'Terminator Genisys' tops box office on opening day
SEOUL, July 3 (Yonhap) -- The Hollywood action blockbuster "Terminator Genisys" rose to the top of South Korea's daily box office, drawing an audience of 250,000 on opening day, data showed.
Released Thursday on 1,086 screens nationwide, the fifth installment of the Terminator series sold 252,680 tickets that day, the Korean Film Council said. The movie raked in slightly more than 2 billion won (US$1.7 million), which accounts for 50.7 percent of the nation's box office sales.
"Northern Limit Line," a domestic film that has kept the top post in the box office for eight straight days since its release, was pushed to the second place in the box office ranking.
The opening score is the fourth highest among films that opened this year next to 622,210 for "Avengers: Age of Ultron" and 321,653 for "Taken 3" and 274,723 for "Jurassic World."
Directed by Alan Taylor, "Terminator Genisys" serves as a prequel, sequel and reboot to the first four Terminator movies.
In the new film, Arnold Schwarzenegger reprised his iconic cybernetic robot character, joined by a slew of newcomers, including "Game of Thrones" actress Emilia Clarke and "Divergent" star Jai Courtney, and South Korean actor Lee Byung-hun.
“I’ve been to Korea on a personal vacation, for a movie promotion and also when I was the California governor. It is pleasure to come back to Korea,” said Arnold Schwarzenegger who has returned to his iconic killing machine role in the new installment of Terminator series.
Arnold Schwarzenegger and Emilia Clarke visited Seoul to promote the summer blockbuster ‘Terminator Genisys,’ which opened in local theaters on Thursday. The 68-year-old actor and bodybuilder plays the main character Terminator T-800 and the actress becomes the new face of Sarah Corner, a legendary role in the movie. Schwarzenegger’s last visit to Korea was two years ago in 2013 during promotion for Korean director Kim Ji-woon’s Hollywood debut movie ‘Last Stand.’
The fifth installment of the Terminator series, of which the first movie opened in 1984, tells a new story by going back to the time when the first Terminator story began. “When I was asked if I was interested in doing another ‘Terminator,’ I made it very clear to them that it is very important that they have a great script and a great story,” said Schwarzenegger at a press conference held in Seoul. He added this movie is built on the great suspense, the surprises, the emotional rollercoaster ride and the great action.
After turning into a politician as California’s governor between 2003 and 2011, Schwarzenegger has returned to his acting career appearing in ‘Last Stand,’ ‘Escape Plan’ and ‘Sabotage.’
In the new movie, he appears as an old T-800, different from the original setting in the first movie released in 1984. The old robot is a guardian to take care of Sarah, who lost her parents at her young age, and prepares her against the future man-robot battle. “I woke up at 4:30 in the morning today and worked out for an hour. I gained 4 kg to make the body that I had in the first movie. I had to exercise twice as much as before but it was not a big deal as I have played in action movies for 40 years,” said Schwarzenegger.
About Korean actor Lee Byung-hun who plays a villain robot T-1000 in the movie, Clarke said, “He was incredible to watch at the scene. There weren’t very many special effects for the movements that he naturally had.” She added that she hoped Lee to join, if a sequel is coming. Schwarzenegger and Clarke appear in the red carpet event and movie premiere on the same day at the Lotte World Tower in Seoul and departs to Japan on Friday.
“Terminator T-800 says ‘I’m old but not obsolete’ in this movie. I think that this statement is for everybody. I hope to come back to Korea. I’ll be back,” said Schwarzenegger when he leaves the press conference.
'Terminator Genisys' tops box office on opening day
SEOUL, July 3 (Yonhap) -- The Hollywood action blockbuster "Terminator Genisys" rose to the top of South Korea's daily box office, drawing an audience of 250,000 on opening day, data showed.
Released Thursday on 1,086 screens nationwide, the fifth installment of the Terminator series sold 252,680 tickets that day, the Korean Film Council said. The movie raked in slightly more than 2 billion won (US$1.7 million), which accounts for 50.7 percent of the nation's box office sales.
"Northern Limit Line," a domestic film that has kept the top post in the box office for eight straight days since its release, was pushed to the second place in the box office ranking.
