Hyun Bin's 'Confidential Assignment 2' to hit theaters in September Actor Hyun Bin in a scene from the film “Confidential Assignment: International” / Courtesy of CJ ENM By Kwak Yeon-sooComedic action film “Confidential Assignment 2: International” will be coming to theaters in September during Chuseok (a traditional Korean mid-autumn holiday), its local distributor CJ ENM said Monday. Starring the same main cast members as the first installment, including Hyun Bin and Yoo Hae-jin, “Confidential Assignment 2” tells a story of trilateral cooperation between the two Koreas and the U.S. to catch international criminals. In the new film, the “Crash Landing on You” star will play the role of Lim Cheol-ryung, a North Korean agent who is dispatched to South Korea to track down Jang Myung-joon (Jin Sun-kyu), the leader of a North Korean criminal organization. Yoo will reprise his role as Kang Jin-tae, the South Korean detective who goes on a cooperative investigation mission to capture Jang. The cast also includes Daniel Henney as FBI agentAug 1, 2022By Kwak Yeon-soo
'Hansan: Rising Dragon' tops 2 mil. ticket sales; 'Top Gun: Maverick' passes 7 mil. mark A poster for the film, “Hansan: Rising Dragon,” left, and “Top Gun: Maverick” / Courtesy of Lotte EntertainmentBy Kwak Yeon-soo'Hansan: Rising Dragon' topped a cumulative 2 million ticket sales on the fifth day of its release, the film's local distributor, Lotte Entertainment, said Sunday.Released on July 27, the sequel to the 2014 film, “Roaring Currents,” centers on the Battle of Hansan Island in 1592, where Admiral Yi Sun-sin fends off Japanese invaders with his brilliant war tactics like the “hakikjin” (crane wing maneuver) and the deployment of the “geobukseon,” or turtle-shaped armored battleships covered with iron spikes and a fire-breathing dragon head at the front. The film has topped the box office ranking every day since its release. The pace of the ticket sales is faster than that of several other films that reached the milestone of 10 million ticket sales. “The Attorney” (2013), which passed the 10 million viewer mark, topped 2 million ticket sales in its sixth day of release, and “Ode to My FaAug 1, 2022By Kwak Yeon-soo
'Kingdom' writer's next project is zero-to-hero sports film 'Rebound' Director Jang Hang-jun, center in the second row, and the cast of “Rebound” pose after they wrap up filming on July 13. Courtesy of BA Entertainment By Kwak Yeon-sooStar writer Kim Eun-hee, the creative mind behind Netflix's zombie horror series, “Kingdom,” and tvN's crime drama, “Signal,” has set her next project, an inspiring basketball movie helmed by her husband, director Jang Hang-jun. Jang previously helmed the works, “Break Out,” (2002) “Spring Breeze” (2004) and “Forgotten” (2017).She has teamed up with award-winning screenwriter Kwon Sung-hui, who penned the 2018 espionage drama film, “Spy Gone North,” to write a script for “Rebound.” The film, loosely based on the true story of the JungAng High School basketball team in Busan, follows enthusiastic basketball coach Kang Yang-hyun as he tries to rally a struggling team. As undersized and under-skilled players come together for a common purpose under Kang's guidance, they defy the odds and the naysayers to riJul 31, 2022By Kwak Yeon-soo
VR film about poet Yun Dong-ju invited to Venice Film Festival “Poet's Room,” a virtual reality film about Korean modern poet Yun Dong-ju, has been invited to compete in the Venice Immersive section of this year's Venice International Film Festival from Aug. 31 to Sept. 10. Courtesy of the CHA By Park Han-solA virtual reality (VR) film depicting the life of Yun Dong-ju (1917-45), one of the most acclaimed poets in Korea's modern history, has been officially invited to compete in the 79th Venice International Film Festival.“Poet's Room” has been selected to compete in the festival's Venice Immersive section, the Cultural Heritage Administration (CHA) and the Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation announced Thursday.Formerly referred to as Venice VR Expanded, which was first established in 2017, the rebranded Venice Immersive section aims to showcase immersive media beyond VR technologies and now includes all types of extended reality (XR) works: installations, live performances and virtual worlds.A total of 30 projects are in competJul 29, 2022By Park Han-sol
INTERVIEW Lee Byung-hun resonated with father character in 'Emergency Declaration' Actor Lee Byung-hun plays the role of Jae-hyuk in the new disaster action film, “Emergency Declaration.” Courtesy of ShowboxLee says he put own experience of fear of flying into roleBy Lee Gyu-leeActor Lee Byung-hun, one of the most prolific actors in Korea, is set to return to the silver screen with the new disaster action film, “Emergency Declaration,” two years after the political flick, “The Man Standing Next,” in 2020. Actor Lee Byung-hun / Courtesy of BH EntertainmentThe actor shared that his character of a devoted father, and the theme of the film deeply resonated with him. “Although it wasn't intended, I feel like this film has a story that people living in this time can be more immersed and empathize with as they are watching it while going through the pandemic,” Lee said during an interview with The Korea Times, Thursday. Lee plays the role of dedicated father Jae-hyuk, who is scared of flying. Despite his fear, he gets on board a flight with his daughter to move to Hawaii to find better living conditions for his daughter, whoJul 29, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee
