HomeActor Hwang to Star in New Play
Jeong So-yeong
Park In-hwan
Park Si-eun
Actor Hwang to Star in New Play
Renowned movie star and musical actor Hwang Jung-min will star in a new play, ``University of Laughs'' written by Japanese dramatist Koki Mitani.
The play will be shown in Korea for the first time as the ninth work of the Yeongeuk Yeoljeon 2 (Best Plays Series) programmed by veteran actor Cho Jae-hyun. The play will be staged at Dongsoong Art Center in central Seoul Oct. 24 to Nov. 30.
The piece is a comedy based on the story of an artist's freedom of expression when faced with censorship. The work is a two-man play set over seven days amid World WarII in 1940.
A young playwright comes up against a government censor to put a comedy on stage. The censor's job is to prevent anything political or taboo from getting into the pre-war media, but this particular censor has a thing against comedy, too.
Hwang will play the role of a young writer while actor Song Young-chang will take the role of a cold-blooded government censor.
The play was originally performed at Parco Theatre in Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan in 1997 to high acclaim. It was also made into a film which was then released in 2004 by Toho Studios, and directed by Hoshii Mamoru.
``It is the first time for me to take a leading role in a play. I will show how exciting the play is,'' Hwang said in a press conference on Friday.
``The script is so well-organized that the audience can spontaneously laugh. This work reflects the scriptwriter's philosophy about laughs,'' said Hwang.
Hwang gained popularity as a movie star but he began his acting career in theaters. The award-winning performer first began his acting career as a musical actor in ``Line 1'' (1995) and then starred in various musicals such as ``Jesus Christ Superstar,'' ``Cats'' and recently ``Nine.'' ``I think a movie is the art of a director but the play is the art of an actor,'' he said.
Starring in various musicals and plays in Daehangno, Hwang is now a household name on the big screen with successful performances in ``You Are My Sunshine,'' (2005) ``Black House'' (2007) and ``Happiness'' (2007).''
Hwang's debut film was ``The Waikiki Brothers'' in 2001. Then he appeared in prominent films like ``A Good Lawyer's Wife,'' ``You're My Sunshine,'' and ``Bloody Tie,'' in which he portrayed many diverse characters.
Source : http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2008/10/135_33022.html
PIFF Wraps Up 9-Day Run
The 13th Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF) closed Friday with the premiere of the South Korean film ``I Am Happy'' directed by Yoon Jong-chan. This year's festival featured the largest number of films and world premiers, receiving good r...
Curtain falls on Pusan film fest
The 13th Pusan International Film Festival, which featured 315 films from 60 countries, wraps up its nine-day run today in the southeastern port city of Busan with the closing film "I Am Happy," directed by Korean filmmaker Yoon Jong-chan. Thanks...
Nominees Announced for the 2008 Korea Drama Festival Awards
Nominees for the 2008 Korea Drama Festival Awards, scheduled for November 1st at Jinju, South Gyeongsang Province, were announced yesterday on October 7. For the best acting award, nominees include respected actress Kim Hye-ja of “Angry Mom,” c...
Major Korean Films Offered With English Subtitles
CGV Yongsan in central Seoul will devote a screen to the exclusive showing of popular domestic movies with English-language subtitles, an unprecedented move by a movie theater. ``It's to serve the many foreigners in Korea who want to watch Kor...
`Superman,' the Good Samaritan
In ``A Man Who Was Superman'' director Chung Yoon-chul, the tear jerking maestro behind ``Marathon'' (2005), teams up with superstars Jeon Ji-hyun (aka Jianna Jeon) and Hwang Jung-min. It's a multi-dimensional story that, while buttressed by the ...
[MOVIE REVIEW] 'Superman' flies while Jun Ji-hyun runs aground
![[MOVIE REVIEW] 'Superman' flies while Jun Ji-hyun runs aground](/kmovie_news/thumbnail/080123_superman_thumb.jpg){kind=small}
"A Man Once a Superman," directed by Jeong Yun-cheol, relies heavily on the performances of award-wining actor Hwang Jun-min, who can transform his silver-screen image at will. This time, he turns into a self-styled superman helping out children ...
"Superman 2008" Features Unusual Romance
“I feel comfortable about my life as an actress. I feel easy about living as an actress and getting older as an actress. I think I will have more to show to people in the future. It’s because I think I could slowly improve and show that much more...
'New Heart' can't put life into old formula
Leading actor Cho Jae-hyun (right) plays the chief heart surgeon while actress Kim Min-jeong and actor Ji Sung play first-year residents in "New Heart." After hitting the top with its first episode, MBC's medical drama "New Heart" has kept its N...
Jun, Hwang Become Super Heroes
Hallyu princess Jun Ji-hyun (also known as Gianna Jun, ``My Sassy Girl,'' 2001) and Korea's favorite leading man Hwang Jung-min (``Happiness,'' 2007) may seem like an odd pair, but they have one thing in common: superstar power. The two join f...
Jeon Ji Hyun, "Would choose a movie that my children can watch"
At the press conference held on the 7th for the upcoming film "The man who used to be Superman," Jeon Ji Hyun commented that she selects pieces that her children will be able to watch. In regards to a question asking whether she would choose a...
Hwang Grows Into Mature Role in Musical
Actor Hwang Jung-min has become one of the most sought-after actors among Korean film directors since his successful performances in ``You Are My Sunshine,'' (2005) ``Black House,'' (2007) and ``Happiness'' (2007). But many musical fans might ...
Hwang Jung-min shows off musical talent
Not many people know that Hwang Jung-min, now a famous movie star, was once an under-the-radar actor in a number of musical productions. Debuted in a long-running hit musical "Subway Line 1" (1994), Hwang performed in musicals such as "Broadway 42nd"...
