Cool Duo

Thanks to ylin at EverythingLBH, soompi.com for the gist

From the title is says – Lee Byung Hun and Jung Woo Sung – The most anticipated combination for year 2008.

Seems like it was a survey conducted over the net and a total of 2972 people have participated in this survey, 47.4 percent of the netizens have chosen “The Good, the Bad and The Weird”.

정우성-이병헌, 2008년 가장 기대되는 콤비!

[이피지 스타채널 황인혜 기자(messiah222@epg.co.kr)]
ⓔ세상 연예소식 중심 EPG 스타채널(www.epg.co.kr) | 무단전재 및 재배포 금지

Source: http://news.empas.com/show.tsp/cp_eg/20080…%E7%B8%B6%0B%7D

Epic in the Making

From article “Epic Chinese Films Will Come Onscreen” at the Korea Times

- related excerpt only

Moviegoers can look forward to action-packed epic films from China ― but forget about martial arts warriors flying through the air with long swords. Two celebrated directors from the Chinese-speaking world present ambitious film projects that break conventions: “The Warlords” (“Myeongjang” in Korean) by Peter Chan and “Assembly” (“Jipgyeolho” in Korean) by Feng Xiaogang.

Coming to theaters Jan. 31 is the highly anticipated period piece “The Warlords,” co-produced by Hong Kong and China. Set during the late 19th century Qing Dynasty, the movie seems to signal a sharp turn away from Peter Chan’s romantic turf (pan-Asian hits like “Tian mi mi,” 1996).

“The movie has the looks of a big budget action movie, but like my previous works, it is essentially marked by strong characters and drama,” the director said in a statement.

What sets the movie apart is its departure from typical Chinese-language films filled with fantastic, sky-soaring martial arts heroes in the style of Zhang Yimou’s works. While martial art is integral to “The Warlords,” the screen is stripped of highly stylistic action sequence and is filled with gritty, bitter realities of war. To create the large-scale battle scenes, the makers employed some 150 thousand extras and 280 cameras.

“The Warlords” is the talk of the town as it stars not just one ― but three ― Asian superstars: Andy Lau, Jet Li and Takeshi Kaneshiro, who all have a large fan base here. They appear as three sworn brothers whose relationship goes sour in the midst of warfare and political intrigue.

Unlike a lot of epic films, the characters can’t be clearly labeled as good or evil. The three main characters are realistic sketches of the human condition as they are constantly torn between virtue and sin.

Chan visited Korea earlier this month and stopped by the set of Kim Ji-woon’s “The Good, The Bad, The Weird,” which, like “The Warlords,” is filmed in China and stars three big actors. Chan and Kim became buddies when they met for the 2002 Korea-Hong Kong-Thailand joint-produced omnibus film “Three.” The two talked about the difficulties of working under harsh weather conditions as well as how wonderful it was to work with talented actors.

Credits: hyowlee@koreatimes.co.kr

http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2008/01/141_18170.html

All Done!

Translated gist provided by Hyc-EverythingLBH, soompi.com from article at Cine21

http://www.cine21.com/Article/article_view.php?mm=001001001&article_id=49999

Director Kim Jee Woon’s “The Good, The Bad and The Weird” photography has ended on 24th January at the film set in Kyouki-expressway (KYONGIDO, PAJU). It was 9 months since the day filming began in April last year. The movie is expected to open in the season of the summer holidays. This western style movie starred by Song Gang Ho, Lee Byung Hun and Jung Woo-Sung also aims at advancement to Cannes Film Festival.

Credits: cine21.com

Coming Out in June

Major Korean Films Offered With English Subtitles 

By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter

“The Good, The Bad, The Weird”

CGV Yongsan in central Seoul will devote a screen to the exclusive showing of popular domestic movies with English-language subtitles, an unprecedented move by a movie theater.

“It’s to serve the many foreigners in Korea who want to watch Korean films. They won’t have to wait for DVDs with English-language subtitles anymore,” Chong Choe from CJ Entermatinment’s International Strategy team told The Korea Times.

The country’s largest motion picture studio, CJ Entertainment and multiplex theater giant CGV have teamed up for this long-term project, and will begin with “A Man Who Was Superman,” starring high-profile actors Jeon Ji-hyeon (“My Sassy Girl’s” Gianna Jeon) and Hwang Jung-min (“Happiness”). Coming to CGV Yongsan Jan. 31, it will have regular showings for the entire duration of the film’s run in Korea.

