Webtoons, the digital comics that have been the source material for scores of Korean films and TV series, are to receive a major boost from the South Korean government.
Yu In-chon, minister for culture, sports and tourism, on Tuesday said that the government will foster webtoon platform development, launch a major webtoon festival in the autumn of this year and by 2027 open a school dedicated to the emerging genre.
Webtoons emerged in the early years of the 21st century shortly after the mass market a acceptance of smart phones – a technology sector where Korea’s Samsung Electronics is a major manufacturer – and are vertically-scrolling comics designed for consumption on a small screen.
As a relatively new medium webtoons have escaped some of the strictures of Japan’s manga business or the cartoon industry in other countries. Instead, they have diverse story genres, are cheap to produce, which allows creators from non-professional backgrounds to participate,...
Yu In-chon, minister for culture, sports and tourism, on Tuesday said that the government will foster webtoon platform development, launch a major webtoon festival in the autumn of this year and by 2027 open a school dedicated to the emerging genre.
Webtoons emerged in the early years of the 21st century shortly after the mass market a acceptance of smart phones – a technology sector where Korea’s Samsung Electronics is a major manufacturer – and are vertically-scrolling comics designed for consumption on a small screen.
As a relatively new medium webtoons have escaped some of the strictures of Japan’s manga business or the cartoon industry in other countries. Instead, they have diverse story genres, are cheap to produce, which allows creators from non-professional backgrounds to participate,...
- 1/24/2024
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Fantasy romance stars Doh Kyung-soo of K-pop group Exo and Won Jin-a of Netflix’s ‘Hellbound’.
South Korea’s Finecut has closed sales of fantasy romance feature Secret: Untold Melody in several key territories across Asia.
The film has sold to Cis (Capella Films), Inflight (Encore Inflight), Japan (The Klockworx), Philippines (Viva Networks), Singapore, Malaysia, including Brunei (Purple Plan Pte), Taiwan (Moviecloud) and Thailand (Gdh 559). A local release is planned for 2024.
The time-travel romance follows a promising pianist and a mysterious music student who meet each other in an old practice room with a hidden secret.
Directed by Seo You-min...
South Korea’s Finecut has closed sales of fantasy romance feature Secret: Untold Melody in several key territories across Asia.
The film has sold to Cis (Capella Films), Inflight (Encore Inflight), Japan (The Klockworx), Philippines (Viva Networks), Singapore, Malaysia, including Brunei (Purple Plan Pte), Taiwan (Moviecloud) and Thailand (Gdh 559). A local release is planned for 2024.
The time-travel romance follows a promising pianist and a mysterious music student who meet each other in an old practice room with a hidden secret.
Directed by Seo You-min...
- 10/8/2023
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
TIFF has begun announcing their Conversation With… (Icw) series for this year’s fest with Oscar winner Pedro Almodóvar, Hong Kong actor Andy Lau and Concrete Utopia Korean stars Lee Byung-hun and Park
Seo-jun set to sit down for chats.
“TIFF’s 2023 In Conversation With… series exemplifies our belief that film can ignite perspectives and fuel
transformation,” said Anita Lee, TIFF Chief Programming Officer. “We are delighted to welcome a powerhouse lineup of international iconoclasts from Spain, South Korea, and Hong Kong for film lovers of all genres.”
Almodóvar is already set to receive TIFF’s Jeff Skoll Award in Impact Media this year at the fest’s Tribute Awards. His short, Strange Way of Life, which played at Cannes, will also make its North American premiere at TIFF. Short follows the relationship between a sheriff (Ethan Hawke) and a rancher
(Pedro Pascal) and their shared past.
Concrete Utopia stars...
Seo-jun set to sit down for chats.
“TIFF’s 2023 In Conversation With… series exemplifies our belief that film can ignite perspectives and fuel
transformation,” said Anita Lee, TIFF Chief Programming Officer. “We are delighted to welcome a powerhouse lineup of international iconoclasts from Spain, South Korea, and Hong Kong for film lovers of all genres.”
Almodóvar is already set to receive TIFF’s Jeff Skoll Award in Impact Media this year at the fest’s Tribute Awards. His short, Strange Way of Life, which played at Cannes, will also make its North American premiere at TIFF. Short follows the relationship between a sheriff (Ethan Hawke) and a rancher
(Pedro Pascal) and their shared past.
Concrete Utopia stars...
- 8/11/2023
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Upcoming action epic follows ‘Roaring Currents’ and ‘Hansan: Rising Dragon’.
Korea’s Acemaker movieworks has pre-sold Noryang: Deadly Sea, the final instalment of Kim Han-min’s epic naval action trilogy, to a raft of territories led by North America (Well Go USA).
The upcoming film also sold to Germany (Plaion), Taiwan and Southeast Asia (MovieCloud), Cis (Capella), Poland (9thplan), Mongolia (Filmbridge) and inflight (Eagle).
It follows Roaring Currents, which remains South Korea’s all-time biggest box office hit with more than 17.6 million admissions following its release in 2014, and Hansan: Rising Dragon in 2022.
Noryang: Deadly Sea stars Kim Yun-seok (Escape From Mogadishu...
Korea’s Acemaker movieworks has pre-sold Noryang: Deadly Sea, the final instalment of Kim Han-min’s epic naval action trilogy, to a raft of territories led by North America (Well Go USA).
The upcoming film also sold to Germany (Plaion), Taiwan and Southeast Asia (MovieCloud), Cis (Capella), Poland (9thplan), Mongolia (Filmbridge) and inflight (Eagle).
It follows Roaring Currents, which remains South Korea’s all-time biggest box office hit with more than 17.6 million admissions following its release in 2014, and Hansan: Rising Dragon in 2022.
Noryang: Deadly Sea stars Kim Yun-seok (Escape From Mogadishu...
- 5/19/2023
- by Jean Noh
- ScreenDaily
This May, Netflix will release the first volume of “Stranger Things” Season 4, one of the streaming platform’s most popular and successful shows. It also plans to release “Love, Death & Robots: Volume 3,” a new comedy called “Senior Year” with Rebel Wilson, and much more.
Here’s the full list of what’s new on Netflix for May 2022.
