Horror Around the World: South Korea Edition
A Tale of Two Sisters
Falling into the psychological of horror this 2003 film is both the highest grossing horror film and the first to be screened in American theatres. Remade in America as The Uninvited the original is inspired by a folktale by the name of Janghwa Hongryeon jeon. Featuring breakout actress Im soo-jung a model for teen magazines in her first tole leading to many more following the release of this movie.
This movie tells the story of a young girl recently released from an mental institution who returns home to her sister and deals with both her stepmom and the dark past of their family as disturbing events occur.
The Feedback
Winning best picture at the 2004 Fantasporto Film Festival in Porto, Portugal A Tale of Two Sisters recieved a pouring of postive reviews.
Called a Shakespearean tragedy and a evocative experience by Kevin Thomas of Los Angeles Times. Nominated for several awards for both story and actors/actresses protrayal, this movie recieved no noteably negative reviews.
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Death Bell
Released in 2008 grossing a USD of $9.2 Million; Death Bell was the only horror movie to get a summer debut that year. Starring former K-POP star Nam Gyu-ri of SeeYa in her breakout acting role and Lee Beom-soo in his first role in a horror-esque movie. Death Bell or Gosa: Piui Junggangosa in Korea is about a group of high school students selected to be in an elite class to prepare for their college entrance exams. Gosa in the title actually refers to the mandatory exams that students are required to take. Strange events start taking place and a voice comes over the PA system informing the students that this test will actually be a matter of life or death. If they fail to answer in a timely fashion their life will on the line and trying to escape is a big no no.
The Feedback
If you follow reviews on movies, Death Bell recieved a mixture.
Calling the cast choice interesting, it was considered a neat concept idea according to Derek Elley of Variety. Finding inventive ways to fluctuate the body count.
Though some considered it intriguing others were not so impressed such as Koreanfilm.org reviewer Kyu Hyun Kim who compared the movie to the likes of torture porn claiming it lacked real depth and story and was more annoying and boring.
