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NUMBER 7 - 2003, February 7th

Welcome to the seventh edition of Koreanfilm Weekly. In this weekly column you can find the latest news on DVD releases from Korea, along with plenty of DVD reviews. For any information, question, complaint or correction, contact KoreanFilmWeekly@hotmail.com.

Note: DVD release dates and specs are subject to change.
Disclaimer: The DVD reviews might contain minor/major spoilers.

CORRECTION:  Space Gundam V was postponed to 2/7.

K.T.
[2002, Release Date: 2/7]
Intermedia 2-Disc Special Edition
Running Time: 181 Minutes - Format: Dual Layer - Region Coding: NTSC R3- Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1, 16:9 Enhanced
Audio Options: Korean & Japanese DTS, Korean & Japanese Dolby Digital 5.1, Korean & Japanese Dolby Surround 2.0
Subtitle Options: Korean Subtitles, English Subtitles, Japanese Subtitles

Special Features: T.B.A.

NOTES:  A pretty impressive looking debut for Intermedia. This seems like a packed release, both in terms of extras (not announced, but it's a two disc edition), and presentation. And, the film is quite interesting too. While it was quickly pulled from theaters, this Japanese-Korean co-production recreates the Kim Dae-jung kidnapping of the early 70s, a moment when the relations between the two countries were a top issue. Director Sakamoto Junji is a familiar face at the PIFF, and Korean film fans will find Kim Gap-su (Four Toes, Bungee Jumping of Their Own), and Kim Byung-se (Champion, Hur Jun) among others.

So Close
[Hong Kong 2002, Release Date: 2/7]
Columbia Tristar Korea DVD
Running Time: 96 Minutes - Format: Dual Layer - Region Coding: NTSC R3- Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1, Letterboxed
Audio Options: Cantonese & English Dolby Digital 5.1
Subtitle Options: Korean Subtitles, English Subtitles, Chinese Subtitles, Thai Subtitles
 
 
Special Features: Theatrical Trailer

NOTES: Yes, it's a Hong Kong film, but it has Song Seung-heon! And, he goes all ADR on this. And, they say the film isn't that good. There's Zhao Wei and Shu Qi to look at, at least. Expect the usual quality release from Columbia. Unless you want Korean subtitles, you may wait for ERA's HK release, which could have more extras and cost a little less.

Dooly (µÑ¸®ÀÇ ¾óÀ½º°´ë¸ðÇè)
["Dulli-ui Eoreumbyeol Daemoheom" Release Date 2/3]
Miracle Entertainment DVD
Running Time: 80 Minutes - Format: Single Layer - Region Coding: NTSC R3- Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1, OAR Full Frame
Audio Options: Korean Dolby Digital 5.1, Korean Dolby Surround 2.0, English Dolby Digital 5.1, English Dolby Surround 2.0
Subtitle Options: Korean Subtitles, English Subtitles

Special Features: T.B.A.

NOTES:  Is this the famous Dinosaur Dooly from 1996? I don't think so, but I'm not 100% sure either. The Korean title of Dooly from 96 is different, so this might just be a straight to video sequel. While mostly for children, this title features both English subtitles and dubbing, so might be worth a look. If I find out this is the real deal (that is, the original Dooly) I'll post a note in the next newsletter.

Champion
[2002, Release Date 1/31]
Panorama Entertainment DVD (Hong Kong)
Running Time: N/A - Format: Dual Layer - Region Coding: NTSC R3 - Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1, Letterboxed
Audio Options: Korean DTS, Dolby Digital 5.1
Subtitle Options: Chinese Subtitles, English Subtitles

Special Features: T.B.A.

NOTES:  If you want a cheaper (and inferior) alternative to the enterOne DVD, here's your chance. Don't expect any extras beyond a Trailer and Cast & Crew, and image might be substantially worse than the Korean release. Those who have patience can wait for Premier Asia's UK release, which should be out this year.

Wet Dreams (¸ùÁ¤±â)
["Mongjeonggi" 2002, Release Date: 2/7]
Bear Entertainment/Starmax 2-Disc Special Edition
Running Time: 94 Minutes - Format: Dual Layer - Region Coding: NTSC R3- Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1, 16:9 Enhanced
Audio Options: Korean Dolby Digital 5.1
Subtitle Options: Korean Subtitles, English Subtitles
 

Special Features: Interview with Director Jung Cho-shin, Lee Beom-soo, Kim Sun-ah, and the girls of Wet Dreams, Poster Shooting, Making Film, "I've made Wet Dreams, too" interview with Psy, Lee Hong-ryeol, Kong Hyung-jin, Bae Cheol-soo, Kim Ae-kyung, Park Sung-mi, Music Video, Theatrical Trailer, Audio Commentary with Jung Cho-shin, Kim Sun-ah and Lee Beom-soo

NOTES:  From the director of Jakarta, this is one of last year's top box office hits. Yet another dork comedy, which looks absolutely hilarious (and will live up to its title). The extras look interesting, especially that "I Made Wet Dreams, too" section, where they'll probably asks them about their fantasies. Bear Entertainment is a great company, releasing some of the best DVDs of the year, so this has the potential to be an excellent release.

Phantom: The Submarine (À¯·É)
["Yuryeong" 1999, Release Date. 2/10]
SRE DVD
Running Time: 103 Minutes / Format: Dual Layer - Region Coding: NTSC R0/ Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1, 16:9 Enhanced
Audio Options: Korean Dolby Digital 5.1, Korean Dolby Surround 2.0
Subtitle Options: Korean Subtitles, English Subtitles

Special Features: T.B.A.

NOTES: Another chance to catch this blockbuster starring Choi Min-soo, Jung Woo-sung and Sol Kyung-gu (in a small cameo). At the moment the Modern Audio HK DVD is a pretty good option, with an anamorphic transfer and DTS. The Japanese DVD is without subtitles and not much better. No idea if this will be a new transfer, or just a port of the Japanese DVD. Special Features and Audio specs could change.

The Way Home  (ÁýÀ¸·Î)
["Jibeuro" 2002, Release Date: 2/18]
CJ Entertainment 2-Disc Special Edition
Running Time: 87 Minutes - Format: Dual Layer - Region Coding: NTSC R3- Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1, 16:9 Enhanced
Audio Options: Korean DTS, Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Surround 2.0
Subtitle Options: Korean Subtitles (Normal/For Hearing Impaired), English Subtitles
 
Special Features: Director's Audio Commentary, Theatrical Trailer/Tv Spot/Making Of Spot - Still Gallery - Making of Documentary - Cast & Crew - Animated Menus - Game - The Way Home Episode 1 & 2

NOTES: One of the most acclaimed films of the year is finally on DVD, with a packed release. Plenty of extras here, but most interesting will be Lee Jung-hyang's Audio Commentary. The film is already selling well on pre-orders, appearing on Top 10 all over Korean online retailers. This should be one of the best releases of the year. Delayed...again!

Yesterday 
[2002, Release Date: 2/21]
CJ Entertainment 2-Disc Special Edition
Running Time:  - Format: Dual Layer - Region Coding: NTSC R3- Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1, 16:9 Enhanced
Audio Options: Korean DTS, Korean Dolby Digital 5.1
Subtitle Options: Korean Subtitles, English Subtitles

Special Features: Production Notes, Cast & Crew Profiles, Cast Interview & Making Of (Kim Seung-woo, Kim Yoon-jin, Kim Sun-ah) - Crew Interviews - Outtakes - Supporting Actors Behind Story - Art Interview & Sketch - Deleted Scenes - Costume Collection - Still Gallery - CG Before & After - Theatrical Trailer - Teaser Trailer - Tv Spot - Easter Eggs

NOTES: This is a really interesting sci-fi blockbuster, despite its major flop at the box office. The release is not surprisingly packed, and this could be a sleeper hit for Korean film fans.  That is, if they actually release it before 2004...

She Brings Us Danger (À¯¾Æµ¶Á¸)
["Yuadokjon" 2002, Release Date: 2/14]
Bitwin DVD
Running Time: 110 Minutes - Format: Dual Layer - Region Coding: NTSC R0 - Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1, 16:9 Enhanced
Audio Options: Korean Dolby Digital 5.1
Subtitle Options: English Subtitles
 

Special Features: Theatrical Trailer, Cast & Crew

NOTES: This comedy starring Park Sang-myun, Lee Won-jong, and Yain Shidae's Ahn Jae Mo didn't make much money last year, but it looks entertaining. enterOne was supposed to release this, so it might be either a misinformation or they switched rights at the last moment (enterOne's last few DVD inserts still show the film as part of their lineup).