New on Netflix on May 1
42
3 Ninjas: Kick Back
40-Love
A River Runs Through It
Are You the One?, Season 6
Blippi Wonders, Season 1
Corpse Bride
Crazy, Stupid, Love.
Den of Thieves
Dirty Harry
Empire State
Forrest Gump
Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle
Hello, My Name Is Doris
Jackass: The Movie
Jackass 2.5
Jackass 3.5
John Q
Menace II Society
Once Upon a Time in America
Rambo
Rambo: Last Blood
Road to Perdition
Seven Years in Tibet
Soul Surfer
Summerland
The Gentlemen
The Lake House
U.S. Marshals (1998)
War of the Worlds
When Harry Met Sally
You’ve Got Mail...
Here’s the full list of what’s new on Netflix for May 2022.
New on Netflix on May 1
42
3 Ninjas: Kick Back
40-Love
A River Runs Through It
Are You the One?, Season 6
Blippi Wonders, Season 1
Corpse Bride
Crazy, Stupid, Love.
Den of Thieves
Dirty Harry
Empire State
Forrest Gump
Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle
Hello, My Name Is Doris
Jackass: The Movie
Jackass 2.5
Jackass 3.5
John Q
Menace II Society
Once Upon a Time in America
Rambo
Rambo: Last Blood
Road to Perdition
Seven Years in Tibet
Soul Surfer
Summerland
The Gentlemen
The Lake House
U.S. Marshals (1998)
War of the Worlds
When Harry Met Sally
You’ve Got Mail...
- 4/21/2022
- by Caillou Pettis
- Gold Derby
The Asian Film Awards Academy (Afaa) has announced that the recipient of this year’s Excellence in Asian Cinema Award is the renowned Korean actor Lee Byung-hun. Lee will accept the award at the awards ceremony held in Busan on October 8, 2021. The Excellence in Asian Cinema Award aims to highlight distinguished talents and affirm their achievements and contributions to Asian film industry and culture.
With a stellar career spanning three decades, Lee Byung-hun has demonstrated his versatile talent in movies of all genres produced in many countries. Lee is known for his special ability to interpret and transform a role into a powerful performance that delivers insight into his character’s psyche. Lee brings every line of dialogue to life stunning his audiences with unforgettable experiences. His astonishing acting ability has earned him many awards. He swept the Best Actor Awards at ten different awards presentations, including the prestigious Korean...
With a stellar career spanning three decades, Lee Byung-hun has demonstrated his versatile talent in movies of all genres produced in many countries. Lee is known for his special ability to interpret and transform a role into a powerful performance that delivers insight into his character’s psyche. Lee brings every line of dialogue to life stunning his audiences with unforgettable experiences. His astonishing acting ability has earned him many awards. He swept the Best Actor Awards at ten different awards presentations, including the prestigious Korean...
- 10/1/2021
- by Suzie Cho
- AsianMoviePulse
Streaming
Netflix has unveiled a release date for its first Spanish Original reality show “Insiders,” which will premiere around the world on Oct. 21. Hosted by “Money Heist” actor Najwa Nimri, the show has been billed as something completely new to the reality landscape in which its contestants believe, through the entire filming process, that they are only in the qualification rounds for an entirely different show. With the cameras constantly rolling, the twelve participants are kept in the dark that they are, in fact, being filmed for a hidden camera show. Set on a 17200 sq. ft. soundstage rigged with more than 250 hidden microphones and 70 hidden cameras, the contestants will unknowingly let their true colors shine right until the final reveal, when one winner will take home €100,000.
Acquisition
Nhk has acquired broadcast rights to Ines Marzouk’s feature documentary “My Mohamed is Different,” a standout in the World Showcase section of...
Netflix has unveiled a release date for its first Spanish Original reality show “Insiders,” which will premiere around the world on Oct. 21. Hosted by “Money Heist” actor Najwa Nimri, the show has been billed as something completely new to the reality landscape in which its contestants believe, through the entire filming process, that they are only in the qualification rounds for an entirely different show. With the cameras constantly rolling, the twelve participants are kept in the dark that they are, in fact, being filmed for a hidden camera show. Set on a 17200 sq. ft. soundstage rigged with more than 250 hidden microphones and 70 hidden cameras, the contestants will unknowingly let their true colors shine right until the final reveal, when one winner will take home €100,000.
Acquisition
Nhk has acquired broadcast rights to Ines Marzouk’s feature documentary “My Mohamed is Different,” a standout in the World Showcase section of...
- 9/16/2021
- by Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
ITV Studios Sets Up Shop In Spain With Netflix Exec
Cattleya, the ITV Studios-backed Italian producer behind Gomorrah, is launching Spanish subsidiary Cattleya Producciones and has hired Netflix’s Arturo Díaz as managing director. The company will be ITV Studios’ first scripted producer in Spain. Díaz was a director of local language originals at Netflix, working on shows including Las Chicas de Cable, the streamer’s longest-running non-u.S. series. Cattleya Producciones will be overseen by Cattleya founder and co-ceo Riccardo Tozzi, alongside his co-CEOs Giovanni Stabilini and Marco Chimenz. Lisa Perrin, managing director of international production at ITV Studios, will also have oversight of the outfit. ITV Studios will distribute its drama series internationally.
Sky Sets Cast For ‘The Midwich Cuckoos’
Keeley Hawes (Bodyguard), and Max Beesley (The Outsider) are to lead the cast of Sky’s modern-day adaptation of John Wyndham’s sci-fi novel The Midwich Cuckoos. The...
Cattleya, the ITV Studios-backed Italian producer behind Gomorrah, is launching Spanish subsidiary Cattleya Producciones and has hired Netflix’s Arturo Díaz as managing director. The company will be ITV Studios’ first scripted producer in Spain. Díaz was a director of local language originals at Netflix, working on shows including Las Chicas de Cable, the streamer’s longest-running non-u.S. series. Cattleya Producciones will be overseen by Cattleya founder and co-ceo Riccardo Tozzi, alongside his co-CEOs Giovanni Stabilini and Marco Chimenz. Lisa Perrin, managing director of international production at ITV Studios, will also have oversight of the outfit. ITV Studios will distribute its drama series internationally.
