[Herald Review] Two misfits’ evolving friendship, chemistry spice up ‘Love in the Big City’

“Why it doesn’t make sense that we live together? I mean, the house price in Seoul is so damn expensive!” In a conservative country like South Korea, it’s hard to imagine two friends -- man and woman -- living under the same roof. If that line were from a typical K-rom-com, the next scene would show two friends found in the same bed and falling in love, almost inevitably. But in director Lee Eon-hie’s “Love in the Big City,” they get to know and understa

Sept. 24, 2024

CJ ENM seeks to diversify its presence at 29th BIFF with TV series, K-pop documentary

South Korean entertainment conglomerate CJ EJM, a leading movie distributor as well as the operator of the country’s largest multiplex chain CJ CGV, is seeking to diversify its presence at the 29th Busan International Film Festival by showcasing its series and a documentary. According to CJ ENM subsidiary Tving, a leading domestic streaming platform, two of its original series “Dongjae, the Good or the Bastard” and “Way Back Love” are screening at the BIFF’s O

Sept. 24, 2024

[Box office] Movies in theaters this week

“I, the Executioner” (South Korea) Opened Sept. 24 Crime/Action Directed by Ryoo Seung-wan Veteran detective Seo Do-cheol (Hwang Jung-min) teams up with rookie cop Park Sun-woo (Jung Hae-in) to track down a serial killer who taunts the police by announcing his next victim before committing each crime. “Jung Kook: I Am Still” (South Korea) Opened Sept. 18 Documentary Directed by Park Jun-su Follow K-pop phenomenon BTS member Jung-kook and his performance in New York, Lon

Sept. 20, 2024

Kim Woo-bin grew to appreciate ‘unseen’ heroes with ‘Officer Black Belt’

Through Netflix action comedy “Officer Black Belt,” Kim Woo-bin said he became appreciative of the “unseen” heroes ensuring people’s safety every day. In this coming-of-age film, Kim plays Jung-do, a young man gradually exposed to the world of martial arts officers and probation officers. He acciden

Sept. 20, 2024

‘House of the Seasons’ delves into love, hatred and generational differences

For “House of the Seasons” director Oh Jung-min, a family is like tofu. “The process of making tofu is quite arduous. You have to soak beans for a long time, boil them, grind them and filter until they become softer, but only a small amount of tofu is made at the end. Plus, you have to be careful no

Sept. 19, 2024

[Box office] Movies in theaters this week

“My Dearest Fu Bao” (South Korea) Opened Documentary Directed by Shim Hyung-joon Follow Fu Bao on the big screen in her last three months in Korea and see her interactions with the “Fu Bao grandpa” zookeepers, as well as the heart-touching moment when Kang Cheol-won reunites with Fu Bao three months after she is sent to China. “Alien: Romulus” (US) Opened Aug. 14 Horror/Sci-fi Directed by Fede Alvarez In 2142, a group of young space colonizers go on an

Sept. 13, 2024

[Herald Review] Ryoo Seung-wan asks what justice is in “I, the Executioner”

Ryoo Seung-wan, an established filmmaker in Korea known for bringing witty, high-adrenaline action to the big screen, has returned with “I, the Executioner,” a sequel to the 2015 mega-hit cop movie “Veteran.” The first film in the series follows veteran detective Seo Do-cheol (Hwang Jung-min) as he takes down corrupt chaebol heir Jo Tae-oh (Yoo Ah-in). “I, the Executioner” – known as “Veteran 2” here -- follows Do-Cheol, as he teams up with r

Sept. 13, 2024

Hyeri’s teen flick ‘Victory’ embroiled in ‘ticket hoarding’ rumor

Singer-turned-actor Hyeri’s latest teen cheerleading flick “Victory” was embroiled in a rumor that people related to the movie have hoarded tickets to increase sales, causing production firm Mind Mark to release a statement. According to the Korea Film Council data, “Victory,” which opened in local theaters on Aug. 14, has topped the box office as of Thursday. On Tuesday and Wednesday, more than 26,000 moviegoers watched the film, placing the movie at the top of the

Sept. 12, 2024

Director Lee Mi-rang focuses on visualizing bestseller in ‘Concerning My Daughter’

In writer Kim Hye-jin’s best-selling novel, “Concerning My Daughter,” the story is told from 50-something Sang-ok’s point of view. She is a caregiver at a nursing home, and an unexpected life event occurs in which she is forced to live with her adult daughter and her daughter’s girlfriend of seven y

Sept. 11, 2024

‘Officer Black Belt’ explores world of probation officers

Netflix original film “Officer Black Belt” explores the world of probation officers -- a little covered topic in Korea -- with witty comedy and thrilling action sequences. This coming-of-age comedy action “Officer Black Belt” revolves around Lee Jung-do (Kim Woo-bin) who has exceptional martial arts skills and goes on to assist probation officer Kim Sun-min (Kim Sung-kyun). The two pair up to keep an eye on criminals wearing ankle monitors. Director Jason Kim (“Midn

Sept. 10, 2024

Jung Hae-in says he felt no pressure to match ‘Veteran’ performance in ‘I, the Executioner’

Jung Hae-in of “I, the Executioner” said he didn’t feel under pressure to match up to Yoo Ah-in’s portrayal of ruthless villain Jo Tae-oh in the film’s prequel “Veteran,” despite the huge buzz Jo created in the 2015 original. Filmmaker Ryoo Seung-wan’s upcoming action blockbuster -- also known as “Veteran 2” -- picks up the story of veteran detective Seo Do-chul (Hwang Jung-min) nine years after the first installment, as he is joined by

Sept. 10, 2024

Amit Ulman’s ‘The City’ turns cult theater play into hip-hop-inspired film noir

JECHEON, North Chungcheong Province – In Amit Ulman’s “The City,” a cynical detective named Joe is visited by mysterious nightclub singer Sarah on a stormy night. Following her request to help investigate her sister’s disappearance, Joe navigates complicated and suspicious circumstances with gangs,

Sept. 9, 2024

[Box office] Movies in theaters this week

“Lim Young Woong: Im Hero the Stadium” (South Korea) Opened Aug. 28 Documentary Directed by Jung Hyun-cheol, Jo Woo-young South Korean hit trot singer Lim Young-woong's two concerts in May that attracted a combined 100,000 people at Seoul World Cup Stadium come to the big screen. “Alien: Romulus” (US) Opened Aug. 14 Horror/Sci-fi Directed by Fede Alvarez Set in 2142, a group of young space colonizers go on an adventure and land in a derelict space station, only t

Sept. 6, 2024

13th Swedish Film Festival opens Sept. 10 in Seoul, Busan, Incheon, Daegu

The 13th Swedish Film Festival will open on Sept. 10 and take place in Seoul, Busan, Incheon and Daegu until Sept. 29. This annual film festival aims to introduce the latest Swedish films as well as shed light on the creativity of Swedish creators and their introspection through films. The 13th edition of the festival will look into the definition of “community” and “individual” through movies, according to the event organizer. The festival will kick off at Seoul’s

Sept. 6, 2024

Park Chan-wook-produced Netflix period flick ‘Uprising’ to be released Oct. 11

Netflix original Korean period film “Uprising” will be released Oct. 11, the global streaming platform confirmed Friday. “Uprising,” directed by Kim Sang-man (“Midnight FM”), gained attention as award-winning director Park Chan-wook’s first-ever project with Netflix. Park has participated as a co-screenwriter and producer. “I’ve been writing the screenplay (for this project) for a long time and completed it in 2019. Because it’s a perio

Sept. 6, 2024