Korean Drama

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(source: KBS Global 2008-04-17)
Premiere of Film "Speed Racer" to be Held in Tokyo



The premiere of "Speed Racer," a film by the Wachowski brothers in which singer Rain makes his Hollywood film debut, will be held in June.

The film premiere, to be held at the Tokyo Dome on June 25, will invite 35,000 audience members. The film will be screened on the world's largest 37 meter-by-17.5 meter screen. Word is out that the Wachowski brothers are preparing to submit an application to the Guinness Book of World Records requesting the screen be included in the book's latest edition.

When the premiere of the film "Pearl Harbor" was held at the Tokyo Dome in 2001, 30,000 audience members watched the film on the then-largest movie screen of 35 meters-by-14.5 meters.

Speed Racer is the first film to be directed by the celebrated "Matrix" creators in five years. The film is based on a Japanese animated film entitled "Mach Go Go Go." The story revolves around a young car racer who dreams of glory and success.

Speed Racer also features g.o.d member Park Jun-hyung. The film will open in theaters nationwide in Korea on May 8 and in Japan on July 5.

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[bag.lover]

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(source: KBS Global 2008-04-17)
Hyun Young Shows Off Curves for Japanese TV



Hyun Young has been invited as a guest on a popular Japanese TV program.

Bomnal Entertainment, Hyun Young's agency, announced yesterday that the model-turned-actress was invited to be in "Ojisans 11," a variety program on NihonTV. "She left this morning for a three-day trip which includes taping of the program and media interviews," they added.

"Ojisans 11" is NihonTV's poster program and broadcast all over Japan. It is a program with eleven hosts who provide practical information for everyday life.

The program's producers wanted to introduce Hyun Young's "rabbit finger diet" to their audiences. The curvy celebrity's agency also added, "We are planning on selling her diet DVDs in Japan as well."

Hyun Young is currently the host of MBC's "Section TV Entertainment News," KBS 2TV's "Happy Sunday," "Competing through Music," and MBC DramaNet's "The Three Female Talk Show." She plans on working actively in both Korea and Japan this year.

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[bag.lover]

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(source: Korea Herald 2008.04.17)
Hollywood looking to Korea before other markets

Award-winning actor Robert Downey Jr. and filmmaker John Favreau met with Korean press yesterday at Shilla Hotel in downtown Seoul, promoting their forthcoming blockbuster "Iron Man."

Based upon Marvel's iconic superhero, "Iron Man" tells the story of Tony Stark, a billionaire industrialist and genius inventor who is kidnapped and forced to build a devastating weapon.

What's notable is that the film's release date, April 30, brings Iron Man to Korea before the rest of the world - marking the steadily growing importance of the Korean film market in the eyes of Hollywood marketers.

Downey and Favreau did not come alone; dozens of foreign reporters, including the American press, flew in to Seoul to cover the event as part of what is dubbed "Asia Junket." In most cases, Hollywood film promoters invite Asian press to come to Los Angeles to watch the films and have some interview sessions with stars; this time round, the location has changed dramatically.


^ Promoting "Iron Man," U.S. actor Robert Downey Jr. (left) stands with director John Favreau at a hotel in Seoul yesterday. [Park Hyun-koo/The Korea Herald]

He is scheduled to hold an exclusive interview session with select media companies in Korea and then show up at the premiere of "Street Kings" at Yongsan CGV multiplex in the evening.

Following the high-profile promotion of "Iron Man," another Hollywood celebrity is coming to Seoul: Keanu Reeves. He is scheduled to hold an exclusive interview session with select media companies in Korea and then show up at the premiere of "Street Kings" at Yongsan CGV multiplex in the evening.

The film stars Reeves, Forest Whitaker and "House" star Hugh Laurie, weaving the tale of a by-the-book cop who decides he must change the rules in order to get by in a world of homicidal gang violence.

In contrast to Downey's openness in his itinerary and press conference, Reeves demanded a high level of secrecy about his schedules, including his flight details, citing privacy reasons.

The question is why Reeves is so determined to fly in to Seoul despite the notoriously enthusiastic fans armed with digital cameras and camcorders.

"Iron Man" director Favreau said during the press conference that Korea's film market was fast growing and he is also personally paying greater attention to Korean movies such as Park Chan-wook's "Oldboy."

In fact, a growing number of American blockbusters are holding events or premiere here first. "Transformers," for instance, was released here first in June last year, with director Michael Bay himself promoting the film. Thanks to the aggressive localized marketing, the film emerged as one of the biggest hits last summer.

