Seol Kyung-Gu 설경구

[Helena]

https://k-odyssey.com/news/newsview.php?ncode=1065600486599270
'The Book of Fish' nominated for AFA Best Film·Best Director Awards

연합뉴스 / 2021-09-09

 

▲ This image, provided by Megabox Plus M, shows "The Book of Fish." (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
 
SEOUL, Sep. 9 (Yonhap) -- “The Book of Fish”, directed by Lee Joon-ik, has made it to the final nominations for the Best Film and the Best Director Awards for the 15th Asian Film Awards (AFA). 

The film has put its name to the 36 final nominations from 8 Asian regions for this month’s Awards for the Busan International Film which took place in 2020 as well. 

The final candidates include 7 Korean films, “Deliver Us From Evil,” “Three Sisters,” “Voice of Silence,” “Space Sweepers,” “The Book of Fish,” “The Call” and “Aloners.” 

On the nominations-list for the Best Films Award are not only “The Book of Fish” but also “One Second” directed by Zhang Yimou, “The Disciple” directed by Chaitanya Tamhane, “Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy” directed by Hamaguchi Ryusuke and “Wife of a Spy” directed by Kurosawa Kiyoshi. 

Jun Jong-seo in “The Call” and Yoo Ah-in in “Voice of Silence” are nominated for Best Actress and Best Actor respectively. Jang Yoon-ju in “Three Sistes” and Park Joeng-min in “Deliver Us From Evil” are nominated for Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress, and Gong Seung-yeon in “Aloners” ㅡ for Best Newcomer. 

Hong Eui-jeong, director of “Voice of Silence,” is nominated for Best New Director and Best Screenplay. Director Jo Sung-hee, with “Space Sweepers” is nominated for Best Costume Design, Best Visual Effects and Best Sound. 

Director Lee Chang-dong was appointed as the Jury President for this year. He was the receiver of Best Director and Lifetime Achievements Awards at AFA13. 

AFA is an awards ceremony held by Asian Film Awards Academy and established by BIFF, HKIFF (Hong Kong) and TIFF (Tokyo) in 2013 for the development of Asian films. The festival has taken place in Hong Kong and Macao but was held online for the first time at BIFF last year. 

The ceremony will be held in a hybrid form, a combination of on and offline participation, on October 8th. 
(END)
 

(C) Yonhap News Agency. All Rights Reserved

 

Related Reports: variety | screendaily | 

[Helena]

On 6/1/2021 at 7:09 AM, Helena said:

https://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/eng/news/news.jsp?blbdComCd=601006&seq=5548&mode=VIEW
Kim Yonghwa Space Drama with Sul Kyunggu, D.O. and Kim Heeae Nears Production

‘The Moon’ finished filming on October 12.

 #Seol Kyung-gu #Do Kyung-soo #Kim Hee-ae #Director Kim Yong-hwa
 #Themoon #Crankup complete!

Spoiler

 

https://zapzee.net/2021/10/14/exo-d-o-sol-kyung-gu-and-kim-hee-aes-upcoming-movie-the-moon-celebrates-production-wrap/
EXO D.O., Sol Kyung Gu and Kim Hee Ae’s Upcoming Movie ‘The Moon’ Celebrates Production Wrap

by Munjeong Jung

 

After a long journey of four months, The Moon (working title) finished filming on October 12th.

The Moon tells the story of a man who accidentally drifts away into space and another man on Earth who desperately tries to save him.

The cast members, who have been exploring the moon for four months, shared their thoughts on their upcoming release. Sol Kyung Gu, who plays Jaeguk, the former head of a space center who struggles to rescue an astronaut drifting away in the dept of space, remarked, “Both the director and the staff have put blood and sweat into this project. I’m so excited to see the final version of the movie. I can’t wait to see the final cut.”

 

Doh Kyung Soo plays the astronaut, Sun Woo, who gets lost in space and faces multiple crises. He said, “I am so honored and grateful to have worked with the great staff members for this movie. It was the best working environment,” sharing his final thoughts on the movie.

Kim Hee Ae took on the role of Moon Young, the head of NASA’s International Space Station, who holds the key to save Sun Woo. She expressed confidence in the movie’s success by saying, “I couldn’t think that it was possible to make movies like this in Korea until I met this project. I’m so thrilled to be part of this and I believe it would become another legendary movie made in Korea.”

Directed by Along with the Gods filmmaker, The Moon is ready to go into post-production.

 
Source: CJ ENM

 

Related Reports: koreatimes | yonhap

[Helena]

https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2021/10/26/entertainment/movies/Korean-Film-Festival-in-Paris/20211026180228408.html
16th Korean Film Festival in Paris already selling-out

BY LEE JAE-LIM [lee.jaelim@joongang.co.kr] | October 26, 2021

 

The poster for the 16th Korean Film Festival in Paris which closes on Nov. 2. [KOREAN FILM FESTIVAL IN PARIS]

Tickets for the opening and closing films for the 16th Korean Film Festival in Paris, which runs until Nov. 2, have sold out, according to festival organizers Tuesday.   

This year, the festival is screening a total of 18 Korean feature films and 28 short films in the Publicis Cinemas in Paris.  

Director Ryu Seung-wan’s “Escape from Mogadishu” and director Lee Joon-ik’s “The Book of Fish” were selected to open and close the festival.   

Starring actors Kim Yoon-seok and Zo In-sung, “Mogadishu” is based on the true story of North and South Korean embassy workers trying to escape the civil war in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia in 1991.   

“The Book of Fish” is a historical drama revolving around scholar Jeong Yak-jeon (1758-1816), portrayed by actor Seol Kyung-gu. Jeong writes a book on marine biology titled “Jasaneobo” to help peasants decipher fish and marine life surrounding Heuksan Island.   

Other Korean feature films include “Hostage: Missing Celebrity,” “Sinkhole,” “The Medium” and “Introduction.” 

As the festival opened in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, audiences are required to show proof of being fully vaccinated or a negative PCR test at the theater entrance. According to the festival organizers, the festival has become an iconic event to promote Korean culture. It added that 90 percent of the participants are French.

 

———

 

https://k-odyssey.com/news/newsview.php?ncode=1065576527548769
[A Look Back On Korea's 'Cheonman Movie' #13] Haeundae (Tidal Wave)

by Ra Hwak Jin/ Lee Hyo Yoon | 2021-10-25 13:28:05

[Episode 13] Tidal Wave (2009 Directed by Yoon Je-kyoon)

 

▲ This photo, taken in July 2009, shows the director and lead actors of "Tidal Wave." (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

“Tidal Wave”(Korean :해운대 - Haeundae) released in 2009 July is considered as the first Korean disaster blockbuster. It reached 10 million audiences in just 33 days of release marking its final record, 11.32 million audiences and became the 14th most popular Korean movie (based on KOBIS data). But in Korean Film Yearbook, the film is written to have reached 11.45 million watchers.

This was a mega-hit in 3 years after “The Host” (2006), which also reached over 10 million audiences, and can be seen as a starter for the Korean film industry’s blockbuster competition. 

This movie was inspired from the tsunami that struck the South Asia in 2004. The film depicts a large tsunami sweeping a million crowd in Haeundae. 

But director Yoon introduced the film as a “Korean human disaster movie” rather than emphasizing its “blockbuster” side. 

The movie’s first 70 minutes mainly focus on the characters’ stories than the disaster. 

The stories of the ordinary people encountering a crisis mixed up with its splendid cast, spectacles and the director’s unique sense of humor. These aspects led the film to a mega-success loved by all audiences regardless of age. 

 

◇ CG + Humanism = Hollywood's success formula

One of the main reasons why the film gained such popularity was its tsunami that was made through high-quality CG. 

Director Yoon produced a perfect tsunami with the help from Hollywood technicians such as Hans Uhlig who took part in “Perfect Storm.” 

The director thought a lot to well-portray the considerable amount of water in bright daytime not in a dark night. 

Also, they did not hesitate to use excessive amount of water. Although, the film’s scenes made of CG took up only 16.6%, the scenes cost 5 billion won which was 38.4 % of the total net-production cost. 

And thanks to Busan City’s aid, the film could shoot spectacular scenes by blocking the Gwangan Bridge for the first time in Korea. 

They also included stories of families and humanism as well. The collaboration of action and humanism led the disaster film to a mega-popularity. 

“’Tidal Wave’ was smart to have applied Hollywood blockbusters’ success strategy. The film’s popularity comes from its fantastic spectacles based on families or humanism that can reach to anyone,” said Kim Bong-seok movie critic. 

◇ Drama of the common people

Even before the film’s release, director Yoon emphasized that it is “a disaster drama of humans.” 

The film spread out various stories such as Man-sik (Seol Kyung-gu) and Yeon-hee (Ha Ji-won)’s hesitative love and Hyung-sik (Lee Min-ki) who dies saving the rival of his love . 

