Discoveries from South Korea World Cinema

Retired botanist Dongho lives alone, tending to his greenhouse. He cares for wild bees, makes seed bombs, and struggles to preserve the alpine plants he brought down from Mt. Baekdu a decade ago. One day, he encounters twelve-year-old Bom, who visits his yard in search of mulberry leaves for the silkworms Bom is raising. As a bond is cultivated between them, Bom suddenly disappears, leaving only a note and a silkworm kit behind. After waiting a few days, Dong-ho sets out with a sense of foreboding to find Bom.

"Can we continue playing yoyo?" It was a million-dollar question for Dae-yeol, Dong-hun, Hyun-woong, Dong-keon, and Jong-ki, all of whom had been yoyoing since childhood. In summer 2011, the five boys decided to go for the stages they had been dreaming of—it was going to be the last time before they say goodbye to their yoyo. Four of them, Dae-yeol, Dong-hun, Hyun-woong, and Dong-keon, went to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Jong-ki couldn’t afford the travel and took his shot at a TV talent show competition in Korea. The five tasted dreamlike moments, which, in turn, made their choices more difficult. Now, the yoyo means something different for each of them. But they have to face daunting reality no matter where they stand.

Yeon Woo is a director who has made one of the most popular films in the world, but recently has failed to deliver anything of note, leading to a slump in his career. By chance, Yeon Woo pays a visit to a popular web novelist in the hope of adapting his best-selling work, not realizing that the author is the long-lost Woo Jae! Past grievances caused them to part ways, but now that they are reunited, will they be able to resolve their misunderstandings and become each other's happy endings?

The film concerns the 3-day rule of Kim Ok-kyun (1851-1894), and his attempt to modernize Korea.

Rey, a middle school student in Tokyo, is on winter break from today. Gyu-ri, a Korean high school girl, comes to meet her father who works in Tokyo. Parents are busy, and the two are bored.

On her father’s birthday, Jihee visits her childhood home with her husband and child, feeling anxious. Having married against her family’s wishes, she shrinks under her father’s coldness until tensions finally erupt.

The freed Yeong-jin falls in love with a girl who loves him. But Yeong-jin goes on a journey, leaving a note to his beloved: "My love is endless expanses".

It's the year 2080 and thanks to genius scientist Dr. Tommy, Earth is at peace. He created the Moon C.R.A.T.E.R. Project, the wackiest intergalactic sports circuit, where two opposing Robot armies battle it out to settle Earth's disputes using the deadliest weapon known: water! Bolts and Blip, Central City's misfits, are accidently recruited as members of the Lunar Leagues last placed team - The Thunderbolts! They find themselves catapulted into a series of hilarious lunar battles and soon discover that all is not what it seems. In the next instalment of BOLTS & BLIP, the Thunderbolts fall under the spell of a mysterious "Black Box", a strange invader crash lands on the moon and threatens to destroy Lunar City and Saedee finds herself replaced as team captain, by a mysterious prototype "Saedee-34".

When a professor files a lawsuit against her over hand-written posters, university student Hye-ri goes to the clubroom to see her friend Min-young, with whom she made the poster. Finding her there with a new member, Hye-ri is caught up in an inner conflict.

Delivery man Dong-soo has a tic disorder that causes him to say inappropriate words he doesn't mean. Online novelist Ye-ri has closed herself in her apartment ever since her sibling's death. Twice a week, Dong-soo makes deliveries to Ye-ri and they develop a quiet bond, talking about things they've never told anyone else. Ye-ri reveals that it was her late sibling's wish to see a sea without water, and Dong-soo decides to fulfill that wish for her.

Seok-hee, a child psychiatrist, spends her days waiting for news from her husband Minho, who is traveling in Norway. One day, she discovers an old notebook in his study and uncovers a secret he had hidden for years. As Minho’s presence in her life slowly begins to fade, Seok-hee finds herself questioning who he really was...

After Jiwoo, who lives with his grandmother, suddenly disappears, police investigation begins, and statements follow from children who claim they were harmed by Jiwoo's problematic behavior. Then Gaeul, Jiwoo's only friend, makes a statement that Jiwoo is actually an alien who, unable to adapt to Earth, is returning to his own planet. Is Jiwoo really an alien from outer space who wants to return to his planet?

Jaurim's impactful debut was in 1997. The personal stories of the members. How Jaurim has dealt with adversity. The behind story of 25th special albums and concerts with fans. The spirit of Jaurim's music, youth!

