Ha Jung-Woo 하정우 [Drama “Narco-Saints” | Upcoming: Movies “Nocturnal”, “Ransomed” | Travel Reality Show “Bros on Foot”]

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Bae Doo-na gifts Ha Jung-woo with coffee truck

Actress Bae Doo-na recently gifted actor Ha Jung-woo with a coffee truck on the set of his upcoming film.

Bae‘s agency, SBD Entertainment, shared a picture of the coffee truck on their Instagram account on Tuesday. 

Ha is currently filming his upcoming movie “With God,” and so to show her support, Bae sent the coffee truck with a banner that read, “To my husband who saved me from a tunnel, and is now with God, best wishes for your movie!” 

Bae and Ha played a married couple in the survival drama film “The Tunnel,” which is why Bae referred to Ha as her husband in the banner. She also wrote that he is now with God, in reference to his current film “With God.” 

By Lee Sang-won (sangdoze@heraldcorp.com)  | Korean Joong Ang Daily

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November 24, 2016

Who will win the top prize at the 37th Blue Dragon Film Awards?

Source: STARNEWS via Hancinema.net

2016 was full of movies of diverse genres and colors. This year's Blue Dragon Film Awards is expected to be competitive.

Success, cinematic quality and performance are taken into account for The Best Actor prize and it's going to get messy. There are five actors whom we can't possibly compare and they are Lee Byung-hun, Song Kang-ho, Ha Jeong-woo, Kwak Do-won and Jeong Woo-seong.

Spoiler

#1. "The Wailing" Kwak Do-won is a top star now

Kwak Do-won is a top candidate.

He's starred in various movies such as "The Shameless", "The Attorney", "A Company Man", "Ghost Sweepers" and more. "The Wailing" has placed him in line with other top actors.

He was in the center of a mysterious case that happened after a foreign being appeared in a village. Kwak Dong-won's act of fatherly love and realistic living were outstanding.

Kwak Do-won went from 'great actor' to 'greater actor' with "The Wailing" and played an important role in enforcing the middle age group in Chungmuro.

Spoiler

#2. "The Age of Shadows " Song Kang-ho, a trustworthy actor

Song Kang-ho is a trustworthy actor and of course his name is in the list.

"The Age of Shadows" is the first spy movie in Korea. A Japanese cop tracks down a heroic group which brings in a bomb from Shanghai to Seoul in the 1920s.

It was a different approach for a Japanese Invasion movie and it focused on the emotions of people who lived hard times.

Song Kang-ho was outstanding once again and he expressed how a human can change according to circumstances. He was told, 'Song Kang-ho indeed'.

Spoiler

#3. "Inside Men" Lee Byung-hun, more than shocking

We can't forget about Lee Byung-hun.

He was on the verge of risking his career with some private matters but that all went away with his performance in "Inside Men". His visual was just a tip of the iceberg.

Lee Byung-hun's performance in "Inside Men" was so shocking but insanely impressive at the same time. We call him 'acting God' indeed.

Spoiler

#4. "Asura: The City of Madness" Jeong Woo-seong's passion

Jeong Woo-seong played his part this year. Producer Kim Seong-soo and Jeong Woo-seong came together once again with Hwang Jeong-min, Kwak Do-won and Joo Ji-hoon. The performance was great, but he storyline itself wasn't too great.

Although the movie didn't succeed, Jeong Woo-seong deserves an applause for his passion and self development.

#5. "Tunnel" Ha Jeong-woo hits the mark

Ha Jeong-woo was in a blockbuster movie this year. He was strong. He didn't go for 'change' like the others and just did what he did best. His wits and concentration created another 'Ha Jeong-woo movie'.

On the way home, a man gets trapped in the middle of a tunnel that collapses.

Ha Jeong-woo's 'one-man-show' stood out in this movie

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Photo: sc_mobile_team

#HaJungWoo #LeeByungHun #OhDalSoo #BlueDragonAwards

Photo: charlotte_kim7

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December 13, 2016

Jun Ji-hyun stands out on 10 best actors list

Jun Ji-hyun of “The Legend of the Blue Sea” was the only woman who made it on the list of the 10 best actors of 2016, compiled by Gallup Korea. 

