Actor In Focus
Recently, confirmed to star in Park Chan-wook’s new film “The Ax,” Korea’s Son Ye-jin is set as the subject of the Bucheon International Fantastic Festival (BiFan)’s annual actor focus. Previous honorees include Jeon Do-yeon, Jung Woo-sung, Kim Hye-soo, Seol Kyung-gu, and Choi Min-sik.
Son who was the star of breakout TV series “Crash Landing on You,” has wide-ranging credits that include “A Moment to Remember,” “The Art Of Seduction” in 2005; an eccentric woman married to two husbands in “My Wife Got Married” in 2008; and as a spirited pirate in “The Pirates” and the 2016 hit “The Last Princess.”
These have earned her more than 50 awards including the Prime Minister’s Commendation, three Grand Bell Awards, six Baeksang Arts Awards, five Blue Dragon Film Awards, and two Korean Association of Film Critics Awards. She was also named best actress at the Asia-Pacific Film Festival for her performance in 2005’s “April Snow.
Recently, confirmed to star in Park Chan-wook’s new film “The Ax,” Korea’s Son Ye-jin is set as the subject of the Bucheon International Fantastic Festival (BiFan)’s annual actor focus. Previous honorees include Jeon Do-yeon, Jung Woo-sung, Kim Hye-soo, Seol Kyung-gu, and Choi Min-sik.
Son who was the star of breakout TV series “Crash Landing on You,” has wide-ranging credits that include “A Moment to Remember,” “The Art Of Seduction” in 2005; an eccentric woman married to two husbands in “My Wife Got Married” in 2008; and as a spirited pirate in “The Pirates” and the 2016 hit “The Last Princess.”
These have earned her more than 50 awards including the Prime Minister’s Commendation, three Grand Bell Awards, six Baeksang Arts Awards, five Blue Dragon Film Awards, and two Korean Association of Film Critics Awards. She was also named best actress at the Asia-Pacific Film Festival for her performance in 2005’s “April Snow.
- 5/21/2024
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
‘The Ax’: Park Chan-Wook’s Next Pic Is A Comedic Thriller Remake Starring Lee Byung-Hun & Son Ye-Jin
Later this month, acclaimed South Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook (“Decision To Leave”) returns to the world of genre with the Max series “The Sympathizer,” which focuses on a Vietnamese double agent operating on U.S. soil. Now, his next feature has been reportedly revealed. And it’s one the director has been trying to put together for ages: an adaptation of the 1997 book “The Ax” from author Donald E.
Continue reading ‘The Ax’: Park Chan-Wook’s Next Pic Is A Comedic Thriller Remake Starring Lee Byung-Hun & Son Ye-Jin at The Playlist.
Continue reading ‘The Ax’: Park Chan-Wook’s Next Pic Is A Comedic Thriller Remake Starring Lee Byung-Hun & Son Ye-Jin at The Playlist.
- 4/3/2024
- by Christopher Marc
- The Playlist
Following up his noir melodrama Decision to Leave, Park Chan-wook ventured into the world of American television with the forthcoming Max series The Sympathizer, adapting Viet Thanh Nguyen’s acclaimed novel and teaming with Robert Downey Jr. With the limited series premiering next weekend, the director how now announced his next project, which will find him returning to South Korea.
In fact, it’s an adaptation he’s been developing since the early 2010s, that of Donald E. Westlake’s 1997 novel The Ax, which the legendary Costa-Gavras first adapted in 2005. The black comedy thriller follows a chemist, who loses his job to outsourcing. Two years later and still jobless, he hits on a solution: to genuinely eliminate his competition. Here’s an expanded synopsis of the novel:
Burke Devore is a middle-aged manager at a paper company when the cost-cutting ax falls, and he is laid off. Eighteen months later and still unemployed,...
In fact, it’s an adaptation he’s been developing since the early 2010s, that of Donald E. Westlake’s 1997 novel The Ax, which the legendary Costa-Gavras first adapted in 2005. The black comedy thriller follows a chemist, who loses his job to outsourcing. Two years later and still jobless, he hits on a solution: to genuinely eliminate his competition. Here’s an expanded synopsis of the novel:
Burke Devore is a middle-aged manager at a paper company when the cost-cutting ax falls, and he is laid off. Eighteen months later and still unemployed,...
- 4/3/2024
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
South Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook is regarded as one of the most prominent filmmakers in South Korean cinema and in the Hollywood entertainment industry. Chan-wook’s work has garnered attention for its cinematography, framing, black humor, and brutal themes.
Park Chan-wook directed, co-wrote, and produced 2022’s critically acclaimed South Korean neo-noir romantic mystery movie Decision to Leave, starring Tang Wei and Park Hae-ii. The movie was named one of the top five international movies in 2022 by the National Board of Review and was selected as a South Korean entry for Best International Feature Film at the 95th Academy Awards. The brilliant filmmaker Park Chan-wook is reportedly working on his passion project after he recently collaborated with a Marvel actor.
Tang Wei and Park Hae-ii in Park Chan-wook’s Decision to Leave
Park Chan-wook to start production on his ‘lifelong passion project’ in fall of 2024
According to World of Reel, after...
Park Chan-wook directed, co-wrote, and produced 2022’s critically acclaimed South Korean neo-noir romantic mystery movie Decision to Leave, starring Tang Wei and Park Hae-ii. The movie was named one of the top five international movies in 2022 by the National Board of Review and was selected as a South Korean entry for Best International Feature Film at the 95th Academy Awards. The brilliant filmmaker Park Chan-wook is reportedly working on his passion project after he recently collaborated with a Marvel actor.
Tang Wei and Park Hae-ii in Park Chan-wook’s Decision to Leave
Park Chan-wook to start production on his ‘lifelong passion project’ in fall of 2024
According to World of Reel, after...
- 4/2/2024
- by Avneet Ahluwalia
- FandomWire
“April Snow” is a Korean romantic drama which gained critical recognition worldwide, as it was nominated for the Gold Hugo at the Chicago International Film Festival, and for the Golden Seashell at the San Sebastián International Film Festival. The movie grossed approximately $2.5 million in South Korea, and was a box office success in China, Japan, and the Philippines.
on Amazon by clicking on the image below
The narrative revolves around the relationship between two characters. In-su (Bae Yong-jun) and Seo-young (Son Ye-jin) encounter each other in a hospital following a car accident involving their spouses, who were both in the same vehicle. Gradually, it becomes apparent that they were having an affair. The main characters reside in the same hotel close to the hospital to attend to their unconscious spouses. At first, they seem to avoid each other, but after a while they start to bond over their shared sorrow,...
on Amazon by clicking on the image below
The narrative revolves around the relationship between two characters. In-su (Bae Yong-jun) and Seo-young (Son Ye-jin) encounter each other in a hospital following a car accident involving their spouses, who were both in the same vehicle. Gradually, it becomes apparent that they were having an affair. The main characters reside in the same hotel close to the hospital to attend to their unconscious spouses. At first, they seem to avoid each other, but after a while they start to bond over their shared sorrow,...
