Hwang Jung-Min 황정민 [Upcoming Movies: “12.12: The Day”, “Mission Cross”, “Veteran 2”, “Hope”]

[Helena]

https://www.screendaily.com/features/cannes-virtual-market-hot-titles-from-south-korea/5150660.article
Cannes virtual market: hot titles from South Korea

BY JEAN NOH | 16 JUNE 2020
 
 
With the Parasite phenomenon still fresh in everyone’s minds and Train To Busan follow-up (and Cannes 2020 selection) Peninsula already a sellout title around the world, Korea’s sales agents are feeling buoyant heading into the virtual Marche du Film with a host of new films available to buyers.
 

Beyond The Mountain

Dir. Choi Jong-tae
Based on the childhood of the late Catholic cardinal Stephen Kim Sou-hwan (aka Soonhan), this dramatised biographical film stars child actor Lee Kyung-hun, Lee Hang-na (Fourth Place) and An Nae-sang (Killed My Wife). Director Choi (Fly Daddy Fly) follows Soonhan – who was born in 1922 and whose grandfather was martyred in the 1860s for his faith when Catholicism was prohibited in Korea – as an eight year old living in poverty with his family. Although his mother wants both of her sons to grow up to be priests, Soonhan chooses not to go to church one Sunday and instead embarks on a journey beyond the hill that has so far marked the edge of his world.
Contact: Vicky Lim, Little Big Pictures vicky@little-big.co.kr 
 

Deliver Us From Evil

SOURCE: CJ ENTERTAINMENT
‘DELIVER US FROM EVIL’

Dir. Hong Won-chan
From the director of Office, which premiered in Cannes 2015’s Midnight section, Hong’s crime action film stars Hwang Jung-min (Veteran), Lee Jung-jae (Assassination) and Park Jung-min (Time To Hunt). When a former black ops agent-turned-mercenary (Hwang) finds out a young girl’s kidnapping in Thailand is closely connected to him, he flies there to track her down with the help of expat Yui (Park), while being pursued by a relentless killer (Lee) who is out for vengeance against him. Currently in post-production, the film is aiming for an August release locally, depending on the Covid-19 situation.
Contact: CJ Entertainment filmsales@cj.net
 

Emergency Declaration

Dir. Han Jae-rim
The director of local hits such as The King and The Face Reader, Han’s disaster film portrays what happens when an airplane is forced to declare an emergency landing after an astonishing incident occurs mid-flight. The film stars Parasite lead Song Kang-ho, Lee Byung-hun (The Man Standing Next), Jeon Do-yeon (The Housemaid), Kim Nam-gil (Memoir Of A Murderer), Yim Si-wan (The Merciless), Kim So-jin (The Spy Gone North) and Park Hae-jun (Bring Me Home). It is currently in production, having started shooting on May 30.
Contact: Showbox sales@showbox.co.kr
 

Fighter

Spoiler

SOURCE: M-LINE DISTRIBUTION
‘FIGHTER’

Dir. Jéro Yun
Yun’s North Korean refugee drama Beautiful Days opened the Busan International Film Festival last year. His new film explores similar themes as it follows Jina, a new refugee from the North who faces discrimination as she tries to earn money to bring her father to the South, too. Her life changes when she gets a cleaning job at a boxing gym and is introduced to the world of the young, confident female boxers who train there. Lim Seong-mi (My Punch-Drunk Boxer) and Baek Seo-bin (Dad Is Pretty) star.
Contact: M-Line Distribution sales@mline-distribution.com
 

Hero

Dir. JK Youn
Youn, the director of local hits including Ode To My Father and Haeundae, has adapted this Korean stage musical about an independence activist and his comrades-in-arms as they fight for freedom against the Japanese in the early 1900s – and what happens when he devises a bold plan to assassinate Japanese general Ito Hirobumi, who plans to fully annex the peninsula. Based on historic events, the film stars Chung Sung Hwa from the original stage version, Kim Go-eun (Coin Locker Girl) and Na Moon-hee (I Can Speak) and is currently in post-production.
Contact: CJ Entertainment filmsales@cj.net
 

Heaven: To The Land Of Happiness

Spoiler

SOURCE: HIVE MEDIA CORP
‘HEAVEN TO THE LAND OF HAPPINESS’

Dir. Im Sang-soo
Selected for the Cannes 2020 official selection in ‘The Faithful’ category, The Housemaid director Im’s latest is a humorous drama starring Choi Min-sik (Old Boy) and Park Hae-il (The Host) – both stars who would have been returning to the Croisette as well as the director. Park plays a character called Nam-sik, who goes from hospital to hospital stealing the medicine he can’t afford to treat his terminal illness, while Choi plays “203”, a man in prison for embezzlement who finds out he has less than two weeks to live. When 203 makes a run for it, Nam-sik joins him on a final search for happiness.
Contact: Finecut cineinfo@finecut.co.kr
 
 
Hostage: Missing Celebrity

SOURCE: CONTENTS PANDA
‘HOSTAGE’

Dir. Pil Gam-sung
This thriller features Hwang Jung-min – the Korean A-lister who has fronted local hits such as Ode To My Father and Veteran – as a Korean movie star of the same name who is kidnapped following a VIP film premiere. At first he thinks it’s a prank, but the kidnappers’ cruelty and brutality – more extreme than anything he’s seen in the movies – quickly convince him otherwise and he desperately tries to find a way out as they demand a huge ransom within 24 hours. Produced by Filmmakers R&K (Veteran), Pil’s feature debut is currently in post-production.
Contact: Contents Panda sales@its-new.co.kr

 

 

Josée (working title)

Dir. Kim Jong-kwan
A Korean remake of Inudo Isshin’s 2003 Japanese cult film Josée, The Tiger And The Fish, this story of a lonely youth who has a once-in-a-lifetime romance with a physically challenged woman stars Han Ji-min (The Age Of Shadows) and Nam Joo-hyuk (The Great Battle). Produced by Wol Media and backed by Warner Bros Korea, the film is currently in post-production.
Contact: K-Movie Entertainment sales@kmovieenter.com
 

Love And Busking

Spoiler

SOURCE: MIROVISION
‘LOVE AND BUSKING’

Dirs. Bobby Choy, Steve Lee
Korean-American singer/songwriter Bobby Choy (aka Big Phony) portrays himself in this musical drama, following his journey as a first-generation New Yorker who feels like a stranger in the country he was born in. After his father’s death, he starts writing melancholy indie-folk songs but he doesn’t really discover a place for himself until he visits the country where his parents came from. Revamped from 2018’s Fiction And Other Realities, the film is planned for local release in Q4 2020.
Contact: Jason Chae, Mirovision/Studio Bonanza jason@mirovision.com
 

Seobok (working title)

Dir. Lee Yong-zoo
Lee’s sci-fi thriller stars Gong Yoo (Train To Busan) and Park Bo-gum (TV’s Reply 1988) in the story of a former secret agent who reluctantly comes out of retirement to transfer the world’s first cloned man to a safe location while ruthless groups with conflicting agendas try to chase them down. The film is currently in post-production.
Contact: CJ Entertainment filmsales@cj.net
 

Voice Of Silence

Spoiler

 

SOURCE: CONTENTS PANDA
‘VOICE OF SILENCE’

