Kang Dong-Won 강동원 [Upcoming movies: “The Plot”, “Dr. Cheon and Lost Talisman”, “ War and Revolt”]

[ElectricHearts]

I am surprised that it is really not done filming. 

 

Nice that he is in Singapore right now for martial arts training. It sounds like he is still filming the movie as it mentions late January/early February as production resuming. So wonder when movie Broker is suppose to film.

 

 

[Helena]

https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/art/2020/12/398_300550.html

Top 10 Korean movies of 2020: Virus cuts 'Parasite' triumph short

 

By Kwak Yeon-soo | 2020-12-08

 

The year 2020 started off strong for Korean cinema with "Parasite" making history by winning four Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Screenplay, Best Director and the International Feature Film category.

 

Shortly after the historic moment, however, the Korean movie industry experienced a drastic pandemic-driven decline, with theaters around the country closing indefinitely and studios moving most of their big releases to 2021.

 

Leading multiplex operators raised ticket prices as part of their attempts to survive the pandemic. Highly anticipated big budget films like "Seobok," "Mogadishu" and "Hero" have pushed back their releases to next year. "Space Sweepers," starring Song Joong-ki and Kim Tae-ri, is taking the safe route by premiering on Netflix in 2021.

 

But a slew of good local films still made it onto screens during this exhausting year. Below are the 10 Korean films that caught the eyes of both domestic and international audiences.

 

 

1. The Man Standing Next

A political thriller chronicling the 40-day power struggle among former President Park Chung-hee's top aides before one of them assassinated him in 1979 has been selected as a national contender for the 93rd Academy Awards in the International Feature Film category.

Directed by Woo Min-ho, "The Man Standing Next" unfolds a hidden story of political maneuvering by the Korean Central Intelligence Agency (KCIA) in the 1970s, a time of military dictatorship under Park.

Park is one of the most controversial figures in Korean's modern history, suppressing the country's supposed democracy while generating phenomenal economic development.

Actor Lee Byung-hun, who plays the role of the KCIA chief who assassinated the president, won best actor awards at this year's Asian Film Awards, Baeksang Arts Awards, Buil Film Awards, Chunsa Film Arts Awards and Korean Association of Film Critics' Awards.

 

2. Lucky Chan-sil

 

"Lucky Chan-sil" is director Kim Cho-hee's dedication to "anyone pursuing a dream." The indie film tells the story of a 40-year-old female film producer, who suddenly loses her job and faces the biggest crisis of her life. The film was highly recognized by critics and audiences for its meticulous and realistic depiction of Korea's patriarchal and competitive society from the perspective of a single, unemployed woman in her 40s.

This film won several awards at local film festivals last year, including three honors at the 24th Busan International Film Festival. It also won the audience award at the 45th Seoul Independent Film Festival. It received recognition overseas too, being invited to this year's Far East Film Festival in Italy and Osaka Asian Film Festival in Japan. Buoyed by critical acclaim, the film, which originally hit theaters in March, was re-released on Nov. 26. It's also going to hit theaters in Japan in January 2021.

Actor Kang Mal-geum, who plays her first lead role as Chan-sil, won best new actress awards at this year's Baeksang Arts Awards, Buil Awards and Korean Association of Film Critics' Awards.

 

3. Time to Hunt

 

"Time to Hunt" became the first Korean commercial film to skip theaters and go directly to Netflix. The film, originally slated to hit theaters at the end of February, waited two months and faced a legal dispute with its overseas sales company before landing on the U.S. streaming giant.

Set in a dystopian near future where the whole country is suffering from poverty following a financial crisis, "Time to Hunt" follows four young men who map out a plan to escape the hopeless city. But they are chased by a relentless killer amid their struggle for survival.

It was invited to the 70th Berlin International Film Festival's special gala section, which highlights creative film formats on current topics.

 

4. #Alive

 

Zombie thriller "#Alive" became the most streamed film on Netflix in many countries around the world, the first Korean title to achieve the feat.

Just two days after premiering on Netflix on Sept. 8, "#Alive" topped the global chart of Top Movies on Netflix, according to streaming analytics company FlixPatrol. The film ranked No.1 in 35 countries, including the U.S., France, Spain, Sweden, Russia and Australia.

"#Alive," starring Yoo Ah-in and Park Shin-hye, is a story about two survivors trapped in an apartment complex during a zombie apocalypse. Viewers are able to empathize with the characters' predicament, as they too are have experienced varying degrees of lockdown amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

A scene from the film "Peninsula" / Courtesy of NEW

 

5. Peninsula

 

Director Yeon Sang-ho's "Peninsula," a sequel to his zombie blockbuster "Train to Busan," takes the zombie apocalypse to another level. The zombies are much faster and fiercer compared to the original version, according to the director. While the uninfected characters from "Train to Busan" escape from the zombies, the sequel shows how the survivors fight back and some even take advantage of the situation.

Starring Gang Dong-won and Lee Jung-hyun, "Peninsula" tells a tale of survivors on the zombie-packed peninsula four years after the events in "Train to Busan." It follows protagonist Jung-seok, who goes back to the zombie-infested peninsula on a mission. The film was selected for the official lineup of this year's Cannes Film Festival, and was sold to 185 countries, including Japan, Taiwan, France and Italy.

 

6. Deliver Us From Evil

 

This was the first film released since March to sell more than 4 million movie tickets in Korea when it came out in August, temporarily reviving the Korean cinema scene struck by the pandemic.

"Deliver Us From Evil" tells the story of hitman In-nam (Hwang Jung-min), who plans to retire after carrying out one last hit. However, he gets embroiled in unexpected incidents as ruthless villain Ray (Lee Jung-jae) chases after him. In a year without travel, the audience may enjoy the exotic locales as the film was predominantly shot in Thailand and Japan.

Lee was named best actor in the film category at the 2020 Asia Artist Awards for his role as Ray in the hardboiled action film.

 

7. Moving On

 

Director Yoon Dan-bi's "Moving On" is like flipping through an old diary. It reminds the audience of their childhood memories and enables them to empathize with characters in the film. The plot is rather straight and simple. It's about a brother and a sister staying at their grandfather's house over the summer vacation with their father, joined by their aunt. The complex family relationship is shown through the eyes of Ok-ju, the sister.

