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Nov 14, 2006
Asian Press Gears up for Star's Release from Army
![](http://english.chosun.com/media/photo/news/200611/200611140007_00.jpg)
The amount of attention the international press is paying to Song Seung-hun's discharge from the military on Wednesday shows elements of mass hysteria. Returning to civilian life after a two-year stint, the actor's first faltering steps on the outside will be captured by contingents from all over. Even among Korean Wave stars, it is remarkable for one man抯 release from military duty to cause such a stir. Japan is at the forefront.
Some 170 members of the press will be heading to Hwacheon in Gangwon Province for the star's release. The star's agency M-Net Media has received so many applications to cover the moment that it has outsourced handling of the requests and arranging transport for the press. Almost every one of Japan's major dailies is sending a delegation.
The Sankei Sports, which always keeps close watch on K-wave stars, will be there, as will women's and entertainment magazines such as Weekly Woman, not to mention all the dedicated cinema and Korean Wave magazines. The broadcast rights belong exclusively to FujiTV. Cameras will be rolling from the moment Song emerges until the end of his Asian Fan Meeting on Nov. 18-19, to be edited down into a special feature program to be aired around Dec. 17.
China, Taiwan and Thailand will dispatch reporters and crews and will also have their Korea correspondents at hand to capture the big moment. The domestic press, of course, will be there in force. Newspapers, magazines and entertainment programs are preparing for the great day. "Due to huge number of requests to cover the event, we ended up preparing our own transport from Seoul to Hwacheon. Song will be discharged at around 8 a.m. on Nov. 15, so vehicles will leave Seoul at 2 a.m. on the day," M-Net Media announced.
Song has enjoyed unabated popularity at home and abroad despite his enforced absence from the screen. With an explosive surge in fans in Japan and other Asian nations, he is seen as the next-generation figurehead of the Korean Wave star following Bae Yong-jun aka Yon-sama.
Source: [email protected]
http://english.chosun.com/w21dat ... 1/200611140007.html |
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2006-11-13
Jo In Sung, first Best Actor Award after making a screen debut
![](http://www.broasia.com/lwboard/img/NEWS/111_0.jpg)
Actor Jo In Sung was voted the 'Best Actor of 2006 selected by College Students' under the special section of 'New Current Movie Star' at the 2nd annual Pierson Film Festival.
The Pierson Film Festival is hosted by the Pyongtaek University movie club Mijangsen.
Jo In Sung was selected to be the Best Actor of the 'New Current Movie Star' category while Kim Hye Soo was Best Actress.
Pierson Film Festival personnel commented, "In the movie 'A Dirty Carnival,' Jo In Sung was able to act out a character different from his previous roles. He successfully portrayed a gangster and received the support of the male crowd."
After hearing the news, Jo In Sung commented through his agency, "This is the first award I am receiving after having filmed movies. It was an honor to be able to participate in a great movie such as 'A Dirty Carnival' and am honored to receive my first award at the 'Pierson Film Festival."
The New Actor Award went to Ha Jung Woo of 'The Unforgiven' and 'Time.'
The main event of the 2nd annual Pierson Film Festival will be held at Pyongtaek University on the coming 13th.
[Copyright © 2006 Goodday News/Goodday E&I Inc. All rights reserved.]
Source: http://www.broasia.com/lwboard/l ... amp;pg=1&no=111 |
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Nov 14, 2006
Historical Dramas Boost Sales of Herbal Cosemtics
![](http://english.chosun.com/media/photo/news/200611/200611140028_00.jpg)
The soaring popularity of historical TV dramas like "Hwang Jin-I" and "Jumong" has led to a rise in sales of cosmetics made of oriental herbs using the makeup know-how of the women depicted in the dramas.
In "Hwang Jin-I", the protagonist uses a skin toner called "miansu" which was made with juice from the sponge gourd.
A scene where Hwang Jin-I takes a bath in water scented with white sandalwood powder has stimulated interest in traditional Korean perfume. Men are big fans of the drama "Jumong", and the fine skin of actor Song Il-gook also induces them buy oriental herbal cosmetics. Sales of Sulwhasoo, Amore Pacific's oriental cosmetics brand, are expected to jump to W450 billion (US$1=W953) this year from W400 billion last year. TheFaceShop recently released new products containing powdered gold which became an instant bestseller. The company said it was unusual for new products to become bestsellers in such a short period, attributing it to the popularity of historical dramas.
Sales of herbal cosmetics have soared this year. In 2002, Oriental herbal cosmetics accounted for W380 billion of the entire W5.7 trillion cosmetics market. The volume of the cosmetics market overall is shrinking and is estimated at W5.62 trillion this year. But that of oriental herbal cosmetics market is expected to grow 2.4 times from four years ago to W900 billion.
