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New technological step in Korean animation

After Ryoo Seung-wan's "The City of Violence" (Jjakpae) and Park Chan-wook's "I'm a Cyborg, But That's OK" (Cyborgjiman Gwaenjanha), "Life is Cool" (Geunyeoneun Yeppeotta, English translation: "She was beautiful") will be the next instalment of CJ Entertainment's HD Project, and the first Korean animation film using the technique rotoscoping. With this procedure, live-action film is being traced by animators frame by frame.

Kim Soo-ro ("Vampire Cop Ricky"/Heuphyeol Hyeongsa Nadoyeol), and television actress Park Ye-jin are among the actors involved in the project. Choi Ik-hwan directs this tale about three distinct male friends who fall out with each other when they all fall for the same woman.

Rotoscoping opens new doors in filmmaking. One of the benefits is that it makes facial expressions more realistic than other forms of animation. The animation technique was also used for A Scanner Darkly, starring Keanu Reeves, and the music video Take on Me by A-ha. Also, the procedure is easy on the budget as animators can creatively come up with the background instead of expensive sets or locations.

CJ Entertainment's HD Project intends to explore cost-efficient and innovative new digital techniques, and also involves leading directors; its latest project, "Life is Cool", will be released on June 12.

Yi Ch'ang-ho (KOFIC)

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