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Thanks to kdramafanusa at soompi.com for the highlight
May 08, 2008
CHOI Dong-hoon casts LIM Soo-jung and GANG Dong-won
[image=hankyung]
CHOI Dong-hoon, the director of the major hit films Tazza: The High Rollers and The Big Swindle is preparing his next project with the assistance of LIM Soo-jung and GANG Dong-won.
GANG is set to play an undisciplined womanising Taoist from the Joseon era (the name of Korea previous to the Japanese occupation) who ends up in present day Korea, causing mayhem with his knack for magic. LIM will play a double role, portraying a Joseon woman and an aspiring actress in contemporary times.
KIM Yoon-suk will reunite with CHOI after their collaboration on Tazza:The High Rollers, KIM will be fighting against GANG抯 character. KIM is currently highly successful with his leading role in NA Hong-jin抯 The Chaser.
CHOI is also responsible for the scenario and will start directing from August. The film will enter cinemas in 2009.
Yi Ch抋ng-ho (KOFIC)
Source: Korean Film Council |
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Thanks to kdramafanusa at soompi.com for the highlight
May 8, 2008
Barcelona sun shines on LEE Chang-dong and JEON Soo-il
The Barcelona Asian Film Festival抯 (BAFF) jury awarded Secret Sunshine (Miryang) the Cinematik prize. The winner of Cinematik is also secured of a release in Spain. Secret Sunshine is directed by LEE Chang-dong and stars JEON Do-yeon and SONG Kang-ho in a tale about a single mother抯 mental struggle after losing her young son.
Director JEON Soo-il is also successful at BAFF, his With a Girl of Black Soil won the Golden Durian, an award for emerging talents. The panel in charge of selecting the Golden Durian winner included Pusan International Film Festival director KIM Dong-ho.
Both With a Girl of Black Soil and Secret Sunshine were selected for the Official Competition section. The audience voted Farah Khan抯 Om Shanti Om (India) as the most popular film with KIM Ki-duk抯 Breath a close second, according to BAFF抯 website. BAFF celebrated this year its tenth anniversary and the festival highlighted that BAFF is Barcelona抯 fastest growing film festival. Barcelona hosted the festival from April 25 until May 4.
Yi Ch抋ng-ho (KOFIC) |
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Thanks to kdramafanusa at soompi.com for the highlight
May 8, 2008
BAE Chang-ho抯 impressive oeuvre in the spotlight
One of Korea抯 most influential directors BAE Chang-ho will be honoured with a retrospective of his entire body of films at the arthouse cinema Cinematheque in Seoul. The showcase will open on May 20 and close on the first of June.
BAE is one of the most successful directors of the 80s. In addition, his social dramas are critically acclaimed. Among his classics are Whale Hunting and Our Happy Days of Youth which was rereleased on DVD by Taehung Pictures Collection in 2006.
BAE continued his career in the 90s and My Heart (1999) is among his internationally better known films which garnered acclaim at international film festivals.
BAE is a prolific director and his latest film Road (Gil) was released in 2004. The film chronicles two troubled souls who encounter each other on a rural road. Road toured several international film festivals and won the major award at the 2005 Philadelphia International Film Festival.
Yi Ch抋ng-ho (KOFIC) |
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Thanks to kdramafanusa at soompi.com for the highlight
May 8, 2008
Charlize Theron contemplates a visit to Korea
Major Hollywood star Charlize Theron said that her project to remake PARK Chan-wook抯 Sympathy for Lady Vengeance (Chinjeorhan Geumjassi) has sparked a great interest in Korea and Korean culture.
She is discussing the possibility to visit Korea during her promotion tour for her upcoming film Hancock, an action comedy with Will Smith as a fallen action hero who receives counselling to win the public抯 affection back. If possible, her first visit to Korea would take place in June prior to a July 2 release of Hancock.
PARK抯 original Sympathy for Lady Vengeance stars LEE Young-ae. Her character has been framed. After her release from prison, she is out to take revenge. The film is the final instalment of PARK抯 renowned 憆evenge trilogy |
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Friday, 09 May 2008
Na Hong-jin plotting "Murderer"
Written by Han Sunhee
SEOUL -- Korean helmer Na Hong-jin's next pic will be "The Murderer." Na's first film, "The Chaser," was the surprise hit of this year, and Warner Bros. has snapped it up for an English-language remake that may star Leonardo DiCaprio (Daily Variety, March 6).
"The Chaser" scored more than 5 million admissions at the Korean box office and gets its international preem in a midnight screening slot in Cannes' Official Selection.
Na spent four years crafting the screenplay, an unlikely story of pimps and serial killers, before helming from his own script.
