HomeActor/ActressLee Mi-sook
Lee Mi-sook
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Over ten years later, however, Lee returned with a widely praised role in E J-yong's award-winning film An Affair, about a woman who falls in love with her sister's fiance. Using this film as a springboard, she re-launched her career.
In 2000 Lee was cast in the high profile project The Legend of Gingko, which was considered to be production company Kang Jegyu Film's followup to the successful Shiri (even though Kang himself was not directing). However the film proved to be a critial and commercial disappointment. Lee's next two films, Besame Mucho and Oh! Lala Sisters, were also more or less ignored by audiences. In contrast, her appearances in TV dramas such as Solitude (2002) were more successful.
However 2003 was one of Lee's best years, with her highly praised role in E J-yong's Untold Scandal, a retelling of the novel Dangerous Liasions, and her role as a single mother in Lee Eon-hee's well-received melodrama ...ing.
`Hellcats’ Is Charmingly Off-Tune
From left, Kim Min-hee, Lee Mee-sook and Ahn So-hee in the romantic comedy "Hellcats" Puberty, angst-ridden youth and menopause, first kisses, marriage and a Demi Moore-Ashton Kutcher-type romance. Director Kwon Chil-in dishes out an endearingly off-key romantic comedy ``Hellcats'' as he traces the lives and loves of three ladies at different stages of womanhood. While the particular age of these ladies is their defining trait, the movie is no Klimt painting mapping out the ``Three Ages of Woman.'' It's a classic commercial flick that boasts mass appeal with its tactful casting, trend-spotting ploys and elements of fantasy. But there are nevertheless pleasant surprises that fill in for the holes of the loosely structured script, making it rather believable and even slightly touching. First off, the movie unfolds, out of all places, in a crumby, third-rate motel room. In her less-than-fortunate ``office,'' 27-year Ah-mi (Kim Min-hee) spends her birthday typing away the 17th draft of a hellish movie script she's been working on for the past two years, while the pitiful director is napping away in the corner. But chances of the work going into production are slim. At home, she's a parasitic existence, with her older sister and niece constantly nagging her to move out. Meanwhile, her longtime boyfriend, a penniless aspiring musician, has no plans to settle down, and to top it off he gets caught in bed with another woman. But then a Mr. Perfect comes along, and Ah-mi must come to terms with herself as she half-heartedly tries to give up her deadweight of a job and boyfriend. Meanwhile, Ah-mi's older sister Yeong-mi (Lee Mee-sook) is a 41-year-old single mom with a well-established career as an interior designer. She has a fling with an actor 12 years her junior, but when she tries to end it coolly as a one-night stand, menopause hits. While she casually dismisses it as ``a liberation from menstrual cramps,'' she is hurting inside, and accepts her young lover's advances in a desperate attempt to defend her womanhood. Yeong-mi's teenage daughter Gang-ae (Ahn So-hee) has her own dilemmas. Her boyfriend of three years still hasn't kissed her yet, and she grows increasingly frustrated. Her best friend Mi-ran, a Brazilian-born girl with an ``exotic'' flair, coaches Gang-ae in the art of seduction. But she becomes even more confused as the two become a little too intimate. The most successful part of the film is the casting. Popular model/actress Kim comes back on the big screen after a six-year hiatus, and ``Hellcats'' showcases her hidden talents. She gives a compelling performance as a young woman agonizing over her insecure career and shaky romance, and you become truly concerned with her drunken rambling. Lee, who showed her foxy side as a seductive temptress in ``Untold Scandal'' (2005), is perfect for the role of a sexy older woman. In her acting debut, Ahn, from the popular girl band Wonder Girls, is slightly awkward but is quite befitting for the role of an irritable teenager. In contrast to the lively heroines, however, the supporting male characters are more like chiseled Greek statues ― flawless and inanimate narrative elements. Ah-mi's eligible bachelor has a steady job, big heart and handsome looks ― in other words, a safety blanket our protagonist can conveniently take or cast off. Yeong-mi's younger man, much too ready to commit and eager to please, only exists to show audiences that she is no asexual mom but an attractive woman. And it's unfortunate that there is no chemistry between the two. Gang-ae's boyfriend, while adorable, isn't much more than a transportation device with a motorcycle Some may see the film to be a wishy-washy spin-off of the director's hit film ``Singles'' (2003), but ``Hellcats'' can, in Western parlance, be described as a stretch of ``Sex and the City.'' The trio is more like three roommates rather than a family. ``Women have three secrets they should never reveal: flings, wrinkles and their true feelings,'' says Ah-mi. And the three ladies endorse these rules, keeping secrets from one another. Just as the four New Yorkers of the HBO TV series get together once in a while to update one another at a fashionable brunch, only occasionally do the trio offer one another advice over wine and a bag of potato chips in the living room. The comments are biting, but far from being brutally honest; most of the true dialogue is with oneself. These ladies are so-called hellcats not because they're trained in manipulating men. Rather, they are engaged in fierce personal battles with themselves, and this is what makes the film agreeably off-key. It would have been a drag to see another movie about three chicks bonded with some sort of fluffy sorority spirit. By Lee Hyo-won Staff Reporter
