Archive for the 'DVDs: New Releases' Category

There is only one film being released this week in DVD format, but I know very little about the story. It did not get a wide release in theaters.  The box of the dvd compares it to the likes of The Way Home and Scandal Makers most likely because it features a child vs guardian theme.. in this case a young daughter trying to straighten out her father.  The movie’s title is Hwechori..according to KOFIC, no international English title has been assigned… and it was directed by Park Gwang-woo and stars Jin Ji-hee & Ahn Nae-sang. Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: Korean only (according to the promo material, no English subs are listed)/ Rating: for ages 12+/ Format: 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: dolby digital 5.1/ Running Time: 104 minutes/ Suggested Retail Price: 22,000KRW/ Available from August 10.

We have two new comedies for your collection being released onto DVD this coming week. The first is Meet the In-Laws. Directed by Kim Jin-yeong, it stars Son Sae-byeok, Lee Shi-yeong and Baek Yoon-shik.  Number of discs: 2/ Subtitles: Korean & English/ Rating: ages 12+/ Format: 2.36:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1/ Running Time: 118 min/ Second disc contains 2.5 hours of extras/ Suggested Retail Price: 25,300 KRW/ Available from August 4.

The second film, Suicide Forecast,  stars Ryu Seung-beom as an insurance salesman attempting to keep his clients alive and co-stars Seong Dong-il. It was directed by Jo Jin-mo.  Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: Korean and English/ Rating: ages 15+/ Format: 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1/ Running Time: 124 min/ minimal special features but optiona commentary available featuring the director, producer and cinematographer/ Suggested Retail Price: 25,300 KRW/ Available: August 4

Last month I wrote that I thought it was a good idea to post the list of DVDs at the end of each month. However, I think I have to change my mind.  It was much easier to post them weekly.  I’ll go back to doing it that way from next week. In the meantime, here is the list of movies released onto DVD this July.

The first and, in my opinion, the best of the DVDs released in July was Landscape After the War.  It is a collection of four films made between 1955 and 1960.  They are Park Nam-ok’s The Widow (1955), Shin Sang-ok’s Flower in Hell (1958), Money (1958) directed by Kim So-dong and Drifting Story (1960) by Kwon Yeong-soon.  I think it should also be noted that Park Nam-ok was Korea’s first woman director and The Widow was her first film. Number of discs: 4/ Subtitles: English, Korean, Japanese/ Rating: ages 15+/ Suggested Retail Price: 44,000 KRW/ Available from July 6.

Bleak Night– directed by Yoon Seong-hyeon and starring Lee Je-hoon, Seo Joon-yeong and Park Jeong-yeon featurs the story of disintergrating friendships. Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: Korean and English/ Rating: ages 15+/ Suggested Retail Price: 25,300 KRW/ Available from July 7.

Hanji– the 101st film directed by Im Kwon-taek.  Starring Park Joong-hoon and Kang Soo-yeon. Although a drama, the movie has the feeling of a documentary as it traces the origins of Korean rice paper (hanji).  Number of discs: 2/ Subtitles: Korean and English/ Rating: ages 15+/ Suggested Retail Price: 27,500 KRW/ Available from July 8.

Last Blossom– Directed by Min Gyu-dong, starring Kim Gab-soo, Ryu Joon-sang, Bae Jong-ok. Number of discs: 3 (the third disc being the OST)/ Subtitles: Korean and English/ Rating: Ages 15+/ Suggested Retail Price: 23,100 KRW/Available from July 13.

Shotgun Love– Directed by Jeong Woo-cheol, starring Im Chang-jeong, Kim Gyu-ri. Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: Korean and English/Rating: ages 15+/ Suggested Retail Price: 25,000 KRW/ Available: July 13th.

Here we have two collections of short films. The first is Choncheol Sarlin with various directors and titles such as Line and Richard: the London Exchange Student. However, there are no English subtitles on this set.  Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: Korean/ Rating: ages 15+/ Suggested Retail Price: 25,300 KRW/ Available from July 14.

Fantasy Theater, the second collection of shorts is one that I have seen.  The most memorable film was Do You Like Beef?, but I honestly don’t remember much about the others. Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: Korean and English/ Rating: ages 15+/ Suggested Retail Price: 25,300 KRW/ Available July 14.

Little Black Dress– directed by Heo In-moo, starring Yoon Eun-hye, Park Han-byeol. A movie of friendship among women as they attempt to find their own place in the world. Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: Korean and English/ Rating: ages 15+/ Suggested Retail Price: 25,300 KRW/ Available July 14.

