Sejong the Great, the fourth King of the Joseon dynasty, is widely considered as one of the greatest rulers of ancient Korea. A large part of the credit for that goes to the many scientific advances the kingdom saw during his reign and his introduction of the Hangul alphabet. 2019 saw two depictions of the emperor on-screen, the first being Song Kang-ho's version in “The King's Letters”, which specifically is about the latter achievement. The other was in “Forbidden Dream” by melodrama supremo Hur Jin-ho, returning to the historical genre after “The Last Princess”. Using both the scientific advances and the creation of the alphabet as a backdrop, it tells of Sejong's great friendship with Jang Yeong-sil, an inventor and astronomer who Sejong had a lot of affinity for.
“Forbidden Dream” is available from Echelon Studios
The feature opens in the latter part of Sejong's reign, when the wheel of...
“Forbidden Dream” is available from Echelon Studios
The feature opens in the latter part of Sejong's reign, when the wheel of...
- 4/3/2023
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
Korean Oscar-winner “Parasite” gleefully poked fun at South Korea’s bourgeoisie. Hur Jin-ho’s “The Dinner” is set to give the middle classes another skewering.
The project is an adaptation of Dutch novel ‘Het Diner’ (“The Dinner”) written by Herman Koch. With the setting transposed to Asia, Hur will peek under the tablecloth to uncover another dirty side to Korean society.
Two brothers a materially-motivated lawyer, and an idealistic surgeon, meet once a month for dinner. During one such meal the two couples must discuss how to deal with the worst nightmare they have faced as parents, their children’s criminal assault on a vagrant. In the incongruous fancy setting, the couples must confront their differences in morals, long-harbored secrets and a victim mentality that has been brewing for years.
“Director Hur likes to observe the irony and dilemmas of the people who are confronted with ethical choice,” Ted Jeong Ho Shin,...
The project is an adaptation of Dutch novel ‘Het Diner’ (“The Dinner”) written by Herman Koch. With the setting transposed to Asia, Hur will peek under the tablecloth to uncover another dirty side to Korean society.
Two brothers a materially-motivated lawyer, and an idealistic surgeon, meet once a month for dinner. During one such meal the two couples must discuss how to deal with the worst nightmare they have faced as parents, their children’s criminal assault on a vagrant. In the incongruous fancy setting, the couples must confront their differences in morals, long-harbored secrets and a victim mentality that has been brewing for years.
“Director Hur likes to observe the irony and dilemmas of the people who are confronted with ethical choice,” Ted Jeong Ho Shin,...
- 3/16/2021
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
The Hong Kong – Asia Film Financing Forum (Haf) today unveils the lineup for its 19th edition (HAF19), with 29 projects from established Asian directors and producers such as Hur Jin-Ho, Kawase Naomi, Ning Hao, Ogigami Naoko, Wang Bing, Yee Chih-Yen, emerging filmmakers like Cai Chengjie, Oliver Chan, Roya Sadat, Yang Mingming, as well as nine first-feature directors.
Returning to its regular March slot, HAF19 will run concurrently with the 25th Hong Kong Filmart (Filmart) from 15 to 17 March. It will again take place online following Haf’s first-ever virtual edition held in August 2020.
“Despite the challenging circumstances brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic, Haf remains strongly committed to filmmakers,” Haf director Jacob Wong said. “We will have our dedicated online meeting platform this year for accredited Haf and Filmart participants to schedule and conduct meetings directly. It’s hassle-free and user-friendly, requiring no download or additional log-on.”
HAF19 selected the 29 projects, including nine documentaries,...
Returning to its regular March slot, HAF19 will run concurrently with the 25th Hong Kong Filmart (Filmart) from 15 to 17 March. It will again take place online following Haf’s first-ever virtual edition held in August 2020.
“Despite the challenging circumstances brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic, Haf remains strongly committed to filmmakers,” Haf director Jacob Wong said. “We will have our dedicated online meeting platform this year for accredited Haf and Filmart participants to schedule and conduct meetings directly. It’s hassle-free and user-friendly, requiring no download or additional log-on.”
HAF19 selected the 29 projects, including nine documentaries,...
- 1/19/2021
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
Line-up includes nine documentaries and nine first-time feature directors.