Dir. Hong Eui-jeong
This crime drama stars Yoo Ah-in (Burning, Veteran) and You Chea-myung (aka Yu Jae-myeong from Bring Me Home) as two crime-scene cleaners – one of whom has lost his voice – who unexpectedly get tasked with looking after an 11-year-old girl who’s a kidnap victim. Produced by Lewis Pictures (Okja), Broedmachine and Broccoli Pictures, the film is director Hong’s feature debut and is currently in post-production for local release later this year.
Contact: Contents Panda sales@its-new.co.kr

 

Yaksha: Ruthless Operations

Spoiler

 

SOURCE: SHOWBOX
‘YAKUSHA: RUTHLESS OPERATIONS’

Dir. Na Hyun
This spy thriller from the director of The Prison stars Sul Kyung-gu (Man Of Men) and Park Hae-soo (Time To Hunt). Casting the city of Shenyang in northeast China as a silent, central battlefield of spies, it follows a notoriously merciless black-ops leader (Sul) who goes by the nickname Yaksha – after a human-devouring spirit – and the prosecutor (Park) sent to investigate him, who uncovers a mission that could shake up the entire continent.
Contact: Showbox sales@showbox.co.kr

 

————————————————————
 

http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20200621000152
Korean films hope to repeat Cannes success in 2020 Cannes Film Market

 

By Lim Jang-won | Jun 21, 2020

 

The 2020 Cannes Film Market, an annual marketplace where the global movie industry convenes for business opportunities, will be held online for the first time this week from Monday to Friday, featuring several Korean films attempting to follow the success of last year’s grand prize winner “Parasite” by director Bong Joon-ho.

 

The online film market will try to mirror the offline experience by hosting online concerts, keynote talks and over 150 events, with more than 1,200 online screenings and rights to over 2,300 films on the market, according to Cannes.

 

Spoiler

“Peninsula” (Next Entertainment World)

 

Among the Korean films at this year’s Cannes Film Market is “Peninsula” by South Korean director Yeon Sang-ho, one of the two Korean films that made Cannes’ 2020 Official Selection. “Peninsula,” the sequel to zombie-thriller “Train to Busan” (2016), features actors Gang Dong-won and Lee Jung-hyun, and is set four years after the zombie apocalypse took place on the Korean Peninsula.

 

Spoiler

“Heaven: To the Land of Happiness” (Hive Media Corp)

 

“Heaven: To the Land of Happiness” by Korean director Im Sang-soo is the other Korean film that made the 2020 Official selection. Lead actors Choi Min-sik and Park Hae-il play the role of two men who go on a journey to find happiness in their lives.

 

Movies featuring big name actors will be joining the two movies in the film market.

 

“Deliver Us from Evil” by director Hong Won-chan features Korean actors Hwang Jung-min, who plays the role of hitman In-nam, and Lee Jung-jae, playing the role of Ray who chases In-nam, thinking In-nam killed his brother. The movie is set for release in August in Korea.

 

Hwang also appears in director Pil Gam-sung’s “Hostage” which will also be featured at the film market. In “Hostage,” Hwang plays the role of a kidnapped star actor struggling to break free from his captives.

 

“Emergency Declaration” by director Han Jae-rim features “Parasite” lead actor Song Kang-ho along with several veteran actors, including Lee Byung-hun, Kim Nam-gil and Jeon Do-yeon. The movie revolves around a plane that has to make an emergency landing, causing an unprecedented crisis.

 

“Seobok” (working title) by Lee Yong-ju features popular actor, Gong Yoo, who plays former agent Gi-hun, and Park Bo-gum, who appears as the first ever human clone Seobok. Gi-hun and Seobok face many perils as organizations chase Seobok, who holds the key immortality.

 

“Josee” is a Korean remake of Japanese film “Josee, The Tiger and The Fish” (2003), and is a love story starring Han Ji-min and Nam Joo-hyuk.

 

“Hero” by director Yoon Je-kyoon, is a movie that captures the final year of Korean-independence activist, Ahn Jung-geun, based on Korean musical by the same title. Jung Sung-hwa, who played Ahn in the musical, was cast for the movie as well.

 

“Voice of Silence” by director Hong Eui-jeong featuring Yoo Ah-in, “Yaksha: Ruthless Operation” by director Na Hyun featuring Sol Kyung-gu and “Beyond the Mountain” by Choi Jung-tae starring Ahn Nae-sang are also participating in this week’s film market.

 

By Lim Jang-won(ljw@heraldcorp.com)

[Helena]

https://www.screendaily.com/microsites/first-trailer-cjs-action-thriller-deliver-us-from-evil/5150791.article
First trailer: CJ’s action thriller ‘Deliver Us From Evil’

21 JUNE 2020

 

Check out the first trailer for CJ Entertainment’s action thriller Deliver Us From Evil.

 

 

From the director of Office, which premiered in Cannes 2015’s Midnight section, Hong Won-chan’s crime action film stars Hwang Jung-min (Veteran), Lee Jung-jae (Assassination) and Park Jung-min (Time To Hunt).

When a former black ops agent-turned-mercenary (Hwang) finds out a young girl’s kidnapping in Thailand is closely connected to him, he flies there to track her down with the help of expat Yui (Park), while being pursued by a relentless killer (Lee) who is out for vengeance against him.

Currently in post-production, the film is aiming for an August release locally, depending on the Covid-19 situation.

 

—————

 

http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20200623000921

‘Negotiations’ to resume overseas shooting in July

By Choi Ji-won | Jun 23, 2020
 

Star-studded blockbuster “Negotiations” may become the first Korean film to restart overseas shooting since the COVID-19 pandemic virtually stopped all international travel.

 

The film’s local distributor, Megabox Plus M on Tuesday announced that the film’s producers will return to shooting in Jordan in early July. 
 

The producers of the film starring top-tier actors Hwang Jung-min and Hyun Bin halted all overseas shooting plans earlier this year, just after the global outbreak of the new coronavirus. In February, Jordan imposed an entry ban on travelers from South Korea as well as those who had visited South Korea. 

 

While overseas filming was suspended, the production company, Watermelon Pictures Co., went ahead with shooting in Korea, which is now nearly finished, according to a public relations official from Megabox Plus M.

 

Actor Hwang Jung-min speaks during a promotional event for “Deliver Us from Evil” on June 5. (CJ Entertainment)
 

While the exact schedule for the crew and cast’s departure for Jordan has not been confirmed, the official said they have received formal permission from the Jordanian government to start shooting next month. 

 

“We understand the Jordanian government is satisfied with our initial response to the virus outbreak. We will be shooting in compliance with the government’s quarantine guidelines,” the official explained.

 

Directed by Yim Soon-rye, the film is about a National Intelligence Service agent and a diplomat negotiating the release of South Korean nationals kidnapped in the Middle East. Yim’s previous hits include “Little Forest” (2018) and “Forever the Moment” (2008).

 

Meanwhile, “Bogota,” starring Song Joong-ki, has postponed its overseas shooting schedule in Colombia to next year, following the COVID-19 fallout.

 

 

By Choi Ji-won (jwc@heraldcorp.com)

 

————

https://zapzee.net/2020/06/26/hwang-jung-min-lee-jung-jae-to-appear-on-omniscient-interfering-view/
Hwang Jung Min & Lee Jung Jae to Appear on ‘Omniscient Interfering View’
 
by krishkim
 

Credit: CJ Entertainment
 
Hwang Jung Min and Lee Jung Jae will appear in an entertainment show. Indeed, it is the definition of “special appearance.”
 
