JAPAN/FILE: South Korean drama sensation Lee Byung-Hun talks about his plans to act for Japanese TV drama and Hollywood movie

Record ID: 463728

  • Title: JAPAN/FILE: South Korean drama sensation Lee Byung-Hun talks about his plans to act for Japanese TV drama and Hollywood movie
  • Date: 13th January 2011
  • Summary: TOKYO, JAPAN (JANUARY 12, 2011) (REUTERS) ***CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** SOUTH KOREAN ACTOR LEE BYUNG-HUN WALKING ONTO STAGE LEE STANDING ON STAGE SOUTH KOREAN ACTRESS KIM SO-YEON AND ACTOR KIM SEUNG-WOO WAKING ONTO STAGE VARIOUS OF GUESTS SEATED ON STAGE (SOUNDBITE) (Korean) SOUTH KOREAN ACTOR LEE BYUNG-HUN, SAYING: "I'm very excited to meet Japanese fans again through a television drama "Diplomat Kurota" which will be aired from tomorrow. And, I'll be working on the "G.I. Joe 2" in the U.S. from early summer." REPORTER TAKING PHOTO (SOUNDBITE) (Korean) SOUTH KOREAN ACTOR LEE BYUNG-HUN, SAYING: "Yuji Oda, who's the main actor in the drama, has been very serious in looks and actions, so I tried to balance him with a bit light and brisk acting, while showing a double personality like Janus." THREE GUESTS SEATED ON STAGE (SOUNDBITE) (Korean) SOUTH KOREAN ACTRESS KIM SO-YEON, SAYING: "I love Japanese foods, especially sushi, so much that I always gain weight whenever I come to Japan. I also love to visit gourmet restaurants in Japan." VARIOUS OF GUESTS POSING FOR CAMERAS LEE SMILING MORE OF GUESTS POSING ON STAGE MORE OF LEE SMILING GUESTS WAVING HANDS AND WALKING OFF STAGE
  • Embargoed: 28th January 2011 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Japan
  • Country: Japan
  • Topics: Entertainment
  • Reuters ID: LVADVZFG2EBVU2W7K1CJB1LNSV5
  • Story Text: South Korean drama sensation Lee Byung-un pulled in crowds on Wednesday (January 12) as he appeared at a commercial event in Tokyo.
    Lee, one of Asia's superstars, dazzled some 200 cameramen and reporters who packed a convention hall in Tokyo's entertainment district of Shibuya. The event was presented by South Korean manufacturer Pantech to launch its new mobile phone in Japan.
    Lee said he would soon meet his worldwide fans through his new works in Japan and Hollywood.
    "I'm very excited to meet Japanese fans again through a television drama "Diplomat Kurota" which will be aired from tomorrow. And, I'll be working on the "G.I. Joe 2" in the U.S. from early summer," said Lee, joined on the stage by Kim So-yeon and Kim Seung-woo who co-acted IRIS.
    In the upcoming Japanese drama, Lee said he would show a different acting style off his signature charismatic image.
    "Yuji Oda, who's the main actor in the drama, has been very serious in looks and actions, so I tried to balance him with a bit light and brisk acting, while showing a double personality like Janus," said Lee.
    Kim So-yeon who acted a North Korean spy in IRIS told media about her love to Japanese foods.
    "I love Japanese foods, especially sushi, so much that I always gain weight whenever I come to Japan. I also love to visit gourmet restaurants in Japan," Kim said.
    Leading the Pan-Asian syndrome of South Korean pop-culture boom, Lee also made his breakthrough in Hollywood movies such as "I Come with the Rain" and "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra".
    His latest espionage spectacular IRIS, one of South Korea's most expensive television series ever, also hit Japan in April 2010, giving him a top celebrity status in the country.
    The series was notable for being one of a very few foreign dramas to ever appear on Japanese network TV during the 7-10 p.m. "Golden Time" slot, which is typically heavy on quiz shows featuring local stars.
    The "Korean Wave" -- a boom in South Korean pop culture -- swept Japan and much of Asia from as early 2000. South Korean dramas, especially those of the romance genre, have become a staple of Japanese cable and daytime TV.
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