ENTER AND YOU WILL DIE Found footage horror has enjoyed its fair share of success in the English-speaking world, with the origins of the subgenre dating back to at least 1980. Low-budget hits like The Blair Witch Project, which tricked viewers into believing the content was real, and the unexpectedly profitable Paranormal Activity franchise have since popularized it to an almost ridiculous extent. Surprisingly, however, found footage has not been as widespread in Asian horror, much less so in Korean cinema. In fact, Jung Bum Shik's foray into the genre with Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum (2018) may just be the first South-Korean found footage film yet.
Late 1990s and the early 2000s was a good time for Japanese horror. It paved the way for the genre's later widespread success and gave us such iconic titles like The Ring (1998), Pulse (2001) and Ju-on: The Grudge (2002). Somewhat less known from that era is Hideo Nakata's sorrowful horror tale Dark Water (2002), which like many of the Japanese horror films of that time later earned a Hollywood remake. Differently from the previously mentioned titles, however, I was actually lucky enough to see the Japanese 2002 original before the remake. In fact, it was probably one of the very first Asian horror films that I ever watched, if memory serves right.
Drama Check-In is a recurring post that helps to keep track of dramas I'm currently watching and allows me to share immediate thoughts on them as I go through the episodes. The intention is to write down my prevalent impressions and encourage readers to do the same in the comments. Discussion is welcome.
Drama Check-In is a recurring post that helps to keep track of dramas I'm currently watching and allows me to share immediate thoughts on them as I go through the episodes. The intention is to write down my prevalent impressions and encourage readers to do the same in the comments. Discussion is welcome.
ONE TALE, TWO PERSPECTIVES It's not ideal to start a movie when you already know what the final twist is. Unfortunately, for me that was exactly the case with Kim Jee Woon's critically-acclaimed horror drama A Tale of Two Sisters (2003).
Drama Check-In is a recurring post that helps to keep track of dramas I'm currently watching and allows me to share immediate thoughts on them as I go through the episodes. The intention is to write down my prevalent impressions and encourage readers to do the same in the comments. Discussion is welcome.
My Mainstream Playlist is a recurring post that allows me to share my favourite songs over a period of few months, primarily of mainstream nature. Usually features recently released K-pop singles, but may occasionally also extend to drama OSTs and indie finds. Expect personal bias.
I have to admit it's been a long while since I've checked in on Rainie Yang and what she has been up to as of late. Fun fact, she actually played the lead role in the very first Asian drama I ever watched which was Devil Beside You. Currently, the actress can be seen in the Taiwanese drama series My Ex-Man, which airs its final episode on Friday. But I have to say I'm far more interested in this new photo spread Rainie has done with Elle Taiwan for the magazine's August edition. With her heavy blush and perfectly defined eyebrow, Rainie looks stunning even though she wears some rather shapeless designs in the photos. But I adore those close-up shots.
Actor Byun Yo Han recently posed for a photo shoot with ARENA HOMME+, looking slick and stylish much like his character in the currently airing drama series Mr. Sunshine. Byun also wore a variety of luxury watches by Breitling that added the perfect final touch to each look.
The latest issue of 1st Look magazine features a very adorable photo spread with the stars of upcoming romance movie On Your Wedding Day. Park Bo Young and Kim Young Kwang smile as they cuddle up together in the photos, giving us a glimpse of their onscreen chemistry and ridiculously cute height/size difference.
Red Velvet has returned with a new summer mini-album titled Summer Magic, having released the music video for catchy main track "Power Up" just a few hours ago. The promotions for the new album and single have so far been very image-heavy, with the girls posing in various outfits and hairstyles in the teaser photos. The overall concept seems similar to their last summer hit "Red Flavour", though with slightly less emphasis on fruits. I can't quite decide which of the outfits I like the most, but it's clear that the girls look pretty in everything and anything.
Now that Why Secretary Kim has wrapped up, the cast finally gets to use their well-earned vacation days. Leading actress Park Min Young was seen yesterday at the Incheon Airport as she was heading to Paris, reportedly for a photo shoot with GRAZIA magazine.
The upcoming horror mystery series titled The Ghost Detective has finally given us something to talk about with the release of three atmospheric and perfectly creepy posters.
