'X-Men' Explores Wolverine's Humanity

``X-Men Origins: Wolverine’’ marks its theatrical release in South Korea Thursday, and will be followed in May by other highly anticipated Hollywood blockbusters.

``Wolverine,’’ the prequel to the popular mutant franchise, traces the origins of Logan-cum-Wolverine’s mysterious past. In recent years, prequels to superhero stories have focused on their humanity, showing their mortal flaws and existential concerns. While ``Wolverine’’ is not as sinister or thought-provoking as ``The Dark Knight’’ of the latest ``Batman’’ franchise, it features a more complex narrative than what moviegoers may be used to, with the protagonist constantly torn over what Hugh Jackman calls ``anger management issues.’’

The glossy, high-tech look of the first three ``X-Men’’ movies is also toned down. Director Gavin Hood opts for something that feels more rustic, raw and primitive. The screen is filled with the breathtaking natural scenery of New Zealand and Australia, and action sequences involve something more ``classic,’’ such as a vintage Harley Davidson, heightened by the fact that even actors Hugh Jackman and Liev Schreiber chose to do some of the stunts themselves.

Jackman returns to the role of the hot-tempered Wolverine, equipped with indestructible claws and superhuman stamina. The movie takes us back to the mid 19th-century America, when he was just plain James Logan. His fate takes a sharp turn however when his mutant powers awaken and a family tragedy ensues; his brother, Victor Creed-cum-Sabretooth (Schreiber), also turns out to be ``special,’’ and the two run away together.

The two immortal young men fight through the major wars of the past two centuries until they are recruited by William Stryker to serve in a special unit of mutants. When their job involves taking innocent lives, however, Logan calls it quits, while Creed succumbs to his darker side.

Logan is leading a peaceful life in the Canadian Rockies until Stryker asks him to be part of his new Weapon X project. He refuses, but when Creed murders his loving girlfriend, Logan agrees to being injected with a formula called ``adamantium,’’ making him nearly indestructible, to seek his revenge. But when he discovers that his new body, Weapon X, would be merely a puppet controlled by Stryker, he runs away, and Stryker orders Agent Zero (Daniel Henney) to destroy him.

The local press preview last Wednesday for ``Wolverine’’ buzzed with reporters and critics trying to catch the American debut of Korean heartthrob Henney. He gives a memorable supporting role, complete with some neat action sequences, for a character that could easily have been played by a non-Asian actor.

In theaters Thursday. 107 minutes. 12 and over. Distributed by 20th Century Fox Korea.

`X-Men’ Stars Visit Seoul

Actors Daniel Henney, left, and Hugh Jackman appear at a promotional event for ``X-Men Origins: Wolverine’’ at the Korea House, downtown Seoul, Friday. Jackman, a newly appointed goodwill ambassador to the South Korean capital, chose the venue himself. /Yonhap

``X-Men Origins: Wolverine’’ stars Hugh Jackman and Daniel Henney fueled up the already escalating temperature in Seoul, Friday, as they spoke to the South Korean press and fans, mixing in fluent Korean sentences.

Jackman hosted a special event featuring a 20-minute footage of the latest ``X-Men’’ franchise before its April release in Daehan Theater, Chungmuro. ``Anyeonghaseyo,’’ he greeted reporters, and continued impressively in Korean, ``Thank you for coming, I hope you enjoy `Wolverine.’ Seoul is awesome.’’

The media buzz continued at the Korea House next door, where Henney joined the Australian superstar for a press conference. Jackman, who was officially appointed as a goodwill ambassador for Seoul the same day, chose the traditional venue himself. The ``Australia’’ star said his father had worked in Korea for nearly 20 years, and was ``the greatest ambassador for Korea.

``When I first visited three years ago, I felt like I knew Korea very well,’’ he said, adding that he didn’t take back many souvenir gifts during his 2006 visit with ``X-Men: The Last Stand’’ because he already owned most of what a typical shop here had to offer. His father would bring home Korean gifts, and his sister would strut around the house in ``hanbok’’ (traditional dress). Jackman himself wore a Red Devils or South Korean football fan shirt. Australia and Korea were both led by Dutch coach Gus Hiddink, and the actor said Korea would be only non-Australian football team he’d cheer for.

``I understood what my father loved about the (Korea) people so much… You get a quick sense here of the hospitality, the generosity and the warmth,’’ he said. ``I was quite insistent that we came here (to promote `Wolverine’), not only because of Daniel… It’s a very special day for me,’’ he said. ``To do a film in Korea is something is I’d love to do some day, and my father would be on the set watching… He’d be the first to queue and buy a ticket.’’

