Collectible tickets attract moviegoers in pandemic times

During the COVID-19 pandemic, we lost the traditional moviegoing experience. But even before the virus, lines stopped forming at ticket booths and printed movie tickets became a thing of the past as e-tickets replaced them. Cinemagoers could simply present their smartphone screens to show their tickets. Yet on Jan. 27, people lined up in front of the ticket booths at local Megabox branches to get limited-edition tickets for the Japanese animation “Demon Slayer: Mugen Train.” Me

Feb. 21, 2021

[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week

New Year Blues (Korea) Opened Feb. 10 Romance, Comedy Directed by Hong Ji-young Four couples go through their own various struggles during seven days before New Year’s Day. Paralympic athlete trainer Hyo-young (Yoo In-na), who wants to get divorced, asks for a week of personal protection from police officer Ji-ho (Kim Kang-woo), who has been divorced for four years. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (UK) Reopened Feb. 10 Action, Fantasy Directed by Mike Newell Harry Potter (Daniel Ra

Feb. 19, 2021

Musical ‘Lost Face 1895’ to be screened in 40 CGV cinemas

“Lost Face 1895,” a musical performance film, will soon be coming to 40 CGV cinemas across the country starting Feb. 24. The film is created and distributed by the Seoul Performing Arts Company under the Culture Ministry. “Abroad, a number of musical performances were recorded to be made into films, such as the UK National Theater’s NT Live and the US Metropolitan Opera Live. But this has not been tried much in Korea,” SPAC President Yoo Hee-sung said during a pr

Feb. 17, 2021

Two Korean indie films to compete at Berlin Film Festival

Two Korean independent films -- “Fighter” directed by Jero Yun and “Short Vacation” directed by Kwon Min-pyo and Seo Han-sol -- have been chosen to compete at the 71st Berlin Film Festival. According to the distributor Indiestory for “Fighter”, the movie was invited to compete in the Generation 14plus category at the Berlinale. “Fighter” which is set to be released here in March, depicts the story of a woman Jin-ah (Lim Seong-mi) who finds the

Feb. 17, 2021

'Night in Paradise' skips theaters to release on Netflix in April

“Night in Paradise” by director Park Hoon-jung is set to be released on Netflix on April 9. In announcing the release date Tuesday, Netflix said the film would be available to stream in 190 countries. Starring actors Eom Tae-goo, Cha Seung-won and Jeon Yeo-been, the film depicts a story of a man who becomes a target of an organized crime group and a woman who sees no hope in life. Actor Lee Ki-young and Park Ho-san also star in Park’s new crime film. “Night in Paradis

Feb. 16, 2021

Hong Sang-soo to compete at Berlinale with ‘Introduction’

Award-winning director Hong Sang-soo’s 25th feature film, “Introduction,” will be part of the competition section at the 71st Berlin Film Festival. “We are delighted to welcome one of the most ingenious writers in the film industry again. Director Hong Sang-soo’s work presents great joy and challenge to the audience,” Berlin Film Festival Executive Chairman Carlo Umberto Chatrian said in a statement. “Director Hong’s work deepens the understandi

Feb. 15, 2021

Movies for your soul during Seollal holiday

Films that aim to refresh moviegoers who are exhausted by the pandemic are dominating the screens during the Lunar New Year holiday, widely known as Seollal. The Disney-Pixar animated film “Soul,” which opened Jan. 20 and became the first movie of 2021to reach more than 1.2 million viewers here, comforts viewers with its colorful images, its music, and its hopeful and relatable message. “Soul” follows schoolteacher Joe, who dreams of becoming a jazz musician. One day,

Feb. 11, 2021

'Minari' shortlisted for Oscars' two music categories

The drama film "Minari" about a Korean American immigrant family was shortlisted for two music categories in the upcoming Academy Awards, organizers said Wednesday. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) revealed shortlists for nine categories for the Oscars, including international feature, original score, original song and animated short film. In the original score section, music from the American film "Minari," composed by Emile Mosseri, was among the 15

Feb. 10, 2021

‘Space Sweepers’ debuts at No. 1 on Netflix

The first Korean sci-fi blockbuster set in space, “Space Sweepers” reached the top of the Netflix movie chart on Saturday after its worldwide release Friday, showing the potential of Korean-made sci-fi flicks despite some shortcomings. Set in 2092, “Space Sweepers” by director Jo Sung-hee is about a space cleanup crew trying to sell a weapon of mass destruction: humanoid Dorothy. The movie, with a star-studded line up of Song Joong-ki and Kim Tae-ri, reached the top

Feb. 7, 2021

‘New Year Blues’ brings back year-end holiday spirit

Hong Ji-young’s romantic comedy “New Year Blues” was originally set to reach viewers during the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. But like many other movies last year, it had to delay its release schedule due to COVID-19. “To be honest I am rather grateful (and not regretful). This release makes me feel like we have one more holiday. I am thankful that we can release our film amid COVID-19,” Hong said Monday during a press conference at Lotte Cinema in Gwang

Feb. 5, 2021

Pixar's animated film 'Soul' first to top 1m admissions in S. Korea this year amid pandemic

