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Box Office: The Face Reader, The Spy, Elysium

By Korea Herald

Published : Sept. 13, 2013 - 20:13

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The Face Reader

Opened Sept. 11

Drama. Directed by Han Jae-rim. Nae-gyeong (Song Kang-ho) is the son of a disgraced noble family living in the Joseon era with a talent for physiognomy. With one glance of a person’s face, he is able to assess their personality, mental state, and habits. He is approached by officials in the royal court to use his skills to help solve a murder case. Nae-gyeong’s talents become recognized by the royal court and he is asked to not only solve crimes but also assist the king in identifying traitors. Nae-gyeong finds himself in the middle of a power struggle between Prince Suyang (Lee Jung-jae) and Kim Jong-seo (Baek Yoon-sik). 


The Spy

Opened Sept. 5

Comedy. Action. Directed by Lee Seung-joon.

Chul-soo (Sol Kyung-gu) is one of the best intelligence agents in Korea and is able to complete any given mission, however difficult. But like any other married man, he has one weakness: his wife. One day, a mysterious explosion occurs in Seoul and Chul-soo flies to Thailand on a mission to rescue a person who allegedly holds clues to solving the incident. While on his mission, Chul-soo is surprised to see his wife Young-hee (Moon So-ri) with a mysterious handsome man, Ryan (Daniel Henney). Will Chul-soo be able to complete his dangerous mission and also save his wife at the same time? 


Elysium

Opened Aug. 29

Sci-fi. Action. Drama. Directed by Neill Blomkamp.

In the year 2154, people are divided into the wealthy and the poor, the former living in a floating luxurious space station, Elysium, and the latter living on an overpopulated, disease-stricken Earth. Max Da Costa (Matt Damon), an ex-convict living on Earth, is desperate to get to Elysium, and reluctantly takes on a dangerous mission against Elysium’s Secretary Delacourt (Jodie Foster). If he can complete the mission, he will be able to save not only his own life but also the lives of all people on Earth.


Now You See Me


Opened Aug. 22

Crime. Mystery. Thriller. Directed by Louis Leterrier.

Four magicians are invited to an obscure address for a meeting filled with secrets. One year later they return as the famous Four Horsemen illusionists and pull off a variety of daring heists against corrupt business leaders during their big performances. In the middle of their shows, the stolen goods are distributed among the audience. FBI officer Dylan Rhodes (Mark Ruffalo) and Alma Dray (Melanie Laurent) of Interpol are put on the case alongside professional illusion exposer Thaddeus Bradley (Morgan Freeman), but the case proves to be a mesh of dark secrets and hidden agendas with the illusionists seeming to always be one step ahead of the law.


The Grandmaster

Opened Aug. 22

Action. Directed by Wong Kar-wai.

Ip Man (Tony Leung) is a martial arts specialist who enjoys a peaceful life with his wife (Song Hye-kyo) and two children in southern China. While Ip is training, he is challenged to a duel by Gong Yutian, a martial arts master known for his 64-hands technique. Ip wins, much to Gong’s surprise. He later runs into Gong’s daughter, Gong Er (Zhang Ziyi), who visits Ip to regain her father’s honor. The two form a special bond through an intense fight and part ways. The country then goes through chaotic times following the Japanese invasion. Ip and Gong Er lead separate lives but are somehow inexplicably connected by a series of unfortunate events.