Hwang Dong-hyeok (황동혁)

Showcase of Korean Movies in Japan

2007/11/28 | Source | Permalink |

The Korean Film Council will hold a showcase of Korean movies in Japan to introduce Korean cinematography in the neighboring country.

Nine outstanding films will be screened in Japan Dec. 8-14 under the auspices of the Japanese company Cinequanon, which has contributed greatly to promoting the Korean Wave.

The nine movies include "200 Pounds Beauty", which is to open in Japan Dec. 15, as well as "Family Ties" ("The Birth of a Family") by director Kim Tae-yong, "Paradise Murdered" ("Paradise 1986") by Kim Han-min, "Beyond the Years" by Im Kwon-taek, "Bunt" by Park Gyoo-tae, the documentary film "Flight" ("Bi-sang") by Im Yoo-cheol, Hwang Dong-hyeok's "My Father", Lee Hae-yeong and Lee Hae-joon's "Like a Virgin" and Kim Myeong-joon's documentary film "Our School".

A forum entitled "The Power of Movies Beyond National Boundaries" will be held Dec. 9 with Cinequanon CEO Lee Bong-woo in attendance....| More

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US Medias Spotlight Daniel Henney

2007/09/20 | Source | Permalink |

By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter

Actor Daniel Henney, 27, is receiving media attention back home in the United States for his portrayal of a man adopted by an American couple in the film "My Father", which continues to rank high in the local box office.

The Michigan native has given interviews to the Associated Press, broadcaster ABC TV and film magazine Screen International. ABC expressed much interest in the model-turned actor's hallyu star status and unique cultural background, as well as possible advances to Hollywood.

Born to an English father and an American mother who is an adoptee from Korea, Henney shot to instant stardom here through the phenomenal hit drama "My Name is Kim Sam-soon" (2005, MBC). After gaining popularity in Japan and South Asian countries, the TV series is now airing in Israel.

Henney showed he's more than just a pretty face through "My Father". He gives a surprising performance as an adoptee who returns to Korea to trace his roots, only to discover...| More

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Daniel Henney Gives Interview to AP, ABC TV

2007/09/19 | Source | Permalink |

Actor Daniel Henney, who stars in the movie "My Father", has given interviews to the Associated Press and ABC TV.

"My Father" drew the attention of many overseas broadcasters and media companies for its subject of a Korean man who was adopted overseas as a child.

ABC interviewed Henney about Korean stars' popularity abroad and the peculiarities of Korean culture. The actor also spoke about his show business career as an actor of mixed heritage and his plans to advance to Hollywood.

The world-renowned film magazine Screen International also interviewed Henney about his acting career, while the AP interviewed the director of "My Father", Hwang Dong-hyeok, over the phone about the subject of adoption.

The International Herald Tribune published an article about Eron Bates, the real man behind the movie's story, when he visited Korea early this month....| More

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[MOVIE REVIEW] 'My Father', a heart-wrenching drama

2007/09/06 | Source | Permalink |

Finding a long-lost father is an emotional experience. If the father lives in a country across the Pacific Ocean and the reunion takes place in a highly odd place after a two-decade interval, the emotional intensity is bound to be overwhelming.

"My Father", a story based on a real Korean adoptee in the United States who came to Korea to find his birth parents, has all the trappings of a powerful emotion-driven drama. And director Hwang Dong-hyeok seems to understand the obvious danger of too much melodramatic portrayal about a story that is already dramatic enough.

The film starts from a peaceful scene in a picturesque American suburb where James Parker (Daniel Henney) opens up a mail box and finds a letter leading to his quest for his birth parents in Korea. His American parents cared a lot about Parker, and he knows he's well loved and his life in the United States couldn't be better, but he still cannot give up his hope of tracing his past.

As a member of the U.S. army stat...| More

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"Father" Paints Many Faces of Family Love

2007/09/06 | Source | Permalink |

By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter

They say here that familial love flows downstream like a river, from parent to child. The depths of parental love for one's own child are universally deemed unconditional and immeasurable. While one cannot quantify love, love traveling upstream from child to parent is often a product of affection and respect combined. "My Father", directed by critically acclaimed filmmaker Hwang Dong-hyeok and starring Daniel Henney and Kim Young-cheol, explores the multifaceted meaning of family, love, forgiveness and acceptance.

Inspired by a true story, the "faction" film (a combination of fact and fiction) traces the incredible journey of an adoptee searching for his birth family. Adopted by a loving American family at the age of five, the 27-year-old James Parker joins the United States army and is stationed in Korea where he searches for his birth family. With the help of his KATUSA (Korean Augmentation Troops to the U.S. Army) roommate and buddy, Joseph, Jame...| More

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