Lee Yu-bi to star in romance movie 'Love Affair' Actress Lee Yu-bi / Y-Bloom EntertainmentBy Lee Gyu-leeActress Lee Yu-bi will be starring in a new movie called “Love Affair.”Newplus Original and Asia Lab, the production companies of the melodramatic film, announced, Wednesday, that the actress has confirmed the lead role. The movie will be directed by filmmaker and screenwriter Lee Jeong-seop, who is known for writing the action film, “Real,” and the romance film, “Romantic Island.”The romance flick will revolve around an aspiring actress (Lee Yu-bi) who travels to New York at the request of a former couple who broke up in the city, despite their love for each other. She travels to the Big Apple to take a vicarious walk down the couple's memory lane.“The script for this film was so interesting and touching,” the actress said in the statement. “It is a love story that transcends generations, happening in a perfectly romantic place, New York. I couldn't help but fall in love with it.”Director Lee Jeong-seop said that the film will show a new side of the actress.“Lee YNov 24, 2021By Lee Gyu-lee
Renowned Japanese filmmakers head to Korea for new projects Hirokazu Kore-eda / YonhapProminent Japanese filmmakers, including Cannes-winning Hirokazu Kore-eda, have been joining hands with South Korean productions amid the country's increased presence in the global cinema scene.Kore-eda, who won the top prize of the Palme d'Or at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival for "Shoplifters," is working on the drama film "Broker" (working title) in South Korea with CJ ENM, the entertainment unit of South Korean conglomerate CJ Group. The film is now in post production. The film, also written by Kore-eda, is about adoption, featuring relationships of characters formed through a baby box, where people anonymously drop off newborns that they can't raise.It is the first time that the Japanese auteur has taken the helm of a Korean-language project financed and produced by a Korean firm with Korean actors, including Song Kang-ho, Kang Dong-won and Bae Doo-na.Takashi Miike, who is famous for a variety of genre films, ranging from horrors and thrillers to comedies, like "First Love" (2019) and "As the Gods Will" (2014), will also direct an all-Korean TV series, tiNov 24, 2021
'Kingmaker' lead actor Lee Sun-kyun says 'nothing has really changed' after 'Parasite' Actors Seol Kyung-gu, left, and Lee Sun-kyun attend an online press conference for the film, “Kingmaker,” Monday. Courtesy of Megabox Plus MBy Kwak Yeon-sooTwo years after starring in the Oscar-winning film, “Parasite,” actor Lee Sun-kyun is returning to the big screen with “Kingmaker,” a political drama that appears to be timely, as the nation has four months to go before the presidential election in March. The actor tried to be humble, saying that he doesn't feel any different before or after receiving the international acclaim. “Nothing really has changed,” he said during a press conference for the film, Monday. “To be able to bring the positive energy from my last film and come play in this role was an exciting opportunity for me.”Directed by Byun Sung-hyun, whose 2017 film, “The Merciless,” was invited for a midnight screening at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival, the upcoming film follows politician Kim Woon-beom (Seol Kyung-gu), who teams up with “kingmaker” Seo Chang-dae (Lee), to run for the presNov 22, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo
Oscar-winning Japanese costume designer Wada dies Japanese Oscar-winning movie costume designer Emi Wada, left, and Hong Kong actress Cecilia Yip present an award at the 25th Hong Kong Film Awards, April 8, 2006. Reuters-YonhapEmi Wada, the Japanese costume designer who won an Oscar for her work in Akira Kurosawa's ``Ran,'' has died, Japanese media reports said Sunday. She was 84.Wada died Nov. 13, the reports said, citing unidentified family sources and not giving the cause of death. Wada was catapulted to stardom by the samurai costumes she created for the 1985 ``Ran,'' a striking portrayal of bloody intrigue and betrayal inspired by William Shakespeare's ``King Lear.'' When accepting the award from the Academy in 1986, Wada held the man-shaped statue and said with a smile, ``He doesn't need my costuming.'' Wada also designed costumes for other reputed film directors including Nagisa Oshima and Zhang Yimou, as well as for the theater and opera.Amon Miyamoto, a theater director who worked with Wada, expressed praise for her.``I've never known anyone who pursued perfection and authenticity as much as you,'' he said on his Facebook pNov 21, 2021
Quirky comedy film 'Perhaps Love' opens at top of box offices The film, “Perhaps Love,” topped local box offices on Wednesday. Courtesy of NEWBy Lee Gyu-leeThe new comedy “Perhaps Love” had a successful opening, Wednesday, taking the top spot at the local box office, which had been occupied by Marvel's blockbuster superhero flick, “Eternals,” since Nov. 3.The movie, starring Ryu Seung-ryong and Oh Na-ra, kicked off with about 43,000 ticket sales, grossing about 404 million won ($343,000). Directed by filmmaker and actress Jo Eun-ji, the film revolves around a best-selling author and professor, Kim Hyun (Ryu), who has been experiencing a writer's block for seven years. He keeps an amicable relationship with his ex-wife Mi-ae (Oh), who is now dating his best friend and publisher, as they take care of their oversensitive teenage son. To get back on his feet with his career, he decides to work on a new novel with an aspiring writer, his student, Yoo-jin (Mu Jin-sung), only to get his life more complicated when Yoo-jin comes out as gay and confesses his love for him.“Perhaps Love” is the feature film dNov 18, 2021By Lee Gyu-lee
