Ahn Seong-gi to Play Lead in Mega Joint Film

Veteran actor Ahn Seong-gi will play the lead role in the 10 billion won mega joint film 'The Song of the String.' The production agency Younghwa Saenggak said director Kim Dae-woo will readapt the same-titled Kim Hoon novel and director Joo Gyeong-joong will produce the film. Ahn will play court musician Wooreuk. Ennio Morricone and Kim Soo-cheol will produce the soundtrack and Japanese producer Satoru Iseki will also participate. The multinational project is partially funded from overseas. The film is scheduled to open in 3,000 screens in Korea, Asia, Europe and North America during next year's latter half. Filming will take place in Korea and China after casting is finalized by early March. Source: KBS Global

LP6’s Top 10 Movies of 2007

I wasn’t even sure if I would make a year end’s list for movies, just because there’s a sizeable list of films that has yet to be released on DVD. If so, films like Masayuki Suo’s “I Just Didn’t Do It,” Ang Lee’s “Lust Caution,” Seong-ho Yoon’s “Milky Way Liberation Front” and others would have vied for place on this list. Also this list is strictly for films released theatrically in 2007. Otherwise Tetsuya Nakashima’s “Memories of Matsuko,” Chan-wook Park’s “I’m A Cyborg But That’s OK” and other films released theatrically in 2006, but on DVD this year would have made the list.

Regardless, this list is what it is and hopefully for people reading this, they may pick up on a film they would not have seen otherwise. So on with the best films of 2007.

01. “Secret Sunshine” - The movie is bleak, dark, and depressing. Yet there’s still hope at the end, however fleeting it may feel. I did think “Secret Sunshine” shared a kindred spirit of sorts with Albert Camus’ novel “The Stranger.” Well deserved best actress award was also given to Jeon Do-Yeon at this year’s Cannes. Her performance was just electrifying.

02. “Ploy” - Pen-Ek Ratanaruang’s “Ploy” takes the dreamy feel of his prior film “Invisible Waves” but wraps it around a far more tangible storyline. On its most basic level the movie deals impressively with the insecurities in a relationship, but from there, Pen-Ek Ratanaruang weaves his own idiosyncratic cinematic magic.

03. “Exodus” - Wacky story that draws you in from the beginning with its surreal “A Clockword Orange” like opening scene, then goes further down an unpredictable satire path. Stanley Kubrick would have loved this film.


04. “Epitaph” - An unexpected surprise for myself. The movie is set during the Japanese occupation of South Korea (how often do you see that?), with three loosely related stories wrapped together in a horror movie veneer. Visuals are second to none.


05. “Black House” - Might not have the most original story, but for sheer thrills “Black House” throws it down wave after wave. I’ve never had as much fun in a cinema than watching “Black House” at a packed theatre in downtown Daegu, South Korea. The audience shrieked and screamed in unison like they were riding a roller coaster.

06. “Happiness” - Jin Jo Hur’s fourth movie dealing with bittersweet relationships, but “Happiness” rightfully stands on its own. Everything from the visuals to the pairing of Jeong-min Hwang and Su-jeong Lim made me feel a bit in awe.


07. “A Gentle Breeze In The Village” - What this movie lacks in plot development is made up in spades by scene after scene of the most charming vignettes on small town life and the coming of age of two precious teenagers.


08a. “Boys of Tomorrow” - Korean indie flick centered around two brothers that grew up on the wrong side of town. Gripping drama, with some harrowing scenes. This could have easily ranked anywhere from #3 - #8.


08b. “A Good Day To Have An Affair” - The topic of illicit affairs is covered in many South Korean films but not many can equal the fun found in “A Good To Have an Affair.” Goofy comedy, that features strong performances all around, highlighted by Hye-Su Kim’s nutty housewife character. There’s a poignant message left in the film as well.


09. “Lost In Beijing” - Strong film centered around an affair, adoption, and money. The movie also brings to light the problems of a burgeoning capitalist system in Beijing.


10. “Sakuran” - This one is all about style and visuals. The movie itself is about as deep as the fish tanks often shown in the film, but so what? Lots of fun to be had in Sakuran, none more so than seeing traditional ideals twisted inside and out.

Source: Lunapark6

Hwang Jung-min shows off musical talent

Not many people know that Hwang Jung-min, now a famous movie star, was once an under-the-radar actor in a number of musical productions. Debuted in a long-running hit musical "Subway Line 1" (1994), Hwang performed in musicals such as "Broadway 42nd" (2004), "Jesus Christ Superstar" (1997) and "Cats" (1999) before he gained popularity with the film "A Good Lawyer's Wife" (2003). Now regarded as one of Korea's A-list film actors, Hwang has earned many awards for his versatility.

Inviting the audience to appreciate his unknown musical talent, the 37-year-old is making a surprise return to the stage with the Korean rendition of the Broadway musical "Nine."

After a four-year hiatus on the stage, Hwang takes the role of Guido Contini, a film director facing a midlife crisis. Based on an Italian play by Mario Fratti, which was inspired by Federico Fellini's autobiographical film "8 1/2," the musical tells a story of a 40-year-old man entangled in a web of romantic difficulties in early-1960s Venice.

The Broadway production, directed by Tommy Tune and choreographed by Tommie Walsh, opened in May 1982. It eventually won five Tony Awards, including for best musical of the year. In 2003, the remake of the musical, which starred Antonio Banderas as Guido, hit the stage. The performance earned him a Tony Award nomination.

Hwang Jung-min is surrounded by a cast of 15 actresses in the Korean rendition of the Broadway musical "Nine." [OD Musical Company]

Hwang was confident and attractive enough on the stage when he sang two songs for critics and reporters last week. But he said he still feels pressure. "I am under great pressure because I am playing the only male character which leads the rest of the cast on the stage," said Hwang. "And I also feel pressure because there are a lot of people watching me over the show, who don't initially recognize me as a stage actor but as a movie star."

David Swan, the producer of the musical, encouraged Hwang, saying that he is the right one for the role.

"The role of Guido requires an actor a great range and he's just a perfect actor for the show, like the rest of the cast," said Swan.

Hwang is to lead a cast of 15 women in the Korean production of "Nine." In this story, the women in the Italian director's life include his wife, mistress, leading lady, mother, first sexual encounter and producer. The cast of women characters draws attention as the show features the award-winning musical actress Kim Sun-young who takes the role of Guido's wife Luisa, Yang So-min as protege Claudia and Chung Sun-ah as mistress Carla.

Feeling lucky to play with a group of attractive and talented actresses, Hwang said: "I heard a lot of people saying that I am very fortunate to work with so many beautiful actresses like Jeon Do-yeon and Jun Ji-hyun. But I guess this musical is the best."

