Romantic Korean movies garner a worldwide reputation due to their tear-jerking, bold storytelling, aesthetics, and exceptional cinematography. Few genres possess the transformative power to evoke profound feelings as effortlessly as romantic Korean movies.
These tales of love and heartbreak seamlessly shake the root of human emotions, leaving an indelible mark on the viewer’s soul. The performances within these films stand as poignant testaments to the unparalleled skill of Korean actors in capturing the complexities of love, loss, and the bittersweet melancholy symphony.
Let’s run on the cinematic journey and look for tear-jerking performances that represent emotional symphonies performed gracefully and precisely. Which scenes moved our feet and filled our hearts with melancholy?
Christmas in August
Christmas in August is a poignant masterpiece of Korean cinema that stands as a testament to the genre’s ability to evoke emotions with their audience. Directed by Hur Jin-ho, this 1998 film remains a touchstone in romantic dramas.
These tales of love and heartbreak seamlessly shake the root of human emotions, leaving an indelible mark on the viewer’s soul. The performances within these films stand as poignant testaments to the unparalleled skill of Korean actors in capturing the complexities of love, loss, and the bittersweet melancholy symphony.
Let’s run on the cinematic journey and look for tear-jerking performances that represent emotional symphonies performed gracefully and precisely. Which scenes moved our feet and filled our hearts with melancholy?
Christmas in August
Christmas in August is a poignant masterpiece of Korean cinema that stands as a testament to the genre’s ability to evoke emotions with their audience. Directed by Hur Jin-ho, this 1998 film remains a touchstone in romantic dramas.
- 11/27/2023
- by Peter Adams
- AsianMoviePulse
Korean sales agents pick up feature debuts set to receive world premieres in Jeonju.
Seoul-based sales agents Finecut and M-Line Distribution have each picked up Korean directorial debut features set to premiere at the Jeonju International Film Festival (April 28-May 7).
Finecut has boarded international sales for director Lee Soon-sung’s feature debut My Perfect Roommate – aka Room Sharing – starring Na Moon-hee, best known for comedy-drama hits such as I Can Speak and Miss Granny.
Choi Woo-sung (TV’s It’s Okay To Not Be Okay) plays a college boy who ends up sharing a house with a cranky old lady who...
Seoul-based sales agents Finecut and M-Line Distribution have each picked up Korean directorial debut features set to premiere at the Jeonju International Film Festival (April 28-May 7).
Finecut has boarded international sales for director Lee Soon-sung’s feature debut My Perfect Roommate – aka Room Sharing – starring Na Moon-hee, best known for comedy-drama hits such as I Can Speak and Miss Granny.
Choi Woo-sung (TV’s It’s Okay To Not Be Okay) plays a college boy who ends up sharing a house with a cranky old lady who...
- 4/27/2022
- by Jean Noh
- ScreenDaily
Yoon Sung-hyun’s thriller was set to launch worldwide on April 10.
Netflix’s worldwide launch of Korean director Yoon Sung-hyun’s thriller Time To Hunt has been halted by a temporary injunction from Seoul Central District Court.
After picking up worldwide rights from local investor and distributor Little Big Pictures, the streaming service were planning to release the Berlinale title in 190 countries tomorrow (April 10).
However, sales company Contents Panda brought a suit against Little Big Pictures, disputing their right to sell non-Korean rights to the film as they see their original international sales rights contract with Little Big Pictures as still valid.
Netflix’s worldwide launch of Korean director Yoon Sung-hyun’s thriller Time To Hunt has been halted by a temporary injunction from Seoul Central District Court.
After picking up worldwide rights from local investor and distributor Little Big Pictures, the streaming service were planning to release the Berlinale title in 190 countries tomorrow (April 10).
However, sales company Contents Panda brought a suit against Little Big Pictures, disputing their right to sell non-Korean rights to the film as they see their original international sales rights contract with Little Big Pictures as still valid.
- 4/9/2020
- by 134¦Jean Noh¦516¦
- ScreenDaily
There is no doubt that director Jk Youn is a man who has the potential to make massively successful film. Six years ago, he made “Ode to My Father”, a film which after all these years still remains the fourth highest-grossing domestic film at the Korean box-office. His film prior to that was just as successful, with 2009’s “Haeundae” still well within the top 20 in the same list. After a long wait, he is finally back with his newest film “Hero” and it is an interesting project for various reasons.
