MOVIES / FILM:

The King and the Clown 왕의 남자



Directed by: Lee Jun-ik 이준익
Starring: Gam Woo-seong, Jeong Jin-yeong, Kang Seong-yeong, Lee Jun-ki
Release date: December 29, 2005 (South Korea)

Summary: Set in the early 16th century during the rein of King Yeonsan, two street clowns and tightrope walkers, Jangsaeng (Gam Wu-seong) and Gonggil (Lee Jun Ki), are part of an entertainer troupe. Their manager sells Gonggil's body to the nobility, and Jangsaeng sickens of this practice. After killing their manager in defense, the pair flees to Seoul, where they form a new group of street performers.

Together the group comes up with a skit mocking some members of the Royal Court, including the king and his new concubine Jang Noksu. After they are arrested for treason, Jangsaeng makes a deal with Choseon, who turns out to be one of the King's servants, to either make the king laugh with their skit or to be killed. They perform their skit for the king, but the clowns are so scared they mess up. Gonggil and Jangsaeng barely save themselves with one last joke at the king, who laughs and then makes them part of his Court. The king falls for the effeminate Gonggil, whom he calls to his private chambers often for puppet shows. Jangsaeng becomes jealous of this time alone (though it is never explicitly stated that there is anything more than friendship between him and Gonggil - this topic of friendship/love has been much debated by film reviewers). Meanwhile, the King becomes more and more unstable and kills people as he watches plays with resemblances to his past, where his mother was publicly executed via poisoning. Jangsaeng asks Gonggil to leave with him and the gang at once before the King may kill them too out of his fits. Gonggil refuses, sympathizing with King Yeonsan.

The king's main concubine, Jang Noksu, becomes enraged by the attention the king has been lavishing upon Gonggil. She tries to have him killed during a hunting trip, resulting in the death of one of the members of their street performing team. Days after the hunting trip, there is a kiss between the king and Gonggil (which has caused much buzz and excitement among film reviewers). Then, she tries to have him jailed by having flyers run in Gonggil's handwriting insulting the king severely. Jangsaeng takes credit for the crime for which Gonggil has been falsely accused and is imprisoned.

Choseon silently releases Jangsaeng, saying that he should now forget about Gonggil and leave the palace. But after being released from prison Jangsaeng surprisingly walks his tightrope between palace rooftops, this time openly mocking the king. The King fires arrows at him while Gonggil tries to stop him. Jangsaeng falls off and is caught, and has his eyes burned out and he is rejailed. Gonggil attempts suicide, but his life was saved by the palatial doctors. The king has Jangsaeng walk his tightrope blind. As Jangsaeng tells a story on the rope, Gonggil runs out of the palace and joins him, and they have a conversation together with much hidden meaning and significance, about returning in the next life again as clowns.

Throughout the film, the tyranny of the king and corruption of his Courts is revealed. At the very end there is an attack on the palace, and as people storm through the court beneath the tightrope, Jangsaeng and Gonggil jump together, and Jangsaeng tosses away his fan, signifying the death of both which is never actually seen in the film.


No Regret 후회하지 않아



Directed by: Leesong Hee-il
Starring: Lee Young-hun, Lee Han, Jo Hyun-cheol, Kim Dong-wook, Jeong Seung-gil, Lee Seung-won, Hwang Chun-ha, Kim Jeong-hwa
Release date: November 16, 2006 (South Korea)

Summary: A male escort starts to become involved with one of his wealthy clients.

Lee Young-hoon, is the main actor here. He plays Su-min, an orphan who, since he is unable to pay for university, must leave the orphanage at 18. (Leesong's research for this film led him to find that this requirement leads many orphans, male and female, to end up in factories and hostess/host bars in Seoul at 18. "Some days, I feel like I might like to shoot an orphanage story," he says) Su-min heads to Seoul to work various jobs in order to pay for computer classes and later university. An ethical stance on Su-min's part results in his losing his factory job. (Such a morally upstanding gesture along with Lee's beauty endears him early on with the audience. This also provides a nice expose on class in Queer communities, adding layers to the 'hostess bar' genre in South Korean cinema that Leesong redefines here.) Hit hard on financial times, Su-min ends up taking a job at a host bar. The boss (they call him 'Madame') of this host bar is reluctant to bring on Su-min since experience has shown him that gay-identified hosts will often leave once they become romantically involved with one of their clients. Su-min is at a point in his life where he's given up on love, so he believes this won't happen to him, until a man from his past enters the host bar and life gets messier, more beautiful, and messier again. But for those who have had enough of the self-loathing and tragedy demanded in some films with sexual minority plots and subplots, hold on. At the risk of revealing the ending, let me just say don't worry. As much as I have problems with the narrative flow near the ending, at least No Regrets is not going where we are initially led to believe it is. One of the best aspects of this film is how we aren't provided the obligatory caricatures of Gay 'types' on prime-time sitcoms in the United States. Su-min is a well-rounded character and I love his refusal to answer questions he doesn't feel people have the right to ask. Each character has a depth that allows each to be more than simply the queen, the naive waif, the self-denier, etc. Refusing to follow the path towards Queer liberation espoused by sitcoms, No Regrets is freed to provide some refreshingly, rip-roaring hilarious moments. The banter provided by Madame and one of Su-min's co-workers would have had the audience at the 11th PIFF rolling on the floor with laughter had there been room on the floor of the packed house. Many of the jokes are specific to a Korean audience, (no one was able to explain to me what was meant by the crowd-pleasing 'You look like the Richard on Shilim Avenue' slam of the country bumpkin), but there is enough context here and quality acting and directing to ascertain what commentary witty retorts such as 'Wheat-floured face' are intended to impart.

But still, the joy of my experience with No Regrets was obviously enhanced by the crowd and their positive reactions to what they were watching. I almost missed this film, but thankfully ran into Italian film critic (and Koreanfilm.org contributor) Paolo Bertolin in the maze of streets in Haeundae that confound one's sense of cardinal directions. He insisted I get a standing-room ticket for the sold-out show. So I did just that and was one of the lucky standing-room-ers who was able to snag a seat from the late ticket holders. (PIFF is notorious for its strict time schedules. Variety had a story this year about one of their reviewers being physically restrained from entering after arriving a few minutes late.) Just before the film began I looked to see that every seat was occupied, every step in the theatre appropriated as a seat, and still more people were lined up along the walls anxious to see this film.