- 2/16/2024
- by Tobiasz Dunin
- AsianMoviePulse
Romantic Korean movies garner a worldwide reputation due to their tear-jerking, bold storytelling, aesthetics, and exceptional cinematography. Few genres possess the transformative power to evoke profound feelings as effortlessly as romantic Korean movies.
These tales of love and heartbreak seamlessly shake the root of human emotions, leaving an indelible mark on the viewer’s soul. The performances within these films stand as poignant testaments to the unparalleled skill of Korean actors in capturing the complexities of love, loss, and the bittersweet melancholy symphony.
Let’s run on the cinematic journey and look for tear-jerking performances that represent emotional symphonies performed gracefully and precisely. Which scenes moved our feet and filled our hearts with melancholy?
Christmas in August
Christmas in August is a poignant masterpiece of Korean cinema that stands as a testament to the genre’s ability to evoke emotions with their audience. Directed by Hur Jin-ho, this 1998 film remains a touchstone in romantic dramas.
These tales of love and heartbreak seamlessly shake the root of human emotions, leaving an indelible mark on the viewer’s soul. The performances within these films stand as poignant testaments to the unparalleled skill of Korean actors in capturing the complexities of love, loss, and the bittersweet melancholy symphony.
Let’s run on the cinematic journey and look for tear-jerking performances that represent emotional symphonies performed gracefully and precisely. Which scenes moved our feet and filled our hearts with melancholy?
Christmas in August
Christmas in August is a poignant masterpiece of Korean cinema that stands as a testament to the genre’s ability to evoke emotions with their audience. Directed by Hur Jin-ho, this 1998 film remains a touchstone in romantic dramas.
- 11/27/2023
- by Peter Adams
- AsianMoviePulse
Chinese streaming video platform iQiyi has announced plans to raise $285 million from a private placing of shares, part of which will be taken up by parent company Baidu.
The move comes in the same week that the Nasdaq-listed company said it was suspending its weekend live broadcasts of English Premier League football (soccer) due to the sport’s public displays of solidarity with Ukraine.
iQiyi is understood to have informed the Premier League that it would be removing the coverage following the league’s announcement that a “moment of reflection and solidarity” would be held before matches at the weekend. Several teams also displayed armbands in the blue and yellow colors of the Ukrainian flag. In other instances, pro-Ukraine messaging was visible on in-stadium advertising boards.
It is not clear whether the company was instructed by the Chinese government to halt broadcasts or whether the move was an act of...
The move comes in the same week that the Nasdaq-listed company said it was suspending its weekend live broadcasts of English Premier League football (soccer) due to the sport’s public displays of solidarity with Ukraine.
iQiyi is understood to have informed the Premier League that it would be removing the coverage following the league’s announcement that a “moment of reflection and solidarity” would be held before matches at the weekend. Several teams also displayed armbands in the blue and yellow colors of the Ukrainian flag. In other instances, pro-Ukraine messaging was visible on in-stadium advertising boards.
It is not clear whether the company was instructed by the Chinese government to halt broadcasts or whether the move was an act of...
- 3/9/2022
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Back in 2014, period adventure comedy “The Pirates” released to much admiration from the public, becoming the third highest grossing feature of the year. Even today, it sits comfortably in the top 30 highest grossing Korean films of all time at the domestic box-office. As a result, conversation of a follow-up had always been on the table, but several reasons, including leading pair Son Ye-jin and Kim Nam-gil’s refusal to return to the high waters, meant that the sequel couldn’t materialise until now, when producers decided to change tracks with an all new director, new characters and cast to bring us “The Pirates: The Last Royal Treasure”. After being the first to cross 1 million admissions in Korea this year and to date being the highest grossing Korean production on 2022, it is now streaming worldwide exclusively on Netflix.
Leader Woo Moo-chi, self-proclaimed Greatest Swordsman in Goryeo, and his group of merry...
Leader Woo Moo-chi, self-proclaimed Greatest Swordsman in Goryeo, and his group of merry...
- 3/9/2022
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
Actors Hyun Bin and Son Ye-jin are getting married. The pair, who met while playing love interests in the series "Crash Landing on You" in 2019, announced their engagement in sweet posts on social media.
Son shared a sweet photo on Instagram on Thursday holding up a miniature hanger displaying a miniature wedding dress. In her caption, translated by Korean pop culture outlet "Soompi," the 40-year-old wrote, "I have a person that I want to spend the rest of my life with. It's true. It's the person you're all thinking of . . . Just being with him gives me a sense of warmth and dependability." She continued to touch on their love story, writing, "I had thought that a man and a woman meeting, sharing their hearts, and promising each other the future was somewhat out of the range of imagination, but we naturally approached that point to get here. Thank you to...
Son shared a sweet photo on Instagram on Thursday holding up a miniature hanger displaying a miniature wedding dress. In her caption, translated by Korean pop culture outlet "Soompi," the 40-year-old wrote, "I have a person that I want to spend the rest of my life with. It's true. It's the person you're all thinking of . . . Just being with him gives me a sense of warmth and dependability." She continued to touch on their love story, writing, "I had thought that a man and a woman meeting, sharing their hearts, and promising each other the future was somewhat out of the range of imagination, but we naturally approached that point to get here. Thank you to...
- 2/10/2022
- by Naledi Ushe
- Popsugar.com
Producer and broadcaster Jtbc has such a strong track record of making attractive and successful Korean TV drama series from tales of everyday lives that almost everything it does is likely to attract attention. Adding the presence of Son Ye-jin, star of Studio Dragon and Netflix hit “Crash Landing on You,” makes “Thirty-Nine” potentially one of the hottest Korean series of 2022.
The title is a reference to the age of three female friends who are only just the right side of forty. The 12-part romantic drama depicts them juggling life, work and relationships as they approach mid-life.
Son, who had the starring role in early 2000s blockbuster films “The Classic” and “April Snow” but in recent years has focused more on TV, plays the head of a dermatology clinic in Seoul’s affluent Gangnam district. She is joined by co-stars Jeon Mi Do (tvN’s “Hospital Playlist”) as a drama...
The title is a reference to the age of three female friends who are only just the right side of forty. The 12-part romantic drama depicts them juggling life, work and relationships as they approach mid-life.
Son, who had the starring role in early 2000s blockbuster films “The Classic” and “April Snow” but in recent years has focused more on TV, plays the head of a dermatology clinic in Seoul’s affluent Gangnam district. She is joined by co-stars Jeon Mi Do (tvN’s “Hospital Playlist”) as a drama...
- 8/26/2021
- by Rebecca Souw
- Variety Film + TV
Lee Choon-yun’s Whispering Corridors horror series helped launch the renaissance of Korean cinema.
Veteran South Korean producer Lee Choon-yun, whose Whispering Corridors horror series helped launch the renaissance of Korean cinema, died last night (May 11) in Seoul of heart failure.
Born October 21, 1951, Lee was 69 years old.
The local film industry has mobilised to organize his funeral as an “industry funeral” on May 15. In addition to being a prolific producer, Lee was known as a stalwart “elder brother” to the community, fostering careers and spearheaded causes such as the defense of cultural diversity in the Screen Quota movement and of...
