[Movie 2015] Memories of The Sword 협녀 : 칼의 기억

rubie · July 25, 2015

July 24, 2015

‘Memories of the Sword’ set to join summer box office battle

“Memories of the Sword” is set to hit the big screen next month, intensifying summer box office competition with “Assassination,” “Veteran,” “The Beauty Inside” and the Hollywood blockbuster “Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation.”

Starring a stellar ensemble cast of actor Lee Byung-hun, actresses Jeon Do-yeon and Kim Go-eun and directed by Park Heung-sik, the film is a martial arts epic about a man of humble beginnings (Yu-baek, played by Lee) who uses his swordsmanship and cunning betrayal to gain power in the royal court.

Years after his initial betrayal, he is hunted by two women who were victims of his actions -- the blind swordswoman Wol-so (Jeon) and her protege Hong-yi (Kim), who trains herself to take revenge on her parents’ killers.

The film has been creating a buzz not only for its all-star cast but also because it is the first domestic film starring Lee Byung-hun since a scandal. Last year, the actor was blackmailed by two young women who taped him allegedly making inappropriate comments to them and behaving untowardly.

The movie was initially slated for release last December, but had to be pushed back due to the backlash from Lee’s scandal.

(From left) Lee Byung-hun, Jeon Do-yeon, Kim Go-eun and director Park Heung-sik of "Memories of the Sword" pose for press at Lotte Cinema Konkuk University, Friday. (Yonhap)

“To be honest, I’m not a fan of martial arts epics,” Lee said at a news conference in Seoul on Friday ahead of the film’s Aug. 13 release. Adding that he did not want to do another historical film after “Masquerade” (2012) because of the difficulties stemming from historical makeup and costumes.

“But when I read the script, I loved the story. It has very strong drama.”

Actress Jeon agreed with Lee. “The drama was very appealing. I thought of it as a melodrama, because although Wol-so devotes her life to finding justice, she could not have been so determined if she hadn’t been in love.”

The action in the film is intense -- actress Kim said she had to do wire action on every one of her 80 days of filming -- but according to director Park, the true appeal of the film is in its characters.

“I thought that martial arts movies needed more density in their narrative,” Park said. “I paid more attention to the narrative in this film.”

“The audience will enjoy the film just watching the excellent performances of these three actors,” he added.

Jeon and Kim are two of the most sought-after actresses in Korea, both having made an appearance at the Cannes Film Festival this year for “The Shameless” and “Coin Locker Girl,” respectively.

By Won Ho-jung (hjwon@heraldcorp.com)

rubie · July 25, 2015

Source: The Chosun Ilbo

July 25, 2015

Actress Jeon Do-yeon attend a press junket for her new film in Seoul on Friday.

rubie · July 25, 2015

Source: The Chosun Ilbo

rubie · July 25, 2015

July 25, 2015

Jeon Do Yeon talks about difficulties that she had while playing as a blind person in her new film

Source: STARN News

On July 24th, press conference for new film 'Swords Women' was held at Lotte Cinema Konkuk University branch, which is located in Jayangdong, Seoul.

Jeon Do Yeon played in 'Swords Women' as a female blind warrior named Wol So, who devotes her life to restoration of justice and revenge.

Jeon Do Yeon said, "When I just started shooting the film, I forgot that blind people do not blink, and the head director reminded me about it."

Jeon Do Yeon continued, "I understood what he told me, but it was very difficult to intentionally not blink my eyes."

Jeon Do Yeon went on, "The director just told me that I have done a perfect job, but that means that I succeeded in not blinking my eyes, not that I have done a wonderful performance."

Meanwhile, the official trailer of movie 'Swords Women' has surpassed one million views just in four days recently, and the full movie will be officially released on August 13th.

/Reporting by Lee Mi-Ji en@starnnews.com

rubie · July 25, 2015

July 25, 2015

Jeon Do Yeon tells that Lee Byung Hun punished her for poor action scenes

Source: STARN News

On July 24th, press conference for new film ‘Swords Women’ was held at Lotte Cinema Konkuk University branch, located in Jayangdong, Seoul.

