Detective K: Secret of the Lost Island-Press Kit -

Title: Detective K: Secret of the Lost Island

Genre: Comedy

Language: Korean (with English subtitles)

Running Time: 125 minutes

Rating: NR

Director: Kim Sok-yun

Cast: Kim Myung-min (as Kim-min)Oh Dal-soo (as Seo-pil)Lee Yeon-hee (as Hisako)

Presented by: Showbox Media

Produced by: Generation Blue Films

Distributed by: CJ Entertainment

Original Release: February 11, 2015

US Release: March 6, 2015

SYNOPSIS

Detective K and his loyal sidekick Seo-pil return in this sequel to the 2011 hit film Detective K: Secret of the Virtuous Widow. When Kim Min, known throughout 18th century Korea as Detective K, stumbles upon a ring of smugglers flooding Korea with counterfeit silver, he feels duty-bound to escape his exile and stop this menace before the Korean economy is shaken to its core. To solve the case, he enters a world of intrigue populated by gun-wielding courtesans and murderous bandits, but what he finds is an even darker mystery when the bodies of young slave girls wash up on the shore. Can Detective K solve the mysteries with his trademark inventiveness and bring the criminals to justice?

Detective K: Secret of the Lost Island: The Sequel to the 2011 Smash Hit Comedy Returns with its All-Star Cast

In 2011 when Detective K: Secret of the Virtuous Widow, the first installment of the Detective K franchise, was released, its strong performances, witty dialogue and physical comedy made it an immediate hit with viewers. Detective K: Secret of the Virtuous Widow would go on to become the fourth highest grossing film of the year.

The sequel, Detective K: Secret of the Lost Island stays true to true to the spirit of its predecessor and remains a film where a witty script is brought to life and made richer by its experienced and talented cast. Kim Myung-min returns as the titular “Detective K,” who battles criminals all the while endeavoring to create inventions that are as ridiculous as they are useful. An actor with a famously kaleidoscope-like range, Kim Myung-min moved the hearts of millions with his portrayal of a man suffering with Lou Gehrig’s disease in 2009’s Closer to Heaven, and then later moved to opposite side of the spectrum with 2012’s television series King of Dramas, which saw him take on the comedic role of an over-dramatic, well-known television producer.

Not to be outdone, his sidekick is played by Oh Dal-soo, a well-known character actor who established himself in now classic films like Oldboy, Sympathy for Lady Vengeance, The Thieves, and 2014’s hit Ode to My Father. Detective K: Secret of the Lost Island and its predecessor are, at their core, mystery tales played out by a klutzy, bumbling, genius detective and his equally bumbling, yet oddly practical sidekick. Under the direction of Kim Sok-yun and armed with the words of a witty script, Kim Myung-min and Oh Dal-soo once again reunite and ignite the screen with their quest for justice and humorous hijinx.

The History of “Detective K: Secret of the Lost Island”

Detective K: Secret of the Lost Island is a comedy, but it is a comedy of its era and that era was Joseon. As with Detective K: Secret of the Virtuous Widow, Kim Min and Seo Pil dwell in the kingdom of Jeongjo (1752-1800), a king widely credited with beginning a renaissance, which saw the establishment of a royal library, a strong stance on the development of scholars, and the opening of some governmental positions to those not of the upper class. Kim Min (otherwise known as “Detective K”), who is driven to create quirky seemingly useless, but ultimately handy inventions, embodies the spirit of this scholarly, curious, mind-opening age.

In addition, the issue of social status also plays a large role in the film and played an even larger role in Joseon-era Korea. As Kim Min digs further into the mystery of the counterfeit silver, what he finds washing up on the shore are the dead bodies of nobi girls. Nobi is a social class within the hierarchy of Joseon-era Korea. More specifically, nobi are slaves who were usually bought and sold by upper classes, who in turn viewed them as a measure of wealth. But, also, as was the case in the film, becoming a nobi, who would be provided food and clothing even as the servant of a house, could be a way to escape extreme poverty.

In Detective K: Secret of the Lost Island, the counterfeit silver ring preys upon nobi girls because of their status as non-entity within the social hierarchy and puts them to work as silver processors in perilous conditions. However, Kim Min, who was a yangban, a member of Korea’s ruling class, is propelled by his value for human life to investigate the mystery of these murdered girls. But can he find the headquarters of the counterfeit silver ring before any more lives are lost?

