Open City (Movie - 2007)

Another stab at big-screen success

Source | 2009/09/17 | 0 comments | Permalink |

TV star Kim Myeong-min hopes to make waves in the film world.
Actor Kim Myeong-min is returning to the big screen. And this time he hopes to make a larger splash than his last effort, the 2008 crime film "Open City", which had an average showing at the box office.

Kim actually made a name for himself - and gained legions of fans - for his recent work as a coldhearted doctor in the TV series "The Great White Tower" and as an aggressive conductor in the program "Beethoven Virus".

Now, he is again looking to gain a foothold in the movie world, taking on an extremely challenging role as Jong-woo - a Lou Gehrig's patient - in the upcoming film "Closer to Heaven". The movie, which hits theaters Sept. 24, depicts a tragic love story between Kim's character, Jong-woo, and his wife, Ji-soo - played by actress Ha Ji-won, the heroine of the summer blockbuster "Haeundae". The director is none other than Park Jin-pyo. who was behind the 2005 hit movie "You Are My Sunshine", which starred act...| More

Kim Myeong-min Sheds 20 Kilos for Role

Source | 2009/08/25 | 0 comments | Permalink |

By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter

Constantly transforming, from a callous doctor to a feisty conductor, Kim Myeong-min is an actor with many faces, but he was unrecognizably thin in the movie trailer for "Closer to Heaven" (working title), revealed to the press Monday in Seoul.

The 36-year-old star shed 20 kilograms to play a terminally ill man in the film and still carried a considerably thin frame and deeply sunken cheeks ― a striking contrast from past appearances as a tough detective ("Open City") or valiant general (TV soap "Immortal Admiral Yi Sun-shin").

"I had to become more absorbed in the emotions and heighten the drama toward the end of the film. But I couldn't become fully immersed in my role due to exhaustion, and that was the most difficult part", he said.

But Kim said that starving was necessary for his role as a man suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a motor neuron disease also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, and that it was nothing to bra...| More

Big Stars Appearing in Documentaries

Source | 2009/04/15 | 0 comments | Permalink |

By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter

Documentaries have been regarded as serious and educational, and only recently did viewers and producers alike appreciate the impact of these programs. Many have examined interesting topics ranging from dinosaurs to polar bears and noodles, and now cameras have turned toward local stars like Myeong Se-bin, Kim Myeong-min and soccer star Park Ji-sung.

Myeong has been out of the spotlight since her marriage and divorce, but she reappeared as a gisaeng, or Korean female entertainer, with the documentary "Gisaengjeon" last Sunday on SBS.

The actress was transformed into a beautiful gisaeng in the program, complete with the hanbok - Korean traditional outfit - exquisite hairstyles, accessories and make-up.

"They had to hide from the public, despite their rich history in art, tradition and culture. I wanted to bring back their story and re-evaluate them", the producer of the program, Jung Gu-il, said.

The documentary touched the graceful yet tr...| More

Online Users Choose Their Favorite Stars

Source | 2009/02/18 | 0 comments | Permalink |

Internet users have chosen Cha Tae-hyeon of "Speedy Scandal" ("Scandal Maker") and Sin Min-ah of "Go Go 70s" as their favorite movie stars. The two film stars will be presented with the best leading actor and actress awards at the 6th Max Movie Grand Film Awards later Wednesday night in Seoul.

Cha's film "Speedy Scandal" has drawn more than 8 million moviegoers, becoming the seventh highest grossing Korean film. The comedy about three-generation family with Cha as a young grandfather has warmed the hearts of Korean film lovers and again put Cha on the map as the nation's leading comic actor. Sin was applauded for her role as a dancer in "Go Go 70s", a film about a rock band struggling to make it in the conservative era of the 1970s.

Other award recipients include director Na Hong-jin of "The Chaser" for the best director's award, the late Heath Ledger of "Dark Knight" for the best supporting actor category, and Kim Hae-sook of "Open City" for the best supporting actress category....| More

PARK Jin-pyo casts KIM Myeong-min

Source | 2008/12/19 | 0 comments | Permalink |

KIM Myeong-min will star in PARK Jin-pyo's "Closer to Heaven" (Nae Sarang Nae Gyeote, English translation: "my love by my side") alongside earlier cast HA Ji-won. KIM will replace KWON Sang-woo who dropped out. KIM will play a Lou Gehrig's disease patient who remains upbeat.

With "Closer to Heaven", PARK returns to the romantic tearjerker genre. He previously directed the acclaimed "You Are My Sunshine". Filming should start in the beginning of 2009 for a release in next year's fall.

KIM starred this year in "Open City" as a police detective on the trail of the criminal gang lead by SON ye-jin's character.

Yi Ch'ang-ho (KOFIC)...| More