Source: [email protected]
http://english.chosun.com/w21dat ... 1/200611140028.html |
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Nov 13, 2006
New KTF Add Throws Political Correctness Overboard
![](http://english.chosun.com/media/photo/news/200611/200611130028_00.jpg)
Popular comedian Chung Jong-cheol, who was married last April, and new star Park Shin-hye nearly touched lips recently. In a TV spot for wireless carrier KTF's "Bigi Study Rate Plan" the two shot a scene in which they were walking down the aisle in a marriage ceremony. They were a poorly matched pair. The ceremony has the heaviness of a funeral, with the bride Park and her father shedding tears. The reason behind the waterworks: the comedian抯 intolerably ugly countenance.
Of particular hilarity is the wide smiling face of Chung in contrast to the tears of the bride and family. Right at the moment that the couple is to kiss, however, the bride can bear it no longer and collapses. In the end, Park is startled awake in a classroom where she had been snoozing, to find that it was all just a nightmare. The commercial ends with the beautiful Park having realized the moral that "by studying hard I can change the face of my husband."
The producers of the ad were worried that the storyline of the ad could stir trouble in the newly married life of the comedian. But Chung beat them to the punch saying, "So what this ad is saying is that my wife didn't study hard enough when she was young" which caused everyone on set to burst into laughter.
Source: [email protected]
http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/new...0611130028.html |
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2006.11.13
Korea at American Film Market
![](http://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/attach/tbnewd010/admin_200611149261_1.jpg)
A record total of 85 Korean films were shown at this month's American Film Market (AFM), which ranks along side Cannes as one of the largest of its kind in the world. Most South Korean films this year were entered in AFM in an effort to find foreign buyers.
Among them were many local hits including BONG Joon-ho's monster-movie 'The Host' and LEE Jun-ik's human drama 'Radio Star', as well as commercially underrated films such as HONG Sang-soo's 'Woman on the Beach' and KIM Ki-duk's 'Time'.
Many in LA spoke highly of the Korean film industry, which how has a production rate of about 100 features annually, and whose overseas sales topped US$76 million last year, up from just US$7 million in 2000.
"It is now a strong national cinema and can be talked about in the same breath as, for example, French, Spanish or Japanese cinema", Tony Safford, senior vice president of acquisitions for 20th Century Fox, was quoted as saying.
Some deals already confirmed at the festival include The Weinstein Company's acquisition of 'No Mercy for the Rude', a black-comedy-thriller about a mute hit-man, by debut director PARK Chul-hee. The film was sold by Korean investment and sales company The Core Studio. Meanwhile, Universal won a tough battle for the remake rights to The Host, which was negotiated through Cineclick Asia. The Host will be released in North America through Magnolia Pictures in February of 2007.
Nigel D'Sa (KOFIC)
Source: http://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/news/news_view...or_news_num=473
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New Projects from KIM and KIM
![](http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/4060/bsl20061113uu7.jpg)
Director KIM Jee-woon, known best for his ultra-violent art-house gangster film 'A Bittersweet Life' and his horror-hit 'A Tale of Two Sisters' has set his next project on the plains of Manchuria. Described as an idiosyncratic "oriental western", the tentatively titled 'The Good, the Bad, And the Weird' will begin shooting in early spring of next year.
The role of "the weird"will go to local star SONG Gang-ho (The Host), whose last outing with KIM was six years ago, playing the lead in 'The Foul King'. SONG also had a supporting role in KIM's debut feature, The Quiet Family.
Korea's Cineclick Asia unveiled the project at the American Film Market (AFM), which kicked off November 1st. The project is being called KIM's most commercially accessible work to date.
A new film from Korea's notorious maverick, KIM Ki-duk, was also unveiled at AFM. The latest project 'Breath', will be KIM's 14th feature, and will be a love story with minimal dialogue, about a prisoner on death row, and a married woman who befriends him, after catching her husband cheating. Their relationship deepens as she slowly decorates his prison cell.
KIM's latest muted romance is set to star Taiwan actor Chen Chang, who played opposite ZANG Zi-yi as her outlaw suitor in Ang Lee's Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, as well as starring in WONG Kar-wei and HOU Hsiou-hsien films. This will be the first time KIM has worked with a non-Korean Asian star, and it will be the first time Chang has worked with Korean director.
The move to work with Chang is not surprising for KIM, whose films are distributed more successfully in foreign markets than in his home country. His 2006 feature, Time, screened at AFM, and at the concurrent Los Angeles International Film Festival.
Nigel D'Sa (KOFIC)
Source: http://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/news/news_view...or_news_num=472
------------------------------
JUN Ji-hyun Joins Blood Project
![](http://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/attach/tbnewd010/admin_2006111310131_1.jpg)
JUN Ji-hyun is cast as the lead in the International co-production Blood: The Last Vampire. The live-action adaptation of the Japanese animation of the same title from 2000 is in the hands of Jet Li's Fearless director/producer team: Ronnie Yu and Bill Kong.
