The high-octane follow-up to the worldwide hit, Red 2 arrives on Blu-ray Combo Pack (plus DVD and Digital HD UltraViolet), DVD (plus Digital Ultraviolet), Video On Demand and Pay-Per-View on November 26 from Summit Entertainment, a Lionsgate Company. The film will be available on Digital HD two weeks early on November 12. Bruce Willis (The Expendables) stars as retired black-ops CIA agent Frank Moses, who must reunite his unlikely team of elite operatives to take on a new set of enemies on a mission that is "smart, sexy and packs a wallop!"(AM New York). Featuring an outstanding all-star cast including John Malkovich (Burn After Reading), Mary-Louise Parker (Showtime's Weeds), with Anthony Hopkins (Thor) and Helen Mirren (The Queen), Red 2 proves the best never rest.
Retired black-ops CIA agent Frank Moses (Willis) and his team set out on a global quest to track down a missing, next-generation lethal device that can change the balance of world power. To succeed, they'll need to survive an army of relentless assassins, ruthless terrorists and power-crazed government officials, all eager to get their hands on the technologically advanced super weapon. Outgunned and outmanned, they have only their cunning wits, old-school skills and each other to rely on as they try to save the world - and stay alive in the process.
The Red 2 Blu-ray Disc and DVD bonus materials include "The Red 2 Experience," an in-depth look at the film's characters, weapons, spy gadgets and stunts, as well as deleted scenes and a gag reel and will be available for the suggested retail price of $39.99 and $29.95, respectively.
Blu-ray/DVD Special Features:
"The Red 2 Experience" behind-the-scenes featurette
Deleted Scenes
Gag Reel
Red 2 was released July 19th, 2013 and stars Bruce Willis, John Malkovich, Mary-Louise Parker, Helen Mirren, Anthony Hopkins, Byung-hun Lee, Jong Kun Lee, Catherine Zeta-Jones. The film is directed by Dean Parisot.
The period film in Korean cinema has been an unpopular and outdated genre until only recently. Back in the 1960s, during Korean cinema’s golden age, the genre was very active, featuring diverse personas and settings from the past. However, the recycling of similar narratives and endless remakes eventually burned out the genre, resulting in a loss of audience. Along with the burnout of the genre, another factor for its downfall was a budgetary issue. To produce a well-made period film, a huge budget is a must, which became one of the reasons for movie studios to turn their back on the genre. To meet historical details, the basic producing cost of building sets and making costumes could easily reach KRW 10 billon (USD 10 million). Controversial perspectives on historical facts and events could also bring risk to commercial films, resulting in another important reason why this genre was avoided.
Things have clearly changed today. With an average viewing rate of 42.4%, The Moon Embracing the Sun, one of the last year’s TV series, became a huge hit, announcing that the period drama has now become a rising star both in TV and cinema in terms of viewer ratings and box office profits. The prosperity of this genre can be proved by numbers. The PARK Hae-il starring action movie War of the Arrows, released in August 2011, reached 7.45 million accumulated viewers, and KIM Dai-seung’s (Bungee Jumping of Their Own, 2001; Traces of Love, 2006) low budget period film The Concubine sold 2.6 million tickets, turning out to be a veritable sleeper that hardly anybody saw coming. The Grand Heist, a period film featuring CHA Tae-hyun, almost topped five million viewers. Most outstandingly, the LEE Byung-hun film Masquerade became the biggest hit ever among period films in Korean cinema. Directed by CHOO Chang-min of Mapado (2005) and Lost in Love (2006), Masquerade attracted 12.3 million spectators, ranking at the third place in the all time Korean box office chart between The Thieves and Miracle in Cell No. 7.
There are certain keywords to explain this unprecedented prosperity of period films in Korean cinema today. They are “fusion” and “faction.” While, in the past, period films were limited within a traditional generic framework, the 21st century version of this genre cleverly blends with other genres such as the thriller, medical drama, comedy, fantasy and so on. Furthermore, historical events and personas are freely adjusted and updated, resulting in totally new stories and characters. Moreover, projection of modern issues and modern perspectives in the narrative avoid the stereotype of the boring period film.
