Asia Society Korean Film Series
VIEW EVENT DETAILSAfternoon film screenings
Registration 2:15pm; Screening at 2:30pm
All films are in Korean with English subtitles.
It has been a century since the first public Korean film screening in Korea back in 1919. Passing through the colonial period in 30s, the war period in 50s, and all the social developments in 70s and 80s, Korean films have since flourished in terms of the number of films produced, the genres of film that have been created and their international popularity. There has been an especially rapid rise in the past decade since quite a few Korean directors and actors have been recognized internationally. For example, Director Lee Chang-dong won the Best Director award at the 2002 Venice Film Festival and the Best Screenplay award at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival, Jeon Do-yeon won the Best Actress Award at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival, and Song Kang-ho won the Best Actor at the 2000 and 2007 Busan Film Critics Awards, etc. In collaboration with the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Hong Kong, Asia Society Hong Kong Center will present 4 post-2000 Korean films that will provide a glimpse of their contemporary stories, acting and narrations that have helped create a new impression on their audiences.
Secret Sunshine (2007 / Dir. Lee Chang-dong / 142 minutes / Cast members: Jeon Do-yeon, Song Kang-ho)
Saturday, October 10, 2015; Screening at 14:30
Lee Shin-ae and her only child move to the small town of Miryang, South Gyeongsang Province. Her husband has recently died and she has decided to start life anew back in the hometown of her deceased husband. While entering Miryang, Shin-ae’s car breaks down along a rural highway. She is able to get the local mechanic in Miryang named Kim Jong-chan to come out to her car and start it once again. Although they come from different social backgrounds, the pair hits it off and seem to find comfort in each other’s presence. Tragedy soon strikes Shin-ae once again when her only son is abducted. As Shin-ae must deal with another devastating tragedy in her life, she attempts to search for answers and a light that can shine upon her dark life.
My Dear Enemy (2008 / Dir. Lee Yoon-ki / 124 minutes / Cast members: Jeon Do-yeon, Ha Jeong-woo, Han Hyo-ju)
Sunday, October 11, 2015; Screening at 14:30
Jobless and single in her thirties, Hee-soo is miserable. Desperate, she sets out to find her ex-boyfriend, Byoung-woon, to track down the $1,000 USD she lent him a year ago. Byoung-woon is also penniless but surprisingly cheerful, for he knows girls who are willing to help repay the money he owes. Afraid Byoung-woon may run off before clearing his debt, Hee-soo follows him as he visits many of his ex-girlfriends to get the money. The two ex-love birds set out on an unexpectedly nostalgic journey together.
The Face Reader (2013 / Dir. Han Jae-rim / 139 minutes / Cast members: Song Kang-Ho, Lee Jung-Jae, Kim Hye-Soo, Lee Jong-Suk)
Saturday, October 24, 2015; Screening at 14:30
Set during the seizure of the throne by Sejo of Joseon in the year 1455, the movie follows the life of Nae-Kyung, who is able to asses a person’s personality, mental state, habits and, consequently, their future, by just studying their face. One day, Nae-Kyung decided to go to Hanyang and work as physiognomist. His amazing talents quickly spread throughout the area. Nae-Kyung’s skills are soon acknowledged by King Munjong who orders him to identify the potential traitors who threaten his reign.
YMCA Baseball Team (2002 / Dir. Kim Hyun-seok / 104 minutes / Cast members: Song Kang-ho, Kim Hye-soo)
Sunday, October 25, 2015; Screening at 14:30
Set in the early 19th century, YMCA Baseball Team is based on the first Korean baseball team of its time. The main character, a classical scholar, accidentally discovers the foreign sport of baseball. Fascinated by his glimpses of the sport, he tries to find out more about it. A team is assembled and together they face countless challenges and difficulties as they attempt to deal with the outside modern influences on their Confucian society. Ultimately, can they survive in the competition?
Supported by Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Hong Kong
Event Details
Asia Society Hong Kong Center, 9 Justice Drive, Admiralty, Hong Kong