The 35th Hawaii International Film Festival ended last week with the Korean film “Madonna,” directed by Shin Su-won, winning the Halekulani Golden Orchid Award for best narrative. Actor Ha Jung Woo received the Renaissance Award for his many successful films that were shown at HIFF in previous years.
Ha’s latest film, “Assassination,” was a big hit, and its director, Choi Dong Hoon, was in town attending HIFF for the second time. Choi was at HIFF three years ago for the blockbuster “The Thieves.”
I suggested to the filmmakers that if they wanted to export their product they needed to pay more attention to translation and subtitling.
Korean films have become more precise in these areas over the years, but there are still typos from time to time and the translations are too literal, which detracts from the cultural meaning and leaves the audience confused.
“Assassination” will be released on DVD on Dec. 1. I have a few copies signed by director Choi for a giveaway. Email me the answer to: What was Ha Jung Woo’s character’s name in “Assassination?” A DVD could be yours.
This week’s synopses
“The Legendary Witches”
Episodes 13 and 14
Today, 6:30 p.m.: Tae-sang promises to open a bakery for Joo-ran. Ang-ran rushes Do-jin and Bo-kyung’s wedding. Soo-yin opens a sandwich food truck with Woo-seok’s help.
Today, 7:45 p.m.: Woo-seok comes by Soo-yin’s food truck with flowers to congratulate her. Joo-hee is shocked to see Woo-seok and Soo-yin together. Weol-han gives Poong-geum $5,000 as investment money but Poong-geum scoffs at the amount.
“Root of the Throne”
Episodes 9 and 10
Monday, 7:45 p.m.: Jung Do-jeon tells Hong In-bang that he must stand with Gil Tae-mi and Yi Sung-gye if they were to stand against Choi Young and Yi In-gyum. Hong In-bang sends Juk-ryong to Yi Sung-gye to find out more about the Border Stabilization Plan. Ttang-sae and Yeon-hee are finally reunited.
Tuesday, 7:45 p.m.: Bang-won tells Boon-yi that the Border Stabilization Act has passed. But Yi Sung-gye plans to veto the act. Bang-won and Ttang-sae stand at odds over Jung Do-jeon’s plan. Yeon-hee is shocked to find out Ttang-sae was a warrior.
“The Town, the Uninvited”
Episodes 9 and 10
Wednesday, 7:45 p.m.: So-yoon and Woo-jae believe someone is behind Oh Gap-soo’s untimely death. But CCTV footage shows he hung himself. So-yoon finally finds the adoption broker she was looking for.
Thursday, 7:45 p.m.: Ga-young keeps questioning her mother about her birth father. Woo-jae suspects Officer Han and he are being watched. Hye-jin’s friend comes to Achiara looking for her.
“Identical Affairs”
Episodes 21 and 22
Friday, 7:45 p.m.: Jin-eon visits Baek Seok’s office. Baek Seok tells him Cheonnyon Pharmaceuticals is behind Hae-gang’s accident. While looking around Seok’s office, Jin-eon finds Hae-gang’s toothbrush. Seol-ri runs into the real Yong-gi at the hospital and follows her.
Saturday, 7:45 p.m.: Shaken by Hae-gang’s accident, Baek Seok tells Jin-eon the truth about meeting the real Dokgo Yong-gi. Yong-gi finds Hae-gang’s passport while cleaning Seol-ri’s apartment and gets curious about the woman who looks just like her.