It seems like the musical is offering a moment of reflection for Hwang who wanted to stimulate his acting career.

"A child grows up but an adult also transforms himself or herself by looking back upon the past. I think the musical is good for me because it allows me to take a backward glance at my life," said he.

The musical "Nine" hits the stage on Jan. 22 for a seven-week run at the LG Arts Center in Yeoksam-dong, southern Seoul.

Source: Korea Times

[Year-end Review (1): Movies] 'Sunshine' offers hope to Korean cinema in 2007

The Korean movie industry got off to a shaky start this year, due to the weakened market position of local flicks versus Hollywood blockbusters, but it received a big shining ray of hope from director Lee Chang-dong's thought-provoking drama, "Secret Sunshine."

Jeon Do-yeon, the heroine of "Secret Sunshine," grabbed the prestigious Best Actress award at the 60th Cannes Film Festival in May, setting the upbeat tone for the domestic film industry.

The 34-year-old actress won international acclaim for her brave and inspiring depiction of a grieving Korean woman struggling to rebuild her life in a new city in "Secret Sunshine," the first picture in four years by Lee Chang-dong, a former Korean culture minister.

Despite the positive turn on the filmfest front, the local movie market faced increasing pressure this year. Although the market volume of the Korean film industry remains relatively solid, with 104 films released between January and November this year, the number of moviegoers is steadily declining, and the profitability of major production houses is worsening, leaving a slew of projects stranded.

Secret Sunshine

The number of Korean movies with box-office influence is going down, and the campaign to export Korean films to foreign markets is nowhere near the target level," said Shim Young-seop, a leading movie critic. Meanwhile, Hollywood blockbusters led by "Transformers" and "Pirates of the Carribean: At World's End" made a strong comeback this year, mounting a strong competition against Korean counterparts at the box office.

Meanwhile, "D-War," a graphics-rich monster flick directed by Shim Hyung-rae, created plenty of ripples both in Korea and the United States. The film sold a whopping 8.43 million tickets here, setting a record as the biggest hit this year, thanks largely to director Shim's unabashed efforts to stress that it is the first-ever Korean film to achieve a wide release in the U.S. market.

Starring Jason Behr and Amanda Brooks, the English-language film revolves around a Korean legend about a huge snake-like creature known as "imoogi." The serpent-like monster smashes its way to downtown Los Angeles in the hope of finding a girl destined to transform it into a dragon.

Film critic Kang Yu-jeong said, "The so-called 'D-War' phenomenon was a great chance to discuss the important issues facing the Korean movie industry, but it quickly fizzled out amid frivolous disputes about the movie's quality and national pride."

Another landmark was that Korea's top filmmaker Im Kwon-taek received the title of knight in the Order of the Legion of Honor by the French government, a recognition for his lifetime contribution in the field of visual arts. Im has already won numerous awards, including the Best Director award at the 53rd Cannes Film Festival, but he achieved another milestone by putting out his 100th film, "Thousand-Year Crane," this year.

On the artistic front, maverick director Kim Ki-duk showcased his talent with "Breath," a peculiar story about love, starring Park Ji-ah and Chang Chen. Kim, who received numerous awards for his unique perspective, drew keen interest from critics and audiences with his softened approach in "Breath."

Another representative Korean stylist, Lee Myung-se, recently released "M," a psychodrama that featured top-rated stars such as Gang Dong-won. At the box office, much attention was given to Gang, a heartthrob who is highly popular in Korea, and critics also showed great interest in director Lee who has built up his fame through stylized features like "Nowhere to Hide" and "Duelist," but it was not a commercial success, suggesting that Korean audiences are still inclined to favor friendlier dramas like "Le Grand Chef," a cook-oriented drama that is based on a popular comics series. Directed by Jun Yoon-soo, "Le Grand Chef" secured a solid spot, in terms of ticket sales.

Other notable films include "Voice of a Murderer," director Park Jin-pyo's sophisticated kidnapping drama that hit it big at the box office early this year. "Our Town," directed by Jeong Gil-young, handles a similarly gruesome topic with a style that accentuates the talent of Oh Man-seok, former musical actor.

Daniel Henney also proved his commercial appeal with his role in "My Father," a drama that pulled at the heartstrings of audiences by focusing on the universal theme of father-son affection that goes beyond borders and prison walls.

"Gold Digger Miss Shin," starring Han Ye-seul, a bilingual actress, is also jockeying for position in the domestic film market toward the end of the year, highlighting Han's versatility and sex appeal.

Source: Korea Herald

Actor Kim Works to Enjoy His Calling

Kim Kang-woo, in a scene in his latest film ``Mask'' / Korea Times

``Enjoy One's Calling'' is the phrase written on actor Kim Kang-woo's cell phone. ``Talented people cannot beat people who know how to enjoy life. I went through hard times when I first started acting. But one day, I realized I was doing something I wanted to do and earning money for it. The point is to take pleasure in what I do ― acting,'' Kim said in an interview with The Korea Times at a cafe in Samcheong-dong in Seoul, Monday.

Kim, 29, debuted through ``The Coast Guard'' (2002), directed by Kim Ki-deok, when he was a senior at Chung-Ang University. ``The only role I could get without any acting experience was a soldier,'' said Kim.

He was then noticed when he played Mu-cheol in the MBC drama ``Breathless'' (2003) and starred in SBS's ``Three-Leaf Clover'' (2005). Kim has been known as ``Mr. Right'' since then for the honest and diligent characters he played. ``It's funny. I didn't know that I had that kind of sincere image in me,'' he said.

Kim also appeared in the films ``The Aggressives'' (2005) and ``The Beast and the Beauty'' (2005), but popularity was still elusive. Though he cranked up his last movie in spring, he had to wait longer than usual for the movie's release. In 2007, Kim's three movies were released consecutively. ``The Railroad'' received favorable reviews but failed to draw a large audience.

Fortune, at last, smiled on him. ``Le Grand Chef,'' a film remake of a popular cartoon, became the biggest hit of the second half of 2007. It drew an audience of more than 3 million and Kim shot to instant stardom.

Moreover, he won the Best Actor award for his role in ``The Railroad'' at the 25th Turin Film Festival in Italy on Dec. 1. ``I went to Turin as if I were just backpacking with director Park Heung-sik.'' However, he won the award, beating out 14 other actors. ``Of course I was excited to received the award. But I was also scared how this was going to affect my career,'' Kim said. ``I won't act much better all of a sudden because of the prize. However, people will anticipate better performances, and I have to live up to those expectations.''

