Shim Hye-Jin Movies
The Korean psychological horror film Acacia begins with a married couple who, after accepting the fact that they are unable to have a child of their own, adopt a boy named Jin-sung. The boy appears to contain mystical powers that first manifest when the dead acacia tree he plays underneath comes back to life. However, soon his powers show more destructive than life-giving capabilities. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- 1999
This documentary tackles the emotional battle to protect South Korea's national film industry against the corporate juggernaut of the MPAA (which is backed by the U.S. government). From a high profile hunger strike by Korean directors in the summer of 1998 to the current stalemate after the issue was separated from general trade talks, the film focuses on Korea's use of screen quotas for local flicks (currently standing at 106, but this is bound to be reduced). While the MPAA sees Korea as a key market in its attempts to dominate all of Asia, Korean filmmakers regard local productions as central to Korea's sense of national identity. This film was screened at the 1999 Pusan Film Festival. ~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Myung Kye-Nam
- 1998
Taken from South Korean female playwright Um In-hee's production of the same name, this thoughtful comedy drama centers on a married pair of lawyers, Sung-ki (Ahn Sung-ki) and Gi-ja (Mun Seong-keun) who find themselves facing off in court and at home after a woman (Hwang Cine) decides to sue a major conglomerate for destroying her lover's sex-drive. Prosecutor Gi-ja represents the woman, while Sung-ki helps the defendant. The primary issue centers on the unstoppable Korean post-war work ethic in which employees are expected to devote their lives to supporting their companies, something that destroys many relationships and even lives. Arguments from the case parallel the lawyers' marriage and open a huge, painful gulf between them. This film played at the 1998 Pusan Film Festival. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ahn Song-Gi, Mun Seong-keun, (more)
- 1997
In this South Korean crime drama, Makdong (Han Suk-Kyu) is discharged from the army to find changes in his rural hometown village. Aboard a train, he meets nightclub singer Miae (Shim Hye-Jin), girlfriend of a Seoul gang leader (Moon Sung-Keun). Makdong joins the gang, but his increasing interest in Miae puts him in conflict with the boss. This film won the 1997 Vancouver Film Festival's Dragons and Tigers Award, given to top Asian films. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Han Suk-Kyu, Shim Hye-Jin, (more)
- 1995
In this spirited Korean road movie two convicts are being moved to a new prison when the other convicts break out and escape. The two remaining cons, who despise each other, are left to hitchhike their way to freedom. They end up catching a ride with a constantly fighting married couple. When the husband gets out of the car for a minute, they take the wife and leave him. The wife drives, or at least tries to drive. The trio encounters many adventures as they make for the North Korean border. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1994
This South Korean black comedy which follows the exploits of two bumbling fugitives is an allegory for the country's recent political situations. As cell mates Moon Sung-kin and Yi Kyung-yong (the actors' real names) are being transferred to another prison, their bus is hijacked. In the resulting scuffle, the two accidentally escape. They decide to turn themselves in. Then they meet a daring young woman who fancies herself an outlaw. She convinces them to go to Seoul where they attempt to rob a bank. They fail miserably and escape in an armored truck. Embarrassed by their lack of skill, Moon and Yi head for the North Korean border. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Moon Sung-Keun, Yi Kyung-Yong, (more)
- 1993
This romantic drama follows the relationship of two white-collar Koreans from the moment of their marriage onward. In the story, they discover the joys and perils of intimacy, beginning with the universally resonant toilet-seat controversy, and continuing on to the joys of mutual sexual disovery. Eventually, their working lives begin to predominate, and things reach a sort of equilibrium. A significant fly in the ointment appears in the form of a major promotion for the wife, who works at the same company as her husband. From this point onward, their relationship sours, as the husband feels his masculinity is threatened and does some characteristically foolish and awful things. After a brief separation instigated by the wife, the husband, much chastened, agrees to meet with her and work to overcome their differences. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Shim Hye-Jin
- 1991
The young man in this film has been forced to flee Seoul for a small factory town, where he takes a job at a factory making charcoal briquettes. Apparently, he became a persona non grata while participating in worker protests at a factory in the capital city. Even though conditions are no better in this small factory than they were in the city, he behaves cautiously and doesn't protest. However, when he becomes enamored of a young prostitute who is the unwilling favorite of the plant's manager, he gallantly comes to her rescue and is forced to flee once again. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Moon Sung-Keun, Shim Hye-Jin, (more)
