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Oh Ji-ho and the story of La Belle By Fung L. Yong New Sarawak Tribune Tuesday, February 8, 2011 La Belle (starring Oh Ji-ho ) contains ...
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Oh Ji-ho in ‘La Belle’ A writer’s surrealistic journey of love and passion By Fung L. Yong LA BELLE (starring Oh Ji-ho ) depicts a gorgeou...
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Oh Ji-ho: From silence to prominence By Fung L. Yong February 28, 2013 Besides his warm dazzling smile and award-winning...
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Oh Ji-ho, more than a genetic lottery winner By Fung L. Yong fung.yong@ymail.com November 8, 2012 South Korean act...
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Besides his mental prowess and athletic ability, Oh Ji-ho is also known for his calmness and professionalism. He demonstrated a natural,...
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Oh Ji-ho, actor with a soul BY FUNG L. YONG Handsome South Korean actor Oh Ji-ho was born in Mokpo, a picturesque port city at t...
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Pageviews/Month: July 7, 2012 – August 8, 2012 Malaysia 33 United States 29 Singapore 11 ...
Wednesday, December 25, 2013
Oh Ji-ho: Taxi Show 2010
Oh Ji-ho: Early days in
Seoul
Driver: Zio, when did you move to Seoul?
Zio: I was born in Mokpo and lived there until I
was 17. After that, I enrolled in Anyang
University, south of Seoul.
Driver: Do you have any special memories of your
college days?
Zio: When I first arrived in Seoul, I spoke with
an accent that seemed strange to others.
On top of that, someone told me that people from Mokpo are notorious for
using foul language and consume fish only.
Then there was this obnoxious chap who insulted me several times until I
lost my cool and punched him one day.
Driver: Then what happened?
Zio: Nothing occurred at first because he just
walked away. However, soon after I sat
down in class, a big belligerent-looking guy tapped on my shoulder and demanded
if I had punched his friend.
Driver: Did he scare the daylights out of you?
Zio: Yes, very much indeed, but I quickly put on
an innocent face and appeared real puzzled.
Then I mustered all my courage and confidently declared that I did not
hit anybody, so he left. After that, I
asked my classmate who the burly guy was …..I was still feeling shaky inside, I
must admit. Subsequently, it was
confirmed that he was the strongest guy at college and nobody ever messed with
him. Phew! I can still see him in my mind’s eye. What a scary experience … hahaha!
Driver: Zio, when
did you become interested in acting?
Zio: Ever since high school, when I first saw Andy
Lau in an action movie…..he was speeding on a motorcycle with a cigarette in
his mouth….I thought that was real cool!
I started watching a lot of movies when I first arrived in Seoul.
Driver: What about your grades?
Zio: I was performing well at first ….within the
top five in class!
Driver: How high is your IQ?
Zio: I have an IQ of 135!
Driver: Everybody in your family has higher IQ than
you!
Zio: Hahaha!
Driver: Zio, you not only possess a high IQ, but you
are also good at mental mathematics.
Zio: Right, hahaha!
Driver: What else did you do as an aspiring actor in
Seoul?
Zio: I worked part-time at a video store.
Driver: Let’s visit your old workplace.
Zio: Really?!
Oh ji-ho: Part-time shop
assistant
Driver: Zio, is that the video store where you once
worked?
Zio: Yes, let’s go inside.
Driver: There are many comic books in this store too.
Zio: This store has a large collection of adult
movies. Customers used to ask me for
advice and I would carefully select for them after inquiring about their taste
and preference… hahhaha!
Driver: Zio, I don’t have any experience in adult
movies, so can you recommend one for me?
Zio: Certainly, do you have any special theme in
mind?
Driver: No, I just want to gain some experience.
Zio (gingerly pulls
out a video): Oh, I believe this one
will be most suitable for you as starters…hahaha!
Driver: Business must be pretty good here since
you’re such a handsome shop assistant!
Zio: Yes, sales had definitely increased after I
started working here!
Driver: Zio, you must have watched a lot of movies
while working here.
