Korean Cinema Thread [Personal favorites, Critically Acclaimed, Recommendations, etc]

[Ray O. Blu]

Originally Posted by thisgenius

Now that's a film I strongly recommend! Not the biggest fan of Kang Dong-won, but I really, really liked this

I’m here to change your mind! (just kidding)

I’ve enjoyed about 12 of his movies.
Wife & I personally like Secret Reunion the best. The chemistry with Song Kang-ho is perfect throughout the film.

[thisgenius]

Originally Posted by Ray O. Blu

I’m here to change your mind! (just kidding)

I’ve enjoyed about 12 of his movies.
Wife & I personally like Secret Reunion the best. The chemistry with Song Kang-ho is perfect throughout the film.

Haha I do like some of his stuff, but for me, he doesn't really "own" his roles for me, if that makes sense. I think "Secret Reunion" is great, but more so because of Song Kang-ho than him. I haven't seen "My Brilliant Life" yet, which I've been told is also pretty good.

[Grethiwha]

I just watched Seoul Searching (2015) on Netflix, which I thought was fantastic. It's not strictly a Korean film; I don't think it was really released in Korea and it's an English-language film – but it's a film by and about foreign-born Koreans, set in Seoul in 1986.

It's 100% The Breakfast Club, but for 2nd generation Korean expats. So if you like The Breakfast Club at all, I highly recommend it!

[thisgenius]

I watched Miss Baek last night. Some of the scenes are hard to sit through, but it is an otherwise excellent film with a fantastic central performance from Han Ji-min. One of the underrated gems from last year.

[Batman1084]

Originally Posted by thisgenius

I watched Miss Baek last night. Some of the scenes are hard to sit through, but it is an otherwise excellent film with a fantastic central performance from Han Ji-min. One of the underrated gems from last year.

Very powerful movie - and Han Ji-min was excellent in it. This movie will probably have a special place in my heart as it will bring back memories of seeing this poster daily when my wife and I were in Seoul/Myeongdong. This is one I would hope to see get a release down the road.

I also finally watched "The World Of Us" and it was everything I wanted it to be and more. The storytelling was so well done, acting was exceptional from the lead, and honestly had me get choked up in a few scenes. If you were the type of kid to just be treated as something of an outcast just because you didn't fit in for any reason but believed in doing your best to stand up for what you believe in and your own morals, you might find a lot to appreciate in this film. Both of these films come highly recommended.

[thisgenius]

Originally Posted by Batman1084

This is one I would hope to see get a release down the road.

What Batman1084 wants, Batman1084 gets.
Just like that, Nova Media granted your wish!

[Batman1084]

Originally Posted by thisgenius

What Batman1084 wants, Batman1084 gets.
Just like that, Nova Media granted your wish!

So if I say the same for "The Classic," are you suggesting it will finally get announced?

[thisgenius]

Originally Posted by Batman1084

So if I say the same for "The Classic," are you suggesting it will finally get announced?

I'll buy you your copy if it does get announced in a week!

[Batman1084]

My apologies if there is an actual thread for "The Last Princess," but I couldn't find one as I think some of it got started in the CJ thread. But I had a question for anyone who may be able to confirm this.

Did the BDs of "The Last Princess" come with any type of autographs? I ask because I ordered two copies and this past weekend opened my second one just to take a look at it. It actually had a Son Ye-Jin card in it that appears to be autographed...

Trust me, I already freaked out about this but was just curious if anyone could confirm if they know anything about random signed photo cards. I think I finally struck the lotto ticket I was wanting to. Perhaps I am being rewarded finally for being a good person..? ; )

[key714]

Originally Posted by Batman1084

My apologies if there is an actual thread for "The Last Princess," but I couldn't find one as I think some of it got started in the CJ thread. But I had a question for anyone who may be able to confirm this.

Did the BDs of "The Last Princess" come with any type of autographs? I ask because I ordered two copies and this past weekend opened my second one just to take a look at it. It actually had a Son Ye-Jin card in it that appears to be autographed...

