Oct 18, 2018

Film star under fire for ‘drunken’ interview

In a promotional effort gone sour, Kim Ji-soo made headlines Wednesday by turning up hung-over for her group media interview.It was reported that Kim, a veteran actress whose career spans nearly three decades, was severely hung over when she appeared for her 10 a.m. interview, which was set up to promote her movie “Intimate Strangers.”After appearing 40 minutes late, she reportedly slurred when answering the questions and admitted that she was hung over. The interview was cut off after just 10 m

Oct 15, 2018

Boycott-free BIFF closes with a task at hand

The 23rd Busan International Film Festival drew to a close Saturday, shaken by Typhoon Kong-rey, but having enjoyed its first year since its operations were normalized.Rounding off the festivities was the closing film “Master Z: The Ip Man Legacy” by Yeun Woo-ping, after the opening piece “Beautiful Days” had kicked things off 10 days earlier.The festival recognized those around the film industry for their contribution and prospects. Landing the top awards in the New Currents award were “Savage”

Oct 12, 2018

‘Secret of Leader’ explores changing Central Asian world

Kazakh director premieres 4th feature at Busan film fest

Oct 12, 2018

[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week

Dark Figure of Crime (Korea) Opened Oct. 3Crime, Drama, MysteryDirected by Kim Tae-kyunConvicted murderer Kang (Ju Ji-hoon) calls up detective Kim Hyung-min (Kim Yoon-seok) from his cellphone and confesses to six additional murders that were never reported to authorities. Kim investigates the cases, and soon learns that Kang’s testimony is mixed with lies and the criminal is manipulating him.Venom(US)Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi Oct. 3Directed by Ruben Fleischer Investigative journalist Eddie Brock

Oct 12, 2018

Gong Yoo returns as ‘ex-spy agency member’

Gong Yoo is readying to return to the big screen, over two years after 2016 film “The Age of Shadows.”Gong is set to star in Lee Yong-joo’s new film tentatively titled “Seo Bok,” in which the actor will take on the role as a former intelligence agent who lends a helping hand to the world’s first human clone Seo Bok, as different groups try to track him down.Gong, who has appeared in films across different genres including “The Suspect” and “Train to Busan,” has kept a relatively low profile sinc

Oct 10, 2018

Japanese actor in hot water at home for siding with Koreans over flag dispute

Japanese actor Jun Kunimura faces mounting criticism in his country after suggesting that Japan understand Koreans’ sentiment toward the controversial Rising Sun Flag, given the two countries’ thorny history.During the Busan International Film Festival on Friday, the actor said he thinks Japan should understand the way Koreans feel about the flag, when asked by a journalist about the controversy surrounding the flag being flown at a naval event in Korea.“The Japan Self-Defense Force would say th

Oct 8, 2018

VR cinema at BIFF a glimpse into future?

BUSAN -- Many kids have dreamed of jumping into their favorite cartoon and being part of it, and virtual reality cinema is as close as you’re likely to get with today’s technology.The VR Theater section at the ongoing Busan International Film Festival offers a peek at what may be the next step for cinema and entertainment in general.The section is divided into three parts: VR Movie, VR Movie Live and VR Movie Experience. VR Movie works like your standard cinema, where audience members sit down a

Oct 6, 2018

‘Ode to the Goose’ explores communication, paths of characters’ lives

“Ode to the Goose” by Korean-Chinese director Zhang Lu is a curious film. The main characters go through numerous conflicts in their lives, many of which remain unresolved.“I do not know the answers (to the conflicts). A director’s job is to find (things) to be curious about in life,” he said at a press conference for his film, screened at the Busan International Film Festival on Friday.True to his words, the director refused to spell out what his film was about, leaving the audience to interpre

Oct 6, 2018

BIFF jurors seek fresh talent to shape the future of cinema

A film festival isn’t just a place to appreciate top-notch contemporary cinematic works, but also an opportunity to uncover new talent and determine the future of cinema. This is what the jurors for the New Current section of the Busan International Film Festival are looking to do, they vowed at a press conference in Busan on Friday, saying they were seeking directors with fresh perspectives.“Any industry -- film is no exception -- you must have new blood to prosper. We’re very interested to see

Oct 6, 2018

Japanese actor criticizes use of controversial flag

Actor Kunimura Jun suggested that Japan should back down from its insistence on flying the controversial Rising Sun Flag during its visit to Jeju Island.Kunimura, one of the jury members for the New Currents section of the Busan International Film Festival, said that he understands how Koreans feel about the flag.“I know very well that it is a tradition of the Maritime Self-Defense Force, but I know that Koreans think differently about that flag,” he said at a press conference Friday in Busan. “

Oct 5, 2018

BIFF sets sail, begins 10 days of cinematic splendor

World premieres, time-honored classics, special exhibitions and a tribute to a South Korean master auteur are among the delights in store for avid moviegoers Oct. 4-16 at this year’s Busan International Film Festival. The 23rd annual BIFF kicked off Thursday evening with an opening ceremony hosted by actors Kim Nam-gil and Han Ji-min at the Busan Cinema Center’s outdoor theater. The venue was filled to capacity with a crowd of 5,000. (Yonhap)Despite storm warnings, attendees lucked out with noth

Oct 5, 2018

BIFF opener ‘Beautiful Days’ a film about family

The lives of the protagonists in “Beautiful Days,” which opened the 23rd Busan International Film Festival, are anything but beautiful.“It was originally called ‘Eomma (Mom),' but I liked the irony of the new title. It represents the hopes of what may come to be … It is the opposite of what the mother goes through in the movie, but it is a story of a hopeful future,” director Yun Jero said on his newest family drama at a press conference Thursday, ahead of the BIFF’s opening ceremony.The movie f

Oct 5, 2018

Visions of Korean cinema at Busan film fest

10 films presented at BIFF highlight future of Korean cinema

Oct 5, 2018

[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week

Dark Figure of Crime (Korea) Opened Oct. 3Crime, Drama, MysteryDirected by Kim Tae-kyunConvicted murderer Kang (Ju Ji-hoon) calls up detective Kim Hyung-min (Kim Yoon-seok) from his cellphone and confesses to six additional murders that were never reported to authorities. Kim tracks investigates the cases, but soon learns a plethora of lies is mixed into Kang’s testimony, and the criminal is manipulating him.The Great Battle(Korea) Opened Sept. 19Drama, History, ActionDirected by Kim Kwang-sikTh