Lee Je-hoon makes trouble as Park Yeol in Lee Jun-ik’s latest film
by tipsymocha
Finally! I’ve had my eye on this film since it was announced last October, not least because it is director’s Lee Jun-ik’s latest project, but also because of the subject matter. I’ve heard of some of the most famous independence fighters who were active in Korea and China during the Japanese occupation, but I’d never heard of Park Yeol, and I was interested in watching his story, especially after learning he was an anarchist based in Japan.
Lee Je-hoon (Tomorrow With You), looking almost unrecognizable in the film’s promo poster, will be portraying Park Yeol, and relative newcomer Choi Hee-seo (Dongju: The Portrait of a Poet) will play his comrade and lover Kaneko Fumiko. Interestingly enough, Park Yeol was born in the same year as Yoo Kwan-soon, a more widely known independence activist imprisoned for organizing the March 1st Movement against colonial rule. But whereas Yoo Kwan-soon, and even Yoon Dongju (the subject of Lee Jun-ik’s last film), are famed for their stoic dignity and for practicing nonviolent resistance, Park Yeol was definitely more on the scallywag, troublemaker end of the spectrum.
The main plot begins with the Great Kanto earthquake of 1923, which devastated Tokyo and the surrounding region. In its aftermath, rumors spread that Koreans were taking advantage of the chaos, and robbing and poisoning wells. Armed civilians, occasionally aided by the military and the police, terrorized the Korean population, and massacred thousands of Koreans in the weeks following the earthquake. Needing a diversion to cover up the atrocities committed, the Japanese government ordered the arrest of known anarchists Park Yeol and Kaneko Fumiko, and charged them with treason for allegedly plotting to plant a bomb at the wedding of Crown Prince Hirohito.
Director Lee Jun-ik, whose credits include Dongju: The Portrait of a Poet, Sado, and The King and the Clown, seems to have been very passionate about this project, and in a recent press conference, expressed his desire for the real-life figure to be more widely known to the Korean public. He also spoke of Kaneko Fumiko with admiration, calling her a modern woman ahead of her time, and lamenting the fact that such portrayals of historic Asian feminists are not duly represented in the media. The history nerd in me is so hyped for this film, you won’t believe.
When I caught the teasers, I got really excited by the irreverent, almost comedic tone of the first one, and also by Lee Je-hoon’s slightly unhinged portrayal of Park Yeol. Obviously, his story is part of a much greater narrative, but even if this film was just about Park Yeol giving the big middle finger to the Imperial Japanese authorities in the courtroom, I would be happy to watch it. I mean, his posters read, “I am Joseon’s crazy bastard,” lol. Give ‘em hell, Park Yeol.
Park Yeol will premiere in theaters on June 28. Fingers crossed it might get distribution outside of Korea!
Via Naver Movies, Ten Asia
RELATED POSTS
- Tomorrow With You: Episode 1
- Lee Je-hoon to fight for Korean independence in Lee Jun-ik’s next film
- Kang Haneul depicts life of occupation-era poet in Dongju
- Yoo Ah-in and Song Kang-ho’s tragic paternal strife in Sado
- Yoo Ah-in, Moon Geun-young join Joseon-era film Sado
- Song Kang-ho as Joseon king in Lee Jun-ik’s next film
Tags: Lee Je-hoon
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1 Herlene
May 30, 2017 at 1:45 PM
park je hoon looks unrecognizable!!! I mean that in a good way, i think it is important as an actor to embody different characters with different new look without being reminded of your previous roles.
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sfgirl
May 30, 2017 at 1:51 PM
For a second, I got tripped up thinking its Byun Yo-han. The first poster shot confused me. In the panned out shots, he looks like himself!
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daydee
May 30, 2017 at 2:08 PM
Byun Yohan, and at certain angles, James McAvoy as well.
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kiara
May 30, 2017 at 3:33 PM
mmmm James McAvoy <3.
