America.. Here comes Daniel Henney

Staff Writer: Luke Stier (www.thedailynews.cc)


A Carson City native's face soon will fill movie screens across America for the first time.

South Korean actor and model Daniel Henney is coming to the United States in a big way, starring in the fourth installment of the popular "X-Men" film series.

The movie "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" is being shot right now and is slated to open in theaters on May 1, 2009. Henney, 28, will portray David North, known as "Agent Zero," in his American film debut.

He'll be starring along with several other big movie and television names in the 20th Century Fox production. Hollywood star Hugh Jackman will play Wolverine, as he has in other "X-Men" films, while Dominic Monaghan, star of ABC Television's "Lost," will play the mutant "Beak."

Carson City

Henney had humble beginnings growing up in Carson City.

The son of Phillip and Christine Henney, he was a standout boys basketball player before graduating from Carson City-Crystal High School in 1998.

That was only 10 years ago.

"It doesn't seem like it was that long ago when (Daily News Sports Editor) John Raffel was coming over to Carson City to interview me regarding a basketball season," Henney said from his home in Seoul, South Korea, this week. "Yeah, it's been a wild ride, that's for sure."

He said he wouldn't change a thing about the way he grew up.

"I definitely do believe that growing up in the Midwest in an area like Carson City was a real blessing for me," Henney said. "I grew up in a wonderful area, surrounded by simplicity and great people.

"Whenever I meet people from Michigan when I'm traveling or working around the world, they always seem to have a strong sense of who they are and a great energy about them," he said. "I love that and I'm very proud of where I come from."

Henney admitted that maybe he would change one thing.

"I don't miss the winter driving," said Henney. "Seriously, it feels like winter is getting longer in Michigan, doesn't it?"

Rise to stardom

Henney has starred with NBA and Los Angeles Lakers standout Kobe Bryant on television and has modeled with actress Gwyneth Paltrow in Bean Pole International advertisements.

His first movie was the 2006 South Korean romantic comedy "Seducing Mr. Robin." In it Henney played Robin Heiden, who falls in love with Min Joon, played by Uhm Jung-hwa.

In 2005 he was chosen as the Best Actor during a South Korean poll of 38,314 teenagers on the Web site www.puppyred.com. Henney followed that up by being named Best Dressed and Best Newcomer at the MBC Comedy Awards show later that year.

His most recent breakout film was in last year's "My Father," which topped the South Korean box offices during its first week out. Henney starred as James Parker, a United States armed forces volunteer in South Korea who found his father on death row while searching for his biological parents and discovered more and more about his father's life as the truth was unveiled.

Last November, during the 28th annual Blue Dragon Awards at the National Theater in Seoul, Henney won the Best New Actor award for his role in "My Father."

"There's lots of wonderful work being done in Europe and Asia now," he said. "The film scene is really strong in Korea."

No privacy

Henney's success in South Korea has come at a price.

He said it is now hard for him to go out in public without becoming the center of everybody's attention.

"I miss the relaxed lifestyle and my family and friends," Henney said of no longer living in Carson City. "In high school I was always that kid who wanted to leave and experience everything the world had to offer. However, now when I do have the chance to come back home I really appreciate it."

And how about being the focus of all that attention?

"Being a public figure in Asia has given me so many great opportunities," said Henney. "There's also tons of responsibility and some sacrifice involved there. So when I'm back in Carson City now I love to go for walks, to the grocery store, play ball... That sounds cheesy but it's true."

"Proud parents"

How are Henney's parents handling his fame?

"When I went to Korea this last fall I was able to experience the actual sense of how everyone, of all ages, just loved him," his father explained. "What he has done for them, and how the fans loved Daniel, for what he is as a person before an actor, model or spokesperson."

"I kind of knew he was going in the right direction to become what he wanted when he called home from Korea to let us know he was going to be in a drama series, 'My Name Is Kim Sam-soon,'" said his mother. "Since then he has been spokesperson for Korea in many facets of organizations and has become one of Korea's icons."

The Carson City couple are beaming with joy over their son's accomplishments.

"Daniel had always made us proud parents because he has worked hard at anything he has wanted to do," Christine said. "I think he has seen us as parents work hard at what we have done and become, which has been a great example of a child being raised with good morals, parent support and encouragement on anything he might want to try.

"As parents of Daniel we would be proud of anything that he would want to pursue," she said. "We have always stood behind any goals, careers and desires that he would like to attempt. Our support for him goes toward anything he has tried."

