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Aug 28, 2006
Bae Yong-joon Drama Set Becomes Top Tourist Site
A promotional picture for the drama "Taewangsasingi" (meaning the four guardian gods of the king). The drama is a story about the life of the Grand King Gwanggaeto of the Koguryo Kingdom and features Bae Yong-joon./ courtesy of the drama's fan club (http://taewang.duri.to/)
Up to 30,000 Japanese women will head to Jeju to catch a glimpse of Korean Wave star Bae Yong-joon, affectionately known as Yonsama in Japan. That is because on Sept. 5, shooting of "Taewangsasingi", a story of the Grand King Gwanggaeto (375~413) of the Koguryo Kingdom, starts.
JAM Tour, which organizes exclusive tours to the shooting location, says it has been looking for customers from Japan and has already gathered some 5,000 female admirers of everyone's favorite son-in-law. "Even though we explain that actually getting to see Bae Yong-joon shoot a scene won't be easy, people are lining up to book," a staffer says. Jam Tour coordinated the dates to match up with shooting times for the drama, and some 1,000 in batches of 200 are expected to visit the set in September alone. By the time filming wraps up next February, some 30,000 are expected to have taken the tour.
Agreeing to ban camcorders or cameras so as not to interfere with the filming, the company was awarded sole rights for the tours after six months of negotiations. A 63,000-pyeong (1 pyeong = 3.3m) set that includes a school for nobles and a royal palace and reproductions of the residences of aristocrats in Jeju city is about 75 percent finished.
Over 100 Japanese reporters crowded the set of ®'April Snow' with top Korean heartthrob
Bae Yong-joon in Samcheok city, Gangwon Province on March 17, 2005.
And already it has become the top tourist destination for Japanese women visiting the island. During the last six months, 31,240 Japanese women have visited Jeju, a 55 percent increase over the 21,000 that visited in the same period last year. Even though the public is not allowed on the entire construction site, 100-150 people can be seen standing around taking pictures every day.
The 24-episode series, which is chock-full of top stars, also features Choi Min-soo, Jung Jin-young, Park Sang-won and Moon So-ri. It will air starting in March next year.
Source: [email protected]
http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/new...0608280029.html |
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Eric
AUGUST 31, 2006 06:56
Moon Jeong-hyeok Chooses Interesting Roles 朳/b]
Moon Jeong-hyeok is a member of "Shinhwa," a music group of six boys. Known more as Eric, his singer name, he is now reshaping his career as a TV actor in his 8th year in the entertainment world. His different roles in MBC dramas, "Firebird" (2004) and "Super Rookie," (2005) received different reviews.
"Seo Jeong-min's character in 'Firebird' was so different from me. It was difficult for me to pose and act like a chic man. I think that's why my acting looked so awkward."
Moon's Choi Kang character in "Invincible Parachutist" is similar to his Kang Ho character in |
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08-28-2006
Actor Park Yong-woo, No More 'Good Guy'
By Kim Tae-jong
Staff Reporter
Actor Park Yong-woo
When actor Park Yong-woo showed up last Sunday at an indoor set in Taejon, he looked different. Gone was the soft image he had shown in previous roles. Instead, he was slimmer, which gave a sharp and sad impression, and most noticeably, he wasn't wearing his trademark warm smile.
For his new film "Beautiful Sunday,'' Park said he had to get rid of his "good guy'' image.
"When a person is pushed to an edge, they become keen and lose weight. I wanted to deliver such impression,'' Park said Sunday during a news conference followed by the shooting of the film at the set.
"I think my face doesn't give audiences a strong impression, so I tried to lose weight to give my face a sharper outline,'' he added.
He lost about eight kilograms for the film by adopting an intensive diet and also because of his demanding schedule. His schedule was so tight that he had to get an injection of Ringer's solution, or nutrient shot, several times while filming.
Directed by Jin Kwang-gyo and co-starring Namgung Min, "Beautiful Sunday'' is a thriller about two men who put themselves in danger for their loved ones.
In the film, Park plays veteran detective Kang, who makes a dirty deal with a criminal gang to save his wife.
The scene that Park shot on Sunday involved his character meeting Min-woo (played by Namgung) who visits Kang to confess that he killed his wife.
Park made his debut as a television actor in 1994 but had mainly played minor roles of a handsome man in numerous typical melodramas in TV and movies until he starred in last year's hit historical piece "Blood Rain.''
In "Blood Rain,'' which the 34-year-old actor refers to as a turning point of his career, he challenged himself by playing a complex character who holds the secrets of a serial murder case.
Thanks to the success, he took more chances to show off his other charms and talents by playing comical characters in this year's hit romantic comedy "My Scary Girl'' and melodrama "My Piano.''
But the drastic change from comic characters to serious roles don't seem to make things harder for the passionate actor.
"There is not much difference between 'happy' and 'gloomy' characters. It's just a matter of different genres. I don't think my comic characters can appeal to the audience forever,'' Park said.
