Ryoo Seung-wan has been a pillar of the South Korean film industry for over 20 years, respected there for his keen social observation and thrilling action. But Europe’s great film festivals have feted him conspicuously less than some of his more internationally well-known peers. The Cannes Film Festival recently took a step toward correcting that record in 2024.
Ryoo, 50, made his first and only trip to Cannes back in 2005 with the gritty boxing drama Crying Fist, co-starring his brother, Ryoo Seung-bum, today a major star, and Korean cinema icon Choi Min-sik, then riding high thanks to his iconic role in Park Chan-wook’s Old Boy (2003).
“Crying Fist was very well received, but since we were in the Directors’ Fortnight section of the festival, it wasn’t screened in Cannes’ Grand Lumière Theater,” Ryoo recalls. “Back then, I was much younger and everything just felt fresh, fun and exciting. But I remember...
Ryoo, 50, made his first and only trip to Cannes back in 2005 with the gritty boxing drama Crying Fist, co-starring his brother, Ryoo Seung-bum, today a major star, and Korean cinema icon Choi Min-sik, then riding high thanks to his iconic role in Park Chan-wook’s Old Boy (2003).
“Crying Fist was very well received, but since we were in the Directors’ Fortnight section of the festival, it wasn’t screened in Cannes’ Grand Lumière Theater,” Ryoo recalls. “Back then, I was much younger and everything just felt fresh, fun and exciting. But I remember...
- 5/27/2024
- by Patrick Brzeski
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Even eight years since its release and with a fair few recent releases pushing for its spot, none have been able to push Ryoo Seung-wan's “Veteran” out of the top 5 highest grossing Korean films (by attendance) of all time. Talk of a part 2 has floated since the feature's immense success and the moment is finally here when it is gearing up for its world premiere, with the official title it borrows from Tai Kato's 1968 Japanese classic “I, the Executioner”.
Synopsis
Detective Seo Do-cheol and his Major Crime Investigation Division tirelessly track down criminals day and night, often at the expense of their personal lives.
When the murder of a professor reveals links to past cases, suspicions of a serial killer arise, plunging the country into turmoil. As Major Crimes delves into the investigation, the killer taunts them by publicly releasing a teaser online, indicating the next victim, and intensifying the chaos.
Synopsis
Detective Seo Do-cheol and his Major Crime Investigation Division tirelessly track down criminals day and night, often at the expense of their personal lives.
When the murder of a professor reveals links to past cases, suspicions of a serial killer arise, plunging the country into turmoil. As Major Crimes delves into the investigation, the killer taunts them by publicly releasing a teaser online, indicating the next victim, and intensifying the chaos.
- 5/9/2024
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
"Catching perps is my job." Cj Entertainment in Korea has unveiled the first look trailer for a Korean action thriller titled I, The Executioner. This is actually a sequel to director Ryoo Seung-wan's 2015 film titled Veteran, though with a new title this time. It's premiering at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival this month in the Midnight Screening section where they always show a few Korean action films every year. The veteran detectives renowned for always getting their man are back in action!" I, The Executioner follows detective Seo Do-cheol, head of the Violent Crime Investigation Division, as he faces a major crisis. The film promises to be an intense thriller, blending action and suspense. Starring Jung Hae-in, Hwang Jung-min, Jang Yoon-ju, and Oh Dal-su. There's only 60 seconds of footage in this trailer, but damn does it look badass! Fights in the rain, on stairs, all over the city. Looks like...
- 5/9/2024
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Disney+ series Moving and historical action film 12:12: The Day took home the top prizes at the 60th Baeksang Arts Awards, one of Korea’s most prestigious entertainment award ceremonies.
After receiving the most number of nominations (seven) in the television category, Moving took home the Grand Prize, with writer Kangfull receiving the Best Screenplay award and actor Lee Jungha winning Best New Actor.
The sci-fi series stars the likes of Rye Seung-ryong, Han Hyo-joo and Zo In-sung. Based on a webtoon of the same name, it follows a trio of teenage high school students who discover they have superpowers. It has always won a glut of prizes at the 2023 Asia Contents Awards & Global Ott Awards.
Made with a budget of around $18M, 12:12: The Day swept up the Grand Prize and Best Film awards, with Hwang Jung-min scoring a Best Actor win. Set in 1979 just after the...
After receiving the most number of nominations (seven) in the television category, Moving took home the Grand Prize, with writer Kangfull receiving the Best Screenplay award and actor Lee Jungha winning Best New Actor.
The sci-fi series stars the likes of Rye Seung-ryong, Han Hyo-joo and Zo In-sung. Based on a webtoon of the same name, it follows a trio of teenage high school students who discover they have superpowers. It has always won a glut of prizes at the 2023 Asia Contents Awards & Global Ott Awards.
Made with a budget of around $18M, 12:12: The Day swept up the Grand Prize and Best Film awards, with Hwang Jung-min scoring a Best Actor win. Set in 1979 just after the...
- 5/8/2024
- by Sara Merican
- Deadline Film + TV
Essentially a sequel of ”Man Standing Next”, in terms of the succession of historical events, “12.12: The Day” became the highest-grossing Korean film of 2023, with many citing it as the movie that saved Korean cinema in the particular year.
12.12: The Day is screening at Udine Far East Film Festival 2024
The story begins in December 1979, after the assassinaton of President Park, with the whole country being in turmoil and martial law having been declared. The initial 30 minutes of the 140 of the movie set the base of what happened after the aforementioned events, additionally introducing the two main rivals, Defense Security Commander Chun Doo-gwan and Capital Defense Commander Lee Tae-sin, while the rest focus on the 9 hours which the coup unfolded, starting with the arrest of the Army Chief of Staff, Jeong Sang-ho.
Kim Seong-su directs the movie in a style that will remind many of the TV-news style implemented frequently in Japanese cinema,...
12.12: The Day is screening at Udine Far East Film Festival 2024
The story begins in December 1979, after the assassinaton of President Park, with the whole country being in turmoil and martial law having been declared. The initial 30 minutes of the 140 of the movie set the base of what happened after the aforementioned events, additionally introducing the two main rivals, Defense Security Commander Chun Doo-gwan and Capital Defense Commander Lee Tae-sin, while the rest focus on the 9 hours which the coup unfolded, starting with the arrest of the Army Chief of Staff, Jeong Sang-ho.
Kim Seong-su directs the movie in a style that will remind many of the TV-news style implemented frequently in Japanese cinema,...
- 4/29/2024
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Rights to “I, The Executioner,” which will premiere as a Midnight Screening at the Cannes Film Festival this year, have been picked up by South Korea’s Cj Enm.
The crime-action film directed by Ryu Seung-wan (also written Ryoo Seung-wan) is a sequel to Ryu’s 2015 hit “Veteran” and in Korea goes by the title “Veteran 2.”
Few details of the story have yet been disclosed, but Cj describes the film as “combining Ryu’s trademark action with observations and messages about social change.” Ryu last year enjoyed major box office success with crime comedy “Smugglers.”
Hwang Jung-min, who recently enjoyed box office success in “12.12: The Day,” reprises his role from “Veteran.” He is joined in the sequel by Jung Hae-in (“Tune in for Love”) as a new member of the film’s Violent Crime Investigation Squad.
“I, The Executioner” was produced by Filmmaker R & K, the production shingle owned...
The crime-action film directed by Ryu Seung-wan (also written Ryoo Seung-wan) is a sequel to Ryu’s 2015 hit “Veteran” and in Korea goes by the title “Veteran 2.”
Few details of the story have yet been disclosed, but Cj describes the film as “combining Ryu’s trademark action with observations and messages about social change.” Ryu last year enjoyed major box office success with crime comedy “Smugglers.”
Hwang Jung-min, who recently enjoyed box office success in “12.12: The Day,” reprises his role from “Veteran.” He is joined in the sequel by Jung Hae-in (“Tune in for Love”) as a new member of the film’s Violent Crime Investigation Squad.
“I, The Executioner” was produced by Filmmaker R & K, the production shingle owned...
- 4/12/2024
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Blue Finch Film Releasing presents A Bittersweet Life, The Foul King and The Chaser on digital platforms from 8 April. These must-see modern Korean cult cinema classics from acclaimed filmmakers Kim Jee-woon and Na Hong-jin, are exploding back onto screens, with The Foul King available in the UK and Ireland for the very first time.
