Actress Haruka Ayase, right, in new film “My girlfriend is a cyborg.” (c) Film Partners.

Haruka Ayase turns into cyborg

Friday 18th April, 06:01 AM JST

TOKYO —

Actress Haruka Ayase, 23, gets to beat up guys in her new film, “My Girlfriend Is a Cyborg.” In the film, directed by South Korean Kwak Jae-Yong, 48, and co-starring Keisuke Koide, 24,, Ayase plays a female cyborg who becomes Koide’s girlfriend. “Because I don’t have an opportunity to punch men, I enjoyed doing it during production,” Ayase said.

Working with Kwak was a challenge since they don’t speak each other’s languages. “Mr Kwak taught me acting through gestures and facial emotions,” Ayase said.

Asked about his Japanese stars, Kwak said, “Just before starting this film, I was disappointed by a film made by Korean actors and a foreign director. So I was nervous about the communication between cast and crew. Fortunately, everybody on this film gave it their utmost and I really appreciated it.”

The film will be released in Japan on May 31 and is scheduled to be shown in 10 Asian countries.

› Login to comment

12 Comments

longtalllm at 09:48 AM JST - 18th April

KWAK!

I just couldn't help myself....
muchogrande at 10:19 AM JST - 18th April

Mr Kwak is truly a visionary. His direction with actors and the themes he addresses in this film make him one of the leading names in cinema today.
rjd_jr at 01:59 PM JST - 18th April

Sounds like an interesting movie for sure.
lipscombe at 09:26 PM JST - 18th April

a Golden Bear winner for sure
northlondon at 02:43 AM JST - 19th April

I remember seeing Ayase for the first time about 7 years ago. It was in a mens fashion magazine and she was doing the gravure idol thing in a bikini. Is it seriously a natural career path to go from taking your clothes off for magazines to becoming a TV star actor and movie actor without attending drama school ?? “Mr Kwak taught me acting through gestures and facial emotions,” I bet this film is rubbish.
rjd_jr at 06:11 AM JST - 19th April

Northlondon, it is a natural career progression regardless of what country you go to. Look at any big name hollywood actress, Katherine Heigl, Charlize Theron, they had to pay their dues by being naked or pose in skimpy outfits and the like. They weren't discovered through drama school, they didn't even attend any sort of acting school. Looks and sexual appeal get you roles in Hollywood, not drama school or "talent."
Pukey2 at 09:04 AM JST - 19th April

But there are people in Hollywood who received training at drama schools and many are well-respected actors. I just don't see that sort of thing in popular Japanese movies. The really good Japanese movies (which can sometimes win international awards) usually just aren't popular at home (until they win).

I was disappointed by a film made by Korean actors and a foreign director.

I take that to be a badly-translated phrase. I have no idea what it means.
northlondon at 03:50 PM JST - 19th April

rjd_jr,

“Mr Kwak taught me acting through gestures and facial emotions,”

I'll look forward to the rjd_jr Film Guide 2008. The difference being that in Japan it is a real rarity to find a big name actress who has actually attended drama school. But if you're satisfied watching movies starring attractive bimbos then that's just great for you...
DenshaDeGO at 11:21 PM JST - 19th April

“Because I don’t have an opportunity to punch men, I enjoyed doing it during production,” Ayase said.

No one's scared by this?
lipscombe at 02:59 AM JST - 20th April

its better than just great, its good for them! they look so talented and beautiful!
curlygene at 03:57 PM JST - 24th April

So what did Kwak say to the actors? Duck!
curlygene at 04:04 PM JST - 24th April

Pukey2,

I was disappointed by a film made by Korean actors and a foreign director.

I don't think we can blame the translator for this one. I think the director means that he'd seen a movie made under similar circumstances to his own, and was worried that the language gap, and maybe also culture gap would make for a poor movie.