Korean Entertainment News Update

katt

March 27, 2008

TV star mourns brother killed in Hungry Jacks brawl

By Steve Gee

THE family of a murdered Korean university student hired security guards to patrol a memorial service yesterday amid fears of revenge attacks targeting the teenager's film-star brother and friends.


Korean teen idol Lee Dong-gun held a photograph of his younger brother Lee Joon-yub
as he led a procession of more than than 100 mourners after a requiem mass
at the St Johns College chapel, inside the University of Sydney.

The slaying has become headline news in Seoul and threatens to tarnish Sydney's safe image, with the city home to the second largest population of international Korean students outside the UK.

At the Lee family's request, a team of security guards was recruited to patrol the St Johns College chapel and surrounding grounds.

Sources told The Daily Telegraph there were fears of potential retribution following the arrest and charging of two 18-year-old Carlingford youths over the attack at World Square last Thursday.

Pall bearers asked for their identities to be suppressed. Police yesterday maintained denials there was any link between the slaying and Asian crime gangs.

The killing has become headline news in Korea, where Lee Dong-gun's brother is a household name, with fan websites inundated with condolences and messages of support.

Lee Joon-yub, 19, collapsed and died on the footpath outside World Square after he and a friend became embroiled in a brawl with two teenagers at Hungry Jacks.

The teenager's 22-year-old friend, Song Jung-ho, was also stabbed in the chest and managed to flee to a Korean store before collapsing, the images dramatically captured by surveillance cameras.

He was among mourners at the memorial service after being released from hospital just 24 hours earlier, following surgery to a chest wound.

A Korean priest led the mass with two nuns, who helped support Lee's grieving parents. The heartbroken couple flew into Sydney last week and will return home to Seoul with their son's ashes.

Following the service yesterday morning, Lee Dong-gun - a heart-throb to millions of adolescent Korean girls - emerged choking back tears and clutching a photograph of his brother, while his father wailed in grief.

Korean journalist Ken Lim told The Daily Telegraph Lee family and friends feared they may be targeted by Chinese gang members. Mr Lee said the slaying had tarnished Australia's image in Seoul. Australia has the second largest population of expatriate Korean students behind that of London.

Mr Lee said more than 25,000 Korean university and English language students lived in Sydney. "Korean people have a clean image of Australia but this has tarnished it," Mr Lee said. "People are worried about the security in the city centre where there are gangs."

Source: The Daily Telegraph, thanks to the highlight by mikasaranghae at LDG-soompi thread

http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,23437708-5006009,00.html

katt

March 28, 2008

So sad, he hasn't spoken for days

Korean actor Lee Dong Gun loses beloved younger brother in Sydney stabbing

By Chang May Choon

IT started with two Korean guys glancing at two Chinese chaps inside a hamburger joint in central Sydney, Australia.


An old photograph of the Lee brothers with their mum.

The latter scowled: 'Kan shen me kan!' That's Mandarin for 'What are you looking at?'

An argument ensued, ending with a stabbing across the road. One Korean was killed and the other critically injured, reported The Chosun Ilbo.

The dead man has been identified as the younger brother of Korean actor Lee Dong Gun, of My Boyfriend Is Type B fame. The younger Lee, 19, was studying at the University Of Sydney. He was taken to hospital but died from a massive loss of blood.

His 20-year-old Korean friend, who was with him, survived with multiple stab wounds to his upper body, reported The Sydney Morning Herald. The incident happened at World Square Complex near Chinatown just before 1am last Thursday.

It was captured on the 20 security cameras installed in the area.

GANG MEMBERS

The Australian police believe the attackers - two 18-year-old Chinese students - are members of a new criminal gang called Yee Tong. They fled the scene in a taxi but were arrested shortly after.

Dong Gun, 28, flew to Sydney with his parents last Thursday afternoon. He was known to be very close to his brother, despite their age gap.

Yesterday, a grief-stricken Dong Gun was seen holding his brother's portrait during a memorial service at the latter's university. About 100 friends and classmates attended the service, reported My Daily.