A Bittersweet Life
Gangster Sun-woo (Lee Byung-hun) has worked his way up the ranks in his organisation, earning the trust of his callous crime boss Mr. Kang, who assigns him to spy on his mistress fearing she may be having an affair. When Mr Kang's suspicions are found to be true, Sun-woo finds his life on the line when his choice to spare the mistress and her secret lover's lives starts an irreversible gang war.
This ultra-stylish neo noir is written and directed by renowned filmmaker Kim Jee-woon, and features a career-defining performance from international star Lee Byung-hun,...
A Bittersweet Life
Gangster Sun-woo (Lee Byung-hun) has worked his way up the ranks in his organisation, earning the trust of his callous crime boss Mr. Kang, who assigns him to spy on his mistress fearing she may be having an affair. When Mr Kang's suspicions are found to be true, Sun-woo finds his life on the line when his choice to spare the mistress and her secret lover's lives starts an irreversible gang war.
This ultra-stylish neo noir is written and directed by renowned filmmaker Kim Jee-woon, and features a career-defining performance from international star Lee Byung-hun,...
- 3/15/2024
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
Oscar winner Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s formalist arthouse drama Evil Does Not Exist won the best film prize Sunday night at the Asia Film Awards in Hong Kong.
The Japanese film industry had a big night overall at the 17th edition of the awards ceremony, which was hosted this year in Hong Kong’s gleaming new Xiqu Centre, part of the city’s $2.7 billion West Kowloon Cultural District development. Japanese festival favorite Hirokazu Kore-eda won best director for his mystery drama Monster, while the great Koji Yakusho took best actor for Wim Wender’s moving minimalist drama Perfect Days. Hamaguchi’s chief collaborator on Evil Does Not Exist, Eiko Ishibashi, won best music and the Kaiju critical and commercial sensation Godzilla Minus One claimed both best visual effects and best sound.
In many ways, it was Zhang Yimou’s night, however. The venerated Chinese director took the stage twice, once to...
The Japanese film industry had a big night overall at the 17th edition of the awards ceremony, which was hosted this year in Hong Kong’s gleaming new Xiqu Centre, part of the city’s $2.7 billion West Kowloon Cultural District development. Japanese festival favorite Hirokazu Kore-eda won best director for his mystery drama Monster, while the great Koji Yakusho took best actor for Wim Wender’s moving minimalist drama Perfect Days. Hamaguchi’s chief collaborator on Evil Does Not Exist, Eiko Ishibashi, won best music and the Kaiju critical and commercial sensation Godzilla Minus One claimed both best visual effects and best sound.
In many ways, it was Zhang Yimou’s night, however. The venerated Chinese director took the stage twice, once to...
- 3/10/2024
- by Patrick Brzeski
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Hamaguchi Ryusuke’s “Evil Does Not Exist,” was Sunday evening named as the best picture at the Asian Film Awards.
The 17th edition of the prizes was held at the Xiqu Centre, part of the West Kowloon Cultural District in Hong Kong.
While “Evil Does Not Exist” and Korean blockbuster “12.12: The Day” had dominated the nominations with six each, including those in the best film category, the prizes on Sunday were much more evenly distributed. No title collected more than two prizes.
Outside, crowds failed to be muted by the March drizzle, though VIP guests were given escorts with purple umbrellas.
Filmmaker and industry attendance was also robust. Those spotted on the red carpet and pre-event cocktails included: Lee Yong Kwan (former chair of the Busan film festival), Tom Yoda, Udine festival heads Sabrina Baracetti and Thomas Bertacche, Anthony Chen, Stanley Kwan, Rina Damayanti, Hong Kong distributor Winnie Tsang,...
The 17th edition of the prizes was held at the Xiqu Centre, part of the West Kowloon Cultural District in Hong Kong.
While “Evil Does Not Exist” and Korean blockbuster “12.12: The Day” had dominated the nominations with six each, including those in the best film category, the prizes on Sunday were much more evenly distributed. No title collected more than two prizes.
Outside, crowds failed to be muted by the March drizzle, though VIP guests were given escorts with purple umbrellas.
Filmmaker and industry attendance was also robust. Those spotted on the red carpet and pre-event cocktails included: Lee Yong Kwan (former chair of the Busan film festival), Tom Yoda, Udine festival heads Sabrina Baracetti and Thomas Bertacche, Anthony Chen, Stanley Kwan, Rina Damayanti, Hong Kong distributor Winnie Tsang,...
- 3/10/2024
- by Patrick Frater and Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Essentially a sequel o f”Man Standing Next”, in terms of the succession of historical events, “12.12: The Day” became the highest-grossing Korean film of 2023, with many citing it as the movie that saved Korean cinema in the particular year.
“12.12: The Day” is available from Echelon Studios
The story begins in December 1979, after the assassinaton of President Park, with the whole country being in turmoil and martial law having been declared. The initial 30 minutes of the 140 of the movie set the base of what happened after the aforementioned events, additionally introducing the two main rivals, Defense Security Commander Chun Doo-gwan and Capital Defense Commander Lee Tae-sin, while the rest focus on the 9 hours which the coup unfolded, starting with the arrest of the Army Chief of Staff, Jeong Sang-ho.
Check also this article The 20 Best Korean Movies of 2023
Kim Seong-su directs the movie in a style that will remind...
“12.12: The Day” is available from Echelon Studios
The story begins in December 1979, after the assassinaton of President Park, with the whole country being in turmoil and martial law having been declared. The initial 30 minutes of the 140 of the movie set the base of what happened after the aforementioned events, additionally introducing the two main rivals, Defense Security Commander Chun Doo-gwan and Capital Defense Commander Lee Tae-sin, while the rest focus on the 9 hours which the coup unfolded, starting with the arrest of the Army Chief of Staff, Jeong Sang-ho.
Check also this article The 20 Best Korean Movies of 2023
Kim Seong-su directs the movie in a style that will remind...
- 2/26/2024
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Echelon Studios, in collaboration with 815 Pictures, has officially picked up US distribution rights to Kim Sung-su's latest feature and box office hit, 12:12 The Day.
The historical action drama broke records last year, grossing $90m to become Korea's biggest film of 2023. Since its release, the box office sensation has received rave reviews from critics and left a lasting impression with audiences, and currently leads nominations at this year's Asian Film Awards, including Best Film, Best Director, and Best Actor.
Based on true events, 12:12 The Day is set against the backdrop of the real-life military coup that took place on 12 December 1979, which resulted in an eight-year military junta in South Korea. The film stars Hwang Jung-min (Deliver Us from Evil), Jung Woo-sung (Asura: The City of Madness), Lee Sung-min (The Spy Gone North), Park Hae-joon (Believer), Kang Gil-woo (Netflix Original The Glory), and Jung Hae-in (Netflix Original D.
The historical action drama broke records last year, grossing $90m to become Korea's biggest film of 2023. Since its release, the box office sensation has received rave reviews from critics and left a lasting impression with audiences, and currently leads nominations at this year's Asian Film Awards, including Best Film, Best Director, and Best Actor.
Based on true events, 12:12 The Day is set against the backdrop of the real-life military coup that took place on 12 December 1979, which resulted in an eight-year military junta in South Korea. The film stars Hwang Jung-min (Deliver Us from Evil), Jung Woo-sung (Asura: The City of Madness), Lee Sung-min (The Spy Gone North), Park Hae-joon (Believer), Kang Gil-woo (Netflix Original The Glory), and Jung Hae-in (Netflix Original D.
- 2/22/2024
- by Rouven Linnarz
- AsianMoviePulse
North American Digital Release
North American digital distributor Echelon Studios has come on board “12.12: The Day,” the highest grossing film from Korea last year.
The film has been on theatrical release in North America, through 815 Pictures since last year and grossed over $1 million. Echelon said that the film will have a streaming release later this year. It will also be available to pre-order to own on iTunes, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube Movies, Vudu, Vimeo OnDemand and OnDemand Korea shortly.
Directed by Kim Sung-su and with a Korean gross exceeding $90 million, the action drama is based on true events in December 1979, which resulted in an eight-year military junta in South Korea.