"The National Treasure" franchise, starring top-notch actor Nicola Cage, also spent considerable marketing resources especially for the Korean market. And some of the films, including Gillian Armstrong's "Death Defying Acts," Marc Schoelermann's "Pathology" and Rob Minkoff's "The Forbidden Kingdom" have set the release date for the Korean market faster than other markets.

The stronger marketing of American films in the form of earlier release dates and press events in Seoul is said to highlight the Korean market's peculiar function as a test bed for other regional markets. Korean consumers are renowned (or notorious) with discerning eyes, quick to adopt new technologies and cutting-edge trends.

Another reason seems to be linked to the rampant piracy of films and television dramas, thanks to the almost ubiquitous broadband internet network. According to this line of logic, if a foreign film is released here long after its world premiere somewhere else, a significant number of viewers are likely to have already watched the film through illegal channels.

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

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(source: KOREA.net)
Seoul Int'l Cartoon Animation Festival growing in renown

April 11, 2008



Cartoons are generally thought to be exclusively children's entertainment.

Once people grow up they seem to forget how much time they used to spend watching their favorite animations on television.

But for adults who want to go back to their childhood and for children who want to enjoy a variety of cartoons they can go to the 12th Seoul International Cartoon and Animation Festival (SICAF) in May, the biggest annual event of its kind in Asia.

Bringing together fans of animation films and an exhibition of cartoon work, the festival, which is to be held from May 21 to 25, will feature 137 animations from 30 countries, the most in the history of the annual event.

The organizing committee said a total of 1,307 movies from 63 countries competed for the final entry list, demonstrating a growing interest in the festival.

The number of applicants from Europe and Asia has particularly shot up, and South American countries including Argentina, Brazil as well as Southeast Asian countries like Thailand and Malaysia also submitted works.

With this growing interest, the organizers say that the scale of SICAF is now on a par with other international animation events in Europe and Japan.

In other words, that means animation lovers will be able to enjoy high-quality full-length features and shorts from around the world this year.

poster of Canadas 'Madam Tutli-Putli'During the festival, visitors can watch a variety of films that will be screened at Lotte Cinema near Konkuk University.

The finalists this year include award-winning animations such as "The Peace Sister" from Britain, "Ark" from Poland and Canada's "Madam Tutli-Putli."

[img]http://www.korea.net/cheditor40_asp/cheditor/attach/200841117252554708.jpg/img]

Also in the full-length feature category, there are excellent European films from Spain, Russia and France that will offer a rare opportunity for local viewers to take a look at the trends there.

In particular, short films from Hungary's Studio Beastarts have received rave reviews from judges due to their simple graphic design with witty story lines.

This year, the festival is also holding a digital cartoon competition section, which is designed to boost the standing of the SICAF.

The organizing committees are now evaluating works submitted in the categories of Web-cartoon, Web-comics and digital illustration.

Those awarded will form part of the exhibitions to be held during the five-day festival.



On the sidelines of the festival, conventions and seminars will be held at the Seoul Trade Exhibition & Convention. A trade fair -- SICAF Promotion Plan (SPP) — is also planned there.

SICAF, launched in 1995, has received formal recognition as an animation event from the Association International Du Film d'Animation in 2005.

For further information, call (02) 3455-8407 or visit www.sicaf.org.

By Han Aran
Korea.net Staff Writer

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(source: KOREA.net)
Two special Korean dishes

April 13, 2008



Ancient Korea's royal cuisine is known for having less fat, more vegetables and more balanced flavor than typical Korean dishes. This cuisine has been gaining popularity since the success of the mega-hit historical drama "Daejanggeum," a story about a legendary court cook who became the first female physician during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). Known as "Jewel in the Palace" outside Korea, the drama has been a huge success across Asia in China, Japan, Taiwan and Hong Kong.

The most typical dish of Korea's royal cuisine is Sinseollo. Literally it means holy food of the mountain gods. Myths say the gods protect mountains, play Korean chess and sometimes make fools of ordinary people who peep at their lives. A more reliable tale tells that Sinseollo was the daily meal of a Joseon Dynasty government official who went away to deep in the mountains to live, avoiding a purge of scholars. In the mountain, he made a brazier and cooked assorted vegetables in it. After he died, the brazier that he invented was called Sinseollo. The container and the meal are called the same, according to the story.

The Sinseollo pot looks something like a pan used to cook a Bundt cake, but the hole in the center has a bottom and hot coals or stones are placed in the hole to heat the dish. Later variations were adapted for gas burners or other heating methods.

Sinseollo is cooked by putting various ingredients in the metal pot, pouring broth over them and boiling them together at the dining table. The ingredients are arranged in the pot in an aesthetically pleasing way according to their color. The food is similar to stew, but different in that stews mostly have one main ingredient, while sinseollo has a lot cooked together so that the diverse tastes from each ingredient can be enjoyed at one time.