The Coast Guard  (Çؾȼ±)
["HaeAnSeon" 2002, Release Date: 2/18]
enterOne DVD
Running Time: 87 Minutes - Format: Dual Layer - Region Coding: NTSC R0- Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1, 16:9 Enhanced
Audio Options: Korean Dolby Digital 5.1
Subtitle Options: Korean Subtitles, English Subtitles
 

Special Features: Director Kim Ki-duk & Jang Dong-gun Audio Commentary, Documentary, Making Of Documentary, Interview, Photo Gallery, Music Video, Theatrical Trailer, TV Spot

NOTES: The long awaited JDG-Kim Ki-duk project fell flat both at the box office, and on the critical side. Nonetheless, every KKD film is an event, for better or worse. Expect the usual "Non-Special Edition" enterOne DVD.

I Wish I Had a Wife  (³ªµµ ¾È¾Ö°¡ ÀÖ¾úÀ¸¸é ÁÁ°Ôµû)
["Nado Anae-ka Isseosseumyeon Jokketta" 2001, Release Date: 2/11]
enterOne DVD
Running Time: 87 Minutes - Format: Dual Layer - Region Coding: NTSC R0- Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1, 16:9 Enhanced
Audio Options: Korean Dolby Digital 5.1
Subtitle Options: Korean Subtitles, English Subtitles

Special Features: Making Film, Photo Gallery, Music Video, Theatrical Trailer

NOTES: I don't think I'm the only one who's been waiting months for this release. This romantic comedy starring (my favorite actors) Sol Kyung-gu and Jeon Do-yeon was previously released in HK, in what was a substandard DVD even for EDKO. I wish there were more extras, but I'll happily take 16:9 enhanced and film-sourced transfer in exchange.

Jail Breakers  (±¤º¹Àý Ư»ç)
["Gwangbokjeol Teuksa" 2002, Release Date: 2/14]
Cinema Service Special Edition 2DVD+OST
Running Time: 119 Minutes - Format: Dual Layer - Region Coding: NTSC R3- Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1, 16:9 Enhanced
Audio Options: Korean DTS, Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Surround 2.0
Subtitle Options: Korean Subtitles, English Subtitles
 
Special Features: KBS TV Special Documentary, Making Of, Episodes, Ng Cut, Theatrical Trailer, TV Spot, Music Video, Poster Shooting, Premiere, CG Before/After, Interviews with Cast, Still Gallery, Cast/Director's Profile. Original Soundtrack CD

NOTES:  As expected, Cinema Service's next release will feature one of last year's top hits. This release looks to be similar to the Marrying The Mafia limited edition, with lots of extras and the soundtrack CD. Next Cinema Service film will be enterOne's release of Madeleine in March, then I'd probably go with Kwak Jae-yong's Classic, if I had to speculate on their next release.

YMCA Baseball Team (YMCA ¾ß±¸´Ü)
["YMCA Yagu-dan" 2002, Release Date 2/11]
CJ Entertainment/Myung Films 2-Disc Director's Cut Special Edition
Running Time: 108 Minutes - Format: Dual Layer - Region Coding: NTSC R3- Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1, 16:9 Enhanced
Audio Options: Korean DTS, Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Surround 2.0
Subtitle Options: Korean Subtitles, English Subtitles

Special Features: Making Film, Production Note, Cast Interview, Crew Interview, Art Gallery, OST, Still Galllery, Trailer/TV SPOT, Storyboards, Location. Continuity Book (Limited Edition Only)

NOTES:  Quick release for this sports comedy starring Song Kang-ho, Kim Hye-soo and Hwang Jung-min. It did really well at the box office, but seemed to be quickly forgotten by public and critics alike. Quite a few sites report that it will be Starmax to release this DVD. I've seen the back sleeve and there are only CJ and Myung Films' logos. I'll keep you posted on this. This has "major release" oozing from every spec, so I'm betting on CJ. Hopefully it won't be delayed as the other recent CJ titles. Note that there are two versions coming out: the Limited Edition with a Continuity Book (like Harmonium in My Memory) which retails for a couple thousands Won more, and a regular 2-disc without the book.

Whisper Princess (ÈÖÆĶ÷ °øÁÖ)
["Hwiparam Gongju" 2002, Release Date: 2/18]
Bear Entertainment DVD
Running Time: 107 Minutes - Format: Dual Layer - Region Coding: NTSC R3- Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1, 16:9 Enhanced
Audio Options: Korean Dolby Digital 6.1EX
Subtitle Options: Korean Subtitles, English Subtitles
 
 
Special Features: Director and Cast Interviews, Making Film, Poster Shooting, Theatrical Trailer, Easter Egg

NOTES: The trailer makes this seem like a Shiri wannabe with touches of romantic comedy, but it'll probably be the usual screwball action comedy. Starring Oh! Lala Sisters' Kim Hyun-soo, comedy regular Sung Ji-roo, and marking the return of Park Sang-min. DVD should be regular Bear Ent. fare, which usually means excellent.

A Bizarre Love Triangle (ö¾ø´Â ¾Æ³», ÆĶõ¸¸ÀåÇÑ ³²Æí, ±×¸®°í űǼҳà)
["Cheol Eobneun Anae, Paran Manjanghan Nampyeon, Geurigo Taekwon Sonyeo" 2002, Release Date: 2/14]
Bear Entertainment DVD
Running Time: 97 Minutes - Format: Dual Layer - Region Coding: NTSC R3- Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1, 16:9 Enhanced
Audio Options: Korean Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Surround 2.0
Subtitle Options: Korean Subtitles, English Subtitles
 
 
Special Features: Director Lee Mu-young Audio Commentary, Interview with Cast & Director, Making Film, Music Video, Theatrical Trailer, Easter Egg

NOTES: Sporting the longest Korean title in years (couldn't they just call it 'Taekwon Girl' ?), this looks to be a rather forgettable comedy, unless you're a big fan of Kong Hyo-jin. Cho Eun-ji seems to play the same role in all her films -- annoying ugly duckling -- and this looks no different. Critics either ignored or bashed this film, so don't expect anything special. Do expect, however, a fine release.

Can't Live Without Robbery (µµµÏ ¸¶²Á ¸Ú»ì¾Æ)
["Dodook-makkon Mot Sara" 2002, Release Date: 2003, February ] 
Starmax DVD
Running Time: 107 Minutes - Format: Dual Layer - Region Coding: NTSC R3- Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1, 16:9 Enhanced
Audio Options: Korean Dolby Digital 5.1
Subtitle Options: Korean Subtitles, English Subtitles

Special Features: Not announced

NOTES: Park Sang-myun's latest comedy hasn't been well received by critics, and disappeared from theaters after a few weeks. Subtitle options are shaky, because the Starmax site is pretty unreliable, but there's a good chance for a release of medium importance like this we'll get English Subtitles. Release date will probably change, too.

H (¿¡ÀÌ:Ä¡)
["Eichi" 2002, Release Date: 2/28] 
IVision DVD
Running Time: 107 Minutes - Format: Dual Layer - Region Coding: NTSC R3- Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1, 16:9 Enhanced
Audio Options: Korean Dolby Digital 5.1
Subtitle Options: ?Korean Subtitles, English Subtitles?

Special Features: Not announced

NOTES: IVision is finally back! Many sites will mention Cinexus, but since it's a parent company of IVision, and they've been releasing all the newer titles (while Cinexus takes care of older stuff like White Valentine), realistically it'll be them. Full specs haven't been announced yet, but expect the usual IVision release, meaning pretty good presentation and a decent amount of extras. If it's really Cinexus, then the possibility of seeing English Subtitles decreases a little. This is a Tell Me Something-like thriller starring Cho Seung-woo. The film was quickly forgotten at the box office, since it was competing against big titles, but its quick release and stylish atmosphere make this an intriguing purchase.

Calla (Ä«¶ó)
["Kara" 1999, Release Date: 2/28] 
Cinexus DVD
Running Time: 99 Minutes - Format: Single Layer - Region Coding: NTSC R3- Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1, 16:9 Enhanced
Audio Options: Korean Dolby Surround 2.0
Subtitle Options: ?

Special Features: Synopsis, Cast & Crew

NOTES: Looks like this won't have English Subtitles, but don't start worrying yet. This is Song Hae-sung's (the director of Failan) debut film, a more traditional melodrama which seems tailor made for TV Drama fans. The ever popular Kim Hee-sun, Song Seung-heon and Kim Hyun-joo star, and while this is nowhere near as good as Failan (and Kim Hee-sun definitely had better days. Song Seung-heon still can't act), it's a pretty good little melodrama with a nice second half. Judging by specs and special features, this will be Cinexus and not its parent company IVision. Expect some delays. This title was previously released in HK by Modern Audio, in one of their infamously terrible releases (unreadable subtitles and Full Frame transfer).

