“The Whirlwind” is a new political intrigue thriller TV series, starring Lee Hae-young, Sol Kyung-gu and Kim Hee-ae, streaming June 28, 2024 on Netflix:
“…’Park Dong Ho’ is prime minister. He wants to punish the corrupt president, who colludes with powerful family owned corporations called ‘chaebols’ and change the world of politics.
“‘Deputy Pm Jung Soo Jin’ confronts him, sparking a fierce political struggle to change that country’s politics…”
Click the images to enlarge…...
“…’Park Dong Ho’ is prime minister. He wants to punish the corrupt president, who colludes with powerful family owned corporations called ‘chaebols’ and change the world of politics.
“‘Deputy Pm Jung Soo Jin’ confronts him, sparking a fierce political struggle to change that country’s politics…”
Click the images to enlarge…...
- 6/5/2024
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
Stories about moral conundrums and the slippery side of justice and integrity are universally attractive and tent to travel well from one side to the other of the world. It's what happened to Herman Koch's novel “The Dinner”, an international bestseller translated in many languages and adapted into four films, Dutch, Italian, American and finally a Korean version directed by Hur Jin-ho with a different title, “A Normal Family”.
A Normal Family is screening at Udine Far East Film Festival
The film's tone of voice is immediately established when we witness a horrific road rage between two cars, ending in one of the drivers being killed and his 6-yer-old daughter left critically injured. The culprit, a rich and arrogant kid with a powerful father, will likely get away with it, as his case is given to the capable hands of rampant and expensive attorney Jae-wan (Suo Kyung-gu). Coincidentally, the...
A Normal Family is screening at Udine Far East Film Festival
The film's tone of voice is immediately established when we witness a horrific road rage between two cars, ending in one of the drivers being killed and his 6-yer-old daughter left critically injured. The culprit, a rich and arrogant kid with a powerful father, will likely get away with it, as his case is given to the capable hands of rampant and expensive attorney Jae-wan (Suo Kyung-gu). Coincidentally, the...
- 4/29/2024
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
"It's about time you grew up." Film Movement has revealed a brand new official trailer for a 4K restoration and re-release of a cult classic Korean indie film from 2002. Oasis was the third feature made by Korean auteur Lee Chang-dong, who later went on to make a splash worldwide with his film Burning in 2018. In this film Oasis, an irresponsible and childish ex-con fresh out of prison befriends a girl with cerebral palsy and develops a progressively stronger bond with her. Co-starring Sol Kyung-gu and Moon So-ri. Winner of the Silver Lion for Best Director and Best Young Actress at the Venice Film Festival, Lee Chang-dong's Oasis is a "brave film" that "shows two people who find any relationship almost impossible, and yet find a way to make theirs work." (From a positive Roger Ebert review.) It was also South Korea's official entry for Best Foreign Language Film at the...
- 4/1/2024
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
His next film, “Oasis”, was a transitional one, since his focus started to change from male characters to female, although in the particular movie, it lies in both. At the same time, his way of shooting also changed. As Lee states: “I used to plan everything out and shoot the scenes accordingly, but with “Oasis”, I tried not to script things. If I saw a pattern, I changed it. If you script things, you can only see the emotions of the main characters. We went through many takes with the supporting actors. And sometimes for the extras also. I think everything in the frame influences the main character's emotions. If their actions contradict this in any way, it can dilute the emotion. That's why I was so picky about these small details. Sol Kyung-gu told me that I could only see the drawbacks” (Source: Kim Young-jin, “Lee Chang-dong“, Seoul, Korean Film Council,...
- 3/25/2024
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
List of Movies and Korean Dramas Releasing on Netflix in 2024. ( Photo Credit – IMDb )
In recent years, Netflix has become a trustworthy source for Kdrama fans to binge on exciting shows. In 2023, the streaming giant released Kdramas from various genres: romantic comedy, romantic tragedy, horror, thriller, etc. Recently, the K-Content page revealed Korean Dramas Releasing On Netflix in 2024. The list is quite exciting and will make the Kdrama fans happy.
During the pandemic, many people discovered the world of Korean Dramas. Viewers love these shows for compelling narratives, fantastic music, the feel-good stories and the anticipation of the kiss between most Kdrama lead couples! So take a pen and paper and list the names of the confirmed Korean Dramas Releasing on Netflix in 2024. The platform has yet to reveal its release dates; they’re divided into three yearly quarters.
Korean Dramas Releasing on Netflix in 2024 – Quarter 1
My Name Is Loh Kiwan...
In recent years, Netflix has become a trustworthy source for Kdrama fans to binge on exciting shows. In 2023, the streaming giant released Kdramas from various genres: romantic comedy, romantic tragedy, horror, thriller, etc. Recently, the K-Content page revealed Korean Dramas Releasing On Netflix in 2024. The list is quite exciting and will make the Kdrama fans happy.
During the pandemic, many people discovered the world of Korean Dramas. Viewers love these shows for compelling narratives, fantastic music, the feel-good stories and the anticipation of the kiss between most Kdrama lead couples! So take a pen and paper and list the names of the confirmed Korean Dramas Releasing on Netflix in 2024. The platform has yet to reveal its release dates; they’re divided into three yearly quarters.
Korean Dramas Releasing on Netflix in 2024 – Quarter 1
My Name Is Loh Kiwan...
- 2/7/2024
- by Pooja Darade
- KoiMoi
On the morning of December 27th, 2023, the world woke up to the shocking news that top star actor Lee Sun-kyun, known the world over for his performance in the Academy Award-winning “Parasite” among many other great films”, was found dead in his car, reportedly from carbon monoxide poisoning. The much-loved actor, who was the subject of a police investigation for drugs related allegations at the time, had decided to take his own life at a time when he was quite possibly at the height of success in his career.
