Last week we took a brief look at how Korean cinema fared in 2014 but now it′s time to
look ahead to what this year has in store. Joining us for a preview of what to look forward
to in 2015 is our film critic Pierce Conran. So Pierce, what are the first big titles we
can look forward to this year? We′ve already got two major films lined
up or this month. Next week, we will get CHRONICLE OF A BLOOD MERCHANT.
Based on a Chinese novel, it is set in the 1950s in a village where men must sell their
blood, to prove their good health, before being allowed to marry. The film features
two major stars, Ha Jung-woo and Ha Ji-won and it is actually the second film directed
by Ha Jung-woo. A week later we will get the 1970s crime saga
GANGNAM BLUES. It takes place during the redevelopment of Gangnam, and focuses on all the gangs circling
around it. Yu Ha returns to the jopok genre after 2006′s modern classic A DIRTY CARNIVAL
and the film features Korean idol Lee Min-ho from THE HEIRS.
Sounds like an exciting start to the year And I suppose that will bring us into Lunar
New Year. Any major releases lined up? There are two confirmed for the moment, including
the first of seven Joseon era period films this year. That one is the detective action
comedy sequel DETECTIVE K: SECRET OF THE LOST ISLAND. Kim Myung-min returns as the bumbling
private eye in another mysterious case along with his sidekick played by Oh Dal-su.
The other film is the biopic C′EST SI BON which is the story of popular folk band Twin
Folio as a young band in the 1960s. As a nostalgia-infused and romantic youth comedy drama the film could
be just the right thing for the holiday. It stars Jung Woo and Han Hyo-joo as well as
Kim Yun-seok and Kim Hee-ae as the same characters in the 1980s.
Now last year was already a big year for period films but you′re saying we have SEVEN on
the way in 2015? It seems that way for the moment, and I know
it′s a huge number but the trend still seems to be going strong, judging by the enormous
successes of ROARING CURRENTS, THE PIRATES, THE FATAL ENCOUNTER and KUNDO: AGE OF THE
RAMPANT. Only time will tell if audiences have grown tired of the genre. One imagines
that interest will eventually have to wane. What can you tell us about the other big period
films lined up for the year? It′s hard to say when they will be released
exactly but among them are MEMORIES OF THE SWORD, an action film starring Lee Byung-hun
and Jeon Do-yeon that was expected late last year. Beyond that are the Pansori drama THE
HYMN with Ryoo Seung-ryong and Bae Suzy, the king′s court drama THE THRONE with Song
Kang-ho and YOO Ah-in, the steamy drama EMPIRE OF LUST with Shin Ha-gyun and Jang Hyuk, the
hunter action-drama THE GREAT TIGER with Choi Min-sik and the period thriller TREACHEROUS
RETAINER with Kim Kang-woo and Ju Ji-hoon. Sounds like a lot to take in Are there any
other major films to look out for? Seung-wan, Im Sang-soo,
Na Hong-jin and Choi Dong-hoon. Action expert Ryo