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January 16, 2008
Song Kang-ho Named Best Actor at Palm Springs
By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter
Actor Song Kang-ho
Actor Song Kang-ho, who turns 41 on Jan. 17, received a memorable birthday present: His role in Lee Chang-dong's "Secret Sunshine" landed him the International Critics' Prize for Best Actor at the Palm Springs International Film Festival in California, the festival organizers announced Sunday.
Held for the 19th time, Jan. 1-14, Palm Springs is different from other festivals in that the International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI) judges the official entries for the Best Foreign Language Film in the upcoming Academy Awards.
It is a central event for showcasing foreign language films in the United States, and is considered to be one of the best marketing tools for the Academy Awards. This year, the jury had to watch over 50 works from around the world and among them was the story about a traumatized widow.
"Secret Sunshine" was on the world cinema map last year as its lead actress Jeon Do-yeon won a string of prizes including Best Actress at Cannes.
"One hopes, though, that similar consideration will be accorded her co-star, Song Kang-ho," wrote jury member Adam Nayman in the FIPRESCI Web site. While Song had swept major film awards in Korea with Jeon, he had been slightly overshadowed by the glory of his co-star, much like his obscure stalker/guardian character in the film.
Nayman noted, however, that the film's "big, frightening emotions require a compelling counterpoint to ward off melodrama. This spot can be located in Song's performance, an uncanny portrait not of passive-aggression, but rather a species with fewer cinematic precedents ― call it aggressive passivity."
Song, currently shooting his next work, was unable to attend the award ceremony.
The FIPRESCI Award for Best Foreign Language Film of the Year went to "Armin" from Croatia, directed by Ognjen Svilicic, and the award for Best Actress went to Anamaria Marinca and Laura Vasiliu for their roles in "4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days" from Romania, directed by Cristian Mungiu.
Apart from the three jury prizes, Palm Springs gives out various awards chosen by the audience and special mentions to stars.
Song's recent filmography includes the critically acclaimed crime story "The Show Must Go On" (2007) and "The Host" (2005), one of Korea's biggest grossing films. The actor will appear opposite Lee Byung-hun and Jung Woo-sung in the Korean-style Western movie "The Good, the Bad, the Weird" by Kim Jee-won, due for release this summer.
Credits: [email protected]
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/ ... 8/01/139_17430.html |
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January 16, 2008
'August's' Success in Korea Surprises US Producer
By Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Staff Reporter
Freddie Highmore in a scene from "August Rush"
How did a musical film about an orphan boy become a hit in Korea? It is still a question that puzzles even Richard Lewis, founder and chief executive officer of Southpaw Entertainment, who came up with the original idea for "August Rush."
In a telephone interview with The Korea Times, Lewis said he was pleased with the strong box office showing of "August Rush" in Korea. The film has earned 2.5 billion won at the Korean box office since it opened in November.
Lewis is a seasoned Hollywood producer, having produced hit films including "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves" and "Backdraft," as well as several TV shows. But "August Rush" is a film that he created and produced through his company, outside the Hollywood studio system.
It was the birth of Lewis' son that sparked inspiration for the story of "August Rush." The music of Oscar-winning composers Hans Zimmer and Mark Mancina was playing when his son was born, and his son appeared to be enjoying the music. This prompted the doctor to remark: "it looks like your kid is going to be a conductor."
When he was a child, he also fell in love with the classic Charles Dickens story "Oliver Twist." In "August Rush,' Evan Taylor (played by Freddie Highmore) is an orphaned musical prodigy who brings his parents together through music.
Lewis worked with director Kirsten Sheridan and assembled a talented cast composed of Robin Williams, Jonathan Rhys Myers, Keri Russell and Terrence Howard. Mancina composed the music for the film.
While planning the film, Lewis met Miky Lee, vice-chairman of CJ Entertainment, through a mutual friend in Los Angeles. ``CJ Entertainment's role is very important. CJ was one of the first to invest in the film, even before Warner Brothers stepped in (to invest)," he said.
The Korean entertainment giant contributed 5 percent or $1.5 million to the film's $30 million budget. As part of the deal, CJ Entertainment has co-production credits and holds the domestic distribution rights for the film.
This turned out to be a good business move, as CJ Entertainment announced last week that it expects to earn 4 billion won in profits from the film, excluding its investment.
