Archive for the 'DVDs: New Releases' Category

Since the success of Old Partner last year and the interest in such movies as Daytime Drinking and Fly Penguin, Korean indie films have been getting easier to see in theater and find on DVD. All of the DVDs being released this week fit into the category of Independent Films and may be worth checking out.

First up is ONE NIGHT STAND, an omnibus featuring directors Min Yong=geun, Jang Hoon, and Lee Yoo-rim.  In the first story, a man watches the couple next door each night even as he is being watched by the woman in the apartment across the street. The second story features a man sexually frustrated by his cold wife finding himself attracted to his friend’s girlfriend and who becomes irrationally angry when he sees another couple having sex. The third story has a foreign film critic, in Korea for a film festival, falling for the person who scrubs his back in a spa. Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: English & Korean/ Rating: Ages 18+ /Format: 1.85:1 widescreen anamorphic/ Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0/Running Time: 98 minutes/ Special Features: Commentary by director Jang Hoon & three short films–one from each director, trailer/ Recommended Price: 25,300 KRW/ Available: October 7.

THE NEIGHBOR ZOMBIE.  When I had watched and reviewed this film a few months ago, I was not particularly kind. That was because I was expecting something different. Do not buy this film if you are a fan of horror looking for a zombie plague in Seoul. While that does happen, the films is more of a social commentary than a horror movie. Some of the sequences in this omnibus are well done and some have good ideas–like the aftermath– but the small budget hinders this movie and I don’t feel it reached its full potential. I will see it again and I believe going into it with a different set of expectations will improve my viewing experience. Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: English & Korean/ Rating: Ages 15+ / Format: 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0/ Region Code: 3/ Running Time: 89 minutes/ Recommended Price: 19,800 KRW/ Available: October 7

PINK RABBIT. I remember when this movie was released but don’t know very much about this film. It;s classified as a comic/drama which may be why I didn’t pay too much attention to it when it in theaters– I rarely watch comedies. Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: Korean & English/ Rating: ages 15+/ Format: 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0/ Region Code: all regions/ running time: 95 minutes/ Recommended Price: 19,800 KRW/ Available: October 7

The Old Potter:  I am very happy, and a little surprised, to see this movie getting a DVD release. It heads to the top of my ‘must have’ list and I will be ordering it this week. I have already seen this film several times on tv, but that won’t stop me from enjoying it again. This 1969 film was directed by Choi Ha-won and stars the great Hwang Hae, Yoon Jeong-hee, Nam Koong-won and Heo Jang-kang. Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: English & Korean/ Rating: Ages 15+/ Format: 2.56:1 anamorphic/ Audio: Dolby Digital mono/  Special features: image gallery, production info book/ Region Code: All/ Running time: 95 minutes/ Recommended Price: 15,400 KRW/ Available: September 28

Personal Tastes:  The title listed here is not official, just a translation of the Korean title. I did not find an English name online. Number of discs: 11/ Subtitles: None/ Rating: Ages 15+/ Region Code: 3/ Special Features: Individual interviews with the six lead actors including Son Ye-jin and Lee Min-ho, Interviews with director/producer/writer, making of episodes 1-16, ngs, shooting the opening credits, music video, etc/ Recommended Price: 121,000 KRW/ Available from Oct. 1

No Korean movies are being released on DVD  this week.

Two items that may be of interest are being released onto DVD this coming week, the remake of the 1960 classic The Housemaid and a documentary about Korea’s figure-skating champion, Kim Yeon-ah-(who’s name on the video box is spelled Kim Yu-na… is that how she spells it in English? That doesn’t give the right pronunciation…)

The Housemaid (2-discs)– Although this movie failed to live up to expectations, I still recommend it. It is beautifully shot and an interesting story with a thought provoking ending. The only problem this film really suffered from was marketing itself as a remake of Kim Ki-yeong’s original Housemaid made in 1960. The films are so different that people, including myself, were disappointed. However, as its own movie, it is quite good and well worth watching.   DVD stats– Subtitles: English & Korean/ Rating: ages 18+/ Format: 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen, disc 2–4:3 full screen;16:9 full screen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1, disc 2-Dolby Digital 2.0/Special Features: 2 sets of optional commentaries–set 1: Director Im Sang-soo, actors Jeon Do-yeon, Lee Jeong-jae, Yoon Yeo-jeong, set 2: Director Im Sang-soo, critic Na Da-eun; pre-production, adaptation for modern times, making, character profiles, at the Cannes Films Festival, NGs, trailers, music video/ Running time: movie-107 minutes, extras 76 minutes/ Recommended Price: 25,300/ Available: September 14 

