The Handmaiden 아가씨- 2016 South Korea

In a weeks time, Park Chan Wook, well known for his 2005 film OldBoy, will deliver his latest revenge film, The Handmaiden (아가씨) to US audiences.  Released earlier this year in South Korea, this film has been creating a stir. Not only is the film’s topics graphic and dark but it is also extremely different from what typically comes from Asian cinema. This film reached success at  the 2016 Cannes Film Festival. Park Chan Wook was nominated for a Palme d’Or and the film was eligible for the Queer Palm Award.

Based off the 2002 historical crime novel, Fingersmith, written by Sarah Waters, Director Wook moved the setting from Victorian Era Britain to 1930s Korea under Japanese colonial ruling.  The story focuses on two con artists, Count Fujiwara (Ha Jung Woo) and a young pick pocketer, Sook Hee (Kim Tae Ri) who plot to steal the fortune of heiress, Lady Hideko (Kim Min Hee). However, if you have ever seen a Park Chan Wook film, you know that this is not the only story, and with any film, this plot is twisted and changed until you reach the end of the film with an expression of WTF on your face.  

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2016 Asian Horror films you MUST see! (Halloween Edition)

Happy (Almost) Halloween everyone! 

With this exciting and spooky holiday upon us, we have decided to compile a list of a few of the scary, the strange and the creepiest Asian horror films to have been released this year so far! Grab your friends and check out some of our haunted favorites below!

Is Lost in the Moonlight (달빛궁궐) a rip off of Spirited Away?!

Today, Light's Camera, Asia brings you a look into a new animation film from South Korea that has been getting some heat for potentially ripping off the beloved 2001 Studio Ghibli classic, Spirited Away (千と千尋の神隠し).

We give you, Lost in the Moonlight (달빛궁궐), a new Korean animation film that was released in theatres at the beginning of this month. 

Train to Busan 부산행 2016- South Korea

Premiering in May at the 69th Annual Cannes Film Festival, Train to Busan (부산행) by director Yeong Sang-Ho, was a surprising hit with festival goers. As the film broke multiple South Korean box office records with its release a few weeks back, it comes as no surprise the film was quickly purchased by Well Go USA entertainment for US limited releases. If you want to see if it is playing near you, check it out HERE.

This zombie breakout, thriller film is quite a surprise coming from the Korean entertainment market, seeing as Korean zombie movies can be counted on one hand. However, with Train to Busan, Director Yeong took a different approach by isolating most of the breakout to  the small confines of the Korean speed train, KTX. The film is also suppose to take place a day after Director Yeong's animation film Seoul Station (서울역) which was released earlier in April.  

KCON NYC 2016 Highlight

KCON NY took over the Prudential Center a few weeks back, and we are still recuperating from the excitement of the Korean festival that celebrates KPOP, KBeauty and Korean Culture. Lights, Camera, Asia's Whitney was there on the second day of the madness and is here to highlight the fun that ensued. 

Even though the sun was beating down on the ever growing crowd surrounding the event, that didn't stop festival goers from breaking out in dance when their favorite KPOP song came on (a crowd favorite: BTS-Fire)

Seoul Searching NYC Premiere

We are back on Lights, Camera, Asia and will hopefully start back to our regular posting schedule. We are so sorry we have been absent momentarily, but today we bring you an exciting post on the New York City Premiere of the heart-warming, comedy Seoul Searching (2015) directed by Benson Lee. If you have been following our site, you may have seen a previous review on this film, however, if not, check it out HERE! 

Lights, Camera, Asia's Whitney was lucky enough to be able to not only attend the premiere and after party, but also be able to help out with the event itself this past Friday, June 17, 2016. The event was held in the dead center of Time Square at AMC 25. With it's limited release, the film was only showing for a week, however, it did so well opening weekend that it has been extended to the end of June. So if you are a local of NYC, go check it out! 

SO LET'S START

The Beauty Inside 뷰티 인사이드 2015 - South Korea

The Beauty Inside (뷰티 인사이드) is a 2015 South Korean romance film from first time film director, Baek Jong Yul. As a director whose career only spanned commercial advertisements previous to this film, I am extremely impressed with his ability to direct and create such a wonderful film to watch. The Beauty Inside is actually based off of a 2012 American "social film" released by Intel and Toshiba that included interactive storytelling for viewers. Upon the release of the South Korean film, it had already pre-sold its distribution rights to 11 other Asian countries. I absolutely loved this film...lets see why!

