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December 12, 2007
SHIN Mina Joins Go go 70 Cast
SHIN Mina has been cast in CHOI Ho抯 Go go 70. The film portrays the 70s nightlife in Korea and the story will focus on a go go band and the club where the band performs. CHO Seung-woo had already been cast as the lead vocalist of the band. SHIN抯 character is a volunteer who helps the band. The guitarist of the band will be a role for CHA Seung-woo, the guitarist of the punk band No Brain.
SHIN grabbed attention with her role in the popular martial arts comedy Volcano High and she also starred in KIM Jee-woon抯 acclaimed A Bittersweet Life.
SHIN is currently filming BOO Ji-young抯 Jigeum Idaeroga Johayo (English translation: I love the way it is now) about two sisters (SHIN and KONG Hyo-jin) with opposing characters who learn to appreciate each other when they need to collaborate in order to find their father who left them. BOO is a recognized short film director and Jigeum Idaeroga Johayo is her feature film directorial debut.
CHO (Tazza: The High Rollers) possesses the skills for his role in Go go 70 as he displayed, during his break from films, with his onstage musicals. CHOI previously directed Bloody Tie.
Yi Ch'ang-ho (KOFIC), image from empas.com
Source: http://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/KOFI ... amp;Gesimul_SNO=865 |
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December 14, 2007
Kim Hee-ae named best dressed 2007
TV actress Kim Hee-ae was named as the best dresser of the year Wednesday in an event organized by Herald Dongah TV, a major cable television channel specializing in fashion and beauty.
Kim, one of the top-rated television actresses in Korea, won praise from the public for her excellent fashion choices in the hit TV drama "Naenamja-eui Yeoja (My Husband's Girlfriend)." Demonstrating her exquisite fashion sense, the 40-year-old celebrity was dressed in white V-neck mini dress with a big gold-print ribbon on the front.
Meanwhile, the Fashion Icon Award went to actor Cha Seung-won and actress Son Ye-jin. Son was dressed in a gold satin dress with an eye-catching fur-print tote bag. Model-turned-actor Cha wore a modern version of the tuxedo, which highlighted his simple but sexy character.
This year's Best Fashion Designer Award went to Andre Kim, while Jung Yoon-ki, president of Intrend, received the Best Stylist Award.
In the business category, KUHO of Cheil Industry Inc. received the Best Fashion Brand Award and Sulwhasoo of Amore Pacific won the Best Beauty Brand Award.
"The 2007 Fashion & Design Awards" was held at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Seoul with over 800 guests attending. The list included Hong Jung-wook, chairman of Herald Media Inc. and Herald Dongah TV, Won Dae-yeon, president of the Korea Fashion Association, TV presenter Baek Ji-yeon, TV actresses Lee Young-a, Lee Mi-jin and Roh Sun-mee.
The fashion and design awards also held a fashion show by the house of J. Roseroco and a mini concert by two talented K-pop divas: Park Jung-hyun and Yoonha.
By Cho Chung-un ([email protected])
http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/ |
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South Korean movie director honored
Dec. 15, DUBAI -- South Korean movie director Im Kwon-taek meets the press at the Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF), on Dec. 15 along with American actor Danny Glover who starred in a hit movie series, 'Lethal Weapon'. Both received this year's Lifetime Achievement Awards at the film festival. The award is a retrospective tribute to influential filmmakers from the West, the Arab world and the East. (Yonhap)(END)
Dec. 15, DUBAI -- South Korean movie director Im Kwon-taek receives this year's Lifetime Achievement Awards at the Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) on Dec. 15. The award is a retrospective tribute to influential filmmakers from the West, the Arab world, and the East. Last year, Academy Award-winning director Oliver Stone, Syrian film maker Nabil El-Maleh and Bollywood heartthrob Shah Rukh Khan were honored. (Yonhap)(END)
Source: http://app.yonhapnews.co.kr/YNA/ ... ticlePhotoMain.aspx |
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December 16, 2007
Singer Haha Tops Internet News
By Park Si-soo
Staff Reporter
The multi-talented entertainer Haha's blog topped the most searched for keyword on the nation's No. 1 search engine Naver last week.
Haha, who returned to the stage as a singer after a two-year hiatus, posted a message last week containing the emotions he had felt during his comeback. He sang a duet, "You Are My Destiny," with his long-time colleague MC Mong, a Korean hip hop artist, during a K-pop program that aired on Dec. 7.
"I was nervous because it was my first appearance as a singer in two years," Haha said on his blog. "I really appreciate my friend and colleague MC Mong who graced the stage with me."
"You are my destiny" has drawn a lot of attention after he confessed that he wrote the song to express his love toward his lover Ahn Hae-kyong.
His comeback album was released on Nov. 30.
Coming in second was the smash hit TV entertainment show "Infinite Challenge." In the episode that aired Saturday, its five members made a unique calendar for 2008.
The epic drama "Taewangsasingi" ranked third on the list. The soap opera starring actor Bae Young-jun ended on Dec. 5. But a huge number of fans are still logging on to its official Web site to watch it again online.
