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KANG Woo-suk
Executive Producer, Director
KANG Woo-suk is one of the rare breed of directors that came onto the Korean movie scene in the 1980s who has not lost their box office power through the 2000s. In particular, seven of his films that hit the screen in the 2000s, starting with <Public Enemy>(2002), were all blockbusters each with at least 3 million viewers in Korea. Kang is highly adept at both action and comedy, the local audience’s favorite genres. <Public Enemy>, whose protagonist is a somewh...More
KANG Woo-suk is one of the rare breed of directors that came onto the Korean movie scene in the 1980s who has not lost their box office power through the 2000s. In particular, seven of his films that hit the screen in the 2000s, starting with <Public Enemy>(2002), were all blockbusters each with at least 3 million viewers in Korea. Kang is highly adept at both action and comedy, the local audience’s favorite genres. <Public Enemy>, whose protagonist is a somewhat corrupt and mildly righteous detective named Kang Chul-joong, was so popular as to spawn not only a sequel but a threequel. The director made numerous outstanding films in collaboration with some of the most popular actors of the past few decades, including [AHN Sung-ki], [PARK Joong-hoon], [SUL Kyoung-gu], and [JUNG Jae-young]. <Silmido>(2003) was the first Korean movie that ushered in an era of 10 million audiences.
As a producer, KANG symbolizes the age of Chungmooro, the mecca of Korean movies, before Korea’s filmmaking industry was engulfed by corporate interests and their big money. After having established himself as a director of many box office hits films, he expanded his production studio, [KANG Woo-suk Production] that was set up in 1993 and renamed as [Cinema Service] in 1995, and went into distribution business as well and contributed to the success of <Green Fish>, <NO. 3> and the likes. In the years subsequent to the Asian financial crisis of the late 1990s (a.k.a., IMF years), he laid his hand on an increasingly more number of movies for production and distribution and along the way reshaped Korea’s cinema landscape. For the first time for a production house that represented the filmmaking industry, not corporate interests, [Cinema Service] engaged itself in aggressive M&A deals and experimented with different types of advanced business techniques such as equity investment. He also established an ad agency [Art Service], a film set [Art Service Studio], a theater chain [Primus Cinema] and other businesses, with an intention of building a vertically integrated comprehensive studio that encompasses all the areas of the filmmaking industry, from production to distribution.
His ambition was somewhat subdued amid the financial crisis of the mid-2000s, but KANG still is active in investing in and producing films. Having participated in producing a diverse array of movies, ranging from the auteurist <Chihwaseon> and <Chunhyang> of [IM Kwon-taek] and art films such as <Blossom Again> to commercial flicks such as <The Divine Weapon>, KANG is among the senior-level filmmaker who still has a firm grip on the industry.
In recent years, KANG has remained active as both a director and producer. He released the third installment of his Public Enemy franchise in 2008 and was a presence during 2010’s end of year awards for his mystery thriller Moss. KANG also produced Castaway on the Moon (2008), one of the most successful Korean films on the festival circuit during the late naughts. In 2013, KANG made the MMA-drama Fists of Legend and then set his next project as Two Policemen, a period version of his popular 90s franchise Two Cops.Less
As a producer, KANG symbolizes the age of Chungmooro, the mecca of Korean movies, before Korea’s filmmaking industry was engulfed by corporate interests and their big money. After having established himself as a director of many box office hits films, he expanded his production studio, [KANG Woo-suk Production] that was set up in 1993 and renamed as [Cinema Service] in 1995, and went into distribution business as well and contributed to the success of <Green Fish>, <NO. 3> and the likes. In the years subsequent to the Asian financial crisis of the late 1990s (a.k.a., IMF years), he laid his hand on an increasingly more number of movies for production and distribution and along the way reshaped Korea’s cinema landscape. For the first time for a production house that represented the filmmaking industry, not corporate interests, [Cinema Service] engaged itself in aggressive M&A deals and experimented with different types of advanced business techniques such as equity investment. He also established an ad agency [Art Service], a film set [Art Service Studio], a theater chain [Primus Cinema] and other businesses, with an intention of building a vertically integrated comprehensive studio that encompasses all the areas of the filmmaking industry, from production to distribution.