Synopsis
Ahn Jung-geun is a fighter for the Korean independence movement. Seol-hee used to be a court lady for Queen Myeongseong, but, after Queen Myseongseong was assassinated by the Japanese, Seol-hee takes part in Korean independence activity. She becomes a geisha and gains the favor of Hirobumi Ito, who is the Japanese Resident-General of Korea. He travels to Manchuria and Seol-hee accompanies him.
Synopsis
Ahn Jung-geun is a fighter for the Korean independence movement. Seol-hee used to be a court lady for Queen Myeongseong, but, after Queen Myseongseong was assassinated by the Japanese, Seol-hee takes part in Korean independence activity. She becomes a geisha and gains the favor of Hirobumi Ito, who is the Japanese Resident-General of Korea. He travels to Manchuria and Seol-hee accompanies him.
- 3/31/2020
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
Korea’s Little Big Pictures has sold worldwide rights to the Berlinale title to Netflix, despite 30 existing deals with global distributuors.
South Korean sales company Contents Panda is threatening to take legal action against local investor/distributor Little Big Pictures, which has sold worldwide rights to Berlinale title Time To Hunt to Netflix, despite existing deals with more than 30 countries.
Little Big Pictures announced today the Netflix deal on the dystopian thriller, directed by Yoon Sung-hyun, with stars including Choi Woo-shik (Parasite) and Lee Je-hoon (I Can Speak).
The company cited the World Health Organization’s March 11 declaration of Covid-19 as a pandemic,...
South Korean sales company Contents Panda is threatening to take legal action against local investor/distributor Little Big Pictures, which has sold worldwide rights to Berlinale title Time To Hunt to Netflix, despite existing deals with more than 30 countries.
Little Big Pictures announced today the Netflix deal on the dystopian thriller, directed by Yoon Sung-hyun, with stars including Choi Woo-shik (Parasite) and Lee Je-hoon (I Can Speak).
The company cited the World Health Organization’s March 11 declaration of Covid-19 as a pandemic,...
- 3/23/2020
- by 134¦Jean Noh¦516¦
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Artist International Group CEO David Unger and Saram Entertainment CEO Soyoung Lee have launched a full-service, internationally-driven talent representation joint venture where they will rep a diverse set of clients across film and television from their Seoul and Los Angeles based offices. The goal is to produce and package film, television and local language content.
“Together we are uniquely positioned to capitalize on the explosive growth from international opportunities and partnerships,” Unger said. “Today, more than ever, content across film and television must speak to diverse audiences with global appeal.”
Artist International Group clients include Hanee Lee (Extreme Job), Michelle Yeoh (Crazy Rich Asians), Anil Kapoor (Slumdog Millionaire), Gong Li (Memoirs of a Geisha), Tom Welling (Smallville), Mallika Sherawat (Time Raiders), Elsa Zylberstein (I’ve Loved You So Long), Siwon Choi (Dragon Blade) and Saïd Taghmaoui (Wonder Woman) as well as writer and director clients Amanda Sthers (Madame), Tony Kaye...
“Together we are uniquely positioned to capitalize on the explosive growth from international opportunities and partnerships,” Unger said. “Today, more than ever, content across film and television must speak to diverse audiences with global appeal.”
Artist International Group clients include Hanee Lee (Extreme Job), Michelle Yeoh (Crazy Rich Asians), Anil Kapoor (Slumdog Millionaire), Gong Li (Memoirs of a Geisha), Tom Welling (Smallville), Mallika Sherawat (Time Raiders), Elsa Zylberstein (I’ve Loved You So Long), Siwon Choi (Dragon Blade) and Saïd Taghmaoui (Wonder Woman) as well as writer and director clients Amanda Sthers (Madame), Tony Kaye...
- 11/18/2019
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
I must admit, I adore veteran actress Na Moon-hee! Time and again, the 77-year-old has proved to be a scene-stealer in a career spanning more than five decades, whether it be in her supporting roles in films such as “The Quiet Family” and “You are my Sunshine”, or her recent leading roles in “Miss Granny” and “I Can Speak“. Like “Miss Granny”, her latest film “A Little Princess” once again sees her team up with a much younger actress to much comedic effect.
Synopsis
Mature young girl and immature old granny? The most bizarre cohabitation ever!
