Jun 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

Jun 19, 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

Jun 16, 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

Jun 14, 2018

Kim Ki-duk fires back at accusers

Mired in sexual misconduct allegations, controversial director maintains innocence

Jun 14, 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

Jun 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’

Jun 11, 2018

Actor’s daughter denies #MeToo revelations crushing celebrity dreams

Late actor Jo Min-ki’s daughter says she wants to make cosmetics, not be an entertainer

Jun 8, 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

Jun 7, 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

Jun 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

Jun 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

Jun 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

Jun 5, 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,

Jun 2, 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