Hip Korea: Kim Yu-Na– Subtitles: English/ Rating: All ages/ Region Code: all regions/ Disc 1: Happy Skater/ Disc 2: All about Kim Yun-ah/ Recommended Price: 33,000 KRW/ Available: September 15-

I have to break a promise I made to myself.  I had told myself this past week that I should not buy any more DVDs this month.  I already received to large orders. This was because the online dvd site I usually use was not carrying two things I really wanted–the Romantic Comedy Collection of the 1950s and the Yoo Ji-Tae Collection of short films. However another site was, so I registered and ordered them from there. Then I figured, while I was on the site why not look around and see what else they offer that I don’t have.  I found 16 other things I wanted. They included things I had been looking for like Kim Soo-yong’s A Seaside Village (1965) and I Will Survive (1993), things I had forgotten existed like Plastic Tree (2003) and Quick Man (2000) and some things I was interested in seeing for the actors who were debuting or simply very young at the time Vectorman (1999)–Kim Seong-soo’s debut and Emergency Measure 19 (2002) which stars many popular singers of the time who have gone on the other things. BUT I had forgotten that this was the week that the Lee Man-hee Box Set was due to be released. That is one that I absolutely MUST buy.

Lee Man-Hee Box Set (4 discs)–Subtitles:  English, Japanese & Korean/ Rating: ages 15+/ Format: 2.37:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital Mono/ Region Code: 3/ Special Feaures: Booklet containing information on the films in Korean and English, optional commentary (more below), documentary on Lee Man-hee, image gallery/Running time: 372 minutes (total)/ Recommended Price: 49,500 KRW/ Availability: September 6–  This set contains the films The Marines Who Never Returned (1963) with optional comments by director Choi Jae-hoon and Cine21 reporter Ju Seong-cheol; Black Hair (1964)–comments by director Park Chan-wook and film critic Kim Yeong-jin; Holiday (1968) with comments by director/critic Jeong Seong-il; Assassin (1969) with comments by director Oh Seung-wook and Ju Seong-cheol.

Restoration (2 disc)– This film hovered around the lower tiers of the box office for months after its release–unusual for any film but especially for a documentary. Restoration is a religious documenary about Israel and Palestine with narration by KBS announcer Park Ji-yoon.  The first disc in this set is the film, the second is the OST. Subtitles: Korean & English/ Rating: ages 12+/ Format: 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1, 2.0/ Running time: 94 minutes (movie), 42 minutes OST/ Recommended Price: 25,300 KRW/ Availability: September 9

The Shorts Films of writer No Hee-kyeong–Award winning drama screenwriter No Hee-kyeong is being honored with this release of five of her made-for-tv short films ranging back to the late 90s. However, I suspect this dvd set will be of little interest to most readers of this site as the discs are not subtitled. But if you are interested, the set information is as follows:  Number of  discs: 3/ Subtitles: None/ Rating: None/ Format: 4:3 full screen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0/ Special features: Interview with No Hee-kyeong and director Pyo Min-soo/ Recommended Price: 38,500 KRW/ Available: September 1

Cafe Seoul– Director Masaharu Take helmed this Korean-Japanese co-production in 2009. Director Take previous work includes We Shall Overcome Someday, Sweet Boys and Sweet Boys 2. His ‘Sweet Boys’ films are titled Cafe Daikanyama and Cafe Seoul seems to be along the same vein–and possibly similar to the popular Korean drama Coffee Prince or the movie Antique as well. This movie stars Kim Jeong-hoon (former singer of the band U.N.), Takumi Saito (Boys Love), Kim Dong-wook (No Regret) and Choi Seong-min (Secret).  Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: Korean & Japanese/ Rating: ages 12+/ Format: 16:9 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0/ Special features: Trailer/ Running time: 94 minutes/ Recommended Price: 25,300 KRW/ Available: September 1

I Am Happy-directed by Yoon Jong-chan (Sorum) and starring Hyeon Bin (Millionaire’s First Love), Lee Bo-yeong (Sadder than Blue), Park No-shik (Memory of Murder) and Eun Joo-hee (Like You Know It All).  Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: English & Korean/ Rating: ages 15+/ Format: 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio:Dolby Digital 5.1/ Special Features: commentary by director Yoon, Hyeon Bin and Prof. Kim Yeong-jin–music video–trailer/ Running Time: 113 minutes/ Recommended Price: 25,300 KRW/ Available: September 2

