Seol Kyung-Gu 설경구

[Helena]

[ netflixkcontent ] They look bloody great 

#killboksoon #netflix #jeondoyeon #sulkyunggu #kimsia @kimsia_official #byunsunghyun 

Spoiler

 

 

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[SUB] EP.1-1ㅣThe buisness trip that makes brutal killers nervousㅣThe Game Caterers 2 X Kill Boksoon
https://youtu.be/LsrJNUT0eTk

 

[SUB] EP.1-2ㅣKiller customized 'new game' knocks killers outㅣThe Game Caterers 2 X Kill Boksoon
https://youtu.be/U6z9qdx538s 

 

[ENG SUB] Unveiling secrets from the set of Kill Boksoon | Kill Boksoon Commentary

Watch Kill Boksoon on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81478985

Subscribe to Netflix K-Content: https://bit.ly/2IiIXqV 

#KillBoksoon #JeonDoyeon #SulKyunggu #Kimsia #Esom #KooKyohwan #LeeYeon #ByunSunghyun

Spoiler

 

 

 

 

[Helena]

https://k-odyssey.com/news/newsview.php?ncode=1065571788566888
Kim Yong-hwa's sci-fi blockbuster 'The Moon' to launch in August

YonhapNews / 2023-05-05 09:09:13
(This article is translated from Korean to English by Ha eun Lee)

 

▲ This photo, provided by CJ ENM, shows the poster for 'The Moon.' (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
 
SEOUL, May 5 (Yonhap) -- South Korean star filmmaker Kim Yong-hwa’s new feature film “The Moon” will hit the local theaters in August, film distributor CJ ENM confirmed Thursday.



Kim, who is behind the success of the mega-hit series of films, “Along with the Gods,” took the helm of the The Moon. The sci-fi blockbuster is Korea's first-ever film on lunar exploration, slated to be released on August 2 , the distributor said. 

The film depicts the struggle of a space crew who accidentally becomes isolated in the outer space, and  the rescue plan led by former head of a space center. 


The film co-stars Do Kyung-soo, also known by his stage name D.O. of K-pop boy band EXO, as the missing space crew, and Sul Kyung-gu as the former head of the center. Actress Kim Hee-ae is cast for the general director of NASA’s space station.

Since his debut film “Oh! Brothers” in 2003, film director Kim Yong-hwa produced a slew of hit movies, including “200 Pounds Beauty,” “Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds,” “Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days" and “Escape from Mogadishu.” (END)

(C) Yonhap News Agency. All Rights Reserved

 

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Cannes 2023: Screen International Day 2 edition

 

https://www.screendaily.com/features/cannes-2023-south-korea-hot-projects/5182120.article
Cannes 2023: South Korea hot projects

BY JEAN NOH | 16 MAY 2023

Korean sellers are back on the Croisette with five titles screening in the festival including Cobweb by veteran director Kim Jee-woon and Sleep by Jason Yu, a former assistant director to Bong Joon Ho.

 

Spoiler

Festival

Cobweb
Dir. Kim Jee-woon


Cannes best actor award-winner Song Kang-ho (Broker) returns in Kim’s out of Competition title as an obsessive director working in 1970s dictatorship-era South Korea. He is hellbent on reshooting the ending of his tragicomic film in two days but cast and crew are confused and uncooperative while censors also get in the way. Kim previously had A Bittersweet Life (2005) and The Good, The Bad, The Weird (2008), which starred Song, play out of Competition in Cannes. Cobweb also stars Lim Soo-jung, Oh Jung-se, Jeon Yeo-been and Jung Soo-jung.


Contact: Barunson E&A (mailto:intl@barunsonena.com)

Hopeless
Dir. Kim Chang-hoon


Previously known as Hwa-ran, this feature debut from director Kim is playing in Un Certain Regard. Top Korean actor Song Joong-ki, star of Space Sweepers and TV’s Reborn Rich, said he would work on it for free after seeing the script. It stars rising actor Hong Xa-bin as a teenager who dreams of escaping his violent hometown but is drawn into the world of a local thug (Song) after accepting a favour from him. It is produced by Sanai Pictures, whose credits include Cannes Midnight Screenings titles Hunt and The Spy Gone North.


Contact: Plus M Entertainment (mailto:sales@megabox.co.kr)

In Our Day
Dir. Hong Sangsoo


Set as the closing film of Directors’ Fortnight, this marks the 12th visit to Cannes for prolific auteur Hong. His last was with In Front Of Your Face in the 2021 Cannes Premiere section. In Our Day stars Ki Joo-bong (The Novelist’s Film) and Kim Minhee (The Day After) alongside other familiar faces from Hong’s films. It revolves around a woman in her forties staying with someone who has a cat, and a man in his seventies living alone whose cat died of old age. Both receive visitors who have earnest questions. It is produced by Jeonwonsa Film.


Contact: Finecut, sales@finecut.co.kr festival@finecut.co.kr

Project Silence
Dir. Kim Tae-gon


In the Midnight Screenings section, this disaster action drama takes place on South Korea’s famously long Incheon Grand Bridge. Lee Sun-kyun of Parasite — also to be seen in Critics’ Week title Sleep — plays a man driving his daughter to the airport when a thick fog causes a massive automobile pile-up and they are stuck overnight in a lockdown. Others on the bridge include a tow-truck driver, played by Ju Ji-hoon, and mutated military dogs escaped from their transport. Directed by Kim Tae-gon (Familyhood), it is produced by Kim Yong-hwa of the hit Along With The Gods franchise.


Contact: CJ ENM filmsales@cj.net

Sleep
Dir. Jason Yu


A former assistant director to Bong Joon Ho, Yu makes his feature directing debut in Critics’ Week with this horror comedy. Jung Yu-mi from Train To Busan and Lee Sun-kyun (Parasite) — also to be seen in Midnight Screenings title Project Silence — play a young couple, before and after the birth of their first child. The husband’s sleeping habits become increasingly grotesque and they consult first a sleep clinic and then a shaman. Bong has lauded the film’s unpredictable drama and called it “the most unique horror film” he has seen in the last decade. It is produced by Lewis Pictures (Okja).


