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May 16, 2008
It Rained on his US parade
Korean superstar suffers embarrassing boo-boos over his identity as debut Hollywood movie opens
By Chang May Choon
POOR Rain. The Korean superstar's foray into Hollywood movies is getting, well, rained on.
TNP Design: PRADIP Pictures: AP
So what if the singer-actor recently emerged second in Time magazine's online poll of 100 Most Influential People Of The Year? Or that he's been appearing in the hugely popular US comedy show, The Colbert Report?
Or that he was recently in Los Angeles to promote his Hollywood debut - the highly-anticipated action flick Speed Racer by the Wachowski brothers of The Matrix trilogy fame?
Despite all that, Rain, whose real name is Jung Ji Hoon, is still not as well-recognised outside of Asia as he may want to be. Through no fault of his, there were three recent boo-boos relating to his identity, which got his loyal fans fuming and protesting.
First, he was wrongly introduced as his character's name Taejo Togokhan when he walked the red carpet for the gala premiere of Speed Racer in Los Angeles on 26 Apr. The mistake carried over to some of the wire photos of him.
Korean newspaper The Chosun Ilbo noted that it was an 'embarrassing moment' for Rain, and that the name mix-up 'dampens' his Hollywood debut. Then, the UK movie website Den of Greek got his nationality mixed up.
It wrote: 'In a wise move by producer Joel Silver, Japanese pop megastar Rain appears as Taejo, a competing racer. The film will, undoubtedly, do well in Japan as a result.'
The website has since corrected the mistake - after fans screamed that 'Rain is Korean!' But the most glaring error yet is a photo mix-up in the latest issue of the US-based People magazine, which had named Rain as one of its Most Beautiful People last year.
This time, the actor-singer is featured in a short article headlined 'Speed Racer's Rain is... Ready To Make A Splash', but the accompanying photo published was that of his Korean-American co-star Karl Yune.
Popseoul forum protested with the posting 'Yo People magazine! We do not all look alike!', with netizens joining in to bash the magazine's 'totally unprofessional' slip-up. That's not all. Speed Racer crashed at the box office worldwide, after bad reviews. New York Post gave the 'adventurously awful' film half a star (out of four).
USA Today was slightly more generous - with a one-and-a-half star rating (also out of four) - but criticised the film for being too long for kids, too frenetic for adults, too predictable, and lacking liveliness.
The result?
Speed Racer, which reportedly cost US$120 million ($164 million) to make, got labelled a flop for grossing a mere US$20.2 million during its opening weekend, reported US-based Entertainment Weekly.
It also bombed in Europe due to 'bad buzz', raking in just US$715,061 in UK and US$386,000 in Italy over the weekend, reported entertainment news portal Variety.com.
SARCASM
As if that's not crushing enough, Rain also drew sarcasm in recent media reports.
Time magazine's online version Time.com didn't seem convinced of Rain's clout, nor did it approve of the star grooming his own successor, a Korean-American named Kevin Park. It wrote: 'At 25? That's either the smartest or the saddest thing ever.'
Meanwhile, Variety.com's Asia portal said that Rain looks like a 'manorexic' (anorexic man) in the photos released of him training for his next Hollywood project Ninja Assassin.
The same report also criticised Rain's decision to record a new version of Carl Douglas' 'horrible and horribly over-exposed' Kung Fu Fighting for the new animated film Kung Fu Panda, saying it was adding 'insult and injury' to his other setbacks in Hollywood.
That also includes the bad press and lawsuits over some last-minute cancellations during the US leg of Rain's concert world tour last year. One has to wonder, how is Rain coping with all the bad news in Hollywood so far?
After all, he was so pleased with his performance in Speed Racer that he said during his Hong Kong promotional tour that he would give himself full marks for his efforts.
But we wouldn't know, as the star has already flown to Germany after completing his Asia tour for Speed Racer, to continue to train for his new movie Ninja Assassin. Just this week, Rain posted new photos of his daily life in Berlin on his official website, showing off his bulging biceps and washboard abs.
He also posted a handwritten note last week to thank his fans for their unwavering support over the past six years. But despite recent setbacks in Hollywood, he doesn't seem ready to return to his fans back home.
He told China's Yangcheng Wanbao: 'I'm the sort who doesn't like to feel too comfortable. After trying one path, I'll feel like trying another path just to see what it's like. That's how I stay motivated always.'
