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April 3, 2009
Actress Kim Ha-neul to Appear in Cho Sung-mo's Music Video
It is the first time in 11 years since she appeared in a music video for Cho抯 debut song in 1998
Actress Kim Ha-neul will work with singer Cho Sung-mo for the first time in 11 years. Yedang Entertainment, her agency, said Wednesday that Kim is to shoot a music video for Cho抯 new song 揑 Was Happy |
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April 4, 2009
Actress Kim Ok-bin Speaks Out About Starring in 'Thirst'
Kim Ok-bin
Kim Ok-bin, who stars in the season's most anticipated film "Thirst," has spoken about working alongside Song Kang-ho. "Acting with Song, I really felt that he is a true, genuine actor. He was near perfect in every scene, and I learned so much from him," she said.
Asked about her thoughts about the bed scenes at the time of casting, Kim said, "I didn't want to think too much about the nudity issue. When I learned about the role, I thought it was something that all actresses want to do at some point in their career."
Director Park Chan-wook had high praise for his star. "She showed so many different sides of the character, and is such a versatile actress. She will become a big star in Korean film industry."
"Thirst" is a melodrama about the illicit love affair between a priest who becomes a vampire after getting a blood transfusion from an unknown person and the wife of his friend. It will be released in Korea on Apr. 30.
Credits: englishnews@chosun.com |
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April 5, 2009
Movie Review
Candidly brutal, 'Breathless' takes stab at audience's heart
By Shin Hae-in
SEOUL, April 5 (Yonhap) -- Warning: this film is recommended only for the strong-hearted who have a high tolerance threshold for violence, doom and gloom.
There is no doubt that "Breathless" (Ddongpari) deserves the long list of international honors it has picked up thus far -- and many more are expected to come. Yet, given the intensity of its brutality, the 130-minute running time may prove to be too much for some; there were several walkouts during the film's international premieres, according to news reports.
The feature debut by South Korean director, scriptwriter, producer and actor Yang Ik-june, "Breathless" has been invited to 17 international film festivals and has, so far, grabbed seven awards, including the top honor at the Deauville Asian Film Festival and the best actor award at Spain's Las Palmas International Film Festival.
The film opens with anti-hero Sang-hun, played by director Yang, "saving" a woman being brutally beaten by a man. After battering the attacker, Sang-hun turns to the woman and slaps her several times across the face. "pinkberry," the gloomy-looking gangster spits out. "Why the hell do you take this crap?" Almost the first full hour of the film carries on this way; the camera tracing Sang-hun's groundless anger and grudge against the world. But while some may view the lengthy depictions of violence and endless cursing as excessive or unnecessary, they actually work to the film's advantage in indicating the extent of brutality psychological wounds can lead to.
Sang-hun is a hired thug working for his friend and canny boss Man-sik (Jeong Man-sik) -- an uncharacteristically "benevolent" character for a gangster -- who, while extorting money from local shops in exchange for providing "protection," is happy to do odd jobs when someone needs an extra fist or two. While his constant cursing and violent behavior keep everyone at bay -- including audiences who find it hard to sympathize with their hero -- the film slowly reveals a wounded soul underneath Sang-hun's stony facade. A victim of years of domestic abuse, Sang-hun witnessed the deaths of his mother and sister as a child, which led him to hate his father, as well as the rest of the world.
But Sang-hun begins to change following an encounter with a foul-mouthed high school girl Yeon-hee (Kim Kkot-bi), who appears neither disgusted nor scared by him. A daily victim of her demented father and abusive brother, Yeon-hee bonds with Sang-hun, who discovers, perhaps for the first time, his compassionate side. The relationship is so much more refreshing because it avoids a simple sexual angle and focuses on the comfort of family-like friendship.
"Extremely hard gangster-and-his-mol film is borne by masterful acting by the debutant director Yang Ik-June. A true actor's film," the Rotterdam Film Festival praised, while the Fribourg International Film Festival of Switzerland called the film "violent, yet extremely touching." The film indeed appears very much an actor's movie, largely driven by characters rather than plot or cinematography. Not just the main character but even the smallest of roles seem fleshed out and believable thanks to the superb acting by the whole cast.
