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Author: katt

Korean Entertainment News 2012 - 2013

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 Author| Post time 11-3-2013 12:53 PM | Show all posts

March 11, 2013

'Miracle in Cell No. 7' exceeds 12 mln mark in attendance

YonhapNews

SEOUL, March 11 (Yonhap) -- South Korean comedy "Miracle in Cell No. 7" has surpassed the 12 million mark in audience, official box-office data showed Monday.

   The film had drawn 12.18 million viewers as of Sunday after exceeding the 12 million milestone a day earlier, according to the daily box-office tally by the Korean Film Council.

   Directed by Lee Hwan-kyung, the film is about a group of inmates in cell No. 7 who embark on a mission to help a new inmate -- a mentally disabled man with the mind of a six-year-old child -- be with his seven-year-old daughter who he is single-handedly raising.

   The movie reached the milestone just 46 days after its opening on Jan. 23, a pace 25 days faster than "Gwanghae: the Man Who Became the King," which hit the milestone 71 days after its release.

   "Cell No. 7" is soon expected to beat "The King and the Clown" (12.302 million) and "Gwanghae" (12.31 million), as the fourth and third most-viewed Korean films of all time.

   South Korea has a population of 50 million.

   
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 Author| Post time 11-3-2013 12:54 PM | Show all posts

March 11, 2013

Yoo Ji-tae wins Jury Prize at Deauville Asian Film Fest

YonhapNews

SEOUL, March 11 (Yonhap) -- South Korean actor-turned director Yoo Ji-tae has won the Jury Prize, the second top honor, at this year's Deauville Asian Film Festival in France with his first feature film, its local promoters said Sunday.

   "Mai Ratima" has received positive reviews since it opened at the 15th festival on Wednesday last week.

   The film, which premiered at last year's Busan International Film Festival, features a love affair between a lonely and poverty-stricken Korean man (played by Bae Soo-bin) and a young Thai woman who came to Korea dreaming of a better life through an international marriage.

   Yoo, best known for his lead role in director Park Chan-wook's "Old Boy" (2003), made his directorial debut with his short "The Bike Boy" in 2003.

   Deauville is one of the leading Asian film festivals in France. Many Korean films such as "Breathless" (2008), "Paju" (2009), "The Journals of Musan" (2010), "A Bittersweet Life" (2005) and "The Chaser" (2008) have been introduced to Europe through the Deauville fest.

  
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 Author| Post time 11-3-2013 01:36 PM | Show all posts

March 8, 2013

Yoo Seung-ho Donates Money Before Military Enlistment

KBS Global



Child actor-turned-adult-actor Yoo Seung-ho did a little good before he did more good serving his country.

Before enlisting in the military for his mandatory services, Yoo donated his entire pay, received from KBS 1TV's "A Human Who Studies", to the program. The TV show is a humanstic documentary that focuses on people who are stricken with poverty despite the fact that they work hard.

Many other people have reportedly donated to the program and Yoo has decided to add his name to the list. His pay from the show was 6 million Korean won (roughly $5,500 USD), and he decided to donate half for the 192nd episode of the show and remaining half to the 231st
episode.

Yoo will receive basic training on March 11th for the military and then join the 27th division to serve out his 21 month-long term.
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 Author| Post time 11-3-2013 03:19 PM | Show all posts

March 11, 2013

Lee Byung-hun returns as Storm Shadow in 'G.I. Joe' sequel

By Shim Sun-ah YonhapNews

SEOUL, March 11 (Yonhap) -- South Korean actor Lee Byung-hun said Monday that he felt more comfortable acting in "G.I. Joe: Retaliation," a movie set to open in local theaters late this month, than in the series' first installment because he did not have to wear a mask as much in the sequel.

   "There were many scenes in the first volume of the movie where I wore a mask. In the sequel, I acted mostly without wearing one. I felt more comfortable this time as an actor because I was able to express my emotions without limitations," Lee said during a news conference in Seoul to promote the film.