Zio (pointing at
the screen): Look, the computer records are
still here …. I had watched more than 700 movies ....about two a day.
Driver: Ah…this was the place where Zio started
dreaming of becoming a successful actor someday!
Zio: Hahaha!
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Oh Ji-ho - through a friend's eyes
Oh Ji-ho
through a friend’s eyes
One of the first friends whom Zio met when he first arrived in
Seoul is Jo Yeon-woo, the cake shop employee in the 2000 ‘La Belle,’ which
happens to be Zio’s debut movie.
Zio had his first magazine shoot with Yeon-woo. He admires Yeon-woo’s personality, adding
that his friend is passionate about almost everything.
Yeon-woo, on the the hand, admitted that Zio always looks so
elegant that he feels somewhat shabby whenever the handsome friend is
around. In terms of looks and
appearance, he no longer wants to compete with Zio anymore.
Yeon-woo commented that Zio has a warm personality. Although he may appear reserved and assertive
to some people, Zio is actually a very kind-hearted and direct person besides
being a very approachable and interesting individual.
The two actors met about 14 years ago at a dance club. Zio was standing at a corner when Yeon-woo
first took notice of him. He assumed
that Zio was a model because he is very tall.
Nevertheless, when Zio did not walk over to say hello to him, Yeon-woo
changed his mind and concluded that he must be a sports personality.
Furthermore, Yeon-woo revealed that Zio has a penchant for
beautiful glassware and state-of-the-art cooking utensils; hence, he usually
takes a long time to make up his mind before purchasing any.
Finally, both actors enjoy bowling whenever they have free
time. They are members of Club 300 – Zio
explained that the number does not represent 300 soldiers, but a good bowling
score.
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Oh Ji-ho - Tidbits
Oh Ji-ho: Willing to be a husband who cooks
During one of his interviews in Singapore, handsome South Korean actor
Oh Ji-ho revealed that he is willing to cook for his wife if he gets married,
which implies that he is interested in home economics besides acting and
playing baseball. He also has a keen interest in cooking utensils.
The masculine actor admitted that he enjoys eating and can eat a lot at
one go. One of his favourite Singaporean recipes revolves around the stingray.
Zio, like many Koreans, prefers hot and spicy food. His favourite dish
at home is kimchi. In 2010, he set up an online kimchi business with three
friends, and sales have been extremely good. Together, they also set up a shop
selling hot and spicy pizzas. Zio elaborated that they prefer to use hot sauce
to season their pizzas. He added that whenever he is free, he will go to the
shop to improve his pizza-making ability.
Zio smilingly admitted that his mother has taught him how to cook kimchi
stew. While he is rather proud of his culinary skills, his mother insists that
he still has room for improvement.
A highly eligible bachelor at present, Zio regretted that he rarely has
time to prepare meals at home. He indicated that he hopes to cook for his fans
someday. They have been very supportive of him all along and he truly
appreciates their love.
Zio revealed that when he gets married in future, he will cook for his
wife regardless of whether she knows how to cook or not.
Often known as ‘Korea’s Tom Cruise’and sometimes ‘Malaysia Prince,’ Zio
is famous for his gorgeous tanned looks and statuesque body. Besides his
heart-warming roles and friendly demeanour, his dazzling warm smile has
undoubtedly melted many a woman’s heart.
Finally, Zio keeps fit by jogging, doing yoga, and swimming. He also
plays baseball regularly besides being an iron man.
Oh Ji-ho: Waiting is a beautiful thing to do
Unlike the ‘flower boys’
from his country, Oh Ji-ho is not only famed for his ruggedly handsome looks,
but also his firm handshake and personable characteristics.
During one of his trips
to Singapore, Zio revealed that he had encountered a lot of hardship as an
aspiring actor. Besides being severely criticised for his lack of acting
ability in his debut movie ‘La Belle,’ he was also rejected by many producers
because of his buttery looks and Mokpo accent. During some auditions, he was
asked to stop after saying barely one or two lines.
After his first two
movies were released, Zio stopped acting for a while to reflect on his future.