Uzbek fashion model Abdullaeva Djamilya, who has been featuring on a local TV talk show program, was fifth on the list. She had recently expressed her affection toward actor Kwon Sang-woo and was able to meet with Kwon at the invitation of the actor. She posted several photographs that she took with Kwon on her blog, which drew the attention of Internet users.
With two days to go before the presidential election on Dec. 19, support ratings of the presidential candidates came in sixth.
Lee Myung-bak, frontrunner in the presidential race, won 44.7 percent support in a recent survey of 5,000 voters by JoongAng daily and SBS television network on Dec. 15, almost 30 percentage points ahead of the runner-up Chung Dong-young of the pro-government United New Democratic Party.
Cho Yeong-guk, 35, who was detained Wednesday on charges of killing a marine and stealing weapons ranked 10th on the list. The suspect will be questioned by military police over eight days before being subject to military prosecution. The police announced Cho suffers from depression and committed the crime impulsively.
Credits: [email protected]
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/ ... 7/12/117_15632.html |
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December 17, 2007
Park Jin-hee Volunteers to Help Clean Up Oil-spill Area
Top actress Park Jin-hee has visited Taean of South Chungcheong Province away from the public eye to help the area cope with its deadliest oil spill.
A person close to Park said the actress changed her schedule because she wanted to help and worked on the accident site all day long. She traveled to the area with members of the Information Network Village, for which she acts as a PR ambassador.
Park transported polluted sand in buckets but nobody recognized her because she was wearing a mask and a hat.
The person close to the actress said Park didn't tell anybody about her volunteer work and that she is planning on visiting Taean again soon.
Source: KBS Global
http://english.kbs.co.kr/mconten ... /1496452_11692.html
Actress Joins Oil Cleanup Campaign
By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter
Actress Park Jin-hee
More than 40,000 volunteers are in Taean, South Chungcheong Province, to help clean up after one of the worst oil spill disaster, including celebrities.
Korean actress Park Jin-hee, 31, went down to the location and participated the clean up with a group of volunteers from the Information Network Village. Park is spokesperson of the project group, which aims to reduce the digital gap between the rural and urban areas.
The news of her aid became known when a fellow volunteer posted pictures and stories of their work.
"I didn't recognize her at first because she was wearing a mask. But when I did, I was surprised to see her work so hard," the volunteer wrote on her blog.
A friend of Park explained that the actress was always interested in environmental issues and when she first heard about the news of Taean, she insisted that she wanted to go and help as soon as possible.
"We didn't even know about her volunteering. We learned only after her pictures and stories were posted on the Internet,'' Park's agency, Astin Entertainment said.
Meanwhile, a group of Korean entertainers visited Taean to help out as well. Comedians Lee Kyung-kyu, Kim Yong-man and others assisted in clean up work while they were shooting their entertainment program, "Line up!" Actor Bae Yong-joon of the hit drama "Taewangsasingi''(The Four Guardian Gods of the King) also delivered $300,000 worth of equipment to the site.
Credits: [email protected]
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/special/2007/12/178_15703.html |
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December 17, 2007
Song Seung-Heon |
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December 12, 2007
Off beat SHIN Ha-kyun Plays The Game
SHIN Ha-kyun |
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December 17, 2007
[MOVIE REVIEW] 'Gold Digger' buffs Han's charm, but misses
In "Gold Digger Miss Shin (Yonguijudo Miss Shin)," Han Ye-seul dominates the running time -- for 98 percent, to be exact -- as a likable beauty who compares and contrasts four different potential Mr. Rights.
But the movie's heroine Shin Mi-su played by Han is not an original character. Rather it's a combination of Kim A-jung, who hit it big early this year with "200 Pound Beauty" featuring herself as a symbol of transformation through plastic surgery, and Jun Ji-hyun, who represents a cranky yet enchanting beauty, as showcased in the classic romantic comedy "My Sassy Girl."
When Shin puts on chic dresses and sexy club outfits, she looks like Kim A-jung's after-surgery version. And when Shin throws up something unmentionable to a man after heavy drinking, she seems to imitate what Jun Ji-hyun did to Cha Tae-hyun in the notorious subway scene.
But Han Ye-seul is neither Kim A-jung nor Jun Ji-hyun. All three of the actresses are regarded as similarly iconic beauties in the country's entertainment industry, but placing Han's big-screen debut squarely between Kim and Jun does not help her cut an original character.
Instead of cultivating a unique character, director Park Yong-jib focuses on the personal charm of Han Ye-seul, who tiptoes, runs, screams and stumbles to flesh out a highly stereotyped Shin Mi-su, who is juggling shaky relationships with four different men in order to catch the ideal spouse.
Shin Mi-su, an up-and-coming advertising specialist, is keen to attract a superrich chaebol family member (played by Kwon Oh-jung) by doing some volunteer work in a bid to accentuate her angelic image.
