Hwang Jung-min and Kang Dong-won team up in revenge thriller
by girlfriday
Well you know I’m always a happy camper when there’s no end in sight to Kang Dong-won’s steady stream of projects. He’s had a pretty strong showing on the big screen this past year with the melodrama Dugeun Dugeun My Heart and the historical action film Kundo: Age of the Rampant, and now he’s in talks to start off 2015 alongside Hwang Jung-min (When a Man Loves) in his new revenge thriller Untold Story of a Prosecutor.
This will be the first time the two actors work together, but they’re each reuniting with the production houses behind their movies Kundo and New World, who are co-producing the new project together. Directing is Lee Il-hyung, who’s been working under director Yoon Jong-bin (Kundo, Nameless Gangster) since Beastie Boys.
The movie is about a prosecutor with a proclivity for violence, who gets framed for murder and gets sent to prison for a crime he didn’t commit. While in jail, he plans out his revenge mission, and finds the most talented criminals in the ward to help him out. How funny that a prosecutor would turn a potential death trap into a recruitment pool for co-conspirators.
Hwang Jung-min has already signed on to headline as the prosecutor, while Kang Dong-won is being courted to play a brilliant con artist and schemer. The movie will be about the prosecutor’s ragtag team of ex-cons enacting a revenge plan against the organization that framed him. It sounds a little bit like Bad Guys mixed with a heist movie, but naturally we’ll have to wait to see how dark-and-revengey or slick-and-smart the execution swings. If it’s anything like Kundo, we can expect a fun ensemble film in the making.
Hwang Jung-min is currently shooting his Mt. Everest expedition movie Himalaya with Jung Woo, and Untold Story of a Prosecutor plans to enter production in the new year.
Via Munhwa
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Tags: Hwang Jung-min, Kang Dong-won
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1 kwondong
November 18, 2014 at 3:14 AM
YES to anything Kang Dong Won <3
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Rachel
November 18, 2014 at 3:17 AM
Indeed! I'm pleased that he's slowly making his way up the ladder towards becoming Chungmuro royalty.
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2 Orion
November 18, 2014 at 3:26 AM
I've seen many a film with an incredible cast having nothing more than its cast to offer, so while I do hope for a great ensemble piece, I hope they will put more effort in the quality of the story and plot.
Some films gunning to be blockbusters seem to think the cast alone and a shaky grasp of "coolness" are enough. They are not. It's even worse to see a great cast being given bad material to deliver.
Given how much I adore both actors, I hope they give them something great to work with. Now let's see if the Creep takes the role. I hope he does. So very badly.
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alua
November 18, 2014 at 12:53 PM
Agree with everything you say.
Very much adore both of them, they can deliver subtle performances (and particularly Hwang Jung-min is under-appreciated).
It does read like a blockbuster plot... but I hope they give these actors something great to work with. Incidentally, I'd love to see both in some more daring and high-quality indie productions soon too.
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3 Quiet Thought
November 18, 2014 at 3:59 AM
It's all derivative, but so is every Denzel Washington or Liam Neeson flick over the last ten years. If they get a good script and a competent director, this could be rockin' good entertainment.
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museofmanymasks
November 18, 2014 at 6:46 AM
+1
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4 kanz
November 18, 2014 at 4:19 AM
It seems more and more impossible to see KDW in drama. At least you get huge paycheck and better working condition than dramaland...
Although it takes forever to release a movie and wait for engsub.
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5 Bellamafia
November 18, 2014 at 4:52 AM
I didnt read the headline, I thought it was Joo Won on the picture.
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6 Mandy
November 18, 2014 at 5:17 AM
I'll watch Kang Dong-won in pretty much anything. But this sounds really good!
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damianna
November 18, 2014 at 5:26 AM
You are so not the only one =)
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Diana Hansen
November 19, 2014 at 10:18 AM
count me in too. i just wish we could see his movies a bit sooner also. it takes so long for them but i guess its a good sign cause that means they do well at the box office so it takes a bit longer to get the eng. subs out :)
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7 eynay
November 18, 2014 at 6:03 AM
Yes for Hwang Jung Min! Long time not hear anything about him. ^_^
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8 museofmanymasks
November 18, 2014 at 6:45 AM
Hwang Jung Min? Sold. I like how the plot sounds too but it all depends on execution. For his sake I hope its good. Though he has the ability to elevate a mediocre project (say, Private Eye), he is capable of more. At any rate I know the film will look pretty, thanks to this production team and Kang Dong-won (whom henceforth I will address as the virgin ghost from Kundo).
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Orion
November 18, 2014 at 9:06 AM
The virgin ghost bit killed me. I agree Hwang is one wonderful actor. And the virgin ghost from Kundo has charisma and when he nails it, he nails it good. They better give them something good here.
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alua
November 18, 2014 at 12:59 PM
I thought he was like a demon... that moment when his top knot got undone in the fight. Cruel human before, demon of the darkest of the dark after. Still think they should have let him become a demon ghost after he was killed!
I can't address Kang Dong-won as 'virgin ghost' though, having seen him in real life he's everything but that. See photos...
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Orion
November 18, 2014 at 1:12 PM
Having been a fan of Naruto way back when, he just reminded me of Orochimaru. Ahaha.
I'm surprised he spoke in English a bit. I mean, I don't really look into the actors I like much, but I was not aware he manages any English. It's a good idea, given his status.
Of so many things I am curious about in this film, chemistry is also a big question mark. I wonder if Hwang and he have it. Kundo was great, but I didn't feel the confrontations much, apart from the good choreography. Chemistry between cast members does wonders for the overall presentation.