Due to his impressive performances in recent movies, Park has become one of most-sought actors in Chungmuro, the Korean equivalent to Hollywood.
But Park thinks that his "popularity can disappear any time,'' and tries to do his best in what he does.
"I just want to take a 'leading' role in a movie. It's different from the distinction between main and supporting roles. Even if you only appear in a few scenes, if you can successfully offer the audience impressive performances, you are a leading character in the audience's mind,'' Park said.
Park has completed another thriller film "Choyonghan Sesang (quiet world),'' which will open later this year. In the film, he is also a tough and wild detective, who investigates a case of a missing girl.
Regarding the different roles that he has played, he said that self-conviction is the most important factor for him in choosing a film.
"Even though a film is so good, my first question is if I can do it or not. Without a firm conviction, I can't play my character in the film.'' Park said.
"Beautiful Sunday'' has been in production since June, and the production will be completed in September for release early next year.
[email protected]
Source: The Korea Times
http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/culture/20...17101211710.htm |
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08-31-2006
A Mellower Hong Sang-soo
By Kim Tae-jong
Staff Reporter
At a glance, director Hong Sang-soo's new film "Woman on the Beach" (Haebyonui Yoin) is another gloomy romance story about people in their 30s like his previous movies.
The new film revolves around a man and woman who meet in a strange place, drink heavily and end up sleeping together on the first day. The rest of the film deals with the struggles as one of the two clings to the relationship and the other tries to get out of it.
But the new film takes a much lighter approach than Hong's previous works.
The dialogue and ironic situations generate jokes and lightheartedness.
Actress Ko Hyun-jung, left, and co-star Kim Seung-woo in a
new film by director Hong Sang-soo, "Woman on the Beach."
Most noticeably, the female characters in this new film are independent and decisive. Hong has long been criticized by feminists for allegedly presenting images of female characters, who are easily lured by male characters, sleep with them and are submissive.
Starring Kim Seung-woo, Ko Hyun-jung and Kim Tae-woo, the film revolves around a divorced film director Jung-rae (played by Kim Seung-woo), who takes a trip to a resort town with his art director Chang-wook (by Kim Tae-woo). Jung-rae wants to refresh himself to write a scenario for his film.
But his initial plan changes, when Chang-wook, who is married, brings along Moon-suk (by Ko) to the trip. Chang-wook introduces Moon-suk as his lover.
As usual in Hong's film, the characters drink heavily and an unexpected relationship begins. Jung-rae starts to flirt with Moon-suk and they secretly sleep together.
After that night, Jung-rae doesn't want to develop a serious relationship with her, and they all comes back to Seoul on the following day. But a couple of days later, he visits the resort town again and wants to see her.
While he waits for Moon-suk, Jung-rae meets Sun-hee, whom he thinks has a similar personality and appearance to Moon-suk, and flirts with her. The two strangers spend the night together. But Moon-suk visits him when he and Sun-hee are together. Jung-rae finds himself in trouble.
Characters in the film lead seemingly ordinary and mundane lives, which may give them a desire to escape. But each seeks different things in their new relationships, and director Hong skillfully captures moments when such complicated feelings are combined with vulgar desires.
The story of the film is first told through the eye of Jung-rae, but its viewpoint moves to Moon-suk. Thanks to the superb performances by actress Ko, the transfer of the viewpoint is smoothly achieved and combined with the main theme of the film.
It is true that Hong's film were sometimes vague as to what the director wanted to say through strange relationships in the end, but overall, "Woman on the Beach" is much kinder than previous films with the obvious use of metaphors such as an abandoned dog which finds a new owner in the film.
[email protected]
Source: The Korea Times
http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/culture/20...17115010970.htm |
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August 31, 2006
Seoul Drama Awards: 'My Lovely Sam-Soon,' Best Mini Series Award
The 'Seoul Drama Awards' closed its curtains with China's 'House of Qiao, Legend of Shanxi Merchant' winning the Best Drama Series Award and Korea's 'My Lovely Sam-Soon' the Best Mini Series Award.
Aiming to becoming the Korean Emmy Awards, the 'Seoul Drama Awards' set off at 8pm on the 29th at the KBS Hall with Hwang Soo Gyeong, Han Seok Jun, and Ryu Shi Won as the hosts and KBS 2TV broadcasting the scenery live.
With the opening stage of the Samsung Dance Company and B-Boys, the awards began with the Mini Series division.
The Korean drama 'My Lovely Sam-Soon' was the first to receive an award at the 'Seoul Drama Awards' followed by the Best Cinematographer Award which went to Kim Seung Hwan of 'The Emperor of the Sea' and the Best Music Director Award received by Iwashira Taro of 'The Violin.'
Amongst the 16 awards presented throughout the evening, Korea also received the Best Art Director Award presented to Min Eon Ohk of 'Princess Hours,' a Special Award presented to 'Saeya Saeya ,' along with the runner-up to the Best Drama Award, 'The Emperor of the Sea.'