While it is not our aim to discuss the details surrounding the case or the role that the media and the police had to play in pushing the actor to the brink, we would like a lot of his fans celebrate the fantastic legacy of work that the actor, known for his unconventional good looks, inherent charm and a unique voice,...
While it is not our aim to discuss the details surrounding the case or the role that the media and the police had to play in pushing the actor to the brink, we would like a lot of his fans celebrate the fantastic legacy of work that the actor, known for his unconventional good looks, inherent charm and a unique voice,...
- 2/5/2024
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
Biopics of historically important national figures are a tricky business. Include little information about them and you run the risk of the wider international audience not understanding enough to be engaged in the story. Include too much information and you end up making the feature a lengthy history lesson with lesser entertainment value. Director Lee Joon-ik, a man quite well versed in the historical genre, managed to make one of the better biopics in recent time on one such figure that is widely known of in Korea but a relatively unknown figure internationally in “Dongju: The Portrait of a Poet”. After a brief stint with urban storytelling in “Sunset in My Hometown”, the director of such hit historicals as “The Throne” and “The King and the Clown” is back once again with another story of a figure who is less spoken of even in Korea.
on Amazon...
on Amazon...
- 1/12/2024
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
South Korean auteur Chung Ji-Young came to the eighth London East Asia Film Festival on Wednesday night with his latest film The Boys, which opens in its homeland on 1 November. Based on real events, which saw three innocent country boys imprisoned in 1999 for a callous murder-robbery in North Jeolla Province, the film stars Sol Kyung-gu as detective Joon-cheol. Once known as “Mad Dog”, Joon-cheol has mellowed over time, and when he receives information many years later that suggests the real criminals have gone free, Joon-cheol begins a crusade for justice — bringing down the wrath of the area’s corrupt lawmakers, who begin a campaign of intimidation intended to destroy his career and credibility.
Speaking after the movie, Director Chung acknowledged that, after 40 years in the film business, making films that have often ruffled some very important feathers, he did not have a particularly good relationship with the powers-that-be. “In short,...
Speaking after the movie, Director Chung acknowledged that, after 40 years in the film business, making films that have often ruffled some very important feathers, he did not have a particularly good relationship with the powers-that-be. “In short,...
- 10/19/2023
- by Damon Wise
- Deadline Film + TV
South Korea isn't exactly a country that springs to mind when one thinks of the Space Race. The enormously expensive endeavour to shoot for the stars has always been the stage for huge global superpowers like the US and Russia to duke out their differences, and in turn, big-budget cinema has wasted no time in making a spectacle out of getting there. A recent Hollywood boom in the genre has seen prestige filmmakers like Alfonso Cuarón, Christopher Nolan and Ridley Scott turn in “Gravity”, “Interstellar” and “The Martian” respectively, and James Gray's divisive “Ad Astra” take the space-survival drama to its most eccentric end point. Yet it remains a predominantly American genre, and while South Korea's 2021 Netflix hit “Space Sweepers” arrived with a modest bang on the international front, East Asian cinema has yet to turn in a seminal space thriller. Enter Kim Yong-hwa's “The Moon” as South Korea's expensive,...
- 8/20/2023
- by Simon Ramshaw
- AsianMoviePulse
by Michaela Oikonomou
“Hope” was director Lee Joon-ik's comeback after a brief two-year hiatus. It also won Best Film at the 34th Blue Dragon awards. The script is based on a true story of an 8-year-old girl named Na-young, who was beaten and raped by a drunk 57-year-old man, in a public bathroom.
Follow our coverage of the deeper depths of Asian cinema
The story begins with an ordinary family living in a small town, owning a grocery store named after their daughter So-won (Lee Re), whose name means «hope». The father (Sol Kyung-gu) and the mother (Uhm Ji-won) are highly overworked and as a result, their cheerful, free-spirited child is often on her own, playing and watching television. That ordinary happy life of hers suddenly changes, due to a heinous act. One day while going to school, So-won is followed by a drunk old man (Gang Seong-hae). That meeting of theirs,...
“Hope” was director Lee Joon-ik's comeback after a brief two-year hiatus. It also won Best Film at the 34th Blue Dragon awards. The script is based on a true story of an 8-year-old girl named Na-young, who was beaten and raped by a drunk 57-year-old man, in a public bathroom.
Follow our coverage of the deeper depths of Asian cinema
The story begins with an ordinary family living in a small town, owning a grocery store named after their daughter So-won (Lee Re), whose name means «hope». The father (Sol Kyung-gu) and the mother (Uhm Ji-won) are highly overworked and as a result, their cheerful, free-spirited child is often on her own, playing and watching television. That ordinary happy life of hers suddenly changes, due to a heinous act. One day while going to school, So-won is followed by a drunk old man (Gang Seong-hae). That meeting of theirs,...
- 8/20/2023
- by Guest Writer
- AsianMoviePulse
The Moon is a Korean sci-fi fantasy film. Directed by Yong-Hwa Kim, The Moon is set in the near future and it follows Astronaut Hwang Seon-woo (Do Kyung-soo), as he tries to survive on the moon after Korea’s second manned mission to the moon goes awry. To get him back home Naro Space Center turns to its former managing director Kim Jae-guk (Sol Kyung-gu). So, if you also loved The Moon here are some similar movies for you to check out next.
The Martian (Rent on Prime Video) Credit – 20th Century Fox
Synopsis: During a manned mission to Mars, Astronaut Mark Watney (Matt Damon) is presumed dead after a fierce storm and left behind by his crew. But Watney has survived and finds himself stranded and alone on the hostile planet. With only meager supplies, he must draw upon his ingenuity, wit and spirit to subsist and find a...
The Martian (Rent on Prime Video) Credit – 20th Century Fox
Synopsis: During a manned mission to Mars, Astronaut Mark Watney (Matt Damon) is presumed dead after a fierce storm and left behind by his crew. But Watney has survived and finds himself stranded and alone on the hostile planet. With only meager supplies, he must draw upon his ingenuity, wit and spirit to subsist and find a...