No wonder he seems so determined to charge ahead in his attempt to break into Hollywood. 'If I stay in Asia, I can make more money and be more comfortable. But, whatever comes easily can also slip away easily.
'I don't want to stay in the same position forever. I want to step forward for new opportunities and to improve myself. This is my way of giving back to my fans, to make them feel proud of me.'
For one thing, Rain's wholehearted devotion to perfecting his supporting role of a two-faced car racer in Speed Racer has already impressed the producers so much that they decided use him again as their leading man in Ninja Assassin.
Details are still fuzzy, but Rain told The Chosun Ilbo that he will play a highly-skilled assassin, and not a ninja. He added that he has been training in martial arts for four months.
The film's producer Joel Silver, who also made Speed Racer, praised his new leading man's agility in a recent interview with movie portal IESB.net. 'I was watching Rain... and I said, 'This guy can do it (be)cause he's a great dancer and he moves incredibly well.' So we decided to go ahead and do it (film Ninja Assassin).'
Despite spending most of his time in the West, Rain is careful not to neglect his fans on this side of the world. He will meet his Japanese fans next month when Speed Racer opens in Japan, and a mega gathering with his Korean fans is being planned for July.
The dancing machine also revealed plans to record a new album later this year, and after that, to participate in a Korean drama or film production. 'Singing and acting will always be my biggest passions. Neither is more important than the other, and I'll never give up either one.'
Source: The Electric New Paper
http://newpaper.asia1.com.sg/show/story/0,4136,164838,00.html
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Eva to debut as a singer
May 14, 2008
Eva, who became popular as one of the ladies in the KBS2 talk show “Talk with Beauties,” is debuting soon as a singer.
Four songs are planned to be included in Eva’s single album and its title song is going to be a medium tempo one. The album will be released, at the earliest, by the end of May.
Source: YTN + krnloop
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Crown J and Seo In Young’s digital single
May 14, 2008
Last May 9, Crown J and Seo In Young released a digital single entitled “Too Much,” which also serves as the the two singers’ theme song in the MBC show “We’re Married,” where they act as a married couple.
“Too Much” is a song about a man and a woman who have different sets of values and although getting into a lot of quarrels, in the end, they still are much alike.
Source: Ilgan Sports + krnloop
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Ok Joo Hyun’s 3rd album, due this May!
May 14, 2008
Finally, after 4 years since her 2nd album “L`Ordeur Original” was released, Ok Joo Hyun is coming back with her 3rd album at the end of May.
Senior singers in the industry like Kim Hyun Chul and Yoon Jong Shin participated in this album as well as top composers like Kim Do Hon, Jo Young Soo and Brown Eyes’ Yoon Gun.
Ok Joo Hyun’s music video for her 3rd album’s title song was directed by Jo Soo Hyun, who also did the music video for MC Mong’s “Circus” and Jewelry’s “One More Time” and “Silence.” 35mm cameras, which are mainly used in movie production, were used for the filming of the music video.
Source: Segye + krnloop |
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Lee Hyo Ri on her “scandal partners”
May 14, 2008
Lee Hyo Ri confessed in last night’s “Sang Sang Plus Season 2″ the truth about rumors linking her to different celebrities.
She was first asked who among her “scandal partners” was the most absurd one and Lee Hyo Ri answered that it was the one with Shin Dong Yup and Park Soo Hong. She also added that the rest of the rumors were true.
Hearing her answer, Shin Jung Hwan made a follow-up question and said, “There were only two which are not true?” Hyo Ri then replied, “Those were the absurd cases. There were other rumors that were entirely true but there were also others that were partly true.
Lee Hyo Ri was then asked about the truth on rumors on her relationships with actors.
She answered, “I didn’t have one with an actor.” Then after saying that, she took it back and said “I did have one with an actor,” an answer that made the the the celebrities in the studio laugh.
Source: Hankyung + krnloop
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Brown Eyes soon to be back with 3rd album!
May 16, 2008
Brown Eyes is making a comeback after its members went separate ways in 2003. The group disbanded because of problems with its label and musical differences but after 5 years since the separation, Naul and Yoon Gun are releasing their 3rd album as Brown Eyes in late June.
Before enlisting in December 2007, Naul already worked on the album and now Yoon Gun is doing his share of the album work. Unfortunately, since Naul is currently fulfilling his compulsory military service as a community worker, there will be no television appearances or performances for Brown Eyes.
