Cha Tae-hyun rides to win in Champ
by girlfriday
Before we get to see Cha Tae-hyun as a Joseon-era thief, his heartwarming family comedy Champ hits theaters first, just in time for the Chuseok holiday. I wasn’t initially interested in this movie, but now that the stills and trailer are out, I’m totally swept up in the underdog tale of triumph. Listen, say what you want, but Seabiscuit made me cry. There’s nothing better than a perfectly executed underdog story to tug at hearts in the best way. Bring on the tears, horsey!
Cha Tae-hyun plays a has-been jockey who suffered a car accident at the height of his career, injuring his eyes and killing his wife. He puts his dreams of trophies and ribbons away and raises his daughter on his own. And then he meets a horse with a bum leg, and the two rehabilitate each other as they dream big and ride to win.
A near-blind jockey with a limping horse, plus a cute little girl to cheer them on? Can’t you just feel the tears welling already?
Cha Tae-hyun went through months of grueling training for the film, reportedly his first time having to actually learn a whole new skill for his craft. (He’s managed to have one of those stellar careers based on funny persona alone, like Jim Carrey. Also, he’s pretty notoriously close to his onscreen personas — funny but lazy. So this is kind of an amazing feat for Cha Tae-hyun the actor, on a meta level, heh.)
The film is based on the true story of a racehorse named Luna that debuted in 2004 and went on to win 13 of 33 races, and is directed by Lee Hwan-kyung (He Was Cool, Rainbow Trout). It costars Kim Soo-jung as his daughter, along with Yoo Oh-sung (Kim Suro) and Park Ha-sun (Dong Yi).
Champ hits theaters September 8.
Via Sports Chosun
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1 jacq
August 18, 2011 at 3:19 PM
Interesting!
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2 myweithisway
August 18, 2011 at 3:22 PM
It looks pretty awesome!
Also the sound-mixing is great in the trailer =)
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3 kaddictforever
August 18, 2011 at 3:23 PM
lov lov lov Cha Tae-hyun ! He is so naturally goofy and everytime I look at him - He makes me laugh! This film looks interesting n I will keep an eye out for it - Cannot resist pretty pretty horses...
Thank you girlfriday!
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4 djeedjes
August 18, 2011 at 3:43 PM
Oh I like Kim Soojung! And I always love Cha Tae Hyun's work. This is interesting.
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5 anais
August 18, 2011 at 3:44 PM
AJUSSI!!!
Ramses!!!
and
the ultimate Chingu. Yeah, for me, Yoo Oh-sung will forever be his character from Friend.
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6 mmmaggie
August 18, 2011 at 4:14 PM
Ahjussi!! Look who's earning his own home shopping money!
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obivia
August 18, 2011 at 5:31 PM
I know~! I'm so supposed this post didn't give him his own shout-out!! Ahjusshiiiiiiiii!!! So happy to see him here~
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diorama
August 18, 2011 at 9:24 PM
Yoohoo Ahjusshi! Did Yoon Sung make you get a job? Or is it that pretty girl you're after? ;)
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7 diy
August 18, 2011 at 5:08 PM
love cha tae hyun!! looks interesting and ajuhssi and queen inhyeon are in!
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8 ___
August 18, 2011 at 5:16 PM
This will also be on my to-watch list. It has Cha Taehyun, Park Hasun AND Kim Sangho AKA Mama Shikjoong?! Hellz yes! Count me in.
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9 Cynthia
August 18, 2011 at 5:17 PM
OMG!
Horses, kids, injured jockeys and the Great Race!
I'm going to have to get the economy-sized tissue box and a big bottle of Advil for my "hysterical sobbing" tearfest.
I know what GF's talking about. Underdog movies get me every time. I sobbed like a two year old at the end of The Black Stallion, Flicka, Elizabeth Taylor's Grand Prix ride on her "Pie" - and don't get me going on watching Secretariat's 31 length win for the Triple Crown! I almost passed out with that one.
And then there's watching our home-town parade on July 4th....
Oh, my - and to think some consider me to be a cold-hearted bit*h.
I hide it well.
:)
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10 qwerty8
August 18, 2011 at 5:17 PM
I'm a sucker for underdog story and I just looove Cha Taehyun... can't wait to watch this!
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11 Bluefyre
August 18, 2011 at 5:18 PM
Ahjusshi!! I see him! LOL. I wish I could watch it when it releases! It looks so good!