"Moving On," which was honored with four awards at the 24th Busan International Film Festival, nabbed the Bright Future award at this year's International Film Festival Rotterdam. It also won the Uncaged Award for Best Feature Film at the New York Asian Film Festival, New Talent Award at Hong Kong Asian Awards Festival, Osler Best Feature Film Award at the 24th Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival, Best Film Award at Torino Film Fest, Special Jury Prize at 35th Mardel Plata International Film Festival and Best Film Award at Nantes Three Continents Film Festival.

 

8. Steel Rain 2: Summit

 

If the hit TV series "Crash Landing On You" is a star-crossed romance between a South Korean heiress and a North Korean army officer, director Yang Woo-suk's "Steel Rain 2: Summit" is about an unlikely bromance between a South Korean president and a North Korean general despite geopolitical challenges.

Although it's a sequel to 2017's "Steel Rain," the plot is completely different. If the first film was a fantasy envisioning the hermit kingdom's collapse through a coup and the outbreak of military conflict between the two Koreas, the follow-up shows an optimistic approach to the situation on the Korean Peninsula, depicting a rare tripartite summit on North Korean soil to officially end the 1950-53 Korean War and clinch a peace treaty.

 

9. Voice of Silence

 

Director Hong Eui-jeong's feature debut "Voice of Silence" is not a typical crime thriller that blends ferocious, bloody action and dark investigations. Rather, the film employs dark humor and mise en scene aplenty in following the story of two peculiar characters.

The story develops as two men, who normally get paid for cleaning up crime scenes, become responsible for taking care of a girl who has been kidnapped by a member of a criminal organization but then dies suddenly. Through the film, Hong raises moral and ethical questions like what determines an action as good or bad/evil. This film was shortlisted as one of five nominees for best film at Blue Dragon Awards. Actor Yoo Ah-in, who plays the role of Tae-in, gives a splendid performance although he has zero lines in the film.

 

10. The Woman Who Ran

 

"The Woman Who Ran" is the latest film by arthouse director Hong Sang-soo, whose works boast extraordinary depth and ambiguity. Hong won the Silver Bear for Best Director at the 70th Berlin International Film Festival for this film, winning acclaim for his "Mobius-strip approach to time and memory."

The film revolves around Gam-hee (Kim Min-hee), who meets three friends over three days while her husband is away on a business trip. As she travels alone for the first time in the five years since her marriage, she explores new ways of seeing the world. The director's naturalistic approach and appreciation of small moments, like statically framed long takes on characters and the abrupt zoom of mountains and neighborhoods, shows a natural progression of ideas.

 

————

 

http://www.ajudaily.com/view/20201207155351937

Supernatural thriller 'The Priests' to be recreated into musical at S. Korean theater

 

Park Sae-jin Reporter(swatchsjp@ajunews.com) | December 7, 2020

 

[Courtesy of CJ ENM]

 

SEOUL -- "The Priests," a 2015 South Korean supernatural mystery thriller film directed by Jang Jae-hyun, will be recreated into a musical. The film has received positive feedback from moviegoers in North America and Europe.

 

The film depicting two Catholic priests on a quest to exorcise a demon that possessed a little girl garnered unexpected popularity in South Korea where blockbuster films created by Hollywood and domestic studios have dominated the box-office. 

 

RNDWORKS, a musical maker, said in a statement on December 7 that the musical remake of The Priests would be performed at a theater in Seoul in February 2019. The company said that the musical version would focus on depicting emotional details of a psychological battle between exorcists and the demon.

[Helena]

On 12/5/2020 at 3:32 PM, ElectricHearts said:

So wonder when movie Broker is suppose to film.

 

I read that it will be filmed in April-June 2021.

 

——-

 

https://www.screendaily.com/news/kofic-estimates-korean-box-office-down-74-in-covid-hit-2020/5155656.article

KOFIC estimates Korean box office down 74% in Covid-hit 2020

 

BYJEAN NOH | 13 DECEMBER 2020

 

South Korea’s film industry is on course to have shrunk 63.6% by year’s end, according to a Korean Film Council (KOFIC) report on the impact of Covid-19 published today.

 

The government-funded organisation estimates that, firstly, overall box office is on track to have gone down by 73.7% by year’s end, with approximately 60 million admissions for the year accounting for $467.5m (KW510bn).

 

Secondly, digital online sales are estimated to have gone down from $466.9m (KW509.3bn) last year to $333.28m (KW363.5bn) this year.

 

Thirdly, overseas sales of films, locations and services are estimated to have gone from last year’s $78.85m (KW86bn) to $36.1m (KW39.4bn).

 

Box office

 

KOFIC notes that when the country has 5,000 or more confirmed cases of Covid-19 a month, the next month’s admissions drop by 50%. December admissions are estimated to see a 92.7% decrease compared to last December to about 1.64 million admissions.

 

With major theatrical releases postponed and/or cancelled due to the pandemic, independent and arthouse films have been getting more play this year. Compared to the 353 titles that got 415,699 screenings in total last year, this year’s indie and arthouse films numbered fewer at 320 titles but got more play with 514,814 screenings.

 

With a lack of new commercial fare, films such as 1917, #Alive, Tenet and local comedy Oh! My Gran were able to stretch their runs to two months or longer.

 

Re-releases also increased from 95 titles last year to 250 this year. (The average for re-released titles 2016-2019 was 86.75 per year.)

 

All in all, Korean films took 68.6% of box office as of December 7.

 

Digital online

 

Although digital online sales for films are estimated to have gone down, the local OTT market (encompassing TV and other content in addition to films) grew from $581.9m (KW634.5bn) last year to $715.4m (KW780.1bn) this year.

 

Films that opted to skip theatrical releases and go straight to OTT platforms included Berlinale title Time To Hunt, which postponed release and went directly to Netflix in April – controversially cancelling overseas sales deals in the process – and much-anticipated sci-fi film Space Sweepers, for which investor-distributor Merry Christmas had planned a summer release but ended up announcing a deal with Netflix in November.