The research firm, between Nov. 4 and 25, had run a survey targeting 1,700 Korean men and women above the age of 13 to freely answer their pick of this year’s best two movie stars. 

Actor Hwang Jung-min of “The Violent Prosecutor (2015),” “The Wailing (2016)” and “Asura: The City of Madness (2016)” topped the results.

Following in order were Song Gang-ho of “The Age of Shadows (2016),” Gong Yoo of “Train to Busan,” Ha Jung-woo of “The Handmaiden” and Yoo Hae-jin of “LUCK-KEY.” 

Lee Byung-hun of “Magnificent 7,” Lee Jung-jae of “Operation Chromite,” Jung Woo-sung of “Asura: The City of Madness, Jun Ji-hyun of “The Age of Shadows Assassination” and Ma Dong-suk of “Train to Busan” rounded up the top ten. 

Jun, who came in ninth, was the only female in the list.

A local media outlet commented, “Jun is the pride of the Korean actresses in the largely male-dominant field.“

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

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December 14, 2016

Hwang Jung-min Voted Actor of the Year

Source: The Chosun Ilbo

Actor Hwang Jung-min was voted the actor of the year, according to a recent poll by Gallup Korea.

The poll was conducted on 1,700 people aged 13 or older nationwide for three weeks from Nov. 4 to 25, and asked respondents to choose the two most outstanding actors of the year.

Hwang received 21.2 percent of the votes to top the list.

From left, Hwang Jung-min, Song Kang-ho, Gong Yoo and Ha Jung-woo

He appeared in three films this year, and made a lasting impression each time as a prosecutor in the crime comedy "A Violent Prosecutor," as a shaman in the thriller "The Wailing," and as a corrupt politician in "Asura: The City of Madness."

Song Kang-ho, who starred in "The Age of Shadows," ranked second with 18.4 percent, while Gong Yoo came in third with 12.7 percent, Ha Jung-woo fourth with 11.4 percent and Yu Hae-jin fifth with 10.8 percent.

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December 16, 2016

Top 10 Korean film actors of 2016 named

By: Jonathan Hicap Manila Bulletin Entertainment

Gallup Korea conducted its year-end poll to pick the top 10 Korean film actors who shone in 2016.

(Clockwise from top left) Hwang Jung Min, Song Kang-ho, Gong Yoo, Ha Jung-woo, Yoo Hae-jin, Lee Byung Hun, Jun Ji Hyun, Lee Jung-jae and Jung Woo Sung. (Photos courtesy of the Korean Film Council)

The poll was conducted among 1,700 Koreans aged 13 years and above from November 4 to 25.

Actor Hwang Jung-min topped the survey, garnering 21.2 percent. He starred in three films this year. “A Violent Prosecutor” and “The Wailing” became box office hits while “Asura: The City of Madness” was a moderate success.

Placing second is Song Kang-ho of “The Age Of Shadows” who got 18.4 percent while Gong Yoo of the No. 1 Korean film “Train To Busan” placed third with 12.7 percent.

They were followed by Ha Jung-woo of “The Handmaiden,” 11.4 percent; and Yoo Hae-jin of “Luck-Key,” 10.8 percent.

Lee Byung-hun starred in “Magnificent 7,” “The Age Of Shadows” and “Misconduct” this year and placed sixth with 9.6 percent.

He was followed by Lee Jung-jae of “Operation Chromite,” 6.3 percent; Jung Woo-sung of “Asura: The City Of Madness,” 6.2 percent; Jun Ji-hyun of “The Assassination,” 5.4 percent; and Ma Dong-seok of “Train to Busan,” 5 percent. Jun Ji-hyun is the only woman in the top 10.

Yoo Ah-in, who topped the poll last year, is not on the list this year.

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December 31, 2016

December Film Actor Brand Reputation Rankings Revealed  

Source: Soompi by C. Hong 

After announcing brand reputation rankings for drama actors earlier this month, the Korean Business Research Institute announced the rankings for film actors.

From November 30 to December 30, the institute gathered over 72 million pieces of data to evaluate film actors in the areas of branding, media, communication, and community.

