Showbox inks deal for China foray

Showbox, one of Korea’s largest film production companies, has signed an exclusive partnership deal with China’s leading entertainment company, officially revving up its entry into the Chinese market. The Seoul-based firm announced Thursday its partnership with Huayi Brothers through which the two companies hope to cooperate for the production of six or more films in the next three years.Yoo Jeong-hun, CEO of Showbox, called the move a “foothold for Showbox’s positive settlement in China” and “a

March 26, 2015

Seoul to get ‘Film Forum’

There is good news for local film lovers who are feeling increasingly frustrated by the lack of diversity in Korea’s booming cinema industry.The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced plans to create a film center, which will be the city’s equivalent to New York’s Film Forum, by 2018. Tentatively named “Cinematheque,” the envisioned film center will be constructed on a site currently used as a public parking lot in Chungmuro, a district in central Seoul known as the birthplace of the country’s

March 25, 2015

‘Whiplash’ tops Korean box office

The 2015 Academy award-winning film “Whiplash” topped the Korean box office over the weekend, replacing previous box office hit “Kingsman: The Secret Service,” according to the Korean Film Council.“Whiplash” sold 228,591 tickets on Friday and Saturday, bringing the total number of viewers to 679,329, pushing “Kingsman” to the third place, with the fairytale-based Hollywood flick “Cinderella” taking the No. 2 spot.“Whiplash” hit the local theaters on March 12 and hovered at fourth place before cl

March 22, 2015

Box Office

Foulball (Korea)Opening April. 2Documentary. Directed by Cho Jung-rae, Kim Bo-kyeongThis 87-minute documentary follows the baseball team the Goyang Wonders, South Korea’s first independent club with no league affiliation, and Kim Sung-keun, a former manager of the team and the current manager of the Hanwha Eagles. In 2011, celebrated director Kim helmed a team consisting of baseball players who were undrafted high school and college graduates or were released from other professional teams, offer

March 20, 2015

Yim Si-wan to star as military officer in new film

Korean singer-turned-actor Yim Si-wan has been confirmed as the male lead in an upcoming movie “Thinking of Brother (working title),” directed by popular Korean director Lee Han known for his feel-good movies such as “Punch,” the movie producer said on Thursday.  Yim Si-wan. (Yonhap)The star of tvN series “Misaeng (Incomplete Life)” will play the role of Han sang-ryul, a military officer who commands his unit with excellent leadership while suppressing agony inflicted by the war. Set in the mids

March 19, 2015

2PM’s Hwang Chan-sung to star in Japanese movie

Koren idol group 2PM member Hwang Chan-sung has landed the male lead role in an upcoming Japanese film called “Wasureyuki,” Hwang’s agency said Wednesday. Hwang will play the role of Yoon Tae-oh, a young veterinarian who falls in love with his old friend Miyuki, played by Ono Ito, a 19-year-old up-and-coming Japanese actress.  The film, directed by 41-year-old Korean Han Sang-hee, is based on a Japanese best-selling comic book, with over 700 million copies sold. It deals with a love story betwee

March 18, 2015

Box Office

Twenty (Korea)Opening March. 25Comedy. Directed by Lee Byung-hunThis coming-of-age film centers three close friends who are all turning 20 years old. Chi-ho (Kim Woo-bin) is jobless and has no specific plans in life, but is very popular around girls, while Dong-woo (Lee Jun-ho) dreams of becoming a comic artist. Kyung-jae (Kang Ha-neul) is smart concerning his schoolwork, but not so much when it comes to relationships. Whiplash (U.S.)Opened March. 12Drama. Directed by Damien ChazelleBased on the

March 13, 2015

Director Im laments fate of Busan film fest

Im Kwon-taek, one of South Korea’s most renowned film directors, voiced strong concern over the future of the Busan International Film Festival, whose longtime programmer and chief is stepping down after clashes with government authorities over censorship issues. “The current situation is simply deplorable,” Im, 79, said at a public hearing in Seoul on Tuesday regarding recent events surrounding the festival. “As a director who creates and submits his works to film festivals, I wonder who would

