The Fatal Encounter

- Press Kit -

GENERAL INFORMATION

Title: The Fatal Encounter (Yeokrin)

Genre: Drama

Language: Korean with English subtitles

Running Time: 135 minutes

Rating: NR

Director: LEE Jae-kyoo

Cast: HYUN Bin (as King Jeongjo) JUNG Jae-young (as Sang-chaek) CHO Jung-seok (as Sal-soo) HAN Ji-min (as Queen Jeongsun)

Presented by: LOTTE Entertainment

Produced by: Choice Cut Pictures

Distributed by: CJ Entertainment, Dreamwest Pictures

Original Release: April 30th, 2014

US Release: May 23rd, 2014.

PROLOGUE The Fatal Encounter is a historical drama about venomous palace intrigue during the Joseon Dynasty -

focusing on the story of politically embattled King Jeong-Jo (nicknamed the King of Misfortune), his

dedicated servant Sang-chaek, and nefarious courtiers and assassins.

SYNOPSIS As the year 1777 opens, King Jeong-jo enters the second year of his reign, which is consistently under

threat from the opposing Noron and Soron factions. To successfully defend his royal power, Jeong-jo

draws upon his stores of courage and relies heavily on his loyal servant Sang-chaek. In a shocking

twist, Sang-chaek turns out to be an assassin who was sent into service in order to kill Jeong-jo. After

witnessing King Jeong-jo's capacity to justly rule the people, however, Sang-chaek comes clean about

his true identity, and is banished from the court. As he leaves the palace, however, his eye catches

sight of Sal-soo, the deadliest assassin in Joseon. Sang-chaek frantically returns to the court, only to

find Sal-soo locked in combat with Jeong-jo.

PRODUCTION NOTE

South Korea's Biggest Star Hyun Bin Makes His Grand Comeback

Hyun Bin (Secret Garden, My Name Is Kim Sam Soon) takes on his first acting role since completing his

mandatory military service. He plays King Jeong-jo, whose reign was fraught with political conflicts

and threats upon his life. The actor prepared extensively for his first historical role and has drawn

accolades for his dedication. Going into production almost Immediately upon being discharged from

the army, he studied the arts of sword fighting, archery, and horseback riding for the role. JUNG

Jae-young (Welcome to Dongmakgol ), CHO Jung-seok (The Face Reader), and HAN Ji-min (Rooftop

Prince), a group of South Korea's most treasured character actors, star alongside Hyun Bin.

The Fatal Encounter : Inspired by Historical Events

The Fatal Encounter is based on the real-life assassination attempt on King Jeong-jo (1752-1800) on

the night of July 28th, 1777. On that fateful night, Jeong-jo was unable to sleep and tried to soothe his

mind by reading late into the night. When he suddenly heard a sound in the ceiling, he quickly called

his servants to investigate. To their shock, they captured an assassin hiding in the eaves. That night’s

assassination attempt became one of the most infamous in the 500-year history of the Joseon

Dynasty (1392-1897).

CAST and CHARACTERS

The King of Misfortune - King Jeong-jo

Jeong-jo was the 22nd ruler of the Joseon Dynasty. As a young man, he was forced to witness the slow

death of his father Crown Prince Sado, who was effectively executed by being placed in a wooden

box by a royal decree from his grandfather King Yeong-jo. After Jeong-jo ascended the throne in

1776, he was caught in the fierce factional strife between the Noron and Soron power bases

throughout his reign and continuously subject to threats to his life and palace intrigue. Despite these

circumstances, Jeong-jo remained in power for almost 24 years and is noted for having carried out

significant and innovative reforms.

Hyun Bin

Best known internationally for his leading roles in the TV dramas My Name is Kim Sam-soon (2005)

and Secret Garden (2010), Hyun Bin has now long been established as one of the biggest stars in Korea

and across Asia.

One of his earliest leading roles, the TV drama My Name is Kim Sam-soon was a massive hit with

average ratings of over 37% through the run and 50.5% for the finale, also winning Hyun Bin the Top

Excellence Award at the MBC Drama Awards. In 2010, Hyun saw yet another surge of fame with Secret

Garden, a romantic fantasy about a fussy and arrogant department store heir and a penniless stunt

woman (played by HA Ji-won) who switch souls when it rains. The series brought in 30% ratings and

caught much interest through its fashion, catchphrases and music, and Hyun Bin was nominated for

his performance at the SBS Drama Awards and Baeksang Arts Awards.

For his comeback after 21 months away for Korea’s mandatory military service, Hyun Bin chose to star

in The Fatal Encounter, his first ever period film, in which plays the leading role of King Jeong-jo who

faces fierce party strife and assassination attempts during his reign.

FILMOGRAPHY

Movies

Come Rain Come Shine (2011), Late Autumn (2011), I Am Happy (2008), A Millionaire’s First Love (2006),

Spin Kick (2004), Daddy-Long-Legs (2004)

Television

Secret Garden (2010), Friend, Our Legend (2009), Worlds Within…(2008), The Snow Queen (2006), My

Name is Kim Sam-soon (2005), Ireland (2004), Nonstop 4 (2003), Bodyguard (2003)

CAST and CHARACTERS

The King’s Shadow - Sang-chaek

King Jeong-jo’s trusty servant, Sang-chaek was hired at a young age to manage the king’s personal

library. Since then, Sang-chaek has steadfastly been by Jeong-jo’s side through many life-threatening

situations. Although Sang-chaek was originally sent into palace service in order to get close enough

to kill Jeong-jo, after witnessing Jeong-jo’s true heart, he changes his allegiance and decides to

protect Jeong-jo at all costs.