Contact: Lotte Entertainment (mailto:international02@lotte.net)
 

 

Market

4PM
Dir. Jay Song


This mystery thriller stars Oh Dal-su (Along With The Gods: The Two Worlds), Kim Hong-pa (Sinkhole) and Jang Young-nam (Confidential Assignment). It follows a retired philosophy professor and his wife, who move to a quiet town to enjoy their golden years but are dismayed to find a perplexing neighbour who starts visiting their house every day at 4pm. Produced by Daydream Entertainment (Stellar, Tomb Of The River), the film is in post-production with a local release expected this year.


Contact: Contents Panda (mailto:sales@its-new.co.kr)

Comment Army (working title)
Dir. Ahn Gooc-jin


An adaptation of the award-­winning novel of the same name by Chang Kang-myoung — inspired by true events in South Korea — this crime drama stars Son Sukku from Disney+ series Big Bet and South Korea’s leading 2022 box-office hit The Roundup. The story follows a reporter who, while investigating an online public sentiment manipulation story, uncovers the criminal workings of the so-called Comment Army in Korea. The cast also includes Kim Sung-Cheol (The Night Owl), Kim Dong-Hwi (In Our Prime) and Hong Kyung (Netflix’s DP). Now in production, it is produced by Alex Kim (Tazza: One Eyed Jack). Ahn previously directed Alice In Earnestland.


Contact: Acemaker movieworks (mailto:sales@acemaker.co.kr)

Devils
Dir. Kim Jae-hoon


This body-swap film is Kim’s feature-directing debut and stars Jang Dong-yoon (Project Wolf Hunting) and Oh Dae-hwan (Tomb Of The River). It centres on a homicide detective (Oh) who tracks down a serial murderer (Jang), whose victims included his colleague and brother-in-law, only to wake up from an accident and find himself in the killer’s body. He then begins a desperate chase to protect his family and uncover the secret of the body switch. Produced by Contents G in association with The Contents On, the film is in post-­production.


Contact: Finecut sales@finecut.co.kr festival@finecut.co.kr

Dr. Cheon And Lost Talisman
Dir. Kim Seong-sik


This mystery thriller marks the feature-directing debut of Kim, who was an assistant director to Bong Joon Ho on Parasite, Park Chan-wook on Decision To Leave and Hong Won-chan on Deliver Us From Evil. The story follows psychiatrist and con-man Dr. Cheon, who travels around the country with his assistant to perform fake exorcisms, until they find themselves in the crosshairs of an actual superhuman being. Gang Dong-won (Broker) and Huh Joon-ho (Escape From Mogadishu) star alongside E Som, Lee Dong-hwi and Kim Jong-soo. Produced by Filmmaker R&K, the film is set for release later this year.


Contact: CJ ENM (mailto:filmsales@cj.net)

Exhuma
Dir. Jang Jae-hyun


This mystery horror film is from the director of Svaha: The Sixth Finger and The Priests. Starring Choi Min-sik of Oldboy, Kim Go-eun from TV’s Little Women, Yoo Hai-jin and Lee Do-hyun, Exhuma follows a wealthy family living in Los Angeles who experience paranormal events and summon a shamanic duo to save their newborn. They sense a dark ancestor’s shadow and call in a geomancer and mortician to set about exhuming a grave in Korea — but unleash a malevolent force. The film is in post-production.


Contact: Showbox (mailto:sales@showbox.co.kr)

Good Job (working title)
Dir. Hwang Dong-seok


Yoo Seon-ho of TV’s Under The Queen’s Umbrella stars in this action drama as a high-school student facing debt collectors as well as bullying from a supposed model student. His life takes a thrilling turn when he stumbles on a lost envelope of money and steps into the world of loan sharks. The film is in post-production and set for local release in Q4 of 2023.


Contact: Julie Sung, kt alpha (mailto:julie.sung@kt.com) 

Hidden Face
Dir. Kim Dae-woo


This mystery thriller reunites the director of Obsessed (2014) with star Song Seung-heon and Cho Yeo-jeong of Parasite, joined by Park Ji-hyun from TV’s Reborn Rich. It centres on a conductor who is set to marry a cellist when she disappears suddenly, leaving only a farewell video. He starts to get closer to another woman who used to substitute on the cello for his fiancée. But as their relationship deepens, they cannot shake the feeling that someone is watching them. Produced by Studio&New (Soulmate), the film is in post-­production.


Contact: Contents Panda (mailto:sales@its-new.co.kr)

Livestream
Dir. Choi Ju-yeon


This thriller, starring Park Sung-woong (New World) and Park Sun-ho (Champion), follows a freelance TV producer in a relationship crisis who receives a link to an illegal spy cam of his own girlfriend. With no time to lose, he decides to take matters into his own hands and rescue her, only to descend into the seedy world of illegal broadcasting. The film is in post-production and due for local release in June.


Contact: Julie Sung, kt alpha (mailto:julie.sung@kt.com)

Love Reset
Dir. Nam Dae-joong


This romantic comedy from the director of Homme Fatale stars Kang Ha-neul from TV’s When The Camellia Blooms and Jeong So-min of Project Wolf Hunting. The story centres on a couple who get married despite opposition from their families. Two years later, they are leaving a courthouse after receiving a 30-day divorce settlement when a car accident leaves them both with memory loss. The amnesia-­stricken couple fall for each other again as their family members devise an elaborate plan to jog their memories and complete the divorce. Produced by Woollim, Love Reset is in post-­production with a release planned for later this year.


Contact: Barunson E&A (mailto:intl@barunsonena.com)

The Moon (working title)
Dir. Kim Yong-hwa


From the director of the Along With The Gods franchise, this sci-fi drama stars Sul Kyung-gu (Phantom) and Doh Kyung-soo (Along With The Gods franchise). It is set in the near future, when Korea’s first manned mission to the Moon ends in a tragic disaster. Seven years later, a second human spaceflight is launched successfully but solar winds cause it to malfunction and leaves one astronaut (Doh) stranded in space. Facing another fatal catastrophe, the Naro Space Center turns to its former managing director (Sul) to help bring him back home safely. Produced by CJ ENM Studios and BLAAD Studios, The Moon is set for release later this year.


