| [MOVIE REVIEW] New comedy tests Cha's star power (Source) |
2008/10/30 |
No Korean actor automatically conjures up a comic image on the silver screen as much as Cha Tae-hyeon
This is largely due to the huge success of his role in "My Sassy Girl", which opened the floodgates for the Korean Wave of cinema across Asia. This cuts both ways, however.
Cha comes back to the big screen with another comic role in "Speedy Scandal" (Gwasok Scandal), to be released on Dec. 4. It is hardly surprising that he plays a character who is supposed to create, well, comic relief.
What's surprising, though, is that he has accepted a role whose identity is somewhat similar to his own experiences as a leading star in Korea. In the film, directed by Kang Hyeong-cheol, Cha plays Nam Hyun-su, a former idol who captured the hearts of teenage fans.
Yes, he "was" a big star in the good old days, but he is now in his mid-30s, and his star power has significantly diminished.
But Nam retains some of his recognition. That is why he keeps a DJ post at a local radio show, a sit... |More
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| Cha Tae-hyeon tries comic film role - again (Source) |
2007/01/18 |
Cha Tae-hyeon established himself as a leading Korean Wave star with his comic act in "My Sassy Girl" in 2001. So powerful was his innocent-yet-playful image in the Asia-wide hit that most cinema goers tend to associate him with comedy.
But a lesser known fact about Cha is that he has formal credentials as a singer. Previously, he released two music albums, and got a couple of songs climbing high on the local music chart for a while.
The unexpected problem for Cha is that no one takes him seriously when he sings; a far from pleasant development for the talented actor.
However, hope is at hand with a turning point looming. In "Highway Star (Bokmyeon dalho)", to be released on Feb. 15, Cha does not have to worry about the unintended and unwanted blending of his comic image and serious singing talent. His primary role here is to sing as comically as possible - and this is not a joke.
The movie, co-directed by Kim Sang-chan and Kim Hyeon-soo, pushes Cha to a throat-vibrating te... |More
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| Local Film Accused of Copyright Infringement (Source) |
2004/02/23 |
Fuji TV, producer of the popular Japanese romance " Love Letter ", has accused the makers of the local romantic comedy "Happy Ero Christmas" of using scenes from its movie without permission and is asking for compensation.
The production company contends that the domestic film, which was released late last year and starred Cha Tae-hyeon and Kim Seon-ah, used scenes from "Love Letter" despite the company's rejection of the request, according to Yonhap News Agency.
The " Love Letter " scenes were used as a running gag in "Christmas", in which a gangster with a sentimental streak continuously watched scenes from the romantic film.... |More
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| [Movie Reviews] New Comedy 'Ero Christmas' Isn't Naughty or Nice (Source) |
2003/12/18 |
By Joon Soh
"If you could make love just one day out of the year, which day would you choose?" says an old man in the new comedy "Happy Ero Christmas." The answer, which the film's title makes plain, is the basis of a movie that tries to add a little spice to the good tidings and cheer usually connected to the season.
Simultaneously telling two romantic stories set over the holidays, "Christmas" feels like two films in one. With one story being sweet and the other raunchy, the movie seems to be trying to cover all the commercial bases rather than make a narrative point.
The main story revolves around Byong-ki (Cha Tae-hyun), a shy and bumbling police officer who has a crush on Min-kyong (Kim Sun-ah), an employee of the neighborhood bowling alley.
Byong-ki's quiet and almost unnoticeable attempts to woo Min-kyong are met with a problem when the boss of a local gang (Park Young-kyu) also falls in love with Min-kyong. The two bachelors end up competing for Min-kyong's atten... |More
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