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Lee Jung-Jae 이정재 [Movie “Hunt” | Upcoming: Star Wars series “The Acolyte” (Disney+)]


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https://sports.chosun.com/news/news.htm?id=202107150100112240007131&ServiceDate=20210714

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Sanai Pictures CEO, Han Jae-duk, tested positive for COVID-19, fortunately, main actors Lee Jung-jae and Jung Woo-sung, as well as actors who made special appearances (Joo Ji-hoon, Kim Nam-gil, Park Sung-woong, Jo Woo-jin, Jung Man-sik), all tested negative.

 

—-

 

https://www.screendaily.com/news/megabox-plus-m-unpacks-trio-of-south-korean-thrillers-exclusive/5161231.article
Megabox Plus M unpacks trio of South Korean thrillers (exclusive)


BY JEAN NOH | 5 JULY 2021


South Korea’s Megabox Plus M is launching sales on a trio of films: Kim Seong-je’s Bogota: City Of The Lost, starring Song Joong-ki, actor Lee Jung-jae’s directorial debut Hunt and action drama Decibel.

..
Deliver Us From Evil star Lee Jung-jae is making his directorial debut with Hunt, an espionage action film in which he is also starring with Jung Woo-sung. Inspired by the real-life assassination attempt on president Chun Doo-hwan in what was then Rangoon in Burma, the film follows two Korean National Intelligence Service agents hunting down a mole within their organisation. Produced by Artist Studio and Sanai Pictures, the film is in production.

..

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https://zapzee.net/2021/07/20/pick-korean-movie-with-iconic-action-scenes/
[PICK] Korean Movie with Iconic Action Scenes


by Eunkyung Cho | Edited by Hong Hyun Jung | Translated Cho EK

 

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Credit: CJ Entertainment, Next Entertainment World


Action is one of the highlights that add to the fun of a movie. For instance, fight scenes, dynamic gun-shootings, thrilling car chasings, and combats at an overwhelming scale please the audience’s eyes. Even though action sequences in Korean movies can’t be compared to those of Hollywood, they create impressive stunts with various attempts and unique charms of characters. Old Boy, The City of Violence, and The Man from Nowhere are considered the top works of all time with their impressive action sequences. Now, what other films will follow suit? I’ve looked into some of the latest movies that came out in earnest.

 

 

Deliver Us from Evil (2020)
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Credit: CJ Entertainment

New World‘s Hwang Jung Min and Lee Jung Jae reunited. This time, they play a desperate assassin who has lost his enthusiasm for life and a ruthless pursuer obsessed with revenge. But Deliver Us from Evil captures the pursuit of two men in a stylish action with quick blows. In particular, it utilizes a stop-motion technique to vividly embody the bloody confrontation between the two characters, maximizing the pleasure of the genre. Among many sequences, the first encounter between In Nam and Ray, which finally happens in the midway of the film, is intense. The sequence of two men clashing from a narrow hallway to a room and over an iron bar is full of excitement that makes the whole body shake. The scene is also full of tension as if they are two beasts confronting each other head-on.

 


Asura: The City of Madness (2016)
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Credit: CJ Entertainment

This film relentlessly depicts the spheres of Hell reeking with blood. There is no confrontation between good and evil, but there are the lesser evil and the worst. Asura follows a detective who becomes a servant of an evil figure to survive. It depicts a bloody war among humans aiming for greater power and greed. The sequence that unfolds in a heartless world where the wicked are entangled by their own scheming is full of suffocating pain rather than satisfying catharsis. The movie’s highlight is the bloody battle at the funeral. Plus, Asura‘s excessive violence is uniquely displayed in the car chasing scene. Han Do Kyung’s wild run in the heavy rain efficiently shows his accumulated emotions turning into madness.

 

Spoiler

The Villainess (2017)
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Credit: Next Entertainment World

The Villainess captivates the audience with its wild and dynamic action stunts. The film depicts the story of an elite killer, Sook Hee. After getting a chance to live her new life, she faces a secret behind her identity and starts to confront her fate. Action Boys and Confession of Murder director Jeong Byung Gil was on board for the film and overwhelmed the audience with its breathtaking intensity. He created a bloody action sequence of a gang rushing with weapons in cramped hallways and stairs shot from the first-person point of view. The scene itself was like a declaration of the director stating that he has put his heart and soul into the sequence. 


The Villainess is one of the rare movies with a single female lead and provides a novel experience with various eye-opening action stunts. Notably, John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum made their motorcycle chase scene with the Japanese Yakuza as a homage to The Villainess. Featuring Jeong Byung Gil as a pilot episode director and executive producer, the movie will have an Amazon Prime makeover.


Edited Hong Hyun Jung: I am a K-content guide who publishes various articles for people to enjoy Korean movies and dramas deeper and richer. I’ll introduce you to the works that you can laugh, cry and sympathize with.
Translator Cho EK: I’m a big fan of Korean dramas and movies.

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[THROWBACK] 20th Blue Dragon Film Awards (1999-12-14)

 

Best Film: Nowhere to Hide (directed by Lee Myung-se)
Best Director: Kang Je-gyu (Shiri)
Best Actor & Actress: Lee Jung-jae (City of the Rising Sun), Jeon Do-yeon (The Harmonium in My Memory)
Best Supporting Actor & Actress: Jang Dong-gun (Nowhere to Hide), Lee Mi-yeon (The Harmonium in My Memory)
Best New Director: Lee Young-jae (The Harmonium in My Memory)
Best New Actor & Actress: Lee Sung-jae (Attack the Gas Station), Lee Jae-eun (Yellow Hair)

Popular Stars: Han Suk-kyu, Jung Woo-sung, Jeon Do-yeon, Shim Eun-ha
 

Best Actor Lee Jung-jae (City of the Rising Sun) & Best Actress Jeon Do-yeon (The Harmonium in My Memory)
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Spoiler

 

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Back row: Jung Woo-sung, Shim Eun-ha, Han Suk-kyu, ?, Kang Je-gyu 

Front row: Lee Sung-jae, Lee Jae-eun, Lee Jung-jae, Jeon Do-yeon, Lee Young-jae 

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Spoiler

Back row: Jung Woo-sung, Lee Sung-jae, Han Suk-kyu, ?, Kang Je-gyu 
Front row: Shim Eun-ha, Lee Jae-eun, Lee Jung-jae, Jeon Do-yeon, Lee Young-jae 
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MC Moon Sung-keun, Popular Star Awards (Han Suk-kyu, Jung Woo-sung, Jeon Do-yeon, Shim Eun-ha), MC Kim Hye-soo
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Photos: SoulDresser | Winners: 청룡영화상의_수상_목록_(1990년대)#제20회_(1999년)

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Artist Company (Jung Woo Sung, Lee Jung Jae's agency) signed Ahn Sung Ki recently :)

 

Ahn Sung-ki, Jung Woo-sung and Lee Jung-jae become a family

 

 

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Ahn Sung Ki had dinner with Jung Woo-sung and Lee Jung-jae.

According to several film industry officials on the 4th, Ahn Sung-ki is about to sign an exclusive contract with Artist Company. Artist Company is a comprehensive entertainment company founded in 2016 by Jung Woo-sung and Lee Jung-jae.
 
 

Ahn Sung-ki has been working with a personal manager without an agency for a long time, but this time he has an enemy. Ahn Sung-ki and Jung Woo-sung, Ahn Sung-ki and Lee Jung-jae worked together in 'God's Move' (2014), 'Warrior' (2001) and 'Black Water Ship' (2001), and they also built a strong friendship through activities outside of the work. By joining Ahn Sung-ki, the Artist Company has a stronger artist lineup. The synergy that Ahn Sung-ki and Artist Company will create is also attracting attention.