The opening score is the fourth highest among films that opened this year next to 622,210 for "Avengers: Age of Ultron" and 321,653 for "Taken 3" and 274,723 for "Jurassic World."
Directed by Alan Taylor, "Terminator Genisys" serves as a prequel, sequel and reboot to the first four Terminator movies.
In the new film, Arnold Schwarzenegger reprised his iconic cybernetic robot character, joined by a slew of newcomers, including "Game of Thrones" actress Emilia Clarke and "Divergent" star Jai Courtney, and South Korean actor Lee Byung-hun.
Cannibalism, torture, graphic execution by guillotine — Kim Ji-woon's revenge parable may be one of the more morally complicated South Korean ultra-violent thrillers to hit our shores in recent years but it's also one of the sickest as well. The story is basic: A lawman (Terminator Genisys' Lee Byung-hun) goes after the psychopath (Oldboy's Choi Min-sik) who murdered his pregnant wife. They each take turns playing the cat and mouse of the equation, while the movie compellingly asks: How do good people destroy evil without becoming rotten themselves? But don't look for answers to that question here — this is the sort of Asian exploitation cinema that takes pleasure in sticking its fingers in wounds. As for the killer, Choi plays him with such blasé soulnessness it's chilling: He's the personification of the abyss staring back. TG
'Memories of The Sword' set for August 13, main poster released
Source: Nate
Lee Byung-hun, Jun Do-yeon’s ‘Memories of the Sword’ release date confirmed
“Memories of the Sword,” a long-awaited period martial arts film, will be released on Aug. 13, its distributor Lotte Entertainment has confirmed.
The film’s main poster, unveiled Tuesday, shows the three main actors -- Lee Byung-hun, Jun Do-yeon and Kim Go-eun -- drawing swords against each other.
Set in the ancient Goryeo Kingdom, where it is said that even a low swordsman could rise to be king, Lee’s character Yoo-baek clawed his way up the ranks to take the supreme power of Goryeo’s military regime, in course of which he betrayed Woll-so, played by Jun Do-yeon, with whom he had once shared a common purpose to reform the world.
Both Yoo-baek and Woll-so are hunted down by orphan Hong-ee, played by Kim Go-eun, who is set on avenging her parents’ death.
K-pop group 2PM’s Junho is a supporting actor in the film.
Lee Byung Hun will return to Korea for promotional activities surrounding his last Korean film "Memories of the Sword."
The actor has been in America, working on a remake of the film "The Magnificent Seven" with co-stars Denzel Washington, Ethan Hawke and Vincent D'Onofrio. Before that Lee worked on the film "Beyond Deceit" with co-stars Anthony Hopkins and Al Pacino. Lee has spent a large part of the last year in the U.S., also participating in promotion events for his film "Terminator Genisys."
His wife actress Lee Min Jung accompanied him for part of the time he was there. The couple returned to Korea for the birth of their first child in the spring. Their son was born on March 31. Lee Byung Hun spent a few weeks with his wife and baby before returning to the U.S. for work.
According to the Korean media outlet Star News, Lee Byung Hun will attend the premiere of "Memories of the Sword" on July 24 and is discussing further promotional events with Lotte Entertainment.
The film also stars Jeon Do Yeon, Kim Go Eun, Lee Kyung Young, Kim Tae Woo, 2PM's Lee Junho and Z:EA's Park Hyung Sik. They are all expected to attend the premiere.
The story about three exceptionally gifted swordsmen is set during the ancient Goryeo Kingdom. Lee Byung Hun plays Deok Gi. Jeon
Do Yeon plays Seol Rang, while Kim Go Eun plays Hong Ee. The swordsmen lead an uprising but Deok Gi betrays the uprising, leading to the death of many of his previous brothers-in-arms. Seol Rang, who is expecting a child, disappears after her husband is killed.
Eighteen years later she is a blind woman managing a teahouse. She's teaching her daughter Hong Ee how to be a master sword fighter. One day Deok Gi, now a military ruler, holds a sword match in which Hong Ee participates. Her skill and style are both hard to miss.
When Hong Ee finds out how her father dies she embarks on a quest for revenge.
