Although there are many independent Korean films playing at the domestic film festivals, very few get a theatrical release or become available through DVD. One such success from last year was the debut feature of Noh Young-seok, DAYTIME DRINKING. And this really is Noh’s film: he is the director, writer, cinematographer, editor, art director and musical composer. The film debuted at the Jeonju film festival in May 2008, traveled to many international festivals, including Toronto, and then had a brief theatrical run in Korea last February. It is now available on DVD and became a small cult hit through word of mouth. Although often billed as a comedy, it is peculiar kind of humour that has become more popular in the last decade. Similar to the more familiar black comedy, it is what we may call uncomfortable or awkward comedy, a form made popular in the West by TV shows such as THE OFFICE and CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM. Much of the humour of DAYTIME DRINKING derives from the socially tense moments the lead character encounters. In its small and understated way, the movie is a kind of horror film as much as a quirky comedy. (more…)

Admiral Yi Sun-Shin overlooking Gwanghwamun Plaza and an impressive light / water show.

Not to be confused with the King Sejong Memorial Hall, the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, Sejong’s statue in Yeouido Park, or anything else featuring Korea’s most famous king, the Story of Sejong recently opened underneath the new statue of King Sejong. (more…)

A few new cinema related items:

There is a retrospective of the late Yu Hyun-mok at the Seoul Cinematheque, December 1st-9th. Unfortunately, only two of the films are listed as having English subtitles: AN AIMLESS BULLET (1961), which played at Pusan this year and is generally regarded as his masterpiece (and a great film it is), and the lesser known GUESTS OF THE LAST TRAIN (1967). (more…)

Across the street from the King Sejong Memorial Hall rests the Hongneung Arboretum. The arboretum is cleverly disguised as the Korea Forest Research Institute, as the focus is more on research than tourism. That explains why it’s only open to the public on Saturdays and Sundays. (more…)

Quentin Tarantino’s INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS is currently winding down its theatrical run in Korea and heading towards the world of home video. In the past few months there has been a great deal of discussion about the film, primarily in terms of its treatment of revisionist history and its problematic reversal of Jewish victimhood. But in recently watching the film a third time, I was more interested in thinking about how the film is constructed. For a mainstream Hollywood film that grossed a large amount of money, the style and narrative form appear to be somewhat unusual, not unlike Tarantino’s first big success, 1994’s PULP FICTION. On closer examination, however, the style of the movie is not very unusual at all, despite initial appearances. In fact, the only thing slightly unusual about the film is in its narrative form, not in Tarantino’s directorial choices.  (more…)

Although Baedari has been brewing makgeolli (rice wine), jukyoju (a clearer and more potent rice wine) and soju (Korean fire-water) for almost 90 years, the museum has only been open since 2004. While this particular wine museum / brewery offers no taste tests or samples, plenty of offerings exist in the restaurant. Now in its fifth-generation of ownership, Baedari continues to produce alcohol for the masses. (more…)