Commenting on the particularities of Queerness in South Korea would take a dissertation that space here will not allow. Until I stumble on such a Ph.D., how 'bout a master's thesis instead? Matty Wegehaupt's master thesis "Hong Seok-cheon - Keoming Aut in South Korea" details the cultural nuances around the South Korean TV actor's public coming out in 2002 that was immediately followed by his dismissal from the station that employed him. Such actions might lend support to a view that South Korea is a "conservative" country when it comes to sexual minorities. But just as Bruce Cumings argues in Korea's Place in the Sun that the adjectives of "liberal" and "conservative" as used in the U.S. are not fully transferable to a Korean context, Wegehaupt questions whether one can really call a country 'conservative' where the labor union rushed to the defense of their openly Gay colleague? And this defense was not due to 'Western Liberalization' but to something organic in South Korean culture. In fact, as Wegehaupt would later elaborate for me in an email, "While it may be the perspective of a minority, within Korean cultural mores there exist the means to freely accept and support the new phenomenon of public homosexual identities." Perhaps nothing supports Wegehaupt's claim more than the packed crowd that came to watch No Regrets. And perhaps nothing supports Leesong's film of hope more than the smiles on the faces of many of us who watched this ground-breaking film, smiles shared on the faces of Su-min and Jae-min (Lee Han) as they survive the tragedy that surrounds them, reminding us that until we can live honestly with ourselves in all countries, such tragedy surrounds us all. (Credit: www.koreanfilm.org)


Boys Love ボーイズ ラブ




Directed by: Kotaro Terauchi
Starring: Yoshikazu Kotani, Takumi Saitou, Hiroya Matsumoto, Masashi Taniguchi
Release date: November 24, 2006 (Japan)

Summary: Just doing his job, magazine editor Taishin Mamiya (Yoshikazu Kotani) interviews high school model Noeru Kisaragi (Takumi Saito). Despite Noeru's bad attitude, an enchanting picture of the ocean he draws leads Mamiya to invite him out for dinner afterwards. They connect at the restaurant, but while in the bathroom there Noeru solicits Mamiya sexually. The next morning, Noeru's office calls the magazine office where Mamiya works. "Your editor was rude. Have him come and apologize." When Mamiya goes to Noeru's house to deliver the apology, he sees Noeru with a dirty-looking man. Mamiya is shocked to discover at that moment that his interest in Noeru goes beyond article research--he truly wants to know more about him. Credit: Wikipedia


Bishonen 美少年之恋



Directed by: Yonfan
Starring: Stephen Fung, Daniel Wu, Terence Yin
Release date: 1998 (Hong Kong)

Summary: Jet (Stephen Fung) is a handsome gay hustler whose sex appeal seems to know no bounds. Everyone wants to make love to him, but he is in love with no one but himself.

Things change drastically when he notices what seems like a young couple in a shop, Sam (Daniel Wu) and Kana (Shu Qi). At first sight, he falls in love with Sam and begins following the two around.


Blue Gate Crossing 藍色大門




Directed by: Yee Chin-yen
Starring: Wilson Chen, Kwai Lun-Mei, Liang Shu-hui
Release date: September 27, 2002 (Taiwan)

Summary: Bold tomboy Lin (Lin Shu-Hui Liang) and pretty, reserved Meng (Lun-Mei Guey) are Taiwanese high school girls whose extremely close friendship revolves around Meng's crush on Zhang (Bo-Lin Chen), the popular star of the boys' swim team. When Lin takes it upon herself to act as the go-between for her friend, Zhang and Lin begin spending time together. Though Lin attempts to envision herself with him, her true romantic feelings are for her girlfriend Meng. BLUE GATE CROSSING's delicate subject matter is carefully handled by director Yee Chih-Yen, whose sensitive script avoids stereotypes in favor of an honest portrayal of the universally understood pangs of teenage attraction. In the uncertainty of adolescent love, even the possibility of a kiss from a crush seems nonexistent. With its truthful, slyly humorous approach; its crisp, bright imagery; and its appealing, altogether believable young cast; BLUE GATE CROSSING treats the confusion and frustration of growing up with respect than is rarely found in similar western teen films. (Credit: Rottentomatoes.com)


Eternal Summer 盛夏光年



Directed by: Leste Chen
Starring: Joseph Chang, Bryant Chang, Kate Yeung
Release date: October 13, 2006 (Taiwan)

Summary: Three high school students experience the perks and pitfalls of love in director Leste Chen's sensitive tale of friendship and yearning. As a child living in a seaside town in southern Taiwan, studious Jonathan (Bryant Chang) was asked by his concerned teacher to look after rebellious classmate Shane (Joseph Chang). Ten years later what was once a good-natured obligation has since blossomed into a warm friendship, with Jonathan still on the academic track and Shane finding his calling on the basketball court. When Taiwan-born schoolgirl Carrie (Kate Yeung) transfers to their school from Hong Kong and convinces Jonathan to join her on a secret day-trip to Taipei, her botched effort to seduce him in a sleazy love hotel, combined with her observations of he and Shane's friendship, soon leads her to believe that the object of her affections is homosexual and in love with his best friend. Despite her initial misgivings about the boorish Shane, Carrie soon begins to give in to the troublemaker's roguish charms. She accepts his offer to become his girlfriend on the condition that he manages to enter university. Later, as Shane pulls his act together and Jonathan begins to experience a sexual identity crisis, the former does his best to keep his feelings for Carrie secret in order to protect the feelings of his lifelong friend. Despite Jonathan's, Shane's and Carrie's best efforts to keep their personal feelings secret, the truth eventually emerges, forcing all three to view their relationships in an entirely new light.


Gohatto 御法度


Directed by: Nagisa Oshima
Starring: Ryuhei Matsuda, Takeshi Kitano, Tadanobu Asano
Release date: December 18, 1999 (Japan)

Summary: At the start of the movie, the young and handsome Sozaburo Kano is admitted to the Shinsengumi (新撰組), an elite samurai police group led by Isami Kondo that seeks to defend the shogunate against reformist forces. He is a very skilled swordsman, but it is his appearance that makes many of the others in the (strictly male) group, both students and superiors, attracted to him, creating tension within the group of people vying for Kano's attention.