Veteran South Korean producer Lee Choon-yun, whose Whispering Corridors horror series helped launch the renaissance of Korean cinema, died last night (May 11) in Seoul of heart failure.
Born October 21, 1951, Lee was 69 years old.
The local film industry has mobilised to organize his funeral as an “industry funeral” on May 15. In addition to being a prolific producer, Lee was known as a stalwart “elder brother” to the community, fostering careers and spearheaded causes such as the defense of cultural diversity in the Screen Quota movement and of...
- 5/12/2021
- by Jean Noh
- ScreenDaily
After directing “My Sassy Girl”, Kwak Jae-yong was quick to direct another classic right after. “The Classic” is a love story much like anyone has seen before, yet it adds a remarkable amount of charm and weight to a standard story.
The film concerns two storylines and two generations. A tale of mother and daughter, and how they find love. When Ji-hae (Son Ye-jin) finds a box full of letters and a diary written by her mother that details her own romance, it engrosses her. In the 1960s, we follow the romantic Joon-ha (Cho Seung-woo) and Joo-hee (also played by Son Ye-jin), paralleling the familial story of 2003’s Ji-hae and Sang-min (Jo In-sung). The audience is taken on a journey through both romances, each in their own time, showing similarities, but being ultimately unique.
“The Classic” is very dreamy in nature. It’s pure romance. A story...
The film concerns two storylines and two generations. A tale of mother and daughter, and how they find love. When Ji-hae (Son Ye-jin) finds a box full of letters and a diary written by her mother that details her own romance, it engrosses her. In the 1960s, we follow the romantic Joon-ha (Cho Seung-woo) and Joo-hee (also played by Son Ye-jin), paralleling the familial story of 2003’s Ji-hae and Sang-min (Jo In-sung). The audience is taken on a journey through both romances, each in their own time, showing similarities, but being ultimately unique.
“The Classic” is very dreamy in nature. It’s pure romance. A story...
- 4/21/2021
- by Reinier Brands
- AsianMoviePulse
There is no denying that the Korean crime thrillers are the frontrunners of the impact the country’s cinema has on international cinema. However, despite the quality of so many productions, their style seems very similar, particularly regarding the narrative and editing parts. “The Truth Beneath” excels at exactly these aspects, while retaining the quality of the rest.
“The Truth Beneath” screened at the New York Asian Film Festival
Yeon-hong is married to Jong-chan and has a teenage daughter named Min-jin, who used to be quite wild when she was even younger. Jong-chan worked as an announcer but is now preparing to run for elections as National Assembly member, and at the same time tries to hide his daughter’s shenanigans. Yeon-hong supports her husband with all her heart, but during the first day of the campaign, Min-jin disappears. As the days pass and the police do not find any clues,...
“The Truth Beneath” screened at the New York Asian Film Festival
Yeon-hong is married to Jong-chan and has a teenage daughter named Min-jin, who used to be quite wild when she was even younger. Jong-chan worked as an announcer but is now preparing to run for elections as National Assembly member, and at the same time tries to hide his daughter’s shenanigans. Yeon-hong supports her husband with all her heart, but during the first day of the campaign, Min-jin disappears. As the days pass and the police do not find any clues,...
- 4/9/2021
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
The delectable aroma of whipping up Kimbaps wafts across the screen. On the eve of a campaign rally, Yeon-hong (played by Son Ye-jin), a submissive housewife of Jong-chan (Kim Joo-hyuk) who runs to be elected to the national assembly, is busy lionzing the campaign staffers. A somber mood pervades their home, on the first day of campaigning, their daughter, Min-jin (Shin Ji-hoon) goes missing.
A swirl of unsettling yet delightfully eccentric music is sliped in when Yeon-hong racks her brain to solve the mystery while Jong-chan is preoccupied with his campaign. Ominous allusions ebb and flow as the plot oscillates between the past and present. As a The Wailing-esque sequence abruptly segues to the crux of the film, Yeon-hong goes berserk.
The film features what may very well be Son Ye-jin’s boldest performance to date. The story is triggered and driven toward by the the hysterical standard of her.
A swirl of unsettling yet delightfully eccentric music is sliped in when Yeon-hong racks her brain to solve the mystery while Jong-chan is preoccupied with his campaign. Ominous allusions ebb and flow as the plot oscillates between the past and present. As a The Wailing-esque sequence abruptly segues to the crux of the film, Yeon-hong goes berserk.
The film features what may very well be Son Ye-jin’s boldest performance to date. The story is triggered and driven toward by the the hysterical standard of her.
- 2/16/2017
- by Lady J.
- AsianMoviePulse
The nominees for the 11th Annual Asian Film Awards were announced last week.
The ceremony is to be held in Hong Kong after a long stint in Macau. The reason for this changeover is to pay homage to the 20th anniversary since the handover of Hong Kong. This year, 34 films received nominations. Out of those 34, 21 are of Chiniese-origin, and 20 are South Korean, making South Korean films the second most nominated.
Some of the best releases of 2016 are up against each other this year. Park Chan Wook’s, “The Handmaiden,” although it did not receive a nod for best film nor best director, it did receive a levy of other nominations including: best supporting actress (Moon So-ri), best newcomer, best screenplay, best editing, best costume design, and best production design. Another strong Korean film up for several awards is “Train to Busan.” This outrageously popular zombie-horror film is up for five...
The ceremony is to be held in Hong Kong after a long stint in Macau. The reason for this changeover is to pay homage to the 20th anniversary since the handover of Hong Kong. This year, 34 films received nominations. Out of those 34, 21 are of Chiniese-origin, and 20 are South Korean, making South Korean films the second most nominated.
Some of the best releases of 2016 are up against each other this year. Park Chan Wook’s, “The Handmaiden,” although it did not receive a nod for best film nor best director, it did receive a levy of other nominations including: best supporting actress (Moon So-ri), best newcomer, best screenplay, best editing, best costume design, and best production design. Another strong Korean film up for several awards is “Train to Busan.” This outrageously popular zombie-horror film is up for five...
- 1/17/2017
- by Lydia Spanier
- AsianMoviePulse
Train To Busan and The Wailing also secured multiple nominations.
Chinese director Feng Xiaogang’s I Am Not Madame Bovary, Korean director Na Hong-jin’s The Wailing and Koji Fukada’s Harmonium from Japan are the frontrunners at the upcoming Asian Film Awards, vying for both best film and best director.
Joining the fray for best film are Chung Mong-hong’s Godspeed, which also nabs a best actor nod for Michael Hui, and Kim Jee-woon’s The Age Of Shadows. Soul Mate’s Derek Tsang and The Woman Who Left’s Lav Diaz are also in the race for best director.
This year, 34 films from 12 countries (out of almost 1,600 submissions from 28 countries) are in contention for 15 awards. Korean cinema dominates, with festival favourite The Handmaiden [pictured] receiving the most nominations with six nods, followed by breakout hit Train To Busan with five and The Wailing with four.
I Am Not Madame Bovary receives five nominations, including best actress...
