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

'Ssanghwajeom' barely avoids trap

Homosexuality is no longer a hush-hush topic for Korean filmmakers. But depictions of sexuality take another turn in "Ssanghwajeom (A Frozen Flower)," as a relationship between two men becomes a triangle of jealousy with an addition of a woman.

But the movie, to be released on Dec. 30, is not limited to sexual entanglement. Sex is used as a key tool to prod the plot forward, often at a rapid pace. To that end, director Yoo Ha includes plenty of explicit scenes of sex and graphic violence. The result, however, is somewhat mixed. The film's poetic justice produces an unlikely anti-hero.

Although the movie sets itself out as a historical drama set in the late Goryeo Dynasty, viewers should bear in mind that the story is purely fictional. The nation is now under the virtual rule of China's Yuan Dynasty, and Goryeo's king (Joo Jin-mo) has to produce a son to keep his position. The only problem is that he cannot sleep with a woman, much less have a romantic relationship with one.

The king's real romantic partner is none other than his chief bodyguard Hong Lim (Zo In-sung). The two have sex in the inner sanctums of the Goryeo court, and we are shown a graphic kiss scene between the king and Hong Lim, which is bound to shock some Korean viewers.

But the real shocker comes when the king decides to ask Hong Lim to sleep with his wife - the queen (Song Ji-hyo). This idea is based on his assumption that all his political problems will go away once there is a royal son.

The king's miscalculation, of course, is that passionate romantic feelings sometimes form after sex. Hong Lim, who has never slept with a woman before, hesitates to touch the body of the queen at first, but once the physical bond is initiated, he finds himself totally enslaved.

Love triangle established, the plot sprints ahead with a portrayal of the uncontrollable anger and jealousy of the king, leaving heads rolling in the process.

Director Yoo seems to suggest that Hong Lim has long been subjected to a sort of coercion, rather than a real romantic relationship with the king. Hong is a mere subordinate, while the king has all the power, including the right to order his death.

The queen, for her part, discovers the liberating exhilaration when she falls in love with Hong Lim after years of neglect and inattention. She suffers a deep sense of guilt initially but she finds herself indulging in the dangerous liaisons with Hong Lim.

What is notable is that sex in "Ssanghwajeom" is deeply associated with death. Eros is often depicted in literature and film as being able to overcome everything. The feelings that interconnect Hong Lim and the queen could backfire lethally because they are cheating on the almighty king.

As far as a plot is concerned, the unfortunate queen and her lover bravely defy the obstacles to prove that mutual love is more powerful than unrequited passion. The king's relationship with Hong Lim has been futile and one-sided. Failing to confirm whether his bodyguard is truly in love with him, he comes to realize that he is totally alone.

It is a pity that the king, trapped in a man's body, is betrayed by his secret lover. What the king fails to notice is that Hong Lim is a bisexual who prefers heterosexual sex.

But Joo Jin-mo does not have to lament his role. It is Zo In-sung who fails to create much-needed emotional subtlety and often delivers his lines in an annoyingly mechanical fashion. In contrast, Joo Jin-mo emerges as the ultimate winner in the film. Joo pulls off creating a complex and nuanced character with whom audiences will be able to sympathize, rescuing a film that might otherwise have fallen into the trap of having too much sex and violence.

'Boys Over Flowers' to Air in January

Tha main actors of Korean television vestion of ``Boys Over Flowers'' pose at a prss conference held Monday in downtown Seoul. From left are Kim Jun, Kim Bun, Ku Hye-sun, Lee Min-ho and Kim Hyun-joong. / Yonhap

The famous Japanese cartoon ``Boys Over Flowers'' by Yoko Kamio will be broadcast next year through the small screen, complete with a Korean version of ``Flower 4,'' that features handsome boys and a headstrong heroine.

Fans, reporters and camera crews packed the press conference held at a hotel in central Seoul, confirming the anticipation the drama has stirred for fans here.

The drama has cast four actors who were chosen from auditions: Lee Min-ho (Tsukasa Domyoji, or Goo Jun-pyo in the Korean version); Kim Hyun-joong (Rui Hanazawa, or Yoon Ji-hu); Kim Bum (Sojirou Nishikado, or So E-jeong); and Kim Jun (Akira Mimasaka, or Song Woo-bin). Actress Ku Hye-sun will play Tsukushi Makino, or Geum Jan-di.

