Lee Byung-Hun, IMDB Top Chart 23.. zooms up 7 steps from #30

[shanny-w.livejournal.com]

Hallyu star Lee Byung Hun's domestic as well as overseas popularity is soaring.

When Lee's Hollywood debut movie 'GI Joe: The Rise of Cobra' opened on August 7, the STARmeter had indicated a huge rise in top-search ranking for any Korean actor at the well-known movie portal. From a ranking below 1000, Lee Byung Hun had moved up to the 20th place which further advances to 23 as the blockbuster movie dominated the world box-office standing second week in a row.

Reflecting this, the men fashion line Maestro and Lee Byung Hun had signed an exclusive modelling contract. The movie NomNomNom starring Lee Byung Hun will open in Japan on August 29 while his drama 'IRIS' will be broadcasted by KBS on October 14 after a really tough filming and hectic schedule throughout the year.




Q&A - G.I. Joe Star Byung-hun Lee Explains Storm Shadow's Martial Arts Style



Korean sensation Byung-hun Lee makes his American debut as the villainous Storm Shadow in G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra. He talks to AMCtv.com about working with special effects for the first time and the possibilities for a Snake Eyes rematch in G.I. Joe 2.

Q: Had you heard of G.I. Joe before you were offered the role?

A: I didn't know about G.I. Joe -- in Asia they don't know about it. But I heard it's a really famous cartoon, and the character is so famous. It has huge fans. So I'm a big fan of G.I. Joe now.

Q: Was it strange to make your U.S. debut in such an American movie?

A: Yeah a little bit. [Laughs] But I was hesitant about this project not because of the story, but because of the genre. In Korea, scifi is an unfamiliar genre. I've been acting realistic characters and realistic films. So I'm not used to this. But then I realized how famous this cartoon is, and especially the characters. So I'm happy.

Q: So this was your first time working with huge special effects?

A: This is my first try. It was really amazing, because even when I'm filming I didn't know this would be like that. After I watched the premiere, I was a little surprised and shocked. I didn't know what I did.

Q: You're an expert in Taekwondo. Did you have to modify your style for the movie?

A: Yeah of course. Actually [Snake Eyes actor] Ray [Park] and me had a lot of time to practice and train. We had a lot of discussions about the the style of martial arts. Ray's style of martial arts is based on Chinese Kung Fu and Wushu, and mine is based on Korean Taekwondo. Those are very different. He has a little more flash and Taewondo is simple but strong. So the stunt guys wanted us to put those characters inside our choreography.

Q: How can two characters grow up with the same training and end up practicing two different styles of Kung Fu?

A: Even though they grew up and learned from the same master, they were separated when they were kids. Maybe they could have totally different situations and totally different environments. And in that process, they could have their own specialty, I think.

Q: The Storm Shadow/Snake Eyes rivalry is pretty famous. Can you think of any way it could continue into the next movie?

A: Uh, it's hard to answer. [Laughs]



1,2

*nomnomnom*

Comments

[karlaxjaejoong.livejournal.com]

Damn, he's fucking hot! @___@

[cloud-honey.livejournal.com]

I was like "OMG look at his underwear something's growing" and I just realized that it was his sword. R_R

[dipropylene]

:D

[nene718.livejournal.com]

Goddamn he's fine.

[chiroro.livejournal.com]

My favorite part of the movie was him.

[bellaprincess9.livejournal.com]

I saw this movie on Saturday night and he did a good job!

[cinis.livejournal.com]

:Q________

I need to watch this asap.

[hellodee16.livejournal.com]

YES YOU DO, HE IS THE BEST THING IN THE MOVIE. /bias

[cinis.livejournal.com]

After some of the reviews I've read he may be the only good thing lmao

[stopthedisco.livejournal.com]

lol aww, that's kinda sad.

[xradiostatic.livejournal.com]

LOL bias or no bias, he is one of the redeeming parts of the movie haha.

[honeebs.livejournal.com]

oh damn this is too much..
I can't even read what it says...
Damn oooweee!