The film stars Hwang Jung-min (“Deliver Us from Evil”), Jung Woo-sung (“Asura: The City of Madness”), Lee Sung-min (“The Spy Gone North”), Park Hae-joon (“Believer”), Kang Gil-woo (Netflix series “The Glory”), and Jung Hae-in (Netflix’s “D.P.”).
Treasure Island...
North American digital distributor Echelon Studios has come on board “12.12: The Day,” the highest grossing film from Korea last year.
The film has been on theatrical release in North America, through 815 Pictures since last year and grossed over $1 million. Echelon said that the film will have a streaming release later this year. It will also be available to pre-order to own on iTunes, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube Movies, Vudu, Vimeo OnDemand and OnDemand Korea shortly.
Directed by Kim Sung-su and with a Korean gross exceeding $90 million, the action drama is based on true events in December 1979, which resulted in an eight-year military junta in South Korea.
The film stars Hwang Jung-min (“Deliver Us from Evil”), Jung Woo-sung (“Asura: The City of Madness”), Lee Sung-min (“The Spy Gone North”), Park Hae-joon (“Believer”), Kang Gil-woo (Netflix series “The Glory”), and Jung Hae-in (Netflix’s “D.P.”).
Treasure Island...
- 2/21/2024
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
A total of 35 films from 24 countries and regions have been shortlisted to compete for 16 awards at this year's Asian Film Awards.
Renowned Japanese director Kurosawa Kiyoshi will serve as the Jury President for this year's Awards. As the first Japanese director to hold this position, Kurosawa Kiyoshi is deeply honored. He will lead the Jury and over 200 Voting Members in selecting the winners for this year's Asian Film Awards.
The winners of other Afa awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award, Excellence in Asian Cinema Award, Afa Next Generation Award, and Rising Star Award, will be announced later.
The 17th Asian Film Awards Nomination List
Best Film
12.12: The Day (South Korea)
Evil Does Not Exist (Japan)
Paradise
Perfect Days (Japan)
Snow Leopard (Mainland China)
Best Director
Kim Sung-soo | 12.12: The Day (South Korea)
Gu Xiaogang | Dwelling by the West Lake (Mainland China)
Hamaguchi Ryusuke | Evil Does Not Exist (Japan)
Kore-eda Hirokazu...
Renowned Japanese director Kurosawa Kiyoshi will serve as the Jury President for this year's Awards. As the first Japanese director to hold this position, Kurosawa Kiyoshi is deeply honored. He will lead the Jury and over 200 Voting Members in selecting the winners for this year's Asian Film Awards.
The winners of other Afa awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award, Excellence in Asian Cinema Award, Afa Next Generation Award, and Rising Star Award, will be announced later.
The 17th Asian Film Awards Nomination List
Best Film
12.12: The Day (South Korea)
Evil Does Not Exist (Japan)
Paradise
Perfect Days (Japan)
Snow Leopard (Mainland China)
Best Director
Kim Sung-soo | 12.12: The Day (South Korea)
Gu Xiaogang | Dwelling by the West Lake (Mainland China)
Hamaguchi Ryusuke | Evil Does Not Exist (Japan)
Kore-eda Hirokazu...
- 1/12/2024
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
‘Snow Leopard’, ‘Paradise’, ‘The Goldfinger’ and ‘Godzilla Minus One’ also land multiple nods.
South Korean box office hit 12.12: The Day and Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s Evil Does Not Exist lead the nominations for the 17th Asian Film Awards, with six nods each including best film.
Also up for best film is Prasanna Vithanage’s Paradise from Sri Lanka-India, Wim Wenders Perfect Days from Japan and Chinese feature Snow Leopard by the late Pema Tseden.
Scroll down for full list of nominations
The winners will be announced at a ceremony in Hong Kong on March 10 and will be decided by a...
South Korean box office hit 12.12: The Day and Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s Evil Does Not Exist lead the nominations for the 17th Asian Film Awards, with six nods each including best film.
Also up for best film is Prasanna Vithanage’s Paradise from Sri Lanka-India, Wim Wenders Perfect Days from Japan and Chinese feature Snow Leopard by the late Pema Tseden.
Scroll down for full list of nominations
The winners will be announced at a ceremony in Hong Kong on March 10 and will be decided by a...
- 1/12/2024
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
Japanese filmmaker Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s latest feature, Evil Does Not Exist, and the period action pic 12.12: The Day, from Korea, lead the nominations at this year’s Asian Film Awards.
Both films received six nominations, including Best Film and Best Director. Directed by Kim Sung-soo, whose credits include Asura: The City Of Madness and The Flu, 12.12: The Day is set against the backdrop of the real-life military coup of 1979, which resulted in an eight-year military junta in South Korea. The cast includes Hwang Jung-min (The Wailing), Jung Woo-sung (Asura: The City Of Madness), and Lee Sung-min (The Spy Gone North). Released on November 22, the film sailed past the 12 million admissions mark at the Korean box office over the Christmas holiday period, becoming the highest-grossing film of 2023 in the market.
Hamaguchi’s Evil Does Not Exist — which debuted out of Venice — follows Takumi and his daughter Hana, who live...
Both films received six nominations, including Best Film and Best Director. Directed by Kim Sung-soo, whose credits include Asura: The City Of Madness and The Flu, 12.12: The Day is set against the backdrop of the real-life military coup of 1979, which resulted in an eight-year military junta in South Korea. The cast includes Hwang Jung-min (The Wailing), Jung Woo-sung (Asura: The City Of Madness), and Lee Sung-min (The Spy Gone North). Released on November 22, the film sailed past the 12 million admissions mark at the Korean box office over the Christmas holiday period, becoming the highest-grossing film of 2023 in the market.
Hamaguchi’s Evil Does Not Exist — which debuted out of Venice — follows Takumi and his daughter Hana, who live...
- 1/12/2024
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
The historial action drama has become the biggest film of 2023 at the local box office.
Historical action drama 12.12: The Day has surpassed 12 million admissions and $90m at the South Korea box office as of today (January 2), according to the Korea Box-office Information System (Kobis).
The Korean film has been revitalising the local box office, where the only stand-out hit of 2023 had been Don Lee’s crime action franchise film The Roundup: No Way Out, with 10.6 million admissions and $79.8m.
12.12: The Day, released by Plus M Entertainment on November 22, ended the year with more than 11.8 million admissions and $88m,...
Historical action drama 12.12: The Day has surpassed 12 million admissions and $90m at the South Korea box office as of today (January 2), according to the Korea Box-office Information System (Kobis).
The Korean film has been revitalising the local box office, where the only stand-out hit of 2023 had been Don Lee’s crime action franchise film The Roundup: No Way Out, with 10.6 million admissions and $79.8m.
12.12: The Day, released by Plus M Entertainment on November 22, ended the year with more than 11.8 million admissions and $88m,...
- 1/2/2024
- by Jean Noh
- ScreenDaily
Hwang Jung-min. Yum Jung-ah. Both together for the first time in careers spanning over three decades. Need I say more to entice you about Lee Myung-hoon's debut feature “Mission Cross”?
Synopsis
A man leaving his past behind and living as a househusband is chased by his wife for his secret life!
A hardworking househusband and a former special forces officer Kang-moo is hiding his past from his wife Mi-seon who is a violent crime detective. One day, a mysterious woman, Hee-joo appears to Kang-moo and Mi-seon assumes that his husband is having an affair. Mi-seon is after Kang-moo and Kang-moo is after something else. It eventually leads both of them to unexpected situations!
Kang-moo can no longer be a peaceful househusband after all…!
Hwang Jung-min plays Kang-moo whereas Yum Jung-ah takes on the role of Mi-seon. They are joined by Jeon Hye-jin, who plays Hee-joo. Additionally, everybody's favourite Jung Man-sik...
Synopsis
A man leaving his past behind and living as a househusband is chased by his wife for his secret life!
A hardworking househusband and a former special forces officer Kang-moo is hiding his past from his wife Mi-seon who is a violent crime detective. One day, a mysterious woman, Hee-joo appears to Kang-moo and Mi-seon assumes that his husband is having an affair. Mi-seon is after Kang-moo and Kang-moo is after something else. It eventually leads both of them to unexpected situations!
Kang-moo can no longer be a peaceful househusband after all…!
