[News] Drama, Movies, Actors & Actresses

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September 24, 2009

Taking a shot at Hollywood

Korean actors find their place amid the samurai and kung fu fighters

As you watch the latest crop of Hollywood action movie trailers, you may notice something unusual, something some said would never happen: more and more Korean faces in lead roles.

The year 2009 has been an especially fruitful one for Korean actors who have made it in American film, though no one knows how long their luck will last.

“My Sassy Girl” heroine Jun Ji-hyun starred in her first international action movie, “Blood: The Last Vampire,” which was released in June in Korea. In the action flick, Jun plays the role of a human-vampire hybrid named Saya.

Korean wave stalwart Lee Byung-hun also made his Hollywood debut in the big-budget “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra,” which opened in August. In this theatrical and colorful action movie, Lee plays Storm Shadow, a Korean martial arts fighter and a member of the villainous organization of the title.

And even more big-budget Hollywood movies with Korean actors in the lead roles are coming soon. In “Laundry Warrior,” his first American film, Jang Dong-gun plays an Asian assassin who has been hiding out in a small American town. Pop superstar Rain made his debut in Hollywood in a supporting role in “Speed Racer” in 2008, but now he is ready to come back as the lead character in the new movie “Ninja Assassin.”

This huge list may seem an unqualified success for Korean actors, but bigger problems often crop up after they land on the shores of Los Angeles.

As previous attempts by Korean actors to break into the American film industry show, the biggest obstacle to overcome is the language barrier. The ability not only to read lines fluently, but also to communicate with the director and the film crew is crucial.

At an interview in May in Seoul, Jun explained the issues she had to deal with while shooting Blood. “I remember the first shoot very vividly. I could only perform two lines of the script, and I couldn’t understand what the producers wanted from me,” she said.

Because language is a major difficulty for foreign actors, it is inevitable that Korean actors not fluent in English will have limited options for possible roles. Most of the time, Korean actors choose action films and play very dynamic characters, expressing themselves with movement rather than verbally through lengthy conversations or monologues.

Although Lee has a quite big role in G.I. Joe, his character is built up through set pieces and visual qualities rather than lines. Of course, the blockbuster is an excellent start for Lee’s career, raising awareness of him worldwide.

However, the question remains: After the movie’s success, will Lee be able to keep up with the fast pace of Hollywood and take it to the next level? The test for every Korean actor is to be more than just an exotic Asian face and continue to make films.

Being able to speak fluent English is a big plus, but it is also something Korean actors have to overcome in order to take that next step in Hollywood.

Another reason Korean actors have limited role options in action movies has to do with stereotypical ideas about Asians in Western society. Japanese samurai or Chinese kung fu fighters are still the commonly accepted images of Asian culture, particularly Asian men. Films in genres that average Americans identify with the most, like drama or romance, seldom have Asian characters in leading roles.

Stereotypes are unquestionably negative, as they come from the commodification of one’s culture, but they have helped shape individual countries’ identities. Samurai have become representative of Japanese culture, and likewise for kung fu and China. But Korea has no such quick fit in the Western world. Thus, roles for Asian characters often tend to go to Japanese or Chinese. In fact, Jun’s film Blood is based on a Japanese anime.

Meanwhile, Rain’s character in Speed Racer, Taejo Tokokan, and Lee Byung-hun’s character Storm Shadow were originally Japanese, but they both asked the filmmakers to change the nationality of the characters since they are Koreans. Although a lot of the characters’ features may still remind viewers of Japan, that effort should be acknowledged.

It might be inevitable for Korean actors to start their Hollywood careers playing stereotypical Asian characters, but in time the best will be able to build up their own identities. Perhaps the best known example of this is Kim Yun-jin, who played a complex and nuanced Korean character on the American television show “Lost.”

Establishing a positive and strong Korean identity that can be differentiated from previously built images is the key to the globalization of Korean culture - and its biggest challenge.

By Susan Yoon Contributing writer [estyle@joongang.co.kr] via joongangdaily.joins.com

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September 24, 2009

Kin Seung-soo Meets with His Japanese Fans

Actor Kim Seung-soo held a fan meeting in Fukuoka, Japan on September 26. His agency said Kim played the piano at the meeting and sang songs as well as showed a few magic tricks. Kim's popularity rose in Japan for his roles in the TV dramas "Jumong" and "Glass Castle."

"It's my fourth fan meeting in Japan, but every time I am as nervous and excited as when it was my first time," said Kim, promising to do his best to repay his fans' support.

Kim previously appeared on the MBS TV drama "Great Job," which ended in August, and is currently choosing his next role.

Source: KBS Global

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September 24, 2009

Lee, Han Picked as Rising Ad Models

Singer-actor Lee Seung-gi and actress Han Hyo-joo have been picked as rising ad models for the second half of this year for their starring roles in the SBS-TV drama ``Brilliant Legacy,'' which ended its run at a viewing rate of 47.1 percent in July.

A survey of 1,625 people aged 16 or over living in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province showed that Lee and Han posted sharp rises in ranking, compared with the first-half survey. Brand38, a local brand consulting company, conducted the surveys.

Lee saw his ranking soar from 23rd in the first half to fourth. Han, who had not been ranked in the first half, came in at 17th.

