Think disaster films and Hollywood mega productions such as Deep Impact and Independence Day immediately spring to mind.

With the release of Haeundae: The Deadly Tsunami, South Korea can be proud that it has entered the ranks of such flicks, with a spectacular showcase of cutting-edge technology on the big screen.

It is the first Korean movie to feature special effects done by American CGI specialist Polygon Entertainment, the company behind the Star Wars series, as well as 2004's The Day After Tomorrow.

In an e-mail interview with The New Paper, the film's director JK Youn, who previously brought us the laugh-out-loud comedies Sex Is Zero (2000) and Miracle on 1st Street (2007), acknowledged the immense contribution by the Hollywood-based crew.

'It was a great mix of passion by filmmakers from both countries,' said the 41-year old director.

'The Americans' valuable experience helped us wrap up Haeundae successfully.'

He recalled one particular incident where he was extremely impressed with the US team's technical proficiency and speed.

'We were shooting a typhoon rescue scene in San Francisco and were in desperate need of an enormous water tank,' he said.

'Two elderly men, members of the Hollywood team, brought in huge metal sheets and started nailing them together, then covering the floors and walls with plastic.

'The water tank was built in just a matter of two days.'

It cost US$11 million ($15 million) for Haeundae to be produced - the biggest budget for any film in South Korea so far - and nearly three years to complete.

For lead actress Ha Ji-Won, 31, it was an unforgettable experience.

In an e-mail, she told The New Paper that she 'missed the film so much I cried after filming wrapped up'.

'Haeundae is the first of its kind in Korea, we haven't had disaster movies on such a scale before,' she added.

'It was challenging and fun at the same time, and ultimately pushed all of us to work harder.'

Ji-Won, a veteran in both television and film, is best remembered by audiences for her riveting performance as a cheerleader in Sex Is Zero.

She also sealed her title as Korea's 'horror queen' in the spooky Nightmare (2000) and Phone (2002).

With Haeundae, she breaks new ground, though it was certainly no walk in the park.

'To perfect the Pusan dialect that my character spoke, I took language lessons for three months,' she said.

'I also observed women working in Pusan sushi restaurants, to note down their mannerisms and the subtleties in the way they talk.'

InnoForm Media and Cathay-Keris Films, in conjunction with the Singapore Red Cross, are holding a charity screening of Haeundae this Saturday at 7.15pm at The Cathay Cineplex, to raise funds for the survivors of the recent tropical storm in the Philippines.

Tickets cost $15 each. All box-office proceeds will go to the relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts for the survivors.

For more details, call 6235 1155 or log on to www.cathay.com.sg.

Tan Kee Yun

G-CUP FOR MIRIAM

Hong Kong actress Miriam Yeung has upsized.

The 35-year-old, who has always had a modestly-sized chest, now boasts a whopping G-Cup, though only for her new movie directed by Pang Ho Cheung.

She recently put on falsies for her role as a well-endowed woman in the romance flick, Dating. The Hong Kong media reportedly saw Miriam - and her new bosom buddies - taking a romantic stroll with co-star Shawn Yue for a scene in the movie.

Filming was, however, hampered by a downpour. Though it is the first time Miriam and Shawn are working together, both seemed in good spirits and were seen talking and laughing.

KIMURA IN RANT

Japanese idol Takuya Kimura was reportedly so upset with actress Erika Sawajiri that he called her on her handphone to lecture her.

The two have been cast in leading roles in the 2 billion yen ($31 million) movie Space Battleship Yamato but Erika subsequently pulled out.

Movie posters and costumes had to be redone and the filming schedule was also affected. The role will now be played by Meisa Kuroki.

Takuya, 36, known to fans as KimuTaku, reportedly thought it was Erika's selfishness that created a ruckus on set that led to her leaving. He even called her to try to get her to apologise to the crew.

All he reportedly got was her voicemail box but he nevertheless went on with his lecture.

DRUN-KEN

Singer-actor Ken Chu, last seen on the big screen in 2007's mainland Chinese film The Tokyo Trial, recently turned up for work in a drunken state.

The incident was said to have caused his 41/2-year relationship with fellow Taiwanese actress Kelly Lin, 33, to sour further.

Things are already not going well for the couple, as they are said to have postponed their wedding indefinitely.

Ken was said to have turned up on the set of his new TV drama Peach Little Girl looking drunk and totally uncooperative, which angered Kelly.

A regular cast member of director Johnnie To's films, such as Triangle and Sparrow, Kelly's star has been shining in the past few years, whereas Ken's fortunes have dipped.

RED EAGLE ANANDA?

Dashing Laos-Australian actor Ananda Everingham, 27, a household name in Thailand, recently did a marathon autograph-signing session for his fans at the 39th death anniversary of Thai film star Mitr Chaibancha.

Mitr died on 8 Oct, 1970, while doing a stunt for the action movie Insee Tong. He is best remembered by Thai viewers for portraying the character Red Eagle in a series of classic films in the late 1950s.

And now, many of his diehard fans are hoping that Ananda will reprise the role in the latest big screen adaptation of the series.

The project is helmed by director Wisit Sasanatieng, whose western Tears Of The Black Tiger (2000) captured the retro spirit of Thai cinema's Golden Age.