|
|
August 13, 2012
Rain's Movie "R2B: Return To Base" Sold To 30 Countries
KBS Global
Rain's last movie he shot before enlisting in the military will be exported to 30 countries abroad.
According to CJ E&M on August 13th, " was sold to 30 countries abroad, including Thailand, Taiwan, India, England, France, Germany, Canada, and the United States."
The action movie is about an elite air force pilot named Tae-hoon (played by Rain) who works with the 21st Fighter Wing combat group to fight enemy aircrafts that appear in the skies of Seoul.
The move will premiere on the 15th, with a showing at the Yongsan CGV Theatres in Seoul on August 14th, offering subtitles in English, Japanese, and Chinese. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
August 14, 2012
Oh Ji-ho: shrewd actor hidden behind dimple
By Kwaak Je-yup The Korea Times
Actor Oh Ji-ho poses during an interview with The Korea Times in Samcheong-dong,
downtown Seoul. / Korea Times photo by Kwaak Je-yup
Ask any Korean entertainment fan about heartthrob actor Oh Ji-ho and you would most likely receive an answer related to his signature smile.
The singular focus on his facial expression — as well as his even more famous dimple — has been a mixed blessing. His good-guy image led him to be typecast in romantic comedy roles for most of his 15-year career, hitting a peak in MBC drama “Wife Queen” (2009), where he played the nice but not so bright husband to co-star Kim Nam-joo’s character. Then, in 2010, he wiped out that stereotype, playing an extremely serious general in period TV series “Chuno” (Slave Hunters) on KBS.
It does not seem a coincidence that he returns as another Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910) warrior in the ice-stealing comedy “The Grand Heist” (Korean release title: Gone with the Wind) by Kim Joo-ho, yet according to Oh, he only thought about the bigger picture before accepting the role — putting aside the risk of falling into another typecast trap.
“I was filming a drama co-produced by Korea, Japan and China last summer when the director approached me about playing Dong-soo,” he told The Korea Times in an interview Friday. “I loved the chemistry between all the characters. If the ice CGI (computer-generated imagery) comes out really well, I thought the film could be a hit. I would be the only serious character with a period feel. Outside the action scenes, the interaction between leads (with Cha Tae-hyun’s Deok-mu) seemed great. If that came out well, too, we were good to go.”
His analysis of the part was just as thorough, especially from the perspective of a working screen actor.
“The most difficult thing about my role is his serious period feel or tone. I didn’t have many comic scenes, and so what if people get bored with them? I had to think about what was ending up on the cutting room floor.”
So what does he think about the end product, which had an excellent box office debut with over a million people through the doors on the first weekend? “I’m happy,” he said. Then he added, “People around me are saying this is my best movie yet.”
At age 36, as an actor whose career has been swayed greatly by image — popular perception of which roles he fits — he would not be faulted for expressing some frustration. But there was not even a hint of discontent during the interview, at least not one that he would let slip. His smile sometimes looked like a way to keep things in.
“When an actor reaches a certain age, like me, the image is to get good parts, to move the audience’s emotions and to perform well. Viewers come for that.
“I think going with the flow, adapting to the times is best. It’s no use to be nostalgic about bygones or point fingers to problems of right now, for me. I just think about how I can fit in.”
But he admitted to having no qualms about voicing his opinion on set, all the while being mindful of the delicate balance between the actor and the director.
“I am careful with first-time directors, as they can be intimidated by actors’ requests. Too many cooks spoil the broth, right? But the director here was clear about what he wanted. So I convinced him at times to take two shots (one following the directorangle and another with Oh’s).”
Oh has an uncanny memory. He remembers, among others, the day he first felt the urge to act during his high school years in Mokpo, South Jeolla Province.
“I originally wanted to become a Korean literature teacher. But when I saw ‘A Moment of Romance’ (directed by Benny Chan and produced by Johnny To), Andy Lau lighting up his Marlboro, riding on the motorcycle and a drop of blood flows from his nose, that was it.”
His determination was never questioned again. Once his parents objected to his theatrical pursuits, he went to a community college “to be done with studying and start working as soon as possible.” After his obligatory military service was done in 1998, at age 22, he put all his eggs in the acting basket.