Sky Sets Cast For ‘The Midwich Cuckoos’
Keeley Hawes (Bodyguard), and Max Beesley (The Outsider) are to lead the cast of Sky’s modern-day adaptation of John Wyndham’s sci-fi novel The Midwich Cuckoos. The...
- 4/28/2021
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
Korean Oscar-winner “Parasite” gleefully poked fun at South Korea’s bourgeoisie. Hur Jin-ho’s “The Dinner” is set to give the middle classes another skewering.
The project is an adaptation of Dutch novel ‘Het Diner’ (“The Dinner”) written by Herman Koch. With the setting transposed to Asia, Hur will peek under the tablecloth to uncover another dirty side to Korean society.
Two brothers a materially-motivated lawyer, and an idealistic surgeon, meet once a month for dinner. During one such meal the two couples must discuss how to deal with the worst nightmare they have faced as parents, their children’s criminal assault on a vagrant. In the incongruous fancy setting, the couples must confront their differences in morals, long-harbored secrets and a victim mentality that has been brewing for years.
“Director Hur likes to observe the irony and dilemmas of the people who are confronted with ethical choice,” Ted Jeong Ho Shin,...
The project is an adaptation of Dutch novel ‘Het Diner’ (“The Dinner”) written by Herman Koch. With the setting transposed to Asia, Hur will peek under the tablecloth to uncover another dirty side to Korean society.
Two brothers a materially-motivated lawyer, and an idealistic surgeon, meet once a month for dinner. During one such meal the two couples must discuss how to deal with the worst nightmare they have faced as parents, their children’s criminal assault on a vagrant. In the incongruous fancy setting, the couples must confront their differences in morals, long-harbored secrets and a victim mentality that has been brewing for years.
“Director Hur likes to observe the irony and dilemmas of the people who are confronted with ethical choice,” Ted Jeong Ho Shin,...
- 3/16/2021
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
In today’s Global Bulletin, the BBC details its 2021-2023 Diversity and Inclusion Plan, Netflix and Fremantle partner on a new reality series in Spain, NBCUniversal Formats and Banijay Asia Indian remakes of popular formats, Mf Yapim preps a Turkish version of “The Split,” BBC Two commissions “Jay’s Workshop” from Ricochet, Uplands TV signs a first look deal with the BBC and Pact hires Nick Sherman and Jules Robinson to back local indies.
Diversity
The BBC has detailed its 2021-23 Diversity and Inclusion Plan which the company hopes sets the industry standard for inclusion and workplace diversity.
Several key points were announced as part of the plan, including the BBC’s largest ever increase in entry-level opportunities and apprenticeships, a new outreach program focused on engaging with underrepresented communities in the existing BBC workforce, diversifying the company’s leadership structures, new inclusive behavior training for employees as well as tools to tackle non-inclusive behaviors,...
Diversity
The BBC has detailed its 2021-23 Diversity and Inclusion Plan which the company hopes sets the industry standard for inclusion and workplace diversity.
Several key points were announced as part of the plan, including the BBC’s largest ever increase in entry-level opportunities and apprenticeships, a new outreach program focused on engaging with underrepresented communities in the existing BBC workforce, diversifying the company’s leadership structures, new inclusive behavior training for employees as well as tools to tackle non-inclusive behaviors,...
- 2/24/2021
- by Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Content group iZen has optioned Eduardo Mendoza’s acclaimed Spanish historical novel “City of Marvels” (La Ciudad de los Prodigios) and is developing it as a six-part series. No broadcaster or streaming platform has yet been attached to the project.
iZen’s Zebra Producciones was behind epic Amazon Prime Video historical series “El Cid,” with “Money Heist” star Jaime Lorente, which will return for a second season this year.
Published in 1986 and translated into 14 languages, “City of Marvels” chronicles the protagonist Onofre Bouvila’s journey from small-time hustler to one of the richest people in Spain. The multi-generational story is set against the backdrop of Barcelona’s social and cultural evolution at the turn of the 20th century, as the city shook off its medieval past and reinvented itself as a vibrant modern metropolis.
The deal was brokered by NewCo Audiovisual, the Barcelona-based iZen company formed in 2018 to produce scripted series and international co-productions.
iZen’s Zebra Producciones was behind epic Amazon Prime Video historical series “El Cid,” with “Money Heist” star Jaime Lorente, which will return for a second season this year.
Published in 1986 and translated into 14 languages, “City of Marvels” chronicles the protagonist Onofre Bouvila’s journey from small-time hustler to one of the richest people in Spain. The multi-generational story is set against the backdrop of Barcelona’s social and cultural evolution at the turn of the 20th century, as the city shook off its medieval past and reinvented itself as a vibrant modern metropolis.
The deal was brokered by NewCo Audiovisual, the Barcelona-based iZen company formed in 2018 to produce scripted series and international co-productions.
- 2/19/2021
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
What started as the Korean New Wave in the late 90s really flourished in the 2000s. The 2010s, however, is where we saw what we can call the “new” golden age for Korean cinema, where several new-name directors made their mark, established filmmakers cemented their names in world cinema, actors became stars, blockbuster cinema raked in big money and independent cinema also thrived. Thanks to the success of films like “The Handmaiden” and “Train to Busan” on a global level, a new audience started having a much keener interest in films from the country, while the unprecedented, historic success of “Parasite” at the end only went on to bookend the truly spectacular decade that the 2010s was for South Korean cinema.
In an effort to winnow some of the best Korean movies of the decade (2011-2020), we came up with 40 we felt were the ones that truly stand out in terms of quality,...
In an effort to winnow some of the best Korean movies of the decade (2011-2020), we came up with 40 we felt were the ones that truly stand out in terms of quality,...
- 2/14/2021
- by AMP Group
- AsianMoviePulse
In today’s Global Bulletin, BBC and SundanceTV announce the third and final season of “The Split,” Sky and XYZ Films prepare to shoot “Book of Love” and Vis Distribution adds 750 hours of content following its acquisition of Israel’s Ananey Studios.
