By Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Staff Reporter

"The Host", a science-fiction film about a mutant monster terrorizing Seoul, is expected to become,...More
Production companies to form new hub outside of Seoul
2006/08/25, Source
A group of Korean film companies has committed to move to the city of Paju, outside of Seoul. A total of 18 production companies will move to a 170-acre stretch of land being developed in Paju, located 20 miles northwest of Seoul. The city, located close to the North Korean border, has been branded,...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
"The Host" Expected to Become Box Office Hit in Japan
2006/08/24, Source
The popularity of Korean blockbuster movie The Host will likely go across the Korea Straits.

According to a survey of 12-thousand-753 Japa,...More
Monster Film Feared to Hurt Domestic Industry
2006/08/22, Source
More than 11 million moviegoers saw The Host, just three weeks after it hit the silver screen.
But such stellar numbers are raising concerns,...More
'The Host' Becomes 3rd-Biggest Box Office Hit
2006/08/21, Source
The Host has become the third-biggest box office hit in Korean cinema history after more than 11 million moviegoers watched the monster film.
Since opening in theaters on July 25th, 11.1 million people have seen the movie.
That's roughly o,...More
How The Host came into being
2006/08/21, Source
The publication of The Making of The Host, a behind-the-scenes book detailing the film's complete production process

A book that presents,...More
Kim Ki-duk Eats Humble Pie for Dissing Korean Viewers
2006/08/21, Source
The art-house director Kim Ki-duk has apologized for an emotional outburst about the lackluster response his movies received at home and the reco,...More
Director Kim, Ki-Duk to appear on "Debate for 100 Minutes" to talk about The Host
2006/08/17, Source
Director Kim, Ki-Duk will appear on MBC's Debate for 100 Minutes and talk about his opinion on The Host's box-office success in Korea.

Scheduled on Aug. 17, 12:10 AM, Debate for 100 Minutes, with the tentative theme, "The Host Syndrome: I,...More
Time Likely to Be KIM Ki-duk's Last Domestic Release
2006/08/17, Source
Director KIM Ki-duk announced that if his latest film Time will fail commercially in Korea like his previous films he won't sell his future films for a domestic release anymore.

,...More
'The Host' breaks 10-million mark
2006/08/17, Source
Besides popcorn and soda pop, there is something ubiquitous in every Korean theater this summer - the monster of the Han River.

The Host by Bong Joon-ho broke the 10-million viewer,...More
Korean Film 'The Host' Surpasses 10 Million Viewer Mark
2006/08/16, Source
There's a new record in Korean cinema.

The monster film The Host has stomped past the 10-million viewer mark, just three weeks after its release.
That's the fastest for a domestic film.
Son Hee-kyung tells us that at this rate; it could,...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
'Host' Hits 10-Million Mark in 21 Days
2006/08/16, Source
By Chung Ah-young
Staff Reporter

The Host by director Bong Joon-ho, Wednesday hi,...More
Korean Int. Premiers Compete in Toronto
2006/08/14, Source
Two Korean films have been added to the Discovery Section of the 31st Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) running this September 7th to 16th. TIFF ranks alongside Cannes, Berlin and Venice as one of the world's top film events. Korea's extremely successful local hit King and the Clown and the,...More
Korean Films Left Out of Global Power Games
2006/08/13, Source
By Paolo Bertolin
Contributing Writer

While Bong Joon-ho's "The Host" was effortlessly munching one record after another at the domestic box office, the Korean film world has been,...More
Blockbuster Film 'Host' Enjoying Popularity O'seas
2006/08/12, Source
The blockbuster monster film The Host is enjoying huge popularity both at home and abroad.
The movie's producers say tickets for the hit were sold out at the summer showcase of the Hong Kong International Film Festival.
,...More
U.S. Army Keeping Close Eye on Han River Monster
2006/08/11, Source
The U.S. military newspaper Stars & Stripes on Friday ran a story titled, "USFK morgue incident inspired S. Korean horror movie" that outlines the way that the movie The Host is based on a real-life pollution case whose convicted perpetrator,...More
“Lump Sugar” Released to Challenge “The Host”
2006/08/10, Source
The film "Lump sugar" starring Im Soo-jung has been released to compete with The Host, which has drawn more than 7 million viewers in just 12 days after its release on July 27, bre,...More
Art Films
2006/08/09, Source
On the afternoon of August 7, a preview of "Time", a new movie by Kim Ki-duk, was held at a movie theater in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Kim was wearing dark-colored sunglasses because he "could not speak looking his acquaintances in the eye".