Contact: CJ ENM (mailto:filmsales@cj.net) 

Spoiler

No Heaven, But Love
Dir. Han Jay


This LGBTQ+ teen romance won Korean streaming platform Watcha’s Pick award at the recent Jeonju International Film Festival. It stars Primetime Emmy award-winning actress Lee You-mi from Netflix’s Squid Game and Park Soo-yeon from arthouse favourite House Of Hummingbird. The story follows two high-school girls’ love and friendship in the violent summer of 1999, when an aspiring national taekwondo athlete’s life takes an unexpected turn after her mother brings home a juvenile delinquent as a foster child.


Contact: M-Line Distribution (mailto:sales@mline-distribution.com)

The Roundup: Punishment
Dir. Heo Myeong-haeng


The fourth in this action crime series headed by Don Lee (aka Ma Dong-seok) also stars Kim Moo-yul, whose roles as cop and bad guy were reversed in Cannes 2019 title The Gangster, The Cop, The Devil. Director Heo is a well-known stunt co-ordinator whose credits include The Roundup — last year’s biggest box-office hit in Korea, which recorded more than 12.6 million admissions — as well as Hunt, Ashfall, Extreme Job and Train To Busan. He is expected to up the level of intricate fight scenes in this latest instalment about the ‘Beast Cop’ (Lee), in which he hunts down the mob behind an illegal online gambling business. Produced by ABO Entertainment, Hong Film, BigPunch Pictures and B.A. Entertainment, the film is currently in post-production for release next year.
Contact: Junho Park, K-Movie (mailto:Entertainment%20sales@kmovieenter.com)

 

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Cannes 2023: Screen International Day 4 edition

[Helena]

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230526002900315
Anticipated Korean blockbusters to check out this summer

By Kim Eun-jung (ejkim@yna.co.kr) | May 28, 2023

 

The promotional poster of director Ryoo Seung-wan's new action crime movie "Smugglers" is seen in this photo provided by its distributor NEW. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

SEOUL, May 28 (Yonhap) -- A new slate of star-studded films by bankable Korean directors, spanning diverse genres including action, sci-fi and thriller, is anticipated to heat up the local box office this summer.

With the Korean film industry facing fierce competition from big-budget foreign movies and streaming platforms, the upcoming movies are seen as a potential catalyst to rejuvenate the sluggish industry.

Kicking off the summer lineup is acclaimed director Ryoo Seung-wan's new action crime flick "Smugglers," set for theatrical release on July 26.

Set in the 1970s in a peaceful seaside village, the film revolves around two female deep sea divers who are unexpectedly tangled up in a high-stakes smuggling scheme.

It is Ryoo's third period film following "The Battleship Island" (2017) and "Escape from Mogadishu" (2021).

Veteran actresses Kim Hye-soo and Yum Jung-ah take the lead roles, marking the first time Ryoo's production centers on female characters. Zo In-sung, Park Jung-min and Go Min-si also join the cast.

 

The promotional poster of director Kim Yong-hwa's space survival film "The Moon" is seen in this photo provided by its distributor CJ ENM. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

 

The sci-fi blockbuster "The Moon," which tells the story of Korea's manned lunar exploration mission and isolation, will be released on Aug. 2.

The space survival drama has drawn attention as director Kim Yong-hwa's latest film following his hit two-film fantasy action series, "Along with the Gods" (2017-2018), which both surpassed 10 million admissions at the local box office.

Do Kyung-soo, a member of K-pop group EXO, stars as an astronaut who was stranded on the moon alone due to an accident. Seol Kyung-gu plays a former head of the space center who tries to rescue him, while Kim Hee-ae appears as a director general of a space station who has a hidden secret.

"Concrete Utopia," a post-apocalyptic film directed by Um Tae-hwa, is expected to arrive in local theaters in August.  Based on episodes of webtoon "Joyful Outcast" by Kim Sung-nyung, the disaster thriller revolves around a few survivors who gather in an apartment complex after a massive earthquake demolishes Seoul.  It features a star-studded cast, including Lee Byung-hun, Park Seo-joon and Park Bo-young. (END)

[Helena]

http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230612000525
Star-studded summer blockbuster films to compete in August

 

By Kim Da-sol (ddd@heraldcorp.com) | Jun 12, 2023

A scene from “Unofficial Operation” (Showbox)

A number of star-studded blockbuster films will vie for audience attention this summer, raising expectations that the projects might bring local moviegoers back to theaters after the majority of films released this year have performed worse than expected at the box office.

"Unofficial Operation," an action flick starring Ha Jung-woo and Ju Ji-hoon, will open Aug. 2, according to the film distributor Showbox.

The film revolves around Min-joon (Ha), a diplomat who departs for war-torn Lebanon to search for a missing colleague. If successful, he will be given his dream post in the US. In Lebanon, Min-joon meets a Korean taxi driver, Pan-soo (Ju), who is fluent in Arabic and looks like a swindler.

Set in 1987, the film is directed by Kim Sung-hoon, who has also helmed the Netflix hit “Kingdom,” as well as action flicks “A Hard Day” (2014) and “Tunnel” (2016).

Also opening on Aug. 2 is "The Moon," a long-waited film by hit filmmaker Kim Yong-hwa, that stars Sol Kyung-gu, Kim Hee-ae and Do Kyung-soo.

“The Moon” tells the story of Seon-woo (Do), a member of a space project crew who is accidentally left behind and isolated on the Moon, and former space center chief Jae-kook's (Sol) adventure to the Moon to rescue Seon-woo.

The film is director Kim’s first movie set in space, after producing the very successful "Along with the Gods” (2017), (2018).

Meanwhile, director Ryoo Seung-wan’s much-anticipated “Smugglers” opens a week earlier on July 26.

Set in the 1970s in a peaceful seaside village, this crime action film features an accident in front of "haenyeo," female divers who collect mollusks from the ocean floor. Actors Kim Hye-soo, Yeom Jeong-ah, Zo In-sung, Park Jung-mi and Go Min-si star in the film.

With the confirmation of the summer blockbuster films' release in July and August, the market expectation is high for ticket sales to bounce back to pre-pandemic levels. There have been concerns about resurgence of local cinemas as streaming services like Netflix enjoy increasing popularity.

