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August 30, 2012
'577 Project' wraps truth in laughter
By Kwaak Je-yup The Korea Times
Actors Ha Jung-woo, front left, and Gong Hyo-jin, front right, star in “577 Project,”
an uncategorizable film masterminded by Ha and directed by Lee Keun-woo.
While these two bare just their feet and not much else personally, the film delivers
critique of the state of Korea’s film industry. / Courtesy of Dasepo Club
Categorizing this film is a perplexing job; the promoters are describing it as a “real variety movie,” which does not help.
“577 Project,” masterminded by Korea’s most in-demand actor Ha Jung-woo and directed by relative newcomer Lee Keun-woo, claims to be a documentary about Ha and his friend trekking for 577 kilometers, from Seoul to Haenam, South Jeolla Province, the peninsula’s southernmost point.
But after 99 admittedly entertaining minutes, one is left with a pang of confusion. There is no discernible message, just a vaguely warm, fuzzy feeling instead. Those fans of Ha and Gong Hyo-jin (his co-star in Jeon Kye-soo’s “Love Fiction” earlier this year) hoping to get an intimate look at their favorite stars will walk out disappointed. So what is the point?
At last year’s Baeksang Arts Awards, Ha, winner of the Best Actor honor in 2010, promised on live TV that he would complete this cross-country trip if he were to win two consecutive years. He did and made this film. It still does not say what justifies this movie.
There is the trek itself, with a mission of self-discovery, but we see more of them complaining about how difficult it is during their rest stops than actual walking. There is the dubious decision to hire 15 actors to join Ha and pay them according to the number of days they spend on the trip. (How do we know if they are not acting?) Finally, there is the important plot twist that enigmatic Ha forces upon the team that makes the whole affair seem like a dishonest vanity project as serious as celebrity reality TV.
But the answer seems to lie in the sporadic commercial breaks that the actors enact: it is a story about the financial difficulties that non-mainstream actors and producers face in Korean cinema. With the exception of Ha and Gong, the rest (aside from breakout star Kim Sung-kyun, who plays the serial killer in last weekend’s No. 1 movie, “The Neighbor”) are virtual unknowns. Snippets of their life stories are inserted throughout the movie, showing the realities of non-celebrity, non-bankable actors.
Commercial interests do not leave the screen for a minute. There are obvious product placements, most saliently the actors’ colorful outdoor gear stamped with logos. Commercials for the likes of ramen noodles show how difficult it is to fund a project like this.
“577 Project” succeeds in implanting these thoughts in the audience by taking such an open stance on financial matters, but it ultimately fails to be more than light comedy because each actor does not get enough time to sufficiently relate to; 16 actors are too many.
Even for the promotion of this film, the local media have showered the limelight exclusively on Ha and Gong, riding high on an unsubstantiated rumor of romance kindling between them.
But they actually make the least interesting presence in the film. Both are known as much for their inscrutability as their acting skills, and they lend nothing but just their famous faces. Others shine, albeit too briefly. Han Sung-chun, an acting hopeful without a job, Lee Ji-hoon, daytime soap opera star, and Ha Seok, a TV audition contestant, leave the most lasting impressions.
So casting directors, come watch this film and hire them for your upcoming shoots.
“577 Project” is currently in theaters nationwide. Runs for 99 minutes. Rated for 15 and over. Distributed by Filament Pictures. |
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August 30, 2012
Lee Byung-hun's historical pic set to open in Korea and North America in same week
Reporter: Lee Hye Ji Editor: Lucia Hong KStar10
"Masquerade" cast members Han Hyo-joo (left), Lee Byung-hun (center),
Ryu Seung-ryong (right) pose in front of the camera to shoot the official movie poster
for the film, to be released in Korea on September 20, 2012. [CJ E&M/Realize Pictures]
Hallyu star Lee Byung-hun's first historical feature "Masquerade" will meet moviegoers both in Korea and in North America in the same week next month.
The movie’s distribution company CJ Entertainment told the magazine over the phone Thursday that Lee's upcoming film will open in domestic theaters on September 20, and in select theaters in North America the following day.
The official explained that the reason for the one day gap between the two premiere dates is solely due to the fact that local pictures open in theaters on Thursdays while new movies are screened on Fridays in the United States.
The highly-anticipated film will be screened in 12 selected theaters in North America’s major cities such as Los Angeles, New York, and Toronto, the film's official American website showed today.