Besides the Asian participation, French Pathe is also onboard as a financer and it's expected that a major Hollywood studio will produce Blood: The Last Vampire. The role of a half-human/half-vampire undercover daemons fighter will be JUN's English language and Hollywood debut.
JUN Ji-hyun's success throughout Asia started with My Sassy Girl and Hollywood bought remake-rights of several films starring JUN. This year's The Lake House - starring Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock was the first remake. The remake of My Sassy Girl is currently in production, with Elisha Cuthbert in JUN's role.
Kong's credits also includes titles as Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon and the recently finished Zhang Yimou production Curse of the Golden Flower. Yu has already experience in Hollywood, where he directed the horror films Freddy vs. Jason and Bride of Chucky.
Filming is to commence in January 2007 and the film is scheduled for release in the spring of 2008.
Yi Ch'ang-ho (KOFIC)
Source: http://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/news/news_view...or_news_num=471 |
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Nov 14, 2006
It's Time for 'Byunsama'
By Han Eun-jung
Staff Reporter
![](http://photo.hankooki.com/newsphoto/2006/11/14/ensor200611141909500.jpg)
While many would consider chiseled model-like features a blessing, such features to an actor can be a curse.
The stereotype against such actors often limits the variety of scripts that come their way.
However, Lee Byung-hun, over his 13 years in show business has displayed many different facets, proving that he is more than just another looker. Earlier this year, Lee was recognized for his charismatic portrayal as a gangster with the Best Actor Award at the 42nd Paeksang Arts Awards.
Lee is now awaiting the release of his new movie, "Once in a Summer (Kuhae Yorum)," a melodrama that focuses on the romance that blossoms between two innocent people in the summer of 1969.
In the upcoming film, Lee plays Yoon Suk-young, a college student who finds love during a summer stay at a farm with his classmates. Su Ae is cast opposite Lee in the role of Suh Jung-in, a sweet librarian who captures Yoon's heart.
While this isn't Lee's first time playing a clean-cut college student (he played one in 2001's "Bungee Jumping on Their Own") nor is this the first time he has done a period piece (he played a teacher at a countryside school in 1999's "The Harmonium in my Memory"), he said that this role will be very different from his previous works.
"It is the duty of an actor to present new facets not reprise roles," he said at a news conference last month along with the film's co-stars and director.
Lee, who was born in Seoul on July 12, 1970, was discovered at an annual talent search organized by the Korean Broadcasting Company (KBS) while he was an undergraduate studying French literature at Hanyang University in Seoul. After his debut in the title role of the miniseries "Asphalt My Hometown," Lee went on to do more television work as well as movies.
His most recent dramas include "Happy Together" in 2000, "Beautiful Days" in 2001 and "All In" in 2003.
In 2000 Lee also starred in director Park Chan-wook's critically acclaimed debut film "Joint Security Area (JSA)," a depiction of friendship between South and North Korean soldiers serving at the Demilitarized Zone.
He also shared the screen with some of the biggest names in "hallyu" or Korean wave _ "Happy Together" featured Jun Ji-hyun, "Beautiful Days" featured Choi Ji-woo and "All In" featured Song Hye-kyo, it was only a matter of time that Lee would also join the troop of hallyu stars.
The airing of "Beautiful Days" in Japan in 2002 was the start of it all. The presence of Choi Ji-woo, who was already well known for "Winter Sonata," the drama generally considered to have really set the entire Asian continent on hallyu fire gathered interest in the drama and also got Japanese fans wondering who the actor cast opposite Choi was.
However, it was after Lee did "All In," in which he portrayed a multi-faceted gambler that he shot to superstar status across Asia.
Today Lee Byung-hun has fan clubs in Japan, China and all over Southeast Asia. His Japanese fans even refer to him affectionately as Byunsama. The "sama" in Byunsama is an honorific title in Japanese.
"All In" was an important piece to Lee in another sense.
Months of rumors circulated that Lee and co-star Song Hye-kyo's on-screen chemistry was translating to an off-screen romance. While the drama was airing in early 2003 the two confirmed that the rumors were true and they were an item. Lee, well known to keep a low profile shocked fans when he and fellow co-star of the drama "All In" announced that they were officially an item.
However, like many celebrity romances theirs lasted just short of a year. The two are reported to have parted because of conflicting views on marriage.
For fans wondering if a "Once in a Summer" on-screen romance is materializing into an off-line romance, apparently their relationship is nowhere near being anything romantic.
"We worked together for four straight months and hardly even spoke (laugh). Now our relationship has developed to a point where we greet each other in passing," Lee told reporters.
"Lee was more blunt than I had imagined but then also (at times) more kind than I had imagined. Which is why I can't make out what kind of person Lee is," Su Ae said with a laugh.
"Once in a Summer" opens in theaters nationwide on Nov. 30.
