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Thursday September 28, 2006
Romance, Korean style
By LI EE KEE
Director Shin Chul-woo may have been responsible for the mawkish Lovers in Paris (2004) and Lovers in Prague (2005) and is currently working on his third TV drama serial entitled Lovers, but he insists that he is no romanticist.
But what about the bulk of Korean dramas that portray Korean men as hopeless sentimentalists? Isn't that why majority of Asian women are falling shamelessly head over heels for them (granted that they also have killer looks to boot)?
"It is just drama," Shin noted matter-of-factly during an exclusive interview with the Malaysian media on Hainan Island, China, recently.
"To make a good drama, you have to first understand your viewers. The demographics show that women who watch Korean dramas are between 20 and 50 years old. So to make the drama appealing to them we need not just a good actor but also one who incorporates that good, romantic quality."
Filming a scene from Lovers, which stars Kim Jung-eun
(centre) and directed by Shin Woo-chul.
He found those attributes in Park Shin-yang (Lovers in Paris) and Kim Joo-hyuk (Lovers in Prague). In Lovers, he turned to the ruggedly handsome Lee Seo-jin.
"Lee has charisma. He plays Gang-jae, a mafia leader, whose tough exterior belies his sensitive nature."
Shin Woo-chul.
For his heroine Mi-joo, Shin cast Lovers in Paris star Kim Jung-eun.
"I enjoyed working with Kim on Lovers in Paris. We had strong teamwork. Working together for the second time, we know what we both want and we are familiar with each other's style. There is mutual respect and we communicate well.
"I would be lying if I said Kim was the only actress I had in mind, but based on feedback I received, she is the perfect fit."
Their winning combination in Lovers in Paris garnered Shin the 41st Baek Sang Arts Awards in 2005 for best drama as well as the best drama series award at the 2005 Asia Television Festival in Singapore. Kim took home the best actress award in a TV drama at both ceremonies.
Does Shin feel the pressure for Lovers to be equally successful? "Like any drama director, I can only try my best and hope for the best."
Earlier during the press conference, Lee and Kim together with other cast members sang praises for the director. Asked if he felt burdened by their expectations, an embarrassed Shin said yes.
"But for me, it shows that they have strong faith in me and Kim Eun-sook (scriptwriter) and I am thankful for that. It is important for the actors to have trust in the director and script, so that they can focus and follow the script, not just interpret and translate on their own."
Lovers is the romantic yet poignant tale of Gang-jae and Mi-joo. They keep bumping into each other through a series of coincidences before their destiny finally crosses at a beautiful resort on Hainan Island. Lovers, which started filming on Sept 7 and is scheduled to finish on Jan 1, will air in South Korea on Nov 1.
Like his past two serials that were partly shot in Paris, France and Prague, the Czech Republic, Lovers is back dropped against the idyllic Hainan Island and beautiful Sheraton Sanya Resort, where the press conference was held and attended by members of the media from Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, China and Malaysia.
Shin explained that for Lovers he wanted an Asian location. When he heard of Sanya, also known as the Hawaii of Asia with its beautiful scenery, he knew it was the perfect spot to showcase the show抯 theme of romance and friendship.
He added that Lovers is a melodrama that not only revolves around romance, but also the love between friends and family.
"It's a broader definition of love, not just between man and woman. I realised that many popular Korean dramas provide that element of romance, so much so that it has become a formula emulated by many."
"Some viewers have complained that it's too formulaic. I think what is most important is how we encapsulate and transfer what is on paper to screen."
"Although Lovers is essentially a melodrama, we are also looking at the subject of friendship, which differentiates it from other series."
Why is the series not called Lovers in Hainan?
"Lovers was actually the working title. But everyone got so used to calling it Lovers that we decided to just stick with it."
Is this the last of the Lovers series?
"I'm not sure."
Lovers marks Shin's third collaboration with scriptwriter Kim Eun-sook, who was responsible for the previous Lovers series. Shin pointed out that often there are disagreements between directors and scriptwriters but luckily Kim Eun-sook and him have a mutual understanding.
"We work well together. Scriptwriting is detailed work and needs someone who is sensitive to the needs of viewers. Kim (Eun-sook) knows the concept of dramas well, as such she is able to entertain audiences with memorable storylines. She is also good at visualising and actualising characters."
Shin has no intentions as yet to venture into the big screen. According to him, TV still has much room for him to explore. Then what about tackling other genres aside from melodrama?
"In Lovers, you will find some action while Lovers in Paris had comedic elements. I am not really interested in doing horror or thrillers. What I really want to do next is a traditional, period-costumed drama."
Source: STAR online
http://www.star-ecentral.com/news/story.as...mp;sec=tvnradio |
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The cast
By LI EE KEE
Kim Jung-eun as Mi-joo
When I pick a role, it is more important for me to choose the people I am going to work with rather than the script. And I had no doubts that I wanted to work with (director) Shin Woo-chul and (scriptwriter) Kim Eun-sook again.
I play a plastic surgeon. She's a pragmatic and cheerful character. It's a challenge portraying her but I抦 enjoying it. It's my first time working with Lee Seo-jin. He's serious in his work, really tries his best and makes the filming environment fun.
This is my first time in China. I haven't been able to see much of the country due to the tight shooting schedule but what I抳e seen is beautiful. The people are kind and I love the beautiful scenery. It抯 been fun working here but at the same time I miss home.
