`My next film project is noir'

Actor Lee Min-ho

By Kim Ji-soo

Actor Lee Min-ho will embark on a big-screen challenge.

Lee will star in "Gangnam Blues" (translation), whose English title is "Landgate, Gangnam 1970," by director Yoo Ha.

Director Yoo was also responsible for such well-received works as "Once Upon a Time in High School" (2004), which starred Kwon Sang-woo and "A Dirty Carnival" (2006) starring Jo In-sung.

Similar to these two films, "Gangnam Blues" is expected to be a noir depiction of the real estate boom that transformed the southern Seoul district into one of the hottest properties in Korea.

"The film is a new challenge, definitely. It's not that I have adhered to dramas but I had just been looking for the right script. I don't want to limit myself to one genre and want to broaden it, more so in my 30s and 40s," Lee said. His last film was in 2008.

Asked if he's worried about working opposite senior actors Hyun Bin, Kang Dong-won and Jang Dong-gun all of whom have announced their return to the big screen about the same time as Lee, the 26-year-old said he doesn't think about rivalry.

"At this point in my career or in life, I cannot envision myself in rivalry with anyone. Like any actor in their 20s, I think I should really concentrate on the work at hand, and take responsibility for it," he said.

In January, he plans to meet with Korean fans while embarking on physical training for the new film. He said he hopes to go overseas to thank foreign fans when he has time.

The actor who once dated co-star Park Min-young said that he dreams of romantic love. "But that would mean I have to find someone first," he said.

Although Lee starred in previous works such as "Mackerel Run," it was with "Boys Over Flowers" that made him a household name. Since then, he has been active in other small screen dramas such as "City Hunter" and "Faith," but his start became truly golden again with "The Heirs."

The latest drama came under some criticism that it was too advanced in its romantic scenes for a drama about high-school students.

"I worried a lot about love and the feelings of an 18-year-old, and thought maybe it was my preconception that 18-year-olds couldn't love ardently. But at the same time, one can love uninhibited only when one is 18," Lee said.

When he is not working, he indulges in soccer or games with his friends. His childhood dream was to become a professional soccer player until an injury halted that career path.

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