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SEPTEMBER OCTOBER
you can check 2010 Vol.08
Korean Cinema Today
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SEPTEMBER OCTOBER 2010 Vol.08

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BOX OFFICE REPORT FOR SUMMER 2010
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A CERTAIN TENDENCY IN KOREAN THRILLERS

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 Korean Cinema Today
SEPTEMBER OCTOBER 2010 ●

Vol. 08

A certain
tendency
in Korean
thrillers
this
summer
2010

10 I Saw the Devil

REPORT VIEW
04 Box office report for summer 2010 42 Documentaries and the Korean auteur
06 Strategic forum for Korean films and its
expansion into global market HOT MOVIE
09 KOFIC News 44 A Better Tomorrow

INTERVIEW NEW FILMS

14 JANG Cheol-soo, director of Bedevilled 46 Oki’s Movie & other newly released films

BEHIND CURTAIN MASTERS OF KOREAN CINEMA

16 PARK Jung-ryul, action director for 54 BAE Chang-ho, an earnest cine-artist
The Man from Nowhere devoted to expanding the boundaries

SPOTLIGHT FROM THE EDITOR

18 WON Bin in The Man From Nowhere 58 Originality and austerity

cover : Camellia, the closing film of 15th PIFF

PUBLISHER CHO Hee-moon, Chairman of KOFIC EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Daniel D.H.PARK, CHOI Kwang-hee MANAGER KIM Hong-chun
EDITOR YANG You-jeong COPY EDITOR Jongsuk Thomas NAM, Nigel D'SA, Tae JO COntributing EDITORS HAN Sunhee, Darcy PAQUET,
Jean NOH TRANSLATORS SON Ju-hee, MOON Sun-young, Jin PARK, KIM Young-woo DESIGN & ART DIRECTION JUNG Kyoung-wook, ROH
Hyoung-soo PRINT SeoKang CONTACT | Tel +82 2 958 7591~9 Fax +82 2 958 7590 E-mail hckim@kofic.or.kr Website www.kofic.or.kr/english
Address 206-46, Cheongnyangni-dong, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, Korea 130-010
KOREAN CINEMA TODAY is published bi-monthly by Korean Film Council(KOFIC). All articles represent views of their authors and do not necessarily reflect KOFIC
policy in any given area. ©Korean Film Council 2010, Designed by JR Design

SEPTEMBER • OCTOBER 2010 03

30
th
The 15
Pusan International Film Festival &
Asian Film Market overview

The 5 Companies
Representing
Korea’s Sound
Mixing Industry

20
report

As ‘Moss’ rises, ‘Man’ has Top 10 Box Office

the last laugh
July ~ August 2010

Rank Title Country RELEASE DATE ADMISSIONS Rank Title Country RELEASE DATE ADMISSIONS

1 Inception US, England 07/21/1010 5,637,860 6 Eclipse US 07/07/2010 2,085,329

Box Office Report for Summer 2010 2 The Man from Nowhere Korea 08/04/2010 4,631,837 7 I Saw the Devil Korea 08/12/2010 1,598,279
3 Moss Korea 07/14/2010 3,374,065 8 Knight and Day US 06/24/2010 1,420,494
4 Salt US 07/29/2010 2,888,661 9 Toy Story 3 US 08/05/2010 1,394,423
5 Shrek Forever After US 07/01/2010 2,224,718 10 71-into the Fire Korea 06/16/2010 1,320,438

By CHOI Kwang-hee theaters being filled with thriller movies through films like The Chaser . Finally The driven by JUNG Jae-young. In Moss , the audience last February. into Hollywood.
The Korean film market has recently with good performances. Man from Nowhere arrived. mystery happens in the outskirts of town, If The Man from Nowhere stood at the Meanwhile, 71-into the Fire , which
experienced a new trend: the abundance This thriller fever can be traced back KANG Woo-suk organized the banquet, which portrays the dark side of Korean middle of box office success, I Saw the was released to commemorate the 60th
of thrillers. This is somewhat of a shift to films such as Marine Boy , The Scam , and LEE Jeong-beom popped the bottle modern history, with a powerful cast, Devil stood at the middle of controversy. anniversary of the Korean war, has enjoyed
in that thrillers have traditionally been Handphone , Insadong Scandal , A Million , of champagne. In the summer popcorn- which led to strong revenues of the film. For its visually violent scenes, I Saw the positive box office results with 3.3 million
considered a weaker genre when compared White Night from last year. While thrillers pic season, as Man of Vendetta stayed at Moss commanded the No.1 spot at the box Devil had to go through a rating review moviegoers watching the film. However,
to comedies. People attribute this change remain to have a strong positioning mid-point of the box office, the big player office for three consecutive weeks before managed by Korea Media Rating Board it can’t be considered a major success
to the so-called “Chaser Effect.” After the in 2010, films such as No Mercy , The KANG Woo-suk safely saved the day with Inception took over that spot. twice. Director KIM Jee-woon reviled his when considered that 11 million dollars was
movie The Chaser was a big success at the Outlaw , and Parallel Life didn’t live up to a story based on a webtoon by drawing After Moss , The Man from Nowhere ordeal by confessing “I didn’t realized invested in the film, which is considered
box office, drawing more than 5 million expectations. This could be because of in 3 million viewers to the theater. Moss helped the thriller genre return to box how happy it was in releasing a movie.” blockbuster scale.
audience members back in 2008, investors the overused themes in hardcore criminal enjoyed a good turnout thanks to high office supremacy. The Man from Nowhere Receiving a ‘Limited Screening’ label in To conclude Korean movies, which raced
have raised their antennas towards elements (abduction, kidnapping, serial expectations from those who were familiar topped the box office for 4 weeks in Korea means there is no chance for a in good shape at summer box office thanks
thrillers. This led to the inevitability of killers, etc.) which have already been seen with the original comic, and star power August. Director LEE Jeong-beom, who film to be screened at the theaters since to Moss and The Man from Nowhere in
presented new aesthetics of Korean noir there are no special theatres for limited spite of strong performance of Inception ,
through Cruel Winter Blues four years screening ratings. Therefore, the criticism have ambitious line ups aiming to Chu-
2 ago, achieved the box office crown by on the Korean rating system, which seok, Korean Thanksgiving.
maintaining his own style and embracing technically functions as a censorship rule Action thriller Troubleshooter , directed
commercial success. Even praised by was raised again as I Saw the Devil was by rookie KWON Hyeok-jae, and written
critics, The Man from Nowhere attracted labeled as ‘Limited Screening.’ As the by ‘action kid’ RYOO Seung-wan, is a first-
male audiences with its intensive and voices to abolish the current rating system mover in the lineup for films this Cho-seok
stylish action scenes, and appealed to on account of creators’ freedom to express season and followed by A Better Tomorrow ,
female audiences by actor WON Bin who were raised, other voices to expand it in a remake version of A Better Tomorrow ,
challenged his strong macho character. order to prevent the tolerance on cruel directed by, SONG Hae-sung The Quiz
Eventually The Man from Nowhere became violence in movies was confronted. I Saw Show Scandal by JANG Jin, Cyrano Agency
a second movie which rang up 5 million in the Devil was disappointing at the box by KIM Hyun-seok, and Grand Prix by
admissions after Secret Reunion by JANG office anyhow, in spite of LEE Byung-hun’s YANG Yun-ho, a story about a jockey and
Hun which gained more than 5 million appearance who has expanded his career his horse.

3 7 10

The Man from Nowhere Moss I Saw the Devil 71-into the Fire

04 KOREAN CINEMA TODAY SEPTEMBER • OCTOBER 2010 05

report

A search for exchange and

currently in the global market and seek
necessary conditions and various means

expansion
to promote them further. First speaker
was Mike SUH of CJ Entertainment
International Film Financing and
Production. In his speech titled ‘Discussion
Strategic Forum for Korean Films and Its Expansion into Global Market on Korean cinema and global corporation
strategy,’ SUH discussed entering overseas
markets in a global environment and what
CJ Entertainment’s business aims are
at the moment. He pointed out several
issues Korean cinema is facing right now
By HAN Sunhee in four parts. Many Korean filmmakers “Infrastructure for and, in order to achieve globalization, he
Last August 18th, Korean Film Council interested in global market were present at global cinema needs to be suggested it is necessary to be equipped
(KOFIC)’s International Promotion the forum, including directors, producers, established” with basic competence and infrastructure
Center hosted ‘Strategic Forum for overseas sales companies, local film Session 1 was held under the theme that will consistently produce ‘global
Korean Films and Its Expansion into councils, and post-production industry of ‘Review on Korean cinema’s cinema’ that can be simultaneously
Global Market’ at Korea Chamber of personnel who are preparing international competitiveness in the world market’. The distributed around the world. For this,
Commerce. The forum proceeded mainly projects. aim was to check where Korean films stand scenarios with universal qualities that The Chaser

Many Korean filmmakers interested in global market were present at the forum, including
directors, producers, overseas sales companies, local film councils, and post-production
industry personnel who are preparing international projects.
make global distribution possible need for Korean cinema overseas. Also, taking expanding capital and market through
to be developed. Interestingly, CJ the example of films Finecut had promoted, coproduction. He introduced remake of
Entertainment is preparing to start off like The Host, Old Boy and Chaser , KIM Late Autumn as a type of ‘hybrid film,’ and
its global project through relatively explained in case of genre films, sales said for Korean films to be globalized they
large-scale disaster movie. It is trying to point should be focused on promotional need to move onto expanding capital and
construct production infrastructure for materials with strong visuals. Furthermore, market share through coproduction.
the mass production of large-scale films, she introduced characteristics of film
vitalize computer graphics field, prepare festivals and film markets held in cities Current status and
sales base to lead international film like Berlin, Cannes, Venice, Toronto, Busan tasks of international
distribution, and build up direct global and more, emphasizing the importance of coproduction
distribution infrastructure at Japan, US stressing the selling points and features of Session 2 focused on the subject of ‘Korean
and China. At the moment, with a vision of each film and choosing film festivals and cinema in the context of major overseas
growing into a major studio representing markets to promote that fits the best. market and international coproduction’.
Asia, CJ is attempting full-scale regional Thirdly, LEE Joo-ik, CEO of Boram Roy LEE, CEO of Vertigo Entertainment,
direct distributions and film productions in Entertainment that produced global introduced latest trends among Hollywood
Japanese market, reinforcing coproduction projects like Warrior’s Way and Late studios under the title ‘Trends in
of local Chinese cinema and trying pre- Autumn , spoke on the subject of Hollywood cinema and current issues.’
production partnership with Hollywood ‘Developing global contents of Korean According to LEE, major American film
studios. cinema and attraction of foreign studios like Sony, Fox, Disney and Universal
Second presenter to take the floor was investments.’ LEE defined currently are all aiming at cutting down the total
KIM Yun-jeong of FINECUT’s International globalizing cinema as ‘hybrid’. Also, for number of films produced and are focusing
Sales team, talking on the ‘Korean cinema methods of attracting foreign investment, on high-budget films instead. Under the
marketing strategy in global market.’ KIM he mentioned attraction by sharing the circumstances, there are three ways for
stressed that professionals, buyers and market, diversifying the risk, utilizing soft Korea to work together with Hollywood:
distributors are the objects of marketing money and its prospects, and sharing and Coproduce just one film together; produce

06 KOREAN CINEMA TODAY SEPTEMBER • OCTOBER 2010 07

report

Kofic news
a domestic film with unique contents with expanded itself and grown into a massive Asia spoke on ‘Financing Asian film in Asia and Europe may not have been
an American film company; or coproduce market with the box-office profits of 10 contents and discussion on international quite successful so far but he concluded
through agencies or management firms. billion Yuan, 600 and more films being coproduction’. By questioning ‘Do when Asia as an area cooperate more,
More recently, Hollywood studios have produced annually, having 5300 screens co-productions represent the new maths more profit will come out of it.
set up separate departments to finance including 2000 3D screens and more. for the Asian film industry?' FRATER KOFIC opening a new way for Korea-
non-English films and have looked for However, YU Dong pointed out lack of explained the possibility of international The need for a consistent Japan film co-production
coproduction opportunities. This is human resources to back up such growth coproduction. Normally, producers tend global forum ‘Ko-production in Tokyo 2010' held in Tokyo from September 2 to 5
how remake of Ghost and coproduction of the market as the drawback of Chinese to have logic of ‘2+2=5,’ but international Session 3 was led by Chris SOTH of Korean Film Council (Chairman CHO Hee-moon)
of Yellow Sea came to reality. Roy cinema industry. Therefore, China is coproduction have many risk factors Milliondollarscreenwriting.com, speaking hosted ‘Ko-production in Tokyo 2010' from
LEE concluded if the idea is good currently working with actors from Taiwan that may make such logic improbable. on ‘Pitching Skills for Global Film Projects.' September 2 to 5, at Shinagawa Tokyo, Japan.
coproduction becomes easier. or Hong Kong and it has been showing However, international coproduction has According to SOTH, in order to capture ‘Ko-production’ is a compound of word Korea
Next on the speaker’s lineup was YU active urge to invest and produce films on many merits in shared storytelling, access the minds of investors, one needs to and co-production, a name for KOFIC’s 2010 film
Dong, chief executive of China’s Polybona Chinese soil by cooperating with various to finance, nationality sharing, etc. He introduce the film most effectively within coproduction support program prepared to discover
Film Distribution, introducing China’s film Asian countries including Korea. In other introduced current status of international a set time frame. He narrowed down and develop international coproduction projects.
Participants of the ‘Ko-production in Tokyo 2010' event included producers and
market that has been changing extremely words, in a fast changing environment of coproduction happening in Europe, China, the most important points in pitching as
directors as well as post-production studios that possess projects that may be
for the last decade under the title ‘Latest China’s film market, films that can target Hong Kong and US, adding KOFIC should ‘tension’ and ‘passion.’ That is, in ‘high
possible to coproduce with Japan.
trends in China’s film market and measure Korea, Japan and pan-Chinese market will not cut down on coproduction support concept’ films Hollywood prefers, the tense 5 Korea-Japan coproduced projects including director KIM Tai-sik’s Welcome
for international cooperation.’ Ever since be the new index for Asian film’s future. fund but take a more far-sighted stance relationship composing the essence of Taxi , PARK Heung-sik’s Thread , SHIN Bum-soo produced Double dutch , CHO Seon-
its market reformation in 2000, China has Lastly, Patrick FRATER of Film Business in supporting film industry. Coproduction film needs to be made clear, and passion mook produced Red snow , and HAH Myung-joong directed 8Plus were chosen
to transfer them onto the screen needs to after going through an intense screening process.
As the need for Korean cinema to move onto the world market is urgent, such forum should be evident. New Zealand Film Commission Also to reflect local interests and demands in Japan for Korean CG and special
effects companies, 4 post-production studios including Mofac Studio known for
not be a singular event but become a consistent field of discussion and education with more CEO Graeme MASON led the last session
Haeundae , Digital idea corporation that did I Saw the Devil , Forbidden Kingdom ’s
4 on the subject of ’Filmmaking in New
specific and verified contents fit for the level of attending audiences. Zealand', introducing success stories on
Macrograph, and Monef that worked on Five Senses of Eros and Paju were chosen
to participate.
the field of location shootings and post-
Inquiry : CHOI Ji-won choi@kofic.or.kr
production in New Zealand. New Zealand
has succeeded in drawing many Hollywood
blockbusters, including Lord of the Rings
trilogy and Avatar , to come shoot and KOFIC sets off Korea-China film co-
work on post-production in the country, production
which led to an immense growth in its ‘Ko-production in Beijing 2010' held in Beijing from September 15 to 16
cinema industry. To attract post-production
Korean Film Council hosted 'Ko-production in
of Hollywood studio projects in particular, Beijing 2010' for two days period from September 15
New Zealand’s government offered through 16 at Beijing, China.
various financial incentives that acted as Followed by 2008 Korea-China Bizcamp, this
major plus factor. Furthermore, MASON year’s event was co-hosted with China Film
mentioned Korea and New Zealand’s 2008 Co-production Corporation (CFCC). Korean projects
film coproduction treaty and wished for that took part in 2008 including Zaijian Ani 再见 阿妮
further business cooperation in the future. received much attention from various Chinese investors.
The project pitching event held on September 15 was attended by government
Overall, the forum was a meaningful
officials like deputy director of China’s SARFT and president of CFCC as well
gathering to look over the trends in world
as more than 100 Chinese investment producers. 10 Korea-Japan coproduction
cinema market that is changing ever so projects (5 by each country) of various genres such as romantic comedies,
fast, and understand most recent issues. thrillers and history films covering both countries were presented. After each
As the need for Korean cinema to move presentation of the project, professionals from the two countries provided
onto the world market is urgent, such mentoring and discussion sessions that elevated the quality of participating
forum should not be a singular event but projects and their realization possibility.
become a consistent field of discussion and Also on the following day, 8 Korean companies and 18 Chinese companies
education with more specific and verified participated in the vent, achieving more than 60 business meeting, raising the
excitement for future Korea-China coproduction.
contents fit for the level of attending
Late Autumn audiences. Inquiry : Jiyin PARK heedong21@kofic.or.kr

08 KOREAN CINEMA TODAY SEPTEMBER • OCTOBER 2010 09

Staring at the Pathos
thrillers they made.
No one can doubt that it is the thriller

and Depravity of Life:

that critically transformed the scene
of Korean genre cinema since 2000.
While thrillers were not highly regarded
even a decade ago, it became a leading
A Certain Tendency in Korean Thrillers of Summer 2010 genre in Korean cinema owing to the
remarkable success of gems such as
Memories of Murder , Old Boy , Seven
Days and The Chaser. Thrillers are at
the top of the list for producers and
financiers searching for the next project.
Domestic theatres have been flooded
by thrillers like The Man from Nowhere ,
Moss , I Saw the Devil and Bedeviled in
By JANG Byung-won means that it is not easily translated or Action and suspense being universal, the Summer of 2010 and there are more Moss

