[Drama 2003] All In 올인

[Guest its_GINALEE]

this drama was really good. i enjoyed it a lot.

LBH and SHG have this chemistry.. :sigh: too bad theyre not together anymore in real life.

i wanna watch this over but i dont think anyone has this in ysi or megaupload

AHHHHH. i miss this drama. brings back memories

[Guest Mrs. Lee]

Hahaha! The original strikes again!...Cha, been posting ur All In SCs huh?...been doing the same at the BD thread! although I'm a certified , here are some All In pics....I also like Kim Inha but still MY MINCHUL tops!

[churasan]

Yea! The All In thread! This is one of my favorite dramas, everyone I know who watched this drama totally got hoooked on it. This was probably my third Korean drama I watched when I started watching dramas and really got me interested in more Kdramas. I remember thinking that I was watching a really long movie rather than something that was made for TV because the storyline and the music was so good!

Thought I would contribute a few pics to this thread. I went to Cheju Island and took pictures of some All In stuff! I even bought one of those music boxes (the one that SGH gave LBH in the storyline)! The sales lady gave me a free postcard for buying it!

Picture of the windmills at Lotte Hotel!

The All In Bench! LBH sat on it in the drama (of course I sat on it too when I was there! )

Outside the casino at Lotte Hotel. (The casinos seemed so much bigger in the drama...)

The look out point at the Hyatt, SGH had a scene there.

The All In sign at the look out point!

[zashibear]

Yea! The All In thread! This is one of my favorite dramas, everyone I know who watched this drama totally got hoooked on it. This was probably my third Korean drama I watched when I started watching dramas and really got me interested in more Kdramas. I remember thinking that I was watching a really long movie rather than something that was made for TV because the storyline and the music was so good!

Thought I would contribute a few pics to this thread. I went to Cheju Island and took pictures of some All In stuff! I even bought one of those music boxes (the one that SGH gave LBH in the storyline)! The sales lady gave me a free postcard for buying it!

Churasan, your so lucky you got to visit all the impt. places of ALL IN in Cheju Island. So was it really like how we saw it in the series. I wish I could go to the places you visited. Thanks for sharing with us your memories. Your so lucky you have the music box as a keepsake. Did you go to the museum for ALL IN , they have one in the island right?

[Guest Mrs. Lee]

Churasan, you got all the luck! to be able to visit Cheju Island and was able to see sceneries in ALL IN. That's one place I hope I can visit someday! Another thing I like about All In is the scenes in Cheju!...It is really beautiful! and to be able to buy a replica of the music box! double WOW!

[rubie]

March 3, 2005

S. Korean Drama 'All In' to Be Aired in Russia
 

Source: yonhapnews.co.kr

SEOUL, March 3 (Yonhap) -- A Russian TV network will begin airing South Korea's popular drama series "All In" in the middle of this month, the South Korean Foreign Ministry said Thursday. 

The 24-episode series will be broadcast three times a week from March 14 to April 22 on Russia's NTV, the ministry said. 



March 4, 2005

Russian TV to Air Korean Drama 
 

Source: ArirangTV via chosun.com

A private Russian television network, NTV, is expected to air a popular Korean TV drama called "All In" starting mid-March. The 24-part mini series depicts the dramatic life of a gambler who faces fierce competition and eventually rises to fame in Las Vegas. The series had audience ratings of more than 50-percent when it was broadcast on one of Korea's terrestrial channels in 2003. 

Russia's NTV is set to air the series three times a week from March 14th. Seoul's Foreign Ministry said three other former Soviet countries, including Uzbekistan, Kazahkstan and Ukraine already aired the drama last year.

[Guest tuttyfruit]

i remember watching some of it.. but dont remember the story line.. whats the drama about?

[rubie]

This is an old All In related article shared at Lee Byung Hun's Korean homepage when the drama started shooting in December 2002. Our gatitude to Shirley for the translation at leebyunghun.com(the foreign board) from hotkorea.com.tw 25 Dec 2002

December 25, 2002

News of "All In" filming in LA 

Source: hotkorea.com.tw, gist by Shirley

News of Korea actor Lee Byung Hun faced with threats during filming were just released. While in LA for the filming of SBS All In, the crew were threatened by Mexican gangsters, for the purpose of collection protection money. 

All In production team have already been aware of the danger in filming in that area and hence requested for two police officers to accompany them on the filming. When the local gang heard of news of the filming, they requested directly to the production team to cast them as gangsters in the drama on the condition they will ensure their safety. 

However, when they reached the location, it was not the police but the gangster who are awaiting for the crew, all on their bikes and surrounded the production team and filming crew, the cast and crew immediately went into the car but the gangster have no intention of letting them off and the police officer never offered any assistance. 

The gangster shouted who has given them permission to film, and they will have to pay if they want to continue their work The production crew answered they have approval from LA authority. The gangster continue their harrasment and eventually the crew has to leave the location early. But after much consideration, the production crew returned the next day to continue, but this time, it was the police who are creating problems, with helicopters circling in the sky and bright lights shinning down, disrupting the shooting. 

"All In" personnel commented that it is really very frustrating that the police officer not only did not provide any assistance but obstruct their work, it is considered lucky that they can finish the shooting without much mishap. 

