Archive for the 'DVDs: New Releases' Category

This week, there is one new movie being released onto DVD with two different versions. Yellow Sea will be available from the thirteenth of April. But be careful when you are buying it. I am unsure if there is an unintentional omission in the promo material, but only the version labed ‘Director’s Cut’ is listed as having English subtitles. Interestingly, the Director’s Cut version is almost 20 minutes shorter than the other version being released (but still more than two hours long)–and more expensive.

YELLOW SEA– directed by Na Hong-jin, starring Ha Jeong-woo, Kim Yoon-seok, Jo Seong-ha  Number of discs: 2/ Rating: ages 18+/ Format: 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1/ Extras: Second disc contains sections for each character/ Region Code: 3/ Recommended Price: 23,100 (director’s cut), 22,000 (theatrical version)/ Available: April 13

hmm.. lets see if this works…    Nope, still not working….          I am unable to upload images at the moment for some reason, so I will just list the two films that are being released this coming week onto DVD and add the pictures later.

A PETTY ROMANCE–  directed by Kim Jeong-hoon and starring Lee Seon-gyun and Choi Kang-hee.  Number of discs: 2/ Subtitles: Korean and English/ Rating: ages 18+/ Format: 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1/ Running Time: 118 min./ Disc 2 includes pre-production, making documentary, ‘the dance,’ postor shoot, Q&A/ Recommended Price: 25,300 KRW/ Available: March 29

NO DOUBT– directed by Park Soo-yeong, starring Lee Jeong-jin and Kim Tae-woo.  Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: Korean and English/ Rating: ages 15+/ Format: 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1/ Running Time: 88 min. + 12 minutes of extras which include deleted scenes. Recommended Price: 22,000 KRW/ Available: April 1

Two movies, a theatrically released documentary and an SBS TV drama are to be released this week on DVD. These will be listed below. Also, for people who follow Korean actors, the American film Fetish featuring Song Hye-gyo will also be available for purchase this week.

ONE STEP MORE TO THE SEA– directed by Choi Ji-yeong and starring Park Ji-yeong, Kim Ye-ri and Kim Yeong-jae.  Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: Korean and English/ Rating: All Ages/ Format: 1.85:1/ Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0/ Running Time: 90 min./ Region Code: All regions/ Extras: Music Video, Trailer/ Recommended Price: 22,000 KRW/ Available: March 15.

TURN IT UP TO 11 <documentary>– d. Baek Seung-hwa, starring Ri Gyu-yeong, Tobacco Juice (band), Galaxy Express (band). Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: Korean/ Rating: Ages 15+/ Format: 16:9/ Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0/ Running Time: 95 min./ Region Code: All Regions/ Extra: Audio commentary, Galaxy Express music video/ Recommended Price: 22,000 KRW/ Available: March 15.

ROMANTIC DEBTORS– directed by Shin Geun-ho and starring Im Chang-jeong and Uhm Ji-won.  Number of Discs: 1/ Subtitles: Korean and English/ Rating: Ages 15+/ Format: 2.35:1/ Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1/ Running Time: 108 min./Region Code: 3/ Extras: Trailers/ Recommended Price: 25,000 KRW/ Available: March 17

SHE– directed by Lee Hyeon-jik, starring Shim Hye-jin, Jang Dong-jik, Oh Yoon-ah.  Number of Discs: 7/ Subtitles: English/ Rating: Ages 15+/ Format: 4:3/ Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0/ Running Time: 1,075 min./ Region Code: 1 and 3/ Recommended Price: 88,000 KRW/ Available: March 17

February is over already? That means that the winter break is also over and classs will begin at the university this week… Wednesday to be exact. The first week of the first semester is always busy as the new freshman try to settle into university life. But while I may be busy, I will make time to order the new movie being released this coming week. The Haunters (formerly listed as Choin) will be released in two different region 3 versions–a 2-disc and a 3-disc set.