In the latest survey, comedian Yoo Jae-suk and figure skater Kim Yu-na ranked first and second, respectively. In the first half, Kim and Yoo were first and second.

Girls' Generation, one of South Korea's leading pop idol groups, and boy band 2PM took third and seventh places, respectively, emerging from low rankings.

In contrast, traditionally high-placed actors such as Jang Dong-gun and Jeon Ji-hyun suffered sharp falls in their rankings.

Source: koreatimes.co.kr

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September 22, 2009

Japanese top star Kimura to attend PIFF

By Ryu Seung-yoon

Japanese movie star Kimura Takuya, 36, will visit Korea to attend the 14th Pusan International Film Festival, which will open next month, organizers said. This will be his second time since he visited Korea to shoot the film "Hero" with Korean actor Lee Byung-hun in Busan in 2007.

This time Kimura will show up for the event of his recent film "I Come with the Rain." The movie was invited to the gala presentation category at PIFF this year. Including director Tran Anh Hung, American star Josh Hartnett and Korean top actor Lee Byung-hun, who also starred in the movie, are expected to come with Kimura.

PreVision Entertainment, the public relations agency of "I Come with the Rain," said on Monday that Kimura's schedule in Korea is not set yet.

Kimura Takuya is an actor and a member of the Japanese top idol group SMAP.

Since his debut in 1988, he has become one of the most well-known and successful celebrities in Asia. In an annual survey of a Japanese popular fashion magazine, Kimura has ranked first as "the most favorite male entertainer" for 15 consecutive years.

The 14th Pusan International Film Festival will be held from Oct. 8 to 16. According to the organizers, this year's festival will screen 355 films from 70 countries - the largest ever recorded in the festival's history.

Credits: shoong4u@gmail.com via koreaherald.co.kr

September 23, 2009

Jang's film sold out in less than 2 minutes

Tickets to Jang Dong-gun's opening film of the 14th Pusan International Film Festival sold out in less than two-minutes according to festival organizers Monday.

Online presales to the screenings for "Good Morning President" and the festival closer "The Message" began earlier that day at 5 p.m. and took just one-minute and 35-seconds for the Jang Jin-directed political drama to sell out.

The film portrays the 37-year-old continental heartthrob as Korea's youngest president-elect alongside actress Han Chae-young as his love interest while screen veterans Koh Doo-shim plays the first female president and Lee Soon-jae as a former head of state who wins the lotto.

Last year's opener, "The Gift to Stalin," a Kazakh independent film sold out 5-seconds faster than this year's.

This year, festival organizers implemented an online booking system specifically for foreigners and allowed real time ticket reservations from overseas bookings.

For visitors who missed out on their chance to grab tickets to showings for both the opening and closing films, 300 tickets have each been set aside to be purchased on-site on a first come first serve basis at the Sooyoungman Marina.

Credits: kws@heraldm.com via koreaherald.co.kr

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September 24, 2009

Actor Shin to be summoned over violence

By Ryu Seung-yoon

Police said on Thursday that it will soon summon actor Shin Hyun-jun, 41, over allegations that he assaulted his agent.

According to the Seoul Gangnam Metropolitan Police, the 30-year-old agent, just identified by his surname Jang, has filed a suit against the actor, claiming Shin assaulted him at a bar in Sangsu-dong, western Seoul.

Police said a further investigation is needed, since the statement is not enough to prove Shin's charge.

Shin and Jang have worked together for five years. Shin made his film debut with "Son of a General" in 1990. His latest TV drama "Cain and Abel" was aired on SBS from February to April this year.

Credits: shoong4u@gmail.com via koreaherald.co.kr

Actor Shin Accused of Assaulting Manager

By Han Sang-hee

Staff Reporter

Actor Shin Hyun-joon

The manager of movie actor Shin Hyun-joon filed a complaint with the police against the 41-year-old for assault, according to the Gangnam Police Station, Thursday.

Police said that the manager, only identified as Jang, who has been working with the actor for the past five years, claimed that he was assaulted by Shin after having a conversation at a bar in Sangsu-dong, Mapo-gu, early this month.

"The content of the written complaint is not enough to prove Shin's charges, so we need additional investigations,'' a police officer said. "After confirming the complaint with Jang, we will summon Shin and investigate further.''

Shin made his debut in 1990 in the movie "The General's Son" and has appeared in numerous films and dramas ever since.

Two of his most famous works include the drama "Stairways to Heaven'' (2003, SBS) and the film "Barefoot Gi-Bong'' (2006). He published a photo-essay ``Shin Hyun-joon's Confessions'' last year, which documented his personal story about life and religion.

Credits: sanghee@koreatimes.co.kr

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September 24, 2009

Posthumous work of late actress to be released

"Penthouse Elephant," a film featuring late Korean actress Jang Ja-yeon, will be released here in November replete with the actress's sex and suicide scenes, the film's distributor said Thursday, according to Yonhap News.

Vantage Holdings, the movie's largest investor and distributor, had been debating whether to edit out the scenes featuring the late actress out of courtesy to her family and fans. The movie was originally slated for release this summer.

