Cell phone topic of new thriller

Mobile devices have become the norm, saving time and energy for a person on-the-go. Many folks, however, use them to store sensitive information like intimate photos and videos. It is not usually until they have been lost that the owner realizes they should have been more cautious. That is the premise cooked up by director Kim Han-min for his second feature-length film, "Hand Phone," as Koreans usually refer to mobile phones. It stars Eom Tae-woong and Park Yong-woo as the story's anti-hero and villain. Kim is considered a major up-and-coming director. His debut work, "Paradise Murdered" two years ago drew 2.2 million to the theater, more than adequate by local standards, and also met with critical approval. For Eom, this is his first lead role in a feature film. He tries to convince viewers his life is coming apart as his character is hounded by an unknown ominous figure played by character actor Park. Eom is the younger brother of Uhm Jung-wha, a leading pop star and actress, but he has proved to be an star in his own right over the past several years. Eom plays a high-profile company executive who gets involved with a psychopath (Park) that unwittingly picks up his mobile phone containing sexually explicit videos of a rising starlet. At a press conference Monday in Seoul, the film's plot sparked a discussion on issues of privacy and human nature between the two leads. It was hosted by MC and comedian, Kim Gu-ra, who also makes a cameo, playing himself. "For me, the loss of contact information like phone numbers would be the most important if I lost my phone, but I wouldn't be worried about having my private life exposed because I only have harmless pictures of my dog and girlfriend - nothing scandalous," Eom said. When the conversation shifted to whether the actors themselves have invaded the privacy of another by looking through a mobile phone, the two leads each had a different answer. "As a matter of fact I do frequently check my girlfriend's phone records to see who she's called and who she's been getting calls from - she does the same thing, mind you. We've done this for two years and we do it because we trust each other." Park had a different take. "I've never checked up on my woman's phone records ever. We have boundaries and that's a line we both agreed never to cross," Park said. "This isn't because we have secrets to hide, but we just feel certain things like phone records should be kept private." But the two thespians had one thing in common. They have both frequently lost their phones during a night out drinking with buddies. "I've never gotten back my phone whenever I lost it, but if someone tried to mess around by toying with me using my phone, I would want to track him down and administer a beat down, that's for sure," said Eom. Park said he hoped viewers would not interpret the two characters as simply good and evil, but as real people whose motivations they can understand in the context of situations they are pitted against in the film. "I hope people don't see both our characters simply as good and evil because both of our characters have endearing qualities," Park said. "Hand Phone" will be released nationwide Feb. 19.

Kwon Sang-woo Resumes Romantic Role

Actors Kwon Sang-woo, left, and Lee Bo-young walk down the aisle in a cathedral wedding scene for the film ``A Sad Story'' in Seoul, Monday. / Yonhap

Newly wed actor Kwon Sang-woo was caught walking down the aisle once again ― this time with actress Lee Bo-young in the upcoming movie ``A Sad Story'' (working title).

As its title suggests, the film is about heartbreaking, unrequited love. The wedding shoot, revealed to the press Monday in a Seoul cathedral, featured Kwon's character walking down the aisle with the woman he loves (Lee Bo-young) ― but only to marry her off to another man (Lee Beom-soo).

Kwon returns to the romance genre after foraying comic or tough guy parts, such as in ``Fate.'' He said he drew inspiration from his own marriage for his latest role. ``I think being married enables me to think more deeply about playing melodramatic parts. Like my movie character, Kay, I also needed a lot of courage to bear the fruits of my love,'' he said.

The ``Stairway to Heaven'' star made headlines last year when his clandestine romance with actress Sohn Tae-young became public. The two tied the knot in September and are expecting a baby in the spring. ``Kay braves his circumstances for love, and I thought I might have done the same if I were in his shoes,'' he said.

The project garnered interest for marking poet Won Tae-yeon's directorial debut. ``It's my first movie, and I am very honored I got the opportunity to work with actors with such great acting skill and enthusiasm,'' said Won.

``The director always provides clear, detailed answers whenever we actors have any questions. Being the poet he is, he meticulously points out words and even syllables when directing our acting. He also pays a lot of attention to the timing of our speech,'' said Lee Beom-soo. The actor, known for his solid acting skills, recently rose to stardom through charismatic TV roles in ``Doctor Bong'' and ``On Air.'' His movie ``Death Bell'' also faired well at last year's box office.

``A Sad Story'' also drew attention because the three cast members invested in the production. ``I decided to invest my salary into the movie because I believe in the director's script. I think I can at least break even because the story is very good,'' said Kwon.

``At first I was a little worried the movie would stop short of being just a pretty romance. But I think it will be a realistic yet beautiful film,'' said actress Lee (``Once Upon a Time''). The former Miss Korea looked graceful in her lacy wedding gown.

Monday also happened to be her 30th birthday, and the cast and crew surprised the actress with a large three-tier cake, moving her to tears.

About 70 percent of A Sad Story has been filmed and the movie is slated for a March 14 release. Distributed by Showbox/Mediaplex.

