“I read the script, and liked it so much it was shocking.” So said 29-year-old Lee Na-young, starring in director Kim Ki-duk’s latest film, Bimong (Sad Dream).

The film held its press preview event on September 23 at Seoul’s Yongsan CGV theater, and Lee explained her interest in the script: “More than feeling an affinity for the story, which isn’t really plausible in the real world, I was drawn to the situation these characters were placed in.”

From the start, news of the project drew interest with the casting of the male lead, Japanese actor Odagiri Joe, for whom Lee had these words of praise: “I’ve seen Odagiri in his other works, and liked him. Despite him being a non-Korean, I didn’t feel any sort of block working with him.”

In the film, Lee Na-young’s “Ran” sleepwalks into the dreams of Odagiri’s “Jin,” who cannot forget an old lover, and a dreamlike love unfolds. Apparently Lee and Odagiri communicated in English while working together, but Odagiri took every chance to learn and speak Korean with those around him. His character, however, speaks Japanese (with subtitles), while Lee’s character speaks Korean.

Kim Ki-duk explained that he’d been a bit doubtful whether this would work, but his actors had no problem with it, and he figured it was better for his actors to speak their native languages rather than making awkward attempts to act in foreign languages.

The film had had some early buzz when, in May, it had been sold for distribution at the Cannes Film Market (which took place during the Cannes International Film Festival). It is currently being screened as a part of various film festivals, such as the Czech Karlovy Vary International Film Festival and Spain’s San Sebastian Film Festival. It releases in Korea on October 9.

More from the press event >>

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The production press conference for Beethoven Virus was held on September 4, featuring its three main stars: maestro Kim Myung-min, violin prodigy Lee Jia, and trumpeter Jang Geun-seok.

In keeping with its classical-music theme, the event was held at the opera house at Sungnam Art Center, and the actors posed, in character, for pictures with the drama’s “project orchestra.”

Unlike many, I wouldn’t say I’m excited about the drama, partially because I’m not a fan of anyone but Kim Myung-min, but the more I see beautiful concert-hall photos and the actors with their instruments of choice, the more my interest is piqued. I love classical music, so I hope the drama does it justice.

Beethoven Virus premieres next Wednesday, September 10; lots more photos of the event behind the cut.

BEETHOVEN VIRUS presscon and project orchestra pics >>

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August 28 saw the VIP preview of the comedy Our School E.T., which opens in wide release on September 11.

The title’s “E.T.” is both a cheeky reference to Spielberg’s extraterrestrial and to the lead character played by funnyman Kim Su-ro, who takes on the role of a not-so-bright physical education teacher. As a result of the growing pressure for students to stress an English-language education, he needs to switch to teaching English (becoming the “E.T.,” or English Teacher). Alas, his limited talents aren’t quite up to the task. But he tries — and what he lacks in brainpower, he makes up in determination.

The cast also features a crop of young actors — Baek Sung-hyun (pictured above, with lead actor Kim Su-ro), Park Bo-young, Lee Min-ho, and Moon Chae-won — as well as veteran comedic actor Lee Han-wee.

There were a slew of familiar faces at the VIP screening, including those of actors Kim Rae-won, Lee Seon-kyun, and Oh Man-seok, as well as recent Olympic gold-medalist swimmer Park Tae-hwan. More beyond the cut.

Here’s the preview, which is in Korean, but worth watching just for the last two lines (preceding them, starting at the 1:57 mark, Lee Han-wee’s character tells Kim Su-ro’s to speak only in English):

More cast and VIPs at the OUR SCHOOL E.T. screening >>

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An asymmetrical shawl-cardigan to match his asymmetrical (braided) hairstyle, tight jeans, a dangly earring, a sad piece of neck bling… Erm, so maybe not So Ji-sub’s best look.

So Ji-sub and co-star Kang Ji-hwan were on hand on August 27’s press conference and showing of the movie A Movie Is a Movie (aka Rough Cut). So Ji-sub came out sporting two different looks, one for the media confab portion, and another for the “VIP preview.” (The other look shows a normal-looking hairstyle, so he must’ve had time to nip out for a costume change.)

The film already held a press day earlier this month, but there can never be too many, right? (The prior event, I believe, was the “production briefing” conference, while this one is a “press preview” — either way, they’re both promo blitzes for the upcoming movie, which opens to non-VIPers on September 11.)

One notable VIP in attendance was the venerable Yonsama, aka Bae Yong-joon, who came with his arm in a sling from recent surgery. As a fellow client of the same management company handling So Ji-sub, Bae expressed his well-wishes for the younger star’s movie.

Other VIPs at the preview included Kwon Sang-woo, Han Ji-min, Jung Joon-ha, and Im Soo-jung, among others.

More pics of A MOVIE IS A MOVIE’s preview >>

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Kim Hye-soo and Park Hae-il have a new movie coming out, and it looks gorgeous (speaking purely aesthetically). Modern Boy held its promotional press conference in Seoul on August 27 and, despite its name, takes place in bygone years. 1937, to be exact.

The period film is directed by Jung Ji-woo (Happy End, Wisdom Tooth) and centers around a government official (Park) and the “mysterious woman” he pursues after she disappears (Kim). The titular “modern boy” refers to Park’s character, who harbors more interest in romanticism than his country’s independence.

At the press conference, both lead actors and the director had nothing but praise for one another. Kim Hye-soo talked about the director’s close attention to detail and Park Hae-il’s pure personality, and how she and Park got along comfortably despite this being their first project together. Likewise, Park returned the compliments, saying, “When I heard Kim Hye-soo was cast, I shouted in excitement. I’ve always wanted to work with her, and with us acting together on Modern Boy, we got off to a great start.”

The film opens October 2.

More presscon photos and movie stills >>

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