Korean Drama

[bag.lover]

========================================
(source: Yonhap News)
S. Koreans in shock over actor's link to Sydney stabbing


Actor Lee Dong-gun [image=starnews/chosun]

SEOUL, March 21 (Yonhap) -- South Koreans were stunned on Friday when they learned that the brother of a top local actor was killed in an apparently gang-related crime that took place in Sydney earlier this week.

Australian press reported that a 19-year-old South Korean man died on Thursday after being stabbed by two men believed to be members of an Asian crime ring. A 20-year-old friend of his was also attacked and is in a critical condition.

The midnight incident was captured on a number of surveillance cameras in downtown Sydney, the reports said. The two suspects were charged with murder.

South Korean police said Friday that the victim who died in the crime was the younger brother of Lee Dong-gun, a 27-year-old South Korean actor who commands great popularity here and throughout Asia from starring in a number of hit movies and television dramas. Such South Korean works are widely distributed in the region.

Lee and his parents hastily departed for Australia on Thursday, according to his aide in the entertainment business.

samkim@yna.co.kr
(END)

-----
(source: The Sydney Morning Herald)
Murdered man was actor's brother

March 22, 2008 - 3:59PM


South Korean actor Lee Dong-gun poses in this promotional poster for a movie.

A South Korean student who was fatally stabbed in an attack in Sydney earlier this week was the brother of a top local actor, police in Seoul said today.

South Koreans were stunned to learn that the victim was the brother of Lee Dong-Gun, a popular actor, with internet sites flooded with messages of condolences from Lee's adoring fans.

Lee's 19-year-old brother died in the attack in the city centre in the early hours of Thursday morning.

Two men were later charged with the murder, as well serious wounding of a 20-year-old man, who was a freind of Lee's brother.

The friend remained in hospital with a serious stab wound to his upper body.

Lee's brother and his friend were both studying in Sydney.

Lee, 28, and his parents flew into Sydney on Thursday.

They broke down in tears after being told by Sydney police that the brother had died, news reports in Seoul said.

"He loved his brother so much. He was very proud of him. Whenever the brother returned home for vacations, he spent most of his time with the brother," an unidentified friend of Lee's was quoted as saying by Go News, an internet news provider.

Lee is one of the most popular South Korean actors and has starred in a number of hit movies and television dramas.

NSW police said the two South Korean students were attacked after an argument between them and a group of men near the World Square shopping centre, on the corner of Pitt and Liverpool streets, about 1am (AEDT) on Thursday.

The two men charged over the attack, 18-year-olds Michael Lee and Ivan Wong, both of Carlingford in Sydney's north-west, appeared in Parramatta Bail Court yesterday via videolink.

They faced charges of murder, causing wounding or grievous bodily harm to a person with intent to murder, and common assault.

Neither applied for bail and it was formally refused.

Both are due to reappear at Central Local Court on March 25 for mention.

AAP/AFP

This story was found at: http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2008/...602715099.html

========================================

[bag.lover]

========================================
(source: VARIETY)
CEC puts coin into 'Laundry Warrior'
Bosworth, Rush star in Lee Sngmoo action film

By PATRICK FRATER

HONG KONG -- City Group affil Continental Entertainment Capital has provided single-picture financing to fantasy actioner "The Laundry Warrior."

By first-time Korean helmer Lee Sngmoo, pic headlines Korean superstar Jang Dong-gun, Geoffrey Rush, Kate Bosworth and Tony Cox. Barrie Osborne, Michael Peyser and Lee Jooick produced. Kathy Morgan Intl. is selling international territories.

Pic wrapped this month after lensing in New Zealand, where Weta Digital assisted with action effects shots.

Budget, according to the CEC, is $47 million. The U.K.'s Footprint Investment Fund provided earlier bridge financing.

Posted: Thurs., Mar. 20, 2008, 5:44pm PT

---
(source: THE Hollywood REPORTER)
Continental goes into 'Laundry' business
By Mark Russell

March 20, 2008

SEOUL -- Specialty finance and investment company Continental Entertainment Capital on Wednesday said it is investing in the $47 million Korea-U.S. co-production "The Laundry Warrior."

The film recently wrapped principal photography in New Zealand. It is produced by Barrie Osborne ("Lord of the Rings"), Michael Peyser ("Ruthless People") and Lee Joo-ick ("Seven Swords") for their Sad Flutes production shingle.

The film's total production capital comes from a combination of CEC and third-party equity.

"We believe there is a strong crossover appeal for this film," Jeffrey Andrick, CEC managing director, said in a statement released at the Hong Kong Filmart.

Written and directed by first-time filmmaker Lee Sngmoo, "The Laundry Warrior" is the story of an Asian warrior who hides in the American badlands.

"It starts with a remarkable story and when you factor in marquee producers and a cast that includes Geoffrey Rush, Kate Bosworth and Jang Dong-gun, you have a film as promising as any other out there," Andrick said.

Launched in April 2007, CEC is a subsidiary of Continental Entertainment Group.

Kathy Morgan International is selling international territories while Osborne and Peyser are handling North American distribution rights.