The cast of Lovers (from left): Jung Chan,
Kim Gyu-ri, Kim Jung-eun and Lee Seo-jin.
Lee Seo-jin as Gang-jae
I've wanted to work with Kim Jung-eun for a long time and now that I've got the chance, I'm grateful for it. She is always cheerful and happy. I enjoy working with her.
In the series, I play a mafia leader who is tough on the outside but vulnerable. Whatever characters I play, there will be some points of resemblance between my character and personality in real life. Among friends, I'm tough but with my girlfriend, I'm more expressive.
In the story, Gang-jae is a tough guy in the beginning but Mi-joo brings out the softness in him.
Jung Chan as Se-yeon
Kim Jung-eun and Lee Seo-jin are professionals with careers dating way back. I have learned a lot from them. What I've learned will serve me well in my acting career.
Se-yeon is Gang-jae's stepbrother and he is always competing with Gang-jae for their father's trust and attention. He also has his sights set on Mi-joo, thinking that he deserves her more than Gang-jae.
Kim Gyu-ri as Yoo-jin
I'm the youngest of the four so there is going to be much for me to learn from my seniors. I'm looking forward to it. I will start filming my scenes next month. I play a bakery owner and Gang-jae's long-time girlfriend. When I get back to Seoul I intend to take lessons in baking as part of my research.
Viewers when they first meet Yoo-jin will have the impression that she is soft and weak but as the story develops they will see that she is strong.
Source: STAR online
http://www.star-ecentral.com/news/story.as...mp;sec=tvnradio
[ Last edited by katt at 29-9-2006 07:04 PM ] |
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Sept 28, 2006
Another Cerebral Treat From Choi Dong-hoon
If you expect the extreme logic and totally absorbing force of "The Big Swindle" from director Choi Dong-hoon's new work "War of Flower" you will be disappointed. But the new film is still engaging enough to prove an intellectual talent rare in Korea's Hollywood Chungmuro. A gripping combination of crime thriller and gambling movie, "War of Flower" released on Thursday pieces together into a complicated puzzle. The director's taste for a brain teaser rather than melodrama is again evident in this gripping film, and viewers will be grateful for that.
A poster for "War of Flower"
After losing all his money including his sister's dowry in a card game, Goni (Cho Seung-woo) meets the legendary flower card master Pyeong Gyeong-jang (Paek Yoon-shik). The famous gambler is afraid of nothing if he has 48 flower cards with him. Determined to stop gambling when he makes five times as much money as the dowry he lost, Goni starts to learn the skills. But he breaks his word after being seduced by casino hostess Jeong (Kim Hye-soo).
The first half part of the two-and-a-half-hour movie based on a series of comic books by Huh Young-man makes viewers feel breathless just to keep up with all the new characters introduced -- this may be because even the rather long running time is not enough time to render life as vividly as the original -- but the second half is unbearably suspenseful even for readers of the original comic books. It may be the director's talent to put the jigsaw together piece by piece, but it is the actors who give life to the story. Cho Seung-woo's acting is somewhat repetitive and standard as young Goni, but as he grows into a flower card master, he shows he has the potential to become a master at his own craft one day.
And no one could have played a femme fatale better than Kim Hye-soo, who pours all she has into playing the hostess, whose role is bigger than in the original. Yoo Hae-jin also shows himself indispensable in a part that breaks the tension with his talkativeness and dissimulation at critical moments in the film. In a scene where he kisses a bar hostess seduced in a dark shabby theater in the neighborhood, his acting reaches the level of high art. Paek Yoon-shik, already an established character actor with his role in "The Big Swindle," once again proves that he is unrivaled at playing the shark. You will know what "electric" means when you hear him threaten someone, and see his expression at the last, life-or-death game.
Source: [email protected]
http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/new...0609280009.html |
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Sept 29, 2006
Ha Ji-won's Beauty to Brighten Walls in Cannes
The giant, strikingly beautiful face of Ha Ji-won will adorn walls all over Cannes during the international audiovisual content market show MIPCOM 2006 running there from Oct 9-13, the posters advertising the historical TV drama "Hwang Jin-I."
KBS Media, which is involved in bringing Korean pop culture to foreign audiences, says at the main entrance to the largest venue, the Palais des Festivals, will be a large visual from the early days of shooting the story of the famous Chosun-era gisaeng (female entertainer).
But those involved are trying to persuade MIPCOM to switch those images of the actress for a newer one, which they think is even more stunning: it depicts her lying down and looking over her shoulder with a decorative wig on her head and clad in a jeogori (short jacket).
Those in charge of the PR for "Hwang Jin-I" say they plan to unveil a total of five posters, and they have already heard from people who want to buy the series.
Source: [email protected]
http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/new...0609290015.html |
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2006-09-29
Rain (Bi) opens membership for fan club prior to world tour
Singer Rain (Bi) is gathering fan club members internationally.
With the 'World Tour Premiere' concert coming up on October 13th, JYP Entertainment is gathering fan club members through the company's official community website 'Joy Place.'
Rain (Bi) will be accepting applications from Japan, China, America, Europe, and others throughout a total of 12 countries for the fan club through the 'Joy Place' corner named 'The Cloud' until October 13th.
A JYP Entertainment personnel commented, "There have been more than 1,000 fans that have purchased the tour package that includes attending the World Tour Premiere concert. Considering these numbers, we believe the actual number applications we receive for the fan club will exceed our expectations."
