[movie 2008] Kang Cheol-jung: Public Enemy 1-1 (강철중: 공공의 &

[Guest kdramafanusa]

Source: Korea Herald 2008.06.11

Korean films plunge to record low in May

The market share of Korean movies plunged to a single digit for the first time in six and a half years, reflecting the depth of problems facing local filmmakers amid the lack of a much-needed hit.

CJ CGV, the country's biggest multiplex operator, said in a regular monthly report that 12.82 million people watched movies in May, but only 1 million, or 7.8 percent, opted for home-grown films.

The figure, the lowest since January 2002, marked a continued downward trend that started in February this year when it topped 69.1 percent. The figure plunged to 46.3 percent in March, and then went down further to 23.1 percent in April.

The drastic development came after a briefly hopeful moment in January and February when "Forever the Moment" and "The Chaser" sold far more tickets than expected on the strength of their solid storyline and enhanced dramatic effects.

But the buoyant mood quickly gave way to a bleak outlook in the following months as a slew of powerful Hollywood flicks marched into the Korean box office while there was few, if any, real competitors from the Korean camp.

In May, "Iron Man" sold 3.93 million tickets to rank first, followed by "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" (2.55 million), "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian" (1.25 million), "Taken" (930,000) and "Speed Racer" (740,000).

Only two Korean films made it to the top ten last month: "The Moonlight of Seoul" ranked eighth with 630,000 tickets and "A Tale of Legendary Libido" secured the ninth slot with 260,000 tickets.

Even considering the seasonal fluctuation, the ticket sales of May point to a deeper problem. Korean films tend to show a tepid performance in the second quarter, especially near the summer vacation season when Hollywood blockbusters stage concerted attacks. Last July, when the Hollywood onslaught led by "Diehard 4.0" and "Transformers" was enacted, Korean films struggled hard and yet held out to secure a 19.4 percent share. This time, however, the double-digit defense line crumbled so helplessly that domestic media quickly floated the idea of the film industry having hit a rock bottom, preferably a consolidation stage that signals a recovery just around the corner.

The extended three-day weekend from Friday (Memorial Day) to Sunday did not offer any sign of a change in the negative trend. As widely expected, "Kung Fun Panda," a DreamWorks animated feature, topped the box-office chart in its opening week with slightly less than 1 million viewers, followed by "Indiana Jones" (390,000) and "Sex and the City: The Movie" (340,000). Even the fourth place went to a Hollywood romantic comedy, "What Happens in Vegas..."

Trailing behind in the fifth place was "Girl Scout," a Korean comic drama that stars Kim Sun-a, Na Mun-hee and Lee Kyung-shil as housewives on their hunt for their lost money.

This weekend is no better than last week as there is no major Korean release. Instead, "The Incredible Hulk," another muscular Hollywood film based on the classic Marvel Comics superhero tale, is scheduled to hit theaters on Thursday.

Local critics and moviegoers pin their hope on "Public Enemy Returns," which debuts on June 19. Directed by a leading filmmaker Kang Woo-suk, the third installment of a police action series is regarded as one of a few Korean films that can carve out a bigger share in its battle against Hollywood counterparts.

By Yang Sung-jin

(insight@heraldm.com)

[Guest kdramafanusa]

Original Korean Article: Starnews 2008-06-05 09:20

English Translation Credit: HanCinema

'Kang Cheol-jung' Seol Kyeong-gu, next work is 10 billion won project "Haeundae"

Seol Kyeong-gu has returned in seven years as detective Kang Chul-joong in "Public Enemy Returns" which premieres on the 19th. His next work will be the blockbuster "Haeundae".

The movie "Haeundae" will start test filming in August.

A representative of "Haeundae" said, "Seol Kyeong-gu's role has been confirmed. We will start filming in Haeundae in August, when people start gathering there".

"Haeundae" is a blockbuster prepared by Director Yoon Je-kyoon, who directed "Sex Is Zero" and "Miracle on 1st Street". It is about a tsunami that covers Pusan Haeundae. Ten billion won has been invested, and Ha Ji-won will be in it.

Seol Kyeong-gu plays a father with two children, and will act as a father once again following "Voice of Murderer" and "Public Enemy Returns".

Hans Uhlig, the computer graphic supervisor for "The Perfect Storm" and "The Day After Tomorrow", will help in "Haeundae". There is anticipation for a realistic portrayal.

[Guest Morty]

Fantastic news!!!

I never can't get enough of Sol Kyung-gu and the fact that he will be in South Korea's first disaster movie is awesome.

As always, thank you very much Helena for the news!!! You are GREAT!!! :blush:

[rubie]

June 18, 2008

Public enemy #1 swaggers back to cinema box office

'The action scenes might be less impressive, as I tried to emphasize character and drama more.'

Kang Woo-suk By Yang Young-seok

Cheol-jung, the stubborn detective from “Public Enemy” (2002) is back. But this time, he is even more tenacious in hunting down vicious villains.

“Public Enemy Returns,” the sequel to Public Enemy by director Kang Woo-suk gets released tomorrow. Kang is also well known for “Silmido” (2003), a blockbuster based on a botched assassination attempt on the late North Korean leader Kim Il Sung in the 1970s.

In Public Enemy Returns, Cheol-jung (Seol Kyung-gu),

seeks a career change.