And the main characters that form the plot are mostly everyday ordinary people. 

Although Man-sik seems to be on a decent status as the president of the local co-op of shopkeepers, he is actually almost a broke. Yeon-hee is an unmarried woman and an owner of an unauthorized sashimi restaurant. 

Hyung-sik (Lee Min-ki) is a lifeguard and Hi-mi (Kang Ye-won) has failed to pass the national exam for college for several consecutive times. Dong-choon (Kim In-kwon) doesn’t have a decent job at all. They are all ordinary neighbors whom we can easily see in our everyday lives. 

Like this, it seems that as “Tidal Wave” mixed sources of laughter and tears with the lives of the common people, it could appeal to those in their 20s and 30s as well.

 

▲ This photo, taken in July 2009, shows actor Seol Kyung-gu. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

Spoiler

 ▲ This photo, taken in July 2009, shows actress Ha Ji-won. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

 
◇ Meet nowadays star actors' 12 years ago

We can see 12 year-younger versions of today’s star actors who are actively taking part in various productions. Seol Kyung-gu, unlike his seriousness in “Peppermint Candy” or “Silmido,” he hangs onto the fence in a baseball stadium and tries to act cute in front of Yeon-hee (Ha Ji-won). 

Lee Min-ki well-delivered character Hyung-gi who is naïve and clumsy but strongly devoted to his job. Kim In-kwon who showed a comical combie with Seol Kyung-gu, depicted his character who is despicable and cowardly but at the same time humane enough to save another's life.

Another reason why the film became popular is that although most of the actors, except for Lee Min-ki, were not born in Gyeongsang Province, they did not sound awkward in using the Gyeongsang Province dialects. 

 

Spoiler

▲ This photo, taken in July 2009, shows director Yoon Je-kyoon. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

 

◇ The success history starting from a comedy film, director Yoon Je-kyoon... from ‘double cheonman’ to Hollywood.

Director Yoon debuted in the film industry with a comedy film. His initial productions were “My Boss, My Hero” and “Sex Is Zero.” He revealed his hardships attracting investment as a comic genre producer. 

But, with “Tidal Wave,” Yoon became a blockbuster director, and came up with another hit movie, “Ode to My Father.” 

He has recently announced to start “K-Pop: Lost in America” (temporary title) project about K-Pop with Lynda Obst, Hollywood producer of “Interstella.” (END)
 

(C) Yonhap News Agency. All Rights Reserved

[Sleepy Owl]

What do you think makes dramas good? Ratings? Or is it something else? Please participate in our event to answer to these questions along with voting in our poll!!!!  

Re:

@partyon @agenth @confusedheart @Sleepy Owl

 

[Helena]

The 41st Korean Association of Film Critics Awards (제41회 영평상)

 

Korean Film Critics Association (http://www.fca.kr) announced the winners on the 27th.

 

‘The Book of Fish’, actor Seol Kyung-gu, actress Moon So-ri | cr:news1

 

Best Film 최우수작품상: 'The Book of Fish | 자산어보'
 (Director Lee Joon-ik)

Best Director 감독상: Ryoo Seung-wan 류승완 ('Mogadishu | 모가디슈')


Best Leading Actor 남우주연상: Seol Kyung-gu 설경구 ('The Book of Fish | 자산어보')


Best Leading Actress 여우주연상: Moon So-ri 문소리 ('Three Sisters | 세자매')


Best Supporting Actor 남우조연상: Heo Jun-ho 허준호 ('Mogadishu | 모가디슈')


Best Supporting Actress 여우조연상: Kim Sun-young 김선영 ('Three Sisters | 세자매')


Best New Director 신인감독상: Hong Eui-jung 홍의정 ('Voice of Silence | 소리도 없이')


Best New Actor 신인남우상: Lee Hong-nae 이홍내 ('Made in Rooftop | 메이드 인 루프탑')


Best New Actress 신인여우상: Gong Seung-yeon 공승연 ('Aloners | 혼자 사는 사람들')


Best Screenplay 각본상: Kim Se-gyum 김세겸 ('The Book of Fish | 자산어보')


Best Cinematography 촬영상: Choi Young-hwan 최영환 ('Mogadishu | 모가디슈')


Best Music 음악상: Bang Jun-seok 방준석 ('Mogadishu | 모가디슈')
Technical Award 기술상: Jung Sung-jin 정성진 · Jung Cheol-min 정철민 (Visual Effect) (‘Space Sweepers | 승리호’)

Lifetime Achievement Award 공로영화인상: Actor Yoon Il-bong 윤일봉
FIPRESCI Award 국제비평가연맹 한국본부상: Director Lee Joon-ik ('The Book of Fish | 자산어보')


Best Independent Film 독립영화지원상: Director Park Yoon-jin 박윤진, Director Kim Mi-jo 김미조
Newcomer Critics Award 신인평론상: Jung Woo-sung 정우성

Best 10 Films: <The Day I Died | 내가 죽던 날>, <Mogadishu | 모가디슈>, <Samjin Company English Class | 삼진그룹 영어토익반>, <Three Sisters | 세자매>, <Voice of Silence | 소리도 없이>, <Space Sweepers | 승리호>, <Hostage | 인질> , <Introduction | 인트로덕션>, <The Book of Fish | 자산어보>, <Call | 콜>
 

Director Lee Joon-ik, actor Seol Kyung-gu, actress Moon So-ri | Cr:Ilgan

Award ceremony will be held on November 10th at 6:30 pm.

 

—

 

http://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/eng/news/news.jsp?blbdComCd=601006&seq=5649&mode=VIEW
BOOK OF FISH and MOGADISHU Win 4 Prizes Each at Korean Film Critics Awards

by Pierce Conran | Nov 04, 2021

Ryoo Seungwan Picks Up Best Director, Lee Joonik’s Film Takes Best Film

 

 

Lee Joonik’s The Book of Fish and Ryoo Seungwan’s Escape from Mogadishu triumphed at the 41st Korean Film Critics Association Awards, with each picking up four prizes. Lee’s film won the Best Film prize while Ryoo was awarded Best Director.

The Book of Fish also earned the Best Actor Award, which went to veteran performer Sul Kyunggu, the Best Screenplay Award for Kim Segyum and the FIPRESCI Award.

Huh Joonho was awarded the Best Supporting Actor Award for Escape from Mogadishu, which also won Best Cinematography (Choi Yeonghwan) and Best Music (Bang Junseok). Escape from Mogadishu is currently the most successful film of the year at the Korean box office, with over 3.6 million admissions.

Lee Seungwon’s indie drama Three Sisters (2020) was also a multiple award winner, with Moon Sori picking up the Best Actress prize and Kim Sunyoung earning the award for Best Supporting Actress.

Hong Euijeong received yet another Best New Director Award for her black comedy Voice of Silence (2020). The Best New Actor prize went to Lee Hongnae, for his role in KimJho Gwangsoo’s queer romantic comedy Made in Rooftop (2020), and Gong Seungyeon earned the Best New Actress prize for her breakout performance in Hong Sungeun’s Aloners, which screened at the Jeonju, Toronto and San Sebastian International Film Festivals this year.

[Helena]

The 42nd Blue Dragon Film Awards [nominations]

 

 

- Korean films released from 2020-10-30 to 2021-10-14 
- selected through survey conducted with filmmakers, film officials, and general audiences
- in addition to these 15 categories, 3 more (Popular Star Award, Short Film Award, Most Audience Award for Korean Film) will be given out at the award ceremony on November 26th.

 

Nominations Stats
▶ <Mogadishu> - 10 categories (13 nominations)
▶ <The Book of Fish> - 9 categories (10 nominations)
▶ <The Space Sweepers> - 8 categories
▶ <Miracle>, <The Day I Died>, <Call> - 6 categories each
▶ <Night in Paradise> - 5 categories
▶ <Three Sisters>, <Hostage> - 4 categories each (5 nominations)
▶ <Hard Hit>, <Sinkhole>, <Snowball> - 2 categories each
▶ <Not Out>, <Young Adult Matters>, <More than Family>, <Festival>, <Aloners> - 1 each

Spoiler

Best Picture 최우수작품상:
<The Day I Died: Unclosed Case | 내가 죽던 날>
<Mogadishu | 모가디슈>
<Space Sweepers | 승리호>
<Hostage | 인질>
<The Book of Fish | 자산어보>
 
Best Director 감독상:
Ryoo Seung-wan 류승완 <Mogadishu | 모가디슈>
Park Hoon-jung 박훈정 <Night in Paradise | 낙원의 밤>
Lee Seung-won 이승원 <Three Sisters | 세자매>
Lee Joon-ik 이준익 <The Book of Fish | 자산어보>
Jo Sung-hee 조성희 <Space Sweepers | 승리호>

 