Gong Yoo, who starred in the hit film “Train to Busan” and is currently appearing in tvN drama “Goblin,” topped the list with a score of 7,705,239.

Second and third were Kang Dong Won (7,472,214) and Lee Byung Hun (6,871,074).

The full list of rankings is below:

1. Gong Yoo
2..Kang Dong Won
3. Lee Byung Hun
4. Han Hyo Joo
5. Yoo Hae Jin
6. Kim Yoon Suk
7. Jung Woo Sung
8. Kim Soo Hyun
9. Hwang Jung Min
10. Han Ji Min
11. Song Kang Ho
12. Jun Ji Hyun
13. Ha Jung Woo
14. Son Ye Jin
15. Cha Seung Won
16. Oh Dal Soo
17. Kim Hye Soo
18. Lee Beom Soo
19. Jung Jin Young
20. Lee Jung Jae
21. Yoo Ah In
22. Choi Min Sik
23. Jeon Do Yeon
24. Ryu Seung Ryong 

Source (1)

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February 12, 2017

Lee Jung-jae, Jeong Woo-sung and Ha Jung-woo calling all actors

Source: Donga.com via Hancinema.net 

Lee Jeong-jae, Jeong Woo-seong and Ha Jeong-woo are aggressively looking for actors. These actors are directors of entertainment companies and they are using their networking connections to look for potential stars.

Esom is being talked about joining Artist Companies. She starred in "The Proxy Soldiers" with Lee Jeong-jae last year and she starred in "Scarlet Innocence" with Jeong Woo-seong in 2014.

Not only that, actors in their 40s with terminated contracts are also being talked about joining Artist Company. They have also been in movies with Lee Jeong-jae and Jeong Woo-seong.

Lee Jeong-jae and Jeong Woo-seong established Artist Company in May last year and currently houses Go Ara, Cha Rae-hyeong, Lee Si-ah and more artists in their 20s. This year, they are planning on expanding their profile with more actors in their 40s and 50s. They are not only aiming for leading actors but supporting actors as well. This way, they could make up a whole movie with their own cast.

The basis for their targets is 'acquaintance'. They are reaching out to actors with their bond of sympathy. Actors spend a lot of time on set so they talk a lot about many things, making them seem closer and friendly.

However, some worry about famous stars looking for more stars. They say it's easy to overlook the terms and conditions of the contract this way. A management claims there have been a case where an actor with time left on his contract was asked to join another company and this matter had to be checked with the Korean Management Committee.

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February 16, 2017

Actors Lee Byung Hun and Ha Jung Woo, transformed into SINGLE RIDER co-producers!

Source: Enews IMBC ++ (ELBH Google-translate)

Lee Byung-hun X Ha Jung-woo's choice! 

SINGLE  RIDER which is confirmed to be released on February 22, is attracting the attention of media and audiences as the first well-made emotional drama in 2017, as actors Lee Byung-hun and Ha Jung-woo are participating as filmmakers.

Actors Lee Byung-hun and Ha Jung-woo have participated as producers for the movie. Lee Byung-hun as the main actor co-produced with fellow actor Ha Jung Woo as they participated in the production. As SINGLE RIDER highlights the return of Korean-style emotional drama, the participation of these actors is gaining more attention. 

The film portrays a psychological and emotional change through a man's journey from Korea to Sydney, Australia, based on a high-quality film scenario. Lee Byung-hun and Ha Jung-woo who also read the scenario and decided to participate in the production. Actor Lee Byung-hun in the past production meeting said, "I think that it is especially meaningful to be able to participate in co-productions," adding to the feeling and completeness of this work. It is hoped that these two actors' appreciation for the movie will be a sign of the resurgence of Korean emotional melodrama. 

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February 16, 2017

Ha Jung-woo debuts as producer in ‘Single Rider’

Ha Jung-woo (Yonhap)

Ha Jung-woo has been credited as a movie producer for the upcoming film “Single Rider,” expanding the scope beyond his fame as one of the most influential actors in Korea.

It marks the first time the 38-year-old actor has produced a movie, despite having acted and directed multiple flicks during the course of his career.