Flashback, Brown Eyes debuted in 2001 with “Already One Year,” which was a smash hit song. Although the R&B duo, known as the “singers without a face” did not appear on television, Brown Eyes gained popularity and was able to sell more than 600,000 copies for its 1st album. Brown Eyes’ 2nd album was also a hit and sold more than 600,000 copies as well. Sadly, in early 2003, Brown Eyes disbanded and Naul formed Brown Eyed Soul and Yoon Gun went solo.
Source: Edaily + krnloop
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Moon Ji Eun models for “KISS REPUBLIC”
May 17, 2008
In only after a month since her debut, rookie singer Moon Ji Eun has already landed an endorsement deal with underwear brand “KISS REPUBLIC/Mcorset” and also finished shooting an advertisement for it.
The shoot had three concepts that showed her in cute, sexy and naive poses. Although the shoot lasted for 10 hours, Moon Ji Eun managed to deliver her best.
According to Baek Eun Suk of Awesome advertising agency, Moon Ji Eun was deemed fit to become the model of “KISS REPUBLIC” because of he sexy body and cute face and she lives up to the brand’s image. Baek also added that as she is new to modeling, she was able to do various natural poses and expressions.
Source: Edaily + krnloop |
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Thanks to the highlight by kdramafanusa at soompi.com
May 13, 2008
From Kim Min-jeong to Kang Soo-yeon, Best 5 child actors
The futures of many child stars were generally depressing.
The childish image and the weight of the years were obstacles for child stars to become adult actors.
But even among them, there are stars who have succeeded in transforming into adults. The IS Entertainment Team has picked out the best 5 actors who started out as child stars.
The first is the heroine of "New Heart", Kim Min-jeong.
Kim Min-jeong, who's charm comes from her big eyes, debuted in 1990 when she was eight, with MBC Best Theater "Widow". In 1992, she received the 'Child Actor Award' from KBS, received the 'Youth Award' in 1998, and received much love for her smart acting. Her official change to adult acting came in 2005 with the drama "Fashion 70s" and in 2006 with the movie "Forbidden Quest".
Especially in "Forbidden Quest", she had a daring exposure scene, and fully separated from her innocent, childish image.
The second is Moon Geun-yeong, who is transforming from the nation's younger sister to everyone's sweetheart. When she was 12 in 1999, she debuted in the movie "On the Road" and played the younger version of Song Hye-kyo in KBS drama "Autumn in my Heart" in 2000.
She showed traditional images in "A Tale of Two Sisters", "My Little Bride", and "Innocent Steps". In 2006, she changed in "Love Me Not" but it failed to be a success. It seems she will undergo an official change in the drama "Painter of the Wind" to air later this year.
The third is 'Hip-hop boy' Yang Dong-geun.
He had been a regular child actor as much as Yoo Seung-ho but is now a 29-year-old adult actor. He adapted in the 2002 drama "Ruler of Your Own World" and 2003 movie "Wild Card". He is now showing his skill with loose and tough acting.
The fourth is the winner of the New Actor Award at the BaekSang Awards, Jang Geun-seok. He is 21 this year, and has been a child actor in historical dramas since he was young. And he is making soft landings as he tries to change into an adult actor with movies "Chakshin Ari Final" (2006) and "The Happy Life" (2007).
The last is Kang Soo-yeon. She is a child star that is always discussed with Ahn Seong-gi and Son Chang-min. Her official debut work was the movie "Blood Line" in 1979. She is now 42 and has 30 years of acting experience. Other child actors that have succeeded are Lee Min-woo, Song Hye-kyo, Ko Ah-ra, Noh Hee-ji, and Park Sin-hye.
Original Korean Article: ISPLUS 2008.05.13 07:32
English Translation Credit: HanCinema |
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Thanks to kdramafanusa at soompi.com for the highlight
May 16, 2008
'On Air |
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May 16, 2008
Crossing borders a tough sell
"Titanic" is about to be sunk again
By Scott Roxborough and Charles Masters
CANNES -- "Titanic" is about to be sunk again -- this time by a Frenchman.
Dany Boon's soft-hearted comedy "Bienvenue Chez Les Ch'tis" (Welcome to the Sticks) is poised to overtake the all-time French boxoffice record of 20.7 million admissions held by James Cameron's 1997 blockbuster. Pathe is flying the cast of "Ch'tis" down to Cannes for a triumphant red-carpet run next week.