Chinese director Feng Xiaogang’s I Am Not Madame Bovary, Korean director Na Hong-jin’s The Wailing and Koji Fukada’s Harmonium from Japan are the frontrunners at the upcoming Asian Film Awards, vying for both best film and best director.
Joining the fray for best film are Chung Mong-hong’s Godspeed, which also nabs a best actor nod for Michael Hui, and Kim Jee-woon’s The Age Of Shadows. Soul Mate’s Derek Tsang and The Woman Who Left’s Lav Diaz are also in the race for best director.
This year, 34 films from 12 countries (out of almost 1,600 submissions from 28 countries) are in contention for 15 awards. Korean cinema dominates, with festival favourite The Handmaiden [pictured] receiving the most nominations with six nods, followed by breakout hit Train To Busan with five and The Wailing with four.
I Am Not Madame Bovary receives five nominations, including best actress...
- 1/11/2017
- by screenasia@yahoo.com (Silvia Wong)
- ScreenDaily
The 52nd ceremony was held on December 27, 2016 at Sejong University’s Convention Center and hosted by Kim Byung-chan, Kong Seo-young, Lee Tae-im.
Lee Byung-hun, who won the “Best Male Actor”, decided to speak about the still-existing controversy surrounding the awards ceremony, during his acceptance speech:
“I’m happy to receive this award, but my heavy heart takes precedence. There’s been a lot of talk about and problems with the Grand Bell Awards, and I feel like these problems have still not been addressed,” he said. He called for action to be taken, and hopes that the industry will eventually come to an understanding.
The ceremony has been criticized for its fee-based voting system, poor accounting practices, and was supposedly boycotted last year for announcing -but later retracted- that only attendees could win awards. Similar to last year, many of the nominees and subsequent winners were not in attendance.
Kim Hye-su
Source: Soompi.
Lee Byung-hun, who won the “Best Male Actor”, decided to speak about the still-existing controversy surrounding the awards ceremony, during his acceptance speech:
“I’m happy to receive this award, but my heavy heart takes precedence. There’s been a lot of talk about and problems with the Grand Bell Awards, and I feel like these problems have still not been addressed,” he said. He called for action to be taken, and hopes that the industry will eventually come to an understanding.
The ceremony has been criticized for its fee-based voting system, poor accounting practices, and was supposedly boycotted last year for announcing -but later retracted- that only attendees could win awards. Similar to last year, many of the nominees and subsequent winners were not in attendance.
Kim Hye-su
Source: Soompi.
- 1/8/2017
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
With 2016 being one of the most impressive seasons for S. Korean cinema, there was much competition among the nominees and the awards were, as usually, spread among a number of films. Among the highlights was the fact that Lee Byung-hun won for the first time, despite his many nominations and that the award for supporting actor went to Japanese Jun Kinimura for his role in “The Wailing.”
The 37th ceremony took place on November 25th at the Grand Peace Palace of Kyung Hee University and was hosted by Kim Hye-soo and Yoo Jun Sang.
Best Picture: Inside Men (Woo Min-ho)
Best Director: Na Hong-jin (The Wailing)
Best Actor: Lee Byung-hun (Inside Men)
Best Actress: Kim Min-hee (The Handmaiden)
Best Supporting Actor: Jun Kunimura (The Wailing)
Jun Kunimura
Best Supporting Actress: Park So-dam (The Priests)
Best New Actor: Park Jung-min (Dongju: The Portrait of a Poet)
Best New Actress: Kim...
The 37th ceremony took place on November 25th at the Grand Peace Palace of Kyung Hee University and was hosted by Kim Hye-soo and Yoo Jun Sang.
Best Picture: Inside Men (Woo Min-ho)
Best Director: Na Hong-jin (The Wailing)
Best Actor: Lee Byung-hun (Inside Men)
Best Actress: Kim Min-hee (The Handmaiden)
Best Supporting Actor: Jun Kunimura (The Wailing)
Jun Kunimura
Best Supporting Actress: Park So-dam (The Priests)
Best New Actor: Park Jung-min (Dongju: The Portrait of a Poet)
Best New Actress: Kim...
- 11/29/2016
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Kyoung-mi Lee’s surreal political thriller The Truth Beneath arrives with perfect timing. Not only is the Us Presidential election spiralling ever further into the hell dimension, but Lee’s own South Korea is dealing with the bombshell that their Prime Minister, Park Geun-hye, is suspected of having participated in ‘shamanic rituals,’ having apparently been manipulated by the shadowy daughter of a cult leader.
Then again, if Kyoung-mi’s film is at all accurate, South Korean politics is a pretty messed up place. Campaigning politicians are practically deified, presenting an airbrushed smile to the world while engaged in gangsterish deals behind the scenes. Wiretapping, shaming your opponent’s children and casual violence is de rigeur, not to mention the color-coded squads of synchronized dancer supporters strutting down the street like they’ve stepped out of West Side Story.
She shows us a world where image is everything and policy takes a distant back seat.
Then again, if Kyoung-mi’s film is at all accurate, South Korean politics is a pretty messed up place. Campaigning politicians are practically deified, presenting an airbrushed smile to the world while engaged in gangsterish deals behind the scenes. Wiretapping, shaming your opponent’s children and casual violence is de rigeur, not to mention the color-coded squads of synchronized dancer supporters strutting down the street like they’ve stepped out of West Side Story.
She shows us a world where image is everything and policy takes a distant back seat.
- 11/5/2016
- by David James
- We Got This Covered
The Korean Film Critics’ Association announced its list of winners for the year earlier this week through a press release.
The highest honor for ‘Best Film’ went to South Korean spy film ‘The Age of Shadows’ which stars Song Kang-Ho and Gong Yoo, and directed by Kim Jee-woon. The film, which is South Korea’s entry for the 89th Academy Awards in the Best Foreign Language Film category, also picked up the award for ‘Best Music’.
Son Ye-jin – The Truth Beneath
In the acting category, the ‘Best Actress’ accolade was awarded to Son Ye-jin for her role as a young mother suffering from a mental condition who goes looking for her missing daughter in thriller “The Truth Beneath”.
Lee Byung-hun won the ‘Best Actor’ award for his acclaimed performance in political film “Inside Men”, directed by Woo Min-ho. Jeong Ha-dam won the ‘Rookie Actress’ award for “Steel Flower” while...
The highest honor for ‘Best Film’ went to South Korean spy film ‘The Age of Shadows’ which stars Song Kang-Ho and Gong Yoo, and directed by Kim Jee-woon. The film, which is South Korea’s entry for the 89th Academy Awards in the Best Foreign Language Film category, also picked up the award for ‘Best Music’.
Son Ye-jin – The Truth Beneath
In the acting category, the ‘Best Actress’ accolade was awarded to Son Ye-jin for her role as a young mother suffering from a mental condition who goes looking for her missing daughter in thriller “The Truth Beneath”.
Lee Byung-hun won the ‘Best Actor’ award for his acclaimed performance in political film “Inside Men”, directed by Woo Min-ho. Jeong Ha-dam won the ‘Rookie Actress’ award for “Steel Flower” while...
