Ki Joo-bong wins best actor prize at Locarno Film Festival

Ki Joo-bong won the best actor award at the 2018 Locarno Film Festival that ended Saturday.He won the prize for his performance in Hong Sang-soo’s 2018 film “Hotel by the River.” Ki is a veteran actor of some 40 years, who has performed onstage and starred in films and TV shows. Ki Joo-bong poses with the award for best actor during the 71st Locarno International Film Festival in Locarno, Switzerland, Saturday. (EPA-Yonhap)In the film, Ki played the role of poet Young-wan, who has taken up resid

Aug. 12, 2018

[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week

Along With the Gods: The Last 49 Days(Korea)Opened July 1Action, Drama, Fantasy Directed by Kim Yong-hwaGangrim (Ha Jung-woo), an agent of the afterlife, attempts to clear his client Kim Su-hong’s (Kim Dong-wook) charges in a trial after death, while his colleagues Haewonmak (Ju Ji-hoon) and Lee Deok-choon (Kim Hyang-gi) try to bring an elderly man living past his due time to the underworld. But the trio’s past threatens both missions.The Spy Gone North (Korea)Opened Aug. 8DramaDirected by Yoon

Aug. 12, 2018

Hong Sang-soo, Kim Min-hee together in Locarno

Filmmaker Hong Sang-soo and actress Kim Min-hee were spotted together in Locarno, Switzerland. The two were invited to the 71th Locarno Film Festival 2018 for the film “Hotel by the River,” which marks their sixth time working together. They posed together at a photo call Thursday. Hong Sang-soo (left) and Kim Min-hee (AP-Yonhap)After the photos were released, the Korean press focused on Kim’s style change. Before admitting her relationship with Hong, Kim used to wear tight, colorful dresses wit

Aug. 10, 2018

[Herald Interview] Psycho horror ‘Braid’ shows life is what you make it

Making headlines as much for its novel cryptocurrency funding as its content, “Braid” delivers thought-provoking, mind-bending material that explores the interdependent, perhaps psychotic, relationship of three female friends in what may be a make-believe world. The film screened in July at the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival, the nation’s premier genre cinema event, in the World Fantastic Red section, created this year especially for enthusiasts of the most b

Aug. 10, 2018

[Herald Review] ‘On Your Wedding Day’ a lovable coming-of-age tale

“Cute” is the word that best describes romantic comedy “On Your Wedding Day” starring Korean sweetheart Park Bo-young. Park, at the age of 28, is one of those actors who seem never to age. She can pull off both the innocence of a high school girl and complex emotions of a much older woman. Her voice can sound both sweet and shrill depending on the situation, and the range of her facial expressions is impressive every time she is on-screen.These are the impressions from the latest film by Lee Seo

Aug. 8, 2018

Ticket sales of 'Along With the Gods 2' surpass 6 mln on 5th day after release

South Korea's action fantasy film "Along With the Gods: The Last 49 Days" is on course to set a ticket sale record for the nation's movie industry, with its total sales exceeding 6 million on Sunday, just 5 days after release.The sequel to the 2017 box office smash "Along With the Gods:The Two Worlds" is the first South Korean movie to break the 6 million mark in five days, according to distributor Lotte Entertainment. (Lotte Entertainment)The movie sold 1.24 million tickets last Wednesday, sett

Aug. 5, 2018

[Herald Review] Words spark tension in ‘The Spy Gone North’

As a child of the ’90s when James Bond films first started to take the loud, bombastic, shoot-’em-all approach, it feels weird to watch a spy film in which not one bullet is fired.To be fair, “The Spy Gone North” is like the love child of a political thriller and a spy film, but director Yoon Jong-bin’s attempt to raise tension through words, not actions, is admirable and quite effective.The film is based on a real-life event that occurred during the 1990s, with the creators taking liberty with

Aug. 2, 2018

[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week

Along With the Gods: The Last 49 Days(Korea)Opened July 1Action, Drama, Fantasy Directed by Kim Yong-hwaGangrim (Ha Jung-woo), an agent of the afterlife, attempts to clear his client Kim Su-hong’s (Kim Dong-wook) charges in a trial after death, while his colleagues Haewonmak (Ju Ji-hoon) and Lee Deok-choon (Kim Hyang-gi) try to bring an elderly man living past his due time to the underworld. But the trio’s past threatens both missions.Mission: Impossible - Fallout(US)Opened July 25Action, Advent

Aug. 2, 2018

New Ma Dong-seok movie commences filming

Ma Dong-seok, a muscle-bound action star who packs both action and laughter, is shooting a crime action film featuring him as a reluctant hero.Producers of the film “Ak-in-jeon (The Story of an Evil Man)” said the movie started shooting Tuesday. Starring alongside Ma are actors Kim Mu-yeol and Kim Sung-kyu.Ma Dong-seok (Yonhap)The film features Ma as a mob boss who chases after a serial killer after surviving an attempt on his life. Kim Mu-yeol will play the role of a detective who unwillingly t

July 31, 2018

[Herald Review] ‘Hotel Transylvania 3’ a funny film for children

A funny-looking vampire in a Hawaiian shirt and shorts dancing to “Gangnam Style” is how I would describe “Hotel Transylvania 3: A Monster Vacation.”That is exactly the yardstick to determine who will enjoy the film and who will hate it. Does that image -- actually in the movie, and exactly as it sounds -- have you rolling on the floor? You are in for a treat. Are you grinding your teeth? Leave now. "Hotel Transylvania 3: A Monster Vacation" (Sony Pictures Korea)The movie briefly looks at the pa