Among the dozens of films released so far this year, just three films -- "The Point Men," starring Hwang Jung-min and Hyun Bin; and “Dream,” featuring Park Seo-jun and IU -- drew more than 1 million moviegoers. “The Roundup: No Way Out," which opened May 31, surpassed the 7-million admissions mark over the weekend.

[Helena]

https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/art/2023/06/689_353561.html
From 'Smugglers' to 'The Moon,' summer blockbuster season in full swing

By Kwak Yeon-soo | 2023-06-23

Posters for films "Smugglers," left, and "The Moon" / Courtesy of NEW, Dexter Studios

"The Roundup: No Way Out" has kicked off the summer season with a bigger attendance than expected. The film surpassed 9 million ticket sales on the 21st day of its release, focusing attention on whether big tentpole films can continue to make waves at the box office. 

With "The Roundup" doing most of the swinging, a number of films are coming to theaters in the next few weeks alone, heating the summer blockbuster season. 

Director Ryoo Seung-wan's crime action thriller "Smugglers" is set for theatrical release on July 26. Set in the 1970s, the film revolves around two female divers who unexpectedly become involved in an illegal smuggling scheme. 

Actresses Kim Hye-soo and Yum Jung-ah take on lead roles as female divers. Also joining the cast are actors Zo In-sung, Park Jung-min and Go Min-si. Ryoo is well known due to directing films such as "Veteran" (2015) and "Escape from Mogadishu" (2021).

Director Kim Yong-hwa, best known for the "Along with the Gods" film franchise, is returning with sci-fi blockbuster "The Moon." Featuring A-list actors, including Sul Kyung-gu, Kim Hee-ae and Doh Kyung-su, the film tells the story of a space crew member who is left alone in space during a lunar exploration mission. It will be released on Aug. 2.

A teaser poster of the film "Ransomed" / Courtesy of Showbox

The action drama film "Ransomed," directed by Kim Seong-hun of Netflix series "Kingdom" fame, will hit theaters on August 2. Set in Beirut in 1987, during the Lebanese Civil War, the story revolves around a diplomat named Min-jun (Ha Jung-woo) who is assigned the task of carrying ransom money to rescue an abducted diplomat in Lebanon, and a local taxi driver named Pan-su (Ju Ji-hoon) accidentally gets involved in the mission.

Disaster thriller "Concrete Utopia," starring Lee Byung-hun, Park Seo-joon and Park Bo-young, will hit theaters on August 9. It follows the story of survivors who gather in an apartment complex in Seoul following a massive earthquake. The film is directed by Um Tae-hwa, who previously helmed the 2016 fantasy film "Vanishing Time: A Boy Who Returned."

The local films are likely to compete with big franchise Hollywood films such as "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny," "Mission: Impossible ― Dead Reckoning Part One," "Barbie" and "Oppenheimer." 

Director Christopher McQuarrie, actors Tom Cruise, Simon Pegg, Vanessa Kirby and Pom Klementieff of "Mission: Impossible 7" will attend a press conference and a red carpet event in Seoul on June 29 ahead of the film's Korean release on July 12. 

The cast of "Barbie," including Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, as well as actress-director Greta Gerwig will also visit Korea July 2-3 to promote their new film.

[Helena]

http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230627000470
Director over "The Moon" with sci-fi blockbuster
Kim realizes his dream of making a film about Moon with sophisticated visual effects technology

By Kim Da-sol (ddd@heraldcorp.com) | Jun 27, 2023

“The Moon” (CJENM)

Director Kim Yong-hwa, whose two movies “Along with the Gods” in 2017 and 2018 notched up more than 10 million admissions each, returns with sci-fi film “The Moon.”

Starring actors Sol Kyung-gu, Do Kyung-soo and Kim Hee-ae, the movie was motivated by director Kim’s long-yearning to set story around the Moon and backed by Korea's sophisticated visual effects.

“While I was shooting the ‘Along With the Gods,’ I thought that even a fantasy story should be based on a realistic setting. After venturing into the story in hell in my previous work, I thought that I could make a movie about the Moon, which I have yearned for a long time, since when I was young,” director Kim told reporters during a press conference held in CGV Yongsan in Seoul, Tuesday.

“The Moon” revolves around Sun-woo (Do), a spaceship crew member who, after completing a mission, is left abandoned on the Moon due to an accident. Jae-kook (Sol), a former head of the space center, discovers Sun-woo and joins efforts with NASA main director Moon-young (Kim) to rescue him.

To add realism to the film, Kim used an iMax camera and 4K lens. "The Moon" is the first Korean film to do so.
Using 45 different camera lenses and using different category of lens when shooting the scenes on Earth and outer space scenes, director Kim said he spent a significant amount of time in preproduction stage.

“I felt bad for letting actors do the acting in front of the blue screen in my previous works. So I decided to put more time and effort in creating realistic filming sets. The lunar revolving vehicle, which Do rides on the moon, is so detailed that it can actually operate on the Moon,” said Kim, adding that all filming sets were built based on advice from space experts in Korea. To build a realistic set, the staff even brought materials and equipment that are actually used by NASA.

“I grew up watching films that allow the audience to experience. While writing the scenario, the filmmaking industry went through a variety of changes and some cinematic experiences became worse than with streaming. After ‘Along With the Gods,’ I felt that it was my turn to give back to the audience, to give them an opportunity to experience satisfactory audiovisual pleasures at the cinema,” Kim said.

Actor Sol Kyung-gu stars as Jae-kook in “The Moon.” (CJENM)

Kim Hee-ae stars as Moon-young in “The Moon.” (CJENM)

Actors Sol Kyung-gu and Kim Hee-ae, as well as Do Kyung-soo, who worked with director Kim on “Along With the Gods,” said they were attracted by an unknown story that unfolds in outer space.

“At first, it was amazing to read the scenario and learn about such story because I didn’t know this kind of movie could be made in Korea,” Do told reporters.

“I’ve mostly appeared in drama projects until now, and it was so thrilling to read the scenario in the sci-fi genre. The best cast and the best director upped my expectation for the film and the shooting was just fun and happy,” said Kim.

Sol Kyung-gu had talked with director Kim about doing a project together, but it took 17 years for them to finally make a film together.