- 8/5/2023
- by Kulwant Singh
- Cinema Blind
by Eleo Billet
After “Believer,” Lee Hae-young returns with a patriotic historical film about Korea's liberation movement in the 1930s. A spin-off of some sort to “The Age of Shadows”, the director mixes his inspirations between film noir, action flick, and “The Handmaiden” through its combative lesbian heroines.
Korea, 1933. The country has been under Japanese rule for more than twenty years. However, organized groups of Koreans are resisting colonization and risking their lives for the independence of their homeland. Park Cha-kyung, an employee in the communication department, is one of their members. She is a Phantom. The spy, with her unit, prepare the assassination of the new Japanese resident-general on his arrival in Seoul for his taking office. Unfortunately, the activist Yoon Nan-young, in charge of assassinating the high-ranking official, misses her target and is hunted down. She dies of several bullets, in the arms of Cha-kyung. Covered in blood,...
After “Believer,” Lee Hae-young returns with a patriotic historical film about Korea's liberation movement in the 1930s. A spin-off of some sort to “The Age of Shadows”, the director mixes his inspirations between film noir, action flick, and “The Handmaiden” through its combative lesbian heroines.
Korea, 1933. The country has been under Japanese rule for more than twenty years. However, organized groups of Koreans are resisting colonization and risking their lives for the independence of their homeland. Park Cha-kyung, an employee in the communication department, is one of their members. She is a Phantom. The spy, with her unit, prepare the assassination of the new Japanese resident-general on his arrival in Seoul for his taking office. Unfortunately, the activist Yoon Nan-young, in charge of assassinating the high-ranking official, misses her target and is hunted down. She dies of several bullets, in the arms of Cha-kyung. Covered in blood,...
- 4/23/2023
- by Guest Writer
- AsianMoviePulse
Being a contract assassin is hard enough, but Netflix’s Kill Boksoon adds another level of secrecy as the female lead’s daughter has no idea about her mother’s profession. Gil Bok-soon (Jeon Do-yeon) is a single mother and has everyone believe she is an event planner. In reality, she is one of the most elite contract assassins, and Kill Boksoon has her daughter, Jae-young (Kim Si-a) is in danger of learning the truth by the finale.
[Warning: This article contains spoilers for Kill Boksoon.]
Kim Si-a as Jae-young in ‘Kill Boksoon’ with actor Jeon Do-yeon. | via Netflix Bok-soon struggles between being a single mother and a killer
John Wick has a lot of emotional baggage, from losing his wife, dog, and house to even his car. But Bok-soon encompasses another level of turmoil as she remains one of M.K Ent.’s A-level assassins and a single mother. She has a teenage daughter named Jae-young in Kill Boksoon.
[Warning: This article contains spoilers for Kill Boksoon.]
Kim Si-a as Jae-young in ‘Kill Boksoon’ with actor Jeon Do-yeon. | via Netflix Bok-soon struggles between being a single mother and a killer
John Wick has a lot of emotional baggage, from losing his wife, dog, and house to even his car. But Bok-soon encompasses another level of turmoil as she remains one of M.K Ent.’s A-level assassins and a single mother. She has a teenage daughter named Jae-young in Kill Boksoon.
- 4/4/2023
- by Gabriela Silva
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Netflix’s Kill Boksoon gives John Wick a run for his money as a female single-mother assassin is in the hot head. The original Korean movie stars Crash Course in Romance actor Jeon Do-yeon as Gil Bok-soon. Amid Bok-soon’s world of blood and death, she keeps it a secret from her teenage daughter. But Kill Boksoon leaves a mystery of who Jae-young’s (Kim Si-a) father is, with a few teasers for fans to hold on to.
[Warning: This article contains spoilers for Kill Boksoon.]
Kim Si-a as Jae-young in ‘Kill Boksoon.’ | via Netflix Min-kyu teases that Jae-young’s father is a ‘regular guy’
Leading M.K. Ent. is CEO Min-kyu (Sol Kyung-gu), a feared assassin with years of experience which brought together multiple organizations under one roof. He has a long history with Bok-soon that will be discussed later on. But unlike everyone else in the company, he knows her better than anyone.
In Netflix’s original Korean movie,...
[Warning: This article contains spoilers for Kill Boksoon.]
Kim Si-a as Jae-young in ‘Kill Boksoon.’ | via Netflix Min-kyu teases that Jae-young’s father is a ‘regular guy’
Leading M.K. Ent. is CEO Min-kyu (Sol Kyung-gu), a feared assassin with years of experience which brought together multiple organizations under one roof. He has a long history with Bok-soon that will be discussed later on. But unlike everyone else in the company, he knows her better than anyone.
In Netflix’s original Korean movie,...
- 4/4/2023
- by Gabriela Silva
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
by Eleo Billet
After “Believer,” Lee Hae-young returns with a patriotic historical film about Korea's liberation movement in the 1930s. A spin-off of some sort to “The Age of Shadows”, the director mixes his inspirations between film noir, action flick, and “The Handmaiden” through its combative lesbian heroines.
Korea, 1933. The country has been under Japanese rule for more than twenty years. However, organized groups of Koreans are resisting colonization and risking their lives for the independence of their homeland. Park Cha-kyung, an employee in the communication department, is one of their members. She is a Phantom. The spy, with her unit, prepare the assassination of the new Japanese resident-general on his arrival in Seoul for his taking office. Unfortunately, the activist Yoon Nan-young, in charge of assassinating the high-ranking official, misses her target and is hunted down. She dies of several bullets, in the arms of Cha-kyung. Covered in blood,...
After “Believer,” Lee Hae-young returns with a patriotic historical film about Korea's liberation movement in the 1930s. A spin-off of some sort to “The Age of Shadows”, the director mixes his inspirations between film noir, action flick, and “The Handmaiden” through its combative lesbian heroines.
