Korean Entertainment News 2012 - 2013

katt

August 19, 2012


Lee Min-jung confirms dating rumor
By Moon Gwang-lip Korea JoongAng Daily



After months of denials, Lee Min-jung acknowledged that she is dating fellow actor Lee Byung-hun.

“I don’t know how to start, [but] I would like to talk about the media reports of romance with senior actor Lee Byung-hun and the rumor of marriage with him,” Lee Min-jung, 30, said on her blog yesterday.

“First of all, I would like to let you know that the two of us are having an earnest meeting as a lover.”

A rumor began to circulate in April that Lee Min-jung and Lee Byung-hun, 42, who starred in Hollywood movie “G.I. Joe,” were dating, but the two actors and their agents all denied it. In the blog, Lee Min-jung said even her parents and her agency did not know about her relationship at the time.

Lee Min-jung said she had much agony and concern as a woman, an actress and a daughter, but mustered the courage to confess. She said she wants to receive fans’ approval on her relationship with Lee Byung-hun, with whom she said she had consulted.

Still, Lee Min-jung denied the marriage. “There is nothing fixed,” she said.

katt

August 19, 2012

Lee Byung-hun, Lee Min-jung admit romantic relationship
Reporter: Lucia Hong KStar10


Actress Lee Min-jung (left) and actor Lee Byung-hun (right) pose for their profile pictures. [MS Team Entertainment/BH Entertainment]

Hallyu star Lee Byung-hun and actress Lee Min-jung have admitted that they are in a romantic relationship, which turns out to have begun early this year.

On Sunday, both Lee Byung-hun and Lee Min-jung posted handwritten statements on their official websites acknowledging their budding romance.

The pair have finally admitted to being together after reports and rumors surfaced as they were spotted together having dinner at a wedding in March.

However, their relationship regained spotlight earlier this week when news broke out that the two were planning on a November wedding after visiting a Hanbok [traditional Korean costume] shop.

Lee Min-jung's statement read, "As a woman, an actress and a daughter, I had many worries and concerns but now I have the courage to speak out about our relationship. I hope that with the support of the public that we can continue on with our relationship as a happy couple."

"We are still careful about the future, and we are quite serious about one another and we will be the first ones to announce to the public on any other news about us."

Additionally, Lee also left a personal message on his official website saying, "I am writing this letter just a few weeks before leaving Korea to focus on my acting activities overseas in 2012. I have found someone that I want to be with. That is why we have both made the decision to tell our fans about our relationship."


Lee continued, "I first got to know Lee Min-jung at a gathering with other actors and slowly yet carefully began our relationship after we met each other again early this year. But we were taken aback and extremely hesitant once rumors broke out about relationship."

"However, we apologize for not telling our fans first about our relationship......we extend our deepest apologizes to our families, fans and our agencies for not coming clean with the truth though we ask for your understanding."

He ended his letter saying, "Now, I can surely say that I have found that important person in my life and we hope to seriously maintain our relationship."

Lee Byung-hun, one of Korea's most well-recognized actors and a household name in Japan as well, made his Hollywood debut in 2009 through the first “G.I. Joe" flick as character Storm Shadow.

He recently attended a press conference to promote his forthcoming film "Masquerade" and will be heading overseas to shoot "Red 2."

Lee Min-jung is best known for playing the role of Ha Jae-kyung in SBS' hit teenage series "Boys Over Flowers" and landed her first lead role in SBS' weekend drama "Smile, You" opposite actor Choung Kyung-ho.

The actress has also appeared in films "Searching for the Elephant (2009)," "White Night (2009)" and "Cyrano Agency (2010)." She last starred in KBS' romantic comedy "Big" opposite actor Gong Yoo.

katt

August 20, 2012

Actor Lee Byung-hun admits romantic relationship
Yonhapnews

SEOUL, Aug. 20 (Yonhap) -- Top actor Lee Byung-hun admitted dating actress Lee Min-jung but denied rumors that they are getting married in November.

   The two celebrities said they are in a "serious relationship" in postings on their Web sites Sunday.

   "I found someone that I want to be with. Now, she has become the most important person to me. And I want to take this relationship seriously," Lee said on his Web site, referring to fellow actress Lee Min-jung.

   The 30-year-old actress also said, "I want to tell all of you that we are dating as lovers."



