by Paweł Mizgalewicz
„Smugglers” is a pretty bright and fun crime film that also delivers some really insightful look at Korea as a Western-aspiring country and at the pains of poverty. Most impressing is perhaps that it manages so well to do all of it at once, without slowing down the pace. The main characters of this female-led story are far from mysterious, dark, Scorsese-like figures that would encourage us to ponder the intricacies of human psyche in its never ending lust for power. In “Smugglers”, going against the law is a pragmatic decision born out of economic despair. Struggling fisherwomen of 1970's Jeju town face the choice in the film's opening minutes – keep diving for stinky snails of diminishing quality, trying to make ends meet, or take a chance at moving Western merchandise left on the sea bottoms of the Korea Strait. American cigarettes, cosmetics, clothes and all...
„Smugglers” is a pretty bright and fun crime film that also delivers some really insightful look at Korea as a Western-aspiring country and at the pains of poverty. Most impressing is perhaps that it manages so well to do all of it at once, without slowing down the pace. The main characters of this female-led story are far from mysterious, dark, Scorsese-like figures that would encourage us to ponder the intricacies of human psyche in its never ending lust for power. In “Smugglers”, going against the law is a pragmatic decision born out of economic despair. Struggling fisherwomen of 1970's Jeju town face the choice in the film's opening minutes – keep diving for stinky snails of diminishing quality, trying to make ends meet, or take a chance at moving Western merchandise left on the sea bottoms of the Korea Strait. American cigarettes, cosmetics, clothes and all...
- 4/25/2024
- by Guest Writer
- AsianMoviePulse
by Paweł Mizgalewicz
„Smugglers” is a pretty bright and fun crime film that also delivers some really insightful look at Korea as a Western-aspiring country and at the pains of poverty. Most impressing is perhaps that it manages so well to do all of it at once, without slowing down the pace. The main characters of this female-led story are far from mysterious, dark, Scorsese-like figures that would encourage us to ponder the intricacies of human psyche in its never ending lust for power. In “Smugglers”, going against the law is a pragmatic decision born out of economic despair. Struggling fisherwomen of 1970's Jeju town face the choice in the film's opening minutes – keep diving for stinky snails of diminishing quality, trying to make ends meet, or take a chance at moving Western merchandise left on the sea bottoms of the Korea Strait. American cigarettes, cosmetics, clothes and all...
„Smugglers” is a pretty bright and fun crime film that also delivers some really insightful look at Korea as a Western-aspiring country and at the pains of poverty. Most impressing is perhaps that it manages so well to do all of it at once, without slowing down the pace. The main characters of this female-led story are far from mysterious, dark, Scorsese-like figures that would encourage us to ponder the intricacies of human psyche in its never ending lust for power. In “Smugglers”, going against the law is a pragmatic decision born out of economic despair. Struggling fisherwomen of 1970's Jeju town face the choice in the film's opening minutes – keep diving for stinky snails of diminishing quality, trying to make ends meet, or take a chance at moving Western merchandise left on the sea bottoms of the Korea Strait. American cigarettes, cosmetics, clothes and all...
- 11/28/2023
- by Guest Writer
- AsianMoviePulse
Park Hoon-jung is a name best known for strong, stylised fast-paced thrillers. Starting from his writing credits, which include such greats as “I Saw the Devil” and “The Unjust”, to his directorial debut “The Showdown” and his last work “The Witch Part 2: The Other One”, he is known for his tense writing and direction on thrillers. Over time, these thrillers have also been known to evolve into including fabulously crafted action sequences. His latest work “The Childe” is another such work in a similar vein.
The Childe is available from Wellgo USA
Marco Han is a half-Korean half-Filipino kid, or a Kopino as such individuals are derogatorily called, who lives somewhere in Philippines with his very sick mother, trying to earn money for her medicines and operations by boxing and gambling. In a bid to see if he can get help for her operation, he tries to find his long-absent father,...
