Kim Hee-Ae 김희애

[Helena]

https://k-odyssey.com/news/newsview.php?ncode=1065598652132309
Return of star writers and actresses, lineup for upcoming dramas for 2023

YonhapNews / 2023-01-16 16:37:33
(This article is translated from Korean to English by Joonha Yoo)

 

▲These photos, provided by individual agency, show photos of Lee Bo-young, Lee Young-ae, and Go Hyung-jung. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

 

▲This photo shows writer Kim Eun-hee. (Yonhap)

 

▲This photo shows actress Kim Hee-ae. (Yonhap)

SEOUL January 16 (Yonhap) -- Despite of the increasing production cost, decreasing advertisement income and overall harsh conditions pressuring the drama industry, various broadcasting services have showcased unique series for 2023. 



Starting with comedy genre of drama series, to mellow, mystery thriller by director Kim Eung-hee, historical dramas and more will be released within 2023. Some of the series featuring the bond between female and the growth are attracting a lot of viewers by showcasing unique subject. 



Various OTT services have revealed unique lineup featuring queens of the drama industry such as Go Hyun-jung, Kim Hee-ae, Mon So-ri and more. 



◇KBS to showcase epic historic series, whereas MBC to showcase two of the fusion historic series.


KBS which is known for their unique epic historical drama series, will be servicing “Goryeo –Khitan War series” in November to celebrate its 50th anniversary of its public broadcasting by servicing.  Story of a Korean general Gang Gam-chan who led Korea to win the battle against Khitan which lasted about 30 years will be featured within the upcoming series “Goryeo – Khitan War series” and the fact that the series will feature the battle of Battle of Gwiju, excites a lot of viewers. Currently the series is undergoing the process of casting the rightful actors for each individual roles. 



MBC on the other hand will be showcasing two of the historical series that will follow the huge success of “The Red Sleeve.”  South Korean historical tv series “Joseon Lawyer” which is expected to premiere on March of 2023 will feature Woo Do-hwan, Kim Ji-yeon, and Cha Hak-yeon as the lead roles, where the series depict a process of getting a revenge on killer who brutally murdered Kang Han-soo’s parents through a trial.  Moreover, the drama series, “Lovers” which takes place during the war between “Joseon and Qing Dynasty” will premiere within the second half of 2023.  The drama series will feature the star crossed lovers who are close but yet too far to meet one another during the time of war. South Korean actor Namkoong Min will be participating in Korean historical drama for the first time in 11 years, and actress Ahn Eun-jin from ‘Hospital Playlist” will participate in the production.



◇ SBS to showcase production by Kim Eun-hee and Kim Soon-oak


SBS will be competing with the latest tv series written by star screenwriters. 

To begin with, writer Kim Eun-hee known for her series “Signal,” and “Kingdom” will showcase her latest series.  “Devil” which is expected to air on June of 2023, is an occultism drama series which deals with a story of a woman who is possessed by the devil, and a guy who can see the devil who possesses the boy of female protagonist who investigates mysterious murder surrounding the wonders of five holly objects.  South Korean actress Kim Tae-ri will act out the protagonist Gu San-young who gets caught up in various deaths after receiving the remains of his father throughout the upcoming series.



Writer Kim Soon-oak known for her writing “Penthouse” will showcase “7 Escape” in September.  “7 Escape” depicts a story of protagonists who gets intertwined with the case of missing girl throughout various lies and ambition of individuals. Various south Korean actors such as Lee Joon, Um Ki-joon, Yoon Jong-hoon, actresses Hwang Jung-eum, Lee Yu-bi and more will appear throughout the series.



◇ Various drama series shining light on female will also premiere.


JTBC will be showcasing the drama series “Dr. Cha Jeong-sook,” following the lead of “Agency,” which premiered on January 8.  “Agency” which premiered on Jan 8 depicts a story of a successful female CEO of an advertisement company Go A-in acted by Lee Bo-young who continues on with building up her career. Actress Lee Bo-young is showcasing very unique acting to portray ambitious and greedy character Go A-in.  Throughout upcoming series “Dr. Cha Jeong-sook,” South Korean actor Um Jung-hwa acts out the protagonist Cha Jeong-sook who switches her profession from housewife to newbie resident. Details of the drama are yet to be revealed.



Channel A will also be releasing a new drama series called “Queen of Mask” featuring Actress Kim Sun-a, Oh Yoon-ah and more within the first half of 2023.  “Queen of Mask” depicts a story of battle between 4 friends where the story unfolds as three of the friends who decides to destroy one’s life by framing her to be a murderer 10 years ago, and that friend who was framed appears in front those three.



ENA is under the production of a series called “Paper Moon” featuring Kim Suh-young, which depicts a story of a female protagonist who scams bank’s VIPS.



◇ Actresses Go Hyun-jung and Kim Hee-ae return.



South Korean actresses who have participated in the production of South Korean ott service, are hyping up a lot of audiences.



Actress Go Hyun-jung will be participating in the upcoming comedy series “Mask Girl.”   Protagonist Kim Mo-mi who has a complex over her own face hides behind a mask to work as an online broadcasting jockey at night, however she gets caught up on an unintentional incident.