Love of Siam รักแห่งสยาม



Directed by: Chookiat Sakveerakul
Starring: Witwisit Hiranyawongkul
Mario Maurer
Chermarn Boonyasak
Sinjai Plengpanich
Songsit Rungnopakunsri
Release date: November 22, 1007 (Thailand)

Summary: Mew and Tong were neighbors and close friends in childhood. But after Tong's sister, Tang, disappeared, Tong's family moved away. The boys are reunited during their senior year of high school at Siam Square. The musically talented Mew is the leader of a boy band called August. Tong has a pretty girlfriend, Donut. The meeting stirs up old feelings that Mew has harbored since boyhood, his love for Tong. (Credit: Wikipedia)

Streaming links:
http://video.sarnworld.com/media/1007/Love...English_Subbed/
http://video.sarnworld.com/media/1008/Love...English_Subbed/
http://video.sarnworld.com/media/1010/Love...English_Subbed/


Ai no Kotodama



Directed by: Kaneda Takashi
Starring: Tokuyama Hidenori, Saito Yasuka
Release date: 2007 (Japan)

Summary: One day Yuki (Matsuoka Rinako, Nodame Cantabile) bumps into her old classmates Otani (Tokuyama Hidenori) and Tachibana (Saito Yasuka), whom she was close to in high school. It turns out Otani and Tachibana are now roommates and attending the same university. Seeing how close the two are, Yuki jokes that it is trendy to be gay, and then realizes that she touched on the truth. Revisiting the past through flashback, Otani and Tachibana's long relationship is gradually revealed, from their confused high school friendship to their confession of love after graduation. (Credit: Yesasia)


Bungee Jumping of Their Own 번지점프를 하다

Directed by: Kim Daeseung
Starring: Lee Byunghun,
Release date: February 3, 2001 (Korea)

Summary: A man's girlfriend dies. He meets another man who he realizes is his girlfriend reincarnated. Even the second man begins to realize it. They struggle to be lovers when they have become a same-sex couple unexpectedly. (Credit: Terrible summary on Wikipedia)


Lan Yu 蓝宇



Directed by: Stanley Kwan
Starring: Hu Jun, Liu Ye
Release date: 2001 (Hong Kong/China)

Summary: Hailed by NEWSWEEK as one of the best films of 2002, Stanley Kwan's groundbreaking, beautifully filmed adaptation of an anonymously published internet novel, Lan Yu is set against the Tiananmen Square uprising. Lan Yu tells the story of a young, gay architecture student and his ongoing relationship with an older, successful businessman. The handsome playboy-businessman must choose between his comfortable, yet closeted life in the straight world, or an honest, yet subversive life with the student. Lan Yu was selected in the opening/closing night slots for the San Francisco, New York, and Los Angeles Gay Film Festivals inn 2002, as well as playing at the Sundance Film Festival, Cannes Film Festival, and Toronto Film Festival. (Credit: Amazon)


Takumi-Kun Series - Soshite Harukaze ni Sasayaite



Directed by: Yokohama Kazuhiro
Starring: Aiba Hiroki, Saito Yasuka
Release date: 2008 (Japan)

Summary: A second-year student at all-boys school Shido Gakuen, Hayama Takumi (Yanagishita Tomo) likes to keep to himself, but that becomes a bit difficult when he meets his new roommate Saki Giichi (Kato Keisuke). A big shot on campus, Gii has handsome looks, top grades, and a string of admirers waiting in the wings, but he can't help but take an interest in the quiet and aloof Takumi. Bothered by a traumatic memory, Takumi-kun has a complex about close contact and relationships, and Gii wants to help him overcome his fear. Friendship soon evolves into something more for Gii, but Takumi-kun keeps running away from the relationship. (Credit: YesAsia)


Spider Lilies 刺青



Directed by: Zero Chou
Starring: Rainie Yang, Isabella Leong
Release date: 2007 (Taiwan)
Summary: Jade is a webcam girl, who broadcasts herself nightly on the internet to anonymous users. She seeks a tattoo, which leads her to the studio of tattoo artist Takeko, who also happens to be Jade's childhood crush. Jade becomes entranced by a large tattoo of golden flowers—spider lilies—on Takeko's arm. She wants the same design, but Takeko refuses, telling her that the flowers are cursed. Takeko's father, who was killed in an earthquake, had the same tattoo on his arm. Her younger brother witnessed the incident and was traumatised by it, left with no memory except for the image of the flowers. Takeko decided to get the same tattoo, in the hope that it would help her brother's recovery.

Nevertheless, Takeko finds herself drawn to Jade, and begins designing a new tattoo for her. (Credit: Wikipedia)


Happy Together



Directed by: Wong Kar-wai
Starring: Leslie Cheung, Tony Leung
Release date: 1997 (Hong Kong)

Summary: A gay couple, Ho Po-Wing (Leslie Cheung) and Lai Yiu-fai (Tony Leung Chiu Wai), from pre-handover Hong Kong visit Argentina to renew their ailing relationship. The two have a continual pattern of abuse, followed by break-up then reconciliation. One of their main goals there is to visit the Iguazu waterfalls which serves as a leitmotiv in the movie.