Mal-soon is a tough granny in a shanty town in Busan. In front of her, 12-year-old Gong-ju appears with her baby sister Jin-ju on her back. Gong-ju claims that she is the daughter of Mal-soon’s runaway daughter. Mal-soon’s peaceful life becomes a mess with these little strangers, but Mal-soon doesn’t feel bad living with them.
Synopsis
Mature young girl and immature old granny? The most bizarre cohabitation ever!
Mal-soon is a tough granny in a shanty town in Busan. In front of her, 12-year-old Gong-ju appears with her baby sister Jin-ju on her back. Gong-ju claims that she is the daughter of Mal-soon’s runaway daughter. Mal-soon’s peaceful life becomes a mess with these little strangers, but Mal-soon doesn’t feel bad living with them.
- 10/26/2019
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
After spending two films as the God of Death in both the “Along With the Gods” films, Lee Jung-jae is back to take on the occult and dubious churches in Director Jang Jae-hyun’s latest film “Sabaha”.
Synopsis
This film revolves around a minister, played by Lee Jung-jae who investigates corruption within dubious, emerging churches.
While not much else is known about the story of the film, it is worth noting that director Jang Jae-hyun’s last feature “The Priests” dealt with the practises of exorcism. While Kim Yoon-seok and Kang Dong-won graced that film, Jang has gathered another superstar in Lee Jung-jae for “Sabaha”, as well as an impressive supporting cast of Park Jung-min, Jung Jin-young, Jin Jeon-kyu as well as teenage actress Lee Jae-in. The occult mystery thriller is expected in Korean cinemas on February 20th, 2019.
Synopsis
This film revolves around a minister, played by Lee Jung-jae who investigates corruption within dubious, emerging churches.
While not much else is known about the story of the film, it is worth noting that director Jang Jae-hyun’s last feature “The Priests” dealt with the practises of exorcism. While Kim Yoon-seok and Kang Dong-won graced that film, Jang has gathered another superstar in Lee Jung-jae for “Sabaha”, as well as an impressive supporting cast of Park Jung-min, Jung Jin-young, Jin Jeon-kyu as well as teenage actress Lee Jae-in. The occult mystery thriller is expected in Korean cinemas on February 20th, 2019.
- 1/19/2019
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
One of the most sensitive issues in Korean society over the past few years has the been the acknowledgement of the plight of the Korean comfort women that were forced into sexual servitude by the Japanese military during World War II. Naturally, stories of these women have quickly found their way to the big screen, but while they've experienced widespread success, the films themselves have for the most part been terribly manipulative. Min Kyu-dong's Herstory is the latest addition to the genre, but unlike last year's calculating but enormously popular I Can Speak, this powerful tale proves to the most affecting and sincere of the bunch, by a country mile. In 1991, Ms. Moon is a successful travel agency entrepreneur in Busan who encounters trouble...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
- 8/14/2018
- Screen Anarchy
Awarded with the Blue Dragon Film Award for Best Leading Actress and Best Director, “I Can Speak” addresses many topics, but one, in particular, takes the spotlight: Comfort Women. This term refers to women and young girls that were taken away from their families and were tortured and forced to be sexual slaves by the Japanese Imperial Army during World War II.
“I Can Speak” is screening at the 17th New York Asian Film Festival
Na Ok-boon is an elderly woman (Na Moon-hee) who is always looking for some wrongdoings at the market where she lives, in order to file official complaints at the local government office. She is an extremely persistent woman with a strong sense of justice and integrity. However, this is put to test later on. While filing a complaint, Na Ok-boon meets the new junior civil service officer Park Min-jae (Lee Je-hoon). Impressed by his English,...
“I Can Speak” is screening at the 17th New York Asian Film Festival
Na Ok-boon is an elderly woman (Na Moon-hee) who is always looking for some wrongdoings at the market where she lives, in order to file official complaints at the local government office. She is an extremely persistent woman with a strong sense of justice and integrity. However, this is put to test later on. While filing a complaint, Na Ok-boon meets the new junior civil service officer Park Min-jae (Lee Je-hoon). Impressed by his English,...