He feels his job isn’t secure enough and he wants to buy a decent house for his daughter and mother. But quitting his job isn’t easy. Just in time, his squad uncovers a murder that involves the team’s longtime enemy Won-sul (Jeong Jae-young), the chairman of the Geo-seong group.

Even though Won-sul appears to be benevolent toward his family, he is in fact a malicious thug who recruits high school students as wanna-be gangsters.“Some note the dangers in involving minors as gangsters in the story,” the director said.

But after Kang watched a current affairs program on television that dealt with professional gangs that enlist 17-year-olds, Kang couldn’t resist making the film. He wanted his film to depict the reality of criminal organizations that trained minors to commit violent crimes.

“The film is much more than a simple gangster movie,” he said, noting that he was very careful not to depict too much violence in the film. Instead, Kang suggests that the film could be called a “drama in action.” “The action scenes might be less impressive [than his previous films]. I tried to emphasize characters and drama more this time,” he said.

To create more dramatic tension, Kang worked characters from the original 2002 film into the script. Squad leader Eom (Kang Sin-il) and detective Kim (Kim Jung-hak) reappear. “Familiar characters create a more emotional connection between the viewers and the film,” Kang said.

The most familiar, of course, is Seol, back on the screen as Cheol-jung six years after his first outing in Public Enemy. But filming was not always plain sailing. “He [seol] said he wanted to return as Cheol-jung but as the day of filming approached, he asked if we could postpone the schedule,” Kang said.

The director had written Cheol-jung as a bit of an old fogey. But there’s a reason. “It’s been 20 years since I debuted as director and I haven’t changed much,” Kang said. But in the first series, Cheol-jung was a young, hot-tempered detective. Wouldn’t he have changed after five or six years? “I presume he would be exhausted from the grim realities of life,” Kang said. “It would be childish if Cheol-jung was still such a firebrand after so much time had passed.”

Kang was worried that the latest installment of the Cheol-jung franchise would be seen simply as a remake of the 2002 movie. “I was most fearful that the film would be like the first one,” he said. He had to be careful, in any case. His last movie, “Hanbando” (2006), failed at the box office. “I was up a blind alley,” Kang said. “I thought to myself this was the end. I wanted to take a risk on what I am most familiar with and can do best.”

The return of Public Enemy marks the 20th anniversary since Kang’s debut with “Sweet Brides,” a romantic comedy film starring actor Choi Jae-sung. Among his films, Kang cherishes the comedy thriller “Two Cops” (1993) and Public Enemy the most.

Though it was a commercial hit, Kang said he wants to remake Silmido. “The film doesn’t have any humor,” he said. “If I had a chance to remake the film, I would add more funny bits. If there were more gags in the latter part of the film, the ending would be more emotional.”

That’s why humor is so strong in from the start of Public Enemy Returns, the director says.

By Lee Hoo-nam JoongAng Ilbo [angie@joongang.co.kr]

http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2891225

[rubie]

June 19, 2008

Sul 'Returns' as Kang Cheol-jung

By Lee Hyo-won

Staff Reporter

Actor Sul Kyoung-gu, front, resumes his role as hardball detective

in "Public Enemy Returns." / Courtesy of CJ Entertainment

This year has so far marked the return of many screen heroes, such as Indiana Jones and Rambo ― and the antihero Kang Cheol-jung. In "Public Enemy Returns," Sul Kyoung-gu ("Public Enemy," 2002; "Another Public Enemy," 2005) brazenly exhibits his sixth sense for acting as the diehard detective. Cheol-jung does not let his boss ― or the audience ― down in this funny, street-smart sequel, which also raises some critical social issues.

With disheveled hair, an unwashed windbreaker and a scar here and there, Cheol-jung is always diving headfirst into crime scenes. After 15 years of close calls with death, he's seen and done it all. The most notorious criminals sheepishly surrender to this thug of a man, who recklessly beats men twice his size, referees duels between schoolboys and openly accepts small bribes.

And of course, when a situation calls for good cop, bad cop tactics, we can guess the role Cheol-jung takes. But it's hard not to develop an affinity for this flawed man, who's seen getting seriously offended by a third grader's joke and submitting to his little daughter.

In "Return," Cheol-jung is the same disheartened man. He decides to quit once and for all when he is unable to get a proper bank loan for his house. His boss, detective Um (Kang Sin-il), files away the resignation form with a dozen more such "whines" from Cheol-jung. But he's serious this time.

However, a high school murder case draws Cheol-jung back into the task force ― or more precisely, the promise of a retirement grant does. A 17-year-old boy, the head of a gang of troublemakers, is found dead in his classroom. What appears to have been a skirmish among juvenile delinquents, however, takes an unexpected twist when the dead boy's fingerprints match those found in an unsolved homicide.

While investigating the dead boy's friends, Cheol-jung senses that their new boss, Geoseong Group CEO Lee Won-sul (Jung Jae-young), may be involved. Cheol-jung learns that the convict-turned-businessman brainwashes schoolboys and molds them into little devilish tools of murder. Their underage status prevents their fingerprints in crime scenes from being detected, and when they do get caught, their zeal for Geoseong keeps them quiet.

But Cheol-jung does not back down, and is determined to annihilate the public enemy. Continuing the tradition of the "Public Enemy" franchise, "Returns" eschews the cat-and-mouse game typical to the detective genre, and the battle between Cheol-jung and Won-sul is more like one between two dogs.

The film is well crafted, with complex layers of narrative unfolding in an organic form, interjected with just the right amount of comic relief. Compared to its rather grave prequels, "Returns" is much more determined to make you laugh, particularly by downright making fun of the police.