The phenomenal success underlines the power local talent can have on home turf, but also points up a paradox. Despite the occasional efforts of international film fests to give local faves more exposure, it is rare that they are turned into true international phenoms.
"Boon's a purely French phenomenon," said Pathe chief Jerome Seydoux, who added that talks are underway for a U.S. remake of the surprise hit. "Boon himself is very funny in French, but he can't act in English and if there is an adaptation to be done, he wouldn't dosaiydoux continued.
But it's not just French, or even European stars that face this "big fish, small pond" quandary. Across the globe, local superstars you've never heard of rule the roost. Only a handful -- think South Korean pop phenom Rain ("Speed Racer") or Spanish stars Penelope Cruz and Antonio Banderas -- ever cross the border.
Comedy -- perhaps the most untranslatable genre -- is a common thread linking these local heroes. In Germany, the movie spoofs written, directed and starring funnyman Michael "Bully" Herbig are boxoffice gold -- the first three having sold more than 20 million tickets. In Spain, Santiago Segura has set sales records with his two "Torrente" films, which feature a politically incorrect Spanish cop. The musical-action-romantic comedy extravaganzas starring Bollywood megastar Shah Rukh Khan -- once described as the local boxoffice equivalent of Tom Hanks, Tom Cruise and Bruce Willis -- are guaranteed blockbusters in India. But none have emulated their stellar home numbers overseas.
This year's Cannes lineup also includes a few local megastars that draw nothing but blank looks abroad. Wim Wenders' In Competition title "The Palermo Shooting" stars Campino -- a stadium-packing punk rock star back in Germany who could stroll the Croisette unmolested. And Kim Jee-woon's "The Good, The Bad, The Weird" features Lee Byung-hun, arguably the hottest Korean actor of the moment.
While films from these local giants are unlikely to find a large international audience, the stars' regional boxoffice draw makes them attractive to Hollywood studios looking to deliver a truly global audience.
Lee Byung-hun already has been discovered by the Hollywood heavyweights, with a role in the new "G.I. Joe" film and Anh Hung Tran's Josh Hartnett starrer "I Come With the Rain." Asian boxoffice giant Chow Yun Fat was the name that helped pump up the Asian tally for "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End."
"Chow's involvement in 'At World's End' was an absolutely positive influence to the boxoffice results of the film," said Terry Yung of Hong Kong distributor Intercontinental. "A local star acting in a Hollywood production brings great publicity value. Not only are the local press more eager to write about the film, but audiences that usually stay away from Hollywood or foreign films are drawn to the film as well."
But for every Chow Yun Fat, Rain or Cruz, there is an army of Boons, Herbigs, Seguras and Khans that seemed destined to remain in their small, albeit well-gilded cages.
"Bully Herbig got a role in the latest Asterix film ('Asterix at the Olympic Games') but he played a mute because he's only funny in German," one Teutonic production exec said. "But what does he really care? He makes millions staying at home."
Pamela Rolfe, Karen Chu in Hong Kong, Mark Russell in Seoul and Nyay Bhushan in New Delhi contributed to this report.
Source: hollywoodreporter.com |
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Thanks to kdramafanusa at soompi.com for the highlight
May 17, 2008
Cannes
The Chaser
Chugyeogja (South Korea)
By JUSTIN CHANG
A Showbox Entertainment (in South Korea)/Haut e Court (in France) release of a Big House/Vantage Holdings presentation, in association with Showbox/Medialex, ISU Venture Capital, Hanhwa Venture Capital, Hancomm, Michigan Venture Capital, Daishin Venture Capital, of a Bidangil Pictures production. (International sales: Finecut, Seoul.) Produced by Sujin Kim, Yon In-beom. Executive producers, Cheong Eui-seok, Kim Sun-yong, Jhung Seung-koo. Co-executive producers, Kim Woo-taek, Jhe Min-ho, Park Jae-su, Park Joon-tae, Cho Il-hyung, Kang Tak-young, Chin Hee-moon.
Directed by Na Hong-jin. Screenplay, Na, Hong Won-chan, Lee Shin-ho.
With: Kim Yoon-suk, Ha Jung-woo, Seo Young-hee, Kim You-jung, Jeong In-gi, Choi Jung-woo, Min Kyoung-jin, Park Hyo-ju, Koo Bon-woong.
