Webtoons, the digital comics that have been the source material for scores of Korean films and TV series, are to receive a major boost from the South Korean government.
Yu In-chon, minister for culture, sports and tourism, on Tuesday said that the government will foster webtoon platform development, launch a major webtoon festival in the autumn of this year and by 2027 open a school dedicated to the emerging genre.
Webtoons emerged in the early years of the 21st century shortly after the mass market a acceptance of smart phones – a technology sector where Korea’s Samsung Electronics is a major manufacturer – and are vertically-scrolling comics designed for consumption on a small screen.
As a relatively new medium webtoons have escaped some of the strictures of Japan’s manga business or the cartoon industry in other countries. Instead, they have diverse story genres, are cheap to produce, which allows creators from non-professional backgrounds to participate,...
Yu In-chon, minister for culture, sports and tourism, on Tuesday said that the government will foster webtoon platform development, launch a major webtoon festival in the autumn of this year and by 2027 open a school dedicated to the emerging genre.
Webtoons emerged in the early years of the 21st century shortly after the mass market a acceptance of smart phones – a technology sector where Korea’s Samsung Electronics is a major manufacturer – and are vertically-scrolling comics designed for consumption on a small screen.
As a relatively new medium webtoons have escaped some of the strictures of Japan’s manga business or the cartoon industry in other countries. Instead, they have diverse story genres, are cheap to produce, which allows creators from non-professional backgrounds to participate,...
- 1/24/2024
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
‘Breathless Love’ is led by ‘Along With The Gods’ actor Kim Hyang-gi.
South Korean sales outfit kt alpha is launch a brace of upcoming titles at the Asian Contents & Film Market in Busan this week – action drama Sanbok Road and romance Breathless Love.
Sanbok Road marks the latest feature of director Kim See-woo, whose previous film Turandot received its world premiere at Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival in 2022.
The upcoming film centres on five friends in a poor village in Busan and is inspired by the true story of young boxers in the 1980s who stirred up public excitement.
The...
South Korean sales outfit kt alpha is launch a brace of upcoming titles at the Asian Contents & Film Market in Busan this week – action drama Sanbok Road and romance Breathless Love.
Sanbok Road marks the latest feature of director Kim See-woo, whose previous film Turandot received its world premiere at Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival in 2022.
The upcoming film centres on five friends in a poor village in Busan and is inspired by the true story of young boxers in the 1980s who stirred up public excitement.
The...
- 10/5/2023
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
For many, Kim Seong-hun made one of the best non-serial killer South Korean thriller in “A Hard Day”. While he followed that up with the rather well-made but comparatively underwhelming “Tunnel”, he has since settled for creating a zombie-infested Joseon for Netflix's ultra-popular series “Kingdom”. For his much-awaited return to the big screen, he follows “Escape from Mogadishu” and “The Point Men” in adapting a real-life situation involving Korean diplomats finding themselves in a pickle overseas, for an action adventure feature presentation.
“Ransomed” is released by WellGo USA
Lebanon, 1986. A newly-deployed South Korean diplomat gets kidnapped and despite the government's best efforts, they are unable to find his whereabouts or even who his captives are. Without any ransom demands, the case hits a dead-end for more than a year, when suddenly one evening, Min-joon, a diplomat for the Iranian region in the Ministry of External Affairs, gets a phone...
“Ransomed” is released by WellGo USA
Lebanon, 1986. A newly-deployed South Korean diplomat gets kidnapped and despite the government's best efforts, they are unable to find his whereabouts or even who his captives are. Without any ransom demands, the case hits a dead-end for more than a year, when suddenly one evening, Min-joon, a diplomat for the Iranian region in the Ministry of External Affairs, gets a phone...
- 8/19/2023
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
Korea’s box office reached 70% of pre-pandemic levels of revenue in the first half of 2023, according to data released by the Korean Film Council (Kofic).
Korean action film The Roundup: No Way Out was the highest-grossing film of the period – pulling in $82M from 10.68 million admissions – followed by two Japanese animated features, Suzume and The First Slam Dunk, and U.S. titles Avatar: The Way Of Water and Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3.
Total box office for the period reached $475M (KRW607.8Bn), equivalent to 72.5% of average box office during the January-June period in 2017-2019, before Covid-19 shuttered cinemas and played havoc with release schedules.
As in many other territories, the recovery was partly due to ticket price increases, as admissions totalled 58.39 million, which is only 57.8% of the pre-pandemic average in the same period during 2017-2019.
While the top-grossing film in the first half was Korean, local films achieved only 54% of their pre-pandemic average,...
Korean action film The Roundup: No Way Out was the highest-grossing film of the period – pulling in $82M from 10.68 million admissions – followed by two Japanese animated features, Suzume and The First Slam Dunk, and U.S. titles Avatar: The Way Of Water and Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3.
Total box office for the period reached $475M (KRW607.8Bn), equivalent to 72.5% of average box office during the January-June period in 2017-2019, before Covid-19 shuttered cinemas and played havoc with release schedules.
As in many other territories, the recovery was partly due to ticket price increases, as admissions totalled 58.39 million, which is only 57.8% of the pre-pandemic average in the same period during 2017-2019.
While the top-grossing film in the first half was Korean, local films achieved only 54% of their pre-pandemic average,...
- 7/27/2023
- by Liz Shackleton
- Deadline Film + TV
Well Go USA will distribute both titles in select markets.
Well Go USA has revealed the North America theatrical release dates for South Korean thrillers Ransomed and The Moon.
Action drama Ransomed will roll out from August 4 and sci-fi survival drama The Moon is set for August 18. Both will receive theatrical releases in select markets.
Ransomed is directed by Kim Seong-hun of Netflix original series Kingdom and stars Ha Jung-woo of Narco-Saints and Ju Ji-hoon of Kingdom. Inspired by a true events that took place in 1986, it follows a young diplomat (Ha) who is assigned the task of carrying the...
Well Go USA has revealed the North America theatrical release dates for South Korean thrillers Ransomed and The Moon.
Action drama Ransomed will roll out from August 4 and sci-fi survival drama The Moon is set for August 18. Both will receive theatrical releases in select markets.
Ransomed is directed by Kim Seong-hun of Netflix original series Kingdom and stars Ha Jung-woo of Narco-Saints and Ju Ji-hoon of Kingdom. Inspired by a true events that took place in 1986, it follows a young diplomat (Ha) who is assigned the task of carrying the...
- 7/18/2023
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
Upcoming film acquired for the US and key European and Asian territories.
Cj Enm has pre-sold sci-fi survival drama The Moon to 155 countries including the US and key territories throughout Europe and Asia.
The film has been acquired for North America (Well Go USA), UK and German-speaking territories (Capelight), French-speaking territories (Program Store), Italy (Blue Swan), Turkey (Atv), Poland (Monolith), Cis (Rwv), Japan (Klockworx), Indian sub-continent (Multivision Plus), Middle East (Empire Networks), Australia (Little Monster), Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei and the Philippines (Purple Plan), Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar (Neramitnungfilm), Taiwan (MovieCloud), and Hong Kong and Macau (Edko Films). Cj Enm...
Cj Enm has pre-sold sci-fi survival drama The Moon to 155 countries including the US and key territories throughout Europe and Asia.
The film has been acquired for North America (Well Go USA), UK and German-speaking territories (Capelight), French-speaking territories (Program Store), Italy (Blue Swan), Turkey (Atv), Poland (Monolith), Cis (Rwv), Japan (Klockworx), Indian sub-continent (Multivision Plus), Middle East (Empire Networks), Australia (Little Monster), Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei and the Philippines (Purple Plan), Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar (Neramitnungfilm), Taiwan (MovieCloud), and Hong Kong and Macau (Edko Films). Cj Enm...
- 6/26/2023
- by Jean Noh
- ScreenDaily
Kim Sung-hoon, the man responsible for terrific thrillers like “A Hard Day”, “Tunnel” and both seasons of Netflix's first original Korean series “Kingdom” is back with his new movie “Unofficial Operation” (previously titled “Ransomed”).
