Korean Drama

[bag.lover]

Originally Posted by bag.lover

(source: Korea Herald 2008.04.03) [THE HIGH TIDE OF THE KOREAN WAVE(29)]Hallyu icon Park Yong-ha basks in newfound stardom

The sky's the limit

"It feels good to be a Hallyu star," the ambitious actor said. "If you look down the line, there will be this time when Hallyu stars were big, and it's good that I got to be part of that time."

He smiles, leans forward, "I don't want to throw it away. And, if one day, that title goes away, I will feel sad. But, right now, for me, on a personal level, I wonder if this title is hiding me."

He stops, gestures with his hands, "Just, Park Yong-ha. The actor."

"You know, usually you don't say, Hollywood actor so-and-so, you usually say the actor's name," he continues. "Like Brad Pitt."

Park grins, "I would, this is me being ambitious, really just like to have my name out there ... I don't mind if you call me ambitious, or excessive. Whether or not it works out, I'm going to give it a go."

"I like it now, but I don't want to be remembered or seen, after the Hallyu trend has died out, as Hallyu star Park Yong-ha," he gets this mischievous, secretive look on his face. "There is a certain singer whose theme song made it big in the past. And now, even though 10 years have passed, when that singer is invited (to Japan), then that singer is requested to sing that song. I don't want to live like that."

Park definitely comes off as highly ambitious. But perhaps it is this quality that has gotten him this far.

"I want to be someone who can cover a lot of territory," he cites Chow Yun Fat as an example of a star who has managed a successful international career. "Just my name. Is that too hard?"

But for the time being, Park's immediate focus is on his return to the small screen in "On Air," and after he finishes here, going back to Japan to prepare for yet another album, a nationwide fan meeting and a concert.

Considering he just nabbed the "Best Single of the Year" award and the "Best Asian Artist Award" at the 22nd Japan Gold Disc Awards, it looks like this Hallyu star is still going strong.

His secret to success

"Being humble, unchanging or hard working," he answers with hesitation. "But honestly, I can't give you a specific formula if we base it on that single word, success. Because I didn't have any special strategy. All I can say is that I tried really hard. And the crew around me worked really hard. And all that kind of meshed together well. So, I did it slowly, slowly, without rushing. I didn't get here all at once. I built upon it, little by little. And I believe that that is how I got to this place."

But Park seems to have another special quality that makes him an ideal Hallyu star: a knack for cultural diplomacy. The life of a Hallyu star mirrors that of an ambassador, requiring a great deal of cultural maneuvering, endurance and yes, humility. And no one knows this better than Park.

"What seems natural in Korea, can come off as strange in Japan," he said. "And vice versa. So one always has to walk the middle line."

Park returns to the Japanese talk show scenario to explain what he means.

"For example, in Japanese talk shows, there is this custom of hitting one on the head," he said. "There was even an incident when Jun Ji-hyun and BoA went out on a big talk show like that and got hit on the head. And of course, I've gotten a taste of it also."

According to Park, people in Korea would ask him, "Why did you go out on that talk show in Japan?"

"If I answered, 'Oh it's okay, that's how it usually works over there,'" he continues. "Then they would think I was weird."

He explains in earnest, "Our country's people really hate it if you hit them on the head."

"But in Japan people hit you on the back of the head like this," he pretends to whack someone upside the head, "Bbuk, bbuk ... So one has to be careful about things like this."

Not only does he need to be careful about maintaining a neutral stance, Park finds himself functioning as a near representative of Korean culture.

"The press tries to find out more about Korea through me," he said. "For example, this is something that I remember -- in Japan people don't share soup. They ladle it into separate bowls."

According to Park, the Japanese press asked him about the Korean custom of sharing food.

"They asked, 'What about sharing with people who aren't family, like your crew?'" He recounted. "And I answered, 'But though they are not immediate family, they're like family.'"

With so much cultural navigation to do, it's a wonder he's come this far. But then again, looking at this man who has put in a whole day's work and doesn't look one bit tired, despite the fact that he is interviewing way into dinner time, just one thought comes to mind. The man is a professional.

