First teaser for warm human comedy Chronicle of a Blood Merchant
by girlfriday
This movie has such an unexpected romantic-comedy feel to it, which surprised me even after I saw the first lighthearted stills. The first teaser is out for Chronicle of a Blood Merchant, the second feature directed by Ha Jung-woo (Kundo: Age of the Rampant), who also stars in the project alongside Ha Ji-won (Empress Ki). The movie is an adaptation of the Chinese novel Chronicle of a Blood Merchant by Yu Hua, transposed to 1960s Korea.
The plot synopsis describes the hero as a man with no money and no plans for his life, but I was expecting more of a heartwarming tale of triumph over poverty. What we get instead is actually way funnier — Ha Jung-woo plays a truly lazy, good-for-nothing, all-talk, no-action slacker whose only real talent is that he can talk himself into and out of any situation. He’s content to do nothing with his life, that is until he meets Ha Ji-won, the most beautiful woman in his village.
Suddenly he tells his uncle, “I want to get married!” and goes from napping all day to uncharacteristically combing his hair and spending all his money on dates to win her over (adorably, this is done via dumplings, which is just too quaint for words). He’s pretty slick with the moves too, as we see him use the popcorn cannon’s pop to pull her close: “You were in danger!” And then he follows his lightning round of courtship with the sudden question: “So… when are you going to marry me?”
They eventually marry and have three sons, and one day the village gossips start whispering that their firstborn looks an awful lot like a different man, and they become the subject of scandal. The story is about the hapless hero doing whatever it takes to feed and protect his family, as he sets about on some kind of mission to prove that he’s the father of his boys, with the help of townsfolk including Kim Young-ae, Sung Dong-il, Kim Sung-kyun, Jung Man-shik, Lee Kyung-young, and Jo Jin-woong. It’s the kind of movie that’s all about the personality and chemistry of the two leads, and it looks like they’ll have that in spades.
Chronicle of a Blood Merchant hits theaters January 15.
Via Osen
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Tags: Ha Ji-won, Ha Jung-woo
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1 mary
December 6, 2014 at 4:11 AM
I was distracted by the cat. That cute little kitty!!!! ^_______^
But yes, this movie looks so fun! I feel like the best ones are those that can make you laugh and cry at the same time. :')
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missDVM
December 7, 2014 at 11:47 AM
I was thinking that too. Such an adorable calico!
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2 KDaddict
December 6, 2014 at 4:16 AM
The story reminds me of an interview of Kim Seung Woo, who said that there were rumours of his older child, a daughter, with Kim Nam Joo not being his, cos she doesn't look like him, and it hurt his feelings. I thought it was malicious to start such rumour about celebrities. Can't imagine people saying such things about their neighbours. That's really low.
Love anything that Ha Ji Won is in!
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fab
December 6, 2014 at 7:31 AM
That's awful! People can be so cruel, unbelievable. And KNJ is gorgeous, If their daughter is anything like her mother, you can only applaud that!
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korini
December 6, 2014 at 10:12 AM
Yes, and especially cruel when you suspect cosmetic surgery and you don't want to say it out loud thus resorting to mean comments about how the child doesn't look like their parents at all.
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3 KDaddict
December 6, 2014 at 4:17 AM
The little boy that Ha JW is hugging is the same one that plays the young Dal Po in Pinocchio.
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kanz
December 6, 2014 at 4:27 AM
Yes. He's Nam Da Reum... His acting is really good for someone as young as his! :)
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Newstory
December 7, 2014 at 3:08 AM
Thank you for information! I liked him a lot in Pinocchio and wanted to find out his name) He even played young LMH in Boys over Flowers!
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4 kanz
December 6, 2014 at 4:28 AM
Anything with Ha Jung Woo is amazing!
Btw Ha Ji Won looks so young, she's same age with Ha Jung Woo but she looks much younger... haha
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5 Madame Kim
December 6, 2014 at 4:43 AM
Omg daebakkkk lmaoo. This will be so much fun!
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6 piggybackride
December 6, 2014 at 4:46 AM
The country's biggest male movie star and biggest female movie star finally together on the big screen!
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flamethunder
December 6, 2014 at 7:01 AM
Yes!! Best of Korea.