Dealing with Seobinggo, the traditional freezer of Joseon Dynasty, The Grand Heist successfully appealed to the 21st century’s viewership thanks to the narrative of modern class struggle which eventually punishes the ruling class, and the ‘multi-casting’ of diverse characters. In addition, featuring a controversial historical figure Kwang-hae-gun, Masquerade questioned the virtues of a leader and blended into the real life political agendas of the presidential and parliamentary elections, resulting in big issues outside of the movie house as well. In the meantime, The Concubine appealed to audiences with its unclear narrative background. While the audience accepts the background setting in a period film as a fact, fusion and faction in the drama stretched audience’s imagination even further.
The period film craze marches on. With The Face Reader, to be released on September 11th, a number of KRW 10 billion budget period films are lined up for the coming seasons. The Face Reader is among the most awaited films in the second half of this year. Its scenario won the grand-prix at the KOEIC scenario awards in 2010. Directed by HAN Jae-rim, seven years since his last film, whose previous works include Rules of Dating (2005) and The Show Must Go On (2007), The Face Reader is a drama set in the 15th century, featuring a genius physiognomist trying to change the destiny of Joseon, his motherland. This film deals with the dramatic ups and downs of this face reading specialist, who found himself in the middle of a historical bouleversement, and his fatherly love, along with diverse personas and their different desires.
To be sure, the high anticipation towards this film has certainly to do with the casting, presenting a wonderful ensemble of greatly celebrated actors. Nae-gyong, the main character, is played by none other than SONG Kang-ho, known to be the most reliable actor in Korean cinema today, who starred in Memories of Murder (2003), The Host (2006), Secret Reunion (2010) and most recently in Snowpiercer. Also, LEE Jung-jae and KIM Hye-soo from The Thieves (2012), the second most profitable Korean film ever with almost 13 million viewers, now again co-star in The Face Reader, as the ambitious Suyang Daegun aiming at the throne and Yeon-hong the geisha. Furthermore, BAEK Yoon-shik from Tazza: the High Rollers (2006) and The Taste of Money plays the historical figure Kim Jong-seo, adding to the dramatic impact of the film. Two promising rookies, JO Jung-suk (Architecture 101, Almost Che) and LEE Jong-suk (As One, Soar into the Sun) play Nae-gyong’s brother in law ‘Pang-hun’ and Nae-gyong’s son ‘Jin-hyung’, respectively.
The list of promising period films in progress looks endless. It seems as if the big players in Korean cinema are all exclusively working on the period film genre. Showbox Mediaplex Ltd, The Face Reader’s producer and distributor, is planning on two additional period films with The Huntresses and Kundo: Age of the Rampant through this year and the next. The Huntresses, featuring HA Ji-won and KANG Ye-won, aims to be a “character comedy period film.” With director YOON Jong-bin (Nameless Gangster) and star HA Jung-woo collaborating again, Kundo: Age of the Rampant has already become a newsmaker during its pre-production stage, as it is also GANG Dong-won’s (Woochi, 2009; Haunters, 2010) first work since his army dismissal. It takes place in the 10th year of King Chul-jong of Joseon when corruption in the government and abject poverty in the people reached their peaks, featuring a group of thieves who were on the people’s side and struggled to help them get by.
CJ Entertainment, behind The Berlin File and Snowpiercer, is working on Battle Of Myeongryang, featuring CHOI Min-shik, RYU Seung-ryong. It is the fourth film of KIM Han-min (whose filmography includes 2007’s Paradise Murdered and War of Arrows). It is a blockbuster presenting the great battle of Myeongryang with Admiral YI Soon-shin, who defeated Japanese invaders in 1597 with only 13 vessels, which was merely one tenth of his opponents’ fleet.