Possessed of the same bloody fatalism that pulses through many a Korean crimer, and topped by Kim Yoon-suk's star-making performance as a lowlife racing to save a woman's life, "The Chaser" is a grisly serial-killer thriller that develops into a howl of outrage at the ineptitude of the system. Drawing both white-knuckle tension and moral anguish from a maddening succession of red herrings and wrong turns, Na Hong-jin's overlong but accomplished debut feature has been a runaway hit at home, and should chase down plenty of offshore bookings before its eventual U.S. remake by Warner Bros.
As written by Na (with Hong Won-chan and Lee Shin-ho also receiving scripting credits), "The Chaser" is more interested in delivering pulp satisfactions than in launching a coherent attack on Korean political authority and law enforcement. Yet the real-world implications of this sweaty-palmed genre exercise -- in which the police thwart the cause of justice at almost every turn, forcing a lowly pimp to play the hero -- are unmistakable.
Jung-ho (Kim) used to be a detective himself before he started pimping, a line of work where casual brutality comes in handy more often than not. Annoyed that a number of his girls have vanished in recent weeks, Jung-ho sends one of his lovelier assets, single mom Mi-jin (Seo Young-hee), to service regular client Young-min (Ha Jung-woo) one night, only afterward deducing that the latter may be responsible for the girls' disappearances.
Even still, Jung-ho doesn't suspect murder. For auds, however, Young-min is outed as a total psycho pretty early on, in a squirm-inducing torture-chamber sequence that leaves Mi-jin grievously wounded. But before Young-min can finish the job, he's called away outside (in one of the pic's many instances of pitch-black comic distraction), only to run into Jung-ho, who beats him savagely before they're both arrested.
At the police station, Young-min readily and surprisingly owns up to his gruesome crimes, and Jung-ho sets out to find Mi-jin. "The Chaser" is less whodunit than wheredunit, perversely withholding the location of Young-min's home from everyone but the viewer, who gets to know Seoul's Mangwon district quite intimately as Jung-ho, his bumbling sidekick Meathead (Koo Bon-woong) and other cops run around it in infuriating circles.
False leads, matter-of-fact police corruption, an embarrassing (if hilarious) PR emergency involving the mayor and simple human error all hinder Jung-ho's mission; Na's basic points about institutional incompetence, and his inquiry about the ethics of vigilante justice, has resonances with Bong Joon-ho's "The Host" and "Memories of Murder," among other Korean chillers.
Fortunately, the helmer's accusations never turn petulant; nor does he let us forget who put Mi-jin in harm's way to begin with. One of the most impressive aspects of Kim's commandingly energetic performance is his ability to give Jung-ho a conscience without soft-pedaling the pimp's rough-around-the-edges venality. As his nemesis, Ha (also excellent in Gina Kim's very different "Never Forever") is chillingly blank.
Pulse-pounding third act expertly pushes the audience's buttons, to excruciatingly ironic and ultimately devastating effect. Pic does turn overwrought in the final stretch and would have been wise to end on an earlier note, though action fans won't mind.
Na directs with muscle and verve, more than fulfilling the genre's gore requirements yet, more importantly, giving the violence an uncomfortable intimacy. Tech package is excellent, from Lee Sung-je's agile widescreen lensing to the often grim interiors of Lee Min-bog's production design.
Camera (color, widescreen), Lee Sung-je; editor, Kim Sun-min; music, Kim Jun-seok, Choi Yong-rock; production designer, Lee Min-bog; sound (Dolby Digital), Kim Sin-yong; sound supervisor, Choi Tae-young; sound designers, Jo Ye-jin, Lee Dong-hwan; re-recording mixers, Choi Tae-young, Park Young-ki; visual effects supervisor, Cho Yong-seok; visual effects, MIX; martial arts director, Yoo Sang-seob; assistant director, Kim Kwon-tae. Reviewed at Cannes Film Festival (Midnight Screenings), May 16, 2008. Running time: 124 MIN.
Source: Variety - Sat., May 17, 2008, 2:57am PT |
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Thanks to the highlight by kdramafanusa at soompi.com
2008 Cannes Film Festival - "The Chaser" Photocall
May 17, 2008 - Palais des Festivals
Cannes, France
Na Hong-Jin, director (Center) with actors Kim Yoon-Suk (L) and Ha Jung-Woo attend the Chaser photocall at the Palais des Festivals during the 61st Cannes International Film Festival on May 17, 2008 in Cannes, France.
