HK Actress Shu Qi 'I'm More Than Sexy'

The post-filming presentation of "My Wife is a Gangster 3" (directed by Jo Jin-gyu, produced by Hyunjin Cinema) was held in Seoul Wednesday. The third in a series of Korean comic action movies stars sexy Hong Kong actress Shu Qi as the female lead.
Hong Kong actor Ti Lung, who graced the late '80s Chinese noir films including the "True Colors of the Heroes," also made a special apperance in the film.

Shu Qi clinched the heroine role this time following Korean actress Shin Eun-kyung. She will show off daring action stunts while playing Aryung, an heiress to Hong Kong's number one gang. Ti Lung plays her father, the gang boss.

The story begins when Aryung takes refuge in Korea from a gang spat in Hong Kong and receives the protection of Korean gangster Gichul played by Lee Bum-soo.
To communicate with Aryung, Gichul hires Chinese Korean interpreter Yunhee played by comical actress Hyeon Yeong. Hilarious misinterpretation episodes comprise a large part of the comic flick.

Set to be released on December 28th, the film was sold to eight Asian countries at a total 660,000 dollars at last month's American Film Market.
Director Jo and cast members Shu Qi, Lee Bum-soo, Ti Lung, Hyeon Yeong and Oh Ji-ho attended the Wednesday event.

Ti Lung said "thank you" in Korean and presented a martial arts demonstration saying he was pleased to attend such a noteworthy event. Well-known for his martial arts talent, the actor humbly said that he only learned bits and pieces while shooting films.

Rain Set to Make His Name As Actor

Singer Rain is likely to make his name known to the world once again, but not as singer this time but rather as an actor.

A source from CJ Entertainment, the distributor of the film “I’m a Cyborg but That’s OK” starring Rain and Lim Soo-jung, said Friday that they plan to submit the film to an international film festival. “Given the time, it will likely be the Cannes International Festival to be held in May of next year,” he added.

A film about a romance taking place at a mental hospital, “I’m a Cyborg but That’s OK” is director Park Chan-wook's latest work after his vengeance trilogy--“Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance,” “Old Boy,” and “Sympathy for Lady Vengeance.”

There is a high possibility that the film will be invited to the competition category of the French film festival because the director has established quite a reputation in the global film world and because the film itself presents a different view of the world with unique cinematography. Park received the Grand Prix Du Jury with his “Old Boy” at the Cannes in 2004.

If it is invited, the movie will provide Rain with an opportunity to attend the world’s leading film festival and be in the spotlight of the world media. As singer, he held a concert in New York amid much attention from the U.S. media early this year and was chosen one of the world’s 100 most influential people by the U.S. magazine Time.

Jang, Han Top Actors of 2nd Half

Actor Jang Dong-gun and actress Han Ga-in have earned the most votes in a recent popularity survey. Rain and Lee Hyo-lee topped the singers' list and Yoo Jae-suk and Cho Hye-lyun took the comedian vote.

The results come from a September survey conducted by a marketing research firm on 1,400 Korean men and women in five major cities.

Among actors, Jang, with 23 percent of the votes, again ranked atop the poll as he did in the year's first half. Trailing behind was Ahn Seong-gi (9.5%), Song Il-guk (8.9%), Lee Joon-ki (5.3%) and Han Seok-gyu (5.2%). Kwon Sang-woo, Kang Dong-won, Bae Yong-jun, Choi Soo-jong and Won Bin rounded out the top ten.

In the actress category, Han Ga-in led the group with 9.5 percent followed by Kim Tae-hee (8%), Lee Young-ae (7.9%), Kim Hye-soo (7.0%), Song Hye-kyo and Jeon Ji-hyeon with a tie, Lee Na-young, Lee Mi-yeon, Han Hye-jin and Jeon Do-yeon.

Among male singers, Rain garnered 20 percent of the votes trailed by trot singers Tae Jin-a (8.7%) and Song Dae-gwan (6.8%), the boy band Super Junior, SG Wannabe (6.2%) and rocker Yoon Do-hyeon (6.0%).

