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Author: katt

Korean Entertainment News 2011

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 Author| Post time 22-4-2009 03:22 PM | Show all posts
April 20, 2009

The Musical Awards Honors Top Musicals  



The 3rd Musical Awards was held late Monday night to honor last year抯 top musicals in Korea. The best creative musical award went to 揟he 200lb Beauty,
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 Author| Post time 22-4-2009 06:23 PM | Show all posts
April 21, 2009

SeeYa抯 Nam Gyu-ri Out of the Group   



Female trio SeeYa is one member short now that its main vocal Nam Gyu-ri has left the team. SeeYa抯 management company, Core Contents Media, released a statement on Monday to explain that Nam has left the group despite the fact that she is still contracted for two more years. The agency says that Nam, Kim Yeon-ji and Lee Bo-ram had each signed a five-year exclusive contract with GM Planning (currently Mnet Media) in February 2006. But when GM was acquired by Mnet Media later in 2006, they had all signed three-year contracts and agreed to work the remaining two years with the CEO of Core Contents Media. The other two members are currently making their fourth album. Core Contents Media representative says that Nam is the only member, who refuses to abide by the two-year contract, and the agency is planning to take legal actions against Nam.

In the meantime, the agency has named Ji-yeon of the new quintet, T-ara, to replace Nam in SeeYa. Ji-yeon is currently a 10th grader attending Hyehwa Girls
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 Author| Post time 22-4-2009 06:24 PM | Show all posts
April 22, 2009

Yoo Hee-yeol Hosts a New Music Show  



Acclaimed musician Yoo Hee-yeol will host a new KBS music show titled 揧oo Hee-yeol抯 Sketchbook.
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 Author| Post time 22-4-2009 06:56 PM | Show all posts
April 22, 2009

Actress Kim Hye-soo Sells Artwork at SOAF



The proceeds from the fair have risen 15 percent

The Seoul Open Art Fair, which continued from April 14 to 19, is estimated to have seen an approximately 15 percent increase in sales from last year. The fair had drawn particular attention because stars such as Kim Hye-soo and Shim Eun-ha displayed their artworks along with other artists.

The SOAF organizer said on April 20 that sales increased an estimated W600 million from a year earlier to W4.6 billion, and the number of visitors almost doubled from 25,000 to 48,000.

A SOAF staffer said, 揥orks by young artists were especially popular at the fair. A collage work by actress Kim Hye-soo was also sold for W5 million. And an increase in the number of visitors reflects people抯 growing interest in art.
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 Author| Post time 22-4-2009 08:42 PM | Show all posts
April 22, 2009

Kim captivates Shanghai fashionistas

SHANGHAI -- Andre Kim presented his Spring/Summer 2010 collection in China's financial capital Wednesday, leading a batch of Korean designers who showed the global audience that Korea's fashion industry has not lost strength in the economic downturn.

Kim presented 146 pieces of his design to kick off "Preview in Shanghai 2009," an annual event organized by the Korean Federation of Textile Industries and sponsored by the Ministry of Knowledge Economy. His opening show took place in front of international fashion experts gathered at Shanghai Mart, a trade center in the heart of the city's business district.

The organizer, aiming to inform international buyers of trends in Korea's textile and apparel production, invited the celebrity designer for the sixth time this year., As Korea's top designer, Kim has been leading efforts since 2003 to help fashion industry players from both Korea and China build a stronger relationship through these trade events, plus his own fashion shows in Beijing, Qingdao and Wuxi.


Kim Jun and Jang Na-ra present Andre Kim's Spring/Summer 2010 looks in Shanghai yesterday
as part of "Preview in Shanghai 2009," an annual event organized by the Korean
Federation of Textile Industries. [Lee Sang-sub/The Korea Herald]


This year's show, which also marks 90 years since the inauguration of the Provisional Government of Korea in Shanghai, featured as main models Korean singer/actor Kim Jun and Jang Na-ra, an established Hallyu star in China. "I am extremely pleased and honored to present my fashion art collection for the opening show of 'Preview in Shanghai 2009' today. As a designer, I hope to contribute to expanding relations between fashion and textile industries of China and Korea," Kim said.

Spread over five stages, the iconic designer's 50-minute show featured the usual mixture of mysticism and grandeur. The first stage, entitled "Shanghai Dream Festival" began with female models clad in Chinese-style tops coupled with voluminous same-color bottoms, and ended with male models donning tight black suits with gold embroideries.

