Ha Jung-woo discusses his character-building process, research-driven acting, and transition into directing. He reflects on action and drama roles, collaboration with directors, balancing acting and filmmaking, painting as emotional release, and navigating independent and studio cinema, while sharing insights from films including The Chaser, The Berlin File and The Terror Live. [Read More]
People: Ha Jung-woo (page 2)
The Unforgiven: a fleetingly interesting but ultimately dull debut for Yoon Jong-bin
The Unforgiven represents two hours of my life that I shall never get back. Two hours, but it felt like more. After an hour I was looking at my watch, wondering where the film was headed. And then, like Achilles and the tortoise, the remaining period of the film was divided in two, and at … [Read More]
The Berlin File – so slick it’s really rather dull
A plot which involves a dodgy international arms deal, a secret multibillion dollar bank account belonging to the extended family of Kim Jong-il and a power struggle in the wake of Kim Jong-un’s succession. A list of characters which includes operatives from the CIA, Mossad, and both North and South Korean security agencies, plus would-be … [Read More]
The Berlin File (베를린, 2013) review: a high-octane journey through espionage, loyalty and humanity
‘The Berlin File’ is at once a tale of political intrigue and a dissection of North and South Korean attitudes to humanity, morals and freedom all wrapped up in a high-octane thriller. While the ultimate narrative destination can largely be predicted, in this case the journey is equally as important, if not more so. [Read More]
Year of the Four Actors – the schedule
After 2012’s Year of the 12 Directors, 2013 brings Year of the 4 Actors, with 24 films and three Q&As featuring Moon So-ri, Jeon Do-yeon, Choi Min-sik and Ha Jung-woo. Here’s the schedule: Date Title Director Moon Sori 17 January The President’s Barber Lim Chan-sang 31 January A Good Lawyer’s Wife Im Sang-soo 14 February … [Read More]
Lee Yoon-ki’s My Dear Enemy screens at the KCC
There are still seats available for Lee Yoon-ki’s My Dear Enemy (2008) this evening, which comes with LKL’s recommendation. And that’s not just because Cannes best actress winner Jeon Do-yeon is in it. My Dear Enemy (멋진 하루) Director: Lee Yoon-ki Running Time: 123 mins Screening Date: 7pm, 23 August, 2012 Theatre: Multi-Purpose Hall, KCCUK … [Read More]
Festival Film Review: Blood, Sweat, Tears and Laughter – ‘Yellow Sea’ has it all
While on a visit to Korea, I once asked a wise, old-looking Korean how he would describe the spirit of the Korean people. My friend who was interpreting answered the question instead, to my initial annoyance, giving the answer ‘Fun’, which I found doubly disappointing given its apparent banality. Several years on, I am beginning … [Read More]
The Chaser (추격자, 2008) review: relentless pursuit in a brutal serial killer thriller
An ex-cop turned pimp races to save a woman from a confessed serial killer before police incompetence sets him free. If Old Boy and Memories of Murder had an illegitimate love child it would be The Chaser. That said, the plot still grippingly supplants expectations. [Read More]
The Yellow Sea (황해, 2010) review: Na Hong-jin’s visceral tale of desperation and chaos
The Yellow Sea is a fast-paced, violent and bloody rollercoaster ride which details its numerous narrative threads in such a heart-pounding manner that it virtually guarantees audiences will be left exhilarated and perhaps even breathless… [Read More]
My Dear Enemy (멋진 하루, 2008) review: a subtle character study straddling the line between drama and rom-com
Initially appearing to be a quirky “road movie”, My Dear Enemy ultimately proves itself to be an uplifting and multi-layered character study. Contrasting material poverty with spiritual richness, and with subtle direction and believable chemistry between lead actors, this is an engaging and gently gripping film from beginning to end [Read More]
Time (시간, 2006) review: identity, insecurity and the limits of reinvention
More a discussion of perception than a depiction of the increasing trend for plastic surgery, Time ably shows that a physical change in appearance only scratches the surface, literally, of who a person is and the mental issues they have. [Read More]
The Fox Family (구미호 가족, 2006) review: monsters, music and the meaning of humanity
At the same time, a horror film, a black comedy, a musical extravaganza and a love story, The Fox Family asks whether humanity is reserved for, and often wasted on, humans. A genuinely funny and engaging film which, like its characters, has more to it than initially meets the eye. [Read More]
Catch Na Hong-jin’s Chaser while you can!
Saharial advises you to go see The Chaser on the big screen while you can. I was delighted when I discovered, at long last, a Korean film showing again in a city centre cinema, something that seems very rare these days. The basic story that I knew before I went in, was that it concerned … [Read More]