Television
BBC One and SundanceTV have ordered a third and final season of Sister’s “The Split,” created by BAFTA and International Emmy-winning writer Abi Morgan and produced by Jane Featherstone (“Chernobyl”), Lucy Dyke (“Black Mirror”) and Lucy Richer (“Small Axe”), with Dee Koppang O’Leary boarding as lead director.
Unspooling in London’s high-end divorce circuit, “The Split” follows the lives of the Defoe sisters, Hannah, Nina and Rose, and their imposing mother Ruth. Season two ended with divorce lawyer Hannah’s own marriage in tatters and the couple negotiating the terms of their own split. As the dust seems to be settling, a new revelation comes to light,...
Television
BBC One and SundanceTV have ordered a third and final season of Sister’s “The Split,” created by BAFTA and International Emmy-winning writer Abi Morgan and produced by Jane Featherstone (“Chernobyl”), Lucy Dyke (“Black Mirror”) and Lucy Richer (“Small Axe”), with Dee Koppang O’Leary boarding as lead director.
Unspooling in London’s high-end divorce circuit, “The Split” follows the lives of the Defoe sisters, Hannah, Nina and Rose, and their imposing mother Ruth. Season two ended with divorce lawyer Hannah’s own marriage in tatters and the couple negotiating the terms of their own split. As the dust seems to be settling, a new revelation comes to light,...
- 2/8/2021
- by Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Woo Min-ho’s political drama grossed $36.4m in South Korea in January.
Woo Min-ho’s The Man Standing Next will be South Korea’s submission to the 93rd Academy Awards’ best international feature film category, the Korean Film Council (Kofic) has confirmed.
The submission follows the sweep of this year’s Oscars by Bong Joon Ho’s Parasite for best picture, director, original screenplay and international feature film.
Oscars best international feature 2021: all the films submitted so far
The Man Standing Next is set in the 1970s when South Korea’s authoritarian regime controlled the country utilising political terror...
Woo Min-ho’s The Man Standing Next will be South Korea’s submission to the 93rd Academy Awards’ best international feature film category, the Korean Film Council (Kofic) has confirmed.
The submission follows the sweep of this year’s Oscars by Bong Joon Ho’s Parasite for best picture, director, original screenplay and international feature film.
Oscars best international feature 2021: all the films submitted so far
The Man Standing Next is set in the 1970s when South Korea’s authoritarian regime controlled the country utilising political terror...
- 10/21/2020
- by Jean Noh
- ScreenDaily
Woo Min-ho graduated from Chung-Ang University in film before studying abroad at the University of London’s Goldsmith College, where he made his first short film “Who Killed Jesus?” in 2000. Though the short won Woo his first award at the Seoul International Agape Film Festival, he would not go on making films until a decade later, when he released his feature debut “Man Of Vendetta”. “The Spies” followed in 2012, but it wasn’t until “Inside Men” three years later that Woo broke out. The film, based on a web toon, was a political thriller starring Lee Byung-hun and won Best Film at both the Blue Dragon Awards and the Grand Bell Awards. He followed that up with the Song Kang-ho starring drug lord drama “The Drug King“, which was met with lukewarm response both from audiences and critics.
In 2020, he is back with “The Man Standing Next“, a true-life tale...
In 2020, he is back with “The Man Standing Next“, a true-life tale...
- 7/5/2020
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
Set up by former Showbox executive Helen Jung, who had been behind multiple hit films such as historical drama “A Taxi Driver,” crime drama “Inside Men,” as well as disaster pic “Tunnel” and 2014 Cannes Directors’ Fortnight title “A Hard Day,” Acemaker Movieworks began its journey in the Korean film industry in 2018.
As with several other new entrants at the time, Acemaker represented a combination of industry veterans and non-industry capital. It sourced its money from the former owner of cosmetic company Carver Korea, which Unilever acquired in 2017.
“[We] seek diversity in content and support creators without prejudice,” says the company in its mission statement. Acemaker’s line-up includes not only strong box- office hits, but also festival-acclaimed slates such as “The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil.”
Indeed, over the past two years, Acemaker has built up a colorful catalog of films, including 2019 Cannes Midnight Screening title “The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil,...
As with several other new entrants at the time, Acemaker represented a combination of industry veterans and non-industry capital. It sourced its money from the former owner of cosmetic company Carver Korea, which Unilever acquired in 2017.
“[We] seek diversity in content and support creators without prejudice,” says the company in its mission statement. Acemaker’s line-up includes not only strong box- office hits, but also festival-acclaimed slates such as “The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil.”
Indeed, over the past two years, Acemaker has built up a colorful catalog of films, including 2019 Cannes Midnight Screening title “The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil,...
- 6/25/2020
- by Sonia Kil
- Variety Film + TV
The assassination of President Park Chung-hee back in October, 1979 by his right-hand man Kim Jae-gyu, the director of the Korean Central Intelligence Agency (Kcia), is among the darkest, most controversial and shocking events in modern South Korean history. While they have previously been depicted in Im Sang-soo’s “The President’s Last Bang”, that film looked at the final three hours before the assassination and its immediate aftermath. Director Woo Min-ho, however, depicts 40 days leading up to the shocking moment to give us an insight into the mind of the perpetrator and hopefully provide both sides of the story with the attempt.
President Park’s confidant and right-hand man Kim Kyu-pyeong (name changed from the real-life Kim Jae-gyu), the director of Kcia, is a man of divided loyalties. Where on one hand he would lay his life on his President’s word, having served side-by-side with the...
President Park’s confidant and right-hand man Kim Kyu-pyeong (name changed from the real-life Kim Jae-gyu), the director of Kcia, is a man of divided loyalties. Where on one hand he would lay his life on his President’s word, having served side-by-side with the...
- 5/14/2020
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
"It is my duty to protect the country!" Capelight Pictures has debuted the official Us trailer for a Korean thriller titled The Man Standing Next, the latest from filmmaker Woo Min-ho. Based on real events, this political espionage suspense film is set in the 1970s in Korea. The country is under the absolute control of the president Park who controls the Kcia, the one organization with the edge over any branch of government. A former Kcia agent is exiled to America, where he begins to reveal the truth about the government's obscure and illegal operations. Starring Lee Byung-hun as Kim Kyu-Pyeong, with Lee Hee-joon, Kwak Do-won, and Lee Sung-min. This looks like a compelling film about the politics of Korea, but it seems a bit bland at first glance. But I still like the 1970s outfits and all the mysterious behind-closed-doors intrigue. Here's ...
