Lee Chung-hyun

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Lee Chung-hyun
이충현
Born1990 (age 33–34)
Alma materHankuk University of Foreign Studies
(Department of Media and Communication)
Occupation(s)Film director, Scriptwriter
Years active2015 - present
Korean name
Hangul
이충현
Revised RomanizationLee Chung-hyun
McCune–ReischauerLee Chung-hyun

Lee Chung-hyun (Korean이충현; born 1990) is a South Korean film director. From his high school days, he has been actively involved in creating short films. In 2015, he gained recognition for his short film titled Bargain, which received positive reviews at various film festivals. Lee made his debut as a feature film director in 2020 with the Netflix thriller film The Call.[1]

Early life and education[edit]

Lee Chung-hyun was born in 1990. While he was a student at Kaywon High School of Arts [Ko], he had already made many short films and won awards at various contests, including one about the Daegu subway fire. However, instead of majoring in film, he studied journalism and broadcasting at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Department of Media and Communication. After graduation, he went on to work at an advertising company.[1]

Career[edit]

Lee Chung-hyun received attention for his short film Bargain, which he filmed in a single day using 5 million won of his own money. The 14-minute short features Park Hyung-soo and Lee Joo-young, portraying underage prostitution, the encounter between a middle-aged man and a high school girl on a date in Gapyeong. The entire film was shot in a single take.[2]

The short film achieved success on the film festival circuit, receiving accolades such as the Best Short Film Award at the 11th Paris Korean Film Festival, the Special Jury Award for the Domestic Competition at the 14th Asiana International Short Film Festival, and the Best Film Award at the 15th Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival.[3][4] It also received the 40,000 Blows Award for Best Action-Thriller Film, the Busan Cinephile Award, and a Special Mention from the Jury at the Busan International Short Film Festival.[5]

Bargain's achievement also caught the attention of Yong Film, a film studio that took Lee under its wing and provided training in feature filmmaking. Syd Lim, Producer and CEO of Yong Film, recognized Lee's talent after watching his short film Bargain. Instead of immediately assigning Lee to direct his own film, Lim had him contribute to the scripts of Heart Blackened, in consultation with the film's director Jeong Ji-woo.[6] Lee then spent several years writing screenplays for films planned or developed by Yong Film, including "Star of Judas," gaining valuable experience in various genres.[1]

Lim produced The Call, director Lee Chung-hyun's feature film debut as a director. It is a psychological thriller film that is based on the 2011 British and Puerto Rican film The Caller, which was released in Korea in 2012. Lee took the original skeleton and extensively reworked the core elements, boldly expanding the scale to create a thrilling narrative.[7]

The Korean adaptation stars Park Shin-hye and Jeon Jong-seo in the lead roles. The story of revolves around two women, Seo-yeon (played by Park Shin-hye) and Young-sook (played by Jeon Jong-seo), who exist in different time periods. Through a mysterious phone call, their fates become entangled, leading to a series of unexpected events. The film explores themes of destiny, connection, and the consequences of altering the course of one's life. Originally, The Call was intended for a theatrical release. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the plans had to be changed, and the film's theatrical release was canceled.[8] The film premiered on Netflix in November 2020.[9]

Lee Chung-hyun's next project was the short film Heart Attack! It was a romantic time travel story starring Lee Sung-kyung and produced in collaboration between Samsung and Yong Film. Lee accepted Samsung's offer immediately after completing The Call. The film reunited director of photography Kim Sang-il from Bargain and the staff of The Call. Kim Sang-il was able to film the extensive storyboard within a three-day timeframe using five Galaxy phones. The story followed a woman who fell in love at first sight with a man but tragically lost him. She then turned back time to save him. The short film was exclusively released on October 6, 2020, through the OTT service Watcha.[10][11]

In 2022, Lee's 2015 short film Bargain was adapted into an OTT series.[12] Directed by Jeon Woo-sung and starring Jin Seon-kyu, Jeon Jong-seo and Chang Ryul.[13][14] The series was co-produced by CJ ENM and Paramount Global, with the latter handled the global distribution outside South Korea, Japan and Taiwan.[15] The principal photography of the series began in 2022,[16] and it aired on TVING from October 28 to November 4, 2022.[14]