A Single Spark (¾Æ¸§´Ù¿î û·Ã ÀüÅÂÀÏ)
["Areumdaun Cheongnyeon Jeontaeil" 1995, Release Date: 2/27]
Cinexus DVD
Running Time: 96 Minutes - Format: Dual Layer - Region Coding: NTSC R3- Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1, Letterboxed
Audio Options: Korean Dolby Surround 2.0
Subtitle Options: Korean Subtitles
 
 
Special Features: T.B.A.

NOTES: Very early specs for a title which has been delayed for months. Cinexus's release could have English Subtitles, and even anamorphic enhancement, but all this is up in the air, as well as the content of the extra features. Park Kwang-soo's acclaimed film starring Moon Sung-keun has never released before on DVD (and VCD, to my knowledge), so this could be an interesting purchase. Unless they delay it again. There you go..delayed again! I shouldn't write things like that.

Bichunmoo (ºñõ¹«)
["Bicheonmu" 2000, Release Date: 3/24]
Premier Asia 2-Disc Special Edition (United Kingdom)
Running Time: 112 Minutes - Format: Dual Layer - Region Coding: PAL R2 - Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1, 16:9 Enhanced
Audio Options: Korean Dolby Digital 5.1
Subtitle Options: English subtitles
 
 
Special Features: Audio Commentary, Interview Gallery, Trailer Archive, Production Featurettes, Photo Gallery, Isolated Soundtrack

NOTES: Finally! Premier Asia debuts with the Korean martial arts epic from 2000. Special Features were not announced, and it's releasing a month later than expected. But, what's really important, we're most likely getting a great release. There will be English Subtitled extras, and if you've seen Hong Kong Legends (parent company of Premier Asia and Medusa) DVDs before, you know they'll add something unique. 

Future Releases
All the information here is collected from DVD inserts, info from companies, official website announcement, and other info. Titles could change distributor at the last moment though, since production companies and even DVD companies license their rights to smaller companies. Also, we try the 'safest' speculation, like if a company releases a film on Video, it's likely it will be the same company releasing it on DVD.
Film Name [Top Star (Release Year) - DVD Release Year/Month]

ENTERONE

Madeleine  [Shin Min-ah (2003) - 2003/March], Natural City  [Yoo Ji-tae (2003) - 2003], Anarchists  [Jang Dong-gun (2000) - 2003], Plum Blossom  [Bae Doo-na (2000) - 2003], Indian Summer  [Lee Mi-yeon (2001) - 2003], Summertime  [Kim Ji-hyun (2001) - 2003], Chunhyang  [Cho Seung-woo (2000) - 2003], Ghost Taxi  [Im Ho (2000) 2003], Lies  [Lee Sang-hyun (2000) - 2003], Fin De Siecle  [Lee Jae-eun (1999) - 2003], Stuntman  [Cho Jae-hyun (2003) - 2003], Tube  [Bae Doo-na (2003) - 2003]

CJ ENTERTAINMENT

Bus Stop  [Kim Tae-woo (2002) - 2003/March], Who Are You?  [Cho Seung-woo (2002) - 2003/March-April], The Happy Funeral Director  [Im Chang-jung (2000) - 2003], Happy End  [Jeon Do-yeon (1999) - 2003]

OTHERS

Conduct Zero  [Ryu Seung-beom (2002) - 2003/February-March - Released by   METRO] , Sex is Zero  [Ha Ji-won (2002) - 2003 - Released by  METRO], Are You a True Guy?  [Lee Won-jong (2002) - 2003 - Released by  BEAR ENTERTAINMENT],  Too Young To Die [(2002) - 2003 - Released by   SRE], Unborn But Not Forgotten [Jung Joon-ho (2002) - 2003 - To Be Released by BEAR ENTERTAINMENT]

PREMIER ASIA (Medusa - UK)

Musa: The Warrior [Jung Woo-sung (2001) - 2003], Champion [Yoo Oh-sung (2002) - 2003], My Wife is a Gangster  [Shin Eun-kyung (2001) - 2003], Volcano High [Jang Hyuk (2001) - 2003]

WORLD WIDE CINEMA (Future Film - Finland)

The Isle  [Suh Jung (2000) - 2003/3/21], Friend  [Jang Dong-gun (2001) - 2003/4/11], Joint Security Area  [Song Kang-ho (2000) - 2003/5/23], Bad Guy  [Cho Jae-hyun (2002) - 2003/6/11], My Wife is a Gangster  [Shin Eung-kyung (2001) - 2003/7/25]

 
(³ªºñ)

"Nabi" 2001
POP ENTERTAINMENT ASIA
2DVD+Printed Scenario+Film Frame Limited Edition
Release Date: 2002, 09/07
Running Time: 110 Min
Audio Options: Korean DTS, DD 5.1
Subtitle Options: Korean Subtitles 1 & 2, English Subtitles
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1, 16:9 Enhanced
Format: Dual Layer
Region Coding: NTSC R0

Directed By
Moon Seung-wook 
(Taekwondo, Mother, Old Airplane, The Master)
Starring
Kim Ho-jung 
(Barking Dogs Never Bite, Stage Actress)
Kang Hye-jung 
(TV Talent)
Jang Hyun-sung   
(Breakout, Shiri, Besame Mucho, Stage Actor)

Opening Day 2001, 10/13
Cumulative Box Office 3,800 Admissions
Film Board Rating 18
Produced By D-Production
Distributed By Buena Vista International Korea
Official Website www.d-nabi.com

THE FILM

Read Darcy's review here

At least on the critical end of the spectrum, 2001 seemed to be dominated by small films, mostly relegated to the bottom of the box office. Jung Jae-eun'sTake Care of My Cat, Im Soon-rye's Waikiki Brothers, Song Il-gon'sFlower Island, and last but not least Moon Seung-wook's Nabiall made very little money. But, in the following months, thanks to word of mouth (the Waranago Movement), Film Festival acclaim, or DVD releases, those films have come back, ready to grab people's attention and showcase the diversity the industry is currently enjoying.

Nabi is quite a peculiar production. The director graduated at the prestigious Polish State Film School in Lodz, the same where Krzysztof Kieslowski and Andrzej Wajda started their illustrious careers. Moon shot a few award-winning shorts there (which are included in this DVD), and the little known Taekwondo, starring Ahn Sung-ki. Starring a relatively unknown cast made of stage actors Kim Ho-jung and Jang Hyun-sung, along with cute TV Talent Kang Hye-jung, the Nabi crew moved back and forth from Busan to Kobe and Osaka in Japan. The result is a haunting collection of memorable images, and a very good post-modernist hybrid of melodrama and road movie elements. At least that's what it ended up being. The film is still billed as Science-Fiction, and it's clear the Director started with the genre in mind.

Anna (Kim Ho-jung) is coming back to Korea after years spent in Europe, because she's heard of the Oblivion Virus, which seems to erase memories. Her guide Yuki (Kang Hye-jung) instantly brings her face to face with the 'entity,' but the trip doesn't go as planned. Their driver, K,  (Jang Hyun-sung) has trouble of his own; Yuki is pregnant and ready to give birth, and acid rains all over the city are plaguing their stay. A basic, effective premise for a Science-Fiction drama, you'd say. But there's actually very little science-fiction here. Midway through the film you get the feeling the director saw how things were going and completely changed plans. After an arguably underwhelming first act, the film moves to the familiar themes of the road movie: a journey of discovery for the characters, where the viewer has the chance to learn more about them. That's where Nabi starts to become really good, and it also features a rather brilliant allegory on Korean society's tendency to quickly forget its past.

The film's three central figures all have a different goal: Anna wants to forget her past, for it's too painful. K wants to find his past, his identity. On the other hand, Yuki just wants a future, to have her baby and hope for a better life. While the film has a clear Eastern European visual pattern (reminding of Tarkovsky, some of Kieslowski's works, and even Chris Marker's influential 1966 short La Jetée), its themes are more similar to Song Il-gon's --who worked on one of Moon's shorts-- debut film Flower Island. Like in Nabi, the three major characters of Song's film all have a different goal, but share something in common: pain. One of them wants to forget about her painful past and get ready to die; one wants a better future for herself and her family. And, the youngest wants to meet her mother, find about her past. The comparisons between the two films don't end there. Both use a gimmick --the Virus, and the magical Flower Island-- to develop their road movie roots in terms of storytelling. Both films show how opposites with a different goal can bond together. In both cases the characters form a sort of family, away from their real one. Yuki, K, and Anna develop a strong bond throughout the course of the film, and share each other's pain.