That means she has to face Deok Gi and her sword-fighting skills may be put to the test.
NEW YORK, NY, Jul 16, 2015 (Marketwired via COMTEX) -- Esquire Thailand, the exciting Thai edition of the prestigious Esquire magazine, partners with the world's largest digital magazine newsstand, Magzter, to mark its digital expansion. Esquire Thailand becomes the sixth edition of Esquire on Magzter, and its sister editions -- Esquire (US), Esquire Spain, Esquire Viet Nam, Esquire Latinoamérica and Esquire Philippines are already among the best-sellers in their respective countries.
Esquire magazine is meant to impress the gentlemen who seek the best in everything, whether it is work or lifestyle. Esquire's unique blend of interesting stories with substance, and ability to entertain and inspire make it a relevant source and must-read for tastemakers and influencers. Living up to its brand value, each issue of Esquire Thailand is packed with the finest coverage of lifestyle, fashion, culture, art, politics, travel, automobile and women.
The latest issue of Esquire Thailand is dedicated to timekeepers, and you can read many exciting columns such as the new rules for men, the leader of Asian century and 10 things you don't know about women! Also, don't miss the exciting cover story on Lee Byung-Hun.
Is Production Cost Proportionate to Number of Audiences?
CHOI Dong-hoon’s Assassination bets winning move with a production budget of 18 billion won.
by Kim Hyun-jung / KoBiz
There is no reason only big-budget films should draw many audiences.
In 2013, Mr. Go flopped with only fewer than 1.5 million viewers even though the film costs 25 billion won(USD 21million), the highest ever in Korea, to produce. But CHOI Dong-hoon, the director of Assassination has enjoyed a desirable phenomenon where increases in budgets for his films translate into bigger box office hits. The Big Swindle, his debut film already earned him a spot on the list of Korea’s commercially successful directors.
In 2006, Tazza: The High Rollers with a production budget of 5.1 billion won (USD 4.5 million) attracted 6.84 million viewers. In 2009, Woochi with a production budget of 12 billion (USD 10 million), 6.13 million viewers and in 2012, The Thieves with a production budget of 14 billion won (USD 12 million ), 12.98 million viewers. Woochi’s production budget which is a high budget for a Korean film, equals the production budget for only six minutes of the Hollywood mega blockbuster Avatar.
Assassination, a new film by CHOI costs 18 billion won (USD 15.7million) to produce. Memories of the Sword, Veteran and The Beauty Inside picked as the four most anticipated Korea films for the summer season along with Assassination cost nine, five and 4.5 billion won, respectively to produce. “The increase in the budget made me ask myself, ‘Am I crazy now?’”, CHOI said about a burden of the growing budget. CHOI will receive the opening-day box-office scorecard of his new film on July 22 when Assassination will hit screens.
This year has been troubling for the recently buoyant Korean film industry. Overall box office is down 1.5%, but, as Hollywood movies surge, the market share for local films has plunged to its lowest percentage since 2009.
While the summer and the second half of the year hold hope of recovery for Korean filmmakers, some of the problems may be systemic.
Total admissions slipped from 96.6 million in the first six months of 2014 to 95.1 million this year, according to Korean Film Council data. Moviegoing took a beating in June, when the outbreak of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome dampened audiences’ desire to sit in close proximity to their neighbors. Successful public health measures means the MERS scare is now contained, and cinema totals seems to be recovering.
Local films saw their numbers down by 2.7% to 40.4 million tickets sold in the first six months. That meant they took only 42.7% of the box office, compared with 50.1% for the full 2014, and 60% in 2013.
Hollywood titles dominated, accounting for all but 2% of the 57% market share grabbed by foreign films. “Avengers: Age of Ultron” opened on 1,843 of the country’s 2,300 screens and amassed $78.3 million from 10.5 million admissions. Behind it came “Kingsman: The Secret Service” ($44.5 million), “Jurassic World” ($41 million), “Mad Max: Fury Road” ($29.1 million) and “Furious 7” ($23.4 million).
Hollywood studios raked in even more revenue thanks to higher ticket prices from 3D and Imax screenings, something that Korean filmmakers shun.
