korea

ONCE UPON A TIME IN HIGH SCHOOL Review: Bruce Lee As A Way Of Life

This Korean drama from 2004 and directed by Yoo Hoo, is a story about endurance and youth set in 1978. The action takes place in a rough South Korean high school, where we witness the story of a young kid that has to learn to survive in that hostile environment, where he has to deal with the cruelty of the ruthless cloister and the bullies that unfortunately every high school in the world has. That´s when Bruce Lee becomes in his most important influence to overcome all the adversities, learning from his philosophy the tools to become stronger phisically and emotionally and survive in a world in which only the strong survives, getting in the proccess scars in the heart that remains forever as a reminder of those first lessons that all we have to learn to in the way of adulthood. Although Bruce Lee is a very important part […]

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RIKIDOZAN Review: An Underrated Biopic Of A Pro-Wrestling Legend

Mike Garcia

Biopic of Rikidozan, the pioneer of pro wrestling in Japan and one of the most important wrestlers in the history of the sport. The film is a sport drama that give us an insight look of the struggles that Rikidozan had to experience to become a legend. He was born in Korea in 1924, and his real name was Kim Sin-rak. In the 40´s, he changed his name for Mitsuhiro Momota, and moved to Japan, pursuing his dream to become Sumo Wrestler, however, when his dream couldn´t come true, he didn´t give up and found a new dream, and that dream was the one that turned him into Rikidozan, that dream was Pro Wrestling. This Korean movie from 2004, directed by Song Hae-Sun, deserves more recognition. Somehow it resembles to another similar Korean production, the Mas Oyama biopic, “Fighter in the Wind“, but with a most realistic and dramatic tone. […]

The New Short Trailer For Kim Geon’s CLOCKING OUT Teases High-Speed Thrills

Lee B. Golden III

There’s not a whole lot to come across at the moment but director Kim Geon’s latest, Clocking Out, looks all sorts of exciting at this point. Just thirty seconds in with its first trailer and you’re catapulted into some serious high-speed action that easily speaks to the senses with a sci-fi narrative that sees our cast facing a mysterious species that has taken over Korea. The film is releasing this month and stars Kim Sang-joong, Kim Kang-woo and Joo Won. Hopefully this will get some better press than it currently has now because this looks just fantastic so far, and presumably, a full trailer remains pending. Take a look!

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Watch The Trailer For Chong Seung-Hyun's Shortfilm Debut, STEH AUF (GET UP)

Lee B. Golden III

The 2014 film festival circuit has been and continues to be nothing short of an adventure for actor, writer, producer and director Chong Seung-hyun in lieu of his newest shortfilm, Steh Auf (Get Up). The project is undoubtedly bringing Chong his fair share of accolades, since winning over folks at the Asians On Film Festival back in April, presenting his debut in the form of an all-too real, and likely touching, coming-of-age underdog story about a young man whose seemingly unorthodox path toward boxing is mired by the constant stigma of his mixed heritage. SYNOPSIS: Tae-shik is a 26-years old Korean-German. Despite his Korean upbringing, he cannot quite identify himself as the Korean that his parents had in mind for him. He feels adrift in turmoil, struggling to find his own identity between the two different cultures of Korea and Germany. Nonetheless, he has one thing that brings him passion […]

Choi Min-Sik Leads An Epic Battle Against The Odds In, THE ADMIRAL: ROARING CURRENTS This Weekend!

Lee B. Golden III

Director Kim Han-Min‘s new high seas adventure flick, The Admiral: Roaring Currents has been seeing some pretty good prospects lately. The film has some mixed reviews, but was also a box office hit in South Korea for a second weekend in a row this month, and will now have a limited theatrical release this weekend in North America, courtesy of CJ Entertainment. SYNOPSIS: Year 1597, Joseon Dynasty has been under Japanese attack for six years. As the nation faces possibility of loss with the Japanese military charging fearlessly to the capital of the nation, Admiral YI is reappointed as the Chief of Naval Operations and assembles a group of soldiers to defend the nation against Japanese attack. Japanese Chief Commander Kurushima (RYU Seung-ryong), notorious for his cruel personality and clever strategies, respond by destroying Joseon’s one last hope, the Turtle Ship. With just 12 battleships and an army of doubtful […]

GUNBLADE Kicks Ass And Blows Things Up In New Footage!

