Released on 20 September 2010
The Sword with No Name /불꽃처럼 나비처럼
Director: Kim Yong-gyoon / 김용균
Starring: Jo Seung-woo / 조승우, Soo-ae / 수애, Cheon Ho-jin / 천호진 & Choi Jae-woong / 최재웅
Running Time: 124 min
Korean Release Date: 24/09/2009
Korean Distributor: Showbox
Synopsis
Moo-myoung is a Joseon dynasty headhunter who tracks down fugitives and
lives off their rewards. On one of his missions, he encounters a
beautiful noble lady, Ja-young, and falls in love with her. A few years
later, Ja-young enters the royal palace as the next queen of Joseon.
Lovesick Moo-myoung becomes the personal guard to the queen in order to
be closer to Ja-young. After attaining the title of queen, Ja-young
tries to modernize the dynasty by allying with foreign nations but
becomes turmoiled into a political power struggle. Moo-myoung must fend
off devastating threats from the foreign army in order to protect
Ja-young from harm.
This costume action drama did reasonably well in Korea, though not massively. Starring some big names with a action packed script, one would expect it to do well in Korea, and probably overseas, but I suspect Showbox were hoping for a bit more theatrical revenue. Still, a film of this kind, is marketable abroad. I'm going to save my thoughts until I put the review out next week, but for now at least, it looks like a decent epic..
Mother / 마더
Director: Bong Joon-ho (봉준호)
Starring: Kim Hye-ja (김혜자), Won Bin (원빈), Jin Goo (진구)
Running Time: 128 min
Korean Release Date: 28/05/2009
Korean Distributor: CJ Entertainment Online Retaliers selling DVD for Pre-order: HMV (£9.99), Play.com (£10.99)
Synopsis
The film follows Hye-ja (same name as the actress that plays her - Kim Hye-ja (김혜자) as she takes care of her absent-minded son, Do Joon, played by Won
Bin (원빈). Although he is 27, he is very childlike - he has a memory
like a gold fish and has little sense everyday dangers. One evening he
gets very drunk and subsequently thown out of a bar and then follows a
school girl home - he is set on sleeping with her. She turns down his
proposition, throws a rock at him and then chases him away. But she is
found dead the next day and Won Bin is the key suspect. However, his
mother doesn't believe he is capable of such a think and is determined
to prove his innocence.
The release of the DVD follows shortly after a short theatrical release at London's ICA. This means with the exception of Bong's first feature debut, Barking Dogs Don't Bite, all of his feature films will be available in your local HMV (DVD retail outlet) in the UK. This film, as my review points out, is the Korean film of 2009 and illustrative of the genius that lies inside the mind of Bong Joon-ho. It's certainly worth the price of the DVD.
As for the special effects, it includes the making of Mother, the transformation of Kim Hye-ja and a trailer. Enjoy!
Released on 12 October 2009
Haeundae / Tidal Wave / 해운대
Director: Yoon Je-kyoon (윤제균)
Starring: Seol Kyeong-gu (설경구), Ha Ji-won (하지원), Park Joong-hoon (박중훈) & Uhm Jung-hwa (엄정화)
Running Time: 129 min
Korean Release Date: 23/07/2009
Korean Distributor: CJ Entertainment
Number of Korean Admissions: 11,301,649* Still on General Release in Korea.
UK Distributor: Optimum Releasing.
UK DVD Release Date: 12/10/2009.
Online Retaliers selling DVD for Pre-order: Amazon (£11.99), HMV (£10.99), Play.com (£9.99).
Synopsis
Located on the southeast tip of the Korean peninsula is the international city of Busan. A popular vacation spot on the East Sea coast, Haeundae draws one million visitors to its beaches every year. Man-sik, a native of Haeundae, lost a co-worker to a tsunami on a deep-sea fishing trip four years ago. He has never returned to sea ever since. He now leads a simple life running a small seafood restaurant and is preparing to propose to his longtime girlfriend, Yeon-hee. Man-sik’s brother Hyung-sik works as a coast guard. One day, he rescues a female college student from Seoul who promptly, comes on to him aggressively. While these everyday domestic affairs unfold, geologist Kim Hwi, an expert on tsunami research, discovers the East Sea is showing signs of activity similar to the Indian Ocean at the time of the 2004 tsunami. Despite his warnings, the Disaster Prevention Agency affirms that Korea is in no harm of being hit. When he discovers a mega-tsunami is headed straight for the Korean peninsula, he quickly heads down to Haeundae. There he meets up with his ex-wife, who is organizing a cultural event, for the first time in seven years. He also sees his young daughter who is unaware that he is her father. Eventually, Kim gets a call about a deadly oncoming wave, with only ten minutes to spare! While the vacationers and citizens of Busan are enjoying a peaceful, hot summer day, a mega-tsunami is headed straight for Haeundae at 500 miles per hour.