The Hong Kong-Asia Film Financing Forum (Haf) has announced the 29 projects selected for this year’s edition, including established Asian directors and producers such as Hur Jin-Ho, Naomi Kawase and Ning Hao, as well as emerging filmmakers and nine first-time feature directors.
Returning to its regular March slot, Haf will take place online from March 15-17, coinciding with Filmart Online, which runs March 15-18. Haf and Filmart also took place virtually in August 2020.
“Despite the challenging circumstances brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic, Haf remains strongly committed to filmmakers,” said Haf director Jacob Wong.
The Hong Kong-Asia Film Financing Forum (Haf) has announced the 29 projects selected for this year’s edition, including established Asian directors and producers such as Hur Jin-Ho, Naomi Kawase and Ning Hao, as well as emerging filmmakers and nine first-time feature directors.
Returning to its regular March slot, Haf will take place online from March 15-17, coinciding with Filmart Online, which runs March 15-18. Haf and Filmart also took place virtually in August 2020.
“Despite the challenging circumstances brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic, Haf remains strongly committed to filmmakers,” said Haf director Jacob Wong.
- 1/18/2021
- by Liz Shackleton
- ScreenDaily
Sejong the Great, the fourth King of the Joseon dynasty, is widely considered as one of the greatest rulers of ancient Korea. A large part of the credit for that goes to the many scientific advances the kingdom saw during his reign and his introduction of the Hangul alphabet. 2019 saw two depictions of the emperor on-screen, the first being Song Kang-ho’s version in “The King’s Letters”, which specifically is about the latter achievement. The other was in “Forbidden Dream” by melodrama supremo Hur Jin-ho, returning to the historical genre after “The Last Princess”. Using both the scientific advances and the creation of the alphabet as a backdrop, it tells of Sejong’s great friendship with Jang Yeong-sil, an inventor and astronomer who Sejong had a lot of affinity for.
“Forbidden Dream” is screening at New York International Film Festival
The feature opens in the latter part of Sejong’s reign,...
“Forbidden Dream” is screening at New York International Film Festival
The feature opens in the latter part of Sejong’s reign,...
- 9/12/2020
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
2018 was, by most accounts, a mixed bag of a year for South Korean cinema. Where critics darling Lee Chang-dong returned to the scene after an eight-year hiatus to much fanfare and applause with “Burning”, small films like “Little Forest” and “Intimate Strangers” ended up being more well received than tentpole blockbusters like Kim Jee-woon’s “Illang: The Wolf Brigade”, for example. 2019 has begun very strongly, with “Extreme Job” going on to become the 2nd highest grossing South Korean film of all time on the domestic box-office. Here’s a list of some films we can look forward to with much anticipation in the remainder of the year.
Bad Police (Lee Jeong-beom)
It’s Lee Sun-kyun vs the world in “Bad Police”
Six years after the action packed “No Tears for the Dead”, the director of the iconic “The Man from Nowhere” is back with “Bad Police”. Telling the story of...
Bad Police (Lee Jeong-beom)
It’s Lee Sun-kyun vs the world in “Bad Police”
Six years after the action packed “No Tears for the Dead”, the director of the iconic “The Man from Nowhere” is back with “Bad Police”. Telling the story of...
- 2/25/2019
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
Korean-Chinese director Zhang Lü (“A Quiet Dream”) is back working with Park Hae-il and Moon So-ri with his latest film “Ode to the Goose”. The film premiered at the Busan International Film Festival this month.
Synopsis
Yoon-yeong has been harboring feelings for Song-hyeon, a friend’s wife. When he finds out that she is divorced, Yoon-yeong and Song-hyeon take a trip to Gunsan on a whim. They find lodging at an inn where the middle-aged owner lives with his autistic daughter who does not leave her room. The four become star crossed lovers in the city of Gunsan. The film could be named “Gunsan,” as it is a film about a specific place, which also explores the world’s hidden, unspoken elements.
“Ode to the Goose” features an all-star cast including Park Hae-il, Moon So-ri as well as Jung Jin-young and Park So-dam as the owner of the inn and his daughter respectively.
