Kwon Sang Woo 권상우

[Guest TY_KSW]

More photos...

Kim Seong Woo: Sangwoo ah, your muscle is unbeatable ^^

Credit as stated

[Guest hemat]

http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=158375982967

[willenette]

"Into Fire" to premiere in Korea on June 16

The premiere date for Korean war film "Into Fire" has been pulled up by a day to June 16, according to the film's producer Taewon Entertainment on Thursday.

An offical at Taewon explained that they decided to move up the film's release to Wednesday, instead of the usual Thursday, on high anticipation for the film.

"Into Fire" had started to garner much hype even ahead of going into production due to its A-list cast composed of actors Cha Seung-won, Kim Seung-woo, Kwon Sang-woo and T.O.P from idol group Big Bang,

The film had also caught the eye of several foreign countries at the film market held concurrently with this year's Cannes Film Festival, selling to the United Kingdom, Germany, Singapore and Russia.

Distributors in other countries including Australia, China, Switzerland, Taiwan and Spain are showing great interest in purchasing rights for the film.

"Into Fire," paying tribute to the 60th anniversary of the war, is based on the true events during the Korean War where 71 student soldiers fought to protect a support line along the Nakdong River.

Reporter : Lucia Hong luciahong@

Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@

<ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved>

http://10.asiae.co.kr/Articles/new_view.ht...052711042971744

[Guest TY_KSW]

Today our man is in US for the film introduction...

All my wishes n blessing are with him ^^

[willenette]

May 28, 2010

Actor banks on his lucky charm

Kwon Sang-woo, 33, was once one of the most eligible bachelors in the country, with a string of hit films and TV shows early in the decade. After seeing his popularity take a hit in recent years, he is now hoping to make a comeback with his role in the new film “71 - Into the Fire.”

In the movie, set to be released on June 16, Kwon stars as Koo Kap-jo, a 17-year-old student soldier fighting against the North Korean army during the 1950-53 Korean War.

But he was almost excluded from the cast.

“I almost wasn’t cast because I’m too old [for the role],” Kwon said with a laugh at a press conference held earlier this month in Nonhyeon-dong, Gangnam, southern Seoul.

Kim Seung-woo, who plays an officer from the South in the film, said that he, too, had concerns about the difference between Kwon’s real age and that of the character he plays.

“When I heard that Kwon was cast as a character who is the same age as [Choi] Seung-hyun, I was really worried because [Kwon] is around our age,” Kim said.

Choi Seung-hyun, who is widely known as T.O.P., a member of the boy band Big Bang, was born in 1987. Kwon was born in 1976.

Kim said he changed his mind after filming began, adding his own bit of wisdom about the film’s chances for success.

“When we were in production, Kwon actually looked younger than [Choi],” Kim said. “And because no film in which Kwon has appeared wearing a school uniform has ever failed, I expect [this film will be a success].”

Oddly enough, the uniform has been something of a lucky charm for the actor. The movies in which he has appeared wearing a school uniform have indeed been successful.

Kwon even talked about the phenomenon at a press conference last March, saying, “So far, the movies that I’ve made in which I have to wear a school uniform have done well.”

In the movie “My Tutor Friend” (2003), Kwon stars as a high school student and spends much of the movie in uniform.

For his role in the film, a romantic comedy, Kwon received best new artist awards at both the Daejong Film Awards and the Baeksang Arts Awards, which is a major film and arts awards ceremony in Korea.

And in “Once Upon a Time in High School” (2004), Kwon plays the leading character, Hyun-soo, a high school transfer student. The film attracted more than 3 million viewers and won critical acclaim for its realistic portrayal of school life in the 1970s. For his performance, Kwon again received an acting award at the Daejong Film Awards that year.

According to statistics from the Korean Film Council, My Tutor Friend attracted 4.9 million viewers and Once Upon a Time in High School attracted 3.1 million. Considering that total attendance at the movies nationwide was about 64 million in 2003 and 80 million in 2004, that’s enough to classify both films as hits.

With or without the uniform, Kwon’s success continued for most of the rest of the decade. He appeared in movies and TV dramas that became popular in both Korea and Japan.

But his popularity started to wane due to a series of scandals that emerged before and after his marriage to actress Son Tae-young in 2008.

“After I got married, membership in my fan cafe dwindled from 240,000 to 135,000 - it was like a stock market crash,” Kwon said in an appearance on a talk show hosted by Kang Ho-dong on MBC in 2009.

He said his TV endorsement contracts also started to disappear. Before he got married, he had an average of seven TV commercials per year, but by early 2009 that number had dwindled down to zero.