========================================

[bag.lover]

"Fate" Seoul Premiere
March 17, 2008
Seoul, South Korea
http://www.wireimage.com/SearchResul...&sfld=C&vwmd=e

Need to login for bigger pics

[bag.lover]

========================================
(source: CHOSUN Mar.24,2008 08:06 KST)
A Whole New ‘Destiny’ for Song Seung-hun


A poster for ‘Destiny.’

Song Seung-hun used to play sweet, gentle parts, mainly in sad melodramas that squeezed copious tears from his women fans. But in his first work after being discharged from the military, Song is reborn as an explosive, wild and tough guy. He stars in the gangster movie "Destiny" with Kwon Sang-woo and Ji Sung. The movie was sold to Japan for US$2 million last year, even before production had been completed. And more than 30 percent of tickets for the movie are booked even before its release, such is the curiosity about the film.

Song plays Woomin, a gangster who enjoys the trust of his boss and colleagues. "I thought hard about my first work after the discharge. I chose ‘Destiny’ in the end because I wanted to change my gentle image. My family and friends were against my decision, but I wanted a completely new, wild and masculine image, because I’m returning after a long break. So while I was thinking about my new image, I read the ‘Destiny’ screenplay and heard that director Kim Hae-gon would make the movie."

"Woomin is rough and tough. But he is human. I liked his character and sentiments and decided to play the part. I hope people will say, 'Song Seung-hun is not what he used be. He is a real wild, tough guy.'"

The most difficult thing was repressing his emotions while playing Woomin, Song says. “At first, I thought I understood Woomin best and had some different views from the director. But later I came to understand why he asked me to restrain my emotions." He added, "I watched the completed movie for the first time today. I am satisfied."

(englishnews@chosun.com )

========================================

[bag.lover]

DAILY TV RATING [SUNDAY 2008.03.23]


*** TNS Media Research ***

RANK / TITLE / NETWORK / NATIONWIDE / SEOUL

1. Angry Mom <엄마가뿔났다> / Mom's Dead Upset (E) (KBS2) - 28.2%, 29.1%
<Saturday/Sunday 7:55pm>
2. I Am Happy <행복합니다> (SBS) - 27.0%, 27.8%
<Saturday/Sunday 8:45pm>
3. First Wives Club <조강지처클럽> / The First Wives Club (E) (SBS) - 25.6%, 26.9%
<Saturday/Sunday 9:45pm>
4. Happy Sunday 해피선데이 (KBS2) - 17.8%, 18.6%
5. King Sejong <대왕세종> / The Great King Sejong (E) (KBS1) - 17.4%, 16.0% (#7)
<Saturday/Sunday 9:30pm>
6. Gag Concert 개그콘서트 (KBS2) - 16.9%, 18.1% (#5)
7. Unmatched Beauty Park Jung Geum <천하일색박정금> / Park Jung-geum, Heavenly Beauty (E) (MBC) - 16.7%, 17.8% (#6)
<Saturday/Sunday 7:55pm>
13. The Last Scandal Of My Life <내생애마지막스캔들> / Last Scandal (E) (MBC) - 14.5%, 15.2% (#8)
<Saturday/Sunday 9:40pm>
17. On Air <온에어> rerun (SBS) - 11.3%, 11.6% (#15)
<Wednesday/Thursday 9:55pm>
19. Angry Mom <엄마가뿔났다> / Mom's Dead Upset (E) rerun (KBS2) - 11.1%, 11.3% (#16)
<Saturday/Sunday 7:55pm>
Yi San <이산> / Lee San, Wind Of The Palace (E) (MBC) - % (Below_Top_20), 11.1% (#17)
<Monday/Tuesday 9:55pm>


*** AGB Nielsen Media Research ***

RANK / TITLE / NETWORK / NATIONWIDE / SEOUL

1. Angry Mom <엄마가뿔났다> / Mom's Dead Upset (E) (KBS2) - 29.2%, 30.0%
<Saturday/Sunday 7:55pm>
2. I Am Happy <행복합니다> (SBS) - 25.5%, 26.6% (#3)
<Saturday/Sunday 8:45pm>
3. First Wives Club <조강지처클럽> / The First Wives Club (E) (SBS) - 24.2%, 26.9% (#2)
<Saturday/Sunday 9:45pm>
4. King Sejong <대왕세종> / The Great King Sejong (E) (KBS1) - 19.8%, 19.7%
<Saturday/Sunday 9:30pm>
6. Gag Concert 개그콘서트 (KBS2) - 17.4%, 17.8%
7. Unmatched Beauty Park Jung Geum <천하일색박정금> / Park Jung-geum, Heavenly Beauty (E) (MBC) - 17.3%, 17.8%
<Saturday/Sunday 7:55pm>
8. Happy Sunday 해피선데이 (KBS2) - 17.0%, 17.3%
9. The Last Scandal Of My Life <내생애마지막스캔들> / Last Scandal (E) (MBC) - 15.5%, 15.8%
<Saturday/Sunday 9:40pm>

[bag.lover]

WEEKLY TV RATING [2008.03.17 ~ 2008.03.23]


