Seol Kyung-Gu 설경구

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December 29, 2014
Genre Diversity from Major 3 in 2015Big Lineups Feature Period, Thriller, Drama, Mystery Fare

by Pierce Conran Korean Cinema Today
With 2014 winding down, another big year for the local industry which cracked 100 million admissions on December 23rd, people are looking to the horizon for a glimpse of what’s in store for the new year from Korea’s major film studios. Continuing a period film trend that kicked off with Masquerade in 2012, each studio will once again present at least one costume drama in their new lineups. Beyond that, local staples such as thrillers and dramas appear prominently, but less common genres also abound along with genre hybrids. New war and mystery films will be programmed alongside romantic thrillers, a genre that has gained traction in Korea since the success of Helpless (2012). Regardless of genre, studios are also demonstrating an affinity for films set in different time periods, with a diverse range of projects taking place at different points of the 20th century. ▶ CJ Entertainment 
Following the stunning success of Roaring Currents, which soared well past any previous records to clinch 18 million admissions during the summer, CJ Entertainment is poised for another big year in 2015 with a varied lineup comprised of high profile thrillers, period films and dramas. Following the release on the romcom Love Forecast on January 15th, their first tile of 2015, CJ’s next major title will be C’est si bon, which will be released in time for the Lunar New Year holiday, falling on February 19th. A music biopic of the popular folk duo Twin Folio, the film takes place in the 1960s, largely in the C’est si bon music bar where three young men form the C’est si bon Trio, a group that would later turn into Twin Folio. Directed by Cyrano Agency’s (2011) KIM Hyun-seok, the film stars JUNG Woo (Red Family), KANG Ha-neul (Mourning Grave), JIN Goo (The Target) and HAN Hyo-joo (Cold Eyes), while KIM Yun-Seok (The Thieves, 2012) and KIM Hee-ae (Thread of Lies) appear as some of the same characters in later sequences set in the 1980s. For spring, CJ have five titles scheduled, including the JEON Do-yeon (Secret Sunshine, 2007) thriller The Shameless (working title), the KIM Hye-soo (Tazza: The High Rollers, 2006)/KIM Go-eun (Eungyo, 2012) vehicle Coin Locker Girl (working title), the mature drama Salute d’Amour (working title) from Taegukgi (2004) director KANG Je-gyu, the romantic thriller Perfect Proposal, with LIM Soo-jung (All About My Wife, 2012)) and YOO Yeon-seok (A Werewolf Boy, 2012), and the mystery romance Remember You (working title), with JUNG Woo-sung (Cold Eyes) and KIM Ha-neul (Blind, 2011). The studio will reserve its big guns for the summer, which will see the releases of action thriller Veteran (working title) from RYOO Seung-wan and the period-set action drama Empire of Lust (working title). Teaming up once again with his The Unjust (2010) stars HWANG Jung-min and YU Hae-jin, as well as younger star YOO Ah-in (Punch, 2011), RYOO’s Veteran features a detective who goes up against a big corporation in what promises to be another tightly choreographed action extravaganza from the maker of The Berlin File. Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance (2002) star SHIN Ha-kyun leads the cast of Empire of Lust as an army general who must keep a close eye on a young prince with ambitions to seize the throne. At the same time, he falls in love with a Gisaeng, whom he takes as his concubine, not realizing that she aims to carry out a vendetta against him. The film is being helmed by Blind’s AHN Sang-hoon. ▶ Showbox

