Lee Min-ki tapped to play lead in new Yoon Je-kyun pic

Korean model/actor Lee Min-ki [Asia Economic Daily]

Korean model and actor Lee Min-ki has been chosen to play the male lead in a new production by blockbuster director Yoon Je-kyun, according to the movie's producer JK Film on Thursday.

"We have finalized our selection and Lee Min-ki will play the lead for the new picture," Yoon, CEO of JK Film, told reporters on Tuesday of his choice for the film tentatively titled "Quick."

"Quick" is an action movie about motorcycle racing and will be helmed by director Jo Beom-goo, whose works include action comedy “Riverbank Legends” and “The Bad Utterances.”

Lee Min-ki made his debut in the entertainment industry in 2005 with his role in the drama “Be Strong, Geum Soon!” followed by appearing in the series "I Really Really Like You" and "Evasive Inquiry Agency."

He also stepped into the big screen with appearing in "A Good Day to Have an Affair" and in the Korean blockbuster "Haeundae," which was the highest grossing Korean film last year.

Reporter : Ko Kyoung-seok kave@
Editor : Lucia Hong luciahong@
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Two Korean Films to Compete at Cannes

Two starkly different Korean films will be vying for this year's Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival.

The first is Im Sang-soo's "The Housemaid," a remake of a 1960 film of the same title by the late, legendary director Kim Ki-young. It tells the story of a married couple and their maid who has an affair with the husband, and it provokes suspense among the audience when the maid carries on as if nothing happened.

The movie stars Cannes Best Actress Award winner Jeon Do-yeon, who again uses her charms and acting skills to portray a stark picture of human greed and desire. It is the second film by Im to be showcased at Cannes, following his acclaimed comedy "The President's Last Bang" in 2005.

Another director shooting for the golden award is former Cannes jury member Lee Chang-dong whose latest work "Poetry" is about an aging woman who rediscovers the beauty of life.

The film brings one of Korea's most famous actresses back to the big screen with Yoon Jeong-hee in the role of a widow who starts to see the world anew through poetry. "Poetry is something that expresses feelings for you when you can't verbalize them any other way," the director said.

Two other Korean films will be showcased in non-competition categories in the world's oldest and most prestigious film festival, which kicks off in May.

Credit: englishnews@chosun.com

source : Chosun

Jeon Do-yeon Returns to Screen in Risque Role

Cannes-award winning actress Jeon Do-yeon made a return to cinema with "The Housemaid" after more than two years of absence. Since her 2008 film "My Dear Enemy," Jeon took maternity leave from the film industry, but now she is ready to face the audience again with the erotic thriller to be released on May 13.

The film is a remake of 1960 film of the same title by the late director Kim Ki-young. In the press conference held on Tuesday, Jeon shared her story of how she had to endure two months of physically demanding action ranging from sex scenes to wire-stunt scenes.

"While shooting the film, I was reluctant to continue at times because of the nude scenes," Jeon says. "But my family gave me huge encouragement. My husband did not want me to change what roles I choose just because I'm married and cheered me on. I was very grateful for his encouragement and support."

Poster of The Housemaid

The new "Housemaid" is directed by Im Sang-soo, who is known for his unconventional portrayal of sex in films like "Tears," "Girls' Night Out," and "A Good Lawyer's Wife." In the film, according to Jeon, "There will be not only the joy of watching but also listening."

Im said, "The plot is the same as the original, but you'll be able to see a big difference in the depths of expressiveness of actors and images." He added, "It's my first time shooting a film with such a star-studded cast. That reflects how ambitious I was about this project. Enjoy watching it. I leave it to your judgment. I'd love to shock the audience with the film."

Meanwhile, Jeon will tread the red carpet again at this year's Cannes Film Festival on May 12 to 23 as "The Housemaid" has been invited to the main section.