Yet some might find this movie more disturbing than previous ones as it involves teenage crime. Angst-ridden troublemakers, Cheol-jung says, will become either thugs or cops. Cheol-jung does manage to dissuade a few kids from becoming felons. But what will happen to them for sure, nobody knows. It is a bittersweet reminder of the soaring number of underage offenses in Korea.

The beauty of the movie lies in the unforgettable glances, grimaces and gestures of the actors. The magical casting does not end with Sul and Jung, but includes other eccentrically talented actors such as Lee Mun-sik, Kang Sin-il, and Yoo Hye-jin, and charismatic veteran Moon Sung-keun also makes a brief appearance. Fresh young actors also dazzle the silver screen with their uninhibited acting.

Great expectations for the film are reflected by the crowded press screening and overbooked public previews, where at one Seoul theater, people were willing to sit on the aisle steps to catch the flick before its box office release. High anticipation is of course displayed by the palpable PPL (product placement) ― advertisements ranging from drinks and restaurants to cell phones.

"Returns" currently tops the online reservation ranking ― the first Korean movie in 11 weeks to do so since "The Guard Post" ("GP506"), according to major portal site Maxmovie and the Korean Film Council. Big Hollywood movies trail behind, including Dreamworks animation "Kung Fu Panda" and "The Incredible Hulk." This may be an auspicious sign for the struggling Korean film industry, which marked a record low in May.

Now showing in theaters. 15 and over. 125 minutes. No English subtitles. CJ Entertainment.

Credits: hyowlee@koreatimes.co.kr

http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2.../141_26175.html

[Guest kdramafanusa]

Source: Cinematical

Asian Cinema Scene: Will 'Public Enemy' Save Korea?

by Peter Martin Jun 18th 2008 // 9:04AM

South Korean filmmakers are facing a box office crisis. "Local movies accounted for just 7.8% of the South Korean box office in May," The Hollywood Reporter noted, "the lowest level since records were started in 2000." Domestic film admissions are only half what they were two years ago. Therefore, hopes are high that tomorrow's release of Public Enemy Returns will start to lure audiences back into theaters.

The original Public Enemy was a box office hit in 2002. Sol Kyung-gu starred as Detective Kang, an anti-heroic cop chasing a family man turned killer. Mixing comedy with bloody action, director Kang Woo-suk made a dark, funny and smart film, according to koreanfilm.org. Kang next made the terrific real-life drama Silmido (2003), the disappointing sequel Another Public Enemy (2005) and the poorly-received Hanbando (2006).

In Public Enemy Returns, Detective Kang wants a job change. Before he can quit, he must solve a murder case involving a business executive who is recruiting high school students as violent gangsters. Kang told JoongAng Daily that the new film has less action because he "tried to emphasize character and drama more." But he still believes in the value of comedy -- all the better to make the story more emotional.

We'll see what Korean moviegoers think this weekend; Public Enemy Returns has its international premiere at the New York Asian Film Festival on July 3. You can check out the trailer, which looks more funny than menacing, at the official site.

Via [ HanCinema ]

[Guest kdramafanusa]

[my translation of Yonhap News article]

'Kang Cheol-jung: Public Enemy 1-1' Attracted 210,000 People On Its Opening Day

2008/06/20 14:24 KST

[Yonhap Seoul 06-20] Director Kang Woo-seok's movie <Kang Cheol-jung: Public Enemy 1-1> opened big and gave the downturned Korean film industry a new boost.

CJ Entertainment (distribution company) revealed on the the 20th that 210 thousand viewers were attracted to 580 theaters on the opening day (June 19).

Last year's hit film 'May 18' (sold 7+ million tickets) and Seol Kyeong-gu's movie 'Hanbando' (2 weeks at #1) opened with 220,000 and 230,000 viewers, respectively. The numbers are very close to this movie.

'Public Enemy 2' also attracted 210,000 moviegoers on its opening day.

A CJ Entertainment official said that Korean movies have not been able to attract so many viewers on the opening day for a while now. This movie will be shown in more screens during the weekend, therefore, the number of viewers might also increase.

mxan@yna.co.kr

[Guest kdramafanusa]

BOX OFFICE: 'Kang Cheol-jung: Public Enemy 1-1' Surpassed 1 Million Mark In 4 Days!

[Preliminary figures]

[Chosun] 'Kang Cheol-jung: Public Enemy 1-1' debuts at #1 this weekend by mobilizing 968,820 people from the 19th (opening day) to the 21st. It breaks the million mark by the 22nd. Among all the Korean films released this year, this movie takes the least amount of time to reach 1 million mark. 'Chaser', the best-selling film of the 1st half of 2008, took 8 days while 'Forever The Moment' took 7 days.

[Edaily] According to Korean Film Council, 'Kang Cheol-jung' ranks #1 by selling 1,056,971 tickets from Friday 6/20 to Sunday 6/22; it has attracted 1,301,143 moviegoers since Thursday 6/19. The last Korean film to top Korean weekend box office is 'GP506' in April (11 weeks ago). It's followed by 'Kung Fu Panda' (597,112), 'Incredible Hulk' (180,652).