Now, Kim is waiting for the release of mystery thriller ``Mask,'' which is to be released Thursday. Directed by Yang Yun-ho, ``Mask'' chases a serial killer related to an assault case in the army 10 years earlier. Kim plays the role of Jo Gyeong-yun, a tough detective. ``Detective Jo has a complex personality. He hides his gentle side and homosexuality and instead emphasizes a macho character. I focused on expressing the contrast of his two sides,'' explained Kim. ``Seong-chan (the lead character of `Le Grand Chef') was another solid and decent character I played. I wanted to break out of that image and that's one of the reasons I chose this movie.''

``Before shooting `Mask,' I was an ordinary, conservative Korean man who was not well-informed and ambivalent about homosexuality. To get to know more, I met transsexuals and talked with them. I now know that it is just their destiny, not a choice they made,'' Kim spoke frankly about the homophobia described in the movie.

Kim has not decided what his next project will be, but left the possibilities open. ``I don't have any specific characters that I want to play. I am still young and I will just do my best in whatever role that comes to me, whether it is a protagonist or villain in any genre.

``I want to be on stage someday. Plays require much time for rehearsals and the reaction from the audience is immediate. However, if I wait too long, I might not be able to do it, so I'll go for it anyway,'' Kim said.

While every other actor tries to bolster his or her individuality, this actor is a rather reserved character. ``I am not a very charismatic person with a unique personality. Rather, I want people to remember the characters I portrayed, not me,'' he said. ``I think it's better to be a little flexible as an actor since I don't know what kind of person I will have to represent.''

Kim secretly visited movie theaters to check what the audience thought about the movie. ``When I saw audiences smiling after the movie (Le Grand Chef), my heart felt full because I did something meaningful for them.''

Source: Korea Times

`My Love’ Is Loathsomely Sweet

Karm Woo-sung and Choi Kang-hee play the role of a sweet but odd couple in the film ``My Love.''

``My Love'' (working title) is a montage film that weaves together four different love stories like the popular romantic comedy ``Love Actually.'' If the British flick is like a mosaic of thoughts on love, this homegrown family drama is more like a hand-knit scarf ― fuzzy, warm and a bit tickly. Those who are in the mood for something sappy will love it, whereas humbugs will find it loathsomely sweet.

Set during summertime, ``My Love'' brings together characters from different parts of Seoul in time for a solar eclipse. Ju-won (Choi Kang-hee) is an eccentric ― and slightly sadistic ― artist who takes pleasure in teasing her subway engineer boyfriend Se-jin (Karm Woo-sung): At one point, a wardrobe malfunction has poor Se-jin standing, boxers-exposed, while giving Ju-won a piggyback in the subway. A few years later, Ju-won has left him, but he discovers that traces of their love remain.

For college student So-hyeon (Lee Yeon-hee), it was love at first sight when she meets Ji-wu (Jeong Il-wu). A rather embarrassing incident at a party enables So-hyeon to finally converse with Ji-wu, and she jumps at the opportunity to ask him to help build her alcohol tolerance. Meanwhile, Ji-wu, who had taken a semester off from school to nurse a broken heart, is slightly baffled by the new blooming romance with So-hyeon.

Hippie-like activist Jin-man (Uhm Tae-woong) finally returns home after six years of traveling around the world to give free hugs to strangers (he basically stands around with a sign that reads ``free hugs''). He tries to trace back his former girlfriend ― ``the second half of my incomplete heart'' ― and the only way he can reach her is to retrieve his old cell phone number. The new user of his old number is Su-jeong (Im Jung-eun), a hotshot worker at an advertisement firm.

Although Su-jeong has an excellent career, things aren't going so well in the love department. She is constantly being rejected by Jeong-seok (Ryu Seung-ryong), a gifted copywriter and single father suffering from the loss of his beloved wife. She learns to persist as she tries to pave a way into the heart of Jeong-seok and his young son.

``My Love'' does offer some genuinely endearing characters and stories. The subway lovebirds ― Ju-won and Se-jin ― picnic on the train, play hide-and-seek and demonstrate every possible way to spend an entire day and night on line 2 via Seongnae station (although there are parts that should read ``do not imitate''). Newcomer Lee Yeon-hee, who debuted opposite Gang Dong-won in ``M,'' gives a charming performance that strikes a comparison to Jun Ji-hyun in ``My Sassy Girl.''

``Love Actually'' became an international hit because it pieced together heartwarming tales in a natural way. It justifies its use of the montage genre by demonstrating six degrees of separation, how we are all connected one way or the other. Characters crisscross one another's lives in a way that is crafty but not too contrived, and the film made a spot for itself as an ultimate Christmas classic.

``My Love,'' on the other hand, seems more like a collection of those sentimental anecdotes and quotes you find in feel-good mass e-mails. Ji-wu, for example, desperately misses his ex-girlfriend and has a message on his cell-phone that reads ``you're tattooed onto my heart and I can't erase you.'' Another cheesy attempt to tug at the viewer's heartstring is when he asks So-hyeon some important questions ― but viewers can be distracted by their own question as to why he calls her on the cell phone when she's standing right next to him in the first place.

``My Love'' does cater to the mood of the year-end season, but the sweet factor is overwhelming and artificial like a Krispy Kreme donut, and its heavy glaze is only for those with a big sweet tooth.

Source: Korea Times

Director Im Kwon-taek Awarded at Dubai Film Festival

Korean film director Im Kwon-taek has received a Lifetime Achievement Award at this year's Dubai International Film Festival.

Im is one of the most successful filmmakers in Korea and has made 100 films during his half-a-century career. The festival committee praised his numerous and experimental works in diverse genres.

Director Im's 100th film "Beyond the Years" as well as "Chihwaseon " otherwise called in English "Drunk on Women and Poetry" were screened at the ceremony.

Im was one of three laureates who were honored with the festival's prestigious award.

Source: Chosun Ilbo

'Rainbow Eyes' keeps climax a secret

Yang Yun-ho, director of the mystery thriller "Rainbow Eyes (Gamyeon)," seemed as confident about his filmmaking technique as ever. But he was not so sure about the film's commercial potential.

"When I saw the screenplay for the first time, I was deeply drawn to the great storyline, but at the same time I instantly knew that it's not going to be a box-office hit here," Yang told reporters at a press preview held in downtown Seoul on Monday.

But it may be too early for such pessimism. After all, Kim Kang-woo, a talented award-winning star, has taken the title role for "Rainbow Eyes," to be released here on Dec. 27.

Kim played a central character in "Le Grand Chef," which became the biggest hit in the second half of this year, and he also won the best actor award at the 25th Torino Film Festival, adding much-needed credentials to his fledgling acting career.

