[20 Korean Films to Look Out for Second Half of 2011] "Soar into the Sun"

Flying the Sky with Rain

"Soar into the Sun"

Directed by Kim Dong-weon

By NA Won-jung

The film's story is related to the original "Red Muffler", directed by the legendary Korean director SHIN Sang-ok in 1964. The original film used the Korean War as its background, dealing with the passion and the love of F-86 Saver jet fighter pilots, and bringing in the most audiences in Seoul at the time and won countless domestic film awards in the process. The new version of Red Muffler reflects the changes in time and deals with the pilots of the new F-15K fighters, yet it still brings the nostalgia from 47 years ago.

This is Korea's first-ever 'aerial action blockbuster', co-produced and exclusively distributed by CJ E&M Film Business Division. Director Kim Dong-weon, whose previous works include "My Boss, My Teacher" (2006), and "City of Damnation" (2009) proclaimed of displaying brilliant and detailed visuals, combining them with love and friendship of young couple, as well as aerial action scenes full of liveliness and realistic stunts. The leading character is Tae-hoon, an Air Force captain who's a member of 'Black Eagle', Korea's elite air force. He is transferred to combat force with F-15K and creates conflict on his first day with Cheon-hee, a top gun at F-15K squad who's also a deep believer in principle, and is disciplined. In midst of such, an aerial situation with North Korea promptly takes place as Tae-hoon and his colleagues board on the jet fighters and take off without the guarantee of returning safely.

The film features an impressive cast, including Yoo Joon-sang of "Moss" fame playing Cheol-hee and solid supporting casts including JO Seong-ah ("The Yellow Sea"), Oh Dal-soo ("Detective K") among others. What's more, unlike the original "Red Muffler" with female leads playing bartenders at a nearby Air Force Camp bar, the new version features two of the 'blue chip' actresses in Korea today, Sin Se-kyeong ("Hindsight") and Lee Ha-na ("The Fair Love") both playing talented Air Force serviceperson, making the film even more interesting.