Disney+ Announces Korean Espionage Series ‘Tempest’: Cast, Plot, & Release Date Explored ( Photo Credit – IMDb )
Disney+ is adding an exciting title to its slate of Korean dramas. The streaming giant has announced a new espionage thriller series titled Tempest. The show is about a diplomat and a special agent who team up for a dangerous mission.
The series’ lead cast has been confirmed, including two famous A-listers. Disney+ has also unveiled the release window for the spy series. Here are all the updates we have so far about Tempest.
Disney+’s Tempest Plot: A Diplomat and an International Agent Collaborate to Stop a Deadly Attack
Tempest, earlier titled North Star, revolves around an accomplished diplomat who served as an ambassador to the US. The other protagonist is a former mercenary and an international special agent whose identity and nationality remain mysterious. The two take up a mission to uncover the...
Disney+ is adding an exciting title to its slate of Korean dramas. The streaming giant has announced a new espionage thriller series titled Tempest. The show is about a diplomat and a special agent who team up for a dangerous mission.
The series’ lead cast has been confirmed, including two famous A-listers. Disney+ has also unveiled the release window for the spy series. Here are all the updates we have so far about Tempest.
Disney+’s Tempest Plot: A Diplomat and an International Agent Collaborate to Stop a Deadly Attack
Tempest, earlier titled North Star, revolves around an accomplished diplomat who served as an ambassador to the US. The other protagonist is a former mercenary and an international special agent whose identity and nationality remain mysterious. The two take up a mission to uncover the...
- 5/31/2024
- by Jashandeep Singh
- KoiMoi
Two South Korean superstars Gianna Jun and Gang Dong-won head the cast of “Tempest,” an espionage action drama series being readied by streaming service Disney+ for release next year.
The contemporary Korea-set story sees Jun portray a highly-accomplished diplomat and former ambassador to the U.S. Gang portrays an international man of mystery, a former mercenary and special agent but of unknown nationality. Together, they race to uncover the truth behind a lethal attack that threatens the future stability of the Korean peninsula.
“Tempest” (previously known as “North Star”) is directed by Kim Heewon and co-directed by Korea’s leading martial arts director Heo Myunghaeng (“The Outlaws 4”). The screenplay is by Park Chan-wook’s regular partner Chung Seokyung, who has writing credits including “Decision to Leave,” “The Handmaiden” and “Little Women”.
Jun (real name Jeon Ji-hyun) has credits including “My Sassy Girl,” “My Love From the Star” and “Kingdom: Anshin of the North.
The contemporary Korea-set story sees Jun portray a highly-accomplished diplomat and former ambassador to the U.S. Gang portrays an international man of mystery, a former mercenary and special agent but of unknown nationality. Together, they race to uncover the truth behind a lethal attack that threatens the future stability of the Korean peninsula.
“Tempest” (previously known as “North Star”) is directed by Kim Heewon and co-directed by Korea’s leading martial arts director Heo Myunghaeng (“The Outlaws 4”). The screenplay is by Park Chan-wook’s regular partner Chung Seokyung, who has writing credits including “Decision to Leave,” “The Handmaiden” and “Little Women”.
Jun (real name Jeon Ji-hyun) has credits including “My Sassy Girl,” “My Love From the Star” and “Kingdom: Anshin of the North.
- 5/29/2024
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Manhwa, the general Korean term for comics, has existed since the 1970s. During the 1990s, when the ban on Japanese media was lifted, Korean comics became influenced by Japanese art style and storytelling to reach their current iteration. Undeniably, Japanese manga and Korean manhwa have a lot in common stylistically and narratively, and each has its rabid fanbase. The popularity of manhwa has been on a steady incline, mainly due to WebToon, a company started in 2004 by Naver Corporation that hosts a vast majority of the popular titles.
As a manga diehard, I was initially hesitant to approach manhwa, particularly with a preference for physical media. But with publishers' efforts to bring titles to print, I found myself attracted to the format both on and off the page. Still, it can be somewhat intimidating to approach, given the abundant amount of content out there.
I have highlighted ten great titles...
As a manga diehard, I was initially hesitant to approach manhwa, particularly with a preference for physical media. But with publishers' efforts to bring titles to print, I found myself attracted to the format both on and off the page. Still, it can be somewhat intimidating to approach, given the abundant amount of content out there.
I have highlighted ten great titles...
- 10/26/2023
- by Adam Symchuk
- AsianMoviePulse
“After being worked to the bone at her office job, getting introduced to her longtime crush's new girlfriend, and dealing with her family's debt hanging over her head, Hari Shin's life seems to have hit rock bottom. Luckily, her friend Youngseo has a business proposal for her: go to an arranged date in her stead and Hari will receive a hefty compensation. Things grow complicated, however, when it turns out that the other party is Hari's new CEO—and he's dead-set on marrying whoever shows up to the date!” (Ize Press)
on Amazon by clicking on the image below
A dedicated fanbase has long revered the Korean rom-com for its sharp comedic wit combined with its ability to pack an emotional punch. Though most dominant in TV and film, this sentiment also extends to Manhwa, which has been steadily rising in popularity with the continued growth of...
on Amazon by clicking on the image below
A dedicated fanbase has long revered the Korean rom-com for its sharp comedic wit combined with its ability to pack an emotional punch. Though most dominant in TV and film, this sentiment also extends to Manhwa, which has been steadily rising in popularity with the continued growth of...
- 5/20/2023
- by Adam Symchuk
- AsianMoviePulse
There has been an emergence of comedy films in Korean cinema ever since the immensely popular My Sassy Girl first blistered across theatre screens in 2001 and followed by other funny offerings that came out throughout the early 2000s like 200 Pounds Beauty (2006), and My Tutor Friend (2003). These films offer up a comical side to the stoic glitz and glamour of the Hallyu World and adding to this mix is this ‘riches-to-rags' dramedy written and directed by Ma Dae-Yoon, which features the return of Lee Min-jung with her first feature role since Wonderful Radio (2012).
“Switch” is screening at San Diego Asian Film Festival Spring Showcase
Park Gang(Kwon Sang-woo) is an infamous bad boy of showbiz, and his name is often mentioned in tabloids and across social media. The thespian is managed by his longtime buddy and failed actor Jo Yoon (Oh Jung-se). Park Gang enjoys bachelorhood and other finer pursuits and as a Prima donna,...
“Switch” is screening at San Diego Asian Film Festival Spring Showcase
Park Gang(Kwon Sang-woo) is an infamous bad boy of showbiz, and his name is often mentioned in tabloids and across social media. The thespian is managed by his longtime buddy and failed actor Jo Yoon (Oh Jung-se). Park Gang enjoys bachelorhood and other finer pursuits and as a Prima donna,...
- 4/17/2023
- by Leon Overee
- AsianMoviePulse
As an actress, Jeon Jong-seo has been making waves since her debut in Lee Chang-dong’s “Burning”. Her follow-up, “The Call” has also been well received on Netflix, with her performance often being called the highlight of the feature. Thus, it was with surprise and anticipation that fans looked forward to her next project “Nothing Serious”, a first romance in her filmography, in which she’s been paired opposite man-of-the-moment Son Sukku.
“Love Letter” is screening at the 11th Sdaff Spring Showcase
Twenty-nine years old Ja-young is having a bit of a life crisis. Though things are looking up with her start-up grant being accepted, her recent break-up bears heavy on her thoughts. More than the relationship itself, she misses the sex and the upcoming New Year only helps in making matter worse. After all traditional attempts at landing a hookup fail, she finally installs a dating app, against her better judgement.