The younger Lee's body was then cremated. Dong Gun and his family are said to be returning to Seoul tomorrow. A funeral service will be held there next Monday.

A report in My Daily quoted a spokesman for Dong Gun's management agency saying that the actor has been grieving and not speaking for the past few days. He reportedly broke down in tears while identifying his brother's body at the morgue last week.

Known to be a doting older brother, Dong Gun once thought of quitting a TV serial when he heard that his sibling got teased by friends because of the comic character he played.

The Australian police have yet to establish a motive for the attack, which came as a shock to the Korean community in Sydney. The Daily Telegraph quoted a police spokesman as saying the attack was 'idiotic' and 'senseless'.

He added that such attackers 'have a point to prove' and did not care about the extensive security camera surveillance in the area.

ARGUMENT

The stabbing occurred after an argument between the two groups, but the police said there was no evidence to suggest it was instigated by the victims. The row is said to have started inside a Hungry Jacks outlet.

The four men then left the outlet and crossed the road. A fight broke out among them. Security footage showed one of the Korean guys going into a grocery and video store and collapsing inside. Both were eventually found lying near each other in the streets, covered with stab wounds.

The two attackers left in a cab, but its driver notified the police after dropping them off - which led to an arrest at a nearby railway station just 17 minutes after the stabbing. Both were living in north-west Sydney.

They were charged in court yesterday with murder, causing wounding or grievous bodily harm to a person with intent to murder, and common assault. The Sydney Morning Herald reported that the Yee Tong gang emerged in the Sydney business district last year, and its members prey on Asian students and extort cash from them.

Meanwhile, fans of Dong Gun have been going online to show their support for him. It has been a bad year so far for the actor. He broke up with his long-time actress girlfriend Han Ji Hye in January. Last month, he was expelled from university as he missed too many classes due to filming.

On the popular Popseoul forum, fans sent their condolences. Netizen SP wrote: 'How sad and unfortunate. My prayers are with the family... even when I personally don't know them.'

Source: The Electric New Paper
http://newpaper.asia1.com.sg/show/story/0,4136,160369,00.html

adikkeluangman_

Park Jin Young participates in a movie
March 26, 2008



A dance movie, where singer and producer Park Jin Young will participate in, is in the works.

Movie production company Motion 101 announced on the 26th, “The dance movie with Park Jin Young participating in it already started its planning and development. It’s planned that Park Jin Young will develop the choreography that will be used in the movie. We have recently met with Park Jin Young and the movie was discussed. The scenario is still not yet out and although Park Jin Young is to be in charge with the choreography, it still hasn’t been decided if he will be an actor in the movie.”

According to JYP Entertainment, that although it is true that Park Jin Young is going to be involved in the movie production, details like if he will act in the movie etc. have still not been decided.

Source: Yonhap + krnloop

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[color="#FF00FF"][size="4"]Gummy, on top of MCountdown
March 28, 2008



Gummy’s “I’m Sorry” ranked 1st in Mnet’s “MCountdown” on March 27, defeating Jewelry’s “One More Time.”

“I’m deeply moved because I ranked 1st after a really long time. I’d like to express my thanks to Yang Hyun Suk, BIG BANG and those people who give me musical inspiration. Alsos thanks to fans who waited for me,” Gummy said when she was announced as the top placer in yesterday’s “MCountdown.”

Gummy was deeply moved with this accomplishment and in tears as she enthusiastically sang again “I’m Sorry.”

Source: Chosun + krnloop

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Danny An: “god members initially didn’t like Kim Tae Woo”
March 28, 2008



god member Danny revealed in last night’s episode of KBS “Happy Together” that when god was just formed, times were difficult and that members initially did not like Kim Tae Woo.

Danny An started his story by saying that before g.o.d. was finally formed with Kim Tae Woo, aside from members Park Jun Hyung, Yoon Kye Sang, Son Ho Young and himself, one female and one male member were to be added.

“Our name then was not ‘god’ but ‘god six’,” Danny An said.

Then at that point, Park Jin Young came in the picture as the group’s producer. Park Jin Young said that it was not going to be a mix group and recommended Kim Tae Woo to be part of the group and the female member got dropped from god six. Until now, Danny An still feels sorry for the supposed-to-be female member of god.