"Masquerade" focuses on the story of a low class man Ha-sun [played by Lee] becoming a misfortunate historic figure, King Gwang-hae of the Joseon Dynasty.
While Lee plays the double role of Gwanghae and Ha-sun, actor Ryu Seung-ryeong and actress Han Hyo-joo each play a courtier and the queen of the Joseon Dynasty in the forthcoming flick. |
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August 30, 2012
Korean shortlists possible Oscar submissions
High hopes for a Best Foreign Language Film nomination
by JANG Sung-ran / KOBIZ
The Korean Film Council (KOFIC) has announced its shortlist films from which it will choose a submission to the 85th Academy Awards, organized by the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which will take place in February 2013. Submitted from August 13th to 17th, the shortlist submissions include IM Sang-soo’s The Taste of Money, KIM Ki-duk’s Pieta, CHOO Chang-min’s Masquerade, YOON Jong-bin’s Nameless Gangster : Rules of the Time and HONG Sang-soo’s In Another Country.
KOFIC stated that since there were only five submissions, they will skip the first round of the usual selection process will not take place and that it will move straight onto the second round, where the quality of the films, the predicted success of the film’s North American release, and the international recognition level of the director and the film are all discussed. The "quality" determination has two components, namely, an assessment by experts from the U.S. (40%) and an assessment from their Korean counterparts (60%).
The final sum of the two selection process will be added up for the final scores. The American selection panel will be made up of three people with expert knowledge of the Oscar selection process and Korean cinema and the selection will begin on 1st September for four days. The main part of the selection process in Korea will be based on the regulations set by Korean Film Council and the panel will comprise of 5 people with expert knowledge of Korean cinema who have no direct connection to the submissions.
The submission criteria for the Academy Awards Foreign Language Film section states that the films have to have been released in Korea between 1st October 2011 and 30th September 2012 and they have to have at least 7 consecutive days of screening at a commercial theater. The films have to have been screened at least three times a day and charging admission fees. Past Oscar submissions from Korea include Mother(2009), A Barefoot Dream(2010) and The Front Line(2011) but none of them won the Oscar. Last edited by katt on 30-8-2012 10:11 PM
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August 30, 2012
'Pieta' to represent Korea at Venice Film Festival
By Carla Sunwoo Korea JoongAng Daily
At this year’s Venice Film Festival, “Pieta” will represent Korean cinema as it competes in the Golden Lion Prize segment, which picks the best film of the year out of 18 titles.
Director Kim Ki-duk attended a press conference for his movie on Aug. 29, the day that the Italian film fest kicked off, and answered questions in regards to the Korean film that broke the seven-year dry spell at the renowned event.
This year marks Kim’s fourth representation at the world’s oldest film festival.
There are two other representing Korea this year: “The Weight” and “Invitation,” but they are presented in the non-competing segments.
The ceremony will draw to an end on Sep. 8 and the winner will be awarded with the Golden Lion Prize.
The film opens in Korea on Sep. 6. |
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August 30, 2012
Female version of "Law of the Jungle" to hit TV soon
By Carla Sunwoo Korea JoongAng Daily
Actresses Han Go-eun and Jang Shin-young have been recruited for the Chuseok holiday special of the hit SBS reality-survival show “Law of the Jungle W.”
The new program is a spin-off to the reality-based program that sees celebrities trying to survive in the wild with bare necessities.
Han and Jang will join fellow cast members and leave for the Malakula, the second largest island in the nation of Vanuatu.
“It will be nice to escape the mundane routine of city life and to rely on my survival instincts,” said Han.
During the Lunar New Year holiday, the show did something similar by taking various female entertainers to an island in the Philippines.
The program was immensely popular and was the most viewed show in its time slot. |
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August 30, 2012
Psy is the Korean that most foreigners want to meet
By Carla Sunwoo Korea JoongAng Daily
According to a survey undertaken by travel specialist Cosmojin Tour, singer Psy is the Korean that foreigners would most like to meet.
The travel agency announced the results Aug. 30, taken from a survey that ran between Aug. 23 and 24; more than 150 individuals had taken part in the online questionnaire.
“Psy received 56 percent of the votes,” said a spokesperson from Cosmojin.
Trailing behind the “Gangnam Style” singer was soccer player Park Ji-sung (17%), President Lee Myung-bak (12%) and figure skate Kim Yu-na (9%).
When questions when further by asking respondents why they wanted to meet those people, the answers were not all that surprising.
Seventy-two percent said “because they are famous,” while 19 percent and 7 percent said “out of curiosity” and “to make them my role model.”