Original article at yonhapnews.co.kr

"We have decided against deleting the scenes as they are important in the story," a Vantage Holdings official said Thursday after the company released a teaser trailer for the movie.

Jang's March 7 suicide made headlines for months here as the 30-year-old starlet left a lengthy note claiming she was forced to perform sexual favors for powerful entertainment figures.

Several well-known television producers and entertainment firm heads were summoned, but the police closed the investigations without pressing any charges in July, citing lack of evidence.

"Penthouse Elephant," a feature debut by Jeong Seung-ku, features three male friends who deal with sex addiction, anxiety and other disorders of the contemporaries. Jang played the role of Hye-mi, the girlfriend of a libertine high-flying plastic surgeon.

Source: koreaherald.co.kr

September 29, 2009

Late Korean actress' work invited to Polish film fest

"Penthouse Elephant," which features a young South Korean actress who recently hanged herself, has been invited to compete at Poland's upcoming Warsaw International film festival, the film's distributor said Tuesday.

According to Yonhap News, the debut film by director Jeong Seung-ku focuses on three male friends who deal with sex addiction, anxiety and other contemporary disorders. The late Jang Ja-yeon played the role of Hye-mi, the girlfriend of a libertine high-flying plastic surgeon.

The film's distributor, Vantage Holdings, delayed local release to November out of courtesy to fans and relatives of Jang, who committed suicide on March 7.

Her death made headlines for months here as the 30-year-old starlet left a lengthy note claiming she was forced to perform sexual favors for powerful entertainment figures.

Source: koreaherald.co.kr

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September 24, 2009

New SBS series enters ratings race

SBS' latest weekend prime time series "Smile, Dear" may prove a tough sell for audiences who have become acclimated to its star-driven and chic predecessor, "Style."

While the fashion-forward series -- which boasted a cast that included Hallyu star Ryu Si-won and veteran actress Kim Hye-soo -- did not achieve the overwhelming success of its predecessor "Brilliant Legacy" or beat out KBS contender "Iron Empress," it did manage to bring in steady viewer ratings.

"Smile, Dear," on the other hand, may find itself in a tight ratings race against MBC's current family-oriented weekend series, "The Jewel Family."

The SBS drama's premise -- a wealthy household's fall from grace forces them to bunk with their ex-chauffeur's family -- groups it in the currently popular yet overworked family drama genre, leaving the new series with the daunting challenge of nabbing viewers whose expectations have already been raised by hit family series like "Mom is That Upset" and KBS' current blockbuster "My Too Perfect Sons."

Though the plotline of "Smile, Dear" seems a bit stale -- the formerly wealthy learn a thing or two about living modestly -- the presence of "Sikgaek" actor Choi Bul-am as the ex-chauffeur, "Boys Over Flowers" actress Lee Min-jung as the heroine (a rich girl-gone-poor) and "Family Outing" star Lee Chun-hee as the heroine's brother may attract viewers.

"The character of Seo Jung-in is so adorable and cute that I have fallen for her myself," said actress Lee in an SBS press release. "For five months, I will be living as Seo Jung-in and not as Lee Min-jung."

Lee's devotion to her character, Seo Jung-in, bodes well for the actress. Meanwhile, co-star Choung Kyung-ho, who will be playing the grandson of the ex-chauffeur's household and Seo's potential love interest, faces the challenge of bouncing back from the lackluster ratings performance of his previous drama "Princess Ja-Myung."

"I am glad to be able to play a fun character and work on a fun script," actor Choung stated in an SBS press release, signaling an optimistic attitude towards his new project.

"Smile, Dear" starts tomorrow night at 10 p.m. on SBS.

By Jean Oh (oh_jean@heraldm.com) via koreaherald.co.kr

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September 24, 2009

'Rain' Falls on Summer-Battered Hearts

By Lee Hyo-won

Staff Reporter

Chinese actress Gao Yuanyuan and South Korean actor Jung Woo-sung

in a scene from “A Good Rain Knows,” the latest melodrama by Hur Jin-ho

Would you give love a second chance? In his fifth feature "A Good Rain Knows," melodrama maestro Hur Jin-ho says "yes," orchestrating another romance that seeps into the viewers' hearts with a graceful andante tempo.

Unlike his previous works like "One Fine Spring Day," there is no tragic twist or untimely heartbreak. Yet, Hur still manages to bring weight and girth to a story that is rife with nostalgia and the uneasy feeling of having butterflies in the stomach.

This South Korea-China co-production brings together Korean heartthrob Jung Woo-sung and Chinese actress-model Gao Yuan-yuan, who have chemistry as another memorable couple in a "Hur-marked" romance. Sometimes their performances stumble through the desperate mix of English, Korean and Chinese, but the film succeeds in translating onto screen messages that transcend the spoken word. This is partly due to the fact that, like Hur's other films, the dialogue is concise and used sparingly and very little gets lost in the subtitles.

Dong-ha (Jung), an aspiring architect working for a construction company, arrives in Chengdu, China, on a business trip. He runs into his college sweetheart May (Gao), whom he lost touch with after sharing a brief romance in the United States. Their chance encounter is like "a good rain that knows when to come," inspired by the words of Chinese poet Du Fu.

The two cannot help smiling as old memories tide in, but are surprised to learn that their recollections do not match up. May denies their ever having kissed, or that Dong-ha taught her how to ride a bike.

