Kwon Sang Woo 권상우

[Guest TY_KSW]

He admitted .. and good that no one hurt...

I think he's not drunk bc he is not type of drinking or smoking ...

[willenette]

[iNTERVIEW] Kwon Sang-woo - Part 1

Kwon Sang-woo is back to wearing a school uniform. He who placed films "My Tutor Friend" and "The Spirit of Jeet Kun Do" atop the local box office with roles as a high school student, is back as a student soldier full of rebelliousness in "71 Into the Fire" about the Korean War. Now a father of a son, a school uniform might have not been the right character for him to play. But in "Fire," based on the true story of 71 student soldiers who fought against one of the most elite troops of the North Korean army, Kwon's eyes and expressions are the very eyes and expressions of a student soldier full of vehemence. The wailing directed to the oppressive system of Korean high schools that his character Hyun-soo let out in "Jeet Kun Do," has taken on an intensity that goes between life and death to save his country and his colleagues. 10Asia sat down to speak with Kwon who says the sacrifices the student soldiers made was "noble and heartbreaking."

10: How did you feel after the first press screening for the movie?

Kwon Sang-woo: It's honestly up to the heavens to decide whether something will make it big or not. But I have faith that it won't turn a blind eye on us. (laugh) I like the emotions that films contain. The death of the student soldiers will touch your heart as you go towards the end.

10: Choi Seung-hyun (T.O.P) seemed to cry a lot while watching the movie.

Kwon: Yes, he cried quite a lot. (laugh) But I understand how he feels because "71 Into the Fire" is his first film. I think I knew nothing either when I was his age. How the tears flowed after I shot my last action scene in "Spirit of Jeet Kun Do." I think that might be what he felt.

10: I heard you had a hard time with the filming because it was so cold this winter.

Kwon: We shot from last November to early April and it was so cold. When we shot the scene in the field of reeds, the wind was so strong that our tent flew away. And we'd feel heavy because we'd be wearing two sets of long johns each while sweating at the same time so it was quite tough.

10: Do you think that once again, the film will do well because you're wearing a school uniform for your role? It's happened everytime so far. And are you not concerned, as an actor, that your character will become fixed in such a way?

Kwon: I think people see me in that way because the movies I've worn school uniforms in have always been successful. I don't know, maybe I should star in movies where I wear a school uniform all the time. (laugh)

10: Let's talk about the movie. Student soldier Koo Gap-jo is a rebellious person but gradually changes.

Kwon: You can consider Choi's character as the narrator of the film and the one-dimensional main character while Koo is the character who is led by his own emotions when the main incident of the movie starts. He goes through very strong emotional ups and downs and I paid a lot of attention to it because he's an important character to the film. You can take it that the film actually starts when he loses his friend and goes crazy.

10: Your character Koo Gap-jo takes charge of the other student soldiers with his physical strength. Were you ever similar to him in any way when you were younger?

Kwon: I had fun but I never stepped out of line. I was goofy but I was classy about the things I did. (laugh) I also studied enough while fighting and goofing off to the extent that it would go unnoticed. I was famous for being the strongest guy in our school up till elementary school but the kids started growing really fast in middle school... they grew very tall and that's when I started getting beat up a lot. (laugh)

10: Then it must have significance to you in doing a movie in a school setting with such memories about your schooldays.

Kwon: It does have significance. "Jeet Kun Do" had significance to me in that I played a role in a school which is the miniature version of society and "Fire" too because I had to play the role of a student soldier who sacrifices his life for his country and embrace a much larger society -- namely North and South Korea.

10: The emotions between Oh Jang-beom (played by Choi Seung-hyun) and Koo Gap-jo (Kwon Sang-woo) change in the final scene when they fight against the North Korean army.

Kwon: I considered that scene to be the most important because it introduces Koo's background. It is where the one of the larger themes emerges -- that he wasn't a student but he was happy to be one after volunteering for it to save his country. That was the saddest moment for me and it really touched my heart. I personally think the scene itself was played out better than it was written in the scenario. I think the acting, expression and emotions were all expressed well.

10: Is that what attracted you to "Fire"?