- 7/14/2018
- by Sofía Murell
- AsianMoviePulse
2018 is halfway over already, so now is a good moment to cast our eyes back over the last six months, and more specifically, the cinematic offerings that emerged from Asia. Traditionally the first half of the year tends to be weaker, and certainly most of the Chinese New Year offerings left plenty to be desired. Chen Kaige's Legend of the Demon Cat, Raman Hui's Monster Hunt 2, Soi Cheang's The Monkey King 3 and Chen Sicheng's Detective Chinatown 2 all managed to underwhelm, while the endless barrage of sub-par Japanese and Korean dramas and thrillers was as relentless as it was soul-crushing. That said, Korean offerings like Little Forest, Be With You and I Can Speak weren’t bad at all, while Colour...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
- 7/4/2018
- Screen Anarchy
Any discussion of musical comedy C’est Si Bon director Kim Hyun-suk’s I Can Speak is nigh impossible without spoilers (which will inevitably follow). Four years in the making, Kim’s latest pivots from generational comedy to issue-based drama with an awkward mid-point “twist” that walks a tightrope between exposition and exploitation. The film, about a senior citizen, played with gusto and sensitivity by veteran Na Moon-hee (Miss Granny), who goes from bureaucratic nuisance, to language student, to national hero, was a massive holiday hit at home in South Korea, and went on to clean up at the Blue Dragon Awards (Korea’s...
- 1/25/2018
- by Elizabeth Kerr
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
From the ballroom to the nursery, Kym Johnson Herjavec and Robert Herjavec‘s love story couldn’t be sweeter.
The couple is expecting, they announced Monday by sharing an ultrasound photo — so in honor of their family expanding, People is looking back at their relationship.
Kym, 41, and Robert, 55, fell in love during Dancing with the Stars rehearsals in 2015 and continued to date after they were eliminated in week 8.
“I saw it immediately. I just saw that – this isn’t just your dancing partner, but you’re talking to her in a very caring manner,” Robert’s Shark Tank costar Daymond John...
The couple is expecting, they announced Monday by sharing an ultrasound photo — so in honor of their family expanding, People is looking back at their relationship.
Kym, 41, and Robert, 55, fell in love during Dancing with the Stars rehearsals in 2015 and continued to date after they were eliminated in week 8.
“I saw it immediately. I just saw that – this isn’t just your dancing partner, but you’re talking to her in a very caring manner,” Robert’s Shark Tank costar Daymond John...
- 12/12/2017
- by Michele Corriston
- PEOPLE.com
Time for Kym Johnson Herjavec to purchase some baby dance shoes!
The Dancing with the Stars pro is pregnant, she confirmed on Instagram Monday with a too-cute ultrasound photo featuring her unborn child flashing a cheeky hand gesture.
” ‘It’s a thumbs up” ,’ ” the mother-to-be wrote alongside the snap.
While the little one on the way will be the first child for Kym, 41, her husband Robert Herjavec is already a dad to three children from a previous marriage.
Want all the latest pregnancy and birth announcements, plus celebrity mom blogs? Click here to get those and more in the People Babies newsletter.
The Dancing with the Stars pro is pregnant, she confirmed on Instagram Monday with a too-cute ultrasound photo featuring her unborn child flashing a cheeky hand gesture.
” ‘It’s a thumbs up” ,’ ” the mother-to-be wrote alongside the snap.
While the little one on the way will be the first child for Kym, 41, her husband Robert Herjavec is already a dad to three children from a previous marriage.
Want all the latest pregnancy and birth announcements, plus celebrity mom blogs? Click here to get those and more in the People Babies newsletter.
- 12/11/2017
- by Jen Juneau
- PEOPLE.com
Warning: Spoiler alert! Do not proceed if you have not watched Wednesday’s fall finale of Chicago P.D.
The Chicago P.D. mole has been found out.
On Wednesday’s fall finale, titled “Monster,” Officer Adam Ruzek (Patrick Flueger) is caught red-handed as the internal mole secretly leaking classified information to the enemy. With Voight (Jason Beghe) now aware of Ruzek’s betrayal, he summons the young cop to meet under the guise of being a criminal informant.
Unbeknownst to Ruzek, he walks into a trap -- meeting face to face with Voight -- in a moment that may change his life forever and leaves his ultimate fate unclear. Following the episode, Flueger spoke with Et to break down the tense final scene and what lies ahead for Ruzek now that his secret is out.
Et: Were you aware ahead of time that Ruzek was the mole?
Patrick Flueger: Yeah, they let me know...
The Chicago P.D. mole has been found out.
