Korean Drama

[bag.lover]

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(source: KBS Global 2008-04-14)
TVXQ to Release Brand New Single Album



The popular idol group TVXQ will release its 22nd single "Beautiful You" on April 23.

After releasing its third studio album in January, the group has been releasing a series of singles with the member taking turns as the main vocalist. "Beautiful You" will be TVXQ's seventh single album this year.

The latest single features the theme song from "The Story of the First King's Four Gods," a historical drama series starring Bae Yong-joon, which began airing in Japan on NHK on April 5.

According to the April 12th edition of Japan's Oricon News, female music listeners in their 20s and 40s were most interested in the soon-to-be-released single album. Compared to the seven singles that were released last year, the six singles that were released this year as of March had a recognitiion rate of 69.8 percent versus 56.7 percent.

Oricon News said the consecutive releases of the single albums as well as the popularity of the historical drama series are expected to boost the sales of the latest single.

TVXQ included Korean and Japanese versions of the drama theme song "Cheonnyeonyeonga." The single album contains a total of five different versions of the song including a karaoke version and an instrumental version.

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[bag.lover]

DAILY TV RATING [SATURDAY 2008.04.12]


*** TNS Media Research ***

RANK / TITLE / NETWORK / NATIONWIDE / SEOUL

1. Angry Mom <엄마가뿔났다> / Mom's Dead Upset (E) (KBS2) - 26.3%, 26.9%
<Saturday/Sunday 7:55pm>
2. First Wives Club <조강지처클럽> / The First Wives Club (E) (SBS) - 24.0%, 25.1%
<Saturday/Sunday 9:45pm>
3. Infinite Challenge 무한도전 (MBC) - 21.9%, 22.7%
<Saturday>
4. I Am Happy <행복합니다> (SBS) - 19.3%, 19.9%
<Saturday/Sunday 8:45pm>
5. The Last Scandal Of My Life <내생애마지막스캔들> / Last Scandal (E) (MBC) - 16.8%, 17.2%
<Saturday/Sunday 9:40pm>
7. King Sejong <대왕세종> / The Great King Sejong (E) (KBS2) - 14.9%, 14.4%
<Saturday/Sunday 9:30pm>
8. Unmatched Beauty Park Jung Geum <천하일색박정금> / Park Jung-geum, Heavenly Beauty (E) (MBC) - 13.7%, 13.3%
<Saturday/Sunday 7:55pm>
9. Good Woman Baek Il Hong <착한여자백일홍> / The Innocent Woman (E) (KBS2) - 10.8%, 10.4% (#10)
<Monday-Saturday 9:00am>
12. Aquarius <물병자리> (SBS) - 9.4%, 9.0% (#14)
<Monday-Saturday morning serial drama>


*** AGB Nielsen Media Research ***

RANK / TITLE / NETWORK / NATIONWIDE / SEOUL

1. Angry Mom <엄마가뿔났다> / Mom's Dead Upset (E) (KBS2) - 26.5%, 27.8%
<Saturday/Sunday 7:55pm>
2. First Wives Club <조강지처클럽> / The First Wives Club (E) (SBS) - 24.0%, 27.0%
<Saturday/Sunday 9:45pm>
3. I Am Happy <행복합니다> (SBS) - 21.1%, 22.2%
<Saturday/Sunday 8:45pm>
4. Infinite Challenge 무한도전 (MBC) - 19.5%, 20.5%
<Saturday>
5. The Last Scandal Of My Life <내생애마지막스캔들> / Last Scandal (E) (MBC) - 17.8%, 17.9%
<Saturday/Sunday 9:40pm>
7. King Sejong <대왕세종> / The Great King Sejong (E) (KBS2) - 14.5%, 15.4%
<Saturday/Sunday 9:30pm>
8. Unmatched Beauty Park Jung Geum <천하일색박정금> / Park Jung-geum, Heavenly Beauty (E) (MBC) - 14.0%, 14.1%
<Saturday/Sunday 7:55pm>
9. Good Woman Baek Il Hong <착한여자백일홍> / The Innocent Woman (E) (KBS2) - 11.9%, 12.3%
<Monday-Saturday 9:00am>
14. Aquarius <물병자리> (SBS) - 9.4%, 10.5% (#12)
<Monday-Saturday morning serial drama>

[bag.lover]

DAILY TV RATING [SUNDAY 2008.04.13]


*** TNS Media Research ***

RANK / TITLE / NETWORK / NATIONWIDE / SEOUL

1. Angry Mom <엄마가뿔났다> / Mom's Dead Upset (E) (KBS2) - 29.6%, 29.8%
<Saturday/Sunday 7:55pm>
2. First Wives Club <조강지처클럽> / The First Wives Club (E) (SBS) - 26.0%, 26.7%
<Saturday/Sunday 9:45pm>
3. I Am Happy <행복합니다> (SBS) - 22.7%, 24.0%
<Saturday/Sunday 8:45pm>
4. The Last Scandal Of My Life <내생애마지막스캔들> / Last Scandal (E) (MBC) - 17.6%, 18.2%
<Saturday/Sunday 9:40pm>
5. Happy Sunday 해피선데이 (KBS2) - 17.2%, 17.4%
6. King Sejong <대왕세종> / The Great King Sejong (E) (KBS2) - 17.0%, 16.8%
<Saturday/Sunday 9:30pm>
7. Unmatched Beauty Park Jung Geum <천하일색박정금> / Park Jung-geum, Heavenly Beauty (E) (MBC) - 15.3%, 15.4%
<Saturday/Sunday 7:55pm>
8. Gag Concert 개그콘서트 (KBS2) - 12.8%, 13.7%