Best Leading Actor 남우주연상:
Kim Yoon-seok 김윤석 <Mogadishu | 모가디슈>
Byun Yo-han 변요한 <The Book of Fish | 자산어보>
Seol Kyung-gu 설경구 <The Book of Fish | 자산어보>
Song Joong-ki 송중기 <Space Sweepers | 승리호>
Zo In-sung 조인성 <Mogadishu | 모가디슈>

 

Best Leading Actress 여우주연상:
Kim Hye-soo 김혜수 <The Day I Died: Unclosed Case | 내가 죽던 날>
Moon So-ri 문소리 <Three Sisters 세자매>
Im Yoon-ah 임윤아 <Miracle | 기적>
Jeon Yeo-been 전여빈 <Night in Paradise | 낙원의 밤>
Jeon Jong-seo 전종서 <Call 콜>

 

Best Supporting Actor 남우조연상:
Koo Kyo-hwan 구교환 <Mogadishu | 모가디슈>
Lee Kwang-soo 이광수 <Sinkhole | 싱크홀>
Lee Sung-min 이성민 <Miracle | 기적>
Jin Seon-kyu 진선규 <Space Sweepers | 승리호>
Heo Jun-ho 허준호 <Mogadishu | 모가디슈>

 

Best Supporting Actress 여우조연상:
Kim Sun-young 김선영 <Three Sisters | 세자매>
Lee Soo-kyung 이수경 <Miracle | 기적>
Lee El 이엘 <Call | 콜>
Lee Jung-eun 이정은 <The Day I Died: Unclosed Case | 내가 죽던 날>
Jang Yoon-ju 장윤주 <Three Sisters | 세자매>
 
Best New Director 신인감독상:
Kim Chang-joo 김창주 <Hard Hit | 발신제한>
Park Ji-wan 박지완 <The Day I Died: Unclosed Case | 내가 죽던 날>
Lee Woo-jung 이우정 <Snowball | 최선의 삶>
Lee Chung-hyun 이충현 <Call | 콜>
Pil Gam-sung 필감성 <Hostage | 인질>

 

Best New Actor 신인남우상:
Kim Jae-beom 김재범 <Hostage | 인질>
Nam Da-reum 남다름 <Sinkhole | 싱크홀>
Ryoo Kyung-soo 류경수 <Hostage | 인질>
Jung Jae-gwang 정재광 <Not Out | 낫아웃>
Ha-jun 하준 <Festival | 잔칫날>

 

Best New Actress 신인여우상:
Gong Seung-yeon 공승연 <Aloners | 혼자 사는 사람들>
Roh Jeong-eui 노정의 <The Day I Died: Unclosed Case | 내가 죽던 날>
Bang Min-ah 방민아 <Snowball | 최선의 삶>
Lee Yoo-mi 이유미 <Young Adult Matters | 어른들은 몰라요>
Jung Soo-jung 정수정 <More than Family | 애비규환>

 

Best Screenplay 각본상:
<Miracle | 기적>
<The Day I Died: Unclosed Case | 내가 죽던 날>
<Mogadishu | 모가디슈>
<Three Sisters 세자매>
<The Book of Fish | 자산어보>

 

Best Cinematography and Lighting 촬영조명상:
<Night in Paradise | 낙원의 밤>
<Mogadishu | 모가디슈>
<Space Sweepers | 승리호>
<The Book of Fish | 자산어보>
<Call | 콜> 
 
Best Editing 편집상:
<Mogadishu | 모가디슈> 
<Hard Hit | 발신제한>
<Space Sweepers | 승리호>
<Hostage | 인질>
<The Book of Fish | 자산어보>

 

Best Music 음악상:
<Miracle | 기적>
<Night in Paradise | 낙원의 밤>
<Mogadishu | 모가디슈>
<The Book of Fish | 자산어보>
<Call | 콜>
 
Best Art Direction 미술상:
<Miracle | 기적>
<Mogadishu | 모가디슈>
<Space Sweepers | 승리호>
<The Book of Fish | 자산어보>
<Call | 콜>

 

Best Technical Achievement 기술상:
<Night in Paradise | 낙원의 밤> Martial Arts 무술
<Mogadishu | 모가디슈> Stunts 스턴트
<Mogadishu | 모가디슈> Special Effects 특수효과
<Space Sweepers 승리호> VFX
<The Book of Fish | 자산어보> Costumes 의상

 

 
Cr: https://www.chosun.com/entertainments/entertain_photo/2021/11/01/EPFZPPXMHGC2EL6ISADZWLMU3Q/

 

—

 

http://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/eng/news/news.jsp?blbdComCd=601006&seq=5650&mode=VIEW
ESCAPE FROM MOGADISHU Leads Blue Dragon Awards Nominees with 13 Nods

 

by Pierce Conran | Nov 05, 2021

 

THE BOOK OF FISH Scores 8 Nominations for Upcoming 42nd Edition

 

Ryoo Seungwan’s acclaimed action-drama Escape from Mogadishu is leading the nominees’ list for the upcoming 42nd edition of the Blue Dragon Film Awards. The film has received 13 nominations in 10 categories, including Best Film and Best Director.

Close behind is director Lee Joonik’s black and white period drama The Book of Fish, which scored 10 nominations in nine categories. The films also dominated the Best Actor category, with two nominations apiece - Kim Yunseok and Zo Insung for Escape from Mogadishu and Sul Kyunggu and Byun Yohan for The Book of Fish. Filling out the category was Song Joongki for the Netflix film Space Sweepers.

Illustrating the rise in popularity and critical acclaim of streaming titles, Netflix was very prominent on the nominees list with Space Sweepers, The Call (2020) and Night in Paradise bagging eight, six and five nominations, respectively.

Space Sweepers was also nominated for Best Film, along with Hostage: Missing Celebrity and THE DAY I DIED: UNCLOSED CASE (2020). Jo Sunghee also landed on the Best Director list for Space Sweepers, alongside Park Hoonjung (Night in Paradise) and Lee Seungwon (Three Sisters, 2020).

The Best Actress category features Kim Hyesoo (THE DAY I DIED: UNCLOSED CASE), Moon Sori (Three Sisters), Lim Yoona (Miracle: Letters to the President), Jeon Yeobeen (Night in Paradise) and Jun Jongseo (The Call).

THE DAY I DIED: UNCLOSED CASE, Hostage: Missing Celebrity and Three Sisters received five nominations each.

The Blue Dragon Film Awards will take place on November 26 at KBS Hall in Seoul.

[Helena]

https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/art/2021/11/689_318012.html
'Escape from Mogadishu' leads nominations for 42nd Blue Dragon Awards

By Kwak Yeon-soo | 2021-11-01

 

A scene from the film, "Escape from Mogadishu" / Courtesy of Lotte Entertainment

The nominations for the 42nd annual Blue Dragon Awards were announced Monday with director Ryoo Seung-wan's "Escape from Mogadishu" taking the lead as the most nominated film.

"Escape from Mogadishu," which drew the highest number of moviegoers among films released this year, received 10 nominations for awards. Based on a true story, the film follows stranded South Korean and North Korean embassy workers who join hands to escape Somalia during the civil war in 1991. Among the 10 nominations were those for Best Picture and Best Director. 

Actors Kim Yoon-seok and Zo In-sung were nominated for Best Actor, while Koo Kyo-hwan was nominated for Best Supporting Actor. 

The film was recently selected to compete for the Best International Feature Film at the 94th Academy Awards. 

"'Escape from Mogadishu' impresses viewers with quality action and suspense, well combined with the dramatic story of inter-Korean tension and cooperation," the Korean Film Council said, explaining the reason behind the movie being selected as Korea's Oscar entry this year. 

The action blockbuster was also invited to this year's New York Asian Film Festival and Korean Film Festival in Paris as the opening film. It garnered about 3.61million ticket sales in the box office when it was released in July. 

 

A scene from the film, "The Book of Fish" / Courtesy of Megabox Plus M

Right behind "Escape from Mogadishu" was director Lee Joon-ik's "The Book of Fish," which picked up nine nominations, including one each for Best Picture, Best Director and Best Editing. Lead actors Seol Kyung-gu and Byun Yo-han were both nominated for Best Actor. 

The black-and-white historical biopic revolves around the late Joseon era scholar Jeong Yak-jeon (Seol), who writes a book on fish and marine life with the help of a young fisherman named Chang-dae (Byun) while living in exile on Heuksan Island in South Jeolla Province.

The film won several awards this year, including the grand prize at the prestigious Baeksang Awards in May and the best film prize at the Korean Film Critics Association Awards in October. 

Netflix's "Space Sweepers" received a total of eight nominations, including Best Picture, Best Actor for Song Joong-ki, Best Supporting Actor for Jin Sun-kyu and Best Art Direction. 

