After reading about his stuff (particularly Godzilla2000's comments in the Mondo Macabro thread) I did indeed rent the 4 film set and I've watched two so far, PROMISE OF THE FLESH and THE INSECT WOMAN and they are nothing short of amazing. Some of the most exciting and unique cinema I've seen in a long time. Further thoughts will be elaborated in an upcoming WWC post but I thought he deserved his own thread so here it is.
A couple of questions: Has anyone seen any information about when the Korean DVD of the restored THE HOUSEMAID is coming out? There's going to be a huge, tight and painful internal knot inside me until I am able to see this alleged masterpeice. Gotta have it! But when???

Also, there is this English language book out about him:
http://www.amazon.com/Korean-Film-Director...44821214&sr=8-1
Has anyone read it and can recommend it? Or not recommend it?

Thanks!

I had never heard and am getting exited by this filmmaker as well!
"intensely psychosexual and melodramatic horror" is all I needed to hear :)
He seems to be influenced by Japanese cinema too...

Twitch had an item on the housmaid saying a Criterion release might be forthcoming. meanwhile you can watch it for free here
http://www.theauteurs.com/films/2039
(I think after signing up, haven't tried it yet because I don't like watching movies in a small box on a monitor...)

I think the Criterion thing might be pure speculation. Though his films are precisely the sort of thing they should be putting out. But they never release anything that isn't from the "West" save for Japanese films. No Korean, no Hong Kong, no Filipino, no Indian, etc.
I think it's a fair certainty that it is coming out this year in Korea, I just don't know when.
And yeah I saw that Auteurs site and I feel the same way, though I've watched whole movies on YouTube before so it shouldn't bother me too much, but I'd prefer to experience that movie for the first time in a more optimal setting. In the theater would be most preferential but on my television would be good too.

Hi Jared,

I'm glad you liked the Kim Ki-Young films so far. With "Ieodo", you should be in for another highly interesting example of his filmmaking.

I actually sent Criterion an email regarding a future release of "The Housemaid" about 2 years ago, also because I thought it would perfectly fit their kind of releases. I never got a reply of any sorts though.

My extensive review of the 4 film KIM KI YOUNG COLLECTION is now up at WWC.
http://worldweirdcinema.blogspot.com/2009/...collection.html

Hmm, this may be the first time in ages I actually PRINT OUT AND READ something I saw online! I'm fixin' to read this lil' booger real soon, ya hear?

*That's a little TX talk between me and Jared, thank you :P

Well I thank ya kindly sir, for such kind words. But I've just cleaned it up a little (it's funny how much I notice only after I post the damn things) so you may want to print it up again :lol: .

So far I've gotten ZERO feedback regarding this article. Has anyone actually read the thing? I'd really like to hear some response, positive or negative. I'm trying to improve as a writer, researcher and reviewer so the more criticism I get the better. Thanks.

Let's put it this way - I'm buying this set because of your article :)

Excellent article, Jared. I'm so buying this set next payday. I've had the Housewife on my "must see" list for years now...

Thanks guys. Hopefully I won't have led you astray!

I understand you, Jared. When I get zero comment on my blog, I tend to get lazy with posting - because I'm thinking: ''What is the point? Is anybody reading what I write''.

When you don't get feedback or comments it feels like a total waste of time.

This is exactly what goes through my mind Patrick. I've recently made the decision to keep on truckin' on and not stop even if no-one cares at all. But it still bums me out when there doesn't seem to be any interest.

Looks like in addition to the new release of Kim's THE HOUSEMAID his early 80s remake of this film WOMAN OF FIRE '82 has been released on DVD. Alas, it appears to be without English subtitles. I'm not sure I get this, don't they realize that their sales might even double with an English language option? Very sad, though I may just go ahead and buy it anyway. No English subs has never been a deterrant to me before when I really want to see a movie so ....

Anyway, here's the listing:
http://www.yesasia.com/global/korean-movie...-0-en/info.html

Well, since today I'm proud owner of one of my "most-wanted-for-ages" films, Kim Ki-Youngs original, one and only "The Housemaid", on a lovely Special Edition DVD released by KOFA, the Korean Film Archive. Life can be wonderful.