Main ingredients include beef ribs, meat cakes made of chicken and pheasant, gray mullet, abalone, sea cucumber, green onions, scallion, radish roots, ginger, black pepper, dates, pine nuts and egg white.

When Sinseollo cannot satisfy your varied tastes for a meal, you can try another royal cuisine, Gujeolpan, along with Sinseollo.



Gujeolpan is not named for the food, but rather the dish it is served in. "Gu" means nine, "jeol" division and "pan" plate. Of the nine sections in a gujeolpan container, eight are used for the fillings, with the round section at the center being used for small wheat pancakes, which are thinner and softer than tortillas.

Around the center eight sections hold different fillings: usually beef, cucumbers, carrots, green bean sprouts, two kinds of mushrooms, and strips of fried egg yolk and white. These can vary depending upon individual preferences. Take a pancake on which you will place a small amount of some of the 8 fillings, and simply roll it up and enjoy the scrumptious dish with a bit of soy sauce or mustard.

The history of gujeolpan dates back as early as the 14th century. The octagonal dish can be made of wood or plastic, resembling a flower. It also can include elaborate carvings, gem encrustations and detailed drawings. Original royal gujeolpan platters can be seen in museums as featured artifacts in royal table setting reconstructions.

Gujeolpan is considered to be one of the most beautiful and colorful Korean dishes. The nine sections are carefully divided to make the dish colorful and aesthetically appealing. It has even been said that author Pearl Buck was so amazed by the beauty and colorful appearance of the dish that she refused to eat it as she did not want to destroy its beauty. Beautiful plates of gujeolpan are often seen nowadays at the banquets of traditional Korean wedding ceremonies.

By Ro Ji-woong
Korea.net Staff Writer

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[bag.lover]

Joey Yung and Lee Jun-ki Together in Ads
2008-04-16 13:08:44 CRIENGLISH.com


Hong Kong pop diva Joey Yung (L) co-stars with South Korean actor and singer Lee Jun-ki in an advertisement for a fast food brand. [Photo: Tungstar/xinhuanet.com]

[bag.lover]

Original Korean Article: Mydaily 2008-04-13 16:08:41
English Translation Credit: HanCinema

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Lee Dong-geon, Kim Seon-ah "When It's At Night" – Enters filming this month



Lee Dong-geon and Kim Seon-ah's new drama "When It's At Night" is looking forward to its first filming.

It plans to air after MBC "Lee San", and the first episode will come out on June 16. The romantic comedy tells the story of a womanizer and an extreme patriot who both go out to find a national treasure.

The screenplay has been finished recently, and the producers are going to Japan on the 14th. Filming in Japan will occur mid-May, and they are hoping to find a location.

After the script reading during the fourth week of April, filming will begin on the last week. Lee Dong-geon will be acting for the first time since his brother's death, and Kim Seon-ah is coming back from a 3-year hiatus after "My Name is Kim Sam-soon".

Kim Seon-ah received the role of Huh Cho-hee, a 29-year-old single woman who is lean and sexy. She enters the security bureau of the cultural artifacts department, and meets Kim Bum-sang, a professor of ancient art.

This drama will be directed by Son Hyeong-seok, who received recognition for MBC "Auction House". Kim Eun-hee and Yoon Eun-kyeong will be the writers, who also wrote together for "Sweet 18", "Snow Queen", "Summer Scent", and "Winter Sonata".

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[bag.lover]

Original Korean Article: Herald Media 2008.04.15.14:54
English Translation Credit: HanCinema

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"Success power" Return of star directors (PDs)



Lee Jae-gyoo, Lee Yoon-jeong drama comeback

There is great interest for the works of star producers, which will be coming out at the end of this year.

They say dramas are works of the writers but the power of the producers is also noticeable. Either they work with famous writers such as Kim Su-hyun and Noh Hee-kyeong, or they excel in one genre, such as Director Lee Byeong-hoon of MBC "Lee San".

The first work is Director Lee Jae-gyu's "Beethoven Virus".

This work, starring Kim Myeong-min and Lee Ji-ah, dreams of being the Korean "Nodame Cantabile". Director Lee has shown his skill through MBC "Damo" and SBS "Fashion 70s". For the past three years, he had been preparing various dramas but they did not work well and eventually chose "Beethoven Virus". Director Lee plans to tell the story of musicians who struggle after forming an orchestra.

Director Lee Yoon-jeong of MBC "Coffee Prince" also is preparing for a drama to release this year. Director Lee's "Triple" is the first national drama to have figure skating as a theme.

