Korean blockbusters will hit local theaters this summer in diverse “immersive cinema” formats to attract more moviegoers, as COVID-19 restrictions for theaters have been lifted. Previously, special-format Imax theaters were considered the near-exclusive domain of Hollywood blockbusters such as Marvel Studios’ superhero movies. The Korean movie industry had practically shunned the format. Until ...

Armed with Korean language, Justin Harvey is determined to succeed

The 20th edition of NYAFF is scheduled to present Korean period film “Hansan: Rising Dragon” as its centerpiece film. Korean director Choi Dong-hoon’s sci-fi epic “Alienoid,” starring NYAFF 2019 Screen International Rising Star Asia recipient Ryu alongside Kim Tae-ri and So Ji-sub will close the festival Both films will be released in the US later this year by distributor Well Go USA. Jang, Ryu...

Thor: Love and Thunder (US) Opened July 6 Action Directed by Taika Waititi Thor (Chris Hemsworth) attempts to find inner peace, but his retirement is interrupted by a galactic killer known as Gorr the God Butcher (Christian Bale), who seeks the extinction of the gods. Thor forms a special team to fight against Gorr and uncover the mystery behind his enemy’s revenge plans. Decision to Leave ...

“The Roundup,” a Korean action comedy that topped 10 million admissions in local theaters, will not be screened in Vietnam, officially because the film is considered “too violent.” Looking to distribute the film in the Southeast Asian country, Korea’s leading entertainment company Lotte Entertainment had applied for film certification for “The Roundup” from the Vietnamese Film Department, an org...

Marvel Studios' latest blockbuster "Thor: Love and Thunder" has topped the South Korean box office on its opening day, data showed Thursday. The film posted 382,000 attendees on Wednesday, accounting for 70 percent of the day's total ticket sales, according to the data from the Korean Film Council. It beat the debut numbers by the previous No. 1, "Top Gun: Maverick," which garnered 188,000 view...

He added that actors can perform the character‘s emotion more consistently when an action scene is filmed in a single take. “Our goal was to create an action scene in a single take. So, we created a one-take sequence with the director,” Jang said. Korean actor Bruce Khan, who played a gangster that fights against Eui-kang, said it was very comfortable working with Jang, who loves martial arts. ...

The local box office in the upcoming summer peak season will highly likely be a four-way race among Korean blockbusters as theaters are gearing up for a continuous rush of filmgoers. The sci-fi action fantasy "Alienoid" will hit local theaters July 20, opening the largely all-Korean competition for the season. The new film by popular filmmaker Choi Dong-hoon, who has made many smash-hit films, ...

“I was not sure if I am qualified to be a director. I have been doing movies for a long time, but writing a script and directing was completely different. But I decided to muster up the courage and do it,” Lee said. Jung said he closely watched Lee work hard on the new movie as both an actor and the director and thought, “My friend is going to die on the set.” “He (Lee) was already tired after ...

Korean director July Jung’s second feature film, “Next Sohee” starring movie star Bae Doo-na, has been invited to the 26th Fantasia International Film Festival, which will be held from July 14 to Aug. 3 in Montreal. Jung’s feminist police thriller will get its North American premiere on Fantasia’s closing night. The Korean director is known for creating movies that realistically portray social ...

South Korea's box office reported 15 million admissions for June, marking the largest monthly tally for over two years, data showed Monday. A total of 15.5 million people went to theaters last month, up 6.3 percent from 14.6 million a month earlier, according to the data compiled by the Korean Film Council. It is the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic that the monthly audience numbers toppe...

“Broker,” the first Korean-language film project by Japanese auteur Hirokazu Kore-eda, on Sunday won the top award at the 39th Munich International Film Festival. According to the festival organizer, the ARRI award, established in 2008, is given to the filmmakers of the best international film in the CineMasters competition section. An independent three-member jury decides who shall receive the...

With three sequels -- “Top Gun: Maverick,” “The Roundup” and “The Witch: Part 2. The Other One” -- currently bringing back moviegoers to local theaters, the original movies that preceded these second installments are also grabbing viewers’ attention. Hollywood blockbuster “Top Gun: Maverick,” which opened here June 22, has sold more than 3 million tickets locally in under two weeks, according to...

Decision to Leave (Korea) Opened June 29 Romance Directed by Park Chan-wook Hae-jun (Park Hae-il) is a hardworking detective who carries everything he needs in a specially tailored suit with extra pockets. One day, he looks into a suspicious death that occurred on a mountain. Hae-jun comes to suspect the dead man’s wife, the mysterious Seo-rae (Tang Wei), is involved in the crime. As he inve...

“I am not talking about only film masters. For instance, I compare myself to composer Lee Bong-jo. I try hard to reach the artistic level of his works and the effort that he put into them,” he said. Lee is the composer of the old Korean song ”Mist,“ which was used as the theme song in “Decision to Leave.” Park’s new film is now in local theaters.