According to multiple sources, Hwang Jung Min and Lee Jung Jae recently confirmed their appearances on MBC’s Omniscient Interfering View and will record on June 29.

 

It is rumored that the two actors chose Omniscient Interfering View as the first choice for their promotional activities for DELIVER US FROM EVIL.
 
In particular, Lee Jung Jae’s best friend Jung Woo Sung previously appeared in the show, breaking the highest viewership. Naturally, the upcoming special episode with Hwang Jung Min and Lee Jung Jae is already making headlines.
 
As the two appear together, it’s likely to be a collaboration with the regular cast of the show rather than focusing on their daily lives with their managers.
 
Recently, full-swing promotional activities of the stars, who rarely appeared on entertainment shows, are on the rise as the movie industry is in the slump due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Yoo Ah In appeared on I Live Alone, whereas Kang Dong Won appeared on multiple YouTube channels.
 
Source (1)

[Helena]

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20200629005300315
Three Korean blockbusters likely to lead summer box office race amid pandemic

 

SEOUL, June 29 (Yonhap) -- This year's summer box office will highly likely be a three-way race among Korean movies as two Hollywood blockbusters -- "Mulan" and Christopher Nolan's "Tenet" -- delayed their July releases.

 

The summer peak season is when most box office hits come out in the country.

 

According to foreign press reports, Disney's "Mulan" postponed its release date from July 24 to Aug. 21 due to the worsening new coronavirus pandemic in the United States. Warner Brothers' "Tenet," which had already delayed its release from July 17 to late July, reportedly pushed the opening further back to Aug. 12.

 

The question now is whether three big-budget Korean films set to open this summer -- zombie thriller "Peninsula," action film "Deliver Us From Evil" and thriller "Steel Rain 2: Summit" -- will be able to save local cinemas hit hard by the pandemic.

 

Spoiler

A scene from "Peninsula" by NEW (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

 

Director Yeon Sang-ho's second zombie film after smash-hit "Train to Busan" (2016) is the first of the three films to arrive at the summer box office.

 

Starring silver screen star Gang Dong-won, "Peninsula" will hit the local screens on July 15, heralding the start of the summer vacation season. It is poised to repeat the feat of its predecessor, released on July 20, 2016, that attracted a total of 11.6 million admissions.

 

"Peninsula" is set in the same universe four years after its prequel, in which the whole country was hit by zombies except for the southern port city of Busan. Jung-seok (Gang Dong-won), a former soldier who escaped the zombie-infested peninsula four years ago, is tasked with going back to the devastated land to retrieve something.

 

A scene from "Deliver Us From Evil" by CJ Entertainment (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

In early August, "Evil" will be released to target summer vacationers between end-July and early-August.

 

The film revolves around a professional killer, who plans to retire after carrying out his last mission. But he is embroiled in unexpected incidents as an unidentified pursuer tries to kill him. It is in the media spotlight for being the first collaboration between star actors Hwang Jung-min and Lee Jung-jae after their 2013 hit crime opera "New World." Hwang played the kingpin of a corporate crime syndicate, and Lee was a deep-cover cop and his right-hand man.

 

Spoiler

A scene from "Steel Rain 2: Summit" by Lotte Entertainment (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

 

At the same time, "Steel Rain 2" is preparing to open in early August, with a poster and a teaser trailer released on social media.

 

Starring seasoned actor Jung Woo-sung, the film features a fictional kidnapping of leaders of the two Koreas and the United States in a North Korean nuclear-powered submarine.

 

Although it shares two of the main leads of the 2017 political action thriller "Steel Rain," "Steel Rain 2" is not a direct sequel of its predecessor, which drew around 4.5 million moviegoers at the box office, and does not share the same universe.

 

Insiders expect the virus-hit film industry, which is showing some signs of rebound in June after a monthslong slump, will be bolstered by the upcoming competition of the three summer tentpoles.

 

Due to fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, the South Korean box office has been in a deep slump for about four months, with its daily admissions slumping to 15,000 in April.

 

Dozens of big-budget titles, including the space opera "Space Sweepers," starring Song Joong-ki and Kim Tae-ri, postponed their releases to the latter half of this year.

 

brk@yna.co.kr
(END)

[ElectricHearts]

 

 

 

 

He did a Kakao Talk live chat recently for the movie. Not sure if the interview is anywhere. I saw the update on CJ entertainment instagram

 

[Helena]

https://zapzee.net/2020/07/06/deliver-us-from-evil-confirms-its-release-on-august-5/
‘Deliver Us From Evil’ Confirms Its Release on August 5

by krishkim 

Credit: CJ Entertainment

The new film Deliver Us from Evil will meet the audience next month. It has confirmed its release on August 5.

The movie released the main poster on July 6, along with the news of its decision on the release date. Against the backdrop of Thailand’s desolate street, the poster captures the overwhelming presence of Hwang Jung Min (In Nam) and Lee Jung Jae (Ray).

Wearing a suit, Hwang Jung Min is holding a pistol. The clothes are stained with dirt and blood, suggesting there had already been a fierce battle. The overall tone is also sharp and edgy.

However, Lee Jung Jae looks like a leopard. With a long rifle in his hands, he is just about to face Hwang Jung Min. The zebra-patterned shirt and the tattoo on the back of the neck left a strong impression.

Deliver Us from Evil is a hard-boiled chase action that depicts the desperate pursuit and struggle of In Nam (Hwang Jung Min), who gets caught up in a new case because of his final contract killing mission, and Ray (Lee Jung Jae), his ruthless pursuer.

 

 

Source (1)

———

 

https://www.soompi.com/article/1411289wpp/hwang-jung-min-and-lee-jung-jae-reunite-7-years-after-new-world-for-action-film
Hwang Jung Min And Lee Jung Jae Reunite 7 Years After “New World” For Action Film

by C. Lee  | Jul 6, 2020

A new poster has been unveiled for the upcoming film “Deliver Us From Evil” (working title)!

“Deliver Us From Evil” is an action film that tells the story of In Nam (played by Hwang Jung Min), whose last contract killing creates a new problem for him, and the merciless Ray (played by Lee Jung Jae), who chases after In Nam in a gruesome pursuit.

Hwang Jung Min and Lee Jung Jae reunited for their first movie together in seven years since starring in the 2013 film “New World.” The two actors revealed that they were excited to hear that they would be co-stars once again.

Lee Jung Jae said, “I already knew that Hwang Jung Min was cast, so I thought that I needed to join him no matter what.”

Hwang Jung Min similarly revealed, “I knew that reuniting with Lee Jung Jae was fate because we had so much fun in our previous film. I was happy when I saw him again.”

He also commented, “It’s been a long time in terms of how many years have passed since ‘New World,’ but it doesn’t feel like it. When we were filming, it felt like it had just been yesterday. It was very fascinating. When I go on set, I forget that’s it’s been seven years.”

The main poster for “Deliver Us From Evil” reveals the tension between In Nam and Ray in Thailand, as if one of them will end up pointing their gun at the other. The poster reads, “The two men’s unstoppable pursuit” and leaves fans wondering what kind of action will play out.

Director Hong Won Chan of the 2014 film “Office” has teamed up with Hong Kyung Pyo, director of photography for popular films “The Wailing” and “Parasite,” for “Deliver Us from Evil.”

