Lee Ji Hyeon

La Belle Flashback

2009-01-27T12:15:00.006-05:00

Caps of the first meeting between the model and the writer. What a mysterious woman...
Click images to enlarge.

Typhoon Fengshen

2008-06-22T08:34:00.000-04:00

To my friends and readers from the Philippines,

I am deeply saddened and distressed to learn of Typhoon Fengshen, and of the resulting loss of lives.

It is also true that many are waiting for word of the lost. My dearest wish is that your loved ones will be found alive.

I convey my deepest condolences to the families who have suffered deaths of their loved ones.

There are no correct words for this.

You mean so much to me. My comments here are not hollow. I grieve with you, not only for lives lost, but also, for all the pieces of your lives you may have lost.

Hyacinth

Seduction impending...

2008-05-01T19:25:00.004-04:00

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Screen caps From La Belle

How can a woman, through the simple act of putting on lipstick, imply so much danger?

It is in a scene like this one, Jee Ji Hyeon shows her stuff as a professional. She was about 22 years old at the time, and her capability was shining with immense light.

I would love to see the day come when she is offered a role of merit, and in one gigantic leap become famous for her talent. Too much to ask of Korea, which never forgets.

Their loss.

Supine and bored...

2008-05-01T19:21:00.002-04:00

Click image to enlarge.

Screen cap from La Belle.

Running 7 Dogs - without getting bitten.

2007-12-29T15:54:00.001-05:00

A tasty dish, but is it for you?

Recipe: Take a pissed off mob boss, a desire for revenge, and incompetent employees. Mix well.

Then sit and laugh yourself silly.

Simply put: South Korea meets The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.

This is one of the darkest black comedies to come along in a while. It has the accidental disaster atmosphere of Pulp Fiction, peppered with discord between two enforcers, which leads to a very funny scene where the pecking order between them is reestablished.

Add Lee Ji-hyeon (La Belle co-star, and absolute best actress in the world when it comes to droll deadpan), and it gets better and better

There will not be spoilers here. So you don't get a synopsis out of me.

You either like insane, slightly twisted Korean humor, AND have a strong stomach for gore (not as gory as American gore BTW), which makes you a category one, or you're squeamish and don't find whacked out twisted Korean humor funny. If you're in category one, jump in and have a laugh or ten. Category two? Watch something else.

The ending is typically Korean in a delicious way, and fits the crime.

I absolutely refuse to put a morality-tale spin on this commentary. I picked up on one elsewhere, and it gave me a strong desire to rant about the descent into mediocre thinking we have become so placidly accepting of for too many years now.

I love the flick, have watched it a lot of times, and will close by saying, it is just plain bloody funny. And bizarre. And outrageous.

By A. Murray

Running 7 Dogs available at:
HK FLIX:$9.95

YesAsia:$13.49

Amazon: Used (2) $8.34 + $8.37-New $9.03-$12.99
Type title into search bar at Amazon

Available also through eBay and Half.com. Prices vary.

Shipping costs at e-Bay are always an issue for me.

Best buy used: Half.com at $5.00
Set shipping rate 1st DVD/VHS $2.99 via Media Mail. Additional movies shipped from same seller, same transaction, $1.89.

Lee Ji Hyeon being introduced.

2006-10-29T19:26:00.000-05:00

The manager of the salon introduces "Cherry" the new hostess.

From The Boss X File
Click image to enlarge.

An unexpectedly charming sight.

2006-10-28T13:58:00.000-04:00

Taken during the filming of La Belle.
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Lee Ji Hyeon - Intro Boss X

2006-10-20T19:51:00.000-04:00

With infinite tenderness...

2006-10-19T19:56:00.000-04:00

She kisses Oh Ji Ho in this scene from La Belle (2000)

Click image to enlarge.

Lee Ji Hyeon meets Jung Woon Taek...

2006-10-17T18:31:00.000-04:00

She emerges unscathed. He is overwhelmed.

Click images to enlarge.

Photos from The Boss X File 2002

Lee Ji Hyeon

2006-10-17T17:22:00.002-04:00

Click image to enlarge.

Photo from La Belle (2000)

Her name is either totally unknown to you, or it rings a loud bell as in La Belle, the Korean movie starring Oh Ji Ho, and Lee Ji Hyeon, almost to the exclusion of any other actors, though there were others.

If that’s the bell ringing, it’s possible you are now thinking of her body, and of sex, and maybe very little else.

This site does not exist for the purpose of exploitation, but rather, it pays homage to her as an actress of great talent, and a human being who goes on with her life in spite of criticism launched against her in Korea because of nudity in the film, and nude modeling afterward.

Nude modeling may have been the only course open to her at the time, and like the rest of us, she has to eat and pay rent.

She’s a survivor, and I laud her for it.

This then, is a site that will be full of photos, including some from La Belle, but not the ones you’ve been staring at for years.

The above shot is key because it is the first time she enters the apartment of the writer. She's assessing it, deciding if it's suitable. Is she calculating or not? Is she cold hearted, or in need of help?

As the character she is mysterious, annoying, ill mannered and boorish.

As the actress, being all these things, she is brilliant and inspired, masterful and tragic.
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