Korean Drama

[bag.lover]

(source: Chosun)
[8/29/2007] [NIKE SPORT CULTURE 2007] F/W Fashion Show

Lee Jung Jae, Jung Il Woo


Jeon Hye Bin, Lee Ha Na


Lee Sun Kyun & Kim Jae Wook, Min Hyo Rin & Woori


Park Si Yeon, Ha Jung Woo, Park Hae Jin

[bag.lover]

(source: Chosun)
[8/28/2007] Seoul Drama Awards 2007

Japanese actor Watabe Atsuro & actress Han Hyo Joo


Cast of Taiwanese drama [Hanazakarino Kimitachihe]: Wu Jun, Jiro Wang, Ella Chen



Japanese drama [Nodame Cantabile]



Japanese drama [The Family / The Grand Tribe]



========================================
(source: CRIENGLISH.com 2007-08-29 18:22:30)
Chinese TV Drama Scores in Seoul


A poster for the Chinese TV series "The Great Revival," which won best drama series and best cinematography awards at the Second Seoul Drama Awards on Tuesday, August 28, 2007. [Photo: yule.sohu.com]

Chinese historical television series "The Great Revival" shared glory with other international TV dramas at the Second Seoul Drama Awards held on Tuesday.

The drama took home awards for best drama series and best cinematography.

This continues Chinese dramas' ruling of the best drama series award, following last year's "Qiao Jia Da Yuan" (Qiao's Grand Courtyard).

However, actor Chen Daoming, who was nominated for best actor for his role in "The Great Revival," lost to Japanese rival Kimura Takuya, who was honored for his performance in "The Family."

The 41-episode "Great Revival," based on a well-known story in China, brings the audience back to the ancient Spring and Autumn Period from over two thousand years ago.

Besides the Chinese drama, other winners including Japan and South Korea also stood out from the candidates from 32 countries and regions.

The young Seoul Drama Awards has built its international fame alongside the well-known International Emmy Awards in the United States, aiming to recognize excellent TV dramas from all over the world.

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

[bag.lover]

========================================
(source: http://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/ Aug 29 2007)
LEE Jun-ik Casts SU Ae and UHM Tae-woong

The leading roles for LEE Jun-ik’s Nimeun Meon Gose (English translation: someone dear is far away) went to SU Ae and UHM Tae-woong. SU Ae will play the female lead role. Her character joins an entertainment group bound for Vietnam to entertain military troops, but her real agenda is to search for her husband who serves in Vietnam. The husband will be portrayed by UHM. The film is set during the Vietnam War in the 70s.

Director LEE has been influential with films like: King and the Clown, Radio Star, and Once upon a Time in a Battlefield. King and the Clown became the most popular Korean film in 2006 and is currently second after BONG Joon-ho’s The Host. King and the clown was a surprise hit when the film went on from a modest release to become a record breaking film through positive word-of-mouth.

SU Ae starred opposite LEE Byung-hun in JOH Keun-shik’s drama Once in a Summer. UHM played in Family Ties alongside MOON So-ri. KIM Tae-yong’s drama was invited by numerous international film festivals. UHM is currently filming The Best Moment of our Lives.

Yi Ch’ang-ho (KOFIC)

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

[bag.lover]

========================================
(source: http://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/ Aug 29 2007)
BONG Joon-ho Films Aoi Yu in Tokyo

Renowned Korean director BONG Joon-ho chose Aoi Yu to star in his short film Shaking Tokyo, part of an omnibus film project titled Tokyo. Filming is under way and Aoi Yu plays a pizza delivery girl who changes the life of a hikikomori, the Japanese name for someone with agoraphobia.

BONG made his name with contemporary classics like Barking Dogs Never Bite and Memories of Murder. However, it’s his latest The Host which is the major influence on his name internationally..

Aoi Yu caught attention with her role in Hanna and Alice. Her role in Hula Girls – by the Korean-Japanese director LEE Sang-il – gained her a lot of international attention as the film has been successful in many film festivals.

The other two episodes of the omnibus will be directed by Michel Gondry and Leos Carax. The film’s are scheduled for release next year.

Yi Ch’ang-ho (KOFIC)
========================================

[bag.lover]

(source: Chosun)
[Monday/Tuesday]: The King & I
According to AGB Nielson, the 2nd episode of SBS drama [The King and I] obtained 19.7% (increased 5.1% from episode 1) in viewership rating to lead Monday/Tuesday primetime TV series.