Also primed for a big year is Showbox, the studio behind two of three biggest Korean films of all time (The Host, 2006; The Thieves). Given the recent success of high profile period films in the last two years (including their titles The Face Reader and Kundo: Age of the Rampant), the studio is anchoring its slate with a pair of costume dramas, as well as two star-driven thrillers. First out of the gate this year for Showbox will be their gangster thriller Gangnam Blues, from A Dirty Carnival (2006) mastermind YU Ha, on January 21st. Showbox’s Lunar New Year title will follow in February. The only major Korean sequel of the year, Detective K: Secret of the Lost Island will reteam KIM Myung-min as the Joseon era detective with OH Dal-su as his sidekick. KIM Sok-yun also returns to the director’s chair for the follow-up to the 2011 hit. Later in the year, the company will present Assassination, a 1930s thriller from The Thieves helmer CHOI Dong-hoon shot in Shanghai. Along for the ride in the high octane film will be stars HA Jung-woo (The Berlin File), JEON Ji-hyun (My Sassy Girl, 2001) and LEE Jung-jae (New World). Another thriller in the works is the LEE Byung-hun (A Bittersweet Life, 2005) vehicle Inside Men, in which the global star plays a political fixer. The film, from Man of Vendetta (2010) filmmaker WOO Min-ho, will also star CHO Seung-woo (Marathon, 2005) and BAEK Yoon-shik (Save the Green Planet, 2003). Also scheduled for later in the year will be period drama The Throne, from King and the Clown (2005) director LEE Joon-ik and starring screen icon SONG Kang-ho (Memories of Murder, 2003) as King Yeongjo, who famously ordered his son’s death by suffocation in a large wooden chest filled with rice. Rounding out Showbox’s upcoming slate is The Classified File, a new detective thriller set in 1970s Busan from Friend (2001) director KWAK Kyung-taek. The film stars KIM Yun-seok and YU Hae-jin. ▶ Lotte Entertainment  Following the success of their films The Fatal Encounter and The Pirates this year, Lotte Entertainment will also be entering the fray by presenting a new period blockbuster in 2015, not to mention the first Korean war film since 2011’s The Front Line and major new dramas and thrillers. Featuring major star wattage with the presence of LEE Byung-hun and JEON Do-yeon, in addition to KIM Go-eun and BAE Soo-bin (26 Years, 2012) in supporting roles, Memories of the Sword is an action period epic from PARK Heung-sik, the director of My Mother, the Mermaid (2004). Later in the year, Lotte will present Western Front 1950 (working title), a Korean war film featuring SUL Kyung-gu (Oasis, 2002) and young star YEO Jin-gu (Hwayi: A Monster Boy). A tale of cooperation between South and North Korean soldiers at the tail end of the war, the film marks the directorial debut of The Pirates scribe CHEON Seong-il. Also on the cards for Lotte is So-Nyeo (working title), a female-driven mystery drama from Like a Virgin (2006) co-director LEE Hae-young. The film will feature A Werewolf Boy lead PARK Bo-young as a student at a mysterious boarding school in 1938. So-Nyeo will also feature Hope actress UHM Ji-won.

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January 21, 2015
KO Soo and SUL Kyung-gu Star in LUCID DREAMFinding the Suspect within the Subconscious by June Kim / KOBIZ


KO Soo and SUL Kyung-gu has confirmed to star in Lucid Dream and GANG Hye-jung is currently in the last stages of finalizing her participation. After her long hiatus from acting, GANG was welcomed when she returned to the film screen with the recently released How to Steal a Dog. On the other hand, starring as a father is no stranger in the paternal role, KO Soo. KO acted as a warm-hearted but an incompetent parent in Way Back Home (2013). Co-starring is a veteran actor SUL Kyung-gu of A Peppermint Candy (1999), Haeundae (2009) and most recently My Dictator. In Lucid Dream, a father loses his child due to kidnapping. In order to find the evidence leading to the incident, the father receives the help of an aid to go into his dream to follow the steps of the suspect. A lucid dream is a phenomenon where one is aware that one is dreaming. It is often used to the advantage of psychiatric therapy and is said to cure lust. The psychological thriller takes this space on the borderline between reality and fantasy as its backdrop. Lucid Dream is scheduled to start shooting in spring of this year, with director KIM Joon-sung of Scent of Life (2012).

[Guest adikkeluangman]

14-11-08 From yang_ddong Instagram
#서부전선 #회식 경구형님이 쏜다!!! 잘먹었습니다~#설경구 #여진구 화이팅

From google translator, seems like Yeo Jin Goo and Sol Kyung-Gu  treat the production for dinner during filming for movie Western Front..