Lee Chung-hyun, teamed up once again with actress Jeon Jong-seo for his Netflix film Ballerina.[17] Alongside Jeon Jong-seo, the film features Kim Ji-hoon and Park Yu-rim in the lead roles. The film had its premier at the 28th Busan International Film Festival in the "Korean Cinema Today – Special Premiere" section on October 5, 2023.[18] Following its premiere, the film was made available for streaming worldwide on Netflix from October 6, 2023.[19]

Personal life[edit]

Lee Chung-hyun has been in a relationship with actress Jeon Jong-seo since December 2021, having met while filming The Call.[20][21]

Filmography[edit]

Short film[edit]

Year Title Role Note Ref.
English Korean Director Screenplay
2006 So that morning 그렇게 그날 아침은 Yes NA [22]
2007 Whaling, loveling 고래잡이, 사랑잡이 [23]
2007 Tell Me 텔미 Planning [24]
2008 Open the window 창문을 열다 [25]
2015 Bargain [Ko] 몸 값 Screenplay Editing [26]
2020 Heart Attack 하트어택 Yong Film

Watcha

[27]

Feature film[edit]

Year Title Role Note Ref.
English Korean Director Scriptwriter
2017 Heart Blackened 침묵 co-write [28]
2020 The Call Yes Yes Netflix film [29]
2023 Ballerina 발레리나 [30][31]

Web series[edit]

Year Title Role Director Notes Ref.
English Korean
2022 Bargain 몸 값 Author Jeon Woo-sung TVING Original Series [32]

Awards and nominations[edit]

