Seen in Jeonju

Archive for the 'DVDs: New Releases' Category

New Korean DVDs for the week of April 29-May 5

28th April 2012

dr jumpThis coming week, there is but a single Korean movie being released for the first time on DVD. It is the indie film Dr. Jump directed by Lee Seong-ho and starring Park Hyeonk-gwon, Park Hee-bon and Na Soo-yoon.  For some reason, the cover of the DVD and the upbeat tagline on the box reminds me of the ‘high-teen’ films of Korea in the 1970s.. and that is not a bad thing at all.  Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: Korean and English/ Rating: for ages 12+/ Format: 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Auido: Dolby Digital 2.0/ Running Time: 65 minutes/ Suggested Retail Price: 25,300 KRW/ Available: May 3rd.

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New Korean DVDs: April 22-28

21st April 2012

I have been busy with exams and had a hard time keeping up with posting this week.. It happens every semester around this time. Most of my students seem to think that I am busy during exams, but it is actually the week before that is busiest for me as I have to get everything prepared.  But I am catching up on many things today and may even have time to watch one of my new DVDs that came this week– (I received Dancing Cat, REC, Children of Darkness, Byeongtae and Yeongja and Spellbound)

This coming week, we have two Korean films being released onto DVD, the omnibus First Love Stories and the documentary Never Say I Can’t

first love stories

First Love Stories– directed by Park Beom-hoon and starring Lee Jeong-ah and Kim Seong-gon.  Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: English and Korean/ Rating: for ages 15+/ Format: 16:9 letterbox/ Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0/ Running Time: 114 minutes plus 20 minutes of extras/ Suggested Retail Price: 22,000 KRW/ Available: April 27th. 

Never Say I Can’t– directed by Kim Yeong-jin and starring Kang Won-rae (former member of Klon), Na Yong-hee. Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: Korean and English/ Rating: for all ages/ Format: 16:9 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0/ Running Time: 72 minutes/ Suggested Retail Price: 22,000 KRW/ Available: April 27th.

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New Korean Movies on DVD: April 15-21

15th April 2012

I have been busy getting ready to give mid-term exams which at the university I teach at will start this coming Friday and finish up on the following Thursday. I am always busiest the week before exams as find making tests far more work than giving or checking them.  But on the bright side, this is another good week for buying DVDs– there are several on this list I will certainly be ordering this week including Children of Darkness, The Kick and Ghost. Below is the list of the five films being released this week.

children of darkness

Children of Darkness (1981) directed by Lee Jang-ho and starring Na Yeong-hee, Kim Hee-ra and Ahn Seong-gi.  Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: None/ Rating: for ages 18+/ Format: 4:3 full screen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0/ Running Time: 100 minutes/ Suggested Retail Price: 16,500 KRW/ Available: April 17th.

Pace Maker directed by Kim Dal-joong, starring Kim Yeong-min, Ahn Seong-gi and Ko Ah-ra.  Number of discs: 2/ Subtitles: Korean and English/ Rating: for ages 12+/ Format: 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1/ Running Time: 124 minutes plus 59 minutes of extras on second disc/ Suggested Retail Price: 23,100 KRW/ Available: April 18th

The Kick directed by Prachyn Pinkaew starring Jo Jae-hyeon, Ye Ji-won and Na Tae-joo.  Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: Korean only/ Rating: for ages 12+/ Format: 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 5.0/ Running Time: 105 minutes/ Suggested Retail Price: 25,300 KRW/ Available: April 20th.

flying butterfly

Ghost, an ombibus directed by various directors and starring Lee Min-ho and Shin Ji-soo.  Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: Korean and English/ Rating: for ages 15+/ Format: 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0/ Running Time: 109 minutes/ Suggested Retail Price: 22,000 KRW/ Available: April 20th.

Flying Butterfly, a documetary directed by Jeong Heum-moon and starring Yoon Do-hyeon and his band.  Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: Korean and English/ Rating: for all ages/ Format: 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0/ Running Time: 101 minutes/ Suggested Retail Price: 22,000 KRW/ Available: April 20th.