[email protected]
11-14-2006 19:11
Source: The Korea Times
http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/culture/20...19104211690.htm |
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[Lee Hyori & Ok Joo Hyun, Transfer To A New Label]
![](http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/6010/dspwk0.jpg)
The members of "Fin.K.L" Lee Hyori and Ok Joo Hyun finally left DSP Entertainment after 8 years under the label's wings. They have followed Sung Yuri and Lee Jin, who left the management last year. The question still remains if FinK.L. has finally disbanded.
Credits ~ KBS World Radio + Kpopper.com + noV@Kpop Kingdom
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Song Seung-heon, Chang Hyuk Discharged from Military
2006-11-15
[center] [/center]
Actors Song Seung-heon and Chang Hyuk were discharged from military service November 15.
The two made an appearance in front of their fans at their respective army divisions--Hwacheon and Cheolwon, both in Gangwon Province.
Some 200 reporters and 500 fans from Korea and abroad waited for Song since early morning. The actor抯 fans from Japan, Hong Kong and Thailand, who came to Korea in time for a fan meeting, waited for Song since 4 a.m. despite the snowy weather.
Song will hold large-scale fan meetings November 18-19 at the Olympic Park in Seoul to resume his acting career. The actor says he doesn抰 think he has been forgiven for his mistakes and promised to improve in the future.
Song had originally planned to hold a welcome party with his fans immediately after his discharge from the military but had to leave the venue because too many fans flocked to see him.
Meanwhile, Chang has decided to take some time off before resuming his acting career to carefully choose his next production.
Some 30 reporters and staff from his agency waited for Chang in Cheolwon since morning. Chang stayed mostly low-key during his military service. He walked all the way from his division to the checkpoint for an hour and a half because it snowed heavily.
Chang told reporters that he felt relieved and sad at the same time, and had cut his hair short again. He said he planned to implement new resolutions and appeared strongly determined to do his best. He explained he had realized the importance of acting in his life during his military service.
Both actors left their checkpoints with their agency staff and headed home to meet with their families.
Song will soon begin filming a new TV drama, while Chang has yet to choose his next production.
c: KBS Global
[ Last edited by adikkeluangman_ at 15-11-2006 01:11 PM ] |
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2006/11/15 10:26 KST
'Ad-lib Night,' subtle drama of woman in early 20s, leaves questions
By Kim Hyun
SEOUL, Nov. 15 (Yonhap) -- Not all women would want to relive their prime. In their early 20s when feminine beauty is in full bloom, they sometimes suffer from emotional chaos as a result of life's uncertainty and destructive impulses.
Han Hyo-joo plays Bo-gyeong who rediscovers herself through an encounter with strangers
"Ad-lib Night," a subtle drama by Lee Yoon-ki, follows a young single woman who rediscovers herself through an eerie overnight encounter with strangers.
Lee, who mesmerized international audiences with "This Charming Girl," returns with this 98-minute drama that is equally subtle and atypical but could be more challenging to follow and leaves less delight at the end. Written by the director and based on a Japanese short novel, the movie introduces a puzzling situation that is not explained until the final moments of the film.
The young woman Bo-gyeong, played by Han Hyo-joo, is waiting for someone on a noisy street in Seoul when several young men approach her and demand she go with them, calling her "Myeong-eun." Even though she insists she is not the person they are looking for, the men ask her to pretend to be that woman and visit her dying father.
Reluctantly, Bo-gyeong gets in their van and joins their return to Myeong-eun's countryside home. There she meets relatives of the woman who gather at the bedside of the dying man and spend the night debating insubstantial issues such as who borrowed money or who looked after the patient. Before the father dies, Bo-gyeong even tells him, "I'm sorry, father."
The next morning, she returns to Seoul with Myeong-eun's first love. As the dawn breaks outside the car window, she finally starts talking about her life. Bo-gyeong's visit with the strangers was seemingly for their benefit but it actually helps her find her true self and learn to respect it.
Produced by the television station affiliate KBS N and shot over just 10 days for budgetary reasons, the drama only gives a vague explanation of some parts -- such as why Myeong-eun's first love shows hostility to Bo-gyeong and changes his attitude or exactly what issues each of the relatives has with the dying father.
Also, the lead character seems somewhat flat and less vibrant than the one in Taira Azuko's novel, as the movie gives little chance for her to ponder her own life and sidelines her as an observer of the strange family in the main part of the story.
Still, the movie is different from a series of comedies and gangster movies that appeal to moviegoers with easy humor or sensational stories. The director said, "All audiences may not identify with Bogyeong, but if there are some who can follow her, they will observe what she observes from the strangers. That (the night she spends with the family) could be the most important part in this story."
"Ad-lib Night" is to be released in a limited number of theaters nationwide on Nov. 30.