"X-Men"

Henney landed a part in one of the most successful movie franchises of the past decade by being in the right place at the right time.

"I was in Los Angeles at the time having some meetings and finalizing details regarding upcoming work in the States," he recalled. "There wasn't much happening in terms of new scripts because the writers' strike was still in effect at that time.

"I went up to Malibu (Calif.) one day hiking or something and on the way back I was stuck in traffic," Henney said. "I received a very exciting call from my manager saying that we had to meet with Fox the next day for a meeting regarding 'X-Men.'

"The next day we went to Fox studios and had a meeting with the head of casting there," he said. "We sat down and she explained the basic premise of the film to me. I had no idea at this point that the director, producers, including Hugh Jackman, and executives at Fox had already made a decision on me. They had somehow seen some of my past films and thought I'd be right for the role.

"So after having all that explained to me, and four coffees later, she said that the role was mine if I wanted it," said Henney.

Off to New Zealand

Saying yes to "X-Men" wasn't a tough decision for Henney.

"I then rushed back to my hotel, tore through the script, made a few phone calls to rearrange my schedule and called them back and happily accepted the role," he said.

Four days later he was on a plane to New Zealand to begin shooting the film.

Filming of "X-Men" began in January and is expected to last through May. While Henney currently is back in South Korea on business, he is scheduled to head to Sydney, Australia, on Wednesday to resume shooting "X-Men."

Breaking into Hollywood

"X-Men" wasn't the first opportunity Henney had to do an American film.

"We had been offered roles in the past. However, they never seemed to be exactly what I was looking for," he said. "It was very important for me to find a role that wasn't race specific and had a great supporting cast as well."

While the previous offers weren't right, Henney said "X-Men" was "perfect" for him.

He realizes he has been blessed with the opportunities in his young life.

"I have been very lucky and my timing has been great as well," Henney said. "I find myself shaking my head all the time at the profoundness of my life.

"Growing up in Carson City it always felt absurd to think that I could work in Hollywood one day," he said. "It was always in the back of my mind but it only became a reality a few years ago. I've always kept goals in my head and as extreme as they've been they've always been reachable. I think that's helped along the way."

Henney is excited that those who know him in Carson City soon will be able to see him in action on the big screen.

"I've been working in film for three years now and it does feel great to know that my friends and family will finally be able to head to the local cinema and check out the film," he stated.

What's next?

Once filming wraps up for "X-Men Origins" in May, Henney isn't sure what lies ahead.

In fact, he's not even certain where he wants to continue his career.

"I'm not sure," Henney said. "I guess it depends on the scripts that come my way. I've always cared more about the quality of the work as opposed to where it takes place. Of course I would love to continue to do films in Hollywood after this, providing there is a good project that comes along. So I guess we'll have to wait and see."

His parents are among those waiting to see what's next.

"It's anyone's guess," Phillip said. "He is like a rocket on a launch pad, nothing but upward. He is going to reach his goal no matter how many obstacles there are. Each obstacle is just a learning experience to pursue the goal in a positive direction.

"For example, he played basketball out in our driveway in zero-degree temperatures, just to improve his basketball skills to become the best for his team and for himself," he said.

Christine said she would like to "have him back in the country and not so far away."

However, "no matter what direction this might take him, we will always be proud of him and continue to support him as we have already done," said his mother.





Daniel Henney Biography

Daniel’s father is an American of British (some say Irish) descent while her mother an American of Korean descent. He was a basketball player and attended colleges on scholarship; and admitted into University of Illinois at Chicago.

Daniel didn’t graduate from university though; he decided to quit his study and ventured into modelling in 2001 instead. He started modelling in Korea as well as some other Asian and European countries.

Daniel was already an established supermodel before making his acting debut in 2005… first in some cameo roles for “Hello Franceska”, before making his full debut with “My Lovely Sam Soon” the same year.

Sam Soon is the most popular Korean drama in 2005; although Daniel was starring as the supporting actor, his performance (and look) was widely notice.

Daniel then starred in another decent drama “Spring Waltz” in 2006; he also made his movie debut “Seducing Mr Perfect” but the movie didn’t perform very well on box office. His 2nd movie “My Father” (2007) did much better though.

Seducing Mr Perfect however revealed another of Daniel’s talent… singing. He sang the ending theme song together with Alex from boyband Clazziquai. I wouldn’t be surprised if Daniel managed to ink a recording deal and releases his album soon.