[Movie 2010] 71 - Into the Fire

[Guest rOothx33]

Cha Seung Won, Kwon Sang Woo, T.O.P, Kim Seung Woo

Official Website: remember-71.co.kr

71-INTO THE FIRE. ("Pohwa sogeuro") The first of a whole string of upcoming war movies is set during the Korean War, and is scheduled to be released at the same time as the 60th anniversary of the start of hostilities. Directed by John H. Lee (A Moment to Remember, Sayonara Itsuka), the film tells the story of 71 students who after the war breaks out in June 1950 are given quick training as soldiers. They are then sent off to fight a professional force of North Korean soldiers. The film stars Kwon Sang-woo and Choi Seung-hyun as student soldiers, and Cha Seung-won as their North Korean adversary.

Source: koreanfilm.org

Captures: ilwoo_aein

Source: nate.com

[Guest huangsy]

May 25, 2010

'Into Fire' director, cast attend showcase

Photographer.Park Sung-Ki Editor.Jessica Kim

From left, director Lee Jae-han and actors Kim Seung-woo, T.O.P, Kwon Sang-woo and Cha Seung-won pose during a photo session of a showcase for film "Into Fire" held at Lotte World in Seoul, South Korea on May 24, 2010.

Actors Kwon Sang-woo whispers to Cha Seung-won during a showcase for film "Into Fire" held at Lotte World in Seoul, South Korea on May 24, 2010.

Actors Kim Seung-woo talks to Kwon Sang-woo at a showcase for film "Into Fire" held at Lotte World in Seoul, South Korea on May 24, 2010.

Actors Kwon Sang-woo laughs as Cha Seung-won stands up to show off his model walk during a showcase for film "Into Fire" held at Lotte World in Seoul, South Korea on May 24, 2010.

Actor Kwon Sang-woo poses during a photo session of a showcase for film "Into Fire" held at Lotte World in Seoul, South Korea on May 24, 2010.

Actor Kim Seung-woo poses during a photo session of a showcase for film "Into Fire" held at Lotte World in Seoul, South Korea on May 24, 2010.

Singer and actor T.O.P (Choi Seung-hyun) poses during a photo session of a showcase for film "Into Fire" held at Lotte World in Seoul, South Korea on May 24, 2010.

Model and actor Cha Seung-won poses during a photo session of a showcase for film "Into Fire" held at Lotte World in Seoul, South Korea on May 24, 2010.

Source: 10Asia

May 27, 2010

'Into Fire' to premiere in Korea on June 16

Reporter.Lucia Hong Editor.Jessica Kim

Movie poster of Korean war pic "Into Fire" [Taewon Entertainment]

The premiere date for Korean war film "Into Fire" has been pulled up by a day to June 16, according to the film's producer Taewon Entertainment on Thursday.

An offical at Taewon explained that they decided to move up the film's release to Wednesday, instead of the usual Thursday, on high anticipation for the film. "Into Fire" had started to garner much hype even ahead of going into production due to its A-list cast composed of actors Cha Seung-won, Kim Seung-woo, Kwon Sang-woo and T.O.P from idol group Big Bang,

The film had also caught the eye of several foreign countries at the film market held concurrently with this year's Cannes Film Festival, selling to the United Kingdom, Germany, Singapore and Russia. Distributors in other countries including Australia, China, Switzerland, Taiwan and Spain are showing great interest in purchasing rights for the film.

"Into Fire," paying tribute to the 60th anniversary of the war, is based on the true events during the Korean War where 71 student soldiers fought to protect a support line along the Nakdong River.

Source: 10Asia

[Guest rOothx33]

June 4, 2010

Director Lee Jae Han: "'Into the Fire' Is My Ambitious Work"

▲ A press preview of the movie 'Into the Fire' was held at Lotte Cinema in KunKook University

branch on June 3. Director Lee Jae Han and cast members (from left) Kim Seung Woo,

Kwon Sang Woo, Cha Seung Hyun, and Cha Seung Won pose for pictures.

Director Lee Jae Han: "I have given special attention to making visuals. I seriously considered every scene to make beautiful scenes.' After the press preview held on Lotte Cinema Kunkook University branch on June 3, director Lee Jae Han had participated in the press conference and said, 'I devoted myself to film every scene of this movie. This movie is my ambitious work.'