Henney, on the other hand, made a counter-cultural route to fame. The Korean-American actor rose to stardom in Korea and other Asian countries through romantic TV roles, and received critical acclaim for the film ``My Father.’’ ``Wolverine’’ marks a homecoming debut for the Michigan native.

``I play the role of Agent Zero, a sniper. He’s not the usual gentle, romantic character I played and is very tough, cold-hearted and masculine,’’ the ``Samsooni’’ star said, speaking in fluent Korean. The 29-year-old continued in English, saying that his character, like Jackman’s description of Wolverine, ``has anger management issues.’’

Jackman introduced Wolverine as ``one of the first antiheros’’ in comic book history, and said he likes him because ``he does whatever he wants.’’ The prequel to the ``X-Men’’ franchise, the American government finds use of Wolverine’s innate superpowers and enhances them with groundbreaking medical technology. When they attempt to eradicate his memory and use him as a weapon, however, Wolverine violently resists, and other mutants including Agent Zero try to stop him.

On playing a villain in a major Hollywood picture, which is often the case for actors of a minority race, Henney said he was able to separate Agent Zero from other ``typical Asian’’ roles. He explained that is character was neither good nor bad, and like the other mutants, struggles within himself. Nevertheless, Henney said he faces limits due to language and looks in both Korea and the United States.

He wants to challenge himself here with more diverse roles, rather than playing another charming foreigner. ``I always consider myself a Korean actor,’’ said the former model in Korean, and hopes to return as often as possible for local TV or film projects. As for the racial climate in Hollywood, he was positive about how it was ``an interesting time for everyone.’’ ``It’s coming to a stop,’’ he said about such barriers, citing examples of the first black president Barack Obama and the non-mainstream film ``Slumdog Millionaire’’ fairing well in the market.

Henney said the casting process for ``Wolverine’’ was very rushed and he didn’t have much time to prepare. His nervousness disappeared instantly, however, once he started shooting. ``Acting with Hugh (Jackman) was a really an amazing experience,’’ he said. ``I learned a ton from him, in terms of acting and lifestyle too. This guy is the real deal,’’ he said, and turned to his co-star to say, ``I’m not trying to flatter you.’’

``He’s not only an amazing actor but an amazing stage performer and a gentleman,’’ said Henney. One of Jackman’s unique habits was to buy a lottery ticket for everyone on the set every Friday, he said. Another was eating constantly.

One reporter was curious how, at 40, Jackman sculpted muscles for the superhero role _ and in particular for a nude scene he pulled off himself (He threw the venue into a rumble of laughter when he said he had his private parts ``in a bag’’ _ literally; the editor had to cut scenes exposing his private areas and gave the clips to him in a bag).

The actor answered, ``hard training and Korean barbeque.’’ He wanted a ``lean, veiny, animalistic look’’ and, following the advice of a body builder, followed a high-protein diet where he consumed meats every three hours. ``I wasn’t joking about the Korean barbeque,’’ he said, explaining that he frequents a Korean restaurant in Soho, New York. ``Jjang-i-eyo,’’ he said, expressing his enthusiasm for the local dish.

Afterward, the two stars participated on a local variety show, where they ``dated’’ female celebrities, which is due to air on SBS, April 19. In the evening, Cheonggye Plaza in downtown Seoul exploded with thousands of fans that gathered for one of the largest ever red carpet events. Jackman and Henney greeted fans and took part of a hand printing ceremony.

Hugh Jackman to `Date’ Local Actresses in TV Show

Hollywood screen star Hugh Jackman and Korean-American heartthrob Daniel Henney will appear in a local matchmaking TV program, organizers of the SBS show ``The Gold Miss Are Coming’’ said Monday. The two actors will be in town Thursday to promote the action film ``X-Men Origins: Wolverine’’ in time for its release April 30.

After appearing at a press conference Friday morning, they will meet actress Yang Jung-ah, 37, and the other members of ``Gold Miss,’’ a matchmaking program for eligible female celebrities. The group includes comedienne Shin Bong-seon and singer Jin Jae-young, among others. Two will have the opportunity to watch a movie with either Jackman or Henney.

The show will air on April 19.

Meanwhile, the ``X-Men’’ stars will meet Korean fans on Friday evening. A performance will begin 7:30 p.m. at Cheonggye Plaza, downtown Seoul, and the red carpet ceremony will take place at 8:30.