Farewell My Concubine



Directed by: Chen Kaige
Starring: Leslie Cheung, Zhang Fengyi, Gong Li
Release date: 1993 (China)

Summary: The panorama of 20th-century Chinese history] swirls past two men, celebrated actors with their own decidedly specialized view of things. We first observe their lives as children at the Peking Opera training school, a brutal and demanding arena for future actors. While still in training, the effeminate Douzi is chosen to play the transvestite role and the masculine Shitou is chosen to play the royal role in a ritualized play about a king and a concubine. The actors are so good at this performance that they become identified with these roles for their entire careers; through World War II, through the takeover by the Communists, through the insanity of the Cultural Revolution, they are known for their famous parts. Leslie Cheung and Zhang Fengyi are powerful as the two men, and Gong Li (the beautiful leading lady of Raise the Red Lantern) plays the wife of the latter. The movie may be stronger on good old-fashioned melodrama than on profound conclusions, but boy, does it fill up the eyes. The director is Chen Kaige, one of the most talented members of China's "Fifth Generation" of filmmakers, whose daring subject matter (and sometimes bald international ambitions) have often irked the Chinese government. Indeed, though Farewell My Concubine shared the top prize at the 1993 Cannes Film Festival and snagged two Oscar nominations, it had difficulty gaining official approval from China. --Robert Horton


Memento Mori



Directed by: Kim Taeyong, Min Gyudong
Starring: Lee Youngjin, Park Yejin, Kim Minsun
Release date: December 24, 1999 (South Korea)

Summary: Memento Mori (여고괴담 II Yeogo goedam II) is a 1999 South Korean horror film. It is nominally the sequel to the previous year's Whispering Corridors, and is also set in a girls high school, but they are otherwise unrelated. The film was one of the first Korean commercial films to depict lesbian characters, but was constrained both by prevailing Korean attitudes and the fact that it was aimed at teenagers. (Credit: Wikipedia)


Sukitomo




Tropical Malady




Butterfly



Itsuka No Kimi He




Big Bang Love, Juvenile A




Ren ai Shindan




Love My Life




How to Become Myself




Boys Love (Theatrical Version)




The Blossoming of Maximos Oliveros




Bangkok Love Story




The Crimson Mark

The Wedding Banquet



Hatsu-Koi (First Love)



Directed by: Imaizuki Koichi
Starring: Murakami Hiroshi
Release date: 2007 Japan
Summary: High school student Tadashi is secretly in love with classmate Kota, but says nothing. Other classmates start calling Tadashi "kool-aid" and Kota starts avoiding him. Deeply hurt and depressed, one day Tadashi spots a gay couple on the train. Strangely drawn to them he follows them and, when they split, follows one into a gent's toilet. (Credit: Queer Screen)


Formula 17 (17歲的天空)




Go Go G-boys




Bokura no Ai no Kanade　僕らの愛の奏で




Candy Rain 花吃了那女孩




Beautiful Boxer (บิวตี้ฟูล บ๊อกเซอร)




Rainbow Eyes




Love Me If You Can




DRAMAS:

Coffee Prince 커피 프린스



Hana Kimi




Princess Princess D



Crystal Boys




ANIME:

Ai no Kusabi 間の楔



Originally a Manga by: Rieko Yoshihara October 1990.
Adapted into a two-episode OVA.

Summary: Ai no Kusabi takes place on the world of Amoi, ruled over by a computer named Jupiter. Jupiter has installed a number of strict social rules to its society. Among other things, social status is determined by hair color (Blonde being the highest down to black or dark brown) and. The Blondies, genetically modified by Jupiter, are the highest social class and occupy the capital city of Tanagura. Contrary to popular belief, the hair-color caste system only applies to those working in Tanagura and not in Ceres. The true separation is between those genetically created in a lab (those in Tanagura) and "mongrels" formed the natural way (those in Ceres). However it was written in the novel that Tanagura even manipulated the 'natural' births of Ceres, ensuring that its population did not grow by restricting the number of female births.

Iason Mink, the head of Jupiter's Syndicate, is visiting Midas and comes across a mongrel, gang leader Riki the Dark, being attacked as he tries to steal a car. He saves Riki, who, in return, offers to pay back the debt with his body. After Riki gives him his body for one night Iason decides to take in Riki as a "Pet," a sexual slave, and mark his claim on Riki by applying a ring to the base of Riki's penis.

Under Jupiter's restrictions, the Blondies are sterile and forbidden from indulging in sexual activities. The "pets" are purely for voyeuristic purposes. Further emasculation is seen in the "Furniture," eunuch slaves who serve the Blondies.

Two years later, Riki is still in the possession of Iason, causing rumors to fly. Riki is considered too old to be a pet (most pets being younger teenagers), and his mongrel status, when professionally bred and trained pets are easily available, call Iason's actions into question. Furthermore, most pets are kept for about a year before being discarded. Iason has started to fall in love with Riki, and has broken the laws of Jupiter by having intercourse with him.

Iason allows Riki to go back to Ceres for one year, taking off the ring and freeing him. He is welcomed back to his gang, Bison, and they return to normal life. When the year has passed Iason sets about ensuring Riki's return. Using Killie (once a member of Bison who since has joined the Black Market) to give Bison a job Iason sets a trap which ends with Riki's gang being arrested by the Midas Police. Due to Iasons demands Riki is released early and that night he reclaims Riki as his pet under the threat of making Guy (Rikis former pairing partner) into a pet. Bison is then set free with little punishment, to the confusion of everyone but Riki. Guy once released tells Riki of his desire to once again become pairing partners (boyfriends). It is then that Riki reveals his secret of being Iason's pet for three years and how it is this connection that allowed Bison to escape jail unbeaten as he had promised to return to his former master. Enraged that the once proud and independent Riki has been a pet and is returning to be one, Guy beats Riki up, shouting at him to leave and never return.

Emotional attraction develops between Riki and Iason when Riki learns of the danger Iason is putting himself in, in order to have Riki.


Kaze to Ki no Uta 風と木の詩


Originally a manga by: Keiko Takemiya 1976-84.
Turned into a 60-minute OVA directed by: Yoshikazu Yasuhiko
Release date: November 6, 1987 (Japan)

Summary: Kaze to Ki No Uta is the story of Serge Battour, the son of a wealthy man and a Roma woman. Taking place in the late 19th century, the story is a recollection of his memories of Gilbert Cocteau at Laconblade Academy in Provene, France. The story has themes of class prejudice, racism, homophobia, homosexuality, incest, paedophilia, rape, prostitution, and drug abuse.

Gilbert Cocteau is a promiscuous student who has reputation for being a boy of corrupt morality since he frequently misses classes and engages in relations with older male students. However, Gilbert is a tortured young man who has been treated like an object all his life rather than a human being. The primary antagonist in the story - Gilbert's uncle, Auguste Beau - is a respected society figure who manipulates and sexually abuses his young nephew. Auguste's influence is so great that Gilbert actually believes that the two are in love, and Gilbert remains enthralled with Auguste, even to the bitter end when he finds out that Auguste isn't quite who he thought he was.

