Highschooler Sohee is required to complete an internship before she can graduate. She is placed in a local call centre with a stressful metric-driven environment so toxic it drives one of her colleagues to suicide. July Jung’s compelling drama exposes the harrowing impacts of capitalism, particularly on the young and disadvantaged. Content warning: Contains scenes … [Read More]
On Screen: Film and TV (page 2)
Jason Yu’s Sleep (잠) screening at Raindance, + Q&A
A happily married couple, Hyun-su and Soo-jin, peaceful lives are disrupted by the disturbing nocturnal behaviour of Hyun-su. As they strive to unravel the horrifying secret of the inexplicable actions that occur during his sleep, the film delves into the efforts of these two individuals. Sparklingly tense and ingeniously eerie, Jason Yu’s 2023 feature-length debut … [Read More]
UK screening premiere: Regardless of Us, at the ICA
Formally inventive and filled with striking monochrome compositions Regardless of Us is a complex and mysterious journey into the nature of memory, performance, and the very structures of reality. Featuring a rich and intriguing utilisation of off-screen space, Yoo’s tale of an actress attempting to recover her memory following a severe illness subtly probes at … [Read More]
Refugee Week screening: ‘Little Pyongyang’
Join Connect: North Korea for a fundraiser screening of the award-winning short film, ‘Little Pyongyang,’ followed by a Q&A session in conversation with the film’s director Roxy Rezvany, and members of the North Korean community. We will be discussing what has changed for the community since the film’s original release, the limits which the North … [Read More]
Marie Curie: original cast screening + Q&A
To celebrate the West End launch of the award-winning musical ‘Marie Curie‘, the Korean Cultural Centre will offer an opportunity to enjoy a full-length film of the musical with the original Korean cast. The performance being screened was recorded live and features Joo-hyun Ok and So-hyang Kim who both portrayed Marie Curie during the 2020 … [Read More]
The Roundup: Punishment (범죄도시 4) – UK theatrical release
‘Monster Cop’ Ma Seok-do (Don LEE) investigates an illegal online gambling business led by a former STS Baek (KIM Moo-yul) and an IT genius CEO Chang (LEE Dong-hwi). Ma proposes an unexpected alliance to Jang (PARK Ji-hwan) and begins hunting down the criminals. LONDON ODEON Haymarket / Wimbledon / Kingston CINEWORLD Leicester Square / O2 … [Read More]
Screening: The Flower in Hell (지옥화)
Join the KCCUK for a screening of “The Flower in Hell,” an early masterpiece by director Shin Sang-ok that vividly portrays the societal dynamics of post-war Korea. Set in a weary Seoul, the film follows a gripping love triangle involving Yeong-sik, leader of a munitions-stealing syndicate, Dong-sik, his searching brother, and Sonya, Yeong-sik’s unapologetic lover … [Read More]
Korean Documentary season at Sheffield’s Showroom Cinema
This season focuses on bringing contemporary Korean documentary to Sheffield and showing the breadth of films that are emerging in the Korean documentary market. Experience modern Korea through the lens of these captivating stories that explore diverse topics from cats to football, from North Korean politics to LGBTQ+ parenting. From the streets of Seoul to the forgotten countryside, each documentary … [Read More]
Korean films at Queer East 2024
After the Korea focus in last year’s festival it was perhaps a little bit to be expected that this year there would be less in the way of Korean content. So we have one South Korean feature film from 1967 (directed by Choi Eun-hee) and a handful of shorts; plus a 2016 feature by Korean … [Read More]
KCC film night: My Mother, the Mermaid (인어공주)
Na-young (Jeon Do-yeon) works at a post office and is sick and tired of being around her shamefully unyielding mother and her pushover father who’s excessively nice. The only thing that she can look forward to is her trip abroad in a few days. But one day, her father leaves home without any notice. Her … [Read More]
Exhuma (파묘) – UK theatrical release
A shaman is offered a large amount of money to move a tomb. He moves with his companion, Ji Gwan. After suffering from serial paranormal events, a wealthy family living in LA summons a young rising shaman duo Hwa-rim (KIM Go-eun) and Bong-gil (LEE Do-hyun) to save the newborn of the family. Once they arrive, … [Read More]
KCC screening: A Sister’s Garden (자매의 화원)
The Nam family leads a life of upper-middle class luxury. But this wealth lies on unstable foundations, and when the father dies suddenly, Jung-hee (Choi Eun-hee), as the new head of the family, finds herself with steep debts and no source of income. At last, she must decide on something that riskier than before. “A … [Read More]
Voices of Freedom: Performances, Escapee Talks, Documentary & Director Q&A
You’re Invited to “Voices of Freedom”: An Evening of Reflection, Tribute, and Unity Join us for a profound journey through the stories of North Korean defectors and the forgotten POWs of the Korean War, hosted by the Peaceful Unification Advisory Council. This unique event weaves together inspiring lectures, a compelling documentary screening, and heartfelt performances … [Read More]
Korean films at BFI Flare 2024
Last year BFI Flare had a Korean focus, giving us four feature films and a short. It’s only natural that this year’s offering won’t quite match up to last year’s feast, but still we have one feature and a short: Heavy Snow (폭설) Dir: Yun Su-ik (2023, 77 mins) Cast: Han So-hee, Han Hae-in Monday … [Read More]
Korean Film Night: A Tour Guide (믿을 수 있는 사람)
Han-young, a North Korean defector, gets a license to guide Chinese tourists thanks to the language skills she acquired as a refugee in China. She works diligently but faces many challenges, from coworker rivalry to assimilation, all while desperately searching for her missing brother. The irony of Han-Young’s position is emblematic of marginalized peoples’ struggles … [Read More]
A review of the Korean cultural year 2023
2023: a year when an environmental artist from Gwangju shared a hug with the King; four K-pop princesses went to Buckingham Palace and received honorary MBEs; and the tolling bell of Jirisan’s Daewonsa temple was broadcast on BBC Radio 4. The year marked the 140th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the UK … [Read More]