'The Violin,' which tells the story of the Korean violin maker Jin Chang Hyeon who is considered Asia's Stradivarius and immigrated to Japan after the war, acted by SMAP member Kusanagi Tsuyoshi, won the Best Music Director Award along with the Best Short Drama Award.
With two parts to the event, the first ended with a performance of the Hallyu star and singer Se7en and the second with a collaboration stage of a collection of Hallyu Drama theme songs.
The first ever 'Seoul Drama Awards' ended with the Best Drama Series Award going to China's 'House of Qiao, Legend of Shanxi Merchant' and amidst a Korean traditional song (Namdo Bae Song) performed by Ahn Sook Seon.
The awardees for the 'Seoul Drama Awards' are as follows:
Best Mini Series Award
Runner-up: 'Crying Out Love, In the Center of the World' (Japan), 'Watch for Happiness' (China)
Winner: 'My Lovely Sam-Soon' (Korea)
Best Cinematographer Award: Kim Seung Hwan ('Emperor of the Sea'/Korea)
Best Music Director Award: Iwashiro Taro ('The Violin'/Japan)
Best Art Director Award: Min Eon Ohk ('Princess Hours'/Korea)
Best Writer Award: Patrick Bucley ('Remember When: Family Portrait'/Spain)
Best Director Award: Ishimaru Akihiko ('Crying Out Love, In the Center of the World'/Japan)
Best Short Drama Award
Runner-up: 'What Shall We Expect Tomorrow' (Netherland)
Winner: 'The Violin' (Japan)
Special Award
'Saeya Saeya ' (Korean)
'Hold Slipper for Hamdani' (Indonesia)
'White Walls' (Israel)
Best Actor Award: Michael Therriault ('Prairie Giant: The Tommy Douglas Story'/Canada)
Best Actress Award: Yuan Lu ('Watch for Happiness'/China)
Best Drama Series Award
Runner-up: 'The Emperor of the Sea' (Korea)
Winner: 'House of Qiao, Legend of the Shanxi Merchant' (China)
Source: http://www.broasia.com/lwboard/lwboard.php...;pg=1&no=72 |
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Sept 1, 2006
"Happy Time" to Open in Japan Next Year
 
The movie "Happy Time," starring Lee Na-young and Kang Dong-won and directed by Song Hae-sung, will open in Japan in April next year.
The movie's production firm, LJ Film, said September 1 that the Japanese firm Amuse will distribute the film in Japan.
Kang has already gained popularity in Japan for his role in the movie "Duelist," and Lee is also expected to follow in his footsteps, as the TV drama "Island"--in which she plays a lead role--premiered in Japan August 30.
"Happy Time," a heart-wrenching love story about a man who murdered three people and a woman who attempted suicide three times, will open in Korea September 14.
Source: KBS Global, innolife.net
http://english.kbs.co.kr/entertainment/new...3298_11858.html |
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2006-08-29
Seven Poised to Enter Billboard Chart Next Year
Singer Seven will release a single early next year with the purpose of entering the U.S. Billboard chart and emerging as a globally renowned star.
According to YG Entertainment, which opened an office in Los Angeles, USA in April, Seven will announce a single with English vocals early next year to establish his presence in the American music market. A person from YG Entertainment said the singer plans to release three or four singles and a full-length album in the United States next year, and that the new songs will be similar in style to those of top American artists Usher and Justin Timberlake.
YG Entertainment America has hired several American music producers to ensure Seven's success in the United States, and even chose Morgan Carey, the brother of pop diva Mariah Carey, as its partner because Carey is known to have a vast human network in the American music market.
Seven抯 agency says the singer will continue to make all kinds of endeavors to reap positive results in the United States, following his successful career in the Japanese music market, where his three singles and one full-length album made it to the top-ten of the Oricon music chart.
Singer Kim Beom-soo is the only South Korean artist to make it to the Billboard chart so far. Kim's song "Hello Good-bye Hello," sung with English vocals, took the 51st spot on the Billboard Single Sales 100 chart in December 2001 through a record label that his agency established in the United States. Another South Korean singer, Mink, who debuted in the United States via a Japanese record company, topped the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart in March, making headlines both in Korea and Japan.
Prior to his debut in the United States, Seven will release his fourth album in Korea in October.
Source: KBS Global
http://english.kbs.co.kr/entertainment/news/1412883_11858.html |
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S. Korean singer becomes a 'friend' of Ralph Lauren
SEOUL, Aug. 31 (Yonhap) -- A popular South Korean singer has been selected to serve as a public relations ambassador for the Ralph Lauren collection from September, the singer's management firm said Thursday.
Bi, often called the Korean Justin Timberlake, has recently been invited by Ralph Lauren himself to be one of his "Friends" who are supposed to promote his internationally acclaimed fashion brand, JYP Entertainment said.
"This shows that Bi is now fully acknowledged as one of the world stars," it said in a statement.