In May, Ahn Sung-ki met the audience with his first movie 'In the name of his son' after recovering from health, and in June, he won the 'Legendary Award' of the 'Brand Loray Awards' hosted by the non-profit World Brand Foundation (TWBF). Awarded. He has finished filming for 'Hansan: The Appearance of the Dragon' and is about to start filming for 'Dementia'.

 

https://www.edaily.co.kr/news/read?newsId=01131606629144040&mediaCodeNo=258

 

It was officially confirmed the next day:

 

Artist Company announced on the 6th, "We have signed an exclusive contract with actor Ahn Sung-ki, who has been loved by the public for a long time."

Artist Company said, "It is an honor to work with Ahn Sung-ki, an actor who is a symbol of Korean film history.

 

https://star.ytn.co.kr/_sn/0117_202108060940450865

 

 

 

Hunt food truck recently too. Lee Jung Jae had stopped by. Part of post:

 

 

The gift of the coffee truck is the man who made the movie "Steel Rain."
#YWorksEntertainment "CEO Sunyoung" sent this.
The two actors have a deep relationship, so they sent it to cheer for us!

 

This is the set of the movie "Hunt!
Lee Jung-jae directed/produced/ dramatized and starred.
Jung Woo-sung will also star in the drama.

 

In the middle of the support, Lee Jung-jae stopped by.

I'll take the lemonade I gave you to the manager.
He took a selfie proof shot and went in!

I haven't seen you up close, but you have a wonderful aura.
It's been delivered into the coffee truck.

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CSLnPtMl0Nj/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

 

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https://about.netflix.com/en/news/squid-game-invites-you-to-deadly-childhood-games-on-september-17
Squid Game invites you to deadly childhood games on September 17


By Publicist  Julie Lee (juliel@netflix.com) | 10 August 2021


Get a First Look at the Teaser Poster and Pre-teaser Trailer Now

 

Squid Game | Date Announcement | Netflix

 

Netflix has confirmed September 17, 2021 as the release date for Squid Game and has unveiled the show’s first poster and pre-teaser trailer.


The prize: 45.6 Billion Won.


Will you join the game?


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Teaser poster


Netflix has unveiled the first poster and pre-teaser trailer for its new show Squid Game, an imaginative, unorthodox story in which 456 contestants risk their lives in a mysterious survival game for a chance to win 45.6 billion won.


The tagline “45.6 Billion Is Child’s Play” makes a powerful first impression alongside the imagery of the shapes that are used in the ‘squid game,’ the fallen man in the green tracksuit, the man in pink dragging him away, and the large box with the pink ribbon. The title is a reference to a simple yet physical and aggressive children’s game played in neighborhood alleyways. How will this symbol of childhood fun drive the adult players into peril? Every piece of new information provides more tantalizing hints.


Unveiled alongside the poster, the first pre-teaser trailer features tense sequences of participants putting their lives on the line in the games. Driven to desperation and gathered at an unknown location, the 456 participants play one game each day as they race towards the prize of 45.6 billion won. The price of failure is death, and only one contestant can survive to claim the prize. How did this diverse group of people end up here, and who is the mastermind behind these games? The striking juxtaposition between the pandemonium and the colorful, nostalgic art direction of Squid Game further heightens anticipation for the distinctive visuals and story of this show.


Squid Game has garnered much attention since production was first announced, for its atypical title and premise, unprecedented scale, and the shining track records of its cast and crew. Spearheaded by Hwang Dong-hyuk, the versatile and socially-conscious director of The Fortress, Miss Granny, and Silenced, this unconventional combination of classic childhood fun and the contemporary rat race tells a story like none other. Cast members Lee Jung-jae, Park Hae-soo, Oh Young-soo, Wi Ha-Jun, Jung Ho-yeon, Heo Sung-tae, Anupam and Kim Joo-ryoung draw viewers into the macabre show by delivering deep, nuanced performances that vibrantly convey the humanity of the diverse characters who have no choice but to take part in the game.


The striking visuals and exceptional creativity of Squid Game will be available for streaming in 190 countries on September 17, only on Netflix.


Production Information
Title: Squid Game
Director/Writer: Hwang Dong-hyuk
Starring: Lee Jung-jae, Park Hae-soo,  Oh Young-soo, Wi Ha-Jun, Jung Ho-yeon, Heo Sung-tae, Anupam, Kim Joo-ryoung, et al.
Distributed by: Netflix
Produced by: Siren Pictures  Inc.
Release: September 17, 2021


# # #
About Netflix:
Netflix is the world's leading streaming entertainment service with over 209 million paid memberships in over 190 countries enjoying TV series, documentaries and feature films across a wide variety of genres and languages. Members can watch as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, on any internet-connected screen. Members can play, pause and resume watching, all without commercials or commitments.

 

 

https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/art/2021/08/688_313750.html
Netflix's 'Squid Game,' starring Lee Jung-jae, to be released in September


By Kwak Yeon-soo | 2021-08-11

 

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The poster for "Squid Game" / Courtesy of Netflix


"Squid Game," a series that revolves around a mysterious survival game and starring Lee Jung-jae, will premiere on Netflix on Sept. 17.


The title is inspired by a children's game, in which players draw different geometric shapes on the ground and play until there is one final winner. 


The streaming giant confirmed the Korean original series' release date on Wednesday, adding that it will be available in 190 countries from that date.


Directed by Hwang Dong-hyuk, whose other works include "The Fortress," "Miss Granny" and "Silenced," the series follows the story of 456 cash-strapped people who fight to the death in the mysterious game until there is only one survivor. The last survivor wins the prize money worth 45.6 billion won ($39.4 million). 


Lee, well-known for his works such as "The Thieves" (2012) and "Assassination" (2015), plays Gi-hun, a desperate man who decided to join the survival game after getting fired. 


Park Hae-soo, who rose to fame after appearing in the tvN drama, "Prison Playbook," and the Netflix film, "Time to Hunt" (2020), appears as Gi-hun's childhood friend Sang-woo, who also joins the game as he sees no future at his workplace.


"It will be intriguing to follow the stories of the diverse characters along with how they engage in the game, with their motivations," the production team said in a statement. 

 

Related Reports: zapzee | breaknews | 

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Squid Game | Official Teaser | Netflix

Netflix | Squid Game
"This is just a game."
45.6 billion won. 456 contestants
stake their lives on childhood games
Squid Game, coming this September 17, only on Netflix

#Netflix #오징어게임 #SquidGame

 

Squid Game | Official Teaser | Netflix 
https://www.youtube.com/NetflixAsia

Hundreds of cash-strapped players accept a strange invitation to compete in children's games. Inside, a tempting prize awaits — with deadly high stakes.

 

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http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20210825000943
Movie stars to return to small screen


By Lee Si-jin (sj_lee@heraldcorp.com) | Aug 25, 2021

 

Spoiler

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“Lost” (JTBC)


South Korean movie stars are turning up on TV dramas in the second half of the year, spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic and the growing number of streaming platforms.  Many household names who have been mostly working in film are returning to the small screen after years of absence.  Lee Ha-nee and Cannes winner Jeon Do-yeon will kick off a season full of dramas starring big-screen actors.


Jeon is returning to TV for the first time since her 2015 hit tvN drama “The Good Wife.” The actor stars in JTBC’s upcoming romance drama “Lost” as a ghostwriter who loses the will to live.  The 16-part series will run every weekend starting Sept. 4.  Also joining “Lost” is actor Ryu Jun-yeol in his first TV role in five years. His most recent TV drama was MBC’s “Lucky Romance” (2016).


Lee, a former Miss Korea, stars in SBS’ new Friday-Saturday drama “One the Woman,” which is scheduled to start after the conclusion of SBS suspense drama series “Penthouse 3.”  The 16-episode drama will start Sept. 17.  “After 2 1/2 years, I am very excited and nervous to meet fans through a TV drama. With an amazingly funny script, I definitely enjoy shooting the show with other actors and the staff, so I hope the viewers will be able to wait just a little more to meet ‘One the Woman,’” an SBS press release quoted Lee as saying.