Woochi: The Demon Slayer 전우치 2009- South Korea

Woochi: The Demon Slayer (전우치) is the 2009 fantasy, adventure film written and directed by Choi Dong-Hoon. Director Choi is very well known for the popular films Tazza and The Big Swindle. Based upon a Korean folktale,Woochi, with its big budget and special effects, became very successful in the South Korean market, becoming the 3rd best selling film of the year. In 2012, a spin off drama series was released. 

Woochi begins as a tale set during the Joseon Dynasty. A magical flute has fallen into the hands of evil and monsters have begun to wreak havoc on cities. We are introduced to Woochi, played by Kang Dong-Won (A Violent Prosecutor) , a Taoist wizard, and his sidekick Chorangyi (Yoo Hae-jin) are prosecuted for a crime they did not commit. They are both sealed away in an ancient scroll by three taoist wizards and a man named Hwadam (Kim Yoon-Seok).

Confession of Murder 내가 살인범이다 2012- South Korea

Confession of Murder (내가 살인범이다) is a 2012 South Korean thriller from director Jung Byung-gil. Upon its release, the film reached 2nd place within its first week in theatres and was winner for best screenplay at the Baeksang Arts Awards and best director at Grand Bell Awards. This was the first mainstream motion picture Director Jung released, however, he had drawn in interest with his 2008 documentary release, Action Boys. 

The film stars Jung Jae Young (Castaway on the Moon) and Park Si Hoo (Cheongdamdong Alice) in a revenge filled film of cat and mouse. This film is currently streaming on Netflix, so make sure to check it out! 

Miss Granny 수상한 그녀 2014- South Korea

Miss Granny (수상한 그녀) is a South Korean comedy directed by Hwang Dong-Hyuk. Upon the time of its released, it enjoyed a very successful run, taking home many awards at film Festivals. It was so popular that the following years Chinese, Japanese, and Veitnamese remakes were created. This year Thai and Indonesian remakes are said to be released. This was such a sweet and enjoyable film to watch. 


Miss Granny introduces us to 74 year old Oh Mal Su (Na Moon Hee), a granny with a tough exterior who happens upon a magical portrait studio that makes her regain the appearance of a 20 year old. She takes on the name Oh Doo-Ri played by Shim Eun Kyung. With the appearance of a young woman and the attire and hair of a Korean Ahjumma (Aunt/middle aged woman), comedy ensues as she tried to figure out how to start her new life without letting her family and friends know. 

Seoul Searching 2015- U.S./South Korea

Seoul Searching is a film unlike any of the other films we review on this channel. Why you may ask? It has yet to be completely distributed in theatres. Directed by Benson Lee, a Korean-American filmmaker who was the creator behind Planet B-Boy, his newest film, Seoul Searching, made its debut as an official selection of the Cannes Film Festival and even went on to win the Audience Award at CAAMFEST. It was recently announced that the film will be breaking into 50 theatres in the U.S. and Canada this coming May. So, if you find this review enticing, make sure you check it out when it is released! I was very fortunate to see this film at the Dallas Asian Film Festival last year, where Director Lee was in attendance. Though this film is more of an American film than a South Korean film, with the amazing storyline, and how much this film deserves to be seen by everyone, It HAD to  be reviewed.

Like for Likes 좋아해줘 2016- South Korea [VIDEO REVIEW]

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Let us know if you were able to see this film in theatres and who was your favorite couple!

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East Asian films streaming on Netflix!

Check out our list of East Asian films streaming on Netflix NOW!
Check them out before they are gone!!

**The lists are not in order of popularity**

**Plot descriptions from IMDB**

We're attending the Like for Likes U.S. Premiere!

This Thursday, we will be attending the premiere of the Korean rom-com, Like for Likes! We are so excited!

If you haven't done so, make sure to subscribe to our YOUTUBE to check out our review on this new film, this coming Saturday! 

As always, if you want to stay update on our latests posts and review, subscribe to our site here or like us on FACEBOOK! 

