Shim Eun-Ha Comes Back in Hur Jin-Ho’s 화장 (The Cremation)

2000’s 인터뷰 (Interview) was a strange choice for someone like Shim Eun-Ha. After the success of the TV Drama 청춘의 덫 (Trap of Youth) and Jang Yoon-Hyun’s 텔 미 썸딩 (Tell Me Something), most people expected her to star in a blockbuster like many other actresses were doing back then. But she went out and shot a Dogme film with an unknown director - Byun Hyuk of 주홍글씨 (The Scarlet Letter) - alongside Lee Jung-Jae. Quality (or lack thereof) of the film aside, that was the last time we’d see Shim Eun-Ha, one of the brightest lights in the Korean entertainment circle, grace the screen, big and small.

Many people tried to get her back during these long six years of absence, last in line Kim Jong-Hak, who offered her the lead role in the uber-blockbuster TV Sageuk 태왕사신기 (The Great King), and recently she was even offered the leading role in the Wuxia 중천 (The Restless), which she turned down once again. Why come back to entertainment, when you just married? Even better, Shim Eun-Ha just became a mother, so a return looked quite unlikely. But most fans were still harboring a little dream, the selfish hope she’d finally come back and grace us again with her charm. Until Hur Jin-Ho entered the picture. It certainly wasn’t the film which made her a star in Korea, but Hur’s 8월의 크리스마스 (Christmas in August) changed it all for the young star, who after the 1998 classic started being recognized as a good actress first, an idol later. Hur even tried to get her back for last year’s 외출 (April Snow), role which eventually went to Son Ye-Jin. But after years of persuading, he’s finally done it. It’s expected Shim will sign a contract either tomorrow or the day after to accept the leading role in Hur’s upcoming melodrama 화장 (The Cremation), her first film in six years.

The film is adapted from Kim Hoon’s short novel of the same name, which won a Lee Sang Literature Prize in 2003. Produced by Manujeol Entertainment, shooting for the film will start in late Summer after the male lead is cast, for a Winter release. Of course we’ll keep following this one, and I’m sure I’m not the only one who jumped on his seat the moment he learned about this. Good things come to those who wait…

UPDATE

...unless it’s April 1st, and we’re playing with you. Manujeol (만우절) indeed means April Fools’ Day in Korean. But even though it certainly will not star Shim Eun-Ha (who sadly seems retired for good, now more than ever), The Cremation is really Hur’s next film, and is really adapted from a short novel by Kim Hoon. Now we can always hope, can’t we?