The movie 'Into the Fire' is a blockbuster movie with an investment amounting to 11.3 billion won for production. Vivid and vigorous battle scenes and splendid images in the film are outstanding. Lee mentioned, 'I was seriously concerned about making images. The scene that I made my utmost effort to make perfect is the last scene on a rooftop where four main actors come together.' He also explained, 'The scene where the cast members fall down one by one symbolizes the tragedy of fratricidal war.' The movie 'Into the Fire' was produced based on the real story of 71 student soldiers who took part in a pivotal bloody battle in the Nakdong River region in August, 1950, which was the most important battle between North and South Korea to decide the victory of the war.

The army led by Kang Seok Dae (Kim Seung Woo) had been withdrawn from Pohang to defend the Nakdong River area and left only 71 student soldiers behind. Jang Bum (T.O.P) was appointed as a company commander, but his troops periodically caused friction with other soldiers led by Kap Cho.

▲ Actor Kwon Sang Woo and T.O.P, who participated in the press preview

held at Lotte Cinema on June 3, give their thoughts on the film.

Park Moo Rang (Cha Seung Won), a commander of North Korean soldiers who devastated the Youngduk region with his 766 guerrilla troops, disobeyed the Communist Party?s order to advance to the Nakdong River, instead secretly changing course into Pohang and ending up fighting with the student soldiers who were left behind.

The movie was caught up in controversy from the beginning. It had been released for the first time in a preview held at the Asia-Pacific Research Center at Stanford University. At that time, an old map shown in the beginning of the movie indicated the East Sea as the 'Sea of Japan,' so it evoked much criticism.

Director Lee Jae Han urgently apologized by saying, ?We were busy preparing for the final film, so I could not pay enough attention to the preview held at Stanford University. Everything is my fault. I am so sorry that we have caused a shameful thing and I really regret that.?

T.O.P debuted as a movie actor through this movie and he said, 'I tried to be natural rather than act because I did not want to be seen as obviously acting. To be the 17 year-old Jang Bum, I did not care about my appearance and I just put all my energy into it.'

Source: KBS Global

[rubie]

Previous thread edited and updated

June 4, 2010

(Movie Review) As bullets fly, '71 Into the Fire' loses steam

By Kim Hyun

SEOUL, June 4 (Yonhap) -- This month marks the 60th anniversary of the start of the Korean War (1950-1953), giving gravitas to Lee Jae-han's timely new film, "71 Into the Fire," which pays homage to the 71 students who became bullet sponges in the early days of the conflict when trained soldiers ran low.

Audiences probably expect to learn from the non-fiction story what was going through the minds of the teenage boys as they were transformed into reckless shooters during a 12-hour standoff at a frontline base. But the film does not take enough time to develop the characters, and viewers are told to satisfy themselves with shallow portrayals of their naivete, internal rivalry and helplessness.

The drama also tries to portray North Koreans in human terms, but the results are not so touching. The central character on the enemy side, played by Cha Seung-won, comes off as an unblended, detached mix of good and evil as he tries to balance his stone-faced belligerence with occasional moments of humor and humanity.

The story opens with an order for Kang Seok-dae (Kim Seung-woo) that he leave a frontline base to the youth squadron and hurry to the Nakdong River with his regular troops to fend off infiltrating North Koreans. The only boy in the squadron with battle experience, Jang-beom (Choi Seung-hyun, also known as T.O.P of the idol group Big Bang) is named commander.

The only training they receive is a single shooting round. Jang-beom becomes a subject of scorn to some of the uncontrollable bad boys, like Gap-su (Kwon Sang-woo), who otherwise would be in prison on an attempted murder charge. Horror descends unexpectedly one night as Park Mu-rang's North Korean army lands on their base instead of heading through the expected route over the Nakdong River on the southern tip of the Korean Peninsula. The boys, scantily armed, are left to fight the North Koreans and their rolling tanks until the regular troops return.

The director's own take of the Korean War occasionally shows in the lines of the characters, particularly in a letter from Jang-beom to his mother. Recalling a dying North Korean soldier he had shot for the first time, he says, "The North Korean puppet army that I knew was the monster with horns on its head. But the North Korean soldier that I saw today was a human being whose last word was 'O-ma-ni' (mother)."

The movie works in conflicting thoughts about the meaning of the war, which still hold today across the inter-Korean border. "Aren't you the bullet shields of the U.S. imperialists and their minion, Rhee Syngman?" the North Korean commander says to the boys. "Are you going to let the communists take our nation?" one boy says to others in the squadron.