Lotte Shopping Lotte Entertainment Ltd. of The Terror, LIVE is getting as many as three KRW 10 billion won budget costume dramas ready for 2014. Memories of the Sword has already become a newsmaker by featuring LEE Byung-hun and JEON Do-yeon. It is a martial arts movie presenting the best swordwoman in Goryeo Dynasty, Seol-lang (played by JEON Do-yeon), and Duk-gi (LEE Byung-hun) from the lowest class, who is nonetheless aiming at the throne. It is to be directed by PARK Heung-sik of My Mother, the Mermaid (2004) and Bravo, My Life (2005).
Pirates (working title), which can be easily referenced as a Korean version of Pirates of the Caribbean, features KIM Nam-gil and SON Ye-jin and presents a story of a woman pirate and a bandit, going after a whale which has swallowed the royal seal of Ming. It is the fourth film of LEE Seok-hoon, whose filmography includes Dancing Queen and Two Faces of My Girlfriend (2007). TV mini-series director LEE Jae-kyu, whose TV works include Damo (The Undercover Lady Detective) and The King 2 Hearts, will attempt a screen debut with King’s Wrath, a thriller costume drama taking place around the assassin of King Jeong-jo in Joseon. The film will feature HYUN Bin, JUNG Jae-young and JO Jung-suk.
A woman fell in love after meeting a man. They promised to marry. They promised to become the most reliable ‘lighthouse’ in each other’s lives, setting sail together. Although this is an event that could happen to anyone, upon listening to Lee Min Jung’s love story, it seems like an illusion where only these two people in the whole world would promise to marry after falling in love. No matter how magnificent and grand the wedding ceremony was, no matter how loud their world became after the media spotlight shone on them, Lee Min Jung and Lee Byung Hun’s love is just theirs alone. That’s the aspect that has people envious of this beautiful couple.
The woman who replied “Yes” bashfully to the question of whether to pledge her marriage rolled her eyes. Without even knowing that the screen was closing in on her own expressions, she tilted her head and her lips wavered. Her smile exploded all over the place. It was just ten minutes ago that this woman was walking down the “virgin road”. The delightful energy that she wasn’t able to contain is her true color. It’s not possible to conceal her sensitivity, even in a famous wedding that unfolds dramatically as if one is watching a documentary. The woman with that kind of sensitivity calmly spoke. She said that she wanted to create a project that could become a memory so that one day she could revisit the memory as if she opened a page of a book. She even came up with ideas and did calligraphy. What is a reminiscence that becomes a memory to an actress? It couldn’t possibly be the feelings of a character that they experienced in a production. The item that Elle is paying attention to is the sensitivity of the woman about to get married. It’s not the kind of sensitivity that causes one to toss and turn, but it’s the view of letting one’s body flow along life’s natural stream. With a flashback, this story turns around and goes upstream. Looking back on the memories of the love where one salivates as if desiring Dutch coffee, Lee Min Jung is asked about the first time she met top star Lee Byung Hun and their first date, starting with her memories of breaking up.
Do you remember your interview with Elle back in 2010 when Cyrano Dating Agency premiered? You said “However, if an actor got married, wouldn’t their level of immersion fall if they were to say that they were someone else’s person?”
Back when Cyrano opened in theaters, I was severely attacked with questions such as “Have you ever broken up with someone?”, “Have you ever been dumped?”, “Have you parted ways with someone?” and the like. At the time, I had broken up with Lee Byung Hun, so I was thinking of him when talking. I first met him in 2006, as it was the first time I entered a dating agency, and he asked if I wasn’t pleased with this line of work. I asked “Do I have to do this?” Although there are people who would believe that meeting a top star while one is just a rookie would be a benefit to their career, I was against it when looking at my own situation. Even after breaking up with him, he was still an actor racing towards the top, and since I was in the middle of paving my own path as an actress, it was a time when the thought “Us meeting isn’t an actor meeting with an actress” sprouted in my mind.
I’ve seen articles where Lee Byung Hun stated the reason for breaking up at that time was that “It felt like I was blocking the path of a friend who had a lot of things that she wanted to do.”
After experiencing the job of an actor, during times when I’m being knocked over by many people, there has to be one person to embrace me. It was at a time when I thought it would be difficult for the other person if he was living a life where many people were also knocking him down. After we separated, I intentionally strived to pick projects where I wouldn’t be linked with him, so I became immersed into the time that only belonged to myself.