“When Kim Tae Woo entered, the members didn’t like him,” Danny An said and added that they could not stand him.

Danny An also shared an instance when Kim Tae Woo ate all of Park Jun Hyun’s birthday cake when all the members thought that he was not welcome to do so. A confrontation happened after this.

“How come you ate all the food? You ate everything that we could have eaten for a week,” said the other members, which made Kim Tae Woo cry.

Eventually, Danny An said that members liked Kim Tae Woo because they saw that he is a good guy.

“Soon enough, everyone became close. Practices became at ease.”

Source: Newsen + krnloop

katt

March 28, 2008

Im Hyun-jung Helps Ahn Jae-wook's K-Pop Comeback



Singer Im Hyun-jung showed her loyalty to friends by helping with the production of Ahn Jae-wook's comeback album.

In 2006, Ahn had been featured in "The Enticing Scent of Love," the title track to Im's 5th album, and when he asked her to help with the production of his album two years later, she postponed her plans to study abroad in the U.S.A. to work with him.

Im not only composed and wrote the lyrics for Ahn's "Is it Good-bye," "Farewell," and "She," the singer also sang in the chorus.

Ahn's mini-album will be released on April 1st. "Is it Good-bye" is his title track, a medium tempo ballad infused with the classic feel of a string quartet. Other songs include the poetic "Farewell" and the rock piece "She" with string instrumentals.

Along with his return to the K-pop stage, Ahn will also star in the TV drama "I Love You."

The singer will be performing live at the Saitama Arena in Japan tomorrow.

Source: KBS Global

http://english.kbs.co.kr/mcontents/entertainment/1515717_11692.html

katt

March 24, 2008

Fifty-Seven Writers 'Rescue "Drama City"'

KBS announced its spring lineup and have decided to discontinue "Drama City", and drama writers are urging for reconsideration.

Fifty-seven writers wrote a statement titled, "KBS, Rescue "Drama City"." They said, "There is no justification for the extermination of the one-act drama. As a public station, KBS must keep the value of the one-act drama, which may not earn money but is necessary for the development of broadcasting".

They said, "KBS is shaming their own value as they proudly admit that they are trying to destroy the one-act drama. We urge you to reconsider the discontinuation of "Drama City"."

This statement came under 57 writers, including Kim Yeong-hyeon, Kim Jeong-soo, Noh Hee-kyeong, Park Jeong-ran, Song Ji-na, and Choi Wan-gyoo.

Original article at news.naver.com
English translation by www.hancinema.net

katt

March 30, 2008

Stars Join in Mourning for Death of Actor's Brother

By Chung Ah-young
Staff Reporter


Actor Lee Dong-gun walks into the chapel
where the ashes of his younger brother were temporarily placed
in an urn at Samsung Medical Center in Ilwon-dong, southern Seoul, Friday. / Yonhap

Numerous celebrities have joined in mourning for hallyu star Lee Dong-gun's brother at a chapel in Samsung Medical Center in southern Seoul.

Lee's brother, Lee Joon-yub, 19, was fatally stabbed near the World Square Shopping center in Sydney, Australia, March 20. He and his friend, who were both studying in Sydney, were attacked during an argument with two Chinese gang members. The 19-year-old's body was cremated in Sydney on March 26 and Lee brought back his brother's ashes to Seoul on March 28.

Actors and actresses, close to Lee, visited the chapel to convey their condolences over his brother's death.

Han Ji-hye, Lee's ex-girlfriend, visited the chapel and grieved with Lee and his family. She burst into tears at the sight of the brother's portrait.

Han was told the news after filming "I Hate You But It's Fine"' a local hit drama ― now airing on KBS, and rushed to the hospital.

Other actors including Kim Min-jong, Cho Jae-hyun and Kim Heung-soo also visited the chapel.

Korean fans were stunned to learn that the victim was Lee's brother, flooding Lee's homepages with messages of condolence.

