Theatrical Releases in 2008

Crazy Waiting ["Gidarida michyeo"]   Written and directed by Ryu Seung-jin.  Four couples are forced to deal with the ultimate challenge to their relationship when the men are called to serve their mandatory 730-day military service.  Starring Son Tae-young, Jang Geun-seok, Yu In-young, Kim San-ho, Jang Hee-jin, Danny Ahn, Han Yeo-reum, Woo Seung-min, Lee Ki-woo, Lee Young-jin.  Cinematography by Kim Cheol-joo.  Produced by iFilm and Blue Bus Pictures.  Distributed by Cinema Service.  Sold internationally by iHQ.  Rating: 15+.  108 min.  January 1.

Forever the Moment ["Uri saengae choego-ui sungan"]   Directed by Lim Soon-rye.  Screenplay by Na Hyun.  Based on the true life experiences of the players in the women's handball team which competed for South Korea in the 2004 Athens Olympics.  Starring Moon So-ri, Kim Jeong-eun, Eom Tae-woong, Kim Ji-young, Jo Eun-ji, Park Won-sang, Jeong Seok-yong, Min Ji.  Cinematography by Hwang Ki-seok.  Produced by MK Pictures.  Distributed by Sidus FNH.  Sold internationally by Golden Network [Hong Kong].  Rating: General.  124 min.  January 10.

Open City ["Mubangbi-dosi"]   Written and directed by Lee Sang-ki.  A determined police detective faces off against a ruthless pickpocketing gang, headed by a sexy femme fatale who masquerades as a tattoo artist.  Starring Son Ye-jin, Kim Myung-min, Kim Hye-sook, Shim Ji-ho, Son Byeong-ho, Yoon Yu-seon, Kim Byeong-ok, Lee Hye-sook.  Cinematography by Shin Ok-hyun, Seo Jeong-min.  Produced by Samzzi IVision.  Distributed and sold internationally by CJ Entertainment.  Rating: 15+.  112 min.  January 10.

Dimmer ["Aseurai"]   Directed by Kim Sam-ryeok.  Screenplay by Kim Sam-ryeok, An Cheol-ho, Choe Ju-yeon, Jeong Ji-won.  A group of friends in their twenties get together to shoot a film, and in the process struggle with the challenges of relationships and growing up.  Starring Kim Sang-ryeok, Shim Jae-won, Choi Tae-kyu.  Cinematography by Jo Yeong-jik.  Distributed and sold internationally by Indiestory.  Rating: 12+.  85 min.  January 11.

Hellcats ["Ddeugeoun-geosi joh-a"]   Directed by Kwon Chil-in.  Screenplay by Kim Hyun-soo, Kim Soo-ah, Park Hye-ryeon.  An extended family of three women -- the fortysomething interior designer Young-mi, the 27-year old screenwriter Ami, and the high school student Kang-ae -- are all engaged in dilemmas regarding romance and sex.  Starring Kim Min-hee, Lee Mi-sook, An So-hee, Kim Seong-su, Kim Heung-su, Yun Hui-seok, Jo Eun-ji, Kim Beom, Jang Hang-jun.  Cinematography by Jo Yong-gyu.  Produced and distributed by Cinema Service.  Sold internationally by CJ Entertainment.  Rating: 15+.  114 min.  January 17.

The Little Prince ["Eorin wangja"]   Directed by Choi Jong-hyeon.  Screenplay by Im Jin-pyeong.  A foley artist named Jong-cheol loses his wife and son, and falls deep into an alcohol-soaked depression. However a chance encounter brings him into contact with another young boy who desperately needs a father figure.  Starring Tak Jae-hoon, Kang Su-han, Jo An, Jeon Moo-song, Choi Ju-bong, Park Won-sang, Charles, Lee Ho-jae, Yu Ha-jin.  Cinematography by Kim Hong-min.  Produced by People & Pictures, NR Communications.  Distributed by Lotte Entertainment.  Rating: 12+.  92 min.  January 17.