[Guest kdramafanusa]

Box Office [Friday 2008.06.20 ~ Sunday 2008.06.22]

1. Kang Cheol-Jung: Public Enemy 1-1 (South Korea)

3-day Adm / Total Adm : 1,121,277 / 1,376,482

3-day Gross / Total Gross (won) : 7,532,239,000 / 9,161,412,000

Screen : 806

Opening Date : 2008/06/19

Director : Kang Woo-seok

Main Cast : Seol Kyeong-gu, Jeong Jae-yeong, Kang Shin-il, Lee Moon-sik, Yoo Hae-jin, Kim Jeong-hak, Lee Han, Yeon Je-wook

2. Kung Fu Panda (U.S.)

3-day Adm / Total Adm : 629,262 / 3,354,305

3-day Gross / Total Gross (won) : 4,051,234,500 / 21,663,261,500

Screen : 604

Opening Date : 2008/06/05

Director : John Wayne Stevenson, Mark Randolph Osborne

Main Cast : Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman, Jackie Chan, Ian McShane, Lucy Liu, Angelina Jolie, David Cross, and Seth Rogen

3. The Incredible Hulk (U.S.)

3-day Adm / Total Adm : 193,233 / 875,988

3-day Gross / Total Gross (won) : 1,247,355,500 / 5,679,525,500

Screen : 415

Opening Date : 2008/06/12

Director : Louis Leterrier

Main Cast : Edward Norton, Liv Tyler, Tim Roth, William Hurt, Christina Cabot

4. Get Smart (U.S.)

3-day Adm / Total Adm : 97,035 / 114,523

3-day Gross / Total Gross (won) : 639,760,500 / 752,201,000

Screen : 249

Opening Date : 2008/06/19

Director : Peter Segal

Main Cast : Steve Carell, Anne Hathaway, Dwayne Johnson, Alan Arkin, Terrence Stamp

5. Sex And The City (U.S.)

3-day Adm / Total Adm : 78,742 / 965,969

3-day Gross / Total Gross (won) : 536,447,500 / 6,433,611,000

Screen : 285

Opening Date : 2008/06/05

Director : Michael Patrick King

Main Cast : Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Cynthia Nixon, Kristin Davis, Christopher Noth

6. 21 (U.S.)

3-day Adm / Total Adm : 56,565 / 65,850

3-day Gross / Total Gross (won) : 387,431,000 / 448,570,500

Screen : 87

Opening Date : 2008/06/19

Director : Robert Luketic

Main Cast : Kevin Spacey, Jim Sturgess, Kate Bosworth, Laurence Fishburne, Liza LaPira

7. Doomsday (U.K.)

3-day Adm / Total Adm : 53,848 / 65,635

3-day Gross / Total Gross (won) : 363,067,000 / 438,720,500

Screen : 264

Opening Date : 2008/06/19

Director : Neil Marshall

Main Cast : Rhona Mitra, Bob Hoskins, Malcolm McDowell

8. Indiana Jones And The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull (U.S.)

3-day Adm / Total Adm : 37,304 / 4,120,206

3-day Gross / Total Gross (won) : 230,024,000 / 26,591,916,500

Screen : 217

Opening Date : 2008/05/22

Director : Steven Spielberg

Main Cast : Harrison Ford, Cate Blanchett, Karen Allen, Ray Winstone, John Hurt, Jim Broadbent, and Shia LaBeouf

9. The Happening (U.S.)

3-day Adm / Total Adm : 31,423 / 332,985

3-day Gross / Total Gross (won) : 213,924,500 / 2,265,486,000

Screen : 293

Opening Date : 2008/06/13

Director : M. Night Shyamalan

Main Cast : Mark Wahlberg, Zooey Deschanel, John Leguizamo, Spencer Breslin, Ashlyn Sanchez

10. Crossing (South Korea)

3-day Adm / Total Adm : 14,672 / 24,552

3-day Gross / Total Gross (won) : 99,789,032 / 125,214,032

Screen : 110

Opening Date : 2008/06/26

Director : Kim Tae-gyoon

Main Cast : Cha In-pyo, Sin Myeong-cheol

Source: KOBIS (Figures represent 97% of nationwide box office)

[rubie]

^ Good to see a Korean movie topping the Box Office again, that's the way to go!

Well done, Public Enemy 1-1!

Thanks Helena for all the cool updates & highlight!

[Guest kdramafanusa]

^ Yes, I'm so glad.

'로맨스 결핍 증후군' 걸린 한국영화, 이유는?

기사입력 2008-06-23 06:00 고경석 kave@asiaeconomy.co.kr

[아시아경제신문 고경석 기자] 한국영화에 멜로가 자취를 감췄다. 장르영화로서 멜로는 물론이고 다른 장르의 영화에서도 로맨스 코드를 거의 찾아볼 수 없다. 로맨틱 코미디의 맥도 뚝 끊겼다.

올 여름 개봉되는 한국영화는 '강철중: 공공의 적1-1' '크로싱' '좋은 놈, 나쁜 놈, 이상한 놈' '눈에는 눈 이에는 이' '님은 먼곳에' '신기전' 등이다. 스릴러, 액션, 전쟁 드라마 등 규모가 큰 대작들이 주로 개봉하는 계절적 특성 탓이기도 하지만 예년에 비해 눈에 띄게 로맨스의 함량이 줄어들었다.

여름에 개봉하는 한국영화들의 가장 큰 특징은 남자 배우들이 주도하는 작품들이 대부분이라는 점이다. 수애가 단독 주연으로 출연하는 '님은 먼곳에'와 한은정이 출연하는 '신기전'을 제외하면 비중 있는 역할로 등장하는 여배우를 찾아볼 수 없다.

