Sunday, January 11, 2015

News: Oh Dal-soo is the 100 Million Viewer Man


We don't hear much news about Korea's wealth of talented supporting players but here's a nice little tidbit. Character actor Oh Dal-soo has become the first Korean actor to appear in films that have attracted over 100 million viewers at the local box office. Quite a feat in a country of 50 million people.

Originally a stage actor, Oh came to the big screen quite late (in 2002's Bet on My Disco) but quickly found himself in some of the most memorable films of the era, including Oldboy (2003), A Bittersweet Life (2005) and Crying Fist (2005). Consistently in work, the charismatic and often hilarious Oh has found himself cast in many of the biggest Korean films of all time.

Another record he's angling for is Korean actor to have appeared in most 10 million admissions films. If he doesn't already have it with four, 2006's The Host (he was the monster's voice), The Thieves (2012), Miracle in Cell No. 7 (2013) and The Attorney (2013), he certainly will in the next few days when current chart topper Ode to My Father becomes his fifth film to go over the mark.

Not one to rest on his laurels, Oh has another busy year ahead, including appearances in upcoming blockbusters Detective K: Secret of the Lost Island, Veteran and Assassination. Though never the top draw, one can't deny that he clearly has some box office clout. The question is, might we eventually see him in a leading role?


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