Members of 'The Cloud' can receive a fan club card with a never released image of Rain (Bi) during his 4th album promotion along with special benefits as a member.
Rain (Bi) will be holding a charity concert on October 12th at Seoul's Chamshil Main Stadium to celebrate the release of his fourth album and showcase.
[Copyright © 2006 Goodday News / Goodday E&I Inc. All rights reserved.]
Source: http://www.broasia.com/lwboard/lwboard.php...;pg=1&no=88 |
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Heroine
OCTOBER 02, 2006
Your correspondent met Kim Jeong-eun, a popular actress in Korea, at a caf |
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2006-10-03
Ahn Jae Wook to release special album in Japan
Singer and actor Ahn Jae Wook will release a special album in Japan.
The Japanese newspaper Nikkan Sports reported via the internet that, "Ahn Jae Wook will release his special album 'My Life is...' on the 18th."
Furthermore, Nikan Sports said, "Ahn Jae Wook will speak about the love between him and his fans through this upcoming album. Especially in this album, Ahn Jae Wook will express the life that he lived through his songs."
Ahn Jae Wook's upcoming album will have thirteen songs including some from the MBC drama "Star in My Heart" OST, such as 'Even If You Leave,' 'Friend,' and 'Forever.'
[Copyright © 2006 Goodday News / Goodday E&I Inc. All rights reserved.]
Source: http://www.broasia.com/lwboard/lwboard.php...;pg=1&no=90 |
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Oct 4, 2006
Rain Vows to Take the World by Storm
It looks like at any moment the pink T-shirt holding in his bulging muscles will be able to contain him no more: shoulders that look as if they have spread another 10 cm in the last year from a new and deeper confidence in his words and ways. K-Pop's brightest star Rain, who will kick off a world tour at a release event for his fourth album at the main stadium at the Jamsil Olympic Stadium on Oct. 13., agreed to a chat with the Chosun Ilbo.
"What happens now will determine whether I'll be taking a big step forward or staying where I'm at," he says. "If you just grasp a handful of sand, it will only slip through your fingers. You need to sprinkle water on the sand to make mud, which can then become cement and be made into a building."
"This world tour is the biggest opportunity I've ever had in my life," says the pop star, who has prepared for it as much as humanly possible. The biggest difference between this and his last tour is that a top crew that has worked on the shows of all the top U.S. and U.K. stars has been assembled for the show. "Things that no Korean musician has yet been able to do are happening now," he says. "Even when those who come to the show reach their 40s and 50s, they will automatically think of it whenever it rains, that's the kind of masterpiece that I will make. When I was drinking with (tour) producer Jamie King, he said, 'I'm the best there is. If I can't make your stage the best, there's no reason for me to be here.' It was like a spark."
After wrapping up his Madison Square Garden concert back in February, Rain had two choices. There was the perhaps too hasty fast track: putting together an album in English and heading guns blazing into the U.S. market. And the slower and surer option: heading back to Asia to cement his popularity with a world tour first. He went with the second option. "I thought that the first order of business should be giving a big gift back to the audiences in Asia. Towards the end of next year, I'll officially release an album in English, and then I'd better get up on those Billboard Charts," he says.
"I don't have the words to express how ready I am for battle. Usually, once the curtain goes up, the roars of the audience shake me like a wave and electricity surges from head to toe. But now I'm in that state of excitement even though the concerts haven't started."
Rain's ambitions as an actor are not too modest either. He recently finished work on the latest film by director Park Chan-wook, "Cyborg Girl." In the midst of all that, he has also been putting together his fourth album and preparing for the tour, putting his daily schedule a long way from comfort. "I sleep for one or two hours," he admits.
"In my days as a backup dancer, a mentor of mine who was the drummer said something that always stayed with me: 'When you lie down in bed at night, if comfortable sleep doesn't come to you, you haven't put everything into your work that day." These days, when I lie down for bed, I am often uneasy. I struggle to think of just what it is that I've done wrong, then finally, I just get back up and practice dancing and singing again. It seems like I may have some kind of an obsession."
Even though Rain lives as though there are 48 hours in a day, he still meets his friends from time to time. But he confesses, "After just the first shot of Soju, I start asking myself, 'Is it really OK for me to be messing around like this now?' and then it is difficult for me to just enjoy small talk." His "obsession" with work is more than your garden variety self-motivation. "Yes, I'm a workaholic."
"When I think of how I wasn't able to even buy a meal, or a bouquet of flowers, for my mother who left this world after she couldn't get adequate treatment for her diabetes, I realize that I can't spend one minute or even one second in vain," the singer says. "People who have gone five days without food see the world with different eyes. A lot of my older friends tell me that I should spend more of my money."
The album, to be released at the event on 13th, has his fans all over the world on pins and needles. "In places that have been ravaged by war and starvation, the falling Rain brings the sprouts of peace and love," is the theme that was chosen to base the album around, explains the singer.
In August last year, Rain donated enough to have 50 wells built in Kampot, Cambodia. "It was such a small thing, but many people helped, so we had good results." Recalling the Time 100 party last May, where the singer rubbed shoulders with some real big-timers, he says, "I was introduced with the phrase, 'In North Korea there's Kim Jong-il, in South Korea there's Rain, |
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2006-10-04
Jo In Sung returns to the TV screen in two years as a cold-hearted detective
Actor Jo In Sung is returning to the TV screen, 2 years after the 2005 SBS drama 'Spring Days.'