Golden-hearted Serge becomes fascinated with Gilbert, and tries to win his friendship despite being threatened with ostracism and even violence. Gilbert himself even rejects Serge's offer of friendship, although it seems that Serge may be Gilbert's only hope to escape this hellish life. (Credit: Wikipedia).

Gravitation




Junjou Romantica




Sukisho





MANGA / MANHWA:

Let Dai



Author: Sooyeon Won 원수연
Summary: Is this desire for freedom the very thing that entrapped us?

Let Dai is a tragic tale of forbidden love and unforgivable betrayal. Set in a soulless neo-Seoul ruled by young punks and pleasure seekers, an amoral teenager named Dai is the living embodiment of the city's beauty and cruelty. As the leader of the vicious Furies gang, Dai seduces everyone who lays eyes on him, only to blind them to his own barbaric nature. When an honest schoolboy named Jaehee rescues a beautiful girl from being mugged by the Furies, he can't possibly realize how this brief encounter will plunge him into a downward spiral of unbridled passion and unfathomable pain. From his brutal gang initiation to an unspeakable act committed against his girlfriend, Jaehee wavers uncomfortably between revulsion and fascination. And in Dai he finds a tender, caring friend one moment and a heartless sociopath the next, awakening strange and unhealthy desires in Jaehee that he could never before have imagined. (Credit: ?)

The Summit




Kaze to Ki no Uta




Martin & John

Viewfinder

UPCOMING MOVIES

Boy Meets Boy



Directed by: Kim Jo-Kwang-Joo
Starring: Kim Hye-sung, Lee Hyung-jin
Release date: Unknown. Filming has started.

There is a Soompi forum dedicated to 'Boy Meets Boy' if you are interested in more details :)


Frozen Flower 쌍화점


There are no promotional photos for this movie yet :( But filming has started.

Directed by: Yooha
Starring: Jo In-sung, Joo Jin-mo,
Release date: Spring 2008??

Summary: Frozen Flower is a historic period movie that will take place in Goguryeo. This movie is going to show a dangerous love and betrayal between the Goguryeo King, HongRim, a member of the Royal Bodyguards which is composed of 36 handsome guys, and Goguryeo's beautiful Queen.

Joo JinMo will play the young charismatic Goguryeo King and Jo Insung will play the bodyguard, HongRim who is favored by the King. Both of them will play a gay character. Joo JinMo will play Jo InSung's partner in this movie. (Credit: Soompi)

ohhh Boys Love ,I saw this movie is BEAUTIFUL
romantic ,sweet, and so saaaaaaaaaaaaad (I love Noeru ,I Hateeee Chidori )
always cry a lot, when look this movie
is complete in youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_8nlJ5RiNk


p.d. Takumi Saito is so cute and sexy

The films I saw out from the list are THE KING AND THE CLOWN and NO REGRET (haven't finished watching this one yet). I have nothing against gay people. In fact, I have a few gay friends and a gay brother. Most of the time, they are fun to be with (although my brother is a bit moody). So I'm just so disappointed with those people who discriminate against gay people. To each his own, that's what I always say. Do whatever will make you happy (but of course be ready for the consequences, 'coz every action we make has permanent effect on our lives whether you are gay or not). So, let's all live in harmony, whatever your sexual preference may be.

i don't mean to bash or anything to gay people (homosexual and lesbian)
i know they are human too and perhaps their bad past life make them gay people (child abuse) or broken heart by woman or man
i like to watch gay film too bcos the players are so beautiful and cute
but it doesn't mean gay people can accept in a normal community
i think people don't hate gay people in person, they only hate of what the gay peole doing
me personally don't like gay people
sometimes they look so weird to me
i think gay people should ask for help to heal their abnormal behavior
i know it from gay people testimony who already become a normal people

God doesn't create half man half woman
God doesn't create men pairing w/ men nor women pairing to women
God does create man and woman to live together as husband and wife or as girlfriend and boyfriend

anyway it's only my opinion, pls don't be angry, ok?

peace

I didn't even watch 'BrokeBack Mountain' but i love 'The King's Clown' and i am ever so anticipating for the scenes between Ju JinMo and Jo InSung.. !!..

Blue Gate Crossing is one of my favourite movie, It's just excellent, there's few dialogue but you can just feel everything by looking at them .. really impressive =)
But honestly the whole movie talks about how Zhang shihao ( wilson Chen ) loves Meng kerou ( Guey lun Mei ), it doesn't really talk about lesbian relationship, i don't consider Blue Gate Crossing as a gay movie !
But i suggest everybdoy here to watch this movie !

Thanks for the list, I don't know at all few of them.

I'm allow to add another movie, a recent one and Thai:

The Love of Siam (2007)





from en.wikipedia (spoiler inside):





The movie win a lot of awards (you can see it on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Love_of_Siam).
And on IMDB the movie has excellent rating: 8,3/10.

I watch it two times (with english subtitles), the "normal" movie, during 150 minutes and the director's cut, during 178 minutes.
As director Chookiat Sakveerakul said for this movie: It's not a gay movie but a movie about love
I like a lot this sentence...

I agree--the first time I saw Boys Love, I was on the edge of my seat biting my nails because I could feel the love and the pain and sadness *sniff* Boys Love is definitely a must-see --and one of the only modern Japanese LGBT movies I can think of, which is weird considering all the yaoi that is out there! I would have thought there would be a lot of movies in Japan dealing with gay themes. Or maybe I just don't know about them yet. And Takumi Saito is really gorgeous, I agree with you. : ) He's really old though--26! He doesn't look it, right?

You definitely saw the best ones! I consider The King and the Clown to be the first Korean movie I've ever seen, back in 2005. It was such an amazing experience--I cried and was so touched by it. After that I was hooked on Korean movies and now I've seen so many of them. It's encouragint that the movie was so popular in Korea--that means the people are opening up. But of course, there are still those people that thought it was a 'weird' movie, or 'gross'. In my opinion, it was an incredible, stylistic art piece. No Regret is another favorite! The director is gay, so it's authentic in that sense. I am still haunted by this movie, and I can't believe that something so amazing came out of such a fearful and homophobic society. You should finish it! : )

You're entitled to your own opinion--there's nothing wrong with that. But don't come here to tell gays to 'heal their abnormal behavior'. No matter how you fluff it up, it sounds aggressive.

