Choi Woo-shik, Ahn Seo-hyun up for Bong Joon-ho’s monster movie Okja
by girlfriday
Well this seems like a good reason to pass on the Entourage remake. Choi Woo-shik (Ho-gu’s Love) is in talks to join director Bong Joon-ho’s next international co-production, a monster movie called Okja about a country girl who befriends a strange creature. It sounds like A Werewolf Boy, but knowing Bong Joon-ho (Snowpiercer, Mother, The Host, Memories of Murder), it’s probably a lot weirder. Child actress Ahn Seo-hyun (Village: Secret of Achiara) is also in contention to star, though neither is confirmed for the production.
The new film already has a cast of Hollywood actors attached — Jake Gyllenhaal (Demolition), Tilda Swinton (Trainwreck), Paul Dano (Youth), Bill Nighy (The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel), and Kelly McDonald (Boardwalk Empire) are due to appear in the story that will take the girl and the monster on an international adventure. Netflix and Brad Pitt’s production company Plan B are producing.
The film will be about an unlikely friendship between a young country girl (Ahn Seo-hyun) and a monster called Okja, described by Bong Joon-ho as “a bulky animal with a mild and kind spirit.” He calls Okja “a brute with stories. To me, the crazy world surrounding Okja and the girl looks more like a monster.” The pair of them will go on a journey across the world, and Choi Woo-shik will play a character by their side who protects them. Aw, sounds cute.
Ahn Seo-hyun seems pretty perfect for the role, especially after her performance as the quirky, supernatural, and often creepy little girl in Village. It’s unclear how big Choi Woo-shik’s role will be, but I’m excited that he’s been able to turn his indie film success (with Set Me Free) into a budding film career.
Once the Korean cast is confirmed, Okja will begin production in mid-April for the Korean portion of the shoot, and then move on to New York to shoot the rest. It’s due out in the first half of 2017.
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Tags: Bong Joon-ho, Choi Woo-shik
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1 theredsnowflake
March 16, 2016 at 3:12 AM
Sounds interesting...
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2 nippon
March 16, 2016 at 3:20 AM
Really off topic but is anyone else getting a bunch of ads recently between the stories and the comment section or is it only just me?
Back on topic, a great opportunity to work with Hollywood.
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DD
March 16, 2016 at 3:56 AM
Getting that too. Basically on any blog type site
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montecarlo
March 16, 2016 at 4:06 AM
Yes, i did
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Wag-a-muffin
March 16, 2016 at 5:35 AM
I don't have any extra ads, but I can't add a comment when I look at dramabeans using my main browser on firefox. (To write this I had to open internet explorer.) This just happened about a little over a week ago. So I don't know if it's site related, or because of my computer.
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genuinecity
March 16, 2016 at 10:23 AM
Yes, they're everywhere! I see them on all four sides of the site--underneath the banner, on the left, the right, and between the tags and the comments. It can get annoying on mobile because it takes up most of the screen until you scroll away from it, but it's whatever.
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Chiisan
March 16, 2016 at 5:58 PM
I use Chome and Adblock so I don't get the ads unless I browse on my phone.
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momogi
March 16, 2016 at 6:29 PM
they're everywhere, it's disturbing, distracting and annoying
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3 pogo - now sailing HMS Queen of Tears with Corn Salad on deck🍉
March 16, 2016 at 3:21 AM
a choice between a Bong Joon-ho movie and the Entourage remake? No contest there.
And that's without even going into the potential issues surrounding the role CWS was offered and the speculation that whoever took it might be screwed over.
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Kiara
March 16, 2016 at 5:35 AM
He'd very very stupid not to take it. Not every actors who is not Song Kang Ho, Ha Jung Woo, Choi Min Shik etc has the luxury to turn Bong Joon-ho down. (Except for Song Joong Ki who had to enlist in the military and had to turn down Sea Fog).
I hope he takes it.
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Kiara
March 16, 2016 at 6:05 PM
That was a very very stupid comment sorry. How about it would be wise if he takes the role.
I think I'm drunk lol.
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4 Kylie
March 16, 2016 at 4:00 AM
Why not, he can say yes to both of them. Can't he??
This movie sounds good. And so does Entourage remake.
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Boomboompow
March 16, 2016 at 6:08 AM
Over at Soompi site, they reported that Entourage has confirmed the cast, the actors being those that DB wrote on her last post on the drama.
Controversies aside, I like Seo Kang Jo but I predict Entourage might get some backlash from CITT fans. I am hoping it wont be as bad as Neighborhood Hero what with the lead's past scandal overshadowing the drama.
Anyhow, this movie > entourage. So good on CWS, hope he gets the role.
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Kiara
March 16, 2016 at 6:14 AM
Jo Jin Woong too? I was hoping he'd decline *sigh*
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NaijaNoona
March 16, 2016 at 7:25 AM
Given that one scandal was over allegations of a violent crime while Seo Kang Joon is even in the most ridiculous speculations guilty only of joining a shady agency, one certainly hopes any backlash against Entourage will be much milder than IMO quite reasonable controversy about the casting for Neighborhood Hero.
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Kylie
March 16, 2016 at 8:01 AM
CWS was offered the main lead of entourage; right? If so, I don't think it matters since SKJ is second lead and CITT's backlash won't ruin entourage.