"Murderer" is the dark tale of a man forced to become a murderer to overcome starvation.
Korea's IM Pictures is an investor, but budget and casting have yet to be determined. Na said he will finish the script after returning from Cannes.
Source: Variety Asia Online
http://www.varietyasiaonline.com/content/view/6061/1/ |
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News Index PAGE 6
May 9: [Review] Indecision strikes gals of all ages
May 9: [Review] All flash and no substance, but a fun ride
May 12: Reporters get the spotlight
May 12: New play to be staged starring actor Ko Soo
May 7: YG + Mnet Media = music powerhouse
May 7: Will.i.am: 揑 don抰 have a reason why Se7en and Rain can抰 be popular in the US |
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May 9, 2008
[Review] Indecision strikes gals of all ages
The film features, from left, Kim Min-hee, Lee Mi-suk and An Sohui. [MovieWeb]
"Hellcats" is not as provocative as its trailer implies. What audiences bring home, instead, are the problems that befall each character in the story.
Based on Kang Mo-rim's comic strip "10, 20, and 30," Hellcats presents various aspects of life and relationship struggles through the three main characters in different age groups.
Ah-mi (Kim Min-hee) could be the typical leading character for any chick flick. She is a 27-year-old scenario writer struggling in her career and love life. If Hellcats were only about the life of a 20-something single woman, it would have been no different from Kwon's previous hit movie, "Singles" (2003).
But Hellcats features two other leading ladies, Young-mi (Lee Mi-sook), a 41-year-old single mom, and her daughter Kang-ae (An So-hui), a curious teenage girl, which makes the story more intriguing to viewers in various age groups.
Young-mi, Ah-mi's older sister, is devastated after learning about her early menopause. Middle-aged women viewers worried about their fading femininity could sympathize with Young-mi's despondency.
Kang-ae is confused about her sexual orientation after an accidental first kiss with her best female friend. Such an incident is actually very common among Korean teenage girls as they cannot distinguish love from friendship.
Ah-mi's troubles begin when she decides to go on a blind date, even though she already has a boyfriend. The blind date ends up being a guy who would be perfect marriage material, but Ah-mi feels guilty. She goes to her boyfriend's house, only to find out that he has been cheating on her. She breaks up with him and starts seeing the new guy.
Yet she faces another problem: She is ambivalent about whether to stick with her unstable career or get married and be done with her miserable struggles.
Most independent women hate to admit that marriage is an escape from harsh reality. They do not want others to think they run away from reality, get married and find shelter in marriage. But they have to make a decision at some point.
As decision time for Ah-mi draws near, she grows more confused about what she wants. She just feels the urge to run away from where she is, and many female viewers can't help but feel empathy for her.
Hellcats doesn't have a happy ending, but it's not a sad ending, either. As in reality, Ah-mi's life doesn't end once she's made her choice. Life simply goes on.
By Susan Yoon Contributing Writer [estyle@joongang.co.kr]
http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2889569 |
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May 9, 2008
[Review] All flash and no substance, but a fun ride
Despite having few lines, Korean pop star Rain adds to the visual appeal of "Speed Racer." [MovieWeb]
When I told my colleagues about which movie I'd review this week, one editor at this paper fondly recalled how he'd loved the original anime cartoon version of "Speed Racer" as a 4-year-old.
But the Speed Racer in theaters now is hardly the cutely clunky cartoon of the 1960s. This version, written and directed by the Wachowski brothers, transfers the antiquated anime into slick, futuristic live action against a whole lot of computer-generated imagery.
The result is a psychedelic swirl of neon, probably most appealing to children of the video game generation or stoners, but still enjoyable for the hoi polloi. No other flick is so firmly committed to the dayglo palette.
Stylistic retro details, such as the flip of Mom Racer's hairdo, also nicely reflect the film's cartoon origins while contrasting with "The Fifth Element"style race track scenes. The result is a future strangely similar to that of "The Jetsons," only in oversaturated Technicolor.
Faithful fans of the film's anime predecessor will be glad to note the Wachowski brothers' attention to detail. The directors deserve a nod for their spot-on casting of Emile Hirsch as the title character. With his boyish good looks, round face and angular eyebrows, he embodies the original anime character better than anyone else in Hollywood, especially clad in his classic getup of white pants, blue polo shirt and red kerchief.
The same goes for Susan Sarandon as Mom Racer and John Goodman as Pops Racer, and there's even a cheeky, feces-flinging chimpanzee as Chim-Chim. Christina Ricci as Trixie gets the haircut right, but her wardrobe gets sexed up |
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Thanks to kdramafanusa at soompi.com for the highlight
May 12, 2008
Reporters get the spotlight
MBC's upcoming drama "Spotlight," which airs this Wednesday night, promises to bring back a bit of excitement to the small screen.