“This is my sixth film as a lead, my seventh overall. It’s not the same as back then. Embarking on a project with knowledge is obviously different from going in with just a young passionate heart.”
Now, 15 years into his career, he seemed to have firm control over the direction of his life and profession.
“I tend to plan things ahead. I wake up early, and when I think some things need to be done that day, they will be done that day. I used to be called out all the time for my acting, how poor my performance was. So even with a lot of risks for a newbie, I took a year and a half off to start anew. I’ve never thought about becoming popular, becoming a star. That was not important to me. I was only interested in upgrading my performance.
“I hope this will be the stepping stone for my next film. It’s not every day an actor can meet a film with the potential for 4 or 5 million people in theaters.”
“The Grand Heist” is now in theaters nationwide. Runs 121 minutes. Rated 12 and over. Distributed by Next Entertainment World. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
August 14, 2012
HaHa to marry Byul
By Rachel Lee The Korea Times
HaHa
Singer-turned-comedian HaHa, 32, and singer Byul, 28, are expected to tie the knot in November this year.
HaHa’s agency Quan Entertainment told Yonhap News Agency, Tuesday, that the couple plan to marry in Seoul on Nov. 30. The company also added that they have been in relationship since March this year and have known each other for a long time.
The 32-year-old will hold a press conference at MBC Dream Center in Ilsan, Gyeonggi Province today to give more details about the wedding.
HaHa, whose real name is Ha Dong-hoon, is a popular entertainer in Korea. He is best known for his role in MBC’s “Infinite Challenge” and SBS’s variety show “Running Man.” Since he made his debut in 2001 as a singer and rapper in boy band Zikiri, he has appeared in a number of films as well as TV programs including “My Boss, My Teacher” (2006) and “Infinite Challenge,” and other entertainment programs. He also received Best Entertainer Award at the SBS Entertainment Awards in 2011.
Byul
Byul, or Kim Go-eun, is known mostly for her ballads. She was first discovered by producer and singer Park Jin-young from JYP Entertainment, one of the biggest entertainment companies in Korea. She released her debut album “December 32nd” in 2002 and became popular with hits such as “I Think I Love You,” which was later used as the theme for the television drama “Full House” in 2004. Kim received the New Artist Award at the SBS Gayo Daejeon Award in 2002. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
August 14, 2012
'The Thieves' Takes Box Office by Storm with Nearly 10 Million Viewers
ChosunIlbo
Choi Dong-hoon's "The Thieves" is set to become sixth Korean film to attract 10 million spectators.
"A total of 9.24 million moviegoers have seen the movie as of Sunday," said its distributor Showbox Mediaplex on Monday. The flick was released on July 25. "We expect the figure to surpass 10 million by Thursday."
If so, it will become the first Korean film to achieve the feat in three years after "Haeundae" by Yoon Je-kyoon in 2009. The first domestic film to attract such a large audience was "Silmido" by Kang Woo-suk in 2003.
Choi is credited with the immense success of "The Thieves." His three previous films were all commercial hits -- "The Big Swindle" attracted 2.12 million viewers, "The War of Flower" had 5.68 million, and "Woochi: The Taoist Wizard" sold 6.13 million tickets at the box office.
The Chosun Ilbo asked Choi on Monday whether he thought "The Thieves" would prove to be this popular. "No film director thinks about how many spectators their film will draw when making a movie," he said. "Because it was a crime film, I thought the reviews would be split, so I can't still believe that the film has been such a huge success. I even doubted if the figures by the Korean Film Council were correct, so I checked them again and again."
With the exception of "Woochi: The Taoist Wizard," all the other films he has directed revolve around criminals. "This is the kind of material I like to see as a cinemagoer. People have a boundless curiosity about crimes, accidents and so forth. Nobody wants such things to happen to them personally, but they still want to see them in a dramatic setting," said Choi.
Actor Lee Jung-jae (left) hugs a fan at an event to welcome the 10 millionth viewer
of the film "The Thieves" at the Time Square plaza in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul on Monday.
Also attending the event were director Choi Dong-hoon (second left), and actresses
Kim Hye-soo (second right) and Kim Hae-sook.