A personnel of Jo In Sung's agency Sydus commented, "The drama Jo In Sung will be starring in is based on a Japanese comic series and the license acquisition is currently in the final stage. Sydus HQ will be producing the series and the station to be aired is currently under negotiations."
The personnel also said, "The synopsis and scenario, cast, and crew are currently being decided upon and the filming will start in Spring 2007 in Korean and Japan."
In the series, Jo In Sung will play a detective that examines each case with a cold and cynical eye and will perform action scenes.
Meanwhile, this drama is planned to be aired not only in Korea, but also Japan, China, Taiwan, and other countries in the Asia region.
[Copyright © 2006 Goodday News / Goodday E&I Inc. All rights reserved.]Source: http://www.broasia.com/lwboard/lwboard.php...;pg=1&no=91 |
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2006-10-05
Dong Bang Shin Gi, 'Feels like debuting again'
The group Dong Bang Shin Gi is starting the Korean promotion for their 3rd album. Labeling the promotion is particularly for Korea is because Dong Bang Shin Gi is no longer just a 'Gooknae (inter-Korean) group.'
This can be proved by the devoted fans of Dong Bang Shin Gi that are spread throughout Asia. On the 30th last month, 1,000 or so fans gathered in Seoul from Japan, China, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia, the U.S., Australia, Hong Kong, and other countries to attend the showcase that was held at the main Olympic Arena.
For a group that is not Japanese, they were the first to rank 6th on the Oricon Weekly Single Chart, and the fact that the tickets for all 11 concerts in 7 regions of Japan, along with performances in Thailand, Malaysia, and others that were part of the Asia Tour were sold out present another reason Dong Bang Shin Gi can no longer be considered just a 'Korean group.'
"The Bangkok Impact Arena performance was tremendous. We never really had any promotions in Thailand before that but 14,000 people came. 2,000 or so were waiting outside because they couldn't get tickets. We were skeptical in thinking we were really that popular." (YouKnow Yunho)
Aside from the Asia Tour confirming Dong Bang Shin Gi's popularity in this region, it became a training program to further mature Dong Bang Shin Gi from a musical standpoint.
At the press conference before their showcase performance on September 30th, they were asked how their singing abilities improved. Dong Bang Shin Gi replied that there was no special training, but the Asia Tour helped.
YouKnow Yunho is a deep bass, and ChweGang Changmin has a high tone that reaches even female's range. Xiah Junsu has a beautiful, husky, mid-high tone. Micky Yoochun has a mellifluous mid-low tone, and Hero Jaejoong has a clear mid-range tone. Thanks to several months of performing live concerts, one after another, the members each found their own musical flavor. This was confirmed in the showcase for the 3rd album release, and in the Asia Song Festival that they participated a week before.
"To artists, the 3rd album represents the peak of their success, but to us, it represents a beginning. The individual characteristics of the members are now solid, and are presented well in this album. So it does not feel like a comeback, but it feels like we're debuting all over again." (Xiah Junsu)
Dong Bang Shin Gi emphasized that they put in much effort to show a variety of different and mature images in this album. Their title song '"O"-'Jung. Ban. Hap' (Thesis. Antithesis. Synthesis) is of the dance genre that their agency SM entertainment has shown since the group H.O.T. But the remake of the song "Poong Sun" (Balloon) by Five Fingers and other ballads are approachable, even by the standards of last year's trends.
"These songs are likable by teenagers, and even their parents. Through the 3rd album, we Dong Bang Shin Gi want to show that we're a group that sings many genres, and a group with good music." (Hero Jaejoong)
Not just in their 3rd album, but also at Dong Bang Shin Gi's latest concert, they are showing that they are not successful just because they are an idol group with looks and flamboyant dance that appeals to the girls. They now reach outside of Korea and rose to another level of the "Star of Asia." Dong Bang Shin Gi is determined to work even harder to live up that title.
"During the Japan Tour, there was something that remained in my memory. An old audience member who didn't know much about us was at first uninterested in us, but as the concert progress, he was enjoying our songs. It's really marvelous that you can connect through music to that audience member when our words can't even be understood. In the future, Dong Bang Shin Gi will become a group that will not only connect through music with that audience member, but also with everyone in the world." (ChweGang Changmin)
[Copyright © 2006 Goodday News/Goodday E&I Inc. All rights reserved.]
Source: http://www.broasia.com/lwboard/lwboard.php...;pg=1&no=92 |
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2006/10/06 09:11 KST
Asian talent lights up PIFF guest list
SEOUL, Oct. 6 (Yonhap) -- The upcoming film festival in South Korea's coastal city of Busan may not draw Hollywood celebrities but it is proving a magnet for new and established stars from Asia and Europe.
During the 11th Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF), several award-winning directors will visit the city to raise its cinematic profile. They include China's Jia Zhangke, who won the Golden Lion for Best Film at this year's Venice Film Festival with "Still Life," and the Hungarian veteran director Istvan Szabo, who won an Oscar for "Mephisto."
France's Bruno Dumont and Iran's Abolfazl Jalili will participate as the jury for the competitive New Currents section. Meanwhile, Britain's Daniel Gordon will introduce his second documentary about North Korea, "Crossing the Line."