He surpr,...More
Film Director Kim Announces ‘His Funeral’
2006/08/09, Source
By Kim Tae-jong
Staff Reporter

Renowned film director Kim Ki-duk has always been considered a maverick in the local film industry. Maverick in the sense that his films, while winning acclaim abroad, failed here. But even in that context, the,...More
'A Tale of Two Sisters'
2006/08/08, Source
One of the best East Asian horror films of our time

Kyu Hyun Kim (news)

"A Tale of Two Sisters", currently being remade into a Hollywood blockbuster, was one of the biggest Korean box office successes of the 2003 summer,...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
'Host' Claws Way to 6th on Box Office List
2006/08/07, Source
The monster blockbuster The Host has clawed its way up to sixth in terms of all-time ticket sales after just eleven days.
Son Hee-kyung tells us that at this rate the movie about a mutant living in Seoul's Han River could become Korea's new,...More
"The Host" Draws Six Million in Record Time
2006/08/07, Source
A domestic move The Host has sold six million tickets quicker than any other Korean movie in domestic film history.

According to the film's distributor, Showbox, Monday, the film has attracted six million viewers in the first eleven days,...More
‘Host’ Breaks 6-Million-Viewer Mark
2006/08/07, Source
By Kim Tae-jong
Staff Reporter

Homemade sci-fi blockbuster The Host by director Bong Joon-ho is breaking records at an unprecedented pace, where it Sunday marked 6 million viewers.,...More
Korean Movies Welcomed to Toronto International Film Festival
2006/08/04, Source
Some Korean movies are warmly welcomed to the 31st Toronto International Film Festival, which will be held in Toronto from September 7 through 16. it is the biggest non-competitive film festival in the North American region.

First of all, "Family Ties" (",...More
"The Birth Of A Family" Invited to Toronto Film Festival
2006/08/04, Source
The movie "The Birth of a Family" directed by Kim Tae-yong has been invited to the "Discovery" category of the 31st Toronto International Film Festival slated for Septembe,...More
'Host' Director Embarks on Whirlwind World Tour
2006/08/03, Source
The director of blockbuster The Host Bong Joon-ho is on track to become a star in the global film industry. After making a spectacular debut on the global stage at Cannes this May, the,...More
'The Host' attracts 4 million in a week
2006/08/03, Source
The Host, director Bong Joon-ho's third feature film about a monstrous mutant emerging from the Han River in Seoul, has attracted 4 million viewers in the shortest time ever. According,...More
Korean Blockbuster The Host Eyes the World
2006/08/02, Source
The Korean blockbuster The Host, which has been gaining popularity in Korea since it was released on July 26 in Korean theaters nationwide, eye the world film market.

The Korean movie,...More
'Host' Breaks 3 Million Viewer Record in 6 Days
2006/08/02, Source
By Chung Ah-young
Staff Reporter

The domestic sci-fi film, The Host directed by Bong Joon-ho, has passed the three million viewers mark in just six days since its release last Thur,...More
Film “The Host” Draws Most Viewers on Weekdays
2006/08/01, Source
Just three days after setting a record on July 31 by drawing three million viewers in the shortest period of time in domestic box-office history, the film The Host also broke the record of number of viewers who watched a movie on weekdays.
,...More
Downpours gone, "The Host" comes
2006/07/31, Source
Citizens queue up to buy tickets at Seoul Cinema, central Seoul, Sunday (July 30), as the nation greets the hot season after weeks of rain.

The local film,...More
"The Host" Stomps to Multiple Box Office Records
2006/07/31, Source
The Host has emerged dripping from the Han River and is headed for world conquest. The film, which opened Thursday to explosive box office numbers, opens on Sept. 2 in Japan and in the U.S. in October. It will also go on release in seven oth,...More
'The Host' Destroys Box Office Record
2006/07/30, Source
The highly awaited monster film The Host has met box office expectations and THEN some.
The blockbuster has broken the MILLION ticket mark in just three days of release, a domestic record.
It should also easily surpass two MILLION tickets,...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
Korea's first sci-fi film opens
2006/07/28, Source
A young woman reads a pamphlet about the sci-fi film The Host in front of a movie house in central Seoul on Friday (July 28), the first day o,...More
Movie 'The Host' Draws Global Attention
2006/07/27, Source
Director Bong Joon-ho's new movie The Host is drawing global attention.