During the conference, actress Jeon Do Yeon, who played as a female lead role, said, “Lee Byung Heon taught me a lot about action scenes. It was a shame, because I went through the highest amount of rehearsals before each take.”

She continued, “Lee Byung Heon asked me if I have practiced properly, and I spent so many hours while practicing alone.”

Lee Byng Heon said, “Now, people might think that I am some kind of an action expert. I had a lot of difficulties as well.”

Lee Byung Heon continued, “A stunt told me that he was very disappointed in my action scenes, and I started getting even more anxious.”

Meanwhile, the official trailer of movie 'Swords Women' has surpassed one million views just in four days recently, and the full movie will be officially released on August 13th.

/Reporting by Lee Mi-Ji en@starnnews.com

rubie · July 25, 2015

July 24, 2015

Lee Byung Hun Apoologizes For His Actions And Delay Of His Film

BY Adrienne Stanley | KDramaStars.com

On July 24, actor Lee Byung Hun made his first public appearance following an alleged blackmail scandal which began in September 2014.

The 45-year-old star stood alone for three minutes, during a press conference for his upcoming film, "Memories of the Sword." He bowed before members of the media, who were in attendance, and maintained a somber expression through most of the event.

During the event, which was held at the Lotte Cinema in Gwangjin Gu, Lee was questioned about the delay of "Memories of the Sword." Transcripts from his statement were included in a report published by the Korea Times.

"The film was initially scheduled for an earlier release date," said Lee. "But because of the atmosphere and other circumstances, the film is showing now. This is largely because of me."

He went on to apologize to his co-stars and those who were involved in the production of the film. "I want to apologize to the [other] actors and concerned parties."

In an article published by TV Report, the actor provides further insight into his sentiments about his recent scandal and its potential effects on attendance for "Memories of the Sword." "This is a time of reflection," said Lee. "I will be handling the criticism on my own."

Lee continued to discuss the potential of the film, as it is now released in a summer market.

"Memories of the Sword" is the first Korean release from the actor since the blackmail scandal, following his Hollywood film "Terminator Genisys."

Legal woes for the star began in September 2014 when Dahee, a member of defunct girl group GLAM and model Lee Ji Yeon, allegedly blackmailed him for a large sum of money. Lee and his wife, actress Lee Min Jung, resided within the United States for the majority of the trial.

Lee Byung Hun issued a public apology to his family, upon his return to Korea. Lee Min Jung delivered their first child on March 31, 2015.

rubie · July 25, 2015

July 25, 2015

[Photo] Lee Byung Heon at press conference for new film 'Swords Women'

Source: STARN News

On July 24th, press conference for new film 'Swords Women' was held at Lotte Cinema Konkuk University branch, which is located in Jayangdong, Seoul.

Lee Byung Heon attended the conference with Kim Go Eun and Jeon Do Yeon.

Meanwhile, the official trailer of movie 'Swords Women' has surpassed one million views just in four days recently, and the full movie will be officially released on August 13th.

/Reporting by Kim Dong-Joo en@starnnews.com

rubie · July 25, 2015

Lee Byung-hun Contrite about His Involvement in Blackmail Scandal

Posted on July 24, 2015 by Korea Bizwire

Actor Lee Byung-hun apologizes over blackmail scandal (image courtesy of Yonhap)

SEOUL, July 24 (Korea Bizwire) – Actor Lee Byung-hun made a public apology Friday for causing trouble over a blackmail case in his first public appearance here since the scandal emerged.

“It’s all thanks to your attention that I was able to live as an actor,” Lee said in a trembling voice during a press conference to promote the Korean period action film, “Memories of the Sword.”

“I understand more than before how pressing this matter is, as I spend time repenting for so greatly disappointing you.”

In September, Lee was blackmailed by two women demanding that the actor pay them 5 billion won (US$4.28 million) in exchange for not uploading online a video clip allegedly showing the three of them drinking and making sexual remarks.

