Director Joon Ho Bong ("The Host," "Memories of Murder"), with cinematographer Kyung Po Hong, has been finding box-office success with the release of "Snowpiercer," starring Chris Evans, Tilda Swinton, Ed Harris and Song Kang Ho.
"Snowpiercer" has been breaking records in South Korea, selling 1 million tickets in two days and is the first film to sell 4 million tickets in South Korea in about a week. Last weekend, the movie topped 8 million tickets sold and has already grossed more than $45 million in South Korea.
Bong is accustomed to releasing art house movies at film festivals, but "Snowpiercer" marks his first international, wide-release feature.
Two other Korean directors have teamed with Korean cinematographers to release Hollywood films this year.
Director Jee Woon Kim ("The Good The Bad The Weird," "A Tale of Two Sisters"), along with cinematographer Ji Yong Kim, released "The Last Stand" starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Daniel Henney and Forest Whitaker. Director Chan Wook Park ("Oldboy," "Thirst"), with cinematographer Chung Hoon Chung, released "Stoker," starring Nicole Kidman, Mia Wasikowska and Matthew Goode.
THIS WEEK’S SYNOPSES
"Wonderful Mama"
Episodes 25 and 26
Today, 6:30 p.m.: Nan-hee shows Jang-ho the picture of Da-jung and Young-soo taken at the beauty salon, making Jang-ho suspicious of Da-jung. Young-joon sneaks out of the house to work at the singing room, but Bok-hee finds him there.
Today, 7:45 p.m.: Hoon-nam and Young-chae fall more in love with each other. Yoon-jae tells Soo-jin that Hoon-nam and Young-chae are planning to get married. Nan-hee tricks Da-jung, and Da-jung is about to be divorced without any settlement or custody of Ji-woo.
"Empire of Gold"
Episodes 9 and 10
Monday, 7:45 p.m.: Chairman Choi Dong-sung passes away. His wife tells Chairman Choi her true feelings at his deathbed. Seo-yoon and Won-jae butt heads over the chairman’s funeral arrangements. Won-jae offers Eun-jung a divorce in exchange for helping him make a comeback.
Tuesday, 7:45 p.m.: Tae-joo and Seo-yoon engage in an all-out war to take over Hansung Steel. Sung-jae decides to study in America and asks his mother to leave with him. Sungjin Group faces danger with the onset of IMF crisis.
"I Can Hear Your Voice"
Episodes 13 and 14
Wednesday, 7:45 p.m.: Soo-ha regains his ability to read other people’s minds, but he hides it so he can stay with Hye-sung. The police realizes Min Joon-guk is alive and put Soo-ha and Hye-sung under protective custody. Hye-sung starts to receive calls from a mysterious person.
Thursday, 7:45 p.m.:. Soo-ha can no longer deceive Hye-sung so he tells her that he regained his memory and his power. Hye-sung is embarrassed when Soo-ha discovers her feelings for him. Hye-sung finds out a shocking secret about Doyeon.
"Goddess of Marriage"
Episodes 9 and 10
Friday, 7:45 p.m.: Hyun-woo runs into Tae-wook and Ji-hye at a restaurant. Hyun-woo and Ji-hye are awkward in each other’s presence. Tae-wook announces that he’s marrying Ji-hye in two weeks. Eunhee confronts Cynthia but is dumbfounded by Cynthia’s nonchalant attitude.
Saturday, 7:45 p.m: Jung-sook is not happy that Hye-jung is working. She scolds Hye-jung when Hye-jung asks Jung-sook to pay for her hotel charges, but Man-ho takes Hye-jung’s side. Ji-hye calls off the wedding, but Nam-gil persuades her to marry as planned.
Jeff Chung is general manager of KBFD TV, which televises Korean dramas with English subtitles. Reach him at 521-8066 or jeffchung@kbfd.com.