*** AGB Nielsen Media Research ***

RANK / TITLE / NETWORK / NATIONWIDE / SEOUL

1. Angry Mom <엄마가뿔났다> / Mom's Dead Upset (E) (KBS2) - 30.0%, 30.1%
<Saturday/Sunday 7:55pm>
2. First Wives Club <조강지처클럽> / The First Wives Club (E) (SBS) - 25.7%, 28.2%
<Saturday/Sunday 9:45pm>
3. I Am Happy <행복합니다> (SBS) - 24.3%, 25.2%
<Saturday/Sunday 8:45pm>
4. The Last Scandal Of My Life <내생애마지막스캔들> / Last Scandal (E) (MBC) - 19.0%, 19.4%
<Saturday/Sunday 9:40pm>
5. Happy Sunday 해피선데이 (KBS2) - 16.7%, 16.9%
6. King Sejong <대왕세종> / The Great King Sejong (E) (KBS2) - 16.1%, 15.9%
<Saturday/Sunday 9:30pm>
7. Unmatched Beauty Park Jung Geum <천하일색박정금> / Park Jung-geum, Heavenly Beauty (E) (MBC) - 14.0%, 14.0% (#9)
<Saturday/Sunday 7:55pm>
12. Gag Concert 개그콘서트 (KBS2) - 11.7%, 11.5% (#14)

[bag.lover]

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(source: KBS Global 2008-04-14)
"Mom's Dead Upset" Viewer Ratings Exceeds 30%



Viewer ratings for "Mom's Dead Upset," a popular new TV series on KBS, has exceeded 30 percent since it first began airing two months ago.

According to AGB Nielsen Media Research, "Mom's Dead Upset" recorded nationwide viewer ratings of 30 percent on April 13. The drama also recorded viewer ratings of 30.1 percent in the metropolitan area and 31.6 percent in Seoul.

A study by TNS Media Research showed the drama's nationwide viewer ratings recorded 29.6 percent the same day.

The series is popular writer Kim Soo-hyun's first drama in four years. {Writer Kim's most recent work is SBS drama "My Man's Woman" (2007)} The first episode of "Mom's Dead Upset" which aired on February 2, recorded viewer ratings of 25.3 percent.

The story is about a middle-class family of three generations that run a laundromat. The mother of the family, played by actress Kim Hye-ja, has planned out the lives of her three children her whole life. However, all three end up with partners that don't quite suit their mother's taste. The drama features realistic and witty conversations, typical of Kim's works, as well as superb acting by some of Korea's top actors.

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[bag.lover]

WEEKLY TV RATING [2008.04.07 ~ 2008.04.13]


*** TNS Media Research ***

RANK / TITLE / NETWORK / NATIONWIDE / SEOUL

1. I Hate You But It's Fine <미우나고우나> / Likable Or Not (E) (KBS1) - 37.9%, 36.4%
<Monday-Friday 8:25pm>
2. Yi San <이산> / Lee San, Wind Of The Palace (E) (MBC) - 31.7%, 34.0%
<Monday/Tuesday 9:55pm>
3. Angry Mom <엄마가뿔났다> / Mom's Dead Upset (E) (KBS2) - 28.0%, 28.4%
<Saturday/Sunday 7:55pm>
4. First Wives Club <조강지처클럽> / The First Wives Club (E) (SBS) - 25.0%, 25.9%
<Saturday/Sunday 9:45pm>
5. Infinite Challenge 무한도전 (MBC) - 21.9%, 22.7%
<Saturday>
6. I Am Happy <행복합니다> (SBS) - 21.0%, 21.9%
<Saturday/Sunday 8:45pm>
7. Even So Love <그래도좋아> / Heart Of Destiny (E) (MBC) - 20.3%, 20.1% (#8)
<Monday-Friday 7:50am>
8. Happy Together 해피투게더 (KBS2) - 19.5%, 20.4% (#7)
<Thursday>
9. On Air <온에어> (SBS) - 19.4%, 20.1%
<Wednesday/Thursday 9:55pm>
10. Ah Hyeon Dong's Madam <아현동마님> / Opposites Attract (E) (MBC) - 19.3%, 19.9%
<Monday-Friday 7:45pm>
11. KBS News 9 (KBS1) - 18.2%, 16.9% (#13)
12. Happy Sunday 해피선데이 (KBS2) - 17.2%, 17.4%
<Sunday>
13. The Last Scandal Of My Life <내생애마지막스캔들> / Last Scandal (E) (MBC) - 17.2%, 17.7% (#11)
<Saturday/Sunday 9:40pm>
15. King Sejong <대왕세종> / The Great King Sejong (E) (KBS2) - 15.9%, 15.6%
<Saturday/Sunday 9:30pm>
16. Unmatched Beauty Park Jung Geum <천하일색박정금> / Park Jung-geum, Heavenly Beauty (E) (MBC) - 14.5%, 14.3% (#17)
<Saturday/Sunday 7:55pm>
19. Three Dads And One Mom <아빠 셋 엄마 하나> (KBS2) - 13.2%, % (Below_Top_20)
<Wednesday/Thursday 9:55pm>


