A still from ″A Normal Family″ [HIVE MEDIA CORP.] A Normal Family (15)
Drama / 109 min. / Korean / Oct. 16
Two brothers, one driven by ambition and the other by compassion, find their family torn apart when a heinous crime links their teenage children to a brutal attack on a homeless man.
Successful attorney Jae-wan and his younger brother Jae-gyu, a compassionate doctor, are often at odds with each other due to their contrasting values. While Jae-wan prioritizes wealth and fame, Jae-gyu is dedicated to the care and well-being of his patients. Their familial bond is tested when a homeless person is brutally attacked, leaving him in a coma.
Suspicion falls on their teenage children, Hye-yoon and Shi-ho. Faced with this ethical dilemma, Jae-gyu urges his children to confess, but Jae-wan, determined to protect his family's reputation, seeks to cover up their crimes.
Sul Kyung-gu, known for his roles in "Kill Boksoon" (2023) and "Memoir of a Murderer," (2017) portrays the ambitious attorney Jae-wan. Jang Dong-gun, renowned for his work on the 2012 drama "A Gentleman's Dignity," takes on the role of the morally conflicted Jae-gyu. Kim Hee-ae, known for "The World of the Married" (2020), plays Jae-gyu's wife Yeon-kyung.
The film’s director Hur Jin-ho made his debut as a director in 1998 with his work "Christmas in August.” Other films he has directed include "The Last Princess" (2016) and "Forbidden Dream" (2019).
Based on Dutch author Herman Koch's novel "Dinner" (2009), the film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2023 and is now in theaters.
The film started on top of the domestic box office on Wednesday, according to Korean Film Council on Thursday.
A still from ″Love in the Big City″ [PLUS M ENTERTAINMENT] Love in the Big City (15)
Drama / 118 min. / Korean / Oct. 1
An unexpected friendship between a gay man and scandal-ridden woman turns into both a problem and a solution for two people's lives.
"Love in the Big City" is a film adaptation of Park Sang-young's novel of the same name published in 2019 that was longlisted for the International Booker prize in 2022. The movie follows Jae-hee, a bold and outspoken woman who often finds herself embroiled in negative rumors. After accidentally revealing her biggest secret to Heung-soo, the characters discover they have no romantic attraction toward each other and instead form an unexpected bond that leads them to become roommates and best friends. As they share their daily lives and rely on each other, their unlikely friendship challenges societal norms and explores the complexities of love and acceptance.
The female lead is portrayed by Kim Go-eun, known for her roles in "Exhuma" and "Goblin" (2016), while the male lead is played by Noh Sang-hyun, who portrayed Christian pastor Baek Isak in “Pachinko” (2022-24).
Director E.oni first gained recognition for her exquisite mise-en-scène and visually stunning cinematography in her debut film, “...ing (2003).” After a six-year hiatus following “The Accidental Detective 2: In Action (2018),” she returned to the commercial film scene with "Love in the Big City."
A still from ″Smile 2″ [LOTTE ENTERTAINMENT] Smile 2 (19)
Horror / 127 min. / English / Oct. 16
A pop star's world tour turns into a nightmare when a tragic friend's death unleashes a terrifying curse that haunts her every step.
Global pop sensation Skye Riley, on the brink of a world tour, is overwhelmed by pressure. Seeking solace from her high school friend Lewis, she's met with a chilling discovery. Lewis, fixated on something invisible to Skye, screams before tragically taking his own life, inadvertently casting a terrifying curse upon her.
As Skye embarks on her tour, she's haunted by unsettling visions showing abnormal smiling faces among the cheering crowds. Her friend Morris, aware of the curse's origins, explains that Lewis' death has transferred the haunting entity to Skye. Together, they desperately search for a way to break the curse.
“Aladdin” (2019) actor Naomi Scott takes on the role of Skye Riley, the pop star tormented by the entity. Peter Jacobson, known for his roles in TV series "Colony" (2016-18) and "Ray Donovan" (2013-15), plays Morris, her loyal friend and ally.
Director Parker Finn, who helmed the previous film, returns to the franchise. The original film achieved significant success, holding the No. 1 spot at the U.S. box office for two consecutive weeks.
A still from ″Joker: Folie a Deux″ [WARNER BROS. KOREA] Joker: Folie à Deux (15)
Thriller / 138 min. / English / Oct. 1
Prepare to plunge into the twisted minds of Gotham's most infamous villains.
In this psychological thriller, the madness escalates as the Joker, once again portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix, falls in love with fellow inmate Lee Quinzel — played by Lady Gaga — while hospitalized at Arkham State Hospital. Their shared insanity leads to a musical exploration of their twisted minds as Arthur's followers begin a movement to liberate him. Their chaotic partnership ignites a new wave of mayhem in Gotham City, pushing the boundaries of sanity and society.
Todd Phillips once again took the helm of the "Joker" (2019) sequel. He was best known for directing the popular comedy trilogy “The Hangover" (2009-2013) before he surprised audiences with his 2019 film “Joker.” "Joker: Folie à Deux" sat on top of the domestic box office when it was released.
A still from ″You Will Die In 6 Hours″ [TRIPLE PICTURES] You Will Die In 6 Hours (15)
Thriller / 91 min. / Korean / Oct. 16
A part-time convenience store worker's life takes a deadly turn when a stranger predicts her death. Can she unravel the truth before it's too late?
Barely scraping by on a part-time job at a convenience store, Jeong-yoon encounters a stranger named Jun-woo while crossing a pedestrian crosswalk. Jun-woo unexpectedly tells Jeong-yoon that she will die in six hours. Confused by his prediction, Jeong-yoon tries to ignore him. However, Jun-woo persists, insisting his predictions have always been accurate.
Sitting down with Jun-woo at a nearby cafe, Jeong-yoon listens to his claims about her imminent death with skepticism. Jun-woo reveals that she will be stabbed by someone.
As the prophecy begins to unfold, Jeong-yoon and Jun-woo join forces to find the perpetrator.
Based on Kazuaki Takano's eponymous novel released in 2009, the film premiered at the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival in July. Park Ju-hyun, known for her role in Netflix's “Extracurricular,” (2020) plays Jeong-yoon. Boy band NCT's Jaehyun takes on the role of Jun-woo. The film's director Lee Yun-seok makes his commercial debut with this project.