Lee Byung Hun 이병헌 Byunghun Lee

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November 25, 2017

 

[Guest Film Review] "The Age of Shadows"

 

Source: HanCinema.net

South Korea's contender for the 89th foreign-language Academy Award, and the first Korean-language production for Warner Bros is a blockbuster in every sense.

 

"The Age of Shadows" screened at Five Flavours, that will be on in Warsaw November 15-22. 

 

The film is set at the end of the 1920's, in Korea, during the Japanese occupation. Lee Jeong-chool is a Korean working for the Japanese police, whose mission is to uncover members of the Resistance, and particularly Kim Woo-jin, one of its central figures. Lee has some successes, but the Japanese do not fully trust him, and attach to him Hashimoto, supposedly as his assistant, but actually as the man in charge. In this power struggle, both sides use their moles and their informants, and a series of events take place, that lead Lee and Kim to meet, although none of them reveals that he knows the other's identity.

 

Soon the scenery changes, as all the players move to Shanghai, where the members of the Resistance have moved to avoid investigations and to obtain explosives. Kim soon tricks Lee into a meeting with the leader of the Resistance, Jung Chae-san, and now Lee has to choose sides, as he is blackmailed by the Koreans and suspected by the Japanese. A deadly cat-and-mouse game initiates.

 

Kim Jee-woon directs and pens a spy thriller that also combines elements of film-noir with action and drama. There is also a minor romantic concept, but it's not actually examined at all, since women are in the definite background. The script is quite elaborate, with constant betrayals and changes in the upper hand, as spies fight against other spies. These notions are chiefly materialized through Lee Jeong-chool's character, who incorporates all of them.

 

In terms of direction, the film is a true masterpiece. Kim creates a great atmosphere that is shaped through a number of "confrontations", usually between two characters, with the ones between Lee and Kim standing apart. The noir element is chiefly present in these scenes. The highlight of his direction, though, is the sequence on the train, where he manages to retain the agony through an astonishing number of events, which occur despite the restricted space. The bloody finale of these events is another highlight of the film.

 

After that point, the dramatic element also enters the movie, along with the most violent scenes, which include graphic depiction of torturing. In that fashion, the action scenes are another point of excellence, with the aforementioned and the introductory one, with the magnificent shots on roofs, being the ones that stand apart. The film's large budget ($8.62 million) becomes quite evident in these scenes, which highlight Kim Ji-yong's magnificent cinematography and elaborate editing. The same applies to the utterly detailed depiction of the era, which includes costumes, the setting in both Korea and Shanghai, even cars and rickshaws.

 

Song Kang-ho is great as always as Lee Jeong-chool, in a very difficult role that demands a constant state of inner struggle. His chemistry with Kim Jee-woon, that has been shaped through three previous collaborations ("The Quiet Family", "The Foul King", "The Good, the Bad, the Weird") is quite evident, and one of the biggest assets of the film. Gong Yoo is also great as the highly intelligent Kim Woo-jin, in another difficult role that has him portraying a character who must hide his angst under a rather cool facade. The one who steals the show, though, is Um Tae-goo as Hashimoto, a truly great villain, both in concept and in materialization. The fact that he oozes evil and threat from every part of his body is a definite point of excellence, as is his constant, covered threat towards Lee Jeong-chool. The scene where he is first introduced, when he hypocritically acts as if he has respect for him, is one of the greatest in the film. Lee Byung-hun also appears in the movie, in a small role, once more looking as smooth as possible.

 

"The Age of Shadows" is a film destined to succeed, both commercially, since it includes a favorite theme, some of S. Korea's most popular actors, and a rather large budget that was implemented wisely, and artistically, particularly due to the acting and the masterful direction, and it absolutely deserves it.

 

Review by Panos Kotzathanasis

 

Art by incobillust

  The Age of Shadows at EverythingLBH.com (Intro // Compilation)

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Photo: lkh2226 #38thBlueDragon

 

 

Photos: alatus_deus

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Lots of Korean media updates are highlighting this today ..

