Director Kwak Jae-yong Shoots Film in Japan

Japan’s Nikkan Sports reported that Korean director Kwak Jae-yong will shoot the last film in his so-called “girl” series in Japan with Japanese actors and actresses.

Planned for release in 2008, “My Girlfriend is a Cyborg” has cast Ayase Haruka, who appeared in “Crying Out Love in the Center of the World,” to play an active, sassy girl and Koide Keisuke, who appeared in the drama “Nodame Cantabile,” to play a timid boy.

The fantasy romantic comedy evolves around a cyborg girl who comes back to the present from the future to help her boyfriend. Wire action and computer graphics will be used for vivid action scenes.

Kwak said that he cast Ayase because she is not only cheerful and tough but also pure and innocent. The Japanese actress is devoting herself to practicing playing a cyborg by watching the Hollywood film “Terminator.” She is also receiving training for the action scenes.

With an expected budget of 1 billion Japanese yen or 8 billion won, the movie began shooting on Jan. 17.

Another film in the Korean director’s “girl” series, “Windstruck,” drew the most viewers among Korean films released in Japan, with box office earnings of 2.7 billion yen when it was released in 2005. The other film “My Sassy Girl” also received a good response in Japan.

The film’s Japanese producer, Amuse, however, said Thursday that some people think the new film is a sequel to “My Sassy Girl” and “Windstruck” because Kwak is directing it, but it is actually a brand new picture that has nothing to do with the previous movies.
source: kbs grobal



Technorati tags : Nodame Cantabile /Kwak Jae-yong /Koide Keisuke /My Girlfriend is a Cyborg
/Korean director /korean movie /my sassy girl /Ayase Haruka

'200 Pound Beauty' Enters Top 10 Hit List

The Korean romantic comedy "200 Pound Beauty" starring actress Kim Ah-
jung entered the country's accumulated top ten box office hit list on its 42nd day of release.

Production agency KM Culture says 5.83 million moviegoers watched the movie since it opened on December 14th, moving it past the 2000 hit "Joint Security Area," which previously held the tenth ranking.

Showing on 250 screens nationwide with daily average ticket sales of 50,000, the film is expected to surpass the 6.12 million viewership of the ninth-ranked "My Boss, My Hero" by Saturday.

With a break-even point of 2.3 million, 200 Pounds Beauty has already earned profits of 15 billion won. Excluding investors' stake, the production company will get five billion of the 15 billion. The original soundtrack released online also raked in some two billion won for close to a handsome four billion total earnings for KM Culture.
source: kbs grobal


Technorati tags : Korean romantic comedy /200 Pound Beauty /korean film

Actor Ha Jung-woo Goes to Sundance Film Festival

Korean Actor Ha Jung-woo left for the U.S. to attend the Sundance Film Festival, which kicked off in Park City, Utah on Saturday. His movie Never Forever has been nominated in the festivals American Competition section.

Ha attended the red carpet event and the premiere of the movie on Sunday. On Monday, he gave a press conference along with director Kim Gina and costars Vera Fierberg and David Mclnnis.

Going to the Sundance Film Festival is what I have dreamed of as an actor. I am thrilled and nervous to see my dream come true, the actor said. I will do my best to promote the Korean film overseas.

Co-produced by Koreas Now Film and the U.S.Vox3 Films, the producer of films such as Secretary and Fur: An Imaginary Portrait of Diane Arbus, Never Forever deals with a bold and clandestine love affair set in New York.

Since the festival has established itself as the most important film festival discovering new films and directors, the nomination of his film can serve as a stepping stone for Ha to expand his activities to Hollywood.
source: kbs grobal

Technorati tags : korean actor /Ha Jung woo /Sundance Film Festival /korean film

Cha Tae-hyun tries comic film role - again

Cha Tae-hyun established himself as a leading Korean Wave star with his comic act in "My Sassy Girl" in 2001. So powerful was his innocent-yet-playful image in the Asia-wide hit that most cinema goers tend to associate him with comedy.