By Jean Oh (oh_jean@heraldm.com)

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[bag.lover]

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(source: Korea Herald 2008.04.02)
[MOVIE REVIEW] 'The Air I Breathe' goes a twist too far



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

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

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

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

In "Happiness," we see a hapless stockbroker (Forest Whitaker), who yearns for change in his bored, lonely life, a la the transformation of caterpillar into butterfly. His chance comes when he overhears his colleagues colluding in a rigged horse race -- with the supposedly fixed bet being on a horse named Butterfly. But this timid stockbroker faces an extremely uncertain future as his bet leads to a scary encounter with the mastermind of the scheme, Fingers (Andy Garcia).

In "Pleasure," Fingers' hit man (Brendan Fraser) takes center stage. Fraser's soft-spoken yet tough character struggles with a mysterious ability to see the future -- but only in disconnected flashes.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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[bag.lover]

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(source: KBS Global 2008-04-03)
Up-and-Comer Oh Yeon-seo Dazzles in Epic Period Drama



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

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

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

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

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

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[bag.lover]

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(source: KBS Global 2008-04-03)
BoA's Hit Song Created into TV Drama in Japan



Singer BoA's ninth single "Shine We Are" which nabbed the number one spot on the Japanese Oricon Chart in May, 2003, will be created into a TV drama.

AVEX, one of the largest recording companies in Japan, said it has decided to create 100 short dramas--based on the songs of the artists it manages--to celebrate its 20th founding anniversary. The dramas will be aired starting April 7 on Asahi TV.

"Otome" is a two-minute drama that will be broadcast from Monday to Thursday. The dramas will bring together some of AVEX's biggest hit songs with various scenarios.

"I Can't Always be a Dreaming Girl," a hit song by Aiga and Nanase, will be broadcast on April 7 as the first part of the drama series, followed by "Tomorrow Again" by ELT, "Love2000" by Hitomi and "Shine We Are" by BoA.

AVEX, which celebrates its 20th founding anniversary on April 11, will also release a complilation album entitled "20 Years 200 Songs" as part of its celebration projects. AVEX has released a total of 200 million albums including single albums over the past two decades.

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[bag.lover]

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(source: KBS Global 2008-04-03)
'King and Clown' Director Opens Art Gallery



Director Lee Joon-ik of "King and Clown" and "Radio Star" fame will make his debut as an artist.

Lee Joon-ik will be opening the Kuma Gallery on the 5th, a small gallery located opposite the Constitutional Court of Korea in Jongno-ku. In celebration of the gallery's opening, there will be a 5-artist exhibit entitled "Life is Suddenly" displaying works by Park Bul-ddong, Cho Hoon, Joo In-kyung, and Hwang Hyun-ho.

The Kuma gallery opening is a significant event for director Lee, as well as for his daughter Lee Da-yeon, who will be chief executive of the gallery.

"Kuma" is actually Lee Joon-ik's nickname. "It means 'bring down mountains to make plains' and it's an expression from a life motto of mine which is similar to the famous 'Just do it' motto," he explained, laughing.

The director dropped out of the arts school at Sejong University and made his way into the movie industry after starting in movie advertisements. He will be adding four of his own art pieces at the gallery opening which include "Lead a Good Life" (ink on hanji, 1984), "Confession is also Habit" (sculpture, 2005), and two others created after he finished filming the movie, "You are Far Away."

Director Lee Joon-ik made sure to add that "Kuma gallery will be showing a lot of rising talent, as well. We plan to discover new artists, introduce them, and help them put their work on the market."

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[bag.lover]

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(Source: Korea Herald 2008.04.04)
[HERALD INTERVIEW]Kim In-kwon plays a ruthless villain

One of the most powerful and lasting images in "Sookmyeong (Fate)," released on March 20, involves Kim In-kwon as Do-wan, a drug addict notorious for his merciless razor blade skills.

Particularly gruesome is the point when Do-wan uses the much-dreaded weapon against his elusive girlfriend. Even Kim had a hard time figuring out the reason for such a cruel act.

