SPELLBOUND

( )

U.S. Release Date: December 16, 2011

Directed by: HWANG In-ho Running Time: 114 minutes Rating: NR not rated by the MPAA (US Rating) / 12+ (KOR Rating) PG-13 equivalent Language: Korean w/ English subtitles DISTRIBUTOR CONTACT: KJ Lee CJ E&M Pictures 5670 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 2450 Los Angeles, CA 90036 Tel: 310.557.3050 Fax: 310.930.1015 Email: KJ_Lee@cj.net Key art available on our website: www.spellbound2011.blogspot.com

Information

Spellbound - (2011)

Runtime: 114 minutes Genre: Romantic Comedy, Horror Language: Korean with English Subtitles Rating: NR not rated by the MPAA (US Rating) / 12+ (KOR Rating) Korea Release: December 1st, 2011 Director: Hwang In-ho Production: SANG SANG FILM Distribution: CJ E&M U.S. Release Dates: 12/16/11 CGV Cinemas (Los Angeles) 1/6/12 AMC Ridgefield (New Jersey) AMC Cupertino (San Jose) 1/13/12 AMC Showplace Niles (Chicago) Cineplex Odeon Sheppard (Toronto) Cineplex Silvercity Coquitlam (Vancouver) Pending 2/3/12 Consolidated Pearlridge (Hawaii) *(Please check our website for location updates)

CAST
Yu-ri KANG Jo-gu MA SON Ye-jin LEE Min-ki

YOULL NEED INSURANCE TO DATE ME ...Yu-ri

Synopsis
Due to her unique sixth sense, Yu-ri (Son Ye-jin) is unable to live a normal life and lives completely alone and isolated from love. Jo-gu (Lee Min-ki), who is a poor street magician, meets Yu-ri during one of his performances and the two develop a magic horror show which becomes a huge hit. After a string of successful shows, Jo-gu begins to fall for Yu-ri and becomes more and more interested in her hidden secret. But, their sweet dating affair quickly takes a horrific turn once Yu-ris ghostly companions start getting in the way of their romance. Although threatened and terrified, Jo-gu cannot give up his growing interest in Yu-ri and is left to fight against the mysterious curse upon her.

Director Hwang In-ho

Rather than drawing out a familiar genre in the usual way, I add in alien factors, which create great chemistry and excitement from the imbalance. Through his screenplay <To Catch a Virgin Ghost>, Hwang In-ho brought quite a stir to Korean filmmaking with his fresh, new mix-match of horror and comedy genres. His later works, such as <Love Phobia> and <2 Faces of My Girlfriend>, also received much attention and praise for his unique characters and stories. Now, the talented and well-prepared screenwriter makes his directorial debut with <Spellbound>. Along with Koreas top romantic actress, Son Ye-jin, and the comedic and charming, Lee Min-ki, director Hwang has birthed a new genre in the film industry. Adding onto his extensive experience in screenwriting, director Hwang In-hos directorial debut, <Spellbound> is currently creating a lot of buzz in South Korea and has been leaving audiences wildly entertained with a never before seen story of love and spine-tingling horror.

Filmography
[Screenplays] <2 Faces of My Girlfriend> (2007), <Love Phobia> (2006), <To Catch a Virgin Ghost> (2004)

Why Spellbound?

Adding a spice of horror to romance? A provocative approach to tapped-out romantic comedies!

A sweet leading lady falls in love with a self-absorbed male counterpart. They break up, and then get back together again... generally with the same backbone of a story, romantic comedies are well received by female audiences, but are lacking fresh, new ideas. While romantic comedies have been sweet and romantic, <Spellbound> boldly breaks free from the norm into a perfect mix-match of horror and romantic comedy to present fresh, new entertainment. Hardly a suitable combination: heart-warming romance and extreme horror, this film takes you away from the existing realms of your typical romantic comedy. Sweet scenes that audiences can fall in love with are mixed in with petrifying, spine-chilling horror to present both laughter and thrills. The elevator horror sequence following Yu-ris blind date is the perfect example that amplifies the thrill and entertainment that is birthed from the mix of these two genres. Why is this mix effective in the film? Director Hwang In-ho says, Jo-gus decision to stay with Yu-ri, no matter what her unique circumstances present must not be easy. Thats why finding true love is rare and constantly needs to be worked on, which is why its so beautiful. Questioning the true nature of romance in a witty and exciting matter, <Spellbound> is drawing much attention for its fresh new approach.