*** AGB Nielsen Media Research ***

RANK / TITLE / NETWORK / NATIONWIDE / SEOUL

1. I Hate You But It's Fine <미우나고우나> / Likable Or Not (E) (KBS1) - 38.4%, 37.4%
<Monday-Friday 8:25pm>
2. Yi San <이산> / Lee San, Wind Of The Palace (E) (MBC) - 32.1%, 34.9%
<Monday/Tuesday 9:55pm>
3. Angry Mom <엄마가뿔났다> / Mom's Dead Upset (E) (KBS2) - 28.2%, 29.0%
<Saturday/Sunday 7:55pm>
4. First Wives Club <조강지처클럽> / The First Wives Club (E) (SBS) - 24.8%, 27.6%
<Saturday/Sunday 9:45pm>
5. I Am Happy <행복합니다> (SBS) - 22.7%, 23.7%
<Saturday/Sunday 8:45pm>
6. KBS News 9 (KBS1) - 20.2%, 20.3% (#9)
6. Even So Love <그래도좋아> / Heart Of Destiny (E) (MBC) - 20.2%, 20.8% (#7)
<Monday-Friday 7:50am>
8. Infinite Challenge 무한도전 (MBC) - 19.5%, 20.5%
<Saturday>
8. On Air <온에어> (SBS) - 19.5%, 20.3% (#9)
<Wednesday/Thursday 9:55pm>
10. Happy Together 해피투게더 (KBS2) - 19.2%, 21.5% (#6)
<Thursday>
11. The Last Scandal Of My Life <내생애마지막스캔들> / Last Scandal (E) (MBC) - 18.4%, 18.6%
<Saturday/Sunday 9:40pm>
12. Ah Hyeon Dong's Madam <아현동마님> / Opposites Attract (E) (MBC) - 17.8%, 18.1%
<Monday-Friday 7:45pm>
14. Happy Sunday 해피선데이 (KBS2) - 16.7%, 16.9% (#15)
<Sunday>
17. King Sejong <대왕세종> / The Great King Sejong (E) (KBS2) - 15.3%, 15.7%
<Saturday/Sunday 9:30pm>
19. Unmatched Beauty Park Jung Geum <천하일색박정금> / Park Jung-geum, Heavenly Beauty (E) (MBC) - 14.0%, % (Below_Top_20)
<Saturday/Sunday 7:55pm>

[bag.lover]

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Mediaplex closes Motion 101 production unit

Written by Han Sunhee
Monday, 14 April 2008

SEOUL-- Korea's Showbox has announced that it will close its production shingle Motion101.

The shingle was established in August 2006 by Mediaplex, at the time Korea's largest movie conglom, in a move to boost in-house production capacity. Mediaplex owned distribution company Showbox and Korea's largest multiplex chain Megabox, though last year sold the Megabox theaters to Australian financial consortium Macquarrie.

Mediaplex provided 80% of the initial $2.6 million capital for Motion 101 through its subsid Showbox and teamed up with stock market-listed IT company Innet, which put the rest of the start up coin.

Since then Motion101 has been developing helmer Park Kwang-hyun ("Welcome To Dongmakgol")'s new project "Fist", a $ 15 million budget sci-fi action drama. But there have been internal disagreements with in Mediaplex concerning support for the title.

The sudden closure decision has shocked the Korean industry. Only last month Motion101 announced that it was developing a dance movie with JYP, a renowned music producer and composer who made and promoted the Korean Wave superstar Rain.

Sources at Motion101 said only that the company would be closed at the end of this month and offered no explanation for the decision. Industry observers suppose that closure was a step by Mediaplex's parent company Orion Group to reduce its losses from the entertainment business sector.

Innet plunged into film industry in 2006 acquiring shares of CINELINE2, which produced "Marathon" and "My Father". But early this year, Innet withdrew from the market due to the reversal of the industry's fortunes and separated from CINELINE2.

http://www.varietyasiaonline.com/content/view/5907/1/

---
Korean film label Motion 101 closing

April 11, 2008
By Mark Russell

SEOUL -- One of South Korea's most ambitious attempts to create a new film production label has ended before it even began.

Motion 101 is expected to close its doors by the end of the month. It was formed in the summer with backing from Mediaplex, one of Korea's largest movie companies and the owner of distribution company Showbox and operator of the Megabox multiplex chain.

But sources said a rethink in corporate strategy has led Mediaplex to pull the plug on Motion 101 and the films it had in the works.

The fledgling shingle could close its doors April 30, according to one source.

No one at Motion 101 or Mediaplex would comment, citing the sensitivity of the move and the fact that Mediaplex has not finalized all the details of the closure. But Motion 101 flagship title

"Fist," a $15 million science-fiction tale directed by Park Kwang-hyun, is now on hold. Showbox remains an investor in "Fist," but producers are looking for additional financing.

The closing of Motion 101 has re-ignited speculation that Mediaplex parent company, the conglomerate Orion Group, is looking to divest itself of its entertainment divisions after another rough year in the industry.