“Love Letter” is screening at the 11th Sdaff Spring Showcase
Twenty-nine years old Ja-young is having a bit of a life crisis. Though things are looking up with her start-up grant being accepted, her recent break-up bears heavy on her thoughts. More than the relationship itself, she misses the sex and the upcoming New Year only helps in making matter worse. After all traditional attempts at landing a hookup fail, she finally installs a dating app, against her better judgement.
- 4/30/2022
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
Multi-starrer Christmas films have been being released around the holiday season for a while now and the fad seems to have finally reached South Korean shores. After “New Year Blues” last year, this year sees director Kwak Jae-yong, who is no stranger to the mushy romance genre after having made such classics as “My Sassy Girl”, “Windstuck” and “The Classic”, take on a similar project, with a massive star-cast boasting of impressive talents both young and young-at-heart.
Synopsis
The story of people who met each other at Hotel Emros during the New Year holidays, each with their own stories and creating relationships in their own ways.
As expected from the storyline, the characters are divided in both the staff and guests working in the Hotel. The staff comprises of Han Ji-min (“Miss Baek”), who plays the hotel manager, Lee Dong-wook (“The Beauty Inside”) as the hotel’s CEO, Yoona (“Exit”) as the receptionist,...
Synopsis
The story of people who met each other at Hotel Emros during the New Year holidays, each with their own stories and creating relationships in their own ways.
As expected from the storyline, the characters are divided in both the staff and guests working in the Hotel. The staff comprises of Han Ji-min (“Miss Baek”), who plays the hotel manager, Lee Dong-wook (“The Beauty Inside”) as the hotel’s CEO, Yoona (“Exit”) as the receptionist,...
- 11/30/2021
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
After directing “My Sassy Girl”, Kwak Jae-yong was quick to direct another classic right after. “The Classic” is a love story much like anyone has seen before, yet it adds a remarkable amount of charm and weight to a standard story.
The film concerns two storylines and two generations. A tale of mother and daughter, and how they find love. When Ji-hae (Son Ye-jin) finds a box full of letters and a diary written by her mother that details her own romance, it engrosses her. In the 1960s, we follow the romantic Joon-ha (Cho Seung-woo) and Joo-hee (also played by Son Ye-jin), paralleling the familial story of 2003’s Ji-hae and Sang-min (Jo In-sung). The audience is taken on a journey through both romances, each in their own time, showing similarities, but being ultimately unique.
“The Classic” is very dreamy in nature. It’s pure romance. A story...
The film concerns two storylines and two generations. A tale of mother and daughter, and how they find love. When Ji-hae (Son Ye-jin) finds a box full of letters and a diary written by her mother that details her own romance, it engrosses her. In the 1960s, we follow the romantic Joon-ha (Cho Seung-woo) and Joo-hee (also played by Son Ye-jin), paralleling the familial story of 2003’s Ji-hae and Sang-min (Jo In-sung). The audience is taken on a journey through both romances, each in their own time, showing similarities, but being ultimately unique.
“The Classic” is very dreamy in nature. It’s pure romance. A story...
- 4/21/2021
- by Reinier Brands
- AsianMoviePulse
Online dating has surged in popularity in recent years, for many reasons. Joining a dating platform is certainly the most convenient way for singles to interact with like-minded individuals, flirting and exchanging messages with other site users from the comfort of home. You can also choose to meet singles from a variety of cultural backgrounds. Asian dating is a frequently searched dating topic. If you’ve connected with a charming Asian single, you might like to consider romantic movies to watch on your first date. Here are five of the most recommended according to dating experts from https://www.asian-dating.ca/ review service.
My Sassy Girl (2001)
This title is less a film than a phenomenon – upon release it was South Korea’s highest-grossing rom-com of all time. My Sassy Girl was initiated as diary-like entries written by Ho-Sik Kim about his experiences with his girlfriend, and posted on the Internet.
My Sassy Girl (2001)
This title is less a film than a phenomenon – upon release it was South Korea’s highest-grossing rom-com of all time. My Sassy Girl was initiated as diary-like entries written by Ho-Sik Kim about his experiences with his girlfriend, and posted on the Internet.
- 11/12/2020
- by AMP Training
- AsianMoviePulse
Inspired by a true story about a guy’s online blog detailing his relationship with a girl, “My Sassy Girl” was an absolute phenomenon in Korea, and in much of Asia in general. The pinnacle of Korean rom-com movies and copied over and over, it never really invented the game in the first place. However, it did perfect it.
“My Sassy Girl” follows the story of the mild-mannered Kyun-woo (played by Cha Tae-hyun), a 25-year old student who essentially saves the life of the unnamed “sassy” girl (played by Jun Ji-hyun). Despite the absolutely insane behavior of the girl now and then, Kyun-woo soon feels some sense of responsibility for her and ends up falling in love in the process. An unlikely love story that gender-bends a lot of regular stereotypes, and does so quite well. As mentioned, it is based on a series of blogposts from...
“My Sassy Girl” follows the story of the mild-mannered Kyun-woo (played by Cha Tae-hyun), a 25-year old student who essentially saves the life of the unnamed “sassy” girl (played by Jun Ji-hyun). Despite the absolutely insane behavior of the girl now and then, Kyun-woo soon feels some sense of responsibility for her and ends up falling in love in the process. An unlikely love story that gender-bends a lot of regular stereotypes, and does so quite well. As mentioned, it is based on a series of blogposts from...
- 11/9/2020
- by Reinier Brands
- AsianMoviePulse
College movies can have such a diverse and vast audience. We watch these movies as teens, dreaming about college life to happen sooner. We watch them at college, to see people like us represented in the cinema. We watch them later in life whenever we feel nostalgic about those young years. Hence, a good college movie can be a true treasure for many people of different ages and experiences. In our list, we have collected 7 must-watch Asian movies about college life. Get some popcorn, and pick the one that speaks to you tonight.
1. You are the Apple of My Eye (2011)
A classical story of a good girl falling for a bad boy. Somehow these types of stories never get out of style. This time the movie is set back in the 1990s. A bright girl Shen Chia-Yi is the best student at school. Though, a lot is yet to change...
1. You are the Apple of My Eye (2011)
A classical story of a good girl falling for a bad boy. Somehow these types of stories never get out of style. This time the movie is set back in the 1990s. A bright girl Shen Chia-Yi is the best student at school. Though, a lot is yet to change...
- 10/26/2020
- by AMP Training
- AsianMoviePulse
With credits including “My Sassy Girl” and “Lies,” Shin Chul is one of Korea’s most successful film producers. Recently put in charge of the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival, Shin readily volunteers the information that he doesn’t much like festivals. Yet Shin’s shy, Otaku-like character may be exactly what Bifan needs as it adapts and embraces the digital era.
Variety: You say that you don’t like film festivals. So why take the job?
Shin: “I was tricked into it. I was told I only needed to come to the office twice a week. I’m from the first generation of modern K cinema. But since then I never liked to speak in front of crowds of people. Since college I avoided nightclubs and preferred my own company.
“Before we had online ticketing, people would line up outside the theater on the opening day. That always made me scared.
Variety: You say that you don’t like film festivals. So why take the job?
Shin: “I was tricked into it. I was told I only needed to come to the office twice a week. I’m from the first generation of modern K cinema. But since then I never liked to speak in front of crowds of people. Since college I avoided nightclubs and preferred my own company.
