Archive for the 'DVDs: New Releases' Category

This week, the new DVD releases include two television drams, a low-budget horror/comedy and two more films from of the Korean Masterpiece Collection.  I like the fact that these older films are being released on DVD even though they are not including subtitles. I like it because they are not the usual films and directors that one always hears about when talking or reading about movies from the 60s, 70s and 80s–I am not sure what criteria they use when selecting the films to be released. There have been been about a dozen films released previously under thit label.  Last July, 9 films were released as part of this collection. I hope they continue this–though they could expand their sales if they added subtitles (but then I guess expenses would go up).

ACCIDENTAL COUPLE– A KBS-TV drama starring Kim Ah-joong and Hwang Jeong-min. Number of discs: 6/ Subtitles: English/ Rating: Ages 15+/ Format: 16:9 Anamoporphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0/ Region Code: 3/ Features: 16 episodes with deleted scenes/ Recommended Price: 77,000 KRW/ Available: December 13

LADYCASTLE (above left)– Another KBS-TV drama, this one starring Yoon Sang-hyeon, Jeong Il-woo and Yoon Eun-hye. Number of discs: 6/ Subtitles: English/ Rating: Ages 15+/ Format: 16:9 Anamorphic Widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0/ Region Codes: 3,4,5,6/ Special Features: 3 main character profiles, interview with Yoon Eun-hye, filming the last scene/ Recommended Price: 77,000 KRW/ Available: December 14

A WOMAN WHO LEAVES WORK IN THE MORNING–(above right)– This is the first of the two films of the Korean Masterpiece Collection mentioned above. It was directed by Park Yong-joon in 1979 and starred Ko Doo-shim, Ha Myeong-joong, Lee Hwa-shi and Ji Mi-ok. Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: None/ Rating: Ages 18+/ Format: 4:3 Full Screen/ Audio: Dobly Digital Mono/ Region Code: 3/ Running Time: 108 min./ Recommended Price: 14,500 KRW/ Available: December 15

SEXUAL COMPATABILITY (above left)– This is the second of film listed under the Masterpiece Collection. Directed by Nam Gi-nam in 1988, it stars Ahn So-yeong, Lee Dae-geun and Min Bok-gi.  Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: None/ Rating: 18+/ Format: 4:3 Full Screen/ Audio: Dolby Digital Mono/ Region Code: 3/ Running Time: 103 min./ Recommended Price: 14,500 KRW/ Available: December 15

MISTER ZOMBIE (above right)–director: Lee Soo-seong, starring Won Poong-yeon, Bae Nu-ri Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: Korean & English/ Rating: Ages 15+/ Format: 16:9 Anamorphic Widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0/ Running Time: 95 min./ Recommended Price: 22,000 KRW/ Available: December 15

One documentary set, two movies and a tv drama are slated to be released this coming week onto DVD. I am suspicious that the drama may be delayed as the image I received with these releases is not of the DVD, just a poster. First up, the documentary…

BORDER CITY 1,2– Hong Hyeong-sook’s award winning documentaries about life on the edge of the DMZ. The first film was made in 2002 and aired the following year. The sequel was filmed in 2009 and screened in March of this year. These films have won awards at The Pusan International Film Festival, DMZ Documentary Film Festival, Seoul Indie Film Festival and the Korean Independent Film Festival. Number of discs: 2/ Subtitles: Korean & English/ Rating: Ages 15+/ Format: 4:3 Full screen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0/ Special Features: Booklet, Music Video, Talking About Border City, Meet the Audience, Staff Comments/ Recommended Price: 42,000 KRW/ Available: December 7

THE MAN WHO CANNOT MARRY– A KBS drama starring Ji Jin-hee, Uhm Jeong-hwa, Kim So-eum and Yang Jeong-ah.  Number of discs: 6 (episdoes 1-16)/ Subtitles: English/ Format: 16:9/ Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0/ Special Features: Deleted Scenes, Main Characters, Production Notes, Comic Couple, Special Love, ‘Real’ Story/ Recommended Price: 77,000 KRW/ Available: December 8

AUDITION–A 2009 animation directed by Min Kyeong-jo. It is the story of a small, 4-member band attempting to enter a contest but to pass the auditions, they have to outplay more than 300 other groups. Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: None/ Rating: All ages/ Format: 1.85:1 Anamorphic Widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0/ Running time: 97 minutes/ Recommended Price: 22,000 KRW/ Available: December 8

DEATH BELL 2: GRACE IS GONE– Starring Kim Soo-ro, Hwang Jeong-eun, Yoon Shi-yoon Park Ji-yeon. Number of discs: 2/ Subtitles: Korean & English/ Rating: Ages 15+/ Format: 2.35:1 Anamorphic Widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1/ Special Features: commentary by dir. Yoo Seon-dong, Hwang Jeong-eun, Yoon Shi-yoon and Park Ji-yeon, 100 minutes worth of other extras on disc 2 but their headings, like ‘that time, that place,’ make it difficult to discern what each contains/ Recommended Price: 27,500 KRW/ Available: December 10

This coming week sees one tv-drama and four indie films released on DVD this week. The information on them is written below the image.  Oh–and MOSS will be released onto Blu-Ray.  The DVD of that film was released earlier in November. It will go for 33,000 KRW.

JANGNANSEUREOM KISS– Don’t have an English name on this drama although its homepage address is simply ‘kiss’.  It stars Kim Hyeon-joong, Jeong So-min, Lee Tae-seong and Hong Yoon-hwa.  Number of discs: 6/ Subtitles: English/ Format: 16:9 full screen/ Audio: Dolby 2.0/ Special Features: Intro to Production, Poster shoot, Making, Photo Gallery/ Region Code: 3/ Recommended Price: 88,000 KRW/ Available: November 29

NEIGHBOR ZOMBIE– Starring Bae Yong-geun, Hong Yeong-geun, Ha Eun-jeong and Kim Hee-chang. Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: English & Korean/ Rating: Ages 15+/ Format: 1.85:1 Anamorphic Widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0/ Special Features: Trailer/ Region Code: 3/ Recommended Price: 19,800 KRW/ Available: November 30

NINETEEN– Starring Heo Yi-jae and two Big Bang members; Seung-ri and Choi Seung-hyeong (T.O.P)– who recently won several presitgious awards for his role in 71:Into the Fire. Nineteen was made before that big-budget film was shot. It might be interesting to see how he did. Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: Korean & English/ Rating: Ages 12+/ Format: 1.85:1 Anamorphic Widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1/ Special Features: Trailer/ Recommended Price: 23,500 KRW/ Available: December 2

RELATION OF FACE, MIND AND LOVE– Starring Lee Ji-ah and Kang Ji-hwan  Number of dics: 1/ Subtitles: Korean & English/  Rating: Ages 12+/ Format: 1.85:1 Anamorphic Widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1/ Special Features: Trailer/ Recomendded Price: 25,300 KRW/ Available: December 2

POSTMAN TO HEAVEN– Starring Yeongwoong Jae-jeong, Han Hyo-joo.  Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: Korean & English/ Rating: All ages/ Format: 1.85:1 Anamorphic Widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1/ Special Feature: Trailer/ Recommended Price: 25,300 KRW/ Available: December 2

Three independent films are being released on DVD this coming week. All of these had very limited releases this past summer–no more than 40 screens apiece so unless you live in one of the larger cities, you probably missed them.

TOKYO TAXI– Actually a Korean/Japanese co-production directed by Kim Tae-shik. Number of dics: 1/ Subtitles: Korean, English, Japanese & French/ Rating: All Ages/ Format: 1.85:1 Anamorphic Widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0/ Special Features: Trailer/ Running Time: 75 minutes/ Recommended Price: 25,300 KRW/ Available: November 23

A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP FOR THE BAD– d. Kwon Yeong-cheol, starring SeoJang-won, Oh Tae-kyeong  Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: English/ Rating: Ages 18+/ Format: Anamorphic Widescreen 1.85:1/ Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0/ Special Features: Trailer/ Running Time: 85 minutes/ Recommended Price: 25,300 KRW/ Available: November 23

JULY 32ND– d. Jin Sang-hyeon, starring Park Eun-soo, Kim Jeong-gyun.  Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: Korean & English/ Rating: Ages 18+/ Format: Anamorphic Widescreen 16:9/ Audio: Dloby Digital 2.0/ Running Time: 100 minutes/ Recommended Price: 22,000 KRW,/ Available: November 26

This week, there are two movies released for the first time on DVD, one Blue-Ray release and a single disc release of a film that just appeared on DVD about a month ago. Not pictured left are the Blue-Ray release of The Servant and 71: Into the Fire.  The former has a recommended retail price of 33,000 KRW and will be released November 18. The latter movie will be released November 19 and is priced starting at 22,000 KRW.  Pictured in this post are the two films that have never been released on DVD.  Probably of most interest to the greatest number of people is MOSS, in theaters this past summer. The stats for Moss are as follows– Number of discs: 2/ Subtitles: Korean & English/ Rating: ages 18+/Format: 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1/ Special features: Optional commentary by Kang Woo-seok (director), Jeong Jae-yeong, Park Hae-il, Yoo Joon-sang, Yoo Seon, Yoo Hae-jin, Kim Sang-ho, original story, making, set, make-up, poster, trailers/ Recommended Price: 27,500 KRW/ Available: November 18

GOLDEN Wing 1*2*3–Here is something I am happy to see!  I had originally written about the sequel to this film, Robot Taekwon V Meets the Golden Wing, and was a little confused as I was unfamilar with the Golden Wing characters and little explanation was given.  This movie had previously been released Blue-Ray, but had not been given a DVD. Now it is available, and with English subtitles!  The stats are as follows:  Number of dics: 1/ Subtitles: Korean & English/ Format: 1.66:1 Vista Vision/ Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0/ Region Code: All Regions/ Recommeded Price: 22,000 KRW/ Available: November 16

I will be buying both of these this week.

This week, there are 4 movies being released onto DVD. However, three of them are re-released, single disc versions of recent movies. Happy Killer, The Housemaid (remake) and Blades of Blood were all made available this past July and contained a second disc of extras. The latest release of these films contains only the movie–no special features are included. All of them have a suggested price of 22,000 KRW. Happy Killer and Blades of Blood can be purchased from November 9th and The Housemaid is available from November 10.  The movie pictured on the right is Hearty Paws 2.  I recently had to write about it for the November issue of Asiana Entertainment. It is the kind of film that you would buy if you have pre-school or young elementary school-aged children in your house. Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: Korean & English/ Rating: All Ages/ Format: 2.35:1 Anamorphic Widescreen/ Audio: 5.1 Dolby Surround/ Special Features: Optional commentary by director Lee Jeong-cheol, actor Seong Dong-il and dog trainer Kim Jong-gwon, Production Notes, Interview with ‘the father’, Character Profiles, Acting Notes, Poster Shoot. Music Video,Trailer/ Recommended Price: 22,000 KRW/ Available: November 12

This week, the new releases consist of just one movie that is getting a second DVD release as a single disc as opposed to the two-disc version earlier this year and the third volume of a drama. Why are there three releases shown above? Because Bad Guys appeared mid-week as being released last Friday and releases of Bakery King and Gumiho were delayed until November 16 and November 25 respectively. 

BAD GUYS– An SBS TV drama starring Oh Yeon-soo, Kim Nam-gil and Han Ga-in. Number of discs (6)/ Subtitles: English/ Rating: ages 15+/ Format: 16:9 widescreen/ Audio: Dolby 2.0/ Recommended Price: 88,000 KRW/ Available: October 29

CLOSER TO HEAVEN– Starring Han Jin-won, Kim Myeong-min.  The two-disc set was released earlier this year in July. Number of discs: (1)/ Subtitles: Korean and English/ Rating: ages 12+/ Format: 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby 5.1/ Region Code: 3/ Recommended Price: 22,000 KRW/ Available: November 3

DONGYI, vol. 3– This is a very long-running MBC drama. Vol. 1 was released back on July 24 and Vol. 2 followed on September 3. This set contains the Number of discs: (5)/ Format: 16:9 widescreen/ Audio: Dolby 2.0/ Region Code: 3/ Recommended Price: 69,300 KRW/ Available: November 3

Three movies and three dramas make their way to DVD while one slightly older film is given the Blu-ray treatment.  I strongly recommend people checking out the movies HaHaHa and The Servant. These are two that I have pre-ordered. I’m putting off ordering Magic for now, but will consider getting it later.

HaHaHa– Hong Sang-soo’s film made it to Cannes in 2010 along with The Housemaid. Unlike the latter film, it won an award there–Un Certain Regard. It is the story of two filmmakers who remember their time together working on their first film together.  Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: English & Korean/ Rating: ages 19+/ Format: 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: 5.1 Dolby digital/ Region Code: all regions/ Special Features: Trailer/ Recommended Price: 25,300 KRW/Availble: October 26

Magic–I don’t knowvery much about this movie other than it is a romance among members of an orchestra. Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: English & Korean/ Rating: ages 15+/ Format: 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: 5.1  Dolby digital/ Special Features: Trailers/ Recommended Price: 25,300 KRW/ Available: October 28

Bakery King, Kim Tak-gu–KBS-TV drama starring Yoon Shi-yoon, Lee Yeong-ah, Yoo Jin, Joo Won.   Number of discs: 12 (6 each in volumes 1 & 2)/ Subtitles: English/ Rating: ages 15+/ Format: 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital Surround/ Region Code: 3/ Recommended Price: Vol. 1 & 2– 154,000 KRW. Each volume can be purchased separately for 77,000 KRW/ Available: October 28

Servant: Lovers of Korean film have no doubt seen or at least her references to the Legend of Chunhyang which has been made into movies made several times over the decades. However, never has it been quite like this as a sexy new twist is added to the story. Number of discs: 2/ Subtitles: English & Korean/ Rating: ages 19+/ Format: 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1/ Special Features: commentary by director Kim Dae-woo and actors Kim Ju-hyeok, Jo Yeo-jeong, Ryu Hyeon-kyeong, Making, Set, Deleted Scene, Trailers/ Recommended Price: 25,300 KRW/ Available: October 28

Oh My Lady–SBS -TV drama starring Choi Shi-won, Chae Rim, Park Han-byeol.  Number of discs: 6/ Subtitles: English/ Rating: Ages 15+/ Format: 16:9 widescreen/ Audio: Dobly 2.0/ Region Code: 1,3,4,5/ Recommended Price: 77,000 KRW/ Available: October 28

Gumiho–KBS -TV drama starring Han Eun-jeong, Jang Hyeon-seong, Kim Yoon-jeong, Seo Shin-ae. Usually, I don’t spend much time watching dramas, but I gave this one a chance this summer as I thought it was an interesting idea. But, I didn’t watch much of it. The terrible CG on the tigers in the first episode destroyed my interest and the horrible acting ensured I would not watch more than fifteen minures of any episodes after the first. But if you still want to buy it, the dvd stats are as follows:  Number of discs: 6/ Subtitles: English/ Format: 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0/ Special Features: Deleted Scenes/ Recommended Price: 77,000 KRW/ Available: October 29

Arahan (Blu-Ray)– This 2004 film is being released on Blu-Ray on October 28 (which is surprising–Korean films usually are released on just DVD. I think this only the third or fourth time this year that I’ve had to mention Blue-Ray. That technology never took off here)   This disc will go for a recommended price of 33,000 KRW

Two movies that are definitely worth owning are being released this week, 71: Into the Fire and Poetry along with a minor MBC TV Drama that may be of interest to fans of Korean pop music as it stars Jeong Yoon-ho. He more more widely known as U-Know of the singing group DongbangShingi  (The band is more active in Japan these days where the name of the group is often written in English as Tohoshinki).  I will be purchasing both of these films this week.