“This is the first feature-length flick of the Perfect Storm Film -- which produced the movie -- and as Ha is involved in the company, he came to participate as a producer,” an official related to the movie was quoted by local media on Thursday.

Lee Byung-hun, one of the stars of the movie, is also one of the producers, although not credited by name. 

Lee has said co-producing the movie has been “very meaningful and proud.” 

Single Rider, co-starring Kong Hyo-Jin and Ahn So-hee, is the first feature film by director Lee Joo-Young. It will hit the theaters on Feb. 22. 

By Yoon Min-sik (minsikyoon@heraldcorp.com)

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February 17, 2017

February Film Actor Brand Reputation Rankings Revealed

Source: Soompi by K. Do 

On February 18, the Korea Business Research Institute revealed their brand reputation rankings for film actors based on their findings from 72,745,586 pieces of data gathered from January 16 to February 17.

“Goblin” star Gong Yoo takes first place for the second month in a row with a score of 10,728,767. He enjoyed a 39.24 percent increase from his January score.

Second place goes to Jo In Sung who recently returned with the movie “The King.” As for third place, Yoo Hae Jin got the spot with a brand reputation score of 4,625,614.

The full rankings can be seen below:
1. Gong Yoo
2. Jo In Sung
3. Yoo Hae Jin
4. Kim Soo Hyun
5. Jun Ji Hyun
6. Jung Woo Sung
7. Ha Jung Woo
8. Kang Dong Won
9. Lee Byung Hun
10. Hwang Jung Min
11. Yoo Ah In
12. Han Hyo Joo
13. Sol Kyung Gu
14. Kim Hye Soo
15. Lee Jung Jae
16. Son Ye Jin
17. Song Kang Ho
18. Han Ji Min
19. Cha Seung Won
20. Lee Beom Soo
21. Jeon Do Yeon
22. Choi Min Sik
23. Ryu Seung Ryong
24. Kim Yoon Suk
25. Yoo Ji Tae

Source (1)

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May 18, 2017

[Photos] Ha Jung-woo, the man with unique eyes

Source: TV Report via Hancinema.net

Ha Jung-woo was featured in the June issue of Esquire to celebrate the launching of Cartier 'Drive Men'.

He Jung-woo posed in many different suits and his eyes made all the difference in the world.

These pictures were taken in a hotel in Seoul.

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May 24, 2017

Ha Jung-woo and Son Ye-jin take home Best Actor and Actress at Chunsa Film Festival

Source: Heraldcorp via Hancinema.net

Ha Jung-woo and Son Ye-jin were honored with the Chunsa Film Festival Best Actor and Actress.

The event was held in COEX on the 24th. Ha Jung-woo was awarded Best Actor for "Tunnel" and Son Ye-jin Best Actress for "The Truth Beneath".

Ha Jung-woo made a speech thanking those he worked with in the movie and thanked the director for giving him such a good character.

Son Ye-jin also made a speech saying she felt more responsible with every award she got.

Meanwhile, the Best Director went to Na Hong-jin from "The Wailing", the Best Supporting Actor to Park Jung-min from "DongJu, The Portrait of A Poet" and the Best Supporting Actress to Yoo In-young from "Misbehavior".

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July 7, 2017

‘The Berlin File’ sequel currently in the works

By Kim Jung-kyoon INSIDE Korea JoongAng Daily

A sequel to the highly successful “The Berlin File” is currently in the works, according to the production company behind the film, Filmmaker R&K, on Thursday. 

The orginal, directed by Ryoo Seung-wan and starring top actors Ha Jung-woo, Han Suk-kyu, Jun Ji-hyun and the director’s younger brother Ryoo Seung-bum, drew over 7 million to theaters.

Kang Hye-jeong, head of Filmmaker R&K, said, “Although it wasn’t easy planning a sequel due to high expectations, I believe we have come up with a direction of the story everyone can be pleased with. However, as the movie is of the relationship between North and South Korea, we are approaching the script very carefully.”

The movie will be directed once again by Ryoo Seung-wan. The director helmed the upcoming “The Battleship Island,” and is expected to start filming “Berlin 2” in early 2018. 