"Rainbow Eyes" revolves around a serial killer who defies logic, and police scrutiny. The first victim is a sports center manager who seems to have suffered stab wounds. The second victim is a swimming trainer at the sports center, which confuses the police. The second victim's unexpected death breaks apart the police's hitherto assumption that the trainer is a key suspect.

Finally, the third murder takes place, sending the police and detective Cho Kyeong-yoon (played by Kim Kang-woo) scrambling for clues. But the serial killer, whose name is Lee Yoon-seo, is nowhere to be found.

As the investigation unfolds, it turns out that all three of the victims belonged to the same barracks when they served in the military. Incidentally or not, 10 years ago, they beat up a soldier, whose name is none other than Lee Yoon-seo, and they were transferred to a different unit due to the incident.

All the signs point to Lee, but he has long disappeared after suffering from some schizophrenic symptoms, obviously initiated by the traumatic beating.

In addition to the mysterious suspect, detective Cho has more to deal with. Everyone around him shows a sort of uneasiness, adding to confusion and uncertainty. For instance, his girlfriend Cha Su-jin (Lee Su-kyeong) suddenly reveals a deep anxiety. Lee Yoon-seo's older sister, who is receiving medical treatment due to the stress related to her brother, seems suspicious. Ominously, detective Cho goes feel some serious anxiety himself, conducting his own secret investigation.

Since plot twists in this type of mystery thriller are somewhat important, the movie promotion staff repeatedly asked the journalists not to reveal the key developments or climactic events. Such strong emphasis on preventing the spoilers, in a way, suggests the gravity of the final scene in terms of the film's overall storytelling power.

Aside from the 'mysterious' plot, Lee Su-kyeong's sex scene, which turned out to be unexpectedly bold in consideration of her conservative television actor's image, attracted keen media attention at the press conference.

Source: Korea Herald

'Gold Digger' buffs Han's charm, but misses

In "Gold Digger Miss Shin (Yonguijudo Miss Shin)," Han Ye-seul dominates the running time -- for 98 percent, to be exact -- as a likable beauty who compares and contrasts four different potential Mr. Rights.

But the movie's heroine Shin Mi-su played by Han is not an original character. Rather it's a combination of Kim A-jung, who hit it big early this year with "200 Pound Beauty" featuring herself as a symbol of transformation through plastic surgery, and Jun Ji-hyun, who represents a cranky yet enchanting beauty, as showcased in the classic romantic comedy "My Sassy Girl."

When Shin puts on chic dresses and sexy club outfits, she looks like Kim A-jung's after-surgery version. And when Shin throws up something unmentionable to a man after heavy drinking, she seems to imitate what Jun Ji-hyun did to Cha Tae-hyun in the notorious subway scene.

But Han Ye-seul is neither Kim A-jung nor Jun Ji-hyun. All three of the actresses are regarded as similarly iconic beauties in the country's entertainment industry, but placing Han's big-screen debut squarely between Kim and Jun does not help her cut an original character.

Instead of cultivating a unique character, director Park Yong-jib focuses on the personal charm of Han Ye-seul, who tiptoes, runs, screams and stumbles to flesh out a highly stereotyped Shin Mi-su, who is juggling shaky relationships with four different men in order to catch the ideal spouse.

Shin Mi-su, an up-and-coming advertising specialist, is keen to attract a superrich chaebol family member (played by Kwon Oh-jung) by doing some volunteer work in a bid to accentuate her angelic image.

But she does not bet on a single candidate. One of her hedges is a bespectacled, dorky student (Kim In-kwon) who is preparing to pass the state bar exam -- a quick gateway to wealth and power in Korea. She constantly eggs and nudges him to study hard to pass the exam. Her devotion to such a long-term investment has a clear purpose: to become a wife of a powerful prosecutor.

At the same time, Shin half-heartedly hangs out with a handsome rapper (Son Ho-yeong, former singer of the top music group G.O.D.), just for fun.

The relationships become complicated when Shin encounters a fourth contender (Lee Jong-hyeok), a neighbor in the same apartment complex who happens to hold the key to one of her advertising projects.

As the storyline unabashedly revolves around Shin's quest for an ideal man, the camera hardly moves away from her to the four male characters, who are largely treated as mere sidekicks.

So the question is how Shin's "one-woman show" is incorporated into the simplistic plot, and the general impression is that Shin is a character that is at least hard to hate. The decisive factor is Han's willingness to embrace even screwball and slapstick gags, counterbalancing the sugarcoated screen shots stressing her shining beauty.

But since her devil-may-care acts are exaggerated too much too often, Shin fails to produce the much-needed genuine comic relief. The real laughter often comes from a sidelined male character, notably the chaebol family member. Kwon Oh-jung's restrained yet hilarious depiction of the wealthy guy with a hand fetish is bound to hit the funny bone of audiences bored with Shin's endless on-screen fashion show.

But what's really laughable involves the film's shambolic product placement. In the film, a sizable amount of precious screen time is devoted to KTF, a major mobile phone company.

Even considering that the film's distributor Sidus FHN is owned by KT, a telecom giant which also controls KTF, the film goes far beyond usual product placement norms to the annoyance of audiences. It features the mobile carrier's third-generation service extensively and repeatedly -- going the opposite way of successful product placement's subtle and unobtrusive techniques.

There is even a horrifying scene where Shin reads the exact PR materials for KTF's "Show" brand in the name of demonstrating her presentation skills in front of the telecom carrier's executives. It's nothing more than a pathetic 'show' for local moviegoers who have already been bombarded with the same KTF advertisements in recent months.

So here's a revised summary of the movie: In "Gold Digger Miss Shin," Han Ye-seul and KTF's not-so-funny product placement jointly dominate the running time of 108 minutes.

Source: Korea Herald

`Sex is Zero 2' Loses Its Edge

After a night of partying, Eun-sik (Im Chang-jung) finds himself in a compromising position in the college sex comedy ``Sex is Zero: Season.''

/ Courtesy of CJ Entertainment

While the ``American Pie'' trilogy cooked up a stir in the United States, Korea had its own version of a witlessly wholesome sex comedy, ``Sex is Zero'' (2002). It's always hard for sequels to live up to the glory of their predecessor, but such biting reality hit ``Sex is Zero: Season 2'' especially hard ― slapping the tasteless college story in the face over and over again.

In ``Zero 2,'' the popular actors from the first installment reconvene and the narrative elements are tweaked here and there. Good-hearted Eun-sik (Im Chang-jung) is a law student who, driven by his hormones, is more preoccupied with checking out miniskirt-clad legs in the library than preparing for the state exam.