The 24-year-old Korean singer, who has gained popularity in Asia, was named by Time Magazine in April as one of the 100 most influential figures worldwide. He was the first Asian entertainer to hold a concert at Madison Square Garden in New York City in February.
"His versatility has appealed to Mr. and Mrs. Laurens. Not only the masculinity, but the tenderness at the same time has attracted the whole Asia. Mr. Lauren is also willing to help his career in the United States," the Korean subsidiary of the Ralph Lauren Corporation also said in the same statement.
"His official schedule as a Ralph Lauren ambassador will be set soon. He will also be called to appear at the Ralph Lauren shows," it said.
Ralph Lauren reportedly has been reluctant so far to select Asian stars as his Friends.
[email protected]
Source: YONHAP NEWS
http://english.yna.co.kr/Engnews ... 060831180621E9.html |
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Sept 1, 2006
'The Host' Set for All-Time Box-Office Record
Monster flick "The Host" is poised to overtake the "King and the Clown" with the most successful run in Korean movie history. The film's distributor Showbox says 12,238,450 people had gone to see the movie as of Aug. 31. If the trend continues, a new record will be set around noon on Saturday since some 12,301,289 million tickets were sold for "The King."
The fallout has been remarkable and bizarre. Between the film's opening on July 27 and Thursday, sales of canned bai-top shells -- a shellfish snack -- jumped 56.1 percent at E-Mart superstores over the same period last year, purely due to the snack抯 cameo appearance in a memorable scene where the hero played by Song Kang-ho opens up a can of the snack, which looks reminiscent of the monster in the film. The actor who plays Song's father, Byun Hee-bong, is a veteran of the movie industry, but it was this role that has brought him star status. Ko A-sung, who made her big-screen debut with the film, is also getting a lot of attention.
Then there is Han Se-a, whose character gets attacked by the monster as she listens to music on her headphones. Although she appears in the film for a grand total of eight seconds, she has been labeled the "monster girl" and has developed quite a following on the Internet. The Seoul municipal organization that manages the Hangang Citizens Park has said it plans to set up info boards in three places including the southern tip of Dongjak Bridge, where the family has their first run-in with the creature, due to public curiosity in the movie抯 locations.
Now films selling 10 million or more tickets come out once or twice a year. In 2004 there was "Silmido" (11.08 million) and "Taegukgi: The Brotherhood of War" (11.74 million), and this year there were 揔ing |
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Sept. 1, 2006
Daniel Henney Stuns With Innate Language Skills
Pretty boy of the small screen Daniel Henney has become the hot topic among producers with his reported facility with languages. His roles in the TV drama "My Name is Kim Sam-soon" and "Spring Waltz" were of the gentlemanly type that melted the hearts of many young women, and in his new film "Seducing Mr. Robin" (directed by Kim Sang-woo), he speaks English, German, Chinese, Japanese and Korean. Henney brings to life a Harvard Law School graduate who combines amazingly good looks with talent.
Henney, speaking English, is paired with Um Jung-hwa, who speaks Korean for a kind of global communication. Henney's lines were originally translated from Korean into English and then the native English speaker fixed the script to make it sound natural. But he also showed a hitherto hidden skill when speaking Japanese. Although he has never studied the language, Henney is able to pull off an almost perfect dialogue in a scene where he is dealing with Japanese businessmen.
"When I heard Henney speak Japanese, I realized that he has an amazing skill for languages," the executive producer says. "I hear that he made an MP3 recording and listened to it over and over again for practice." The actor already has a fine command of German, which he showed off in "Spring Waltz" in the role of global manager Phillip. But what is more surprising than any of these is his Korean skill. He is almost completely comfortable with day-to-day Korean, and word is that Henney has no problems communicating with those on set. In the movie, the actor delivers a final flourish in what is a fiendishly difficult language for foreigners to learn.
Source: [email protected]
http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/new...0609010020.html |
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Sept. 1, 2006
Kim Seung Woo, "Don't want to leave the house because of daughter."
"I pondered about what there is I can do for my daughter, and made a photo album of her myself."
Actor Kim Seung Woo is rather busy these days. The reason being the movies he has appeared in have been opening one after the other. On the 31st, the movie 'Hae Byeon eui Yeoin (Woman on the Beach)' (Director Hong Sang Soo, Film Bom / Jeon Won Sa Production) opened which will be followed by 'Yeonae, Geu Chameulsoo Uhbneun Gabyeoum' (Love, the Charm of its Lightness / Director Kim Hae Gon, Good Player Production) 7 days after.
Even amidst his busy movie promotion schedule, there is one thing he does not compromise; his daughter, Ra Hee.
Kim Seung woo also mentioned in a recent interview, "I don't know why I'm becoming a family man in the media," while continuously speaking about and praising his daughter.