Nabifeatures pretty impressive acting, from Kim Ho-jung's understated air of pain and sorrow, to Kang Hye-jung's energetic portrait of Yuki. Jang Hyun-sung is also very good. The film is full of memorable visuals, and shocking images (the climax of the film is simply brilliant), and an evocative soundtrack. This is a very good film, marred in part by a shaky start. I still prefer Flower Island for its humanism and more convincing characterization, but Moon Seung-wook has definitely done something special here. An unique film, and hopefully one which willl find a bigger audience in the following months, as it continues to be screened at various Film Festivals. [7.5]

VIDEO QUALITY
For something shot on DV and transferred to film, this is a good presentation. Don't expect anything particularly special, though. Like similar works Flower Island and Tears, the limitations of the medium show here. Most daylight scenes look very good, but problems begin when the amount of light decreases. Also, while the print is obviously clean from dirt, marks or spots, there seems to be some compression artifacts, especially evident during the brightest scenes. If you consider the shooting conditions, this is a very good job. It's just not very good looking. [7.5]

AUDIO QUALITY
The DTS track is actually surprising in terms of directionality for a DV film. There are some problems with the DD track, such as background noise during some dialogue, but it's nothing particularly bothersome. As the film moves out of the city, it becomes a little quieter and subtler, which makes for a better atmosphere. Solid job. [7.5]

SUBTITLE QUALITY
English Subs are excellent, with a very big font, easy to read and with just a few spelling mistakes. Translation is very good, and I didn't notice any timing problems. Some will lament the omission of subtitles for the English portions, unless they can read Korean. Two options for the Korean subs: first subtitles everything, second only the English dialogue. Really, really good. [9]

EXTRA FEATURES

On Disc 1 -

Audio Commentary (Director Moon Seung-wook, Kim Ho-jung)
A solid commentary, mostly focusing on the challenges, advantages and disadvantages the DV medium brings to the table. The Director starts off introducing the three main characters, talking about the actors and why he cast them. He also lists some of their previous accomplishments, like Jang Hyun-sung's stage work. He then introduces the various locations the film was shot in, ranging from Busan, to Kobe and the Kansai Airport in Osaka, Japan. Kim Ho-jung remains mostly silent for these first 15 Minutes, but later joins the discussion. The large majority of the commentary's second half focuses on the use of the digital camera, and how that affected both the Director and crew. The two added some anecdotes from the production, discussed script changes and some funny moments from the shoot. Overall, an informative and consistently interesting commentary.

On Disc 2 - 

About The Film

-Synopsis. There's a text version, and one on screen with the score and stills from the film.

-Location. Text explanation, followed by a 4 Minutes piece showing the various locations. Included are Busan and its Nampodong district, the Shinho Bridge, and the Minjoo Park. Then, we move to Japan, to beautiful Kobe and the connecting bridge. They show the city, the Kansai Airport in Osaka, and finally the 'Church of Wind.'
Note that to access the video portion you have to select the 'Play' button at the right side of the 'Synopsis' and 'Location' options.

Cast & Staff
A profile and interview for Kim Ho-jung, Kang Hye-jung, Jang Hyun-sung and Director Moon Seung-wook. The following pages list all the crew.

-Kim Ho-jung Interview (12'47). Interviewed from what seems to be her house, or at least the place she was staying at while the shoot was going on. She starts talking about the style of the film and Director Moon Seung-wook. She talks about the script, and her character Anna. She follows with thoughts on K and Yuki as characters, and her impression of her partners' performances. She defines what's the meaning of this film for her, then talks about herself as an actress. She jokes about her love life, and the interview concludes showing some of her pictures.

-Kang Hye-jung Interview (8'15). This time at a nice cafe, she talks about her first leading role. She talks about the casting based on her image, and the changes required for this role She adds her thoughts about Yuki as a character, and her most memorable scenes. She concludes, too, talking about the final meaning of the film.

-Jang Hyun-sung Interview (12'32). He starts by talking about why he chose this film, and his character K. He introduces the fact these people form a bond and become like a family of sort, talks about his favorite scenes from the film, and comments on the director's style. He compares working in stage plays to feature films, and how different audience reaction is for the two media. He again talks about the director, and his impression on working with the two KHJ's.

-Moon Seung-wook Interview (6'30). The director talks about why he decided to make this film, and Nabi's theme. He talks about the different locations in Korea and Japan, and how Digital affected the experience. He talks of his cast, and his directorial style. 

Making Of Documentary
An excellent 47 Minutes Documentary from Q Channel, covering most themes of the film.

Part 1 - The narrator introduces the story of the film, and we get the same synopsis offered in the relative section of the DVD (or better, that section used this synopsis). Director Moon Seung-wook talks about shooting a Digital film, then we go to the Swiss company which made the transfer from DV to film. Thomas Heinry (in English with Korean Voiceover, so you'll have to pay attention to one or the other, otherwise you won't understand a thing) talks about transferring a DV product into film, and the various advantages (being able to shoot even without major light sources, the ability to manipulate almost every visual aspect of the transfer, low cost, etc.) and disadvantages (of course lower quality). Among the few clips shown there's a small one from Im Sang-soo's Tears, which was shot on DV as well. Heinry mentions that the most important thing when transferring DV into film is to make many tests, to achieve the best result. Among the posters at the office, pictures of Godard, Truffaut and his Jules Et Jim.

Part 2 - A clip from one of Kim Ho-jung's stage plays is shown. Then, she talks about working in theater and compares it with film roles. Next is a hilarious clip from one of Jang Hyun-sung's musical comedies. He's some sort of 007 style character, and is quite good in delivering his hip hop-like lines. Some Kang Hye-jung clips from her TV Series are shown, and later she talks about how DV changes the way the actors interact with the camera.

Part 3 - These are straight behind the scenes clips, underlining the director's penchant for doing repeated takes. They show the riot shooting, the underwater scenes, and those inside the cave. They later show the 'acid rain' scenes and Kim Ho-jung comments on the film's style. The shoot at the beach is shown, with the actors fooling around. Later, the climax of the film is shown, and later how they instantly drove away the three to avoid hypothermia. The scenes at the Internet company are shown, with a brief cameo from Director Moon. He makes a final speech to wrap up production, as we move to the final part of the documentary.

Part 4 - Footage from the Locarno Film Festival, where Kim Ho-jung won the Best Actress Award. There's the Award presentation, and KHJ and the director chatting outside with the guests.
A great documentary, giving much more insight than the usual TV fare, with less clips and more emphasis on film technique. Great stuff.

Commentary Making
2 Minutes of Moon Seung-wook and Kim Ho-jung chatting before and after the commentary. Cute, but pretty much useless.

Interview in Japan
A Japanese Tv reportage about the film's opening in the country. Lasting 15 Minutes, this is either in Korean with Japanese subs, or Japanese with Korean subs. There's the film's official presentation to the press, followed by comments from the two KHJ's about the film. Some of the same themes of the other interview feature are repeated here, with a discussion about the characters, the director, and shooting on DV. They also talk about the birth scene, and the fact that none of the characters' names is uniquely Korean. The piece concludes with comments from the public, and a final message from the actors and director. Good material, especially for those who can read and understand Japanese.

Theatrical Trailer

Music Video
A trip-hop song clearly influenced by Massive Attack. Kang Hye-jung looks very sexy here.

Still Gallery
Divided into three sections. First is photos from the film, second is photos of the cast, third of the locations. Some nice images.

Short Films & Documentary

-Mother (10'56). Featuring no dialogue --perhaps it was Moon's first student film so he still wasn't comfortable with Polish yet-- this is an interesting short about how a mother copes with the absence of her loved son. This short won prizes at the Seoul Short Film Festivals, and is already very much tied to the Polish school of filmmaking. The landscapes, the dark post-communist atmosphere, and the relationship between mother and son remind of some of Kieslowski's films from his Dekalog. If anything, the fact it has no dialogue will be an opportunity for everybody to enjoy it even more.

-Old Airplane (18'00). Moon ups the ante, and personally ends up with a misfire. This film is a little more elaborate in terms of storytelling, more ambitious in its message, and features dialogue (Polish with burned in --and a little hard to read-- Korean Subtitles). Perhaps a longer running time would have allowed his characters to emerge, but I didn't feel anything from this short. This, too, won Awards at the Seoul Short Film Festival.

-'Hollywooz: The Polish State Film School in Lodz (1998?)'. An excellent 47 Minutes documentary Moon made for Q Channel, basically covering the whole teaching system in this school, how Lodz has become one of the major cultural centers of Eastern Europe, and impressions from some of the students. The documentary opens with archive footage of the school's opening in 1948. At the entrance, quotes from Stalin about the meaning of film in society can be seen. This city was chosen for the school because Lodz was basically one of the few Polish cities which was still intact after WWII. With the opening of theaters and cinemas, Lodz quickly stole the label of Poland's cultural center from Warsaw and Krakow. This is where some of the biggest names in Polish Cinema honed their skills, and the tradition is still alive today. Footage is show from '73, when Kieslowski started teaching (Moon was under him for a while, apparently). Finally, 98 marked the school's 50th anniversary, with a big party and commemoration. Professor Kasimierz Karabasz talks about the art of making documentaries, and then a clip from a '73 short film by Kieslowski (about a ballet dancer) is shown. 1st year student Kim Chang-ho (just one of the small community of Koreans studying in Lodz) talks about the challenges he's facing studying in a foreign country, his marital status, and about the other Korean students. The makers go around the city and ask the population how living in Lodz is, then there's an interview with a british student (in English with Korean Subtitles). She's enjoying the experience there because Lodz allows her to focus on work and friends, without distractions. Her choice of coming to Lodz to study film was motivated by her interest about film in visual terms, opposed to the more dialogue-oriented british school of filmmaking. The students talk about their relationship with the teachers, and the documentary closes looking at the various prints in the school library, with big names like Wajda, Kieslowski, and Polanski. If you're interested in Polish Cinema, this could be an interesting ride. It's really well made, covering city life, and the school's structure, but it sometimes can be dry.

