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November 15, 2007
'Taewangsasingi' Comes to an End on Nov. 25th After a 20-Month Run
MBC抯 historical fantasy drama, 慣aewangsasingi (Legend) |
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November 15, 2007
Japanese Dramas Charm Korea
By Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Staff Reporter
Yu Jung-eun started watching Japanese dramas when she was in her second year of high school. Now, the 23-year old university student still can't get enough of Japanese dramas, citing "Nodame Cantabile" and "Team Medical Dragon" as her favorites.
"I just fall in love with the actors of the Japanese dramas I watch," she gushed.
For devoted fans of Korean dramas around Asia, it may come as a surprise that a growing number of young Koreans are turning away from homegrown dramas in favor of Japanese fare.
In recent months, Japanese stars such as Kimura, Joe Odagiri and Hiroshi Tamaki have visited Seoul for promotional events, a sign of the increasing importance of the Korean market for Japanese stars. Around a thousand Korean fans, mostly female, even waited at the airport for Kimura's arrival in Seoul last October, and more showed up to catch a glimpse of him at the Pusan (Busan) International Film Festival
Japanese Wave
Much like how hallyu swept through Asia in the past few years, a Japanese Wave is slowly making its way through Korea.
After the success of Korean dramas in Japan, its Japanese counterparts are gaining ground in mainstream media in Korea.
Perhaps, it's not unrelated to the fact that Japanese dramas are the last to land in Korea. For decades, Japanese cultural products were banned in Korea due to strong anti-Japanese sentiment stemming from Japan's colonial rule of Korea from 1910 to 1945. Fans who wanted to get hold of J-pop music and movies had to rely on pirated CDs and the Internet.
Since the Korean government eased its ban on Japanese cultural imports, Japanese movies, dramas and music are now more accessible.
Cable channels such as MBC Drama, OnStyle and XTN have aired several Japanese dramas such "Hero," "Nodame Cantabile," "Boys Over Flowers" (Hana Yori Dango), "Attention Please" and "Gokusen," among others. There is even a cable TV channel, Channel J, dedicated to showing Japanese TV shows.
However, most Korean fans are watching Japanese dramas over the Internet through online streaming sites or by downloading episodes. The episodes have been subtitled in Korean by fans fluent in Japanese, for the benefit of other fans who do not understand the language. Some of the newer dramas are subtitled, within days of their initial airing in Japan.
Type in the name of a Japanese actor or drama on Korean search engines, and you'll probably get hundreds of entries for cafes, blogs and photos.
"Il-du-jok" is a term used for the fans of Japanese dramas. "Il" is derived from "Ilbon," the Korean word for Japan, "du" is for dramas and "jok" means community or tribe.
There are many online communities and fan clubs devoted to Japanese dramas, such as www.ilbondrama.net and www.jmdc.co.kr. On Naver, there are more than 150 cafes about Japanese dramas, including one that boasts 67,532 members.
The Ilbon Drama Web site is an informative site with news about Japanese stars, drama reviews, photos and a community where fans can meet other fans and gush over their favorites. There is even a shop where fans can buy clothes and accessories similar to those worn by their favorite stars.
Like many Korean fans, Hwang Yeo-jin, a 20-year old university student, was attracted to Japanese dramas because of their unique storylines and variety of genres.
"Most Korean dramas, except for historical dramas, have very limited storyline. All the dramas look alike. That is why people seek new stories, and Japanese dramas provide that... The good points of Japanese dramas are their interesting plots and unusual twists," she said, but quickly added she still likes watching some Korean shows.
Hwang also started watching Japanese dramas when she was in high school. Since then, she has watched numerous serials such as "Pride" and "The Grand Family" (Kareinaru Ichizoku), which both starred Kimura.
"Though not all of them, most of Japanese actors do their best and immerse themselves very deeply into their characters, and show the 'character' not the actor himself," Hwang said.
Yu echoed this sentiment, saying she enjoys the diverse themes and realistic characters in Japanese productions. "Most Korean dramas are about love or blood ties. However, Japanese dramas are more diverse. There are dramas about how a young person grows into an adult, or a person fighting an illness, or a person's passion for sports. These subjects are related to various feelings we feel. It's more fun and people are easily moved by them," Yu said.
However, she complains that Japanese dramas rely too much on manga or book adaptations and lack originality.
"There are many good dramas but some are too light and cartoon-like, lacking in realism. Most dramas are based on comic books or novels. I want to watch more original TV dramas," Yu said.
