Sol Kyung-gu has undergone another drastic transformation in the upcoming thriller “Memoir of a Murderer.”　The 50-year-old veteran actor, who was in Cannes in May with “The Merciless,” shed several kilograms to play a “retired” serial killer in his late 50s to early 60s, suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. “My memory has forgotten but my hand remembers murder, like a habit,” says the movie’s tagline. 　“When I was in ‘Oasis’ and ‘Silmido,’ I was young, so it was easier to lose weight,” Sol said o

Film director Kim Ki-duk’s alleged assault and coercion of an actress into an unscripted sex scene constitute sexual harassment and are a severe violation of human rights, a group representing the victim said Tuesday.The joint group -- consisting of a women’s rights group, legal representatives and film workers’ groups -- that represents an actress who has filed charges against Kim held a joint press conference in Seoul, denouncing Kim and urging measures to prevent further violation of human ri

A Korean film about the 1980 Gwangju pro-democracy uprising surpassed 5 million in attendance Tuesday, the 7th day of its run, the film's distributor said."A Taxi Driver" hit the threshold at 8:30 a.m., becoming the fastest film to reach the milestone this year, according to Showbox. The pace is one day faster than eight days for "The Battleship Island."The film accounted for 35.8 percent of tickets sold on Monday, considered a high rate for a weekday, and 42 percent of tickets reserved for Tues

The much-anticipated wedding of Hallyu mega-celebrities Song Joong-ki and Song Hye-kyo will take place at The Shilla Seoul, on Oct. 31, a Blossom Entertainment source confirmed Tuesday.　“Only the date and the venue have been decided for now,” said the executive from Blossom Entertainment, Song Joong-ki’s management agency. “Specific details and whether or not they will hold a press conference are yet undecided.”The ceremony will take place at the hotel‘s Yeong Bin Gwan, an annex built in the sty

Veteran director remains confident about his much-debated film that aims to portray oppression in subtle fashion

"A Taxi Driver," a South Korean film about the 1980 pro-democracy uprising in the southern city of Gwangju, has sold more than 3 million tickets by the fourth day of its release, data showed Saturday.The film hit the 3-million mark on Saturday afternoon, according to the computerized box office tally from the Korean Film Council. The pace is on par with "Roaring Currents," the most-viewed film ever in South Korea that gathered 17.6 million. (Showbox)The movie, starring Song Kang-ho and German ac

Song Kang-ho won the best actor award for his work in “A Taxi Driver” at Montreal’s Fantasia International Film Festival, said the film’s distributor Showbox.  Song Kang-ho stars in “A Taxi Driver.” (Showbox)Showbox announced Thursday that Jang Hoon, the director of the movie, attended the closing ceremony of the festival Wednesday to accept the award on behalf of Song. The award marks Song’s second best actor prize at the festival. He won the best actor award in 2007 for his role in “The Show M

A Taxi Driver(Korea)Opened Aug. 2Drama. Directed by Jang HoonIt is 1980. German journalist Peter (Thomas Kretschmann) needs a taxi to get to Gwangju, Korea’s southwestern city swept up in a turbulent struggle between government and citizen. Unassuming taxi driver Man-seob (Song Kang-ho) does not know what is in store for him, and is only intent on receiving the hefty fare from Seoul to Gwangju to pay his back rent. The two realize how grave the situation is upon reaching the city, and Peter, wit

Director Kim Ki-duk on Thursday released a statement in response to accusations he had hit and coerced an actress on the set of “Moebius” in 2013.The director said that he could not exactly recall the events from four years ago. However, he stressed that the strike happened while demonstrating a scene.“I myself was in the scene and might have hit the opposing actress while following the viewpoint or hit myself. This happened while I was demonstrating and explaining that this was the scene I want

"A Taxi Driver" on the 1980 pro-democracy uprising in Gwangju dethroned fellow Korean historical blockbuster "The Battleship Island" at the box office on its opening day, data showed Thursday.The period drama starring Song Kang-ho and German actor Thomas Kretschmann conquered the previous one-week leader, selling a total of 697,858 tickets on Wednesday, according to the computerized box office tally from the Korean Film Council.  "A Taxi Driver" was screened 7,068 times on 1,446 screens across t

An actress is suing director Kim Ki-duk for assault and coercion, reports said Thursday.The actress says Kim slapped her and forced her to shoot a sex scene that was not in the script while working on Kim’s 2013 film “Moebius.” She eventually quit, and Lee Eun-woo replaced her in the female lead role. Kim Ki-duk (Yonhap)Kim’s representative said that while it is true that the director struck the actress across the face, it had been part of coaching a scene. “We never forced a sex scene that wasn

"The Battleship Island," one of the most highly anticipated films of the year, debuted at No. 1 on the weekend box office chart in South Korea, surpassing 4 million in the accumulated number of views, data showed Monday.The historical action flick directed by Ryoo Seung-wan claimed the top spot by attracting 2.5 million people to 2,019 theaters across the country over the July 28-30 weekend, according to figures from the Korean Film Council.The movie surpassed the 4 million audience mark Sunday,

Five years after late debut, Park becomes known for portrayal of average, struggling youths

Actor Kim Woo-bin has completed his first round of chemotherapy, the actor’s management agency Sidus HQ announced Sunday.　“He has recuperated to the point that he is now able to exercise,” a company official said. 　In May, Sidus HQ revealed that Kim had been diagnosed with nasopharyngeal cancer and was undergoing treatment. 　With the recent announcement, Sidus HQ said that they are cautious but optimistic about a second round of chemotherapy and new test results scheduled for August. 　Kim Woo-bi

The Battleship Island(Korea)Opened July 26Drama, action. Directed by Ryoo Seung-wanDeep in the dark, damp underground tunnels of Hashima Island, hundreds of Korean laborers are forced to mine for coal in deadly conditions by the Japanese. A motley crew of Koreans find themselves on the island -- including band leader Kang-ok (Hwang Jung-min) and his daughter So-hee (Kim Soo-ahn), gang leader Chil-sung (So Ji-sub) and Malnyeon (Lee Jung-hyun), who has been sold as a sex slave. Elite agent Park Mo