Yang said he filmed the movie fully based on what he "knew and thought." "I wouldn't dare say this film is aimed at exposing social problems," he said at the film's preview Friday. "I wanted merely to talk about family, a subject matter I know well. The film is a mix of personal experience and imagination."
The director added the reaction from overseas audiences was "delightful." Many asked for a handshake jokingly saying "ssibalnoma," meaning "custard," a word most constantly uttered by the main character, he said. The film, which debuted at Korea's Pusan International Film Festival last year, will open at local theaters beginning April 16.
The Korean title "Ddongpari" means "dung fly," a widely-spoken Korean term referring to underdogs not worth knowing.
Credits: [email protected] via yonhapnews.co.kr |
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April 5, 2009
Celebrity moms, what's their secret?
It is amazing to see how many celebrity moms seem to lose weight at light-speed only weeks after giving birth.
Actress Sohn Tae-young, who shook the nation with her sudden marriage to actor Kwon Sang-woo last September, gave birth to a son in February. But she is already getting ready for her comeback in a TV drama starting May and it appears on photos as if she had never been pregnant.
The same thing with actress Kim Hee-sun and comedian Park Kyung-lim. They both had babies in January, but are already back to looking how they used to before, if not better.
The secret?
Aside from sticking to organic diets and working out a lot, the key to celebs' rapid loss of weight following childbirth lies in nature-given breastfeeding.
Actress Kim Hee-sun said she used to weigh up to 70 kg but has quickly lost most of the pregnancy weight gain thanks to breastfeeding. Kim encourages breastfeeding and childbirth in general in a recently released book, "Kim Hee-sun's Happy Mom Project," filled with tips and know-how for expecting moms.
Comedian Park Kyung-lim is another advocate of breastfeeding.
"I have heard that breastfeeding helps you lose weight gained during pregnancy, and when I tried, it more than worked!" Park exclaimed on her radio show on MBC FM. It has been only two months after she delivered her son, during which she lost 18 kg. "As I started breast feeding, I became slimmer and my son grew fatter," she said.
In fact, looking more fit than she did before her marriage, Park is modeling in promotional photo shoots for her online shopping mall.
Actress Chae Si-ra, a former breastfeeding publicity ambassador of UNICEF, continues to speak up for the benefits of breastfeeding although she retired from the position.
Chae manages to squeeze out breast milk every day between her busy shooting schedule for the KBS TV drama "Iron Empress." She has the milk frozen and makes sure it is delivered to her son, safe and fresh. "I didn't drink any alcohol for the last 13 months to breastfeed my child," Chae said in an interview with KBS 2TV in January. She had also breastfed her daughter in 2001.
So, exactly how helpful is breastfeeding for losing weight?
"Breastfeeding 100 ml of milk makes a mother burn 75 kcal. Considering that babies need a maximum of 750 ml per day, breastfeeding mothers burn around 500 kcal each day," explained Yun Myung-hee, an international board certified lactation consultant. "It all adds up, and after three to six months of breastfeeding, mothers can regain their slender physique," she said.
University of Georgia researchers Irene Hatsu, Dawn McDougald and Alex Anderson reported the results of their study on the effect of infant feeding on maternal body composition to the International Breastfeeding Journal last year.
They measured body changes among 24 mothers from 19 years old to 42 years old at 12 weeks postpartum.
According to their report, mothers who exclusively breastfed lost the most weight of 4.10 kg to 4.41 kg, while mixed feeding mothers lost 2.79 kg to 3.09 kg. Exclusively breastfeeding mothers also consumed more calories than mixed feeding mothers, 1,980 kcal to 2,598 kcal versus 1,541 kcal to 1,737 kcal. "It was most likely due to breastfeeding's high energy cost. This suggests that there is the need to encourage mothers to exclusively breastfeed as a means of overweight and obesity prevention," the researchers explained.
It is also common knowledge that breastfeeding not only helps mothers lose weight, but also makes the baby healthier and tightens the special mother-baby bond. "Babies are most comfortable in their mother's arms. Of course, breastfeeding is important in nutritional terms, but is also important in terms of building a bond between the mother and baby," said Lee Ha-baek, professor of pediatrics at Hanyang University Medical Center, at an event during the World Breastfeeding Week last August.