Synopsis
Yoon-yeong has been harboring feelings for Song-hyeon, a friend’s wife. When he finds out that she is divorced, Yoon-yeong and Song-hyeon take a trip to Gunsan on a whim. They find lodging at an inn where the middle-aged owner lives with his autistic daughter who does not leave her room. The four become star crossed lovers in the city of Gunsan. The film could be named “Gunsan,” as it is a film about a specific place, which also explores the world’s hidden, unspoken elements.
“Ode to the Goose” features an all-star cast including Park Hae-il, Moon So-ri as well as Jung Jin-young and Park So-dam as the owner of the inn and his daughter respectively.
- 10/21/2018
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
The #MeToo movement has gained traction in the South Korean film industry.
Sexual harassment and assault victims are speaking out in the wake of rape and sexual misconduct accusations against Venice Golden Lion-winning filmmaker Kim Ki-duk and actor Cho Jae-hyun. Veteran TV actor Jo Min-ki was another high-profile entertainment industry figure who faced allegations that he sexually harassed students at a university where he taught drama. Jo killed himself after the multiple allegations surfaced.
The Korean entertainment industry has seen several actresses commit suicide, leaving behind notes about how they were forced to have sex with sponsors who helped them get roles in TV series and film projects. But, despite a growing wave of outrage, it took a time for any institutional remedies to be offered.
Now, however, as dozens of accusations against high-profile figures have been made and the campaign has gained momentum across the country, the film industry,...
Sexual harassment and assault victims are speaking out in the wake of rape and sexual misconduct accusations against Venice Golden Lion-winning filmmaker Kim Ki-duk and actor Cho Jae-hyun. Veteran TV actor Jo Min-ki was another high-profile entertainment industry figure who faced allegations that he sexually harassed students at a university where he taught drama. Jo killed himself after the multiple allegations surfaced.
The Korean entertainment industry has seen several actresses commit suicide, leaving behind notes about how they were forced to have sex with sponsors who helped them get roles in TV series and film projects. But, despite a growing wave of outrage, it took a time for any institutional remedies to be offered.
Now, however, as dozens of accusations against high-profile figures have been made and the campaign has gained momentum across the country, the film industry,...
- 10/4/2018
- by Sonia Kil
- Variety Film + TV
With a history as rich and vast as the peninsula of Korea’s, it is no surprise that films based on the lives of revered national figures are made in South Korea in plenty. It is, however, baffling that no film that focused specifically on the very eventful life of activist, freedom fighter and the last Premier of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea, Kim Koo, had been made so far. He is finally given his just dues in Lee Won-tae’s biopic “Man of Will”, starring Cho Jin-woong and Song Seung-heon, which focuses on his early days when he was still called Kim Chang-soo.
The film starts with the fight that would change the course of Kim Chang-soo’s life, where he ends up killing a Japanese man. As it turns out, Kim Chang-soo killed the man because he suspects him of having assassinated the beloved Empress Myeongseong,...
The film starts with the fight that would change the course of Kim Chang-soo’s life, where he ends up killing a Japanese man. As it turns out, Kim Chang-soo killed the man because he suspects him of having assassinated the beloved Empress Myeongseong,...
- 9/7/2018
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
Lee Soo-youn’s mystery thriller stars Cho Jin-woong, Kim Dae-myung and Shin Gu.
South Korea’s Lotte Entertainment has pre-sold thriller mystery Bluebeard to WellGo USA for North America and New Select for Japan
The film has also gone to Hong Kong and Macau (My Way Film Company) and the Philippines (Viva Communications).
Directed by Lee Soo-youn, Bluebeard stars Cho Jin-woong (The Handmaiden, Assassination), Kim Dae-myung (The Last Princess) and Shin Gu, who stars in Korean drama series Dear My Friends. Lee made her feature debut with horror mystery thriller Uninvited, starring Gianna Jun, in 2003.
Cho plays a doctor who, after sedating his landlord before a check-up, hears the old man start to make a convincing murder confession. When a young woman’s severed head is found at a butcher shop run by the same landlord’s son, the doctor begins to suspect that the father and son are serial killers.
The film has...
South Korea’s Lotte Entertainment has pre-sold thriller mystery Bluebeard to WellGo USA for North America and New Select for Japan
The film has also gone to Hong Kong and Macau (My Way Film Company) and the Philippines (Viva Communications).
