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YouwinJH

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  1. @Biology Lesson my assertions are largely to do with the fact that I was trying to find crumbs to like about The Killer. I think it's a losing battle. I have to accept that I just didn't like it. The reference to Hunger Games (I can liken it to films like Chronicles of Riddick or even Star Trek, GoT (all of which I have seen) because the ideas, themes, scale are the same imo). HG came to mind at that moment in time. It is just a way to rationalise the scale of JH's action vision and why imo the story felt like a let down I have seen the first JW movie but passively. It's all in the vein of Taken, Equaliser and Man from Nowhere anyway (all of which I've seen). I can't say I paid much attention to the action choreography nor did I think it deserved a hommage. I'll look at it again if it's on any of the platforms I subscribe to. It might help me understand The Killer more or not I don't have a problem with JH having a style, but as I said previously I just don't know what it is. The Killer didn't make it any clearer to me as it is a fusion of different styles. And aside from the bus fight, which looked almost unchoreographed in a good way, there was no other noteworthy fights in Family. And I'm glad you mentioned Bad Papa because it is illustrative of the point I'm trying to make. They went for the stylish thing (won't blame JH for it since I don't know how much influence he had on the action choreography) instead of doing something that's raw and bloody (and more in keeping with MMA fights), which I believed was called for. It could also be because BP was a fusion of genres, just like Family and maybe they needed to balance things out to appeal to a wider audience. But I agree the fights were incredibly underwhelming - a case of style over substance I recently saw the boxing film Dito and the fights too were unimpressive to me (like it didn't even look as if the punches were landing except when he was training with a punching bag). But there was more to the story even though I didn't like it either. On the other hand, Blood Hounds had great fights but the overall story was also underwhelming The reason I referred to Jackie C, Steven Segal, etc is because they have discernible styles. I am familiar with Keanu's other works and though I like how uncontroversial and unassuming he is, let's face it he's not the most versatile actor out there. Hence my supposition about his action style. I've seen him in The Matrix, Constantine and Speed so I do have a sense of what he does / can do in the action genre (granted there was a lot of CGI in the Matrix movies) I have been watching YT videos of jeet kun do and the technical aspects of it are quite interesting. If JH wasn't doing the commercial / stylish thing (it's his perogative!), I'd quite like to see him do more technical fights that incorporates the full spectrum of his jeet kun do skills. Rather I feel he is underplaying/ dumbing down his own skills just to appeal to a mass audience (it makes sense if you're trying to go the commercial route which is what showbiz is all about). Again it's my opinion and he will defo do as he pleases. I can also acknowledge that he's also finding his feet. It will be interesting to see what he does next with his action projects (I'm writing off the Poca album because he was experimenting with a new medium and as you say everyone does group fights (and few do it well)). Just as there is an audience for swordplay / samurai type films, I'm sure there is an audience for jeet kun do. Bruce Lee is still famous after all. Equally, there is also an audience for the fusion stuff that JH is doing because people appreciate the familiar either because it's on trend or for the nostalgia. Regardless of the path he takes, I hope he gets a BO hit because at the end of the day that's what creates new opportunities. It's a bonus if I like it but I'm really not his target audience Oh thanks for reminding me that I need to continue / finish Person of Interest. I started it last year but got sidetracked I need to watch that film in the first clip. If you do like brutal fights, there are some fights in Blood Hounds you might like
  2. @Biology Lesson you're right I should have said he doesn't do enough of them. I was thinking as I was writing, which is why it was a bit of a contradiction. But from his repertoire of fight scenes, those two scenes were the only ones that stood out for me, and he does have a fondness for group fights, which I dislike and are rarely done well imo. That said, I did love the group fight scenes in Bloodhounds I also don't have problems with CGI as long as the intent behind them isn't perfection and sleekness. I loved the fight scenes in Moving well except for the ones with Jo In Sung's character - those were zippy and one dimensional. All the other fights were brutal, chaotic and fun. This is what sometimes I feel is missing with JH's fight scenes - the fun and spontaneity. I don't doubt his ability and dedication to his craft but he seems rather uptight about action choreography. Those scenes I mentioned stood out because they were (looked) spontaneous. I know they were choreographed but I think his competitiveness and the adrenaline loosens him up and it all becomes