By Park Min-young ([email protected]) via koreaherald.co.kr |
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April 5, 2009
Action thriller to follow 'Boys Over Flowers'
Now that "Boys Over Flowers" has ended, will yet another light-hearted drama chock full of hot young men jump into KBS' Monday and Tuesday prime time slot? Guess again.
KBS' latest Monday and Tuesday night installment, "The Slingshot," is pure testosterone-driven action. Channeling dude flicks like "Ocean's Eleven" and American TV shows like "Prison Break," "The Slingshot" maps the struggles of a wronged hero who gets himself thrown in jail and realizes he has been duped.
So what does he do? He formulates the ultimate plan for vengeance, enlisting the help of a few prison buddies to form a team.
The third work in a trilogy of epic series scripted by Song Ji-na, who focused on Korea in the 1940s and early 1950s with the hit drama "Eye of Dawn" (1991) and then made history with "Hourglass" (1997), "The Slingshot" addresses the current state of Korean society by exploring the true value of economic success. "Let's try our hand at a real story about money," said director Yoon Sung-sik at the press conference last week. "That's how it started."
Money serves as the impetus for hero Kim Shin's downfall. Once a pawn in villain Chae Do-woo's gamble for cold hard cash, Kim Shin decides to beat Chae at his own game. Will the action-packed thriller reel in high ratings that are on par with its predecessor: "Boys Over Flowers"? "Yes, 'Boys Over Flowers' puts the pressure on," said Hallyu star Park Yong-ha, who will play hero Kim Shin.
The make or break factor in the success of "The Slingshot" may lie in its ability to infuse an otherwise grim tale with a bit of humor. The key to hit flicks of a similar vein, like Soderbergh's "Out of Sight" (1998), lies in their ability to focus on an incredibly charming criminal played by someone like George Clooney, put him in tight situation and add a liberal dose of black comedy.
When asked if he opted for old school noir cool or for a bit of slapstick, actor Park answered: "I was very anxious about that. My conclusion was to go for comedy."
That decision may be the drama's saving grace. That and the inclusion of a strong female character, played by actress Park Si-yeon; not to mention heavyweight Kim Kang-woo as villain Chae Do-woo. "I have met with screenwriter Song Ji-na," said actress Park Si-yeon, who will be playing Kim Shin's love interest. "She said, 'I would like your character to be an impressive woman, the likes of which no one has ever seen before.'"
"Le Grand Chef" actor Kim Kang-woo, who carried home the best actor award for his role in "The Railroad (Gyeongiseon)" at the 25th Torino Film Festival in 2007, will be adding a third dimension to "The Slingshot" as the well-bred and menacing Chae Do-woo.
"The Slingshot" starts airing tonight on KBS 2 TV at 9:55 p.m.
By Jean Oh ([email protected]) via koreaherald.co.kr |
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April 3, 2009
Where Is Ki-beom in Super Junior?
One of Korea抯 hottest idol group, Super Junior, released its third regular album in March and is currently sweeping the music charts with its title song, 揝orry, Sorry. |
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April 6, 2009
Canadian Journalist Offers Guidance to Korean Wave
Mark Russell
Canadian journalist Mark Russell who has been living in Korea for 13 years, has a book out titled "Pop Goes Korea," an introduction for Anglophone readers to the Korean Wave. Russell (38) is a Seoul correspondent for the Hollywood Reporter.
He says that although the Korean Wave is one of the most successful commercial exports of Korea, its limit lies on the fact that it appeals only to young people.
The book covers in detail the development of Korea's pop entertainment business since 1990s, and its expansion to the global market. After being wowed by a Korean indie band in the bars and clubs around Seoul's Hongik University, Russell began studying Korean pop culture seriously.
Lack of diversity is one of the limits, he says. "For example, Korean pop music is dominated by dance music. It needs more genres to appeal to more people, and to reach a wider audience globally," he says.
