Slow and Steady

Dreaming of a Korean 'Thelma & Louise', The Birth of a Rare Female Buddy Movie When we say "Buddy Movie" in the film industry, we usually picture two male protagonists bickering while solving a case. From the masterpiece of Korean cinema history Two Cops to numerous recent detective films, this genre has been regarded as the exclusive property of men. It is a reality that buddy movies where women are the subjects leading the narrative can be counted on one hand. Globally, director Ridley Scott's Thelma & Louise is revered as the bible of female buddy movies, showing a perfect narrative arc along with a charming villain played by Brad Pitt. The movie Project Y is a work that ambitiously throws down the gauntlet in this barren market of Korean female buddy movies, featuring Han So-hee and Jeon Jong-seo, the two hottest actresses in their 20s right now. I visited the theater with both anticipation and concern about whether this movie could open a new horizon ...

The Dignity of K-Romance, The Whole World Falls in Love at Once The Netflix original series Can This Love Be Translated? has caused an unusual box office sensation, entering the Top 10 in 76 countries worldwide from the very first day of its release. Now, "Korean Romance Drama" has established itself beyond a simple trend in Asia as a definitive box office genre trusted by the world. It is proof once again of the potential of K-Romance, which touches upon the universal emotion of excitement in the most sophisticated and sensory way, crossing barriers of language and culture. In particular, this work is receiving explosive responses in Western countries such as South America and Europe immediately after its release, proving that the unique sorrowful emotional lines and witty humor codes of Korean dramas are passing as a global standard. While the Korean Wave was limited to specific regions in the past, the current phenomenon of targeting home theaters worldwide simultaneously ...

Forget the Heavy 'Undercover', The Beginning of a Cheerful and Lively Office Infiltration tvN has ambitiously introduced Undercover Miss Hong as the new Saturday-Sunday drama responsible for the weekend home theater. Usually, when the subject matter of "Undercover" is used in movies or dramas, one tends to think of dark and humid noir genres or life-threatening espionage action. However, recent trends are a bit different. While adopting the setting of hiding one's identity and infiltrating a specific organization, the trend is to unravel the chaotic episodes that occur within it in a comical way. Undercover Miss Hong also defies the solemnity exuded by its title; upon opening the lid, it is closer to a lighthearted comic office drama blending bouncing characters with 90s nostalgia. A drama perfectly suited to the tastes of viewers who waited for a show they could enjoy with a laugh rather than a headache-inducing revenge play on a weekend evening has been born. ...

A Twist That Shatters Stereotypes of North Korean Movies, Gospel Ringing in Pyongyang When I first saw the trailer for the movie The Divine Band (also known as God's Orchestra), I simply assumed it would be another espionage or comic action film set in North Korea. However, upon opening the lid, the identity of this movie was quite unusual. It turned out to be a "musical film" where upbeat gospel music and hymns resonate in the frozen land of North Korea, a place where religious freedom is thoroughly deprived. The shock that comes when the most incongruous genre meets the most heterogeneous space was substantial. The sight of people in North Korean military uniforms singing praises and reciting the Bible with rigid movements creates a bizarre dissonance in itself, strongly stimulating the audience's curiosity. The unique cinematic experience that starts with the doubt "Does this make sense?" and changes to the surprise "This actually works?" is the...

The Glaring Shadow of 'Taxi Driver 3': Is it a Crisis or an Opportunity for the SBS Friday-Saturday Universe? A new work, I'm Human From Today, has taken the mound in the SBS Friday-Saturday drama lineup, often called the pride of the network. Since it aired immediately after its predecessor, Taxi Driver Season 3, left after hitting the nation hard with tremendous viewership ratings and buzz, the weight of the crown the successor had to bear must have been heavier than ever. Was the expectation too high, or was it the genre gap? The first broadcast received a somewhat shocking report card of 3.7%. This corresponds to the lowest record among recent premieres of SBS Friday-Saturday dramas. To the existing audience who expected the cool action and satisfying plot of the previous work, the genre of fantasy romance might have felt unfamiliar, or the initial build-up process might have felt somewhat loose. However, it is too early to discuss the success or failure of this drama s...