In July, Mediaplex sold its Megabox theater chain to a consortium led by Australian banking group Macquarie for 145.5 billion won ($149.2 million). At the time, Mediaplex executives said the move was made in part to raise funds for Motion 101.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/...5cad6d36dff334

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[bag.lover]

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(source: Korea Times 04-14-2008 16:43)
Nintendo Launches Action-Packed Wii in Korea

By Cho Jin-seo
Staff Reporter


Actor Won Bin, left, and Nintendo CEO Satoru Iwata duel in a virtual tennis match at the local launch of the Nintendo Wii held at the Grand Hyatt in central Seoul, Monday. / Korea Times Photo by Kim Dong-ho

Nintendo is finally set out to sell its action-packed video game player Wii in South Korea, ending a long wait for gamers here.

The company said Monday that it will release the localized version on April 26 for 220,000 won, targeting Children's Day on May 5. It is a belated introduction to Korea, almost 15 months after its debut in the United States.

Wii is currently the best-selling video game player in the world with more than 20 million sold worldwide until last December. But South Korea and China have been excluded from the hype, as Nintendo worried about rampant software piracy.

"We are very sorry to keep you waiting so long,'' Satoru Iwata, the CEO and president, during an extravagant press conference held at the Grand Hyatt in central Seoul.

Iwata then surprised the audience by making a long, 90-degree bow _ a rare scene in South Korea where even the most corrupt businessmen hardly admit their faults in public. Iwata and Koda Mineo, chief of Nintendo Korea, each bowed two times during their one-hour presentations.

Though such Japanese-style gestures may look exaggerated to reporters, the two Nintendo men have good reasons to thank their customers here.

The Korean game industry had been dominated by online games that run on personal computers, while video game consoles such as PlayStation of Sony and Xbox of Microsoft were all suffering from poor sales. But Nintendo surprised everyone with its palm-sized game player Nintendo DS, 1.4 million of which have been sold since January 2007.

"I remember that the general sentiment was skeptical when we first launched DS in Korea. But as we all know, it is now played by many customers here, even aged people who were unlikely to play video games before,'' said Iwata, who has led Nintendo since 2002.

The Wii is a home video game machine, which has a motion-sensitive remote controller. Using the "Wiimote,'' gamers can imitate various actions, such as swinging a baseball bat, hurling a bowling ball or pointing a rifle at a target.

Iwata said it may not become as popular as the DS in Korea because people tend to play PC games at home. The delayed local launch also caused many gamers to buy imported Wii consoles at a higher cost.

Another worry is the rampant software piracy. It is unlikely that Wii can beat the horde of online pirates. Even before its official release, many game shops in major electronics stores such as Yongsan and Kukje Electronics Market were selling imported Wii players that have a special chip, which enables it to to run duplicated game CDs.

The company set a 39,000 won price tag each for game, Wii Play and Wii Sports, the two most popular titles.

Consumers should note that the Korean version of Wii won't play game titles bought from other countries, and vice versa.

indizio@koreatimes.co.kr

--
Won Bin - endorser


[images=starnews/chosun]

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[bag.lover]

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(source: Korea Times 04-14-2008 17:04)
Musicals Go on Stage at Royal Palace

By Chung Ah-young
Staff Reporter


“The Last Empress” will be staged at Sungjeongjeon, the main hall of Gyeonghui Palace May 4-12. “Janggeum, The Great” and “Admiral Yi Sun-sin” will also go on the outdoor stage of the palace on Aug. 20-24 and from Sept. 5 to Oct. 19 respectively. / Courtesy of Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture

A series of epic musicals will be staged at Gyeonghui Palace this the year.

The outdoor performances at the royal palaces will also form part of the 2008 Hi Seoul Festival, May 3-11.

The Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture decided to stage the musicals to promote the beauty of the royal palaces in Seoul to foreigners and citizens alike.

Local epic musicals such as "The Last Empress,'' "Janggeum, The Great'' and "Admiral Yi Sun-sin'' will be included in the program.

The foundation said it will be a good opportunity for Seoul's citizens and foreign tourists to enjoy the musicals at lower ticket prices.

"The ticket prices will be lower than that of performances in the big theaters. The foundation will also provide complimentary seats for the underprivileged,'' the press release said. However, the foundation said that it will ensure no damage is caused to the historical sites.

"The Last Empress,'' the landmark hit musical viewed by about one million people since its premiere in 1995, will take to the stage May 4-12 on the outdoor stage of the palace.

The foundation said that "The Last Empress'' is the most suitable for the theme of the Hi Seoul Festival, which is centered on Korea's palaces.

The outdoor show will be an ideal venue to capture the dramatic tension of the musical, which is based on historical facts that actually happened in Gyeongbok Palace.

Previous performances of "The Last Empress'' were staged on a revolving stage with gigantic sets. But this one will focus on the original forms of the palace using the major courtyards such as "Sangwoldae'' and "Hawoldae.''

Artificial lighting and mechanical facilities will be minimized to make most use of natural light.

"The Last Empress'' is an historically accurate portrayal of the fascinating life of Korea's beloved Queen Min and her struggle to steer the hermit kingdom toward modernization. The musical portrays her close ties with western nations to keep Japan at bay as it strives to take command of her country, and her eventual demise at the sword of Japanese samurai.