On November 2, 2005 when the movie 'Yeonae, Geu Chameulsoo Uhbneun Gabyeoum (Yeonaecham hereforth)' had just cranked in, his wife Kim Nam Joo gave birth to Ra Hee after 13 hours of labor, and it is not over exaggerating to say that she is now the reason he lives.
Expressions of love of the father Kim Seung Woo
Seemingly having run a marathon of movie filming with 'Yeonaecham' followed right after by director Nakahara Shuun's movie 'Give this great evening, to me,' he had originally planned to take a break and spend time with his family. In the end, however, director Hang Sang Soo of 'Hae Byeon Eui Yeonin' didn't let him go and he had to postpone his small dream of being a father.
As a result, Kim Seong Woo selected photography. "I thought to myself what I can do for my family and got myself a professional camera. I wanted to take pictures myself and compile a photo album of my daughter. I learned little by little from the still photographer on set and was able to give a photo album to my daughter Ra Hee and wife," he commented.
This is not Kim Seung Woo's first act of love for his daughter. He said his first present to his daughter is her name.
He said, "Before she was born, I spent countless nights looking through the Korean dictionary and researching Chinese characters to come up with her name."-a very likely thing for Kim Seung Woo to do considering his character.
Perfect Wife Kim Nam Joo
Even after his daughter Ra Hee was born, Kim Seung Woo did not have much time to see her due to his busy filming schedule. He was worried that his daughter would not recognize him when he returned home.
Kim Seung Woo said, "When I got home and my daughter was saying 'Ppa~Ppa~' calling out for 'Appa (dad)', I was extremely happy."
The reason Ra Hee recognizes Kim Seung Woo who sparsely returns home is actually his wife Kim Nam Joo's effort. Kim Nam Joo showed pictures and played videos of Kim Seung Woo to Ra Hee pointing out that he is her dad.
Upon returning from the premiere of 'Hae Byeon eui Yeoin (Woman on the Beach),' Kim Nam Joo is said to have sent a text message saying 'A rediscovery of Kim Seung Woo. Escaped the comedy image. Congrats congrats."
Because of such caring family members, Kim Seong Woo continues saying that he does not want to leave the house during the two months of rest he gets after the filming of 'Hae Byeon eui Yeoin (Woman on the Beach).'
The movie 'Hae Byeon eui Yeoin (Woman on the Beach),' in which Kim Seung Woo plays a movie director that is at lost of what to do after a night of romance, opened on the 31st.
[Copyright © 2006 Goodday News/Goodday E&I Inc. All rights reserved]
Source: http://www.broasia.com/lwboard/lwboard.php...;pg=1&no=73 |
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Aug 30, 2006
"Invincible Parachutists" Actresses
South Korean TV actresses Han Ji-Min (left) and Yun Ji-Min meet with local journalists in a press conference for the launching of a new TV drama "Invincible Parachutists" at the Imperial Palace Hotel in Nonhyun-dong, Gwangnam-gu in the southern part of Seoul on Aug. 30, 2006. The Korean-language "Invincible Parachutists" will be aired on the local SBS TV, starting from Sept. 6, 2006.
Source: The Seoul Times
http://theseoultimes.com/ST/ |
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2006.08.30
Miyake on stage with Korean actress
Miyake Ken, 27, a member of the hottest Japanese boy band V6, said that he wanted to do a film with Korean horror film star Kim Kyu-ri someday.
The coveted singer and actor visited the country to attend the special screening of his new film "Vanished (Oyayubi sagashi)" at the CGV Multiplex in Apgujeong-dong, southern Seoul, on Monday. Kim, the star of such hit horror films as "Nightmare" (2000) and "Bunshinsaba" (2004), also joined the event at the request of his agency Avex Entertainment, which is one of the largest Japanese record labels.
"I'm a V6 fan," Kim told reporters after giving a bouquet of flowers to Miyake to congratulate him on his new film. "I've seen the film and was moved especially by his detailed inner acting."
The "queen of horror films" went on to say that she wanted to work with him someday, and the Japanese star instantly bought the idea. "She is so beautiful, and I'd love to do a film with her someday," he said.
Actress Kim Kyu-ri greets Miyake Ken before the screening
of his new film "Vanished" at the CGV Multiplex in
Apgujeong-dong on Monday. [Lee Yong-sung/The Korea Herald]
His remark generated various jealous reactions among some 300 young female fans filling a screening room of the multiplex. "Are you jealous?" he said in awkward Korean, appeasing them with his trademark sweet smile. Japanese reporters from seven different media covered the event with 25 local reporters, reflecting Miyake's immense popularity in Japan. "As a V6 member, I've visited Korea a few times before, and I've found the country is always in my mind," Miyake replied, asked why he decided to do such an event in the country, although the exact opening date of the film is yet to be discussed.
Formed in 1995, V6 was a brainchild of Johnny Kitagawa, the legendary producer of such popular Japanese boy bands as SMAP, Carbone, KinKi Kids and Arashi. What makes the band so unique among Kitagawa's many other creations is that they are composed of two smaller groups: Twentieth Century and Coming Century (to which Miyake belongs).