- 10/24/2016
- by Pamela Koh
- AsianMoviePulse
Project was participating in Busan’s Book to Film pitching event.
At this week’s Busan International Film Festival, Korea’s Pollux Pictures (producers of Coinlocker Girl (2014) and 7 Years Of Night (2015)) has struck a deal for film rights to Park Yeon-sun’s novel Summer, A Corpse From Nowhere, which is participating in the Asian Film Market’s Book to Film pitching selection.
The deal came on the first day of the event yesterday (Oct 8), with market organisers stating, “This broke the record set at the first E-ip Market last year (when Beijing Alpha Transmedia acquired the IP rights to Kirin Productions’ web drama The Cravings on the second day of the market) by one day.”
In its inaugural edition last year, the E-ip Pitching event saw more than 50% of its projects successfully sign contracts, according to the Asian Film Market.
Running parallel to the E-ip Market, the Book to Film event is in its fifth year now...
At this week’s Busan International Film Festival, Korea’s Pollux Pictures (producers of Coinlocker Girl (2014) and 7 Years Of Night (2015)) has struck a deal for film rights to Park Yeon-sun’s novel Summer, A Corpse From Nowhere, which is participating in the Asian Film Market’s Book to Film pitching selection.
The deal came on the first day of the event yesterday (Oct 8), with market organisers stating, “This broke the record set at the first E-ip Market last year (when Beijing Alpha Transmedia acquired the IP rights to Kirin Productions’ web drama The Cravings on the second day of the market) by one day.”
In its inaugural edition last year, the E-ip Pitching event saw more than 50% of its projects successfully sign contracts, according to the Asian Film Market.
Running parallel to the E-ip Market, the Book to Film event is in its fifth year now...
- 10/9/2016
- by hjnoh2007@gmail.com (Jean Noh)
- ScreenDaily
The London Korean Film Festival (Lkff) 2016 celebrates it’s 11th year of bringing the best of Korean cinema to the UK. The festival will be in London from November 3 to 17 followed by a tour of UK cinemas.
Lkff will head out to Glasgow, Manchester, Sheffield, Nottingham and Belfast. Fans can expect an excellent line up of films highlighting the best of South Korean cinema.
The Truth Beneath
For this year’s Opening Gala the festival is pleased to unveil the European Premiere of director Lee Kyoung-mi’s powerful thriller The Truth Beneath. Actress Son Ye-jin (The Pirates, A Moment to Remember) gives her finest performance to date in the role of Yeon-hong, wife of politician Jong-chan (Kim Ju-hyuk – Yourself and Yours) who’s about to embark on the biggest campaign of his career. Joined by their daughter, Min-jin, the trio appears to be a picture-perfect family until their world...
Lkff will head out to Glasgow, Manchester, Sheffield, Nottingham and Belfast. Fans can expect an excellent line up of films highlighting the best of South Korean cinema.
The Truth Beneath
For this year’s Opening Gala the festival is pleased to unveil the European Premiere of director Lee Kyoung-mi’s powerful thriller The Truth Beneath. Actress Son Ye-jin (The Pirates, A Moment to Remember) gives her finest performance to date in the role of Yeon-hong, wife of politician Jong-chan (Kim Ju-hyuk – Yourself and Yours) who’s about to embark on the biggest campaign of his career. Joined by their daughter, Min-jin, the trio appears to be a picture-perfect family until their world...
- 9/14/2016
- by JRBandillo
- AsianMoviePulse
Son Ye-jin recalls being shy and timid when she was in school. As a young girl, she was always apprehensive when the new school year starts. She has come a long ways since her 2000 debut. Now, she is known for her romantic roles in many hit movies and dramas. Her most notable performances include her roles in “April Snow” and “The Classic”.
Today, Son Ye-jin is gaining acclaim for her performance in her most recent role. The tragic Princess Deokhye.
The Last Princess
This August, Son Ye-jin brings us another heart-gripping performance in The Last Princess. She stars as Princess Deokhye, the last princess of Korea. In preparing for her role, Son Ye-jin remembers her childhood fear of the unfamiliar. She brings these emotions with her in her portrayal as the inoccent, lonely, brave yet helpless princess.
The film tells us the tragic life of the princess, forced to leave...
Today, Son Ye-jin is gaining acclaim for her performance in her most recent role. The tragic Princess Deokhye.
The Last Princess
This August, Son Ye-jin brings us another heart-gripping performance in The Last Princess. She stars as Princess Deokhye, the last princess of Korea. In preparing for her role, Son Ye-jin remembers her childhood fear of the unfamiliar. She brings these emotions with her in her portrayal as the inoccent, lonely, brave yet helpless princess.
The film tells us the tragic life of the princess, forced to leave...
- 8/8/2016
- by JRBandillo
- AsianMoviePulse
A great year for Korean genre cinema keeps getting better with the release of Lee Kyoung-mi's long time coming sophomore feature, the riveting The Truth Beneath, a sumptuous and anarchic political thriller, kidnap drama, suspenseful whodunnit and kaleidoscopic descent into delirium. Falling between the stylistic panache of Park Chan-wook's Lady Vengeance (2005), on which she was a scripter and assistant director, and the manic paranoia of Tetsuya Nakashima's Confessions (2010), Lee's latest features a career-best performance by Son Ye-jin in a narrative that occasionally gets mired in tonal vagaries. Son plays Yeon-hong, who stands by her husband's side as he enters a highly contested election for the national assembly. With just 15 days until election day, the couple's daughter disappears and when Yeon-hong delves into...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
- 6/28/2016
- Screen Anarchy
Director Lee Kyoung-Mi worked as a writer and assistant director on Park Chan-Wook’s Sympathy For Lady Vengeance (2005) before making her directorial debut with the delightfully offbeat comedy-drama Crush And Blush (2008).
Director Lee is back with her latest film, The Truth Beneath this June.
The dark political thriller features Son Ye-Jin (The Pirates, 2014) as Yeon-Hong, the wife of a politician (played by Kim Joo-Hyuk), who runs for the National Assembly. Their daughter goes missing just 15 days before election day. While piecing together clues to track down the missing daughter, Yeon-Hong unearths a staggering scandal.
Cj Entertainment has unveiled the first trailer. Check it out below!
Director Lee is back with her latest film, The Truth Beneath this June.
The dark political thriller features Son Ye-Jin (The Pirates, 2014) as Yeon-Hong, the wife of a politician (played by Kim Joo-Hyuk), who runs for the National Assembly. Their daughter goes missing just 15 days before election day. While piecing together clues to track down the missing daughter, Yeon-Hong unearths a staggering scandal.
Cj Entertainment has unveiled the first trailer. Check it out below!
- 5/25/2016
- by Lady Jane
- AsianMoviePulse
Lee Kyoung-mi, director of the delightfully offbeat Crush and Blush, is back with her latest film, the political kidnap thriller The Truth Beneath this June. Cj Entertainment has dropped the first trailer, which promises a tense and dark story of a mother looking for her daughter who goes missing 15 days before her husband's election day. The Pirates star Son Ye-jin plays opposite Kim Joo-hyuk of The Beauty Inside. Recent Korean thrillers exploring the daker side of politics, such as Inside Men and A Violent Prosecutor, have proven potent at the box office and expectations are high for this latest descent into the cesspool of the country's uppercrust....