Actress Kim Hee-ae and Moon So-ri will also be making a return with the production “Queen Maker.”  Plot of the upcoming series “Queen Maker” withholds Hwang Do-hee acted by Kim Hee-ae who is known for her image making ability helps human rights lawyer who mostly helps out the working class Oh Kyung-sook acted by Moon So-ri to become the major of Seoul City.


Moreover, actress Lee Young-ae will be participating in the upcoming production “Maestra” as a conductor of an orchestra.  South Korean drama “Maestra” which bases off its plot from French drama series “Philharmonia” depicts a story of a conductor with a lot of secrets working on a mystery regarding the orchestra she is in charge of.  Production of the upcoming drama “Maestra” recently started filming within the first half of 2023, therefore the premiere day of the series is not yet to be disclosed.


South Korean drama critic Gon Hee-jeong addressed “Recently female related dramas are slowly making their ways to create a solid ground,” adding “Even if the drama series does not feature a female protagonist the trend within the drama industry is to feature a female related topic throughout the series.” (END)
 

(C) Yonhap News Agency. All Rights Reserved

[Helena]

https://about.netflix.com/en/news/netflix-takes-k-content-to-new-heights-with-2023-slate
Netflix Takes K-Content to New Heights with 2023 Slate

By Joe Cho (hcho@netflix.com), Communications | 16 January 2023

The global fandom for K-content is continuing to grow, with over 60 percent of all Netflix members watching Korean titles last year. Looking ahead at 2023, Netflix is debuting a diverse array of Korean TV series, films and unscripted shows. Today, we’re showcasing 34 upcoming titles, including eye-popping original productions alongside returning fan favorites, in our biggest-ever lineup of Korean films and series.

New series and returning favorites

Survival has become a recurring theme across some of the top series, whether it’s battling monsters during the dark days of 1945 in Gyeongseong Creature (https://about.netflix.com/en/news/gyeongseong-creature-netflix-ups-the-ante-with-exciting-creature-thriller), struggling to breathe in the dystopian future of sci-fi series Black Knight, or fighting to protect Joseon during Japanese colonial rule in action drama Song of the Bandits.

Fans are set to rejoice with the return of highly anticipated series Sweet Home, D.P., and The Glory this year. Part 2 of revenge drama The Glory will be released in March, with Part 1 being the most-watched non-English TV show during the week of January 2 with 82.48 million viewing hours. Sweet Home, which set new benchmarks for the creature genre in Korea, will return with an expanded world and story while D.P. brings back the cast from the first season to continue chasing after deserters.

“The global popularity of K-content has continued apace over 2022, with Netflix bringing a wider variety of stories and genres to fans around the world. Over the last year, Korean series and films have regularly featured in our Global Top 10 list in more than 90 countries, and three of Netflix’s most-watched shows ever are from Korea. This year, we’re pushing the envelope even further with the stories we tell and how we tell them. With this lineup of Korean titles, Netflix will continue to be the ultimate destination for compelling, diverse and must-watch Korean storytelling,” said Don Kang, VP of Content (Korea).

Other new series this year run the gamut of romance (A Time Called You, Behind Your Touch (WT), Crash Course in Romance, Destined With You, Doona!, King the Land, Love to Hate You, See You In My 19th Life), social commentary and intrigue (Bloodhounds, Celebrity, Mask Girl), drama (Daily Dose of Sunshine, Queenmaker, The Good Bad Mother), and apocalyptic (Goodbye Earth).

More films, more unscripted shows, more choice

The past year has seen Korean movies and unscripted shows becoming increasingly popular with global audiences. Action thriller Carter was one of the top 10 most-watched non-English films last year, while dating reality show Singles Inferno is currently sitting in the Global Non-English Top 10.

This year, Netflix is expanding its film offering with six Korean movies, kicking off with sci-fi thriller JUNG-E on January 20, followed by Kill Boksoon which depicts a professional killer with conflicting maternal instincts, and Believer 2, a sequel to a crime action thriller revolving around drug gangs. Other films explore the topics of revenge (Ballerina), teacher-student rivalry (The Match), and hacking (Unlocked).

Meanwhile those who love living vicariously will be spoilt for choice with a dazzling lineup of reality shows, spanning endurance (Physical:100, Siren: Survive the Island), zombie survival (Zombieverse) coming of age (Nineteen to Twenty), and mind games (The Devil’s Plan).

There are also two new documentaries coming out. Yellow Door: Looking for Director Bong’s Unreleased Short Film (working title) traces the quest for Oscar-winning director Bong Joon-Ho’s debut film while true-crime documentary In the Name of God: A Holy Betrayal explores the self-proclaimed ‘messiahs’ in modern Korean history.

“We are very excited over the variety of the titles that we’re sharing with our members,” said Kang. “There’s truly a series, a film or an unscripted show for everyone, and we look forward to our Korean shows connecting to fans both overseas and at home.”

Find out more details about each show in the Appendix.