Eun-sik seems doomed with bad luck, with unfortunate timing always labeling the innocent guy as a pervert. But mysterious workings of the universe give him one blessing. His longtime girlfriend is none other than the most popular girl on campus, the sweet and beautiful swimming champion Gyeong-a (Song Ji-hyo). Even though Eun-sik grows increasingly desperate with their unconsummated relationship, he is madly in love and will do anything for Gyeong-a, like going to the rescue when she's stuck in a bathroom stall that's run out of toilet paper.

Meanwhile, Seong-guk (Choi Seong-guk), the president of Eun-sik's freaky martial arts club, tries to help out his sexually frustrated friend, but they both end up getting arrested in a red light district. Despite the disaster, Eun-sik and Gyeong-a's love remains strong. But when a suave prosecutor tries to compete for Gyeong-a's heart and an injury threatens her swimming career, Eun-sik begins to doubt himself.

Side stories feeding the drama include Seong-guk's determination to revamp their club status by mastering the mixed martial arts ― French-Korean mixed martial artist Denis Kang makes a special appearance _ and a twisted love triangle between Seong-guk, his hysterical girlfriend Yu-mi (Yu Chae-yeong) and a seductive swimming coach.

``Zero 2'' relies on what made ``Zero'' a big hit. In the inauguration ceremony ``welcoming'' two new members ― equivalent to fraternity pledges ― ``Zero 2'' takes grossness to a whole new level. Think of a cocktail mix from hell _ a bucketful of alcohol spiked with cigarette butts and a dirty sock. This perverse tradition is actually practiced among some Korean college students.

But the makers of the film try too hard to be outrageous. While attempting to explore new sexual adventures on campus, they make the mistake of exploiting the genre, and what had been endearingly eccentric in the first film becomes simply freaky.

While the various sex scenes are far from steamy like the first film, they try to squeeze out laughter from what seems to be more like third-rate pornography, where a girl who claims to be a virgin is far too sexually experienced, and others make a joke of sexual fetishes, like sadomasochism and playing with Sailor Moon costumes.

The film had also made headlines for starring one of the actors in its previous installment as an actress ― literally. Both on and off screen, Lee Dae-hak had undergone a sex change operation, and the movie touches upon the issue rather superficially.

Another downfall of ``Zero 2'' is the tacky melodrama. Gyeong-a's dark past, while adding some dimension to her relationship with Eun-sik, lacks substance. But the critical blow comes with the absence of genuine comedy.

``Zero 2'' is like a bad date, with some meaningless sex and zero fun.

Source: Korea Times

'My Love' nowhere near 'Love Actually'

"My Love" attempts to mimic the famous romantic comedy formula set by "Love Actually" (2003), and the effort itself deserves some attention because the Christmas holiday season is just around the corner, and young Korean couples are keen to watch sweet, feel-good films with the snow falling.

"My Love" has some common grounds with "Love Actually." Obviously, as the title suggests, its target audiences as well as screening time are already set at around the year-end. Both films present multiple couples. But that's the end of the tenuous similarities, and everything else in "My Love" is dramatically inferior to those featured in "Love Actually."

In fact, Lee Han, who has directed "My Love," has some credentials when it comes to romantic comedy in the domestic film market. He previously made romantic features such as "Lovers' Concerto" (2002) and "Almost Love" (2006). But Lee is not Richard Curtis, a master of romantic comedy who made "Love Actually" and wrote "Four Weddings and a Funeral," "Notting Hill" and "Bridget Jones's Diary."

Another sad fact for those who want to compare the two films is that Karm Woo-sung, a veteran actor and one of the main characters in "My Love," is not Hugh Grant, either.

"My Love" makes some nominal efforts to connect the couples, but the effect is minimal at best.

The only virtue is that director Lee has not included the dozen or so love stories in his new feature a la "Love Actually." Instead, he focuses on just four couples (or three and a half couples, to be exact), but then again, the number of couples does not matter much if the stories are poorly presented. The movie starts off with the grim face of Karm who plays Se-jin, who remembers his girlfriend Ju-won (played by Choi Kang-hee). Se-jin is a subway worker who drives the underground train on Line No. 2 along the Han River.

The couple forged relationships chiefly on the subway, especially inside the terminals on the Line No. 2, with the Han River seen nearby. It turns out that Ju-won is a sort of subway buff, who likes to doodle pictures on the window of the subway train and takes a nap and even have a lunch -- on the dirty floor of the train.

Even before the audiences ponder the meaning of the peculiar subway-based relationships, director Lee swirls the camera into another couple, this time Jeong-seok (Ryu Seung-ryong) and Su-jeong (Lee Jeong-eun). Jeong-seok is a middle-aged widower, and struggles to get over the painful memories related to his late wife. His colleague at the same advertising agency, Su-jeong, wants to open up a new relationship with him, but things continue to go awry because he cannot forget the past.

Director Lee moves the camera angle again to a young college couple (or a wannabe couple), Ji-woo (played by Jeong Il-woo, who made his name known through 'Highkick' television sitcom series), and So-hyeon (Lee Yeon-hee). Studying at the same college department, So-hyeon has a crush on Ji-woo, who is also trying to forget his own crushed romance.

With the three couples constantly changing hands on the big screen, director Lee introduces another member, Jin-man (Eom Tae-woong), a self-styled 'free hug' activist who has come back to Korea after six years of absence. Jin-man wants to reunite with his girlfriend, who promised to meet him in six years.

The four episodes do not interconnect with each other, and director Lee changes the screen so abruptly so many times it's almost a test of patience to watch the film's ending, expecting that something might happen in a way that pieces together the disparate couples as a reward for enduring the one hundred and eleven minutes of running time.

But there's no reward whatsoever; there are some nominal efforts to connect the four couples, but the effect is minimal at best. Worse, the sugarcoated, cartoonish and shallow depiction of relationships suggest that, actually, there's no real alternative to "Love Actually" for a year-end romantic fare.

Source: Korea Herald

Seasonal Movies Come to Screen

The winter holiday season is here, with decorative lights warming up the nippy evenings and carol tunes flowing out from record shops ― and of course, colorful movie posters adorning the faces of movie theaters. Here are several films to complete the year-end celebration.



`My Love'

Popular actors convene in this warm drama, which pieces together different love stories in the tradition of ``Love Actually.''

Subway engineer Se-jin (Karm Woo-sung) is madly in love with his free-spirited and spontaneous girlfriend, Ju-won (Choi Kang-hee), but his deep affection for her makes him feel increasingly insecure.

College student So-hyeon (Lee Yeon-hee) makes a big move on her love interest Ji-wu (Jeong Il-wu), by asking him to teach her the art of drinking.

