Ring Virus (1999)

Country of Origin: South Korea/Japan
Year of Production: 1999
Running Times: 110 mins
Format: colour
Ratio:
Sound:

PRODUCTION
Production Companies: AFDF Korea/Han Maek Films/Omega Project Company and BM Communication
Developed By: Se Bang Development
Producers: Chun Tae-Seup, Kim Hyoung-Joon

SCRIPT
Script: Kong Su-Chang, Shim Hye-Won
Novel: Ringu by Suzuki Kôji

DIRECTION
Director: Kim Dong-bin
Assistant Directors: Chung Seong-Jin, Hwang Joo-Yeon, Yoon Byoung-Ki, Shim San

PHOTOGRAPHY
Director of Photography: Hwang Cheol-Hyeon
Assistant Photographers: Lee Ki-Won, Kim Yong-Cheol, Yoo Byoung-Jae, Kim Moon-Bok
Lighting Assistants: Park Min, Moon Hyoung-Joon, Kim Yoo-Shin, Lee Joo-Yeon
Gaffer: Lim Jae-Kook
Stills: Chun Seok-Hyeon

EDITING AND POST-PRODUCTION
Editor: Kyoung Min-Ho

MUSIC
Music: Won Il, Chang Young-Kyoo

SOUND
Sound Recording: Korean Motion Picture Promotion Corporation
Synchronous Sound Recording: Choi Jae-Ho

COSTUMES AND MAKE-UP
Make Up: Shin Eun-Jin
Costumes: Lee Seung-Hyeon

SPECIAL MAKE UP
Special Make Up: Yun Yae-Rung

DESIGN AND SET CONSTRUCTION
Production Designer: Sim Sang-Wook
Sets: Yun Gi-Chan
Artwork: FINDER

CAST
Eun Kyung Shin (aka: Shin Eun-Gyeong)
Jin Young Jun (aka: Jeong Jin-Yeong)
Chang Wan Kim (aka: Chang Wan)
Du Na Bae (aka: Bae Du Na, Bae Doo-Na)

PLOT SUMMARY

A journalist investigates the mysterious death of a teenaged family member and several of her friends and follows a trail of clues to a sinister videotape that kills anyone who watches it within the week. With only seven days to live, she literally races against time to solve the mystery before she too falls foul of the Ring Virus. (Full Synopsis)

A surprisingly creditable Korean knock-off of the excellent Ringu (1998) that follows the original story almost to the letter and manages to recapture some of the same atmosphere of foreboding. Derivative it may well be but it's carried along nicely by strong performances and spot-on direction from Kim Dong-bin.

Korea
Theatrical Distributor: Han Maek Entertainment
DVD Distributor: AFDF

1999
June
1: Korea - rated No - 18
12: Korea - theatrical release

The Ring Virus - English language title
Ring

REMAKE OF
Ringu (1998)

SEE ALSO
Rasen (1998)
Ringu 2 (1998)
Ringu 0: Baasudei (2000)
Ring: Jiko ka! Henshi ka! Yottsu no inochi o ubau shôjo no onnen (1995)
Ring: Saishushô (1999)

WEB LINKS
Ringworld - "Your source for the most complete information on the Ring available on the internet"

Asian Cult Cinema 30 pp.40-42
review (by Julien Sévéon)

screen
credits

revenge; videotapes; teenagers; curses; psychics; hospitals; wells; boats; storms

Last Updated: 1 January, 2009