Ma Dong-Seok, aka Don Lee, the actor who played the emotionally powerful character Sang-Hwa in Korea’s first zombie thriller ‘Train to Busan‘, is reportedly getting many offers from reputed Hollywood studios and directors.
Daydream Entertainment, Ma Dong-Seok’s agency, stated that it would require a bit of thinking on their part to pick and choose the right role for him.
‘Train to Busan’, which was released in July this year, has brokenseveral box office records in Korea.
Hollywood’s interest in Lee, 45, largely stems from his role in Korea’s first zombie blockbuster flick this year, which debuted in the Out of Competition category at the Cannes Film Festival in May. Following the screening, film studios including Fox, Sony and some in Europe tried to secure remake rights.
“Train to Busan” also had two sold-out screenings at the 20th Fantasia International Film Festival in Montreal in August, winning the Cheval Noir trophy for best feature.
The movie opened in Korean theaters in July and has sold almost 12 million tickets.
“It appears Lee will become the latest addition to Korean stars who debuted in Hollywood, such as Lee Byung-hun and Bae Doo-na,” an official from the Korean cinema industry said, according to the report.
Lee, who moved to Korea from the U.S., where he worked as a health trainer, is known for his fluent English and machismo, which also may have appealed to Hollywood.
Lee debuted in Korea in 2005 and has appeared in movies, TV dramas and commercials.
Hong Si-wan, Seoul
And I love Ma Dong Seok’s character so much. All his characters I have watched are so loveable~
— mtlinh (@mtlinh) October 18, 2016
Yo train to busan.. So you’re the reason I make movies. Nbd. If you haven’t.. Have, will you.… https://t.co/IL34d5WYkj
— Jessica Harmon (@harmon_jess) October 18, 2016