The Best of K-Drama & Movies: Kinocine

The director of this film, Kim Tae-yong, is not the husband of Tang Wei who directed Late Autumn. He is the Kim Tae-yong who directed Set Me Free and Misbehavior. Usually, after graduating from high school, people leave the home they grew up in and their parents as they move to other cities for university or jobs—much like Andy in Toy Story. In the journey of life, one thing we often forget is to count how many meals we have actually eaten that were prepared by our mothers—the so-called "home-cooked meals." If you return to your hometown for holidays like Seollal (Lunar New Year) or Chuseok and sit down with your family for a meal after a long time, you might find yourself doing the math: "How many more times will I be able to eat a meal prepared by my mother?" At this point, it might sound like a public service announcement—reminding you to be filial to your parents while they are still with you as their hair turns whiter each year, or to at least give them a phone...

Director Jang Hang-jun is perhaps best known to the public as the husband of star writer Kim Eun-hee, a witty raconteur, and a frequent face on entertainment shows. While he has a long career as a screenwriter and director, it might be difficult for some to immediately point to a single "signature" masterpiece. However, Jang’s talent extends far beyond comedy. From his debut script The Adventures of Mrs. Park to his previous thriller Open the Door, he has consistently shown a sharp eye for human drama. His latest film,  The King's Warden (왕과 사는 남자= The Man Who Lives with the King), reveals his true depth as a storyteller, showcasing a profound perspective on history and character. The film tackles one of the most enduring stories in the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty: the tragedy of King Danjong and his uncle, Grand Prince Suyang. In 1457, Lee Hong-wi (Danjong) is ousted from the throne and exiled to Cheongnyeongpo, a remote mountain village in Yeongwol. Amidst the looming ...

To coincide with the release of director Ryoo Seung-wan’s new film HUMINT , he recently published a book titled Conditions of Fun with interview specialist Ji Seung-ho. Since his shocking debut with Die Bad, Ryoo has consistently delivered groundbreaking works, evolving from a Chungmuro indie darling to a major powerhouse of Korean cinema. As the book's title suggests, his films advance step by step within the boundaries of Korean reality while maintaining a sharp focus on public appeal. HUMINT was conceived shortly after The Berlin File. While the geopolitical situation between North and South Korea remains largely unchanged, public perception and scrutiny toward the National Intelligence Service (NIS) have shifted significantly. This film dramatizes a scenario Ryoo Seung-wan imagined: What if North Korea was involved in the drug trade and illicit business across its borders? What if the South Korean NIS launched a secret operation in response? HUMINT is the high-stakes confrontat...