The international manhunt is on to catch VIP Lee Jong-seok
by girlfriday
Is it weird to be this excited for Lee Jong-seok (W–Two Worlds) to play a sinister, amoral serial killer? I’ve just always thought he’d make a good villain, and I’m happy to say, I’m not disappointed by the first glimpse of his transformation in the new noir action thriller VIP.
The latest from director Park Hoon-jung of The Tiger and A New World is about an international manhunt to take down the son of a high-ranking North Korean official who is suspected of a string of gruesome killings. Lee Jong-seok plays the VIP who lives above the law, and the film is about the three men who are all after him for different reasons: one to cover up his crimes, one to catch him, and one to get revenge.
Kim Myung-min (A Day) plays a South Korean police detective who narrows in on Lee Jong-seok as his prime suspect in a murder case and is hell-bent on catching him. But at every turn he’s thwarted by Jang Dong-gun (No Tears for the Dead), who is a secret agent for the National Intelligence Service and is responsible for bringing the VIP to South Korea in a joint covert operation with the CIA. (Peter Stormare makes a guest appearance as the CIA agent.) And of course they’re both at odds with Park Hee-soon (Age of Shadows), a North Korean agent with an agenda of his own.
The teaser opens with a hint of a gruesome murder, and detective Kim Myung-min telling his team to only focus on their suspect. Secret agent Jang Dong-gun is cold and calculating as he shoots people down and meets with his CIA contact who thinks they’re friends. (Jang Dong-gun mutters under his breath, “Son of a bitch.”) Park Sung-woong puts in an appearance to say that it would be very bad if Lee Jong-seok were the culprit, which really puts Kim Myung-min in the worst position of all, as the only man who desperately wants the VIP caught for his crimes.
But Kim Myung-min says, “You don’t know me very well, do you?” and proceeds to go after his target with everything in his arsenal. Lee Jong-seok doesn’t look fazed as he continues to slip right through their fingers, and even when Jang Dong-gun has him in his clutches and they’re both covered in blood, he just laughs like a creepy psychopath. Well, that’s disturbing. I guess it’s a good thing every cop, country, and spy is after him then.
VIP hits theaters in August.
Via Joy News
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Tags: Jang Dong-gun, Kim Myung-min, Lee Jong-seok, Park Hee-soon
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1 claratje
July 17, 2017 at 4:13 AM
nehh I don't think it's weird at all to be THIS EXCITED to catch Lee Jong Seok as a villain HAHA cos to me I think some of the best actors/actresses are actually the ones who can portray a villainous character really really well to the point of giving you the creeps or making you really hate them ? And I think it's great that Lee Jong-Seok is open to playing a variety of characters not just the dreamy main lead that we are all so familiar with hehe so yes similarly I'm also super excited to catch him as a villain and I'm sure he'll do greatt ??
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transient
July 17, 2017 at 7:53 AM
I thought the same thing too. Whenever I see a good actor, I dearly wish that he will take the role of a psychopath next. I think that's where they can really expand and showcase their range of acting capability.
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2 rori0711
July 17, 2017 at 4:20 AM
a different side of Lee Jongsuk we can all unveil soon :) What an ensemble we got here in VIP!
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Wendy Darling
July 17, 2017 at 10:14 AM
I feel like we already got a peek of this side of him in I Hear Your Voice. At some point, there was a thin line that seperated him from becoming a murderer himself.
A great ensemble indeed!
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Adam
July 17, 2017 at 3:34 PM
I have at least three reasons to watch this movie. I am sooooo looking forward to watch it. One day over the rainbow when it is subbed!
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3 Elle
July 17, 2017 at 4:27 AM
This looks like a W AU with Kang Chul as a psycho gunman. I want!
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4 bangwon
July 17, 2017 at 4:28 AM
still. not. over. the. trailer.
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5 rentenmann
July 17, 2017 at 4:37 AM
I am quite willing to see LJS take on a villainous role. Can't wait to see him as well as the rest of the cast! So no, it's not weird at all to be excited @girlfriday!
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6 dramalatte
July 17, 2017 at 4:38 AM
U sre not the only one. I am excited to see him play a serial killer too
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7 silvermists
July 17, 2017 at 4:50 AM
This totally reminds me of that scene from I Hear Your Voice about how his character was such a puppy but then he would get this LOOK in his eyes and I would be terrified he was going to do some shit! I'm so happy LJS isn't getting tyoecasted into the same puppy or cool guy and is exploring his other strengths as well. Excited for This!!
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korfan
July 17, 2017 at 6:04 AM
Yes! I remember the scene you're talking about. This does remind you a little bit of that scene!
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RoseRedFern
July 17, 2017 at 7:58 AM
The first time I watched those scenes in I Hear Your Voice I knew he could be a really good villain. We was terrifying.
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8 Vera
July 17, 2017 at 4:51 AM
He is a great actor. I think this character is going to give him the opportunity to show it big. I already felt so shaken just to see this trailer
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9 celine
July 17, 2017 at 4:55 AM
Yes. Bring on the sinister in LJS. I am excited for this film! And a month later we will get to see him in a drama. Yep. It is a great time for LJS fans!
