Thursday November 22, 2007 Singapore
http://newpaper.asia1.com.sg/show/story/0,...,148436,00.html
Kimchi vs Sushi
Japanese idol Takuya Kimura may be the main dish of the movie Hero. But will Korean hunk Lee Byung Hun provide the flavour
LEE BYUNG HUN, 37
Real life: An accomplished Korean actor who speaks fluent English and French, Byung Hun is slated to make inroads into Hollywood. He's hailed as the Prince Of Smiles in Japan, where he sold out 60,000 tickets in an ongoing four-part concert tour.
Byung Hun is reportedly single now, after ending a one-year relationship with his All In co-star Song Hye Gyo in 2004.
Alter ego in Hero: Byung Hun plays an elite Korean prosecutor who helps Takuya locate an important piece of evidence - a van that was illegally exported to Pusan.
Director Suzuki Masayuki told the Korean media recently that Byung Hun's screen time is short (just two minutes) but he plays a 'strong, heavyweight role'.
'Lee is explosively popular in Japan and is known to have a 'pretty smile'. He was really the only one I had in mind for the casting.'
Most memorable scene: When he deftly subdues a baddie in a rare action scene. Then, with a knowing grin, he gives Takuya a crucial word of advice that links to the ending.
On working with Takuya: Byung Hun said: 'In the past, when I didn't know much about Japanese film culture, I visited Japan to shoot a music video. Everywhere I went, I saw advertisement boards with this handsome man, who I later learned was Kimura. It gave me a strong impression of the actor.'
Critics say: Byung Hun is suave and macho, but, alas, he has so little screen time.
Five of the critics whom The New Paper spoke to agreed that Byung Hun's talent was 'wasted'.
UW magazine journalist Tina Tan said he appears more macho compared to Takuya's 'idol look' and his newly-grown moustache is 'a bit charming'.
'There was so much media hype over this Japan heavenly king meets Korean heavenly king collaboration, but Lee is really under-utilised here. This is a movie about Takuya and he's the star, so Lee would lose out.'
Production manager Xie Suyan said she was expecting Takuya and Byung Hun to spar in court representing their own countries, but felt disappointed that they did not.
FM 96.3 reporter Junko Hayashi felt it was 'unfair' for Byung Hun to play such a shallow character, and that he deserved more because 'he's really a great actor'.
But Radio 1003 deejay Luo Kemin argued that Byung Hun's charismatic presence was like the 'caviar on an already great dish'.
'His performance was short but exciting, and his eyes spoke volumes while he was giving (Takuya and Takako) his blessings.
'A great actor doesn't need to take up the main role or occupy a lot of screen time. It's a Japanese movie so there's more sushi than kimchi, but the kimchi definitely added flavour to it.'
TAKUYA KIMURA, 35
Real life: A member of boy band Smap, Takuya acts, sings and hosts.
He's been hailed as Japan's sexiest man and King Of Drama - due to his unbeatable ratings appeal.
Married to singer Shizuka Kudo, Takuya is a doting dad to two girls - Kokomi, 6, and Mitsuki, 4.
Alter ego in Hero: Takuya plays a delinquent-turned- prosecutor who unravels cases with his unorthodox ways, with the help of his loyal assistant played by Takako Matsu.
A shopping channel fanatic, he returns to the Tokyo office after six years and is given a seemingly simple manslaughter case that turns out to be linked to a political conspiracy.
Takuya is the only choice for the role, since it was he who popularised the renegade character in the 2001 drama version that scored a record-high average rating.
Most memorable scene: Too many campy moments, like him jumping around the office with a spiky waist-slimming gadget he ordered from his favourite shopping channel.
But the one scene that moves many to tears is his moving speech in court, demanding that the truth to be delivered to the victim's fiancee.
On working with Byung Hun: Takuya said: 'I've seen a lot of commercials by Lee in Japan. He has this angelic smile and is a powerful actor who has a huge impact on the audience. Simply working with him in the same place and same time will be a great honour.'
Critics say: Takuya, who commands the entire two hours of the film, has matured in his acting. He has a way of pulling at heartstrings while inducing giggles with his quirky antics.
Because of this, he has won over new fans, including Lianhe Wanbao journalist Yee Wanyu, who, until she watched Hero, never understood why this 'skinny guy whom I don't think is good looking is so popular'.
She was pleasantly surprised by Takuya's natural comic timing, and 'now I think he's quite cute, even at (age) 35'.
Another converted fan is Radio 1003 deejay Luo Kemin, whose impression of Takuya has changed from 'don't know why so many girls are obsessed with him' to 'he's 100 times cute'.
'He's a natural born star and he makes his comic character come alive. I was touched by how he focused on doing one thing - to bring the murderer to justice.'
FM 96.3 reporter Junko Hayashi said she cried three times because she was deeply moved by Takuya's acting.
'He has become a great actor and he has a very realistic style. He has improved 100 per cent since the drama, and he has good chemistry with the rest of the cast.'
Production manager Xie Suyan added that Takuya, although not handsome, has a certain charisma on screen and an ability to humanise his characters.
'He adds little gestures that are so charming to a girl, you'll definitely fall in love with his character.'