Lewis doesn't quite know what it was about "August Rush: that made it such a hit among Korean audiences. "Some were saying it was because of the classical music or the romantic story... But I would credit Lee's role in helping make the film, seeing how it worked well in Korea," he said.
Because of CJ Entertainment's involvement, small Korean roles were added in the film. Korean actress Ku Hye-sun and Epik High rapper Tablo appeared in cameo roles.
CJ Entertainment's CGV multiplex cinemas also contributed to the movie's success, as well as the marketing campaign on CJ cable television channels and M.net Media.
In contrast to the popularity of "August Rush" in Korea, the film's box office take in the U.S. was a modest $32 million to $35 million. The film opens in Japan, Australia, France and South America later this year.
Sales of the soundtrack are also doing very well in the U.S. and Korea. Based on the figures from the Recording Industry of Korea, "August Rush" soundtrack was the second best-selling foreign album in December.
Lewis' Southpaw Entertainment has several projects in the pipeline. He said he would love to work with CJ Entertainment again, and has already sent them scripts for consideration. "CJ is a great partner. I'm hoping to work with them again," he said.
Credits: [email protected]
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2008/01/135_17427.html |
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January 16, 2008
MBC抯 New Sitcom: 'Kokkiri'
By Kwon Mee-yoo
Staff Reporter
Cast members of MBC new sitcom "Kokkiri"
MBC will air a new sitcom named "Kokkiri" from Jan. 21.
While the title of the sitcom, "Kokkiri" means elephant in Korean, however, this is not a sitcom about elephants. Breaking down the word "Ko" means nose in Korean and "kkiri" means together, and the show depicts the lives of a group of characters in the sitcom having nicknames ending with "ko."
Kwon Hae-hyo plays Guk Yeong-su (Psy"ko"), a high school Korean language teacher. He is on bad terms with Ju Bok-man (Gae"ko"), played by Lee Byeong-jun, a high school student in his 40s and the landlord.
Ju's two sons and Guk's three daughters also live in Ju's house, and everyone becomes involved in various incidents and relationships, including romance.
Comedian-turned-actor Kim Kuk-jin will play a jobless tenant living in Ju's attic. His roommate, Ju's younger brother, played by Moon Se-yun, is a man of misfortune.
Joo Hyun and Kim Chang-sook, parents of the Ju brothers, will depict the life and loves of the aged.
"With this unique 'ko' characters, 'Kokkiri' will move the audience to laughter, especially focusing on paternal love," said Lee Min-ho, director of the sitcom, at a press conference.
MBC revived daily sitcoms in 2006 with "High Kick!" The sitcom was a phenomenal hit recording more than 25 percent ratings. Lee Soon-jae, who played the stern-looking but funny grandfather, won the 2007 MBC Entertainment Award.
However, the next sitcom, "Kimchi, Cheese, Smile," which closes Friday, did not get the ratings of its predecessor. Some sitcom buffs loved "Kimchi" but the average ratings were much lower than "High Kick!"
"Kokkiri" will start airing at 8:20 p.m. from Monday to Friday.
Credits: [email protected]
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2008/01/201_17428.html |
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January 16, 2008
Actor Lee Sung Jae cast as title role of drama "Shirasoni"
Actor Lee Sung Jae will play the role of the legendary fighter Shirasoni (Lee Sung Soon).
According to his agency on the 16th, "Lee Sung Jae has signed on to star in the 52-episode series 'Shirasoni' with Ibon Entertainment."
This series will be written by Lee Hwan Kyung who also wrote "The Ag of Heroes," and directed by PD Jang Hyung Il who worked on "Rustic Period," "Jang Gil San," and others. On location filming in China is also being discussed.
Shirasoni is a legendary fighter that was active on the Korean peninsula and in China during the Japanese colonial period. He also was involved in politics after Korea's independence supporting Shin Ik Hee, Cho Byung Ohk, and others, and passed away in 1983.
Lee Sung Jae starred in the movie "Daisy" amongst many others, and starred in the drama series "Stranger than Paradise" in 2006.
Source: Broasia.com
http://www.broasia.com/lwboard/l ... amp;pg=1&no=448 |
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Jang Hyuk's wedding will be held on 6/2
Jan 15, 2008
Jang Hyuk (장혁, 31)'s wedding will be held on 6/2.
The bride-to-be is Kim Yu Jin (김여진, 33) who is two years older than JH.
They met in 2002 when JH learned Pilates dance from Kim Yu Jin .