- 5/11/2020
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
As a little gift to keep their bored, quarantined customers entertained, Apple TV+ has just made a number of original movies and shows available for free on their app, including M. Night Shyamalan’s highly acclaimed, familiarly unpredictable psychological thriller series Servant.
The show, which holds a 89% certified fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, tells the story of a grieving couple from Philadelphia following a tragic event that tears their marriage apart while simultaneously welcoming a sinister force into their household.
While hitting all the beats indicative of a trademark M. Night Shyamalan story, Servant was actually not created by him. In his stead, Tony Basgallop, who made a name for himself with titles like Inside Men, What Remains and 24: Live Another Day, serves as showrunner. Still, unwavering fans of Shyamalan need not worry, as on top of heading the project as an executive producer, the controversial filmmaker also directs a few episodes.
The show, which holds a 89% certified fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, tells the story of a grieving couple from Philadelphia following a tragic event that tears their marriage apart while simultaneously welcoming a sinister force into their household.
While hitting all the beats indicative of a trademark M. Night Shyamalan story, Servant was actually not created by him. In his stead, Tony Basgallop, who made a name for himself with titles like Inside Men, What Remains and 24: Live Another Day, serves as showrunner. Still, unwavering fans of Shyamalan need not worry, as on top of heading the project as an executive producer, the controversial filmmaker also directs a few episodes.
- 4/12/2020
- by Tim Brinkhof
- We Got This Covered
The first major film release of 2020 looks set to be director Woo Min-ho’s newest film, the political thriller “The Man Standing Next”, which sees the director return to his “Inside Men” leading man Lee Byung-hun and the trailer promises the same intensity that film carried.
Synopsis
An Untold Story Of The Korean Central Intelligence Agency (Kcia), And Its Political Maneuvering In The 1970S
In the 1970s, Korea is under the absolute control of the President Park who controls the Kcia, the organization with an edge over any branch of government. The director of Kcia, Kim Gyu-pyeong, is the seemingly most prospective second-in-command. In the midst of reign of fear, a former Kcia director, Park Yong-gak who knows all about the government’s obscure operations, exiles to the U.S. where the investigation of ‘Koreagate’ is underway. As the tension escalates, the stifling political maneuvering by the all second-in-command’s unfolds.
Synopsis
An Untold Story Of The Korean Central Intelligence Agency (Kcia), And Its Political Maneuvering In The 1970S
In the 1970s, Korea is under the absolute control of the President Park who controls the Kcia, the organization with an edge over any branch of government. The director of Kcia, Kim Gyu-pyeong, is the seemingly most prospective second-in-command. In the midst of reign of fear, a former Kcia director, Park Yong-gak who knows all about the government’s obscure operations, exiles to the U.S. where the investigation of ‘Koreagate’ is underway. As the tension escalates, the stifling political maneuvering by the all second-in-command’s unfolds.
- 12/11/2019
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
Showbox’s political drama “The Man Standing Next” has secured releases in multiple territories in Asia. The film was picked up by Falcon for Indonesia, The Klockworx for Japan, Viva Communications for the Philippines, Shaw Renters for Singapore and by Moviecloud for Taiwan. Release dates in each territory have yet to be confirmed.
Set 40 days before former South Korean President Park Chung-hee’s assassination in 1979, “Man Standing Next” tackles the relationships and conflicts among second-in-command characters who were at the peak of the power struggle.
Based on local political journalist-turned-writer Kim Choong-seek’s best-selling non-fiction “Kcia Chiefs,” the film marks the reunion of director Woo Min-ho (“Drug King”) and actor Lee Byung-hun (“G.I. Joe”), after the success of “Inside Men” in 2016. “Inside Men” and director’s cut “Inside Men: The Original” together managed some 9 million ticket sales in South Korea.
“Man Standing Next” features Lee, one of the most internationally known Korean actors,...
Set 40 days before former South Korean President Park Chung-hee’s assassination in 1979, “Man Standing Next” tackles the relationships and conflicts among second-in-command characters who were at the peak of the power struggle.
Based on local political journalist-turned-writer Kim Choong-seek’s best-selling non-fiction “Kcia Chiefs,” the film marks the reunion of director Woo Min-ho (“Drug King”) and actor Lee Byung-hun (“G.I. Joe”), after the success of “Inside Men” in 2016. “Inside Men” and director’s cut “Inside Men: The Original” together managed some 9 million ticket sales in South Korea.
“Man Standing Next” features Lee, one of the most internationally known Korean actors,...
- 12/6/2019
- by Sonia Kil
- Variety Film + TV
M. Night Shyalaman (Signs) directs the series with a script from the BAFTA-nominated scribe and executive producer Tony Basgallop (Inside Men). Rupert Grint of the Harry Potter franchise has a key role to play in the series.
Synopsis:
The half hour psychological thriller follows a Philadelphia couple in mourning after an unspeakable tragedy creates a rift in their marriage and opens the door for a mysterious force to enter their home.
Servant starts streaming exclusively on Apple TV+ on November 28, 2019.
Synopsis:
The half hour psychological thriller follows a Philadelphia couple in mourning after an unspeakable tragedy creates a rift in their marriage and opens the door for a mysterious force to enter their home.
Servant starts streaming exclusively on Apple TV+ on November 28, 2019.
- 11/14/2019
- QuietEarth.us
For those excited about the upcoming programming coming to Apple TV+, we have now gotten our first trailer for the upcoming M.Night Shyamalan series “Servant” and we are definitely intrigued. Apple’s “Servant” will premiere November 28 exclusively on Apple TV+, a new home for the world’s most creative storytellers. The half-hour psychological thriller follows a Philadelphia couple in mourning after an unspeakable tragedy creates a rift in their marriage and opens the door for a mysterious force to enter their home. Academy Award-nominated executive producer M. Night Shyamalan directs the series alongside BAFTA-nominated creator, executive producer and writer Tony Basgallop. The celebrated cast of “Servant” includes Lauren Ambrose (“Six Feet Under”), Toby Kebbell, Nell Tiger Free (“Game of Thrones”), Rupert Grint. Social Handles: @Servant on twitter @ServantOfficial on Ig Apple TV+ is now available in over 100 countries and regions on the Apple TV app on iPhone, iPad, Apple TV,...