In an unusual development, only four Korean films were in the top 10, with the still-in-release “Northern Limit Line” the local champion at $31.5 million to date; “Detective K: Secret of the Lost Island” ($26.93 million), “Twenty” ($20.83 million) and “Classified” ($19.51 million) were the other three.
What’s missing so far in 2015 are the middle-ranking successes, those films that sell between 3 million and 8 million tickets, which points to the growing polarization between Korea’s recent megahits, such as “Ode to My Father” and “Roaring Currents,” and everything else.
At least part of the problem lies with a huge supply of films that outstrips demand. In the first half year, some 486 films received theatrical releases (of which 96 were Korean), a 19-film-per-week rate that is more than the annual release total in most countries. With that crush, smaller films are rapidly pushed offscreen before they have the chance to find an audience.
Korea’s vertically integrated exhibition giants were penalized last year for favoring the films from their own distribution companies, but it is also clear that the vast number of releases, which has swelled as VoD and IPTV have begun to take off in Korea, simply outstrips nationwide screen capacity. Smaller and indie films often have to make do with partial runs made up of early morning or midnight slots.
Seasonal releasing patterns also make a difference. Korea’s homegrown blockbusters typically dominate the peak markets of summer and the national holidays. Hollywood tentpoles are given a freer rein the rest of the year. Small and mid-sized Korean film are thus forced to compete against blockbusters throughout the year.
In previous years the summer has been a time for the local horror niche to come to the fore – literally intended to give cold sweats in the hot season – though in recent years they have given way to nostalgic trips down memory lane or easy to consume popcorn fare. These have included period action blockbuster “War of the Arrows” in 2011; Joseon dynasty comedy “The Grand Heist” in 2012; and “Roaring Currents” and comic period adventure “The Pirates” in July and August last year.
The second half of 2015 continues that riff. Ryu Seung-ryong-starring fantasy “The Piper,” which opened on July 9, is the summer’s only significant local horror release. Instead, championing the Korean cause is a string of variations on the nostalgia, comedy and patriotic action themes.
These include the nationalistic “NLL,” still performing strongly; Showbox’s star-studded – and critically well received — period movie “Assassination”; and CJ Entertainment’s comedy-tinged contemporary crimer “Veteran,” set for an Aug. 5 outing. Another period action drama, “Memories of the Sword,” starring veteran actors Lee Byung-hun, Jeon Do-yeon and rookie Kim Go-eun, is expected to be a massive summer hit for Lotte this year.
If Korea’s most commercial filmmakers and their conglomerate backers can avoid the trap of genre exhaustion that they previously fell into in 2007-09, then there is a fair chance that their full year market share will be an improvement on the first half. But the outlook for smaller movies and indie fare looks just as dim.
Lee Byung Hun at 'Memories of The Sword' Press Event
Source: Nate (media credit as stated on captures)
Actor Lee Byung Hun made his first official public appearance at a production briefing for upcoming film Memories of the Sword, held at Lotte Cinema in Seoul′s Gwangjin-gu on July 24. His co-stars Jeon Do Yeon and Kim Go Eun were also in attendance.
Lee Byung Hun, who stars as Yoo Baek in upcoming film Memories of the Sword, stated the film′s release was delayed "largely because of me."
Lee Byung Hun met with reporters at a production briefing for Memories of the Sword, held at Lotte Cinema in Seoul′s Gwangjin-gu on July 24.
Lee Byung Hun bowed in apology before the briefing, and when asked about his thoughts on the film′s delayed release during the briefing, he said "The film was originally scheduled for an earlier release, but due to the atmosphere and other circumstances, it′s showing now. It′s largely because of me. Regarding these things, I want to apologize to the actors and concerned parties."
The film was originally scheduled to be released sooner but was delayed when Lee Byung Hun was embroiled in a scandal last September.
Lee Byung Hun said, "From the perspective of releasing, promoting and distributing the film, I think the summer is a good time. There are a lot of good domestic and foreign films coming out, but our movie is a martial arts historical film. That′s what differentiates it."
Director Park Heung Sik said, "It′s what you would expect. Simply watching the three actors will be entertaining."
Memories of the Sword will be released on August 13.
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