MANILA, Philippines – The Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines (KCC) is set to present this year’s Korean Film Festival (KFF) with the theme “Chingu Kita!” (You are my Friend!) from September 27 to 29. FRIENDSHIP IN EVERY RELATIONSHIP. Poster for the 2024 Korean Film Festival.
Photo courtesy of Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines In celebration of the 75th Anniversary of Friendship between Korea and the Philippines, the KCC will screen five Korean films exploring different aspects of friendship at these SM malls: SM Mall of Asia SM City Baguio SM Seaside City Cebu SM City Davao. Tickets are free of charge. The festival lineup includes the 44th Blue Dragon Film Awards’ Best Film, Smugglers (2023) , an action crime film set in the 1970s where two women get unexpectedly caught up in a high-stakes smuggling scheme.
Directed by Ryoo Seung-wan, the film stars Kim Hye-soo, Yum Jung-ah, Zo In-sung, Park Jeong-min, Kim Jong-soo, and Go Min-si. Directed by Kim Yong-gyun, short film Picnic (2024) stars Sung Byoung-sook, Lee Hang-na, Hwang Hyo-eun and tackles childhood friendship and adventure. Starring Kang Ha-neul and Jung So-min, Love Reset (2023) is a heartwarming comedy directed by Nam Dae-joong, where a married couple who are about to divorce lose their memories in an accident and fall in love again.
Our Season (2023) , starring Shin Min-a, Kim Hae-sook and Kang Ki-young, is a fantasy drama about a mother coming down from heaven for a three-day vacation with her daughter. Love Reset and Our Season are both classified under “PG” rating. Lastly, Inseparable Bros (2019) is a comedy drama portraying the unbreakable bond between two brothers.
The film stars Shin Ha-kyun, Lee Kwang-soo, and Esom. Our Season and Inseparable Bros are directed by Yook Sang-Hyo. In collaboration with the Korean Film Council, Film Development Council of the Philippines, Korea Culture and Tourism Institute, SM Cinema, and the University of the Philippines Film Institute (UPFI), the KFF aims to expand its reach and accessibility among Filipinos and aspiring filmmakers in this milestone year.
Talkback sessions called “Meet the Chingus” will be held on September 25 at Cinematheque Centre Manila and September 27 at University of the UPFI Film Center Videotheque. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with Lee Yun Kyung, the Director of Contents Research Bureau in Korea Culture and Tourism Institute, and Son Seung-Hyun, CEO of West World, a visual effects company known for its work on popular projects including Queen of Tears (2024), Smugglers (2023), and Extraordinary Attorney Woo (2022). In 2023, the KFF also presented seven award-winning films with the theme “Ka-ja! (Let’s go!) Korea Through Films.
” Films on last year’s lineup included Life is Beautiful, The Book of Fish, Bori, Director’s Intention, Everglow, Gyeongju , and Jukdo Surfing Diary . – with reports from Rev Dela Cruz/Rappler.com Rev Dela Cruz is a Rappler intern studying AB Journalism at the University of Santo Tomas.
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