But a lesser known fact about Cha is that he has formal credentials as a singer. Previously, he released two music albums, and got a couple of songs climbing high on the local music chart for a while.

The unexpected problem for Cha is that no one takes him seriously when he sings; a far from pleasant development for the talented actor.

However, hope is at hand with a turning point looming. In "Highway Star (Bokmyeon dalho)," to be released on Feb. 15, Cha does not have to worry about the unintended and unwanted blending of his comic image and serious singing talent. His primary role here is to sing as comically as possible - and this is not a joke.


The movie, co-directed by Kim Sang-chan and Kim Hyeon-soo, pushes Cha to a throat-vibrating terrain of melodramatic Korean popular songs - a genre known here as "trot" that is quite similar in melody and words to Japanese melodramatic enka songs. Cha plays Dal-ho, a seemingly clueless rock star wannabe in a rural area. One day, a recording company head (played by Im Chae-moo) sees potential in this young man and encourages him to take a chance by becoming a trot singer.

credit By Yang Sung-jin korea herald read more

Technorati tags : Cha Tae-hyun /korean actor /Korean popular songs /korean movie /korean film /Korean Wave star

Daniel Henney Digs Into Own Life for New Movie

The movie “My Father” drew attention even before it started shooting because it stars the half-Korean heartthrob Daniel Henney. The film follows a Korean adopted by an American family who comes to Korea to seek out his biological parents, only to find that his father is on death row.

Henney plays James, who volunteers to join the U.S. Forces Korea as a way to find his biological parents. On the first day of shooting on Jan. 10, he successfully shed his gentlemanly image for his role as the young adopted man who slowly opens his heart to his jailed father. “I will try hard to use my personal experience of living in the U.S. to play James, who has lived his life feeling estranged as an adopted child,” Henney said.

“My Father” is the feature debut of director Hwang Dong-hyeuk, who attracted plaudits at home and abroad with his short film “Miracle Mile” starring Karl Yune. Kim Young-chol plays Henney’s father.

source:chosun Ilbo

Technorati tags : Daniel Henney, korean actor ,My Father

Daniel Henney’s new movie " My Father "

The filming of Daniel Henney’s new movie “My Father ” starts. This movie portrays that an adoptee looks for his real parents and then meets his father who is a condemned criminal.
read more

Technorati tags : Daniel Henney /My Father /korean movie /korean film

Our Happy Time ( Maundy Thursday )

A young man is sentenced to death for his role in the murder of three people. Meanwhile, encouraged by a nun, a former pop star starts to visit him in jail, and gradually becomes close to him.

Cast : Kang Dong Won (1 % of Anything, Too Beautiful to Lie, Temptation of the Wolves, Magic, Duelist)
Lee Na Young (Ruler of Your Own World, Who Are You, Please Teach Me English, Ireland, Someone Special).
Director : Song Hae Sung (Rikidozan, Failan).

Sysnopsis
Yu-jeong, a suicidal young woman, is introduced to a man on death row named Yun-soo by her aunt, Sister Monica. Raised by an abusive father, Yun-soo has led a hard life. It got even harder when he was left in an orphanage with his younger brother after his father"s suicide and his mother"s abandonment. Growing up in the gutter, he became involved in a violent crime, for which he was convicted of three counts of murder. Yu-jeong, on the other hand, comes from a rich family. However, her childhood was marred by traumatic neglect, which has led to her self-destructive impulses. These two wounded souls slowly open their hearts and find the motivation to live on in each other"s compassion. Yu-jeong realizes how spoiled her life has been compared to Yun-soo"s, and embraces his guilt that would otherwise never be forgiven

credit: Koreanfilm

Technorati tags : Kang Dong Won /Lee Na Young /Our Happy Time /Maundy Thursday /korean movie/ korean film

The Old Garden” to Be Released in France

korean Director Lim Sang-soo’s new film “The Old Garden” will be released in France on April 11 of next year. Cineclick Asia, which is in charge of the overseas distribution of the film, said Wednesday that the film was sold to the French film distributor Pretty Pictures even before its official release. The French film company had introduced Kim Ki-duk’s “3-Iron” to the country this year.

