Two Korean movie production outfits choose the busy streets of Manila and beach of Boracay ..
MANILA- Two Korean movie production outfits have chosen the busy streets of Manila, the pristine beaches of Boracay Island in Aklan and the scenic Pagsanjan Falls in Laguna to serve as backdrops for the romantic comedy they are filming here, Department of Tourism secretary Joseph Ace Durano has announced.
The crew of DRM Entertainment Co. Ltd. and Story Factory, producers of the romantic comedy "Feel So Good", has been at work in the country since Jan. 9, Durano told Korean and Filipino entertainment writers in a press conference last week. Shooting wraps up on Feb. 23, he added.
For this particular production, the DOT is helping the Korean group obtain permits and other logistical requirements for the location shoots. It is also tapping local talent for additional assistance, said Durano.
The producers considered getting Angelika Panganiban, Michelle Madrigal and Marian Rivera to play some parts in the movie, said Maricon Basco-Ebron, Philippine tourism director and attache to Korea. However, initial talks with the actors' handlers fell through.
"The exposure we will get from this film is worth a thousand times the amount we are spending to accommodate them here",Durano pointed out. "As much as possible, we want to portray the country as it is with beautiful destinations, warm and friendly people but also as a developing country that has its own challenges".
Department policy
Durano said it was part of DOT policy to go through the script before it supports any movie project. "The overall theme of this movie, which is love for self and country, is something the Philippines itself can stand for",he explained.
"Feels So Good": is about six strangers who fly to the Philippines hoping to escape their troubles, unaware of what love has in store for them once they land on Boracay Island.
The movie's lead actors, Yoo-jin (popularly known as Eugene) and Lee Min-ki, were present at the press conference. Kim, who speaks better English compared to the other members of the entourage, said she was excited to be back in the country.
In 2006, the DOT appointed Kim, star of the Korean hit TV series "Save the Last Dance" and "Wonderful Life", to be the face of Philippine tourism in Korea. As DOT spokesperson, Kim was in the Philippines twice in 2006, visiting key cities like Manila, Cebu, Bohol and Boracay.
The 26-year-old Yoo-jin is one of the widest-sought celebrities in Korea. She was a member of the now-defunct Korean pop group "S.E.S".and was also seen in the drama series "Loving You" and "Really Really Like You".
Lee, a first-time Philippine visitor, said he had heard of the beautiful beaches in Boracay but did not know it was in the Philippines until he arrived here last week. Lee was last seen in the Korean TV series "Dalja's Spring", opposite Chae Rim and in the movie "A Good Day to Have an Affair".
DRM Entertainments executive Jung Sub-lee first came to the Philippines five years ago when he accompanied his father on a business trip.
"I met a lot of good people", he said through an interpreter. "Many offered their countries for this film, but I was dead set on making it here".
The director, Kang Cheol-woo, is the winner of Best Short Film trophies from the 15th Pusan Short Film Festival (now Pusan Asian Short Film Festival) and the 1997 Seoul Independent Film Festival. He was a member of the production team of Lee Jeong-kook's "Promenade "and worked as a sequence director of a segment titled "Restaurant" in Kim Ki-duk's "Real Fiction". (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
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