Once Upon a Time in Corea (2008) Movie Review

“Once Upon a Time in Corea” sees the return of director Jeong Yong Ki, previously responsible for the second and third instalments of the hit comedy series “Marrying the Mafia” as well as the ghost story “The Doll Master”. Here, he tries his hand at period set action,...

April 23rd, 2008 | Read More

Punch Lady (2007) Movie Review

“Punch Lady” is the new film from Korean director Kang Hyo Jin, who previously worked on the script for the popular hit “My Wife is a Gangster”. Here, she returns to familiar feminist territory, though tackling the more serious topic of domestic violence. Taking a literally hard-hitting...

April 23rd, 2008 | Read More

The Wig (2005) Tartan DVD Review

Whether Korean horror “The Wig”, receiving a somewhat belated DVD release through Tartan, is seen as yet another in a never ending series of films about malevolent yet inanimate objects, or as a bizarre offshoot of the never ending long haired female ghost cycle, it is hard not to come to...

April 18th, 2008 | Read More

M (2007) Movie Review

“M” is the latest effort from critically acclaimed Korean director Lee Myung Se, who has won praise both at home and abroad for his highly stylised works that tend to overflow with cinematic flair. With this, his eighth film he seems to be in reflective mood, combing the themes of bittersweet...

March 21st, 2008 | Read More

Venus and Mars (2007) Movie Review

Korean director Han Ji Seung, previously known for “Too Beautiful To Lie” and “Fun Movie” tries to shake up the romantic comedy genre with his latest offering “Venus and Mars”. Here, he takes the battle between the sexes to its logical conclusion, casting aside all...

March 21st, 2008 | Read More

Going by the Book (2007) Movie Review

With Korean crime and detective dramas of late having been a fairly straight-faced and generic bunch, rarely diverting too far from the given formula, the determinedly off beat “Going by the Book” comes as a breath of fresh air. Directed by first time helmer Ra Hee Chan and written by award...

March 21st, 2008 | Read More

Our Town (2007) Movie Review

“Our Town” takes the tried and tested serial killer genre and gives it a bit of a shake up by offering the viewer not one, but two crazy murderers on the rampage. Although this may sound like a somewhat desperate gimmick, first time director Jung Gil Young uses this unusual premise to craft...

March 17th, 2008 | Read More

My Eleventh Mother (2008) Movie Review

“My Eleventh Mother” sees popular Korean actress Kim Hye Su, best known for playing sexy sirens in the likes of “Tazza: The High Rollers” and “A Day For An Affair”, taking on a very different role. Here, eschewing make up for the most part, she plays a down and out...

March 16th, 2008 | Read More

May 18 (2007) Movie Review

“May 18″ deals with the Gwangju Uprising, a dark episode in Korean history when in 1980 the city attempted to stand up against dictator Chun Doo Hwan, who had taken control of the country after his 1979 military coup. Directed by Kim Ji Hoo, who previously gave audiences the popular comedy...

March 1st, 2008 | Read More

Our School (2006) Movie Review

“Our School” sees documentary film maker Kim Myung Joon taking on a potentially fascinating and unique subject in deciding to explore and follow the lives of students and staff at a school set up in Japan by Korean immigrants in 1945 to protect their own culture, language and sense of identity....

February 23rd, 2008 | Read More

The Beauty in Dream (2002) Movie Review

“The Beauty in Dream” marked the second directorial outing for popular Korean actor Lee Kyung Young, best known for his roles in the likes of “Run Away”, “The Terrorist” and most recently “The Windmill Palm Grove”. Here, he offers viewers a slice of unashamed,...

February 23rd, 2008 | Read More

Mother (2007) Movie Review

“Mother” marks the return of acclaimed actor turned director Ha Myung Joong, whose 1984 effort “The Blazing Sun” was the first Korean film to play at the Berlin International Film Festival, where it was nominated for the Golden Bear. For this, his first film since 1990, he has...

February 17th, 2008 | Read More

The Two Faces of my Girlfriend (2007) Movie Review

As can probably be gleamed from its title, “The Two Faces of My Girlfriend” from Korean director Lee Seok Hoon is another in the long line of wacky romantic comedies inspired by the success and enduring popularity of “My Sassy Girl”. Whilst to an extent this does give a pretty...

January 20th, 2008 | Read More

Mission Possible: Kidnapping Granny K (2007) Movie Review

“Mission Possible: Kidnapping Granny K” is the latest outing from Korean director Kim Sang Jin, known for the hits “Attack the Gas Station!”, “Kick the Moon” and “Jail Breakers”. Here he again sticks to what he does best with another wild comedy, though...

January 20th, 2008 | Read More

Femme Fatale (2007) Movie Review

Proving that the remake process works both ways comes “Femme Fatale”, a new Korean version of the 1998 French film “Serial Lover” which marks the debut of director Kang Kyung Hoon. Although updated to work in some distinctly Korean humour, the film is basically the same brand...

January 12th, 2008 | Read More

A Love (2007) Movie Review

Although though he is not as well known internationally as the likes of Park Chan Wook and Bong Joon Ho, director Kwak Kyung Taek is one of the biggest and most successful film makers in Korea, having been responsible for such blockbusters as “Friend”, “Mutt Boy”, and “Typhoon”....

January 12th, 2008 | Read More

Epitaph (2007) Movie Review

Against all the odds, with the genre having long been lingering in the cinematic doldrums, 2007 turned out to be a bumper year for Korean horror, largely thanks to the willingness of directors to innovate and to try something a little different than the usual simple tales of vengeful long haired spirits...

January 6th, 2008 | Read More

Red Eye (2005) Movie Review #2

“Red Eye” sees the return of Korean director Kim Dong Bin after a considerable absence following his popular “Ringu” knock off “The Ring Virus” back in 1999. Although his latest effort is not another actual remake, for all practical purposes it may as well be, being...

January 5th, 2008 | Read More

Changing Partners (aka Love Now, 2007) Movie Review

Modern relationships come under scrutiny again in Korean director Jung Yoon Soo’s “Love Now” (also known by the equally appropriate title “Changing Partners”), a romantic comedy which revolves around life, love and infidelity. Boasting a top cast and promising a realistic...

November 23rd, 2007 | Read More

Someone Behind You (2007) Movie Review

“Someone Behind You” sees Korean director Oh Ki Hwan turning his hand to horror after enjoying success with the romantic comedy “The Art Of Seduction”. Based on a popular and critically acclaimed comic by Kang Kyung Ok called “Two People”, while the film looks to all...

November 23rd, 2007 | Read More