As the North Korean army commander, Cha Seung-won plays perhaps the most interesting and complex character, but still falls flat. He is rigid, merciless and forcefully charismatic on the battlegrounds but goes soft in front of the piteous unarmed boys. But his inner conflicts do not come shining through.

In his screen debut, Choi Seung-hyun is one of the more poignant characters, delivering a range of emotions from fear and despair to triumph and joy without relying on many words.

The 11.3 billion won (US$9.4 billion) blockbuster, produced by Taewon Entertainment, will arrive at local theaters on June 16.

Source: Yonhap News

[rubie]

June 6, 2010

T.O.P. a revelation in '71: Into the Fire'

Heavy on action, thin on character development, '71: Into the Fire' fails to stir up emotions amid hastily edited battle sequences stitched together through fast cuts making them mostly incomprehensible.

The film is based on the true story of a band of 71 high school-aged students that fended off a North Korean platoon full of battle-hardened soldiers during a skirmish in the frontlines of Pohang in North Gyeongsang Province. Although meant to be cannon fodder in the initial phases of the conflict when trained infantrymen were lacking, this band of young soldiers were able to withhold the offensive during the 12-hour standoff.

The cast of the Korean War drama '71: Into the Fire' led by Big Bang member T.O.P Taewon Entertainment

However, in what should have been a wrenching tale of innocence lost in the middle of one of the bloodiest wars of the 20th century, the Lee Jae-han helmed film -- while boasting plenty of fireworks -- unfortunately lacks soul and the emotional punch required for depicting such a tragic account.

Giving weight to the film?s subject matter will be the 60th anniversary of the Korean War this year, which the film?s financers undoubtedly had in mind when they began production.

One of the film's saving graces is the solid performance of Big Bang member Choi Seung-hyun, or T.O.P., as he's known by fans of the K-pop idol group. Anchoring his first starring role in a feature-length film, the 23 year old holds his own and then some alongside screen heartthrob Kwon Sang-woo and the always ham-fisted veteran Cha Seung-won.

As Jang-beom, the leader of the student brigade, Choi is given the tall order of defending against a North Korean offensive at a time when the communist state was on the brink of victory after pushing South Korean and allied forces all the way to the southern tip of the peninsula.

Kwon plays Gap-jo, a loose cannon whose entire family was wiped out by North Korean forces and is the yin to Jang-beom's yang. He is thirsty for communist blood and welcomes the idea of fighting the reds. With all of the hallmarks for a memorable screen rebel, Kwon sadly makes a hash of it by indicating his tough guy swagger in unconvincing fashion.

Kwon's performance doesn't reveal someone whose uncontrollable rage and sorrow for having lost his entire family is on the brink of a mental breakdown. How can the viewers be convinced of that when Kwon himself isn't convinced of his character's tragic backstory? His propensity to wobble his head a la early-George Clooney when delivering intense dialogue is also enough to pull viewers out of key scenes almost entirely. It becomes such a distraction that we completely forget what had happened to his family.

Meanwhile, Cha's portrayal of Mu-ryang, the leader of the North Korean squadron that ultimately engages the 71 students at the film?s climax, is reserved and not so clear cut. It is neither a sympathetic or a malevolent portrait of a man who is convinced what his communist state is doing is right in their mission to liberate the Korean Peninsula from the 'imperialist Americans.' At one point in the lead up to the final battle, the gruff Mu-ryang proposes to the youngsters that their lives would be spared if they surrender. He later tells his visibly astonished commanding officer, 'They're not soldiers, they?re just kids.'

Little moments such as these make the film feel as though it could have potentially been one of the better ones about the conflict.

The biggest problem throughout the film is the tentative approach the director and his writers took with the portrayal of the young soldiers. Lee clearly respects the audience's intelligence a bit too much. He assumes that the viewers will be able to come to their own conclusions on what might be running through the minds of these youngsters without addressing much of the fear, insecurity, and the pressure resting on their fragile shoulders.

For one, we already know the sheer insanity in the concept of ordering a rag tag group of ill-trained teenagers to resist a North Korean onslaught. What the filmmakers do not realize is that the audience also needs to become familiar with these kids who remain largely anonymous. Because the film doesn't take the time to build its characters and develop a convincing portrayal of the bonding among the ill-fated members of the platoon, we don?t care much in the end when they inevitably meet their demise.

