Lee Je-hoon and Han Seok-kyu in Paparotti

65 February 12, 2013June 18, 2014

by girlfriday

This movie looks hilarious and really really cute. Another of Lee Je-hoon’s shot-pre-army movies is due out, and thankfully this time it’s lighter fare. It’s his heartwarming comedy with Han Seok-kyu called Paparotti (named for his country bumpkin character’s mispronunciation of Pavarotti), where he plays a gangster who dreams of becoming a classical singer. Because um… why not? The trailer is as utterly ridiculous as the premise sounds, but in a good way. Lee Je-hoon as a gold-chain-wearing, wannabe-tenor gangster is going to be comedy gold.

Han Seok-kyu stars as a washed-up singer who teaches music at a high school while wasting his life away and making everyone around him as miserable as he is. One day a new student transfers to his school, and he’s not exactly your average student, or even just your usual tough guy kid who gets into fights. He’s an actual gangster, and a leader of a gang at that — I love the moment in the trailer when Han Seok-kyu is surrounded by a room full of scary-looking thugs, and as soon as Lee Je-hoon introduces him as Teacher, they all bow at the waist respectfully. Hee.

Lee Je-hoon plays a kid who’s a gifted singer, but chose to be a gangster to feed his family at a young age. He doesn’t want to give up on his dream though, and he’s the one who goes to Teach to beg for classical training. And of course Teach is just the right amount of prickly tyrannical ass to make an impact on this kid who went wrong in all sorts of ways.

And with two actors like Han Seok-kyu and Lee Je-hoon, there’s going to be no shortage of heartstring-tugging underdog triumph. I’m just a sucker for a good high school rebel story, but a comedy version with sing-offs and a big musical finish? Can’t wait. Directing is Yoon Jong-chan (I Am Happy), and co-starring is Kang Sora (Dream High 2), and Oh Dal-soo (The Gift of Room 7).

Paparotti hits theaters in March.

Via Arts News

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Tags: Han Seok-kyu, Lee Je-hoon

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1 True2u

February 12, 2013 at 12:06 PM

After watching Han Seok-kyu in TWDR I'm all over this. The guy is a powerhouse when it comes to acting.

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bd

February 12, 2013 at 3:52 PM

HSK was simply awesome in TWDR, but he's good in everything.

HSK and Lee Beom-soo (not surprisingly) both turn in a great performance in the film, "Forbidden Quest."

And even in lighter, more comedic fare like "Mr. Housewife/Quiz King" (which HSK did for his kids), HSK is engaging (as well as funny, esp. the cross-dressing scene).

Seo Shin-ae was adorable in it and also gave a wonderful performance despite her tender years at the time (2005).

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JO

February 12, 2013 at 9:58 PM

ugh, this looks awesome.
My heart is already warmed from the trailer.
definitely a feel good movie.

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2 Nicole

February 12, 2013 at 12:18 PM

Looks heartwarming and funny!

And goddamnit, whenever I see anyone eating jjajangmyun, I want some, too.

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jomo143

February 12, 2013 at 12:28 PM

Do you like it?
I finally did buy some and decided it tasted like noodles in brown gravy. Not as memorable a taste as I thought it would be.
My son loves it, but I can leave it.

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Nicole

February 12, 2013 at 12:41 PM

I love jjajangmyun! I mean, I've only ever had it at restaurants known for making it well, but my parents have done homemade versions of it with black bean paste bought from the market and that's good, too. Maybe the place you got it from was just terrible? Or it just might not be your cup of noodles. :)

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Gala

February 12, 2013 at 12:52 PM

Is that the chapagetti ones? A friend of mine thought that's how jjajangmyun tastes like until my Korean friend cooked him one. Of course nothing beats those delivery ones from Korea.

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bd

February 12, 2013 at 3:53 PM

Agreed, jjajangmyun is bleh (no real taste/favor to it).