Amid the backdrop of Chengdu, the two nevertheless relive the heart fluttering experience of a first date, leaning over exotic local dishes and waltzing through streetlamp-lit streets. But now in their 30s, both wiser and more prudent, they are reluctant to let go of certain inhibitions.

In the spur of the moment however Dong-ha, who is more certain, though not less cautious, of the rekindled affair, prolongs his sojourn, and asks May for a much-delayed real date.

Hur shows the story rather than tells it. Emotions waver and brim in between the lines and through fleeting glances. Yet, he keeps the camera at a steady distance and burns off sentimentality to reveal a purer romanticism that brings tender, lyrical impulses.

As with all of Hur's films, everything is carefully measured and proceeds with meticulous care ― nothing goes amiss within the frame. The director sets an atmospheric sense of time and space, but with an organic, seamless subtlety that smoothes away any hint of a calculated effort.

The movie is indeed like a well-timed pleasant rain ― a nourishing spring shower for Korea's underdeveloped romance genre, demonstrating how warm love stories need not necessarily resort to tragedy or comedy to engage the viewer.

The film was originally part of the omnibus project "Chengdu I Love You," as homage to the Sichuan Province city that was hit by a devastating earthquake in May last year. It premiered at the Venice Film Festival this year, and was developed into a full feature. The reason for this is not surprising, since the movie has a strong commercial appeal that would not ostracize arthouse cinema buffs.

The movie will be released Oct. 8 simultaneously in Korea, China and Japan. Co-produced by Korea's Pancinema Corp. and China's Zonbo Media.

Credits: hyowlee@koreatimes.co.kr

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September 24, 2009

Rain to attend F1 with Beyonce

By Ryu Seung-yoon

Along with world pop diva Beyonce, Korean pop star Rain will attend the Formula One (F1) car racing competition in Singapore.

Rain was invited to the "2009 F1 Singtel Singapore Grand Prix," which will be held on Sept. 27, along with several Western stars: Lindsay Lohan, No Doubt, and the Black Eyed Peas.

According to Rain's agency J. Tune Entertainment, this event will be part of the promotion for Rain's new film "Ninja Assassin," which will be released in November.

Rain appeared on a Singapore entertainment news program titled "F1 Rocks" before the race event. This TV show will be on air through BBC, ESPN, Fuji TV, CCTV, and MTV channels to nearly 200 nations, including the United States.

F1 is a popular sport that 600 million people, on average, watch during every race.

Returning to Korea on Thursday morning, Rain is now passionate about preparing for his concerts named "2009 Asia tour: Legend of Rainism" at the Olympic Gymnasium in Seoul on Oct. 9 and 10.

Credits: shoong4u@gmail.com via koreaherald.co.kr

Rain Joins F1 Rocks Concert in Singapore

Singer Rain

Korean pop star Rain has filmed a segment for the F1 Rocks show, the only officially F1 endorsed concert during the Grand Prix week in Singapore.

The three-day music festival, which began at Fort Canning, Thursday, will be recorded and repackaged as two music and entertainment shows that will air to 600 million viewers in about 200 countries, Rain's agency J. Tune Entertainment said in a statement.

The concert is bringing some of the biggest names in music to the island city state, with the concert being broadcast on the eve of the "2009 Formula 1 Singtel Singapore Grand Prix" that starts Sunday.

Rain filmed the clip in the Chinese and Japanese Garden, one of the most popular tour sites in Singapore, along with Mark Webber, the 2008 German Grand Pix winner. They performed as racers fighting for an F1 championship.

Rain's filming is also designed to promote his upcoming movie "Ninja Assassin," which will hit theaters around the world Nov. 26. Among other stars participating in the concert are Beyonce, the Black Eyed Peas, DJ Havana Brown and Jacky Cheung.

Rain returned home Thursday to prepare for his concert scheduled for Oct. 9-10 in Seoul, the first leg of his 2009 Asian Tour.

Credits: chojh@koreatimes.co.kr

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September 25, 2009

S. Korean movie 'Mother' to be released in Japan

SEOUL, Sept. 25 (Yonhap) -- South Korean director Bong Joon-ho's thriller "Mother," which was invited to this year's Cannes International Film Festival, will be released throughout Japan next month, a Tokyo distributor said Friday.

"Mother," Bong's fourth feature exploring a murder case and obsessive maternal love, will hit major Japanese theaters including Cinema Rise and Cine Switch Ginza Oct. 31, the movie's Japanese distributor Bitter End said on its Web site.

The movie, which drew some 3 million viewers at home, was screened at the non-competition section of this year's Cannes, which praised it as a "unique noir thriller."

The movie is also anticipating a U.S. release next year.

Credits: hayney@yna.co.kr via yonhapnews.co.kr

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September 24, 2009

'Rain' builds Korea buzz

Pusan premiere sold out in 38 seconds

By Park Soo-mee

"I Come With the Rain"

SEOUL -- The crime thriller "I Come With the Rain" is building significant buzz among local audiences, with tickets to the local premiere at Pusan International Film Festival selling out online in 38 seconds.