The only effort made to provide some sort of background information are the shallow flashbacks of Jang-beom before the start of war and just when he leaves home and from the warmth of his mother?s embrace. During the post-screening press conference, Lee said the film?s two-hour run time was not enough to develop his characters any further than that.

Perhaps this story should have been told in the form of a television series to do justice to all that were involved in the true life account.

By Song Woong-ki (kws@heraldm.com)koreaherald.com

June 8, 2010

71: Into The Fire to open June 16

John H. Lee's big-budget war drama 71: Into The Fire is to have its local release nationwide on June 16, according to Taewon Entertainment, the film?s producer. High anticipation for the film resulted in moving its scheduled June 25 opening ahead to the 16th. The film has drawn much hype both at home and abroad for its production values, powerful historical narrative, and A-list casting.

The film is inspired by the true-life story of 71 student soldiers who fought a fierce and impossible battle to protect a support line along the Nakdong River during the Korean War. It stars top actors Cha Seung-won, Kim Seung-woo, Kwon Sang-woo and Choi Seung-hyeon (known also as T.O.P from the pop idol group Big Bang.) The film?s release pays tribute to the 60th Anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War on June 25, 1950.

South Korean sales agent Finecut recently did brisk sales of the film at the Cannes Film Festival?s film market, selling it to Ascot Elite for German-speaking Europe and Benelux, to UK?s Showbox for the United Kingdom, as well as Singapore and Russia.

Source: Nigel D'Sa (KOFIC)

[rubie]

June 9, 2010

[PHOTO] "Into Fire" cast, director at film screening

Photographer : Park Sung-Ki Editor : Jessica Kim

From left, actors Kim Seung-woo, Kwon Sang-woo, Cha Seung-won, T.O.P and director Lee Jae-han

pose at a VIP screening for their film "Into Fire" held at Lotte Cinema in Seoul, South Korea on June 8, 2010.

Film "Into Fire" cast and director [Park Sung-ki/Asia Economic Daily]

Actor Jung Woo-sung at the VIP screening for film "Into Fire"

held at Lotte Cinema in Seoul, South Korea on June 8, 2010.

Actress Son Tae-young, wife of actor Kwon Sang-woo, at the VIP screening

for film "Into Fire" held at Lotte Cinema in Seoul, South Korea on June 8, 2010.

Actress E Ji-ah at the VIP screening for film "Into Fire"

held at Lotte Cinema in Seoul, South Korea on June 8, 2010.

Actress Kim Nam-joo, wife of actor Kim Seung-woo, at the VIP screening

for film "Into Fire" held at Lotte Cinema in Seoul, South Korea on June 8, 2010.

Source: 10Asia

[rubie]

June 10, 2010

'71' sheds light on young soldiers

By Lee Hyo-won

Staff reporter

A scene from '71-Into the Fire' directed by John H. Lee and starring top stars

including Kwon Sang-woo and T.O.P of popular K-pop group Big Bang/ Courtesy of Lotte Entertainment

A star-studded, big budget war movie comes in time for the 60th anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War on June 25, 1950, leading the array of anticipated summer blockbusters.

"71 - Into the Fire" was inspired by a true incident in which boy soldiers perished during the conflict, and their tragic story comes to life through a film with impressive production values. Though it suffers some critical flaws and at times feels Hollywood manufactured, performances by hallyu stars, particularly the gripping big screen debut by pop star T.O.P, will ensure ticket sales in Asia.

In the summer of 1950, North Korea crossed the 38th Parallel and seized Seoul in just three days. The Communist troops continued their way down toward Busan, and South Korean soldiers had to defend the southernmost port city while awaiting the arrival of additional U.N. forces.

On Aug. 10, several hundred South Korean soldiers and 71 boys drafted for the national emergency were on standby in Pohang, located two hours away from Nakdong River, a critical frontier. Due to the shortage of men, the small city was left in the hands of the teens. The boys were each equipped with nothing but an M1 rifle and 250 bullets. But by engaging in four battles they were able to prolong the North?s march south for 11 hours, during which some 200,000 civilians were able to flee to safety and the South Korean and U.N. forces were able to better prepare for combat.

Some 60 North Korean soldiers lost their lives while 48 of the 71 boys died. One of the fallen heroes, 16-year-old Lee U-geun, left behind letters addressed to his mother that testify to the horrors of war. The film was inspired by the words of the young hero, who is played by Choi Seung-hyun, better known as T.O.P of the pop group Big Bang.