[email protected]
(END)
Source: Yonhap News
http://english.yna.co.kr/Engnews ... 061115102650E3.html |
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Nov 15, 2006
The Season's Great Movie Kisses
Fall is closing in, and with it comes the time for bittersweet melodrama in the movie theaters. Lovers meet like ships passing in the night, unforgettable memories are born, tear-moistened hankies freeze stiff in the midnight air. Some say a romantic film stands and falls with the quality of the screen-filling kiss. Actors know it and go to extreme lengths to create the world抯 most beautiful kiss scene. The Chosun Ilbo looks at the outstanding kisses of the season.
I'm a Cyborg, But That's Okay
Lim Soo-jung and Rain
![](http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/3884/20061115000301wn8.jpg)
Although the Dec. 7 release of the film is still a few weeks away, the buzz surrounding it has already reached full pitch. The new film from Director Park Chan-wook, who ended his revenge trilogy with his last release, has garnered audience anticipation again by pitting all-Asian star Rain against Chungmuro's treasure Lim Soo-jung. So much cuteness combined must set the screen on fire.
The funniest moment in film is when the two stars kiss. Park Chan-wook has said that he hates male-female "contact." The film professes to be a kind-of romantic comedy, but there was no kiss scene. At one point the stars became upset. "I met up with Rain and we put our heads together. We discussed how there could be a romantic comedy that doesn't even have a kiss scene," Lim recalls. It was in fact a mutiny, but that is what it took to get the director to give in and finally give the go-ahead to the scene. But when shooting finally did begin on the scene, the sword of authority was back in the director抯 hands.
In what seemed to be a response to the actors |
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'Hallyu Expo in ASIA'
![](http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/264/hh110411021iw7.jpg)
BoA, Bae Yong-Jun, Lee Young-Ae, along with other top Korean stars, is set to participate in the 'Hallyu Expo in ASIA', an ambitious project that aims to showcase the best of Korean culture and entertainment. Other details on BoA's role in the Expo have not yet been disclosed, but she is likely to be a guest performer in one of many concerts that are to take place in the Expo.
'Hallyu Expo in Asia' is a four-month long event, which spans from this November to March of next year at Jeju Island, Korea, and will have something to offer to all Korean culture enthusiasts. Fans of Korean dramas will have the opportunity to meet their favourite actors and actresses including Lee Young-Ae, Lee Jun-Gi and Bae Yong-Jun whom you'd recognize from hit dramas such as 'The Jewel in the Palace' and 'Winter Sonata'. Korean films and Korean cuisine will also be featured in the exhibition section.
Credits : segye.com + baojjang + akimototsubaki@kpopkingdom |
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Nov 15, 2006
"My Wife is a Gangster 3" Sold at AFM
![](http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/544/1115mywife3tn2.jpg)
The Korean comic action film "My Wife is a Gangster 3" has garnered much attention from Asian buyers at the recently-held American Film Market. Showbox, the film抯 distributor, said Tuesday that the film had been sold for a total of 660,000 dollars (620 million won) to eight Asian nations -- Hong Kong, China, Thailand, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam. "The price is the highest ever paid for a Korean movie at the market by Asian nations except Japan," it added.
"In the case of Thailand, it signed a deal to invest and distribute the movie in the country instead of just importing it, which shows that the country is confident of its success," Showbox said. "Vietnam agreed to pay a price similar to what it paid to buy 'King Kong', making the movie the most expensive Korean movie it has imported." Vietnam is reported to have high expectation for the film because it stars Shu Qi, a Hong Kong actress who enjoys great popularity in Vietnam.
"My Wife is a Gangster 3" also sold to Germany, and the distributor expects more sales after the film is completed because other countries like the U.S., Britain and France also showed great interest. "Since the remake copyright of "My Wife is a Gangster 1" was sold to Hollywood in 2001, foreign buyers have showed considerable interest in this movie series," it said.
Starring Lee Beom-soo, Hyung Young, and Oh Ji-ho in addition to Suh Qi, the movie will be released on Dec. 28.
Source: KBS Global
http://english.kbs.co.kr/entertainment/new...5337_11858.html |
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Nov 15, 2006
Cho Seung-woo's 'Rent' sells out in 25 minutes
Cho Seung-woo, a rising icon of the country's entertainment industry, set a new record yesterday when tickets for his musical "Rent" were sold out in less than half an hour.
According to the Seensee Musical Company which produces a Korean version of the Broadway musical, all of the 7,700 tickets for Cho's 22 performances were sold out in just 25 minutes after the two ticketing websites - Interpark and Ticketlink - commenced sales at 10 a.m.
The sellout, which proved again Cho's explosive popularity, has brought the company more than 300 million won ($320,000).
Tickets were expected to be sold out in less than a day as Cho's return to the small stage in Daehangno excited many of his loyal fans.
Local media also spotlighted Cho's comeback as he will play the musical with his elder sister Seo-yeon, a musical actor, for the first time.
Cho Seung-woo will play the musical "Rent" with his
elder sister Seo-yeon, a musical actor.
