[Herald Interview] Kim Tae-ri defends criticisms of fantasy sci-fi flick ‘Alienoid’

The first installment of the two-part film “Alienoid,” directed by Choi Dong-hoon, has received mixed reviews from local film critics since the press screening at Yongsan CGV on July 13. Some critics say that the movie bravely presents a genre unique in Korean film history, while those who criticize the film argue that it has too many characters and the story is hard to follow. Korean actor Kim Tae-ri defended the film by saying, “there is a reason why we say that the seco

July 19, 2022

[Herald Interview] Kim Woo-bin recalls day he returned to set after recovering from cancer

Kim Woo-bin recalled the day he returned to the set for the upcoming film “Alienoid,” directed by Choi Dong-hoon, during an interview with local reporters Monday. It was the first movie he worked on after being diagnosed with nasopharyngeal cancer in 2017. “I was working on the movie ‘Wiretap’ with Choi Dong-hoon when I was diagnosed with the disease and the project was halted. So, if I were to return, I thought I had to do Choi Dong-hoon’s movie,” K

July 19, 2022

Experimental Film and Video festival explores cinematic conventions

A total of 34 films are in the running for awards at the Seoul International Experimental Film and Video Festival (EXiS), which kicked off last Thursday. This year, 12 films were selected for the Korean Competition Section and 22 films for the International Competition Section from more than 1,400 submissions from 72 countries. Among the films premiering at EXiS are “Night Scene Charminar” by Gautam Valluri, which features a sleepwalker roaming around a night market in Old Hyderab

July 18, 2022

[Herald Interview] Hitmaker Choi Dong-hoon feels pressure with high-budget film ‘Alienoid’

From his debut feature “The Big Swindle” (2004) to his most recent megahit film “Assassination” (2015), which attracted over 10 million viewers, there is not a single movie out of the six directed by Choi Dong-hoon that has failed to appeal to Korean audiences. The 51-year-old director’s other crime film “The Thieves” also broke the 10-million mark when it was released in 2012. Many people might assume that the word “failure” is simply n

July 17, 2022

[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week

Elvis (US) Opened July 13 Drama Directed by Baz Luhrmann Elvis Presley (Austin Butler) is an ordinary 19-year-old boy who dreams of becoming a musician. He lives in one of the poorest parts of Mississippi. But one day, Elvis gets to sing on a small stage for a local radio station and his performance is incredible. Colonel Tom Parker (Tom Hanks), who is working in the entertainment business, sees the performance and promises Elvis he will make him a star.  Thor: Love and Thunder (US)

July 15, 2022

Choi Dong-hoon hopes 'Alienoid' is as entertaining as 'The Avengers'

From a boomerang-shaped spaceship, an exoskeleton powered by a fictional source and a time-traveling vehicle to a dynamic gun fight and fan-wielding magician from the Goryeo period (918-1391), director Choi Dong-hoon’s latest sci-fi-action film “Alienoid” has many elements that connect past, present and future. “I wanted to make a movie as fun as Marvel‘s ’The Avengers,‘ but with a Korean twist. I really wanted the audience to enjoy ’Alienoid&lsq

July 14, 2022

Korean blockbusters offer immersive cinematic experience this summer

Korean blockbusters will hit local theaters this summer in diverse “immersive cinema” formats to attract more moviegoers, as COVID-19 restrictions for theaters have been lifted. Previously, special-format Imax theaters were considered the near-exclusive domain of Hollywood blockbusters such as Marvel Studios’ superhero movies. The Korean movie industry had practically shunned the format. Until recently, only six Korean commercial films had been released in the Imax format. &

July 12, 2022

[Herald Interview] Rookie actor from South Africa eyes lead role in Korean productions

Justin John Harvey, who made his big screen debut in “The Witch: Part 2. The Other One,” directed by hit maker Park Hoon-jung, is determined to succeed. In fact, the 31-year-old actor said his will to succeed comes from his love of cinema and acting, making him singularly motivated. Although his fellow actors may also covet success, he believes that few can compare when it comes to his dedication to developing his Korean skills in the hopes of becoming a headlining actor, Harvey

July 11, 2022

Jang Hyuk, Ryu Seung-ryong win awards at NY film fest

Acclaimed Korean stars and content creators are set to take center stage at the upcoming New York Asian Film Festival 2022, with actors Jang Hyuk and Ryu Seung-ryong, among others, winning awards at the fest. According to NYAFF, Jang won the Daniel A. Craft Award for excellence in action cinema for his roles in “The Swordsman” (2020) and “The Killer: A Girl Who Deserves to Die,” which will be shown during a special screening at NYAFF. Ryu will receive the inaugural Bes

July 10, 2022

[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week

Thor: Love and Thunder (US) Opened July 6 Action Directed by Taika Waititi Thor (Chris Hemsworth) attempts to find inner peace, but his retirement is interrupted by a galactic killer known as Gorr the God Butcher (Christian Bale), who seeks the extinction of the gods. Thor forms a special team to fight against Gorr and uncover the mystery behind his enemy’s revenge plans. Decision to Leave (Korea) Opened June 29 Romance Directed by Park Chan-wook Hae-jun (Park Hae-il) is a hardw