How long did you meet the first time?
It was a little over a year. We matched well to the point where it was amazing, seeing as the two of us couldn’t stop talking when we were together. It’s not good if two adults who are the opposite sex talk so much, and there was even time when we lived together, expressing ourselves through words was even more difficult, but that was about seven-eight years ago, and due to me being young, it was like he was my first love. He communicated well, he was kind, and more than anything else, he was a person that I could learn a lot from. Even after we broke up, his after image didn’t linger around me. Those memories were always inside me as being beautiful, and those experiences from that time became help to me throughout my life as an actress.
The thought of gaining a senior who can suggest a direction in your life as opposed to gaining a husband must have gone through your mind.
There’s also that aspect. However, dating and marriage starts with the relationship between a man and a woman. Although Byung Hun is an amazing role model as an actor, we have only talked about his good qualities (laughs). Honestly, in our everyday life, I’m more of a “societal senior” to him. Byung Hun didn’t spend much time as a normal person, so everyday things like restaurant reservations, meeting with a group of friends, doing busywork at the post office and bank, and stuff like shopping is where I’m vastly superior to him. Looking at it like that, I’m thinking of what my father once told me.
What did he talk about?
When I first told him I’m going to stand on the path of becoming an actress, he said “If you’re an actress, everything will be fine if you gain fame. But is it okay if you become a person who doesn’t even spit (on others) once while traveling down that path?” and “You may become a person who cannot even go around by yourself socially, and become a person in that anyone who has only assisted you may become a social obstacle.” Upon actually experiencing this life, my father’s words were correct. At the time, there wasn’t even an occurrence where I spat (on others), but I could have become such a person due to my circumstances, and it’s a fact that as my face was becoming more known, I couldn’t be free. I have only lived this kind of life for around seven years where someone like Lee Byung Hun has lived this kind of life for over twenty years, so the gap between normal life and with normal people is closer with me than it is to him. When it comes to doing movies, Byung Hun is a bit more maniacal whereas I have the preferences that the general public has. Even when he read the scenario for “Masquerade”, he said “This is going to be amazing,” uttering a remark as if this was the perfect project for him.
Do you remember your first date?
Of course I do. I even remember the first thing he said. Through a friend’s introduction, we first saw each other for dinner, having our first date then. As soon as we met, he said something like “Due to seeing you from a bright spot, you’re a dark circle!” Ah, as the back of my neck was becoming numb, I broke out into a cold sweat and even my face became red and flustered, so all I could utter was “Huh?”
Your anxiety must have been alleviated due to the joke.
On the contrary, I became even more nervous. Due to me being timid on the inside, I went home and thought about the “dark circle” for a long time. I even thought “I have to cover this” while reciting to myself “It’s not that extreme…” (Laughs)
At the time, you two must have mainly dated inside a car.
It was a time when no one knew who I was, so we could even go to a chophouse. He wasn’t able to even eat a meal at ease as I looked at him, but despite that, I thought he was a very awesome actor with a personality where he would shamelessly make such a situation happy. Back then and even today he has that same easy going charm. He has these Nike training pants that he always wears when he goes out. I ask him “Aren’t you wearing that too often?” when he’s leaving the house and pulling up to the house in his car, but on days when filming ends, he shows up in a suit with a tie. I still remember how hard my heart was beating because it was as if he just met another celebrity. (Laughs) Last year after admitting our relationship, the most exciting thing was that we could go to our “it place”. Why can’t actors want to dress themselves up as handsome or pretty and date in a public area? Then again, those training pants…Haha.
When you two revealed that you were dating, were you rather relieved?
It wasn’t just that. Just like our conversation when Cyrano opened in theaters, if one actor meets another, the after image of the partner is lingering, so as an actress, I felt like I gained the responsibility of having to do homework. Despite that, there are a lot of actors and seniors who are able to complete that task well, so I received a lot of consolation from people. Thankfully our country’s citizens’ awareness is changing a lot, so there are many people who can differentiate our work from our private lives. I certainly think now is the time to become stronger, even if there were many distressful days when we acknowledged our relationship. I may even change into “Grouchy Smurf” this year (Laughs).