The movie’s release in France is attributable to great local interest in Lim and writer Hwang Seok-young, on whose same-titled novel the film is based. The Korean director has achieved such recognition that he will personally direct the French version of his previous film “A Good Lawyer’s Wife,” while the Korean writer, who is now staying in France, has seen six of his works including “The Old Garden” translated into French, all receiving a good response.

First shown at the San Sebastian International Film Festival held in Spain in September, the movie has been invited to the World Cinema Section of the Palm Springs International Film Festival. It will be released in Korea on Jan 4.
source: kbs global


Synopsis

Hyun-woo steps out of prison after a 17-year sentence for his anti-government activities. During his long imprisonment, everything has changed even his fellow anti-government protesters have become mundane. His mother then tells him of the death of Yoon-hee, who harbored and loved him right before he was caught 17 years ago. To cherish memories with her, Hyun-woo goes back to the place where the two had spent a few months together like a couple of honeymooners. Reading through Yoon-hee’s diaries and letters, Hyun-woo discovers that she was the only one who remained loyal to him to the end. Because of her faith and love, the despair and loneliness that Hyun-woo felt after his imprisonment is slowly healed. He also discovers that Yoon-hee left him another gift behind – their daughter.

International Film Festivals
2006 Donostia San Sebastian Int'l Film Festival, Official Selection


Source http://www.koreanfilm.or.kr
http://www.hancinema.net/

Technorati tags : The Old Garden /Korean writer /Lim Sang soo /korean movie /korean film

Korean Film Invited to Sundance Festival

Director: Kim Tai-sik

Screenwriter: Kim Jun-han, Kim Tai-sik

South Korea / color / 92 minutes

film by Korean director Kim Tai-shik will be screened next week at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival in the U.S.

"Driving with My Wife's Lover" is a comedy about a man eager to punish his wife and her paramour.

The low-budget work is enjoying rave reviews abroad and is also scheduled to be shown at the International Film Festival Rotterdam, one of Europe's "big five" movie festivals. There it will be screened in the Cinema of the Future category dedicated to feature-length films by up-and-coming moviemakers.

Arirang News
read more information :http://unofficiallysundance.com/films/show/283

The Host Included Kinema Junbo's Best Foreign Movies

Director Bong Jun-ho’s “The Host” has been included among the 10 best foreign movies in 2006 selected by Japan’s leading film magazine, Kinema Junbo.

The Japanese press reported Wednesday that “The Host” ranked third in the foreign film category of the 80th Kinema Junbo Best 10 2006.

On the top of the list was director Clint Eastwood’s “The Flags of Our Fathers,” followed by “Letters from Iwo Jima,” also by the same director. Ang Lee’s “Brokeback Mountain” came in fourth and Bennett Miller’s “Capote” fifth.

It is a noticeable achievement that the Korean film beat Hollywood blockbusters.

The best Japanese movie was “Hula Girl” directed by Korean-Japanese director Lee Sang-il. The award ceremony will be held at the Ashahi Hall in Tokyo on Feb. 10.

source:kbs grobal

Global Human Epic to be Filmed

mega scale global film project is expected to rewrite the history of Korean cinema.

Domestic film agency Vision Link Global (Pres. Lee In-hyeong) said Tuesday that South Korea, China, the U.S. and France will invest 50 billion won to produce a movie temporarily titled "Melanie's Violin" for simulataneous global release around October next year.

The movie is about a renowned Jewish violinist who flees to Shanghai to escape the fascist massacres at home. There, the musician, with a Chinsese pupil, brings people faith, hope and freedom through his music.

Vision Link, who will plan and produce the film, recently signed a joint production deal with a Chinese corporation.

The vice president of France's Studio Canal also signed the contract in Seoul late last year, while final negotiations will soon take place with U.S. counterparts.