But she does not bet on a single candidate. One of her hedges is a bespectacled, dorky student (Kim In-kwon) who is preparing to pass the state bar exam -- a quick gateway to wealth and power in Korea. She constantly eggs and nudges him to study hard to pass the exam. Her devotion to such a long-term investment has a clear purpose: to become a wife of a powerful prosecutor.
At the same time, Shin half-heartedly hangs out with a handsome rapper (Son Ho-yeong, former singer of the top music group G.O.D.), just for fun.
The relationships become complicated when Shin encounters a fourth contender (Lee Jong-hyeok), a neighbor in the same apartment complex who happens to hold the key to one of her advertising projects.
As the storyline unabashedly revolves around Shin's quest for an ideal man, the camera hardly moves away from her to the four male characters, who are largely treated as mere sidekicks.
So the question is how Shin's "one-woman show" is incorporated into the simplistic plot, and the general impression is that Shin is a character that is at least hard to hate. The decisive factor is Han's willingness to embrace even screwball and slapstick gags, counterbalancing the sugarcoated screen shots stressing her shining beauty.
But since her devil-may-care acts are exaggerated too much too often, Shin fails to produce the much-needed genuine comic relief. The real laughter often comes from a sidelined male character, notably the chaebol family member. Kwon Oh-jung's restrained yet hilarious depiction of the wealthy guy with a hand fetish is bound to hit the funny bone of audiences bored with Shin's endless on-screen fashion show.
But what's really laughable involves the film's shambolic product placement. In the film, a sizable amount of precious screen time is devoted to KTF, a major mobile phone company.
Even considering that the film's distributor Sidus FHN is owned by KT, a telecom giant which also controls KTF, the film goes far beyond usual product placement norms to the annoyance of audiences. It features the mobile carrier's third-generation service extensively and repeatedly -- going the opposite way of successful product placement's subtle and unobtrusive techniques.
There is even a horrifying scene where Shin reads the exact PR materials for KTF's "Show" brand in the name of demonstrating her presentation skills in front of the telecom carrier's executives. It's nothing more than a pathetic 'show' for local moviegoers who have already been bombarded with the same KTF advertisements in recent months.
So here's a revised summary of the movie: In "Gold Digger Miss Shin," Han Ye-seul and KTF's not-so-funny product placement jointly dominate the running time of 108 minutes.
By Yang Sung-jin ([email protected]), poster from Cine21
http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/ |
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December 17, 2007
Le Grand Chef
"Le Grand Chef," based on an extremely popular comic series of the same title, sold 3 million tickets as of December 12. Korean movies attracting more than 3 million viewers this year, include "His Voice," "D-War," and "Remember U 518". "Le Grand Chef," directed by Jeon Yoon-soo, was released in the relatively slack season of November, but is showing a good performance. The gourmet movie is now in the spotlight as an unusual box office hit this year.
Le Grand Chef
Sikgaek, the Korean title of the film, means a dependent, hanger-on, or person who lives off someone else. It has traditionally been used to describe those who live off a rich family without working for it. There is a similar word, 揗ungaek |
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December 18, 2007
Former Pop Idol to Star in Hollywood
By Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Staff Reporter
Park Joon-hyung
Park Joon-hyung, a former member of boy band g.o.d., will appear in the up-coming Hollywood film adaptation of the successful Japanese manga "Dragon Ball Z."
The 38-year-old Park, who is known as Joon Park and grew up in California, was cast in the role of Yamcha, a Z fighter.
"Dragon Ball Z," created by Akira Toriyama, is one of the most popular Japanese manga of all-time, and was turned into a worldwide hit animated series. The film version will be directed by James Wong and produced by Chinese filmmaker Stephen Chow, who is known for hit films "Kung Fu Hustle" and "Shaolin Soccer." It is scheduled for release Aug. 15, 2008.
The cast for "Dragon Ball Z" includes Justin Chatwin as the hero Goku and James Marsters as the villain. Other actors include Jamie Chung, Emily Rossum and Eriko Tamura.
Park is best known as the rapper for g.o.d., but he has recently moved back to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career.
Park is also appearing in the big-budget Hollywood film "Speed Racer" along with pop star Rain. A newly released trailer of "Speed Racer" has attracted attention among Korean fans, since it showed Park as a tough character with white hair and tattoo.
Next year, there are several Korean stars appearing in Hollywood films. Jang Dong-kun (also known as Jang Dong-gun) is currently filming "Laundry Warrior" opposite Kate Bosworth. Jun Ji-hyun (also known as Gianna Jun) has finished shooting the film "Blood: The Last Vampire," which will be released next year. Song Hye-kyo will also appear in an independent film "Fetish."
Credits: [email protected]
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/ ... 7/12/178_15768.html |
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December 19, 2007
Gong Yoo to Leave For the Military Next Year
By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter
Gong Yoo, 28, the heartthrob of the recent hit drama "Coffee Prince," will temporarily say goodbye to his fans to serve in the military Jan. 14, 2008.
"Gong will start five weeks of basic training for his military service at the Nonsan training center in South Chungcheong Province," said his agency, Sidus HQ.
