모던보이 Modern Boy 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seoul, 1937. Lee Hae-myeong is a rich and hedonistic playboy

who cares little for the Japanese colonization of his homeland.

But things change when he falls in love with bar singer Jo Nan-sil,

who turns out to be a member of the Korean independence movement.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

'Modern Boy' paints a colorful story

 

 

Director Jeong Ji-woo's historical drama "Modern Boy" promises to be the highlight of this year's film calendar.

Set in 1937 Gyeongseong (old Seoul) when Korea was under Japanese occupation, it follows the story of Lee Hae-myung (played by Park Hae-il), a Korean civil servant with an extravagant lifestyle and a dress sense to match. As a self-proclaimed romanticist, his liberal approach to life defies the oppression and economic depression of the time, hence the film's title.

However, all is changed as he falls in love with the enchanting Cho Nan-sil (Kim Hye-soo), a mysterious bar-performer who proves to be a lot more than meets the eye. Lee Hae-myung suddenly finds that he is pit against the grand forces of history in a fight for his love.

On his choice of setting, director Jeong Ji-woo said that "it was an era wrought with economic trouble but still incredibly rich in culture, I thought it would provide a great setting for a movie", in the opening press conference at Apgujeong CGV on Wednesday.

"Modern Boy" stays true to the sageuk genre (Korean historical drama) with characteristic emphasis on its setting, recreating the intricate details of 1930s Gyeongseong from scratch. From suspended paper streetlights to historical sites like the Gyeongseong station and Sungnyemun, no expenses were spared in bringing the period to life in full color. This attention to detail is bound to mesmerize the audience with the depiction of a vibrant, passionate Gyeongseong, a place that lingers in the history books only through black and white photos as a difficult period in Korean history.

Two years in the making, Jeong was full of pride for his film and praise for his actors. He said they were "a pleasure to work with" and that "the film will be worth seeing for their captivating performances alone".

Due for release on Oct. 2, "Modern Boy" looks to set the screens alight with all the color and passion of autumn.

By Han Sung-joo

Source : www.koreaherald.co.kr

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Directed by	Jeong Ji-woo
Produced by	Kang Woo-seok
Written by	Jeong Ji-woo
Starring	Park Hae-il Kim Hye-su
Music by	Lee Jae-jin
Cinematography	Kim Tae-gyeong
Editing by	Eom Yun-ju Wang Su-an
Release date(s)	2 October 2008
Running time	121 min.