*** TNS Media Research ***

RANK / TITLE / NETWORK / NATIONWIDE / SEOUL

1. I Hate You But It's Fine <미우나고우나> / Likable Or Not (E) (KBS1) - 39.7%, 39.0%
<Monday-Friday 8:25pm>
2. Yi San <이산> / Lee San, Wind Of The Palace (E) (MBC) - 29.1%, 31.7%
<Monday/Tuesday 9:55pm>
3. Angry Mom <엄마가뿔났다> / Mom's Dead Upset (E) (KBS2) - 25.4%, 25.9%
<Saturday/Sunday 7:55pm>
4. First Wives Club <조강지처클럽> / The First Wives Club (E) (SBS) - 24.2%, 25.7%
<Saturday/Sunday 9:45pm>
5. I Am Happy <행복합니다> (SBS) - 24.0%, 24.8%
<Saturday/Sunday 8:45pm>
6. Even So Love <그래도좋아> / Heart Of Destiny (E) (MBC) - 22.2%, 22.2% (#7)
<Monday-Friday 7:50am>
7. Infinite Challenge 무한도전 (MBC) - 21.7%, 22.7% (#6)
<Saturday>
8. Ah Hyeon Dong's Madam <아현동마님> / Opposites Attract (E) (MBC) - 21.0%, 21.6%
<Monday-Friday 7:45pm>
10. Happy Together 해피투게더 (KBS2) - 19.9%, 21.1% (#9)
<Thursday>
11. Happy Sunday 해피선데이 (KBS2) - 17.8%, 18.6%
<Sunday>
12. On Air <온에어> (SBS) - 17.4%, 18.2%
<Wednesday/Thursday 9:55pm>
13. Gag Concert 개그콘서트 (KBS2) - 16.9%, 18.1%
14. King Sejong <대왕세종> / The Great King Sejong (E) (KBS1) - 16.7%, 15.5% (#15)
<Saturday/Sunday 9:30pm>
15. Unmatched Beauty Park Jung Geum <천하일색박정금> / Park Jung-geum, Heavenly Beauty (E) (MBC) - 16.5%, 17.1% (#14)
<Saturday/Sunday 7:55pm>
17. King And I <왕과나> / King And I (E) (SBS) - 14.9%, 14.4% (#18)
<Monday/Tuesday 9:55pm>
18. Hong Gil Dong <쾌도홍길동> / Hong Gil-dong, The Hero (E) (KBS2) - 14.4%, 14.4% (#17)
<Wednesday/Thursday 9:55pm>
The Last Scandal Of My Life <내생애마지막스캔들> / Last Scandal (E) (MBC) - % (Below_Top_20), 13.8% (#19)
<Saturday/Sunday 9:40pm>


*** AGB Nielsen Media Research ***

RANK / TITLE / NETWORK / NATIONWIDE / SEOUL

1. I Hate You But It's Fine <미우나고우나> / Likable Or Not (E) (KBS1) - 39.1%, 38.4%
<Monday-Friday 8:25pm>
2. Yi San <이산> / Lee San, Wind Of The Palace (E) (MBC) - 28.1%, 31.3%
<Monday/Tuesday 9:55pm>
3. Angry Mom <엄마가뿔났다> / Mom's Dead Upset (E) (KBS2) - 26.6%, 26.9%
<Saturday/Sunday 7:55pm>
4. I Am Happy <행복합니다> (SBS) - 23.9%, 25.0% (#5)
<Saturday/Sunday 8:45pm>
5. First Wives Club <조강지처클럽> / The First Wives Club (E) (SBS) - 23.8%, 26.1% (#4)
<Saturday/Sunday 9:45pm>
7. Even So Love <그래도좋아> / Heart Of Destiny (E) (MBC) - 21.5%, 22.5%
<Monday-Friday 7:50am>
8. Infinite Challenge 무한도전 (MBC) - 20.9%, 21.1%
<Saturday>
9. Ah Hyeon Dong's Madam <아현동마님> / Opposites Attract (E) (MBC) - 20.0%, 20.5%
<Monday-Friday 7:45pm>
10. King Sejong <대왕세종> / The Great King Sejong (E) (KBS1) - 18.8%, 18.7%
<Saturday/Sunday 9:30pm>
11. Gag Concert 개그콘서트 (KBS2) - 17.4%, 17.8% (#12)
12. Happy Together 해피투게더 (KBS2) - 17.1%, 18.7% (#10)
<Thursday>
13. Happy Sunday 해피선데이 (KBS2) - 17.0%, 17.3% (#14)
<Sunday>
13. Unmatched Beauty Park Jung Geum <천하일색박정금> / Park Jung-geum, Heavenly Beauty (E) (MBC) - 17.0%, 17.7% (#13)
<Saturday/Sunday 7:55pm>
15. On Air <온에어> (SBS) - 16.3%, 16.7%
<Wednesday/Thursday 9:55pm>
17. King And I <왕과나> / King And I (E) (SBS) - 14.9%, 14.8% (#18)
<Monday/Tuesday 9:55pm>
19. Hong Gil Dong <쾌도홍길동> / Hong Gil-dong, The Hero (E) (KBS2) - 14.4%, 14.9% (#17)
<Wednesday/Thursday 9:55pm>
20. The Last Scandal Of My Life <내생애마지막스캔들> / Last Scandal (E) (MBC) - 14.3%, 14.7%
<Saturday/Sunday 9:40pm>