[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...
[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...
- 5/12/2016
- Screen Anarchy
Max Movie, the monthly offline movie publication in Korea, has announced its annual Power Creator 30 list.
The list is based on its powerful database which includes real-time movie ticket sales since 1999; the publication has selected 30 people and companies expected to be big influencers in the Korean movie scene this year.
In a press release, Park Hye-Eun, Editor-in-chief for Max Movie, said “These days only powerful creators who break away from the traditional box and standards are valued for its existence. Only the most creative content survive.”
“The 2016 Power Creator 30 list would be the standard by which one can draw the topographical map of this year’s movie contents”, Park said.
How many names do you recognize?
Actors
There are 9 actors that made the cut. From Hwang Jung-Min to Choi Min-Sik, many actors on this list were leading characters in films that sold more than 10-million tickets. Ryoo Seung-Bum made...
The list is based on its powerful database which includes real-time movie ticket sales since 1999; the publication has selected 30 people and companies expected to be big influencers in the Korean movie scene this year.
In a press release, Park Hye-Eun, Editor-in-chief for Max Movie, said “These days only powerful creators who break away from the traditional box and standards are valued for its existence. Only the most creative content survive.”
“The 2016 Power Creator 30 list would be the standard by which one can draw the topographical map of this year’s movie contents”, Park said.
How many names do you recognize?
Actors
There are 9 actors that made the cut. From Hwang Jung-Min to Choi Min-Sik, many actors on this list were leading characters in films that sold more than 10-million tickets. Ryoo Seung-Bum made...
- 3/31/2016
- by Stellarise
- AsianMoviePulse
2015 was a big year for Korean movies. But with several big names ( Kim Jee-woon , Park Chan-wook ) returning to the scene in 2016, there is no room for a box-office slowdown. Here is a list of just a few of the blockbuster Korean films to look out for in 2016 :
Secret Agent (Mil-Jeong)
Director Kim Jee-woon reunites with iconic actor Song Kang-ho
Some fundamentalists may debate whether a film fully financed and distributed by Warner Brother can be called Korean. Regardless, there is no doubt this Warner’s debut Korean language movie is one of the most anticipated films this year. Director Kim Jee-woon reunites with iconic actor Song Kang-ho for this film for the first time in 7 years (since The Good, the Bad and the Weird ). Kim chose 1930’s as the backdrop to depict tumultuous drama of Korean freedom fighters against the Japanese regime.
The Handmaiden / Handmaid (Agassi)
Set in the...
Secret Agent (Mil-Jeong)
Director Kim Jee-woon reunites with iconic actor Song Kang-ho
Some fundamentalists may debate whether a film fully financed and distributed by Warner Brother can be called Korean. Regardless, there is no doubt this Warner’s debut Korean language movie is one of the most anticipated films this year. Director Kim Jee-woon reunites with iconic actor Song Kang-ho for this film for the first time in 7 years (since The Good, the Bad and the Weird ). Kim chose 1930’s as the backdrop to depict tumultuous drama of Korean freedom fighters against the Japanese regime.
The Handmaiden / Handmaid (Agassi)
Set in the...
- 1/26/2016
- by stellarise
- AsianMoviePulse
One of the more high profile among the many China-Korea collaborations being made these days, Bad Guys Always Die teams Taiwanese star Chen Bolin with top Korean actress Son Ye-jin in an action-comedy (leaning more towards the later) set on Jeju Island, an extremely popular holiday spot for both Koreans and Chinese tourists. A Chinese teacher living in Busan named Chang Tzu goes to Jeju Island for a trip with his brother and their two friends. However, things go awry after they witness a car crash. They try to help the unconscious woman they find in the car, but when they are pulled over by a cop, they are stunned when she wakes up, shoots him and takes all of them hostage. Following that, events...
[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...
[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...
- 10/6/2015
- Screen Anarchy
Korean actress Son Ye-jin as been cast in Huayi Brothers’ Bad Guys Always Die (working title), which will be executive produced by Korean filmmaker Kang Je Gyu and China’s Feng Xiaogang.
Son will star opposite Taiwanese actor Chen Bolin in the story of a young Chinese man and his friends who visit Korea’s Jeju Island and get into trouble after meeting a mysterious Korean woman.
Produced by China’s New Power Film and backed by Huayi Brothers, the black comedy will be directed by long-time Feng Xiaogang collaborator Sun Hao. Shooting will take place entirely in Korea.
The film marks the latest in a string of recent China-Korea co-ventures – Huayi Brothers previously co-produced family adventure Mr Go with Korea’s Showbox. Korea’s Cj E&M is currently enjoying a huge hit with the Chinese-language remake of Korean comedy Miss Granny.
Kang Je Gyu’s credits include Korean blockbuster Taegukgi and more recently My Way (2011), while...
Son will star opposite Taiwanese actor Chen Bolin in the story of a young Chinese man and his friends who visit Korea’s Jeju Island and get into trouble after meeting a mysterious Korean woman.
Produced by China’s New Power Film and backed by Huayi Brothers, the black comedy will be directed by long-time Feng Xiaogang collaborator Sun Hao. Shooting will take place entirely in Korea.
The film marks the latest in a string of recent China-Korea co-ventures – Huayi Brothers previously co-produced family adventure Mr Go with Korea’s Showbox. Korea’s Cj E&M is currently enjoying a huge hit with the Chinese-language remake of Korean comedy Miss Granny.
Kang Je Gyu’s credits include Korean blockbuster Taegukgi and more recently My Way (2011), while...
- 1/30/2015
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
The 18th Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival (PiFan) opens tonight (July 17) with German film Stereo; this year’s Producers’ Choice Awards going to actor Hyun Bin and actress Son Ye-jin.
The 18th Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival (PiFan) opens tonight (July 17) with this year’s Producers’ Choice Awards going to actor Hyun Bin and actress Son Ye-jin.
Selected by PiFan and the Korean Film Producers Association (Kfpa), the Producers’ Choice Awards go to “the most recognized actors with outstanding careers in Korea” each year. The awards were started in 2012 and have guaranteed top stars on the PiFan opening night red carpet annually.
Previously seen in romances such as Lee Yoon-ki’s Come Rain, Come Shine and Kim Tae-yong’s Late Autumn, Hyun was most recently in historical thriller The Fatal Encounter.
Son’s credits include hits such as The Art Of Seduction, April Snow and My Wife Got Married. She also stars in the upcoming sea-faring adventure...
The 18th Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival (PiFan) opens tonight (July 17) with this year’s Producers’ Choice Awards going to actor Hyun Bin and actress Son Ye-jin.
Selected by PiFan and the Korean Film Producers Association (Kfpa), the Producers’ Choice Awards go to “the most recognized actors with outstanding careers in Korea” each year. The awards were started in 2012 and have guaranteed top stars on the PiFan opening night red carpet annually.