The film premieres on August 5.

In the meantime, watch Hwang Jung Min and Lee Jung Jae in “New World” here!

WATCH NOW

Source (1) (2)

[ElectricHearts]

Bargaining will now shoot mid August. Hope this works for HJM's schedule

 

Quote

Korean Film “The Negotiations” to Resume Filming in Jordan

Amman – 8 July 2020

A Korean film crew arrived to Jordan at Queen Alia International Airport on Saturday 5th July, in preparation for the shoot of a feature-length narrative “The Negotiations”.

 

The film is scheduled to start its shoot by mid-August and scenes will be shot in different locations in the Kingdom. The production flew overseas back to Jordan after it had suspended its activities in the country in March, with the global outbreak of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

 

The foreign cast and crew will abide by the filming guidelines, which the Royal Film Commission – Jordan (RFC) issued last month, specifically for the audio-visual sector detailing safety and precautionary measures. These guidelines aim to secure a secure working, taking into consideration the health regulations implemented in the country.

 

The RFC has cooperated with various Governmental entities, in particular with The National Center for Security and Crises Management, to make the travel, stay and work of the crew possible. Procedures on set apply to any local or foreign production and are meant to ensure their safety while allowing the industry to operate during these peculiar times.

 

Mohannad Al-Bakri, the RFC’s Managing Director, commented: “With the current global health situation, the return of such a big production to film in Jordan is a proof that the country is ready and safe enough to open up for filming again. We are very proud that Jordan is today amongst a few other countries in the world, where the audiovisual activity has resumed within a clear system of procedures.”

“The Negotiations” is directed by a leading female auteur of Korean New Wave cinema: Yim Soon-rye. Starring Korean top actors - Hwang Jung-min and Hyun Bin - the story is based on true events in 2007, when 23 Koreans were kidnapped in Afghanistan.

http://www.film.jo/NewsView.aspx?NewsID=237

[Helena]

http://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/eng/news/news.jsp?seq=5371&mode=VIEW
Following COVID Delay, BARGAINING Starts Location Shooting in Jordan

By Pierce Conran | July 9, 2020

New Thriller from YIM Soon-rye and with HWANG Jung-min and HYUN Bin Resumes Production

 

 

The upcoming Korean thriller Bargaining (translated title) from director YIM Soon-rye, featuring top stars HWANG Jung-min and HYUN Bin, is set to start production in Jordan this month. 

Production was originally scheduled to kick off in the Middle East earlier this year but had to be postponed indefinitely during the escalating COVID-19 crisis, as international travel was swiftly disrupted. In the meantime, the project has been shooting its Korea-set scenes, which are almost complete. The film now has the green light from Jordanian officials to resume production this month.

Bargaining follows a National Intelligence Service (NIS) agent and a diplomat who work together to negotiate for the safe release of Korean nationals taken hostage in the Middle East.

The usually prolific Ode to My Father (2014) and Veteran (2015) star HWANG Jung-min has been absent from the big screen since the 2018 Cannes-invited The Spy Gone North but is set to return next month alongside LEE Jung-jae in the thriller DELIVER US FROM EVIL, another project with extensive foreign location shooting, in this case Thailand.

HYUN Bin, who started out as a heartthrob star in films such as A Millionaire’s First Love (2006), has matured into a versatile leading man and was most recently seen in the period zombie film Rampant (2018) and the hostage thriller THE NEGOTIATION (2018).

YIM Soon-rye, who has been making films since the late 1990s, is known for the classic Waikiki Bothers (2001), which starred HWANG Jung-min in one of his earliest major roles, as well as the hits Forever the Moment (2008) and Little Forest (2018).

The film is being produced by Watermelon Pictures, while Megabox Plus M is in charge of financing and distribution.

[ElectricHearts]

Bargaining update again! Flying out on July 13 and HJM filmed his press stuff earlier

 

Quote

Hwang Jung-min and Hyun Bin depart for Jordan on the 13th to take pictures of Im Soon-rye's'negotiation'.

According to the film industry on the 10th,'negotiation' teams including Hwang Jung-min and Hyun Bin departed to Jordan on a charter on the morning of the 13th, and after a quarantine period in the field, they began filming. Earlier, the staff left for Jordan on the 4th and are preparing for filming while spending a quarantine period.

As a result, Hwang Jung-min was unable to do the press preview and related publicity schedule for the movie 'Deliver Us from Evil', which will be released on August 5th. Hwang Jung-min said that he was unable to promote 'Deliver Us from Evil' by filming'Negotiation', so he recorded early entertainment programs including'Amazing Saturday' and radio appearances. It is said that the 'Deliver Us from Evil' also spared consideration for Hwang Jung-min as he knew the difficult situation of'negotiation'.

'Negotiation' is a work about the rescue of those kidnapped by the abduction of Koreans in the Middle East. Director Im Soon-rye, who directed'The Best Moments of Our Life' and'Little Forest', caught the megaphone, and Hyun Bin and Hwang Jung-min appeared on the topic.

Originally,'negotiation' was planned to start shooting in Jordan at the end of March, but due to the Corona 19 incident, local shooting was unsuccessful as the Jordanian government banned Koreans from entering Korea. So'negotiation' The team began filming in South Korea, and after continuing discussions with the Jordanian government, it was finally allowed to shoot for 2-3 months from July. This is because of the Jordanian government's trust in K-defense, which has led to active cooperation and support.

As a result,'Negotiation' was the first Korean film to be filmed overseas due to the spread of Corona 19. ''

Each actor, such as Hwang Jung-min and Hyun-bin, plans to stay in the country for 2 to 3 months, depending on the amount of filming, and then return to the country. The negotiations will be taken safely in compliance with the Jordanian government's quarantine guidelines.
 

 

 

https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/108/0002878117?lfrom=twitter

 

[Helena]

^ His TV drama ‘Hush’ had its script reading session recently (earlier than usual cause of his upcoming schedule)

 

https://zapzee.net/2020/07/10/hyun-bin-hwang-jung-min-to-travel-to-jordan-for-their-new-movie/
Hyun Bin & Hwang Jung Min to Travel to Jordan for Their New Movie

 

by krishkim

Credit: VAST Entertainment, Sem Company

 

Hyun Bin and Hwang Jung Min will leave for Jordan on a chartered plane on July 13 to shoot director Lim Soon Rye’s new film Negotiation (literal translation).

 

According to the film industry, Hyun Bin, Hwang Jung Min, and the staff will leave for Jordan early on the 13th morning and go through a self-isolation period before starting filming. Earlier, some of the crew left for Jordan on July 4 and are preparing to film the film as they go under the self-isolation period.

 

As a result, Hwang Jung Min will not be able to participate in the press review and related upcoming promotional activities for his upcoming movie, Deliver Us From Evil, which will be released on August 5. However, he has already finished shooting various entertainment shows, including Amazing Saturday and Omniscient Interfering View as a part of the promotional activities.

 

Negotiation tells a story about rescuing the abducted Koreans in the Middle East and will de directed by Lim Soon Rye, who directed Forever the Moment and Little Forest.

 

Initially, Negotiation was supposed to begin its filming in Jordan by the end of March, but with the spread of COVID-19 pandemic, all schedules were delayed. So the Negotiation team started filming in Korea first, continued discussing with the Jordanian government, and was finally got the permission to film for two to three months in Jordan.