With star models strutting down the catwalk wearing figure-hugging jackets or billowy dresses, hundreds of spectators were dazzled by the audacious mixture of colors and styles. The second "Black Diamond Fantasy" presented a set of daywear with a black-and-white color scheme, followed by brighter tones, such as pink, yellow and emerald, forming a fine contrast with the previous garments.

In the next "Great Romance," Jang walked down the runway in a deep-red dress of beaded bodice and a chiffon skirt. Reaching the designer's signature climax, Jang and Kim stood with their foreheads touching. The fourth stage featured full-size overcoats draped around the models' figures with glimpses of form-fitting dresses inside, a reminder of the royal costumes of past Korean dynasties, befitting the title "Legend of Korean Kingdom."

The final stage of "Everlasting Love in Shangrila" was composed of wedding gowns and tuxedos, intended to portray the pure beauty that the designer has pursued during his near-half century career.

The 75-year-old designer appeared on stage and stood with the main models as the performance brought about ripples of applause from the audience. "It was more exciting to watch the show here than on TV. It helped me enjoy Kim's vibrant and rich culture selection that camera lenses cannot capture," said Han Joo-eun, a visiting businesswoman from Korea.

Kim's next overseas fashion show will be in Spain in July.

Credits: Ahn Hyo-lim/Korea Herald correspondent (iamhyol@heraldm.com) via koreaherald.co.kr
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 Author| Post time 22-4-2009 08:45 PM | Show all posts
News Index page 2

April 22, 2009: Korean Fans Create Singular Culture
April 22: S. Korean film 'Bimong' wins award in Brussels fantastic film fete
April 23: TVXQ's New Single Shines in Japan
April 22: Book-Writing Fever Sweeps the Nation / Cha In Pyo
April 23: Two indicted for spreading rumors about late actress / Choi Jin Sil
April 23: Stars Shoot to Promote Green Film Festival
April 23: Light-hearted romance joins weekend lineup / Brilliant Legacy
April 23: Epik High to go on world tour
April 23: 'Girlfriend' Prevails With Small, Tactful Jokes  
April 23: Actress Moon Donates Study Facility to Charity
April 24: Career on hold as actress lets baby take center stage / Wang Bit Na
April 23: Cannes unveils lineup
April 23: Lee Jung-hyun Ready to Come Back
April 24: 揟hirst
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 Author| Post time 22-4-2009 08:51 PM | Show all posts
April 22, 2009

Korean Fans Create Singular Culture

By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter



University student Kim did not start out as an avid fan of Korea's top male group TVXQ. In fact, she didn't like them at all. "They were different and it was hard to understand what they were going for at first," the 19-year-old student, who wished to be identified by her last name, told The Korea Times.

But now, she is one of the group's biggest fans, flying out eagerly to Japan to watch them perform at a concert.



If you happen to find a crowd of excited teens grouped somewhere taking photos, reaching out for a glance with arms full of presents, it means a star is within the vicinity.

In the late '90s, fans were more humble and passive; they would memorize lyrics, follow dance moves and dress up like their favorite stars. But now, they have become more systemized and active, from publishing advertisements on daily newspapers to donating money under the name of their singers and actors.

"The Internet has helped a great deal in what fans are doing now. Agencies don't need to give out additional information as they used to in the past. Fans are quick and efficient, thanks to the Internet," Jung Sang-hee, from SM Entertainment, one of the biggest agencies here, nesting groups like Girls' Generation and TVXQ, said.

Back when the Internet was not yet popular among the young, fans would call up the "mail box number" through which agencies would offer schedules and other information about the stars, while the staff of official fan clubs would call up every member to inform them of an event or special schedule.

"TVXQ has an official fan site, but that's not the only place where you can get information. Now, fans make their own, which are sometimes more effective and convenient," Kim said.

For avid fans, taking a photo or getting an autograph is nothing special. These fans are not afraid to spend their time, effort and money to heighten the image of their favorite celebrities. "We collect money and donate it to the poor under (the member's) name. We gave out kimbap and bottled water during candle-lit vigils last year. On the members' birthdays, we celebrate not only with the members, but also the whole crew working with them and preparing food and presents for them, too," Kim added.

Some enthusiastic fans go further and publish advertisements in newspaper dailies, celebrating birthdays, anniversaries and even bidding farewell to characters the stars play in television dramas or movies.