All In related articles copied from dotcom foreigner board via All In soompi.com

December 28, 2002

'All In' Breaking the drama boundaries with challenges of movie-filming

From Dailysports, translated by jonie at leebyunghun.com

A car racing in vast Grand Canyon, an excellent game at the casino of a super hotel in Las Vegas, watching sunrise at a great mention of Malibu beach, gunfighting with gangsters. Top star LBH (32) came back after he spent unforgettable one month in US.

LBH, who flew back home after finishing location of SBS TV Drama Special<ALL IN> in US, underwent great toil. He is about to faint from exhaustion. However, he is saying "it was a precious experience that I will never have again"

ALL IN starring LBH & SHK is 24 episode serial supposed to be aired from 15th of Jan next year. (note: 2003)

ALL IN modeled on Korean-American pro gambler Cha Minsoo. The story focuses on portrait of gamblers' life. The new drama series had been set with an ambitious goal as above budget 5 billion won for production and they spent half of budget for US location and tried to have great pictures.

They arranged the Casino of Hotel 'the Venetian' which is one of the most excellent hotel in Las Vegas for filming of gambling, and they planned a great scale of gunfighting.

Accordingly LBH has had hard time without break from 1 Dec.

LBH said "It was lucky if I could sleep 3 or 4 hours a day. 
As I was appearing at almost every scene and time was money in US,
I had to follow upon superman schedule." 
Actually BH seemed he lost much weight.

Saying "Pro gambler's life was really dramatic. I had a lot of experiences from filming at various places like from LA slum to the supreme hotel. I monitored between filming of scenes. We got all great pictures like movie. 

I had hard time physically but the great result gave me strength.", He smiled.

January 7, 2003

Extracted & translated from STAR interview on Donga-ilbo

Original article was posted on freeboard, translated by jonie at the foreign board-lbh.com

"I couldn't sleep more than 3 hours a day. 
As I tried to relieve my exhaustion by eating, I gained no less than 4kg.
But, I worry that I got flesh not on my face but around belly. ^^;;" 

Before filming, BH didn't know how to play poker at all.
It was all that he played 'GO-STOP' several times with his family on holidays.

"It was hard to start acting under the subject matter that I wasn't interested in. 
I think I still have a smattering of Kim Inha. 
I don't feel that I understood the role completely yet.
Experiencing gambling, it was kinda fun. I can understand a bit why people do gambling, but I still don't understand why people do it staying up all night."

An inevitable material at a casino is a cigarette. SBS promised to drop scenes of smoking from all drama aired from middle of last Nov. However, since ALL IN has been filmed from 17/Sept, there are somewhat smoking scenes from pre-taken parts.

"We will cut smoking scenes as many as possible while editing. 
For unavoidable scenes, we will ask for audience's consent under the subtitle. 
I fully understand the intention of broadcasting station. 
But, in the other hand, I feel that it seems too standardized."

[rubie]

All In 올인 2003

Kim In-ha (Lee Byung-heon) is an orphan and grows up with gambler Kim Chi-su. He falls in love with Min Su-yeon (Song Hye-gyo) and makes friends with Choi Jeong-won (Ji Seong), the son of hotelier Choi Do-hwan (Lee Deok-hwa). Jeong-won becomes In-ha's best friend, he meets In-ha's girlfriend Su-yeon, and falls in love with her.

 

 

In-ha is accused of murder by Jeong-won's father and makes an escape to the United States. In Las Vegas he meets a teacher of card games and becomes a professional gambler. After he wins the World Poker Championship, he returns to Korea to run a casino and hotel business. Back home, he contends for victory and success with his friend but rival, Jeong-won.

http://i35.tinypic.com/2u8j9z8.jpg

 

Complete introduction courtes il_mare at spcnet.tv

Kim In-ha: Lee Byung Hun (Beautiful Days)

Choi Jung-won: Ji Sung (Days in the Sun)

Min Su-yon (aka Angela): Song Hae Gyo (Autumn Tale)

Suh Jin-hee: Park Sol Mi (Winter Sonata)

Choi Do-hwan (Jung-won's dad): Lee Duk Hwa (Age of Warriors)

Yoon Hye-sun (Jung-won's mom): Sun Woo Eun Sook (Autumn Tale)

Kim Chi-soo (In-ha's uncle): Im Hyun Sik (Cinderella/Sweet Bear)

Lee Hyun-ja: Park Won Sook (Romance)

Chairman Suh Seung-don: Jo Kyung Hwan

Jenny (Korean girl in U.S.): Kim Tae Yeon

Yoo Jong-ku (In-ha's friend from prison): Huh Joon Ho (Hotelier)

Detective Park Tae-joon (In-ha's hometown friend): Choi Joon Yong (All About Eve)

Yoo Jung-ae (Hyun-ja's daughter): Choi Jung Won (Sweetheart)

Yim Dae-chi (Gang leader): Park Sang Myun (Shoot for the Stars/Her House/Bad Boys)

Yim Dae-soo (aka Shorty): Jung Yoo Suk

Director Sohn: Kim Ha Koon (Piano/Secret)

Manager Jang Mi-ran: Choi Ran (This Is Love)

Scriptwriter: Choi Wan Kyu l Producer: Yoo Chul Yong

Kim Chi-soo is a professional gambler a.k.a. hustler. He travels around cheap gambling dens with his young nephew Kim In-ha, gambling and hustling to make a living. In-ha grows up under such circumstances, and eventually ends up as a 'partner-in-crime' with his uncle. In-ha also picked up the skill of gambling, and as a young teenager, his hands became quicker than the eye. He has a bunch of friends and they are street kids who hang out in the poor area of Yong-doo Pu, committing petty crimes and getting into fights.