His ambition was somewhat subdued amid the financial crisis of the mid-2000s, but KANG still is active in investing in and producing films. Having participated in producing a diverse array of movies, ranging from the auteurist <Chihwaseon> and <Chunhyang> of [IM Kwon-taek] and art films such as <Blossom Again> to commercial flicks such as <The Divine Weapon>, KANG is among the senior-level filmmaker who still has a firm grip on the industry.
In recent years, KANG has remained active as both a director and producer. He released the third installment of his Public Enemy franchise in 2008 and was a presence during 2010’s end of year awards for his mystery thriller Moss. KANG also produced Castaway on the Moon (2008), one of the most successful Korean films on the festival circuit during the late naughts. In 2013, KANG made the MMA-drama Fists of Legend and then set his next project as Two Policemen, a period version of his popular 90s franchise Two Cops.Less
Gender | Male | Nationality | South Korea |
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Company | Cinema Service Co.,Ltd. | Website | http://www.cinemaservice.com/ |
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SUL Kyung-gu and PARK Hae-soo Team Up for DEMON Dec 19, 2019Veteran star SUL Kyung-gu and new kid on the block PARK Hae-soo are teaming up for the upcoming film Demon (translated title). The spy action film will be the sophomore work of The Prison (2017) director NA Hyun and will be distributed by Showbox. Kang-in (SUL Kyung-gu) is a ruthless agent nicknamed ‘Demon’ who works for Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) based in Shenyang in China and do...
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Trial drama The Jurors (translated title), with MOON So-ri and PARK Hyung-sik, kicked off production on July 7. The film is the first feature for director HONG Seung-wan. The Jurors will focus on the true story of the first jury trial in Korea, which took place in 2008. MOON is on board to play the judge who leads the trial, while PARK is playing the last of the eight people to be picked as jurors...
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MOSS, INSIDE MEN Writer Pens ILLANG: PREQUEL Webtoon Jul 10, 2018Popular webtoon writer YOON Tae-ho has penned a prequel to KIM Jee-woon’s upcoming sci-fi action-drama ILLANG : THE WOLF BRIGADE. Jointly developed by Kakao Pages and Daum Webtoon, ‘Inrang: Prequel’ will take place five years before the events of the upcoming film. An adaptation of OKIURA Hiroyuki’s anime Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade, itself derived from OSHII Mamoru’s original manga, Inrang takes pl...
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Market Share of Korean Films in April Goes Blow 40% May 08, 2013KOFIC, announces results of Korean film industry of April, 2013 The prosperity of Korean films that lasted through the first quarter of 2013 appeared to have gone down in April. According to the results of Korean film industry of April, 2013, announced by the Korean Film Council(KOFIC), the total audiences of the entire month was 11.24 million and audiences of Korean films were 4.46million, bo...
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Korean Film Night lights up Cannes May 18, 2011The Korean Film Council in joint with the Busan International Film Festival, Pucheon International Fantastic Film Festival and Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism opened a “Korean Film Night” on May 16 at 9pm during the 64th Cannes Film Festival. The three-hour event was much more vibrant than previous years, with a total 540 guests including directors, actors, programmers of major internat...
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THE AGE OF SHADOWS Remains Top Draw Post-Chuseok Sep 28, 2016Following the Chuseok festivities business cooled off significantly at the box office and with no new wide releases on deck, a new diversity release landed in the top five. Though falling just shy of a majority, Korean releases still led the country market share, accounting for 46% of the 1.96 million sales tracked over the weekend. After dominating the charts for two weeks, KIM Jee-woon’s The Age...
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THE AGE OF SHADOWS Shrouds the Competition Sep 19, 2016Big Chuseok Weekend for KIM Jee-woon's Action-Thriller With Chuseok falling on a Thursday this year, Korean exhibitors welcomed a busy five-day holiday weekend which saw 3.91 million tickets sold. 63% of that total was reserved for local releases and despite a number of new titles the charts were commanded by one film. KIM Jee-woon’s critically-acclaimed Colonial Era action-thriller The Age ...