The well-known trio of Lee Jung-jae, Yoo Ah-in and Park Jeong-min is making a highly anticipated return to the small screen with the actors’ upcoming Netflix debuts.  Veteran actor Lee Jung-jae, whose last TV project was “Chief of Staff 2” (2019), stars as a player in a mystery survival game in Netflix’s “Squid Game,” which premieres Sept. 17.  Another Netflix original series, “Hellbound,” stars Yoo and Park, whose last TV appearances were on the tvN dramas “Chicago Typewriter” (2017) and “Entourage” (2016), respectively.


“Korean actors preferred to shoot films for various reasons, with the possibility of being nominated at international film festivals as one of them,” culture critic Kim Heon-sik said in a phone interview with The Korea Herald on Wednesday.  “As Netflix contents gain global attention, some of the Netflix original series are being invited to international film festivals, allowing actors to gain global recognition with a drama series,” Kim added.


Kim also sees the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic as having accelerated the trend.  “The strict social distancing guidelines are making it hard for the actors and the staff to shoot and premiere their works in cinemas. As COVID-19 continues, fans can expect to meet even more ‘movie stars’ on the small screen.”

 

 

https://zapzee.net/2021/08/24/pick-full-list-of-k-dramas-coming-out-in-september/
[PICK] Full List of K-Dramas Coming Out in September


by Eunkyung Cho | Edited by Hong Hyun Jung | Translated Cho EK

 

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Credit: Netflix, tvN, MBC


The broadcasting networks are resuming their competitions, which they had put on hold during the Olympics season. Starting with Lovers of the Red Sky and Hometown Cha Cha Cha at the end of August, networks will begin their fierce viewership battles. For instance, the four most anticipated dramas will begin airing their new episodes on September 17th.


Squid Game (9/17)

Netflix comes up with a new Korean original series every month. This time, they will release Squid Game starring Lee Jung Jae and Park Hae Soo in September. Miss Granny (2013) director Hwang Dong Hyuk is said to have long envisioned the project since 2008. The series will tell the story of people who risk their lives to become the ultimate winner in a mysterious survival game with huge prize money. Lee Jung Jae will play Ki Hoon, a man who is suffering the lowest moment of his life after losing his job. Park Hae Soo will be taking the role of Sang Woo, a man who found himself in trouble after using his company’s funds for his own good. A life-threatening game played by these people in desperate need will provide tight tension.

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8 new K-dramas to watch in September 2021….


By PIERCE CONRAN | scmp | AUGUST 28, 2021


After a relatively quiet few months, K-drama fans will be inundated with new shows to choose from in September as a crop of series seek to capitalise on viewers looking for new distractions during the Chuseok (autumn harvest) holiday in South Korea.


Fantasy, action, romance, prestige drama and much else besides guarantee there will be a debut to suit every taste.

 

1. Lost

 

JTBC is celebrating its 10th anniversary with the special event series Lost. The small-screen debut of melodrama master Hur Jin-ho, the director of Christmas in August and One Fine Spring Day, the series features movie stars Jeon Do-yeon and Ryu Jun-yeol as a 40-year-old ghost writer and a 27-year-old man who meet at a time when both are worried they will never achieve anything in their lives.


With Hur at the helm and Jeon on the screen, Lost promises to be a pensive romantic drama hearkening back to the heyday of Korean screen romance. (JTBC, September 4)


4. Squid Game


Netflix is presenting Squid Game, its biggest series so far this year, in time for the holiday. The drama debut of Silenced and The Fortress director Hwang Dong-hyuk, the show focuses on the contestants of a secret survival game, who each vie for a 45.6 billion won (US$39 million) prize.


Among the participants are Ki-hoon (Lee Jung-jae), who is living a miserable life after losing his job, and his friend Sang-woo (Park Hae-soo), who went to a good university but is now facing an embezzlement crisis at work. (Netflix, September 17)

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https://about.netflix.com/en/news/kill-or-be-killed-main-trailer-and-ensemble-poster-released-showing-the
“Kill or Be Killed” Main Trailer & Ensemble Poster Released, Showing the Truth Behind the Deadly Games!


By Publicist Julie Lee (juliel@netflix.com) | 01 September 2021

 


Netflix series Squid Game has released the ensemble poster and main trailer for the show providing a sneak peak at the exciting story of participants risking their lives while playing mysterious games to win a 45.6 billion won cash prize.

 

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Main Poster (Horizontal)


Director Hwang Dong-hyuk introduces Squid Game as “one giant allegory that expresses the capitalist society of contemporary times” and alludes to the diverse stories of the game participants and how they have been driven into a corner due to competition in modern society. A stark comparison is created by showing children’s games enjoyed during childhood and altering them into something much more extreme and competitive. The participants, who feel like they are on the edge of a cliff, charge forward without hesitation toward the enormous prize. The way they rush toward the money reminds us of ourselves as we struggle in a capitalist society. All of these elements can be found in the ensemble poster.


The peaceful looking field and the warm colors stand out in the scenery. However, a strange, giant robot stands in the field and the participants look fearful and alert. The shocking sight of participants who lost and their bodies strung everywhere provides a striking visual juxtaposition to the beautiful landscape. Curiosity is stirred about the storybook-esque robot girl and what kind of extreme games await the participants.


The main trailer includes a look at the grand scale of the games as well as the pandemonium experienced by the participants. Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) calls a number on a business card that has a circle, a triangle, and a square on it. He later wakes up in an unfamiliar place. The strange location with storybook colors and visuals is where 456 participants who are experiencing individual desperate situations, are gathered. 


Before the games begin, the participants are told, “If you do not wish to participate, please tell us now.”   The participants have a choice whether or not to join the games, but they do not object due to the chance of winning the prize money. Once the game begins, the childlike game arena transforms into a chaos filled scene full of shock and screams. Since the game has already begun, the only way out is to win the game. In order to win the prize and in order to stay alive, the participants even resort to putting the lives of other participants on the line. With such unpredictable and large-scale games, who will eventually win? How the participants squirm and struggle to survive in the deadly games and the outcome will be an intriguing story.


Squid Game, a series that juxtaposes storybook visuals and intense suspense, will be released on September 17, only on Netflix.


Production Information
Title: Squid Game
Director/Writer: Hwang Dong-hyuk
Starring : Lee Jung-jae, Park Hae-soo,  Oh Young-soo, Wi Ha-Jun, Jung Ho-yeon, Heo Sung-tae, Tripathi Anupam, Kim Joo-ryoung, et al.
Distributed by: Netflix
Produced by: Siren Pictures Inc.
Release: September 17, 2021


# # #
About Netflix:
Netflix is the world's leading streaming entertainment service with over 209 million paid memberships in over 190 countries enjoying TV series, documentaries and feature films across a wide variety of genres and languages. Members can watch as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, on any internet-connected screen. Members can play, pause and resume watching, all without commercials or commitments.
 

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https://k-odyssey.com/news/newsview.php?ncode=1065599160137684
[A Look Back on Korea's 'Cheonman Movie' #6] 'The Thieves'


by Ra Hwak Jin / Cha Min Kyung | 2021-09-05

 


[Episode 6] The Thieves (2012. Directed by Choi Dong-hoon)

 

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▲ This photo shows the entire main cast of the movie "The Thieves." (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)


"The Thieves," which was released in 2012 and directed by Choi Dong-hoon, known as the "genius of entertainment films," attracted 12.98 million viewers, becoming the sixth highest-grossing film Korean film history. 


The film, which tells the story of thieves working to steal rare diamonds, is differentiated from other "cheonman movies (a Korean term used to refer to most-watched films)" introduced earlier in that it is a entertainment movie but nothing more than a "popcorn movie."