For female singers, Lee Hyo-lee with 22 percent beat Boa at 12.6 percent. Jang Yoon-jeong (11.4%), Chae Yeon (10.0%) and Lee Soo-young (6.3%) followed.
Yoo Jae-seok was the most popular male comedian with an impressive 41 percent of the votes. Gang Ho-dong followed with 20 percent and Lee Kyung-kyu 11 percent. Others in the top ten were Jeong Jong-cheol, Sin Dong-yeop, Park Jun-hyeong, Kim Yong-man, Kim Je-dong, Seo Kyeong-seok and Park Soo-hong.

Ranking first among female comedians was Cho Hye-lyung at 24 percent, followed by Lee Kyoung-sil (19.6%), Jeong Seon-hee (17.7%), Kang Yoo-mi (14.2%), Kim Mi-hwa (12.9%), Park Kyeong-rim, Kim Mi-ryeo, Song Euni, Park Mi-seon and Kim Sin-young.

The most popular sportsman was soccer player Park Ji-sung with a whopping 45 percent. Overseas-based players were the next most popular. Slugger Lee Seung-yeop (25.7%), pitcher Park Chan-ho (14.3%) and soccer stars Lee Young-pyo (12.8%) and Seol Ki-hyeon (12.2%) followed.

Among female athletes, golfer Park Seri was number with close to 60 percent of the votes. Golfers Michelle Wie (32%) and Kim Mi-hyun (29%) were next. They were followed by Park Chan-sook (6.6%), Hyun Jung-hwa (5.6%), Janet Lee (3.5%) and Jang Jeong (2.9%).

“Duelist” Korean Film Exported to Egypt

A Korean film has been exported to Egypt for 10,000 dollars for the first time in Korea’s film history. Egyptian film distributor Good News Group held a preview of “Duelist” directed by Lee Myung-se in the country’s capital of Cairo on Wednesday, with some 100 invited film reporters attending. “Duelist” is the first Korean movie to be sold to an Egyptian film distributor for commercial viewing, although some Korean movies have been introduced to the Cairo International Film Festival.

The distributor will show the movie in four theaters in Cairo for two weeks from Thursday. An executive at the company expressed his confidence in the movie’s success there. “I think the movie will capture Egyptians’ interest with its spectacular martial arts performances,” he said. The Egyptian daily Al-Gomhuria said that the country has shown interest in Korean dramas and movies since the Korean hit drama“Winter Sonata” was aired on its national TV. Meanwhile, the Korean Embassy in Egypt used the preview to promote Korea by distributing its promotional booklet entitled “Dynamic Korea.” It also played a videotape introducing the city of Pyeongchang as a candidate city for the 2014 Winter Olympics.

The fantasy blockbuster “The Restless”

The fantasy blockbuster “The Restless” will be shown in as many as 450 theaters across the nation on Friday. CJ Entertainment, the film’s distributor, said Wednesday that the exact number of theaters has yet to be decided, but it has secured some 400 theaters now, with the possibility of reaching 450.

CJ Entertainment is trying its best to secure as many theaters as possible so that it can attract more viewers not only because it is a major investor in the film but also because it must compete with its rival distributor Showbox, which has already released “200 Pound Beauty” and will release “My Wife is a Gangster 3” on Dec. 28.

In addition, the distributor expects the number of theaters will increase to some 500 after the first week of its release considering the movie’s relatively short running time of 105 minutes and viewers’ high expectations for the movie.

“200 Pound Beauty,” which topped the box office for the first week after its release on Dec. 14, is being shown in 480 theaters and “My Wife is a Gangster 3” is expected to be released in some 500 theaters. On addition, Hollywood blockbusters such as “007 Casino Royal” and “Night at the Museum” are waiting to be released in 300-400 theaters, making the competition to secure theaters even fiercer.

In terms of the number of theaters screened, “The Host” ranked first with 620, followed by “The Typhoon” with 540 and “Our Happy Time” with 520. “The War of Flower,” which garnered the most viewers in the second half of the year, was released in 410 theaters, but the number increased to 580 theaters thereafter.

Park Chan-wook's new movie 'Cyborg'

SEOUL, Dec. 21 (Yonhap) -- Acclaimed South Korean director Park Chan-wook's new movie will be pulled from most local screens before the lucrative Christmas holiday due to disappointing box office results in its first two weeks, its distributor said Thursday.

The romantic comedy "I'm a Cyborg But That's Okay" has so far drawn only 780,000 viewers, a marked disappointment for the internationally-renowned director whose previous works topped well over 3 million. The film will be removed from about 280 screens nationwide and on most screens will be replaced by "The Restless," a martial arts epic set to be released this evening, CJ Entertainment said.