Printed Scenario
Unlike the usual Conti Book, this just features the script of the film. It's an interesting read alone (if you can read Korean, that is), and gives a little more insight into the director's style. It's also small, so it's easy to carry.

Film Frame
Recent examples of film frames offered with DVDs were the Sorum Special Edition, and the Tartan Tin Box Battle Royale. Unlike Sorum, here the film frames are supported by a solid cardboard with nice pictures from the film.
** What can I say...amazing! Hours and hours of extras, full of great material, and nothing seems wasted or thrown there as filler here. In terms of extras, perhaps the best DVD release of the year. [9.5]

VALUE FOR MONEY
8.15
Housed in a huge cardboard slipcase which will look ultra-cool on everyone's collection, this is one hell of a release. The film is a very intriguing mix of melodrama with a touch of road movie. The performances are excellent, and the presentation probably as good as it could have been considering the film's shooting conditions. A must buy.

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"Gutseeora Geumsuna" 2002
ENTERONE
DVD
Release Date: 2003, 1/6
Running Time: 92 Minutes
Audio Options: Korean DD 5.1
Subtitle Options: Korean Subtitles, English Subtitles
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1, 16:9 Enhanced
Format: Dual Layer
Region Coding: NTSC R0

Directed By
Hyun Nam-seob
(Writer of 2009 Lost Memories)
Starring  
Bae Doo-na
(Sympathy For Mr. Vengeance, Tube, Take Care of My Cat, Plum Blossom)
Kim Tae-woo
(Bus Stop, Joint Security Area, The Contact)
Kim Hae-gon
(Raybang, Calla)
Joo Hyeon
(2424, Happy End, Out of Justice)

Opening Day 2002, 10/18
Cumulative Box Office 96,543 Admissions
Film Board Rating 12
Produced by Eins Films, PCM Productions
Distributed by Korea Pictures
Official Website www.9ssengirl.com

THE FILM
 
If one had to sum Saving My Hubby in a few words, the most appropriate would be an uniquely Korean, Ajumma flavored version of Martin Scorsese's After Hours. Those who expect the usual vulgarity of Jopok comedies, and the emphasis on sex and violence over comedy will be happy to know Bae Doo-na's latest vehicle is an adorable, almost cuss-free little romp which is consistently funny, and even touching.

Director Hyun Nam-seob wrote 2009 Lost Memories, so it's even more surprising to see such a lighthearted effort coming from him. Saving My Hubby does feature familiar Jopok themes, like 'suljib' (Room Salons), lots of beverages, gangs and plenty of action. But it's just a setup, used to convey how our heroine  --sweet, young mother Jung Geum-soon (Bae Doo-na)-- is an alien element to this world. Geum-soon had to retire from her lifetime passion, volleyball, because of a shoulder injury and her incoming pregnancy. Now a newlywed, she spends time cooking for her little plump girl Song-i (Lee Chan-min) and hubby Joon-tae (Kim Tae-woo). We see her daily chores, from ironing her husband's white shirts to changing Song-i's diapers in a minimart. She even gets harassed by another older Ajumma, noting how plump her 'boy' is, and that judging from his size he'll have a big pecker and become a nice man. Problems ensue when Joon-tae's anal retentive parents call her about their upcoming visit. She has only one day to clean the mess that is her apartment, and her problems just started. Hubby Joon-tae is the victim of a con job from a Suljib owner (Kim Hae-gon), and Geum-soon has to get her hubby back, pay for his drinking games, and come back home quickly to get ready for his parents.

Saving My Hubby has an irresistible atmosphere, walking the line between tragicomedy and the genre's conventional plot devices. It's a little film with a simple plot, but the performances elevate the final product a few notches, just like similar Bet on My Disco  and Hi, Dharma. Bae Doo-na and Kim Tae-woo are extremely convincing as newlyweds. This is a case of perfect casting, down to veteran Ju Hyeon as the charismatic White Shark. The film also mixes realistic situations like Ajumma talking freely about their personal life at a supermarket, and absurd situations, all at the same time.  It's almost a constant laugh-out-loud challenge, from simple details to broad gestures. Of course the director follows the dichotomy of the genre, like outlandish supporting characters. The tent bar couple is an example, providing a barrel of laughs. What impresses though is how much the characters become alive in this film. You care instantly about Geum-soon, Joon-tae and their little girl.

Explaining what else is great about this little comedy would probably ruin your enjoyment of it. It's one of those films with extreme replay value, it's completely undemanding but smartly uses a tired genre's conventions to draw great moments. It's one of the funniest film of the year, and both Kim Tae-woo and Bae Doo-na are terrific. The film wasn't successful at the box office, but if the aversion against blockbusters continues to produce excellent small films like this as a counter-reaction, I and many other people will be happy. Adorable, entertaining and smartly made, Saving My Hubby is one of 2002's best films. [8]

VIDEO QUALITY
Given the film's setting --night scenes galore-- this wasn't an easy transfer. In fact, I suspect most of the time the transfer's problems, like occasional softness and loss of shadow detail, have as much to do with the film's cinematography and style than with Telecine and the rest of the authoring job. Those problems only surface for a few minutes, and generally the presentation holds up very well. Attractive colors, very solid black levels and no major edge enhancement. A very good transfer. [8]

AUDIO QUALITY
Not as loud as other Jopok comedies, but nice directionality and ambient surround. Also, the soundtrack rocks the bass and surround speakers, and dialogue is crystal clear. DTS probably wouldn't have made a difference here, so it's not something you really miss. [8]

SUBTITLES QUALITY
Overall, a great job here. No major spelling mistakes, a nice font, good timing and translation. Excellent. [9]

EXTRA FEATURES

[Making Of Documentary]
A very good 45 Minutes long TV Documentary. They start showing the shoot for the film's Teaser Trailer, which features Bae Doo-na with the boy in a boxing ring. Director Hyun introduces the film, talks a little about the script and his casting of Bae Doo-na. We then see BDN wash dishes and vacuum the room, and later play with the kid (and her parents). She then talks about her role, and having to carry the kid throughout the film (figuratively, of course). Footage from BDN's volleyball training is also shown, with her learning the basics, and shooting the 'spike' scene. Kim Tae-woo talks about working with BDN, the first scene, and later NGs of the opening are shown, which prove to be quite entertaining. A long time is spent showing the shoot at the supermarket, tent bar and restaurant. Producer Song Seung-hwan talks about the film's production and the script. Kim Tae-woo talks about his transition from shy young husband to crazy drunken party man in the second half of the film. Then, they show the scenes at the stadium which make up the finale, including BDN's problems with wirework. The director talks about Joon-tae's family still loving Geum-soon despite their initial reaction to the mess they witness. The documentary concludes showing behind the scenes clips from the big fight in the room salon. Good, entertaining documentary covering most of the film's themes and most important scenes.

Theatrical Trailer

Music Video

Tv Spot
** Clearly a minor release for enterOne, so extras are limited. The documentary is very entertaining, although I would have liked at least a few more interviews with cast & director, if not an Audio Commentary. [7]

VALUE FOR MONEY
8.00
Saving My Hubby is the perfect film to make you forget your problems. It's incredibly funny, undemanding and almost unbearably cute. With hilarious performances from Bae Doo-na and Kim Tae-woo, a nice down to earth atmosphere and soundtrack, this is one of the most entertaining films of the year. Very good presentation from enterOne. Highly Recommended.

