[Local and Foreign Films With English Subtitles]

▣ ...Hong Banjang (Mr. Hong) (2004)
Seoul Selection Bookstore
Saturday at noon
Pop diva and actress Uhm Jung-hwa's latest romantic comedy "...Hong Banjang (Mr. Handy)" is a clever twist on the knight-in-shining-armor routine. Uhm plays Hye-jin, a dentist who quits her position at a Seoul hospital to try to set up her own shop. Unable to afford the real estate in the capital, she finds herself settling for a modest dental clinic in a small town. While trying to get her new business up and running, she meets Hong Tu-sik (Kim Ju-hyuk), who's crass, has no steady job to speak of and makes a living by taking on any kind of work for the price of 50,000 won a day. "Mr. Handy" is reminiscent of such odd-couple love stories like "French Kiss" and "Misulgwan Yop Tongmulwon (Art Museum By The Zoo)", but first-time director Kang Sok-bom brings a light touch to the smart script, which keeps the romantic comedy from feeling predictable. On DVD. Located near Anguk Station on subway line 3. Tickets: 3,000 won. Details: (02) 734-9565 or www.seoulselection.com.

-Joon Soh


▣ Joint Security Area JSA (2000)
KNTO Building
Tuesdays at 4 p.m.

Park Chan-wook's acclaimed film looks at a friendship that develops among South and North Korean soldiers serving at the DMZ. Located near exit 5 of Chonggak Station on subway line 1. Free. Details: (02) 729-9497/8.

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