Spoiler

 

 

 

New year, new batch of K-content on Netflix to look forward to! Get ready, because it’s going to be never-ending fun with Netflix all throughout 2023

 

Series:

• LOVE TO HATE YOU (Feb 10) starring Kim Ok-vin, Yoo Teo, Kim Ji-hun, and Go Won-hee.
• THE GLORY PART 2 (March 2023) starring Song Hye-kyo, Lee Do-hyun, Lim Ji-yeon, Yeom Hye-ran, Park Sung-hoon, and Jung Sung-il.
• BLOODHOUNDS (Q2) starring Woo Do-hwan, Lee Sang-yi, Park Sung-woong, and Heo Jun-ho.
• CELEBRITY (Q2) starring Park Gyu-young, Kang Min-hyuk, Lee Dong-gun, and Jun Hyo-seong.
• QUEENMAKER (Q2) starring Kim Hee-ae, Moon So-ri, Ryu Soo-young, and Seo Yi-sook.
• BLACK KNIGHT (Q2) starring  Kim Woo-bin, Song Seung-heon, Kang You-seok, and Esom
• A TIME CALLED YOU (Q3) starring Ahn Hyo-seop, Jeon Yeo-been, and Kang Hoon
• SONG OF THE BANDITS (Q3)  starring Kim Nam-gil, Seo hyun, Yoo Jae-myung, Lee 
• Hyun-wook, and Lee Ho-jung.
• D.P. SEASON 2 (Q3) starring Jung Hae-in, Koo Kyo-hwan, Kim Sung-kyun, Son Suk-ku, Ji Jin-hee, and Kim Ji-hyun.
• MASK GIRL (Q3) starring Go Hyun-jung, Ahn Jae-hong, Yeom Hye-ran, and Nana.
• GYEONGSEONG CREATURE (Q4) starring Park Seo-jun, Han So-hee, Claudia Kim, Kim 
• Hae-sook, Cho Han-cheul, and Wi Ha-jun.
• SWEET HOME SEASON 2 (Q4) starring Song Kang, Lee Jin-uk, Lee Si-young, Ko Min-si, Park Gyu-young, Yoo Oh-seong, Oh Jung-se, Kim Mu-yeol, Jin-young.
• DOONA! (Q4) starring Suzy, Yang Se-jong
• DAILY DOSE OF SUNSHINE (Q4) starring Park Bo-young, Yeon Woo-jin, Jang Dong-yoon, and Lee Jung-eun.
• GOODBYE EARTH (Q4) starring Ahn Eun-jin, Yoo Ah-in, Jeon Seong-woo, and Kim Yoon-hye.
• CRASH COURSE IN ROMANCE (Jan 14) starring Jeon Do Yeon and Jung Kyung Ho.
• THE GOOD BAD MOTHER starring Ra Mi-ran, Lee Do-hyun, Ahn Eun-jin.
• BEHIND YOUR TOUCH starring  Han Ji-min, Lee Min-ki, Ju Min-kyung, and Suho.
• KING THE LAND starring Lee Jun Ho and Lim Yoon-a.
• DESTINED WITH YOU starring Rowoon, Cho Bo-ah, Ha Jun, Yura.
• SEE YOU IN MY 19TH LIFE starring Shin Hye-sun, Ahn Bo-hyun, Ha Yoon-Kyung, and Ahn Dong-goo.

Film: 

• JUNG_E (Jan 20) starring Kang Soo-youn, Kim Hyun-joo, and Ryu Kyung-soo.
• UNLOCKED (Feb 17) starring Yim Si Wan, Chun Woo Hee, Kim Hie Won
• KILL BOKSOON (Q1) starring Jeon Do-yeon, Sul Kyung-gu, Kim Si-a, Esom, Koo Kyo-hwan.
• THE MATCH (Q2) starring Lee Byung-hun and Yoo Ah-in.
• BELIEVER 2 (Q4) starring Cho Jin-woong, Cha Seung-won, Han Hyo-joo, Oh Seung-hoon, Kim Dong-young, and Lee Joo-young
• BALLERINA (Q4) starring Jun Jong-seo, Kim Ji-hun, and Park Yurim. 

Reality & Variety: 

• PHYSICAL: 1OO (Jan 24)  
• SIREN: SURVIVE THE ISLAND (Q2) 
• NINETEEN TO TWENTY (Q3)
• ZOMBIEVERSE (Q3) 
• THE DEVIL’S PLAN

Documentaries: 

• IN THE NAME OF GOD: A HOLY BETRAYAL
• YELLOW DOOR: LOOKING FOR DIRECTOR BONG’S UNRELEASED SHORT FILM 
   

Series:
QUEENMAKER (Q2) starring Kim Hee-ae, Moon So-ri, Ryu Soo-young, and Seo Yi-sook.

[Sleepy Owl]

Quick Poll: Upcoming Kdramas 2023

 

 

Vote for the upcoming kdrama you are eagerly waiting for!!! 

 

 

 

Your Event Organizers,

@Sleepy Owl @partyon @agenth @confusedheart 

[Helena]

https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/art/2023/03/688_347300.html
Kim Hee-ae, Moon So-ri team up for Netflix political drama 'Queenmaker'

By Kwak Yeon-soo | 2023-03-17

 

A poster for Netflix series "Queenmaker" / Courtesy of Netflix

Award-winning actresses Kim Hee-ae and Moon So-ri have joined hands for a new Netflix drama "Queenmaker." The series will be directed by Oh Jin-suk, who previously directed "My First First Love" (2019), with a script written by Moon Ji-young. 