The Haunters– director: Kim Min-seok, starring Kang Dong-won and Go Su. Number of Discs: 2 or 3/ Subtitles: Korean and English/ Rating: ages 15+/ Format: 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Surround 5.1/ Special Features: Optional commentary by director Kim, producer Song Dae-chan and actors Kang and Go, Disc 2: Extras such as pre-production, making and a strong focus on the movie’s special effects, Disc 3: OST (not available on the two disc set)/Running Time: (movie only) 116 min./Recommended Price: 25,300 KRW (3-disc), 23,100 KRW (2-disc)/ Availbe: March 4

Last week I left out one of the movies being released at the end of the week (Feb. 18), so I have included it here. So this week, the list includes three movies and a drama being released onto DVD…oh, and the Blu-Ray version of The Man From Nowhere will be released as well and will go for a recommended price of 33,000KRW. The DVD version was released last week (my copy arrived last Friday!)

Foxy Festival (above left)– This is the movie I forgot to include on last week’s list. Number of discs: 2/ Subtitles: Korean and English/ Rating: ages 18+/ Format: 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby surround 5.1/ Special Features: Commentary A by d. Lee Hae-yeong, actors Shin Ha-gyun, Uhm Ji-won, Baek Jin-hee; Commentary B by Lee Hae-yeong and production staff/Disc 2 contains Production, Music Video, Deleted Scenes etc/ Running time: 109 min/ Recommended Price: 23,100 KRW/ Available: February 18

Dong-ja’s Commotion–d. Nam Gi-nam, starring Jeong Jong-cheol, Park Joon-hyeong. Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: None/ Rating: all ages/ Format: 16:9 widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0/ Running Time: 85 min/ Recommended Price: 22,000 KRW/ Available: February 22

Midnight FM– d. Kim Sang-man, starring Soo Ae, Yoo Ji-tae  Number of discs: 2/ Subtitles: Korean and English/ Rating: ages 18+/ Format: 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby digital 5.1/ Special Features: Second disc has 9o minutes of extras/ Running time: 106 min/ Recommended Price: 25,300 KRW/ Available: February 25

God of Study– KBS Drama directed by Yoo Hyeon-gi, starring Kim Soo-ro, Bae Doo-na, Oh Yoon-ah, Ko Ah-seong  Number of discs: 7/ Subtitles: English/ Rating: ages 15+/ Format: 16:9 widescreen/ Audio: Dolby digital 2.0/ Special Features: in addition to the 16 episodes that made up the drama, there are 110 minutes of extras/ Recommended Price 88,000 KRW/ Available: February 24

We seem to be making up for the last two weeks where no new DVDs were released. This coming week will see 8 new DVDs– two dramas and six movies. The dramas are listed at the end of this post.

THE MAN FROM NOWHERE–  d. Lee Jeong-beom, starring Won Bin, Kim Se-ron  Number of discs: 2/ Subtitles: English, Korean/ Rating: ages 18+/ Format: 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1/ Running Time: 119 min./ Special Features: Two commentary tracks on disc 1, disc two extras include The Making, Filming of Scenes (golf course, nightclub bathroom, etc), stunts, music video, trailers/ Recommended Price: 27,500 KRW/ Available: Feb. 17

ROLLING HOME ON A BULL (pictured above left)– d. Im Soon-rye, starring Kong Hyo-jin, Kim Yeong-pil. Director Im has become one of my favorite filmmakers and I have been looking forward to seeing this movie which did not get much play in theaters. Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: English, Korean/ Rating: ages 15+/ Format: 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen, Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1/ Running Time: 111 min./ Recommended Price: 22,000 KRW/ Available: Feb. 16

GRAND PRIX (pictured above right)– d. Yang Yoon-ho, starring Kim Tae-hee,Yang Dong-geun. Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: English, Korean/ Format: 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital: 5.1/ Extras: Making, OST, Poster photo shoot, trailers/ Running Time: 109 min./ Recommended Price: 22,000 KRW/ Available: Feb. 16

CYRANO AGENCY (pictured above left)– d. Kim Hyeon-seok, starring Uhm Tae-yeong, Lee Min-jeong  Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: English, Korean/ Rating: ages 12+/ Format: 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1/ Running Time: 121 min./ Recommended Price: 22,000 KRW/ Available: Feb. 18