Overseas fans also deserve credit for their passionate affection for local singers and actors.

The "Counter Ban for Park Shin-yang" started to support Park, who was banned from appearing in dramas made by the Corea Drama Production Association, the home of many major production companies, last year. Park asked for 170 million won per day per additional episode of the drama "War of Money" in 2007, and when the producers failed to pay him, Park sued them.

The group has been holding campaigns and sending statements to related organizations and newspapers via e-mail, hoping to lift the ban altogether.

"We want people to know about his case because we need many to stand up for Park and show him support. Joining the "Counter Ban for Park Shin-yang" is just one way of showing support for (him). There are many other ways as well; we're just more vocal and forward," an organizer of the campaign told The Korea Times via e-mail.

Paulette Espiritu is one of the administrators of "Cloud Philippines," a fan club of entertainer Rain based in the Philippines. She initially didn't start out as a big fan of Rain, but little by little, she realized the potential of the Korean singer.

"I was never a fan of East Asian music prior to this and I thought K-pop was (cheesy). But when I heard Rain's voice and saw his dance moves, which could rival the dance artists in the West, it completely shattered all my previous notions about K-pop," she told The Korea Times via an e-mail interview.

Cloud Philippines was established in 2006, with more than 2,000 members helping to promote Rain, his projects and activities in the Philippines and also provide a unified home for his fans in the country.

"Whenever Rain releases a new album, movie or drama in the Philippines, we organize promotional activities such as poster distribution, fan awareness via text, email and website announcements, sending requests to radio stations and music video networks like MYX and MTV Philippines. We also try to connect with the companies involved to offer our assistance in whatever marketing activities they have planned for Rain. Lastly, we form tour groups and provide assistance in any way we can to those who are interested in attending his concerts and promotional activities in Korea and other countries," she said.

Why do fans carry out these activities? Are they just trying to get their stars to notice them, or hoping for more?

"We just want to create a better image of the singer to the public. There's no other objective. When we volunteer, we try to do it anonymously, not as someone's fan club, but just under the member's name. It's not about trying to show off our power as fans or just simply being noticed. We want others to like them too, simple as that," Kim said.

Agencies worked as fan club headquarters in the past, with long lines of fans waiting for announcements from managers and agency personnel in front of buildings. But now, they simply support fans with activities like fan meetings and cheering equipment like balloons and glow sticks for concerts.

"Each member (of Big Bang) has his own individual fan sites made by their fans. We also have 'fan managers' in charge of all the work related to fans, from fan meetings to events, and they're usually the busiest people in the agency," Hwang Min-hee from YG Entertainment told The Korea Times.

"We try not to pinpoint a certain fan or fan site. We don't want to favor anyone and start a competition among fans. But yes, we know perfectly well how much these fans are putting their time and effort, and we are grateful," Hwang added.

"(The stars) become your life when you first start, usually during high school. For some, it becomes the motivation for everything, from studying to losing weight. For me, it has become a hobby. Something I'm very passionate and enjoy doing it and am always eager to talk about it," Kim said.

"Of course, we want to be noticed by Rain. Who doesn't? At the same time, it is also our way of releasing stress from our daily activities. Organizing a fan club involves hard work, but we don't really feel the pressure because it's for Rain. We're doing this mainly for fun," Espiritu said.

Credits: sanghee@koreatimes.co.kr
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 Author| Post time 23-4-2009 11:11 AM | Show all posts
April 22, 2009

S. Korean film 'Bimong' wins award in Brussels fantastic film fete



BRUSSELS, April 22 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean film "Bimong" (Dream) has won the award for best film in a Brussels film festival, organizers said Wednesday.

Directed by Kim Ki-duk, "Bimong" received critical acclaim for its beauty on the screen and poetic symbolism, according to organizers of the Orbit competition of the 27th Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival, which run from April 9-21.

The film uses dream sequences and paradoxes in time to depict the love story of a young man and woman, and the grief left by their love.

The South Korean filmmaker also received the award for best film for "Seom" (The Island) in the international film competition of the festival in 2001.

The movie "Chujeokja" (The Chaser) by South Korean director Na Hong-jin won the festival's award for best thriller.