 

As a result, Negotiation became the first Korean film to start overseas filming among all the movies that postponed their schedules.

 

Hyun Bin and Hwang Jung Min plan to stay in Jordan for two to three months, depending on their filming schedules, before returning home.

 

Source (1) 

[ElectricHearts]

HJM and Hyun Bin have left to Jordan now. Safe travels!

 

 

 

 

 

[Helena]

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20200713000600320
(News Focus) Pandemic-hit movie industry banks on summer rebound

By Chung Joo-won

 

SEOUL, July 14 (Yonhap) -- The new coronavirus pandemic has crippled every aspect of daily life as people increasingly opt to reduce contact, stay at home and shun visits to closed environments out of fear of contracting the virus.

 

But the movie industry, one of the sectors hit hardest by the COVID-19 outbreak, is pinning hopes on a rebound during the summer, albeit far slower and weaker than expected, as the economy and people begin to limp back to normality.

 

"July will be our most important pacemaker for a rebound in the second half," said Hwang Jae-hyun, spokesperson of South Korea's leading cinema chain CJ CGV.

 

"Since the last week of June, 1.6 million people watched the film #Alive safely, without being infected (with the virus). It sent our customers a message that theaters are a safe place, as long as they wear masks," he added.

 

Brokerage houses also chimed in by saying that the cinema industry bottomed out in the second quarter, and the July-August season is likely to be a crucial juncture for the cinema multiplexes' rebound, they said.

 

"The postponed large-scale South Korean films will be rolled out in the third quarter, further fueling a gradual recovery," said Shinyoung Securities analyst Shin Soo-yeon.

 

Spoiler

The still photo provided by NEW on July 11, 2020, shows a scene from the South Korean zombie movie "Peninsula," starring actors Kang Dong-won and Lee Jung-hyun. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

 

Spoiler

The still photo provided by Lotte Entertainment on July 2, 2020, shows a scene from the inter-Korean action flick "Steel Rain 2: Summit," starring actors Jung Woo-sung and Yoo Yeon-seok. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

Indeed, the COVID-19 pandemic has dealt a heavy blow to the movie industry since the first local case in late January.

 

In the January-June period of the year, the box-office admissions tumbled 70.3 percent on-year to 32.4 million viewers, according to data from the state-run Korea Film Council (KOFIC). Sales revenue plummeted 70.6 percent to 273.8 billion won (US$228 million).

 

By month, admissions plunged 67 percent on-year in February and 87.5 percent in March. The figure further worsened in April, falling by a record 92.7 percent, and was followed by another 91.6 percent dip in May.

 

But the sector witnessed some budding signs of a rebound.

 

The June tally slightly improved, tumbling 83.1 percent on-year.

 

More young viewers also came to theaters, according to Gook Seong-ho, a spokesperson of the country's second-largest cinema multiplex chain Lotte Cinema.

 

The portion of teenage customers jumped from 1.4 percent in January to 5 percent in March-June, with those in their 20s surging 21.2 percent to 32.3 percent, Lotte Cinema data showed.

 

The June recovery was smaller than what the industry had hoped, but blockbusters set to be released during the summer season may provide a respite to the movie industry.

 

Homegrown blockbusters will lead local theaters in July, with Hollywood mega-scale projects also set to take the baton in August.

 

The film "Peninsula," a sequel to the South Korean zombie blockbuster "Train to Busan," is set to hit local theaters Wednesday. The 16 billion-won project originally required about 5.24 million views to break even, but brisk overseas presales reduced the burden to 2.5 million views.

 

"Steel Rain 2: Summit," a sequel to the inter-Korean action flick "Steel Rain," will launch on July 29. The 12.1 billion-won project breaks even at 4 million viewers.

 

The release date of the hard-boiled crime action "Deliver Us from Evil" was pushed back to Aug. 5 from the originally set mid-July. The 13.8 billion-won project breaks even at 3.5 million viewers. The film was originally rated R but later cut some brutal scenes to obtain a PG-15 rating to boost ticket sales

 

Most anticipated Hollywood mega-projects have postponed their July releases.

 

Warner Bros. Pictures' blockbuster "Tenet" moved its local release to Aug. 12. The US$200–225 million project pushed back the release from the originally set end-July due to coronavirus fears.

 

Walt Disney's live action adaptation film "Mulan" also delayed its release to Aug. 21. The previous local release for the US$200 million project was July 24.

 

"We are waiting with our fingers crossed for the U.S. virus toll to go down," a CGV official said.

 

"A fast recovery in the second half requires higher ticket sales in both local and foreign films," he added.

 

In 2019, foreign films attracted 111 million viewers, or about 49 percent of the local box-office admissions.

 

Sales from foreign films set a new record at 943.2 billion won, with nine of the top 20 annual box-office hits being Hollywood blockbusters.

 

At present, local multiplexes can only seat up to 70 percent of their capacities, as part of an eased social distancing scheme.

 

The brokerage house Daeshin Securities Co. estimated the annual box-office admissions to reach 110 million in 2020 and 190 million in 2021, down from a record high 226.7 million in 2019.

 

jwc@yna.co.kr
(END)

[ElectricHearts]

Another Jordan filming update:

 

Quote

The cast and film crew for Korean thriller The Negotiations have arrived in Jordan, following a delay in shooting as a result of the coronavirus crisis.

 

Two of three groups landed during the last 10 days — the passengers of the second flight are currently in quarantine and the third flight is yet to be scheduled.

 

Shooting was scheduled to start earlier this year, but was postponed due to the coronavirus crisis.

 

Filming will start in mid-August in different locations all over the Kingdom and expected to go on until September.

 

The arrival has been made possible thanks to a joint effort of the Royal Film Commission (RFC) and Jordan’s government.

 

“We are very proud that Jordan is today among a few other countries in the world, where the audio-visual activity has resumed within a clear system of procedures,” said RFC’s Managing Director, Mohannad Al-Bakri.”

 

About 115 Jordanians will be among film’s crew members.

 

Everyone on set will have to abide by the Jordanian government’s health and safety guidelines as well as the Filming Guidelines During COVID-19 Pandemic, published on the RFC’s website.

 

Production teams will be kept as small as possible for social distancing purposes and other health guidelines.

 

Korean cast and crew have been tested for COVID-19 in South Korea and underwent an eight-day quarantine.

 

“With the current global health situation, the return of such a big production to film in Jordan is proof the country is ready and safe enough to open up for filming again”, said Al-Bakri.

 

The Negotiations is based on real events about a National Intelligence Service agent and diplomat working together to rescue South Korean hostages in the Middle East.

 

The film features Hyun Bin and Hwang Jung-min and will be directed by Yim Soon-rye.

 

The relationship between South Korea and Jordan in the film industry is strong, having filmed the award-winning South Korean TV series Misaeng in Wadi Rum, Amman and Petra.

 

https://en.royanews.tv/news/21511/2020-07-18

 

 

[Helena]

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20200729007000315
(Movie Review) 'Deliver Us From Evil' is all about action

By Kim Boram

SEOUL, July 29 (Yonhap) -- The action thriller "Deliver Us From Evil," directed by Hong Won-chan, fills its near two-hour running time with stabbings, murders and assassinations carried out by two professional killers.

Hired assassin In-nam (Hwang Jung-min) plans to retire after carrying out his last mission. But that final task causes a rabid, ruthless pursuer, Ray (Lee Jung-jae), to pursue In-nam's death.