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Photo credit: seoulitenewyorker via Instagram

Korean article at naver (22.01.2015), thanks to PlanetBH0712 for the highlight

June 1, 2013 Issue No.152
‘Movie Street’ to be created in Haeundae Source: Dynamic Busan
A “Movie Street” will be created in the film city of Busan.
The eight kilometers from Haeundae Centum City’s Busan Cinema Center to Haeundae Beach to Moontan Road will be called “Movie Street.” The street will create five stories: a place where one can encounter films, become friends with films, play with films, immerse in films and reminisce about films. Movie aficionados can get a sense of “watching a movie” as they walk along this street. The third area (among five areas of the street), from Marine City to Dongbaek Island, will be created first. The third area will start at the embankment of Marine City, where visitors can watch major scenes of a movie through trick art and graphics, and in the middle of the area, they can rest at the observation deck and rest area. The observation deck, created in the likeness of a boat in “Pirates of the Caribbean,” will allow visitors to get a sense of falling into the scene of an actual movie. The latter part of the area will be “Red Carpet Street,” where visitors can pretend to be movie stars walking along the red carpet, and “History Street,” which shows the growth of BIFF on an LED screen.
This street will also have Music Road, and Music Fountain.

[Guest adikkeluangman]

Movie company NEW send coffee truck support to the filming studio to show support to director-nim and Sol Kyung - gu in movie Western Front. Maybe they worked together before.

15-01-03 coffee_mrkim Instagram (Coffee provider)Caption : 늘 잊지않고 찾아주시는 배급사 뉴 영화 서부전선 응원 서포트 #서부전선 #대박기원 #설경구 #천성일 #여진구 #배급사뉴 #커피차 #커피트럭 #케이터링 #출장카페 #커피볶는김대리 #연남동카페 #홍대카페 #수제청 #수제샌드위치
More pictures HERE.

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March 15, 2015

FilMart: Korea’s Lotte Lines Up Slate of Period Movies

Sonia Kil l Variety.com

SEOUL — Four period titles head the sales slate of Lotte Entertainment, South Korea’s second largest vertically integrated film conglomerate, going in to next week’s Hong Kong FilMart.

Nostalgic trips down memory lane were big hits in Korea last year, with “Ode to My Father,” “Roaring Currents” and Lotte’s “The Pirates” all doing huge box office business.

Seoul during the Japanese imperial period is the setting for “The Silenced,” a thriller set in a mysterious sanatorium. Directed by Lee Hae-young (“Like a Virgin”), the picture stars Park Bo-young (“A Werewolf Boy”) and Uhm Ji-won (“Hope”). It is set for release in Korea in June.

The reign of tyrannical king Yeonsan-gun is the backdrop for erotic political drama “The Treacherous.” The film is directed by Min Kyu-dong (“All About My Wife”) and stars Ju Ji-hoon, who previously worked with the director on “Antique.” Lotte has all rights except Europe, whose territories are handled by Finecut.

Lee Byung-hun (“Terminator: Genisys”), Cannes-winning actress Jeon Do-yeon (“Way Back Home”) and Kim Go-eun (“Eun-gyo”) star in “The Memories of the Sword,” a period action drama with a $10 million budget. Direction, under Park Heung-sik (“My Mother the Mermaid”), began in February 2014.

“The Long Way Home,” a big-budget film set during the Korean War in 1953, is the feature directorial debut of screenwriter Chun Sung-il (“The Pirates”). The picture stars veteran actor Sol Kyung-gu (“Cold Eyes”) and rising star Yeo Jin-goo (“Hwayi: A Monster Boy”).

Lotte skipped the European Film market in Berlin, and will instead open up sales on the new titles at FilMart.

Among its completed titles are 2014 Locarno-winning indie “A Fresh Start,” which will be released in Korea this year, and 2015 Berlinale’s Forum title “End of Winter,” which will also screen at this month’s Hong Kong International Film Festival.