Must-See Films in 2008
This year, a long lineup of star-studded movies, both homegrown and Hollywood imports, awaits release with Korea's hottest stars and bona fide actors gracing the silver screen throughout 2008. While a high profile cast hasn't always guaranteed a sellout, it would be hard to walk past movie posters featuring top stars. The New Year starts off with a bang. Jun Ji-hyun (also known as Gianna Jun) makes her long-awaited comeback after a two-year hiatus opposite Hwang Jung-min in ``A Man Who Was Superman,'' to open across theaters Jan. 31. The movie garnered attention by butchering down Jun's ``wholesome'' image for the role of a chain-smoking, tomboyish filmmaker. Meanwhile, fans are anxious to see how Hwang will pull off his interesting role as an unconventional Superman. The red poster of ``Hellcats'' features three female stars representing their own generation: 47-year-old actress Lee Mi-suk (``Untold Scandal,'' 2003), whose sex appeal seems to grow stronger with each passing year; 25-year-old fashion icon Kim Min-hee, who appears onscreen for the first time in six years; and 15-year-old Ahn So-hee of the sensational K-pop group Wonder Girls, who is making headlines with her acting debut. Tracing the highflying romances of these three women, this ultimate ``chick flick'' is slated for release Jan. 17. A host of films boasting macho star power will be released this year. In March comes ``Nuneneun Nun, Ieneun I'' (Eye for an Eye, Tooth for a Tooth) starring two household names, Han Seok-gyu (``Shiri,'' 1998) and Cha Seung-won (``My Teacher, Mr. Kim,'' 2003). In his 16th film, Han gives an edge to his soft charisma as a merciless cop while Cha pumps up his muscles to play the perfect criminal. The poster for ``Sukmyeong'' (Destiny) steals women's hearts and provokes men's jealousy as two ``momjjang'' or ``hot body'' actors appear together -- topless. Song Seung-heon makes a big comeback -- after serving in the military -- opposite Kwon Sang-woo in this action-packed drama about a friendship that goes sour. Director Kim Jee-woon (``A Bittersweet Life,'' 2005) brings a ``Korean-style Western'' movie to the screens starring three of Korea's A-list male celebrities: ``certified'' actor Song Kang-ho, hallyu megastar Lee Byung-hun and heartthrob Jung Woo-sung. The movie is set in the 1930s, during the Japanese occupation of Korea. Far away in Manchuria, the Good (Jung), the Bad (Lee) and the Weird (Song) become entangled in a train robbery case over a treasure map. This larger than life story becomes even more complicated as Japanese authorities and Korean independence fighters enter the scene. Another highly anticipated film is ``Ssanghwajeom,'' coming to theaters this summer. It combines the star power of Zo In-sung (``A Dirty Carnival,'' 2006) and Joo Jin-mo (``200 Pounds Beauty,'' 2006). Director Yoo Ha takes the two handsome actors back to Goguryeo Kingdom (37 B.C.-A.D. 668). Zo and Joo play the parts of a king and bodyguard, respectively, who become involved in a homosexual romance. Other long-awaited films include low-budget projects that still shine with star power. Korea's celebrated director Kim Ki-duk brings together Korea's popular actress Lee Na-young and Japan's heartthrob Jo Odagiri in ``Bimong'' (Sad Dream), which will be in theaters this fall/winter. Actress Jeon Do-yeon, undoubtedly the biggest headline maker of 2007, continues her post-Cannes acting career through a small, mellow film ``Meotjin Haru'' (One Fine Day, working title), which is also slated for release in the fall/winter. Filmmaker Park Chan-wook, whose name alone is enough to attract crowds, has fans anxiously waiting with ``Bakjwi'' (Bat, scheduled to show this spring) as well as a ``Hongdangmu'' (Carrot), a film he is producing for the first time. Meanwhile, Hollywood films starring top Korean talent make 2008 an exciting year for fans: ``Speed Racer'' starring pop star Rain (Jung Ji-hoon) and Joon Park (Park Joon-hyung), a former member of K-pop group G.O.D.; ``Laundry Warrior'' with hot actor Jang Dong-kun (Jang Dong-gun); ``Blood: The Last Vampire'' with Jun Ji-hyun (Gianna Jun); and ``Fetish'' with Song Hye-kyo. Other big movies to look forward to this summer are the latest installments of Hollywood blockbusters: the 22nd of the James Bond series and the fourth Harrison Ford classic ``Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull'' in May, as well as the Sylvester Stallone-helmed ``Rambo 4'' (release date in Korea to be announced). By Lee Hyo-won Staff Reporter
[MOVIE REVIEW] 'Hellcats' rejects men, holds girl-only party
![[MOVIE REVIEW] 'Hellcats' rejects men, holds girl-only party](/kmovie_news/thumbnail/080108-hellcats_thumb.jpg)
