The best thing about him, I think, is that even though he’s often impetuous and hot-headed, and nags Sun Hee to get her attention, he’s totally attuned to her emotions. He really hates to see her cry, but it’s not because he’s uncomfortable with tears; it’s that he can’t stand to see her hurting, so he’ll use whatever means he can to distract her. And, so far, it’s worked.
SONG OF THE DAY
Choi Jin Yi - “눈부신 날” (shining days). The new solo single from the lead singer of rock band Rumble Fish. This isn’t my favorite track, but it’s the one that’s popular now. [ Download ]
First, a disclaimer: This movie is probably going to suck.
But, I’m just glad to see Park Jinwoo acting in something again. Not that he’s been completely out of work — he apparently had a role in the sageuk drama Bichunmu, although that series was actually shot four years ago.
But I really liked him in the funny and heartwarming comedy Bad Family (Arrested Development, kdrama-style, sorta), the teen sex romp Dasepo Naughty Girls (even though the movie was kinda meh), and 2004’s My Little Bride as Moon Geun Young’s age-appropriate boyfriend. Oh, and can’t forget him in Nonstop 5. His projects haven’t exactly been artistically challenging, but I’ve always thought he was better than his roles. His comic sense is pretty decent for a guy who could coast by as a mere heartthrob if he wanted; he’s got a willingness to make a fool of himself that I dig (Bad Family). (Although, I’d like to see him take the Kim Hye Sung route and really push himself).
This time he’s starring in a romantic-comedy movie with Park Jung Ah of sexed-up kpop girl group Jewelry, Nal-na-ri jong-bu-jeon [날나리 종부전] (I don’t know a good translation for the title, but it basically means a party girl becoming devoted housewife).
The story involves a materialistic wild child (Park Jung Ah) who’s never met a man whose head she couldn’t turn with her flirty good looks. Then she meets one whose indifference stings her pride (Park Jinwoo) and before you know it, they’re married. One problem: He’s the only son from a rigidly traditional family. Hijinks ensue. (Sounds kind of like Vineyard Man and Bad Couple given the farce treatment.)
The movie had its press conference on May 14 in Seoul and releases on May 22.
SONG OF THE DAY
Jewelry - “One More Time.” I almost feel the need to apologize for posting this overplayed song… but it’s a Park Jung Ah movie and the song’s used in the trailer so… [ Download ]
Currently beginning filming for her upcoming sageuk drama The Painter of Wind, Moon Geun Young displays short hair and a thinner face in newly uploaded pics, which were deliberate changes made for the role (she plays a female artist who must dress as a man to pursue painting). The Painter of Wind airs on SBS in October.
I’m sure most of you have already seen pics of Rain rocking his newly slimmed (10 kg!) chiseled body — achieved through a strict chicken-breast-and-veggie diet — in preparation for his upcoming Ninja Assassin role. But what about this “Chocolate Abs” pic released on the 14th? (Dude, I don’t come up with the names, I just report ‘em.)
Rain is currently in Berlin working on Ninja Assassin, dreaming of samgyupsal (pork belly).
Um. I know it’s hardly accurate to judge a movie based on a 30-second trailer, much less a few photo stills. But, erm, based on these stills of the upcoming action flick G.I. Joe… it looks kinda lame.
Which is too bad, since, as usual, Korean fans are excited about the inclusion of another big-name star (this time actor Lee Byung Heon) in a Hollywood production. And G.I. Joe does boast some well-known Hollywood names, starting with director Stephen Sommers (The Mummy, Van Helsing) and actors Dennis Quaid, Sienna Miller, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Jonathan Pryce, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, and Marlon Wayans.
I was more optimistic about Lee’s chances being cast as Storm Shadow (a ninja assassin with dual loyalties to both Cobra Commander and G.I. Joe) than, say, Rain’s criticized performance in Speed Racer, because Lee Byung Heon has at least distinguished himself more as an actor than Rain. But Rain will get another chance to redeem himself, playing (sigh) a ninja assassin in the upcoming Wachowski brothers production of the same name. Yeah, I know Lee’s role was supposedly changed from Japanese to Korean, but that’s just something to appease the Koreans — to the rest of the world, a ninja is a ninja.
Well, fingers crossed for more successful Hollywood crossovers for Jeon Ji Hyun (Blood: The Last Vampire) as a vampire-hunting warrior and Jang Dong Gun (Laundry Warrior) as an “Asian warrior assassin.”
(Seriously, Hollywood? Are you running down the Asian Stereotype Checklist and all just happened to get stuck in the “warrior assassin” mode? What next? A slew of movies about nerdy Asian scientists who speak Kong-Ching-Japlish (hey, they all sound the same, right?) who decide to engage the world in a new Red Terror and revitalize communism with the help of their doll-faced, subservient women? While acing the SAT, running convenience stores and bemoaning their lesser-endowed sexy parts? ‘Cause… yeah, we are not impressed. And by “we” I mean “me,” but I’m pretty sure also “we.”)
Filming began in February in L.A., and G.I. Joe plans to release in Summer 2009.
But, I’m just glad to see Park Jinwoo acting in something again. Not that he’s been completely out of work — he apparently had a role in the sageuk drama Bichunmu, although that series was actually shot four years ago. 