more fluid and natural versus overly polished. It's the reason why I don't enjoy Steven Segal - he is skilled but the movement are too compact and stingy - he conserves a lot of energy. I prefer something more energetic. I also don't like characters that feel indestructible unless you know you're playing the Terminator I do like Jacky Chan because his action is fun. That's his style and it works for him. Besides kung-fu movies of the 80s and 90s were overly dramatic and stylised. Maybe because I haven't watched any Bruce Lee movies, I struggle to understand JH's style. I haven't seen the John Wick (though I like Keanu) movies so not sure if it's a fair comparison with JH's style. From experience, Keanu is a down to earth guy and I think that would also come across in his fight style. I think it would be less pretentious. I can't imagine that the way JH fights in The Killer is the way Keanu fights in John Wick - that's not say JH is pretentious perhaps I mean Keanu is more chilled personality wise. I just imagine less fanfare in the way Keanu fights even tho JW films are sleek and have big set pieces When I think of The Killer for someone reason Kill Bill comes to mind more than John Wick although I can recognise that JW and The Killer have similar cinematography. The Killer feels rather operatic and the small scale nature of the story just did not match JH's ambitiousness with the a action. I think I would like him to do something like it again but in story that's more mindbending and dystopian (unrealistic in a good way!) - like the Hunger Games (which admittedly I haven't seen) but I've seen enough previews to know its grandiose All of this isn't said as a criticism of JH. Instead it is a plea for better stories that can help him utilise the full range of action he's capable of - from the operatic to the humble
  3. I agree that JH can act but I don't think he does realistic looking action. For me, it's too choreographed. He doesn't even break a sweat (except in The Swordsman) and from a layman who has seen him fight several times the moves are too familiar to have become boring to me. That's why the bus scene in Family was so refreshing because he was fighting someone with a different style and weight class so he had to be fast on his feet and innovative. This is why it is the best fight of his to date imo and the only thing I want to rewatch from the show. I almost forgot but I actually love the ending fight scene in TMWYS. Imo JH is actually good at 1-1 fights because the adrenaline and his competitiveness naturally comes through, and he becomes really dynamic and more ruthless just like when he's sparing. That TMWYS scene was so damn hot! Oh and in Bad Papa when he was sparing with Andrew (Ongals) you could definitely it was more JH than his character. How he gets out of sticky situations, his ego, his competitiveness are things that should be incorporated more into his fight scenes. It's more interesting to watch. Not the vanilla stuff As bloody as The Killer was, I would have liked to see the cocksure way the character behaves coming across in the fights as well. Instead we got a detached killing machine - they should have humanised him a little more in the fights. I think it probably needed one more fight scene - that one punch thing with the big guy doesn't count - and it would have totally transformed the film for me. I'm going to rewatch the final scene from TMWYS and I would actually like him to work with the baddie again. I wish he'd had proper fight scene with the actor in Paid in Blood. That too would have transformed the movie for me. Instead we got the usual group fight followed by his rather anticlimatic death. Yes someone like his character would die eventually but he should have made the actor work for it Group fights (not just when JH does them) are unrealistic maybe because the people attacking him are not actors and so I don't get the intent or sense of urgency from them. And even though he's being attacked on multiple fronts, I don't see the strain / challenge but the choreography. It feels rather light touch. It is also the way the fights are shot that makes it boring to me. Slo mo and dramatic pauses are lame in my view Someone like JH who is lithe should be doing things that show his agility, flexibility and speed. By speed I don't mean the zippy way his fight scenes are shot. The Swordsman did quite well with it....it wasn't about the hits but how well he navigated the space and the constraints around him. If we're having any hand to hand combat, I would like something that's rough around the edges - TMWYS and Family bus scene are good examples of this. Mind you this is a matter of preference. JH is never going to be bulky but that Family bus scene showed me he can competently fight people like that and 1-1 makes it easier to clearly see the technique and effort that goes into it