[Guest adikkeluangman]

15-01-09 yebandy InstagramCaption : 

사랑하는 란동!!!20살때 처음 만난 란동은 24살이된 지금까지도 참 변함이 없다.같이 루터를 다닐때는 나만보면 껑충껑충 달려와서 개그를 하는 매력덩어리였고 나 홀로 입시를 할때는 매번 신사까지 데리러와 축 쳐진 내 어깨을 다독여주는 든든한 지원군 이었다. 더구나 내가 예대를 가고난 이후에는 지방 촬영중에도 없는 시간 쪼개 공연을 보러와 나에 대해 혹독한 평가를 하고 가곤했다. 자기식사는 대충 때우면서 내 자취방에는 한박스 가득 음식과 생필품을 소포로 보내주는 사람이었다. 올 겨울에는 설경구씨와 작업을 하길래 장난삼아 몇번 이야기 했더니 생일편지를 부탁해 액자에 고이 넣어 포장까지 해준다. 왠지... 투박한 정성에 눈물이 난다. 참 생긴거란 다르게 섬세하고 순수한 사람이다. 받는것보다 주는것에 익숙한 사람. 나의 두번째 아빠. 사랑스러운 31살. 아홉수를 지나 기나긴 힘들고 아픈 시절을 거쳤으니 이제 오빠가 행복하기만 했으면 좋겠다.오빠 올해는 폐랑 간을 조금만 더 생각하자 제에에에발!!!#soulmate#papa#father#brother#bestfriend#lovely#외계인닮음#최강노안#금연#금주#actor#설경구#배우#서부전선#대박나길"#삶은아름답다"

She wrote very long message. Like how Sol Kyung-Gu is her bestfriend and mentor during her darkest time. Maybe she came to visit him during the movie Western Front filming.

[Guest adikkeluangman]

15-01-13 kihoon_shim InstagramCaption : #서부전선 쫑파티 #설경구
At movie Western Front wrap up party with Sol Kyung-Gu

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April 13, 2015
Go Soo, Sol Kyung-gu begin shooting new movie
Shooting for the movie “Lucid Dream” kicked off on April 6, the distributor NEW announced Monday. It brings together actors Go Soo, Sol Kyung-gu, Park Yoo-chun and actress Kang Hye-jung.
The movie, directed by newcomer Kim Jun-seong, is slated for release later this year. 
(Lucid Dream)

“Lucid Dream” revolves around Dae-ho, played by Go, who is a journalist trying to find his lost son using clues he gleans from lucid dreams. 
Go’s efforts are aided by a psychologist played by Kang and a police detective played by Sol.
Park plays the role of a mysterious man who has a part in developments that lead to Go’s son going missing. 

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May 18, 2015

Sol Kyung-gu to play serial killer in new movie

Actor Sol Kyung-gu will play the role of a serial killer in his next movie, local media reported Monday.

According to reports, Sol will work with director Won Shin-yun in a movie whose protagonist is an aging serial killer.

Based on a novel whose title means “the way a murderer remembers,” the movie tells the story of a serial killer who plans one last murder as he suffers from Alzheimer’s disease. 

Sol, who has made a name for himself through movies such as “Silmido” (2003), “Haeundae (Tidal Wave)” (2009) and the “Public Enemy” series (2002), will play a serial killer for the first time in his career.

By Choi He-suk (cheesuk@heraldcorp.com)

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June 2, 2015

Actor Seol Kyeong-gu cancels charges on net-critic

Source: Nate via Hancinema.net

Actor Seol Kyeong-gu cancelled the charges he made on a net-critic who has been slandering himself and his wife Song Yoon-ah online.

Judge Heo Jeong-ryong announced on the 3rd that the 30 something housewife had been dismissed of prosecution.

Judge Heo said, "There has to be accusations for there to be prosecutions but Seol Kyeong-gu the 'victim' cancelled all charges on May 27th".

Contempt can be sentenced to up to a year in prison and or 2 million won in fines but it's an offense subject to complaint so if there is no charge, there is no prosecution.

The housewife openly insulted and spoke ill of Seol Kyeong-gu's family on two accounts on October 14, 2013.

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June 3, 2015

Sol Kyung-gu drops defamation charges against online heckler

Actor Sol Kyung-gu has dropped charges against an Internet heckler who posted slanderous comments against him and actress wife Song Yun-ah. 