The film, from Tran Anh Hung and locally distributed by CJ Entertainment, stars Josh Hartnett, Kimura Takuya and Lee Byung-hun and centers on a former detective on a mission to search for his client's missing son in Hong Kong. The film is an ambitious, $18 million production for Vietnamese-French director Tran ("The Scent of Green Papaya").

Hartnett's "Pearl Harbor" is reasonably well-known among local moviegoers, as is Takuya, who gained fame as a member of Japanese pop group SMAP, later starring in the Japanese version of the hit TV series "Hero," following up with a film of the same title.

Tran's latest film is also the second appearance in a multinational film project for Lee, a hallyu (Korean Wave) star who played Storm Shadow in "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra" and had a cameo in the film "Hero" with Takuya. Lee plays the boss of a Hong Kong gang in the new film.

The film's marketing is also appealing to nonmainstream audiences here, stressing stylized details like the film's soundtrack by the U.K.'s Radiohead.

"I Come With the Rain" is set to be released Oct. 15. All three actors will be walking Pusan's red carpet next month.

Source: hollywoodreporter.com

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September 25, 2009

Lee Seung-ki Co-hosts a Talk Show

Ballad singer Lee Seung-ki has successfully wrapped up the first taping of the new talk show “Heart of Steel,” which he co-hosts with wrestler-turned-comedian Kang Ho-dong. The new program is more like a talk battle program where 24 guest stars talk about a topic in each of two rounds and the winner of each round advances to the finals, where a final winner is decided.

Lee said that he was so nervous about the taping of the first episode that he couldn’t sleep well the night before. A member of the show’s production team commented that although Kang led the show early, Lee soon found his groove and got along well with his co-host and guest members. The first panel of guests included MC Mong, performance artist Nancy Lang, Epik High, Kim Tae-woo, Seung-ri of Big Bang, K-pop diva Baek Ji-young, veteran actress Kyun Mi-ri and comedian Han Min-kwan, among others.

Source: KBS Global

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September 25, 2009

Korean stars take turns playing president

osen.co.kr

Korean director Jang Jin’s new film “Good Morning President” has already generated a buzz.

As the opening film of the 14th Pusan International Film Festival, one of the most influential film events in Asia, there is a clear reason for all the anticipation from local and foreign audiences.

But there is plenty of reason for excitement even if you can’t make the trek to the festival. The film marks the return of Korean movie star Jang Dong-gun, who has been laying low since his last movie, “The Promise,” which premiered about four years ago.

The movie tells the story of three fictional Korean presidents: a respectable senior president (Lee Soon-jae) who works for a noble cause, but agonizes over his future after winning the lottery; the nation’s youngest head of state (Jang Dong-gun), who is known for his diplomatic skill despite his inner uncertainty; and the nation’s first female president (Ko Doo-shim).

“Though it may sound like a film dealing with political issues, it’s not supposed to be a political film. Instead, it’s a feel-good movie for audiences to enjoy,” Jang Jin, who wrote and directed the film, told the press Tuesday. “In Korea, we don’t have much access to our presidents,” said the director, who is more widely-known for using his unique sense of humor in his films. “I believe the movie will provide audiences with a chance to see the human side of politics.”

Seasoned actor Lee, who returns to the big screen after 20 years in television, echoed the sentiment. “I was impressed with how much times have changed so that it’s possible to make a film that shows the lighter side of the president,” he said. “The film tries to show presidents as people just like you and me, which I think makes the movie distinctive, as well as fresh and fun for viewers.”

“While I didn’t have a particular role model for my character, because Korea has never had a female president, I focused on expressing her human side, rather than on her status as president,” said Ko, a symbolic mother figure here for her numerous TV and film roles. “Through I was playing a president, I realized how difficult yet special the job is. I also believe that it’s about time for Korea to have a woman leader.”

The actor Jang, who is an eligible bachelor in the movie and in real life, revealed that he’s had enough of the single life and is now looking for someone who is “on the same wavelength” as he is.

When asked what kinds of policies he would make for single people if he were president, he had a witty comeback. “To keep the nation competitive, I wouldn’t encourage people to live the single life,” he said.

Tickets for the PIFF premiere sold out in less than two minutes on Monday, when online ticketing for the festival’s opening and closing films began. Tickets for screenings of other films are currently on sale and can be booked at www.piff.org.

Good Morning President will be released nationwide on Oct. 22.

By Park Sun-young [spark0320@joongang.co.kr] via joongangdaily.joins.com

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September 26, 2009

Kim Myung-min Goes to the Edge for New Film

In the film "Closer to Heaven," there is a scene where actor Kim Myung-min, who played the role of a patient suffering from Lou Gehrig's disease, weighs himself. The scales point to 51.6 kg, and that figure was not retouched but was Kim's actual weight. The 37-year-old actor says he now weighs 61 kg after "much recovery." After a "full recovery," he will be 72 to 73 kg.

Kim's cheeks were still visibly sunken when the interview took place on Tuesday. The legs sustaining his 180 cm-tall frame were as thin as those of a female supermodel. How did he manage to shed over 20 kg? "I ate vegetables and tofu only. When that didn't work, I didn't eat at all and only drank water," he says. "Shooting began on Feb. 10, so I had the last rice meal on Feb. 9, and until May 25, I never had any carbohydrate in my diet."