They earlier denied relationship rumors.

   In the posting, the 42-year-old actor apologized to his fans for the belated acknowledgement, saying, "We feel really sorry that we were not able to tell the truth."

   The actor said he first met the actress during a gathering many years ago but began dating after a casual meeting early this year.

   Still, the actress denied rumors that they are getting married in November.

   "It's false information," she said. "The two of us are not preparing for marriage, and there is nothing fixed."

   Lee Byung-hun has been at the center of the boom of Korean pop culture in Japan along with Bae Yong-joon.

   Lee starred in the Hollywood blockbuster "G.I. Joe" and became the first Asian actor to leave handprints in the forecourt of a Hollywood theater.

   The actress rose to stardom with her supporting role in the popular KBS drama "Boys over Flowers" in 2009. She later starred in such films as "White Night," "Cyrano Agency" and "Wonderful Radio," and several TV dramas, including "Midas" and "Big."

katt

Augsut 20, 2012

Kim Soo-hyun fulfills pledge as 'The Thieves' reaches 10-million mark
By Carla Sunwoo Korea JoongAng Daily



Kim Soo-hyun from the current blockbuster “The Thieves” fulfilled a pledge he made as the movie exceeded 10 million views.

As promised at the movie’s premiere, Kim carried around a fan who won the privilege through a raffle drawn at Megabox in Gangnam, southern Seoul, on Aug. 18.

The lucky winner was a middle school girl.

It wasn’t just the fans who enjoyed the event; Kim also showed his enthusiasm for the cause by saying, “It’s so great that the movie did so well. I’m honored to be taking part in this event.”

Meanwhile, co-star Kim Hae-sook fulfilled her pledge too by planting a kiss on one of the cinema-goers present.

As of Aug. 15, the movie had exceeded 1,834,332 views since opening on July 25.

katt

August 20, 2012

Kim Min-jong to release single
By Carla Sunwoo Korea JoongAng Daily



Actor and singer Kim Min-jong took to the stage, his first in a while, at the SM Town Live Concert, which took place in Jamsil, southern Seoul, on Aug. 18.

Kim who belongs to SM Entertainment showed that he could hold his own by performing on the same stage as acts like Girls’ Generation, SHINee, Super Junior and BoA to name a few of his agency mates.

Of late the 40-year-old entertainer has been back in the limelight after starring in the hit drama “A Gentleman’s Dignity.”
In the show, Kim showed off his vocal skills by contributing a track on the soundtrack.

Kim will also make a cameo appearance in the new SBS drama “To the Beautiful You” which is set to take over the time slot left blank with “A Gentleman’s Dignity” coming to an end over a week ago.

katt

August 20, 2012

Kim Yun-jin's voice in computer game
Korea JoongAng Daily



Actress Kim Yun-jin has lent her voice to a computer game developed by Square Enix.

The American software company announced last week that Kim has taken on the role of a character named Tiffany in the game “Sleeping Dogs.”

The action-detective game set against the backdrop of Hong Kong’s underworld was released Thursday. The player assumes the role of a police officer working undercover as a snitch in the Triad.

Other actresses who have parts as characters in the game include Emma Stone, Lucy Liu and Kelly Hu.

Meanwhile, Kim has been busy since wrapping up the hit U.S. drama “Lost” two years ago. As well as working on “Sleeping Dogs,” she has taken on another drama, titled “Mistresses.” The ABC program will debut next year and Kim has begun filming in Los Angeles.

On Thursday, Kim will release a movie in Korea titled “Neighbor.” The Korean production features Don Lee and child-actor Kim Sae-ron. The crime-thriller directed by Kim Whee is based on the murder of a child at an apartment complex.

katt

August 21, 2012

[Newsmaker]
Director Choi Dong-hun steals show with 'The Thieves'
By Claire Lee The Korea Herald

Director Choi Dong-hun’s star-studded film “The Thieves” has been a sensation since its opening in local theaters last month. Now, Choi’s biggest commercial hit ― the sixth domestic film to top 10 million viewers in Korean movie history at 10,095,387 viewers in 22 days ― is going overseas, slated to open in theaters in Hong Kong, Thailand and Indonesia next month. It will also be released in Singapore and Malaysia later this year.