The Childe is available from Wellgo USA
Marco Han is a half-Korean half-Filipino kid, or a Kopino as such individuals are derogatorily called, who lives somewhere in Philippines with his very sick mother, trying to earn money for her medicines and operations by boxing and gambling. In a bid to see if he can get help for her operation, he tries to find his long-absent father,...
- 6/28/2023
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
by Nathaniel R
The "Korean Wave" has exploded in the last decade as more and more international audiences eagerly lap up South Korean music, television, and film. The roots of that cultural tidal wave go back to the 1990s and, in film, particularly the early Aughts when a group of young directors took the country by storm with exciting genre films. Some of them like Park Chan Wook and Bong Joon-Ho have gone on to become international superstars but they weren't alone. Ryoo Seung-wan, one of several others to make waves in the Aughts with hits like Die Bad and The Unjust is, in some ways still rising. He recently had the biggest hit of his career and awards nominations at home with the action drama Veteran and, now, a handful of years later, another huge hit and his first Oscar submission. Escape from Mogadishu is a tense action drama and true story.
The "Korean Wave" has exploded in the last decade as more and more international audiences eagerly lap up South Korean music, television, and film. The roots of that cultural tidal wave go back to the 1990s and, in film, particularly the early Aughts when a group of young directors took the country by storm with exciting genre films. Some of them like Park Chan Wook and Bong Joon-Ho have gone on to become international superstars but they weren't alone. Ryoo Seung-wan, one of several others to make waves in the Aughts with hits like Die Bad and The Unjust is, in some ways still rising. He recently had the biggest hit of his career and awards nominations at home with the action drama Veteran and, now, a handful of years later, another huge hit and his first Oscar submission. Escape from Mogadishu is a tense action drama and true story.
- 12/11/2021
- by NATHANIEL R
- FilmExperience
To call Ryoo Seung-wan’s “Veteran” a wall-to-wall success would certainly be no understatement. To date, it is the sixth highest-grossing domestic film in South Korean history, and has racked up numerous honors, the most notable being a Blue Dragon Award for Best Director. Complete with an abundance of appearances across international film festivals, this testosterone-injected action comedy was, and still is, a certified cinematic powerhouse.
The story begins in breakneck fashion, following veteran policeman Seo Do-cheol (Hwang Jung-min) masquerading as a pompous rich husband, attempting to buy a Mercedes for his “wife” Miss Bong (Jang Yoon-ju). As it happens, this facade is to aid in the busting of an international car smuggling ring, which, thanks to plenty of brutality, occurs shortly thereafter. Soon, Do-cheol finds himself invited to a TV production party to celebrate his success, where he first encounters the contemptible corporate princeling Jo Tae-oh (Yoo Ah-in). Smug,...
The story begins in breakneck fashion, following veteran policeman Seo Do-cheol (Hwang Jung-min) masquerading as a pompous rich husband, attempting to buy a Mercedes for his “wife” Miss Bong (Jang Yoon-ju). As it happens, this facade is to aid in the busting of an international car smuggling ring, which, thanks to plenty of brutality, occurs shortly thereafter. Soon, Do-cheol finds himself invited to a TV production party to celebrate his success, where he first encounters the contemptible corporate princeling Jo Tae-oh (Yoo Ah-in). Smug,...
- 7/3/2020
- by Nathan Sartain
- AsianMoviePulse
After years of working in the trenches as the assistant director of blockbusters like The Unjust and The Berlin File, Park Noo-ri visited the New York Asian Film Festival with her directorial debut, Money. Director Park chatted exclusively with Lmd about helming the cinematic ship for the first time, and her collaboration with rising star, Ryu Jun-yeol. The Lady Miz Diva: I just finished speaking with that delightful young man who followed you to New York City, Mr. Ryu Jun-yeol. He told me how much he enjoyed your collaboration on Money. Please tell us more about working with him to create the character of Il-hyun? Park Noo-ri: When Ryu first signed on the project, I really wanted to make it as if...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
- 7/16/2019
- Screen Anarchy
Ryu Jun-yeol has had quite the upward career graph. Beginning his career as an important part of an ensemble of young actors in 2015’s “Socialphobia”, he begun making his mark on South Korean cinema in 2017 with important supporting roles in “A Taxi Driver”, “The King” and “Heart Blackened”, some of the year’s biggest films in which he shared screen space with South Korean bigwigs such as Song Kang-ho, Jung Woo-sung and Choi Min-sik respectively. He followed that up with more prominent roles in films such as “Little Forest” and “Believer” the following year. Now, 2019 brings with it his first leading roles in the financial thriller “Money” by director Park Noo-ri.
