[Spot] New Drama: Crime and Mystery Thriller ‘Gap-Dong’

Yoon Sang-hyun plays Ha Moo-yeom who is a police detective at Iltan Police Station. He struggles and spends his career chasing the real killer ‘Gap-dong’ after his father became the prime suspect in serial murders

On April 8^th, the press release for tvN’s new drama ‘Gap-Dong’ was held at CGV Yongsan with the participation of the cast including Yoon Sang-hyun, Kim Min-jung, Sung Dong-il, Lee Joon and Kim Ji-won, director Jo Soo-won and scriptwriter Kwon Eum-mi.

‘Gap-Dong’ is a crime and mystery thriller of 20 episodes based on serial murders occurred 20 years ago in an imaginary city called Iltan. Ha Moo-yeom is a police detective chasing the real killer called ‘Gap-dong’ . Tensions grow between the characters as their relationships and stories unfold.

“The drama focuses on the characters’ painful memories and life stories and tells their emotions through the serial murders”, says producer Jo Soo-won. “There aren’t many splendid scenes. But our goal is to help the viewers relate to the story and the characters”, says Jo Soo-won.

Yoon Sang-hyun plays Ha Moo-yeom, the police detective at Iltan Police Station. Ha Moo-yeom decided to become a police detective after his father was the prime suspect in the case, and though innocent, he caved under police interrogation and ended up committing suicide.

After the statue of limitations on the case expires, new clues about ‘Gap-dong’ resurface. “Different from my past roles there are many scenes where I have to run and fight. I want to keep playing funny roles. But once I focus on the character it was not so difficult to play a serious role. There is no problem if I’m really into the character like I play a role in a romantic comedy drama”, says Yoon Sang-hyun.

Yoon Sang-hyun said he studied Song Kang-ho’s acting in the movie ‘Memories of Murder’. He also said, “I always wanted be a singer but Song Kang-ho in the movie helped me have a dream to become an actor. I watched the movie 7 or 8 times. There shouldn’t be cases like that anymore”.

Sung Dong-il plays chief of crime department ‘Yang Chul-gon’ at Iltan Plice Station

Sung Dong-il plays chief of crime department ‘Yang Chul-gon’ who convinced that Moo-yeom’s father was the killer. He is extremely prejudiced against Moo-yeom, the son of the suspected murderer, which makes for a combative working relationship. But Ha Moo-yeom’s passion and devotion changed how he thinks about him and and he accepts Ha Moo-yeom.

He explains about the movie, saying “The Hwaseong serial murders are the motif of the drama. But the process of catching the criminals is different from that of the movie ‘Memories of Murders’. It’s a story about the pains of humans and why those with painful memories have to catch criminals”.

Lee Joon plays ‘Ryu Tae-oh’, the psychopath who thinks serial killer ‘Gap-dong’ a hero

Lee Joon plays ‘Ryo Tae-oh’, a barista with a genius IQ of 150. He is a psychopath who has completely no empathy for others’ pain. He even thinks serial killer ‘Gap-dong’ his idol. Lee Joon said, “I try not to watch dramas about psychopaths to create my own character. So I keep a journal, imagining I was a psychopath. I also try to think badly of things. When I first read the script I found it very interesting. I began to want to play a psychopath since two years ago. Now I can finally play the role. I’m doing my best to understand my character’s behavior as I’m not a psychopath”.

Kim Min-jung plays mysterious doctor Maria Oh and Kim Ji-won plays 17-year-old webtoon writer Ma Ji-wool

Kim Min-jung plays psychiatrist with a mysterious double life. She is a kind doctor in the doctor’s gown but when she takes it off she turns into a mysterious woman.

“Maria Oh has to live with emotional scars and traumas. Her own way to survive really appeals to me. My job is to show why Maria Oh has to live a double life in a realistic way”, says Kim Min-jung.