 

November 28, 2017

 

Lee Byung Hun, Barista in Lotte Chilsung's CANTATA Coffee New TVCF

 

Source: Global Economic News ++ (ELBH Google-translate)

 

 

Lotte Chilsung Beverage has introduced a new advertisement for 'Cantata Coffee' featuring Lee Byung Hun. 

 

The beverage manufacturer said that in order to match the sophisticated and luxurious properties of Cantata Coffee,  top actor Lee Byung Hun whose masterpiece performances that overwhelmed the screen in films such as "The Fortress", "Master" and "Insiders" has been chosen as the new endorsement model. 

 

The concept highlighting "The best balance found, this is coffee! Cantata! " emphasizes the pride and identity of the Cantatas, keeping the top position in coffee bean standards.

 

In the new commercial, Lee Byung Hun turns into a coffee expert and started the brewing process. Lee, who is known as a coffee lover and holds real barista certificate, visually showed the deep & rich taste of cantata through his in-depth expression ability. 

 

 

 Lee Byung Hun in a new CANTATA COFFEE TVCF

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#Throwback #LegendOfCarGod #MenOfAsphalt #Siblings

 

Clip: leeyoungae_710131

After 22 years in the industry, all of them are still acting and leading various movies & dramas. Lee Byung Hun of course, went on to act with Lee Young Ae in JSA and later reunite with Jung Woo Sung in GBW.

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Photos: GSGM @gsgm_official

 

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GSGM Family (GSGMCorp) had launched a GSGM Official IG feat. Lee Byung Hun and posted 9 photos to form a unique collage on their mainpage. Thanks to alatus_deus for capturing the images.

 

Photo: alatus_deus, original pics at GSGM @gsgm_official

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This article doesn't mention THE FORTRESS per se but the diagram says it all. Still, it's a good best film contender, nothing short of top-notch quality -- just not a mainstream blockbuster. Generally it's been a thoroughly bad year for CJ Entertainment in particular. Hopefully KEYS TO THE HEART (It's Only My World) will bring a good response in 2018.

 

December 1, 2017

 

Big budgets don’t guarantee big success:

Some of 2017’s most highly anticipated films flopped after audiences found them to be unoriginal

 

Source: INSIDE Korea JoongAng Daily

[CJ E&M, 20TH CENTURY FOX KOREA, LOTTE ENTERTAINMENT, MEGABOX PLUS M, OPUS PICTURES]

 

In the beginning of 2017, moviegoers were excited about a number of star-studded, high-budget flicks scheduled for release throughout the year. But of the many that hit the big screens, only a few, like "A Taxi Driver," “Confidential Assignment” and the currently running “The Swindlers,” managed to draw large audiences while others like “Real,” “The Battleship Island” and “Warriors of the Dawn” failed to drum up interest after their release.

 

From January to October, the number of tickets sold for locally produced movies dipped by more than 10 million year-on-year to 88.8 million, according to a report by the Korean Film Council. During the same period, however, the number of admissions sold for foreign movies surged by nearly nine million to reach 94.03 million, accounting for 51.4 percent of the market share.

 

The primary reason for the decline in sales can be explained by the disappointing performances of highly anticipated local blockbusters which cost at least 10 billion won ($9 million) to make.

 

CJ E&M’s mega-blockbuster “The Battleship Island,” starring Hwang Jung-min, So Ji-sub and Song Joong-ki, only sold 6.59 million tickets and faced backlash after being accused of monopolizing movie screens and distorting history. Though ticket sales were not low, they were not high enough, considering the 20 billion won it cost to make the period epic. 

 

“Real,” featuring superstar Kim Soo-hyun and singer-turned-actor Sulli, did not satisfy audiences either. Despite Kim being praised for his performance in the film, the 10-billion-won movie ended up selling merely 470,000 tickets after being criticized for its obscure plot.

 

Additionally, the number of crime and historical movies with unoriginal plots have prompted moviegoers to turn away from local films. 

 

“Over the past few years, most Korean movies have been confined to similar genres with similar stories,” said film critic Kim Hyung-suk. “Most high-budget flicks made with more than 10 billion won have been either crime or historical films due to their assumed commercial appeal, and audiences have grown tired of them.”