Lee won a lawsuit as the court gave the blackmailers a suspended jail term. But he could not escape from the public criticism that he behaved inappropriately as a married man.

“I know very well that a few apologies or time can never help dispel disappointment,” he said, vowing steady efforts to change his ways.

Set in the turbulent late years of the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392), the martial arts film depicts the story of a master swordsman, who becomes a man of supreme power through acts of betrayal, and the two swordswomen seeking revenge on him 18 years later.

Lee plays the ambitious and traitorous man named Yubaek in the film directed by Park Heung-sik, best known for “I Wish I Had a Wife” (2000) and “My Mother, the Mermaid” (2004).

Lee currently is filming a Hollywood remake of the classic 1960 western film “The Magnificent Seven” with Denzel Washington, Chris Pratt, Ethan Hawke and Wagner Moura.

“Memories of the Sword” was originally scheduled to open last December or January, but the blackmail scandal delayed the opening to Aug. 13.

Also starring actresses Jeon Do-yeon and Kim Go-eun, the movie has drawn attention for being the first film starring both Lee and Jeon since “The Harmonium in My Memory” in 1998. It cost as much as 9 billion won, excluding marketing expenses, to produce “Memories of the Sword.”

Asked about his reasons for being in the film, Lee said its compelling plot led him to choose the script.

“Actually, I don’t like the martial-arts genre,” he said. “But I became fascinated with the story soon after reading the script. The movie’s element of a strong drama moved me.”

Jeon, an internationally acclaimed actress, said it was really difficult to play the blind character Weolso because she was not allowed to blink while acting.

“Before filming, I didn’t know that a blind person doesn’t blink or move their pupils, but I learned this while shooting.”

Park said he is confident the movie will become a box-office sensation this summer.

“Just seeing the three stars acting together would make it quite interesting. I’m sure of it,” he said.’

(Yonhap)

rubie · July 25, 2015

Photo credit: stnews_

rubie · July 26, 2015

Source: TV Daily

From Section TV interview

rubie · July 27, 2015

Can't find the clip on YT to post & share here but fret not.

Please watch the 'Section TV' Interview with Lee Byung Hun, Jeon Do Yeon and Kim Go Eun regarding 'Memories of The Sword' HERE.

Thank you to the fans sharing this. We really appreciate it very much.

Source: imbc

rubie · July 27, 2015

July 23, 2015

No More Hollywood: Big 4 Korean Films in Summer War
Assassination, Veteran, Memories of the Sword, and The Beauty Inside at the Starting Line.

by Ha Sung-tae / KoBiz

Korean cinema in the first half of 2015 was certainly in a crisis. It was quite different from the usual “crisis panic” that emerges every time Korean film shares drop. It was much more tangible this time due to issue of downward-standardization of Korean commercial films.

The only two films to have attracted more than 3 million viewers were Detective K: Secret of the Lost Island and Twenty. Gangnam Blues, The Chronicles of Evil and The Classified File narrowly met the break-even point with 2 million viewers.

According to the Korean Film Council (KOFIC) report on ‘Korean cinema in May 2015’, the share of Korean films in the first 5 months of the year was 43%. It may seem like only a 3% decrease compared to last year, but if examined closely, it is apparent that this figure owes greatly to the success of Ode to My Father, referred to as a “10 million viewer film,” which was released in December 2014.

Still, some maintain that the sense of crisis is over exaggerated, and argue that the 'Big Four' may sweep the box office in July and August.

Starting with Assassination by CHOI Dong-hoon to be released on the July 22nd (distributed by Showbox), Veteran on the August 5th (distributed by CJ Entertainment), Memories of the Sword on the August 13th (distributed by Lotte Entertainment), and lastly, The Beauty Inside on August 20th (distributed by New Entertainment World), all four will be released during this period, to fight the assumption of so called the “crisis” of Korean cinema.

Let us check out the central selling points of these Big 4 films that the Big 4 distributors are making every effort to promote.