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"Saenghwal-ui Balgyeon" 2002
IVISION
DVD
Release Date: 2002, 6/11
Running Time: 115 Minutes
Audio Options: Korean DD 5.1, DS 2.0
Subtitle Options: Korean Subtitles, English Subtitles, French Subtitles
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1, 16:9 Enhanced
Format: Dual Layer
Region Coding: NTSC R0

Directed By
Hong Sang-soo
(Oh! Soojung, The Power of Kangwon Province, Day A Pig Fell Into The Well)
Starring
Kim Sang-kyung
(Stuntman, Memory of a Murder, Stage Actor)
Chu Sang-mi
(Say Yes, The Soul Guardians, The Contact, A Petal)
Yeh Ji-won
(2424, Anarchists)

Opening Day 2002, 3/22  
Cumulative Box Office 167,577 Admissions
Film Board Rating 18
Produced By Miracin Korea
Distributed By Cinema Service
Official Website www.findalife.co.kr

THE FILM

Read Darcy's Review here

Often compared to Tsai Ming-liang --one of the leading lights of Taiwan's New Wave-- Hong Sang-soo is perhaps the most eclectic among the active Korean filmmakers. His films take ordinary themes like relationships, or the role of nature in human life, and develop compelling stories because of their realism, and the general lack of romanticism and glamorizing many similar films are guilty of. His latest work,The Turning Gate, is without a doubt his most superficially accessible to date, but it's just a deception. Hidden under the black comedy and peculiar characters you can find the same themes of Hong's previous works.

This time supported by a major company --Kang Woo-suk's Cinema Service-- this is the closest Hong has ever gotten to commercial filmmaking. We follow a stage actor turned film star (Kim Sang-kyung) as he sees his career start on the wrong path. Abandoned by his company, he picks up his money and decides to visit an old classmate (Kim Haksun), who's now living in Chuncheon. There, he meets the beautifully eccentric Myung-sook (Yeh Ji-won), and snatches her away from his friend's attention. When she asks more from this relationship...he backs off. The opportunity presents itself once again, this time with a married woman (Chu Sang-mi), who actually turns out to be an old acquaintance of his. Will he back off again, like the snake in the legend of the Turning Gate?

The most remarkable thing in Hong's films is how he makes the ordinary extraordinary. Or, even better, how he turns his realism in portraying the ordinary into an often painful, sometimes hilarious memento of what has happened to us many times. There are quite a few scenes where you can relate to the character's various levels of humiliation, and how he reacts to his problems. Take for example the moment at the restaurant, where he's caught staring at a young woman, and tries to con her boyfriend into thinking he was actually looking at the picture above her. Or his hilarious meeting with the over-protective family of his lover, who personally reminds me of many uncomfortable meetings of the same kind. There are no attempts here at grabbing your attention with melodrama, over the top humor or any peculiar character. Even the sex is never something that distracts you. The director actually attempts to drive you away from the act, and look at how the couple reacts. What matters to Hong doesn't seem to be the act of making sex, but its consequences on the characters' psyche, and how it affects their relationship.

It's safe to say those looking for something exciting to happen will be left rather cold by the director's approach to filmmaking. I think his talent lies in extrapolating the important in the seemingly unimportant. His constant use of repetition underlines a bigger message about the way we live our life, and how we grow by basically assimilating characteristics of other people's personality. Notice how Kyung-soo picks up the swaying and the 'monsters' catchphrase from his former boss and later his friend. The Turning Gate is another interesting film from a great director, and the humor which wasn't present in his previous films adds a further layer of complexity to his work. Personally I think Bong Joon-ho and Kim Ji-woon have a much better grasp of how to make the ordinary memorable, and their black comedy is more effective. But, it would be foolish to deny that Hong is one of the country's major talents. He has a very keen eye for what's real and what isn't in our lives. He's able to convey feelings in a manner that few others can, and all his films have a certain air of detached realism which make them compelling. This isn't Hong's strongest film, but could be a nice opening for those who are willing to give him a chance.[7.5]

VIDEO QUALITY
Overall a very nice transfer, with a few problems. The picture jumps for about a second during scene changes, but those used to Korean DVDs shouldn't be bothered by this. The other issue is a bit more difficult to discuss, and I don't feel comfortable with blanket statements about the matter. Without paying attention to shooting conditions, and more importantly the director and DP's style, it's a bit unrealistic to comment on any flaw. I'm not sure if this was the case, but I get the feeling the Telecine work was done so to make certain things stand out. Notice Kyung-soo's orange t-shirt, which is almost painful to look at. Sometimes shadow details goes to hell there, but looking at other details like the very pink pillow during the second sex scene could lead to an interpretation, that this was an intended color correction. Of course the sky looks a little too bright, and sometimes shadow details are disappointing. Except for a few motion artifacts (which are really evident only during the sex scenes), this is a very pleasing transfer. Nice colors, skin tones are very realistic, and there's no sign of major edge enhancement. The few problems this transfer has will mostly be ignored by non-videophiles, but I thought it would be fair to mention them nonetheless.[8]

AUDIO QUALITY
Fans of Hong's work know he is rather indifferent to manipulative scores. This film is almost devoid of music, with an emphasis on silence and atmospheric ambient surround. Of course this is a rather quiet experience, but the surround speakers are considerably engaged for a film like this, and create a nice atmosphere. Well done. [7.5]

SUBTITLES QUALITY
You know for sure that the subtitles are good when you don't even notice them. Spelling and grammar mistakes free, this is a near perfect translation. I say 'near' because all of Hong's films seem to rely strongly on memorable dialogue. This is certainly not an easy film to subtitle, for the tone and style of Hong's work, but all considered there's really nothing to complain about here. A great experience, period. French subtitles are also very good, and for once aren't simply translated off the Korean or English subs. It's clear they spent a lot of time and efforts behind these subs, and it shows. [9.5]

EXTRA FEATURES

Audio Commentary (Kim Sang-kyung)
A feature length commentary with stage actor turned film star Kim Sang-kyung. Following this film, he's starting to receive a lot of starring roles, including the upcoming action movie Stuntman with Cho Jae-hyun, and Bong Joon-ho's second film, the black comedy Memory of a Murder. He begins the commentary talking about how his character is introduced. He keeps commenting particular scenes of the film, but what's interesting is how he intertwines that with comments about Hong's directorial style. He talks about his decision to use long takes and let the scene grow by itself, let the actors develop their character by themselves. He also confirms the rumor that not only Hong likes to drink with his performers, but most of the time when a character in his films is supposed to be drunk...it's very likely he's actually drunk! He talks about the character's trip to Lake Soyang, and that's where the film's motif begins --the Turning Gate's legend mirroring his characters' relationships and how they end. He mentions why Yeh Ji-won sung in French (apparently Hong liked a lot that song), and that she really had problems with her voice in the morning. The scene is supposed to be the morning after their sexual encounter, and she's actually having problems with her throat and a bad hair day, too. Talk about realism. He talks about the book Kyung-soo is reading in the movie, which is the late Scott Nearing's 'The Making of a Radical'. Another sign of how Hong uses real life events in his film, the sunglasses scene was added on the fly because Yeh Ji-won had swollen eyes, after the few hours of sleep the night before. He comments about the differences between Yeh Ji-won and Chu Sang-mi's characters, and how the respective sex scenes differ as well. He reveals the reason behind the hilarious 'Can You Speak English?' line, which is something Hong saw on TV. An excellent commentary, at the same time low key and interesting.

Audio Commentary (Yeh Ji-won)
Note that while the Yeh Ji-won and Chu Sang-mi commentaries are put together in one audio track, if you manually switch tracks during the films you'll have to hear long pauses between one and the other. The safest way to follow this is activate everything from the setup page. This commentary lasts about a half hour, covering Yeh Ji-won's part in the film. Chu Sang-mi's part lasts about 70 Minutes, and obviously concerns her role. She basically repeats some of the same things Kim said. It's mostly insight into what it means to work with Hong, how he gives a lot of freedom to his actors and how real it feels to portray his characters. You eat for real, you drink for real, you dance for real. Nothing phony. Of course in less than 30 Minutes she doesn't say anything new, but it's pretty fun.

Audio Commentary (Chu Sang-mi)
A little disappointing for a 70 Minutes commentary. She does mention a few interesting things like the different colors the two wear, and how Kyung-soo's t-shirt stands out. She talks about the fun scene with her over-protective family, and comments on drinking soju. She talks about the audition for the fortune teller and her peculiar voice (and accent I might add). Lots of silent pauses, some lasting even 5 Minutes. This is OK, but nothing more.

Cast & Crew

Photo Gallery

Highlights
10 Minutes of the best scenes from the film. Still waiting for someone to tell me what's the use of this.

Theatrical Trailer
Ironically there's the song Wong Kar-wai used in Days of Being Wild (when Cheung Kwok-wing dances).

Making Of
Really a 3 Minutes clip of the shooting at the lake, with the peddle boats. The piece ends with quick comments about the film from various people, including Moon Sung-geun.
** Commentaries basically save everything here. Considering the presentation I won't really complain, and since Hong doesn't usually make commentaries or interviews I'm not surprised he didn't talk here. Still, they could have done a LOT better. [7]

VALUE FOR MONEY
7.85
Shame about the extras, otherwise this would be a top notch release. Hong's fans don't need any recommendation from me. His work is consistently engaging and well made. The presentation is very good, with a fantastic subtitle job, and interesting commentaries. Highly Recommended.

