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September 18, 2012
Lee ByungHun and TOP, the most expected actioners
Source: Osen via Nate l Hancinema.net
Actors Lee Byeong-Heon and TOP (Choi Seung-hyeon) were chosen as the two actors who are most looked forward to in an action flick.
Lee Byeong-Heon and TOP (Choi Seung-hyeon) ranked first place in the survey asking "Who would be the perfect action duo like Joseph Gordon Levitt and Bruce Willis?" by the movie "Looper".
The two actors have once proven their capabilities through the KBS 2TV drama "IRIS". TOP (Choi Seung-hyeon_ had become a killer like Levitt in "IRIS" and this high level intensity of the action he pulled off might have inflicted the result of the survey.
Lee Byeong-Heon who is made up of a low-tone voice and excellent acting skills and TOP (Choi Seung-hyeon) who is the most charismatic idol of all idols are expected greatly by fans who say, "Lee Byeong-Heon and TOP (Choi Seung-hyeon)'s charisma can't be copied by anyone else", "Who says anyone can beat them?" and more.
Cha Seung-won and Yoo Ah-in took second place. Cha for his rough manliness and Yoo Ah-in for his chic ness. They haven't done anything together yet but their individualities alone attract viewers in that way. Kim Yoon-seok and Kim Soo-hyeon came in third. Their intense wire action satisfied viewers and made them expect more from them.
Meanwhile, "Looper" which is about an assassin who has to kill himself from the future will be released on the 11th of October.
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Thanks to the highlight at PlanetBH0712, CINE21 No.871 clip and captures to share ^^
Lee Byung Hun photos courtesy CINE21 here l here
Last edited by katt on 6-11-2012 03:52 PM
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September 23, 2012
'A Bittersweet Life' to be remade in Hollywood
by webe Allkpop.com
‘A Bittersweet Life‘ directed by Kim Ji Woon and starring Lee Byung Hun will be remade in Hollywood.
One half of the Hughes Brothers who made ‘From Hell‘ and ‘The Book of Eli,’ Alan Hughes, will be in charge of the remake according to deadline.com. But it is still unknown who will star in the remake or the timetable for its production.
But back in 2009, there were rumors that Denzel Washington will play the lead role that Lee Byung Hun had in ‘A Bittersweet Life’, but those are the unconfirmed.
‘A Bittersweet Life’ is about a level-headed, intelligent perfectionist Sun Woo who opposes his boss Kang Sa Jang, who punishes those who break rule without reservation.
Source: OSEN via Nate News
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September 21, 2012
MASQUERADE – The Review
Source: We Are Movie Geeks
Korean actor Lee Byung-hun has had greater crossover success into American cinema than possibly anyone else from the field, but he’s still quite active in his home country. MASQUERADE features Lee not only in his first historical film, but in a dual role, to boot. It’s a great chance for him to try his hand at acting regal and dramatic. And the movie he’s chosen more than lives up to him.
MASQUERADE takes place in the early 1600′s, during Korea’s Joseon dynasty. Lee plays both King Gwanghae, ruler of the land, and Ha-seon, a lowly jester. When the politics of the royal court begin to take violent turns, the King, fearing for his safety, hires Ha-seon, who bears an uncanny resemblance to him, to act as a double. When the King falls deathly ill due to poison, his Chief Secretary, Heo Gyun (Ryoo Sung-ryong), has Ha-seon begin to play the King directly, hoping to avoid disarray in the court. Ha-seon must learn on the fly to properly impersonate the King, and along the way, evolves from passively doing as Heo Gyun tells him to actively directing policy. As a peasant, Ha-seon has a greater heart for the people than anyone else in the court, and he begins to change the way things are done. Unfortunately, some of the King’s enemies catch on to this seemingly inexplicable shift in attitude, and circumstances begin to close in on Ha-seon.
The film is as lush and lavish as a period drama should be, although the restrictions of its budget means that most of the action takes place within the confines of the palace. Even though Ha-seon is changing the country, we don’t get to see those changes implemented on any kind of wide scale. But the palace is the perfect setting for suspicious maneuvering and political intrigue, which runs rampant through the story, and the film masterfully keeps us on top of all the changes in the balance of power.
It’s also an extremely funny movie, since, despite the themes of identity and responsibility, it is at its heart a fish out of water story. Ha-seon must adjust to having his every need catered to him, and the film is willing to depict how even the least pleasant… bodily aspects of a King’s day go. It may be a costume drama, but there’s no sense of dignified rigidity here at all, and that’s refreshing.