Source: yonhapnews.co.kr
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 Author| Post time 23-4-2009 11:22 AM | Show all posts
April 23, 2009

TVXQ's New Single Shines in Japan  


TVXQ

"Share The World/We Are," the 27th single album by Dong Bang Shin Gi, one of South Korea's top pop idol groups and also known as TVXQ, shot to the top in the single daily table of Japan's Oricon Charts upon being released Wednesday.

Yonhap News Agency estimated the number of the albums sold at more than 58,000, much more than the second-ranked single that stood at about 20,000.

TVXQ's latest single, which had put the image of summer above all things, has been taking top spot on the music request chart run by USEN, Japan's largest cable TV network, even before its release, according to Yonhap.

The album's flagship song also has been used as an opening piece for a popular animation now being broadcast over Fuji TV since earlier this month.

TVXQ is a South Korean boy band quintet consisting of Xiah, Micky, Hero, Max and U-know.

Credits: koreatimes.co.kr
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 Author| Post time 23-4-2009 01:43 PM | Show all posts
April 22, 2009

Book-Writing Fever Sweeps the Nation




Last Friday, April 17, a banner with the photo of actor-turned-writer Cha In-pyo was hung at the entrance of the underground caf
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 Author| Post time 23-4-2009 01:45 PM | Show all posts
The vocal leader Tablo of the hip-hop group Epik High published a book entitled Pieces of You a few years ago. It is a collection of 10 short essays set in New York. The book came into the spotlight when the American author Tobias Wolff, who taught the singer creative writing at Stanford University, raved about it.

Earlier this year, the idol group Big Bang抯 autobiography Shouting to the World sold 300-thousand copies in only two months. Here is Seung-ri, a member of the group.

We tried hard to be truthful and write what actually happened to us, rather than depicting the episodes in a dramatic way. Readers will realize how we overcame difficulties before our debut through the true stories included in the book.

The honest and emotional stories from the famous idol group helped readers see the singers as average people.

In the past, most people who published books were poets, novelists or professional writers. But the writers of the books published these days vary in ages and professions. Here is Oh Byeong-gon, the author of How to Write the First Book of My Life.

It抯 much easier to compose a book these days. People can easily collect opinions through on-line blogs and publish them. At the same time, people try to develop their own brand and wish to be recognized as professionals by writing books. Now, a regular person can easily publish a book based on their own experiences and interests.

Amateurs started to join the ranks of professional novelists thanks to the Internet. A well-organized travel journal on one抯 blog has been published as a travel book, and a netizen who predicted the financial outlook in the cyber world became a famous author of a book on the economy. Even some who抳e written reviews about music, movies, and books gained fame and became professionals in the field. Here is Oh again.

We are living in the 2.0 Web age which is characterized by participation and communication. The previous one-way information channel has developed into a form of two-way communications these days. Quite a lot of people have published books through their blogs. The personal stories on blogs that garner positive public response easily attract publishers. That抯 what抯 behind this recent book-writing fever.


More and more people are making efforts to improve their writing as more diverse ways to tell their personal stories are developed. To cater to the rising demand for instruction, some 15 books about improving writing skills have been published annually in the past few years. Courses on writing are being offered not only at professional institutions, but also in local community centers. Despite the expensive enrollment fees, the classes are drawing a crowd, and some unlikely students. Here is lecturer Kim Sang-cheon from Hangyeorye Educational and Cultural Center.

We can feel the book-writing boom these days. In addition to university students, many office workers are showing interest in the writing courses, demonstrating a change in the environment. As we live in a knowledge-based society, writing is becoming an essential part of life. I can also say that society is diversifying. People feel the need to write well in this environment where we have to pay respect, be considerate, and keep communicating with others.

Every Saturday afternoon from two o抍lock to four o抍lock, some 20 students are engrossed in the creative writing course held at the Hangyeorye Educational and Cultural Center. The students explain why they are attending these classes.

- Since I often have to do field work, I frequently have to write and express my opinion logically in reports. I used to have a hard time organizing my thoughts, but as I practice writing, I have become familiar with proper structure, and now feel confident about writing.
- I have my own Weblog and I抳e been writing on my own. But I enrolled in the course to learn some writing methods so that I can compose better. I took this opportunity to study a topic I抳e been thinking about. I hope to communicate with young people and write books about music. I want to write about popular music and life, or music and passion.


The lectures on writing are diverse, ranging from nonfiction works, such as biographies, to fictional writing like novels, poetry, essays and more. Students can pick a class that suits them and practice writing so they may someday publish a book incorporating their own personality. That抯 why the concept of actor Cha抯 debut novel is a like an adult fairy-tale; his fiction even included an original sound track with heartwarming visual imageries during the promotional period.