Su-jeong (Im Jung-eun) is constantly rejected by Jeong-seok, a copywriter and widowed dad. But despite the damage to her pride, she perseveres.

Tree-hugging activist Jin-man (Uhm Tae-woong) returns home after six years to find his ex-girlfriend, though chances are slim. In theaters Dec. 18.



`Merry Christmas'

On Dec. 24, 1914, a true Christmas miracle takes place in a bloody World War I battlefield. German, French and British soldiers stationed around the Western Front (fortified trenches stretching from the North Sea to the Swiss frontier with France) put down their arms. In true Christmas spirit, they sing carols to each other, bury the dead properly and even engage in a football match on No Man's Land.

French director Christian Carion tells the story of the Christmas truce, concerning a Scottish priest, a French lieutenant, a Jewish German soldier and two opera stars ― a young German tenor and his beloved Danish lover, played by the beautiful Diane Kruger.

The film received the people's choice award at the Jecheon International Music & Film Festival and was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the Academy Awards and Golden Globes. In theaters Dec. 18.



`Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium'

If you liked Willy Wonka's fantastic candy factory in ``Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,'' you're in for a treat, because ``Mr. Magorium'' brings a toy store with super sized magic. The Emporium is the most wonderfully bizarre store in the world, where fish mobiles swim in the air, storybooks come to life and stuffed monkey dolls parade around. It's probably the most ideal place to do some Christmas shopping.

Dustin Hoffman plays the role of the eccentric, shoe-loving, 243-year-old owner. After running his toyshop for 114 years, Mr. Magorium feels it's about time to pass it over to someone else. But his young manager Molly (Natalie Portman) becomes nervous about the inheritance, and to make matters worse, the once lively Emporium begins to lose its magic. In theaters Dec. 19.



`Hansel and Gretel'

A young man gets lost in the woods but finds himself in a beautiful house with three adorable children. With a warm fireplace and plenty to eat, the place seems too perfect to be true ― and impossible to exit.

``Hansel and Gretel'' gives a harrowing twist to the classic story by the Grimm brothers. In this homegrown thriller, the abandoned children from the traditional tale become empowered with the ability to manifest their imaginations, and begin their revenge against the world.

``Christmas is a merry occasion for most people, but it probably makes the less fortunate feel even more lonely and marginalized,'' said pre-teen actor Eun Won-jae in a recent press event. The film translates messages about child abuse and the like as it explores the dark depths of limitless imagination. In theaters Dec. 27.

Source: Korea Times

'Lust, Caution' a not-so-cautious draw

"Brokeback Mountain" (2005): 340,000. "Hulk" (2003): 860,000. "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" (2000): 560,000. These box-office figures in Korea for the previous films made by Taiwanese director Ang Lee are not so spectacular. But few had expected the erotic espionage thriller "Lust, Caution" to emerge as such a trailblazing hit here.

"Lust, Caution" was released at 227 theaters across the nation on Nov. 8, and about 40,000 audiences watched the film on the opening day -- a respectable performance, considering that Korean moviegoers are not big fans of artistic films. But Lee's latest take on human desire and limitations, which took top honors at the Venice Film Festival this year, seems to be an exception.

The film, based on a novel by Eileen Chang, tells the story of a group of revolutionary Chinese students plotting to assassinate a powerful Japanese-allied intelligence chief in World War II-era Shanghai.

One of the key factors that boosted the publicity of "Lust, Caution" in Korea is the controversial sex scenes that earned the film its NC-17 rating in the United States. For the release in mainland China, director Lee himself cut seven minutes from the film -- specifically, two scenes of violent and acrobatic sex.

Strangely enough, the Korean authorities did not use their usually strict standards, perhaps in recognition of the film's artistic merits. As a result, Korean audiences can see the uncut version of "Lust, Caution."

Despite (or because of) the graphic scenes and the relatively long running time of 157 minutes, the film proved to be one of the most successful foreign arthouse films this year. In just 18 days, it sold 1 million tickets here, showcasing the fresh potential of Taiwanese films.

According to the box-office figures released on Monday by the Korean Film Council, "Lust, Caution" attracted a total of 1.36 million moviegoers, maintaining the No. 3 slot of the previous week.

The local media has highlighted the unexpected success of the film, attributing this to the word-of-mouth effect. Female viewers especially seem to appreciate the film's delicate depiction of passionate love between the main characters, and the morning screenings of the film -- mostly targeting housewives -- have been quite successful.

Critics have had mixed reactions to the unprecedented success of this type of film. The movie's respectable box-office record has undermined the assumption that artistic films are not likely to do well in Korea. Local moviegoers, after all, tend to respond to well-made films, regardless of whether they are homegrown or imported.

But the flip side of the same box-office coin is that it remains uncertain why local audiences have such as keen interest in this film, as opposed to other foreign arthouse features. Some attribute the peculiar phenomenon to the great curiosity about the sex scenes; this interest has of course been fanned by the local media. "Lust, Caution" is also creating a sensation in China, despite the cut made by the director himself. The movie has also made a strong showing in other markets including Hong Kong, and widespread media coverage is boosting its stature across Asia.

The film is praised for showcasing the powerful acting of the two central characters -- Tony Leung and Tang Wei.

Source: Korea Herald

200 Pound Beauties (Jin-mo Ju & In-seong Jo) star in gay period piece “Ssanghwajeom”

Director Ha Yu has selected Jin-mo Ju (200 Pounds Beauty and A Love) to star in his upcoming period piece “Ssanghwajeom”. Jin-mo Ju will appear alongside In-seong Jo who was already cast by Ha Yu. In-seong Jo is no stranger with Ha Yu’s work, as they previously worked together in the 2006 mob film “A Dirty Carnival”.

“SSanghwajom” is based off of a historical play set within the latter days of the Goryeo Dynasty. At the time, the Goryeo Dynasty fell under the influence of the Mongol Yuan Dynasty. The King of Goryeo (Jin-mo Jo) attempts to strengthen his royal powers and wrest such powers from his wife, the beautiful Queen of Yuan, and her allies. The King of Goryeo is also in love with Hong Lim, the male leader of the royal bodyguards. Their relationship sets the stages for a dangerous game of love and betrayal.

“SSanghwajom” is expected to begin filming in April of 2008.

Source: Lunapark6

Jeon Do-yeon Takes Home Seventh Award

Actress Jeon Do-yeon, center, is flanked by director Lee Chang-dong, left and actor Song Kang-ho, right at the 6th Korea Film Festival Saturday. / Yonhap


Korean actress Jeon Do-yeon, the queen of Cannes, is the most high profile actress in the country this year. The 34-year-old took home yet another award Saturday at the 6th Korea Film Festival held in Seoul.

