Not many Korean actors can say they've received congratulations from a Hollywood actor for their marriage, but Lee Byung Hun certainly can.
An interview video of Bruce Willis and Lee Byung Hun talking about their movie 'RED 2' was recently revealed. For this movie, it was actually the pair's second time working with each other, as they also worked together for 'G.I. Joe 2'. In the interview, Bruce Willis said, "We worked well with each other from the very beginning. I was really impressed when I did two movies with him. His moves are accurate but safe, and he acts out even the rough action scenes realistically."
Lee Byung Hun said, "I worked with incredible actors, I've worked with a dream cast, and I still can't believe this. Legendary actors supported me as a maknae (in Hollywood)."
Bruce Willis then turned to Lee Byung Hun and shouted, "Congratulations on your marriage!".
Fans commented, "He's joking around with Bruce Willis.... huk", "Rain, Lee Byung Hun is what you call a true world star", and "I'm looking forward to this movie!".
A still from "Red 2" showing heartthrob Lee Byung-hun flashing his six-pack and sculpted physique has been released ahead of the movie's world premiere on July 18.
Lee is said to have worked out religiously and focused on training for his action scenes for over three months after receiving the script in order to fully immerse himself in the role of a killer.
The film revolves around a group of retired CIA agents who reunite after 10 years to destroy a reactivated nuclear device. Lee acts alongside Hollywood stars like Bruce Willis, Catherine Zeta-Jones and John Malkovich.
Leading actors Lee Byung-hun and Jun Ji-hyun are the winners of this year’s Producers’ Choice Award at the Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival (PiFan), the festival announced yesterday.
The award, given to the top actor and actress of the year, is selected by Korea’s movie producers associations.
Lee, a long-time star around Asia, starred in last year’s “Masquerade,” the fourth-biggest Korean film ever, and is set to appear in the Hollywood action film “Red 2,” which opens here next week.
Jun has similarly been popular around Asia for more than a decade, from “My Sassy Girl” to last year’s hit “The Berlin File Thieves,” the biggest-grossing Korean film in history.
“Lee and Jun are two of the best performers of the current generation,” said a PiFan official, according to local media reports. “They have not only shown their acting abilities, but also made movies popular among audiences.”
The two will make an appearance at the red-carpet opening ceremony of the 17th edition of the festival tonight in Bucheon, Gyeonggi.
This year’s PiFan features 230 films from 40 countries, and runs until July 28.
Jun has been making waves recently with rumors that she might be returning to the small screen for the first time in 14 years. Local media say Jun has been offered a part in the new SBS drama “A Man From a Star.”
The new drama, which is scheduled to air beginning in December, is about a man from another planet who has been living in Korea for 400 years, and how he falls in love with a woman in the current time.
In the award’s debut last year, the jury selected actors Ha Jung-woo, also of “The Berlin File” and from “Nameless Gangster,” and Ha Ji-won of “As One” and “The Duelist.”
Actor Lee Byung-hun answers questions from local media on Monday at a press conference for his upcoming Hollywood film, “Red 2.” [JoongAng Ilbo]
Actor Lee Byung-hun cheers for a good run of his new Hollywood film, “Red 2,” at a press conference for the film on Monday.[JoongAng Ilbo]
Actor Lee Byung-hun poses for the camera on Monday at a press conference for the upcoming movie “Red 2.”[JoongAng Ilbo]
Actor Lee Byung-hun, who appears in the upcoming Hollywood film “Red 2,” held a press conference Monday prior to the movie’s release tomorrow, after turning out for the movie’s VIP premier in Hollywood last week.
Lee, who plays an agent named Han in the movie, said he had to eat chicken breast or fish everyday and work out for almost two hours as he appears shirtless when he first shows up in the movie.
He will marry his girlfriend, actress Lee Min-jung of TV drama “When a Man Loves All About My Romance,” on Aug. 10.
Lee Byung Hun is Praised by His Hollywood Cast for 'RED 2'
CJ E&M enewsWorld Oh, MiJung Translation Credit : Erika Kim
Lee Byung Hun has been drawing praise not only from his fans but also his fellow actors in Hollywood.
According to Lotte Entertainment, Lee Byung Hun has been praised by the actors he worked with for his upcoming Hollywood film Red 2.
Bruce Willis said that Lee Byung Hun is very professional and that he films actions scenes safely while at the same time adding a sense of reality to the rough scenes.
He also added that after watching Masquerade in London, he thought Lee Byung Hun was a great actor who can put on a good act in anything.
Mary-Louise Parker also commented about how Lee Byung Hun looks like he came from a comic book when he films his action scenes.
He knows how to deliver his lines even in the scenes with a lot of movement, she said, and added that she could understand why he is popular. She also said she believed he would be even more successful in the future.
Helen Mirren, the actress Lee Byung Hun said he had been closest to, said she had the most fun in a chase scene she shot with Lee Byung Hun. She also said he was a great man, and that it was great to work with him.