"American consumers do not pine for a Korean Beyonce or a Korean Justin Timberlake because they don't need something they already have," Russell. He is also concerned about the decreasing number of live concert venues in Korea. "The live stage is the birthplace of real singers who actually have talent," he says. "If popularity is not backed by skill and merit, it will undermine the base of Korean Wave."
Credits: englishnews@chosun.com |
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April 6, 2009
Actor Joins Air Force
By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter
Zo In-sung
Actor Zo In-sung entered a training program Monday before joining the South Korean Air Force in Jinju, South Gyeongsang Province.
The star of "A Frozen Flower" appeared before the press sporting a short haircut and wearing black sportswear. Some 200 reporters and 300 fans, including over 100 Japanese women, crowded the venue.
"I'm not the only one entering the military, and so many fans have come to support me,'' he said. "I apologize for inconveniencing others by becoming a soldier. I'm actually feeling much more at ease now that military service has become a reality. I sincerely thank everyone who came today and I will come back after doing my best in the military"
The 27-year-old entered a weeklong session, including physical exams, a personality test and other formal procedures. Afterward, he will participate in a five-week preliminary training program before entering the Air Force for a 25-month stint of service. South Korean men are obligated to complete a mandatory two-year period of military service before the age of 29.
The actor qualified for the Air Force last November as a soldier specializing in military music. Zo is said to have often expressed his wish to follow in the footsteps of his father, who was an Air Force officer.
Credits: hyowlee@koreatimes.co.kr |
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April 4, 2009
[MOVIE REVIEW] 'Suspect X' attempts to transport success of Japanese TV drama
"Suspect X," to be released on April 9, is not so much a mystery thriller as a human drama. The first keyword to unlock the mysteriously strong attraction for Korean fans to this film is "drama," because the film is a successful extension from a hit Japanese television series "Galileo."
"Galileo," starring Masaharu Fukuyama and Kou Shibasaki, was the biggest hit drama in Japan in 2007, when Fuji TV ran it for its golden time slot. In January this year, KBS Joy, a cable unit of state-run Korean broadcast network, began to air the 10-episode drama series, appealing to a large Korean fan base of Japanese TV dramas.
The second keyword for "Suspect X" is "novel." The film is based on a novel of the same title by Keigo Higashino, and the Korean translation version of the book has already made the bestseller list in Korea.
Masaharu Fukuyama (left) and Kou Shibasaki in "Suspect X"
"Suspect X," released in October in Japan, topped the box office for four weeks, illustrating the mass appeal of the novel as well as the star power of Fukuyama and his opposite Shibasaki.
Unlike other mystery films where the culprit remains hidden to the last minute, "Suspect X" starts off with a telling revelation. In the film, a single mother and child get implicated in a murder, forcing mathematics genius and professor Tetsuya Ishigami (Shinichi Tsutsumi) to help out the single mother. Ishigami helps them by crafting alibis with pinpoint accuracy.
From this point on, the question is not who has committed the crime but why that deed is done. The hint is of course available in the original Japanese title, "Yougisha X no Kenshin," which roughly translates into "Suspect X's devotion."
Following the same format as the original TV drama, quirky yet talented physicist "Galileo" Yukawa (Fukuyama) sets out to work on the case together with female detective Kaoru Utsumi (Shibasaki). Director Hiroshi Nishitani does not offer details about how the two come to pair up for crime investigations, assuming that most of the audiences are already familiar with their background through the TV series, saving precious time for focusing on the core element.
On the surface, the film centers upon the intellectual confrontation between mathematician Ishigami and physicist Yukawa, but the underlying plot goes beyond the mystery thriller. But the two characters are seen as close friends, who admire each other in terms of academic excellence. While physicist Yukawa receives social recognition by becoming a professor, his college friend Ishigami struggles to achieve his dream.
When Yukawa is convinced of his friend's involvement in the crime, he asks Ishigami about why he misuses his talent. And Ishigami's answer is telling: "You are the only one who tells me I'm a genius." The line illustrates the limitation of life where things can easily go wrong, despite good intentions and talent.
Tsutsumi, a veteran actor known for his versatility, stages a shining performance as the troubled mathematics genius, greatly helping the film add a unique perspective on love into the murder mystery.