Set in 2092, the sci-fi blockbuster centers on four crew members of a shabby spaceship named The Victory, who scavenge space debris to survive. After their encounter with a mysterious humanoid named Dorothy, which they believe is a weapon of mass destruction, the quartet embarks on a risky deal that leads to unexpected consequences.

The films "Miracle," "The Day I Died: Unclosed Case" and "The Call" earned six apiece. 

The 42nd Blue Dragon Awards ceremony will take place Nov. 26 at KBS Hall in Seoul. 

[Helena]

On 10/27/2021 at 12:25 AM, Helena said:

The 41st Korean Association of Film Critics Awards (제41회 영평상)

 

Korean Film Critics Association (http://www.fca.kr) announced the winners on the 27th.

Award ceremony will be held on November 10th at 6:30 pm.

 

http://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/eng/news/features.jsp?blbdComCd=601013&mode=FEATURES_VIEW&seq=540
The 41st Korean Association of Film Critics Awards

by Kim Jihyun

On November 10th, the 41st Korean Film Association of Film Critics Awards opened the door of the 2021 Korean film awards. Film critics directly determine the winners of the Critics Awards, and it has a differentiated gaze from other film awards, such as the originality of the form and the spirit of the times of the content.

In the Critics Awards, the historical drama The Book of Fish and the period drama Escape from Mogadishu competed in a neck-and-neck race. The Book of Fish won the Best Film, the Best Actor (Sul Kyunggu), the Best Screenplay (Kim Segyeom), and the FIPRESCI Award, while Escape from Mogadishu received the Best Director (Ryoo Seungwan), the Best Supporting Actor (Heo Joonho), the Best Cinematography (Choi Younghwan), and the Best Music (Bang Junseok).

Three Sisters won the Best Actress (Moon Sori) and the Best Supporting Actress (Kim Sunyoung), proving that it is a high-quality female narrative film. Also, the Best New Director was given to Hong Euijeong of Voice of Silence, and the Best New Actor and the Best New Actress were given to Gong Seungyeon of Aloners and Lee Hongnae of Made on the Rooftop, respectively. In addition, the Lifetime Achievement in Film Award was won by Yoon Ilbong, a living witness in the Korean film industry. Born in 1934, he made his debut with Railway Story in 1947, when he was 13, and appeared in as many as 100 films.

Meanwhile, the Korean Association of Film Critics Awards selected the Top 10 films: THE DAY I DIED: UNCLOSED CASE, Escape from Mogadishu, SAMJIN COMPANY ENGLISH CLASSS, Three Sisters, Voice of Silence, SPACE SWEEPERS, Hostage: Missing Celebrity, INTRODUCTION, The Book of Fish, and The Call. The films directed by female directors or depicting female narratives, which have been prominent phenomena in the Korean film industry over the past few years, have drawn attention. It includes two new female directors (THE DAY I DIED: UNCLOSED CASE, Voice of Silence), and three female narrative films (SAMJIN COMPANY ENGLISH CLASSS, Three Sisters, The Call). In addition, genre diversity such as historical dramas, SF, horror, thriller, and family dramas was more noticeable this year than ever.

 

The Book of Fish (2021), Escape from Mogadishu (2021), Three Sisters (2021), THE DAY I DIED: UNCLOSED CASE (2020)

 

Pictures of award winners:

Spoiler

Best Film 최우수작품상: 'The Book of Fish | 자산어보'
 (Director Lee Joon-ik)

 

Best Director 감독상: Ryoo Seung-wan 류승완 ('Mogadishu | 모가디슈')


 

Best Leading Actor 남우주연상: Seol Kyung-gu 설경구 ('The Book of Fish | 자산어보')


Best Leading Actress 여우주연상: Moon So-ri 문소리 ('Three Sisters | 세자매')


 

 

Best Supporting Actor 남우조연상: Heo Jun-ho 허준호 ('Mogadishu | 모가디슈')


 

Best Supporting Actress 여우조연상: Kim Sun-young 김선영 ('Three Sisters | 세자매')


 

Best New Director 신인감독상: Hong Eui-jung 홍의정 ('Voice of Silence | 소리도 없이')


 

Best New Actor 신인남우상: Lee Hong-nae 이홍내 ('Made in Rooftop | 메이드 인 루프탑')


 

Best New Actress 신인여우상: Gong Seung-yeon 공승연 ('Aloners | 혼자 사는 사람들')


 

Best Screenplay 각본상: Kim Se-gyum 김세겸 ('The Book of Fish | 자산어보')


 

Best Cinematography 촬영상: Choi Young-hwan 최영환 ('Mogadishu | 모가디슈')


 

Best Music 음악상: Bang Jun-seok 방준석 ('Mogadishu | 모가디슈')

accepted by Director Ryoo Seung-wan 

 

Technical Award 기술상: Jung Sung-jin 정성진 · Jung Cheol-min 정철민 (Visual Effect) (‘Space Sweepers | 승리호’)

 

Lifetime Achievement Award 공로영화인상: Actor Yoon Il-bong 윤일봉

FIPRESCI Award 국제비평가연맹 한국본부상: Director Lee Joon-ik ('The Book of Fish | 자산어보')

 


Best Independent Film 독립영화지원상: Director Park Yoon-jin 박윤진, Director Kim Mi-jo 김미조

 

Newcomer Critics Award 신인평론상: Jung Woo-sung 정우성

 

Best 10 Films: <The Day I Died | 내가 죽던 날>, <Mogadishu | 모가디슈>, <Samjin Company English Class | 삼진그룹 영어토익반>, <Three Sisters | 세자매>, <Voice of Silence | 소리도 없이>, <Space Sweepers | 승리호>, <Hostage | 인질> , <Introduction | 인트로덕션>, <The Book of Fish | 자산어보>, <Call | 콜>
 

[images: MK+Osen]

 

[Helena]

https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/art/2021/11/398_318698.html
Lee Sun-kyun, Seol Kyung-gu team up in political thriller 'Kingmaker'

By Kwak Yeon-soo (yeons.kwak@koreatimes.co.kr) | 2021-11-13

 

The poster for "Kingmaker" / Courtesy of Megabox Plus M

 

"Parasite" star Lee Sun-kyun is joining forces with Seol Kyung-gu, the recipient of the Best Actor Award at the 41st Korean Film Critics Association Awards, to star in the political thriller, "Kingmaker."

The feature is directed by Byun Sung-hyun, whose 2017 film "The Merciless" was invited for a midnight screening at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival.

"Kingmaker" follows politician Kim Woon-beom (Seol) who teams up with "kingmaker" Seo Chang-dae (Lee) to run for president. The cast also includes Yoo Jae-myung, Jo Woo-jin and Kim Sung-oh.

Alongside "Parasite," Lee is known for the Apple Original series, "Dr. Brain" while Seol appeared recently in director Lee Joon-ik's black-and-white film, "The Book of Fish."

In a recent press interview, Lee said that he is glad to be able to present the long-delayed "Kingmaker" at the end of this year.

"I actually have more films under my belt that are waiting to get released. Silence is in the post-production stage, and I'm currently filming The Land of Happiness (tentative title) with Cho Jung-seok," he said.

Meanwhile, Seol has appeared in various films, including "The Merciless," the 2017 thriller "Memoir of a Murderer" and the 2019 crime comedy "Man of Men."

"Kingmaker" will hit local theaters in December.

 

Spoiler

https://zapzee.net/2021/11/12/lee-sun-kyuns-new-movie-kingmaker-unveils-its-poster-and-confirms-premiere-date/
Movie ‘Kingmaker’ Unveils Its Poster and Confirms Premiere Date

by Esther Lee

One of the most-anticipated films, Kingmaker, has announced its premiere date and revealed its first movie poster.

Kingmaker revolves around two politicians – Kim Woon Beom (Sol Kyung Gu) who dreams of changing the world by becoming a president and Seo Chang Dae (Lee Sun Kyun) who works behind the curtain of the vast Korean political machine.

Kingmaker is exec produced by The Merciless director Byun Sung Hyun and his team. In 2017, the director was invited to the 70th Cannes International Film Festival Midnight Screening for his work The Merciless.

The released poster gives a clear contrast between Kim Woon Beom and Seo Chang Dae using bright light and dramatic shadows. The text reads, “Two men who want to change the world now begins the fierce political battle,” hints at the wild presidential election they are about to face.

Source: Megabox Plus M
Translator Esther Lee: I’ll be providing you with up-to-date, reliable Korean entertainment news. Enjoy!