Haha yesss me too! Jo Insung is an amazing actor--he's so famous, and yet he stays grounded and humble. I think it'll be good for an A-list actor to have such a controversial role. I can't wait to see Frozen Flower and be blown away : )

Yeah--I was debating on whether or not to put it here too! But it was so beautiful I couldn't resist! And I felt bad that I didn't put any lesbian-themed movies up... There are less of those, I think.. Lately I've been into Taiwanese movies, because they seem to share a similar root that comes from Taiwan. I just saw Secret a few days ago, which stars Jay Chou and also Guey Lun Mei (from Blue Gate Crossing!) and it had the same kind of beauty as Blue Gate Crossing. It's a really good movie, if you're interested in watching it! : )

THANK YOU! I welcome any recommendations, and it sounds really interesting! I think I've only seen one Thai movie and that was a long time ago, so I'm really interested in this! I'll try to watch it later tonight if I have time.. (But with finals here I don't know if that can happen... -__-;;)

can't wait to watch BOYS MEET BOYS
thanks for the info

Heyy Ishida21--do you know where The Love of Siam is with english subtitles? I'm only finding Chinese subs... Hmm...


No problem!
And me neither! I've seen Kim Hyesung in Highkick and he's really funny in that, so it'll be quite a change to see him in a serious role... Can't wait! I wish there was more info on it though.

For "normal" version you can find it on kloofy.net (registration required) in the latest subtitles section.
For director's cut version you can find it on subscene at this link:
Subtitles for D'sC version

this is awesome

i kinda want to watch the movie upcoming with jo in sung and joo jin mo

two hot guys together

Are we allowed to only talk about films here? What about dramas?

I loved King and the Clown, and various other Western homosexual-themed films (like Velvet Goldmine and Brokeback Mountain), and some anime, but I haven't really seen a lot of Asian films regarding the subject. This thread gives me some films to look for. Thanks.

I've heard that films like Happy Together (the 1997 Wong Kar Wai film) and Fire (the 1996 film by Deepa Mehta, which was the first Indian film to explicitly show homosexual relations) are good, but I haven't had a chance to see them. Any opinions on those two?

I'm looking forward to Frozen Flower. I like that director, and hopefully the homosexual themes will be treated sensitively, and without promoting any of those stereotypes and false facts that often come hand in hand when people try to tackle homosexuality in films.

Isn't this section exclusively for Korean dramas and movies? I don't think homosexuality and gay films and dramas should be an exception to the general rule. I am just reminding people of the Soompi rule if you have forgotten it.

Thanks! I searched around and I also found a streaming video which has good subs:
http://video.sarnworld.com/media/1007/Love...English_Subbed/
http://video.sarnworld.com/media/1008/Love...English_Subbed/
http://video.sarnworld.com/media/1010/Love...English_Subbed/


Yes--Jo Insung is hot. I can't disagree with that. I don't really know Joo Jinmo... I should research him more! Can't wait to see it!!


Dramas? Are you talking about Antique Bakery? Because that's the only one I can think of... I think that it's fine to branch out and talk about other mediums. Why limit ourselves to films?
I've seen Happy Together and Brokeback Mountain... But you're making me interested in watching the other ones! I'm definitely going to check them out.
I love the director of Frozen Flower too. He's pretty unconventional--and I'm sure he's quite an interesting person. He represents the gay population of Korea, and there is one.. They're just hidden from society. Hopefully it's as good as No Regret!


Well--I think the main subject of this thread is for homosexuality in film, but the core of the matter stretches beyond that, and it can't be helped if discussion overflows beyond the rim of drama and film. Just as other threads deviate from their main topics to talk about relevant branches, here, too, we should be allowed to encompass a wider definition of drama. Also, there isn't a section for Korean AND other Asian topics, or else certainly, I would post there. In addition to that, there are no other threads really discussing this subject in Soompi, so it makes it easier on everyone to have one place where people can share input in a general discussion.

Well. If a thread like this is allowed because the topics and issues it touches upon, then the same logic can be applied to other movies and dramas in Asia as well. Anyone can stretch the discussion to cover, for example, the cultural and historical aspects, and their similarities and differences.
Anyway, I think it’s wise to leave it to the moderator as we don’t have control over what is allowed or not.

The King and The Clown is my favorite movie all time alongside with western movie like About Last Night....

Just want to add, Japanese movie also has lots of boy-love theme..... If I'm not mistaken, Ai No Kodotama, (drama) Ren Ai Shindan..

Oh really? I've never heard of those, but I'm definitely going to look them up. Thanks for the heads up!

I just looked them up and they both look really good-- I think you spelled one of the movies wrong, beacuse Ai no Kotodama is showing up on the searches But anyways, apparently it's new and just came out last year! And Ren Ai Shindan sounds like an interesting concept--I'm not a big fan of vignette stories, but still, I want to see it. I'll definitely watch them soon and add them to the first post. Arigatou gozaimasu!

I just saw Love of Siam and Ai no Kotodama. They were both very touching in their own ways--

Love of Siam is about two friends who are separated by tragic circumstances, and by fate, meet again in the future, but this time with different feelings for each other. One of the boys, Tong, has gone through a lot in his life, and seems to find his only comfort in his best friend, Mew, but family problems create a dramatic backdrop in which Tong and Mew's love can't continue.. It was really sad in the end, but I don't really want to give it away. They have some very cute and happy moments together (a secret kiss in the backyard and sleepovers), but you can feel that ultimately, it's a bit of a bittersweet narrative. Apparently this movie was a scandal in Thailand, because it was originally marketed as a regular girly chick-flick, and audiences weren't expecting boy-on-boy love.

Ai no Kotodama is different from your usual LGBT movie in that the two main characters are pretty much together from the beginning. The movie concentrates more on the difficulties they face in keeping their relationship hidden from others, and to keep their own love from deteriorating. It shows the less glamorous sides of love, which I think is a refreshing break from the usual prettiness. I don't think it's as good as Boys Love, but it's more a different kind of story, so maybe it's not fair to compare them. If you're looking for a happy ending, Ai no Kotodama is the way to go :)

Thanks so much for sharing this with us. I'm going to check these out when I have the time to. I think it's great that Asians are becoming a little more opened about it.