   A sequel to the 2009 film, "G.I. Joe: Retaliation" is about the world's elite Special Forces unit, G.I.Joe, whose very existence comes under threat due to a plot by the ruthless Cobra Commander. With the assistance of General Joe Colton, the G.I. Joe are prepared to fight tooth and nail to defeat the enemy and save the country.

  

In the sequel, Lee reprised his role as the villainous ninja named "Storm Shadow," but his character undergoes a transformation as his unknown past is disclosed.

   "Storm Shadow may look more and more cynical and icy outwardly. But in the sequel, there are scenes in which he explores his innermost feelings of resentment. I tried hard to show the emotional side of the character and think about what would be the main changes within Storm Shadow that we'll see in the new film."

   Lee attended the news conference together with the movie's director John Chu, co-stars Dwayne Johnson, D. J. Cotrona and Adrianne Palicki.

   "A lot of the character of Storm Shadow came from Lee Byung-hun himself. He brought a lot of humanity to what could have been just a cartoon," Chu said.

   The filmmaker said the movie will satisfy Lee's fans across the world for he receives more screen time than in the first volume.

   "Worldwide audiences wanted to see more ninja fights, wanted to see more Storm Shadow and wanted to see more battles between Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow, so we definitely had that in mind in creating this film. And I think that it will satisfy a lot of ninja fans out there and Lee Byung-hun fans that we accommodated them."

   "G.I. Joe: Retaliation" is set to open in local theaters on March 28.

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 Author| Post time 12-3-2013 01:00 PM | Show all posts

March 11, 2013

Seo Ji-suk of 'Kiss and Cry' fame is having a May wedding

By Lee Sun-min Korea JoongAng Daily

Actor Seo Ji-suk, well known for his role in the drama “Pure in Heart” in 2006 and in Kim Yu-na’s feature-skating survival show “Kiss and Cry” in 2011, announced his wedding plans.

He will get married on May 18 to his girlfriend whom he has been dating for about a year, according to his agency, Myname Network.

The bride-to-be is a professional florist, and the two met through their mutual friends last year.

The wedding plan for Seo was reported earlier yesterday by a local media outlet, and the agency confirmed the news.

“In fact, we are very sorry that the fans have to hear the news from the news report as Seo was preparing to meet with fans to deliver the news,” said the agency.

“Seo said he will continue working hard as an actor and also foster a loving family.”
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 Author| Post time 12-3-2013 01:01 PM | Show all posts
March 11, 2013

Kim Tae-hee gushes about Rain

By Lee Sun-min Korea JoongAng Daily

Actress Kim Tae-hee mentioned her boyfriend Rain for the first time in a public event yesterday at a press conference for the new SBS drama “Jang Ok Jung, Live for Love,” which she stars in.

“We are getting to know each other,” said Kim. “I was very worried because the [news] broke out so close to the filming of the drama and because I was worrying too much, [Rain] consoled me by saying some hopeful words and encouraged me [to focus on filming].”

She also added that all she can think right now is the new drama.

The news on the romantic relationship between the two topped the local entertainment scene on the first day of this year. When the scandal was first reported, they were about three months into their relationship.

The two met through work in 2011 when they shot a commercial together and had kept in contact since.

In the upcoming drama, Kim will play Jang Ok-jung, whose real name is Lady Jang Hui-bin, one of the best known concubines of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). Last edited by katt on 12-3-2013 01:03 PM

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 Author| Post time 12-3-2013 01:02 PM | Show all posts

March 11, 2013

Hyun Bin goes on Asia tour to meet with fans in Taiwan, Thailand and Singapore

By Lee Sun-min Korea JoongAng Daily

Actor Hyun Bin, who is most famous for his performance in the SBS drama “Secret Garden,” started his Asia tour to meet with his fans overseas for the first time since being discharged from the Army in December after two years of military duty.

