Production designer Ryu Seonghie discusses shaping meaning through space, colour, and symbolism; balancing realism and fantasy; working with directors like Park Chan-wook and Bong Joon-ho; navigating gender barriers, budget limits, and collaboration; and her concerns about commercial trends, sexuality, and diminishing narrative depth in contemporary Korean cinema. [Read More]
Event tag: Year of the film professionals
Ryu Seonghie is the last of the KCC’s film professionals
The KCC brings their Year of the Film Professionals to an end with a focus on art director and production designer Ryu Seong-hie, who has worked on some of the top Korean movies of this century. The Year of the Film Professionals: Ryu Seonghie — Production Designer October – December 2014 One of the longest … [Read More]
Cho Young-wuk on waltzes, playgrounds and working with Park Chan-wook
An in-depth look at film composer Cho Young-wuk, his creative process and long-standing collaboration with Park Chan-wook. From the iconic Oldboy score to live performances and audience Q&A in London, the article explores how music shapes mood, character and cinematic identity. [Read More]
Cho Young-wuk interview: motifs, process and collaboration in film music
Cho Young-wuk discusses his approach to film scoring, from early motif selection and character-focused themes to team-based composition. He reflects on collaborations with Park Chan-wook, instrument choices, gender and music, avoiding self-imitation, balancing commerce and art, and adapting styles—from classical motifs to spaghetti westerns. [Read More]
Cho Young-wuk to conduct the Philharmonia Orchestra in his “Oldboy Suite”
At the time of writing, according to the KCC website there are just 3 seats left for the Oldboy screening on Thursday. But people who have booked will have received an email to remind them that if they don’t turn up promptly their seat will be given to people on the waiting list. Whatever, if … [Read More]
A special Oldboy screening with live music and Q&A
When did you last see Oldboy on the big screen? In fact, have you ever seen it on the big screen? Come to think of it, I’m not sure if I have myself. Like many, I’ve got the DVD, and sometimes watch it when it’s screened on Film 4, and of course many of the … [Read More]
Brief film review: The Contact (Jang Yoon-hyeon, 1997)
Synopsis: Dong-hyun (Han Suk-gyu), a radio DJ, has recently been dumped by his girlfriend. Lovelorn and scorned his mood is lifted when he receives a copy of a vinyl Velvet Underground LP thinking that it is a gift from his ex. Since it holds a special meaning for his demised relationship, he plays Pale Blue … [Read More]
Cho Young-wuk is the third of the KCC’s film professionals
The Year of the Film Professionals turns to focus on music director Jo Young-wook / Cho Young-wuk, who according to Hancinema has a pretty impressive roster of films to his credit. Here’s the schedule for the quarter. Registration as always is required via the KCCUK website. The Contact (접속) Director: Jang Yoon-hyun (1997) Cast: Han … [Read More]
The Contact – the first of the films featuring composer Cho Young-wuk
The Year of the Film Professionals moves on to focus on composer Cho Young-wuk. The first film to be shown, The Contact (Chang Yoon-Hyun 1997), has been on my watchlist for a while, so I’ll be sure to be there: Jeon Do-yeon’s first feature, with a youthful Han Suk-kyu. The Contact (접속) Jang Yoon-hyeon, 1997 … [Read More]
Chung Chung-hoon interview: cinematography, character and collaboration
Cinematographer Chung Chung-hoon outlines his character-driven approach to visuals, long-standing collaboration with Park Chan-wook, and balance between on-set craft and post-production. He discusses colour, contrast, technology, storyboards, working across Korea and Hollywood, and shaping imagery through drama, movement, and location. [Read More]
Antarctic Journal: a promising start, a confusing end, and a film to be avoided
Antarctic Journal (Im Pil-seong, 2004) screened at the KCC on 24 April as part of the Year of the Film Professionals. The second professional to be so featured was cinematographer Chung Chung-hoon, who gives Park Chan-wook movies their distinctive look. Antarctic Journal is one of Chung’s rare films with another director. Given the poor reviews … [Read More]
Cinematographer Chung Chung-hoon is the second of the KCC’s film professionals
News of season 2 of the KCC’s “Year of the Film Professionals”. This quarter we are focusing on cinematographer Chung Chung Hoon, who is associated with, or indeed created, Park Chan-wook’s visual style. Note that the Q&A is mid-season, at the end of May. Here are the screenings: Thursday 10 Apr 7pm: Sympathy for Lady … [Read More]
Park Hoon-jung interview: stories from real life
Park Hoon-jung discusses his approach to screenwriting and directing, prioritising story and character over genre, drawing inspiration from Korean society and politics, and embracing budget constraints. He reflects on violence, power structures, collaboration with directors, adapting scripts to actors, and the evolution of his craft from writer to filmmaker. [Read More]
Screen writer Park Hoon-jung the first focus of the KCC’s 2014 film programme
Having focused on actors and directors in their screenings in the last two years, the KCC this year shifts to looking at other members of the production team – music directors, cinematographers, production designers and the like. Appropriately, in the run-up to the London Book Fair in April, the first profession to get the spotlight … [Read More]