When a middle-aged son takes his ailing father out to a bathhouse to refresh their past connection, a young garrulous caregiver tags along and could perhaps replace his place.

Min-woo, a naive college student from the countryside who only knows about studying, gets to know a high-class call girl named Yeong-ae at the police station. Young-ae begs Min-wu to stay with her for a while, and affection grows between the two.

This experimental film, directed by Kim Hee-suk, is about a bound and tortured man who turns into a specimen when he tries to escape.

According to a survey by the U.S. military government in 1946, 78% of the South Korean people wanted socialism and only 14% capitalism. By appointing the pro-Japanese collaborators and the rightists, Rhee Syngman, who had not received the people's support, massacred those groups and civilians that were political stumbling blocks. In dealing with the Jeju 4.3 uprising in 1947 and the Yeosun incident in 1948 and The Korean War having broken out, massive civilian massacre became regularized.

Two women meet in a local police station of Kangwha, a terminal unit of patriarchal authoritarian police department of state. They are connected through conversation of sharing wounds at heart in bureaucratic and result-oriented masculine system.

After her mother passes away, Bora finds herself weighing 105kg. Memories and love towards her mother weigh down on Bora.

A man who has lived as an ordinary father and husband finally tries to find his authentic self in his twilight years.

Byung Woo and Hee Su are hearing impaired brother and sister who have learned oralism. Byung Woo since graduating from high school have worked at the 24 hour fast food restaurant for 2 years but is still a minor part timer. Hee Su meets Dong Jun who she got to know through an online game.

Conversation brings and changes the memory. Sometimes, it is a procedure that concludes upon certain memory. In this context, the way of conversation becomes methodology and theme at the same time. The process of conversation keeps repeating, and it is performed the way of conversation by using traces made during the repeating process, such as film, sound, and motion of choreographer. (Lee Jangwook)

A Korean theater troupe travels to Greece to rehearse a new production of Aeschylus' Agamemnon.

Finishing his military service, Ji-hyeon goes back to college, only to face difficult family issues and rumors to abolish departments of college he is belonged to. At a literary club meeting, Ji-hyeon meets Hye-rin, who shares his concerns, and have an impulsive sex after the meeting.

Three part-timers of different ages and genders gathered at night. They gathered to kidnap someone.... It is the owner who hired them. The long-awaited boss doesn't appear and things continue to get twisted. The boss finally showed up. He's a formidable character. The sadness of part-timers to receive overdue wages comes out intact.

Kim Hee-Gap and his wife Hwang come to visit their five sons living in Seoul. They move from one son's to other son's, not being able to take nagging of some daughter-in-law or the ill-nature of some grandchildren. One day after they experienced lots of incidents and troubles, their five sons and daughters-in-law, and grandchildren gather to enjoy the family party. The old couple leave Seoul, getting pleased with their sons' love for them.

Su-yeon has been harassed and bullied by the class president, Hyun-ji for a long time. When she consults this matter with the school’s reverend, she is advised to collect evidence of her harassment and bullying. Religion is the only thing Su-yeon can count on, but the school reverend cannot protect her. This film makes us ponder about the bullying problem in schools, the role of religion, and the teacher and reverend’s duplicity.

Three digital short films: 'Worldly Desires' by Apichatpong Weerasethakul, 'Haze' by Tsukamoto Shinya, 'Magician(s)' by Song Il-Gon

This film is a documentary of the 2009 SSangyong Motor's strike. The production team actually snuck into the sealed premises and reported the intense, desperate strike and the daily lives of the workers.

yeyoung, a grandmother in her 60s, runs a boat rental in a fishing village overrun by tourists while also caring for her sick husband. When her estranged daughter-in-law, Myungha, asks her to come to Seoul to persuade her husband to return home, Hyeyoung also finds herself looking after her young granddaughter, Yeonji. Together, grandmother and granddaughter navigate a city that feels like another Korea.

Sung-geun wants his son, Jong-hun, to be a Major-leaguer. Someday, they find a dying man.

Before 2NE1 achieved global success, Sandara was already a superstar in the Philippines.

One day, Seok-jin, who had been struggling to collect bonds at a private loan office, faced a once-in-a-lifetime crisis when his client Han Gyoo-tae disappeared without paying back tens of millions of won in debt. Dae-kwang, the president who has no blood or tears, even wrote an organ trading contract and threatened to collect bonds. Eventually, Seok-jin visits Han Gyoo-tae's house, but Han Gyoo-tae has already moved away. Seok-jin, who found out Han Gyoo-tae's hometown address, visits his house located in the village at the end of the West Sea, but is shocked to learn of Han Gyoo-tae's death...

