Buddies Play Enemies in New Action Flick

In the upcoming film ``Rough Cut'' (working title), So Ji-sup and Kang Ji-hwan play brawling rivals on a movie set out to get each other. In real life, however, the two top actors, both 31, are buddies who say they take care of each other.

``Ji-hwan is very detailed and even feminine. After a tough shoot, he'd prepare healthy stamina treats like honey-dipped ginseng for me,'' So told a media event Tuesday in Seoul.

Kang jokingly answered, ``I'm used to taking care of my female co-stars, and when you catch a glimpse of long-haired Ji-sup's back, it's very attractive.''

Director Chang Hoon added to the humorous mood, saying the reserved and reliable So is a good buddy, while the friendly and caring Kang is like a sweet girlfriend.

The media and young fans roared with laughter. So, the hero of KBS2 hit drama ``Sorry, I Love You,'' has made a comeback after a four-year hiatus. Kang, who starred in the popular TV soap ``Hong Gil-dong, the Hero,'' is making his big-screen debut.

In "Rough Cut," So plays a thug who dreams of becoming an actor. He said he could relate to his character, as he longed to act while serving in the Army.

Kang, on the other hand, plays an actor who beats up and hospitalizes his co-stars. He credited So's professionalism and friendliness for helping him dispel his initial nervousness over working with such a big star in his first movie.

The two characters are cast in an action film, but when So's thug character refuses to act in the fight sequences, Kang's hot-tempered screen persona refuses to back down, setting up a showdown.

The difference between fiction and reality was blurred on the set when the actors tumbled on a muddy beach. Despite three weeks of intensive training to perfect the choreography at an action school, the mud made it impossible to stick to the script. ``It was like a dogfight,'' Kang said.

News of swimmer Park Tae-hwan winning the Olympic silver medal in the men's 200-meter freestyle was announced at the news event. So, a former professional swimmer, expressed great enthusiasm and congratulations over the news