Kang said, “As soon as the script is complete, we will contact actor Ha Jung-woo to make a film that is in continuum with the previous title.

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July 13, 2017

Lee Sun-kyun teams up with Ha Jung-woo

By Kim Jung-kyoon INSIDE Korea JoongAng Daily

Two actors that are among the best in the business, Lee Sun-kyun, left, and Ha Jung-woo, will join forces for the upcoming film “PMC.”

According to industry insiders Wednesday, after Ha was already cast in pre-production, Lee confirmed his role in the coming film and is negotiating filming details. 

“PMC” is an abbreviation of private military company, and the flick will center on a company that needs to rescue a captive in an underground bunker during times of highly charged tension between North and South Korea. 

The movie is to be directed by Kim Byung-woo, who directed the successful 2013 movie “The Terror Live,” where he first worked with actor Ha Jung-woo, who played a lead role. 

A busy year continues for both actors. Lee is currently filming another upcoming flick, “Bad Lieutenant,” and will join the cast of “PMC” right after. Ha is also currently shooting, and will join the cast after he wraps up filming for “1987.”

The movie will finalize its casting and start filming in August. It is targeting 2018 as its release date. 

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July 23, 2017

Casting these actors and actresses would guarantee success at the box office!
Korean investment companies in the film industry have selected the 2017 version of [magic potions at the B.O.] or box office champions ~

Source: Korea Star Daily, translated by Barbara at LBH soompi via EverythingLBH.com



Who are the big time actors in the 2017 “Chungmuro” edition that guaranteed box office success? There exists a galaxy of stars in the movie circle that would induce audiences to voluntarily purchase movie tickets. They are named “box office guaranteed success”, “trustworthy actors” or “ magic potions at the box office”. They are the darlings of movie producers and distributors, and they attract large capital investments. Movie Investors like these stars and cast them in their movies because they can assure the investors that they can get back their investments. These major producers: CJ E&M, Lotte Entertaiment, Mega Box Plus M, Showbox and New Entertainment have voted and selected the 2017 edition of “Chugmiro box office magic potions”. The total scores are based on their votes.

Leading the pack among actors is Song Kang Ho absolutely. 
 

Spoiler

The number 1 “Box Office Magic Potion” is Song Kang Ho. Four out of the 5 giant production companies selected him and the remaining company voted him second. He is the current highest paid Korean actor, commanding KRW1,000,000,000 per movie. This high salary reflects his popularity, To put it bluntly, he is the first “go to guy” for all scripts that require an actor over 40 years oid. Investors said: “Song Kang Ho remains number one over many years because he possesses all the qualities that the Korean audience like in an actor: humor, sensitivity, dominance and acting skills that no one can match. 



Comprehensive ranking for the runner-up is Ha Jung Woo. Among the five giant production companies, one even voted him for the first place. His biggest attraction is his affinity with the audience. Investors said: “No matter what role he is given, he is able to portray the character is his own distinctive style. In addition, he has a special relationship with the audience. His success in the movies ”Terror Live” and “The Tunnel” which were adapted from webtoons elevated even more the trust audience has in him.
 

Spoiler

Comprehensive ranking for third place is Lee Byung Hun. With “Inside Men” , he earned the investors’ trust. They feel that “Lee Byung Hun has amazing acting skills which are very attractive. Whenever a Lee Byung Hun movie is mentioned, everyone looks forward to it. Furthermore, he has uncanny vision in choosing scripts. Therefore whether it is the script or his acting are worthy of trust.”

Spoiler

Comprehensive ranking for 4th place is Hwang Jung Min. He acts at least in one movie per year. By virtue of “Ode to My Father” and “Veteran” he became an actor with audience surpassing 10,000,000 in each of the two movies. Furthermore, most of his works return easily the capital to his investors, making him naturally the darling of investors. 
 

Spoiler

Comprehensive ranking for fifth place is Gang Don Won. Among actors in their 30s, his appearance, acting and box office strengths are the most balanced. His work ethic is serious and his crew loves him. Professional revealed: "Although his box office results have not been good lately, but he possesses a distinctive aura and is widely accepted as an actor by the film industry.

Spoiler

The number 1 female actress “Box Office Magic Potion” is Son Ye Jin. 