Kim Myung-min

Asked if he could have resorted to an exercise regime instead of starving himself, Kim says, "ALS patients lose muscle. I couldn't exercise, because if I did, I might lose weight but I'd gain muscle."

Is it possible to lead a normal life when you are starving? "I intentionally drew the curtains in my hotel room in Busan [where the film is set], and kept the room dark. I couldn't sleep because I was so hungry. I spent most of my free time lying on my bed, watching movies, listening to music or shopping online with my laptop," he says.

Kim twice fainted in the shower. When the hot water touched his body, which had become extremely sensitive, the veins expanded and he fainted. Why did he have to go such extremes? "I wasn't confident to play the role of a patient with Lou Gehrig's disease and meet audiences on the screen if I didn't feel like one," he says. "It would have been very unnatural if I played the role without losing weight."

When he was offered the part, Kim initially "turned it down and ran away." "It wasn't a role that I took up because I was ambitious. There are roles that you get to do inevitably against your will, and there are roles that you can't do even though you desperately want them," he says.

Kim has not decided what his next project will be. "It would be irresponsible for me to ink a deal when I'm not 100 percent physically sound."

Credits: englishnews@chosun.com

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September 26, 2009

Jang Dong-gun tired of being a bachelor

From left to right, Lee Soon-jae, Jang Dong-gun, and Koh Doo-shim, at a press conference

on Tuesday [Park Hae-mook/The Korea Herald]

Fans of Jang Dong-gun be warned, Korea's hottest and most desirable heartthrob's bachelorhood may be in jeopardy.

"I'm tired of being single," the actor declared during the official unveiling for his latest film "Good Morning President" at the CGV Apgujeong multiplex in southern Seoul on Tuesday.

In the film, the 37-year-old screen and television star plays the nation's youngest President-elect and bachelor who begins a budding romance with the daughter of the outgoing Head of State played by Han Chae-young.

The young, recently married starlet who enjoys popularity with men, just as much as Jang does with women, due to her voluptuous figure was also on hand alongside her leading man during the afternoon event. The two were joined on stage by veterans Lee Soon-jae, Koh Doo-shim and Im Wha-ryong who looked taken aback from all of the media attention.

Lee plays the outgoing President whose legacy is based on an administration formed on self-sacrifice. But his character is put to the test when he becomes the unwitting winner of a 2 billion won lotto.

Koh plays the first female President of Korea whose misbehaving husband from a working class background pushes their marriage to the brink of divorce. With a packed house full of both the local and foreign press, the whirlwind atmosphere was a testament to Jang's regional popularity.

The group was at the receiving end of an onslaught from an overzealous crowd of media photographers eager to get the continental superstar's every gesture and movement throughout the hour-long news conference.

Every time the actor spoke into his microphone, the echoing sounds of shutters and flashes flooded the theater. "It's been fun, but I'm exhausted (being alone)," he said of his life as a longtime bachelor. "From my younger days, my idea of an ideal woman has always changed but nowadays I like a woman who I can comfortably communicate with like a friend."

Of his return to play a stoic character reminiscent of his leading role in the MBC television series "All About Eve," Jang said, "It's been almost 10 years since I've shown myself wearing a suit so for fans who've been anticipating to see the clean-cut Jang Dong-gun again, I hope this film will quench their thirst," he quipped.

The film is projected to make a splash at the box office when it's slated to open later next month on Oct. 22.

Lots of buzz has been created recently since programmers of the forthcoming 14th Pusan International Film Festival chose it to be the opening film. But questions thrown by reporters were mostly aimed at Jang which threatened to derail the event's primary goal of promoting the upcoming release of the film.

Questions about his public image were repeated from various media. "To be called a 'pretty boy' at my age is regrettable," he said. "To be honest, it did feel good to be called that back when I was younger but these days I would like to be given a different label because to be proud of being called such a thing is only very brief and all of the up and coming actors should be determined to work hard so they can be known for something else other than that."

About rumors of his co-star Han calling him the word every Korean man dreads being called, Jang said, "It was hard but I had to convince myself that it's time for me to concede and apply that word to my repertoire since I'm at that age now."

Han in defense of herself responded, "It was awkward for me when I first met him so I called him 'ajeossi' and then of course he raised his voice at me telling me not to call him that."

Keen on being a diplomat, Han immediately said soon after, "I've always been a fan of (Jang Dong-gun) when I was younger, but honestly what girl isn't a fan of him," and added "The first time I met him he seemed so perfect that it was difficult for me to even approach him but after I got to know him, he's become like an older brother who's always so friendly. The entire shoot was a blast because of his generosity."

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

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September 17, 2009

Another stab at big-screen success

TV star Kim Myung-min hopes to make waves in the film world

Actor Kim Myung-min. By Im Hyun-dong

Actor Kim Myung-min is returning to the big screen. And this time he hopes to make a larger splash than his last effort, the 2008 crime film “Open City,” which had an average showing at the box office.

Kim actually made a name for himself - and gained legions of fans - for his recent work as a coldhearted doctor in the TV series “The Great White Tower” and as an aggressive conductor in the program “Beethoven Virus.”