After they have been dating for 5 years, they were engaged in June of 2007.
Currently Kim Yu Jin is 8-month pregnant with JH's baby, and the baby will be due in February.
They name the baby "Tae Hee (태희)".
JH's new drama "Gang of Robbers (불한당)" is aired by SBS on Wednesday and Thursday.
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Popular singer Rain joins oil spill cleanup
Jan. 17, SEOUL, South Korea -- South Korean pop idol Rain scrubs oil of a rock on a beach in Taean on the west coast, on Jan. 16. A massive oil spill has polluted nearby beaches and ports since Dec. 7. (Photo courtesy of Taean County) (Yonhap)(END)
Source: Yonhap News
http://app.yonhapnews.co.kr/YNA/ ... ticlePhotoMain.aspx |
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January 17, 2008
Tough life for lothario with too many lovers
Hwang Jung-min is mobbed by beautiful women
in the musical 揘ine. |
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January 17, 2008
Rain Donates to Taean Cleanup
By Kwon Mee-yoo
Staff Reporter
Rain helps cleanup at a beach
in Taean, South Chungcheong Province, Wednesday. / Yonhap
Korean top singer and actor Rain participated in volunteer work and donated 300 million won towards the Taean oil spill cleanup.
Rain visited Taean, South Chungcheong Province, to help clean up after one of the worst oil spill disasters with staff from his agency on Wednesday. Despite the freezing weather, Rain worked hard to remove oil from the beach.
After volunteering at the scene, he donated 300 million won for the clean-up efforts in Taean on Thursday.
The singer-actor recently came back to Korea from Los Angeles where he had been shooting his first Hollywood movie "Speed Racer," the latest work of the Wachowski brothers. The volunteer work was his first public appearance this year.
J Tune Entertainment, Rain's management agency, said that Rain originally wanted to keep his volunteer work a secret. However, the number of volunteers coming to Taean is on the decrease and the provincial government asked him to publicize his work to encourage more people to help Taean.
According to the South Chungcheong provincial government, approximately 1.1 million volunteers visited Taean after the country's largest-ever oil spill about a month ago.
Rain recently signed a one-year contract with Samsung Electronics for modeling for Samsung Anycall's advertising campaign for the Beijing Olympics. His Hollywood debut, "Speed Racer" will be released in May.
Credits: [email protected]
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/ ... 8/01/139_17521.html |
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January 17, 2008
Moviegoers in their 30s wield box-office power
Thirty-somethings have not traditionally been major players in the Korean film industry. The driving force in terms of box-office demographics has always been those in their 20s. But this has been changing in recent months, and film promoters are taking notice.
Those in their 30s have bigger pockets than their younger counterparts, but their artistic taste is not so removed from mainstream moviegoers. In fact, today's 30-year-olds have nurtured their visual edge by avidly consuming movies when they were younger. Now, armed with better economic power and mature views about filmmaking, Korean audiences in their 30s are regarded as a key segment when it comes to box-office revenue.
The most visible trait of 30-year-olds is their preference for thought-provoking flicks such as "May 18," "August Rush" and "Lust, Caution." These films depart from the industry's traditional moneymaking machines that rely solely on the youth factor.
At the height of the Korean film boom, which peaked a couple of years ago and is now facing a slew of ominous signs, twenty-something stories like "My Sassy Girl" were regarded as the one and only bracket that could pull in sizable revenues for filmmakers.
Regardless of market-brackets, however, so-called teen and twenty-something-oriented films are being pushed to the sidelines. Instead, topics and subjects are increasingly geared toward the 30-year-olds or older, reflecting diverse interests and tendencies to watch serious films for pure artistic pleasure. The shift also demonstrates the weakened financial position of twenty-somethings at a time when movie theaters are slashing ticket discounts.
But it could also be a simple sign of demographics. As the bulk of Korea's population gets older, so will their financial clout.
Younger audiences used to rely on hefty ticket discounts provided by the country's three mobile carriers. The discounts fueled the growth of the local film industry, but theaters pulled the plug on the discount policy to reduce marketing costs and secure bigger net profits.
Such discounts are still available through credit card companies, but the requirements have become more stringent. Credit card holders should spend a certain amount of money on a monthly basis to get discounts, something that is not so appealing to some twenty-somethings, some of whom do not have a steady income.
