6.1 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
Located on the southeast tip of the Korean peninsula is the international city of Busan. A popular vacation spot on the East Sea coast, Haeundae draws one million visitors to its beaches every year. Man-sik, a native of Haeundae, lost a co-worker to a tsunami on a deep-sea fishing trip four years ago. He has never returned to sea ever since. He now leads a simple life running a small seafood restaurant and is preparing to propose to his longtime girlfriend, Yeon-hee. Man-sik’s brother Hyung-sik works as a coast guard. One day, he rescues a female college student from Seoul who promptly, comes on to him aggressively. While these everyday domestic affairs unfold, geologist Kim Hwi, an expert on tsunami research, discovers the East Sea is showing signs of activity similar to the Indian Ocean at the time of the 2004 tsunami. Despite his warnings, the Disaster Prevention Agency affirms that Korea is in no harm of being hit. When he discovers a mega-tsunami is headed straight for the Korean peninsula, he quickly heads down to Haeundae. There he meets up with his ex-wife, who is organizing a cultural event, for the first time in seven years. He also sees his young daughter who is unaware that he is her father. Eventually, Kim gets a call about a deadly oncoming wave, with only ten minutes to spare! While the vacationers and citizens of Busan are enjoying a peaceful, hot summer day, a mega-tsunami is headed straight for Haeundae at 500 miles per hour.
Starring: Sol Kyung-gu, Ha Ji-won, Park Joong-hoon, Lee Min-ki, Kang Ye-wonForeign | 100% |
Drama | 17% |
Action | 16% |
Thriller | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
Korean: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Korean, English
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Slipcover in original pressing
Region free
Movie | 3.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
Yun Je-gyun's "Haeundae" (2009) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Korean distributors CJ Entertainment. The supplemental features on the disc, none of which are English-friendly, include an audio commentary with director Yun Je-gyun; interviews with cast and crew members; making of featurette; behind the scenes featurette; gag reel; the film's original theatrical trailer and more. In Korean, with optional English and Korean subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.
Haeundae Beach
Presented in an aspect ratio of 2.35:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer,
Yun Je-gyun's Haeundae arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Korean distributors CJ Entertainment.
This is a good high-definition transfer. Fine object detail is pleasing, clarity excellent and contrast levels consistent throughout the entire film. There are a number of different panoramic shots from the Haeundae Beach that look absolutely stunning; especially the ones from the first half of the film where the CGI effects are not too prominent. Close-ups are also impressive. The film's color-scheme is convincing as well. Blues, greens, reds, yellows, browns, grays, and blacks look lush and well saturated. Edge-enhancement is not a serious issue of concern, though I did notice its presence during a few of the outdoor scenes; neither is macroblocking. Additionally, blown through a digital projector Haeundae looks very good - the image is tight to the frame and conveying wonderful depth. For the record, I did not detect any disturbing scratches, cuts, debris, or stains to report in this review. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray disc. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your PS3 or SA regardless of your geographical location).
There is only one audio track on this Blu-ray disc: Korean DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1. For the record, CJ Entertainment have provided optional English and Korean subtitles for the main feature. When turned on, they appear inside the image frame.
The Korean DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track is solid. The bass is powerful, the rear channels not overly active but very effective, especially when the tsunami arrive, and the high-frequencies not overdone. The overall dynamic amplitude is great. There is wonderful depth to the sound as well. Balance is also handled well, so you should not have to adjust the volume once you begin watching the film. The dialog is crisp, clean and exceptionally easy to follow. There are no specific balance issues with Lee Byung-woo's music score either. Finally, I did not detect any disturbing pops, cracks, hissings, or dropouts to report in this review. The English translation is very good.
Note: I would like to apologize to our readers for not being able to comment on the supplemental features included on this Blu-ray disc. Unfortunately, they are all listed in Korean and not subtitled in English. Even the names of the participants in the audio commentary are listed in Korean only.
Audio Commentary - there are a couple of participants in this commentary, and I assume that one of them is director Yun Je-gyun. Since the audio commentary is in Korean and the names of the participants are listed in Korean only, I am unsure who they are.
Interview - an interview with director Yun Je-gyun and crew members. In Korean, not subtitled. (10 min, 480/60i).
Making of - in this featurette director Yun Je-gyun, cast and crew members address the special effects seen in the film. In Korean, not subtitled. (46 min, 480/60i).
Behind the scenes - raw footage from the shooting of the film as well comments from cast and crew members. In Korean, not subtitled. (6 min, 480/60i).
Interviews - a gallery of small interviews. In Korean, not subtitled in English. (30 min, 480/60i).
The Visual Effects - a standard featurette about the visual effects used in the film. In Korean, not subtitled. (24 min, 1080i).
The Characters - a look at the key characters in the film. In Korean, not subtitled. (12 min, 480/60i).
Gag Reel - In Korean, not subtitled. (6 min, 480/60i).
Trailer - the original theatrical trailer for the film. In Korean, not subtitled. (3 min, 1080p).
I did not expect much from Yun Je-gyun's Haeundae and ended up enjoying it quite a bit. There are some obvious flaws with its script, but most, if not at all, are rather easy to tolerate. If you like these types of disaster films, definitely give Haeundae a try. The Blu-ray disc herein reviewed, courtesy of Korean distributors CJ Entertainment, looks and sounds very good. It is also English-friendly and Region-Free. The packaging is once again very elegant. RECOMMENDED.
(Still not reliable for this title)
Tawo | 타워 | CJ 030 | First Press Limited Edition
2012
Biyeolhan geori | 비열한 거리 | CJ 007 | First Press Limited Edition
2006
Budanggeorae | 부당거래 | CJ 012 | First Press Limited Edition
2010
터널
2016
백두산 | Baekdusan | CJ 061 | First Press Limited Edition
2019
Flu | 감기 | CJ 035 | First Press Limited Edition
2013
회사원
2012
Qwik | 퀵 | CJ 015 | First Press Limited Edition
2011
Arahan Jangpung Daejakjeon | 아라한 장풍 대작전 | CJ 008 | First Press Limited Edition
2004
강호정 | Golden Harvest #012 | Limited Edition
1987
Limited Edition
2015
毒戰
2012
내츄럴 시티 / + 36 page Photo Book
2003
龍虎風雲 | Limited Edition | Fortune Star 032
1987