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7 SeoHaSeurri22
December 6, 2014 at 5:00 AM
The original story from the book seems very poignant and pensive, well of course, that is what the paper intends to deliver. But the trailer from the movie shows more about the comedy about keeping the family attached despite of poverty and other struggles, which makes it more interesting to watch.
BTW, no screenshots of Yoon Eun Hye, so far?
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Hwari
December 6, 2014 at 5:32 AM
She only did a cameo. So maybe later they release her pic.
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KDaddict
December 6, 2014 at 8:15 AM
I'm scared of the Realism of Chinese films; most are "poignant and pensive".
Same story different treatment as we see here, can be more pleasing to the eye and easier on the stomach.
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nomad
December 8, 2014 at 8:00 AM
Yes, and I've been broken hearted more than once with the ending of Chinese films that are "poignant and pensive". So I'm hoping Korean version will be more uplifting.
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8 neyrie
December 6, 2014 at 5:07 AM
ha jung woo and ha ji won.. the pairing i've been dreaming of for years... thank goodness its here... can't wait for january...
PS: I think they will premier about the same time as Lee Seunggi, Lee minki and Lee minho's movie... gonna be awesome to watch all these movies in the new year...
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PeepsLeAwesomePotato
December 6, 2014 at 7:46 AM
Two Ha-s against three Lee-s. Place your bet now on who's gonna win!
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KDaddict
December 6, 2014 at 8:13 AM
Lee SG's Today's Romance w Moon CW;
Lee Min Ho's Gangnam 70;
Lee Min Ki and Yeo Jin Gu as psychiatric patients.
I want to watch all 3! In cinemas if possible! Now I've to watch out for them to see when they'll come to a cinema near me!
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HopesDD
December 6, 2014 at 11:10 AM
Lee Seung Gi's movie and Ha Ji Won's movie will premier the same day 15th January which pulls me to tears, I wanted the king and queen to attend each others' premier é_è
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9 Sim Diwan
December 6, 2014 at 7:35 AM
I love u
Ha ji- won
ur hwang jinyi tv program is my favrt
i luv this
ur acting is super
i rely respct u nd luv u so much
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10 Fancy Nancy
December 6, 2014 at 7:50 AM
this looks like a hecka funny movie XD I can actually imagine them doing a chinese drama on it that my mom would watch and I would be like "meh..." unless they already have a Chinese drama on it...
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11 Jenniec
December 6, 2014 at 8:52 AM
Omo Dal po-yah!!!
This kid is such a great actor, I'm excited to see him again. :D
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12 jam
December 6, 2014 at 9:54 AM
oooo this shall be interesting and fun to watch!! gotta love the ha's :)
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13 Mandy
December 6, 2014 at 2:51 PM
Gah this is my most awaiting movie for next year. I don't even care what's coming in the second half of 2015, I don't think its beating this. It looks fantastic with a capital F!
Also, where's Ha Jiwon's fountain of youth? How can she look like she's in her early 20s!?! I'm so excited, if I were in Korea, I'd have watched it the day it's out.
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Mandy
December 6, 2014 at 2:54 PM
*awaited
My phone's autocorrect is acting up more than usual.
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karecity
December 6, 2014 at 9:53 PM
She got asked that question in an interview and she said she doesn't have time to age LOL.
It baffles me even more when she's so busy yet still looks so young. Usually people age more easily when they are busy and tired.
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14 emily
December 6, 2014 at 6:15 PM
oh my that kitty and the way he's holding its tail. too cute for words
anyway, I heard the original novel was quite bleak so I'm surprised that this seems quite light hearted. will watch out for it- I love the cast.
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15 Shy
December 6, 2014 at 8:33 PM
The novel is supposed to be funny but it is also about China's turbulent history so I wonder how that will play out in a Korean version. From what I have seen Korean movies are a lot like Indian movies. Lighthearted first half and then melodrama and heavy theatrics in the second so perhaps this will be like that too given the theme is about selling blood.
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16 donna
December 7, 2014 at 11:25 AM
I can't wait for this movie!!! Ha Ji Won looks amazing. (:
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17 Julie Begseng
December 26, 2014 at 6:04 PM
Sigh....I wish it will be released here in Toronto....or that I can fly to Korea on the said opening date. Any movies where Hajiwon is on it is worth it.....I like all her dramas and films.
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