Two Korean films invited to Toronto film fest A scene from the film, "Hunt" / Courtesy of Megabox Plus MTwo directorial debut films of South Korean star actors Lee Jung-jae and Jung Woo-sung have been invited to this year's Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), the films' distributors here said Friday.According to Megabox Plus M, the espionage film "Hunt," written and directed by "Squid Game" star Lee, will be presented at the Gala Presentations section at the 47th TIFF slated for Sept. 8-18.Starring Lee and Jung, "Hunt" is a story about two rival intelligence agents in South Korea in the 1980s, who separately chase after a North Korean spy leaking top secret information that could jeopardize national security."Hunt" premiered at this year's Cannes Film Festival in May and will hit Korean screens on Aug. 10.Jung's debut "A Man of Reason" will have a world premier in the Special Presentations category at this year's Toronto fest, Acemaker Movieworks said.It revolves around a man who dreams of leading a normal life after being released from prison. At TIFF's Special Presentations section, three more Korean films ― "DecisionJul 29, 2022
INTERVIEW Song Kang-ho drawn to message of disaster blockbuster 'Emergency Declaration' Actor Song Kang-ho plays the role of detective In-ho in the upcoming disaster blockbuster, “Emergency Declaration." Courtesy of Showbox Actor says theme of new film aligns with coronavirus pandemicBy Lee Gyu-leeActor Song Kang-ho is set to show another film for the year as the lead of the new disaster blockbuster, “Emergency Declaration," following the drama film, “Broker,” that won him the Best Actor award at the Cannes Film Festival this May. Actor Song Kang-ho / Courtesy of Showbox “There are a lot of disaster movies, not only in Korea but also in Hollywood. But the fact that 'Emergency Declaration' is trying to deliver a message to its audience was very interesting,” Song told The Korea Times in an interview, Wednesday. “As we live, we will come across disasters that shouldn't happen, whether small or large. But I think the important thing here Jul 28, 2022By Lee Gyu-lee
INTERVIEW Director Kim Han-min on making another heroic tale of Admiral Yi Sun-sin “Hansan: Rising Dragon” director Kim Han-min / Courtesy of Lotte Entertainment By Kwak Yeon-sooDirector Kim Han-min, the brilliant mind behind the 2014 film “Roaring Currents,” said he was adamant about making another heroic story of Admiral Yi Sun-sin (1545-98), who led a small fleet to improbable victory over a much larger Japanese fleet in the late 16th century.His new film, “Hansan: Rising Dragon,” centers on the Battle of Hansan Island in 1592, while the 2014 period film focused on the Battle of Myeongnyang in 1597.Although “Roaring Currents” became the highest-grossing film in Korean cinema history with more than 17 million tickets sold, some criticized him for taking advantage of Korea's naval hero to evoke passion for patriotism. However, Kim revealed he had originally intended to shoot more than “Roaring Currents” in the first place to complete a trilogy.“I get asked a lot questions like, 'Do you feel pressure to top Roaring Currents?' But I treat them as sJul 22, 2022By Kwak Yeon-soo
Protracted COVID-19 pandemic pushes out non-profitable art house theaters A theater at Myeongdong Station Cine Library in downtown Seoul / Korea Times fileIndependent and art film-only theaters have been losing ground as the protracted novel coronavirus pandemic pushes multiplex operators to tighten their belt.CJ CGV, Korea's largest multiplex chain, said earlier it will close Myeongdong Station Cine Library, located in downtown Seoul, next month, citing financial issues."Due to the yearslong COVID-19 pandemic, we've faced financial difficulties, such as rising rents and management expenses," said a CGV official. "Moreover, less-than-expected viewers came to see indie and art films."Launched in 2015, Cine Library is CGV's signature art and indie film-only theater, housing five screens with a combined 694 seats. It also has a collection of 11,000 books on filmmaking and cinema.The shutdown of Cine Library came months after CGV closed three art movie-only screens in the Greater Seoul area in January.CGV runs the "CGV Arthouse" program devoted to art and indie films since 2004, setting up art house theaters or designating one or two screens to show only non-cJul 20, 2022
Kim Woo-bin feels excited to return to big screen after 6-year hiatus Actor Kim Woo-bin, who stars in the new sci-fi action fantasy movie "Alienoid," listens to reporters' questions during a publicity event at CGV Yongsan in Seoul, July 13. YonhapStar actor Kim Woo-bin said Monday that he feels so excited about the upcoming release of "Alienoid," his first big-screen project after a six-year hiatus."I'm so delighted and excited. This is my first public meeting with the press in six years," Kim said during a media interview. "I've waited for this for a long time. I started to realize this excitement last night."Kim, a former runway model who made his acting debut in the television drama "White Christmas" in 2011 and rose to international fame with "The Heirs" (2013), took a respite after he was diagnosed with nasopharyngeal cancer in 2017.Six years later, he has returned to the silver screen with the sci-fi action fantasy "Alienoid," saying that he completed his treatment plan for cancer and fully recovered."Last week, I received the result of my treatment. The doctor said it's all clean and I'm better than before," he said. "Thank you everyone for suppJul 18, 2022