July 8, 2022

‘The Roundup’ banned in Vietnam

“The Roundup,” a Korean action comedy that topped 10 million admissions in local theaters, will not be screened in Vietnam, officially because the film is considered “too violent.” Looking to distribute the film in the Southeast Asian country, Korea’s leading entertainment company Lotte Entertainment had applied for film certification for “The Roundup” from the Vietnamese Film Department, an organization affiliated with the Ministry of Culture, Sports

July 7, 2022

Marvel's 'Thor: Love and Thunder' tops S. Korean box office on its 1st day

Marvel Studios' latest blockbuster "Thor: Love and Thunder" has topped the South Korean box office on its opening day, data showed Thursday. The film posted 382,000 attendees on Wednesday, accounting for 70 percent of the day's total ticket sales, according to the data from the Korean Film Council. It beat the debut numbers by the previous No. 1, "Top Gun: Maverick," which garnered 188,000 viewers upon its debut on June 22. But its opening score is far behind Marvel

July 7, 2022

‘The Killer’ is an easy-to-watch action romp

If you‘re looking for an exciting action movie that doesn’t require too much thinking, “The Killer: The Girl Who Deserves to Die,” directed by Choi Jae-hoon, could be the film for you. During a media meeting that followed the press screening of the film at Yongsan CGV on Monday, director Choi noted that he intentionally kept things simple as he aimed to create an action film that people may enjoy without overthinking. “I focused on making the film entertaining and

July 6, 2022

Homegrown blockbusters set to hit screens in summer

The local box office in the upcoming summer peak season will highly likely be a four-way race among Korean blockbusters as theaters are gearing up for a continuous rush of filmgoers. The sci-fi action fantasy "Alienoid" will hit local theaters July 20, opening the largely all-Korean competition for the season. The new film by popular filmmaker Choi Dong-hoon, who has made many smash-hit films, including "The Thieves" (2012) and "Assassination" (2015), depicts two pa

July 6, 2022

‘Squid Game’ lead Lee Jung-jae’s ‘Hunt’ stars best friend Jung Woo-sung

Not many people were surprised when it was announced that top Korean actor Jung Woo-sung would star in “Squid Game” lead actor Lee Jung-jae’s directorial debut feature. The two top movie stars, who became close while filming “City of the Rising Sun” (1999), directed by Kim Sung-soo, have long been showing off their friendship on and off the screen. At a press conference to introduce his upcoming “Hunt” at Megabox Seongsu in Seoul on Tuesday, Lee said

July 5, 2022

‘Next Sohee’ starring Bae Doo-na to screen at Fantasia International Film Festival

Korean director July Jung’s second feature film, “Next Sohee” starring movie star Bae Doo-na, has been invited to the 26th Fantasia International Film Festival, which will be held from July 14 to Aug. 3 in Montreal. Jung’s feminist police thriller will get its North American premiere on Fantasia’s closing night. The Korean director is known for creating movies that realistically portray social issues in Korea. The Canadian film festival organizer announced t

July 4, 2022

S. Korea box office tops 15m admissions in June

South Korea's box office reported 15 million admissions for June, marking the largest monthly tally for over two years, data showed Monday. A total of 15.5 million people went to theaters last month, up 6.3 percent from 14.6 million a month earlier, according to the data compiled by the Korean Film Council. It is the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic that the monthly audience numbers topped the 10 million level for two straight months. And the June figure marked the highest since 16.84 mill

July 4, 2022

‘Broker’ wins top prize at Munich International Film Festival

“Broker,” the first Korean-language film project by Japanese auteur Hirokazu Kore-eda, on Sunday won the top award at the 39th Munich International Film Festival. According to the festival organizer, the ARRI award, established in 2008, is given to the filmmakers of the best international film in the CineMasters competition section. An independent three-member jury decides who shall receive the award, worth 50,000 euros ($52,000). Kore-eda’s “Broker” centers

July 3, 2022

Sequels in cinemas bolster streaming popularity of original films

With three sequels -- “Top Gun: Maverick,” “The Roundup” and “The Witch: Part 2. The Other One” -- currently bringing back moviegoers to local theaters, the original movies that preceded these second installments are also grabbing viewers’ attention. Hollywood blockbuster “Top Gun: Maverick,” which opened here June 22, has sold more than 3 million tickets locally in under two weeks, according to Lotte Entertainment. The original Tom Crui

July 3, 2022

[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week

Decision to Leave (Korea) Opened June 29 Romance Directed by Park Chan-wook Hae-jun (Park Hae-il) is a hardworking detective who carries everything he needs in a specially tailored suit with extra pockets. One day, he looks into a suspicious death that occurred on a mountain. Hae-jun comes to suspect the dead man’s wife, the mysterious Seo-rae (Tang Wei), is involved in the crime. As he investigates Seo-rae, the detective becomes drawn to her. Top Gun: Maverick (US) Opened June 22

July 1, 2022