[FEATURE] Our Picks for Korean Film Festival in Singapore 2015

This October, catch some of your favourite Korean stars on the silver screen at the annual Korean Film Festival in Singapore! The organizers have specially curated an impressive list of the top ten recent Korean cinema offerings, ranging from explosive action movies and spine-tingling thrillers to historical comedy and fluffy romance.

Pressed for time or not sure what to watch? Here are some of our top picks:

All films screen with English subtitles at Shaw Theatres Lido. For more information and ticket bookings, visit KFF’s website here.

Assassination (암살)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YOO2o_tw4Y

‘We will let them know that we will keep on fighting‘

Director Choi Dong-hoon’s (The Thieves) latest work and highest-grossing Korean film of 2015, Assassination is an espionage action film set in Korea during the 1930s when the country was under Japanese colonial rule. The provisional Korean government is planning to stage a coup by assassinating a Japanese governor and his pro-Japanese, Korean right-hand man. Leading actor Lee Jung-jae stars as a secret agent who is tasked to bring together a team consisting of sniper Ahn Ok-yun (Jeon Ji-hyun), arms dealer Chu Sang-ok (Choi Jin-woong) and explosives specialist Hwang Deok-sam, portrayed by Choi Deok-moon. However, a spanner is thrown into the works when two hit-men receive orders of their own to take the assassins down. Who will prevail?

• Screening details: 24 Oct 2015, 1:00pm and 6:50pm
• Rating: NC16

Ode To My Father (국제시장)

‘Dad, I kept my promise. My life wasn’t so bad, right?’

Dubbed ‘Korea’s phenomenal box office hit’, Ode To My Father is also a record-breaker, currently standing as the 2nd highest-grossing film in the history of Korean cinema. The film details the life and times of Yoon Deok-soo (Hwang Jung-min). Forced to become the breadwinner and head of the household at a tender age, he takes up various odd jobs to feed the family. Throughout his life, he experiences significant events such as the Hungnam Evacuation of 1951 during the Korean War, the government’s decision to send their citizens as nurses and miners to Germany in the 1960s, and the Vietnam War. Despite all the difficulties that come his way, Deok-soo never stops searching for his missing father and sister. Ode To My Father is a touching tale of hope, dedication, and personal sacrifices that will bring a tear to your eye.

• Screening details: 29 Oct 2015, 7:00pm
• Rating: PG13

Detective K: Secret of the Lost Island (조선명탐정: 사라진 놉의 딸)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7KKcwXa4cE

‘You’re sticking your neck out for a slave’s daughter?’

In the nineteenth year of King Jeongjo’s reign, a large amount of fake silver is slipped into circulation, creating a market crisis and substantial threat to the economy. Kim Min (Kim Myung-min), ‘Joseon’s top detective’, takes it upon himself to investigate the crime ring behind the scheme. He goes undercover in a rural village with his best friend and trusty sidekick, Seo-pil (Oh Dal-su). In the village, they meet Da-hae who pleads with them to help her find her missing sister. Soon, Da-hae goes missing too, and discolored, bluish corpses of village girls begin to wash up on the sea shore. Kim Min discovers that the girls have been in contact with the manufacturing operation of counterfeit silver and sets out to solve the baffling mystery. Lee Yeon-hee also stars as ‘mysterious beauty’ Hisako.

• Screening details: 30 Oct 2015, 7:00pm
• Rating: PG

The Divine Move (신의 한 수)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vY1zJSyBnLg

‘Have you seen a divine move? A move that turns the table on us..’

Jung Woo-sung plays the role of professional go/baduk player Tae-suk, who loses a game to sinister underground gambler Sal-su (Lee Beom-soo). As a result, he is framed for the murder of his own brother and is locked up in prison. After serving his 7-year sentence, he gets in touch with his brother’s former associate Kkongsu (Kim In-kwon), hermit and blind master player Jesus (Ahn Sung-ki) and skillful junkyard owner Mok-su. The quartet formulates a plan to exact revenge against Sal-su and his men. Tae-suk slowly infiltrates  Salsu’s inner circle and eliminates Sal-su’s men one by one, setting up for a final, fateful game with the highest stakes of all.

• Screening details: 31 Oct 2015, 1:00pm
• Rating: NC16

Twenty (스물)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFmSEh16-8I

‘People talk about how golden this point in life is, but to me it feels so empty..’

Where were you during, or how are you planning to spend your roaring twenties? Three best friends find themselves at crossroads after high school. Kim Woo-bin plays a charming slacker who pursues a life of doing nothing after high school; Lee Jun-ho stars in the role of a retaker who works hard for his dream of becoming a cartoon artist despite financial hardships, and rising actor Kang Ha-neul portrays a college freshman whose is geared toward attaining his ultimate goal of landing a job in a global corporation. Hilarious hi-jinks ensue as the hot-blooded youths struggle to stay true to themselves while trying to navigate their way through life.

• Screening details: 31 Oct 2015, 7:00pm
• Rating: NC16

*Event*: Actor Kang Ha-neul will be in town for a special promotional meet and greet with local fans! The event will consist of an autograph and group photo opportunity, so don’t miss out. Details > https://theseoulstory.com/?p=801.

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Stay tuned to The Seoul Story for coverage and reviews from the festival!