Hwang Jung-min plays Kang-moo whereas Yum Jung-ah takes on the role of Mi-seon. They are joined by Jeon Hye-jin, who plays Hee-joo. Additionally, everybody's favourite Jung Man-sik...
- 12/27/2023
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
Box office in South Korea has faced a challenging 2023.
Korean drama 12.12: The Day has taken a strong $11.2m on its opening weekend in South Korea, delivering a shot of optimism to the local box office in the wake of a challenging year.
The film, distributed by Plus M Entertainment, comfortably claimed the number one slot and has taken $14.1m since its release on November 22. It has recorded nearly 1.9 million admissions to date and accounted for 80% of all tickets sold across its opening period.
Based on events that took place in the chaotic time after dictator Park Chung-hee was assassinated...
Korean drama 12.12: The Day has taken a strong $11.2m on its opening weekend in South Korea, delivering a shot of optimism to the local box office in the wake of a challenging year.
The film, distributed by Plus M Entertainment, comfortably claimed the number one slot and has taken $14.1m since its release on November 22. It has recorded nearly 1.9 million admissions to date and accounted for 80% of all tickets sold across its opening period.
Based on events that took place in the chaotic time after dictator Park Chung-hee was assassinated...
- 11/27/2023
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
Korean drama “12.12: The Day” brought life back to South Korean cinemas with a powerful $11 million opening weekend.
Directed by Kim Sung-soo and starring the reliable Hwang Jung-min and Jung Woo-sung, the film recounts a nine-hour period in 1979 in which a military coup was attempted. It is understood to be based on real events, but with a fictional telling.
It earned $11.2 million between Friday and Sunday accounting for four out of every five tickets sold in the country. Over its five-day opening run it earned $14.1 million.
That is the second highest opening by any film this year, behind only summer hit “The Roundup: No Way Out” and it is expected to achieve two million ticket sales on Monday.
The strong performance lifted the overall box office for the weekend back above $10 million for the first time since the Chuseok holiday in late September and only the second time since the summer.
Directed by Kim Sung-soo and starring the reliable Hwang Jung-min and Jung Woo-sung, the film recounts a nine-hour period in 1979 in which a military coup was attempted. It is understood to be based on real events, but with a fictional telling.
It earned $11.2 million between Friday and Sunday accounting for four out of every five tickets sold in the country. Over its five-day opening run it earned $14.1 million.
That is the second highest opening by any film this year, behind only summer hit “The Roundup: No Way Out” and it is expected to achieve two million ticket sales on Monday.
The strong performance lifted the overall box office for the weekend back above $10 million for the first time since the Chuseok holiday in late September and only the second time since the summer.
- 11/27/2023
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
The sequel to 2018’s Believer has left fans more than dissatisfied. It’s already an established fact that the only good thing about the film is Han Hyo-Joo’s performance, which has taken over social media for her badassery alone. The film attempts to fill the gaps like plastering over the Mona Lisa, making a terrible sequel to a well-received film. What made Believer a big hit was the impressive cast, the action-packed story that kept you on the edge of your seats, as well as the impactful ending. Believer 2 begins before that open ending, leading up to the moments there, and then completely ruins it. We suppose you can’t trust anything with Believer in the title right now. If you’re looking for some fantastic Korean thrillers to make yourself feel better after seeing this blunder, here’s the perfect list for you.
Ballerina
Let’s start...
Ballerina
Let’s start...
- 11/21/2023
- by Ruchika Bhat
- Film Fugitives
Killer Collectibles highlights five of the most exciting new horror products announced each and every week, from toys and apparel to artwork, records, and much more.
Here are the coolest horror collectibles unveiled this week!
Cutting Class 4K Uhd from Mvd
Cutting Class will be released on 4K Ultra HD on January 16 via Mvd as part of its 4K LaserVision Collection. The 1989 slasher is presented in 4K from Vinegar Syndrome’s 2018 4K restoration with Lpcm 2.0 Mono and Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo sound.
Excalibur writer Rospo Pallenberg makes his directorial debut from a script by Steve Slavkin (Salute your Shorts). Donovan Leitch, Jill Schoelen, Brad Pitt, Roddy McDowall, and Martin Mull star.
Special features include: the R-rated edit (in standard definition), interviews with Leitch and Schoelen, Kill Comparisons featurette, VHS video store retailer promo, and the trailer.
Chucky Board Game from Trick or Treat Studios
Just in time for his 35th anniversary,...
Here are the coolest horror collectibles unveiled this week!
Cutting Class 4K Uhd from Mvd
Cutting Class will be released on 4K Ultra HD on January 16 via Mvd as part of its 4K LaserVision Collection. The 1989 slasher is presented in 4K from Vinegar Syndrome’s 2018 4K restoration with Lpcm 2.0 Mono and Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo sound.
Excalibur writer Rospo Pallenberg makes his directorial debut from a script by Steve Slavkin (Salute your Shorts). Donovan Leitch, Jill Schoelen, Brad Pitt, Roddy McDowall, and Martin Mull star.
Special features include: the R-rated edit (in standard definition), interviews with Leitch and Schoelen, Kill Comparisons featurette, VHS video store retailer promo, and the trailer.
Chucky Board Game from Trick or Treat Studios
Just in time for his 35th anniversary,...
- 11/17/2023
- by Alex DiVincenzo
- bloody-disgusting.com
The 2016 South Korean horror film "The Wailing" is a roller coaster ride with enough twists and turns to keep even the most experienced movie watcher guessing. Set in the small mountain village of Gokseong, the movie follows bumbling police officer Jong-goo (Kwak Do-won) as he tries to solve the mystery of an infection that causes people to become mentally unwell and kill their loved ones. The infection and its effects are horrifying enough, but then Jong-goo's daughter Hyo-jin (Kim Hwan-hee) becomes stricken with the same infection. Desperate to save his daughter, Jong-goo will do just about anything, delving into solutions both spiritual and mundane. He recruits the help of his friends, co-workers, and a local shaman named Il-gwang (Hwang Jung-min), but it seems like the evil descending on Gokseong is too much for anyone to stop.
The ending of "The Wailing" is a horrific tragedy that offers possible explanations for...
The ending of "The Wailing" is a horrific tragedy that offers possible explanations for...
- 11/1/2023
- by Danielle Ryan
- Slash Film
Right from his debut feature “Runaway” in 1995, Kim Sung-su has established two things vehemently: he can work with big stars and he can work on a big budget quite effectively. Starting with a then-young but nonetheless impressive Lee Byung-hun, he has since gone on to work with the likes of Lee Jung-jae, Jung Woo-sung, Hwang Jung-min and even Zhang Ziyi in a rare Korean production appearance. Since his last two works, he has also established that he is also adept at working with an ensemble cast, with both “The Flu” and the highly impressive “Asura: The City of Madness” having an extensive and impressive cast-list. Seven years since “Asura: The City of Madness”, Kim returns to the big screen and with a couple actors he has worked with for “12.12: The Day”, a political thriller based on recent Korean history.
Synopsis
On December 1979, Seoul had been enduring a harsh winter before the upcoming spring.
Synopsis
On December 1979, Seoul had been enduring a harsh winter before the upcoming spring.
- 10/28/2023
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
The successful distribution of Korean media around the world has led to the celebration of brilliant filmmakers like Park Chan-wook and Bong Joon-ho. However, if you ask an American cinephile or film critic to name one Korean woman director they would likely not be able to come up with an answer.
With its ongoing series “A New Wave of K-Cinema: Korean Women Directors,” The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures is hoping to change that. Across the month of June, the Los Angeles museum is showing 10 contemporary Korean films made by women that “explore the complexities of diverse conditions, including the trauma of domestic violence, investigations into gender and class politics, humanity’s relation to nature and the environment, and love and friendship.”
Hyesung ii, who organized “A New Wave of K-Cinema,” told TheWrap it is a series she has had in mind since she began working at the museum. “As...
With its ongoing series “A New Wave of K-Cinema: Korean Women Directors,” The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures is hoping to change that. Across the month of June, the Los Angeles museum is showing 10 contemporary Korean films made by women that “explore the complexities of diverse conditions, including the trauma of domestic violence, investigations into gender and class politics, humanity’s relation to nature and the environment, and love and friendship.”
Hyesung ii, who organized “A New Wave of K-Cinema,” told TheWrap it is a series she has had in mind since she began working at the museum. “As...