Director Lee has already earned praise for the 'Best Theater' four-part drama "Taereung National Village", a story about athletes.

These dramas are drawing more attention as they are comebacks of two young directors after hit productions. They also have new topics, such as a classical orchestra and figure skating. Writer Noh Hee-kyeong will be working with director Pyo Min-soo on a story about broadcasters.

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[bag.lover]

Original Korean Article: Sportsseoul 08/04/11 13:30
English Translation Credit: HanCinema

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Big 4 Actresses, Television U-Turn 'War of the Stars'



The comebacks of four top actresses are drawing attention. The actresses include Kim Ji-soo, Son Ye-jin, Kim Seon-ah, and Kim Hee-seon.

Their breaks have been at least two years and at most three years. Kim Ji-soo and Son Ye-jin have focused on movies, and Kim Hee-seon and Kim Seon-ah have been taking breaks while searching for a comeback project.

Kim Ji-soo is coming back in May with KBS drama "Woman of the Sun". It's been three years since MBC drama "Age of Hero" in 2005.

Kim Ji-soo plays Shin Do-young, an announcer who holds a secret of her birth. She has the looks, knowledge, and skill, but always feels burdened by the secret of her birth.

Son Ye-jin's comeback work is MBC drama "Spotlight", which will start in May. It has been two years since SBS drama "Alone in Love".

Son Ye-jin plays Seo Woo-jin, who begins as a reporter and moves up to become an anchor. This drama will be playing at the same time as Kim Ji-soo's drama "Woman of the Sun", and a competition is inevitable.

Kim Seon-ah, who has been struggling with bad rumors, was cast as the main female role for "When It's At Night",the drama after "Lee San". It's been three years since her popular drama "My Name is Kim Sam-soon".

Kim Seon-ah plays Cho-hee, who works at the security department for cultural artifacts. The male character is played by Lee Dong-geon, who recently lost his brother to an attack. After acting with Hyeon Bin, she will be acting once again with a younger man.

Kim Hee-seon is also planning to come back from resting after marrying Park Joo-young, the second son of RakSan Group, last October. It is a drama hoping to air in the first half of the year.

It's been two years since her SBS drama "Smile Again". After her marriage, there were rumors about her retiring, and fans couldn't hide their gladness at the news of her comeback.

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[bag.lover]

Original Korean Article: Hankooki 2008/04/14 11:20:39
English Translation Credit: HanCinema

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Ko Hyeon-jeong's temptation(?), Kwon Sang-woo puts on dancing shoes



Kwon Sang-woo is working hard for the dance scene in his comeback work, SBS drama "Big Things". He acts as Haryu, who is well-known for meeting women in local cabarets.

He is learning the jitterbug, blues, cha-cha-cha, rumba, jive, and samba five days at week at a sports dance school. One representative of the drama said, "He is learning dance to accomplish his role well. He is working hard, and everybody has confidence in him".

"Big Things", with a production cost of ten billion won, will start filming early next month and will film in Japan mid-next month. Ko Hyeon-jeong, acting with Kwon Sang-woo, will play Korea's first female president.

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[bag.lover]

Original Korean Article: JKNEWS 2008-04-10 20:28
English Translation Credit: HanCinema

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Eric Moon - Koo Hye-seon, Lovers in "Strongest Chil-woo"



Koo Hye-seon, who was in "the King and I", will be acting once more in a historical drama.

She was cast as So-yoon in "Strongest Chil-woo", set to come out in June, and will be lovers with Eric Moon.

Kang Chil-woo is one who punishes lawbreakers for the king by day, but at night, he changes into a killer who punishes the acts of evil. Jeon No-min will also star as one of the killers.

Koo Hye-seon used to be a daughter of a noble but is sent somewhere as a workwoman. When she comes back, she becomes a servant. She is Chil-woo's (Eric Moon) first love and only lover.

A representative of Koo Hye-seon said, "It's another historical drama after "The King and I" but it's a different feeling from that".

The production company Olive 9 said, "Koo Hye-seon acted very well in "the King and I", and she is once again the female lead. She also pushed back her plans for studying language and is showing passion by being a part of this".

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[bag.lover]

Original Korean Article: Edaily 2008-04-10 10:19:41
English Translation Credit: HanCinema

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Rain, First Asian entertainer interviewed by Time



The U.S. magazine Time has requested an interview with singer/actor Rain.

Rain's entertainment company J-Tune Entertainment said that Time wanted to interview Rain in their video interview corner '10 Questions'. The interview is planned to take place in Korea, and Rain will spare some time during his interviews for the Korean promotion of "Speed Racer".