Source: KOFIC
Some thoughts
The most successful Korean film of the year is about hit the UK DVD shelves in October. After being released in July, it is still making revenue in the Korean box office, and it is on course to become the third most successful Korean Film of all time. Only a year ago, producers, directors, experts and critics alike were concerned about the slump in the local Korean product as market share decreased, Korean films became less successful and production costs went through the roof. But a year later, there is some renewed optimism. Commercial hits have returned to the Korean box office, which include films such as Speedy Scandal / 과속스캔들 (8.3 million viewers) and My Girlfriend is an Agent / 7급 공무원 (4.1 million viewers); and there have also been other high profile releases that may be disappointing comparred to these hits, but have generated much needed admissions to keep the local share up; this includes for example, Thirst / 박쥐 (2.2 million admissions). Then there was Haundae, which is the first film to break the 10 million admission milestone in three years - the first time since The Host / 괴물 (2006). Together with the success of Take Off / 국가대표 (2009), the Korean film industry is proving to be extremely resilient, especially given the economic restraints of the current world we live in. So in short, the success of Haundae is providing the industry with the confidence it needs.
In terms of the film intself, inevitably it has recieved mix reactions; some have enjoyed it and some have not, although given its success, one must assume that it has been popular amongst people of all ages. Indeed, the film has been praised for its impressive special effects and compelling storyline. The special effects have been partly constructed by Hans Uhlig who worked on The Day After Tomorrow and The Perfect Storm. But whilst the film relied on foreign expertise, it also used the leading CG company in Korea, Mopeg, which played a big part in producing the CGI.
Of course, the stellar cast is a big reason why the film has done so well. Seol Kyeong-gu (설경구), one of Korea's well known and gifted actors takes the lead as does Ha Ji-won (하지원), who continues to be extemely popular in Korea as she again works with director Yoon Je-kyoon (윤제균) - she also worked with him on Sex is Zero / 색즉시공 (2002) and Miracles on 1st Street / 1번가의 기적 - (2006).Uhm Jung-hwa (엄정화) meanwhile is as popular as ever as she shows her great versitility as an actress and Park Joong-hoon (박중훈) returns to the big screen - he was last seen in Radio Star / 라디오 스타 (2006). He is, of course, well known for his roles in the films of the Korean New Wave - Chilsu and Mansu / 칠수와 만수 (1988) and Black Republic / 그들도 우리처럼 (1990).
As above states, director Yoon Je-kyoon (윤제균) has directed two other films that has Ha Ji-won as the lead. He has established himself as a very successful commerical director, who is well known for his comedies: My Boss, My Hero / 두사부일체 (頭師父一體) (2001) and Sex is Zero are illustrative of this; these films, too, have been very successful in the Korean box office. In fact both films have been made into sequels - My Boss, My Teacher / 투사부일체 (2005) Sex Is Zero 2 / 색즉시공 시즌 2 (2007)
So, it is very exciting this film will hit UK DVD retailers next month. As far as I am aware, this is the first DVD release of the film anywhere in the world, though it has been released theatrically in China and the U.S, which means those who are anxious to see this film with English subtitles can purchase it next month regardless if you live in the UK or not, as long as you have a muti-regional DVD player. I will review the film in the coming days, but for now, I trust this information will be suffice in wetting your appetites!
Optimum Releasing's Trailer
Related articles: News
Released on 8th June 2009
Kick The Moon / 신라의 달밤
Director: Kim Sang-jin (김상진)
Starring: Lee Seong-jae (이성재),Cha Seung-won (차승원) & Kim Hye-soo (김혜수)
Running Time: 118 min
Korean Release Date: 23/01/2001
UK Distributor: Third Window Films.
Synopsis
School Excursion to Gyeongju
Ten years ago, Gi Dong, Choi, the head of the school gang and Yeong Joon, Park, the shy but smart student set out for school excursion to Gyeongju. They experience an unforgettable moment on that night.
