2022 Is A Turning Point for Korean Film Industry, Whether It Will Be Released or Go Downhill

With COVID-19 pandemic continue for 3 years, 2022 is expected to be a turning point for Korean film industry. About 100 commercial films that were’nt able to be released due to pandemic and should be released somewhat this year, because it can’t wait any longer.

We don’t know when the pandemic ends, but there’s hope. With ‘The Policeman’s Lineage‘ release on 5 Jan and ‘Special Cargo‘ on 12 Jan, ‘The Pirates: Goblin Flag‘ and ‘King Maker‘ expected to release during Lunar New Year, the Korean film release race will begin in earnest around May. It’s also expected to be on parallel with Cannes Film Festival.

‘Decision to Leave‘ (Director: Park Chan Wook, Starring: Tang Wei, Park Hae Il, Go Kyung Pyo), is the first work that’s expected to be seen on Cannes Film Festival. Another film ‘Broker‘ (Director: Hirokazu Koreeda, Starring: IU, Kang Dong Won, Song Kang Ho, Bae Doo Na) also considered to be invited at this year’s Cannes.

‘Concrete Utopia‘ (Director: Uhm Tae Hwa, Starring: Lee Byung Hun, Park Seo Joon, Park Bo Young) also plans to be submitted to Cannes this year. ‘Wonderland‘ (Director: Kim Tae Yong, Starring: Tang Wei, Suzy, Park Bo Gum, Jung Yu Mi, Choi Woo Shik) have their overseas copyright and it’s being attention whether which film festival it’ll be screened. In addition to this, many works that aimed to be released on May this year and at Cannes Film Festival. ‘Life Is Beautiful‘ (Director: Choi Kook Hee, Starring: Ryu Seung Ryong, Yum Jung Ah, Park Se Wan, Ong Seong Wu) will be release in May. More info about the other movie will be listed below.

Even if the pandemic doesn’t end this year and the situation progress is stable, it’s expected these film will meet viewers one after another at the theater. The release of these films not only releated to internal circumtances from each company, but also situation of theaters as they decreased by 70% since COVID-19. If theater collaps, the Korean movie industry also on verge of collapsing. If on the 3rd year, the films been pushced back and theater, investor, production companies can withstand any longer, it will go bankrupt and continue like domino. Therefore, Korean films are pouring this year to bring back audiences to theater, creating the theater are the safest leisure place in pandemic era.

CJ Entertainment Line Up

Confidential Assignment 2: International
Sequel of the movie with same title starring Hyun Bin, Yoo Hae Jin, Daniel Henney, Im Yoon A. Story about North Korean detective who sent to South Korea to pursuit brutal and secret crime organization and a South Korean detective who volunteers to be his partner. In this sequel, an unpredictable global investigation united for their own purposes.

Broker
Directed by Hirozaku Kooreda, story about baby box, there people leave their babies unanimously for those who can’t take care of the babies. The movie stars Song Kang Ho, Kang Dong Won, Bae Doo Na, IU, Lee Joo Young

Decision To Leave
Made by director Park Chan Wook, also ready to launch. Story about detective who’se investigating murder case in mountains and the story become complicated after meeting the wife of the deceased. Park Hae Il, Tang Wei, Lee Jung Hyun, Go Kyung Pyo, Park Yong Woo took the lead roles.

The Moon
Directed by Kim Yong Hwa and starring Seol Kyung Gu, Do Kyung Soo, Kim Hee Ae. Story about a man left alone in space and another man on earth who’s desperately trying to save him.

Boys
Directed by Jeong Jin Young, story about head of investigation team who re-investigates the boys who were identified as culptiy in a robbery and murder case. Starring Seol Kyung Gu, Yoo Jun Sang, Jin Kyung, Yeom Hye Ran, Heo Sung Tae.

Ghost
Depicting of an action of 5 suspects who suspected as the ‘ghost’ of anti Japanese organization in Gyeongseong in 1933. Seol Kyung Gu, Honey Lee, Park So Dam, Park Hae Soo, Kim Dong Hee listed as cast.

Silence
Starring Lee Sun Kyun and Ju Ji Hoon, story about people isolated on airport bridge and on the verge of collapse in a thick fog, struggling to survive in the unexpected threat.

I Just Dropped My Smartphone/Stolen Identity
Starring Yim Si Wan and Chun Woo Hee will also available. Tells tension of realistic thriller about ordinary office worker who lost his smartphones which contains all his personal information and it begins to threaten his daily life.