During one of Chi-soo and In-ha's narrow escapes from their usual gambling escapades, in the train on the way home, In-ha meets a girl named Su-yon. In-ha steals from the food cart, and is questioned by Su-yon for stealing. When they get off the train, Su-yon is robbed and loses her precious music box left behind by her dead mother.

Su-yon is travelling to the city to look for her father who works in a cinema screening movies. But she meets him just in time to see him get beaten up by gangsters over an unpaid loan. She moves in with her father in the cinema. Unknown to Su-yon, In-ha is the leader of the street kid gang who robbed her. Together with Yoo Jung-ae, the group are childhood friends. Jung-ae is in love with In-ha, but In-ha can't forget Su-yon whom he met in the train. The gang congregates in the basement of the same cinema that Su-yon's father works in. In-ha and Su-yon meet again in the cinema. In-ha returns the music box to Su-yon, but gets a slap across the face. In-ha is intrigued by Su-yon's reaction and tries to get close to her.

Chi-soo insists that In-ha return to school and stop hustling with him. While attending high school, he meets Choi Jung-won, the son of a wealthy businessman. Jung-won is the brightest student in class, but is a rebel within. Jung-won's father Choi Do-hwan is an unscrupulous businessman. Jung-won does not approve of his father's unorthodox and ruthless methods of doing business. He also feels ashamed that his father made use of his mother and himself to gather business favours (Choi Do-hwan brought his wife and son, and knelt down in front of his business benefactor Director Suh and his daughter to secure more business favours. On the same day Choi Do-hwan beat up a long-serving loyal employee over some mistakes he committed).

Despite their different family backgrounds, In-ha and Jung-won become quick friends. While hanging out together at the cinema (the cinema belongs to Jung-won's father), In-ha sees Su-yon's father being beaten by the gangsters again over his debts. Together with Jung-won, they fight off the gangster. But their elation is short-lived as one of In-ha's friends is captured by the gangsters to lure In-ha to show up. In-ha bravely ventures into the gangsters' den to rescue his friend. In order to exchange for his friend's freedom, In-ha agrees to gamble with the gangster and wins with his outstanding skills. Impressed by his capabilities, the leader of the gang Yim Dae-chi asks In-ha to work in one of his gambling den. In-ha refuses and is beaten up badly for his response. Unmoved by his attackers, In-ha is eventually released. He ends up at Su-yon's doorstep and passes out. Su-yon takes care of the injured In-ha, and they gain a deeper understanding of each other.

To help Su-yon's father repay his debts, In-ha begs his uncle to help Su-yon's father make money from gambling. Chi-soo reluctantly agrees, successfully sets up a gambling game, and makes money for Su-yon's father. Unfortunately, Su-yon's father is ambushed by the gamblers and is killed in the stuggle. Su-yon is then kidnapped by the loan sharks upon his death. In-ha, Jung-won and the gang organise an 'operation' to rescue Su-yon. While running away from the gang, one of In-ha's friends has to jump off a bridge to escape from his attacker. In the end, he is hospitalised and crippled for life.

To take revenge, In-ha and Jung-won decide to set fire to the gangster's warehouse. Unfortunately, the 2 teenagers do not know that Yim Dae-chi is sleeping in the warehouse, and kill him with their arson attack. On the day of Su-yon's father's funeral, In-ha and Jung-won are arrested for arson and manslaughter. Jung-won is cleared of all charges because of his father's intervention, but In-ha is stuffed with the entire crime and has to serve 7 years in jail. Jung-won visits In-ha in jail. Shortly after, Jung-won is sent to the US for his studies. Su-yon is taken in by the church under the care of a nun.

The story jumps to 7 years later, and Jung-won is going to complete his studies in the US. He meets Suh Jin-hee and recognise her immediately as Director Suh's daughter. They go out and both share their visions for the casino and hotel business in Korea. Jung-won also shares with Jin-hee about the 2 most humiliating moments in his life. One is when he had to leave his friend behind in jail, and when his father knelt down in front of Director Suh. Jin-hee recalls the incident. She gives Jung-won a kiss and asks him to forget the past.

Su-yon meanwhile grows up in an orphanage on Cheju Island, run by a group of nuns. She is training to be a nun. However, Su-yon realises that being a nun is not her calling, and requests to leave the orphanage. She is recommended by her guardian to Director Suh. She gets assigned to work in one of Director Suh's casinos on Cheju Island as a card dealer.

In-ha has also grown to be a young man in jail. He gets transferred to a new cell and befriends a fellow inmate, Yoo Jung-ku. In-ha notices that Jung-ku leaves the cell every night for a few hours. He realises that Jung-ku is actually a professional gambler, hired by another inmate Sang-du, a gangster leader, to gamble at night. Apparently, the guards are bribed to allow such activities to happen every night, and the respective leaders' henchmen in the outside world would do the settlement of the monies accordingly.