After hearing of his younger brother's death, Lee, who had been very close to him, immediately flew to Australia along with his parents to claim the body and attend a requiem mass at the St John's College Chapel, at the University of Sydney, which Lee's brother had attended.

A memorial service will be conducted in a Catholic church on March 31.

Lee made his debut in 1997 as an actor and singer. Since then, he has starred in several films including "My Boyfriend is Type B" and hit dramas, such as "Sweet 18," "Lovers in Paris" and "Stained Glass" in 2004, and "Smile Again" in 2006.

Credits: chungay@koreatimes.co.kr
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/ ... 8/03/178_21638.html

katt

March 28, 2008





Photos: newsen via yahoo.kr

[ Last edited by  katt at 31-3-2008 01:12 PM ]

katt

March 31, 2008

12,000 Fans attend Ahn Jae-wook's Concert



Singer Ahn Jae-wook, who made his official debut in Japan in front of 3,500 fans at the NKH Hall on March 31, 2006, held a series of other concerts later that year in Osaka and Tokyo. Ahn also performed in four major cities in Japan in June 2007, including Yokohama, Sapporo and Nagoya, and personally met his fans later at the biggest concert hall in Japan. Ten thousand fans flocked to the Tokyo concert but even more fans gathered at this 2007 concert.

The concert was a celebration of the release of his single albums in Korea and Japan. In Korea, the album was released under the title 'To My Love' and in Japan, 'To You.' The album contained three songs: the title track 'Is This the End,' 'Goodbye' and 'She Is.' Ahn performed 'Goodbye' in Japanese specifically for his Japanese fans. The artist had previously released his best album in Japan.

Yiishima, who attended both the 2006 and 2007 concerts, said she is a ardent fan of Ahn, whom she says is a wonderful actor and singer. The self-professed long-time fan also expressed her excitement over Ahn's brand new drama series entitled 'I Love You.'

Source: KBS Global
http://english.kbs.co.kr/mconten ... /1516117_11692.html

adikkeluangman_

Kim Jung Eun抯 digital single
March 29, 2008



SBS announced on the 29th that the theme song of the music talk show 揔im Jung Eun抯 Chocoloate,

katt

March 31, 2008

Fans Give Shinhwa Members Surprise Gift

'Shinhwa Must Go On 10th Anniversary Live,' a special concert marking the 10th anniversary of Shinhwa's debut, was held at the Fencing Stadium at the Seoul Olympic Park.

After the three-and-an-half-hour performance, including encore numbers, Shinhwa members got ready to step off the stage when a large screen installed on the stage began showing a video interview of close friends of Shinhwa who had shared the ups and downs with the members during the past ten years.

Shinhwa members, who were completely taken off-guard by the surprise video screening, sat on the stage and watched the video. Deeply touched by the words of their closest friends, members openly shed tears.

The group was then presented with a cake with a single candle in the shape of the number ten. Fans and Shinhwa, all moved to tears, sang 'happy birthday' together.

The concert will be the last performance for Shinhwa members for the next three years as members Eric and Kim Dong-wan will soon begin their military services. The event was a memorable and touching affair for Shinhwa members, their fans and members of the group's management company.

Source: KBS World

http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/entertainment/enter_chart_detail.htm?No=7355

isabel

31 March 2008

Han Ji Hye shows support for Lee Dong Gun at funeral



[size=100%]Han Ji-hye, the star of KBS drama Likeable or Not attended Lee Dong-gun's younger brother's funeral today at a Catholic church in Seoul today. Han Ji-hye used to date Lee Dong-gun and the latter's brother was just like a brother to her.

Lee Dong-gun's brother was murdered in Sydney last week. Lee Joon-yub passed away at the young age of 19.
[size=100%]
[size=100%]
[size=100%]sources and credit to k-popped

katt

April 1, 2008

[MOVIE REVIEW] 'The Air I Breathe' goes a twist too far

Director Lee Jie-ho said he got his inspiration for the characters in his debut feature "The Air I Breathe," to be released April 9, while working as a music video maker in Korea.