"Nodame Cantabile," "The Story of Yamada Taro," and "Hana Kimi: For You in Full Bloom" are all based on popular manga. "Glow of Fireflies (Hotaru no Hikari)" and "The Grand Family" are based on novels, while "1 Liter of Tears" is based on a true story of a teenage girl coping with a degenerative disease.
Lee Mi-jin, a 25-year old office worker, admitted she likes watching Japanese dramas because of the "pretty boys" who star in them. She named Kimura, Tomohisa Yama#a, Jun Matsumoto, and Shun Oguri as some of her favorite Japanese actors.
"I didn't think I would get addicted to these dramas, but I did. I think some of the actors are cute, but I like the dramas because of their fresh perspective and as they are more fast-paced than the usual Korean melodramas," she said.
Despite the historical animosity between Japan and Korea, most fans do not think it is relevant when it comes to entertainment.
"I don't see anything wrong with liking Japanese dramas. I watch it because it is fun and entertaining. I don't want to be narrow-minded and stop watching Japanese shows because of our history with Japan. It has nothing to do with any of it," Lee said.
Cultural Exchange
Cultural exchanges between Japan and Korea are thriving. Japanese producers have already remade Korean dramas and movies such as "Hotelier" and "My Boss My Hero."
Korean producers are also seeing the value of Japanese dramas, comics and films. The popular MBC medical drama "White Tower," which aired in January, was based on a Japanese novel and drama of the same name. The acclaimed "Old Boy" and the hit "200-Pounds Beauty" are based on Japanese comic books. More Korean production companies are planning to turn Japanese comics into dramas and movies.
While some have expressed concern about the "Japanese pop culture invasion," Hanyang University professor of Japanese culture Yoon Sang-jin was quoted in Seoul magazine as saying the Japanese Wave is a "very healthy cultural exchange" between the two countries.
It does seem premature to sound alarm bells over the growing popularity of Japanese dramas and other forms of pop culture, especially since mainstream reception seems to be lukewarm.
Ratings for Japanese dramas on Korean cable channels are still quite low compared to ratings for Korean and American shows.
Japanese dramas are also facing competition from Taiwanese dramas, which are attracting Korean fans. Taiwanese dramas, "It Started With a Kiss" and "Hanazakarino Kimitachihe," have aired on Korean cable channels. Interestingly, both are based on Japanese manga.
Even sales of J-pop CDs have not been significant, which is attributed to piracy and the overall downward trend of CD sales. One of the few exceptions is J-pop idol group Arashi whose albums have consistently sold well in Korea. The group's members include Matsumoto and Kazunari Ninomiya, who have appeared in Japanese dramas.
Amid the hype surrounding Kimura's film, "Hero" floundered at the Korean box office beaten by the Korean film "Le Grand Chef." "Hero" has only managed to attract an audience of 223,979 during the two weeks it has been showing in Seoul.
For now, it seems the popularity of Japanese actors doesn't necessarily translate into high ratings or box office bucks.
Credits: [email protected]
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2007/11/135_13778.html
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Actress Kim Tae-hee promotes new movie
 
Nov. 16, SEOUL, South Korea -- Popular South Korean actress Kim Tae-hee participates in a press conference about the romantic comedy film "Fighting," in which she stars, at a Seoul theater on Nov. 16. (Yonhap) (END) |
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November 15, 2007
After Success in America, Actress Kim Charts a New Path Back in Korea
The peculiar boom in abduction-themed movies in Korea is about is about to get a new twist. Most such movies have depicted parents as weak and helpless, but 揝even Days |
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S. Korean actor meets Japanese fans
Nov. 16, SEOUL, South Korea -- Popular South Korean actor Lee Byung-hun participates in a "fan meeting" event that was attended by about 12,000 of his Japanese fans in Osaka, western Japan, on Nov. 15. The photo was provided by Lee. (Yonhap)(END)
S. Korean actor plays piano in Japan
Nov. 16, SEOUL, South Korea -- Popular South Korean actor Lee Byung-hun demonstrates his ability to play the piano at a meeting with about 12,000 Japanese fans in Osaka, western Japan, on Nov. 15. The photo was provided by Lee. (Yonhap)(END)
Source: http://app.yonhapnews.co.kr/YNA/basic/ArticleEnglish/ArticlePhoto/YIBW_showArticlePhotoMain.aspx |
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November 16, 2007
Bae Yong Joon, neck and shoulder injury makes surgery unavoidable
Hallyu Star Bae Yong Joon was heavily injured while filming "The Legend" and has been diagnosed to receive surgery.