[ Last edited by katt at 18-5-2008 01:50 PM ] |
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Director Na Hong-Jin, actors Kim Yoon-Suk and Ha Jung-Woo attend the Chaser photocall at the Palais des Festivals during the 61st Cannes International Film Festival on May 17, 2008 in Cannes, France.
  
Source: Wireimage |
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May 15 2008
Classic Korean films re-released in Seoul
Several decades-old films from Korea will be re-released in Seoul this spring, as two of Korea's older movie theaters try to attract new audiences.
Hollywood Theater, located alongside the popular Insa-dong traditional shopping district, has recently devoted one of its screens to re-releases of classic Korean and international films. It is currently screening both Ben-Hur and the 1976 Korean film High School Joker by SEOK Rae-myeong. Well remembered by viewers in their forties now, High School Joker has attracted 366 viewers in limited screenings since its re-release.
Meanwhile, Dream Cinema in Seodaemun, the last old-style single screen theater in Korea, has agreed to co-host together with Hollywood Theater a special showcase of four classic Korean films from May 15 to June 19.
The four films, which will not be subtitled, include High School Joker; veteran director IM Kwon-taek's Surrogate Woman (1986), which won a Best Actress Award for KANG Su-yeon at the Venice International Film Festival; Madame Freedom '81 (1981), PARK Ho-tae's remake of the popular 1956 classic that was the highest grossing Korean film of 1981; and Robot Taekwon V, KIM Cheong-gi's 1975 animated classic that was re-released in a restored version last year to unexpectedly high box office results.
Outside of screenings at the Korean Film Archive, it is considered rare for classic Korean films to be revived in ordinary theaters or in retrospectives.
Credits: Darcy Paquet (KOFIC) |
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May 18, 2008
Myeongdong Theater Lures Shoppers, Foreigners
By Chung Ah-young
Staff Reporter
A scene from 揂 Dwarf Who Loved Snow White |
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Cannes market slimmer than usual
Dollar value struggling against high costs at fest
By SHARON SWART, PATRICK FRATER (May 17, 2008)
The one thing Cannes Market-goers agree on is that there are fewer people here this year.
Cannes feels lighter. Even on the usually jam-packed first Saturday of the confab, the Croisette is less crowded and at almost any given time there are seats available in restaurants and bars.
Execs point to the inclement weather, the astronomical prices charged around town and the weak dollar.
"The costs of coming to Cannes are having an effect on everyone; there are even fewer French producers of the kind that would come for a few days to hang out on the Grand Hotel terrace," said Nicolas Brigaud-Robert, co-chief of French seller Films Distribution.
The market for films is harder to read, but seems similarly diminished. Sellers can't agree whether there are fewer buyers or there's simply less walk-in trade.
Kathy Kim, co-head of sales at Korea's CJ Entertainment, said, "Our lineup is the best we've had at a market for several years, but we are not selling any more than last time. But then passing trade has been dropping for a couple of years."
The serious buyers, meanwhile, are coming to the market prepared and ready to buy. Several buyers polled said they were making precision strikes in the first few days of the market and some said they were going home as early as this weekend. Benelux distributors RCV, who are newly owned by Canada's Entertainment One, said they had targeted three films and were pretty much done by day 3 of the market.
CJ's Kim noted that buyers were focused on two of her titles in particular. In order to hit buyers who may not stay till the bitter end, company was mounting private screenings of its Official Selection film "The Good, the Bad, the Weird," ahead of Saturday's public screening.
But it's not just completed films that will see deals at this market. Prebuys are part of the mix again as well.
Diego Halabi of Sun, a pan-Latin American rights distrib that buys all rights for the 24 territories in the region, said, "We only buy all rights for all of Latin America and we can take the risk of prebuying. Sun pre-bought "Two Lovers" in Berlin and Soderbergh's Che project two years ago. Both are in Cannes' Competition this year.
Sebastian Darcyl, Halabi's TV partner in Buenos Aires-based Sun Distribution, explained, "We're very focused. We take calculated risks and can be efficient about who we want to be in business with."
