Actor Daniel Henney

By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter

Actor Daniel Henney, 27, is receiving media attention back home in the United States for his portrayal of a man adopted by an American couple in the film ``My Father,'' which continues to rank high in the local box office.

The Michigan native has given interviews to the Associated Press, broadcaster ABC TV and film magazine Screen International. ABC expressed much interest in the model-turned actor's hallyu star status and unique cultural background, as well as possible advances to Hollywood.

Born to an English father and an American mother who is an adoptee from Korea, Henney shot to instant stardom here through the phenomenal hit drama ``My Name is Kim Sam Soon'' (2005, MBC). After gaining popularity in Japan and South Asian countries, the TV series is now airing in Israel.

Henney showed he's more than just a pretty face through ``My Father.'' He gives a surprising performance as an adoptee who returns to Korea to trace his roots, only to discover that his biological father, his only surviving birth family, is none other than a death row inmate. He shows that love can flow upstream from a child to a parent as he learns to forgive, accept and love his father.

AP's coverage on international adoption focuses on the movie's realistic portrayal of the subject matter, and conducted a telephone interview with the film's director Hwang Dong-hyuk, who was hitherto known for short films in international circles. An interview with Aaron Bates, the man whose true story inspired the movie, is in progress.

Screen International's article on Henney will be published at the end of the month.

hyowlee@koreatimes.co.kr