Archive for the 'DVDs: New Releases' Category

There are five Korean movies being released on DVD this week. Let’s start with the biggest…’biggest’ as in size of release and what will probably be the biggest seller, My Way.

My Way stars popular actor Jang Dong-geun along with Japanese actor Joe Odigiri and it is directed by Kang Je-gyu.  Considering the budget spent on the film, it did not do as well as expected in the box office, attracting just over 2 million viewers. However, Jang is a popular actor throughout Asia and the movie is likely to be popular among his fan base. Number of discs: 3/ Subtitles: Korean and English/ Rating: for ages 15+/ Format: 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1/ Running Time: 135 minutes/ Suggested Retail Price: 27,500 KRW/ Available for purchase: July 20th.

Pictured on the left is the DVD for the thriller Howling.  It was directed by Yoo Ha and stars two familiar faces, Song Kang-ho and Lee Na-yeong.  About 1.5 million people saw it in the theater at the time of its release.  Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: Korean and English/ Rating: for ages 15+/ Format: 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1/ Running Time: 114 minutes/ Suggested Retail Price: 23,500 KRW/ Available for Purchase: July 16th.

The next movie is Wido, a mystery starring Jeong Chan and Lee Doo-il. It was directed by Kim Gwan-cheol.  The title of the film come from the name of an island here in North Jeolla Province.  The movie had a very limited release –only five screens nationwide (which in my case, adds to the appeal when deciding whether to purchase it or not).  Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: Korean only/ Rating: for mature viewers/ Format: 16:9 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0/ Running Time: 106 minutes/ Suggested Retail Price: 25,300 KRW/ Available for purchase: July 17th.

Ordinary Days (image left) is an omnibus film directed by Lee Nan and starring Song Sae-byeok and Han Hye-ri.  Like the above film, this movie had a very limited release and six of the ten screens it was released on were in Seoul, so most of us have not had the opportunity to see it yet.  Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: Korean and English/ Rating: for ages 15+/ Format: 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1/ Running Time:106 minutes/ Suggested Retail Price: 25,300 KRW/ Available for Purchase: July 17th.

If someone were to tell me that I was limited to buy only one film of the five listed here, it would be this final film, Wedding Day.  When I first saw the Korean title, I was disappointed because I have a KOFA release of a DVD with the same title and I wondered why the Korean Masterpiece Collection would choose a film to release that was already available.  But then I noticed the director and I realized that this is the 1977 version of the film– the previous release was from 1955.  I will certainly be buying this and wonder how the two films compare.  Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: None/ Rating: for all ages/ Format: 4:3 full screen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0 mono/ Running Time: 98 minutes/ Suggeste Retail Price: 16,500 KRW/ Available for Purchase: July 19th.

This is going to be an expensive week for me. There are two items being released.. one is the film, Nameless Gangster and the other is a box set entitled Historical Films about the Korean Empire. The films included in the box set are movies, not documentaries, all from 1959 and 1960.  While these will probably not appeal to everyone, Iwill be purchasing it for my collection. The details on the box set are below:

Historical FIlms About the Korean Empire. Number of discs: 4/ Subtitles: Korean and English/ Rating: for ages 12+/ Format: 4:3 full screen/ Audio: Dolby Digital Mono/ Suggested Retail Price: 44,000 KRW/ Available from July 10th.  The films included in this set are Kim Gojong and Martyr Ahn Jung-geun (1959) directed by Jeon Chang-geun; 110 minutes// Blood Bamboo (1959) directed by Yoon Bong-choon and Nam Hong-il; 104 minutes// The Independence Association and Lee Seung-man (1959) directed by Shin Sang-ok; 133 minutes// Ah! BaekBeom Kim Gu (1960) directed by Jeon Chang-geun, 144 minutes.