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Syeida igot7
May 31, 2017 at 3:45 PM
mmmm James McAvoy <3 #2
UmbrellaMan
May 30, 2017 at 2:36 PM
I would not have recognized him without being told. He looks so different!!
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maaaki
May 31, 2017 at 12:54 AM
The only shoot where he looks recognizable is when he is looking strait into the camera on a 3/4 pose.
He is very much looking like himself in signal : http://www.nautiljon.com/images/cd/00/07/signal_ost_part_3_58970.jpg?0
I'll give a try, sounds like interesting and poignant
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sooyi
May 31, 2017 at 1:08 AM
I thought Lee Je-hoon was Ryu Seung-bum when I first saw the posters lol. The hair, unshaved face and crazy grin marked the resemblance.
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2 Trinity 🍆
May 30, 2017 at 1:45 PM
If the article didn't mention it I never would have figured out that was Lee Je-hoon. Looks nothing like him. Amazing how much facial hair can transform a man.
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daydee
May 30, 2017 at 2:08 PM
The hair as well, makes him look slightly Japanese
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Peridot
May 30, 2017 at 2:16 PM
Facial hair--when done right--can be amazing ;).
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3 azkaa
May 30, 2017 at 1:51 PM
THE TRAILER LOOKS LIT AF!
Historical figure is always interesting to watch when done right. Park Yeol seems like a refreshing character. Lee Je Hoon rocks that facial hair imo lol. Never heard of her but Choi Hee Seo is so beautiful, and love how the director speaks so fondly of Kaneko character; a Japanese feminist woman having a relationship with Korean anarchist? Bring it on!
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Gil
May 31, 2017 at 9:55 AM
Kaneko is super interesting too, she was an anarchist and nihilist and her story is quite tragic but seems to be an incredible woman. She wrote an autobiography while in prison titled "The Prison Memoirs of a Japanese Woman"
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4 vannerie
May 30, 2017 at 1:54 PM
I do hope we can get to see this film outside Korea eventually.
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5 earthna
May 30, 2017 at 1:57 PM
Ohhhhh I'm so freaking excited to see this. I Hope it will be available at odk at least.
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6 lexis
May 30, 2017 at 2:06 PM
...well, his mouth and the way he moves it is Lee Je-Hoon to a T
That mouth, if nothing else, I would recognise.
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7 Peridot
May 30, 2017 at 2:15 PM
Wow! Dongju and Sado are already on my watch list. Now, I have another title to add. Hopefully, I'll get to watch all of them.
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changhyun
May 30, 2017 at 2:51 PM
Oh man, don't watch them back-to-back unless you want to be miserable w/swollen eyes
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transient
May 30, 2017 at 7:40 PM
A must watch for me then. I'm a sucker for tragedy.
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Peridot
May 31, 2017 at 9:34 AM
I am as well :).
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Peridot
May 31, 2017 at 9:35 AM
I'll try not to do that :).
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8 asguardian
May 30, 2017 at 2:29 PM
Its so good to see some facial hair n korean men, dont get me wrong i love clean-shaved men, but in dramas all you get to see is clean shaved men which is kind of boring and i would love to see an actor who actually looks his age, rough and hot. As of now most korean drama's make them look like chocolate boys
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하데스
May 30, 2017 at 4:26 PM
I think you're more likely to see an actor with a beard in a sageuk than a modern drama. It's really funny when some modern dramas do parodies of sageuks or flashbacks and you see the lead with a beard. It's then you realize that some can really rock a beard. A funny one was Lee Min-ki in Dal-ja's Spring. Then you have actors like So Ji-sub and Gong yoo who can pull of both a beard and clean shaven equally well and still look hot with their age. Then you have actors like Kim Bum who look good with long hair, short hair, facial hair, and chest hair? lol. He looks quite different with facial hair though.