At the annual event, director Lee Chang-dong's film ``Secret Sunshine'' secured Jeon her seventh award this year. Her winning streak started in May with the Best Actress Award at the Cannes Film Festival.

Following on the heels of the Cannes' win, Jeon took home the special award from Korea's Daejong Film Festival, the Okgwan Order of Culture Merit from the Korean Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Best Actress Award from the Asia Pacific Screen Awards (where the film also won the prize for Best Feature Film).

She continued to sweep awards, winning the Best Actress Award from the Korean Movie Critics Association and the annual Blue Dragon Awards.

``Secret Sunshine'' portrays Jeon as a widowed mother who moves to Miryang, a small city in North Gyeongsang Province with her son after the death of her husband. Unscreened clips were found by Internet users after the screening of the film, showing Jeon acting the young widow crying hysterically in the cold waters of a nearby lake. The scenes were enough to move viewers with her signature acting style, marked by intensity and charisma.

The ambitious actress now awaits two possible additions to her trophy collection, this time in Hollywood with nominations for the Golden Globes and the Academy Awards.

The Korea Film Festival was truly a night for ``Secret Sunshine,'' with Jeon's co-star Song Kang-ho also being named Best Actor and director Lee Chang-dong chosen as Best Director.

Source: Korea Times

Korean insurer to pay for film flops

SEOUL -- The state-run Korea Export Insurance Corp. is offering film export insurance that will include partial compensation to investors if a film's a flop.

Launching this month, the insurance will be offered for a percentage fee to selected projects that are targeted at international markets or have secured significant pre-sale deals.

It will cover instances of nonpayment and other unforeseen risks.

In addition, KEIC will provide partial compensation to participants in selected investment funds that focus on films targeted at overseas markets. The Korean Film Council (Kofic) is may launch an international distribution P&A fund that would also be backed by KEIC.

On Thursday, the organization pacted with Kofic to cooperate in launching the new programs.

Kofic will recommend projects to KEIC and share expertise on the film industry in general.

KEIC was launched in 1992 under Korea's Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy. This is the first time that the organization has widened its purview to include cultural products.

Source: Variety

Kim Tae-hee Puts Up 'Fight' Against Critics

When people think of Kim Tae-hee, they often say she is beautiful but her acting still has a long way to go. Her perceived shortcomings in acting have been constantly talked about while she worked to be recognized as a true actor than a graduate of the elite Seoul National University. Can “Fight,” her new film opening on Dec. 13, change all that? The Chosun Ilbo met her to find out.

People say you have improved but still many say your acting is amateur.

In the past, I didn’t even realize I was bad. I was too busy. And even when I saw my shortcomings, I simply turned away. But about two or three months ago, I bought the DVDs for ‘Love Story in Harvard’ (Kim’s 2004 TV soap) and I was so embarrassed. Sure, I was sincere and I put in a lot of energy into it, but I simply wasn’t ready technically.”

Are you satisfied now?

I feel I have gotten better. Of course, I still have a long way to go.

How do you feel when people criticize your acting on the Internet?

I get frustrated and angry to the point of not wanting to live anymore. But at the same time, something inside me refuses to accept those comments and drives me to work harder to get recognition one day.”

Why do you have to act with all these people attacking you? You could lead a comfortable life by just shooting commercials.

When people are faced with something new and challenging, they get excited. In the past, acting was like a tough homework assignment, and I didn’t get any joy or sense of achievement from it. But these days, I feel I know what it is like to act and I think I’ll be truly happy when I become a great actress.”

Why did you choose the character in the film? She’s a divorcee and Seol Kyung-gu, who plays her ex-husband, is 12 years older.

Many people were against me doing this film too, asking why I’m trying to play a character who’s older than me. But the truth is, it’s hard to draw a stereotypical image of a divorcee or a married woman in Korea any more. They all look really young now. As for Seol, he felt more like a friend than any other actors that I had filmed with. I don’t know why, but the whole female crew liked him too.”

When frustrated, your character Jin-a puts on a purple wig and cries her eyes out, while Seol’s character Sang-min, a cleanliness freak, scrubs the bathtub. What does the purple wig signify?

I think it means hope. Reality bites, but the wig, in a surreal way, talks of future hope.

What do you do when you feel empty? Do you also cry like Jin-a?

I rely on my friends. I get lonely really easily and I can never overcome that by myself. But I want to be strong and independent one day.

Do you feel you were able to become one with the character?

I never intentionally tried to fall in love for the sake of gaining pointers for my acting, but experience did help. Of course, I never had the experience of marrying someone, and then hating the person once the fantasy is over. But I’m sure we all had similar experiences. Falling in love, I think, is crucial for acting.

When asked to describe you, people around you say two things: you are very claver to the point of being shrewd while almost narcissistic, and you are very naïve to the point of being simple.

What’s wrong with having confidence in yourself? I think every woman needs to be narcissistic to some degree. Women become more confident when they are beautiful, feminine, and adorable. As for being shrewd, I’m not because I simply haven’t had enough experience of life. In fact, there are certain things that people want to believe of me that are not true at all. Anyway, it hurts me to hear those comments.

Some say you approach acting intellectually, like a subject for study, rather than really feeling it.

What makes an actor? A senior professional told me that an actor is an actor because he has to learn constantly. I admit I want compliments like the ones I got in my schooldays. When we were shooting “Fight,” Seol told me that it’s really good to see me enjoying every moment of acting. He said he gets too sensitive and feels a lot of pressure. People think I’m always rational, but that’s not true.”

Source: Chosun Ilbo

`Venus and Mars’ Defies Expectation

A scene from “Venus and Mars”

Cognitive dissonance is a psychological phenomenon that refers to the discomfort felt when what you already know clashes with a new interpretation. ``Venus and Mars'' feeds off this idea from beginning to end, as director Han Ji-seung (``A Day,'' 2001) ironically defines love through the art of warfare, using a mix of genres dubbed ``hardboiled'' romantic comedy.

Called a romance guru for his hit TV series ``Alone in Love'' (Yeonaesidae, 2006, SBS), the director makes a comeback on the silver screen where he traces a highly volatile emotional ― and physical ― tug of war between a divorced couple.

Hot-blooded glass artist Jin-a (Kim Tae-hee) and faint-hearted, cleanliness-obsessed entomologist Sang-min (Sul Kyoung-gu) have absolutely nothing in common. But opposites attract, and the two tie the knot after a string of ultra dramatic break-ups and make-ups. The two end up splitting, however, when a bug-in-the-glass-jar incident demonstrates their irreconcilable differences.