This is the first film Choi has worked on with his wife and producer Ahn Soo-hyun. "Initially, we didn't like the idea of collaborating because we were worried that it would cause arguments. But there are actually a lot of positives to working together. Whenever I doubted myself as a director, she gave me very valuable advice. We stuck to our principle of respecting each other's work, and she is very good in keeping work and private matters separate. That made everything a lot easier. We are husband and wife, but also friends, so it was fun working together," said Choi.
Ahn, who joined in the middle of the interview, said, "As we used to work on different films, there were times when we couldn't see each other for three months at a stretch. This time, it was good because we worked in the same place and got to see each other all the time."
When asked about his future plans, Choi was tight-lipped, saying merely that he is "a young director who still has a long way to go." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
August 14, 2012
Comedian Haha to wed singer Byul
By Yoon Min-sik The Korea Herald
Korean comedian and rapper Haha’s agency said Tuesday that he will soon announce plans to marry singer Byul.
The 33-year-old will host a press conference on Wednesday to reveal details about his wedding, according to QUAN Entertainment.
The agency said Haha, whose real name is Ha Dong-hoon, had been dating Byul since March.
“Haha and Byul were attracted to each other because they had so much in common,” said an employee from QUAN Entertainment.
The wedding will take place on Nov. 30, according to an anonymous source close to Haha.
Haha debuted in 2001 as a rapper in hip-hop group “Jikiryi,” but gained much larger popularity as a comedian.
He is known mostly for his appearance as one of the co-hosts of hugely popular TV entertainment show “Muhan Dojeon” (Infinite Challenge). The program features six comedians performing hilarious and often bizarre challenges each week.
His fiancé Byul, whose real name is Kim Go-eun, is a well-known ballad singer in Korea. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
August 14, 2012
Kim Min-hee signs exclusive contract with Gong Yoo's agency
Reporter: Lee Tae-ho Editor: Lucia Hong KStar10
Actress Kim Min-hee grabs a camera on the movie "Actress" which
hit local theaters on December 10, 2009. [Showbox]
Actress and fashionista Kim Min-hee has signed an exclusive contract with the talenthouse Management Soop.
The firm said in a press release Tuesday that Kim has joined Soop by inking an exclusive contact with the company, which also manages the careers of Korean top stars Gong Yoo, Jeon Do-youn and Kong Hyo-jin.
“Kim is a representative actress who will lead the Korean movie scene and we will do more and our best to show's the actress' distinct color,” Soop's president Kim Jang-gyun was quoted as saying in the statement.
Kim kicked off her acting career in KBS’ “School 2” in 1999 and has since appeared in various dramas such as “Age of Innocence” (SBS, 2000), "Love Marriage" (KBS2, 2008) and films "Hellcats” (2008) and “Helpless” (2012).
Kim will participate in shooting of her next movie “While Breaking Up” (translated title) soon, according to the firm. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
August 14, 2012
Prince-pauper tale gets election-year twist in 'Gwanghae'
By Kwaak Je-yup The Korea Times
This film image released by CJ E&M shows actor Lee Byung-hun as king Gwanghaegun,
right, and his commoner double Ha-sun in “Gwanghae: the Man Who Became King.”
The movie by Choo Chang-min is slated for a late September release. / Courtesy of CJ E&M
With the presidential election only a few months away, “Gwanghae: the Man Who Became King” could not be released at a better time.
Inspired by Mark Twain’s “The Prince and the Pauper,” the historical drama about switched royal identities challenges the audience to think about the system of the government today, specifically the way we see the role of the nation’s top job, according to Lee Byung-hun, the lead actor who plays the two protagonists.
“There are plenty of movies which offer vicarious satisfaction but Gwanghae portrays a real king in history and how he (the commoner replacement) learns to govern a country from zero,” said Lee at Monday’s promotional event for the media. “It asks the question: what would you do if you were king?”
The new movie by Choo Chang-min (“Mapado: Island of Fortunes,” 2004) revolves around Gwanghaegun, the 15th ruler of Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910) and little-known figure commonly mistaken as a tyrant today. The suffix “gun” denoting a prince rather than a king, he was one of two sovereigns unable to secure posthumous temple names (ending with jo or jong), after being overthrown by a coup. His notoriety comes from the association to the other “prince” Yeonsangun, the 10th king, considered the worst oppressor of the people during a five-century-long history.