The running time will be reduced to 100 minutes from the original 140 minutes without intermission.

But the number of cast members including veteran actress Lee Tae-won, Lee Sang-eun and Lee Jong-mun, will be increased from 45 to 65.

Tickets cost from 30,000 to 50,000 won with the support of the foundation. The musical will be held at Sungjeongjeon, the main hall of the palace. For more information, call (02) 3290-7144 and (02) 575-6606.

Also, "Admiral Yi Sun-sin'' directed by prominent director and playwright Lee Yoon-taek, will go on stage on Aug. 20-24, while "Janggeum, The Great'' will be staged from Sept. 5 to Oct. 19.

"Admiral Yi Sun-sin'' will premiere for the first time at this venue and will be offered free of charge to the audience.

Gyeonghui Palace was one of the "Five Grand Palaces'' built in the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910). In the latter Joseon period, the palace served as the secondary palace _ the palace where the King moves in times of emergency, as it was situated on the west side of Seoul.

From King Injo to King Cheoljong, about ten kings of the Joseon era stayed at the palace. The palace was built incorporating the slanted geography of the surrounding mountain and boasts of traditional beauty in its architecture rich with historical significance.

chungay@koreatimes.co.kr

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[bag.lover]

Jeon Ji-hyun


Kim Tae-hee





[images=sina]

[bag.lover]

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(source: JoongAng Daily)
Concept stores where art, culture and shopping combine

April 15, 2008


Azzedine Alaia’s couture dress collection. By Park Jong-keun, Kang Yun-jung

If you like fashion, but are looking for something more than the usual skinny jeans and a pair of flats with the “it bag” that everyone on the street is sporting now, new spots await your call. Known as select shops, or multi-shops among Koreans, this new breed of shopping outlets is expanding in Seoul. Welcome to the world of concept stores.

“Concept stores are a cross between a mini-department store and a boutique,” said Jung Yoon-ki, a stylist who has dressed numerous celebrities such as the actresses Kim Hye-soo and Kim Hee-ae, to name a few. “They are places for people who love fashion and culture. It’s a new kind of experience of shopping, moving beyond looking around department stores.”
Jung said concept stores began in Seoul around 2000. “Boon The Shop, Mue and Koon are concept stores that opened this new era in shopping,” Jung said. “Now, there are more than a dozen in southern Seoul, each with an exquisite collection and unique identity.”

On March 21, 10 Corso Como, a Milan-based concept store long-worshiped by fashion addicts around the world, arrived in Seoul, creating a buzz among stylists in this city. The creative brain behind this three-story shop belongs to Carla Sozzani, who founded the company in Milan in 1991. The store sells books, CDs, bags, shoes, dresses, toys and kitchen and dinnerware. But 10 Corso Como Seoul is not just about shopping; it’s a place for art and culture. The interior is adorned with the artwork of American artist Kris Ruhs and the black-and-white 10 Corso Como logo, which is synonymous with the company. In addition, the store has gallery spaces for exhibitions, and it is currently hosting an Azzedine Alaia couture dress collection and a Madame Grès vintage dress exhibition.

“Art and culture were the key when Sozzani founded 10 Corso Como in Milan,” said Kim Yoon-kyung, a public affairs official from Cheil Industries, the Korean partner of the Italian concept store.


Azzedine Alaia’s couture magazines,below, at 10 Corso Como Seoul; The main gate and the cafe, left, of 10 Corso Como Seoul feature artwork by Kris Ruhs. By Park Jong-keun

You can listen to Jane Birkin on the 10 Corso Como Love CD, flip through a portfolio of Robert Mapplethorpe pictures, sip a double espresso, slip on a Lanvin dress or breathe in the scent of an Abhana white grapefruit candle.

The women’s section features everything from luxury to hip. A Top- shop by Kate Moss T-shirt costs 50,000 won ($48.75), while a vintage Hermès Kelly bag costs 10,080,000 won. Joelle Ciocco’s organic and natural cosmetics, Repetto’s ballerina flats, Miu Miu bags and John Galliano dresses are available among the 106 brands from Italy, France, the United States, England, Belgium and Germany. Sozzani handpicks all these items.

There is also a bookstore and an extraordinary men’s section, which is hip, charming, fun and modern. The men’s section is small, but the items are exquisite. Considering that Korean men like nondescriptive clothes, 10 Corso Como’s selection could be perceived as too daring. From the crisp, white shirts with witty logos by Play by Comme des Garçons to the boxing gloves by Everlast, there is something for everyone.

Believe me, 10 Corso Como Seoul is not a place for hasty shopping.
“Seoul gives Sozzani an impression of dynamism,” Kim said. “She wants this space in Seoul to be a place for communication through art and culture, fashion and lifestyle.”

The cafe at 10 Corso Como offers great coffee and a selection of its own wine. The menu is packed with Italian classics such as pasta and tiramisu.
Within walking distance of 10 Corso Como is Boon The Shop, founded in 2000, another holy ground for fashion-fixated shoppers.

The four-story building, designed by Guido Stefanoni and Freyrie & Pestalozza, redefined fashion in Seoul when it remodeled itself into a lifestyle concept store in 2004. The minimalist interior makes the shop’s impressive collections stand out, and the store is known for introducing Balenciaga, Marni, Maison Martin Margiela, Comme des Garçons and Dries Van Noten to Korea.