Hee-ran is married to a very rich man but but can't handle the discrepancy between their families. She remarries the man who saved her father from bankruptcy, but also leaves him for his jealousy and debauchery. She moves to Japan, and pretends she's married to Yang, a mentally handicapped man. Working as a nightclub hostess, she's hopeful again when Yukawa shows interest in her. What will she do when his wife makes a proposal?

Sangcheol, who gave up his life for the independence of his country, The members of the Gyeongseong Touring troupe, who have to go on the stage with a Japanese flag, Yeonhwa that heals independent troops Sangcheol but can't afford to follow a grand cause... The ordinary people who were thrown in front of the rough wheels of the times each person makes their own choice by holding onto their already broken daily life. Can you not regret the fate that this choice forces.

Newlyweds Do-yul and Ji-hye lose their life savings to a "jeonse" rental scam. Amidst the ruins, they learn a baby is on the way. When their landlord suggests passing the lease to another victim to recover their money, the couple faces a brutal choice: remain ruined, or survive by ruining an innocent stranger.

Problems emerge when Sohee takes custody of Momo, the cat she once shared with her ex-girlfriend.

The film takes place in contemporary Korea with a slight alteration: in this Korea duels are legal. YU Young-bin is an ordinary office worker - a counselor in his workplace but a veteran swordsman with formidable skill. But the years of dueling have made him weary. While visiting a fencing training center run by his friend JIN Woon-gwang, YU encounters an unpleasant high school kid, CHOI Bon-guk, in whom he sees his own younger self reflected.

A young female ex-convict tries to start a new life once she regains her freedom. With the help of her parole officer, she is able to open a successful outdoor cafe. However, she quickly learns that she has a larger debt to pay to society than she thought.

Ju Yeong-nbok volunteers to work for the North Korean army as a Russian translator. As the political climate in the North deteriorates, his sister flees south. Yeong-bok is worried that her defection will prevent his being promoted in the ranks of the communist party. He breaks up with his girlfriend because she is catholic in order to prove his party loyalty, but Yeong-bok still finds himself blacklisted.

In January, a couple walks downtown at dawn. Is this a love story? Situations following after ‘February’ and ‘March’ put audiences in confusion. An intriguing narrative structure built on twisting time and converting relationships.

To pay off his father's debts, Chang-han works as a driver. One night, he picks up a drag queen named Joon-seo, who enters his house and never returns. When Chang-han visits to collect his payment, he meets Joon-seo's roommate, Yul-ha. With bank transfers halted due to maintenance, they spend two hours together.

The grand finale of K-pop boy band RIIZE's first world fan-concert tour, 2024 RIIZE FAN-CON 'RIIZING DAY' FINALE in SEOUL, will be broadcast live in cinemas! After touring through Seoul, Tokyo, Mexico City, L.A., Hong Kong, Taipei, Manila, Singapore, Bangkok, and Jakarta in 2024, the first day of the FINALE in SEOUL will be presented live in cinemas across selected territories worldwide. Experience the magic of the 2024 RIIZE FAN-CON TOUR ‘RIIZING DAY’ FINALE IN CINEMA, featuring spectacular performances, including celebrated hits from their first mini album, RIIZING. On September 13th, BRIIZE can celebrate this unforgettable night together in cinemas. Don't miss out on the global celebration of RIIZE's 'RIIZING DAY' tour finale in Seoul on the big screen!

Min-kyu, who is separated from his girlfriend, goes to Hong Kong. It's a journey to escape from suffering, but Min-kyu's complex mind is rarely solved. Min-kyu tried to leave the hostel. He met a woman as soon as he opened the door. Unlike Min-kyu, who is embarrassed, the woman enters his hostel. After a strange first encounter, his trip to Hong Kong begins as if it is a coincidence.

This is the story of the struggle of the pioneers of the March independence movement, which led 20 million Koreans to rebel on March 1, 1919.

After graduating from Joseon school, ✕✕ enters a South Korean university. Jihoon meets ✕✕’s family and friends, sharing meals, drinks, and songs together. Through these interactions, he naturally grows closer to ○○, △△, and ◇◇, listening to their memories of Joseon school and their lives in Japan. These exchanges erase the space of everyday life and question the sense of mission imposed in its place: For whom is it really when we label those living ordinary lives with ‘identity’?