The song called 揢nder the Mother Star
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 Author| Post time 23-4-2009 02:17 PM | Show all posts
April 23, 2009

Two indicted for spreading rumors about late actress

SEOUL, April 23 (Yonhap) -- Prosecutors said Thursday they have indicted two Seoul residents without detention on charges of spreading false rumors that apparently led to the suicide of actress Choi Jin-sil in October last year.

The two -- a 35-year-old male employee of a securities company and a 25-year-old unemployed woman -- are accused of spreading allegations over the Internet holding Choi responsible for the September suicide of actor Ahn Jae-hwan by pressuring him to repay huge personal debts to her.



Choi, a fixture of Korean prime-time television dramas spanning more than two decades, killed herself at her southern Seoul apartment last October, prompting her family to claim her suicide was largely caused by the groundless online rumors.

The man is accused of receiving an Internet memo containing a rumor about Choi last September and relaying it to about 150 netizens, including the indicted woman who in turn posted the rumor on the bulletin board of her online community. The woman had also worked for a securities company in Seoul but quit after Choi's suicide.

Credits: odissy@yna.co.kr via yonhapnews.co.kr
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 Author| Post time 23-4-2009 02:32 PM | Show all posts
April 23, 2009

Stars Shoot to Promote Green Film Festival



Film stars and a musician have joined efforts to make a short video themed on a "green" lifestyle.

According to the Seoul Green Film Festival organizer on April 20, 揊amily Ties
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 Author| Post time 23-4-2009 06:16 PM | Show all posts
April 23, 2009

Light-hearted romance joins weekend lineup



Joining a string of fluffed-out fantasies like KBS' smash-hit "Boys Over Flowers" and MBC's "Cinderella Man," SBS' "Brilliant Legacy" treats weekend audiences to its take on the classic tale of a poor girl and her Prince Charming.

Devastated by her father's death and abandoned by a wicked stepmother, for a moment, it looks like the destitute heroine of the new Saturday and Sunday night series is fated to a Cinderella-esque destiny. That is, until, she suddenly inherits a legacy from the grandmother of her future Prince Charming. Not to mention, the prince of this tale is far from genteel.

Role reversal gives SBS' new series a refreshing levity that suits modern day society, where helpless heroines are no longer helpless and princes need to be rescued every now and then.

Played by singer and actor Lee Seung-gi, the hero of "Brilliant Legacy" is the spoiled grandson of a well-to-do family who finds himself cut off from his fortune. He is left to fend for himself while his future love interest inherits his legacy. "I am very nervous," said actor Lee at a press conference held on Tuesday. "This is the first time I am playing the lead, so, to be honest, I feel pressure."

"I play a character ... who initially believes that if he has money then he has everything," he added.

Having already risen to fame on the small screen through "1 Night 2 Days," a segment from the KBS reality-variety show "Happy Sunday," the 22-year-old actor will be starring opposite fellow MBC "Nonstop 5" cast member Han Hyo-joo. "Though we are the same age ... I thought, 'Wow, it would be wonderful to work with Hyo-joo,'" said Lee.

"You're telling the truth, right?" Joked co-star Han, who added, "My first impression of Seung-gi was that he was a very comfortable person."

Actress Han, who starred in the hit SBS series "Iljimae" (2008), is taking on the role of the spunky heroine, who, according to her, has a "courageous disposition." In the preview screening to the series, Han's heroine punches Lee's hero in the face, hinting at future displays of pluck and audacity. And with the ball in the heroine's court, it will be interesting to see how she and her hero reach their fairytale ending.

"Brilliant Legacy" airs tomorrow night at 10 p.m. on SBS.

By Jean Oh (oh_jean@heraldm.com)
http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/NEW ... 24/200904240024.asp
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 Author| Post time 23-4-2009 06:31 PM | Show all posts
April 23, 2009

Epik High to go on world tour

Newly independent Korean hip-hop band Epik High will kick off a world tour spanning Japan, Korea and the United States this Sunday. Promoting their new album, "Map the Soul" (2009), their indie label and their lineup, the intrepid band will start their tour in Kobe and will move through Tokyo and Seoul before heading on to the States.
Though Epik High is slated to hit America in mid-May, tickets for venues are selling fast.