Still, Kwon feels confident that his new film will help him regain his popularity.

“I’m predicting audiences of 10 million,” he said at the recent press conference.

By Suh Yun-young Contributing writer [estyle@joongang.co.kr]

Credit : JoognAngDaily

http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2921035

[Guest TY_KSW]

On May 27 our oppa and director John H. Lee Oppa had a press conference at Cupperley Auditorium held by Standford University.

Credit as stated

[willenette]

"Into Fire" director, Kwon Sang-woo attend Stanford seminar

Korean actor Kwon Sang-woo and director Lee Jae-han attended a special seminar for their upcoming war film "Into Fire" at the prestigious Stanford University Asia-Pacific Research Center on May 27 (U.S. time).

The two were among the seven speakers invited to speak at the seminar, held in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the Korean War and organized by the Korean Studies Program at the university.

The event featured a screening of the film followed by a panel discussion.

"It is significant that a research center that has expertise in Asian issues would hold a seminar about the Korean War," said Lee at the event.

Lee further explained that the Asia-Pacific Research Center had supported the film since its planning stages and he had promised to attend the seminar even before he started shooting the pic.

The director appeared satisfied with the partnership, saying "it will probably help the film enormously when it is shown in the U.S."

It is the second time that the Stanford Asia-Pacific Research Center had supported an Asian film -- in 2006, it had backed Clint Eastwood's film "Letters from Iwo Jima" about the battle between the U.S. and Japan during World War II.

Lee, who studied filmmaking at New York University, directed his first feature film "A Moment to Remember" (2004) which starred top Korean actors Jung Woo-sung and Son Ye-jin.

He is reportedly planning to make his debut in the U.S. through directing the Hollywood remake of John Woo pic "The Killer."

"Into Fire," based on the true story of 71 student soldiers who fought during the Korean War, stars actors Cha Seung-won, Kwon Sang-woo, Kim Seung-woo and T.O.P of idol group Big Bang.

The film opens in Korea on June 16.

Editor in Chief : Hwang Yong-hee hee21@

Editor : Lynn Kim lynn2878@

<ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved>

http://10.asiae.co.kr/Articles/new_view.ht...052809042701776

___________________________________

[PHOTO] Kwon Sang-woo speaks at Stanford

Actor Kwon Sang-woo of film "Into Fire" speaks at a press conference after attending a seminar for the 60th anniversary of Korean War held at Stanford University, California on May 27, 2010 (U.S. time).

[Guest kfosho]

^ went to this event. kwon sang woo looked soo hawtt it was unbelievable!

the movie was ehhhh in my opinion though. not so much of the acting, but the side stories and script wasn't that great.

[dbsg lub3r]

^ went to this event. kwon sang woo looked soo hawtt it was unbelievable!

the movie was ehhhh in my opinion though. not so much of the acting, but the side stories and script wasn't that great.

it was awesome!! we even met him in person!!!! awwwww we bowed and he smile and bowed back at us!!

it was funny though cause we were coming out of the bathroom and it seemed like he was rushing ot the bathroom hahahah

[Guest TY_KSW]

^ went to this event. kwon sang woo looked soo hawtt it was unbelievable!

the movie was ehhhh in my opinion though. not so much of the acting, but the side stories and script wasn't that great.

Oh you are so lucky KFosho!!

you could see him and watch the movie .. You mean the film is not great?

it was awesome!! we even met him in person!!!! awwwww we bowed and he smile and bowed back at us!!

it was funny though cause we were coming out of the bathroom and it seemed like he was rushing ot the bathroom hahahah

hahhahhaha! funny... both bowed each others from out-in bathroom ^^

More pix on the seminar..

Credit as stated

[willenette]

*** Ahhhhh...... I'm really excited for the movie. It sounds like the film is really good. If only they would release it here in my side I could surely watch this faster than waiting for the DVD copy but too sad & bad that K-movies aren't shown here. I hope the film will be a big success. I saw the trailer & it's awesome! I hope he'd return to drama soon as well. KSW, fighting!

******************************

Kwon Sang Woo at Stanford University

On May 27th, top Hallyu actor Kwon Sang Woo and Into the Fire director Lee Jang Han attended a 60th anniversary Korean War seminar held at the Stanford University Asia Pacific Research Center in Stanford, California.

A special screening of Into the Fire was played for those in attendance and both Kwon and Lee spoke at a press conference after the movie was screened. According to Asia E, Lee plans to have a Hollywood debut of sorts as he’s scheduled to direct the Hollywood remake of John Woo’s Hong Kong hit action movie The Killer.