After having acceded to the throne in a time of political turmoil, with the court embroiled in fights for influence between different alliances, Gwanghaegun fears assassination. From here the film takes the creative turn as the king switching places with a commoner Ha-sun temporarily with the help from a confidante, Heo-gyun (Ryu Seung-ryong).
Things get complicated when others start noticing the sudden change in the ruler’s personality, including the queen (Han Hyo-ju), who prefers the new, more affectionate husband, and his loyal guard (Kim In-kwon). Further problems arise when the stand-in goes rogue, expressing his true thoughts about the social problems and court corruption.
At the media event, Ryu talked up the film and mentioned his personal recollections.
“It was the first time I felt so much tension on the set, with Lee Byung-hun and with the director,” he said. “Even the guys in the crew were tiptoeing around us because of this.”
To him, this stiff atmosphere only added to the performance: “The one-on-one scenes between Gwanghaegun and my character were filmed at the beginning. That emotional distance, some of it definitely intentional, helped us maintain that tension between our on-screen characters.”
Choo spoke of another realistic aspect in his film: the set design.
“I visited a lot of palaces before the shoot,” said Choo. “What struck me about all the other period dramas and movies made up until now was that they were quite modest in scale. So I decided to build the palace set from scratch — worthy of a true royal palace.”
Lee, claiming to have natural instinct for comedy that is “dying to be let out,” said the commoner role gripped him right away.
“It was when I was in New Orleans, on the set of G.I. Joe 2,” said Lee. “I wanted to give myself a month or two to think (the role) over, but it was that uncultured and impish character that really pulled me towards it from the beginning.”
“Gwanghae: the Man Who Became King” (international release title: “Masquerade”) is slated for a late September release in nationwide theaters. It is not yet rated as it is still in the editing process. Distributed by CJ E&M.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
August 14, 2012
K-pop idol drama, hit or miss?
By Jean Oh The Korea Herald
S.M. Entertainment-produced ‘For You in Full Blossom’ in the gray zone
When news broke that music giant S.M. Entertainment was venturing into the production side of television with the establishment of subsidiary S.M. Culture and Contents, some might have cringed.
Past S.M. Entertainment drama co-production “Paradise Ranch” failed to bring in high viewer ratings, not a good harbinger for S.M. Culture and Contents’ first endeavor, SBS’ “For You in Full Blossom.”
The upcoming series’ stars, however, feel that the youthful appeal of a primarily male cast gives them an edge that rival dramas might lack.
“We are a cheery and innocent bunch. I think we can appeal to audiences on that front,” “For You in Full Blossom” star Minho said at the drama’s press conference in Seoul on Monday.
“Since we have a crop of good-looking boys in our series, I think we could nab viewers in their teens and 20s,” co-star Kim Ji-won put in her two cents on the matter.
Director Jun Ki-sang, known for KBS’ hit Japanese comic book remake “Boys Over Flowers,” also pinpointed the crop of handsome actors as one of the draws of their drama.
SBS’ “For You in Full Blossom” stars Sulli (right) and Minho attend the drama’s press conference in Seoul on Monday. (S.M. Culture and Contents)
Of leads Minho and Sulli, both of whom are S.M. Entertainment artists, Jun stressed that the having S.M. Culture and Contents as the production company did not factor into the casting of the two singers.
Nevertheless, the outcome has the two high-profile idols fronting the drama. Furthermore, S.M. Entertainment’s subsidiary is producing the series and S.M. Entertainment is also overseeing the drama’s soundtrack, making it difficult to ignore the shadow of the major music giant looming in the background.
From a distance, it truly looks like an SM universe giving one the impression that things should go well for the series, since it looks like the entertainment company has got the Midas touch.
Add to that a plot based on a popular Japanese comic book series that has already been dramatized in Japan and Taiwan, a scriptwriter who helped pen major hit sitcoms like “High Kick!” and “High Kick 2” and a director who already steered another Japanese comic book series TV remake to success, and it looks like “For You in Full Blossom” is a prime candidate for the top Wednesday and Thursday night primetime ratings slot.