The actor has been in numerous films such as "She's on Duty," "S Diary" and dramas like "One Fine Day," but his popularity peaked with "Coffee Prince." He especially became one of the favored actors among young women for his exquisite fashion sense and model-like figure.
"I am grateful for my fans, and I will do my best to successfully complete my service and return to make better films,'' he said through his agency.
Meanwhile, Gong was nominated for the "Best Actor," "Most Popular Actor by Netizens," and the "Favorite On Screen Couple Award" with Yoon Eun-hye _ his co-star in "Coffee Prince" _ at the MBC Drama Awards.
Credits: [email protected]
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/ ... 7/12/178_15804.html |
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December 18, 2007
'Rainbow Eyes' keeps climax a secret
Yang Yun-ho, director of the mystery thriller "Rainbow Eyes (Gamyeon)," seemed as confident about his filmmaking technique as ever. But he was not so sure about the film's commercial potential.
"When I saw the screenplay for the first time, I was deeply drawn to the great storyline, but at the same time I instantly knew that it's not going to be a box-office hit here," Yang told reporters at a press preview held in downtown Seoul on Monday.
But it may be too early for such pessimism. After all, Kim Kang-woo, a talented award-winning star, has taken the title role for "Rainbow Eyes," to be released here on Dec. 27.
Kim played a central character in "Le Grand Chef," which became the biggest hit in the second half of this year, and he also won the best actor award at the 25th Torino Film Festival, adding much-needed credentials to his fledgling acting career.
"Rainbow Eyes" revolves around a serial killer who defies logic, and police scrutiny. The first victim is a sports center manager who seems to have suffered stab wounds. The second victim is a swimming trainer at the sports center, which confuses the police. The second victim's unexpected death breaks apart the police's hitherto assumption that the trainer is a key suspect.
Finally, the third murder takes place, sending the police and detective Cho Kyeong-yoon (played by Kim Kang-woo) scrambling for clues. But the serial killer, whose name is Lee Yoon-seo, is nowhere to be found.
As the investigation unfolds, it turns out that all three of the victims belonged to the same barracks when they served in the military. Incidentally or not, 10 years ago, they beat up a soldier, whose name is none other than Lee Yoon-seo, and they were transferred to a different unit due to the incident.
All the signs point to Lee, but he has long disappeared after suffering from some schizophrenic symptoms, obviously initiated by the traumatic beating.
In addition to the mysterious suspect, detective Cho has more to deal with. Everyone around him shows a sort of uneasiness, adding to confusion and uncertainty. For instance, his girlfriend Cha Su-jin (Lee Su-kyeong) suddenly reveals a deep anxiety. Lee Yoon-seo's older sister, who is receiving medical treatment due to the stress related to her brother, seems suspicious. Ominously, detective Cho goes feel some serious anxiety himself, conducting his own secret investigation.
Since plot twists in this type of mystery thriller are somewhat important, the movie promotion staff repeatedly asked the journalists not to reveal the key developments or climactic events. Such strong emphasis on preventing the spoilers, in a way, suggests the gravity of the final scene in terms of the film's overall storytelling power.
Aside from the 'mysterious' plot, Lee Su-kyeong's sex scene, which turned out to be unexpectedly bold in consideration of her conservative television actor's image, attracted keen media attention at the press conference.
By Yang Sung-jin ([email protected])
http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/ |
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December 19, 2007
Korean cutie just can't shed his PRINCELY SHADOW
By Chang May Choon
THREE female journalists entered a small room to meet Korean actor-singer Kim Jeong Hoon. Just one slight problem: There were only two empty chairs.
Kim Jeong Hoon pursing his lips during the press conference. He just can't seem to shake his Princess Hours character.
We said we would stand, but the 27-year-old frowned and asked his manager to clear the boxes of bak kwa (barbecued pork slices) occupying one chair to make room for us.
That's Jeong Hoon for you - Mr Nice.
You may be familiar with the gentle prince he played in the hugely popular Korean drama Princess Hours, shown here on TV last October.
But it was only last weekend that he finally visited Singapore - as the new Channel U K-Wave Ambassador.This means viewers will be seeing more of him on TV, promoting the new line-up of Korean dramas, including his own new project Witch Yoo Hee.
Meeting the press and fans in the Korean Tourism Organization office at Samsung Hub on Sunday, Jeong Hoon impressed with his manners. He fielded questions politely and earnestly. The only subject he declined to comment on was his impending national service as he deemed it to be 'very sensitive'.
ANOTHER SIDE?
Otherwise, the film undergraduate's gentle demeanour never faltered. One couldn't help but wonder: Was this for real? Is there a defiant, rebellious streak, perhaps, that he suppresses?
While his interpreter was speaking, Jeong Hoon - clad in a black suit - was often seen pursing his lips. Some may think of it is a cute habit, but it could also be interpreted as a sign of uneasiness. Was Jeong Hoon uneasy?
Affirming this suspicion was his telling reply when asked how he felt about his nickname, 'Gentle Prince'. His interpreter first said 'uncomfortable', but he jumped in to correct her.