Directed by Lee Soo-youn, Bluebeard stars Cho Jin-woong (The Handmaiden, Assassination), Kim Dae-myung (The Last Princess) and Shin Gu, who stars in Korean drama series Dear My Friends. Lee made her feature debut with horror mystery thriller Uninvited, starring Gianna Jun, in 2003.
Cho plays a doctor who, after sedating his landlord before a check-up, hears the old man start to make a convincing murder confession. When a young woman’s severed head is found at a butcher shop run by the same landlord’s son, the doctor begins to suspect that the father and son are serial killers.
The film has...
- 2/28/2017
- by hjnoh2007@gmail.com (Jean Noh)
- ScreenDaily
The nominees for the 11th Annual Asian Film Awards were announced last week.
The ceremony is to be held in Hong Kong after a long stint in Macau. The reason for this changeover is to pay homage to the 20th anniversary since the handover of Hong Kong. This year, 34 films received nominations. Out of those 34, 21 are of Chiniese-origin, and 20 are South Korean, making South Korean films the second most nominated.
Some of the best releases of 2016 are up against each other this year. Park Chan Wook’s, “The Handmaiden,” although it did not receive a nod for best film nor best director, it did receive a levy of other nominations including: best supporting actress (Moon So-ri), best newcomer, best screenplay, best editing, best costume design, and best production design. Another strong Korean film up for several awards is “Train to Busan.” This outrageously popular zombie-horror film is up for five...
The ceremony is to be held in Hong Kong after a long stint in Macau. The reason for this changeover is to pay homage to the 20th anniversary since the handover of Hong Kong. This year, 34 films received nominations. Out of those 34, 21 are of Chiniese-origin, and 20 are South Korean, making South Korean films the second most nominated.
Some of the best releases of 2016 are up against each other this year. Park Chan Wook’s, “The Handmaiden,” although it did not receive a nod for best film nor best director, it did receive a levy of other nominations including: best supporting actress (Moon So-ri), best newcomer, best screenplay, best editing, best costume design, and best production design. Another strong Korean film up for several awards is “Train to Busan.” This outrageously popular zombie-horror film is up for five...
- 1/17/2017
- by Lydia Spanier
- AsianMoviePulse
Train To Busan and The Wailing also secured multiple nominations.
Chinese director Feng Xiaogang’s I Am Not Madame Bovary, Korean director Na Hong-jin’s The Wailing and Koji Fukada’s Harmonium from Japan are the frontrunners at the upcoming Asian Film Awards, vying for both best film and best director.
Joining the fray for best film are Chung Mong-hong’s Godspeed, which also nabs a best actor nod for Michael Hui, and Kim Jee-woon’s The Age Of Shadows. Soul Mate’s Derek Tsang and The Woman Who Left’s Lav Diaz are also in the race for best director.
This year, 34 films from 12 countries (out of almost 1,600 submissions from 28 countries) are in contention for 15 awards. Korean cinema dominates, with festival favourite The Handmaiden [pictured] receiving the most nominations with six nods, followed by breakout hit Train To Busan with five and The Wailing with four.
I Am Not Madame Bovary receives five nominations, including best actress...
Chinese director Feng Xiaogang’s I Am Not Madame Bovary, Korean director Na Hong-jin’s The Wailing and Koji Fukada’s Harmonium from Japan are the frontrunners at the upcoming Asian Film Awards, vying for both best film and best director.
Joining the fray for best film are Chung Mong-hong’s Godspeed, which also nabs a best actor nod for Michael Hui, and Kim Jee-woon’s The Age Of Shadows. Soul Mate’s Derek Tsang and The Woman Who Left’s Lav Diaz are also in the race for best director.
This year, 34 films from 12 countries (out of almost 1,600 submissions from 28 countries) are in contention for 15 awards. Korean cinema dominates, with festival favourite The Handmaiden [pictured] receiving the most nominations with six nods, followed by breakout hit Train To Busan with five and The Wailing with four.
I Am Not Madame Bovary receives five nominations, including best actress...
- 1/11/2017
- by screenasia@yahoo.com (Silvia Wong)
- ScreenDaily
The 52nd ceremony was held on December 27, 2016 at Sejong University’s Convention Center and hosted by Kim Byung-chan, Kong Seo-young, Lee Tae-im.