  4. Found this page where they post casting news https://www.instagram.com/dramaologyy?igsh=MXB2dDE5bTJlM3V6MQ== There is a dearth of work but clearly not for some actors Also, came across a Jung Woo Sung casting news with Hyun Bin. JWS puzzles me a bit because he makes his own movies and him and JH are quite friendly. I wonder why they've never crossed paths on a film set before? JH's networks in Korea apart from Dragon Bros seem to be too weak imo or at least don't translate into opportunities. I'm hoping a new casting news will prove me wrong One thing I'm a little confused about is, is he starting his own production company, going after HW or doing both? I'm neither here nor there about HW frankly I think it is also overcrowded and there are Asian American actors to consider. What is potentially exciting to me is him starting his own prod company. In particular, he could start by buying the rights to obscure yet interesting webtoons and turn them into live action shows. Those will be less expensive than the popular ones. If not webtoons, then books, etc. The content is out there and that might be a way to get a fledgling company off the ground. He should also not limit himself to action stories and unlike others who have walked this path before he doesn't always have to be in front of the camera. There is a growing market for young adult shows. He could also produce those and direct if he's up to the challenge Just shooting ideas because I realise there is so much that goes into brand building. What I've seen so far, from the poca album and variety shows, is that JH is boxing himself into a category. He also needs a team that he can brainstorm ideas with and who also have their own opinions and experience to bring to the table. So far all his efforts seems to be self-directed and it shows because it seems all over the place (imo). For instance, I still don't understand his decision to do the house husband show. And now he wants to do a drama with the same premise, which sounds like a bore fest to me It's been another slow news week. April is just round the corner I actually agree with you @Biology Lesson that he should play to his strengths when it comes to how he approaches action. For me, the way he talks about action is a little too quaint and idealistic (perhaps niche). It makes me question whether he understands what his audience wants / are used to (big set pieces, CGI, gratuitous violence) as opposed to doing the type of action he likes. I don't think there is a hierarchy of action or people particularly care for the nuances between straight action versus other action (unless you're a film buff like Derek). Perhaps opening himself up to other types of action like thrillers would be helpful Action is popular but it is also a crowded market especially if you factor what other K stars are doing like Ma Dong-seok and even Jo In Sung. Even if it's not personally to my taste, I've been looking at the numbers for recent Korean BO releases and they're pretty impressive for action, thriller and fantasy. You should also factor Asian American actors who already have the language skills and can get stunt people to do the more physically demanding bits if they lack the skills. That said, they also do not want to be typecasted and want to play a range of characters JH has an opening because I think The Swordsman in particular got his name out there and international audiences are aware of him because of it. What happens next is key. Looks like we're getting a TV show and it would be great if it is picked up by Netflix. Family was terrible but it was badly marketed to international audiences (they failed to capitalise on the success of FTLY) and Disney is also not the most accessible platform For films, if not historical and swords, he should probably start with the commercial route. I know you abhor Disney and their franchises. While I don't think getting a bit part in a HW production is the way to go, there are plenty of pan-Asian content to get involved with - like Joe Taslim and the Japanese actor in Shogun who quite flexibly move into different worlds. I suspect this is what JH is hoping for by learning English. For instance, I would be happy with a role in some live action anime even if he's just a baddie. If it is commercially successful it is a nice stepping stone to other stuff because money speaks. A vision is not sustainable without it Oh and like you I'd prefer if they stop referring to him as Korean Bruce Lee. The connection is at best tenuous and overblown imo
  5. OK so I fall into the camp of actually not being attracted to JH. Objectively, he's very attractive and there have been moments with some of his characters that have made me go gahh However, I'm really quite taken with his soft spoken side. There was a clip in the first episode of Urban Cops where they show him reading the Miranda rights to presumably a perp who was apprehended. I keep replaying that. He sounds so hot. What is happening? HELP!!!😱
  6. Started watching episode 1 of Urban Cops on YT and I'm really digging JH in this. I think he would make a good cop and I'd love to see him play this version of himself in a more realistic cop show (not like TMWYS or Voice were you know it's dramatised) It also made me think that I'd prefer he does more reality TV in between projects, such as Urban Cops, where he gets to learn and use his skills instead of appearing on variety shows