Did you even have the hunch that you would marry this man when you two decided to start seeing each other again?
Byung Hun is surprising in that he doesn’t have any romantic ideas about marriage. Don’t all women have romantic ideas about marriage and the wedding dress that they want to wear? In some aspects, I lack the womanly detail. I think it’s very cool that Lee Hyori said that she would have a wedding without a ceremony. I wanted to do that, but I thought that living together is important as well as having formalities. However, Byung Hun expected to work for quite a while, so instead of doing what he liked, he’s the type of person with the etiquette to think of others first. He gathered that it would be difficult to have a ceremony with only the families at the exclusion of friends, so he prepared for it.
It made a lot of sweet sense that we did not have much of Lee Byung Hun & Lee Min Jung sighting before August 10. Nothing beats the heartwarming anticipation of finally seeing the lovely couple walking together hand-in-hand for the first time, huh. A gorgeous, sexy and attractive couple on their wedding day with endless treat to behold! That's what it was.
Finally Lee Byung Hun is no longer the eligible bachelor but a husband to the lovely and utterly-girlish Minjung whose shyness just radiates brightly. Yet, it's her pure unabashed adoration for Byunghun that totally captivates and calms even the most cynical. Such a pleasure seeing the love in their eyes as they catch glances of each other basked in absolute pride. Pictorial that was revealed just before and after the wedding especially showed the deep adoration they have for each other.
True to their own hearts, Byunghun & Minjung planned their wedding the way they wanted it -- without any sponsorship as usually favored by most celebrities & companies. Everything were paid by themselves and personally planned the way the couple wanted their day to be An intimate and very private ceremony for family and friends, even for the fans as Byunghun had personally came out to address those warmly cheering to congratulate him on the special day.
Following a 7-day honeymoon in the Maldives, fans were treated to captures of the newlyweds returning looking so relaxed and in couple-mode. They may not be a sensationalized couple from any Kdramas but the sweetest compatible pairing you'll ever get. Please check our compilation for updates, photos, clips and tidbits of the wedding.
Rewinding a little bit, after appearing on Healing Camp in March, Byunghun-ssi appeared on SBS CulTwo Radio Show -- something he had not done before but slowly opening up. What fans didn't expect during the laughter and easy-going interview was that Byunghun had a panic attack which no one knew happening till after. Be strong, dear BH.. don't give up, never give in.
Prior to the wedding, RED 2 had proven a charm for Lee Byung Hun at the Korean box-office. Opening at number 1 for two weeks in a row, RED 2 achieved the highest-grossing Hollywood movie for LBH in Korea thus making it the best foreign opening for the movie. He had the best time at the LA Premiere which coincided with his 43rd birthday. As the youngest cast, the Producer and cast of RED 2 threw a special celebration for the birthday boy. How cool was that. Not only Byunghun made his father's wish to be an actor (albeit only in name) came true.. he was highly-praised and so loved by his RED 2 family. Dir. Dean loved BH's cussing ideas for the movie, Bruce Willis can't stop mentioning him on Jimmy Fallon show, John Malkovich warmly wished Byunghun on his birthday, Dame Helen Mirren adored BH in Masquerade.. while Producer Lorenzo Bonaventura, of course.. just loves him.
Neither good or bad commercially, RED 2 critically, had marked a notch up in LBH's Hollywood feature. Hopefully.. this will open up more flexibility in the Hollywood limited focus to see an actor who's actually good at his craft and not just another business prospect & profit magnet. Please check out the HAN Review for feedback of LBH's performance in the movie.
There's a surprise during the RED 2 (Red The Legend) VIP screening in Seoul. Minjung-ssi appeared with a little red handbag in support of her sweetheart's movie premiere. It's the first public appearance by MJ for BH and such a cool treat indeed. Come to think of it, LMJ have been sporting fiery red Valentino dress at her drama press conference in April. Coincidence much.. we guess not!