Once Upon a Time in Corea ["Wonseu-eopon-eo-taim"]   Directed by Jeong Yong-ki.   Screenplay by Chun Seong-il.   In 1945, shortly before Korea's liberation, a gigantic diamond is found by agents of the Japanese colonial government. Immediately, two secretive crooks - a legendary swindler and a jazz club singer - make plans to steal it.  Starring Park Yong-woo, Lee Bo-young, Kim Eung-soo, Kim Soo-hyun.   Cinematography by Moon Yong-sik.   Produced by Win Entertainment.   Distributed by CH Entertainment   Sold internationally by Mirovision.   Rating: 12+.  110 min.  January 30.

A Man Who Was Superman ["Syupeomaen-ieotteon sanai"]   Directed by Jeong Yoon-chul.   Screenplay by Jung Yoon-chul, Kim Bada, Yoon Jin-ho.   A TV producer who feels frustrated with her job comes to shoot a documentary about a mentally unbalanced man who believes he is superman.  Starring Jun Ji-hyun(Gianna Jun), Hwang Jeong-min, Jin Ji-hee, Kim Tae-seong.   Cinematography by Choi Young-hwan.   Produced , Distributed and sold internationally by CJ Entertainment.   Rating: General.   102 min.  January 30.

Radio Dayz ["Raduio Deijeu"]   Directed by Ha Kee-ho. Screenplay by Kim Hyun-jung.   The making of Korea's first radio drama, broadcast in the 1930s under Japanese rule, turns out to be as dramatic as the story itself.  Starring Ryu Seung-bum, Hwang Bo-ra, Kim Sa-rang, Lee Jong-hyuk.   Cinematography by Lee Tae-yoon.   Produced and Distributed by SidusFNH.   Sold internationally by Golden Network [HK].  Rating: 12+.  111 min.   January 31.

My Love Yurie ["Nae sarang Yurie"]   Written and directed by Ko Eun-ki.   A young man living in a strange remote place is in love with the woman living across the street, who makes a living by selling her body. He decides to make a deal with the devil in order to make her his own.  Starring Ko Da-mi, Kang Hui, Kim Jun-bae, Yang Yeong-jo, Koo Hye-ryeong.   Cinematography by Yun Ji-woon.  Produced by Sensitive and Aggressive Strawberry Tree.  Distributed and sold internationally by Activers Entertainment.  Rating: 18+.  113 min.   January 31.

The Devil's Game ["Deo Geim"]   Directed by Yoon In-ho. Screenplay by Yoon In-ho, Kim Mi-ra, Lee Jae-jin.   A poor sidewalk artist is desperate for money to protect his girlfriend from loan sharks. Then, a rich old man invites him to participate in a strange bet for huge sums of money.  Starring Shin Ha-kyun, Byun Hee-bong, Lee Hye-young, Son Hyun-ju.   Cinematography by Baek Dong-hyun.   Produced by Prime Entertainment and Premier Entertainment.   Distributed and sold internationally by Prime Entertainment.  Rating: 15+.  116 min.   January 31.

Lovers of 6 Years ["6 Nyeon-jjae Yeonae-jung"]   Written and directed by Park Hyun-jin.   A couple in their late twenties have been dating for six years, but soon their relationship will face difficult new tests.  Starring Kim Ha-neul, Yoon Kye-sang, Shin Sung-lok, Cha Hyun-jung.  Cinematography by Park Yong-soo.  Produced by Picasso Films.  Distributed and sold internationally by Studio 2.0.  Rating: 15+.  103 min.  February 5.

His Last Gift ["Majimak Seonmul"]   Directed by Kim Young-jun.   Screenplay by Bom Eui-hwan.  A man serving a life sentence for murder is given ten-days leave to be with his daughter who has contracted a rare illness and is in need of a liver transplant.  Starring Shin Hyun-jun, Heo Jun-ho, Kwon Oh-jung.  Cinematography by Lee Sung-je.  Produced by .  Distributed and sold internationally by Showbox.  Rating: 18+.  112 min.  February 5.

The Chaser ["Chugyeok-ja"]   Directed by Na Hong-jin.   Screenplay by Na Hong-jin, Hong Won-chan, Lee Shin-ho.   Two women working for a call service go missing after visiting the same customer.The pimp who hired them becomes suspicious and decides to investigate.  Starring Kim Yoon-soek, Ha Jung-woo Heo, Seo Young-hee.  Cinematography by Seo Keun-hee.  Produced by Bidangil Pictures.  Distributed by Showbox.  International sales by Fine Cut.  Rating: 15+.  123 min.  February 14.