"How can a human being so vicious? Well, I believe Do-wan has a valid reason because he is on the verge of a breakdown after going through a life-or-death moment and, in fact, he has nothing to lose," Kim told The Korea Herald.

Kim, who made his debut as an actor in 1998, has upgraded and amplified his silver-screen image on "Sookmyeong." More important, Do-wan's role is central to the movie's plot, together with other central characters played by Korean Wave stars Song Seung-heon and Kwon Sang-woo.

Kim said a little bit of understanding is needed to identify Do-wan's complex and cruel mind-set. "His background is always associated with knives, and he has scars all over his body. But he is, at heart, weak, vulnerable and lonely," Kim said. "Do-wan is also a hopeless drug addict, and the last decision is not his own but the one who feeds drugs to him."

Kim said "Sookmyeong" offers a turning point for his acting career as he is now, albeit vaguely, aware of what the audiences really like about his performance on the big screen.


▲Kim In-kwon [Yang Sung-jin/The Korea Herald]

Kim steered out of the film industry into television shows briefly, only to realize that acting for films is hardwired into his brain. "I noticed that films are where I should be, and I can fit in nowhere else," Kim said.

His penchant toward acting started with his desire to become a filmmaker. At first, he jumped into the film industry learning how to handle film equipment -- something that he assumed would come in handy when he became a director.

Although his career path did not go in the direction he wanted, Kim said his deep interest about filmmaking itself gave him a key foothold as an actor. "My perception and knowledge about filmmaking is helping to sharpen my performance as an actor, and I want to use that knowledge to my own advantage," he said.

"Sookmyeong" was challenging for Kim because his role required plenty of dangerous action scenes. He suffered hand injuries when he jumped through a window with shattering broken glass. "It was just like torture when I was asked to crash down to the ground a dozen times," Kim said.

Kim is now preparing to join another film project spearheaded by director Kwon Young-cheol, and the role happens to be a villain -- perhaps more vicious than Do-wan. "The new film is about three bad buys who steal to make a living," Kim said with a gentle smile on his face. "And I'm the most terrible baddie."

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

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[bag.lover]

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(source: Korea Times 04-03-2008 17:11)
Pop Star Rain to Promote New Film in World Tour

By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter


Rain in a poster for the film "Speed Racer" / Courtesy of All That Cinema

Pop star Rain will take part in an international tour to promote his Hollywood debut "Speed Racer,'' All That Cinema ― the film's PR agency here, announced Thursday. Directed by the Wachowski brothers ("Matrix'' trilogy), the action movie also stars Emile Hirsch, John Goodman, Susan Sarandon and Christina Ricci. It is slated for release May 3.

Also known as Bi or Jung Ji-hoon, the 26-year-old will visit six countries, beginning with Korea followed by Hong Kong, the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom and Japan. He will arrive in Seoul April 20 to meet with the press. On the 23rd, he will fly to Hong Kong before joining his co-stars for the Los Angles premiere. Afterward, he will visit Berlin and London and finally Japan in June, said All That Cinema.

Rain's hallyu superstardom in Asia is expected to hype up the region's interest in "Speed Racer.'' The star became well known through his roles in hit TV dramas such as "Full House'' opposite actress Song Hye-kyo. He made his big screen debut in renowned director Park Chan-wook's "I am a Cyborg, but That's Ok'' (2006), and is currently preparing for his next role in Germany.

hyowlee@koreatimes.co.kr

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[bag.lover]

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(source: The Korea Times 04-03-2008 17:09)
'The Air I Breathe’ Is Breathtaking

By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter


Actress Sarah Michelle Gellar personifies sorrow in the film "The Air I Breathe" by Korean-American director Jieho Lee. In his feature film debut, Lee explores "huinoaerak,'' or basic human emotions such as happiness, pleasure, sorrow and love. / Courtesy of Showtime

Cinema has seen its fair share of omnibus films about crisscrossing human relationships, but Jieho Lee's "The Air I Breathe'' takes your breath away. It fathoms human nature and the six degrees of separation, but also offers thrills, chills and fine acting through a star-studded cast. Art film falls in love with Hollywood: what more can you ask for?