TRY TO REMEMBER (pictured above right)– d. Im Jin-pyeong, starring Park Jae-jeong, Yoon So-yi (First screening was at the Pucheon Internation Fantastic Film Festival prior to its general theater release last November)  Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: English, Korean/ Rating: ages 12+/ Format: 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1/ Running Time: 100 min./ Recommended Price: 25,300 KRW/ Available: Feb. 18

Secret Romance (pictured right)– d. Kwon Chil-in, starring Jeong Chan, Kim Hong-soo, Han Soo-yeon, Choo Ja-hyeon  Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: English, Korean/ Rating: ages 18+/ Format: 4:3 letterbox/ Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1/ Running Time: 114 min. / Recommended Price: 22,000 KRW/ Available: Feb. 16

DAEMANG (pictured above left)– An excellent SBS-TV drama that managed to hold my attention throughout its entire run. I liked the story and most of the characters (aside from the fact it featured the worst child actor I have ever seen–the kid doesn’t blink and is very creepy)  Starring Jang Hyeok, Jo Han-seong, Son Ye-jin and Lee Yo-won.  Number of discs: 9/ Subtitles: English/ Rating: ages 15+/Format: 4:3 letterbox/ Audio: Dolby Digitial 2.0/ Region Codes: 1,3,4,5/ Recommended Price: 110,000 KRW/ Available: Feb. 14

YEOKJEONUI YEOWANG Vol. 1 (pictured above right) – I can’t find an English title for this–’Yeokjeon’ usually refers to coming from behind to win, ‘Yeowang’ means ‘queen’–Anyway, this MBC drama just finished a few months ago. It starred Kim Nam-joo (who also co-directed with Jeong Dae-yoon), Jeong Joon-ho and Park Shi-hoo.  Number of discs: 6/ Subtitles: NO SUBTITLES/ Rating: ages 15+/ Format: 4:3 letterbox/ Audio: Dolby Digital: 2.0/ Region Code: 3/ Special Features: Extra episode (50 min.), NG’s (30 min.)/ Recommended Price: 77,000 KRW/ Available: Feb. 18

There are no new DVDs being released this week. This is due to the holiday. No shipments are being made to distributors. It’s the Lunar New Year (aka the Chinese New Year) and the start of the Year of the Rabbit. The official holiday starts on Wednesday, but most people I know are not working from Tuesday afternoon. Happy New Year^^

I am back from a month-long vacation/business trip to the USA and I am very happy to be home. A month is too long.  It is now time for me to play catch-up. What follows is a list of all Korean DVDs released since the new year began up until the end of this current week. Oh, and as it is a new year, this seems like a good place to remind people that the ‘Recommended Prices’ shown with these DVDs are only what the manufacturers suggest. Most online shops and stores (at least in Korea) probably are selling them for less.  Also, unless otherwise stated, these DVDs are Region 3 releases.

NORWAY WOODS–  d. No Jin-soo, starring Jeong Kyeong-ha, Park In-soo.  No. of discs: 1/ Subtitles: English/ Rating: Ages 18+/ Format: 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1/ Running Time: 82 min./ Special Features: Trailer/ Recommended Price: 25,000 KRW/ Available: January 5

ACOUSTIC– d. Yoo Sang-hyeon, starring Shin Se-kyeong, Im Seul-ong.  No. of discs: 1/ Subtitles: English/ Rating: Ages 12+/ Format: 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1/ Running Time: 88 min./ Special Features: Trailer/ Recommended Price: 25,300 KRW/ Available: January 5

MAN OF VENDETTA– d. Woo Min-ho, starring Kim Myeong-min, Uhm Gi-joon. No. of discs: 2/ Subtitles: English & Korean/ Rating: Ages 18+/ Format: 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1/ Running Time: 114 min./ Special Features: 90 mins. of special features on the second disc/ Recommended Price: 27,500 KRW/ Available: January 12

TREELESS MOUNTAIN– d. Kim So-yeong, starring Kim Hee-yeon, Kim Seong-hee. This movie had previously been released on DVD in 2009. The difference between this and the earlier release are the special features.  No. of discs: 1/ Subtitles: English & Korean/ Rating: All ages/ Format: 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1/ Running Time: 89 min./ Special Features: 30 min. of features icluding Deleted Scenes, Outtakes, Audience Reactions from the New York Film Forum and Trailer/ Recommended Price: 16,500 KRW/ Available: January 14.