Following on the heels of its more-than-lackluster predecessor "Who Are You?", "Spotlight" focuses on the gritty and enterprising lives of city desk broadcast news reporters. The drama tracks one woman's rise to fame, from her struggles at the city desk to her eventual success as an anchorwoman.
With a plot like that, the success of "Spotlight" rides on the strength of its heroine and on its scripting.
And the script promises to be solid. The drama's writer Lee Ki-won possesses a finesse for drawing out the dark political power struggles that go on in the workplace. And his intense and cutthroat writing will play out well in the newsroom. Lee also wrote last year's hit medical drama "White Tower."
"I focused on the inner struggles that reporters face as humans," Lee said at a press conference held last week. "While there is romance, more importantly, this is about trust."
▲Ji Jin-hee and Son Ye-jin (right) play news reporters in "Spotlight."[MBC]
But judging from the preview and from what big-time celebrity Son Ye-jin, 26, had to say at the press conference, "Spotlight's" heroine might have trouble getting her feet off the ground.
Set to play the title role, Son, who deftly played a calculating yet endearing seductress in the hit flick "The Art of Seduction" (2005), more than disappointed with her lack of comical timing and poor delivery in the preview.
Rather than playing up the stereotype of the merciless and bold news reporter, Son's reporter was clueless and clumsy. Hardly convincing as a newswoman with three years of experience under her belt, Son will need to beef up her role in the episodes to come.
"The director and scriptwriter met with anchors, announcers and reporters," said Son at the press conference. "I did not meet them directly."
But if Son does not want to get pushed into the shadows by her costars - actors Ji Jin-hee and Jin Goo - she might want to consider stepping it up and meeting up with some reporters to get a feel for what the job is really like.
On the flipside, actor Jin Goo, 27, who proved his acting mettle in the gangster flick "A Dirty Carnival" (2006), showed that he had done the research and training needed to play the minor but interesting role of a cub reporter.
"To prepare for my role, I followed a real cub reporter around," Jin said. "The first thing I realized is that this is a dirty job."
By dirty, he meant literally dirty, and made sure to keep his hair looking messy and unkempt for the role.
Jin might just outshine his more prominent costars, giving Ji Jin-hee a run for his money. Ji Jin-hee, 36, who hit it big when he starred opposite Lee Young-ae in "Jewel in the Palace" (2003), is returning to the small screen after a three-year hiatus.
Playing the stern and supremely talented lead reporter for the city news desk, Ji prepped for his role by hanging out with reporters over dinner.
"I met with city desk reporters over dinner," Ji said. "They were very hierarchical, even more top-down than an army."
With a little insight into the social life of a reporter, it looks like Ji might have a respectable handle on his role as the heroine's mentor. Add that to the strong subject matter, and MBC may just have a winning formula.
But this formula isn't new.
Japan focused on broadcast news in the miniseries "Top Caster," which aired on Fuji TV in 2006. And Hollywood won audiences over with the hit newsroom flick "Up Close and Personal" (1996). MBC even did it before with their drama "All About Eve" in 2000.
To be successful, the show will have to distinguish itself from what has been done before. And "Spotlight" producer Kim Do-hoon is well aware of that.
"'Spotlight' focuses on the important but often unnoticed city desk broadcast news reporters," producer Kim said at the press conference.
And turning the spotlight on the rough-and-tough city desk might be what it takes to breathe new life into an old plotline.
Viewers will have to tune in Wednesday night to see if "Spotlight" breaks the mold.
"Spotlight" airs Wednesdays and Thursdays on MBC at 9:55 p.m.
By Jean Oh (oh_jean@heraldm.com)
Source: Korea Herald |
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Thanks to kdramafanusa at soompi.com for the highlight
May 12, 2008
New play to be staged starring actor Ko Soo
[image=edaily]
In 2004, a group of the nation's central theater figures pooled their strength and put on 15 carefully prepared works on the stage, one after another, in the span of one year. The response was amazing for a genre that has never been very popular, drawing some 170,000 people and an average 81 percent seat-occupancy rate.
Those people have been at work again since late last year, this time to offer 11 top contemporary picks and to solicit help from well-known television and movie actors and actresses, in hopes that their appearance will further vitalize the drama genre.
The latest project from "Yeongeukyeoljeon 2," as the special production company is called, is "The Return of Mr. Um," a sequel to "At the Marina," which was presented in 2005 and won the Grand Arts Award from Arts Council Korea the same year.