Kwon: I wouldn't have done it if it was a typical war movie. It was refreshing in that it was about student soldiers and their death was noble and heartbreaking. I think that's what differentiated it the most. Those who have never used a gun before have to shoot them and they face off the North Korean People's Army with eggs. I think that's the strength of our film. It may come off as a blockbuster because of the large budget that went into it but it's actually a story-oriented film. The story was what attracted me rather than the visuals that would go into it.

Reporter : Won Sung-yoon

Photographer : Chae ki-won ten@

Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@, Lee Ji-Hye seven@

<ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved>

http://10.asiae.co.kr/Articles/new_view.htm?sec=ent0&a_id=2010062414163356978

_________________________

[iNTERVIEW] Kwon Sang-woo - Part 2

10: I understand that you communicated with director Lee Jae-han in many ways too.

Kwon: I think it becomes difficult when the actor has to play a character which does not suit him and when he does not understand the movie. The reason I was able to have fun shooting this film although it was tough was because I suited me well. It seemed that the director judged that my idea of my character fit his idea of the character.

10: Were you not bored on set because it was all guys?

Kwon: No. It was actually more fun because it was just guys. There were many characters and my senior actors were a lot of fun too -- I had a lot of fun. And the city we were shooting in was small so eating and having a drink was our source of pleasure. With Cha Seung-won, we would look over what has been shot, tell each other what's good and also talk about things other than the movie. It's disappointing that we don't get to see each other much after returning to Seoul.

10: I think you'd feel different about wars after shooting a war movie.

Kwon: I took part in a war in simulation through a movie but it's something that shouldn't happen in real life. I went to the Hiroshima war museum in Japan and what I saw was horrendous. Wars these days are not like back in the days and like what happened during the Korean War. It moved my heart to see that such young people were sacrificed and I think young people these days would do the same if they were put in the same situation. I think patriotism is an emotion that everyone has in a corner of their heart. I think a lot of people will watch the movie because it'll stir that emotion.

10: You were told at the screening at Stanford University that you resemble James Dean when your character smokes.

Kwon: I actually can't smoke. And I told myself that I would never smoke again after having to in this film. (laugh) I don't smoke it in the first place for my health. But I'm grateful to hear that I look like James Dean. (laugh)

10: Actors refer to a lot of information to focus on their characters. Is there any information in particular that you looked into regarding student soldiers?

Kwon: I think such things don't help. It's important to have emotions and feeling. I think acting is a plan that you set up within yourself. And it has to work well. You're the one that has to work and it's important how you approach and focus on what's in the scenario.

10: You must be under a different determination with your son Rookie coming into the world.

Kwon: I really missed him when we were filming. But it was the thoughts about him that helped me to shoot the movie. It's an emotion that only people who have married and have had a child before can understand. The feeling that I'll be able to sacrifice for him if I'm in an extreme situation. I feel no different in how I engage but I do want to do a good job and show it to Rookie.

10: You must've gone through a lot of distress too because there was so much talk surrounding your marriage.

Kwon: It hasn't shaken me up enough to call it distressing. What did we do wrong? All we did was marry because we loved each other. We didn't commit a crime. I don't care about what's on the Internet either. My happiness comes from going home and spending time with my mom, wife and son Rookie. (laugh)

10: Is there a way in which you overcome slumps?

Kwon: I don't think there is a particular time that one experiences slumps but that it's rather dependent on the success or failure of a movie or drama role. A slump is something that you cannot shake off nor erase from your memory. We live in a cold-hearted world and I was in a slump these past few years because none of my productions did well. Actors can't help paying attention to such things. The movies or dramas that didn't do well, didn't do well for several reasons and I think I should be more careful in making selections now in order to avoid making the same mistake again. Things have not been going so great for me so this one has to do well. (laugh)

10: The audience are also looking forward to you playing a role again in a romantic comedy film like "My Tutor Friend."

Kwon: I think there's a timing for those. And I think they're not in these days but I do want to do one again if there's a good scenario. And I think I'd do well at it too. There are so many things that I still want to do. I want to also try doing a sad comedy and a sad love story.

10: What sort of actor do you want to be remembered as by people?

Kwon: I hope I'm remembered as an actor whose work the audience looks forward to rather than an actor who acts well. I think that's what I need to hear for now.