JUNG Jae-young

Jung Jae-young’s performances across genres illustrate his infinite talent and have made him an

irreplaceable part of Korean cinema. Since his university days, he has honed his craft and established

himself as an actor to be reckoned with. He is widely known as “the man of a thousand faces” for his

ability to completely fall into any character.

FILMOGRAPHY

Movies

Broken (2014), Plan Man (2013), 11 a.m. (2013), Our Sunhi (2013), Confessions of Murder (2012),

Countdown (2011), Glove (2011), Moss (2010), Castaway on the Moon (2008), Public Enemy Returns

(2008), The Divine Weapon (2008), Welcome to Dongmakgol (2005), Someone Special (2004), Silmido

(2003) Guns and Talks (2001)

CAST and CHARACTERS

Deadliest Assassin in Joseon Dynasty - Sal-soo

Raised as a cold-blooded killer at a secret assassin society, Sal-soo is Joseon’s deadliest assassin. He

eliminates his targets with ease and leaves no trace behind. Though at first he hesitates to take on

task of assassinating King Jeong-jo, Sal-soo strikes a deal with his master that would set him free from

the secret assassin society.

CHO Jung-seok

Cho started his acting career in theater, starring in the Korean rendition of Spring Awakening (2009)

and Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2011), and stage adaptation of The Harmonium in My Memory (2012),

among many other musicals and plays. After nearly a decade on the stage, Cho made his film debut

as comedic supporting actor in 2012 box office hit Architecture 101, which became his breakout role.

His versatility was further showcased by more serious turns in the television series The King 2 Hearts

(2012) and You’re the Best, Lee Soon-shin (2013), as well as film The Face Reader (2013) and now The

Fatal Encounter (2014).

FILMOGRAPHY

Movies

The Face Reader (2013), Almost Che (2012), Architecture 101 (2012)

Television

You Are the Best! (2013), The King 2 Hearts (2012), What’s Up? (2011)

     

CAST and CHARACTERS

Venomous Conspirator - Dowager Queen Jeongsun

Dowager Queen Jeongsun is King Yeong-jo’s second wife from the Noron faction and played a major

role in influencing the execution of Crown Prince Sado, King Jeong-Jo’s father. She is one of the

major co-conspirators in the assassination attempts against Jeong-jo.

HAN Ji-min

After minor roles in All In (2003), Dae Jang Geum (2003), Han had her breakout role in the revenge

series Resurrection in 2005. This was followed by her other memorable roles in period dramas Capital

Scandal (2007) and Yi San (2007), contemporary dramas Cain and Abel (2009) and Padam Padam

(2011), and romantic comedy Rooftop Prince (2012).

FILMOGRAPHY

Movies

Plan Man (2014), Detective K: Secret of Virtuous Widow (2011), Cadaver (2007), Blue Swallow (2005)

Television

Rooftop Prince (2012), Padam Padam… The Sound of His and Her Heartbeats (2011), Cain and Abel

(2009), Scandal in Old Seoul (2007), Yi San (2007), Great Expectations (2006), Super Rookie Ranger

(2006), Rebirth (2005), A Jewel in the Palace (2003), All In (2003)

  

ABOUT THE DIRECTOR

LEE Jae-kyoo

LEE Jae-kyoo first garnered recognition for Damo (2003), a Korean drama which cultivated an

unprecedented fanbase. For the drama’s excellence and his directorial skills, LEE received a Baeksang

Arts Award for Best New Director

Following Damo, he directed the hit dramas Beethoven Virus (2008) and The King 2 Hearts (2012),

which drew accolades for their cinematic quality.

Finally, viewers can meet Director Lee Jae-kyoo’s film masterpiece The Fatal Encounter on the silver

screen. Pulling together Korea’s most talented actors with the year’s finest production, The Fatal

Encounter is the subject of great attention and fanfare.

Excelling at subtlety, Lee Jae-kyoo uses his directorial skill to create a deep and lasting impression on

the audience. The Fatal Encounter, packs immense emotional power against the unfurling backdrop

of sensuous, beautiful imagery and represents the birth of a great director, who could lead the next

generation of Korean cinema.

SELECTED FILMOGRAPHY

Movies

The Influence (2010)

Television

The King 2 Hearts (2012), Beethoven Virus (2008), Fashion 70’s (2005), Damo: The Legendary Police

Woman (2003)

LOTTE ENTERTAINMENT presents

a CHOICE CUT PICTURES production

Executive producer CHA Won-chun

Producer LEE Yong-nam

Director LEE Jae-kyoo

Starring HYUN Bin JUNG Jae-young CHO Jung-seok HAN Ji-min

Cinematography GO Rak-sun

Lighting CHA Sang-kyun

Editing SHIN Min-kyung

Production Design ZO Hwa-sung

Production Sound YI Sang-june

Music LEE Sung-hyun

© 2014 LOTTE ENTERTAINMENT All Rights Reserved.