Korean VIP spots-on Hollywood

The GI Joe-Korea Report covered by THR

Although the Hollywood team of GI Joe had left Seoul after the 2-day visit, the VIP screening  of their movie was held on Thursday with actor Lee Byunghun attending the premiere preview as one of the starring cast.  It was a really busy day for Byunghun-ssi as he had a full day of various photo-shoots and media interviews for GI Joe promos ahead of the release next week.
July 30, 2009
VIP Screening for GI Joe: The Rise of Cobra (8pm, CGV Yongsan)

Celebrity Guests
Actors: Shin Ha Kyun, Kim Rae Won, Choi Ji Woo, Jung Jun Ho
Lee Eun Hee

Source: MyDaily / daum, naver

July 31, 2009
Korean stars take their shot at Hollywood
Supporting roles seen as opening door to larger parts

By Park Soo-mee

Lee Byung-hun looks for his big break in “G.I. Joe.” (Getty)

SEOUL — At the Wednesday press conference of “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra,” it wasn’t Channing Tatum or Sienna Miller that caught the eyes of many Japanese fans who anxiously waited outside the hotel lobby to get a glimpse of their star. Instead, they all flew in to see the Korean actor Lee Byung-hun (“The Good, the Bad, the Weird”), who plays a supporting role in his first Hollywood live action.

For Paramount Pictures, the film’s distributor, this was a promising sign — one that suggests the potential benefit of casting an Asian superstar to attract regional ticket buyers when marketing a quintessentially American film.

The strategy seems to be on the rise with major Hollywood productions that once had limited roles for Asian actors. Aside from Lee, who plays the film’s charismatic Storm Shadow, other Korean actors are also participating in the trend.

After tasting bitterness with the boxoffice flop of his Hollywood debut “Speed Racer,” Korean singer-actor Rain is aiming to revamp his reputation through “Ninja Assassin,” another action flick produced by the Wachowski Brothers. Daniel Henney, a Korean-American actor with a strong Asian fan-base, starred as Agent Zero in “X-Men Origins: Wolverine.” Gianna Jun (or Jun Ji-hyun), an Asian darling from a hit romantic comedy “My Sassy Girl,” also known for its Hollywood remake, recently starred in a pan-Asian English-language film “Blood: The Last Vampire,” which many see it as Jun’s prelude to Hollywood debut.

The trend largely owes to a phenomenon dubbed among the locals as hallyu, or a Korean wave, in which Korean TV dramas and movies became such a hit throughout Asia that the country’s entertainment scene suddenly became a new tourist attraction.

In the film circle, the idea was quickly picked up through organized meetings like Asia Pacific Actors Network during the annual Pusan International Film Festival, which was originally started in 2007 by prominent Korean actors like Ahn Sung-ki and Kang Soo-yeon, and quickly turned into a venue that encourages Asian actors to make inroads into Hollywood.

“For Hollywood, it [hallyu] is a sign that Korean actors hold major ticket power in Asia,” said Choi Min-soo, the head of marketing at CJ Entertainment, the importer of “G.I. Joe.” “It’s also a sign that the Asian market

Brace the Hallyu Storm

A wonderfully concise and precise article from KBS Global, a great summary of the GI Joe related articles & interviews recently. A MUST READ!

July 31, 2009
Actor Lee Byung-hun Debuts in Hollywood

Source: news.hankooki.com

Actor Lee Byung-hun, who is almost 40, is a seasoned actor in the Korean film industry. He debuted in 1992 in the TV drama “Tomorrow Love.” In the 1999 movie “The Harmonium In My Memory” Lee played a teacher who captivated the heart of a young woman from a rural area. And in the 2000 hit “Joint Security Area,” he perfectly portrayed a South Korean soldier who pleads for help when he steps on a mine.

The turning point in Lee’s life came in 2005 with director Kim Ji-woon’s movie “A Bittersweet Life.” Lee easily portrayed difficult action scenes and impressed viewers with his acting talent.

In the 2006 movie “Once In A Summer” Lee appeared opposite Su Ae, and last year he stunned everyone by playing a gangster in “The Good, The Bad, The Weird.” Lee has tried diverse roles so far, joining the ranks of A-list actors. And he is not picky when it comes to genre, whether it is a thriller, an action movie or a melodrama. This time, Lee is poised to make his name in Hollywood through Stephen Sommers’ movie “G.I.Joe: The Rise of Cobra.”