- 6/15/2023
- by Kayti Burt
- The Wrap
Na Hong-Kon’s highly anticipated new thriller feature film “Hope” adds two more cast members: Uhm Tae-goo (from “Night in Paradise”) and Lee Kyu-hyung (from “Seoul Vibe”).
The two join an already star-studded cast-list that is headlined by superstars Hwang Jung-min, Jo In-sung and, in her first feature film role since the unprecedented success of “Squid Game”, Jung Ho-yeon. The production will also Hollywood’s real-life couple Michael Fassbender and Alicia Vikander in important, English-speaking roles.
Just like Hwang Jung-min, who worked with Na in “The Wailing”, Uhm Tae-goo too will be working with the director again after having recently joined hands with him on his short film “Faith”.
Na Hong-jin, through his production company “Forged Films”, will produce the film alongside Saemi Kim. Ku Tae-jin and Cheon Ji-in will co-produce, whereas Kim Deok-geun and Kim Do-soo will be the executive producers.
The production also confirmed that Na has chosen...
The two join an already star-studded cast-list that is headlined by superstars Hwang Jung-min, Jo In-sung and, in her first feature film role since the unprecedented success of “Squid Game”, Jung Ho-yeon. The production will also Hollywood’s real-life couple Michael Fassbender and Alicia Vikander in important, English-speaking roles.
Just like Hwang Jung-min, who worked with Na in “The Wailing”, Uhm Tae-goo too will be working with the director again after having recently joined hands with him on his short film “Faith”.
Na Hong-jin, through his production company “Forged Films”, will produce the film alongside Saemi Kim. Ku Tae-jin and Cheon Ji-in will co-produce, whereas Kim Deok-geun and Kim Do-soo will be the executive producers.
The production also confirmed that Na has chosen...
- 5/9/2023
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
Kill Bok-soon (キル・ボクスン) is a South Korean film directed by Byun Sung-hyun starring Jeon Do-yeon and Sol Kyung-gu.
Funny from the start, with its hilarious one-liners and stylish main character, but the movie wins us over in the action scenes, shot with a lot of punch in a movie that definitely knows when to strike.
Kill Bok-soon (2023) Movie Review Kill Bok-soon (2023)
Funny, ironic and, with all its brutal violence, highly entertaining and destined to stand out on account of its funny, intelligent irony and for its many moral lessons:
-Drinking may be fun, but smoking is not.
After that, the good mother devotes herself to murdering people, while at the same time, combining that activity with meetings with the mothers of students.
Very good on the aesthetic level, very curated in the photography, it knows how to maintain the pace of the story through the elaborate editing, particularly in the special scenes,...
Funny from the start, with its hilarious one-liners and stylish main character, but the movie wins us over in the action scenes, shot with a lot of punch in a movie that definitely knows when to strike.
Kill Bok-soon (2023) Movie Review Kill Bok-soon (2023)
Funny, ironic and, with all its brutal violence, highly entertaining and destined to stand out on account of its funny, intelligent irony and for its many moral lessons:
-Drinking may be fun, but smoking is not.
After that, the good mother devotes herself to murdering people, while at the same time, combining that activity with meetings with the mothers of students.
Very good on the aesthetic level, very curated in the photography, it knows how to maintain the pace of the story through the elaborate editing, particularly in the special scenes,...
- 3/31/2023
- by Martin Cid
- Martin Cid Magazine - Movies
Na Hong-Jin will direct the Korean thriller for Plus M Entertainment.
Award-winning Korean actors Hwang Jung-min, Zo In-sung and Hoyeon have joined Alicia Vikander and Michael Fassbender in the cast of upcoming thriller Hope.
The Korean feature is directed by Na Hong-jin, marking his first film since The Wailing in 2016, and is backed by Korean producer-distributor Plus M Entertainment.
Hwang starred in The Wailing, which played at Cannes, and is also known for Netflix’s Narco-Saints, Cannes 2022 title Hunt and Berlin 2023 feature Kill Boksoon.
Zo is known for roles in war epic The Great Battle and more recently Escape From Mogadishu,...
Award-winning Korean actors Hwang Jung-min, Zo In-sung and Hoyeon have joined Alicia Vikander and Michael Fassbender in the cast of upcoming thriller Hope.
The Korean feature is directed by Na Hong-jin, marking his first film since The Wailing in 2016, and is backed by Korean producer-distributor Plus M Entertainment.
Hwang starred in The Wailing, which played at Cannes, and is also known for Netflix’s Narco-Saints, Cannes 2022 title Hunt and Berlin 2023 feature Kill Boksoon.
Zo is known for roles in war epic The Great Battle and more recently Escape From Mogadishu,...
- 3/30/2023
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
Korean director Na Hong-Jin (The Wailing) is teaming up with two of Hollywood’s most intriguing stars, Michael Fassbender and Alicia Vikander, for his new thriller, Hope. According to Deadline, the mostly Korean-language film follows the residents of Hopo Port, where a mysterious discovery upsets the outskirts of the remote harbor town. Before long, the residents find themselves desperately fighting for survival against something they have never encountered before.
Hope is selecting additional cast members now while the project is in pre-production. Cameras will roll in Korea in late 2023, with Fassbender and Vikander eagerly anticipating the chance to work with Na Hong-Jin. The couple will speak English in the film, despite most of the cast speaking in Korean.
Plus M Entertainment is producing Hope. The Korean producer-distributor recently entered a deal with Na, hoping for a smooth production as they build their relationship. Hong Kyung-pyo, who worked with Na on The Wailing,...
Hope is selecting additional cast members now while the project is in pre-production. Cameras will roll in Korea in late 2023, with Fassbender and Vikander eagerly anticipating the chance to work with Na Hong-Jin. The couple will speak English in the film, despite most of the cast speaking in Korean.
Plus M Entertainment is producing Hope. The Korean producer-distributor recently entered a deal with Na, hoping for a smooth production as they build their relationship. Hong Kyung-pyo, who worked with Na on The Wailing,...
- 3/29/2023
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
2022 was finally the year that the Korean box office, after the pandemic, was defibrillated back to life. Producers and distributors were finally confident that the time was right for big budget, blockbuster projects, that had long been queueing up for a release, to start making their way to the theatres. After having to resort to Ott streaming and generally smaller scale films, the audience too was hungry to see high-value productions, entertainment and their favorite stars on the big screen and thronged to the theatres, lapping up these releases. So much so that 2022 saw four new films make their way into the 100 highest grossing Korean films of all tie at the domestic box-office, with Ma Dong-seok’s “The Roundup” even rolling comfortably into the top 10.
2023 too began strongly, with the long-in-production “The Point Men” starring Hwang Jung-min and Hyun Bin and the Sol Kyung-gu led ensemble spy thriller “Phantom” opening the year strong.
2023 too began strongly, with the long-in-production “The Point Men” starring Hwang Jung-min and Hyun Bin and the Sol Kyung-gu led ensemble spy thriller “Phantom” opening the year strong.
- 2/12/2023
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
The coronavirus pandemic had a very detrimental effect not just on film production but also distribution and release. Productions with an international shooting schedule in particularly were heavily hit, having to either cancel shoots altogether or wait and change locations to resume production. However, with the ease in movement and the opening of the world, these projects were able to finish and 2022 in particular was a good year for these long-gestating films. Possibly the biggest and longest-delayed project of these is the history-making real-life crime thriller “The Point Men”, which has just released its first trailer and set a January 2023 release date for itself.
Synopsis
Based on the true events of the Korean hostage crisis in Afghanistan.
A group of Korean tourists is taken hostage by an extremist Taliban group in Afghanistan. The Korean government dispatches Jae-ho (Hwang Jung-min), known as one of Korea’s most skilled diplomats, in order to handle the situation.
Synopsis
Based on the true events of the Korean hostage crisis in Afghanistan.
A group of Korean tourists is taken hostage by an extremist Taliban group in Afghanistan. The Korean government dispatches Jae-ho (Hwang Jung-min), known as one of Korea’s most skilled diplomats, in order to handle the situation.