- 11/9/2019
- by Kristyn Clarke
- Age of the Nerd
"Do you know who you welcomed into your home?" In a setup reminiscent of The Boy, a grieving couple hires a nanny to keep an eye on their baby doll after losing their real child, but their troubles are only beginning with the new arrival to their home. A new series from M. Night Shyamalan and Tony Basgallop, Servant is teased in an eerie new trailer ahead of the series' November 28th premiere on Apple TV+.
"Apple today unveiled the official trailer for “Servant,” a new Apple Original series from Academy Award-nominated executive producer M. Night Shyamalan.
Apple’s “Servant” will premiere November 28 exclusively on Apple TV+, a new home for the world's most creative storytellers. The half hour psychological thriller follows a Philadelphia couple in mourning after an unspeakable tragedy creates a rift in their marriage and opens the door for a mysterious force to enter their home.
Academy Award-nominated executive producer M.
"Apple today unveiled the official trailer for “Servant,” a new Apple Original series from Academy Award-nominated executive producer M. Night Shyamalan.
Apple’s “Servant” will premiere November 28 exclusively on Apple TV+, a new home for the world's most creative storytellers. The half hour psychological thriller follows a Philadelphia couple in mourning after an unspeakable tragedy creates a rift in their marriage and opens the door for a mysterious force to enter their home.
Academy Award-nominated executive producer M.
- 11/6/2019
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
Apple TV+ launched November 1 with original dramas such as “The Morning Show,” “See,” “For All Mankind,” and “Dickinson,” none of which earned much critical acclaim to become appointment viewing in the ever-expanding world of television streaming. The low profile debuts of Apple’s first four series is surely not what the new streamer was hoping for, although they can probably rely on M. Night Shyamalan to stir up buzz for the new streaming platform. The hit-or-miss horror favorite is behind Apple TV+’s upcoming “Servant,” debuting this Thanksgiving.
“Servant” is billed as a psychological thriller that “follows a Philadelphia couple in mourning after an unspeakable tragedy,” which creates a “rift in their marriage and opens the door for a mysterious force to enter their home.” Apple TV+ has debuted the official “Servant” trailer, which gives away one of the series’ most disturbing secrets: The central couple (played by Toby Kebbell...
“Servant” is billed as a psychological thriller that “follows a Philadelphia couple in mourning after an unspeakable tragedy,” which creates a “rift in their marriage and opens the door for a mysterious force to enter their home.” Apple TV+ has debuted the official “Servant” trailer, which gives away one of the series’ most disturbing secrets: The central couple (played by Toby Kebbell...
- 11/6/2019
- by Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
Apple released the first trailer for its M. Night Shyamalan series “Servant” on Wednesday.
Described as a psychological thriller, “Servant” follows a Philadelphia couple in mourning after an unspeakable tragedy creates a rift in their marriage and opens the door for a mysterious force to enter their home.
In the 2-minute, 17-second video above, you’ll see that “unspeakable tragedy” is the loss of a baby named Jericho, who they replace with a doll and hire a nanny to watch. And then the nanny turns out to be even weirder than the situation they brought her into.
“Servant” will premiere on the streaming service on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 28.
Also Read: Apple Sets Theatrical Releases for First Three Films: 'The Elephant Queen,' 'Hala' and 'The Banker'
Series stars Lauren Ambrose (“Six Feet Under”), Toby Kebbell, Nell Tiger Free (“Game of Thrones”) and Rupert Grint...
Described as a psychological thriller, “Servant” follows a Philadelphia couple in mourning after an unspeakable tragedy creates a rift in their marriage and opens the door for a mysterious force to enter their home.
In the 2-minute, 17-second video above, you’ll see that “unspeakable tragedy” is the loss of a baby named Jericho, who they replace with a doll and hire a nanny to watch. And then the nanny turns out to be even weirder than the situation they brought her into.
“Servant” will premiere on the streaming service on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 28.
Also Read: Apple Sets Theatrical Releases for First Three Films: 'The Elephant Queen,' 'Hala' and 'The Banker'
Series stars Lauren Ambrose (“Six Feet Under”), Toby Kebbell, Nell Tiger Free (“Game of Thrones”) and Rupert Grint...
- 11/6/2019
- by Reid Nakamura and Jennifer Maas
- The Wrap
Showbox, one of South Korea’s leading studios, is launching sales of disaster comedy “Sinkhole” at the Busan International Film Festival’s Asian Film Market. Helmed by “The Tower” director Kim Ji-hoon, the film is the story of the events that follow the appearance of an urban sinkhole that swallows an entire apartment building.
It stars fashion model-turned-actor Cha Seung-won, Kim Sung-kyun (“Fengshui”) and Lee Kwang-soo (“Tazza: One Eyed Jack”). Aiming for a 2020 release, “Sinkhole” started shooting in August and is currently in production.
Showbox is also handling international sales of “The Man Standing Next,” a film by “Inside Men” director Woo Min-ho. Based on the fact-based novel of the same title, “Man Standing Next” tells an untold story of Korean Central Intelligence Agency and its political maneuvering in the 1970s. With a star-studded cast that includes Lee Byung-hun (“Inside Men”), Lee Sung-min (“Spy Gone North”), and Kwak Do-won (“Steel Rain...
It stars fashion model-turned-actor Cha Seung-won, Kim Sung-kyun (“Fengshui”) and Lee Kwang-soo (“Tazza: One Eyed Jack”). Aiming for a 2020 release, “Sinkhole” started shooting in August and is currently in production.