"Cyborg" had drawn international attention with the combination of a director who received the Grand Prize at Cannes in 2004 with "Old Boy" and Asian heartthrob Rain as its lead."Usually, when we have an audience rating like this so far, it certainly won't pass one million," CJ Entertainment publicist Kim Yun-jeong said. "And there are many new movies being released this week."

CJ distributes both "Cyborg" and "The Restless."Park himself said the film was the "kindest" movie he has ever produced, with the star casting and simple plot. Set in a psychiatric ward, it tells the story of two patients -- a girl who believes she is a cyborg and a boy who falls in love with her. Critics praised his experimental storytelling and stylish presentation, but audiences considered it too abstract and unapproachable to follow. In light of Park's fame, "Cyborg" topped box office charts for the first weekend, but it was now not even among the top 10 on Internet reservation sites. Hollywood blockbuster "Night at the Museum" led the box office chart, followed by "Holiday" and Korean epic "The Restless" according to Interpark.com.hkim@yna.co.kr(END)
source yonhap news

'Actresses' Is Sassy Mix of Fact, Fiction

"There are three types of people: men, women and actresses,'' and "The Actresses'' brings together not one but six heroines.

The third of E J-yong's creations to be invited to the Berlin International Film Festival, "The Actresses'' tactfully endorses the movie's opening remark as it peeks into the glamorous ― and not-so-glamorous ― lives of screen beauties.

The unscripted, semi-improvisational film combines reality and fantasy, and the result is something sassy, perky and tastefully droll, though some of the in-jokes may get lost in translation for non-Korean viewers.

"But you've got to understand! They're actresses, they cannot wait!'' a staff member panics, as the jewelry that the actresses are supposed to wear in a Vogue magazine spread gets stuck in a snow storm en route from Japan.

It's Christmas Eve, and magazine crew members nervously drum fingers. They must deal with actresses who find themselves in an unprecedented situation: sharing the limelight with other household names.

Veteran actress Youn Yuh-jung, known for her endearing roles and less-than-perfect complexion, is irritated that she isn't fashionably late like the others, and cannot help feeling like a last-minute replacement for the glamour shoot.

Lee Mi-suk, though still considered a sex symbol at middle-age, speaks of her wish to retain her identity as a woman ― "Everyone ages but it's painful how actresses age under the public eye and are scrutinized for it,'' she says.

Hypersensitive hallyu "princess'' Choi Ji-woon meanwhile, in a spur of obsessive compulsion, scrubs her makeup desk before settling down. And of course her arrival is never complete without a retinue of Japanese fans and a personal masseuse.

Koh Hyun-jung, a 1990s icon who recently returned to screens after a high profile divorce, cannot hide her jealousy toward Choi. Being the hot-tempered and brutally honest tomboy she is rumored to be, Koh starts picking a fight with Choi. The two are seen bickering and squealing like schoolgirls and Choi leaves the set in a huff ― "This is totally like 'The Nightmare Before Christmas'!'' says the Vogue editor, who also stars as herself in the movie.

Woochi' Marks Birth of Korean Superhero

He might be offended if you call him the Korean Harry Potter, and pull a Taoist magic trick on you.

Jeon U-chi's genealogy can be traced back to the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910) but he comes to life onscreen, with a modern edge, as "Woochi'' ― an exciting new superhero everyone's been waiting for.

Novel character-driven films have recently made their mark in South Korean cinema such as "Private Eye'' starring an accidental Joseon-style Sherlock Holmes or "Hong's Family Business'' featuring modern-day descendents of the Korean Robin Hood, Hong Gil-dong.

Director Choi Dong-hoon, who demonstrated a knack for creating lively characters in "Tazza: The High Rollers,'' brings a superhero who, though quintessentially Korean, can inspire laughter and exhilarating adventure even in those who didn't grow up eating kimchi.

The movie takes viewers back 500 hundred years when a magic flute "manpasikjeon'' falls into that hands of evil goblins (which are tastefully rendered computer graphics, provided by the CGI talent behind local blockbusters including "The Host'' and "The Good The Bad The Weird.'')