Jeong Hoon understands some English, and it turned out that he meant to say that he feels the nickname is imposed on him and he feels burdened by it. He said: 'People keep expecting that I should behave like that, but I'm a human being too. There are different sides to my character.' He could not elaborate on this as his minders were pressing for the 15-minute session to end.
However, during the interview, Jeong Hoon did offer more than just smiles. His impish side showed when he refuted claims about his famously high IQ - 146, according to some fan sites. He said with a self-deprecating laugh: 'What I'm doing now has nothing to do with IQ and sometimes, I feel that my IQ has become lower.
'What people claim about my high IQ is not true. Acting is about emotions and senses... It's just that I used to like mathematics and science more.'
Also, Jeong Hoon piqued his listeners' curiosity when he gave different replies whenever he was asked about his ideal partner. At the press conference, he said it 'depends on fate'. But during the two fan gatherings that followed, he gave two different descriptions - someone who can cook and dress up the home and herself well, and later, someone who is intelligent and can overcome difficulties.
He even added: 'My answer can change depending on who is asking the question.'
And so it was that when MediaCorp queen Zoe Tay asked him the same question when they were co-presenting at the Star Awards on Sunday night, he gave yet another response. This time, his ideal girl was someone honest, hardworking and not arrogant. Perhaps it was just a clever way to please his many different fans.
MANY AMBITIONS
Speaking to The New Paper on the side, Jeong Hoon said he has 'many ambitions' and hopes to travel to more countries in search of work opportunities.
His key markets are Korea, Japan and China. He is active as a singer in Japan, and has been trying to establish himself as a credible actor in Korea and China. In October, Jeong Hoon completed the filming of a China-produced romantic drama co-starring Taiwanese actress Vivian Hsu.
He described Vivian as 'cute and cheerful', then recalled how they ended the project by sharing a lamb-flavoured kiss.
He said the scene took three long hours to film. At first, both of them gargled their mouths to 'feel fresh' in preparation for the scene, but Vivian got hungry and had lamb kebabs.
'She was eating away and handed me some to try. Right after that, we did the kissing scene again. This time, we felt so comfortable.'
So much for washing their mouths. But it must have left a good impression - Jeong Hoon is still hoping to do a romantic comedy next. Just don't ask him to pick between acting and singing as he enjoys both.
'It's like asking me if I love my father or mother more. I love both equally.'
That's Mr Nice speaking, of course.
He strikes teen fans speechless with just a smile
SOME adore Kim Jeong Hoon for his princely good looks, while others raved about his high IQ and talent in both acting and singing. This, coming from some of the 160 fans who attended the Korean star's fan gathering on Sunday.
He attracted mostly teenage girls and some women in their 30s. Student Edna Tiang, for one, finds him 'very cute'.
'He fulfills the image of a prince in our hearts,' the 16-year-old gushed. She added: 'He may look cold on the outside, but he's passionate when interacting with fans.
'He really takes good care of us and he'd act appropriately, like wave or smile at us.'
She was later seen chasing Jeong Hoon's departing bus along with four friends.
Tan Huixin, 16, said that Jeong Hoon had no airs and appeared 'very genuine'.
'We've read about him online, like how he would du zui (purse his lips) when he's bored, and he really did.'
Student Munirah Abu Bakar, 18, appeared visibly overwhelmed after the fan gathering.
She said she has supported Jeong Hoon since he was part of the singing duo UN, and was 'very disappointed' when he 'disappeared' in 2005 after the group disbanded.
On meeting Jeong Hoon in person, she said: 'When he smiles, it's like, 'Oh my gosh!' I'm speechless.' Her friend Norhayati Jani, also 18, added that she is captured by his good looks and acting.
'The most important thing is that I can feel his love for his fans,' she said.
Source: The Electric New Paper
http://newpaper.asia1.com.sg/show/story/0,4136,151071,00.html |
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December 20, 2007
Criticise me? No photos for you
Korean star Kim Hee Seon limits access to blog after posting of intimate pictures draws flak
By Chang May Choon
KOREAN actress Kim Hee Seon is over the moon about getting married and she wants the whole world to know. Well, at least in cyberspace.
Until last week, the 30-year-old star had been openly posting lovey-dovey photos of her and her entrepreneur husband Park Joo Young, 33, on her personal website.
The handsome couple exchanged vows in a super-posh, but private, wedding ceremony in mid- October that blocked out the local media. They have since been trumpeting their wedded bliss online, until a recent backlash caused Hee Seon to impose a restriction on her website that allows only her friends to access her photos.
To be fair, the star of Jackie Chan's action flick The Myth was merely sharing her joy with her fans. The doe-eyed babe is known to enjoy blogging about her celebrity life since she started her personal homepage on the popular Cyworld portal in 2003. Since she declined all media interviews about her wedding, blogging was perhaps the only communication channel with her numerous fans.