For the 2008 spring/summer season, the concept store features a range of ready-to-wear items, including swimsuits, shoes and bags with the theme “Romantic Garden.” From Stella McCartney’s flower-print bikini to Chloë Sevigny’s summer halter dress, Boon The Shop offers wearable alternatives to the highlights from Paris, Milan and New York runways.


and the cafe, left, of 10 Corso Como Seoul feature artwork by Kris Ruhs. By Park Jong-keun

The concept store also has its own lounge music CD, created by Clazziquai, the Korean fusion band. Vecchia & Nuovo on the ground floor serves desserts and light meals, and the cafe’s cupcakes look popular among the coffee drinkers.

Two more Boon The Shop branches are at Shinsegae Department Store in Gangnam and Shinsegae main store downtown. “Concept stores are places where you consume culture,” said Jung, the stylist. “If you go Paris, there is Colette. If you go Milan, there is 10 Corso Como. If you go to London, there is Dover Street Market. Tourists flock to those concept stores to feel the culture. Now it is Seoul’s turn.”

By Ser Myo-ja Staff Reporter [myoja@joongang.co.kr]

http://joongangdaily.joins.com/artic...sp?aid=2888632

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[bag.lover]

DAILY TV RATING [MONDAY 2008.04.14]


*** TNS Media Research ***

RANK / TITLE / NETWORK / NATIONWIDE / SEOUL

1. I Hate You But It's Fine <미우나고우나> / Likable Or Not (E) (KBS1) - 39.3%, 38.0%
<Monday-Friday 8:25pm>
2. Yi San <이산> / Lee San, Wind Of The Palace (E) (MBC) - 27.9%, 30.7%
<Monday/Tuesday 9:55pm>
3. KBS News 9 (KBS1) - 22.6%, 21.2%
4. Ah Hyeon Dong's Madam <아현동마님> / Opposites Attract (E) (MBC) - 19.8%, 20.6%
<Monday-Friday 7:45pm>
6. Beautiful Days <아름다운시절> / Beautiful Days (E) (KBS1) - 12.9%, 12.3%
<Monday-Friday 7:50am>
7. Unwaivering <흔들리지마> premiere (MBC) - 11.9%, 11.8%
<Monday-Friday 7:50am>
9. Scary Girl <그여자가무서워> / A Vindictive Woman (E) (SBS) - 11.0%, 10.8%
<Monday-Friday 7:20pm>
12. Good Woman Baek Il Hong <착한여자백일홍> / The Innocent Woman (E) (KBS2) - 10.1%, 10.5% (#11)
<Monday-Saturday 9:00am>
16. Aquarius <물병자리> (SBS) - 9.5%, 9.1% (#17)
<Monday-Saturday morning serial drama>
Powerful Opponents <강적들> premiere (KBS2) - 7.1% (Below_Top_20), % (Below_Top_20)
<Monday/Tuesday 9:55pm>
I Love You <사랑해> (SBS) - 6.7% (Below_Top_20), % (Below_Top_20)
<Monday/Tuesday 9:55pm>


*** AGB Nielsen Media Research ***

RANK / TITLE / NETWORK / NATIONWIDE / SEOUL

1. I Hate You But It's Fine <미우나고우나> / Likable Or Not (E) (KBS1) - 39.9%, 39.2%
<Monday-Friday 8:25pm>
2. Yi San <이산> / Lee San, Wind Of The Palace (E) (MBC) - 28.4%, 31.2%
<Monday/Tuesday 9:55pm>
3. KBS News 9 (KBS1) - 23.9%, 23.7%
4. Ah Hyeon Dong's Madam <아현동마님> / Opposites Attract (E) (MBC) - 19.8%, 20.1%
<Monday-Friday 7:45pm>
5. Beautiful Days <아름다운시절> / Beautiful Days (E) (KBS1) - 14.0%, 13.8%
<Monday-Friday 7:50am>
6. Unwaivering <흔들리지마> premiere (MBC) - 12.6%, 13.2%
<Monday-Friday 7:50am>
10. Good Woman Baek Il Hong <착한여자백일홍> / The Innocent Woman (E) (KBS2) - 11.6%, 11.7% (#11)
<Monday-Saturday 9:00am>
12. Aquarius <물병자리> (SBS) - 11.3%, 10.7% (#15)
<Monday-Saturday morning serial drama>
13. Scary Girl <그여자가무서워> / A Vindictive Woman (E) (SBS) - 11.0%, 11.6% (#12)
<Monday-Friday 7:20pm>
I Love You <사랑해> (SBS) - 7.0% (Below_Top_20), % (Below_Top_20)
<Monday/Tuesday 9:55pm>
Powerful Opponents <강적들> premiere (KBS2) - 6.1% (Below_Top_20), % (Below_Top_20)
<Monday/Tuesday 9:55pm>



MBC 'Yi San', SBS 'I Love You', KBS 'Powerful Opponents' [image=mydaily]

[bag.lover]

Box Office [Friday 2008.04.11 ~ Sunday 2008.04.13]