The event dubbed “Hyun Bin, the 1st Asia Fan Meeting Tour in Taipei” took place on March 9 at National Taiwan University and lasted for about two hours, according to the actor’s agency O& Entertainment.

The 30-year-old actor entered the stage singing, “That Man,” the main soundtrack of the drama that aired in 2010, and showed other performances he prepared to entertain the 3,000-strong fans at the university auditorium.

Next up, Hyun will meet with his fans in Bangkok on April 11 and then in Singapore to meet with more of his fans who have waited for his return.
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 Author| Post time 12-3-2013 01:04 PM | Show all posts

March 11, 2013

Lee Young-ae bibimbap ad hits China

By Lee Sun-min Korea JoongAng Daily



A picture of Hallyu actress Lee Young-ae with Korea’s well-known dish bibimbap will be displayed at a busy street in Shanghai for the next six months, according to scholar Seo Kyung-duk of Sungshin Women’s University yesterday.

The picture is from an advertisement published in The New York Times last month to promote Korean food.

The star of the hit drama “Dae Jang Geum” was chosen for the ad as she played the role of passionate cook-turned-doctor who showed the healthy side of Korean cuisine some 10 years ago when the show hit the airwaves.

The billboard is 10 meters (33 feet) tall and 15 meters wide and is displayed on a major fashion street Qipu Lu, where around 30 million people pass by annually.

As “Dae Jang Geum” still airs on multiple channels in China, the advertisement will help raise awareness of Korean food among the Chinese, Seo said.

Thanks to Lee’s popularity, many shoppers, merchants and travelers are taking pictures with the ad in the background.
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 Author| Post time 12-3-2013 01:06 PM | Show all posts

March 11, 2013

Group protests 'Lee Soon Shin' drama

By Lee Sun-min Korea JoongAng Daily


Drama 'Lee Soon Shin'

A new KBS TV drama, “You’re the Best, Lee Soon Shin,” may have to change its title as global youth group DN has requested a ban on using the name of Korea’s historic naval commander Yi Sun-sin to Seoul Central District Court yesterday.

“Yi Sun-sin carries the same significance as other official national symbols,” said the group in an application requesting the ban. “Considering the power and influence KBS has, it is obvious that the image of Admiral Yi will absolutely deteriorate because the recreated weak and clumsy female character [in the drama] completely contradicts the image of Yi, who represents victory and strength.”

Yi is famed for his victories against the Japanese Navy in the Imjin War during the Joseon Dynasty with an improved version of the geobukseon, or turtle ship.

The group worries that the youngsters all over the world, who are not familiar with the historic background of Yi, will remember the general as a character and even identify Yi with IU, the idol singer who plays the role of Lee Soon-shin.
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 Author| Post time 12-3-2013 01:13 PM | Show all posts

March 11, 2013

Yu Hae-jin to join '1 Night 2 Days'

By Lee Sun-min Korea JoongAng Daily



Actor Yu Hae-jin will join KBS’ entertainment reality show “1 Night 2 Days” as the broadcasting company has decided to reshuffle the members on the show and the production team to raise the viewership rate, according to local media reports yesterday.

Among seven participating members on the show, including Sung Si-kyung, Joo Won, Uhm Tae-woong, Lee Su-geun, Cha Tae-hyun and Kim Jong-min, the eldest cast member Kim Seung-woo will part with the show.

Kim, 44, will film the last recording for the show Friday and drop out of the program.

It is said that Kim is leaving the show as main director Choi Jae-hyung has decided to leave.

Kim joined the show when Choi was handed the baton to run the second season a year ago.

The broadcasting house is sticking by its initial decision to keep an actor on board the show as the producers at the company agreed an actor will add more charm and character to the program than a cast of all comedians. Yu will have his first filming for the show on March 29 under the lead of new producer Lee Se-hee.
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 Author| Post time 12-3-2013 01:15 PM | Show all posts

March 12, 2013

Kim Tae-hee Confirms She Is Still with Rain

The ChosunIlbo



Kim Tae-hee has officially admitted she is in a relationship with superstar Rain, who is currently serving the mandatory military service. Their romance was first reported in early January.