Hero
Directed by Yoon Je Gyun, scheduled to be released last summer but it was postponed. A musical that made into a movie, an unforgetable last moment from preparation fot the funeral of Ahn Jung Geun who was sentenced to death by Japanese court. Jung Sung Hwa will take role ase Ahn Jung Geun

Count
Starring Jin Seon Gyu, Sung Yoo Bin, Oh Na Ra, Jang Dong Joo. Story about former gold-medalist who turned into gym teacher and rebellious student.

Alien + Human
First part of the movie directed by Choi Dong Hoon which has been filmed for over a year and done April last year will also be released in 2022. Depicting an extraordinary story as the door of time opens and trying to take possessions of the new sword of late Goryeo and in present in 2022, when aliens appear. Ryu Jun Yeol, Kim Woo Bin, Kim Tae Ri, So Ji Sub, Yum Jung Ah took the lead role. Part 1 & 2 were filmed at the same time, but the 1st part scheduled to be released this year.

Lotte Entertainment Line Up

The Pirates: Goblin Flag
Opening 2022 with strong line up, the sequel of The Pirates starring Kang Ha Neul, Han Hyo Joo, Lee Kwang Soo, Kwon Sang Woo, Chae Soo Bin, Oh Se Hun.

Life is Beautiful
Musical movie starring Ryu Seung Ryong, Yum Jung Ah, Park Se Wan, Ong Seong Wu also waiting to be released this year. Story about a wife who makes an absurd request to find her first love as her last birthday present.

Boston 1947
Starring Ha Jung Woo, Son Ye Jin, Yim Si Wan, Bae Seong Woo. Story about Korean athletes who participated on Boston International Marathon in 1947, the first international marathon after World War II. Directed by Kang Je Gyu.

Hansan
A war action film depicting strategy and ambition of Yi Sun Sin to defend Joseon. Directed by Kim Han Min, 7 years after ‘Roaring Currents’. Park Hae Il, Byun Yo Hwan, Ahn Sung Ki, Song Hyeon Joo took the lead roles.

Showbox Line Up

Emergency Declaration
Originally considered for released ahead of Lunar New Year, but the timing is rescheduled again. An aviation disaster film takes place in an airplane that’s beed delcared for emergency landing. It’s the only Korean film to be officially invited for non-competition section of 74th Cannes Film Festival last year. Directed by Han Jae Rim, staring Song Kang Ho, Lee Byung Hyun, Jeon Do Yeon, Kim Nam Gil, Yim Si Wan, Kim So Jin, Park Hae Joon

Apgujeong Report
Starring Ma Dong Seok, Jung Kyung Ho, Oh Na Ra, Oh Yeon Seo. Story about Apgujeong residence who’s been in that place for long and a though plastic surgeon who only believes in his skills, opening plastic surgery business in Gangnam.

Citizen Deok Hee
Starring Ra Mi Ran, Gong Myung, Yeom Hye Ran, a thrilling hit and run drama where a citizen, has been subjected to voice phising and set out to arrest the criminal organization.

Mathematician in Wonderland
Tells a story of genius mathematician who defected from North Korea and live as security guard at private high school. Starring Choi Min Sik and Kim Dok Hwi.

Vacation
Starring Shin Min Ah and Kim Hae Sook, about miraculous moment that happensin daugther-mother descends from sky on three days vacation.

Three Days
Starring Lee Min Ki and Park Shin Hyang, a work that deals with struggle against devil who awakanes in heart of a daughter who died during the 3 days of the funeral.

NEW Line Up

Special Cargo
Will opens the screen for new year. An action movie starring Park So Dam, Yeom Hye Ran, Yeon Woo Jin, Seong Sae Byeok. Story about special delivery driver with 100% success rate, get caught up in unexpected delivery accident.

The Witch Part 2: The Other One
Directed by Park Hoon Jung, starring Jo Min Su, Kim Da Mi, Lee Jong Suk taking the lead role. An action movie depicting story of a girl who wakes up in a huge secret laboratory and those who pursue her.

Smuggling
New film by director Ryu Seung Wan. A crime film about two women who caught up in smuggling in a small peaceful sea village in 1970s. Starring Kim Hye Soo, Yum Jung Ah, Jo In Sung, Park Jung Min, Go Min Si.

Honest Candidate 2
A sequel from the first movie with same title. Starring Ra Mi Ran, Yoon Kyung Ho, Kim Mu Yeol, Park Jin Joo.

High Five
A collaboration of Ra Mi Ran with Oh Jung Se, Lee Jae In, Ahn Jae Hong, Yoo Ah In, directed by Kang Hyung Chul. Story of five people who accidentally acquire superpowers.