No doubt, fans of girl group f(x) and boy band SHINee will tune in to see f(x)’s Sulli play a heroine who dresses up as a boy to get into an all-boys school to be near hero Kang Tae-joon, played by SHINee’s Minho.
The question is: Will the series attract more than just the teenage set?
The highlight reel that ran at the press event showcased a glossy, sweet teen romance in danger of being a tad bit cheesy.
In the preview, Sulli was convincing as a goofy girl-masquerading-as-boy with a crush on Minho’s hero, but the preview was too short to determine if the series would have too much fluff and too little substance or if it would be a light and fun rom-com with compelling plot twists and enough emotional believability to get audiences to root for the leads.
To keep it fresh and in season, director Jun said, “We changed the set-up so that it would take place at a school for athletes because it is summer and we wanted to make it a high teen romance.”
“For You in Full Blossom” starts airing August 15 on Wednesday and Thursday nights on SBS at 9:55 p.m. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
August 14, 2012
Film featuring Rain pre-sold to 30 countries
By Claire Lee The Korea Herald
A local movie starring hallyu star Rain has been sold to 30 different countries before its release, the movie’s producer CJ Entertainment announced on Tuesday.
The film is the last movie Rain shot before joining the military for mandatory service in October 2011. In the movie, Rain stars as an elite Air Force pilot assigned to stop attacks from an unknown fighter jet along with his unit members. The singer and actor is currently in the Army.
His co-stars include actress Shin Se-kyung, actor Yoo Jun-sang and Lee Jong-seok.
A scene from upcoming film “R2B: Return to Base.” (CJ Entertainment)
Taiwan, Thailand, India, Indonesia, the U.K., Austria, Switzerland and Canada are among the 30 countries that have bought the film.
The foreign buyers were especially impressed by the film’s action scenes featuring combat aircraft. Many Asian buyers were also interested in Rain’s performance in the film, as he is already popular in countries throughout Asia, according to CJ Entertainment.
On Tuesday, a special premiere of the movie was held for international viewers. Some 2,000 viewers from Japan, China, and the Philippines, mostly fans of Rain, attended the event held at CGV Yongsan, Seoul.
Subtitles were provided in English, Chinese and Japanese for the screenings, and the actors and actresses of the film, with the exception of Rain, showed up at the theater in the evening to greet the fans.
The movie opened in local theaters on the same day. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
August 14, 2012
Lee Joon-gi to donate 10 tons of rice
By Carla Sunwoo Korea JoongAng Daily
Lee Joon-gi received 10 tons of rice from fans worldwide on Aug. 10 which the hallyu star will in turn donate to charities.
Countless bags of the Korean staple were delivered to the Grand Ambassador Hotel in Jangchung-dong, central Seoul where the press conference for Lee’s latest drama “Arang and the Magistrate” took place.
Rice was flown in from far and wide from Malaysia, China, Singapore and Romania just to name a few places.
“Fans of Lee had begun collecting rice as early as three months ago,” said Lee’s agency. “We will talk with Lee about the best way to donate these gifts.”
The new MBC drama, set to air beginning on Aug. 15, is Lee’s first project since being discharged from the Army in early February. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
August 14, 2012
Seo In-guk lands another acting role
By Carla Sunwoo Korea JoongAng Daily
Superstar K season one winner Seo In-guk has really made a name for himself as an actor.
Seo recently landed the role of You Seung-gi, one of three brothers in the MBC drama “Sons.”
Seo was picked to be in the program to follow in the stead of “God of War,” due to his previous feats in this year’s dramas “Love Rain,” and “Respond 1997,” which is still running.
“In his dramatic roles, Seo has proved himself as a talented actor and we have become flooded with offers,” said the singer’s agency.
Seo made his debut as the winner of the singing program in 2009. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
August 14, 2012
Kim Jae-won is still recovering
By Carla Sunwoo Korea JoongAng Daily
Actor Kim Jae-won revealed that his shoulder is still a mess at a press conference to promote his latest drama, “May Queen,” on Aug. 14.