OKI’S MOVIE– d. Hong Sang-soo, starring Jeong Yoo-mi, Lee Seon-gyun No. of discs: 1/ Subtitles: English/ Rating: Ages 18+/ Format: 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1/ Running Time: 98 min./ Special Features: Trailer, TV Spot, Press Conference/ Recommended Price: 25,300 KRW/ Available: January 18

THE RECIPE– d. Lee Seo-geon, starring Ryu Seung-ryong, Lee Dong-wook No. of discs: 1/ Subtitles: English & Korean/ Rating: Ages 12+/ Format: 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1/ Running Time: 105 min./ Special Features: optional commentary by director, producer and actors (Ryu Seung-ryong and Lee Yo-won/ Recommended Price: 25.300 KRW/ Available: January 19

MAGIC CHEONJA– d. Yoon Yeong-gi, voiced by Jeong Seon-hye, Park Shin-hee. No. of discs: 1/ Subtitles: English & Korean/ Rating: All ages/ Format: 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1/ Running Time: 85 min./ Special Features: Trailer, TV Spot, Postcards/ Recommended Price: 25.300 KRW/ Available: January 19

NATALIE– d. Joo Kyeong-joong, starring Lee Seok-jae, Kim Ji-hoon.  Promotional material for this DVD calls Natalie Korea’s first 3D film and the world’s ‘first 3D adult film.’  It is not the former–there were at least two Korean films in the 1970s that I am aware of that were filmed in 3D.  It would be better to say Korea’s first 3D film on DVD. As for the latter claim, I cannot comment although I suspect that it is also inaccurate. No. of discs: 2/ Subtitles: English & Korean/ Rating: Ages 18+/ Format: 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1/ Running Time: 88 min./ Special Features: 2 discs–First disc in 2D, the second in 3D. Glasses included/ Recommended Price: 27,500 KRW/ Available: January 20

HE’S ON DUTY– d. Yook Sang-hyo, starring Kim In-gwon, Kim Jeong-tae No. of discs: 2/ Subtitles: English & Korean/ Rating: Ages 12+/ Format: 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1/ Running Time: 110 min./ Special Features: 84 minutes of extras on second disc/ Recommended Price: 23,100 KRW/ Available: January 21

CYRANO AGENCY– d. Kim Hyeon-seok, starring Uhm Tae-woong, Lee Man-jeong. No. of discs: 2/ Subtitles: English & Korean/ Rating: Ages 12+/ Format: 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1/ Running Time: 121 min./ Special Features: Second disc includes all extras such as Pre-Production, character profiles, trailer/ Recommended Price: 27,500 KRW/ Available: January 21

MY NAME IS KIM SANG-SOO– MBC TV-drama  d. Kim Yoon-cheol, starring Kim Seon-ah, Hyeon Bin. No. of discs: 6/ Subtitles: No subtitles/ Rating: Ages 15+/ Format: 4:3 full screen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0/ Recommended Price: 55,000 KRW/ Available: January 21

TROUBLE SHOOTER– d. Kwon Hyeok-jae, starring Seol Kyeong-gu, Lee Jeong-jin. No. of discs: 2/ Subtitles: English & Korean/ Rating: Ages 15+/ Format: 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1/ Running Time: 100 min./ Special Features: Second disc contains 110 minutes of extras/ Recommended Price: 27,500 KRW/ Available: January 21