 

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▲ This file photo, taken on Aug. 15, 2012, shows people buying tickets for the movie "The Thieves." (Yonhap)


"The Thieves" is an example that shows movies can attract a massive audience as long as the story and characters are entertaining without showing some sort of patriotism like "The Admiral: Roaring Currents" and "Ode to My Father," or social issues such as "Veteran" and high-tech computer graphic (CG) effects like "Along with the Gods." 


The movie's 10 million mark is considered to have changed the box office formula of Korean films, given that the audience of "The Thieves" bought tickets for pure entertainment and fun.

 


◇ The ultimate star-studded cast lineup for a single film


At the time, "The Thieves" brought together a group of high-profiled cast members who were perceived 'too good to be true.' Actors Lee Jung-jae and Kim Soo-hyun, who were famous for their outstanding looks and acting skills, appeared with top actresses Kim Hye-soo and Jun Ji-hyun as well as acclaimed actor Kim Yoon-seok, and Hong Kong noir star Simon Yam.

 

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▲ This photo shows a scene from the movie "The Thieves" and actor Kim Yun-seok (left), Lee Jung-jae, actress Jun Ji-hyun, and actor Kim Soo-hyun. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)


Lee Jung-jae's poor physical appearance resembles his character Lee Ja-sung from the film "New World," which was released in the following year, and Kim Yun-seok who seemed as if he was playing his previous ruthless "Agwi (a Korean term for a starving demon)" character from "Tazza: The High Rollers" shows an unexpected charm to the audience. 


Kim Soo-hyun, who rose to stardom with the historical drama "The Moon Embracing the Sun" that year, somehow attractively digests his clumsy yet youthful character. 


One of the movie's biggest gains is rediscovering the potential of Jun Ji-hyun. Jun, who has been lingering in her fixed "girly and bubbly" image for 11 years since her debut film "My Sassy Girl" in 2001, showed her true value and became the scene stealer in "The Thieves."  While Jun's jaw-dropping body and humorous wire action plays a big role in her character transformation, Jun is straightforward and doesn't filter out her thoughts or opinions. However, Jun's character doesn't come off as a foul-mouthed tough person, but rather charmingly sexy and chic.  Since the actress was not restricted by her outfits throughout the film, Jun was able to naturally and lively carry out her acting, and was even praised for becoming the 'Angelina Jolie' of Korea.  In fact, after her performance in "The Thieves," Jun appeared in action and thriller films like "The Berlin File" (2013) and "Assassination" (2015), solidifying her position as an actress who can pull off action scenes while acting. Additionally, Jun Ji-hyun and Kim Soo-hyun's romance, which weren't completely fulfilled in the movie, is later showcased in the fantasy drama "My Love from the Star." 

 


◇ Choi Dong-hoon: the mastermind behind "The Thieves"

 

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▲ Choi Dong-hoon, director of the new movie "The Thieves," poses in Seoul on July 18, 2012. The movie, which depicts South Korean and Chinese thieves who plot to jointly steal a $20 million blue diamond known as the Tear of the Sun, will appear on South Korean screens on July 25. (Yonhap)

 


Director Choi Dong-hoon, who proved his talent in directing since his debut film, has succeeded in making smash-hits including "The Big Swindle" (2004, 2.13 million viewers), "Tazza: The High Rollers" (2006, 6.85 million), and "Jeon Woo-chi: The Taoist Wizard" (2009, 6.14 million).  Choi, who started off his career as a director with an entertainment film as his first work, tends to focus on making "fun movies" rather than considering the social meaning or artistry of a film, and has finally become a director of multiple "cheonman movies." 


Director Choi once again demonstrated that historical films could be entertaining with his 2015 film "Assassination" and is currently expanding his scope of work with an upcoming SF film "Alien," which recently completed the filming process.

 


◇ "The Thieves" not to be mistaken with "Ocean's Eleven"


"The Thieves" naturally reminds the audience of the Hollywood film "Ocean's Eleven" (2001), starring George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Julia Roberts, in that both movies involve a star-studded cast and follow a scenario of thieves robbing casinos.  However, director Choi drew a line between the two films, saying "'The Thieves' is different from 'Ocean's Eleven'" in an interview at the time of the film's release.  


Director Choi said, "While genre movies should repeatedly be released, it is important to avoid repetition," adding, "In the movie industry as a whole, crime movies are lower genres and movies about thieves are even lower. The key to differentiating such movies is the angle in which the film is focused on. The important point in our movie was to portray the problem between human relationships, rather than the act of stealing itself."


After attending the Hong Kong International Film Festival in March 2010, director Choi decided to film a movie in the country. At the time, Choi also visited Macau and came up with the scenario while drinking coffee at a cafe in front of the cathedral, where he later filmed a scene for "The Thieves."   In fact, the emotions of Hong Kong noir remain in this film. In that sense, if people want to see similar movies, we recommend "Once a Thief" (1991), directed by John Woo and starring Chow Yun-fat, Leslie Cheung, and Cherie Chung, rather than "Ocean's Eleven."  (END)
 

(C) Yonhap News Agency. All Rights Reserved

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https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/art/2021/09/688_315055.html
Star filmmakers head to small screen


By Lee Gyu-lee | 2021-09-05

 

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A poster of director Hur Jin-ho's new melodrama, "Lost," left, and director Hwang Dong-hyuk's Netflix series, "Squid Game" / Courtesy of JTBC and Netflix


A growing number of filmmakers are choosing to direct dramas on the small screen due to the expansion of Over The Top (OTT) services resulting from the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the movie industry.


Director Hur Jin-ho, who is known for leading romance films "Christmas in August" and period film "Forbidden Dream," made his TV directorial debut with JTBC's new melodrama, "Lost," which started its run, Saturday.  The melodrama, starring Cannes award-winning actress Jeon Do-yeon and actor Ryu Jun-yeol, got off to a good start with a 4.2 percent viewership rating. It follows the story of two ordinary people who feel adrift in life and encounter each other making their lives better.


The director revealed that he had not expected to direct a TV series.  "I changed my mind to work up the courage to make it after reading such a good script… unlike movies, which start production after the script is completed, dramas start shooting as the script is still being written," Hur said during the series' press conference, last week.  "So, there were feelings of curiosity and frustration from time to time. Even though it literally felt like making three to four films, it was worth it," he added.


Other star directors ― such as "Miss Granny" and "Silenced" director Hwang Dong-hyuk, "Nameless Gangster" and "Kundo" director Yoon Jong-bin and "Coin Locker Girl" and "Hit-And-Run Squad" director Han Jun-hee ― are taking their first stab at helming a series with Netflix.


Hwang's upcoming series, "Squid Game," which is one of this year's most anticipated series, will hit the streaming site on Sept. 17.   The suspense action series, starring Lee Jung-jae and Park Hae-soo, is about a deadly high stakes round of children's games that invite cash-strapped players to play life-or-death challenges for an enormous prize. 


Yoon is helming a star-studded cast series, "Suriname," which stars Ha Jung-woo, Hwang Jung-min, and Yoo Yeon-seok. The crime series, based on a true story, revolves around a man who rose to become a drug lord in Suriname, a former Dutch colony on the northern coast of South America.


Han launched "D.P." on Aug. 27, topping Netflix's top 10 list for about a week. The dark drama, starring Jung Hae-in and Koo Kyo-hwan, follows a young private in the military who is assigned to capture deserting soldiers and encounters the painful reality behind compulsory military duty.


Director Yeon Sang-ho, who won global fame through zombie flicks "Train to Busan" and "Peninsula," will be releasing his second series, "Hellbound," since his first drama, "The Cursed," last year.  The fantasy thriller series is the drama adaptation of the web-comic of the same name, co-created by Yeon and Choi Gyu-seok in 2019. It tells the story of a chaotic society where supernatural beings make judgments to condemn people to hell. A group of people ― played by Yoo Ah-in and Park Jeong-min ― try to fight against a religious group that follows the supernatural beings as their divine deity.