Tears of the Amazon– a popular documentary that was given both a theatrical release and a much longer television release. It now available in DVD format and 2 Blue-Ray versions–but be careful which one you pick up–the Blue-Ray release of the television version doen NOT have English subtitles.  However the theatrical versions in BR and DVD format have them. The following information is for the DVD only.  Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: English/ Rating: none/ Format: 16:9 widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digitial 5.1 &2.0/ Region Code: all / Running time: 98 minutes/ Recommended Price: 22,000 KRW/ Available: September 3

Dolyi–On July 22, the first volume of this long running television drama was released on DVD. The second will be available by the end of this week and will contain episodes 19-36.  Number of Discs: 6/ Rating: 15+/ Format: 16:9 widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0/ Region Code: 3/ Recommended Price: 77,000 KRW/ Available: September 3

This week we have 4 Korean films and three television dramas being released in DVD format. Let’s start with the movies in the order they are pictured below.

BESTSELLER (2 discs)– Uhm Jeong-hwa and Ryu Seung-ryong star in a thriller of a writer who is trying to make a comeback after a scandal nearly destroyed her career. However, she finds herself investigating a mysterious events surrounding the village she is in and her daughter is talking to someone she cannot see. Subtitles: English & Korean/ Rating: Ages 15+/ Format: 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0 & 5.1/ Special features: optional commentary by Uhm Jeong-hwa, Jo Jin-woong, Choi Moo-ryong, Jo Hee-bong, Oh Jeong-se  and director Lee Jeong-ho, trailers, focus on Uhm Jeong-hwa/Region Code: 3/ Recommended Price: 27,500 KRW/ Available: August 25 –

SERA AND LAMI (1 disc)– starring Park Hae-mi, Shin Yi, Lee Tae-seong. Subtitles: English & Korean/ Rating: Ages 15+/ Format: 16:9 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0/ Region Code: 3/ Recommended Price: 25,000 KRW/ Available: August 25

VIEWFINDER (1 disc)–director: Kim Jeong, starring Yang Eun-yong, LeeHo-yeong. Subtitles: English & Korean/ Rating: 15+/ Format: 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0/ Special Features: commentary by director Kim Jeong, producer Lee Won-jae, actors Yang Eun-yong, Lee Ho-yeong; trailers/ Region Code: 3/Recommended Price: 25,300 KRW/ Available: August 26

NICE SHORTS (1 disc)–Collection of short films directed by Kim Yeong-geun, Kim Ye-yeong and Jo Seong-hee.  I saw at least one of the films in this collection at a screening of young directors from Jeonju.  I will definitely be picking up this DVD (and the Bestseller DVD) this week. Subtitles: English & Korean/ Rating: 19+/ Format: 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0/ Region: 3/ Special Features: trailer/ Recommended Price: 25,300 KRW/ Available: August 26 

PROECUTOR PRINCESS (8 discs): SBS drama that ran from March to May 2010 and starred Kim So-yeon, Park Shi-hoo, Han Jeong-soo and Choi Song-hyeon. Not only do you get the full 16 episodes if you buy this set, you also get a poster, pouch bag, postcards, clear file, picture book, stickers and a business card holder. Subtitles: English/ Rating: All ages/ Special Features: Commentary, deleted scenes, making, interviews with actors, director and writer/ Region Code: 3/ Recommended Price: 100,000/ Available: August 24

SOULMATE (5 discs)–an MBC drama that ran from March to June 2006 and starred Shim Dong-wook, Lee Soo-kyeong, Jang Mi-inae, Sa Kang. Subtitles: NONE/ Rating: All ages/ Format: 16:9 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0/ Special Features: NG, deleted scenes, ‘no-cut’ filming, actor interviews, cameos/Region Code: 3/ Recommended Price: 45,000/ Available: August 26/ episdoes 1-22

CINDERELLA (11 discs)– KBS drama which ran from March to June 2010 and starred Moon Geun-yeong, Cheon Jeong-myeong, Ok Taek-yeon and Seo Woo. Subtitles: English/ Rating: Ages 15+/ Special Features: commentary, making, filming kiss scenes, ‘beyond talk’, interview <each 20 minutes> with main actors and directors Kim Yeong-jo and Kim Won-seob, music video/ Region Code: 3,4,5,6/ Recommended Price: 110,000 KRW/ Available: August 27/ set includes poster, picture book and postcards

Two recent Korean films are being released on DVD this week and a 2006 movie is getting the Blue Ray treatment.