Lee is terrific here. Since the King is unconscious for most of the film, he doesn’t have to invest much in that character, nor must he do much acting against himself. But in Ha-seon, he builds a small man who gradually comes to fill in the tremendous task assigned to him. His transformation through the plot, from puppet to true leader, is wonderful to watch. The supporting cast is excellent as well, especially Ryoo as the weary Chief Secretary, who must bear Ha-seon’s hayseed naivete with stoic patience. He’s the epitome of the resolutely competent bureaucrat.
MASQUERADE is fun, funny, lovely to look at, and, more than once, quite touching. There is at its heart a message about how misrule comes from an inability to understand the needs of a people. It’s a lesson that any leader, in any country, in any time, could stand to listen to. Gwanghae was a real figure, and while he (probably) wasn’t secretly replaced with a double, he is renowned as the Joseon King with the most compassionate and fair attitude towards his subjects. Perhaps all the world leaders really should be switched with lookalikes.
Photo courtesy CJ Entertainment.
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September 26, 2012
Lee Byung-hun stops in to say thanks
By Carla Sunwoo Korea JoongAng Daily
In between shooting his upcoming Hollywood blockbuster “Red 2,” Lee Byung-hun has returned home to express his thanks to Korean fans. Lee’s agency announced yesterday that the Hallyu star wants to take part in next week’s Busan International Film Festival “to say thank you to all those who watched ‘Gwanghae.’”
At the festival, Lee hopes to meet with fans and give a thank-you speech, so he has asked for some time off after wrapping up filming in Canada and will resume work at the next location in England after the BIFF. Since opening Sept. 13, ‘Gwanghae’ has had ticket sales of about 3.5 million.
The acclaimed film is set in the Joseon Dynasty and follows the lives of King Gwanghae and an impoverished acrobat who acts as the king’s double. Lee plays both parts. The movie is directed by Choo Chang-min, whose other acclaimed works include “Mapado” (2005) and “Lost in Love” (2006), and written by Hwang Jo-yoon, who co-wrote the winner of the 57th Cannes Film Festival’s Grand Prix, “Old Boy” (2003).
Last edited by katt on 7-11-2012 01:35 PM
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September 24, 2012
A Royal Performance by Lee Byung-hun: Review of Masquerade
An interpretation of the missing 15 days in the Annals of Joseon Dynasty during Gwang-hae's reign -- designated by his 1616 journal entry, "One must not record that which he wishes to hide" -- Masquerade is a period film that succeeds in balancing the playful and the dramatic.
by Rowena Aquino University of Southern California
Masquerade (aka Gwang-hae: The Man Who Became King) is not only actor Lee Byeong-hun's first historical film but also his first dual role, playing both Prince Gwang-hae (1574-1641) and Ha-seon, the lowly village street performer who is forced to stand in for the king when he falls ill due to an assassination attempt.
The film begins with the quiet, troubled, torn, and elegant Gwang-hae in his court, as he juggles his emotions and the myriad of court voices competing for his attention and power. Then, it takes us to the dancing, bawdy Ha-seon performing at a restaurant, before he is whisked away by Gwang-hae's trusty chief secretary Heo Gyun (Ryoo Seung-yong) to meet with Gwang-hae, who will divulge the plan of being the king's stand-in.
The film's playfulness and its dramatic impact understandably revolves around the theme of performance, narratively and performatively. One of the film's spirited highlights is thus the process of Ha-seon's acclimation to court life, getting used to the royal treatment, as it were, even when he defecates. As a storyteller, Ha-seon's talent in adopting voices and different characters becomes very useful as he stands in for the king; only this time, the performance and believability can impact life and death. The first test "show," as it were, is the morning conference, which gathers together the court's officials before Gwang-hae to discuss political matters.
Lee as Ha-seon portraying Gwang-hae smoothly brings together sobriety and levity, a sense of responsibility and justice, but also a streak of impulsiveness -- such as the moment when, after initially rejecting the offer of being Gwang-hae's stand-in, he accepts. He does this for a simple reason: for "the good of the kingdom," as Heo Gyun reasons, but which for Ha-seon meant "the good of the people."