Asked about her relationship with Rain during the press junket for her new SBS series," Kim said, "We have just started dating and are getting to know each other better, and not much has changed. I was concerned and felt sorry for the crew as news broke on the first day of the new year, prior to shooting of the drama. But Rain told me that my hard work will pay off."

Earlier this year, Rain was grounded for a week after it was revealed that he had been bunking off military duties to meet up with Kim.
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 Author| Post time 12-3-2013 01:17 PM | Show all posts

March 12, 2013

Jeong Eun-chae Makes a Breakthrough with 'Nobody's Daughter Haewon'

The ChosunIlbo



In her latest film "Nobody's Daughter Haewon," actress Jeong Eun-chae worked closely with director Hong Sang-soo and so appeared more at ease portraying her young character on screen.

"Filming took just two weeks, but for three months before that, I met with the director often and chatted a lot," Jeong said. "I showed him my writings and drawings. There was no script written at the time, so he likely reflected on our conversations while constructing Hae-won. Maybe that's why I felt so comfortable playing her."

Jeong made her debut as a female lead in "Psychic" (2010), a film that drew significant attention as its cast included heartthrobs Kang Dong-won and Ko Soo, eventually attracting 2.14 million moviegoers. But her inexperience was obvious in comparison to the veteran performers and she got lost in the crowd.

"I don't even remember it very well. I was just very nervous and excited because I was surrounded by star actors," Jeong explained.

So her breakthrough with "Nobody's Daughter Haewon" is ever sweeter. Haewon is a university student who falls in love with a married professor and film director.

Jeong worked hard to capture the sensitive emotions of an inquisitive woman in her 20s who is uncertain of her place in the world.

"I had already heard about Hong's style of directing a film, which includes not having a script ready in advance. I was more excited than stressed about it," Jeong said. "In fact, I was able to concentrate each and every moment when shooting the film, and the unexpected moments I encountered seem to have blended in with my acting."

"Nobody's Daughter Haewon" was invited to the Berlin International Film Festival last month but did not win an award. Still, Jeong was pleased.

"I wasn't too concerned about winning an award or getting positive reviews. When I went onstage after the screening, the audience gave a big round of applause and I knew it was for my character but still felt a warm reception," she said.
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 Author| Post time 12-3-2013 04:04 PM | Show all posts

March 12, 2013

Korean drama sued over title

By Kim Ji-yeon, Intern reporter The Korea Herald



A student organization named DN has filed an injunction request for KBS drama “You’re the best, Lee Sun-shin” for allegedly undercutting the public image of Admiral Yi Sun-shin.

The organization, made up of some 30 Korean students studying abroad, filed a complaint with the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office against KBS for distorting the image of the famous Joseon-era general.

The drama’s title contains the name of the heroic Korean figure, but the actual main character is a struggling female jobseeker whose name is also Lee Sun-shin.

“Admiral Yi Sun-shin’s image of victory and courage is misleading as the female actress playing the role of Lee Sun-shin is portrayed to be clumsy and fragile,” said a member of DN.

The historical figure Yi Sun-shin was a naval commander in the 16th century and is widely respected by Koreans for helping defend the country against the 1592 Japanese invasion. A statue of Admiral Yi overlooks Gwanghwamun Plaza in central Seoul.

According to the student organization, the drama’s title could undermine citizens’ constitutional rights.

The weekend drama made its debut on March 9 and top singer IU plays the title role of Lee Sun-shin.
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 Author| Post time 13-3-2013 12:05 AM | Show all posts

March 12, 2013

Han Ga-in lookalike signs with agency

By Lee Sun-min Korea JoongAng Daily



Ko Doo-rim, a rookie actress who is garnering attention for resembling Han Ga-in, has signed with Will Entertainment.