 

Kim also explained that the switch to a liberal government has affected moviegoers’ choices. Most crime movies are about good triumphing over evil, “which the current administration is attempting to achieve in reality,” while the majority of historical epics attempt to arouse nationalism. 

 

The growing monopoly of major film distributors has also contributed to the lack of diverse genres on offer, according to Kim, as “many of the flicks they chose to invest in have been either crime or period flicks.”

 

Making up for the poor performances of the big-budget movies, smaller budget films with well-organized plots had a relatively strong showing this year.

 

Action crime film “The Outlaws,” starring Ma Dong-seok, and action comedy “Midnight Runners,” which both cost seven billion won to make, sold an impressive 6.87 million and 5.65 tickets, respectively. 

 

The relative success of smaller films reflects the audience’s growing interest in unique and lighter films, according to movie critic Hwang Jin-mi.

 

“It seems that moviegoers have a growing preference towards characterheavy and less serious movies instead of giant blockbusters that attempt to satisfy everyone through similar characteristics, like being male-centered and adding emotional elements. [To further develop the local film industry], changes need to be made,” Hwang said.

 

But before 2018 arrives, two more local blockbusters may raise the annual performance of local films. “Steel Rain,” an action drama revolving around a former North Korean intelligence agent and a senior member of the Korean security services working on a secret mission to prevent the breakout of a nuclear war on the Korean Peninsula, hits theaters on Dec. 14, while the fantasy drama “Along With the Gods: The Two Worlds,” which centers on the sudden death of a man and his afterlife trials that evaluate how he lived his life and determine where he will spend the rest of eternity, will be released on Dec. 20. 

 

BY JIN MIN-JI [jin.minji@joongang.co.kr]

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Belated post on news video feat. the recent Blue Dragon hand-print and LBH's Hollywood Hand Print in 2012 ++.

 

Published on November 19, 2017 by 팩트iN스타 Fact in Star

 

 

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 12/4 News compilation at EverythingLBH.com 

 

    Make A Wish: Lee Byung Hun Making A Fan's Wish Come True
    TVCF Making Film: K-Bank x Lee Byung Hun
    Compilation: Lee Byung Hun at the 38th Blue Dragon Hand-Print Event
    ScreenAnarchy Review: THE FORTRESS by Pierce Conran
    AJU News 10th Anniversary: Celebrity Congratulatory Wishes
    Keys to the Heart: 'It's Only My World' to be released in 2018
    Lee Byung Hun in a new CANTATA COFFEE TVCF
    UNICEF Unite for Children Campaign feat. Lee Byung Hun
    Lee Byung Hun at Willie Chan's funeral wake in Hong Kong
    CHASECULT x LEE BYUNG HUN 2017 Winter Special
    THE AGE OF SHADOWS Review by Panos Kotzathanasis
    Photos: Lee Byung Hun at the 38th Blue Dragon Awards
    The Barista in Lotte Chilsung's CANTATA Coffee New TVCF
 

Clip: yoyolee07

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November 27, 2017

 

MyDaily-MaxMovie: Song Kang Ho with highest ticket power for second consecutive year; Sul Kyung Gu and Ma Dong Seok round up the top 3

 

Source: MyDaily (ELBH Google-gist)

 

Celebrating its 13th anniversary, Korean news portal MyDaily, along with movie site MaxMovie, conducted an online survey on movie actors with the best ticket power. A total of 12,690 people participated in the survey that was held from November 3 to November 20. 

 

 

The final ranking:

 

1. Song Kang Ho   (25.49%)

2. Sul Kyung Gu   (10.8%)

3. Ma Dong Seok   (5.6%)

4. Ha Jung Woo   (5.4%)

5. Hwang Jung Min   (5.4%)

6. Kang Dong Won   (5.2%)

7. Lee Byung Hun   (4.0%)

8. Choi Min Sik   (3.5%)

9. Ryu Jun Yeol   (2.3%)

10. Lee Je Hoon   (1.9%)

 

 

Details of survey participants:

 

The list in 2016

Spoiler

 

MyDaily-MaxMovie list for movie actresses with the highest ticket power (here)

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Wonder if Mr. Sunshine has started filming? It's been pretty quiet since there's no movie promo, at least for the time being and no more award ceremonies, for this year. Hope there will be .. perhaps a new CF or pictorial, who knows.