What do you mean all the cast are confirmed now?? So was CWS??
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boomboompow
March 16, 2016 at 9:59 AM
Seo Kang Joon, Lee Kwang Soo, Park Jung Min and Lee Dong Hwi.
No CWS, they courted the guy from You're All Surrounded.
Not sure about Jo Jin Woong.
I am just repeating what Soompi put up earlier today - are they usually reliable?
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5 Cat
March 16, 2016 at 4:02 AM
So far I'm getting a dark wizard of oz/Journey to the West/El Tio Bolivian legend vibe :) will be on the lookout for it in the future.
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6 Chandler
March 16, 2016 at 4:09 AM
Aw, I'm so proud of this boy. Rise up, CWS! You deserve all the things.
This sounds very interesting so I'll be looking forward to checking it out :)
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7 pinktape
March 16, 2016 at 5:12 AM
If this becomes a hit like how Snowpiercer was, then this will certainly be Wooshik's turning point. I really hope it will be, he's an versatile actor in my opinion and he deserves all the attention. So far his character doesn't seem so 'big' yet, though. I know he's going to be so lovable, but that kind of character can also turn forgettable. But I trust Bong Joonho as well as Wooshik, so I'm not too worried.
Still, there's a tiny little bit disappointment in my heart because I honestly wanted him to take that Entourage role. It suits him so much (I even tweeted him about how I hoped he'd take it).
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alua
March 16, 2016 at 3:22 PM
Even if it's not a major hit, it's a win-win situation for Choi Woo-shik – having your name attached to a Bong Joo-hoo movie can only be good, at least for a career on the large screen.
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8 Hwari
March 16, 2016 at 5:20 AM
Rise CWS rise! He said in an interview that he want to act in Hollywood. I guess this is it.
Glad that Ahn Seo Hyun in this movie. Since CWS under JYPE and ASH is Taecyeon little girl, maybe he will come to premiere to support this girl. Interesting that director nim also approach YG for Kal So Won. I guess it doesn't get through. Come on YG, get that girl proper roles either in movies or roles. She is so wasted after that hit movie.
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9 yuja
March 16, 2016 at 5:42 AM
YESH. This sounds awesome. I really enjoyed Snowpiercer!! I'm now doubly glad that he turned down Entourage. Good for him.
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10 Kiara
March 16, 2016 at 5:45 AM
Bong Joon-ho's movies is a must watch for me. I don't care what it's about. I respect him big time for not directing his last movie according to Hollywood's style and preference. He stood his ground and directed Snowpiercer according to his vision.
I think that sent a message to Hollywood loud and clear. They may hire him but he will do his job his way.
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11 sparks121
March 16, 2016 at 6:53 AM
Aw, I love Ahn So Hyun. This sounds interesting, hope both of them take it.
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12 Fatima Kas
March 16, 2016 at 7:18 AM
Leave it to Bong Joon Ho & Park Chan Wook to get Hollywood A listers into their films, especially the first who knows how to insert Koreans actors & give them world wide exposure
I like how Korean directors are getting the respect & the recognetion they deserve in Hollywood! They certainly earned it through their unique vision & style, not to mention the unconventional stories that seem like breath of fresh air in the same old formualic landscape (with few exceptions obviously)
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13 NaijaNoona
March 16, 2016 at 7:27 AM
Hopefully this calms some of the speculation about the reasons for Im Si Wan and Choi Woo Shik both passing on Entourage...but I'm not holding my breath lol
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14 canxi
March 16, 2016 at 8:53 AM
OK, go off Choi Woo Shik!
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15 Alessar
March 16, 2016 at 10:08 AM
Hm, I wonder if he will be voicing the monster? Or perhaps playing him under heavy makeup/motioncap CGI.
If the monster has a kind heart, then it seems he would be good at portraying that.
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mindy
March 16, 2016 at 10:15 AM
The description says that his potential role is basically Ahn Seo Hyun's protector.
"The pair of them will go on a journey across the world, and Choi Woo-shik will play a character by their side who protects them."
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mindy
March 16, 2016 at 10:16 AM
Forgot to say, it sounds like he protects Ahn Seo Hyun AND the monster, so he isn't the monster. I might be wrong.
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16 Anarik
March 16, 2016 at 12:15 PM
This sounds awesome, and if he really takes this role I'm sure his acting career is gonna rise even more, getting the chance to work with amazing director and those amazing casts, he'd better grab it soon!
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17 maldita
March 16, 2016 at 7:07 PM
Woohoo! Go Choi Wooshik! RISE!
And him being pretty fluent in English must've been a plus for his casting. All those years growing up in Canada paid off.
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18 taecnicality
March 16, 2016 at 9:05 PM
Yay! I'm really happy for all the projects Woo-shik has got going on. He's one of my favourite budding actors. And considering the director's past work, this movie will only elevate his career further. Can't wait!
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19 conan
March 16, 2016 at 9:25 PM
If Bong Joon-ho reaches out his hand to you, the only response is to grab it and never let go. This is such a fantastic offer for Choi Woo-shik, I'm only a little sad he won't be back in the small screens any time soon. Even though this is going to be more of an ensemble cast, the bit of exposure he will get internationally will do wonders for him. Really excited for what the future brings for Choi Woo-shik.
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