The first major production after the 2004 blockbuster "Tae-guk-gi" to shed light on the inter-Korean conflict, "71" was directed by John H. Lee. He has displayed his flair for orchestrating human emotions in the melodrama "A Moment to Remember," and smartly sticks to human drama. The film is first and foremost a coming-of-age story. Choi shines as Oh Jang-beom, a timid young student who suddenly finds himself thrown into a skirmish for survival ― "Mother I might die today? I?m not afraid of death, but I?m afraid I might never see you or my brothers again. I wish the war would end soon so I may return to your arms," he writes after the sun sets.

When he is ordered to head the group of 71 untrained boy soldiers, he must overcome self-doubts about his leadership. This becomes increasingly difficult when Gu Gap-jo, a thuggish orphan, constantly challenges his authority (Kwon Sang-woo displays some more of his "Spirit of Jeet Keun Do - Once Upon a Time in High School"-style acting that is all-too-familiar, but it works). While the warm-hearted South Korean officer Gang Seok-dae (a rather anticlimactic performance by Kim Seung-woo) tries his best to return for the boys, a faceoff is inevitable with the North Korean soldiers led by the ruthless and charismatic General Park Mu-rang (played Cha Seung-won, who unfortunately still seems to confuse the movie set for a fashion magazine shoot with his feigned expressions).

It?s a polished war film _ the explosions, dummy corpses and crumbling buildings take viewers straight into the heart of a blood-splattered battlefield, and flashes of red Communist flags in particular provide for a visually striking mise-en-scene amid the gritty, earthy color palette. Grand orchestral melodies crown climactic moments.

Motion pictures however must establish a unique sense of time and space, and a critical flaw is that it fails to plot the drama with the appropriate ebb and flow. "71" creates a convincing physical world: the sight of gun-toting students defending an abandoned school building highlights the fact that they are just helpless little boys.

The film loses its dramatic edge because it does not establish a sense of time; the boys are given but two hours until a big showdown with the Northerners, which could have provided for some pulsating sequences, particularly since Jang-beom is wearing a watch, symbolically given to him by Gang.

In theaters June 16. Distributed by Lotte Entertainment.

Source: koreatimes.co.kr

[rubie]

June 16, 2010

"Into Fire" to close Hawaii international film fest

Reporter : Lynn Kim Editor : Jessica Kim

Official movie poster for "Into Fire" [Taewon Entertainment]

Korean war pic "Into Fire," starring Hallyu star Kwon Sang-woo and Cha Seung-won, has been chosen as the closing film for the 30th Hawaii International Film Festival, according to the film's producer Taewon Entertainment on Wednesday.

Taewon announced in a press release that the film received an official invitation to show at the film fest, to be held in Hawaii from October 14 to October 24, to close the event.

Director Lee Jae-han as well as four main actors in the film -- namely Kwon Sang-woo, Cha Seung-won, Kim Seung-woo and T.O.P from idol group Big Bang -- will be attending the official screening at the event scheduled for October 22.

The film has been garnering heated attention from the media recently, particularly when Kwon and Lee took part in a special seminar at the prestigious Stanford University's Asia-Pacific Research Center last month.

Noted film critic Scott Foundas, who writes movie reviews for numerous U.S. publications including The New York Times and has an online column on Indiewire.com, gave the war drama high marks after seeing it at Stanford. He said the film has a universal appeal and even compared Kwon to the late Hollywood rebel James Dean.

The film's commercial success overseas, particularly in the U.S., is likely to increase the odds for a first-ever Academy Award nomination for a Korean motion picture. So far, no Korean film has made the Oscar nominations for Best Foreign Film.

"Into Fire" is based on the true story of 71 student soldiers who fought during the Korean War, which marks its 60th anniversary this month.

The film opens in Korea today.

Reporter : Lynn Kim lynn2878@ Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@ <ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved> 10.asiae.co.kr

[rubie]

June 18, 2010

Lack of character development puts ‘Fire’ out

Choi Seung-hyeon, left, plays a student leader in the new film

“71: Into the Fire”. Provided by Taewon Entertainment

“Mom, I killed a man.”

This is the opening line of a letter found on the body of a student soldier fighting in the Korean War (1950-53). It later becomes the main motif of the war film “71: Into the Fire,” which opened Wednesday.