Besides the age difference - which can be gleaned from the self-explaining team names - the former is usually associated with being on stage in plays and musicals, whereas the latter is more often in television dramas.
Leader Sakamoto Masayuki (Twentieth Century), 35, the oldest and also the tallest member of the group, is especially famous for his roles in musical dramas such as "Footloose" and "The Boy from Oz." Nagano Hiroshi, 33, and Inohara Yoshihiko, 30, two other members of Twentieth Century, also played the leading roles in the Japanese version of the hit musical "The Producers," which was selected as the No.1 musical of 2005, by a famous Japanese musical magazine.
Among the younger members, Okada Junichi, 25 is currently making waves in the Japanese film industry with successive hits of "Kizarazu Cat's Eyes Nihon Series," "Tokyo Towers" and "Fly Daddy Fly." Morita Go, 27, has shown talents in acting through such television series as "Lunch Queen No Joou" and "Perfect Bride."
Based on a Japanese novel with the same (Japanese) title, "Vanished" is about Takeshi (Miyake), a pure-hearted lad with a dark childhood memory, who, with his friends from his elementary school years, tries to find the missing thumb of a dead girl, which means both blessings and curses in the film. "The film delves into the realm of mystic horror, but also is about something we can experience anytime in our daily life," Miyake said.
The film was released in Japan on Saturday, and is scheduled to open in Korea later this year.
([email protected])
By Lee Yong-sung
Source: The Korea Herald
http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/SITE/data/htm...00608300018.asp |
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09-03-2006
Monster Takes Millions to Theaters
'Host' Leads to Phenomenal Success, Setting New Records
By Kim Tae-jong
Staff Reporter
Local monster movie "The Host" overtook the epic film "King and the Clown," becoming the most-viewed film at the box office in Korean cinema history, and its phenomenal success is continuing setting new records everyday.
The blockbuster directed by Bong Joon-ho Saturday broke the previous ticket sale record _ 12.3 million set earlier this year by the historical piece "King and the Clown" _ in just 38 days; the latter took 112 days.
"It was spectacular with its computer graphics," Lee Kyu-jung, a 29-year-old office worker, said. "I saw the film after it broke the 10 million-viewer mark as I was curious why so many people had seen it."
The film's fastest pace is attributed to its general appeal to a broad audience with an interesting story and superb special effects.
The film revolves around a family, who fight against a mutant _ acclaimed for its graphic rendering _ rising from the Han River.
"At a glance, the film is an ordinary monster blockbuster such as the 'Jurassic Park' series," said Gina Yo, a film critic and professor at Dongguk University. "But what makes the film different from such summer blockbusters is it also deals with social issues about minorities, and talks about a new concept of family."
Other "10 million club members" are "Silmido" (2003), "Tae Guk Gi: The Brotherhood of War" (2004) and "King and the Clown." "Tae Guk Gi: The Brotherhood of War" previously held the record for the shortest period by attracting 10 million viewers in 39 days.
The record-breaking run is also put down to the fact that the film opened on 620 screens, the largest number of screens ever and almost half of the country's theaters.
It is no doubt that the new records set by "The Host" are welcomed by those who were involved in the production of the film, as its unprecedented success is bringing record high profits.
"The Host" was made with a production budget of 11 billion won and 4.5 billion won for marketing and film printing costs, but it is likely to produce a much higher return.
Its total sales will reach over 90 billion won if it reaches the 13 million mark _ a figure equivalent to the sales of 2,800 NF Sonata sedans, according to a report issued on Aug. 23 by the Bank of Korea.
The net profits for the film's production, investment and distribution companies will be also be at a record-breaking level.
The film's distributor Showbox expects that "The Host" will make about 46.9 billion won profits _ about 37 billion won in ticket sales, 7 billion won from exports and 3.5 billion won from the secondary market including DVD sales and contracts with cable channels.
The figures will become even bigger depending on further international sales. It is scheduled to open in Japan, Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia later this year, and contract negotiations with distributors in Western Europe and the United States are under way.
Many people believe that the film has opened a new era for the local film industry, but there are also concerns over shadows that the film casts on the industry as a whole.
As the film opened on 620 screens and the domination continued for several weeks, other films were unable to find available theaters. The film is now showing at some 300 screens.
Experts point out that from the film industry's perspective, the domination on screens by one or two movies has a negative impact as a whole.
"The domination on screens by one movie is problematic," said Yo, who serves as a board member for the Coalition for Cultural Diversity in Moving Images. "As the film is interesting, it could have been shown at fewer screens for a longer period time than other films."
According to a report from the Korea Institute for Industrial Economics & Trade, the size of the local film market is almost fixed with a total of some 120 million tickets sold annually, meaning that if only a few movies take most of them, the others cannot even think of surviving in the market, which can damage film diversity.