The film, featuring top stars including Kim Hye-soo, Jun Ji-hyun, Kim Soo-hyun and Hong Kong-based actor Simon Yam, topped the local box office chart on its opening day, beating Christopher Nolan’s Hollywood blockbuster “The Dark Knight Rises.”


Director Choi Dong-hun (Park Hae-mook/The Korea Herald)

“The Thieves” is Choi’s fourth feature-length film, and features a group of 10 professional thieves who get together to steal a diamond worth $20 million in Macau. The film has been recognized for its character development and engaging plot, as well as stunts and wire action.

All three of Choi’s previous works ― “The Big Swindle” (2004) “Tazza: The High Rollers” (2006) “Jeon Woo Chi” (2009) ― also did well in the box office, giving him the reputation of one of the most commercially successful writer-directors today. The Korean Academy of Film Arts graduate and former assistant director to “The Taste of Money” and “The Housemaid” auteur Im Sang-soo has been crafting his own brand of crime and heist thrillers over the years.

Actress Kim Hye-soo, who starred in “The Thieves” as well as Choi’s 2006 flick “Tazza: The High Rollers,” described him as “a genius who also works extremely hard.”

“When I first read the script of the movie, I was just in awe,” she told The Korea Herald last month. “It was a product of great effort, genius ideas and a detail-oriented, calculative mind. I think he knows who he is, the exact kind of films that he wants to make, and how to make them. ‘The Thieves’ proves it.”

“The Thieves” has also been invited to the 37th Toronto International Festival’s “Contemporary World Cinema.” The non-competitive film festival kicks off on Sept. 6 in Toronto, Canada.

katt

August 22, 2012

'The Thieves' to screen in Hong Kong from September
By Carla Sunwoo Korea JoongAng Daily



The summer blockbuster “The Thieves” will begin screening across Asia from next month. On Sept. 6, the movie will premiere in Hong Kong and Indonesia before opening in Singapore on the 13th, and Malaysia and Thailand in October and November.

The movie’s distributor Show Box announced on Aug. 21 that Jun Ji-hyun, the female lead from the movie, will visit Hong Kong ahead of the film’s opening for promotions. Simon Yam, who makes an appearance in the Korean film, will also join Jun for press events in Hong Kong.

In Korea, the film has exceeded the 10-million mark in views on Aug. 15.

This prompted the film’s heartthrob Kim Soo-hyun to fulfill a pledge that he made earlier; the 24-year-old actor partook in a special fan meet event where he carried a young fan on his back around the cinema on Aug. 18 at Megabox in Gangnam, southern Seoul.

As of Aug. 20, the film has been viewed by 11,253,541 Korean cinema-goers.

In the next week, the action film is set to overtake the record set by “Haeundae” in 2009 and become fourth-highest grossing Korean film to date.

katt

August 21, 2012

Lee Byung-hun plans a lawsuit
By Carla Sunwoo Korea JoongAng Daily

After admitting that he was indeed seeing actress Lee Min-jung, Hallyu actor Lee Byung-hun,left, has decided to sue entertainer and former baseball player Kang Byung-kyu for making fun of his love life.

According to a spokesperson for Apex law firm, Kang has soiled their client’s image on Twitter since Lee announced Sunday that he is dating the actress 12 years his junior. “As well as implying that Lee Byung-hun has gotten Lee Min-jung pregnant, he keeps referring to Lee Byung-hun as a ‘pervert,’” the spokesperson said.

Since both Lees confirmed the dating rumors, Kang has made an array of comments online.

When Lee Byung-hun used his Web site to tell fans he had “found someone very special,” Kang countered by tweeting, “Another special person? Just how many special people have you found so far?”

Ever the active twitter user Kang told his followers that a movie about the dynamic love life of Lee would make an interesting film.

Meanwhile, netizens seem to be on the side of Kang, with many of his 17,000-plus followers cheering him on.

katt

August 21, 2012

K-drama leads 'hallyu'

This is the 10th in a 15-part series on the stars and trends of “hallyu,” or the Korean wave, which is gaining popularity in Southeast Asia and Latin America. The Korea Times is producing this special project in cooperation with the Korea Foundation and CJ E&M. — ED.