The film is based on the true story of 71 South Korean student soldiers who defended Pohang, a port city in North Gyeongsang, during the Korean War in 1950. As the South Korean Army converged on the Nakdong River to guard against the advancing North Korean Army, the student soldiers who remain in Pohang become the only defense against them.

The film opens with a battlefield scene. Bullets fly and the crack of gun shots and blasts is relentless. From the collapsing buildings and bomb explosions to the fluttering particles of dust and realistic makeup, everything is recreated in realistic detail, showing where the 11.3 billion won ($10 million) might have gone.

The fact that the film was made last winter was quite surprising, because there are no traces of the season. This is all the more incredible considering the movie’s beautiful images of the surrounding environment, shown in long shots of lush verdant fields, forests and mountains.

As the film progresses, the pace is fast, even abrupt, and director Lee Jae-han focuses heavily on the images rather than on the story of the student soldiers, who were drafted into the war as teenagers.

After the first battle scene ends and the unit has to leave the base in Pohang in order to make a sally to the Nakdong River, South Korean commander Kang Seok-dae (Kim Seung-woo) asks, “Which unit will defend Pohang?” and a line of trucks carrying middle and high school students rolls toward the unit as if in answer.

However, there is no background on the students nor information on how they came to be drafted. The only thing we see are flashbacks from the memories of student leader Oh Jang-beom (Choi Seung-hyeon, a?k?a T.O.P. from Big Bang?), during which we see him with his mother and revisit time he left home to go to war. That’s not really enough to help us understand Oh, let alone the other students.

This lack of character development doesn’t arouse our sympathy for the soldiers and creates confusion as to just what their motivations are. This is especially frustrating with North Korean officer Park Moo-rang (Cha Seung-won) - a villain that isn’t really all that villainous.

At one point, he takes one of the students captive and then goes to the student encampment to ask if they are ready to surrender. Had the writers shown us more of Park’s character leading up to that point, we might have understood why he would do such a thing, but the way the character is written now just raises more questions.

Audiences may have expected that Lee, who has primarily directed melodramas in the past, including “A Moment to Remember” (2004), would produce a film with a tight story line and beautiful imagery.

But Lee seems to have chosen the imagery over the story, perhaps because the film’s running time of 120 minutes is too short to allow for both elements. And that was frustrating.

By Suh Yun-young Contributing writer [estyle@joongang.co.kr]joongangdaily.com

[rubie]

18th June 2010

71: Into the Fire (2010)

Now that finals have been scored and grades have been uploaded, I have the next two and a half month to study, write and watch movies. And that is exactly what I did today. I took the opportunity to watch 71: Into the Fire. The trailers I had been seeing made me excited to finally be able to see the movie and I went into it expecting a lot. Why wouldn’t I? I like films that make me feel something when I watch. Being directed by Lee Jae-han, the same man who directed the very emotional Eraser in My Head, I had good reason to believe that the move would not ignore the complex emotions that are necessary to make a successful war film. If a war film is simply fighting, shooting, shouting and posturing, it is ultimately boring. No matter how good the special effects are, I have to feel something to stay interested. That is why I liked Taegukgi so much when I actually hated war movies when I was growing up. One of my younger brothers loved watching John Wayne World War II war movies–they all seemed the same to me… I am happy to say, that I was also very impressed with 71: Into the Fire.

The story, based on actual events, takes place in the early days of the Korean War when North Korean troups swept through the nation. Every able-bodied man was needed in the war effort and students were no exception. The northern army was almost at Busan and there was no time for proper military training. One such student is Oh Jang-beom, who finds himself assisting on the battlefield and who is clearly over his head. The pace, the confusion, the sounds and the horror of the battle are overwhelming. But despite it all, and despite the terror Oh is clearly feeling, he completes his futile mission and begins an even more terrifying journey to evacuate the area. I am unsure how long this opening sequence lasted because I was completely caught up in the action, but when it was over, I found that I had tears rolling down my face. That caught me by surprise–I don’t usually cry during an action scene–but that was a testament to the power of the acting in this first part of the movie.

Oh Jang-beom is played by Choi Seung-hyeon, known to hs fan as T.O.P of the band Big Bang. T.O.P. has previously appeared in the successful tv drama Iris and the little seen movie Nineteen. He has clearly been working on his acting skills because he delivers a powerful performance throughout the film–and especially in the opening. He no lines in the entire opening yet everything his charater is feeling is delivered through his eyes and body language. TOP is in his early 20s yet his character, at times, seems almost half that age–and the terror and confusion he’s feeling is palatable.