Reunion
Gi Dong and Yeong Joon run into each other in Gyeongju accidentally ten years after that night. The head of the school gang has become a passionate teacher of physical education and the shy nerd has become an elite gangster. The two shake their hands together but the memory of that night reminds them of the time they have gone through.
She's mine!
Gi Dong and Yeong Joon fall in love with Joo Ran, the sister of Gi Dong's troublesome student Joo Seop at the same time. Min, Joo Ran is the boss of a small cafeteria who weeps with full of sadness in her eyes all of a sudden and smiles the next moment. Her brother, Joo Seop wants to be a gangster like Yeong Joon. Who will get the heart of Joo Ran?
Between love and friendship!
Joo Ran is kidnapped by the gangsters who wants Yeong Joon and bad to worse, Yeong Joon's gang break down and get dispersed. Yeong Joon is all alone among enemies and Gi Dong doesn't know what to do between love and friendship. And Joo Ran is watching the two. What will be the future of the three and Gyeongu?
Some thoughts
(눈에는 눈 이에는 이). Of course, Lee Seong-jae (이성재) is famous following his appearance in Public Enemy (공공의 적). Both these actors appear in Kim Sang-jin (김상진)'s critically acclaimed debut, Attack the Gas Station! / 주유소 습격사건. Some will also recognize Kim Hye-soo (김혜수) from The War Of Flower (타짜 - 2006). So, this film will give you an opportunity to see some of the stars before they became big names.
Dasepo Naughty Girls / 다세포 소녀
Director: Lee Jae-yong (이재용)
Starring: Kim Ok-bin (김옥빈), Park Jin-woo (박진우), Lee Kyeon (이켠) & Park Hye-won (박혜원)
Running Time: 111 min
Korean Release Date: 08/10/2006
UK Distributor: Third Window Films
Korean Admissions: 448,015 admissions
Synopsis
“No-Use
High School” is renowned for its sexual aberrations: a host of sexually
ambiguous students and a student president and vice-president who
flaunt their taste for S&M. But even in this environment, there are
a few students who stand out: “Poor Girl” who earns money for her
family by sleeping with old men; “Anthony,” a luxurious pretty-boy from
Switzerland; and “One Eye,” the school’s sole virgin. Poor Girl falls
in love with Anthony at first sight. Meanwhile Anthony is struck by One
Eye's brother “Two Eyes” and feels confused about his sexuality. What a
world for these young, hot-blooded teenagers!
Source: KOFIC
I have got a copy of this on my desk ready to watch when I get a chance over the weekend, so I can't offer any reflective comments as of yet. But as you can see from the image above and from the sypnosis, it is hardly dull. The imagary reminds me of Park Chan-wook's I'm a Cyborg, but this film seems to be far more exoctic. Director Lee Jae-yong (이재용) is well known for his sexually epliicit scenes - one only has to turn to Untold Scandal / 스캔들 - 조선남녀상열지사. More importantly, he is also a very competent director, so it will be interesting to see how this film turns out. Also worth noting is the casting of Kim Ok-bin (김옥빈), who has most recently starred in Park Chan-wook's Thirst / 박쥐. So if you want to see her in action, here is a chance
Released 18th June
The Good, The Bad, The Wierd 좋은 놈, 나쁜 놈, 이상한 놈
Director: Kim Jee-woon (김지운)
Starring: Song Kang-ho (송강호), Lee Byeong-Heon (이병헌), Jeong Woo-seong (정우성)
Running Time: 139 min
Korean Distributor: CJ Entertainment
UK Distributor: Icon Films
Korean Release Date: 17th July 2008
UK Theatrical Release Date: 6th February 2008
Synopsis
With the Korean Peninsula under Japanese rule in 1930s, many Koreans flock to Manchuria for refuge. Some become bandits, some train robbers and yet others bounty hunters. While the Weird, a notorious train robber, is stealing from a Japanese train crossing the Manchurian plains, he discovers a treasure map. But the map is also sought after by the Bad, a merciless gang leader. Coincidentally, the Good, a bounty hunter, is on the train, and he is after the Bad. The three engage in a spectacular chase with the Japanese Army, the Korean independence fighters, and the Chinese bandits all looking to get their hands on the prized map.
Some thoughts...
I reviewed this when it was released theatrically, so click here for the review. Kim Je-woon is well known for the time he dedicates for extra features for the DVD, so I am sure this DVD will be worth buying. HMV also have an exclusive. I also interviewed him, so if you want to see what he had to say, click here.