Baek Yoon-sik Cast in US-Korea Co-Production

An actor with inimitable screen presence, Korea's Baek Yoon-sik ("Tazza: The High Rollers" ("Tazza: The High Rollers"), "The President's Last Bang", "Save the Green Planet") has caught the eye of filmmaker Nora Jacobson and has agreed to star opposite Amy Irving and Korean actress Kim Yunjin (ABC's Lost ) in "The Hanji-Box". Budgeted at under US$5 million, the US-Korea co-production will be the first ever to shoot primarily in Korea. The film is scheduled to shoot in Vermont, USA in April 2008 and then for about six weeks in Seoul during May and June.

Vermont-based independent filmmaker Jacobson ("Nothing Like Dreaming" (2004)) will direct the film based on her original screenplay. The story revolves around an American woman (Irving) who comes to Seoul in order to mend a relationship with her daughter, a Korean adoptee, played by KIM. While visiting a gallery, she grows interested in the work of a painter (Baek) whom she eventually meets and falls in love with.

The project will receive full support from the Seoul Film Commision (SFC) Production Support Program which will refund up to 25% of costs accrued while shooting in Seoul. SFC also provided location-scouting support for Jacobson and producer Jane Applegate who came to Seoul in September. About 80% of the film will be shot locally.

Applegate is in final negotiations with several Korean distributors for the rights to "The Hanji Box". The film's US production company, Fire Circle Films, is also in discussions with a Korean co-production company. A chiefly Korean crew will be used, with Geun Hyun-cho, one of Korea's top production designers already signed on along with distinguished fine artist MOON Bong-sun handling the Korean artwork in the film.

Nigel D'Sa (KOFIC)

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