A trio of Taoist wizards, who are more like the Three Stooges, seek the help of two leading ascetics, Cheonggwan (Baek Yoon-shik) and Hwadam ("The Chaser'' actor Kim Yoon-sik). They succeed in containing the goblins in a jar, like a genie in a lamp. They break the magic flute into two and each assume responsibility for one half so they don't succumb to the temptation of trying to possess it, sort of like "The Lord of the Rings.''

Woochi (played by actor Kang Dong-won) is the troublemaking disciple of Cheongwan who is more interested in showing off his magic tricks and becoming famous ― he is a contemporary of Hong Gil-dong, but the mischievous young man might become best friends with Will Smith's misunderstood superhero '"Hancock.''

The actor said he spent a good portion of the past two years suspended from wires; the sweat seems to have paid off as the pretty-faced Kang transforms into a most amiable bad boy ― so much so that it redeems his ill-suited appearance in Lee Myung-se's ambitious yet scatterbrained fantasy melodrama "M.''

Having mastered the art of transformation and invisibility, along with other Taoist tricks of playing with earth, wind, fire and water, Woochi basks in self-congratulatory glory of having pulled a big prank on the king. Hwadam and the wizards are summoned by the angry monarch to track down Woochi, who is in the meantime busy trying to seduce a beautiful widow (Lim Soo-jung).

Hwadam and the wizards arrive at Cheongwan's house, only to find that the master has been killed. Woochi and his sidekick Choraengi (a dog who wants to become human, played by funnyman Yoo Hae-jin), are framed for the murder and are doomed to a 500-year sentence inside a painting.

Half a millennium later, the wizards are living under a low profile as a Buddhist monk, a Catholic priest and a fortune teller, while Hwadam has long disappeared in order to polish his Taoist art.

When the goblins escape from their jars, however, the wizards are unable to find Hwadam and are thus forced to head to the local museum to conjur the rather sullen Woochi from the painting. They ask him to catch the goblins, promising him a promotion to the ranks of a true Taoist master in return.

Woochi and Choraengi are however more interested in exploring the glitz and glam of 21st-century technology and lifestyle, and are further distracted when they run into a woman who seems to be the reincarnation of Woochi's love interest from 500 years ago.

My Dear Enemy [ Korean Movie 2008 ]

Genre : Drama, Romance, Melodrama 
Starring : Jeon Do-yeon, Ha Jung Woo
Release date : September 25, 2008
Runtime :123 min. 
Directed by : Lee Yoon-ki

Synopsis:

Jobless and single in her thirties, Hee-soo is miserable. On one fine day, she sets out to find Byoung-woon, her ex-boyfriend. It is not love that brings them together but $1,000 Hee-soo had lent to Byoung-woon a year ago. Byoung-woon is also penniless but surprisingly happy for he knows the girls who are willing to give him money. Afraid Byoung-woon may run off before clearing his debt, Hee-soo follows him as he visits many girls to borrow money, so the two ex-love birds set out on a one day journey to collect money, and memory.

Gallery:

My Dear Enemy [ Korean Movie 2008 ]

Genre : Drama, Romance, Melodrama 
Starring : Jeon Do-yeon, Ha Jung Woo
Release date : September 25, 2008
Runtime :123 min. 
Directed by : Lee Yoon-ki

Synopsis:

Jobless and single in her thirties, Hee-soo is miserable. On one fine day, she sets out to find Byoung-woon, her ex-boyfriend. It is not love that brings them together but $1,000 Hee-soo had lent to Byoung-woon a year ago. Byoung-woon is also penniless but surprisingly happy for he knows the girls who are willing to give him money. Afraid Byoung-woon may run off before clearing his debt, Hee-soo follows him as he visits many girls to borrow money, so the two ex-love birds set out on a one day journey to collect money, and memory.

Gallery:

Park Chan-wook Named Director of the Year

Park Chan-wook was named the best director of the year by his fellow film directors, who also picked actor Song Kang-ho and actress Kim Hye-ja as the year's best actors.

The 12th Directors' Cut Awards was held at CGV Apgujeong in Seoul on Monday. The winners were selected by votes from 238 directors who are members of the directors' network.

Park's latest film "Thirst" inspired hope in the discouraged Korean cinema community by winning the Jury Prize at the 62nd Cannes International Film Festival this year, the director's group said. "Park's films, which are always fresh and novel, are the most cinematic," it added. It is the fourth time that Park has received the award as he was previously honored for his films "Joint Security Area," "Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance," and "Oldboy."

