Korean Job Discussion Forums

youtuber · Joined: 13 Sep 2009

I just saw the preview and it looks super cool. Love those ninja movies.

I just had a gander at the cast....and....Rain is the lead Rolling Eyes

And...much of the other cast is Korean/Gyopo as well.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1186367/

I wonder why that is? Koreans are more "Hollywood Friendly"? They speak English better? What is it? I mean, 100 million people in Japan and you can't find Japanese/Japanese American actors?

And considering the history of Korea and Japan, it's kind of odd that they eagerly sign up for all of these Japanese roles. Oh well, paycheck before pride I guess.

I guess it's not that different than having a fake blond from Westlock Alberta singing about Georgia (ie Carolyn Dawn Johnson).

Anyways, looks like a good movie.

Baby Wipes · Joined: 30 Aug 2009

blurgalurgalurga · Joined: 18 Oct 2007

Covered this topic (somewhat) in a class today, with this here article from "Newsweek."
Big hit. People were rapt. They loved the pic of Rain all buffed up and be-weaponed and greasy-looking.
I'm hoping the Wochowski Bros. redeem themselves a bit with this one, and get back to their early quality. They've got some splainin' to do, after their last few years...
http://www.newsweek.com/id/221320

.38 Special · Joined: 08 Jul 2009 Location: Pennsylvania

If you think that is bizarre, look at the cast for the pending remake of Red Dawn. Half of it is Australian. I mean, come on, it is the quintessential American-pride movie. Ridiculous.

bassexpander · Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Location: Someplace you'd rather be.

Kept getting calls to be in that one.

Never have the time.

youtuber · Joined: 13 Sep 2009

bassexpander · Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Location: Someplace you'd rather be.

mua'dib · Joined: 29 Sep 2009 Location: sweating pure pocari

Ralph Feinnes plays a german, Dolph Lundgren plays a russian/german anglo whatever, Charlize Theron plays an american, Brad Pitt has played irish multiple times..... Yet no one raised an eyebrow about them.... Why can't asians accept roles outside their country of origin? There has never been a film industry standard on hiring the correct nationality for your part. You simply get who is best for the part or whoever you can afford.
Did you know that "Ando" (hiro's sidekick from heroes) is also from korea?

youtuber · Joined: 13 Sep 2009

^Well, because I have noticed time and time again that Japanese are not selected for Japanese parts. And the default seems to be Korean.

It is also interesting since many Koreans hold a contentious view of Japan but don't seem to mind playing/watching a Japanese character.

Captain Corea · Joined: 28 Feb 2005 Location: Seoul

youtuber · Joined: 13 Sep 2009

Tom Cruise is Japanese??? Kidding.

I was thinking about Rain in Speed Racer being cast as Japanese, the Korean guy who played Storm Shadow in GI Joe, ect. ect.

Some interesting articles:

http://www.hancinema.net/why-hollywood-is-into-korean-actors-american-captivated-by-the-korean-wave--12876.html

http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2910448

http://www.star-ecentral.com/news/story.asp?file=/2007/7/5/movies/20070705092502&sec=movies

So for whatever reason (maybe communication or national pride) Japanese actors are not chasing (or picked for) Japanese roles in Hollywood.

itaewonguy · Joined: 25 Mar 2003

reminds me of that french flick..

I came with the rain..

it had that famous korean actor - Lee Byung-hun
that VERY famous japanese actor.. - Takuya Kimura
and hollywood boy Josh hartnett

guess the french producers thought, ok we make it in ENglish,
we use the biggest korean and japanese actors anda well known hollywood actor. IT MUST MAKE MONEY!!!

ever heard of it?
Laughing