Actor Kim Rae-won

By Kwon Mee-yoo
Staff Reporter

Another Korean heartthrob, actor Kim Rae-won, 26, is stepping up his activities in Japan.

Kim stars in a Japanese movie named ``Hanakage'' (Flower Shadow) directed by Hayato Kawai.

He plays an elementary school teacher who falls in love with a Korean-Japanese jewelry designer played by Mirai Yamamoto. Filmed in both Korea and Japan, this movie depicts international love.

Kim debuted in MBC's teen drama ``Me'' (1996) and is known for his role in the TV romantic comedy ``Rooftop Room Cat'' (2003), in which late Jeong Da-bin starred as his counterpart. He also appeared in movies like ``Mr. Socrates'' (2005) and ``Sunflower'' (2006).

He currently shoots Korean TV soap opera ``Sikgaek'' (The Grand Chef) based on Huh Young-man's popular cartoon. ``Sikgaek'' will be aired in April on SBS.

Meanwhile, SG Wanna Be, the Korean R&B trio, sings the main theme for the movie. Sport Hochi, a Japanese paper, reported that SG Wanna Be's ``Arirang'' was chosen for the soundtrack, since the group performs actively both in Korea and Japan.

The group were greatly impressed with the move which they felt had something profound to say about the nature of love.

Yamamoto, the leading actress, was deeply moved by the music and said that the movie and SG Wanna Be's music met through destiny led by love.

The trio debuted in 2004 through ``Wanna Be+'' and released albums ``While You Live'' (2005), ``The 3rd Masterpiece'' (2006) and ``The Sentimental Chord'' (2007). The group is known for having high album sales.

SG Wanna Be previously held four concerts in Japan, the most recent one this January.

The movie will be in theaters March 8 and SG Wanna Be will release their Japanese album ``I Love SG Wanna Be'' March 19.

meeyoo@koreatimes.co.kr