July 29, 2018

Actor Jang Keun-suk works at fire department as alternative military service

Actor Jang Keun-suk has been assigned to the Seoul Metropolitan Fire and Disaster Headquarters to fulfill his alternative military service, according to industry sources Friday.The actor, 31, started educational programs run by the Military Manpower Administration on July 16, before beginning the service as a social worker. In 2011, he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, which classified him as ineligible for active duty in the military.  (Yonhap)The fire agency confirmed he has been serving th

July 27, 2018

‘Bad Guys’ spinoff to start shooting in September

A spinoff movie of the popular TV series “Bad Guys” will start shooting in September, with its cast to include most of the actors from the original OCN drama.According to CJ Entertainment, “Bad Guys: The Movie” -- a working title -- will feature actors Ma Dong-seok, Kim Sang-joong and Kang Ye-won who left a lasting impression in the series that aired from October to December in 2014. Ma, Kim and Kang will reprise their roles as gangster Park Un-cheol, detectives Oh Gu-tak and Yoo Mi-young, respe

July 26, 2018

[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week

Mission: Impossible - Fallout(US)Opened July 25Action, Adventure, Drama, MysteryDirected by Christopher McQuarrie“Mission: Impossible - Fallout” finds Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his IMF team (Alec Baldwin, Simon Pegg, Ving Rhames) along with some familiar allies (Rebecca Ferguson, Michelle Monaghan) in a race against time after a mission gone wrong. Henry Cavill, Angela Bassett, and Vanessa Kirby also join the dynamic cast.Illang: The Wolf Brigade(Korea)Opened July 25Action, Sci-fiDirected by K

July 26, 2018

[Herald Review] ‘Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days’ tries too hard

Megahit sequel has elements of the original, humor and spectacle, but falls short on blending altogetherThere can be such a thing as too much “sinpa” in a movie. “Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds,” the second most successful Korean movie in history, was one case that got away with good acting and novelty of the set-up. Its sequel, “Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days,” could be the one that finally went over the line. For those of you not familiar with the term, sinpa in Korean cinema or dr

July 25, 2018

Kim Da-mi of ‘The Witch’ wins best actress at Fantasia 2018

Korean starlet Kim Da-mi shined bright on the international stage as the star of “The Witch Pt 1: the Subversion” won the best actress award at this year’s Fantasia International Film Festival.“Newcomer Kim Da-mi delivers an immaculate, layered performance, displaying intricacy and range in realms both physical and emotional. This portrayal marks the introduction of a kick-ass new heroine,” the jury statement for the Cheval Noir best actress award read.  Kim Da-mi in “The Witch Pt 1: the Subvers

July 25, 2018

E-mart to make film about its mascot Electro Man

South Korean hypermarket chain E-mart unveiled Tuesday its plans to make a film based on its mascot Electro Man.Electro Man, a mascot for E-mart’s electronics store chain Electro Mart, will be featured as the main character in the film slated for release in 2020. The announcement came after overall sales of Electro Man-inspired products including an air fryer rose over 300 percent on-year in the first half of 2018. The film is part of the retailer’s efforts to attract more customers by using sof

July 24, 2018

Filmmaker Hong Sang-soo to file for divorce: report

Filmmaker Hong Sang-soo is to file for divorce against his wife, a local media outlet reported Monday. According to the report, Hong has decided to sue for divorce after failing to come to a settlement with his wife, who has so far refused any agreement.  Hong Sang-soo and Kim Min-hee (Yonhap)Citing personnel in the film industry close to Hong, the report said Hong is thinking about marrying actress Kim Min-hee. “A divorce is unavoidable. Hong regrets that he has to go through with a suit,” the

July 24, 2018

Kim Young-kwang plays loveable ‘loser’ opposite Park Bo-young

It is virtually impossible to picture Kim Young-kwang as a loser with his towering 187-centimeter frame and handsome face, a sentiment felt immediately by Park Bo-young when they were cast for the upcoming film “On Your Wedding Day.”“When I first heard about the casting, I was like ‘What?’... When I read the scenario, I thought it would be someone with a ‘loser’ appeal, but I was left to wonder if such a tall, handsome man would be obsessed with me,” said Park at a press conference for the film

July 23, 2018

'Incredibles 2' tops box office, 'The Witch' surpasses 3 mln in attendance

The Hollywood animation "Incredibles 2" topped the box office over the weekend drawing 1.12 million moviegoers, while the Korean supernatural thriller "The Witch: Part 1. The Subversion" surpassed 3 million in total attendance, data showed Monday.The Disney/Pixar sequel earned 9.65 billion won ($8.5 million) or 47 percent of the total ticket sales from Friday to Sunday, according to the computerized box-office tally from the Korean Film Council. In total, the movie has garnered 1.36 million view

July 23, 2018

[Herald Interview] Singing and dancing in zombie apocalypse

As Korea’s biggest genre cinema display, Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival has earned a reputation for the grotesque and zany alike. For zombie fans in particular, the July festival just west of Seoul is a holiday season on par with that other in October, and its 22nd iteration running through Sunday doesn’t disappoint. Catching attention among the pack is teen zombie Christmas musical comedy “Anna and the Apocalypse.” Ella Hunt stars in “Anna and the Apocalypse” (BIFAN)Despite its R

July 19, 2018