Assassination: Splendid cast, Even More Splendid Action

Could there be any more attractive tag-line than "the next film by CHOI Dong-hoon of The Thieves“? At least in Korea, CHOI is one of the rare directors whose work has been successful both commercially and critically. His films are very engaging for viewers and, at the same time very well made in terms of dramatic completeness. This 18 billion won (USD 15.6 million) budget film by CHOI got its inspiration from a photo of the National Independence Army in the 1930s.

CHOI said in an interview that he tried to focus on “the people who are not different from us, but had to live differently to follow their beliefs in the historically tragic time.” Unlike Tazza: The High Rollers, which was a noir, or The Thieves, which was a caper movie, Assassination is distinctively different from his previous films. Here, CHOI attempts to deliver a more focused theme and serious drama, dealing with s revenge plot by an assassination team under Japanese Occupation.

To be sure, the splendid cast and their splendid acting are also at the center of attention for this film. Gianna JUN, the muse for CHOI since The Thieves, shows her superb presence as the leading female gear of the film. LEE Jung-jae, HA Jung-woo, OH Dal-su, CHO Jin-woong, and CHOI Duk-mun certainly live up to their name value as well.

The open studio in Shanghai which runs as large as 1,980,000㎡ Mitsukoshi Department Store and the old streets of Seoul built in Goyang city, are all great settings for splendid action to attract viewers. With all these strong points, Assassination is already expected to garner “at least 10 million viewers” even before release.

Veteran: Cool, Thrilling and Fun!

In 2011, RYOO Seung-wan practically made a grand slam of major awards at the 32nd Blue Dragon Awards with his film, The Unjust, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Script. RYOO is now back two years after his film,The Berlin File , was viewed by more than 7 million. Veteran has quite a few similarities with The Unjust. RYOO confesses that he himself sees “quite a bit of relation between the two films, as if they were different sides of the same coin.“

According to the director, “while The Unjust tells a story of those defeated by power, Veteran shows their resistance against power.” To be sure, the vivid dichotomy of police vs “chaebol” is pretty much the same as in The Unjust. Whereas RYOO Seung-bum’s prosecutor is replaced by YOO Ah-in’s third generation chaebol, the police role is still played by HWANG Jung-min. And this duel between the two main characters is supported by YOO Hae-jin, OH Dal-su, JANG Yoon-joo, KIM Si-hoo and so on.

It is also good news that the action scenes are further strengthened thanks to JUNG Doo-hong, the best known martial art and action director in Korea, who helped build the reputation of RYOO as an “action specialist”. If The Unjust can be classified as a social noir, Veteran is promoted as a crime-entertainment-action film. In RYOO’s words: “I wanted it to be cool, thrilling and entertaining like a refreshment.” It is expected to be his brightest and most upbeat entertainment movie, and to be a quite a success in theaters along with Assassination.

Memories of the Sword: A Korean Style Martial Art Movie

Memories of the Sword is certainly an eye catcher. First of all, it is a martial art action drama whose genre has rarely been attempted in Korean cinema. It would be already enough to attract movie goers to feature JEON Do-yeon, LEE Byung-hun and KIM Go-eun in martial arts action, which, until now, could only be found in foreign films like KING Hu’s A Touch of Zen, LEE Ang’s Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon or Hero by ZHANG Yimou.

“In the last years of Koryo Dynasty where the sword is power itself; a man who dreamt of being a King turned into a traitor; and 18 years later, two swords are pointed at him. Three swordsmen with different paths and their inevitable destiny.“ is the tag-line. Among the notable features of the film is wire action. The teaser film demonstrates more audience friendly emotional acting that differs from the Chinese style. '

The performance of action scenes and the display of emotion by JEON Do-yeon who proved herself one more time in The Shameless and KIM Go-eun who was in the center of attention again in Coin Locker Girl are also noteworthy. The actress-geared Korean style martial art action genre is certainly interesting for many people. Could Memories of the Sword open a new landscape in the Korean style martial art action genre?

