You know I love a movie when I write twelve posts that have mentioned this movie in one way or another. So, one way or another, I was going to watch this movie.
“71-Into the Fire” is angling for an Oscar nomination, and perhaps a win, and I don’t blame it. It is really good. I don’t know if it will win just yet, since I don’t know what other films are going up against it, but it would be nice if “Into the Fire” won.
I will avoid spoilers as much as possible.
Just when I had written a more optimistic post about him, Kwon Sang Woo just might have been too careless celebrating the success of “Into the Fire.”
A couple of weeks ago, Kwon got into a car accident in the early morning. He hit another car, and fled the scene when police cars started approaching the scene. Though he denies being drunk at that hour (well then, what were you doing at that hour driving around your own car?), there was no way they could test him if he really were drunk that day. The police investigation concluded that he was at fault and charged him with hit-and-run.
The case is now with the prosecutors (Ma Hye Ri – please judge wisely! 
) and they will determine the consequences.
For a more detailed (and funnier) description of what happened that night, check it out here.
His official statement can be read here, but no one seems to believe him. Poor guy – just when he hoped for a better future, his reputation is getting marred. It’ll probably last a week, but still… the “official statement” still makes him look like a fool!
source: seoulbeats, allkpop, dramabeans
Kwon Sang Woo had an interview with 10asia where he spoke about “Into the Fire”‘s success and his future acting plans.
He stated that he really wanted “Into the Fire” to be a success because he had not been doing too well lately. Two of his most recent dramas, Cinderella Man and Bad Love, didn’t do too well ratings-wise, and “Fate” and “More Than Blue” were flops in theaters. Therefore, this film – which has him donning (his lucky charm) a school uniform – is significant for him. His role was that of a delinquent who chooses to be 
a student soldier rather than go to a reformatory, and Kwon took to the role almost instantly. He explains, “I didn’t hesitate to take it on — it had a very well-executed scenario, it was refreshing in that it would be about student soldiers and it’s not often that you’re given a chance to work on a war pic given the circumstances the Korean film industry is in.”
Thankfully the film is a huge success, having sold one million tickets in just five days.
On top of that, Kwon is planning to act in a Chinese film someday soon. Though he has held plenty of fan meetings in Japan and enjoys a high popularity there, a Japanese acting debut will be sometime later in the future. First, he hopes that he can be in a Chinese role next year.
C.N. Blue will be hosting their first live concert ever on July 31st – a concert that is solely theirs. It will be held at the AX Hall in Seoul. And if you can’t wait until then, you can check them out in a new spread in Vogue Girl.
Jeon Ji Hyun rejected the opportunity to star alongside Rain in his comeback drama Runaway. Now it seems to be confirmed that Lee Na Young will take her place, but no confirmation on that yet. I can only laugh – I don’t particularly see Rain and Jeon as a good match anyways. I also wonder why Jeon rejected this opportunity – was it because of the script? Or the co-star? Or is she concentrating once again on Hollywood? Heh.
Chae Rim is going to appear in the Chinese remake of All About Eve. Her role will be that of an ex-girlfriend of Jang Hyuk’s character. It’s a character that didn’t exist before, but was created specifically for her. It’s an homage to her, since All About Eve was one of her biggest hits. The drama has Jang Hyuk taking over Jang Dong Gun‘s role, and Chinese actresses Dan Zhu and Cheryl Yang taking over Chae Rim and Kim So Yeon‘s role.
T.O.P. has admitted during a film showcase for “Into the Fire” that he and the rest of Big Bang would sometimes visit amusement parks with masks on. It was their way of releasing some stress and having fun without getting caught by fans.
I’m sure that now this tactic is out of the bag, he may no longer be able to use it.
In regards to the film, everyone continued giving him accolades – the director noted that he was impressed with how T.O.P. sobbed so hard during a scene where a fellow soldier cries. According to Kwon Sang Woo, he is also the best drinker, because he won’t let any of them go to sleep; all T.O.P. wanted was to hear more and more stories from these veteran actors. That’s the best tactic, buddy! Learn from your sunbaes!
Here are other photos from the showcase event.
Ariel Lin has been absent in the acting world for about two years – sparking anger from fans who want to see her act, not sing. (She’s been preparing for her second album instead. I don’t know if fans really are that fervent, or if the news source is exaggerating..) So now she’s going to star in two dramas – one is Extravagant Challenge, which will resume filming after casting issues and a one-year break. The lead was originally Jerry Yan but when the company told them they would not continue with producing the drama, along with rumors that Wu Zun was going to replace him, Yan quit the drama. Now, it’s back on and the leads are none other than Super Junior’s Siwon and Donghae. Filming will begin in August.
On top of that, her second drama will be a Taiwanese remake of Coffee Prince – and Lin will take over Yoon Eun Hye’s role. EHHHH!? <– that was my reaction.
BoA appeared at a Samsung event for 3D content. Some of the members of DBSK (Max Changmin and U-Know Yunho) were in attendance, and James Cameron showed up to announce his collaboration with SM Entertainment to produce some 3D music videos for the stars. Samsung is also producing some 3D televisions.
Kim Seung Woo, T.O.P., Cha Seung Won and Kwon Sang Woo, along with the director Lee Jae Han, participated in a press conference for the film. I’m getting really excited about this film. I generally like war/action movies, but the trailer looks SO AWESOME. The cast is superb. And… well what else is there to say?
Kim Seung Woo even describes what it was like filming the infamous shot of the bridge blowing up behind me. And I have to say – despite his fear, it WAS a pretty cool scene!
