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July 16, 2013
Singer resurfaces after loss
By Lee Sun-min Korea JoongAng Daily
Singer Baek Ji-young, who suffered a miscarriage in June, has re-emerged online, communicating with fans.
Baek posed a message on Twitter cheering on Yu Seong-eun, a former contestant of a music audition program, after Yu released her debut song “Be OK” on Monday. Baek asked her fans to have a listen to the song.
One fan sent Baek a Tweet wishing her well and good health, which Baek then answered.
“I’m sorry to have worried you,” Baek wrote.
Baek, who coached Yu during the audition program, also worked as a visual consultant for Yu, helping her with her overall fashion, hair, makeup and choreography.
Yu will release a video of her performing “Be OK” live on an EP later this year. |
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July 16, 2013
Park Han-byul sticks by man
By Lee Sun-min Korea JoongAng Daily
Actress Park Han-byul, while promoting her new horror movie “Bunshinsaba 2,” declined to take any questions about her boyfriend Se7en (real name Choi Dong-wook), who is still dealing with the aftermath of a damaging scandal last month.
Although currently serving his mandatory military service, Se7en was spotted drinking alcoholic beverages and going to a disreputable massage parlor late at night, which has led to an investigation by the Ministry of National Defense.
Park was at a press conference in Beijing for the new horror film, but refused to answer any questions that were not related to the movie.
Park and Choi went to the same high school in Gyeonggi province and started dating in 2002 when they were still students.
According to Ilgan Sports, an affiliate of the Korea JoongAng Daily, the singer and the actress are still together, contradicting rumors that they broke up in the wake of the scandal. |
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July 17, 2013
Film Fest to Offer Exciting Respite from Rain in Bucheon
The Chosun Ilbo
The 17th Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival will take place from Thursday to July 28 in the city that also goes by the spelling Bucheon in Gyeonggi Province, providing an escapist diversion from the searing heat and monsoon rains. On the themes of love, fantasy and adventure, a total of 230 films -- 135 features and 95 shorts -- from 44 countries will be screened this year.
"The Congress," an animation directed by Ari Folman of Israel, will serve as the main attraction at the opening ceremony, tickets for which sold out within 100 seconds of their being made available on July 4. The animation, which features the voice of Hollywood star Robin Wright, is an adaptation of science fiction writer Stanislaw Lem's novel "The Futurological Congress."
"The Terror Live," a Korean thriller directed by Kim Byeong-u and starring Ha Jung-woo, will close the festival. It focuses on a radio show host who takes a call from a terrorist threatening to blow up a part of the city. The movie will hit local theaters on Aug. 1.
There will also be various outdoor events during the festival. A photo exhibition of actors will be held, and movie posters drawn by webtoon writers and books on films will be displayed and sold.
Tickets cost W6,000 (US$1=W1,123) for general screenings, W8,000 for 3D movies, and W12,000 for the opening and closing films and midnight screenings. For more information, visit the film festival's website at www.pifan.com or call 032-327-6313. |
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July 17, 2013
Bong Jun-ho's 'Snowpiercer' sets record with presales to 167 countries
By Cha Yo-rim The Korea Herald
“Snowpiercer” hits global box offices Aug. 1
Even before its world premiere in Seoul on Aug. 1, director Bong Jun-ho’s “Snowpiercer” has already been sold to 167 different countries, CJ Entertainment said Tuesday, setting a presale record for a film by a Korean director.
Film distributor The Weinstein Company secured the distribution rights for countries in North America, the U.K., New Zealand, Australia and other English-speaking nations. French film distributor Wildside, which in the past distributed Korean films such as “Thirst” (2009), “The Yellow Sea” (2010) and “The Taste of Money” (2012), procured the distribution rights for France, Eastern Europe and South America.
With a reported production cost of $40 million, the film features a stellar cast of top names including Chris Evans, Ed Harris, John Hurt, Tilda Swinton, Jamie Bell, Ewen Bremner and prominent Korean actors Song Gang-ho and Ko Ah-sung.