Showbox is also handling international sales of “The Man Standing Next,” a film by “Inside Men” director Woo Min-ho. Based on the fact-based novel of the same title, “Man Standing Next” tells an untold story of Korean Central Intelligence Agency and its political maneuvering in the 1970s. With a star-studded cast that includes Lee Byung-hun (“Inside Men”), Lee Sung-min (“Spy Gone North”), and Kwak Do-won (“Steel Rain...
- 10/4/2019
- by Sonia Kil
- Variety Film + TV
Apple TV+ is making its New York Comic Con debut in October with a first look at M. Night Shyamalan’s psychological thriller series, “Servant,” the forthcoming streaming service announced on Tuesday.
“Servant” follows a Philadelphia couple in mourning after an unspeakable tragedy creates a rift in their marriage and opens the door for a mysterious force to enter their home.
Here’s the description for the Nycc event, “A Night with M. Night Introducing ‘Servant’ on Apple TV+,” which will take place Thursday, Oct. 3 at 8p.m. in the Hammerstein Ballroom: Apple TV+ presents M. Night Shyamalan’s psychological thriller “Servant,” with exclusive first-look footage and a discussion with M. Night, the cast and creative team, at 2019 New York Comic Con.
Also Read: Apple TV+: Here Are All the Original Shows in the Works for Apple's Streaming Service (Photos)
In attendance will be the “Servant” cast, including Lauren Ambrose...
“Servant” follows a Philadelphia couple in mourning after an unspeakable tragedy creates a rift in their marriage and opens the door for a mysterious force to enter their home.
Here’s the description for the Nycc event, “A Night with M. Night Introducing ‘Servant’ on Apple TV+,” which will take place Thursday, Oct. 3 at 8p.m. in the Hammerstein Ballroom: Apple TV+ presents M. Night Shyamalan’s psychological thriller “Servant,” with exclusive first-look footage and a discussion with M. Night, the cast and creative team, at 2019 New York Comic Con.
Also Read: Apple TV+: Here Are All the Original Shows in the Works for Apple's Streaming Service (Photos)
In attendance will be the “Servant” cast, including Lauren Ambrose...
- 9/24/2019
- by Jennifer Maas
- The Wrap
The London Korean Film Festival 2019 Teaser Screenings presents the European Premiere of historic action epic Fengshui at Regent Street Cinema, Monday 22 July.
From “The Face Reader” (2013) and “The Throne” (2015), to last year’s Lkff-favourite “The Princess and the Matchmaker” (2018), bringing famous historical figures to life on the big screen has proved a recurring success at the Korean box office. This ever-popular historical drama genre returns to the UK with Director Park Hee-kon’s action-packed “Fengshui”.
Park Jae-sang is a Fengshui Master hiding from a tragic past by using his talents to read the land around him and offering advice to those who need it – from desperate mothers unable to convince their sons to study, to market sellers struggling to boost sales, and even newly-weds wanting to spice up their love lives. After being approached one day by Heung-seon, a member of a fallen royal clan with a plan to drive...
From “The Face Reader” (2013) and “The Throne” (2015), to last year’s Lkff-favourite “The Princess and the Matchmaker” (2018), bringing famous historical figures to life on the big screen has proved a recurring success at the Korean box office. This ever-popular historical drama genre returns to the UK with Director Park Hee-kon’s action-packed “Fengshui”.
Park Jae-sang is a Fengshui Master hiding from a tragic past by using his talents to read the land around him and offering advice to those who need it – from desperate mothers unable to convince their sons to study, to market sellers struggling to boost sales, and even newly-weds wanting to spice up their love lives. After being approached one day by Heung-seon, a member of a fallen royal clan with a plan to drive...
- 6/28/2019
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
The narcotics industry, or what existed of it, in South Korea has for the most part never been explored in cinema up until recently. 2018, however, changed that with two films on the subject out in a year. While “Believer” was a remake of the Johnnie To film “Drug War”, director Woo Min-ho’s latest film “The Drug King” attempted to tell the true tale of the 1970s drug trade through Busan into Japan. It was highly anticipated not only for being Woo Min-ho’s follow-up to the excellent 2015 thriller “Inside Men”, but also for starring South Korean superstar Song Kang-ho, who was last seen in the hit Gwangju Uprising drama “A Taxi Driver” as well as Bae Doona, one of the leading South Korean actresses. So does the film live up to the hype and the towering names it comes with? Let’s break it down.
After a brief introduction to methaphetamine,...
After a brief introduction to methaphetamine,...
- 3/9/2019
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
2018 was, by most accounts, a mixed bag of a year for South Korean cinema. Where critics darling Lee Chang-dong returned to the scene after an eight-year hiatus to much fanfare and applause with “Burning”, small films like “Little Forest” and “Intimate Strangers” ended up being more well received than tentpole blockbusters like Kim Jee-woon’s “Illang: The Wolf Brigade”, for example. 2019 has begun very strongly, with “Extreme Job” going on to become the 2nd highest grossing South Korean film of all time on the domestic box-office. Here’s a list of some films we can look forward to with much anticipation in the remainder of the year.
Bad Police (Lee Jeong-beom)
It’s Lee Sun-kyun vs the world in “Bad Police”
Six years after the action packed “No Tears for the Dead”, the director of the iconic “The Man from Nowhere” is back with “Bad Police”. Telling the story of...
Bad Police (Lee Jeong-beom)
It’s Lee Sun-kyun vs the world in “Bad Police”
Six years after the action packed “No Tears for the Dead”, the director of the iconic “The Man from Nowhere” is back with “Bad Police”. Telling the story of...
- 2/25/2019
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
From the creators of Train to Busan, comes a fresh new take on the zombie-horror genre when Rampant debuts on digital, Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD February 26 from Well Go USA Entertainment. Set in ancient Korea, the story follows Prince Ganglim, who after returning from a long imprisonment, discovers a bloody rampage spreading across the nation by murderous creatures known as Night Demons. He soon realizes that it will take the strength of his fellow countrymen to stop the Night Demons from overrunning the kingdom. Rampant was directed by Kim Sung-Hoon (Confidential Assignment) and stars Hyun-Bin (The Swinders), Jang Dong-Gun (The Warriors Way), Jo Woo-Jin (Inside Men), Man-Sik (Man of Will) and Kim Eui-Sung (Train to Busan). Bonus features include making-of and behind-the-scenes featurettes.