Trust me, I already freaked out about this but was just curious if anyone could confirm if they know anything about random signed photo cards. I think I finally struck the lotto ticket I was wanting to. Perhaps I am being rewarded finally for being a good person..? ; )

From eBay?!

[PGW]

Mine not only doesn't have any autographs, it doesn't even have any cards. Just the blu-ray and booklet in a slipcase (and a sticker on the bottom that says 071 of 700).

Congratulations, Batman1084 :-)

[Phesstve]

Are you sure that was not the DVD release, as it had 7 postcards and a booklet, while the two Blu-ray released only had the booklet ?

Anyways, it is pretty awesome you got the actual signature of Son-Ye-jin !

[thisgenius]

Originally Posted by Batman1084

My apologies if there is an actual thread for "The Last Princess," but I couldn't find one as I think some of it got started in the CJ thread. But I had a question for anyone who may be able to confirm this.

Did the BDs of "The Last Princess" come with any type of autographs? I ask because I ordered two copies and this past weekend opened my second one just to take a look at it. It actually had a Son Ye-Jin card in it that appears to be autographed...

Trust me, I already freaked out about this but was just curious if anyone could confirm if they know anything about random signed photo cards. I think I finally struck the lotto ticket I was wanting to. Perhaps I am being rewarded finally for being a good person..? ; )

The Last Princess wasn’t advertised to have any cards in it. Maybe like Phesstve said, it is the DVD release? In any case, congratulations, man! Send us a picture of the edition it came out of and the signed card so that we don’t gloat in jealousy here

[Batman1084]

Originally Posted by thisgenius

The Last Princess wasn’t advertised to have any cards in it. Maybe like Phesstve said, it is the DVD release? In any case, congratulations, man! Send us a picture of the edition it came out of and the signed card so that we don’t gloat in jealousy here

That is exactly why I was totally shocked. I have been sitting on this for 2 years and had no clue that this came randomly packed..? I bought 2 of the BDs originally (cover 2) and just stored one away as I do with a lot of my favorite flicks (4K Nolan movies, Alien, any of my autographed BDs). I decided to just open the shrink wrap and take a look inside literally for no good reason. I opened the shrink wrap and took out the book and BD case and it was between them. My jaw dropped.

It is the same photo card of SYJ from the DVD set - I have seen those cards. However, it wasn't all six that came with it, it was only her card signed. I attached a somewhat blurry picture.

I have looked at it in the light a few times to see if it is just printed on or a marker. It definitely is a marker (95% sure) and looks similar to my signed cards like "The Villainess" and "Will You Be There?" - just infinitely sexier hahaha.

[thisgenius]

Originally Posted by Batman1084

I have looked at it in the light a few times to see if it is just printed on or a marker. It definitely is a marker (95% sure) and looks similar to my signed cards like "The Villainess" and "Will You Be There?" - just infinitely sexier hahaha.

Bloody brilliant, mate! Congratulations! That is definitely a Son Ye-jin hand-signed card in a bluray edition. To put that in perspective, you have in your own possession something she touched with her own two hands!! Does it have a distinct Son Ye-jin fragrance? Do you think we can get some DNA off it, make our own little Son Ye-jin’s? (I’m only half-joking)

Oh, and you get to keep your Memories of Murder digipak too!

[Phesstve]

That is really great stuff Batman1084 !! What a surprise - I would say you have been extra super-lucky to get that with the Blu-ray - as I think it has not been mentioned in any of the pictured advertisements on the two Blu-rays.

Blu-ray releases with only the booklet advertised:





Advertised DVD 2-disc Limited Edition release with booklet and 7 postcards:




If you compare your signature with the one in the picture of the DVD set (which I assume is probably printed), you can see yours is different for sure ! I would have loved to see your expression when you first saw it ! Haha... Big congratulations again !!