Lee shows that a script by an anonymous newcomer, if gripping, can make it big in Hollywood. The Korean-American filmmaker makes his feature film debut with Forest Whitaker, Kevin Bacon, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Brendan Fraser and even Andy Garcia, who is known for working only with veteran directors. Even Julie Delpy makes a brief appearance.

Inspired by the Korean proverb "huinoaerak,'' expressed in Chinese characters, the film explores four emotional cornerstones through four characters that personify them: happiness, pleasure, sorrow and love. As the director said in his own words, "Air'' unravels like a noir "Wizard of Oz'' as four individuals embark on a journey of self-discovery.

A fund manager (Whitaker) hears about a fabricated horseracing gamble that will ensure a win. Sick of his monotonous life, he gives it a shot. But things go awry and he ends up owing money ― or his fingers ― to a gangster appropriately called "Fingers'' (Garcia). Carpe diem, he seems to say, and decides to rob a bank. In the process, he experiences the unexpected ― happiness.

Pleasure is depicted through a hit man (Fraser) working for Fingers. He has never lost a fight because he can see the future. But it's far from being a blessing: unable to change the results, he is a powerless spectator of what's coming. One day, he meets a young woman (Gellar), and his inability to see her future breaks his apathy.

Fingers decides to cash in on the success of a pop star (Gellar) as her new manager. (As an added bonus you get to see the charismatic actor groove to bubbly pop music.) Thrown into a world of coercive violence, the singer discovers comfort ― and painstaking sorrow ― in a helpful hit man.

A doctor (Bacon) has always been in love with Gina (Delpy). One day, Gina is rushed into the emergency room and only a blood transfusion within 24 hours can save her. But it is almost impossible to find a donor with Gina's rare blood type. However, a pop princess might be able to save the love of his life.

Actual people Lee met while working in Korea inspired this original script. As one story feeds into the next, "Air'' maps out the spring, summer, fall and winter of the human soul. The emotions are like "three primary colors, red, blue and yellow. From those three colors you can make all sorts of colors,'' the director recently told reporters in Seoul.

In addition to reaching artistic goals of reflecting on the human condition, he also ingeniously orchestrates pulsating excitement, keeping you on the edge of your seat to the final second.

This "hardboiled'' allegory is like an ancient Greek myth told in modern parlance, where gangsters reign instead of the gods. The story's universal appeal is by far its biggest selling point, particularly as charismatic actors give their finest performances.

Garcia pulls off yet another mobster, one that is reprehensible, yet very human. Gellar is absolutely stunning as a soulful young woman, and the other actors work their magic. The stars do not outshine one another but join forces altogether to create one brilliant big bang.

In theaters April 9.

hyowlee@koreatimes.co.kr

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[bag.lover]

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(source: KOREA.net)
Surgery in Korea, anyone? Medical tourism emerges

March 29, 2008


Website for medical tourism in Korea“

Which hospital does the best plastic surgery in Korea?” Back in the summer of 2006, when this question popped into our webmaster e-mail box at www.korea.net it seemed like a joke, like the e-mails that demanded the phone number of North Korea’s Kim Jong-il. “Sorry,” we replied at the time. “This is a government website and we do not handpick private medical institutions.” (Imagine the government having to compensate in case of any mishaps!)

But things do change with time. Anyone interested in dental care, plastic surgery or oriental medicine in Korea?

Visit the homepage of the Council for Korea Medicine Overseas Promotion (www.koreahealthtour.co.kr) – an English website that introduces some of the best medical centers in Korea that come with tour packages, headed by the Council for Korea Medicine Overseas Promotion (CKMP).

The website provides a basic explanation of Korea as a country and where it excels in medical technology. One can use the search engine to check out the websites of respective hospitals by profession, by name or other useful keywords. There’s also an extra button to show tourist spots near particular hospital, be it a famous shopping district or grand palaces. One can also reverse search hospitals by nearby tourist attraction.

