Kang Ji-hwan and So Ji-sub’s action movie A Movie Is A Movie (or Rough Cut, 영화는 영화다) has been named by film critics and arts reviewers as the top film of the past year.

This comes out of the 2009 list of “Writer-Selected Films of Today,” chosen by a group of 100 arts writers and movie critics who came up with a list of 22 recommendations. Fourteen of the films are Korean, while eight are foreign. A Movie Is A Movie, by director Jang Hoon, was named top pick.

See the full list of films below the cut.
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Read the rest of A Movie Is A (writer’s) Movie (311 words)

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Post tags: A Movie Is a Movie, awards, Kang Ji-hwan, So Ji-sub

The 28th Critics Choice Awards, presented by the Association of Korean Film Critics, awarded its top honors on November 5. The film A Movie Is a Movie (or Rough Cut), starring So Ji-sub and Kang Ji-hwan (above), was the big winner of the night, pulling in three awards total, two for its lead actors and one for its director.

Su Ae also added to her stash of awards for the Vietnam War-period film You’re Far Away, while Kim Ki-duk’s latest film Dream (Bimong) was also honored.

We can expect more awards ceremonies to come in the coming months, with each drama station putting on its respective ceremonies as well as the Blue Dragon Awards, among others.

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Read the rest of 28th Critics Choice Awards names its top honors (346 words)

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Post tags: A Movie Is a Movie, awards, Kang Ji-hwan, Kim Ki-duk, So Ji-sub, Su Ae

So Ji-sub returns to MVs after three and a half years since his last one (ballad singer Jo Sung-mo’s “Mr. Flower”). This time he’s appearing in the music video for the digital single “고독한 인생” (Isolated life) by ”G” (mp3 posted below). The track was released online on August 13.

Part of the interest in the “G project” is that it doesn’t refer to a single artist, but rather intends to become a “brand,” meaning different artists and groups will release albums under the “brand G”; some of the other artists include Banana Girl, Color Purple, and Color Pink. Furthermore, “G” is also the name for the unknown hip-hop artist behind the song, who remains something of a mystery — neither his true name or background has been released in accordance with the “teaser marketing” surrounding his promotional activities.

(Oh, brother. More Zia-esque manufactured madness? Marketing gimmicks, I tire of you. Plus, I don’t get all this kpop-industry cross-promoting confusion — shouldn’t this multiple-artist format make “G” a label, not a project album/group? Whatevs.)

The MV is directed by the same director (Jo Soo-hyun) behind videos for Big Bang, Rain, Jewelry and Seo In-young; the song is written and produced by J@TRAX, who’s produced for artists like Rain and kpop newbs Mighty Mouth.

Apparently there are three versions of the music video in total, to be released in due time. This is the first of them, which includes scenes from So Ji-sub’s upcoming movie with Kang Ji-hwan, A Movie Is a Movie.

Via Segye.com

G and Amazing Soul – “고독한 인생 ” (Isolated life) [ Download ]

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Post tags: A Movie Is a Movie, music videos, So Ji-sub

So Ji-sub and Kang Ji-hwan pose on press day (August 12) for upcoming movie A Movie Is A Movie (directed by Jang Hoon for Kim Ki-duk Films).

Well, they sure showed up in character. But with two such intense actors, I suppose that ought to be no surprise. I wish I could LIKE what either is wearing, but I’m content enough to stare anyway.

This is Kang Ji-hwan’s big-screen debut — the two actors are the same age, but Kang explains, “When I debuted, So Ji-sub was already a big star, so I felt a strong sense of rivalry with him. With the two characters being antagonists in the film itself, and considering that on location we would be co-lead actors more than friends, it would be a lie to say I didn’t feel any rivalry.”

He explains that this is because he’d felt a burden when first finding out he’d be acting opposite So Ji-sub. “I was playing the role of the star actor, but when we first met, I could feel that he was more star-like. But as we filmed, every time a scene ended I’d look on the monitor and get the sense of how dignified he was. I’ve worked in various projects with many senior actors and teachers, but this is the first time I’ve felt that dignified feeling from a colleague.”

So Ji-sub likewise praised his co-star, saying, “When we first met, I felt a little awkward, but Kang Ji-hwan treated me well, even occasionally bringing me drinks of ginseng and honey that he’d mixed himself. He’s a very detailed and subtle person.” Kang returned, laughingly, that it was a habit that arose after working with lots of female co-stars and looking after them: “In an action film, we need to take good care of our bodies, and your co-star’s condition has to be the best for you to act well.”

In the movie, Kang’s character is a spoiled, famous actor who hits his co-star for real while filming (presumably by accident), sending him to the hospital. In the waiting room, he meets a gangster (So), kicking off the story between the two. So’s character is brought onto the film as an actor with the requirement that he fight for real in the action scenes.

The movie opens September 11.

Via Hankook Ilbo

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Post tags: A Movie Is a Movie, Kang Ji-hwan, press conferences, So Ji-sub

Because that’s totally what they’re thinking, yeah? (And if not, it’s what they should be thinking.)

More photos from upcoming film A Movie Is a Movie, about one gangster with dreams of being an actor (So Ji-sub) and a gangster-like actor (Kang Ji-hwan).

A Movie Is a Movie opens September 11.

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Post tags: A Movie Is a Movie, Kang Ji-hwan, So Ji-sub

As briefly mentioned earlier, Kang Ji Hwan stars in a new movie with So Ji Sub. Wow. Two heartthrob stars who are actually strong actors, working together!

Their film is titled A Movie Is A Movie and just wrapped filming yesterday, having begun shooting in May. Their final filming session actually began on June 30, but lasted 26 hours, culminating in an underground parking-lot scene in Kyunggi-do on the morning of July 1. A reported hundred extras were on set for the wrap.

Directed by Jang Hoon (assistant director on 2006’s Time, 2005’s The Bow), A Movie Is A Movie centers around two vastly disparate characters — So Ji Sub is a gangster “living a reality more movie-like than a movie,” while Kang Ji Hwan plays a reckless actor. There’s not much to go on with that description, but based on the draw of both lead actors, the movie was even pre-sold overseas; it is scheduled to release in the fall.

Via OSEN

SONG OF THE DAY

Jung Jae Hyung – “일요일 오후” (Sunday afternoon) feat. Jung In. For some reason, I think it’s an unwritten rule that I must love all songs titled “Sunday Afternoon.” [ Download ]

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Post tags: A Movie Is a Movie, Kang Ji-hwan, So Ji-sub