Psy’s fame knows no bounds. Just days ago Britney Spears mentioned the K-pop singer’s video on Twitter and asked, “Anybody wanna teach me?” |
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August 30, 2012
Sooyoung hopes to sing for her drama
By Carla Sunwoo Korea JoongAng Daily
Sooyoung from Girls’ Generation had an ulterior motive for taking part in the tvN drama “Third Hospital.”
At the press conference for the program to be launched on Sept. 5, the girl group member said that her ears pricked up when the head of the show was speaking about plans for the soundtrack.
“As you all know, I’m not really the best singer in my band,” explained Sooyoung.
“I would have loved the chance to sing on the OST. It would have been so nice to be able to sing more than a couple of lines as I usually do, but I guess he wasn’t interested,” joked Sooyoung.
All jokes aside, the 22-year-old entertainer said that she had good vibes about the program when she first saw the script.
“I knew that this was it,” she said about her first time taking on a major role.
“There was a scene where I actually had to get acupuncture. There is one part where I get an extra long pin on my forehead, and I bled afterwards.”
The drama is based in a hospital that combines both Western and Eastern medicine. Oh Ji-ho plays an oriental medicine doctor while Sooyoung plays a violist who is smitten with the young practitioner. |
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August 30, 2012
Nichkhun fined for the drunk-drive incident
By Carla Sunwoo Korea JoongAng Daily
2PM’s Nichkhun has been summarily indicted for drunk-driving and consequently faces a 4 million won ($3,525) fine.
Seoul Central District Court rule on Aug. 30 that the boy band member was guilty of driving under the influence and colliding with a motorcyclist near Hakdong Intersection in southern Seoul on July 24.
At the time, he was booked without detention when the accident took place around 2:30 a.m.
Nichkhun had a blood alcohol level of 0.056 percent which resulted in his driver’s license being revoked.
“Nichkhun has resolved all matters with the victim and given that his blood alcohol level wasn’t too high, it all ended quite amicably,” a spokesperson for the court told Star News.
Following the catastrophe, the Thai-American K-pop star has been staying out of public’s eye. |
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August 30, 2012
T-ara makes official apology to fans
By Carla Sunwoo Korea JoongAng Daily
After disposing of Hwayoung a month ago and spending the last few weeks being attacked by media and netizens, T-ara has made its first formal apology to fans as well as its ex-member.
“Foremost, we are sorry we handled the situation so badly,” said the group on its home page Wednesday.
“The last month has been one of the longest and most trying times of our professional lives. If only we had acted properly, none of this would have happened. Regardless, we have learned some valuable lessons in the last month and we are only sad to think that because of last month all our hard work since debut has gone to waste.”
Furthermore, the girl group addressed the supposed “bullying” of Hwayoung, saying it never happened.
“We are sorry to Hwayoung, who no doubt had a hard time being labeled the victim of group bullying.”
The band wished its former member all the best on her solo career and urged fans to keep showing their love and support for her, too. |
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August 30, 2012
Korean UNICEF chooses Kim Hye-soo
By Carla Sunwoo Korea JoongAng Daily
Actress Kim Hye-soo has been picked as a goodwill ambassador by the Korean division of Unicef.
The worldwide children’s aid organization yesterday emphasized Kim’s continuous good work and interest in looking out for children living in poverty. She will appear in advertisements and at events.
Kim has taken part in various initiatives and volunteer programs hosted by Unicef Korea and has accompanied the organization abroad.
Unicef is active in recruiting celebrities from entertainment, sports, fashion and the arts to help promote the organization’s work. The Korean committee has selected actors Ahn Sung-ki, Lee Byung-hun and Won Bin among others as goodwill ambassadors.
Meanwhile, figure skater Kim Yu-na and conductor Chung Myung-whun are global goodwill ambassadors, representing the organization to the whole world.
Kim’s current movie “The Thieves” continues to break box-office records.
 Last edited by katt on 31-8-2012 02:04 AM
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August 30, 2012
Ha Ji-won launches namesake bag
By Carla Sunwoo Korea JoongAng Daily
To mark the second year of signing a contract with the fashion label Crocodile Lady, actress Ha Ji-won has designed a handbag which will go on sale this month.
The ladies’ casual wear brand announced yesterday that the “Ji Won Bag” took three months to create and Ha picked out the pattern and fabric.
The item will hit stores this month with a price tag of 179,200 won ($157).