"Hellcats," a feature directed by Kwon Chil-in, depicts independent women in different age groups. Lee Mi-sook (left) plays a middle-aged interior designer who wants to stay cool in her relationships with a younger love, while Kim Min-hee portrays a budding screenwriter facing a turning point in her love life and career, and Ahn So-hee exhibits her trademark cute image as a sexually confused high school student. Killing wimpy men in a chick film is lots of fun. "Hellcats" (Ddeugeoun geotsi joa), a girls-only initiation drama, follows the feminist formula faithfully, but does not go the full nine yards; no guys ends up shot. Instead, the gals toy with the emasculated Korean men -- in and outside of bed. The movie, to be released on Jan. 17, is chiefly concerned with the three representative women (or girls, if you like). The narrator is A-mi (Kim Min-hee), a twenty-something screenwriter who has yet to create her debut feature, and struggles with a deadbeat boyfriend whose prospect as a professional rocker seems slim, at best. And in the bit-mature, quasi-womanly stage is her big sister Young-mi (Lee Mi-sook), a middle-aged, almost workaholic interior designer who gets entangled with a far younger boyfriend. Making up the three-way girly scheme is Young-mi's daughter Kang-ae (Ahn So-hee), a sexually confused high school girl who wants her boyfriend to act more manly -- for instance, by taking some romantic initiative, as with the much-anticipated first kiss. Since "Hellcats" is director Kwon Chil-in's latest feature following his groundbreaking girl-oriented "Singles" (2003), a similar pattern is hardly surprising. What is unexpected, though, is the degree to which men's roles are diminished. A-mi, for instance, keeps sleeping with her boyfriend Heung-soo, but she knows too well that this rocker-wannabe does not have any real chance to succeed in this tough world where there is no protection whatsoever for talentless men. A-mi willy-nilly stumbles into a better choice -- this time, a capable man named Seung-won (Kim Seong-su), who is an accountant for Deloitte's Seoul office. Except for this guy's dreadful sense of humor, A-mi vaguely assumes that her life would change for the better if she tied the knot with him. But what really concerns her is neither of these men. She is, after all, an aspiring screenwriter, and she is determined to finish her first project, no matter what. When it comes to determination and toughness, A-mi is portrayed as a cinematic macho who used to be a hardcore chainsmoker, but resolutely quits cigarettes once she gets serious about her career -- a far stronger, almost traditional alpha male approach that is prominently lacking in the movie's male characters. Young-mi is psychologically a big girl, too. She falls into a deep sense of loss and disappointment when she a callous (yes, male) doctor tells her that her menopause is the cause of her latest mood swings. Undaunted, she keeps her chin up, and tries not to lose her control when dealing with her sexual partner who wants to have an emotional tug of war. Young-mi's cute daughter, Kang-ae, is depicted as a cute seductress. She wonders why her boyfriend has not attempted to kiss her in the past three years, and one of her close friends rightly suggests that he might be gay. Kang-ae is not a sit-and-wait type, so she sets up a private meeting, in her own house, and ventures to initiate what she thinks will be the most erotic moment in her life, only to find that something goes embarrassingly wrong. The movie's strengths largely lie in its single-handedly feminist approach, which highlight the emotional and sexual travails of female characters. Its weaknesses involve its monochromatic male characters who are no more than lame stereotypes. Given that a growing number of women wield enormous influence in every sector of Korean society, from the court to big corporations to, well, the film industry, director Kwon's continued focus on the girls' cinematic growth is a welcome addition to the fast-increasing list of movies dedicated to women. Even though Kwon is not the sex of choice in the postmodern world, he knows how to plunder the new era of "girl power." One of the notable changes, in terms of acting, comes from Kim Min-hee. She seems quite believable as an open-hearted drunk at a bar who goes for a one-night stand, only to realize her mistake next morning, when she hurriedly picks up her clothes and heads for her home, struggling with a hangover. The movie's most compelling moment involves Kim's impassioned delineation of the central character going through various stages of her life -- especially her giving up certain things in favor of her dream and career. Lee Mi-sook, a veteran actor, gives a seasoned performance, bolstering this otherwise too-lighthearted fare. Lee's subtle facial expressions and suggestive moves overwhelm her counterpart, so much so that viewers may not care whether the man in question is not that bad, after all. Ahn So-hee, who makes her big-screen debut, manages to showcase her innocent image. But most folks in the audience are likely to pay special attention to Ahn because she is the youngest member of the wildly popular female music group Wonder Girls, whose smash hit song "Tell Me" conquered the nation's pop charts in 2007. The movie does not say or show anything about the traditional fatherly figure. Lee Mi-sook's husband is missing on the screen; there is no meaningful explanation about him. Ahn So-hee's father, in other words, disappeared a gone long time ago, and nobody seems to miss him. The sobering lesson for not-so-talented traditionally pretentious men is clear: In the age of Wonder Girls, it's time for men to reinvent themselves -- for instance, by playing a bit part in a chicks film like "Hellcats."
