Will Yun Lee (Elektra, Thief) has been cast as the lead actor for the independent film 'Fireflies', a deeply original three part drama based on the fate and humanity of a female character (Gina), throughout three different stages of her life. 'Fireflies' is the first movie financed by the Korean government that will be filmed primarily in the English language and will be shot in various locations across the U.S. including Alaska, LA and Las Vegas. 'Fireflies' is also one of ten projects selected to be developed and financed by the Korean Film Council, a branch of the Korean government's Ministry of Culture and Tourism, a government body similar to the US's MPAA. As the first non-Korean-language film supported by the Korean government, there are great expectations that the success of this film will pave the way for similar projects in the future from the Korean Film Council.
The Korean Film Council in association with the New Cinema Network, has as its mission the goal of producing films which would otherwise have found difficulty procuring funds for production. 'Fireflies' has been guaranteed a cinematic release in Korea and will compete in the most prestigious film festivals around the world.
The film was both written and directed by JJ Kim, who's first feature film 'Listening to the Voice of a Wind' competed at the 2004 Cinequest film festival. Lee will play Lucas, a good-looking but corrupt undercover police agent. A highly complex character who is peculiarly obsessed with the neatness of his hair, he is torn between the wish to do the right thing, his feelings towards Gina, and his natural, violent and cynical instincts.
Lee will co-star with Hyena Kim, 25, a rising star from Korea whose credits includes over a half a dozen Korean films including 'Flower Island' (2001) and 'Into the Mirror' (2003). The co-stars will shoot the first part of 'Fireflies' in LA from April 3, 2006 for about two weeks.