Sol had accused a 36-year-old housewife identified by her surname Kim. 

On Oct. 14, 2013, Kim posted slanderous comments on an online news article about Sol’s family. 

She was indicted on two charges of defamation. 

According to the Seoul Central District Court, Sol dropped the charges on May 27.

Under local laws, defamation can only be prosecuted when the victim files a complaint. 

If prosecuted, defamation can incur a jail term of up to one year, or less than 2 million won ($1,809) fine. 

By Choi He-suk (cheesuk@heraldcorp.com)

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June 11, 2015

Song Yoon-ah, "My 6-year-old son looks like Seol Kyeong-gu"

Source: Newsen via Hancinema.net

Actress Song Yoon-ah said her son looks like his dad.

She appeared in the MBC TV show "Again" and reunited with the cast of "Wangcho" from 16 years ago.

She met Cha In-pyo in the promised place. They were awkward and Song Yoon-ah said, "I knew you'd come. I became nervous as I came". Cha In-pyo said, "I told them I would like for you to come out. How are you still the same from 16 years ago?" Song Yoon-ah joked that she was old and he asked about her child. She answered, "He's 6-years-old and he looks like his father.

Cha In-pyo continued, "Song Yoon-ah was very pretty. She dazzled when she came to work".

Meanwhile, "Again" is a reunion pilot show. It delivers greetings to those celebrities who have no way of seeing each other because of their busy lives and helps them reunite.

The first episode chose Cha In-pyo, Song Yoon-ah, Kim Nam-joo, Kim Sang-kyeong, Yoon Tae-yeong, Park Sang-myeon and others from "Wangcho" in 1999. Everyone said 'yes' to the show and reunited for the first time in 16 years. 

 

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June 21, 2015

The 20 Greatest South Korean Actors Working Today

BY HANAJUN CHUNG Taste of Cinema

In addition to writing a piece on the best, individual performances, this piece is meant to celebrate the best actors currently working in South Korean cinema. For this list, I chose 20 individuals—a mix of male and female. Most of these people had their start in television and some also work concurrently in both mediums. Don’t expect much young, hot talent from dramas since this is mostly going to feature actors from their work in film.

Furthermore, to provide a challenge, I ranked them based on their film roles (and little T.V.) I’ve seen and read regarding. You can possibly guess a few of the top spots, but I can guarantee that I didn’t include a name or two on the list that matches the sensibility of many readers. 

20. Gianna Jun (October 30, 1981)

Notable roles: “My Sassy Girl,” “Daisy,” “The Thieves”

19. Ryu Seung-beom (August 9, 1980)

Notable roles: “Crying Fist,” “The Berlin File,” “The Unjust,” “Bloody Ties,” “No Mercy”

18. Kim Hye-su (September 5, 1970)

Notable roles: “Tazza: The High Rollers,” “The Hypnotized,” “Kick the Moon,” “The Thieves”

17. Kim Yun-seok (January 21, 1968)

Notable roles: “The Chaser,” “The Thieves,” “Hwayi: The Monster Boy,” “The Yellow Sea”

16. Kim Yunjin (November 7, 1973)

Notable roles: “Ode to My Father,” “Harmony,” “Shiri,” “Seven Days,” “Heartbeat”

15. Ha Jung-woo (March 11, 1979 )

Notable roles: “The Yellow Sea,” “The Terror Live,” “The Berlin File,” “Nameless Gangster”

14. Han Hyo-joo (February 22, 1987)

Notable roles: “Always,” “Masquerade,” “Cold Eyes”

13. Lee Byung-hun (July 12, 1970)

Notable roles: “A Bittersweet Life,” “J.S.A.: Joint Security Area,” “I Saw the Devil”

12. Jeong Jae-yeong (November 21, 1971)

Notable roles: “Broken,” “Confession of Murder,” “Castaway on the Moon,” “Silmido”

11. Yoon Yeo-jeong (June 19, 1947)

Notable roles: “The Taste of Money,” “The Housemaid,” “Hahaha,” “Actresses”

