Make It Big (Movie - 2002)

[HERALD INTERVIEW] Marco sprints to stardom with his boyish charm

Source | 2008/12/18 | Permalink |

At first sight, the quiet and somewhat aloof "Marco", 31, looks very different from his bubbly TV image.

Within minutes, however, he begins to let loose, and bursts into his signature boyish staccato laugh. "Marco" in real life turns out to be like "Marco" on television, or at least a slightly toned-down version.

Although already enjoying an modeling career and several stints in movies, "Marco" got his biggest break in the entertainment scene this year by acting as a pseudo-married couple with pop star Son Dam-bi on MBC's semi-reality show "Just Married".

A third-generation ethnic Korean from Argentina, "Marco" raised eyebrows and left people asking, "Who is that guy?" when he appeared on the hit show featuring four different celebrity couples.

His handsome looks and sculptured physique contrasted with an inarticulate Korean accent and uninhibited expression of his feelings, kept people, especially women, glued to the television.

"Yes. I think I am not that much differen...| More

Actors Kwon, Song Get Rough in 'Fate'

Source | 2008/03/18 | Permalink |

By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter

"Fate" is the talk of the town as actor-turned director Kim Hae-gon brings together not just one but four of the hottest Korean actors in his second feature film: hallyu stars Kwon Sang-woo (2003 SBS drama "Stairway to Heaven") and Seung-heon ("Autumn in My Heart" 2000 KBS2), heartthrob Ji Seong ("All In", 2003 SBS) and bona-fide actor Kim In-kwon ("My Father", 2007).

"The Fate" tells the story of a group of close friends who rule the underworld of Seoul. One day they scheme to steal casino money, so they leave their mob. They almost succeed ― until Cheol-jung (Kwon) betrays them. While Wu-min (Song) is forced to go to prison on behalf of the gang, everyone's lives are torn apart by lustful desires and other mishaps. After serving his two-year term, Wu-min tries to rectify things, including reclaiming his beautiful girlfriend (Park Han-byeol). But unfortunate twists of fate set off one misunderstanding after another, and best friends become t...| More

Korea's movie theater chains dive into China

Source | 2008/03/08 | Permalink |

With China's movie theater industry exploding, Korean movie theater chains are eyeing that market.

Korean movie theater or multiplex chains such as CGV, Megabox, and MK Pictures are rushing to open theaters in China by teaming up with local partners there, saying the pace of growth in the film industry there is very fast.

According to China's state-run movie promotion agency, the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, movie ticket sales in China show an annual growth rate of between 20 and 30 percent between 2001 and 2005, while ticket sales jumped to 2.4 billion yuan (273.6 billion won) in 2006, compared with 1.5 billion yuan in 2004.

CGV, Korea's largest multiplex chain, was the first one to tap the Chinese market.
It set up a movie theater in Shanghai in a joint venture with Shanghai Film Group, the leading national film company of China in Oct. 2006.

"Shanghai CGV", the first international advancement of a Korea-based theater brand, is located at Daning In...| More

[UPGRADING KOREAN CULTURE (8)] Foreign artists discuss Korean culture

Source | 2007/04/26 | Permalink |

This is the last in an eight-part series of articles that look into the country's cultural and entertainment sectors and explore ways to help sharpen their competitive edge. - Ed.

Vibrant local movies charm American scholar

Thomas Giammarco, a professor of English at Woosuk University in North Jeolla Province, loves Korean movies. He regularly publishes reviews and articles on Korean films and is also pursuing a doctorate in the subject.

Giammarco, born in North Providence, Rhode Island, started watching Korean films shortly after he arrived in Korea in 1995. His initial purpose was to learn Korean. With a dictionary in hand, he rented videos and found himself enjoying the films even though he could not easily understand them.

A turning point came in early 1996 when he went to a local theater for the first time and watched "The Gingko Bed". A few months later, he watched "A Petal".

Both films deeply impressed him. "I realized for the first time the potential that the fil...| More

KWON Sang-woo in KIM Hae-gon Action Noir

Source | 2007/04/23 | Permalink |

KWON Sang-woo is cast alongside his friend SONG Seung-heon for the upcoming film Sookmyeong (English translation: "Destiny"). The action noir will be helmed by director KIM Hae-gon.

The film will depict four friends dealing with friendship, righteousness and betrayal. KWON will play the lead role, a man whose boundless desires seem to lead towards a catastrophe.

Filming will commence on May 21st and the film is scheduled to be released at the end of this year.

KWON played in last year's romantic comedy "Almost Love" (Cheongchoon Manwha) and YOO ha's critically acclaimed Spirit of Jeet Keun Do: "Once Upon a Time in HighSchool" (Maljookgeori Janhoksa, 2004).

KWON and SONG's friendship started in 2002 while they were acting together in "Make it Big" (Ildan TTwieo). Sookmyeong will be SONG's comeback after three years since his last film "He Was Cool" (Geu Nomeun Meosisseoda).

KIM worked at first as an acclaimed scenario writer and debuted as a director with last year's...| More