“I’m still not back to 100 percent, and I’ll keep receiving treatment,” said Kim of his injury sustained while filming MBC’s “I Am a Flower Too.”
The injury happened last October when Kim fell off a motorbike after it accelerated without warning on the drama’s set. The accident prompted Kim to drop out of the production.
Kim had to postpone a fan meet in Japan in March until July as his recovery has been slow.
“May Queen” is Kim’s first project since the injury and features actors Han Ji-hye, Son Eun-seo and Jae-hee.
The program will take over the timeslot of “Time Slip Dr. Jin” and will center on a group of young people living in a seaside town during the boom of the shipbuilding industry. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
August 14, 2012
Prince of Asia gives a stern warning to his humble subjects
By Carla Sunwoo Korea JoongAng Daily
Hallyu entertainer Jang Keun-suk was summoned by public safety authorities in China after a safety concern involving his fans were brought to attention.
According a Chinese press 21CN, Jang’s fans had chased Jang in a car, causing a disturbance on the road when Jang was in the country on Aug. 11.
After his concert and press conference, Jang used his Weibo to send out a clear message to stalker fans.
“You guys really don’t care about rules do you? If safety issues comes up again I may never be able to return to China,” Jang vented.
“Safety officials keep telling me to go back. If you keep behaving this way, I won’t be able to perform here.”
Jang also swore in English on his Chinese SNS page but later removed the profanities.
The K-pop star’s reaction to the stalker fans caused a controversy in Chinese press for a while. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
August 14, 2012
'Social-tainers' are talking about the issues
By Ki Sun-min, Kang Na-hyun Korea JoongAng Daily
Celebrities in Korea increasingly opening up about their views
In the middle of last month, those who passed by Daehanmun, the main gate of Deoksu Palace in central Seoul, walked by actor Yoo Ji-tae. He wasn’t in the middle of a shoot or signing autographs at a fan-meet. Rather, he stood there silently in the heavy rain holding up a sign that read “Immigrant women have the right to live.”
He was participating in a campaign against the domestic violence that has taken place between Korean men and their migrant wives. Two women were killed by their husbands in early July.
“I hope they are the last victims,” Yoo said to reporters at the site of his protest. “I’m so ashamed as a Korean man.” He added that he is preparing to direct a film about the issue.
Celebrities in Korea are increasingly raising their voices on social issues, from domestic concerns like the abuse of migrant wives to international disputes like Korea’s sovereignty over the Dokdo islets. The trend has led to the use of the term “Social-tainer,” a portmanteau of “social” and “entertainer” that refers to stars who act and comment on the issues.
While the idea of celebrities involving themselves in politics or social movements is familiar to many in the West, it is a relatively new phenomenon in the Korean entertainment industry.
Yoo is an outspoken exemplification of this trend. He has been volunteering in Africa and says he has always wanted to be a social worker. He recently promoted the adoption of abandoned dogs on his Twitter account.
Singer Lee Hyo-ri is also enthusiastically promoting the protection of abandoned dogs and hopes to convince more fans to become vegetarians. Breaking from her original sexy fashion celebrity image, she gave up leather bags and fur coats for cotton, eco-friendly purses.
Actress Park Jin-hee is also participating in many environmental campaigns. She is now honorary ambassador of the NGO Korea Green Foundation. Cha In-pyo and Shin Ae-ra have taken on a different cause, promoting the rights of North Korean defectors.
It is no exaggeration to say that singer Sean, together with his actor wife Jung Hye-yeong, is almost a full-time social worker. He is currently holding a fund-raiser for building a rehabilitation hospital for disabled children.
Books have been a primary medium for social-tainers to get their voices heard. So far, books published by celebrities have mainly been autobiographies or professional analyses of fashion, makeup and diet trends. Nowadays, celebrities are writing books about their opinions on social issues.
Lee Hyo-ri’s essay on animal welfare, “Closer,” has sold over 30,000 copies since its May release. Even Park Won-soon, mayor of Seoul, commented on the book, saying he’s planning on establishing a new department regarding animal welfare later this year.
Gong Hyo-jin also published an essay, “Notebook,” listing small tips on how to save the environment, such as using shower gels sparingly, reusing Ziplock bags and unplugging electronics. It has sold over 40,000 copies.