"There is no underlying shortage of buyers," said Essential Entertainment topper Jere Hausfater. "There are multi-territory distributors, consortia and informal alliances, same as ever. But the days of multiple sales and packages are gone. There is no shortage of money either, but the money people are becoming really careful about who they ally themselves with and which projects they go with. They want more background checks, they want to know if the rights are really there, they want to know who and what they are dealing with."
"All the contraction going on in the (U.S.) business creates a certain apprehension and unease in the market. People are waiting for the next shoe or two to drop," Overture's Chris McGurk added.
There are plenty of local factors at play too. In some overseas territories weak DVD or TV sectors are removing ancillary market support for all-rights buyers. That may be the case in Russia, Brazil and Spain.
In others, the direction and strength of local production is inversely affecting demand for foreign acquisitions. Sellers cited Japan as a territory still plumbed by strong homegrown fare. And weakness at home has made Korea an aggressive new buyer. "I've heard some buyers are going crazy and offering three times asking prices, I wish they'd do that for my titles," Kim Seung-bum, CEO of Korea's Studio 2.0, said.
And while buyers from dollar territories are especially are hurting, Hausfater noted, "It is not about the currency, it is all about whether they want your movie."
Source: Variety.com
http://www.variety.com/index.asp?layout=festivals&jump=story&id=2505&articleid=VR1117985994 |
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May 16, 2008
Korean & Mongolian Stars to Perform at Ulaanbaatar
According to the Korean Foundation of International Cultural Exchange (KOFICE), the '2008 Korea-Mongolia Culture Festival' will be held outdoors on the afternoon of June 1st at the Sukhbaatar Square of Ulaanbaatar (Ulan Bator), the capital of Mongolia.
Korean singers such as Younha and Tae Jin-ah will be performing at the culture festival with the musicians of Mongolia.
Originally a request from the mayor of Ulaanbaatar, the '2008 Korea-Mongolia Culture Festival' will be co-hosted by KOFICE and the city of Ulaanbaatar. This will be the second such event following a similar production last year.
The list of Korean musicians include Younha, a singer popular in both Korea and Japan; trot singer Tae Jin-ah; tenor Im Woong-gyun; popera singer Rose Chang; and the traditional performance troupe 'Chunguhram Our Dance.'
From the Mongolian side, visitors will be able to listen and watch performances of the top musicians in Mongolian pop, rock, hip-hop and more, including the Mongolian alternative band Chon, hip-hop group Flash, and R&B artist Hayina.
KOFICE chairman Shin Hyun-taek stated, "This is the biggest joint Korea-Mongolia mainstream music event to date. We believe that this will bring our cultures closer together."
Source: http://english.kbs.co.kr/entertainment/news/1524369_11858.html |
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News Index PAGE 8
May 19, 2008: "Iron Man' still B.O. gold in Korea
May 18: Korean Dramas to Hit Middle East
May 19: Singer Bada and Culture Minister to Take Part in Walking Fundraiser
May 19: MBC Drama 'Coffee Prince' to Compete at Monte Carlo TV Fest
May 14: Kim Jang-hoon Appointed VANK Ambassador
May 16: Hot K-pop Singers to Return from Military Duty
May 15: Actor Ahn Sung-ki Receives Nikkei Asia prize
May 19: 'The Chaser' in Cannes
May 19: Cinema Bridges Korea, Vietnam
May 16: [Junior Herald] Yoona from Girls' Generation successfully debuts as actress
May 17: Son Dambi represented Korea in Nike event
May 17: Gummy: 揕oyalty over money |
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May 19, 2008
"Iron Man' still B.O. gold in Korea
Written by Dave McNary
"Iron Man" stayed golden at the foreign box office with $25.6 million at over 5,000 playdates in its third frame while "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian" launched powerfully with $21.7 million at 2,000 in a dozen markets. "Iron Man," which has now cumed $206 million internationally, posted impressive holdover biz with a decline of only 34% from its second frame. Top takes came from the U.K. with $3.7 million to lift the Brit cume past $25 million along with $2.2 million in Australia and $2 million in South Korea.
"Narnia," which won't move into most markets until June, opened 33% above the launch in comparable markets for predecessor "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe." It posted its biggest grosses in Mexico with $7.5 million, Russia with $5.6 million and South Korea with $3.5 million.
Fox's second frame of "What Happens Vegas" stayed solid as a counter-programming choice with $20 million at 4,200, declining only 20%. The romantic comedy's foreign cume has hit $55 million, led by $7 million in the U.K. and $6.7 million in Spain.