He would wake up at nine in the morning to go to the park to rehearse his
lines. After brunch, he would attend acting classes. He also watched movies
frequently to learn new techniques.
After struggling for six
months, Zio eventually regained his confidence in acting. To his dismay, he
realised that some of his fans had forgotten all about him. Further, he had to
survive on a shoestring budget while competing with numerous others to get a
decent role. Zio admitted that he was so deep in the red once that he even
stopped smoking!
Despite the trials and
tribulations, Zio persisted because he is confident that there is a light at the
end of the tunnel and that every cloud has a silver lining. He strongly
believes that aspiring actors must have patience, optimism, and determination
to cope with rejection and disappointment. To Zio, waiting for the right role
is a beautiful thing to do. He is right.
Oh Ji-ho: Working with
child actors
Strikingly handsome South
Korean actor Oh Ji-ho has won many a heart for his touching paternal roles. In
‘Couple or Trouble,’ he plays a maintenance man who pinches and scraps to
support three young nephews. In ‘Single Dad in Love,’ he has to work long
unearthly hours because his little son has a brain tumour. In ‘Queen of
Housewives,’ he has to get a job real soon because his little daughter
complains that her room is too small to accommodate him. Finally, in ‘The Slave
Hunters,’ he has to risk his life to protect a young prince.
Although he likes
children and is confident that he can become a good father in future, Zio
sometimes feels ‘envious’ of his young co-stars. Whenever the cute youngsters
are around, Zio feels neglected because most of the cast members and filming
crew, especially the women, will be pampering the adorable little ones instead
of him!
Finally, Zio would like to have a daughter and two sons if he gets
married. He prefers to have a daughter first, most probably because his eldest
sister always looks out for him!
Oh Ji-ho: How to be a happy individual
When praised for his
winsome looks and easy elegance, popular South Korean actor Oh Ji-ho admitted
that he usually selects clothes that reflect his own personality and taste. As
for his wholesome appearance, he laughingly said that he owes it to his beloved
parents, besides exercising on a regular basis.
Zio reiterated that he
became an actor because he is passionate about acting and has aspired to become
one since he was young. He has always wanted to excel in acting even though he
was more well-known as a model in the early years of his career. Although he
was rejected at one audition after another at the beginning, he has never given
up hope on acting.
Zio observed that many
actors are constantly under public scrutiny, often severely criticized on the
Internet. He added that unfair or derogatory remarks can adversely affect those
in the acting profession.
To cope with negative attitudes, he tries to be happy with himself. He
believes the only way for him to adequately face life is to work hard and wear
a smile always. Besides regular exercise and adopting a cheerful attitude, Zio
recommends traveling as an alternative way to reduce stress.
Thursday, August 1, 2013
August 2, 2013
Oh Ji-ho: Wearing his heart on his sleeve
Fung Lan Yong
While shooting ‘Couple or Trouble’ in 2006, Zio revealed that while he has the great tendency to laugh heartily, he also wears his heart on his sleeve often. He admitted that he has been deeply touched by the script.
Interesting movies and exciting sports often capture his heart too. For instance, his tears brimmed over while watching ‘Spider Man 3.’ Tears also well up in his eyes whenever he sees his favourite player or team win.
In ‘Couple or Trouble,’ after bidding farewell to the leading lady on a particularly cold day, Zio wept so much that his eyes looked like Ultraman’s.
Finally, before kissing the female lead in ‘Couple or Trouble,’ Zio not only gargled with a generous amount of mouthwash, but also rehearsed several times.
Oh Ji-ho: First taste of the rice dumpling
During the 2007 Dragon Boat Festival, Zio was in Taiwan promoting his ever popular drama, ‘Couple or Trouble.’ He had never tasted a rice dumpling before that time. To know more about the festival that is celebrated with rice dumplings, he decided to give his mother a phone call.
He subsequently recalled that the festival is known as Dano in South Korea. He also vaguely remembered that his mother used to wash her hair in the river with sweet flag during the festival, which falls on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. Women who wash their hair with sweet flag will not only have shiny hair, but also receive good fortune.