Starting in Japan and South Korea, the race moves to in Thailand as In-nam tries to rescue a nine-year old girl kidnapped by a local crime syndicate. There, he joins hands with Yoo-yi (Park Jung-min), who helps In-nam search for the kid.

A scene from "Deliver Us From Evil" by CJ Entertainment (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

 

"Evil" is one of the most anticipated summer blockbusters in South Korea, as the film reunites two veteran action specialists and renowned filmmakers, including director Hong, whose first feature "Office" (2015) was invited to the Cannes Film Festival that year, and "Parasite" cinematographer Hong Kyung-pyo.

Hwang and Lee starred in the 2013 hit crime opera "New World," in which Hwang played the kingpin of an organized crime ring, and Lee was a deep-cover cop and his right-hand man.

Seven years later, they changed the mood and characters in "Evil," in which Hwang portrays a taciturn, capable killer who is tired of his job, while Lee plays a character who is merciless and unsympathetic and later doesn't care about why he has to kill In-nam.

The onscreen chemistry of the two stars, who perfectly practiced complicated action arrangements and sequences, amplifies the realism and plausibility of the blood-splattered action and chase scenes.

Director Hong also displayed his specialty of creating suspense and nail-biting thrills in a relatively simple storyline. He seems to know how to make viewers feel cruelty and brutality and snap to attention without large-scale bloodshed, but using just vivid action and stunts.

Contributed by cinematography by Hong Kyung-pyo, moreover, sophisticatedly edited action cuts, bold colors and powerful sound intensify the antagonistic relationship between In-nam and Ray.

A scene from "Deliver Us From Evil" by CJ Entertainment (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

However, the plain fairy tale-like storyline -- a man rescues an imprisoned princess to atone for his past crimes -- weakens the building tension and nerve as the film nears its end.

The plot corresponds to its title, "Deliver Us From Evil," named after a phrase from The Lord's Prayer.

And viewers may get a strong sense of deja vu from its action scenes and dialogue, as they echo famous thrillers like "No Country for Old Men" (2007) and "New World."

Director Hong said he wants to create his own style and sensibility, even in within a formulaic, conventional plot.

"In creating this kind of familiar story, how much I can make differences and variations is the key point," he said in a press conference on Tuesday. "I think the character of Ray is the difference. It will help people think fresh and new when they see my movie."

"Evil" will hit local screens next Wednesday.

 

brk@yna.co.kr
(END)

[ElectricHearts]

Bargaining apparently started filming a couple days ago. One of the journalist there gave an update. Now apparently sometime be done filming sometime in September. Who knows  So many different updates lately in regards to filming from navar and the filming in jordan. 

[Helena]

https://zapzee.net/2020/07/29/deliver-us-from-evil-hwang-jung-min-says-he-wanted-to-make-a-movie-that-audience-could-enjoy/
‘Deliver Us From Evil’ Hwang Jung Min Says He Wanted to Make a Movie that Audience Could Enjoy

by krishkim

Hwang Jung Min, who left the country for overseas filming, conducted an interview ahead of the release of Deliver Us From Evil. In the movie, Hwang Jung Min played the role of a desperate assassin and showed a passionate performance by expressing delicate emotions and performing real actions.

Credit: CJ Entertainment

Q1. How do you feel about the release?

I’m so happy and excited, but I’m so sorry about the current situation (COVID-19). Still, I hope watching Deliver Us From Evil will give the audience a time to relieve their frustrations.

 

Q2. In the opening sequence, you showed the desire to leave the assassin world, and at the same time, presented exhaustion. What was the main focus of your acting?

First of all, the question “why did this man become an assassin” was the biggest concern. How much of a big burden does this man hold, why did he choose the wrong path of being an assassin, and how he was destroyed from the inside and became impoverished by doing the jobs were the important points. I prepared the character so that the audience can understand that “Kim In Nam is not proud of having such a job, and is suffering a lot.”

 

Q3. Why did you choose an action film after a long time?

When I first got the script, it was easy and fun to read. I had the desire to work on the movie that the audience can easily watch and enjoy. Rather than a movie that makes you think a lot and makes you feel heavy, I wanted to present the audience a movie that they can enjoy the pleasure from the action scenes and relieve their stress.

Credit: CJ Entertainment

Q4. The confrontation with Lee Jung Jae, who you’ve met once again after the New World, is overwhelming.

There were many scenes where violent actions were required, so we half-jokingly said, “Don’t get hurt and if you have any problems, let’s stop before we start.” I’ve worked with Lee Jung Jae in New World and stayed close since then, so we are good together either on and off the filming sites.

 

Q5. How was working with Park Jung Min?

I think the role Yoo Yi, played by Park Jung Min, is the best character that invigorates this movie. He’s such an amazing actor and also has a great sense. So there’s an infinite trust. And as his senior, I really want to compliment him on a job well done.

 

Q6. Your movie is one fo the BIG 3 Korean movies this summer. What are your thoughts?

COVID-19 is making it difficult for the movie industry and society as a whole. In this situation, I hope that all films, including our film, will do well and help both the audience and the film industry. If we follow the rules of personal prevention rules thoroughly and create a mature and safe theater culture, the day when we can all enjoy and get excited about the movies will come.

 

Source: CJ Entertainment

[Helena]

http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20200729000723
Hwang Jung-min and Lee Jung-jae’s deadly reunion in ‘Deliver Us From Evil’

Park Jung-min stars as a mysterious character in the action thriller

 

By Choi Ji-won | Jul 29, 2020

Lee Jung-jae (left) and Hwang Jung-min in “Deliver Us From Evil” (CJ Entertainment)

Veteran actors Hwang Jung-min and Lee Jung-jae, who called each other “brother” in the crime-noir “New World” (2013), are reunited in the action-packed thriller “Deliver Us From Evil,” this time as bitter enemies.

The film revolves around hit man In-nam, played by Hwang, who finishes what he promised would be his last job before fleeing Japan, but unexpectedly gets mixed up in a case in Thailand. In Bangkok, a barbaric killer named Ray, played by Lee -- also known as “the butcher” -- chases In-nam down to avenge the death of his brother.

According to the film’s director-writer, Hong Won-chan, the film takes action scenes to the next level -- with everything from gangster fights to shootings, stabbings and bombings in three countries. Hong has written the scripts for several hit action thrillers, including “The Chaser” (2007), “The Scam” (2009) and “The Yellow Sea” (2010). 

“I decided the climax of the action and the characters’ emotions had to come together, and that the veteran actors would control their emotions along such flow, even without my direction. I relied on the actors a lot this time,” Hong said at a press premiere in Seoul on Tuesday. 

Hwang had more action scenes in this film than in any of his previous works. “In ‘New World,’ I would say there were many action scenes. We have hard-boiled chase-action scenes in ‘Deliver Us From Evil,’ and I can assure you, they are real. The amount of action scenes was incomparable to any other films, even compared to ‘Veteran’ (2015),” Hwang said in an email interview.

A chameleon of an actor, Lee has shown different facets of himself in his previous action movies, including “The Thieves,” “Assassination” and “New World.” Yet another undiscovered side emerges in the new movie.

“The script didn’t give much description about Ray, and as an actor, this meant that I could build the character as I chose. We narrowed down on different styles (for the characters’ costumes and appearance), and it was really fun. I think it was one of my most difficult yet fun characters,” Lee said at Tuesday’s press event.

