The Korea Herald

'Kung Fu Panda 3' draws more than 1 mln viewers in 3 days

Jan 31, 2016

Korean-American director Jennifer Yuh Nelson's "Kung Fu Panda 3" has drawn more than 1 million moviegoers since its release in South Korea two days ago, its distributor said Saturday.The movie took first place at the box office when it opened in local theaters Thursday, and had drawn more than 1 million viewers as of 8 p.m. Saturday, CJ Entertainment said.It marked the shortest period of time for an animation to attract 1 million viewers, breaking the previous record held by Walt Disney Animatio
Not exactly smooth sailing for ‘The Finest Hours’

Jan 29, 2016

‘The Finest Hours,” based on the true story of the valiant 1952 Coast Guard rescue of a sinking oil tanker off the coast of Massachusetts, splits in two much like the wounded vessel at its heart.　There’s the film that’s set on the sea and much of that is pretty terrific, even if it brings to mind “A Perfect Storm.” And then there’s film set on land, and that one runs aground. Casey Affleck and Josh Stewart in “The Finest Hours.” (Walt Disney Studios)　Chris Pine is Bernie Webber, a young Coast Gu
More Koreans going to theaters alone: CGV

Jan 28, 2016

An increasing ratio of the country's movie-going population go to theaters by themselves, the latest research by the nation's largest theater chain showed Thursday.One in 10 people went to the movies alone in 2015, up 0.4 percentage points from the year before, the CGV Research Center said at a forum in southern Seoul.In fact, single admissions have steadily increased since 2012, when only 7.7 percent of movie-goers went by themselves, Lee Seung-won, head of the think tank, said.Nearly a quarter
‘French Oscars’ celebrate diversity in nominations

Jan 28, 2016

PARIS (AFP) - Nominations for the Cesars, France‘s version of the Oscars, were announced on Wednesday, honoring a diversity of talent and themes at a time when the Academy Awards are being accused of ignoring minorities.　Screen legends such as Gerard Depardieu, Catherine Deneuve and Isabelle Huppert got nods, and Hollywood star Michael Douglas will be given a lifetime achievement award. 　But the top choices have placed the spotlight on films with very diverse actors, directors and storylines --
'Inside Men' director's cut draws record viewers

Jan 26, 2016

The director's cut of "Inside Men," a domestic crime thriller, has been viewed by a record number of movie-goers, its distributor said Tuesday.More than 2 million people have watched "Inside Men: The Original" as of Tuesday morning, a record for a local director's cut, Showbox Mediaplex Co. said.The special version was released on Dec. 31, 2015, and broke the 1-million-viewer mark in six days. The regular version, meanwhile, drew 7.07 million viewers.Starring Lee Byung-hun, Cho Seung-woo and Bae
[Herald Review] ‘Violent Prosecutor’ both grimacing and comedic

Jan 26, 2016

A prosecutor overly reliant on using his fists in the name of justice and a corrupt politician looking to take advantage of that hot temperament -- the underlying premise of director Lee Il-hyeong’s newest flick, “A Violent Prosecutor,” may appear grim on the surface, but do not be fooled. The prison comedy doles out its fair share of laugh-out-loud moments.The film stars the contrasting combo of the stoic-faced Hwang Jung-min as Seoul district prosecutor Byun Jae-uk and Gang Dong-won as the sl
[Hallyu power] ‘Movies are the best medium to tell stories of Korean culture, history and tradition’

Jan 26, 2016

Director Lee Joon-ik on making period films for the world
Story of film couple abducted by Kim Jong-il premieres at Sundance

Jan 25, 2016

PARK CITY, United States (AFP) - The stranger-than-fiction story about a famous South Korean film director and a glamorous actress abducted by North Korea‘s movie-obsessed Kim Jong-il has premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.　“The Lovers and the Despot,” a documentary by British filmmakers Ross Adam and Robert Cannan, traces the bizarre tale of director Shin Sang-ok and actress Choi Eun-hee, the golden couple of South Korean cinema in the 1960s.Choi Eun-hee (left) and Shin Sang-ok (Sundance I
Five film festivals declare support for BIFF

Jan 25, 2016

Officials of five of Korea’s top international film festivals gathered in Seoul on Monday to show support for the beleaguered Busan International Film Festival.　Jeonju International Film Festival, Seoul International Women’s Film Festival, Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival, Jecheon International Music & Film Festival and DMZ International Documentary Film Festival issued a joint statement expressing concern over BIFF’s independence and freedom of expression.　“We are deeply concerned
[Herald Interview] Im Si-wan happy to play the role he’s given

Jan 25, 2016

Idol-turned-actor says he doesn’t feel a need to break expectations, focused more on being “true” in acting
Ovation, tears for James Foley film at Sundance festival　

Jan 24, 2016

PARK CITY (AFP) - A documentary about James Foley, the U.S. journalist slain by the Islamic State group, premiered to a standing ovation on Saturday at the Sundance Film Festival, leaving few dry eyes in the audience.　Directed by Brian Oakes, a childhood friend, “Jim: The James Foley Story” chronicles the life of the journalist through interviews with his family, friends and fellow reporters who had worked or were held captive with him in Syria. Composer J. Ralph (left) and recording artist Stin
Lee Byung-hun to appear at Oscars

Jan 24, 2016

Actor Lee Byung-hun, one of the country’s top stars, has accepted the invitation to be a presenter at the 88th Academy Awards on Feb. 28, Lee’s agency BH Entertainment said Saturday.　Lee made his Hollywood debut with “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra” in 2009, playing Storm Shadow. Since then, he has been holding his place as a Hollywood movie star with “Terminator Genisys” and “Red: the Legend.” Lee Byung-hun poses for photos at the Korean Film Actors Association awards ceremony at the Grand Hyatt S
Academy vows to double women, minority members by 2020

Jan 24, 2016

LOS ANGELES (AFP) -- The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on Friday promised sweeping reforms designed to help diversify its membership in the face of a major controversy over the second straight year of all-white Oscar acting nominations.The Academy’s board said it was taking “historic action” to double the number of women and minority members by 2020 and launch a global effort to “recruit qualified new members who represent greater diversity.”“These new measures regarding governance
Weekend Box Office Guide: Jan. 23-24

Jan 22, 2016

Thinking about watching a movie this weekend? The Korea Herald offers a guide to the top movies playing on the big screen.A Melody to Remember (Korea)Drama, war. Directed by Lee HanOpened Jan. 21　Sang-ryeol (Im Si-wan) is a soldier who has lost everyone he loves in the Korean War. He is sent to another division, and meets a group of children who have lost everything, just like him. Along with volunteer teacher Ju-mi (Ko A-sung), he creates a children’s choir to bring a little warmth to the cold
Disney delays release of next ‘Star Wars’ to late 2017

Jan 21, 2016

LOS ANGELES (AFP) - The next and eighth episode in the “Star Wars” saga will premiere in December 2017, seven months later than originally planned, Disney and Lucasfilm announced Wednesday.　“The move follows the extraordinary success of ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens,’ which was the first ‘Star Wars’ movie to premiere outside the traditional summer blockbuster window and smashed numerous records,” the studios said in a statement on the website www.starwars.com.　The seventh episode in the series,