Kim Ki-beom

Ko Ah-ra Stars in Int'l Movie

Korean actress Ko Ah-ra beat out 39,157 other actresses to play a role in the big-budget Japanese-Mongolian movie "The Blue Wolf". Japanese film producer Haruki Kadokawa, who produced "The Blue Wolf", made this revelation during the launching of Ko's first photo book in Tokyo on Sunday. In the epic film about the life of Genghis Khan, Ko plays Kuran, a woman-warrior who is also Khan's lover. Kadokawa was reportedly so impressed with Ko that he personally produced the photo book "Ara in Rome". The photo book's concept is inspired by Audrey Hepburn's film "Roman Holiday". Last January, Ko traveled to Rome for the photo shoot done by Japanese celebrity photographer Kishin Shinoyama. Ko's popularity in Japan is said to be rising. She even has her own Web site and blog in the Japanese language. "The Blue Wolf", a movie about the life of the legendary Genghis Khan, topped the Japanese box office after it opened on March 3. Directed by Shinichiro Sawai, the film also stars Takashi Sorimachi, Rei Kikukawa and Kenichi Matsuyama. The film reportedly cost 23 billion won to make and was shot on location in Mongolia for four months. Ko co-starred with Kim Hee-ae, Lee Jae-ryong and Kim Ki-bum in the SBS drama "Snowflower" last year. For her role as a young woman rebelling against her mother, she received the 2006 SBS Drama newcomer award. The 17-year old actress, a talent of S.M. Entertainment, made her debut in TVXQ's music video "Hug". She attracted much attention for her pretty looks and unique gray-green eyes. She is also a sought-after commercial model.