Beautiful ["Areumdapta"]   Directed by Juhn Jae-hong.   Screenplay by Kim Ki-duk.   An uncommonly attractive woman recieves unwanted attention from all sort of men, to the point where it starts to affect her sanity.  Starring Cha Soo-yeon, Lee Chun-hee.  Cinematography by Kim Ki-tae.  Produced by Kim Ki-duk Film and Sponge Entertainment.  Distributed and sold internationally by Sponge Entertainment.  Rating: 18+.  88 min.  February 14.

Life is Beautiful ["Daehan-i, Minguk-ssi"]   Directed by Choi Jin-won.   Screenplay by Kim Eun-tae.   The world's greatest romantic who believes in the absolute power of love, Dae-han becomes the rival of Min-guk, a naive dreamer who believes that he can do anything he sets his mind to.  Starring Choi Sung-guk, Gong Hyung-jin, Choi Jung-won.  Cinematography by Kim Young-chul.  Produced by Funny Film.  Distributed by Lotte Entertainment.  Rating: 15+.  102 min.  February 14.

Inner Circle Line ["Naebu-sunhwanseon"]   Written and directed by Cho Eun-hee.   A woman named Yeong-joo who works as a club designer meets a man who reminds her of a past lover. Meanwhile a man with the same name who works as a subway driver on Seoul's line #2 is traumatized when someone jumps in front of his train.  Starring Yang Eun-yong, Bae Yong-keun, Jung Yu-mi, Jang So-yeon.  Cinematography by Choi Young-min.  Distributed and sold internationally by Indiestory.  Rating: 18+.  95 min.  February 22.

Butterflymole ["Nabi-dudeoji"]   Directed by Suh Myeong-soo.   Gyeong-shik, a subway driver in his mid-fourties, struggles with the tedium of his job, the suicide of a passenger, and the mysterious disappearance of his brother.  Starring Pan Young-jin, Park Jin-guk, Heo Jeong-in, Choi Jeong-dan, Song Young-chang.  Cinematography by Jeong Wook-joon.  Produced by Indie Union.  Distributed and sold internationally by Indiestory.  Rating: 15+.  83 min.  February 22.

Night and Day ["Bam-gwa nat"]   Written and directed by Hong Sang-soo.  Sung-nam, a married painter, is named in a marijuana drug bust and flees to Paris to avoid the police. While there he befriends two young Korean art students.  Starring Kim Young-ho, Park Eun-hye, Hwang Su-jeong, Kim Yu-jin, Seo Min-jeong, Ki Joo-bong, Lee Seon-gyun, Jeong Ji-hye.  Cinematography by Kim Hoon-gwang.  Produced by bom Film Productions.  Distributed by Sponge.  Sold internationally by UMEDIA [France].  Rating: 18+.  144 min.  February 28.

BA:BO ["Babo"]   Directed by Kim Jeong-gwon.  Screenplay by Kim Young-tak and Kim Jeong-gwon.  An aspiring pianist returns from a long-term stay in Europe to her hometown in Korea. There she is reunited with a brain-damaged man who has been harboring a crush on her since their school days.  Starring Ha Ji-won, Cha Tae-hyun, Park Hee-soon, Lee Ji-young, Song Jae-ho, Park Grina, Park Ha-seon, Jeong Gyeong-soon.  Cinematography by Kim Tae-kyung.  Produced by Wire to Wire Films.  Distributed by CJ Entertainment.  Sold internationally by Cineclick Asia.  Rating: 12+.  99 min.  February 28.

My New Partner ["Mai nyu pateuneo"]   Directed by Kim Jong-hyun.  Screenplay by Kim Jong-hyun, Yun Jae-geun, Kim Hyeong-wan.  A morose but well respected young cop is transferred to Busan to investigate a drug case. There he finds himself paired with his own father, a disgraced and somewhat corrupt officer with whom he is no longer on speaking terms.  Starring Ahn Sung-ki, Jo Han-seon, Jeong Seok-young, Lee Eun-ji, Park Cheol-min, Jeong In-gi, Jo Jin-woong, Choi Il-hwa.  Cinematography by Kim Young-ho.  Produced and sold internationally by KM Culture.  Distributed by M Plus Pictures.  Rating: 15+.  110 min.  March 6.