 

Top 5 theatrical releases of 2020

(title/release date/gross/admissions/main country of origin)

1. The Man Standing Next (January 22) $37.8m (KW41.2bn), 4.75 million, S. Korea

2. Deliver Us From Evil (August 5) $35.4m (KW38.6bn), S. Korea

3. Peninsula (July 15) $30.3m (KW33bn), 3.81 million, S. Korea

4. Hitman: Agent Jun (January 22) $18.9m (KW20.6bn), 2.4 million, S. Korea

5. Tenet (August 26) $16.85m (KW18.3bn)

[ElectricHearts]

On 12/12/2020 at 10:25 AM, Helena said:

 

I read that it will be filmed in April-June 2021.

 

He did a recent interview in Singapore. I think it is the film he is shooting in Europe or is it resuming of Tsunami LA from the Channel News Asia interview earlier? Don't know .. 

 

 Looks like he has been in Singapore since October and will be leaving Singapore to Europe after Christmas. He even mentioned he only spent a week filming Tsunami LA before epidemic happened. So I guess they really didn't get much filming done. Anyways, he is very busy.

 

 

Kang Dong-won's new 7 months of training in martial arts for his new film

Kang Dong-won has been back in Seoul since last year, deducting the fact that he returned to Seoul to promote the movie at the end of May.He spent nearly seven months in Hong Kong area.

Kang Dong-won has been back in Seoul since last year, deducting the fact that he returned to Seoul to promote the movie at the end of May.He spent nearly seven months in Hong Kong area.

Local MMA Integrated Fighting in Hong Kong during the outbreak of blockageKang Dong-won, a Korean actor, trained in martial arts for his new playI can be a fighter now!

If you see a Korean actor like Kang Dong-won on the street in the past month,Body figure, then you may actually see your own self.Kang Dong-won received the "Library Catalogue" in Hong Kong last week.An interview with the United Evening Post revealed that he had spent nearly seven months in Singapore since last year because he was preparing for his new role.After studying Thai boxing for two months in Thailand, last year 12He went to the Evolve Mixed Martial Arts Institute to train in Brazilian judo and Thai Boxing. He returned to Seoul in late May to promote the zombie film "The Dead Train: The Peninsula" and in October he resumed training.practice.

This means that during the local blockage, Kang was in Singapore.He told the Dong-A Ilbo that he could not go to the gym during the block.The streets are sparsely populated, and many shops are closed, "the atmosphere is very low."He believes that the local epidemic prevention measures are doing well, and that he feels safe in Singapore compared to other areas.

Kang Dong-won has been on a personal tour for the past few months. It's a good security guard. He's wearing a mask, covering half his face. Did he ever be recognized by passers-by?" It's not often recognized, but the number of times it's been recognized since the release of "Jazeera" has changed," he said. If you meet fans asking for a group photo, it's a secret trip and the new play doesn't even have the hair style.Kang had no choice but to say no to the exposure, but he welcomed his fans to come forward and say hello.

Kang Dong-won goes to Evolve for intensive training almost every day. "Just like the fighter's training, I thought I could. As a fighter, the coach told me, 'Come on, we'll go next year.'
 

As an actor, you experience new things through a single work and learn new things for the next work. I'm not sure I can remember how to surf, but it's going to take a little time to regain my skills."

The film is temporarily discontinued due to the epidemic and looks forward to a return to work next year. He said that he had only been filming for a week, but the preparations before the shooting began were very careful and joyful.The Hollywood team's efficiency in making movies in Korea is often determined by actors and actresses, and in the U.S. the schedule is very good because of the high budget.He smiled and added: They hardly let you rest... but I like it!It's very professional."

Kang Dong-element likes to come into contact with new things, to a new environment that is unfamiliar to him"I really like the new experience. "It gives me a lot of motivation and fighting power."

He will leave Singapore after Christmas and fly to Europe to start the new film.

 

https://www.zaobao.com.sg/zentertainment/k-pop/story20201214-1108681?amp

[Helena]

Source: https://www.gallup.co.kr/gallupdb/reportContent.asp?seqNo=1160

Koreans surveyed on their favorite Movie Stars who shined

 

Gallup Korea "Movie Stars Who Shined the Year of 2020”

1. Song Kang-ho - 27.8%

2. Lee Byung-hun - 14.0%

3. Ma Dong-seok - 9.1%

4. Hwang Jung-min - 7.5%

5. Jung Woo-sung - 6.2%

6. Gong Yoo - 5.9%

7. Ha Jung-woo - 4.0%

8. Lee Jung-jae - 3.6%

9. Kim Hye-soo - 3.5%

10. Lee Jung-eun - 3.4%

11. Kang Dong-won - 3.3%

12. Sung Dong-il - 2.9%

13. Yoo Ah-in - 2.7%

14. Yoo Hae-jin, Kwak Do-won - 2.4%

16. Son Ye-jin - 2.0%

17. Hyun Bin - 1.9%

18. Sol Kyung-gu - 1.6%

19. Choi Min-sik - 1.5%

20. Ahn Sung-ki, Jo Jung-suk - 1.4%

22. Lee Je-hoon, Han Suk-kyu, Park Bo-gum, Joo Ji-hoon - 1.3%

26. Jo Yeo-jung, Jo Jin-woong - 1.1%

28. Park Seo-joon, Jo In-sung, Jang Dong-gun - 1.0%

 

2007-2020

Spoiler

Gallup Korea "Movie Stars Who Shined the Year of 2007”

1. Jeon Do-yeon (Secret Sunshine) - 49.7%

2. Song Kang-ho - 16.5%

3. Bae Yong-joon, Ahn Sung-ki - 6.4%

5. Sol Kyung-gu- 5.0%

 

Gallup Korea "Movie Stars Who Shined the Year of 2008”

1. Song Kang-ho (The Good, The Bad, The Weird) - 13.1%

2. Son Ye-jin (My Wife Got Married) - 11.3%

3. Kim Hye-soo (Modern Boy) - 7.4%

4. Jeon Do-yeon (My Dear Enemy), Jang Dong-gun - 7.3%

6. Jung Woo-sung (The Good, The Bad, The Weird) - 6.1%

7. Ha Jung-Woo (The Chaser, My Dear Enemy) - 5.4%

 

Korea's Gallup "Movie Stars Who Shined the Year of 2009”

1. Lee Byung-hun - 20.1%

2. Jang Dong-gun - 17.9%

3. Sol Kyung-gu - 17.5%

4. Ha Ji-won - 14.3%

5. Jung Ji-hoon / Rain - 8.3%

 