Lee B. Golden III

Following last week’s announcement of Tokusatsu auteur Koichi Sakamoto‘s latest project, Gunblade, the folks at Ranger Crew have forwarded new footage released online from the upcoming series set for Korean households next year, with air dates to be announced for other parts of Asia, as well as Europe and North America. The footage comprises of the pitch video, the teaser and a behind-the-scenes featurette for the pitch which presents another promising venture into the genre that fans can look forward to, assuring followers of Toku lore that the world will never run out of heroes. A new detailed press release was issued with the unveiling of the new series which you can read below as well. Take a look and keep your fingers crossed. LAS VEGAS, June 17, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Gunblade Industry SPC, a subsidiary of A mate Inc., a South Korean-based production company, unveiled their newest action drama, […]

Koichi Sakamoto's GUNBLADE Settles On Korea In 2015, Europe And U.S. To Follow

Lee B. Golden III

Tokusatsu action filmmaker and Power Rangers veteran director Koichi Sakamoto is full of surprises…at least for me anyway. It turns out the director of Travelers, 009-1, Red X Pink and Innocent Lillies has been busy in Korea for a while making it happen with a brand new TV show on the horizon titled Gunblade. Sadly, it will be airing first in Korean households, with a waiting period for the U.S. from now through the next two-and-a-half years. But, at least it’s coming. At any rate, check out the press release below from last week, in addition to the new artwork! From the executive producer and director who brought adoring fans the hit popular series, “Power Rangers,” Koichi Sakamoto will bring to life the next generation of superheroes with a new action drama, “GUNBLADE.” The highly-anticipated show will be unveiled during the 2014 Licensing Expo at Mandalay Bay Convention Center on Tuesday, […]

Check Out What's Happening At NYAFF 2014 This June!

Lee B. Golden III

Anyone in the mood for some Asian cinema? Then Lincoln Center is your place to be this summer, host to the usual wide array of films ranging from classic to contemporary projects. A few of them are currently upcoming in certain parts of the globe in one form or another. Hopefully you can attend this event yourself this month and see what all the fuss is about. Film Society’s own Brian Brooks has the official line-up as announced below: The international premiere of Alan Mak and Felix Chong’s crime thriller Overheard 3 will open the New York Asian Film Festival on June 27. The 13th edition of the festival will showcase 60 features, including 20 North American, six U.S., and 11 New York premieres, in addition to filmmaker and celebrity guests from Asia and Australia, announced the Film Society of Lincoln Center and Subway Cinema, in association with the Japan […]

A Grudge Between Two Old Friends Unfolds In The New Trailer For MONKEYS

Lee B. Golden III

The 15th annual Jeonju International Film Festival has its Korean Film Competition finalists lined-up as of last month, ahead of the two-part event set to begin between May 1 through May 10. One such selection includes Jung Byung-shik‘s directorial debut, Monkeys, a feature-length Korean noir action comedy satirizing the indepenednt film scene. Jung Byoung-gil, best known for helming the 2008 Korean stunt documentary, Action Boys, and the 2012 thriller, Confessions Of Murder, trades the director’s chair for an acting role this time around alongside Jeon Se-jin and Kwak Jin-seok. Check out the trailer below, and to learn more about the Jeonju Film Festival line-up, head over to their official website by CLICKING HERE. SYNOPSIS: Monkeys revolves around Gong-hyeok, a man who once had future ambitions of becoming renowned in the music and film industry. Yet now in his late twenties and in dire need to support his family, Gong-hyeok is […]

THE HUNTRESSES Gets A New Trailer And Release Date!