'신기전'에서는 정재영과 한은정의 키스 신이 등장하긴 해도 멜로적 요소는 미약한 수준이고, '님은 먼곳에' 역시 제목과는 달리 로맨스가 거의 등장하지 않는다.

올 상반기에 개봉된 한국영화만 살펴봐도 멜로영화의 약세는 뚜렷하게 감지된다. 멜로영화나 로맨틱 코미디로 분류될 수 있는 영화는 '6년째 연애중' '기다리다 미쳐' '밤과 낮' '경축! 우리사랑' '그녀는 예뻤다' '뜨거운 것이 좋아' 정도다.

하지만 이중 작가주의 영화와 저예산영화를 제외하면 '6년째 연애중'과 '기다리다 미쳐' '뜨거운 것이 좋아'만 남는다. 관객수도 크게 줄어 '6년째 연애중'이 겨우 110만명을 넘겼고 다른 두 작품은 100만명 미만의 저조한 성적을 거뒀다.

'달콤, 살벌한 연인'(228만명), '청춘만화'(206만명), '우리들의 행복한 시간'(313만명), '미녀는 괴로워'(662만명) 등이 선전을 펼쳤던 2006년과는 전혀 다른 분위기다.

영화 '미녀는 괴로워'

상반기 개봉작 목록에서 눈여겨볼 부분은 멜로드라마나 로맨틱 코미디로 포장된 영화들이 장르적으로 기대를 배반한다는 점이다. '흑심모녀'는 제목이 주는 느낌과 달리 코미디도 로맨스도 없는 모호한 장르의 영화이고, '무림여대생'은 곽재용 감독의 전작들과 달리 로맨틱 코미디의 요소가 대폭 제거된 채 무협영화로 완성됐다. '날나리 종부전' 역시 도입부 외에는 로맨틱 코미디의 장르적 특성을 거의 찾아볼 수 없다.

또한 여배우들이 주도적으로 등장하는 영화가 늘고 있는 것도 특징이다. '우리 생애 최고의 순간'에 이어 '걸스카우트' '흑심모녀' 등이 상반기에 개봉했다. 이중 멜로드라마 혹은 로맨틱 코미디로 분류할 수 있는 영화는 없다.

여름 대작영화에서 멜로 코드가 사라지고 장르영화로서 멜로영화나 로맨틱 코미디가 자취를 감춘 것은 한국영화가 겪고 있는 위기 상황과 무관하지 않다.

투자사의 한 관계자는 "멜로영화의 흥행 한계선이 300만명 수준이라 스타 배우가 캐스팅된다 해도 투자를 결정하기 쉽지 않다"라고 말하며 "최근 들어 멜로나 로맨틱 코미디 장르의 시나리오가 줄어드는 반면 스릴러나 미스터리 장르의 시나리오가 부쩍 늘었다"고 설명했다.

멜로영화의 투자 환경 위축은 최근 제작된 작품들의 흥행 실패와 관련이 깊다. 이병헌-수애 주연의 '그해 여름', 황정민-임수정 주연의 '행복', 강동원-이연희 주연의 'M' 등 톱스타들이 출연한 멜로영화들이 연달아 흥행에서 실패했다. 로맨틱 코미디로 분류가 가능한 설경구-김태희 주연의 '싸움'도 저조한 성적을 기록했다.

'님은 먼곳에'를 제작한 영화사 아침의 정승혜 대표는 "투자 환경이 좋지 않을 때는 멜로영화나 로맨틱 코미디로 투자를 받는 게 매우 힘들다"며 "이런 장르는 스타 배우, 특히 남자배우를 캐스팅하는 것이 무척 힘든 데다 스릴러나 액션 장르에 비해 시나리오만으로 완성도를 가늠할 수 없는 부분이 많다는 특징이 있어 투자를 받기 더 힘들다"라고 설명했다.

영화 '아내가 결혼했다'

충무로의 로맨스 결핍 증상은 하반기 들어 해소될 분위기다. 강혜정-신현준 주연의 '킬 미', 강혜정-박희순 주연의 '우리집에 왜 왔니', 김주혁-손예진 주연의 '아내가 결혼했다', 유진-이동욱 주연의 '그 남자의 책 198쪽', 박진희-조한선 주연의 '기억, 상실의 시대', 조인성-주진모-송지효 주연의 '쌍화점' 등이 하반기에 개봉할 예정이다.

한국 멜로영화, 로맨틱 코미디의 부활 가능성에 충무로가 주목하고 있다.

고경석 기자 kave@asiaeconomy.co.kr

<ⓒ아시아경제 & 스투닷컴(stoo.com)이 만드는 온오프라인 연예뉴스>

http://www.asiaeconomy.co.kr/uhtml/read.js...section2=S2N602

http://media.daum.net/entertain/movie/view...0753&cp=akn

[rubie]

June 24, 2008

"Enemy" scores strongly with Korean Public

Written by Han Sunhee

SEOUL -- "Public Enemy 3," the third installment in a series helmed by Kang Woo-suk about a righteous, but weird cop, took a boffo $8.82 million in its opening four day weekend at the South Korean B.O. Produced by Cinema Service and released by CJ Entertainment, pic locked up 1.4 million admissions at 764 crime scenes.

