A Moment to Remember

director

Lee Jae-han(이재한)

cast

Jeong Woo-seong

Son Ye-jin

Kim Boo-seon

Baek Jong-hak

Lee Seon-jin

Kwon Byeong-gil

Kim Joong-ki

Hyeon Yeong

David McInnis

Movie-Based Dramas to Fill TV Screens

Amid the ongoing search for catchy, stylish, attractive ideas for local dramas, many drama-makers have turned to themes that have already been seen to be popular. Movie-based dramas are no longer new, but the race for the best-made remake is expected to get more competitive with ``IRIS,'' ``Tazza'' (working title), ``Friends: The Unfinished Tale'' (working title) and ``Beat.'' The 1999 movie ``Swiri'' was a steppingstone for Korean cinema, being considered the first blockbuster movie that captivated local movie fans with its distinctive plot and action scenes. Now the hit movie that depicted the lives of secret agents is coming back to television screens as ``IRIS.'' In order to bring movie-like elements onto the smaller screen, the drama will be written and produced by Taewon Entertainment and Kang Je-kyu Film, both famous movie agencies here, and will boast a budget of 20 billion won. Korean heartthrob Lee Byung-hun (``All-in,'' 2003) will appear as the mysterious secret agent, his first drama in five years, along with pop group Big Bang's T.O.P as an assassin. It will be directed by director Kang Je-kyu and produced by Lee Hyeong-min (``Sorry, I Love You,'' 2004). ``IRIS'' will be aired next year. Another movie-based drama, ``Tazza'' is expected to be released this coming August. The movie ``Tazza: The High Rollers'' was a big hit back in 2006, with the attractive Kim Hye-soo as the seductive Madam Jeong and actor Cho Seung-woo as a gambler. Actor Jang Hyuk (``Windstruck,'' 2004) and Kim Min-jun (``Doctor Bong,'' 2007) will play the ambitious gamblers, while actress Han Ye-seul will appear as the heroine Gwang-sook. This will be Han's first show in two years after her hit drama ``Fantastic Couple'' (2006). The role of Madam Jeong is still vacant with candidates such as Sung Hyun-ah and Kang Sung-yeon on the list. While the movie depicts the thrilling lives of professional gamblers, the drama ``Tazza'' will portray the competitive gambling race between two talented and ambitious young gamblers. The sad yet stylish story of four best friends living in Busan is also coming to television audiences next year. During a press conference of his new movie ``Eye for an Eye,'' director Kwak Kyung-taek mentioned that he is planning to re-create the popular movie into a 16-series drama. According to Zininsa Film, the drama's production company, the drama will be filmed in Busan and will be entirely pre-produced before actual airing, which is slated for early next year. Actors Hyun Bin (``My Lovely Samsoon,'' 2005) and Kim Min-jun will star as the main characters, which were played by Jang Dong-kun and Yoo Oh-seong in the movie version. Fans of Jung Woo-sung (``A Moment to Remember,'' 2004) and Ko So-young (``Apartment,'' 2006) will be thrilled to find that the movie which opened the door to the two actors' stardom will be made into a drama. ``Beat'' was one of the first Korean movies to deal with the lives of teenagers back in 1997. With stylish scenes, memorable lines and fresh faces, the movie instantly became a hit and even now is considered to be unsurpassed in Korean teenage movies. Film company Kim Jong-hak Production recently announced plans to remake the film, but with a slight twist. The drama will be based on teenagers living during the 90s, with some modern elements added. The drama is expected to greet fans next year.

`Open City’: Freshness Turns Stale

Loaded with action and marked by sexual tension, ``Open City'' is yet another urban crime story set in the gritty streets of Seoul. But what sets it apart is that the cat and mouse game involves a network of professional ― and really scary ― pickpockets. Lee Sang-ki makes a big directorial debut with a high-profile cast and a novel subject matter. He zooms into the world of ``corporate'' pick pocketing, but the story soon turns sour with some poorly crafted ``Basic Instinct'' elements and cliched family tragedies that are inherent to Korean dramas. Son Ye-jin (``A Moment to Remember,'' 2004) trades in her innocent image for a dangerous persona, going all out with the hint of sex appeal she showed as a perky playgirl in ``The Art of Seduction'' (2005). She's ravishing, but like her character's cheesy name Baek Jang-mi (homonym for ``white rose'' in Korean), the new role seems to be an awkward fit. Jang-mi is the boss of an organized gang of pickpockets that's affiliated with the Japanese Yakuza. The group has been pulling tricks internationally, and Jang-mi plans to expand her turf by conquering Seoul's hot spots like Dongdaemun and Myeong-dong. But it isn't easy ― Korean and Japanese authorities are tracking her down while competing gangs are out to get her. When a nasty rival tries to corner her, young and able detective Jo Dae-yeong (Kim Myung-min) comes to the rescue. Throughout the movie, our so-called femme fatale seems more like a typical damsel in distress, except that she has a taste for low-cut dresses and red stilettos. Dae-yeong eventually figures out she's a prime suspect, but falls prey to her lies and sexual maneuvers. Meanwhile, to manifest her grand plans, Jang-mi turns to Gang Man-ok (Kim Hae-sook), a veteran pickpocket who just got out of prison and is determined to stay clean. To complicate things, Man-ok happens to be Dae-yeong's mother. The poor detective must crack down on the pick-pocketing underworld and deal with his traumatic childhood memories while having to stop himself from stealing glances at Jang-mi's cleavage. ``Open City'' reveals the intricate workings of the street-smart theft. First, the group chooses a target in a crowded marketplace or bus. While ``the antenna'' watches their back, another member creates a distraction so ``the machine'' can quickly slit open a purse or coat pocket of the oblivious victim. The movie warns that anyone can be a victim, as these thieves, well dressed in fine suits, look like typical businesspeople. Also, if you do happen to catch them in the act, don't try to apprehend them as they will slash your arm and run. Apart from the realistic portrayal of the crime, the relentless violence among the gangs seems unnecessary. Some of the police action sequences are well-crafted ― Kim Myung-min, a late bloomer who recently rose to stardom, shows his tough side as he beats six armed mobsters with a stick. But the emotional spectrum involving the mother-son conflict feels old and contrived like a second rate TV soap. The biggest blow yet to the film is its focus on style over substance. While Son is smoldering with her array of off-the-runway outfits, she's no Sharon Stone. It could have delved more into her cover as a tattooist ― the skin-bearing art had inspired a host of erotic films in Japan ― but it's just another stylish touch to the otherwise cliched drama. Some of the supporting characters also stop short of being stylized caricatures, like the heroine's mysterious and beautiful sidekick (Shim Ji-ho), who mimics the classic bodyguard character immortalized by Lee Jung-jae in the all-time hit Korean TV soap ``Sandglass'' (1995). It is worth seeing if you're a big fan of the lead actors. If not, it seems like a big-budget, star-studded campaign to raise awareness about pickpockets ― you'll think twice about the safety of your wallet in public places.