One of the first photos to grab headlines in October showed the hunky Mr Park giving his glowing bride a sweet peck on her cheek - apparently on the morning after their big day. Hee Seon wrote in Korean: 'He's my hubby now, he can't go anywhere else, haha!' To which he replied: 'Yobo (Korean for wife), I love you!'
A recent post had a photo of them waking up in bed - she showed her makeup-free face while he hid behind a pillow. There was also a post about him following her to a hair salon. Barely a week later came a picture of the couple clinking glasses at his birthday celebration with friends at a restaurant. Hee Seon even ordered a special two-tier cake for her beaming hubby.
Over the past two months, thousands of netizens have logged on to the site to gush over how cute, compatible and blissful the newlyweds appear to be. This prompted the local media to publish almost every newly posted photo on the site - from wedding pictures to honeymoon shots and candid poses.
And then came the backlash.
Some reports went to town with a picture that showed a newly decorated Christmas tree in Hee Sun's living room, next to what appears to be a very expensive TV and sound system. Edaily SPN news website asked: 'Is Kim Hee Seon's new home a designer paradise?'
The couple's display of affection also got on some critics' nerves. A blogger on the popular Chinese portal Sina.com slammed the actress for posting too many intimate pictures - her latest showed her in a nightgown - and urged her not to 'turn your marriage into a soap opera'.
The blogger wrote: 'Who doesn't know she's trying to keep up her media exposure after marriage, and that she doesn't want to disappear from our eyes? 'But she should know that any publicity stunt has its limits. If she continues to show off, no matter how blissful she really is, everyone will think of it only as a soap opera.'
An article on China Finance Net also asked: 'Aren't you tired of seeing Kim Hee Seon the bride? Don't you think she's being too high profile?' Singaporean Mary Chung, 40, who follows Korean entertainment news closely, feels that some of Hee Seon's more intimate photos should be reserved for friends only.
Ms Chung, an administrative executive, told The New Paper: 'There's nothing wrong with wanting to bask in happiness.
TOO PRIVATE, TOO MUCH?
'But some of Kim Hee Seon's pictures, like of her waking up in bed with her husband, seem too private and intimate. Those are a bit too much.'
These negative comments must have affected Hee Seon, for she suddenly announced last Wednesday that she would impose restricted access on her website. She wrote: 'Originally I disclosed my photos because I just wanted to share my joy with my fans, but too many people have been gossiping, so I will only open it to my friends from now on. 'Hope everyone will understand.'
Understandably, her website has been drawing less traffic since. But still, Hee Seon can boast of attracting some three million hits in five months since she announced she was in love in July. The total count now is 16.1 million.
Meanwhile, it has become a trend for newly wed Korean celebrities to share their joy on the Internet, reported Chosun Ilbo.
Actress Jeon Do Yeon, for one, first posted a wacky photo of her businessman husband on her website in July, four months after her wedding in March. He wore a blue blanket over his shoulders like a cape and raised his hands like Superman, prompting his wife to write the title: 'My very own Superman.'
Actor Ahn Jae Hwan, who married comedienne Jung Seon Hee last month, also shared their Japan honeymoon pictures online. Anecdotes of how they lost their passports during the journey also 'attracted attention', according to Edaily SPN.
Source: The Electric New Paper
http://newpaper.asia1.com.sg/show/story/0,4136,151141,00.html |
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December 20, 2007
Actress Park Jin Hee helps in beach clean-up after oil spill
Korea's glamour girl GETS DIRTY
By Chang May Choon
Park's usual look: Coiffed, well-groomed
and well-dressed, as seen in this publicity shot.
SHE looked like a girl-next-door, hard at work, knee-deep in oil-stained sand in the freezing cold. Her outfit: Shapeless blue overalls, pink gloves and a grey baseball cap. With an anonymous blue surgical mask over her face, she appeared to be just one among 10,000 volunteers helping to clean South Korea's beach last week.
But the rough-clad beach worker was actually Korean babe Park Jin Hee. She was spotted and photographed by an eagle-eyed fan also helping in the massive clean-up project. The helpers were there in the aftermath of the recent oil spill that affected Taean county.
The photograph, posted on the popular Daum portal on Sunday, has been circulating on the Internet since. Television viewers will recognise Jin Hee as the foxy air stewardess on the Korean comedy Come Back Soon Ae, now showing on Channel U on weekdays at 7pm. Since the photo was taken, Jin Hee, 29, has won praise for her hands on work in saving the environment, reported Chosun Ilbo.
The fan who spotted her also gushed over the surprise encounter. Wrote the fan: 'It seems Park Jin Hee came with friends. She had no makeup on and initially I didn't recognise her.
Park helping to clean up a beach last week.
'It is shocking to see Park Jin Hee in the freezing cold, doing work that even a guy would find strenuous.' As it turned out, Jin Hee had been wanting to do her part since the news of Korea's worst oil spill along the west coast broke on 7 Dec. So when she found out that some people from a village for which she is the image ambassador were going to help in the clean up, she decided to join them, reported the Chosun Ilbo.
Netizens raved about Jin Hee's good deed. Some said they are touched by her actions, while others said they have been inspired to become volunteers like her.