Awards and nominations[33][34]
Awards Year Category Recipient Result Ref.
10th Youth Film Festival 2007 Silver Best Picture So that morning Won [35]
7th Korea Youth Media Exhibition 2007 Group Bronze Award Whale Catcher, Love Catcher Won [36]
8th Korea Youth Media Festival 2008 Excellence Award Open a Window Won [37]
11th Youth Film Festival 2008 Golden Best Picture Award Tell Me Won [38]
33rd Busan International Short Film Festival 2016 Korean Competition Judge's Special Award Bargain [Ko] Won [5]
Busan Cinephile Award Won
15th Mise-en-Scène Short Film Festival 2016 40,000 Blows Award for Best Action-Thriller Film Won [4][39]
Audience Award Won
17th Daegu Short Film Festival 2016 Excellence Award Won [40]
10th Great Short Film Festival 2016 Audience Award Best Picture Award Won [41]
Audience Award Title Award Won
8th Seoul International Extreme-Short Image and Film Festival (SESIFF) 2016 Excellence Award Won [33][42]
11th Paris Korean Film Festival 2016 Best Film Award Won [43]
14th Asiana International Short Film Festival 2016 Special Judge's Award for Domestic Competition Won [3]
57th Baeksang Arts Awards 2021 Best New Director The Call Nominated [44]
30th Buil Film Awards 2021 Best New Director Nominated [45][46]
26th Chunsa Film Art Awards 2021 Best New Director Nominated [47]
42nd Blue Dragon Film Awards 2021 Best New Director Nominated [48][49]
20th Director's Cut Awards 2022 Best New Director Nominated [50]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c Yoo, Seon-tae (2020-12-04). "[장우석의 電影雜感 2.0] '몸값' '콜' 이충현 감독 주목" [[Jang Woo-seok's Electricity 2.0] Director Lee Chung-hyun's attention from 'Ransom' and 'Call']. Yeongnam Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved 2024-01-12.
  2. ^ "한국 단편영화 20년, 미쟝센단편영화제의 20년을 돌아보다 ②" [Looking back on 20 years of Korean short films and 20 years of the Mise-en-Scène Short Film Festival ②]. 씨네21 (in Korean). 2021-06-22. Retrieved 2024-01-13.
  3. ^ a b "전종서 주연작 '몸값', 이충현 감독 원작과 비교해 보니" [Jeon Jong-seo's main film 'The Price', compared to the original director Lee Choong-hyun]. Hankook Ilbo. 4 November 2022. Retrieved 2024-01-13.
  4. ^ a b "제20회 미쟝센단편영화제 장르의 상상력展". msff.or.kr (in Korean). Retrieved 2024-01-13.
  5. ^ a b "LEE Chung-hyun". Korean Film Biz Zone. Retrieved 2024-01-13.
  6. ^ "임승용 용필름 대표, "기획이란 내가 좋아하는 걸 남도 좋아하게 하는 것"" [Lim Seung-yong, CEO of Yongfilm, "Planning is what I like to make others like"]. Cine21 (in Korean). 2019-01-17. Retrieved 2024-01-07.
  7. ^ "[스페셜②] '콜' 이충현 감독, "마지막 반전을 넣은 이유는..."" [[Special②] 'Call' Director Lee Choong-hyun, "The reason for the last twist is..."]. 씨네21 (in Korean). 2020-11-30. Retrieved 2024-01-13.
  8. ^ Park, Sae-jin (October 20, 2020). "Thriller film starring actress Park Shin-hye to premiere on Netflix". Aju Business Daily. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
  9. ^ Park, Sae-jin (October 20, 2020). "Thriller film starring actress Park Shin-hye to premiere on Netflix". Aju Business Daily. Archived from the original on October 21, 2020. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
  10. ^ "[SC현장]"100% 스마트폰 촬영"…'하트어택' 이충현 감독X이성경, …". Sports Chosun (in Korean). 2020-10-05. Retrieved 2024-01-11.
  11. ^ "단편영화 '하트어택' 이충현 감독,"귀엽고 달콤한 영화를 만들고 싶었다"" [Short film 'Heart Attack' Director Lee Choong-hyun, "I wanted to make a cute and sweet movie"]. 씨네21 (in Korean). 2020-10-05. Retrieved 2024-01-13.
  12. ^ "Director Lee Chung-hyun's short film, 'Bargain,' to be remade into TV series". February 24, 2022. Archived from the original on November 18, 2023. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
  13. ^ "Jin Seon-kyu, Jun Jong-seo to star in Tving's original series 'Bargain'". February 25, 2022. Archived from the original on September 13, 2022. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
  14. ^ a b "Paramount+ releases trailer of Korean earthquake survival series 'Bargain'. Check release date, star cast, theme, plot". The Economic Times. September 5, 2023. Archived from the original on November 18, 2023. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
  15. ^ "Korean Series 'Bargain' Heading for Paramount+ Streaming Platform in 2023". November 4, 2022. Archived from the original on December 29, 2022. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
  16. ^ "Tving's new 'Bargain' takes original film further". October 18, 2022. Archived from the original on October 30, 2023. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