Cho plays Roger, a musician desperate to write one great song before AIDS kills him while his sister takes the role of a performance artist, Maureen. The production company said it was almost his will to take a part in the rock musical.
"We heard that Cho had recently expressed his hope to play 'Rent' to his close friends. That's how we approached him and when we actually proposed him to take the role of 'Roger,' he was more than willing to do so," said Choi Seung-hee, publicist of the Seensee Musical Company.
Asked by how much money he would get for the show, Choi said it is incomparably lower than what he has got from previous musical piece, "Jekyll and Hyde."
"I don't think he is doing it for the money," added Choi.
Recently, the 26-year-old Cho has become the country's top-earning musical actor as he signed a contract to play the title role of "Jekyll and Hyde" about 30 times both in Korea and Japan from Jan. 25 to March 19 for 400 million won. It is an impressive amount considering that other top musical stars including Nam Kyung-joo usually earn no more than 100 million won per production.
Cho has dominated the country's musical stage recently for his lead performance in the musical "Jekyll and Hyde" and his role of a transsexual rock singer in "Hedwig."
Critics say Cho's popularity is solidly based on his serious efforts to refine and perfect his acting. He also won the Best Leading Actor award last year at the 10th annual Korea Musical Awards for the lead role in "Jekyll and Hyde."
Based on Puccini's "La Boheme," Cho's new musical "Rent" brings social stigmas such as homosexuality, drugs and AIDS to the mainstream and also celebrates the life, the chance to experience love and friendship.
The musical, lyrics and music composed by Jonathan Larson, has won the Tony and Pulitzer Prize since its debut in New York 10 years ago.
Musical "Rent" will hit the stage on Jan. 6 next year at the Seensee Musical Theater in Daehangno, downtown Seoul. Tickets are 35,000 and 40,000 won. Although tickets for Cho's show have been sold out, keep checking their reservation status through ticketing websites: www.interpark.com and www.ticketlink.com, as there may be some cancellations before the show. For more information about the musical, visit www.iseensee.com
([email protected])
By Cho Chung-un
Source: The Korea Herald
http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/SIT ... 15/200611150020.asp |
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Nov 15, 2006
Idol Releases G.O.D.-Like Photo Spread
![](http://img243.imageshack.us/img243/121/20061115000200st2.jpg)
The singer Son Ho-young, former member of the popular boy band G.O.D., is appearing in his first photo-spread to go with the release of his first solo album. The 揟ravel 1st |
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Nov 16, 2006
Yellow Ribbons Time for Song Seung-hun
Actor Song Seung-hun waves to the some 1,000 people gathered for the moment of his release from military service, including fans from Taiwan, Japan, Hong Kong, and Korea, as well as plenty of press.
In November 2004, the actors Song Seung-hun and Jang Hyeok bit the bullet and joined up after their attempts to dodge Korea's mandatory military service were exposed. Twenty-four months later, the two have done their time and were discharged on Wednesday from their unit in Hwacheon, Gangwon Province. Emerging at 7 a.m. to a waiting crowd of some 500 fans and hundreds of reporters from all over Asia, Song was in pensive mood. "Finally a day that always seemed like it would be a great one has come, but when I think about having to split from my brothers in arms who I became close to, I can't be happy," Song said. "I made a stupid and immature decision before I entered the Army, and it hurt and disappointed my fans, but I felt that the best way ahead was to live my military life sincerely." Song, who was part of an artillery battalion as a 155 mm gunner, vowed to "rekindle the fellowship" with the neighbors he became estranged from.
Fans from Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong and of course Korea carried signs that read, "Korea's best actor," and "You've worked hard for two years." Overseas fans were bussed in on 15 coaches that left Seoul at 2 a.m. but encountered a blizzard on the way and did not make it to the actor's press conference until five-and-a-half hours later at around 7:30 a.m. According to those in the know, the fans paid from between 110,000 yen for a simple package to 220,000 yen for the expensive tours to be here for the moment when the actor regained his freedom.
Normally the trip takes around three hours from Seoul, but with the sudden snowfall everyone's trip that day took at least five. And hearing in advance that there were almost no restrooms at the base the female fans insisted on stopping every now and then at rest stops to take care of their business, which made the trip even longer. Immediately following the press conference, Song headed to Seoul to relax.
Despite the snow flurries and bitter cold, Song's female fans hold the line in front of the base where the actor was stationed.
But he will be meeting his fans again at a meet'n'greet event at the weekend. There are also plans for another press conference. On Thursday afternoon, an exhibition kicks off at N Seoul Tower of objects that the actor used during his days in the military. His boots, uniform and personal tools -- everything except his gun -- are there for fans to swoon over. Song makes his official return to the celebrity life starting with the Asia Fan Meeting 2006 at the Gymnastics Arena in Olympic Park in Seoul on Nov. 18 and 19 starting at 7 p.m.