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THE AGE OF SHADOWS Guns Down the Competition Sep 13, 2016Several new releases invaded the charts in the weekend before the Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving Day) holiday, which will give us a five-day weekend this week, but there was only one real contender despite newcomers taking up the top five spots. Business rose over 50% after last week’s dip, reaching 2.34 million admissions, with 84% of that total coming from homegrown releases. Topping the chart in...
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<How To Top My Wife> Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival : BIFAN (2019) - Women in Comedy, Loud and Fabulous
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<The Map Against the World> Korean Film Festival in Australia (2017)
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<The Map Against the World> Korea Gold Awards Festival (2017) - Best Lighting
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<The Map Against the World> Busan International Film Festival : BIFF (2016) - Korean Cinema Today-Panorama
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<The Map Against the World> London East Asia Film Festival (2016) - Official LEAFF Selection
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<The Map Against the World> Asian World Film Festival (2016) - Official Selection
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<The Map Against the World> Frankfurt Korean Film Festival (2016) - Insight Korea
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<The Map Against the World> New York Korean Film Festival (2016)
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<Silmido> Florence Korea Film Fest (2015) - K-War
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<Public Enemy> New York Asian Film Festival (2014)
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<Fists of Legend> Jeonju International Film Festival : JIFF (2013) - Korea Cinemascape
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<Fists of Legend> Shanghai International Film & TV Festival (2013) - Golden Goblet Competition
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<Fists of Legend> Korean Film Festival in Australia (2013) - Push me to the Edge!
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<GLOVE> Busan International Film Festival : BIFF (2011) - Korean Cinema Today- Panorama
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<Moss> The Blue Dragon Awards (2010) - Best Supporting Actor
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<Moss> KOREA FILM AWARD (2010) - Best Supporting Actor
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<Moss> Chunsa Film Festival (2010) - This Year's Directors Award
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<Moss> Chunsa Film Festival (2010) - Best Picture
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<Moss> DAEJONG FILM AWARDS (2010) - Best Cinematography
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<Moss> DAEJONG FILM AWARDS (2010) - Best Director
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<Moss> The Blue Dragon Awards (2010)
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<Moss> The Blue Dragon Awards (2010)
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<Moss> Buil Film Awards (2010)
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<Moss> Busan International Film Festival : BIFF (2010) - Korean Cinema Today
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<Moss> Chunsa Film Festival (2010)
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<I Want Live Just Until 20 Years Old> Seoul International Youth Film Festival : SIYFF (2010) - Special Program in Focus / Focus on Director: KANG Woo-suk’s Coming-of-Age and Family Films
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<Happiness Does Not Come In Grades> Seoul International Youth Film Festival : SIYFF (2010) - Competition / Stimulating View 1-1
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<Teenage Love Song> Seoul International Youth Film Festival : SIYFF (2010) - Special Program in Focus / Focus on Director: KANG Woo-suk’s Coming-of-Age and Family Films
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<Public Enemy Returns> Paeksang Arts Awards (2009) - Film Awards - Grand Prize
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<Public Enemy Returns> Fukuoka Asian Film Festival (2009)
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<Public Enemy Returns> New York Asian Film Festival (2008) - International Premieres
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<Public Enemy Returns> San Diego Asian Film Festival (2008)
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<Public Enemy Returns> The Blue Dragon Awards (2008)
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<Hanbando> Chunsa Film Festival (2006) - This Year's Directors Award
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<Hanbando> Chunsa Film Festival (2006) - Best Picture
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<Silmido> KIMA's San Francisco Korean American Film Festival (2006) - Thematic Program
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<Public Enemy> Yubari International Fantastic Film Festival (2005) - Korean Cinema Special
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<Silmido> Istanbul Film Festival (2005) - Korean Cinema
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<Silmido> Transilvania International Film Festival (2005) - Supernova