 

[Helena]

https://www.breaknews.com/sub_read.html?uid=847423

Seol Kyung-gu X Lee Sun-kyun 'Kingmaker', 2 kinds of launch trailers released.. Interest exploded even before release

By Reporter Park Dong-je | 2021/11/12

 

 

Movie <Kingmaker> draws attention by releasing two launch trailers together. [Distributed by: Megabox Plus M | Produced by: Seed Film | Director: Byun Sung-hyun | Cast: Seol Kyung-gu, Lee Sun-kyun, Yoo Jae-myung, Jo Woo-jin, Park In-hwan, Lee Hae-young, Kim Sung-oh, Jeon Bae-su, Seo Eun-soo, Kim Jong-su, Yoon Kyung-ho | Release: December 2021]

 

 

 

 

[Helena]

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20211119002400315
Korean films set to hit local screens in time for year-end season

By Kim Boram (brk@yna.co.kr) | November 19, 2021

SEOUL, Nov. 19 (Yonhap) -- Long-awaited Korean movies are gearing up to hit local screens in the coming months to lure film buffs and holiday shoppers in the year-end winter vacation season.

The political drama "Kingmaker," starring Lee Sun-kyun of "Parasite" and Seol Kyung-gu, will forefront the move, as distributor Megabox Plus M has earlier confirmed its public release in December.  The film, which revolves around an opposition party politician who dreams of becoming the president and his excellent strategist, finished filming in 2019 but was shelved for years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

A poster of "Kingmaker" by Megabox Plus M (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

The disaster action blockbuster "Emergency Declaration" will be released in January, apparently targeting the Lunar New Year holiday season starting at the end of the month.  The aviation disaster film, which had its world premier at this year's Cannes Film Festival in July, has been one of the most anticipated films in South Korea this year for its star-studded cast, including Song Kang-ho, Lee Byung-hun and Jeon Do-yeon.

 

This image provided by Showbox shows a scene from "Emergency Declaration." (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

Other "Parasite" star Choi Woo-shik's crime drama film "The Policeman's Lineage" and the action comedy adventure "The Pirates: Goblin Flag," the sequel to 2014's "The Pirates," are also on the lineup for January.

For the first 10 months of 2021, homegrown films experienced a sharp decrease in the number of viewers and total revenue due to a lack of new releases.  South Korean-made flicks posted a cumulative 146.5 billion won (US$123.9 million) in revenue over the 10-month period, down 54.1 percent from a year earlier. Total admission also tumbled 58.2 percent on-year to 15.46 million.  On the other hand, the combined revenue of foreign films nearly doubled to 287.6 billion won in the January-October period from a year ago, while it attracted 30 million moviegoers, up 71.7 percent on-year. 
(END)

[Helena]

The 41st Gold Awards Festival (제41회 황금촬영상)

 

Winners are determined by Korean Society of Cinematographers based on their technical and creative talent.

 

 

 

Best Film 최우수작품상: <The Book of Fish | 자산어보>
Best Director 감독상: Lee Joon-ik 이준익 (‘The Book of Fish | 자산어보’)

Best Cinematography Grand Prize 촬영대상: Cinematographer Lee Eui-tae 이의태 촬영감독 (‘The Book of Fish | 자산어보’)
Best Cinematography Silver 촬영상 은상:  Cinematographer Kim Byung-jung 김병정 촬영감독 (‘Beyond the Mountain | 저 산 너머‘)
Best Cinematography Bronze 촬영상 동상:  Cinematographer Son Won-ho 손원호 촬영감독 (‘Swordsman | 검객‘)
Best New Cinematography 신인 촬영상: Cinematographer Yoo Il-seung 유일승 촬영감독 (‘Waiting for Rain | 비와 당신의 이야기‘)

Best Actor 남우주연상: Seol Kyung-gu 설경구 (‘The Book of Fish | 자산어보’)
Best Actress  여우주연상: Chun Woo-hee 천우희 (‘Waiting for Rain | 비와 당신의 이야기’)
Best Supporting Actor 남우조연상: Kim Hee-won 김희원 (‘Pawn | 담보’)
Best Supporting Actress 여우조연상: Jang Hye-jin 장혜진 (‘More than Family | 애비규환’)
Best New Director 신인 감독상: Director Seo Yu-min 서유민 감독 (‘Recalled | 내일의 기억’)
Best New Actor 신인남우상: Park Bo-gum 박보검 (‘Seobok | 서복’)
Best New Actress 신인여우상: Min Do-hee 민도희 (‘The Book of Fish | 자산어보’)
Best Newcomer for Independent Film 독립영화 신인상: Kim Ki-hyun 김기현 (‘We Go Together | 가치 캅시다’)
Best Child Actor 아역상: Park So-i 박소이 (‘Pawn | 담보’)
Best Lighting 조명상: Director Jo Gyu-myung 조규명 감독 (‘Diva | 디바‘)
Special Jury Award (Male) 남특별상: Kim Dae-myung 김대명 (‘Stone Skipping | 돌멩이’)
Special Jury Award (Female) 여특별상: Jang Yoon-ju 장윤주 (‘Three Sisters | 세자매’)
Cinematographers’ Choice Popularity Award (Male) 촬영감독 인기상: Cha Seung-won 차승원 (‘Sinkhole | 싱크홀‘)
Cinematographers’ Choice Popularity Award (Female) 촬영감독 인기상: Jung Soo-jung (‘More than Family | 애비규환’)

 

http://star.ohmynews.com/NWS_Web/OhmyStar/at_pg.aspx?CNTN_CD=A0002788929&CMPT_CD=P0010

 

 

 

http://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/eng/news/news.jsp?blbdComCd=601006&seq=5664&mode=VIEW
THE BOOK OF FISH Sweeps Golden Cinematography Awards with 5 Prizes

 

by Pierce Conran | Nov 30, 2021

Sul Kyunggu and Chun Woohee Take Top Acting Honors

Lee Joonik’s latest film The Book of Fish was the big winner at this year’s 41st Golden Cinematography Awards, an event staged annually by the Korean Society of Cinematographers. The black and white period drama earned the Best Picture Award as well as the Gold Medal for Cinematography for Lee Euitae, Best Director for Lee, Best Actor for Sul Kyunggu, and Best New Actress for Min Dohui.

The Silver Medal for Cinematography went to the director of photography Kim Byungjung for Beyond the Mountain (2020), while Sohn Wonho picked up the Bronze Award for The Swordsman (2020). The Best New Cinematographer Award went to Yoo Ilseung for Waiting for Rain.

Waiting for Rain also saw leading actress Chun Woohee pick up the Best Actress Award. The Best Supporting Actor Prize went to Kim Heewon for Pawn (2020), while Jang Hyejin picked up Best Supporting Actress for More Than Family (2020). The Best New Actor Award went to SEOBOK’s Park Bogum, and Park Soi picked up the Child Actor Award for Pawn.

Seo Yoomin won the Best New Director Prize for Recalled. The Best Lighting Director accolade went to Cho Kyuyoung for Diva (2020), while the New Independent Film Prize was reserved for actor Kim Kihyun in We Go Together.

Two Special Jury Awards were handed to actors Kim Daemyung (Stone Skipping, 2020) and Jang Yoonjoo (Three Sisters, 2020). Finally, the Cinematographers’ Choice Popularity Awards went to stars Cha Seungwon for Sinkhole and Jung Soojung (aka Krystal) for her role in More Than Family.

[Helena]

https://www.breaknews.com/sub_read.html?uid=849727
Seol Kyung-gu's 3rd crown, 'The Book of Fish' sweeps Best Actor award... Proving his irreplaceable presence
 

By Reporter Park Dong-je (dj3290@naver.com) | 2021/11/22

 

▲ Seol Kyung-gu won 3 awards <PhotoSource = Still from movie ‘The Book of Fish’>

Actor Seol Kyung-gu won Best Actor Award at Gold Awards Festival for his role in 'The Book of Fish'.

At the 41st Gold Awards Festival held on the 20th, Seol Kyung-gu was honored with Best Actor Award for movie 'The Book of Fish' (director Lee Joon-ik).  In addition, Seol Kyung-gu won Best Actor Award at the 16th Korea University Film Festival last Friday (19th), his third award this year.

 
After receiving the award, Seol Kyung-gu said, “As I came out of the house thinking about it, my first movie award was from Gold Awards Festival in year 2000. Thank you for your continued invitation even after 20 years. ‘The Book of Fish’ is a black-and-white film made with a small budget. However, it is a film that the staff and actors made with a big heart. If you missed the opportunity to see it at the theater, it will be a good time to watch it at home. Thank you for giving me a good place and a good award.”

 
The Gold Awards Festival is hosted by Korean Cinematographers Association who choose the winners. Since his debut, Seol Kyung-gu has been recognized by consistently winning at Gold Awards Festival for Best New Actor, Popular Male, and Best Actor.
 

The 16th Korea University Film Festival is a meaningful award selected by university students across the country through a survey on films that were released this year.

Seol Kyung-gu plays Jeong Yak-jeon, a curious scholar who wakes up to sea creatures in Heuksando in ‘The Book of Fish”.  Although this is his first-ever historical project since his debut, Seol Kyung-gu perfectly portrayed the character with his soft charisma and led the film with a bold presence.