Synopsis
In Beirut 1986, during the Lebanese civil war a Korean diplomat is taken hostage without a trace. Two years pass and long forgotten, a young diplomat Min-joon receives a phone call proving that the hostage is still alive. With the given mission, Min-joon is sent to Beirut to save the hostage with a bag of ransom money. However, Min-joon gets into trouble as soon as he sets foot in Beirut. As luck would have it, Min-joon manages to flee from the airport with help from a local taxi driver Pan-soo who he stumbles across. Despite the distrust toward Pan-soo of his obvious mischievousness, the two unlikely allies must navigate the demolished, war-raging streets of Beirut...
Synopsis
In Beirut 1986, during the Lebanese civil war a Korean diplomat is taken hostage without a trace. Two years pass and long forgotten, a young diplomat Min-joon receives a phone call proving that the hostage is still alive. With the given mission, Min-joon is sent to Beirut to save the hostage with a bag of ransom money. However, Min-joon gets into trouble as soon as he sets foot in Beirut. As luck would have it, Min-joon manages to flee from the airport with help from a local taxi driver Pan-soo who he stumbles across. Despite the distrust toward Pan-soo of his obvious mischievousness, the two unlikely allies must navigate the demolished, war-raging streets of Beirut...
- 6/22/2023
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
Action sequel starring Don Lee has taken $69m in three weeks.
Korean action sequel The Roundup: No Way Out has topped 9 million admissions after three weeks on release, taking $69m at the local box office.
The third instalment of the blockbuster franchise starring Don Lee hit 9.07 million tickets today (June 21), according to the Korea Box-office Information System (Kobis).
The film has led South Korea’s box office since its release on May 31 and is next eyeing the 10 million mark, following in the footsteps of its predecessor The Roundup, which was the country’s number one title last year with more than 12.6 million admissions.
Korean action sequel The Roundup: No Way Out has topped 9 million admissions after three weeks on release, taking $69m at the local box office.
The third instalment of the blockbuster franchise starring Don Lee hit 9.07 million tickets today (June 21), according to the Korea Box-office Information System (Kobis).
The film has led South Korea’s box office since its release on May 31 and is next eyeing the 10 million mark, following in the footsteps of its predecessor The Roundup, which was the country’s number one title last year with more than 12.6 million admissions.
- 6/21/2023
- by Jean Noh
- ScreenDaily
Before shooting began on Bong Joon Ho’s Oscar-winning Parasite, the film’s production crew had trouble finding one of the film’s crucial locations: the luxurious home of the wealthy Park family. The chances of finding the right house were slim, but the chances of finding a two-story house with an ideal setting was even slimmer. As a result, the film’s art team created a set — a one-story house that would become the Park’s mansion and the film’s main setting.
Later, artists at Dexter Studios, a Seoul-based visual effects studio, added a second floor to the house using computer graphics based on its blueprints, complete with a staircase and a garden that was digitally created. The streets nearby also were made in 3D and digitally merged with the film. During the four months of preproduction, more than 200 artists at Dexter worked on the project and roughly...
Later, artists at Dexter Studios, a Seoul-based visual effects studio, added a second floor to the house using computer graphics based on its blueprints, complete with a staircase and a garden that was digitally created. The streets nearby also were made in 3D and digitally merged with the film. During the four months of preproduction, more than 200 artists at Dexter worked on the project and roughly...
- 5/18/2023
- by Soomee Park
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Korean feature, set to play in Midnight Screenings, has sold to North America and across Europe, Asia and Latin America.
Cj Enm has pre-sold Cannes Midnight Screenings title Project Silence to a slew of territories led by North America and German-speaking markets (Capelight Pictures) and Japan (Happinet Phantom Studios).
Directed by Kim Tae-gon (Familyhood) and produced by Kim Yong-hwa of the hit Along With The Gods franchise, the Korean disaster action drama stars Lee Sun-kyun from Parasite, who will also be seen in Critics’ Week title Sleep at Cannes.
Project Silence also sold to French-speaking territories (Kmbo), Latin America (Sun Distribution...
Cj Enm has pre-sold Cannes Midnight Screenings title Project Silence to a slew of territories led by North America and German-speaking markets (Capelight Pictures) and Japan (Happinet Phantom Studios).
Directed by Kim Tae-gon (Familyhood) and produced by Kim Yong-hwa of the hit Along With The Gods franchise, the Korean disaster action drama stars Lee Sun-kyun from Parasite, who will also be seen in Critics’ Week title Sleep at Cannes.
Project Silence also sold to French-speaking territories (Kmbo), Latin America (Sun Distribution...
- 5/16/2023
- by Jean Noh
- ScreenDaily
Oh Dal-soo began his acting career in theater in Busan, and since 2001 has been the head of theater company Singiru Manhwagyeong (“Mirage and Kaleidoscope”). His rich experience on the stage, in local productions such as Ogu, later made Oh an in-demand supporting/character actor on the big screen, with him having appeared in a number of the most renowned films the country produced that last two decades, including “Old Boy”, ” A Bittersweet Life”, “The Host”, “The Thieves”, “Veteran” ” Along with the Gods” and many others. Following sexual harassment allegations in 2018, he withdraw from the industry for some years, before returning to acting in 2021 with the independent “The Blacklist” after the investigation concluded with him not being put in trial.
On the occasion of the release of “The Blacklist” by Echelon Studios, Oh Dal-soo answered some questions regarding his character in the movie, his cooperation with the director, choosing the particular role,...
On the occasion of the release of “The Blacklist” by Echelon Studios, Oh Dal-soo answered some questions regarding his character in the movie, his cooperation with the director, choosing the particular role,...
- 4/11/2023
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Exclusive: Korean studio Lotte Cultureworks’ drama Pale Moon, which has been selected for Canneseries, will be broadcast in Korea beginning April 7 on KT’s Genie TV, followed by a debut on pay-tv network Ena and streaming service Tving on April 10.
The show will also be launched in Japan on Ntt Docomo’s new video streaming service Lemino (previously known as dTV) beginning April 12.
Starring Kim Seo-hyung, the series has been invited to screen later this month at Canneseries (April 14-19) in the Rendez-vous section, out of competition. Lotte Cultureworks developed and produced the show, which was co-produced by Big Ocean Enm and KT StudioGenie.
Based on a novel by Japanese writer Kakuta Mitsuyo, the series revolves around a bored housewife who takes on a part-time job at a bank and makes an irreversible choice to embezzle money from rich customers. The source novel has also been...
The show will also be launched in Japan on Ntt Docomo’s new video streaming service Lemino (previously known as dTV) beginning April 12.
Starring Kim Seo-hyung, the series has been invited to screen later this month at Canneseries (April 14-19) in the Rendez-vous section, out of competition. Lotte Cultureworks developed and produced the show, which was co-produced by Big Ocean Enm and KT StudioGenie.
Based on a novel by Japanese writer Kakuta Mitsuyo, the series revolves around a bored housewife who takes on a part-time job at a bank and makes an irreversible choice to embezzle money from rich customers. The source novel has also been...
- 4/7/2023
- by Liz Shackleton
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Korea’s Lotte Cultureworks is teaming with Desert Bloom Pictures to produce a Korean-language adaptation of autism comedy drama On The Spectrum, which was originally produced by Israel’s Yes TV.
The series has also been adapted into an English-language version by Amazon Prime Video under the title As We See It.
Co-created by Dana Idisis and Yuval Shafferman and produced by Yes TV and Sumayoko, the original series follows three roommates in their 20s who are on the autism spectrum, striving to get a job, keep a job, make friends, fall in love and navigate an elusive world. The original show received a grand prize at the 2019 Seoul International Drama Awards.
Desert Bloom Pictures is a production company based in Seoul and Los Angeles, which has a focus on co-production opportunities and is also working with Korean film and TV outfits including Studio Dragon, Dexter Studios and Blaad Studios.
The series has also been adapted into an English-language version by Amazon Prime Video under the title As We See It.