‘Cultural discount’ is a concept used as accepted in non-Korean territories. Cultural a fine thriller can cover many different
an index for calculating the possibility of discount can highlight critical advantages regions and periods, whereas humor is Why vengeance? Film narrative does not just tell a story but sets a frame that an artist can use
cultural exchange between regions. It is and disadvantages for a cultural product’s rather bound to its particular locality. It
believed to indicate the rate of acceptance possible global market. In the light of is noteworthy to recall that almost all the
for sharing attitudes and perspectives on the real world with the audience. In this regard, this
of a cultural product from a particular cultural discount, the thriller genre has Korean filmmakers known internationally particular film narrative of vengeance can lead us to symptomatic readings of Korean society
region by others. For example, pansori, a a lower rate than drama or comedy has; after 2000 including BONG Joon-ho, PARK these days.
traditional Korean folk performance, has meaning, it has a greater possibility to Chan-wook, KIM Jee-woon and NA Hong-
a high rate of cultural discount, which attract more international consumers. jin obtained notoriety from one or more on the way including Midnight F.M . and latter will be horrors, noirs and thrillers. Of rules of genre dynamics. To unfold a good
Bloody Innocent . What turned these course, a film should not be viewed only crime thriller, it is very critical to set up
critically and commercially successful through this black and white classification. the proper procedure from the discovery
thrillers into a public syndrome and why A thriller can also provide unexpected of a crime and accusation of a criminal to
are people mad about the genre these pleasures, as The Man from Nowhere sentencing and punishment, the procedure
days? can. This smash hit from the summer of is actually the core from which pleasure is
2010 made females audience thrilled by derived. In fact, the pleasure of watching
A Genre of Displeasure watching leading actor WON Bin, a pretty thrillers lies in the logical reasoning behind
and Vengeance face who became an action hero. Surely, the crime and the proper punishment for
Again, it has not been long since the pleasure can come from a cathartic the criminal. The audience easily takes
thriller became a hot potato in Korean moment when a handsome yet highly the place of detective or person wanting
cinema. Every particular genre, style moral guy beats up all the vicious villains. vengeance. It is interesting to see that
or star will finally be noticed only after Apart from The Man from Nowhere , most of the recent Korean thrillers focus
going through many trials and errors. other Korean thrillers of the year are on vengeance. In Korean cinema of 2010,
Even just a few years ago, thrillers were clearly bound up with displeasure. Man the thriller is tantamount to a cinema of
not a hot item for Korean filmmakers, of Vendetta , Moss , I Saw the Devil and vengeance.
as they required a high standard of Bedeviled seem to be in competition Let’s cut to the chase. Why vengeance?
story structure that was rarely seen for exhibiting the most visual brutality. Film narrative does not just tell a story
in the Korean film industry back then. Although the pleasure of genre cinema but sets a frame that an artist can use
Lack of genre literature in Korean also often depends on shocking images, it is for sharing attitudes and perspectives on
gave thrillers a bad name in cinema. purely orchestrated by genre dynamics the real world with the audience. In this
Thrillers were not regarded proper for for appealing to hardcore genre filmgoers. regard, this particular film narrative of
the domestic market. Most audiences cannot enjoy bloody, cruel vengeance can lead us to symptomatic
If films can be divided into two images for their own sake. There must readings of Korean society these days. All
groups, one of pleasure and the other be something ‘enjoyable’ beneath these these films of vengeance show a lonesome
of displeasure, the former will include images of cruelty and violence. protagonist fighting against absolute evil
The Man from Nowhere comedy, musicals and romance and the Very often, crime thrillers strictly follow with his bare hands. Evil is embodied in

10 KOREAN CINEMA TODAY SEPTEMBER • OCTOBER 2010 11

A CERTAIN TENDENCY IN KOREAN THRILLERS

out by the hero’s unrealistic physical

abilities. Yet, the victory of the hero
is temporary and partial. Both men of
vengeance and the others being punished
face nothing but moral panic altogether.
Korean thrillers insinuate social realities
by showing the violent world of absolute
evil and the cyclical chain of predators
and victims. Actually, we all know there
Man of Vendetta Midnight F.M. The Man from Nowhere is a premise needed for spectacles of
vengeance in commercial genre cinema;
a small town where the vicious logic of Raising Your Rage of KANG Woo-suk (Silmido ) places gravity without a dramatic contextualization of
power rules (Bedevilled , Moss ), or an These lone crusader, eye-for-eye on the chain of dynamics between the vengeance, its cruelty cannot be justified.
underworld of mob business (The Man vengeance dramas affect audiences dominating and the dominated. Bedeviled is There should be something that can justify
from Nowhere ), or a psychopathic serial differently, however. Each film has a a far-stretched drama of vengeance. Vicious acts of bloody vengeance such as breaking
killer (I Saw the Devil , Man of Vendetta ) different viewpoint even under the same violence and exploitation of a country bones and slashing veins (The Man from
menaces society. All of these absolute umbrella of genre aesthetics. Moss , I woman on an isolated island are followed by Nowhere ), guillotining a man’s head (I Saw
evils cannot be punished by social justice Saw the Devil and Bedeviled never end unbearable scenes of horror when vengeance The Devil ) and cutting throats with a sickle Bedevilled

systems like legal systems or political with a cathartic moment of consummate is delivered. Compared to the films above, (Bedeviled ). Justification and the emotional
power so protagonists have no choice vengeance; rather all three films Man of Vendetta and The Man from Nowhere acceleration of a cruel vengeance should ignorant to bring evil to justice and protect an isolated town in Moss as an allegory of
but to carry a gun or sickle and start emphasize situations where everything seem to be more conventional, yet the two be motivated by evil crimes as such. There people from vicious crimes. Soo-hyen, the the southern half of the Korean peninsula.
their own pursuit of vendetta. Every step is still in confusion and they don’t draw also exist in a blurred area of good and evil. is a fine balance of cruelty between crime protagonist of I Saw the Devil , and Tae- These cruel thrillers also share a
of vengeance is entirely a burden on the a fine line between good and evil. Based The Man from Nowhere has a conventional and vengeance. While thrillers get on the sik are agents of the National Intelligence boldness to capture all the objects and
individual. on an original story, Moss , the new film and cathartic moment of vengeance brought fast track, crimes become more vicious Service and Special Operations Forces. images that were regarded as taboos in
and unspeakable. No mercy is shown for They work for the state but they have commercial films. Tossing away the safety
the evils ravaging humanity. a somewhat ambivalent stance towards net, these filmmakers prefer to take risks
Through these acts of vengeance, state power. Soo-hyen who becomes an by showing radical, controversial and
Korean thrillers mirror Korean society evil himself in order to punish another evil provocative elements on screen. It is not
allegorically. In this light, Tae-sik, the implicates the two sides of state power: it difficult to see kidnapping, obscenity, body
protagonist of The Man from Nowhere , is a is supposed to protect social justice but it mutilation, sexual violence against women,
textbook character. He is a perfect hero of can also give birth to crimes. Tae-sik who incest and pedophilia in contemporary
vengeance: this invincible man has a heart represents state power by being a dark Korean thrillers and cinematic expressions
for others and a rage against injustice, let warrior in the underworld makes the power of these taboos continuously make a buzz.
alone a great-looking face. It is interesting itself problematic. I Saw the Devil , a multi-million dollar film,
that this man of no flaw is actually a secret Not much is very different in Man of had received a “restricted” rating from the
agent operative of the government. While Vendetta , Moss and Bedeviled . Police are Korea Media Rating Board, meaning the
the machine of governmental power grows ambushed (Man of Vendetta ), cope with film practically could not be released. Even
out of control and fights against itself, the corrupted higher-up figures (Moss ) or are when re-edited for wide release, the film
absolute power of the state mysteriously too blinded to see the truth (Bedeviled ). shows never-seen-before scenes of brutal
vanishes. In Bedeviled , a detective comes to the images.
island to investigate the murder of Bok- It seems to be apparent why such visual
A Story of Disconnection nam’s daughter but he’s not capable brutality is on the increase in Korean
in Society of seeing what happened and is totally thrillers. We cannot but admit that we live
One can read a concern over disconnection lost, surrounded by the murderer, his in a time of emotional roughness, injustice,
throughout Korean society from this one- accessories and witnesses. State power indifference and on the verge of a nervous
man hero of vengeance who struggles has nothing to do with solving the breakdown. No film is scarier than reality.
for justice unassisted by public power. problem; it is just useless. This subversive Crimes become more uncontrollable
Madness and greed lie beneath the imagination over authority stems from a and brutal; cruelty and its victims are
disconnection. Sometimes, state power strong distrust of state power. It is not very everywhere. Nothing can secure our
I Saw the Devil wellness in this cold, cruel world.
is described as powerless, or even too difficult to see an island like Bedeviled and

12 KOREAN CINEMA TODAY SEPTEMBER • OCTOBER 2010 13

Interview

“Standing by the weak

the female. premeditated murderer or a psychopathic of time. I wanted to show both sides of
Actually, the name Bok-nam also has an serial killer. Sickle is one of the basic tools coin: we live our lives as bystanders or

challenging harsh reality”

ironical meaning of ‘out of luck.’ (laugh) for farming. It’s everywhere in countryside observers, but there is always possibility of
And it doesn’t sound a woman’s name and and everyone owns it; it never looks a tool being harmers or attackers.
clearly it is a kind of old-fashioned name for murder. However, when such a thing as
from countryside. I just like the name as it sickle meets rage that’s been accumulated Bedevilled looks very Korean, from its
JANG Cheol-su, the director of Bedevilled has multiple implications. and buried in the very bottom of heart, spatial backdrops to the plot. There is
it becomes a horrendous weapon for one thing, I think, that can be translated
No one would have a doubt of casting SUH murder. It seems to be an image of han(恨) by anyone; When Bok-nam stares at the
Young-hee in the title role. SUH has the meaning ‘resentment’ that never comes sun, this very moment of beginning her
textbook image of the character, which was onto surface and just be endured. When operatic revenge is quite reminiscent of
rather amplified from her formal roles of it combines with rage, it brings gruesome Meursault in Albert Camus’ L’Étranger .
country girl in Moodori (2006) or a victim Of course, I was aware that the scene will
of serial killer in The Chaser (2008) remind people of L’Étranger . But the sun
In the beginning, I had JANG Jin-young doesn’t give her motivation for her murder;
(Blue Swallow , Singles ) for the role in my she kills people because she doesn’t know
mind, but I could not get her due to the anything else to do. To Bok-nam, the
critical state of her health. KIM Ki-duk sun means a destiny that she could not
introduced SUH instead. I was not really overcome, or a kind of divine existence.
thrilled by the idea, as she looks too As a god, for her, the sun is a bystander,
obvious for Bok-nam based on her roles looker-on, and even a harmer that tortured
from other films. She is one of the greatest her with white heat on the field of labor.
actresses of Korean cinema now, but I In the moment she looks up the sun, Bok-
couldn’t tell what I could put more in her nam stands up and decides to fight against
when she’s already perfect. But when I the order of power tormenting her life. She
met her, I had no doubt in her and asked begins her fight against it, the sun. She
her to join the film. Even her story, telling wins and gets the permission for her fight.
she’s been watching her own mother who
went through harsh days in the home of Although the film is all about Bok-nam’s
husband’s parents, convinced me. revenge, it rather looks different from
other woman’s revenge films. In the last

Photo by PARK Sung-ho

Photo by PARK Sung-ho

I heard you spent your youth in scene, there is a superimposed image
countryside. As the film says, violence is of the island and Hae-won (played by JI
more widespread and prolonged in the Seong-won), who is back home in Seoul
isolated place while unexposed to outside. after all these bloody experiences. The
By HUH Nam-woong In the original script, Man-jong, Bok- commercial films so that they might add Have you ever noticed it since you’re consequences. I think sickle could be used image seems to tell me that violence is
Without a doubt, Bedevilled is one of the nam’s husband, clearly abuses his own some unwanted arthouse or ‘auteurist’ young? best to show it. inherent in the violent environment.
most outstanding Korean films of 2010, daughter sexually. I was not offended touch on the film. I put more attentions I grew up in the backwoods of Yeong-wol, Yes, it must be right. I don’t see Bedevilled
let alone the shiniest feature debut of the by the fact that much, maybe because I on the story structure, especially the first Gangwon-do. Back then, there were many The film is set in an isolated island called as a woman’s revenge film. Bok-nam is a
year. With the film’s winning major awards don’t have a daughter myself. But all the half, to make the cinematic expressions of men who beat up their wives and it was Mudo . The island seems to be a kingdom symbolic figure representing suppressed
at PiFan2010 and CinDi festival after its staff members having a daughter were violence plausible, rather not reduce them. not regarded extraordinary. Like other of violence built with all the possible social weak. I think most of people
world premiere at Cannes, JANG Cheol-su, freaked out, even KIM Ki-duk, who also children, I also felt closer to mothers than violence that’s widespread in Korean relatively tend to think themselves as
a former assistant director of KIM Ki-duk, has a daughter, was not comfortable with The name Bok-nam (meaning ‘a boy with fathers with great sympathy. It was hard society. victims or weak. I believe male audience
puts his name on the list of the most it. In fact, he constantly raised his voice luck’) sounds interesting in accordance for me to watch this kind of violence and I Although Bedevilled is a story of as well as female could be easily
notable Korean filmmakers. Here is the on the part. (laugh) What I was concerned with the film’s attentive eye on social just couldn’t wish more that it should stop. contemporary time, the island naturally identified with Bok-nam and feel vicarious
in-depth talk with JANG about the film. more is peculiar nature of Bok-nam’s structure where women have been gives it multiple pasts. This chronological satisfaction from her actions. Personally,
revenge itself and some dynamics between suppressed. In fact, Korean parents from Did the experience from your youth give flow of the film seems to be a history of I prefer story of a weak person who break
The script was written by someone else. characters, like the one between Bok-nam the past didn’t care much on daughter’s a reason for Bok-nam’s murder weapon, a violence. I tried to capture the contrast of the wall of reality and overcomes burdens
I read that you were surprised by the and her brother-in-law Cheol-jong, as I naming, compared to son. To me, Bok- sickle? (laugh) the island and the city in terms of spaces, of destiny to one showing off a heroic
extreme violence in the original script? thought these are not usually seen from nam’s name is already a single violence on I didn’t want to show Bok-nam as a of the past, present and future in terms figure helping the weak out of danger.

14 KOREAN CINEMA TODAY SEPTEMBER • OCTOBER 2010 15

behind the curtain

An architect of action
unfortunately the dark age of Korean height just slightly and it will feel real yet cruelly cutting his throat in front of the
action films. Just before KIM Young-bin’s different.” others? After shifting things around a few

who remains a legend

The Terrorist (1995) emerged, laying the See LEE Jeong-beom’s The Man from times he was finally able to come up with
foundations for future action films, a Nowhere and such an explanation will action sequences where “a man like Tae-
horrible serial murder case by an anti- soon make sense. In most films when there sik with outstanding martial arts skills can
social group shocked the country and put is a one-on-many fight scene, the hero survive.” “When I tried the fight myself, it
PARK Jung-ryul, Action Director for The Man from Nowhere a freeze on Korean action cinema. “Any will fight the counterpart one at a time. was impossible to win them all if you don’t
action scene that may seem violent was The rest will wait in the background. Once run. Hit and run, cut and run. You must
cut out of a film entirely or was modified the hero swings his fist, the opponent will desperately run by fighting with your back
by mosaics. Even then action was only disappear from the audience’s sight as if to the wall, putting up your guard.” In the
used in video films for children or promo he will never get back on his feet again. end, the last scene, which we speak of
By KIM yong-eon films made by the Department of Defense, However things are different in The Man today, was completed, dragging around the
It will be talked about forever. The story and to find a decent commercial action from Nowhere . The purpose does not lie in freshly killed villain’s body like an animal
of a man pushed into a corner and risking film was almost impossible. At most the ‘clearing away the opponent from sight’. tugging its prey, fighting off, stabbing and
his own life to save a young girl. Sharp film would be mimicking the actions of Multiple villains jump mercilessly at once cutting other villains, spilling blood all over
and delicate action scenes are inlaid HONG Chin-pao or Jacky CHEN.” In time and with a knife and gun in his hands the floor. “We made Won Bin actually fight
throughout the story. As the tale unfolds, when a consensus began to form that the hero must kill his opponents without even during practice. It would have been
as the fury and despair Tae-sik feels we should move away from copying the making the slightest mistake. To draw a fine if we practiced after we’d perfected
fluctuate, the sentiments behind the action Hong Kong Renoir and create ‘an action full picture of the ‘swift, brutal and sharp the sequence in detail but we hoped to
show such amazing amplitude. In the of our own’, the stage for outstanding action’ of former special agent Tae-sik, draw some wildness out of him. 4 or 5
post-The Man from Nowhere era, Korean
filmmakers will always be looking back
Just for the action scenes in The Man from Nowhere , he had studied all the martial arts that
at this precedent and thinking of action
director PARK Jung-ryul who took charge
exist on earth, analyzed the basic rules of each art, took parts of them and reinterpreted them in
of these brilliant action scenes that drive his own way, and amended and reorganized them so that they will suit the actors.
the film.
In the early 1990s when the word ‘stunt action directors like JUNG Doo-hong action director PARK Jung-ryul says he men came at him with wooden knives at
man’ itself was foreign to most, PARK and SHIN Jae-myeong was becoming had “tried shooting every scene with the once. I don’t think he himself knew he was
Jung-ryul, a young man who had just ripe. Director JUNG presented fabulous stunt team from so many aspects. Some capable of it but he was able to stab, grab,
turned 20 at the time, was blindly in actions that even bordered on fantasy in scenes had almost 10 versions. Director twist and cut. Ah, it’s that kind of feeling
search of a place where he could devote Beat (1997), City of the Rising Sun (1999), LEE Jeong-beom and I looked at the when Won Bin stabs, it’s that kind of hand
himself to the sports which he was fond Swiri (1999), The Gingko Bed (2000) and videos together, constantly talking it over maneuver he uses, I observed. He is the
of since he was a boy. Then he found an MUSA-The Warrior (2001). On the other and added content to them.” hero so things must be done with the focus
action school. There, he was surprised to hand Director SHIN proved himself to In the final action sequence all the on him. In a nutshell, the last scene is as
meet “people turning and spinning” and be a master of real actions resembling audience are wowed withed wonder when real as it can get.”
listened carefully when he was advised to dogfights through Nowhere to Hide Tae-sik crashes into the criminal nest and Just for the action scenes in The Man from
go visit the YMCA gymnastic team to be (1999), Die Bad (2000), Friend (2001), handles 17 villains all on his own. How was Nowhere , starting with Southeast Asian
as good as the others at the action school. and Spirit of Jeet Keun Do - Once Upon a this scene made? As is his habit, PARK martial arts like Kali or Silat, in the end he
The YMCA gym was “the only private Time in High School (2004). PARK Jung- had tried the action himself first. “I told had studied all the martial arts that exist
institution teaching gymnastics in Korea at ryul joined no other than this SHIN Jae- the stunt team to take wooden knives on earth, analyzed the basic rules of each
the time” and step by step starting from myeong team, consistently expanding and come at me ruthlessly. I was beat up art, took parts of them and reinterpreted
the basics he began to learn stunt actions. the spectrum of real action. “The scope almost to death. (laughs)” He had tried it them in his own way, and amended and
“Even when I was in the military, action that covers real action is wider than what again with another action instructor but in reorganized them so that they will suit the
was all I had in mind. When I would be out most people would think. For instance, the end he too was beat up. What should actors. As if all this work is nothing, PARK
on leave, I wouldn’t waste time on anything calculate the maximum height of an be done? PARK had agonized over it again Jung-ryul concludes, “In the end it is all
else but would shoot 16mm short films ordinary person’s jump, and with the help and again. Would it be possible if the about making an effort. Even little children
based on movements I had thought of all of wires jump just a little bit higher and it emotions of so many people are scattered know the action scenes in a film are fake,
along.” will look new to the eyes of the audience. instead of being focused on one person? but the circumstances must be made to
In the early to mid 1990s just when he If you cross the line too far it will become How about making the opponent scared look real. The attempt itself is nice. They
cine 21

was nurturing his dream of ‘action’, it was a fantasy but cross over the normal jump and disoriented by taking a hostage and add up to enrich Korean film action.”