The stubbornly high unemployment rate of younger jobseekers is also a factor. One of the buzzwords for describing Korean youth is the "880,000-won generation," referring to those who have a temporary job and live with a meager salary without solid job security.
Those in their 30s have more disposable income. "Married couples in their 30s select films on their own initiative and often go a step further to recommend what they believe to be good movies for the entire family. This trend is also indicative of the thirty-somethings' sophisticated taste in movies, and their growing box-office power," said Cho Ok-kyung, a film marketing specialist.
A case in point is that 30-year-olds played a key role in boosting the ticket revenues of "May 18," a drama depicting the tragic Gwangju incident that is hardly easy-viewing for younger demographics. "The general consensus was that those in their 20s watch movies a lot, and this is still true to some extent, but what has changed is that a growing number of those in their 30s are coming to theaters and speaking up," said an official at Youngwhain, a film marketing firm which promoted "May 18" last year.
"May 18" ranked No. 2 in the box-office in 2007, thanks largely to the strong sales of group tickets targeting companies that were willing to pay for workers' entertainment costs.
"Lust, Caution," a Chinese film known for its graphic depiction of sex, also benefited from the strong response from thirty-something audiences. According to All That Cinema, which promoted the movie late last year, their marketing targeted websites and online communities frequented by women in their 30s, and the strategy paid off nicely. The film drew about 2 million people.
"August Rush," a family music drama, sold some 2 million tickets.
But the most crucial age segment for theaters still remains the same: those aged 25 to 29, according to CJ CGV, one of the country's three major multiplex chains. CJ said the 30-34 age group ranks No. 2, and its influence is growing at a steady pace.
By Yang Sung-jin ([email protected])
http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/ |
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January 16, 2008
Watchdog warns multiplex theaters on unfair trade
SEOUL, Jan. 16 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's corporate watchdog said Wednesday it has issued an order for corrective measures to be taken against multiplex theaters in Seoul for a range of unfair practices toward film distributors.
CJ CGV Co., Lotte Cinema and two other multiplex operators were found to have "misused their dominant business position" between 2004 and 2007 by unilaterally canceling screenings of films with low moviegoer turnouts within a period of less than one week, the Fair Trade Commission said.
Source: Yonhap News
http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/ ... 80116007600320.HTML |
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January 10, 2008
One after another, the news of stars' pregnancy-delivery follows
While recent 2 years had been ever so busy with many top stars' marriage, the news of their pregnancy and delivery are coming one after another.
First of all, Yeom Jeong-ah gave birth to a 3.5kg daughter by a natural childbirth in Hosan Hosipital at Shin-sa-dong, Kang-nam-gu, Seoul. Yeom Jeong-ah left hospital on 6th and is taking postpartum care at home. She got married to President Hu Il of Seoul Chung-dam Hospital on 30th December 2006.
Actor Lee Hye-eun is 6 months pregnant with her first child in 6 years of marriage and is shooting her drama at the moment. Lee Hye-eun's manage said, "We knew about the news when she was 3 months pregnant. She was careful not to tell the press about her pregnancy because it is her first child in 6 years of marriage. And she was worried that the news may interrupt her from shooting her drama". Her child is due this April. Recently, Lee Hye-eun appears as Keuk-soon, a friend of female protagonist, Dong-hee (Kim Yoon-kyung) in SBS morning drama, "But Like".
Actor Park Sang-ah got married to former president of Korea, Jeon Du-hwan's second son, Jeon Jae-yong on 19th July, 2007. She secretly came back to Korea after spending 4 year in America, to get married to Jeon Jae-yong in July. Recently she is pregnant with her second child. The couple already has a 20 months old daughter, Hye-hyeon. At the moment, Park Sang-ah is living in an apartment in Sang-sung-dong, Soeul.
The male actors are also becoming a father one after another.
A top star, Jang Hyeok (31) made a surprise announcement of his marriage on 2nd June. Jang Hyeok secretly engaged in June last year and is becoming a father this February. Jang Hyeok's future wife, Kim Yeo-jin (33) is 2 years older than him. The couple had been developing their relationship ever since 2002 and was engaged in June last year. Kim Yeo-jin is 8 months pregnant with the child and the couple is expecting their baby on February, 2008.
The actor Yoon Da-hoon is also becoming a father in upcoming September. He said, "Recently, my wife diagnosed with 6 weeks pregnancy at the hospital. I will be a father in upcoming September. I'm so happy and excited by the news". Yoon Da-hoon married 11-years-younger Nam Yoon-jung on 7th May 2007.