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asguardian
May 30, 2017 at 9:58 PM
Oooh ... Now that u mention Goong You would definitely look hot with a beard and ya that Lee Min Ki scene was definitely funny!!! Never seen Kim Bum with chest or facial hair (which movie or drama is it??) To me he still looks like a college boy well but that's with most Asians, they tend to look way younger than they r ... So lucky!!
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하데스
June 3, 2017 at 10:05 AM
I was kidding about the chest hair--I haven't seem him rock that. He has facial hair in Hidden Identity.
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ST
May 31, 2017 at 5:31 AM
Choi Siwon in She Was Pretty...
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9 bananapurge
May 30, 2017 at 3:04 PM
Wow. I didn't read the title and didn't recognize him from the picture. O_O
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10 irenah
May 30, 2017 at 3:20 PM
He looks like a riot!! Teasers and stills make me sooo excited. Tho i might have 2 wait months untill they fully subbed it
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11 kiara
May 30, 2017 at 3:31 PM
Given the right role he'd do very well.
Love him for always willing to learn and for taking criticisms like a man.
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12 missjb
May 30, 2017 at 3:40 PM
well well can't wait to watch this movie. it seems really really good. and Lee Jee hoon looks so different compare to his image in TWY. he seems so busy this year? 2 movie and one drama in one year. not that I'm complaining
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13 junny
May 30, 2017 at 3:47 PM
I saw an interview on KBS with the director, Lee Je-hoon and Choi Hee-seo, they were cute and funny together. The director did a rap of his film! I was rather impressed that Choi Hee-seo apparently speaks four languages pretty well. And the emcee held up a photo comparison of Lee Je-hoon and the real Park Yeol - they looked pretty alike.
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14 wandergirl
May 30, 2017 at 3:55 PM
A historical film AND Lee Je-hoon? Sold.
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15 하데스
May 30, 2017 at 3:58 PM
TBH, this show had me at the crazy as hell poster of Lee Je-hoon. I don't want to know what the show is about much less watch the trailer. I'll take it all in when it gets released. I consume very few movies these days, but I'm making sure to fit this in my diet.
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16 Melona
May 30, 2017 at 4:12 PM
My Lee Je-hoon!! The movie subject itself doesn't scream box office material to me but I think I'll be happy with a good critical review.
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17 thedramaaddict
May 30, 2017 at 4:29 PM
yup i am still obsessed with lee je hoon even with the stache
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18 elvira
May 30, 2017 at 5:43 PM
Wow...
Lost for words...
Couldn't recognize that that guy in the poster is LJH.
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19 Josephina
May 30, 2017 at 5:49 PM
I first read Lee Jun Ik as Lee Jun Ki and was wondering how LJK could have been directing when he's busy filming Criminal Minds. :D
Lee Je Hoon is going to win major awards one day, he has Daesang potential as girlfriday and javabeans said in the podcast. They didn't say Daesang specifically, but they did compare him to Kim Myung Min. :D
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coby
May 30, 2017 at 9:38 PM
hahaha! me too.. I was like so LJK is directing now?
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20 CracyC
May 30, 2017 at 6:31 PM
Oh wow. This looks like he's playing with the big boys now. Yes.
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21 Kaylie
May 30, 2017 at 7:05 PM
That manic laughter. I just can't wait. Lee Je-hoon is such a chameleon.
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PakalanaPikake
May 30, 2017 at 8:07 PM
Chameleon is exactly the word that came to mind for me, too. This character looks as far removed from LJH's latest turn in TOMORROW WITH YOU as one can get.
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22 Nessie
May 30, 2017 at 7:22 PM
Wow I just read up a brief wiki on both these characters and Fumiko lived such a sad life. I hope this film does them both justice, but seeing as how entrenched in the role Lee Je Hoon already is, I'm already feeling quite excited.
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23 mindy
May 30, 2017 at 7:39 PM
Wow, I would have never guessed that was him! It's amazing what costuming can do to a person. I love stuff set during the occupation (Gaksitaaaaaaal!!!) so I'll keep my eye out on this one!