Song won the best actor award for a fifth time, becoming the winningest actor in the history of the Directors' Cut Awards.

The awards for the best rookie actor and actress went to Kim Dong-wook of "Take Off" and Park Bo-young of "Scandal Maker." Korean-French Ounie Lecomte won the best new film director award for "A Brand New Life."

Yang Ik-june, director of "Breathless," received the award for the best independent film, and director Yoon Je-kyoon, who produced and directed the disaster blockbuster "Haeundae," won the award for the best producer. "Haeundae" drew the fourth largest audience in Korean film history.

Woochi' Marks Birth of Korean Superhero

He might be offended if you call him the Korean Harry Potter, and pull a Taoist magic trick on you.

Jeon U-chi's genealogy can be traced back to the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910) but he comes to life onscreen, with a modern edge, as "Woochi'' ― an exciting new superhero everyone's been waiting for.

Novel character-driven films have recently made their mark in South Korean cinema such as "Private Eye'' starring an accidental Joseon-style Sherlock Holmes or "Hong's Family Business'' featuring modern-day descendents of the Korean Robin Hood, Hong Gil-dong.

Director Choi Dong-hoon, who demonstrated a knack for creating lively characters in "Tazza: The High Rollers,'' brings a superhero who, though quintessentially Korean, can inspire laughter and exhilarating adventure even in those who didn't grow up eating kimchi.

The movie takes viewers back 500 hundred years when a magic flute "manpasikjeon'' falls into that hands of evil goblins (which are tastefully rendered computer graphics, provided by the CGI talent behind local blockbusters including "The Host'' and "The Good The Bad The Weird.'')

A trio of Taoist wizards, who are more like the Three Stooges, seek the help of two leading ascetics, Cheonggwan (Baek Yoon-shik) and Hwadam ("The Chaser'' actor Kim Yoon-sik). They succeed in containing the goblins in a jar, like a genie in a lamp. They break the magic flute into two and each assume responsibility for one half so they don't succumb to the temptation of trying to possess it, sort of like "The Lord of the Rings.''

Woochi (played by actor Kang Dong-won) is the troublemaking disciple of Cheongwan who is more interested in showing off his magic tricks and becoming famous ― he is a contemporary of Hong Gil-dong, but the mischievous young man might become best friends with Will Smith's misunderstood superhero '"Hancock.''

The actor said he spent a good portion of the past two years suspended from wires; the sweat seems to have paid off as the pretty-faced Kang transforms into a most amiable bad boy ― so much so that it redeems his ill-suited appearance in Lee Myung-se's ambitious yet scatterbrained fantasy melodrama "M.''

Having mastered the art of transformation and invisibility, along with other Taoist tricks of playing with earth, wind, fire and water, Woochi basks in self-congratulatory glory of having pulled a big prank on the king. Hwadam and the wizards are summoned by the angry monarch to track down Woochi, who is in the meantime busy trying to seduce a beautiful widow (Lim Soo-jung).

Hwadam and the wizards arrive at Cheongwan's house, only to find that the master has been killed. Woochi and his sidekick Choraengi (a dog who wants to become human, played by funnyman Yoo Hae-jin), are framed for the murder and are doomed to a 500-year sentence inside a painting.

Half a millennium later, the wizards are living under a low profile as a Buddhist monk, a Catholic priest and a fortune teller, while Hwadam has long disappeared in order to polish his Taoist art.

When the goblins escape from their jars, however, the wizards are unable to find Hwadam and are thus forced to head to the local museum to conjur the rather sullen Woochi from the painting. They ask him to catch the goblins, promising him a promotion to the ranks of a true Taoist master in return.

Woochi and Choraengi are however more interested in exploring the glitz and glam of 21st-century technology and lifestyle, and are further distracted when they run into a woman who seems to be the reincarnation of Woochi's love interest from 500 years ago.

Kang Dong-won Makes Comeback

Actor Kang Dong-won has made a comeback after a two-year absence, wearing an outfit that perfectly suits him. He plays a malicious taoist in the movie "The Taoist Wizard," fabulously portraying the classical-novel character and even reinterpreting him in a fresh and mischievous way. He looks nothing like his confused character in "M" (2007) or the sad death-row convict he portrayed in "Our Happy Time."