“Before we had online ticketing, people would line up outside the theater on the opening day. That always made me scared.
- 7/4/2019
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
South Korean conglomerate Cj Entertainment is moving forward with a Thai remake of the 2003 Korean hit romance The Classic, directed by first-time helmer Thatchaphong Suphasri for a late 2019 release.
Titled Classic Again, the new version stars actor Thitipoom Techaapaikhun, known for his work on Thai TV, and model and rising actress Ranchrawee Uakoolwarawat. The remake is solely produced by Cj Major Entertainment with no co-producing partners.
A tearjerking romance, The Classic was Korean director Kwak Jae-yong’s follow-up to his smash hit My Sassy Girl (2001). The film took in $6.9 million and turned Son Ye-jin, who played both mother and ...
Titled Classic Again, the new version stars actor Thitipoom Techaapaikhun, known for his work on Thai TV, and model and rising actress Ranchrawee Uakoolwarawat. The remake is solely produced by Cj Major Entertainment with no co-producing partners.
A tearjerking romance, The Classic was Korean director Kwak Jae-yong’s follow-up to his smash hit My Sassy Girl (2001). The film took in $6.9 million and turned Son Ye-jin, who played both mother and ...
- 3/19/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
South Korean conglomerate Cj Entertainment is moving forward with a Thai remake of the 2003 Korean hit romance The Classic, directed by first-time helmer Thatchaphong Suphasri for a late 2019 release.
Titled Classic Again, the new version stars actor Thitipoom Techaapaikhun, known for his work on Thai TV, and model and rising actress Ranchrawee Uakoolwarawat. The remake is solely produced by Cj Major Entertainment with no co-producing partners.
A tearjerking romance, The Classic was Korean director Kwak Jae-yong’s follow-up to his smash hit My Sassy Girl (2001). The film took in $6.9 million and turned Son Ye-jin, who played both mother and ...
Titled Classic Again, the new version stars actor Thitipoom Techaapaikhun, known for his work on Thai TV, and model and rising actress Ranchrawee Uakoolwarawat. The remake is solely produced by Cj Major Entertainment with no co-producing partners.
A tearjerking romance, The Classic was Korean director Kwak Jae-yong’s follow-up to his smash hit My Sassy Girl (2001). The film took in $6.9 million and turned Son Ye-jin, who played both mother and ...
- 3/19/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
TollywoodFrom ‘Tholiprema’ to ‘Premam’ and ‘Roman Holiday’, here is what Tollywood celebrities picked as the one romantic film that made a huge impact on them.Hemanth Kumar C RLong before Valentine’s Day was reduced to a punchline, cinema has had a huge influence on how we perceive romance. Starting from the epic romantic tales of the yore to modern classics, there’s quite a lot of stuff to choose from to mark the occasion. So, we asked some of the popular actors and directors from Telugu film industry to name their favourite romantic films. Here’s what they said. Roman Holiday – Samantha, Actor I was in class 10 when I watched Roman Holiday for the first time. Back then, we had a Vcr at home and I must have seen the film at least 20-30 times. My love affair with Audrey Hepburn began with Roman Holiday, and when I was young,...
- 2/14/2019
- by Vidya
- The News Minute
Festival also showcases local films as the Vietnam Cinema Department becomes more proactive in film financing.
Iranian director Rouhollah Hejazi’s The Dark Room was named best film at the 5th Hanoi International Film Festival (Haniff), while Poland’s Piotr Domalewski won best director for Silent Night and the jury award went to Serbian director Vladimir Todorovic’s Pale Folk.
A total of 12 international feature films making at least their Asian premieres were in competition. Other award winners include Signal Rock from the Philippines, which won best actor for Christian Bables, and Vietnam’s Summer In Closed Eyes, which took...
Iranian director Rouhollah Hejazi’s The Dark Room was named best film at the 5th Hanoi International Film Festival (Haniff), while Poland’s Piotr Domalewski won best director for Silent Night and the jury award went to Serbian director Vladimir Todorovic’s Pale Folk.
A total of 12 international feature films making at least their Asian premieres were in competition. Other award winners include Signal Rock from the Philippines, which won best actor for Christian Bables, and Vietnam’s Summer In Closed Eyes, which took...
- 11/1/2018
- by Silvia Wong
- ScreenDaily
What do Ha Jung Woo and Cha Tae Hyun have in common? Probably nothing. Whereas Ha Jung Woo established himself in the Korean entertainment industry as a serious, dynamic, method actor with explosive movie hits like “Assassination”, ‘The Chaser” and the new biopic film, “1987”, the latter is well-known and loved for his comic roles and feel-good romantic comedy films and dramas like “My Sassy Girl” and “Hello Ghost”.
Credit: koalasplayground.com and kdramastars.com
With that being said, it is pretty obvious that the two are definitely out of their comfort zones in the upcoming fantasy-action film “Along with the Gods (Part 1)”. The two actors are set to play unconventional characters this time; Ha playing an Angel of Death whose task is to guide souls into the afterlife and Cha taking on the role of a soul who needs to undergo seven trials in 49 days.
The highly-anticipated film adaptation of...
Credit: koalasplayground.com and kdramastars.com
With that being said, it is pretty obvious that the two are definitely out of their comfort zones in the upcoming fantasy-action film “Along with the Gods (Part 1)”. The two actors are set to play unconventional characters this time; Ha playing an Angel of Death whose task is to guide souls into the afterlife and Cha taking on the role of a soul who needs to undergo seven trials in 49 days.
The highly-anticipated film adaptation of...
- 8/3/2017
- by Irick Marie Arbuso
- AsianMoviePulse
Sci-fi by Aaron Moorhead and Justin Benson debuted at Tribeca Film Festival.
Asia’s largest genre film event, the 21st Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (Bifan), awarded its Best Of Bucheon prize to The Endless.
Directors Aaron Moorhead and Justin Benson receive a cash prize of $17,900 (KW20m).
The Us sci-fi horror thriller follows two brothers who return to visit what they believe to be a UFO death cult that they escaped at a younger age.
Benson and Moorhead also star and the innovative team has previously been noted for co-directing genre favorites Resolution and Spring.
The Endless made its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival and has been snapping up distribution deals since. Read about those here and here.
The Bucheon Choice: Features jury was made up of Train To Busan actor Kim Eui Sung, Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival director Angel Sala, Korean producer Shin Chul (My Sassy Girl), programme director of the Hong...
Asia’s largest genre film event, the 21st Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (Bifan), awarded its Best Of Bucheon prize to The Endless.
Directors Aaron Moorhead and Justin Benson receive a cash prize of $17,900 (KW20m).
The Us sci-fi horror thriller follows two brothers who return to visit what they believe to be a UFO death cult that they escaped at a younger age.
Benson and Moorhead also star and the innovative team has previously been noted for co-directing genre favorites Resolution and Spring.
The Endless made its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival and has been snapping up distribution deals since. Read about those here and here.
The Bucheon Choice: Features jury was made up of Train To Busan actor Kim Eui Sung, Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival director Angel Sala, Korean producer Shin Chul (My Sassy Girl), programme director of the Hong...
- 7/21/2017
- by hjnoh2007@gmail.com (Jean Noh)
- ScreenDaily
Ahead of its opening tomorrow nationwide, the title has garnered resounding praise on the festival circuit for the startling mixture of drama, thriller, and dark comedy, and the exquisitely crafted mise-en-scène.