 
Seol Kyung-gu, who has performed overwhelmingly regardless of genre and character, is revealing an irreplaceable presence with his deep inner strength and delicate acting.

 
Seol Kyung-gu proved to be the best actor of the year through movie ‘The Book of Fish’. On the 10th, he won Best Actor Award at ‘Korean Association of Film Critics Awards’ (Youngpyeong Awards), followed by trophies at the 'Korea University Film Festival' and 'Gold Awards Festival'.
 

Seol Kyung-gu is scheduled to meet audience with movie <Kingmaker> in December.

 

[The 16th University Film Festival of Korea] Best Actor of the Year - Seol Kyung-gu

 

[Helena]

[2021-11-22] Kingmaker Production Presentation

 

https://www.breaknews.com/sub_read.html?uid=849757
Seol Kyung-gu X Lee Seon-gyun's 'Kingmaker', a new historical drama that we have never seen before

 

▲ Seol Kyung-gu, director Byun Sung-hyun, Lee Sun-kyun <PhotoSource=MegaboxPlusM> © Yonhap

Spoiler

 

▲ Seol Kyung-gu X Lee Sun-kyun ‘Kingmaker’ <PhotoSource=MegaboxPlusM> © BreakNews

 

 

 

 

 

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20211122007600315
Political film 'Kingmaker' set to be released next month ahead of presidential election

 

By Kim Boram (brk@yna.co.kr) | November 22, 2021

 

▲ This photo provided by Megabox Plus M shows actors Seol Kyung-gu (L) and Lee Sun-kyun participating in a press conference on "Kingmaker" streamed online on Nov. 22, 2021. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

 

▲ A poster of "Kingmaker" by Megabox Plus M (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)


SEOUL, Nov. 22 (Yonhap) -- With the South Korean quinquennial presidential election about four months away, a fact-based straight-ahead political satire is set to hit local screens next month: "Kingmaker."



It is motivated by a famous but mysterious election strategist in the 1960-70s, Eom Chang-rok, who worked for Kim Dae-jung, who became the country's president in 1998 after a decadeslong political career.



Director-writer Byun Sung-hyun said Monday his latest film looks at the question of whether the end justifies the means in the past and in the present.



"It's about two men who are trying to achieve the same goal in a series of elections in the 1960-70s," he said in a press conference streamed online. "I want to ask whether any unjust methods can be justified to achieve a just goal. I think this question also matters nowadays."



Veteran actor Seol Kyung-gu takes the role of Kim Woon-beom, an opposition party candidate who dreams of becoming the president, while "Parasite" star Lee Sun-kyun plays Seo Chang-dae, a capable election strategist who leads behind-the-scenes election campaigns for Kim.



Seol said he had first turned down the director's offer to take the title role, citing the pressure of playing a real-life politician.



"It is a story about the past, but I thought it is deeply related with current issues," said Seol, who had starred in director Byun's previous project "The Merciless" (2017), which was first screened at the Cannes Film Festival that year. "But I trusted director Byun. I expected he would create a new type of movie if he unfolds the fact-based political story in a stylish way."



But he had tried not to mimic every gesture or the voice tone of the former president, who was well known for being a good public speaker, although he had learned some southwestern accents and tones for the film.



"It was hard to shoot speech scenes," he said. "One day, I had to make a public speech in front of a blue screen without audience. I had to incite people, who were not there, in a more appealing and enthusiastic way."



Lee Sun-kyun said he had posted an election poster of Woon-beom on the wall of his room and looked at it every morning in a bid to feel as if he was a real election strategist who wants to make his boss become the president of the country.



"My character is also motivated by a real-life figure in the past, but there's not much information about him," he said. "I tried to keep asking myself why Chang-dae had to stand behind Woon-beom and achieve his goal through his boss."



"Kingmaker" will hit local screens next month. (END)


 

(C) Yonhap News Agency. All Rights Reserved

[Helena]

https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/art/2021/11/689_319252.html
'Kingmaker' lead actor Lee Sun-kyun says 'nothing has really changed' after 'Parasite'

By Kwak Yeon-soo (yeons.kwak@koreatimes.co.kr) | 2021-11-22 

 

Actors Seol Kyung-gu, left, and Lee Sun-kyun attend an online press conference for the film, "Kingmaker," Monday. Courtesy of Megabox Plus M

Two years after starring in the Oscar-winning film, "Parasite," actor Lee Sun-kyun is returning to the big screen with "Kingmaker," a political drama that appears to be timely, as the nation has four months to go before the presidential election in March. The actor tried to be humble, saying that he doesn't feel any different before or after receiving the international acclaim.

"Nothing really has changed," he said during a press conference for the film, Monday. "To be able to bring the positive energy from my last film and come play in this role was an exciting opportunity for me."

Directed by Byun Sung-hyun, whose 2017 film, "The Merciless," was invited for a midnight screening at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival, the upcoming film follows politician Kim Woon-beom (Seol Kyung-gu), who teams up with "kingmaker" Seo Chang-dae (Lee), to run for the presidential election. The cast also includes Yoo Jae-myung, Jo Woo-jin and Kim Sung-oh.

The director said that he wanted to raise the question of whether or not those with questionable ethics can still run for the election and if they win, if their victory can be justified. 

"I wanted to ask the audience whether the end can justify the means. The film is set in the 1960s and '70s, but its story is entirely relevant to these days," Byun said.

Seol said that he received the script for "Kingmaker" when he was filming "The Merciless."

"It was sort of a one-plus-one deal," he said with a laugh. "At that time, I was like, 'Let's see how The Merciless turns out, and then I'll decide on the next one.' The 2017 film was a success, so I decided to take part in this project."

 

From left, actor Seol Kyung-gu, director Byun Sung-hyun and actor Lee Sun-kyun pose during the online press conference for the film, "Kingmaker," Monday. Courtesy of Megabox Plus M

The veteran actor revealed that he was under a lot of pressure because he had to portray a demagogue. Seol completed a five-hour long filibuster scene, memorizing all the lines. Since it was impossible to gather a large crowd in the climactic scene, he put in extra effort to captivate the audience and deliver a killer speech. 

"Woon-beom has this bold, brash and provocative personality that just put me under so much pressure," Seol said. 

"I was stressed out about the speech scene because it was just me talking endlessly of his lofty goals. I didn't know how to adjust the tone and manner of Woon-beom. I wasn't sure how it would look after blending with CGI (computer-generated imagery), so I asked Byun for help."

Lee said that he was over the moon when he received the offer because he was a big fan of both Byun and Seol.

"After watching 'The Merciless,' I became a fan of Byun. His unique directing style is very fresh and stylish. Moreover, it was an honor to star alongside Seol, who has been my role model since the beginning of my career," he said. 

The 46-year-old actor shared a story showing how he felt he was destined to take part in the project. 

"Before I decided to join the cast, I was filming the tvN series, 'My Mister.' There was a scene of me watching a movie in a theater, and the movie that the production team played was 'Peppermint Candy,' with Seol in the lead role. It felt like I was destined to work with him," Lee said. 

He added, "There's another funny story about Byun. We actually ran into each other in a beauty salon. I remember telling him that I enjoyed reading the script for 'Kingmaker.'"

Alongside "Parasite," Lee is known for the Apple Original series, "Dr. Brain" while Seol appeared recently in director Lee Joon-ik's black-and-white film, "The Book of Fish."

"Kingmaker" will hit local theaters in December.

[Helena]

The 42nd Blue Dragon Film Awards [winners]

- Korean films released from 2020-10-30 to 2021-10-14 

- selected through survey conducted with filmmakers, film officials, and general audiences

 

Spoiler

Best Picture 최우수작품상:

<The Day I Died: Unclosed Case | 내가 죽던 날>
<Mogadishu | 모가디슈>
<Space Sweepers | 승리호>
<Hostage | 인질>
<The Book of Fish | 자산어보>
 
Best Director 감독상:
Ryoo Seung-wan 류승완 <Mogadishu | 모가디슈>
Park Hoon-jung 박훈정 <Night in Paradise | 낙원의 밤>
Lee Seung-won 이승원 <Three Sisters | 세자매>
Lee Joon-ik 이준익 <The Book of Fish | 자산어보>
Jo Sung-hee 조성희 <Space Sweepers | 승리호>

 

Best Leading Actor 남우주연상:
Kim Yoon-seok 김윤석 <Mogadishu | 모가디슈>
Byun Yo-han 변요한 <The Book of Fish | 자산어보>
Seol Kyung-gu 설경구 <The Book of Fish | 자산어보>
Song Joong-ki 송중기 <Space Sweepers | 승리호>
Zo In-sung 조인성 <Mogadishu | 모가디슈>

 