"Soul," the latest animated film by Disney-Pixar, has become the first movie to top 1 million admissions here this year amid the novel coronavirus pandemic, box office data showed Friday. The fantasy comedy drama attracted over 30,000 viewers Thursday, surpassing the 1 million mark 15 days after its release on Jan. 20, according to the data compiled by the Korean Film Council. The movie has stayed at the top spot on the South Korean box office for more than two weeks except for two d

Feb. 5, 2021

'Minari' earns three nominations at SAG Awards

The drama film "Minari," about a Korean immigrant family, has earned three nominations, including best supporting actress for South Korean actress Youn Yuh-hung, from the US Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards. SAG on Friday (Korean time) unveiled its final list of nominations for its 27th edition of the award ceremony slated for April 4. Directed and written by Korean American Lee Isaac Chung, "Minari" is up for outstanding performances by a cast in a motion picture, by a mal

Feb. 5, 2021

[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week

Demon Slayer: Mugen Train　 (Japan) Opened Jan. 27 Animation Directed by Haruo Sotozaki Tanjiro joins a secret organization of demon slayers after his family was brutally murdered and his sister turned into a demon. For his new mission, Tanjiro gets on the Mugen Train with his comrades Inosuke and Zenitsu. On the train, they meet legendary demon slayer Rengoku. Soon after boarding, the group is attacked by some demons.  Three Sisters　 (Korea) Opened Jan. 27 Drama Directed by Lee Seung-won

Feb. 5, 2021

‘Minari’ nominated for best foreign-language film at Golden Globes

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association on Wednesday nominated “Minari” to compete in the Golden Globes’ best foreign-language film category. “Minari,” directed by Korean American Lee Isaac Chung, depicts the story of a family of four first-generation immigrants from South Korea. In the movie, Jacob (Steven Yeun) and Monica (Han Ye-ri) move to rural Arkansas with their two kids to pursue their own version of the American dream. Chung’s film will compete wit

Feb. 4, 2021

Immigration film 'Minari' nominated for best foreign language film at Golden Globes

The immigrant film "Minari" on Wednesday was nominated for best foreign language film at this year's Golden Globe Awards.    According to the full list of nominees for the 2021 Golden Globe Awards slated for Feb. 28 by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), Korean American director Lee Isaac Chung's semi-autobiographical film will compete for best motion picture in foreign language with "Another Round" from Denmark, "La Llorona" from Guatemala,

Feb. 3, 2021

‘Space Sweepers’ signals first blockbuster K-sci-fi flick

Anticipation for Friday’s worldwide Netflix release of the first Korean sci-fi blockbuster movie set in space, “Space Sweepers,” could be felt by the cast members and director during an online press conference and fan meeting held Tuesday. Set in 2092, “Space Sweepers” from director Jo Sung-hee revolves around a space cleanup crew trying to sell a weapon of mass destruction: humanoid Dorothy. “Around 10 years ago, a friend of mine told me about the trash i

Feb. 3, 2021

Youn Yuh-jung bags 20th trophy in US for her role in ‘Minari’

Youn Yuh-jung bags 20th trophy in US for her role in ‘Minari’ Veteran actor Youn Yuh-jung took home her 20th best supporting actress trophy in the US for her performance in “Minari,” an American film written and directed by Korean American filmmaker Lee Isaac Chung. She was recognized by the National Board of Review on Wednesday for the realistic portrayal of a Korean grandmother who comes to a farm in rural Arkansas to babysit her two grandchildren, while her daughte

Jan. 27, 2021

COVID-19 deals blow to S. Korea's indie, arthouse film scene

As the protracted novel coronavirus pandemic has affected every cultural sector in South Korea, the independent and arthouse film circle is on the verge of losing ground amid closures of festivals and corporate restructuring. Organizers of the Mise-en-scene Short Film Festival (MSFF) announced that it will no longer hold the annual festival starting this year, saying that it is the time to seek ways to navigate the fast-changing media industry. The 19th edition of MSFF was held online in June

Jan. 26, 2021

Pixar's animated film 'Soul' brings moviegoers back to theaters

Pixar's latest animated film "Soul" has been jazzing up South Korean movie theaters, which have been nearly empty for months due to the resurgence of the novel coronavirus, data showed Monday. Released last Wednesday, "Soul" attracted 303,000 people over the Friday-Sunday period, raising its total admissions to 400,000, according to box office data by the Korean Film Council (KOFIC). Directed by Pete Docter, the fantasy comedy drama is a story about Joe Gardner, a middle sc

Jan. 25, 2021

Hyun Bin to return as North Korean agent in ‘Confidential Assignment’ sequel

CJ ENM on Friday announced that Hyun Bin will join the sequel of the Korean comedy-action film “Confidential Assignment” and play North Korean agent Lim Cheol-ryeong again. Released in January 2017, the original “Confidential Assignment” was a movie about an inter-Korean secret police mission. The film at the time garnered more than 7.81 million viewers. Hyun Bin’s character Lim in the previous film was dispatched to South Korea to capture his superior Cha Ki-se

Jan. 22, 2021