"Into Fire" director, Kwon Sang-woo attend Stanford seminar

Korean actor Kwon Sang-woo and director Lee Jae-han attended a special seminar for their upcoming war film "Into Fire" at the prestigious Stanford University Asia-Pacific Research Center on May 27 (U.S. time).

The two were among the seven speakers invited to speak at the seminar, held in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the Korean War and organized by the Korean Studies Program at the university.

The event featured a screening of the film followed by a panel discussion.

"It is significant that a research center that has expertise in Asian issues would hold a seminar about the Korean War," said Lee at the event.

Lee further explained that the Asia-Pacific Research Center had supported the film since its planning stages and he had promised to attend the seminar even before he started shooting the pic.

The director appeared satisfied with the partnership, saying "it will probably help the film enormously when it is shown in the U.S."

It is the second time that the Stanford Asia-Pacific Research Center had supported an Asian film -- in 2006, it had backed Clint Eastwood's film "Letters from Iwo Jima" about the battle between the U.S. and Japan during World War II.

Lee, who studied filmmaking at New York University, directed his first feature film "A Moment to Remember" (2004) which starred top Korean actors Jung Woo-sung and Son Ye-jin.

He is reportedly planning to make his debut in the U.S. through directing the Hollywood remake of John Woo pic "The Killer."

"Into Fire," based on the true story of 71 student soldiers who fought during the Korean War, stars actors Cha Seung-won, Kwon Sang-woo, Kim Seung-woo and T.O.P of idol group Big Bang.

The film opens in Korea on June 16.

Editor in Chief : Hwang Yong-hee hee21@
Editor : Lynn Kim lynn2878@