Well-known directors from South Korea will be also visiting Busan with their latest creative works. Hong Sang-soo ("Woman on the Beach") and Bong Joon-ho ("The Host") will appear before an international audience, along with Lee Joon-ik, whose record-breaking period drama "The King and the Clown" was chosen to represent South Korea in the race for next year's foreign film Oscar.
Hong Kong-born actor and producer Andy Lau will receive the Asian Filmmaker of the Year award for his support in helping young Asian directors make their debut, as well as distributing their work internationally.
The Oct. 12-20 event will also serve as a stage for Asian actors to gain recognition from different countries.
The participating stars include South Korea's Hwang Jung-min ("Blood Ties") and Jang Jin-young ("Blue Swallow"), Japan's Kashii Yu ("Starlit High Noon") and Hayato Ichihara. Also on the list are China's Guo Xiaodong ("Summer Palace") and Zhou Xun ("The Banquet"), and Vietnam's Do Thi Hai Yen ("Story of Pao").
Actors of Korean descent working in Hollywood, such as Leonardo Nam ("The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift"), Will Yun Lee ("Elektra") and Sung Kang ("Undoing"), will also appear.
[email protected]
Source: http://english.yna.co.kr/Engnews/20061006/...06091223E0.html
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2006/10/06 09:10 KST
Pusan film festival lifts Southeast Asian cinema
SEOUL, Oct. 6 (Yonhap) -- The upcoming film festival in Busan will showcase Southeast Asian films by young and talented directors, highlighting their various cultures and filmmaking styles that have generally been underrated in the global film industry.
The latest low-budget movies from Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines reflect the emerging cinema art in their respective countries, said Kim Ji-suk, who organized the screening of Asian movies for the Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF). Those movies tend to go slightly unnoticed in the global market compared to Northeast Asian films, he said.
"The main role of a film festival includes discovering new talent and new movies. There are Asian movies that are familiar to the audience, but there are others that are not. My hope is that our audiences will understand and love Asian movies in a broad way," Kim said.
In the case of Malaysia, whose mainstream films have been considered unconvincing, there is a growing corps of young filmmakers who are building a new cinematic trend with low-budget movies, he said. A coming-of-age story, "Rain Dogs" by Ho Yuhang, for example, adds a fresh angle to the perennial subject of adolescence through the character of an ethnic protagonist growing up in Malaysia.
"The White Silk Dress" by Huynh Luu reflects the determination of young Vietnamese directors to bolster their cinematic quality in an era of transition. The Vietnamese government is aiming to transfer its control of major film production companies to private enterprises, raising competition for filmmakers. Huynh presents a well-made epic that revolves about a Vietnamese woman who struggles to protect her dignity and self-respect around the time of the Vietnam War.
"Those movies may not be totally creative or concern new themes. But we can see a strong will there to make a well-made work, a work with a sold scenario, to make a new model in Vietnam," Kim said.
Southeast Asian movies worth attention at PIFF also include "Illusion," by Paolo Villaluna and Ellen Ramos of the Philippines, "Dorm," by Songyos Sugmakanan of Thailand, "Opera Jawa," by Garin Nugroho of Indonesia, and "Story of Pao," by Vietnam's Ngo Quang Hai, he said.
[email protected]
Source: Yonhap News |
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2006-10-06
'Winter Sonata,' targets Japan with musical
The drama 'Winter Sonata' starring Bae Yong Joon and Choi Ji woo which gathered much popularity in Korean and Japan has been recreated into a musical and is being performed in Japan.
The 'Musical Winter Sonata' received a standing applause at the preview performance this past January at the Sapporo Snow Festival, and started the official tour with a press conference on June 26th at Tokyo's Shinjuku Koma Theatre.
The 'Musical Winter Sonata' which opened on the 4th at the Koma Theatre will have 36 performances in Tokyo and 8 in Osaka.
Yoon Seok Ho that produced the drama served as the head art director of the 'Musical Winter Sonata' accompanied by the music director of 'Myeong Seong Hwang Hoo' and 'Mamma Mia,' Kim Moon Jeong, who together recreated a sad love story with heart filled melodies.
'Musical Winter Sonata' stars the popera singer Lim Tae Gyeong along with Lee Sang Hyeon, Park Hong Joo, Lim Kang Hee, Lee Pil Seung, Jini, Jin Bok Ja, Yang Joon Mo, and other musical actors.
'Musical Winter Sonata' is performed in Korean with a Korean staff and has the possibility of playing a role in introducing a new genre of the Hallyu Wave in Japan.
[Copyright © 2006 Goodday News/Goodday E&I Inc. All rights reserved.]
Source: http://www.broasia.com/lwboard/lwboard.php...;pg=1&no=93 |
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Oct 9, 2006
Competition to Cast Song Seung-heon Heats Up
Competition to cast actor Song Seung-heon, who will be released from military service in November, is heating up.
Song's popularity skyrocketed in Japan and Southeast Asia for his roles in movies and TV dramas. Song began his military service in November 2004, but his popularity remained high after the release of the Chinese song entitled "I'm Not Song Seung-heon."
Song抯 discharge from military service is said to be "like rain in the desert" for the showbiz community, which has been experiencing a dearth of stars due to their conscription into military service. The showbiz world can look forward to seeing a more mature Song after two years of service. Any productions for which the actor is cast are expected to be exported overseas for a good price.