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alua
November 18, 2014 at 1:23 PM
Yeah, I was surprised because I often attend screenings with Q&A's and the actors/directors/producers rarely speak in English. Some understand and speak a little, but Kang Dong-won actually understands English perfectly fine. When he answered in Korean, he didn't wait for the interpreter to translate the English question into Korean, he'd generally answer right away.
Similarly, Jung Woo-soon (at another screening) was also perfectly fine conversing fluently in English (though he did not do any of his Q&A in English, but I know because I went to a press reception where he was chatting with English speakers).
I'm guessing Bae Doo-na must be good at English now too with all her foreign work, though generally I don't expect Korean actors to know anything more than the Engrish we hear in dramas!
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Orion
November 18, 2014 at 1:28 PM
"Shut the mouse" level, yes. Smart of him to learn, given his popularity and how he can gain prestige by being involved in festivals and engaging all kinds of foreign viewers.
If he does accept this film, he will likely promote it heavily as well, assuming it does well. Now we just have to wait and see. And see who the rest of the cast will be too. Going by the credits so far, it will be pretty packed with top names.
alua
November 19, 2014 at 10:45 AM
Yes, he said he'd be promoting his films abroad more in the future (he came straight from the Hawaii International Film Festival to London). He did say it was his first time in London in ten years! (I guess all the model shoots only took him to Paris. ;-) )
I'd like him to do a film like Bae Doona's A Girl at My Door though, the kind that screens at Cannes, Venice, etc. Most of what he's done would screen primarily at Korean/Asian Film Festivals abroad, where, to be honest, most of the viewers are Korean/Asian (maybe 70% at Kundo? Probably even more at Jung's Cold Eyes? Only with Revivre the audience was noticeably more diverse, probably in part thanks to an extended Im Kwon-taek retrospective the British Film Institute did last summer). In fact, in my experience, the non-Asians at those screenings are the ones who are into Asian film anyhow or that are dragged along by someone Asian (partner, friend).
museofmanymasks
November 18, 2014 at 3:06 PM
I totally agree with Orion that he is wonderfully charismatic and I do I mean it offensively. In real life he can pass for human but I really can't see him as anything else but a virgin ghost/demon (which is also an apt description) now. It was just the funniest thing. Other than that distracting moment when the topknot was undone, I was delighted by his suave evilness and effortless swagger (no not "swag" but actual swagger). He's one to watch for.
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museofmanymasks
November 18, 2014 at 4:19 PM
woops meant I don't mean it offensively haha dangerous typo
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Orion
November 18, 2014 at 7:21 PM
It's ok. Most users here would think nothing of it. In certain other places, I wouldn't want to be you. :P
But yes, I liked the tortured evilness. But the con artist angle here interests me a lot, because those characters tend to be somewhat humorous and cool. Also very arrogant and cocky. He hasn't played many characters with such a behavior, so it would be new and exciting for us and also an opportunity for him to expand his repertoire and skills.
9 kimchikay
November 18, 2014 at 7:54 AM
I swear Kang Dong Won and Joo Won look like siblings! They need to do a film together!
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10 rinoak
November 18, 2014 at 8:13 AM
Anything that is even remotely like Bad Guys is a must watch for me, AND it has Kang Dong-Won in it too?? Yeah, I'm counting down the days now.
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alua
November 18, 2014 at 1:01 PM
No, Kang Dong-won is not in Bad Guys.
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rinoak
November 18, 2014 at 7:14 PM
Yeah, I know, I'm watching Bad Guys. And I love it. That's why I want to watch anything even remotely like it. I was just saying that if this IS like Bad Guys and had KDW in it, then I will definitely watch.
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alua
November 19, 2014 at 10:38 AM
Sorry... my reading comprehension skills are somewhat lacking ;-)
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11 rainerust
November 18, 2014 at 8:25 AM
I love KDW!!! ...he's never coming back to dramaland is he? I swear the last drama I saw him in was 1% of Anything (which I deeply adored at that point of time but would probably scratch my head over now) and that was eons and eons ago. He's never been prolific but his acting is super charismatic. And yeah, I agree that Joo won looks like him (particularly since Joo won's photo was right below or above his - I had to do a double take haha!) so I'm glad at least ONE of them is doing the drama route!
Like HJM too, and I think this could be rollicking good fun if done right! Can't wait!!
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12 justin
November 18, 2014 at 9:00 AM
Yay!! KDW is so in demand these days..not only an original flower boy but he has an excellent talents that most of the directors/producers wanted to work with..Also, he is very low-profile actor.. Cant' wait to hear more news about him..
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13 changhyun
November 18, 2014 at 1:15 PM
TBH KDW was a great villain in Kundo: Age of the Rampants but I thought the movie was pretty boring. I guess it was supposed to be part action/comedy but it really didn't do it for me and I normally like those types of movies. Something about the cinematography and color of the movie irked me throughout. However, keep it up KDW, he's been away so long so may as well strike when it's hot!
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museofmanymasks
November 18, 2014 at 3:12 PM
Really? The cinematography was my favorite thing about it. Otherwise I somewhat agree. I mean it was mildly amusing, and I liked seeing all those actors I like but it felt very surface. Like they didn't really use the cast to its best advantage. I loved the western vibes, but is there that much open plane in South Korea?
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14 GoKimchi
November 19, 2014 at 1:34 AM
Hwang Jung min is a fantastic actor and though a bit underrated, he is nonetheless one of the very few actors that really can transcend anything he is in. The pairing with Kang Dong Won sounds beyond greatness :)!
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