How come theres no lesbians movies listed?

i can only think of
butterfly
and one thats involves tattoos.. damnit forgot the name

There's quite a number of Japanese Boys Love movies, among them is BOYS LOVE [cinema version 2007, the you posted is straight to DVD - *points to sig], Itsuka no Kimi He, and A movie from Takumi-kun series [forgot the title though].

EDIT:

Takumi-kun Series - Soshite Harukaze ni Sasayaite



A second-year student at all-boys school Shido Gakuen, Hayama Takumi (Yanagishita Tomo) likes to keep to himself, but that becomes a bit difficult when he meets his new roommate Saki Giichi (Kato Keisuke). A big shot on campus, Gii has handsome looks, top grades, and a string of admirers waiting in the wings, but he can't help but take an interest in the quiet and aloof Takumi. Bothered by a traumatic memory, Takumi-kun has a complex about close contact and relationships, and Gii wants to help him overcome his fear. Friendship soon evolves into something more for Gii, but Takumi-kun keeps running away from the relationship.


BOYS LOVE Theaterical Version 2007



Aoi Kairu (Kotani Yoshikazu) teaches at one of the nation's most prestigious boarding schools. One day, after a falling out with his girlfriend, he meets a young guy who provides him comfort and consolation during his time of need. Soon after that, a new student, Sora (Kanno Atsumi), transfers into his class, and much to Kairu's surprise, it is the same boy he had encountered before. Kairu tries to put the past behind him and keep their relationship a secret, but the brash Sora is not about to let go of love so easily.

Itsuka no Kimi E


Following in the footsteps of Boys Love and Sukitomo, Saito Takumi of Prince of Tennis Musical fame returns with another film about the ambiguities of friendship, brotherhood, and love. While his previous two films co-starred Kotani Yoshikazu and Aiba Hiroki, this time Saito Takumi, moving down the list of Prince of Tennis Musical graduates, teams up with Kawai Ryunosuke for director Horie Kei's Itsuka no Kimi e - Zutto Soba Ni Itehoshi. Fans can look forward to double the Takumi as he stars as twin brothers Noboru and Ryu. Older brother Noboru is a quiet and introverted photography student, while younger brother Ryu is energetic and outgoing. Noboru attracts the curiosity of classmate Kouhei (Kawai Ryunosuke), whose friendship with the brothers brings changes into their lives and relationships.

omg, so many movies!!! well, one that i really want to check out is the one with lee junki in it, i don't know i'm up for anything....just like bable, that's an awesome movie!!!!

wow I have to check them out

guess im gonna have a movie maraton

Lan Yu 蓝宇

This is a film directed by Stanley Kwan and stars Liu Ye and Hu Jun. It tells the story between a businessman (Hu Jun) and his relationship with his younger lover (Liu Ye), whom he pays for sex. It's is based on a popular cyber story called Beijing story. I've not had the opportunity to watch it, but apparently it's very good. Here's the review from Love HK Film.

I've also seen Brokeback Mountain, but it was nothing very moving.

kyeling this is where you are wrong. Homosexuality is not nurture, but rather they are born that way. From what I remember it is cause by an imbalance of prenatal hormones. In my psychology class, we talk about the origin of homosexuality and being gay is not influence by bad experience or child abuse. I dont know where you get the idea that a person can be gay because of past history. You should look it up and read about it.

I know that in some community, gay are not accepted, but when you say "normal" community. Who are you referring? And what do gay people do that makes you uncomfortable? And why do you they the way they look is weird to you? To me its a sign of homophobia. To me its kind of like saying "I don’t hate this kind of race as individuals, but I hate them because of the way they look" See what I mean? I just want to know more about your answers.

I know you are entitle to your own opinion, but I suggest you should understand more about. You should go seek counseling to help you with that issue. And by no means am I attacking you because I want people to understand that homosexuality is a choice and that people should accept them the way they are.

When I first read your comment, I actually cried because my friend is gay and he has to suffer being criticized for it.






Oh yeah feel free to email me about it. I try to answer your questions as best as i could kyeling.

You're talking about that (horrible) Rainie movie right? (horrible because of her acting, not the content). I think it was called spider lilies


anyway, there's a bunch of movies I've seen..... that I'll have to go back and look for... but a recent one to add to your list:


The Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros 2007 Philippines

- 12-year-old Maxi walks and sways his hips, high on life, laughing and joking with his playmates. Like any diva he has a wardrobe to die for - an assortment of sandals, shorts and shirts in every colour imaginable. His mum has passed away and his dad and brothers, who are devout Catholics, have turned to stealing mobile phones to earn a better living. Maxi cooks, cleans and sews for them and is their alibi when things go wrong. However it all becomes complicated when he meets and falls for an unbribeable, by-the-book rookie cop, Victor - which spells disaster for the family operations. Shot in the slums of Sampaloc, Manila, this remarkable film has captured audiences' imaginations and hearts around the globe.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0479506/
(this was pretty good)

& this one
Bangkok Love Story (2007)




Director: Poj Anon

Starring: Rattaballung Toesawat, Chaiwat Tongsang,
Weeradit Srimalai, Chatcha Rujinanon

Synopsis:
The film tells the story of Mek and IT. Mek is a quiet guy who works hard as a hitman to get money for his mother
and brother. Now, Mek is hired to kill a wealthy and good-looking guy named IT. Though he got a perfect girl by
his side, It still needs something to fulfill his life. While Mek is following IT for a chance to kill, something
in his mind refuses to do it. When the two guys meet, they can't resist the feeling in their hearts,
but Mek wants to leave. IT lets him go and is still waiting for Mek to come back.

http://imdb.com/title/tt1135961/
(I wasn't crazy about this one)


Me... Myself (2007) (I love this movie)



Director: Pongpat Wachirabunjong

Cast: Ananda Everingham,
Chayanan Manomaisantiphap

http://imdb.com/title/tt1020884/ -


there's also ....

Apichatpong Weerasethakul's Tropical Malady (2004)



http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0381668/

the iron ladies, beautiful boxer (again thai films). When I think up a few more, I'll come back.