A number of the Hollywood cast members are slated to visit Korea for the upcoming world premiere and red carpet event at CGV Yeongdeungpo in Seoul. |
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July 17, 2013
Ha Jung-woo to direct film adaptation of Chinese novel
By Claire Lee The Korea Herald
Popular actor Ha Jung-woo will direct and star in a film adaptation of famed Chinese author Yu Hua’s 1995 novel “Chronicle of a Blood Merchant,” Korean film house NEW said.
The novel, which is set from the early years of the People’s Republic of China until after the Cultural Revolution in the early 1950s to the 1980s, deals with a man who sells his blood for many years to support his family.
The upcoming movie will be the first film adaptation of the novel. Author Yu’s 1992 novel “To Live” was famously made into a movie by internationally acclaimed Chinese filmmaker Zhang Yimou.
Actor Ha Jung-woo speaks during a press conference promoting his upcoming film “The Terror Live” in Seoul on July 10. (Yonhap News)
On top of directing the film, Ha will star as the movie’s protagonist. According to NEW, Yu has watched all of Ha’s films and is happy that the Korean actor is directing the film as well as starring in it.
“I think Ha is perfect for the role,” the author said through the Korean promoters. “I am very excited to see how this movie will turn out.”
Ha, on the other hand, said he very much enjoyed Yu’s novel.
“I was touched by the book and am honored to make it into a film,” he said through the promoters. “I will try my best to make it a good one.”
Ha, who is considered one of the most prominent actors in the local film industry, has enjoyed much success in recent years with works including director Ryoo Seung-wan’s spy thriller “The Berlin File” and Yoon Jong-bin’s “Nameless Gangster.”
He has worked with some of the most acclaimed filmmakers in the country, including Kim Ki-duk, Na Hong-jin and Lee Yoon-ki.
The upcoming project will be Ha’s second film as a director. His directing debut “Rollercoaster” is slated to open in theaters this fall. The comedy tells the story of a Korean hallyu star who gets on a plane to Seoul from Tokyo and encounters severe turbulence during the flight due to a typhoon.
Ha reportedly wrote the script based on his friend and actor Ryoo Seung-bum’s real-life experience. Ryoo said the plane turbulence went on for almost seven hours ― it normally only takes about two hours to get to Seoul from Tokyo ― and he genuinely thought he was going to die.
Before that, Ha’s latest starring film, director Kim Byung-woo’s “The Terror Live,” opens in theaters Aug. 1. In the thriller, he plays a prominent news anchor who receives a call from a terrorist after he bombs Seoul’s Mapo Bridge. |
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July 16, 2013
Actress Uhm Ji-won dating architect
By Cha Yo-rim The Korea Herald
Uhm Ji-won. (Yonhap News)
Uhm Ji-won’s agency has announced that the star is in a relationship with architect Oh Young-wook.
“The couple were introduced to each other by close friends, and only recently began dating,” the agency said, adding, “Currently, there are no wedding plans but if there are in the future, we will announce them.”
Since making a television drama debut with “Golden Wagon” in 2002, Uhm, 35, has acted in a variety of other dramas such as “Sign” and “Childless Comfort.” She was nominated for Best Supporting Actress at the 25th Blue Dragon Film Awards for her role in “The Scarlet Letter” and has acted in other movies such as “Man on the Edge,” and “Mutt Boy.” Recently, the actress made headlines for catching the bouquet at her best friend Han Hye-jin and soccer player Ki Sung-yueng’s wedding.
Oh, a Yonsei University graduate, is a prominent architect. He founded ogisadesign d’espacio architects (oddaa), a well-known architectural firm. He is also a writer and illustrator and has published several books on travel and art. |
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July 17, 2913
Beachgoers shower with Song Joong-ki
By Lee Sun-min Korea JoongAng Daily
Actor Song Joong-ki poses at Haeundae Beach in Busan yesterday. [NEWSIS]
Actor Song Joong-ki, far right, smiles as contestants in the event pose to win prizes. [NEWSIS]
Actor Song Joong-ki went to Haeundae Beach in Busan to judge a contest hosted by soda brand Sprite, yesterday.