Reporter : Won Sung-yoon

Photographer : Chae ki-won ten@

Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@, Lee Ji-Hye seven@

<ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved>

http://10.asiae.co.kr/Articles/new_view.htm?sec=ent0&a_id=2010062414162050310

[Guest ghada44]

:D Thank you TY_KSW willenette

Is already the number one everything

[willenette]

'71 Into the Fire' Tops Box Office

The big-budget movie "71 Into the Fire," a story about a group of boy soldiers during the Korean War, has become the biggest domestic movie of the year so far since its release on June 16.

Featuring a star-studded cast that includes Cha Seung-won, Kwon Sang-woo, Kim Seung-woo, and Choi Seung-hyun, better known as T.O.P. from boy group Big Bang, the W11.3 billion movie has drawn 1.4 million viewers in over 760 cinemas nationwide as of Wednesday, according to distributor Lotte Entertainment.

Released in time for the 60th anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War, it is based on a true story of a poorly-armed outfit of 71 young volunteers who protected the city of Pohang, South Gyeongsang Province from invading North Korean forces while the Army was fighting on another front. The boys' compelling stories are interwoven with harrowing battle scenes.

"Considering the huge drop in moviegoers due to the World Cup, the strong box office results show just how popular the movie is," Lotte Entertainment said.

Credit : Chosun Ilbo

http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2010/06/25/2010062500790.html

[willenette]

June 25, 2010

Kwon Sang-woo slapped with hit-and-run charge

Actor Kwon Sang-woo has been booked without detention for fleeing the scene of an accident after hitting a police car and a parked vehicle, according to Gangnam Police Station on Thursday.

Kwon bumped into the front of a parked Genesis around 2:55 a.m. on June 12 while driving his Cadillac in Cheongdam-dong, southern Seoul, said the police. Kwon then reversed the car, only to hit a police car which was approaching Kwon from behind. He then hit a tree in a nearby parking lot. Kwon finally fled on foot.

Kwon appeared at the Gangnam Police Station on June 14, two days after the incident. He was booked on a hit-and-run charge as it was too late to measure his blood-alcohol level.

Sohn Tae-young (left) poses at the ESCADA 2010 F/W Collection fashion show in Cheongdam-dong on Thursday, the day her actor husband Kwon Sang-woo (right) was booked for hit-and-run charges. Yonhap News

Kwon is said to have told the police that he fled because he was frightened to have been in an accident and to see that a police car was following him.

The police sent the case to the prosecutor’s office on Wednesday.

On Friday, Kwon’s agent said the accident was due to inexperienced driving and that Kwon deeply regrets his actions.

The agent, however, did not comment on suspicions Kwon may have fled the scene because he was intoxicated at the time of the incident.

Kwon’s accident is expected to affect his latest movie “Into the Fire,” which was released on June 16, and the television drama “Dae Mul,” with which Kwon is planning to make a comeback on the small screen.

“Into the Fire” producers and Kwon’s agent said that Kwon will be excluded from the nationwide promotion tours for the time being, while the “Dae Mul” team said that there will be no changes in Kwon’s schedule. The new drama is scheduled to start shooting early next month.

Meanwhile, Kwon’s wife, actress Sohn Tae-young, appeared at an ESCADA fashion show at the brand’s flagship store in Cheongdam-dong on the day Kwon was booked.

By Park Min-young (claire@heraldm.com)

Credit : Korea Herald

http://www.koreaherald.com/entertainment/Detail.jsp?newsMLId=20100625000551

[tanio12]

June 25, 2010

Kwon Sang-woo slapped with hit-and-run charge

Actor Kwon Sang-woo has been booked without detention for fleeing the scene of an accident after hitting a police car and a parked vehicle, according to Gangnam Police Station on Thursday.

Kwon bumped into the front of a parked Genesis around 2:55 a.m. on June 12 while driving his Cadillac in Cheongdam-dong, southern Seoul, said the police. Kwon then reversed the car, only to hit a police car which was approaching Kwon from behind. He then hit a tree in a nearby parking lot. Kwon finally fled on foot.

Kwon appeared at the Gangnam Police Station on June 14, two days after the incident. He was booked on a hit-and-run charge as it was too late to measure his blood-alcohol level.