Ha-seon's combination of sobriety and levity is precisely what provokes the myriad changes in his surrounding personal and professional relationships. Ha-seon as Gwang-hae earns the affection of both servants and members of the court, including Gwang-hae's queen (Han Hyo-joo), even in the midst of (or precisely because of) the stressful atmosphere of surveillance, secrecy, suspicion, and the constant keeping up appearances that prevails in the court. For it's not only Ha-seon and those in the know engaged in masquerade, but also Park Choong-seo (Kim Myeong-gon), the head of Gwang-hae's opposition, and his co-conspirators.
An exemplary sequence that not only elaborates the theme of performance but also the film's balance of drama and comedy is perhaps the one in which Ha-seon and Heo Gyun speak in Gwang-hae's chamber, with Ha-seon initially plunged in amusement about being the king's stand-in. Without missing a beat, with both Heo Gyun and the spectator as his audience, Ha-seon changes his demeanour and voice to receive a servant, Sa-wol (Sim Eun-kyeong), and then is moved to tears over her tragic history that led her to work in the king's court.
Co-leads Lee and Ryoo have great rapport as Ha-seon and Heo Gyun. Their roles of master and servant often shift, depending on the physical and conversational context. At times, they even become confused as to when to switch places, which makes for humorous moments. And if Ha-seon's acclimation to the role of Gwang-hae is one of the film's highlights, another is the way he slowly wins over the hearts and minds of those close to him in service -- beginning with eunuch Jo (Jang Gwang) and captain Do (Kim In-kwon). Ha-seon has several comical and touching scenes with Do that are pivotal to the maintenance of the masquerade and, later on, to his and the queen's survival when Park and his cohort once again take action against Gwang-hae.
Ultimately, what makes Masquerade an engaging period film is its attention to the small details as opposed to the sweeping actions that come to make up its emotional layers.That such layers are often comical -- for example, Ha-seon as Gwanghae mis-addressing eunuch Jo (Jang Gwang) as "eunuch Kim;" him becoming curious about the queen and hiding behind the wall that separates their quarters so that she does not catch him looking at her (which prompts his entire entourage of servants to do the same); and him making Captain Do (Kim In-kwon) repeatedly fetch his shoe as a distraction to buy time alone with the queen -- is only an advantage. For such comedy, as well as the quick shifts in tone from humour to gravitas, to work, the cast of actors must deliver nuanced performances that translate strongly on the screen. The cast does just that, led by Lee. While there are no epic battle scenes to make the film spectacular in scale, the power battles fought at the level of individual human gesture make Masquerade memorable.
Masquerade opened in Korea on September 13 and in the US & Canada on September 21.
Source: Cine21
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Source: InStyle PR Girl Facebook, thanks to the highlight at PlanetBH0712
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September 27, 2012
Actress Shim Eun Kyung:
Lee Byung Hun Called Directly to Say Acting was Good
Source: Nate
Actress Shim Eun Kyung who played the palace maid (food taster) role in 'Masquerade' recently tweeted that she had watched the movie twice in the US where she is currently studying. Though she thought her performance was a bit lacking, she revealed that lead actor Lee Byung Hun had made a direct phone call to encourage the actress, saying that her performance was good and she did very well. The young actress also expressed her gratitude to the respected seniors in the movie who took care of her and others.
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September 28, 2012
Lee Byung Hun "It's just a birthday dinner"
Source: HeraldCorp via Hancinema.net
Media reported that Lee Byeong-Heon and Lee Min-jeong were taking the first steps to get married as they had dinner with both parents. His agency claims, "It's just a birthday dinner and it's too soon to talk about marriage".
Lee Byeong-Heon returned from Montreal, Canada suddenly. According to a media on the 28th of September, Lee Byeong-Heon joined a dinner with his girlfriend Lee Min-jeong and both of their parents in Seoul on the 26th.
This dinner was for Lee Min-jeong's mother's birthday and the media that reported this speculated that they might've talked about marriage.
Lee Byeong-Heon's management BH Entertainment claimed, "It's true they had dinner with all of their parents but there was no talk about marriage. It's too early".
Meanwhile, Lee Byeong-Heon returned to Korea for promotional activities of "Masquerade" with only the agency knowing about it. Lee is going to attend stage appearances and the Busan International Film Festival on the 4th and return to the making of "Red 2".
Lee Byeong-Heon and Lee Min-jeong have opened up about their relationship and are being focused on as a lovely couple.