The original Korean characters Lee dreamed up, however, are almost gone. Only traces of them are left, as high-profile American castings have taken up the roles in this allegorical thriller set in an unnamed American city. Also twisted is the Chinese proverb about four human emotions: happiness, anger, love and pleasure. For the movie, Lee replaces anger with sorrow.

The question is whether Lee's decision to change the shooting locations, hire top-notch Hollywood actors and tweak the theme has been on target in this unpredictable world -- a tricky topic that, ironically, the movie's crisscrossed plot deals with in connection with human limitations against fickle and interlocking fates.

The movie has four main segments, subtitled "Happiness," "Pleasure," "Sorrow, and "Love," and each vignette features a key character along with a subplot. All the subplots, of course, come into play, either pushing or pulling each other at one point or another throughout the film.



In "Happiness," we see a hapless stockbroker (Forest Whitaker), who yearns for change in his bored, lonely life, a la the transformation of caterpillar into butterfly. His chance comes when he overhears his colleagues colluding in a rigged horse race -- with the supposedly fixed bet being on a horse named Butterfly. But this timid stockbroker faces an extremely uncertain future as his bet leads to a scary encounter with the mastermind of the scheme, Fingers (Andy Garcia). In "Pleasure," Fingers' hit man (Brendan Fraser) takes center stage. Fraser's soft-spoken yet tough character struggles with a mysterious ability to see the future -- but only in disconnected flashes.

His assignment is to guide the boss's foul-mouthed nephew around in the city, showing him the ropes. Things begin to go awry when the hit man's futuristic vision takes an unexpected course.

In "Sorrow," Trista (Sarah Michelle Gellar) also confronts something she never expects: a forceful contract with Fingers. It turns out that her manager has sold her to the gangster to settle a debt, and she is penniless. Worse still, has to serve the merciless thug, who is keen to expand beyond his money lending business into the glitzy world of showbiz. Again, the wheel of fortune turns. Tension rises and the plot builds.

"Love," the final episode, features a seemingly unrelated character: a doctor (Kevin Bacon) who desperately tries to save his beloved (Julie Deply) after she is bitten by a poisonous snake. The doctor, spotting Trista on television talking about her rare blood, rushes to get the blood for the poison victim; in the process, all the preceding subplots are woven together, underscoring the connectedness of characters and their fates.

Aside from the movie's peculiar circular structure that often stretches too far, many of the characters are not fully developed, especially considering the high-caliber cast. The most convincing one, though, is Fraser's cold-blooded gangster. Garcia's Fingers, whether he wants it or not, puts a spin on all the subplots in the four vignettes. Sadly, his character never veers from the obvious.

Although the movie's production is complete and already set to be released in Korea, the question remains: How different would the film have been if director Lee had set the movie in Korea, featuring local actors and incorporating more Korean elements?

By Yang Sung-jin (insight@heraldm.com)

http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/

katt

April 1, 2008

Director Jieho Lee Returns With Movie

By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter


Korean-American director Jieho Lee, left,
and wife, actress Kim Min, appear before the press
in Seoul Tuesday to promote his Hollywood debut "The Air I Breathe."
The star-studded film opens across theaters April 9./ Korea Times Photo by Lee Hyo-won

Korean-American director Jieho Lee was better known in Korea for marrying star actress Kim Min, but recently made headlines near and far by making his feature film debut with five of Hollywood's top stars. Before "The Air I Breathe" opens across theaters here April 9, the 35-year-old met with the press Tuesday at a hotel in northern Seoul.

Lee expressed thanks for a warm reception, speaking in a mixture of Korean and English. "Working in Hollywood was a blessing and I had a lot of luck. There's no set path," he said.

"It took me a very long time. (Hollywood is) a very closed society and it's hard to break into that. The first thing that was important was that I wrote a script people responded to," he said.

"Air" is an omnibus-type film that explores four basic human emotions through four characters: happiness (Forest Whitaker), pleasure (Brendan Fraser), sorrow (Sarah Michelle Gellar) and love (Kevin Bacon). Andy Garcia, Lee's "favorite character," stars as a notorious mobster named Fingers, who somehow brings everyone together.

