Kimura says "Rain" co-star Lee is strict on himself

Japanese actor Takuya Kimura said his co-star Lee Byung-hun of "I Come with the Rain" is kind toward others but strict with himself.

Kimura made the comment during a press conference on Friday for his thriller invited to show at the Gala Presentation category of the 14th Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF).

The pic, helmed by Vietnamese-French filmmaker Tran Anh Hung, the 1995 Venice Film Festival winner for "Cyclo" is set for release on October 15.

Below are responses from the press conference by Kimura, who displayed his gentleman-like manners by helping to clear up the table used during the event.

Q: How do you feel coming to the PIFF and Korea?
Takuya Kimura: Hello, my name is Takuya Kimura [spoken in Korean]. This is my second time to the PIFF and again, I'm surprised at the enthusiasm and excitement. My second visit has special meaning for me because I'm here with my film "Rain" and because Lee Byung-hun invited me. I was more than happy to come to Pusan because my friend Lee Byung-hun whom I am proud of asked me to come.

Q: It seems your range of acting has broadened, looking at "Rain". We had seen more of the actual Kimura who is charismatic in roles you played so far, but you actually were your character Shitao in "Rain".
Kimura: The person who asked this question seems to understand Shitao's emotions better than myself who played his role. (laugh) I played the role after analyzing that Shitao is a character who injects his feelings of hurt -- such as agony, loneliness and sadness -- into his body and peers on into them. The director also helped me by telling me his various opinions about Shitao when I was acting.

Q: Shitao wasn't an easy role to play. So how did you come about choosing this film?
Kimura: The inital casting was quite unexpected because I was asked to make a decision in just two days. At that point, I hadn't met director Anh Hung Tran and had never seen his films so I rushed to watch "Green Papaya". But I noticed it contained there was a very unique beauty about his video. Films usually stimulate people's sight or hearing, but it felt like his film stimulated one's sense of smell and taste. I came to be curious about the person who made the film and my conversation with the director the following day was fun too. Still, it is true I was very hesitant about taking on the role of Shitao. I had to express extreme agony, the story was unrealistic and there is a scene where a cross appears but I wasn't even Christian, so I thought hard about whether I really should play the role. But I came to be certain that I would be able to have fun playing Shitao's role after hearing the director's thoughts. So when I told him I would play the part, he finally told me that Josh Harnett and Lee Byung-hun had also been casted for the film. I wouldn't have worried about it so hard if he had told me about them earlier. (laugh)

Q: What was the first meeting between you three like?
Kimura: I knew I was working with the real Lee Byung-hun for "Hero" and I knew again, in my head, that I would be working with him again but when he appeared on set I thought "Wow, it's Lee Byung-hun". (laugh) It's because I was both very happy to see him and my friends knew a lot about Korea by watching Korean dramas and Lee's presence in them is so big. But it turns out the real Lee Byung-hun is very considerate toward people around him and very kind. Although he is very strict toward himself. He is a hard worker with a strong will and conviction. Like he said earlier, I met Josh Hartnett in the Philippines. Again when he appeared from the mountains I thought "Wow, it's Josh Hartnett!" (laugh) He called me by my character's name saying "Hi Shitao" instead of "Hi Takuya" the first time we met and played pool so I felt that he has a very big heart and he is a very nice person."

Q: There are many beautiful actresses in Korea. Is there anyone you would want to act with by any chance?
Kimura: There really seems to be only beautiful actresses in Korea. So I couldn't choose just one person. (laugh) But I really had to, I would pick Choi Ji-woo whom I have met before. She also appeared on a Japanese TV show with my group SMAP in "SMAPxSMAP". She was very comfortable toward us so I think it would be nice to act with her.


Editor : Lee Ji-Hye seven@10asia.co.kr
Photographer : Chae ki-won ten@10asia.co.kr
Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@asiae.co.kr