[AGB Nielson - Tuesday 8/28/2007]
"The King and I" (SBS): 19.7%
"I am Sam" (KBS): 8.3%
"The 1st Shop of Coffee Prince" Special (MBC): 16.5%





Wednesday/Thursday: [How to Meet a Perfect Neighbor]

[AGB Nielson - Wednesday 8/29/2007]
"Sa Yug Shin" (KBS2): 3.6%
"Time of Dog and Wolf" (MBC): 14.6%
"How to Meet a Perfect Neighbor" (SBS): 15.8%

[bag.lover]

(source: innolife)
'King & I' and 'Jumong' - Similar Initial Rating Trend

The rating of SBS's historical drama [The King and I] already reached 20% mark after airing only 2 episodes. Its initial viewer rating is similar to MBC's [Jumong] (considered people's historical drama), therefore, it's garnering the anticipation of the television field. The 1st episode of [The King and I], premiered on the 27th, got 15.9%; the 2nd episode rose to 21.9% (AGB Nielson, Seoul region). Its rating is on the rise.

[Jumong] premiered on May 15th, 2006. The 1st and 2nd episodes obtained 15.6% and 16.2% in ratings, respectively. Episodes 3-5 were in the 20% range, episode 6 onwards exceeded 30%. It became people's historical drama.

According to a [King and I] SBS personnel, it has just started and they cannot just watch the rising rating alone with MBC's fully prepared [Yi San King Jeong Jo] (upcoming/competing drama). It's a matter of time before [The King and I] reaches 30%.


[photo=NEWSIS]

[bag.lover]

========================================
(source: KBS Global 2007-08-30)
DVDs of Bae, Seo Bestsellers in Japan



As Korean actor Bae Yong-jun's popularity continues unabated in Japan, heartthrob Seo Do-young is now helping fuel the Hallyu fever in the country.

In DVD sales released by Fuji TV Thursday, Bae's DVD topped overall weekly sales followed by a DVD released by Seo, the protagonist of the last of producer Yoon Seok-ho's season-themed drama series, "Spring Waltz."

Bae's DVD covered his appearance at the Hallyu expo on Jeju Island and interview excerpts. The top sales testify to his consistent popularity following his hit drama "Winter Sonata."

Seo's DVD, capturing his daily life, is climbing the sales chart since its release on July 25.

Seo recently visited Japan to attend a concert celebrating Yoon's four season-themed drama series and drew great fanfare from local fans.

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

[bag.lover]

========================================
(source: KBS Global 2007-08-30)
Actor Jung Jun-ho to Promote Baekje Cultural Festival



Actor Jung Jun-ho has been named public relations envoy for the 53rd Baekje Cultural Festival which will be held in Buyeo, Gongju and Ilwon in October.

Lee Wan-gu, provincial governor of South Chungcheong Province, said the annual Baekje Cultural Festival will become an internationally renowned cultural festival by 2010. Upon appointing the popular actor, the governor asked him to dedicate himself to actively promoting the festival.

Jung said in his acceptance speech that he feels honored to have been appointed a PR agent for such a large and significant cultural festival that will be held in his home province. He also promised to do his best so that this year's festival will be a great success.

The actor said the event will be a wonderful opportunity for visitors to travel 1,300 years back in time to learn more about the culture of the ancient Baekje Dynasty.

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

[bag.lover]

Originally Posted by bag.lover

(source: http://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/) The Happy Life ( Jeul-gu-woon In-saeng ) Director: LEE Joon-ik (King and the Clown, Radio Star, Once Upon a Time in a Battlefield) Main Cast: JUNG Jin-young, KIM Yoon-suk , KIM Sang-ho

========================================
(source: The Dong-A llbo)
Happy Life: By Simply Realizing What You Want to Do.

AUGUST 30, 2007 07:59



The opening of “Happy Life,” the most recent movie by Lee Jun-ik – director of “The King and the Clown” and “Radio Star” – is just around the corner. The story of a rock band consisting of 40-year-old men is scheduled for release on September 13.

The movie tells the story of three men who graduated from the same college and formed a band in memory of their deceased friend. The story develops as expected, but their reality is something with which men can easily sympathize. The only way to stay away from the reality is music, attracting and exciting moviegoers.

The movie sends a message of interaction between generations through music as the men accept the son (played by Jang Geun-seok) of their dead friend into the band. The overriding tone of the movie is the feeling of people in their 40’s, which is well-captured by the 49-year-old director. The following is an excerpt from an interview with Lee and Jang.