Jung-ku witnesses In-ha's gambling skills and asks him to help with an upcoming game against another hired gambler of another gangster leader. The opponent goes by the nickname of 'Shorty'. In-ha agrees and is shocked to find that his opponent is actually Yim Tae-soo, the younger brother of Yim Tae-chi the gangster leader who died in the warehouse fire.

In-ha manages to win the game, much to the pleasure of Sang-du. But Yim Tae-soo is furious to see In-ha again and vows revenge on his brother's death. In-ha completes his time in jail and is released. He reunites with his childhood gang friends. One of them, Park Tae-joon, is a policeman, but he is a crook cop who accepts bribes on the side. Jung-ae, Chi-soo, Hyun-ja and another of In-ha's friends work in the same nightclub owned by Jung-won's father. The crippled one works in the same cinema that they used to hang out as the poster man.

In-ha finds work with Jung-ku at a casino in Cheju Island as a security staff. In-ha tries to look for Su-yon at the orphanage, but finds out that she has left. Unknown to him, he is working in the same casino as Su-yon. Jung-won also returns from the States and joins the same casino under the employment of Director Suh. Jin-hee is posted to the same casino to work as a card dealer to learn the workings of the casino. Her identity is kept a secret to all in the casino. She ends up sharing the same room with Su-yon. The 4 lives will be changed forever with this reunion at the Jungmun casino.

Su-yon reunites with In-ha and soon after they become a couple. In-ha's gambling instincts is also recognised by Director Suh, and is quickly promoted to the position of Pit Boss in the casino. However, In-ha is constantly haunted by his feud with Yim Tae-soo. In the meantime, Jin-hee admits to Jung-won that she likes him, and would like him to be her boyfriend. She believes that with her wealth and his intelligence, their union will bring benefits to all and enable her father's casino empire to scale to greater heights. However, Jung-won refuses Jin-hee's love as he cannot forget the humiliation he felt 7 years ago.

Choi Do-hwan has his eyes set on the buy-out of another casino hotel, Sea World Hotel on Cheju Island, which Director Suh has already indicated his interest. He engages Sang-du to convince the respective shareholders of the casino to sell them his shares. Jung-won learns of his father's underhanded plans, and inevitably gets caught up in his plot. Sang-du conveniently decides to take a stake of the casino as well by devising a plan to be a shareholder. He tracks down In-ha to gamble for him and drip one of the key shareholder (Han Myung Jin) dry. In exchange, he will negotiate peace between Yim Tae-soo and In-ha (Sang-du is Yim Tae-soo's gang leader), Sang-du will also have Yim Tae-soo give up incriminating evidence of Detective Park's bribery acts. In-ha unwillingly agrees. However, when Han Myung Jin dies after his game with In-ha and Jung-ku, both are implicated by his death. Desperate and with no options, they start their lives as fugutive, and run away to the States for fear of being prosecuted by the law.

Choi Do-hwan succeeds in his takeover and snatches Sea World Hotel right under Director Suh's nose. Jung-won leaves Director Suh's employment to join his father in the new casino. Su-yon is left behind, without a word from In-ha, and heartbroken by his abandonment. Jung-won comforts Su-yon, and tries to woo her. But Su-yon can't forget In-ha and decides to leave Korea to further her studies on hotel management in the US.

In-ha and Jung-ku try to rebuild their lives as illegal immigrants in the US. In-ha manages to find employment as the security staff of a mafia boss in LA. Su-yon and In-ha meet again in the US for the second time. They get back together and want to get married, but on their wedding day, In-ha is shot by the enemies of the mafia boss and is left in a coma. Su-yon is told that In-ha died in the crossfire and she is once again heartbroken, and leaves the US.

In-ha wakes up from his coma after 8 months, and is crushed that he has once again let Su-yon down. In exchange for what he has done, the mafia boss agrees to release In-ha and Jung-ku from his employment. In-ha spends a long period of time mourning for his lost love. He calls Jung-won to let him know that he is alive, but is instead chided by Jung-won to be a letdown and that he does not have the right to love Su-yon anymore. While back in Korea, Director Suh and Jin-hee feel betrayed by Jung-won as he crossed over to work for his father. He manages to poach staff and customers from Jungmun casino and even orchestrates a successful takeover of Jungmun casino. Jung-won continues to shower Su-yon with attention and affection although she continues to mourn for In-ha. Eventually, Su-yon recovers from her mourning and seeks employment at Jungmun casino, which is now under the care of Jung-won.

Jenny and Jung-ku, unable to bear In-ha's self-destructing ways, decided to rejuvenate his interest in life with gambling. They engage a professional professor to teach In-ha the art of poker. With his natural instinct for gambling, it is not long before In-ha emerges as the poker champion in the Las Vegas World Champion poker competition, and begins his life as a professional gambler. His win is witnessed by Jin-hee, who happens to be in Las Vegas on a business trip. Jin-hee returns to Korea and tells Su-yon of her sighting, but Su-yon is not convinced that In-ha is alive.

Another professional gambler Michael Jang witnesses In-ha's skill. He is impressed with In-ha and tempts In-ha to participate in a game that will require staking his life. Intrigued, In-ha agrees and in the process returns to Korea where he inevitably heads for a show down with his childhood best friend, Jung-won.