 

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There were already Korean news updates on this early morning but my Google-gist where dates are concerned could be wrong. Luckily Soompi news highlighted the news in English. Hope Lee Byung Hun will be able to take and focus on good movie scripts in the meantime if Mr. Sunshine isn't filming as initially scheduled.

 

December 6, 2017

 

Writer Kim Eun Sook’s Upcoming Drama “Mr. Sunshine” Pushes Back Broadcast Date

 

Source: Soompi by J. Lim

 

 

tvN’s “Mr. Sunshine,” which is writer Kim Eun Sook’s latest project, has pushed back its airing date.

 

On December 7, tvN confirmed the news and said, “‘Mr. Sunshine’ has changed its schedule so it will begin airing in either late June or early July. The decision was made to ensure that we create a drama of a highest cinematic quality.”

 

Filming began for the drama in early November but they are said to be behind schedule, leading to the decision that was made today. The drama was originally scheduled to begin airing in May 2018.

 

“Mr. Sunshine” will be the story of a young boy who travels to the United States during the 1871 Shinmiyangyo [U.S. expedition to Korea], and returns to his homeland later as an American soldier. It will be a human melodrama that shines a spotlight on the lives of soldiers who have been forgotten in the history books but should be remembered.

 

This will be the third time that writer Kim Eun Sook and producing director Lee Eung Bok team up for a drama following “Descendants of the Sun” and “Goblin.” It is one of the most highly anticipated dramas of 2018 with a main cast that includes Lee Byung Hun, Kim Tae Ri, Kim Sa Rang, Yoo Yeon Seok, and Byun Yo Han.

 

Source (1)

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Photo: gsgm_official

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 Huh! The Director's Cut Awards was tonight?  And the live broadcast has also ended. Missed again! 

 

My mistake as I forgot about this year-end award ceremony that Lee Byung Hun won Best Actor last year although I wouldn't realize the date as well. 

 

But then, from the twitter highlights, LBH wasn't able to attend the ceremony as he had sent a video message instead.  So, he's not in Korea? US?

 

Wae?? 

 

Source: はなっ子‏ @ByunghunB

 

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December 7, 2017

 

Lee Byung-heon’s period drama Mr. Sunshine gets delayed

 

by tineybeanie Dramabeans.com

 

 

Mr. Sunshine, the latest buzz drama from writer Kim Eun-sook (The Lonely Shining Goblin), only just went into filming in November (despite having been in the works since January), which has delayed the production schedule and thus the broadcast schedule. What was supposed to air during in early 2018 has been moved several months, which means we’ll have to wait till midsummer to catch the blockbuster period romance.

 

Taking place during the early 1900s, Mr. Sunshine stars Lee Byung-heon (Master) and Kim Tae-ri (The Handmaiden) as a Joseon-heritage U.S. soldier and an aristocrat’s daughter, respectively. Lee Byung-heon’s character originally thinks his country abandoned him when he’s taken forcibly by the U.S. expedition in 1871, but when he returns to Joseon years later, he becomes involved in a national movement to oppose the growing influence of Japan on his homeland.

 

There are high expectations for this one, especially because it comes from the PD-writer duo that created drama sensations The Lonely Shining Goblin and Descended From the Sun. Moreover, it’ll be Lee Byung-heon’s television comeback after a nine-year drama hiatus (his last was spy thriller IRIS), during which he expanded his filmography and repertoire to include multiple Hollywood films, and Kim Tae-ri is currently the Chungmuro It girl after her strong performance in The Handmaiden.

 

There are also a couple of additional big names in the cast, including Yoo Yeon-seok (Romantic Doctor Teacher Kim), Kim Sa-rang (Beloved Eun-dong), and Byun Yo-han (Six Flying Dragons). So all around, everyone seems to be looking forward to Mr. Sunshine, which may be why the production team was insistent on not compromising the quality of the project due to timing. In any case, I’m excited to see another Kim Eun-sook drama with her characteristic big romance and quippy dialogue.