A person from a TV drama production firm said the firm has been proactively making casting offers to Song because the first production he stars in after finishing his military service will draw significant attention.
The film industry is also attempting to cast Song, with several film production firms sending their film scripts to the actor.
Song抯 agency is still determining the actor's future acting plans. Song will hold a fan meeting shortly after his discharge from the military. His fans from Asian countries have already begun making flight reservations to attend the meeting.
Source: KBS Global
http://english.kbs.co.kr/entertainment/news/1419062_11858.html
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Kwon Sang-woo Blasts Japanese Media
Hallyu star Kwon Sang-woo has strongly criticized Japanese media reports disparaging South Korean celebrities.
Kwon's agency said October 8 that the Japanese sports daily Tokyo Sports published yet another negative story about the actor on October 3, saying that Kwon was recently seen drunk after a party. The newspaper also published a humiliating story about Kwon last year by quoting the CEO of KSJ, a store that deals with Japanese products.
A person close to Kwon said the actor's agency received an apology from the reporter who wrote the story after sending him evidence proving him wrong, but that a similar incident has happened again. He also said that such negative reports about Kwon were a result of an organized action aimed at tarnishing the actor's reputation. He explained that the person sitting next to Kwon in the photo that Tokyo Sports published was the vice CEO of KSJ and that the party took place last year when Kwon dined out with KSJ staff.
Kwon's aide also said that legal action would have a minor effect in Japan given the lack of recognition of Tokyo Sports, and expressed frustration that Korean media borrowed such malicious reports and published them in Korean without fact-checking.
Kwon posted an angry message on the Web site of his fan cafe saying that he can抰 drink alcohol because his body rejects it and that he posed for photos with the female staff of KSJ because they said they were his fans. "That's a pathetic act by people who want to ruin my image. News should be about new events, not about things that happened ten months ago. Life is short, and I don't want to live with so many wounds in my heart," wrote Kwon.
Source: KBS Global
http://english.kbs.co.kr/entertainment/news/1419105_11858.html |
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2006-10-09
11th Pusan International Film Festival starts on the 12th
The 11th annual Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF) will start on the 12th at 7pm at Busan's Haeunddae Yachting Center Outdoor Theatre with actors Ahn Seong Gi and Moon Geun Yeong as the MC and will continue on until the 20th transforming Busan into a 'World of the Silver Screen.'
This year's festival will feature the opening film, director Kim Dae Seung's 'Gaeullo (Trace of Love),' closing film 'Crazy Stone' by director Ning Hao, along with 245 other movies from 63 different countries that will be screened at 31 theatres throughout the Haeundae and Nampodong areas.
Amongst the invited films, 64 films are a world premiere, and there are 20 international and 71 Asia premieres once again proving the rising status of the film festival.
This year's festival will also feature 10 special programs under the theme of 'Midnight Passion' which will screen films at night. These programs include a 'Korea Cinema Retrospective,' consisting of 7 films that were produced during the Japanese colonial era, along with a commemorative screening of deceased director Shin Sang-Ohk, 'Auteurs francais contemporains: Contemporary French Auteurs' to commemorate the 120 years of friendship between Korea and France, and 'Remapping of Asian Auteur Cinema 2' which aims to "discover, introduce, and support directors in Asia who are little known abroad despite their influence and importance in the film industries of their respective countries" amongst many others.
The Pusan Promotional Plan (PPP), that has become Asia's top project market since its launch in 1998, and BIFCOM (Busan International Film Commission & Industry Showcase), which provides a market for filming techniques and equipment, will be jointly operated under the Asian Film Market which will also offer a market for financing and production for the first time.
Along with these changes, 'Asia Documentary Network (AND)' which supports the production of documentaries in the Asia region added 7 funds, and many special events such as 'Cinematic Love,' which will provide a simultaneous experience of music and movies through combined concerts and film screenings for viewers in outdoor theatres, will be held.
[Copyright © 2006 Goodday News/Goodday E&I Inc. All rights reserved.]
Source: http://www.broasia.com/lwboard/l ... &pg=1&no=94 |
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'Hello Brother' Wins Prize at Lucas Film Festival
Monday, October 9, 2006
 
The Korean film "Hello Brother" has won the grand prize at the Lucas International Childrens' Film Festival in Germany.
"Hello Brother" shared the top award for feature films in competition with the German entry "Paulo's Secret."
Out of a total of one-hundred-23 films, 13 features and eight short subjects vied for the top prize.
Organizers said "Hello Brother" was recognized for maintaining its sense of humor without being overly sentimental despite its heavy theme.
Upon receiving the award, director Lim Tae-hyung thanked children with leukemia for helping him in shooting the film.
"Hello Brother" is based on the true story of a boy suffering from leukemia and his mischievous little brother.
In September 2005, the leading boy actor Park Ji-bin received the best actor award at the New Montreal International Film Festival.
Source: KBS Global
http://english.kbs.co.kr/news/newsview_sub...;key=2006100939
Oct 10, 2006
"Little Brother" Tops Children's Film Fest in Germany
The Korean film "Little Brother" directed by Lim Tai-hyung has won the top prize at an international children's film festival held in Germany. The film's producer, MK Pictures, said Monday that "Little Brother" shared the Lucas Award with the German film "Paula's Secret" at the Lucas International Children抯 Film Festival which ran from Sept. 24 until Oct. 1.