Lee Byung-hun, who won the “Best Male Actor”, decided to speak about the still-existing controversy surrounding the awards ceremony, during his acceptance speech:
“I’m happy to receive this award, but my heavy heart takes precedence. There’s been a lot of talk about and problems with the Grand Bell Awards, and I feel like these problems have still not been addressed,” he said. He called for action to be taken, and hopes that the industry will eventually come to an understanding.
The ceremony has been criticized for its fee-based voting system, poor accounting practices, and was supposedly boycotted last year for announcing -but later retracted- that only attendees could win awards. Similar to last year, many of the nominees and subsequent winners were not in attendance.
Kim Hye-su
Source: Soompi.
Lee Byung-hun, who won the “Best Male Actor”, decided to speak about the still-existing controversy surrounding the awards ceremony, during his acceptance speech:
“I’m happy to receive this award, but my heavy heart takes precedence. There’s been a lot of talk about and problems with the Grand Bell Awards, and I feel like these problems have still not been addressed,” he said. He called for action to be taken, and hopes that the industry will eventually come to an understanding.
The ceremony has been criticized for its fee-based voting system, poor accounting practices, and was supposedly boycotted last year for announcing -but later retracted- that only attendees could win awards. Similar to last year, many of the nominees and subsequent winners were not in attendance.
Kim Hye-su
Source: Soompi.
- 1/8/2017
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
With 2016 being one of the most impressive seasons for S. Korean cinema, there was much competition among the nominees and the awards were, as usually, spread among a number of films. Among the highlights was the fact that Lee Byung-hun won for the first time, despite his many nominations and that the award for supporting actor went to Japanese Jun Kinimura for his role in “The Wailing.”
The 37th ceremony took place on November 25th at the Grand Peace Palace of Kyung Hee University and was hosted by Kim Hye-soo and Yoo Jun Sang.
Best Picture: Inside Men (Woo Min-ho)
Best Director: Na Hong-jin (The Wailing)
Best Actor: Lee Byung-hun (Inside Men)
Best Actress: Kim Min-hee (The Handmaiden)
Best Supporting Actor: Jun Kunimura (The Wailing)
Jun Kunimura
Best Supporting Actress: Park So-dam (The Priests)
Best New Actor: Park Jung-min (Dongju: The Portrait of a Poet)
Best New Actress: Kim...
The 37th ceremony took place on November 25th at the Grand Peace Palace of Kyung Hee University and was hosted by Kim Hye-soo and Yoo Jun Sang.
Best Picture: Inside Men (Woo Min-ho)
Best Director: Na Hong-jin (The Wailing)
Best Actor: Lee Byung-hun (Inside Men)
Best Actress: Kim Min-hee (The Handmaiden)
Best Supporting Actor: Jun Kunimura (The Wailing)
Jun Kunimura
Best Supporting Actress: Park So-dam (The Priests)
Best New Actor: Park Jung-min (Dongju: The Portrait of a Poet)
Best New Actress: Kim...
- 11/29/2016
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Son Ye-jin recalls being shy and timid when she was in school. As a young girl, she was always apprehensive when the new school year starts. She has come a long ways since her 2000 debut. Now, she is known for her romantic roles in many hit movies and dramas. Her most notable performances include her roles in “April Snow” and “The Classic”.
Today, Son Ye-jin is gaining acclaim for her performance in her most recent role. The tragic Princess Deokhye.
The Last Princess
This August, Son Ye-jin brings us another heart-gripping performance in The Last Princess. She stars as Princess Deokhye, the last princess of Korea. In preparing for her role, Son Ye-jin remembers her childhood fear of the unfamiliar. She brings these emotions with her in her portrayal as the inoccent, lonely, brave yet helpless princess.
The film tells us the tragic life of the princess, forced to leave...
Today, Son Ye-jin is gaining acclaim for her performance in her most recent role. The tragic Princess Deokhye.
The Last Princess
This August, Son Ye-jin brings us another heart-gripping performance in The Last Princess. She stars as Princess Deokhye, the last princess of Korea. In preparing for her role, Son Ye-jin remembers her childhood fear of the unfamiliar. She brings these emotions with her in her portrayal as the inoccent, lonely, brave yet helpless princess.
The film tells us the tragic life of the princess, forced to leave...
- 8/8/2016
- by JRBandillo
- AsianMoviePulse
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