Best Leading Actress 여우주연상:
Kim Hye-soo 김혜수 <The Day I Died: Unclosed Case | 내가 죽던 날>
Moon So-ri 문소리 <Three Sisters 세자매>
Im Yoon-ah 임윤아 <Miracle | 기적>
Jeon Yeo-been 전여빈 <Night in Paradise | 낙원의 밤>
Jeon Jong-seo 전종서 <Call 콜>

 

Best Supporting Actor 남우조연상:
Koo Kyo-hwan 구교환 <Mogadishu | 모가디슈>
Lee Kwang-soo 이광수 <Sinkhole | 싱크홀>
Lee Sung-min 이성민 <Miracle | 기적>
Jin Seon-kyu 진선규 <Space Sweepers | 승리호>
Heo Jun-ho 허준호 <Mogadishu | 모가디슈>

 

Best Supporting Actress 여우조연상:
Kim Sun-young 김선영 <Three Sisters | 세자매>
Lee Soo-kyung 이수경 <Miracle | 기적>
Lee El 이엘 <Call | 콜>
Lee Jung-eun 이정은 <The Day I Died: Unclosed Case | 내가 죽던 날>
Jang Yoon-ju 장윤주 <Three Sisters | 세자매>
 
Best New Director 신인감독상:
Kim Chang-joo 김창주 <Hard Hit | 발신제한>
Park Ji-wan 박지완 <The Day I Died: Unclosed Case | 내가 죽던 날>
Lee Woo-jung 이우정 <Snowball | 최선의 삶>
Lee Chung-hyun 이충현 <Call | 콜>
Pil Gam-sung 필감성 <Hostage | 인질>

 

Best New Actor 신인남우상:
Kim Jae-beom 김재범 <Hostage | 인질>
Nam Da-reum 남다름 <Sinkhole | 싱크홀>
Ryoo Kyung-soo 류경수 <Hostage | 인질>
Jung Jae-gwang 정재광 <Not Out | 낫아웃>
Ha-jun 하준 <Festival | 잔칫날>

 

Best New Actress 신인여우상:
Gong Seung-yeon 공승연 <Aloners | 혼자 사는 사람들>
Roh Jeong-eui 노정의 <The Day I Died: Unclosed Case | 내가 죽던 날>
Bang Min-ah 방민아 <Snowball | 최선의 삶>
Lee Yoo-mi 이유미 <Young Adult Matters | 어른들은 몰라요>
Jung Soo-jung 정수정 <More than Family | 애비규환>

 

Best Screenplay 각본상:
<Miracle | 기적>
<The Day I Died: Unclosed Case | 내가 죽던 날>
<Mogadishu | 모가디슈>
<Three Sisters 세자매>
<The Book of Fish | 자산어보> (Kim Se-gyum 김세겸)

 

Best Cinematography and Lighting 촬영조명상:
<Night in Paradise | 낙원의 밤>
<Mogadishu | 모가디슈>
<Space Sweepers | 승리호>
<The Book of Fish | 자산어보> (Lee Eui-tae 이의태, Yoo Hyuk-Jun 유혁준)
<Call | 콜> 
 
Best Editing 편집상:
<Mogadishu | 모가디슈> 
<Hard Hit | 발신제한>
<Space Sweepers | 승리호>
<Hostage | 인질>
<The Book of Fish | 자산어보> (Kim Jung-hoon 김정훈)

 

Best Music 음악상:
<Miracle | 기적>
<Night in Paradise | 낙원의 밤>
<Mogadishu | 모가디슈>
<The Book of Fish | 자산어보> (Bang Jun-seok 방준석)
<Call | 콜>
 
Best Art Direction 미술상:
<Miracle | 기적>
<Mogadishu | 모가디슈> (Kim Bo-mook 김보묵)
<Space Sweepers | 승리호>
<The Book of Fish | 자산어보>
<Call | 콜>

 

Best Technical Achievement 기술상:
<Night in Paradise | 낙원의 밤> Martial Arts 무술
<Mogadishu | 모가디슈> Stunts 스턴트
<Mogadishu | 모가디슈> Special Effects 특수효과
<Space Sweepers 승리호> VFX (Jung Sung-jin 정성진 · Jung Cheol-min 정철민)
<The Book of Fish | 자산어보> Costumes 의상

 

Most Audience Award 최다관객상

<Mogadishu | 모가디슈>

 

Short Film Award 단편영화상

Choi Min-young 최민영 (오토바이와 햄버거)

 

Popular Star Award 인기스타상

Koo Kyo-hwan 구교환 (Mogadishu), Song Joong-ki 송중기 (Space Sweepers), Jeon Yeo-been 전여빈 (Night in Paradise), Im Yoon-ah 임윤아 (Miracle)

 

Source: sports.chosun (1) | sports.chosun (2) | 

 

http://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/eng/news/features.jsp?blbdComCd=601013&mode=FEATURES_VIEW&seq=540

The 42nd Blue Dragon Film Awards

by Kim Jihyun

The 42nd Blue Dragon Film Awards were held on November 26th at KBS Hall in Yeouido, Seoul. The two notable movies in the Awards were Escape from Mogadishu and The Book of Fish.

First of all, Escape from Mogadishu achieved the highest box office record (3.61 million viewers) this year and won four medals, including the Best Film, the Best Director (Ryoo Seungwan), the Best Supporting Actor (Heo Joonho), and the Best Art Direction (Kim Bomook).

 

Director Ryoo Seungwan said, "I really thought a lot about releasing the film in the 4th stage of social distancing," adding, "I am grateful to the audience for appreciating the screens and sounds holding the touch of the people who made it, and the audience is my companion." In addition, Kang Hyejung, the CEO of the production company ‘FilmRnK’ said, "We will make better movies you want to spend time and money in the theater to watch our movies."

Meanwhile, the Blue Dragon Film Awards 2021 also paid attention to the beauty of black and white films. The Book of Fish won a total of five awards, including the Best Actor (Sul Kyunggu), the Screenplay (Kim Segyeom), the Best Editing (Kim Jeonghun), the Best Music (Bang Junseok), and the Best Cinematography and Lighting (Lee Euitae, Yoo Hyukjoon).

 

Actors Seol Kyung-gu, left, and Moon So-ri, the winners of the Best Actor and Best Actress Awards at the 42nd annual Blue Dragon Film Awards. [JOONGANG ILBO]

 

Actor Sul Kyunggu also gave credit to actor Byun Yohan, who played the lead role together, saying, "I’ve wanted that the other actor should win this award when The Book of Fish could receive an award. I’m thankful and sorry. Many fellow actors helped make this treasure-like movie at their own expense. Like the lines in The Book of Fish, I will become an actor who is like an asset that doesn't mind even if it gets all filthy and muddy water."

Another film that cannot be left out is Three Sisters, a female epic film directed by Lee Seungwon. This work won two medals, including the Best Actress (Moon Sori) and the Best Supporting Actress (Kim Sunyoung). Actor Moon Sori said, "It's a movie holding our hope that our daughters live proudly and comfortably beyond the era of violence and hatred. I think our daughters' future will be brighter because there are wonderful sisters such as the great female actor Youn Yuhjung and HolyBang on the stage to celebrate the festival."

The surprise event at the Blue Dragon Film Awards 2021 was the appearance of Actor Youn Yuhjung, who received the Academy Awards for the Best Supporting Actress this year for Minari. She waved her hands when all her film colleagues gave her a standing ovation and said, "We have had good movies and dramas all the time. The world is just suddenly paying attention to us now and you guys have to make sure what I’ve said now is true," encouraging juniors in the film industry.

 

Related Coverages: yonhap | joongangdaily

[Helena]

Blue Dragon Film Awards: Most ‘Best Leading Actor/Actress Award’ Wins

 

Seol Kyung-gu joined 6 stars who won it 3 times:

Spoiler

• Shin Young-gyun 신영균 (1966, 1969, 1973)
• Yoon Jung-hee 윤정희 (1972, 1973, 2010 ‘Poetry’)
• Moon Sung-keun 문성근 (1992, 1994, 1996)
• Kim Hye-soo 김혜수 (1993 ‘First Love’, 1995 ‘Dr. Bong’, 2006 ‘Tazza’)
• Seol Kyung-gu (2000 ‘Peppermint Candy’, 2002 ‘Public Enemy’, 2021 ‘The Book of Fish’)
• Choi Min-sik 최민식 (2001 ‘Failan’, 2003 ‘Old Boy’, 2012 ‘Nameless Gangster’)
• Song Kang-ho 송강호 (2007 ‘The Show Must Go on’, 2014 ‘The Attorney’, 2017 ‘A Taxi Driver’)

Congratulations!

Spoiler

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cr: SportsChosunDB

 

Spoiler

 

 

—

[Helena]

The 8th Korean Film Producers Association Awards (제8회 한국영화제작가협회상)

Korean Film Producers Association (kfpa) announced the winners on the 6th.  Award ceremony will be held on the 17th.