Kim Ji-won also played a high school student in her former drama ‘The Heirs’. Again, she plays 17-year-old webtoon writer ‘Ma Ji-wool’. She said she has no problem of holding the high school student image, saying “Senior actors tell me I should play young characters as possible as an actress. I appreciate the fact that I can wear a school uniform. My character is young but she is also matured”.

tvN’s new drama ‘Gap-Dong’ will be first aired at 8:40 on April 11^th.

Written by Han Jihee, Photographed by Ryuma, Translated by Lee Sarah

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Kim Soo-hyun Receives Appreciation plaque in China

‘My Love from the Star’ starring Kim Soo-hyun recorded the most views on a Chinese video website.

Kim Soo-hyun was awarded a plaque of appreciation for more than 2 billion views if the drama. The plaque was awarded by iQIYI which owns the rights to ‘My Love from the Star’ in China. The press conference, on April 6^th, was followed by his fan meeting in Beijing.

‘iQIYI’ offers a service called PPS(Pay Per Series) which allows users to watch all 
episodes of a program. The drama ‘My Love from the Star’ recorded more than 2 billion views, making it the most viewed drama among all dramas including Korean dramas provided by the service.

The record is twice as high as that of the recent drama ‘The Heirs’, which was also popular in China.

The PPV service made big profits with the drama as the users are required to pay for the contents. It was an extraordinary event that iQIYI awarded Kim Soo-hyun the plaque of appreciation at the conference with the participation of a hundred of local media outlets.

The popularity of Kim Soo-hyun is so high that there is a ‘Kim Soo-hyun syndrome’ in China. The episode of Jiansu Satellite TV’s ‘Super Brain’, which starred Kim Soo-hyun, recorded the highest TV ratings among all programs this year in China. Kim Soo-hyun is becoming more popular after the fan meetings in Shanghai, Guangzhou and Beijing.

Kim Soo-hyun is on 2014 Kim Soo Hyun Asia Tour, visiting 9 cities in 7 countries. He also held successful fan meetings on April 4^th in Guanzhou and on April 6^th in Beijing.
Finishing his fan-meeting tour in the middle of May, Kim Soo-hyun will carefully choose the next drama.

 

Written by Han Jihee, Photo by KeyEast, Translated by Lee Sarah

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Kim Woo Bin’s Fan Meeting in Thailand with a Friendly Attitude

 

 

April 5th, Kim Woo Bin’s fan meeting was held at 1 and 6 o’clock at Thammasat University in Bangkok, Thailand. Over 5,000 fans participated in the event.

 

The fans shouted altogether when Kim Woo Bin appeared on the stage, singing Lee Juck’s ‘It’s Fortunate’. He said ‘thank you’ in Thai, saying “Thank you all for welcoming me so much”.

 

The fan meeting kicked off with his recent schedules and news. A video of some of the best scenes of the drama ‘The Heirs’ were played during the meeting.

 

The scenes were selected by celebrities like Minho of SHINee, Kang Min-hyuk of CNBLUE, sNE1, MBLAQ, Park Shin-hye and Rain.

  

 

 

 

Kim Woo Bin amazed the fans by drawing an elephant, the symbol of Thailand. The meeting also included features named ‘Mini Olympics and ‘Heart attack’, which the fans with Kim Woo Bin enjoyed a lot.

 

He also rode a bicycle with one fan, providing her unforgettable moments. The ‘high touch session’ followed the meeting. During the session, Kim Woo Bin made eye contact with all fans and thanked every one of them.

 

 

Kim Woo Bin said, “Thank you all for supporting me so much. Please wait for my comeback, I’ll be back soon. And please don’t forget about me until we meet again. I love you all!”. He bowed 90 degree and said “Phom rak khun” (‘I love you’ in Thai), impressing the Thai fans.

 

Having finished the successful fan meetings in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Thailand, Kim Woo Bin will focus on shooting the movie ‘The Technicians’.

 

 

 

◎Photo Gallery – Kim Woo Bin's Fan Meeting in Thailand

 

 

Written by Han Jihee, Photo by sidus HQ, Translated by Lee Sarah

 

 

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[Show! Beautiful Men] Unrealistic Boy ‘Yeo Jin-goo’

 

(Possible Personal Feelings)

A child actor who showed great acting of shedding tears in the movie ‘Sad Movie’ has turned into an actor who can act quiet well in several soap operas.