The event, called “Sprite Shower,” invited beachgoers to clean their bodies of seawater in a giant, temporary shower booth that looks like a soda dispenser.
Contestants who posed in an interesting way received prizes from Song. |
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July 18, 2013
Military scraps 'entertainment soldier' system
By Kim Eun-jung YonhapNews
SEOUL, July 18 (Yonhap) -- The defense ministry said Thursday it will abolish a controversial unit composed of conscripted celebrity soldiers as criticism grew over special treatment and their commitment to military service under a lax system.
The so-called "entertainment soldiers" serve in the Defense Media Agency (DMA), a unit that has provided programming for TV and radio broadcasts to promote a positive image of the military since 1997.
All able-bodied South Korean men serve about two years in the armed forces as the country is technically still at war with North Korea.
The special service system has been bombarded with public criticism after several celebrity soldiers were caught on video in late June while drinking and entering massage parlors after performing in a provincial concert hosted by the ministry.
The ministry conducted a special audit following the incident and on Thursday announced disciplinary actions for the soldiers as well as their seniors.
"We feel a grave responsibility for the lax management of the Defense Media Agency and decided to scrap it in light of the audit results," the ministry said in a release.
Eight soldiers will face disciplinary actions for violating the code of conduct, while three of them who used cell phones -- which are banned for soldiers -- will receive a heavy punishment, the ministry said.
Five officials at the agency were disciplined, and six others received warnings, it noted.
A total of 15 soldiers under the DMA will be relocated to other Army units.
For military TV and radio programs and events, the ministry will recruit civilian professionals or select talented soldiers if necessary in the future, it said.
The military's alleged special treatment of celebrities has frequently been the subject of criticism as several celebrities serving military duty were seen as enjoying more freedom than ordinary soldiers.
Earlier this year, K-pop star Rain was in trouble when he was caught on camera while on a date with a top actress during his service and faced disciplinary action.
The military service is a highly sensitive issue in South Korea where political candidates lose elections because they or their sons have not served in the military. Some celebrities and athletes have been arrested and forced into near exile after getting caught evading the draft. |
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July 18, 2013
Hong Sang-soo's latest work to compete at Locarno film festival
By Claire Lee The Korea Herald
A scene from director Hong Sang-soo’s latest film “Our Sunhi.” ( Fine Cut)
Korean director Hong Sang-soo’s latest work has been invited to Locarno International Film Festival’s international competition section, the film’s local promoters said.
The film, titled “Our Sunhi,” tells the story of a young film student named Sun-hi (played by actress Jeong Yoo-mi) who is about to leave Korea to study overseas. Before moving abroad, she visits two of her ex-boyfriends (played by Lee Sun-kyun and Jung Jae-young) and her professor named Choi (played by Kim Sang-jung). “Our Sunhi” is Hong’s 15th film.
Hong is one of the best-known Korean filmmakers overseas, and many of his films have been featured at international film festivals. His 2010 film “Hahaha” won the Prix Un Certain Regard at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival, and his 2012 drama film “In Another Country” competed for the Palme d’Or at the same festival last year. |
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July 18, 2013
Stars talk shop on summer roles
BY CARLA SUNWOO Korea JoongAng Daily
Lee Byung-hun, left, who has been making his mark in Hollywood for the past few years, is starring in “Red 2.” Hugh Jackman, right, is starring in “The Wolverine.” Provided by All That Cinema and Young Fine
Hugh Jackman and Lee Byung-hun. What do the two have in common? A whole lot, actually.
Apart from starring in two of summer’s most anticipated films “The Wolverine” (Jackman) and “Red 2” (Lee), the two are similar in age - Jackman is 44, Lee is 43, both are possessors of rock-hard abs, and right now they are starring in their most meaningful movies.
Of course, the Korean factor that comes into play has won them fans here.
As a Korean national, Lee has been making his mark in Hollywood the past few years, spreading Hallyu far and wide. Then there’s Jackman, an honorary ambassador for Seoul, who gushes about Korea every chance he gets.
