Jason Bechervaise (Founder and Editor)
제이슨 베이셔베이스
I have always been interested in different cultures and films, but it was seven years ago, when I met my wife, Meeyeon, that I began to undercover what a phenomenal culture Korea has to offer. It wasn’t long before I came to discover the fascinating film industry that still bewilders me to this day. I find it almost inconceivable that fifty years after a crippling war and decades of dictatorship, South Korea has come out as one of the most exciting film industries in the world. As I am sure you can understand, this film industry has captivated me, even to the extent of launching a website.
I am currently based in Seoul, South Korea. I have recently moved here to embark on a PhD in Korean cinema at Hanyang university. I did my BA in Film and Video: Theory and Practice at University of East London and I did my MA in Global Cinemas and the Transcultural at SOAS (School of Oriental and African Studies), University of London.As my time at two of London's universities would suggest I have spent a great deal of time in London - almost 8 years - and perhaps at some stage I will return. I am originally from a small town in Wiltshire, England called Wootton Bassett, which is quite different to that of London, never mind Korea.
As a person infatuated with Korean cinema, I am interested in all aspects of it; from the production side to the more academic side - I even often have a craving for good old commercial Korean blockbusters, though I tend to loathe films that have nothing to say.
Some ask me who is my favourite Korean film director and film. Although there are a large number of directors I hugely admire - Lee Chang-dong, Im Sang-soo, Im Kwon-taek, Kim Jee-woon, Park Chan-wook, Hong Sang-soo, Park Kwang-su, Kim Ki-young, Shin Sang-ok and many more - Bong Joon-ho, for me, stands out and his film Memories of Murder is considered by many, as one of the finest Korean films in recent memory, and I would totally agree.
It is my intention that this website will have something for everyone who is interested in Korean cinema with a special focus on the UK as this is where I am from and where I began the website in the first place. Being in Korea, I may choose to make it more international at some stage, but for now, I will remain faithful to its domain.
This is me with director, Bong Joon-ho (left) and director Im Sang-soo (right)
I want to thank you all for your support and readership. Like I have said on many occasions, anyway interested in contributing to this website, please let me know.
Below is a film I made in my first year with some friends, which indicates what a mad person I am.
Aashish Gadhvi (Contributor)
Aashish Gadhvi is a recent graduate of Film and Television from Brunel University and a life long Asian cinephile. Having grown up on allsorts of Asian films, from Jackie Chan, to Godzilla, to Bollywood, Aashish later discovered Korean films and has become a Korean fanatic. Writing extensively about the films he is most passionate about, he has turned his hand to contributing reviews to this website. Aashish cites Memories of Murder as his favourite Korean movie. Aashish is also attached to The Cult Film Archive at Brunel University, which is a one of a kind rare video archive. You can e-mail Aashish by clicking here.
Jake Adams (Forum Administrator)
Jake is the youngest member of the team, he is 18 years of age. I think we all envy him! He currently resides in Swindon (where I am from), studying his A/AS levels. He enjoys watching a mixture of films and anime - his favourite being Korean.
Jake may be young, but he really is a valuable assett to this site. He contacted me suggesting we should get a decent forum going and he has done just that. Hopefully lots of people will registar and we will get a nice big community here at koreanfilm.org.uk.