Jackman has appeared in the other three films of the ``X-Men’’ franchise, and the Australian actor visited Seoul in 2006 fall to promote ``X-Men: The Last Stand.’’ The superhero franchise marks Henney’s Hollywood debut. The model-turned-actor became popular here and in other Asian countries through TV soaps like ``My Lovely Sam-soon’’ (aka. My Name Is Sam-soon), and received critical acclaim for his role in the film ``My Father.’’

Inspiration of `My Father' Speaks About Family, Love

One of the most formidable people I've ever met.

Korea Times Photo by Shim Hyun-chul

Adopted by a loving American family at the age of six in 1979, Aaron Bates returned to Korea as an American soldier and began a search for his birth family. Years later, Bates was finally able to reunite with his ``biological'' father, who was a death row inmate.

But the fact that his father was a murderer did not bother him. Nor that they may be biologically unrelated.

``Love never fails, love conquers all,'' the adoptee told The Korea Times Tuesday at a Seoul hotel, while visiting for the release of the film inspired by his story ``My Father,'' starring Daniel Henney and Kim Young-chul.

``I try to see everything on the positive side. I couldn't wait to spend time with (my father). I said, well, this could be my last time. I didn't want to waste a golden opportunity,'' said the devout Christian, recalling the time he was about to see his father for the first time in 2000.

In 2003, a KBS documentary entitled ``My Father'' touched the hearts of many as it traced Bates' search. The film version has fictionalized parts ``but it captures the essence of my life,'' he said after watching the film the same evening.

``The only thing I asked (the makers of the film) is that they show the utmost respect to my father, to the victim's family, to my family and to have those positive results like adoption works, family values and love.

``The movie was truly heartfelt; I don't cry often but I choked up,'' he said. ``It was fantastic.'' Bates also met the lead actor, and said ``He's not just a pretty face. He's very emotional in his role, he really thinks about his role and really understands… The two actors (Henney and Kim Young-chul) were exceptional… The other actors are very important too, like the guy who plays So-young (Kim In-kwon).

``I'm still in awe this is really happening. It's a great privilege,'' he said. ``I hope (the movie) does wonders, not so much financially, but transmitting the message about love, forgive and forget, and you don't need to be blood to be part of a family,'' he said.

``Growing up, I was blessed in everything. It was just like being part of a (normal) family... When you love someone so much you don't see what their eyes, skin color are like. I'll never get rid of my skin color, my eyes… But if someone's really that keen about it, it bothers them, then I just don't associate with them. Those people are biased and they have their own prison _ they can't look outside the box,'' he said.

In the movie, James Parker could no longer date his Caucasian girlfriend because her parents thought he was ``different.'' Bates, too, broke up with a girlfriend because she did not want mixed-race children.

While stationed in the Unites States army base here, Bates was assisted by his KATUSA (Korean Augmentation Troops to the U.S. Army) buddy Kim So-young, to search for his family.

Kim also flew in from Canada for the movie premiere, and Bates said the character Joseph, modeled after his friend and played by actor Kim In-kwon, impressed him.

After Bates had left Korea and was undergoing special training in Washington, he received news about his biological father. He had to wait a few months to meet his father, until his training ended and he got special permission from the army to return to Korea.

Before the reunion the two corresponded through letters. Bates knew his father was in prison, but it was en route to the reunion, at the Gwangju train station, that he learned his father was on death row. ``It was shocking. Yes, he is a murderer. But we have a story because of our situation. I want to emphasize, though, that (the movie) is not about him. It's more about the relationship,'' he said.

``When people dwell in the past, it consumes you,'' said Bates, an optimist who does not feel anger about past evils. ``The fact that I could see my dad, that I could hold him, knowing that my search was not in vain, and if he died tomorrow, if he were executed tomorrow, I was very satisfied to know that I was able to hold my father. Not only for my sense of self-gratification, also for (my father).

``(My father) is in prison, he's in despair.'' Bates explained that the man suffers ``two imprisonments'' from his own guilt and physical detention. ``But now he has hope. If I were in that situation, I would love to see my son for the last time, and knowing that everything's OK.''

``My Father'' depicts the reunion, as it was in real life, a hectic affair with incessant camera flashes and reporters asking the bewildered young man to bow to the father in the traditional style, hug him and say I love you.'

``Yes, it was (theatrical)… But looking at the bright side of things, if it weren't for (the media) I wouldn't have been able to hold my dad for the first time; it would have been behind the glass.'' The media attention allowed the two to meet in a special room.

