omonatheydid | Good Morning President

Good Morning President (굿모닝 프레지던트) – starring Jang Dong Gun, Lee Soon Jae, Ko Doo Shim, Han Chae Young, and Im Ha Ryong – opened its on-set presidential office to the media on June 20. The film’s main cast and PD Jang Jin were all present for the press conference.

Surprisingly, the film is actually a comedy rather than a drama. Jang Dong Gun said that he is enjoying himself and learning a lot on set in his first comedic role. When asked why he chose this role over the many other proposals he must have received in the past four years, the popular actor responded, “I heard about Good Morning President by chance while meeting with Director Jang Jin and discussing movies and requested, ‘When the scenario comes out, please show me first’. The scenario was fun and fresh and in particular, was a comedy, which I’ve never done before. Plus I’ve shown fans a lot of tragic characters so far, so I had said that I would do bright and pleasant roles in the future. [Since this role] fit all the conditions I had promised fans, I happily agreed to appear.”

Lee Soon Jae (Beethoven Virus) plays Kim Jung Ho, the president who has six months left in his term when he wins the lottery. Jang Dong Gun (Typhoon) is charismatic President Cha Ji Wook. Han Chae Young (Boys Over Flowers) has the role of Kim Jung Ho, who has harboured feelings for Cha Ji Wook since they were children. Ko Doo Shim (Chunja’s Special Day) plays Korea’s first female president, Han Gyung Ja. Im Ha Ryong (Insadong Scandal) plays the First Gentleman – Han Gyung Ja’s husband. Jang Young Nam (Secret Couple) has a smaller role as a Blue House staff advisor for President Cha.

The comedy, written and directed by Jang Jin (who wrote Public Enemy Returns), is supposed to complete filming this month and premiere near the end of 2009.

Jang Dong Gun made headlines yesterday when Good Morning President was confirmed as his first movie since Typhoon (2005). However, expectations are now raised further with news that Lee Soon Jae (Beethoven Virus, Mom’s Dead Upset), Ko Doo Sim (commonly spelled Go Doo Shim; Chunja’s Special Day), and Han Chae Young (Boys Over Flowers) will join the cast. (Contracts have yet to be signed with Lee, Ko, and Han; however, they are almost done with negotiations.)

The omnibus film will be about three (fictional) South Korean presidents. Lee Soon Jae will be featured first as an elderly president who wins the lottery near the end of his presidential term. Due to his position, he struggles to decide whether or not he should claim the prize. Jang will play the following president, Cha Ji Wook, who is young, handsome, and ambitious. His charisma can be compared to newly-elected U.S. President Barack Obama’s. Han Chae Young’s character is the outgoing president’s daughter, who is dating Cha Ji Wook. Ko Doo Sim will be the third president in the film – the first female president of Korea.

Jang Dong Gun agreed to the part after reading director-writer Jang Jin’s script. (Jang Jin is a multi-talented writer, director, and producer. He wrote the script for Public Enemy Returns, and was the producer and writer for Going by the Book.) This project must have been in the works for a while, as Jang Dong Gun had been considering this role since late 2007. Filming for Good Morning President is scheduled to begin in April.

Source: 1, 2