Korea, 1933. The country has been under Japanese rule for more than twenty years. However, organized groups of Koreans are resisting colonization and risking their lives for the independence of their homeland. Park Cha-kyung, an employee in the communication department, is one of their members. She is a Phantom. The spy, with her unit, prepare the assassination of the new Japanese resident-general on his arrival in Seoul for his taking office. Unfortunately, the activist Yoon Nan-young, in charge of assassinating the high-ranking official, misses her target and is hunted down. She dies of several bullets, in the arms of Cha-kyung. Covered in blood,...
- 4/3/2023
- by Guest Writer
- AsianMoviePulse
South Korea’s answer to “John Wick” is a female assassin faced with the dilemma of choosing between mothering a teenager or continuing to be the A-grade contract killer that she is. Starring Jeon Do-Yeon, Esom, and Sol Kyung-Gu in the lead roles and a supporting role by Koo Gyu-Hwan. There’s also a special cameo for K-drama fans by actor Lee Jae-Wook (Alchemy of the Soul). “Kill Boksoon” is bloody, violent, and dark, giving the viewer fantastical action sequences that top each previous one with cooler camera movements and cinematography. Read our full review here.
Spoilers Ahead
Plot Synopsis: What Happens In ‘Kill Boksoon’?
In a world where contract killing is the norm, and companies are competing to be the top killing agency, Gil Boksoon is a single mother to a rebellious teenage daughter and the top assassin at the leading Mk enterprise. The enterprise works on a ranking system,...
Spoilers Ahead
Plot Synopsis: What Happens In ‘Kill Boksoon’?
In a world where contract killing is the norm, and companies are competing to be the top killing agency, Gil Boksoon is a single mother to a rebellious teenage daughter and the top assassin at the leading Mk enterprise. The enterprise works on a ranking system,...
- 4/1/2023
- by Ruchika Bhat
- Film Fugitives
Kill Bok-soon (キル・ボクスン) is a South Korean film directed by Byun Sung-hyun starring Jeon Do-yeon and Sol Kyung-gu.
Funny from the start, with its hilarious one-liners and stylish main character, but the movie wins us over in the action scenes, shot with a lot of punch in a movie that definitely knows when to strike.
Kill Bok-soon (2023) Movie Review Kill Bok-soon (2023)
Funny, ironic and, with all its brutal violence, highly entertaining and destined to stand out on account of its funny, intelligent irony and for its many moral lessons:
-Drinking may be fun, but smoking is not.
After that, the good mother devotes herself to murdering people, while at the same time, combining that activity with meetings with the mothers of students.
Very good on the aesthetic level, very curated in the photography, it knows how to maintain the pace of the story through the elaborate editing, particularly in the special scenes,...
Funny from the start, with its hilarious one-liners and stylish main character, but the movie wins us over in the action scenes, shot with a lot of punch in a movie that definitely knows when to strike.
Kill Bok-soon (2023) Movie Review Kill Bok-soon (2023)
Funny, ironic and, with all its brutal violence, highly entertaining and destined to stand out on account of its funny, intelligent irony and for its many moral lessons:
-Drinking may be fun, but smoking is not.
After that, the good mother devotes herself to murdering people, while at the same time, combining that activity with meetings with the mothers of students.
Very good on the aesthetic level, very curated in the photography, it knows how to maintain the pace of the story through the elaborate editing, particularly in the special scenes,...
- 3/31/2023
- by Martin Cid
- Martin Cid Magazine - Movies
Director Byun Sung-hyun was baffled when he first learned that his feature film Kill Boksoon would be invited to the Berlin International Film Festival last month.
“I didn’t expect it at all,” he said at a press conference for Kill Boksoon held in Seoul earlier this month. “I thought Kill Bok-soon was not the type of film that would be selected by a festival like Berlin. It’s a genre film. But the screening took place in a theater of 1,800 seats and I was very moved to see the audiences empathizing with the story.”
The action thriller and Netflix original, which launches on March 31 on the streaming service, traces the story of a female assassin named Boksoon (played by the accomplished Korean actress Jeon Do-yeon) who is also a single mom to a teenage daughter. The contrasts of the heroine’s life as a killer and a mother is...
“I didn’t expect it at all,” he said at a press conference for Kill Boksoon held in Seoul earlier this month. “I thought Kill Bok-soon was not the type of film that would be selected by a festival like Berlin. It’s a genre film. But the screening took place in a theater of 1,800 seats and I was very moved to see the audiences empathizing with the story.”
The action thriller and Netflix original, which launches on March 31 on the streaming service, traces the story of a female assassin named Boksoon (played by the accomplished Korean actress Jeon Do-yeon) who is also a single mom to a teenage daughter. The contrasts of the heroine’s life as a killer and a mother is...
- 3/31/2023
- by Soomee Park
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
„Kill Boksoon” opens with a tongue-in-cheek scene – a yakuza goon wakes up on a street wearing only underwear. He is about to be executed by the protagonist, Gil Boksoon (Jeon Do-yeon) a female gun for hire from South Korea. He is given a last chance to fight for his life, and duel with her. He gets a katana, she wields a hatchet. The odds are against her, the disproportionate strength works to the advantage of the Japanese. In a move being a clear riff on the famous scene from “Raiders of the Lost Ark”, she whips out a gun and quickly dispatches her foe. After establishing the ironic, over-the-top tone, the director does little to maintain it after. What follows is a fight- and slow-mo-ridden slog.
Kill Boksoon screened at Berlinale
As far as referencing other movies goes, the director Byun Sung-hyun does not stop at Indiana Jones, and doubles...
Kill Boksoon screened at Berlinale
As far as referencing other movies goes, the director Byun Sung-hyun does not stop at Indiana Jones, and doubles...