Soulmate
Starring Kim Da Mi, Jeon So Nee, Byun Woo Seok. A remake of Chinese movie with same title, about our soulmates in peak time of friendships, parting, and love.

The Handsome Guys
Starring Lee Sung Min, Lee Hee Jun, Gong Seung Yeon, Lee Kyu Hyung, an unpredictable comedy film of two men, the self proclaimed ‘Handsome Guys’.

Land of Happiness
Will meet viewers with story of a person who gets caught up in an incident that shook modern history and a lawyer who works hard so hard to save that person. Starring Jo Jung Suk, Lee Sun Kyun, Yoo Jae Myung, Jin Ki Joo.

Owl
Starring Yoo Hae Jin and Ryu Jun Yeol, a thriller that stimilates five senses. About blind acupuncturist with different abilities who learns the secrets of the king that should be remain secret.

Sad Tropical
Starring Kim Seon Ho and Go A Ra also being prepared.

The Incident
Starring Kang Dong Won also in preparation.

Ace Maker Line Up

The Policeman’s Lineage
Starting the year with movie starring Cho Jin Woong, Choi Woo Shik, a crime movie of two police officers with different senses of duty, forming a team and meet an incident that shook the police organization.

Anchor
Starring Chun Woo Hee, also being prepared for release. A thriller that begins when a mysterious informant calls an anchor of broadcasting station, asking him to investigate and saying that he will be killed.

Wonderland
Directed by Kim Tae Yong and starring Park Bo Gum, Suzy, Jung Yu Mi, Choi Woo Shik, Tang Wei. A work that tells story of a virtual world where people can reunite with deceased family member or lover through a video call.

Remember
Starring Lee Sung Min and Nam Joo Hyuk, story of alzheimer patient in his 80s who lost all of his family to pro-Japanes during the colonial period and want to take revenge that he has prepared for the rest o his life.

Firefighter
A true story based on fire incident in Hongje-dong in 2001. Starring Kwak Do Won and directed by Kwak Kyung Taek. Scheduled to be released this year.

Dirty Money
Starring Jung Woo, Kim Dae Myung, Yoo Teo also expected to be released this year.

The Guardian
Directed and starred by Jung Woo Sung. Story about a man’s desperate struggle to protect the only person he has left.

Business Trip Investigation
Starring Bae Sung Woo and Jung Ga Ram, story of veteran detective and rookie detective who travel to Soul on a business trip to re-investigate mysterious murder case.

Virus
Staring Kim Yun Seok and Bae Doo Na, story of a fatal virus that kills someone who doesn’t fall in love within 5 days. The man and woman who expected to find the cure also fall in love.

Match
Lee Byung Hun and Yoo Ah In will meet as teacher and disciples. Story about inevitable match between two legends of Korean Go/Baduk.

Noryang
The last trilogy of Lee Soon Shin by director Kim Han Min. Story of Admiral Yi Sun Sin last battle that took place in winter 1598 at sea of Noryang.

Megabox Plus M Line Up

Dream
Directed by Lee Byung Hun after ‘Extreme Job’, starring Park Seo Joon and IU. Depicts a soccer player in Hongdae who is in verge of becoming a player, challenging the World Cup with homeless people. The filming has been delayed a bit as overseas filming has been delayed but it will be completed within this year.

The Roundup
Preparing for release this year. A sequel to ‘The Outlaws’, the legendary action movie, not for teenagers. Originally was expected to release during Lunar New Year holiday, but postponed as the situation worsened due to COVID-19. Likely will be released second half of 2022. Starring Ma Dong Seok, Son Suk Ku, Eum Moon Suk.

Bargaining
Starring Hwang Jung Min and Hyun Bin. The shot was fillmed overseas in Jordan last year, after overcoming the COVID-19. About the rescue of abductees based on abduction of Korean in Middle East. Directed by Yim Soon Rye who directed ‘Little Forrest’ and ‘Whistle Blower’.

Bogota
Scheduled to be released in 2022. A crime drama about people who start a risky deal to survive in Bogota, the last land chosen by hopeless people. Starring Song Joong Ki, Lee Hee Jun, Kwon Hae Hyo, the movie was filmed in Bogota, Colombia, but then resumed the filming in Korea due to pandemic and finished the filming.

The Hunt
Lee Jung Jae’s directorial debut, an espionage action film where the ace of National Security Agency face the huge truth as the pursue South Korean spy chief. Starring Lee Jung Jae and Jung Woo Sung.

Source:

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