Korean Movie Star Jang Dong-gun's new film The Promise Opens in America

Currently one of the most sought-after leading actors in Asia, Korean Jang Dong-gun may be coming to a theater near you. Multi-talented fashion model, singer, TV star, and film actor, Jang Dong-gun stars in the new Chinese film "The Promise", which opens on May 5, 2006 in 58 cities throughout the United States, including Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Cleveland, Detroit, etc. Warner Brothers also announced screenings in eight Canada cities, including Ottawa and Calgary.

Jang Dong-gun made his debut in the 1997 film Repechage, but soared to stardom with the 2001 film Friends, which was one of the most successful Korean films ever made. One of his more recent films, Taegukgi, broke all box office records when it was released in 2004.

The movie "The Promise", is the story of a young girl who accepts an offer to live a pampered life as a celebrated beauty, in exchange for one small sacrifice: she will lose every man she loves. Jang Dong-gun plays Kunlan, a slave who not only survives multiple battles, but risks his life to save the princess.

It will be difficult to duplicate the Asian diversity of the cast and crew. Korean Jang Dong-gun co-stars with Japanese Sanada Hiroyuki, who both share the screen with two of Hong Kong's most attractive stars, Cecilia Cheung and Nicholas Tse.

Directed by Chen Keige, The Promise took three years to make and cost $30 million—Asia's most expensive film yet. Despite poor visual effects and other drawbacks, this exciting film demonstrates China's confidence in its own cinematic future.

It is a 2006 Golden Globe Nominee for Best Foreign Language Film and won Best Selection for the 2006 Berlin International Film Festival. Kevin Thomas, of the Los Angeles Times, credits the film "A Romantic Epic of Exceptional Emotional Resonance" and "One of the most beautiful films imaginable".

By Krista Empey