Oh Ji-ho: Pretty knowledgeable about plants
While celebrating the 2007 Dragon Boat Festival in Taiwan, Zio could tell that the dumpling is made from glutinous rice immediately after the first bite. He revealed that glutinous rice is also used to make several kinds of delicacies in South Korea. Subsequently, Zio remarked that rice dumplings are so delicious that they should be eaten throughout the year, not just during the Dragon Boat Festival that falls on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month.
After an urgent telephone call to his mother, he eventually remembered that his mother and sister used to wash their hair with sweet flag in the river on the ‘Double Fifth’ to bring good luck. Besides, he even declared that he could still remember the characteristics of sweet flag, adding that he has some general knowledge on plants.
In fact, Zio knows the names of many plants - as if he had majored in biology. He shyly admitted that he used to roam the countryside and befriend the cows while growing up in Mokpo. Additionally, he has a keen interest in flora and fauna. Although he now lives in a big city, he stills tries to be in close touch with nature as frequently as possible.
In the 2006 KBS drama ‘Couple or Trouble,’ Zio plays the role of a handsome handyman who lives in the suburbs with three young nephews. To make the role more realistic and appealing, he decided to have a shorter haircut and deeper tan. His friends jokingly said that he did not have to take such measures because he already looks like a‘country boy,’ especially with his rather impressive knowledge on the ecosystem.
Oh Ji-ho: Golf is a mental sport
During one of his recent interviews, Zio revealed that golf is a mental sport. He is right. Exhibiting mental toughness, good golfers tend to composed, self-confident, and focused. Besides possessing deep awareness of the zone, they tend to remain calm under pressure, believe in their ability, and able to concentrate on the task at hand. Having a clear and decisive mind, they have strong emotional control and ability to refocus after failure. Most importantly, they enjoy the sport, regardless of whether they are ten over, or two under, par.
Zio thinks that autumn is a great season for playing golf, especially when the leaves are blazing red. He finds golf real challenging but satisfying; he plans to play golf for charity this year. As for golf wear, Zio prefers white because it appears bright in a serenely vast field of green. He thinks that golf wear helps project a cool and stylish look.
Oh Ji-ho: Golf is a mental sport
During one of his recent interviews, Zio revealed that golf is a mental sport. He is right. Exhibiting mental toughness, good golfers tend to composed, self-confident, and focused. Besides possessing deep awareness of the zone, they tend to remain calm under pressure, believe in their ability, and able to concentrate on the task at hand. Having a clear and decisive mind, they have strong emotional control and ability to refocus after failure. Most importantly, they enjoy the sport, regardless of whether they are ten over, or two under, par.
Zio thinks that autumn is a great season for playing golf, especially when the leaves are blazing red. He finds golf real challenging but satisfying; he plans to play golf for charity this year. As for golf wear, Zio prefers white because it appears bright in a serenely vast field of green. He thinks that golf wear helps project a cool and stylish look.
Members of the Iron Men, one of whom is Zio, meet at least once a month to have a friendly round of golf.
Recently, Zio was seen wearing stylish outfits from the Oakley Golf Collection that features high quality, functionality, and optimal comfort.
Saturday, June 1, 2013
Pageviews/Top 10 countries
Blog:
Oh Ji-ho by Fung Lan Yong
Pageviews/Top 10 countries
Month:
May 2, 2013 - June 2, 2013
Malaysia: 68
USA:
39
Singapore: 6
Thailand: 4
Romania:
3
Australia:
2
France:
2
Qatar: 2
Serbia:
2
Canada:
1
Thank you for your support!