Co-created by Dana Idisis and Yuval Shafferman and produced by Yes TV and Sumayoko, the original series follows three roommates in their 20s who are on the autism spectrum, striving to get a job, keep a job, make friends, fall in love and navigate an elusive world. The original show received a grand prize at the 2019 Seoul International Drama Awards.
Desert Bloom Pictures is a production company based in Seoul and Los Angeles, which has a focus on co-production opportunities and is also working with Korean film and TV outfits including Studio Dragon, Dexter Studios and Blaad Studios.
- 4/4/2023
- by Liz Shackleton
- Deadline Film + TV
Title is the third instalment in the Don Lee action film franchise.
South Korea’s K-Movie Entertainment has secured pre-sales of The Roundup: No Way Out, the third instalment in the Don Lee action film franchise.
Deals have closed for North America and Germany (Capelight Pictures), Hong Kong and Macau (Edko Films), Taiwan (Moviecloud), Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar (Clover Films), in-flight (Kairos), Middle East (Vox), Vietnam (Lotte Vietnam), Philippines (Viva) and Mongolia (Filmbridge).
Lee will return in the action series that began in 2017 with The Outlaws followed by The Roundup, which became South Korea’s...
South Korea’s K-Movie Entertainment has secured pre-sales of The Roundup: No Way Out, the third instalment in the Don Lee action film franchise.
Deals have closed for North America and Germany (Capelight Pictures), Hong Kong and Macau (Edko Films), Taiwan (Moviecloud), Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar (Clover Films), in-flight (Kairos), Middle East (Vox), Vietnam (Lotte Vietnam), Philippines (Viva) and Mongolia (Filmbridge).
Lee will return in the action series that began in 2017 with The Outlaws followed by The Roundup, which became South Korea’s...
- 2/19/2023
- by Jean Noh
- ScreenDaily
The South Korean entertainment industry reeled in shock when, in 2018, beloved and very busy supporting actor Oh Dal-su was accused by a woman in the Korean #metoo movement. All the films involving the actor, who is the founding member of the exclusive 100 Million Viewers Club and still the one with the most films in the top 10 highest grossing Korean films with six, that had been completed at the time were shelved and he was dropped from high-profile films that he was to work on, like the “Along With the Gods” sequel, for example. However, he was cleared of all charges after an investigation and inquiry in 2019 and while films that had already been completed before the controversy slowly started to find their way into theatres, Oh took some time off before returning to cinema. It wasn’t an easy way back either, with the actor who was until then used...
- 2/6/2023
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
Last September, “Squid Game” set a new precedent among all Netflix programs by amassing a first-month viewing hours total of 1.65 billion. It thus became the streamer’s most-watched show of all time, more than doubling the previous record set by “Money Heist” and even withstanding subsequent challenges from “Ozark,” “Bridgerton,” and “Stranger Things.” The Korean series has now earned 14 Emmy nominations, including one for Best Drama Series and another for star Lee Jung-jae. Having already triumphed at the SAG and Critics’ Choice Awards this spring, Lee now has a solid shot at becoming the first Asian-born Best Drama Actor Emmy winner and the first man to conquer the category for playing a fully non-English language role.
See Lee Jung-jae, Quinta Brunson, Desi Lydic and Rhea Seehorn celebrate Emmy nominations [Exclusive Video Interview]
Lee’s “Squid Game” character, Seong Gi-hun, is a single father and gambling addict who, along with 455 others, participates in a...
See Lee Jung-jae, Quinta Brunson, Desi Lydic and Rhea Seehorn celebrate Emmy nominations [Exclusive Video Interview]
Lee’s “Squid Game” character, Seong Gi-hun, is a single father and gambling addict who, along with 455 others, participates in a...
- 8/25/2022
- by Matthew Stewart
- Gold Derby
Exclusive: UTA has signed Korean filmmaker Kim Yong-hwa, one of the most important figures in the Korean screen industry.
Kim is behind the mega-grossing Along With the Gods film and its two sequels – Along With the Gods: The Two Worlds and Along With the Gods: The Last 49 Days – which between them have grossed more than 200M globally with close to 30 million admissions. The franchise is the most successful in Korean cinema history, and also made waves at the box office in countries including Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia.
UTA will now be taking an Along With the Gods TV series to market, based on the original webcomic IP. The filmmaker is also working on film project The Moon, which will star Korean actors Sul Kyung-gu, Kim Hee-ae and Do Kyung-soo.
Kim, whose credits also include Take Off and 200 Pounds Beauty, is the founder of the largest VFX company in Korea,...
Kim is behind the mega-grossing Along With the Gods film and its two sequels – Along With the Gods: The Two Worlds and Along With the Gods: The Last 49 Days – which between them have grossed more than 200M globally with close to 30 million admissions. The franchise is the most successful in Korean cinema history, and also made waves at the box office in countries including Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia.
UTA will now be taking an Along With the Gods TV series to market, based on the original webcomic IP. The filmmaker is also working on film project The Moon, which will star Korean actors Sul Kyung-gu, Kim Hee-ae and Do Kyung-soo.
Kim, whose credits also include Take Off and 200 Pounds Beauty, is the founder of the largest VFX company in Korea,...
- 4/18/2022
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
Let’s be honest: 2021 was one of the worst years Korean cinema had in recent times. One would’ve hoped that they would have built upon the brilliant couple years that 2019 ad 2020 were but sadly that wasn’t to be. The pandemic situation did not help, with many production houses deciding to pull scheduled releases, halting production or waiting on things to calm down before releasing some projects that have big money riding on them. Even on the indie cinema front, which actually thrived in 2021 due to the lack of mainstream releases, did not manage to impress with what little out there was.
Things however do seem to be on the up with this year, as a few postponed releases are finally getting rescheduled and seeing theatrical releases. New releases are also being talked about and promotional material for some long gestating projects is also being circulated. Without further ado,...
Things however do seem to be on the up with this year, as a few postponed releases are finally getting rescheduled and seeing theatrical releases. New releases are also being talked about and promotional material for some long gestating projects is also being circulated. Without further ado,...
- 2/19/2022
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
While the Korean film business faces challenges, 2022 does offer a bumper crop of Korean movies from big-name filmmakers. Here are some of the best:
The Apartment With Two Women
(Finecut)
Kim-se In’s debut drama unspools in the Berlin Film Festival’s Panorama section.
Broker
(Cj Entertainment)
“Shoplifters” director Kore-eda Hirokazu examines the trade in children in his Korean-language film debut. With a stellar cast including Song Kang-ho, Gang Dong-won, Lee Ji-eun (aka Iu) and Bae Doo-na, it too is awaiting a high-profile festival launch.
Concrete Utopia
(Lotte Cultureworks)
A webtoon adaptation directed by Uhm Tae-hwa sees star Lee Byung-hun (“G.I. Joe”) as one of the few survivors of a massive earthquake that destroys Seoul. In post-production.
Decision to Leave
(Cj Entertainment)
Park Chan-wook directs Tang Wei in a tale of a detective falling in love with the prime suspect. Awaiting a prominent festival berth.
Hi5 (aka “Haipaibeu”)
(Next Entertainment World...
The Apartment With Two Women
(Finecut)
Kim-se In’s debut drama unspools in the Berlin Film Festival’s Panorama section.
Broker
(Cj Entertainment)
“Shoplifters” director Kore-eda Hirokazu examines the trade in children in his Korean-language film debut. With a stellar cast including Song Kang-ho, Gang Dong-won, Lee Ji-eun (aka Iu) and Bae Doo-na, it too is awaiting a high-profile festival launch.
Concrete Utopia
(Lotte Cultureworks)
A webtoon adaptation directed by Uhm Tae-hwa sees star Lee Byung-hun (“G.I. Joe”) as one of the few survivors of a massive earthquake that destroys Seoul. In post-production.
Decision to Leave
(Cj Entertainment)
Park Chan-wook directs Tang Wei in a tale of a detective falling in love with the prime suspect. Awaiting a prominent festival berth.
Hi5 (aka “Haipaibeu”)
(Next Entertainment World...