Directed by Kim Sang-chan who debuted with 2007’s comedy-drama Highway Star with Cha Tae-hyun (My Sassy Girl), the film features veteran character actor Lee Moon-sik, who is known for comedic roles in films such as Mapado (2005) and Miss Conspirator (2012). Lee shows off a new side of his acting range.
Plot
A karaoke in a rural town called “Karaoke Crazies” is run by Sung-wook (played by Lee Moon-sik). Business is slow and when Sung-wook posts karaoke singing along job to boost sales, a girl in early 20’s, Ha-suk comes along. She’s hopeless game addict and lack of talent but soon she starts to use a special tactic to lure customers in. Then Na-ju, a professional singing along...
Directed by Kim Sang-chan who debuted with 2007’s comedy-drama Highway Star with Cha Tae-hyun (My Sassy Girl), the film features veteran character actor Lee Moon-sik, who is known for comedic roles in films such as Mapado (2005) and Miss Conspirator (2012). Lee shows off a new side of his acting range.
Plot
A karaoke in a rural town called “Karaoke Crazies” is run by Sung-wook (played by Lee Moon-sik). Business is slow and when Sung-wook posts karaoke singing along job to boost sales, a girl in early 20’s, Ha-suk comes along. She’s hopeless game addict and lack of talent but soon she starts to use a special tactic to lure customers in. Then Na-ju, a professional singing along...
- 6/14/2017
- by Lady J.
- AsianMoviePulse
Exclusive: Romantic comedy is a sequel to 2001’s My Sassy Girl.
Mirovision has sold Korea-China co-production My New Sassy Girl to a slew of territories including Hong Kong & Macau (Edko), the Philippines (Pioneer), Thailand (Hollywood Thailand), Malaysia (Clover Films) and Vietnam (Bhd).
A sequel to the watershed romantic comedy My Sassy Girl (2001) - which swept through Asia with Gianna Jun (aka Jun Ji-hyun) in the titular lead launching to stardom, My New Sassy Girl stars Cha Tae-hyun from the original opposite Victoria, a Chinese member of K-pop band f(x).
This time, he is trying to come to terms with newly-wed life with an unconventional girl from China.
Directed by Joh Gun-shik, the film is co-production between Korea’s Shincine and China’s Beijing Skywheel Media.
It opened in China April 22 and earned $5.25m after 10 days. Today (May 12), Little Big Pictures is opening it in South Korea and Clover Films in Singapore.
Mirovision has sold Korea-China co-production My New Sassy Girl to a slew of territories including Hong Kong & Macau (Edko), the Philippines (Pioneer), Thailand (Hollywood Thailand), Malaysia (Clover Films) and Vietnam (Bhd).
A sequel to the watershed romantic comedy My Sassy Girl (2001) - which swept through Asia with Gianna Jun (aka Jun Ji-hyun) in the titular lead launching to stardom, My New Sassy Girl stars Cha Tae-hyun from the original opposite Victoria, a Chinese member of K-pop band f(x).
This time, he is trying to come to terms with newly-wed life with an unconventional girl from China.
Directed by Joh Gun-shik, the film is co-production between Korea’s Shincine and China’s Beijing Skywheel Media.
It opened in China April 22 and earned $5.25m after 10 days. Today (May 12), Little Big Pictures is opening it in South Korea and Clover Films in Singapore.
- 5/12/2016
- by hjnoh2007@gmail.com (Jean Noh)
- ScreenDaily
That’s right. Hulu.
I’m here to tell you that there’s a cinematic streaming goldmine available on Hulu that includes recent hits, older classics, domestic releases, and foreign imports. It’s even home to hundreds of Criterion titles. Sure there’s plenty of filler and seemingly thousands of titles that can’t possibly be real, but I’m here to recommend some good movies to watch this month on Hulu.
Pick of the Month — Hwayi: A Monster Boy (2013)
South Korean cinema features no shortage of brilliant and brutal action thrillers, but while everyone knows about the likes of I Saw the Devil and Memories of Murder there are more than a few gems that have slipped through the cracks. Jang Joon-hwan’s long overdue follow-up to Save the Green Planet is a fast-moving, creatively violent mix of dark deeds and beautifully choreographed fights and stunts. There’s a wicked sense of humor running through it...
I’m here to tell you that there’s a cinematic streaming goldmine available on Hulu that includes recent hits, older classics, domestic releases, and foreign imports. It’s even home to hundreds of Criterion titles. Sure there’s plenty of filler and seemingly thousands of titles that can’t possibly be real, but I’m here to recommend some good movies to watch this month on Hulu.
Pick of the Month — Hwayi: A Monster Boy (2013)
South Korean cinema features no shortage of brilliant and brutal action thrillers, but while everyone knows about the likes of I Saw the Devil and Memories of Murder there are more than a few gems that have slipped through the cracks. Jang Joon-hwan’s long overdue follow-up to Save the Green Planet is a fast-moving, creatively violent mix of dark deeds and beautifully choreographed fights and stunts. There’s a wicked sense of humor running through it...
- 5/10/2016
- by Rob Hunter
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
Director: Kwak Jae-Yong / Distributor: Cj Entertainment
Cast: Im Soo-Jung, Jo Jung-Seok, Lee Jin-Wook
The story moves through two time periods. A high school teacher, Ji-Hwan (Jo Jung-Seok) in 1983 and a homicide detective, Gun-Woo (Lee Jin-Wook) in 2015, who happen to see through each other’s lives in their dreams, soon learn that they exist in different times and that Ji-Hwan’s fiance, Yoon-Jeong (Im Soo-Jung) winds up getting killed shortly afterwards. Taking advantage of the time warp, both men join forces to ferret out the past and change her fate.
Director Kwak is known primarily for romantic comedy films such as My Sassy Girl (2001), The Classic (2003) and Windstruck (2004). He recently directed the Japanese romantic comedy with a sci-fi twist, Cyborg she (2008) and the Chinese romantic comedy, Meet Miss Anxiety (2014).
Im Soo-Jung portrayed a delusional girl who believes she is a cyborg in the high-concept film, I’m a Cyborg,...
Cast: Im Soo-Jung, Jo Jung-Seok, Lee Jin-Wook
The story moves through two time periods. A high school teacher, Ji-Hwan (Jo Jung-Seok) in 1983 and a homicide detective, Gun-Woo (Lee Jin-Wook) in 2015, who happen to see through each other’s lives in their dreams, soon learn that they exist in different times and that Ji-Hwan’s fiance, Yoon-Jeong (Im Soo-Jung) winds up getting killed shortly afterwards. Taking advantage of the time warp, both men join forces to ferret out the past and change her fate.
Director Kwak is known primarily for romantic comedy films such as My Sassy Girl (2001), The Classic (2003) and Windstruck (2004). He recently directed the Japanese romantic comedy with a sci-fi twist, Cyborg she (2008) and the Chinese romantic comedy, Meet Miss Anxiety (2014).
Im Soo-Jung portrayed a delusional girl who believes she is a cyborg in the high-concept film, I’m a Cyborg,...
- 3/31/2016
- by Lady Jane
- AsianMoviePulse
The Great Actor
The ace supporting star in Korean cinema, Oh Dal-Su graces screens as the leading man for the very first time. Directed by Seok Min-Woo, it follows a small-time actor who performs in children’s plays, and concocts a lie about being involved in a big film with a famed director and a major star, his friend 20 years earlier.