[sup-homeskillet.livejournal.com]

I went to see this movie, and as all of my friends were ogling Channing Tatum, I was just like "YUM LEE BYUNG HUN OMG HE REMOVED HIS SHIRT THIS IS GREAT"

but actually the movie sucked. so.

[karlaxjaejoong.livejournal.com]

i haven't seen the movie but, when i saw the previews i was all like: " this movie is gonna suck." :D

[sup-homeskillet.livejournal.com]

he was a beacon of light in the filthy mire of that movie's seemingly limitless inadequacy

[shanny-w.livejournal.com]

He is probably a finer actor than them all put together. lol Just compare his past roles to his cast members.

[dandycat.livejournal.com]

Watching Channing Tatum try to act was like watching the grass die. Lee Byung Hun ftmfw.

[eleanaleone.livejournal.com]

i love your avi <3

[dandycat.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

[xkimchi-ninja.livejournal.com]

Those abs are something FIERCE.

[cherise.livejournal.com]

I heard that he had to learn all of his English lines bit by bit since he doesn't know English! I was really digging the way he delivered them in the movie too, *swoon*

[shanny-w.livejournal.com]

idk he studied english for 2 years when he was 18. I think he's alright and was able to converse with people on the set (he's pretty close with sienna). I think that he said sometimes he didnt know how exactly to deliver the line in english. He didnt know how to put the proper emphasis in at times so he needed a bit of direction. He also speaks french and mandarin.

[ashiva.livejournal.com]

HOT.

[that-princess.livejournal.com]

i just wanna lick him all over

[crimsonskyx.livejournal.com]

I second this notion XD

[unsospiro.livejournal.com]

GET IN MY BELLY.

[chalakchalak.livejournal.com]

ROfL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[hp-groupie.livejournal.com]

OMG, WIN! XD

[ennuixo.livejournal.com]

brb getting on a plane to korea to engage in some legal lovin' with this man

[karlaxjaejoong.livejournal.com]

let me go with you!! 8DDD

[ennuixo.livejournal.com]

the more the merrier bb, let's go~

[parkjinyoung.livejournal.com]

he's a hot ahjussi wow

[hi-junpei.livejournal.com]

Love him. He was amazing in Bungee Jumping of their Own.

[hp-groupie.livejournal.com]

That movie was SO good, omg.

[chalakchalak.livejournal.com]

Saw the movie ONLY for him (and the redhead cause she is FINE)
His english was incredible and all through the movie I kept making strange growls cause he was that damn hot.
After his scenes were over, I pretty much walked out of the theater.

[ricey11.livejournal.com]

I used to take my brother's big ass GI Joe and have him be like Godzilla against all those little plastic army men.
*sigh*
This movie looks shitty but for Lee Byung Hun and Channing Tatum, I'd let some boy waste ten dollars to go see it.

[topisatop.livejournal.com]

I would rub him in oil....

[hp-groupie.livejournal.com]

IMDb betta recognize this Korean hotness!

: )

[diesmile-kibum.livejournal.com]

I admit to going with my sister and friend, only for his parts(didn't know anything about G.I. JOE except action fiqure). Personally, I loved his parts the best, how they show his past and all. Did not expect shirt off scene! I was gripping my sisters arms like "dare you seeing what I'm seeing?!" hehe

[xradiostatic.livejournal.com]

G.I. joe was disappointing, but his parts were good. i loved it whenever he came on screen haha.

[finchburg.livejournal.com]

So many cuts... I feel like I'm at the deli.

[shanny-w.livejournal.com]

gurl he's got meat fo ya

[shadowfax.livejournal.com]

Love him sfm.

[trannas.livejournal.com]

The movie was terrible but I enjoyed all the fine eye candy it had. Mmm. He looked so good in that fight scene. I'm glad this is increasing his exposure in America too.

[-ochre.livejournal.com]

OK OK I'm going to watch his hot piece of fine ass tonight!!!

[chloe1910.livejournal.com]

He's really hot! I love him in GI Joe!