As South Korean films continue to enter the U.S. market at a faster pace than ever before, the premiere Wednesday in Koreatown, Los Angeles, of “Operation Chromite,” the country’s latest buzzed-about offering, proved their growing power in one of the largest-yet events of its kind to date.
The John H. Lee-directed war film, distributed by CJ, is receiving attention stateside for Liam Neeson’s portrayal of American Gen. Douglas MacArthur during the famous Battle of Incheon. It premieres Friday in U.S. theaters.
The red carpet for the premiere attracted the film’s stars – Korean actors Jung-jae Lee and Bum-soo Lee, as well as American actors Sean Dulake and Justin Rupple – to CGV Cinemas, while Asian American stars like Margaret Cho, Lance Lim, Jack Yang and Megan Lee joined to show their support.
The story follows South Korean navy special forces members as they work to infiltrate a North Korean facility, with the help of Gen. MacArthur and the United Nations, in an effort to take back the key city of Incheon. The real-life battle served as an important turning point in the Korean War for the South.
South Korean actor Jung-jae Lee attends the Los Angeles red carpet premiere of “Operation Chromite” on Aug. 10, 2016, at CGV Cinemas. (Victor Marks/Kore Asian Media)
Speaking on the red carpet about working with Neeson, Jung-jae Lee – one of South Korea’s biggest movie stars, known for his turns in projects like “New World” and “Assassination” – said the Irish actor is “a gentleman.” “It was a pleasure, and we were thankful to have him there,” he said.
Dulake, known to many as Joon in “Drama World,” agreed. He plays a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. army in the film. “Working with Liam Neeson was just incredible. As an actor, I never thought I would get that experience.”
He also co-wrote the movie. “This was a really special project to be a part of, because my mother’s Korean,” Dulake said. “This is a really important film to watch not just if you’re a history buff, but just to learn about your roots.”
Justin Rupple, left, and Sean Dulake on the red carpet of the “Operation Chromite” premiere in Los Angeles on Aug. 10, 2016. (Morgan Alexander/Kore Asian Media)
“[Director John Lee] had a foot in both American and Korean cultures so well that it was so easy,” said Rupple. “I’ve never had a director be so able to communicate with two totally different teams. … To have a collaboration from two countries put together is the biggest honor of my career.”
“Make It Pop” star Megan Lee, who also spent a few years in Korea as a pop star, was one of those who came out to the event. “As a Korean American, I feel really proud that a Korean film like this can be debuted here in the states,” she said.
“I thought it was so much fun. Having a taste of Korean history was awesome, and I think the actors were fantastic in it,” said Lance Lim, who is familiar to fans of “School of Rock” and “Fresh Off The Boat.”
Lance Lim, left, and Megan Lee, at the “Operation Chromite” premiere in Koreatown, Los Angeles, Aug. 10. (Morgan Alexander/Kore Asian Media)
The film’s U.S. arrival is one of a wave of Korean features distributed stateside, where they have seen unprecedented success – in 2014, “The Admiral: Roaring Currents” broke records during its limited North American release.
“I’ve heard that more and more Korean films are opening in the U.S., so one day a bigger audience will know our movies better,” Bum-soo Lee said.
Angela Killoren, CJ E&M’s chief operating officer, said the expansion of Korean film distribution in the U.S. has undergone marked progress in the past five years. “Operation Chromite” is being released in 130 screens to start, she said, three times the size of any release CJ has done previously for a Korean film.
“The audience is hungry. They want to see these films,” Killoren said. “In the past five years, theater-going audiences for Korean films have grown by quite a bit. People used to, unfortunately, have to watch through illegal download because there was no way of watching new Korean films. But now they’re able to see a film the way it was meant to be, on the big screen.”
Los Angeles City Councilman David Ryu attends the premiere of “Operation Chromite” in Koreatown, Los Angeles. (Morgan Alexander/Kore Asian Media)
Eighteen special screenings for war veterans and younger military influencers, including YouTubers, will also be held around the country, she said. The first already took place last week at American Legion Post 43 in Hollywood.
“There’s this real emotion there,” Killoren said. CJ had a glimpse of the impact of special screenings for military veterans last year, when it released another war film, “Ode To My Father,” and showed it at the U.S. Congress. “Unfortunately, the Korean War is also called the Forgotten War sometimes, so as many of these events we can do to commemorate and remember and honor [veterans’] sacrifices and their participation, I think, is really much appreciated,” she said.
“[Korean films] have to hope that we continue to have great opportunities like this,” Jung-jae Lee said.
Check out more photos from the premiere:
Margaret Cho stands on the red carpet for the premiere of “Operation Chromite” at CGV Cinemas in Koreatown, Los Angeles, on Aug. 10. (Morgan Alexander/Kore Asian Media)
Bum-soo Lee, right, speaks on the red carpet with Jung-jae Lee, left, for “Operation Chromite” at CGV Cinemas in Los Angeles on Aug. 10. (Morgan Alexander/Kore Asian Media)
Indonesian ambassador Umar Hadi and his wife attend the premiere of “Operation Chromite” in Los Angeles on Aug. 10. (Morgan Alexander/Kore Asian Media)
A crowd waits for an advance screening of “Operation Chromite” at CGV Cinemas in Koreatown, Los Angeles (Esteban Allard-Valdivieso/Kore Asian Media)
YouTube singer Travis Atreo attends the red carpet of the “Operation Chromite” premiere on Aug. 10 in Los Angeles. (Morgan Alexander/Kore Asian Media)
Actor Jack Yang poses at the premiere of “Operation Chromite” at CGV Cinemas in Koreatown, Los Angeles, on Aug. 10. (Morgan Alexander/Kore Asian Media)
Left to right: Jung-jae Lee, Bum-soo Lee, Sean Dulake, Justin Rupple, speaking after a screening of “Operation Chromite” in Koreatown, Los Angeles, on Aug. 10. (Morgan Alexander/Kore Asian Media)
Megan Lee, right, is interviewed by Kore host Emily Tang on the red carpet premiere of “Operation Chromite” in Los Angeles on Aug. 10. (Morgan Alexander/Kore Asian Media)
Jung-jae Lee, left, and Bum-soo Lee pose on the red carpet at CGV Cinemas in Los Angeles for the premiere of “Operation Chromite.” (Morgan Alexander/Kore Asian Media)
Locals attend an advance screening of “Operation Chromite” inside CGV Cinemas in Koreatown, Los Angeles, Aug. 10. (Morgan Alexander/Kore Asian Media)