At a recent news conference in Seoul, Lee shared his thoughts about his Hollywood debut. He said, “My manager showed me the script of ‘G.I.Joe’ and said that I had to take this role. To be honest,

Party of the Storm

Credits to jazzholic.com l news l hews l news l news l news

Byunghun-ssi threw a special  welcoming party for the ‘GI Joe: The Rise of Cobra’ cast, director & producer visiting Seoul for the Korean press conference a couple days ago. The party held at a cafe in Kangnam also invited other Korean celebrities particularly actress Han Chae Young (who’s an artiste under BH Entertainment).  Byunghun-ssi, Sienna Miller and Channing Tatum who had just arrived from Tokyo the afternoon of the 28th appeared very happy & relaxed at the event arranged by BH Entertainment.

Our Hunnie really made his guests to Seoul feel at home despite the very short visit for the press conference. The recent media updates have also mentioned how the GI Joe team had been very professional and obliging to the fans & press waiting for their arrival on Tuesday at the Gimpo Airport.

Lee Byung Hun – Sienna Miller, friendly hug

^ Lee Byung Hun, Sienna Miller & Han Chae Young

Storm-Hunnie New Photos

Latest photos and special detailed Korean interview with Byunghun-ssi here l here l here

And some more ^^ Korean articles 1 l 2 l 3 l 4 l 5 l 6 l 7 l 8

Hope we can read some English gist on these.. *hopehopehope!*

Rise of Cobra Storming Seoul

More Storm updates from JoongAng Daily, the Korea Herald & the Chosunilbo, photos from daum.net

Looks like Channing Tatum and Sienna Miller are fans of Byunghun-ssi in ‘A Bittersweet Life’.. just like us. How cool and especially heartwaming to know plus a thumbs-up from Channing who’s a GI Joe fan since his childhood, that he’s very pleased it’s Byunghun playing the Storm Shadow. We can’t agree more! ^^

July 30, 2009
Stars from upcoming ‘G.I. Joe’ movie storm Seoul

A press conference to promote “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra” was held yesterday morning at The Shilla hotel, central Seoul. Channing Tatum and Sienna Miller were at the event, as well as Korean actor Lee Byung-hun. producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura and director Stephen Sommers. The group arrived in Korea the day before via Gimpo International Airport.

Tatum and Miller star as Duke and the Baroness, respectively, while Lee plays the role of Storm Shadow, a member of the terrorist organization Cobra. The film is Lee’s Hollywood debut.

“I had watched [Lee’s performance] before in ‘A Bittersweet Life’ and I was very impressed,” Tatum said.

G.I. Joe is a Hollywood blockbuster about a fight between an elite military unit and the notorious Cobra. The film opens in theaters Aug. 6.

Source: INSIDE JoongAng Daily

‘G.I. Joe’ stars plug new film in Korea

Smoke and flames put a bit of sizzle into the “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra” press conference yesterday at the Shilla Hotel in Seoul. Background music blared. Flames shot up on screen. Clouds of smoke wafted up. “G.I. Joe” stars Lee Byung-hun, Channing Tatum and Sienna Miller – flanked by “G.I. Joe” director Stephen Sommers and producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura – emerged from the haze.

Bordering on cheesy, the theatrics and the colorful “G.I. Joe” banners draping the walls served as a flamboyant precursor to the big-budget film, which Tatum dubbed “a big, fun crazy ride.” “All the action that you could possibly dream up will come to life before your eyes,” Hallyu star Lee said of his Hollywood debut film.

Storm of Seoul

The Korea Times covers GI Joe with great captures courtesy various media portals, thanks to mailene at EverythingLBH-soompi.com

July 29, 2009

Lee Byunghun Returns With Film ‘G.I. Joe’

By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter

Hollywood and hallyu star power reigned in Seoul Wednesday with the arrival of the main cast and crew of “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra.”

A group of middle-aged Japanese women waited outside the hotel ballroom for the South Korean premiere of the action-packed film ¯ to catch a glimpse of “All In” star Lee Byung-hun, who makes his Tinsletown debut opposite Sienna Miller, Channing Tatum and Dennis Quaid.

Based on the G.I. Joe Real American Hero toy franchise, the film is about an elite American military squad that must stop the evil terrorist group Cobra from destroying the planet.

“Naneun baboda (I am dumb),” director Stephen Sommers proudly told reporters, and the venue broke into a rumble of laughter ¯ Lee had mischievously taught Sommers the wrong phrase to greet Koreans. Tatum, the heartthrob of “Step Up,” said he “sniffed it out” and didn’t fall for the trick.