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Oh Ji-ho by Fung L.Yong
http://ohji-hobyfunglanyong.blogspot.com/
Pageviews/Top 10 countries
http://ohji-hobyfunglanyong.blogspot.com/
Pageviews/Top 10 countries
April
2011 to February 2013
Malaysia
|
1553
|
United States
|
359
|
Thailand
|
101
|
Singapore
|
98
|
Japan
|
82
|
Philippines
|
76
|
Hong Kong
|
56
|
Latvia
|
33
|
Indonesia
|
31
|
Germany
Thank you for your support!
|
28
|
Oh Ji-ho: From silence to prominence
Oh
Ji-ho: From silence to prominence
By Fung
L. Yong
February
28, 2013
Besides his warm dazzling smile and
award-winning roles, South Korean actor Oh Ji-ho is also known for several other
things. Born in April 1976 in Mokpo and
widely known as Zio, he worked as an extra for several months in the late 1990s
before he was noticed by a director. As
an extra, he would appear as an onlooker or passer-by several times in one
scene by merely modifying his physical appearance, usually by a quick change of
clothes. He fondly remembers that his very
first line as an actor was pointing at a young woman and yelled, “Hey, you’re
hot!” That memorable experience happened more than fifteen years ago, when he
decided to become an actor rather than a Korean literature teacher, his
childhood ambition.
As a model, Zio first appeared in a caffè latte advertisement in 1998. First, caffé latte is simply a coffee-based
beverage that consists of mainly expresso and steamed milk. Thence, how would Zio make a good cup of caffè
latte'? Possessing rather creative culinary skills, he most probably uses
one-third expresso, two-thirds heated milk, and one centimeter of foam to
create a love heart or smiley face.
In 2000, Zio was cast in the leading role for
‘La Belle,’ an erotic art movie that still raises eyebrows today. In retrospect, he has no regrets doing the
controversial movie, which was considered as one of the most explicit movies
ever shot in his country at that time; instead, he considers it as a golden
opportunity for a 24-year-old aspirant to gain ‘exposure’ that could lead to
more impressive roles. Moreover, he
appears in almost every scene of ‘La Belle’ in which he portrays a young
melancholic writer who is obsessed with a self-destructive model who heartlessly
exploits him as a surrogate lover.
Despite his limited acting experience, his
sculptured looks and soulful eyes in ‘La Belle’ have left a lasting impression
among many viewers. Even the female lead
was star-struck when she first laid eyes on Zio; she admitted that his stunning
looks absolutely took her breath away. The
movie itself has become a dark horse; as Zio becomes increasingly more prominent,
it is not surprising that more and more people want to watch it, mostly out of curiosity. Although ‘La Belle’ has earned Zio international
attention and praise, it has also influenced people’s perception of him as an
actor. For more than five years after his
debut, he had to deal with unfavourable comments concerning his statuesque
image - he seemed like another pretty lounge lizard equipped with a bag of smooth
and slick tricks.
In 2001, Zio played Ji-hoo in the movie ‘I
Love You,’ co-starring Kim Nam-joo (as Hyun-soo) and Seo Rin (as Yoo-jin). Ji-hoo was the boyfriend of Yoo-jin, who
attempted suicide because she could not tolerate of loving someone other than
he. On the other hand, Hyun-soo was a
video journalist who was trying to gather information for a documentary about
death. While visiting the dying Yoo-jin,
she found out that her boyfriend Ji-hoo used to attend the same elementary
school as she. She also noticed his
seemingly empty stare while Yoo-jin passed on.
Things became complicated when he telephoned her while she was busy
preparing for her own wedding.
After ‘I Love You,’ Zio did not receive any
movie offers for more than a year; however, he remained optimistic and
eventually managed to get a major role in the 2003 movie ‘Silver Knife’ in
which he played a boisterous college student trying in vain to seduce his
conservative girlfriend, who wore a silver knife without fail as a symbol of
chastity. His heart-warming smile, hilarious
antics, and endless buffoonery in the movie inevitably led many people to
typecast him as a romantic comedy actor.
After ‘Silver Knife,’ Zio started
concentrating on melodramas. He obtained
a supporting role in the 2003 SBS drama, ‘Detectives’ and another in the 2004
KBS drama, ‘The Second Proposal.’ In
2005, he received a more substantial role in two KBS dramas, ‘Super Rookie’ and
‘Autumn Shower’ that allowed him to expand his acting repertoire and increase
his fan base, particularly in Japan.