Actor Jang Hyeok salutes fans at a guard post in Cheolwon, Gangwon Province upon his completion of a two-year stint in the military.
Jang Hyeok found himself with a quieter reception on his release from a rifle corps that guarded the demarcation fence. "My brothers here, and those who joined up after me, were always unaffected and we had many conversations," he said in a statement. "I feel relief and sorrow at the same time, and it isn't an easy thing to step back into society." Jang is also considering a drama role early next year.
Source: [email protected]
http://english.chosun.com/w21dat ... 1/200611160015.html |
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Actor Rain
NOVEMBER 16, 2006 06:12
![](http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/4143/2006111651308av3.jpg)
In his latest film, director Park Chan-wook has chosen love as his subject matter instead of his usual theme of revenge. The main actor of the film, Jeong Ji-hoon, also known as "Rain," also made an interesting choice: film instead of TV soap operas.
His film debut is drawing a lot of attention. The movie has not yet been released, so his performance in the movie will be judged later. But after a four year TV career as a singer and an actor, his screen debut as the main actor of "I'm a Cyborg, But That's OK" directed by Park is stimulating the curiosity of movie-goers.
He may have felt pressure, expectations, and challenge. But when he was interviewed, what he mentioned first was about how great director Park was.
"What do I think about Park? He is the consummate Korean movie director. Many people asked me about the pressure, but I was just grateful for this opportunity. That was all I felt during the shooting. As you may know Park is really kind and gentle. He didn't criticize me much and I had fun."
The first thing he had to do as a film actor was to forget his persona as a singer "Rain."
The first thing he had to do for the role was to shake off the image of pop star Rain. He played a role as deranged Park Il-soon and had to hide his voluptuous muscular body beneath a baggy patient gown in the movie. His messy hair also expressed the extraordinary character he played, similar to the way actress Kang Hye-jeong did when she was featured in the movie "Welcome to Dongmakgol." He learned to yodel from singer Seo Young-rul to sink into his role as one who mimics others |
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2006-11-15
Song Seung Heon, 'Thankful for continuous support of fans.'
![](http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/9655/1130es0.jpg)
"I would like to thank all my fans from the bottom of my heart that have shown their continuous support these past two years.'
Song Seung Heon (30) who started his military service in Kang Won Do two years ago successfully completed his duties and was discharged on the 15th and commented that he would like to have time to meet with fans and deliver his thankfulness.
Despite the cold weather in the snow, 700 or so fans from Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and other countries along with 100 or so media personnel gathered and waited for more than three hours to see Song Seung Heon, once again proving he is a Hallyu Star.
Song who left the base around 8:10 am after successfully being discharged expressed his thankfulness amongst tears from being moved by the fans that came to see him.
He commented, "I have always dreamt of this day, but I cannot be completely full of joy as I am leaving the base and fellow soldiers. I would like to thank my comrades for these past two years."
Song Seung Heon also of his feelings when he started his military duties by saying, "Having scarred many at the time for my misjudgments and immature decisions still remains a burden in my heart. All I can say is that I am truly sorry."
Also saying that his military service was the most blessed event of his life, "I do not believe that having completed my military services forgives my misjudgments of the past. I will try my best to become a mature and better public role model."
Amongst tears he commented, "I would also like to deliver my thoughts of all those serving in the military away from family members and working to protect the country that he is very proud and appreciate their efforts. I hope everyone can be discharged in good health," and left the scene afterwards.
During his speech, fans said in Korean 'do not cry¡¯ and 'we love you Song Seung Heon¡¯ displaying their unchanging support for him.
Noriyo Michihiro (39) who arrived in Korea the day before to come see Song Seung Heon said, "I have been a fan of Song Seung Heon for over two and a half years. He is very good looking and I found his kind heart attractive. I have been studying Korean for three months now to be able to converse with him."
Aria Zhang (30) from Hong Kong commented, "I hope his next pieces come out soon. I will always remain a fan of Song Seung Heon," and congratulated his discharge.
[Copyright © 2006 Yonhap News. All rights reserved.]
http://www.broasia.com/lwboard/l ... amp;pg=1&no=113 |
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Lee Hyo-ri, gets "highest treatment", transfers to "Mnet Media"
![](http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/8189/1kw3nk3.th.jpg)
Lee Hyo-ri signed a 3-year exclusive contract with "Mnet Media". Concrete terms and condtitions of the contract were not disclosed to the public but it is known that the contract is worth 1,500,000,000 won, the highest amount for a female singer. Song Seung Hun and SG Wanna Be are also part of Mnet Media.
Credits : KBS World Radio + kpopper + akimototsuabki@kpopkingdom
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[Lee Seung Hwan : Serious About Music]
![](http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/3258/lshsi4.jpg)
The Singer Lee Seung Hwan (41), well known for his sweet voice and baby face and his excellent ability as producer, is back with his ninth album "Hwantastic", two years after his last. The Chosun Ilbo met him in his Dream Factory studio in Seoul this week, where both his passion for music and his cynicism about the outside world were in evidence. "What would be the point if I didn抰 reflect my own life in my music and tell the truth through my music? |
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Nov 17, 2006
Which Korean Stars Have the Greatest Pulling Power?