'10 Questions' is a program that interviews famous people around the world, from politicians to entertainers. Internet users from around the world post questions on Time.com and the editor chooses ten questions for the interview.

Some entertainers who have been interviewed include George Clooney, Al Pacino, Susan Sarandom, Jennifer Lopez, and Natalie Portman. Rain is the first from Asia.

Rain was chosen for 2006 'Time 100' (a yearly list of the 100 most influential people in the world), and placed first for an online poll used to choose the 'Time 100". He has been called the 'Prince of Asian pop'.

Rain is third for the online poll for 2008 'Time 100'.

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[bag.lover]

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(Source: Variety)
Lee makes triumphant return to TV

Written by Han Sunhee
Friday, 18 April 2008


[image=hankyung]

SEOUL— Lee Byung-hun, one of the few Korean actors to be repped by a U.S. talent agency – Endeavor – will co-produce and star in one of the most expensive Korean TV series to date.

Lee, who stars in Paramount Pictures' upcoming "G.I. Joe," has pacted with Taewon Entertainment and Kang Je-Kyu Film to produce blockbuster TV Series "IRIS." Developed by "Taegugki" director Kang Je-kyu, the $22 million skein is co-scripted by writers at Kang Je-Kyu Film and Korea's top-script house A-Story. Helmed by TV producer Lee Hyung-min ("Sorry, I Love You"), the series will be lensed later this year at international locations including Russia, Japan, China and U.S.

The spy actioner features four main characters, but plot details have not been divulged. High-profile production recalls elements of the 'Korean Wave' era only a few years ago when the country's TV dramas and later movies drew huge auds across the whole of Asia and were licensed at sky-high prices, especially to Japan.

"IRIS" has so far been set up without involvement of a Korean broadcaster and producers are expected to play nets off against each other for the property. Sources at Taewon also report strong interest from Japanese TV channels due to Lee's attachment.

Lee recently wrapped two movies that could be headed for Cannes if they are completed in time, Kim Ji-woon's "The Good, the bad and the Weird" and Tran Anh Hung's "I Come With the Rain.

"IRIS" is his first TV series since "All in" nearly five years ago.

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[bag.lover]

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(Source: KBS World 2008-04-18)
Lee Byung-heon Returns to TV Drama


[image=newsen/isplus]

Korean star Lee Byung-heon is returning to TV screen in a spy thriller titled “Iris.” Lee’s first TV drama in five years since his starring role in “All In,” “Iris” is Korea’s first attempt at a high-tech spy thriller filled with flashy action scenes, cool cutting-edge devices, and scenic overseas locations.

The 20 million-dollar action-packed drama is directed by Kang Je-gyu of “Taegukgi: Brotherhood of War” and Lee Hyung-min of “I’m Sorry, I Love You” and produced jointly by Taewon Entertainment, which had made the global project “Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon.”Filming will begin later this year and take place in Russia, Japan, China and the United States. The twenty-parter “Iris” is scheduled to be aired early next year.

Lee has just wrapped up filming the French-American movie “I Come with the Rain” with Josh Hartnett and is getting ready to shoot “G. I. Joe.” Lee will be playing Korean ninja Storm Shadow in the action flick. The multi-national collaboration co-starring British actress Sienna Miller and American actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt alongside Lee is due for release in August 2009.

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Lee Byung-hun Returns To Television With <IRIS>

[Source=YonhapNews]


SBS drama All In (2003) [image=ahatv]

[Seoul 2008-04-18] Film/TV superstar Lee Byung-hun is returning to the small screen with spy drama <IRIS> (20 episodes). His last television appearance was SBS drama <All In> from 5 years ago.

<IRIS> will be produced by film company Taewon Entertainment and Kang Je-gyu Film, it will be directed by PD Lee Hyung-min of KBS 2TV drama <I'm Sorry I Love You>. Production cost will reach 20 billion Won.

Since filming <Taegukgi: The Brotherhood Of War>, director Kang Je-gyu started preparing for Hollywood, therefore, his drama is getting attention from fans.

On the 18th, Taewon Entertainment said that <IRIS> will be a high-tech spy drama, therefore, a huge amount of money is needed for its production. Filming locations include Russia, Japan, US, China, etc. Filming is planned to start at the end of this year, it will be broadcasted in the 1st half of 2009.

After <All In>, rating almost reached 50%, Lee Byung-hun's shifted his attention to movies. He recently finished US+French film "I Come With The Rain". He's currently in US filming Hollywood movie <G.I. Joe>.

His movie "The Good, The Bad, The Weird" (directed by Kim Ji-woon), will be released in July.

[translation by me]

---
IRIS thread at Soompi
http://www.soompi.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=212404

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