Bae Yong Joon's agency BOF commented on the 16th, "Bae Yong Joon hurt his neck bone and shoulder ligaments while filming earlier this month on the Jeju Island set. Because of the tight filming and broadcast schedule, he is currently still participating in the shoots relying on painkillers."
According to BOF, the hospital diagnosed Bae Yong Joon with a ruptured cervical disk and strained shoulder ligaments. The hospital strongly recommends a detailed diagnosis and surgery.
The accident happened while filming an action scene of episode 17. An actor on wires fell on the neck of Bae Yong Joon causing the accident.
Bae Yong Joon continued filming until the pain made it difficult to turn his head. He visited a hospital soon after but returned with painkillers and bandages to continue filming due to the tight schedule.
BOF says, "Bae Yong Joon's injury is currently making it even difficult to hold a sword on set. But because the drama shoot schedule is in its final few days, he is planning on being treated afterwards."
Bae Yong Joon also encountered a finger injury late last month. He is currently playing the role of King Gwanggaeto in the drama series "The Legend" which will air its last episode on December 5th.
Source: Broasia.com
http://www.broasia.com/lwboard/lwboard.php?act=view&bid=NEWS&tpl=news&pg=1&no=425 |
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November 18, 2007
Bae Injured from Fight Scenes
By Kwon Mee-yoo
Actor Bae Yong-joon
Actor Bae Yong-joon will keep on shooting the drama "Taewangsasingi" (The Four Guardian Gods of the King), despite a serious injury that requires surgery.
Widely known in Japan as "Yonsama," Bae is currently starring in the MBC blockbuster as Damdeok, who become the 19th King Gwanggaeto of the Goguryeo Kingdom (B.C. 37-A.D. 668).
While filming for a big fight scene in the 17th episode, a fellow actor fell from a wire onto Bae's neck, causing him to rupture a cervical disk and sprain a shoulder ligament. Bae is said to be unable to move his neck freely and is suffering from severe pain.
Bae already pulled a ligament in his right index finger on Oct. 24, which made it hard for him to hold a sword prop.
BOF, Bae's management agency, said that Bae is battling on using painkillers and tape supports due to the tight schedule. It will arrange Bae's hospitalization and surgery after the completion of the drama.
Japanese media quickly reported Bae's injury as well since he is a hallyu icon.
Despite the imminent shooting schedule and Bae's injury, "Taewangsasingi" recorded a viewer rating of 31.6% on Nov. 15, according to TNS Media Korea. The drama has recorded over a 30% rating for five consecutive episodes.
As Damdeok unites the power of four guardian gods, the last episode of "Taewangsasingi" is planned to be aired on Dec. 5, Wednesday, followed by an on-scene documentary, "Taewangsasingi Special 2," on Thursday.
Credits: [email protected]
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2007/11/201_13905.html |
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November 18, 2007
Film puts new spin on domestic violence
Director Han Ji-seung enjoyed a high degree of popularity in the 1990s with sophisticated films such as "Yellow Ribbon" and "A Day," but since 2000 he has not made a movie.
He is coming back with "Venus and Mars (Ssaum)," which will hit the theaters on Dec. 13. The film is drawing attention not only because it is Han's comeback feature, but also because the country's top actors took part in the project.
The new film stars Sol Kyung-gu ("Public Enemy" and "Silmido") and Kim Tae-hee ("The Restless"), and the peculiar storyline -- a married couple fighting viciously and violently -- raises speculation about how the two stars have adapted to their new, challenging roles.
For Sol, acting tough is a piece of cake. He is, after all, adept at playing the tough guy. But what he has to deal with in "Venus and Mars" is a seemingly frail and vulnerable character played by Kim, who is now the most sought-after actress in Korea. Of course, Kim's character is not so fragile once the couple gets entangled in a series of bitter life-or-death battles. Since violence is a key element in the film, "Venus and Mars" is being promoted as a "hardboiled romance," a term that needs some explanation.
At a news conference held on Friday, director Han explained to reporters that he has long been interested the romantic comedy genre, and has attempted to go in the opposite direction. "I thought it would be interesting to combine romantic comedy with something that is not so romantic," he said.