 

March 2005: ALL IN FAN REVIEW

By Walesa J. Mercurio sokorean.com

"All In" is a realistic and commendable work of art. Life can be compared to a gambling wherein you have to take courageously all risks -- either you fail or succeed! What is important, you made a choice! You can't always be lukewarm and playsafe. All the risks you take in gambling are the same with the struggles in life you take to survive. Though All In's theme is gambling, neither does it patronizes nor criticizes gambling. Fair treatment though-- presented the pros and cons of gambling. Lesson that viewers could get: present struggles in life may turn you out to be good person; that is if you view struggles in a optimistic way. Same with gambling, you need to be knowledgeable about probabilities so you would perceive the consequences and make control of your remaining cards. This work of art -- taking risks, really is applicable to love life, business and the like. I really appreciated it!

 

I recommend that you buy a copy of "All In." After watching it, I lend it to my officemates and they've actually watched the whole episodes twice - - meaning it's really worth watching. The ending is good! Both the lead actor and actress end with each other arms after realizing that they love each other and can't live without the other. "All In" portrays the metaphors of life being compared to gambling. It's very realistic and full of lessons in life.

 

Drama Homepage: SBS

Producer: Yu Cheol-yong

Cast: Lee Byung-hun, Song He-gyo, Ji Seong, Pak Sol-mi

Broadcast: January 15, 2003 ~ April 3, 2003

Related links d-addicts.com l koreanwiz.org l CINE21 l wikipedia l koreandrama

On March 3, 2003, eighteen reporters from Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, and Thailand were in a bustle in Jeju International Airport. Why did they come to Jeju Island, one of the most beautiful places in Korea. The answer is All In, a special TV drama produced by SBS (Seoul Broadcast System) based on the true story of Cha Min-su, a pro gambler and a pro janggi(Korean chess) player. Mr. Cha is the model for the main character Kim In-ha, played by Lee Byung-hun. Mr. Cha has had an even more dramatic life than what was portrayed in the drama. He went to Las Vegas with only 18 dollars and became a millionaire. All In is a story about a passion for success, victory and defeat in business and at the casino, and a love sorrowful and pure. It was inspired by Mr. Cha's fiction-like life.

Lee Byung-hun plays an orphan who became a great pro gambler, and his sweetheart is Song Hye-gyo. These two make this drama extremely popular with a program rating of over 40 percent in Korea. They received hard training in Las Vegas and at a special casino in Korea. While making the film in Las Vegas the whole staff applauded their talents and hard work. Also, Jeju Island is in the news quite a bit these days and the All In drama sets there are becoming popular. Many tourists have already visited the sets at Seobjikoji and other studios, and more tourists are expected to come steadily. All In has already signed a contract with G-TV in Taiwan, and is hoping to be exported to I-TV in Thailand, Hong Kong and Singapore.

 

From ALEXBEAN.COM

THE STORY:

Kim In-ha was born to be a gambler. As a child he would travel around town with his uncle, a professional gambler who earns his living by hustling others. As his uncle's "partner-in-crime" In-ha quickly learned how to survive the streets, relying only on his street smarts and gambling skills. Along with his friends, he would commit petty crimes and engage in many fights. Then on one chance encounter in a train he meets Soo-yon, the love of his life.

In a way, Soo-yon's life is a little bit tragic as well. Soo-yon's mother had recently passed away and the only living relative she has remaining is her father who works in a theater as a film projectionist. When she first met to see her father, he was getting beaten up by a group of thugs over an unpaid loan. Seeing as she had nowhere else to go, she moves in with her father and helps out at the theater.

In-ha would frequent the theater to get closer with Soo-yon. One day, he happened to witness Soo-yon's father getting beaten up by a group of loan-sharks with Soo-yon caught in the middle. Enraged, In-ha fought off the attackers with the help of new best friend Choi Jung-won.

To help Soo-yon's father repay his debts, In-ha begs his uncle to help him out. His uncle agrees and in the end they were able to earn the money to cover the debts. But tragedy always have to happen. On the way home, Soo-yon's father was ambushed by gangsters and was killed in the process. Since Soo-yon's father was killed and the debt was left unpaid, the loan sharks kidnapped her as payment. Enraged, In-ha led a rescue attempt to save her, which resulted in one of his friend becoming crippled for life. As revenge, both In-ha and Jung-won decided to set fire to the gangster's warehouse. They were unaware that the leader, Dae-chi was still in the warehouse and accidentally killed him during their arson attack. Jung-won was clear of all his charges but In-ha was left to serve 7 years in prison for the crime. We then fast-forward to the future and we are revisited with the lives of In-ha, Soo-yon, and Jung-won again; this time played by actors Lee Byung Hun, Song Hae Gyo, and Ji Sung, respectively. The three are re-united, and that's when the story begins.

The show is about gambling and going "All In" by sacrificing everything you have for the one you love. There's a lot going on in this movie. It's about gangsters, mafia, politics, and corruption. There's a lot of fighting and deception in the show, but it's also a story about loyalty and love. Like any typical Korean drama there's the obligatory love-triangle. There was a fourth character played by Park Sol Mi of Winter Sonata fame, but her role was very minor. It's too bad because they could have fleshed out her character some more.

