LEE Joon-ik Explores Love and War

Celebrated director Lee Joon-ik will next film Nimeun Mon Gose (English translation: "Someone Dear is Far Away"), about a woman who sets out to search for her missing-in-action husband during the Vietnam War. She decides to become a member of an entertainment group lined-up to give shows in Vietnam for soldiers. The melodrama is a co-production between Tiger Pictures and Achim Pictures.

Showbox is involved as the main financer, investing US$ 7 million in the project. Showbox will also be responsible for distribution. Filming will commence in October and the film is scheduled to be released in next year's summer. Casting has not been announced yet.

With Nimeun Mon Gose LEE continues to build a distinctive body of films that explore recurring themes and elements. He often unfolds his stories in the past ("Once upon a Time in a Battlefield" ("Hwangsanbul"), and "The King and the Clown", Nimeun Mon Gose) and like "The King and the Clown", Nimeun Mon Gose will also be a drama dealing with relationships in uncommon situations. LEE has also frequently dealt with male bonding (Once upon a Time in a Battlefield ("Hwangsanbul")",The King and the Clown", "Radio Star", and "The Happy Life"); as well as musicians/entertainers ("The King and the Clown", "Radio Star", "The Happy Life", and Nimeun Mon Gose). Moreover, Nimeun Mon Gose will tread on war issued like "Once upon a Time in a Battlefield" ("Hwangsanbul"). So far, he has complemented his films with a dose of humor.

Director LEE is best known for his 2005 feature "The King and the Clown", one of Korea's most successful films. It tells the love story of two marginal male entertainers during the former Joseon dynasty who suddenly find themselves in the King's court, desperately trying to survive the power games for which they are used and to stay together.

Yi Ch'ang-ho (KOFIC)

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