“Money” is screening at New York Asian Film Festival
Jo Il-hyun, the son of raspberry farmers, comes from humble upbringings but dreams of becoming a stock broker and getting rich. He joins one of the top firms on the Yeouido,...
“Money” is screening at New York Asian Film Festival
Jo Il-hyun, the son of raspberry farmers, comes from humble upbringings but dreams of becoming a stock broker and getting rich. He joins one of the top firms on the Yeouido,...
- 7/7/2019
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
Since taking the Korean film scene by storm with his ultra-low budget debut feature, “Die Bad”, Ryoo has been making noteworthy films in the action and thriller genre such as “No Blood No Tears”, “Arahan”, “Crying Fist”, “City of Violence” and “The Unjust”. Nicknamed ‘Chungmuro’s Action Kid,’ Ryoo’s pulpy crime thrillers have recently given their place to blockbuster film during the latest years, with films like “Veteran” and most of all, “Battleship Island”.
Hwang Jung-min is an actor who completely melts into his characters. No other actor is as versatile as he is. He turns himself instantly into a character like a chameleon for any genre or style of movies. From romantic melodramas, to social dramas, to gangster and action films, to horror, Hwang has highlighted his range and prowess in almost every genre possible.
On the occasion of their films, “Veteran” and “Battleship Island” Director’s Cut...
Hwang Jung-min is an actor who completely melts into his characters. No other actor is as versatile as he is. He turns himself instantly into a character like a chameleon for any genre or style of movies. From romantic melodramas, to social dramas, to gangster and action films, to horror, Hwang has highlighted his range and prowess in almost every genre possible.
On the occasion of their films, “Veteran” and “Battleship Island” Director’s Cut...
- 4/9/2019
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
The film, which stars Ryu Jun-yeol (Hit-And-Run Squad), has sold to Japan, North America and more.
South Korea’s Showbox has sold director Park Noo-ri’s crime drama Money to a raft of territories led by Japan (New Select) and Hong Kong and Macau (Megaton Entertainment).
The film has also sold to North America (Cj Entertainment America), Singapore (Shaw), Taiwan (MovieCloud), Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei and Thailand (Cj Enm Hk), Philippines (Mvp Viva), Vietnam (Lumix Media) and worldwide in-flight (Emphasis).
Starring Ryu Jun-yeol, Yoo Ji-tae (Old Boy) and Jo Woo-jin (Default), Money is about a rookie stockbroker (Ryu) with big dreams...
South Korea’s Showbox has sold director Park Noo-ri’s crime drama Money to a raft of territories led by Japan (New Select) and Hong Kong and Macau (Megaton Entertainment).
The film has also sold to North America (Cj Entertainment America), Singapore (Shaw), Taiwan (MovieCloud), Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei and Thailand (Cj Enm Hk), Philippines (Mvp Viva), Vietnam (Lumix Media) and worldwide in-flight (Emphasis).
Starring Ryu Jun-yeol, Yoo Ji-tae (Old Boy) and Jo Woo-jin (Default), Money is about a rookie stockbroker (Ryu) with big dreams...