Previously seen in romances such as Lee Yoon-ki’s Come Rain, Come Shine and Kim Tae-yong’s Late Autumn, Hyun was most recently in historical thriller The Fatal Encounter.
Son’s credits include hits such as The Art Of Seduction, April Snow and My Wife Got Married. She also stars in the upcoming sea-faring adventure...
- 7/17/2014
- by hjnoh2007@gmail.com (Jean Noh)
- ScreenDaily
Lee Seok-hoon’s period adventure [pictured] sells to 15 countries.
South Korea’s Lotte Entertainment has locked down pre-sales on action adventure The Pirates to 15 countries in Cannes.
Territories include North America (Well Go USA), Japan (Twin) and Germany/Benelux (Splendid).
The large-scale period adventure is directed by Lee Seok-hoon whose credits include the hit Dancing Queen.
The Pirates stars Kim Nam-gil – popular from costume dramas such as the film Portrait Of A Beauty and TV series The Great Queen Seondeok - as a mountain bandit who goes out to sea to hunt down a whale that has swallowed a royal seal on the eve of the founding of a dynasty.
He runs into a woman pirate captain played by the hugely popular Son Ye-jin (The Tower, My Wife Got Married) and further adventures ensue.
Selling it on the basis of a Cannes promo reel displaying the film’s action and CGI scale, Lotte also signed...
South Korea’s Lotte Entertainment has locked down pre-sales on action adventure The Pirates to 15 countries in Cannes.
Territories include North America (Well Go USA), Japan (Twin) and Germany/Benelux (Splendid).
The large-scale period adventure is directed by Lee Seok-hoon whose credits include the hit Dancing Queen.
The Pirates stars Kim Nam-gil – popular from costume dramas such as the film Portrait Of A Beauty and TV series The Great Queen Seondeok - as a mountain bandit who goes out to sea to hunt down a whale that has swallowed a royal seal on the eve of the founding of a dynasty.
He runs into a woman pirate captain played by the hugely popular Son Ye-jin (The Tower, My Wife Got Married) and further adventures ensue.
Selling it on the basis of a Cannes promo reel displaying the film’s action and CGI scale, Lotte also signed...
- 5/22/2014
- by hjnoh2007@gmail.com (Jean Noh)
- ScreenDaily
Line-up includes Memories Of The Sword, set to star Lee Byung-hun.
South Korea’s Lotte Entertainment is launching sales on three new additions to its line-up at Busan’s Asian Film Market. The slate is led by Park Heung-shik’s highly anticipated Memories Of The Sword, starring Lee Byung-hun [pictured] from Red 2 and Masqeurade and Jeon Do-youn from The Housemaid and Secret Sunshine.
Set at the turbulent end of the Goryeo dynasty, the martial arts piece also stars Kim Go-eun, the ingenue from Eungyo, and Lee Joon-ho – also known as Junho from the K-pop group 2Pm - who recently featured in surveillance thriller Cold Eyes. The film is set for release in the second half of 2014.
Lotte’s second new addition is The King’s Wrath (working title), a historical action piece about palace intrigues during King Jeong-jo’s reign in the Joseon dynasty. The film is directed by Lee Jae-gyu, well-known for hit...
South Korea’s Lotte Entertainment is launching sales on three new additions to its line-up at Busan’s Asian Film Market. The slate is led by Park Heung-shik’s highly anticipated Memories Of The Sword, starring Lee Byung-hun [pictured] from Red 2 and Masqeurade and Jeon Do-youn from The Housemaid and Secret Sunshine.
Set at the turbulent end of the Goryeo dynasty, the martial arts piece also stars Kim Go-eun, the ingenue from Eungyo, and Lee Joon-ho – also known as Junho from the K-pop group 2Pm - who recently featured in surveillance thriller Cold Eyes. The film is set for release in the second half of 2014.
Lotte’s second new addition is The King’s Wrath (working title), a historical action piece about palace intrigues during King Jeong-jo’s reign in the Joseon dynasty. The film is directed by Lee Jae-gyu, well-known for hit...
- 10/7/2013
- by hjnoh2007@gmail.com (Jean Noh)
- ScreenDaily
Director: Kim Ji-hoon. Review: Chris Sawin. In "The Tower," two luxurious skyscrapers that practically reach the heavens are erected and built for only the wealthiest people in South Korea. With a food court free to residents, a sky bridge that conjoins the two towers, and a whopping 108 stories, extravagant doesn't even begin to describe Tower Sky. On Christmas Eve, an elaborate celebration is put on for the Tower Sky residents but the warm winds of a migratory cyclone cause a helicopter to collide with one of the towers and its combustible fuel turns the tower into an inferno. With thousands of people stuck inside, it's now up to a group of firefighters to get these innocent people to safety before it's too late. The first half an hour of "The Tower" is unbearable. Head of security at Tower Sky Lee Dae-ho (Kim Sang-kyung) has a moment with his daughter Ha-na...
- 7/2/2013
- 24framespersecond.net
“Survive at any cost.” Now here’s some over-the-top fun from South Korea to begin the new year with. This one called The Tower, a South Korean film directed by Kim Ji-hoon (Mokpo the Harbor, May 18, Sector 7), another new adrenalin-overflowing fire disaster thriller, and starting somewhat Die Hard-ish. Take a look!
A Christmas Eve party at a luxury residential high-rise building takes a horrific turn when a fire breaks out. Korean director Kim Ji-hoon was inspired by the 1974 Hollywood film The Towering Inferno, and his personal experience seeing the 63 Building in Seoul for the first time as a middle school student and imagining how it would feel to be trapped inside. The film stars Sol Kyung-gu, Kim Sang-kyung and Son Ye-jin. This was made on a budget of 10 million won (a bit less than $9.500). It was just released on Christmas Day in Korea, earning the second biggest opening day record in Korean history.
A Christmas Eve party at a luxury residential high-rise building takes a horrific turn when a fire breaks out. Korean director Kim Ji-hoon was inspired by the 1974 Hollywood film The Towering Inferno, and his personal experience seeing the 63 Building in Seoul for the first time as a middle school student and imagining how it would feel to be trapped inside. The film stars Sol Kyung-gu, Kim Sang-kyung and Son Ye-jin. This was made on a budget of 10 million won (a bit less than $9.500). It was just released on Christmas Day in Korea, earning the second biggest opening day record in Korean history.
- 1/2/2013
- by Vesna Sunrider
- Filmofilia
Directed by Kim Ji-hoon
Produced by Lee Sang-jik
Written by Kim Sang-don
Starring Sul Kyung-gu, Son Ye-jin, Kim Sang-kyung
Distributed by Cj Entertainment
Running Time 121 mins
Website www.thetowermovie2013.com, www.Cj-Entertainment.com
Cj Entertainment has announced the North American release of The Tower on 11 January, 2013.
The Tower is a Korean disaster action film about a fire that breaks out in a luxury skyscraper in central Seoul on Christmas Eve, which was inspired by the 1974 Hollywood film ‘The Towering Inferno’, and the film’s director Kim Ji-hoon, his personal experience seeing the 63 Building in Seoul for the first time as a middle school student and imagining how it would feel to be trapped inside.
