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Nicole, one of the members of the popular South Korean all-girl Korean group KARA, will appear with Korean actor Jang Dong-gun and Japanese actor Joe Odagiri in the World War II drama "My Way."
Directed by Korean Kang Je-gyu, the story is set in colonial-era Seoul in 1938. A Korean man (Jang) dreams of winning an Olympic marathon gold medal, beating his Japanese rival (Odagiri). The two are conscripted into the Japanese army, and see battle in China and the Soviet Union. After being taken prisoner by the Soviets, they escape but soon are captured by Germans and forced to separate. In 1944, they meet again at the shores of Normandy.
Nicole, 20, appears briefly as a staff member when Odagiri's character attends a press conference for the Olympic marathon.
She said acting was all trial and error for her. She said that she had heard about the story and that one night, when she was having dinner with the director, she told him how the story made her cry. Kang then asked her if she'd like to appear in a small part. "I thought he asked me as a joke. I was so nervous but it was a very lively set," Nicole said.
The film will be released on Jan 14.
© Japan Today
17 Comments
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Nicky Washida
Nicole? Is that her real name? Just doesnt sound very Korean but correct me if I am wrong - I dont know much about Korea!
papigiulio
Every Korean has an English name. So Nicole is her English name and besides that they have their original Korean name.
Joe Odagiri rocks, just cant envision him as a marathon runner heh
KisarazuBoy76
At least there should be a good turn out at the premiere of lonely middle aged men waving Japanese flags!
MaboDofuIsSpicy
She is beautiful. Good luck working with a Japanese director.
MaboDofuIsSpicy
Hong Kong people have Western names too. I think they legally register them too.
theeastisred
'Captured by Germans'? i.e. Japan's allies? That seems a bit strange.
KobeGrandad
I agree with he last poster. The Germans would have been their liberators.
Learn history before making such a film, you plumbs!
Wolfpack
The Japanese prisoner would have been liberated by the Germans. The Korean man likely would have remained a prisoner since their ally - the Japanese - had been colonizing Korea since about 1910.
Is this movie based on true events or is it a made up story? Seems far-fetched that they would end up seeing each other again in Normandy.
As for having a Western name, I noticed that when visiting Hong Kong. I have also been to South Korea but do not recall people having Western names there as well. I guess I need to get an Asian name...
bff5_
Nicole was born and raised in the US. So she's American, and her legal name is in fact Nicole.
smithinjapan
Wow... so now only will the black truck fools be angry because Korean music and dramas are taking over, but a singer in a popular Korean band is taking over a Japanese drama! (I realize she's of American nationality, but still)
genjuro
Only inferiority complex ridden koreans and their cheerleaders would say that K-music and dramas are "taking over." Talk about wishful thinking. And before you get excited and do your usual pro-Korean cheerleading, smithin, it's a Korean movie so it's not a Japanese drama. FAIL.
Vernie Jefferies
Sounds like a interesting War movie from a new prospective. I wonder if they meet on shores on Normandy on D-Day.
sinoboo
There are so many odd statements up there.
Every Korean does not have an English name. Nicole has one cause she was born in the US.
Someone mentioned about a Japanese director. It's a Korean director and Joe Odagiri is the Japanese ACTOR nor DIRECTOR. Please don't get confused! =)
melonbarmonster
There was a case of Koreans having been conscripted by the Japanese, captured by Germans, forced to fight for Germans and then captured by Allies wearing German uniform and freed. This bit of the story did happen.
Cricky
Yep I read about that, 5 Koreans were captured at Normandy after quite an adventure. Sadly they were sent to the North and it is thought they perished fighting in the NK army. So it has a grain of historical credence, this Drama.
Wolfpack
@melonbarmonster @Cricky
Thanks for the history lessons... tottemo omoshiroi desu.
MRSMR
It seems like a long time since I saw Joe Odagiri on TV show last time. I guess he hasn’t shown up much after he got married. Maybe he is doing house things and taking care of his kid instead of his wife..?? I love his face and act, so I’m so excited to see him again!! And also I’m looking forward to seeing Nicole in drama too. She is a cute girl. Many of Korean singers speak Japanese very well, so they should show up to more TV shows.