March 11, 2015

Box Office

Whiplash (U.S.)Opening March. 12Drama. Directed by Damien ChazelleBased on the director’s real experience in his high school band, “Whiplash” is a story of a promising young drummer Andrew Neiman (Miles Teller), who enrolls at a prestigious music conservatory, aspiring to become one of the greatest drummer in the country. It is at the school where he meets the tyrannical jazz band conductor Terence Fletcher, played by J.K. Simmons who won the Best Supporting Actor at this year’s Oscars for his r

March 6, 2015

R-rated ‘Kingsman’ dominates Korean box office

British spy-thriller “Kingsman: The Secret Service” is dominating the local box office, with more than 3.6 million tickets sold so far, the biggest non-Korean R-rated sales ever in the market. Matthew Vaughn’s film nabbed the top spot on Korea’s box office chart on Thursday for 11-consecutive days, beating out other British flick “Imitation Game” and local comedy flick “Detective K: Secret of the Lost Island.” As of Friday, the title has earned a cumulative 30 billion won ($27 million), since it

March 6, 2015

Harrison Ford survives crash-landing on golf course

Harrison Ford crash-landed his vintage plane Thursday after losing engine power, suffering serious but not life-threatening injuries after using his extensive piloting skills to "beautifully" bring down the plane on a golf course and avoid nearby homes. It was the latest and most serious in a series of crashes and close calls for the 72-year-old action-adventure A-lister, who like his "Star Wars" alter-ego Han Solo has a taste for aerial thrills. He was helped by golfers who saw the plane come d

March 6, 2015

Blurring the line between dreams and reality

What are dreams made of?Dreams show what we desire, sometimes in the strangest ways, says Lee Kwang-kuk. “Dreams are like a list of wishes we have,” he said. “Wishes often transform and manifest themselves (into dreams). When we look deeply into them, we might be able to approach something that we desire deep inside, even without sensing it.” Director Lee Kwang-kuk poses before an interview with The Korea Herald at a cafe in Seoul on Wednesday. (Yoon Byung-chan/The Korea Herald)The 40-year-old i

March 2, 2015

Cinema for the grannies

Jang Deok-ho’s movie night out started way before sunset. The 74-year-old walked two hours to Hollywood Silver Cinema, a small, old-fashioned cinema in Seoul’s Jung-gu district, where his choice of movie was up for a 6:20 p.m. showing.  “I like walking and I like watching movies,” Jang said casually, glancing at the poster for the night’s film -- the 1961 American classic “The Hustler” In the waiting area sat an elderly couple, clasping their hands tightly. A gray-haired woman purchased her tick

March 1, 2015

Smith, Robbie pour on the charm in sharp ‘Focus’

If the mark of a good con artist is that he or she makes you think you know exactly what’s going on ― when of course you haven’t a clue ― that’s also the mark of a good con-artist movie, isn’t it? To make you feel like you totally get what’s about to happen ― “Oh yeah, I’ve seen this in tons of movies,” you think ― and then, boom. That’s not what happens at all. See, you lost your focus for a second. “It’s about distraction,” explains Nicky, the con artist played by Will Smith in “Focus,” the co

Feb. 27, 2015

‘Empire of Lust’ sheds light on love in battle for Joseon throne

Actor Jang Hyuk (“Windstruck,” “Deep Rooted Tree”) plays a ruthless Joseon prince in the new period drama flick “Empire of Lust” directed by Ahn Sang-hoon. Lee Bang-won, Jang’s character, is a well-known historic figure whose ascension to the throne was established through rounds of bloody coups against his potential rivals and enemies, including his own siblings, which historians describe as the Strife of Princes. Lee ruled as King Taejong, the third king of the Joseon era, from 1400 to 1418. I

Feb. 25, 2015