The Council, inaugurated by the Korea Tourism Organization, Korea Health Industry Development Institute and Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare in March 2007 is the strategic organization out to promote Korea’s prowess in medicine. Some 30 major hospitals are members of the Council and more are expected to join later on.

Medical tourism in its infancy

Overseas Koreans have long made a habit of returning home temporarily for dental and other medical checkups due to the reasonable prices of Korean hospitals, whose technology is 90 per cent that of advanced nations and just one third of the cost of America and other western nations.



Tourists from China, Japan and Southeast Asian nations are flocking in for plastic surgery lured by good-looking actors and actresses on Korean TV dramas and movies. Patients from the West much prefer treatment for cancer or implants.

Up till now it was the fear of sharp competition and complications of visa problems that long prevented Korea from tapping into this particular potential. Not anymore. These days many hospitals in Korea, with or without government help, have been making efforts to promote their services in neighboring countries. A medical visa is now being discussed for overseas visitors coming for this particular tour package. Experts agree that the faster the reform the better.

With the competitive prices that the Korean medical industry offers, it could soon join the benefits enjoyed by other medical tourism industries in India Singapore, Thailand and others. The Health and Welfare Ministry is reviewing the establishment of an international medical service academy, dispatching experts overseas and other diversified networks around the world.

Now Korea is actively moving forward, trying to make up for lost time. Last year alone, the Council attended various seminars, experience fairs and exhibitions to promote Korea in this area.


Korea won the right to host 3rd International Medical Travel Conference for this November after much promotion overseas.

The Korea Tourism Organization has been selling 12 types of medical tourism package in six branch offices in New York, Tokyo, Sendai, Dubai, Chicago and Hong Kong since last year through various events. Thanks to these efforts the Council is in strategic partnership with the U.S. Medical Tourism Association among other things.

Overall, CKMP member hospitals attracted a total of 16,000 patients from abroad in the past year. That’s quite an improvement from some 760 back in 2005. The Council aims to hit 100,000 by 2012.

Another big piece of news is that the Korea Tourism Organization, together with the Culture Ministry, has successfully won the rights to host the third International Medical Travel Conference (IMTC) this coming November 11-14, giving another chance for Korea to aggressively promote its medical market.

Tourists in search of beauty and comfort


Anacli Center for plastic surgery and dermatology“

From the perspective of the patients, it’s important to provide good treatment, regardless of where they come from,” Lee Sang-jun, the leading doctor at Anacli Center specializing in plastic surgery and dermatology said.

Lee has long realized the importance of the overseas market, and worked to provide the best of service to the visitors, from reservation to treatment, equipping the hospital with simultaneous interpreters. He would even treat in hotels and inns in case it was hard for the tourists to make repeated visits. The efforts paid off as rumors spread and some 1,000 patients from overseas visited the place last year alone, probably the highest single number of medical tourists in the nation.

“Korea already has highly advanced technology in cardiac, spinal and other surgeries. I believe that’s what adds up to create a new image of the country. We will have more exchanges with doctors overseas and upgrade the country’s image as a whole,” he said.

Jaseng Hospital of Oriental Medicine established an international clinic in 2006 complete with simultaneous interpreters. The hospital also made full use of Raimund Royer, the first non-Korean oriental medicine doctor in Korea, fluent in both English and German. As a result it attracted some 400 non-native patients, 29 percent Japanese, 24 Americans and 13 percent German. The hospital provides prescriptions translated into English and special medicine delivery services.

Woorideul Spine Hospital, which established an International Patients Center in 2005, has also seen its number of patients rise every year. What used to be around 200 now amounts to over 700 per year. With a homepage in English, Chinese and Japanese it is also increasing the number of beds and covers other services regarding e-mails, phone calls, visa issuance, interpreting, insurance and more. Woorideul further plans to remodel one of its buildings near Gimpo Airport to turn it into an international hospital.


