Stand by Me Doraemon (Japan)
Opened Feb. 12
Animation. Directed by Takashi Yamazaki and Ryuichi Yagi
Based on the famous Japanese manga series Doraemon, the animation “Stand by Me Doraemon” will be released as the first-ever 3-D version of the series, to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Doraemon creator Fujiko Fujio’s birth. The film loosely connects seven episodes from the series to tell a story involving Jingu and Doraemon -- one of Japan’s most well-known and beloved cartoon characters -- from how they first met to saying goodbye to each other.
Detective K: Secret of the Lost Island (Korea)
Opened Feb. 11
Comedy, Adventure. Directed by Kim Seok-yoon
This comedy, a sequel to the 2011 box office hit “Detective K: Secret of the Virtuous Widow,” is set in Korea during the 18th-century and follows the genius detective Kim Min (Kim Myung-min) and his witty assistant Seo Pil (Oh Dal-su). The unlikely duo -- dubbed the Joseon-era Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson -- becomes involved in a life-threatening case that involves counterfeit silver ingots and the possibility of child labor exploitation. Actress Lee Yeon-hee stars as the mysterious, elegant geisha Hisako.
Kingsman: The Secret Service (U.K., U.S.)
Opened Feb. 11
Action, Thriller. Directed by Matthew Vaughn
Based on Mark Millar’s eponymous comic book, the film centers on veteran secret agent Harry Hart (Colin Firth), who selects a young, troubled protege, Eggsy (Taron Egerton), to join his secret organization Kingsman and gives him a chance to become a spy. Samuel L. Jackson stars as the villain Mr. Valentine, who has a scheme to overthrow the world through using SIM cards.
C’est Si Bon (Korea)
Opened Feb. 5
Romance, Drama. Directed by Kim Hyun-seok
The music drama “C’est Si Bon,” taps into nostalgia for the 1960s and ’70s, when folk music was trendy among college students. The film is set in C’est Si Bon, a music cafe where legendary folk duo Twin Folio -- consisting of Yoon Hyung-joo (Kang Ha-neul) and Song Chang-sik (Jo Bok-rae) -- performed live. The film is about the fictional Oh Geun-tae (Jung Woo), who joins the duo as the third member, and their muse Min Ja-young (Han Hyo-joo).
Jupiter Ascending (U.S., Australia)
Opened Feb. 5
Adventure, SF. Directed by Andy and Lana Wachowski
The Wachowski brothers, credited with the hit movies “The Matrix” and “Cloud Atlas,” are delivering another overwhelming sci-fi thriller, “Jupiter Ascending.” When Jupiter Jones (Mila Kunis), a miserable Chicago-born janitor, encounters Caine Wise (Channing Tatum), a genetically engineered military man, she finds out that she is a royalty and destined to rule the Earth. She is the only person who can save the Earth from the hands of the alien Balem Abrasax (Eddie Redmayne). Korean actress Bae Doo-na will make her second appearance in a Wachowski film, after “Cloud Atlas” in 2012.
Opened Feb. 12
Animation. Directed by Takashi Yamazaki and Ryuichi Yagi
Based on the famous Japanese manga series Doraemon, the animation “Stand by Me Doraemon” will be released as the first-ever 3-D version of the series, to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Doraemon creator Fujiko Fujio’s birth. The film loosely connects seven episodes from the series to tell a story involving Jingu and Doraemon -- one of Japan’s most well-known and beloved cartoon characters -- from how they first met to saying goodbye to each other.
Detective K: Secret of the Lost Island (Korea)
Opened Feb. 11
Comedy, Adventure. Directed by Kim Seok-yoon
This comedy, a sequel to the 2011 box office hit “Detective K: Secret of the Virtuous Widow,” is set in Korea during the 18th-century and follows the genius detective Kim Min (Kim Myung-min) and his witty assistant Seo Pil (Oh Dal-su). The unlikely duo -- dubbed the Joseon-era Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson -- becomes involved in a life-threatening case that involves counterfeit silver ingots and the possibility of child labor exploitation. Actress Lee Yeon-hee stars as the mysterious, elegant geisha Hisako.
Kingsman: The Secret Service (U.K., U.S.)
Opened Feb. 11
Action, Thriller. Directed by Matthew Vaughn
Based on Mark Millar’s eponymous comic book, the film centers on veteran secret agent Harry Hart (Colin Firth), who selects a young, troubled protege, Eggsy (Taron Egerton), to join his secret organization Kingsman and gives him a chance to become a spy. Samuel L. Jackson stars as the villain Mr. Valentine, who has a scheme to overthrow the world through using SIM cards.
C’est Si Bon (Korea)
Opened Feb. 5
Romance, Drama. Directed by Kim Hyun-seok
The music drama “C’est Si Bon,” taps into nostalgia for the 1960s and ’70s, when folk music was trendy among college students. The film is set in C’est Si Bon, a music cafe where legendary folk duo Twin Folio -- consisting of Yoon Hyung-joo (Kang Ha-neul) and Song Chang-sik (Jo Bok-rae) -- performed live. The film is about the fictional Oh Geun-tae (Jung Woo), who joins the duo as the third member, and their muse Min Ja-young (Han Hyo-joo).
Jupiter Ascending (U.S., Australia)
Opened Feb. 5
Adventure, SF. Directed by Andy and Lana Wachowski
The Wachowski brothers, credited with the hit movies “The Matrix” and “Cloud Atlas,” are delivering another overwhelming sci-fi thriller, “Jupiter Ascending.” When Jupiter Jones (Mila Kunis), a miserable Chicago-born janitor, encounters Caine Wise (Channing Tatum), a genetically engineered military man, she finds out that she is a royalty and destined to rule the Earth. She is the only person who can save the Earth from the hands of the alien Balem Abrasax (Eddie Redmayne). Korean actress Bae Doo-na will make her second appearance in a Wachowski film, after “Cloud Atlas” in 2012.
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Articles by Korea Herald