The movie that was highly praised by critics at Cannes Film Festival in May has been invited to the 39th SITG,...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
‘Host’ Rewrites Sci-Fi Film History
2006/07/27, Source
By Kim Tae-jong
Staff Reporter

Local sci-fi films have been disappointing. They either clumsily render a futuristic world or create strange creatures that have the audience bursting into sudden la,...More
Korean Movie “The Host” to Make Its North American Debut at Toronto Film Festival
2006/07/26, Source
The 31st Toronto International Film Festival announced its block of movie titles for Midnight Madness which includes a highly anticipated Korean Blockbuster The Host.

The Host, di,...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
Successful First Half for Korean Film Industry
2006/07/14, Source
CJ CGV, one of Korea's leading exhibitors, reported a 59.5% market share for Korean films in the domestic market during the first six months of 2006. This amounts to a growth of 3.7% compared to last year. Seven of the ten best performing films were Korean.

Cinema admissions grew in the first six,...More
Film Industry's Status After Screen Quota Cut
2006/07/13, Source
Now before the FTA talks, Korea announced a drastic cut in a decades-old policy to protect the domestic film industry.
Two weeks have passed since the screen quota system was reduced by half, with movie theaters now required to show Korean productions for just 73 days of the year, and not the previ,...More
Cinemas Showcase Heroes, American- and Korean-Style
2006/07/13, Source
May and June were a time for all-American heroes in the nation's movie theaters. Every kind has been represented: from super secret agent Ethan Hunt in "Mission: Impossible III" (Tom Cruise), via Storm, who can kick up a Typhoon in "X-Men: Th,...More
Time and The Host Compete in Spain
2006/07/12, Source
Two Korean films have been invited to competition sections of the 39th Sitges International Film Festival, one of the top three fantasy film festivals in the world, held annually in Catalonia, Spain. Running October 6th to the 15th, Sitges recently announced the selection of two films by South Korea,...More
Blockbusters Vie in the Heat of Summer
2006/07/11, Source
By Kim Tae-jong
Staff Reporter

Local sci-fi film The Host by director Bong Joon-ho, which will open July 27, is expected to be one of the strongest box office competitors this summ,...More
Korean Movie “The Host” Be Invited to Sitges International Film Festival
2006/07/10, Source
The film The Host directed by Bong Joon-ho has been invited to the competition sector of the 39th Sitges International Film Festival, one of the world's top three fantasy movie festiva,...More
The Host
2006/07/06, Source
by Mun-Myung Huh

For starters, The Host, the first Korean science fiction movie ever with a production cost of 11 billion won, is fun. The natural "acting" of the monster host in the movie imbues one with renewed confidence in the technic,...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
The Host to Open on 250 Screens in Japan
2006/07/03, Source
Director Bong Joon-ho's latest feature The Host is scheduled to open on 250 screens in Japan on September 2nd. The film was pre-sold to Happinet Pictures in Japan for US$4.7 million at,...More
Puchon Film Festival Opens July 13
2006/07/03, Source
By Kim Tae-jong
Staff Reporter

Offering a wide mix of unusual and bizarre movies, the Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival (PiFan) will kick off on July 13.

Will the festival be able to successfully celebrate its 10th edition and settle a two-year-long problem?

"We've made every po,...More
Director Bong Joon-ho Expresses Confidence in Korean Movies
2006/06/29, Source
Director Bong Joon-ho has expressed his confidence that Korean movies will not lose the success they have enjoyed in spite of the screen quota cut.

"The screen quota for Korean movies will be halved from 146 days a year from July 1, but the,...More
‘The Host’ to Be Released in 250 Theaters in Japan
2006/06/21, Source
Director Bong Joon-ho's latest work The Host will be released in 250 Japanese theaters on Sept. 2, the Internet edition of Nikkan Sports said Wednesday. It is the first time Japanese n,...More
‘Hanbando’ and the Nationalist Rage of Kang Woo-seok
2006/06/21, Source
With a budget of around US$10 million, this summer's most talked-about film "Hanbando (The Korean Peninsula)" is set to hit the theaters on July 13. Director Kang Woo-seok, who landed,...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
Monster Flick Ups Hype With Five-Poster Campaign
2006/06/1, Source
The posters for the latest film from director Bong Joon-ho The Host, the most anxiou,...More
Korean cinema at Cannes 2006
2006/06/02, Source
The year 2006 saw Korean cinema enjoy less of a spotlight at Cannes than in 2005 -- when a record seven films screened at the event -- or in 2004, when Park Chan-wook's "Old Boy" was,...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
Korea Draws Attention at Cannes Festival
2006/05/25, Source
korea dAt 59th Cannes Film Festival, everyone was astonished when an unknown Korean movie entitled "The Host" was given a 2.3 million dollar contract for distribution to more than 10 European countries. The original scenario of the movie already has a deal with Japanese Happy Net Pictures for 4.7 mi,...More
Film "The Host" Likely to Achieve Highest Export Amount
2006/05/25, Source
The film "The Host" directed by Bong Joon-ho has made the headlines as it is likely to win the highest-ever export amount in the history of Kor,...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
Koreans, French Fight Hollywood Domination
2006/05/21, Source
By Paolo Bertolin
Contributing Writer