A young actress becomes a mature gisaeng
Hwang Jin-i, a woman of erotic style and flamboyant intelligence, was excellent at writing poems and drawing and she ridiculed the patriarchal society in which she lived. Any actress would want to play Hwang Jin-I -- the famous gisaeng is one of the most colorful characters in Korean history, along with Chang Hee-bin and Seong Chun-hyang. Many movies, dramas and novels have dealt with the life of Hwang Jin-i. Directors have sought out only the most beautiful actresses to play the role. Do Geum-bong, an actress famed for her sensual body, was the first to play the gisaeng in modern film, starring in "Hwang Jin-i - Movie - 1957" in 1957. After that, Kang Sook-hee starred in "The Life of Hwang Jin-i (1961)", and Kim Ji-mi followed her in "Hwang Jin-i's First Love (1969)". Kim Ji-mi had a Westernized rather than a traditional Korean appearance. Chang Mi-hee in "Hwang Jin-i (1986)", directed by Bae Chang-ho, was the most outstanding Hwang Jin-i character, since she was not portrayed as an enchantress or a prostitute as in the earlier movies. She was depicted as a wandering artist looking for freedom. On TV, Ha Ji-won took on the mantle of Lee Mi-sook, who starred in a historical drama, "Women Powers" (MBC, 1982) when she took up the role in "Hwangjin-i" (KBS) last year. The scenario of the drama was based on Kim Tak-hwan's novel. The drama emphasized the demanding training required of a gisaeng during the Joseon Dynasty. And now Song Hye-kyo has brought us the most recent version of the famous female. In "Hwangjin-y - Movie - 2007", a movie that was released last week, Song became the most powerful and erotic Hwang Jin-i that has ever existed. Jang Yoon-hyeon, who stirred our feelings with "The Contact", has directed "Hwangjin-y - Movie - 2007", and the story is based on the novel by North Korean author Hong Seok-jung. The new "Hwangjin-y - Movie - 2007" is far from ordinary; it is the first movie to dramatize a North Korean novel and the production budget exceeded 10 billion won ($10 million.) It also includes scenic views of Mount Kumgang. The film's sound bites -- such as "I laughed at the world" and "A woman from 21st century who lived in the 16th" -- have attracted plenty of attention. The new movie seems so cool that it could save the Korean movie industry from its current slump. The strict social class system does not matter to Hwang Jin-i in this new movie. Until she discovers her true origins, she enjoys her life as an upper class woman. However, when the truth is uncovered and people find out that she was born to a maid, people try to evict her from the family. Then, to everybody's surprise, she turns herself into a gisaeng. This highly educated gisaeng makes fun of the yangban, the men from the upper class, who try to patronize her. She made a decision to be a gisaeng by herself and chose her first lover, a manservant called Nomi (played by Yoo Ji-tae). He is also a revolutionary character with dreams of a utopian society. In this film Hwang Jin-i comes across a rebellious woman resisting social stratification. However, the movie is a little monotonous. Even though it deals with the intricate life of Hwang Jin-i, the movie has little tension and the plot tends to flag. The 140-minute running time tends to exhaust viewers. Neither the personality clashes or the tearful romance is powerful enough to touch viewers' hearts. The plot is dramatic for a good movie, but the realization ends up leaving much to be desired, possibly because it was too faithful to the original book. Despite the huge scale and dazzling visuals, the movie fails to be a masterpiece. It focuses too much on the radical and provocative aspects of the new Hwang Jin-i. However, Song Hye-kyo's first role as a historical figure is successful enough. Instead of a petite girl we are used to seeing, she makes a good transformation to a mature woman. Fashion designer Guho was in charge of the costumes and Won Il wrote the music. No one under 14 admitted. By Yang Seong-hee JoongAng Ilbo
Actress Lee Mi-sook Splits from Surgeon Husband
Lee Mi-sook, the 45-year-old star of "Untold Scandal", "An Affair", "Whale Hunting" and "That Winter Was Warm", ended her 20-year marriage to plastic surgeon Hong Sung-ho. The couple made the decision to divorce recently and Lee had her legal repr....