On Wednesday’s fall finale, titled “Monster,” Officer Adam Ruzek (Patrick Flueger) is caught red-handed as the internal mole secretly leaking classified information to the enemy. With Voight (Jason Beghe) now aware of Ruzek’s betrayal, he summons the young cop to meet under the guise of being a criminal informant.
Unbeknownst to Ruzek, he walks into a trap -- meeting face to face with Voight -- in a moment that may change his life forever and leaves his ultimate fate unclear. Following the episode, Flueger spoke with Et to break down the tense final scene and what lies ahead for Ruzek now that his secret is out.
Et: Were you aware ahead of time that Ruzek was the mole?
Patrick Flueger: Yeah, they let me know...
- 12/7/2017
- Entertainment Tonight
“For the First Time in Forever” Frozen’s Elsa and Anna — a.k.a. Idina Menzel and Kristen Bell — will reunite for their first-ever television performance together.
During Disney Parks and ABC’s The Wonderful World of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration, the pair will sing “When We’re Together” from the new Disney featurette Olaf’s Frozen Adventure along with a 30-piece choir on the steps of Sleeping Beauty’s Castle at Disneyland Resort in California.
“This performance will combine two of my very favorite things: the holidays and singing alongside my Frozen sister, Idina Menzel,” Bell said in a statement.
During Disney Parks and ABC’s The Wonderful World of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration, the pair will sing “When We’re Together” from the new Disney featurette Olaf’s Frozen Adventure along with a 30-piece choir on the steps of Sleeping Beauty’s Castle at Disneyland Resort in California.
“This performance will combine two of my very favorite things: the holidays and singing alongside my Frozen sister, Idina Menzel,” Bell said in a statement.
- 11/15/2017
- by Brianne Tracy
- PEOPLE.com
DC fans had their minds blown when it was announced back in the summer that an origins movie for the Joker was in the works. Sitting outside the DC Extended Universe, the film is set to feature a new actor as the Clown Prince of Crime in place of Jared Leto. Furthermore, The Hangover’s Todd Phillips is directing with legendary filmmaker Martin Scorsese on hand to produce.
Since that initial announcement, however, all’s gone quiet on the project with few to no details having been released. As such, fans are left wondering where they’ll see Leto’s Mr. J show up next. Right now, it’s looking like it may be in Suicide Squad 2, after Gavin O’Connor (The Accountant) pipped Mel Gibson and Jaume Collet-Serra at the post to sign on as director, while we understand Warner has also drawn up plans for Gotham City Sirens...
Since that initial announcement, however, all’s gone quiet on the project with few to no details having been released. As such, fans are left wondering where they’ll see Leto’s Mr. J show up next. Right now, it’s looking like it may be in Suicide Squad 2, after Gavin O’Connor (The Accountant) pipped Mel Gibson and Jaume Collet-Serra at the post to sign on as director, while we understand Warner has also drawn up plans for Gotham City Sirens...
- 11/11/2017
- by Matt Joseph
- We Got This Covered
John Cena is still not over Nikki Bella's shocking elimination on Dancing With the Stars.
Et caught up with the 40-year-old WWE star at the Daddy's Home 2 junket and premiere in Los Angeles over the weekend, where he marveled over his fiancée's journey on the dance competition show -- and how she handled getting booted off during week seven.
"I thought she handled it great," Cena told Et's Kevin Frazier. "I think I handled it worse. I was very shocked, I was filming nights on Bumblebee, so I couldn't be there. I tried to be there as much as I could for her, and I guess, in hindsight, I wish I was there more. I don't know if it would have helped or whatever, but I wish I was there, especially in that moment."
"I think it was shocking to everybody that watched the show," he continued. "I think when you watch the program, the goal is...
Et caught up with the 40-year-old WWE star at the Daddy's Home 2 junket and premiere in Los Angeles over the weekend, where he marveled over his fiancée's journey on the dance competition show -- and how she handled getting booted off during week seven.
"I thought she handled it great," Cena told Et's Kevin Frazier. "I think I handled it worse. I was very shocked, I was filming nights on Bumblebee, so I couldn't be there. I tried to be there as much as I could for her, and I guess, in hindsight, I wish I was there more. I don't know if it would have helped or whatever, but I wish I was there, especially in that moment."
"I think it was shocking to everybody that watched the show," he continued. "I think when you watch the program, the goal is...
- 11/6/2017
- Entertainment Tonight
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