[bag.lover]

Box Office [Friday 2008.03.21 ~ Sunday 2008.03.23]

1. Fate (South Korea)
3-day Adm / Total Adm : 277,102 / 345,589
Gross / Total Gross (won) : 1,883,420,000 / 2,291,447,500
Screen : 334
Opening Date : 2008/03/20
Director : Kim Hae-gon
Main Cast : Song Seung-heon, Kwon Sang-woo, Kim In-kwon, Park Han-byeol, Ji Seong

2. 10,000 BC (U.S.)
3-day Adm / Total Adm : 188,764 / 840,553
Gross / Total Gross (won) : 1,240,749,500 / 5,511,935,000
Screen : 327
Opening Date : 2008/03/13
Director : Roland Emmerich
Main Cast : Steven Strait, Camilla Belle, Marco Khanlian, Cliff Curtis, Nathanael Baring, Timothy Barlow

3. The Chaser (South Korea)
3-day Adm / Total Adm : 176,324 / 4,374,627
Gross / Total Gross (won) : 1,204,664,500 / 29,323,667,000
Screen : 310
Opening Date : 2008/02/14
Director : Na Hong-jin
Main Cast : Kim Yoon-seok, Ha Jeong-woo, Seo Yeong-hee

4. Step Up 2 The Streets (U.S.)
3-day Adm / Total Adm : 174,620 / 641,589
Gross / Total Gross (won) : 1,154,689,500 / 4,209,707,500
Screen : 252
Opening Date : 2008/03/13
Director : Jon Chu
Main Cast : Briana Evigan, Adam G. Sevani, Mari Koda, Cassie , Telisha Shaw

5. The Other Boleyn Girl (U.K.)
3-day Adm / Total Adm : 97,780 / 115,636
Gross / Total Gross (won) : 672,722,500 / 775,835,500
Screen : 127
Opening Date : 2008/03/20
Director : Justin Chadwick
Main Cast : Natalie Portman, Eric Bana, Scarlett Johansson, Tiffany Freisberg, Eddie Redmayne

6. Vantage Point (U.S.)
3-day Adm / Total Adm : 39,175 / 977,477
Gross / Total Gross (won) : 259,667,500 / 6,410,910,000
Screen : 150
Opening Date : 2008/02/28
Director : Pete Travis
Main Cast : Dennis Quaid, Matthew Fox, Forest Whitaker, Sigourney Weaver, William Hurt, Edgar Ramirez, Zoe Saldana

7. BA:BO (South Korea)
3-day Adm / Total Adm : 37,108 / 939,521
Gross / Total Gross (won) : 237,268,000 / 6,081,229,000
Screen : 158
Opening Date : 2008/02/28
Director : Kim Jeong-kwon
Main Cast : Cha Tae-hyeon, Ha Ji-won, Park Hee-soon, Park Ha-seon

8. Amazing Grace (U.S., U.K.)
3-day Adm / Total Adm : 35,432 / 44,092
Gross / Total Gross (won) : 238,261,500 / 285,000,500
Screen : 57
Opening Date : 2008/03/20
Director : Michael Apted
Main Cast : Ioan Gruffudd, Albert Finney, Benedict Cumberbatch, Michael Gambon, Romola Garai

9. Brave Story (Japan)
3-day Adm / Total Adm : 16,907 / 17,459
Gross / Total Gross (won) : 100,602,000 / 104,036,000
Screen : 57
Opening Date : 2008/03/20
Director : Kôichi Chigira
Main Cast : Takako Matsu, Eiji Wentz, Katsumi Takahashi, Kirin Kiki

10. My New Partner (South Korea)
3-day Adm / Total Adm : 9,500 / 253,897
Gross / Total Gross (won) : 61,261,000 / 1,630,968,000
Screen : 88
Opening Date : 2008/03/06
Director : Kim Jong-hyeon
Main Cast : Ahn Seong-ki, Jo Han-seon, Jeong Seok-yong, Jo Jin-woong, Choi Il-hwa, Park Cheol-min

Source: KOBIS (Figures represent 97% of nationwide box office)


'Fate' [image=maxmovie]

[bag.lover]

Originally Posted by bag.lover

Rain Lands Part in Hollywood Movie The Korean singer and actor Rain has a foot in the door in Hollywood after being cast in "Speed Racer," the next film by the Wachowski brothers, who created "The Matrix." Rain is to play a character who takes part in high-speed car races to secure his father's company. Rain’s manager claimed the K-pop star’s role "holds the key to the movie.” “Though it is a supporting role, Rain will manage the flow of the movie between the two main parts." The character’s name has not been decided. ... "Speed Racer" is based on the popular Japanese animation "Mach Go Go." The movie is expected to be released next May and cost W260 billion (US$1=W924). Emile Hirsch, who starred in "The Girl Next Door," is to play the hero Speed. Oscar-winning actress Susan Sarandon, John Goodman, Christina Ricci will also appear in supporting roles. "It is my debut in Hollywood. I will do my best, taking each step cautiously,” Rain was quoted in a press release as saying. It is the singer’s second movie role after "I'm a Cyborg, but That's OK" directed by Park Chan-wook. Park Joong-hoon was the first Korean actor to appear in a Hollywood movie. - Copyrights ⓒ 2007 The Chosun Ilbo & Digital Chosun Ilbo All rights reserved – http://english.chosun.com