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Top 10 East Asian Films to watch this Valentine's Day! [Video]

HAPPY ALMOST VALENTINE'S DAY! What are your plans for Valentine's Day? If you plan to watch a film from our list, which one did you choose and why? Let us know in the comments below!

Please make sure to subscribe to us on YOUTUBE and like us on FACEBOOK! 

Please subscribe here to stay up to date on latest posts!


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Ode to My Father 국제시장 2014- South Korea

In 2014, Ode to My Father (국제시장), directed by Youn Je-Kyun, was released in South Korea. At the time of its release it had mixed reviews and even came upon some controversy claiming the film tried to idealize the authoritarian rule of the past. However, that did not stop this movie from climbing the ladder of success, where it sits as the 2nd highest grossing film in all of South Korean cinema history. Most of its success comes from the nostalgic feeling the movie gives off which attracted many older generations to revisit a time they once lived in. Director Youn even claimed most of the film was a tribute to his father, using his actual parents names for the two protagonists. Director Youn was quoted saying, "I hope the film serves as the channel for communication between the old and young generation," and I believe it does just that.

The Thieves 도둑들 2012- South Korea

The Thieves (도둑들) is a South Korea, high action packed film, released in 2012 by Director Choi Dong-hoon. At the time of its release, it sold 12.9 million tickets, making it the 4th highest grossing film in the Korean box office. It is no surprise this movie had such a great success with it's all star cast, which included Jun Ji-Hyun (My Sassy Girl, Assasination), Kim Yun-Seok (The Chaser), Lee Jung-Jae (Assasination, The Housemaid),  Kim Soo Hyun (Secretly, Greatly, My Love From the Star) and Oh Dal-Su (Old Boy, Assassination). You might be thinking, Hey! a lot of these actors were also in the 2015 film, Assassination. You are correct! Director Choi rounded up many of the same actors from The Thieves to perform in his most recent and very successful box-office hit. If you haven't already, check out Lights, Camera, Asia's post on Assassination here! 

Most Anticipated East Asian Films of 2016!!

Most Anticipated East Asian Films of 2016

It is surprising that January has already come to an end. With 2016 just beginning, Lights, Camera, Asia wanted to share some of the up and coming films from Korea, Japan, Hong Kong and China to be on the look out for this year!  Let's Begin!

**The lists are not in order of popularity**

Plot descriptions from Asian Wiki & IMDB

Commitment 동창생 2013- South Korea

Unlike, many of the other films I have reviewed, this is the only film I have written about so far that was not groundbreaking in South Korean cinema...heck it wasn't even nominated for anything. You may be thinking...why Whitney? I can tell you now, it is NOT because TOP (Choi Seunghyun) is the main character! Okay, well maybe a little :D However, this blog is about reviewing the best and the not so best films from East Asia. So let's begin. 

Commitment (동창생) is a 2013, spy thriller film starring TOP / Choi seunghyun (from the Kpop group- BigBang) as Li Myung-hoon, a nineteen year old North Korean. After his father fails a spy mission, Myung-hoon and his sister are sentenced to once of the many labor camps. Since their father was hig-ranking at one time, military offical Colonel Moon (Jo Sung-ha) proposes a deal with Myung hoon- if he becomes a spy, like his father, he and his sister will be released from the labor camp.  

The Admiral: Roaring Currents 명량 2014 - South Korea

Today, I bring you the 2014 South Korean, historical epic film, The Admiral: Roaring Currents (명량), by director Kim Han-min. This film was huge upon it's release! This film has set the all-time highest opening day in South Korean box office history, highest opening weekend with 3.35 million admissions surpassing Transformers: Dark of the Moon, who previously held the position, and is the first film to generate over ₩10 billion (roughly 9.2 million USD) in a single day! 
It is not hard to see how this epic film became such a success. Based upon true events in Korea's history, The Admiral: Roaring Currents focuses on Admiral Yi Sun-shin, played by Choi Min Sik (Old Boy, I Saw The Devil). The film revolves around the Battle of Myeongnyang in 1597, when Admiral Yi led his 12 remaining ships into battle against the Japanese navy who was boasting well over 330 boats.