Korean Job Discussion Forums

ma cherie · Joined: 13 Feb 2003

I just saw MY SASSY GIRL, and I agree. It's a great film and definitely one of my favorites. I heard somewhere they sold the rights, so that Hollywood can do their own version. I find that somewhat puzzling considering the concept. I mean, the film works so much because it's about Korean culture. Isn't the U.S. full of sassy girls? I'd say that I'm probably one myself. Although as bold as I am, I can't say I'd have the guts to go up to a complete Korean stranger and DEMAND that he not throw his cigarette on the ground Very Happy

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I'm very interested in seeing ADDRESS UNKNOWN and discovered it's now on DVD. Many more of Kim Ki Duk's films are making their way into the mainstream market, which can be both good and bad I suppose. Has anyone seen THE ISLE?

Also, has anyone seen THE VIRGIN STRIPPED BARE BY HER BACHELORS? I'm very curious about this film as well.

liehtzu · Joined: 24 Mar 2003 Location: the sticks, Korea

Korea has plenty of pretty decent mainstream movies and a whole slew of really rotten ones. Alot Korean films are either gangster flicks or dumb comedies - sometimes a combination of the two (a flick about a gangster who goes back to high school, dunno the english title, is hilarious). "Friend" is generally considered the best of the gangsta drama genre. If you're looking for something a little "artier" I highly recommend the films of the Korean director Hong Sang Soo. Low key, almost plotless flicks about middle-class emotional drifters looking for fulfillment in the soju bottle or through empty sex, but very cool if you go in for that style. Three of his films: "The Power of Kangwon Province," "A Virgin Stripped Bare By Her Bachelors" (Or: "Oh! Soo Jung"), and his most recent (and best) "On the Occasion of Remembering the Turning Gate" are available on DVD with English subtitles. Other non-mainstream Korean movies tend to be of the "gritty realism" variety, focusing on marginal types - outcasts and weirdos - and among the best of those are "Oasis" and the recent "Road Movie." Im Kwon-Taek is Korea's most famous "art" director, though I can't say I'm an incredibly big fan of either "Chiwaseon" or "Chungyang" - which are both beautiful but uninvolving. And finally, "Failan" is fantastic, beautiful and sad - and I don't go in for romance flicks at all. I highly recommend investing in a cheap DVD player while you're here. It's the only real access to Korean films. Most have English subs (tho not all say IN ENGLISH that they do on the box: if you can read Korean, look for "Young Uh").

kiddblount · Joined: 12 Mar 2003 Location: Seoul

altho this isn't a movie, i recommend the not-recent drama 'morae shigae' (hourglass), which includes a former miss korea and a well-known actor whose name escapes me (playing the attorney).

Jensen · Joined: 30 Mar 2003 Location: hippie hell

Well kiddies, if you want the best movie ever made in Korea, you're going to have to delve into ancient history. That would be the eighties, a godawful decade for all of the modern world perhaps...but don't get me started on that.

The film was "Korae Sanyang I" (whale hunting). There was also a "Korae Sanyang II", which was OK, but not as good as the first one...go figure. The book was written by Choe In-ho, and Ahn Song-ki played the lead. It is a sort of Korean "Oh Brother Where Art Thou?" and the beggars dance (kaksori tarong) is a big deal in it. Can't say it's for everybody though...very dated.

sickboy · Joined: 26 Jan 2003 Location: Miari Texas

Was 'The Isle' the one where the girl took fish hooks, and uh, inserted them, before trying to kill herself and he had to, uh, fish her out? That was an intense movie, but I must say, it was pretty damn cool, although some of it was quite painful to behold. And, with so little dialogue, it was hella easy to follow.

itaewonguy · Joined: 25 Mar 2003

gas station attack!!
thats so funny~~~
you dont even really need to understand HANGUL to laugh your ass off!
its one of those films where the scenes are just funny!!!

saharzie · Joined: 22 Jan 2003

If you liked Gas Station Attack, you should check 'funny movie', its by the same director i think, basically a skit based on loads of Korean movies , only one of which I had seen (My sassy Girl)..pretty stoopid in places but quite funny as well.
A few digs at korean culture too, which were quite funny...
My Sassy girl is a great film, and quite sad i thought, well made..

PootyTang · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Valley of the sun

Alias · Joined: 24 Jan 2003

Information request. Can anyone tell me if there are any movie theaters in Seoul where Korean movies are shown with English subtitles?
I though I heard that there may be one near Gyeonbokgung station. If someone could post directions that would be great. Thanks

sid · Joined: 02 Feb 2003 Location: Berkshire, England

www.seoulselection.com

The films are on Sat and Sun in a little museum near the bookshop, and Wed evening in the shop I think.

There's probably some directions on the site, from Gyeongbokgung station walk past the front of the palace, along a big wall and the bookshop is across the road at the next junction.

keroleen · Joined: 20 Mar 2003 Location: Scarborough/Coquitlam

is it possible to find the Korean movies with chinese translate?

kimcheeking · Guest

The Great Wall of Whiner · Joined: 24 Jan 2003 Location: Middle Land

Nappun Namja.
(Bad Man)

I would recommend this movie to anyone who wants to learn about the seedy side of Korea.

kimcheeking · Guest

I watched double agent with Han Suk Kyu the guy from Swiri, it is pretty good. Sorry I can't remember the Korean name.

Cedar · Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2003 9:45 pm Post subject:

Well, It's hard to know which I like more, but my top list, in no particular order:

0. My Wife is a Gangster
1. Yeopgijokin Kunyuh (My Sassy Girl, not a good translation!)
2. The Quiet Family (I laughed uproariously even the third time I watched it).
3. The Foul King
4. The Way Home (I sobbed for ten minutes after it ended)
5. Yellow Hair (the first one, not the second one)
6. Guns and Talks (what a stupid name)
7. Chingu
8. Attack at the Gas Station
9. JSA
10. Gamoonui Yunggwan

sorry, i can't remember a lot of the English names. And after I post this, I'll remember a bunch more good movies. I liked others that I can remember which I am not posting. For example, I liked Champion, but not that much. And I liked the one with the four mafia guys and four monks, but it's not in the same league as the ones above. I also liked Waikiki Brothers and Shwiri and thought that Kick the Moon was good entertainment. Haven't seen Oasis, Peppermint Candy, Green Fish, etc. cause all my Korean friends watched them already and normally if i miss something in the theatre I'm out of luck... too busy and no TV/VCR or DVD player. I didn't watch any of the movies above with subtitles, if I did my understanding or enjoyment might be different. I have watched some real shit movies from time to time. Four Toes... was there a plot?