  7. Thanks @azureblue7 though I won't watch any of the clips. It's a little childish but the simplest things make me cringe and this is one of them Re the state of the market, I think I read it in passing in an article about the recent box office success of Exhuma. I suppose it is also the reason behind that 200 actors campaign that KOFIC was doing a few years back It does look like opportunities are drying up although a few stars are still in demand. That's why box office performance is so important because if you can draw the audience, funding will be available because the producers are confident about the return on investment TV on the other hand depends on the budgets of OTT and networks, who are competing with each other for our eyeballs. I think there are more opportunities with TV but, for actors, I think it depends on their contacts. That's why some people keep working with the same writers / directors etc. Ratings also matter because again ROI determines who is good to bet on or not That said, there is also a market for cheaply made content. The quality varies. I enjoy independent cinema a lot but there's also the b-z grade films that some people enjoy. Alot of action films fall into that camp imo. Call me a snob but that's precisely why I'm not so keen on him pushing the whole action hero thing. I'd rather he do some art house / independent stuff. And because I'm really enjoying Japanese films lately, it would be great if he built some networks over there vs his interest in HW. He has connections through his boxing but I suppose like China, relations with Japan can become political / sensitive Anyway this is coming from the pov of an observer rather than someone who knows anything about the entertainment industry
  8. Started Queen of Tears this weekend and was googling today only to find out Kim Hee-won is one of the directors. Mentioning it here because of the JH connection - I wonder if they'll ever work together again. The drama itself had laugh out moments in the first two episodes and I actually like that it doesn’t take itself too seriously even though the subject matter is a little grim. I also like the fact that the gender roles have been swapped. My biggest concern however is that it doesn't have enough content to sustain it for 16 episodes and it might be another pointless show like King the Land. The next two episodes will determine whether I drop it or not. I'm sort of intrigued there might be a time travelling element to it Oh and the writer has a reputation for plagiarising stories. As a writer, that's a redline. She is famous for Crash Landing on You, which apparently she stole from another writer. I've not seen it. And also My Love from the Star, which I've only seen bits of Also been watching movies lately. Saw three Japanes films - Yoko, Ripples and Perfect Days. While I wasn't bowled over by any of them I do like their simplicity and moodiness / meditativeness in general
  9. @dramafan33 I've seen the Graham Norton show a few times, not a favourite of mine, but it's usually a balance of OTT and more chilled stars sharing the same space. And I could be wrong but TC only does these shows when's he's promoting a film. And probably because I'm not invested in TC, I don't care. At the end of the day, there is a strong brand behind him and he delivers successful films JH's action brand is still fledgling. Admittedly his English skills are just developing so he doesn't have a lot of room to manoeuvre. To @Biology Lesson's point he has to work with what he has. I get it. And I've been the one who has said in the past that he needs to build a fanbase in Korea to be able to launch a successful international career. Maybe this is what he's doing. I guess only time will tell whether his strategy has paid off We've had this conversation before and we've all in one way or another been frustrated with Korean audiences in general. In my head, JH has to deliver a commercial hit at the BO or a ratings success. I don't think doing variety shows is what will get him there. Matter of fact I think it will do more harm than good - should he be pandering to a fickle audience who are largely indifferent or should he be making other connections / extending his networks? Don't get me wrong. I'm sure he's doing both Only time will tell. I also think we're looking at this from different angles. Is there a strategy behind what he's doing such as opening himself up to a new audience? Probably. I don't have an issue with JH being silly - I question whether being silly is the best way to open himself to his audience. I also think Korean entertainment can be mean-spirited so I'm also questioning the motive of the people who invite him on these shows only to get him to act silly or make people do impressions of him. The risk then is that this becomes his brand despite his intentions - and he's said he doesn't like the impressions @Biology Lesson I give the sofa incident the benefit of the doubt because it was a one-off never to be repeated event and they've memed the hell out of it already. But it's a good example of never counting your chickens before they hatch. It would be my advice to JH as well. Be cautious and strategic - no need to show all your cards at once Yes JH is his own man yet he has a gameplan. I'm trying to understand his end goal. He can't be doing all he's doing for nothing. If that's the case, I'd be surprised but good for him for putting himself out there. At the end of the day, those people you don't know are successful with Korean audiences. Frankly I don't care what they do or why they're loved. I also know that my taste will always be different to what Korean audiences like. Again it boils down to, what does JH want? Does he want to win them over? Will it work? My wants are simple. All I care about are good projects. He's winning in book if he does interesting and well-written and directed pieces - and for me that's all he needs to focus on. I don't care for big named directors either but probably Korean audiences do care. Obviously my position will be different from you guys because you've liked his recent stuff, I haven't. Hence, I'm more cynical Anyways I need to stop over thinking and go to bed. It's really not that big of a deal