"I think the Seattle show is sold-out, and our Korean show is more than 70 percent sold-out," said a representative of Epik High's independent label, Map the Soul, Inc. via e-mail. "The rest of the tickets have been doing well and have at minimum sold over 50 percent of capacity."

The hip-hop trio, having already established itself on Korean soil, recently won the Best Hip-Hop Award at the 2008 Mnet KM Music Festival.


Epik High (from left to right): Mithra, Tablo and DJ Tukutz/www.mapthesoul.com

Poised to cast a wider net, their latest album, which is bilingual to boot, features collaborations with Bay Area artist Kero One and one-man band MYK, also a Bay Area native. Both Kero One and MYK will be opening for Epik High on their "Map the Soul" World Tour, along with Beatbox DG.

Asian-American hip-hop crew Far East Movement -- whose songs were played on HBO's "Entourage" and the action flick "The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift" (2006) -- will be joining them on the American leg of their tour, with Battle MC Dumbfoundead set to host the Los Angeles show.

Far East Movement's electro-infused sound (check out their single "Girls On The Dance Floor" , Kero One's smooth rap -- he garnered accolades from rapper will.i.am -- and Epik High's message-spiked lyrics promise a diverse hip-hop lineup.

When asked why Epik High decided to go global, the representative of Map the Soul, Inc. answered: "Epik High has decided to go global to reach out to all of their fans. Through our YouTube account we were able to gain substantial geographic fan data ... In short, we realized we have a very international and diverse fan base outside of Korea and wanted to allow them the same opportunity as our Korean fans."

Sponsored by Verizon Wireless, Epik High's "Map the Soul" World Tour will commemorate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, which is celebrated in May in the States.

Seoulites can check out Tablo, DJ Tukutz and Mithra of Epik High on May 2, following their performances in Kobe and Tokyo.

Epik High will tour the States from May 15 to May 23.

For more information on venues, dates and tickets, visit www.mapthesoul.com

By Jean Oh (oh_jean@heraldm.com)
http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/NEW ... 24/200904240025.asp
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 Author| Post time 23-4-2009 06:36 PM | Show all posts
April 23, 2009

'Girlfriend' Prevails With Small, Tactful Jokes  

By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter


Actress Kim Ha-neul stars as a National Intelligence Service (NIS) agent
caught in a complicated romance with Kang Ji-hwan in Shin Tae-ra's buoyant
spy romance 揗y Girlfriend Isn抰 an Agent.
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 Author| Post time 23-4-2009 06:50 PM | Show all posts
April 23, 2009

Actress Moon Donates Study Facility to Charity

By Bae Ji-sook
Staff Reporter


Moon Geun-young

Actress Moon Geun-young Thursday said she will donate a building used as a "study room" for poor students to a charity group, saying that she will continue to support the facility.

Moon has been running Ttangkkeut Gongbubang (study room at the end of the land) since 2006 by letting a Protestant clergyman take care of the facility. She will donate it to the NGO "Good People" to give students a better environment in which to study. "I think everyone wants children to be happy and study well. I hope the students there continue their studies just as they've been doing," the actress said.

Moon financed the building of the study facility in 2006 when she heard that children in Haenam, South Jeolla Province, were on the verge of being driven out of the facility that pastor Bae Yo-seob and his wife Kim Hye-won had been running due to financial difficulties. Bae and Kim taught them school subjects and mentored them, and Moon donated 300 million won ($230,000) to buy the land, build a proper facility with a library, computer room, shower facility and a restaurant.

Moon originally planned to donate the building to Bae, but he turned it down, saying that he is an ordinary clergyman and cannot accept it on a personal level. He instead recommended the charity group to Moon.

Good People World Family is an international charity group of UN UCOSCO special consultative status aiming to improve self-sustainability and eradicate extreme poverty through restoration of self-esteem using the principles of human dignity and equality at a global level.

Credits: bjs@koreatimes.co.kr
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 Author| Post time 24-4-2009 10:08 AM | Show all posts
April 24, 2009

Career on hold as actress lets baby take center stage



Wang Bit-na gave birth to her first child Tuesday morning.

The popular TV star, best known for her appearances in SBS-TV's "Dear Heaven," and KBS-TV's "Hwangjini," tied the knot with professional golfer Jung Seung-woo two years ago.