Yeo Jin-goo, who played young King ‘Lee Hwon’ who couldn’t forget his first love ‘Yeon-woo’ in the drama ‘Moon Embracing the Sun’, made the viewers know his name and love him. His charming smile and handsome face with his ability to act are what make him more attractive.
Every time he appears in a drama or a movie, he grows physically, but he also draws more attention and raises expectations of his fans.

He’s still a high school student, not a man. But time flows. He’ll soon become a perfect adult actor. Yeo Jin-gu, who always tries to show his best with his roles, has been chosen as the fourth beautiful man of out ‘Beautiful Men’ series.
 

 Yeo Jin-gu made his name known to more people through ‘Moon Embracing the Sun’

 

 

 

 He got Chungmuro’s attention with great acting in ‘Hwayi: A Monster Boy’

 

 

 

  “The ketchup should look pretty on hotdogs!” Snack times are always fun!

 

 

 “I’m full of evergy!” Has he just come back from school?

 

 

 He dubbed the documentary film ‘Uigwe - 8 Days of Festival’

 

 

 

 

Written by Han Jihee, Photo by Showbox and Lotte Entertainment, Translated by Lee Sarah

 

 

 

 

3. [Show! Beautiful Men] Lee Jung-Jae – Forever Young

2. [Show! Beautiful Men] Lee Jong-Suk – Full of ‘Chemistry’

 

1. [Show! Beautiful Men] Gong Yoo – Full of Charms

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[Spot] Press Screening for the Movie ‘Thorn’

 

On April 2nd, the press screening for the movie ‘Thorn’ was held at CGV Wangsimni. The movie is about a female student’s obsessive love for her teacher.

Here are the questions asked to Jang Hyuk, Jo Bo-ah and the director Kim Tae-gyoon.

 

(Possible Spoilers)


Why did you decide to direct ‘Thorn’?
Director – The theme of the story is love. The genre is the mixture of suspense and melodrama and it also takes the form of a thriller. I can’t say it’s a total success but watching the movie here makes me feel many things.
 
Viewers might have a hard time relating to the characters.
Jang Hyuk – You can naturally relate to the characters while watching the movie. I understand how ‘Jun-ki’ feels about the conventional love. It’s not only about the love between a teacher and a student, but a story of addiction and obsession of love. Love finally leads to the collapse. Some of the characters might be liked or disliked.
Jo Bo-ah – The characters contain fictional elements. I was sad reading through the script and I felt sympathy for the characters.
 
(To Jo Bo-ah) Did you have any motif character to play your role?
Jo Bo-ah – I think too much of love becomes obsession. In that sense, I can understand reasons for Young-eun’s behavior. I watched ‘Chloe’ to study Amanda Seyfried’s role.
 
The original name of the movie was ‘Strawberry Milk’. Why did you change it?
Director – The scenario was under the name of ‘Strawberry Milk’. We kept the name for long but we changed the title because we thought the original name was a little vague.
 
(To Jang Hyuk and Jo Bo-ah) You shot bed-scenes. Didn’t you worry about undressing scenes?
Jang-hyuk – It was very difficult for me to shoot undressing scenes as I had to express the character’s feelings well. But director Kim and I talked a lot about it and the scenes look quiet good.
Jo Bo-ah – I enjoyed playing the role as a teenager wearing a school uniform. It’s true that I was worried about it but I decided to shoot the scenes because they were necessary for the movie.
 

 

(To the director) What do you think about Jo Bo-ah as an actress?
Director – The audition for the role ‘Yong-eun’ continued for 3 months. When I created the character I hoped the viewers would not relate to it. I hoped it would be understandable but not totally. I chose her because I thought she’d play the character well. I am satisfied with the case. She is a very passionate and attractive actress.
 