Director Dean Parisot said he first saw Lee Byung Hun in The Good, The Bad, The Weird, and noticed that he had a heavy presence. His killer role for Red2 is a very proud and confident character, and according to the director, Lee Byung Hun pulled off the role perfectly.
Red 2 is an action film about CIA agents that come together after their retirements to destroy a great weapon. It premieres in Korea on July 18.
The August edition of Elle Korea is covered by Lee Byung Hun and Catherine Zeta-Jones, stars of the summer flick RED 2.
Their pictorial was held in Beverly Hills, and Catherine already looks alluring in her halter dress, but she’s extra sexy pressed up against her Lee Min Jung‘s man.
Did he have any fear in pursuing Hollywood starting from the ground when he has a top position in Korean entertainment?
Actor Lee Byung Hun(43) said with determination, "Though I was loved in Korea, I have no fear of failure in Hollywood." "Whether I need to kick or do the half nude scene in doing my roles, I consider those as really precious chance for my improvement."
Reporter met him in Seoul Sogongdong Plaza Hotel on the 16th, 2 days before the release of his new movie "Red: The Legend" ( on 18th ). The movie is about retired CIA top agents - called R.E.D. - trying to stop the weapon of mass destruction. This is sequel of 2010 released movie "Red" , Lee ByungHun took a role of killer "Han JoBae" who got a assassination contract for Frank Moses (Bruce Willis), the leader of R.E.D. This is the third movie in Hollywood for him.
He repeatedly said that "I'm only a rookie in Hollywood who has only 3 movies done." during the interview. It's true that his role is still limited to "Martial art villain", the typical Asian actor role, Also, there's the matter of language, his English is not perfect yet. In one scene in this movie, he had some trouble adapting to John Malkovich's ad lib so they had to re-shoot the same scene 8 times.
But he said, "as an actor who is just starting in States, "Red: The Legend" helped me to improve a lot" His attitude is positive, saying "The fact that I am getting more action roles, I consider that as a good chance to show that I am an actor who can do action scenes.".
Moreover, in this movie along with legendary actors/actresses in Hollywood, like Anthony Hopkins, Helen Mirren and Bruce Willis, his role has significant weight. His name is on 4th in the ending credit. In the beginning, he was afraid and worried about new shooting environment. he's still not at the point that he can feel Hollywood production environment comfortable, but the dread is beginning to lessen. His increased comfort showed during the production too. By his suggestion, nationality of the killer was changed to Korea. The name of the killer "Han JoBae" came from Korean surname, Han/Jo/Bae. Korean ad libs he proposed were added to the movie adding to the laughing moments.
Also, he is getting more scenarios from abroad. Genres become more various, romantic comedy, SF, thriller and the role in the script is not limited to "Asian male". He considers that he's receiving scenarios of various genre as a good sign.
After his wedding on August 10, he'll start shooting the next project "Memories of the Sword" in September.
[by Chloe Yun] On July 17 there was held ‘Red 2’ VIP premiere was held at LOTTE CINEMA, Seoul, and actress Lee Min jung attended, posing in front of camera.
‘Red 2,’ starring Lee Byung hun, Bruce Willis, John Malkovich, Mary-Louise Parker, and more, is about retired CIA agents reuniting for a global quest to track down a missing portable nuclear device.
Meanwhile, ‘Red 2,’ directed by Dean Parisot, is set to hit theaters in July 18. (photo by bntnews DB)
Minjung-ssi when asked by the reporter, said this (thanks to mistymorning ^^)
Please give much interest on RED 2 and hope it is successful as much of the efforts
Actress Lee Min Jung showed her support for her husband-to-be Lee Byung Hun′s upcoming Hollywood film, appearing at the VIP screening for Red 2, held at the Konkuk University Lotte Cinema in Seoul on July 17.
Lee Min Jung arrives at the screening.
All eyes are on Lee Min Jung.
Did the lovers coordinate their outfits? Lee Byung Hun arrives on the scene dressed in a similar midnight blue.
The opening ceremony of the ‘17th Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival’ (PiFan) will kick off from 6PM (KST) on July 18th, beginning a fantastic film journey for the next 11 days. Actor Lee Byung Hun, actress Jun Ji Hyun, and many others will be attending the opening ceremony and grace the red carpet festivities later tonight.
At the red carpet before the opening ceremony, the festival’s goodwill ambassadors Lee Hyun Woo and Fuji Mina, together with stars within Korea and overseas will be appearing.
Actor Shin Hyun Joon and Girls’ Generation Sooyoung will host the event, while recipients of the ‘Producer’s Choice’ awards Lee Byung Hun and Jun Ji Hyun, ‘Fantasy Award’ winner Park Shin Hye will be meeting their fans at the red carpet as well.
In addition, director Makoto Shinkai behind ‘The Garden of Words’ and ‘5 Centimetres Per Second’, ‘Horror Stories II’ director Kim Sung Ho, actors Go Kyung Pyo, Kim Ye Won, Kim Ji Won, Lee Soo Hyuk, Park Sang Myun, Kim Sang Kyung, Ryu Hyun Kyung, Lee Chae Young, Jo Eun Ji, Ma Dong Suk, Japanese actor Ryuhei Matsuda, Hong Kong’s Dada Chan, and many others will also be gracing the red carpet festivities later tonight.