Gallup Korea "Movie Stars Who Shined the Year of 2010”

1. Won Bin (The Man from Nowhere) - 30.7%

2. Jang Dong-gun - 14.4%

3. Kang Dong-won - 11.6%

4. Lee Byung-hun - 6.4%

5. Song Kang-ho - 5.6%

 

Gallup Korea "Movie Stars Who Shined the Year of 2011”

1. Won Bin - 11.3%

2. Park Hae-il - 9.5%

3. Jang Dong-gun - 8.8%

4. Kim Ha-neul (Blind) - 8.2%

5. Gong Yoo - 5.8%

6. Lee Byung-hun, Song Kang-ho - 4.8%

8. Ha Ji-won - 3.1%

9. Ahn Sung-ki

10. Han Seok-kyu- 3.0%

 

Gallup Korea "Movie Stars Who Shined the Year of 2012”

1. Lee Byung-hun - 37.6%

2. Song Joong-ki - 15%

3. Kim Hye-soo - 7.6%

4.Jang Dong-gun - 7.4%

5. Ha Jung-woo - 6.4%

6. Jeon Ji-hyun

7. Kim Yoon-seok

8. Park Bo-young - 4.2%

 

Gallup Korea "Movie Stars Who Shined the Year of 2013”

1. Song Kang-ho - 22.5%

2. Ha Jung-woo - 18.9%

3. Lee Byung-hun - 18.0%

4. Ryu Seung-ryong - 10.1%

5. Sol Kyung-gu - 7.4%

6. Lee Jung-jae - 6.7%

7. Kim Hye-soo - 6.3%

8. Kim Soo-hyun - 5.7%

9. Jang Dong-gun - 3.7%

10. Jeon Ji-hyun - 2.8%

 

Gallup Korea "Movie Stars Who Shined the Year of 2014”

1. Choi Min-sik - 42.3%

2. Song Kang-ho - 22.2%

3. Ryu Seung-ryong - 10.5%

4. Ha Jung-woo - 9.0%

5. Lee Byung-hun - 4.5%

6. Kang Dong-won - 4.2%

7. Sol Kyung-gu - 3.7%

8. Jung Woo-sung - 3.6%

9. Hyun Bin - 3.3%

10. Kim Soo-hyun - 3.2%

 

Gallup Korea "Movie Stars Who Shined the Year of 2015”

1. Yoo Ah-in - 26.9%

2. Song Kang-ho - 20.3%

3. Hwang Jung-min - 16.1%

4. Jeon Ji-hyun - 14.2%

5. Ha Jung-woo - 11.8%

6. Choi Min-sik - 9.8%

7. Oh Dal-soo - 6.2%

8. Lee Jung-jae - 5.8%

9. Kang Dong-won - 4.2%

10. Yoo Hae-jin - 4.1%

 

Gallup Korea "Movie Stars Who Shined the Year of 2016”

1. Hwang Jung-min - 21.2%

2. Song Kang-ho - 18.4%

3. Gong Yoo - 12.7%

4. Ha Jung-woo - 11.4%

5. Yoo Hae-jin - 10.8%

6. Lee Byung-hun - 9.6%

7. Lee Jung-jae - 6.3%

8. Jung Woo-sung - 6.2%

9. Jeon Ji-hyun - 5.4%

10. Ma Dong-seok - 5%

11 Song Joong-ki

12 Yoo Ah-in

13 Choi Min-sik

14 Kim Hye-soo

15 Kang Dong-won

15 Sol Kyung-gu

17 Jo Jin-woong

18 Son Ye-jin

19 Oh Dal-soo

20 Ra mi-ran

 

Gallup Korea "Movie Stars Who Shined the Year of 2017”

1. Song Kang-ho - 35%

2. Ma Dong-seok - 17.8%

3. Lee Byung-hun - 12.6%

4. Hwang Jung-min - 8.1%

5. Ha Jung-woo, Sol Kyung-gu - 6.3%

 

Korea's Gallup "Movie Stars Who Shined the Year of 2018”

1. Ma Dong-seok - 19.9%

2. Ha Jung-woo - 18.6%

3. Lee Byung-hun - 11.2%

4. Song Kang-ho - 10.9%

5. Joo Ji-hoon - 7.3%

6. Yoo Hae-jin

7. Jung Woo-sung

8. Hwang Jung-min

9. Jo In-sung

10. Cha Tae-hyun

14. Kim Hye-soo

14.

16. Son Ye-jin

16.

 

Gallup Korea "Movie Stars Who Shined the Year of 2019”

1. Song Kang-ho - 29.8%

2. Ma Dong-seok - 18.2%

3. Gong Yoo - 8.9%

4. Jo Jin-woong - 8.5%

5. Ha Jung-woo, Lee Byung-hun - 7.1%

7. Jung Woo-sung - 4.5%

8. Yoo Hae-jin - 4.1%

9. Hwang Jung-min - 3.6%

10. Honey Lee - 3.3%

Ryu Seung-ryong (3.0%), Lee Jung-jae (2.8%), Sol Kyung-gu (2.4%), Jung Yu-mi (2.2%), Ahn Sung-ki, Jang Dong-gun (2.1%), Jo Yeo-jung (2%), Ryu Jun-yeol (2.0%)

 

Gallup Korea "Movie Stars Who Shined the Year of 2020”

1. Song Kang-ho - 27.8%

2. Lee Byung-hun - 14.0%

3. Ma Dong-seok - 9.1%

4. Hwang Jung-min - 7.5%

5. Jung Woo-sung - 6.2%

6. Gong Yoo - 5.9%

7. Ha Jung-woo - 4.0%

8. Lee Jung-jae - 3.6%

9. Kim Hye-soo - 3.5%

10. Lee Jung-eun - 3.4%

11. Kang Dong-won - 3.3%

12. Sung Dong-il - 2.9%

13. Yoo Ah-in - 2.7%

14. Yoo Hae-jin, Kwak Do-won - 2.4%

16. Son Ye-jin - 2.0%

17. Hyun Bin - 1.9%

18. Sol Kyung-gu - 1.6%

19. Choi Min-sik - 1.5%

20. Ahn Sung-ki, Jo Jung-suk - 1.4%

22. Lee Je-hoon, Han Suk-kyu, Park Bo-gum, Joo Ji-hoon - 1.3%

26. Jo Yeo-jung, Jo Jin-woong - 1.1%

28. Park Seo-joon, Jo In-sung, Jang Dong-gun - 1.0%

 