TOP is listed third in the credits, even though his character has most of the screen time. The first two names in the credits are Cha Seung-won and Kwon Sang-woo, two well-known and very popular actors. Unfortunately, in this film, both of them overact throughout the movie. Perhaps it is partly the fault of writing–the characters seemed like one-note stereotypes–the evil North Korean commander and the gangster, but as actors they should have tried to make them feel real. I was a little disappointed in them–especially Kwon. He really needed to tone the character down and realize that he was not the star of the film.

The first half of the movie I thought was better than the second, which is a lot of fighting without the same emotional impact. Even though I complained about some of the acting, I loved the movie and recommend it without reservation. I also look forward to seeing more of TOP in future films. I think that young man has a bright future ahead of him.

Incidently, the poster shown above is my favorite and the most powerful of the half dozen choices available. First it features TOP who really needs to be recognized for his work on this film, but second because of the tagline in blue which reads in English “Mom, I might die today…” It really brings home the fact that these characters in the film are all just students. These days much of the military are university students between their freshman and sophomore years fulling their mandatory 2-year duty. It was impossible for me not to think about the recent sinking of the Cheonan while watching this movie and I think that made the story even more emotional for me. I get very attached to my students, and I hate to think of them potentially facing such extreme dangers.

Credits: Seen in Jeonju

[rubie]

June 24, 2010

For this Big Bang member, it’s not so lonely at the T.O.P

A boy band member gone solo is now making his way to the top.

Choi Seung-hyun, more widely known as T.O.P of the group Big Bang, has hit No. 1 on various music sites such as MNet, Bugs and Naver for his song, “Turn it Up.” T.O.P’s first official single was an instant hit with the release of his teaser clip on June 15, and his success continued with the release of the full song on June 21.

His good fortune does not stop there. The rapper’s film debut in “71: Into the Fire,” recorded 1.2 million viewers the first week of its release, making it the movie that snatched up a million viewers in the shortest time this year.

According to YG Entertainment, T.O.P’s management company, the rapper will not be performing his new single solo on stage but will be joining the other four when the official album for Big Bang comes out later this year.

Source: joongangdaily.com

'71 Into the Fire' Tops Box Office

The big-budget movie "71 Into the Fire," a story about a group of boy soldiers during the Korean War, has become the biggest domestic movie of the year so far since its release on June 16.

Featuring a star-studded cast that includes Cha Seung-won, Kwon Sang-woo, Kim Seung-woo, and Choi Seung-hyun, better known as T.O.P. from boy group Big Bang, the W11.3 billion movie has drawn 1.4 million viewers in over 760 cinemas nationwide as of Wednesday, according to distributor Lotte Entertainment.

Released in time for the 60th anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War, it is based on a true story of a poorly-armed outfit of 71 young volunteers who protected the city of Pohang, South Gyeongsang Province from invading North Korean forces while the Army was fighting on another front. The boys' compelling stories are interwoven with harrowing battle scenes.

"Considering the huge drop in moviegoers due to the World Cup, the strong box office results show just how popular the movie is," Lotte Entertainment said.

Source: englishnews@chosun.com

[rubie]

June 30, 2010

"71 - Into The Fire" to open in 14 U.S. cities next month

Reporter : Lynn Kim Editor : Jessica Kim

Official movie poster for "71 Into The Fire" [Taewon Entertainment]

Korean war epic "71 Into The Fire" is set to open in fourteen major U.S. cities including New York and Los Angeles on July 30, according to the show's producer Taewon Entertainment on Wednesday.

Taewon announced in a press release that the war pic will be showing at AMC, the biggest theater chain in the U.S., and MPARK4 Cinema theaters in various cities including Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington.

"Fire" will start with a limited theatrical release and gradually increase its number of screens, depending on its U.S. box office performance, Taewon added.

The film -- which stars top Korean actors Kwon Sang-woo, Cha Seung-won, Kim Seung-woo and T.O.P of idol group Big Bang -- has been garnering heated attention from the media recently, particularly when Kwon and director Lee Jae-han took part in a special seminar at the prestigious Stanford University's Asia-Pacific Research Center last month.

Noted film critic Scott Foundas, who writes movie reviews for numerous U.S. publications including The New York Times and has an online column on Indiewire.com, gave the war drama high marks after seeing it at Stanford. He said the film has a universal appeal and even compared Kwon to the late Hollywood rebel James Dean.