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September 28, 2012
Lee Byung Hun and Lee Min Jung Reject Rumors of Marriage
CJ E&M enewsWorld Grace Danbi Hong
After admitting that they were indeed dating, Lee Byung Hun and Lee Min Jung found themselves surrounded by rumors of marriage once more.
According to sources on September 28, Lee Byung Hyun and Lee Min Jung are planning on getting married in January of 2013.
Especially with the couple being spotted having dinner with Lee Min Jung’s family on September 25, the rumors of marriage have been spiraling out of control.
However, both Lee Byung Hun and Lee Min Jung’s agencies denied down all claims of marriage, saying the marriage plans are false and asking that no one jump to conclusion without evidence.
The dinner on September 25 was explained as a simple get together to celebrate the birthday of Lee Min Jung’s mother.
Lee Byung Hun is busy with filming for his Hollywood movie, Red 2 and attending the Busan International Film Festival on October 4. Lee Min Jung is currently searching for new projects.
Lee Byung Hun: "We don't have any wedding plans yet"
By dkrogers Korea.com
A spokesperson for actor Lee Byung Hun recently said that his alleged wedding plans are groundless.
On September 28, a media outlet reported that Lee and his girlfriend Lee Min Jung will get married in January.
The spokesperson said, “We asked Lee Byung Hun to check the news and he said that he doesn’t have any wedding plans at this time.” “He has to stay in London until the end of December to shoot the movie Red 2. Preparing for the wedding is not that easy. His alleged wedding plans in January are groundless.”
“Since they are in a serious relationship, please help them to keep that relationship.”
On September 26, the couple’s parents were spotted while having dinner together and it created the rumors about their wedding. A spokesperson for both agencies said that the dinner was just to celebrate the birthday of Lee Min Jung’s mother.
The star couple officially admitted that they are dating each other in August.
Source: Starnews
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September 28, 2012
Are wedding plans on the menu?
By Carla Sunwoo Korea JoongAng Daily
Pictures of Lee Min-jung’s and Lee Byung-hun’s families enjoying a dinner together began spreading yesterday, capturing the imagination of netizens and the public.
Sports Hankook reported that a dinner at an upscale Japanese restaurant in Sinsa-dong, southern Seoul, was held Tuesday night for wedding talks. The news outlet added that Lee’s friend confirmed a wedding date was set for January.
The dinner apparently took three hours and was attended by Lee Byung-hun’s mother as well as Lee Min-jung’s mother and brother.
Both Lees’ agencies have said it was a birthday dinner for Lee Min-jung’s mother. “It wasn’t to plan a wedding despite what people are saying,” said a spokesperson from Lee Byung-hun’s agency.
The representative from BH Entertainment further added that both actors were busy, and because Lee Byung-hun will be in London until early next year filming “Red 2,” marriage is the last thing on his mind.
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September 28, 2012
Lee Byung-hun Accompanies Lee Min-jung To Her Mother's Birthday
by nettop01 KoreanDrama.com
Actor Lee Byung-hun has been revealed to have accompanied Lee Min-jung to her mother’s birthday, bringing their mothers together for a dinner.
According to a representative from his management, the couple has shared a dinner with Lee Min-jung’s brother and their mothers, on 26th.
The dinner was held to celebrate Lee Min-jung’s mother’s birthday, along with celebration of Chuseok. Some have speculated that discussions of their marriage has been done in the dinner.
A representative from his management has commented that “they did share a dinner with their mothers, but there were no discussions of marriage there” and “they have only gathered for a meal before Chuseok, the day being Lee Min-jung’s mother’s birthday.”
“Their marriage has not been discussed at all yet”, continued the representative, and “Lee Byung-hun is currently engaged in the filming of the movie ‘RED 2′ until next January, so marriage is definitely out of the question.”
On the question whether their family would meet up for Chuseok, the representative answered, “I do not know of such plans, except the dinner on 26th”.
Lee Byung-hun has recently returned to Korea on 24th for the promotion of his movie. Lee Byung-hun will depart to London for the filming of the movie ‘RED 2′ after taking part in BIFF and promotions of his movie ‘Kwanghae’.
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September 28, 2012
Lee Byung Hun comments about the wedding rumor
Kang Hye-In | STAR N News
Lee Byung-heon commented about the wedding rumor with Lee Min Jung.
An official from his agency said, "The wedding rumor with Lee Min Jung is untrue."
On the same day, a press reported, "Details were not decided yet, but they decided to get married in January," and Lee Byung-heon also attended the birthday dinner of Lee Min Jung's mother.
