• From left: So Ji-sub, Song Joong-ki, Ryu Seung-wan, Lee Jung-hyun and Hwang Jung-min.

From left: So Ji-sub, Song Joong-ki, Ryu Seung-wan, Lee Jung-hyun and Hwang Jung-min. (Photo : Facebook/Movie Battleship Island)

Song Joong-Ki, 30, will enjoy a reprieve from his on-going "Asian Fan Meeting Tour" on account of his dedication to film "Battleship Island." Most recent reports claimed that the highly anticipated period film, which also stars Hwang Jung Min, So Ji Sub and Lee Jung Hyun, has been shooting completely under the radar.

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On June 23, CJ Entertainment confirmed to Soompi, saying, "We started filming on June 17 at Chungju in North Chungcheong province, beginning with the scene where Lee Kang Ok, played by Hwang Jung Min, is begging to be given a job in Japan."

In "Battleship Island," Song will play as a member of the North Korean Independence Group, Park Moo Young, who sneak into the island in an attempt to spare his colleagues named Yoon Chul. For the role, Song will have to undergo a stunning transformation by means of shaving his hair bald. He is currently going on a strict diet to make his body shape fit the character, as well.

The film will benefit from the creativity of acclaimed filmmaker Ryu Seung Wan, whose previous projects include the 2015 action-crime film called "Veteran." Set amid the Japanese colonial era, the forthcoming film recounts the concealed story of how 400 Joseon people wager their lives in an endeavor to escape the 6.3-hectare Hashisma Island, wherein they were coercively displaced.

Recently, Hwang, 45, spouted on his excitement about the project, considering that the film marks the second time the actor will be working with director Ryu. He also hopes that the film will end smoothly, stating that it is a big project. In the film, Hwang plays the role of a hotel bandmaster, Lee Kang Ok, who believed he was being sent to Japan, but rather was misled and sent to the island.

"I'm happy because the first filming went smoothly, similar to flowing water," director Ryu said. "It'll most likely become difficult, but I believe that we will continue making good progress moving forward."

As previously reported, So Ji Sub will transform into Gyeongseong's best contender, Choi Chil Sung, who brought peace to the entire Jongno region. Adding on, singer-actress Lee Jung Hyun, 36, has been cast to take on the role of a Joseon woman, Mal Yeon, who was held as a sex slave for the Japanese army while aboard the said island, The Kpop Buddy has learned.

Much to the delight of fans, the film's first promotional poster was widely circulated on Twitter. "Battleship Island" is scheduled to be released in theaters across South Korea in early 2017.

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