“Even as an actor with a 30-year career, it’s surprising to see director Kim’s directing style. He looks beyond the point where an actor is struggling. I felt like I got punched in the head,” Sol told reporters.

Director Kim was confident that the high quality of his film sets it apart from other Moon-themed sci-fi movies from around the world such as "Interstellar" and "Gravity."

“I have put a particular focus on showing a high resolution film, something that can surpass the quality of such foreign sci-fi films. The last 40 minutes of our film will show the rescue operation from an angle that is different from that of foreign films," said director Kim.

“The Moon” opens in local theaters on Aug. 2. The film will be available in 155 countries as well with opening dates yet unconfirmed.

 

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https://www.screendaily.com/news/korean-sci-fi-drama-the-moon-sold-to-155-countries/5183479.article
Korean sci-fi drama ‘The Moon’ sold to 155 countries

BY JEAN NOH | 26 JUNE 2023

 

Spoiler

▲ This photo, provided by CJ ENM, shows the poster of 'The Moon.' (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

CJ ENM has pre-sold sci-fi survival drama The Moon to 155 countries including the US and key territories throughout Europe and Asia.

The film has been acquired for North America (Well Go USA), UK and German-speaking territories (Capelight), French-speaking territories (Program Store), Italy (Blue Swan), Turkey (ATV), Poland (Monolith), CIS (RWV), Japan (Klockworx), Indian sub-continent (Multivision Plus), Middle East (Empire Networks), Australia (Little Monster), Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei and the Philippines (Purple Plan), Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar (Neramitnungfilm), Taiwan (MovieCloud), and Hong Kong and Macau (Edko Films). CJ ENM will handle direct distribution in Indonesia and Vietnam.

Directed by Kim Yong-hwa, creator of the hit Along With The Gods franchise, The Moon stars Sul Kyung-gu (Phantom) and Doh Kyung Soo (Along With The Gods franchise).

Set in the near future after Korea’s first manned mission to the Moon has ended in a tragic disaster, a second human spaceflight is launched successfully but a strong solar wind causes it to malfunction. When a single astronaut (Doh) is left stranded in space, the Naro Space Center turns to its former managing director (Sul) to help bring him back home safely.

Set for release in South Korea on August 2, the large-scale film is produced by CJ ENM Studios and BLAAD Studios.

[Helena]

'The Moon' Press Conference

Spoiler

 

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https://zapzee.net/2023/06/27/the-moon-takes-audiences-to-space-seol-kyung-gi-d-o-kim-hee-ae-heighten-expectations/
‘The Moon’ Takes Audiences to Space: Seol Kyung Gu, D.O. & Kim Hee Ae Heighten Expectations

By KRISHKIM | June 27, 2023

Credit: SPOTVNEWS

The South Korean cinema takes an astronomical leap forward with the upcoming space film The Moon. The press conference for The Moon took place today, featuring appearances from Director Kim Yong Hwa and actors Seol Kyung Gu, Do Kyung Soo, and Kim Hee Ae.

The Moon is an ambitious new venture by Kim Yong Hwa, best known for the Along with the Gods series, which raked in millions of moviegoers. This time, he aims to mesmerize audiences with a unique survival drama set during South Korea’s first manned lunar exploration mission. The story centers around Sun Woo, an astronaut stranded on the moon due to an accident, and Jae Guk, a former space station director making desperate attempts to rescue him.

Seol Kyung Gu, Do Kyung Soo, and Kim Hee Ae breathe life into the characters. Seol transforms into the former director Jae Guk, while Do portrays Sun Woo, the astronaut left alone on the moon. Kim Hee Ae slips into the role of Moon Young, the main director of NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter.

Credit: SBS News

Sharing his experience, Seol said, “The script was a glimpse into an unknown world. The reason I chose this project was purely Kim Yong Hwa.” He added, in jest, “I was craving a commercial movie. I thought I could trust and leave myself in the hands of Kim, who had made a film that attracted millions. I didn’t even need to read the script.”

Do Kyung Soo gave a sneak peek into his character, saying, “Sun Woo is the youngest member of the team. He embarks on a lunar mission to fulfill his father’s unaccomplished dream but ends up isolated due to an accident. He’s engaged in a fierce struggle to complete the mission all by himself.”

The director didn’t shy away from showering praises on the actor. “If I may dare to say, Do Kyung Soo is a truly remarkable actor. I’ve heard many stories about him – he’s really manly, altruistic, and bears a lot of pain. The fact that it doesn’t show is his charm.”

Kim Hee Ae recalled her experience, “As the main director of NASA, I had to speak English. The terminology was completely new to me. I remember feeling nervous speaking English and pretending to be smart in front of the foreign actors.”

The three actors didn’t have the opportunity to meet due to the nature of the story. Kim Hee Ae mentioned, “It didn’t even feel like they weren’t next to them. Actors can’t experience everything. It’s about unleashing imagination and one’s own interpretation, so it wasn’t a problem. It was actually fascinating and a great experience,” she said.

The project came with much consultation from experts, Kim Stated. “Since the story is based on reality, it had to be accompanied by rigorous verification,” he explained. “We asked the experts about every single entertaining element of the scenario, whether it was feasible, and if not, what we should do to make it possible. The experts were so eager for this movie that they helped us more than the staff.”

Source ( 1 )

[Helena]

https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/art/2023/06/689_353797.html
Director Kim Yong-hwa returns with gripping sci-fi survival film 'The Moon'

By Kwak Yeon-soo | 2023-06-28

 

Actors Doh Kyung-soo, left, and Sul Kyung-gu listen to a reporter's question at a press conference for the film "The Moon" in Seoul, Tuesday. Courtesy of CJ ENM

Acclaimed director Kim Yong-hwa, behind the "Along with the Gods" film franchise, is returning to the big screen after five years with the upcoming science fiction blockbuster "The Moon."

Set in 2029, the upcoming film follows an astronaut named Sun-woo (Doh Kyung-soo) who tries to return home after an accident leaves him stranded in space. Actor Sul Kyung-gu plays the role of the former head of Korea's Naro Space Center who tries to rescue him while actress Kim Hee-ae stars as NASA's director general.