(To the director) – Can you explain more about the last scene?
Director – Well the last scene implies many meanings. Any of the cast could have possibly related to their roles completely. I hoped the viewers would have pity for the characters at the end of the movie. Ju-ki’s tears show mixed feelings, the tears that erupt one day. He cries not because of the incident at the end of the movie.
Jang Hyuk – It’s the tears of a coward. Jun-ki has to stay in reality but his mixed-feelings led to the collapse.
 
What if a young girl liked you in reality like the movie?
Jang Hyuk – I can understand the character but I don’t completely agree with his feelings.
 
Did you prepare for the scenes where you go swimming and play rugby?
Jang Hyuk – I didn’t have to show much of my body. I got help from a personal trainer as the role is a former rugby player on the national team.
 
This is your first movie. Did you feel anything different from shooting a drama?
Jo bo-ah – I think movies are quite different from TV dramas in a good way. It was good that we could tweak some of the scenes to make them look better during the editing period.

 

 
 

 
What was the motif of the movie?
Director – 7 years ago, I first read the story that was one of the scripts submitted to a contest. I chose it and developed the story. The episodes happening to the three characters were very intriguing.
 
Apartment complex was the setting of the movie. Some of the lines in the script read ‘a neighborhood full of stories’ and there are a lot of sky scenes. Can you tell us more about that?
Director – I wanted to shoot narrow scenes do that the movie can look rigid. The camera was fixed and the sky looked fixed. The last scene with the open sky was intended.
 
Jo Bo-ah’s role leads the story. Did you feel under pressure about it?
Jo Bo-ah – I wanted the viewers would feel pity for ‘Young-eun’. Director Kim helped me a lot. I enjoyed shooting the entire time.
 
The movie raises questions about love. How do you all feel about love?
Director – Well, I’m not sure. I couldn’t think deeply about it. But during the pre-screening I asked myself if I know anything about love.
Jo Bo-ah – (Laughter) I wondered what love is.
Jang Hyuk – Love starts with curiosity and fluttering heart. Relationships always accompany the positives and negatives. You can ask yourself what love really is while watching the movie.
 
What is the point of movie that viewers should focus on?
Jang Hyuk – I think the viewers could focus on the change in the feelings of the characters.
Jo Bo-ah – The viewers could think about the love between the characters and love, itself.
Director – The movie is full of dramatic characters. The movie could look strange at first but you can think about love and try to relate to every character in the movie.
 
The suspense melodrama movie of cruel love and obsession, ‘Thorn’ will be released on April 10th.


 

Written by Han Jihee, Photographed by Ryuma, Translated by Lee Sarah

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[Interview] ‘Jang Bo-ri Is Here’s Oh Yeon-seo, Kim Ji-hoon, Lee Yoo-ri and Oh Chang-seok

 
It’s your first time to be the heroine of a drama. Aren’t you worried about using Jeolla-do dialect?
I feel little pressure actually as I lived in Gyeongsang Province until I was a junior in middle school. I should work hard.
 
You played a charismatic character in the drama ‘Goddess of Marriage’ and now your role is more like a funny character. Which prosecutor characters do you prefer?
Kim Ji-hoon – Well, it depends. It was harder for me to play the character last time as I had to restrain the emotions. But it’s easier for me this time because I can express the character’s emotions. The character will make people laugh as he comes into conflict with Jang Bo-ri in interesting situations. I think portraying a role well is the best way to draw more viewers.  
 
Why did you decide to accept the role?
Oh Yeon-seo – I thought I would look cute making Hanbok. And also it was time for me to play a tougher role that is more relentless.
Kim Ji-hoon – I played a reserved role in SBS’s ‘Goddess of Marriage’. I’m excited to express more emotions this time playing the new role. Well the story might sound stupid or crazy with its artificial elements, but the staff is competent enough to make the drama become really popular.
 
Don’t you think some people misunderstand you?
Oh Yeon-seo – Even people I meet through work become nervous when they are around me. They think I might be too sensitive first. It’s true that it stresses me out. So I’m trying to get out of the prejudice.
Ji-hoon – I think she can escape from the stress this time.
 