16 KOREAN CINEMA TODAY SEPTEMBER • OCTOBER 2010 17

spotlight

The boy sheds his skin,

becomes a man

Won Bin
in The Man From Nowhere
By JI Yong-jin now. With this piece, he has gone through The Man From Nowhere was confined within
WON Bin and Ajeossi (Korean title of the a true metamorphosis. words like beautiful and pretty. As director
film). Until now, no one would ever put The film The Man From Nowhere is the LEE Jeong-beom has said, “WON Bin has a
these two in the same category. Ever since story of Tae-sik (WON Bin) who lives a strong image lying within. Inside him, there
WON Bin made his existence known to solitary existence save his only for his surely existed such a desire to break out.”
the public, an image of Adonis has always friend So-mi (KIM Saeron), a young girl Designing WON Bin’s new image, it was
stayed with him as a feature of his own. living next door. When she is kidnapped director LEE who carefully observed the
A word like ‘ajeossi’ generally used as a by thugs, he stops at nothing, chasing the soaring urge for change that was in WON
term for ‘adult male’ in Korean society bad guys down until the very end. To show Bin’s heart, and successfully led that desire
was impossible to pair with his image. Yet Tae-sik to the fullest, some 7 months prior out into the open.
WON Bin has become an ajeossi. One thing to crank in WON Bin went through harsh “Considering my age, if I am unable to
for sure is that because of WON Bin, now training with action director PARK Jung- move beyond playing passive characters
the word has a new image attached to it. ryul, which resulted in near perfect martial who are constantly protected by others it
Here is a transformation into an awesome arts skills. will seem odd in the eyes of the audience.
ajeossi.    Says WON Bin, “The action sequences that While I did want to seek a new image and
WON Bin can be analyzed by his pre and we portray in this film are something rarely make a change, I chose to do it when I felt
post The Man From Nowhere acting career. seen in a Korean movie. Various types of confident enough that I can perform the
Although his filmography of work is not martial arts are brought into the mix. This role successfully.” For WON Bin, who had
that extensive, the roles he has taken is not done with just the body, as having been decisive in choosing this film, change
in films have been mostly weak, passive the right emotions was equally important. was probably more an inevitability than a
characters who needs protection. Jin-seok In this film, action is Tae-sik’s language, a coincidence. For a man who thirsted for a
from Tae-guk-gi was so, and Do-jun from method of expressing emotions.” change of character, the film was an oasis.
Mother was so too. However, he has shown Like his words, the physical maneuvers “I knew it would be a difficult project both
a completely different image in The Man performed by WON Bin in the film delivers mentally and physically so I was expecting
From Nowhere . He instantly knocks down a graceful, sharp, hefty, swift, foreign yet the worst from the beginning.” These words
7 or 8 big guys, becoming a frightful man exciting experience. This is why he speaks of WON Bin must mean something more
who can eliminate the villains mercilessly. little, although he has done so even before. than determination.
The external changes are important but The movie that had led WON Bin into the Now WON Bin has become a perfect ajeossi.
even more so, it should be noted, he has world of acting was The Terrorist , with Many fans may feel sorry, but on the other
shown with his entire body the insides of a CHOI Min-soo taking the leading role. hand many fans may feel excited. The ‘WON
man who can pour out everything he’s got “When I saw the movie in high school, I Bin’ we knew before and the new ‘ajeossi’.
to save a girl. It is something far different wanted to be a man as brilliant as that.” The two now co-exist together, emitting a
cine 21

from the WON Bin we have known until Still, intentional or not, WON Bin before new and grand energy.

18 KOREAN CINEMA TODAY SEPTEMBER • OCTOBER 2010 19

Sorcerers of sound
breathing life into films
Here are the 5 companies representing Korea’s sound mixing industry

A pioneer of
Girl , Attack the Gas Station , JSA: Joint Security Area , and the finished result showing the most advanced sound work
Public Enemy and, for its works on these, the company came to possible at this time.”

Movie Sound in Korea

be recognized as an outstanding company specializing in film The success of Tae-guk-gi led Bluecap to the Chinese film
sound for blockbuster films. In particular, the films equipped market. While making Assembly, FENG Xiaogang wanted to
with actions and special effects, like The Legend of Gingko , hire Korean staffs. Upon his visit to Bluecap, FENG entrusted
Double Agent , The Last Witness and Arahan , were further all sound works and added, “Do as much as done in Tae-guk-

Bluecap Soundworks
highlighted by outstanding sound design ability of Bluecap. gi .” At the beginning, KIM was worried because he didn’t
From such music-oriented films as The Waikiki Brothers and know the ÏÏnese language and it was first time to work in a
Go Go 70s to animations like The Story of Mari and Wonderful Chinese film. But, KIM says “after accepting his proposal with a
Days , Bluecap has been the pioneer of sound work in Korean condition that Bluecap will work on sound effects only relating
film industry, continuously developing new fields for over a to war scenes, we continued on making new sound. Then while
decade. watching the entire process, we have come to realize that even
By HAN Sunhee John about the movie sound. To some extent, he helped a lot for Working on Tae-guk-gi was another breakthrough for though languages are different, the emotion of characters and
Bluecap Soundworks is located on Postproduction the development of Korean movie sound.” Bluecap. KIM made a challenge upon himself while making sound effects are the same.” KIM gained fame in Chinese film
Bldg. in KOFIC NamYangju Studios. As one of Until the mid-90’s, most of Korean film sound works were done Tae-guk-gi , an epic war blockbuster. Because then-Korean film industry for his nomination at Golden Horse Award in Taiwan
the first private post-production companies for in the recording room at the Korean Motion Picture Promotion sound companies didn’t possess any data and know-how’s for for the best sound film in Assembly . After Sophie's Revenge,
movie sound in Korea, Bluecap Soundworks has Corporation. Because it was a facility of state-owned enterprise, making blockbuster war movies, so they used to purchase co-produced by CJ Entertainment, KIM also worked in the
nested in NamYangju for over 10 years. Bluecap filmmakers often didn’t get enough supports for certain parts archived data from Hollywood professional sound companies production of Aftershock, which has recently stormed the
pays the rent to the building owned by KOFIC and of their work. With establishment of Bluecap, KIM changed the for action scenes and gun-fire scenes. But, KIM decided to Chinese box-office. Staffs at Bluecap worked on special effects
they sometimes use a highly advanced digital paradigm of post-production works into a form of service sector. make sound with Korean originality in Tae-guk-gi . KIM says “we for the earthquake scene of the film and KIM is credited on
recording room and facility in the studio. With 9 With a principle of “film is a work of a director,” KIM worked on decided to make our own sound from the beginning. We had to as sound designer also in charge of other sound works. While
employees working along with KIM Suk-won, the every part of the process by himself in the beginning. Then, a have our own sound data for gun-fire sound, tank sound and working in the China film studio and sharing all his experience
company’s president, Bluecap has an atmosphere number of experts from each field joined his team and they have sound of bomb explosion. Though it wasn’t easy at all, it was from the Korean sound post-production with them, KIM has
that looks and feels like an atelier rather than a been working together for over 10 years now. KIM continues, important that we work with all fresh sound we created.” pushed his boundary beyond the Korean film industry.
company. “We are a creative group rather than a company. Our biggest Bluecap Soundworks may be well-known to the foreign Currently, KIM is seriously considering the opening of
After having worked in making music for advantage is the manpower we have. We are the only company in audiences for working on films of PARK Chan-wook. With his Bluecap branch in China. While facing the recession of Korean
commercials for over 10 years, KIM Suk-won Korea, where the most experienced and the best experts in the preference in working with familiar staffs, PARK has entrusted film industry resulting in dropping the cost of post- production
established Bluecap in 1995 to launch film sound sound field come and work together.” all of his sound works to Bluecap since Threesome. Even for down to the level of 15 years ago, he needs to find another
design business with participation in Millions Bluecap has long worked on several projects with Myung Films, Old Boy , done by another sound company, PARK hired Bluecap way out. KIM says, “China will be growing beyond the Korean
in My Account by KIM Sang-jin. Meeting with a Kangjegyu Films and Cinema Service. Threesome by PARK Chan- again to finish the sound mixing job for the international film industry. As China moves to a new direction, it will be
sound designer from Hollywood, John MORRIS of wook, The Quiet Family by KIM Jee-woon, The Contact , Lies , and version print for Cannes film festival and DVD release. another opportunity for us to work in Chinese market.” He also
Leon and X-Men fame, was a moment that shaped Happy End are films representing the company’s works during its According to KIM, Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance was a turning emphasizes that Korean film industry has to invest more on
making his decision. KIM flew to Hollywood to early stage. Working on the sound of Swiri , which opened the new point for his career in film sound work. “I am still learning a training and maintaining manpower
take a private lesson from him and still gets era of blockbuster film in the Korean film industry, was another lot while continuously trying new attempts with director PARK CONTACT rather than just renovating
+82-31-577-6616
advice from him about many fields. KIM says challenge to Bluecap. In the early filmography of Bluecap, there Chan-wook. Although hardly recognized by the audience, Thirst www.bluecap.co.kr
technology and devices for the
“while I worked on Swiri , I had discussions with are a number of big hit movies standing out, such as My Sassy is the film requiring the most advanced sound technology with admin@bluecap.co.kr sound post-production process.

20 KOREAN CINEMA TODAY SEPTEMBER • OCTOBER 2010 21

Sorcerers of sound breathing life into films

A multiplayer competing
like TV, animation and games. Its most recent works include
Mother , Secret Reunion , I Saw the Devil and such current projects

against Hollywood
as Foxy Festival , Yellow Sea and Psychic
Those who are leading Live Tone are its founding members, CEO
OH Won-chul and CTO CHOI Ralph T. young. CHOI in particular is
also a sound supervisor with most outstanding skills and know-

Live Tone
how’s in the audio post-production field in Korea. In their early
days, he used to take care of entire audio post-production process
covering the dialogues, poli sound, ambiance, effects, and mixing. reorganized its structure as, until then, roles of sound engineers
Right now he is being true to his role of supervisor, who oversees were all too fragmented. “As all engineers were specialized it
the entire sound design of a movie. Over 140 films that have gone became difficult to be lenient and responsive to emergency
through Live Tone were all completed at the hands of CHOI. situations. As film market began to go downhill we changed
For its opener, Live Tone had chosen director KIM Sung-su’s the organization into a multi-player system. Each person would
Beat , followed by most of films made by Uno Films & Sidus keep one’s own special area but is also allowed to work on
lead by producer TCHA Seung-jae, as well as almost all those other projects too. The ‘plus alpha effect’ earned by combining
excellent cinema d'auteur by HUR Jin-ho, BONG Joon-ho, KIM individual’s abilities is a distinguished feature unique to Live
Jee-woon, HONG Sangsoo, LEE Chang-dong, JANG Jin and LEE Tone.”
Joon-ik. Christmas in August , The Power of Gangwon Province , When Korean film market was in crisis in 2007, Live Tone
Peppermint Candy , Barking Dogs Never Bite , The Foul King were found a new direction as it took part in 24 episodes of TV drama
some of the titles Live Tone worked on back then. “Instead of Taewang sasingi (original title). For the first time in TV drama
action genre, where the audio effect stands out more, we began history, 5.1 channel sound mixing was introduced. “We realized
from dramas that are abstract. Up until 2000, our entire portfolio brand value we accumulated through films work in other places
was consisting of dramas or love stories that are highly affected too. Even if profits aren’t made from cinema, we were able to
by director’s ideas. At first, it was difficult to understand details work on TV, animation, games and other fields with our brand
and subjective sentiments created by the director as we, starting values. Diversification is the way to survive.”
with myself, worked on them as if the sound came before the At the moment, Live Tone is aiming at working on audio fit
film. Still, after going through a harsh training with meticulous for 3D films. So far, it has succeeded in realizing 7.1 channel
directors, now I am able to understand the film as what it is,” says sound mixing for Blu-ray DVDs, and its goal for the year is
CHOI Tae-young. to establish a system for 11.1 channel mixing, although its
At one time, Live Tone was an unrivaled entity when it comes standardization has been controversial even in Hollywood. More
to horror film audio in Korea. Those impressive audio from early recently, the company is also working on a research project
millennium Korean horrors like The Phone , Three-Memories , on developing experimental contents for audio technology
Unborn but Forgotten , The Ghost , Bunshinsaba , Into the Mirror study commissioned by Samsung Electronics and Electronics
and The Wig were toned up by Live Tone. In fact, French sound and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI). Mixing The
By HAN Sunhee There had been three shifts in facility location for Live Tone. It editor Romain BIGORGNE, who’s a current employee at Live Tone, Good, The Bad, The Weird in 22.2 channel to match the next
Live Tone has always kept the technological started out as a small studio at Jamsil, Seoul in 1997 and, as it walked in on his own wanting to be trained as he was such a big generation audio standard announced by NHK is an example of
lead in Korean cinema’s audio post- moved to near Samseong Station in 2000, the studio expanded fan of A Tale of Two Sisters . 2005 was the year for ‘3 Big Live such project.
production. When the company first opened its facility with repeated investments made for high-priced Tone Blockbusters’, working on Typhoon , The Restless and The In order to overcome the size limits of Korean cinema market,
its doors in 1997, it introduced Dolby Digital equipments. Countless awards were given by Asia-Pacific Film Host at the same time. While working on these films, Live Tone Live Tone is turning its eyes to overseas. Forming a partnership
5.1 Channel Surround Mixing technology with Festival and more to their works, including Save the Green Planet , with Digital idea, a visual post-production studio that’s also a
KWAK Ji-kyoon’s Deep Sorrow and Dolby A Tale of Two Sisters and The Host , etc. tenant of Goyang’s BROMEX building, Live Tone is busy to win
Digital Surround EX (6.1 Channel Surround) in Then in 2009, Live Tone greeted its third phase when it moved contracts for visual-audio effect projects of foreign blockbusters.
2001’s Volcano High , both for the first time in its studio to BROMEX (Broadcasting & Multimedia Complex) Last July, director Hark TSUI paid a visit to Live Tone for post
Korea. Also starting in 2005, Live Tone began Tower at Goyang, Gyeonggi-do. MOU was signed for cooperation production of 3D remake of Dragon Inn . “While maintaining our
to use AMS-NEVE DFC Gemini Console, which following strategy set up by the city of Goyang for construction brand value of sound production of Korean cinema we have
is most commonly used in Hollywood for of a new broadcasting and multimedia convergence city, built up until now, I believe next generation business model
audio post-production. Even today, Live Tone providing infrastructure for next generation of audio productions. to create added value needs to be
is the only domestic audio post-production Accordingly, the company is expanding its realm from CONTACT found from overseas market. Live
+82-31-903-1391
company equipped with Dolby certified mixing conventional films for theater to various new media format, as www.livetone.co.kr
Tone’s competitors are not in Korean
environments. well as audio post-productions for other types of media content ralph@livetone.co.kr market but in Hollywood.”