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New DVD Releases: April 8-14

7th April 2012

There are four Korean films being released on DVD this week.  Three of them are films that I must own for my collection and will be sending in an order later in the week. I will be passing on Love On-Air, but it is a matter of personal taste more than anything else. I have to wonder though, why was Love On-Air given a 2-disc treatment when it was seen by less than a million people during its theatrical run while Spellbound, seen by more than 3 times that number, is only being released in a basic, 1-disc package.

loveonair

LOVE ON-AIR– d. Kwon Chil-in, starring Lee Min-jeong and Lee Jeong-jin.  Number of discs: 2/ Subtitles: Korean & English/ Rating: for ages 15+/ Format: 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio:  Dolby Digital 5.1/ Running Time: 120 minutes plus 64 minutes of extras/ Suggested Retail Price: 23,100 KRW/ Available: April 11

SPELLBOUND– d. Hwang In-ho, starring Son Ye-jin and Lee Min-gi.  Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: Korean & English/ Rating: for ages 12+/ Format: 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1/ Running Time: 114 minutes/ Suggested Retail Price: 25,300 KRW/ Available: April 12

rec

REC– directed by So Jeon-moon, starring Song Sam-dong and Jo Hye-hoon.  Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles:  Korean and English/ Rating: for ages 18+/ Format: 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0/ Running Time: 66 minutes/ Suggested Retail Price:  25,300 KRW/ Available: April 12 

BYEONG-TAE AND YEONG-JA–The 1979 sequel to the classic and,at the time of its release, controversial, March of Fools!  This is directed by  Ha Gil-jong, starring Song Jeong-hwan and Lee Yeong-ok.  Number of discs: 1/Subtitles: None/  Rating: for ages 12+/ Format: 4:3 widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0/ Running Time: 115 minutes/ Suggested Retail Price: 16,500 KRW/ Available: April 13th.

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Korean Movies On DVD- April 1-7

1st April 2012

This coming week, we have four Korean films coming to DVD– three movies and one documentary.  Of these, I am most likely to buy the documentary, Dancing Cat, as I have heard some good things about it. But I won’t buy it right away– the Korean Movie Masterpiece Collection is coming out with two more films over the next couple of weeks– I will wait until they are released and order everything together.  But that is getting a little ahead of things… here are the new DVDs coming this week:

play

Miracle– d. Kim Yeong-ro, starring Lee Moon-shik, Park Ji-bin and Lee Seul-gi.  Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: Korean and English/ Rating: for all ages/ Format: 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1/ Running Time:  100 minutes/ Suggested Retail Price:  25,300 KRW/ Available: April 5

Play– d. Nam Da-jeong, starring Jang Joon-il, Im Heon-il ..  Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: Korean and English/ Rating: for all ages/ Format: 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0/ Running Time: 99 minutes/ Suggested Retail Price: 25,300 KRW/ Available: April 6

reason to live

A Reason to Live– directed by Lee Jeong-hyeong, starring Song Hey-gyo and Nam Ji-hyeon.  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: 119 minutes/ Suggested Retail Price: 25,300 KRW/ Available: April 6

Dancing Cat– directed by Yoon Gi-hyeong, starring Lee Yong-han and Yoon Gi-hyeong.  Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: Korean and English/ Ratings: for all ages/ Format:  1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Format: Dolby Digital 5.1/ Running Time: 76 minutes/ Suggested Retail Price: 25,300 KRW/ Available: April 6

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New DVDs: March 25-31

25th March 2012

This week we have four Korean DVDs being released, two documentaries and two movies.  Let start with the documentaries.

teacher and naughty

Of the Teacher and the Naughty– a documentary in which a large group of spoiled, ultra-modern kids are forced by their parents to attend a very strict and traditional school which teaches the values and etiquette of days past.  Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: Korean/ Rating: for all ages/ Format: 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0/ Running Time: 92 minutes/ Suggested Retail Price: 25,300 KRW/ Available: March 27th. 

