Cha In-pyo (차인표)

Convergence of movie and TV drama continues to evolve

Source | 2009/11/05 | 0 comments | Permalink |

Simultaneous production of drama and its theatrical version increases efficiency
Generalization of digital shooting breaks down barriers of human resources & technology
Respect of different ways of producing broadcast programs and movies brings higher efficiency

Combination of movie & TV drama continues to evolve. Exchange between Chungmuro, Korean equivalent to Hollywood, and Yeo-ui-do, hub of broadcasting networks, was born as filmmakers produced TV dramas and drama PDs made movies. The exchange has brought the boom of 'Cross Over' such as 'TV Movie' and 'Theatrical Version'. Recently, there is an increasing number of works whose two versions as TV drama and movie were simultaneously made even in the stage of planning. The film and broadcasting industries expect this kind of 'format convergence' to be a chance to increase efficiency and quality in each genre and call for thorough preparedness based on understanding of features that each medium has.

◇'IRIS'
◆S...| More

Celebrities Support 'Compassion Korea'

Source | 2009/06/03 | 0 comments | Permalink |

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Staff Reporter

Celebrities like Sin Ae-ra, Lee Yoon-mi, Hwangbo, Park Si-eun, and Ricky Kim cheerfully walked down the runway wearing colorful oversized tops and shirts specially designed by Park Yoon-soo.

But this was no ordinary fashion show, since Park's designs were inspired by the drawings of children who are sponsored by the charity Compassion Korea. The Korean celebrities took part in the "2009 Friends of Compassion" event for charity at the KT Art Hall, Gwanghwamun, Tuesday.

Sin, who is a public ambassador for Compassion Korea, was at the event with her husband and fellow actor Cha In-pyo. The star couple, who have been deeply involved in the charity since 2003, are sponsor parents to 33 children around the world.

The celebrities who participated in the fashion show were also members of the Compassion Band, a musical group led by Cha. The Compassion Band will give a special performance at 12- 1 p.m. at the KT Art Hall, Saturday.

Aside fro...| More

A universal lament for the world's displaced

Source | 2009/04/17 | 0 comments | Permalink |

When one sits down to watch a movie like "Crossing" - the story of a man who leaves North Korea to help his wife but never makes it back, and of his young son's long journey to find him - despite all the suffering and horror, one naturally expects everything to work out.

But in Crossing, almost nothing does.

Kim Yong-soo (Cha In-pyo) is a once-famous North Korean football player who now works in a coal mine in South Hamgyong Province. He lives in a small earthen house with his wife and son, Jun-i (Sin Myeong-cheol).

Yong-soo and Jun-i lead difficult but happy lives, playing football together and marveling at the technological wonders their family friends have smuggled in from China. (Jun-i is awestruck when his friend, who has a slight crush on him, shows him an automatic pencil sharpener.)

But Yong-soo's wife is stricken with tuberculosis due to malnutrition, and because she is also pregnant, she requires special medication that is unavailable in North Korea. With his smug...| More

Actor Touches Comfort Women in Novel

Source | 2009/04/03 | 0 comments | Permalink |

Staff Reporter

Among a slew of the books written by celebrities these days, actor Cha In-pyo's book is conspicuous for many reasons.

First of all, the book is the first novel ever penned by an actor in Korea. Secondly, it is not a vanity project or self-focused ego-fluff, but rather deals with the issue of comfort women. Comfort women refer to the sexual slavery of numerous women, mostly Korean but also including Chinese, Filipino, Vietnamese, and Southeast Asian nationalities and even Europe, by the Japanese military in its imperial expansion years.

Cha's involvement in the book titled "Goodbye Hill" goes back to 1997, when he first heard the story of "Grandmother Hoon". She had been hauled off as a comfort woman to Cambodia during the colonial period and continued living in that country for 70 years until she visited her native Korea in 1997.

The 41-year-old actor's interest was first piqued upon hearing the news reports. So for the past decade, he worked on the idea, res...| More

[Talk of the town] Tragic topic for actor's 1st book

Source | 2009/03/27 | 0 comments | Permalink |

Actor Cha In-pyo now has one more title to add to his resume: author.

This week, he released his first novel, "Goodbye Hill", and announced his debut as a writer.

At a press conference last Wednesday, Cha revealed that he had been working on the book for 10 years, ever since he saw a televised news report on a Korean woman who was forced to become a military sex slave during the Japanese colonial period.

"It made me think about the many women who suffered through the toughest times in Korean history. This book is my way of showing support for these women", said Cha.

Goodbye Hill is a story about forgiveness and reconciliation. Taking place in a Korean village in the 1930s, it tells the story of a girl who is later forced to serve as a sex slave for Japanese soldiers.

Cha professed that while he loved to write, he had a hard time verifying historical facts. He also admitted that he didn't think his writings would ever turn into a book.

Cha, who has three children inclu...| More