CGV implements 'no mask, no movie' policy CGV, South Korea's largest multiplex chain, has adopted camera systems that automatically check moviegoers' temperatures and whether or not they have their masks on properly. Admission is allowed only after masks are properly worn.CGV, South Korea's largest multiplex chain, said Friday it has adopted camera systems that automatically check moviegoers' temperatures and whether or not they have their masks on properly amid concerns over the spread of COVID-19.The company, an affiliate of Korean entertainment giant CJ Group, said it has introduced the Smart Pass system in 115 of its domestic multiplex theaters.Smart Pass recognizes whether a person is properly wearing a mask, with the system requesting the wearer to properly put it on if it is being worn on the chin or not fully covering the nose. Admission is allowed only after masks are properly worn.The system also recommends refunds or could limit admissions if a person's temperature is above 37.5 C after repeated checks.The multiplex chain has worked on the Smart Pass system since late April, ahead of the government's announcement May 29, 2020
Hollywood picks up hit horror film 'Gonjiam' for remake The poster for the 2018 hit horror film “Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum.” / Courtesy of Showbox By Lee Gyu-leeHit found-footage horror film “Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum” will see a remake in Hollywood. Los Angeles-based production company Black Box Management and Korean agency BH Entertainment have signed a partnership for the remake, according to the Hollywood Reporter, Thursday“As Parasite has proven, the appetite for Korean content has never been higher,” Charles Pak, head of the entertainment group's international development, said. “The partnership will further the exchange and development of Korean and U.S. adaptations, remakes and originals for both the Korean and U.S. markets.” The 2018 horror film, directed by Jung Bum-shik, revolves around seven online community members who meet to explore haunted places. They visit an abandoned psychiatric hospital in Gonjiam County ― one of CNN's seven freakiest places in the world ― where they stream paranormal activities involvinMay 29, 2020By Lee Gyu-lee
Mystery thriller 'Intruder' strips down conventional idea of family Actor Kim Moo-yul, left, director Sohn Won-pyung and actress Song Ji-hyo at a press conference for the film “Intruder” held at Yongsan CGV in Seoul, Wednesday. / YonhapBy Kwak Yeon-sooThe mystery thriller “Intruder,” starring Song Ji-hyo and Kim Moo-yul, is poised to be the first local film to hit theaters here after having had its premiere delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.The film revolves around a woman named Yu-jin, played by Song, who returns to her family after being missing for 25 years. But things start to change within the family as Yu-jin's brother, Seo-jin, played by Kim, grows suspicious of his sister.Seo-jin, who suffers from depression after losing his wife in a car accident, tries to uncover Yu-jin's secrets and discovers a shocking truth about her.The film evokes suspense through a sharp conflict between the two characters. Seo-jin's skepticism toward his sister grows as Yu-jin displays mysterious behavior and manipulates their parents psychologically. It allows the audience to raise questions about whether Yu-jin is really Seo-jin's biologiMay 29, 2020By Kwak Yeon-soo
Global film festival aims to bridge coronavirus distances Director Bong Joon-ho. YonhapThe Cannes film festival was canceled and the September jamborees in Venice and Toronto are uncertain but this week movie lovers are being offered a taste of the film festival experience from the comfort of their homes. The 10-day "We Are One: A Global Film Festival," starting Friday on YouTube, will feature new and classic movies, talks with directors, and music and comedy curated by 21 festivals including those in Berlin, Cannes, Venice, Toronto and New York. The coronavirus pandemic has forced the cancellation of multiple cultural events where independent movies are first launched. "We Are One" will stream more than 100 movies representing 35 nations. The program includes the world premiere of documentary "Iron Hammer" about former Chinese Olympic volleyball star "Jenny" Lang Ping, talks with directors Bong Joon Ho and Guillermo del Toro, and a 20th anniversary reunion of the cast of "Almost Famous." "You'll be able to see a premiere of the film and during that premiere the filmmakers will come out and introduce it. There will be a talk afterward," saiMay 27, 2020
Veteran actor Jung Jin-young makes directorial debut with 'Me and Me' Actor-turned-director Jung Jin-young, right, and actor Cho Jin-woong during an online press conference for their upcoming film “Me and Me” in Seoul, Thursday. Courtesy of Acemaker Movie WorksBy Kwak Yeon-sooDreams guided actor-turned-director Jung Jin-young to where he is today. In a career spanning 33 years, Jung appeared in more than 50 films including box office-hits “The King and The Clown” (2005), “Happy Life” (2007) and “Ode to My Father” (2014).Taking a break from acting, Jung is set to make his directorial debut with the mystery drama “Me and Me” to embark on a successful second career as a filmmaker.The actor-turned-director confessed that he has fantasized about directing since childhood. “I've wanted to be a movie director since I was 17 years old,” he said during an online press conference, Thursday. “Whenever I saw directors make their own films or quizzed them on set about the filmmaking process, I felt like I wouldn't be able to do it because it requires too much responsibility.” HoweveMay 24, 2020By Kwak Yeon-soo