Nonetheless, the thoroughbred Korean film actor he is, Byunghun finally decided his next project in Korea. Hurrah! Soon to appear in another period piece 'Hyeopyeo: Memories of the Sword' after the highly-acclaimed Gwanghae the year before. Not only that a reunion with the famed actress Jeon Do Yeon who was LBH's co-star in Harmonium in My Memory. The teacher is re-uniting with his student after 14 years and he's so looking forward to it. And so are we!
In another unexpected update, seems that Byunghun's Rubeurs homepage had recently been wonderfully revamped with updated goodies and most importantly giving out a much friendlier vibe. We sure hope it'll always be that way, for the fans. The never-seen-before childhood photos were truly a treat. So, check it out!
As we learn more about Lee Min Jung through Lee Byung Hun's eyes, fans are enchanted with the lovely woman in his heart. As a little appreciation, we've set up a couple thread: Byunghun & Minjung at soompi forum -- one that's like no other. Simply because it's not a fictional imaginary Kdrama couple but a truly special & loving real couple.
What a treat by ELLE Korea, with the August issue featuring the RED Affair Pictorial of RED 2 co-stars, Lee Byung Hun and Catherine Zeta-Jones filmed in Beverly Hills. Followed by a feature of Mrs. Lee Byung Hun herself, a wonderful recollection how Byunghun & Minjung met.
As the most adorable bride, ELLE Korea had featured the lovely Minjung in its special September issue with an interesting interview "When A Woman Loves A Man." What a great interview to read courtesy the translation at Hallyu Interview
Both Byunghun and Minjung are getting endorsements even after they're married. A new Bullsone contract for BH as the voice & model starting August while Minjung taking over the Vincis Bench 2013 Campaign even before her wedding. Who says getting married is bad-luck for celebrity endorsements?
Byunghun on his first post-wedding appearance, attended the E-Land WAPOP press conference in relation to promoting Hallyu tourism among fans and tourists. Not only that, he's also been appointed the PR Ambassador for AFCI to be held in South Korea. A true film actor for an international film conference. The perfect pick.
As now September is finally here, the filming of 'Hyeopyeo' will crank-in. BH and MJ will be back working with more offerings for the fans to look forward to.
We would like to wish both Byunghun and Minjung all the love & all the best in everything.
On a similar note, EveythingLBH.com will be 3 years old this October. We will work harder too, with your encouragement.
The high-octane follow-up to the worldwide hit, Red 2 arrives on Blu-ray Combo Pack (plus DVD and Digital HD UltraViolet), DVD (plus Digital Ultraviolet), Video On Demand and Pay-Per-View on November 26 from Summit Entertainment, a Lionsgate Company. The film will be available on Digital HD two weeks early on November 12. Bruce Willis (The Expendables) stars as retired black-ops CIA agent Frank Moses, who must reunite his unlikely team of elite operatives to take on a new set of enemies on a mission that is "smart, sexy and packs a wallop!"(AM New York). Featuring an outstanding all-star cast including John Malkovich (Burn After Reading), Mary-Louise Parker (Showtime's Weeds), with Anthony Hopkins (Thor) and Helen Mirren (The Queen), Red 2 proves the best never rest.
Retired black-ops CIA agent Frank Moses (Willis) and his team set out on a global quest to track down a missing, next-generation lethal device that can change the balance of world power. To succeed, they'll need to survive an army of relentless assassins, ruthless terrorists and power-crazed government officials, all eager to get their hands on the technologically advanced super weapon. Outgunned and outmanned, they have only their cunning wits, old-school skills and each other to rely on as they try to save the world - and stay alive in the process.
The Red 2 Blu-ray Disc and DVD bonus materials include "The Red 2 Experience," an in-depth look at the film's characters, weapons, spy gadgets and stunts, as well as deleted scenes and a gag reel and will be available for the suggested retail price of $39.99 and $29.95, respectively.
