Kim Sang-chan (김상찬)

Highway Star Sold to Japan

2007/07/24 | Source | Permalink |

The release rights for Korean musical comedy "Highway Star" has been sold to Japanese firm Avex Entertainment. For Avex, known primarily as one of the largest independent record labels in the world, the pick-up marks its first purchase of a Korean film after a recent move into the film industry.

Korean sales outfit Studio 2.0 sold the film, which stars "My Sassy Girl" lead actor CHA Tae-hyeon. "Highway Star" is about a struggling rock musician who is duped into 'trot' music, a now often mocked traditional style of Korean country music popular in the 80's and still loved today by the senior generation. The film is a remake of a Japanese feature titled Enka no Hanamichi.

Its grossed US$11.7 million on its release at home in February, following in the footsteps of other Korean music-themed comedy-dramas of personal transformation such as "Radio Star" (2006) and the mega-hit "200 Pounds Beauty" (2006). The film is the feature debut for directors Kim Hyun-soo and Kim Sang-chan...| More

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'Highway Star' Has Several Holes

2007/02/15 | Source | Permalink |

By Kim Tae-jong
Staff Reporter

The success of recent movies that center on music such as "Radio Star" and "200 Pounds Beauty" can be attributed to their successful appeal to the ear as well as the eye.

Because of its enjoyable music, the new comedy "Highway Star" has potential to follow its predecessors.

But as a comedy, it's a bit disappointing. Its clumsy story is loosely developed and doesn't produce many jokes, and its humor often seems to come from out of the blue.

Directed by Kim Sang-chan and Kim Hyun-soo, the film is about a rocker who makes it big in trot music, which is similar to melodramatic Japanese enka songs. (It's a sudden and amazing turn. Let's say Eminem suddenly wants to sing Frank Sinatra songs.)

In the film, Dal-ho (played by Cha Tae-hyeon) is the lead vocalist of a rock band who has dreams of stardom but works in a rural club accompanying a trot singer.

One day, Mr. Jang (Im Chae-moo), the head of a shabby recording company, notices Dalho's tal...| More

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[MOVIE REVIEW]'Highway Star' lacks comic energy

2007/02/08 | Source | Permalink |

Lee Kyung-kyu tries out his filmmaking luck again, but faces a daunting task

By Yang Sung-jin

Lee Kyeong-gyoo, a leading television personality, has an old score to settle for the silver screen. Back in 1992, he produced and directed an action film titled "A Bloody Battle for Revenge". He even took the title role, a grandiose attempt that drew much media attention.

But the film miserably crumbled at the box office. The real problem, however, was that the public would not forget Lee's failure, thanks partly to the generous publicity thrown into his boldness. Worse, "A Blood Battle" earned a much-dreaded status - a synonym with a huge box-office flop.

Lee is now eager to restore his damaged credibility with "Highway Star", a comedy that he has co-produced. It seems that Lee has learned a painful lesson from the past: instead of stepping forward to publicize the film, Lee remains largely out of the spotlight. Lee has set up In & In Pictures, a movie production company, and per...| More

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Movies revive the dead radio stars

2007/02/06 | Source | Permalink |

Director Lee Joon-ik turned Park Joong-hoon into a passe rocker from the '80s in his film "Radio Star". Kim Yong-hwa wanted Kim Ah-joong to play an obese understudy singer in "200 Pounds Beauty" and Kim Sang-chan and Kim Hyeon-soo made Cha Tae-hyeon dress up in a tacky, glittering costume to act like a rookie "trot" singer in the upcoming "Highway Star".

Apparently, the main obsession of film directors these days is to have a singer or two play the main roles in their blockbusters — aside from the fun they must have making the musical stars of our times embarrass themselves in thick latex or silly outfits as they try to master acting.
But the industry is quite happy with these films and it expects to make more. Critics say they have all the elements of a movie that sells: a good story and lots of entertainment.
"It's a good item for a touching storyline, " said Im Jin-mo, a film critic. "These three recent films featured a singer who starts from the bottom and gets to the top, "T...| More

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Cha Tae-hyeon tries comic film role - again

2007/01/18 | Source | Permalink |

Cha Tae-hyeon established himself as a leading Korean Wave star with his comic act in "My Sassy Girl" in 2001. So powerful was his innocent-yet-playful image in the Asia-wide hit that most cinema goers tend to associate him with comedy.

But a lesser known fact about Cha is that he has formal credentials as a singer. Previously, he released two music albums, and got a couple of songs climbing high on the local music chart for a while.

The unexpected problem for Cha is that no one takes him seriously when he sings; a far from pleasant development for the talented actor.

However, hope is at hand with a turning point looming. In "Highway Star (Bokmyeon dalho)", to be released on Feb. 15, Cha does not have to worry about the unintended and unwanted blending of his comic image and serious singing talent. His primary role here is to sing as comically as possible - and this is not a joke.

The movie, co-directed by Kim Sang-chan and Kim Hyeon-soo, pushes Cha to a throat-vibrating te...| More

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