Korean cinema shows no signs of slowing down if the just-ended 17th Annual Busan International Film Festival is any indication.
I attended the festival, and while an enviable celebrity list is a given, the core of Korean commerce was supported in a timely manner.
"The Thieves," which will be the Hawaii International Film Festival’s closing-night film (already sold out), became the all-time domestic box office hit earlier this month with more than 13 million tickets sold in 70 days. Director Choi Dong-hun and producer Ahn Soo-hyun will be in Hawaii for the festival with their film.
To add to the hot streak, Lee Byung-hun’s "Masquerade" (now playing for a third week at the Consolidated Pearlridge multiplex) has done over 8 million in Korean box office sales.
I had a lengthy conversation with Lee’s manager at the Busan festival, and plans are in the works to have Lee return to Hawaii after the warm reception he received at the 2005 HIFF when his "A Bittersweet Life" was shown.
I also had a chance to talk with director Kang Je-gyu ("Taekguki: Brotherhood of War"), who wants to return to HIFF with a future project, and director Kim Ji-woon before he returned to Los Angeles to continue work on "The Last Stand," his first English-language movie, an actioner starring Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Coincidentally, actor Daniel Henney, who is a guest at HIFF this year, is also in "The Last Stand," and filmed a part for "Hawaii Five-0" while he’s been here. His starring vehicle, "Shanghai Calling," was screened Friday at HIFF, and will be shown once again at 4 p.m. Monday at the Dole Cannery multiplex.
"Tasty Life"
Episodes 27 and 28
Today, 6:45 p.m.: Sung-joo ends up in the hospital after she faints in the middle of the road. There, she finds out that she’s pregnant, and Jae-hyuk is ecstatic at the news. Shin-yong finds out that Jae-hyuk knew all along about In-chul and Sung-joo. She feels that now she really has no reason to hold back. Sung-joo is sent to her father’s by her in-laws to rest. Shin-yong drives Sung-joo home and tells her never to come back and that she’ll tell her parents the reason she’s gone.
Today, 7:45 p.m.: Even with the threat of Shin-yong telling her parents about her and In-chul, Sung-joo decides to go back home. Shin-yong is about to tell her mother, when everyone gets the news of Sung-joo’s pregnancy and Shin-yong misses her chance. Shin-yong is disgusted by how happy everyone is about Sung-joo’s pregnancy. Tae-hyung leaves home when his father completely ignores Jung-hyun.
"Faith"
Episodes 9 and 10
Monday, 7:45 p.m.: Choi Young and the king go forward to building a new independent Goryo. Gi Cheol locks Eun-soo up in his house and tries to get information about the future from her. Choi Young rescues Eun-soo from Gi Cheol and makes his first attack on him.
Tuesday, 7:45 p.m.: Eun-soo is devastated when she fails to get her notebook from Gi Cheol. Eun-soo performs an emergency operation and saves a boy’s life, but is shocked when she learns his name. Choi Young starts to gather people to serve the new king, but Gi Cheol sets a trap to thwart his plan. Eun-soo realizes her presence is a threat to Choi Young’s life.
"To the Beautiful You"
Episodes 7 and 8
Wednesday, 7:45 p.m.: Eun-gyeol gets to stay with Tae-joon and Jae-hee when a dorm building is shut down for reconstruction. Tae-joon and Eun-gyeol fight for Jae-hee’s attention. Jae-hee searches the bottom of the pool for Tae-joon’s necklace, and Eun-gyeol helps her find it.
Thursday, 7:45 p.m.: Jae-hee gets meaningful birthday gifts from Eun-gyeol and Tae-joon. Tae-joon and Jae-hee leave with the track-and-field team to a training camp. Left alone in school, Eun-gyeol decides to join them. Tae-joon protects Jae-hee’s true identity from being revealed when she attempts to take off her shirt in a game of paintball.
"Five Fingers"
Episodes 9 and 10
Friday, 7:45 p.m.: Ji-ho asks Dami to buy him a nice dinner for the lesson fee, but she takes Ji-ho to a food cart instead and buys him a bowl of noodles. Young-rang gives Mr. Ha full authority on the acquisition of parts. Professor Ha and In-ha hold a news conference.
Saturday, 7:45 p.m.: In-ha successfully holds a charity benefit concert with Dami’s help, and they celebrate their success. Dami tries to comfort Ji-ho by taking him to a comic book cafe. Young-rang plans to appoint Attorney Choi as president of Boosung Construction.
Jeff Chung is general manager of KBFD TV, which televises Korean dramas with English subtitles. Reach him at 521-8066 or jeffchung@kbfd.com.