10. Doona Bae (October 11, 1979)

Notable roles: “A Girl at My Door,” “Cloud Atlas,” “The Host,” “Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance”

9. Moon So-ri (July 2, 1974)

Notable roles: “Peppermint Candy,” “Oasis,” “A Good Lawyer’s Wife,” “The President’s Barber”

8. Hwang Jeong-min (September 1, 1970)

Notable roles: “Ode to My Father,” “A Man Who Was Superman,” “New World,” “The Unjust”

7. Yun Jeong-hie (July 30, 1944)

Notable roles: “Poetry,” “Taebaek Mountain,” “Splendid Outing,” “Night Journey”

6. Kim Hye-ja (September 15, 1941)

Notable roles: “Mother,” “Lifetime in the Country”/“Country Diaries” (T.V.)

5. Sol Kyung-gu (May 1, 1968)

Notable roles: “Peppermint Candy,” “Public Enemy” series, “Cold Eyes,” “Silmido,” “Oasis”

4. Jeon Do-yeon (February 11, 1973)

Notable roles: “Secret Sunshine,” “Way Back Home,” “The Housemaid,” “Untold Scandal”

3. Song Kang-ho (January 17, 1967)

Notable roles: “The Host,” “J.S.A.: Joint Security Area,” “The Attorney,” “No. 3”

2. Ahn Sung-kee (January 1, 1952)

Notable roles: “Silmido,” “Chilsu and Mansu,” “Unbowed,” “White Badge”

1. Choi Min-sik (April 27, 1962)

Notable roles: “Oldboy,” “Failan,” “I Saw the Devil,” “Crying Fist,” “Shiri”

[Guest adikkeluangman]

Anyone wonders how come ‪#‎Kangyoonje‬ swore at Actor Seol Kyung Gu!? Movie 'The Long Way Home' in cinemas September, 2015  

The Long Way Home, 2015 Real Men Video

It start around 2:20

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August 25, 2015

Actor Sul portrays farmer draftee in new Korean War film

By Shim Sun-ah

SEOUL, Aug. 25 (Yonhap) -- Veteran actor Sul Kyung-gu, who played a commando trained to assassinate North Korea's leader during the late 1960s in the 2003 Korean box-office sensation "Silmildo," has returned to the big screen in a war film.

This time, however, he portrays a 40-something ignorant farmer drafted to the army during the 1950-53 Korean War in the forthcoming film "The Long Way Home."

   Questioned during a news conference regarding whether he was reminded of his commando role in "Silmido" while filming the new film, Sul said he never thought about the role.

"I always try to forget about past characters. Moreover, 'Silmido' is older than 10 years. I was in my 30s at that time and now I'm in my 40s."

   Sul said his character Nambok in the new film is in a military uniform but is never a good match as a soldier.

"He is a man always thinking of returning home away from this situation."

   Nambok accepts a mission to deliver a classified military document that may decide the fate of the war, but loses it while under attack from the enemy. He then comes to face a young North Korean soldier who happens to acquire the secret document on his way to the North as he is the lone survivor of an air bombing that killed all of his comrades.

Actor Yeo Jin-gu, best known for "Hwayi: A Monster Boy," took the role of the North Korean soldier named Yeong-gwang.

"I was greatly nervous because Sul was whom I grew up seeing on the big screen… But I was able to work comfortably as he treated me well like a big brother," the 18-year-old said, recalling the day he first went to work with the big-name star.

It is the directorial debut for scriptwriter Cheon Sung-il. who wrote "The Pirates" (2014) and "My Girlfriend is an Agent" (2008).

Cheon said eight years have passed since the script for "The Long Way Home" was first written.

"War heroes come to mind when we think of a war movie, but there is no war hero in this film," he said. "It depicts a story of most ordinary people who lived (during) one of the most extraordinary eras."

   Sul showed his confidence in the film set to hit local theaters around the Chuseok holiday, the Korean version of Thanksgiving Day.

"This is a film that can be enjoyed by people of all generations. It also has a human story and will be fun in many ways," he said.