The play, which will begin staging later this month, has been generating a lot of media hype after word got out that Ko Soo, a major television heartthrob who recently finished his army service, is in it.
The casting of Ko Soo as one of the key supporting actors was decided a couple of months ago, according to the production company.
"I was the first one to recommend that Ko Soo come back to the audience with a play rather than a TV drama or a movie, because I thought it would be a good opportunity to make him feel humble," said Cho Jae-hyun, a veteran actor and a central figure of "Yeongeukyeolgeon," at a press conference on May 7. "After my army service, I feel like I have lost the sense of acting," Ko Soo said. "I guess I will have to practice harder since I've longed to act on stage for a long time."
The play is directed by Park Geun-hyung, who has worked with numerous renowned actors and actresses and is well-known for his imaginative and realistic presentation of plays and musicals. Park said that, although Ko does not have any acting experience on stage, they decided to work with him in this piece because of Ko's humble attitude.
Ko will be working with such veteran actors as Theater Golmokgil's Um Hyo-sub, who will play the lead character.
Ko also said he is learning a lot from practicing for the play, and is having fun working with Park and the other actors from the Theater Golmokgil.
The script for "The Return of Mr. Um" has yet to be finished, according to the production company, since Park is known for adding and taking out little bits of the script during the practices, making each line and circumstance more apt for different actors.
This trait has helped Park earn a reputation as a director who finds the right actor for the right role, such as Park Hae-il in the play "Admiring Youth."
Mr. Um, played by Um once again following "At the Marina," is to be the central figure of the play. The plot concerns Mr. Um as he moves from Uleung Island to Pohang to run for mayor. It focuses on depicting his snobbishness and selfishness.
"I think the audience will find funny the dialects and humorous situations originating from an isolated place like Pohang, as well as a realistic depiction of political issues that arise in the play," Um said.
"The Return of Mr. Um" will be staged May 23 through Aug. 3 at Wonder Face in Daehangno, the country's theater mecca in northern Seoul. Tickets are 25,000 won and 35,000 won. For details about the play, call (02) 766-6007 or visit www.idsartcenter.co.kr.
By Koh Young-aah (youngaah@heraldm.com)
Additional images can be found at Edaily Photo Gallery
Source: Korea Herald |
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b]YG + Mnet Media = music powerhouse
May 7, 2008
Mnet Media and YG Entertainment are now official business partners.
Mnet has acquired 10% shares of YG Entertainment and YG Entertainment and also Yang Hyun Suk have secured a part of Mnet Media, which strengthened the partnership between the two companies.
The agreement between the two has also given Mnet Media the rights to exclusively distribute in Korea and aborad the albums and digital music of YG Entertainment singers.
According to Mnet Media President Park Kwang Won, Mnet Media not only has coverage on YG Entertainment’s music but also in the future its television and concert contents. Moreover, with its partnership with YG Entertainment, Park said that it will enable the two companies to be a music powerhouse in Asia.
Source: Yonhap + krnloop
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Will.i.am: “I don’t have a reason why Se7en and Rain can’t be popular in the US”
May 7, 2008
“I don’t have a reason why Se7en and Rain can’t be popular in the US,” said Black Eyed Peas member and producer Will.i.am, who was one of the speakers of Day 2 of the SBS-sponsored “Seoul Digital Forum 2008,” which was held today, May 7, at the Sheraton Walker Hill Hotel. Will.i.am was a speaker for one of today’s sessions entitled “Entertainment, At the Forefront of Imagination.”
According to Will.i.am, if Black Eyed Peas is getting popular in Brazil, he does not see it impossible for Se7en and Rain or any of the Korean singers debuting in the US to be popular in the said country.
“But Korean singers are still not known in the US. If up-and-coming Korean singers collaborate with famous producers in the US, there’s a high possibility for them to succeed,” added Will.i.am.
Source: Sports Chosun + krnloop
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Joo performed BoA’s “My Name”
May 9, 2008
If SS501’s Kim Kyu Jong performed Rain’s “It’s Raining” during his Mnet “MCountdown Heroes” segment last April 10, last night’s made way for Joo, who performed BoA’s “My Name.” Joo went up the stage wearing a similar look of what BoA looked like when she was promoting “My Name” back in 2004.
Meanwhile, this episode was hosted by SS501. MC Mong’s “Circus” also ranked 1st in “MCountdown,” beating Epik High’s “One.”
Source: MK + krnloop |
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May 8, 2008
Oh Jeong-hae Spreads Korean Beauty through Music, Acting
Traditional Korean music singer cum actress Oh Jeong-hae is one of the true artists of today. Her refined appearance and heartrending voice embody traditional Korean beauty.