The film is already gathered intense interest in Korea where it opened as the holiday blockbuster offering last Christmas.
It features a star-studded ensemble cast including Sul Kyung-gu (No Mercy, Tidal Wave), Son Ye-jin (A Moment to Remember,...
Produced by Lee Sang-jik
Written by Kim Sang-don
Starring Sul Kyung-gu, Son Ye-jin, Kim Sang-kyung
Distributed by Cj Entertainment
Running Time 121 mins
Website www.thetowermovie2013.com, www.Cj-Entertainment.com
Cj Entertainment has announced the North American release of The Tower on 11 January, 2013.
The Tower is a Korean disaster action film about a fire that breaks out in a luxury skyscraper in central Seoul on Christmas Eve, which was inspired by the 1974 Hollywood film ‘The Towering Inferno’, and the film’s director Kim Ji-hoon, his personal experience seeing the 63 Building in Seoul for the first time as a middle school student and imagining how it would feel to be trapped inside.
The film is already gathered intense interest in Korea where it opened as the holiday blockbuster offering last Christmas.
It features a star-studded ensemble cast including Sul Kyung-gu (No Mercy, Tidal Wave), Son Ye-jin (A Moment to Remember,...
- 1/1/2013
- by ieatlilies4breakfast
- AsianMoviePulse
A new plot summary, a new English language website, and English subbed version of the full trailer. Could this all be because Cj Entertainment has just announced the North American release of (the soon to be Korean blockbuster) The Tower on Jan 11th! It opens in L.A on Christmas day, and all the other venue dates and times, are on the official site. You Lucky B****rds! Synopsis: Christmas Eve – at Tower Sky – the ultra-luxurious landmark building complex, a “White Christmas” party is held to dazzle its equally high-end tenants and VIP guests. Dae-ho (Kim Sang-kyung), the manager of the building and single father, is forced to cancel plans with his daughter Hana (Cho Mina) to work the event. His Christmas is saved when Yoon-hee (Son Ye-jin), the food mall manager with a secret crush on Dae-ho, offers to babysit Hana during the party. Meanwhile, Young-ki (Sul Kyung-gu) the...
- 12/22/2012
- 24framespersecond.net
A new plot summary, a new English language website, and English subbed version of the full trailer. Could this all be because Cj Entertainment has just announced the North American release of (the soon to be Korean blockbuster) The Tower on Jan 11th! It opens in L.A on Christmas day, and all the other venue dates and times, are on the official site. You Lucky B****rds! Synopsis: Christmas Eve – at Tower Sky – the ultra-luxurious landmark building complex, a “White Christmas” party is held to dazzle its equally high-end tenants and VIP guests. Dae-ho (Kim Sang-kyung), the manager of the building and single father, is forced to cancel plans with his daughter Hana (Cho Mina) to work the event. His Christmas is saved when Yoon-hee (Son Ye-jin), the food mall manager with a secret crush on Dae-ho, offers to babysit Hana during the party. Meanwhile, Young-ki (Sul Kyung-gu) the...
- 12/22/2012
- 24framespersecond.net
See, this is why I don’t go into buildings with more than 5 floors. You just never know what might happen, and when it does, I kinda like the option of jumping out the window to safety. Granted, I’d probably bust my legs doing that, but at least I’ll live. Unlike the poor bastards in the new South Korean disaster flick “The Tower”, who are trapped in a skyscraper 108 floors high. Check out a new, English-subtitled trailer for the film. Mind you, not that you actually need subtitles to know what’s going on. Basically, the fit has hit the shan, and it’s time to jump. At Tower Sky building, the super-luxurious landmark building complex, fire bursts out during a so-called White Christmas party. Fire started when the helicopters which supposed to sprinkle the snow above the building clashed. Firefighters are swiftly sent to save all the...
- 12/4/2012
- by Nix
- Beyond Hollywood
The Tower Trailer. Kim Ji-hoon‘s The Tower (2012) movie trailer Seol Kyeong-gu, Son Ye-jin, Kim Sang-kyeong, Kim Seong-oh, and Park Cheol-min. The Tower‘s plot synopsis: “Mr. Jo is making plans for a “White Christmas” party for tenants and VIPs at Tower Sky, the super-luxurious landmark building complex he owns in Seoul. Part of [...]
Continue reading: The Tower (2012) Movie Trailer: Kim Ji-hoon, Seol Kyeong-gu...
Continue reading: The Tower (2012) Movie Trailer: Kim Ji-hoon, Seol Kyeong-gu...
- 12/1/2012
- by Rollo Tomasi
- Film-Book
The blockbuster event film during the holiday season in South Korea is The Tower (타워) but don't expect a festive and heartwarming experiences to get into the Christmas spirit. Instead, there is highrise devastation and a heart-pounding sense of impending doom. From Kim Ji-hoon, the director of the horror film Sector 7, this features some thrilling set-pieces that will have audience hanging by the edge of their seat. The cast consist of Sul Kyung-gu, Son Ye-jin and Kim Sang-kyung. Here's the official synopsis from Cj Entertainment:Mr. Jo is making plans for a "White Christmas" party for tenants and VIPs at Tower Sky, the super-luxurious landmark building complex he owns in Seoul. Part of the event will involve helicopters circling above, sprinkling snow on everyone below....
- 12/1/2012
- Screen Anarchy
What happens when two helicopters collide mid-air over a high rise that’s hosting a Christmas party? Utter chaos! Below (and to the left) you’ll find the first images from “Sector 7″ director Kim Ji-hoon’s South Korean disaster drama “The Tower 3D”, a movie that, as the title suggests, will present its terror in the glorious format known as the third dimension. Cinematic flames will appear to lick your twenty-dollar haircut as firefighters rush to rescue these party-goers from certain doom. Here’s a slightly more detailed plot synopsis: At Tower Sky building, the super-luxurious landmark building complex, fire bursts out during a so-called White Christmas party. Fire started when the helicopters which supposed to sprinkle the snow above the building clashed. Firefighters are swiftly sent to save all the tenants and VIP guests in the building. Sol Kyung-Gu, Kim Sang-Kyung, and Son Ye-Jin star. The embedded Cj Entertainment...
- 1/20/2012
- by Todd Rigney
- Beyond Hollywood
You'll never fully realize how beautiful fog can be until you see it from a balcony, as it embraces an entire valley in the early morning, like an ocean of white you'd love to swim in; It's as if, for a very fleeting moment, you could stare at creation from above the clouds. Of course, deep inside the situation is much different: visibility is close to zero, and all the ethereal sights you previously witnessed amount to now is hazy and disconcerting ambiguity - the sinister feeling that you're going somewhere, but you really have no idea where it is; you feel reluctance to continue, but then again it always beats staying put in this hell on earth. Narratively speaking, fog can be quite the powerful device, particularly if you use it with consistent and effective zeal. The moral and emotional fog of a good noir film, for instance, can...
- 12/21/2009
- Screen Anarchy
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