Oh Dal-Su, whose name has become synonymous with hits in Korea, has appeared in numerous films, including Old Boy, Sympathy For Lady Vengeance, Thirst, The Thieves, Miracle in Cell No.7, The Attorney, Ode to My Father. He recently featured in Veteran and Assassination that netted almost 40 million admissions, according to Kofic.
Director Seok, who was an assistant director on major films, including Park Chan-Wook’s Sympathy For Lady Vengeance, I’m a Cyborg, but That’s Ok and Thirst, as well as Kim Ji-Woon’s I Saw The Devil,...
The ace supporting star in Korean cinema, Oh Dal-Su graces screens as the leading man for the very first time. Directed by Seok Min-Woo, it follows a small-time actor who performs in children’s plays, and concocts a lie about being involved in a big film with a famed director and a major star, his friend 20 years earlier.
Oh Dal-Su, whose name has become synonymous with hits in Korea, has appeared in numerous films, including Old Boy, Sympathy For Lady Vengeance, Thirst, The Thieves, Miracle in Cell No.7, The Attorney, Ode to My Father. He recently featured in Veteran and Assassination that netted almost 40 million admissions, according to Kofic.
Director Seok, who was an assistant director on major films, including Park Chan-Wook’s Sympathy For Lady Vengeance, I’m a Cyborg, but That’s Ok and Thirst, as well as Kim Ji-Woon’s I Saw The Devil,...
- 3/21/2016
- by Lady Jane
- AsianMoviePulse
Korean industry veteran Kwak Jae-young - still best known as the writer of My Sassy Girl, though his resume runs far deeper than that - returns to Korean screens later this year as writer-director of Time Renegade, and it appears that he'll be delivering a slick crime thriller with his latest. The story line here spans two time periods, a 1983 set story revolving around a music teacher and his fiance and a current day piece in which that music teacher pairs with a detective to solve the events of the past. Given that it's Kwak it's safe to expect a healthy dose of melodrama here but, hey, that's pretty much what makes Korean cinema what it is. Check out the trailer below....
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- 3/3/2016
- Screen Anarchy
Valentine’s Day is fast approaching. So, for all you lovebirds out there who just want a staycation date, grab a bowl of popcorn and watch these Asian romantic comedies this weekend that will give you all the feels.
Secret (2007)
Secret stars Jay Chou as piano major student Ye Xianglu and Gwei Lun-mei as time traveling heroine Lu Xiaoyu.
My Girlfriend is a Cyborg aka Cyborg She (2008)
Kwak Jae-yong, director of My Sassy Girl, had a comeback in this mix of romance, comedy, and science fiction. My Girlfriend is a Cyborg stars Keisuke Koide as Jiro Kitamura, a lonely man from Tokyo, while Haruka Ayase plays the Cyborg he falls in love with. The Cyborg was created by an older Jiro after a girl he met in his past and sent her to the past to protect him after a devastating earthquake in Tokyo.
What Women Want (2011)
What Women Want...
Secret (2007)
Secret stars Jay Chou as piano major student Ye Xianglu and Gwei Lun-mei as time traveling heroine Lu Xiaoyu.
My Girlfriend is a Cyborg aka Cyborg She (2008)
Kwak Jae-yong, director of My Sassy Girl, had a comeback in this mix of romance, comedy, and science fiction. My Girlfriend is a Cyborg stars Keisuke Koide as Jiro Kitamura, a lonely man from Tokyo, while Haruka Ayase plays the Cyborg he falls in love with. The Cyborg was created by an older Jiro after a girl he met in his past and sent her to the past to protect him after a devastating earthquake in Tokyo.
What Women Want (2011)
What Women Want...
- 2/12/2016
- by Kat Meneses
- AsianMoviePulse
South Korean sales agent Mirovision has launched sales on Korea-China co-production The Third Way Of Love, directed by Korean filmmaker John H. Lee (A Moment To Remember).
Korea’s Sm Contents Investment is financing the film and it is being produced by China’s Hs Media Investment Co., Ltd. and Pegasus Media.
The tragic love triangle story stars Song Seung-heon as the heir to a huge corporation and Crystal Liu as a woman who has just gotten through a painful divorce.
“We’re concentrating on this and our other Korea-China co-production My New Sassy Girl,” says Mirovision CEO Jason Chae.
Directed by Cho Keun-shik, the sequel to pan-Asian hit My Sassy Girl is currently in post-production and waiting to pass the censorship board in China. It’s aiming for a spring 2016 release.
Mirovision has in production the latest animation from Ahn Jae-hun and Han Hye-jin Han, the directing duo who were in Busan and the Annecy International...
Korea’s Sm Contents Investment is financing the film and it is being produced by China’s Hs Media Investment Co., Ltd. and Pegasus Media.
The tragic love triangle story stars Song Seung-heon as the heir to a huge corporation and Crystal Liu as a woman who has just gotten through a painful divorce.
“We’re concentrating on this and our other Korea-China co-production My New Sassy Girl,” says Mirovision CEO Jason Chae.
Directed by Cho Keun-shik, the sequel to pan-Asian hit My Sassy Girl is currently in post-production and waiting to pass the censorship board in China. It’s aiming for a spring 2016 release.
Mirovision has in production the latest animation from Ahn Jae-hun and Han Hye-jin Han, the directing duo who were in Busan and the Annecy International...
- 10/6/2015
- by hjnoh2007@gmail.com (Jean Noh)
- ScreenDaily
The 19th Annual Fantasia Film Festival is only a week away, beginning July 14 and running through August 4. And as promised for today, they’ve revealed their full line-up of films screening at 2015’s festival in Montreal.
This year’s line-up boasts 22 World Premieres, 13 International Premieres, and 21 North American Premieres. Both Marvel’s Ant-Man and the animated Miss Hokusai were previously announced, but now they’ve added the much anticipated Attack on Titan movie as their closing night film. Other highlights include the Sundance darlings Cooties, starring Elijah Wood and Rainn Wilson, Cop Car, starring Kevin Bacon and directed by the upcoming Spider-man director Jon Watts, and a trio of films from horror auteur Sion Sono.
See the full line-up announcement of films below via Fantasia’s Facebook page, and be sure to check out their website at fantasiafestival.com for additional information.
****
Fantasia 2015:
36 Countries, 135 Features, and Nearly 300 Short Films
- Including 22 World Premieres,...
This year’s line-up boasts 22 World Premieres, 13 International Premieres, and 21 North American Premieres. Both Marvel’s Ant-Man and the animated Miss Hokusai were previously announced, but now they’ve added the much anticipated Attack on Titan movie as their closing night film. Other highlights include the Sundance darlings Cooties, starring Elijah Wood and Rainn Wilson, Cop Car, starring Kevin Bacon and directed by the upcoming Spider-man director Jon Watts, and a trio of films from horror auteur Sion Sono.
See the full line-up announcement of films below via Fantasia’s Facebook page, and be sure to check out their website at fantasiafestival.com for additional information.
****
Fantasia 2015:
36 Countries, 135 Features, and Nearly 300 Short Films
- Including 22 World Premieres,...
- 7/7/2015
- by Brian Welk
- SoundOnSight
The biggest deals of this year’s Cannes Marché du Film and how the Competition titles sold throughout the festival.
Behind the glamour of this year’s Cannes Film Festival, business was booming at the Marché du Film (May 13-22), with representatives from 120 countries in attendance - up four on 2014.
A total 3,300 films were on offer this year, around 1,000 at the project stage, with an estimated 11,000 film professionals in attendance, in line with last year.
