Premieres to look out for: Korean films to catch at BIFF

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Premieres to look out for: Korean films to catch at BIFF

Oct 07, 2024

Source by Yonhap
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As the annual Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), Asia's largest, gears up to offer cinephiles over 200 films, here are some recommendations for audiences eager to discover new Korean films. Each of the films highlighted will have its worldwide premiere at this year's BIFF.

■ "Uprising"

Starring Gang Dong-won and Park Jeong-min, "Uprising," set in the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), tells the story of two men who grew up together -- one as a master (Park) and the other as a servant (Gang) -- and reunite as enemies after a war. "Decision to Leave" director Park Chan-wook contributed to the film as both a producer and scriptwriter. The Netflix original Korean film is the first over-the-top (OTT) production chosen as the opening film for BIFF. The festival organizers highlighted its unexpected humor, intense confrontations as well as captivating narrative as key reasons for its selection.

A still from "Uprising" is shown in this image provided by Netflix. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

■ "Bogota: City of the Lost"

The crime thriller film, helmed by Kim Seong-je, follows Guk-hui (Song Joong-ki) and his family, who relocate to Bogota, Colombia, after their family business collapses in the wake of the 1997 Asian financial crisis. An unexpected burglary at the airport traps them in the foreign country much longer than anticipated. Desperate for success and a way out, Guk-hui makes every effort, only to find himself entangled even deeper in the challenges of survival. Song portrays a man struggling to navigate a precarious existence in an unfamiliar land, doing whatever it takes to make ends meet. The director made his directorial debut with "The Unfair" in 2015.

A still from "Bogota: City of the Lost" is seen in this photo provided by Plus M Entertainment and Watermelon Pictures Co. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

■ "A Girl with Closed Eyes"

The crime thriller "A Girl with Close Eyes" centers on In-seon (Kim Min-ha), who is accused of murdering bestselling author Jeong Sang-u (Lee Ki-woo). In-Seon requests Min-ju (Choi Hee-seo) to investigate the case. As Min-ju takes it on, she realizes that In-seon is a childhood friend from elementary school, with whom she lost contact after a serious incident. Although In-seon confesses to the crime, her motives and certain statements don't match the evidence, raising doubts about her guilt. The film marks Chun Sun-young's feature film debut. Previously part of the directing team for Hong Sang-soo's film "Night and Day" (2008), Chun also directed the short film "Good Night" (2003), which was selected for the Cannes Film Festival Critics' Week.

A still from "A Girl with Closed Eyes" is seen in this image captured from the website of the Busan International Film Festival. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

■ "Right People, Wrong Place"

"Right People, Wrong Place" is a documentary film that chronicles the production of BTS leader RM's second solo album, released in May. Covering RM's life over nine months from Feb. 8 to Nov. 10 of last year, the film is directed by Lee Seok-jun, known for his work on the music videos of J-Hope's "Arson" and "More." It depicts RM as he creates music while simultaneously preparing for his mandatory military service. The documentary has been invited to the film festival's Open Cinema section, which showcases new films that blend public appeal with international buzz. It will be screened outdoors at Busan Cinema Center BIFF Theater on Oct. 7.

The image, provided by BigHit Music and Hybe, shows BTS leader RM. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

■ "Merely Known as Something Else"

"Merely Known as Something Else" follows four characters -- Jeong-ho, Su-jin, In-ju and Yu-jeong -- all of whom are involved in the art world. The first two are a couple, but Su-jin is secretly seeing another man. In-ju, who has a crush on Jeong-ho, is on the verge of confessing her feelings. Meanwhile, Yu-jeong also has her own story to tell. One day, Jeong-ho mysteriously disappears. Midway through the film, each character's narrative is presented, but then the structure shifts dramatically, abandoning chronological sequences. The film is the second feature by director Jo Hee-young, who made her debut with the drama film "The Continuing Land" (2022), which explores characters crossing paths without their knowledge.

Written by Woo Jae-yeon

■ "Bogota: City of the Lost"

The crime thriller film, helmed by Kim Seong-je, follows Guk-hui (Song Joong-ki) and his family, who relocate to Bogota, Colombia, after their family business collapses in the wake of the 1997 Asian financial crisis. An unexpected burglary at the airport traps them in the foreign country much longer than anticipated. Desperate for success and a way out, Guk-hui makes every effort, only to find himself entangled even deeper in the challenges of survival. Song portrays a man struggling to navigate a precarious existence in an unfamiliar land, doing whatever it takes to make ends meet. The director made his directorial debut with "The Unfair" in 2015.

A still from "Bogota: City of the Lost" is seen in this photo provided by Plus M Entertainment and Watermelon Pictures Co. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

■ "A Girl with Closed Eyes"

The crime thriller "A Girl with Close Eyes" centers on In-seon (Kim Min-ha), who is accused of murdering bestselling author Jeong Sang-u (Lee Ki-woo). In-Seon requests Min-ju (Choi Hee-seo) to investigate the case. As Min-ju takes it on, she realizes that In-seon is a childhood friend from elementary school, with whom she lost contact after a serious incident. Although In-seon confesses to the crime, her motives and certain statements don't match the evidence, raising doubts about her guilt. The film marks Chun Sun-young's feature film debut. Previously part of the directing team for Hong Sang-soo's film "Night and Day" (2008), Chun also directed the short film "Good Night" (2003), which was selected for the Cannes Film Festival Critics' Week.

A still from "A Girl with Closed Eyes" is seen in this image captured from the website of the Busan International Film Festival. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

■ "Right People, Wrong Place"

"Right People, Wrong Place" is a documentary film that chronicles the production of BTS leader RM's second solo album, released in May. Covering RM's life over nine months from Feb. 8 to Nov. 10 of last year, the film is directed by Lee Seok-jun, known for his work on the music videos of J-Hope's "Arson" and "More." It depicts RM as he creates music while simultaneously preparing for his mandatory military service. The documentary has been invited to the film festival's Open Cinema section, which showcases new films that blend public appeal with international buzz. It will be screened outdoors at Busan Cinema Center BIFF Theater on Oct. 7.

The image, provided by BigHit Music and Hybe, shows BTS leader RM. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

■ "Merely Known as Something Else"

"Merely Known as Something Else" follows four characters -- Jeong-ho, Su-jin, In-ju and Yu-jeong -- all of whom are involved in the art world. The first two are a couple, but Su-jin is secretly seeing another man. In-ju, who has a crush on Jeong-ho, is on the verge of confessing her feelings. Meanwhile, Yu-jeong also has her own story to tell. One day, Jeong-ho mysteriously disappears. Midway through the film, each character's narrative is presented, but then the structure shifts dramatically, abandoning chronological sequences. The film is the second feature by director Jo Hee-young, who made her debut with the drama film "The Continuing Land" (2022), which explores characters crossing paths without their knowledge.

Written by Woo Jae-yeon

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