He said the story was inspired by the old Asian proverb "huinoaerak" or joy, anger, sorrow and pleasure. It's also like a noir version of "The Wizard of Oz" as the four characters embark on a journey to find their identity.

Born in New York, he said he has strong Korean and American roots. His grandparents, the first Korean students to study in the United States. They studied at Princeton in 1888 and had their pictures taken with President Woodrow Wilson. Lee's father instilled in him a strong sense of Korean identity. He came to Korea to work in the music industry, and kept a journal of all the people he met.

"These (characters) are all based on people I've met in Korea. They're mirrors in my own discoveries," he said.

Lee studied filmmaking at Wesleyan University, New York University and in Israel as part of a study abroad program. After shooting commercials in New York and music videos in Seoul, he started touring the international film circuit with his award-winning short "A Nursery Tale" (1999).

He wrote the script for "Air" in 2003. But because it was not a genre film, Lee had to devise a different strategy to get funding. He said he sent the script to as many producers as possible, and fortunately all 10 liked it. Five were willing to pitch in, including big names such as Lawrence Bender (who produces Quentin Tarantino films) and John Woo. He finally teamed up with Paul Schiffer, a college alumnus.

He then spent over two years on casting, meeting scores of actors from Justin Timberlake to Forest Whitaker. "I was lucky but also very prepared. I drew storyboards, had my musical inspiration and did research on every single actor I'd met down to their dog's name," he said.

He finally built a dream cast, but it was a low budget project (6 billion won of which half went in guarantees) and schedules kept getting delayed. "It was a difficult, lonely process. I thought I was going crazy and (wondered) what I was doing with my life. But we had people who believed in it," he said. "You have to work very hard but you definitely need luck, and we had a lot of blessings."

But when the camera finally started rolling, it was a nightmare. "We had a 29-day shoot and over 50 location changes. It was madness. We were running everywhere. It was so crazy. I think I got sick because I didn't sleep at all," he said.

Like in his short film, Lee makes a quick appearance in the film. "It was because of our tight budget," he said, and his entire crew, including the cinematographer and executive producer, had to play minor roles.

Released earlier in the United States, "Air" received rave reviews. "This world is getting smaller because this kind of structure is appealing to a lot of people. We're different but all related somehow," he said.

Lee's wife Kim made a special appearance in the pressroom, setting off a blinding tide of camera flashes.

"This movie was long in the making, like a baby. Speaking of which, we had a baby and I am very glad to bring her home," she said in her first visit to Seoul since tying the knot in 2006. Kim met her husband while shooting the hit TV drama "Love Story in Harvard." "My manager wanted me to go to Hollywood, and I sure did," she smiled about living in California.

She said their seven-month old daughter is the exact image of her husband, to which Lee said "we're doomed (that she looks like me)," drawing laughter from the room. On a more serious note, Kim expressed how much pain was involved in the making of "Air." During the shoot in Mexico, Lee contracted a case of shingles. Undergoing surgery and unable to use his eyes for several days, he was on the verge of giving up. But he was able to complete the remaining third of the shoot in a wheelchair.

"I'm not supposed to talk about this," he said discreetly. "I cried when Min got here... I feel blessed because she was supporting me but all the actors felt ownership. The director is important, but collaboration is most important. Andy Garcia was most difficult to cast but by then he had built his trust and told everyone, 'Jieho goes off a cliff, we all go off with him,'" he said.

Regarding possible film collaborations as a couple, Kim said "in Hollywood you see couples break up after working together, so we decided not to work together," sending laughs across the room.

As for future plans, Lee said he is in the "early developmental stage'' of remaking the gritty street story "A Dirty Carnival'' (2006) starring Zo In-sung. Korean-American writer/producer Doug Jung ("Confidence," 2003) will be writing the script and the producer of "National Treasure" may become involved.

"It's too early to say anything yet. It's a beautiful story and if it comes together then I would want to try my best to preserve the integrity of the original and do it justice,'' he said. ''Honestly, I'm just beginning, I definitely feel lucky but I have a long road ahead and a lot to do and a lot to learn,'' he said.