By Kwon Mee-yoo, Rachel Lee The Korea Times


Kim Soo-hyun, top right, embraces his onscreen love interest Han Ga-in
in a scene from “The Moon Embracing the Sun,” a popular MBC drama.
/ Courtesy of Pan Entertainment

A variety of soap operas, from trendy shows to epic series, grace the small screen from morning till night. The popularity of Korean TV dramas has spilled over the nation’s borders since the late 1990s, igniting “hallyu,” or the Korean wave.

The biggest hit of the first half of this year is MBC’s “The Moon Embracing the Sun,” which aired from January to March. Starring Kim Soo-hyun and Han Ga-in, it portrayed a love story between a fictional king and a female shaman during the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910). It recorded an average viewer rating of 32.9 percent, which peaked at 42.2 percent for the last episode.

Based on the domestic hit, the broadcast rights were sold to several Asian countries — including Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore and the Philippines — and reached sales of over 200 billion won.

“Two thumbs up. This drama was so beautiful and I can’t choose words to describe it. I like everything about this drama such as story, setting, cast, acting of all the cast was full of intricacy,” a Filipino fan of the drama said in an online community for Korean dramas.


Song Seung-heon, right, stars in a scene in “Dr. Jin.” / Courtesy of MBC

Hundreds of people gather at such websites to share information and thoughts on Korean soaps. Though the programs are aired in Korean, they are translated into English and other languages by fans within 24 hours and quickly spread across the globe via the Internet.

The popularity of Korean television dramas has become an important part of the nation’s export along with other cultural industries such as music, films and food.

‘Love Rain’ sold for 90 billion won

According to the Korea Creative Contents Agency (KCCA), the export of Korean dramas is on a rising curve from $105 million in 2008 to $107 million in 2009 and $133 million in 2010.

The dramas are profitable but they also promote sales in related industries and products. The Korea Export-Import Bank Overseas Economic Research Institute released a report in May that a $100 increase in the export of hallyu cultural products resulted in a $412 increase in that of consumer goods.


Lee Young-ae, left, and Ji Jin-hee in a scene from “Jewel in the Palace,”
the television drama that fueled the K-drama wave across much of Asia.
/ Korea Times file

At the 18th Shanghai Television Festival in June, one of the biggest East Asian content markets, total sales from export contracts of Korean TV programs reached around 11 billion won, a 7.5 percent increase from the previous year, according to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

The nation’s three major networks managed to sell the broadcast rights of shows to various Asian countries including MBC dramas “I Do I Do,” “Dr. Jin” and “Can’t Live Without You”; SBS’s “Rooftop Prince”; and KBS’s “Big,” “Man From the Equator” and “I’ll Give You the Stars and the Moon.” All of the shows exported were produced this year.

Of all the soaps sold abroad this year, KBS’s “Love Rain,” starring Jang Geun-suk and Girls’ Generation’s Yoona, went for the highest price to Japan before it even broadcast in Korea. It cost 4.5 billion won per episode, adding up to some 90 billion won in total. The popular program has been sold to 12 countries in Asia and Europe including China, Singapore and Malaysia and recorded around 115 billion won in overseas sales.

Success overseas does not necessarily lead to the same situation in the country where the programs were originally produced. “Dr. Jin” was exported to Taiwan and Thailand in June before it ended in Korea where it only achieved an 8.8 percent audience rating even with famous Korean actor Song Seung-heon as the male protagonist.


Jung Woo-sung in a scene from “Padam Padam” / Courtesy of JTBC

Cable channels are also chasing major TV networks in overseas exports. tvN’s “Yellow Boots,” in which actress Lee Yu-ri stars, was sold to Japan, Taiwan, Singapore and Indonesia last month. The channel’s popular drama “Shut Up Flower Boy Band” was also exported to Japan in February. A number of good-looking actors were cast for the television series including Lee Min-gi and Lee Hyun-jae. JTBC, a broadcasting company established by the Joongang Ilbo, is one of the rising contributors as its dramas such as “Padam Padam” was sold to KLIKSAT, a German cable network, at the world’s leading content trade show MIPTV in Cannes, France, in April.

Expanding market

Experts see further growth for K-drama sales as they are becoming more diverse and well-made.

KCCA researcher Lee Yang-hwan said tight plots and strong characters have made Korean soaps popular both at home and abroad. “The overall quality of Korean dramas has improved along with their international popularity. The importance of scriptwriters and producers has become more recognized,” he said.