"Suspect X," a clever blend of murder mystery and human affection, may not fully transport its commercial success in Japan to the Korean box office, but it will surely encourage one to check out the original TV series.
By Yang Sung-jin ([email protected])
http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/NEW ... 04/200904040010.asp |
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April 7, 2009
Jun Ji-hyun Makes Appearance in Japan
Jun took part in the preview of her latest film "Blood: The Last Vampire" in the island country.
Actress Jun Ji-hyun has visited Japan for the first time in three years to attend a preview of her latest movie "Blood: The Last Vampire." It was also her first official appearance in a year since her last appearance in the film 揂 Man Who Was Superman |
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April 7, 2009
Thieves Nabbed for Robbing House of Actor抯 Mom
By Kang Shin-who
Staff Reporter
Three burglars who robbed the house of popular actor Kim Rae-won's mother were apprehended three months after the break-in, police said Monday.
Yongsan Police Station said the thieves stole money and valuables worth about 150 million won ($120,000) in January. Among the stolen items were medals, checks, luxury watches and other jewelry.
Since last October, they had robbed dozens of houses in wealthy districts in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province. Police said the three thieves, who got to know each other when they were in jail three years ago, spent all the money mostly on entertainment.
Among them, a 41-year-old Chung and 29-year-old Lee were arrested, while another thief Park, 42, was booked without physical detention.
The robbers used some of the stolen checks at a gas station in Seoul, allowing police to trace their car as it was recorded by surveillance cameras there.
Credits: kswho@koreatimes.co.kr |
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April 7, 2009
Showdown of Male Hallyu Stars on TV
By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter
Park Yong-ha plays the determined
inmate-turned-M&A expert in the drama
"The Slingshot" which airs Mondays and Tuesdays
at 9:55 p.m./ Courtesy of M.A.C.
Hallyu stars Park Yong-ha and Kwon Sang-woo are moving into the television spotlight where, until recently, pretty boys, shiny sports cars ("Boys Over Flowers") and even a historic hero ("Iljimae Returns") dominated.
The leading men of new dramas "The Slingshot" (KBS) and "Cinderella Man" (SBS), respectively, are expected to heat up the already star-studded drama casts, which include So Ji-sub, Kim Nam-ju and Jung Ryeo-won.
Written by Song Ji-na as the final piece of her trilogy ― the first two being 'Eye of Dawn" (1991) and "Hourglass" (1997) ― "The Slingshot" is expected to capture the reality of today's money-driven world. "We focused on the world of men and women who are willing to sacrifice their lives for money, a world where money dictates. But I still tried to make a lighter, enjoyable and somewhat touching series," Yoon Sung-sik, the producer, said at a press conference last week in northern Seoul.
Park, 31, plays Kim Shin, who chooses jail after realizing he has no way to pay back his debt. Inside, he is resigned to his fate, until he finds out about the stocks scandal that caused the suicide of his brother, which made him borrow the money in the first place. Furious, Kim prepares for revenge and founds a "dream team," including actress Park Shi-yeon who plays his lover. The dark, cold-blooded Chae Do-woo, played by Kim Kang-woo, is his enemy in the drama. The actor was the winner of the Best Actor Award at the Torino Film Festival in 2007.
In a short preview clip, the three characters showed that they were serious in depicting their characters, which departed from their usual images. Park, who only recently revealed his manly side with the hit drama "On-Air," played a tough inmate with eyes blazing with revenge, while Park Shi-yeon showed her softer side, far from the usual sexy and sultry characters she's been known for. Kim successfully transforms himself into the shadowy and cold-blooded villain Chae, perfectly matching his dark suits, sharp expressions and harsh words.
When asked if the choice of the tough guy role was deliberate, Park smiled and admitted it was about time. "Yes, I felt I needed a change in the characters that I play. I also came to realize that these roles fit me better at my age, compared to the fragile and pretty characters I have been portraying," he said.