[images=edaily]

[bag.lover]

Originally Posted by bag.lover

Actress Han Ji-min (MBC drama "Yi San") for 'Sweet SOUP'

Autograph session on March 22nd





[images=innolife]

[bag.lover]

========================================
(Source: KBS World 2008-03-19)
Korean Style Action Thrillers in the Spotlight



You are listening to the audio effects that enable theater goers to picture a desperate man struggling to rescue a woman. It’s a part of the action thriller “The Chaser” which is based on a real story about a murderer who killed scores of people few years ago. The audience was tense throughout the movie which lasted more than two hours. Here, some of them describe the experience.

The actors played their roles so well that it was very scary. While I was going home I looked around several times as if there was someone following me. Actor Ha Jeong-u acted like a real psychopath.

It’s a film that succeeded as a Korean style thriller. The atmosphere is tense in the picture and the movie goers are absorbed in the film as if they are part of the story. In ‘The Chaser,” the audiences sighed during the scene when the criminal was freed. When the identity of the person is revealed the atmosphere becomes uptight.

The movie “The Chaser” sold four million tickets by the end of last weekend. This achievement is even more significant when considering the movie is only open to adults over 18 years of age. The outstanding realism created a tense and thrilling experience. The box-office success is meaningful because it indicates a revival of Korean style criminal thrillers at the time when the interest in the genre was waning. “The Chaser” is a work by Na Heung-jin, a rookie director.

Until merely three to four years ago, thrillers have been a movie genre neglected by local theater fans. Only three to four thrillers were released every year and they usually failed to stir interest. But recently, the neglected genre is growing in terms of quality and quantity. Great films including “Paradise Murdered” and “Seven Days” are recent releases. Why are thrillers booming in the local movie circle? Here is reporter Ju Seong-cheol of Cine 21 explaining the trend.

During the last one to two years a lot of Korean style thrillers were released when melodrama and comedy were the general trend. As part of the plan to cater to the taste of thriller fans, the number of those fictional movies increased. Local audiences have become active and aggressive enough to enjoy thrillers. They are immersed in the stories as if being part of the mind game themselves. So it’s interesting. These reasons have contributed to the new trend.

People’s interest in romantic comedy based on humanism, the representative Korean movie of the past, moved to thriller flicks. The audiences who used to sit back and watch the screens as spectators evolved into participating members who engage in the movie and solve the puzzle together. In that sense, the thriller was the most ideal genre to satisfy audience needs.

The motion picture “The Game” by director Yu In-ho features a shocking story about a wealthy old man who wins the game and claims the body of a young man by switching brains. Though it’s a grotesque and unrealistic fiction, repeated reversions and the puzzling storyline build up tension throughout the movie. In fact, the audiences were used to thrillers in a way because they were already exposed to American dramas that have been broadcast for quite some time. Director Yu In-ho of “The Game” explains.

The increased number of thriller flicks can be attributed to American dramas. In other words, people are getting used to the speedy storyline and the clear scene changes. In short, local people were prepared to accept thrillers by watching American dramas.

It was the directors who first noticed the change in the audiences. So film directors started to produce this movie genre that theater goers have been craving for some time. Here is director Yun In-ho again.

Action thrillers have been established as a major movie genre in culturally advanced countries such as the United States, Japan and France. Korea is a little behind in that sense. I think the passion of the movie directors contributed in garnering interest for domestic thrillers. Then, as the audiences were ready to accept the genre the number of thriller flicks surged. It doesn’t mean that all the thrillers screened in cinemas were good. As some of them started to grab the audience members’ attention, the genre started to take root in the local movie circle.



It’s quite recent that thrillers have entered the limelight in Korea. However, it was director Park Chan-uk’s “Old Boy,” the award-winning movie at the Cannes International Film Festival in 2003, which began to stir interest.

The main character Oh Dae-su of the movie “Old Boy” was abducted for no reason and was detained for 15 years. One day he successfully escaped the place and finally tracked down the abductor. The face-off between the two – the confined and the abductor – is very tense. The reporter of Cine 21 Ju Seong-cheol tells us how thrillers came to the spotlight.

Thriller, horror and action flicks were considered lower genres and weren’t properly evaluated and were somewhat neglected. But Park Chan-uk’s international award-winning film “Old Boy” changed the trend. As a typical thriller, it was praised by the world movie circle. As a result, the quality and other various aspects of the Korean thriller genre were recognized internationally as well as locally. It seems like other directors are following suit.

But Korean style thrillers are not just following the footsteps of the Western style without local identity. In the 1960s and 70s, Korean thrillers and horror flicks were loved by movie fans. The great master of thriller and horror films director Kim Gi-yeong stood in the middle of the trend. Here is reporter Ju again explaining the history of domestic thrillers.

Director Kim Gi-yeong was very active during the 1960s and 70s. His film ‘The Maid” topped the box-office at the time. Although a lot of people devalue thrillers and consider them unpopular, on the contrary, it was a movie genre loved by the public in Korean movie history.