Yoona, left, and Jang Geun-suk, in a poster for “Love Rain,” a drama
that was sold in Japan even before it was broadcast in Seoul. / Courtesy of KBS

However, Lee pointed out that dramas targeting overseas sales by starring top hallyu stars, such as “Love Rain,” might backfire as they center on a rather specific market and lack universality.

“‘Jewel in the Palace,’ one of the most popular Korean shows globally, was sold to some 120 countries, from Asia, Europe and the United States to the Middle East and South America. When cultural content goes from one cultural area to another, it has to be universal,” Lee said.

Japan is the largest market for Korean dramas and selling a program there is more profitable than deals with most other countries, the researcher added.

He also said it is essential to expand the reach of Korean dramas to Europe and South America, and that Korean content makers are ignorant of these markets.

“Hallyu in South America is dominated by K-pop and telenovela is very popular in the region. Such facts should be analyzed prior to making paths overseas,” Lee said.

Starring popular singers and K-pop idols or hiring them to sing soundtracks for the shows could create synergy between K-pop and K-drama.

Participating in content trade fairs such as MIPTV and MIPCOM would introduce K-dramas further and boost sales.

“MIPTV added new section MIPCube focusing on state-of-the-art media technologies such as 3D and social networking services. Korea is strong in cutting-edge information technology and it would provide a springboard for Korean dramas,” he said.

For more, visit enewsworld.com

katt

August 21, 2012

The Thieves Goes International
KBS Global



Next target for the seemingly unstoppable movie [The Thieves]? Asia and Toronto!

After holding down the #1 spot at the domestic box offices for the fifth week and having attracted over 11 million movie-goers in Korea, The Thieves will also be premiering in movie theaters across Asia.

The date is set for September 6th in Hong Kong and Indonesia, September 13th in Singapore, followed by unconfirmed dates in October and November for Malaysia and Thailand. The news of the premiere dates comes after the movie was agreed to be exported to eight Asian countries: Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, and Thailand. Jeon Ji-hyun (or Gianna), who played the role of "Yenny-Call" in the movie, will be making appearances at gala premiere events in Hong Kong and China.

Also was invited to the 37th annual Toronto Film Festival, starting on September 6th, to be included in the "Contemporary World Cinema" category. It will play at the Ryerson University indoor theaters on September 13th.

katt

August 22, 2012

Han Ye-seul to make comeback with movie 'The Dog'
From news reports The Korea Herald


(Bel actors Entertainment)

Korean actress Han Ye-seul is poised for a comeback after one year absence with a role in a new blockbuster movie, Korean online news company Mydaily reported, citing an official from her agency.

“Han is considering appearance on the new movie ‘The Dog’,” the official from Bel actors Entertainment reportedly said. The movie, which is expected to crank in around October, is a story about a dog infected by an alien.

According to sources within the filming industry, she has “virtually” decided to shoot the film and is working on specifics of the contract, although the details were not disclosed.

If confirmed, the 31-year-old actress will be resuming her acting career a year after her widely-criticized boycott of a drama series caused her to cease all her activities.

Last year, Han came under severe criticism for abandoning her role during the shooting of KBS drama series “Myeong-wol the Spy.”

She reportedly went to her hometown Los Angeles without alerting the production staff. Han blamed the excessively tight filming schedules and long hours.

KBS denied the accusations and claimed that they tried to grant favors for the actress, but her demands were ‘unreasonable’. The drama department director lambasted her actions, saying they were “unilateral, irresponsible, and will not be tolerated.”

katt

August 22, 2012

'Neighbor' weighs price of indifference
By Kwaak Je-yup The Korea Times



Clockwise from left, actors Kim Yun-jin, Kim Sae-rom, Kim Sung-kyun,
Ma Dong-seok and Do Ji-han in “The Neighbor,” a film by Kim Hwi.
The crime thriller is currently in theaters nationwide.
/ Courtesy of Lotte Entertainment

What would you do if you found out someone living in your building is a serial killer? That is the premise of the new thriller “The Neighbor,” which opened on Wednesday. While the usual comic book hero would fight against evil, the answer is not so clear cut in this more realistic setting.