Debuting through the old fashioned Miss Chunhyang pageant and best known for her appearance in the film 'Seopyeonje,' she is foremost associated with a tidy image after donning hanbok (Korean attire). But casual Western clothes also suit her well. Any fan of Korean film will remember her in Seopyeonje, a sensational hit of the time, in which she painstakingly acted out her singing role.
Over the years, she has done many different things -- appearing in dramas, films, hosting a radio show and teaching at university -- in places all over the country, including Seoul and the Gyeongsang and Jeolla provinces.
Singer turned Actress Pursues Diverse Activities
Oh was afraid that her distinguished singing talent would limit her acting career, which is why she delved into different activities. For instance, she received the rookie award at the 1997 Korea Musical Awards.
The recent release 'Beyond the Years' is drawing attention, being director Im Gwon-taek's 100th film. But it's also noteworthy as the fourth film in which Im and Oh teamed up. The new film shares similar roots with Seopyeonje and is also about a blind singer, 'Songhwa.' So could Oh have possibly feared taking on a similar role in a similar film once again? In Seopyeonje, the heroine Songhwa turns blind because of her father and, due to that misfortune, perfects her singing skill. Her story triggered pity and sympathy from audiences. Though Songhwa's situation was unique, Oh is similar to the role she played in that she also learned Korean style singing from early childhood. It's not easy for viewers to empathize with the Songhwa in Beyond the Years as well but Oh's authentic acting touches their hearts.
"Acting is Also Part of Me"
In her films, love affairs aren't expressed in the typically strong and emotional way. It's melted into one's subtle look and the general ambience, and thus more difficult for an actress to express the emotions. But as Oh lived more years, increasing her experience and emotional scale, she became more comfortable playing the role in Beyond the Years than in Seopyeonje.
After a seven year break, she will return in a 16 episode family drama on the cable channel MBC DramaNet. 'My Ex Lives Next Door,' first airing May 8, is the story of a divorced couple still living together. Oh plays 'Na Mi-nyeo,' a once-famous celebrity who has to live with her ex-husband/manager, played by Jeon No-min, because of a lifetime contract. The fallen superstar Na is a character who still keeps her head up, just like in her heyday.
It's not unusual to see Oh doing a sexy dance, brandishing a whip clad in a tightly fitting leather suit, rushing to the lady's room in an embarrassing manner or shoving tissue in her nostrils. Her drastic transformation is hard to believe. But Oh says she has much to show and she has shown only half of herself up to now. In the new drama, she no longer portrays the modest graceful image we usually associate her with. Her acting speaks for itself, and Oh is not an actress who looks to others for guidance.
Oh progresses step-by-step according to her own definition of acting. She hopes to expand her potential and earn the trust of the audience. This year, she will also catch up on her singing career, releasing an album and holding concerts.
Source: KBS Global
http://english.kbs.co.kr/mcontents/people/1522683_11674.html |
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May 13, 2008
Super Junior Members Complete 24-Hour 'Marathon of Hope'
Members of the popular male vocal group Super Juniors recently completed the '24-Hour Marathon of Hope.'
The event, which was held as a part of 'Hope TV 24,' a program on SBS which collects charity funds, began on May 9 at 6:00 p.m. at the Cheonggyecheon Plaza in downtown Seoul. During the next 24 hours, the members went around Seoul encouraging citizens to make contributions.
The marathon ended at the starting point at 6:20 p.m. on May 10. The members will donate the 10,000 dollars they collected to a Mongolian school in Korea which is currently at risk of closing down.
The six members completed the 70 km route, stopping only for short rests and food. After completing the grueling marathon, all six members and the students from the Mongolian school who cheered them on shed tears of joy together.
SBS recently announced that 'Hope TV 24' collected a total of 250,000 dollars so far this year. Donations have been made to children suffering from rare diseases and disabilities. Starting this year, SBS has pledged to help immigrant workers in Korea.
Source: KBS Global
http://english.kbs.co.kr/entertainment/news/1523659_11858.html |
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Thanks to kdramafanusa at soompi.com for the highlight
May 13, 2008
'Spotlight' Shows the Lives of Reporters
By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter
Actors Son Ye-jin, left, and Ji Jin-hee will appear as city desk reporters in the new drama "Spotlight'' tonight on MBC.
With MBC's new drama "Spotlight,'' viewers will get a glimpse into the lives of broadcast news reporters covering the city beat.