When we met with Kang on December 16 prior to the movie's opening, he said that he wanted to gain popularity with more people. He said, "It's an entertaining movie. I tried hard to become closer to viewers. But unfortunately the rhythm of my acting was too slow." Throughout the interview, Kang kept saying that he wanted to be more popular. He seemed upset about his previous movie, "M," which performed poorly at the box office. He deliberately chose an entertaining role this time and worked hard to make his character lovable. Kang's character is a skilled taoist and overflows with confidence. He easily makes fun of the king and loves women.

Kang used his own mischievousness to make his character all the more playful. It was his idea to create 10 one-of-a-kind copies of his character when fighting with ghosts. He said, "The script said that I just had 10 other copies of myself, but that sounded boring, so I gave each copy its own unique personality. If you watch closely, you will recognize their personalities. Each of them represents a certain trait of my character: one is brave, one is wayward, one is righteous, and so on. The last one of them is one who spits."

Kang also changed the originally haughty tone of his character into a flawed one, because he thought that a character with flaws was easier to approach for the public. Kang realizes that he has a hard-to-approach image because he rarely appears in public and is far from talkative. He said, "That's what people think about me. But once they get a chance to talk to me, their opinion changes. I can be playful, like my character, when I'm around my friends. After shooting this movie, I've become more talkative."

Director Choi Dong-hoon and martial arts director Chung Doo-hong lauded Kang for perfectly performing difficult wire actions, which he pulled off thanks to the training that he had received when shooting the movie "Duelist." He also learned how to dance for five months, which explains why his long legs and arms move so gracefully in action scenes.

The expression on Kang's face changed from playful to serious when he began talking about action scenes. He said, "I hate amusement park rides. When I happened to visit a famous bungee jumping place, people tried to make me bungee-jump, but I couldn't do it."

Thirst Wins Tenth Place in Time’s Top 10 Movies

The Park Chan-wook film “Thirst,” winner of the Cannes International Film Festival's Jury Prize, has been ranked tenth in Time magazine’s Top 10 Movies of 2009 on December 8.

Time named “Thirst” its vampire movie of the year over New Moon. In particular, it had high praise for leading lady Kim Ok-vin, saying “She is Lady Chatterley and Lady Macbeth in one smoldering package.”

"Oldboy" chosen as top 50 movies of the decade

Korean film "Oldboy" has been selected as one the top 50 movies of the decade by U.S. magazine Time Out New York (TONY).

"Oldboy", directed by Park Chan-wook, was ranked at No. 27 on the top 50 list by TONY. The top three movies on the list were "Mulholland Drive" (2001, directed by David Lynch), "There Will Be Blood" (2007, Paul Thomas Anderson) and "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" (2004, Michel Gondry)

The Korean film has received high praises from critics since its release in 2003 and won the Grand Prix at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival.

Hollywood filmmaker Steven Speilberg and actor Will Smith were planning a remake of the film, but the project has been cancelled because production company DreamWorks were unable to obtain the rights to the film.

"Oldboy", which stars Korean actor Choi Min-sik, is about a man who is locked in a hotel room for 15 years without knowing why. He plots revenge upon his release and finds himself trapped in conspiracy, violence and falling in love with an attractive young chef.

Ji Jin-hee, Ha Jeong-woo film

A mystery thriller film, starring two of top Korean actors Ji Jin-hee and Ha Jeong-woo, is set to open in February, according to a report on Tuesday.

The film, titled "Parallel Theory", is about two people in two different times -- in the past and the present -- living the same patterned lives.

In "Life", the character digs into the parallel theory after finding out that he has been living an identical life to another person from 30 years ago whose entire family was murdered. The movie was inspired by the parallels found between the lives of Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy, who had uncanny similarities in their lives which were 100 years apart.

Ji Jin-hee plays the role of Kim Seok-hyun, who discovers the hidden conspiracy behind the parallel theory and tries to prevent the death of his daughter and himself. Ha Jeong-woo took on suspect, who follows the parallel theory and does everything the same as the murderer from 30 years ago.

'Actresses' Is Sassy Mix of Fact, Fiction

"There are three types of people: men, women and actresses,'' and "The Actresses'' brings together not one but six heroines.

