Festival to celebrate Korean film's 100th anniversary kicks off in central Seoul The emblem of the 100th anniversary of Korean film. Courtesy of the Korean Film CouncilA movie-themed cultural festival to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Korean cinema kicked off in downtown Seoul on Saturday.The two-day festival on the Gwanghwamun square in the city center includes a ceremony to mark the centennial and a program to give visitors a chance to experience the filming process of two Korean films ― "Train to Busan," a smash hit zombie film from 2016, and "The Himalayas," an adventure movie released in 2015.There will be displays of movie posters from the past century, screenings of 100 short Korean films made by 100 directors and special corners where visitors can listen to popular original sound tracks of hit Korean movies.On Sunday, a concert will be held at the same venue, with silver screen and K-pop stars including Jeon Do-yeon, Park Joong-hoon and Kim Yoon-ah attending.The Gwanghwamun Festival is the highlight of a series of events and festivals organized by the Korean Film Council, a government agency for the promotion of Korean films, and industry figures to mOct 27, 2019
'Righteous Revenge' marks birth of Korean cinema The picture of Dansungsa Theater in Jongro-gu, Seoul, in the 1950s. The theater screened Korea's first kino-drama "The Righteous Revenge"(1919), directed by Kim Do-san, marking the birth of Korean cinema. Korea Times fileThis is the fourth in a series of articles highlighting the centennial of Korean cinema. ― EDBy Lee Gyu-leeExactly a century ago on Oct. 27, 1919, Korea's first film "The Righteous Revenge," directed by Kim Do-san, premiered at the Dansungsa Theater in central Seoul, attracting crowds. In 1962, four decades after its screening, the government designated the day as the beginning of Korean cinema and Korea has since celebrated its anniversary. The film took the form of a kino-drama, a mixture of theatrical play and motion picture, a little different from today's films. Actors would perform scenes on stage for the audience, and scenes that could not be staged with props were displayed through motion pictures, such as scenery or outdoor places.A portrait of Park Seoung-pil, top, owner of the Dansungsa Theater and producer of “The Righteous Revenge,” on the ceOct 25, 2019By Lee Gyu-lee
'Kim Ji-young, Born 1982' tops box office Stars Gong Yoo and Jung Yu-mi. Korea Times fileBy Cho Hae-minThe movie “Kim Ji-young, Born 1982” tops box office after its release on Oct. 23. According to the Korean Film Council (KOFIC), ticket sales reached 291,155 for two days until Oct. 24.The movie stars Jung Yu-mi, playing the protagonist Kim Ji-young, and Gong Yoo, who plays Ji-young's husband Dae-hyun. The movie depicts the story of Ji-young's life in 2019. After Ji-young quits her job to raise her child, the movie deals with social issues including gender discrimination from the perspective of women of Ji-young's generation, born in the 1980s. This movie is based on the million-seller novel of same title by Cho Nam-joo, published in October 2016.Oct 25, 2019
Is Taeyeon covering 'Frozen 2' theme song? The main characters of “Frozen 2.” Korea Times fileBy Cho Hae-minThe identity of the Korean singer who will cover the ending song “Into the Unknown” of “Frozen 2” is being kept a secret, arousing many fans' curiosity. Walt Disney Korea, the distributor of the sequel of the 2013 hit film “Frozen,” released a teaser on its official Intagram account, only revealing the Korean artist in silhouette. The teaser says the singer is a talented, popular vocalist. The official Korean cover of “Let it go” from “Frozen,” sung by Hyolin from K-pop group Sistar, was a major hit. Many fans speculate that Taeyeon from Girl's Generation is the undisclosed Korean singer who will cover “Frozen 2's” theme song on the basis of hints Disney has given, such as white complexion and a singer with many hits and a long curly hairdo. “Into the Unknown” is one of the three ending credit songs and Elsa's theme song. “Frozen 2” will be released in Korea in November. Oct 24, 2019
'Maleficent 2' tops box office, facing test from 'Kim Ji-young' A poster for “Maleficent: Mistress of Evil,” left, which topped the local box office for six consecutive days since it premiered last Thursday, and a poster for "Kim Ji-young, Born 1982," premiering Wednesday. Courtesy of Walt Disney Company Korea and Lotte EntertainmentBy Lee Gyu-leeThe return of Disney's villainous enchantress in “Maleficent: Mistress of Evil” stormed into the local box office and has dominated it for six consecutive days since it premiered Oct. 17. However, despite nabbing the top spot, the film does fall short of expectations, and is likely to face a test when "Kim Ji-young, Born 1982" premieres Wednesday. The latest Disney blockbuster had accumulated 717,135 ticket sales grossing 6.2 billion won ($5.2 million), as of Wednesday. But the film has also had a rather disappointing outing in North America with a $36 million opening weekend, a steep decline compared to the first film's $69 million.“Maleficent 2” has premiered in most major international markets, grossing over $157 million worldwide this week. However, it still has moOct 23, 2019By Lee Gyu-lee