Credit: englishnews@chosun.com

source : Chosun

Mother [ Korean Movie 2009 ]

Genre : Drama
Starring : Kim Hye-ja, Won Bin
Release date : May 28, 2009
Runtime :128 min.
Directed by : Jo Geun-Sik

Synopsis:

Widowed for a long time, a mother lives alone with her only son. He is 28 years old, a shy and quiet young man. In the aftermath of a terrible murder, the woman’s hope- less, helpless son becomes the prime suspect. There is no real evidence against him, but the police throw groundless suspicion at him. Eager to close the case, the police are happy with their cursory investigation and arrest the boy. His defense attorney turns out to be in- competent and unreliable. Faced with no other choice, his mother gets involved, determined to prove her son’s innocence. [source: http://www.koreanfilm.or.kr]

Gallery:

Gong Yoo and Lim Soo-jung to star in new film "First Love"

Korean actor Gong Yoo and actress Lim Soo-jung have been slated to star in a new film tentatively titled "First Love," according to their agency N.O.A Entertainment on Thursday.

N.O.A stated that the two actors were cast to play the lead roles in the musical-turned-movie, based on a comical story of a woman who during her trip to India re-encounters her first love and tries to see him again.

Lim, appearing in a romantic comedy pic for the first time, will be taking the role of woman who meets her first love and Gong Yoo the man who helps Lim's character find her love.

The original musical, which began its run in 2006, has been performed over 1,200 times on stage and is considered a hit in the local musical industry.

Lim, 30, made her debut in 1998 as a cover model for teenage magazines. She soon moved onto dramas and films, including her most notable roles in the hit KBS2 series "I'm Sorry, I Love You" (2004) and movies "Lump of Sugar" (2006) and "WOOCHI" (2009).

Gong Yoo, whose real name is Gong Ji-cheol, debuted in 2001 in KBS TV series "School 4" which was also Lim's small screen debut. He has appeared in more than a dozen dramas and films including "My Tutor Friend," "S Diary" and "She's On Duty."

He became a household name throughout Asia after his role in 2007 smash hit drama "The 1st Shop of Coffee Prince" with actress Yoon Eun-hye.

Reporter : Lim Hye-seon lhsro@asiae.co.kr
Editor : Lucia Hong luciahong@asiae.co.kr
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Paju lead wins best actor at Las Palmas

Korean actor LEE Seon-gyun picked up the best male actor award at the Las Palmas de Gran Canaria International Film Festival for his lead role in PARK Chan-ok’s Paju. The Spanish fest, which celebrates creative contemporary independent cinema, held its 11th edition March 12 – 20.

For actor LEE, the award is the first international recognition he has received, while the film continues to garner praise and prizes at film festivals around the globe. Paju picked up the NETPAC prize upon its premiere at Pusan Int’l Film Festival, opened the Int’l Film Festival Rotterdam and won a special Jury Prize at the Deauville Asian Film Festival in France.

LEE portrays an anguished man caught in a web of emotional ambiguities caused by the love he feels for his wife’s younger sister (played brilliantly by actress Seo Woo). The second feature by acclaimed female director PARK Chan-ok, Paju goes on to compete at the Tribeca Film Festival this month.

credit : Nigel D’Sa (KOFIC)

Jang Keun-suk to star in film "You're My Pet"

Hallyu star Jang Keun-suk will be making a comeback to the big screen in a new film titled "You're My Pet", according to his agency Tree J. Company on Tuesday.

Tree J. announced in a press release that the actor has been cast as the male lead in "Pet", playing a promising classical ballet dancer who becomes a personal pet for a professional working woman.

"I wanted to play a cheerful character for my next role and I thought the film 'You're My Pet' is something that fits me incredibly well," the actor was quoted as saying about the new role. "Personally, I have high hopes for the movie because I believe I will be able to show a different side to myself through 'Pet'".

"Pet", based on a popular Japanese comic series by Yayoi Ogawa, is about a young single woman who invites a homeless man into her home to be her pet and the two gradually start to grow romantic feelings toward each other.

The award-winning comic series was also made into a Japanese television drama in 2003.

Jang, 23, has appeared in several notable television dramas and films including "Beethoven Virus" (MBC, 2008) and "The Case of Itaewon Homicide" (2009).

He became a phenomenon in Korea and throughout Asia after starring in the hit TV series "Minamishineyo" (SBS, 2009), in which he portrayed an eccentric lead singer of idol group A.N.JELL.

The actor, who is currently holding fan meetings in various Asian countries, is preparing to go into shoot for the film which is scheduled for local release in the second half of this year.

Reporter : Lynn Kim lynn2878@asiae.co.kr
Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@asiae.co.kr
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