In the 12-part series, Kim will play the role of Hwang Do-hee, a consultant who is skilled at shaping the image of political candidates. She is determined to make human rights lawyer Oh Seung-sook (Moon) the new mayor of Seoul. 

"Even those who are not interested in politics can enjoy watching how two actresses play their characters out of their comfort zone," director Oh said. 

Wide-ranging stories led by female actors are becoming more common in the TV industry. Dramas such as "The Glory," "Crash Course in Romance" and "Agency" depicted strong and ambitious female characters and were most talked about dramas of the first quarter of 2023.

Kim, who started her acting career in 1983, has won rave reviews for her role in JTBC series' "Secret" (2014) and "The World of the Married" (2020).

Moon rose to global fame in 2002 when she won an award for best emerging actress at the Venice International Film Festival for her performance in "Oasis" as a woman with cerebral palsy falling in love with an ex-convict.

In 2016, she became the first Korean actor to serve as a member of the jury for the official competitive category and won the Starlight Cinema Award at the same film festival. She was also the first Korean actor to become a judge for the competitive category of the 68th Locarno International Film Festival.

"Queenmaker" will debut on Netflix on April 14.

 

-

Spoiler

https://k-odyssey.com/news/newsview.php?ncode=1065590357121434
Netflix’s political drama series ‘Queen Maker,’ starring Kim Hee-ae and Moon So-ri, to be unveiled in April

YonhapNews / 2023-03-17 14:19:07
(This article is translated from Korean to English by Ha eun Lee)

▲ This photo, provided by Netflix, shows the poster for 'Queen Maker.' (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

SEOUL, Mar. 17 (Yonhap) -- South Korean veteran actresses Kim Hee-ae and Moon So-ri have confirmed to star in Netflix’s upcoming series “Queen Maker,” the world’s leading streaming service announced Friday.



“Queen Maker” will follow the story of Hwang Do-hee, a master of image-making, getting into politics to help candidate Oh Kyung-sook, a human rights lawyer who fights against the world, become the next mayor of Seoul.



In this forthcoming political drama series, Kim will suit up as Hwang Do-hee, a former executive at a strategic planning department of a conglomerate who takes the lead as a general manager of an election campaign to win the title of the “Queen” on behalf of candidate Oh Kyung-sook.


Meanwhile, Moon has been slated to appear as a lawyer-turned-candidate Oh Kyung-sook, also dubbed the justice fighter.



Director Oh Jin-seok took the helm of this brand-new series. “Even those who are not interested in politics at all will be able to appreciate our series due to each uniquely crafted character and enthralling acting skills.



This riveting political series will be available for international viewing on Apr. 14. (END)
 

(C) Yonhap News Agency. All Rights Reserved

 

 

[irilight]

@Helena, thank you for the recent updates.

We can already "save" the Drama on Netflix.

https://www.netflix.com/search?q=queenmaker&jbv=81503026

 

[Helena]

[ netflixkcontent ] Fresh drama news from Netflix: veteran movie actor Sul Kyung-gu (KILL BOKSOON, YAKSHA: RUTHLESS OPERATIONS) will star in his first series, THE WHIRLWIND (working title), with Kim Hee-ae (QUEENMAKER, THE WORLD OF THE MARRIED). They will play a Prime Minister seeking to topple the President, and the Deputy Prime Minister who's seeking to bring the Prime Minister down. *whew* Whirlwind sounds about right.

#thewhirlwind  #netflix #sulkyunggu #kimheeae

 

 

~ Screenwriter: Park Kyung-soo 박경수 ~
- Representative works include 'Power Trilogy' (The Chaser, Empire of Gold, Punch) aired on SBS.

‘The Whirlwind | 돌풍’ (TBA)
‘Whisper | 귓속말’ (2017, SBS)
‘Punch | 펀치’ (2014~2015, SBS)
‘Empire of Gold | 황금의 제국’ (2013, SBS)
‘The Chaser | 추적자 더 체이서’ (2012, SBS)
..

Src: https://namu.wiki/w/박경수(각본가)

 

—

https://kdramadiary.com/kdrama-news/the-whirlwind-sol-kyung-gu-kim-hee-ae/
Sol Kyung Gu and Kim Hee Ae Collaborate In New Netflix Series

March 29, 2023

 

Netflix affirms the production and casting of the thriller-political drama, The Whirlwind!

The Whirlwind depicts the confrontation between the prime minister who wants to root out the corrupt giant power and the deputy prime minister for the economy who opposes it.

Portraying Prime Minister Park Dong-ho who wants to judge the president who colluded with the chaebol and changed the political scene, is played by Sol Kyung Gu, a representative actor of Korea.

Sol Kyung Gu has dominated the film industry with his strong charisma and deep acting skills. Ahead of the release of the Netflix movie Kill Boksoon, he is attracting more attention by challenging himself to his first drama series The Whirlwind.

Kim Hee Ae, who is also gearing up for the release of the Netflix series Queen Maker, will play the role of Jung Su-jin, Deputy Prime Minister of Economy.

She fights a fierce political battle to stand up to Park Dong-ho at the pinnacle of politics, which has risen with brilliant intelligence and strong convictions, and sets out to claim another remarkable portrayal.