 

 

Best Picture 작품상: 'Mogadishu | 모가디슈'
Best Director 감독상: Lee Joon-ik 이준익 ('The Book of Fish | 자산어보')
Best Screenplay 각본상: Lee Seung-won 이승원 ('Three Sisters | 세자매')
Best Actor 남우주연상: Seol Kyung-gu 설경구 ('The Book of Fish | 자산어보')
Best Actress 여우주연상: Go Doo-shim 고두심 ('Everglow | 빛나는 순간')
Best Supporting Actor 남우조연상: Heo Jun-ho 허준호 ('Mogadishu | 모가디슈’)
Best Supporting Actress 여우조연상: Kim Sun-young 김선영 ('Three Sisters | 세자매')
Best New Director 신인 감독상: Hong Eui-jeong 홍의정 ('Voice of Silence | 소리도 없이‘)
Best Newcomer 신인 배우상: Lee Yu-mi 이유미 ('Young Adult Matters | 어른들은 몰라요', ‘Hostage | 인질’)
Best Cinematography 촬영상: Choi Young-hwan 최영환 (‘Mogadishu | 모가디슈’)
Best Lighting 조명상: Lee Jae-hyuk 이재혁 (‘Mogadishu | 모가디슈’)
Best Art Direction 미술상: Kim Bo-mook 김보묵 (‘Mogadishu | 모가디슈’)
Best Editing 편집상: Heo Seon-mi 허선미 · Jo Han-ul 조한울 ('Samjin Company English Class | 삼진그룹 영어토익반')
Best Music 음악상: Bang Jun-seok 방준석 ('The Book of Fish | 자산어보')
Best Sound 음향상: Kim Chang-seop 김창섭 ('Seobok | 서복')

Best Technical Achievement 기술상: Special Effects 특수효 /  Lee Hee-kyung 이희경 (‘Mogadishu | 모가디슈’)
Special Achievement Award 특별공로상: late Cine 2000 CEO Lee Chun-yeon 이춘연
Close-up Award 클로즈업상: Shin Hye-sun 신혜선

 

http://www.kfpa.net/mboard/view.asp?b_state=1&board_id=tbl_report&btype=&b_category=0&ListNum=70&IDX=83

 

Actress Go Doo-shim, actor Seol Kyung-gu [photo=Chosun]

[Helena]

http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20211214000687
Political film ‘Kingmaker’ throws question mark on ethical dilemma

By Jie Ye-eun (yeeun@heraldcorp.com) | Dec 14, 2021

 

From left: Actor Seol Kyung-gu, director Byun Sung-hyun and actor Lee Sun-kyun pose for photos during a press conference for “Kingmaker” at Megabox Coex in southern Seoul, Monday. (Megabox Plus M)

While the South Korean presidential election is less than three months away, the fact-based political drama “Kingmaker” aims to raise a question about using unjust means to achieve a goal. 

Set in the 1960s-70s, “Kingmaker” revolves around an opposition party politician who dreams of becoming president and his excellent strategist. It was motivated by mysterious election strategist Eom Chang-rok, who worked for former President Kim Dae-jung, who became president in 1998 in the culmination of a decadeslong political career.

“I was curious about the man who was described with only a few lines in Kim‘s autobiography. Passed down orally with not much written data regarding the strategist, it was a great source to exercise my cinematic imagination,” Byun Sung-hyun, the director of the movie, said during a press conference held at Megabox Coex in southern Seoul, Monday. 

“Rather than shedding new light on political situations of the past, I wanted to ask the audience whether any unjust methods can be justified to achieve one’s goal if the person believes it is desirable. If so, where would be the permissible range? I think the ethical dilemma also matters nowadays.”

Byun, whose 2017 film “The Merciless” was invited for a midnight screening at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival, Oscar-winning film “Parasite” star Lee Sun-kyun and recipient of the award for best actor at the 41st Korean Film Critics Association Awards Seol Kyung-gu teamed up for the upcoming film. The cast also includes Yoo Jae-myung, Jo Woo-jin and Kim Sung-oh. 

 

From left: Actor Seol Kyung-gu, director Byun Sung-hyun and actor Lee Sun-kyun talk about the upcoming film “Kingmaker” during a press conference at Megabox Coex in southern Seoul, Monday. (Megabox Plus M)

Seol, who has united with Byun after “The Merciless,” said his strong faith in the director led him to join the project. The veteran actor, however, found much difficulty in playing the role of politician Kim Woon-beom, he said. 

“Since the movie features a political story, it was burdensome. ... Although my character was motivated by an ex-president, I couldn’t imitate such a great figure. I didn‘t know how to adjust the tone and manner of Woon-beom. I wasn’t sure about looking for a middle point between the actual ex-president’s character and Woon-beom,” Seol said. 

Star of the Oscar-winning “Parasite,” Lee, who plays “kingmaker” Seo Chang-dae, said that he was over the moon when he received the offer from Byun because he was a big fan of both the director and Seol. He had to really tap his imagination for the mysterious role, according to the actor. 

“I think the movie is about how the relationship between Woon-beom and Chang-dae gets to change as time goes on,” Lee said. “There was not much information to refer to expressing Chang-dae’s character. I placed great emphasis on the character’s justification of why he can’t come to the center and remains like the shadow of Woon-beom.” 

“Kingmaker” finished filming in 2019 but has since been shelved due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The political movie will hit local theaters on Dec. 29.

[Helena]

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20211214004900315
(Movie Review) 'Kingmaker': fact-based, metaphorical depiction of S. Korea's '60-70s politics

By Kim Boram (brk@yna.co.kr) / 2021-12-14

 

Spoiler

 

 

▲ These images provided by Megabox Plus M show scenes from "Kingmaker." (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

 

Spoiler

 

▲ Posters of "Kingmaker" by Megabox Plus M (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)



SEOUL, Dec. 14 (Yonhap) -- The era of the 1960s and 1970s was one of the most turbulent ones in modern Korean history that shaped much of the landscape of the country's political scene.  During the period under the military dictatorship by strongman Park Chung-hee, two young political heavyweights -- Kim Dae-jung and Kim Young-sam -- appeared on the main stage and led Korean politics for the next three decades.  The upcoming political film "Kingmaker" captures the decisive moment of the rise of the two big-name politicians, with a focus on Kim Dae-jung and his hidden strategist Eom Chang-rok, whose names are all changed into fictional ones.



In the early 1960s, Kim Woon-beom (Seol Kyung-gu), an unnamed opposition party politician, dreams of becoming a lawmaker and the president of the country through just and clean means. But his reality doesn't match his ambition, as he has failed in four parliamentary elections in a row.  One day, a mysterious man named Seo Chang-dae (Lee Sun-kyun) visits Woon-beom's camp and says he can help him realize his dream.



Woon-beom, known as a man of principle and an idealist, is first unwilling to go with the live wire, who is determined to bend the rules to achieve the goal.  But the politician is convinced of Chang-dae's eloquence and passion to make his boss the president of the country. The energetic strategist says he does not mind remaining in the shadows without a title or rank in Woon-beom's election camp.



Led by Chang-dae's wily and smart tactics to win the hearts of voters and outclass the ruling party's plutocratic election campaign, Woon-beom pulls off a series of victories in the subsequent parliamentary elections and emerges as a threatening new figure in the opposition circle.  As his boss enjoys being in the spotlight and becomes the breakout presidential candidate of the main opposition party for the 1971 presidential election, Chang-dae complains of his hidden position and the nickname "shadow," called by his ruling party counterpart, and desires to distinguish himself.  The film reaches the climax as the duo clash over how and why they are striving to achieve their ultimate goal of winning the presidential election. 



Throughout the two-hour running time, director-writer Byun Sung-hyun cleverly and timely inserts some contemporary black-and-white television news clips on renowned political figures' public speeches, the opposition party's primary event and voting centers.  Along with well-made production designs, costumes and props in the past, the film effectively makes the viewers feel they are at the historical sites in person and hear the speeches of renowned politicians in the turbulent 1960-70s, which most people know through textbooks and documentaries.



And the outstanding performances by the two lead actors, Seol and Lee, to portray the real-life political figures adds plausibility to the fact-based political drama.  In particular, Lee created the new fictional and multifaceted character of Chang-dae, whose identity and life path after that period still remains nearly unknown.  He is a slick and insidious schemer who orchestrates a series of wicked tactics to change the game and win it, but he also betrays his loyalty and respect to his leader's cause and principle despite their differences in the way to reach it.



And the inherent mistrust and discord over the justified means between the two protagonists resonate with the South Korean people, who face a quinquennial presidential election in March.  "It's about two men who are trying to achieve the same goal in a series of elections in the 1960-70s," director Byun said in a press conference last month. "I want to ask whether any unjust methods can be justified to achieve a just goal. I think this question also matters nowadays."



"Kingmaker" will hit local screens Dec. 29.  (END)

 

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