- 3/19/2019
- by Jean Noh
- ScreenDaily
The rise of Ryu Jun-yeol as an actor has been an interesting one to watch. Starting his film career in the excellent 2015 social thriller “Socialphobia”, he really exploded on the scene in 2017 with three important and appreciated supporting roles in hit films “The King”, “A Taxi Driver” and “Heart Blackened”. These were followed by equally lauded roles in “Little Forest” and “Believer” in 2018. Only two months into the new year, we have the trailer for his second film of 2019, and his first leading role, in director Park Noo-ri’s “Money” (literal title).
Synopsis
Il-Hyun begins to work as a stock broker. His dream is to become rich. Il-Hyun meets a stock market scammer known as “Ticket Man”. He asks Il-Hyun to help in a stock market scam. Meanwhile, Han Ji-Cheol works for Financial Supervisory Service and has chased “Ticket Man” for a long time. He senses something suspicious with Il-Hyun.
Synopsis
Il-Hyun begins to work as a stock broker. His dream is to become rich. Il-Hyun meets a stock market scammer known as “Ticket Man”. He asks Il-Hyun to help in a stock market scam. Meanwhile, Han Ji-Cheol works for Financial Supervisory Service and has chased “Ticket Man” for a long time. He senses something suspicious with Il-Hyun.
- 2/13/2019
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
Park Hoon-jung gave us the screenplay for the modern-day classic “I Saw The Devil”, “The Unjust” and directed the brilliant “New World” and “The Tiger: An Old Hunter’s Tale”. After last year’s controversial serial-killer thriller “V.I.P.”, he is back with his latest directorial offering “The Witch: Part 1. The Subversion”.
“The Witch: Part 1. The Subversion” is part of the Asian selection at Fantasia International Film Festival
The film confusingly begins right in the middle of a bloody massacre in a Facility. Professor Baek, who clearly is in charge of it all, is overseeing a mass killing of children inside the Facility while Mr. Choi, the suave, scary Handler for the establishment is on the tail of two children, a boy and a girl, who have managed to escape amidst all the violence. While Mr. Choi and his henchmen manage to capture the boy, the girl flees and ends up at the farm of Mr.
“The Witch: Part 1. The Subversion” is part of the Asian selection at Fantasia International Film Festival
The film confusingly begins right in the middle of a bloody massacre in a Facility. Professor Baek, who clearly is in charge of it all, is overseeing a mass killing of children inside the Facility while Mr. Choi, the suave, scary Handler for the establishment is on the tail of two children, a boy and a girl, who have managed to escape amidst all the violence. While Mr. Choi and his henchmen manage to capture the boy, the girl flees and ends up at the farm of Mr.
- 7/23/2018
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
Park Hoon-jung is known for his fast-paced, male-centric screenplays and action-packed directorials. His latest film, “The Witch: Part 1. Subversion”, is the first time he has a central female protagonist.
Synopsis
10 years ago, Ja-yoon escaped from a government facility in the midst of an inexplicable incident by herself and lost all her memory. An old couple takes her in even though she doesn’t know her name or age. She grows up to be a bright high school student and enters a nationally televised audition program to win the top prize and help her struggling family out. As soon as she appears on TV strange people start appearing in her life. A man named ‘Nobleman’ constantly roams around her, in addition to ‘Dr. Baek’ and ‘Mr. Choi’ who have been searching for her since her disappearance. Ja-yoon’s life falls into turmoil as they turn her seemingly ordinary life upside down...
Synopsis
10 years ago, Ja-yoon escaped from a government facility in the midst of an inexplicable incident by herself and lost all her memory. An old couple takes her in even though she doesn’t know her name or age. She grows up to be a bright high school student and enters a nationally televised audition program to win the top prize and help her struggling family out. As soon as she appears on TV strange people start appearing in her life. A man named ‘Nobleman’ constantly roams around her, in addition to ‘Dr. Baek’ and ‘Mr. Choi’ who have been searching for her since her disappearance. Ja-yoon’s life falls into turmoil as they turn her seemingly ordinary life upside down...
- 7/12/2018
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
Ma Dong-seok, the star of hits “Train to Busan” and “Along With the Gods: The Two Worlds,” next stars in “Champion” a Korean sports comedy that will make its debut at the Cannes Film Market.