Who is the actor in Chungmuro today who can mobilize the greatest number of fans? And just how many tickets can be sold on the basis of that actor's name alone? We asked a group of 12 producers and PR execs that know actors' commercial value best who in Korea can "open" a movie and ranked the top 20 according to the result. It is the fourth survey of its kind and covers any actor who starred in at least one major film.
Clockwise from left: actors Song Kang-ho, Jang Dong-gun, Cho Seung-woo, Jeon Ji-hyun, Jeon Do-yeon and Lee Young-ae
Top Stars
Song Kang-ho ranked first on the star power list among all actors and actresses. He is thought to have enough gravity to bring at least 1.28 million to the theaters, beating out last year's winner Jang Dong-gun (1.15 million). Proving his worth again this year in the lead of "The Host", Korea's greatest box office success, Song already landed the top spot in 2003. Of 12 experts that took part in the survey, 10 pointed to Song as the actor with the greatest ability to open a film. He ranked second last year.
Amongst women, perennial favorite Lee Young-ae came first with an estimated opening power of some 900,000 viewers. In the last three surveys, the actress came third. Topping the list despite the fact that she has not appeared in a film since last year's "Sympathy for Lady Vengeance" is an additional feat. The failure of films starring last year's no. 1 and 2, Moon Geun-young ("Love Me Not") and Jeon Ji-hyun ("Daisy"), to live up to audience expectations also played a role in Lee抯 rise to the top.
Familiar Faces
Among those trailing the two were a galaxy of stars in their 30s who managed to improve their standing, led by Jeon Do-yeon (second), Uhm Jung-hwa (ninth), Kim Hye-soo (11th) in the women's category, and Hwang Jung-min (eighth) and Lee Byung-hun (ninth) in the men's. Of particular note is Kim Hye-soo, unable even to make the top 20 last year following a string of appearances in box office disappointments and overall lack of good luck. She soared to 11th this time around after she landed a part that seemed perfect for her in "War of Flowers." In a year when competition was especially fierce, their ranking shows the tried and true commercial value of such stars.
Rising Stars
The biggest surprise was Cho In-sung. Not even included on the list last year, his performance in "A Dirty Carnival" brought him recognition as an actor and the fifth spot on the list. Nos. 3 to 5 on the list Cho Seung-woo, Kang Dong-won and Cho In-sung look like the glue that will hold Chungmuro together. Hyun Bin (16th) and Lee Jun-ki (19th) also garnered plaudits for their parts this year. There were no new female stars on the list, but Song Hye-kyo (14th), Choi Kang-hee (19th) and Goh Hyun-jeong (20) were all either in their first film or part of hits that brought them new recognition as actors.
Endangered Species
The two stars whose draw dwindled the most this year were Kwon Sang-woo and Kang Hye-jeong. No. 3 last year, Kwon was not part of any box office successes this year, and found himself amid a swirl of rumors that cost him 10 spots on the list. Rising like a comet last year, Kim Hye-jeong was in the flop "Love Phobia," which sent her plummeting again from fifth to 18th.
Source: [email protected]
http://english.chosun.com/w21dat ... 1/200611170016.html |
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Nov 17, 2006
McMong: More Than a Joker
![](http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/5494/20061117000100zq4.jpg)
Looking at him laughing, chatting and moving around makes one think he lives up to his name, McMong, associated with a naughty monkey. He is precariously perched between being a rapper and an entertainer, but Hip Hop is what he does best. Now he is also trying to be mature, practicing forgiveness and reconciliation. With his recently released third album topping all music charts, he may be the busiest star in Korea right now. 揑 can抰 remember all the things I did even yesterday, |
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2006-11-16
Drama 'Hwangjiny' licensed to 4 countries including China
![](http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/7171/1140nz1.jpg)
The KBS television drama series 'Hwangjiny' that has passed the 20% viewing rate has been licensed to 4 different countries in Asia including China.
KBS Media reported on the 17th that the drama was successfully licensed to China, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam and also commented that it is rare for a drama series to be licensed prior to its ending.
KBS Media also commented, "We cannot reveal the exact amount it was sold at but it is the highest amongst any KBS series sold in the past. There are inquiries from Japan, Indonesia, and Malaysia so the series of licensing overseas will continue."
'Hwangjiny' starring Ha Ji Won depicts the dynamic life of one of Chosun's greatest courtesans. The traditional costumes and beautiful scenery has been gathering praises from audiences.
[Copyright © 2006 Yonhap News. All rights reserved.]
Source: http://www.broasia.com/lwboard/l ... amp;pg=1&no=114 |
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