 

 

[Helena]

Spoiler

 

 

 

<Cine21> Korean Films Best 10

1. The Woman Who Ran (도망친 여자)

2. Moving On (남매의 여름밤)

3. Tiny Light (작은 빛)

4. Me and Me (사라진 시간)

5. Voice of Silence (소리도 없이)

6. Lucky Chan-Sil (찬실이는 복도 많지)

7. The Education (에듀케이션)

8. The Man Standing Next (남산의 부장들)

9.  Peninsula (반도)

10. Days in a Summer (여름날)

 

Cine21 issue# 1286

 

———

 

https://zapzee.net/2020/12/23/peninsula-prequel-to-be-unveiled-as-webtoon-peninsula-prequel-631-released-in-korea-and-japan/

‘Peninsula’ Prequel to Be Unveiled as Webtoon: ‘Peninsula Prequel 631’ Released in Korea and Japan

 

by krishkim

Credit: New Studio

 

Director Yeon Sang Ho’s world will expand once again.

 

According to New Studio, Train to Busan sequel Peninsula will be released in Japan on Jan 1, 2021. In line with this release, the webtoon Peninsula Prequel 631 will be released simultaneously in Korea and Japan through Korea’s Kakao Page and Japan’s Piccoma.

 

Set four years after Train to Busan, Peninsula is an action blockbuster film about the last struggle of those left in the ruined land. Not only was the film pre-sold in 190 countries, but it was also officially invited to the 2020 Cannes International Film Festival, which held the “Cannes Official Selection 2020” online in the aftermath of the pandemic. Since then, it has been released in 40 countries, including North and South America, Europe, Asia, Oceania, and the Middle East, and recorded about 60 million dollars in sales, becoming one of the biggest hits this year.

 

Peninsula Prequel 631 is set a year before Peninsula. Director Yeon, who produced the original webtoon, said, “Peninsula Prequel 631 will act as a bridge between Train to Busan and Peninsula. It is a story that encompasses the world view from where the zombie virus originated, and for those who enjoyed Seoul Station, Train to Busan

and Peninsula, it will be an interesting work.”

 

As such, Peninsula Prequel 631 adds meaning in terms of creating synergy effects by extending the value of content IP. Especially in Japan, where the webtoon is released alongside the film, more enthusiastic responses are expected.

 

 

Source (1)

[Helena]

https://zapzee.net/2020/12/26/will-they-be-released-list-of-2021-korean-films/

Will They Be Released? List of 2021 Korean Films

 

by krishkim

 

With the coronavirus pandemic, many of the movies had to either halt their production or postpone their release.

 

And with the surge of COVID-19 cases in Korea, major distributors postponed their tent-pole films and are still yet to set a specific release schedule.

 

Credit: CJ Entertainment, Megabox Plus M

 

Directed by Haeundae and Ode to My Father director Yoon Je Kyung, Hero (literal title) depicts the last one year of An Jung Geun, a Korean-independence activist, who was sentenced to death after killing Ito Hirobumi in Harbin in October 1909. Impressed by the musical, director Yoon challenged live recording on the spot like Tom Hooper’s Les Miserable.

 

Mogadishu, directed by Veteran director Ryu Seung Wan, talks about the escape of diplomatic officials from South and North Korea, who got isolated in the middle of Somalia civil war in the 1990s. Jo In Sung, Kim Yoon Seok and Heo Joon Ho starred in the film. These two films were supposed to be released this summer, but their release was pushed back indefinitely with the pandemic.

 

Director Lee Joon Ik’s new film The Book of Fish, starring Byun Yohan and Sol Kyung Gu, will be released in 2021. The fact that this is Sol Kyung Gu’s first-ever historical project made headlines.

 

Spoiler

Credit: CJ Entertainment, Lotte Entertainment

 

Seobok, starring Gong Yoo and Park Bo Gum, and Life Is Beautiful, Yeom Jung Ah and Ryu Seung Ryong, were originally scheduled to be unveiled earlier this month but delayed their release to next year.

 

The Merciless director Byun Sung Hyun’s new film Kingmaker (literal title), starring Sol Kyung Gu and Lee Sun Kyun, is also set to be released next year.  Emergency Declaration that flaunts its star-studded cast finally finished filming in October after much delay due to COVID-19 and is currently preparing for the release in 2021.

 

New mega-scale films by the masters are also on their way. The Handmaiden director Park Chan Wook’s new film Determination to Part Ways (literal title) and Hirokazu Koreeda’s new Korean film Broker (working title), starring Song Kang Ho, Kang Dong Won, and Bae Doo Na, are either being produced right now or plan to start filming next year.

 

Minari, which is drawing keen attention ahead of the Oscars next year, will also be released in Korean in the first half of 2021.

 

Source (1)

[Helena]

https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2021/01/03/entertainment/movies/2021-box-office-new-releases-films/20210103145400589.html

After a disappointing 2020, a look at the year ahead for the film industry

 

January 3, 2021

 

A nearly empty ticket-selling venue at one of the branches of a multiplex theater chain in Seoul after Covid-19 hit the country. [NEWS1]

 

Theaters in December sat almost empty with nearly all highly anticipated films scrambling to push back their release dates due to a spike in the number of daily coronavirus cases.  With the exception of small or independent films, only two films of note were released last month — “Josee” and “Wonder Woman 1984.”

 

Imminent releases include “New Year Blues,” “Seobok” and “Life is Beautiful” — all three of which were scheduled to hit screens last month.

 

Director Hong Ji-young’s “New Year Blues” stars an array of popular actors such as Kim Kang-woo, Yoo In-na, Yoo Yeon-seok, Lee Yeon-hee, Choi Soo-young and Yoo Teo. The movie is set a week before the new year, and the actors portray four sets of couples or potential love interests.

 

Director Lee Yong-joo’s “Seobok” was one of the most anticipated films of 2020, generating buzz for the collaboration between Gong Yoo and Park Bo-gum. The sci-fi film revolves around an ex-intelligence agent Gi-heon’s last mission to deliver humanity’s first human clone, Seobok, to safety.