Director Kim Gi-yeong’s “The Maid” was released in 1960. The movie showed how an ordinary middle class family is gradually destroyed in a fearful way as a maid, an outsider, joins the family. Intrigued by the eerie atmosphere, the black humor and the grotesque nature of the maid, director Martin Scorsese decided to revive the movie digitally this year. He is planning to showcase the restored version in the classic movie section of the Cannes International Film Festival in May this year. Though it’s been already half a century since the film “The Maid” was screened, it’s a thriller recognized by world-renowned movie directors.

The Korean horror thriller genre is different from foreign ones in the way it’s expressed. Compared to the large-scale foreign thrillers, local films revolve around the characters, focusing on their psychology. Therefore, the characters in domestic thriller movies are described with care and detail. Here is actor Ha Jeong-u who played the serial killer in “The Chaser” explaining the difference between local and foreign thrillers.

While foreign movies are produced in large scale and rely more on movie equipment, Korean thrillers focus more on human psychology or essential things. The settings of the film “The Chaser” are the narrow allies, inside a car and a small police station. The story unfolds in a confined area where it’s easier to lay bare the characters inner most thoughts. The way the film captures the breathing sounds and every little detail of the characters are unique qualities of “The Chaser.” And I think it is also the representative aspect of local thrillers. It’s kind of Oriental.

<continuing in next post...>

[bag.lover]

Originally Posted by bag.lover

(Source: KBS World 2008-03-19) Korean Style Action Thrillers in the Spotlight

Korean thrillers with familiar characters and solid storylines are drawing favorable attention from Hollywood lately. Plans to remake Korean films “The Chaser,” “Seven Days” and “A Dirty Carnival” are underway in the United States. In addition to local romance films or comedies that garnered good review by foreign countries in the past, Korean style thrillers and action flicks are playing a vital role in the local movie circle.

One of the characteristics of Korean style thrillers is that a lot of them are produced by new directors who are choosing the genre for their debut film. When the production budget and the final works are taken into consideration, thrillers are appropriate as their first movie. Director Yun Jin-han explains why many rookie directors are shooting thrillers.

New directors choose a thriller as their debut film because they can estimate the production budget and they don’t necessarily need to pick top stars if the storyline is interesting. In addition, the audience would understand even if some experimental elements are added.

However, there is a limit. The weakest point of local films is the scenario. More than half of them are actually written by the directors themselves. Compared to 10-20 percent in the United States and less than 30 percent in Japan, the lack of scenario writers for the Korean screen is a serious problem. Director Yun explains.

The scenarios are the problem for Korean style thrillers. There are no Korean style thriller or horror genres in domestic literature. The seeds for thrillers haven’t been sowed. So it’s hard to produce fruit without the initial planting of seeds. More thriller films should be produced. However, due to lack of preparation, the thriller shines only for few years then yields to other genres...

As the Korean thrillers with style and speed are gaining popularity despite the lack of scenarios, it shows Korean films have improved in quality. Actor Ha Jeong-u says that although Korean thriller movies haven’t grown roots in the local film industry yet, the growing popularity of the fictional movies has established a foothold for developing new genres.

The thrillers paved a way for other genres to take root in Korea. The cultural level of local audience members is high enough to accept different genres. They have some leeway to enjoy the movie as is. So I think other genres will also come into the limelight too.

If you want to solve a game or a mystery, why don’t you challenge the Korean style thriller films? Though the stories are a little shocking and sometimes scary, the excitement and intensity of the motion pictures will free you from routine and complicated daily life.

That is all I have for this week’s Culture on the Move.
Today I talked about the Korean style thriller flicks that are captivating local movie fans as a main movie genre

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[bag.lover]

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(source: KBS Global 2008-03-24)
Actor Ji Jin-hee to Promote Film 'Soo' in Japan



Actor Ji Jin-hee, who recently stared in the action film 'Soo' (directed by Choi Yang-il and produced by Triz Club), will visit Japan in the coming days.

'Soo' is Korean-Japanese director Choi Yang-il's first Korean film. He was noted for 'Blood and Bones,' which won numerous awards in Japan.

The film features star actors such as Ji Jin-hee, Kang Sung-yeon and Moon Sung-keun. The film is currently being screened at the 'Hallyu Cinema Festival 2008 Spring' in Tokyo, to be held until the end of May.

Ji will attend the 'Ji Jin-hee Special Talk Event 2008' in Tokyo on April 5 to promote the film, and greet Japanese audiences on April 6 during the special screening of the film.

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[bag.lover]

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(source: Korea Herald 2008.03.24)
Directors from New Zealand, Korea make movie magic

It's not every day that an Oscar-nominated director comes to town -- especially one from New Zealand. So, when that happened recently, it was a good opportunity to throw a film party.

The director in question was Taika Waititi, who won international recognition after his film "Two Cars, One Night" was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film in 2005.

The recent event was also the perfect opportunity to bring together moviemakers from both Korea and New Zealand to discuss possible future collaborations.

"It's a very bright future, and I think this year will be a bumper year, in terms of actual projects under way," said New Zealand Ambassador Jane Coombs to The Korea Herald.