Describing "The Moon" as an ambitious space film with awe-inspiring visual effects, Kim, the director, said the creative team designed the lunar roving vehicle and spacecraft and enhanced them with computer imagery. They also utilized 4K resolution and incorporated IMAX film cameras into the film's set pieces to present the highest quality imaging format suited for IMAX and Dolby Cinemas.

"We consulted with researchers at Korea Aerospace Research Institute and Korea Astronomy & Space Science Institute for scientific accuracy. We tried to get the feeling of the detail correct, so we tried to get the appropriate textures of what a spacecraft or lunar roving vehicle would need," he said. 

Doh, who previously worked together with director Kim on "Along with the Gods" film series, said he was taken aback after reading the script. 

"I was shocked to find out that this kind of film could be made in Korea. It was a pretty lonely process because I spent most of the shoot solo. Thanks to realistic movie settings and having to wear a heavy space suit, however, I was able to immerse myself in the role and bring out complex emotions of extreme fear, anger and loneliness."

Sul said he chose to star in the film without even reading the script. "I have always been a huge fan of director Kim. I have watched all his films and was impressed by how his films differ in style and genre," he said. 

Kim recalled meeting Sul 17 years ago at a cafe in Gangnam District. "I was a rookie filmmaker who had just made my feature directorial debut with 'Oh! Brothers' and Sul was already a big star back then. However, he approached me and told me how much he liked my film. That was quite a defining moment in my life."

Kim, the actress, said she was thrilled to star in a sci-fi film in which she could speak English. "It was amazing to be part of a spectacular film and to star alongside great actors and work with a reliable director," she said. 

The director said he hopes viewers will emotionally engage in Sun-woo's adrenaline-fueled journey for survival and connect directly with the film characters. 

"There have been a few mind-blowing space movies such as 'Interstellar' and 'Gravity,' but I can guarantee that our film has amazing visuals and cinematography. The last 40 minutes of the film, which centers on a rescue operation, will have something different to offer," he said.

"The Moon" will hit local theaters on Aug. 2.

[Helena]

Cine21  2023-07-25~2023-08-01

Cover | Seol Kyunggu, D.O.

 

——

https://www.screendaily.com/news/korean-thrillers-ransomed-the-moon-set-north-america-release-dates-exclusive/5184141.article
Korean thrillers ‘Ransomed’, ‘The Moon’ set North America release dates (exclusive)

BY MICHAEL ROSSER | 18 JULY 2023

SOURCE: SHOWBOX / CJ ENM - BLAAD STUDIOS
‘RANSOMED’, ‘THE MOON’

Well Go USA has revealed the North America theatrical release dates for South Korean thrillers Ransomed and The Moon.

Action drama Ransomed will roll out from August 4 and sci-fi survival drama The Moon is set for August 18. Both will receive theatrical releases in select markets.

Ransomed is directed by Kim Seong-hun of Netflix original series Kingdom and stars Ha Jung-woo of Narco-Saints and Ju Ji-hoon of Kingdom. Inspired by a true events that took place in 1986, it follows a young diplomat (Ha) who is assigned the task of carrying the ransom money to rescue an abducted diplomat in Lebanon, and a local taxi driver (Ju) who accidently gets involved in the mission.

The film was shot in Morocco and will be released by Showbox in Korea on August 2.

The Moon is directed by Kim Yong-hwa, creator of the hit Along With The Gods franchise, and stars Sul Kyung-gu (Phantom) and Doh Kyung Soo (Along With The Gods franchise).

Set in the near future after Korea’s first manned mission to the Moon has ended in a tragic disaster, a second human spaceflight is launched successfully but a strong solar wind causes it to malfunction. When a single astronaut (Doh) is left stranded in space, the Naro Space Center turns to its former managing director (Sul) to help bring him back home safely.

Also set for release in South Korea on August 2, the large-scale film is produced by CJ ENM Studios and BLAAD Studios. The survival drama has sold to 155 countries.

[Helena]

https://korean-vibe.com/news/newsview.php?ncode=179571003367210

'The Moon' Press Conference

 

On July 25th of 2023, the press conference for the movie,'The Moon' took place in CGV Yongsan. 
The movie, 'The Moon,' is about a Korean astronaut who gets stranded by himself in space when there is a tragic accident that kills his fellow teammates. The story follows Jae Guk, a former space center director, and the people on Earth as they fight to bring him home safely. 
 

 

Spoiler

https://korean-vibe.com/news/newsview.php?ncode=179586603567008

'The Moon' Open The Moon Red Carpet showcase

 

On July 25th of 2023, the red carpet showcase for 'The Moon,' and the VIP premiere took place in Times Square Main Atrium, Yeongdeungpo.

 

 

 

 

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https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230726003200315
(Movie Review) 'The Moon': a visual feast with a lackluster story

By Kim Eun-jung (ejkim@yna.co.kr) | July 26, 2023

 

A promotional poster for the sci-fi film "The Moon" is seen in this photo provided by its distributor, CJ ENM. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

SEOUL, July 26 (Yonhap) -- "The Moon" is a visually stunning space survival movie, but its story is highly predictable and often overly dramatic, giving the feeling of an old movie despite its impressive visual effects.

Director Kim Yong-hwa's latest sci-fi film takes viewers to the vast universe through an astronaut's struggle to survive and return home after being left in space during an ill-fated lunar exploration mission.

Given the success of Hollywood blockbusters like "Gravity" (2013) and "The Martian" (2015), which have explored the space survival theme with compelling stories, what really matters is not whether the isolated astronaut returns home but how.

Kim, behind the hit fantasy sci-fi film series "Along with the Gods" (2017-2018), adds personal narratives of main characters to tell a heartwarming human story surrounding the space exploration.

However, too many cliches and repeated dramatic moments fail to hit the right balance between its amazing visual effects (VFX) and corny storytelling.

Set in 2029, the story follows South Korea's second manned lunar exploration mission after a failed one five years earlier, which once again faces disaster as strong solar wind causes a spaceflight to malfunction and take the lives of two crewmembers.

Now, Hwang Seon-woo (Do Kyung-soo), a former UDT (underwater demolition team) member, faces a dire situation in space where his oxygen could run out or he could freeze to death. To be saved by another spacecraft, he has to arrive on the other side of the moon at the right angle with limited resources.