- 3/10/2023
- by Olek Młyński
- AsianMoviePulse
When the history books are written to include modern world cinema, one name that is sure to be mentioned as a titan not just of Korean or Asian cinema, but cinema in general, will undoubtedly be that of South Korean maestro Lee Chang-dong. In a career spanning more than 25 years now, starting in the early days of the Korean New Wave all the way till the modern day, Lee has made a mere six feature films, almost all of which are generally considered among the finest. In their 2022 edition, the Jeonju International Film Festival held a retrospective of the celebrated director’s works, which included 4k remastered versions of all of Lee’s feature films, along with the world premieres of his new short “Heartbeat” and “Lee Chang-dong: The Art of Irony”, a new retrospective documentary by French director Alain Mazars.
Much like Lee’s breakthrough sophomore work “Peppermint Candy...
Much like Lee’s breakthrough sophomore work “Peppermint Candy...
- 2/23/2023
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
2022 was finally the year that the Korean box office, after the pandemic, was defibrillated back to life. Producers and distributors were finally confident that the time was right for big budget, blockbuster projects, that had long been queueing up for a release, to start making their way to the theatres. After having to resort to Ott streaming and generally smaller scale films, the audience too was hungry to see high-value productions, entertainment and their favorite stars on the big screen and thronged to the theatres, lapping up these releases. So much so that 2022 saw four new films make their way into the 100 highest grossing Korean films of all tie at the domestic box-office, with Ma Dong-seok’s “The Roundup” even rolling comfortably into the top 10.
2023 too began strongly, with the long-in-production “The Point Men” starring Hwang Jung-min and Hyun Bin and the Sol Kyung-gu led ensemble spy thriller “Phantom” opening the year strong.
2023 too began strongly, with the long-in-production “The Point Men” starring Hwang Jung-min and Hyun Bin and the Sol Kyung-gu led ensemble spy thriller “Phantom” opening the year strong.
- 2/12/2023
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
Despite being a remake of Johnnie To classic “Drug War”, Lee Hae-young’s stylish crime thriller “Believer” did just enough to have its own identity and prove to be a success story at the box office. Now, the director is ready with his follow-up, yet another ensemble thriller but this time set in occupied Korea.
Synopsis
In 1933, when Korea was under Japanese occupation, five people in Gyeongseong are suspected to be “Phantom” spies of the anti-Japanese organization. The five suspects are Junji Murayama, Park Cha-kyung, Yuriko, Baek-ho, and Section Chief Cheon. The Japanese security forces, led by Kaito, work to find the Phantom spies. The 5 suspects are then entrapped in a sting operation and are locked up in a remote hotel. Each of the 5 suspects try to prove that they are not a Phantom spy. They struggle to escape from their imprisonment.
The eclectic cast-list is headed by the multi-faceted Sol Kyung-gu,...
Synopsis
In 1933, when Korea was under Japanese occupation, five people in Gyeongseong are suspected to be “Phantom” spies of the anti-Japanese organization. The five suspects are Junji Murayama, Park Cha-kyung, Yuriko, Baek-ho, and Section Chief Cheon. The Japanese security forces, led by Kaito, work to find the Phantom spies. The 5 suspects are then entrapped in a sting operation and are locked up in a remote hotel. Each of the 5 suspects try to prove that they are not a Phantom spy. They struggle to escape from their imprisonment.
The eclectic cast-list is headed by the multi-faceted Sol Kyung-gu,...
- 12/15/2022
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
Byun Sung-Hyun won earlier this year at the BaekSang Arts Awards, the prize for the Best Director of the year. This success refers to his newest feature film “Kingmaker” which is actually screened at the London Korean Film Festival. The political drama is in line with the tone of Byun’s other works. It is very well crafted, showing a precise and coherent aesthetical concept and presenting the performances of a series of outstanding actors and veterans of Korean cinema.
Kingmaker is screening at London Korean Film Festival
The story is set in the 1960s during the presidency of Park Chung-hee. It tells about the effort of the oppositional parties to win votes and to build an adequate counter-candidate. Kim Woon-beom is the hope of the democrats, but since he has no financial means to run a proper campaign, he is not able to reach enough potential voters. Convinced of his honest interests,...
Kingmaker is screening at London Korean Film Festival
The story is set in the 1960s during the presidency of Park Chung-hee. It tells about the effort of the oppositional parties to win votes and to build an adequate counter-candidate. Kim Woon-beom is the hope of the democrats, but since he has no financial means to run a proper campaign, he is not able to reach enough potential voters. Convinced of his honest interests,...
- 11/13/2022
- by Teresa Vena
- AsianMoviePulse
Cj Enm, which includes Korea’s largest film producer and distributor, is using the Asian Contents & Film Market this week to launch a handful of new titles while basking in its recent box office and festival successes.
“The Boys” gets its premiere as a special screening withing the Busan International Film Festival’s expanded Korean Cinema Today section. This crime drama delves into the lives of three teenage boys, falsely accused and jailed for a brutal robbery-murder case. Fifteen years later, they seek a retrial in a bid to prove their innocence.
The veteran cast line-up includes Seol Kyung Gu (“Kingmaker”), Yu Jun Sang (“Along With The Gods: Two Worlds”), Jin Kyung (“Beasts Clawing At Straws”), Heo Sung Tae and Yeom Hye Ran (“Special Delivery”). “The Boys” was directed by Chung Ji Young, whose notable works include “National Security” and “Black Money.”
History has proven freedom comes at a price.
“The Boys” gets its premiere as a special screening withing the Busan International Film Festival’s expanded Korean Cinema Today section. This crime drama delves into the lives of three teenage boys, falsely accused and jailed for a brutal robbery-murder case. Fifteen years later, they seek a retrial in a bid to prove their innocence.
The veteran cast line-up includes Seol Kyung Gu (“Kingmaker”), Yu Jun Sang (“Along With The Gods: Two Worlds”), Jin Kyung (“Beasts Clawing At Straws”), Heo Sung Tae and Yeom Hye Ran (“Special Delivery”). “The Boys” was directed by Chung Ji Young, whose notable works include “National Security” and “Black Money.”
