The golf film 'Lobby' and the baduk-themed movie 'Seungbu.' These two sports-themed works are dividing the Korean film industry this spring.
Recently, the film 'Lobby' (director Ha Jung-woo, produced by Workhouse Company and Film Momentum, provided by Michigan Venture Capital and WYSIWYG STUDIOS, distributed by SHOWBOX) and 'Seungbu' (director Kim Hyung-joo, provided/distributed by By4M Studio, produced by Film Company Wolgwang, co-produced by BH Entertainment) have positioned themselves as the two irreplaceable top films leading the theaters. As distinctive sports themes stand out among this spring's box office successes, expectations are high for both representative works to engage in healthy competition to open the spring of Korean cinema.
First, the movie 'Lobby,' which has received acclaim as 'a strange and interesting film,' has rapidly ascended to become the hottest film at this time. It tells the story of Chang-wook (Ha Jung-woo), a startup CEO who knows nothing outside of research, starting his first lobbying golf match to win a 4 trillion won government project. After taking the megaphone for the first time in over a decade, Ha Jung-woo has brought the DNA of his previous film 'Roller Coaster,' while creating 'Lobby' with upgraded dialogue and his own unique ideas, capturing the public's heart. Utilizing golf as a means of lobbying, the film focuses on various businesses exchanging within the golf course. The film, which combines cinematic imagination with the world of lobbying golf, has cast top actors with solid acting skills and unique personalities in appropriate roles, earning praise for successfully bringing out the charm of the characters and the delightful dialogue. It is expected that the word-of-mouth for 'Lobby' will not cool down anytime soon.
Since its release on the 26th of last month, the movie 'Seungbu' has revitalized the stagnant theaters with the momentum of a competitor. It tells the story of Cho Hun-hyun (Lee Byung-hun), the legendary baduk player of Korea, who challenges again for the top after losing to a disciple in a match, utilizing his innate competitive spirit. 'Seungbu,' which dramatizes the fierce wins and losses between a master and disciple in the beloved sport of baduk, captivates audiences with the perfect acting of the esteemed actor Lee Byung-hun, along with the dramatic exhilaration and emotion conveyed after a fierce competition. Lead actor Lee Byung-hun, who has previously worked with Ha Jung-woo in 'Baekdusan,' suggests that the two actors, representing Korean cinema, will jointly bring renewed energy to theaters through their active performances in these two works.
'Lobby' and 'Seungbu' are currently being screened to great acclaim in theaters.
[Photo] SHOWBOX, By4M Studio provided.
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