▲New Zealand Ambassador Jane Coombs (left), director Taika Waititi (center) and KOFIC Chairman Lee Hyeon-seung [Yoav Cerralbo/The Korea Herald]

One perfect example of this collaboration is the Korean feature called "Laundry Warrior" by Lee Sng-moo, slated for release sometime this year.

The $40-million movie stars Geoffrey Rush, Kate Bosworth and Korean actor Jang Dong-gun.

"There are some Korean filmmakers who are working with New Zealand filmmakers on two other co-production projects which we hope will be done this year," she said with optimism, adding that there are others in the pipeline.

Coombs said that what she finds exciting is the real collaboration that is happening: "It's not just filmmakers going to another country and using those services; it's actually a genuine creative and business collaboration."

Korea Film Council chairman and movie director Lee Hyeon-seung sees a bright future for joint ventures between moviemakers from Korea and New Zealand because, as with "Laundry Warrior," collaborations could sell worldwide, including in the United States. That's why he's been working with the Korean government to establish a fund to bring together artists from both countries, to strengthen that relationship.

Lee is well known for his movie "Siworae," which was remade in Hollywood as "The Lake House" starring Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock.

The reason that moviemakers from both countries work so well together, Lee said, is their "common sense of humor and other commonalities."

While the Korean government has been slow in signing the Korea-New Zealand Co-production Film Agreement, filmmakers have picked up the pace and started working together anyway.

The party at the Coombs' residence featured two films by Waititi.

The first was "Two Cars, One Night," which is about two boys and a girl who cross paths in the parking lot of a rural pub in Te Kaha, New Zealand. What at first seems to be a relationship based on rivalry soon develops into a close friendship.

Good news for those who saw this flick: Waititi is currently working on full-length feature version.

The second was "Tama tu," which is about a squad of Maori troops in Europe during World War II who silently entertain themselves in a destroyed house as they wait to be part of the coming battle.

When asked if Lee and Waititi will be hooking up for a movie, the New Zealand director said that this is highly possible.

Separately, Lee is working on his new movie -- a thriller. The name of the film has not been decided yet, but it looks like another gem.

By Yoav Cerralbo (yoav@heraldm.com)

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[bag.lover]

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(source: Korea Herald 2008.03.25)
Exuberant look for cool season

Seoul Fashion Week, which exhibited fall/winter collections during its eight-day run that ended yesterday, forecasted an exuberant, experimental look by presenting bold, intense colors and unusual structures.

The biannual event held at the Seoul Trade Exhibition Center Seoul presented a lot more energy and creativity across the gender line. It also said goodbye to last season's minimalism as most of the 52 runways, especially for the womenswear, introduced flamboyant and powerful images.

Korea's most famous and up-and-coming designers and fashion icons participated in the event jointly hosted by the Seoul Fashion Artists Association, the Korea Fashion Association and the Seoul Fashion Design Center.

The fashion week started on March 17 with menswear.

With the absence of men's fashion darling Han Sang-hyuk of Bon, a total of 14 designers participated in the opening two-day event. There were two hot picks for the next season: skinnier pants and slimmer waistlines. Tight pants paired with exaggerated neck and shoulder lines were prevalent. Some of the more daring collections had models in leggings, paired with long coats and wool scarves or turtlenecks covering everything but the eyes.

Veteran designer Song Zio attracted attention by using celebrities to sport his contemporary, luxury look, while Chang Kwang-hyo mixed masculine and feminine elements in his collection.

What stood out this season was the unexpected feminine touch that the designers added to their menswear collections. Son Sung-keun visualized powerless, neutral images of men who unconsciously refuse to grow up. Choi Bum-suk, who designs his own brand, General Idea by Bumsuk, created a playful and innocent image by mixing boxy shapes with tightly tailored pants. His choice of fabrics -- soft knits and wool -- and colorful style lent his collection a youthful, fresh feel.

By Wednesday, the catwalks began to receive more attention as womenswear took to the runways, starting with Kim Dong-soon. Based on black, the designer contrasted volume and texture by freely mixing leather, fur and wool.

The theme for Oh Eun-hwan was 1960s hippy chic. The designer showed her unique take on bohemian style, mixing and matching a variety of materials and color.

Son Jung-wan, also presented her signature pretty, retro look, adding futuristic details. The designer popular among Korean women in their 20s and 30s, satisfied her fashion-conscious fans by frequently using wild fur for a more luxurious effect. Son used a variety of colors from green to cobalt blue to highlight sexy and feminine silhouette.

Fashion genius Lie Sang-bong once again fascinated the audience with his signature Hangeul prints, and skirts and coats embroidered with flowery patterns. Inspired by Korean rock opera vocalist Kimera, Lie also added futuristic details to his collection such as exaggerated shoulder lines.

On Sunday afternoon, Moon Young-hee, a Paris-based Korean designer presented her collection inspired by "energetic, pure Mongolian women." Moon, now regarded as a pioneer in the fashion field, has participated in the Paris Pret-a-Porter show for more than 10 years. And this is her first Seoul collection in four years.

As for husband-and-wife designers Andy & Debb, reinterpreting peacock blue with mysterious colors and silhouettes was the key concept of their collection. They came up with smartly cut one-piece dresses with circular ornaments and buttons attached to garments.