Jun Ji Hyun, "If all actors were like Hwang Jung Min"
"Thinking it would be nice if all actors were like Hwang Jung Min, I am currently greatly enjoying filming this movie," says Jun Ji Hyun of 'The man who used to be Superman.' At the press conference held on the 28th, Jun Ji Hyun also commented...
Ji Sung to return to the television screen as a resident doctor
Actor Ji Sung who completed his military service back in June will return to television screens as a resident doctor in the upcoming medical drama series "New Heart." The series will also star Cho Jae Hyun, Kim Min Jung, and others. Ji Sung re...
A girl needs heartbreak to be a woman
Perhaps Lim Su-jung has bid farewell to her girl years. It’s a disappointment, but the 27-year-old actress has made her choice. Now in her late 20s, she is only doing what is natural. “Happiness” is a film about a young woman who falls in love w...
Actresses Gain Presence Onscreen
While the female persona Korean entertainment remains largely reminiscent of Hollywood during the 1950~60s, a few in recently released or upcoming films are beginning to reflect, with some realism, Korean women today. Women onscreen tend to be...
Actress Jeon Ji-hyun Making Korean Comeback
Jeon Ji-hyun has returned to act in Korea. With a leading role in the new movie "A Man Once A Superman" to be directed by Jeong Yoon-cheol, Jeon returns to Chungmuro, Korea's Hollywood, after a long absence. Korean audiences last saw Jeon in l...
Jeon Ji-hyun Set to Return to the Local Big Screen
Actress Jeon Ji-hyun is set to make her big screen comeback by starring in director Chung Yun-chul's new film 'He Once Was a Superman.' The film's production and distribution company CJ Entertainment said in a recent press release that actress...
'Happiness' Measures Cost of Love
Love is pain, they say, and countless songs and stories croon about it time over time. Melodrama maestro Hur Jin-ho (``One Fine Spring Day,'' 2001, ``April Snow,'' 2005) does not disappoint in depicting love's fleeting pleasures and lasting sting...
[MOVIE REVIEW]'Happiness' a moving tale of addiction, affection
![[MOVIE REVIEW]'Happiness' a moving tale of addiction, affection](/kmovie_news/thumbnail/070920_happiness_thumb.jpg){kind=small}
Actress Lim Soo-jung and actor Hwang Jung-min portray characters perfectly in "Happiness." Once people get stuck with the same fate, a bond can grow between them instantly; however, the relationship can fall apart fairly quickly if the common gr...
Lim Soo-jung Grows Up in New Tearjerker
Some thought she was going to be girl forever, but suddenly Lim Soo-jung has become a woman. Now she plays a victim of chronic lung disease over eight years in Director Heo Jin-ho’s latest film “Happiness,” to be released on Oct. 3. In the movie,...
Hwang-Im's 'Happiness' Invited to Toronto Film Festival
The Korean film "Happiness" starring Hwang Jeong-min and Im Soo-jeong has officially been invited to the 32nd Toronto International Film Festival. The Toronto festival, called the 'Cannes' of North America, is the largest regional film market ...
A Fresh Start for Korean Cinema: Overview of the First Half of 2007
Korean films have delved into new topics and covered a wide range of genres the first half of the year. Coming off of a disappointing year at the box office, the Korean film industry has answered with a number of truly noteworthy works of art. Alth...
Medical Fiction and Medical Reality
Horror films help entertain people suffering from the hot weather, and that is why summer theaters are packed. This year, hospital settings are the most dominant theme in this genre. Korean films in this genre are catching our attention these...
Black House Will Screen In Japan
Black House (Geomeun Jib) is currently a hit in Korean cinemas and will next attempt to woe Japanese audiences. The horror film will open in October in 250 Japanese cinemas, a number equaling BONG Joon-ho’s The Host’ Japanese release. Monster and ...
'Black House' to Open in Japan in October
The Korean thriller 'Black House,' starring veteran actor Hwang Jeong-min, will open in 250 theaters in Japan in October. The hit film is based on a best-selling Japanese novel that has sold a million copies. A film official says that Black...
Actor can’t hide his truthful eyes
When Hwang Jung-min, 38, accepted the best actor award at the Blue Dragon Film Festival for his performance in “You’re My Sunshine” many were moved when he said: “All I did was add a spoon to a dinner table that had already been prepared by other...
His First Leading Role
Hwang Jeong-min, famous movie star, said, “I look like a person from the countryside. I can’t change it because was born this way. I am the last person to be perfect. I am not good at doing household chores. I am not a good father. I feel uneasy ...
`Black' Is Gore With Suspense
Rusty, run down and remote except for the sporadic purr of a passing train, ``The Black House'' is no haunted mansion but a sinister place ``where lies the darkest secret'' of a psychopath __ a monster devoid of any human feeling or conscience. ...
Why Do Koreans Watch Horror Flicks in Summer?
Summer is the season when moviegoers in Korea see spine-chilling horror films at cinemas to escape the sweltering heat. Our Son Heekyung has the latest on this genre and its popularity during the season. Domestic directors hope to scare the sluggis...
A Tribute to Jeon Do-yeon
Hearty congratulations to Korea's most ambitious and talented actress Kyu Hyun Kim (qhyunkim) On May 27, Jeon Do-yeon won the Best Actress prize at the Cannes Film Festival, for her searing portrait of a spiritually devastated woman in Lee Chan...
Early Summer Horror Titles
Like Koreans enjoy specific dishes and activities in particular seasons, young Koreans have the tradition of being chilled down during the hot summer season by horror films; which compete with the spectacular blockbusters lined-up by Hollywood each s...
