‘Fatal Encounter’ slated for N. American release in May

Will top Korean actor Hyun Bin ignite “hallyu,” or the Korean wave, in films in North America?

His soon-to-be released film, “The Fatal Encounter,” is expected to be shown on 25 screens in North America starting May 23, Lotte Entertainment said Monday.

The release in North America follows just a month after the film’s release on April 30 in Korea. It is the actor’s first work since being discharged from the military in April 2013.

The film depicts the historic assassination attempt on King Jeongjo of the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910). The movie deals with the factional fighting during the reign of Jeongjo, played by Hyun, who as a boy had to watch his father Crown Prince Sado die after being sealed in a rice chest on the orders of his grandfather King Yeongjo. The movie is also the feature film debut of director Lee Jae-gyu. The director is known for television work including “Damo” (2003), “Beethoven Virus” (2008) and “The King 2 Hearts” (2012).

The film will be distributed in North America by Dream West, which was also responsible for bringing other Korean films such as “Secretly and Boldly,” and “The Face Reader” (2013).

The distributing company said that it has seen viewing potential for “The Fatal Encounter” that the American audience gave for “The Face Reader.” By Kim Ji-soo, The Korea Times