For the time being, there will be seven showings per day through Feb. 4. “That’s a lot of showings, and we plan to maintain this for the entire duration of ‘A Man Who Was Superman.’ This shows how committed we are,” said Choe.

“This is just the beginning, not just a one-time deal,” he said. The entertainment giants will select movies with mass appeal to show at the exclusive screen throughout the year.

Following “A Man Who Was Superman,” this year’s line-up include the retro film “Modern Boy,” starring Kim Hye-soo and Park Hae-il, due for release in April; “The Good, The Bad, The Weird,” with superstar trio Lee Byung-hun, Song Kang-ho and Jung Woo-sung in June; and the historical epic drama “The Divine Weapon” and director Park Chan-wook’s upcoming (unnamed) film project later on in the year.

Retro Recipe

Related excerpt only

Retro movies rediscover colonial era

Gyeongseong is emerging as a popular background for Korean films, reflecting the public’s recent penchant for retro style, and filmmakers’ newfound interest in the Japanese colonial period — evidence of their quest for fresh characters and themes.

During the Japanese colonial rule of the early 20th century, today’s Seoul was called Gyeongseong. It was the very cultural center where tradition and Western modernity began to fuse.

Four new films exemplify this dipping into the past — “Once Upon a Time,” “Radio Days,” “Modern Boy” and “The Good, The Bad, The Weird,” all of which come with high-profile directors and actors. Production houses are pinning their hopes on the success of this new breed of Gyeongseong films at a time when home-grown movies face an uphill battle against Hollywood blockbusters.

In the past few decades, a host of filmmakers already used Gyeongseong as a historical setting — but only superficially. In contrast, these upcoming films rely heavily on the cultural diversity of the period to create fantasy or induce retro feelings.

Although background of “The Good, The Bad, The Weird” not Gyeongseong, this one fits in the category, insofar as it’s set in the 1930s. The place is Manchuria, and this Oriental western-style movie stands out with its star-studded cast. Well-known Korean Wave stars Lee Byung-hun, Song Kang-ho and Jung Woo-sung play exotic roles — a bandit, a train robber and a bounty hunter — and expectations are rising concerning this big-budget flick which will be released during the summer vacation season.

By Yang Sung-jin (insight@heraldm.com)

Read the full article at koreaherald or here or here

GBW studies.. anyone?

Wondering what will happen to the cultural-contents industry in 2008?

Let’s go to Cyber Open Lecture Series and find out!

“Let’s find out the major policy changes and upcoming trendsetting works in the cultural-contents industry in 2008!”

Cyber Cultural Content Academy, operated by Korea Culture and Content Agency (KOCCA, CEO: Ko, Seok-Man), offers an open lecture entitled Preview of 2008 Cultural Content Industry at the KOCCA building (1st floor, Seminar Room) in Yeoksam-dong, Seoul, on January 26.

Lee, Byeong-Min, Director of KOCCA Policy Developing Team, will open the lecture series by making a presentation on “Major Policies and Changes in the Cultural Contents Industry in 2008,” in which Lee will discuss 10 major issues that symbolize this year’s cultural-contents industry, such as HE2 (Human, Experience, Health, & Environment) contents, the Korea Syndrome at its second phase, and Neo-UCC, a more evolved UCC that leads the culture and business of the future.

The lecture series also offers participants a preview of The Good, The Bad, and The Weird, arguably the best-expected film directed by Kim, Ji-Woon and starred in by Song, Kang-Ho, Lee, Byeong-Heon, Jeong, and Woo-Seong. The introduction to the film is provided by Seo, Woo-Sik, Director of Barunson Film Production’s Business Team.

Other speakers include Kang, Byeong-Joon, Director of the U-Media Team at The Electronic Newspaper, who will discuss the trends in the cultural-contents industry in 2008.

Watch and read! ^^

This is a cool update! GBW will have English subs when it’s shown in Korean movie theaters later. This is such great news for those going to the premieres to celebrate with BH later.Previously, each time foreign fans went to support the movies.. they watched without understanding anything.. with some gist provided by the Korean fans, of course.