About Movies-

Lee: “We put little money into this film -2.8 billion won- and chose to work harder rather than increasing funding. Look at my muscles; they are the result of my labor. Through this movie, I wanted to talk about something small and humane. The movie sets out to close the gap of misunderstanding, which stems from ignorance. If you become honest, you will be more humane and will part with misunderstandings. The previous movie – the King and the Clown – communicates the message that eventually kings and clowns are the same human beings.”

Jang: “I have never thought of myself as an actor; I am just an entertainer. This is why I experienced troubles for a long time. While shooting this movie, I realize that I want to be more like my colleagues, who are older than me.”

Middle-Aged Men in Korea-

Lee: “I feel pity of Korean middle-aged men. Their life is full of difficulty. Women might say that the difficulty is not limited to only men. But I want to recognize and encourage men in their mid-age. And I want to tell them ‘Let’s not grow up.’”

Jang: “I was worried about the generation gap while making the film, but there was no need for me to do so” (Lee explained, “Jang is very mature for his age; where we are not). “I cannot imagine what middle-age life will bring. I feel that marriage is like a fantasy.”

Music-

Lee: “Rock means rebellion and freedom. When you stand on the stage as a rock star, you will feel like you are the center of the world. Enthusiastic audiences may feel the same way. Though rock is western music, it is similar to the Korean way of enjoying leisure time, particularly Madangnori – the Korean traditional performance. It is important is to allow performers and their audience to interact.”

Jang: “I grew up listening to the music of H.O.T. and god. While I was shooting the concert scene at the end of the movie, I felt joy I had never experienced before and I couldn’t come down from the stage after finishing the scene. I realized that this kind of joy enables singers to pursue rock music even though they barely make enough money to survive.”

Dream-

Lee: “You cannot do whatever you want, but you can improve your reality. Top priority for Koreans in their 40’s is the education of their children. Now it is time for the children to be freed. Only ten percent of children succeed because they are good at school. My test score was 58th in my class. If you know what you want to do, your life will be happy. We are well aware of what we should not do, but we don’t know what we want to do.”

Jang: “A happy life? Now I am happy. But I will do more to be happier.”

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

[bag.lover]

Original in Korean: Yonhap News (posted by Kwon Ohkyeong)
English Translation: Joanne (BYJ's Quilt)

========================================
Dongbangsingi will sing 'TWSSG' main theme song

[Yonhap News]

Song by worldly renowned composer Hisaishi Jo


[photo=NEWSIS/innolife]

Dongbangsingi, having grown into top level J-POP artist, will sing a main theme song of much talked about drama 'TWSSG' starring Hallyu star Bae Yongjoon.

Sankei Sports dated on 30 reported in big letter that 'Thousand Year Love Song', a new song by Dongbangsingi, will be used as main theme song for drama 'TWSSG'.

This piece of music is a song composed by wordly renowned film musician Hisaishi Jo (56), who composed music for 'Future boy Conan' "Howl's moving castle' directed by Miyazaki Hayao, and it is planned to be used in domestic broadcasting to start on 10 next month and broadcasting in Japan that will be on air after coming December.

The main theme song is a ballad music depicting given fate and heartbreaking love in Korean words, and it is known that they are examining to produce it in Japanese language also at present.

The newspaper, saying that it is very extraordinary for production information to be announced in Japan before Korea, reported that the 'TWSSG' production company explained that "As we take Japanese market seriously, we thought that it would be delivered fresher than in Korea."

It added that regarding joining of popular group Dongbangsingi, Kim Jonghak PD explained "Dongbangsingi's sense of value on music and their quality of music were consistent with the drama."

On the other hand, the Dongbangsingi told, "We are very much honored. It is being made into a piece full of scale no less than drama's grandeur," and they plan to put it in OST album to be sold in Japan in end of the year.

It seems that drama 'TWSSG' , rising as the biggest issue of interest in the latter half of this year, will become a topic of talks again as it met a powerful cheering force of Dongbangsingi..

Reported from Tokyo, Lee Taemoon,gounworld@yna.co.kr
Copyright (c) Yonhap News Agency

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

[bag.lover]

========================================
(source: The Korea Times 08-30-2007 17:02)
TVXQ to Sing Theme for Bae Yong-joon Drama

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Staff Reporter


TVXQ

Korean boyband TVXQ will perform the theme song for the much-awaited MBC drama "Taewangsasingi" (The Four Guardian Gods of the King), featuring hallyu superstar Bae Yong-joon.

