[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week

The Accidental Detective 2: In Action(Korea)Opened June 13Comedy, MysteryDirected by Lee Eon-hee　Comic book store owner Dae-man (Kwon Sang-hoo) and detective Tae-soo (Sung Dong-il) become full-time private investigators. As their first big case, the duo looks into the seemingly accidental death of a man, which turns out to be something more. With the help of cyber whiz Yeo-chi (Lee Kwang-soo), the two seek to uncover the truth.　Ocean’s 8(US)Action, Comedy, Crime Opened June 13Directed by Gary Ro

June 22, 2018

[Herald Review] ‘Sunset in My Hometown,’ a well-acted feel-good flick

Lee Joon-ik caps off “youth trilogy” with drama packing plenty of heart and laughterThis is why people love Director Lee Joon-ik. Even when telling stories of a doomed tyrant and a pack of clowns, a poet who met his death through human experiment, a has-been pop star down on his luck and fortune, he always brings that warm, fuzzy feeling and hopes about humanity in his pieces.The director‘s latest movie “Sunset in My Hometown” tells the story of a wanna-be rapper with no talent and daddy issues

June 21, 2018

[Herald Review] ‘The Witch’ an interesting attempt, but clunky delivery

Park Hoon-jung is a great creator of stories. As a script writer, he has come up with compelling stories: of corruption in the justice system in “The Unjust”; of a man who became a monster to kill the monster in “I Saw the Devil”; and of a man’s struggle between his morality and friendship in a gangster world in “New World.”But he is just not very gifted when it comes to storytelling. His latest work, “The Witch: Part 1. The Subversion,” falls flat on its attempt to depict the dilemma between in

June 20, 2018

Hotshots in film industry team up in sci-fi-themed ‘The Wolf Brigade’

Famed anime on special operations force remade into film dealing with Korean unificationIt is not every day that you see Gang Dong-won, Jung Woo-sung, Han Hyo-joo and SHINee’s Choi Min-ho on the big screen together, but the rare gathering takes place in the upcoming film “The Wolf Brigade.” “Someone told me (the film’s) genre was ‘looks.’ I didn’t realize that until I saw them all together on the same screen, which was an honor as a director,” director Kim Jee-woon joked, during a press conferen

June 18, 2018

[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week

The Accidental Detective 2: In Action(Korea)Opened June 13Comedy, MysteryDirected by Lee Eon-heeComic book store-owner Dae-man (Kwon Sang-hoo) and detective Tae-soo (Sung Dong-il) become full-time private investigators. As their first big case, the duo looks into the seemingly accidental death of a man, which turns out to be something more. With the help of cyber whiz Yeo-chi (Lee Kwang-soo), the two seek to uncover the truth.Ocean‘s 8(US)Action, Comedy, Crime Opened June 13Directed by Gary Ross

June 15, 2018

Kim Ki-duk fires back at accusers

Despite the multiple testimonies of alleged sexual misconduct against him, filmmaker Kim Ki-duk remains adamant he is innocent, and has even gone on to bash his accusers as being ungrateful.“Making movies, I think I have respected actors and staff in my own way. Some parts may have been disappointing, but it is sad that (the accusers) are repaying my kindness in a hurtful way,” Kim said in front of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office.The disgraced director has filed false accusation a

June 13, 2018

Korean movies may be headed for one of worst slumps since ‘90s

Between upcoming Hollywood blockbusters and a lack of home-grown megahits, Korean movies look set for one of the worst years in the box office here since the 1990s, when imported films dominated the industry.As of Wednesday, half of the top 10 films in the box office were made outside of Korea. This may not sound bad, considering that the number of foreign films in the top 10 were four in 2014 and 2015, two in 2016 and three in 2017, but the ticket sales by foreign films currently dominate that

June 13, 2018

‘Ant-Man’ cast says following ‘Infinity War’ like playing after the Beatles

With the Marvel Cinematic Universe having taken a grave turn in the events of its last film, fans of the franchise will be treated to a more lighthearted tone in the upcoming “Ant-Man and the Wasp.”Paul Rudd and Evangeline Lily, who respectively play the title characters, said being the immediate follow-up to the $2 billion success of “Avengers: Infinity War” is intimidating, but also exciting.“It’s a bit like trying to follow the Beatles. We’re just happy to be at the show, doing our songs. We’

June 12, 2018

Actor’s daughter denies #MeToo revelations crushing celebrity dreams

Late actor Jo Min-ki’s daughter Cho Youn-Kyoung has refuted a recent media report that her debut was called off after her father was accused of sexually attacking students.A news-entertainment show reported Friday that Cho had been set to sign a deal with a talent agency two weeks before her father was accused of sexually harassing students, which emerged as part of the #MeToo movement here. The report said that Cho’s debut had to be called off. (Cho Youn-kyoung`s Instagram)On Sunday, Cho addres

June 10, 2018

[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom(US)Opened June 6Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi Directed by J.A. BayonaBeliever (Korea)Opened May 22Crime, ActionDirected by Lee Hae-young　Deadpool 2(US)Opened May 16Action, Adventure, ComedyDirected by David LeitchBurning(Korea)Opened May 17Mystery, DramaDirected by Lee Chang-dong　 　Dinosaurs left on the abandoned island of Isla Nublar are now on the verge of re-extinction as a volcano on the island is about to erupt. Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas Howard), Owen Grady (Ch