Highlight & translation credits to http://www.hancinema.net/jump.php?id=12121
Original article at http://kr.news.yahoo.com/service ... 20080110082706338e7 |
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January 17, 2008
Actor Song Gang-ho Wins Best Actor Award
Actor Song Gang-ho received the FIRESCI Award for Best Male Actor for his performance in 'Secret Sunshine' at the 2008 Palm Springs Film Festival held in California in the United States.
The Palm Springs Film Festival is a major U.S. film festival which was first held in 1990. FIRESCI, a federation of film critics, chooses the award recipients each year.
The Best Actress Award was given to Anamaria Marinca and Laura Vasiliu while the Best Foreign Film Award went to Croatia's 'Armin.'
Source: KBS Global
http://english.kbs.co.kr/mconten ... /1502249_11692.html |
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January 15, 2008
Lee Yoo-jin, "I have a boyfriend, whom I dated for 3 months"
Lee Yoo-jin, who made 3 years gap in showbiz after confessing she is of mixed blood, made a surprise announcement about her boyfriend. After making her comeback as a host in ETN "Manuel on Male Minds", she appeared in "Park Chul Show" on 11th and revealed, "I have a boyfriend, whom I dated for 3 months".
About her boyfriend, Lee Yoo-jin said, "He is the 1978-er business person whose firm life philosophy and simple living pattern made a good impression on me when we first met. We are happy to be a company of each other's presence". In addition she said, "My boyfriend hardly spends much time watching TV. He didn't know I was an actor when we first met".
Moreover, the spokesman from "Park Chul Show" said, "Lee Yoo-jin was honest about her painful past 3 years talking about the prejudice against her mixed origin and misunderstanding about drunken assault she was claimed to commit".
Meanwhile, Lee Yoo-jin's comeback show, "Manuel on Male Minds" is ETN's new program for January reorganisation period. Actor Kim Ah-joong is appointed as a model in this self-made program.
Highlight & translated by http://www.hancinema.net/news_0.php
Original article at http://news.empas.com/show.tsp/20080115n20461 |
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January 15, 2008
Yoon Eun-hye went to New York
The photos of Yoon Eun-hye, which were taken while she was at New York, were released. Already these pictures became a hot topic among the public.
The account of Yoon Eun-hye's visit in New York will be broadcast on a cable channel and is already gaining a huge interest from the public. The photos show Yoon Eun-hye's typical cuteness and vivacity, who went to New York with her best friend.
In her pictures, she maintained simple but stylist attires. While she displayed a sophisticate look with glasses and a camera in her hand, taking photos of New York; the photos of her jogging in short and hood T-shirt and play with a dog she met on the way reminds us of Eun-chan from her latest drama, "Coffee Prince".
Many are envious of Yoon Eun-hye's long holiday in New York where she enjoying visiting various museums, restaurants and shopping streets.
She now has longer hair and looks more feminine than how she was in "Coffee Prince". She keeps getting prettier every time we look at her. I'm sure other women would like to know the secrets behind her increasing beauty.
Highlight & translated by http://www.hancinema.net/index.php
Original article at http://news.empas.com/show.tsp/20080115n09218 |
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January 16, 2008
Gong Yoo makes a formal deep bow to say goodbye to his fans, "I won't be long"
The 'precious man' from "Coffee Prince", Gong Yoo entered the military service on 14th.
On 14th, the front gate of Chung-nam Non-san Military training center was flooded with 300 fans and a number of TV crews who came to see Gong Yoo off. Despite the cold temperature below zero, the fans came from all over the country and waited for his arrival from dawn. And about 100 middle-aged female fans have come from Japan, showing his rising popularity among Asian countries.
Gong Yoo seemed to be awkward with his short hair, keeping touching it with shy smile. He said, "I feel light-hearted, though I'm quite embarrassed to enter the military service at such late age. I worried a lot about today, but this morning I just felt so light-hearted and free. I will enjoy the next 2 years as if I'm shooing a blockbuster movie. I just hope the war wouldn't breakout while I'm at it".
Then he walked to his fan and made a formal deep bow to them saying the last good bye. Thereupon the 300 fans became tearful and Goog Yoo was close to tears also but kept smiled until the end. In his final statement, he said, "I'd like thank those who showed such huge interest and affection toward "Coffee Prince" and I also like to recognise a big thank you to all my fans who loved me so much until now. Thanks you so much. I won't be long. Don't worry about me. I wish the world become more beautiful place after 2 years". And then he entered the training center.