Rolling Stars– A new animation featuring an intergalactic baseball team and the main character is voiced by Ryu Deok-hwan.  Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: Korean and English/ Ratings: all ages/ Suggested Retail Price: 22,000 KRW/ Available July 13

Beautiful Legacy– director Kim Chang-man, starring Lee Yeong-jae, Kim Min-soo. Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: Korean/ Rating: all ages/ Suggested Retail Price: 22,000 KRW/ Available July 27.

I Am Father– director Jeon Man-bae, starring Kim Seung-woo, Im Ha-ryong, Son Byeong-ho. Number of discs: 1 / Subtitles: Korean and English/ Rating: ages 18+/ Suggested Retail Price: 22,000 KRW/ Available July 28

Up until this month, I had been posting weekly information about the Korean movies being released onto DVD, but I seemed busier with grading and exams than in past semester and I let that slide during the month of June.  To make up for that, here is the entire list of DVDs that were released during the past month. A total 19 movies and dramas are now available including some long awaited films (like I Saw the Devil) and some re-releases of out-of-print movies. 

Come Rain, Come Shine — d. Lee Yoon-gi– starring Im Soo-jeong, Hyeon Bin/  subtitles: Korean and English/ 1-disc/recommended price: 19,800 KRW/  available from June 1.

Ha;l– d. Yoon Yeong-gi– starring Woo Sang-jeon, Jo Yong-joo/subtitles: Korean and English/ 1 disc/ recommended price: 21,900 KRW/ available from June 10.

Boy From Ipanema–d. Kim Gi-hoon– starring Lee Soo-hyeok, Kim Min-ji/ subtitles: Korean and English/ 1 disc/ recommended price: 21,900 KRW/ available from June 10.

Choono– d. Kwak Jeong-hwan– starring Jang Hyeok, Lee Da-hae/ subtitles: English/ 9 discs/ recommended price: 58,500 KRW/ <tv-drama> / available from June 14

Hometown in Heart–d. Yoon Yong-gyu– starring Choi Eun-hee, Yoo Min/ subtitles: English, Korean, Japanese/ 1 disc/ recommended price: 13,800 KRW/ <originally released in 1949>/ available from June 14.

Late Blossom- d. Choo Chang-min– starring Lee Soon-jae, Yoo So-jeong/ subtitles: Korean and English/ 2 discs/ recommended price: 20,500 KRW/ available from June 15

Coffee House– d. Pyo Min-soo, starring Kang Ji-hwan, Park Shi-hyeon/ subtitles: English/ 6 discs/ recommended price: 69,000 KRW/ <tv drama>/ available from June 15

Bittersweet Life, director’s cut– d. Kim Ji-woon, starring Lee Byeong-heon, Kim Yeong-cheol/ subtitles: Korean and English/ 2 discs/ recommended price: 11,000 KRW/ <re-release>/ available  from June 17

Untold Scandal– d. Lee Jae-yong, starring Bae Yong-joon, Jeon Do-yeon/ subtitles: Korean and English/ 2 discs/ recommeded price: 11,000 KRW/ <re-release>/ available from June 17

Heartbeat– d. Yoon Jae-geun, starring Kim Yoon-jin, Park Hae-il/ subtitles: Korean and English/ 1 disc/recommended price: 19,800 KRW/ available from June 22

Sign– d. Kim Hyeong-shik, starring Park Shin-yang, Kim Ah-joong/ subtitles: English/ 7 discs/ recommended price: 79,000 KRW/ <tv-drama>/ available from June 22

Battlefield Heroes– d. Lee Joon-ik, starring Ryu Seung-ryong, Seon Woo-seon/ subtitles: Korean and English/ 1 disc/ recommended price: 19,800 KRW/ available from June 22

Children… — d. Lee Gyu-man, starring Park Yong-woo, Seong Dong-il/ subtitles: Korean and English/2 discs/ recommended price: 23,900 KRW/ available from June 24.

