Coffee Prince gets a movie version

A producer confirmed that rights have been acquired to adapt the novel into a movie (fyi, the Coffee Prince novel came first, after which the original novelist also wrote the drama). Since this will be the third version of this story to be told, the rep said that “the movie will show a different story from the drama.”

After the script is completed in May, the production will begin casting for its characters of Go Eun-chan, Choi Han-gyul, and the rest. I wouldn’t get my hopes up for Yoon Eun-hye and Gong Yoo to reprise their roles (it would be great, but I wouldn’t want to get too excited), but the producers aren’t ruling out that possibility, either. Both scenarios are possible: either the old cast will be invited to return or, barring that, they’ll cast with new actors.

This is apparently the second instance of a drama being adapted to film format, following the sageuk series Damo which was turned into the film version Duelist. (The opposite scenario is more common, where films are adapted into dramas, such as with Tazza and Gourmet.)

Part of the drama Coffee Prince’s charm was its wonderful directing by Lee Yoon-jung, and with a different PD behind the camera, the end product may end up with a very different feel. Still, I’m excited nonetheless — I loved the drama and I thoroughly enjoyed reading the novel, and I certainly don’t need this movie to be a direct replica of the drama.

The production’s plan is to begin filming in October, and aim for a February 2010 release, with simultaneous premieres in Korea, Japan, China, and Southeast Asia.

source: DongA
Translations: dramabeans

Tags: Coffee prince/korean drama/MBC drama/korean movie/Yoon Eun Hye

“Thirst” Goes to Cannes

Director Park Chan-wook’s new film, “Thirst,” has been invited to compete in the 62nd Cannes International Film Festival. Korea’s premier director is no stranger to this prestigious film festival, for he has won the Grand Prix of the Jury in 2004 and high praise from the President of the Jury, director Quentin Tarantino, for “Old Boy.”

Park’s latest film, “Thirst,” starring esteemed Song Kang-ho and Kim Ok-bin, is expected to stir up quite a controversy in the Catholic nation, for it depicts a deadly affair between a priest-turned-vampire (played by Song) and his friend’s wife (played by Kim). Although the subject matter of vampire is familiar to the western audience, filmgoers and critics may not react favorably to the fact that a priest is the anti-hero in this film.

“Thirst” is scheduled to open nationwide in Korea on April 30th. It’s one of the most anticipated films in 2009, as demonstrated by the sell-out of advance tickets in just 10 minutes.

source: KBS World

Tags: Kim Ok bin/Song Kang ho/Park Chan wook/korean movie

Secret Sunshine [ Korean Movie 2007 ]

Genre : Drama, Romance
Starring : Joen Do Yeon, Song Kang Ho
Release date : May 24, 2007
Runtime :142 min.
Directed by : Lee Chang dong
International Film Festivals: 2007 Cannes International Film Festival , Competition
Awards: Joen Do Yeon won Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival.

Synopsis:

After losing her husband, a woman relocates to a small-town called Miryang for a new start. When tragedy strikes, one local man stands by her through all of her struggles and tries to offer her hope.

Gallery:

Tags: Secret Sunshine/korean movie/Joen Do Yeon/Song Kang Ho/korean film

Actress Kim Ok-bin Speaks Out About Starring in 'Thirst'

Kim Ok-bin, who stars in the season's most anticipated film "Thirst," has spoken about working alongside Song Kang-ho. "Acting with Song, I really felt that he is a true, genuine actor. He was near perfect in every scene, and I learned so much from him," she said.

Asked about her thoughts about the bed scenes at the time of casting, Kim said, "I didn't want to think too much about the nudity issue. When I learned about the role, I thought it was something that all actresses want to do at some point in their career."

Director Park Chan-wook had high praise for his star. "She showed so many different sides of the character, and is such a versatile actress. She will become a big star in Korean film industry."

"Thirst" is a melodrama about the illicit love affair between a priest who becomes a vampire after getting a blood transfusion from an unknown person and the wife of his friend. It will be released in Korea on Apr. 30.

Credit: englishnews@chosun.com
Source: Chosun

Tags: Kim Ok bin/korean actress/Park Chan wook/korean movie

Actress Kang Talks About Stalker's Pain

Heroine of film "Why Did You Come to My House?"

"This film is for those who adhered to criminal activity or thought of suicide because of love, and anyone who ever did harm or suffered over love," said actress Kang Hye-jeong during the presentation of her new film "Why Did You Come to My House?" at a Seoul theater Thursday.

She said her character "Lee Su-gang" is "wacky, lacks social skills, doesn't have a big dream in life, but dreams of miraculous love."

Lee rarely opens up to others, but she loves one man, Park Ji-min (played by Big Bang member Seungri), in her own unique way for ten years. To stalk him, she enters the home of Kim Byeong-hee (Park Hee-sun), which provides a good view of Park's house. She saves Kim, who was about to hang himself to death. Then she ties up his hands and legs and locks him up.

The film continues the series of "female character" films such as "Sympathy for Lady Vengeance," "My Scary Girl" and "Crush and Blush."

This is the first feature film for director Hwang Su-a, who debuted with a music video and TV commercials. She says the film is a "unique romance film that incorporates the traits of other film genres and an emotional unraveling about love and how people love."

Kang said, "I first befriended Hwang in a different film. She wrote this script partially based on myself so I feel closer to the character."

"Lee's beauty lies in her unpolished nature. She's rough but also feeble. It feels real. I didn't have to be pretty, which I liked."

When asked if Lee's blind love gave anyone a hard time, Kang said, "Stalking someone for a decade is itself a painful thing to do."

"She opened up people who approached her for the first time. She didn't care for anything else about her life, which must have been painful because it's isolating yourself. But she ultimately transforms her obsessive, possessive love to devotion and patience. This is hard in real life but I believe she achieved ideal love."

"I'm not as clear-cut in my own love life. I just want to live as I feel."

Actor Park Hee-sun plays "Kim Byeon-hee" who became addicted to suicide attempts ever since his wife died in a car accident. He said, "The script was good but I didn't think twice after hearing that Kang was cast. It's my first romance film but it fit me well and it's just a lovely piece."

Big Bang's Seungri, who marks his acting debut in this film, said, "Park was really nice, like an old brother, but Kang was indeed a professional. She called me up before the shoot and checked up on me. It was great to get to know talented stars. Filming went well."

source: KBS Global

Tags: Kang Hye jeong/Seungri/Sympathy for Lady Vengeance/korean movie

Kim Bum in new movie

Kim Bum (”Boys Over Flowers”) plays an aspiring actor that wants to be the best of the best for his love in the upcoming film “Emergency”. Kim Byul (last seen in “Baby and I”) plays a girl found wandering the streets and subsequently sent to a mental hospital. They meet each other and I have sneaky feeling that, after falling in love for no reason, the girl will die-after she coughs a bit, loses hair and throws tantrums-in the end, because that’s what all Korean dramas do to their female leads. Slated to be released at year-end and start filming in April, this is the second project that Kim Bum has lined up after “Boys Over Flowers” finishes airing. The other, a historical drama taking place during the Korean war, is a project costarring Glitter Balls Seungri and Yoo Seung Ho (”The Legend”).

credit to seoulbeats

Tags: Kim Bum/Kim Byul/Boys Over Flowers/korean movie