'Marine Boy' Explores Drug Trafficking

Cho Jae-hyun, left, Park Si-yeon, center, and Kim Kang-woo pose at a press event in southern Seoul, Monday. / Yonhap

The upcoming film ``Marine Boy'' involves treading water, but it has nothing to do with the nickname Koreans affectionately give to swimming star Park Tae-hwan.

Written and directed by newcomer Yoon Jong-seok, this crime movie is about a former swimming athlete (Kim Kang-woo) who, desperately in debt, becomes employed as a ``body packing'' drug mule by a heartless drug lord (Cho Jae-hyun). After swallowing a 10-meter-long drug package, this ``marine boy'' must swim across waters between Korea and Japan. Among the many things that beckon death, an alluring beauty (Park Si-yeon) tries to seduce him.

``As long as there are drugs, there will be those who transport drugs. What makes this movie unique is not its subject matter, but rather, the name `marine boy.' There is something beguiling about its duality, how these criminals are called something that romantically calls to mind the popular cartoon ``Marine Boy'' or the star swimmer Park Tae-hwan,'' the director told reporters at a press event in southern Seoul, Monday.

``A friend of mine asked if the movie was about swimmer Park Tae-hwan. Park did in fact get to watch a rough cut of the film and liked it. But I hope people will view `Marine Boy' as a film with a life of its own,'' said Kim.

Like the film's title, the stars are also redefining themselves. Kim stripped down his soft, good guy image to play an ultra masculine athlete. The ``Le Grand Chef'' star had to conquer his fear of water and learn basic swimming strokes alongside toddlers. After a few months of intense training and dieting, he was boasting a chiseled physique and doing dangerous water stunts without a stand-in.

Throughout the press conference, Kim's co-stars and director praised his passionate effort. About her co-star's sexy makeover, Park (``A Love'') said Kim's fervent devotion to the vigorous training was ``much sexier.'' The screen beauty herself gives a new slant on her image, trading in her damsel in distress characters for a scheming femme fatale. The newly revealed film trailer featured a steamy love scene between the two, garnering much attention from the press. ``It was a bedroom scene but we shot it so vigorously I don't remember much,'' she said.

Cho (``Bad Guy''), known for both iconic villain roles and quintessential good guy parts, adds another bad guy to the roster. ``I actually feel more comfortable playing the more delicate, fragile roles,'' he said, teasing himself as being a softhearted man who often cries. ``But I believe that any given villain character, no matter how tough and masculine, requires a small portion of femininity,'' he said.

``Marine Boy'' marks a plunge into big budget filmmaking for the indie film veteran. ``Like the director said, I feel like I'm marrying off my precious daughter,'' said Cho about the film's upcoming release in February. ``I've married off many 'children' (movies) so far, but the weddings have been a disaster… I've also been very hungry, doing Kim Ki-duk's independent films,'' joked the actor, inspiring laughter from reporters. ``For the first time, I feel like I am marrying off my daughter to a loving, wealthy family,'' he said.

'Romantic Island' Loses Spark

A scene from ``Romantic Island''

The Christmas season boasts many holiday movies with plots about romance, family matters and even Santa and his elves. ``Romantic Island'' can be added to the love story category, as four young characters leave their tiring everyday lives, arrive at one of the most beautiful islands on earth and each start to discover new sides of themselves.

Jae-hyuk, played by deep voiced Lee Sun-kyun, is a CEO but faces a layoff by the board of directors due to radical decisions and his straightforward personality. When informed of the death of his father, who left him to live with his Filipino wife and daughter, he doesn't flinch and leaves for the island to bid his father farewell.

Meanwhile, Su-jin, played by the bubbly Lee Soo-kyung, flies to Boracay to escape her poor family and miserable workplace. She meets the seemingly rich Jae-hyuk and resolves to fix his sour attitude.

Jeong-hwan, played by model-turned actor Lee Min-ki, is an unemployed fellow looking for fun and Ga-young, played by singer-turned-actress Eugene, is popular singer. The two immediately bond, with Jeong-hwan simply honored to be with a famous singer and Ga-young frantically trying to get away from her hectic schedule. The story is somewhat similar to ``Notting Hill,'' from the glamorous star to the timid yet happy young man.

There is actually another couple that will touch the heart of viewers: the dying husband and clueless wife. He's determined to kill himself, and almost succeeds, only to realize the true meaning of life and love through his loving wife.

``Romantic Island'' is a trendy and romantic drama. It has all the right elements of: beautiful scenery, four young talented actors along with veteran co-stars and interesting love stories. But unlike dramas that take place over several episodes, a movie needs a solid plot that can hold onto viewers' attention, and ``Romantic Island'' falls a bit short.

The couples do offer a common theme of love changing everything for the worst, even the best situations, and the theme is executed quite successfully through three different storylines early on.

The couples are sweet and fun to watch and the actors are persuasive, but as the tightly packaged themes start to unravel, they lose their spark and tension.

Still, the sunsets, palm trees and beaches are more than enough to make viewers want to pack their bags and head straight there, and the small incidents with the three couples are the same as many would have hoped for in their dreams of a paradise getaway.

If you are looking for a light romantic drama with no serious twists or turns, ``Romantic Island'' will be perfect for you.

Source: Korea Times