History has proven freedom comes at a price.
- 10/7/2022
- by Rebecca Souw
- Variety Film + TV
A victim of the Covid-19 pandemic and released worldwide on Netflix streaming platform in early April 2022 instead of in the cinemas, this South Korean spy thriller went on to become the third most viewed non English film globally for that week and in Asia it also topped the most streamed film list. Incidentally, Yaksha is an Eastern mythology spirit of the wilderness which can be both mischievous and benevolent.
Accused of bribery and stock manipulation, Mr. Lee, Chairman of the Sangin Group is under investigation by a Seoul based Prosecutor Han Ji-hoon, who is in the process of bringing him in. Being a powerful man with connections, the court lets Lee go free while Han finds himself humiliated and demoted to a position in the National Intelligence Services (Nis), a place where there is hardly any work for him to do. Nonetheless, a job meant for his boss comes up...
Accused of bribery and stock manipulation, Mr. Lee, Chairman of the Sangin Group is under investigation by a Seoul based Prosecutor Han Ji-hoon, who is in the process of bringing him in. Being a powerful man with connections, the court lets Lee go free while Han finds himself humiliated and demoted to a position in the National Intelligence Services (Nis), a place where there is hardly any work for him to do. Nonetheless, a job meant for his boss comes up...
- 5/19/2022
- by David Chew
- AsianMoviePulse
An eighth-grade student kills himself but not before writing down the names of the students who victimised him. Their parents are then called into the school and they begin to argue about who should shoulder responsibility.
(Source: Far East Films)
Based on the Japanese play “Oya no Kao ga Mitai” by Seigo Hatasawa, this film is directed by Kim Ji-hoon (Sinkhole) with a stellar cast including Sol Kyung-gu, Chun Woo-hee, Moon So-ri, Ko Chang-seok, Oh Dal-su, Kim Hong-fa and Nam Gi-ae.
Theatrical release in South Korea: April 27, 2022.
(Source: Far East Films)
Based on the Japanese play “Oya no Kao ga Mitai” by Seigo Hatasawa, this film is directed by Kim Ji-hoon (Sinkhole) with a stellar cast including Sol Kyung-gu, Chun Woo-hee, Moon So-ri, Ko Chang-seok, Oh Dal-su, Kim Hong-fa and Nam Gi-ae.
Theatrical release in South Korea: April 27, 2022.
- 4/15/2022
- by Suzie Cho
- AsianMoviePulse
Sometimes a film gets stuck in release hell due to events out of the production and distribution companies’ hands. Kim Ji-hoon’s “I Want to Know Your Parents” is one such feature. A production that has been ready since 2017, long before Kim’s latest release which was last year’s “Sinkhole”, but had to be shelved because of allegations of sexual harassment against actor Oh Dal-su in the early days of Korea’s #metoo movement. However, since his name was cleared by the courts in Korea, films involving him are starting to find their way into theatres and “I Want to Know Your Parents” is easily the most high profile of the gestating projects.
Synopsis
Kim Geon-woo, student of the prestigious Haneum International Middle School attempts suicide, but not before naming four of his classmates for incessantly bullying him and driving him towards the step. All four perpetrators are children...
Synopsis
Kim Geon-woo, student of the prestigious Haneum International Middle School attempts suicide, but not before naming four of his classmates for incessantly bullying him and driving him towards the step. All four perpetrators are children...
- 4/6/2022
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
South Korean action thriller "Yaksha: Ruthless Operations", directed by Na Hyun, streams April 8, 2022 on Netflix:
"...'Kang-In' (Sol Kyung-Gu) leads a secret 'Nis' operation team. His nickname is 'Yaksha', the fierce ghost. Kang-In achieves his objectives by using any means necessary.
“Meanwhile, 'Ji-Hoon' (Park Hae-Soo) is a prosecutor in the 'Seoul Central District Prosecutor's Office'. He follows the law no matter what. But he gets demoted anmd comes face to face with Kang-In…”
Click the images to enlarge…...
"...'Kang-In' (Sol Kyung-Gu) leads a secret 'Nis' operation team. His nickname is 'Yaksha', the fierce ghost. Kang-In achieves his objectives by using any means necessary.
“Meanwhile, 'Ji-Hoon' (Park Hae-Soo) is a prosecutor in the 'Seoul Central District Prosecutor's Office'. He follows the law no matter what. But he gets demoted anmd comes face to face with Kang-In…”
Click the images to enlarge…...
- 3/12/2022
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
The situation between the two Koreas is ripe for spy stories and yet, very little films on the subject happen to materialise. However, “The Prison” director Na Hyeon’s sophomore feature does just that, placing the action in China for the action adventure “Yaksha: Ruthless Operations”.
Synopsis
Kang-in leads a secret Nis operation team in Shenyang, China. His nickname is Yacha, which refers to a fierce ghost who harasses or kills people. Kang-in is cold-blooded man. He achieves his objectives by using any means necessary. Meanwhile, Ji-hoon is a prosecutor in the Seoul Central District Prosecutor’s Office. He follows the law no matter what. He gets demoted to Shenyang, China. There, Ji-hoon comes up against Kang-in.
Leading the pack of spies is actor par excellence Sol Kyung-gu, who plays Kang-in. His team of spies include Yang Dong-geun (Feng Shui”), Lee El (“Intimate Strangers”), Song Jae-rim (“On Your Wedding Day”) and Jin Young.
Synopsis
Kang-in leads a secret Nis operation team in Shenyang, China. His nickname is Yacha, which refers to a fierce ghost who harasses or kills people. Kang-in is cold-blooded man. He achieves his objectives by using any means necessary. Meanwhile, Ji-hoon is a prosecutor in the Seoul Central District Prosecutor’s Office. He follows the law no matter what. He gets demoted to Shenyang, China. There, Ji-hoon comes up against Kang-in.