The Whirlwind is written by Park Kyung-soo, who has been evaluated as a master of the political genre by presenting the ‘power trilogy’ with The Chaser, Empire of Gold, and Punch.

Director Kim Yong-wan, who won the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Award for Contents and has presented various topical works regardless of genre, such as films Champion and The Cursed: Dead Man’s Prey and dramas The Cursed and If You Wish Upon Me is in charge of directing.

The Whirlwind anticipates charismatic confrontation between two acting masters, Sol Kyung Gu and Kim Hee Ae. The series will be released in over 190 countries worldwide through Netflix.

Source: xportsnews 

[Helena]

https://k-odyssey.com/news/newsview.php?ncode=1065579793987308
Sol Kyung-gu and Kim Hee-ae confirmed to star in Netflix’s upcoming original political series

YonhapNews / 2023-03-28 11:23:54
(This article is translated from Korean to English by Ha eun Lee)


 

▲ This photo, provided by Netflix, shows Sol Kyung-gu and Kim Hee-ae. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

 

SEOUL, Mar. 28 (Yonhap) -- South Korean veteran actor Sol Kyung-gu and actress Kim Hee-ae have confirmed to star as political rivals in Netflix’s upcoming original series “Gust of Wind” (literal translation).



The upcoming political series will tell the story of a prime minister who wishes to root out the corrupted power confronting a deputy prime minister for economic affairs who wishes to cling on to that giant power. 



In the series, Sol will suit up as Prime Minister Park Dong-ho, who devises a plan to drag the president who colluded with chaebols down from his position of power and bring forth a tectonic shift to the political landscape, while Kim has been slated to appear as Chung Soo-jin, the deputy prime minister for economic affairs fighting fiercely to confront Park. 



The series is based on the script written by screenwriter Park Kyung-soo, who is known to have written scenarios for an array of political television series including “THE CHASER,” “Empire of Gold,” and “Punch.” Director Kim Yong-wan, who has credits for producing television series including “Love Cells,” as well as films “Champion” and “The Cursed: Dead Man’s Prey,” will take the helm.



A detailed release schedule or teaser photo is yet to be unveiled. (END)
 

(C) Yonhap News Agency. All Rights Reserved

 

——

[ netflixkcontent ]A queen and her maker  
Kim Hee-ae is getting ready to take Moon So-ri to the top of the polls in QUEENMAKER. Coming April 14, only on Netflix.

#queenmaker  #kimheeae @heeae_official #moonsori

Spoiler

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Helena]

Netflix series 'Queenmaker' Press Conference

 

 

Spoiler

[BY CHO YONG-JUN (cho.yongjun1@joongang.co.kr) | April 11, 2023] Cast members of the upcoming Netflix series “Queenmaker” pose during a press conference at CGV Yongsan, central Seoul on Tuesday. The series revolves around a powerful fixer, played by Kim Hee-ae, helping out a civil rights lawyer, played by Moon So-ri, to become the next mayor of Seoul. "Queenmaker" premieres on Netflix on April 14. From left, actors Ryu Soo-young, Seo Yi-sook, Moon So-ri and Kim Hee-ae.

 

 

[YonhapNews / 2023-04-11] These photos, taken during the press conference of the upcoming Netflix series "Queenmaker" show cast members posing for their individual, group photos and answering questions throughout the session. (END) (Photos by Joonha Yoo)

 

 

 

(C) Yonhap News Agency. All Rights Reserved

 

Kim Heeae

 

Moon Sori

 

Ryu Sooyoung

Dispatch

 

—

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230411008000315
Kim Hee-ae, Moon So-ri team up for Netflix political drama 'Queenmaker'

By Kim Eun-jung (ejkim@yna.co.kr) | April 11, 2023

 

The poster of the Netflix political drama series "Queenmaker" is seen in this photo provided by Netflix. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

SEOUL, April 11 (Yonhap) -- Veteran actresses Kim Hee-ae and Moon So-ri have joined forces in Netflix's upcoming political drama series "Queenmaker," a rare story in which women unite to achieve their lofty goals in the male-dominated world of politics.

Directed by Oh Jin-seok, the new Korean-language series revolves around an accomplished fixer for a powerful business conglomerate, who devises a plan to help a human rights lawyer become the next mayor of Seoul.

Kim stars as Hwang Do-hee, a veteran public relations genius who leads the strategic planning office of Eunsung Group, while Moon plays Oh Seung-sook, a headstrong civil rights lawyer nicknamed the "Rhinoceros of Justice."

Kim, behind the JTBC hit series "The World of the Married" (2020) and "Secret Affair" (2014), expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to take the lead role in the female-centered political drama, which is rare in the local entertainment industry.

Speaking at a press conference to promote the series Tuesday, the 56-year-old, considered to be one of the finest actresses of her generation, praised the show's exploration of human nature, regardless of gender.

"I felt vicarious satisfaction by Hang Do-hee's adroitness and cleverness," she said, referring to her character in the drama. "I couldn't stop reading the script due to the tense emotional tug of war and reversals."

Kim said she delved into Hwang's philosophy, thoughts and emotions to better portray her changing state of mind and camaraderie with the political aspirant.