1. Taken (France)
3-day Adm / Total Adm : 286,297 / 408,880
Gross / Total Gross (won) : 1,946,034,500 / 2,777,581,500
Screen : 327
Opening Date : 2008/04/09
Director : Pierre Morel
Main Cast : Liam Neeson, Maggie Grace, Anjul Nigam, Goran Kostic, Holly Valance

2. Three Kingdoms - Resurrection Of The Dragon (South Korea, Hong Kong)
3-day Adm / Total Adm : 179,439 / 764,545
Gross / Total Gross (won) : 1,184,744,500 / 4,954,529,500
Screen : 340
Opening Date : 2008/04/03
Director : Daniel Lee
Main Cast : Andy Lau, Maggie Q, Sammo Hung

3. GP 506 / The Guard Post (South Korea)
3-day Adm / Total Adm : 146,893 / 734,685
Gross / Total Gross (won) : 1,004,214,000 / 4,935,044,000
Screen : 353
Opening Date : 2008/04/03
Director : Kong Soo-chang
Main Cast : Cheon Ho-jin, Jo Hyeon-jae, Lee Yeong-hoon, Lee Jeong-heon, Sin Hyeon-tak

4. An Empress And The Warriors (Hong Kong, China)
3-day Adm / Total Adm : 65,362 / 116,125
Gross / Total Gross (won) : 432,246,500 / 765,712,500
Screen : 299
Opening Date : 2008/04/09
Director : Tony Ching Siu Tung
Main Cast : Donnie Yen, Kelly Chen, Leon Lai, Guo Xiaodong, Kou Zhenhai

5. Definitely, Maybe (U.S., U.K.)
3-day Adm / Total Adm : 45,692 / 101,858
Gross / Total Gross (won) : 314,223,000 / 627,814,500
Screen : 178
Opening Date : 2008/04/09
Director : Adam Brooks
Main Cast : Ryan Reynolds, Abigail Breslin, Derek Luke, Isla Fisher, Elizabeth Banks

6. The Bucket List (U.S.)
3-day Adm / Total Adm : 42,909 / 73,644
Gross / Total Gross (won) : 292,548,000 / 471,986,000
Screen : 79
Opening Date : 2008/04/09
Director : Rob Reiner
Main Cast : Jack Nicholson, Morgan Freeman, Sean Hayes, Rob Morrow, Beverly Todd

7. The Chaser (South Korea)
3-day Adm / Total Adm : 39,200 / 4,941,064
Gross / Total Gross (won) : 266,978,500 / 33,070,406,000
Screen : 227
Opening Date : 2008/02/14
Director : Na Hong-jin
Main Cast : Kim Yoon-seok, Ha Jeong-woo, Seo Yeong-hee

8. The Air I Breathe (Mexico, U.S.)
3-day Adm / Total Adm : 38,590 / 69,678
Gross / Total Gross (won) : 264,288,500 / 475,012,000
Screen : 209
Opening Date : 2008/04/09
Director : Jieho Lee
Main Cast : Sarah Michelle Gellar, Brendan Fraser, Kevin Bacon, Forest Whitaker, Andy Garcia

9. Doremipasolrasido (South Korea)
3-day Adm / Total Adm : 29,735 / 152,399
Gross / Total Gross (won) : 174,778,000 / 894,170,000
Screen : 196
Opening Date : 2008/04/03
Director : Kang Geon-hyang
Main Cast : Jang Geun-seok, Cha Ye-ryeon, Jeong Ee-cheol, Im Joo-hwan, Park Min-ji

10. The Other Boleyn Girl (U.K.)
3-day Adm / Total Adm : 28,489 / 631,244
Gross / Total Gross (won) : 191,716,500 / 4,171,926,000
Screen : 169
Opening Date : 2008/03/20
Director : Justin Chadwick
Main Cast : Natalie Portman, Eric Bana, Scarlett Johansson, Tiffany Freisberg, Eddie Redmayne

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


'Taken', 'An Empress And The Warriors'


'Definitely, Maybe', 'The Air I Breathe'


Images: Maxmovie

[jennot]

Originally Posted by bag.lover

bag.lover why are you the only one posting?

and DAMN what happened to his HAIR?!
he looks like a mushroom now, what did they put him through in the army

[bag.lover]

========================================
(source: Korea Times 04-15-2008 16:59)
Korean Dramas Remade in Philippines, Japan

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Staff Reporter


‘Hotelier,’ the Japanese drama version

When the SBS drama "My Girl'' was shown on primetime Philippine TV in 2006, the dialogue was dubbed in the Filipino language and the characters played by actress Lee Da-hae and actor Lee Dong-wook were re-named Jasmine and Julian.

Filipino audiences fell in love with the romantic comedy series, making it one of the most popular Korean dramas in the Philippines. Since it was such a big hit, ABS-CBN, the broadcasting network that aired the drama, decided to remake "My Girl'' with an all-Filipino cast.



ABS-CBN bought the rights to remake the drama from SBS, and the Philippine version of "My Girl'' is scheduled to air next month.

"We're retaining the basic core of the story, but we're 'Philippinizing' it in so many ways. So it's going to be different. Ours is a combination of drama and comedy. It's a younger version definitely. The number of episodes is slightly more as well. Our version should run for about 16 to 20 hours," ABS-CBN business unit head Deo Edrinal said in a statement.

