KFEST2 Starts this Friday!

Seats are already selling fast for HIFF's mini-festival of contemporary Korean cinema. People can’t get enough of the hallyu and they’re taking this opportunity to catch up with their favorite idols and rising stars. And with seven films over three days, there’s something here for everyone.

Mark off this weekend on your calendar, buy your tickets on-line or by phone, and ride the wave!


BAREFOOT KI-BONG boasts a stellar cast of highly-respected perfomers such as Shin Hyun-jun, Kim Soo-mi and Tak Jae-hoon, all of whom appeared in the 2005 hit MARRYING THE MAFIA 2 – arguably the most successful comedy in the history of Korean film. Film critics are buzzing about Shin Hyun-jun’s touching portrayal of the title character in BAREFOOT. The role is a daring departure for the handsome actor who is well-known for playing romantic leads and hard-hitting gangsters. It's a heartwarming story that KFEST2 audiences will love.

Cinephiles in the mood for laughs will love the high school comedy SEE YOU AFTER SCHOOL. Critics credit much of the film’s success to actor Bong Tae-gyu, a rising star recently featured in this summer’s Family Ties as well as the 2005 comedy sensation (and HIFF 2005 film) WHEN ROMANCE MEETS DESIRE. Korean critics praise Bong for flawlessly balancing comedy and drama and are already calling him the spiritual successor to Song Kang-ho and Ryoo Seung-beom — the heavyweights of Korean comedy-drama. It’s said that a talent scout actually discovered Bong Tae-Gyu on the street. He first appeared in the movie TEARS (2000) starring a teenage troublemaker. He went on to star in the comedies NO MANNERS (2002) and A GOOD LAWYER'S WIFE (2003). Local K-drama fans will recognize Bong from CAT IN THE ROOFTOP ROOM and NON-STOP 4

YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE is directed by prolific director Park Jin-pyo. Known for a string of successful TV documentaries in Korea, Park also directed TOO YOUNG TO DIE, which was screened at the Cannes Film Festival and proclaimed an international hit. However, it was also a controversial because it featured a South Korean couple in their 70s having sex! After this uproar, Park moved on to romantic comedies and directed IF YOU WERE ME (Yeosutgaeui Sisun) in 2003 and SUNSHINE. He won the “Best Director” of 2005 at the 26th Blue Dragon Awards in Seoul.

--submitted by Programming Intern Jason Soeda