“Both of them hoped their social influence would be used in a good way, making a difference. Their deep considerations and studies on the related fields were very impressive,” said Kim Su-jin, the director of the publisher Bookhouse who planned both celebrities’ books.
Social networking services have played a major role in the celebrities’ social participation. Kim Yeo-jin, Kim Je-dong and Kim Mi-wwa began voicing their opinions on issues through Twitter. Other stars such as Lee Hyo-ri and Yoo Ji-tae also actively tweet, proving celebrities are no longer afraid of directly communicating with the public.
Jang Duk-jin, professor of Seoul National University’s College of Social Sciences, even predicted that the ability to communicate with the public through SNS will also be counted as a qualification of top stars in the future, as much as appearance and talent.
The transformation in the public’s view of celebrities could be the primary contributor to these social participation trends.
“The originally vertical relationship between stars and the public has become horizontal,” said Jung Duk-hyun, a popular-culture critic. “Celebrities, who were once just an object of envy, are now seen as another member of society.”
Hyun Taek-soo, professor of Korea University’s College of Social Sciences, said that as corporate social responsibility is required of companies, the same principle is increasingly being applied to celebrities.
The effects have been positive for society as well as the celebrities’ image. Choi Soo-jong and Ha Hee-ra’s pledge to donate their body tissues after death is a good example. Unlike organ donation, tissue donation is lesser known to the public, but right after the couple’s announcement, donations skyrocketed in less than two weeks.
However, many people still doubt the authenticity of social-tainers and view their actions as part of a planned promotional strategy. Celebrities often try to raise their reputations through social participation and donations. Some stars don’t assume great prominence in their regular field (singing or acting) but gain popularity through volunteer work, earning roles in films and commercials.
“It requires a lot of willpower and devotion to be an active social-tainer in the long term. Uninterested stars, reluctantly participating, rarely make it to the end,” said Lee Hyun-woo, the PR manager of Unicef.
Critical voices are particularly aimed at the celebrities who are widely expressing their political opinions. “Entertainment is a field appealing to emotional sides of people. By interfering in politically sensitive issues or supporting particular political parties, stars might elicit an emotionalization of politics,” said Shin Yool, professor at Myongji University.
Revealing political colors often backfires on celebrities, which explains why most celebrities’ participation remains in social areas related to universal values such as environmental, children, animal and human rights.
“American celebrities usually don’t get in trouble for revealing their political colors,” said Lee Dong-yeon, professor at Korea National University of Arts. “No one being criticized or disadvantaged for their personal opinions is a sign of a mature society,”
Criticisms exist, but most people consider social-tainers’ movements to be positive. “Celebrities expand the social issues from originally confined political ones to various questions we have to solve, contributing to an advance towards pluralism in the society,” said Kim Hyung-joon, professor of political science and diplomacy at Myongji University. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
August 15, 2012
Star couple ends their relationship
By Nam Yoon-seo Intern reporter The Korea Herald
Ryu Seung-bum and Gong Hyo-jin (The Herald Business)
Ryu Seung-bum and Gong Hyo-jin have ended their 10-year relationship, according to the agency representing the celebrity couple.
“They decided to remain good friends,” the agency Soop Management said on Wednesday.
The couple broke up their relationship in April. They had a hard time making a decision, the agency said.
Ryu and Gong began to date in 2001 when they played a couple for a TV drama. The couple broke up in 2003 but reunited in 2008.
Ryu is one of the Korean movie industry’s best known actors, with a distinctive style that has drawn attention from both critics and fans. Gong has starred in a host of films since her debut in 1999 in “Memento Mori,” and expanded her career into fashion and TV commercials.
Their fans expressed disappointment with the end of the relationship on social networks including Twitter and Facebook. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Author
![[Disney+ 2024] LIGHT SHOP - Ju Ji Hoon, Park Bo Young, Bae Sung Woo, Uhm Tae Goo, Lee Jung Eun ~ 4 December 2024](https://uf.cari.com.my/forumx/mforum/forum/202410/14/214142ggfz62fgna29y7zn.jpg)