[and I'm a sucker for horse movies >__<]
JB, you're not the only one who cried at Seabiscuit :D
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12 dramaboy1
August 18, 2011 at 5:24 PM
according to his appearance on happy together he said he didnt get a chance to practice riding too much so when the race scenes were filmed, he was riding a fake horse in front of a stand of ppl cheering wildly for him ;)
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13 timunsuri
August 18, 2011 at 5:25 PM
i always love cha tae hyun..in his film he can make me laugh until my stomach hurt, and suddenty make me weep until my eyes sore hehe..
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lee shin..hahaha
August 18, 2011 at 10:39 PM
sooo right! and the crying part ...oh man...ust want t see hello ghost again:)
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14 Seunghyun
August 18, 2011 at 5:41 PM
I'm so glad that he made another movie, and I'll be sure to watch it. He's such a great actor and he made me great buckets in Hello Ghost!
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15 Sammi
August 18, 2011 at 5:46 PM
Another one to add to the list of must watch movies.
Every single one of his movies I always cried. So ironic that they are mostly comedies.
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16 lover
August 18, 2011 at 5:58 PM
REALLY FOR tissue n laughter!!!
i just lov this guy!!!
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17 danna
August 18, 2011 at 6:19 PM
Cha tae hyun?...'nuff said..i'm in
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18 Katherine
August 18, 2011 at 6:20 PM
I was seriously shocked when I watched him on Family Outing because he was exactly like his character from My Sassy Girl lol. I have a soft spot for the Dragon Brother so I'm quite curious about this film and hope it does well for him ^^
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19 jully moue
August 18, 2011 at 6:24 PM
the kid and ahjussi is a scene stealer! what a punky girl who tries to get her dad to stand up..
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20 ripgal
August 18, 2011 at 6:33 PM
Count on Cha Tae Hyun and his movies to make you laugh and cry at the same time. There's just something about his projects that differ from others. They're always so....heartwarming, endearing and touching.
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21 Ani
August 18, 2011 at 7:13 PM
I loved Seabiscuit. Absolutely nothing wrong with it. Horsey plus Concubine Cha? Winning. I'm in.
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22 tinatot
August 18, 2011 at 7:57 PM
aack~! its little star golden bell girl SOOJUNG! aahh i want to watch this movie :)
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23 lo
August 18, 2011 at 8:06 PM
the teaser alone made me tear up. and then the end i was like, puahahahaha~~~! i love cha tae hyun<3
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24 dulcedeleche
August 18, 2011 at 8:09 PM
oooo i remember him in Fly Daddy Fly. One of my favorite underdog movies.
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25 dls
August 18, 2011 at 9:41 PM
Oh my, my tears already well up in my eyes just by watching the trailer...
looks like a nice heart warming movie
and yay! Concubine Cha+ Ajusshi+ queen Inhyeon in Dongyi+ Ramses+ the adorable girl
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26 Corn tea
August 18, 2011 at 10:14 PM
I just wanna shout ajusshi! I miss you!!!!!
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27 Arhazivory
August 18, 2011 at 10:50 PM
Wowwww~ *sniffles* I almost feel teary already. What a great looking film.
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28 tetsi
August 18, 2011 at 11:03 PM
oh man.. I feel like crying already.
and YB sing the OST???? f**kyeah!!!!!!!!!!!
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29 almondherb
August 19, 2011 at 12:36 AM
YES! I've been waiting for this movie for a while. Cha Tae-Hyun never failed to impress me with his acting skill. Can't wait to see Soo-Jung too. They look cute together in an interview with KBS. :D
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30 merlyunho
August 19, 2011 at 3:57 AM
WOW. Cha Concubine, Shikjoong ajusshi, and Soojung the SGB girl all in one screen?
There's no way I could sit this one out. :)
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31 joon
August 19, 2011 at 4:18 AM
As long as Cha Tae-Hyun is in the movie, I'm watching it! He has never failed me!!! Although this movie seems like horse whisperer meets Lassie meets Ace Ventura. ^^
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32 luv_KimRaeWon
August 19, 2011 at 6:56 AM
'He was cool's director.. that movie wasn't all that gr8..the female lead was cute and SSH hot.. those were the only things going for tht movie IMHO ..
hope this 1's better.. the storyline seems better in any case..
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33 noodles143
August 19, 2011 at 4:21 PM
He is such a good actor..
This does look good..
Fighting!
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34 sue
August 19, 2011 at 6:39 PM
yb's 나는 나비 was a pleasant surprise! :D
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35 Echan
August 22, 2011 at 8:19 PM
i'm in..... I love the story alr, with him as the lead, and i love that horse!
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