It was a very pleasing selection of Korean films at the BFI London Film Festival this year. And for the first time that I can remember, I managed to get to all of them. Here are the verdicts. The Assassination 암살, Dir Choi Dong-hoon, 2015. With a fantastic ensemble cast, including Jeon Ji-hyun as the … [Read More]
People: Jeon Ji-hyun
Assassination (암살, 2015) review: a sumptuous period action epic
Set during the Colonial Period, Assassination is a star-studded, high-stakes thriller involving resistance fighters and double-crosses. Even from its early stages, it’s easy to see why it was such a huge draw at the box office. Sumptuous visuals combine with a gripping narrative to provide out-and-out entertainment, albeit overlong and lacking in character depth. [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]
Looking back at 2012: Hallyu and entertainment news
In the second of four round-ups of links to news which caught our eye in 2012, we focus on hallyu-related stories from around the world, some of the local entertainment industry stories plus a quick look at the film industry. UK. The Guardian put together an entertaining photoshop when London Mayor Boris Johnson claimed he … [Read More]
The Uninvited / Table for 4 (4인용식탁, 2003) review: a haunting exploration of real-life horror and family secrets
Ominous, brooding and foreboding throughout, The Uninvited/Table for 4 centres on horrors, atrocities and tragedies based in reality and, as such, is far more powerful, worthy and indeed horrifying than the majority of New Korean Cinema wave vengeful ghost-fests ever could be. [Read More]
Choi Dong-hoon interview: “a genius storyteller”
Director Choi Dong-hoon discusses his move from acting to full-time directing, his approach to genre cinema, and why character matters more than message. He explains the creative choices behind The Thieves, casting Jeon Ji-hyun and Kim Hye-soo, working beyond heist films, and balancing Korean stories with growing international audiences. [Read More]
Festival Film Review: The Thieves – an exhilarating start to LKFF 2012
What can one say about one of the most popular Korean films ever? It’s slick, it’s got Jeon Ji-hyun and Kim Hye-su; it’s got Lee Jeong-jae, Kim Yun-seok and even Hong Kong megastar Simon Yam. Yes, it’s a real pleasure to combine in one film some of your favourite Korean eye-candy with a couple of … [Read More]
Jeon Ji-hyun finally comes clean on her upcoming marriage
Enewsworld explains why Jeon Ji-hyun denied wedding rumours for so long: she needed to get some modelling contracts signed first. The wedding is on 13 April, brought forward from 2 June, after which she starts shooting Ryu Seung-wan’s new film Berlin http://bit.ly/ygigUg. [Read More]
“Thank you, Jeon Ji-hyun! And Sorry”
“Thank you, Jeon Ji-hyun! And sorry.” Interesting piece on the use of celebrity models in Korea’s cosmetics industry, as Kim Tae-hee replaces Jeon for the Elastine brand http://t.co/3xWVg32V [Read More]
Jeon Ji-hyun with Li Bing Bing in US Vogue
Annie Leibovitz photographs Jeon Ji-hyun with Li Bing Bing in July's US Vogue to mark the release of Snow Flower and the Secret Fan. http://bit.ly/iUJsCo # [Read More]
Jeon Ji-hyun’s comeback
Jeon Ji-hyun to feature in July issue of US Vogue to mark the release of her film Snow Flower and the Secret Fan – nice to see her back in the news after so long. http://bit.ly/ia2ohe # [Read More]
A Man Who Was Superman (슈퍼맨이었던 사나이, 2008) review: memory, empathy and a broken hero
A Man Who Was Superman is a moving character study showing the frailties of the human mind and the resultant effects of both physical and emotional trauma. A film which ultimately reminds us that though the past can’t be changed the future has not yet been written. [Read More]
Daisy (데이지, 2006) review: flawed but nice-looking romance-thriller
A Hong Kong / Korean co-production set in Amsterdam, Daisy would be a stunningly beautiful, engaging love story and suspenseful thriller if not for the lapses in logic and the fact that the narration pushes itself too far and takes itself a little bit too seriously. [Read More]
The Rain and Jeon Ji-hyun rumours
Yes, I know they deny it, but wouldn't it be a good story if Rain and Jeon Ji-hyun really were an item? http://bit.ly/a8UEko # [Read More]
Jeon Ji-hyun’s new film: Snow Flower
Can’t wait for Snow Flower and the Secret Fan http://bit.ly/5WGEjZ. Jeon Ji-hyun and Zhang Ziyi. What more could you ask for? 11:32 PM Jan 9th from bit.ly [Read More]