Lee Se-yeong (이세영)

Feature Film Directorial Debut of Cannes Residence Program Selectee

Source | 2007/06/19 | Permalink |

Female Korean directors are in short supply, but their ranks gained a valuable addition with director KIM Hee-jung's debut feature film. "The Wonder Years" (YeolSesal, Sooa) depicts a high school girl who is unsatisfied with her life and mother, and creates an alternative take on her life.

KIM's short films got her noticed by the renowned Cannes Residence Program which selected her for their 2005 edition. There she developed "The Wonder Years", her first feature film.

The film premiered last week and offers an alternative for the big-budget summer fare. "The Wonder years" opened at ten in last weekend's box office.

Teenage actor LEE Se-yeong plays the protagonist girl. Her credentials include "Lovely Rivals" and "When I Turned Nine". The mother is played by CHOO Sang-mi ("On the Occasion of Remembering the Turning Gate", "A Smile"").

Yi Ch'ang-ho (KOFIC)...| More

'Wonder' Explores Nostalgic Realm of Teen Years

Source | 2007/06/14 | Permalink |

By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter

A small gem of a film with subdued charms, "The Wonder Years" portrays the peculiarities of adolescence with a keen eye. The family drama brings to life endearing characters as it intricately weaves together the mundane, comical and dramatic aspects of everyday life.

Sullen and silently rebellious, 13-year-old Su-ah (Lee Se-yeong) is about to enter junior high school. Her mother, Yeong-ju (Choo Sang-mi), widowed and desperately trying to make ends meet by running an eatery, does not have much time to tend to Su-ah's hushed dilemmas.

Each day is uneventful but life is otherwise good, until the two lose their restaurant which doubled as their house and are forced to move in with Yeong-ju's friend. Feeling misplaced and ostracized by her friends, Su-ah has nowhere to go -- except one place.

Her father's diary reveals that her idol, star singer Yun Seol-yeong (Kim Yoon-ah, lead vocal of rock band Jaurim) is her real mother. As Su-ah ventures off t...| More

When I Turned Nine unexpected winner of Chunsa Film Art Awards

Source | 2004/11/25 | Permalink |

When I Turned Nine, a story about schoolchildren in rural Korea, came away the unexpected winner of the Chunsa Film Art Awards on November 19.

The film by YOON In-ho was presented withthe Best Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay (LEE Man-hee), and the Child Acting Award (shared by LEE Se-yeong, KIM Seok, NAH A-hyeon and KIM Myeong-jae). Released in March 2004, When I Was Nine attracted 340,000 viewers and a warm critical reception upon its release.

Meanwhile Cannes Grand Prix-winner Old Boy by PARK Chan-wook was given the Best Actor award (CHOI Min-sik), Best Cinematography (JEONG Jeong-hoon), Editing (KIM Sang-beom), and a Special Jury Prize for PARK Chan-wook shared by Tae Guk Gi's KANG Je-gyu and Silmido's KANG Woo-seok.

Other awards presented included a tie for Best Actress between KIM Hye-soo (Hypnotized) and LEE Na-young (Someone Special); Best Supporting Actor to Jung Doo-hong (Fighter In the Wind); Best Supporting Actress to GOH Doo-shim (My Mother the Mermaid); Be...| More

`Lovely Rivals' Wins Over Local Audience's Hearts

Source | 2004/11/18 | Permalink |

By Kim Tae-jong
Staff Reporter

A fight for love always sounds romantic, but what if the battle field is an elementary school and the two rivals in love are a female teacher and her 12-year-old student trying to win the heart of a good-looking teacher? A new local comedy successfully takes the funny factors from this exact situation and develops it as bitter sweet.

"Yosonsaeng VS Yojeja (Lovely Rivals)", directed by Jang Gyoo-seong, seems like a sequel for the director's previous comedy "My Teacher, Mr.Kim", since it is also set in a primary school and is about a teacher who doesn't have any affection towards his students but later finds the true meaning of teaching.

However, "Lovely Rivals" presents more uncontrived humor over the natural development of its story, delivered by main actress Yeom Jeong-ah from "Pomchoe-ui Chaegusong (The Big Swindle)" and "Changhwa, Hongryon (A Tale of Two Sisters)", and Lee Se-yeong from "Ahopsal Insaeng ('When I Turned Nine')".

Completely...| More

Young-teen actresses strut innocent looks on screen

Source | 2004/11/16 | Permalink |

When 17-year-old Moon Geun-yeong starred in "My Little Bride", a romantic comedy, released in April, few expected she would steal the show. Her counterpart Kim Rae-won was a sure to hog the spotlight as a proven heartthrob. But it turned out that young Moon out-charmed her co-star.
Moon is now a part of something much bigger: a wave of young-teen female stars featured on the silver screen. The concept usually refers to those in the 13 to 15 age group.

Although Moon does not strictly fit the definition, her image as an irresistible kid is inspiring other producers and directors to recruit young actresses.

For instance, "Lovely Rivals" ("Yeoseonsang vs. Yeojeja") which will be released tomorrow nationwide, features Lee Se-yeong as an elementary school student who confronts her teacher played by Yeom Jeong-a. Lee is not a mere supporting character; her role is on equal footing with veteran actress Yeom.

Lee already showcased her talent in "When I was Nine" and "Sweet Sixti...| More