The Good, the Bad, and the Weird¡¯¡¯s U.S. release

KIM Jee-woon¡¯s latest film The Good, the Bad, and the Weird (Joheun Nom, Nappeun Nom, Isanghan Nom) will open in the U.S. in the first half of 2009, according to its distributor CJ Entertainment. The Korean flavoured western will play in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, and three more major U.S. cities.

New York¡¯s Independent Film Channel agreed a deal with CJ Entertainment about Korea¡¯s most expensive film (US$ 17 million). Previously, The Good, the Bad, and the Weird was applauded by enthusiastic audiences at Festival de Cannes. The film will open on Thursday July 17 in Korea.

The kimchi western – a pun referring to the spaghetti westerns – boosts an impressive line-up with LEE Byung-hun, SONG Kang-ho, and JUNG Woo-sung leading the cast. The three are among several people interested in a map, without anyone really knowing what they will find at the specified location.

The Korean release is imminent and according to Korean Film Council (KOFIC) figures, The Good, the Bad, and the Weird leads the film reservations with an unprecedented 80,77%. The kimchi western walks, so far, a similar path as BONG Joon-ho¡¯s The Host (Gwemool) two years ago. Both films met audiences for the first time at Festival de Cannes where they enjoyed popular and critical success. The Host became, at that time, Korea¡¯s most successful film in the subsequent summer.

Yi Ch¡¯ang-ho (KOFIC)