I assume the next mission now is to go see her in person ? She (and other actresses and actors) are usually appearing during premiers of their new movies. She did a personal appearance during a special screening of "The Classic" (2003) back in 2017, which a forum friend here and I went to - we even got some screen time just before she got entered, plus a group photo of her, the movie director and the audience - and my friend even got her signature on his limited edition wooden box set of the movie. She even touched his hand ! Haha... I am hoping she might do something like this with "A Moment to Remember" (2004) and the now new Blu-ray release of "Lover's Concerto" (2002).

[Batman1084]

Originally Posted by Phesstve

That is really great stuff Batman1084 !! What a surprise - I would say you have been extra super-lucky to get that with the Blu-ray - as I think it has not been mentioned in any of the pictured advertisements on the two Blu-rays.

Blu-ray releases with only the booklet advertised:





Advertised DVD 2-disc Limited Edition release with booklet and 7 postcards:




If you compare your signature with the one in the picture of the DVD set (which I assume is probably printed), you can see yours is different for sure ! I would have loved to see your expression when you first saw it ! Haha... Big congratulations again !!



I assume the next mission now is to go see her in person ? She (and other actresses and actors) are usually appearing during premiers of their new movies. She did a personal appearance during a special screening of "The Classic" (2003) back in 2017, which a forum friend here and I went to - we even got some screen time just before she got entered, plus a group photo of her, the movie director and the audience - and my friend even got her signature on his limited edition wooden box set of the movie. She even touched his hand ! Haha... I am hoping she might do something like this with "A Moment to Remember" (2004) and the now new Blu-ray release of "Lover's Concerto" (2002).

Seriously, thank you for sending this as I never noticed the "signature" on the DVD set. And what I got was indeed different. VERY speechless even right now.

It's safe to say I put this movie now in my top 10 BDs/UHDs. It is my second favorite SYJ movie just behind "A Moment to Remember" so having a collectible with it goes a long way.

On an unrelated question to SYJ, does anyone know if "Burning" is getting a Korean release? I did preorder the WellGoUSA disc when it was announced, but this is another flick I would probably go the distance for in supporting.

Thanks as always, guys!

[thisgenius]

Originally Posted by Batman1084

On an unrelated question to SYJ, does anyone know if "Burning" is getting a Korean release? I did preorder the WellGoUSA disc when it was announced, but this is another flick I would probably go the distance for in supporting.

Yeah, it’s safe to say Burning will get a South Korean bluray release, but I’ve noticed that almost all internationally well-received Korean films take a while to get released, for some reason. Take The Handmaiden or the “proper release of Train to Busan, for example. Hell, The Wailing is still not out. So I’m guessing it might be a while before we see it. Once again though, I’d love to be proven wrong! I’ll be getting the WellGo bluray in the meantime too, I’m dying to see that film!

[Batman1084]

Originally Posted by thisgenius

Yeah, it’s safe to say Burning will get a South Korean bluray release, but I’ve noticed that almost all internationally well-received Korean films take a while to get released, for some reason. Take The Handmaiden or the “proper release of Train to Busan, for example. Hell, The Wailing is still not out. So I’m guessing it might be a while before we see it. Once again though, I’d love to be proven wrong! I’ll be getting the WellGo bluray in the meantime too, I’m dying to see that film!

Right - good point that I consistently need to remind myself of. Lee Chang-dong is not someone I am some diehard fan for, but I love both Secret Sunshine and Oasis. Both of those flicks were damn powerful to me but Burning feels a bit different.

If you are not bummed out by watching movies that deal with themes of isolation and depression, there would be little not to love about this movie as it is extremely well done. Add in major themes of identity and it really puts itself into the top 5 films of last year.

[DougieJ]

I wonder how many cards Son Ye-jin hand-signed for the blu-ray. Wouldn't it be insane if she only did one? Congrats, Batman1084!

Speaking of Son Ye-jin, I see "The Negotiation" is getting a Hong Kong blu-ray release on March 8. Haven't heard much good things about it, but I think I'll get it 'cause it's cheap (well, compared to Korean releases) and I love thrillers. And if I enjoy it then upgrade it later when the Korean blu gets released. Or maybe I should get the Korean one anyhow just in case Son Ye-jin has hand-signed a card and slipped it into a copy