22 KOREAN CINEMA TODAY SEPTEMBER • OCTOBER 2010 23

Sorcerers of sound breathing life into films

In pursuit of
Brand New Life, are evidence of a naturalistic “relaxing sound” Furthermore, legendary Korean directors
because they are films that depict the essence of human who have worked with Wavelab on project

eco friendly sounds

relationships and Mother Nature. Therefore the films tend to have all said they’ve had remarkable
invoke an authentic sound instead of a sound track that is too experiences working with the company.
extravagant or overly sentimental. “Sound that can possibly HA Ki-ho, director of Radio Dayz , recalls
make the movie seem more like a movie”, LEE Sung-jin explains how Wavelab was a excellent company

Wavelab STD Inc.

further. that produces result beyond expectations.
However, Wavelab is not limited to one type of sound design; Radio Dayz , a film about the very first
the company is very versatile and can create a soundtrack in Korean radio station, asked Wavelab to get
any type of film genre. Wavelab’s diverse spectrum of work, involved during the script development
which spans over a decade, includes small budget movies stages. For instance, Radio Dayz required
scenes that needed the sounds a horse
By HUH Nam-woong trotting and a dove flapping its wings.
Wavelab STD Inc. is one of Korea’s leading MOON Jae-hong, a folly producer, used
sound design companies. Since the high heels for the horse trotting and
company launched in 1999, Wavelab has flapping books to emulate the sound of the
worked on more than 100 films including dove’s wings flapping. A resourceful and
Sorum , Untold Scandal , My Wedding feasible method that Director HA deeply
Campaign , Old Boy , MARATHON , Forbidden cherished. It also added a particular
Quest , 7 Days , Take Off , which are some of ambience in the sound design. That type
critically acclaimed, widely-watched films of atmosphere was important in the
from Korea in the last decade. filming of Radio Dayz , because there were
Wavelab consists of 10 staff members, many interior shots and many scenes need
four sound designers along with its two to capture the essence of natural sounds
co-founders and presidents: LEE Sung-jin, one would hear outdoors.
and LEE Seung-chul, who is also a sound- The current project Wavelab working
mixing engineer, and three members on is Finding First Love , which is a move
from the company, Mong&Works for folly. based on the musical with the same title.
Wavelab was launched as like a film coterie Finding First Love was hot by first time
at the beginning, and a few members from director, JANG Yoo-jeong and LIM Soo-
the Korean Film Council joined in 1999 to jung, GONG Yoo casted as the leads.
collaborate in Wavelab’s mission to create The film is a love story about a woman
new and innovative sound design in the who is looking for her first love she met
increasing competition of modern cinema. while traveling in India. A man helps
to find her lover through his company
Wavelab has developed the “one stop process” of all of sound such as Ray-Ban , I Came from Busan, horror films such as The “First Lover Search Inc.” LEE Sung-jin
mixing cleaning, sound mixing, A.D.R(Automated Dialogue Uninvited , The Red Shoes , and the highly praised dramas such shows his enthusiasm in “creating their
Replacement), ambient sound, and the “hard effect sound”. LEE as Castaway on the Moon , and Hearty Paws 2 . own distinctive sounds” throughout this
Seung-chul and LEE Sung-jin have achieved outstanding synergy LEE Sung-jin says, “At Wavelab, we do not take the genre or project.
by taking different roles. LEE Seung-chul is in charge of the budget into consideration; it doesn’t matter if our projects are Conversely, there still obstacle Wavelab
production side of sound mixing, while LEE Sung-jin oversees small budget movies or big budget movies. For instance, battle has faced. Many assume that the long
A.D.R. This is why prominent filmmakers prefer to work with scenes and action scenes require a larger work load in overall list of Wavelab’s clients has made them
Wavelab to maximize efficiency in overall cinema production. production; however, this does not make our work at Wavelab financially successful, but they are still
Wavelab has achieved a noteworthy reputation by developing more difficult or time consuming as a result. At Wavelab, struggling to survive in the competitive
the “relaxing sound”. LEE Sung-jin favors more tranquil resonance we only consider the creativity involved with the project- film market. Wavelab hopes to thrive
to capture the essence of a precise cinematic mode over the the harder it is to create an orginal sound design, the more financially, so they can be autonomous
standard boisterous sound one experiences more often in movie challenging the work becomes. Wavelab regards every project and “create their own color of sound –
theatres. LEE believes films with a loud soundtrack detach with great affection as if it was one of our won children. Every CONTACT basically they would be able to call all the
+82-2-553-1745
the audience from the movie rather than immerse. Wavelab’s instance of sound is memorable in every film we have worked www.wavelabstd.com
shots creatively when the demand for the
projects which include Memento Mori , Byul , Old Miss Diary , A on- every project is our favorite”, LEE says. wavelab@korea.com company rises.

24 KOREAN CINEMA TODAY SEPTEMBER • OCTOBER 2010 25

SPECIAL 01 of sound breathing life into films
Sorcerers

Unlimited Challenge of
Working with director Isao
Yukisada(Kamome ) was especially

the Dark horse

meaningful to Studio 210. Although it
was challenging to work with a translator
all the time during production, it was
very promising because the film was

STUDIO 210
KIM Nam-ho’s first international project,
which resulted in a good experience
working with Japanese filmmakers. KIM is
optimistic for Studio 210 to succeed in the
international market based on the price
competiveness in Korea and the support
By KANG Byung-suk the overall value of the entire production process. This work of technology. Studio 210 is also expanding
The name “Studio 210” is named after date philosophy and attitude of Studio 210 serves closely to director’s in the development of Stereo System i.e.
the company was established on February needs and will appeal to major filmmakers as a new landmark in 5.1 channel mixing for HDTV based on
10, 2007. By incorporating this meaningful the Korean film industry. the sound technology and expertise in
date on the company name, KIM Nam-ho The best example of KIM’s meticulous work in sound design filmmaking.
wanted to remind himself and his staff of can be appreciated in the thriller, Monopoly . In order to maintain The company is now able to create
the same passion he had since the day the exquisite balance between emotion and suspension in sound design and mixing in studio where
Studio 210 started. KIM Nam-ho believes the film, KIM adjusted the voice tone of all the characters. it is equipped with Full Digital Mixing
that the same impact of motion pictures This detailed work process displayed Koreans’ unique echoing System based on Protools. Studio 210’s
still succeeds since they first enchanted fluctuation, and then he compressed it and matched it with the Mackie 624 Speaker allows technicians
people in early 20th century. He defines the actors- something that perhaps has never been achieved in and client on the set to be available
power of sound from this initial “surprise” sound design in modern cinema. This is evident in all of his work in any stage of the recording process.
when people first heard sound in silent including Bet On My Disco , Blue , Show Show Show , To Catch A However, the best contribution in the
movies. KIM says he runs his company with Virgin Ghost , Gangster High , Fly Daddy Fly , Virgin Snow , Be My leader in HD TV Dramas is the surround
the purpose that “the sound would be used Guest , Bloody Innocent, Acoustic (last two titles are scheduled to sound technology now possible in Studio
in the entire production rather than only in be in theaters soon). 210’s studio, which is equipped with
the post-production of film”. Alice directed by KIM Chul-han, will be another interesting a THX PM3. The equipment is used in
Studio 210 is a “dark horse” which is challenge for Studio 210. KIM Nam-ho says, “Sound should be the sound design of top TV dramas in
growing fast in the industry. To compare designed from the beginning in pre-production to make the Korea including Daejoyoung (original
its portfolios with other companies, Studio good quality of the film better”. He then states further, “Sound title), Chunchoo Taehoo (original title),
210 does not seem to be a new company design should be a compressive process created through the Kongjuga Dolawatdda (original title),
because the company has a long list of entire production including production sound mixing and in post- Geumjjokgateun Naesaekki (original title),
projects and clients since 2007. Their production.” However, sound design is usually approached as 2010 Sinderella (original title), Geosang
steady and fast growth is owed to KIM a part of post production for tighter budgets and schedules, KIM Man-deok (original title), Kongbueui
Nam-ho’s work philosophy. He emphasizes despite producers’ and directors’ appreciation of the importance Sin (original title)..
by saying often- “the work process of of sound in filmmaking”. One big problem in film making is that KIM Nam-ho says, “If the arrow flies at
sound should be based on the respect to sound design is limited to only one or two months, which is me, I work until it hits my chest.” He means
the movies and a courtesy to filmmaker.” affecting the value of the film industry. Studio 210 has attempted that he would do his best in work no
It can be understood in the same context to overcome this perennial problem because the company was matter how hard the work conditions are.
of his belief that sound can determine involved in the preproduction stages- i.e. designing the entire He also answered a question regarding the
sound concept with director KIM Chul-han from the beginning. competiveness of Studio 210 as “working in
PIFF(Pusan International Film Festival) 2010 would be a great heart”, which was considered an abstract
venue to appreciate Studio 210’s new projects. The four films answer in industry, but at the same time
of Studio 210 scheduled to screen at PIFF are: Isao YUKISADA’s might be the best answer to describe the
Kamome (with will screened at PIFF’s closing Film, Camellia) , virtues Studio 210. Everyday the company
YANG Young-chul’s Funny Neighbors , YOU Sang-hun’s Acoustic , CONTACT awaits the limitless challenges of the
+82-2-564-0210
and a piece by SHIN Dong-il from a Humanity Omnibus project www.studio210.co.kr
entertainment industry with courage,
called, If You Were Me 5 . ssukgol@naver.com tenacity, and optimism.

26 KOREAN CINEMA TODAY SEPTEMBER • OCTOBER 2010 27

Sorcerers of sound breathing life into films

the leading standard of

designed by the world’s best: Toyojima and Dolby and uses the
highest quality systems in Korea including the MONIMIX SL650

sound for Korean films

and the Protools 24 Mix Plus System.
Lead Sound is also equipped with a big screen theatre in order
to monitor the sound as if it were an actual movie theatre. The
condition is perfect for the “5.1, 6.1 Channel Digital Surround

Lead Sound
Mixing” because it features a booth for dubbing and voice over
recording. Lead Sound also hires the best and brightest in the
business to handle the complex equipment and accomplish master
quality in sound.
CHANG Chul-ho says the work philosophy of Lead Sound is
“good sound comes from a great understanding of the entire

By KANG Byung-suk Sound has over the competition. As mentioned above,

To explain the company, Lead Sound dubbing and DVD mixing are two main features of Lead
– nothing can be more perfect than to Sound. The company has built a high-quality DVD Mixing &
emphasize the world “lead”. The way Lead Dubbing studio which includes Protools HD and Procontroin
Sound has moved forward is in accordance in order to keep pace with the changes in the new media
with the way Korean film industry has made market. They are perfectly designed for PM3 standard of
strides in the last decade. When Lead Sound THX. Not only DVD 5.1 surround mixing but also HDTV,
was founded in 1991, there was nearly zero commercials, voice over, dubbing, and editing can be
investment in the involvement of post achieved in this system.
production, especially in sound departments The dubbing of Hollywood and Japanese animation as
in the Korean film industry. Lead Sound well as live- action movies including
was the first company to take the initiative Harry Porter , Happy Feet , Madagascar , Polar Express ,
and invest in sound equipment, state of the Doraemon series, Ponyo on the Cliff , Sergeant Frog , Princess
art technology and man power to upgrade Mononoke were completed and presented to Korean
the entire sound industry in filmmaking. audience by Lead Sound (the company also just finished the
This was the unparalleled achievement of Korean dubbed version of The Borrowers by Ziburi Studio).
Lead Sound which is now the leading sound In addition to that, Film Sound Optical Recording Studio
design company in post production. with 35mm Negative Optical Sound Recording System is able
CHANG Chul-ho, Lead Sound’s top sound to perform in SR-D, Stereo, Mono, DTS recording works and
supervisor says, “Lead Sound set the Print Film Quality Control system – this equipment is used to
standard in sound for Korean movies. Our ensure the best quality of any type of type of feature film or
company has been the leader in the film Lead Sound’s portfolio is proof of their success: horror films movie.” This means the sound technicians’ role is to completely exclusive sound project. Furthermore, Lead Sound’s music
industry since the digital mixer was not such as Whispering Corridors and The Trap are two movies that understand the filmmaker’s vision. Lead Sound’s most recent studio meets the international standard with recording
widely used in the studios.” relied greatly on sound to immerse the audience in the foreboding work, Yoga is a good example to demonstrate it’s perspective. system that features a 72 Channel Solid State Logic 900J
mode of each scene. Their collection also includes action films CHANG had faced a challenge to convey the sense of fear in the Consol a PMC MB2S Speaker, and a Bryston 7BSST amplifier.
such as the Two Cops series, Attack The Gas Station! , My Boss, limited space offered in the film. Since restraint should be used to Lead Sound achievement to the next level is based on
My Hero which are a few of the most commercial successful create an ominous auditory effect in a small set such as a Yoga its experience and investment in technology. The company
films in Korean history. And diverse genres including Lament , Art classroom – CHANG decided to use the sound of water dropping. meets the demands of the global market by partnering with
Museum by the Zoo , Red Eye , Highway Star , and Black House , By controlling and adjusting the sound of water dropping during the industry leaders from Japan and the United States.
have achieved worldwide acclaim. crucial scenes, this “less is more” method made the film more Lead Sound will participate in the NAFF 2010 and work
Lead Sound also received the “Best Sound Award” at Daejong creepy and terrifying. on the sound design for the Indonesian film Berandal .
Film Award in 2005 with the horror/war movie R-Points . Now in CHANG believes that sound design is not a just a part of many Simultaneously Lead Sound plans to expand its business to
2010, Lead Sound is on top of Total Sound Solution field. stages in the filmmaking process, it is a process more deeply broadcasting and gaming in the future.
The company strives to create comprehensive, innovative involved in developing the entire of a movie along with the
sound design in feature films, animation, commercial advertising, director’s vision. CONTACT
+82-2-515-0217
multimedia, and music recordings, with two “5.1 Channel Surround Talented manpower along with experienced sound engineers www.leadsound.co.kr
Mixing” studios and five master studios. The mixing studio was and ambitious sound editors is another strong advantage Lead minjoo@leadsound.co.kr

28 KOREAN CINEMA TODAY SEPTEMBER • OCTOBER 2010 29

 the 15th pusan international film festival & asian film market

Navigating
the Sea
of Films,
Hosting a Sail
of Exploration and
Communication
The 15th PIFF (Pusan International Film Festival) is taking place from Oct. Korean films which is strongly rising from a slump of the industry.
7th to 15th. PIFF, which has emerged as the largest Asian film festival, will KIM Sang-yong, Korean cinema programmer of PIFF, talks about
provide a chance to prospect the flow of not only Asian but also world noteworthy Korean movies including aspects of Asian Film Market being
film trends. The 15th PIFF is also meaningful in rounding up the growth of held from October 10th to 13th.

30 KOREAN CINEMA TODAY SEPTEMBER • OCTOBER 2010 31

The 15th Pusan International Film Festival and Asian Film Market

Violence, Reality and…

I Saw the Devil Secret Reunion

characters have been accepted as outrageous but comical justice group against oppressive political power at that
and friendly characters seen in our neighborhoods time. Of course, not all characters in Jo-pok movies
unlike gangsters in Hollywood movies. To understand were received by audiences in the same context. Public
how Jo-pok movies became closer to audiences without Enemy by director KANG Woo-suk, which is another main
resistance, and the subject matter of violence becoming series movies in 2000s, is a story about the rival tension
institutionalized in movies, we have to take a look at the between good and evil; Violence of governmental power
social context of Korea in history. from a prosecutor was justified to control violence of the
As for this matter, Low Life by IM Kwon-taek should be evil side. But now, in 2010, violence is dealt in various
a good reference among others. The movie Low Life seeks spectrums of more than just being simply good and bad,
for an identity of ourselves in the 1980s through the main in diverse conventional genre of movies. This is one of the
character CHOI Tae-woong who is a Jo-pok. In the movie, main features identifying Korean movies in 2010.
his wife says Jo-poks are spawned from “Korean society KANG Woo-suk, who made Public Enemy in 2002 and
which has been dominated by government oppression. 2005, directed Moss in 2010. The movie Moss is the story
And government oppression is not that much different of a mystery surrounding a small village in country side
from Jo-poks because they share the nature of cruelty of led by the character RYOO Hye-gook, who visits for the
violence. If there is a difference between them, it would funeral of his father. He suspects something shady in this
be that government oppressive power disguises its nature town and fights back the whole community to find the
under the guise of ‘justice’ on the surface, while Jo-poks reason of his father’s death. Contrary to Public Enemy ,
are represented by violence itself.” which simplified good and evil in dualistic arrangements,
Out of her dialogues in the movie, we easily guess Moss seeks the origin of violence in the community in
that Jo-pok, which was another name of violent power complicating context; the dualistic logic on good and evil
both in real life and in the movie, provided audience is not working to understand real good and evil in the
with a kind of catharsis. The life of Jo-pok in movies movie Moss . The movie shows that village people have
did indeed involve sarcasm on Korean political power, reason to kill RYOO Duk-hyung for the public interest
No Doubt
and audiences understood Jo-pok in movies as an even of the community. In other word, violence is not simply

By LEE Sang-yong (Programmer, PIFF) developed in different genre forms from Hollywood gangster
One of main features identifying Korean films in 2010 would movies in terms of that violence in the movie has smoothened
be the change in ways to deal with the issue of “violence” by comical elements and everyday characters that viewers can
in movies. It is nothing new that Korean movies have identify with.
conventionalized and generalized ‘violence’ as a subject
matter in movies. The movie series of My Wife Is a Gangster , Violence
which was released first in 2001, is the relevant example that ‘Jo-Pok’ movies obviously have led the trend of Korean movies
violence in movies became popular through comic action in the 2000s. With diverse variation of narratives and story
genres. The so-called ‘Jo-Pok ’ movies – ‘Jo-Pok’ meaning settings; Jo-Pok goes to school in My Boss, My Hero , Jo-Pok
Korean gangster- were devoted to developing new standards stays in the temple in Hi, Dharma , and Jo-Pok struggles in
Moss Man from Nowhere Poetry
in Korean gangster genres; ‘Jo-Pok’ movies have been the family in Marrying the Mafia . Jo-Pok (Korean gangsters)