The Beauty Inside: The star of Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity becomes a movie

Lastly, The Beauty Inside is based on the Intel-Toshiba joint funded social film The Beauty Inside, which made a huge impact on the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity three years ago. This social film runs 40 minutes in total and consists of 6 episodes, featuring a man who transforms into different personas everyday. This unique theme was told in a sympathetic narrative and won the heart of numberless people in the CF business worldwide in 2012. Director BAIK (real name: BAIK Jong-yeol), who has an ongoing reputation of sensitive and sensual directing in the CF business, has turned it into a feature film with the same title.

Interestingly, The Beauty Inside might as well be referred to as an “actor blockbuster.” To play the role Woo-jin who totally transforms into different appearances every morning, as many as 21 actors and actresses have been invited. From rookies to top stars, including a Japanese actress Ueno Juri, along with PARK Shin-hye, CHUN Woo-hee, LEE Beom-su, LEE Jin-wook, KIM Joo-hyuk, YOO Yeon-seok, and KO Asung, they all agreed to be in the movie as they were fascinated by the unique idea and script.

BAIK explains that he thought hard whether to extend and change the original, but then he finally decided to keep the original as it is and just add some more episodes. Whereas the original focuses on the ways in which a man falls in love, BAIK added other stories to it.

The Beauty Inside is drawing attention thanks to the unique theme, sensual frames, a whole variety of actors and their unique performance. it is also the only work among the Big 4 that has a distinctive love story, adding some variety to the field of other big movies geared to action and blockbuster style.

rubie · July 28, 2015

July 28, 2015

Memories of The Sword:

Unpublished stills of Lee Byung Hun - Jeon Do Yeon - Kim Go Eun

Source: TV Report

rubie · July 28, 2015

July 28, 2015

‘Memories of the Sword’ reveals new promotional photos

Source: Kpop Fighting

Upcoming South Korean movie ‘Memories of the Sword’ (director: Park Heung Sik) has today, released three new photos of Lee Byung Hun, Jeon Do Yeon, and Kim Go Eun who are headlining.

The movie is set during the waning years of the Goryeo Dynasty, where a man betrays his comrades in order to become king, and facing his destiny 18 years later as his comrade seeks revenge on him for what has happened previously.

In the first photo, Yoo Baek (Lee Byung Hun) is the most powerful man in the country now, but uncertainty is etched all over his face. Yoo Baek was the leader of the riot 18 years ago, but succumbs to the desire of power, and betrays his comrades and the people. Despite having everything now, what frustrations does he hold now?

In the second photo, Wol So (Jeon Do Yeon) lives on for the desire to have her revenge on Yoo Baek, and seeks to reveal the betrayal 18 years ago. She is seen with her back facing Hong Seol, and looking afar.

In the third photo, Kim Go Eun lived for revenge, and trains really hard in fighting with a sword. But when told of the truth by Wol So, she is on the verge of breakdown, and leaves one wondering whether she can take her revenge as planned.

The movie opens in cinemas across South Korea on August 13th.

By: Alvin
Copyright@KpopFighting.com

Source: Lotte Entertainment FB

Fan club gift for the media at the press event on July 24?

rubie · July 29, 2015

July 29, 2015

Actresses lead Korean film industry this summer

SEOUL, July 29 (Yonhap) -- Korean films have changed. Unlike traditional action films where actresses usually take supporting roles as lovers of the male leads, they now lead films as heroines.

Leading the trend conspicuously is big-budget commercial films backed by large distributors for the summer high season.

The historical action film "Assassination" that surpassed 4 million in attendance earlier this week has top stars Lee Jung-jae and Ha Jung-woo, but Jun Ji-hyun actually takes the lead role.

In the new film set in Shanghai and Seoul during the 1930s, when Korea was a colony of Japan, Jun plays An Ok-yun, a female sniper in the Korean independence army in China who must assassinate Japanese colonizers.

"I thought it's a character that can hardly be found in Korean films and a rare chance for me to play it," the 33-year-old actress said in a media interview ahead of the movie's release in local theaters last week.

She successfully did the film's major action scenes, jumping between roofs with a heavy gun and desperately chasing a car carrying a target.