However, the agency said, "They are very much in love, but nothing was decided in regards of the wedding," and asked to avoid making untrue conjectures.
Lee Min Jung's agency also showed the same reaction. An official from her agency said, "They are continuing their romance well, but wedding rumor is not true. If they are really getting married in January, they will need some time for preparation, but it's almost end of September."
He also added, "False articles will bring negative effects to her career."
On the other hand, the two started their relationship from early this year, and on August 19th, Lee Byung-heon officially admitted their romance. Currently, Lee Byung-heon is attending various schedules, and he will be leaving to London in mid-October to shoot movie 'Red 2'.
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September 28, 2012
Lee Byung Hun-Lee Min Jung Marriage Rumor
"NO! If A Date Gets Set, Will Hold A Press Conference”
By KDramaStars Staff Writer
There is a rumor that the top star couple, Lee Byung Hun and Lee Min Jung, is going to get married in January 2013. Representatives from both sides have immediately stated that the rumors are false.
In the afternoon on the 28th, a representative from Lee Min Jung's agency said, "(The January wedding) is not true. Not only is Lee Min Jung really busy discussing and preparing for her next project, but Lee Byung Hun is also doing the same. It does not make any sense for them to get married in January."
Not long ago, Sports Korea had borrowed the words of a representative of Lee Byung Hun and announced that the couple had tentatively decided to get married next January even though they did not decide on an exact time and place.
However, a representative of Lee Min Jung stated, "Since the public knows they are a couple, they plan to officially announce news of their marriage if a date gets set. They are not planning on hiding the truth and then admitting that it is true the next day. It is not like they are secretly dating. Let's not get ahead of ourselves."
The representative further stated, "While Lee Byung Hun is thinking about marriage, since Lee Min Jung is still young, she wants to film more projects so the couple is not even discussing marriage at this point," and stressed again, "Again, please, let's not get ahead of ourselves. If this is how the media reacts, other actors won't be able to date publically."
The couple admitted that they were dating in August. Lee Byung Hun is currently promoting his movie, "The Man Who Became King" and having activities overseas while Lee Min Jung is looking for her next project after finishing KBS2's drama "Big".
September 27, 2012
Rumor Mill: Lee Min Jung and Lee Byung Hun Are Not Married!
Written by KimiC 24-7Kpop.com
Everyone can breathe a collective sigh of relief, Lee Min Jung and Lee Byung Hun Are NOT MARRIED.
Reports of the January Marriage between Lee Min Jung and Lee Byung Hun proves to be rumors.
Lee Byung Hun’s entertainment company revealed that
“All the recent rumors are false and untrue”.
The representative then revealed, dismissing all claims of marriage in January,
“The two have been thinking of marriage but they have never thought of tying the knot in January”
Lee Min Jung’s entertainment company also revealed the same comment on the situation. They then told the reporters that the actor is currently preparing for a new drama and have no time for marriage as of now.
Source: Naver
Translation: 24-7KPOP
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September 29, 2012
South Korean movie star shines in L.A.
Byung-hun Lee leaves his mark in cement in front of Grauman's Chinese Theatre earlier this year and recently was in L.A. to attend the premiere of his latest film, 'Masquerade,' which is a big success back home.
South Korean film star Byung-Hun Lee in Beverly Hills. (Genaro Molina, Los Angeles Times / September 30, 2012)
By Jessica Gelt LA Times
It's a typical weekday at the Beverly Hills Four Seasons. Clint Eastwood is signing autographs just outside the hotel's front window for a cluster of near-frantic fans. A parade of the wealthy and connected pass through the lobby on their way to lunch at the hotel, ground zero for industry deal-making. Inside the bar, however, no one gives even a sideways glance at the handsome, tousle-haired actor Byung-hun Lee, who at first appears somewhat unsure of himself as he speaks quietly in halting English.
Then Lee turns toward his translator and as he talks to her in his native Korean, his demeanor changes entirely. His voice grows deep and strong, he sits up straight and his eyes take on a commanding glow.
Suddenly it makes sense that Lee is called South Korea's Brad Pitt. It's a comparison invited by his smoldering good looks, easygoing charm and mega-star status at home. In Seoul, he would be the one surrounded by frantic fans.
His latest film, "Masquerade," is a smash hit in South Korea. It's his most ambitious and far-reaching film to date and one that just might push him to a new level of notoriety in America.
