The film Portrait of a Beauty opens November 13, but a more significant premiere on its horizon is a possible screening at the 2009 Cannes International Film Festival.

According to production company Yedang Entertainment, a Cannes representative was an attendee at the recent VIP preview event, who had high praise for the film and extended an unofficial invitation to show at Cannes. Portrait of a Beauty has received acclaim for its high production values and artistic cinematography, while the story tells of the “hidden life” of famous Joseon-era artist Shin Yoon-bok. (Yes, the same Shin Yoon-bok of the drama series Painter of the Wind.)

One rep from Yedang expressed the honor of showing at Cannes, saying, “Through Portrait of a Beauty, viewed as being the most ‘Korean’ of films, I’d like to show the world the excellence of Korean cinema.”

Other Korean films with strong Cannes showings include Park Chan-wook’s Oldboy in 2006 and Lee Chang-dong’s Secret Sunshine in 2007, for which lead actress Jeon Do-yeon was also named Best Actress. Portrait of a Beauty may join those illustrious ranks, but only if that “unofficial” invitation turns official. Let’s hope they don’t have to do a lot of embarrassed backtracking later. (It might also help to get the English right on the poster if they want to make “the history.”)

Via Mk.co.kr

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As part of the Korea Drama Festival, three actors gathered to show off their musical talents at the Drama Concert special boasting “three men, three different shades.”

The three drama leading men were picked from the dramas on the three different stations, with Jang Geun-seok from MBC’s Beethoven Virus, Jang Hyuk from SBS’s Tazza, and Kim Sung-soo from KBS’s Bad Love.

We’ve heard Jang Geun-seok sing before, and while I wouldn’t agree with the media’s description of his “outstanding singing ability,” he can reasonably hold a tune. He’ll be featured on an additional track of the Beethoven Virus, singing a version of the song “들리나요” (Do you hear?), which was originally sung by Tae Yeon of Girls Generation (posted here).

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Tomorrow, November 1, the Pink Film Festival kicks off, and it is a bit unusual in that it’s targeted exclusively to women audiences. It’s also on the long side for a film festival, going all month until the final curtain falls on November 28.

The term “pink film” refers to sex-themed films and can be traced back to the 1960s, when the erotic cinema genre sprung up as mostly small-scale indie productions in Japan. With the rise of adult videos in the 1980s, the pink film genre experienced a decline, although it continues today. Although pink film (also called “eroduction,” as in erotic productions) can be described as softcore porn, it isn’t exactly equivalent with Western pornography.

The festival takes place in Seoul, but will go on a screening tour of other cities, including Busan, Daejon, and Paju.

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In stark contrast with its star-studded opening night, the 13th Pusan International Film Awards closed after nine days with a night much lacking in glitz or stars.

Maybe it was just a lackluster year, or maybe Choi Jin-shil’s untimely death cast a pall over opening night, or maybe celebrities went up to Seoul to pay their respects and didn’t return to Busan. In any case, stars were few and far between at the closing ceremony on the 10th.

In fact, Yeh Ji-won (Old Miss Diaries, looking gorgeous all festival long) and Jo Jae-hyun (New Heart), above, were two of only a very few famous faces to walk the red carpet. (The only other top names present were Hyun Bin and Lee Bo-young, and even then I’m not sure I’d call them A-list. Maybe B+.)

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After a lackluster week, the Pusan International Film Festival (which has been called a bore this year by most media) screened its closing film on Thursday: Hyun Bin (My Name Is Kim Samsoon) and Lee Bo-young’s (Queen of the Game, Mr. Goodbye) new movie I’m Happy.

(But before we get into the movie or the press conference itself, it must be asked — why is Hyun Bin looking so pissed off? He seems about ready to cut a bitch — Lee Bo-young? — and I wanna know what she did. Steal his color scheme? His fashion sense? Because also, what the heck is Hyun Bin wearing and why? An oversize blazer over a snug waiter’s vest over an un-tucked shirt — and sneakers — oy.)

The film, produced by Blue Storm and directed by Yoon Jong-chan (Sorum, Blue Swallow), deals with a psychiatric patient and the relationship that develops between him and his nurse. This film festival marks the word premiere for I’m Happy, and Hyun Bin expressed his appreciation for being given particular honors as the closing film.

More photos of the event >>

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