Score is the second best arrest record this year behind "Indiana Jones: The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull," which locked up 1.6 million tickets in its opening frame. And it is the first time in eleven weeks that a local picture has topped the chart. Last was "GP506.""Enemy 3" also enjoyed the biggest opening day by a Korean film this year, taking $1.2 million from over 200,000 ticket sales. That exceeded the opening day scores of this year's biggest hits "Women's Handball Team" and "The Chaser".

Scripted by multi-hyphenate Jang Jin, pic again features actor Sul kyoung-gu ("Oasis") as detective Kang Chul-joong, this time fighting against a teenager serial killer. "Kung Fu Panda" slipped to second spot, but it also rewrote a piece of Korean box office history. Distributor CJ announced that "Panda" took $3.76 million on 582 screens during the weekend, taking its cume to $20.7 million from 3.3 million admissions, which is the largest total ever for an animated film in Korea.Among other new releases, Steve Carell-starrer "Get Smart" ranked at No.5 grossing $690,000 on 244 screens. Casino crime movie "21" played a weaker hand ranking at No.6 with a $410,000 take. It was followed by helmer Neil Marshall's horror "Doomsday" which grossed $380,000 and placed at No.7.

Source: Variety Asia

http://www.varietyasiaonline.com/content/view/6336/

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Korea Weekend Box Office - June 20-22

At long last, a Korean film is back on top of the box office, Kang Woo-suk's PUBLIC ENEMY RETURNS. Like you would expect from a Kang film, it opened strong, with 1.6 million admissions over the weekend (around $7 million). The big question is how well it will hold up over the next couple of weeks. Kang's SILMIDO kept on strong to 11 million admissions, but ANOTHER PUBLIC ENEMY and HANBANDO fell off more sharply, ending up with 3.9 million million admissions each.

The other Korean movie in the top-10, CROSSING, is quite interesting, considering it has not even been officially released yet. Release is set for June 26, but already the film is on 100 screens. In case you have not heard, director Kim Tae-gyun's CROSSING is about North Korean defectors and the terrible dangers that await then as they try to get out of North Korea, through China, to freedom.

With so many thousands of people taking to the streets in recent weeks over American beef and Lee Myung-bak, it will be interesting to see how much of a response an actually important subject draws.

Box Office numbers and source at (credits to Mark Russell)

www.koreapopwars.com

[Guest kdramafanusa]

Source: Korean Film Council Jun 24 2008

Public Enemy Returns to Shake up the B.O.

The first Korean blockbuster of the summer, Public Enemy Returns, opens June 19th, just in time to shake up a national box office that has been dominated by Hollywood fare for several weeks. Director KANG Woo-suk brings forth his third installment in the successful franchise that began with Public Enemy in 2002.

Star actor SOL Kyung-gu (Oasis, Silmido) reprises his original role as Chul-joon, a quick-tempered, tenacious detective on the prowl. SOL also starred in the 2005 installment, Another Public Enemy, yet playing a completely different character in that film. The new film was penned by writer-director Jang Jin, bringing his trademark humor and wit to the action feature.

The latest film pits detective Chul-joon against Lee Won-sul (played by JUNG Jae-young) the chairman of Geo-seong Group. Lee, an affectionate family man running several seemingly legitimate businesses, is really a longstanding mafia boss at the helm of a criminal enterprise. LEE Moon-shik and YU Hae-jin join the talented cast.

The feature was produced by KnJ Entertainment with Cinema Service. Major investor CJ Entertainment is distributing. Public Enemy Returns will have its International Premiere on July 3 at the 2008 New York Asian Film Festival.

Nigel D’Sa (KOFIC)

[Guest kdramafanusa]

Source: Subway Cinema - Home of New York Asian Film Festival 2008

New York Asian Film Festival 2008

PUBLIC ENEMY RETURNS (Korea, 2008)

INTERNATIONAL PREMIERE

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

127 minutes, 35mm, in Korean with English subtitles

Directed by: Kang Woo-Suk

Starring: Sol Kyung-gu, Jung Jae-young, Lee Moon-shik

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Showtimes: THU July 3, 6.30pm at the IFC Center [Buy Tickets]

Note: "Buy Tickets" links will take you to the IFC Center website (for shows at IFC Center) and to Japan Society website (for shows at Japan Society). Tickets for each venue must be purchased separately

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Korean film industry has not been having a very good year, and all hopes are pinned on this summer blockbuster, that will open at the NYAFF just a few days after it premieres in Korea. The original PUBLIC ENEMY told the story of a corrupt, burnt-out cop, Kang Chul-Joong, whose professional passions are reignited when he crosses paths with a pampered, spoiled thrill killer. This time around, Kang is ready to retire. A lifetime of fighting crime has given him scars, injuries, a credit rating of zero and no savings. He can’t afford a house, and caring for his family is out of the question unless he can find a way to come up with some cash. On the other end of the social spectrum is Lee Won-Sul, a successful businessman who has hundreds of investments, a country house, a doting family and an influential place in society. He’s much-loved, he’s highly respected and he is a great man in all the ways the irascible, corner-cutting, deadbeat Kang is not.

So when Kang comes up with a link between Lee and some recent murders, people tend not to believe him. The more he tries to prove that everyone’s favorite fella is a slimy crook commanding an empire of crime, the more he’s dismissed as jealous, crazy and, finally, downright dangerous. The original PUBLIC ENEMY was a massive critical and commercial hit when it was released in Korea back in 2002. But the sequel, ANOTHER PUBLIC ENEMY, was a lifeless, talky flick that died of paralysis and while it made a lot of money, no one was very happy with it. Now, director Kang Woo-Suk is back for the third installment and he’s teamed with screenwriter Jang Jin/ and they’ve sworn that they won’t make the same mistakes again.