On Monday, on his fourth visit to the country, Jackman met with press from all around Asia, having touched down in Seoul the night before on the “The Wolverine” world tour.
The journalist-friendly star emerged from behind the curtain in theatrical splendor and was quick to apologize for the promo trip which excluded other parts of Asia. “They only let me go for a short amount of time,” said Jackman, citing the filming of the latest “X-Men” installment as the reason for the condensed tour and the fuzz on his jawline.
And down he got to business, answering questions as Hugh, Logan and Wolverine. The three names were interchangeable and after 13 years and 6 movies, it seemed fitting.
“I think I’m probably enjoying it more than ever,” he said, attributing his age to being suited to play a character who is 200-300 years old.
“It’s hard to believe that I’ve had this incredible role for so long,” said Jackman, adding that it was exciting to be promoting “the first movie [in the series] not to have X-Men attached to the title.”
Describing the movie that is based in Japan as “the closest depiction” of the comic that he picked up some 13 years ago, Jackman said that for him, Wolverine was interesting “not because of his claws, or his healing ability but his human side … that is, his berserk rage.
“What fuels him is actually very human - what causes that is pain, loss, loneliness and the burden of being who he is for the past 200 years.”
The man who is synonymous with the “claws” said that playing the angst-ridden character is actually therapeutic.
“I get all my anger out. I’m very nice and calm when I get home,” he joked. But Jackman makes it look all too easy. He doesn’t draw attention to the pain and the sweat that is behind each installment of playing the hero with a killer body.
At first, he cut himself many times, and even his co-star, too - a double for Mystique who once ran around screaming, “Wolverine stabbed me.”
Again, in the new movie, the element of danger was there. They used real knives and Jackman said they could do this because his co-star, Hiroyuki Sanada, whom he battles, is so skilled at martial arts. “Thankfully, he didn’t know I wasn’t nearly as good as him,” he said.
And on looking good, Jackman also maintains a humble front. Having undertaken a punishing exercise regime and going on a 5,000-calorie diet to bulk up. The Australian said that people who thought he was attractive did so because they didn’t see him “at the gym at 4 a.m. You’ll see a very different side of me.”
But Koreans seem to disagree with him. And the feeling is reciprocated. On his honorary ambassadorship in 2009, Jackman said he felt an affinity toward Korea and that his trips were “never long enough.
“It’s the only nation in the world I can go out for dinner and still be on my Wolverine diet.
“As a nation, you should be the strongest superheroes in the world,” said the star.
And maybe he was hinting at a certain Korean in his remark. Hollywood may agree with Jackman, after watching Korea’s pride and joy, Lee, starring in his third Hollywood film, “Red 2” which was released here yesterday, and will follow suit in the U.S. today.
At a preview screening, 70 percent of the viewers agreed that the assassin Han, played by Lee, was the most intriguing character, which sees a star-studded cast playing retired CIA agents.
If Jackman is synonymous with “X-Men,” then Lee is slowly but surely making a name for himself as a charismatic Asian assassin in Hollywood blockbusters.
Also speaking to the press on Monday about his latest and “most meaningful work,” Lee said that he felt “like I was dreaming,” working with John Malkovich, Anthony Hopkins and Bruce Willis.
And on his part as a villain with a conscience, Lee said that Han, like his previous character Storm Shadow in “G.I. Joe,” was an unlikely, unpredictable killer, which was why he was attracted to the role. And on crafting his character, Lee said he channeled the ghost of a character he played in the hit Korean film “The Good, The Bad, The Weird.”
“The director (Dean Parisot) said he wanted Han to be a baddie with a distinct personality and that he enjoyed ‘The Good, The Bad, The Weird,’ because Park is a baddie unlike any he’d seen before.”
Lee said that even with his character figured out, working with a foreign cast was hard work.
“Before a big action sequence, from 10 days ahead I’d start rehearsing so that I’d perform well. Then Willis would just show up on the day, get stuntmen to act it out then change it all. That was frustrating,” said Lee. Then there was the famous torso scene in which nearly every muscle on his impressively-cut body is seen.
