Star Power Reigns Big Screen

By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter

This year, a long lineup of star-studded movies, both homegrown and Hollywood imports, awaits release with Korea's hottest stars and bona fide actors gracing the silver screen throughout 2008.

While a high profile cast hasn't always guaranteed a sellout, it would be hard to walk past movie posters featuring top stars.

The New Year starts off with a bang. Jun Ji-hyun (also known as Gianna Jun) makes her long-awaited comeback after a two-year hiatus opposite Hwang Jung-min in ``A Man Who Was Superman,'' to open across theaters Jan. 31.

The movie garnered attention by butchering down Jun's ``wholesome'' image for the role of a chain-smoking, tomboyish filmmaker. Meanwhile, fans are anxious to see how Hwang will pull off his interesting role as an unconventional Superman.

The red poster of ``Hellcats'' features three female stars representing their own generation: 47-year-old actress Lee Mi-suk (``Untold Scandal,'' 2003), whose sex appeal seems to grow stronger with each passing year; 25-year-old fashion icon Kim Min-hee, who appears onscreen for the first time in six years; and 15-year-old Ahn So-hee of the sensational K-pop group Wonder Girls, who is making headlines with her acting debut.

Tracing the highflying romances of these three women, this ultimate ``chick flick'' is slated for release Jan. 17.

A host of films boasting macho star power will be released this year. In March comes ``Nuneneun Nun, Ieneun I'' (Eye for an Eye, Tooth for a Tooth) starring two household names, Han Seok-gyu (``Shiri,'' 1998) and Cha Seung-won (``My Teacher, Mr. Kim,'' 2003). In his 16th film, Han gives an edge to his soft charisma as a merciless cop while Cha pumps up his muscles to play the perfect criminal.

The poster for ``Sukmyeong'' (Destiny) steals women's hearts and provokes men's jealousy as two ``momjjang'' or ``hot body'' actors appear together -- topless. Song Seung-heon makes a big comeback -- after serving in the military -- opposite Kwon Sang-woo in this action-packed drama about a friendship that goes sour.

Director Kim Jee-woon (``A Bittersweet Life,'' 2005) brings a ``Korean-style Western'' movie to the screens starring three of Korea's A-list male celebrities: ``certified'' actor Song Kang-ho, hallyu megastar Lee Byung-hun and heartthrob Jung Woo-sung.

The movie is set in the 1930s, during the Japanese occupation of Korea. Far away in Manchuria, the Good (Jung), the Bad (Lee) and the Weird (Song) become entangled in a train robbery case over a treasure map. This larger than life story becomes even more complicated as Japanese authorities and Korean independence fighters enter the scene.

Another highly anticipated film is ``Ssanghwajeom,'' coming to theaters this summer. It combines the star power of Zo In-sung (``A Dirty Carnival,'' 2006) and Joo Jin-mo (``200 Pounds Beauty,'' 2006). Director Yoo Ha takes the two handsome actors back to Goguryeo Kingdom (37 B.C.-A.D. 668). Zo and Joo play the parts of a king and bodyguard, respectively, who become involved in a homosexual romance.

Other long-awaited films include low-budget projects that still shine with star power. Korea's celebrated director Kim Ki-duk brings together Korea's popular actress Lee Na-young and Japan's heartthrob Jo Odagiri in ``Bimong'' (Sad Dream), which will be in theaters this fall/winter.

Actress Jeon Do-yeon, undoubtedly the biggest headline maker of 2007, continues her post-Cannes acting career through a small, mellow film ``Meotjin Haru'' (One Fine Day, working title), which is also slated for release in the fall/winter.

Filmmaker Park Chan-wook, whose name alone is enough to attract crowds, has fans anxiously waiting with ``Bakjwi'' (Bat, scheduled to show this spring) as well as a ``Hongdangmu'' (Carrot), a film he is producing for the first time.

Meanwhile, Hollywood films starring top Korean talent make 2008 an exciting year for fans: ``Speed Racer'' starring pop star Rain (Jung Ji-hoon) and Joon Park (Park Joon-hyung), a former member of K-pop group G.O.D.; ``Laundry Warrior'' with hot actor Jang Dong-kun (Jang Dong-gun); ``Blood: The Last Vampire'' with Jun Ji-hyun (Gianna Jun); and ``Fetish'' with Song Hye-kyo.

Other big movies to look forward to this summer are the latest installments of Hollywood blockbusters: the 22nd of the James Bond series and the fourth Harrison Ford classic ``Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull'' in May, as well as the Sylvester Stallone-helmed ``Rambo 4'' (release date in Korea to be announced).

hyowlee@koreatimes.co.kr