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  • 2 weeks later...

[2021-09-15] Squid Game production presentation

(from Left) Heo Sung-tae, Park Hae-soo, Lee Jung-jae, Director Hwang Dong-hyuk, Jung Ho-yeon, Wi Ha-jun

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The cast of Netflix original series “Squid Game,” from left, actors Heo Sung-tae, Park Hae-soo, Lee Jung-jae, model Jung Ho-yeon and actor and model Wi Ha-jun smile for cameras during an online press conference on Wednesday. “Squid Game” centers around a survival game where several participants fight for victory and a prize of 45.6 billion won ($39.5 million). The suspenseful drama will air exclusively on Netflix from Sept. 17. [NETFLIX] // (BY SHIN MIN-HEE [shin.minhee@joongang.co.kr])

 

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https://www.breaknews.com/sub_read.html?uid=834246

 

Pics: Netflix

 

Lee Jung-jae X Park Hae-soo X Wi Ha-jun X Jung Ho-yeon X Heo Sung-tae @ NETFLIX drama 'Squid Game' production presentation - 1-3 [Tongtong Culture]

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https://zapzee.net/2021/09/15/netflix-held-its-production-press-conference-live-online-for-netflixs-new-original-squid-game/
Netflix Held its Production Press Conference Live Online For Netflix’s New Original ‘Squid Game’


by Munjeong Jung

 

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South Korean actor Lee Jung-jae poses during an online showcase for Netflix original series "Squid Game" in Seoul on Sept. 15, 2021. The first episode of the drama, which is about a group of people who risk their lives in a mysterious survival game, will air on Sept. 17. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (yonhap)


On September 15th, Netflix held an online showcase for its new original series Squid Game.


Lee Jung Jae, Park Hae Soo, Wi Ha Joon, Jung Ho Yeon, Heo Sung Tae, and director Hwang Dong Hyuk participated in the event


Lee Jung Jae introduced his character by saying, “Ki Hoon is an optimistic person who lives with his ill parents. Things aren’t easy for him as they are for everyone because he has an unstable, low-paying job. Therefore, he has a strong motivation to participate in the games with big prize money. Meanwhile, he gets along well with people he meets in the game room because of his upbeat personality. When the game begins, he risks his life to win the games.”


In addition, Lee Jung Jae gave a glimpse at his miserable character in Squid game. Regarding this whole new character he played, Lee Jung Jae said, “I don’t think I underwent any dramatic transformation, but I couldn’t stop laughing after watching the drama. I was like, does he have a brain?”


Director Hwang Dong Hyuk said, “I wanted to work with Lee Jung Jae because I always wanted to break his image. He gets typecast a lot for the cool roles like his role in Sandglass. I thought it would be nice for him to show his humanity which I saw at times, so I asked him to join as Ki Hoon.”


Source (1)
Translator Jung Munjeong: I’ll provide you with the latest articles regarding K-Drama, K-Pop, K-Movie, and more as quickly as I can.

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New Netflix original series 'Squid Game'

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Source: Netflix

 

 

https://k-odyssey.com/news/newsview.php?ncode=1065600556147339
Top actor Lee Jung-jae surprised at his acting in upcoming Netflix original ‘Squid Game’


연합뉴스 / 2021-09-15 17:09:36

 

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▲ This photo, provided by Netflix, shows the drama poster for “Squid Game.” (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

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▲ This photo, provided by Netflix, shows actor Lee Jung-jae in "Squid Game."(PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)


SEOUL, Sept. 15 (Yonhap) — Netflix, a global online video service (OTT), will unveil its original drama series “Squid Game" around the world at 5 p.m. on Sept. 17. 


Actor Lee Jung-jae, who challenged to transform his image by playing the main character Sung Ki-hoon, a person who is chased by private loans, said at an online press conference held on Wednesday, “I thought the scenario was really fun because it melts various situations and emotions really well. I was also curious about how the game would be implemented, and looked forward to the finished set.”

 

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▲ This photo, provided by Netflix, shows actor Lee Jung-jae. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)


Regarding his character Ki-hoon, Lee said, “I'm very optimistic, but I did have a lot of worries. Ki-hoon is someone who has to live with his sick parents, but he isn’t very successful with his job and has a hard time making money,” adding, “As a result, he stumbles across a game with a high amount of prize money. While playing the game, he gets along with other players and starts to risk his life to play.”


Lee also voiced his opinion on his title of an acting transformation. “I wouldn't say this is a transformation, but I laughed really hard for a while after watching the completed drama. I couldn’t believe I acted like that. However, now, I’m trying hard to get out of the character,” the actor said. 

 

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▲ This photo, provided by Netflix, shows actor Park Hae-soo. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)


Actor Park Hae-soo, who plays Ki-hoon’s friend Cho Sang-woo, said, "I didn't worry at all about playing together because I admire director Hwang Dong-hyuk and actor Lee Jung-jae," adding, "There are many human groups in the scenario, and their delicate psychological change and growth process was very interesting. I also wanted to see how these games would be implemented in person.” 


As for Park’s character Sang-woo, the actor mentioned, “He has shared childhood memories with Ki-hoon, and is a graduate of a prestigious university. He manages to become the head of an investment team at a securities firm, but he falls into an abyss due to a wrong choice and participates in the game."


“It was very difficult to read Sang-woo's mind while acting, but as a result, what I figured out was that Sang-woo followed the only and most rational choices he had in the situation,” Park added. 


The drama’s director, Hwang Dong-hyuk, who has previously directed films such as “Silenced,” “Miss Granny,” “The Fortress,” and "Collectors," was in charge of directing. 


Director Hwang, who has challenged directing a drama for the first time, explained, "Squid games were played in alleys or playgrounds when I was young, and after becoming an adult, people who were driven into economic poverty gathered again to play the game with a high amont of prize money at stake. I think it's the most symbolic metaphor to the modern competitive society, so I decided to title the drama as squid game as well.” 


Asked about casting Lee Jung-jae, director Hwang said, "Lee always look cool in movies but I had the mischievous mindset of wanting to break that image for once," adding, "But when Lee acts cool, there is a human side to that and I wanted to capture it on screen.” 


In addition to Lee Jung-jae and Park Hae-soo, Oh Yeong-su, Wi Ha-joon, Jung Ho-yeon, Heo Sung-tae, Anupam Tripathi, and Kim Joo-ryeong will appear. “Squid Game” consists of a total of eight episodes and teenage restricted.  (END)
 

(C) Yonhap News Agency. All Rights Reserved

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http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20210915000975
Netflix’s ‘Squid Game’ turns childhood games into bloody survival battles


By Lee Si-jin (sj_lee@heraldcorp.com) | Sept 16, 2021

 

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Actors Park Hae-soo (left) and Lee Jung-jae pose for a photo after an online press conference held on Wednesday. (Netflix)


For director Hwang Dong-hyuk, producing the upcoming mystery sci-fi series “Squid Game” brought about mixed emotions.


“After debuting with ‘My Father,’ I read a lot of comics and was mesmerized by survival games. With an attempt to create a Korean version, I started planning out the work in 2008 and finished the scenario in 2009,” the director said in an online press conference Wednesday. “However, casting actors and getting investment were extremely difficult during these periods. The idea of a game winner who strikes it rich was unwelcomed. The brutality and cruelty of the games were of concern. I had to put the scenario on the shelf.” 


More than a decade later, interest in survival games and cryptocurrency picked up. 


Unlike 2009, many people were fascinated by the script and I decided to expand the original scenario to shoot a Netflix series,” Hwang added.


Director Hwang’s Netflix debut, “Squid Game,” revolves around hundreds of cash-strapped players accepting an unexpected invitation to compete in various children’s games for a tempting prize of 45.6 billion won ($39 million).