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24 PakalanaPikake
May 30, 2017 at 8:13 PM
Thanks for the heads-up, tipsymocha!
THE KING AND THE CLOWN is one of my all-time favorite films. I look forward to seeing what Director Lee Jun-ik has up his sleeve. PARK YEOL looks intense.
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25 V-min <3
May 30, 2017 at 8:13 PM
Strangely, this is the hottest I think I've seen him look.
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26 spazmo
May 30, 2017 at 8:32 PM
i like the black and white re-creation of the real Pak Yeol and Kaneko Fumiko photo... if you google their names, you'll see the original image.
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27 Beanfan
May 30, 2017 at 9:06 PM
The hairstyle really seems to make a difference in creating a different persona for Lee Je Hoon... *Call me excited*
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28 canxi
May 30, 2017 at 9:14 PM
This looks awesome.
When the film was first announced, I thought it would take on a more somber tone but I'm liking this approach much more.
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29 Jenny
May 30, 2017 at 9:29 PM
I wish they would have cast a Japanese actress in the role as Kaneko Fumiko was japanese (born in Yokohama) especially if she's going to speak Japanese.
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30 callie
May 30, 2017 at 9:52 PM
Love him ♥
So exciting seeing him getting more and more high profile projects.
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31 h2ogirl
May 30, 2017 at 10:50 PM
Omo, this looks sooo good! Thanks for reminding me about watching Dong Ju, btw. Still recovering from Finals week.
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32 JuSo
May 31, 2017 at 12:11 AM
The music for the comedic trailer is so familar. So many korean movie trailers seem to use it. It's a bit of a shame, because this makes the trailer generic for me.
But this aside I can't wait to see the movie. It looks really good, even though I would prefer it, if Japanese actors would play the role of the Japanese, if the movie features so much japanese dialogue. I always slightly cringe because you can tell they are Korean. It would be more natural, but then again I understand how hard it is to cast Japanese actors for these kind of roles. I remember how Ryohei Otani got some backlash for playing a character that betrayed Japan.
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33 astromantic
May 31, 2017 at 1:27 AM
Damn. Lee Je-hoon looks good even when disheveled. I'm into it!
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34 fab
May 31, 2017 at 1:42 AM
The poster with the red text is very similar to another movie...ugh I can't come up with it! Anyhow, rugged looking LJH is very hot and it looks like the role is challenging enough for him.
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35 renebean
May 31, 2017 at 4:37 AM
This looks very interesting and I've just googled it up and I love how they've recreated the photo
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36 aami
May 31, 2017 at 7:29 AM
I hope this one becomes a major hit
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37 Kairoskat 💐
May 31, 2017 at 7:32 AM
i thought it was uhm tae woong in the stills and posters.
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38 mk
May 31, 2017 at 7:51 AM
A lot of Koreans can't grow facial hair, that's probably why. I'm honestly sometimes shocked by the amount of beard I see in sageuks because most of the guys I know can barely grow a mustache.
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mk
May 31, 2017 at 7:52 AM
lol I think this posted incorrectly, it was meant to be a reply to a previous comment.
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39 Playstore, Okay Or Not Okay
May 31, 2017 at 11:07 AM
I would love to know about the history. It'll be a pleasure to learn it from our history nerd tipsymocha. Can we please get one ? Pretty please?
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40 Lin
May 31, 2017 at 1:23 PM
Ahhh a trailer is finally here. I been waiting for this ever since I saw my bb growing out his hair for the role. I was sold the moment Lee Je Hoon was attached and I'm hooked cause of the history stuff and also looks like a kick arse female lead that will be more than just an arm candy love interest (love that she's in the thick of their meetings and court trail).
My bb was almost unrecognizable in the poster *crosses everything that this does well in Korea and gets a stateside showing too*
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41 Eve
May 31, 2017 at 3:14 PM
This looks mightily interesting,
It is refreshing to see Lee Je-Hoon in such a different role in comparison to Bleak night and Signal. I had to look twice to really confirm it was him!
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