The film is backed by Warner Bros. as part of its local film production incentive and will be released next month in Korea by the studio. In other territories, rights are handled by sales agency Finecut.
The first feature for director Kim Yong-wan, the film portrays the story of Korean adoptee who becomes an arm wrestling champion. While pitched as a comedy, “Champion” also flexes its muscles by also carrying a number of social issues.
Before breaking through in “Train,” Ma (aka Don Lee) has played a numerous supporting roles in films including :Nameless Gangster: Rules of the Time,” and “The Unjust.” He was raised in the U.S. and attended a physical education degree at Columbia State University.
The film is backed by Warner Bros. as part of its local film production incentive and will be released next month in Korea by the studio. In other territories, rights are handled by sales agency Finecut.
The first feature for director Kim Yong-wan, the film portrays the story of Korean adoptee who becomes an arm wrestling champion. While pitched as a comedy, “Champion” also flexes its muscles by also carrying a number of social issues.
Before breaking through in “Train,” Ma (aka Don Lee) has played a numerous supporting roles in films including :Nameless Gangster: Rules of the Time,” and “The Unjust.” He was raised in the U.S. and attended a physical education degree at Columbia State University.
- 4/17/2018
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Park Hoon-jung is better known for writing the screenplays for “I Saw the Devil” & “The Unjust”. Although his directional debut “The Showdown” in 2011 was overlooked, he bounced back with “New World” in 2013 and “The Tiger: An Old Hunter’s Tale” in 2015. Both movies starred Chio Min-shik and were commercially successful. Now he returns with another crime thriller, which is also the third co-production of Warner Brothers and South Korea.
“V.I.P.” is a complete crime thriller concerning a North Korean serial killer who defected to the South and consequently was hunted by not only a North Korean agent, the local police and the National Intelligence Service but also the CIA. This killer is also the son of a high-ranking general from the North, accordingly making him untouchable since he can do whatever he pleases. With the help of his goons, they rape, torture their victims, drug them, taking photos and video of their acts,...
“V.I.P.” is a complete crime thriller concerning a North Korean serial killer who defected to the South and consequently was hunted by not only a North Korean agent, the local police and the National Intelligence Service but also the CIA. This killer is also the son of a high-ranking general from the North, accordingly making him untouchable since he can do whatever he pleases. With the help of his goons, they rape, torture their victims, drug them, taking photos and video of their acts,...
- 4/13/2018
- by David Chew
- AsianMoviePulse
The Unjust (Bu-dang-geo-rae)
Written by Hoon-jung Park
Directed by Seung-wan Ryoo
South Korea, 2010
“That you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” -Matthew 5:45
There is a sequence in Hergé’s Tintin adventure Flight 714 when Captain Haddock has a problem with a piece of sticking plaster and when he finally gets rid of it, the band-aid makes it way from stewardess to passenger to crew to pilot and back again to Haddock, until everyone in the plane has had some kind of run-in with the sticky thing. While that slapstick sequence is played for laughs and The Unjust is one of the grimmest, darkest crime dramas ever made, like the passengers of Flight 714, the passengers of The Unjust are stuck, not with a band-aid, but with...
Written by Hoon-jung Park
Directed by Seung-wan Ryoo
South Korea, 2010
“That you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” -Matthew 5:45
There is a sequence in Hergé’s Tintin adventure Flight 714 when Captain Haddock has a problem with a piece of sticking plaster and when he finally gets rid of it, the band-aid makes it way from stewardess to passenger to crew to pilot and back again to Haddock, until everyone in the plane has had some kind of run-in with the sticky thing. While that slapstick sequence is played for laughs and The Unjust is one of the grimmest, darkest crime dramas ever made, like the passengers of Flight 714, the passengers of The Unjust are stuck, not with a band-aid, but with...
- 7/18/2011
- by Michael Ryan
- SoundOnSight
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