Among 13 feature and eight short films in the competition category, Lim's work was recognized for maintaining its humor and not becoming sentimental despite its serious topic. A total of 123 films were submitted to the festival.
Based on a true story, "Little Brother" deals with the life of a boy diagnosed with cancer and the boy's little brother. Park Ji-bin, who played the little brother, won the Silver Iris Award for Best Actor at the New Montreal Filmfest in Canada in September.
The Korean director said, "I would like to express my gratitude to the children who were fighting cancer at a hospital where the film was shot, and who are now in the heaven. I owe this honor to them."
Source: KBS Global
http://english.kbs.co.kr/society/news/1419277_11773.html |
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10-10-2006
Rain's World Premier Tour Begins in Seoul
By Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Staff Reporter
South Korea's Rain or "Pi"embarks on a world
premiere tour this Friday.
Rain, known as Pi in Korean, is undoubtedly one of the biggest K-pop stars nowadays. It's no wonder that around 40,000 fans, with almost a fourth from other countries, are expected to attend the premiere of his world concert tour at Jamsil Stadium, Seoul on Friday.
Fans from Japan, China, United States, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines are expected to show their support for Rain.
The free concert coincides with the release of Rain's fourth album on Friday. Rain gained popularity also as an actor throughout Asia in the hit drama "Full House."
Rica Valera, a caterer from Manila, Philippines, is traveling to Seoul with a bunch of friends to watch the concert. She and her friends arranged their Korean vacation to coincide with Rain's concert.
"I have seen Rain perform live in Hong Kong for his showcase and in Bangkok for the last leg of his Rainy Day Tour and he exceeded all expectations. I'm just hoping to see him enjoy his performance. I don't want to be stressed and pressured by placing high expectations on Rain," Valera told The Korea Times.
Gina Wong, an accounts executive from Singapore, said she is looking forward to a great performance by Rain. "I'm not sure what to expect, but I know Rain will be great," she said.
The Oct. 13 concert is seen as a preview for Rain's upcoming world tour "Rain抯 Coming," which will officially kick off in Seoul on Dec. 15 (www.rainworldtour.com). He is expected to perform songs from his latest album.
For his concert, Rain has tapped prominent concert production people such as stage director Jaime King, who has choreographed dance moves for Madonna, Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera; lighting specialist Roy Bennett; and visual director Dago Gonzalez.
StarM, the entertainment agency organizing the concert, has even coordinated with travel agencies from different countries to make it easier for fans to come to Korea and watch the show.
The price of the Rain concert package tours varies. For instance in Hong Kong, a travel agency is offering a special Rain concert package which includes airfare, hotel accommodations, VIP tickets to the concert and a tour of the "Full House" set, for HK$4,599 or roughly 560,000 won.
In Japan, there is a special dinner and concert package for 148,000 yen or roughly 1.19 million won, and a concert-only package which starts a 84,000 yen or 675,000 won.
The show will start at 7 p.m., with opening acts Paran, Popin Hyungjoon, NOW and Lim Jeong-hee.
Next year, Rain is expected to take his concert tour to 35 cities in 12 countries, namely the United States, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, China, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines.
Rain is also quite busy these days, after finishing his first movie "Cyborg Girl" directed by Park Chan-wook. He is also preparing an English album to be released in the U.S. next year.
Last February, he held two sold-out concerts at Madison Square Garden in New York City. He was also named one of Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the World this year.
[email protected]
Source: The Korea Times
http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/culture/20...17510611690.htm |
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Oct 11, 2006
Rain, Won Bin, Kang Dong-won Join Hands
Hallyu stars Rain, Won Bin, Kang Don-won, Suae and Han Chae-young will set up a joint sales office at the 11th Pusan International Film Festival.
Star-J Entertainment said October 11 that four talent management agencies that manage big hallyu stars, including JYP Entertainment, Dream East On and The Man, will set up a joint sales office at the festival.
The Asian Film Market, which will debut this year, will create opportunities to share information about popular actors aside from just buying and selling films. Influential talent management agencies from both Korea and abroad are expected to install booths at the festival to promote their actors.
A person from Star-J Entertainment said that promotional activities of hallyu stars overseas that were unofficially held so far had multiple negative effects, but this event will hopefully pave the way for official and transparent business.
The sales office will be open October 15 through 18.
Source: KBS Global
http://english.kbs.co.kr/entertainment/new...9387_11858.html
Oct 11, 2006
Leaner Busan Film Fest to Open Thursday
The 11th Pusan International Film Festival will kick off its nine-day journey on Thursday amid heated enthusiasm that saw tickets for the opening film sold out in no more than two minutes and 45 seconds. A total of 245 works from 63 countries will be shown during the festival, 64 of them having their world premiere.
The opening film is the melodrama "Traces of Love" by Kim Dae-seung, director of "Bungee Jumping of Their Own." The film, set against the backdrop of the collapse of the Sampoong Department Store in Seoul in 1995, is the first Korean movie to open the festival since Kim Ki-duk's "The Coast Guard" four years ago. "Crazy Stone," a black comedy by Chinese director Ning Hao, will close the festival.
