'Alien: Romulus,' 'Because I Hate Korea' and other films to check out in cinemas

"Alien: Romulus” is the ninth installment of the “Alien” series, coming seven years after the series’ 2017 film “Alien: Covenant.”

Still cut from film "Because I Hate Korea" [BUSAN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL]

Because I Hate Korea (12) Drama / 107 mins. / Korean / Aug. 28 When you can't take it anymore, maybe it is time to try something new.

Gye-na, a woman in her 20s played by actor Ko A-seong, has a stable job and a committed boyfriend, Ji-myoung, played by Kim Woo-kyum. Her life may be humble, but in this day and age, many would kill to be in her situation. But Kye-na somehow doesn’t feel satisfied with the country that she is living in.

The protagonist is constantly faced with negative emotions of uncertainty, confusion, anxiety and more. Unsatisfied with relationships, the woes of life and exhaustion, Kye-na decisively decides to head to New Zealand. Will she be able to find what she wants in the whimsical foreign land that she decides to flee to?

Directed by Jang Kun-jae, “Because I Hate Korea” is based on the 2015 book with the same title by writer Chang Kang-myoung. Jang made his feature-length debut with the film “Eighteen” in 2009. He has since directed the films “A Midsummer's Fantasia” (2015), “Vestige” (2022) and “Juhee from 5 to 7” (2023).

Still cut from film ″Alien: Romulus″ [WALT DISNEY COMPANY KOREA]

Alien: Romulus (15) Horror, Sci-fi / 119 mins. / Engish / Aug. 14 The worst horrors sprout from the seeds of fear in the heart.

The original “Alien” series, which began in 1979, was a sci-fi revolution that changed the landscape of the genre forever. The face-hugging alien and the chest-bursting monstrosity it birthed from the carcass of a dying human has etched the highly impressionable horror in the minds of many unsuspecting moviegoers, earning the series a permanent shrine in film history.

The series returns with its ninth installment, which is set between the first two legendary films of the franchise. Rain Carradine, played by Cailee Spaeny, and her adoptive synthetic human brother Andy, played by David Jonsson, decide to join an expedition to retrieve some samples from a derelict spacecraft. Rain and the crew are looking to get the job done fast, but they have yet to realize they are sharing the space with horrors beyond their imagination.

“Alien: Romulus” is the ninth installment of the “Alien” series, coming seven years after the series’ 2017 film “Alien: Covenant.” The film is directed by Fede Álvarez, who is well known for directing the 2016 horror film “Don’t Breathe.” Álvarez made his feature-length film debut in 2013 with the film “Evil Dead.”

Still cut from upcoming film ″The Land of Happiness″ [NEXT ENTERTAINMENT WORLD]

Land of Happiness (12)Drama / 124 mins. / Korean / Aug. 14

The grandeur of history is often composed of smaller, intertwined narratives.

When Korea's former president and dictator, Park Chung Hee, was assassinated on Oct. 26, 1979, the nation briefly glimpsed the possibility of democratization. What followed, however, was a military coup on Dec. 12 of the same year. "Land of Happiness" delves into this tumultuous period, offering a broader perspective through the story of a man caught in the chaotic aftermath.

The late actor Lee Sun-kyun portrays Park Tae-ju, an agent of the Korean Central Intelligence Agency. On a pivotal night, Tae-ju is thrust into action when his superior pulls the trigger, leading him to storm the president's residence. The assassination is successful, but the ensuing political turmoil leaves Tae-ju in a precarious position. Jung In-hu, a lawyer played by Cho Jung-seok, fights to save Tae-ju from the disastrous political fallout. As the tension escalates, the question remains: Can the lawyer succeed in defending the disgraced agent amid the swirling political chaos?

"Land of Happiness" marks director Choo Chang-min's return to the big screen after a six-year hiatus following "Seven Years of Night" (2018). Choo made his directorial debut in 2005 with the comedy "Mapado: Island of Fortunes," and gained widespread recognition in 2012 with the historical fiction film "Masquerade."

Still cut from ″Freud's Last Session″ [TRIPLE PICTURES]

Freud’s Last Session (15)Drama / 110 mins. / English / Aug. 21

A timeless discussion: Does God exist, or is God dead?

In "Freud's Last Session," British writer C.S. Lewis, portrayed by Matthew Goode, meets the famed Austrian neurologist Sigmund Freud, played by Anthony Hopkins, for an intense debate on the existence of God. Their meeting takes place under tense circumstances, just two days after the outbreak of World War II. Freud, in poor spirits, is particularly agitated by Lewis's abandonment of atheism in favor of Christianity.

Their conversation spans a wide range of topics, including Lewis's experiences as a soldier in World War I, his friendship with J.R.R. Tolkien and Freud’s relationship with his daughter Anna, played by Liv Lisa Fries. At this stage in his life, Freud is battling advanced oral cancer, a struggle that has left him unable to speak with his usual authority. The question looms: What resolution, if any, will this meeting between two great minds bring?

"Freud's Last Session" (2023) is a fictional portrayal of this imagined encounter between Lewis and Freud. The film is directed by Matt Brown, known for "Ropewalk" (2000) and "The Man Who Knew Infinity" (2015). It made its debut at the 2023 AFI Fest on Oct. 27, 2023.

Still cut from ″Victory″ [MINDMARK]

Victory (12)Drama / 120 mins. / Korean / Aug. 14

A dose of nostalgia never hurts.

Pil-sun, portrayed by Lee Hye-ri, is a spirited country girl from Geoje, South Gyeongsang, with a deep passion for dancing. Determined to channel her enthusiasm, she decides to create the Millennium Girls cheerleading club. Joining her are her best friend Mi-na, played by Park Se-wan, and Se-hyun, a transfer student from Seoul played by Jo A-ram. Together, they aim to deliver the performance of a lifetime.

While the girls are brimming with passion and dedication, enthusiasm alone isn’t enough to guarantee success. To make matters more challenging, the high school soccer team they’re supposed to cheer for is consistently at the bottom of the league. The team captain, Chi-hyeong, played by Lee Jung-Ha, has already accepted their dismal fate. However, the cheerleaders have no intention of wasting their energy on a team of perennial losers. The question is: Can the girls inspire the soccer team to turn their luck around?

Director Park Beom-su first made his mark with the short film "Solo 36’" in 2008. His debut feature film, "Red Carpet" (2013), further established his career. "Victory" is Park’s latest work, coming just nine months after the release of his previous film, "Single in Seoul," in November 2023.

BY KIM MIN-YOUNG [kim.minyoung5@joongang.co.kr]