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DayDreamer

February 12, 2013 at 1:33 PM

In my case, I go nuts when I see people eating kimchi in noodles (especially in 1N2D). It looks so good and it's vegeterian too which is perfect for me. I want to know how it tastes too. My mouth waters whenever I look at it. I tried to look for recipe online too and was shocked to know it takes days to make it. *doesn't have the patience to make it :P *

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Chimera

February 12, 2013 at 1:45 PM

Oh, I've wanted to try kimchi for so long but I think they use anchovies or other fish derived ingredients for fermentation. So not vegetarian. Do post if you find a vegetarian recipe! :)

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Shikurai17

February 12, 2013 at 3:31 PM

Everyone has their own recipe for kimchi, so not everyone uses anchovies/fish/seafood in them. My family doesn't. My family's recipe is safe for vegans to eat. My friend's family recipe uses oysters in theirs. It all depends really.

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DayDreamer

February 12, 2013 at 3:35 PM

The recipe I was reading said that you could just not add the fish ingredient if you're vegetarian: http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Kimchi

Perhaps those here who actually do make kimchi can share how it's really done and if it's possible for a vegetarian to try it.

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StacyA

February 12, 2013 at 4:17 PM

You absolutely can leave out any fish-related ingredients when making kimchi. Personally, I prefer kimchi without the fishy taste. I usually buy it by the half-gallon at the nearest Asian market...which happens to be about an hour away...so I recently tried my hand at making it myself. It wasn't bad, but the store bought was better. Gonna keep trying though! What I really want to conquer is baek kimchi - had it at a Korean restaurant a couple of years ago and it was awesome!

Chimera

February 12, 2013 at 5:15 PM

Oh it's good to hear kimchi isn't as out of my reach as I thought. Googling 'vegan kimchi' throws up several food blog recipes. More than one suggest substituting miso for the fish sauce, one uses soy sauce, one uses vegan mushroom oyster sauce. So, I guess it depends upon your taste and ingredients available like Shikurai17 and Stacy said. Now I'm really really craving some! :p

DayDreamer

February 12, 2013 at 7:00 PM

Thanks for the information, Stacy. :) I think I will definitely try my hand at making kimchi now.

Mama J

February 13, 2013 at 7:35 AM

One of the true gems I've found on Youtube is a series of videos produced by 'Omma's Kitchen' for her daughters. Very often, the recipes are vegetarian. Give it a look - the videos and recipes are well done and easy to follow. I have been a very happy subscriber! Here is a link to one video, to make it easier for you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YtYoSwdUf8&feature=share&list=PLpuZR5-uNMosT8_jkW5QhoiOMB-L_NsNL

She has a playlist specifically for vegetarian recipes, and another for vegan.

3 Mystisith

February 12, 2013 at 12:21 PM

Lee Je Hoon in anything. Enough said.
I already thought he looks like a Yoon Shi Yoon older brother and now he steals the red curly hairdo of his characters. Stop messing with MY head Korea.

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Aqidah

February 17, 2013 at 6:28 PM

I though he look like a younger version of Kang Ji Hwan :)

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4 jomo143

February 12, 2013 at 12:22 PM

OMG, even knowing he is only lung synching that last note, I got chills and weepy.

Love all the cast members I saw in there.

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danna

February 12, 2013 at 5:51 PM

I know totally got chills here too...Oh Lee Je hoon why are you so far away?

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heyitssarang

February 13, 2013 at 12:10 AM

Wait............................................. he wasn't really singing that? Whhuuttt....

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mab8901

January 11, 2016 at 11:39 AM

But how do you know he was synching there? I keep looking around but I can't find an official website that shows who did the actual singing.

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5 Tulipsaki

February 12, 2013 at 12:26 PM

When does this come out?

I can't believe I don't know what's in my local theaters or on network tv here in the US, and only vaguely know who any of the stars are anymore, but feel super-aware of k-drama, k-pop, and k-culture.

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AnotherFan

February 12, 2013 at 12:32 PM

Ditto!

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trotwood

February 12, 2013 at 3:21 PM

Me, too. I used to even subscribe to Enterntainment Weekly, but I just stopped because I was not interested. I have not watched U.S. tv in ages and the last movie I saw was Hunger Games because I was one of the mom chaperones for a bunch of 14 year olds at the midnight opening.

