Korean Movie Industry Continues Success
The Korean film industry continues its success with the recent release of three very popular films:
That three films in completely different genres should be enjoying such a harvest in as many weeks is seen by the movie world as a good omen for Chungmu-ro, Korea’s Hollywood. The industry had been on the brink of crisis due to financial problems, controversy over the power of star actors and an offensive by Hollywood blockbusters, with the viewer share of Korean films plummeting to 32 percent in July. With the three films, it has bounced back quickly to 64 percent as of Monday, according to CGV statistics.
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Film critic Shim Young-sup said the news was particularly welcome at a time of almost unprecedented concerns about the Korean film industry. “The significance of major productions like ‘Silmido’ is still there, but it’s particularly good news that the three films have firmed up the backbone of the Korean film industry with a new character.” Lee Seung-jae, president of major film producer LJ Film, said it was significant that the three were not light comedies or fashionable films but rather in a line of “well-made commercial films” that have appeared since 2002. “Rather than being movies in the same vein that squeeze each other out, the three films of very distinct genres worked a synergy effect,” he said.
I for one look forward to when these movies come out on DVD. If you have never watched Korean movies you really are missing out. The majority of DVDs rented from Korean movie stores have English subtitles. There really is a wealth of high quality Korean movies that are worth checking out.
You know there are some good Korean flicks out there, but here in Tacoma, all the Korean video stores only carry vhs, no subtitles too. I ask for a dvd once and they started the old, no speaky english. So, I go online to a site in colorado that rents them. They're just now showing Jewel in the Palace on the azn network, very good drama. Wife wants to go to Jeju to see Lady Hans grave site. There is the issue of dvd players not playing Korean dvds because of the country code. So, bought a code free player. In the U.S.A. they dont sell code free dvd players over the counter.
Check out YesAsia.com for Korean movies that are compatible in the US. They got a wide selection and ship fairly quickly. HKFlix.com is another good place to check out as well.