What I like about the show:

Lee Byung Hun and Song Hae Gyo. The two fell in love in real life during the filming but are now broken up. (a little useless information in my part) Lee Byung Hun is always good in all the roles that he plays and Song Hae Gyo is beautiful as always. I think that All In is a very inspirational show. Despite the unfortunate events the two leads go through, they remain true to one another. One great thing about All In is that the show isn't that predictable. Sure, we know that In-ha will eventually end up with Soo-Yon and the good guys will eventually win, but there were so many different sub-plots that the viewers do not know what will happen next. There's a lot of action in addition to the sappy romance and one can learn a thing or two about the harsh reality of business with all the politics and betrayals.

What I didn't like about the show:

I didn't really like the side stories with In-ha's uncle. It's meant as a comic relief, but with so much that is going on in the show it just became a nuisance watching him. His presence didn't really add anything to the story. There were some slow moments in the series, and it could have been two hours shorter if they hadn't repeated the key scenes so often. The biggest problem I have about the series is the horrible English subtitles!!! I know that it has nothing to do with the show, but it really irritates non-Koreans like me.

How do I rate this show?

Recommended. Go watch it. If you want to watch a drama series with a decent storyline, watch All In.

Credit: ALEXBEANS.COM

http://www.alexchang.org/allin_kds.htm

All In opening theme & closing (korean tv drama)

<object ><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5kUC4qUDf0?version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="640" height="390"></object>

All In MV

<object ><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuVDFLOytQI?version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="640" height="390"></object>

All In - Just Like the First Day

<object ><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JkK8moMn78?version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="640" height="390"></object>

[rubie]

 

January 2, 2003

'All In' stars gave new year's greeting with a 'Deep' Kiss

Source: Goodday, translated by jonie at leebyunghun.com

Lee Byung Hun and Song Hae Kyo loved each other in the drama, which is SBS drama special 'ALL IN' supposed to be aired from coming 15th of Jan, 2003. (Wed/Thurs 9:55pm). 

Their exotic and deep kiss on US location of December became an issue from beginning of New year. Both felt awkward before filming the kiss scene, but once camera worked, they changed perfectly and finished it at once without NG earning praises by staffs with a sigh of admiration ' They are really professional!!' Staffs who accompanied filming are confidently saying. "Both actors were so enthusiastic for their acting that their kiss will be different from what we have seen on TV drama so far"

For a month from end of Nov, going back and forth to LA and Las Vegas, LBH and SHK devoted themselves to filming. More than 70% of BH's role was taken by US location. LBH himself is estimating that he had the most hard time in his 12 year career as an actor. Especially he had a giddy experience that he landed on precipice of Grand Canyon with helicopter. 

ALL IN is based on pro gambler Cha Minsoo's biographical story and portrait friendship and rivalry between Inha(LBH) and Jeongwon(JS), romantic love with Sooyeon.

Headed by top star LBH and SHK, ALL IN is an all star-cast such as Ji Sung, Park Sol Mi, Kim Tae Yeon, Yoomin etc.

 

[Guest jenesepas]

I like LBH in the scene where he came home after drinking and michael jang's sister was waiting for him and he asked her to seduce him . He was kinda cool

[churasan]

Churasan, your so lucky you got to visit all the impt. places of ALL IN in Cheju Island. So was it really like how we saw it in the series. I wish I could go to the places you visited. Thanks for sharing with us your memories. Your so lucky you have the music box as a keepsake. Did you go to the museum for ALL IN , they have one in the island right?

I didn't go to the All In Museum, I think maybe it wasn't opened yet when I went because I don't remember seeing any ads for it. I posted pictures of the Music Box. I think I paid like twenty dollars for it, it's actually made out of plastic and came with LBH's pic in it (kinda touristy, huh? ). But when I saw it, I had to have it! It plays the same song as the one in the drama does.

I figured this was a rare souvenir, so I'm glad I bought it!

[Guest gbk]

One Of My Two Favorite Dramas Of SHK<3

What's The Future For ClUbBoX?

[rubie]

FAN REVIEW

"All In" is a realistic and commendable work of art. Life can be compared to a gambling wherein you have to take courageously all risks -- either you fail or succeed! What is important, you made a choice! You can't always be lukewarm and playsafe. All the risks you take in gambling are the same with the struggles in life you take to survive. Though All In's theme is gambling, neither does it patronizes nor criticizes gambling. Fair treatment though-- presented the pros and cons of gambling. Lesson that viewers could get: present struggles in life may turn you out to be good person; that is if you view struggles in a optimistic way. Same with gambling, you need to be knowledgeable about probabilities so you would perceive the consequences and make control of your remaining cards. This work of art -- taking risks, really is applicable to love life, business and the like. I really appreciated it!

I recommend that you buy a copy of "All In." After watching it, I lend it to my officemates and they've actually watched the whole episodes twice - - meaning it's really worth watching. The ending is good! Both the lead actor and actress end with each other arms after realizing that they love each other and can't live without the other. "All In" portrays the metaphors of life being compared to gambling. It's very realistic and full of lessons in life.

Commented by Walesa J. Mercurio at SoKorean.com, March 2005.