The Leading lady that guarantees success at the box office is absolutely Son Ye Jin. Her appearance in “The Last Princess” last year gave her a big hand. Two of the five giant production companies voted her number one. The remaining three companies voted her in second place. She received a total of 22 points. Although there is a big price gap between actors and actresses, Son Ye Jin is the highest paid actress. Investors said: “ Let us say that Son Ye Jin has very few failures in her works; her work ethic is great, her image is good. If you take into account her looks and acting skills, she is absolutely the champion.” 

Kim Hye Soo received comprehensive ranking for the runner up. She is a very balanced actress. Most of the professionals in the business considered that her dominance in acting is what attracts her to her audience. They praised her: “From the moment Kim Hye Soo decided to act in a movie, the value of the movie rises.” 

Spoiler

Comprehensive ranking for third place is Jun Ji Hyun. As her works are not numerous, there is a huge ripple effect whenever there is an announcement that she will act in a movie. Professionals analyzed as follows: “She does not act in too many movies, but every appearance is enough to release public curiosity. Her popularity will rise to heated levels. However what is uncertain is whether the movie would be successful, unlike Son Ye Jin who has been proven in her works. Her image and popularity are really good, but the feeling of stability is lacking. 
 

Spoiler

Han Hyo Joo ranks fourth. Although investors put a lot of emphasis on the age and sex on their analysis, but strictly from the acting point of view, Han Hyo Joo is trusted by her audience. Investors said: “Whenever Han Hyo Joo is casted in a lead role, there is never any objection. She is steadfast, and steady actress. Her looks, acting skills, friendliness, positively striving image are very balanced. 

Spoiler

Comprehensive ranking for fifth place is Jeon Do Yeon who received Best Actress in the Cannes Film Festival. Professionals have this to say: “ Although her acting skills are very solid, but her choice of scripts are very different. Rating for her works has wide margins. She received praises for her acting, but her box office disappoints and is regretful. 

Spoiler

 

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July 30, 2017

July Movie Actor Brand Reputation Rankings Revealed

Source: Soompi by D. Kim   

Spoiler

Movie actor brand reputation rankings have been released for the month of July.

The Korean Business Research Institute analyzed 139,284,258 pieces of big data from June 28 to July 29, looking at interaction, media, communication, and community indexes.

Song Joong Ki topped the list with a total brand reputation index of 23,494,489. Song Kang Ho followed up in second place with a total score of 11,510,210, while Gong Yoo came in third place with a score of 10,810,929.

Check out the top 25 rankings below:

1. Song Joong Ki
2. Song Kang Ho
3. Gong Yoo
4. Kim Soo Hyun
5. Lee Jung Hyun
6. So Ji Sub
7. Im Siwan
8. Jun Ji Hyun
9. Hwang Jung Min
10. Yeo Jin Goo
11. Yoo Hae Jin
12. Ahn Jae Hong
13. Lee Kyung Young
14. Jung Woo Sung
15. Lee Byung Hun
16. Kim Ok Bin
17. Hyun Bin
18. Yoo Ah In
19. Han Ji Min
20. Park Hyo Joo
21. Han Hyo Joo
22. Lee Jung Jae
23. Jo In Sung
24. Kim Hye Soo
25. Ha Jung Woo

Source (1)

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November 22, 2017

 

Film revisits 1987 when people rose up massively for democracy

 

By Shim Sun-ah

 

SEOUL, Nov. 22 (Yonhap) -- In January 1987, a 22-year-old student activist died during a police probe. Police announced the cause of death as shock, but all the evidence found at the scene, as well as the autopsy results, indicated that he choked to death due to water torture.

 

The new historical film "1987: When the Day Comes" depicts how the death of the college student Park Jong-chul sparked nationwide pro-democracy protests that changed the tide of Korean history in June that year. The protests undermined the iron-fisted rule of the Chun Doo-hwan government by forcing him to introduce a set to democratization measures, including a direct presidential election system.