After 5 weeks of basic military training, Gong Yoo will be serving in the military for next 2 years.
Highlight & translated by http://www.hancinema.net/index.php
Original article & video at http://news.naver.com/main/hotis ... &aid=0000095847 |
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January 15, 2008
How did Kim Tae-hee |
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January 16, 2008
"Goodbye Jeon Ji-hyeon", Song Hye-kyo became the next main model for Laneige
Top star, Song Hye-kyo became the face of Laneige in 2008 after the 'CF Queen', Jeon Ji-hyeon.
The 'No.1 Beauty' Jeon Ji-hyeon brought a rapid success to Laneige when she worked as their main model for last 4 years from January 2004. As the main model for 'Laneige' (Open the link), Jeon Ji-hyeon brought out various aspects of her beauty from purity to sexy while appealed to the audience with her friendly image. She maximised the image of "The woman to be followed".
Laneige released a new make-up set called 'Snow Crystal' last year to promote a reformation. Its spokesman said, "In order to change our present image and to successfully launch a new marketing scheme as a "Young Premium Brand" we decided to change our main model".
The experts explained that if the "Perfect body" Jeon Ji-hyeon attracted the consumers with her mystic atmosphere, the attractive point for "Doll-faced" Song Hye-kyo is her milky-white skin and enchanting eyes, the best features for a beauty model. In addition, "Recently, Song Hye-kyo looks more sophisticated and chic, closely matching with the image the Laneige wishes to promote. She will attract many Asian women who wish to be like her".
Meanwhile, Song Hye-kyo completed the first set of photo shoots at a certain studio in Seoul Kang-nam. She was praised by many for bring out various facial expressions suitable for the product at every possible angles.
Highlight & translated at http://www.hancinema.net/jump.php?id=12123
Original article at http://news.media.daum.net/enter ... onga/v19610482.html |
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January 17, 2008
Jang Dong-gun's 13-years-old song had been recently released in Taiwan
A song which was sang by a Korean Wave star, Jang Dong-gun 13 years ago was recently released in Taiwan, rapidly becoming a huge hit. However, Jang Dong-gun's agency is not sure whether they should laugh or cry over it.
A spokesman from Jang Dong-gun's agency revealed in an interview on 14th that, "Jang Dong-gun sang a song with Panmeichun in Taiwan long time ago. And the record company in Taiwan just released that that song in an album without giving any notice to us". The agency is considering a countermeasure to meet the situation.
The recording company in Taiwan recently released the album once Jang Dong-gun became largely popular in Asia. A Chinese newspaper reported, "Recently the popularity of Jang Dong-gun have rapidly increased in Taiwan and the recording company who had the copyright of the song decided to release the album after 13 years of the song being initially recorded".
Highlight & transted by hancinema.net
Original article at http://news.naver.com/main/read. ... 0000095896&iid= |
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January 17, 2008
'Hellcats' Is Charmingly Off-Tune
By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter
From left, Kim Min-hee, Lee Mee-sook and Ahn So-hee in the romantic comedy "Hellcats"
Puberty, angst-ridden youth and menopause, first kisses, marriage and a Demi Moore-Ashton Kutcher-type romance. Director Kwon Chil-in dishes out an endearingly off-key romantic comedy "Hellcats" as he traces the lives and loves of three ladies at different stages of womanhood.
While the particular age of these ladies is their defining trait, the movie is no Klimt painting mapping out the "Three Ages of Woman."
It's a classic commercial flick that boasts mass appeal with its tactful casting, trend-spotting ploys and elements of fantasy. But there are nevertheless pleasant surprises that fill in for the holes of the loosely structured script, making it rather believable and even slightly touching.
First off, the movie unfolds, out of all places, in a crumby, third-rate motel room. In her less-than-fortunate "office," 27-year Ah-mi (Kim Min-hee) spends her birthday typing away the 17th draft of a hellish movie script she's been working on for the past two years, while the pitiful director is napping away in the corner. But chances of the work going into production are slim.
At home, she's a parasitic existence, with her older sister and niece constantly nagging her to move out. Meanwhile, her longtime boyfriend, a penniless aspiring musician, has no plans to settle down, and to top it off he gets caught in bed with another woman.
