Tag Archives: South Korean Film

Sophie’s World (2021) ☆☆☆(3/4): Four days in Bukchon

Posted on March 12, 2022 by kaist455

South Korean independent film “Sophie’s World” reminds me again of how influential Hong Sang-Soo’s films have been during last two decades. Although it is not made by or associated with Hong, its several notable aspects including its very plain title … Continue reading →

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Kingmaker (2022) ☆☆(2/4): A strategist behind one candidate

Posted on February 4, 2022 by kaist455

South Korean film “Kingmaker” fails to enlighten or surprise or excite me as a fictional tale loosely inspired by the real-life story of a number of South Korean political figures in the 1960-70s. I guess the movie changes their names … Continue reading →

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The Pregnant Tree and the Goblin (2019) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): A haunting invocation between documentary and fiction

Posted on February 2, 2022 by kaist455

It is not so easy to categorize South Korean documentary film “The Pregnant Tree and the Goblin”, which was finally released in South Korean theaters in last week despite having its local premiere in 2019. At first, it simply seems … Continue reading →

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Sewing Sisters (2020) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): When they were young and defiant laborers

Posted on January 30, 2022 by kaist455

South Korean documentary “Sewing Sisters” illuminates real-life stories which deserve to be told more and more as the hidden parts of the South Korean labor union history. As simply listening to the seemingly ordinary heroines of these real-life tales, the … Continue reading →

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Special Delivery (2022) ☆☆☆(3/4): She must deliver this kid to the end

Posted on January 17, 2022 by kaist455

South Korean film “Special Delivery”, whose theatrical release in South Korea was incidentally delayed for around 2 years due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, is a competent genre product to be appreciated for its taut and efficient handling of story … Continue reading →

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The Policeman’s Lineage (2022) ☆☆(2/4): A tepidly murky police procedural

Posted on January 6, 2022 by kaist455

South Korean film “The Policeman’s Lineage” is probably one of the most tedious police procedurals I have ever encountered at movie theater during several recent years. While I did not care much about its main characters mainly defined by their … Continue reading →

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Spiritwalker (2020) ☆☆☆(3/4): A slick and efficient fantasy action flick

Posted on December 12, 2021 by kaist455

South Korean film “Spiritwalker” is a slick and efficient genre piece which handles its familiar genre elements much better than I thought when I came across its trailer in last month. Once it sets the rules around its utterly preposterous … Continue reading →

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Chun Tae-il (2020) ☆☆☆(3/4): One plain lad who fought for other workers out there

Posted on December 12, 2021 by kaist455

South Korean animation film “Chun Tae-il” is a plain but sincere presentation of one young real-life laborer who came to bring more public attention to workers’ rights via his tragic early death. As a guy who does not know that … Continue reading →

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The Shaman Sorceress (2018) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): A shaman sorceress’ story

Posted on November 27, 2021 by kaist455

South Korean animation feature film “The Shaman Sorceress” does not seem to be confident about its story and characters. While it works to some degree as a harrowing melodramatic fable of cultural clash, the movie, which is based on the … Continue reading →

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Nothing Serious (2021) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): No string attached, right?

Posted on November 25, 2021 by kaist455

As your average seasoned moviegoer, I usually find myself getting bored while watching romantic comedy films. Unless they are equipped with enough charm and appeal to hold my attention, many of romantic comedy films do not engage me that much … Continue reading →

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