In the opening days, Marché chief Jérôme Paillard told Screen: “Acquisition agents are telling me that it’s the first time in a number of years that there are so many big projects. I’ve been told there are around 50 high profile projects on offer.”
North AmericaHOT Projects
Universal Pictures and Focus Features took worldwide rights to Tom Ford’s upcoming thriller Nocturnal Animals, starring Amy Adams and Jake Gyllenhaal, in a deal reportedly worth $20m. [Story]
Open Road paid...
Behind the glamour of this year’s Cannes Film Festival, business was booming at the Marché du Film (May 13-22), with representatives from 120 countries in attendance - up four on 2014.
A total 3,300 films were on offer this year, around 1,000 at the project stage, with an estimated 11,000 film professionals in attendance, in line with last year.
In the opening days, Marché chief Jérôme Paillard told Screen: “Acquisition agents are telling me that it’s the first time in a number of years that there are so many big projects. I’ve been told there are around 50 high profile projects on offer.”
North AmericaHOT Projects
Universal Pictures and Focus Features took worldwide rights to Tom Ford’s upcoming thriller Nocturnal Animals, starring Amy Adams and Jake Gyllenhaal, in a deal reportedly worth $20m. [Story]
Open Road paid...
- 5/22/2015
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Korea’s Mirovision has picked up international rights to romantic comedy My New Sassy Girl, the highly-anticipated sequel to 2001 hit My Sassy Girl.
A co-production between Korea’s Shincine and China’s Beijing Skywheel Media, the sequel stars the male lead of the original film, Cha Tae-hyun, and Victoria, a Chinese member of Korean pop band f(x).
Currently in post-production, the film is directed by Cho Keun-sik (Once In A Summer). The original My Sassy Girl was a huge hit across Asia and launched the career of actress Gianna Jun.
Mirovision has also picked up drama Canola (working title), directed by Chang, whose last film, The Target, played in official selection in Cannes 2014 as a Midnight Screening.
Starring Yoon Yeo-jung and Kim Go-eun, the story follows a grandmother who is reunited with her granddaughter who went missing for 12 years.
In addition, Mirovision is selling several two 40-minute animations, to be released...
A co-production between Korea’s Shincine and China’s Beijing Skywheel Media, the sequel stars the male lead of the original film, Cha Tae-hyun, and Victoria, a Chinese member of Korean pop band f(x).
Currently in post-production, the film is directed by Cho Keun-sik (Once In A Summer). The original My Sassy Girl was a huge hit across Asia and launched the career of actress Gianna Jun.
Mirovision has also picked up drama Canola (working title), directed by Chang, whose last film, The Target, played in official selection in Cannes 2014 as a Midnight Screening.
Starring Yoon Yeo-jung and Kim Go-eun, the story follows a grandmother who is reunited with her granddaughter who went missing for 12 years.
In addition, Mirovision is selling several two 40-minute animations, to be released...
- 5/14/2015
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
If we are to talk about the ever-growing Hallyu wave—the rapidly spreading popularity of South Korean culture—we can never leave out “My Sassy Girl.” While many South Korean films have been screened in different parts of the world years before “My Sassy Girl” was produced, no one can deny that it is one the first Korean films to get undisputable global recognition. It got nominations and awards from various national and international award-giving bodies for three years in a row, its theme song was translated to different languages, and it spurred American and Japanese remakes.
Not only did it bring South Korea into the limelight, but it also catapulted its main stars, namely Tae Hyun Cha and Ji Hyun Jeon, to worldwide fame. And this year, a sequel to the much beloved movie is coming!
Hapless Guy and New Sassy Girl Meets
In the previous movie, Gyeon Woo...
Not only did it bring South Korea into the limelight, but it also catapulted its main stars, namely Tae Hyun Cha and Ji Hyun Jeon, to worldwide fame. And this year, a sequel to the much beloved movie is coming!
Hapless Guy and New Sassy Girl Meets
In the previous movie, Gyeon Woo...
- 3/25/2015
- by Mary Ann Simuangco
- AsianMoviePulse
South Korean director Kwak Jae-young is best known for his classic romantic comedy My Sassy Girl (2001). His latest film Meet Miss Anxiety has a predominatly Chinese cast that includes Zhou Xun, Tong Dawei, Wallace Chung and Zhang Zilin. It is the director's first film since 2008, when Cyborg She and My Mighty Princess were released. Thanks to its distributor Magnum Films, we have Five double passes to give away to our readers. For a chance to win, all you have to do is to follow these two steps:1) Like the Magnum Film Facebook page, and2) Email your name and postal address to me at: hugo[at]twitchfilm.netMeet Miss Anxiety will open in Australian cinemas on December 5, and this competition will close at 3pm on December 2. -- Good...
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- 11/25/2014
- Screen Anarchy
The Beijing Municipal Bureau of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television has brought a delegation of companies to Busan’s Asian Film Market for the first time, including leading producers such as Galloping Horse, Stellar Megamedia and Desen International Media.
The delegation also includes Hairun Pictures, Hs Media Co, Goldsome Pictures, Forbidden City Film Co, October Days Culture Media Co and The Mirage Culture & Media. The Beijing International Film Festival (Bjiff) and Beijing Film Market (Bfm), which are both organised by Beijing Sapprft, are also attending the market.
Zhao Zhiyong, assistant director of Beijing Sapprft and executive deputy secretary of Bjiff’s organising committee, said a major reason for attending the market is China’s growing interest in working with Korea.
“China’s film market has grown dramatically to become the world’s second largest box office territory,” Zhao said. “Due to the fast development, we have many needs related to financing, talent and technology...
The delegation also includes Hairun Pictures, Hs Media Co, Goldsome Pictures, Forbidden City Film Co, October Days Culture Media Co and The Mirage Culture & Media. The Beijing International Film Festival (Bjiff) and Beijing Film Market (Bfm), which are both organised by Beijing Sapprft, are also attending the market.
Zhao Zhiyong, assistant director of Beijing Sapprft and executive deputy secretary of Bjiff’s organising committee, said a major reason for attending the market is China’s growing interest in working with Korea.
“China’s film market has grown dramatically to become the world’s second largest box office territory,” Zhao said. “Due to the fast development, we have many needs related to financing, talent and technology...
- 10/5/2014
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
When Saket Chaudhary’s debut feature film Pyaar Ke Side Effects arrived almost a full decade back, it was appreciated for its unusual lead pair and for a fresh approach at the romantic comedy genre. But most people were unaware of the fact that it was lifted almost scene-by-scene from the Korean Smash Hit film “My Sassy Girl”. Many winters have Read More...
- 2/28/2014
- by Indicine Team
- indicine
In past years, Korean audiences continued to be loyal to domestic films at the box office. The thriving domestic film industry registered the year’s biggest hits, attracting audiences to family centric films.
Speedy Scandal, The family comedy was one of the top grossing Korean films in 2008.
Cha Tae-hyun–who played the hero in 2001 smash My Sassy Girl–plays Nam Hyeon-su, the caring, sympathetic presenter of a popular call-in/music radio show, who is in fact the solipsistic egomaniac and lives a well-ordered life in a luxury bachelor pad. His self-indulgent life is capsized when his regular caller, 22-year-old single mom Hwang Jeong-nam (Park Bo-young) turns up at his door with her young son, Ki-dong (Wang Seok-hyeon) in tow.