Credits: hyowlee@koreatimes.co.kr
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2008/04/135_21740.html

katt

April 2, 2008

Prim Actress Gets Messy in New TV Ad

Actress Kim Tae-hee has become the talk of the town with a commercial in which she appears with no make-up. The commercial for Olympus Korea emphasizes Kim's natural side. Sporting a mane of untidy hair as if she just woke up, she curls her lips, plays with a teddy bear, frowns, and sucks a lollipop.

The commercial has received a strong response because it shows another side of the actress, who has used the fact that she is intelligent and refined as a graduate of the prestigious Seoul National University to appeal to the public.



The second part of the commercial aired recently following the first segment which debuted early last month. Internet users responded favorably, saying it's good to see the "ordinary side" of the normally more polished actress. "The commercial makes Kim look like one of the people around us. I suddenly came to like her," a user wrote.

With the positive response, it's no surprise that the commercial took the top spot in the electric and electronics category of the TV commercial popularity rankings only 10 days after the first episode aired.

An industry source said that with interest in the second episode also exploding soon after its release, the company is considering creating two more commercials in the same series.

Credits: englishnews@chosun.com

http://english.chosun.com/w21dat ... 4/200804020013.html

katt

April 2, 2008

Singer Kang Ta Begins Military Duty in Euijeongbu



Singer Kang Ta (29) officially began his military duties on April 1 in Euijeongbu, Gyeonggi Province.

Kang Ta held a farewell concert for his fans at the Main Hall of Yonsei University late last month. The day he was stationed at his military base, Kang Ta, showing off a short crew cut, said goodbye to his fans and said he will diligently fulfill his military duties.

Korean fans as well as Japanese, Chinese and Thai fans flocked to the military base to say goodbye to their favorite singer. Fellow members of group S, Shin Hye-sung and Lee Ji-hoon, as well as singer Kim Min-jong, also a member of SM Entertainment, were on hand to wish good luck to their friend.

Kang Ta is the third member of H.O.T--after Moon Hee-joon and Jang Woo-hyuk--to begin his military duty.

Source: KBS Global

http://english.kbs.co.kr/mcontents/entertainment/1516624_11692.html

katt

April 2, 2008

Lee Jun-ki Chosen as New Model for Pepsi



Popular Korean actor Lee Jun-ki has been chosen as the new model for Pepsi Cola in China along with other young Asian celebrities including Jolin and Louis Koo of Hong Kong.

Lee's management agency said Pepsi chose the Korean actor as its new model for Chinese-speaking countries for his popularity in the region, which was clearly demonstrated during his recent promotional tour in Hong Kong and China. Singer Rain was a former Pepsi model for Chinese-speaking regions.

On April 1, Lee attended a Pepsi Family press event held in Hong Kong. The management agency said Lee signed a one-year contract with Pepsi and that the earnings from the contract is equivalent to that of top celebrities.

The commercial was filmed in February. Although the shooting took place behind closed doors, numerous fans flocked to the site to get a glimpse of Lee.

Lee also signed a shampoo commercial contract with China and is currently shooting a brand new SBS drama that will start airing in mid-May.

Source: KBS Global

http://english.kbs.co.kr/mcontents/entertainment/1516662_11692.html

katt

April 2, 2008

"Speed Racer" Rain Favors Hong Kong



South Korean actor Jung Ji-hoon

katt

April 3, 2008

Kim busts out of matronly roles to become a hot mama this time


Kim Hye-sook takes on a Mrs. Robinson-esque role in "Viva Love,"
her latest film. [JoongAng Ilbo]

Audiences may as well call actress Kim Hye-sook Everymom.

