By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter

The economic crisis is chilling the winter weather, but South Korea's first stock market movie ''The Scam'' is expected to turn the temperature up a notch.

A hotel ballroom was crowded with over 300 reporters in Seoul Tuesday for the appearance of top Korean talent, including hallyu star Park Yong-ha. He plays the role of a jobless, self-taught trader who hits the jackpot. But little did he know he disrupted a big stock market scam led by a gangster trying to reinvent himself as a financial mogul (Park Heui-soon).

''I mostly played suave roles in melodramas, so I was drawn to my disheveled, desperate character. Also, the script was so gripping, despite my zero knowledge of stocks,'' said the ''On Air'' star, who is also a popular singer in Japan. He sported a semi casual look with a crisp white T-shirt and gray suit. The 31-year-old plays his first prominent film role ever since starring in an obscure project 10 years ago (''When It Snows on Christmas'') and a supporting role in ''Again.''

Continuing the recent Korean film industry trend, the crime story is written and directed by another newcomer, Lee Ho-jae. ''I focused on characters to express the human desire for money. I tried my best to make a truly entertaining film rather than a futile one ― only possible in fiction,'' the director told reporters.

Park appears opposite charismatic actor Park Heui-soon, screen beauty Kim Min-jung and musical star Kim Mu-yeol. In the movie, the four form a dream team to pull off a 60 billion won scam.

''Before, my co-star was a 'world star' (Kim Yun-jin) and this time it was a hallyu star (Park Yong-ha),'' said Park Heui-soon, the critically acclaimed actor of ''Seven Days,'' drawing laughter from the crowd. ''I wondered how he would approach me. But he came to me first, and said 'I wish we can become close' over a bottle of soju,'' said the actor, imitating his co-star's voice in a babyish way.

Kim, looking sexy in a black keyhole dress, stars as a snobby private banker. The ''New Heart'' star said she was strongly attracted to her character's soft charisma, despite her wish to avoid playing another conceited professional.

Kim Mu-yeol, who plays the character who is the brains behind the scam squad, expressed nervousness about his screen debut but appeared confident before the press in his edgy, double-breasted jacket.

''The Scam'' is slated for release Feb. 12 and is distributed by Showbox/Mediaplex.

hyowlee@koreatimes.co.kr