The new season of screenings at the KCC has the theme Rebels with a Cause. The opener will bring back a few memories – it’s been ages since I last saw this one. Bungee Jumping of their Own (번지점프를 하다) Director: Kim Dae-seung (2000, 101 mins) Cast: Lee Byung-hun, Lee Eun-ju Thursday 19 July 2018 … [Read More]
People: Lee Eun-ju
Lee Eun-ju, still remembered 5 years on
It’s five years to the day since she took her own life. To remember her, here’s a recording of her cover version of the Corrs’ song Only When I Sleep (1997). The version is from Lee Eun-ju’s final film, The Scarlet Letter. Via James Turnbull and SuzyinSeoul [Read More]
Scarlet Letter screens at the KCC
The second of two films featuring the late actress Lee Eun-ju is The Scarlet Letter (주홍글씨, dir Byeon Hyeok, 2004). This was Lee’s last film, and it was said that the film contributed to the depression which led her to commit suicide. Also starring Han Suk-gyu. Synopsis Strong and confident detective Gi-hun is married to … [Read More]
Bungee Jump at the KCC
The first of this month’s film screenings featuring the sadly missed Lee Eun-ju is Bungee Jumping of their own (번지점프를 하다) (Kim Dae-seung, 2001), also starring Lee Byung-hun. Here’s a synopsis, in fluent Konglish, from KMDB. The summer of 1983. SEO In-woo, majoring in Korean language & literature, has not believed in love and fate, … [Read More]
Lovers’ Concerto (연애소설, 2002) review: love remembered, hearts broken
Framed through memory and regret, Lovers’ Concerto follows a young man reflecting on a formative relationship with two women. Openly melodramatic and often contrived, it nonetheless builds deep empathy through measured direction, strong performances, and emotional unpredictability, culminating in an unrelenting portrait of love, loss, and heartbreak. [Read More]
The Scarlet Letter (주홍글씨, 2004) review: desire, deception and the cost of temptation
The Scarlet Letter is an utterly gripping work showing the darker side of love and the consequences of surrendering completely to lust and temptation, using explicit sexuality in a tragic study of identity, power and consequences. It also serves as a tribute to the talent of the late Lee Eun-joo. [Read More]
Oh Soojung Blogathon
To coincide with another retrospective of the complete oeuvre of Hong Sang-soo, Hell on Frisco Bay has announced a Blog-a-thon on the subject of A Virgin Stripped Bare by her Bachelors on March 21 this year. I gather that what this means is that anyone who runs a blog and who is interested can write … [Read More]
Korea has OECD’s top suicide rate
Korea’s National Statistics Office recent report was picked up by Yonhap and the Chosun. “The high suicide rate in South Korea seems to reflect a surge in social conflicts, including feuds between the sexes, economic hardship and domestic violence,” an NSO official said according to Yonhap. The Chosun article focuses on the “prolonged economic slump … [Read More]