CANNES, France ㅡ Films from South Korea may not be as prominently featured in the program of the 59th Cannes Film Festival as in recent years, yet Korean cinema is garnering attention, thanks to the struggle by industry people to defend the screen quo,...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
Local Directors Play Jury for Shanghai Film Festival
2006/05/14, Source
Local film directors Kwak Gyeong-taek and Bong Joon-ho have been appointed as jurors for the 9th Shanghai International Film Festival, which will kick off its nine-day run on June 17,...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
Film industry suffers from stars' fee dispute
2005/07/05, Source
A dramatic dispute between film directors and film stars highlights how soaring guaranteed payments for actors could cripple Korea's film industry -already struggling with a shrinking share of the domestic market - and taint the image of the Korean Wave, an Asia-wide surge in the popularity of Korea,...More
Cinema 'The host' to sell its copy right with $4.70 million
2005/03/25, Source
Cinema 'The host' by filmmaker Bong Joon-ho has concluded a contract with $4.70 million (approximately 5 billion won) in virtue of scenario and character design tentative plan.

'The host's investment, production and distribution firm said t,...More

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Produced by

Choi Yong-bae (최용배)

Distribution

Showbox (쇼박스)

International sales

CineClickAsia (CineClickAsia)

Staff

Ha Joon-won (하준원)
Script supervisor

Ryoo Seong-hee (류성희)
Art director/Production designer/Set design

Hwang Woo-hyeon (황우현)
Production department

Seo Yeong-joo (서영주)

Lee Byeong-woo (이병우)
Score composer

Kim Sun-min (김선민)
Editor

Kim Min-suk-IV (김민석)
Production department

Kim Woo-taek (김우택)
Production department

Kim Byeong-seo (김병서)
Lighting/cinematography department

Kim Hyung-koo (김형구)
Cinematographer

Heo Seo-hyeong (허서형)
Set team

Lee Seung-chul-II (이승철)
Sound department

Ahn Sang-hyeon (안상현)
Special effets team

Cho Sang-kyung (조상경)
Costume Design

Kim Sang-man (김상만)
Advertising design

Jo Joo-hyun (조주현)
Martial arts team

Seo ji-oh (서지오)
Martial arts

Kwon Tae-ho (권태호)
Martial arts team

Baek Dong-hyeon (백동현)
Martial arts team

Darcy Paquet (달시 파켓)
Translation

Kwak Jin-seok (곽진석)
Martial arts team

Kwon Kwi-deok (권귀덕)
Martial arts team

Shin Sung-il-I (신성일)
Martial arts team

Ha Myeong-mi (하명미)
Making of

Technical Information

119 min •35mm •Cinemascope (2.35)

Web site

www.thehost.co.kr...

Budget

US$ 11M

Festival(s) & award(s)

Sales or release dates & Box Office

Airing dates : 2006/07/27

South Korean Box Office
Source : www.cine21.com & www.kobis.or.kr

As of 2006.09.24 : 10,364,905 admissions (total)

As of 2006.09.17 : 10,330,760 admissions (total)

As of 2006.09.10 : 10,228,328 admissions (total)

As of 2006.09.03 : 10,016,576 admissions (total)

As of 2006.08.27 : 9,642,688 admissions (total)

As of 2006.08.20 : 8,895,175 admissions (total)

As of 2006.08.13 : 7,123,544 admissions (total)

As of 2006.08.06 : 5,308,882 admissions (total)

As of 2006.07.30 : 2,114,084 admissions (total)

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nice movie...

emine

2010-01-18 07:41:03

LoLyfe

2009-01-08 05:37:01

Great flick, looking forward to the sequels now ...!

i love this movie.. but i love ko ah seong

erick agustin

2008-08-04 06:13:05

mapleafiq

2007-10-20 05:11:01

this movie really tells me the love a father had for his child ...

I loved it. I hate horrors, but this one i enjoyed. It's too bad the little girl died. T_T but that's to be expected. Someone's got to die in an Asian Film. But excellent film, i felt for characters, i loved the plot, and the ending was a b

protector_6

2007-08-20 22:50:43

kinomi

2007-08-18 09:16:43

Great movie!!! I can't get my eyes off the screen. haha

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