Ko has risen to fame through cable channel Comedy TV’s ongoing “Best Face Generation Season 7”.

“As Ko has chameleon-like charm, we expect that she will grow into an actress who can digest a variety of characters,” the management agency said.
“We will provide much support so that she can grow into an entertainer, not just an actress.”

Ko also showed her gratitude.

“I’m happy to have a supporting team behind me,” she said. “I still have a long way to go to become an actress, and it is a huge opportunity”
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 Author| Post time 13-3-2013 12:12 AM | Show all posts

March 12, 2013

Lee Yeon-hee reading backfires online

By Lee Sun-min Korea JoongAng Daily



A video posted online to promote the upcoming MBC drama “Gu Family Book” backfired on actress Lee Yeon-hee, one of the main role players.

Lee was condemned for her aloof behavior at a script reading for the new drama.

In a video of the first script reading on March 1 released recently on the broadcaster MBC’s official Web site, Lee did not greet other fellow actors and actresses when they introduced themselves to others and bowed.

She did not try to clap her hands as others did but sat tight and read the script.

Netizens have posted online that Lee’s behavior was noticeable and rude, as much experienced and older actors, actresses and staff all greeted one another.

However, officials with the broadcaster expressed their bewilderment on the comments online, according to the local media reports.

“Before reading, Lee was greeting other fellow actors and actresses and talked to them,” said an official.

The official said that Lee had a lot of lines for that reading. She focused more on the script and just gave a nod to others when they introduced themselves.
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 Author| Post time 13-3-2013 12:15 AM | Show all posts

March 12, 2013

Hong Sang-soo casts lead characters for next film

By Lee Sun-min Korea JoongAng Daily



Jung Eun-chae and Kang Hye-jung will play lead characters in director Hong Sang-soo’s 16th movie, industry sources told local media.

Though filming will start in June, no further details of the yet-unnamed movie have been released, as is the director’s custom.

Jung and Kang were said to have gladly accepted Hong’s offer to work together.

Jung, who played a leading role in Hong’s 14th movie “Nobody’s Daughter Haewon,” was invited to the Berlin International Film recently.

This is the first time that Kang will work with Hong in a movie, and her first movie role since “Girlfriend” in 2009.
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 Author| Post time 13-3-2013 11:27 AM | Show all posts

March 13, 2013

Pop idol booked over allegations of selling marijuana

YonhapNews

SEOUL, March 12 (Yonhap) -- A member of pop idol group DMTN was booked Tuesday for investigation over allegations that he sold marijuana, police said.

   Choi Daniel, the group's 21-year-old lead vocal, was accused of selling the drug to his acquaintances on numerous occasions between last September and December, police said.

   Police said they plan to ask prosecutors to indict Choi, who admitted to the allegations during questioning on Monday.

   Choi's management agency 2works said in a press release that the singer actively cooperated in the investigation and "deeply regrets" his crime.

  
Choi Daniel. (Photo courtesy of 2works) (Yonhap)
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 Author| Post time 13-3-2013 01:10 PM | Show all posts

March 10, 2013

Culture Ministry sets guideline for Romanizing Korean names

By Bae Ji-sook The Korea Herald

There’s good news for people who struggle to spell Korean names correctly in English: The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on Friday decided to standardize the Romanization of Korean names into “family name + given name” instead of the widely used “given name + family name” as written in Western countries.

In an attempt to respect the Korean tradition of placing more value on family names, the government said the new guideline would affect all Korean names on government documents, websites and name cards of public officials.



“The Romanization was intended to communicate with foreigners and the new guideline will show off our identity, leading users to respect Korean traditions and culture of language,” the ministry said in a press release.

According to the new guideline, the family name will come before the given name. The first letter of the family name and given name will be capitalized. Inserting a hyphen between syllables in the given name will avoid confusion in where they lie.

