Super Junior Hits Big Screen

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Staff Reporter

Super Junior, one of the most popular boy bands in K-pop, is making their big screen debut with the film "Attack on the Pin-Up Boys" this month.

At first glance, the film may seem like another "idol movie" meant to show off the charms of Super Junior's good-looking members, rather than their acting ability.

However, Park Jeong-su, the group's leader who is also known as Leeteuk, said he hopes people would not judge the film as just an "idol movie". "Since we debuted (as a group), we announced we will work not just as singers, but also as MCs and actors. I hope people will get rid of their prejudices a little, and watch us as new actors, not as singers", he said, during the film's press conference at Imperial Palace Hotel in Apgujeong, Thursday.

Since Super Junior is one of most popular groups today, there are a lot of high expectations for the film. The film, with a budget of 850 million won, is the first to be produced by S.M. Entertainment's subsidiary S.M. Pictures.

S.M. Entertainment head Lee Soo-man said the planning for the film took almost three years. "After hearing that Super Junior is starring, a lot of people seem to think that this is an idol movie but this a summer movie for kids. But elementary school students will be able to see some of the middle and high school students' thoughts and for those whose schooldays are past, they will be able to relive it. Despite the title, this is a heartwarming movie", he said.

Twelve out of the 13 Super Junior members were cast in the movie, except for Jo Kyoo-hyeon who is still recuperating from a car accident last April.

Lee Kwon, who directed the film, admitted he was initially worried about working with idol stars. "I felt like a soccer coach as I tried to memorize all of the members' names. At first, I had a lot of worries but it turned out to be like working with my next-door neighbors and a fun experience filming", he said.

Inevitably, the film draws comparisons to past Korean idol films starring H.O.T. and Sechs Kies. Despite their popularity in the late 1990's, H.O.T'.s "Age of Peace" and Sechs Kies' "Seventeen" failed at the box office.

"If the standard idol movies are seen with the view of an adult, this movie is focused on showing their sensibilities as it is. The members are not acting as other characters but bringing out their natural personalities", director Lee said.

Described as a high school comedy-mystery, the film is about three good-looking high school boys played by Choi Si-won, Kim Heechul and Kim Yeong-woon (also known as Kangin), who become the target of attacks.

Kim Ki-bum plays the narrator who sees a pattern of attacks against pretty boys, while Donghae helps him investigate. The rest of the Super Junior members play supporting roles.

Some Super Junior members have had acting experience, such as Choi Si-won who appeared in the film "A Battle of Wits;" Kim Ki-bum who starred in the TV drama "Snow Flower", and Kim Heechul who appeared in "Bad Family".

Attack on the Pin-Up Boys will be shown in theaters on July 26.