"Spotlight'' depicts the journey toward success of a passionate city desk reporter Seo Woo-jin, played by top actress Son Ye-jin. Ji Jin-hee from the hit drama "Jewel in the Palace'' will star as her strict, yet caring mentor, Oh Tae-seok. The drama will follow Seo's drudge through the grind to eventually become an anchorwoman.
At the press conference held last week in southern Seoul, reporters and camera crews swarmed the room for a shot of Son.
"Spotlight'' is the first drama in two years for Son, 26, who has starred in movies like "The Classic'' (2003) and "The Art of Seduction'' (2005).
"I read the synopsis and had a strong impression. I especially liked the fact that (Seo) continues to strive to achieve her dreams. I was captivated by her passion and energy,'' Son said.
A short clip of the drama drew laughter among reporters when Ji said "You call yourself a reporter?'' hinting that the crew meant it when they said they were aiming for a "real'' reporter drama.
"We tried to break away from the cliche love scenes this time. We focused more on their stress as human beings and reporters, not just their affections toward each other,'' said Lee Kee-won, the writer of the drama. Lee tasted success last year with his strong presentation of the political world of doctors through the medical drama, "Behind the White Tower (2007).''
Producer Kim Do-hoon explained that reality was of foremost importance in "Spotlight.'' "We'll be showing episodes that might really happen in real life. I think this is hard because we never had a drama like this before. Being the first is always difficult because there isn't much to compare with.''
The actors also mentioned their share of reality, as many of them actually spent their days and nights with real reporters.
"I followed a reporter for a day. At first, I didn't believe it when they told me they didn't have time to bathe. But I realized they really didn't have the time to even wash their face,'' said Jin Gu who plays fellow reporter Lee Soon-cheol.
As top celebrities, actors bump into reporters frequently, whether they enjoy it or not. When asked if their opinions toward them changed, Ji Jin-hee admitted that it was all about the choice of words.
"I realized the importance of my words. The right words can turn you into a hero but using the wrong words will have you fall. I told myself to be careful from now on,'' he laughed.
"I started to understand their struggle to capture the truth for the public. Now I feel very pressured,'' Son added.
This is the first time for a television program to solely delve deep into the lives of broadcast news reporters, although there were some dramas and movies that briefly introduced the profession. In order to bring reality to the small screen, some scenes were shot at the real MBC News Desk set in Yeouido, Seoul, while MBC city desk news reporters will be adding reality by appearing as well.
"We'll introduce the dilemmas reporters face as people with feelings and also as people who have to dig out the truth. There is a symbiotic relationship between the two,'' Son said.
"Spotlight'' will be aired tonight 9:55 on MBC.
sanghee@koreatimes.co.kr
Source: The Korea Times |
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Tablo sleeps with Mithra when he’s lonely
May 12, 2008
Epik High’s Tablo confessed in yesterday’s episode of KBS “Star Golden Bell” that he has the habit of going almost nude when he is recording songs.
“When I rap, I move and the clothes make rustling sounds so I started taking off my clothes. The other members who took off their clothes while recording said it was quite comfortable but sometimes the people who come over to deliver food are confused about it,” Tablo said, which resulted to a moment of laughter in the set.
Tablo also added that when he feels lonely, he sleeps in Mithra Jin’s room and hugs Mithra tight because he likes that he is chubby.
Source: Newsen + krnloop
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Bada: “Korea’s Madonna”
May 12, 2008
Bada was able to capture the hearts of the Vietnamese when she attended and performed at the opening of the “Korean Film Festival in Vietnam” on May 8 at the National Convention Center in Hanoi.
According to Bada’s agency, around 100 fans waited for Bada, who arrived at 11 pm on May 7, at the airport, which surprised the former S.E.S member and her staff.
Before going up on stage for the opening of the event, Bada was introduced as “Korea’s Madonna” and first performed “Like a Virgin” and was followed by her own songs “VIP,” “Queen,” and “Find the Way” in front of 3,700 people in the audience.
Bada was last active as the lead in the musical “Notre Dame de Paris” and will release a new album soon.
Source: Hankooki + krnloop
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[size="4"]Vivian Hsu to act in Gavy N.J.’s music video
May 12, 2008
Taiwanese star Vivian Hsu is set to act in Gavy N.J.’s music video for its new song “Life.” The Taiwanese actress, singer and model arrived in Korea on the 12th and will film the music video on the 13th in an apartment somewhere in Dongdaemun, Seoul. It is going to be a one-day shoot as Vivian is to return to Taiwan the next day.
An official from Gavy N.J.’s agency revealed that in the music video, Vivian Hsu is to act as a woman who was betrayed in love.
The music video is going to be directed by Yang Jin Ho, who also directed Lee Juck’s “I’m Lucky,” Clazziquai’s “Come to Me” and Loveholic’s “Wind, Stop Blowing.”