The Past is a Strange Country ["Gwageo-neun natseon narada"]   Directed by Kim Eung-su.  A documentary made up of the recollections of people who witnessed or were familiar with two student activists who set themselves on fire during an anti-U.S. rally on April 28, 1986.  Featuring Kim Eung-su, Jeon Ho-shik, Kim Hui-jae, Jo Yu-shik, Lee Jeong-seung, Kim Hee-kyung, Lee Young-beom.  Cinematography by Jeon Ho-shik, Kim Eung-su, Kim Baek-jun.  Distributed by Cinema Sangsang-madang.  Rating: 12+.  90 min.  March 6.

Humming ["Heoming"]   Directed by Park Dae-young.  Screenplay by Jeong Seon-ju, Park Dae-young.  A talented young scientist named Jun-seo has been dating the diving instructor Mi-yeon for years, but he is starting to feel frustrated by their relationship. He plans to go on a research trip to Antarctica in order to get away for a while, but then tragedy strikes.  Starring Lee Cheon-hee, Han Ji-hye, Jeong Jae-jin, Lee Hwi-hyang, Lee Jeong-heon, Chae Yun-seo, Lee Min-gi, Kim Su-hyun.  Cinematography by Hong Jong-gyeong.  Produced by The Dream Pictures.  Distributed by Lotte Entertainment.  Rating: 12+.  96 min.  March 13.

Fate ["Sungmyeong"]   Directed by Kim Hae-gon.  Screenplay by Kim Hae-gon, Jang Seong-su, Nam Seong-shik.  Four close friends decide to target a casino in order to lift their lives out of the gutter, but an unexpected betrayal sets the stage for a future showdown.  Starring Song Seung-heon, Kwon Sang-woo, Kim In-kwon, Park Han-byeol, Ji Sung, Park Yu-taek, Wi Seung-cheol, Hong Su-hyeon, Lee Seung-jun.  Cinematography by Choi Ji-yeol.  Produced by MKDK.  Distributed and sold internationally by CJ Entertainment.  Rating: 18+.  123 min.  March 20.

Farewell ["Jakbyeol"]   Directed by Hwang Yun.  A documentary originally produced in 2001 that looks at the space of the modern zoo and considers issues related to wildlife and animal welfare.  Featuring Kim Hye-jin, Kim Young-jun, Eom Gi-yong, Han Hyo-dong.  Cinematography by Hwang Yun.  Produced by Studio Duma.  Distributed by Jinjin Pictures.  Rating: General.  81 min.  March 27.

One Day on the Road ["Eoneu nal geu gireseo"]   Directed by Hwang Yun.  A 2006 documentary that looks at how the increasing number of roads running through animal habitats are affecting wildlife populations.  Featuring Choi Tae-young, Choi Cheon-kwon, Choi Dong-gi.  Produced by Studio Duma.  Distributed by Jinjin Pictures.  International sales by Mirovision.  Rating: General.  97 min.  March 27.

Happy Together ["Donggeo, dongrak"]   Directed by Kim Tae-hee.  Screenplay by Kim Tae-hee and Kim Bo-jeong.  Yu-jin and her single mother Jeong-im are close emotionally, and even feel comfortable discussing their sexual lives. However as Jeong-im re-starts an old relationship, and Yu-jin's boyfriend starts to act in strange ways, things start to get complicated.  Starring Jo Yun-hee, Kim Cheong, Jeong Seung-ho, Kim Dong-wook, Kim Hae-yeon, Choi Jeong-woo.  Cinematography by Kim Hoon-kwang.  Produced by RG Enterworks.  Distributed by Showbox.  Rating: 18+.  101 min.  March 27.

A Secret Scandal ["Na-ui seukaendeul"]   Directed by Shin Jeong-gyun.  Hyun-woo and Sun-ah meet when he is a middle schooler and she is a student teacher. Later, when he has turned 19 and she is a 27-year old art instructor, their relationship starts to develop.  Starring Seo Rin, Lee Jun, Kang Shin-cheol, Kim Hwa-ju, Choi Eun-ju, Goh Gyu-pil.  Cinematography by Shin Jong-sun.  Produced and distributed by Lumix Media.  Rating: 15+.  92 min.  March 27.

Box-Office Admission Results

Darcy Paquet / Koreanfilm.org