HOT ISSUE

Korean sweetheart, Son Ye-jin + Comedy Heartthrob Lee Min-ki Romantic and eccentric: The best on-screen couple of 2011
<Spellbound> is marking Son Ye-jins return to the Korean film industry, two years after her performance in her 2009 film, <White Night>. Her character, Yu-ri, is a woman who cant love or live a normal life due to her frightening sixth sense. After meeting Jo-gu, she takes a chance and invites him into her crazy life. Playing a very unique character who is both eccentric and cute at the same time, <Spellbound> is bound to be Son Ye-jins most memorable film. After back-to-back hits with, <Haeundae> and <Quick>, Lee Min-ki is on the rise as one of the most sought after actors in Korea. Playing the shy and clumsy young man in his past films, Lee Min-ki now bets his life on love for Son Ye-jin in <Spellbound>. Lee returns as a self-absorbed and skittish man, who will stop at nothing to protect the woman he loves. Scoring extremely big at the box office once again, Lee is becoming a favorite in the industry. Creating wonderful on-screen chemistry, the mix of Lees romance and Sons horror really shows the dynamic range of emotions when it comes to falling in love. Becoming South Koreas #1 romantic comedy of the year, this couple is captivating audiences with this one of a kind love story.

The terrifying ghost to star in a romantic comedy

Not to be mistaken by the cute trailer and romantic love story, <Spellbound> is garnering a lot of buzz due to the terrifying background behind Yu-ris curse. The ghost who haunts Yu-ri and threatens Jo-gu does not let you get away from her scary presence throughout the film. These eerie spirits come out strong and have been giving audiences in Korea a good scare. The ghosts in <Spellbound> come in all different ages, genders, and appearances. However, the most extreme presence comes with Yu-ris high school friend who was killed in a tragic bus accident years ago. Bringing back the all too familiar Asian female ghost with the long black hair and gray eyes, this movie does not hold back with the horror it presents. This spirit that stands in the way of Yu-ri and Jo-gus relationship appear when we least expect her, presenting spine-shivering entertainment.

A haunted house as the main setting for <Spellbound> The making behind Yu-ris unique home
Yu-ri is forced to living alone for many years because of the inescapable curse upon her. Director Hwang In-ho put a lot of effort into making Yu-ris house perfect prior to production. Hwang asked production designer, Song Hye-jin, to create a space where, A sense of Yu-ris history can be felt. After a lot of prep and detailed collaboration, the house flew beyond Hwangs expectations and he was extremely excited to have built the perfect home to complement Yu-ris character. Adding several layers of old wallpaper and creating a grim and out-dated atmosphere, it really heightened the loneliness that Yu-ri had been feeling her whole life. The tiny tent which is engulfed by the outside surroundings of her huge house adds to the eerie and secluded feeling that is felt by audiences when watching the film.

CHARACTER & CAST

Dateless and alone Yu-ri KANG: SON Ye-jin

What she has: A sixth sense and ability to see ghosts after a tragic traffic accident in high school What she doesnt have: Dating experience. Thanks to her long, straight hair, expressionless face, and a spine-chilling secret ability, Yu-ri has been forced to live alone. Yu-ri meets other people and dreams of living a normal life, but she is tormented with the ghosts who get in the way of every relationship shes ever had. Starring in the hit TV drama series, <Personal Taste> and films like <My Wife Got Married> and <The Art of Seduction>, Son Ye-jin is undoubtedly Koreas queen of romantic comedy. Recognized for her looks and acting talents by both male and female fans, Son Ye-jin takes on the challenges of this

fresh, new romantic comedy in her role as Yu-ri. The hit-making talented actress breathes life into this unprecedented character and has perfected this never before seen female protagonist.

Selected Filmography
<The Tower> (2012), <White Night> (2009), <My Wife Got Married> (2008), <Open City> (2007), <The Art of Seduction> (2005), <April Snow> (2005), <A Moment to Remember> (2004), <Crazy First Love> (2003), <The Classic> (2003)

Selected TV DRAMA SERIES

MBC Personal Taste (2010), MBC Spotlight (2008), SBS Alone in Love (2006), KBS Summer Scent (2003)

Horror magician extraordinare Jo-gu MA: LEE Min-ki

What he has: A great job as a horror magician and an awesome car. What he doesnt have: Guts. Although he is the most popular horror magician in Seoul, Jo-gu is a skittish guy who cant even sit through a scary movie. After hopelessly falling for Yu-ri, Jo-gu fearlessly sets his fears aside and fights to protect their love. However, the more he gets closer to Yu-ri, the scarier her curse comes upon him and his life hangs by a thin thread. Starring in <Haeundae>, which brought in over 10 million at the box office and <Quick>, which scored 3 million, Lee Min-ki has been building a solid filmography and is rising as one of the most sought after actors in South Korea. Lees next choice is the nations first spine-chilling romantic comedy, <Spellbound>, which is now another #1 box office breaker and the best romantic comedy of 2011. Expectations are high for Lee Min-ki, the newest hot-star of the industry!

Selected Filmography
<Quick> (2011), <A Million> (2009), <Haeundae> (2009), <Romantic Island> (2008), <A Good Day to Have an Affair> (2007)

Selected TV Drama Series

KBS Daljas Spring (2007), MBC Really Really Like You (2006), KBS Taereung National Village (2005)