CJ ENM, the largest producer and distributor of films in Korea, is using the Asian content and film market this week to release a few new titles while enjoying recent successes at the box office and festivals.
“The Boys” is premiering as a special with the expanded section of Korean Cinema today at the Busan International Film Festival. This crime drama delves into the lives of three teenage boys, falsely accused and imprisoned in a brutal burglary murder case. Fifteen years later, they seek a retrial in an attempt to prove their innocence.
Veteran cast includes Seol Kyung Gu (“Kingmaker”), Yu Jun Sang (“Along With The Gods: Two Worlds”), Jin Kyung (“Beasts Clawing at Straws”), and Heo Sung Tae (“Hunt”, “Squid Game”) ) and Yeom Hye Ran (“Special Delivery”). The movie “The Boys” was directed by Chung Ji Young, and his notable works include “National Security” and “Black Money”.
History has proven that freedom has a price. Set in Korea in the early twentieth century during the period of Japanese colonialism, “Hero” by Ji Ki-yeon tells the story of a Korean independence activist in a battle to liberate his motherland. The film depicts his final days through music, song, and stars music actor Chung Seung-hwa and Kim Go Eun (most famously in the TV series, “Guardian: The Lonely and Great God” and “My Cells”).
Maintaining the historical theme, with the setting in 1933 is the action spy thriller, “Phantom”. A secret agent, part of the Japanese anti-colonial movement group known as “Phantoms”, is tasked with assassinating the Governor-General and must be tricked into a trap set up with four other suspects in a secluded mansion. The story is told in one day. Directed by Lee Hae-young (“Believer”) and starring Sul Kyung Gu, Lee Hanee, Park So Dam, and Park Hae Soo.
The company is also looking to make some final deals on two of its biggest business results from this year.
North and South Korean police buddies reunite for the second time in “Secret Mission 2: International”. A North Korean detective (played by Hyun Bin) joins his South Korean counterpart (played by Yoo Hye Jin) and a US FBI agent (played by Daniel Hennie) on another secret mission. The film was released in Korean theaters on September 7, 2022 and has recorded over 6 million entries.
“Alienoid” released in July is a historical fantasy film directed by Choi Dong-hoon (“Assassination”). The all-star cast includes Ryu Jun-yeol (“The Battle: Roar to Victory”), Kim Woo-bin (“Master”), Kim Tae-ri (“Space Sweepers”), and So Ji-sub (“Confession”” ).
CJ previously announced that it had struck a slew of deals on ‘Broker’ and ‘Decision to Leave’, the two art house titles that appeared in competition at Cannes in May. Decision won Best Director for Park Chan-wook, and is now Korea’s nominee for Academy Awards.
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