In her many appearances in hit television shows and films, she often plays the role of an affectionate model Korean mother. Even fans in Japan know Kim for her maternal roles.
In "Viva Love," a film that is scheduled for release next week, Kim, 53, reprises her mother role as Oh Bong-soon. But this time, she won't be sidelined as a supporting character: Kim's the lead in this bizarre romantic comedy.
Oh's life as a landlady isn't easy, but in the midst of her hard work, she manages to fall in love with one of her tenants. Problem is, Oh's property is a students' boarding house and her lover is in his 20s' and he almost becomes her son-in-law. Anyone else hearing the faint tune of Simon and Garfunkel's "Mrs. Robinson"?
The film was a challenge for Kim. It wasn't easy trying to play a 50-year-old woman in love.
"It was mentally and physically exhausting," Kim said. "I first received the script three years ago, and the content was simultaneously shocking and fresh. In some ways it's a story that doesn't make sense in reality and goes against morality."
Despite the story's immorality, she said she wanted to take on a new challenge as an actor, which inspired her to take the role. "I felt a sense of duty as a longtime actor," Kim said.
"Young actors are mostly under the spotlight, and few films have mature actors playing the lead," Kim said. "It occurred to me that I should take the challenge instead of playing the same roles and show what veteran actors can do through a new character."
Kim said the most difficult thing was trying to make her character beautiful. "When young people play such a role, they look beautiful to the audience," Kim said. "But for someone middle-aged, it may look ugly."
"I wanted my audience to look at the character optimistically. So, I started to think in my character's shoes."
Kim saw Oh as a woman who has lived a difficult life. She may still be breathing, but she's completely forgotten about her own existence. She's even forgotten about her sexuality over the years.
For Oh, her new affair is a romantic reawakening. This love feels like her first, but may be her last. Thus, she's willing to fight to keep the fiery passion alive.
The Oh role isn't the only atypical part Kim has taken. In the 2007 film "Open City," Kim plays an ex-convict who specializes in pickpocketing.
"When I was filming the movie, I was also working on a television drama, "Mun-hee," and my work schedule was murderous," Kim recalled. "But I must really love my work. Although I was running around and getting hit all the time during filming because I was a criminal, it didn't feel all that tiring.
"The worst thing was working out, but I had to train for the scene where I fall to the floor after a detective catches me. I was physically in pain for a week."
While filming Open City, Kim cut herself using a slim knife her character used to slit open bags. But rather than cover up the cut, she said she wanted to keep the scar. "Every time I feel exhausted, I look at the scar and regain my strength. It is sort of a personal medal," Kim added.
Kim made her debut in the mid-1970s. "Back in those days, ... I felt like I was treated like an object" Kim said.
Well, judging by Viva Love, now fans will call Kim "Mama" in a whole new way.

By Lee Hoo-nam JoongAng Ilbo [ojlee82@joongang.co.kr]

http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2888165

katt

April 2, 2008

Korea's Film Market Ranks Bottom among Global Top 10



South Korea ranked last on a list of the world抯 top ten major film markets for 2006.

The Korea Film Council on Wednesday said that the nation was at the bottom in 2006 among ten global film markets including the U.S., France and Japan.

The nation ranked tenth in the world in video sales and seventh in box office revenue.

Reported by KBS WORLD Radio

http://english.kbs.co.kr/news/newsview_sub...;key=2008040230

katt

April 3, 2008

Up-and-Comer Oh Yeon-seo Dazzles in Epic Period Drama


  
Rising talent Oh Yeon-seo is the new face of KBS 2TV's epic drama, "The Great King Sejong."

In the TV drama, Oh plays "Eo-ri," the most beautiful woman in Chosun who captures the heart of "Prince Yangnyeong" (Park Sang-min). Her strong performance adds an exciting edge to the production.

The young actress has also become a rising face in the advertising industry. According to sources at her agency Star M Entertainment, Oh has been cast in five commercials just this year alone, for Shinhan Credit Card, Will Yoghurt and Hanbul Cosmetics, among others.

The addition of Oh and singer Lee Jung-hyun signal a turn of events in the epic tale of "The Great King Sejong."

Eo-ri first approaches Yangnyeong in an attempt to seduce him to stir up the royal family, but she falls in love with the prince's frank, open-hearted personality. When their scandalous love affair is revealed, Yangnyeong's title to the throne is threatened and Eo-ri is heartbroken. She ends up taking her own life.

Source: KBS Global

http://english.kbs.co.kr/mcontents/enterta...6844_11692.html