“In all of my three Hollywood movies, there’s always a shirt-off scene. I don’t know why - I guess I’m destined to suffer,” said Lee, who felt the pressure mounting when he read in the script, “Han took his shirt off and he had a perfect physique.”
And it’s not just with his body that he’s left his mark in the movie. For Korean fans, there’s some intermittent Korean words - mostly cussing - to entertain.
“As a Korean, no matter whether you live in the U.S., Japan, or China, I think in an instinctual moment, you revert back to cussing in your mother tongue,” said Lee on his stroke of ad-lib input that so impressed Parisot, that he was encouraged to do more. And as much as he loves and admires Willis, Lee will have you know, “he certainly wasn’t any help in coming up with the Korean script.” |
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July 19, 2013
'Cold Eyes' smashes 4 million mark
By Claire Lee The Korea Herald
Korean thriller film “Cold Eyes” attracted 4 million viewers in just 17 days, becoming the fifth domestic film to hit the record this year ― following box office hits “The Berlin File,” “Secretly Greatly,” “New World” and “Miracle in Cell No.7.”
The star-studded film, which stars actors Sol Kyung-gu, Jung Woo-sung, and actress Han Hyo-joo, tells the story of a group of detectives specializing in surveillance activities on high profile criminals. In the film, they together try to arrest the members of a bank-robbing organization.
A scene from “Cold Eyes.” ( Zip Cinema)
Han Hyo-joo, whose previous roles include the visually impaired woman in Song Il-gon’s 2011 tearjerker romance “Always,” and the unhappy Queen Consort in last year’s box office hit period drama “Gwanghae: The Man Who Became the King” (Masquerade), delivers a plausible and nuanced performance as Ha Yoon-ju, a young, driven woman who becomes the newest member of the special surveillance unit of the police force. Soon after she joins the team, the unit is assigned to monitor the elusive James (played by Jung Woo-sung), who in fact is the ruthless leader of an international crime ring.
Jung (“A Good Rain Knows,” “A Moment to Remember”), who has long been regarded a national heartthrob, presents an engrossing portrait of the lonely and complex villain. The role is Jung’s first villain in his acting career of some 20 years.
Heavyweight actor Sol Kyung-gu (“The Tower,” “Peppermint Candy”) brings a lot of humor to the movie, by playing Ha Yoon-ju’s considerate boss, who is both caring and hilarious.
Popular boy band 2PM member Lee Jun-ho makes his appearance as the confident, likable youngest member of the surveillance team, and surprisingly pulls off the role with ease. This is Lee’s second film appearance as an actor. His first was directors Kim Gok and Kim Sun’s 2011 horror “White: The Melody of the Curse.”
The film hit local theaters on July 3, and dominated the local box office ever since. It ranked no. 2 on Korean Film Council’s box office chart on Friday, beating Hollywood blockbusters “World War Z” and “Pacific Rim,” and local 3-D gorilla film “Mr. Go,” which came out on Wednesday. It garnered around 19 billion won ($17 million) at the local box office as of July 12, according to the Korean Film Council. |
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July 21, 2013
Rain decides first post-military event
By Lee Sun-min Korea JoongAng Daily
Leading K-pop singer Rain, who was discharged from his mandatory military earlier this month, has decided to make his first public appearance a mass fan meeting.
The fan meeting will be held at Kyung Hee University on Aug. 3, in an event organized by Rain’s official fan club, according to the singer’s new management agency, Cube Entertainment.
The agency added, however, that this fan meeting is not considered part of any official “comeback” to the entertainment scene and that Rain has not started work on a new album.
Many local media outlets have reported that Rain will take some time to rest before starting on any new music.
But while fans may have to wait to hear new songs by Rain, they will get at least one chance to hear their old favorites, as Rain is scheduled to participate in a Bangkok music festival called Sonic Bang on Aug. 24. Many Korean artists, including Epik High, and internationally-renowned ones, such as Far East Movement and Jason Mraz, are also scheduled to perform there. |
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July 22, 2013
'Secretly, Greatly' star heads to LA
By Ahn Joo-hee Korea JoongAng Daily
Heartthrob Kim Soo-hyun is currently enjoying more popularity than ever thanks to his starring in the film “Greatly, Secretly”. He is now extending his fandom beyond Asia, as the hit movie premiered in Los Angeles last week.