Nameless Gangster, starring Ha Jeong-woo and Choi Min-shik and directed by Yoon Jong-bin. Number of discs: 2/ Subtitles: Korean and English/ Format: 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1/ Suggested Retail Price: 23,100 KRW/ Available from July 11th.

Two Korean movies are being released on DVD this week.  The first was the box office success Helpless, directed by Byeon Yeong-joon and starring Lee Seon-gyun and Kim Min-hee.  Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: Korean and English/ Rating: ages 15+/ Format: 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1/ Running Time: 117 minutes/ Suggested Retail Price: 25,300 KRW/ Available: June 28

The second film is the historical drama, Gabi directed by Jang Yoon-hyeon and starring Ju Jin-mo an Kim So-yeon.  Number of discs:1/ Subtitles: Korean and English/ Rating: ages 15+/ Format: 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1/ Running Time: 115 minutes/ Suggeted Retail Price: 25,300 KRW/ Available: June 28

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This coming week we have three new Korean movies being released onto DVD. Pictured first is LOVE FICTION, directed by Jeon Gye-soo an starring Ha Jeong-woo and Kong Hyo-jin.  Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: Korean and English/ Rating: for ages 15+/ Format: non-listed in promo material/ Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1/ Running Time: 121 minutes/ Suggested Retail Price: 22,000 KRW/Available: June 20

In the center, we have director Yoo Ha’ s most recent work HOWLING starring Song Kang-ho and Lee Na-yeong.  Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: Korean and English/ Rating: for ages 15+/ Format: 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1/ Running Time: 114 minutes/ Suggested Retail Price: 25,300 KRW/ Available: June 21

Finally there is ROMANCE JOE directed by Lee Gwang-gook and starring Kim Yeong-pil and Shin Dong-mi.  Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: Korean and English/ Rating: for ages 12+/ Format: 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1/ Running Time: 115 minutes/ Recommended Retail Price: 25,300 KRW/ Available: June 21.

There are a lot of excellent films being released on DVD this week including three classic movies and documentary.

Neverending Story– directed by Jeong Yong-joo, starring Uhm Tae-woong and Jeong Ryeo-won.  Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: Korean/ Rating: for ages 15+/ Format: 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital: 5.1/ Running Time: 114 minutes/ Suggested Retail Price: 25,300 KRW/ Available: June 12th.

Character– directed by Son Gwang-joo, starring Kim Soo-hyeon and Lee Hwan.  Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: Korean/ Rating: for ages 12+/ Format: 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0/ Running Time: 99 minutes/ Suggested Retail Price: 25,300 KRW/ Available: June 12th.

Kinship (1963)– directed by Kim Soo-yong, starring Kim Seung-ho and Hwang Jeong-soon.  Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: Korean, English, and Japanese/ Rating: for ages 12+/ Format: 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital Mono/ Running TIme: 83 minutes/ Suggested Retail Price: 15,400 KRW/ Available: June 12th.

Unbowed– directed by Jeong Ji-yeong, starring Ahn Seong-gi an Park Won-sang.  Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: Korean and English/ Rating: for ages 15+/ Format: 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1/ Running Time: 100 minutes/ Suggested Retail Price: 22,000 KRW/ Available: June 13th

Yeosu– directed by Jin Gwang-gyo, starring Ko Joon-hee and Jeong Ui-cheol.  Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: Korean and English/ Rating: for ages 15+/ Format: 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0/ Running Time: 98 minutes/ Suggested Retail Price: 25,300 KRW/ Available: June 14th.

Korean Short Film Animation Collection vol. 3– various directors. Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: None/ Rating: none listed/ Format: 16:9/ Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0/ Running Time: 94 minutes/ Suggested Retail Price: 16,500 KRW/ Available: June 15th.