Kwon is said to have told the police that he fled because he was frightened to have been in an accident and to see that a police car was following him.

The police sent the case to the prosecutor’s office on Wednesday.

On Friday, Kwon’s agent said the accident was due to inexperienced driving and that Kwon deeply regrets his actions.

The agent, however, did not comment on suspicions Kwon may have fled the scene because he was intoxicated at the time of the incident.

Kwon’s accident is expected to affect his latest movie “Into the Fire,” which was released on June 16, and the television drama “Dae Mul,” with which Kwon is planning to make a comeback on the small screen.

“Into the Fire” producers and Kwon’s agent said that Kwon will be excluded from the nationwide promotion tours for the time being, while the “Dae Mul” team said that there will be no changes in Kwon’s schedule. The new drama is scheduled to start shooting early next month.

Meanwhile, Kwon’s wife, actress Sohn Tae-young, appeared at an ESCADA fashion show at the brand’s flagship store in Cheongdam-dong on the day Kwon was booked.

By Park Min-young (claire@heraldm.com)

Credit : Korea Herald

http://www.koreaherald.com/entertainment/Detail.jsp?newsMLId=20100625000551

okay why do i have a strange inkling there is trouble in paradise and there is conflict within Kwon himself. When I saw him at Jang's wedding he definitely was not happy.

[Guest TY_KSW]

okay why do i have a strange inkling there is trouble in paradise and there is conflict within Kwon himself. When I saw him at Jang's wedding he definitely was not happy.

Hi Tanio, that is his typical mood like habitual , not just recently..

KSW mood and facial appearance normally looked melancholy..

Thats why he is choose in most tear jerk films ^^

Anyway, the case of car accident is closed by Seoul Kangnam district since he was not charged to "Flee away" which is considered if there people injurred.

He is concentrating into the come in role, a  casanova in Daemul with ms Go in the begining of July 2010.

[willenette]

[CHART] Weekend Box Office: June 25-27

Reporter : Lucia Hong luciahong@

<ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved>

http://10.asiae.co.kr/Articles/new_view.htm?sec=ent0&a_id=2010062810301491459

[willenette]

Kwon Sang-woo likely to receive fine for car accident

Actor Kwon Sang-woo, who was belatedly known to have been indicted on charges of fleeing after colliding his car into several vehicles more than two weeks ago, is expected to receive a fine for the incident.

"There is a high possibility the case will be closed with Kwon receiving just a fine," an official at Seoul's Gangnam Police Station told Asia Economic Daily over the phone on Sunday, saying that the case was turned over to prosecutors as an incident in which Kwon did not take immediate action for the damage he inflicted.

The case was originally reported to be a hit-and-run but the official explained there were no casualties involved and damage was done only to property such as objects and vehicles.

Earlier, police had also stated that Kwon had been driving on the wrong side of a road in the posh affluent Cheongdam district before the accident occurred but the official said "there was some exaggeration" and that the actor rather had crossed over a centerline to turn into an alley.

Confusion ran throughout the country last week when news broke out that Kwon, also one of the most popular Korean actors in Japan, had been involved in an alleged hit-and-run.

Police had said he had collided into a parked car when police discovered him driving on the wrong side of the road, then ran his car into the police vehicle trying to back out from the collision, and drove away for about 300 meters before hitting a flowerbed.

He abandoned his vehicle and fled the scene, showing up at the police station two days later to undergo investigation for the incident.

Kwon's agency explained through a press release on Friday that the actor's car had "slipped in the rain and collided into a parked car," running into the police vehicle while he was backing up his car to take necessary means to take care of the accident.

Kwon then tried to park his car in front of a wedding hall where the accident occurred, but hit a flowerbed in the parking lot. He panicked and left the scene, but a source close to Kwon later showed up and admitted to the accident.

The agency added that Kwon is "deeply regretting his mistake due to poor driving and his leaving the scene."

Kwon has starred in several notable television dramas and films including "My Tutor Friend" (2003) and "Love, So Divine" (2004).

His most famous role to date however, was in the 2003 TV series "Stairway to Heaven", which co-starred another Hallyu star Choi Ji-woo and became a smash hit throughout Asia.