32 KOREAN CINEMA TODAY SEPTEMBER • OCTOBER 2010 33

The 15th Pusan International Film Festival and Asian Film Market

Boy Father Is a Dog Rolling Home with a Bull The Journal's of Musan

put in a bad light anymore. It would be rather “over have to face in everyday life. in the movie. Director PARK shows that labeling of ex-con the movie. But they do not just follow the conventional
determined” by complicating interest layered under the While the subject matter of violence in Korean movies in today by community may be more violent than what an genre, but reflect the violence in the movie by twisting
social mechanism. the past closely related to political issues in conventional ex-con committed in the past. The movie shows that evil with a different point of view. That main characters from
The story of the movie Secret Reunion by JANG Hoon genres, violence in 2010 is summoned and is related to could be identified by what it really is but what community two movies brandish knives to fight against evil in the
deals with the reality of the divided South and North diverse experiences in everyday life. And sometimes it is mutually consent based on community interest. name of justice is the same as the conventional genre, but
Koreas. The main character Han-kyu, the ex agent of also related to selfishness of community. The movie No Genre is still an important matter to discuss about that main characters turn into evil monsters themselves
the National Intelligence Service, and Ji-won, a spy from Doubt by PARK Soo-young uses the form of conventional violence in movies. The movie The Man from Nowhere while they fight against evil.
North Korea, have been aware of each other’s identity genre of thriller, but it describes violence differently by by director LEE Jeong-beom, which led the box office Main character Soo-hyun in I Saw the Devil becomes
for six years. However, they have to cooperate with each internalization of violence in a community. As a little girl in the second half of this year, and the movie I Saw the devilish while punishing a serial killer. The cinematic text,
other to survive, and they both pretend they never knew is missing in a small town on the outskirts of Gyeong-gi Devil by director KIM Jee-woon, which was the middle which good and evil are intertwined and violence which
of each other. Six years of life surviving in South Korea do, all town resident become to suspect a new settler in of a cinematic sensation in 2010, are the movies which is overturned in characters, is located beyond the typical
would create the reality that ideology does not matter. town, whose oldest son has a history of conviction of rape strengthen the genre format in dealing with violence in genre convention. While previous Jo-pok movies still
Compared to previous movies about the divided Korea, stayed in the boundary of conventional genre, movies
the movie Secret Reunion chooses to show the changed in 2010 did not embrace the genre for their variation to
reality which is not ruled by physical violence and political portray violence.
ideology. Beside these movies, Boy by ROH Hong-jin is also
The movie Poetry by director LEE Chang-dong is one worthy of paying attention to among films in PIFF. Boy
of the best movies which reflects upon today’s violence is a coming-of-age movie which is set in military regime
within us. Poetry , which won the Screenplay Award at the in 1960s. Dealing with violence in the 1980s dictatorship
Cannes Film Festival this year, begins with a girls’ suicide has been one of the attractive subjects in movies made
over being raped, and with Mi-ja’s newly learning poetry. in the 2000s. But Boy suggests meaningful reflections
Mi-ja, an old lady who is the protagonist in the movie, on how 80s violence would remain controlling today in
soon finds that her grand son gets involved in the rape 2010, and how it has built a group unconsciousness about
case, and experiences the moral conflict between the father figure. Fathers, who are far from authority figures
virtue of purity in poetry and violence existing in reality. in family, yell at family members all the time and derive all
Violence does not intrude Mi-ja’s life because she is just families to the dangerous struggle. Audience faces today’s
a vulnerable old lady. It would rather become the biggest unpleasant irony that we have to call them father who
trouble to Mi-ja ever, and even asks her a big deal of are not like father in the movie, and realizes the fact that
responsibility over the girl’s suicide as a guardian of the violence today might come from the father’s generation.
grandson. Another movie Father Is a Dog by director LEE Sang-woo
As like Poetry , the movie Ordinary Days by director also shows the allegory of the father figure. A family in
Inan shows how common people in everyday life are Father Is a Dog is consisting of only male members, but
easily exposed to violence. Through characters of age they are not related with blood. A father in the movie is a
of 10s, 20s, and 30s, the movie shows sharply that symbol of tyranny, violence, and brutal power in a family.
violence happens always in very common environments Interestingly enough, both directors of movies Boy and
Dance Town
surrounding us; violence is the matter of awful reality we Father Is a Dog were assistant directors of director KIM

34 KOREAN CINEMA TODAY SEPTEMBER • OCTOBER 2010 35

The 15th Pusan International Film Festival and Asian Film Market

Ki-duk, and both dealt with the subject matter of father gazes every corner he meets the police. JEON is treated
figures in families with an inner approach, and deliver as an outsider although he is not a criminal or an illegal
very powerful messages of a sort of “iconoclasm.” immigrant. The first half of the movie shows the isolated
In conclusion, violence is depicted in the movies in very reality of his life. But the movie does not just stay in
diverse spectrums from fathers to grandmothers. And we portraying it, and looks over deep inside the North Korean
see plenty of movies in 2010 which even portray violence defector’s life beyond what we see on the surface. In the
in titles such as movies released in 2010 or screened in movie, they thoroughly taste the power of money and
PIFF; The Man from Nowhere , I Saw the Devil , No Doubt , capitalism, and experience betrayal of friendship over
Boy , Man of Vendetta , Good Night Sleep for The Bad money. “Double isolation” comes from the society context
Anti Gas Skin Read My Lips Come·Closer
contain a sense of violence. of capitalism and personal identity of North Korean
defectors, and it drives North Korean defectors into a
Isolated Reality downfall. Neither church communities nor social public Joseon-jok (Korean who stay in mostly Yanbian area in apocalyptic message. The movie could be understood as
Screening movies with characters of North Korean services can save them from this brutal reality. China). Their friendship in the movie is based on tragic a satire of Korean society, and cinematic compromise of
defectors at PIFF will be another interesting trend of The movie Dance Town by director JEON Kyu-hwan strives from famine and loneliness. Marxism and Freud theory. Another experiment in the next
this year. Korean society has faced the problem of North is another movie to portray North Korean defectors. Late Autumn by director KIM Tae-yong, a remake generation can be seen in the movie Read My Lips . Read
Korean defectors more than ever, but they have not The female character in the movie, who has to leave a of director LEE Man-hee’s original movie, is another My Lips by Director YOON Seong-ho – its Korean title Hal-
appeared in movies except the film, Hello, Stranger by husband in North Korea for survival, faces the macho noteworthy piece in the way that the movie is about the su-it-neun-ja-ga Goo-hae-ra comes from Jean-Luc Godard’s
director KIM Dong-hyun. violence in South Korea. While The Journals of Musan is a encounter of two lonely people in a strange place. While Sauve qui peut(la vie) is a typical movie of showing his
At New Currents section, The Journals of Musan , a story of from a male point of view, Dance Town follows the the movie has raised a sensational interest for its huge own style to pursuit of new movies. Like as the movie Read
film about North Korean defectors who struggle to fit story from a female point of view. It is a tragedy that she cast; Wei TANG from Lust, Caution and HYUN Bin from My Lips , which takes a parody form of situational comedy,
into South Korea, by director PARK Jeong-bum is one of in Dance Town positioned in “double isolation” in terms of popular Korean TV dramas cased in the main role, the has been released over the Internet before theaters, and
the outstanding film among movies about North Korean the fact that she is a North Korean defector, and “double story is a sad love story of poor people who meet on the young directors of new generation explore the internet
defectors. The main character, JEON Seung-chul in The violence” in terms of the face that she is a female. These bus to Seattle. They are nothing but lonely, and there is such as Youtube in order to express their cinematic world
Journals of Musan has a social security number begin ordeals for social minority are not only happening in no redemption for them in America. Their love is so short in recess of Korean film industry. This is a new trend of the
with 125, which identifies him as a North Korean defector, South Korea. The movie Dooman River by director ZHANG and futile since it is based on the crucial realization of the year that young directors aggressively use the technology
and he has to go through uncomfortable surveillance Lu shows a friendship between North Korea boys and desperate reality in front of them. All movies mentioned environment in order to express their world. KIM Gok , KIM
above are taking credit of Auteur pieces since their way to Sun, and YOON Seong-ho are outstanding independent
deal with violence in the movie is different from previous directors who started with short films in 2000s along with
movies in terms of combining external conditions causing KIM Jong-kwan who has built reputation through tons of
violence and inner reflection of characters. short films.
There is another movie that I was personally very The movie Come. Closer by director KIM Jong-kwan is his
interested in: Rolling Home with a Bull directed by YIM first long feature which portrays well diverse spectrums of
Soon-rye. Director YIM has focused on marginalized love. The movie is a bit like collective works of short films
characters since her first debut film Three Friends , and Fly because it consists of several episodes, but KIM shows his
Penguin . In the movie Rolling Home with a Bull , she puts a true color of his works clearly. Come. Closer makes KIM to
camera chasing a lonely and isolate life of poet who raises remain a director who is talented at describing a delicate
a bull in the countryside, and adopts Buddhist contexts sensibility of love, music, and wounded lovers.
and a fantasy format in the movie to make an affluent Korean films in 2010 have produced diverse movies with
cinematic text. YIM does not limit the theme of isolation talented directors from different generations and with new
into one person’s observation, but looks for it as a desire cinematic languages. Although the Korean film industry
beyond the surface of isolation. Rolling Home with a Bull has been going through a recession in the last few years,
should be the masterpiece among her works and one of it strives to get its own answer to break through obstacles
the best movies this year. in a way of “Sauve qui peut”. Two animations, Green Days
and The House , which are scheduled to be screened at
And … PIFF, are extraordinary movies produced by new attempt of
Korean movies embrace not only issues in contemporary “Sauve qui peut”. With that trend, the year of 2010 will be
society, but also experiments in the next generation. The recorded as a year of the most animation movies released
movie Anti Gas Skin by KIM Gok, KIM Sun, which was ever in the history of Korean movies. Hopefully, diverse
invited to the Venice International Film Festival, interprets changes and attempts like this will be a good sign for the
Late Autumn prolific Korean film industry.
Freud’s ‘Wolf Man’ in a new point of view in delivering an

36 KOREAN CINEMA TODAY SEPTEMBER • OCTOBER 2010 37

The 15th Pusan International Film Festival and Asian Film Market

Full PPP 2010 Line-up

Sponge Entertainment from Korea; First Hands Films
Line-up Project Title Director
from Switzerland, and 20th Century Fox International and
Magnolia Pictures from the US. 1 Anarchy Maryam NAJAFI Iran

The market will hold offline screenings Oct. 10 – 12 at 2 Asphyxia Asli ÖZGE Turkey, Germany

Pusan’s
the Megabox Haeundae. Film industry professionals can 3 Baby Blue (La Belle Déesse) Daniel H. BYUN Korea

see completed films as well as footage from projects 4 The Diary of a Young Boy TSAI Ming Liang Taiwan, France

Asian Film Market 2010

in-production. Organizers expect 45 screenings or more. 5 Extraordinary Me Mouly SURYA Indonesia
6 Falling In Love (working title) LEE J-yong Korea

New Online Screening Service 7 Flapping In The Middle of Nowhere NGUYEN Hoang Deip Vietnam

For the first time, PIFF and the Asian Film Market have 8 Howling (working title) YOO Ha Korea

launched an online screening service, to be found at 9 It Must Be a Camel Charlotte LIM Lay Kuen Malaysia

A Place to Discover Asian Films and Filmmakers, http://os.asianfilmmarket.org 10 Khibula George OVASHVILI Georgia
11 Toshio LEE Japan
Network and Do Business by the Sea. Leading up to the festival from Sep. 6, the site screens Miracle

previous works from directors participating in this year’s 12 Pablo Trapero’s Project (working title) Pablo TRAPERO Argentina, Korea

PPP project market and independent films which have 13 The Psycho Virus Oxide PANG Hong Kong, China

not yet found sales agents. Festival and market films with 14 The Rainbow Yolkin TUICHIEV Uzbekistan

distributors attached will start screening online from Oct. 15 Red Coal XIE Fei China

By Jean NOH 10. All the uploaded films will be available for streaming 16 Remote Control Byamba SAKHYA Mongolia, France

Established in 2005, the Asian Film Market opens during until Oct. 31, to registered Asian Film Market badge 17 Shiiku Rithy PANH Cambodia, France

the Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF) each year holders only. 18 Somalia KIM Kyung-hyung Korea

on Haeundae Beach. Industry professionals gather from “The online screening service should help exhibitors cut 19 Starry Starry Night LIN Shu-Yu Taiwan

around the world to show and discover Asian films, down on costs, and help everyone make the most of their 20 Stoma Julian LEE China

network, and do business. Asian Film Market meetings time. Also, I noticed that when you go to project markets, 21 Suika and Kinoko OGIGAMI Naoko Japan

and parties – whether official or unofficial - are often it’s hard to find out about the directors aside from their 22 Television Mostofa Sarwar FAROOKI Bangladesh

accompanied by a generous dose of seafood, soju, and names and profiles in guidebooks before you meet them. 23 The Thieves CHOI Dong-hun Korea

sea air. Our online screening service should help people better 24 A Thousand Boys (working title) Akan SATAYEV Kazakhstan, Russia

This year, Pusan is launching an online market, as well prepare for meetings,” said NAM Dong-chul, general 25 The Train Station Mohamed AL-DARADJI Iraq, UK, Netherlands

as jointly holding its first EAVE workshop in addition to manager of the Asian Film Market. 26 Underground Fragrance SONG Pengfei China, France

its usual Pusan Promotion Plan (PPP) project market He also noted that independent films like YANG Ik-june’s 27 The White Room Anocha SUWICHAKORNPONG Thailand, Japan, UK

and seminars. The Asian Film Market is also boosting Breathless (which was a festival hit that went on the
its support for independent films and holding its usual Rotterdam festival and beyond) would come to the festival co-producers and sales agents.
offline market screenings, with the Busan International without a sales agent and miss out on opportunities to Up-and-coming Thai director Anocha
Film Commission & Industry Showcase (BIFCOM) opening do sales. “So we’re also offering a service to independent SUWHICHAKORNPONG, whose Mundane History screened
under the market’s umbrella as well. films, to be viewed by sales agents before the festival, and in Pusan last year and won the Tiger Award at Rotterdam
Sales offices will open in the Seacloud Hotel, Oct. 10 then by all market badge holders from Oct 10,” he said. earlier this year, is presenting The White Room. Japanese
– 13, with exhibitors from 23 different countries. The 94 The uploading service is limited to copyright holders director OGIGAMI Naoko (Glasses), who will be mentoring
exhibitors have taken 47 sales offices. These include and authorized international distributors. Participants can students at PIFF’s Asian Film Academy (AFA) and
UniFrance and Memento Films from France, Trust Nordisk also check information on who has viewed the films. screening her feature film Toilet in the festival, is also
from Denmark, M-Appeal from Germany, Toei and As for piracy concerns, the site is for streaming and not presenting her new project Suika and Kinoko at PPP.
Toho from Japan, Lionsgate from the US, Distribution downloading, and has a dedicated security service. When Well-known Korean directors include E J-yong (Untold
Workshop, Edko films and Golden Network Asia from a person is viewing a film, their ID will be on the screen so Scandal), YOO Ha (A Dirty Carnival) and Daniel H. BYUN
Hong Kong; GMM Thai Hub and Oriental Eyes from that if someone tries to capture and copy the images, it (The Scarlet Letter), while internationally acclaimed
Thailand, Da Huang Pictures from Malaysia, Atom Cinema will be easy to track down the source of the problem. Cambodian documentary filmmaker Rithy PANH,
from Taiwan and, of course, all the major Korean sales Argentine Pablo TRAPERO (The Lion’s Den) and Iraqi-
companies such as CJ Entertainment, FINECUT, M-Line Pusan Promotion Plan (PPP) 2010 Dutch director Mohamed AL-DARADJI (Son of Babylon)
Distribution, and Showbox Mediaplex. Under the auspices of the Asian Film Market, the Pusan will also be at PPP with their new projects.
Attending buyers include Wild Side, Diaphana, and Promotion Plan (PPP) has 27 selections this year, including This year, three beneficiaries from PIFF’s Asian Cinema
Pretty Pictures from France; Splendid and MFA from projects from prominent directors such as TSAI Ming Fund (ACF) Script Development Fund will also be in the
Germany, Polybona Films from China, Kadokawa and Liang, Oxide PANG, and CHOI Dong-hoon. Filmmakers PPP. With an aim to further support up-and-coming
SPO from Japan, Daisy Entertainment, UniKorea and will have one-on-one meetings with potential investors, directors, PPP has selected from the ACF directors

38 KOREAN CINEMA TODAY SEPTEMBER • OCTOBER 2010 39

The 15th Pusan International Film Festival and Asian Film Market

KPIF2010 Line-up
Mostofa Sarwar FAROOKI from Bangladesh, Yolkin TUICHIEV Launching EAVE - Ties That Bind
Line-up Title Producer GENRE
from Uzbekistan and Charlotte LIM Lay Kuen. European Audiovisual Entrepreneurs (EAVE) is a training
The PPP will take place Oct. 10 – 13, also at the Seacloud and project development program for European and 1 Hard Training SHIN Youn-chul Action thriller, fantasy

Hotel in Haeundae. international audiovisual producers. In cooperation with 2 To Be A Hero LEE Soo-jung Drama, romance

the Udine Far East Film Festival and PIFF, EAVE will run 3 Happy Doodles Andy YOON Comedy, drama

Solidifying Independent Film Support a workshop for four days during the Asian Film Market. 4 Chiwoo Billy ACUMEN Sci-Fi, family film

In conjunction with PIFF’s Asian Network of Documentaries, Selected from Europe and Asia, producers will develop 5 Not Out CHOUNG Ju-gun Sports drama

the Asian Film Market last year set up PPP-like meetings their projects during the workshop under the guidance of
between documentary filmmakers and financiers and co-production experts, building “ties that bind” between Oct. 11 in the Iris Hall of the Novotel Ambassador Hotel in
buyers. As a result of last year’s AND meetings, New Asia and Europe. Haeundae.
Zealand’s Smiley Film Sales picked up worldwide rights Last year, PIFF held a successful “Mini EAVE” workshop
to The Border City 2 . Also, First Hand Films signed a first- and this year EAVE - Ties That Bind was officially launched Producers Guild of Korea (PGK)
look deal for Sandeep Ray’s The Earnest Years and Shahin this year with the support of MediaInternational and 2010 International Conference.
Parhami’s Amin. The former is still in production while the in cooperation with Pusan International Film Festival, Korea New Story Project Pitching The Asian Film Market and Producers Guild of Korea
latter has been completed and is due to screen in the Wide Udine Far East Film Festival, Friuli Venezia Giulia Film The Asian Film Market and the Producers Guild of (PGK) will jointly hold a seminar on Transmedia. Defined
Angle Documentary Competition this year. Organizers are Commission(FVG Commission), and EAVE. Korea (PGK) will also co-organize the Korea New Story as the “integration of entertainment experiences across a
encouraged by these successes and plan to continue this In April this year, ten producers - five from Asia and Project Pitching Seminar for projects selected by the range of different media platforms” where one story can
support and hopefully gradually integrate the program with five from Europe – participated in the first workshop Korea Creative Contents Agency (KOCCA). After going be told through film, television, games, animation, and
the market proper. in Udine working with leading industry experts. They through systematic pitching training, the selected comic strips, transmedia is considered an innovative tool
Also, in order to encourage the international distribution of will meet again in Pusan with upgraded projects. Script producers will meet with both domestic and international for content development. The seminar is meant to provide
Korean films and to expand the market for independent films, and co-production experts, as well as leading Asian investors and content developers during the two days of participants with a broader understanding of transmedia
the Asian Film Market is setting up a joint sales office with and European investors and sales agents will attend business meetings to select the best solution for content and its pragmatic uses. The Transmedia Seminar will take
independent film distributors such as KinoeyeDMC, Amuse the workshop, which is expected to develop a network development and production possibilities. The Korea New place at 2:00 p.m. Oct. 12 in the Iris Hall of the Novotel
and Cinemadal. between Asia and Europe. Story Project Pitching event will take place at 2:00 p.m. Ambassador Hotel in Haeundae.