The apparel company said the bag should be a hot item given that the first collaboration between the company and its model was a huge success.
“The popularity of the secret jean designed by Ha last year was what led to the production of the handbag,” said a spokesperson from Crocodile Lady. “She’s always had a penchant for fashion and bags and really took her time in looking over every detail so that the consumers would end up with a good deal.”
As well as making her mark in the fashion world, Ha recently also tried her hand at teaching in China.
From Aug. 13-17, Ha was in Beijing, speaking at CJ CGV’s cultural exchange program, Toto’s Workroom. |
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August 31, 2012
'The Thieves' now 2nd top-selling Korean film
YonhapNews
SEOUL, Aug. 31 (Yonhap) -- "The Thieves" has outperformed "The King and the Clown" to become the second most popular Korean film ever shown at home, according to an industry tally.
"The Thieves" has attracted 12.31 million viewers as of 5 p.m. Thursday, breaking a record set by the all-time No. 2 Korean film "The King and the Clown" (12 million) in 2005, Mediaplex Co., the distributor of the latest film said on Friday.
Directed by Choe Dong-hoon, who is known for "Tazza: the High Rollers" and "The Big Swindle," the new heist film features 10 Korean and Chinese thieves teaming up to steal a valuable diamond necklace at a Macau casino.
"The Thieves" broke the 10 million mark in audience numbers on its 22nd day since opening on July 25. It also broke audience records of box-office hits "Silmido," (11.08 million) "Haeundae" (11.45 million) and "Taegukgi" (11.74 million) this month.
The popularity of "The Thieves" has continued in the film's sixth week since opening, drawing more than 50,000 moviegoers a day, Mediaplex said.
The company expects, if this popularity continues, the new movie may beat the No. 1 Korean film "The Host" (13.01 million) and Hollywood blockbuster "Avatar," which sits on top of local box-office sales with 13.35 million viewers. |
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August 30, 2012
Actor Kim Dong-wook Enlists In Military
KBS Global
Actor Kim Dong-wook will be enlisting in the military for his compulsory duties on August 30th.
Kim will enter the South Chungcheong Province Nonsan Army Training center to start with his four-week basic military training. He will then fulfill his two year-term at the Seoul Police PR Division.
Kim debuted onto the entertainment scene in 2004, and fans really took notice of the actor through his role in the drama "Coffee Prince" in 2007. |
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August 31, 2012
The Thieves, #2 Most Successful Movie In Korean Film History
KBS Global
Many saw it coming, but the movie The Thieves has just broken another record.
According to the movie's distributors, as of 5 PM on August 30th, The Thieves had attracted about 12,310,000 people. This brings its total higher than the 12,302,831 that the movie The King And The Clown brought in several years ago. Now the only movie between it and the #1 spot is The Host, which was the highest grossing Korean film to date, with 13,019,740 viewers.
The Thieves was able to reach the 12.31 million mark in just 37 days after its release, which was a day faster than the movie The Host.
The ultimate #2 highest grossing movie in Korea is about a group of 10 thieves from Korea and China, that are all after a very valuable diamond called "The Tear Of The Sun", held in a casino in Macau. The movie features an A-list cast of Kim Yoon-suk, Kim Hye-soo, Lee Jung-jae, Jun Ji-hyun, Kim Hye-sook, Oh Dal-soo, and Kim Soo-hyun. |
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August 31, 2012
Actress Kim Hye-soo Appointed as UNICEF's Special Representative
KBS GLobal
UNICEF Korea has designated actress Kim Hye-soo as a special representative, acknowledging her continuous interest in causes for young children and her volunteer activities.
As part of her official duties, she will be taking part in UNICEF’s charity events and advertisements while also visiting various developing countries. Kim said, “I want to help children who are living in difficulty around the world and I want to let everyone know that no matter how small, the continuous help that these children receive can be a light of hope for them.”
UNICEF chooses special representatives from celebrities in film, music, sports, arts, fashion, performances etc. If these celebrities work for a number of years they can be appointed as goodwill ambassadors. Figure skater Kim Yu-na, maestro Chung Myung-hoon, actor Ahn Sung-ki, cellist Chung Myung-hwa, novelist Shin Kyung-sook are currently serving as goodwill ambassadors, representing the organization to the world.
Other UNICEF special representatives include musician Hwang Byung-ki, Jang Sa-ik, TV personalities Kim Mi-hwa, Son Bum-soo, and actors Lee Byung-hun, Kim Rae-won, Won Bin and Lee Bo-young.[Yonhap] |
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August 31, 2012
Kim Min-joon is dating a reporter
By Carla Sunwoo Korea JoongAng Daily
Actor and DJ Kim Min-joon, or Vesper MJ if you will, is dating an SBS reporter.
