[HanCinema's Film News] New Korean Films Inbound...

K-Films Coming Soon:

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★★★ "The Ring of Life": A boxing genius overcomes his past career failures and returns as a coach hoping to train the first female Olympic gold medallist. (07/25)

★★ "Base 820": A group of photography students get lost around the North/South border, a shot is fired and lieutenant Kwon Jin-kyeong and her trainee group go to investigate. (07/25)...

Title: "The Ring of Life"

Genre: Documentary

Length: 95min

Release Date: 2013/07/25

Director: Lee Jin-hyeok

Logline: A boxing genius overcomes his past career failures and returns as a coach hoping to train the first female Olympic gold medallist.

This week I reviewed the stunning romantic drama "Always", in which So Ji-sub plays an ex-boxer trying to set his life straight while falling in love. Lee Jin-hyeok's "The Ring of Life" may not have that loving left-hook that Song Il-gon's film had, but this real-life drama looks to have a lot of soul. It is a documentary remember, and from the look of its sharply edited trailer (visit the movie's page on HanCinema to view) the producers have adopted an almost reality-style approach to the material. Should be an interesting watch.

★★★

Title: "Base 820"

Genre: Mystery, Thriller

Length: 89min

Release Date: 2013/07/25

Director: Goo Mo

Stars: Greena Park, Lee Seung-jin, Kim Goo-hyeon

Logline: A group of photography students get lost around the North/South border, a shot is fired and lieutenant Kwon Jin-kyeong and her trainee group go to investigate.

This mystery thriller also comes to Korean theatres this week and stars Greena Park as a lieutenant who has to take control in a pressure situation. From the film's premise we can expect some dramatic cross-border clashes and mystery as Lieutenant Kwon Kin-kyeong goes to discover the source of that mysterious and alarming gunshot. I really wish I knew more about this one, but this week seems to be the calm before the storm in terms of Korean releases. Keep a eye out in the coming weeks as some really big and exciting Korean films will be making their play at the summer crowds!

★★

 

The Upcoming Competition:

"The Big Blue" (1988), "The Dead" (2010), "Spring Breakers" (2013), "Doreamon Movie" (2013), "A Late Quartet" (2012), "The Complex" (2013), "Wolverine" (2013), "Turbo" (2013), "Gladiators of Rome" (2012), "Persona" (1966).

 

- C.J. Wheeler (@KoreaOnTheCouch)