Kwon Sang-woo stars in the new MBC
drama "Cinderella Man,"which airs Wednesdays
and Thursdays at 9:55 p.m./ Courtesy of MBC
Meanwhile, the also fairly "pretty" Kwon Sang-woo returns to television screens for the first time since his marriage with actress Sohn Tae-young and the birth of their son. The 32-year-old actor will not only star in a drama the first time in a year, but also play two different characters simultaneously.
Kwon plays the poor, yet determined Oh Dae-san, an aspiring designer whose priorities in life are money and fame. His life takes a drastic turn when he meets Lee Jun-hee; the son of an apparel company who looks exactly like him. When the latter disappears, Oh is given the task of living the life of the rich fellow during the day. Lee does not return, and when Oh realizes that he is actually good in filling the shoes of his unrelated ``twin,'' his deepest desires and dreams start to unravel.
"Cinderella Man" also made headlines for the appearance of Yoo-na, a member of the popular girl group Girls' Generation, as Oh's love interest despite the 14 year age gap. "It's not a big budget program, nor does it have an overwhelming storyline. It's real, about us, and personally, something I can relate with and also show myself," Kwon said during a press conference last week in central Seoul.
The overall drama may have not called for a big budget, but it did require special effects and equipment to get the two characters played by Kwon in the same scene.
The drama crew used the Motion Control Camera (MCC), which costs about 1 billion won and 5 million won for a day's rental. With the help of advanced technology, viewers will get to watch two Kwons walk past each other. "I'm not pressured by (ratings). As my previous work, 'Bad Love,' was considered a big failure, I think this one will do much better. I'm not happy to compete with my good friend So Ji-sub from the drama 'Cain and Abel,' but the good news is that 'Cain' is coming to an end, while we are just starting,'' Kwon said, smiling to reporters.
"The Slingshot" airs every Monday and Tuesday at 9:55 on KBS, while "Cinderella Man" airs every Wednesday and Thursday at 9:55 on MBC.
Credits: sanghee@koreatimes.co.kr |
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April 7, 2009
S. Korean moviegoers plunge in March: report
SEOUL, April 7 (Yonhap) -- The number of South Korean cinema goers plunged last month to the lowest level in 10 months, down 18 percent year-on-year, a local report said Tuesday.
Some 7.84 million people went to the theaters last month, according to CJ CGV, the country's largest cinema operator. A total of 9.95 million people had gone to the theaters in March last year.
Domestic movies accounted for 37.9 percent of the cinema market last month, also plunging by 8.4 percentage points from the same period last year.
None of the domestic or foreign movies released in March managed to draw an audience of more than one million, considered a yardstick for a local box office hit.
Credits: [email protected] via yonhapnews.co.kr |
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April 7, 2009
Hugh Jackman to 'Date' Local Actresses in TV Show
Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter
Hugh Jackman, star of "X-Men Ori-
gins: Wolverine," will appear on the
Korean variety show "The Gold Miss
Are Coming" on April 19.
Hollywood screen star Hugh Jackman and Korean-American heartthrob Daniel Henney will appear in a local matchmaking TV program, organizers of the SBS show "The Gold Miss Are Coming'' said Monday. The two actors will be in town Thursday to promote the action film "X-Men Origins: Wolverine'' in time for its release April 30.
After appearing at a press conference Friday morning, they will meet actress Yang Jung-ah, 37, and the other members of "Gold Miss,'' a matchmaking program for eligible female celebrities. The group includes comedienne Shin Bong-seon and singer Jin Jae-young, among others. Two will have the opportunity to watch a movie with either Jackman or Henney.
The show will air on April 19.
Daniel Henney, who stars in "X-Men
Origins: Wolverine"will appear on
the Korean variety show "The Gold
Miss Are Coming" on April 19.
Meanwhile, the "X-Men'' stars will meet Korean fans on Friday evening. A performance will begin 7:30 p.m. at Cheonggye Plaza, downtown Seoul, and the red carpet ceremony will take place at 8:30.
Jackman has appeared in the other three films of the "X-Men'' franchise, and the Australian actor visited Seoul in 2006 fall to promote "X-Men: The Last Stand.'' The superhero franchise marks Henney's Hollywood debut. The model-turned-actor became popular here and in other Asian countries through TV soaps like "My Lovely Sam-soon'' (aka. My Name Is Sam-soon), and received critical acclaim for his role in the film "My Father.''