My Dear Desperado (2 discs) — director: Kim Gwang-shik, starring: Park Joong-hoon, Jeong Yoo-mi  The story of a strong, educated but defensive young woman unable to find a job in these tough economic times, her neighbor, a small-time hood unable to fight anymore and their rocky relationship.  Subtitles: English & Korean/ Rating: Ages 15+/ Format: 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1/ Running time: 100 minutes/ Special Features: Optional commentary by Park Joong-hoon, Jeong Yoo-mi, Park Woo-sang, Jeong In-ki, production presentation, making, gallery, trailer/ Recommended price: 23,000 KRW/ Available: August 18

Dirty Carnival (Blue Ray)– director: Yoo Ha, starring Jo In-seong, Nam Goong-min, Choi Ho-jin, Lee Bo-yeong.  This is one of the ‘must-see’ movies of 2006.  The dvd was released years ago and is readily available. I strongly recommend watching it. Now, if you have a Blue Ray player, it is available for your collection. Subtitles: English & Korean/ Rating: ages 18+/ Format: 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1/ Special features: Optional commentary by Yoo Ha and producer Choi Seon-joong or alternately by Jo In-seong, Lee Bo-yeong and Jin Gu–other extras include making, fight stunts & choreography and too many others to mention/ Recommended price: 33,000 KRW/ Available: August 19

Korea 1%-(1 disc)-Director Jo Myeong-nam, starring Im Won-hee, Son Byeong-ho, Lee Ah-yi, Kim Min-gi.  When this was released in theaters a close friend of mine called and said that I had to watch the movie because it was the story of his military days when he trained as a special marine. The 1% in the title refers to ‘elite’ as only a select few can make the cut. I have yet to see the film and I learned that my friend hadn’t either. It did not get particularly good reviews. Subtitles: English & Korean/ Rating: Ages 12+/ Format: 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: 5.1 Dolby Digital/ Special Features: Making, Music Video, Trailer, optional commentary by assistant director Lee Se-yeong, Son Byeong-ho, Lee Ah-yi and Kim Min-gi/ Running Time: 103 minutes/  Recommended price: 22,000 KRW/ Available: August 19

There is only one new Korean DVD being released this week–the SBS tv drama Brilliant Legacy. This romantic tale aired from April to July 2009 and proved to be extremely popular among female viewers thanks primarily to the presence of singer Lee Seung-gi who took the lead role. An excellent ballad singer, Lee owes much of his fame to his television roles starting with the comedy 1 Night 2 Days which served to propel him into the public eye. He is now a regular on many shows and, if you watch any five tv advertisements in Korea, then you have probably seen him. Brilliant Legacy also starred Han Hyo-joo (Postman to Heaven), Moon Chae-won (Our School’s ET) and Bae Soo-bin (Ghost).  The following are the dvd details–  Number of Discs: 10 (episodes 1-28)/ Subtitles: English/ Rating: Ages 15+/ Format: 4:3 Full Screen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0/ Region Code: 3/ Special Features: Actors best 5 scenes, Making, Kiss Scenes, Filming the Final Episode, NGs/ Recommended Price: 99,000 KRW/ Available: August 12

Two Korean movies are being released as DVDs this week. The first is the mother-daughter drama starring Kim Hye-sook and Park Ji-hee entitled A Long Visit and directed by Yoo Seong-yeob. Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: Korean & English/ Rating: Ages 15+/ Format: 2.35:1 Anamorphic Widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1/ Running Time: 108 minutes/ Special Features: Making, Poster Shoot, Music Video, Trailer/ Recommended Price: 25,000 KRW/ Available: August 4, 2010.

Blades of Blood is an action film starring Cha Seung-won, Hwang Jeong-min, Han Ji-jye and Baek Seung-hyeon. Optional commentary by the actors and director Lee Joon-ik is available on the first disc.  Number of discs: 2/ Subtitles: Korean & English/ Rating: Ages 15+/ Format: 2.35:1 Anamorphic Widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1/ Running Time: 111 minutes/ Special Features: Pre-production and planning, Making, Characters, Action Choreography, Music Video, Discussion with Audience, Trailers and more/ Recommended Price: 25,300 KRW/ Available: August 5, 2010.   Also, there are a limited number of DVDs that will include folding fans as pictured as an inset above. (The inset in the above photo is NOT to scale). The fan is listed as being 24cm at its tallest point.