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10 Riman Rakshit
July 17, 2017 at 5:02 AM
He did not speak a word in the trailer and yet captivated me completely!!
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11 vlkBadWolf
July 17, 2017 at 5:03 AM
Excited to see Lee Jong-seok as a villain. But are we actually sure that he is the serial killer they are looking for? I guess I would be quite disappointed if Lee Jong-seok is not the one.
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12 Eldalis
July 17, 2017 at 5:06 AM
The movie seems very interesting.
btw isn't it the 3rd time Lee Jong Seok is playing a North Korean already? (is he being typecasted or something ? haha)
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Arein
July 17, 2017 at 6:32 AM
I only remember Doctor Stranger and this one. What am I missing??
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oneearedgirl
July 17, 2017 at 7:18 AM
That would be As One, a table tennis movie with Bae Doona and Ha Jiwon.
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Riman Rakshit
July 17, 2017 at 7:50 AM
Well in Dr stranger he was actually a South Korean trapped in the North for some time of his life before moving again to the south. It is in 'As One', where he is a N korean , although his role was too short, still it was fun seeing him threatening that guy with a chopstick :D
There are many movies dealing with the S and N conflict, so many actors have more than a couple of North korean roles in their resume!!
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PeepsLeAwesomePotato
July 17, 2017 at 11:30 AM
If only he could get a role as Kim JongEun himself. His resume would be complete.
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13 kat kat
July 17, 2017 at 5:09 AM
I really like seeing actors branch out and take on different roles, especially villains. So I'm really excited to see LJS in this role!
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14 Phantakarn Lee
July 17, 2017 at 5:27 AM
If it was me, I would agree to this movie. (V.I.P.) I will not deny it, and I think that Lee Jong-seok would be doing this movie. He was born to be a quality actor. Can perform all roles, especially performances that are difficult and challenging. He certainly did not miss the movie ... and I could never fail to see the movie he committed. Acting as a serial killer villain in the VIP country, I will always be supportive of Lee Jong-Seok's acting and hope he will be able to show his good quality and variety. I hope that he will be supported by all the people forever.???
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15 Phantakarn Leangsiriwatthana
July 17, 2017 at 5:40 AM
If it was me, I would agree to this movie. (V.I.P.) I will not deny it, and I think that Lee Jong-seok would be doing this movie. He was born to be a quality actor. Can perform all roles, especially performances that are difficult and challenging. He certainly did not miss the movie ... and I could never fail to see the movie he committed. Acting as a serial killer villain in the VIP country, I will always be supportive of Lee Jong-Seok's acting and hope he will be able to show his good quality and variety. I hope that he will be supported by all the people forever.
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16 Adal
July 17, 2017 at 5:51 AM
Wish he would play a villain in a drama, now that would be something to see. The boy's got talent. Or even a detective in a thriller. I just think it's a shame to waste his talents as leading man in rom coms when he has so much range and he can bring in the intensity too, when it calls for it.
One of my favorite dramas I've seen him in is actually School 2013, to tell the truth.
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17 Lincoln Gu
July 17, 2017 at 5:57 AM
how can Lee Jong-seok and Kim Myung-min be together in one movie?
Who do i root for than?
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18 gaeinalee
July 17, 2017 at 5:59 AM
Nah, it's not weird.
I'll hunt him happily... ^^
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19 vannerie
July 17, 2017 at 6:02 AM
This sounds really interesting. I'm sure LJS has the ability to tackle this sort of part. I do hope I can get to see it.
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20 korfan
July 17, 2017 at 6:08 AM
Oh! This is an interesting, villainous turn for Lee Jong-seok!
With this particular cast, the movie looks intense!
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21 Kaylie
July 17, 2017 at 6:37 AM
Omg Lee Jong Suk as a villain?? Hell yeah!!!
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22 kiara
July 17, 2017 at 6:38 AM
I really miss Kim Myung-min in dramas but I'm happy that he has a string of films that are probably worthy of his talents.
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23 whitewire
July 17, 2017 at 7:12 AM
Watching this for Kim Myung-min, Park Hee-soon and Jang Dong-gun!!!! Waaaaah #excited
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24 fatcat007
July 17, 2017 at 7:16 AM
Awesome trailer!! ???
About the plot, maybe he's a psycho killer but the story probably involves a dead school girl (from what I saw in the picture)
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25 Jessi Bear
July 17, 2017 at 7:33 AM
I got goosebumps when I saw the first picture.
Kim Myung Min, Jang Dong Gun, Park Hee Soon and now Lee Jeong Suk and Park Sung Woong? I even like Peter Stormare! Is it August yet??
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26 Ahj ❤ ❥ ♡ ♥ ღ
July 17, 2017 at 7:54 AM
Ohmy, wait. What to say? LJS as a villain looks SO HOT!!! More than willing to see him in this role.
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27 mindy
July 17, 2017 at 7:54 AM
I mean this in the best way possible: he makes a very convincing serial killer.