BEDEVILLED– d. Jang Cheol-soo, starring Seo Yeong-hee, Ji Seong-won. No. of discs: 1/ Subtitles: English & Korean/ Rating: Ages 18+/ Format: 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1/ Running Time: 130 min./ Special Features: Commentary, Making, Trailer, TV Spot/ Recommended Price: 25,300 KRW/ Available: January 26

I had a very busy week but somehow managed to give all my exams, grade them, calculate the scores, finish some commissioned reviews and finalize a study abroad program . I will be out of Korea from tomorrow for Christmas, staying in Rhode Island until the 16th of January..then I will be in Nevada for a business trip for the university I work for where I will meet 25 of my students. I was able to arrange an 8-week, all-expenses paid study program for them at UNR. I will return to Korea on January 21.  Between now and then, posting will be spotty, but I will try to post at least weekly. I will certainly write my about my favorite 10 films of 2010 in this time. When I return to Korea, I will be spending quite of bit of time on this blog as I have no classes until March. In the meantime, here are the DVDs being released in time to be presents for the holidays.

1. MUHAN DOJEON: Wrestling Special–  Muhan Dojeon is a long-running MBC-tv comedy show starring comedian Yoo Jae-seok, Park Myeong-soo and Jeong Joon-ha among others. Number of dics: 4/ Subtitles: None/ Format: 4:3 full screen/ Audio: Dolby stereo 2.0/ Region Code: all regions/ Recommended Price: 29,700 KRW/ Available: December 20

2. REVENGE: Director’s Cut– A KBS-tv drama starring Uhm Tae-woong, Han Ji-min and  Ko Joo-won Number of discs: 9/ Subtitles: English and Korean/ Rating: ages 15+/ Format: 16:9 anamorphic widescreen/ Special Features: Episodes 1-24 with unseen footage, disc 9 contains cut scenes, commentary by director and actors, interview with director, making, NG, music video and trailer/ Recommended Price: 66,000 KRW/ Available: December 21

3. QUEEN SEONDEOK: vol.1-3– MBC-tv drama starring Ko Hyeon-jeong, Lee Yo-won, Uhm Tae-woong.  Number of discs: 23/ Subtitles: English and Korean/ Format: 16:9 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital: 2.0/ Region Code: 3/ Special Feeatures: Production, Poster shoot, Interviews with Uhm Tae-woong, Lee Yo-won, Ahn Gil-joong, Seo Yeong-hee, Kim Nam-gil, Lee Seong-hyo, focus on the child queen, NGs, and many more/ Recommended Price: 187,000 KRW/ Available: December 22

4. BOYS OF TOMORROW– This is a re-release..the original was 3(?) years ago.  I strongly recommend searching it out and buying this DVD–it is one of my favorite films.  And while the recommended price is 27,500, I have seen it advertised for 8,900 KRW–less than ten USD. Directed by No Dong-seok and starring Yoo Ah-n, Kim Byeong-seok, Choi Jae-seong Number of discs: 2/ Subtitles: English, French, Korean/ Rating: ages 15+/ Format: 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1/ Special Features: optional commentary, making, interview with special guests, OST, trailer/ Running Time: 91 minutes/ Recommended Price: 27,500 KRW/ Available: December 22

5. ENEMY OF THE END–Director Jo Won-hee, starring Yoo Hae-jin, Cheon Ho-jin, Seo Ho-rim, Lee Jeong-heon. Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: English and Korean/ Rating: ages 18+/ Format: 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: 5.1 Dolby Digital 5.1/ Special Features: Making, Yoo Hae-jin & Seo Ho-rim interviews, trailer/Running Time: 92 minutes/ Recommended Price: 22,000 KRW/ Available: December 22

6. QUIZ KING– directed by Jang Jin, starring Kim Soo-ro, Han Jae-seok, Song Yeong-chan Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: English and Korean/ Rating: ages 15+/ Format: 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1/ Special Features: optional commentary by Jang Jin,Km Soo-ro, Ryu Seung-ryong, Kim Joon-yong, making, deleted scenes, trailer/ Running Time: 120 minutes/ Recommended Price: 25,300 KRW/ Available: December 23