 

Spoiler

From the top, scenes from upcoming films “Life is Beautiful,” “Seobok” and “Minari.” [LOTTE ENTERTAINMENT, CJ ENTERTAINMENT, PAN CINEMA]

 

“Life is Beautiful,” starring actors Yum Jung-ah and Ryu Seung-ryong, is a musical about a wife who, after finding out that her days are numbered, goes on a road trip with her husband to find her first love as her last birthday wish.

 

The three films are expected to unveil their premiere dates as soon as the current uptick in Covid-19 cases can be contained. But in the face of the unpredictable coronavirus, none of the film distributors can pinpoint a specific date, and that also goes for a plethora of other films which had hoped to premiere last year.

 

Director Yoon Je-kyun’s musical film “Hero,” director Ryu Seung-wan’s “Mogadishu,” and historical dramas “The Book of Fish” by director Lee Joon-ik and "Hansan" from director Kim Han-min are also waiting for a chance to hit big screens.

 

Based on the musical production of the same title, actor Jung Sung-hwa portrays independence activist Ahn Jung-geun (1879-1910) during his last year of life while in prison in "Hero." Jung starred as Ahn in the musical since 2009. Director Yoon was to have been immensely moved by the original musical and tried his hand at recording the songs live on the set, just as Tom Hooper’s “Les Miserables” (2012) did.

 

Action-crime film “Mogadishu” featuring actors Kim Yoon-seok, Zo In-sung and Heo Joon-ho, was another highly anticipated project which had already finished filming in Morocco early last year and was set for a summer release. The film is based on a real-life defection of two Korean embassies which took place in the mist of the Somali Civil War in the 1990s.

 

“The Book of Fish” is the second black-and-white film from director Lee after “Dongju: The Portrait of A Poet” (2016). “The Book of Fish” is the tale of a camaraderie that blossoms between Jeong Yak-jeon (1758-1816) who is a scholar from the Joseon Dynasty (1319-1910) and a peasant named Chang-dae who work together to write a book on marine biology titled “Jasaneobo.” The film features actors Seol Kyung-gu and Byun Yo-han as the scholar and the peasant.

 

“Hansan” is the second film in a trilogy based on general Yi Sun-sin (1545-1598), originally set for release this year. The first film “Roaring Currents” (2014) still ranks No. 1 in the history of local box office, having drawn over 17 million audience members. The film covers the period of the first battle after the outbreak of the Imjin War (Japanese invasion of Joseon from 1592-1598).

 

Another film set for release this year is political drama “Kingmaker.” Based on Uhm Chang-rok, a real-life kingmaker or person who brings leaders to power through the exercise of political influence, the film is anticipated to depict a gripping political battle as politician Kim Woon-beom (played by Seol Kyung-gu) strives to become president with the assistance of a kingmaker Seol Chang-dae (played by Lee Sun-kyun).

 

“Emergency Declaration,” a film which takes place on an airplane while the world below is plunged into an apocalypse, features stars Song Kang-ho, Lee Byung-hun, Jeon Do-yeon and Im Si-wan. It is director Han Jae-rim’s latest film and is also expected to hit the theaters this year.

 

The two maestros of Korea and Japan are each preparing for new projects as well. Director Park Chan-wook is filming “Decision to Break Up” (translated) with actors Park Hae-il and Tang Wei while director Hirokazu Koreeda is wrapping up a screenplay for his first try at a Korean film tentatively titled “Broker.” It is set to begin filming this year with mega-popular actors Song Kang-ho, Kang Dong-won and Bae Doo-na.

 

Korean-American director Lee Isaac Chung’s “Minari” is set to arrive in local theaters in the first half of this year. The film is based on the director’s own childhood and is about a Korean family that emigrates to Arkansas in the 1980s in search of the American dream. The film is receiving international accolades across the globe similar to director Bong Joon-ho’s “Parasite,” and film critics reckon it's in with a strong chance for an Oscar nomination. The film features Korean and Korean-American actors such as Steven Yeun, Han Ye-ri and Youn Yuh-jung.

 

Continuing with films that were scheduled to premiere last year, Netflix, a platform which streams in 190 countries, became the host for many that chose not to premiere on the big screen.

 

Spoiler

From the top, scenes from “What Happened to Mr. Cha?,″ “Kingdom: Ashin of the North,″ and ″Space Sweepers.″ The former premiered in Netflix on Jan. 1 and the latter two are scheduled to be released on the streaming platform sometime later this year. [NETFLIX]

 

“What Happened to Mr. Cha?” premiered on Jan. 1 on Netflix. Starring actor Cha In-pyo, the actor uses his actual name and adapts his own filmographies in the film to tell the story of a '90’s icon still caught up on his former glory and his struggles to become popular again.

 

Sci-fi film “Space Sweepers” stars actors Song Joong-ki, Kim Tae-ri, Jin Seon-kyu and Yoo Hae-jin as space pirates who come across a humanoid robot Dorothy, which is also a weapon of massive destruction. Netflix has yet to announce a release date for the film.

 

In terms of Netflix original series, be on the lookout for director Yeon Sang-ho’s “Hellbound,” “Kingdom: Ashin of the North,” and “Round Six.”

 

“Hellbound” is adapted from the Naver webtoon “The Hell,” in which the director scripted the story, and “Kingdom: Ashin of the North” is reported to be a side-sequel from the “Kingdom” series featuring actor Jun Ji-hyun. “Round Six,” starring actors Lee Jung-jae, Park Hae-soo and Heo Sung-tae among others, is director Hwang Dong-hyuk’s latest film about a survival game in which the ultimate winner is awarded prize money that could change their lives.

 

 

BY LEE JAE-LIM   [lee.jaelim@joongang.co.kr]

 

—————

 

https://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/eng/news/news.jsp?seq=5484&mode=VIEW

PENINSULA Is Top-Performing Foreign Film at the Japanese Box Office

 

by Pierce Conran | Jan 06, 2021

 

Korean Zombie Hit Pushes WONDER WOMAN Down

 

YEON Sang-ho’s hit zombie sequel Peninsula (2020) opened in cinemas in Japan on January 1, where it reached seventh place on the charts for four consecutive days, making it the top-performing non-Japanese film on the charts. It pushed down the Warner Bros tentpole Wonder Woman 1984 to claim first place among foreign films.