How did both of you feel about shooting a drama together?
Oh Yeon-seo – First I thought Kim Ji-hoon might be quiet and stubborn. But he is very funny and lively. I relieved when he approached and talked to me first.
Kim Ji-hoon – Well, thanks for the compliment. (laughter) I was personally excited to work with Oh Yeon-seo. We were never close before. I’ve met her 4 times and I feel comfortable around her.
Oh Yeon-seo – (joking) Well, I do feel uncomfortable.
Kim Ji-hoon – We’ll work together in perfect harmony. As a ‘Chemi-Couple (referring to a couple in a drama that also looks good with each other in real life)’, I think we’ll draw much attention from the viewers.
Oh Yeon-seo – I’ll beat him up while acting for the drama. I’m a little worried about that.
Kim Ji-hoon – Well, she has really thick bones.
Oh Yeon-seo – Well I’ll use my full strengths to shoot such action scenes. (laughter)

You had a boy-band member as your partner in the drama ‘Medical Top Team’, any comments on that?
Oh Yeon-seo – Yes, it was Minho of SHINee. But now I have Kim Ji-hoon and I’ll count on him.
Kim Ji-hoon – Yeah, do it.
Oh Yeon-seo – Minho was probably 10 years younger than me. (laughter)
 
You said you trust Kim Sun-ok and her script. Aren’t you afraid of hearing that the story of your drama makes no sense?
Kim Ji-hoon – Her dramas have always been popular. I have much expectation for her script. She’s a big shot. Well some of the stories might sound absurd a little but there aren’t any parts that should be criticized. You shouldn’t worry about it because it’s a delightful family drama.
 
What does ‘Jang Bo-ri Is Here’ have that transcends other dramas?
Oh Yeon-seo – It’s a delightful drama. You can relax and laugh out while watching it.
 
Did you practice to make Hanbok?
Oh Yeon-seo – I’m not that feminine so I have never sewn. I practiced to sew at Park Sul-nyeo’s Hanbok store, but I just pretend to sew. I think there would be a double to shoot sewing scenes.
 
When you are in a relationship, which character are you close to?
Kim Ji-hoon – I’m not one-sided like Kang Tae-wook in ‘Goddess of marriage’ but I usually take lead in relationship.
 
Any pledges to make for high TV ratings?
Oh Yeon-seo – I want Kim Ji-hoon to dance EXO’s dances.
Kin Ji-hoon – Well then you should dance Kara’s dances. I hope it’ll be over 35%. But realistically, I think it would be about 25%.
Oh Yeon-seo – Well, Kim Ji-hoon will dance EXO’s ‘Growl’ in Myeong-dong anyway.
 

 

 
You also play an evil role like you did in the drama ‘Twinkle Twinkle’.
Lee Yoo-ri – Yun Min-jung is a misfortunate girl. She is also extroverted. But the good news is two men love Yun Min-jung.
 
Don’t you care about the label of ‘abnormal drama’?
Oh Chang-seok – I just laugh it out. I don’t care too much about people criticizing the dramas I’ll be shooting. Everything from the subject matter to the format differs from drama to drama. It’s important to focus on acting and enjoying it.
 
What do you want to show shooting this drama?
Oh Chang-seok – I play a baddie. But I want to convince the viewers why he has to live like that. Love triangles and conflicts among the characters will be very interesting.
Lee Yoo-ri – I scratch my hear over surviving. As an actress, I’m excited about wearing fancy Hanbok. I try to be an initiate of the Hanbok store ‘Bi Sool Chae’ in the drama. The fight over the ownership of the store will be interesting.
 
What is the difference between your role as Lee Jae-hee and your past roles?
Oh Chang – I’m not sure yet because I haven’t gotten the script yet for the adult part of Lee Jae-hee. The reason why I chose the role this time was that I didn’t fully express emotions when I was shooting ‘Princess Aurora’. Lee Jae-hee is very forward and does whatever to get what he wants. I think I can show more playing this role than before.
 