 

Jang Joon-hwan, the director of "1987: When the Day Comes," speaks during a news conference for his forthcoming film at the CGV Apgujeong theater in southern Seoul on Nov. 22, 2017. (Yonhap)

 

The movie was helmed by Jang Joon-hwan, who was critically acclaimed for "Save the Green Planet" (2003) and "Hwayi: A Monster Boy" (2013).

 

"The year 1987 was a historical year when the people won the right to directly elect their president. South Korea achieved democracy in a few decades, although it took the West several hundred years to accomplish," Jang said during a press conference for "1987" at a Seoul theater on Wednesday.

 

"I was greatly moved by the incident in which the entire people rose up in massive rallies against the dictatorship and won a great right. I thought it was a great moment in history that we now have to look back on, but nobody will tell the story of it."

   

The director said he hoped his film would be like a mirror that enables present-day Koreans to look back on their common past.

 

 

Kim Yoon-seok plays Chief Park of the police investigative unit that oversaw the case of Park Jong-chul at the time, while Ha Jung-woo plays Prosecutor Choi, who rejects the police's request to cremate the body of the student activist and insists on conducting an autopsy.

 

Kim, who attended the same high school as Park Jong-chul, said he found the script of the film very interesting.

 

"I was greatly fond of the script," he said. "I thought this type of film must be made, and I became part of it without reluctance."

   

Born the son of a wealthy family in North Korea, Chief Park crosses the border into the south alone during the 1950-53 Korean War to escape from persecution in the Communist North. Believing that anti-Communism equals patriotism, he tries to employ all means, including even torture, to investigate South Koreans suspected of spying for the North.

 

"He is an unfortunate, monster-like person created by the times," the actor said of his character. "He is not a simple villain, so I did my all to show how he ended up being such a person."

   

Ha said that since his role is to put a break on the police attempt to cover up the torture-death case, he wants audiences to see the film from the perspective of the righteous prosecutor character.

 

"The director asked me to take a part in bringing viewers to the film in a flexible and easy way, and I agreed with his opinion."

   

The film marks the second time he has worked with Kim Yoon-seok, the first being "The Yellow Sea" in 2010.

 

Director Jang Joon-hwan and the main cast of "1987: When the Day Comes" pose for photographers during a press conference for the film at the CGV Apgujeong theater in southern Seoul on Nov. 22, 2017. (Yonhap)

 

"We took a picture together to mark the end of the film's shooting seven years ago. Looking at the picture, I found much time has passed since then and that I've gotten quite older. It was such a meaningful time for the two of us to work together."

   

Yoo Hae-jin, who was a Gwangju-based cabbie in this year's smash hit movie "A Taxi Driver," once again acts a commoner who becomes embroiled in a whirlwind of turbulent history.

 

"He is a really plain prison guard," Yoo said. "But he has the conscience to do all he can do to let the people know the hidden truth that he happened on."

   

Actress Kim Tae-ri, who made a successful debut with director Park Chan-wook's "The Handmaiden," plays Yeon-hee, a college freshman who helps her uncle, played by Yoo, convey the truth to political dissidents.

 

Many famed actors such as Seol Kyung-gu, Oh Dal-soo, Kim Ui-seong and Moon Seung-geun also have cameos in the film. The middle-aged stars volunteered for the small roles when they heard that the people's uprising of June 1987 would be cinematized, according to the director.

 

"They said they would even play small roles because the film is about what they underwent. I really thank them all. I think we were very lucky," he said.

 

Park Hee-soon and Lee Hee-jun also star in the CJ Entertainment release, which is set to premiere Dec. 27.

 

sshim@yna.co.kr

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November 22, 2017

 

‘1987’ to depict birth year of Korean democracy
 

The monthslong protests starting from October last year -- which took place mostly at Seoul’s Gwanghwamun Plaza and toppled former President Park Geun-hye’s scandal-ridden administration -- may seem like just yesterday to many Koreans. 

 

“Whether it is 1987 or 2017, the plaza has always belonged to the people. I wanted to tell a story in which the people are the main characters,” said director Jang Joon-hwan of his upcoming film “1987: When the Day Comes” in a press conference Wednesday.

 

Born from the ashes of the 1950-53 Korean War, the young state for decades was ruled by authoritarian leaders, including Chun Doo-hwan, whose iron-fisted control over the country brought bloodshed in the Gwangju Democratic Uprising of 1980.