For example, the name Hong Gil-dong was previously written in various forms, from GILDONG HONG to Hong, Gil dong or HONG GILDONG. Following the new rules, it will now be written Hong Gildong or Hong Gil-dong.

The guideline was based on rules from international organizations and media outlets that use Romanized Korean names. The UNESCO acknowledges that the family name is the first element in East Asian culture and it should not be inverted. AP, the New York Times, BBC, Le Monde and other media also put the family name first.

The name guideline is the latest Romanization policy by the Culture Ministry. Its affiliate, the Cultural Heritage Administration, earlier this year adopted a guideline for the Romanization of cultural assets, which is to Romanize the whole Korean name then add the English translation after, despite the inevitable overlapping.
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 Author| Post time 13-3-2013 04:37 PM | Show all posts

March 12, 2013

Group protests IU's TV drama

By Kim Tong-hyung The Korea Times


Singer IU speaks to reporters during a press event for KBS television drama “You’re the Best, Yi Sun-sin” at the Plaza Hotel in Seoul earlier this month.  / Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

IU, the latest K-pop star to try her hand at acting, probably didn’t anticipate her new TV show becoming fodder for the odd news section right away.

A nationalist youth group called DN filed for an injunction with the Seoul Central District Court against KBS television to stop it from using the name of 16th century naval commander Yi Sun-sin (1545-1598) in its weekend drama starring the singer.

In ''You’re the Best, Yi Sun-sin,’’ which premiered Saturday, IU plays the role of bubbly protagonist Yi Sun-sin, an unemployed slacker who daydreams of finding fame as a television star.

DN was offended the show producers named the character after Admiral Yi, who remains a venerated hero among Koreans for his victories against the Japanese navy in the Imjin war (1592–1598) during the Joseon Kingdom period.

The group is concerned that foreign viewers around the world, who aren’t familiar with Korea’s historical background, will identify the name Yi Sun-sin with the singer instead of the legendary naval commander.

For the writers of ''You’re the Best,’’ the same-name angle has been a low-hanging fruit for jokes. In the drama’s first episode, a snarky business executive tells Yi in a job interview, ''Go guard Dokdo, but stay out of our company.’’ A manager at an entertainment agency tells Yi her talent isn’t worth more than a 100-won coin, which has the admiral’s face on it.

''When you search for Yi Sun-sin now on the Internet, all the results are about IU. By the end of the drama, Yi Sun-sin will become IU in the mind of students. Yi Sun-sin could become regarded as IU to online users around the world who enjoy YouTube and social networking services,’’ DN said in a statement.

''The image of Yi Sun-sin had been all about victory and excellence in battle. Now that image is in danger of becoming weak, mistake-prone and hapless.’’

IU can at least take comfort from the fact that the fuss created by DN seems to have diverted public attention from her acting skills, which to put it mildly, have room for improvement.
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 Author| Post time 13-3-2013 04:40 PM | Show all posts

March 12, 2013

Becoming 'Storm Shadow' in Hollywood
Actor Lee Byung-hun talks about making of his second Hollywood film 'G.I. Joe 2'


By Claire Lee The Korea Herald

Director Park Chan-wook has been there, and so has director Kim Jee-woon. Hollywood may not be an undiscovered place for Korean directors as of this year: They’ve made their debut films there, released them, and experienced the red-carpet glamour.

Hollywood, however, still remains foreign to most local actors. One of the few exceptions is top actor Lee Byung-hun, whose performance in his 2009 Hollywood debut “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra” left a mark.

The actor is now ahead of the opening of the sci-fi flick’s sequel, “G.I. Joe 2: The Retaliation,” where he returns as Storm Shadow ― the famous heroic character who works as a ninja bodyguard doing epic stunts. Lee, who enjoyed much success with the Korean period drama “Masquerade” released last year ― the film remains the third-highest grossing Korean film of all time ― says it was his “curiosity” that drew him to Hollywood.


