Bong, McKay team up to dramatize award-winning 'Parasite' at HBO There are moves to make the hit movie “Parasite” into an HBO miniseries. Korea Times fileBy Park Ji-wonDirectors Bong Joon-ho and Adam McKay are in talks to dramatize Bong's award-winning film “Parasite,” according to CJ ENM, Friday. They are largely expected to co-produce the thriller series, sources said.“Bong and McKay had a meeting in person and shared the understanding of making the drama together after the film's release in the North American market,” an official of CJ ENM, the investor and distributor of the film, told The Korea Times, Friday.“Before the release of the film in the North American market, Adam McKay watched the movie and was attracted to it and contacted us for its dramatization first … But no contract has been signed yet. It isn't clear as of yet whether the series will be a sequel or prequel of the film. They are planning to discuss further details after Academy campaigns.”Another company official said they are in talks to co-produce the miniseries. The prospective series is largely expected to be co-produJan 10, 2020By Park Ji-won
'Dolittle' storms to top in local box office A scene from the fantasy adventure film “Dolittle” / Courtesy of Universal PicturesBy Kwak Yeon-sooFantasy adventure film “Dolittle” has dominated the local box office for three consecutive days since its Jan. 8 premiere. It saw 107,986 in ticket sales on the opening day, and had accumulated 210,915 as of Thursday.“Dolittle just opened in its first market on earth. Guess what? Korea. No.1…also opened at No.1. Together we can do anything. Grab a friend or a family member, it's a great movie…Korea is the best,” Robert Downey Jr., who plays Dr. John Dolittle, said in a video posted on Instagram.Directed by Stephan Gaghan, the film revolves around Dolittle, a famed doctor and veterinarian with the ability to talk to animals, embarking on an adventure in search of the Eden tree in a bid to find a cure to save a young queen who falls gravely ill.Based on Hugh Lofting's book “The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle,” the story opens at a point where Dolittle is hding away behind the high walls of the Doolittle Mansion after losing his wifJan 10, 2020By Kwak Yeon-soo
VIDEO 'Parasite' director Bong Joon-ho's interpreter in limelight for being 'best in class' “Parasite” director Bong Joon-ho gives his acceptance speech at the 2020 Golden Globe Awards. YonhapBy Lee Min-young"Once you overcome the one-inch tall barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many more amazing films," Golden Globe-winning Korean movie director Bong Joon-ho said through his Korean interpreter Sharon Choi.Bong, director of the dark comedy-thriller “Parasite,” won Korea's first Golden Globe award for Best Foreign-Language Film. It was the first Korean film to be nominated. While Bong's Golden Globe speech made headlines for sending a message to audiences that miss out on non-English movies, Choi was also the one in the limelight for acting as a mouthpiece for Bong with her smooth, punchy interpretation.Choi, 25, is also a filmmaker. She is now working as an interpreter in Seoul. Choi has been working with Bong since last May at the Cannes film festival, where she was praised for her ability to perfectly carry in her interpretation even the smallest nuances of the director's words.The video of Bong on U.S. talk show "Tonight Show StarrJan 8, 2020By Lee Min-young
'Spies in Disguise' tries too hard to attract Korean moviegoers Walter, left, and Lance in a scene from “Spies in Disguise” / Courtesy of Blue Sky Studios By Kwak Yeon-soo“Spies in Disguise” tries to convince the audience that violence isn't the answer, but it fails to back up this message due to its lackluster narrative. The plot involves peerless spy Lance Sterling, voiced by Will Smith, and nerdy young scientist Walter Beckett, voiced by Tom Holland, teaming up to tackle terrorist threats and save the world.Lance, who originally believes that one “can't save the world with a hug,” later gives in to Walter, who believes that non-lethal gadgets can bring peace and harmony to all. “When we fight fire with fire, we all get burned,” Walter preaches in the movie. Although the message itself is terrific, the idea seems a bit too innocent. Furthermore, some of the non-violent arsenal consists of a multi-colored pen that can fire ropes to tie up bad guys, biodynamic concealment that can turn a person into a pigeon and an electrical puJan 7, 2020By Kwak Yeon-soo
'I will run for election if 'Honest Candidate' sells 10 million tickets' Ra Mi-ran speaks during a press conference at CGV Apgujeong, Seoul, Monday. YonhapBy Dong Sun-hwaActress Ra Mi-ran made a surprise promise Monday that she would run for an election in real life, if her upcoming comedy flick “An Honest Candidate” attracted more than 10 million moviegoers. The earliest elections are the April 15 general elections. Ra plays Joo Sang-sook, a third-term lawmaker seeking re-election. “Many people thought I was actually standing for an election, after seeing my photos on some vehicles,” she said at a press conference at CGV Apgujeong, Seoul. “They were filming props but if our film grosses over 10 million, I would run in the election for real.” Then she said, “Maybe I should raise it to 15 million.” Actor Kim Mu-yeol, who plays Joo's zealous aide Park Hee-chul, said he would serve her as aide, if the actress ran. “An Honest Candidate” will be released on Feb. 12. Courtesy of NEW“An Honest Candidate” revolves around Joo, a habitual liar, who wins voters' hearts with sweet lies. But aheadJan 6, 2020By Dong Sun-hwa