All the neighbors in the film are reluctant to act due to self-interest. One character does not want the property price to fall after a scandal. Another wants to avoid attention from the police, as he has just five months left before his statute of limitations runs out. Some simply do not want to meddle without evidence, clinging to their daily routines. Meanwhile, the criminal continues to kill.

Just by this story alone, based on Kang Full’s eponymous web-based comic book series (referred to as “webtoon” in Korea) the directorial debut by Kim Hwi (screenwriter for “Haeundae,” 2009, one of the biggest hits in the Korean box office, among others) should find enough audience.

The cast members are excellent across the board, and the set design successfully brings the cartoony ambiance to life. There is no doubt that Kim has a firm grasp of storytelling, acting, lighting, camera angles and pace.

The only problem is his occasional oversight in criminology, which puts the whole film’s seriousness at risk.

The most obvious mistake happens when the killer (Kim Sung-kyun from “Nameless Gangster: Rules of the Time,” 2011) successfully covers up a bloody murder scene in the apartment’s main hallway by breaking a single bottle of red wine. Is it not obvious that the amount of fluid on the floor far surpasses 1.5 liters? The director’s choice is odd, given that this particular murder happens in a completely different, more “sensible” setting in the webtoon.

That is not to say that the online comic book series is flawless. The criminal’s past is never mentioned, and there is no information about his crimes prior to the first one seen on screen. Why does he kill on a regular schedule? What are his motives? They are never explained.


Still “Neighbor” pushes its flaws aside thanks to the exceptional cast members.

With his facial expression perfectly suited for the character’s amoral killing spree, the evil killer role is another breakthrough performance for Kim Sung-kyun after “Gangster.”

Kim Yun-jin, the Korean-American actress best known internationally for her role in “Lost,” is another right choice, as the first victim’s stepmother trying to overcome her guilt for letting her stepdaughter come home alone. Her vulnerability and subsequent courage come in just the right doses.

Ma Dong-seok, former trainer for American mixed martial artists Mark Coleman and Kevin Randleman and last seen in “Nameless Gangster: Rules of the Time” alongside Kim Sung-kyun, also stands out as Hyeok-mo the loan shark.

It is unclear why the original webtoon’s 17-year-old school-girl victims were changed to suit the 12-year-old Kim Sae-ron (“The Man from Nowhere,” 2010, alongside Won Bin), but she shows promise of becoming a great actress someday.

“The Neighbor” is now in theaters nationwide. Runs for 110 minutes. Rated for 18 and over. Distributed by Lotte Entertainment.

katt

August 22, 2012

Yoon Kye-sang to take on cookery
By Carla Sunwoo Korea JoongAng Daily



Actor Yoon Kye-sang will get to actualize his dream of mastering cookery on a TV show on Olive.

The cable channel announced on Aug. 22 that the show which will begin on Aug. 26 will be based on Yoon tackling various stages required to become a chef and owner of a restaurant.

“It should be an interesting show as the only thing he knew how to cook beforehand was kimchi stew,” said a spokesperson for the show.

In addition, Yoon’s close friends, actors Kwon Se-in and On Joo-wan are set to make appearances on the show as Yoon’s daily life is revealed.

katt

August 22, 2012

Cho Dal-hwan says he will marry Olympian girlfriend
By Carla Sunwoo Korea JoongAng Daily



Actor Cho Dal-hwan took the opportunity at a press conference for his new movie “Traffickers” on Aug. 21 to announce that he will soon wed.

Although he didn’t specify when, he said that if the film did well at the box office, that he would marry his girlfriend Park Mi-young, table tennis player who represented Korea at the Olympics this year.

“Even if the film is a flop, I’m going to marry her,” Cho added.

The 21-year-old actor who had played minor roles in films such as “Dancing Queen” and “Couples” (2011) as well as in the new film admitted that he wasn’t much of a catch.

“From the in-laws’ perspective, I don’t really have all that much to boast about,” Cho said. Regardless, the actor said that he had finished up military service and because the couple have been dating for some five years, it was about time.

The actor-athlete couple got together through the introduction of a mutual friend, Olympic table tennis silver medalist Ryu Seung-min.

katt

August 22, 2012

Shin Min-a to sing on drama 'OST'
By Carla Sunwoo Korea JoongAng Daily



Shin Min-a from “Arang and the Magistrate” will contribute a song to the drama’s soundtrack.