Busan International Film

Commission & Industry Showcase,
(BIFCOM) 2010
Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the Busan International
Film Commission & Industry Showcase (BIFCOM) is a
The EAVE – Ties That Bind workshop will also be held Oct. marketing arena where major Asian film commissions
10 – 13 at the Seacloud Hotel in Haeundae. and film companies gather to exchange the latest in
trends regarding production technologies and film-related
Korean Producers information. BIFCOM is Asia´s first location exposition
in Focus (KPIF) 2w010 that serves to facilitate location shooting and introduce
For the second time, the Asian Film Market and the innovative technology.
Producers Guild of Korea (PGK) will jointly hold a project With the recent success of 3D productions, BIFCOM this
pitching event called Korean Producers in Focus (KPIF). year is opening with the theme “All That 3D” to exhibit
Launched last year, the KPIF aims to help develop fresh the latest in 3D technology. Top companies from Korea,
new ideas with a new generation of producers that will the US, Japan and New Zealand will introduce innovative
carry Korean cinema to a new level. This year´s KPIF 3D technologies, while this year´s seminar and workshop
will introduce five projects from applications based on will introduce and demonstrate technologies that explore
how likely the projects are to be made, the producers’ the 3D potential and market prospects.
capabilities, and the originality of the projects. Selected BIFCOM will run Oct. 9 – 11 on the 2nd floor of the Grand
producers will be able to look for investment and Hotel in Haeundae.
co-production opportunities through pitching sessions as Parallel to the event, the Asian Film Policy Forum (FPP)
well as individual meetings during the Asian Film Market. will be held Oct. 10 – 11 on the 5th floor of the Novotel
The pitching sessions will take place at 2:00 p.m. Oct. Ambassador Hotel (Haeundae), along with the Asian Film
10 in the Iris Hall of the Novotel Ambassador Hotel in Commissions Network (AFCNet), which will be held Oct. 12,
Haeundae. also in the same place.

40 KOREAN CINEMA TODAY SEPTEMBER • OCTOBER 2010 41

view

Documentaries It seems certain that if an A-list Korean director such as LEE

and the Korean Auteur Chang-dong or PARK Chan-wook were to shoot a feature
length documentary, it would receive wide festival exposure,
and we would soon be reading articles about the emerging
Korean documentary. It would certainly be exciting to see what
one of these directors might do with the documentary form.

By Darcy PAQUET (Koreanfilm.org) of the essays for failing to mention works BING is a notable exception, but very It seems certain that if an A-list Korean cinema may be particularly tempted to try his head. In this sense, if HONG were to
In late September, like KIM Dong-won's Repatriation (2004), few international filmmakers are able to director such as LEE Chang-dong or PARK their hand at documentary filmmaking. shoot a documentary, it would be less of
the San Sebastian or even LEE Chung-ryoul's Old Partner in receive broad exposure solely on the basis Chan-wook were to shoot a feature length Both the fiction film Still Life and the a variation on his regular approach than a
International Film discussions about the commercial revival of their documentary work, particularly if documentary, it would receive wide festival documentary Dong , shot by director JIA foray into something completely different.
Festival presented of the documentary form. But the truth they are focused on local issues. Theatrical exposure (if not on the same level as one Zhangke in 2006, challenge the realist For KIM Ki-duk as well, the dominant mode
a special focus on is, there is an undeniably inward focus to distribution overseas is highly rare, and of their fiction films), and we would soon assumptions of the viewer. By making two is not realism but a more exaggerated,
nonfiction cinema in documentary filmmaking in Korea. This is even on the festival circuit, the amount be reading articles about the emerging films, Jia was able to explore the people abstract kind of expressionism that
the 21st century. It is not to say that Korean documentaries are of attention paid to documentaries is a Korean documentary (whether or not such and spaces of the town of Fengjie from seems to have little in common with
an appropriate time lacking in quality, but it's evident that they fraction of that accorded to works of fiction. works reflected broader trends in Korean multiple, overlapping perspectives. the aesthetics of documentary. LEE
to be thinking about documentaries. The have not yet been able to leave much of an In rare cases, a combination of directorial independent film). It would certainly be Throughout much of Korean cinema Chang-dong is an interesting case in
past decade has seen so many interesting impression on the world stage. talent and highly marketable subject matter exciting to see what one of these directors history, realism was the dominant mode that he does pursue a realist aesthetic,
developments and innovations in the form Korean documentaries are a bit like rare might allow a documentary to be seen more might do with the documentary form. and ideal for ambitious filmmakers, at the and so a documentary might be a more
that the term "documentary" itself is birds -- you have to search them out, but for widely, but still, most filmmakers would But at the same time, the thought of a same time that the government worked natural complement to his existing work.
starting to feel somewhat restrictive. As the dedicated watcher they are worth the be lucky to have even one such film in the documentary by BONG Joon-ho or HONG hard to suppress politically-charged, realist LEE's realism is much different from
filmmakers explore more deeply concepts effort. In contrast to other countries where course of a career. Sangsoo strikes one as slightly unexpected. works. However the cinematic revival that that of JIA Zhangke, based on a kind of
related to truth and authenticity, and broadcasters are an important source of As Luis MIRANDA notes in an essay on It would seemingly be a greater leap for has taken place since the late 1990s has rigorous discipline rather than explicit
deliberately blur the lines between the funding, in Korea most documentaries are Asian non-fiction cinema, the easiest way the leading figures in Korean cinema. formed largely in opposition to the realist experimentation. A documentary by LEE
factual and the fictitious, a new kind of film shot within the independent film sector for documentaries to receive wider exposure Most likely, this perceived distance has tradition. Film genres have become one of would certainly form an interesting part
is emerging. on very low budgets, with no corporate is if they are made by a director already something to do with the documentary's the key building blocks for contemporary of his overall filmography, however, as of
A total of 40 documentaries screened funding. The topics they explore are often recognized as a global auteur for his or ties with the concepts of realism Korean filmmakers, even if they try to yet he has not indicated any intention to
in San Sebastian. While Asia was very local in character, but they provide her fiction works. Thus Useless (2007) is and authenticity. Viewers approach subvert and undermine genre conventions shoot one.
represented by films like Wang BING's great insight into Korean society. This marketed and received as a work by JIA documentaries with a different mindset, at the same time. A film like BONG Joon- Korea's most famous filmmakers do
West of Tracks (China, 2003), Rithy PANH's year, the documentary The Border City 2 Zhangke -- and an important part of his due to their supposed grounding in reality. ho's The Host (2006) is politically and seem distanced in some way from the
S-21 , The Khmer Rouge Death Machine made a particularly powerful impression filmography -- rather than as a creatively Although many people might simply accept sociologically charged, but it expresses its concerns of contemporary documentaries.
(Cambodia-France, 2003), Apichatpong upon its local release. The story of the imagined documentary about textiles in what they see in a documentary as "true", politics through satire within the traditions Still, it would be foolish to try to predict
WEERASETHAKUL's Mysterious Object Korean government's efforts to prosecute China. It's not uncommon for well-known filmmakers and scholars have recognized of the B-movie rather than through realistic the future course of their careers. It may
at Noon (Thailand, 2000), and KAWASE a noted professor because of his ties with filmmakers to take occasional or repeated throughout the history of cinema that the depictions of social problems. be that one of them finds a topic that
Naomi's Sky, Wind, Fire, Water, Earth North Korea, the film seems destined to trips into the realm of documentary -- issue of authenticity is far more complex On the more 'arthouse' end of the inspires them to shoot a documentary,
(Japan, 2001), there were no Korean films. be remembered as a classic by the local Werner HERZOG, Spike LEE, Agnes VARDA, and elusive than it initially seems. In the film spectrum, HONG Sangsoo is not in a similar way that music and classic
Not only that, no Korean documentaries independent film community, although its Abbas KIAROSTAMI, and Martin SCORSESE past decade, one key trend has been to significantly influenced by genre, but cinema have inspired Martin SCORSESE,
were mentioned in the filmography or in international career is uncertain. are some of the better-known examples. explore the boundaries between fact and neither is he much interested in realism. and political events have inspired Spike
any of the essays that make up a 260-page Of course, there are tremendous hurdles These directors bring a strong personal fiction and to purposefully blur the lines, Although his works appear realistic in style, LEE. I for one am hoping that someday
book published as a companion to the film for Asian documentary filmmakers to vision and style to their work, and often in order to force viewers to confront the he has made it clear in interviews that his this will happen, for the very reason that
series. It might seem natural at this point overcome if they want to become known explore their subject matter in a way that issue head-on. Given this, filmmakers who films are based not on reality, but on more the character of the end product would be
to scold the programmers and the authors beyond their own national borders. Wang complements their work in fiction films. are already experimenting with realist abstract "structures" that he assembles in so hard to predict.

42 KOREAN CINEMA TODAY SEPTEMBER • OCTOBER 2010 43

HOT MOVIE

A Better Tomorrow
Directed by SONG Hae-sung
Cast JOO Jin-mo, SONG Seung-heon
Release Date Sep. 16 2010
International Sales CJ Entertainment

Armed with double pistols and wrapped in trench coats, the legend of sentimental gangsters who value loyalty and friendship more police. Yeong-chun (SONG Seung-heon), who followed Hyeok like a brother ever since they were both in North Korea, flies over to
than life has made a comeback in Korea after 25 years. The new film is a remake of John WOO’s A Better Tomorrow , one of the most Thailand for revenge, loses his leg and, in the end, the gang is handed over to traitor Tae-min. In time, KIM Cheol becomes a cop
famous Hong Kong film noir from the 1980s. While trying to escape North Korea with his family for freedom, KIM Hyeok (JOO Jin- targeting arms smuggling gangs and, after finishing his time in Thai jail, Hyeok is framed again by Tae-min. The brothers, who
mo) is separated from his brother Cheol (KIM Gang-woo) and his mother, and ends up settling down in South Korea alone. Several loved each other more than anything, now meet again as felon and police. A Better Tomorrow intrigues those old fans who were
years pass by and Hyeok becomes a member of international drug smuggling gang based in Busan. While trying to find out news fascinated by Hong Kong ‘film noir’ represented by the strong flames of ‘double pistol action’ scenes and strong loyalty among
about his family, Hyeok hears of his brother escaping too. Yet unstable Cheol has a hard time accepting his brother, whose decision men. Taking the characters and main frames of the story from the original A Better Tomorrow , the remake adopts the subject of
to leave alone led to death of their mother. For his brother, Hyeok agrees to take part of weapon smuggling for the last time in ‘defectors,’ which is unique to Korea. Having turned down countless remake offers, original director John WOO took part of the
exchange for releasing him from the gang, but when gang member Tae-min (Jo Han-sun) betrays him, Hyeok is arrested by the Thai production as “A Better Tomorrow has successfully reinterpreted the brotherhood and sentiments of the original.”

44 KOREAN CINEMA TODAY SEPTEMBER • OCTOBER 2010 45

 Break Away , a highly praised Se-byeok and LEE Seong-min. what’s happening in rural
independent film upon Troubleshooter Film reaches its climax when areas and issues regarding
its premiere at last year’s our hero makes a long waited rural movements. This
Pusan International Film Directed by KWON Hyeok-jae strike back against the evil documentary began with the
The Haunted House Project this house were involved in a Festival, is belatedly released Cast SUL Kyoung-gu, OH Dal-soo forces that have been choking director taking interest in
Break Away The Haunted horrendous murder, making domestically in the theaters. Release Date Sep. 9 2010 his throat. At the same KANG Seon-hee, a manager
House Project the deserted place seem The film is a spree of 6 International Sales time, by portraying GANG at Center for Woman Farmers
Troubleshooter
even more gruesome. The six days spent together by two FINECUT Co., Ltd. as a victim of illegal political who participated in struggles
Earth's Women Directed by LEE Chul-ha carefully start out a journey soldiers on the run and a deal, the film also adds on a when KWON filmed Reason
Bedevilled Cast SHIN Kyung-sun, YOON through the haunted house. woman who helps them. As sharp satire on Korea’s socio- Why We Went to Hong Kong
Grand Prix Yi-na Eventually one by one, they he himself a homosexual who political atmosphere. – A Report on Fight Against
Cyrano Agency Release Date Aug. 19 2010 fall from an unidentified came out, director LEESONG Film’s plotline has been WTO , and KANG’s relationship
International Sales Showbox/ attacker and those remaining Hee-il has talked of a tragic meticulously designed so that with her mother in law.
Death Bell 2 : Bloody Camp
Mediaplex, Inc. are swept over with ever- love story of homosexuals audience can place oneself in SO Hee-ju, BYEON Eun-ju
Hearty Paws 2 continuing fear. in his previous film No the shoes of our hero who is and KANG Seon-hee, three
Enlightenment Movie Horror films have always The Haunted House Regret (2006). This time trapped without knowing why, women farmers at a small
Influence shown strong presence in Project takes the strategy of he has brushed away the and take part of the unveiling village in Gyeongsangnam-do,

The Forgotten Bag Korea during summer season. maximizing the reality of a homosexuality and, through GANG Tae-sik is a former process of a massive plot. are also activists for farmers.
Besides the light commercial virtual circumstances through this road movie with runaway detective now running an By doing so, the unmatched The camera zooms in on their
You Are So Beautiful
burden of reaching the break- a fake documentary format. soldiers leading the story, he errands service center, who pleasure is experienced lives and worries of these
The Five Magic Letters even point as most of those The fact that the film was is sharply dissecting into the finds himself with a murdered every time the new truth is rural women. The way camera
Enemy at the Dead End films are made with rather shot at an actual deserted darker side of Korean society. woman’s corpse upon raiding revealed. Action scenes with shows the lives of three
Don’t Cry for Me, Sudan low budgets, horror has been house added reality to the Draft system is still intact the scene of an illicit affair. maximized blows and car women and reality of farming

Mr. Zombie regarded as a fascinating actors’ performances. It in Korea, and as evasion of It is inevitable that he will be chase scene using POV CAM life without any exaggeration
genre as it has functioned as continues to the end with the military service by certain nailed as the murderer. Just show how much work is put in Earth’s Women , is based on
Thumbelina's Dad
a stage for newly emerging cameraman’s point of view, privileged class becomes then, he gets an unidentified into this film. the sharing and experiences
Oki’s Movie directors to show their delivering the shady horror social issue from time to time call, directing him to kidnap of 20 months the director
The Quiz Show Scandal fresh talents. The Haunted of a closed-off space to the the theme of ‘desertion’ may someone if he wishes to KWON spent together with
House Project is such a film audience. be a rather sensitive subject clear his name. The police Earth's Women them. His camera questions
succeeding the legacy of to touch upon. Break Away is a begin to chase after him the three and others around
Korean summer horror films. defiant piece trying to expose and, not knowing why, GANG Directed by KWON Woo-jung them, trying to share their
It is more so as its effort to Break Away the corruption within Korean is drained into a massive Cast SO Hee-ju, KANG Seon-hee pains and future dreams.
overcome the limits of low society through two young conspiracy while running for Release Date Sep. 9 2010 Upside of Earth’s Women
budget with new attempts is Directed by LEESONG Hee-il men trying to escape from the his life. International Sales CinemaDAL is that the film exposes
evident throughout the film. Cast LEE Yeong-hoon, SO Yu-jin irrational situation happening Its script written by the personal conflicts as they are
Somewhere in Gyeonggi- Release Date Sep. 2 2010 in the army by employing a ‘Action Kid’ RYOO Seung- and lead them into a common
do, there is a haunted house. International Sales radical choice of desertion. wan, and directed by rookie issue of rural women.
With no one living there FINECUT Co., Ltd. They flee from the army only director KWON Hyeok- In the end, what Earth’s
anymore, the house that’s to find society is a bigger jail jae, Troubleshooter seeks Women tries to discuss is
about to crumble down to them. LEESONG views the entertainment with rapid- self-determination of rural
is visited by three young entire Korean society as a type paced editing bound within women on their own lives,
people from the ‘Haunted of barrack, raising questions the walls of a thriller, while and furthermore autonomic
House Club,’ along with three in a direct, criticizing way on spiced with superb action right of the farmers. The film
broadcasters preparing a the rigid uniformity forcing in scenes choreographed by received Mecenat Award at
TV program on the club mainstream values, violence JEONG Du-hong, along with This is a new documentary 2009 PIFF, as well as Grand
members. Rumor has it that against strays and inequality perky comic-relief from by director KWON Woo-jung, Prize from Seoul Independent
those who used to live in among class. actors like OH Dal-soo, SONG who has constantly filmed Film Festival.