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<Another Public Enemy> Fukuoka Asian Film Festival (2005)
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<Another Public Enemy> Korea Gold Awards Festival (2005) - Grand Prize
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<Another Public Enemy> Filmasia Film Festival (2005) - Focus on Korea
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<Silmido> Fantasia International Film Festival (2005) - Korean Cinema
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<Another Public Enemy> Fantasia International Film Festival (2005) - Korean Cinema
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<Silmido> New Zealand International Film Festival ()
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<Silmido> Stockholm International Film Festival (2004) - Asian Image
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<Silmido> Vancouver Asian Film Festival (2004) - Special Feature Presentation
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<Silmido> DAEJONG FILM AWARDS (2004) - Best Supporting Actor
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<Silmido> DAEJONG FILM AWARDS (2004) - Best Screenplay
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<Silmido> DAEJONG FILM AWARDS (2004) - Special Jury Prize
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<Silmido> Paeksang Arts Awards (2004) - Film Awards - Grand Prize
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<Silmido> Chunsa Film Festival (2004) - Special Judges' Award
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<Silmido> The Blue Dragon Awards (2004) - Best Film
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<Silmido> The Blue Dragon Awards (2004) - Best Director
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<Silmido> The Blue Dragon Awards (2004) - Best Supporting Actor
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<Silmido> Bergen International Film Festival (2004)
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<Silmido> Hamburg Film Festival (2004)
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<Silmido> Melbourne International Film Festival (2004) - Regional Focus
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<Public Enemy> Seattle International Film Festival (2003)
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<Public Enemy> Cairo International Film Festival (2003)
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<Public Enemy> Fantasia International Film Festival (2003) - Faces of Korea
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<Public Enemy> Shanghai International Film & TV Festival (2002)
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<Public Enemy> Paeksang Arts Awards (2002) - Film Awards - Grand Prize
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<Public Enemy> The Blue Dragon Awards (2002) - Best Actor
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<Public Enemy> Fukuoka Asian Film Festival (2002)
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<Jail Breakers> Director's Cut Awards (2002)
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<Public Enemy> DAEJONG FILM AWARDS (2000) - Best New Actor
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<Public Enemy> Chunsa Film Festival (2000) - Best Actor
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<Two Cops 2> The Blue Dragon Awards (1996)
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<Two Cops> Paeksang Arts Awards (1994) - Film Awards - Best Film
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<Two Cops> DAEJONG FILM AWARDS (1994) - Best Actor
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<Two Cops> DAEJONG FILM AWARDS (1994) - Best Actor
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<Two Cops> Paeksang Arts Awards (1994) - Film Awards - Best New Actress
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<Two Cops> The Blue Dragon Awards (1994) - Audience Choice Award for Most Popular Film
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<Two Cops> Paeksang Arts Awards (1994) - Film Awards - Best Actor
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<Two Cops> Paeksang Arts Awards (1994) - Film Awards - Best Director
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<Mister Mama> Korea Gold Awards Festival (1993) - Directors Award
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<Who Saw The Dragon's Toenail?> Paeksang Arts Awards (1991) - Film Awards - Best Screenplay
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<Who Saw The Dragon's Toenail?> Paeksang Arts Awards (1991) - Film Awards - Best New Actress
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<Who Saw The Dragon's Toenail?> Paeksang Arts Awards (1991) - Film Awards - Best Cinematography
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<Who Saw The Dragon's Toenail?> Paeksang Arts Awards (1991) - Film Awards - Best Screenplay
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<Who Saw The Dragon's Toenail?> Paeksang Arts Awards (1991) - Film Awards - Best Actor
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<Happiness Does Not Come In Grades> Paeksang Arts Awards (1990) - Film Awards - Best Screenplay
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<Happiness Does Not Come In Grades> Paeksang Arts Awards (1990) - Film Awards - Best New Actress
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<Happiness Does Not Come In Grades> Paeksang Arts Awards (1990) - Film Awards - Best New Actor
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<Sweet Brides> The Korean Association of Film Critics Awards (1989) -