I want to see this movie now. I really think that Lee Je-Hoon is an amazing actor. He can do so many different characters and make you want to be friends with them all, even ones you may initially not like or ones you think you wouldn't like.

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DL Thompson

September 15, 2013 at 10:19 AM

You and me both!

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6 AnotherFan

February 12, 2013 at 12:30 PM

Oh LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE!! An underdog story with unlikely heroes with a touch of witty and all that classical music. Oh and on top of all that, the great acting from two of the best out there (not to mention my favorites). LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE!!!!!!

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7 Consortoflight

February 12, 2013 at 12:40 PM

Oh my god! Looks hilarious and amazing! Also when he sings at the end I got goosebumps! Can't wait to watch it!

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Denali

February 12, 2013 at 1:11 PM

Funny cos he clearly was NOT singing that part so it felt so fake to me, alas, in spite of the good stuff before.

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Lena S.

February 12, 2013 at 6:48 PM

i lol'd at that part tbh (obviously i don't expect his real voice, it was just funny that's all), but i can't judge without watching the whole thing.

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8 mee

February 12, 2013 at 12:57 PM

The story makes me think of a Korean tenor who came from a very poor family and was a boxer before he attended a conservatory in Italy and became an opera singer.

Here's an article about him, for those who can read Korean:
http://article.joinsmsn.com/news/article/article.asp?total_id=5720089

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ryzo

February 13, 2013 at 11:48 AM

The story is actually based on a true story. Here's the video on the real life person.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xgq8jt_sk-e124-090718-2-4_auto#.URvpNvKIxqw

You can skip to 1.30. It doesn't have English subtitles though.

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9 Gala

February 12, 2013 at 12:59 PM

I feel a slight regret not knowing Lee Je Hoon until he was about to go to army. So now I have to fill in the two years he's gone with movies and...ughFashionKingugh just to see him.

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Tulipsaki

February 13, 2013 at 1:35 PM

Oh noes. I might actually have to watch Fashion King now...

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jomo143

February 13, 2013 at 3:33 PM

He gave a great performance in FKing.
I am maybe one of the 10 people who enjoyed the experience of watching. Mind you, I did want to throw things at various people, but I am glad I watched it.

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10 Mama J

February 12, 2013 at 1:07 PM

This looks like a must-watch.

sigh. Still waiting for subs on my wolf boy sweetie. Didn't stop me from WATCHING that one, and it wasn't too hard to follow along with the action at all...but this one, I think we're gonna need the subs.

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Tulipsaki

February 13, 2013 at 1:36 PM

I couldn't find Werewolf Boy! Can you dm me a link? I'm also on twitter.com/sakisaki6.

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11 Y.

February 12, 2013 at 1:15 PM

Totally watching it as soon as possible. I like those kind of stories, and I love both actors, so yeah, I don't really need to think twice about it :P

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12 Kiara

February 12, 2013 at 1:16 PM

Yes yes yes Han Seok-kyu love love love him. MUST WATCH.

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13 lily

February 12, 2013 at 3:26 PM

I still can't believe he's 28.. he looks like a high schooler lol

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14 kelinci biru

February 12, 2013 at 3:31 PM

Like he's never left. Well, he has a really good manager, making sure the public still see him even when he's away at the army.

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15 canxi

February 12, 2013 at 4:04 PM

YES. YES to all of this. And that poster with the smiling! My heart...can't...contain...feels!!!! *explodes*

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16 GrandmaFran

February 12, 2013 at 4:17 PM

aww this looks so good!

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17 howforwardsale

February 12, 2013 at 4:27 PM

Except for the wounds, they look like a very loving couple in the first picture.

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Mystisith

February 12, 2013 at 5:09 PM

Lol. Not sure the movie will take that road but I wouldn't mind. PS: Gay marriage is now possible in France if they need a place. Love prevails and intolerance is lame. :)

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18 ajj

February 12, 2013 at 4:40 PM

Another one from Lee Je-hoon Oppa..
I am so gonna watch this.
Thanks Dramabeans for every piece of news from this guy. Bleak Night made me a huge huge fan.