The competitors, faced with a life-changing opportunity, find out that each game puts their lives at stake. Taking place at an undisclosed site, the contestants are prohibited from leaving the premises until a final winner is declared.

 

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Hundreds of cash-strapped players are invited to play childhood games in “Squid Game.” (Netflix)


Asked why he chose Squid Game for the title of his upcoming series, Hwang said it is the most physical game and his personal favorite among many childhood games.


“I thought the game was a perfect metaphor of our highly competitive society. So ‘Squid Game’ was a perfect name for this series,” Hwang added.


Veteran actor Lee Jung-jae, taking on the role of debt-ridden and divorced man Ki-hoon, shared his anticipation for the series’ debut.


“Because I always wished to work with Hwang, I was thrilled to hear about his offer. As I read through the scenario, I found the changes in emotions and personality of individual characters in an extreme situation captivating,” Lee said.


“Ki-hoon was an interesting character to play. Though he faces countless struggles in his life, Ki-hoon is very optimistic and humorous, and able to make friends in a life-threatening survival game. I was surprised to see how I portrayed Ki-hoon,” Lee added.


Though the game was set in a fictional world, co-star Park Hae-soo said it evoked real emotions.


“When I participated in the game Red Light, Green Light as Sang-woo, Ki-hoon’s childhood friend, the drama set was filled with all contestants. However, as I watched people die after fierce competition, I was left with many things to think about,” Park said.


The director hoped fans are able to find relief from the pressures they face and be free from the competition in their daily lives by watching the series. But he also urged viewers to dig deeper beneath the surface, and think about the reasons why we struggle so hard to live and survive in our competitive world.


The nine-part series “Squid Game” will arrive on Netflix on Sept. 17.

 

——

 

CR: His management company artistcompanyofficial

[Today - LeeJungJae]

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https://k-odyssey.com/news/newsview.php?ncode=1065607364646222
[A Look Back on Korea's 'Cheonman Movie' #8] Assassination


by Ra Hwak Jin / Lee Hyo Yoon | 2021-09-19 07:02:01


[Episode 8] Assassination (2015 Directed by Choi Dong-hoon)

 

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▲ This photo shows the poster for "Assassination." (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)


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▲ This photo shows the 5 main actors and actress of the film "Assassination." (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

“Assassination,” released in July 2015 became director Choi Dong-hoon’s second mega-hit garnering 12.7 million audiences. The success ranked No. 8 of all Korean films.


Earlier director Choi has once produced another success with “The Thieves.” Also “Assassination” was already being anticipated for the cast including top stars Jun Ji-hyun, Lee Jung-jae and Ha Jung-woo and for having been known to have invested 18 billion won which is 4 times more than the average production fee of Korean movies.


The film dealt with the activists for the independence of Korea during the Japanese Colonialism in the 1930s planning to eliminate the pro-Japanese figures in Gyeongseong and Shanghai. 


In 1933 China, Yeom Sek-jin (Lee Jung-jae) Captain of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea police bureau recruits sniper Ahn Ok-yun (Jun Ji-hyun), ‘Big Gun’ (Cho Jin-woong) from a military school and Hwang Duk-sam (Choi Deok-moon) expert of bombs. Their mission was to assassinate Kawaguchi Mamoru, the commander of the Japanese army and pro-Japanese businessman Kang In-guk (Lee Geung-young).


When the squad set out for Gyeongseong, a contractor called “Hawaii Pistol” (Ha Jung-woo) follows the crew with his partner “Buddy” (Oh Dal-su) offered a great deal of money in turn of getting rid of the assassinators.


The director previously produced a film that went back and forth time, called “Jeon Woo-chi: The Taoist Wizard” but “Assassination” was his first historical film. 

 

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▲ This photo shows the director of "Assassination," Choi Dong-hoon. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

 

◇ Banquet of top rank actors

 

The film attracted interest in that the head of the assassination crew was a woman. Jun who rose to a Hallyu star with TV drama “My Love From the Star” said that she had such pressure for having to lead story as a main character on an interview when the film was released. But the result was a groundbreaking success. She exerted her attractiveness twice more acting double roles of Ahn Ok-yun and the daughter of a pro-Japanese family, Mitsuko.


“I will do anything for money.” Ha took the just right role for him, the “Hawaii Pistol,” a humorous and romantic man. His foreign language acting such as Chinese and Japanese was interesting.


Actor Lee who took the role of captain Yeom standing in the opposite side of the others attempted a surprising image transformation.


That Lee reduced 15kg for the film became an issue as well. His final scene in which he cries out in the court with his top off is considered the best part and was parodied in many show programs.

 

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▲ This photo shows actor Lee Jung-jae. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

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▲ This photo shows actor Ha Jung-woo. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)


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▲ This photo shows actress Jun Ji-hyeon. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)


◇ Reproduction of the 1933 Gyeongseong

 

The story take place in 1933 Gyeongseong a background rarely dealt with in Korean films before. “Gyeongseong is like a blank place where we have never been to. We aimed to reproduce the space,” said the director when the film was released.


Including the main stage for the gun-fight scenes, the petrol station-street, the 5 streets and 76 buildings were all prepared in an open-set of 13,500㎡ in Goyang City, Gyeonggi Province. The producers at that time, said that it was the biggest film set in Korea.


In Shanghai Chedun, another stage, Gyeongseong’s Mitsukoshi Department Store set was produced. The producers restored more details adding CG on the 3-story building.


The costumes for the film were 4,500 sets and it took 3 months to produce a coat. 51 firearms were invested for the main characters’ armed struggles against Japan. The guns used by the star actors were ‘Mosin-Nagant’ as Ahn’s rifle, a big-sized German pistol Mauser for Yeom and German Walther PPK used by James Bond in the “007” series for Hawaii Pistol and German automatic MP-28 for Buddy.


Various classic cars produced in the 1939s such as Ford A, Ford T and Lincoln K also give visual pleasure. 

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◇ Reviewing of patriots…Kim Won-bong and Nam Ja-hyeon

 

As the film was released a month before the Independence Day in 2015, attention was naturally led to the activists for the Independence.


Kim Won-bong who send the assassination squad to mission was a real historic figure, the captain of the Heroic Corps and led armed rebels against Japan. But in that he supported the North Korean regime after the Independence he couldn’t receive any conferment and was purged in the North.


Later, a hot controversy rose in the political circle over appointing Kim Won-bong an independence patriot.


Yeongyang North Gyeonsang Province, the homeland of ‘Mother of the Independence Army’ Nam Ja-hyeon patriot, known as the model for Ahn Ok-yun, has set out to establish a memorial hall for the patriot. Also, other female patriots such as Oh Gwang-sim, Chi Pog-yong and Park Cha-jeong who actually took part in the war for Independence and Kwon Ki-ok who became a female pilot to fight in the Chinese battle against Japan were re-evaluated.


◇ Accused of plagiarism…court’s disapproval of the claim

 

As the film spread its popularity, author Choi Jong-rim filed a legal dispute claiming for banning of the film and compensation of 10 billion-won saying that the film’s plot was the same as his novel “Korean Memories” in which the female main character, a sniper, and other assassinator were sent to Joseon by Kim Gu and eliminate Japanese agents and pro-Japanese one by one.


But the court did not accept Mr. Choi’s claims for all 3 trials.


As the court approved the fact that there were a lot of female patriots who joined the armed fights against Japan by throwing bombs and that there were other novels featuring a woman sniper as the main character, the court did not regard the character in Mr. Choi’s novel unique.


Also, as Kim Gu was real figure who organized Korea Patriotic Organization and planned for assassinations. As the fact that Lee Deok-joo came to Joseon in an attempt to eliminate the administrator of the Joseon Governor-General is publicly known, the court said that these sets, slight variations of historical facts, cannot be considered as the unique traits of Mr. Choi’s novel.