Director Hong Won-chan (center) and lead cast members Park Jung-min (far left) and Lee Jung-jae pose at a press premiere event at CGV Yongsan I’Park Mall in Seoul on Tuesday to promote “Deliver Us From Evil.” (Yonhap)

Park Jung-min, who stayed away from the public for his transformation in the film, takes up the role of Yu-i, who assists In-nam in Bangkok. 

“Yu-i has his own past faults and feels indebted to his family. I tried to understand the character focusing on this aspect,” said Park, attending his first press event for the film. “With that in mind, I concentrated on making my acting not too excessive or strange.”

Park had previously starred in Hong’s debut flick, “Office” (2015), a suspense thriller that was invited to the Berlinale that year.

“I didn’t give (Park) much description about the character because I felt it would limit his thoughts. I also knew that Park puts a lot of effort into understanding his characters and I was curious how he would interpret Yu-i. Park went way beyond my expectations. I’m very grateful.”

The director added that the film has its roots in the noir genre, a genre that he loves very much.

“The big plot of the story comes from the idea of a sinner saving another sinner, thereby redeeming himself. The title, coming from a Christian prayer, simply paraphrases this plot.”

The film opens Aug. 5. 

 

By Choi Ji-won (jwc@heraldcorp.com)

 

—————————————————

 

https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/art/2020/07/689_293646.html
Korean cinema, politics entangled in 'cozy relations'

 

Outpouring of 'left-leaning films' under Moon government

By Kwak Yeon-soo |  2020-07-30

In South Korea, cinema and politics are inseparable. 

During the rule of the conservative governments, a flurry of films featuring South Korea's dramatic rise from the ashes of the Korean War to become one of Asia's most vibrant economies and productions dealing with the idea of nationalism were released.

"Roaring Currents" (2014), "Ode to My Father" (2014) and "Operation Chromite" (2016) are three of the biggest box office hits that were released when conservative President Park Geun-hye was in power.

These patriotism-oriented films were replaced with a flurry of retro flicks dignifying democracy fighters in the 1980s after Park was ousted from the presidency and human rights lawyer-turned-President Moon Jae-in took power in 2017.

These so-called "leftist films" demonize the previous conservative governments ― particularly the military governments in the 1970s and 1980s. Human rights abuses, the massacre in the southern city of Gwangju in 1980 shortly after President Chun Doo-hwan rose to power through a coup and the victimization of democracy fighters are recaptured in films such as "A Taxi Driver" (2017) and "1987: When the Day Comes" (2017).

In "Gwangju Video: The Missing" (2020), the latest film on the Gwangju Uprising, filmmaker Lee Jo-hoon puts the blame for the tragedy on Chun's military dictatorship and raises suspicions that conservative governments deliberately hid video footage of soldiers' mass shooting of unarmed Gwangju citizens.

He then shows contrasting scenes of conservative supporters holding rallies after Park's 2017 downfall and liberal supporters holding candlelit rallies in support of Cho Kuk. 

Cho was Moon's former senior civil affairs secretary before he was appointed justice minister in August 2019. Cho strove to push for the reform of the prosecution, but he resigned shortly after over corruption allegations.

When asked what his intentions were with such scenes, Lee said, "I understand that rally scenes can be interpreted through political lenses, but I wanted to show that pro-democracy protesters in the 1980s are still voicing their political opinions."

Earlier this month, Netflix came under fire for translating the Gwangju Uprising in 1980 as "riots" in the Japanese introduction of "A Taxi Driver," a South Korean film about a taxi driver who helped a German reporter cover the pro-democracy movement. The streamer revised the term a day after receiving the complaint.

The outpouring of movies featuring North Korea and inter-Korean relations is another striking trend in the film industry that began after Moon took power.

There has also been a shift in the way North Korea is described in films. 

Instead of seeing North Korea as South Korea's "main enemy" and describing the North as a military threat to South Korea, recent films try to remind the audience of the millennia-old history and culture that transcends the division of Korea.

"Ashfall" (2019), a big-budget disaster film that surpassed eight million ticket sales, faced a backlash for portraying a North Korean soldier as the hero saving his lackluster South Korean counterpart. 

In "Steel Rain 2: Summit" (2020), like its prequel "Steel Rain" (2017), North Korean officers and South Korean officials are featured as partners, not enemies.

Filmmaker Yang Woo-suk, who produced "The Attorney" and "Steel Rain," said he thinks cinema is a passive form of journalism in that they reflect the times we live in and have a social effect on the public.

"I think all movies are political to a certain degree. Even horror and comedy movies," Yang said. "I understand that people can have various thoughts on films based on their political orientation, but education and national security issues shouldn't be affected by it."

He voiced worries about alleged political influence on movies, saying South Korea may fall behind China if it continues.

"The reason we outperform China in culture is because South Korea is censorship-free. However, if the political divide affects the cultural and creative industry, our competitiveness will be weakened. Look what's happened to the comedy scene. Political satire has disappeared," he said.

The origin of politics' cozy relationship with films that curry favor with sitting leaders and their political orientations goes back to the 1980s when President Chun took power through a military coup after the assassination of President Park Chung-hee in October 1979.

The so-called "Three S policy" ― sports, screen and sex ― swept the country in the 1980s as then President Chun attempted to turn the public's attention away from his troubled rise to power. The military government was accused of flexing its muscles behind the surge of erotic movies. The 1980s were a dark decade for South Korean cinema.

Cinema-politics relations took a turn after the 1990s. The role of government behind cinema production became implicit. The portrayal of North Korea has changed with Kang Je-gyu's "Shiri" (1999), which follows the story of a North Korean spy in Seoul, followed by "TaeGukGi: Brotherhood of War" (2003). Before then, North Koreans were depicted as "red devils" with horns and fangs as in the animated feature "Gancheopjamneun Ttorijanggun" in 1979.

Movies aligned with sitting presidents are released.

"The Attorney" (2013), a film inspired by the life of late liberal President Roh Moo-hyun, and "Masquerade" (2012), a historical drama about a commoner recruited to impersonate a tyrannical king, caught the attention of then-President Park Geun-hye, who put left-leaning actors and filmmakers on a blacklist from government funding. 

After Moon came into power, films that depicted anti-Japan sentiment also became much-talked-about topics in films. 

"The Battleship Island" (2017) "I Can Speak" (2017), "A Resistance" (2019) "My Name is Kim Bok-dong" (2019) and "The Battle: Roar to Victory" (2019) touch upon wartime issues such as comfort women and wartime forced laborers. Another documentary "East Asia Anti-Japan Armed Front" is poised to hit theaters in August.

Films such as "Confidential Assignment" (2017), "Spy Gone North" (2018), "Steel Rain" and "Ashfall" somehow portray a partnership between a North Korean agent/officer and their South Korean counterpart.

Choi Gong-jae, a conservative filmmaker, said South Korean cinema needs diversity to stay attractive to the increasingly diverse and sophisticated audience. 

"I think cinemas have to offer diverse content, regardless of its underlying left-wing or right-wing identity, and then the audience can decide what to watch," Choi said. "Cinemas shouldn't impose political ideas on moviegoers and limit their movie selections."

He added, "The public should watch films carefully and think deeply about them. Don't just believe everything they say. Try to interpret the film's underlying message and the director's intentions. Otherwise, you could be politically assimilated by South Korea's cultural propaganda."