The film's commercial success overseas, particularly in the U.S., is likely to increase the odds for a first-ever Academy Award nomination for a Korean motion picture. So far, no Korean film has made the Oscar nominations for Best Foreign Film.

"Into Fire" is based on the true story of 71 student soldiers who fought during the Korean War, which marked its 60th anniversary last Friday.

Reporter : Lynn Kim lynn2878@ Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@ <ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved> 10.asiae.co.kr

[Guest xsilentangel]

I saw the movie today. I was so happy it was showing at the theater near me. I LOVED THE MOVIE. I've never seen a Korean movie on the big screen.. I usually watch it on youtube or such.. I am very jovial that this was the first Korean movie I saw in theaters. The movie was powerful, nail-biting, and simply beautiful. It made me laugh, made me cry, made me feel the pain of war.. really. I highly recommend it. So happy to see such great actors in the movie. It makes me respect these actors even more. TOP was excellent in his role; the quiet but strong soldier role truly fits him. I respect him a lot more after watching this film. Kwon Sang Woo playing an immature and rebellious but lovable punk reminds me of him in My Tutor Friend.. Wow seeing this new side of Cha Seung-won is cool. I've only seen him in City Hall and it was refreshing to see him as this dark and merciless character. Kim Seung-woo doesn't disappoint as usual; he delivered in his role as a caring soldier. Great flick.. definitely one I will remember.

[Guest kaedejun]

wow - i love that almost every review praises TOP or Choi Seung Hyun. i like the review that was from "seen in jeonju" where they said cha seung won and kwon sang woo seemed to overact. i think kwon sang woo overacted the most. cha seung won was just brutally cool.

[Guest x_asianaddict]

Went to see 71: Into the Fire yesterday with my friend and her sister-in-laws

I'll have you know that it was a great movie! It filled me with all sorts of

emotions.. towards the ending, I could hardly catch a breathe. Frankly,

there were some bad things about it but it's an awesome film. Everyone portrayed

their roles fairly well. Every single second of the movie was intriguing &

captivating. You have to watch it yourselves. Carry some tissue with you.

[Guest mandalaywith]

hi

share to " 71-Into The Fire" Torrent

71-Into The Fire 700MB Torrent

http://www.4shared-china.com/file/UqhhVgNM/71IntoTheFire.html

71-Into The Fire 1.36G Torrent

http://www.4shared-china.com/file/5Uq_fjfm/_2010.html

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`

Edit

Movie 71-Into The Fire HD online Link

by mandalaywith@soompi

youku link

http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMTk4OTkwOTQ0.html

[Guest xtehdeb]

oooh i want to see this movie (:

are the english subs out yet?

[Guest dmnd]

hello...thanks for this post...

I'm looking for DL link with engsub, or maybe online streaming with subs..

please help me if you know...

appreciate it, thanks again...

[Guest MidnightByul]

there are english subs out for this movie.

if anyone still wants to watch it.

here ya go: http://www.dramacrazy.net/korean-movie/71-into-the-fire-watch/98935

the res tis there. 7 parts. click on videos to get it to play, will transfer you to new window that's okay, though.

enjoy!

and have tissues next to you in case. haha.

[jiyongfighting]

I finally found the time to watch this movie. I have to say, I'm very impressed. Yeah, yeah, I know the articles above say that the movie isn't all that and blah blah blah. But am I a movie critic?? No, I'm just a teenage girl with an opinion. First off, I didn't even know TOP was the like the main focus of the movie. I thought it was Kwon Sang Woo. XD Anyways, TOP's acting was impressive! He didn't speak much at the beginning, but his eyes SHOWED IT ALL. I swear, I love Big Bang and TOP but the TOP I saw in 71 was very different from the hot smexy rapper I knew. I mean, I was used to TOP's killer eyes, but in 71, all I saw was an scared innocent kid. I SWEAR I NEVER KNEW TOP COULD LOOK SO INNOCENT! 

As for Kwon Sang Woo, sometimes, I think he's acting was pretty good. I just thought his first line in the movie was a bit funny how he said it. Anyways, the articles said that the character wasn't very develop and was stereotyped with one words. But I don't know, I felt the characters emotionally.

Again, I'm no movie critic so agree or disagree with me. IDC. Lol. I love this movie. Makes me what to learn about the history of those 71 boys!

oh! and I love the symbolism of the bullet!!! hehe.