Melanie's Violin is a human epic based on a Chinese novel with the same title, and has been dubbed "an Asian version of 'Schindler's List.'"

Vision Link says that while Korean movies have focused on projects with Asian partners, the partipication of the U.S. and France makes the upcoming film a global project.

The yet undecided director and cast may likely be top Hollywood names. The filming crew will also comprise staff members who worked on films like "Schindler's List" and "The Pianist."

Korean American musican Ji Park will take on the task of developing the movie's soundtrack. His earlier works include Kim Ki-deok's films "Samaria" and "Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter and Spring."

A Vision Link official says the project, currently in a free production stage, will cost a record 50 billion won. For secure financing, the total production cost will be raised prior to filming by introducing the Hollywood system in which the film's copyright is sold in advance worldwide.

source:kbs grobal

Song Hye-gyo, Rain Top Popularity Charts

Arirang TV conducted a global online survey on the popularity of Korean celebrities abroad in mid-December. The survey asked a total of 775 people from 46 countries with whom they would like to watch the first sunrise of the new year.

Topping the female chart were actresses Song Hye-gyo and Kim Tae-hee who tied with just over 20 percent. 156 people evenly voted for the two women. Other names included Lee Young-ae and Ha Ji-won.

Rain and Song Hye-gyo

In the male category, no.1 was the heartthrob singer/actor Rain, garnering 24 percent or 189 votes. Trailing behind were names like Jang Dong-gun, Lee Jun-ki and Bae Yong-joon .

Arirang News
source :chosun ilbo

Technorati tags : Rain /Song Hye-gyo /Jang Dong-gun /Lee Jun-ki /Bae Yong-joon

‘My Sassy Girl’ Director to Shoot Film in Japan

Korean filmmaker Kwak Jae-yong, best known for his hit movie "My Sassy Girl", will apply his talents in Japan. The director will start shooting a sci-fi film he wrote himself there early next year.

Japan's major production and talent agency Amuse will fund the movie while hiring an all-Japanese cast and crew. Other than the production costs of over US$8 million, details have yet to be released.

Kwak already boasts high name recognition in Japan as both his romantic comedy "My Sassy Girl" and melodrama "The Classic" received good feedback there.

Arirang News
source :chosun ilbo

Im Soo Jung's new movie "HAPPINESS"

From the director of Christmas in August 1998 ,One Fine Spring Day 2001, April Snow 2005 (Hur Jin Ho)

Starring Im Su-jung ,Hwang Jung-min Release Date 2007


Synopsis :Young-soo has enjoyed his life in Seoul before he finds himself suffering from cirrhosis. Losing any desire to live, he decides to leave the city and go to a sanatorium in the countryside. He meets a girl, Eun-hee who is also suffering from a critical disease. They start to live together. But one day, his old girlfriend appears in front of him, asking him to return to the life they once had before. He leaves Eun-hee to live with his old girlfriend. As time passes, he misses Eun-hee, and goes down to the house they used to live together. But he finds the empty house and Eun-hee who is waiting for her last moment in the sanatorium.

Source: mediaplex.co.kr popcornfor2.com

korean actor Jeong Offered Hollywood Film Role

Korean Actor Jeong Woo-seong has reportedly been offered to appear in the Hollywood blockbuster "Battle of Red Cliff."
In an interview with the Associate Press, the movie's producer Terence Chang said they conveyed the offer to the Korean actor. 'Battle' is Hong Kong filmmaker John Woo's latest motion picture.
Chow Yun-Fat is set to play the role of Liu Bei and Tony Leung Chiu Wai will play Zhuge Liang.
Chang said they are discussing the matter with Jeong but nothing is decided as Jeong hasn't read the script yet.

Chang did not elaborate on Jeong's role while he denied reports that "Last Samurai" star Ken Watanabe was also cast.
The Battle of Red Cliff is one of the highlights from the Chinese classic novel, Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Filming will start early March.
source: kbs grobal