46 KOREAN CINEMA TODAY SEPTEMBER • OCTOBER 2010 47

new films

nightmare based on spy action TV series Iris . The skillfully unravels the night, top 30 students of the
Bedevilled selfishness of people today, film casts YANG Dong-keun, Cyrano Agency functional relation between school start the camping
who are indifferent to pain of who played leading role in expression and true heart. All under the supervision of
Directed by JANG Cheol-soo the others, as well as fears director YANG’s previous film Directed by KIM Hyun-seok hearts in love are the same, college counselor (KIM
Cast SEO Yeong-hee, JI Seong-won of violence originating from Fighter in the Wind (2004), Cast EUM Tae-woong, LEE Min-jung but love is unattainable if Su-ro) and trainee teacher
Release Date Sep. 2 2010 the primitive patriarchy. In a along with KIM Tae-hee from Release Date Sep. 16 2010 the method of approach is (HWANG Jung-eum), when,
International Sales closed-off universe of isolated Iris . International Sales immature. Yet could that be with sounds of screaming, a
FINECUT Co., Ltd. island, Bedevilled exhibits the A promising female jockey FINECUT Co., Ltd. all? The film adds in a new corpse of cruelly mutilated
scenery of a world, where Ju-hee gets into an accident equation of relationship student falls from classroom
the chain of rootless attack during race, injuring her called faith and love. Just as ceiling. Startled students
and harm fully exist. Having shoulder and losing her loving in his previous work on the are threatened through the
majored in visual design, horse. Falling in despair, she love of two brothers, When speaker that they “will die if
director JANG Cheol-soo flies to Jeju-do to grieve the Romance Meets Destiny the problems are not solved.”
creates an expressionistic death of her horse as well (2005), KIM Hyun-seok places Students try to escape from
tension with frequent, rapid- as taking a break. There story of a Casanova and the building but someone has
paced montage, in-depth and she regains the confidence nerdy men side by side, being cut off all the communication
tight images or from time to stand back on her feet true to the romantic comedy lines, and all exits are blocked. of Maeumi’s puppies, and
Working at a bank, Hye- to time employing crooked from the people she met. Taking its motives from genre. Although they try their best Hearty Paws 2 stuff it in order to hide
won witnesses a murder by angles, shaky camera They are Wu-seok, another famous French play ‘Cyrano to find answers to the given stolen precious gems. When
accident, but is reluctant to movements and extreme person suffering from guilt de Bergerac’, Cyrano Agency difficult quiz, it only increases Directed by LEE Jung-chul the puppy is taken away in
go the police afraid of the contrast of light that amplify of an accident during race, in is a story of ‘manipulating’ Death Bell 2 : the number of victims. Cast SONG Jung-gi, SUNG Dong-il front of its eyes, Maeumi
criminals’ retaliation. Tired of the anxiety of characters. The which another jockey died, romantic relationships. Bloody Camp Through ‘exam questions of Release Date July 21 2010 starts chasing after the bad
her city life, Hye-won takes film showcases an impressive along with an old man and a Characters from this film death’, students chase after International Sales guys using its smart head.
a vacation to her hometown performance by SEO Yong- girl running a horse farm in receive orders from those Directed by YOU Sun-dong clues and find out whoever is FINECUT Co., Ltd The way Maeumi makes a
Mudo, where memories from hee, who previously portrayed Jeju-do. With horse as their who have crush on somebody, Cast KIM Su-ro, HWANG Jung-eum doing this is related to a girl fool out of jewelry thieves,
her youth still reside. It’s her the victim of serial killer in messenger, Ju-hee starts to and control the situation, Release Date July 28 2010 who died of an unfair death. This is a sequel of 2006 named ‘Pil Brothers,’ is so
childhood friend Bok-nam The Chaser (2008). fall in love with Wu-seok and, coaching what comments to International Sales M-Line The film is a sequel of a low- sleeper hit Hearty Paws , a brilliant that it’s as if the
who greets here there, who’s by communicating with those make behind the curtains so Distribution budget Death Bell , a teenage story of friendship between a dog is the canine version
married and has built a family around her, is recharged with that the crush will evolve into slasher film with added dog and a boy searching for of Macaulay CULKIN’s
at Mudo. However, Hye-won Grand Prix the desire to ride horses an actual relationship. It may whodunit thriller element boy’s mother while attending Kevin character from Home
senses a strange feeling again. Then she challenges seem unreal, but somehow it all that was a pleasant box-office to his younger sister. Unlike Alone . Dal-i, the ‘actor’ for
surrounding this isolated Directed by YANG Yun-ho herself to winning the Grand makes sense. surprise in 2008. Although the previous film, which Maeumi having already
island. She discovers Bok-nam Cast YANG Dong-keun, KIM Tae-hee Prix race. When a naïve man comes to storyline may seem illogical, was a tear-jerker with heart proved its acting skills in the
suffers from indescribable Release Date Sep. 16 2010 Basically a melodrama, this group as a client, the film the movie was popular among moving settings, the sequel first movie, again presents
pain caused by her husband International Sales Sidus FNH the film focuses more on the quickly goes through proper youth audiences, as the way sticks to the cheerful animal expert performances, while
Man-jong, brother-in-law Corporation romance between Ju-hee introduction on what they do, characters had to kill their family movie. For Dong-uk newly starring three puppies
Cheol-jong and old ladies and Wu-seok rather than a and jumps directly onto the friends, or competitors in this (SONG Jung-gi), who is about are lovely like dolls. The
from the village. When her relationship between men story of Byeong-hun, the CEO of The ‘exam of death’ occurring case, to survive implied the to take university entrance harmony between SUNG
daughter dies because of the and horses. What’s more, this group; Sang-yong, who falls at an isolated high school harms of overheated exam exam, Maeumi (Dal-i) the Dong-il’s sly ‘stupid thief’
husband, Bok-nam turns into the tragic history of Jeju- in love with Byeong-hun’s ex out is back again after 2 years. fever. KIM Su-ro, loved for dog is the only friend who performance and clever
an incarnation of revenge. do is sneaked in as well. of all people; and Hee-jung, who It’s summer vacation time his comical acting, HWANG he can share the memories animal actors are quite
JANG Cheol-soo has built As the film was produced is set to be the target. Byeong- and, at a prestigious high Jeong-eum and YOON Si-yun, of his father who’s passed satisfactory, with SUNG once
up his career working under from the investment made hun is unhappy with Sang-yong, school, students in upper who became popular through away. When Maeumi gives again securing his position
KIM Ki-duk in Samaritan Girl by Korea Racing Authority, who dreams of dating Hee-jung, grade level gather to attend TV sitcom, along with an idol birth to puppies, Dong-uk as a scene-stealing comical
and Spring, Summer, Fall, Grand Prix is a human drama detailed scenes with horses and intentionally makes things special camp at school singer-turned-actress Ji-yeon, takes extra care of his dog. presence, as evidenced by
Winter and Spring . He has directed by YANG Yun-ho, and racing are quite evident more complicated. to prepare for university all made their first attempts in One day, a group of jewelry his recent performances in
weaved up a memorable who has recently directed throughout the film. In the process, the film entrance exam. On the first horror film with this one. thieves kidnap Janguni, one various films and TV dramas.

48 KOREAN CINEMA TODAY SEPTEMBER • OCTOBER 2010 49

new films

Company, collecting usury over Influence when it was the words of the bible that mocked by the Japanese and This is a theatrical version of to the last five hanja. The scale
Enlightenment money lent to the Koreans. A announced that a world star The Forgotten says “Love thy enemy”, he their tradition was considered TV animation The Five Magic of magic action here provides
Movie kind-hearted man, Gil-man is LEE Hyung-hun of The Good, Bag still lives a life of service as barbaric. Their name ‘Ainu’ Letters that was largely much greater fit for a larger
despised by peer Koreans as The Bad, The Weird and G.I. in the Black Continent. is similar to the Japanese popular as a combination screen.
Directed by PARK Dong-hun a follower of the Japanese, Joe fame and HAN Chae- Directed by KIM Sang-cheol Learning about the stories of word ‘inu,’ meaning dog, and of Chinese classic fantasy
Cast JUNG Seung-kil, KIM Ji-in and by the Japanese as young are cast and that Cast KWON Oh-jung, LEE Hyun-woo missionaries trying to save to they had to endure insults like Journey to the West and Enemy at the
Release Date Sep. 16 2010 well for being ‘an incapable film will be released online. Release Date July 29 world with love and sacrifice, “There goes the dog” for a hanja (Chinese character) Dead End
International Sales Josenjin.’ Director PARK Famous news presenter KIM KWON and LEE look back long while. However, instead education. The idea is to
INDIESTORY Inc. Dong-hun of Enlightenment Wu-gyeong (JEON No-min) at their lives as a Christian. of being absorbed into the have adorable characters Directed by Owen CHO, KIM
Movie picks three notable and rich auctioneer CHOI Instead of dramatic formation, Japanese society by hiding learn meanings of hanja and, Sang-hwa
points in Korean history Dong-hun (KIM Tae-woo) the film concentrates on their identity, the young Ainu by using these characters, Cast CHUN Ho-jin, YOO Hae-jin
and show the lives of the receive an invitation from W calmly sending out the good people are continuing to make obtain magical powers so Release Date Aug. 26 2010
family living the period as (LEE Byung-hun), a guide to religious message through efforts to let people know motivated young viewers International Sales
they are. JUNG Gil-man and the secret place named DJC. dialogues. more about Ainu traditional can learn the letters along. FINECUT Co., Ltd
his family each live in their Once they arrive at DJC, cultures, their love for nature Honsemawang (CHOI Han),
present, but the times can they are told by mysterious Documentary The Forgotten and music. Directors BAIK who is a magician using the
never be independent. The woman J (HAN Chae-young), Bag , directed by KIM Sang- You Are So Seung-chan and JANG Hye- meanings of hanja, tries to
past restrains the present, who can see their past and cheol who is also a minister, Beautiful yeong filmed a young Ainu rule the world by collecting a
while the present becomes a future at the same time, of is a road movie following the hip-hop group named ‘Ainu 1000 hanja. Talented in hanja
Enlightenment Movie intends debt for the future. The film the only chance they will lives of missionaries spreading Directed by BAIK Seoung-chang, Rebels’ and observed their magic but hating the study,
to look straight into the reminds the viewers that the be given to change their the good word. Actor KWON JANG Hye-yeong beauty. Refusing to surrender SON O-gong (JEONG Seon-
weight of history carried by problems of Korean society lives. On the other hand, W Oh-jung hears a story from Release Date Aug. 26 2010 to pressure and trying to hye) enters ‘Bori Seonwon’
modern Korean through a are from the debt of the past. is chased by an unknown church minister of missionary International Sales DK media love themselves as who they school for hanja magic Recently, there seems to be
common family. 1965, JEONG someone, and realizes bags piled up in the basement are, the ways of these young following Boridosa’s orders. many films on the theme of
Hak-song (JUNG Seung- there is a big secret hidden of a British missionary group. people show the violence There he spends tough ‘revenge’ in Korean cinema.
kil) enters a big company Influence between him and J. It turns A faithful Christian himself, of discrimination that is days of training martial Enemy at the Dead End is
thanks to his pro-Japanese out W and J were tragic KWON becomes curious about prevalent not just in Japan arts during the day and another revenge spree on an
father and marries a fine lady Directed by LEE Jae-gyu prince ‘LEE Seol’ and his the owner of these bags, who but all over the world. memorizing hanja at night, enemy who killed the loved
PARK Yu-jeong (KIM Ji-in), Cast LEE Byung-hun, HAN Chae- lover, who met in 1907 at the had left for Africa in early 20th together with hanja magic one and took away one’s life
who’s a school teacher. After young end of Daehan Empire period, Century. In search of these prodigy Samjang (Eun-jeong) entirely. The film shows the
time has passed in 1983, Release Date Aug. 19 2010 but, with a twist of fate, J bags, he leaves to UK with a The Five Magic and Dondon (PARK Sin-hee) process of a middle-aged man
couple’s children Tae-seon International Sales BH was trapped in time of the dear friend LEE Hyun-woo, This is a documentary on Letters who loves to eat. One day, KIM Min-ho (CHUN Ho-jin)
(OH Yu-jeong) and Tae-han Entertainment (only Japan) humans. Ironically, W finds who has recently become current status of Japanese when SON O-gong has a fight trying to kill himself again
(BAE Yong-geun) come home out all this tragedy stemmed doubtful of Christianity. minority ‘Ainu,’ who had been Directed by YOON Yeong-gi with Samjang and Dondon, and again, only to survive and
for the first time in awhile, from his own evil ego and, Through them, the movie tells discriminated and looked down Release Date Aug. 19 2010 Honsemawang tries to tear get treatment he does not
upon hearing their father to keep the promise he had a story of missionaries who upon because of their different International Sales them apart and, in the want. Due to repeated suicide
JEONG Hak-song is ill. While made a century ago to his lived a life of sacrifice and looks and different culture. CJ Entertainment end, Dondon is kidnapped. attempt, KIM Min-ho is in a
preparing for their father’s lover, makes the final choice. love, even when they were Emerging from Sakhalin, Kuril Hand in hand with Samjang, near vegetative state at the
funeral, Tae-seon and Tae- Composed of 2 episodes, persecuted for their religious in Russia and now residing SON O-gong fights off hospital when PARK Sang-eop
han become curious about Influence is a dreamy fantasy beliefs. mostly in Hokkaido, the Ainu Honsemawang’s conspiracy (YOO Hae-jin) appears at his
Mr. YOSHIMITSU, whom Hak- in which time and space mix The person The Forgotten people have a history of and saves Dondon. However, room. Brain-damaged from an
song repeatedly asks for, together, while LEE Byung- Bag focuses on most is a 7000 years. Yet they were Honsemawang is very close accident, PARK does not even
while being half-unconscious. hun and HAN Chae-young Korean missionary named LEE oppressed for a long time ever to fulfilling his power of evil remember his own name. Yet
The film returns back into the A fantasy melodrama each portrays the role of 3 In-eung. He lost his daughter since the ethnic assimilation as he has almost collected KIM recognizes who he is. He
past to 1931, when JEONG Gil- about star crossed lovers characters in each episode, in African mission when local policy came into place during those 1000 hanja, and SON is no other than the enemy
man (LEE Sang-heon) works who transcend a century which are all fascinating in young men assaulted and Meiji era. Their Caucasian- O-gong and friends plan to who killed his wife. The will
at the Oriental Development of time, flashes were all their own way. killed her. However, keeping like looks, in particular, were fight him off by first getting for revenge, to kill the enemy

50 KOREAN CINEMA TODAY SEPTEMBER • OCTOBER 2010 51

new films

becomes a reason for life, and survival. Their life began to A story of common people using hidden cameras and film Oki’s Movie is composed young men into a film. Each result, an enormous award
using various props from the change immensely when a who become zombies by Thumbelina's CCTV shots. Showing subtitle of 4 episodes. To name them episode is independent from money of 13.3 billion Won
hospital KIM tries to kill PARK Korean priest came to this chance is told in a comical Dad at the beginning that states, in showing order, A Day for and codependent with other still remains unclaimed.
Sang-eop. But as KIM Min- village. Father LEE Tae-seok way. Yeong-cheol (WON ‘This story is a recreation Chanting , King of Kiss , After episodes at the same time. The answer for the last
ho’s assault continues, PARK’s built schools, hospitals and Pung-yeon), a small fried Directed by KANG Seong-ryong of OH Yeong-ju abduction the Snowstorm and Oki’s An experimenter of films with question is found among the
condition improves and in the gave everything he had so chicken shop owner in his Cast BANG Dong-won, JIN case using hidden cameras Movie , three actors play the imitation and intervention of woman’s possessions and the
end all the memories come that people could play music 40s, lives a boring, mundane Da-eun and CCTV” is also to stress characters who have the the characters, director HONG witnesses each participate in
back. Problem is, in PARK together. Instead of painful life. To earn money for his Release Date Sep. 2 2010 sense of reality for the same name in each episodes. Sangsoo tries a new attempt the quiz show to become the
Sang-eop’s head, it is KIM Min- moaning of patients, Tonj daughter’s education and International Sales With Cinema audiences. Unfortunately, A Day of Chanting is a story of dismantling the cinematic winner of the award money.
ho who is the wife killer. Under village was filled with strong travel expenses of his wife, director’s attempt did not of NAM Jin-gu (LEE Sun- structure then putting The Quiz Show Scandal can
a unique setting of patients in cries of healthily born babies he mechanically fries and lead to the intended tension kyun), who is a film director together with Oki’s Movie . be largely divided into three
ward, a new energy is injected and music of the bands delivers chicken only to lose or freshness. His effort of and part-time lecturer at stages. If the scene at the
into conventional revenge instead of gun shots. Yet all his money on stocks and finishing the film with such a film school. He hears a The Quiz Show police station was the first
movie. Excellent actor CHUN that was when father LEE ends up turning to private low budget and taking over rumor about Professor Scandal stage, then the part with
Ho-jin and desperate struggle was diagnosed with terminal loans. Just when his debt is almost all areas, including SONG (MOON Sung-keun), people preparing for the quiz
by YOO Hae-jin brilliantly cancer. He was treated in doubling by the hour, Yeong- directing as well as starring, whom NAM respects, having Directed by JANG Jin show is second stage, with
cross over the line between Korea to return to Tonj cheol is bitten by a zombie making it close to a ‘one- an affair with student Oki Cast KIM Su-ro, HAN Jae-suk the quiz show they take part
comedy and thriller; it’s a again, but unfortunately he and obtains some strange This is a film on abduction man-film,’ a quite impressive (JUNG Yu-mi). However, Jin- Release Date Sep. 16 2010 in being the last stage. While
revenge film with impressive passed away before fulfilling powers. The source of this completed with an ultra feat yet not enough to gu becomes involved in a International Sales M-Line first two stages are chatty
lethargic action. such wish. Director GU Soo- zombie virus is a jobless low budget of 3 million overcome flaws of the film. similar rumor and tries to Distribution role play uniquely JANG
hwan follows Father LEE Tae- young man suffering from Won. Kidnapper known as deny it. In King of Kiss , a Jin, the last stage turns into
seok’s steps to Tonj. There he unemployment. The man ‘Thumbelina's dad’ (BANG film-majoring student Jin- A quadruple accident happens a rather tense thriller. The
Don’t Cry for sees with his own eyes how who turned into a zombie Dong-won) abducts a high Oki’s Movie gu confesses his love to Oki on the road in the middle movie does not focus on
Me, Sudan powerful one’s good will can for unknown cause attacks school girl Yeong-ju (JIN from the same department of the night. A mysterious the process of one winner
be to change the world. The Yeong-cheol and other people Da-eun) one day. Thinking Directed by HONG Sangsoo and succeeds in dating her. woman jumps into the street, becoming the ‘Quiz King’
Directed by GU Soo-hwan Dinkas consider crying the from the neighborhood and going to the police may put Cast LEE Sun-kyun, JUNG Yu-mi In After the Snowstorm , a and 4 cars become entangled but turn its eyes onto the
Cast LEE Tae-seok most shameful thing in world. slowly the town turns into his daughter’s life in danger, Release Date Sep. 16 2010 part-time lecturer SONG has in a complicated traffic process of characters, each
Release Date Sep. 9 2010 Yet seeing them shed endless a zombie village. Still, do Yeong-ju’s father OH (LEE International Sales a frank conversation with accident. Gathered at the with their own story, gaining
International Sales M-Line tears in front of Father LEE’s not expect a conventional Seol-goo) goes to a private FINECUT Co., Ltd students Jin-gu and Oki in police station, those involved energy by challenging to
Distribution picture is heart moving. ‘zombie horror.’ Zombies still investigator with the case. an empty classroom due find out that the woman was be the quiz king. This is a
continue to repeat tedious life PARK Chung-sik (JO Hyeong- Invited to this year’s Venice to the heavy snowstorm, a writer for quiz show. It turns comedy to enjoy the true
they had as humans. Zombie rae) and Dong-gu (JANG International Film Festival, while in Oki’s Movie , Oki out there never had been a ‘festivity of chatter’ by JANG
Mr. Zombie young man writes resumes, Se-hun) hide random money th
HONG Sangsoo’s 11 feature makes love stories of old and winner in this show and, as a Jin.
Yeong-cheol still delivers and video camera in a bag
Directed by LEE Soo-sung chickens. Yet when his and set out for a negotiation
Cast WON Poong-yeon, BAE Nu-ri family is threatened by the with Thumbelina's dad.
Release Date Aug. 26 2010 moneylenders, Yeong-cheol Meanwhile, abducted Yeong-
International Sales M-Line decides to save the family ju finds out her abductor
This is a documentary on Distribution with ‘Zombie power.’ Director is doing all this to find his
late Father LEE Tae-seok, compares helpless people of missing daughter from 10
who devoted his entire life this world with zombies, who years ago. Yeong-ju feels
on a small village Tonj in are only left with ‘will to eat.’ sorry for Thumbelina's dad
Sudan. After the civil war had Mister Zombie sends out a and helps him with his crime.
swept over it, Tonj became variation on satirical message The film intends to overcome
devastated with violence of past zombie films, twisting the dull scenes that are
and poverty, while its people it into a comedy on dull side often pointed out as a limit
were thrown into a battle for of Korean society. of low-budget filmmaking,