But then a Mr. Perfect comes along, and Ah-mi must come to terms with herself as she half-heartedly tries to give up her deadweight of a job and boyfriend.
Meanwhile, Ah-mi's older sister Yeong-mi (Lee Mee-sook) is a 41-year-old single mom with a well-established career as an interior designer. She has a fling with an actor 12 years her junior, but when she tries to end it coolly as a one-night stand, menopause hits. While she casually dismisses it as "a liberation from menstrual cramps," she is hurting inside, and accepts her young lover's advances in a desperate attempt to defend her womanhood.
Yeong-mi's teenage daughter Gang-ae (Ahn So-hee) has her own dilemmas. Her boyfriend of three years still hasn't kissed her yet, and she grows increasingly frustrated. Her best friend Mi-ran, a Brazilian-born girl with an "exotic" flair, coaches Gang-ae in the art of seduction. But she becomes even more confused as the two become a little too intimate.
The most successful part of the film is the casting. Popular model/actress Kim comes back on the big screen after a six-year hiatus, and "Hellcats" showcases her hidden talents. She gives a compelling performance as a young woman agonizing over her insecure career and shaky romance, and you become truly concerned with her drunken rambling.
Lee, who showed her foxy side as a seductive temptress in ``Untold Scandal'' (2005), is perfect for the role of a sexy older woman.
In her acting debut, Ahn, from the popular girl band Wonder Girls, is slightly awkward but is quite befitting for the role of an irritable teenager.
In contrast to the lively heroines, however, the supporting male characters are more like chiseled Greek statues ― flawless and inanimate narrative elements. Ah-mi's eligible bachelor has a steady job, big heart and handsome looks ― in other words, a safety blanket our protagonist can conveniently take or cast off.
Yeong-mi's younger man, much too ready to commit and eager to please, only exists to show audiences that she is no asexual mom but an attractive woman. And it's unfortunate that there is no chemistry between the two. Gang-ae's boyfriend, while adorable, isn't much more than a transportation device with a motorcycle
Some may see the film to be a wishy-washy spin-off of the director's hit film "Singles" (2003), but "Hellcats" can, in Western parlance, be described as a stretch of "Sex and the City." The trio is more like three roommates rather than a family.
"Women have three secrets they should never reveal: flings, wrinkles and their true feelings," says Ah-mi. And the three ladies endorse these rules, keeping secrets from one another.
Just as the four New Yorkers of the HBO TV series get together once in a while to update one another at a fashionable brunch, only occasionally do the trio offer one another advice over wine and a bag of potato chips in the living room. The comments are biting, but far from being brutally honest; most of the true dialogue is with oneself.
These ladies are so-called hellcats not because they're trained in manipulating men. Rather, they are engaged in fierce personal battles with themselves, and this is what makes the film agreeably off-key. It would have been a drag to see another movie about three chicks bonded with some sort of fluffy sorority spirit.
Credits: [email protected]
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2008/01/135_17459.html |
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January 17, 2008
SBS, to air Hur Young Man's "Gourmet (Shikgaek)" and "Love You"
Two of artist Hur Young Man's popular manhwa series will be aired through SBS this year.
JS Pictures announced on the 17th a deal with SBS two broadcast the drama series "Gourmet (Shikgaek)" and "Love You (Saranghae)" based on Hur Young Man's original manhwa series.
"Gourmet (Shikgaek)" is a 24-episode series starring Kim Rae Won, Nam Sang Mi, Choi Bool Ahm, with 6-episodes completed. The series is scheduled to air in April. "Love You" starring Ahn Jae Wook and Seo Ji Hye is a 16-episode series that is 90% completed with no air date set as of yet.
JS Pictures added, "Both series are planned to be completed prior to broadcasting."
The broadcast agreement is the second case after "The Legend" where the production company holds all rights other than national terrestrial broadcast rights.
According to JS Pictures, "This is very encouraging as it is the second case following 'The Legend' where the production company has the rights to sell rights abroad and develop additional businesses based on the series. 'Gourmet' especially has been gathering the attention not only in Asia including Japan, but also the America region as it is seen as a modern version of 'Dae Jang Geum,' giving it significance in continuing the Hallyu drama trend. Sales of both series to countries in Asia and the America region have been determined."
Source: Broasia.com
http://www.broasia.com/lwboard/l ... amp;pg=1&no=449 |
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Author
Post time 17-1-2008 12:23 PM