Actor Sul Kyung-gu answers questions from reporters during a news conference at a Seoul theater to promote his new film, "The Long Way Home," set to open in local theaters in late September. (Yonhap) Actor Sul Kyung-gu answers questions from reporters during a news conference at a Seoul theater to promote his new film, "The Long Way Home," set to open in local theaters in late September. (Yonhap)

sshim@yna.co.kr

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August 28, 2015

Film depicts friendship in Korean War

Source: INSIDE Korea JoongAng Daily

The stars of “The Long Way Home,” Seol Kyung-gu, left, and Yeo Jin-goo pose for a photo on Tuesday. [NEWSIS]

Veteran actor Seol Kyung-gu and rising star Yeo Jin-goo exhibited nice chemistry in their upcoming film, “The Long Way Home,” in which both play amateur soldiers. 

Set in the grim period of the 1950-53 Korean War, director Chun Sung-il’s drama follows the comedic yet touching story of two soldiers who are abandoned on the battlefield, trying to find their way back home. 

“When I got the script, I strongly asked the director to cast Yeo as my partner,” Seol, 47, said during a press conference on Tuesday. “When I saw Yeo accepted the role, I finally signed the contract.”

Yeo, 18, also showed special affection toward his partner.

“It was a great honor to act with Seol and I’m so thankful to him as he treated me like a close friend,” he said. 

Seol plays a South Korean soldier, Nam-bok, who used to be a farmer, while Yeo plays a North Korean soldier, Yeong-kwang. 

Nam-bok is ordered to deliver a highly important document just three days before a truce is called in 1953. Along the way, however, he is ambushed by North Koreans and loses both the document and his fellow soldiers.

Meanwhile, Yeong-kwang, a novice tank driver, unintentionally gets his hands on the document, without knowing how important it is.

The story depicts both good-natured soldiers trying to achieve their missions without hurting anybody. 

“Unlike other war-based films which focus on war heroes, our film deals with an ordinary people’s story,” director Chun said. 

The film is slated to open next month.

BY KOO YU-RIM [estyle@joongang.co.kr]

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Published on August 27, 2015 by K STAR 한류스타 리포트 & 생방송 스타뉴스

[K STAR REPORT] Yeo Jin Goo and Seol Kyung Goo in new movie

 

[Guest adikkeluangman]

Yeo Jin Goo Reveals What His Name Could Have Been

On August 29, KBS2 “Entertainment Weekly,” reporter Jisook was seen with the lead actors of the movie “Western Front,” Seol Kyung Gu and Yeo Jin Goo.

In the interview, Yeo Jin Goo was compared to and contrasted with Seol Kyung Gu. The two actors were revealed to have a connection because of their names. Yeo Jin Goo explained, “When I was just born, my grandfather brought a list of many possible names for me. Out of those names, there were many strange names such as Yeo Gab Goo and Yeo Deuk Goo.”

On August 29, KBS2 “Entertainment Weekly,” reporter Jisook was seen with the lead actors of the movie “Western Front,” Seol Kyung Gu and Yeo Jin Goo.

In the interview, Yeo Jin Goo was compared to and contrasted with Seol Kyung Gu. The two actors were revealed to have a connection because of their names. Yeo Jin Goo explained, “When I was just born, my grandfather brought a list of many possible names for me. Out of those names, there were many strange names such as Yeo Gab Goo and Yeo Deuk Goo.”

 

http://www.soompi.com/2015/08/29/yeo-jin-goo-reveals-what-his-name-could-have-been/ 

[rubie]

September 2, 2015

Top Korean Actors Who Guarantee Box Office Success

by leejojoba Soompi

Which top Korean actors can surely guarantee a box office success in the era of multiplex theaters? Is it Song Kang Ho, Choi Min Shik, or Ha Jung Woo, the young blood?

Exactly what factor defines a box office success? Star power is an element you can’t ignore if you want the movie to succeed at the box office.

Here is a list of top box office stars according to the official statistics released by the Korean Film Council. The findings are from the Korean Film Almanac for years 1971 to 2010. From 2011, data collected from the Film Council’s computer network was used to measure the findings. The total number of viewers/tickets from the movies these actors acted in were used to determine this list of box office stars.

