Im Sang-soo’s controversial black comedy receives a UK DVD release this month, with four minutes of documentary footage, excised by the censors, restored to the cut. Based on the true story of the events leading up to and immediately following the 1979 assassination of South Korean President Park Chung-hee, the controversial satirical black comedy The … [Read More]
Category: General film news (page 13)
Sandglass the best TV drama ever?
It’s official: Sandglass (모래시계) is the best Korean Drama since 1980. And maybe that qualifies it as the best Korean TV drama ever, but I’m sure there are knowledgeable people out there who will cite a gem from the 70s. Not only was it voted best Drama by those in the know – “20 star … [Read More]
Good Bad Weird on general release
We saw it at the festivals last year, now it’s on mainstream release. Astoundingly, the normally hostile Wendy Ide in The Times gives it 4 out of 5, while Peter Bradshaw in The Guardian gives it a more measured 3 out of 5. LKL probably would split the difference, as does Tom Huddleston in Time … [Read More]
Lee Byung-hun on being the bad guy
Lee Byung-hun, in town for the launch of the London Korean Film Festival, took advantage of his trip to have some interviews and engage in other promotional activities. He impressed the crowds at the opening screening of The Good the Bad and the Weird, and again the next day at the post film discussion, with … [Read More]
Things that just make me so sad
By Saharial It is becoming increasingly obvious to me, even as a distant overseas observer of the Korean entertainment industry, that something is going seriously wrong. This morning seemed to sum up far too many of the ills for, when I woke up, the news had broken that there had been yet another suicide, making … [Read More]
Become an LKL reviewer: win a FREE ticket to the BFI London Film Festival
We’re always on the lookout for new talent to join the enthusiastic team at LKL. To entice you think about writing the occasional contribution, here’s a tempting offer. Drop me an email via the contact form volunteering to write a film review every now and then, and we’ll send you a free ticket to a … [Read More]
KAFFNY in call for film-makers
KAFFNY 2009 – The Korean-American Film Festival New York – is scheduled for February 2009. KAFFNY is a one-day New York event screening works by emerging Korean filmmakers and performers. It is the event that brought you Benson Lee’s “Planet B-Boy,” Juwan Chung’s “Baby,” and short works by Dennis Lee and Randall Park. Co-sponsored by … [Read More]
The Chaser gets theatrical release
For those who missed “The Chaser” at Frightfest, don’t forget that it’s showing from tomorrow (Friday 19 September) at the Cineworlds in the Trocadero and Canary Wharf, and at the Shepherd’s Bush Vue. Viewing times are on the Evening Standard website here. Jonathan Ross gave it a rave review on Film 2008 earlier this week … [Read More]
The big, the small, and the predictable: K-film at the 52nd BFI London Film Festival
Is it a reflection on the current state of the Korean film industry that the films to be shown at the 52nd BFI London Film Festival don’t really surprise me? In previous years the organisers have managed to select films which are out of the ordinary, maybe one or two that I hadn’t heard of. … [Read More]
The wait is over: Kim Ki-young on DVD
At least in part. No student of Korean film can call his or her education complete until they’ve seen some films by Kim Ki-Young. Until now, none of the films have been available on DVD. Alas, no Housemaid yet, but this new four-film boxed set includes Goryeojang (a.k.a. Burying Old Alive) (1963), Chungnyeo (a.k.a. The … [Read More]
Im Sang Soo faces London grilling
Korean film director Im Sang Soo is participating in two Q&A sessions this week: Friday at the KCC and Saturday at the ICA, the latter in conjunction with the screening of The President’s Last Bang. It has been said that Im Sang Soo is practically the only director now making films that take a long … [Read More]
Korean Film Society launched
The twice-monthly film screenings at the KCC have got a strong body of supporters, and the films are very well attended. But, given the level of support, wouldn’t it be nice if we could build something around the screenings — a free and easy forum for enthusiasts and newcomers to talk about the varied world … [Read More]
The KCC DVD library
I popped round to the Korean Cultural Centre a couple of weeks ago to check on how things were going. I went downstairs to register for the library, and was greeted by this encouraging sight: It’s some of the DVDs that are being catalogued and which will be available for viewing. That big box at … [Read More]
Korean film – a review of 2007
Jason Bechervaise, founder of koreanfilm.org.uk, gives his perspective on the ups and downs of the Korean film industry in 2007 By all accounts 2007 was a year that has been difficult one for the Korean film industry where it seems that the golden years of the Korean film industry has passed. Rising costs have meant … [Read More]
LKL 2007 Quiz of the Year – the answers
Question 1: Corporate crooks and corruption Match the alleged quote with the appropriate chaebol The conglomorate had run a vast network that bribed government officials, prosecutors, tax collectors, journalists and scholars I don’t want to take a gamble on causing a crisis in the country’s economy The sentence of one year and six months is … [Read More]
Koreans and Handball
A message recently received from a visitor to this site. Do Koreans in London play Handball or want to play? Thames Handball in Kingston upon Thames need players of all standards- men and women or children. see website http://www.thameshandball.com Also NEW The South Korean movie, “The Best Moment of Our Lives,” will be released in … [Read More]