 

Jang Joon-hwan (center) and cast members of “1987: When the Day Comes” pose during a press conference held in Seoul on Wednesday. (Yonhap)

 

The movie is inspired by real-life reporters, college students and everyday people who fought the Chun regime during the fateful year of 1987.

 

“It was a painful incident of the past, and I felt that this movie can tell the story to the audience without the tone being too solemn,” said Ha Jung-woo, who plays Choi Hwan, a real-life prosecutor who fought to uncover the truth behind the death of student protestor Park Jong-chul.

 

Park’s death in January sparked nationwide furor and protests against Chun’s regime. The struggle eventually led to the June 29 declaration, winning the people the right to elect their president for the first time since 1971. 

 

It will be the second film this year to depict the people’s struggle for democracy. “A Taxi Driver” -- inspired by the aforementioned Gwangju movement -- has so far proved the biggest hit of the year in Korea.

 

Jang said, “‘1987’ is not unrelated to the story of Gwangju, which was a sad page in modern history.

 

“The year 1987 is when people stepped up and won their right to pick their own president. I was deeply moved by the fact that the people accomplished democracy in such a short period of time, which took centuries in cases of other countries. .. I feel like the story could give us a chance to look back at us and work toward further developing and maturing our democracy.”

 

Kim Yoon-seok (right) speaks during a press conference for “1987: When the Day Comes” on Wednesday in Seoul, as Park Hee-soon looks on. (Yonhap)

 

The movie’s main villain -- played by Kim Yoon-seok -- is Park Cheo-won, a government official hell-bent on enforcing his ideology. He is determined to muzzle any voice against the government.

 

“(Park) has been suppressing so many things in his own life that it (his ideology) has become his life’s principles. ... He is a tragic person, a monster created by his own times. Rather than vilify him, I wanted to depict how such a person came to be,” said Kim.

 

Standing opposite of Park is the character of Choi, who Ha said was designed to ease the audience into the movie. 

 

“The movie starts with the officials attempting to hide the truth behind Park Jong-chul’s death, and my role is to make sure that doesn’t happen. I wanted the audience to view the incidents through my (character’s) eyes,” he said.

 

Ha Jung-woo (right) speaks at a press conference for “1987: When the Day Comes” on Wednesday in Seoul, with Kim Yoon-seok smiling beside him. (Yonhap)

 

Yoo Hae-jin, who played a supporting role in “A Taxi Driver,” reprises a similar role of an everyday man contributing to justice. 

 

The up-and-coming Kim Tae-ri plays a vivacious college freshman who is dragged into the dynamics of the democratization movement, and Lee Hee-joon plays a reporter trying to dig up the dirty truth.

 

Perhaps the most interesting character is Jo Hang-gyeong, played by Park Hee-soon, who was one of the policemen directly responsible for Park Jong-chul’s death. 

 

“I was particularly pressured in playing the role because he was the one who caused Park’s death. I wanted to make sure that I didn’t offend anyone and depicted exactly what happened,” said Park. 

 

“The movie is not about drawing a line between the good and the evil. They were all citizens of Korea, and what happened cannot be traced back to one person. It was the situation that drove them. I wanted to focus on how such tragedy happened, instead of talking about who is good and bad.”

 

Jang’s “1987: When the Day Comes” is set to hit local theaters Dec. 27. 

 

By Yoon Min-sik (minsikyoon@heraldcorp.com)

[rubie]

November 27, 2017

 

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

 

Source: MyDaily (ELBH Google-gist)

 

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

 

 

The final ranking:

 

1. Song Kang Ho   (25.49%)

2. Sul Kyung Gu   (10.8%)

3. Ma Dong Seok   (5.6%)

4. Ha Jung Woo   (5.4%)

5. Hwang Jung Min   (5.4%)

6. Kang Dong Won   (5.2%)

7. Lee Byung Hun   (4.0%)

8. Choi Min Sik   (3.5%)

9. Ryu Jun Yeol   (2.3%)

10. Lee Je Hoon   (1.9%)

 

 

Details of survey participants:

 

The list in 2016

Spoiler

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