City Hall, director’s cut– d. Shin Woo-cheol, starring Kim Seon-ah, Cha Seung-won/ subtitles: English/ 11 discs/ recommended price: 80,000 KRW/<re-release>/ available from June 28

Dream High, director’s cut– d. Lee Eung-bok starring Bae Soo-ji, Ok Taek-yeon/ subtitles: English/ 10 discs/ recommended price: 76,500 KRW/ <available also as vol. 1 & 2, each with 5 discs and each 39,600 KRW>/ available from June 28

Little Pond– d. Lee Sang-woo, starring Moon Seong-geon, Jeon Hye-jin/ subtitles: Korean and English/ 1 disc/ recommended price: 19,800 KRW/ available from June 29

I Saw the Devil– d. Kim Ji-woon, starring Choi Min-shik, Lee Byeong-heon/ subtitles: Korean and English/ 2 discs/ recommended price: 23,900 KRW/ available from June 29

Last Godfather– d. Shim Hyeong-rae, starring Shim Hyeong-rae, Harvey Kaitel/ subtitles: Korean and English/ 1 disc/ recommended price: 22,500 KRW/ <filmed in English>/ available from June 30

Romantic Heaven– d. Jang Jin, starring Kim Soo-ro, Kim Ji-won/ subtitles: Korean and English/ 1 disc/ recommended price: 22,500 KRW/ available from June 30.

With the semester down to the last two weeks of classes and final exams approaching, I found I had no time to post last week. I half-watched Rebirth (1969) and My Right to Ravage Myself (2003), but I can’t really write anything about them. I was correcting essays at the same time and the contents of the movies didn’t really sink in.  I have to finish checking those papers today, as I want to hand them back to the students first period tomorrow…but I want to get the coming DVD releases posted.  There are two movies and two classic dramas being released this week. We’ll start with the dramas.

MEN OVER FLOWERS — starring Lee Min-ho, Kim Beom and Ku Hye-seon.  Number of Discs: 9/ Subtitles: English/ Rating: ages 15+/ Format: 16:9 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0/ Region Codes: 3,4,5,6/ Recommended Price: 66,000 KRW/ Available: May 25

AUTUMN TALE– starring Song Seung-hyeon, Song Hye-gyo, Won Bin.  Number of Discs: 6/ Subtitles: English/ Rating: All ages/ Format: 4:3 standard/ Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0 surround/ Region Code: 1,3/ Recommended Price: 99,000 KRW/Available: May 25

GLOVE– Directed by Kang Woo-seok, starring Jeong Jae-yeong, Jo Jin-woong, Kang Shin-il.  Number of Discs: 2/ Subtitles: Korean and English/ Rating: All ages/ Format: 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1/ Running Time: 144min (movie), 88 min (extras)/ Recommended Price: 27,500 KRW/ Available: May 26  BRAVO JAZZ LIFE– Directed by Nam Moo-seong, starring Lee Pan-geun, Lee Dong-gi, Park Seong-yeon  Number of Discs: 1/ Subtitles: Korean and English/ Rating: All ages/ Format: 1.85:1 anamorohic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1/ Running Time: 105 minutes/ Recommended Price: 25,300 KRW  Available: May 26

This coming week, we have two Korean movies and one drama becoming available on DVD.

First up is JJAKPAE, an MBC drama which began airing in February of this year and continues until now. The DVD is Volume 1 and contains the first 16 episodes.  Directed by Im Tae-woo, Jjakpae stars Cheon Jeong-myeong and Han Ji-hye.  Number of dics: 6/ Subtitles: English/ Format: 16:9 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0/ Region Code: 3/ Recommended Price: 77,000 KRW/ Available: May 17

Next, we have YELLOW SEA, the director’s edition.  The theatrical version was released onto DVD back on April 13th. Unfortunately, according to the promotional material, neither edition has English subtitles, which I find very surprising seeing how well received Na Hong-jin’s first film, The Chaser, was in the overseas market. I was waiting for this edition before purchasing the movie, so I will know soon whether or not that was merely an omission on the part of the person who put together the promo list.  A limited number of customers who purchase this will receive a booklet containing the movie script. Number of discs: 2/ Subtitles: Korean/ Rating: ages 18+/ Format: 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1/ Running Time: 139 minutes (first disc), 122 minutes (extras on second disc)/ Recommended Price: 23,100 KRW/ Available: May 18

One of the more successful films from 2010, THE UNJUST is directed by Ryu Seung-won and stars Hwang Jeong-min and Ryu Seung-beom. Number of discs: 2/ Subtitles: Korean & English/ Rating: 18+/ Format: 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1/ Running Time: 119 minutes (disc 1), 120 minutes (second disc)/ Recommended Price: 27,500 KRW/ Available: May 19

This week four movies will be released on DVD–and all of them are things I want to have.

