director: Kim Dong-Bin
starring: Shin Eun-Kyung · Lee Seung-Hyeon · Jung Jin-Young
· Kim Chang-Wan · Doona Bae
After
the mysterious death of her niece and three other teenagers (all dying
from a heart attack at the same time, on the same day), journalist Sun-ju
decides to investigate the details which led to their last moments of
life. She is aided in her investigation by a clinical doctor who wants
to disprove the supernatural implications of the case after discovering
each of the victims had watched a 'forbidden' video together seven days
prior.
Obviously
this Korean film is a remake [or perhaps variation] of the original Japanese
hit RING.
Both films use the same source material - a novel written by Koji Suzuki
- but this one has a much different approach. Here, more emphasis is put
on uncovering the details behind the infamous curse, allowing the plot
to unspool like a police procedural narrative (thus emphasizing characterization
which, in turn, allows for a more adult storyline). This detailed embrace
of the story was later infused into the 10 episode Japanese television
series RING
(TV).
There is a tendency for Ring fans to dismiss this Korean version
as a "cheap remake." But that is far from the truth. The production
and crew is top notch. Director Kim is an accomplished genre director
best known for his subsequent horror film RED
EYE and his casting of Shin Eun-Kyung in the role of Sun-ju here
is truly inspired. She is a quality actress who has become an Asian icon
with her genre films UZUMAKI
and the MY
WIFE IS A GANGSTER series.
A Korean
film with English subtitles; widescreen format, uncut (107 minutes)
DVD encoded for ALL REGION NTSC FORMAT; Extras include original trailer.