No Name Stars– the other docuementary, this one with English subtitles, about the city of Gwangju in 1980.  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: 104 minutes/ Suggested Retail Price: 25,300 KRW/ Available March 28th

life is peachy

Life is Peachy– directed by Kim Soo-hyeon, starring Kim Hyo-jin and Kim Ggot-bi.  Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles:  Unknown, this information was left off the promo material/ Rating: for ages 18+/ Format: 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0/ Running Time: 111 minutes/ Suggested Retail Price: 25,300 KRW/ Available: March 28th

Punch– one of the best films of 2011 is now available on DVD.  Directed by Lee Han, starring Kim Yoon-seok and Yoo Ah-in. Number of discs: 2/ Subtitles: Korean and English/ Rating: for ages 12+/ Format: 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital: 5.1/ Running TIme: 107 minutes/ Suggested Retail Price: 27,500 KRW/ Available: March 29th.

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Korean Films on DVD; March 18-24

17th March 2012

Last week, there were no new Korean films released on DVD.  But this week?  Well… I sent in an order before I was finished writing down the information I am posting here.  I am especially excited that the Korean Masterpiece Series is continuing with the following films:

cattle

Stars Heavenly Homecoming — d. Lee Jang-ho, starring Shin Seong-il and Ahn In-sook.  Lee’s classic film from 1974. Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: None/ Rating: for ages 18+/ Format: 4:3 widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0 mono/ Running Time: 106 minutes/ Suggested Retail Price: 16,500 KRW/ Available: March 22

Cattle– d. Choi Ha-won, starring Hwang Hae, Heo Jang-kang… a film from 1975. Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: None/ Rating: for ages 15+/ Format: 4:3 widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0 mono/ Running TIme: 93 minutes/ Suggested Retail Price: 16,500 KRW/ Available: March 22  (see the synopsis in the index)

Village in the Mist– d. Im Kwon-taek, starring Jeong Yoon-hee, Ahn Seong-gi in an multiple award-winning film from 1982.  Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: None/ Rating: for ages 18+/ Format: 4:3 widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0 mono/ Running TIme: 91 minutes/ Suggested Retail Price: 16,500 KRW/ Available: March 23

Unfortunately, like most films in the Masterpiece Collection, these movies are not subtitled. But don’t worry.. there are six other films being released on DVD this week! 

sunday punch

Sunday Punch– d. Park Joong-gu, starring Yoo Dong-geun, Yoon Jeong-seo.  Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: Korean/ Rating: for ages 15+/ Format: 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1/ Running Time: 100 minutes/ Suggested Retail Price: 22,500 KRW/ Available: March 20

The Way Back– d. Steve Lee, starring Yoo Seong-il, Glena Park.  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: March 20

My Heart Beats– d. Heo Eun-hee, starring Yoo Dong-sook, Won Tae-hee.  Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: Korean/ Rating: for ages 18+/ Format: 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0/ Running Time: 106 minutes/ Suggested Retail Price: 22,000 KRW/ Available: March 20

scars

Scars– d. Im Woo-seong, starring Park So-yeon, Jeong Hee-tae.  Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: Korean and English/ Rating: for ages 15+/ Format: 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0/ Running Time: 64 minutes/ Suggested Retail Price: 22,000 KRW/ Available: March 20.

White Jungle– <documetary>– d. Song Yoon-hee, starring Park Jin-seok, Seo Kyeong-ja.  Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: Korean and English/ Rating: for all ages/Format: 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0/ Running Time: 82 minutes/ Suggested Retail Price: 25,300 KRW/ Available: March 22 

Killer– d. Kim Jong-hyeon, starring Han Geu-ru, Kim Jeong-tae.  Not a theatrical film but a TV production made for the cable station Channel CGV,  Number of discs:2/ Rating: for ages 18+/ Format: 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0/ Running Time: 203 minutes/ Suggested Retail Price: 27,500 KRW/ Available: March 22

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Korean films on DVD: March 4-10

3rd March 2012

silencedThis week we have only one new Korean DVD being released, but it’s a good one.  Silenced, directed by Hwang Dong-hyeok and starring Kong Yoo and Jeong Yoo-mi, was one of the surprise hits of the year. Number of dsics: 2/ Subtitles: Korean, English and Korean Sign Language/ Rating: ages 18+/ Format: 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1/ Running Time: 125 minutes/ Suggested Retail Price: 27,500 KRW/ available: March 8