A darkness looms over ancient Korea: murderous creatures known as Night Demons have overrun the country. Returning from a long imprisonment abroad, Prince Ganglim discovers that...
A darkness looms over ancient Korea: murderous creatures known as Night Demons have overrun the country. Returning from a long imprisonment abroad, Prince Ganglim discovers that...
- 2/18/2019
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
From the creators of Train to Busan, comes a fresh new take on the zombie-horror genre when Rampant debuts on digital, Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD February 26 from Well Go USA Entertainment. Set in ancient Korea, the story follows Prince Ganglim, who after returning from a long imprisonment, discovers a bloody rampage spreading across the nation by murderous creatures known as Night Demons. He soon realizes that it will take the strength of his fellow countrymen to stop the Night Demons from overrunning the kingdom. Rampant was directed by Kim Sung-Hoon (Confidential Assignment) and stars Hyun-Bin (The Swinders), Jang Dong-Gun (The Warriors Way), Jo Woo-Jin (Inside Men), Man-Sik (Man of Will) and Kim Eui-Sung (Train to Busan). Bonus features include making-of and behind-the-scenes featurettes.
Synopsis:
A darkness looms over ancient Korea: murderous creatures known as Night Demons have overrun the country. Returning from a long imprisonment abroad, Prince Ganglim discovers...
Synopsis:
A darkness looms over ancient Korea: murderous creatures known as Night Demons have overrun the country. Returning from a long imprisonment abroad, Prince Ganglim discovers...
- 1/27/2019
- by Don Anelli
- AsianMoviePulse
A new Song Kang-ho film is quite the event in South Korean cinema. Possibly the country’s biggest superstar, and one of the best known South Korean actors around the world, Song Kang-ho is known to star in massive hits and his films are often South Korea’s official entries to the Academy Awards for the Best Foreign Language category. So when he teams up with “Inside Men” director Woo Min-ho and Bae Doona, one of South Korea’s best actresses and Song Kang-ho’s co-star from “The Host”, big things are expected from the resulting collaboration “The Drug King”.
Synopsis
Set in Busan, South Korea during the 1970’s, Lee Doo-Sam builds an empire as a drug smuggler in the Busan underworld, while public prosecutor Kim In-goo attempts to take down Lee Doo-Sam.
Joining Song Kang-ho and Bae Donna is a strong supporting cast of Jo Jung-suk, who also starred...
Synopsis
Set in Busan, South Korea during the 1970’s, Lee Doo-Sam builds an empire as a drug smuggler in the Busan underworld, while public prosecutor Kim In-goo attempts to take down Lee Doo-Sam.
Joining Song Kang-ho and Bae Donna is a strong supporting cast of Jo Jung-suk, who also starred...
- 11/14/2018
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
Busan’s Asian Film Market announced the winners Oct. 8 of E-ip Pitching and Book to Film programs in which intellectual properties, including web comics, novels and story ideas, are pitched for film and TV adaptation.
The New Creator awards, sponsored by leading local studio Next Entertainment World, went to Han Ji-su’s mystery romance novel “The Sixth Wife” and Haewon’s crime thriller “Good Job.” “Good Job” is a story about two hopeless job-seekers that become entangled in a whirlwind of greed, conspiracy and betrayal when they are hired by a cleaning company. Each winner received a cash prize of $8,800 (Krw 10 million).
Seo Eun-chae’s fantasy romance novel “A Week Before I Die,” Lee Yun-kyun’s web comic “Delivery Knight,” Yoon Seon-young’s high school-set story “Land of Silence” and “The Devil,” a web comic written by Meen and drawn by Keun bit each won prizes named for new sponsor Tory Comics,...
The New Creator awards, sponsored by leading local studio Next Entertainment World, went to Han Ji-su’s mystery romance novel “The Sixth Wife” and Haewon’s crime thriller “Good Job.” “Good Job” is a story about two hopeless job-seekers that become entangled in a whirlwind of greed, conspiracy and betrayal when they are hired by a cleaning company. Each winner received a cash prize of $8,800 (Krw 10 million).
Seo Eun-chae’s fantasy romance novel “A Week Before I Die,” Lee Yun-kyun’s web comic “Delivery Knight,” Yoon Seon-young’s high school-set story “Land of Silence” and “The Devil,” a web comic written by Meen and drawn by Keun bit each won prizes named for new sponsor Tory Comics,...
- 10/8/2018
- by Sonia Kil
- Variety Film + TV
After the crossover success of directors Park Chan-wook (Oldboy, the BBC’s The Little Drummer Girl) and Bong Joon-ho (Snowpiercer, Okja) and actor Lee Byung- hun (Inside Men, The Magnificent Seven), a new wave of South Korean talent is headed for Hollywood. Here are five to keep an eye on:
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- 5/11/2018
- by Lee Hyo-won
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
‘Drug King’, a follow up to Woo Min-ho’s politically charged film ‘Inside Men‘, is set to release this upcoming summer.
The film stars some of South Korea’s favorite actors, with Song Kang-ho, Bae Doo-na, Jo Jung-suk, Lee Sung-min and Lee Hee-jun in its lead roles.
The following still shows Song Kang-ho as the film’s lead character Lee Doo-sam.
Source: Showbox
“Via the character of Lee Doo-sam, which is a culmination of the people who lived in the 1970s, I sought to shed light on the eras that we’ve lived through,” said Song. The film is inspired by a nonfictional mob boss.
Source: KoreaHerald...
The film stars some of South Korea’s favorite actors, with Song Kang-ho, Bae Doo-na, Jo Jung-suk, Lee Sung-min and Lee Hee-jun in its lead roles.
The following still shows Song Kang-ho as the film’s lead character Lee Doo-sam.
Source: Showbox
“Via the character of Lee Doo-sam, which is a culmination of the people who lived in the 1970s, I sought to shed light on the eras that we’ve lived through,” said Song. The film is inspired by a nonfictional mob boss.
Source: KoreaHerald...
- 2/23/2018
- by Angelina Kurganska
- AsianMoviePulse
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