Do you learn anything form Lee Yoo-ri as she is a senior?
Oh Chang-seok – My partners in my past dramas were around my age and as experience as me. Now I work with big names. I will certainly learn a lot from them. We talked a lot about what we can do
Lee Yoo-ri – We had our turn late during the poster photo shoot because other actors have bigger roles. We cheered each other up, saying we should work harder. We’ll discuss the concept a lot and help to shoot a good drama.
 
Do you want to show off anything about ‘Jang Bo-ri Is Here’?
Oh Chang-seok – it’s a modern drama with unique subject matter which is traditional. The story is about love between family in modern life.
Lee Yoo-ri – It’s a drama that’ll make you feel warm. The various characters in the new drama will all be liked by the viewers except mine. Please show us your interest and support.
 

[Spot] Kim Ji-hoon and Oh Yeon-seo, New Perfect Match for the Drama ‘Jang Bo-ri Is Here’

 

Written by Han Jihee, Photo by Ryuma and MBC, Translated by Lee Sarah

 

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[Movie Behind] From ‘Kim Ha Neul’ to ‘Yoon Shi-yoon’, Teachers in Movies.

In many movies, we often see some teachers who lead theirs students and help them become better human beings. Others, on the other hand, fail to lead their students into the right way and see them protest. Not every teacher in movies is perfect.

Let’s meet the teachers with various personal life stories in four movies.

“I’m your teacher” Kim Ha Neul from <My Tutor Friend>
Su-wan is a sophomore in college. She gives students expensive private tutoring to pay her tuition. But she has to quit teaching one student only in 7 days, who is just one of her many students who are all trouble makers. Then she has another student Ji-hoon through her parents, which made her life tangled even more.
Ji-hoon is the fighting ‘Jjang(the head of a school mafia)’ in his school who had to leave school for 2 years. Although he is still in school, he is the same age as Su-wan. Su-wan struggles to stand on her dignity as tutor but it is never easy for her to do that and the movie depicts her struggle comically.

“I don’t want a bribe anymore”, Cha Seung-won from <My Teacher, Mr. Kim>
Kim Bong-doo takes all forms of bribes from the parents of his students. But one day, he finally gets caught in the act and temporarily transferred to boondocks, a branch school in a remote village in Gangwon Province. Missing life in Seoul, he sets out an evil plan to make all the 5 students transfer to a school in Seoul so that his school will be closed down.
Struggling to get out of his country life, he starts to change a little by little. His kind and naïve students make him become a better human being and protect the school when a businessman unexpectedly appears, saying he’d like to turn the school into a survival game site.

 “Is he my teacher or friend?”, Kim Yoon-seok from <Punch>
Do Wan-deuk (Yoo Ah-in), who is from a poor and deprived family, meets an unconventional high school teacher Lee Dong-ju (Kim Yoon-seok) who lives next door. Dong-ju walks into Wan-deuk’s like and often calls him out even at night. Getting tired of too much attention from him, Wan-deuk goes to church and pray that his teacher will that. But Dong-ju never stops. He reveals Wan-deuk’s past and embarrasses him. He even comes over Wan-deuk’s house and drinks with his uncle and father in the middle of the night. Dong-ju also suggests that Wan-deuk meets his mother whom he never met. Wan-deuk, who used to fight and behave badly, finds his dreams with the help from Dong-ju.
It shows how a teacher with love and attention can help his or her student turn into a better person.

Helping to find your dream as golfer, Yoon Shi-yoon from <Mr. Perfect>
In a small island in Tongyeong, Baek Se-jin teaches golf to students in school that is about to be closed down. He is the unluckiest teacher among all the 4 teachers. He was once a golf prodigy and a very successful golfer. But he was involved in a drunken driving accident and made his manager die.
He then suffered from aphasia and couldn’t speak a word. Then he ends up with teaching the students. He first struggles to get out of the island but he realizes that his students really need a teacher. Byeong-joo is the brightest student who shows great talent in golf and also helps his teacher stay in the island and teach his students hard.
As you can see, the teachers all have different backgrounds and influences. It is exciting to wait and see what the teachers in other movies in the future would be like.

Written by Han Jihee, Translated by Lee Sarah

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