 

In those four days the film has welcomed almost 100,000 viewers in Japan. The prequel webtoon ‘Peninsula Prequel 631’, previously released in Korea, is also being published locally, which may help the film remain competitive in the marketplace.

 

A sequel to the worldwide TRAIN TO BUSAN (2016), which screened in the midnight section of the Cannes Film Festival, Peninsula (2020) was one of the films officially selected for this year’s Cannes Film Festival and was sold to 190 markets prior to its debut.

 

Starring GANG Dong-won and LEE Jung-hyun, Peninsula (2020) takes place four years after the events of TRAIN TO BUSAN (2016) and focuses on a group of Korean mercenaries who return to Korea to search for a truck filled with cash, but they encounter several difficulties along the way. 

 

The film was first released on July 15 in Korea, where it welcomed 3.8 million viewers (USD 30.4 million). To date, the film has been released in around 40 territories and its global box office take has surpassed USD 60 million.

 

The top six spots at the Japanese box office are all currently held by local films, including Demon Slayer the Movie: Mugen Train in first place, which has led the local charts for 12 weeks and recently became the most successful Japanese film of all time.

[ElectricHearts]

On 12/23/2020 at 12:53 AM, Helena said:

  Reveal hidden contents

 

 

 

 

Peninsula Prequel 631 is set a year before Peninsula. Director Yeon, who produced the original webtoon, said, “Peninsula Prequel 631 will act as a bridge between Train to Busan and Peninsula. It is a story that encompasses the world view from where the zombie virus originated, and for those who enjoyed Seoul Station, Train to Busan

and Peninsula, it will be an interesting work.”

 

As such, Peninsula Prequel 631 adds meaning in terms of creating synergy effects by extending the value of content IP. Especially in Japan, where the webtoon is released alongside the film, more enthusiastic responses are expected.

 

Thanks! I had wonder what that was  

[DongwonBella]

Hello there Dongwon fans... On this week I am binge-watching all Dongwon's old and new films. I love this actor. I just finished rewatching Peninsula this AM. Done rewatching 1987:When The Day Comes. Kundo:  Age of the Rampant 

Too Beautiful Too Lie, A Violent Prosecutor and his drama Something About 1%. I'll rewatch Golden Slumber by weekend. 

 

I just miss him. He was my first love in Korean Ent industry and until now am a big fan. I was waiting for Tsunami LA but I think there was a halt in filming because of the covid. Hope it will be finalized soon and premiered in big cinema. 

 

 

 

'Gang Dong-won Special' screening event held in Japanese theater... Reflecting the Popularity of the movie 'Peninsula'

Input 2021.01.06. 11:14 am

 

The movie'Bando' is running a box office in Japan, leading to high interest in actor Kang Dong-won.

 

The movie'Bando' was released all over Japan on January 1st under the title of'新感染半島 FINAL-STEE-J (New Infectious Peninsula Final Stage)', and it is continuing its outstanding score day after day.

 

Even in the atmosphere of a theater that has been solidified in the aftermath of the local Corona 19,'Bando' has maintained the number one foreign currency after hitting the movie'Wonder Woman 1984'.

 

Along with the movie's success, interest in Kang Dong-won, who played the role of'Han Jeong-seok', is also increasing. Kang Dong-won, along with Song Kang-ho, is also attracting the attention of local fans by confirming the appearance of the first Korean film directing ``Broker (tentative title)'' by Japanese master Hirokazu Koreida.

 

Cinemart, a Japanese theater chain, announced that it will hold a special feature of Kang Dong-won in Tokyo and Osaka from the 8th to the 14th. The plan is to screen 7 films, including the early films of Kang Dong-won. The screenings are'Don't Believe Her','Brother's,''Gundo','My Exciting Life','Swordsman's Sidewalk','Master' '1987'.
https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/144/0000709913

 

 

 

January 18 is #GangDongWonDay

Belated Happy Birthday Dongwon-ssi. 

Edited January 18, 2021 by DongwonBella

[ElectricHearts]

Happy birthday Kang Dong Won!

 

I wonder if he is still in Europe as planned like he mentioned in his Singapore interview. He was flying out after Christmas to Europe to film his next project

[DongwonBella]

@ElectricHearts you are talking about the movie "Broker" by Hirokazo Koreeda PD. 

 

 

 

From Soompi - he renewed his contract with YG Ent. 

https://www.soompi.com/article/1449907wpp/kang-dong-won-renews-contract-with-yg-entertainment

 

 

 

Throwback photos:

Spoiler

 

ctto

 

 

[ElectricHearts]

@DongwonBella Yes I am talking about Broker  I know Doona Bae is still filming with Gong Yoo but it seems like he left earlier compared to other cast members. Song Kang Ho did a pictorial for Dazed Korea - it was recently released. So I assume SKH is also recently still in Korea. I do know he likes to do a lot of prep work though  I'm glad he renewed his contract

[DongwonBella]

Throwback Entertainment Weekly HotStarGram video of DongWon-ssi. 

 

 

 

[DongwonBella]

Just for Gang Dong Won

 

[ElectricHearts]

I see that IU got cast in Broker too. Looking forward to the film  

 

Hope we get filming updates later

 

https://www.soompi.com/article/1451720wpp/iu-cast-in-koreeda-hirokazus-upcoming-film-starring-song-kang-ho-kang-dong-won-and-bae-doona

[DongwonBella]

Yup, she was casted, since this is related to GDW I'll post this anyway. Can't be more excited for this.GDW and IU are both my ultimate faves with Bae Doona as a super versatile actress and the king of Chungmuro SongKangHo, I think this film will be great, just a catchy plot is needed. 

 

 

Edited February 3, 2021 by DongwonBella

[DongwonBella]

Dong Won got a beard. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TBS,'My Exciting Life' broadcast starring Song Hye-kyo and Kang Dong-won on the 12th… New Year Feature Movie

On the 12th (Fri), at 10 o'clock on New Year's Day, TBS Movie Collection will air a movie 'My Exciting Life', which contains a special family story in celebration of New Year's Day.