Leading the pack of spies is actor par excellence Sol Kyung-gu, who plays Kang-in. His team of spies include Yang Dong-geun (Feng Shui”), Lee El (“Intimate Strangers”), Song Jae-rim (“On Your Wedding Day”) and Jin Young.
- 3/11/2022
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
Let’s be honest: 2021 was one of the worst years Korean cinema had in recent times. One would’ve hoped that they would have built upon the brilliant couple years that 2019 ad 2020 were but sadly that wasn’t to be. The pandemic situation did not help, with many production houses deciding to pull scheduled releases, halting production or waiting on things to calm down before releasing some projects that have big money riding on them. Even on the indie cinema front, which actually thrived in 2021 due to the lack of mainstream releases, did not manage to impress with what little out there was.
Things however do seem to be on the up with this year, as a few postponed releases are finally getting rescheduled and seeing theatrical releases. New releases are also being talked about and promotional material for some long gestating projects is also being circulated. Without further ado,...
Things however do seem to be on the up with this year, as a few postponed releases are finally getting rescheduled and seeing theatrical releases. New releases are also being talked about and promotional material for some long gestating projects is also being circulated. Without further ado,...
- 2/19/2022
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
Byun Sung-hyun’s trajectory as a director has been an interesting one. Starting off with the low-key drama “The Beat Goes On”, he moved on with the sex comedy “Whatcha Wearin’?” Changing gears yet again, he directed the crime thriller “The Merciless”, which of course had its premiere and Cannes and was generally well-received by the audience. Cue four years later and his next project, the long-awaited “Kingmaker” is finally gearing up for a release in December, 2021, once again starring his “The Merciless” star Sol Kyung-gu, alongside Lee Sun-kyun.
Synopsis
A politician dreams of changing the world with an excellent campaign strategist behind.
Dreaming of changing the world, Seo Chang-dae takes part in Kim Woon-bum’s political campaign. To resist the current dictatorial ruling party, Seo adopts very aggressive propaganda campaign and it makes Kim become the strongest candidate in the opposition party. When ambitious Seo believes that unjustified means is necessary in politics,...
Synopsis
A politician dreams of changing the world with an excellent campaign strategist behind.
Dreaming of changing the world, Seo Chang-dae takes part in Kim Woon-bum’s political campaign. To resist the current dictatorial ruling party, Seo adopts very aggressive propaganda campaign and it makes Kim become the strongest candidate in the opposition party. When ambitious Seo believes that unjustified means is necessary in politics,...
- 11/15/2021
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
Biopics of historically important national figures are a tricky business. Include little information about them and you run the risk of the wider international audience not understanding enough to be engaged in the story. Include too much information and you end up making the feature a lengthy history lesson with lesser entertainment value. Director Lee Joon-ik, a man quite well versed in the historical genre, managed to make one of the better biopics in recent time on one such figure that is widely known of in Korea but a relatively unknown figure internationally in “Dongju: The Portrait of a Poet”. After a brief stint with urban storytelling in “Sunset in My Hometown”, the director of such hit historicals as “The Throne” and “The King and the Clown” is back once again with another story of a figure who is less spoken of even in Korea.
“The Book of Fish” is...
“The Book of Fish” is...
- 8/23/2021
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
Director Byung Sung-hyun clearly likes working with Sol Kyung-gu. Their hit pairing in “The Merciless” was invited to Cannes whereas their second collaboration “King Maker” is also an anticipated release for this year.
While “King Maker” awaits release scheduling, it was announced that Sol Kyung-gu has also come on board Byun’s next film, a Netflix original movie tentatively titled “Kill Bok-soon”. Sources close to the production also claim that the actor will also be pairing up with actress extraordinaire Jeon Do-yeon, who has responded positively to the production. This would be the two actors’ third collaboration after “I Wish I Had a Wife” and 2019’s Sewol ferry disaster drama “Birthday”.
“Kill Bok-soon” is an action thriller that deals with the story of a female assassin, with Jeon playing the titular character. It is expected to go on the floors before the end of this year.
While “King Maker” awaits release scheduling, it was announced that Sol Kyung-gu has also come on board Byun’s next film, a Netflix original movie tentatively titled “Kill Bok-soon”. Sources close to the production also claim that the actor will also be pairing up with actress extraordinaire Jeon Do-yeon, who has responded positively to the production. This would be the two actors’ third collaboration after “I Wish I Had a Wife” and 2019’s Sewol ferry disaster drama “Birthday”.
“Kill Bok-soon” is an action thriller that deals with the story of a female assassin, with Jeon playing the titular character. It is expected to go on the floors before the end of this year.
- 8/3/2021
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
This year’s festival will highlight in-person programming at Film at Lincoln Center and Sva Theatre, featuring over 60 world, international, and North American premieres, with many selections also available virtually to fans of Asian cinema across the country.
On August 6, 2021, the New York Asian Film Foundation and Film at Lincoln Center will kick off the 20th edition of the New York Asian Film Festival (Nyaff), a hybrid event with Nyaff’s largest film lineup to date. The Festival will screen over 60 films, both virtually and in person, to audiences in New York and across the country from August 6 – 22, 2021.
Nyaff’s 2021 lineup will include two world premieres, six international premieres, 29 North American premieres, eight U.S. premieres, and nine New York premieres, showcasing the most exciting action, comedy, drama, thriller, romance, horror, and art-house films from East Asia.
Following an unprecedented year in which Covid-19 and increased violence against the Asian...
On August 6, 2021, the New York Asian Film Foundation and Film at Lincoln Center will kick off the 20th edition of the New York Asian Film Festival (Nyaff), a hybrid event with Nyaff’s largest film lineup to date. The Festival will screen over 60 films, both virtually and in person, to audiences in New York and across the country from August 6 – 22, 2021.