But a couple fighting to death is not an entirely new concept. "The War of the Roses," a 1989 feature directed by Danny DeVito, has a similar storyline. But director Han insisted that his new film goes takes a new cinematic track. "I like 'The War of the Roses' but it's very different from my film because I wanted to focus on the fighting itself, not depicting love in any romantic way."
Han said he took a motif out of a real couple he knows, who continued to fight for about two years and yet maintained their marital relationship.
Sol Kyung-gu plays Sang-min, a narrow-minded yet sensitive character. "Many people got a strong impression of the previous characters I played, but on a closer look the characters did have some vulnerable aspects, and I believe Sang-min amplifies such hidden characteristics," Sol said.
Sol said what was unexpected was Kim Tae-hee's willingness to act tough. "In the movie, I usually got hit and punched, and she didn't pull any punches," he said.
Director Han said a scene involves Kim kicking Sol mercilessly, and he felt a sense of exhilaration when Kim kicked Sol and then twisted her feet on the very spot she attacked. "She definitely knew how to kick effectively," Han said, laughing.
Kim plays Jin-a, a character who steadily becomes violent in response to the callous treatment from her husband Sang-min. "I was drawn to Jin-a because I thought she had some similarities to my own character. And I also wanted to change my static image," she said. "Fighting is also an important process in getting to know each other. Perhaps we fight because we love each other too much," she added.
By Yang Sung-jin ([email protected]); poster from The Fight soompi thread (thanks to beary)
http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/ |
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November 19, 2007
Hallyu OST, becomes mainstream K-POP
800 fans gathered at the Shinagawa Prince Hotel in Tokyo, Japan on the 18th to attend the "Han-tsuu Drama OST Concert."
Singer Jo Eun was first on stage singing a song from "Sad Sonata." During the segment afterwards he announced his upcoming dinner show on the 23rd, followed by performances of the theme songs of "What Happened in Bali" as well as Eric's theme song from "Phoenix."
The following performer JUST sang songs from "My Lovely Sam-soon" and "Green Rose," "Damo" and others.
He commented, "I am visiting Japan after finishing the theme song for the coming drama series starring Kwon Sang Woo. The new song is an up-tempo song that well represents the mood of the drama seires."
The last singer to perform was Kim Tae Hoon who sang the theme song for "Resurrection," a series gathering popularity through reruns in Japan. Fans were even more surprised at his weight loss since the concert "Drama Original Sounds Korea 2007" back in July.
Kim Tae Hoon commented, "I was disappointed at myself last July and went on a diet to give a better image. I am aiming for an image different from 'Resurrection' and losing weight helped."
Pross Media that hosted the free concert has opened official Japanese websites for these singers to assist fans in Japan and for future promotions. A dinner concert is also being planned for the artists on the 23rd of next month.
Source: Broasia.com
http://www.broasia.com/lwboard/lwboard.php?act=view&bid=NEWS&tpl=news&pg=1&no=426
--- related article
Korean Drama OST Concert Planned for Tokyo Nov. 18
http://english.kbs.co.kr/entertainment/news/1487883_11858.html |
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November 15, 2007
'West 32nd' Breaks Down NY Koreatown
By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter
Actors John Cho, center left, and Jun Kim star as two very different
yet similar Korean-Americans in the urban crime film "West 32nd."
It gets down-and-dirty like the gritty streets of New York. In "West 32nd," Korean-American director Michael Kang gives the classic detective genre a fresh twist as he tells the untold story of a Korea that exists in the heart of the Big Apple.
West 32nd Street is the geographic location of New York Koreatown (K-town) near the Empire State Building. But even those who are familiar with the "noraebang" (karaoke), stationary stores and "seoleongtang" (Korean beef broth) restaurants lining the strip will be shocked to know that there lies a whole new world beneath it all -- where Korean gangsters and "organized" mayhem reign.
While snippets of Koreatown have began to appear (fleetingly) as an exotic backdrop in Hollywood films like "Collateral" (2004) and "Shoot 'Em Up" (2007), it remained a relatively unexplored territory, and "West 32nd" breaks it down, once and for all.
In the dark corner of K-town, a bar owner Jin-ho (Jeong Jun-ho) is shot to death. Ambitious young lawyer John Kim (John Cho) offers to defend the 14-year-old Korean boy convicted of the homicide pro bono. Over the course of the investigation, he meets Mike Juhn (Jun Kim), a ruthless thug ascending the hierarchy of the Korean underworld.