Blu-ray/DVD Special Features:
"The Red 2 Experience" behind-the-scenes featurette
Deleted Scenes
Gag Reel
Red 2 was released July 19th, 2013 and stars Bruce Willis, John Malkovich, Mary-Louise Parker, Helen Mirren, Anthony Hopkins, Byung-hun Lee, Jong Kun Lee, Catherine Zeta-Jones. The film is directed by Dean Parisot.
[by Joy Kim] Winners of 49th Daejong Film Awards, Lee Byung hun and Cho Min soo have become honorary ambassadors of 50th Daejong Flilm Awards.
According to the Daejong Film Awards Committee, two top actors, Lee Byung hun and Cho Min soo who are also winners for the Best actor award and the Best Actress Award at 49th Daejong Film Awards are appointed as honorary ambassadors.
From the press release, the committee said “Two actors have been proud faces of 49th Daejong Film Awards. Also they been showing great performances and acting skills in not only Korea but all across Asia and more. They are now one of the top Korean actors and enhanced the status of Korean movie industry. So we think they are the perfect fit for the honorary ambassadors.”
Two actors will attend the appointment ceremony on September 10 at Grand Hyatt Seoul, Yongsangu, Seoul at first press conference of the 50th Daejong Film Award.
Meanwhile, the 50th Daejong Film Award will be held from November 1 at KBS Hall, Yeoido, Seoul and will be on broadcast live on KBS 2TV. (photo by Daejong Film Award Committee PR team) Last edited by katt on 9-9-2013 04:54 PM
The first press conference for the upcoming ‘50th Grand Bell Awards’ was held on September 10th at Seoul’s Grand Hyatt Hotel, and also saw the appointment of actor Lee Byung Hun and actress Jo Min Su as honorary ambassadors of the awards ceremony.
The ‘Grand Bell Awards’ is an awards ceremony that is presented annually by the Motion Pictures Association of Korea for excellence in film in South Korea. It is ushering in its 50th year since its inception way back in 1962.
Lee Byung Hun and Jo Min Su walked away with the Best Actor and Best Actress awards respectively at last year’s ceremony, so they naturally became the honorary ambassadors for this year.
The ‘Grand Bell Awards’ film committee expressed, “Lee Byung Hun and Jo Min Su were the faces of the ‘49th Grand Bell Awards’, so we decided to use them as our honorary ambassadors for this year’s awards ceremony. They have been showing great performances in film, while also seeking to better themselves in new unfamiliar roles at the same time. They have also done well in not only promoting Korean film culture in South Korean and Asia, but also to the whole world. They have greatly raised the profile of Korean films globally, and they are undoubtedly the perfect candidates to promote our awards ceremony this year.”
The ‘50th Grand Bell Awards’ will be held on November 11th from 7PM (KST) at KBS Hall at Seoul’s Yeouido, and the awards ceremony will be carried live through KBS 2TV.
Actor Lee Byung-hun of Hollywood film “Red 2” and the “G.I. Joe” series was appointed as an honorary ambassador to promote the 50th Daejong Film Awards this year, along with actress Cho Min-soo of the movie “Pieta,” which received a Golden Lion prize at the Venice Film Festival last year.
At the press conference yesterday, located at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Hannam-dong, central Seoul, the organizer said that the two are perfect for the position as they have contributed in spreading awareness of the Korean movie industry across the world.
“In the past 50 years, the awards have witnessed the history of Korea’s movie scene,” said Lee. “To have another momentum to go for another 50 years, I wish I can contribute in making more prestigious movie festival.”
International icons
Actors Lee Byung-hun and Cho Min-soo being introduced as honorary ambassadors for the 50th Daejong (Grand Bell) Film Awards at a press conference yesterday in the Grand Hyatt Hotel, Hannam-dong, central Seoul. The two were chosen for their strong international standing - Lee has starred in such Hollywood films as “Red 2” and the “G.I. Joe” film series, while Cho was featured in award-winning movie “Pieta.” [NEWSIS]
Lee Byung-hun, Cho Min-soo Named as the PR Ambassadors of the 50th Daejong Film Awards
Lee Eun Hee: Sister-in-law, Lee Min Jung always pleasant & fun to be with
Source: Naver l thanks to mistymorning for the gist
Lee Byung Hun's sister, Lee Eun Hee in the KBS2 program "Full of Confidence" on Wednesday mentioned about her new sister-in-law, actress Lee Min Jung.