Credits: hyowlee@koreatimes.co.kr |
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April 7, 2009
Exports of Korean programs top US$16 million in international media market
SEOUL, April 7 (Yonhap) -- Exports of Korean television programs reached US$16.2 million at this year's international media market in France, a successful result considering the sweeping global economic downturn, the country's broadcasting institute said Tuesday.
TV dramas took up nearly 93 percent of Korean programs sold at the Marche International des Programmes de Television (MIPTV), an annual media market held in Cannes, France, the Korea Broadcasting Institute said in a press release.
The market closed April 3. "Although the exports are a little below last year's $16.4 million, we did superbly well, especially considering the number of participating firms decreased by almost 16 percent due to the economic crisis," the institute said.
A two-part documentary on dinosaurs produced by public education channel EBS had been sold to RTLDisney at nearly $100,000, the highest price ever for a Korean documentary, during the MIPTV.
Up to 3,800 broadcasting firms participated in the 46th MIPTV, including 24 Korean firms.
Credits: [email protected] via yonhapnews.co.kr |
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News Index page 100
April 8, 2009: Actress Jun Ji-hyun promoting new film
April 8: 'Breathless' delves into heart of darkness
April 6: Jo In-sung Begins Military Duty
April 8: Actor Zo In-sung to Serve in Air Force
April 8: Koo Hye-sun Debuts as Writer
April 8: Kim's 1st Appearance After Delivering Baby / Kim Hee Sun
April 8: A castaway on the Han River
April 11: Hugh Jackman Appointed Seoul Goodwill Ambassador
April 10: Hyun Young confirms breakup with Kim Jong-min
April 9: Yoona's Drama to Be Aired in Japan
April 9: Government Appeals to Define TVXQ抯 Song 'Lewd'
April 9: Wonder Girls Covered in People Magazine
April 9: Girls |
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April 8, 2009
Actress Jun Ji-hyun promoting new film
Actress Jun Ji-hyun, 27, has begun promoting her new film "Blood: The Last Vampire" amid lingering public attention about her mobile phone incident.
Jun attended a premiere for the movie held in Tokyo on April 2, restarting her film career after a one-year hiatus.
Jun had kept a low profile over the past year following the disappointing box-office performance of "A Man Once a Superman" where she played an opposite to Hwang Jung-min.
In particular, the Korean Wave star also did not show up at any public event in the past months due to a scandal where her agent allegedly attempted to spy on her by duplicating her mobile handset.
At the press event in Tokyo, Jun said she had a hard time physically and mentally working on "Blood," but she felt satisfied with the result.
"Blood," directed by Ronny Yu, is a remake of a Japanese animation of the same title. Jun plays a high school girl named Saya who slashes vampires at the Yokota Air Base in Tokyo, just before Halloween. The film is set to be released in Japan on May 29.
Credits: [email protected]
http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/NEW ... 09/200904090005.asp |
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April 8, 2009
'Breathless' delves into heart of darkness
The devastating effects of domestic violence and its cyclical nature are unflinchingly portrayed in Yang Ik-june's autobiographical debut film, "Breathless."
Mercilessly violent right from the start, the film should be commended for two things: a tour de force performance from the director in the lead role and the brutal depiction of domestic violence. It is a portrait of a man afflicted by a lifetime of abuse from a drunkard father who deals with his inner demons by lashing out at the world.
Based on the director's childhood experiences, "Breathless" is a treacherous journey into the darkest caverns of human nature. While frank portrayal of the countless beat-downs, brawls and domestic abuse that make up a significant portion of the screen time may seem excessive for some, the film never falls into exploitation and makes absolute sure to show the ugly consequences of the violence.
Clocking in at a little over two-hours, however, the movie might have felt leaner and more focused with some crafty editing. But as is the case with most debut films, it can be a hair-pulling experience to cold-heartedly leave biographical pieces of a highly sensitive story on the cutting room floor.