- 2/11/2022
- by Carole Horst
- Variety Film + TV
When the Screen Actors Guild nominations were announced earlier this month, many pundits were surprised to see three “Succession” stars nominated in the drama actor category: Jeremy Strong, Brian Cox and Kieran Culkin. After all, that had never happened before in this race, as the guild forces leads and supportings to compete against each other for only five slots. Is it possible there will now be a “Succession” SAG Award vote-split in this category? Co-nominees Lee Jung-jae (“Squid Game”) and Billy Crudup (“The Morning Show”) certainly hope so, as they’d be the ones to benefit.
June-jae is one of the breakout performers of 2021, thanks to starring in Netflix’s number one show of all time, “Squid Game.” The Korean actor plays down-on-his-luck father Seong Gi-hun, who agrees to enter the deadly games in order to win money to support his family. He is one of the most sought-after stars in South Korea,...
June-jae is one of the breakout performers of 2021, thanks to starring in Netflix’s number one show of all time, “Squid Game.” The Korean actor plays down-on-his-luck father Seong Gi-hun, who agrees to enter the deadly games in order to win money to support his family. He is one of the most sought-after stars in South Korea,...
- 1/27/2022
- by Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
One of the breakout stars of 2021, Lee Jung-jae from Netflix’s “Squid Game,” was recently recognized by the Critics Choice Awards with a nomination for Best Drama Actor. In order to win the trophy, the Korean star will need to take down “Succession’s” one-two punch of Jeremy Strong and Brian Cox, who lead Gold Derby’s predictions in first and second place, respectively. Might there be a vote split scenario that could help Jung-jae claim victory at his very first American award show?
See Critics Choice Awards: Complete list of film and TV nominations
While vote-splitting is sometimes a factor that can affect co-stars’ chances of winning awards, it hasn’t necessarily stopped the “Succession” leads. The two times Strong and Cox have been up against each other (at the 2020 Emmys and the 2020 Satellite Awards), Strong earned enough votes to take out Cox. Elsewhere, Strong prevailed at the 2020 Critics...
See Critics Choice Awards: Complete list of film and TV nominations
While vote-splitting is sometimes a factor that can affect co-stars’ chances of winning awards, it hasn’t necessarily stopped the “Succession” leads. The two times Strong and Cox have been up against each other (at the 2020 Emmys and the 2020 Satellite Awards), Strong earned enough votes to take out Cox. Elsewhere, Strong prevailed at the 2020 Critics...
- 1/10/2022
- by Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
How does it feel that “Squid Game” has become a worldwide phenomenon, watched by over 142 million households globally? Although Netflix has picked up the show for a second season, we’re still reeling from how the first season ended.
Gold Derby senior editors Marcus Dixon and Rob Licuria welcome seven “Squid Game” cast members to an all-star roundtable discussion lasting well over one hour (watch above). We were joined by creator, director, writer and showrunner Hwang Dong-hyuk along with stars Lee Jung-jae, Park Hae-soo, Wi Ha-jun, Jung Ho-yeon, Heo Sung-tae, Anupam Tripathi and Kim Joo-ryoung, and key crafts talent Chae Kyoung-sun (production designer), Jung Jae-il (composer) and Jung Jai-hoon (visual effects supervisor).
See How ‘Squid Game’ could pull off SAG Awards upset: It’s ‘Stranger Things’ and ‘Parasite’ rolled into one
Netflix dropped all nine episodes of the show on September 17 and it quickly became a word-of-mouth sensation. The series...
Gold Derby senior editors Marcus Dixon and Rob Licuria welcome seven “Squid Game” cast members to an all-star roundtable discussion lasting well over one hour (watch above). We were joined by creator, director, writer and showrunner Hwang Dong-hyuk along with stars Lee Jung-jae, Park Hae-soo, Wi Ha-jun, Jung Ho-yeon, Heo Sung-tae, Anupam Tripathi and Kim Joo-ryoung, and key crafts talent Chae Kyoung-sun (production designer), Jung Jae-il (composer) and Jung Jai-hoon (visual effects supervisor).
See How ‘Squid Game’ could pull off SAG Awards upset: It’s ‘Stranger Things’ and ‘Parasite’ rolled into one
Netflix dropped all nine episodes of the show on September 17 and it quickly became a word-of-mouth sensation. The series...
- 12/2/2021
- by Rob Licuria and Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
One of the hottest shows worldwide in 2021 is “Squid Game” for Netflix! And now we are reuniting the cast and crew for a one-hour roundtable chat with our senior editors Marcus Dixon and Rob Licuria.
Enjoy creator, director, writer and showrunner Hwang Dong-hyuk along with stars Lee Jung-jae, Park Hae-soo, Wi Ha-jun, Jung Ho-yeon, Heo Sung-tae, Anupam Tripathi and Kim Joo-ryoung. We’ve also got key crafts talent Chae Kyoung-sun (production designer), Jung Jae-il (composer) and Jung Jai-hoon (visual effects supervisor).
RSVP today to this specific event by clicking here to book your free reservation. We’ll send you a reminder a few minutes before the start of the show.
Netflix dropped all nine episodes of the show on September 17 and it quickly became a word-of-mouth sensation. The series tells the story of down-on-their-luck people in dire need of money who receive mysterious invitations to join a dangerous life-or-death version...
Enjoy creator, director, writer and showrunner Hwang Dong-hyuk along with stars Lee Jung-jae, Park Hae-soo, Wi Ha-jun, Jung Ho-yeon, Heo Sung-tae, Anupam Tripathi and Kim Joo-ryoung. We’ve also got key crafts talent Chae Kyoung-sun (production designer), Jung Jae-il (composer) and Jung Jai-hoon (visual effects supervisor).
RSVP today to this specific event by clicking here to book your free reservation. We’ll send you a reminder a few minutes before the start of the show.
Netflix dropped all nine episodes of the show on September 17 and it quickly became a word-of-mouth sensation. The series tells the story of down-on-their-luck people in dire need of money who receive mysterious invitations to join a dangerous life-or-death version...
- 11/29/2021
- by Rob Licuria, Marcus James Dixon and Chris Beachum
- Gold Derby
Korean TV series have dominated viewing preferences across large parts of Asia for the last decade. But it has taken a high-concept survival drama “Squid Game” to become the first K-drama to rate as Netflix’s top show in the U.S.
The nine-part Netflix original involves a group of people from all walks of life who sign up for a series of simple, but utterly lethal games, organized by mysterious hosts in masks and red overalls. What spurs on the contestants are their own dire straits and the lure of a more than $40 million cash prize.
Released on Sept. 17, the show entered the Top 10 on Sept. 19 at No. 8, climbed to No. 2 the next day, and was at No. 1 by its fourth day of availability on Sept. 21. In its home market of South Korea, “Squid Game” debuted in second place and reached the top spot a day later.
The show...
The nine-part Netflix original involves a group of people from all walks of life who sign up for a series of simple, but utterly lethal games, organized by mysterious hosts in masks and red overalls. What spurs on the contestants are their own dire straits and the lure of a more than $40 million cash prize.
Released on Sept. 17, the show entered the Top 10 on Sept. 19 at No. 8, climbed to No. 2 the next day, and was at No. 1 by its fourth day of availability on Sept. 21. In its home market of South Korea, “Squid Game” debuted in second place and reached the top spot a day later.
The show...
- 9/24/2021
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Korean-American star Don Lee (aka Ma Dong-seok), star of the upcoming Marvel film “The Eternals” will produce and star in “The Club,” an action series derived from South Korean scripted format “The Trap.”
The production brings together Gorilla 8 Productions, a company owned by Don Lee and B&c Content’s Chris S. Lee, and U.S.-based Starlings Television. No broadcaster or streaming partner has been announced.
Starlings Television president Chris Philip and Starlings Entertainment CEO Karine Martin, who set up the project and take executive producer credits, have attached Jack LoGiudice as showrunner.
The series pitches Lee as a veteran detective investigating a mysterious group of hunters who have attacked a famous news anchor and his family while on a camping trip. The detective, who lost his own son in a hit-and-run, finds himself mired in a twisted mystery orchestrated by an elite and powerful group with disturbing appetites.