10. Ahn Sung Ki (39,833,441 viewers)

9. Choi Min Shik (40,859,388 viewers)

8. Jung Jae Young (49,819,044 viewers)

7. Kim Yoon Suk (49,965,687 viewers)

6. Lee Jung Jae (51,586,615 viewers)

5. Ha Jung Woo (56,801,630 viewers)

4. Hwang Jung Min (58,721,711 viewers)

Hwang Jung Min has enjoyed huge success with “Ode to My Father” and “Veteran.”

3. Sol Kyung Gu (62,984,832 viewers)

Sol Kyung Gu’s hit movies include “Haeundae,” “Silmido,” and more.

2. Ryu Seung Ryong (64,971,576 viewers)

Ryu Seung Ryong comes in at number two. He was in three of the biggest Korean blockbusters ever. They’re “Gwanghae: The Man Who Became King,” “Miracle in Cell No. 7,” and “The Admiral: Roaring Currents.” His status as a box office star has speedily grown since 2010.

1. Song Kang Ho (74,736,952 viewers)

Song Kang Ho tops the list as the one who embodies such star power that guarantees a box office success. Although “Howling” and “Hindsight” didn’t do too well at the box office, he more than made up for it with “Snowpiercer,” “The Face Reader,” and “The Attorney” in 2013.  The accumulative number of viewers for his movies are more than 70 million. His next movie “The Throne” is expected to hit big during the upcoming Chuseok holiday season.

Among the top ten actors on this list, Ha Jung Woo is the only actor in his thirties and Ahn Sung Ki is the oldest on the list. Meanwhile, Oh Dal Soo has been in many of the hit movies mentioned above as a supporting actor. However, he has yet to enter the top ten. Perhaps this will change in coming years.

Oh Dal Soo

Choi Geun Ha who works for Showbox, one of the largest Korean film distribution companies, says, “There’s no such thing as unconditional star power. The viewers trust in the acting abilities of actors like Song Kang Ho, Ryu Seung Ryong, Sol Kyung Gu, Hwang Jung Min, Ha Jung Woo, and others. For instance, viewers give Song Kang Ho credit for selecting and acting in a particular movie. They know he’s a great actor, so they watch with great expectations.”

CEO Kang Hye Jung, who produced “Berlin” and “Veteran,” commented, “When the director is able to effectively communicate his intent to the actor, the whole system works.”

CEO Ahn Soo Hyun, who produced “The Thieves” and “Assassination,” says, “Yes, star power definitely plays a role. But no movie becomes a hit just because a certain actor is in it. If the viewers like the work of a certain actor, they’re more interested in the movie they star in. And the basis of that interest comes from the actor’s ability to deliver great performance.”

As for actresses, the top six were revealed.

6. Han Hyo Joo (approx. 24,530,000 viewers)

5. Uhm Jung Hwa (31,573,965 viewers)

4. Ha Ji Won (33,108,412 viewers)

Ha Ji Won still came in at fourth place even though she didn’t have much success in the box office in the last five years.

3. Son Ye Jin (33,172,311 viewers)

Son Ye Jin takes third place with her success in “The Pirates.”

2. Kim Hye Soo (38,450,993 viewers)

Some of Kim Hye Soo’s box office hits include “Tazza” and “The Thieves.”

1. Jun Ji Hyun (38,930,499 viewers)

Jun Ji Hyun beat Kim Hye Soo by a minor margin due to her recent success in “The Thieves” and “Assassination.”

CEO Ahn Soo Hyun adds, “I think the public demands something more fresh from actresses compared to actors. The viewers become explosively enthusiastic when an actress shows a new unexpected side to her acting style.” She also emphasizes, “The reason they get first choices in selecting scripts is because we trust that they can carry the part they’re offered. No matter the box office and star power, if the actress doesn’t fit the role she plays, it doesn’t work. That’s when great expectations turn into disappointments.”

What do you think about these results? Did your favorite actors and actresses make the list?

Sources (1) (2) (3)