- 12/8/2022
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
Remakes are tricky business, even when they are of features that were only moderately successful. In such cases, the makers on the new project have to figure out exactly what worked and what didn’t in the original and find a balance that keeps the essence of the original and also builds upon it to make it a better work. This is exactly the task first-time director Pil Kam-sung finds at his hands, who adapts Hong Kong production “Saving Mr. Wu”, which was itself loosely based on the real-life kidnapping of a Chinese TV actor. To make his narrative stand out, Pil came up with an innovative quirk: casting superstar Hwang Jung-min to play himself in the feature.
“Hostage: Missing Celebrity“ is screening at Five Flavours Asian Film Festival
After a premiere party for his latest movie one night and with a few drinks inside him, Hwang Jung-min parks his...
“Hostage: Missing Celebrity“ is screening at Five Flavours Asian Film Festival
After a premiere party for his latest movie one night and with a few drinks inside him, Hwang Jung-min parks his...
- 11/20/2022
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
Both upcoming films are by first-time feature directors produced by South Korean powerhouse Sanai Pictures.
South Korea’s Plus M is launching sales on action comedy Cross (working title), starring Hwang Jung-min of Netflix’s Narco-Saints, and noir drama Hwa-ran (working title) at the American Film Market (AFM).
Both upcoming films are from first-time feature directors and produced by Sanai Pictures, the Seoul-based company behind Cannes titles such as Lee Jung-jae’s Hunt and Yoon Jong-bin’s The Spy Gone North as well as the local box office hit A Violent Prosecutor, which took more than 9.7 million admissions and 54.5m in 2016.
Directed by Lee Myeong-hoon,...
South Korea’s Plus M is launching sales on action comedy Cross (working title), starring Hwang Jung-min of Netflix’s Narco-Saints, and noir drama Hwa-ran (working title) at the American Film Market (AFM).
Both upcoming films are from first-time feature directors and produced by Sanai Pictures, the Seoul-based company behind Cannes titles such as Lee Jung-jae’s Hunt and Yoon Jong-bin’s The Spy Gone North as well as the local box office hit A Violent Prosecutor, which took more than 9.7 million admissions and 54.5m in 2016.
Directed by Lee Myeong-hoon,...
- 11/3/2022
- by Jean Noh
- ScreenDaily
“Bogota: City of the Lost,” one of the most expensive Korean films ever made, heads the sales slate presented at Busan by Megabox Plus M, part of Korea’s J Contentree listed company.
Crime noir, “Bogota” took 21 months to produce and saw its principal photography start in January 2020 but soon become a victim of Covid. Song Joong Ki (“Space Sweepers”) stars as a young man moving to Colombia with his family for a better life, but he ends up living from hand to mouth. He later goes against all odds to dominate Bogota’s black market. The picture also stars Lee Hee-jun (“The Drug King”) and was directed by Kim Seong-je (“The Unfair”).
It is also pitching “Don’t Buy The Seller,” a thriller directed by Kim Hee-gon (“Fengshui”) that might make one rethink the purchase of second-hand items via online apps. Shin Hae-sun plays the protagonist who reports the...
Crime noir, “Bogota” took 21 months to produce and saw its principal photography start in January 2020 but soon become a victim of Covid. Song Joong Ki (“Space Sweepers”) stars as a young man moving to Colombia with his family for a better life, but he ends up living from hand to mouth. He later goes against all odds to dominate Bogota’s black market. The picture also stars Lee Hee-jun (“The Drug King”) and was directed by Kim Seong-je (“The Unfair”).
It is also pitching “Don’t Buy The Seller,” a thriller directed by Kim Hee-gon (“Fengshui”) that might make one rethink the purchase of second-hand items via online apps. Shin Hae-sun plays the protagonist who reports the...
- 10/7/2022
- by Rebecca Souw
- Variety Film + TV
For the first time in an illustrious career spanning 32 years, South Korean superstar is set to appear in a tv drama with “Uncle Sam-sik”.
Almost all Korean superstars have begun their careers on the small screen or have made periodic appearances in tv series, be it Choi Min-sik, Lee Byung-hun, Ha Jung-woo, Hwang Jung-min or many more. Song Kang-ho, however, was an exception so far, having made the jump from theatre to feature films rather swiftly and effectively early on in his career. That is to change now though, as he is confirmed to appear in the leading role in director Shin Yeon-shik’s “Uncle Sam-shik” (literal title).
“Uncle Sam-sik” will be a 10-episode series and, accordingly to Asia Gyeongje, will follow the bromance between a pair of long-time friends, Sam-shik and Kim-san, who survived South Korea’s turbulent 1960s period together. It must be noted that this...
Almost all Korean superstars have begun their careers on the small screen or have made periodic appearances in tv series, be it Choi Min-sik, Lee Byung-hun, Ha Jung-woo, Hwang Jung-min or many more. Song Kang-ho, however, was an exception so far, having made the jump from theatre to feature films rather swiftly and effectively early on in his career. That is to change now though, as he is confirmed to appear in the leading role in director Shin Yeon-shik’s “Uncle Sam-shik” (literal title).
“Uncle Sam-sik” will be a 10-episode series and, accordingly to Asia Gyeongje, will follow the bromance between a pair of long-time friends, Sam-shik and Kim-san, who survived South Korea’s turbulent 1960s period together. It must be noted that this...
- 8/30/2022
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
We're not playing games, Lee Jung-jae's next role is killer. The Squid Game leading man is set to executive produce and star in Ray, a spin-off of the 2020 Korean film Deliver Us From Evil, according to Variety. Lee will reprise his role as Ray in the series, which is not yet attached to a streaming service or network. Described as "a Korean-Japanese ruffian whose brother had been killed by In-Nam (Hwang Jung-min)," Ray was dead-set on revenge in Deliver Us From Evil. "Ray is expected to develop the back-story of the seductively evil Ray," according to the outlet, "establishing how he became such a cruel killer and setting him up against other villains around the...
- 8/26/2022
- E! Online
Lee set to produce, star and possibly direct the series based on his character in the 2020 crime action film.
Squid Game’s Lee Jung-jae is set to star in a spin-off from director Hong Won-chan’s South Korean action thriller Deliver Us From Evil, produced as a global Ott series.
Tentatively titled Ray, after Lee’s vengeful assassin character in the 2020 film, the series is to be co-produced by Hive Media Corp, which produced the feature, and Artist Studio, which produced Lee’s directorial debut Hunt as well as Netflix sci-fi series The Silent Sea.
The original crime action film,...
Squid Game’s Lee Jung-jae is set to star in a spin-off from director Hong Won-chan’s South Korean action thriller Deliver Us From Evil, produced as a global Ott series.
Tentatively titled Ray, after Lee’s vengeful assassin character in the 2020 film, the series is to be co-produced by Hive Media Corp, which produced the feature, and Artist Studio, which produced Lee’s directorial debut Hunt as well as Netflix sci-fi series The Silent Sea.
The original crime action film,...
- 8/26/2022
- by Jean Noh
- ScreenDaily
“Squid Game” actor Lee Jung-jae is to reprise his role as a manic killer in “Ray”, a TV series spun off from 2020 Korean action-horror film “Deliver Us From Evil”. Korean media sources report that Lee will star in and co-produce the series through his own Artist Studio company and Hive Media, producer of “Deliver Us From Evil” has been reached out for further details.
In the original movie, Hwang Jung-min played In-Nam, a former black ops agent who travels to Thailand to investigate an abduction.
There he is pursued by Lee’s character Ray, a Korean-Japanese ruffian whose brother had been killed by In-Nam. Both heavily tattooed and charming, Ray embarks on a bloody rampage of revenge.
“Ray” is expected to develop the back-story of the seductively evil Ray, establishing how he became such a cruel killer and setting him up against other villains around the world.
Ace cinematographer Hong Kyung-pyo...
In the original movie, Hwang Jung-min played In-Nam, a former black ops agent who travels to Thailand to investigate an abduction.
There he is pursued by Lee’s character Ray, a Korean-Japanese ruffian whose brother had been killed by In-Nam. Both heavily tattooed and charming, Ray embarks on a bloody rampage of revenge.
“Ray” is expected to develop the back-story of the seductively evil Ray, establishing how he became such a cruel killer and setting him up against other villains around the world.
Ace cinematographer Hong Kyung-pyo...
- 8/26/2022
- by Glamsham Bureau
- GlamSham
Lee Jung-jae, the star of hit Netflix series “Squid Game,” is to reprise his role as a manic killer in “Ray,” a TV series spun off from 2020 Korean action-horror film “Deliver Us From Evil.”