In the film Park Bo-young has the makings of a real star and little Wang Seok-hyeon steals the show; his delivery of one running joke–“He’s my dad’s grandpa...
Speedy Scandal, The family comedy was one of the top grossing Korean films in 2008.
Cha Tae-hyun–who played the hero in 2001 smash My Sassy Girl–plays Nam Hyeon-su, the caring, sympathetic presenter of a popular call-in/music radio show, who is in fact the solipsistic egomaniac and lives a well-ordered life in a luxury bachelor pad. His self-indulgent life is capsized when his regular caller, 22-year-old single mom Hwang Jeong-nam (Park Bo-young) turns up at his door with her young son, Ki-dong (Wang Seok-hyeon) in tow.
In the film Park Bo-young has the makings of a real star and little Wang Seok-hyeon steals the show; his delivery of one running joke–“He’s my dad’s grandpa...
- 2/16/2014
- by Jane Youm
- AsianMoviePulse
Hollywood remaking foreign-language films isn’t anything new, and countries as diverse as France, Japan, and Iceland have all seen their movies adapted, for better or worse, through an American lens. South Korea is a relatively new inductee into the bunch with only a handful of their films getting the Hollywood treatment leading up to this year’s much maligned Spike Lee redo of Park Chan-wook’s Oldboy. 2006′s The Lake House was the first U.S. remake of a Korean film (based on Il Mare), and it was followed by a forgettable romantic comedy (My Sassy Girl) and a trio of horror films including Mirrors (Into the Mirror), The Uninvited (A Tale of Two Sisters), and Possession (Addicted). And that’s it… for now. Per The Wrap, the latest Korean film to be slated for Hollywood reincarnation is Kim Jee-woon‘s brutally uncompromising and wickedly good I Saw the Devil (my review). Remake rights have been...
- 12/20/2013
- by Rob Hunter
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
Odd List Ryan Lambie Simon Brew 5 Dec 2013 - 06:54
Our voyage through history's underappreciated films arrives at the year 2001, and a vintage year for lesser-seen gems...
Stanley Kubrick and Arthur C Clarke may have seen 2001 as the year we'd head off to meet alien intelligences in the depths of space, but in reality, its cinematic landscape was dominated by fantasy rather than extra-terrestrials. Rowling and Tolkien dominated the box office, with Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone and The Fellowship Of The Ring earning almost $1bn each, while Monsters, Inc and Shrek thrilled old and young audiences alike.
At the other end of the spectrum of success, 2001 was such a vintage year for movies that we had to whittle our usual selection of 25 films down from an initial selection of more than 40. This is why the decision was made - with heavy heart - to exclude some of our favourite films,...
Our voyage through history's underappreciated films arrives at the year 2001, and a vintage year for lesser-seen gems...
Stanley Kubrick and Arthur C Clarke may have seen 2001 as the year we'd head off to meet alien intelligences in the depths of space, but in reality, its cinematic landscape was dominated by fantasy rather than extra-terrestrials. Rowling and Tolkien dominated the box office, with Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone and The Fellowship Of The Ring earning almost $1bn each, while Monsters, Inc and Shrek thrilled old and young audiences alike.
At the other end of the spectrum of success, 2001 was such a vintage year for movies that we had to whittle our usual selection of 25 films down from an initial selection of more than 40. This is why the decision was made - with heavy heart - to exclude some of our favourite films,...
- 12/4/2013
- by ryanlambie
- Den of Geek
With Spike Lee's Oldboy bearing down on us and recent news of remakes for the other films in Park Chan-wook's Vengeance Trilogy on the way, not to mention American versions of Confession of Murder and New World, there's no shortage of Korean films being remade by Hollywood these days. The trend is still hot it seems as the latest project to be optioned by Tinseltown is supernatural comedy Hello Ghost, which scared up some strong business in the winter of 2010/11.Adam Sandler is set to headline the film, which is called Ghost, and will directed by Chris Columbus for Universal. Sandler will take on the lead role that was played by popular Korean funny man Cha Tae-hyun (My Sassy Girl, 2001) in the original. The...
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- 6/14/2013
- Screen Anarchy
Being one of the more tired genres to litter the multiplexes, every so often romantic comedies need a little boost to remind us that they can be worthwhile. Out of all of the national industries that regularly churn them out, this seems to happen the most often in Korean cinema. Many western film viewers were introduced to the country's cinematic output through the contemporary classic My Sassy Girl (2001), which launched the careers of both Jeon Ji-hyun (The Thieves) and Cha Tae-hyun (Speedy Scandal, 2008). Though the industry makes a great number of intensely formulaic and forgettable romcoms, that hasn't stopped gems like Penny Pinchers (2011), Love Fiction and All About My Wife from appearing in recent years. The first few months of 2013 have...
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- 4/25/2013
- Screen Anarchy
Korean cinema has developed certain genre expectations over the years, and those external pressures seem to dictate a lot of what gets made and distributed internationally. Violent revenge and romantic comedy seem to be the two areas that encompass much of people’s perception of Korean films thanks to break-out hits like Old Boy and My Sassy Girl having spawned dozens of hopeful imitators. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing as numerous quality films have released under these generic genre banners, but it’s still nice to see Korean filmmakers moving outside those comfort zones. Ryoo Seung-wan‘s The Berlin File doesn’t necessarily break new ground within the action/spy genre (thanks to predecessors like Jsa and Shiri), but for one of the first times the action and drama takes place entirely outside of Korea. The film follows a North Korean spy stationed in modern-day Berlin who is framed by his own agency when a...
- 2/19/2013
- by Rob Hunter
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
“Arahan” and “Crying Fist” director Seung-wan Ryoo hops into the deadly spy game with the new South Korean actioner “The Berlin File”, starring some of South Korea’s powerhouse actors. The action doesn’t look too bad, either. Check out a brief 30-second teaser trailer for the film, which is set on location in Berlin, Germany, and from the looks of it, is going to be one intense thrill ride. The plot goes something like this: Exposed by their government, a North Korean spy and his wife attempt to escape pursuing Korean agents as they flee Berlin. The film stars Gianna Jun (of “Blood: The Last Vampire” fame, though she’s still much more famous worldwide for the romcom hit “My Sassy Girl”), Jung-woo Ha, Seung-beom Ryu, and Han Suk Kyu (no stranger to spy movies himself with hits like “Shiri” and “Double Agent” under his belt). South Korea gets...
- 1/14/2013
- by Nix
- Beyond Hollywood
When you think about the best romantic comedies and their countries of origin there a few clear names at the top of the list. Hollywood, of course, has seen its fair share of gems (including High Fidelity and When Harry Met Sally) even if their level of quality has been replaced in the last decade by a morass of Katherine Heigl and Kate Hudson-led stinkers. The UK has several great ones but earns a spot based on the near perfection of Love Actually alone. Similarly, France would make the list based solely on Amelie although they too have many more fantastic examples as well. Even South Korea, traditionally viewed as home only to movies about revenge, has produced more than a few solid entries in the genre including Finding Mr. Destiny, Spellbound and My Sassy Girl. But what about Germany? It’s okay if you laughed at the absurdity… I...
- 11/29/2012
- by Rob Hunter
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
With upcoming remakes of classic films like The Evil Dead, Carrie, and Oldboy set to storm the box office with their own touches for modern audiences, there is always the potential for a film that could live up to the original classics or at the very least act as companion pieces to the originals. We’ve seen them all before, and the remake machine just isn’t going to stop any time soon. We’ve had our share of truly painful remakes like “Halloween,” and “The Fog,” as well as “Black Christmas,” and “My Sassy Girl,” but sometimes we’re given remakes of classic films that are just as good as the original. Perhaps even better. Here are ten remakes just as good as the original classics…
10. The Hills Have Eyes
With Knb and Fox Searchlight leading the charge, the studio recruited new gen goremeister Alexandre Aja to direct the...