  10. @Biology Lesson thanks for your insights. I also like Shahid Kapoor though not keeping tabs on him recently. But he does come across as serious about his craft and thoughtful. I just saw a clip on Priyanka and Kareena's segment of Koffee with Karan, basically saying that Kareena was a completely different person while dating Shahid...anyway I digress You're right that perhaps it comes with the territory in Korea that you have to do silly stuff as an actor. However, I'm not sure many big named and commercially successful actors engage in it - like Choi Mansik, Kang Ho Song, Ha Jung-Woo etc. I just don't want him to have the reputation for being the silly stunt guy. And I would prefer more of his energy directed at picking and crafting the right stories etc. Let his work speak for itself As for brand building, the best examples I could think of are Aamir Khan and Tom Cruise. To some extent SRK but he's got a romantic image so getting silly is sort of expected. With Tom and Aamir - again I don't follow them to closely - but I don't think they're the media friendly types but their brands are still powerful and current. People pay attention when they make stuff. That's the kind of playbook I want JH to emulate. That's the kind of brand I want for JH And you could be right that speaking English will open more opportunities for him to get talking about his craft. He's really insightful if he's asked the right questions otherwise what we get on variety are the phoning in types of answers that are quite repetitive to me Again with the imitations - I have no love for them because they're always mocking and rude. Like I said, these shows make him caricaturesque and I'm afraid that's the image that's going to stick in people's minds
  11. @dramafan33 that's fair. Like I said my brain refuses to watch things like this so I only caught a glimpse of him talking about being into melo (heard it before) and then bits of the finger pushups. I'll take your word for it that they were all being silly. I don't like silly things so not something I would watch... Also not disputing he looks good these days. He seems to be going through a black phase
  12. I'm torn... I think he's becoming too overexposed. He's like an entertainer these days, which I don't like if I'm honest. And also it tends to be the same shtick. It becomes a little too clownish and pandering for my taste - which is why my brain refuses to watch. I see the fanmeets in the same light. As a fan, I want him to be taken seriously - to be in demand workwise and not as a guinea pig doing fake horse riding, finger push-ups, etc. It's probably an overreaction but I find things like this genuinely off-putting (depending on the context it's fine such as when he's messing around with the DBs). Like why is he trying so hard? The other lesser known actors on the panel are so much more chilled. I'm not saying he should be snobbish but I just think he needs to carry himself better (like an established actor) - not like someone who's being invited to the party for the first time and wants to be a crowd pleaser. A little bit more finesse and grace (dare I say dignity) is all I'm asking for He's always joked with the DBs about doing variety and putting them / KJK out of work. Do you think it's now something he's actively working towards? I hope not. He did say to KH that an actor should try different things, which I don't necessarily disagree with. Like if he decides to do theatre, a short film, etc I think that's fine. Entertainment for the sake of it isn't something I like. Other actors I occasionally keep tabs on (Lee Minki, Kim Raewon, Ji Sung), when they don't have work on, they simply disappear. I kind of like that Yes when JH is away from the spotlight I miss him but there is the quiet dignity I like to imagine of him carrying on with life behind the scenes. I liked the mystery...Ji Sung is someone I think is a peer to JH - not as successful as his wife but established and respected for television. As far as I know, he's steadily working (a project a year so he can look after the kids while his wife is working and vice versa) and doesn't do variety. Plus his hobbies are running and painting. That's the level of chill I like. I wish him and JH were closer / friends I kind of miss Sidus because I suspect they were a moderating influence on him. Or maybe his wife was. Now there is no one to rein him in...he seems all over the place imo. I know he has big plans workwise but he also needs a brand / PR manager or something... Best of all, if he starts filming something soon, the variety stuff will stop. I really don't mind variety but it makes more sense if he's doing it to promote a film / show. Being a seat filler imo isn't it... Rant over. I'm done being a Debbie Downer for now
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