Now, he is again looking to gain a foothold in the movie world, taking on an extremely challenging role as Jong-woo - a Lou Gehrig’s patient - in the upcoming film “Closer to Heaven.” The movie, which hits theaters Sept. 24, depicts a tragic love story between Kim’s character, Jong-woo, and his wife, Ji-soo - played by actress Ha Ji-won, the heroine of the summer blockbuster “Haeundae.” The director is none other than Park Jin-pyo. who was behind the 2005 hit movie “You Are My Sunshine,” which starred actress Jeon Do-yeon as an AIDS patient.

The 37-year-old Kim is well known for his rigorous self-discipline and his ability to adapt to different roles. His latest film is no exception: Kim actually lost a whopping 20 kilograms (44 pounds), reaching a skeletal 52 kilograms, which is extremely thin for someone who’s only 180 centimeters tall (5-foot-9). “I’ve gained back about 10 kilograms in three months since filming ended,” Kim revealed in a recent interview with the JoongAng Ilbo. “However, I’m not in shape yet, and I’m still confused about whether I’m Kim Myung-min or Jong-woo.”

A Lou Gehrig’s patient has never been featured in Korean films before, in part because it’s hard for actors to portray the struggle against the disease. Kim said the three-month shooting process was indeed a trying experience. “The hardest part was not that I had to lose weight before the shoot, but that I had to keep losing it through the course of filming because I was playing this guy who is getting sicker day by day,” Kim said. “So it was more like filming a documentary.”

The drastic weight loss required not only following an extremely strict diet, but also getting as little shut-eye as possible, according to Kim. “I slept no more than two hours every day,” Kim said. “That lack of sleep brought about depression, and that in turn brought about less sleeping and less eating. When there were about 10 days left until the end of shooting, director Kim told me to stop losing weight, saying, ‘You may actually die if you keep going.’”

What troubled the actor more, however, were the side effects of his rapid weight loss. At times, the actor said, he fell unconscious and occasionally even “failed to recognize people.”

The film producers originally planned to make a dummy for Kim’s role and fix it up with the help of computer generated graphics. But they changed the plan when Kim actually shed about 10 kilograms in 20 days after shooting started.

“I didn’t want to turn to CG technology,” he said. “If I acted as if I was ill when I wasn’t actually sick, audiences wouldn’t be able to feel the pain the character suffers. Acting is an attractive job, but it is painful at the same time.Getting back to my original state has been harder than I expected.”

By Yang Sung-hee [spark0320@joongang.co.kr] via joongangdaily.joins.com

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September 28, 2009

Ryu Si-won Holds Fan Meeting in Gyeongju

▲ Ryu Si-won Receives Appreciation Plaque

Korean Wave star Ryu Si-won met with some 2000 fans from Japan, Hong Kong, China, Singapore, Taiwan and the U.S. on September 27 in the city of Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province.

Until recently, the actor typically held his meetings around the time of his birthday in Seoul, but this year he decided to hold a fan meeting in Gyeongju with the help of the North Gyeongsang provincial government, which has launched a campaign to attract foreign tourists to the region.

In a news conference that Ryu held prior to the fan meeting at the Hyundai Hotel in the Gyeongju Bomun Tourism Zone, the actor said his goal was to get married before he turned 40. The actor added that he was ready to go down the aisle as soon as he met his significant other. "I have few opportunities to meet with women because I have to work hard in Japan, and only meet with my male friends in Korea when I have free time," said Ryu.

On how he envisions his future wife, the actor said he liked feminine women who make him feel comfortable. He made everyone laugh by saying that he disliked career-driven and aggressive women, like the character Park Ki-ja who was played by Kim Hye-soo opposite Ryu in the TV series "Style."

On the reason he decided to hold a fan meeting in Gyeongju, Ryu said, "After holding my fan meetings in Seoul over the past three years, I wanted to present my overseas fans with a chance to sample Korean culture. That's why I picked Gyeongju. I was worried about the flu epidemic but we were able to hold this event without problems thanks to thorough preparations."

Ryu also thanked his fans for coming all the way to Gyeonju to meet with him. He said, "After this event, I'm going to rest for a couple of weeks before I fly to Japan to prepare for my concerts. I'll give eight concerts in four Japanese cities starting from November."

Ryu received an appreciation plaque from North Gyeongsang Province Governor Kim Kwan-yong and Gyeongju Mayor Baek Sang-seung for his contribution to publicizing North Gyeongsang Province to overseas tourists.

Source: KBS Global

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September 28, 2009

N. Korean authorities probing student's download of S. Korean blockbuster: defector group

SEOUL, Sept. 28 (Yonhap) -- A North Korean college student was recently arrested after watching a bootleg file of South Korean blockbuster "Haeundae" on his computer, leading the country's authorities to strengthen inspection to prevent further spreading of the movie among its people, an organization of North Korean defectors said Monday.

An illegal copy of the disaster flick, which drew more than 10 million viewers in the South as the fifth local movie to reach the milestone, was first found in a computer at a Pyongyang university earlier this month, triggering an extensive state probe, the North Korea Intellectuals Solidarity said in a news letter posted on its Web site.

The report quoted a "correspondent" in the North. North Korea imposes strict censorship on cultural materials and movies from overseas are widely prohibited.