10. The Hills Have Eyes
With Knb and Fox Searchlight leading the charge, the studio recruited new gen goremeister Alexandre Aja to direct the...
- 10/23/2012
- by Felix Vasquez jr.
- Obsessed with Film
The Thieves is a pleasant diversion that heaps on the twists, reaching a crescendo by the middle, but eventually crashes in a pileup of threadbare plot resolutions and sappy melodrama. Crashes of course can prove irresistible to look at, and such is the case with The Thieves. Director and co-writer Choi Dong-hun manages the feat of making even a ludicrous ending look rather sleek.
The movie opens on a heist squad led by Popeye (Jung-Jae Lee), who boosts an artifact from a tycoon smitten by conwoman Anycall (the gorgeous and capably comedic Gianna Jun, also of My Sassy Girl). The beginning sequence functions as the typical sort of hook that establishes how edgy and cool this movie will be – and there are enough antics with grappling hooks and a skintight uniform (set to a brassy, swinging soundtrack) to convince the audience. The main plot develops once Popeye unveils the next...
The movie opens on a heist squad led by Popeye (Jung-Jae Lee), who boosts an artifact from a tycoon smitten by conwoman Anycall (the gorgeous and capably comedic Gianna Jun, also of My Sassy Girl). The beginning sequence functions as the typical sort of hook that establishes how edgy and cool this movie will be – and there are enough antics with grappling hooks and a skintight uniform (set to a brassy, swinging soundtrack) to convince the audience. The main plot develops once Popeye unveils the next...
- 10/16/2012
- by Eric Wang
- JustPressPlay.net
Korea's Choi Dong-hoon proved beyond any doubt that he could turn out slick crime flicks with the best of them when he released Tazza: The High Rollers in 2006. But just in case you need a reminder he's back now with The Thieves.A country-hopping heist flick that features a gang of Korean criminals hitting a casino in Macau the cast features My Sassy Girl lead Jeon Ji-hyun (aka Gianna Jun) and Hong Kong star Simon Yam. Comparisons to Oceans Eleven began as soon as the concept of this one was announced and the just released teaser isn't going to discourage that one bit. Choi is aiming for pure big screen entertainment here and it looks like he's hitting his mark dead on....
- 4/19/2012
- Screen Anarchy
Here's one you're going to want to put on your radar! Due out in Korea this summer is The Thieves, a Choi Dong-hoon film with a seriously impressive cast list. Jeon Ji-hyun (My Sassy Girl), Kim Yoon-seok (The Chaser), Kim Hye-soo (Red Shoes), Lee Jeong-jae (The Housemaid) and Oh Dal-soo (Oldboy) team up with Hk superstars Simon Yam (Election), Angelica Lee (Re-Cycle) and Derek Tsang (Dream Home) in this heist flick that sounds like it'll fit in real well on your shelf between The Italian Job and The Thomas Crown Affair (we're talking about the originals, not the remakes hopefully!).
- 3/8/2012
- 24framespersecond.net
Here's one you're going to want to put on your radar! Due out in Korea this summer is The Thieves, a Choi Dong-hoon film with a seriously impressive cast list. Jeon Ji-hyun (My Sassy Girl), Kim Yoon-seok (The Chaser), Kim Hye-soo (Red Shoes), Lee Jeong-jae (The Housemaid) and Oh Dal-soo (Oldboy) team up with Hk superstars Simon Yam (Election), Angelica Lee (Re-Cycle) and Derek Tsang (Dream Home) in this heist flick that sounds like it'll fit in real well on your shelf between The Italian Job and The Thomas Crown Affair (we're talking about the originals, not the remakes hopefully!).
- 3/8/2012
- 24framespersecond.net
The Thieves was always going to be a big movie, the simple fact that it is the latest from Tazza: The War Of Flowers director Choi Dong-hoon guaranteed that. Throw in a flashy international heist as the central plot point and the casting of My Sassy Girl star Jeon Ji-hyeon and you can see where this is going.In order to let things cool down from their latest heist, Popeye and his group of thieves go to Macao on a job. But the mastermind behind this job is none other than Popeye's old partner Macao Park, who escaped with 68kg of gold several years ago on their last job together.Macao Park brought Chinese thieves as well but little did they know what Macao Park planned...
- 2/28/2012
- Screen Anarchy
The Front Line
Directed by Hun Jang
Written by Sang-yeon Park
2011, South Korea, imdb
*****
South Korea’s official entry to this year’s Academy Awards The Front Line is being released on DVD and Blu-Ray on February 27th. We thought that we would ask two of our staff to watch the film and argue their way through it on Twitter. Defending The Front Line is Edgar Chaput, who writes our weekly Shaw Brothers Saturday column. Attacking The Front Line is Michael Ryan, who rather to his own surprise became our go-to-reviewer for Korean films during last year’s Fantasia Film Festival and a dab hand at writing about himself in the third person. Their original debate has been slightly edited and reordered to improve grammar and flow.
*****
Michael: The Front Line is about a Korean counter-spy, Kang Eun-pyo (Shin Ha-kyun) in the dying days of the Korean War sent to...
Directed by Hun Jang
Written by Sang-yeon Park
2011, South Korea, imdb
*****
South Korea’s official entry to this year’s Academy Awards The Front Line is being released on DVD and Blu-Ray on February 27th. We thought that we would ask two of our staff to watch the film and argue their way through it on Twitter. Defending The Front Line is Edgar Chaput, who writes our weekly Shaw Brothers Saturday column. Attacking The Front Line is Michael Ryan, who rather to his own surprise became our go-to-reviewer for Korean films during last year’s Fantasia Film Festival and a dab hand at writing about himself in the third person. Their original debate has been slightly edited and reordered to improve grammar and flow.
*****
Michael: The Front Line is about a Korean counter-spy, Kang Eun-pyo (Shin Ha-kyun) in the dying days of the Korean War sent to...
- 2/13/2012
- by Michael Ryan
- SoundOnSight
There is only one film people are talking about on the Mainland right now and that's low-budget comedy Love Is Not Blind. The film, which cost only RMB9 million to produce, has been a colossal hit since opening nationwide on 8 November. Much like the Korean romantic comedy My Sassy Girl, the film started out as a hugely popular online blog, written by Bao Jingjing. It tells the story of Xiaoxian, a successful wedding planner who is happy and in love, until she catches her boyfriend of seven years with her best friend. Heartbroken, she begins to keep a diary about being unlucky in love, and the film has been compared favorably to Bridget Jones' Diary.Love Is Not Blind was adapted and directed by Teng...
- 11/19/2011
- Screen Anarchy
As an art form, film making often tends to be influence prone. So it is common having region films influencing Hindi films. Similarly, umpteen numbers of time Hollywood films influenced their Bollywood counterparts in Mumbai. But on account of this aspect of influence, at times film makers tend to make complete mess of it. Consequently, they have managed to churn out poor copies of sheer imitations. 1. Ugly Aur Pagli Deriving its threads of imitation from the Korean flick ‘My Sassy Girl’- Ugly Aur Pagli could do lit...
- 11/6/2011
- Bollywoodmantra.com
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