Virus-related disaster thriller 'Emergency Declaration' coming to theaters in January 2022 Song Kang-ho in a scene from the film, “Emergency Declaration” / Courtesy of ShowboxBy Kwak Yeon-sooThe disaster action film, “Emergency Declaration,” which had its world premiere at this year's Cannes Film Festival, is coming to theaters in January 2022. It had finished filming in November of last year, but was said to be put on indefinite hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic.Directed by Han Jae-rim, the film centers on a commercial airline that faces a lethal virus outbreak on one of its planes, which forces the pilot and passengers to take unconventional emergency measures. It will deliver some much needed spectacle to action film buffs, as the characters struggle to survive inside the plane facing a dark fate.It boasts an all-star cast, with “Parasite” lead actor Song Kang-ho alongside Lee Byung-hun, following his special appearance in hit Netflix series “Squid Game,” and Cannes Best Actress winner Jeon Do-yeon. Lee recently wrapped up filming the disaster thriller, “Concrete Utopia,” with Park Seo-joon, while Jeon starred Nov 18, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo
Yoon Kye-sang finds his authentic self through shape-shifting role in 'Spiritwalker' Actor Yoon Kye-sang / ABO EntertainmentSinger-turned-actor slips into new role as spy agent who loses memory, swaps bodiesBy Kwak Yeon-sooYoon Kye-sang survived the pressure of fame as a member of the now disbanded boy band, g.o.d, from the late 1990s to early 2000s, along with the adoration of his fans, self-identified as “Kye-sang's wives.” After leaving the group in 2004, he has forged an acting career and since then has juggled both blockbusters and lower-budget projects.Of the nearly 20 movies he has starred in, he is probably best known for his portrayal of Yanbian gangster Jang Chen in “The Outlaws” (2017). As a mature actor, Yoon now returns as a tough and action-oriented character in “Spiritwalker.”Asked if he had difficulty finding work following his riveting performance in “The Outlaws,” Yoon said that he didn't know Jang Chen was so widely loved by the public.“Now that I got this question a lot, I finally realize it's time to believe that there was a big impression on the audience,” he said during an interview wiNov 18, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo
Andrew Garfield says filming 'Tick, Tick…Boom!' spiritual, communal experience On the right screen, actor Andrew Garfield, left, and director Lin-Manuel Miranda speak with moderator Kolleen Park's during an online press conference for the film, "Tick, Tick…Boom!" / Courtesy of NetflixBy Kwak Yeon-sooAndrew Garfield, who plays “Rent” creator Jonathan Larson in Netflix's upcoming musical film, “Tick, Tick…Boom!,” said he was compelled to perform as the musical theater legend. In Lin-Manuel Miranda's feature directorial debut “Tick, Tick…Boom!,” Garfield plays Jon, an aspiring theater composer who is waiting tables at a diner while writing musicals in New York City in 1990.Nearing the age of 30 and his potentially life-changing opportunity, Jon feels pressure from his girlfriend Susan (Alexandra Shipp), who dreams of an artistic life beyond New York, and his friend Michael (Robin de Jesus), who has moved on from his dream to a life of financial security. In the press conference, held via Zoom, Garfield said he felt “tremendous responsibility” to portray the part. Learning about who Larson was asNov 15, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo
Shin Hye-sun, Lee Jun-young to star in new action movie Actors Shin Hye-sun, left, and Lee Jun-young will play the lead characters in the new action movie “Brave Citizen” (direct translation). Courtesy of YNK Entertainment and JflexBy Lee Gyu-leeActors Shin Hye-sun and Lee Jun-young will be co-starring in the upcoming action movie, “Brave Citizen” (direct translation).The production company of the film, Studio N, announced that the two actors have confirmed the lead roles and are set to begin filming. Based on the webcomic of the same name by Kim Jung-hyun, the action film revolves around a woman named So Si-min (Shin) who used to be a promising hapkido ― Korean martial art ― athlete in high school. About seven years after leaving the sport, So finds a job as a high school teacher on a temporary contract basis. While she struggles to win a permanent position there, she encounters the school's troublemaker, Han Soo-Gang (Lee), and finds herself as his target. To become a permanent teacher, she must find ways to stay out of trouble and prevent Han from jeopardizing her efforts. The film will be directed by Park Jin-pNov 14, 2021By Lee Gyu-lee
Lee Sun-kyun, Seol Kyung-gu team up in political thriller 'Kingmaker' By Kwak Yeon-sooThe poster for “Kingmaker” / Courtesy of Megabox Plus M“Parasite” star Lee Sun-kyun is joining forces with Seol Kyung-gu, the recipient of the Best Actor Award at the 41st Korean Film Critics Association Awards, to star in the political thriller, “Kingmaker.”The feature is directed by Byun Sung-hyun, whose 2017 film “The Merciless” was invited for a midnight screening at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival.“Kingmaker” follows politician Kim Woon-beom (Seol) who teams up with “kingmaker” Seo Chang-dae (Lee) to run for president. The cast also includes Yoo Jae-myung, Jo Woo-jin and Kim Sung-oh.Alongside “Parasite,” Lee is known for the Apple Original series, “Dr. Brain” while Seol appeared recently in director Lee Joon-ik's black-and-white film, “The Book of Fish.”In a recent press interview, Lee said that he is glad to be able to present the long-delayed “Kingmaker” at the end of this year.“I actually have more films under my belt that are waiting to Nov 13, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo
