This coming week will see the end of this semester. I will have given all my exams by Tuesday and will be able to spend more time on this site.  This week also has many interesting DVDs being released.  Among them is ACTRESSES which I reported being released a couple of weeks ago.  That helps serve as a reminder that the release information given here is subject to change. Also remember that the prices shown here are the suggested prices–it is very likely that you can find them for less.

CHOONO–A recent drama starring Jang Hyeok, Lee Da-hae, Oh Ji-ho, and Lee Jong-hyeok, and one of the few dramas aired in the past couple of years that I have watched all the way through, Choono is now being released as a 9-disk ’Premium Box Set’.  Subtitles:  English / Rated: Ages 15+ / Format: 16:9 anamorphic widescreen/ Sound: Dolby Digital Surround/ Code:  All Region/ Special Features: Choono History, Commentary by actors, director & writer/Interviews/ Filming/ 50p Story Book/ Recommended Price: 99,000 KRW/ Release Date: June 8

SECRET REUNION– One of the best films opening so far in 2010, Secret Reunion stars Song Kang-ho and Kang Dong-won. This DVD release is on 2-disks and can be purchased individually or together with the movie M.  Subtitles: Korean & English/ Rated: 15+ / Format: 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1 surround/ Code: Region 3/ Recommended Price: 23,100 KRW (25,300 KRW if purchased with M) / Release Date: June 8.  The promotional material I have seen fails to mention what is on the second disk so I cannot report on it here.

WEDDING DRESS–Starring Song Yoon-ah, Kim Hyang-gi.  Subtitles: English & Korean/ Rating: All Ages/ Format: 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1 surround/ Special Features: Commentary by Director Kwon Hyeong-jin, Producer Choi Seon-joong, Actors Song Yoon-ah and Kim Hyang-gi, Making, Deleted Scenes, Music Video by K.Will ‘Pond of Tears’, Trailer/ Recommended Price: 25,300 KRW/ Release Date: June 8

VISITORS– Three featurettes by Directors Hong Sang-soo (Korea), Naomi Kawase (Japan) and Lav Diaz (Philippines).  The Hong film on this single disk DVD is Lost in the Mountains.  Subtitles: Korean & English/ Rating: Ages 15+/ Format: 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen/Sound: Dolby Digital 2.0/ Code: Region 3/ Special Features: Butterflies Have No Memory (Diaz’s film)–Director’s Cut/ Q & A with Hong Sang-soo/ trailer/ Recommended Price: 25,300 KRW/ Release Date: June 9

PISTOL BANDIT GANG–  Wasn’t this still in theaters just a couple of weeks ago?  It did fairly well too and hung on for several weeks. It will now be available as a two-disk set. The movie stars Na Moon-hee, Kim Soo-mi, Lee Hye-ok, and Im Chang-jeong. Subtitles: Korean & English/ Rating: Ages 15+ / Format: 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen (disk 2: 4:3 full screen)/ Sound: 5.1 Dolby surround (disk 2: Korean 2.0)/ Code: Region 3/ Special Features: Production, Character Descriptions, Poster Shoot, Preview, Teasers, Trailer/ Recommend Price: 25,300 KRW/ Release Date: June 9

THE MAN NEXT DOOR– Another film that was quite recently in theaters, this one starring Yoon Je-moon and Kim In-kwon and directed by Jang Dong-hong. Subtitles: Korean & English/ Rating: 18+ / Format: 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen/ Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1/ Code: Region 3/ Recommended Price: 25,300/ Release Date: June 9

CITY HALL– Another SBS drama is getting released this week. City Hall will be an 11-disk set. The drama starred Kim Seon-ah. Cha Seung-hwan, Choo Sang-mi, Lee Hyeong-cheol.  Subtitles: Korean & English/ Rating: 15+/ Format: 16:9 anamorphic widescreen/ Sound: Dolby Digital 2.0/ Special Features: Each disk from 1-8 contains an interview with a different cast or staff member. Disks 9 and 10 have NGs, making, music videos, etc. Disk 11 is a discussion among the cast and staff after the filming of the final episode/ Recommended Price: 121,000 KRW/ Release Date: June 10.