The production brings together Gorilla 8 Productions, a company owned by Don Lee and B&c Content’s Chris S. Lee, and U.S.-based Starlings Television. No broadcaster or streaming partner has been announced.
Starlings Television president Chris Philip and Starlings Entertainment CEO Karine Martin, who set up the project and take executive producer credits, have attached Jack LoGiudice as showrunner.
The series pitches Lee as a veteran detective investigating a mysterious group of hunters who have attacked a famous news anchor and his family while on a camping trip. The detective, who lost his own son in a hit-and-run, finds himself mired in a twisted mystery orchestrated by an elite and powerful group with disturbing appetites.
- 4/20/2021
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
“Deliver Us From Evil” is an action-packed thriller about a government-agent-turned-mercenary forced to re-emerge when he learns a little girl closely connected to him is kidnapped. However, when an infamous gangster learns who has entered the country and is finally within his grasp, he goes on a bloody rampage to thwart the ex-agent’s rescue mission. Directed by Hong Won Chan (“Office”), who infused the film with “impressively spectacular shootouts in the streets and a Bourne-level rooftop chase” (The Guardian), “Deliver Us From Evil” stars Hwang Jung-min, Lee Jung-jae, Park Jeong-min (“Svaha: The Sixth Finger”), Park Soi (“Parasite”), and Choi Moon.
A #1 hit at the Korean box office, “Deliver Us From Evil” debuts on Digital, Blu-ray and DVD May 25 from Well Go USA Entertainment. Bonus content includes a “Making-of” and “Filming Locations” featurettes.
Synopsis:
After the shocking kidnapping of a little girl in Thailand, a mercenary with a murky past...
A #1 hit at the Korean box office, “Deliver Us From Evil” debuts on Digital, Blu-ray and DVD May 25 from Well Go USA Entertainment. Bonus content includes a “Making-of” and “Filming Locations” featurettes.
Synopsis:
After the shocking kidnapping of a little girl in Thailand, a mercenary with a murky past...
- 4/7/2021
- by Rouven Linnarz
- AsianMoviePulse
South Korea, a hotbed of contemporary cultural fervor, is to get a significant new development and production company headed by veteran studio executives. The new venture, Covenant Pictures starts operations with solid financial backing, a diverse slate, and a first-look deal with the producers of the hit “Along With The Gods” movie franchise.
Covenant sees itself scouring Asia for IP that will be developed and produced as Korean-made films and TV series. Relationships in East Asia could cast the net wider, in future.
Covenant is co-founded by Lee Young Han and Justin Choi, both former GMs of Lotte MediaWorks (previously Lotte Cinema), Korea’s second-largest vertically-integrated movie conglomerate. Lee has production and film finance experience managing over 90 titles while at Lotte, while Choi’s focus was on international affairs, acquisitions and marketing. Choi was also the territory Gm for Paramount Pictures’ sub-distribution relationship in Korea.
“Korea is the most exciting...
Covenant sees itself scouring Asia for IP that will be developed and produced as Korean-made films and TV series. Relationships in East Asia could cast the net wider, in future.
Covenant is co-founded by Lee Young Han and Justin Choi, both former GMs of Lotte MediaWorks (previously Lotte Cinema), Korea’s second-largest vertically-integrated movie conglomerate. Lee has production and film finance experience managing over 90 titles while at Lotte, while Choi’s focus was on international affairs, acquisitions and marketing. Choi was also the territory Gm for Paramount Pictures’ sub-distribution relationship in Korea.
“Korea is the most exciting...
- 11/24/2020
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Released three years, ago, the geopolitical action-thriller Steel Rain was a solid success on the charts but one that was completely overshadowed by two films that hit theaters within a fortnight of its release, Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds and 1987: When the Day Comes. Given its closed narrative and what was a positive but muted reception, it hardly seemed a likely candidate for the sequel treatment, still a rarity in the Korean film industry. Yet, three years later that's exactly what we got, but what's even more surprising is that despite returning with the same director, stars and theme, Steel Rain 2: Summit completely reinvents itself and manages to surpass its predecessor in almost every way. Tensions are high in Fear East...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
- 10/29/2020
- Screen Anarchy
Follow up to Yeon’s hit zombie thriller Train To Busan had grossed a total of $35.78m as of Sunday, July 26.
South Korean zombie thriller Peninsula is on a box office streak in the seven countries where it has opened so far – South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand and Mongolia.
Yeon Sang-ho’s follow-up to the hit Train To Busan has been number one in each of these territories since their respective opening days and has grossed a total of $35.78m as of Sunday, July 26, according to Contents Panda, the sales arm of the film’s local financier/distributor New.
South Korean zombie thriller Peninsula is on a box office streak in the seven countries where it has opened so far – South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand and Mongolia.
Yeon Sang-ho’s follow-up to the hit Train To Busan has been number one in each of these territories since their respective opening days and has grossed a total of $35.78m as of Sunday, July 26, according to Contents Panda, the sales arm of the film’s local financier/distributor New.
- 7/27/2020
- by 134¦Jean Noh¦516¦
- ScreenDaily
Korean Cultural Center New York and New York Asian Film Festival have announced the event “A League of its Own” which will be streaming 3 Korean movies themed around baseball. The films will be available for free for ten days July 16 – 26. You can get more info over at koreanmovienight.org
“2020 is proving a banner year for Korea: Bong Joon-ho’s Parasite made Oscar history; the nation’s widely praised response to the Coronavirus epidemic made headlines, and now Korean Baseball goes live on ESPN… finally! This is the perfect time for an event that pairs two blockbuster sectors of the entertainment business at which the country excels: Baseball and Cinema. Korean Cultural Center New York (Kccny) and the New York Asian Film Festival (Nyaff) team up to present a free streaming series that highlights Korea’s glorious sports history, pitching legends, and the peninsula’s favorite baseball teams through a selection...
“2020 is proving a banner year for Korea: Bong Joon-ho’s Parasite made Oscar history; the nation’s widely praised response to the Coronavirus epidemic made headlines, and now Korean Baseball goes live on ESPN… finally! This is the perfect time for an event that pairs two blockbuster sectors of the entertainment business at which the country excels: Baseball and Cinema. Korean Cultural Center New York (Kccny) and the New York Asian Film Festival (Nyaff) team up to present a free streaming series that highlights Korea’s glorious sports history, pitching legends, and the peninsula’s favorite baseball teams through a selection...
- 7/16/2020
- by Adam Symchuk
- AsianMoviePulse
Produced by Bill Kong, the action adventure stars rising talents Chen Linong and Li Xian.
Bill Kong’s Hong Kong-based Edko Films is launching international sales on big-budget CGI fantasy Soul Snatcher, starring rising talents Chen Linong and Li Xian.
The action adventure marks the feature acting debut of Taiwanese pop star Chen, who rose to fame after appearing in Chinese reality show Idol Producer and later joined Chinese boy band Nine Percent. Li has film credits including The Captain and The Enigma Of Arrival, but is best known for his role in hit TV drama Go Go Squid!
Produced...
Bill Kong’s Hong Kong-based Edko Films is launching international sales on big-budget CGI fantasy Soul Snatcher, starring rising talents Chen Linong and Li Xian.
The action adventure marks the feature acting debut of Taiwanese pop star Chen, who rose to fame after appearing in Chinese reality show Idol Producer and later joined Chinese boy band Nine Percent. Li has film credits including The Captain and The Enigma Of Arrival, but is best known for his role in hit TV drama Go Go Squid!
Produced...
- 6/3/2020
- by 89¦Liz Shackleton¦0¦
- ScreenDaily
Cj Enm, one of Asia’s leading entertainment companies and the outfit behind Bong Joon Ho’s Oscar-winning sensation Parasite, is taking a significant stake in fellow South Korean company Dexter Studios.