Lee B. Golden III

Releasing in South Korea on January 29, 2014 is the long-awaited Joseon period sageuk action adventure, The Huntresses. And this week, the film is back with a brand new character trailer which delivers more of what filmgoers can expect, including its fair of high-flying swordplay, quirky dialogue, silly comedy and…bellydancing! The new release date and trailer come just as a new poster and trailer were also unveiled last year, breathing a sign of life back into the film since its delay last year, protracted lengthy post-production process. The Huntresses stars Ha Ji Won, Kang Ye Won, Son Ga In, Joo Sang Wook and Ko Chang Seok and is directed by Park Je Hyun. SYNOPSIS: As a child, Jin-ok witnessed the murder of her father and narrowly escaped death. She is taken under the wing of Mu-myeong, the man who saved her life, and trains in martial arts alongside two other […]

The New Japanese Trailer For SNOWPIERCER Has Arrived!

Lee B. Golden III

For a film that has done significantly well on an international level, you would think The Weinstein Company, who own the rights in English-speaking territories to director Bong Joon-Ho‘s highly acclaimed post-apocalyptic contained sci-fi action epic, Snowpiercer, would stop holding out on the film that the rest of us truly deserve to see by now. But nope, that’s not the case. While we last learned that exclusive test viewings Bong‘s version here in America rated higher than TWC’s edited version, in addition to the director and distributor “talking a lot” about keeping the final cut, nothing has been said publicly so far about what WILL be done. So yeah, I sense the bitterness among fans, and it’s frustrating. Kinda like talking to a brick wall at this point. Japan will get to see the full film in all its glory on February 7, 2014 courtesy of Bitter’s End and Kadokawa, […]

Gao Yoon Leaps Into Action In A New Trailer Featurette For Korean Thriller, THE SUSPECT

Lee B. Golden III

Garnering some notable comparions on tone and pacing with the Bourne movie franchise, the Korean action cinema scene continues to leave a buzzing impression with the upcoming December release of The Suspect. After wrapping up a late Autumn 2012-June 2013 shoot, a stunt/action featurette was recently unveiled online showcasing a non-CG infused minute’s taste of what will come for film fans eager to see director Won Shin-Yeon‘s latest thriller, featuring lead actor Gong Yoo in what is said to be his pending debut lead role for an action film. The Suspect also stars Park Hee-soon, Cho Seong-ha and Yoo Da-in, and is produced by Shin Chang-Hwan from a script by Lim Sang-yoon, with stunt coordination by O Se-young and cinematography by Lee Sung-Jae. SYNOPSIS: Dong-chul was the best special field agent in North Korea, but he’s abandoned by his government during a mission. While on the run, he looks for […]

Revenge Is A Dish Best Served In Time In The New Trailer For DAYS OF WRATH

Lee B. Golden III

Making its Korean theatrical release next month is director Shin Dong-Yeob‘s latest film, which pretty much takes everything Phil Joanou did for Three O’Clock High and sets it 15 years later with an epic, grittier, grimmer toned feature thriller well-suited for fans of Korean cinema. Formerly titled The Punisher, Days Of Wrath sees actor Joo Sang-wook as a vengeful man unable to let go of the tragedy and victimhood of his high school past, brought on by his former bully who has since moved on to a more transient and fruitful life despite his forgotten evil ways. The film also stars Yang Dong-geun and Lee Tae-im, along with Jang Tae-seong, Kang Dae-hyeon and Kim Kwon and is set for domestic release on October 31, 2013. SYNOPSIS: Back in his high school days, Joon-Seok (Joo Sang-Wook) was bullied by Chang-Sik (Yang Dong-Geun). Because of this, Joon-Seok’s high school days were like […]

An Unlikely Assassin Puts Family First In The New Trailer For THE ALUMNI

Lee B. Golden III

The latest trailer is now online from the upcoming Korean assassin thriller, The Alumni, from director Park Hong-Soo. Based on a script by Kim Soo-Young that centers on the historical consequences suffered by third generation Koreans, the film focuses on the story of young man who moves south and is forced to live the life of an assassin killing North Korean spies to save his sister after his father dies. Production on the film saw a few significant hurdles between June of 2012 and January 2013, largely highlit by Typhoon Bolaven (reportedly the biggest storm to hit the Korean penninsula in a decade) in addition to the departure of the film’s original director, Park Shin-Woo, due to creative differences. The film has since completed production and now slated for a November domestic release. Internationally titled Commitment, The Alumni stars Korean hip hop artist and Big Bang frontman Choi Seung-Hyun (a.k.a. […]