"To me, it was like Hwang Do-hee's coming-of-age story from an image maker to 'a queen maker,'" she said. "It will be fun to watch each character's human nature and desires, as well as secrets revealed in reversals and twists."

Moon, best known for her acclaimed leading roles in the films "Oasis" (2002) and "A Good Lawyer's Wife" (2003), described the show as the unlikely duo's brave journey into politics.

"It is a rare story where women jump into politics, which was interesting," Moon said. "When can these many women team up for drama like this? I gladly took the offer."

"Queenmaker" will be released on Netflix on Friday. (END)

[Helena]

(SUB) Alcohol, common interest strong women Heeae and Sori share. They keep straying from the topic!

"I need to know, if this (feeling toward alcohol) is mutual"
Moon Sori keeps initiating small talk to Kim Heeae who sings like a roaring tiger.

#QueenMaker #KimHeeae #MoonSori 

 

—

http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2023/04/12/2023041201030.html
Kim Hee-ae Pleased to Be Part of Female-Led Netflix Series

english.chosun.com | April 12, 2023 10:02

Kim Hee-ae /News1

Kim Hee-ae, who stars in the upcoming Netflix series "Queen Maker," is delighted to play a central role in a female-driven narrative, she said at a press event for the series on Tuesday.

Kim's casting in the series alongside actress Moon So-ri has generated much buzz, as their illustrious careers have spanned decades in showbiz.

"I have often envied male actors because there are so many male-dominated genres. As an actress, I'm very grateful to be able to star in a female narrative," Kim said.

"But the series isn't limited to female characters. It looks at universal human desires and how low people can go for them. I was riveted by the way it builds up the conflicts and tension between characters and read the script in one sitting."

Kim admitted the role was tiring because it required her to wear high heels all day. "My character thinks high heels are a type of armor that protects her. I tried my best to convey her personality through the use of makeup, shoes and clothes," she added. 

The series revolves around a corporate strategist who commits herself to making a human rights lawyer mayor of Seoul. Moon takes on the role of the passionate lawyer who decides to run for the top job in Seoul in order to fight for the weak.

The series is set to be released on Netflix on Friday.

[Helena]

https://k-odyssey.com/news/newsview.php?ncode=1065578477981097
Netflix’s ‘Queenmaker’ features unconventional female-dominated political series

YonhapNews / 2023-04-15 11:01:43
(This article is translated from Korean to English by Ha eun Lee)

 

Spoiler

 

▲ These photos, provided by Netflix, show scenes from 'Queenmaker.' (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

SEOUL, Apr. 15 (Yonhap) -- Netflix’s new Korean-language original series “Queenmaker,” which has been uploaded for international viewing on Friday, follows the story of Hwang Do-hee, a veteran public relations guru, entering the cut-throat world of politics to devise a plan to help a human rights lawyer become the next mayor of Seoul.



This brand-new political series has been led entirely by actresses. The series had every role, including candidates going after the seat of mayor, election strategists, fixers for powerful business conglomerates, and successors of those firms, filled up by actresses, which is very unusual for Korean-made political series. However, this unprecedentedly female-dominated series delivered every scene seamlessly.


In particular, veteran actresses Kim Hee-ae and Moon So-ri, who led the series, undeniably lived up to the high expectations by showing off their exquisite acting skills: Kim had the viewers follow up on the rather prompt twist in the plotline during which Hwang Do-hee, who used to work behind the powerful chaebol families and take care of their messes, suddenly turning to fight for justice. Meanwhile, Moon So-ri had her role -- the headstrong civil rights lawyer Oh Seung-sook also dubbed the Rhinoceros of Justice -- to be more relatable and even charming.



The so-called “wo-mance” that these two acting gurus feature throughout the series, despite having completely opposite personalities as if water met oil, also keeps viewers on the edge of their seats and get immersed in the story.



The cold-headed and meticulous strategist Kim Hee-ae meets and devises a winning plan for the free-spirited and passionate politician Moon So-ri. The two, who seem to share nothing in common when comes to personalities, gradually come to understanding and grow up while fighting a fierce battle against the even more absurd conglomerate Eunsung Group, only with the power of solidarity.


Their camaraderie and teamwork add a different kind of fun that could not be enjoyed in conventional male-dominated political series featuring rough and brawny men with brutal depictions of violence. The series also had viewers not miss the fun of watching politicians going on enthralling strategic battles while engaging in intense psychological warfare. (END)
 

(C) Yonhap News Agency. All Rights Reserved

 

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https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2023/04/16/entertainment/television/Korea-Netflix-Beef/20230416145730313.html
Two Korean shows top Netflix rankings over weekend

 

BY LIM JEONG-WON [lim.jeongwon@joongang.co.kr] | April 16, 2023

 

Main posters for Netflix originals ″Beef″ and ″Queenmaker″ [NETFLIX]

Two Korean shows topped Netflix rankings over the weekend — “Beef,” created by Korean-American Lee Jung-jin and led by Korean-American actor Steven Yeun, and “Queenmaker,” helmed by performances from actors Kim Hee-ae and Moon So-ri. 

“Beef,” a Netflix original about two Asian-Americans who get into a series of fights and revenge schemes against each other, ranked number three globally on the streaming service, according to aggregator FlixPatrol. Steven Yeun, known for his roles in the hit zombie series “The Walking Dead” and Oscar-nominated film “Minari,” plays one of the two protagonists, opposite comedian Ali Wong. 

