This fall is shaping up to be quite an exciting one for the Korean film industry; one of the pillars of Korean film, Song Kang Ho, and the conqueror of the small screen, Kwon Sang Woo, will be dueling head-to-head with their new releases, 'Blue Salt' and 'Pain', respectively. Song Kang Ho plays the role of 'Doo Hun', a retired mafia boss in his forties, and shares a hard-to-explain relationship with 'Se Bin', a twenty-year-old who watches over his activities. The role is filled by television actress Shin Se Kyung. "It was really amazing to see her exude self-confidence in the sudden transition from television to film," Song Kang Ho said, describing his co-star. "I'd like to say that the Korean film industry has discovered a new actress. She's so charming, she's the only thing you notice when you watch the film. I even asked her, 'don't forget about me when you need a supporting character 10 years from now'." On the other hand, Kwon Sang Woo plays 'Nam Soon', a daredevil character who falls into a painful love with 'Dong Hyun', a character suffering from hemophilia and played by former Chakra member Jung Ryeo Won. "Ryeo Won has acted in many movies, but I think she was most herself in this role," Kwon Sang Woo said. "All actors and actresses have complexes, and Ryeo Won had a complex about how her movies all didn't do so well. But I hope she'll be able to overcome this complex with this film." Although both movies are about a cast-away man in a relationship with a woman, they approach the same subject in two very different ways. "'Blue Salt' isn't about fiery love between lovers. It can't be exactly expressed as love, but I feel that it's a move that shows emotions and a special compassion between a man and a woman," Song Kang Ho said. "That's why it's appealing. If it was a straight melodrama, it would not have the appeal that it has." Compared to 'Blue Salt', 'Pain' is about the innocence of a first love. "A man and a woman in opposite situation fall in love and end in tragedy. It's rough but innocent, crude but beautiful," Kwon Sang Woo explained. Representing the generation of 40's and the 30's, respectively, both Song Kang Ho and Kwon Sang Woo are hoping for success with their films. "Since I'm in my mid-40's, I sometimes want to take the easy way out. I become interested in easy movies, safe movies," Song Kang Ho reflected. "I think the time has come for me to actively combat such decisions. As an actor with a huge weight on my back, 'Blue Salt' was, for me, a challenge." Both films are slated to hit Korean theaters this fall. Source: Newsis via Nate