[ElectricHearts]

 

 

 

[Helena]

Cine21 issue# 1267 

 

——

 

https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/art/2020/07/689_293697.html
[INTERVIEW] Hwang Jung-min becomes deadly hitman in 'Deliver Us From Evil'

By Kwak Yeon-soo | 2020-07-31

Hwang Jung-min in a scene from the film 'Deliver Us From Evil' / Courtesy of CJ Entertainment

Hwang Jung-min's charisma and inner warmth shines through in his performance in the stylish, hard-boiled action film "Deliver Us From Evil."

The flick tells a story of hitman In-nam, played by Hwang, who is set to retire after carrying out one last hit in Japan. However, he finds out he has a nine-year-old daughter he never knew existed and that she has been kidnapped by a criminal gang in Thailand. 

In-nam travels to Bangkok to search for his daughter, but finds himself on the run from the ruthless villain Ray, played by Lee Jung-jae, who wants to avenge the death of his brother. 

Hwang said playing In-nam's character was difficult because he had to repress his emotions in the film, internalizing everything that gets in the way of doing what he has to do.

"In-nam feels a sense of remorse and regret, and he's upset about what he's doing. I mainly focused on expressing that anguish and helplessness so audiences would understand that he's not proud of the work he does and no longer wants to hold onto it," Hwang said in a written interview with The Korea Times. 

The veteran actor shared that the big plot of the story comes from the idea of a sinner seeking redemption through saving another. The title, inspired from a Christian prayer, paraphrases this plot. 

"In-nam's goal is saving the child, thereby forgiving himself for his past wrongdoings. The child is the only hope for him," he said.

The flick takes action scenes to the next level ― with everything from hand-to-hand combat to shootings, stabbings and bombings.

Actor Hwang Jung-min / Courtesy of CJ Entertainment

According to Hwang, the amount of action scenes was incomparable to any other films, including "Veteran," and the up-close-and-personal action sequences were real.

"Filming the action was always a challenge because we wanted to make sure nobody gets injured. We also trained hard to keep fit and in shape," he said. 

Hwang said he chose to star in the film because the script felt very interesting and fun. "I wanted to give the audience a little bit of relief through 'cathartic' action scenes," he said. 

On filming in three different locations ― Thailand, Japan and Korea ― Hwang said filming abroad was more demanding because it limits last minute changes.

"In the case of domestic filming, it's possible to make last minute changes to certain scenes or request film crew to bring additional equipment. However, they are not allowed when filming abroad," he said. 

When asked what it was like to work with Lee again in seven years, Hwang said, "Lee is always great to be around and work with. We spent hours together rehearsing and choreographing fight sequences, hoping nobody gets hurt. We kept telling each other, 'If there's a problem, stop before the action,'"

Hwang and Lee starred in the 2013 hit crime drama "New World," in which Hwang played the ringleader of a corporate crime syndicate, and Lee was his right-hand man.

In "Deliver Us From Evil," Lee plays a merciless assassin who doesn't care about why he has to kill In-nam. The two showcase insane onscreen chemistry that amplifies brutal, bloody action and chase scenes.

Being dubbed "10 million" actor, as his films "Ode to My Father" and "Veteran" surpassed 10 million ticket sales respectively, Hwang expressed gratitude for people showing unwavering support.

"I don't feel burdened by the box office results. I feel grateful for the audience calling me a 10 million actor. Of course, it'd be really nice if every film could be a hit, but I'm trying hard not to put much thought into it," he said.

Hwang is currently in Jordan to shoot his upcoming film "Negotiations."

"Deliver Us From Evil" will hit local theaters, Aug. 5.

[Helena]

http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20200803000742
Cinemas still far from normalcy despite success of few films

By Choi Ji-won | Aug 3, 2020 

People wait in front of the ticket box at the Megabox Coex branch in Seoul on Monday. (Choi Ji-won/The Korea Herald)

Blockbuster action flick “Steel Rain 2” has racked up 1 million admissions in less than a week, following the lead of zombie thriller “Peninsula,” which kicked off the summer movie season amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

“Steel Rain 2” surpassed the mark of 1 million on Sunday, according to the state-run Korean Film Council, five days after its opening on July 29. The film is expected to be in a close race with action thriller “Deliver Us From Evil,” slated to hit local cinemas Wednesday. The upcoming film stars Hwang Jung-min and Lee Jung-jae, and is currently topping real-time ticket reservations.

With tentpole films from major distributors towing the box office, recent months have seen a steady rise in the number of cinemagoers, rising from an all-time monthly low of 972,000 in April to 5.62 million in July with the start of the peak summer season.

Although the numbers have shown a steep upward climb, cinemas are far from their old normal. According to KOFIC data, the overall number of moviegoers in the first half of this year plummeted by 70.3 percent compared to the same period last year. Although July’s figure stood at the highest since the fallout from COVID-19, the figure was an all-time low box office number for July since the agency started compiling such data in 2004.

“Most people are still wary of activities in public spaces due to the COVID-19 situation. Although big titles are opening, we’re still very cautious in promoting films and ushering in people to the cinemas,” head of CGV’s communications team Hwang Jae-hyeon told The Korea Herald. 

The lack of foreign summer blockbusters that typically pull in large audience figures is another factor contributing to the slow recovery. Four of the most popular films in July last year were all from Hollywood: “Spider-Man: Far From Home,” “The Lion King,” “Aladdin” and “Toy Story 4.”

“In the case of this summer, although the local distributors are starting to release their tentpole films, most of the highly anticipated foreign film releases have been canceled or postponed indefinitely. The absence of such films that can attract moviegoers is considerable,” a public relations official from Lotte Cinema said.

Yet cinema operators have higher hopes for August.

“With ‘Deliver Us From Evil’ as a start, we have at least one new Korean film opening every week this month, and on Aug. 26, Christopher Nolan’s ‘Tenet’ will hit theaters. We anticipate ticket sales to recover to up to at least 50 percent of the same period last year,” Hwang added. 

By Choi Ji-won (jwc@heraldcorp.com)

 

——

 

Images: https://twitter.com/cjenmmovie/

 

[Helena]

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20200806006800315
Korean crime thriller dominates box office on opening day

 

SEOUL, Aug. 6 (Yonhap) -- "Deliver Us From Evil," a homegrown film, debuted at No. 1 at the South Korean box office on its opening day, data showed Thursday.

The crime action thriller starring Hwang Jung-min and Lee Jung-jae attracted 344,922 moviegoers nationwide Wednesday, according to data from the Korean Film Council (KOFIC). The film accounted for 77.2 percent of all ticket sales revenue for the day.

Directed by Hong Won-chan, the film follows the story of In-nam, an assassin played by Hwang who becomes embroiled in unexpected incidents as Ray, played by Lee, pursues him to avenge his dead brother.

The political action film "Steel Rain 2: Summit" came in second, drawing 52,204 attendees, with the number of accumulative viewers reaching 1.29 million.

The South Korean zombie blockbuster "Peninsula," sequel to 2016's top grossing film "Train to Busan," finished third, with 25,506 viewers. The film's combined attendees reached 3.57 million.

 

A still image from the action thriller "Deliver Us From Evil" provided by CJ Entertainment (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

 

 

odissy@yna.co.kr
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Images: https://twitter.com/cjenmmovie/

 

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