Already this summer, Lee, 42, who has been acting for 22 years but didn't break into U.S. movies until 2009 as super ninja Storm Shadow in "GI Joe: The Rise of Cobra," has had his handprints and footprints immortalized in cement at a ceremony in the court of Grauman's Chinese Theatre. (He and longtime star Ahn Sung-ki are the only Koreans to have done so.)
"I didn't allow myself to even dream about Hollywood until a few years ago," Lee says. "I didn't expect it. It just happened all of a sudden. This is like a dream."
This month, he starts work on his next project, "Red 2," which begins filming this month in Montreal and stars Bruce Willis, Anthony Hopkins, John Malkovich and Catherine Zeta-Jones. Lee is overwhelmed at the thought of working with these heavy hitters. He is also concerned about his age.
"These are all actors I admire and want to be like, they're expert," says Lee. "I'm really nervous to be the youngest."
When it is pointed out that in America being the youngest is usually considered an advantage, Lee smiles. It's different in South Korea, he says, where age and experience are prized.
A few hours after he leaves the Four Seasons, Lee is walking the red carpet for the North American premiere of "Masquerade" at Los Angeles County Museum of Art's Bing Theater. An excitable group of wailing Korean and American fans hint at the mania Lee regularly experiences on the streets back home.
It takes Lee more than a half-hour to walk about 20 feet to the theater's doors. Wearing a smart black suit, a crisp white shirt and no tie, Lee looks poised and relaxed as he makes his way through the crowd. With a ready, honest smile, dark and intense eyes, chiseled cheekbones and perfect hair, Lee betrays none of the exhaustion he admits he feels after conducting back-to-back interviews in English for more than five hours earlier in the day (a task that he says left him feeling "stupid").
"Masquerade" is Lee's first period film and marks his first crack at playing two characters in one movie. The sweeping historical drama (which also contains some seriously funny scenes) is set in AD 1600 in the royal palace of Korea's Joseon Dynasty. Lee plays both King Gwanghae and Ha-seon, a low-brow peasant performer who is recruited to pose as the king during a period that the king fears someone is trying to assassinate him.
Gwanghae is a deeply controversial figure in Korean history. He is believed to have been a harsh, even cruel ruler, but it is also thought that he was responsible for enacting humanitarian and visionary policies. The film imagines a scenario where the good policies were the work of a sympathetic body double. Lee plays both characters to great effect. The Times' Robert Abele praised Lee's "commanding central performances."
"The most important thing is that [the double] has to be loved by the audience," says Lee, who imbues Ha-seon with a palpable warmth and brings him to life with skilled physical comedy that borders on slapstick. "I was worried about the comic scenes," Lee says. "They were risky. Too much physical comedy could be considered a farce and not sophisticated. Getting it just right, controlling it, was really hard."
That's because at heart "Masquerade" is an earnest film about the inherent goodness in humans, with Ha-seon emerging as a hero of the people. It's a tear-jerker that's not afraid of the occasional fart joke.
After the screening, Lee's smooth edges begin to fray just a bit as he sits onstage being peppered with fast-paced, in-depth questions about his roles and career.
Coming off the stage, Lee's exhaustion shows. Earlier, he revealed that while he is excited to be in America, he wishes he were in Seoul to soak up the success of "Masquerade." "They're breaking records over there," he said. "I feel so bad that I'm here. Whenever I open a movie I go secretly to the theater and stand in the back and enjoy the moment. I laugh when people laugh and when people cry, I laugh."
Still, he acknowledges that bigger dreams are coming true for him.
Lee's father, a businessman who was a huge fan of American westerns, particularly those starring Clint Eastwood, died when the actor was 29. Now Lee lives in a suburb of Seoul with his mother in a house with a wine cellar and a home theater. When he put his hands in cement for Grauman's he took his mother with him.
"She said, 'I'm so proud of you,'" says Lee, his eyes warm and distant. "'And if your dad were here, he'd be so proud, too.'"
[email protected]
Last edited by katt on 7-11-2012 01:56 PM
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October 1, 2012
Lee Byung-heon prepares red bean porridge for the audience
Lim Ju-Hui | STAR N News
Lee Byung-heon prepared red bean porridge for the fans.
On September 29th, Lee Byung-heon had a guerrilla premiere of 'Gwang Hae' with director Choo Chang Min.
Lee Byung-heon said, "Thank you so much for sparing time from your holiday. I need to help my mother for preparing the holiday, but I decided make a visit to express my thanks to the audience."