Zio’s star power became even more resplendent
after he played the now famous handyman role in the 2006 ‘Couple or Trouble,’ an
MBC drama that had received up to 20 percent ratings. Besides winning the 2006 MBC popularity ward,
Zio also held his first ever fan meeting in Seoul to mark his eighth year in
show business as well as to express his gratitude to those who have supported
him through thick and thin.
At the much- anticipated gathering, he
effortlessly won the hearts of more than 350 ardent fans with his firm
handshake and uncanny memory. Attracted
by his bright smile and charming personality, many of them have become his true
fans since. While admitting that he had
experienced many obstacles since debuting, he modestly stated that he would
endeavour to become a better actor who brings joy and laughter into people’s
lives.
In ‘Couple or Trouble,’ Zio owned a small construction
firm and had to take care of three young nephews. One evening, he gave a ride to an arrogant
hotel heiress who beat him up with a spade; after seeing some red paint in the
car, she mistook him for a murderer.
Later on, he found himself in her luxurious yacht, repairing a shower
tap. While threatening him, she slipped
over some skin lotion, landing neatly into his arms. Bending down, he noticed a mole on her chest. Instead of paying him, she accused him of
doing a sloppy job and demanded that he turn everything back to its original
state.
When he hollered that she was just another
bored rich shrew without any friends or lovers, she pushed him into the sea,
hardly believing her ears. Infuriated
and ignoring his pleas, she also threw his much-valued toolbox, which he
claimed containing his “weapons” into the water.
Upon reaching her hotel, she had a heated
argument with her own husband who threatened to divorce her. While nursing her wounded pride in the yacht,
she dropped her wedding ring while drinking a generous amount of wine. Chasing
the ring, she slipped and fell overboard.
After reaching home, he was still seething
over the fact that she not only almost killed him more than once, but also owed
him a substantial sum of money. Worse
still, he had to dive into the sea to retrieve his tools.
The loggerheads met again, this time at the
hospital. She almost drowned after
falling overboard in pursuit of her wedding ring. He experienced the same fate after stashing a
spanner, hammer, and other heavy tools in his pockets. Separated by only a curtain, she complained
that he was noisy, and subsequently, smelly.
Hearing a familiar voice, he abruptly drew the curtain apart and could
hardly believe what he saw. There she
was, unable to remember what had transpired between them.
An idea suddenly occurred to him: He would bring her home to be his homemaker –
someone who could cook, clean, and take care of three young children. The doctor and nurse were only too happy to
find that she was in good hands especially when he could provide evidence that
they were actually a couple; he told the nurse that the patient had a mole on
her chest.
She had a rough start, but she eventually
became a good homemaker. Meanwhile, many
hilarious yet poignant things happened between them. Once, she threw a hot pan on the floor when
it caught fire; he was taking his shower at that time. Hearing the commotion, he stepped out to
investigate, wearing only a short towel.
Stepping onto some hot oil, he started hopping without realizing that
his towel had already landed on the floor. He turned beetroot red standing
right in front of her in his birthday suit!
After ‘Couple or Trouble,’ Zio was offered
another much-coveted role in the 2007 SBS romantic comedy, ‘Get Karl, Oh
Soo-jung’ in which he played a successful golfer who tried to humiliate the
bride who abandoned him at the altar eight years preciously, and now wanted him
back. After many trials and
tribulations, the loggerheads decided to compromise and get married, giving the
drama a live-happily-ever-after ending.
In 2008, Zio assumed the leading role in the
KBS melodrama, ‘Single Dad in Love’ in which he portrayed a single father who
had to work long hours to save his little son from the ravages of brain tumour. Zio hoped that the role could be a source of
inspiration and moral support to all the single parents in his country. He also spent some time at the children’s
hospital where parts of the drama were filmed.
The kind-hearted actor was seen interacting with parents, blowing
balloons, or socializing with the children long after shooting hours.