Though polar opposites, the two quickly become friends. Mike is contemptible as much as he is charismatic -- an anti-hero with the tempting appeal of Kurtz in "The Heart of Darkness." He attracts John like a lamp would a moth in his anarchical world that lies outside the reach of state laws.
To complicate things, John starts to fall for his client's beautiful older sister Lila (Grace Park). But winning the case -- a fast ticket to promotion -- is always his top priority, while Mike takes "the guy from the other side" under his wing to manifest his own grand visions.
"West 32nd" is a classic crime movie but it's also a story about Koreanness and Americanness, and the murky middle ground in between -- a critical branch of the Korean diaspora that constitutes the thin but integral thread of the American social fabric.
In recent years, independent films like "Better Luck Tomorrow" (starring John Cho) and Kim So-yong's "In Between Days" began to accurately portray the Asian American community, but "West 32nd" really punches the genre through with a strictly mainstream appeal.
In the American context, the film shines through for breaking the model minority myth -- the false stereotype about Asian kids being all math whizzes who go to Ivy League schools and thus in no need of Affirmative Action. For mainland Koreans, it looks at the dark side of the American Dream, that moving to the U.S. does not guarantee wealth and success.
Just as "West 32nd" serves as the missing link between the two Korean communities, it brings together top talent from each side, popular actor John Cho ("Harold and Kumar") and "Battlestar Galactica" heroine Grace Park from the United States and top star Jeong Jun-ho and hot newcomer Jun Kim (also known as Kim Jun-seong) from Seoul.
The film also does justice in presenting the Asian community, like the dialogues that are realistically crafted with "Konglish" or a clever mix of Korean and English. Characters like Mike and Jin-ho (Jeong) ooze with sex appeal, bashing stereotypes that deprived Asian men of their sexuality. It depicts more disturbing truths, touching upon racial conflicts within the Asian American community and hints upon human trafficking issues.
"West 32nd" is not a feel-good movie. Deeply embedded in the bitter and ironic reality of life, the film's ambiguous nature will leave some feeling slightly confounded.
But it doesn't drown with heavy drama. Far from being preachy, it has a rhythmic street-style beat sprinkled with good humor -- provided by a pair of "Dumb and Dumber" characters -- and an eye-catching array of "poktanju" or Korean-style boilermakers. So get ready to descend into an intoxicating underworld you may find hard to turn back from.
Credits: [email protected]
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2007/11/141_13784.html |
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Actor Sol Kyung-koo discusses new film
Nov. 16, SEOUL, South Korea -- Popular South Korean actor Sol Kyung-gu talks at a press conference about the romantic comedy movie "Fighting," in which he stars, at a Seoul theater on Nov. 16. (Yonhap) (END)
http://app.yonhapnews.co.kr |
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November 17, 2007
Actor Lee Byung-Heon opened a prelude of the Arena Tour of the 4 major Japanese cities with his singing and playing the piano, an all-around melodramatic musical performance.
For the opening show in Osaka on the 15th, Lee performed 2 hour and 30 minute worth of magnificent transformation on stage reminding the Las Vegas shows that suited under the theme of the show, |
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November 20, 2007
Kim Hye-soo is Eleventh Mom
A woman with bad health and a broken bank account lived just to pity herself, until she met a young boy who had it worse than she did.
The woman is the 11th mother for the boy, whose stepmothers had come and gone after the death of his real mother. Eleventh Mom, to be released on November 29, is a film about the bonding between a stepmother and stepson, each of whom insists they are more pathetic. The mother is played by actress Kim Hye-soo.
During the filming of The War of Flower, Kim accidentally came across a script that was originally meant for another actress. Kim Jin-seong, director of the movie Eleventh Mom, was brainstorming for a low-budget film under 500 million won at that time, but didn抰 have a specific production plan. Kim then politely suggested herself as the female lead even while thinking, 揚roduction won抰 be easy. |
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November 20, 2007
Celebrity Couple Donates W100 Mil. for Poor Children
By Park Si-soo
Staff Reporter
Choi Soo-jong, left, and Ha Hee-ra, center, pose with Yi Il-ha,
president of Good Neighbors International (GNI), during a donation ceremony
held at GNI抯 office in Seoul Monday. / Courtesy of GNI
A celebrity couple has donated money to aid children living in poverty-stricken circumstances.
