Korean film "Le Grand Chef 2" to open in U.S.

Korean film "Le Grand Chef 2: Kimchi Battle" -- which opens in Korea tomorrow -- will also be released in theaters throughout the United States next month, according to the movie's producer IROOM Pictures on Wednesday.

IROOM Pictures explained that the film will open February 12 at AMC theaters in 20 major U.S. cities including New York, Atlanta, Chicago and Los Angeles. AMC, one of the largest movie theater chains in the country, is expected to show the Korean culinary flick on 25 to 30 of its movie screens.

"We are currently in the final stages of negotiating on the total number of screens the movie will show on," an official at IROOM was quoted as saying. He explained that although many Korean pics have opened in U.S. theaters, this will be the first time that a Korean film will show in the two countries at the same time.

The film's overseas release will be managed by JS Media & Entertainment, a firm which specializes in distributing Korean films in the U.S. and has previously released documentary film "The Calling" and 2009 summer blockbuster "Haeundae".

"Kimchi Battle", a prequel to the hit 2007 film "Le Grand Chef", is based on a popular comic series by Korean artist Huh Young-man. The movie stars Korean actors Jin Goo and Kim Jung-eun as two rivaling chefs, participating in a kimchi competition which purports to globalize the Korean dish.

Reporter : Ko Kyoung-seok kave@asiae.co.kr
Editor : Lynn Kim lynn2878@asiae.co.kr