Behind the rescue effort is Kim Jae-kook (Seol Kyung-gu), who left South Korea's Naro Space Center after the failed first lunar project.

Kim tries to save him out of a sense of guilt and obligation and seeks help from Han Mun-young (Kim Hee-ae), the director general of a NASA space station and his former wife.

Hwang, who volunteered for the project to fulfill his father's failed mission, discovers that Kim is his father's former colleague and expresses hostility toward him at first, but he follows Kim's order.

The astronaut overcomes several obstacles to set foot on the moon, but once again, he faces danger and needs help from NASA to return home.

Lead actor Do, mostly performing alone in a heavy spacesuit, wholeheartedly commits to every line and moment, portraying complicated emotions, including fear, despair, anger and loneliness.

Veteran actors Seol and Kim flawlessly portray desperate moments, but their lines packed with science terms are often hard to catch without subtitles due to radio signals and surrounding sounds.

Despite the tidy plot, the movie realistically portrays what it would be like to be on the moon and accurately depicts scientific aspects, as verified by experts from the Korea Space Aerospace Science, which successfully launched the homegrown space rocket Nuri and put satellites into orbit in May, and the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute.

A real-life-looking space ship and space suits, modeled after NASA's human spaceflight program, as well as layered lighting provide viewers an immersive cinematic experience when seen on the big screen.

The film may not be groundbreaking in terms of its visuals and story, but the space flick, with an estimated budget of 28 billion won (US$21.8 million), far below its Hollywood counterparts, showcases the latest VFX technology of the Korean film industry and its efficiency in the genre.

"The Moon" will hit local theaters next Wednesday. (END)

[Helena]

http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2023/07/26/2023072601162.html
Hur Jin-ho's 'A Normal Family' to Screen at Toronto Int'l Film Festival

english.chosun.com | July 26, 2023 10:21

Director Hur Jin-ho's new film "A Normal Family" has been invited to the Toronto International Film Festival to be held in September.

The suspense drama will be screened in the Special Presentations section, which showcases high-profile feature films by established directors.

Korean films invited to the section in previous years include "Asura: The City of Madness," "Parasite," "Decision to Leave" and "Broker."

Giovanna Fulvi, one of the festival's programmers, praised the film, saying, "Hur Jin-ho's solid direction and impeccable performances from the A-list cast add weight and finesse to this dysfunctional story on the 'normal' life of a family, in what is the greatest and most powerful adaptation of Herman Koch's bestseller 'The Dinner.'"

The A-list cast includes Sol Kyung-gu, Jang Dong-gun, Kim Hee-ae and Kim Soo-hyun, better known as Claudia Kim.

The film deals with the intense dilemma of two families facing a crime committed by their children.
The festival will be held in Toronto, Canada from Sept. 7 to 17.

 

—

https://www.screendaily.com/news/korean-drama-a-normal-family-lands-key-deals-ahead-of-toronto-debut/5184382.article
Korean drama ‘A Normal Family’ lands key deals ahead of Toronto debut

BY MICHAEL ROSSER | 25 JULY 2023

 

SOURCE: FINECUT
‘A NORMAL FAMILY’

South Korean sales firm Finecut has closed key distribution deals for Hur Jin-ho’s A Normal Family, which is set to receive its world premiere at Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF, September 7-17).

The family drama has been sold to key territories including France and French-speaking Switzerland (Diaphana Distribution), Vietnam (Lumix Media) and worldwide Inflight excluding South Korea and Taiwan (Encore Inflight), just based on the screening of a promo reel.

The film will debut in the Special Presentations section of TIFF and is an adaptation of Dutch novel The Dinner by Herman Koch.

The story centres on two sets of wealthy parents who meet for dinner to decide how to handle a crime committed by their children. The cast is led by Seol Kyung-gu (Oasis), Claudia Kim (Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes Of Grindelwald), Jang Dong-gun (V.I.P.) and Kim Hee-ae (Moonlit Winter).

Director Hur was previously at TIFF with Dangerous Liaisons in 2012 and April Snow in 2005. Produced by Hive Media Corp, the film is in post-production.

It marks the fourth feature adaptation of The Dinner after Menno Meyjes’ Dutch version in 2013, Ivano De Matteo’s Italian film in 2014 and Oren Moverman’s US version, which premiered in competition at the Berlinale in 2017 and starred Richard Gere, Laura Linney, Steve Coogan and Rebecca Hall. A Normal Family marks its first adaptation in Asia.

[Helena]

https://zapzee.net/2023/07/26/the-moon-first-review-mind-blowing-do-kyung-soos-acting-leaves-no-room-for-criticism/
‘The Moon’ First Review

By EUNGEE JOH

 

Yesterday, a press screening of the highly-anticipated movie The Moon took place at Yongsan CGV theater.

Following the screening, the film’s director, Kim Yong Hwa, and actors Sol Kyung Gu, Do Kyung Soo, and Kim Hee Ae engaged in a post-movie discussion.

The Moon is a gripping tale that portrays the struggle between astronaut Sun Woo, who is stranded alone on the Moon due to an accident, and Jae Suk, the former head of the space center, who desperately tries to rescue him.

The film has garnered positive acclaim for its masterful execution of visual effects, particularly in depicting the lunar surface and outer space. During the interview, Do Kyung Soo revealed the challenges faced while shooting action sequences in these environments. He explained, “Coordinating those action scenes with 5 to 6 wires was tough, but the staff’s guidance was spot-on, making it work. The realistic set and spacesuits added to the whole experience, and it helped us get fully into our roles.”

Sol Kyung Gu, who plays a crucial role in the rescue mission, stressed the significance of portraying genuine emotions through interacting with Do Kyung Soo’s character in the film. He explained, “Since the film focuses on Do Kyung Soo’s character escaping the Moon, I knew my reactions had to be on point. To make everything feel real and authentic, I made sure to sync up my emotions with his. It was all about creating that genuine connection between us on screen.”

Kim Hee Ae, portraying the role of NASA’s main director of the manned lunar orbiter, faced the additional challenge of delivering numerous lines in English. She shared her initial concerns about expressing such a crucial character in a foreign language. However, her dedication to mastering the language paid off, as her emotions naturally shone through during filming, transcending any language barriers.