 

Mr. Sunshine is now slated to air next summer on tvN as a Saturday-Sunday drama at the beginning of July.

 

Via IS Plus

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December 8, 2017

 

[Advertisement & Company: K-Bank · Baskin Robbins]

The charm of charismatic men in humorous commercials

 

Source: CNB Journal (related LBH excerpt, Google-translate by ELBH)

 

 

K-Bank has been promoting the "K-Bank" series of adverts featuring movie actor Lee Byung Hun since October. It is a set of advertisement that shows how each service provided by K-bank differs from that of a commercial bank by explaining how its advantages through various situations and narrating it. 

 

The visual concept is classic rather than modern. Photography and lighting are somewhat darker that emphasizes contrast, like the film noir. Lee Byung Hun is a perfect gentleman dressed in a formal suit and neat hairstyle. As an actor who's also a top star for more than 20 years, he is walking alone toward the camera, bringing out a unique charm and charisma. Up to this point, it seems to be an advertisement that boasts a premium service that emphasizes attractive style and luxury. 

 

 

However, these premium-oriented advertisements are so common in many areas with similar creativity and personality. An ad official said, "The real intention of this ad is to undermine the style and atmosphere it has built up and emphasize that we are different."

 

The reality of the reversal is simple which is a foolish laugh that Lee Byung Hun makes. When I am satisfied with the service of K-bank, I laugh without knowing, and it is a setting that a loud expression pops out. Lee Byung Hun found himself embarrassed, as he corrects his attitude and looks around at his surroundings, and even his appearance is drawn like a fool.

 

 

Lee has frequently performed comic performances in various works and has expressed well. However, it was rare to see such a humorous and comical appearance in advertising as shown by K-Bank when he saw the cute card on the counter, letting out a funny laugh outburst. This reversal breaks up not only Lee Byung Hun in the commercial but also the charisma that he has built up. But it is not a negative breakdown of so-called "entertainer humiliation" but a situation that brings out familiarity to the viewers.

 

Foolish laughter is a laugh that comes out when the so-called "mask" that everyone wears while going through social life. The reason that foolish laughter is not controlled is because it is an unadorned feeling that comes from the heart. It means that I was truly satisfied with the service. It is the intimate expression of trust and satisfaction.

 

▲ Byung-hun Lee showed a friendly appearance of the reverse in K-Bank advertisement. (Photo = ad screen capture)

 

  K-Bank: New online-banking CF feat. Lee Byung Hun 
         TVCF Making Film: K-Bank x Lee Byung Hun

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A JDY fan posted several scenes and filming clips from HARMONIUM IN MY MEMORY. Pretty cool reminiscing this movie again, seeing how really young LBH was in this movie, some 19 years ago.

 

Clips: frisatur0000

#Throwback #HarmoniumInMyMemory #LeeByungHun #JeonDoYeon

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Clip posted by LBH's make-up artist & hairstylist, relaying his message on the opening of a beauty center(?) . Lee Byung Hun's appearance looked the same as the one shown at the Director's Cut Awards video message, doesn't it.

 

Thanks to the highlight on twitter.

 

Clip: jungnam_kim_

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Perhaps this explains the video messages. 

 

Super thanks to the fans' highlight on twitter, currently Byunghun is joining Minjung's good friend & photographer JDZ snowboarding in California. Highly presuming MJ & JH and Limji (Minjung's BFF, JDZ's wife) are at the snowy vacation resort as well, just not at the snowboarding/skiing slopes.

 

Looks like they're having a great winter time with all the guys, BH loves and enjoy snowboarding a lot. He does it really well, too.. it was even highlighted in IRIS, during the earlier Akita scenes.

 

Photo: jdzcity
Mammoth Mountain

Spoiler

 

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Minjung just posted this lovely clip, turn up the volume and listen to JoonHoo's voice. The clip doesn't show anyone in the visual but it's where there's a lot of snow, obviously.