Yet, the KBS documentary also revealed a DNA test that showed Bates was not biologically related to his father. Bates' father Seo was married to Bates' biological mother at the time she gave birth to him. Although they may not be blood-related, he said, ``When you love someone so much, it really doesn't matter.''

``I went to see my father (last Monday), but they wouldn't let me, saying I'm not his real son.'' Fortunately, before leaving Korea in 2001, Bates had listed his name under the family registrar. Only when he presented the paperwork did the prison grant his visit. ``Everything happens for a reason,'' he said.

When asked about what enabled him to share his extraordinary yet very private story, Bates said, it was so that he could ``share with people… My life is beautiful. I'm an adopted kid, I have a loving family, adoption works, to give hope to kids like me. The media is a very powerful tool.''

Bates has been out of the military since 2002, and now works as an insurance agent. His incredible life experience does not end with ``My Father.'' The man stands firmly on two feet despite suffering a disc problem last year, which usually results in one being confined to a wheelchair. He lives in Arizona with his wife and nine-month-old son.

>>Read the movie review of "My Father."

http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2007/09/141_9821.html

`My Father’ Paints Many Faces of Love

Among e-mails from readers were those from a Belgian woman whose young son is a Korean adoptee. She wanted to watch the film.... which is highly recommended for everyone, not just people of a certain familial background.

They say here that familial love flows downstream like a river, from parent to child. The depths of parental love for one's own child are universally deemed unconditional and immeasurable. While one cannot quantify love, love can also travel upstream, from child to parent, with great momentum.

``My Father,'' directed by critically acclaimed filmmaker Hwang Dong-hyuk and starring Daniel Henney and Kim Young-cheol, explores the multifaceted meaning of family, love, forgiveness and acceptance.

Inspired by a true story, the ``faction'' film (a combination of fact and fiction) traces the incredible journey of an adoptee searching for his birth family. Adopted by a loving American family at the age of five, the 27-year-old James Parker (Henney) joins the United States army and is stationed in Korea where he searches for his birth family. With the help of his KATUSA (Korean Augmentation Troops to the U.S. Army) roommate and buddy, Joseph (Kim In-kwon), James makes a television appearance and is able to locate traces of his past.

James finally finds his birth father Nam-cheol (Kim), the only surviving member of his biological family. But the highly anticipated reunion is far from touching, as it takes place in a local prison, under the chaotic flashes of cameras and reporters incessantly asking the bewildered young man to hug Nam-cheol and say ``I love you.'' The father is in his 10th year on death row for the murder of two people.

Despite all the odds, James learns to fully accept his father.

``Father'' is like a cup of coffee: The story is deeply rooted in the bitter-sweetness of reality, touching upon heavy, controversial issues from adoption -- Korea, while being a top global economy, is the fourth largest ``exporter of babies'' -- to local troubles with the U.S. army and the death penalty. Yet, the film possesses a deep, smooth aftertaste, filled with the aromatic moments of life as it fathoms the meaning of family and friendship.

The cinematography captures this dual nature, as a soft ray of sunlight fills stark, barren prison cells with warmth. Jo Geun-hyeon, art director of visually striking films like ``A Tale of Two Sisters'' (2003), transforms mundane spaces like the army base and squalid street corners into places resonating with life.

While the most gripping aspect of the film is the father-son love between James and Nam-cheol, the profound love in James' adopted family is equally touching. Families take on many forms, but love transcends all, blood-related or not. The strong, family-like friendship between James and Joseph is also heartfelt.

Henney, dubbed ``Korea's heartthrob'' with his chiseled, modern-day Prince Charming image molded through appearances in ``My Name is Kim Sam-soon'' (MBC, 2005) and ``Seducing Mr. Perfect'' (2005), has found his breakthrough role as an actor.

The model-turned-screec star gives a surprising performance as he delivers the complex emotional state of his character, through jerking tears, frustrated bursts of anger and awkward embraces with his father.

The contemptible yet sympathy-provoking Nam-cheol is brought to life by veteran actor Kim Young-cheol. The star of epic TV dramas like ``Taejo Wanggeon'' (KBS1, 2000) delivers, with much finesse, his first lead role on the big screen. The 54-year-old took off about 22 pounds and even had his teeth ground up to become a prisoner.

Noted in the international film circle through shorts, director Hwang Dong-hyuk makes his feature film debut. In addition to anticipating more three-dimensional roles from Henney, film buffs can expect more full-length movies from the up-and-coming director.

>>Read my interview with Aaron Bates, the inspiration of the true story.