Yeun’s character Danny Cho, a downtrodden contractor, gets into a “beef” — a dispute — with Wong’s character Amy Lau, an entrepreneur, and chaos unfolds. 

Released on Netflix on April 6, “Beef” shot to the top of global rankings and garnered critical acclaim, with multiple outlets calling the show one of the best of the year. 

“Queenmaker,” about a corporate fixer who becomes disillusioned by the ethics of her work and teams up with a human rights lawyer to take down her former employers, ranked number one in Korea on Netflix and also shot to 21st place globally upon its release on Friday. 

Veteran actor Kim Hee-ae, known for roles in hit dramas such as “My Husband’s Woman” (2007) and most recently “The World of the Married” (2020), plays the former corporate fixer Hwang Do-hee, while fellow veteran Moon So-ri plays Oh Kyung-sook, the lawyer who Do-hee catapults into the political scene. 

“Queenmaker” currently has a 8.1 rating out of 10 on IMDb and shot to the top of rankings in just two days after its release. 

Netflix announced a record number of Korean content at the beginning of the year, with 34 titles including films and original series. Over 60 percent of Netflix users watched at least one piece of Korean content last year, according to data from Netflix. 

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https://top10.netflix.com/
Global Top 10 [APRIL 10 - APRIL 16, 2023]
Weekly Top 10 lists of the most-watched TV and films.

 

Spoiler

 

Titles in the Global Top 10 from April 10 - April 16, 2023 were also popular in countries around the world:
Includes countries and territories that have a “Top 10 Row” on Netflix. Countries are grouped by regions defined by the United Nations Statistics Division.

 

QUEENMAKER: SEASON 1
Top 10 in TV in 12 countries on Netflix
IN ASIA:
Hong Kong•Indonesia•Japan•Malaysia•Philippines•Qatar•Singapore•#1 South Korea•Taiwan•Thailand•United Arab Emirates•Vietnam

 

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https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/k-pop/k-drama/article/3217443/netflix-k-drama-review-queenmaker-world-married-star-kim-hee-ae-returns-slick-and-vicious-election
Review | Netflix K-drama review: Queenmaker – The World of the Married star Kim Hee-ae returns in slick and vicious election drama

• Politics, scandals and corporate greed feature in Netflix Korean drama Queenmaker, starring Kim Hee-ae as a mistreated corporate employee seeking revenge
• She teams up with a human-rights activist, played by Moon So-ri and abused by the same corporation, to help her run for mayor of Seoul, the South Korean capital

By Pierce Conran | 18 Apr, 2023

3.5/5 stars

 

(image)

Netflix K-drama Queenmaker stars Kim Hee-ae (left) as a disgruntled corporate fixer who joins forces with a human-rights activist (Moon So-ri, right) to help her run for mayor of Seoul. Photo: Kim Ji-yeon/Netflix

Three years after leading the smash hit drama The World of the Married, actress Kim Hee-ae returns in Netflix’s Queenmaker as a legendary fixer teaming up with a budding politician, played by acclaimed actress Moon So-ri (On the Verge of Insanity).

 

Much like the similarly titled film Kingmaker last year, featuring Sul Kyung-gu and Lee Sun-kyun, this series chronicles the uneasy alliance between a strategist and an idealist who have very different views about what kind of tactics are permissible in an election.

Kim is Hwang Do-hee, the fearsome leader of the strategic planning department at the all-powerful Eunsung Corporation. She has been loyally and effectively serving chairwoman Son Young-sim (Seo Yi-sook) for a decade, cleaning up the scandals of her petulant adult children Eun Chae-ryeong (Kim Sae-byeok) and Eun So-jin (Yoon Ji-hye).

She has never wavered, setting aside her moral scruples to tear down Eunsung’s adversaries and engineer media narratives in the corporation’s favour.

But everyone has their limit, and Do-hee reaches hers when a body crashes into a car before her very eyes as she exits the Eunsung headquarters. It is that of Han I-seul (Han Chae-kyung), the secretary of Chae-ryeong’s husband, Baek Jae-min (Ryu Soo-young).

Jae-min had come before Do-hee, claiming that I-seul fabricated a #MeToo allegation against him. She then gave I-seul an ultimatum, but later that day, after locking eyes with her corpse and seeing Jae-min’s cufflink clasped in her cold dead hand, her whole life starts to crumble before her.

Another woman who plunges from the same building is human rights activist Oh Kyung-sook (Moon). She has been leading a solitary protest on the building’s roof for months, decrying the unfair dismissal of hundreds of women at the flagship Eunsung Department Store.

One night, Eunsung goons sneak up to the roof and, in the tussle that follows, Kyung-sook falls, but she has a softer landing and survives to become a political sensation.

No longer willing to do Eunsung’s dirty work, Do-hee refuses orders when she’s told to lead Jae-min’s campaign to become the mayor of Seoul. They fire her and take back all her Eunsung perks, going so far as to remove her dying father from hospital.

Vowing revenge, Do-hee sees a way to take down Jae-min and Eunsung in one fell swoop and approaches Kyung-sook with a bold proposition.

