Two Guys (Movie - 2004)

[MOVIE REVIEW] New comedy tests Cha's star power

Source | 2008/10/30 | 0 comments | Permalink |

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

Love is no bed of roses in SBS drama

Source | 2008/03/04 | 0 comments | Permalink |

SBS tackles the thorny matter of marriage in its latest drama, "I Love You - 2008", slated to hit the small screen on March 31.

A spin-off of Heo Yeong-man's hit comic book series "I Love You - 2008", SBS's new miniseries keeps it light and fuzzy in what promises to be a bold and cheeky take on the lives of three married couples.

At the press screening held on Feb. 14 at Sangam CGV, reporters and fans were treated to a two-hour sneak peek at this upcoming series.

Judging from the preview, "I Love You - 2008" ventures into risky territory from the get-go -- adultery, divorce, premarital sex and pregnancy, all within two hours, and, with a comic slant.

When asked about the implications of dealing with such serious matters so lightly, Hallyu star Ahn Jae-wook, who will be playing the lead, shrugged it off with a joke or two:

"Contraception ... yes. There is a lot to be careful about", Ahn, 36, said, jokingly referring to the preview, in which his character, Suk Chul-soo, ma...| More

'Avatar: the Legend of Aang' has become the legend

Source | 2007/09/04 | 0 comments | Permalink |

Three Koreans and their remarkable work shook the American animation world. 'Avatar: the Legend of Aang' (also called 'Avatar: The Last Airbender') is an Asian fantasy adventure about a boy who tries to save the world from the ruthless war.

The Avatar series is regarded as the first animated work Korean producers actually participated in producing in partnership with the American creators.

As a request of Nickelodeon television network, Sang-Jin Kim (34), who is nominated for the upcoming Emmy Awards in September, and Jae-Myung Yu (35), who already won the Annie Annual Award last February, produced Avatar with the help of Seung-Hyun Oh (34), field overseer from Nickelodeon, who acted as a connector between Kim and Yu.

This triumvirate was in charge of everything from the very beginning pre-production to the main production, which is the final stage of picturing and photographing.

"I am very proud and also happy at the same time that our animation is recognized by American p...| More

Cha Tae-hyeon tries comic film role - again

Source | 2007/01/18 | 0 comments | Permalink |

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

`Silmido' Tops 25th Blue Dragon Awards

Source | 2004/11/29 | 0 comments | Permalink |

By Kim Tae-jong
Staff Reporter

The blockbuster "Silmido" garnered three prizes _ Best Picture, Best Director and Best Supporting Actor Award _ at the 25th Blue Dragon Awards ceremony, held in Seoul on Tuesday.

At the ceremony held at the Main Hall of the National Theater of Korea in Changchung-dong, Seoul, director Kang Woo-seok was on hand to receive the prizes for his film, a Cold War thriller based on a true story about a suicide commando unit created in the late 1960s to assassinate North Korean leader.

"I never asked actors in my movie to play their role best," said Kang in his acceptance speech on Monday. "All I told them was to take care since it was risky. And now I want to see them all."

Kang is currently filming his next movie "Konggongui Chok 2 (Public Enemy 2)," a sequel for his detective drama starring Seol Kyeong-gu, who also starred in both the original "Public Enemy" as well as "Silmido."

Jang Dong-gun won the best actor award for his role in "Taeguk...| More