According to the program’s spokesperson on Aug. 22, the song “Black Moon” sung by Shin will be included on the second part of the program’s soundtrack.

“Because she has such a pretty voice, the recording wasn’t a problem,” said the spokesperson, adding that the whole procedure took just under an hour.

The drama starring Shin is based on the Korean folklore of “Arang” - named for a female ghost who met an untimely death - which hails from the region of Milyang in South Gyeongsang.

The drama’s plot revolves around Arang (played by Shin) who wants to reveal the curious circumstances surrounding her death. It also features Hallyu actor Lee Joon-gi, who is taking on his first role since being discharged from the Army in February.

katt

August 22, 2012

Han Ye-seul to star in billion-won movie
By Carla Sunwoo Korea JoongAng Daily



According to Star News, Han Ye-seul is currently mulling over details of an 8 billion won ($7 million) movie titled “The Dog.”

The movie, about a contaminated dog and the gang and scientists chasing after it, will be Han’s first cinematic work in more than a year.

The film will be directed by Shin Jung-won, whose past works include this year’s “Fortune Tellers” and “To Catch a Virgin Ghost” in 2004.

Lotte Entertainment will invest in the movie and Uhm Tae-woong will play the role of a gangster who dotes after a fighting dog that is infected by a new strand virus.

Meanwhile Han will play the role of a scientist who is also after the dog.

Han’s step back into the limelight comes nearly a year after a scuffle over the drama “Spy Myung Wol” in which she walked out of during production.

katt

August 22, 2012

Manager's death stuns Jang Nara
By Carla Sunwoo Korea JoongAng Daily



Hallyu singer and actress Jang Nara is spending her days in tears after close friend and manager Kim Hyo-sik died of a heart attack Tuesday in China.

Jang’s agency told local media that Jang was “not okay,” as Kim was one of her closest confidants.

The death came as a surprise as the 32-year-old manager had been in good health.

“I was on the phone with him and he was cracking jokes,” said a spokesperson from Jang’s agency. “He told me he wasn’t feeling too good though and was on his way to a local hospital.”

Jang’s manager supposedly died within 10 minutes of checking himself into the hospital. The medical institution called up the agency to relay the news.

The 31-year-old had been set to embark on promoting her new Chinese movie “Flying With You,” but put her schedule on hold.

Jang and her manager had worked together since 2009 and he had been an active supporter of Jang’s Chinese career aspirations. Prior to his death, he was also in charge of promoting Jang’s new flick.

katt

August 22, 2012

ChosunIlbo



Actress Park Shin-hye gives an autograph to a Japanese boy on an exchange program in Insa-dong, Seoul on Tuesday. /Newsis

katt

August 23, 2012

'The Thieves' outperforms 'Haeundae' to become fourth best-selling movie at home
YonhapNews



SEOUL, Aug. 23 (Yonhap) -- The Korean heist film "The Thieves" became the fourth best-selling Korean film of all time, beating "Haeundae," a disaster drama that opened three years ago, according to the latest official box office tally.

   "The Thieves," featuring 10 Korean and Chinese thieves teaming up to steal a valuable diamond necklace at a Macao casino, had attracted about 11.5 million viewers as of Wednesday, the data from the Korean Film Council showed.

   The movie passed the 11.4 million audience record for "Haeundae," pushing it down to the fifth spot on the list of the top 10 homegrown films that have hit the local box office.

   Industry watchers say, if the current pace of ticket sales continues, "The Thieves" will soon likely overtake the third most-watched Korean film, "Taegukgi" (2003), which attracted more than 11.7 million viewers.

   "The Host," a 2006 action-packed thriller by director Bong Jun-ho, drew the most viewers at 13 million. The No. 2 film is "The King and the Clown" with 12 million.

   Directed by Choe Dong-hoon, who is known for "Tazza: the High Rollers" and "The Big Swindle," and starring top actors and actresses Jun Ji-hyun, Kim Hye-soo, Kim Yun-seok and Lee Jung-jae, "The Thieves" opened on July 25 and is now being shown on 552 cinema screens across the country.

   Meanwhile, the movie will be released throughout Asia in the coming months, according to its distributor.

   The film will be shown in Hong Kong, Indonesia and Singapore next month and open up in theaters in Malaysia, Thailand and other Asian countries in October and November, Mediaplex Co. said on Tuesday.