Kim Hae-gon Movies

A new take on the Hong Kong action classic that launched Chow Yun Fat to international stardom, director Song Hae-seong's remake of A Better Tomorrow features an all-star cast including Seung-heon Song, Kang-woo Kim, and Jin-mo Ju. In the treacherous world of the black-market weapons trade, honor and vengeance go hand in hand. Adapted from writer/director John Woo's original screenplay. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Writer/director Kim Jee-woon followed up his hit horror film, A Tale of Two Sisters, with this violent crime drama, A Bittersweet Life. Sun-woo (Lee Byeong-heon of Joint Security Area) is a devastatingly effective, but businesslike enforcer for Mr. Kang (Kim Young-cheol), a mob boss who owns La Dolce Vita, the Seoul nightclub where Sun-woo employs the sloppier, less reliable Mun-suk (Kim Rwe-ha of Memories of Murder) to keep things running smoothly. Kang is involved in a developing feud with another boss, President Baek (Hwang Jeong-min), when he goes on a business trip, leaving Sun-woo in charge, and discreetly asking him for a special favor. There's a "special" young woman he's been seeing, Hee-soo (Shin Min-ah of Volcano High). He suspects she's been seeing another man, and he asks Sun-woo to look after her while he's gone, and find out if she's cheating on him. If Sun-woo catches them together, Kang tells him, he should either phone Kang and tell him, or "finish them off yourself." But Sun-woo finds himself fascinated with Hee-soo, a cellist, and his inability to follow Kang's orders soon brings a world of trouble down on his head. Of course, Sun-woo is fully capable of making some trouble of his own. A Bittersweet Life was shown at the 2006 New York Asian Film Festival, presented by Subway Cinema. ~ Josh Ralske, Rovi

Directed by Kim Eui-seok, Cheongpung myeongweol (Sword in the Moon) is set in 17th century Korea, a chaotic time period in which the once Confucian society was threatened by an attempted Japanese invasion. The film is centered around an elite band of imperial guards hired to protect the old ways. Choi Ji-hwan (Choi Min-su) and Yun Gyu-yeob (Jo Jae-hyeon) make the backbone of the group, but unforeseen circumstances cause Yun to turn on Choi, the latter of which disappears from the scene after having been revealed as responsible for several murders. Yun's search results in apprehending swordswoman Shi-yeong (Kim Bo-gyeong), Choi's lover and partner in crime, who Yun tortures for information on Choi's whereabouts. Eventually, Choi and Yun meet and prepare for a final battle. The film also features Lee Jong-su, Jeon Seong-hwan, Gi Ju-bong, Yu Yeon-su, and Kang Shin-il. ~ Tracie Cooper, Rovi