Adding to the film’s intrigue, renowned announcer Park Yoo Ra, the sister of Chanyeol, made a special appearance in The Moon. Director Kim Yong Hwa expressed gratitude for her willingness to participate, and her presence further deepened the connection between the film’s star, Kyung Soo, and his bandmate Chan Yeol.
Take a look at some of the reactions from the journalists after the press screening:

NEWSEN : The Moon takes Korean cinema to thrilling new heights, offering an electrifying and unparalleled experience. With genuine NASA materials and expert advice from esteemed national research institutions like the Korea Aerospace Research Institute and the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute, this film rocks as hard as any Hollywood blockbuster. While the idea of Korea achieving the world’s second manned lunar exploration may seem like a wild movie plot, the film’s technical brilliance is nothing short of mind-blowing. 

Sports Korea : The Moon masterfully combines classic science fiction elements with deeper themes, all thanks to director Kim Yong Hwa’s compassionate take on humanity. Unlike many other Sci-fi films that rely on special effects, this movie touches upon the value of the messages it carries. It explores the importance of exploring the unknown and helping others with genuine kindness, while emphasizing the powerful theme that ‘even in the toughest times, people have the power to choose kindness.’ 

Kyung Hyang : The film is filled with complex aerospace terminology, which may make it challenging to catch all the dialogue. Nonetheless, there are definite highlights to appreciate, particularly in Do Kyung Soo’s remarkable performance. He completely embodies his character to perfection, displaying both his acting prowess and fearlessness in tackling intense action sequences as Sun Woo faces a disaster. With scenes of rolling, colliding, and struggling, the film delivers an abundance of visual spectacle against the backdrop of space. 

SPOTV News : The performances of Do Kyung Soo, Sol Kyung Gu, and Kim Hee Ae are absolutely outstanding, leaving no room for criticism. Even the brief appearances of Lee Sung Min and Kim Rae Won add to the movie’s appeal. The film’s immersive portrayal of Hwang Sun Woo’s experiences deeply connects the audience to the story, making their movie-watching experience even more captivating. Thanks to this, viewers can feel the thrill alongside Sun Woo as he steers the lunar rover, dodges meteor showers, rolls inside the spacecraft, experiences breathlessness, endures the intense launch pressure, and feels the exhilaration of freefall. This film is unlike anything previously shown in Korean theaters. 

Kuki News : The Moon takes cinematic spectacle to a whole new level with its cutting-edge graphic technology. You’ll feel fully immersed in this space survival drama as it combines 4K Dolby Cinema audio and state-of-the-art visual effects. While some might crave a tighter narrative, fans of the director’s previous work, like Along with the Gods series, will likely appreciate the themes of forgiveness, redemption, and consolation in The Moon as well. 

Source ( 1 ) 

[Helena]

https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2023/07/26/entertainment/movies/Korea-The-Moon-Do-Kyungsoo/20230726153533272.html
Korean sci-fi films are going to 'The Moon' in upcoming release

BY LIM JEONG-WON [lim.jeongwon@joongang.co.kr] | July 26, 2023

 

From left, actors Do Kyung-soo, Kim Hee-ae and Sul Kyung-gu pose for a photo during a press conference for ″The Moon″ at CGV Yongsan in central Seoul on Tuesday. [YONHAP]

Sci-fi films have been stuck in a rut in Korea, but upcoming film “The Moon” attempts to break through that barrier. 

Starring Do Kyung-soo, better known as D.O. of boy band EXO, Sul Kyung-gu and Kim Hee-ae, this space survival story is one of four domestically produced films hoping to revive the film industry this summer, along with "Smugglers," "Ransomed" and "Concrete Utopia."

Set both on Earth and the moon, “The Moon” tells the story of a group of scientists and astronauts who have to rescue an astronaut stranded on the moon, alone. Do plays Seon-woo, the astronaut stranded by himself, and Sul plays Jae-guk, the head of the team on Earth who goes to all lengths to try and get Seon-woo home.

 

Main poster for ″The Moon″ [CJ ENM]

“Our film has a lot of layers, and we sought for the story to have sadness as well as delight, to have little bits of hope in between the characters suffering,” director Kim Yong-hwa said during a press conference for “The Moon” at CGV Yongsan in central Seoul on Tuesday.

Kim has previously directed two films that each sold 10 million tickets: “Along With the Gods: The Two Worlds” (2017) and “Along With the Gods: The Last 49 Days” (2018). “The Moon” is Kim’s seventh feature film, and all his films have been about condolence and forgiveness, according to the director.

“I used to deny the saying that all film directors tell one story about one theme before they die, but I think now that that’s true,” Kim said. “'The Moon’ is a sci-fi film, but I think it’s also about condolence and forgiveness.”

Because a sci-fi film about a stranded astronaut could draw comparison between famous Hollywood films such as “The Martian” (2015), “Interstellar” (2014) and “Gravity” (2013), Kim intentionally refrained from watching these films while preparing for his own.

“All space films could have been a reference point for us, but I didn’t want to become biased,” Kim said. “I did not even research films with plotlines where the characters try to rescue someone.”

Regarding the filming process that included Do floating for minutes in "space," Do said that he went through three months of training in preparation for such scenes.

“Everything that we thought an actor could do by hand we tried to perform ourselves by hanging from wires,” Do said during the press conference. “The parts that we couldn’t do ourselves, an animator made cut by cut. Hanging from a wire was actually pretty difficult, because it wasn’t just one wire, but five to six special wires. But the set and astronaut attire was so similar to an actual space station that I could immerse myself well.”

Playing a space expert and head of the team that is tasked with rescuing Do’s character was another challenge for Sul, according to the actor.

“Memorizing all the space and science jargon was very difficult for me,” Sul said. “And the rest of the parts I tried to act by thinking of it as reacting to Do’s performance, which helped.”

The next challenge for the cast was Kim’s, who plays a NASA director and who had to speak most of her lines in English.

“I have never felt that my scenes were so long,” Kim said. “It felt long because I was having a hard time speaking in English, but when I watched the final cut of the film it wasn’t so. But near the end of filming, I got over the language barrier and could act from my heart.”

“The Moon” opens in theaters on Aug. 2.