Lee Min Ho, Gangnam Style
Although he is currently filming in some of California's trendier zip codes, Lee Min Ho is considering a role in the film, "Gangnam Blues." The upcoming film will be set in what became Seoul's wealthy Gangnam neighborhood. The neighborhood became known worldwide after its Beverly-Hills-style standard of living was popularized and parodied by Psy's hit record "Gangnam Style."
But it hasn't always been that upscale. Once upon a time, the neighborhood was not filled with dazzling skyscrapers, upscale eateries and boutiques. Although Gangnam-gu is now home to most of the major Korean entertainment companies, the nation's top university and several tourist attractions, until the 1980s it was the least developed part of Seoul. In the 1970s, the struggle to gain control of valuable tracts of that neighborhood's real estate involved political corruption and some coercion.
If he accepts the part, Lee Min Ho will play one of the two male leading roles in "Gangnam Blues" but there is no word yet as to who his character will be. Lee has not had a film role since 2008, when he appeared in two films, "Public Enemy Returns" and "Our School E.T." He has been in several popular dramas since then including "Boys Over Flowers," "City Hunter," Personal Taste" and "Faith: The Great Doctor."
Lee is currently shooting the drama "The Heirs" in California with his co-star Park Shin Hye. The drama's surfing scenes will be shot on Malibu beaches and others will be shot in trendy Los Angeles locations. In "The Heirs," Lee plays Kim Tan, the arrogant heir of the Empire Group. He falls in love with Cha Eun-sang, played by Park Shin Hye, despite the fact that she is poor. The "Gossip Girls"-style drama about an upscale high school also stars Choi Jin Hyuk, Kim Woo Bin, Kang Ha Neul, Krystal Jung and ZE:A's Park Hyung Sik.
Director and screenwriter Yoo Ha will direct "Gangnam Blues." He directed the films "A Frozen Flower," "Once Upon A Time In High School," and "A Dirty Carnival." "Gangnam Blues" will be his first period drama and while many actors were interested in landing the lead role, Yoo Ha wanted Lee Min Ho for his star.
According to Lee Min Ho's agency, Starhaus Entertainment, nothing has been decided yet.
"We received the offer," said a Starhaus representative. "We are positively reviewing it but for now we are focused on his drama shooting. Filming for Gangnam Blues will start in March of next year so we will decide after considering his schedule."