YONG JOON HELPS TOO
Also winning praise from fans is Korean actor Bae Yong Joon, who donated money to the clean-up project. Last week, he announced through his agency BOF that he would donate 320 million won ($480,000) to Taean county to pay for equipment like special suits, masks and gloves for the volunteers.
The 35-year-old star said he was 'very saddened' to hear of the oil spill. After doing some research on the situation, he decided to channel some funds for a 'specific assistance'. Yong Joon, whose leg is now in a cast after an injury during the filming of recent drama The Legend, said he 'felt bad that there was not much I can do'.
The donation was his way of 'delivering my gratitude to all those volunteers who are working hard for the clean-up efforts'. Fans raved about his efforts on various forums, like Asianfanatics.net. One netizen, Krustytwistie, wrote that it was 'so great of him' and hoped that he could 'lead more artistes to make generous contributions to make the earth a better place'.
66,000 barrels spilt
7 Dec - Hong Kong-registered oil tanker hit by crane barge, spills 10,500tonnes (or 66,000 barrels) of oil into sea off west coast of South Korea
17km-long coastline turns black overnight. Mallipo, 150km south-west of Seoul, is one of worst-hit beaches. Potential damage to seafood farms and maritime park
Korean government lends clean-up project more than 300billion won ($468m)
Clean-up estimated to take up to twomonths, being hampered by cold weather, winds AFP, AP, Reuters
Source: The Electric New Paper
http://newpaper.asia1.com.sg/show/story/0,4136,151138,00.html |
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December 20, 2007
Solbi, Kim Sung-eun Nominated for 'Best Entertainer' Award
Actress Kim Sung-eun and singer Solbi will compete for the 'Best Entertainer Award' at the 2007 KBS Entertainment Awards on December 22.
Kim, a popular host of 'Happy Sunday - Immortal Music' and Solbi, a co-host for the third season of 'Happy Together' on KBS 2TV have been selected as candidates for the 'Best Entertainer Award.'
Kim has appeared in the film 'Magang Hotel,' the MBC drama 'Thank You' and the SBS Drama 'Gangnam Mothers.' She currently appears on 'Happy Sunday - Immortal Music' as a lovable tone-deaf host. Solbi has also attracted the media spotlight for her appearance on numerous entertainment shows.
Source: KBS Global
http://english.kbs.co.kr/mconten ... /1497065_11692.html |
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December 20, 2007
'My Love' Is Loathsomely Sweet
By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter
Karm Woo-sung and Choi Kang-hee play the role of a sweet but odd couple in the film "My Love."
"My Love" (working title) is a montage film that weaves together four different love stories like the popular romantic comedy "Love Actually." If the British flick is like a mosaic of thoughts on love, this homegrown family drama is more like a hand-knit scarf ― fuzzy, warm and a bit tickly. Those who are in the mood for something sappy will love it, whereas humbugs will find it loathsomely sweet.
Set during summertime, "My Love" brings together characters from different parts of Seoul in time for a solar eclipse. Ju-won (Choi Kang-hee) is an eccentric ― and slightly sadistic ― artist who takes pleasure in teasing her subway engineer boyfriend Se-jin (Karm Woo-sung): At one point, a wardrobe malfunction has poor Se-jin standing, boxers-exposed, while giving Ju-won a piggyback in the subway. A few years later, Ju-won has left him, but he discovers that traces of their love remain.
For college student So-hyeon (Lee Yeon-hee), it was love at first sight when she meets Ji-wu (Jeong Il-wu). A rather embarrassing incident at a party enables So-hyeon to finally converse with Ji-wu, and she jumps at the opportunity to ask him to help build her alcohol tolerance. Meanwhile, Ji-wu, who had taken a semester off from school to nurse a broken heart, is slightly baffled by the new blooming romance with So-hyeon.
Hippie-like activist Jin-man (Uhm Tae-woong) finally returns home after six years of traveling around the world to give free hugs to strangers (he basically stands around with a sign that reads "free hugs"). He tries to trace back his former girlfriend ― "the second half of my incomplete heart" ― and the only way he can reach her is to retrieve his old cell phone number. The new user of his old number is Su-jeong (Im Jung-eun), a hotshot worker at an advertisement firm.
Although Su-jeong has an excellent career, things aren't going so well in the love department. She is constantly being rejected by Jeong-seok (Ryu Seung-ryong), a gifted copywriter and single father suffering from the loss of his beloved wife. She learns to persist as she tries to pave a way into the heart of Jeong-seok and his young son.
"My Love" does offer some genuinely endearing characters and stories. The subway lovebirds ― Ju-won and Se-jin ― picnic on the train, play hide-and-seek and demonstrate every possible way to spend an entire day and night on line 2 via Seongnae station (although there are parts that should read "do not imitate"). Newcomer Lee Yeon-hee, who debuted opposite Gang Dong-won in "M," gives a charming performance that strikes a comparison to Jun Ji-hyun in "My Sassy Girl."