Korean media sources report that Lee will star in and co-produce the series through his own Artist Studio company and Hive Media, producer of “Deliver Us From Evil.” Variety has reached out for further details.
In the original movie, Hwang Jung-min played In-Nam, a former black ops agent who travels to Thailand to investigate an abduction. There he is pursued by Lee’s character Ray, a Korean-Japanese ruffian whose brother had been killed by In-Nam. Both heavily tattooed and charming, Ray embarks on a bloody rampage of revenge.
“Ray” is expected to develop the back-story of the seductively evil Ray, establishing how he became such a cruel killer and setting him up against other villains around the world.
Korean media sources report that Lee will star in and co-produce the series through his own Artist Studio company and Hive Media, producer of “Deliver Us From Evil.” Variety has reached out for further details.
In the original movie, Hwang Jung-min played In-Nam, a former black ops agent who travels to Thailand to investigate an abduction. There he is pursued by Lee’s character Ray, a Korean-Japanese ruffian whose brother had been killed by In-Nam. Both heavily tattooed and charming, Ray embarks on a bloody rampage of revenge.
“Ray” is expected to develop the back-story of the seductively evil Ray, establishing how he became such a cruel killer and setting him up against other villains around the world.
- 8/26/2022
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
It’s an occassion when a prominent director does a tv series project, in this case Yoon Jong-bin, who brought us hard-hitting hits like ”Nameless Gangster: Rules of the Time” and ”The Spy Gone North”. But it’s another massive occassion when he brings together for the first time two of the biggest Chungmuro actors.
Synopsis
Based on an incresible true story, this is the life-threatening journey of Kang In-gu, a civilian businessman who has no choice but to cooperate with the secret operation of the National Intelligence Service to catch Jeon Yo-hwan, the Korean drug lord who has taken control of Suriname.
Yoon Jong-bin has managed quite a casting coup for this Netflix series, bringing together Ha Jung-woo (who he worked with on ”Nameless Gangster: Rules of the Time”) and Hwang Jung-min (his star in “The Spy Gone North”), two of the most bankable Korean superstars and members of elite 100 Million Viewers Club,...
Synopsis
Based on an incresible true story, this is the life-threatening journey of Kang In-gu, a civilian businessman who has no choice but to cooperate with the secret operation of the National Intelligence Service to catch Jeon Yo-hwan, the Korean drug lord who has taken control of Suriname.
Yoon Jong-bin has managed quite a casting coup for this Netflix series, bringing together Ha Jung-woo (who he worked with on ”Nameless Gangster: Rules of the Time”) and Hwang Jung-min (his star in “The Spy Gone North”), two of the most bankable Korean superstars and members of elite 100 Million Viewers Club,...
- 8/11/2022
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
Thriller is a genre that has been done to death in South Korea and directors now need to constantly reinvent narratives and genre tropes if they want to make a substantial feature that stands the test of time. Where many fail to do so, Director Kim Sung-soo managed to do just that in 2016 with “Asura: The City of Madness”, a production which subverted expectations in a number of different ways.
This is a very dark film featuring a number of characters, all played by A-listers, yet manages to surprise as every single one of these characters is so despicable and deplorable that you do not find yourself rooting for any. This is particularly an achievement for a narrative that has you hooked from the first minute to the last, with the power struggles between the characters proving to be the best part. Genre fans can revel in its web of...
This is a very dark film featuring a number of characters, all played by A-listers, yet manages to surprise as every single one of these characters is so despicable and deplorable that you do not find yourself rooting for any. This is particularly an achievement for a narrative that has you hooked from the first minute to the last, with the power struggles between the characters proving to be the best part. Genre fans can revel in its web of...
- 8/7/2022
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
Three local movies took the top positions at the South Korean box office over the weekend for the first time this year. The chart was headed by “Hostage Missing Celebrity,” which earned close to $4 million.
Produced by Filmmaker R&k and distributed by Next Entertainment World, “Hostage” is a comedy-action movie starring the enduringly-popular, rubber-faced Hwang Jung-min. He plays a celebrity, unimaginatively called Jung-min, who at first believes that his kidnapping is merely a prank. But as the ordeal continues, both he and his tormentors become more desperate. It was directed by first-timer Pil Gam-seong.
Data from the Kobis tracking service operated by the Korean Film Council showed “Hostage” to be followed by last week’s winner “Sinkhole” and another former chart topper “Escape From Mogadishu.” Weekend scores were $3.92 million from 1,285 screens, $2.77 million from 1,250 screens and $1.82 million from 966 screens, respectively.
After five days in cinemas “Hostage” has a $5.41 million total.
Produced by Filmmaker R&k and distributed by Next Entertainment World, “Hostage” is a comedy-action movie starring the enduringly-popular, rubber-faced Hwang Jung-min. He plays a celebrity, unimaginatively called Jung-min, who at first believes that his kidnapping is merely a prank. But as the ordeal continues, both he and his tormentors become more desperate. It was directed by first-timer Pil Gam-seong.
Data from the Kobis tracking service operated by the Korean Film Council showed “Hostage” to be followed by last week’s winner “Sinkhole” and another former chart topper “Escape From Mogadishu.” Weekend scores were $3.92 million from 1,285 screens, $2.77 million from 1,250 screens and $1.82 million from 966 screens, respectively.
After five days in cinemas “Hostage” has a $5.41 million total.
- 8/23/2021
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Korean hostage crisis drama has been sold to 14 territories including Japan and Taiwan.
South Korea’s Megabox Plus M has sold The Point Men, director Yim Soon-rye’s anticipated Korean hostage crisis drama, to 14 territories including Japan (Gaga) and Taiwan (MovieCloud).
The latest feature from Yim, who directed 2014 local hit Whistle Blower, stars Hwang Jung-min (The Spy Gone North) and Hyun Bin (Late Autumn) in the true story of a Korean diplomat who is dispatched to Afghanistan when a group of South Korean tourists is taken hostage by the Taliban. When all other measures fail and one hostage is killed,...
South Korea’s Megabox Plus M has sold The Point Men, director Yim Soon-rye’s anticipated Korean hostage crisis drama, to 14 territories including Japan (Gaga) and Taiwan (MovieCloud).
The latest feature from Yim, who directed 2014 local hit Whistle Blower, stars Hwang Jung-min (The Spy Gone North) and Hyun Bin (Late Autumn) in the true story of a Korean diplomat who is dispatched to Afghanistan when a group of South Korean tourists is taken hostage by the Taliban. When all other measures fail and one hostage is killed,...
- 3/2/2021
- by Jean Noh
- ScreenDaily
Action thriller, “Deliver Us From Evil” had a $10.6 million opening weekend in South Korean cinemas, lifting the country’s overall box office by 75%.
The film, directed by Hong Won-chan (“Office”) and starring Hwang Jung-min and Lee Jung-jae, was released on Wednesday and ran off with a $15.0 million total over five days. Measured by admissions, 1.39 million people bought tickets to the film over the weekend, and more than 2 million people were willing to brave anti-coronavirus restrictions between Wednesday and Sunday.
The film’s weekend score was achieved from 1,997 screens and accounted for 78% of the total market. Distribution is handled by Cj Entertainment.
The aggregate nationwide box office leaped from $7.68 million to $13.4 million, with two other local titles claiming top three spots. That stands in contrast with the mainland China market where box office has plateaued at $17 million for the past two weekends, and where there has yet to be a supply of strong new local titles.
The film, directed by Hong Won-chan (“Office”) and starring Hwang Jung-min and Lee Jung-jae, was released on Wednesday and ran off with a $15.0 million total over five days. Measured by admissions, 1.39 million people bought tickets to the film over the weekend, and more than 2 million people were willing to brave anti-coronavirus restrictions between Wednesday and Sunday.
The film’s weekend score was achieved from 1,997 screens and accounted for 78% of the total market. Distribution is handled by Cj Entertainment.
The aggregate nationwide box office leaped from $7.68 million to $13.4 million, with two other local titles claiming top three spots. That stands in contrast with the mainland China market where box office has plateaued at $17 million for the past two weekends, and where there has yet to be a supply of strong new local titles.