In 2009, Zio and Kim Nam-joo co-starred again
in the MBC drama ‘Queen of Housewives’ that had received favourable
ratings. It was a prominent role for
him, this time he acted as a man who had to depend on his wife to get a job at
a food company. Things became chaotic
but hilarious when the director’s wife, who had known him since college,
intended to snatch him away. The
director, on the other hand, was deeply interested in his own wife. Fortunately, he managed to prevent his
marriage from hitting the rocks through sheer diligence and commitment. Zio hoped that his role could inspire all the
jobseekers in his country to remain optimistic and persistent while trying to
earn a stable income to support the family.
To show his appreciation to the ‘Queen of
Housewives’ crew of 100 members, Zio endowed each with a jacket, reflecting his
generosity and kindness. Most
importantly, the two co-actors have established a firm friendship since ‘I Love
You’ in 2001; having experienced rather similar problems in show business, they
are not only able to celebrate their achievements together, but also giving
each other encouragement and moral support during challenging times.
In 2010, Zio was offered a hefty role in “The
Slave Hunters,’ portraying a military general who served a crown prince in China. After returning to Joseon, they found
themselves embroiled in a political struggle.
The crown prince died mysteriously shortly after his return; all his
family members were murdered, except the youngest son who was exiled to Jeju
Island. The general himself was framed
for stealing military supplies and was reduced to slavery.
Determined to save the exiled prince and
declare him to be the rightful heir to the throne, the general-turned-slave
escaped from the prison camp and embarked on a dangerous journey to the
island. A slave hunter (Jang Hyuk) was
employed to capture the general, who rescued a young woman on the run from an
arranged marriage. She turned out to be the girlfriend of the slave hunter whom
had been seeking for more than a decade.
In 2011, Zio acted in ‘Strangers 6,’ a
Korean-Chinese-Japanese collaborative drama about six secret agents from Korea,
China, and Japan who had to protect the joint economic zone of their countries. It was a fictional city named Haiwan, a
borderless economical hub for South Korean, Japanese, and Chinese companies. However, the city was threatened by a
gigantic earthquake predicted to occur within three months. To reduce the
impact of the disaster, the countries had to install a special device underneath
the city; however, it would require cutting-edge technology and heavy funding
from all three countries.
To promote socioeconomic progress, the three
nations decided to have a joint-operation to install the device as soon as
possible. However, an unknown person was attempting to stop the project by
killing the people involved. To
implement the project and to find the murderer, ‘Strangers 6′ was formed,
comprising top-notched agents from the three countries.
In 2012, Zio successfully completed two acting
projects: ‘The Grand Heist’ and ‘Third Ward.’
‘The Grand Heist’ became a box office hit when
ticket sales skyrocketed to 4.7 million after 19 days. In the historical movie, Zio portrayed a
Joseon warrior employed to guard the royal ice warehouse. One night, a corrupted minister stole all the
ice blocks and the civic-conscious guard was subsequently accused of theft and
destruction of loyal property. While in
jail, he met a masked ice thief whom he had tried to capture previously, and
together, they decided to escape and rob the ice warehouse according to a precarious
but foolproof plan. When the guard firmly
stated that all the stolen ice and other valuable goods would be used for
non-profit purposes, the comrade reluctantly agreed. The movie, which has a
touch of ‘Ocean Eleven,’ contains many hilarious scenes and amusing lines,
making it one of the most watched 2012 movies in Korea.
On the other hand, ‘Third Ward’
is a medical drama in which Zio acts as an acupuncturist who often has to
endure the arrogance of a neurosurgeon, who happens to be his own brother. He has experienced several interesting
moments while acting in the drama, one of which was that his kissing scene with
the female lead was cut for fear of offending her fans. Nevertheless, he was impressed with her
acting ability, besides being happy to be in a love line with her in the drama.
However, he found it a real challenge to
administer acupuncture precisely besides remembering mind-boggling terms
associated with traditional medicine. He
also had to practice mountain-climbing as one of the scenes required him to
procure a rare herb on top of a mountain. Finally, contrasting traditional and modern medicine,
the drama features an attractive cast of well-known actors and pop singers,
resulting in favorable viewership ratings.
Please send your comments to fung.yong@ymail.com
Thank you.
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