But just when they think they've been liberated from the past, repressed emotions ― and high kicks _ take full pendulum swing over nothing. Sang-min had split every single item in half, including his cherished clock after their divorce. On a mission to recover the missing pendulum from Jin-a, he inadvertently triggers his hot-tempered ex-wife, who gives him an ultimatum.

``Venus'' is crafted in the style of ``The War of the Roses'' (1989) crossed with ``Mr. & Mrs. Smith'' (2005) _ and a touch of ``Kill Bill'' (2003). A minor quarrel spins out of control, and you've got cars crashing and burning, wrestling in a pile of ostrich dung and police intervention.

The film made headlines as it cast an unlikely pair to play improbable roles: Kim eradicates her frail, angelic image to play as a woman with serious anger management issues, while Sul, known for playing tough anti-heros in films such as ``Peppermint Candy'' (2000), turns into a super-sensitive guy.

Seeing a spineless, obsessive-compulsive Sul is bound to create more cognitive dissonance in viewers than Kim's high kicks. But Sul's bona fide acting suggests he's born for the role. The film's greatest strengths lie in the delightful details, such as a scene where Sang-min is bathing his pet bug Wu-kyung or scraping off miniscule bits of dried toothpaste in the bathroom, or when he is about to run away from his ex-wife in a movie theater and happens to stand against the emergency exit instructions.

Unfortunately, such wit does not translate into the overall quality of the film. The film forcefully packs both heavy melodrama and surreal, comic elements that create a confounding audiovisual experience. It becomes too difficult to lightheartedly laugh at the funny parts, while the dramatic moments capturing the subtle emotional tension between a divorced couple are rather stilted.

The film also makes some pathetic attempts to squeeze out laughter by resorting to extremes, rather grotesquely. Sul's obsession with order and cleanliness is funny at first but becomes freaky _ you begin to think this guy needs some serious treatment, as does his friend, an agricultural studies professor who's infatuated with his cow. Jin-a, on the other hand, remains a rather undeveloped character that borders on hysterical, while her divorced friend, bloodthirsty for revenge against the all the ex-husbands in the world, defines hysteria.

The director deserves credit for not settling with something safe. But it's unfortunate that ``Venus'' feels more like a bits and pieces of a romance movie, animation and hardboiled action film slapped together. It's fun when films experiment, but ``Venus'' throws the viewer into a state of cognitive dissonance that makes it hard to digest.

Source: Korea Times

Actress Sung to Get Married in December

Actress Sung Hyun-ah

Actress Sung Hyun-ah will tie the knot with a businessman in December. The wedding ceremony will be held at 1 p.m. on Dec. 9 at the Paradise Hotel in Busan.

The 32-year old Sung will marry a businessman named Hur, who is a year younger than her. However, no other details regarding her fiance are being disclosed.

The wedding will take place in Busan at the request of her future husband's family who has ties there.

Sung met her fiance in March through a mutual acquaintance. Both their parents are supportive of the marriage. Her future mother-in-law reportedly liked Sung so much that she wanted the couple to get married this year.
Sung is known for her strong, sexy roles in Kim Ki-duk's ``Time'' and Kim Tae-eun's ``The Intimate.'' She also starred in ``The Customer is Always Right,'' ``Cello,'' ``The Scarlet Letter'' and ``Woman is the Future of Man.''

She finished third in the Miss Korea beauty pageant in 1994. Sung has appeared in a handful of dramas, such as the MBC drama ``Hur Jun'' in 1999 and ``The Good Woman and the Bad Woman'' this year.

Source : Korea Times

'Sex is Zero 2' sticks to toilet and bawdy humor

Sex comedy is not a familiar genre with Korean audiences, many of whom regard themselves as somewhat conservative, or deadly super-duper conservative. But "Sex is Zero," released in 2002, changed that conventional wisdom.

The toilet-humor-filled sex-or-die comedy pulled in a respectable 4.2 million viewers in 2002 and even ranked fourth at the box-office for the year. Since then, a handful of imitations have come out, but none of them have hit a jackpot -- yet.

All of this has apparently encouraged the production house which made the original "Sex is Zero" to forge ahead with a sequel. The logic, of course, is that people remembering the unabashed sex comedy will return to the theater, and, for the filmmakers of "Sex is Zero 2," there seems to be nothing wrong with repeating the same formula -- plot, characters, sex-oriented scenes, and all that -- as long as a minimum box-office return is guaranteed.

A scene from "Sex is Zero 2"

This time around, Im Chang-jung plays ordinary college student Eun-sik, who is dating Kyeong-ah (Song Ji-hyo). The problem with the relationships is that Eun-sik never goes beyond the stage of, well, a kiss. Since Kyeong-ah is an up-and-coming swimmer, plenty of revealing swimsuits fill up the screen, a trademark sex comedy device that accentuates what the movie is really about. Choi Sung-kook, who played a geeky martial art club chief in the original version, has joined the new film project, as widely expected, playing a character named Sung-kook (what else?) and he has succumbed to the tide of the times. Martial arts are out of fashion; what's hot is K-1 fighting. So he has become chairman of the new K-1 club, and the protagonist Eun-sik belongs securely to the club. Sung-kook, a self-styled expert on sex and relationships, offers various tips to Eun-sik, and debut director Yoon Tae-yoon goes ahead with a wide range of toilet humor and nude scenes. As with the original version, the sequel may not satisfy those who expect something meaningful out of this meaningless joke-laden feature. Conversely, for those who enjoyed the first one because it's largely meaningless, except for lots of cheesy yet revealing scenes, the formula is just fine.

At a press preview held on Friday, director Yoon said, "The level of nudity in the film is not high, and the major appeal of 'Sex is Zero 2' is not the sexy scenes but the comic relief embedded in the sexy images."

Im Chang-jung, who appeared in four movies this year, said he discovered his aptitude for acting by playing a role in "Sex is Zero" five years ago. "I believe this film is really meaningful for me, and I'm kind of supposed to feel more pressure, but strangely I didn't feel any, because I found the screenplay well organized and trusted in director Yoon," he said.

"Sex is Zero 2" got plenty of publicity even before the press preview because one of the cast members changed his sex. Lee Dae-hak, who was cast as a very feminine college boy in the original film, has undergone a sex-change operation in real life, and comes back to the sequel as a transgender.

Shin Ee, who plays an aggressive female character and engaged in a sex scene with Lee Dae-hak in "Sex is Zero," said Lee's image has not changed much. "As you now, Lee's sex change operation hasn't changed his image at all, and I've always thought of him as a kid sister, and he's a kid sister for me." Shin said.

This Doosaboo Films production film will be released nationwide by CJ Entertainment on Dec. 13.

Source: Korea Herald