According to his agency, Kim held a press event and interview for local media on July 19 at the Korean Cultural Center in Los Angeles, where he talked about his career plans and held a fan meeting for his enthusiastic followers.
The next day, he continued promoting the film at six more theaters in Los Angeles and San Diego.
“We were contacted by several major American agencies for meetings, which signals real interest from the American industry,” said a representative of Kim’s Korean agency.
“Greatly, Secretly,” a comedy about three handsome North Korean spies embedded in Seoul, is scheduled to hit theaters in 10 countries, including Canada, Malaysia, Japan and Indonesia. |
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July 22, 2013
Actor warns his Facebook imposter
By Ahn Joo-hee Korea JoongAng Daily
Actor Lee Jong-suk is breaking his silence about an imposter pretending to be him on Facebook.
“I don’t use Facebook, I use Me2Day because Facebook is tricky,” wrote Lee on his Me2Day account Sunday. “I don’t know why he or she is impersonating someone like me.”
Lee, who currently stars in “I Hear Your Voice” on SBS, also had a warning for the imposter: “I know it is very difficult to live someone else’s life, although I do for dramas,” he wrote. “Please stop it.”
It was not the first time Lee addressed his impersonator, although last time he was not so nice. “What? I don’t use Facebook,” he wrote in December. “I will kick your ass.” |
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July 20, 2013
Verdict Is Out on Lee Da-hee's Breakthrough in Courtroom Drama
The Chosun Ilbo
The SBS drama "I Hear Your Voice" is receiving rave write-ups and high viewer ratings for its neat blend of courtroom drama, romance, thriller and fantasy. In the show, actress Lee Da-hee has made something of a comeback by portraying a seemingly cold prosecutor whose character changes dramatically as the narrative develops.
The Chosun Ilbo met Lee in southern Seoul's trendy Cheongdam neighborhood on Wednesday to discuss the renascent blossoming of her career and its impact on her life. "When I went to a restaurant the other day, the owner recognized me. It was first time since I debuted 11 years ago that a stranger recognized me as a celebrity. Some people even say that a great new actress has appeared," she said with a bashful smile.
At the age of 17, Lee made it to the final of the 2002 Super Elite Model Contest. She has played supporting roles in several dramas and films since then, but most of the time the dramas or movies were quickly forgotten, or she was overshadowed by her cast members and subsequently shunted into the side wings.
"I was desperate and badly needed a turning point in my acting career before it was too late. I tried many times to get the role I wanted on 'I Hear Your Voice' and finally my perseverance paid off," she said.
"Prior to that, I was feeling very frustrated by all the long interludes between finding work, and I couldn't understand why I kept getting rejected for parts. But now I know the reason why -- I knew nothing about acting. Now I realize how much I still have to learn about this craft," she added.
As Netizens pore over her career and post catty comments about her shortcomings as well as positive predictions for her future, Lee said it's important to take all feedback with a pinch of salt.
"I don't really get stressed out about it," she said. "It's a kind of expression of interest. For now, I think getting hateful comments is better than getting nothing at all." |
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July 22, 2013
Epic 'Snowpiercer' a human drama
BY CARLA SUNWOO Korea JoongAng Daily
Veteran Korean actor Song Kang-ho as Namgoong Minsoo, carrying his daughter, played by Ko A-sung, in Bong Joon-ho’s “Snowpiercer.” Provided by CJ E&M
Bong Joon-ho, one of Korea’s most-lauded directors, may have spent nine years and 45 billion won ($40 million) creating his latest epic, “Snowpiercer.” He may have even based the film on a comic book. But to Bong, “Snowpiercer” isn’t some noisy spectacle, it’s still a personal film.
“I didn’t set out to film an international blockbuster,” Bong said yesterday at the movie’s premiere. “I just wanted to direct a movie about a novel that I liked.”