Wang delivered a healthy baby boy weighing 3.5 kilograms (7.7 pounds). Although the baby was born two or three days later than expected, both Wang and the newborn are said to be in good shape.

But fans will be disappointed to hear that the actress will not be appearing on screen for quite some time to come. The 28-year-old is not planning to return to acting in the near future, according to her management company Pan Entertainment.

Source: joongangdaily.joins.com
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 Author| Post time 24-4-2009 10:24 AM | Show all posts
Credits to kdramafanusa for the CANNES update

Source: VARIETY

Posted: Thurs., Apr. 23, 2009, 3:30am PT



Cannes unveils lineup
Heavyweight auteurs vie for Palme d'Or

By JOHN HOPEWELL

PARIS -- It's official: Quentin Tarantino, Ang Lee and Pedro Almodovar will face off with Jane Campion, Ken Loach, Michael Haneke and Park Chan-wook in Cannes' biggest heavyweight auteur smackdown in recent years.

All have snagged Competition berths at next month's 62nd Cannes Festival, whose Official Selection was unveiled Thursday. This year's Competition is heavy on European fare but the lightest Yank presence since 2006. Asia makes a strong showing.
Cannes has given competition berths to Quentin Tarantino's World War II actioner "Inglourious Basterds," toplining Brad Pitt, and Lee's "Talking Woodstock," a comedic take on the legendary concert, with Liev Schreiber, Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Emile Hirsch.

Sam Raimi's feel-good horror movie, "Drag Me to Hell," already a highlight in an unfinished version at March's SXSW fest, scores a Midnight Screening slot. Terry Gilliam screens Out of Competition with "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus." Of other U.S. pics, Lee Daniel's "Precious" plays in Un Certain Regard.

Competition includes Almodovar's "Broken Embraces," Jane Campion's "Bright Star" and Ken Loach's "Looking for Eric." Amping up the auteur factor, Competition will also feature Lars von Trier's "Antichrist," Austrian Michael Haneke's "The White Ribbon," Isabel Coixet's "Map of the Sounds of Tokyo" and Italian Marco Bellocchio's "Vincere."

Confirming prognostications, Cannes Official Selection looks relatively light on U.S. fare this year. At a packed press conference in Paris' Grand Hotel, Fremaux, flanked by Cannes president Gilles Jacob, told journos Thursday that Hollywood WGA strike could have been responsible for the lighter U.S. presence.

As already announced, continuing its support for ground-breaking studio toon pics, fest opens with Pete Docter and Bob Peterson's Pixar movie "Up," the first time an animated film, let alone a Digital 3-D one, has kicked off Cannes.

Park Chan-wook's "Thirst" leads a strong Asian presence in Competition. He has joined by more Asian titles: Johnnie To's "Vengeance," Brillante Mendoza's "Kinatay" and "Face," a French-set extravaganza from the Taiwan-based maverick. China's Lou Ye ("Summer Palace") is back at Cannes with a reportedly torrid young love triangle tale, "Spring Fever."

Otherwise this year's Cannes Competition belongs largely to Europe.

Alain Resnais' "Les Herbes folles," Jacques Audiard's "A Prophet," Xavier Giannoli's "In the Beginning" and Gaspar Noe's "Enter the Void" fly the flag for France, which has one of its biggest Competish presences in recent years, especially if one includes co-production.

Competition is given spread by a sprinkling of newish directors such as Brit Andrea Arnold, who segues from acclaimed debut "Red Road" to teenage girl drama "Fish Tank," and Competition is rounded up by Palestine's Elia Suleiman, "The Time That Remains," a six-decade Palestine family saga.

Alejandro Amenabar's "Agora" snared an out-of-competition placing.
Cannes' 62nd edition closes May 24 with Jan Kounen's "Coco Chanel and Igor Stravinsky."
Cannes' Directors' Fortnight and Critics' Week will be fully announced Friday in Paris.

Elsa Keslassy contributed to this report.

