Add another to the list of cinematic intercultural exchange between Japan and Korea. Japanese novels being turned into Korean films or TV dramas is nothing new, but the results are often so abysmal, you wonder what's the point. You'll be surprised to find out that the exceptions to (or maybe confirming) the rule are often TV dramas, such as the masterful 하얀거탑 (The White Tower) or 연애시대 (Alone in Love). But the upcoming 백야행 (The White Night) is a special case. Special because it's the rare foray into more serious writing for the big screen by Park Yeon-Seon, who's one of the most eclectic TV writers in Korea, but has usually been penning comedies in Chungmuro, such as 동갑내기 과외하기 (My Tutor Friend) and 그녀를 믿지 마세요 (Too Beautiful to Lie). And special because this film is adapted from the original novel 白夜行
(The White Night) by Higashino Keigo. Sounds familiar? Sure enough, same exact source the excellent 2006 TBS drama 白夜行 (Byakuyako) used.
Starring Ayase Haruka and Yamada Takayuki, this was one of the most hopelessly and gloriously dark thriller-melodramas of the last half decade, with a boy and a girl getting to know each other through a fortuitous homicide, falling into an ambiguous relationship drenched in shades of grey, and then spending the following 15 years trying to beat the statute of limitations, and the stubborn detective trying to solve their mysterious case. Writer Park has already shown talent for adaptations with Alone in Love, and judging by the teaser, it seems like she might be just about the perfect choice to give this justice. Also, although I might have serious reservations about Go Soo, the rest of the cast is spot on, with Son Ye-Jin playing the protagonist, and Han Suk-Gyu the grumpy detective going after this most unique couple. Release is set for November.
Word on the street is that Kang Woo-Suk greenlit this project without much hesitation after watching this: Director Park Shin-Woo's Short Film (English Subbed)
Starring Ayase Haruka and Yamada Takayuki, this was one of the most hopelessly and gloriously dark thriller-melodramas of the last half decade, with a boy and a girl getting to know each other through a fortuitous homicide, falling into an ambiguous relationship drenched in shades of grey, and then spending the following 15 years trying to beat the statute of limitations, and the stubborn detective trying to solve their mysterious case. Writer Park has already shown talent for adaptations with Alone in Love, and judging by the teaser, it seems like she might be just about the perfect choice to give this justice. Also, although I might have serious reservations about Go Soo, the rest of the cast is spot on, with Son Ye-Jin playing the protagonist, and Han Suk-Gyu the grumpy detective going after this most unique couple. Release is set for November.
Word on the street is that Kang Woo-Suk greenlit this project without much hesitation after watching this: Director Park Shin-Woo's Short Film (English Subbed)
Hmm, if it's anything like Alone in Love, I might have to import when it hits DVD. And that stuff is expensive.... :|
Will cost you just the same as any other Korean film on DVD (unless it comes with some fancy package). 25-30 bucks.
Oh, I thought it was another Korean Drama....my bad! :P
OMG! This is awesome! Byakuyakou is one of my favorite dramas. It takes the "pure love" concept and turns it on its head. Simply put, it asks "To what depths would you go for the person you love?" I have to see this!