Renowned actor Choi Soo-jong, 45, and his spouse Ha Hee-ra, 38, actress, contributed 100 million won Monday to Good Neighbors International (GNI), an international humanitarian and development organization headquartered in Seoul, in the hope of supporting children suffering hardship due to financial difficulties.
The couple who were present at the donation ceremony held at GNI's main office, expressed their desire to help underprivileged children with their donation.
"We have looked for an opportunity to perform a good deed to commemorate the 14th anniversary of our marriage," Choi said. "We hope that our small contribution will serve as a foundation for supporting hungry children in Korea."
The international humanitarian organization said it would distribute the money to children care centers and welfare facilities across the country to help provide poor children with food, warm clothing and essentials for the coming winter.
Choi has served as a goodwill ambassador of the non-governmental organization since 1999. Since then, he has participated in a variety of community services organized at home and abroad especially in Bangladesh in 1999 and North Korea in June 2005.
Found in 1991, GNI has concentrated on projects such as education programs for orphanages and handicapped children, finding homes for widows and rural community development.
Credits: [email protected]
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/ ... 7/11/139_14079.html |
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November 20, 2007
Kim Tae-hee, Sul Kyoung-gu Battle Onscreen
By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter
Sul Kyoung-gu, left, jokingly, unveils the real side of actress Kim Tae-hee,
at a press conference held to promote their new movie, "Venus and Mars."
In the film, Kim, who has mostly portrayed the pure innocent girl image,
plays hardball./ Korea Times photo by Lee Jae-moon
In the "hardboiled" romantic comedy "Venus and Mars" (working title), two unlikely actors have teamed up to give new meaning to a lover's quarrel. Screen star Kim Tae-hee has cast off her sweet and elegant image to play a bitter ― and violent ― woman while bona fide actor Sul Kyoung-gu has toned down his tough on-screen persona to play the battered husband.
"It's basically about two people, who, before getting married, couldn't stand being apart, but afterwards can't stand each other," said Sul during a recent press event.
The film could be seen as a homegrown version of "War of the Roses" (starring Michael Douglas) with a touch of Brangelina's "Mr. and Mrs. Smith." To this, director Han Ji-seung ("A Day") said he was definitely influenced by it, but "Venus and Mars'"was actually inspired by the true, ultra-dramatic story of a friend and his girlfriend.
"Rather than focusing on romance, it's a story that defines love through fighting," he said.
Kim's character embarks on a mission to destroy, and nothing can stop her. She smashes her husband's car and sets things on fire, and flies around doing high kick and drags around a metal pipe (this is Kim Tae-hee, not a scene from "My Wife is a Gangster").
But Kim's character may not be so disparate from her real self.
"(Kim) Tae-hee confessed! When she was young she used to beat the hell out of her younger brother (actor) Lee Wan and scared the life out him," Sul exclaimed. "The physical beating scenes were real ― she said she couldn't fake them and really kicked me!" he said, complaining playfully.
"He really loves his body and wanted to spare himself," Kim retaliated, but went on to admit the abuse. "I am actually hot-tempered. I think I was able to release a lot of what I've grown used to suppress,"
"My brother calls me 'iron foot' because I used to kick him a lot... Once I broke a window trying to get him when he escaped to the veranda," Kim recalled her action-packed childhood ― smiling ever so sweetly ― to the shock of everyone present, except her co-star and director.
"I didn't really believe it until we went into shooting," said the director. "She did that thing where you don't simply stop with kicking someone, but rub the spot with the foot afterwards ― now that's someone who's done some kicking before, because you're rubbing in the pain,'' he said.
"She hits you to the point where she hurts her own fist," added Sul. Yet Sul's string of grievances suggested his own similarity to his lily-livered character ― perhaps a sharp turn away from his strong characters in films like "Silmido." But to this, he disagreed, saying that his previous roles were far from macho.
"They were delicate characters, and I think this role is a continuation of this," he said. "Besides, I really am a bit timid and grumbling."
As for Kim, her surprising departure from the fragile heroine of TV drama "Love Story in Harvard" does not stop with hard kicks. This project shows she's more than just a pretty face.
"Pretty, neat and proper |
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November 21, 2007
Dramatic injury for drama king
Actor Bae Yong-joon
Japanese fans of hallyu, or the Korean wave, must be nibbling at their fingernails with worry.