Fans going can now share their thoughts better when they return from the premiere. How awesome. Just hope our friends wouldn’t be too shy to share. that’s all! ^^

January 24, 2008

English subtitles coming to Korean films at CGV

CJ Entertainment and CGV have announced that they will begin providing current Korean movies with English-language subtitles, starting with director Jeong Yun-cheol’s “A Man Once a Superman,” reflecting the increasing demand from foreigners here.

“Initially, the selected movies will show on one screen at Yongsan CGV theaters for the duration of the films’ domestic theatrical run,” CJ said in a statement. “The lineup of chosen films will consist of big-event movies that will appeal to foreigners, and will give them a unique chance to watch noteworthy Korean films when they are released.”

CJ and CGV will select certain Korean titles — currently estimated at four to six this year — and will release concurrent with their domestic release.

“A Man Once a Superman” will be screened with English subtitles on Jan. 31, the same day the movie is set to be released to Korean viewers. The movie, produced and distributed by CJ, depicts a cynical reporter whose life is changed by her encounter with a man who thinks he is Superman. Hwang Jung-min plays the central character, while Jun Ji-hyun takes up the role of the reporter.

CJ said it will show more movies with English subtitles, including “Modern Boy,” “The Divine Weapon,” “The Good, The Bad, The Ugly Weird” and the untitled upcoming Park Chan-wook project.

CJ is one of leading movie production companies in Korea and has the largest domestic film library — over 200 films –with 30 new titles being added each year. Established in 1998, CGV is the biggest multiplex operator here.

By Yang Sung-jin (insight@heraldm.com) http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/

Man behind GBW

Translated gist provided by Hyc-EverythingLBH from original article at MyDaily via news.yahoo.kr

The Warlords’ director Peter Chan from Hong Kong is currently visiting Korea and promoting his new movie from 21st to 24th January. He paid a visit to GBW filming site at Paju, and met with Dir. Kim Jee Woon.

The two directors had collaborated in “Three” (Chinese title: 三更), a 2002 international Asian horror movie collaboration consisting of three segments by three directors from three countries. (Memories, directed by Kim Ji-Woon (South Korea), The Wheel, directed by Nonzee Nimibutr (Thailand), and Going Home, directed by Peter Chan (Hong Kong)).

There are some similarities between the 2 films, The Warlords and GBW. Both films were shot in China amid severe weather. And also the two “blockbuster” rated movies have 3 superstars as male leads respectively. “The Warlords” has a strong cast of Andy Lau, Jet Li and Takeshi Kaneshiro whereas GBW has Song Kang Ho, Lee Byung Hun, and Jung Woo Sung.

Promising an Expectation

Local films go for mega flicks in 2008

Far left: Jeong Jae-yeong in “Shingijeon,” and above, Jung Woo-sung
in “The Good, the Bad and the Weird.” [JoongAng Ilbo]

– related excerpt only

Chungmuro, Korea’s answer to Hollywood, had a gloomy 2007.
Despite major hits such as “D-War” and “May 18” and Jeon Do-youn winning the Best Actress award at the 2007 Cannes International Film Festival, overall revenue dropped significantly.
With the number of people going to the movies decreasing for the first time in 11 years, some commentators claim that the decade-long Chungmuro renaissance is finished.
The JoongAng Ilbo surveyed 25 movie experts, including producers, investors and critics, on movies earmarked for release this year.
Included in the survey were the movie critics Kang Yu-jeong and Jeon Chan-il as well as Jeong Seung-hae, the owner of Achim Productions.
For them, the renaissance is still alive, though not in the first bud of youth.
Two trends describe Korean movies this year: blockbusters and period movies.

According to these 25 movie buffs, the most promising movie for 2008 is “The Good, the Bad and the Weird.”
It’s a Korean-style western set in Manchuria, the historical name of three Chinese provinces: Heilongjiang, Jilin and Liaon.
Many Korean freedom fighters made their home there during the Japanese colonial rule in Korea.
The 10 billion won ($10.6 million) blockbuster tells the story of three guys ― a bounty hunter, a hit man and a train hijacker ― who are hunting for the same treasure.
The cast is very strong with Song Gang-ho, Lee Byung-hun and Jung Woo-sung taking the main roles.
Jung plays the cool good guy who pursues criminals for money. Lee plays the miserable bad guy who kills people for money. Song plays the witty weirdo who rides a motorcycle and hijacks trains.
The movie will open in theaters in the summer.
The respondents agreed that Kim Jee-woon, the director of this movie, produces high-quality comedy, horror and film noir.
“He adds a new flavor in each genre he directs,” they said.
Others said, “This movie will be an indicator of how well the Chungmuro industry will fare in 2008” and “Successful movies always have something refreshing in them.”