June 8, 2018

'Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom' breaks all-time opening day record in Korea

"Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom" charted the biggest opening day ever in South Korea, breaking the previous record set in April by "Avengers: Infinity War," data showed Thursday.The Hollywood action blockbuster brought 1.18 million people to theaters on its opening day, Wednesday's Memorial Day, according to a computerized box office tally from the Korean Film Council.When it opened in South Korean theaters on April 25, "Infinity War" set the previous record by collecting 980,052 admissions. (Un

June 7, 2018

[Herald Review] ‘Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom’ takes a creepy turn

New film about doomed dinosaur park packs plenty of action and potentially interesting plot twist, but needs more development for it to workThis should have been expected when you hand over the helm to a guy whose most notable work includes a film about a haunted orphanage and a tree monster. “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom,” the second installment in the trilogy by J.A. Bayona, takes the blockbuster franchise down a creepy path that adds horror elements to the dino action. The plot takes off th

June 6, 2018

Despite rumors, 20th Century Fox not ceasing production of Korean films

20th Century Fox Korea on Wednesday denied recent reports that it is withdrawing from producing Korean films, saying that there are no such plans as of now. “There are several movies currently in production or waiting to be released (by Fox Korea),” an official from the company said. “20th Century Fox is currently undergoing reform at a structural level, so there will be some redistribution of work within the organization. But it is just not true that the company will be moving away from produci

June 5, 2018

Director Kim Ki-duk sues rape, harassment accusers

Arthouse filmmaker Kim Ki-duk has sued three actresses and a TV show for falsely accusing him of sexual assault and sexual harassment.According to industry sources, Kim recently filed a suit with the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office against an actress for falsely accusing him of sexual harassment. He also sued two more actresses, one of whom accused him of rape and the other of sexual harassment, and the MBC show “PD’s Notepad” for defamation. Director Kim Ki-duk attends the red carpet

June 4, 2018

Lee Joon-ik’s new film focuses on upsides of harsh reality of youth

Today’s young generation faces issues that make it difficult for them to see themselves as being in the prime of their lives. But Lee Joon-ik, the director of “Sunset in My Hometown,” which caps off his “youth trilogy” movies, advises youngsters to go with the flow and maintain a positive attitude.“There seems to be efforts to ponder the joys and sorrows of youth. Is it something to be concerned about? I think the wisest thing to do to overcome (the hardships in youth) is to accept it as it is,

June 4, 2018

[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week

Believer (Korea)Opened May 22Crime, ActionDirected by Lee Hae-youngInvestigator Won-ho (Cho Jin-woong) seeks to take down a massive Seoul-based drug cartel, run by the mysterious Mr. Lee, whose real name, gender and age remain hidden. In the process, he gets help from a low-level cartel member Young-rak (Ryu Jun-yeol), whose loyalty seems to waver.Deadpool 2(US)Opened May 16Action, Adventure, ComedyDirected by David Leitch After suffering the loss of his girlfriend, foul-mouthed mutant mercenary

June 1, 2018

[Herald Review] ‘Accidental Detective 2,’ pleasant mediocrity

The plot is run-of-the-mill, the jokes are standard and you could probably see the twist coming from a mile away. “The Accidental Detective 2: In Action” is by no means a stand-out masterpiece, but it is a funny little film that viewers can simply enjoy.The film is a follow-up to the 2015 comedy film “The Accidental Detective.” It follows the story of Dae-man and Tae-soo -- played by Kwon Sang-woo and Sung Dong-il -- who become full-time private detectives after the events of the last film.Takin

May 31, 2018

Creature film ‘Monstrum’ to premiere in September

Upcoming creature film “Monstrum,” featuring actor Kim Myung-min and Hyeri of K-pop act Girls’ Day, will hit local theaters on Sept. 19.Inspired by medieval records dating back to Korea’s Joseon era, the film is set during an epidemic outbreak when rumors spread about a dreadful man-eating creature. Kim will play military official Yun Kyum who forms a team to fight off the beast. Hyeri will play Yun’s daughter, who uses her special talent in archery and ancient medicine to assist her father.  “M

May 30, 2018

[Herald Interview] Lee Chang-dong throws questions, not messages, with his films

Lee Chang-dong is not a fan of Marvel films. What he is, though, is someone who inspires and challenges people to think.“Movies like ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ is one of superheroes. Heroes save the world. it makes me wonder, ‘Can they really?’ But movies like these absolutely slaughter films like ‘Burning’ (in the box office),” the critically-acclaimed auteur jokingly said in a joint media interview. “I have to wonder how much obvious messages like ‘justice prevails’ would affect our lives, which

May 27, 2018

[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week

Believer (Korea)Opened May 22Crime, ActionDirected by Lee Hae-youngInvestigator Won-ho (Cho Jin-woong) seeks to take down a massive Seoul-based drug cartel, run by the mysterious Mr. Lee, whose real name, gender and age remain hidden. In the process, he gets help from a low-level cartel member Young-rak (Ryu Jun-yeol), whose loyalty seems to waver.Deadpool 2(US)Opened May 16Action, Adventure, ComedyDirected by David Leitch After suffering the loss of his girlfriend, foul-mouthed mutant mercenary

May 25, 2018