Into the Fire revolves around a true story of 71 South Korean student soldiers and stars Kwon Sang Woo and Big Bang’s T.O.P. The students fight against overwhelming odds and hundreds of regular North Korean soldiers (led by Cha Seung Woo) during the deadly Korean War. The film opens in Korean theaters on June 16th.

Source : allkpop

[Guest kfosho]

^ the film was.....how do i put this.

the story itself was good, especially because it was based on a true event, it was truly a touching story

but the script was pretty lame ( i think the director himself said that he didn't spend a whole great deal amount on the script at the press conference). also they put like unnecessary things in the movie (example, they focused on a nurse in the beginning and then she just disappers). i mean movie was okay, but in my opinion it will not receive a whole amount of awards.

the acting was okay. i was surprised to see that TOP was the main actor in the movie.

[willenette]

^ the film was.....how do i put this.

the story itself was good, especially because it was based on a true event, it was truly a touching story

but the script was pretty lame ( i think the director himself said that he didn't spend a whole great deal amount on the script at the press conference). also they put like unnecessary things in the movie (example, they focused on a nurse in the beginning and then she just disappers). i mean movie was okay, but in my opinion it will not receive a whole amount of awards.

the acting was okay. i was surprised to see that TOP was the main actor in the movie.

Thanks for sharing here your thoughts about the movie. You're one of the lucky who were able to watch it. TOP? But, it's KSW's movie - But, I read many comments similar as yours.

*************************************************************************

May 31, 2010

Kwon Sang Woo: ‘I Acted While Motivating Myself’

Actor Kwon Sang Woo: "I was worried about acting as a student soldier because I might have looked awkward due to my old age, but I fully agreed with the significance of this movie and I became immersed in the movie while acting."

Director Lee Jae Han: "I want people to watch this movie from a viewpoint of humanism instead of analyzing the movie with some specific criteria."

The movie "Into the Fire," which is based on the real-life battle of Nakdong River during the Korean War, held its first official preview on May 27 (local time) by the invitation of the Asia-Pacific Research Center at Stanford University in California, USA, and attracted the attention of American movie critics and local viewers.

The main actor Kwon Sang Woo (34) and director Lee Jae Han held a press conference in Sheraton Hotel in Silicon Valley the day before the preview and said, "This year is the 60th anniversary of the Korean War, so I hope that people can have an opportunity to think about the meaning of the war and its subsequent historical pain through this movie."

The following are the questions and answers.

Interviewer: How do you feel about tomorrow’s preview?

▲ Lee Jae Han: From the beginning stages of planning this movie, the Asia-Pacific Research Center at Stanford University has given positive assistance to us. The reason that we are having a preview in the USA even before having one in Korea is because of a promise with Stanford University. People at Stanford also notified us of their intentions that they would give us full support for releasing the movie and for the commercial success of the movie. The movie is incomplete technically, but I am very much expecting that we can introduce the movie to the USA through tomorrow’s preview.

Kwon Sang Woo: I could not sleep well last night. I will watch the movie for the first time. I am nervous because the preview is being held in unfamiliar place, but I want to watch the movie thoroughly as an actor. I think that the message of this movie is very significant and I hope the significance can be introduced widely. Actually, I did not expect that the movie would be produced this well. I just agonized about how I could play the character properly. I am just happy that I was able to finish filming the movie without any big mistake.

Interviewer: There is a rumor that you are expecting it to be the Best Foreign Language Film in the Academy Awards.

▲Lee Jae Han: I also heard the rumor. We do not know what will happen. The movie is not yet released. I hope that this movie can be loved by people. I heard that many high officials from Stanford University and many intellectuals will come to tomorrow’s preview.

Interviewer: Did you have any problems while filming the movie?

▲Kwon Sang Woo: While I filmed this movie, I became more attached to it. Personally, I was worried about acting as a student soldier because I might have looked awkward due to my old age, but I fully agreed with the significance of this movie and I became immersed in the movie while acting. I think that it will be successful. I acted while motivating myself. I tried my best not to cause any trouble for the movie by pushing myself too hard and being tensed up.

Interviewer: Do you think that you can draw more attention to the film due to the sinking of the combat corvette Cheonan?

▲Kwon Sang Woo: The sinking of the combat corvette Cheonan is a very sad and tragic incident. I think that the incident is like what happened during the Korean War 60 years ago. I guess that all of us might feel the same about it.

Interviewer: What do you expect for the viewers?