While the story is set in the Philippines, the producers are trying to inject some Korean flavor to the drama. A Korean stylist has been hired to create a trendy "Korean look" for the Filipino actors and actresses.

GMA Network, another major broadcasting network in the Philippines, also reportedly acquired the rights to remake the 2005 MBC drama "My Name is Kim Sam-soon.''

This is not the first time for a Korean drama to be remade abroad. The first was the Japanese drama "Hotelier,'' a remake of the Korean drama starring hallyu icon Bae Yong-joon, which was aired last year by TV Asahi in Japan.

Bae, who remains wildly popular among Japanese women, even made a cameo appearance in the drama. However, ratings for the drama were quite low.

In recent years, Japanese production companies have been acquiring drama adaptation rights for Korean movies.

A Japanese drama version of the successful 2001 Korean film "My Sassy Girl'' called "Ryokiteki na Kanojo'' will hit TV screens this spring. Tsuyoshi Kusanagi, a member of the popular group SMAP, and actress Lena Tanaka will play the lead roles.

However, the original plot and characters have been slightly changed. Instead of the lead characters playing college students, Kusanagi will play a marine biology professor, while Tanaka will play a writer. The drama airs April 20 on TBS network in Japan.

Incidentally, the Hollywood version of "My Sassy Girl,'' starring Jesse Bradford and Elisha Cuthbert, will be released this year.

"My Boss My Hero,'' based on the Korean film "My Boss, My Teacher,'' was one of 2005's biggest hit Japanese dramas. Tokio lead singer Tomoya Nagase played the role of a tough but idiotic gangster forced to return to high school to get his diploma, which was originally played by Korean actor Jeoung Jun-ho.

On the other hand, Korean production companies have been snapping up rights to remake several popular Japanese manga and dramas. Last year, MBC aired the Korean remake of the Japanese drama "White Tower,'' which garnered high ratings.

There are plans to do a Korean drama version of the popular manga "Boys Over Flowers (Hana Yori Dango),'' this year. It has already been turned into a successful drama in Taiwan (Meteor Garden) and Japan.

cathy@koreatimes.co.kr

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

[bag.lover]

========================================
(source: Korea Times 04-15-2008 17:06)
Local Epic Dramas to Air in Japanese Homes

By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter


Three warrior actors from epic drama, “Warrior’s Age.” The drama depicts the story of courageous warriors during the Goryeo Kingdom and will be aired in Japan soon. / Courtesy of KBS

Japanese fans have been loyal to Korean dramas ever since the successful "Winter Sonata'' (2002), starring Bae Yong-joon, visiting the filming sites and attending fan meetings of their favorite Korean stars. The demand is still high as they seek for more and something different.

At the MIPTV/Milia 2008, an annual international exhibition of audiovisual and digital contents held in Cannes, France, Korean Broadcasting System (KBS) signed a contract with a Japanese broadcast company for the export of four of their period dramas, "Dragon's Tears'' (1998), "King and Queen'' (1999), "Warrior's Age'' (2003) and "Immortal Admiral Yi Sun-shin'' (2004).



Until recently, the Korean dramas Japanese viewers enjoyed watching were mostly "soap operas,'' with heartthrob celebrities starring in heartbreaking love stories. But the new dramas being sent to Japan are quite different ― they have historical backgrounds and plots.

"Tears of the Dragon'' (1998) depicts the life of King Taejong of the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910), while "King and Queen'' shows the passion and power during King Sungjong period of the same kingdom. "Warrior's Age'' is a story of the lives and warriors who lived during the Goryeo Kingdom (918-1392), while "Yi Sun-shin'' is a biographical drama of the Joseon admiral who saved the country from numerous Japanese invasions. Yi is one of the most admired figures in Korean history.

Although the stories are based on history with a pinch of imagination it is quite easy to catch up with once you understand the dialogue. What's notable is that another country, especially Japan with which Korea has had strained relations in the past, would want to watch period dramas depicting Korea's ancient history.

"It started with 'fusion' period dramas like 'Taewangsasingi' (The Four Guardian Gods of the King) that stars Bae Yong-joon. People simply wanted more. The interest was originally on a 'trendy drama' with a historical background, but now, it's more about pure period dramas. It is easier for the Japanese to understand Korean period dramas than other foreign countries' because of cultural, geographical and historical similarities. We (Korea and Japan) know each other quite well,'' An Jung-mun, the deputy director of the Global Strategy Department at KBS told The Korea Times.

He also added that Japanese viewers tend to focus on the drama itself, not the historical background or plot.

"Unlike Koreans (who are very sensitive to historical facts and storylines within a drama), Japanese seem to care less about these elements. It's more the entertainment quality they are after,'' he said.

Currently, "Hwangjini,'' starring actress Ha Ji-won ― a period drama that depicts the life of a gisaeng during the Joseon Kingdom ― started airing on NHK BS2 this month. The drama recorded an audience rating of 1.3 percent, higher than that of the first episode of "Winter Sonata,'' which was 0.3 percent, according to the Global Strategy Department of KBS.

Some may have worried that hallyu, or the Korean wave, has been dwindling as a whole, but for period dramas, it seems that hopes are high for yet another strong wave.

sanghee@koreatimes.co.kr

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