[Guest LuvSHK]

FAN REVIEW

"All In" is a realistic and commendable work of art. Life can be compared to a gambling wherein you have to take courageously all risks -- either you fail or succeed! What is important, you made a choice! You can't always be lukewarm and playsafe. All the risks you take in gambling are the same with the struggles in life you take to survive. Though All In's theme is gambling, neither does it patronizes nor criticizes gambling. Fair treatment though-- presented the pros and cons of gambling. Lesson that viewers could get: present struggles in life may turn you out to be good person; that is if you view struggles in a optimistic way. Same with gambling, you need to be knowledgeable about probabilities so you would perceive the consequences and make control of your remaining cards. This work of art -- taking risks, really is applicable to love life, business and the like. I really appreciated it!

I recommend that you buy a copy of "All In." After watching it, I lend it to my officemates and they've actually watched the whole episodes twice - - meaning it's really worth watching. The ending is good! Both the lead actor and actress end with each other arms after realizing that they love each other and can't live without the other. "All In" portrays the metaphors of life being compared to gambling. It's very realistic and full of lessons in life.

Commented by Walesa J. Mercurio at SoKorean.com, March 2005.

Hi Rubie, Well present. It is SHK that draw me to watch ALL IN. I must agreed, GET a copy and watch it again and again.

[Guest shred]

welcome to the thread piper, pajnra, GINALEE, Tim (gbk), tuttyfruit and LuvSHK!

Yea! The All In thread! This is one of my favorite dramas, everyone I know who watched this drama totally got hoooked on it. This was probably my third Korean drama I watched when I started watching dramas and really got me interested in more Kdramas. I remember thinking that I was watching a really long movie rather than something that was made for TV because the storyline and the music was so good!

Thought I would contribute a few pics to this thread. I went to Cheju Island and took pictures of some All In stuff! I even bought one of those music boxes (the one that SGH gave LBH in the storyline)! The sales lady gave me a free postcard for buying it!

Outside the casino at Lotte Hotel. (The casinos seemed so much bigger in the drama...)

churasan thank you for sharing your ALL IN Tour pics with us! you're soooooo lucky!!!! i'm hooked on the drama's OST as much as you are - loved every track of it! and eeeee you got the ALL In music box .... *turns green with envy*

I like LBH in the scene where he came home after drinking and michael jang's sister was waiting for him and he asked her to seduce him . He was kinda cool

hi jen! were you talking about this scene?

if i remember it correctly, she wasn't michael jang's sister though. i think she only works for him. i'm having an ALL IN short-term amnesia but yes Kim In Ha kept his cool. he's such a faithful guy

another seducing scene: (more like friends goofing off, maybe? heh)

[Guest shred]

Synopsis and Filming Locations of All In from tour2Korea.com

http://english.tour2korea.com/02Culture/TV...sm=m2_6&konum=1

On March 3, 2003, eighteen reporters from Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, and Thailand were in a bustle in Jeju International Airport. Why did they come to Jeju Island, one of the most beautiful places in Korea? The answer is All In, a special TV drama produced by SBS (Seoul Broadcast System) based on the true story of Cha Min-su, a pro gambler and a pro janggi(Korean chess) player. Mr. Cha is the model for the main character Kim In-ha, played by Lee Byung-hun. Mr. Cha has had an even more dramatic life than what was portrayed in the drama. He went to Las Vegas with only 18 dollars and became a millionaire. All In is a story about a passion for success, victory and defeat in business and at the casino, and a love sorrowful and pure. It was inspired by Mr. Cha's fiction-like life.

Before this drama came on the air, East Asians were interested in the main actress Song Hye-gyo and actor Lee Byung-hun.

Lee Byung-hun plays an orphan who became a great pro gambler, and his sweetheart is Song Hye-gyo. These two make this drama extremely popular with a program rating of over 40 percent in Korea. They received hard training in Las Vegas and at a special casino in Korea. While making the film in Las Vegas the whole staff applauded their talents and hard work.

Also, Jeju Island is in the news quite a bit these days and the All In drama sets there are becoming popular. Many tourists have already visited the sets at Seobjikoji and other studios, and more tourists are expected to come steadily. All In has already signed a contract with G-TV in Taiwan, and is hoping to be exported to I-TV in Thailand, Hong Kong and Singapore.

Detailed Information

Drama Homepage : http://tv.sbs.co.kr/allin/(kor)

Producer: Cheolyong Yu

Cast : Lee Byung-hun, Song He-gyo, Ji Seong, Pak Sol-mi

Broadcasting company: SBS / January 15, 2003 ~ April 3, 2003

Synopsis

Kim In-ha (Lee Byung-heon) is an orphan and grows up with gambler Kim Chi-su. He falls in love with Min Su-yeon (Song Hye-gyo) and makes friends with Choi Jeong-won (Ji Seong), the son of hotelier Choi Do-hwan (Lee Deok-hwa). Jeong-won becomes In-ha's best friend, he meets In-ha's girlfriend Su-yeon, and falls in love with her.

In-ha is accused of murder by Jeong-won's father and makes an escape to the United States. In Las Vegas he meets a teacher of card games and becomes a professional gambler. After he wins the World Poker Championship, he returns to Korea to run a casino and hotel business. Back home, he contends for victory and success with his friend but rival, Jeong-won.

Locations

I highly recommend to click the link above - it has photos of the hotels and other locations used in Jeju Island

Interviews with Lee Byung Hun

Taiwan press corps.

Q： You are a pro gambler in this drama. Do you have talent for gambling?