The third of E J-yong's creations to be invited to the Berlin International Film Festival, "The Actresses'' tactfully endorses the movie's opening remark as it peeks into the glamorous ― and not-so-glamorous ― lives of screen beauties.

The unscripted, semi-improvisational film combines reality and fantasy, and the result is something sassy, perky and tastefully droll, though some of the in-jokes may get lost in translation for non-Korean viewers.

"But you've got to understand! They're actresses, they cannot wait!'' a staff member panics, as the jewelry that the actresses are supposed to wear in a Vogue magazine spread gets stuck in a snow storm en route from Japan.

It's Christmas Eve, and magazine crew members nervously drum fingers. They must deal with actresses who find themselves in an unprecedented situation: sharing the limelight with other household names.

Veteran actress Youn Yuh-jung, known for her endearing roles and less-than-perfect complexion, is irritated that she isn't fashionably late like the others, and cannot help feeling like a last-minute replacement for the glamour shoot.

Lee Mi-suk, though still considered a sex symbol at middle-age, speaks of her wish to retain her identity as a woman ― "Everyone ages but it's painful how actresses age under the public eye and are scrutinized for it,'' she says.

Hypersensitive hallyu "princess'' Choi Ji-woon meanwhile, in a spur of obsessive compulsion, scrubs her makeup desk before settling down. And of course her arrival is never complete without a retinue of Japanese fans and a personal masseuse.

Koh Hyun-jung, a 1990s icon who recently returned to screens after a high profile divorce, cannot hide her jealousy toward Choi. Being the hot-tempered and brutally honest tomboy she is rumored to be, Koh starts picking a fight with Choi. The two are seen bickering and squealing like schoolgirls and Choi leaves the set in a huff ― "This is totally like 'The Nightmare Before Christmas'!'' says the Vogue editor, who also stars as herself in the movie.

'Mother' Wins Best Picture Award at Blue Dragon Film Awards

Mother


Ha Ji-won

The movie "Mother" directed by Bong Jun-ho has won three awards at the 30th Blue Dragon Film Awards on December 2. "Mother" received the Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor and Best Lighting awards.

"Take Off," "Haeundae," "Thirst," "Speed Scandal" and "Breathless" each took two awards. Director Kim Yong-hwa received his second Best Director award.

Actor Kim Myung-min and actress Ha Ji-won, who played the leads in "Closer To Heaven," received the Best Actor and Best Actress awards, respectively.

Jin Ku ("Mother") was honored with the Best Supporting Actor award, while Kim Hae-sook ("Thirst") received the Best Supporting Actress award.

Yang Ik-jun of "Breathless" took the Best New Actor award. Kim Kkot-bi ("Breathless") and Park Bo-young ("Speed Scandal") won the Best New Actress awards.

Late actress Chang Jin-young, who died in September of cancer, was honored with the Special Award. Her father, Chang Kil-nam, received the award on her behalf.

The Popular Actor awards went to Lee Byung-hun, Ha Jung-woo, Ha Ji-won andChoi Kang-hee.

Kim Hyun-joong to make film debut

Kim Hyun-joong, leader of Korean boy band SS501, will soon make his big screen debut, according to a source on Monday.

An associate of the film said Kim has been picked to lead the cast of film "You're My Pet" opposite top actress Su-ae in the film directed by Kim Byung-gon.

The movie is based on Japanese TV series "Trams Like Us" broadcast on TBS in 2003, which itself was based on an original comic series by Yayoi Ogawa.

The movie is about unexpected love between a successful, smart and good-looking fashion magazine editor and a handsome guy who is adopted as a pet to the successful woman.

Kwon Sang-woo starrer pic starts filming next week

A new movie starring four of Korea's most popular celebrities -- namely Kwon Sang-woo, Kim Seung-woo, Cha Seung-won and T.O.P. - is set to go into shoot starting next week, according to the film's distributor on Monday.

The four actors will start filming for the blockbuster war flick, tentatively titled "Into The Fire" in English, on November 25, CJ Entertainment said in a press release.

The film, set for release in 2010, is about a fierce battle between 71 student soldiers and North Korean regular army soldiers during the Korean War.

"Fire", directed by Lee Jae-han, is a follow-up project by Taewon Entertainment, a production company that created the current blockbuster TV series "IRIS" starring Lee Byung-hun.