Detective K: Secret of the Lost Island is a raucously fun film that features the inventiveness, the social hierarchy, and this fictional detective hero of the Joseon era.

The Brilliant, Zany Detective--Kim Min

Korea’s first detective, Detective K, has been exiled to a remote island with only his sidekick Seo Pil for company. In spite of his fate, he continues inventing everything from rudimentary paragliders to glow-in-the-dark paint. But, when he stumbles upon a counterfeit silver ring, for the sake of the same nation that put him under exile, he decides to escape and find the criminals behind the ring. As the mystery becomes even more fraught with murder and intrigue, can Detective K solve the case and bring the criminals to justice?

Kim Myung-min // Kim Min

Kim Myung-min has made a name for himself as a leading man whose range is without equal. In 2008, he started a music craze as the star of the television drama Beethoven Virus, and in 2009 he shocked viewers with his skeletal transformation while playing the role of a man dying from Lou Gehrig’s disease in Closer to Heaven. In Detective K: Secret of the Lost Island, Kim sharpens his comedic chops as Kim Min once again, and displays his effortless comedic timing.

SELECTED FILMOGRAPHY

FILM

The Spy (2012), Deranged (2012), Pacemaker (2011), Detective K: Secret of the Virtuous Widow (2011), Man of Vendetta (2010), Closer to Heaven (2009), Open City (2008), Return (2007), Into the Mirror (2003), Sorum (2001).

DRAMA

A New Leaf (2014), The King of Dramas (2012), Beethoven Virus (2008), White Tower (2007), Immortal Admiral Lee Soon-shin (2004), Some Like it Hot (MBC, 2000), KAIST (SBS, 1999).

AWARDS

2009 The 30th Blue Dragon Film Awards: Best ActorThe 46th Grand Bell Awards: Best ActorThe 45th Baeksang Arts Awards: Best TV Actor

2008 MBC Drama Awards: Grand Prize2007 The 43rd Baeksang Arts Awards: Best TV Actor2005 KBS Drama Awards: Grand Prize 2001 The 2nd Busan Film Critics Awards: Best New Actor

The Loyal Sidekick: Seo Pil

Seo Pil, former dog-seller and current loyal confidante to Detective K, must again follow his friend down a mysterious path and bring those to justice who threaten the people and the economy of Joseon. But when he is presented with death threats, ravenous courtesans, and a treacherous team of bandits, will his cowardice prevent him from solving the case?

Oh Dal-soo // Seo Pil

Oh Dal-soo began his career on the stage and found a home as a character actor in the Korean film industry. One of the most consistently working actors, it is estimated that, in total, the films that he has starred in have garnered over 100 million admission in Korea. His career has been marked by various types of roles including a gang leader in the hit movie Miracle in Cell No. 7, a life-long best friend in Ode to My Father, and even the prison manager in Oldboy. In Detective K: Secret of the Lost Island, he draws upon his vast experience to give Seo Pil a trademark balance of cowardice, deadpan humor, and loyalty that is all his own.

SELECTED FILMOGRAPHY

FILM

Ode to My Father (2014), Pirates (2014), The Attorney (2013), My Paparotti (2013), Miracle in Cell No. 7 (2013), The Thieves (2012), Detective K: Secret of the Virtuous Widow (2011), Private Eye (2009), The Good, The Bad, and The Weird (2008), I'm a Cyborg, But That's OK (2006), The Host (2006), Sympathy for Lady Vengeance (2005), Woman is the Future of Man (2004), Oldboy (2003), Bet on My Disco (2002).

STAGE

Kisaragi Miki-cha (2013), Holding the Sun and the Moon (2011), Ogu (2010), The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia? (2008), The Tenant (2006).

AWARDS

2014 34th Golden Film Festival: Best Supporting Actor2007 15th Chunsa Film Art Awards: Best Supporting Actor2006 27th Blue Dragon Film Awards: Best Supporting Actor 2005 6th Busan Film Critics Awards: Best Supporting Actor

The Mysterious Geisha: Hisako

Hisako, the beautiful woman who inhabits Japantown’s finest geisha house, immediately attracts the eye of Detective K. As their flirty relationship continues, will she decide to help Detective K and reveal her secret connection to the counterfeit silver ring and the missing girls, or will she protect her own life and take her untold secrets to the grave?

