The Jechon International Music and Film Festival (제천국제음악영화제)

One of the most prestigious prizes at the Jechon International Music and Film Festival (제천국제음악영화제) is the Jecheon Film Music Honorary Award. The honour is bestowed upon those individuals who have made incredible contributions in film music, and are immortalised with a hand-printing and copper-plate ceremony, which serve as a reminder for festival-goers of the achievements of those within the industry.

For the 2013 festival, the award is to be given to Lee Dong-jun (이동준). The musical director has been responsible for scoring a staggering array of hit Korean films including The Gingko Bed (은행나무 침대), Green Fish (초록물고기), Shiri (쉬리), Punch Lady (펀치 레이디), TV drama Iris (아이리스), and My Way (마이 웨이), among many many others. In celebration of his achievements JIMFF will screen three films from his illustrious career – Taegukgi (태극기 휘날리며), Save the Green Planet! (지구를 지켜라!), and this years smash hit Miracle in Cell No.7 (7번방의 선물).

Unfortunately for English speaking audiences, only Taegukgi will be screened with English subtitles.

Please see below for a profile of each of Lee Dong-jun’s films to be screened at JIMFF 2013.

Miracle in Cell No.7 (7번방의 선물)

Miracle in Cell No.7 (7번방의 선물) by director Lee Hwan-gyeong (이환경) was a huge box office hit when it was released early in 2013, attaining over 12 admissions during its theatrical run. The prison melodrama tells the story of mentally ill Yong-gu (Ryoo Seung-ryong (류승룡) who is falsely charged with a crime and sent to prison, leaving his young daughter Ye-sung alone. His one wish is to be with her again, and together with the other members within the prison cell, they work to make the miracle happen. Miracle in Cell No.7 was such a success that it propelled stars Ryoo Seung-ryong and Park Sin-hye (박신혜) into the A-list realm. Please see below for the trailer.

Save the Green Planet! (지구를 지켜라!)

Save the Green Planet! (지구를 지켜라!) is a brilliantly fun cult hit, that is both wonderfully whacky as well as a keen cultural examination. Director Jang Joon-hwan’s (장준환) film depicts the life of Lee Byeong-gu (Shin Ha-kyun (신하균) who has become obsessed with the notion that aliens from Andromeda are plotting to destroy the Earth. His next target is the CEO of a large chemical conglomerate, Kang Man-shik (Baek Yoon-sik (백윤식). But as he begins torturing the corrupt CEO for answers, is Byeong-gu really insane, or has he genuinely uncovered a sinister scheme? Please see below for the trailer.

Taegukgi (태극기 휘날리며)

Taegukgi (태극기 휘날리며) is a simply phenomenal war film. Director Kang Je Gyu (강제규) has crafted a powerful representation of events within the Korean war with stunning cinematography and an all-star cast. The film tells the story of two brothers, Jin Tae (Jang Dong Gun, 장동건) and Jin Seok (Won Bin, 원빈) who live a modest existence in central Seoul, 1950. Drafted into the military service, the brothers take two very different courses in life yet strive to be together and survive the war. Please see below for the trailer.

To visit the official JIMFF page about the award, please click here.