:wub:

I'd recommend everyone interested in film history and Asian classic (horror) filmmaking to get this wonderful release of a very special and powerful film classic.
The more they sell, the bigger the chance that we will see more of Korea's horror films of yesteryear on disc in the future. And there were PLENTY, tons of horror films made in South Korea that are totally unavailable anywhere in the world until this day. Some of them are lost, but there are definitely some treasures waiting in the archives as well.

As for "The Woman of Fire '82" (or "Hanyo '82"), I had the luck to see this 2nd remake of "The Housemaid" in a theater and I have to tell, this one is going to be hard to swallow without the benefit of subtitles. In fact, it is hard to swallow even with subtitles available. That is, because it is THE strongest display of psycho-terror I've EVER seen on the screen, and makes it indeed hard for any viewer to sit it through.
I will get the non-subtitled Korean disc anyway, though.
:P

My copy should be arriving any time now. Can't wait!
And you've totally sold me on getting WOMAN OF FIRE '82! "THE strongest display of psycho-terror I've EVER seen on the screen"! Yes, thank you!

You're welcome :)

About "Woman of Fire '82", as I said, the movie will be hard to sit through as it really tortures its viewer, and as its a talky film it's going to be difficult to figure out the goings-on without subtitles. That being said, I hope you will enjoy it nontheless, and I also hope your copy of "The Housemaid" DVD arrives soon.

:)

Still sounds good to me! But the "talky" bit is worrisome if not surprising. Kim's films in general don't seem to be the sort of thing you can reasonably watch sans subtitles but sometimes you just gotta do what gotta do to see a movie. I'm thinking this may be the only release we get of this film. I hope I'm wrong but ...

THE HOUSEMAID arrived today! The packaging is a thing of beauty!!

Watched the new HOUSEMAID DVD last night and ... wow, what a movie. As good or better than I'd read it was. DVD looks great too save for two reels that had to be subbed in from an inferior print. I'll perhaps give a short but more eloborate overview on WWC sometime soon. But without hesitation I recommend this disc to everyone here, especially all fans of Asian cinema in general.

EDIT: I'm an idiot and that should've read: "without hesitation I recommend this disc ..." it's fixed now but sorry for any confusion.

Well, if you waited to pick up THE HOUSEMAID DVD, you are sadly now out of luck. It has gone OOP. No-one seems to have any in stock anywhere. Unless it's reprinted, expect to be paying top dollar on Ebay soon.
Me, I'm now going to bed, taking my HOUSEMAID disc with me to cuddle ...

Korean discs are somewhat notorious for going OOP soon. I hope the Housemaid going OOP doesn't mean that it had less sales than expected...

Everyone should consider buying this, as it's a wonderful and very important release and every sold unit of an older Korean film may count to bring us more releases of the kind... which of course would be highly anticipated!

Hopefully it is the case that they just sold a shit-ton of the HOUSEMAIDs and that's why they are gone. I'd love to see another box set of his film from the KFA. Hopefully one with WOMAN OF FIRE and WOMAN AFTER A KILLER BUTTERFLY. Perhaps I should write them and inquire?
Just order the unsubtitled DVDs of WOMAN OF FIRE '82 and FREE WOMAN from Yesasia. Can't wait!

Perhaps if I go to the CD/DVD shop downtown they still have copies of The HOUSEMAID. It's the kind of thing that is not rare here but of course since a few international websites such as Yesasia offer it, if they become out of stock that means NOBODY can get it (unless it's a super popular film and most online shop have it).

By the way for you guys fans of HOUSEMAID or Kim Ki-young, there is a new trailer that just came out 2 days ago about the remake (ho god, not another one!) of the Housemaid, it is directed by Im Sang-soo (The President's Last Bang).

Housemaid 2010 TRAILER

The latest at WWC is a review of Kim's cheap-ass entry in the early 80s Korean "ero-movie" sweepstakes FREE MAIDEN.

http://worldweirdcinema.blogspot.com/2010/...korea-1982.html

Several classic Kim Ki-Young films are now on Youtube with English Subtitles! http://www.youtube.com/user/KoreanFilm

simply wow!

Btw, The Housemaid can be watched in HD!