Considering that Kang Woo-Suk was voted the most powerful man in Korean entertainment for seven years running and that Jang Jin is the industry’s current high priest of writers (he wrote the sparkling WELCOME TO DONGMAKOL) that’s not an empty promise. The cast alone is enough to give you pause. Sol Kyung-Gu of last year’s NYAFF crowd-pleaser, CRUEL WINTER BLUES, is one of Korea’s best grizzled actors and he returns to reprise his role as the hard-drinking, hammer-fisted cop, Kang Chul-Joong. Writer Jang Jin’s favorite leading man, Jung Jae-Young, plays his first villain role as Lee Won-Sul, and the rest of the cast are a host of Korea’s most popular character actors. This may be a simple flick about cops out to take down the bad guys, but it’s the movie into which all of the Korean film industry has poured its hopes this summer.

Public Enemy Returns will be released in Korea on June 19, 2008. Visit the official website

Copyright © 2008 subwaycinema.com. All Rights Reserved.

Joomla! is Free Software released under the GNU/GPL License.

[Guest kdramafanusa]

[my summary of Yonhap News article]

'Kang Cheol-jung: Public Enemy 1-1' Broke 2.5 Million In 10 Days

2008/06/29 16:16 KST

[Yonhap Seoul 06-29] CJ Entertainment (distribution company) revealed on the the 29th that 2.5 million viewers were attracted to the theaters within 10 days: 2.04 million from the 19th to the 26th and another 460,000 on Friday and Saturday (27th & 28th)

liuch@yna.co.kr

[Guest kdramafanusa]

[preliminary figures]

Actress Angelina Jolie's movie "Wanted" topped this weekend's box office (June 27th to June 29th) with 822,189 tickets sold.

"Public Enemy 1-1" placed 2nd with 715,515. At 3rd place is Hollywood film "Kung Fu Panda" with 424,398.

Korean films "Crossing" and "My Mighty Princess" (directed by Kwak Jae-young) debuted at #4 and #8 respectively.

http://spn.edaily.co.kr/entertain/newsRead...105366586446968

[Guest kdramafanusa]

[Preliminary Figures only]

Box Office [Friday 2008.06.27 ~ Sunday 2008.06.29]

1. Wanted (U.S.)

3-day Adm / Total Adm : 822,189 / 1,059,223

3-day Gross / Total Gross (won) : 5,606,889,500 / 7,116,460,500

Screen : 632

Opening Date : 2008/06/26

Director : Timur Bekmambetov

Main Cast : James McAvoy, Morgan Freeman, Angelina Jolie, Common , Kristen Hager

2. Kang Cheol-Jung: Public Enemy 1-1 / Public Enemy Returns (South Korea)

3-day Adm / Total Adm : 716,515 / 2,685,902

3-day Gross / Total Gross (won) : 4,871,546,600 / 17,869,275,100

Screen : 671

Opening Date : 2008/06/19

Director : Kang Woo-seok

Main Cast : Seol Kyeong-gu, Jeong Jae-yeong, Kang Shin-il, Lee Moon-sik, Yoo Hae-jin, Kim Jeong-hak, Lee Han, Yeon Je-wook

3. Kung Fu Panda (U.S.)

3-day Adm / Total Adm : 424,398 / 3,955,066

3-day Gross / Total Gross (won) : 2,686,306,500 / 25,476,728,000

Screen : 523

Opening Date : 2008/06/05

Director : John Wayne Stevenson, Mark Randolph Osborne

Main Cast : Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman, Jackie Chan, Ian McShane, Lucy Liu, Angelina Jolie, David Cross, and Seth Rogen

4. Crossing (South Korea)

3-day Adm / Total Adm : 240,308 / 324,815

3-day Gross / Total Gross (won) : 1,570,132,000 / 2,072,994,000

Screen : 405

Opening Date : 2008/06/26

Director : Kim Tae-gyoon

Main Cast : Cha In-pyo, Sin Myeong-cheol

5. The Incredible Hulk (U.S.)

3-day Adm / Total Adm : 46,134 / 974,703

3-day Gross / Total Gross (won) : 299,199,500 / 6,311,570,500

Screen : 273

Opening Date : 2008/06/12

Director : Louis Leterrier

Main Cast : Edward Norton, Liv Tyler, Tim Roth, William Hurt, Christina Cabot

6. Sex And The City (U.S.)

3-day Adm / Total Adm : 28,326 / 1,048,803

3-day Gross / Total Gross (won) : 199,079,100 / 6,967,945,600

Screen : 129

Opening Date : 2008/06/05

Director : Michael Patrick King

Main Cast : Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Cynthia Nixon, Kristin Davis, Christopher Noth

7. Get Smart (U.S.)

3-day Adm / Total Adm : 16,613 / 166,733

3-day Gross / Total Gross (won) : 110,083,500 / 1,087,290,000

Screen : 226

Opening Date : 2008/06/19

Director : Peter Segal

Main Cast : Steve Carell, Anne Hathaway, Dwayne Johnson, Alan Arkin, Terrence Stamp

8. My Mighty Princess (South Korea)

3-day Adm / Total Adm : 14,972 / 18,597

3-day Gross / Total Gross (won) : 95,017,500 / 117,601,500

Screen : 199

Opening Date : 2008/06/26

Director : Kwak Jae-Yong

Main Cast : Shin Min-ah, On Joo-wan, Yoo Geon, Lim Ye-jin, Choi Jae-seong

9. 21 (U.S.)