Polluted Ones (1982)– directed by Im Kwon-taek, starring Ahn Seong-gi and Bang Hee. Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: None/ Rating: for mature audiences/ Format: 4:3/ Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0 mono/ Running Time: 102 minutes/ Suggested Retail Price: 16,500 KRW/ Available: June 15th

Adada (1987)– directed by Im Kwon-taek, starring Shin Hye-soo and Han Ji-il.  Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: None/ Rating: for mature audiences/ Format: 4:3/ Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0/ Running Time: 118 minutes/ Suggested Retail Price: 16,500 KRW/ Available: June 15th

Cuban Boyfriend— directed by Jeong Ho-hyeon (documentary)– Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: Korean/ Rating: for ages 15+/ Format: 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0/ Running Time: 93 minutes/ Suggested Retail Price: 25,300/ Available: June 15th

I was away in Incheon the past weekend for the wedding of a former student and so I could not post on this site as I wanted. However, I will quickly post this information before heading off to sleep.  We have two new movies coming out on DVD this coming week. One is on my ‘must have’ list, the other..well.. if someone gave it to me as a gift, I would not refuse, but I am not actively thinking of buying it.

The one I must own, despite its Bollywood-ish running time, is CAFE NOIR directed by Jeong Seong-il and starring Shin Ha-gyun and Jeong Yoo-mi.  Number of disc: 2/ Subtitles: Korean and English/ Rating: for mature audiences/Format: 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0/ Running Time: 198 minutes/ Suggested Retail Price: 25,300 KRW/ Available: June 8th.. Oh! and it comes with a 16-page booklet.

The movie pictured on the right in the image is DANCING QUEEN, directed by Lee Seok-hoon and starring Hwang Jeong-min and Uhm Jeong-hwa.  This film did quite well in theaters and both of the main actors are quite good.  In fact, the only reason I am not considering buying it right away is because it is primarily a comedy..not my favorite genre..  Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: Korean and English/ Rating: for ages 12+/ Format: 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1/ Running Time: 124 minutes/ Suggested Retail Price: 25,300 KRW/ Available: June 8th

Two new movies are out on DVD this week.  Both of these are indie films that received limited releases in the recent past.

Pictured first in the image is White Butterfly.  It was directed by Kim Sam-ryeok and stars Park Sang-yen and Choi Myo-gyeon.  Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: Korean and English/ Rating: For ages 15+/ Format: 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0/ Running Time: 90 minutes/ Suggested Retail Price: 22,000 KRW/ Available: May 30th.

The other film being released is Sea Without Water, directed by Kim Gwan-cheol and featuring Yoo Ho-rin and Kim Dong-hyeon.  Number of discs: 1/Subtitles: Korean and English/ Rating: for ages 15+/ Format: 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0/ Running Time: 88 minutes/ Suggested Retail Price: 22,000 KRW/ Available: May 30.

There are five Korean movies being released on DVD for the first time this week.  The first one is from one of my favorite directs.. Jeon Soo-il, so I will definitely be ordering that one.

PINK– directed by Jeon Soo-il and starring Lee Seung-yeon and Seo Gab-sook.  Number of discs: 1/Subtitles: Korean and English/ Rating: 18+/ Format: 2.35:1/ Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1/ Running Time: 97 minutes/ Suggested Retail Price: 25.300 KRW/ Available: May 22nd.

PERFECT GAME– a commercially successful film directed by Park Hee-gon and starring Jo Seung-woo and Yang Dong-geun. Number of discs: 2/ Subtitles: Korean and English/ Rating: for ages 12+/ Format: 2.35:1/ Audio: Dobly Digital 5.1/ Running Time: 127 minutes/ Suggested Retail Price: 23,100 KRW/ Available: May 23rd.

PAPA– directed by Han Ji-seung and starring Park Yong-woo and Ko Ah-ra. Number of discs: 2/ Subtitles: Korean and English/ Rating: for ages 12+/ Format: 2.35:1/ Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1/ Running Time: 116 minutes/ Suggested Retail Price: 25,300 KRW/ Available: May 23rd.