Wow.. I'm gone for a few hours and so many new movies pop up! I can't spend all day watching movies! But I'm definitely going to watch all of these slowly sooner or later :) Most of these I haven't even heard of--where have I been?


Blue Gate Crossing might be identified as a lesbian movie, but it was a one-sided crush. Actually, I have seen some Chinese movies, but I honestly didn't think they were that good. I don't even remember what they were called. The only good one I can recall right now is Monster, which was an oscar-winning movie from a few years back with Charlize Theron and Christina Ricci, but that's an American movie. If anyone knows any Asian lesbian movies that are worth watching, please share!

i've seen a lot of filipino gay movies.
there's nothing really wrong with it.
in fact, i praise the actors for doing such a tough role.
i'll check some of these out (:

Maximo Oliveros was great. I really enjoyed the boy's acting, and his close relationship with his family was really heartwarming as well. (By the way, Nathan Lopez has a twin, and my friends have met him. He's in another movie by the same director, but that's off-topic. Haha.)

Brokeback Mountain isn't Asian, but I think it's one of the best movies ever made, and Heath Ledger's acting was truly amazing. He made Ennis del Mar his own, and for that I commend him. I read the short story multiple times, and I still can't get over how Heath Ledger understood Ennis's character so well and so deeply.

I think I'm going to check out some of these films soon.

For the ones who like Brokeback Mountain and The King and I, I definitely recommend these two Chinese movies: Happy Together and Farewell My Concubine. They both have superb acting cast and sophisticated plot. The King and I is often compared to Farewell My Concubine, but IMO the latter is far more well-acted and emotion/thought provoking.


Happy Together.





Farewell My Concubine.





LanYu/Beijing Story is a great movie too.

Seoulite5 ~ what about this movie-- it starts out a little differently, and I'm not sure it would be considered a gay movie. I don't want to give anything away in case someone wants to see it, but I'll put up the link to imbd.

Beonjijeompeureul hada

(aka Bungee Jumping of Their Own)

the director of Boy Meets Boy, Kim Jo Kwang Su, is also gay.

this is really the only thing I could find about the movie so far--the original article seems to be in Korean.

http://www.dramabeans.com/?p=2551&cp=1

edit: there's also The Crimson Mark--it's Korean, and a short. The whole thing is uploaded at youtube.

part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fz1KYalfeRY

part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F67A47V_k6E...feature=related

part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWiURw6S-Z0...feature=related

I noticed that there are quite a few gay movies, but you don't see as many lesbian movies in asia eh?

Kyaa! These movies, I watched some of them, and it makes me feel a bit more hopeful in finding the perfect guy ^^~~

probably because there aren't that many lesbian sponsors, directors, etc for the projects.

Wow, thank you for all the info, I've only seen a few of these. Definitely will have to check out more... Thanks!

I agree with you--the actors are amazing for stepping up and doing something against the mainstream. I'm not sure about other countries, but in Korea, it's not exactly something to be proud of. Even though Korea has grown extremely modern in the last twenty years, traditional values are still heavily present and influential, even towards the younger generations. So I commend Lee Junki, Kim Hyesung, Jo Insung, etc. They're all great actors in their own right.


I know that Farewell My Concubine is a classic--and it's on my list of movies-to-watch :D I really can't believe I haven't watched it yet... Maybe when school is out, and I have time to relax over the summer! I also have to watch Happy Together, which won several awards, if I remember correctly.


Yes, I've seen Bungee Jumping of Their Own..and I loved it. I also love Lee Byunghun. I can't believe I forgot it! I think it definitely deserves to be on the top post. When I have time I'll add it. I love this movie, even though I think it comes short in a lot of ways. I think the story was a bit cowardly in its approach, which is understandable. To be blatantly gay would be too much in Korean society, maybe. I think the concept of the main characters feelings were somewhat muted under the facade of a reincarnated past female lover.. Sort of a gay-but-not-really-gay movie.. Do you get what I'm trying to say? I don't think I'm explaining it very well ^^;; Anyways, it's a good watch, and Lee Byunghun is gorgeous, not to mention!


Yeah, I'm not very satisfied with most of the lesbian movies I see. I would recommend Blue Gate Crossing to anyone, but that was more of a complicated triangle with a guy in it. I've also heard that the Korean movie, Dasepo Naughty Girls is a lesbian movie, but I honestly haven't really had an urge to watch it..the summary sounded a little bit like a lame high school movie. If someone else wants to review it, be my guest!


I know--who knew there were so many Asian LGBT movies out there??

OKAY~ Now for some screenshots of one of my favorite movies,
NO REGRET 후회하지 않아:


This is the movie poster that was in promotion before theater release... There was a video of them I watched posing for this poster, and it was so cute, but I can't find it anymore..


They really look good together.


Lee Younghoon 이영훈


The GIRL who thinks she's engaged to a straight man.. I've forgotten her name >_<


Dramatic screenshot--love the lighting.


Magazine featuring them.


Looking suave!


At a film screening I think?


This is more recent, and it doesn't have to do with No Regret, but I thought it was an adorable photo of Lee Younghoon anyways :9


Fanwork, I think?

That was just my dedication to No Regret... Really--I couldn't help but to fall in love with this movie, right from the nostalgic beginning of Sumin's fleeting moments at the orphanage. There will prooooobably be other dedications in the future, hahahaha. I'm glad this thread is getting fairly popular. Actually--the page view numbers are very high considering I just started this thread a few days ago. Let's keep it growing!

Did anyone mention Ang Lee's The Wedding Banquet?
It's about this Taiwanese man who gets a fake marriage to this girl to hide the fact that he's gay with a Western man from his parents.

^ I forgot about that one. I think it's because I haven't seen Winston Chao in a long time. I've seen it a few times. Everyone was good in it, too.



you explained it fine--that's why I wasn't sure it could really be called a 'gay' movie--just for those reasons...and the questions the plot raises.

The girl in No Regret is Kim Junghwa. ^^

Has anyone ever seen Hatsu-Koi (First Love)? I found it by accident when I was looking for something else. Murakami Hiroshi.

http://www.fridae.com/newsfeatures/article...p;viewarticle=1