[email protected]
09-03-2006 17:31
Source: The Korea Times
http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/culture/20...17311911690.htm |
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Sept 4, 2006
First Hollywood Remake of Korean Film Opens
A poster for "The Lake House"
The unusual scenario of a man exchanging letters with a woman living two years in the future was the premise of the internationally acclaimed Korean film 'Il Mare.'
Now Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves are reunited in the Hollywood remake, called "The Lake House," in their first reunion since the 1994 action film "Speed." So why is "The Lake House" attracting high audience expectations in Korea. "This is the first time a Korea film has been remade by Hollywood, |
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Sept 4, 2006
U.S. Daily Reports on Asia's Drama-fed Korea Obsession
Leading U.S. paper the Chicago Tribune has belatedly caught on to the receding tsunami that is the Korean Wave. On the paper's Metromix website on Monday, an article titled "In Japan, a yen among women for 'Seoulmate'" took a good look at the phenomenon that is drawing infatuated Japanese women to Korea in droves.
The article discusses the success of Korean pop culture across Asia, down to the going price for Korea's top actors. "Korean male celebrities are now among the highest-paid actors outside Hollywood," it reports. "'Winter Sonata' star Bae Yong-joon -- whose character stood by his first love through 10 years of car accidents and amnesia -- is now charging US$5 million," the highest in Asia. It also describes the near $100 million empire the actor has been able to build in the short time since he rose to superstardom. At least nine other K-Wave stars are bringing in more than US$10 million per year, the Tribune says.
From Left: Bae Yong-joon, Jang Dong-gun, Ryu Shi-won and Lee Byung-hun.
The paper focuses on just how much the Korean tourist industry has picked up due to the success of these stars, adding that celebrity product spin-offs are flying off the shelves.
The Korean Wave has swamped China, Vietnam and Southeast Asia as well.
The Tribune says Koreans are sometimes called the "Italians of Asia." Fans have suggested that "a hearty diet and two years of forced military duty" helped to make South Korean men "among the buffest in Asia," the paper says.
Which makes them the most coveted in Japan. The paper carried an interview it conducted with a Japanese woman of 26 who had flown to Korea no fewer than 10 times looking for her "Seoulmate."
"South Koreans are so sweet and romantic -- not at all like Japanese guys, who never say 'I love you,'" she is quoted as saying. And she adds she will not abandon her quest to find true love in the Land of the Morning Calm.
Source: [email protected]
http://english.chosun.com/w21dat ... 9/200609040026.html |
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Fueled by Japan, star shines his light on Asia
September 05, 2006 ㅡ Kwon Sang-woo is a heartthrob movie star in Korea, but that's not enough ? his sights are set on Japan and the rest of Asia.
Mr. Kwon was recently voted one of the most popular world celebrity ? including entertainers, politicians, athletes and writers ? by Japanese women between the ages of 18 and 25 in a poll by the Japanese broadcaster NTV's variety show "Geikoi Real." His name was also included in the list of 100 top celebrities as voted for by those over the age of 50. He and BoA were the only two Korean stars to appear on both lists.
Mr. Kwon, however, doesn't seem to want to talk about his star power. "I have a long way to go," he said. "I still haven't done much in Japan."
Since his television drama, "Stairway to Heaven," became a hit in Japan, his recent films ? "Almost Love" and "Running Wild" ? brought that success to the box office. Yet he still refers to himself as a "frog in a well," a Korean expression for a person who knows nothing about the outside world.
In fact, Mr. Kwon will spend the rest of this year concentrating on his world promotion campaign.
He's made deals during visits to Tokyo and Fukuoka in August, and followed up on them with a tour in September to Indonesia and Singapore as part of a promotional campaign for The Face Shop, a cosmetic brand he models for.
On Sept. 30, he'll be making a cameo appearance in Japan's Seibu Dome during a pro baseball game. He plans to visit Taiwan and the Philippines in October. Then in November, he's scheduled to publish a set of DVDs and photo books on workout techniques. He's delayed all of his scheduled dramas and films until early next year.
"I've visited a few Asian cities over the past years," he says. "But I regret that I haven't been closer to my fans abroad. It's great enough that they like someone who doesn't even speak the same language, but I feel like I always took their attention for granted."
In the long run, Mr. Kwon's advance in Asia is his first step to entering Hollywood, one of his biggest dreams.
To do so, he'll definitely have to improve his English skills. But first, he says, Hollywood producers need to see him as instrumental in winning Asian audiences.
"It's the dream of every actor," he said. "I recently watched 'Rocky' again, and it occurred to me what it would be like to have Sylvester Stallone as my boxing coach and appear as a young boxer who's an illegal immigrant in L.A. It's doesn't hurt that I'm practicing boxing these days."
Mr. Kwon flatly states that he's not interested in producing, though he does enjoy coming up with fun story ideas.
"I haven't organized a synopsis yet, but I do have to two or three ideas that I think could work out fine," he said.