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AnotherFan

February 12, 2013 at 5:52 PM

Where did you get the movie from? I am so wanting to see the movie (heard all kinds of good things + DB's awesome review) but don't know where to find it..
Would appreciate any pointers. Thanks!

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Toomuchtelly

February 12, 2013 at 6:03 PM

It is on Netflix

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ajj

February 14, 2013 at 7:29 PM

I watched it in DramaCrazy. It's really good.

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19 kdramafan

February 12, 2013 at 5:57 PM

Thanks for the heads up GF.

This movie looks good.

Lee Je-hoon reminds me of Kang Ji-hwan.

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20 jandoe

February 12, 2013 at 6:02 PM

OMG THE TRAILER IS ALL KINDS OF EPIC!! Soooo watching this movie. I LOVE this guy and paired with Kang Sora? Ahhhh sounds promising.

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sea

February 12, 2013 at 6:29 PM

I know,right..Only about one second together in th trailer but I saw sparks! *prays for a decent loveline*

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21 kfangurl

February 12, 2013 at 6:13 PM

Aw, this looks AWESOME!! :D So much win I wanna watch it RIGHT NOW! :D

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22 Lena S.

February 12, 2013 at 6:44 PM

Han Seok-kyu gives me life omg
the trailer seems really good, i really love underdogs types of movies too so i'm looking forward to watch this one.

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23 zsa

February 12, 2013 at 7:28 PM

I LOVE lee ji hoon...he's just awesome being whoever in whatever...hehe...

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24 snow_white

February 12, 2013 at 7:28 PM

this movie sounds so awesome!!

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25 tammie

February 12, 2013 at 8:24 PM

Looks fab... and Nessum Dorma? Seriously? I'm so there...

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26 cheekbones

February 12, 2013 at 8:57 PM

Looks awesome. Lee Je-hoon has just about covered all genres, has he ?

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27 Bengbeng

February 12, 2013 at 9:21 PM

oh gosh, can he really sing like that?! He's very good if so =).

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secretlyaddicted

February 13, 2013 at 6:59 AM

exactly my question! was that really his voice?? whoa!

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Jushi

February 13, 2013 at 9:13 PM

It seems that it is not him who's singing. If you compare the mouths of professional opera singers with the way he opened his mouth to scream those high notes, it is quite obvious that he's just mimicking. Trained singers have this peculiar way of opening their mouth so as to produce the 'proper sound' so to speak. His tongue placement is a total giveaway as well.

Nope, I am not an opera singer. My opinion is based on my observations alone. So I may be wrong.

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28 Jushi

February 13, 2013 at 1:24 AM

I am not that familiar with Lee Je Hoon but I'm getting more and more interested in him as more news of him are being posted here at dramabeans. First encountered his name through javabeans' review of the Bleak Night but already saw him in the overly dramatic war film, The Front Line. Though I didn't know that the young morphine addict squad leader was actually him.

Talking about Bleak Night. I couldn't find any copy of it online and I'm dying to watch the film. Can somebody help me? Thanks.

Been starving for a good, heart-warming dramedy film for a long time now. The last satisfying film I saw was Hello Ghost and that was like over a year ago already. I hope Paparotti delivers as well as the Ryoo Seung-ryong movie Cell No. 7.

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29 jubilantia

February 13, 2013 at 8:17 AM

Shit, that music sounded Filled with Ominous Emotional Portent. Teach doesn't have cancer or something, does he? Is the kid gonna get killed in a gang fight right after (or before) his big debut? Please be actually light-hearted, Movie!

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30 lorac

February 13, 2013 at 8:25 AM

Daydreamer, watch out for kimchi because most is not suitable for vegeterians. Most have some sort of shrimp or fish ingredient. Watch “Fermentation Family” for an eye-opening look at kimchi. Just saying...

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31 Carinne

February 17, 2013 at 1:49 PM

This trailer is very well done. Love the jajangmyeon scene w/ painted teeth sauce. LOL! The trailer reminds me a lot of Mr. Holland's Opus, Dead Poet Society, or Good Will Hunting.

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