A Verdict At The Box Office? How Will Park Shi Hoo's Film Fare In Japan?

Although Park Shi Hoo's career is on hold in Korea, he is moving forward as planned with the premiere of his award-winning new film in Japan.

His film, "I Am A Killer," known in Japan as "Confession of Murder," is due to open June 1.

"Confession of a Murder" is about a beautiful and cunning serial killer, Lee Doo Seok. He evades capture for 15 years. Once the statute of limitations passes, he writes a successful biography about his crime. The biography makes him a star and earns him enough money to enjoy a lavish lifestyle. He publicly asks for forgiveness but secretly enjoys the reason for his fame. Jung Jae Young plays Choi Hyeong Goo, the detective who cannot abandon the case, even though he is technically powerless to pursue it. His determination to bring the killer to justice amuses Lee Doo Seok and the games between them begin.

The film won the Thriller Award at the 2013 Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival, as well as an award for the best screenplay at the 2013 Baeksang Arts Awards in May.

It is not known whether Park Shi Hoo will make personal appearances to promote the film in Japan. At the resolution of his recent legal difficulties, his entertainment agency said he would suspend all domestic and overseas activities to remain at home.

His legal difficulties began in February. The case involved an accusation by a trainee actress known as "A," who insisted that he sexually assaulted her. He asserted that relations between them were consensual. The case resulted in an indictment and several lawsuits, before the actress suddenly withdrew her charges. Some of the lawsuits were dropped, while others are still pending.

Three major Korean television networks have said they would not ban Park Shi Woo but the publicity from the case has negatively affected his career. His name was withdrawn from the Baeksang Awards while the case was pending although he had not yet been found guilty of any crime.

His fans worry that his name will always be associated with the crime and that his career has been permanently derailed. Before the scandal, Park Shi Hoo was voted the number one favorite Hallyu star in online Japanese polls. He is also popular in China and Taiwan.

Park Shi Hoo co-starred in the recent drama "Cheomdamdong Alice" with Moon Geun Young, in "Prosecutor Princess" with Kim So Yeon and "The Princess' Man" with Moon Chae Won. He won several acting awards. The box office response to his film's opening in Japan may provide a clue as to how seriously the case will affect his career prospects.