71: Into the Fire–I wound up reviewing this film a couple of times. Once on this blog back in June  and then for the October issue of Asiana Entertainment.  Even though I have seen it twice in a four-month period, I am happy to own this movie as well. This two-disc set comes with four charachter cards, a film leaflet and T.O.P’s autograph on a face shot. Number of discs: 2/ Subtitles: Korean & English/ Rating: ages 12+/ Format: 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: 5.1 Dolby Surround + DTS 5.1/ Special Features: pre-production, production design, the Korean War, making documentary, behind the scenes, poster shoot, trailers, etc/ Recommended Price: 23,500 KRW/ Available: October 20

Maenddange Heading:  This tv-drama ran from June to November 2009. In it a former pro-soccer player on the national team has given up the game and lost sight of his dream. It stars Jeong Yoon-ho, Ko Ah-ra, Lee Yoon-ji and Lee Sang-yoon. Number of discs: 6 (episodes 1-17)/ Subtitles: English/ Rating: Ages 15+/ Format: 16.9 full screen/Audio: Dolby 2.0/ Region Code: 1 & 3/ Special Features: Deleted Scenes, Yoon-ho Interview, making, NGs, etc/ Recommended Price: 77,000 KRW/ Available: October 20.

Poetry: This is one I have been waiting to see for a long time. It played at Cannes but we heard very little of that at the time because the high-profile film The Housemaid was also screening there. It is a quiet story of an older woman who decides to take a poetry class and asked to write a poem that expresses her life. Number of discs: 2/ Subtitles: Korean & English/ Format: 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1/ Region Code: all regions/ Special Features: making, the actress, trailers, audio commentary on disc 2 with director Lee Chang-dong  film critic Kim Yeong-jin/ Recommended Price: 23,700 KRW/ Available: October 21

This week, two Korean films from earlier this year are being released onto DVD, Barefoot Dream and On the Pitch. Neither of these films had much success in the box office at the time of their release. I was among the vast majority of people who did not go to see them. However, I might be interested in picking up Barefoot Dream.

BAREFOOT DREAM:  A feel-good family film in which Kim Won-kwang (played by Park Hee-soon) goes to East Timor and coaches a soccer team of children who cannot even afford to buy shoes for the game. Number of Discs: 2/ Subtitles: Korean & English/ Rating: All ages/ Format: 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby 5.1/ Running Time: 121 min + 107 min of extras/ Special Features: Optional commentary by director Kim Tae-geun and actors Park Hee-soon and Ko Chang-seok, Disc Two has chapters entitled East Timor’s Dream, Hiroshima, Kickoff, Meeting the Barefoot Dream in East Timor, Entry, Stills and Trailer/ Recommended Price: 23,100 KRW/ Availble for Purchase: October 15.

ON THE PITCH: Perhaps this movie was a victim of horrible timing,. It was released in May of this year, shortly after the sinking of the South Korean vessel, The Cheonan, and just days after evidence was found that the ship was sunk by a torpedo, presumably from a North Korean sub.  Nobody was interested in watching a comedy about North Korean soldiers posted along the DMZ developing a sense of patriotism for South Korea through the 2002 World Cup.  Number of discs: 1/ Subtitles: Korean & English/ Rating: Ages 15+/ Format: 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Audio: Dolby Digital Stereo/ Region Code: 3/ Running Time: 113 min/ Recommended Price: 22,000 KRW/ Available for Purchase: October 15.