Source: http://www.varietyasiaonline.com/content/view/6125/ |
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Thanks to the highlight by kdramafanusa at soompi.com
May 18, 2008
Korean Dramas to Hit Middle East
By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter
A screen capture of the KBS drama "Autumn in My Heart.''
Korea TV will air Korean programs with dubbing services and subtitles
in English and Arabic in Middle East and North African countries. / Courtesy of Korea TV
Korea Global Media Group will launch "Korea TV,'' a "hallyu satellite broadcast,'' to spread Korean cultural contents throughout the Middle East and North Africa this coming July. The broadcaster will be the first private media group to advance into the area.
More than 300 million locals in 27 countries will have access to a number of Korean programs from major broadcasts; including dramas, documentaries and even Korean language programs. All programs will have subtitles or dubbing services in either English or Arabic.
"Middle Easterners and North Africans are actually very similar to Koreans. They cherish family values and also enjoy love stories. As a result, many of the programs are about these themes,'' Lee Kyu-chung, the president of Korea Global Media Group and Korea TV, told The Korea Times.
The group recently signed a contract with Nilesat103, Egypt's state-run satellite
broadcast company, and will expand their services at one of the nation's biggest media centers, Egyptian Media Production City.
Lee explained that he turned specifically toward the Middle East and North African nations for various reasons.
"The Middle East especially was always reflected as a `closed' area. But with satellites and the Internet roaming through the lives (of the locals), we thought television would be the best way to introduce Korean culture,'' he said.
The fact that locals enjoy watching television, rather than spending time outside of their homes, was another reason.
"It is true that some places are still under restraints and cannot go out of their homes freely, so many stay at home and watch television,'' said Lee.
The company successfully introduced Korean programs to the Middle East in 2005.
"We found out during that period that locals were fond of love stories like `Winter Sonata (2002)','' said Lee.
But as the perspective toward women, and of women themselves, started to change in recent years, the preferred programs have changed too.
"More women in these rather conservative countries have started working, and this has led the public to turn to programs that depict success stories,'' Lee explained.
A clear example was the high popularity of "Jewel in the Palace (2003),'' which was also a big hit in Korea, depicting the life of a young woman who made her way to success during the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910).
Lee mentioned that Korea TV will not only broadcast Korean programs, but also try to bring the Koreans and locals close together.
"When you look carefully, there are many similarities ― emotionally and culturally. We hope to bridge the gap between the two countries and introduce our culture to them through television,'' he said.
sanghee@koreatimes.co.kr
Source: The Korea Times |
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May 19, 2008
Singer Bada and Culture Minister to Take Part in Walking Fundraiser
Singer and musical actress Bada will take part in a fundraising walking event with Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister and actor Choi Bul-am.
Bada will participate in the first annual "Walking Fundraiser for Multicultural Families" that will take place at the Seoul Olympic Park on June 17 as a publicity envoy. First Lady Kim Yoon-ok will be the honorary chair while actor Choi Bul-am will be the chair of the event.
The fundraiser has been organized by five organizations that help multicultural families and children in a bid to raise awareness of foreign immigrants and immigrant laborers in Korea.
Participants will select their supporters to donate money based on the distance of the walk. Supporters will donate the money after the participants successfully complete the walk.
Source: http://english.kbs.co.kr/entertainment/news/1524691_11858.html |
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May 19, 2008
MBC Drama 'Coffee Prince' to Compete at Monte Carlo TV Fest
The KBS drama series 'Hanseongbyeolgok' and MBC drama series 'Coffee Prince' will compete at the 48th annual Monte Carlo TV Festival.
According to KBS and MBC, 'The Ball Shot by a Dwarf' will compete in the TV film category while 'Hanseongbyeolgok' will compete in the TV mini-series category.
Meanwhile, the MBS TV drama series 'Coffee Prince' and the "Hankook Tire Mystery" episode of 'Sisa Magazine 2580' will compete in the TV series (comedy) category and the news documentary category, respectively.
The Monte Carlo TV Festival will be held in Monte Carlo, Monaco, from June 8 to June 12.
Source: KBS Global
http://english.kbs.co.kr/entertainment/news/1524722_11858.html |
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Author
Post time 16-5-2008 11:25 PM