CANNES FILM FESTIVAL

OPENER
"Up," U.S., Pete Docter, Bob Peterson

CLOSER
"Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky," France, Jan Kounen

IN COMPETITION
"Bright Star," Australia-U.K.-France, Jane Campion
"Spring Fever," China-France, Lou Ye
"Antichrist," Denmark-Sweden-France-Italy, Lars von Trier
"Enter the Void," France, Gaspar Noe
"Face," France-Taiwan-Netherlands-Belgium, Tsai Ming-liang
"Les Herbes folles," France-Italy, Alain Resnais
"In the Beginning," France, Xavier Giannoli
"A Prophet," France, Jacques Audiard
"The White Ribbon," Germany-Austria-France, Michael Haneke
"Vengeance," Hong Kong-France-U.S., Johnnie To
"The Time That Remains," Israel-France-Belgium-Italy, Elia Suleiman
"Vincere," Italy-France, Marco Bellocchio
"Kinatay," Philippines, Brillante Mendoza
"Thirst," South Korea-U.S., Park Chan-wook
"Broken Embraces," Spain, Pedro Almodovar
"Map of the Sounds of Tokyo," Spain, Isabel Coixet
"Fish Tank," U.K.-Netherlands, Andrea Arnold
"Looking for Eric," U.K.-France-Belgium-Italy, Ken Loach
"Inglourious Basterds," U.S., Quentin Tarantino
"Taking Woodstock," U.S., Ang Lee

OUT OF COMPETITION
"The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus," Canada-France, Terry Gilliam
"The Army of Crime," France, Robert Guediguian
"Agora," Spain, Alejandro Amenabar

MIDNIGHT SCREENINGS
"A Town Called Panic," Belgium, Stephane Aubier, Vincent Patar
"Ne te retourne pas," France-Belgium-Luxembourg-Italy, Marina de Van
"Drag Me to Hell," U.S., Sam Raimi

SPECIAL SCREENINGS
"Petition," China, Zhao Liang
"L'epine dans le coeur," France, Michel Gondry
"Min ye," France-Mali, Souleyumane Cisse
"Jaffa," Israel-France-Germany, Keren Yedaya
"Manila," Philippines, Adolfo Alix Jr., Raya Martin
"My Neighbor, My Killer," U.S., Anne Aghion

UN CERTAIN REGARD
"Samson & Delilah," Australia, Warwick Thornton
"Adrift," Brazil, Heitor Dhalia
"The Wind Journeys," Colombia, Ciro Guerra
"Demain des l'aube," France, Denis Dercourt
"Irene," France, Alain Cavalier
"Air Doll," Japan, Hirokazu Kore-eda
"Independance," Philippines-France-Germany, Raya Martin
"Le Pere de mes enfants," France-Germany, Mia Hansen-Love
"Dogtooth," Greece, Yorgos Lanthimos
"Nobody Knows About the Persian Cats," Iran, Bahman Ghobadi
"Eyes Wide Open," Israel, Haim Tabakman
"Mother," South Korea, Bong Joon-ho
"The Silent Army," Netherlands, Jean van de Velde
"To Die Like a Man," Portugal, Joao Pedro Rodrigues
"Police, Adjective," Romania, Corneliu Porumboiu
"Tales from the Golden Age," Romania, Hanno Hofer, Razvan Marculescu, Cristian Mungiu, Constantin Popescu, Ioana Uricaru
"Tale in the Darkness," Russia, Nikolay Khomeriki
"Tzar," Russia-France, Pavel Lounguine
"Nymph," Thailand, Pen-ek Ratanaruang
"Precious," U.S., Lee Daniels

FEATURE FILM JURY
Isabelle Huppert (president), actress, France
Asia Argento, actress, director, screenwriter, Italy
Nuri Bilge Ceylan, director, screenwriter, actor, Turkey
Lee Chang-dong, director, author, screenwriter, South Korea
James Gray, director, screenwriter, U.S.
Hanif Kureishi, author, screenwriter, U.K.
Shu Qi, actress, Taiwan
Robin Wright Penn, actress, U.S.

LA CINEFONDATION AND SHORT FILM JURY
John Boorman (president), director, author, producer, U.K.
Bertrand Bonello, director, France
Ferid Boughedir, director, Tunisia
Leonor Silveira, actress, Portugal
Zhang Ziyi, actress, China
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 Author| Post time 24-4-2009 02:05 PM | Show all posts
April 23, 2009

Lee Jung-hyun Ready to Come Back



Dynamic singer Lee Jung-hyun is ready to come back to the Korean music scene by releasing a mini album in mid-May. This is the first album to be rolled out in Korea in two years and seven months. The last of Lee抯 album was her sixth one released in October 2006.

Meanwhile, Lee has established a new management agency named Ava Entertainment after leaving her previous management company, Yedang Entertainment. The name 揂va
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