Because I Hate Korea

Because I Hate Korea
Theatrical release poster
Hangul
한국이 싫어서
Revised RomanizationHanguki sileoseo
Directed byJang Kun-jae
Screenplay byJang Kun-jae
Based on한국이 싫어서 [ko]
by Chang Kang-myoung
Produced byYoun Hee-young
Starring
CinematographyNa Hui-seok
Edited byLee Yeon-jeong
Music byKwun Hyun-jeong
Production
companies
  • Mocushura
  • Cinematic Moment
  • Indiestory
  • Sidus
Distributed by
  • NK Contents
  • D-Station
Release dates
  • October 4, 2023 (2023-10-04) (BIFF)
  • August 28, 2024 (2024-08-28) (South Korea)
Running time
106 minutes
CountrySouth Korea
LanguageKorean
Box officeUS$347,051[1]

Because I Hate Korea (Korean: 한국이 싫어서) is a 2023 South Korean drama film directed by Jang Kun-jae and starring Go Ah-sung and Joo Jong-hyuk. Based on novel of the same name by Chang Kang-myoung, it follows a woman in her late 20s who suddenly leaves her job, family, and boyfriend behind to go to New Zealand alone in search of her own happiness.[2]

It premiered at 28th Busan International Film Festival as opening film on October 4, 2023.[3] It was released theatrically on August 28, 2024 in South Korea.

Premise

The film tells the story of Gye-na, a woman in her late 20s, who one day suddenly leaves her job, family, and boyfriend behind and heads to New Zealand alone in search of her own happiness.

Cast

Production

Produced by Mocushura in association with Cinematic Moment, Indiestory and Sidus, the film is distributed by NK Contents in South Korea.[7] Principal photography began on July 29, 2022.[4] In January 2023 it was filmed in New Zealand after delay due to COVID-19 pandemic.[5][7]

Release

Because I Hate Korea had its premiere at 28th Busan International Film Festival as opening film on October 4, 2023.[8]

It was released theatrically on August 28, 2024 in South Korea.[9]

Showbox acquired international sales rights of the film in January 2023.[7]

Reception

Box office

The film was released on August 28, 2024 on 588 screens.[10]

As of September 8, 2024, the film has grossed US$347,051 from 54,048 admissions.[1]

Critical response

Lee Marshall reviewing for ScreenDaily at Busan International Film Festival commented on the performance of Go Ah-sung as "The edgy, restless central performance of her brings some dramatic ballast". Marshall found the soundtrack of the film "Muzak" and character of Joo Jong-hyuk "zany". Concluding he wrote that "the film’s strongest card is the nascent feminist perspective of a young woman who wants to make her own mistakes – not the ones that [people in her life] impose upon her."[11]

James Marsh of South China Morning Post rated the film 2/5 and criticized it writing, "Unfortunately the film doesn’t live up to its promising start, and delivers a string of ill-conceived culture-clash vignettes and stereotypes".[12]

Accolades

Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination
Award Year Category Nominee / Work Result Ref.
Blue Dragon Film Awards 2024 Best New Actor Joo Jong-hyuk Nominated [13]

References

  1. ^ a b "KOFIC, KOBIS (Korean Box Office Information System) The Box office: Korean films of 2024". KOFIC. Retrieved September 9, 2024.
  2. ^ Lee Ha-neul (September 6, 2023). "장건재 '한국이 싫어서', 28th BIFF 개막작 포스터…고아성·주종혁 개막식 참석" [Jang Geon-jae ‘Because I Hate Korea’, 28th BIFF opening film poster… Go Ah-seong and Joo Jong-hyuk attend the opening ceremony]. Ten Asia (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
  3. ^ Frater, Patrick (September 4, 2023). "Busan Festival Claims Best-Ever Selection, Sets 'Because I Hate Korea' as Opening Film". Variety. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
  4. ^ a b Jo Ji-young (August 2, 2022). "[공식] 고아성, '괴이' 감독 신작 '한국이 싫어서' 출연 확정..7월 말 크랭크인" [[Official] Go Ah-seong confirmed to appear in 'Because I Hate Korea', directed by 'Georgeous'... Crankin at the end of July]. Sports Chosun (in Korean). Retrieved September 11, 2023 – via Naver.
  5. ^ a b Jang, Jin-ri (January 10, 2023). "[단독]'우영우' 주종혁, 차기작은 '한국이 싫어서'…고아성과 호흡" [[Exclusive] 'Woo Young-woo' Joo Jong-hyeok's next project is 'Because I hate Korea'... orphanhood and breathing]. Spotv News (in Korean). Retrieved September 11, 2023 – via Naver.
  6. ^ Hwang Soo-yeon (January 25, 2023). "김지영, '한국이 싫어서' 합류…고아성·주종혁과 호흡 [공식입장]" [Kim Ji-young joins 'I Hate Korea'... Breathing with Go Ah-seong and Joo Jong-hyuk [Official Position]]. X-ports News (in Korean). Retrieved September 11, 2023 – via Naver.
  7. ^ a b c Noh, Jean (January 17, 2023). "Showbox boards 'Because I Hate Korea' ahead of EFM (exclusive)". ScreenDaily. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
  8. ^ Jeong Yu-jin (September 6, 2023). "'한국이 싫어서', 제28회 BIFF 개막작 선정…고아성·주종혁 등 개막식 참석" ['Because I Hate Korea' was selected as the opening film for the 28th BIFF... Go Ah-seong, Joo Jong-hyuk and others attend the opening ceremony]. News 1 (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved September 12, 2023.
  9. ^ Ahn Byeong-gil (August 28, 2024). "'한국이 싫어서' 오늘 개봉, 관람 포인트 3" ['I Hate Korea' Opens Today, 3 Things to Watch]. Sports Kyunghyang (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved August 28, 2024.
  10. ^ "KOFIC, KOBIS (Korean Box Office Information System) The box office Because I Hate Korea (2024)". KOFIC. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
  11. ^ Marshall, Lee (October 4, 2023). "'Because I Hate Korea': Busan Review". ScreenDaily. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  12. ^ Marsh, James (October 5, 2023). "Review – Busan 2023: Because I Hate Korea movie review – muddled addition to trend of films about Korean diasporic experience sees Ko A-sung play a free spirit". South China Morning Post. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  13. ^ [청룡영화상] 1312만 '서울의 봄'부터→ 컴백 '베테랑2'까지..스크린 빛낸 韓영화 청룡으로 집결 [[Blue Dragon Film Awards] From 13.12 million 'Spring in Seoul' → Comeback 'Veteran 2' Korean films that lit up the screen gather at Blue Dragon]. Sports Chosun (in Korean). October 30, 2024. Retrieved October 30, 2024 – via Naver.