Korean Cinema News (05/10-05/16, 2012)

Not a huge news week, the main item being that Snow Piercer is finally underway but some interesting features and tidbits nonetheless, including and a couple of trailers with English subtitles.

In other news I have become the Twitchfilm's Korea correspondent, a position I'm thrilled to take on but no need to worry as nothing will change regarding the day-to-day running of MKC.

KOREAN CINEMA NEWS

Production Begins on Bong Joon-ho's Snow Piercer
Likely the most anticipated project on the horizon from a Korean cineaste, Bong Joon-ho's Snow Piercer has finally begun production, having first been floated as a project back in 2007.  New additions to the cast have been made, which now features Song Kang-ho, Ko Ah-sung, Ewen Bremner, Octavia Spencer, John Hurt, Chris Evans, Tilda Swinton, Jamie Bell, Kenny Doughty and Emma Levie.

Some location photography on a glacier in Austria has already wrapped and no they are underway with the main segment of filming which is happening at the Barrandov studios in Prague, Czech Republic.  It's wonderful to see this exciting project finally coming to life and hopefully the production will be smooth sailing from here on in.  (Modern Korean Cinema, May 16, 2012)

Lee Byung-hun Pushes Further into Hollywood with Red 2 Casting
Later this summer, Lee Byung-hun will be seen in the high-profile action film G.I. Joe 2.  He was also in the first installment but his role is said to be more significant in the sequel.  If that wasn't enough he will also be honoured in late June by having his hand and footprints cast outside Hollywood's Grauman Chinese Theatre, though this does seem like clever publicity with G.I. Joe 2 opens mere days later.

Now Lee is continuing his American dream after having been cast in the sequel to last year's hit Red.  The project is set to begin filming later this year and will debut in theatres next August.  (Modern Korean Cinema, May 16, 2012)

The Host 3D to Screen at Look East Fest in LA
Another update on the incoming Look East Korean Film Festival which will take place at the Grauman's Chinese Theater in LA from June 23-24.  Bong Joon-ho's fan favorite The Host (2006) will be screened in a new 3D print which was first unveiled last October at the Busan International Film Festival.

The event, which will also feature a hand and footprint casting ceremony for Ahn Sung-ki and Lee Byung-hyun sounds very exciting but I'm not so sure about their striking Korean food-themed posters whcih may turn off the uninitiated.  (Modern Korean Cinema, May 16, 2012)

Korean Movies Get Racier to Fend off Hollywood

The Chosun Ilbo takes a look at the recent raft of sexually explicit Korean films that have been conquering the marquees:  'With red-letter days for both mothers and children, May is often considered the "Month of the Family" in Korea, but theaters across the country are filled with films that are anything but family-oriented.  In fact, a whole crop of sexually explicit flicks await moviegoers this month.'  (The Chosun Ilbo, May 15, 2012)

The King of Pigs Added to LA Film Fest
Yuen Sang-ho's animated The King of Pigs will have its North American premiere at the LA Film Fest reports the Los Angeles Times.  The cold-blooded adult tale explores the underside of human nature at an all-boys middle school in Seoul.  The school is a microcosm of society, a harsh environment where there is no escape from constant bullying and violence.  (Los Angeles Times, May 15, 2012)

CJ Reassures Over Problem Films
CJ Entertainment Inc, South Korea's largest film conglomerate, has sought to reassure clients and fans following problems with two films on its current slate.  The documentary feature I Am: SM Town Live World Tour in Madison Square Garden, featuring a behind the scenes, across the years panorama of K-pop stars managed by powerful talent agency SM Entertainment, has been postponed due to last minute editing hitches.  CJ's big-budget comedy spy action film Mr. K, has been thrown into turmoil, after it parted ways with director Lee Myung-se.  (Film Business Asia, May 10, 2012)

First European Shoot for Korean Action Director Ryoo Seung-wan
South Korean action specialist Ryoo Seung-wan is shooting in Europe for the first time with his $9m spy thriller Berlin which is filming in the German capital for nine days before moving to Latvia’s Riga for another 15 day of shooting.  (Screen Daily, May 9, 2012 - Paid Subscription Required)

Secrets, Objects takes Best of Festival at the 2012 LA Women’s International Film Festival

Kobiz reports that Korean indie Secrets, Objects won the 'Best of Festival' distinction at the recent 2012 LA Women’s International Film Festival.  The film tells of a romance between a college professor and a younger man from the vantage point of everyday objects.  (Kobiz, May 7, 2012)

TRAILERS

Miss Conspirator (English Subs)

Runway Cop (English Subs)

The Emperor's Concubine

POSTERS

Deranged

In Another Country

Miss Conspirator (Character 1)

Miss Conspirator (Character 2)

Miss Conspirator (Main)

The King of XXX-Kissing

The Taste of Money (French)

The Taste of Money (Intl. 1)

The Taste of Money (Intl. 2)

BOX OFFICE

The Avengers Easily Threepeats

(Modern Korean Cinema, May 13, 2012)

Korean Cinema News is a weekly feature which provides wide-ranging news coverage on Korean cinema, including but not limited to: features; festival news; interviews; industry news; trailers; posters; and box office. It appears every Wednesday morning (GMT+1) on Modern Korean Cinema. For other weekly features, take a look at the Korean Box Office Update and the Weekly Review Round-up. Reviews and features on Korean film also appear regularly on the site. 

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