Kyung-sook’s last meeting with Do-hee ended with her being shoved off a skyscraper, so naturally she isn’t terribly receptive when Do-hee appears outside her humble legal office hat in hand. But Kyung-sook is determined and, when the situation requires it, very convincing.

They eventually form an uneasy alliance when Kyung-sook is convinced to toss her hat in the mayoral race, which pits her against Jae-min and the financial might of Eunsung, but also the three-time national assemblywoman Seo Min-jung (Jin Kyung).

Kyung-sook has to duke it out in public with Jae-min the polished apparent philanthropist and trusted and seasoned politician Min-jung. Meanwhile, Do-hee fights behind the scenes with their powerful strategists.

Behind Jae-min is his campaign manager, Guk Ji-yeon (Mine’s Ok Ja-yeon), the woman who stabbed Do-hee in the back to take her place, and also the master election strategist Carl Yoon (Kim’s The World of the Married co-star Lee Kyoung-young).

In Min-jung’s corner is the idealistic Ma Joong-seok (Kim Tae-hoon), who happens to be Do-hee’s ex-husband.

What follows is a tense battle for the Seoul mayoralty, in which the mudslinging completely overwhelms the politics as the rival camps engineer scandals about their adversaries and retreat into damage control when the same happens to them.

Korean elections are notoriously intense, with the media in overdrive – reporting extensively on even the slightest crumbs about the personal lives of candidates. In these bitter competitions, politics often takes a back seat to back-stabbing and public backlashes.

Feeding on the Korean fascination with, and distrust of, this grand political theatre, films such as Inside Men, The Truth Beneath and Kingmaker have frequently depicted the treacherous nature of elections in the country.

Through 11 episodes, Queenmaker unfurls a terribly entertaining political contest which takes a page from prime time melodrama, with its constant ups and downs and bitter corporate feuds – Eunsung family members have a nasty habit of slapping each other.

 

(image)
Kim Hee-ae as Hwang Do-hee in a still from Queenmaker. Photo: Kim Ji-yeon/Netflix

Adding to the entertainment value of the show is a compelling through line of female solidarity, sparked by Jae-min’s horrific treatment of his underling and made all the worse by his outward image as a philanthropist and ally of women.

Queenmaker makes the wise choice of showing us women in various positions of power, such as chairwoman Son and candidate Seo, but giving almost all its female protagonists – of which there are many – massive flaws.

Only Kyung-sook remains largely unimpeachable, but even she is guilty of being an absentee wife and mother.

The production is slick, as we’ve come to expect from Korean Netflix shows, and the strong performances, particularly of the leads Kim and Moon, who share a compelling rapport, power the show through its occasional moments of repetition all the way to a satisfying climax.

Queenmaker is streaming on Netflix.

[Helena]

https://zapzee.net/2023/04/19/netflixs-queenmaker-receives-rave-overseas-reviews-becomes-most-watched-non-english-series/
Netflix’s ‘Queenmaker’ Receives Rave Overseas Reviews, Becomes Most-Watched Non-English Series

By HANA LEE

 

Credit: Netflix

Queenmaker topped Netflix’s global top ten charts with 15.87 million watch hours in its first three days after release.

The series revolves around a female publicity expert named Hwang Do Hee (played by Kim Hee Ae), known for her incredible skills in shaping public perception, and a human rights lawyer named Oh Seung Sook (played by Moon So Ri), who has dedicated her life to fighting for justice. The story follows Do Hee as she helps Seung Sook become the next mayor of Seoul.

Both domestic and overseas media and viewers are showing enthusiastic responses to the political drama full of tactics and schemes. Decider praised, “The show is well constructed and well-acted, and judging from the first episode alone, the personal, professional, and political hijinks and backstabbing will flow freely.”

Newsen reported, “The actors brought each unique character to life with their outstanding performances, portraying them as cold, ruthless, cruelly powerful and ambitious.” StarToday described the show as “a quintessential revenge drama, a lighthearted drama sprinkled with black comedy and womance, with the fantasy of justice.” Cookie News stated, “It is tempting to see how good, bad, and weird women share a love-hate relationship, betray each other in solidarity with others, and compete in the show.”

Amid the show’s rising popularity, Netflix released stills of the drama’s cast and crew on set. Kim Hee Ae recalled the filming days and said, “I felt thrilled as an actress watching all the actors fully immerse themselves into their characters, as if they were acting on stage. They showed great teamwork, just like playing jazz.”

 

Source: Netflix

[Helena]

'The Moon' Press Conference

Spoiler

 

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

By KRISHKIM | June 27, 2023

Credit: SPOTVNEWS

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

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

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

Credit: SBS News

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

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

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

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

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

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

Source ( 1 )

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[Helena]

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

'The Moon' Press Conference

 

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

 

Spoiler

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

'The Moon' Open The Moon Red Carpet showcase

 

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

 

 

 

 

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

By EUNGEE JOH

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Source ( 1 ) 

 

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[Helena]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

BY MICHAEL ROSSER | 25 JULY 2023

 

SOURCE: FINECUT
‘A NORMAL FAMILY’

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

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

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

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

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

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

[Helena]

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

 

Main poster for ″The Moon″ [CJ ENM]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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