Byun Huk has a reputation for style, specifically when it comes to the mise-en-scene of his films. His latest piece is no exception, delving into the art world and playing up the visuals in this depiction of a middle-class couple striving for acceptance into “high society.”The film follows its protagonists, respected university professor Jang Tae-jun (Park Hae-il) and his wife, Oh Su-yeon (Soo Ae), an established curator at a prestigious art gallery. The upwardly mobile husband is on his way to

The ancient kingdom of Goguryeo is a source of an immense national pride for Koreans, as it once single-handedly fought off the most powerful Chinese empires. But it is also a kingdom in which period dramas are rarely set, due to a lack of knowledge and research about it.The upcoming film “The Great Battle,” directed by Kim Kwang-sik, is one that follows the desperate 88-day fight between 200,000 soldiers of the invading Tang Empire and 5,000 Goguryeo soldiers led by Gen. Yang Man-chun.“Most of

Model-turned-actress Lee Ha-nee has become a client of the major US-based talent agency William Morris Endeavor Entertainment LLC, her local agency said Thursday.According to Saram Entertainment, Lee inked a deal with WME for representation, and signed a management deal with Artist International Group.“After meeting with several Hollywood agencies, she decided to sign with the partners as she believed it would be most beneficial when working in Hollywood, Saram Entertainment head Lee So-young wa

The Spy Gone North (Korea)Opened Aug. 8DramaDirected by Yoon Jong-bin As North Korea pursues a nuclear program, the South Korean intelligence service sends a black operative, Heukgeumseong (Hwang Jung-min), to Beijing. Disguising himself as a businessman, the spy soon gains the trust of high-ranking North Korean official Lee Myeong-un (Lee Sung-min), and commences his mission to infiltrate the highly secluded country.Along With the Gods: The Last 49 Days(Korea)Opened July 1Action, Drama, Fantasy

“Feng Shui,” starring Cho Seung-woo, Ji Sung, a political drama based in late Joseon eraIn his last film “Inside Men,” Cho Seung-woo played a stubborn prosecutor out to take down a corrupt network among media, politics and business. Now, he will suit up in hanbok to play a fictional land appraiser -- not by monetary value, but by East Asian art of geomancy “pungsujiri“ -- Park Jae-sang, who is to determine the fate of the turbulent Joseon era in “Feng Shui.” “With all the awesome actors in the f

Ki Joo-bong won the best actor award at the 2018 Locarno Film Festival that ended Saturday.He won the prize for his performance in Hong Sang-soo’s 2018 film “Hotel by the River.” Ki is a veteran actor of some 40 years, who has performed onstage and starred in films and TV shows. Ki Joo-bong poses with the award for best actor during the 71st Locarno International Film Festival in Locarno, Switzerland, Saturday. (EPA-Yonhap)In the film, Ki played the role of poet Young-wan, who has taken up resid

Along With the Gods: The Last 49 Days(Korea)Opened July 1Action, Drama, Fantasy Directed by Kim Yong-hwaGangrim (Ha Jung-woo), an agent of the afterlife, attempts to clear his client Kim Su-hong’s (Kim Dong-wook) charges in a trial after death, while his colleagues Haewonmak (Ju Ji-hoon) and Lee Deok-choon (Kim Hyang-gi) try to bring an elderly man living past his due time to the underworld. But the trio’s past threatens both missions.The Spy Gone North (Korea)Opened Aug. 8DramaDirected by Yoon

Filmmaker Hong Sang-soo and actress Kim Min-hee were spotted together in Locarno, Switzerland. The two were invited to the 71th Locarno Film Festival 2018 for the film “Hotel by the River,” which marks their sixth time working together. They posed together at a photo call Thursday. Hong Sang-soo (left) and Kim Min-hee (AP-Yonhap)After the photos were released, the Korean press focused on Kim’s style change. Before admitting her relationship with Hong, Kim used to wear tight, colorful dresses wit

First-time filmmaker funds freaky film with cryptocurrency

“Cute” is the word that best describes romantic comedy “On Your Wedding Day” starring Korean sweetheart Park Bo-young. Park, at the age of 28, is one of those actors who seem never to age. She can pull off both the innocence of a high school girl and complex emotions of a much older woman. Her voice can sound both sweet and shrill depending on the situation, and the range of her facial expressions is impressive every time she is on-screen.These are the impressions from the latest film by Lee Seo

South Korea's action fantasy film "Along With the Gods: The Last 49 Days" is on course to set a ticket sale record for the nation's movie industry, with its total sales exceeding 6 million on Sunday, just 5 days after release.The sequel to the 2017 box office smash "Along With the Gods:The Two Worlds" is the first South Korean movie to break the 6 million mark in five days, according to distributor Lotte Entertainment. (Lotte Entertainment)The movie sold 1.24 million tickets last Wednesday, sett

As a child of the ’90s when James Bond films first started to take the loud, bombastic, shoot-’em-all approach, it feels weird to watch a spy film in which not one bullet is fired.To be fair, “The Spy Gone North” is like the love child of a political thriller and a spy film, but director Yoon Jong-bin’s attempt to raise tension through words, not actions, is admirable and quite effective.The film is based on a real-life event that occurred during the 1990s, with the creators taking liberty with

Along With the Gods: The Last 49 Days(Korea)Opened July 1Action, Drama, Fantasy Directed by Kim Yong-hwaGangrim (Ha Jung-woo), an agent of the afterlife, attempts to clear his client Kim Su-hong’s (Kim Dong-wook) charges in a trial after death, while his colleagues Haewonmak (Ju Ji-hoon) and Lee Deok-choon (Kim Hyang-gi) try to bring an elderly man living past his due time to the underworld. But the trio’s past threatens both missions.Mission: Impossible - Fallout(US)Opened July 25Action, Advent

Ma Dong-seok, a muscle-bound action star who packs both action and laughter, is shooting a crime action film featuring him as a reluctant hero.Producers of the film “Ak-in-jeon (The Story of an Evil Man)” said the movie started shooting Tuesday. Starring alongside Ma are actors Kim Mu-yeol and Kim Sung-kyu.Ma Dong-seok (Yonhap)The film features Ma as a mob boss who chases after a serial killer after surviving an attempt on his life. Kim Mu-yeol will play the role of a detective who unwillingly t

A funny-looking vampire in a Hawaiian shirt and shorts dancing to “Gangnam Style” is how I would describe “Hotel Transylvania 3: A Monster Vacation.”That is exactly the yardstick to determine who will enjoy the film and who will hate it. Does that image -- actually in the movie, and exactly as it sounds -- have you rolling on the floor? You are in for a treat. Are you grinding your teeth? Leave now. "Hotel Transylvania 3: A Monster Vacation" (Sony Pictures Korea)The movie briefly looks at the pa