The fashion festival closed with Gee Choon-hee who delivered a superb line-up for the coming season.

The Seoul Fashion Week drew over 80 buyers from 16 countries around the world as well as some 30 foreign correspondents reporting on the event. It also invited two international fashion experts -- Jean-Pierre Mocho, president of the French Federation of Ready-to-Wear and Anna Orsini, head of the international office of London Fashion Week -- aiming to build ties with Europe's fashionistas.

By Cho Chung-un (christory@heraldm.com)

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[bag.lover]

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(source: Korea Herald 2008.03.25)
[THE HIGH TIDE OF THE KOREAN WAVE(26)] First generation 'Hallyu' star continues to shine

The term "Korean Wave" or "Hallyu" was initially coined in China to describe a newfound interest in Korean pop culture in China in the late 1990s. At the center of then it all was now-defunct boy band H.O.T. (High-five of Teenagers), two of whose albums were exported to China in 1998.

Many people underestimate the strategic side of the iconic band's success in China, though, thinking prematurely that the quintet was simply lucky to become the first Korean pop musicians to be active in China, at a time when the country's music scene was not very well developed.

Until last year, Ahn Chil-hyun -- lead singer of the band, and better known by his stage name "Kangta" -- was one of them.

The charismatic singer and songwriter, who has written more than 100 songs for H.O.T. and other popular K-pop bands such as NRG and Fly to the Sky, remembers their first concert in Beijing in July 2000 as something wonderful, even magical.



"I thought like, 'Man, I'm one heck of lucky guy,'" Ahn told The Korea Herald, recollecting their historical Chinese debut, which attracted more than 13,000 people. "Before then, we had never performed in China, and besides, Korean pop stars were not very popular outside Korea."

It was only recently that Ahn, who now spends some of his time as a director of H.O.T.'s management company SM Entertainment, came to know that the company had worked to promote the band in China for about three years. According to Ahn, the production house was targeting Asia long before they emerged as one of the most influential entertainment companies in the region with the success of BoA in Japan.

"When we were first selected for H.O.T. after the auditioning process, there were only five people working for the company," said Ahn, who originally debuted as a back-up dancer together with Moon Hee-jun (another H.O.T. member) for singer Yoo Young-jin.

Although the legendary boy band -- which sold over 5 million albums -- disbanded in 2001, all the members pursued solo careers. Ahn has been active in singing and acting not only here but also in China, where he is still as popular as he was as lead singer of H.O.T.

"In China, a trend is slow to take off, but it also lasts longer than in any other country. You can hear a song for almost two to three years in China, once the song becomes a hit there," Ahn said. That may explain his long lasting popularity in the country. Until he released "Eternity-Forever" album earlier this month, he hadn't recorded a new album for three years.

"Here, on the other hand, changes are faster, and so is development of a music genre, in general, but it also works adversely to the profound development of the genre," he said.

The singer who made his acting debut with KBS drama "Loveholic" in 2005 has so far acted in three Chinese television dramas, including one that has yet to be aired. The CCTV drama "Love in the City 2," which aired over last year's Mid-Autumn Festival holidays ranked first in viewer ratings.

Considering that the government-run CCTV operates 18 different channels, and the enormous population must have gathered in front of the television during the holidays, it proved that his popularity in the country was not a passing fad. "I don't think I'm acting. I'm still learning," said Ahn with a smile.

In the television series, Ahn plays a popular Korean singer who loses his memory after he has an accident while touring China, and falls in love with a Chinese girl who helps him recover his memory. Ahn also sang the ending song of the drama.

When H.O.T.'s album was first released in China in 1998, the Chinese pop-music industry was about one-tenth of that of Korea, but almost no one, including Ahn, doubts that China will grow to have the biggest entertainment market in Asia in the near future.

"I have been amazed by the speed of changes in Chinese system. In about five years, the feeling of superiority some Korean entertainers and their fans might feel toward their Chinese counterparts could be gone," he said. By then, he expects, Korean entertainment industry will lose much of its edge over China, unless it finds a new way to continue the Korean Wave by using its star management expertise.

"It would mark a new phase of the Korean Wave if Korean agencies turned their eyes to China and other Asian countries to make local talent and cultural content big in Korea and elsewhere in Asia," Ahn said. "That's what I'd like to do with SM later," said Ahn who once formed a cross-national pop duo named Kangta & Vaness, together with Taiwanese pop music sensation Vanness Wu.

To carry out his goal, he has to finish his military duty first. He is scheduled to join the military on April 1. "I'm not nervous. I think it will bring me a fresh perspective on society."

The new "Eternity-Forever" album, which contains eight pop ballads including the title song, "Eternity," is the last gift from the K-pop star to his fans across Asia. "I tried to create an easy feel throughout the album, because I want to be remembered as such," he said.

On March 29 and 30, Ahn will give his last concerts before joining the military, at the main auditorium of Yonsei University in western Seoul. During the concerts, he will perform his H.O.T. hits, as well as songs from the new album. "I want to produce a film someday, as an actor and music director at the same time. But I should finish my study first, and military duty, of course," said Ahn who studies film-making at Dongguk University's Graduate School of Film and Digital Media.

By Lee Yong-sung (danlee@heraldm.com)

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