  17. ^ "'발레리나'의 전종서, 김지훈, 박유림 外". Cine 21 (in Korean). April 29, 2022. Archived from the original on May 11, 2022. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  18. ^ Ramachandran, Naman (24 August 2023). "'Parasite' Oscar Winner's Directorial Debut Among Busan's Korean Cinema Today, On Screen Strand Selections". Variety. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  19. ^ Robinson, Jacob (July 18, 2023). "'Ballerina' K-Drama Thriller: Coming to Netflix in October 2023 and What We Know So Far". What's on Netflix. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  20. ^ Lee Seung-mi (December 3, 2021). "[공식]전종서♥이충현 감독, 열애 인정…"'콜' 촬영 마치고 최근 연인으로 발전" [[Official] Jeon Jong-seo ♥ Director Lee Choong-hyeon admits to dating... "After filming 'Call', they recently developed into lovers] (in Korean). Sports Chosun. Archived from the original on December 3, 2021. Retrieved December 3, 2021 – via Naver.
  21. ^ Kim Seong-hyun (December 3, 2021). "전종서, 이충현 감독과 열애 인정… 영화 '콜' 계기로 연인 발전(공식)" [Jeon Jong-seo admits to dating director Lee Choong-hyun... Development of lovers through the movie 'Call' (official)] (in Korean). YTN. Archived from the original on December 3, 2021. Retrieved December 3, 2021 – via Naver.
  22. ^ "KMDb – So that morning (Geureoke Geunal Achimeun)". Korean Movie Database. Retrieved 2024-01-05.
  23. ^ "KMDb – Whaling, loveling (Goraejabi, Sarangjabi)". Korean Movie Database. Retrieved 2024-01-05.
  24. ^ "KMDb – Tell Me". Korean Movie Database. Retrieved 2024-01-05.
  25. ^ "KMDb – Open the Window (Changmuneul yeolda)". Korean Movie Database. Retrieved 2024-01-05.
  26. ^ "KMDb – Bargain (mom-gap)". Korean Movie Database. Retrieved 2024-01-05.
  27. ^ "KMDb – Heart Attack (Hateueotaek)". Korean Movie Database. Retrieved 2024-01-05.
  28. ^ "KMDb – Heart Blackened (Chimmuk)". Korean Movie Database. Retrieved 2024-01-05.
  29. ^ "KMDb – The Call (Col)". Korean Movie Database. Retrieved 2024-01-05.
  30. ^ "KMDb – Ballerina". Korean Movie Database. Retrieved 2024-01-05.
  31. ^ Jo Ji-young (April 26, 2022). "[공식] 전종서X김지훈X박유림, 넷플릭스 오리지널 영화 '발레리나'로 뭉친다" [[Official] Jeon Jong-seo X Kim Ji-hoon X Park Yu-rim to unite in Netflix original movie 'Ballerina] (in Korean). Sports Chosun. Archived from the original on April 26, 2022. Retrieved April 26, 2022 – via Naver.
  32. ^ "KMDb – Bargain part.1 (Momgappart.1)". Korean Movie Database. Retrieved 2024-01-05.
  33. ^ a b "Chung-Hyun Lee - Awards". IMDb. Retrieved 2024-01-12.
  34. ^ "KMDb - Lee Chung-hyun Awards". Korean Movie Database (in Korean). Retrieved 2024-01-13.
  35. ^ "KMDb - 제10회 청소년영상페스티벌" [KMDb - The 10th Film Video Festival]. Korean Movie Database (in Korean). Retrieved 2024-01-13.
  36. ^ "KMDb - 제7회 대한민국 청소년 영화제" [KMDb - The 7th Korean Youth Media Festival]. Korean Movie Database (in Korean). Retrieved 2024-01-13.
  37. ^ "KMDb - 제8회 대한민국 청소년 영화제" [KMDb - The 8th Korean Youth Media Festival]. Korean Movie Database (in Korean). Retrieved 2024-01-13.
  38. ^ "KMDb - 제11회 청소년영상페스티벌" [KMDb - The 11th Youth Film Festival]. Korean Movie Database (in Korean). Retrieved 2024-01-13.
  39. ^ "제15회 미쟝센 단편영화제 경쟁부문 수상작 발표" [Announcement of the winners of the competition at the 15th Mi-en-Sen-Sen Short Film Festival]. msff.or.kr (in Korean). 2016-07-01. Retrieved 2023-01-13.
  40. ^ "17회 대구단편영화제 수상 정보 : 네이버 통합검색" [17th Daegu Short Film Festival Award Information: Naver Integrated Search]. m.search.naver.com (in Korean). Retrieved 2024-01-13.
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  43. ^ "제11회 파리한국영화제 성황리에 폐막" [The 11th Paris Korean Film Festival closed with great success]. www.francezone.com. 2016-11-03. Retrieved 2024-01-13.
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  46. ^ "부문별 후보 소개" (Press release) (in Korean). Buil Film Awards. 2021. Archived from the original on September 1, 2017. Retrieved September 4, 2021.
  47. ^ Seong Ha- Hoon (July 5, 2021). "춘사영화제, 이번엔 온라인 개봉영화까지 품었다, 26회 춘사국제영화제 후보작 발표, <승리호> 조성희 감독도 후보에" [Chunsa Film Festival, this time also has online release, Nominations announced at the 26th Chunsa International Film Festival]. OhmyNews.
  48. ^ Kim Nara (November 1, 2021). [제42회 청룡영화상, 후보 발표…류승완 '모가디슈' 최다 부문 노미네이트 [공식] [42nd Blue Dragon Film Awards, nominations announced... Ryoo Seung-wan 'Mogadishu' Nominated for Most Category [Official]]. My Daily (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
  49. ^ Park Jae-hwan (November 1, 2021). "제42회 청룡영화상 후보작 발표 '모가디슈', '자산어보', '승리호' 경합" [42nd Blue Dragon Film Awards Nominations Announced Competition for 'Mogadishu', 'Jasaneobo' and 'Seungriho']. Korean Broadcasting System (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
  50. ^ "감독들이 뽑는 디렉터스컷 어워즈 24일 개최…OTT 부문 신설" [Director's Cut Awards selected by directors will be held on the 24th... New OTT division]. 아시아경제 (in Korean). 2022-02-09. Retrieved 2024-01-13.

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