Seoul police recently took three people into custody on charges of digital piracy after a copy of the big-budget movie was uploaded onto a South Korean file-sharing site last month. The file of the movie, sold to 24 countries including China and the United States, was downloaded hundreds of thousands of times within minutes, police had said.

"The arrested student downloaded the file onto a college computer and was caught by inspectors while watching it with a few of his dorm friends on Sept. 5," the news letter said, adding the student first downloaded the file at a relative's house in North Hamkyong Province. "According to the correspondent, it costs about 5,000 won to download a copy of 'Haeundae,'" the news letter added. A regular North Korean laborer receives an average monthly wage of about 3,000 won (US$2.50).

The inspection revealed tens of thousands of people in North Korea, with a population of 24 million, have secretly seen films made in South Korea and other countries, according to the defectors' group.

The digital copy of "Haeundae," about a fictional tsunami that hits a popular beach in the Korean port city of Busan, was first leaked by an audio technician, according to Seoul police, marking one of many digital theft cases in the country.

Credits: hayney@yna.co.kr

http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/culturespo...003100315F.HTML

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September 28, 2009

Actor Lee Byunghun Expanding Horizons

By Lee Hyo-won

Staff Reporter

Actor Lee Byung-hun

Lee Byung-hun continues to expand his horizons. After his "kimchi Western" flick "The Good, the Bad, the Weird" featured at the Cannes Film Festival last year, he made his Hollywood debut in "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra." In the fall he will appear in the U.S.-France joint production "I Come With the Rain," and his anticipated blockbuster TV soap "IRIS" will hit screens at the end of the year.

All these works were shot overseas. "I Come With the Rain" is particularly drawing much attention: directed by esteemed Vietnamese-French auteur Tran Ahn Hong, the movie stars Lee opposite Hollywood heartthrob Josh Hartnett and Japanese superstar Takuya Kimura. It will be screened at the 14th Pusan (Busan) International Film Festival (PIFF) next month before hitting theaters nationwide Oct. 15.

"I deliberated for a year for this piece," Lee was quoted as telling Yonhap News, explaining that "choosing this piece was an experiment." "When I first received the script I thought it was too abstract. I was afraid; I thought 'Would I be able to pull through when I don't fully understand the piece?' But how much would this world-renowned master director know about me? Just my name and maybe a couple of works I starred in. But I was curious about what strengths this director, who has no stereotyped opinion of me, sees in me, and how he would use me," said the 39-year-old.

Lee plays the role of Hong Kong mafia boss Su Dong-po. Los Angeles cop-turned-private eye Kline (Hartnett) travels to Hong Kong in search of a billionaire's missing son Shi tao (Kimura). Shi tao turns out to be with Su Dong-po's girlfriend Lili, and Su Dong-po, infuriated, sets out to catch Shi tao.

Lee said that the movie "has become a turning point" in his career. As someone who tends to wait for works that are "sure to move his heart and even stone bridges" he was able to be more open-hearted. "I was very curious but I couldn't accept the offer right away because I was afraid. `No, if I'm curious then let's face it head-on,' I told myself. I am an actor for life but I was also thinking how much longer I can work in my best condition," he said.

Lee said he was perplexed by the director, who had the actors direct their own acting. But once he became accustomed to it, he learned to appreciate the novel experience.

"The director was like, 'Do it as you like. If you move the camera will follow.' Even though this one scene was edited into just a five-second reel, I was dumbfounded having to act for one to two minutes without any direction. But once I got used to it I liked it," he said. Lee explained that he even shed tears as he immersed himself in the moment, but that part got cut out.

While Lee deliberated over "Rain" for over a year, it took him three months to decide to star in "G.I. Joe" and a month for "The Good, the Bad, the Weird." Unfortunately, the shooting for "Rain," which took place in Hong Kong, and "The Good…," set in China, coincided.

"Gosh… I just did it, but in retrospect I don't know how I did it. I thought it would be OK to fly back and forth since it's China and Hong Kong, but the Chinese set was in the desert so I had to transfer flights three times. Including the waiting time, it took 13 hours. The third time I travelled I came down with a terrible fever and had to visit a foreign hospital for the first time in my life," he said.

When asked if it was spiritually and physically draining to star in big budget movies, he said he did feel pressured but tried his best to overcome it. "But acting in smaller-scale movies doesn't lessen the amount of pressure or responsibility. On the other hand, it can be paralyzing to become obsessed with the idea that you're starring in a big-budget film. Freedom is the most important thing for an actor," he said.

"I did not intend on starring in big budget projects. I like to be free of such thoughts. Like my fans, I like to feel the anticipation and anxiety and face it head-on, about what piece I'll do next," he said.

Credits: hyowlee@koreatimes.co.kr

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September 29, 2009

S. Korean actor on Japanese daily newspaper

Sept. 29, TOKYO, Japan -- A Japanese daily newspaper displaying a full length picture of South Korean actor Bae Yong-joon is sold at Tokyo Dome Hotel on Sept. 29. Bae is visiting Japan on a promotion tour for the animation of "Winter Sonata," a drama through which he gained much popularity in Japan. (Yonhap) (END)

Source: yonhapnews.co.kr