LEH stated that she hasn't seen much of LMJ after the wedding as the latter have been very busy. Furthermore, Lee Min Jung is currently abroad for a photoshoot. Lee Eun Hee also said that they would probably meet after Chuseok and that Lee Min Jung is really fun to be with.
Lee Byung Hun's Sister Talks About Sister-In-Law Lee Min Jung
Lee Byung Hun’s sister Lee Eun Hee opens up about her celebrity sister-in-law Lee Min Jung.
On September 12, she appeared as a guest on KBS’s talking program “Yeo Yoo Man Man” along with other previous Miss Korea’s turned actresses Kwon Min Jung and Jung So Ra.
When asked how she felt about being called “Lee Byung Hun’s younger sister,” she responded, “People kept calling me by that. I was upset at first, but I’m used to it by now and it’s the truth. I’m comfortable to the point that now I would bring it up first and introduce myself as his younger sister.”
The MCs asked her about Lee Min Jung, who recently got married to Lee Byung Hun. She answered, “I’ve barely seen her so far [since the wedding]. It’s a shame. She’s currently out of the country for filming and I think we’ll be able to see more of each other after Chuseok.”
MC Jo Young Gu asked, “Doesn’t Lee Min Jung have quite a nice personality?” Lee Eun Hee answered, “She has such a nice and cheerful personality.”
The influence of Hallyu stars just keeps growing, with Korean directors, actors and dramas beginning to make inroads into not only Asian but also European and American markets.
Thanks to the increasing international availability of Korean dramas and films, this year may earn Korean actors and directors more attention and praise than ever before.
Director Bong Joon Ho's English language debut film "Snowpiercer," which stars a global cast of Tilda Swinton, Song Kang Ho, Jamie Bell and Ed Harris, has garnered international attention, highlighting his work and also that of other Korean directors.
A review in Variety called the film, "An enormously ambitious, visually stunning and richly satisfying futuristic epic from the gifted Korean genre director Bong Joon Ho."
The names of Korean actors are also becoming better known in Europe and America. Perhaps the best recognized name at the moment is actor Lee Byung Hun, who in the past year has appeared in two Hollywood blockbusters, "G.I. Joe: Retaliation" and "Red 2." He won praise for his acting skills in "Red 2" from co-stars Bruce Willis and Helen Mirren.
Mirren described the Korean superstar as a "brilliant actor with a gorgeous body."
Willis described him as the "Korean Frank Sinatra. He is an action star that is talented in many different fields."
Lee Byung Hun's film "Masquerade" was chosen to be the closing film for this summer's London Korean film festival.
Actress Bae Doo Na has already had a few roles outside Korea but recently she had a starring role as the clone Sonmi 451 in the film "Cloud Atlas." Before that she played a political activist in Park Chan Wook's "Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance" and an archer in Bong Joon Ho's "The Host." She also played an inflatable sex doll in the Japanese film "Air Doll."
Now actor Choi Min Sik joins the ranks of Korean stars to go international, by appearing in his first non-Korean film. He will act in French director Luc Besson's film "Lucy," which stars Scarlett Johansson and Morgan Freeman. Choi, who starred in the film "Old Boy," has been getting international offers since 2003 but this is the first one he accepted.
Singing star BoA made a Hollywood film this year before ever acting in a Korean one. She starred in the dance film "Make Your Move 3D" and will soon be seen in her first kdrama "Expect Dating."
Chinese and Japanese films and dramas have long employed Korean actors. They have filled roles in 20 Chinese dramas in the last decade, with the list of actors including Kim So Eun, Lee Tae Ran and Yoon Si Yoon.
What do you think about Korean stars and directors being recognized internationally? Should they appear in more international productions or stick to Korean films and dramas?
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