And because of this, the film is not without its flaws. Nonetheless, it announces the arrival of a raw, diamond-in-the-rough talent in Yang. He is a dangerous filmmaker and his arrival onto the domestic film industry scene, which had been aching for another controversial figurehead to stand next to Kim Ki-duk, is a welcome one.
The film's plot revolves around the familial bond that forms between Song-hoon (played by Yang) and a foul-mouthed high school girl -- also a victim of domestic violence, Yeon-hee. The film has a close resemblance to what could be a companion piece to Gary Oldman's 1997 directorial debut "Nil By Mouth," which was also a film based on the British thespian's working class childhood as a victim of domestic violence.
In "Breathless," the director establishes early on Song-hoon's propensity for mindless violence. He is anti-social, quiet most of the time and not very bright. He also has a hair-trigger temper. Filmed in a cinema-verite style reminiscent of early Godard and Cassavettes, the hand-held, jerky camerawork establishes Song-hoon as a low-rent gangster, who does racketeering work and as a "jopok" (gangster) enforcer for his old friend Man-sik.
He doesn't require any payment to use his fists. Money for his services is a bonus. He does what he does almost for therapeutic purposes. In one horrific scene, he thinks nothing of lashing out at two policemen on patrol, overwhelming them with his fists and feet. Within the hour the story establishes that the very mention of Song-hoon's father sets him into an uncontrollable rage and that his father was responsible for the death of his mother and stabbing of his sister.
He has a young nephew, but fears getting close to him or his sister, knowing all too well that everything he touches turns to hell. But when Song-hoon meets a high school girl, they become each other's shoulder to lean on. Yeon-hee, who is a victim of a disturbed father and a violent brother who beat her regularly, is the only one in Song-hoon's life who can understand his affliction and malfunction. The pair are connected, although she doesn't realize it.
The film is quite an achievement for a first time filmmaker and for Yang to direct himself in such a strong performance. It is a riveting piece of storytelling that ushers in a new talent in Yang Ik-june.
Credits: Song Woong-ki ([email protected]) via koreaherald.co.kr |
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April 6, 2009
Jo In-sung Begins Military Duty
Heartthrob Jo In-sung of the "Frozen Flower" fame has begun his military duty Monday. He will undergo a week of physical examination and five weeks of basic training before being assigned to his post in the Korean Air Force band. He has applied for a band position last November.
Hundreds of his fans and journalists crowded the military education center in Jinju, South Gyeongsang Province, where Jo held his final press conference before beginning the military service. Jo said that he always wanted to serve in the Air Force, because his father was also a non-commissioned officer of the Air Force. He also apologized to the military authorities for causing such a fuss with the media attention. The handsome actor will return to civilian life in 25 months.
Source: KBS World
April 8, 2009
Actor Zo In-sung to Serve in Air Force
Actor Zo In-sung, the star of the recent hit film "A Frozen Flower," has joined the Air Force, the ROKAF Education and Training Command in Jinju, South Gyeongsang Province said on Monday.
Zo will go through physical exams, personality tests, and other procedures for a week and preliminary training for five weeks before being assigned to a unit for a 25-month stint of service. He passed a special screening last November to serve in an Air Force band.
This was the last chance that the actor was allowed to join a military band since the Air Force puts an age limit -- 29 years -- to joining a special unit. He reportedly wanted to be an Air Force man following his father, who served as a non-commissioned officer in Air Force.
Zo gave a press interview for his fans, who came to see him for the last time before he enters the training command.
Source: KBS Global |
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April 8, 2009
Koo Hye-sun Debuts as Writer
Actress Koo Hye-sun, who played Geum Jan-di in a hit drama, "Boys over Flowers," is enjoying brisk sales of her first novel, "Tango." First published on April 1st, Koo's debut fiction has already sold 30 thousand copies and gone into seventh printing. This is an amazing sales record, given that it's her first novel.
"Tango" is an illustrated fiction that features a woman in her 20s, who grows emotionally by falling in love and breaking up. Book critics and readers commented that Koo's realistic description of the girl's psychological and emotional upheavals made the character is easy to identify with. The actress reportedly worked very hard on the novel, asking first for her laptop, which contained the manuscript, even when she was in a car accident.
Source: KBS World |
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