In May, Kim’s agency confirmed he was in a relationship, but his girlfriend was unknown. However, the mystery girl was identified yesterday by Star News.
The woman in question is Ahn Hyun-mo, who worked for SBS’s finance division CNBC before moving to the network’s headquarters two months ago.
She is said to possess beauty as well as brains, and those around her and Kim have known about the relationship all along.
Star News planned to break the news, but delayed it upon receiving a call from the 36-year-old star. “I want it to work out, so please help me out by respecting my privacy,” Kim is said to have asked Star News.
Although wedding bells aren’t ringing yet, in May the actor said on TV that he wanted to walk down the aisle soon. “I want to marry my girlfriend as soon as possible. I want stability and to have kids. It’d be so great to attend my child’s athletics carnival and run a race together,” Kim said on an episode of “Happy Together 3.” |
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August 31, 2012
Super Junior's Choi in U.S. magazine
By Carla Sunwoo Korea JoongAng Daily
Super Junior’s Choi Si-won is making a name for himself in Europe and the United States after being covered by men’s fashion magazine V Man.
SM Entertainment announced yesterday that the fall edition of the men’s quarterly, currently on sale, features the boy band member in a pictorial shot by none other than famed designer Karl Lagerfeld.
According to the agency, Choi took part in the photo shoot in April when he was in Paris for his band’s concert.
The pictorial is titled “Seoul Caliber” and the publication introduces the Korean as a “singer, actor and model,” and explains that he is an “icon without parallel” in the world of K-pop.
The 25-year-old’s two million plus Twitter following and his dream of becoming a missionary one day are also explored in the accompanying interview.
With one feat down, Choi is scheduled to take the stage in Indonesia this month when Super Junior performs at the “SM Town Live World Tour III” on Sept. 22 in Jakarta. |
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August 31, 2012
'The Thieves' now 2nd top-selling Korean film
The Korea Herald
Actresses Kim Hye-soo and Jun Ji-hyun star in Choi Dong-hun’s box-office hit “The Thieves.” (1st Look)
“The Thieves” has outperformed “The King and the Clown” to become the second most popular Korean film ever shown at home, according to an industry tally.
“The Thieves” has attracted 12.31 million viewers as of 5 p.m. Thursday, breaking a record set by the all-time No. 2 Korean film “The King and the Clown” (12 million) in 2005, Mediaplex Co., the distributor of the latest film said on Friday.
Directed by Choe Dong-hoon, who is known for “Tazza: the High Rollers” and “The Big Swindle,” the new heist film features 10 Korean and Chinese thieves teaming up to steal a valuable diamond necklace at a Macau casino.
“The Thieves” broke the 10 million mark in audience numbers on its 22nd day since opening on July 25. It also broke audience records of box-office hits “Silmido,” (11.08 million) “Haeundae” (11.45 million) and “Taegukgi” (11.74 million) this month.
The popularity of “The Thieves” has continued in the film’s sixth week since opening, drawing more than 50,000 moviegoers a day, Mediaplex said.
The company expects, if this popularity continues, the new movie may beat the No. 1 Korean film “The Host” (13.01 million) and Hollywood blockbuster “Avatar,” which sits on top of local box-office sales with 13.35 million viewers.
(Yonhap News) |
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September 2, 2012
Shin Yong-jae to sing song in ‘Faith’
By Carla Sunwoo Korea JoongAng Daily
4Men’s Shin Yong-jae has been picked to sing the theme song for Lee Min-ho’s character Choi-young in the drama “Faith.”
SBS said that through the song “Because I Walk Slowly,” Shin will “sing the desperation felt by Choi-young.”
The tune is described as a sensual melody accompanied by an orchestra and piano.
“I love the lyrics,” Shin said upon wrapping up recording.
“I felt the song through my whole being as I was singing. I think I can really relate to Choi-young.”
The SBS drama is about a love story involving a warrior from the Goryeo Dynasty (913-1392) and a female doctor who has traveled back in time. Themes of loyalty and the making of a king is explored in the current hit drama starring Lee and actress Kim Hee-sun.
The drama’s lead actor Lee also made headlines last week when a Shanghai branch of Madame Tussauds produced a replica of the Hallyu actor in its famous wax museum. |
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