Actor Bae Yong-joon, widely known in Japan by the honorific title Yonsama, was injured early this month while shooting the MBC TV drama 揟aewang Sasingi (The Tale of the Great King and the Four Gods). |
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November 20, 2007
Park Shi Hoo to go against "Iljimae" Lee Jun Ki
Actor Park Shi Hoo who played the successor of a major corporation in "How to Meet a Perfect Neighbor" which finished airing in September will become the 'Najang' Shi Hoo in the upcoming periodical action series "Iljimae."
The 'Najang' Shi Hoo is a low rank member of the ministry of war in the Joseon era that receives orders from higher officials, transports or punishes criminals who during investigation and torture.
The character Shi Hoo is born as the child of a mistress of a prominent family. He learns martial arts on his own to pass the government test but is discriminated against for being the child of a mistress and chooses to become a 'Najang.' To become the top despite his position, Shi Hoo starts chasing after Iljimae played be Lee Jun Ki. The two characters also form a love line with the female character Eun Chae.
Park Shi Hoo who is currently training in horseback riding and martial arts commented, "Shi Hoo in the series is a character that seems strong and rather cold, but holds hidden scars in his heart and is a very fascinating character. This is my first role in a periodical series and with action scenes so I am doing my best to prepare."
Source: Broasia.com
http://www.broasia.com/lwboard/lwboard.php?act=view&bid=NEWS&tpl=news&pg=1&no=427
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November 25, 2007
A Grueling 'Seven Days' for Kim Yun-jin
Kim Yun-jin smiles for reporters
at a press premiere late last month
of her new movie 'Seven Days.'
揝even Days, |
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November 21, 2007
Song Hye-gyo to Debut in U.S.
Actress Song Hye-gyo is to debut in the United States through independent movies.
Song has been cast to play a lead in director Sohn Su-beom's first full-length movie "Fetish." It's a psychological thriller about a woman who has unusual skills. Song will play opposite Arno Frisch, who played the lead in "Funny Game."
"Fetish" is a low-budget independent movie, but to Song it will serve as a springboard for her advancement to the U.S. because she will say 80 percent of her lines in English.
The movie's casting director, Susan Shopmaker, said she chose Song because she liked her Asian yet Western image. She added that the movie will reveal a new side of the actress.
Song's agency said the actress's role in the movie will hopefully secure her a spot in the global film industry.
Source: KBS Global
http://english.kbs.co.kr/mconten ... /1490995_11692.html
S. Korean star plays to U.S.
Song Hye-gyo will appear in indie 'Festish'
By DARCY PAQUET
SEOUL -- Actress Song Hye-gyo is set to become the latest South Korean star to debut in the U.S. with a leading role in indie feature "Fetish."
New York-produced psychological thriller will co-star Austrian actor Arno Frisch ("Funny Games") and be directed by Korean helmer/cinematographer Sohn Soopum, an NYU grad whose 2002 short "Fish in the Sea is Not Thirsty" screened in the Directors' Fortnight section at Cannes. Story centers around a woman with psychic abilities.
U.S.-based casting director Susan Shopmaker first met Song at the recent Pusan International Film Festival, where thesp's "Hwang Jin Yi" was in the official selection. Song is best known for her TV work, including dramas "Autumn Fairy Tale" and "All-In".
Actress reportedly is leaving for New York today to take part in the month-long shoot.
Source: Variety.com
http://www.variety.com/article/V ... egoryid=13&cs=1 |
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November 21, 2007
Actress Lee Seung-yeon to Wed Next Month
Actress Lee Seung-yeon will marry an entrepreneur known only by his last name, Kim, on December 28.
An acquaintance of Lee said the groom-to-be is a year younger than the actress and that the couple have been dating for the past two years.
The acquaintance said the actress is trying her best to keep her future husband's name and other personal information from the public.
The couple plans to wed outside Seoul city. Lee is scheduled to hold a press conference on November 22 at the Millennium City in southern Seoul to formally announce her wedding plans.
Lee, who was named Miss Korea in 1992, made her acting debut soon after. She was loved by many fans for her talented acting skills and good looks as well as her speaking ability.
Lee starred in numerous primetime TV dramas such as 'The Perfect Love,' 'Love and Ambition,' Munhee' and 'In Your Arms' as well as films such as 'Saturday, 2 P.M.,' 'Piano Man' and '3-Iron.'
Source: KBS Global
http://english.kbs.co.kr/mconten ... /1491032_11692.html |
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