He also said, "My high school friends don't usually watch my movie, but recently, a friend of mine told me that he watched 'Gwang Hae'. Then, I thought the movie must be doing pretty well. I asked him which scene was most impressive, and he said that the scene where Gwang Hae eats sweet red bean porridge that Sa Wol made was the most impressive one."
He continued, "I thought many of you would crave for red bean porridge, so I prepared some for you."
Lee Byung-heon heard that many people choose the scene as the most impressive part, and decided to prepare red bean porridge for the audience.
After having various events, Lee Byung-heon said, "Please enjoy the porridge, and have a great holiday with 'Gwang Hae'."
On the other hand, 'Gwang Hae' was attended by 5 million people only in 18 days, and it is currently the hottest movie in Korea. In early October, Lee Byung-heon, Ryu Seung Ryong, and director Choo Chang Min will be attending Busan International Film Festival as well.
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October 2, 2012
Lee Byung Hun plays down wedding rumours with Lee Min Jung
By Korea Star Daily | Kpop Fighting
It was reported by several Korean media outlets today that actor Lee Byung Hun and actress Lee Min Jung had a meal together with their parents, and rumours subsequently brewed that they were talking about preparations for their wedding.
The reports stated that the couple had gathered on September 25th with their parents for a meal at a Japanese restaurant in Gangnam, Seoul to celebrate the birthday of Lee Min Jung’s mother.
With regards to the reports, Lee Byung Hun’s management agency, BH Entertainment stated on September 28th, “It is true that they had a meal together but it’s not the customary pre-wedding meeting that the reports stated. If it was a customary pre-wedding meeting, Lee Min Jung’s father would have been present. Lee Byung Hun had just returned to Korea from Montreal after concluding filming for ‘RED 2’ over there. Since Lee Byung Hun had some free time while he was in Korea and their schedules matched, they decided to have a meal together.”
The agency added, “Lee Byung Hun was elated to hear that his film ‘Gwanghae: The Man who became King’ had really good reviews and was doing well at the box office. So after ending filming in Montreal, he decided to have a stopover in Korea to do some promotions like attending the upcoming Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) for ‘Gwanghae’, before heading to London to continue filming. He decided to participate in the. So the rumours of his customary pre-wedding meeting aren’t true and are just pure speculation by the media.”
Lee Byung Hun had gone public in September that he was in a serious relationship with Lee Min Jung. Since then, Lee Byung Hun has often declared his love for her through various activities.”
Due to his busy schedules, Lee Byung Hun rarely has time to go on dates with Lee Min Jung. Lee Byung Hun had revealed before that he hopes to go on a date with Lee Min Jung in public. But alas, he is unlikely to get his wish in the short term due to his participation in BIFF before resuming filming for his Hollywood film ‘RED 2’.
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October 2, 2012
Source: Nate ++
Lee Byung Hun Garners Praise by 'Los Angeles Times'
CJ E&M enewsWorld Lee, JinHo Translation Credit: Erika Kim
Lee Byung Hun was given great coverage by the Los Angeles Times.
The Los Angeles Times issued an interview it held with Lee Byung Hun under the headline ′South Korean movie star shines in L.A.′ on September 29 (Local time). The article was given much weight, even being posted on the main page of the online paper′s entertainment section.
The article said, ′[...] Lee [Byung Hun] turns toward his translator and as he talks to her in his native Korean, his demeanor changes entirely. His voice grows deep and strong, he sits up straight and his eyes take on a commanding glow′ and that ′suddenly it makes sense that Lee [Byung Hun] is called South Korea′s Brad Pitt.′
It then added, ′It′s a comparison invited by his smoldering good looks, easygoing charm and mega-star status at home.′
Lee Byung Hun recently lived up to his name in Korea yet again through the film Masquerade, which brought in over 5 million moviegoers. He has been extending his influence overseas, staying in Canada to shoot the Hollywood film Red 2.
Robert Abele, a critic for the Los Angeles Times, said about Lee Byung Hun′s acting that "he was like the main conductor leading the film."
Lee Byung Hun expressed through his interview how he felt about having to be in America while his film made its first premiere in Korea, along with his love and thanks for his audience.
He also talked about the hand printing event he attended in June at the Grauman′s Chinese Theatre, and about his next piece, Red 2, which also stars Brad Pitt Bruce Willis and Anthony Hopkins.
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