Oriental Medicine

Not to be outdone, local regions are also gearing up. The city of Daegu, for one, invited 11 journalists from Algeria, 20 buyers from the Philippines, on Feb. 21 and 28, respectively, to experience superior medical treatment together with a folk village and amusement park, to sample medical tourism outside the capital city as well.

“Hospitals vary in their preparation,” James Bae, at Korea Health Industry Development Institute admitted, pointing to the lack of general infrastructure.” Some are only prepared for services in English, some only in Chinese and Japanese, some haven’t decided on what exact route to promote themselves. But the most important thing we decided as we selected our members, is their strong will to work on it from now on. We know it will happen.”

By Kim Hee-sung
Korea.net staff writer

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[bag.lover]

Lee Dae-hee (Robbers, Hello Miss), Jang Geun-seok (Hong Gil Dong), and Kim Jeong-hoon (Princess Hours, Witch Amusement) will participate in Andre Kim Fashion Show on April 22nd in Shanghai.


Lee Dae-hee for Seed Money Bank



Han Ye-seul for Reebok



[images linked from sina]

[bag.lover]

Original Korean Article: Mydaily 2008-03-26 10:38:29
English Translation Credit: HanCinema

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Last drama by male stars to enter army… Who will round it off?



Stars who are anticipating entering military service are coming back with dramas at the end of the year. There is a big chance that their works in progress will be their last, because they can no longer push back military service.

Eric Moon will be playing Kang Chil-woo in the fantasy historical drama "Best Chil Woo". His character leads a double life, a law enforcement officer by day and leader of killers by night.

Eric Moon, who is negotiating the details, is planning to enter military service in September after the drama. The results of the drama are more important because he will enter the army shortly afterwards.

Lee Dong-geon, also expected to enter the army at the end of the year, will come back in the MBC drama "Every Night". He is currently in grief for his brother, who died in Australia, and is planning to film the drama after his funeral.

Jo Hyeon-jae stars as a cold fund manager in KBS drama "Three Daddies, One Mommy". He plays a character who donates his sperm to his friend's wife and becomes a father. He is also coming back on the screen in the movie "The Guard Post".

Kim Rae-won was cast early and is filming SBS "Le Grand Chef - Drama", a remake of a manga and also a movie. He is acting with Nam Sang-mi, Kwon O-joong, and Won Ki-joon.

For these actors who will enter the army, their last work before then has become more important. They were all stars who strived to become the best actors, so their entering the army is unfortunate. There is great interest to see who will top off their career as they enter the army and are given a clean slate.

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[bag.lover]

Original Korean Article: Osen 2008.03.28 11:30
English Translation Credit: HanCinema

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Guiyeoni's men, 'Always get popular!'



Actors who starred in movies written by Guiyeoni have become top stars in the movie industry. These stars are Kang Dong-won, Jo Han-seon, Song Seung-heon, and Jang Geun-seok.

"Temptation of Wolves" helped Kang Dong-won and Jo Han-seon, who were new actors then, to rise to the top. They played high school students. Kang Dong-won captured the hearts of high school girls with his perfect looks, and Jo Han-seon captured audiences with his tough, rebel image. After this movie, they have been cast in various movies and have become top actors.

Song Seung-heon was in "The Guy was Cool" as a rebellious high school student and acted with Jeong Da-bin, who is now deceased. He played a trustworthy boyfriend who always helped his girlfriend to get out of trouble. Although he was rough to other friends, he was affectionate toward his girlfriend. He plays a charismatic character in "Fate", which is playing now.

The movie "Do Re Mi Fa Sol La Si Do", released on April 3, is up to Jang Geun-seok It is the work of director Kang Geon-hyang, who also wrote "Temptation of Wolves". It is premiering after three years. He has the role of Eun-kyu, a lead vocal of a band and who has a handsome voice and great songwriting skills. Cha Ye-ryeon's character is a casual high school student and is his only love interest. He faces trouble with his friend Jeong Ee-cheol because of Cha Ye-ryeon, but he keeps his friendship and ultimately keeps his girlfriend.