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28 tesshan
July 17, 2017 at 8:32 AM
This is what Doctor Stranger could have been if he did not study to become a doctor...
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29 bogoshipda
July 17, 2017 at 10:33 AM
So great to see him as a suspect, or should I say, a villain?
Exciting plots with spies, detectives, crime solving, and also politics.
Definitely check out this movie to support Lee Jong Seok. :D
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30 myheartisomg
July 17, 2017 at 11:14 AM
After watching School 2013, I Hear Your Voice and Pinocchio I was like, okay, LJS knows exactly how to play a brave, moody loner with a heart of gold. I love him in that role, and as a witty, devil-may-care action hero (Doctor Stranger, W) but I'm sooo excited to see him bring his incredible talent to something completely different.
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31 yucaesar
July 17, 2017 at 11:30 AM
Worth noting is that the man who calls Jang Dong Gun his "friend", is a pretty famous Swedish actor, named Peter Stormare. He's an actor that always plays the villain in movies, so I bet he'll be one here too.
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32 kcpopgurl888
July 17, 2017 at 12:51 PM
The last scene in the trailer literally GAVE ME CHILLS. I am so excited to see Lee Jong Suk play a character we've never seen before from him. In W and in I Hear Your Voice, I had the thought in some scenes, "Dang, he'd play a wonderful villain. Gee, I really want him to go to the dark side, he'd be so good in that role!" He's played a good guy so many times now, I really just want to see him throw everything under the bus and get his hands dirty in murder (I tried to make that sound not as weird and creepy as it really is, but I failed). So excited to see this movie!!
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33 ilchul
July 17, 2017 at 1:09 PM
I'm SO EXCITED for this actually!! :D hahaha Lee Jong Seok as a psychpath killer looks creepily thrilling, can't wait!! :D
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34 rlg07
July 17, 2017 at 1:27 PM
I think the creepiest villains are the ones that are a good guy gone bad. I don't think there's supposed to be anything particularly redeeming about this character, but LJS has the most angelic smile I've seen on screen, so watching him be a psychopath (that creepy laugh at the end?) is really chilling. I think this is a great move for his career. Love how he constantly challenges himself and isn't afraid to try new things.
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35 oosiee
July 17, 2017 at 2:52 PM
More than anything, I'm looking forward to Lee Jong-suk's North korean accent!! Also my birthday's in August..so it feels like a present :)
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36 Eve
July 17, 2017 at 3:27 PM
This looks so promising!!!! I am looking forward to his portrayal of a truly immoral person, having been the 'good guy' several times already.
Hopefully his character will showcase his talents as an actor and provide us with many more reasons to like Lee Jong Seok's acting!
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37 marsinblue
July 17, 2017 at 3:58 PM
Seems promising plot-wise and actor-wise.
But I'll confess that I'm slightly iffed/fatigued with this apparent trend of making ensemble movies with first-billed male actors only...
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38 dramaDee
July 17, 2017 at 5:19 PM
Such a strong casting lineup...cant wait to see this one!
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39 beanmachine
July 17, 2017 at 5:36 PM
Lee Jong-suk! I'm always excited to watch him in anything, hero or otherwise. He definitely has the capacity to play a villain in him, I think (to use a previously cited example, his murder eyes in I Hear Your Voice always sent chills down my spine.) I wish that there were more women in it--or like, any women at all, but I'm looking forward to the release!
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40 Lulu02
July 17, 2017 at 6:02 PM
OMG!!! It looks so gooood!!! I've been wanting to see him play a bad guy for so long! Awww too bad these movies don't make it to latin american theaters.
Lee Jong Suk I bet kills it. He has what it takes to look really cute but also creepy and crazy enough to be a serial killer.
Seriously I want my favorite actors to play the bad guy but in dramas they are always the good one. I want something like happens to Lee Min Ho and Ji Chang Wook too.
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41 elvira
July 17, 2017 at 6:05 PM
Oh, wooooow...
LJS never plays baddie and how he does?
LJS is my catnip forever and I'll watch VIP for sure.
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42 elvira
July 17, 2017 at 6:09 PM
Look at those A-list ajusshis; all in this one movie!
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43 mysterious
July 17, 2017 at 6:30 PM
Lee jong-seok would make an excellent villain. He has this intensity to him that would allow him to play a very convincing psychopath. And it's always the pretty killers with the beautiful smiles that send chills down my spine and LJS certainly fits that criteria. I never thought about him playing a villain but now that the idea is in my head, I really want to see this.
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44 Aijo
July 18, 2017 at 7:12 PM
My favorite actor being amoral!! This is truly an inner conflict and an internal struggle for me. I don't know what to feel, especially since I know he's going to nail this role.
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45 wackycashew
July 18, 2017 at 7:56 PM
I'm so excited to see LJS in this dark role!! The amazing cast makes this a must-watch!!!
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46 maknaedawn
July 21, 2017 at 4:22 PM
I feel so conflicted. I love Lee Jong Seok but seriously I am going to watch this for my fave ahjussis Kim Myung Min and Jang Dong Gun!
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