“The court’s consistent judgement for the event was that historical facts have to be available to any producers and cannot be exclusively available to a particular individual. With the Supreme Court’s decision, we wish for no more suffering producers due to imprudent accusations of plagiarism,” said the producer Caper Film.  (END)

(C) Yonhap News Agency. All Rights Reserved

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https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/k-pop/k-drama/article/3149426/k-drama-review-squid-game-netflix-survival-drama-starring
K-drama review: Squid Game – Netflix survival drama starring Lee Jung-jae is gory, and wickedly entertaining

 

  • Action-drama Squid Game asks just how far a group of people will go to survive challenges reminiscent of The Hunger Games, with deadly consequences for failure
  • One of Squid Game’s greatest strengths is its plotting. The show’s premise is brought to life through spectacular sets, striking costumes and a terrific score


By Pierce Conran | 20 Sep, 2021

 

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Lee Jung-jae (centre) plays the leading role in Squid Game.


4.5/5 stars

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Netflix Korea may very well find its widest global audience to date with its latest original series.


Through nine episodes chock full of vivid thrills and dramatic bloodletting, the sensational and surprising survival action-drama Squid Game shows just how far a group of people will go to dig themselves out of a hole.


Hit filmmaker Hwang Dong-hyuk (Silenced, Miss Granny) crafts a show that aggressively breaks away from K-drama conventions, even more so than previous Netflix hits Kingdom and Sweet Home.


The premise is wickedly simple: 456 down-on-their-luck people saddled with large debts are given an opportunity to take part in a game. They do so of their own free will, with no idea that what they have signed up for is a series of playground games with deadly twists.


We first follow Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae), a divorced man living with his mother. Any money he gets his hands on is gambled away and, between his debts to the bank and loan sharks, he can’t even treat his daughter to a proper meal on her birthday.


At the close of a trying day, Gi-hun meets a man with a briefcase who asks him if he wants to play a game. He opens the briefcase to reveal wads of cash and two folded paper tiles. The game is called “ddakji” and the aim is to try to flip over your opponent’s paper tile (the “ddakji”).


The stake is 100,000 won (US$84) and Gi-hun accepts, but when he loses and can’t pay, the man takes his payment by slapping him. Gi-hun loses again and again, receiving a fresh smack on the cheek each time. Eventually, he succeeds and receives two 50,000 won bills.


The man gives him a card with a circle, triangle and square on it and suggests he call the number on the back if he wants to play a game for some real money. After Gi-hun calls, he’s picked up on a street corner by a van driven by a masked man in pink overalls, and he loses consciousness.


Gi-hun wakes up in a green tracksuit in a gigantic white room, with hundreds of other disoriented people. Soon, these strangers will find out that they are participants in the “squid game”.


There are six events to compete in and anyone who makes it through all of them will be handsomely rewarded. What they don’t realise until the first game is already in progress is that elimination means death.


Among Gi-hun’s fellow participants are his childhood friend Cho Sang-woo (Park Hae-soo), now an investment banker being investigated for fraud; an old man with a brain tumour (Oh Young-soo); a North Korean pickpocket (Jung Ho-yeon); a gangster out for himself (Heo Sung-tae); a loud-mouthed fraudster (Kim Joo-ryung); and a Pakistani migrant worker (Tripathi Anupam).


There’s also Wi Ha-joon as Hwang Jun-ho, a police officer whose search for his missing brother leads him to the games.


Revealing any more at this point would spoil the fun, because one of Squid Game’s greatest strengths is its clever plotting. You are pretty sure you know where it’s going, but the route it takes to get there is full of surprises, and these are well spread out, weaving a satisfying thread of intrigue and climaxes throughout.


One of the reasons viewers might feel they know what will happen is because death games are hardy a screen novelty. Global viewers will be familiar with The Hunger Games, while fans of Japanese entertainment will recognise a host of similar properties, including Netflix’s own Alice in Borderland, As the Gods Will and the classic Battle Royale.

 

Some viewers have been quick to point out similarities between the first event in Squid Game and As the Gods Will, although director Hwang has noted that his script predates the manga and was originally conceived in 2008.


The show’s wicked premise is brought vividly to life through spectacular sets by Chae Kyung-sun and striking costumes from frequent Park Chan-wook collaborator Cho Sang-kyung, while the terrific score by Parasite composer Jung Jae-il give the games a mood that is both playful and threatening.


Performances are for the most part quite broad, which work very well within the heightened atmosphere of the games but are a touch less successful in the dramatic interludes that take place in Seoul.


Lee Jung-jae, who appeared in a previous survival-game action thriller, Big Match, is brash and elastic in the lead role, but the highlight in the cast is model-turned-actress Jung Ho-yeon in her debut screen role, playing a gutsy North Korean defector who is destined to be a fan favourite. Also, watch out for a couple of huge surprise cameos.


Part of Squid Game’s stylistic cocktail is graphic violence, which is employed liberally as the game’s contestants are brutally whittled down during the main events. Some of the games are breathtaking, while others, once we’ve got to know the characters more, are heartbreaking.


The early reaction from local viewers in South Korea, who balked at the show’s perceived cruelty, has been somewhat cool. The show’s violence and tonal swings may not work for everyone, and there are occasional weaknesses, such as the underwhelming appearance of an elite class behind the games, and a slightly disappointing finale.

 


But, overall, this is still a savagely entertaining slam dunk from Netflix Korea, which is likely to be embraced around the world as its predecessors were.


Squid Game is streaming on Netflix.

 

 

https://zapzee.net/2021/09/20/despite-the-mixed-reviews-squid-game-ranked-3rd-on-top-tv-shows-on-netflix/
Despite the Mixed Reviews, ‘Squid Game’ Ranked 3rd on Top TV Shows on Netflix


by krishkim | images: netflix

 

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Netflix original series Squid Game ranked 3rd on the Top TV Shows on Netflix


On the 17th, Netflix released the new Korean-style death game drama Squid Game. The series depicts a story of people who became the players of a mysterious survival game with a whopping 40-million-dollar (45.6 billion KRW) prize at stake.


Even before the premiere, Squid Game gained much anticipation by foretelling a stimulating story and setting. And such expectations were not limited to Korea.

 

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The day after the release, the show ranked 4th on TOP TV Shows on Netflix, according to FlixPatrol. Then on the 19th, Squid Game rose one rank to 3rd place. The two shows ranked ahead of it are Sex Education and Lucifer.


However, many are showing disappointment over the series. Their opinion is that the “luck-based” story is somewhat boring, contrary to expectations.


Will Squid Game continue to capture the hearts of fans around the world despite the criticisms?


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https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/art/2021/09/688_315852.html
'Squid Game' ranks second in global Netflix chart


By Lee Gyu-lee | 2021-09-22

 

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Netflix's Korean original series "Squid Game" ranked second of the streaming site's worldwide top 10 lists, Tuesday, according to FlixPatrol. Courtesy of Netflix


Netflix's Korean original series "Squid Game" was second on Netflix's global top 10 charts, Tuesday, a record for a Korean drama.


According to streaming analytics platform FlixPatrol, the thriller series took the spot on the daily top 10 list, which accumulates the overall streaming performance of shows on Netflix worldwide. The British teen comedy series "Sex Education" took first place. 


"Squid Game," which began streaming Sept. 17, also became the first Korean drama in the U.S's daily top 10 list. The previous record on the global chart and the U.S chart was the apocalyptic action series "Sweet Home," which took third spot on both charts late last year. 


Created and directed by Hwang Dong-hyuk, whose previous work includes the period drama film "The Fortress" and the comedy "Miss Granny," the series revolves around high stakes rounds in deadly versions of children's games. 


Broke and gambling addicted Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) gets invited to play the games along with 455 other cash-strapped people for a tempting prize of 45.6 billion won ($39.4 million). For each round of a different children's game, the participants fight to the death to make it to the next round and the eventual winner. 