- 8/10/2020
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
The dream team of superstars Hwang Jung-min and Lee Jung-jae created magic in the 2013 modern classic gangster film “New World“. Seven years later, director Hong Won-chan brings the two together once again for his sophomore effort, the crime thriller “Deliver Us From Evil”.
Synopsis
A shocking kidnapping case takes place in Thailand. In-nam just completed his last murder for hire contract as an assassin. He is aware that the kidnapping case is related to him. In-nam heads to Thailand. There, he meets his helper Yoo-yi and they work on the kidnapping case.
Meanwhile, Ray learns that his sibling was assassinated by In-nam. To take revenge on In-nam, he heads to Thailand.
Hong Won-chan, who also directed the Chun Woo-hee starring thriller “Office”, brings back the “New World” actors, but where they played on the same team in that film, here he pits themselves up against each other. Hwang Jung-min plays...
Synopsis
A shocking kidnapping case takes place in Thailand. In-nam just completed his last murder for hire contract as an assassin. He is aware that the kidnapping case is related to him. In-nam heads to Thailand. There, he meets his helper Yoo-yi and they work on the kidnapping case.
Meanwhile, Ray learns that his sibling was assassinated by In-nam. To take revenge on In-nam, he heads to Thailand.
Hong Won-chan, who also directed the Chun Woo-hee starring thriller “Office”, brings back the “New World” actors, but where they played on the same team in that film, here he pits themselves up against each other. Hwang Jung-min plays...
- 5/27/2020
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
Stars: Jung-jae Lee, Ji-tae Yu, Min Tanaka, Jin-young Jung, Sang-woo Lee, Lee Jae-in, Jung-min Park, Seung-chul Baek, Seon-kyu Jin, Jung-min Hwang, Hong-pa Kim, Suk Mun, Ji-hwan Park, Ji Seung-Hyun | Written and Directed by Jang Jae-hyun
Svaha: The Sixth Finger, brought to Netflix as part of their commitment to Korean programming, is directed by Jang Jae-hyun and stars Jung-jae Lee as Pastor Park. A spiritual occultist who investigates documented religious sectors to decipher their intentions for either good or for evil. Park is hired, along with his understudy, played by Ji-tae yu, to look into the cult group Deer Mount. Unbeknownst to the two, Chief Hwang (Jin-young Jung) begins to investigate a murder that has links to the group. Both sides collide in unearthing a haunting conspiracy and are fully thrown into a horrifying investigation that is filled with secrets.
Jang Jae-hyun’s film is cocktail of Roman Polanski’s The Ninth Gate...
Svaha: The Sixth Finger, brought to Netflix as part of their commitment to Korean programming, is directed by Jang Jae-hyun and stars Jung-jae Lee as Pastor Park. A spiritual occultist who investigates documented religious sectors to decipher their intentions for either good or for evil. Park is hired, along with his understudy, played by Ji-tae yu, to look into the cult group Deer Mount. Unbeknownst to the two, Chief Hwang (Jin-young Jung) begins to investigate a murder that has links to the group. Both sides collide in unearthing a haunting conspiracy and are fully thrown into a horrifying investigation that is filled with secrets.
Jang Jae-hyun’s film is cocktail of Roman Polanski’s The Ninth Gate...
- 7/5/2019
- by Jak-Luke Sharp
- Nerdly
The Battleship Island, the historical action film, which premiered on July 26, was seen by over 970,000 viewers on its first day, setting a new record for the largest opening in Korean movie history. Accounting for 71.4% of all ticket sales, the film broke the record previously held by Tom Cruise’s The Mummy. The last Korean film to hold this record was 2016’s Train to Busan.
The World War II set film is directed by Ryoo Seung-wan (The Berlin File) and stars Song Joong-ki (from the popular K-drama Descendants of the Sun), So Ji-sub, Lee Jung-hyun and Hwang Jung-min. Its story of forced labor under Japanese occupation on the island of Hashima (nicknamed Battleship Island because of its shape resembling a warship), where a group of about 400 workers risk their lives to attempt an escape seems to have struck a chord with the Korean movie going population. The director has stated...
The World War II set film is directed by Ryoo Seung-wan (The Berlin File) and stars Song Joong-ki (from the popular K-drama Descendants of the Sun), So Ji-sub, Lee Jung-hyun and Hwang Jung-min. Its story of forced labor under Japanese occupation on the island of Hashima (nicknamed Battleship Island because of its shape resembling a warship), where a group of about 400 workers risk their lives to attempt an escape seems to have struck a chord with the Korean movie going population. The director has stated...
- 7/30/2017
- by Arnav Sinha
- AsianMoviePulse
"We leave no one behind!" Cj Entertainment has debuted another new official trailer for the war film titled Battleship Island, or also The Battleship Island, from director Ryoo Seung-wan. Set during the Japanese occupation of Korea in 1944, the film is about the 400+ Koreans that were conscripted into slave labor mining coal on an island known as "Battleship Island". The story goes that they attempted to band together and make an escape. The main cast includes Hwang Jung-min, So Ji-sub, Song Joong-ki and Lee Jung-hyun. The first teaser trailer we posted was already impressive, but this new trailer packs in tons of action and emotion. It's a strong sell for the film, I'm definitely curious about seeing this. Take a look below. Here's the newest official Us trailer for Ryoo Seung-wan's Battleship Island, direct from YouTube: You can still watch the original teaser trailer for Battleship Island here, to see more footage from this.
- 7/7/2017
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
The Battleship Island Trailer Seung-wan Ryoo‘s The Battleship Island (2017) movie trailer stars Joong-ki Song, Jung-min Hwang, Ji-seob So, Su-an Kim, and Jung-hyun Lee. The Battleship Island‘s plot synopsis: “The 1940s-set historical thriller tells a fictional story, yet details are drawn from real life. During the end of WWII, approximately 400-700 Korean civilians [...]
Continue reading: The Battleship Island (2017) Movie Trailer: 400 Prisoners Attempt Escape During WWII...
Continue reading: The Battleship Island (2017) Movie Trailer: 400 Prisoners Attempt Escape During WWII...
- 7/6/2017
- by Rollo Tomasi
- Film-Book
Japanese media has been criticizing Ryoo Seung-wan‘s The Battleship Island even before its completion saying the film is depicting false facts and is “distorting” history between the two countries.
However, during a news conference for the film, Director Ryoo Seung-wan defends that it is a “fact-based fiction” which he studied himself. He made mention of the film’s depictions of the labourers and their setting which were in line with South Korean government reports released in 2012. Only the main characters’ dramatical stories were from his imagination.
Other than that, the director assures that once the film hits the theaters all Japanese concerns would dissipate as it is not meant to bring about nationalistic or anti-Japanese sentiments instead it is “more fundamentally about the mankind and war.”
Source: yonhapnews.co.kr
The much anticipated film tells the story of Korean forced labourers who lived in Japan’s Hashima Island, named Battleship Island in English,...
However, during a news conference for the film, Director Ryoo Seung-wan defends that it is a “fact-based fiction” which he studied himself. He made mention of the film’s depictions of the labourers and their setting which were in line with South Korean government reports released in 2012. Only the main characters’ dramatical stories were from his imagination.
Other than that, the director assures that once the film hits the theaters all Japanese concerns would dissipate as it is not meant to bring about nationalistic or anti-Japanese sentiments instead it is “more fundamentally about the mankind and war.”
Source: yonhapnews.co.kr
The much anticipated film tells the story of Korean forced labourers who lived in Japan’s Hashima Island, named Battleship Island in English,...
- 6/16/2017
- by Katrina Dumangas
- AsianMoviePulse
Set during the Japanese colonial era, the film takes place on Japan’s Hashima Island (nicknamed Battleship Island), which was a forced labor camp, and recounts the story of 400 Korean workers who attempt to escape.
Starring Hwang Jung-min (The Wailing), So Ji-sub (A Company Man), Song Joong-ki,
Ryoo Seung-wan (Veteran)’s latest is slated for release in July and will be distributed by Cj Entertainment.
Starring Hwang Jung-min (The Wailing), So Ji-sub (A Company Man), Song Joong-ki,
Ryoo Seung-wan (Veteran)’s latest is slated for release in July and will be distributed by Cj Entertainment.
- 5/30/2017
- by Lady J.
- AsianMoviePulse
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