3-day Adm / Total Adm : 12,145 / 102,798

3-day Gross / Total Gross (won) : 83,957,500 / 693,635,100

Screen : 90

Opening Date : 2008/06/19

Director : Robert Luketic

Main Cast : Kevin Spacey, Jim Sturgess, Kate Bosworth, Laurence Fishburne, Liza LaPira

10. Summer Days With Coo / Kappa No Coo To Natsuyasumi (Japan)

3-day Adm / Total Adm : 10,064 / 18,816

3-day Gross / Total Gross (won) : 54,008,500 / 105,391,000

Screen : 27

Opening Date : 2008/06/26

Director : Hara Keiichi

Main Cast :

Source: KOBIS (Figures represent 97% of nationwide box office)

[Guest kdramafanusa]

Source: Variety

http://www.varietyasiaonline.com/content/view/6369/1/

Korean industry readies summer B.O. fightback

Written by Han Sunhee

Monday, 30 June 2008

SEOUL -- After nearly three months without a local film at the top of the B.O., the Korean film industry is hoping the success of crime pic "Public Enemy Returns" heralds the beginning of a long, hot summer.

Directed by reliable helmer Kang Woo-suk, the pic took in $8.82 million from 1.4 million admissions in its four-day opening weekend.

Distributor CJ Entertainment says it now expects "Enemy" to tie "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of Crystal Skulls' " record of reaching the two million ticket mark in just eight days of release.

As has been widely reported, local films have had a terrible time at the box office this year. According to multiplex chain CJ CGV, total admissions for local films in the first half of 2008 were 34.1 million or 47% of the entire audience.

For many countries, that would be high, but it's the lowest number in Korea since the first half of 2001. Since then, Korean films had ruled the charts, securing more than a 50% market share over the last six years.

While some industry commentators suggest the reduction of screen quotas (the number of days per year movie houses have to play Korean movies) is the cause of the downturn, others point to weak infrastructure and low investment returns.

The debate will continue, but it is clear the large number of low-budget films that flowed into theaters in the first half of the year did not connect with auds.

Summer, often the preserve of horror pics, this year sees the return of the big-budget fare to try to win back the public.

The most anticipated film is Korean Western "The Good the Bad the Weird," which opens July 17. Pic has been slightly re-edited by helmer Kim Ji-woon since its preem in Cannes, and received a PG-13 certificate from the Korea Media Rating Board. Production shingle Barunson is expecting the new rating will help it attract a young public.

The new pic from Lee Jun-ik (helmer of the $60 million-grossing hit "The King and the Clown" and "Radio Star") is "Sunny," a $7 million budget Vietnamese war epic that follows a wife in search of her singer husband. Industry-watchers hope Lee's sensitivity will again pay off for investor and distributor Showbox.

Also in the running is crime thriller "Eye for an Eye." Helmed by K.T. Kwak ("Friend" "Typhoon"), the heist pic portrays the war of wills between a famous detective (Han Seok-gyu) and a notorious intellectual criminal (Cha Seung-won). Produced by Taewon Entertainment, the thriller hits the theaters July 24 and is distributed by Lotte Entertainment.

The final Korean title with summer blockbuster potential is "The Divine Weapon," distributed by CJ Entertainment on Aug 14. The $10 million historical drama is based on the true story of King Sejong's efforts to develop a high-tech weapon to fight against China's Ming emperor.

[Guest kdramafanusa]

[my summary of Yonhap News article]

'Kang Cheol-jung: Public Enemy 1-1' Surpassed 3 Million In 14 Days

2008/07/02 18:20 KST

[Yonhap Seoul 07-02] CJ Entertainment (distribution company) revealed on the the 2nd that 3 million viewers were attracted to the theaters within 14 days; up until July 1st, a total of 2.98 million tickets were sold. Although "Indiana Jones And The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull" took 12 days to pass the 3 million mark, "Kang Cheol-jung' beat Korean movie "The Chaser" which required 20 days.

"Kang Cheol-jung" was topped by Hollywood film "Wanted" last weekend, however, it's expected to maintain its upward trend with increasing number of viewers; movie is currently being shown on 545 screens.

kexin@yna.co.kr

[Guest kdramafanusa]

The preliminary figures don't look right (i'm pretty sure that they're wrong), therefore, I only post the Top 10 Ranking.

I will update once the finalized numbers are released.

Box Office [Friday 2008.7.04 ~ Sunday 2008.07.06]

1. Hancock (U.S.) [2008/07/02]

2. Wanted (U.S.) [2008/06/26]

3. Kang Cheol-Jung: Public Enemy 1-1 / Public Enemy Returns (South Korea) [2008/06/19]

4. Kung Fu Panda (U.S.) [2008/06/05]

5. Crossing (South Korea) [2008/06/26]

6. The Strangers (U.S.) [2008/07/02]

7. Impy's Island (Germany) [2008/06/26]

8. Summer Days With Coo / Kappa No Coo To Natsuyasumi (Japan) [2008/06/26]

9. Sex And The City (U.S.) [2008/06/05]

10. Crows Zero (Japan) [2008/06/26]

Source: KOBIS (Figures represent 97% of nationwide box office)