Son Ye-jin hops aboard new Kang Je-gyu pic

Actress Son Ye-jin has joined the cast of top South Korean director Kang Je-gyu's Hollywood debut pic, according to the film's producer on Thursday.

The critically acclaimed actress will play the main female role opposite Hallyu star Jang Dong-gun in the film tentatively titled "My Way," based on the Invasion of Normandy during World War II.

Son will play the role of a woman who agonizes over her love for a Korean man and a Japanese man who both fight in the war.

Sources close to the director had last said producers are in talks with Japanese Takuya Kimura for the war epic, although no additional details have been announced.

A Hollywood production company has said it will invest in the picture by Kang, often dubbed the Steven Spielberg of East Asia. He has produced several of Korea's top films including 1999 hit film "Swiri" and 2004 pic "Tae Guk Gi: The Brotherhood of War" which is the third most-watched Korean film in box office history.

Son, 28, gained popularity in Asia after appearing in TV series "Summer Scent" and was commended for her role in films "The Classic" and "My Wife Got Married", both of which she won awards for Best Actress.

Jang is also an award-winning actor who has won several critical acclaims for his roles in films since his debut in 1993. Industry sources are speculating he will wed his girlfriend actress Ko So-young during the first half of this year.

"My Way" is set to go into shoot starting June in various locations including Korea, Germany and China.

Reporter : Park Kun-ouc kun1112@asiae.co.kr
Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@asiae.co.kr