"Love Actually" became an international hit because it pieced together heartwarming tales in a natural way. It justifies its use of the montage genre by demonstrating six degrees of separation, how we are all connected one way or the other. Characters crisscross one another's lives in a way that is crafty but not too contrived, and the film made a spot for itself as an ultimate Christmas classic.
"My Love," on the other hand, seems more like a collection of those sentimental anecdotes and quotes you find in feel-good mass e-mails. Ji-wu, for example, desperately misses his ex-girlfriend and has a message on his cell-phone that reads "you're tattooed onto my heart and I can't erase you." Another cheesy attempt to tug at the viewer's heartstring is when he asks So-hyeon some important questions ― but viewers can be distracted by their own question as to why he calls her on the cell phone when she's standing right next to him in the first place.
"My Love" does cater to the mood of the year-end season, but the sweet factor is overwhelming and artificial like a Krispy Kreme donut, and its heavy glaze is only for those with a big sweet tooth.
Credits: [email protected]
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2007/12/141_15869.html |
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December 20, 2007
Former balladeer to raise funds for special needs schools
Lee Sang-wu, right, and his son, Seung-hun, 13. [JoongAng Ilbo]
Entertainer Lee Sang-wu has performed with some of the greats of the Korean acting and singing world, but perhaps his most fulfilling role has been acting with his son in a TV commercial.
Lee, 44, has been in the public eye ever since he burst on the scene as a boyish balladeer in the late 1980s. Since then he抯 acted in several movies, and in 2001 he set up his own entertainment company, Wonup Entertainment, which has signed movie actress Han Ga-in and Korean pop singers Jang Na-ra and Hwiseong.
But these days his relationship with his son has caught the media spotlight. Despite developmental disabilities, his son, Seung-hun, 13, came first in a 50-meter race at the Gyeonggi Swim Competition and fourth in the Kkumnamu National Swim Competition.
揥e found out Seung-hun had developmental disabilities when he was almost 3. After I found out I just got drunk for three months, but my wife coped better. She focused on the future and immediately looked to enrol Seung-hun in special schools. When he was 7, my wife encouraged him to take up swimming, |
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December 21, 2007
Actor, Band Shoot Fundraiser Ad
Heartthrob actor So Ji-sub and the four member male band TAKE have partnered to advocate the rights of needy children with a song called 'HOPE.'
They will appear in a video ad to raise funds for missing and destitute children. The efforts are being led by a domestic children's foundation.
The video is being jointly produced by the foundation and TAKE's management agency, Sedona Media.
A foundation official said, "Hearing about the good cause, actor So Ji-sub willingly participated in the shoot," adding the celebrities' involvement is expected to help the fundraiser a great deal.
Source: KBS Global
http://english.kbs.co.kr/mconten ... /1497302_11692.html |
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22 December 2007
Piracy on the rise in Korea
Written by Han Sunhee
SEOUL -- The scale of losses to piracy in the Korean film industry is escalating sharply as pirates and the consuming public move ever more online.
The Korean film industry's losses to piracy stand at $1 billion in 2007, up more than three times the $300 million total in 2005, according to a new report by the Korean Film Council (KOFIC), that is largely due to the rise in online theft.
Presented at a recent conference on Korean film industry development, the report estimates the counterfeit DVD market is worth $41 million and illegal download market $129 million in South Korea, based on a film consumer survey conducted by KOFIC.
The survey of 2,358 film consumers, aged from 15 to 49, revealed that 8.1% of all respondents had purchased counterfeit DVDs sold on the street, typically paying $10 for three to five movies, while 27% said they knew of their friends or family purchasing pirate DVDs.
The bigger problem in South Korean piracy market lies in Internet downloading. Some 47% of all respondents had illegally downloaded feature movies for free or paying less than 50 cents per title during the past year.
As many as 27% stated they knew of illegal movie downloading by their family or friends, even though they had not experienced it themselves.
The respondents who had been involved in illegal downloading stated they downloaded approximately 55 movies per year, or more than one per week. Some 35% of downloaders said they did so within a month of a movie's theatrical release, and 29% said they knew how and where to find illegal downloads even while a film was on theatrical release. Some 18% said they could download before release.
The survey indicated 34% of all respondents had uploaded feature films through file sharing sites, and that the average number they uploaded amounted to 44 films during the past year.
When asked what is the advantage of file sharing sites, the survey's findings showed that people prefer Internet download over DVD rentals as it provides better economic efficiency(33%), better time feasibility(21%), the latest released movies (18%), convenience(16%), and a better selection of movies (11%).
However, only 47% of all respondents recognized the illegality of Internet downloading, while 22% said there was no legal problem, and 31% were unclear about the legality.
Responses were clearer concerning counterfeit DVDs sold on the street. Some 59% knew that it is illegal, 10% believed that there was no problem, and as much as 31% said they had no idea.
Fully 37% said they would be more likely to go to movie theaters if copyright enforcement were strengthened, and 14% said they would use legal movie download services if they were more available.
Source: Variety Asia
http://www.varietyasiaonline.com/content/view/5200/53/ |
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