Fans scream hearts out for Song Joong-ki
KUALA LUMPUR: Screaming fans heralded the arrival of the stellar cast of The Battleship Island, the latest South Korean film to hit the big screens, here.
Hundreds of K-entertainment enthusiasts waited at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur as early as noon to catch a glimpse of heartthrob Song Joong-ki (of Descendants of the Sun fame), who was here with A-list co-stars So Ji-sub and Hwang Jung-min to meet fans and promote the film.
They were accompanied by renowned director Ryoo Seungwan, who is behind crime action movie Veteran, the third highest-grossing film in South Korean cinema history.
‘’I can really feel the passion from our Malaysian fans here today,’’ said Song, as fans screamed even louder.
Ryoo praised the cast for their dedication while making the film.
‘’The actors poured their hearts into the movie and I am grateful for that,’’ he said.
When asked what it was like to play his role as a father, Hwang had good things to say about his on-screen daughter So-hee (Kim Su-an).
“She is a very talented actress and I had to keep up with her in order to look good!” quipped the award-winning veteran actor.
Having admired Ryoo’s work for a long time, So said he had been hoping for an opportunity to work with him.
‘’I am so grateful for this chance to finally do so,’’ he said.
The Battleship Island is the fastest movie to reach five million tickets sold in South Korea (within eight days of its release) this year.
A fictional story set towards the end of WWII, it is based on historical accounts of Japan’s colonial era and forced labour of countless Koreans sent to work in a Japaneserun coal mine on Hashima Island.
The film centres on band leader Lee Gang-ok, played by Hwang, who is sent to the island with his daughter and band members after being duped by corrupt officials.
Song’s role is that of Park Mooyoung, an elite soldier of the Korean Liberation Army who infiltrates the island to rescue a key independence movement figure.
Park teamed up with street fighter Choi Chil-sung (So) to carry out a dangerous escape plan to lead all the 400 prisoners to freedom.
The Battleship Island premieres on Aug 17 at GSC cinemas nationwide.