Park Joon-hyung

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Staff Reporter

Park Joon-hyung, a former member of boy band g.o.d., will appear in the up-coming Hollywood film adaptation of the successful Japanese manga ``Dragon Ball Z."

The 38-year-old Park, who is known as Joon Park and grew up in California, was cast in the role of Yamcha, a Z fighter.

``Dragon Ball Z," created by Akira Toriyama, is one of the most popular Japanese manga of all-time, and was turned into a worldwide hit animated series. The film version will be directed by James Wong and produced by Chinese filmmaker Stephen Chow, who is known for hit films ``Kung Fu Hustle" and ``Shaolin Soccer." It is scheduled for release Aug. 15, 2008.

The cast for ``Dragon Ball Z" includes Justin Chatwin as the hero Goku and James Marsters as the villain. Other actors include Jamie Chung, Emily Rossum and Eriko Tamura.

Park is best known as the rapper for g.o.d., but he has recently moved back to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career.

Park is also appearing in the big-budget Hollywood film ``Speed Racer," along with pop star Rain. A newly released trailer of ``Speed Racer" has attracted attention among Korean fans, since it showed Park as a tough character with white hair and tattoo.

Next year, there are several Korean stars appearing in Hollywood films. Jang Dong-kun (also known as Jang Dong-gun) is currently filming ``Laundry Warrior'' opposite Kate Bosworth. Jun Ji-hyun (also known as Gianna Jun) has finished shooting the film ``Blood: The Last Vampire,'' which will be released next year. Song Hye-kyo will also appear in an independent film ``Fetish.''

cathy@koreatimes.co.kr