He said he's been thinking about casting roles for a live movie of "Monster," a Japanese animated feature by Urasawa Naoki. But for now, he wants to appear in another melodrama that appeals to Asian sentimentality.
He says that he's worked too hard in the six years since he made his debut.
"I came to Seoul from a provincial capital and stayed at my aunt's house in Mok-dong as soon as I got out of the army," he says. "My monthly income then was 150,000 won ($156), and 30,000 won went into the fee for my health club. I walked into 10 model agencies looking for a job. I started skipping lunch."
Mr. Kwon is a natural introvert ? he never has many friends around. He says his best friend is Song Seung-heun; his favorite actors include Cha Seong-won and Ryu Seung-beom. He has a special message for Cha: Stop getting drunk, promising to work with him, then forgetting about it the next day.
by Song Won-seob <[email protected]>
Source: INSIDE JoongAng Daily
http://joongangdaily.joins.com/2 ... 09900091009101.html |
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Sep 5, 2006
Orchid in Singapore Named after Kwon Sang-woo
An orchid at the National Orchid Garden in Singapore has been named after actor Kwon Sang-woo, who attended the naming ceremony on September 4.
Kwon received a naming certificate from the Singaporean tourism minister and attached a label with his name to a violet orchid of a new species.
The naming ceremony was originally planned to be opened to 100 fans, but more than one thousand fans from Asian countries flocked to the venue to see their favorite actor.
Singapore continually develops new species of orchids, its national flower, and holds orchid naming ceremonies every time special guests visit the country. So far, dignitaries after whom orchids have been named include former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and U.S. First Lady Laura Bush.
Some 13,000 Singaporean fans attended Kwon抯 fan meeting at The Face Shop of the IMM Mall in Singapore on September 3, causing severe traffic congestion in the city-state.
Source: KBS Global
http://english.kbs.co.kr/entertainment/new...3974_11858.html |
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Copied from soompi.com, thanks to dramaok
http://www.soompi.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=868&st=1720
Ryu Jin (33) to wed girlfriend of 6 years on October 29, 2006
Rep. from iwedding.co.kr announced Ryu Jin's wedding will be held in the Dynasty Hall of Seoul Shilla Hotel, on October 29th, at 1 pm. His bride is 27-year-old Lee Hye-Seon who is a flight attendant. The two met in 2000 through friends. Ryu has said he fell for Lee's bright and cute personality, and after filming his latest drama, MBC 'Really Really Like You', he felt he wanted to be with the person he loves and proposed to his girlfriend. After the wedding, the newlyweds will spend their honeymoon in Maldives, and they will create their new home in an apt in Seoul's sang-am district (상암동 ).
Source: http://kr.news.yahoo.com/service/news/shel...090509330756594 |
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09-05-2006
Film on Love and Capital Punishment
By Kim Tae-jong
Staff Reporter
At first glance, the upcoming movie "Our Happy Time" (Wuridului Haengbokhan Sigan) seems to be a typical melodrama about a couple in love, starring a handsome actor and a pretty actress _ Kang Dong-won and Lee Na-young.
The two stars however say the film is rather a story about the fundamental relationships between people.
"People seem to think that the film is an ordinary love story, but actually, it's about the mutual understanding between people," Lee said Monday during a news conference at Seoul Cinema.
Directed by Song Hae-sung, the film revolves around Yun-su, a criminal sentenced to death (played by Kang), who meets Yu-jung, a woman who has made repeated suicide attempts due to her troubled youth.
As the seemingly extreme relationship further develops, they help each other soothe their pain.
But as it is based on the book with the same title by Kong Ji-young, which centers on the issue of the death penalty, the film also takes a look at the negative side of the controversial system, and the two actors cautiously show their opposition against it.
"It;s hard simply to talk about whether the system should be maintained or not as it is such a sensitive issue, and I realized that the issue is something much more complicated than what we thought. But life is also important to those under sentence of death," Lee said.
Kang also opposes the system by saying, "I'd like to say that I think men can't punish men (with such measures)."
In the film, Yun-su, leading a marginalized life, murders three people and is sentenced to death. But when the mother of one of the victims visits him in the prison and says that she will make an effort to forgive him, he truly atones for his wrongdoing.
"Some people forgive other people for their really big mistakes. But we can't even forgive people for their really trivial faults," Kang said.
Regarding the film, the two actors said that it was challenging to play unusual characters, but their main focus was to express the sincerity that the characters have for each other.
"Director Song, first and foremost, wanted to work with actors who could put sincerity in each and every scene of the film, and now we can say we are quite confident about it. So, although the film deals with a heavy issue, we hope the audience can find and feel the love in the film," Lee said.
"Our Happy Time" is the fourth film by director Song, who is acclaimed for his humanitarian exploration on human nature in his films including the 2001 melodrama "Failan," a love story between marginalized people in society.
[email protected]
09-05-2006 17:51
Source: The Korea Times
http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/ ... 090517514611720.htm |
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