Founded by Kim Yong-Hwa, Dexter is the producer of numerous mega-grossing Korean blockbusters including Along With The Gods: The Two Worlds, which took more than $100m in Korea, and its 2018 sequel Along With The Gods: The Last 49 Days, which grossed north of $90M in its home market. Its most recent in-house production was disaster movie Ashfall, which has grossed $60M locally.
The company is also one of the leading visual effects makers in the region, with credits including the 2013 comedy Mr. Go, for which they created a gorilla that becomes a Korean baseball star, and more recently effects work on Parasite and Burning.
Cj is buying a significant part of the company to become its second-largest shareholder...
Founded by Kim Yong-Hwa, Dexter is the producer of numerous mega-grossing Korean blockbusters including Along With The Gods: The Two Worlds, which took more than $100m in Korea, and its 2018 sequel Along With The Gods: The Last 49 Days, which grossed north of $90M in its home market. Its most recent in-house production was disaster movie Ashfall, which has grossed $60M locally.
The company is also one of the leading visual effects makers in the region, with credits including the 2013 comedy Mr. Go, for which they created a gorilla that becomes a Korean baseball star, and more recently effects work on Parasite and Burning.
Cj is buying a significant part of the company to become its second-largest shareholder...
- 2/26/2020
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
Kim Yong-Hwa, the South Korean filmmaker whose credits include box office smash fantasy action drama Along With The Gods and its sequel, has provided an update on his planned first co-production with Hollywood.
Speaking at the 2019 International Film Festival & Awards Macao (Iffam), the director said that he is still working on Prodigal, a U.S.-Korea co-production that he announced in 2017 would be produced by his company Dexter Studios, its first Hollywood film.
The project was set to be co-produced with Pow! Entertainment, the American outfit run by Marvel Comics icon Stan Lee, who died last year at the age of 95.
Mr Kim said he is now in discussions with new partners about resurrecting the project, which was initially set to be written by I Am Number Four scribes Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, though didn’t disclose company names.
Reports back in 2017 said it would focus on “paternal love...
Speaking at the 2019 International Film Festival & Awards Macao (Iffam), the director said that he is still working on Prodigal, a U.S.-Korea co-production that he announced in 2017 would be produced by his company Dexter Studios, its first Hollywood film.
The project was set to be co-produced with Pow! Entertainment, the American outfit run by Marvel Comics icon Stan Lee, who died last year at the age of 95.
Mr Kim said he is now in discussions with new partners about resurrecting the project, which was initially set to be written by I Am Number Four scribes Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, though didn’t disclose company names.
Reports back in 2017 said it would focus on “paternal love...
- 12/7/2019
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
Fans of K-drama in Singapore will soon have a new lineup from Netflix’s ensemble of Hallyu’s best content this summer and fall seasons.
“There’s just so much love for Korean content in this region, especially in Southeast Asia, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Netflix started adding Korean titles three years ago, and we’ve seen how that has attracted new audiences who are discovering the Netflix viewing experience for their k-drama viewing,” said Minyoung Kim, director of content, Korea, Netflix. “Fan favorites like Korean Odyssey, Something in the Rain, What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim are all part of our growing library and today, we are pleased to be working with Korean talent and creators on the second season of original titles like Kingdom and My First First Love.”
Since 2018, Netflix’s library of Korean content includes popular romantic comedies like Romance Is My Bonus Book to thrillers like Memories of the Alhambra.
“There’s just so much love for Korean content in this region, especially in Southeast Asia, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Netflix started adding Korean titles three years ago, and we’ve seen how that has attracted new audiences who are discovering the Netflix viewing experience for their k-drama viewing,” said Minyoung Kim, director of content, Korea, Netflix. “Fan favorites like Korean Odyssey, Something in the Rain, What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim are all part of our growing library and today, we are pleased to be working with Korean talent and creators on the second season of original titles like Kingdom and My First First Love.”
Since 2018, Netflix’s library of Korean content includes popular romantic comedies like Romance Is My Bonus Book to thrillers like Memories of the Alhambra.
- 6/14/2019
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Lee Byoung-heon’s action comedy still trails 2014 release Roaring Currents in terms of admissions.
Lee Byoung-heon’s Extreme Job has become the highest-grossing film of all time in South Korea, despite still having fewer admissions than Roaring Currents (2014), the all-time top admissions record-holder.
According to the Korean Film Council (Kofic), action comedy Extreme Job had clocked up more than $120.7m (KW135.9bn) by March 1, a public holiday in South Korea, Independence Movement Day.
Historical naval battle drama Roaring Currents’ gross stands at $120.5m (KW135.7bn), at today’s exchange rate, with more than 17.6 million admissions.
Extreme Job’s gross has...
Lee Byoung-heon’s Extreme Job has become the highest-grossing film of all time in South Korea, despite still having fewer admissions than Roaring Currents (2014), the all-time top admissions record-holder.
According to the Korean Film Council (Kofic), action comedy Extreme Job had clocked up more than $120.7m (KW135.9bn) by March 1, a public holiday in South Korea, Independence Movement Day.
Historical naval battle drama Roaring Currents’ gross stands at $120.5m (KW135.7bn), at today’s exchange rate, with more than 17.6 million admissions.
Extreme Job’s gross has...
- 3/5/2019
- by Jean Noh
- ScreenDaily
Has passed 14.5 million admissions.
In South Korea, Cj Entertainment’s action comedy Extreme Job has become the second biggest hit in history after reaching a total of more than 14.5 million admissions today (February 18), according to the Korean Film Council (Kofic).
Released January 23, the film has now made more than $111.3m at the local box office from 2,003 screens.
Directed by Lee Byoung-heon (Twenty), Extreme Job follows a team of narcotics detectives that goes undercover working at a fried chicken joint to bring down an organized crime gang. Their plans go awry when their chicken recipe is so good the place becomes the hottest eatery in town.
In South Korea, Cj Entertainment’s action comedy Extreme Job has become the second biggest hit in history after reaching a total of more than 14.5 million admissions today (February 18), according to the Korean Film Council (Kofic).
Released January 23, the film has now made more than $111.3m at the local box office from 2,003 screens.
Directed by Lee Byoung-heon (Twenty), Extreme Job follows a team of narcotics detectives that goes undercover working at a fried chicken joint to bring down an organized crime gang. Their plans go awry when their chicken recipe is so good the place becomes the hottest eatery in town.
- 2/18/2019
- by Jean Noh
- ScreenDaily
Box office revenue and ticket sales in South Korean cinemas took diverging paths in 2018, while the distribution landscape was shaken up, with a new No. 1 player for the first time in more than a decade.
Revenues increased by 3% from $1.56 billion (Krw 1.76 billion) in 2017 to $1.61 billion (Krw 1.81 billion) in 2018, according to data from the Korean Film Council’s Kobis service. But admissions dropped from 220 million to 216 million, which still gives South Korea (population 51 million) one of the highest per-capita attendance rates in the world.
Hollywood prospered in the East Asian nation last year, with seven films earning a place in the top 10, up from just three in 2017. The market share for locally produced films edged down fractionally from 52% in 2017 to 51% in 2018.
Several large-budget Korean films were produced and released, especially for the Chuseok holidays, but many of them are believed to have lost money. Mid-budget films, such as “On Your Wedding Day,...
Revenues increased by 3% from $1.56 billion (Krw 1.76 billion) in 2017 to $1.61 billion (Krw 1.81 billion) in 2018, according to data from the Korean Film Council’s Kobis service. But admissions dropped from 220 million to 216 million, which still gives South Korea (population 51 million) one of the highest per-capita attendance rates in the world.
Hollywood prospered in the East Asian nation last year, with seven films earning a place in the top 10, up from just three in 2017. The market share for locally produced films edged down fractionally from 52% in 2017 to 51% in 2018.
Several large-budget Korean films were produced and released, especially for the Chuseok holidays, but many of them are believed to have lost money. Mid-budget films, such as “On Your Wedding Day,...
- 1/4/2019
- by Sonia Kil
- Variety Film + TV
Theatrical box office in Hong Kong grew by nearly 6% in 2018. Gross takings hit Hk$1.96 billion, compared with Hk$1.85 billion in 2017, according to data from Hong Kong Box Office Ltd.
