Jang Keun-suk starrer "Homicide" DVD rights sold to Japan

The DVD publications rights for Hallyu star Jang Keun-suk's film "The Case of Itaewon Homicide" have been sold to Japan, according to his agency Tree J. Company on Wednesday.

Tree J. explained in a press release that DVD rights for "Homicide" has been sold to Japanese importer C.C.C., who also purchased the local broadcasting rights for Jang's recent TV series "Minamishineyo".

The hit SBS TV series, which premiered in Japan last month, is currently airing on KNTV during prime time.

"With 'Minamishineyo' doing so much better than we expected, I think there is a growing interest in actor Jang Keun-suk," an official at Tree J. was quoted as saying. "This will be a good opportunity to show Jang as a movie star."

"Homicide", released in Korea last September, is based on an actual murder which occurred at a Burger King store in Seoul's Itaewon district in 1997.

In the film, Jang plays a Korean-American named Pearson who was suspected of stabbing a Korean man with a jackknife.

Jang, 23, has appeared in several notable television dramas including "Beethoven Virus" (MBC, 2008), "Hong Gil-dong" (KBS2, 2008) and popular sitcom "Nonstop 4" (MBC, 2003).

He became a phenomenon in Korea and throughout Asia after starring in "Minamishineyo", in which he portrayed an eccentric lead singer of idol group A.N.JELL.

The actor is currently holding fan meetings in various Asian countries.

Reporter : Lynn Kim lynn2878@asiae.co.kr
Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@asiae.co.kr