A cuppa BH quiz

Panda Quiz ver.3

1. Which actor said this about LBH at the Pusan International Film Festival?
“I think Lee Byung-heon is very flexible and can play various roles”
A. Tsumabuki Satoshi, 10th PIFF
B. Andy Lau, 11th PIFF
C. Takuya Kimura, 12th PIFF

2. Where was Byunghun during the 12th PIFF in October 2007?
A. GBW, China
B. Arena Tour, Japan
C. ICWTR, HongKong

3. What do LBH, Choi JiWoo and WonBin have in common in their Japanese ventures?
A. Same managing agency
B. Same publishing agency
C. Same personal agent

4. What was the accessory most prominent worn by BH during the Arena Tour concerts in Japan recently, besides the ST-Love pendant?
A. glasses
B. bead bracelet
C. shades

5. What had LBH, Song Kang Ho and Jung Woo Sung pledged in support of GBW?
A. cutting down their fee
B. cutting down filming time
C. asking more pay

6. In which event did BH appear in early 2007, walking in crutches due to his ankle injury?
A. VIP movie premiere
B. Fan meeting in Tokyo
C. Bungee Jumping 6th Anniversary

7. When he wasn’t wearing the crutches but still in process to heal the injury, what did BH use?
A. a special bracelet
B. a special shoe
C. a special bandage

8. Shin Hyun Joon acted twice with LBH in a series and a movie, which were
A. Beautiful My Lady, Addiction
B. White Nights 3.98, JSA
C. Son of Wind, Elegy of the Earth

9. How did BH become involved in the movie, I Come With The Rain?
A. by audition
B. by talent casting
C. by director’s invitation

10. In his 2004 fan meet co-organized by KNTO, who were the guests at the event?
A. Song Seung Hun, Jo Sung Mo, Jin Goo
B. Song Seung Hun, Shin Seung Hun, Choi Ji Woo
C. Song Seung Hun, Jo Sung Mo, Ji Sung

11. Who were the singers featured in the 2006 Tokyo Dome fanmeet?
A. Shin Seung Hun, Lee Jung Hyun
B. Shin Seung Hun, Jo Sung Mo
C. Shin Seung Hun, Ivy

12. What was the birthday gift BH received in the 7.21 event from the Kadokawa Publishers?
A. Paris PhotoBook
B. exclusive gold pendant
C. 1970 French vintage wine

13. Which tv series was screened in a movie theather starting September 2007, for twice a week in Japan?
A. Beautiful Days
B. Happy Together
C. All In

14. Profits from “Lee Byung Hun, very happy to meet you” was donated to UNICEF in behalf of LBH by his Japanese fans.
What does this special item refer to?
A. a fan meet
B. a charity drive
C. a book compilation by fans

A Step Forword

 Thanks to the highlight by kdramafanusa at EverythingLBH-soompi.com

Actor Lee Byung-hun takes his official steps toward a Hollywood debut

IMDB is a popular website that provides information about movies. A new movie that’s been added to their site is “G.I. Joe”, set for a summer 2009 release – and we found Lee Byung-hun’s name on the list of main characters!

This production is based on “G.I. Joe,” the old children’s action-figure favorite, and the story centers around a U.S. special forces unit that goes up against a terrorist organization.

Lee Byung-hun plays “Storm Shadow,” one of the “cool” bad guys who fights against the main character, “Snake Eyes.”

All In JEJU

Thanks to Hyc-EverythingLBH for the gist

This is tha “All In” memorial hall on Jeju Island. The building was destroyed by typhoon in 2003. Restoration has been done to the building after many requests by tourists.

Original Korean article at http://www.jtnews.or.kr/news/read.php?idxn…0&rsec=S1N2