As the Hong Kong dollar is closely pegged to its American counterpart, most of that gain can be translated into U.S. dollar gains. Using year-end exchange rates, Hong Kong’s theatrical business was worth $250 million in 2018, compared with $237 million in 2017.
Foreign-made films continued to enjoy the largest share of the Hong Kong theatrical business. In 2018, the top eight places were occupied by Hollywood franchise movies, though, unusually, two Korean titles – “Along With the Gods: The Two Worlds” and its sequel, “The Last 49 Days” – took ninth and 10 places, with $6.96 million (Hk$54.4 million) and $6.17 million (Hk$48.2 million), respectively.
“Avengers: Infinity War” was far and away the year’s highest-scoring film in Hong Kong, with $19.6 million (Hk$153 million), ahead of “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom,...
As the Hong Kong dollar is closely pegged to its American counterpart, most of that gain can be translated into U.S. dollar gains. Using year-end exchange rates, Hong Kong’s theatrical business was worth $250 million in 2018, compared with $237 million in 2017.
Foreign-made films continued to enjoy the largest share of the Hong Kong theatrical business. In 2018, the top eight places were occupied by Hollywood franchise movies, though, unusually, two Korean titles – “Along With the Gods: The Two Worlds” and its sequel, “The Last 49 Days” – took ninth and 10 places, with $6.96 million (Hk$54.4 million) and $6.17 million (Hk$48.2 million), respectively.
“Avengers: Infinity War” was far and away the year’s highest-scoring film in Hong Kong, with $19.6 million (Hk$153 million), ahead of “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom,...
- 1/2/2019
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Following the blockbuster success of “Along With The Gods: The Two Worlds”, writer/directed Kim Yong-hwa (“Take Off”) returns to bring back the characters based on a wildly popular webcomic in “Along With The Gods: The Last 49 Days”. With an all-star cast, including Ha Jung-woo (“The Handmaiden”), Ju Ji-hoon (“Asura: The City of Madness”), Kim Hyang-gi (“Thread of Lies”) and Lee Jung-jae (“Assassination”) “Along With The Gods: The Last 49 Days” debuts on Digital, Blu-ray Combo Pack & DVD December 11. The bonus materials include behind-the-scenes footage and character intros.
Synopsis:
The fantasy epic that smashed box office records in Korea reaches its thrilling climax in “Along With The Gods: The Last 49 Days”. As the deceased soul Su-hong and his three afterlife guardians face the remaining trials to obtain their reincarnation, the guardians come face to face with the buried truth of their tragic time on earth a thousand years ago,...
Synopsis:
The fantasy epic that smashed box office records in Korea reaches its thrilling climax in “Along With The Gods: The Last 49 Days”. As the deceased soul Su-hong and his three afterlife guardians face the remaining trials to obtain their reincarnation, the guardians come face to face with the buried truth of their tragic time on earth a thousand years ago,...
- 11/13/2018
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
After the success of the blockbuster “Train to Busan,” breakout star Ma Dong-seok has gained massive exposure in his homeland with roles in films like “The Outlaws,” “Derailed” and “Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds.” Now turning his attention to a more family-friendly atmosphere, the affable actor tries the crowd-pleasing family comedy with the new movie “Champion.”
Raised in the United States, Mark is invited to return to a special arm-wrestling competition in his native South Korea. Hoping to use the opportunity in order to return to his past glories on the arm-wrestling circuit, he reunites with his friend Ki-jin who offers to help get him ready for the competition. While in the midst of his routine, he suddenly meets Jin-soo, who turns out to be his long-lost half-sister before he became adopted. As he finds balancing his training for the tournament impeding the time he spends with his new-found family,...
Raised in the United States, Mark is invited to return to a special arm-wrestling competition in his native South Korea. Hoping to use the opportunity in order to return to his past glories on the arm-wrestling circuit, he reunites with his friend Ki-jin who offers to help get him ready for the competition. While in the midst of his routine, he suddenly meets Jin-soo, who turns out to be his long-lost half-sister before he became adopted. As he finds balancing his training for the tournament impeding the time he spends with his new-found family,...
- 10/12/2018
- by Don Anelli
- AsianMoviePulse
Busan’s Asian Film Market announced the winners Oct. 8 of E-ip Pitching and Book to Film programs in which intellectual properties, including web comics, novels and story ideas, are pitched for film and TV adaptation.
The New Creator awards, sponsored by leading local studio Next Entertainment World, went to Han Ji-su’s mystery romance novel “The Sixth Wife” and Haewon’s crime thriller “Good Job.” “Good Job” is a story about two hopeless job-seekers that become entangled in a whirlwind of greed, conspiracy and betrayal when they are hired by a cleaning company. Each winner received a cash prize of $8,800 (Krw 10 million).
Seo Eun-chae’s fantasy romance novel “A Week Before I Die,” Lee Yun-kyun’s web comic “Delivery Knight,” Yoon Seon-young’s high school-set story “Land of Silence” and “The Devil,” a web comic written by Meen and drawn by Keun bit each won prizes named for new sponsor Tory Comics,...
The New Creator awards, sponsored by leading local studio Next Entertainment World, went to Han Ji-su’s mystery romance novel “The Sixth Wife” and Haewon’s crime thriller “Good Job.” “Good Job” is a story about two hopeless job-seekers that become entangled in a whirlwind of greed, conspiracy and betrayal when they are hired by a cleaning company. Each winner received a cash prize of $8,800 (Krw 10 million).
Seo Eun-chae’s fantasy romance novel “A Week Before I Die,” Lee Yun-kyun’s web comic “Delivery Knight,” Yoon Seon-young’s high school-set story “Land of Silence” and “The Devil,” a web comic written by Meen and drawn by Keun bit each won prizes named for new sponsor Tory Comics,...
- 10/8/2018
- by Sonia Kil
- Variety Film + TV
“A superb job at tugging heartstrings.” – Ang Tian Tian, The New Paper
“… Ma Dong-seok’s charm definitely makes it worth a view …” – K-movie Love
“Champion” directed by Kim Yong-wan & Starring Don Lee (Ma Dong-seok) will be released on Digital October 9
A former arm-wrestling champion raised in the U.S. returns to South Korea for a tournament that could return him to glory, but he finds his life complicated by the appearance of the biological family he never knew in the sports comedy “Champion”, debuting on digital October 9 from Well Go USA Entertainment. Don Lee (Ma Dong-seok), the star of hits Train to Busan and Along With the Gods: The Two Worlds, flexes his muscles as the arm-wrestling champion, with Kwon Yul (The Admiral) and Han Ye-ri (Sea Fog) offering support under the direction of newcomer Kim Yong-wan.
Synopsis:
In this rousing crowd-pleaser, a former arm-wrestling champion raised in the Us...
“… Ma Dong-seok’s charm definitely makes it worth a view …” – K-movie Love
“Champion” directed by Kim Yong-wan & Starring Don Lee (Ma Dong-seok) will be released on Digital October 9
A former arm-wrestling champion raised in the U.S. returns to South Korea for a tournament that could return him to glory, but he finds his life complicated by the appearance of the biological family he never knew in the sports comedy “Champion”, debuting on digital October 9 from Well Go USA Entertainment. Don Lee (Ma Dong-seok), the star of hits Train to Busan and Along With the Gods: The Two Worlds, flexes his muscles as the arm-wrestling champion, with Kwon Yul (The Admiral) and Han Ye-ri (Sea Fog) offering support under the direction of newcomer Kim Yong-wan.
Synopsis:
In this rousing crowd-pleaser, a former arm-wrestling champion raised in the Us...