Nyaff’s 2021 lineup will include two world premieres, six international premieres, 29 North American premieres, eight U.S. premieres, and nine New York premieres, showcasing the most exciting action, comedy, drama, thriller, romance, horror, and art-house films from East Asia.
Following an unprecedented year in which Covid-19 and increased violence against the Asian...
- 7/8/2021
- by Rouven Linnarz
- AsianMoviePulse
Stars: Hyo-ju Han, Woo-sung Jung, Jun-Ho Lee, Kyung-gu Sol, Simon Yam | Written by Kin-Yee Au, Ui-seok Jo, Nai-Hoi Yau | Directed by Ui-seok Jo, Byung-seo Kim
Review by Scott Clark of Cinehouse
One of the most accomplished and stand-out features at Toronto International Film festival this year is the slick, fierce, and ingenious Korean thriller Cold Eyes.
A bank robbery and the induction of a fresh faced operative to a shadowy police surveillance team, I’m a sucker for a concise, fast-paced opening and Cold Eyes has a great one in the vein of Heat and The Dark Knight… Actually Cold Eyes emulates a hundred films like these in its consistently thrilling flow of events, its use of characters who are at the top of their game, and its beautifully shot sprawling urban space. The film flits from point to point pulling at the quickly unravelling thread of a ensemble of...
Review by Scott Clark of Cinehouse
One of the most accomplished and stand-out features at Toronto International Film festival this year is the slick, fierce, and ingenious Korean thriller Cold Eyes.
A bank robbery and the induction of a fresh faced operative to a shadowy police surveillance team, I’m a sucker for a concise, fast-paced opening and Cold Eyes has a great one in the vein of Heat and The Dark Knight… Actually Cold Eyes emulates a hundred films like these in its consistently thrilling flow of events, its use of characters who are at the top of their game, and its beautifully shot sprawling urban space. The film flits from point to point pulling at the quickly unravelling thread of a ensemble of...
- 9/23/2013
- by Guest
- Nerdly
I Don’T Want To Die Alone
The year is 1999. A man on the verge of a psychotic breakdown attends a reunion organized by his old classmates, some of whom he hasn’t seen in 20 years. The gathering takes place near a river and some train tracks, and it isn’t long before he decides to use them. He starts going nuts, frantically sprinting through the water until he vanishes. Only to reappear on the train tracks, in a complete state of distress, yelling out the final words: “I’m going back!“. The poor man then willingly lets the oncoming train crush him into oblivion. That man was Kim Yongho and what happens next in “Peppermint Candy” is quite interesting…
In reverse chronology*, we go back three days to see what lead to his sudden departure from this world. What we find is a man on the brink of insanity,...
The year is 1999. A man on the verge of a psychotic breakdown attends a reunion organized by his old classmates, some of whom he hasn’t seen in 20 years. The gathering takes place near a river and some train tracks, and it isn’t long before he decides to use them. He starts going nuts, frantically sprinting through the water until he vanishes. Only to reappear on the train tracks, in a complete state of distress, yelling out the final words: “I’m going back!“. The poor man then willingly lets the oncoming train crush him into oblivion. That man was Kim Yongho and what happens next in “Peppermint Candy” is quite interesting…
In reverse chronology*, we go back three days to see what lead to his sudden departure from this world. What we find is a man on the brink of insanity,...
- 10/14/2012
- by The0racle
- AsianMoviePulse
There’s a new Korean chiller headed our way called No Mercy. Written and directed by first-timer Kim Hyeong-Joon and starring Hye-jin Han, Seung-beom Ryu, Kyung-gu Sol and Ji-ru Sung the film goes like this.
Synopsis:
Hidden in the bushes along the river bank, a woman’s body is found severed into six parts. Homicide forensics expert Kang is called into investigation, eventually arresting environmentalist fanatic Lee as the main suspect.
Meanwhile, Kang heads to the airport to pick up his daughter who hasn’t been back in Korea for 10 years. A stranger, supposedly ordered by Lee, gives Kang an envelope filled with pictures of his petrified daughter held captive. Kang goes to meet Lee believing the river bank murder case is involved with his daughter’s kidnapping. In order to save his daughter, Lee tells Kang to release him within 3 days, pushing Kang into an impossible fork in the road.
Synopsis:
Hidden in the bushes along the river bank, a woman’s body is found severed into six parts. Homicide forensics expert Kang is called into investigation, eventually arresting environmentalist fanatic Lee as the main suspect.
Meanwhile, Kang heads to the airport to pick up his daughter who hasn’t been back in Korea for 10 years. A stranger, supposedly ordered by Lee, gives Kang an envelope filled with pictures of his petrified daughter held captive. Kang goes to meet Lee believing the river bank murder case is involved with his daughter’s kidnapping. In order to save his daughter, Lee tells Kang to release him within 3 days, pushing Kang into an impossible fork in the road.
- 12/31/2010
- by brians
- GeekTyrant
Director Hyeong-jun Kim’s upcoming thriller No Mercy (용서는 없다) is set on the Korean National Institute of Scientific Investigation (Nisi) where a staff member (Kyung-gu Sol) works on a series of gruesome murders involving several decapitated victims and mysterious notes left by the killer. During his investigations he and his female partner (Hye-jin Han) come across a headstrong environmentalist (Ryoo Seung-bum) that could be the key to solve the case, but to make things worse the daughter of the investigator somehow (the plot descriptions on severals sites aren’t really specific about this) becomes involved in the deadly game of cat-and-mouse.
Trailer
[See post to watch Flash video]
Poster
No Mercy opens across South Korea on January 7, 2010.
[via Filmsmash, AsianMediaWiki & HanCinema]...
Trailer
[See post to watch Flash video]
Poster
No Mercy opens across South Korea on January 7, 2010.
[via Filmsmash, AsianMediaWiki & HanCinema]...
- 12/5/2009
- by Ulrik
- Affenheimtheater
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