Tickets for the opening and closing ceremony went on sale through the internet from July 2nd, and were all sold out in a flash. Normal film screenings at the festival were also simulatanously sold out, and showed the influence and attraction of PiFan as an international film festival. The festival will run from July 18th to 28th in the city of Bucheon.
Hollywood blockbuster “Red: The Legend” is a movie about retired intelligence agents. Korean actor Lee Byung-hun is another fun in the movie. Playing a Korean intelligence agent-turned-killer at the movie, Lee said he made his body eating 15 fish a day to show his naked body in the beginning of the movie. “Which part do you want to be torn apart?” The Korean line appearing in two scenes makes us proud, rather than sounding cruel. Korean singer Rain and actress Bae Du-na also enhanced Korean actors’ reputation. It is a giant leap forward from the past when a Hollywood star with a hint of Korean blood was center of the public attention.
The cream of the crop in Hollywood is movie directors rather than actors. The year of 2013 will be remembered as a meaningful year thanks to a series of releases -- Kim Ji-woon’s “The Last Stand,” Park Chan-wook’s “Stalker,” and Bong Jun-ho’s “Snowpiercer,” which is inviting expectations amid heavy applause of the foreign media and critiques.
Ang Lee from China has successfully gained a foothold in Hollywood. His signature films such as “The Life of Pie” and “Brokeback Mountain” have an oriental touch. Russian director Timur Bekmambetov’s movies including “Wanted” and “Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter” have a wit that breaks stereotypes. It makes me curious what the world will find in Korean directors’ films. Hopefully, Korea could produce more actors and directors who are "global" beyond “exotic.”
Korean actors and directors’ success in Hollywood has been made possible because Korea’s strong film-making capacity and Korean actors’ quality have satisfied the needs of Hollywood, which longs for cultural diversity and new people. Koreans’ winning grand prizes in major international film festivals would have helped it as well. Hollywood must have thought the unique and sensitive nature of Korean films and production ability would work on the global stage. It has to be remembered that Korean audiences have continued to choose Korean movies amid many Hollywood films behind the scenes.
The full episode with English subs Entertainment Weekly
Published on July 25, 2013 by kbsworld
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NEW YORK - Within the first five seconds of his appearance in Red 2, Korean actor Lee Byung Hun sheds his clothes, revealing what looks like eight-pack abs.
Red 2 is his third Hollywood action-packed movie after playing villainous ninja Storm Shadow in this year's G.I Joe: Retaliation and 2009's G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra.
The common denominator? All feature him topless - much to the delight of female audiences.
Said co-star Helen Mirren: "I think the great thing with Red 2 is we have the addition of Byung Hun, who is that incredible, physical presence.
He is a taekwondo champion isn't he? So there's an example of an amazing, young, at his peak of physicality kind of person."
For his part, Lee was overjoyed to be cast as Han Cho Bai, a contract killer hired to get rid of Bruce Willis' Frank Moses. "It was like a dream come true," he told FiRST. "I was so excited to work with those legends. I grew up with their films since I was a kid."
Though Lee had a translator in the room during the interview, he responded carefully and fluently in English, with a shyness that made him all the more charming.
On what it felt like to act opposite his award-winning co-stars, the 43-year-old heart-throb said with a laugh that it was definitely a different experience being one of the younger ones on set.
He said: "You know, in Korea, I'm used to being one of the oldest.
There are a lot of young actors and actresses, so I need to be a leader or something like that. But in this film, I was the youngest. So it felt a little weird. I needed to be cute." LOL
It's a little hard though, to view Lee as anything but the martial arts expert that he is. He said he first picked up taekwondo when he was four years old, but hurriedly went on to reassure the journalists gathered that he only has a six-pack for acting purposes. Otherwise, he works out "like normal people", he said with a laugh.
Gif courtesy tumblr fan-sharing (cr: sunwoolbh)
Frequency
He added that he usually works out thrice a week, hitting the gym for 1½ hours each time. But for Red 2, Lee increased the frequency of his workouts to six times a week, and reduced his intake of salt, sugar, alcohol and carbohydrates.
The other challenge, Lee said, was performing the comedic aspect of Red 2, due to Western and Asian cultural differences.
To cope with this, he said he spoke with US director Dean Parisot, who reassured him that he should try different styles of acting and that they would pick the best version.
Though he seems to have gained a firm foothold in Hollywood, Lee said he definitely intends to carry on working in the Korean film industry and does not see himself moving to the US.
"There's no limit and I'm doing both (Hollywood and Korean films) these days but I don't want to lose my base. (Korean films) are what I can do best, in the Korean language with the Korean culture," he said.
"I'm still watching myself. Every time I decide (on) some project, I always do my best. I don't think about the future. I just do my best in the present." [email protected]
Author
NOSEBLEED EDITION 
Gif courtesy tumblr fan-sharing (cr: sunwoolbh)