A： I didn't know how to gamble - only learned for this drama.

Q： I heard that 《All In》has the highest popularity rating for a TV drama. What is the main reason?

A： I really appreciate it. The main reason is the ability and the efforts made by our director and the writer. Also I believe the story is very interesting, based on a true story. The actors also worked very hard.

Q： You are very handsome actor with good acting ability. What do you say about that?

A： (Smile) When I was young I thought I was a good-looking guy. I don't believe that any more. But I do think I'm a charming person. Thank you for saying so.

Q： Do you have any plan to visit to Taiwan?

A： I have been Taiwan once for my movie JSA, and would like to go again if I get a chance.

Q：《All In》 will be telecast in Taiwan. Do you have any wish about that?

A： I hope it is not dubbed in Taiwan because dubbing cannot transmit an actor very well. Though it is not easy to read subtitles, I hope it they subtitle the film instead of dubbing.

Q： Could you say hello to your Taiwan fans?

A： I am really grateful for my fans in Taiwan. I do hope you all enjoy and love 《All In》.

Hong Kong press corps.

Q： How do you feel about acting with an actress Hye-gyo Song?

A： She is very pretty and I worried a little about acting with her, but after we did the scenes together, my worries blew away.

Q： What kind of woman type do you like?

A： I don't have any particular type. My type can change when I meet a lovely woman. I guess I like to be comfortable with a woman as my best friend.

Q： What do you think about Hye-gyo song?

A： She is very mature woman in character. Sometimes I feel she is more mature than I, even though I'm older.

Q： Would you like to come to Hong Kong?

A： I haven't finalized any plans, but I do have friends in Hong Kong. It will be fun to go there.

Q： I heard All In is a very popular program in Korea. Is there any possibility of continuation of the drama? A: No, there isn't

Singapore press corps.

Q： I heard that during filming there is very little time.

A： I didn't sleep for four days once. I asked my mom to pack my stuff, picked it up at the airport, and took off for the USA. I was finally able to sleep on the flight. When I watched my own acting, I couldn't remember everything I had done!

Q： What did your mom say?

A： She said that it was hard to understand why that happened to us. (Smile)

Q： In the move you are accused of murder. Do you have any real life experience of being disgraced unfairly?

A： Sure, many times -I was misunderstood to have passed gas in an elevator (smile). But never anything serious.

Q： You have a fan club in Singapore. Do they have any effect on you?

A： Yes, I think about my fans a lot. Thanks very much.

Q： Did you ever go to movie with your fans?

A： Yes. I feel responsible to them to act as well as I can. But sometimes I acted thoughtlessly because I was so busy. It feels sorry for that.

Q： Have you ever felt seriously in love, as in this story?

A： Yes, in fact I have.

Q： Will you make your debut abroad?

A： I hope so. Now, I try to do my best here in Korea. Later I can think about acting abroad.

Q： Many scenes were filmed on Jeju-do Island. Where was your favorite place?

A： It took all our time to film, and we were limited in being able to tour around. One my favorite places, though, was Seobjikoji. This is a wonderful place, very cool. I felt refreshed there.

Thailand press corps.

Q： In Thailand Korean music and drama have begun to be known over the last two years. How do you feel about that?

A： I am impressed that even though Koreans and Thai share different cultures and language, we can enjoy the same works and music.

Q： We are supposed to import 《All In》. What do you think?

A： Why don't we talk about that after it happens? (Smile) 《All In》 is a big scale drama about man's life. It is kind of love story, but it is different from boy-meets-girl story such as Gyeulyeonga (Winter Sonata) and Gaeuldonghwa (Autumn in My Heart). If Thais like a big-scale drama, I'm sure you will like it. I hope you will love this drama.

source: http://english.tour2korea.com/02Culture/TV...sm=m2_6&konum=1

[Guest llxaNnExo12ll]

All In best-scene clips

http://www.leebyunghun.com/gallery/all_in/vod/best_1.wmv

http://www.leebyunghun.com/gallery/all_in/vod/best_2.wmv

http://www.leebyunghun.com/gallery/all_in/vod/best_3.wmv

http://www.leebyunghun.com/gallery/all_in/vod/best_4.wmv

http://www.leebyunghun.com/gallery/all_in/vod/best_5.wmv

http://www.leebyunghun.com/gallery/all_in/vod/best_6.wmv

Credits to www.leebyunghun.com

omg thxx so much..i absolutely loooove this drama even though its about 3 years old soon..watching the scenes again makes me feel sooooo happy its making me sad ..lol that didnt make sense but wowww..this drama is too good~ xD

[Guest genna]

All In is the first drama I saw LBH in. I was amazed, furthermore, it was him and this drama that introduced me to the Korean world. Heheh seriously. I was never interested in Korean television series, but it was something about LBH that had me addicted. I never would have guessed that when I finished this drama I would have fallen in love with him. I'm really happy to have been lucky enough to see this drama and had not let it slip pass me. =)

[Guest s3rene]

I am watching this drama right now and I have to admit that it is really good. LBH and SHG are such a great couple and have amazing chemistry. I feel sad that they are not a couple anymore even though they should have stayed together. At first, I did not really like LBH's role since he is too violent and ugly, but later I started to like him. SHG is also pretty in this drama and I love every scenes of her with LBH.