He currently stars in the film "71 - Into The Fire," which is based on the true story of 71 student soldiers who fought during the Korean War.

Reporter : Park Kun-ouc kun1112@

Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@

<ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved>

http://10.asiae.co.kr/Articles/new_view.htm?sec=ent0&a_id=2010062813405264268

[willenette]

Kwon Sang-woo to stay on TV series "Big Thing"

Despite speculation that actor Kwon Sang-woo will pull out from his upcoming TV series tentatively titled "Big Thing" after coming under fire for colliding his car into several vehicles and then leaving the scene, producers have reaffirmed their position to keep the actor on the show.

"Kwon Sang-woo will not step down [from the show] -- it is our CEO's conviction that we will go with whoever we decided on in the first place," an official with producer Lee Kim Productions told Asia Economic Daily over the phone on Monday.

Kwon had taken the country by surprise last week when he was belatedly known to have been indicted on charges of fleeing after colliding his car into several vehicles, including a police car, more than two weeks ago.

Police had originally reported the case as a hit-and-run but is said to have turned over the case to prosecutors as an incident in which Kwon did not take immediate action for the damage he inflicted since there were no casualties involved and damage was done only to property.

Top Korean actress Ko Hyun-jung, who will play the heroine of the series, was said to have signed onto the show on the condition that Kwon will play the male lead.

"Big," based on a comic book series, is about a first-class gigolo played by Kwon, who helps a human rights lawyer played by Ko, to achieve her dream of becoming Korea's first female president.

The show, set to go into shoot starting July, is scheduled to premiere on October 6.

Kwon has starred in several dramas and movies since his debut in 2001. He rose to stardom in Asia after starring in 2003 TV series "Stairway to Heaven" and has recently been promoting war pic "71 Into the Fire."

Reporter : Park So-yoen muse@

Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@

<ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved>

http://10.asiae.co.kr/Articles/new_view.htm?sec=ent0&a_id=2010062815093825729

[Guest TY_KSW]

Kwon Sang-woo likely to receive fine for car accident

The case was originally reported to be a hit-and-run but the official explained there were no casualties involved and damage was done only to property such as objects and vehicles.

Reporter : Park Kun-ouc kun1112@

Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@

<ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved>

http://10.asiae.co.k...062813405264268

see, media and TV station are so fast to run up a case of "hit-and-run" which are only applied for hit people and run.

Our man hit vehicles and flowerbed... Are they confused flowerbeds with people?? Stupid !!

I m not surprised about the fact that MBC is the first station screened about this news...

Obviously they are afraid of Sangwoo's new drama DAEMUL with SBS will defeat their project same period..

Hoohoohoh, so, they feasted everyone by the HOT NEWS with "hit-n-run" without referring to the correct term in traffic law...

Now, our oppa is to pay fine, then start to do the big job with ms Go...

Just do it !! Lets MBC see how big DAEMUL is !!!

[Guest TY_KSW]

KANSTYLE Vol. 10

June n July

Credit as stated

[Guest TY_KSW]

North Korea women: the ideal man that wish to live for - Kwon Sang Woo

Recent research on "Who is the ideal man in South Korea that you love to live with forever?" to North Korean young women has major feedback that go to Kwon Sang Woo. Women in North Korea replied that "Kwon is the ideal man they want to meet before die," and "he is the ideal man we want to live with forerver."

Source: asiatoday.co.kr/news

[moi]

North Korea women: the ideal man that wish to live for - Kwon Sang Woo

Recent research on "Who is the ideal man in South Korea that you love to live with forever?" to North Korean young women has major feedback that go to Kwon Sang Woo. Women in North Korea replied that "Kwon is the ideal man they want to meet before die," and "he is the ideal man we want to live with forerver."

Source: asiatoday.co.kr/news

methinks STY must be d most unpopular person for North Koreans!

[willenette]

"71 - Into The Fire" to open in 14 U.S. cities next month

Korean war epic "71 Into The Fire" is set to open in fourteen major U.S. cities including New York and Los Angeles on July 30, according to the show's producer Taewon Entertainment on Wednesday.

