Kang Pool (강풀)

Top Actors Cast in the Controversial '29 Years'

2008/09/04 | Source | Permalink |

Actress KIM Ah-joong, who rose to national celebrity status last year with her debut role in "200 Pounds Beauty", will star alongside RYOO Seung-beom ("Arahan", "Bloody Tie") in '29 Years', a film adaptation of a controversial comic series by Kang Pool ("A.P.T").

The story centers on a former soldier with a guilty conscience after his taking part, 29 years earlier, in the Gwangju Massacre, a real-life tragic episode in Korean history, in which state troops were ordered to open fire on civilians in the city, killing thousands. The former soldier, played by RYOO, sets out to assassinate the person suspected of ordering the massacre, namely former Korean president CHUN Doo-hwan.

The US $6.5 million film is to be directed by LEE Hae-yeong, who debuted in 2006 with the critical and commercial success, "Like a Virgin". LEE also penned the screenplay for the new project. Korean shingle Chungeorahm, the production force behind all-time local box office king, "The Host" (2006), will p...| More

Ryoo Seung-beom, Kim Ah-joong Cast in New Film '29 Years'

2008/09/01 | Source | Permalink |

Actors Ryoo Seung-beom and Kim Ah-joong have been cast in the new film "29 Years", based on a comic book by Kang Pool.

Production company Cheongeoram said Ryoo will take on the role of a macho scamp with a good heart while Kim will take on the role of a cool-headed shooting athlete.

The title of the film, which will cover the course of 26 years starting from 1980, has been changed to "29 Years" as the release date of the film has been tentatively set for early next year.

Byeon Hee-bong will take on the role of "that person", the man responsible for an incident that took place 29 years ago, and Joo Min-mo will take on the role of chairman Kim Kap-seh, who will convict "that person".

Other actors who have been cast in the film include Jin Goo, Hang Sang-jin, Ki Joo-bong and Cheon Ho-jin.

Film director Lee Hae-yeong, who wrote and produced "Like A Virgin" wrote the script for "29 Years". The film shoot will begin next month....| More

"The Host" Sequel Set for China

2008/06/27 | Source | Permalink |

"The Host" was a Korean box office blockbuster directed by Bong Joon-ho and, while its Korean sequel is in the works, a Chinese sequel is also in its early stages.

Last week, Chungeorahm Films met with director Ning Hao, his production company Stone Man Films, and producer Daniel Yu. They signed an agreement stating a joint production of the Chinese sequel to "The Host".

Director Ning Hao has introduced the unique stories of Chinese films such as "Scent", "Mongolian Ping Pong", and "Crazy Stone". "Crazy Stone" was the closing film for the 2006 Pusan International Film Festival.

Ning is currently working on the script. Chungeorahm Films and Stone Man Films are planning to begin filming early next year, and hope to release the Chinese sequel by late 2009.

"We are taking the lead in the production and filming of the Chinese sequel to 'The Host'", said a Chungeorahm representative. "This is a much more significant process than simply selling remake copyrights or exporting our f...| More

Sequel to "200 Pounds Beauty" planned

2008/03/06 | Source | Permalink |

Korean production company KM Culture has announced plans to make a sequel to the popular romantic comedy "200 Pounds Beauty".

A script is currently being written by LEE Han I, the screenwriter responsible for the TV drama "Bodyguard". In the sequel, the main character Hanna once again gains weight and struggles to establish herself as a real singer.

The director and main cast for the film have yet to be determined, although actress KIM Ah-joong has expressed an interest in seeing the completed script.

The announcement is one in a long list of popular Korean films for which sequels are being planned. Production house Chungeorahm is readying a follow-up to Korea's box office record holder "The Host", with a script written by well-known comic writer Kang Pool and a planned budget exceeding $11 million. Other films with sequels in the works include "Tazza: The High Rollers" ("The War of Flower")and "Le Grand Chef".

"200 Pounds Beauty" was released in December 2006 and ulti...| More

Comic artist Gang Do-young

2008/03/05 | Source | Permalink |

Another comic artist eyed by the film circle following Heo Yeong-man is online cartoonist Kang Do-young (aka Kang Pool, 33). The copyright to his feature comics sold instantly. "A.P.T" was made into a film in 2006 and "Fool", released after a delay, has also attracted many moviegoers.

First generation Internet comic artist

Regarded the first generation Internet comic artist, Kang's debut came after a long struggle and owes its success to the Internet. He didn't formally learn comic writing in college and nor was he taught by a famed artist. The start of it all was when he started to paint comic wall posters while serving the student body at Sangji University. As written posters didn't catch students' attention, he began to turn them into comics.

Committed to the task for 7 years, he decided to become a comic artist just ahead of graduation. In college, he often wore green clothes, thus he earned his nickname Kang Full (green is considered a "full" color in Korea), which he re...| More