Jang Dong Gun 장동건

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*** Jang Dong Gun was a late college student. Back in 2015, he entered Seoul Cyber University with a major in culture and arts management. Jang Dong-gun previously entered Korea National University of Arts Theater Center in 1994. However, he eventually dropped out after failing to graduate due to the school rule of prohibiting students from doing outside activities. He is said to have obtained a bachelor’s degree at Seoul Cyber University, where he entered to achieve his dream.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Source: TV Report

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*** On January 2, 2023, it was reported that Girls’ Day‘s Hyeri has been cast for the female lead in a new noir film, Tropical Night (working title) together with Woo Do Hwan. Jang Dong Gun is also a part of the cast.  The film will begin filming in Thailand at the end of January. 

 

 

 

source : https://theqoo.net/hot/3057140604

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*** This was a New Year party with Jung Il Woo, Lee Min Ho, G Dragon, Jang Dong Gun, Go So Young, and Lee Jung Jae gathered with a bunch of friends to celebrate the New Year. G-Dragon posted this photo on his IG.  

 

 

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Some Of Your Favorite Korean Actors Were Exempted From Mandatory Military Service

 

South Korea's implementation of mandatory military service has been a topic of interest for many outsiders. The conscription states that all male citizens between the ages of 18 to 30 are required to render 20 months of enlisting in the military. For fans of Hallyu culture, this means bidding a temporary goodbye to their favorite acts for roughly two years.

 

Though, due to a varying set of reasons, some exemptions have been made. Ahead, we list down nine notable actors who weren't obliged to serve.

 

 

8. Jang Dong Gun

Arthdal Chronicles actor Jang Dong Gun had a difficult time accomplishing his studies because of pneumothorax, also known as a collapsed lung. Thus, he was granted exemption from serving in the military.

 

 

 

 

credit : https://www.cosmo.ph/kloka/korean-drama/korean-actors-exempted-mandatory-military-service-sa4958-20240111-src-preview?ref=home_feed_3

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***  PlusM Entertainment unveiled the final cast members of its upcoming film "Tropical Night." The distributor of the project announced on January 24 that Woo Do Hwan, Jang Dong Gun, Lee Hyeri, Park Sung Hoon, Kim Min Seok, and Kim Min have come together to headline the said movie. It has been said that the cast and crew will start filming in Bangkok on January 25. So, upon writing this, they're currently filming the movie. "Tropical Night" is an action film that follows the story of Ari, a former K-pop girl group leader, who shifts jobs and works now as a pole dancer at a street club in Bangkok. Jang Dong Gun plays Baek Do Jun, an Interpol dispatched to Thailand. He is tasked to eradicate a drug organization in Bangkok without investigative authority.

 

 

 

 

 

 

source : Kdramastars

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10 greatest Korean War movies of all time: M*A*S*H, The Battle of Jangsari, The Hook and more

Delve into the significant Korean War through impactful films capturing its tense moments with classics like M*A*S*H, Sayonara, and more. Here are the top 10 Korean war movies.

The Korean War, often overshadowed in historical narratives, left an indelible mark, and its tumultuous moments find resonance in cinema. After decades of Japanese rule, Korea faced a leadership vacuum post-World War II. The U.S. and Soviet Union assumed administrative roles for South and North Korea, but peace was short-lived. In 1950, North Korea's invasion, supported by China and the Soviet Union, triggered a deadly conflict.

Cinematic explorations of the Korean War abound, capturing American and Korean perspectives and even delving into the minds of the Chinese and Soviets. Among the myriad films, some stand out as quintessential portrayals of this pivotal period.

 

While numerous great movies delve into the Korean War, selecting the top 10 necessitates revisiting decades of outstanding films. M*A*S*H, a cinematic masterpiece, earned five Academy Awards and spawned a successful TV series, epitomizing the war's complexities. Sayonara, confronting racial issues during a time of societal reticence, remains notable for its courage.

 

These films not only recount the atrocities and bravery of those involved but also serve as timeless reminders of a war that shaped the course of history. As we reflect on these cinematic treasures, the Korean War's enduring impact is vividly portrayed on the silver screen.

 

 

8. Tae Guk Gi: The Brotherhood of War

• Movie Name: Tae Guk Gi: The Brotherhood of War
• Cast: Jang Dong Gun, Won Bin, Lee Eun Ju, Choi Min Sik, Jim Jae Joong and more

Tae Guk Gi: The Brotherhood of War, a South Korean war film, unfolds the reluctant journey of two brothers drafted into the Korean War. As one of the highest-grossing South Korean films, earning over $68 million worldwide, it earned acclaim at prestigious international film festivals.

 

This cinematic masterpiece offers a realistic and unyielding depiction of the Korean War, meticulously highlighting the brutality on both sides of this harrowing conflict. Tae Guk Gi: The Brotherhood of War stands as a testament to the impact of its storytelling, resonating globally for its portrayal of the harsh realities of war.