The festival has been somewhat scaled down from last year, its 10th anniversary, with 307 films from 73 nations, but the quality is as good. It is noticeably bringing leading Asian directors together, particularly from the Philippines, Vietnam, and Malaysia, highlighting one of the PIFF's aims. Hirokazu Koreeda from Japan brings his first samurai period drama "Hana," and Apichatpong Weerasethakul, a Thai director who took the global art house scene by storm after his debut six years ago, introduces "Syndromes and a Century." From Iran, Bahman Ghobadi brings the road movie "Half Moon," from Indonesia comes Garin Nugroho's musical "Opera Jawa," and from Taiwan comes Ming-liang Tsai's "I Don't Want to Sleep Alone," which is set in Malaysia. Among interesting Korean movies is "Bound by Chastity Rule," directed by the late Shin Sang-ouk in 1962 and restored by the Koran Federation of Film Archives.
From Europe there are some films from leading directors. "Belle Toujours" by Portugal's Manoel de Oliveira is a new take on Bunuel's classic "Belle de jour." "The Caiman" by Italian director Nanni Moretti has a film director as its protagonist. "The Road to Guantanamo" by Britain's Michael Winterbottom has already won the Silver Bear for the Best Director at the Berlin International Film Festival this year.
In the "Open Cinema" category, the outdoor showing of works which is the hallmark of the festival, seven popular movies by world-famous directors will be shown. They include animation "Azur et Asmar" by Michael Ocelot, whose "Prince and Princess" received a good response in Korea, "The Wind that Shakes the Barley" by Ken Loach, which won the Palme d扥r at this year's Cannes Film Festival, and "Paris, je t'aime," an omnibus work by 20 directors from around the world including Gus Van Sant.
Other programs cater for different tastes. "Contemporary French Auteurs" introduces 14 new French works to mark the 120 anniversary of ties between Korea and France. Animation lovers may want to keep their eyes on the "Ani Asia" program, which will show six animations from Korea, Japan, Thailand and Singapore, while "Midnight Passion" promises an unusual experience with 13 movies to be screened after midnight.
The main venue moves to Haeundae from Nampo-dong, the downtown area in Busan that has served as the center of the festival for the last decade because the PIFF has grown beyond its capacity. The fact that U.S. film magazine Variety decided to publish a newsletter for the festival from this year is additional evidence of its growing global reputation. Tickets are available at the PIFF抯 website (www.ticket.piff.org) and designated ticket offices -- all the branches of Busan Bank and Megabox COEX, Suwon, and Deagu.
Source: [email protected]
http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/new...0610110006.html |
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Oct 11, 2006
Bae Yong-joon's 'April Snow' Re-released in Japan
The Korean film "April Snow" starring Japan's favorite son-in-law Bae Yong-joon has been successfully re-released in Japan.
The Japanese sports daily Nikkan Sports reported that the film had drawn quite a number of viewers with a director's cut re-release in Tokyo and Osaka on Sept. 9 and will be shown again in Nagoya on Oct. 21 and in Hukuoka on Oct. 28. The director抯 cut is an uncut edition with an additional running time of 30 minutes.
The re-release of the film demonstrates the popularity Bae is constantly enjoying in Japan. When ticket booking for the show started in July in Tokyo and Osaka, 5,800 and 3,200 tickets were sold for Tokyo and Osaka, respectively, on the very first day. In addition, admission tickets were distributed two days in advance to avoid congestion, and those who reserved tickets stayed up all night in front of the theaters to secure good seats.
"April Snow" earned some 2.75 billion yen (22.5 billion won) at the Japanese box office when it was released in Japan last year.
Source: KBS Global
http://english.kbs.co.kr/entertainment/new...9466_11858.html |
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Shin Seung-hun Presented with Signature Guitar
2006-10-12
Singer Shin Seung-hun has become the first Korean musician and seventh world musician to own a Fender Signature model. The other six artists who received a specially-customized guitar from the U.S. musical instrument company are Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Yngwie Malmsteen, Eric Johnson, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Japanese guitarist Michiya Haruhata.
Unlike the other artists, who each received an electric guitar, Shin will be the first to receive an acoustic guitar instead. The gift is an acknowledgement that the Korean 搆ing of ballads |
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Malaysia will be the last station for <RAIN's Coming>!
[Seoul] Rain held a global press conference for his 4th album and his upcoming world tour <Rain's Coming> two days ago. The world tour totally covers 12 countries with 35 shows, and it is expected to earn more than 106 billion Won (about RM390,000,000). Rain who is the leading role, looked a bit nervous in press conference.
In this conference, the schedule of concert was announced. Starting from S. Korea on Dec 15 & 16, followed by Las Vegas concert on Dec 23 & 24, Singapore concert on Jan 21, Japan and Thailand concerts in February; China, Taiwan, HK, Phillipines, Indonesia in March and April; and Malaysia concert will be arranged after April. He will be able to travel around the world within this half year.
The Greatest Challenge
It's undoubtedly that Rain is under great pressure. Rain pretended to be relaxed during the conference, tucking his lips, rubbing his hands, playing with the microphone, etc... All his actions were interpreted as relaxing himself and destressing by Korean media.
He also answered skillfully, "My charisma? Probably it comes from my single eyelid! " Talking about his feeling, "World tour is the greatest challenge in my life! Now my spirit is supporting my body, I hope it can end soon so that I can sleep for one whole month."
Source: China Press
Up by azafighting@rainhk
Translation by [email protected]
also credits to bubbles89@kpopkingdom |
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Author
Post time 12-10-2006 06:44 PM