Terminator: 'I'm back!' The cast of film "Terminator: Dark Fate," from left, Natalia Reyes, Mackenzie Davis, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton and Gabriel Luna, and director Tim Miller pose during a media conference for the film, held at the Four Seasons Hotel in Jongno-gu, Seoul, Monday. YonhapBy Lee Gyu-leeHollywood actor Arnold Schwarzenegger kept his promise. He, along with Linda Hamilton and other lead actors of the newest Terminator film "Terminator: Dark Fate," landed in Korea, Monday, as part of their Asia press junket to promote the film. “Last time when I was here (in 2015), I said 'I'll be back' and Terminator always keeps his promise,” Schwarzenegger said as he met reporters during a media conference held at the Four Seasons Hotel in Jongno-gu, Seoul. He expressed how happy he was to promote the newest film of the series that gave his career a huge leap forward. “It was one of the miracles as an actor to get involved with a franchise that is so popular,” he said. Schwarzenegger showed confidence in playing his iconic role for 35 years, saying he's “old but not oOct 21, 2019By Lee Gyu-lee
'Maleficent: Mistress of Evil' conquers box office Fantasy flick “Maleficent: Mistress of Evil” has been topping the box office since the film's release on Thursday. Courtesy of Walt Disney Company KoreaBy Dong Sun-hwa Fantasy film “Maleficent: Mistress of Evil” has dominated the local box office, selling more than 200,000 tickets on Sunday alone. The Korean Film Council said Monday that the Walt Disney's movie edged out the psycho thriller “Joker” (131,851) and the rom-com “Crazy Romance” (92,811). The movie, starring Hollywood heavyweight Angelina Jolie, has been topping the box office since its premiere on Thursday. It had accumulated more than 610,000 ticket sales as of Sunday.Based on Charles Perrault's fairy tale “Sleeping Beauty,” the film zeroes in on dark fairy “Maleficent (Angelina Jolie,)” who clashes with Queen Ingrith (Michelle Pfeiffer) and the human world as she prepares for the wedding of Princess Aurora (Elle Fanning). The fairy has a mother-daughter-like bond with the princess. The film is the sequel to “Maleficent” released in 2014.Oct 21, 2019By Dong Sun-hwa
New Wave filmmakers light up Dark Days From left are directors Bae Chang-ho; Jang Seon-woo; Park Gwang-soo and Jung Ji-young. IN the 1980s and 90s, they produced thought-provoking films showing a departure from old-fashioned Korean movies which repeated the same old lover story tropes. The Busan International Film Festival later dubbed them “New Wave” filmmakers. / Korea Times fileThis is the third in a series of articles highlighting the centennial of Korean cinema ― ED.By Kang Hyun-kyungStarting in the early 1980s, Korean cinema saw the rise of a group of young, innovative filmmakers. With their thought-provoking films showing a departure from “old-fashioned” Korean movies which repeated the same old love story tropes, their presence signaled that Korean cinema had entered a new phase.Directors Bae Chang-ho, Park Gwang-soo, Jang Seon-woo and Jung Ji-young are some of the representative figures of those days.In a 1996 publication, the Busan International Film Festival organizers called the movement the “Korean New Wave.” Growing up watching European movies at Seoul CinematheqOct 21, 2019By Kang Hyun-kyung
Film 'Family Affair' delves into meaning of being family member Jang Hye-jin, Tae In-ho, Lee Ga-sub star in "Family Affair," in which three siblings go on a journey to find their mother who left when they were young. / Courtesy of myung filmBy Jung Hae-myoung What is it to be a member of a family? The film “Family Affair,” which received an official invitation for the Panorama section at the Busan International Film Festival, questions the audience on how separated family members come back together at the same starting point of a long journey. Director Lee Dong-eun said the film is about how family members are people who start at the same point, but eventually head in different directions. “I think family should acknowledge that each is going on a different path,” Lee said. “Like in the film, the members of the family start the journey at the same time but are separated into their own lives. Although the family members in the film are imperfect, they are beautiful as they are.” In the film, Kyung-hwan (Tae In-ho), the second of the siblings, receives a postcard from the mother who left them for another man thatOct 18, 2019
Robert Downey Jr. to play Dr. Dolittle, talk to the animals Robert Downey Jr. Korea Times fileBy Cho Hae-minRobert Downey Jr., best known for his role as the Iron Man in the Marvel series, will play a veterinarian with the ability to talk to animals in the comedy film “Dolittle.” It will be Downey's first movie role after “Avengers: Endgame,” released in 2019. The first trailer for the film showed Downey's wit and perfect harmony with various animals. In addition, the voice cast includes several stars: Emma Thompson, Selena Gomez, Rami Malek, Tom Holland and Marion Cotillard.The film is set to be released next January. Oct 17, 2019