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New Korean films this week in Theaters and on DVD

28th February 2012

I am combining the list of new DVDs of Korean movies with the post I usually do on Tuesday, trailers of Korean movies opening in theaters.  As I said in my last post, I was away this weekend for a radio broadcast and I did not prepare the list.  So I will rectify that right now.

alien bikini

There are two, possibly three, Korean films being released on DVD this week. The first is the documentary of Kim Jong-il’s life, Kim Jong-il: Forbidden Biography.  Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: Korean and English/ Rating:  all ages/ Format: 16:9 widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0/ Running Time: 52 minutes/ Suggested Retail Price: 16,500 KRW/ Available: February 27

The second movie pictured there is Invasion of the Alien Bikini directed by Oh Yeong-doo and starring Hong Yeong-geun and Ha Eun-jeong.  Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: Korean and English/ Rating: for ages 18+/ Format: 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0/ Running Time: 75 minutes/ Suggested Retail Price: 25,300 KRW/ Available: February 29

I mentioned that there might be three films being released on DVD.. the other one is The Magicians which had been delayed from its original December 2011 date.  The reason it is in doubt is that I have seen two other dates given since then and it is continuously being pushed back.  Information about that film is here.

New movies this week.
There are a total of 12 new movies being released in Korean theaters this week and five of these are Korean films.
First, we have the trailer for Stateless Things, directed by Kim Kyeong-mok and starring Lee Ba-wool and Yeom Hyeon-joon. Being a “queer”-themed film, it will no doubt have a limited release.

Also getting a limited release is the documentary, Welcome Back to Beast Airline 3D. As the title suggests, it features the singing group, Beast, in an encore concert.

Probably the most mainstream release this week is Love Fiction, a romance starring Ha Jeong-woo and Kong Hyo-jin.

Eighteen, Nineteen is another romance being released in theaters this week. It stars Yoo Yeon-seok and Baek Jin-hee and is directed by Bae Gwang-soo.

The last film does not have a trailer available that I have seen or a website. It is a sex-comedy called Man Hwa Bang directed by Heo Jae-hyeong and starring Lee Eun-mi and Im Ah-yeong.

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DVD Releases: Feb. 19-25

18th February 2012

This coming week we have four Korean movies being released onto DVD for the first time.

winterbutterfly

First is Winter Butterfuly directed by Kim Gyu-min and starring Park So-yeon and Joeng Seung-won.  Never heard of it… you’re not alone. The movie was only seen by 520 people but that is not necessarily an indication of its quality. The film had an extremely limited release. It is the story of an 11-year old boy who lives alone with his sick mother. One day he gets into an arguement with her before going out to gather firewood, but he becomes lost in the woods… 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/ Suggest Retail Price: 22,000KRW / Available: February 21st.

Also pictured above is Beast. It is directed by Hwang Yoo-shik and stars Jeong Seok-won and Jeon Se-heung. It is the story of a man who must find his kidnapped sister before she is raped on a live internet program.  Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: Korean and English/ Rating: for ages 18+/ Format: 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1/ Running Time: 90 minutes/ Suggested Retail Price: 22,000 KRW/ Available: February 21st.

perfectpartners

The more mainstream movies are getting DVD releases later in the week. Perfect Partners– directed by Park Heon-soo and starring Kim Yeong-ho and Kim Hye-seon. Two professionals, a writer and a cook, struggle to find new ideas discover creativity and romance with a pair of students. Number of dics: 1/ Subtitles: Korean and English/ Rating: for ages 18+/ Format: 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby digital 5.1/ Running Time: 125 minutes/ Suggested Retail Price: 22,000 KRW/ Available: February 22nd.

Penny Pinchers– directed by Kim Jeong-hwan and starring Han Ye-seul and Song Joong-ki. An unlikely couple forms between a woman whose only interest seems to be saving money and a man who never earns a cent on his own. 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/ Suggested Retail Price: 25,300 KRW/ Available: February 23rd.

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