Meanwhile, Gavy N.J.’s 3rd album is going to be released in online music sites on the 15th.
Source: Starnews + krnloop |
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Thanks to kdramafanusa at soompi.com for the highlight
May 14, 2008
Fashion Designer Andre Kim to Hold Fashion Show Series
Fashion designer Andre Kim will hold a series of benefit fashion shows, including one at the Deoksugung Palace in Seoul and at Cheongnamdae in Cheongwon, North Chungcheong province.
The designer announced on May 11 that he will hold a fashion show on May 26 at Cheongnamdae, a former country villa for Korean presidents, and invite the foreign diplomatic circle.
Organized by UNICEF Korea, the benefit fashion show will feature foreign diplomatic personnel, other dignitaries and celebrities on the runway donning Kim's elaborate collection.
Among the "diplomat models" are the Russian ambassador to Korea, the Israeli ambassador to Korea, the New Zealand ambassador to Korea, the French ambassador to Korea, the German ambassador to Korea, the Japanese ambassador to Korea, the Norwegian ambassador to Korea and the South African ambassador to Korea, along with their wives. Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister Yoo In-chon and the governor of the North Chungcheong province, along with his wife, will also walk the runway.
Actor Song Seung-hun and actress Kim Tae-hee have been chosen as the main models for the fashion show.
^ Actor Song Seung-hun, actress Kim Tae-hee [image=donga]
Ahead of the Cheongdamdae show, Kim will hold another fashion show at the Deoksugung Palace under the theme "Royal Palace" on May 16. Organized by LG Chemicals' home interior branch, Z-In, the show will feature top celebrities including actor Cho Min-ki and Koh Ju-won, taekwondo athlete Moon Dae-sung and Miss Universe Honey Lee.
On May 29th, the designer will hold a fashion show at the Incheon International Airport to celebrate the expansion of the airport.
Source: KBS Global |
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May 8, 2008
The Korean sector film looks abroad
By Mark Russell
SEOUL -- With South Korea's boxoffice down 5.5% in 2007 and another 9.4% so far in 2008, these are depressing times for Korean movie production houses. Layoffs are hitting all parts of the industry, and many companies are getting out of movie production altogether.
Mediaplex is shutting down its production division Motion 101, iHQ is returning to its core business of talent management, and Dyne Film is looking into options outside of filmmaking.
Korea's film industry has grown dramatically over the past 10 years -- from $207 million in 1996 to $1 billion last year -- but that growth has come at the cost of nearly constant upheaval. New production, distribution and sales companies have come and gone with chaotic regularity. CJ Entertainment, founded in 1996, is already one of the oldest. And CJ, while investing in many movies, has produced very few films of its own.
Cinema Service, once CJ Entertainment's biggest rival and now partly owned by CJ, is now a shadow of the size it was around the turn of the millennium. Mediaplex, the biggest player since Cinema Service declined, sold off its multiplex division to a consortium of investors led by Australian banking group Macquarie and closed Motion 101 at the end of April. MK Pictures, which was founded in 2004 by the filmmakers responsible for some of the most successful films in Korean history (1999's "Shiri," 2000's "JSA" and 2004's "Taegukgi"), closed its international sales office last year and eliminated most of its once-ambitious plans for diversification and expansion. Last summer, it was bought by cable network operator Gangwon Television Broadcasting. And the examples go on.
The crux of the problem, according to many industry observers, is too many movies. From 1995 to 2005, the number of productions was fairly stable, averaging 61.7 per year, but the average cost of a film soared from $1 million to $4.3 million (including P&A). Over the past couple of years, producers have put the brakes on rising costs, which fell to $3.8 million in 2007. In response, filmmakers produced 102 films in 2006. In 2007, that climbed again to 112.
The jump in new titles also came in part from new sources of funding, in particular the telecoms and stock markets, which bypassed the old financing routes. Production companies that went public in particular needed regular revenues to keep their shareholders happy, so they ramped up production.
As tough as times are for many Korean producers, the local industry still has its strengths. Last year was the worst showing for local films since 2003, but Korean-made films still accounted for more than 50% of the boxoffice. And overall attendance in 2007 was the second highest ever.
Many high-profile films are coming up in the second half of 2008, including Kim Ji-woon's eastern Western "The Good, the Bad, and the Weird," Kim Yu-jin's historical epic "The Divine Weapon" and Park Chan-wook's psychological thriller about vampires, "Thirst." As in most years, Korean distributors are staying away from May and June, when Hollywood's biggest blockbusters hit the market.
