Kim Nam Gil And Son Ye Jin Set Out To Capture Viewers' Hearts

The upcoming film "Pirates" is set to capture viewers' hearts and offers  a new chance to treasure the chemistry between its co-stars: Kim Nam Gil and Son Ye Jin.

It's the third time the actors have worked together. First they co-starred in a commercial. Then they played the doomed lovers in the revenge melodrama "Shark." Now they are Joseon-era outlaws in the $9 million film that has been described as the Korean "Pirates of the Caribbean."

The two have become great friends.

"Working together on the film is comfortable because we already worked together in "Shark," said Son Ye Jin. "I like that we can act without thinking too much."

But then she made a joke at his expense.

"Of course, it's no fun because he's not a novelty for me," she added.

Son Ye Jin is famous for joking around with her male co-stars and her sense of humor appealed to Kim Nam Gil. They joked around on the set of  "Shark." To relieve the tense atmosphere of the melodrama, they often provoked and prodded each other until they dissolved into laughter.

The two actors were so comfortable with each other that it led to dating rumors. She described him as cute and called him oppa. He described her as having a lot of aegyo and said that a war started among the set's male actors to see who would receive the most affection from her. But they both denied they were dating. Her agency said that their being so friendly on set probably led to the misunderstanding. His agency, Star J Entertainment, said, "They are close as colleagues but they are not dating."

Whether or not they are dating in real life, they will once again play lovers in "Pirates." She's a pirate in charge of a ship. Since the story is set in the Joseon era, that probably means she will be disguised as a boy. He's the leader of a group of bandits. They team up to chase a ghost whale that has swallowed a royal seal sent from China. The film features many of the elements that have been successful in kdramas this year: a historical setting, a fantasy element and a sword-brandishing girl disguised as a boy.

"Pirates" is one of several historical movies due for release next year.  The others include "A Touch of Zen, Battle of Myeongrang, Kundo: Age of the Rampant," "The King's Wrath" and "The Story of Sim Cheong."

"Pirates" also stars f(x)'s Sulli, Lee Kyung Young, Yoo Hae Jin, Oh Dal Soo and Shin Jung Geum.