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"Ildan Ddwieo" 2002
ENTERONE  
DVD
Release Date: 2002, 8/27
Running Time: 112 Minutes
Audio Options: Korean DTS, DD5.1
Subtitle Options: Korean Subtitles, English Subtitles
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1, 16:9 Enhanced
Format: Dual Layer
Region Coding: NTSC R3

Directed By
Cho Ui-seok
Starring  
Song Seung-heon
(Calla, So Close, Autumn Fairy Tale, Law Firm)
Kwon Sang-woo
(My Tutor Friend, Volcano High, Deus Machina*)
Kim Young-joon
(Kick The Moon, Repechage)
Lee Beom-soo
(Jungle Juice, Just Do It, Anarchists, Wet Dreams, Believe)
Lee Moon-shik
(Hi Dharma, Just Do It, Breakout, Public Enemy)

*production for the blockbuster Deus Machina, starring Kwon Sang-woo and popular TV Star Kim Jung-hwa was apparently scrapped.

Opening Day 2002, 5/10
Cumulative Box Office 721,474 Admissions
Film Rating 15
Produced By Kihwek Shidae
Distributed By Korea Pictures
Official Website www.ildanrun.com

THE FILM

Two shiny, fast cars racing in the night inside a tunnel. An attractive young man (Kwon Sang-woo) ready to use his body for money, boasting his physique in front of a mirror. Another young man, imitating Freddie Mercury for his website, while Queen's 'Don't Stop Me Now' surrounds the proceedings. That's just one of the 'cool' scenes in Cho Ui-seok's debut action-comedy Make It Big. Rather than a film, this seems more like a collection of CF's, aimed at promoting its young leads' sex appeal, perfect hair and picture perfect fashion style. Top TV Talents Song Seung-heon and Kwon Sang-woo spends so much time in their underwear or baring their chest that it's no surprise this film was a hit with young women, and a relatively big one at that. Make It Big  is slick, looks great, and takes advantage of its leading quartet's appealing image. We're watching a film though, not a CF.

Our three heroes (Kwon, Song and Kim) literally see money come their way from the sky, along with a dead body. A detective who can jump incredible distances and run for miles (Lee Beom-soo) follows them, trying to solve the case. That's the basic premise of the film, and it doesn't get much better. There are some fairly amusing scenes, and clearly the three (Kwon Sang-woo, Song Seung-heon, Lee Beom-soo) feel pretty comfortable with their roles. On the other hand Kim Young-joon, once again used as the alienated young member of the group, is far from impressive. Also, unlike other successful (and even not so successful) comedies, Make It Big doesn't make good use of its supporting characters. Lee Moon-shik, one of the funniest character actors in Korea, is underused for much of the film. What you get at the end is like a collection of Music Videos, along with the usually silly escapades of the minor characters and some rather lousy attempts at making the film entertaining.

If anything, the film boasts some nice music, and of course ladies (especially those who frequently watch TV Dramas) will be delighted to see Song and Kwon often display their assets and look cool. On a technical level, there's nothing particularly wrong about the film. It's well produced, has nice music and pretty good cinematography. But, the paper thin plot and reliance on slick visuals alone doesn't allow it to go beyond the average action comedy it ends up being. [5]

VIDEO QUALITY
Tremendous film-sourced transfer from enterOne. The car race in the tunnel is probably the best example. Amazing colors, skin tones and black levels are spot on. Shadow detail is very good. There's no sign of edge enhancement or blurs. Since most of the film takes place in well lit locations, it will almost always look great. Terrific. [9]

AUDIO QUALITY
Like many other Action-comedies in enterOne's catalogue (Jungle Juice, Hi Dharma), this is a quite impressive audio presentation. The soundtrack is the biggest 'offender,' with loud basses and great ambient surround. Clean, crisp dialogue, and the DTS track sounds great. [8.5]

SUBTITLES QUALITY
The big problem here, or at least significant (it would be big if the plot of this film took more than half a page of the screenplay), is the fact the on-screen text is not subtitled. This becomes important when one of the main characters receives an e-mail from a friend which scrolls at the top of the screen. I had to pause to read it, and it's pretty important as far as plot development goes, even though it becomes pretty obvious after the following scene. These are generally very good subtitles, but a few spelling mistakes and the usual unnecessarily colorful translation brings it down a few notches. [7.5]

EXTRA FEATURES

Cast & Crew
Profiles for Song Seung-heon, Kwon Sang-woo, Kim Young-joon, Lee Beom-soo and Director Cho Ui-seok. Click on the swirl under the Director's image and you'll see a 3 Minutes interview with Kwon Sang-woo and Kim Young-joon. They talk about the director and his style.

Making
Around 8 Minutes, you can use the Play All function (it's the last option). This is some pretty good footage of the fight rehearsal, the toilet scene, and the chase towards the end. There are a few NGs, and a fun atmosphere.

Music Video
Queen's 'Don't Stop Me Now' and the film's theme 'Happy Birthday To Me'. Nice music here.

Marketing
Basically two other Music Videos. The first shows the poster shooting and behind the scenes (with a songs by The Offsprings. Eh). Second is a collection of the 'sexiest' scenes from the trio, good for the ladies! (Music here is a little better, Green Day).

Theatrical Trailer
** A limited amount of extras, but it's pretty good material. [6]

VALUE FOR MONEY
6.85
Make It Big suffers from being terribly average. There's nothing really bad about it. It's just that there's nothing really good either. Presentation is fantastic, but the extras ae a little on the slim side. Recommended only for Song Seung-heon and Kwon Sang-woo die-hards.

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"Jeobsok" 1997
SRE
DVD
Release Date: 2002, 12/16
Running Time: 110 Minutes  
Audio Options: Korean DD5.1, DS 2.0
Subtitle Options: Korean Subtitles, English Subtitles
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1, 16:9 Enhanced
Format: Dual Layer
Region Coding: NTSC R1-3

Directed By
Chang Yoon-hyun
(Tell Me Something)
Starring  
Han Suk-kyu
(Double Agent, Shiri, Green Fish, Christmas in August, No. 3, Dr. Bong)
Jeon Do-yeon
(Happy End, I Wish I Had a Wife, Scandal, The Harmonium in My Memory)
Kim Tae-woo
(Saving My Hubby, Bus Stop, Joint Security Area)
Chu Sang-mi
(The Turning Gate, Say Yes, The Soul Guardians, Miso)
Choi Cheol-ho
(Summertime, The Quiet Family, Calla, Tie A Yellow Ribbon)
Lee Beom-soo
(Just Do It, Wet Dreams, Believe, Jungle Juice, Anarchists, Make It Big)
Park Young-soo
(If The Sun Rises in The West, Whispering Corridors)
Kang Jung-shik
(If The Sun Rises in The West)
Sohn Min-seok
(Real Fiction, Saturday Afternoon 2PM)

Opening Day 1997, 9/13
Cumulative Box Office  674,933 Admissions (Seoul)
Film Board Rating 15
Produced By Myung Films
Distributed By Myung Films

THE FILM

It's always difficult to pinpoint where and why trends start. The current boom Korean Cinema is experiencing is no different. There are many interpretations which could lead to the reason why the industry has improved so much in just a few years. The country's opening to more foreign films in the early 90s gave Korean filmmakers the opportunity to expand their view, learn new things, compare and contrast their work with others. The younger generation of directors which emerged from this change started blossoming right around the mid 90s. They were more film savvy, more in touch with the audience's taste, and more interested in making a change in commercial Cinema.

While Festivals and some critics had been warming up to Korean Cinema for a while, it wasn't until commercial success knocked at the country's door that the industry changed. Certainly people like Lee Myung-se, Park Chul-soo, Park Kwang-soo, Hong Sang-soo and others had been making innovative, challenging works before, but great commercial films were still lacking, for the most part. Chang Yoon-hyun's debut film The Contact was one of the first films to appeal to the younger generation of Koreans. To the people whose sense of community and ties with their family started to change after the economic boom; to those who lived a significant part of their life in front of a computer screen, chatting away nights with other people. Whereas other melodramas like The Letter were still tied to the old school of melodramas (which is still en vogue on many TV Dramas, perhaps because Ajumma  -the major target audience- identify strongly with that style up to this day), The Contact was a much different affair. This understated urban love story found many young people relating to the alienation and loneliness the characters were feeling in the film. Yes, it's just another urban love story with a happy ending, but if all those similar films were as good as this, we'd be lucky.

