Korean singer-turned-actor Yim Si-wan has been confirmed as the male lead in an upcoming movie “Thinking of Brother (working title),” directed by popular Korean director Lee Han known for his feel-good movies such as “Punch,” the movie producer said on Thursday.  Yim Si-wan. (Yonhap)The star of tvN series “Misaeng (Incomplete Life)” will play the role of Han sang-ryul, a military officer who commands his unit with excellent leadership while suppressing agony inflicted by the war. Set in the mids

Koren idol group 2PM member Hwang Chan-sung has landed the male lead role in an upcoming Japanese film called “Wasureyuki,” Hwang’s agency said Wednesday. Hwang will play the role of Yoon Tae-oh, a young veterinarian who falls in love with his old friend Miyuki, played by Ono Ito, a 19-year-old up-and-coming Japanese actress.  The film, directed by 41-year-old Korean Han Sang-hee, is based on a Japanese best-selling comic book, with over 700 million copies sold. It deals with a love story betwee

Twenty (Korea)Opening March. 25Comedy. Directed by Lee Byung-hunThis coming-of-age film centers three close friends who are all turning 20 years old. Chi-ho (Kim Woo-bin) is jobless and has no specific plans in life, but is very popular around girls, while Dong-woo (Lee Jun-ho) dreams of becoming a comic artist. Kyung-jae (Kang Ha-neul) is smart concerning his schoolwork, but not so much when it comes to relationships. Whiplash (U.S.)Opened March. 12Drama. Directed by Damien ChazelleBased on the

Im Kwon-taek, one of South Korea’s most renowned film directors, voiced strong concern over the future of the Busan International Film Festival, whose longtime programmer and chief is stepping down after clashes with government authorities over censorship issues. “The current situation is simply deplorable,” Im, 79, said at a public hearing in Seoul on Tuesday regarding recent events surrounding the festival. “As a director who creates and submits his works to film festivals, I wonder who would

Whiplash (U.S.)Opening March. 12Drama. Directed by Damien ChazelleBased on the director’s real experience in his high school band, “Whiplash” is a story of a promising young drummer Andrew Neiman (Miles Teller), who enrolls at a prestigious music conservatory, aspiring to become one of the greatest drummer in the country. It is at the school where he meets the tyrannical jazz band conductor Terence Fletcher, played by J.K. Simmons who won the Best Supporting Actor at this year’s Oscars for his r

British spy-thriller “Kingsman: The Secret Service” is dominating the local box office, with more than 3.6 million tickets sold so far, the biggest non-Korean R-rated sales ever in the market. Matthew Vaughn’s film nabbed the top spot on Korea’s box office chart on Thursday for 11-consecutive days, beating out other British flick “Imitation Game” and local comedy flick “Detective K: Secret of the Lost Island.” As of Friday, the title has earned a cumulative 30 billion won ($27 million), since it

Harrison Ford crash-landed his vintage plane Thursday after losing engine power, suffering serious but not life-threatening injuries after using his extensive piloting skills to "beautifully" bring down the plane on a golf course and avoid nearby homes. It was the latest and most serious in a series of crashes and close calls for the 72-year-old action-adventure A-lister, who like his "Star Wars" alter-ego Han Solo has a taste for aerial thrills. He was helped by golfers who saw the plane come d

Director Lee Kwang-kuk talks about recent film ‘A Matter of Interpretation’

Silver cinemas, screening classic films, hope to quench old folks’ thirst for culture

If the mark of a good con artist is that he or she makes you think you know exactly what’s going on ― when of course you haven’t a clue ― that’s also the mark of a good con-artist movie, isn’t it? To make you feel like you totally get what’s about to happen ― “Oh yeah, I’ve seen this in tons of movies,” you think ― and then, boom. That’s not what happens at all. See, you lost your focus for a second. “It’s about distraction,” explains Nicky, the con artist played by Will Smith in “Focus,” the co

Actor Jang Hyuk (“Windstruck,” “Deep Rooted Tree”) plays a ruthless Joseon prince in the new period drama flick “Empire of Lust” directed by Ahn Sang-hoon. Lee Bang-won, Jang’s character, is a well-known historic figure whose ascension to the throne was established through rounds of bloody coups against his potential rivals and enemies, including his own siblings, which historians describe as the Strife of Princes. Lee ruled as King Taejong, the third king of the Joseon era, from 1400 to 1418. I