Lee Joon-Ik Preparing Sequel to 2003 Action Historical

Remakes have become the main topic of this season in Chungmuro, with a seemingly endless array of titles and even a few major directors (Park Chan-Wook, Im Sang-Soo, Kim Jee-woon) slated for such projects, trend which has sort of relegated sequels to the back burner, with a few exceptions. While the recent announcement of a sequel to the 2006 superhit romcom 미녀는 괴로워 (200 Pounds Beauty) is hardly a reason to celebrate, this one might not entirely be devoid of intrigue: seems like Lee Joon-Ik is preparing a sequel to his 2003 hit black comedy-cum-historical drama 황산벌 (Once Upon a Time in the Battlefield), which brilliantly connected Korea's eternal regionalism with the Three Kingdoms' most famous battle, Baekje and Shilla forces going at each other on the Hwangsan plains. The film sold over three million tickets, and heralded the comeback of Lee to mainstream Korean cinema, paving the way for his miraculous success two years later with 왕의 남자 (The King and The Clown).

Both historically speaking and in regards to the film itself, a sequel might not be the best of ideas unless they focus on Lee Moon-Shik's character. But, considering his style, Lee could do wonders with a 麦田 (Wheat)-like concept from this era. No word on when this will materialize, though: Achim Pictures confirmed that this was only one of the many projects Lee was preparing, and since he's currently shooting another historical drama - the promising 구르믈 버서난 달처럼 (Like the Moon Escaping from the Clouds) with Cha Seung-Won, Hwang Jung-Min and Han Ji-Hye - it's unlikely he'll go for another one right away. Still, more armor-wearing, dialect-touting black comedy from Chungmuro's eternal anarchist is coming soon.

[Nate News]