52 KOREAN CINEMA TODAY SEPTEMBER • OCTOBER 2010 53

Masters of Korean cinema 8

BAE Chang-ho, an earnest

By KIM Hyung-suk no matter what and, returning home
In the history of Korean cinema, there afterwards he would try to make a film of

Cine-artist devoted to
had been only three directors debuted in his own in his head. In his essay Our Joyful
1980s or before, who’ve managed to make Young Days, he recalls desperately praying

expanding the boundaries

more than 3 films in the new millennium. “God, please allow me to make movies”
First there is IM Kwon-taek who made when he was in fourth grade. Back when
his debut in early 1960s. Enduring long he did not know the existence of a director,
years of ups and downs, he earned his he dreamt of becoming an actor and it was
Peple of Ko-bang Neighborhood(1982)
international fame when he was awarded only when he entered middle school that
for Chihwaseon (2002) in Cannes. Then his aspiration for film director started.
there is director KANG Woo-suk. Appearing When it was time to decide which

Passing through in the end of 1980s he turned into a

producer in 1990s, and still remains to be
university he should apply to, he chose
business management major instead
the most dramatic a commercial director with his outstanding of a film school. It was partially due to

shifts in Korean film sense for success and strong points in his banker father’s suggestion but also
comedies. because there were plenty of directors
history, BAE Chang- Lastly, it’s BAE Chang-ho. Perhaps there in Chungmuro back then who did not
Flower at the Equator(1983)
ho has been a hit is no other film director who has been major in film making. Instead BAE Chang-
through so much as he did in Korea. ho actively took part in drama groups in
film director and Debuting in 1982 with People of Ko-bang college. At the time, he was a well known
writer, moving from Neighborhood , BAE presented Whale actor in Daehakro, Korea’s leading theater-
Hunting (1984) and Deep Blue Night (1985) district. His acting skills came to shine
popular mainstream to the world when he was in his early later in Gagman (1989), debut film of his
to independent 30s, as an undefeated ‘Korea’s Spielberg’ former assistant director LEE Myung-se,
on a roll. However, starting from Hwang and in which his performance overwhelms
genres, slowly Jin-ie (1986), he began to drift away that of AHN Sung-ki, one of the best actors
transforming during from mainstream cinema in search of a
Whale Hunting(1984)
of the time.
different path and, in 1990s, set up his own Although BAE was devoted to the stage,
the last 30 years as production company, shuttling between movie Journey (2010) BAE had shown a he still kept his childhood dream for
a cine-artist who’ve independent productions and mainstream younger side of him too. cinema. He frequented French Cultural

captured the essence Chungmuro in the process. Then in 21st

Century, he approached audiences as an
Center and, after being discharged from
the army, hovered around production
of Korean sentiments auteur with My Heart (2000) and Road A life with films offices. After graduating from the

in his films. At the (2006), films without notable stars or To BAE Chang-ho, movie had been university, he worked as an office worker
particular genre. something he was born with. As a film at a financial company but all the while he
peak of his success, 3 decades have passed since he first joined maniac, his mother had gone to the saved up his salary to buy an 8mm camera
BAE had pondered film industry as an assistant director to theaters while pregnant with him, even and shot various short films with it. He
LEE Jang-ho in Good Windy Day (1980). during the war. The most intense memory then moved to a general trading company
on film aesthetics BAE Chang-ho went through the 1980s, he has as a young boy was the experience and left for Africa as he was sent to set
and cinematic when Korean cinema slowly began to of routinely visiting the cinema holding up a branch in Nairobi, Kenya. Moments
transform; the 1990s, an age capital his mother’s hand. He still remembers before he left, with an introduction from
authenticity, which he structure revolution; and the renaissance Federico FELLINI’s La Strada he saw when his college senior novelist CHOI In-ho, BAE
continues to do even of 21st Century. He was one of the first he was five, and he was six when he saw Chang-ho met with director LEE Jang-
to overcome the cliché of storytelling, SHIN Sang-ok’s The Evil Night . ho, who was forbidden from making films
today. which had been a chronic problem in Born in Daegu during Korean War (May, due to marijuana commotion of the time,
Korean cinema, and had pondered on film 1953), he and his family came to Seoul, promising each other to meet again soon.
aesthetics and cinematic authenticity, where he grew up, when the war came to The most pleasant experience BAE
something he continues to do today. His an end. Even as a student, BAE Chang-ho’s had in Kenya was the masterpieces he
films are becoming simpler and deeper. interest was solely in the movies. When he encountered at Art House in Nairobi,
Surprisingly enough, in his most recent was given allowance, he ran to the theaters which would have been impossible to see

54 KOREAN CINEMA TODAY SEPTEMBER • OCTOBER 2010 55

Masters of Korean cinema 8

in Korea. It was in Kenya where he saw with provocative clothes-shedding trend BAE Chang-ho was told by a young middle
2001: A Space Odyssey by Stanley Kubrick had resulted in lowering the overall school girl who was leaving the place after
and Taxi Driver by Martin Scorsese. During standards of Korean cinema. That’s when seeing it, “Mr. Director you need to study
this period, he wrote a page of film script BAE Chang-ho came in with speedy harder.” The words stuck in his heart like
each day, and filmed Kenya’s nature on story development and themes based on a knife. He looks at this period as “the
camera whenever he found the time to do pure human feelings that fascinated the days intoxicated in success” which were
so. That’s when he heard LEE Jang-ho has audiences. More than anything, he had followed by painful years of astray.
come back to work, and, announcing his been true to the cinematic amusement.
resignation to the company, he returned to The young viewers reacted passionately “Why do I make movies”
Korea shortly afterwards. in particular, and Whale Hunting was Soon afterwards, films by BAE Chang-
tremendously popular among youths. ho enter a phase of fundamental change.
At this point BAE Chang-ho tried A talented story teller who made movies
Pioneering a new horizon endlessly to expand the horizon of Korean that audiences like in order to survive as a
of commercial film commercial films. Deep Blue Night , which commercially-viable director, he began to Hello God(1987) The Young Men(1994)

in 1980s. was made when he hit the peak as a prepare his next film with the question of
Accumulating some experience on the successful director, was filmed in the US, “why do I make movies” in mind. Hwang From a hit film director and writer, moving from popular mainstream to independent genres,
field working as a directing staff of LEE which was unthinkable for a Korean film Jin-ie (1986) was what came out of it. BAE Chang-ho had slowly transformed during the last 30 years. As seen in his recent works,
Jang-ho in Good Windy Day and Children at the time. Yet crisis came at the height. Reviewed as “A coup of Korean cinema” by he still has so many things to talk about and, along with IM Kwon-taek, is a cine-artist who can
of Darkness (1981), BAE Chang-ho in time Whale Hunting 2 , a film he leaned on the JEONG Yeong-il, one of the most influential
capture the essence of Korean sentiments in his films.
directed his own debut film People of success from the first series had taught critics of the time, what audiences felt
Ko-bang Neighborhood (1982). It was the him an important lesson. At a theater towards this movie was close to rage.
days when censorship and review board that was screening the movie, director Expecting the distinctive entertainment Hello God (1987) was a film that showed generation that shook Korean society at desire for success, ambition for glory and
had all the powers of cinema world, and that BAE had always provided, many had his religious views most evidently. The the time. It too was made with a corporate I could not breathe freely each time. I
after having 67 scenes corrected it was a hard time adjusting to the quite long views were based on universality of funding. had to do well commercially and get good
inevitable for the criticism on society to be take scenes and some even came up to the humans rather than dogma and, from reviews too. Then I made Hwang Jin-ie , not
less noticeable and the melodrama sides projection room complaining the film is then on, his films revealed the belief of Study on original form of from passion but for ‘meaning.’ However,
to stand out more. Nevertheless, People running too slow. “to truly describe life well you need to be Korean sentiments I needed a different energy. That’s why I
of Ko-bang Neighborhood still had some This was when BAE tried to reset all the very religious.” From then on, he taught at Actually the most important event that made Love Story and since then I began to
positive results both commercially and in techniques he had habitually familiarized State University of San Jose for a year, and happened to BAE Chang-ho in this period shoot with ‘love’.”
the reviews for a young director’s debut. and make efforts to illuminate artificial except for starring in Gagman as an actor was not forming his own production but Since then, BAE Chang-ho has kept his
His box-office power was brilliant, in settings from the scenes. He had thought he took a break from the world of movies his ‘marriage’. Getting married in 1993 at own territory as an author, perhaps lonely
Whale Hunting(1985) the age of 40 had led him to have a new but never giving in. He also made The
fact. People of Ko-bang Neighborhood was hard to understand the flow a movie has in for 3 years. It was with The Dream (1990)
listed as the 4th most successful Korean itself, and on the other hand reflected on he came back with, a long waited project viewpoint on women. With his next film Last Witness (2001) that brought in major
film of 1982, while Flower at the Equator his past works. “I thought I should move based on a story of mythical world that Love Story (1996) he played the main role capital in order to expand the accessibility
(1983) made number 2 the following year. away from the commercial results earned had been made into a movie twice before himself along with his wife KIM Yu-mi, with the public, but from My Heart
In 1984 Whale Hunting and The Winter by seeking the pleasures of cinema. by SHIN Sang-ok. In this piece, BAE Chang- who’s an amateur actress, and told their (2000), Road (2006) to Journey (2010)
That Year Was Warm were box office Hwang Jin-ie was a film that threw away ho looks back at his past life of obsession own love story. He says the movie was he is walking down his road in silence like
number one and four, respectively, then in too much of it.” Our Joyful Young Days and desires, unveiling the theme of “life is “the most fun, most lovely, and most blacksmith Tae-seok from Road that he
1985 Deep Blue Night and Whale Hunting (1987) was a rare Korean film that talked a dream”. simple work”, and like a self portrait Love himself played. His scope of interest is
2 made number one and three. It almost of ‘undecorated daily life,’ especially with BAE released his 12th film Stairways of Story intended to depict ‘a love that is not slowly expanding its boundaries, revealing
Hwang Jin-ie(1986) glorified’ with all the fantasies removed. his pursuit for original form of Korean
seemed Korean cinema will not function its power of leading the story with the Heaven in 1992, which marked 10th year
properly without BAE Chang-ho, and he details and the charms derived from the since his debut and the most important The box-office failure of Love Story sentiments. From a hit film director and
was literally the ‘Enfant Terrible’. genre of pure melodrama without excess, time in Korean cinema history. Chungmuro was something already expected and the writer, moving from popular mainstream
Reason why his films were popular which were all new to the era. Many at this time was faced with turmoil when director had made it bearing everything in to independent genres, BAE Chang-ho
was simple. It was because they were directors who debuted after year 2000 funding from big companies began to mind. He considered the film as something had slowly transformed during the last
different. The trend of Korean films back had confessed they had decided to become flow in starting with The Marriage Life essential for him to live as a film director. 30 years. As seen in his recent works, he
then was eroticism, and dramaturgy a director when they saw this movie as (1992). At this point, BAE launched “I had wanted to make films since I was still has so many things to talk about and,
was kept within the boundaries of tear- teenagers. independent film company ‘BAE Chang-ho young and with that passion I came all along with IM Kwon-taek, is a cine-artist
oozing melodramas. Theme of repeated From mid 1980s, BAE Chang-ho began Production’. Its first film The Young Men the way to Deep Blue Night . Yet you get who can capture the essence of Korean
Our Joyful Young Day(1987) tiresome with just the passion. Add it with sentiments in his films.
meaningless sex and desire in combination to accept Christianity more seriously and (1994) described the lifestyles of young

56 KOREAN CINEMA TODAY SEPTEMBER • OCTOBER 2010 57

from the editor

Originality and Austerity

By CHOI Kwang-hee didn’t sound like an exaggeration (it’s obvious that the industry
Chuseok is the biggest holiday in Korea and also the busiest prefers stability over challenge.) Nevertheless, as the box-office
season of the year for box-office. Along with New Year’s holiday, result of Cyrano Agency turned out to be a success both critically
Chuseok season traditionally saw the increasing preference of and commercially contrary to general assumption of the industry,
the audience on Korean films, thus had always been a target the success of the film proved that the audience has been getting
point of the Korean film industry. Especially with this year’s tired of watching a series of similar thriller films. Above all,
Chuseok being longer than usual, the competition among because the film was made with only two third of the average
Korean films for box-office became tougher than ever. During production cost of Korean films, the film’s point of breaking even
this season, 5 Korean films were competing for the box-office was lower than other films.
receipts, including Troubleshooter , Cyrano Agency , A Better There is another case of film which survived with originality
Tomorrow , The Quiz show Scandal and Grand Prix . and austerity in the marketplace. It is The Quiz show Scandal by
Due to the seasonal characteristics, the Chuseok season JANG Jin. With a 33 million KRW of pure production cost equaling
also can be a barometer indicating the direction of investors’ the average budget of an independent production, making this
confidence and the planning capacity of the Korean film film was possible with talent of the director and passion
industry. As analyzed in this issue, there was a fad of the actors trusting director’s talent. Focusing on
of making a thriller film in the industry. The the pleasure of the comedy genre, the film was
Man from Nowhere , starring WON Bin, drew unexpectedly well-received by the audience,
5 million admissions, and is a typical film contrary to the general assumption that
representing this trend. big blockbuster films are dominant during
Under such circumstance, Korean Chuseok season.
films leading the box office of this year’s Another film that opened during
Chuseok season distinctively reveal a Chuseok season, Oki’s Movie by HONG
new flow in the Korean film industry. Sangsoo, received spotlight as it was
In short, a fad of making thriller films made with even less budget of only a 20
is daunted, while a traditionally strong million KRW, similar to a budget for a work
genre, comedy, is back. One more thing, of college students. HONG’ film is noteworthy
planning with new approaches is standing in that it approves that the creative idea and
out to break through this long recession in the originality are not related to the size of funding.
industry since 2008. And the keyword to analyze this In the recent Korean film industry there is a dramatic
new flow will be ‘originality’ and ‘austerity.’ confrontation and reconciliation between the creative passions
Cyrano Agency is a romantic comedy film directed by KIM for reaching the audience and the investors’ inertia that wouldn’t
Hyun-seok, who made When Romance Meets Destiny and Scout take a risk. In case of I Saw the Devil by KIM Jee-woon, which
with his unique sense of comedy. A couple of years ago, a myriad didn’t fare well at the box-office, the film will be remembered as
of romantic comedy films rushed out (and most of them were an unlucky case of oddly meeting between the inertia and the
unsuccessful at the box-office), but recently the trend has been passion.
decreased so that releasing of a romantic comedy reversely Just like other fields, what chases a trend or fad is money, not
could take advantage of its rarity at the box-office competition. the creative idea. The passion for developing a new trend is rising
The producer of Cyrano Agency mentioned of “difficulties from where planning of film only chasing the money is daunted.
to get funding because the genre of the movie was romantic Still being under the aftermath of the shock in 2007 when the
comedy.” Considering the current atmosphere of the industry rate of return reached -40%, the filmmakers in the industry are
stating that only a thriller film appeals to the audience, after an striving to break through the severe reality on their own with
immense success of The Chaser , such remark from the producer originality and austerity to reach the audience.

58 KOREAN CINEMA TODAY