- 10/1/2018
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
FilmRise’s The Miseducation Of Cameron Post bowed to solid numbers in two New York locations over the weekend, grossing $53K. Directed by Desiree Akhavan and starring Chloë Grace Moretz, the Sundance Film Festival dramatic prize-winner averaged $26,500. Well Go USA opened Korean action-fantasy Along With the Gods: The Last 49 Days in 48 theaters, taking in $329K for a $6,854 average, while A24 teen drama Never Goin’ Back came up short with a $10,044 launch from two runs. The company’s fellow teen feature, Eighth Grade, however, went over a thousand theaters in its fourth outing, taking in $2.87M in the three-day. Last weekend’s per theater average topper, Scotty And The Secret History of Hollywood from Greenwich Entertainment, opened New York and added locations in L.A. in its second frame, grossing $43,259. Sony Pictures Classics added runs for Marc Turtletaub’s Puzzle in its second weekend, grossing $128,598 for an $8K average, while...
- 8/5/2018
- by Brian Brooks
- Deadline Film + TV
I'll admit that eight months ago I may have brought a certain amount of prejudice with me when I went to see Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds, the fantasy epic blockbuster that would become the second most successful Korean film of all time. Rewatching the film earlier this month, I realize my initial assessment was a little harsh and that it was more effective and engaging than I initially gave it credit for. This time around I went in with an open mind, twice, before collecting my thoughts. So I feel quite confident when I say that, sadly, Along the the Gods: The Last 49 Days is the bigger but far less successful half of Korea's first two-part blockbuster (though this may not...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
- 7/30/2018
- Screen Anarchy
Total admissions decreased by 1% to 96.36 million.
South Korea’s total box office increased by 2.4% to $711.3m (KW802.5bn) in the first half of the year, according to figures from the Korean Film Council (Kofic), although total admissions decreased by 1% to 96.36 million.
The revenue growth can partly be attributed to an increase in the average ticket price, which grew from $7.14 in the first half of 2017 to $7.38 in the first half of this year.
In addition, ticket sales of 3D, 4D and IMAX films increased by a whopping 79% year-on-year to $36.3m in the first half of 2018, on admissions that were up 69% to 3.2 million.
South Korea’s total box office increased by 2.4% to $711.3m (KW802.5bn) in the first half of the year, according to figures from the Korean Film Council (Kofic), although total admissions decreased by 1% to 96.36 million.
The revenue growth can partly be attributed to an increase in the average ticket price, which grew from $7.14 in the first half of 2017 to $7.38 in the first half of this year.
In addition, ticket sales of 3D, 4D and IMAX films increased by a whopping 79% year-on-year to $36.3m in the first half of 2018, on admissions that were up 69% to 3.2 million.
- 7/16/2018
- by Jean Noh
- ScreenDaily
“Along With The Gods: The Two Worlds”, which was released at the tail end of last year, went on the become the most successful film of 2017 in South Korea and eventually became the 2nd highest grossing Korean film of all time in the domestic market. Director Kim Yong-hwa is back with the follow-up “Along With The Gods: The Last 49 Days”.
Plot details are thin at the moment, but the film is said to be set 100 years before the events of “Along With The Gods: The Two Worlds”. Joining returning stars Ha Jung-woo, Ju Ji-hoon, Kim Gyang-gi and Lee Jae-hoon is in-demand actor Ma Dong-seok.
”Along With The Gods: The Last 49 Days” is slated for an August 1st, 2018 release in South Korea.
Plot details are thin at the moment, but the film is said to be set 100 years before the events of “Along With The Gods: The Two Worlds”. Joining returning stars Ha Jung-woo, Ju Ji-hoon, Kim Gyang-gi and Lee Jae-hoon is in-demand actor Ma Dong-seok.
”Along With The Gods: The Last 49 Days” is slated for an August 1st, 2018 release in South Korea.
- 6/30/2018
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
Sales include UK/Ireland, Japan and French-speaking territories.
South Korea’s Cj Entertainment has sold Yoon Jong-bin’s Cannes Midnight Screenings title The Spy Gone North to 111 countries, including UK/Ireland (Signature Entertainment), Japan (Twin) and French-speaking territories (Metropolitan Filmexport).
Based on actual events in the 1990s, the thriller follows a South Korean agent played by Hwang Jung-min (The Battleship Island), who goes undercover as a businessman to North Korea to infiltrate their nuclear facilities, plagued by political machinations from both sides.
The film also stars Lee Sung-min (A Violent Prosecutor), Cho Jin-woong (The Handmaiden) and Ju Ji-hoon (Along With The Gods: The Two Worlds...
South Korea’s Cj Entertainment has sold Yoon Jong-bin’s Cannes Midnight Screenings title The Spy Gone North to 111 countries, including UK/Ireland (Signature Entertainment), Japan (Twin) and French-speaking territories (Metropolitan Filmexport).
Based on actual events in the 1990s, the thriller follows a South Korean agent played by Hwang Jung-min (The Battleship Island), who goes undercover as a businessman to North Korea to infiltrate their nuclear facilities, plagued by political machinations from both sides.
The film also stars Lee Sung-min (A Violent Prosecutor), Cho Jin-woong (The Handmaiden) and Ju Ji-hoon (Along With The Gods: The Two Worlds...
- 6/28/2018
- by Jean Noh
- ScreenDaily
Ma Dong-seok, the star of hits “Train to Busan” and “Along With the Gods: The Two Worlds,” stars in “Champion”, a Korean sports comedy.
The first feature for director Kim Yong-wan, the film portrays the story of Korean adoptee who becomes an arm wrestling champion. While pitched as a comedy, “Champion” also flexes its muscles by also carrying a number of social issues.
The first feature for director Kim Yong-wan, the film portrays the story of Korean adoptee who becomes an arm wrestling champion. While pitched as a comedy, “Champion” also flexes its muscles by also carrying a number of social issues.
- 5/11/2018
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Titles include ‘Along With The Gods Vr’, ‘Follow The White Rabbit’ and ‘Help Me’.
M-Line Distribution has become South Korea’s first company to launch sales on Vr films with a slate led by local powerhouse Dexter Studios’ titles such as Along With The Gods Vr, Follow The White Rabbit and Help Me. The last two films are screening in the Marche du Film’s Next Vr showcase.
Coupling Vr with motion simulation chairs, fantasy “Vr rider experience” Along With The Gods Vr is based on the blockbuster hit Along With The Gods: The Two Worlds which clocked up 14.4 million admissions locally this year.
M-Line Distribution has become South Korea’s first company to launch sales on Vr films with a slate led by local powerhouse Dexter Studios’ titles such as Along With The Gods Vr, Follow The White Rabbit and Help Me. The last two films are screening in the Marche du Film’s Next Vr showcase.
Coupling Vr with motion simulation chairs, fantasy “Vr rider experience” Along With The Gods Vr is based on the blockbuster hit Along With The Gods: The Two Worlds which clocked up 14.4 million admissions locally this year.
- 5/10/2018
- by Jean Noh
- ScreenDaily
Ma Dong-seok, the star of hits “Train to Busan” and “Along With the Gods: The Two Worlds,” next stars in “Champion” a Korean sports comedy that will make its debut at the Cannes Film Market.
The film is backed by Warner Bros. as part of its local film production incentive and will be released next month in Korea by the studio. In other territories, rights are handled by sales agency Finecut.
The first feature for director Kim Yong-wan, the film portrays the story of Korean adoptee who becomes an arm wrestling champion. While pitched as a comedy, “Champion” also flexes its muscles by also carrying a number of social issues.
Before breaking through in “Train,” Ma (aka Don Lee) has played a numerous supporting roles in films including :Nameless Gangster: Rules of the Time,” and “The Unjust.” He was raised in the U.S. and attended a physical education degree at Columbia State University.
The film is backed by Warner Bros. as part of its local film production incentive and will be released next month in Korea by the studio. In other territories, rights are handled by sales agency Finecut.
The first feature for director Kim Yong-wan, the film portrays the story of Korean adoptee who becomes an arm wrestling champion. While pitched as a comedy, “Champion” also flexes its muscles by also carrying a number of social issues.
Before breaking through in “Train,” Ma (aka Don Lee) has played a numerous supporting roles in films including :Nameless Gangster: Rules of the Time,” and “The Unjust.” He was raised in the U.S. and attended a physical education degree at Columbia State University.
- 4/17/2018
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
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