SHOWDOWN– directed by Park Hoon-jeong and starring Park Hee-soon and Jin Goo.  Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: Korean & English/ Rating: ages 15+/ Format: 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1/ Region Code: 3/ Running Time: 111 minutes + 18 minutes of extras/ Recommended Price: 22,000 KRW/ Available: May 11

DETECTIVE K– directed by Kim Seok-yoon starring Kim Myeong-jin and Oh Dal-soo. Number of discs: 2/ Subtitles: Korean & English/ Rating: ages 12+/ Format: 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital: 5.1/ Region Code: 3/ Special Features: Commentary on first disc, extras on second disc/ Recommended Price: 23,100 KRW/ Available: May 11

HERO– directed by Kim Hong-ik, starring Kim Hyeong-gyu and Lee Da-in.  Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles:  Korean & English/ Rating: Ages 15+/ Format: 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1/ Running Time: 109 minutes/ Recommended Price: 22,000 KRW/ Available: May 13

GOODBYE, PYEONGYANG– <documentary> directed by Yang Yeong-hee, starring Yang Kong-seon and Kang Jeong-hee.  Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: Korean/ Format: 4:3 full screen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0/ Running Time: 81 minutes/ Region code: 3/ Recommended Price: 22,000 KRW/ Available: May 13

YEOUIDO– directed by Song Jeong-woo and starring Kim Tae-woo, Park Seong-woong and Ko Se-won.  Number of Discs: 2/ Subtitles: Korean & English/  Rating: ages 18+/ Format: 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1/ Running Time: 87 minutes (disc 2 is the OST)/ Region Code: 3/ Recommended Price: 25,300 KRW/ Available from May 3

BE MY GUEST– directed by Park Soo-yeong and starring Lee Kyeong-yeong, Kim Byeong-joon, Kim Ji-soo.  Number of Discs: 1/ Subtitles: Korean & English/ Rating: ages 18+/ Format: 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Running Time: 80 minutes/ Region Code: All Region/ RecommendedPrice: 22,000 KRW/ Available from May 3.

Also available on May 3rd is the BluRay version of Bedevilled.

Heartbeat — directed by Yoo Jae-geon and starring Kim Yoo-jin and Park Hae-il  Number of discs: 2/ Subtitles: Korean and English/ Rating: ages 15+/ Format: 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1/ Running Time: 114 minutes + extras on second disc/ Recommended Price: 25,300 KRW/ Available: April 27

A Lone Tree– directed by Song Il-seon, starring Song Chang-ui, Seo Ji-hye  Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: Korean and English/ Rating: all ages/ Format: 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0/ Running Time: 103 minutes/ Special Features: Trailer/ Recommended Price: 25,300 KRW/ Available: April 28

Cloud Bread– an award-winning television series recommended for ages 3-6. Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: Korean and English/ Rating: all ages/ Format: 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0/ Running time: 124 minutes/ Recommended Price: 19,800 KRW/ Available: April 29

Also available this week are 1) the BluRay version of The Chaser, a music video/concert by FT Island and the drama Mary’s Night Out.  The extremely popular drama, Secret Garden, was also listed on early charts as being available on April 30th, but as no new promo material was available until now, I doubt the date

This week, there are several DVDs being released–2 new movies, one very old film, a documentary, and an older drama. Also, Haunters is being released in BluRay format.  It will retail for about 31,900KRW and be available from April 22. Here is what’s coming…

Don’t Cry for Me Sudan <documentary>– directed by Ku Soo-hwan.  Number of discs: 2/ Subtitles: Korean and English/ Rating: all ages/ Format: 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0/ Extras: Second disc features 50 minutes of extras/ Running time: (movie) 91 minutes/ Region code 3/ Recommended Price: 29,700 KRW/ Available: April 20

Winter Love Song — tv drama from 2002 directed by Yoon Seok-ho and starring Bae Yong-joon and Choi Ji-woo.  Number of discs: 6/ Subtitles: English/ Rating: all ages/ Format: 1.33:1/ Audio: 2.0 Dolby/ Running Time: 1300 minutes/ Recommended Price: 99,000 KRW/ Available: April 20

Hello Ghost — directed by Kim Yeong-tak, starring Cha Tae-hyeon, Kang Ye-jin.  Number of discs: 2/ Subtitles: Korean and English/ Rating: ages 12+/ Format: 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen/  Audio: Dolby digital 5.1/ Region code: 3/ Extras: Second disc features 60 minutes of extras/ Running time: 111 min (movie)/ Recommended Price: 23,100/ Available: April 20

Marines Who Never Returned — directed by Lee Man-hee, starring Jang Dong-hwi, Choi Moo-ryong.  Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: None/ Format: 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0/ Running Time: 110 minutes/ Region Code: 3   For a subtitled copy, look for the Lee Man-hee Collection