The guys in movies made from Guiyeoni's novels cannot help but be dreamy, for it is the romance of all girls. A plain high school girl is surrounded by two good-looking, perfect guys who confess to her. There is the theme of broken friendships resulting from love, but these 'cool men' keep their friendship and their love. Basically, they are perfect characters and the actors who play them are headed towards success.

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[bag.lover]

Original Korean Article: Joynews 24 2008.03.27 11:52
English Translation Credit: HanCinema

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Han Ye-seul, Lee Bo-yeong, Jeong Ryeo-won, Compete for the New Actress Award



Lee Yeon-hee, Han Ye-seul, Lee Bo-yeong, Jeong Ryeo-won, and Lee Ha-na were nominated for the New Actress Award in a movie for the 44th Baek-sang Awards.

According to the announcement, Lee Bo-yeong of "Once Upon a Time", Lee Yeon-hee of "M", Lee Ha-na of "Le Grand Chef", Jeong Ryeo-won of "2 Faces of My Girlfriend", and Han Ye-seul of "Miss Gold Digger" were nominated.

There is great expectation for who will receive the glory of the award, for they are all beautiful great stars. Also, "The Chaser" has been nominated for six categories at this year's Baek-sang Awards, including best picture, best directing, new director, best screenplay, best actor, and popularity.

Other nominees for the best picture were "Forever the Moment", "Secret Sunshine", "Happiness", and "May 18".

The Baek-sang Awards will be on April 24.

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[bag.lover]

Original Korean Article: FILM 2.0 2008.03.28
English Translation Credit: HanCinema

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Hyeon Bin the patient, Lee Bo-yeong the nurse



Hyeon Bin and Lee Bo-yeong will be acting together as a patient and a nurse. In director Yoon Jong-chan's new movie "I Am Happy", the two will meet in a mental hospital and fall in love as a patient and a nurse.

Hyeon Bin plays a young man who suffers from a mental disorder due to a dysfunctional family and lifestyle. Lee Bo-yeong stars as the nurse who takes care of him. This is his comeback to the screen two years after "A Millionaire's First Love" and receiving love as 'Sam-shik' in "My Name is Kim Sam-soon". Lee Bo-yeong, after her first main role in "Once Upon a Time", will show another side of her. It's drawing attention because it's a joyful and painful story, by a director known for his unique movies, as shown in "Sorum" and "Blue Swallow". Filming will start at the end of this month.

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[bag.lover]

Original Korean Article: Mydaily 2008-04-01 11:12:58
English Translation Credit: HanCinema

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Movie "Friend" into Drama… Who plays Jang Dong-gun and Yoo Oh-seong's roles?



It seems we will meet "Friend", which premiered in 2001 and drew 8 million viewers, on television.

The production company is planning to produce "Friend" as a drama, and director Kwak Kyung-taek will hold the megaphone once more. "Friend" drew a lot of popularity from the start, left many catchphrases, and allowed Jang Dong-gun to officially rise up in stardom.

Jang Dong-gun and Yoo Oh-seong starred with strong Pusan accents and captivated audiences with their acting. The drama will cast stars with other styles but the list, of course, includes top stars.

Who will be the actors who receive judgment for following in Jang Dong-gun and Yoo Oh-seong's footsteps?

We cannot exclude Jang Dong-gun, who has worked with Director Kwak Gyeong-tae in "Typhoon" and "Friend". However, it doesn't seem likely that Jang Dong-gun will star in the drama after starring in the movie.

Because many directors work with actors they've already worked with, there is a possibility of Joo Jin-mo, who did "a LOVE", and Jeong Woo-seong, who did "Mutt Boy". Kim Min-joon, who was in "a LOVE", is better qualified, for he is from Pusan and can pull off the accent.

Because the drama will be in Pusan, like the movie, Kim Min-joon and other stars from Pusan might be qualified. Other stars from Pusan include Jang Hyeok, Lee Joon-ki, and Kang Dong-won.

Other actors who haven't starred in dramas recently are Won Bin, Yoo Ji-tae, Eom Tae-woong, Kim Joo-hyeok, Hyeon Bin, Jo Han-seon, and Lee Jeong-jae.

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