Japanese daily Sankei Sports reported TVXQ will sing the drama's theme song "Love Song for a Thousand Years," composed by renowned Japanese composer Joe Hisaishi. Hisaishi is best known for composing soundtracks for over 100 Japanese films such as Hayao Miyazaki's "Spirited Away" and "Howl's Moving Castle," and Takeshi Kitano's "Dolls" and "Hana-bi."

"Taewangsasingi" will start airing in Korea Sept. 10, and will be aired in Japan on broadcaster NHK by December. TVXQ's song will be used in both Korea and Japan, and will be included in the drama's soundtrack album.

TVXQ, known as Tohoshinki in Japan, was quoted as saying they are "very honored to be part of a great drama such as 'Taewangsasingi'." The news about TVXQ's participation in the soundtrack was released in Japan first rather than Korea, a sign of the Japanese interest in "Taewangsasingi."

"Taewangsasingi" is a historical drama showing the life of King Gwanggaeto of the Goguryeo Kingdom (37 B.C.-A.D. 668). Bae, fondly called "Yonsama" by Japanese fans, will play three roles of major people in Korean history: Hwanwoong, the father of Gojoseon Kingdom founder Dangun; Jumong, the founder of Goguryeo; and King Gwanggaeto, one of the most powerful Korean kings of all time.

The epic drama that has been shot in Jeju Island since February, reportedly had a 30 billion won budget.

Bae and TVXQ are two of the most popular Korean stars in Japan. TVXQ has been concentrating on their activities in Japan for the past few months. Their latest single "Summer Dream" even debuted on top of the Oricon daily charts last Aug.1. The group has also been asked to sing the theme song "Together" for the upcoming Japanese animated film "Cinnamon the Movie."

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

[bag.lover]

========================================
(source: BROasia 2007-08-30)
Dong Bang Shin Ki to sing "The Legend" theme song



Dong Bang Shin Ki who has gathered attention as rising J-POP stars will sing the theme song to the upcoming series "The Legend" starring Bae Yong Joon.

Sankei Sports reported on the 30th that Dong Bang Shin Ki will be singing the song 'Thousand Year Love Song' which will be used as the theme song for the drama series.

The song was written by Hasaishi Joe who also wrote the music for "Howl's Moving Castle" and other famous movies and will be used as the theme song for the series to air in Korea in September and Japan in December.

The lyrics speak of fate and heartbreaking love in Korean and a Japanese version is currently being considered.

The newspaper also reported that it is unusual to announce production information in Japan first over Korea and that the production company commented, "Japan is one of the major markets we are focusing on and thought it would be an interesting way to deliver the information there first."

Producer and director Kim Jong Hak says about Dong Bang Shin Ki's participation in the project, "Dong Bang Shin Ki's value regarding music and their musicality fit perfectly with the series."

Meanwhile, Dong Bang Shin Ki commented, "It is an honor. The song is being created on a large scale to go with the grandiosity of the drama series." The song will be included in the original soundtrack to be released in Japan at the end of the year.

"The Legend" which has been at the center of attention will once again seek the spotlight with the support of Dong Bang Shin Ki.

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

[bag.lover]

(source: Chosun)
[8/31/2007] MARC JACOBS & MARC BY MARC JACOBS F/W 2007 Fashion Show

Actress Han Ji Hye (I Hate You But It's Fine, Cloud Stairs, Secret Lovers, Island Village Teacher, Sweet 18)


Actress Lee Hye Young (Kimchi Cheese Smile, Dal Ja's Spring)


Actress Kim Hyo Jin (Everybody has Secrets; Hong Kong Express)


Actor Lee Jin Wook (Air City, Smile Again, Alone in Love)

[bag.lover]

(source: Chosun)
[8/31/2007] MARC JACOBS & MARC BY MARC JACOBS F/W 2007 Fashion Show

[bag.lover]

Originally Posted by bag.lover

Monday/Tuesday 9:55pm [The King and I] (SBS; 8/27~) [Yi San - King Jeong Jo] (MBC; 9/17~)

Gu Hye Sun (SBS - The King and I) VS Han Ji Min (MBC - Yi San King Jeong Jo)


[The King and I]: PD Kim Jae Hyung (Woman's World, King's Woman)
[Yi San King Jeong Jo]: PD Lee Byung Hoon (Legendary Doctor Huh Joon, Jewel in the Palace)

(source: Chosun)