Kwon Dong-hyun (Han Suk-kyu) is a radio producer, still heartbroken from his previous relationship, unable and afraid to move forward and meet new people. He spends his nights chatting with strangers on the Internet, hoping to find solace for his sorrow. One of those people he meets is Soo-hyun (Jeon Do-yeon), who works at an Online Shopping Retailer. She likes her roommate's boyfriend Ki-cheol (Kim Tae-woo), but is both afraid of telling him, and of ruining her relationship with her friend. She's still inexperienced about love, and can't open herself to other people. She 'meets' Dong-hyun online because of a record, which reminds him of his past relationship. They start step by step to warm up to each other, talking like the best of friends even though they never see each other. And finally they decide to meet, but will their first contact go as well as their faceless conversations?

The film is simple on the surface, but digging deeper reveals the fragmented storytelling (where Dong-hyun and Soo-hyun's relationship with that record is explained, in rather impressive fashion), and the depth in both characterization and surroundings. Conventional plot devices of the genre are only hinted at, but never exploited --like the coincidental meetings of the main characters, always oblivious to each other's presence-- and the low-key atmosphere combined with the film's realism make this an incredibly compelling work. But that's just the tip of the iceberg, for The Contact sports lots of style, a superb soundtrack (from Tom Waits to Sarah Vaughan's 'A Lover's Concerto,' from Bach to The Velvet Underground), and great dialogue. Also, the acting is fantastic. Han Suk-kyu was already popular thanks to Dr. Bong (95 comedy with Kim Hye-soo) and some TV Dramas, but this was Jeon Do-yeon's big screen debut. She's able to convey the full range of emotions her character displays in an extremely convincing manner. The last scene is particularly special and moving, because of the way Jeon reacts. The romantic loner with a touch of sadness suits Han very well, and he carries the film being seemingly at ease.  Also, Chu Sang-mi gives a very good performance as Dong-hyun's writer.

The Contact marks an important change for the industry. From that year on, even commercial films started to improve. They were more in tune with the younger generation which was starting again to go to the movies. Directors paid more attentions to trends, and focused more on film technique rather than banking on popular stars or super-convoluted melodramas. It's not only an influential and important film, but personally also an exquisitely understated melodrama which always brings a smile whenever I watch it. Stylish, moving and always compelling,The Contact is simply a beautiful film. [8.5]

VIDEO QUALITY
A very solid transfer. Nice colors, no major edge enhancement or compression artifacts. There are no noticeable defects with the print, and black levels and shadow details are good. Of course the film is almost never taking place in daylight, so it's not the easiest of transfers. A very pleasant presentation, but anything would have been better than the HK VCD. [8]

AUDIO QUALITY
While there's some hiss here and there, the soundtrack sounds great and ambient surround is generally well done. No dropouts, and clear dialogue. This is a very quiet film, so don't expect workouts for your system. [7.5]

SUBTITLES QUALITY
I don't like this type of font, because it's a little soft (and in this case a bit small), and Korean subtitles lose detail which sometimes make reading harder. While there are a few spelling mistakes, translation is generally good, and there are no timing mistakes. [8.0]

EXTRA FEATURES

Audio Commentary (Director Chang Yoon-hyun, Producer Shim Bo-kyung)
A rather interesting experience. They start introducing the theme of the film, and the opening scene setting the mood. They talk about casting some of the supporting characters like Chu Sang-mi, and the art direction for sets and location. They spend a lot of time analyzing the differences between this film and conventional Korean melodramas, and how this is a new hybrid of realism with old school urban love stories. They talk about the role of music in this film, which is very important, from 'Pale Blue Eyes' to 'A Lover's Concerto'. Also, another interesting theme of the film which is Soo-hyun's lack of tears for a problem with her eyes (which makes the finale of the film even more moving). The theme of chatting, the Internet and the consequences of this kind of communication between characters is analyzed. The director smartly used deception which is something that often happens on those cases. Eventually it's something that brings the characters closer. They even talk a little about how they chose the ID for Dong-hyun and Soo-hyun. Discussion about the film's title and its meaning follows, along with comments about the framing and camera angles during the car shots. The director compares the ending of this film to Wim Wenders' Paris, Texas (I assume when they meet later in the film) and a similar use of music, which is a fitting description. Overall, a consistently interesting commentary.

TV Spot

Theatrical Trailer

Music Video

Photo Gallery

Cast & Crew
This is some of the most extensive profile work I've seen. They list profiles for actors Han Suk-kyu, Jeon Do-yeon, Chu Sang-mi and Kim Tae-woo. Not only they list their filmography and TV Dramas appearances, but also stage plays (for Chu Sang-mi) and a complete list of TV and Film Awards they won. The Crew section contains similar profiles for Director Chang Yoon-hyun, DP Kim Sung-bok, Lighting Director Kim Jae--young, Composer Cho Young-wook, Writer Cho Myung-joo, Sound Effects Director Kim Suk-won, Art Director Shin Bo-kyung, Editor Park Gok-ji, Sound Mixer Lee Seung-cheol, and a final page of Credits for the rest of the crew. Impressive.

Interview

1 - Script (8'). Producers Lee Eun and Shim Bo-kyung, along with Director Chang Yoon-hyun talk about the script of the film. They introduce the theme of chatting, and the way the characters meet being different from conventional melodrama. They also show clips from the car accident in the film, and briefly talk about the major characters.

2 - Casting (8'). They talk about casting Han Suk-kyu, and their need to find a 'new' female face for the film, to fit the theme. That probably means they didn't want a top actress who was associated with older melodramas, so that the public wouldn't believe this would be usual fare. The director mentions why he chose Han, based on his image fitting the character perfectly. He also wanted a female character with a friendly image, so he chose Jeon. Jeon and Kim Tae-woo talk about their roles and the script. Finally, yet again emphasis on the fact this was a new melodrama, more a hybrid of styles than a straightforward romance.

3 - Production (8'). Lee Eun talks about the investment behind this project, and how it compares to similar productions in the US and Hong Kong. He says a film like this has to focus on storytelling and the various stages of film style (Cinematography, sound, etc.), instead of relying on big stars or special effects like US blockbusters. They show clips from the location shooting, and they talk about their choice of set, and how it fit director Chang's style.

4 - Shooting (12'). They emphasize again the many coincidences we see in the film at the beginning, but how they never come into fruition like conventional melodramas. Producer Shim Bo-kyung talks about the Director's style and the Art Direction behind sets and locations. She talks about her best memories from the production, and the feature concludes with a clip of the man with a speech impediment attempting to speak in public, which is a smart allegory for the main characters' relationship, in a way.

5 - Jeon Do-yeon Interview (11'). She begins talking about her partner Han Suk-kyu, and his acting style. She then moves to the relationship between Dong-hyun and Soo-hyun and how they connect through music. She talks about working with the director, while clips from the shooting are shown. She also talks about the challenging last scene, where she had to contain herself to convey the character's feelings, at the same time reminding us of her previous problem with crying. She concludes talking about the kiss scene with Kim Tae-woo.

6 - Kim Tae-woo Interview (3'). Quick comments from him, talking about the kiss scene with JDY, and an anecdote from an autograph session. He ends the interview talking about his character Ki-cheol.

7 - Sound (14'). Very interesting interview about the concept of music in the film, evoking different feelings like nostalgia. Cho Young-wook talks about choosing Pale Blue Eyes and what it means in the film, and how the mixing enhances the final scene. He also talks about the film's opening theme, which gives you a mixed feeling, and sets the atmosphere for the bittersweet first part of the film. Kim chang-seop talks about using Western music, and the background sound.

8 - DVD Fan Message (6'). Both messages to DVD fans, and a discussion about the medium and film on DVD itself. The director feel thankful the film has finally made its way to DVD, and will be available to a wider audience, and all pretty much agree on the film's quality.
** Interviews are very good, commentary is excellent, the cast and crew is huge and of great help. Maybe a mini documentary and a few outtakes would have helped, but probably there wasn't much material available. Anyway, excellent extras here. [8]

VALUE FOR MONEY
8.10
I'll keep it short: I absolutely love this film. Its mood, its music, its performances. It's one of my favorite Korean films, and something everybody should see, at least to understand how films like this helped this boom get started. Very good presentation with some interesting extras make this a worthy purchase. Hats off to SRE for releasing gems like this from the 90s, with nice packaging, low prices and consistent quality control. Hopefully this is just the beginning.

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Note: The film's rating is counted twice for the final average. After all, the most important thing is the film, isn't it?

Reviews Requests?   Send me a note if you want to see a particular review here, and I'll get to work on it soon!

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Special Thanks: Darcy Paquet, Yeon Hyeon-sook, Cho Jung-young
Resources/Pictures: dvd.co.kr, papadvd.com, dvdshelf.com, dvd.naver.com, yesasia.com, koreanwiz.org, dvdasian.com, joycine.com, film2.co.kr, cine21.co.kr, cinemaservice.com, cineseoul.com, movist.com, play.com, dddhouse.com, soompi.com, futurefilm.fi, leffat.com, asiandb.com, Bullets N' Babes board.

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