 

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A scene from Netflix's Korean original series "Squid Game" / Courtesy of Netflix


The director revealed that he had the script for more than 10 years before getting the green-light to make it into a series. 


"I've always liked to go to comic book stores and after reading tons of survival-genre comics, I came up with the idea to make such genre in Korean style. So I finished the script in 2009 but at the time, people found (that type of story) to be peculiar and violent… It was hard to get an investor or cast actors for it. So I put it away in a drawer after trying for about a year," Hwang said during an online press conference for the series last week. 


"But when I took it out after about a decade, I realized that we are living in a time where those games are actually happening around us and have become relevant to our world. So when I showed the piece around, people told me that it was very interesting and realistic, which made me think now was the perfect time for this series."


The title "Squid Game" is that of a sometimes aggressive winner-takes-all Korean children's game, which involves a field with geometric shapes on the ground that resemble a squid. The director noted that he chose the game as the series' title because it speaks for the current times. 


"The game was the most physical and intense game I played as a child and I thought it metaphorically symbolizes the modern society that we live in," he said. 


Adding that people nowadays live in a highly competitive world, as the players in the series, the director expressed that he hopes it would lead viewers to ask questions about current society. 


"I hope this piece help viewers to ask themselves questions like what were the characters competing for, why are we fighting through and living our lives in such a fierce intense way, and where did it all start," Hwang said.

 

 

https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2021/09/23/entertainment/television/Squid-Game-Netflix-Korean-original/20210923103132414.html
‘Squid Game’ is No. 1 among U.S. Netflix viewers


BY LEE JAE-LIM [lee.jaelim@joongang.co.kr] | September 23, 2021

 

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A scene from Netflix Korean original ″Squid Game″ [NETFLIX]


The Netflix original series “Squid Game” ranked No. 1 in the U.S., the first Korean series to do so.


According to streaming analytics company FlixPatrol, “Squid Game” surpassed the highly popular British teen comedy-drama series “Sex Education,” which had previously topped the U.S. chart. On Netflix’s global top 10 TV show list, “Squid Game” is No 2.


Before “Squid Game,” the Korean original series “Sweet Home,” released last December, reached No. 3 for U.S. viewership.


“Squid Game” topped charts in 14 territories including Hong Kong, Taiwan, Vietnam, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Singapore.


The story revolves around 456 people on a secluded island playing life-or-death survival games to win prize money of 45.6 billion won ($39.5 million).


Actor Lee Jung-jae stars along with Park Hae-soo, Oh Young-soo, Wi Ha-joon, Jung Ho-yeon, Heo Sung-tae, Anupam Tripathi and Kim Joo-ryoung.


Director Hwang Dong-hyuk, who was behind "Silenced" (2011), "Miss Granny" (2014) and "The Fortress" (2017), wrote the script and directed.


Although critics have assailed a narrative overly familiar from other survival game movies, the actors’ performances have been praised along with the structuring of the games.


The series is rating 100 percent fresh by critics on the Rotten Tomatoes website and has an 8.3 out of 10 rating on entertainment database IMDb.

 

Spoiler

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20210922006000320
S. Korean series 'Squid Game' tops U.S. chart on Netflix


September 22, 2021

 

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This photo, provided by Netflix on Sept. 20, 2021, shows scenes from Netflix's original Korean series "Squid Game." (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)


SEOUL, Sept. 22 (Yonhap) -- Netflix's original Korean series "Squid Game" ranked first on the U.S. top 10 TV show list of the video streaming platform, a chart has showed, becoming the first Korean drama to reach the milestone.


The thriller, featuring South Korean actor Lee Jung-jae, made it to the top on the U.S. chart, as of Tuesday, according to streaming analytics firm FlixPatrol.


The previous record was "Sweet Home," the 10-episode Netflix Korean original that ranked third on the U.S. chart last year.


The popularity of "Squid Game" has gained momentum as the show also placed first in South Korea and 13 other countries, including Singapore and Vietnam.


The series also took the second spot on the Netflix's global top 10 TV show list, trailing British teen comedy-drama "Sex Education."


"Squid Game," released on Sept. 17, is a thriller series about a group of people who risk their lives in a mysterious survival game to secure the prize money of 45.6 billion won (US$38.5 million). (END)

 

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https://zapzee.net/2021/09/23/squid-game-rocketed-to-no-1-on-netflix-new-stills-released-for-the-series/
‘Squid Game’ Rocketed to No.1 on Netflix; New Stills Released for the Series


by Munjeong Jung | images: Netflix

 

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Netflix’s original series Squid Game released a new set of stills. 


Squid Game tells the story of a group of people who risk their lives in a mysterious survival game with prize money of $38.7 million.


The released stills give glimpses at the desperate and tense moments of those playing the deadly game risking their lives.

 

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Meanwhile, Squid Game is the first South Korean series that made it to the top of the official list of the ten most popular TV shows on American Netflix. It also dominated the same charts in Southeast Asia, Qatar, Oman, Ecuador, Bolivia, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Vietnam. Not only that, it appeared in the list of the most-watched Netflix shows in 39 countries, including the UK, France, and Germany.


Vice president of Korean Content, Kang Dong Han, stated, “It is always exciting to see global audience falling in love with Korean content. We will keep providing great Korean stories like Squid Game to entertain fans across the world regardless of the country, language, and culture. Furthermore, we will continue to collaborate with domestic creators to deliver quality stories and keep you interested.”


Source: Netflix
Translator Jung Munjeong: I’ll provide you with the latest articles on K-Drama, K-Pop and K-Movie as quickly as I can.


 

https://k-odyssey.com/news/newsview.php?ncode=179564410483515
'Squid Game' exposes social realities, much like 'Parasite'


이해아 / 2021-09-23 15:58:50

 

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▲ This image, provided by Netflix, shows stills from the Korean series "Squid Game." (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

Spoiler

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▲ This image, provided by Netflix, shows a poster for the Korean series "Squid Game." (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)


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▲ This photo, provided by Netflix, shows Lee Jung-jae from "Squid Game." (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

 

SEOUL, Sept. 23 (Yonhap) -- The popularity of the new Netflix Korean series, "Squid Game," can be attributed in large part to its exposure of social and capitalist realities, critics said Thursday.

 

In that regard, the nine-part thriller, which revolves around a group of people taking part in a series of deadly games to win 45.6 billion won (US$38.5 million) in prize money, is drawing comparisons to the Oscar-winning black comedy "Parasite."


Both "Squid Game" and "Parasite" are premised on an unequal, winner-takes-it-all society where deception and violence are rampant.


And while the Bong Joon-ho directed movie made history as the first Korean film to win an Academy Award -- in fact, it won four -- the Netflix drama has already reached a milestone by becoming, on Tuesday, the first Korean series to top the streaming giant's U.S. chart.


"The series uses games as a subject matter, but through the games, it examines society and capitalism," Jeong Deok-hyeon, a pop culture critic, said. "The reason Gi-hun (played by Lee Jung-jae) keeps surviving is not because he made well-meaning choices, but because of luck, which is our reality."


Lee plays a divorced single father who is struggling under a mountain of debt and is one day transported to a game where he must risk his life to survive.


"There are people who say the games are too simple for a survival game, but I believe this was in order to highlight the brutality resulting from the games, rather than the games themselves," Jeong said.


"In our own society, the rules are simple, and there are winners and losers. But the problem is not who wins or loses, it's the environment in which the winner takes all and the loser is left with nothing," he said.


Kim Seong-soo, another pop culture critic, noted the use of children's games in a bloody struggle between desperate adults, including Squid Game, marbles and "ttakji," which involves flipping folded paper tiles.


"These are games that were commonly played on the streets, but the writer observed that they helped (children) learn the logic of the survival of the fittest, which you need to know to live in Korean society," he said.


"Squid Game" began streaming on Netflix last Friday. (END)
 

(C) Yonhap News Agency. All Rights Reserved

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