 

 

 

 

source : https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/10-greatest-korean-war-movies-of-all-time-mash-the-battle-of-jangsari-the-hook-and-more-1277234

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[History through films] ‘Taegukgi,’ a tearful story of two brothers in battle that divided Korea

 

 

Director Kang Je-gyu’s 2004 war action film “Taegukgi: The Brotherhood of War” follows a simple storyline that revolves around two brothers – Jin-tae (Jang Dong-gun) and Jin-seok (Won Bin) -- who are drafted to the South Korean Army to fight in the Korean War that broke out on June 25, 1950.

 

The brutal and inhumane conditions on the battlefield leave little room for thinking about the implications of the war.

 

Jin-tae, the eldest son in the family, is the breadwinner and runs a shoeshine stand. He is a young man with hopes to marry his fiancee Young-shin (Lee Eun-ju) and to pay for his younger brother Jin-seok’s education when he and his younger brother are drafted.

 

On the battlefield, Jin-tae hears that if he can earn the highest military merit as a South Korean soldier, his brother who suffers a heart disease can be sent home. He volunteers to participate in various missions, including some life-threatening acts. He is quickly promoted to sergeant, but Jin-seok is horrified to see his older brother’s ruthless killings.

 

 

 

Meanwhile in Seoul, the UN coalition is forced to retreat as the Chinese army enters the war to support North Korea.

 

Young-shin, suspected of working for the Communist Party, is captured by the South Korean military and shot dead.

 

The two brothers, trying to rescue Young-shin, are arrested.

 

Jin-seok, who barely escapes the scene, learns that Jin-tae has defected to the North Koreans and has become an elite lieutenant in the North Korean army. Hoping to bring him back to who he was, Jin-seok chooses to rejoin the army and demands to be allowed to fight at the 38th parallel. The two dramatically reunite on the battlefield but Jin-tae, who has been captured by fury and a sense of betrayal after losing his fiancee and brother, doesn’t notice Jin-seok and even tries to kill him.

 

Fifty years later, Jin-seok looks back on the battle days after getting a call that the remains of war veterans have been discovered.

 

“Taegukgi: The Brotherhood of War” (Showbox)

 

When the movie opened in 2004, “Taegukgi: The Brotherhood of War” quickly reached 10 million admissions, appealing to the audience with the universal topic of brotherhood. Film critics also praised the movie for dealing with the tragic Korean history from the brothers’ point of view.

 

The movie gave director Kang the best film and the best director award that year at the 50th Asia Pacific Film Festival.

 

In addition to its record-breaking reception in South Korea, the film also gained critical acclaim abroad for its unflinching portrayal of war as well as the brutality of both the North and South Korean military.

 

“Taegukgi: The Brotherhood of War” is currently available via local streaming platforms such as Waave.

 

The following article is the first installment of the eight-part series that looks into Korea’s modern and contemporary history through films released between 2000 and 2020. -- Ed.

 

Spoiler

 

 

 

credit : Korea Herald

https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20240214050649

 

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*** Recently, Ko So-young guested on psychiatrist Dr. Oh Eun-young's YouTube show "Oh Eun-young's Bucket List."  Here, Ko So-young revealed whether her children take after her or Jang Dong Gun. During their conversation, Ko So-young discussed her marriage, saying, "The timing was just right. While we did have feelings for each other, we had been just friends for a long time. When Dong Gun was younger, he had a gentle, feminine and soft personality. And I didn't really feel attracted to him back then, but there was a turning point after his 2001 movie 'Friend.' He became much more manly after that movie. Our dates weren't romantic or anything. We happened to share the same values regarding marriage, and I think there was mutual trust. It wasn't a case of thinking, 'I want to marry this person.' Instead, our mutual desire to marry each other naturally grew." Dr. Oh Eun-young commented, "Well, both your son Jun-hyuk and your daughter Yoon-seol are very cute. They are the perfect mix of their mother and father." Smiling, Ko So-young stated, "Yeah, whenever I show Jun-hyuk pictures of me when I was young, he would say, 'That's me!' When I tell him that's not him, but it's actually me, he gets surprised. He's lost some weight now, and his eyes, nose and lips that were hidden under his fat became much more apparent. He's become prettier lately. And Yoon-seol resembles both me and Dong Gun equally, splitting traits between us right down the middle."  

 

 

 

 

source : SBS Star





 

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*** The children of the couple Jang Dong Gun and Ko So Young are stealing the spotlight online even though their faces are hidden from the public. The couple do share occasional photos of family outings. I love seeing glimpses of their adorable kids. Their daughter Yoon Seol, nicknamed “mini Ko So Young”, because she’s inherited her mom’s beauty and might even be taller than her soon.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

source : https://entertain.naver.com/now/read?oid=311&aid=0001713330

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Teaser of Upcoming 2024 Korean Movies ("Night Heat")

 

 

 

 

https://btv.social/1631951_18996/#cp

 

 

 

 

"Night Heat" is directed by Kim Pan-soo, and features Woo Do-hwan, Jang Dong-gun, Lee Hyeri, Park Sung-hoon, Kim Min-seok, Kim Min-V.

Release date in Korea: 2024.

 

 

 

source : Hancinema