▲Lee Jae Han: I hope that viewers look at people in the movie. I want people watch this movie from a viewpoint of humanism instead of analyzing this movie with some specific criteria. I tried to free myself from any ideology in this movie because I just wanted to make a war movie.

Kwon Sang Woo: I think that this movie has educational value for student viewers. I hope that it can teach the meaning of sacrificing one’s life and shedding blood for one's country to teenagers.

Interviewer: How many viewers do you expect to watch the movie?

▲Kwon Sang Woo: I hope more than 10 million people might watch the movie (smile). Other actors and staff members seem to expect around 8.5 million viewers. Along with director Lee Jae Han, we made this movie confidently and I think that it is very good movie which can appeal to people. I am confident about it.

Interviewer: Do you have any direct ties to the Korean War?

▲Lee Jae Han: My maternal grandfather died during the war in the Korean army. My parents experienced the horrors of war when they were children and have told me about their experiences many times. I think that watching this movie can be an opportunity to share the sufferings of our nation.

Interviewer: The release date of the movie overlaps with the World Cup.

▲Kwon Sang Woo: I personally love soccer very much. I want both that our soccer team can advance to the first round and that our movie can have great success.

Credit : KBS Global

http://english.kbs.co.kr/Entertain/Enterta...ew.html?No=7397

[Guest TY_KSW]

thanks much Will, for the translation of interview!

hehehe, i love the last one.. Success of Korea football team and success of the film at same time!

kekekkeke

More news about DAEMUL, I read in the blog of Chami, a member of Japanese fanbase saying that the drama will start filming in this month June 2010... Hope it happens..

[Guest TY_KSW]

"Into The Fire - F4"

Bonus:

Taken by his fans..

Credit as stated

[willenette]

thanks much Will, for the translation of interview!

hehehe, i love the last one.. Success of Korea football team and success of the film at same time!

kekekkeke

More news about DAEMUL, I read in the blog of Chami, a member of Japanese fanbase saying that the drama will start filming in this month June 2010... Hope it happens..

Hi TY, I really hope to hear more news about this drama...........I hope they could start filming soon.

____________________________

[ChanMi's movie news] Korean movie lacking Korean pride?

Movie, "71-Into the Fire" to be released on June 16th had its press meeting at Stanford University in California, USA. At the press release, the 400 students and Korean Americans came together to watch this film and give their critiques. A famous critic, Scott Fonas gave a thumbs up on kwon Sang-woo's acting!

He said that the acting was as memorable as James Dean's acting. The rebellious glare with the cigarette gave the characteristic of his acting expressive reminding him of James Dean's acting in his golden years.

Another history professor had said that it was very entertaining and that the war scenes were very horrific. The acting by Kwon and Choi Seung-hyeon was great!

The motif of the Korean was has been praised and is being a hot topic in the film industries in America and is good to see that many are more aware of this historical moment. However, there is also a counter effect that in a map in the film, the Sea of Korea or the Oriental Sea was written as Sea of Japan.

This raised the question of the film addressing or admitting that the sea is Japans'.

When this question was asked raising awareness that it was not addressed correctly, the director changed the subject that the focus should be on the movie, not the history.

This may be a very small detail of the film, however, because of the issues on the naming of the sea and ownership of the Dokdo island, patriotism has been put aside for the better of the film.

Making a film raising awareness of the Korean War, yet naming the Sea of Korea as Sea of Japan which already had many debates and arguments was disappointing to the Korean patriots and very ironic for its production.

Source : news.nate.com

Translation : Hancinema

[Guest TY_KSW]

Thanks Will for the article on Into The Fire ^^

THUMBS UP on Kwon Sang Woo acting

Yeah!!!

[Guest TY_KSW]

COSMOPOLITAN - JUNE 2010

THE GUY OF THE MONTH

credit as stated

[Guest TY_KSW]

Kwon Sang Woo "Asian James Dean"

（2010-06-03 17:27　　tvreport）

"Asian James Dean" is the nickname commented by audiens and media to actor Kwon Sang woo during the movie "Into The Fire" was introducing in Stanford University, USA.

A Press premiere was held on June 3 in Lotte Cinema, Konkuk University - Seoul participated by Kim Seung Woo, Cha Seung Won, Kwon Sang Woo, Top and director Lee John. Actor Kim Seung Woo conveyed "I got impressive of foreign critics 'Asian James Dean' to Kwon Sang Woo."

Here come some photos:

Credit as stated

[Guest TY_KSW]

More pix on Asian James Dean, Jun 3

Credit as stated