Actor Lee Byung-hun poses for a photo prior to a group interview with the local press in Seoul on Monday. (1st Look)

“It was more of curiosity (than ambition),” said the 42-year-old actor during a group interview with the local press in Seoul on Monday.

“Even after my second movie, I am still curious. I still wonder what I can actually offer in Hollywood and how much farther I can go with my career there. I’m up for new challenges and opportunities.”

Shooting his second Hollywood film required a number of things, including mastering every script line in perfect American English and getting used to the Hollywood filmmaking system ― which is vastly different from the one in Korea.

Both directors Park and Kim have shared their difficulties getting used to the system, which they experienced while shooting “Stoker” and “The Last Stand,” respectively. Unlike the Korean film industry, where all the crew members work on the set until the director is satisfied with the shoots, working in Hollywood strictly requires start and finish, each day’s work is done on time. Director Kim said the experience was “lonely” and “extremely challenging.” Lee said it was “efficient but intimidating sometimes.”

“Director Park and Kim were all in the U.S. while I was shooting this film,” said Lee.

“Both of them would often text me (when they were frustrated) and say, ‘I am going nuts’ or ‘I could just pack everything and go home now.’ I’d giggle whenever I received the texts.

“But seriously speaking, I think getting used to the system must have been much harder for them than it was for me. From what I’ve seen, being a film director in Korea is just totally different from being a film director in Hollywood.”

Unlike Park Chan-wook and Kim Jee-woon, Lee got himself out there without an interpreter. Throughout the shooting process, he communicated with all of the U.S. crew members without any help from a third party. Director Jon Chu, who worked with Lee on the film, in fact said the actor surprisingly spoke “perfect English.”

“I remember him coming into the project and everyone was like, ‘Oh, he doesn’t speak that much English,’” Chu said during a group interview with the Korean press during his visit to Seoul on Monday.

“So I thought this would be interesting how we would interact with each other. But then he came in for a meeting and he spoke perfect English. There he talked about how he wanted the character to be more emotional and real. He wanted to create a rawer, rage-filled character rather than just a cartoon character. It was great. We could talk about the things below the surface.”

Lee Byung-hun is undoubtedly one of Korea’s most celebrated film stars, having starred in more than 40 films and TV drama series. He is noted for his strong presence and nuanced acting style. Though he appears as an action hero in the upcoming movie, his previous roles include an intelligence agent, an arrogant business man falling for an orphaned woman, and a Joseon-period jester who ends up standing in for his ill ruler.

“I loved that he could be really strong and powerful but at the same time have a sense of humor about himself,” Chu said about Lee’s performance in Kim Jee-woon’s 2008 film “The Good, the Bad, the Weird,” where the actor appears as a villain.

“I loved that you were scared of him but also felt for him. That combination was very rare for me because usually I think in American action movies you are either a villain or a hero. The in-betweens are tough. And what I loved about Lee Byung-hun’s performance in all these movies is that he plays the line very well. He plays it and goes back and forth. And that takes a real artist.”

The G.I. Joe films are based on American board game company Hasbro’s toy and cartoon series. Lee’s character, Storm Shadow, is a Japanese-American who used to serve in the U.S. Army’s special operations group.

“He seems cold and cynical, mostly because of this traumatic experience he had in the past,” Lee said. “And there is this scene in the movie where he simply explodes with all the suppressed emotions. That’s one of the scenes that I considered the most important.”

“His acting style is very strong and he can be very intense,” said American pro-wrestler and actor Dwayne Johnson, who starred in the movie with Lee. The actor said he was unaware of Lee’s stardom in Asia until director Chu “educated him” about it.

“One of the most impressive things about Lee is that he is a very, very disciplined actor who takes his job incredibly seriously. Even in our world of cosmic mythology, he brings a very nice way to perform (his role). I’m very impressed with the guy. A nice guy, too.”

“G.I. Joe 2: Retaliation” opens in theaters on March 28.
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