'The Greatest Showman' tops local box office amid virus-led void Scenes from the 2017 musical film “The Greatest Showman.” / Courtesy of 20th Century Fox KoreaBy Lee Gyu-leeHit musical film “The Greatest Showman” has topped the local box office for three consecutive days, since Thursday. The 2017 flick, starring Hugh Jackman and Zac Efron, reopened in theaters on Wednesday to fill the void in coronavirus-hit theaters. The film garnered about 30,000 tickets over the four days, making a total of 1.4 million tickets in Korea since its original premiere. Gross takings totaled about 11.7 billion won ($9.4 million) as of Sunday. Directed by Michael Gracey, the film follows the life of American showman and businessman P. T. Barnum, who founded the Barnum & Bailey Circus. Meanwhile, daily box office ticket sales at the weekend have remained below 80,000 since May 9. Saturday's sales were a little over 70,000.May 24, 2020By Lee Gyu-lee
Park Hae-il offered lead in Park Chan-wook's new film Actor Park Hae-il, left, has been offered a role in director Park Chan-wook's new melodrama. Korea Times fileBy Lee Gyu-lee Actor Park Hae-il is in talks to appear in a new film by Park Chan-wook, who is known for directing “Oldboy” (2003) and “Lady Vengeance” (2005). The actor's agency SWMP Entertainment said Tuesday that he has been offered a role in the director's melodrama “Decision to Break Up” (direct translation). “Park Hae-il is positively reviewing and will work out the details (of the offer),” it said. The flick will be director Park's first film since the award-winning romance-drama “The Handmaiden” in 2016. The director's production company Moho Film told a local news outlet that the main roles were offered to Park and Chinese actress Tang Wei. “We are aiming to start filming this fall,” it said. In regards to the genre, company said “this film could be said to be a melodrama compared to the director's previous films … But as all of his films are, it's hard to pinpoint one specific genre.May 20, 2020By Lee Gyu-lee
Rapper Cheetah makes big screen debut in 'Jazzy Misfits' Rapper-turned-actress Kim Eun-young (aka Cheetah) in a scene from “Jazzy Misfits” / Courtesy of Triple PicturesBy Kwak Yeon-sooRapper Cheetah is making her big screen debut under her real name Kim Eun-young in “Jazzy Misfits,” in which she stars alongside actress Cho Min-soo.Kim plays aspiring singer Sun-deok, who looks for her missing sister Yu-ri with her mother, to whom she has not spoken in years. The mother and daughter search Itaewon, Seoul's most diverse and foreigner-friendly (in the film) district, to find Yu-ri, who ran off with their money.The two run into individuals who are vulnerable to prejudice ― a homosexual, a black-Korean and a drag queen ― in Itaewon. However, the setting and the story are about overcoming such prejudice and embracing difference.Kim said it was an honor to work alongside Cho, the award-winning actress of Kim Ki-duk's “Pieta.” “Like the image I have as rapper Cheetah, there was a strong and powerful image of Cho Min-soo in my mind,” Kim said during a press conference for “Jazzy Misfits” inMay 19, 2020By Kwak Yeon-soo
Netflix picks up Dwayne Johnson-Emily Blunt film 'Ball and Chain' Dwayne Johnson. YonhapNetflix announced Thursday it will release Ball and Chain, a film based on Scott Lobdell's 1990s comic book of the same name.It will star Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt, the leads in Disney's Jungle Cruise, which is scheduled to open in theaters in the summer of 2021.Emily V. Gordon ― whose credits include The Big Sick and Little America ― is writing the screenplay for Ball and Chain, which is about "a troubled married couple that receive superpowers that only work when they are together," a Netflix press release said.No director has been named yet.Johnson is producing through his Seven Bucks Productions banner."One of our main initiatives at Seven Bucks is to continue to find the best platforms to tell stories that entertain and inspire on a global scale. Netflix is the perfect partner to deliver this epic superhero/romantic comedy experience alongside us, and we're excited to be back in business with the Netflix team. I'm also excited to not only reunite with dear friend Emily Blunt in front of the camera, but to also collaborate as producing partners as we brMay 15, 2020
Movie 'Bori' presents child's eye view of disability, differences Actors Kim Ah-song, left, and Kwak Jin-suk in a scene from “Bori” / Courtesy of JinJin PicturesBy Kwak Yeon-sooUnlike a myriad of tear-jerking films that tell the story of disabled characters and their struggle to fit into society, the family drama “Bori” approaches the issue of disability and difference with a child's eye. As the title suggests, the movie is centered on 11-year-old Bori, who is the only hearing member of her family. As a CODA, an acronym for children of deaf adults, Bori often feels left out of the close-knit circle of her deaf parents and younger brother because she finds it difficult to join in sign language conversations at home. One day, she gets lost at a crowded firework festival. After being temporarily separated from her family, Bori strongly feels alienated and wishes that she was deaf, too. So she makes several attempts to lose her hearing by first listening to music at ear-splitting volumes and then by throwing herself into the sea. When she finally wakes after having been pulled out of the water and hospitalized, it appears that sMay 13, 2020By Kwak Yeon-soo