Taewon announced in a press release that the war pic will be showing at AMC, the biggest theater chain in the U.S., and MPARK4 Cinema theaters in various cities including Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington.

"Fire" will start with a limited theatrical release and gradually increase its number of screens, depending on its U.S. box office performance, Taewon added.

The film -- which stars top Korean actors Kwon Sang-woo, Cha Seung-won, Kim Seung-woo and T.O.P of idol group Big Bang -- has been garnering heated attention from the media recently, particularly when Kwon and director Lee Jae-han took part in a special seminar at the prestigious Stanford University's Asia-Pacific Research Center last month.

Noted film critic Scott Foundas, who writes movie reviews for numerous U.S. publications including The New York Times and has an online column on Indiewire.com, gave the war drama high marks after seeing it at Stanford. He said the film has a universal appeal and even compared Kwon to the late Hollywood rebel James Dean.

The film's commercial success overseas, particularly in the U.S., is likely to increase the odds for a first-ever Academy Award nomination for a Korean motion picture. So far, no Korean film has made the Oscar nominations for Best Foreign Film.

"Into Fire" is based on the true story of 71 student soldiers who fought during the Korean War, which marked its 60th anniversary last Friday.

Reporter : Lynn Kim lynn2878@

Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@

<ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved>

http://10.asiae.co.kr/Articles/new_view.htm?sec=ent0&a_id=2010063010115758832

[aXiSEEu12]

Ah, just as I expected. I'm going to have to wait until his new movie releases on DVD in order to watch it. hahah Unfortunately, I don't live in a big city like LA, NYC, or Chicago.

[Guest TY_KSW]

methinks STY must be d most unpopular person for North Koreans!

muahhahah! yes, may be....

Actually, the most beloved Korean Actress in Northern is Lee Young Ae.

[Guest TY_KSW]

Ah, just as I expected. I'm going to have to wait until his new movie releases on DVD in order to watch it. hahah Unfortunately, I don't live in a big city like LA, NYC, or Chicago.

Hi AXISEEU. sorry that the cities are far from your place...

What we could do is watching DVD

Im not sure if it will release in my country... but DVD is the must ^^

[willenette]

July 1, 2010

Kwon Sang-woos car troubles force his wife to shut Web site

[Talk of the town]

Actress Son Tae-young shut her Cyworld page due to the fallout form her husbands involvement in a car accident earlier this month.

According to news reports, Sons husband, actor Kwon Sang-woo, was driving on the wrong side of the road on June 12 and hit a parked car. He then ran into the police car that had pursued him, continued driving and hit a tree before fleeing the scene on foot. Two days later, he turned himself in at Gangnam Police Station.

Kwon, who stars in the Korean war film 71: Into the Fire, apologized to the public once the accident had been made public, but netizens continued to express their anger toward him on Sons Cyworld page.

The personal attacks on the couple were renewed later in the month when Son appeared at a fashion show after the news of her husbands accident was made public.

Credit : JoongAngDaily

http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2922523

[Guest TY_KSW]

July 1, 2010

Kwon Sang-woos car troubles force his wife to shut Web site

[Talk of the town]

Actress Son Tae-young shut her Cyworld page due to the fallout form her husbands involvement in a car accident earlier this month.

According to news reports, Sons husband, actor Kwon Sang-woo, was driving on the wrong side of the road on June 12 and hit a parked car. He then ran into the police car that had pursued him, continued driving and hit a tree before fleeing the scene on foot. Two days later, he turned himself in at Gangnam Police Station.

Kwon, who stars in the Korean war film 71: Into the Fire, apologized to the public once the accident had been made public, but netizens continued to express their anger toward him on Sons Cyworld page.

The personal attacks on the couple were renewed later in the month when Son appeared at a fashion show after the news of her husbands accident was made public.

Credit : JoongAngDaily

http://joongangdaily...asp?aid=2922523

Netizens n public medias are few of reasons that partly caused some suicides among celebrities these days..

Recalling Cho jin Sil and other actors actress.. how hard they suffered from this CRISTICIZES by netizens n rudely personal violation from medias..

They never get enough satisfaction from pulling anger over others until the victims killed themselves...

I m sure, if these things happened to them surely they would react not as good as they talked, if not worse than the victims they cristized....