In the meantime, with the local market appearing saturated, at least for the time being, many companies are turning their attentions abroad in the search for growth. Unlike past years, when the focus was on preselling Korean titles abroad, Korean producers now have a greater interest in working more closely with their international partners. Mediaplex is one of the major investors in John Woo's "Red Cliff"; CJ Entertainment invested in Kirsten Sheridan's "August Rush";
Taewon Entertainment invested in "Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon"; and BOM Films invested in Peter Chan's "Warlords."
"You need to find ways to sustain your company globally," says Christopher Chang, head of media and contents at Mediaplex. "But the benefit needs to be on both sides. It only works if both companies understand their projects."
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/awards_festivals/cannes/features/e3i8f283e630ab13a59505ccc1b1e10cb63
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“Love is…” concert
May 13, 2008
Lee Ki Chan, Lee Soo Young and Tim are holding a musical-like concert entitled “Love Is…” on May 23 at the Jamsil Stadium.
For the said concert, “Ballad Queen” Lee Soo Young plans to invite handicapped children while Lee Ki Chan and Tim are expected to attract the female crowd who are in their teens and thirties.
Source: Joynews24 + krnloop
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Hyun Young: “I wear flat shoes to match Kim Jong Min’s height”
May 13, 2008
In yesterday’s episode of the KBS radio program “Kim Gu Ra and Lee Yoon Suk’s Ozinger,” Hyun Young revealed tidbits regarding her relationship with Koyote member Kim Jong Min. The two admitted that they are a couple in January of this year.
Hyun Young confessed, “We had out first kiss 3 months after we met. When I love, I only see all the good things about my boyfriend. I like him a lot now.”
The long-legged singer also added, “When I’m seeing Kim Jong Min, I wear flat shoes to match his height.”
When asked what she sees as Kim Jong Min’s bad side, Hyun Young said that her boyfriend has the habit of preaching her about life and teaching her how to go about with it.
Source: MK + krnloop
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Kil Gun makes a “shining” comeback
May 14, 2008
After a year out of the music scene, Kil Gun is back with her 3rd album entitled “Light of the World,” which is scheduled to be released on May 15.
The album jacket photoshoot was done in late April with the concept “light.” For the said shoot, Kil Gun was covered in gold body paint and wore a gold bikini, which showed off her curves. The shoot took 12 hours because of the body painting that completed Kim Gun’s look.
The album’s title track is called “Country of Sun, which has a brass punk band feel to it and was composed by Shinsadong Horaengi and Jun Hye Won and written by Wheesung. Shinsadong Horaengi arranged Jewelry’s hit song “One More Time.”
Meanwhile, Kil Gun is set to hold a 3rd album launching showcase on May 28 at Club NB2 in Hongdae.
Source: Newsen + krnloop |
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May 15, 2008
Idol Group Big Bang Tops Yearly Album Chart
The five-member idol group Big Bang once again nabbed the number one and two spots on a yearly music chart released by Hanteo.
According to the company, Big Bang's first album, which contains the group's hit song "Lies," took the number one spot with sales of 87,000 copies, while the group's second album with the hit song "Last Goodbye" took the number two spot with sales of 81,000 copies. Despite the ongoing slump in the album market, the sales of the two albums put together have exceeded 168,000 copies.
Big Bang's live album "The Great" took the 61th spot on the chart while its first studio album and first single reached the 39th and 96th spots, respectively. The top 100 chart included a total of five Big Bang albums.
Meanwhile, Big Bang recently completed its 'Global Warning Tour' concert in Wonju on May 10th. The group will continue with the concert tour in Daegu on May 24 and in Seoul from June 21 to 22.
Source: KBS Global
http://english.kbs.co.kr/entertainment/news/1523826_11858.html |
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May 15, 2008
SBS to Broadcast Live Coverage of 'Festa on Ice 2008'
SBS TV says it will broadcast the live coverage of 'Festa on Ice 2008,' which will be held at the Mokdong Ice Rink in Seoul on May 18 at 4:30 p.m.
Star figure skaters, including Kim Yeon-ah, will take part in the ice show which will feature men and women's single skating, pair skating and dance categories.
Daisuke Takahash of Japan and John Weir of the United States will perform in the male single skating event while Kim Yu-na, Kim Na-young and Shizuka Arakawa of Japan will take part in the women's single skating category.
Meanwhile, Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowi of Germany and Zhan Dang and Zhang Hao of China will perform in the pair skating category while Rachel Kirkland and Eric Radford of Canada will perform in the dance category.
Source: KBS Global
http://english.kbs.co.kr/entertainment/news/1524037_11858.html |
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Author
Post time 13-5-2008 12:39 AM
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