Bong discovered the French graphic novel “Transperceneige” by Jacques Lob and Jean-Marc Rochette, at a bookstore in the Hongdae neighborhood in western Seoul nine years ago, and immediately read the whole story cover-to-cover. He wanted to turn it into a film, but first he would make “The Host” (2006) - the metaphorical monster tale that is the only Korean film ever to top 13 million admissions - and “Mother” (2009) - a small, but successful and highly regarded movie. At last, he was able to tackle “Snowpiercer.”
The graphic novel depicts a post-apocalyptic world frozen over in a global-warming experiment gone wrong; the only survivors, a few thousand very class-conscious people riding a train on a massive loop across the continents.
Tilda Swinton. Provided by CJ E&M
After creating some of Korea’s biggest movies of the past decade, Bong was able to sign up some big talent - not only Korea’s Song Kang-ho and Ko A-sung (both of whom starred in “The Host”), but also Hollywood actors like Chris Evans, Tilda Swinton, Ed Harris and John Hurt.
At the movie’s premiere screening in Korea yesterday, Bong, Song and Ko met with a huge throng of journalists to talk about their latest collaboration.
“It’s a massive, dynamic time capsule, I wanted to depict that,” said Bong.
Despite boasting an international cast with much of the story filmed in English, the movie is still “a human drama about the struggle between the weak and the strong,” said Bong. “It’s a universal message and in some ways it’s still very Korean.”
Chris Evans.Provided by CJ E&M
In this film, Song plays Namgoong Minsoo, a security specialist who holds the key to a revolt against the upper-class oppressors who run the train. “My previous characters in Bong’s movies, though a little idiotic, they were still relatable,” said Song, “but Namgoong Minsoo is not like that.”
Ko plays Song’s daughter again, as she did in “The Host.” She said that she had to use her imagination to dream up what it must be like to have been born and raised on that surreal train, racing through the deadly cold.
“Train babies never saw the outside world, so they have a very different way of behaving,” said Ko.
Although Bong said he didn’t want to generalize, he did say there were noticeable differences between the Hollywood set and the rest.
“Hollywood actors are more likely to give their best, then retire to their trailers,” said Bong, adding that Swinton was “like a Korean actor” because she would watch what the others were doing even when she wasn’t filming.
Despite being one of the most expensive movies ever in Korea, Bong never really felt like his budget really was “that big.”
From left, director Bong Joon-ho, actor Ko A-sung and Song Kang-ho.[NEWSIS]
“I had 40 billion won, but I’d be thinking, ‘If only I had another 4 billion,’ which is ridiculous because you can shoot a film for that amount,” he said.
On the other hand, $40 million is nothing in Hollywood these days.
“Here we are, thinking it’s a big sum, meanwhile Chris Evans would be on an American TV show, talking about this project, saying, ‘I’m working on this small-scale film.’?”
But the numbers aside, Bong said he was pleased to have a chance to present a movie to more people than ever. While several of his films have had international releases, they were usually just to art house theaters. “Snowpiercer,” however, has been sold to 167 nations, and is being represented by The Weinstein Co. With Variety calling it “an enormously ambitious, visually stunning and richly satisfying futuristic epic,” this could be Bong’s big moment. |
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July 23, 2013
'Cold Eyes' Still Sweeping Box Office
The Chosun Ilbo
"Cold Eyes" has hit the 4-million mark in cinema attendance since its release on July 3. According to box office data released by the Korean Film Council on Saturday, the film sold 135,783 tickets on Friday alone to attract a total of 4.13 million viewers.
It became the fifth Korean film this year to draw more than 4 million moviegoers after "Miracle in Cell No. 7," "The Berlin File," "New World" and "Secretly Greatly."
Amid strong competition from "Mr. Go," which was released last Wednesday, and Hollywood blockbusters such as "Pacific Rim" and "World War Z" -- the latter recently drew over 5 million viewers, "Cold Eyes" remains popular even on weekdays.
"Cold Eyes" is an action movie that revolves around a group of detectives who track down high-profile criminals. |
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