'Parasite' wins best foreign film award at Golden Globes South Korean director Bong Joon-ho gives an acceptance speech after winning the award for best foreign language film for “Parasite” at the 77th Annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. (local time). / AP-YonhapBy Kwak Yeon-sooBong Joon-ho's satirical thriller “Parasite” won the best foreign film award at the Golden Globes 2020, Monday (KST) ― the first Korean film to win the prize in the event's 77-year history.In a ceremony at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California, Bong's “Parasite” beat director LuLu Wang's “The Farewell,” Ladj Ly's “Les Miserables,” Pedro Almodovar's “Pain and Glory” and Celine Sciamma's “Portrait of a Lady on Fire.”. “Wow... Amazing. Once you overcome the one inch tall barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many more amazing films,” Bong said through a translator, accepting the prize. “Just being nominated along with fellow amazing international filmmakers was a huge honor. I think we use only one Jan 6, 2020By Kwak Yeon-soo
Ha Jung-woo, Kim Nam-gil team up for new mystery 'Closet' From left, actor Kim Nam-gil, director Kim Kwang-bin and actor Ha Jung-woo pose for pictures during a press conference for a new film “The Closet” in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Thursday. Courtesy of CJ ENMBy Lee Gyu-leeActors Ha Jung-woo and Kim Nam-gil teamed up to take on a challenge with unprecedented roles in their career in horror, mystery and drama film "The Closet.""This film was more of a challenge for me as a producer than as an actor. I think it is a type of movie that cannot be defined as one specific genre of mystery,” said actor Ha, who is also a co-producer of the film, during a press conference for the film in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Thursday.The flick revolves around an architect Sang-won (played by Ha) who moves into a new house with his daughter after losing his wife in an accident. He struggles to cope with the loss and take care of his daughter. Then one day, his daughter vanishes in the house without a trace, leaving him clueless until a mysterious man (Kim) comes to his door and tells him she has been taken inside the closet.“This has the character, sJan 6, 2020By Lee Gyu-lee
'Parasite' star Song Kang-ho meets Brad Pitt Song Kang-ho and Brad Pitt shake hands at the American Film Institute Awards on Friday in Los Angeles (local time). Capture from Twitter (@neonrated)By Dong Sun-hwaSong Kang-ho, a star in the 2019 Cannes-winning comedy-thriller “Parasite,” met Hollywood heavyweight Brad Pitt at the American Film Institute (AFI) Awards in Los Angeles on Friday night (local time). Song and Pitt shook hands after Pitt told Song he was a fan of the “Parasite,” reports said. The film's distributor NEON captured the moment and posted the photo on Twitter, Saturday. Other actors from “Parasite” ― Lee Jung-eun and Lee Sun-kyun ― are also in the picture. The movie won an AFI Motion Pictures of the Year award. The actors and filmmaker Bong Joon-ho are in Los Angeles to participate in the 77th Golden Globe Awards on Sunday. “Parasite” earned three Golden Globe nominations ― “Best Foreign Language Film,” “Best Director” and “Best Screenplay.” Organized by The Hollywood Foreign Press Association, the Awards honor achievements in fJan 5, 2020By Dong Sun-hwa
Actors, popstars raise funds to support victims of Australian bushfires Nicole Kidman. Capture from Nicole Kidman's InstagramActors, popstars and Britain's royal family have stepped in to offer support for victims of Australia's unprecedented bushfires, helping to raise millions for firefighting services and wildlife shelters. On Sunday, Australian actor Nicole Kidman pledged a $500,000 donation on behalf of her family to New South Wales state Rural Fire Service, without specifying a currency. Kidman spent time in Sydney over the New Year, according to a picture posted on Instagram of herself and husband country music singer Keith Urban in front of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Sydney has seen some of the poorest air quality of any international city in recent weeks as smoke from bushfires has blanketed the city. "Our family's support, thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by the fires all over Australia," she wrote, next to a link to a national firefighting donation page. On Saturday, Britain's Queen Elizabeth joined grandsons William and Harry in expressing shock at the bushfires, and sent their thanks to the firefighters who risked their lives Jan 5, 2020
What to expect in 2020 box office: upcoming films from comedy to sci-fi A scene from the upcoming comedy fantasy film “Dolittle” which will premiere on Jan. 8. Courtesy of Universal PicturesBy Lee Gyu-leeThe 100th year of Korean cinema in 2019 wrapped up successfully with record-breaking annual ticket sales at over 226.6 million, grossing 19 billion won ($16.6 million). As moviegoers bid farewell to 2019, streams of new films are expected to bring in further abundance to the cinema this year. From comedy to science fiction and action blockbusters, diverse genres of films are anticipated to compete in the local box office throughout the year. A poster for the new comedy film “Hitman,” starring actor Kwon Sang-woo, which is premiering on Jan. 22. Courtesy of Lotte EntertainmentComedy films to start the yearThe beginning of 2020 will get the ball rolling for comedy films. Three animal-themed comedy films "Dolittle," “Secret Zoo,” and "Mr. Zoo,” will be released starting on Jan. 8, a week apart from each other. Universal's comedy-fantasy “Dolittle” is about Dr. John Dolittle (Robert Downey Jr.), who Jan 1, 2020By Lee Gyu-lee
