Ambitious, experimental and excellently performed, film’s crucial flaw is its complexity

True-story film takes its time trudging to emotional climax

Three small films release simultaneously on Dec. 10

Here's our weekly update on what films to catch at the theaters this weekend.Love Guide for Dumpees (Korea)Opened Dec. 3Romantic comedy. Directed by Ha Ki-ho　Jeong-hun (Yoon Kye-sang) pretends to be cool as he goes to his ex-girlfriend’s wedding, but it doesn’t last long. He ends up getting drunk and taking a girl (Han Ye-ri) home, who turns out to be the ex-girlfriend of the groom. They reach an agreement to console each other’s heartbreak as “friends with benefits,” but they end up developing

Idol-turned-actor says playing familiar characters is harder, requires more persuasion

After a long run on the international film festival circuit, Albert Shin finally shows Korean-language film ‘In Her Place’ in Korea

The Korean box office is wrapping up a dynamic year of hugely successful films like “Assassination” and “Veteran“ as well as acclaimed smaller art-house films like “Alice in Earnestland,“ but there is little progress to show for mid-sized commercial films. The last month of 2015 looks to be a continuation of that pattern. Three of Korea’s largest distributors -- CJ Entertainment, Next Entertainment World and Lotte Entertainment -- will be facing off in theaters for the holiday rush.The Himalayas

Headed to the movies this weekend? The Korea Herald offers a guide to what's playing in theaters.The Sound of a Flower (Korea)Opened Nov. 25Historical drama. Directed by Lee Jong-pil　In ancient Korea, women were not allowed to perform pansori – Korea’s traditional musical theater. But that doesn’t stop Jin Chae-seon (Bae Suzy) from chasing her dreams. With training and guidance from pansori veteran Shin Jae-hyo (Ryu Seung-ryong), Chae-seon beats the odds and becomes the first woman to publicly p

The protection of young children will be at the forefront of the International Film Classification Forum 2015 on Thursday.Korea is the only nation in Asia hosting an international conference to discuss classification and rating for video content, according to Lee Kyong-sook, chairwoman of the forum’s host Korea Media Rating Board.  (Korea Media Rating Board)The countries participating in this year’s forum all have different types of organizations for doling out the ratings, including government

Actors Ha Jung-woo, Bae Doo-na and Oh Dal-su will star in a new flick called “Tunnel,” the film’s production company announced Tuesday. The new movie is being directed by Kim Sung-hoon, who is behind the 2014 hit “A Hard Day.” From left: Ha Jung-woo, Bae Doo-na and Oh Dal-su (OSEN)“Tunnel” centers on a man Lee Jung-soo, played by Ha (“Kundo,” “The Terror Live”), a car salesman who gets trapped in a collapsed tunnel and struggles to survive. Bae (“Cloud Atlas,” “A Girl at My Door”) plays Jung-soo

Idol star and actress says plot was a reminder of her journey

The 52nd Daejong Film Awards on Friday were not quite a star-studded affair as the nominees for top prizes, including Best Actor and Actress, skipped the annual ceremony. Although many nominees who did not attend gave reasons such as scheduling conflicts, others openly boycotted the awards, criticizing the organizing committee for poor management and lack of independence from the government.The 52nd Daejong Film Awards were held in Seoul on Friday despite nine nominees for best actor and actress

After great comedic start, ‘You Call It Passion’ falls into trap of preachy cliches

Winners in 11 categories boycott ceremony amid controversy

Headed to the box office? The Korea Herald offers a weekend guide to what's in theaters. Inside Men (Korea)Opened Nov. 19Crime drama. Directed by Woo Min-hoThe stink of corruption is everywhere in “Inside Men,” where top players in politics, media, and the criminal world intertwine their fates together through mutual support. Together, they are unstoppable, but when one side turns traitor the house of cards comes tumbling down.Citizenfour (U.S.)Opened Nov. 19Documentary. Directed by Laura Poitra