This work is a film based on the novel of the same name by Kim Ae-ran, directed by Lee Jae-yong and released in 2014. At the time of the release, the fact that two actors Kang Dong-won and Song Hye-kyo took on the role of parents also became a big topic.

The movie "My  Exciting Life" is a story of a parent who lost his youth and a son who grew old too quickly. Dae-soo (Kang Dong-won), who was a promising Taekwondo player, and Mira (Song Hye-kyo), who dreamed of becoming an idol, became the parents of Arumyi with children at 17.

And his son Arumyi suffers from congenital progeria, which gets old quickly. Sixteen boys with a beautiful 80-year-old body. Arumyi's time flows faster than anyone else, and Daesoo and Mira are struggling to hide the fear of a breakup that they do not know when they will come, and live vigorously. Then one day, the story of this family is known to the world through a documentary, and unexpected things begin to happen to Beautiful.

On the 12th (Fri) at 10 p.m., I hope you spend a heartwarming New Year's night through the love story told by this special family, whose day by day is so precious.

TBS Movie Collection can be viewed on TBS TV, IPTV (KT 214, SK 167, LG 245), and cable TV (TBS homepage or local cable broadcasting inquiries).

https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/311/0001262953

Edited February 11, 2021 by DongwonBella

[ElectricHearts]

Not new but video footage from Youn Yuh Jung was recently uploaded and Kang Dong Won also attended

 

 

Kang Dong Won is also part of Korean Actors 200. Looking forward to his moving trailer and write up. 

 

Kang Dong Won is also back in Korea too.

[Helena]

https://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/eng/news/news.jsp?blbdComCd=601006&seq=5569&mode=VIEW

Koreeda’s Korean Debut BROKER Completes Production

by Pierce Conran | Jul 05, 2021

Bae Doona, Song Kangho, Gang Dongwon and More Appear in Latest from Japanese Auteur

 

Broker (working title), the highly anticipated Korean feature debut of acclaimed filmmaker Koreeda Hirokazu, completed production on June 22. The project has drawn considerable attention for its cast of Korean stars, including Bae Doona, who previously appeared in Koreeda’s Air Doll, Song Kangho, Gang Dongwon and IU (aka Lee Jieun).

The story focuses on various characters who are affected by a ‘baby box’, the name given to special anonymous drop-off points for newborn babies from parents unable to care for them. The film went into production on April 14 and took just over two months to complete.

Parasite (2019) star Song, who is going to Cannes this summer with Emergency Declaration and as a member of the main competition jury, has worked with several times before, on Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance (2002), The Host (2006), and The Drug King (2018). He has also worked with Gang on Secret Reunion (2010).

Already a household name for her singing career, IU has also made a name for herself on the small screen and is steadily beginning to appear in films such as Kim Jongkwan’s Shades of the Heart (2019). She previously co-starred with Bae in the ‘Love Set’ segment of the Netflix series Persona.

Koreeda won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival with Shoplifters in 2018. His other acclaimed films include Nobody Knows, Still Walking, and Like Father, Like Son.

The cinematography on the project was handled by the celebrated Hong Kyeongpyo, known for lensing Bong Joonho’s Parasite (2019) and Snowpiercer (2013), as well as Na Hongjin’s The Wailing (2016) and Lee Changdong’s Burning (2018).

Broker is produced by ZIP CINEMA (The Priests, 2015) and will be distributed by CJ Entertainment, the studio responsible for Parasite.

 

——

 

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20210707008300315
More Korean film productions join multinational projects

By Kim Boram (brk@yna.co.kr) | July 07, 2021

SEOUL, July 7 (Yonhap) -- More and more South Korean film producers and investors have been participating in multinational film projects in recent years, backed by the country's reputation as a rising powerhouse in the global cinema scene.

 

Spoiler

The upcoming horror film "The Medium" is a collaboration of South Korea and Thailand, drawing attention for the teamwork of horror masters of the two countries -- Na Hong-jin of "The Wailing" (2016) and Banjong Pisanthanakun of "Shutter" (2004).  Na, who wrote the original story of the show, led the Korean-Thai project as a producer, along with Korean production studio Northern Cross and distributor Showbox.  He asked Pisanthanakun to take the helm of the movie in Thailand, with local cast members including actors Narilya Gulmongkolpech and Sawanee Utoomma.

In this photo provided by Showbox, Na Hong-jin, who produced the Korean-Thai horror project "The Medium," poses at a press conference in Seoul on July 2, 2021. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

This photo provided by Showbox shows Thai director Banjong Pisanthanakun of "The Medium." (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

CJ ENM, the entertainment unit of South Korean conglomerate CJ Group, is producing the drama film "Broker" (working title), which is now in post production, with Japanese auteur Hirokazu Kore-eda.  It is the first time that the Japanese director, who won Cannes' Palme d'Or for "Shoplifters" in 2018, has taken the helm of a Korean-language project financed and produced by Korean firms.  Many Korean silver screen actors, including Song Kang-ho, Kang Dong-won and Bae Doo-na, star in the film.

This file photo taken on Oct 5, 2019, shows Japanese auteur Hirokazu Kore-eda. (Yonhap)

In addition, Kazakh-Russian filmmaker Timur Bekmambetov participated in the production of the Korean romantic comedy "Longdi" by Korean studio 12 Journey.  Bekmambetov has directed and produced a number of hit movies, including the action thriller "Wanted" (2008) and the mystery thriller "Searching" (2018).

It is not new for Korean filmmakers, especially prominent directors, to participate in big-budget film projects led by American and British film studios.  Cannes-winning Bong Joon-ho directed the adventure movie "Okja" (2017), which was produced by Plan B Entertainment in the United States and presented by Netflix.  Star director Kim Jee-woon made his U.S. debut with the action thriller "The Last Stand" (2013) after getting a call from Hollywood. Kim gained worldwide recognition after the actioner "The Good, The Bad, The Weird" (2008) and the thriller "I Saw the Devil" (2010).  But in recent years, an increasing number of Korean filmmakers are playing a leading role in developing and producing film projects, recruiting foreign directors and actors.

Korean cinema has entered its heyday and has drawn global attention for recent cinematic achievements, like the Oscar and Palme d'Or winning "Parasite" and Youn Yuh-jung of "Minari," who became the first South Korean to win an acting Oscar. (END)