“We had a fantastic reception at the airport yesterday… It’s like traveling with Elvis,” said Sommers, referring to Lee and the huge crowd of fans that welcomed the stars at Gimpo Airport, Tuesday. Producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura said it was “great to have such a great Korean star” accompany his fourth trip to the country.

Tatum, 29, said his manager is Korean so he had seen Lee’s performance in “Bitter Sweet Life.” Miller, who was seen laughing and whispering with Lee throughout the event, said she had also admired the actor in the Kim Ji-woon film. “It was one of the most astounding performances and one of the most incredible films,” said the 27-year-old screen beauty, adding that her co-star is not only “incredibly talented and handsome” but also “incredibly funny, silly and kind.”

Director Sommers (“The Mummy”) seemed to retaliate on Lee’s prank earlier.

Nonchalant for the Storm, not!

A cool press conference report by Yonhap News, great captures courtesy various media portals.

July 29, 2009
Lee Byung-hun says Koreans should be ‘nonchalant’ about his role in G.I. Joe film

By Shin Hae-in

SEOUL, July 29 (Yonhap) — While Hollywood colleagues called it an “honor” and “great opportunity” to have worked with him in Paramount Picture’s upcoming “G.I. Joe,” South Korean actor Lee Byung-hun fears too much attention by fans at home toward his character may take away from the film.

“This movie will bring before your eyes all actions and adventures you have ever imagined,” Lee said at a Seoul press conference with cast and creators of the movie Wednesday. “I hope you will not pay too much attention to my appearance. It’s a great film as it is.”

“G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra” is the first episode in the live-action adaptation of the popular TV series and classic comic book from the 1980s. Lee plays Storm Shadow, a key villain in the Cobra society, a role praised by critics as his successful Hollywood debut.

“Lee Byung-hun is the only one we went for,” said director Stephen Sommers, explaining how his team decided to cast the South Korean star in the role almost immediately. “I watched some of his movies and fell in love with them. It was his eyes. They showed he’s a fantastic actor.” “The energy here is amazing,” Sommers added. “With this guy (Lee) here, it’s like traveling with Elvis.”

Actress Sienna Miller, who plays the villainous Baroness, thanked Korea for “lending Lee” to Hollywood. “I saw him in ‘Bittersweet Life’

GI Joe landed in Seoul

Thanks to utkim and mailene at EverythingLBH-soompi.com for GI Joe arrival pics courtesy various Korean media portals

Tuesday, July 28 — Lee Byunghun, Channing Tatum (and his wife, Jenna), Sienna Miller and director Stephen Sommers along with producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura arrived in the late afternoon at the Gimpo Airport, Seoul after the movie premiere in Tokyo on Monday night. The cast & director of the upcoming movie will meet the Korean press at the media conference on July 29th, Wednesday morning at the Shilla Hotel in Seoul.

More pics of Byunghun-ssi ^^

The First Storm, Fighting!

Report and Photos from AP &  REUTERS via torontosun.com
‘G.I. Joe’ premiere in Tokyo
27th July 2009

Left to right; U.S. actors Marlon Wayans, Rachel Nichols, Channing Tatum, British actress Sienna Miller and South Korean actor Lee Byung-hun pose for photographers during the Japan premiere of their latest film “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra” in Tokyo Monday, July 27, 2009. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi)

South Korean actor Lee Byung-hun waves to fans during the Japan premiere of his latest film “G.I. Joe:
The Rise of Cobra” in Tokyo, Monday, July 27, 2009. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi)

Left to right;

Idea of the Storm

Thanks to the highlight by willenette at EverythingLBH-soompi.com, article translated & published by The Electric New Paper from U-Weekly Magazine, Singapore
 

Korean star is in GI Joe: The Rise Of Cobra, but …
You can’t see his face on the posters (actually.. we can.. via the Korean posters ^^)

KOREAN star Lee Byung Hun’s upcoming movie and first Hollywood film is GI Joe: The Rise Of Cobra.

We speak to the bona fide hottie.

HUNK: Lee Byung Hun on the cover of U-Weekly (above)
and Storm Shadow (below), the character he plays in GI Joe: The Rise Of Cobra.

 

Your first Hollywood movie will premiere worldwide soon. Are you nervous or ecstatic?

This film is like all the Korean movies I’ve done. I’m never sure what the viewers’ expectations are, so this will always make me nervous.

What do you mean by ‘expectations’?

First, this is a movie that is both a big production and based on a popular comic. The character I play, Storm Shadow, is a far cry from my previous roles.

Simply because it’s a comic-book character, I think the audience would already have set notions of what my character should be like.