The next runner in this trend is the Korean period action film "Memories of the Sword" with two actresses in the main roles.

Set in the turbulent late years of the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392), the martial arts film depicts the story of a master swordsman, who becomes a man of supreme power through acts of betrayal, and the two swordswomen seeking revenge on him 18 years later. The three warriors are played by actor Lee Byung-hun and actresses Jeon Do-yeon and Kim Go-eun.

Although Lee's character is unignorable, the two actresses are expected to lead the film as, according to the director Park Heung-sik, it started from his idea of making a martial-arts film led by women.

Kim previously was acclaimed for her role in the local crime flick "Coinlocker Girl" praised as a "fresh noir film led by women" along with its other lead, Kim Hye-soo.

Actress Han Hyo-joo stands in the center of "The Beauty Inside," a fantasy film set to open Aug. 20.

The movie depicts the story of a woman who falls in love with a man who changes to different people every day.

During a news conference to promote the film, Han said she chose it because she had the feeling that she would never again get a chance to appear in such a film when she read the script.

This trend can also be found in low-budget films.

Actress Lee Jung-hyun plays female lead Soo-nam, a poor working woman who takes revenge on the world in "Alice in Earnestland," a Korean film set to open Aug. 13.

"Office," a thriller set to open Aug. 27, is led by actress Ko Asung. She plays the role of an intern who traces mysterious things happening to her co-workers after their boss kills his family and disappears.

sshim@yna.co.kr

rubie · July 29, 2015

Unfortunately, it's still a no-go for #LeeByungHun because of The Magnificent Seven's delayed and prolonged filming till September.

July 29, 2015

Lee Byung Hun will not appear at ‘Memories of the Sword’ preview

Lead actor Lee Byung-hun will not be present at the press preview of the upcoming period film “Memories of the Sword,” Lotte Entertainment said Wednesday.

The distributor explained Lee was held back by the schedule of “The Magnificent Seven” filming in Hollywood, which was delayed till September due to unfavorable weather conditions.

Lee previously appeared at the movie’s news conference held July 24, which drew the spotlight as the married man’s first public appearance since an inglorious scandal with two junior artists -- a chanteuse and an actress.

Albeit a temporary stagger in the domestic movie market, the 45-year-old is the hottest Korean actor in the international scene, appearing in “Terminator: Genisys” alongside Hollywood giant Arnold Schwarzenegger, and “The Magnificent Seven” slated for 2017.

In the Korean period film “Memories of the Sword,” Lee plays the male lead Yoo-baek, who claws his way up to the seat of supreme power despite his low background, in the course of which he antagonizes his best friend who is the female lead.

“Memories of the Sword” will release on August 13.

By Lim Jeong-yeo (kaylalim@heraldcorp.com)

rubie · July 30, 2015

#MemoriesOfTheSword

Media preview = August 5

VIP Premiere = August 11

Nationwide Release = August 13

Hopefully not just #LeeMinJung (if she decided to attend), but a lot of friends & colleagues of #LeeByungHun #JeonDoYeon #KimGoEun and all the cast would come together to support the movie screening.

July 29, 2015

Will actress Lee Min Jung attend the VIP screening of "Memories of the Sword" on the 11th?

Source: isplus via Hancinema.net

The VIP screening of "Memories of the Sword' will be held on the afternoon of the 11th. It is an occasion for the cast, crew, and director to invite those close to them to come and watch a movie and have a good time. Whether the wife of Lee Byung-hun, lead role, will be in attendance after a long absence from public events is a topic of gossip. If so, this would be her first public appearance since giving birth.

The studio and Lee Min-jeong's agency are not saying anything other than "nothing has been decided". According to someone with the movie's production, "we have not receive any messages stating her intentions to attend". Lee Min-jeong's agency said "Since it is her husband's film, we can speculate. However, nothing has been decided. We have not officially invited her and have not asked her in person".

"Memories of the Sword" is a movie about the unavoidable fates of three swordsmen who had different ideologies set in the late Goryeo period dynasty when the sword was law.