THE FIRST GUEST– Here is a dvd I may buy just because I know next to nothing about the movie. It is listed as a horor film and the promotional write-up I read makes it sound like a home invasion-type of horror. However, its ‘theatrical release’ was confined to a single screening in Seoul where it was seen by 31 people… and I heard no buzz about it at the time which is not promising, so I may wait for the price to come down a little.  Directed by Lee Sang-hwa and starring Shin Yi and Hwang Seon-hwan. Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: Korean and English/ Rating: for ages 18+/ Format: 2.35:1/ Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0/ Running Time: 81 minutes/ Suggested Retail Price: 25,300 KRW/ Available: May 24th.

ANGEL’S BREATH–directed by Han Ji-won and starring Kim Yeong-seon and Han Ji-won.  Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: Korean and English/ Rating: for ages 12+/ Format: 1.85:1/ Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0/ Running Time: 93 minutes/ Suggested Retail Price: 25,300 KRW/ Available: May 24th.

This coming week will see the release of two Korean films on DVD for the first time. One is the classic film Declaration of Fools, which I am ordering tomorrow–can’t wait to see it. The other film is called Sweet Fish from 2010 which I know very little about. Unfortunately, both of these DVDs are not subtitled. THe ‘Masterpiece Collection’ which Declaration of Fools is a part of, are never subtitled. I am not sure why Sweet Fish was released without subs but it may be because the powers that be presumed a lack of interest among international viewers. At the time of its theatrical release, Sweet Fish was shown on a just one screen in Seoul for a week and had a single screening in Gwangju. A total of 1,944 people have seen this film. If you buy it you will be part of a very exclusive club. I, for one, am going to pass for now.

Declaration of Fools (1983)– directed by Lee Jang-ho, starring Kim Myeong-gon and Lee Bo-hee. Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: None/ Rating: for ages 18+/ Format: 4:3 full screen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0/ Running Time: 97 minutes/ Suggested Retail Price: 16,500 KRW/ Available: May 15th.

Sweet Fish (2010)– directed by Park Gab-jong, starring Lee Chang-ho and Hong Ye-na. Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: None/ Rating: for ages 15+/ Format: 16:9 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0/ Running Time: 93 minutes/ Suggested Retail Price: 22,000 KRW/ Available: May 17th

This week there are three films being released onto DVD, one animated film and two classic films directed by Im Kwon-taek.  The first movie pictured above is The Five Magic Letters, an animated feature released in theaters back in the summer of 2010 when it was seen by less than 130,000 people.  It was directed by Yoon Yeong-gi and voiced by Jeong Seon-hye and Park Shin-hee. Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: Korean and English/ Rating: for all ages/ Format: 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1/ Running Time: 85 minutes/ Suggested Retail Price: 25,300 KRW*/ Available: May 8th.   * Watch for lower prices. The suggested retail price on this film is merely what the promo material suggests. The site I usually shop at has this movie listed at less than have the figure listed above.

Evergreen– a film from 1978 directed by Im Kwon-taek and starring Kim Hee-ra and Han Hye-sook.  Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: None/ Rating: for all ages/ Format: 4:3 widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0 mono/ Running Time: 115 minutes/ Suggested Retail Price: 16,500 KRW/ Available: May 8th.

Gilsodom– the other classic Im Kwon-taek film being released this week, this one from 1985. It stars Kim Ji-mi and Shin Seong-il.  Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: None/ Rating: for ages 12+/ Format: 4:3 widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0 mono/ Running Time: 105 minutes/ Suggested Retail Price: 16,500 KRW/ Available: May 8th.  Just a quick comment.. the name of this film has been spelled many different ways in English over the years including. It is listed as Kilsoddeum onKOFIC’s site Gilsoddeum, Gilsotteum, Gilsottum, Kilsotteum, ect.  I selected the spelling that appeared on the original posters. I mention this however because the box cover of the DVD has it spelled in a new.. and rather bizarre, way… Gisodom.  Forgetting the ‘L’ is obviously a typing error that was not caught before going to print.