The story ― about four boys and one lucky girl, spiced with the right mix of love triangles, troubles in school and parents and luxurious adolescent life ― captivated Asia, first through its original comic book, then through an animation, dramas from Japan and Taiwan and a movie.

Why another one, particularly a drama?

``I was asked to make the Korean version, and after some consideration, I decided to do it. Our version will be based on the cartoon, and I have tried to bring originality as much as possible,'' Jun Ki-sang, the producer of the drama, told reporters.

He added that he did have to change a few details in the storyline due to the cultural differences between Japan and Korea, but he tried to stick to the original plot as close as possible.

Even the cast had to look similar to the original ones seen in the cartoon ― from hairstyles, overall image and even height.

``Rui is 186 centimeters and so we tried to match the height of the actors during the audition. In the case of Tsukasa, he has curly hair, so Lee had to perm his hair numerous times just to get that perfect curl,'' he said.

The actors were thrilled to be starring in a drama whose plot is recognized all over Asia, but there were also hints of pressure.

``At first, I felt I just won the lottery. But now I feel the pressure and also the responsibility,'' said Lee, who is regarded as the most similar to the original character Domyoji because of his height and dark curly hair.

The former leader of the boy band SS501 Kim Hyun-joong also showed his anxiety by appearing as an actor.

``I do feel nervous and pressured, as this drama is my first one. When I watched movies or dramas, I just enjoyed them but now I focus on the way the actors talk, breathe and other acting elements. I just hope I'll do well enough to continue with another drama in the future,'' he said.

Compared to the male actors, Ku is a senior when it comes to acting, and she admitted that she thought she would have to lead the group, but realized that there was no need.

``I was worried at first, but everyone came so prepared. It actually made me nervous. I think I've changed a bit by acting as Jan-di, who is outgoing, strong and bright. I was uncomfortable meeting new people, but now I think I'm more like her,'' she said.

``We thought that the drama would be lame if it was just heavy and too luxurious. It will be more light and fun, that's why we decided to call it a trendy romantic drama,'' the producer said.

``Boys Over Flowers'' will start airing Jan. 5 at 9:55 p.m. on KBS.

Source: Korea Times

'Soonjeong' Stays True to Its Heart

Lee Youn-hi in "Soonjeong Manhwa," which is playing at local theaters. Since debuting in 2003, the sweet, wistful online comics by Kangfull have become a pop culture phenomenon in South Korea, generating countless Internet hits and message board discussions. Their incredible online following, however, failed to translate into box office success, as the first two attempts at bringing the comics to the big screen (``Apartment'' and ``Babo'') resulted in commercial flops. But the third time may be the charm for the popular Internet cartoon. Opening on November 27, ``Soonjeong Manhwa,'' based on Kangfull's first serial, topped the box office in its first weekend. And the popularity is well deserved, as the film version adroitly brings the sweet and poignant love story to life. Both the online and cinematic versions of ``Soonjeong Manhwa'' (which translates into ``Pure Hearted Comic'') revolve around two unconventional romances where age difference plays a role. In one of the relationships, between an 18-year-old high school girl and a shy 30-year-old man, the age gap is noticeable and highly questionable; in the other, between a melancholic 29-year-old woman and a determined younger man, the disparity seems more due to life experience than physical age. The film's director, Ryu Jang-ha, wisely avoids trying to recreate the serial comic, and instead, finds his own way of interpreting the two distinct relationships. Ryu, who also helmed the sentimental drama "When Spring Comes," recombines the scenes and details of the original serial and adds many of his own touches. Some of the changes are major, such as setting the story in the summer instead of winter, while others are more subtle. Though the film ends up deviating much from the comic's plot, Ryu preserves the original's essence - the gradual growth and buildup of love regardless of age difference. Much like the comic, the film remains true to love's internal logic, no matter how embarrassing or quirky, and makes a potentially scandalous relationship seem sweet and chaste. Most importantly, Ryu succeeds in capturing the tenderness of the online comic, which slowly comes to the surface as the relationships unfold. There is a rich, layered quality to the film, where each little decision or gesture leads to further meanings and possibilities. Some fans of Kangfull may find fault with how much the film departs from the original comic. Indeed, there are times when the movie aims too much for the conventionally beautiful, sacrificing the awkward, self-deprecating humor that drives much of Kangfull's works. On the other hand, these same fans should be pleased to know that when it matters, the film version is unafraid to wear its heart on its sleeve, just like their beloved online comic.