Lee Yeon-hee // HisakoLee Yeon-hee debuted in the film industry with A Millionaire’s First Love, starring alongside Korean superstar Hyun Bin. Widely praised not only for her talent, but her beauty, Lee has cultivated a strong career in Korean television with such hits as Miss Korea and Gu Family Book. With Detective K: Secret of the Lost Island, she brings Hisako to life with the wit, fire, and beauty that has made her famous throughout Korea.

SELECTED FILMOGRAPHY

FILMSMarriage Blue (2013), My Way (2011), Hello, Schoolgirl (2008), My Love (2007), M (2007), A Millionaire's First Love (2006).

TELEVISIONMiss Korea (2014), Gu Family Book (2013), Phantom (2012), East of Eden (2008), U-Turn (2008), One Fine Day (2006), Resurrection (2005), My Lovely Family (2004), Emperor of the Sea (2004).

ABOUT THE DIRECTOR

Korea’s Witty Director: Kim Sok-yun

Kim Sok-yun debuted as a director of the 2004 Korean television drama Old Miss Diary. The story followed an unmarried woman in her 30’s and her family who live under the same roof in perpetually hilarious arrested development. Kim also went on to direct the movie remake of Old Miss Diary, which starred Ye Ji-won and Lee Hyun-woo. Kim’s ability to portray the comedic elements of family life with wit and humor also lit up his next project-- the 2011 drama I Live in Cheongdamdong.

In I Live in Cheongdamdong, an older woman who struggled most of her life to support her family in a poor area of Seoul is finally able to move to Cheongdamdong, the city’s most exclusive district. But what she finds there is not all diamonds and champagne. She and her daughter move into a small house and soon find themselves entangled in the love lives of their less than fashionable neighbors. A thread that began in I Live in Cheongdamdong and that was knitted into Detective K: Secret of the Virtuous Widow and Detective K: Secret of the Lost Island is Kim’s love of poking fun at the unfashionable, un-high-class moments of elites.

Detective K: Secret of the Lost Island is a film that showcases Kim’s love for comedy, wittly poking fun at the upper class, and inventive film techniques which themselves add another layer of humor to the film. Kim said of the film, “I wanted to create a film that was enjoyable to watch and that balanced the elements of comedy and adventure.” In line with Kim’s previous projects, the Detective K series is not only popular because of its humor and physical comedy, but also because of its pleasantly fun watchability.

As Kim’s heros Detective K and Seo Pil jump from cliff-sides, battle dangerous smugglers, and sniff out conspiracies all the while fumbling through flirtatious liaisons and foolhardy inventions, the film itself engrosses viewers with its wit and watchability. Perfect for adventure fans, comedy lovers, and families, Detective K: Secret of the Lost Island promises to be a film that has a little something for everyone!

SELECTED FILMOGRAPHY

FILMDetective K: Secret of the Lost Island (2015), Detective K: Secret of the Virtuous Widow (2011), Old Miss Diary (2007)

TELEVISIONI Live in Cheongdamdong (2011), Old Miss Diary (2004)

A KIM SOK-YUN FILM A GENERATION BLUE FILMS PRODUCTION SHOWBOX/MEDIAPLEX PRESENTS

“DETECTIVE K: SECRET OF THE LOST ISLAND” KIM MYUNG-MIN OH DAL-SOO LEE YEON-HEE WORLD SALES BY SHOWBOX/MEDIAPLEX SPECIAL EFFECT BY JEON KUN-IK VISUAL EFFECT BY LEE SUNG-KYU

MAKE-UP BY KIM SEO-HEE SPECIAL MAKE-UP BY HWANG HYO-KYUN KWAK TAE-YONG (CELL) COSTUME

DESIGN BY KWON YOO-JIN RIM CHUNG-HEE CHOREOGRAPHY BY RYU HYEON-SANG SOUND BY LEE SUNG-JIN LEE SEUNG-CHUL (WAVE LAB) RECORDING BY NA HO-YOUNG CHOI HYUN-WOO MUSIC BY KIM

HAN-JO EDITED BY IM SUN-KYONG PRODUCTION DESIGN BY JANG CHUN-SUB LIGHTING BY PARK SOON-HONG DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY JANG NAM-CHEOL EXECUTIVE PRODUCER YOU JEONG-HUN PRODUCED BY

KIM JHO GWANG-SOO LEE SUN-MI SCREENPLAY BY LEE NAM-KYU KIM SU-JIN DIRECTED BY KIM SOK-YUN

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