Korean Drama Lover

Summer Vacation Long Distant in Indonesia

2009-09-28T21:13:00.000-07:00

There are so many famous place in Indonesia for film making, one is Bali, but now world is starting to see that Pandeglang has more unexplore beautiful place. In there there are so many beach.

2008-06-07T00:18:00.001-07:00

Song Hye-kyo doesn't want to hear any more about Jeon Ji-hyeon.
Make that Song's recent "off-the-record" comment about an old candidate list for the upcoming film "Hwangjin-y". Producers for the film had named several top Korean beauties for the role of the legendary gisaeng (courtesan) and Song and the long-legged sex icon Jun were included on the list.
"I think Song heard about [herself] being compared to Jun a lot even after she got the role and while she was working on Hwangjin-y - Movie - 2007", said Lee Choon-yeon, the head of Cine 2000, the producer of the film, speaking earlier this month. "That really pushed her [to work harder]".
http://kunjungiobjekwisata.blogspot.com/
Song was never on his mind when he and fellow producers started out the search for the most famous (and coquettish) Joseon Dynasty woman who entertained noblemen with her talents to easily master classic literature, dance, music and conversation. At the time, Jun was the girl on producers' mind, as well as Soo-ae, who was in contrast known for her traditional elegance.
"I heard that Song was interested in the role at first, but honestly, I was not very thrilled to hear that", Lee said. "She was a top star but she still had that cute image from credit card commercials and that's not Hwang Jin Yi".
He added that he was only thinking of ways to put her down.
Song used to be an actress with a lot of buzz, until her 2005 film "My Girl and I" (directed by Jeon Yoon-soo) failed in the market, hurting her reputation as one of the top television stars.
Song has been on a vigorous diet since then. She lost her trademark chubby cheeks. Her agency occasionally released profile photos of the "new, sexy Song Hye-kyo" over the Internet, proving the rumors that she is working hard to make a grand comeback.
The producers for "Hwangjin-y - Movie - 2007", had apparently liked the "new Song" a lot. They selected her over Jeon Ji-hyeon or Soo-ae.
"We were more or less all surprised by her will and desire to be in Hwangjin-y", Lee said adding that he is now quite satisfied with their decision they made seven months ago over the two other actresses.
The life of Hwang Jin Yi has been adapted to many television dramas, theatrical plays and novels. The popularity for the historical character reached its peak last year when actress Ha Ji-won played Hwang in an SBS TV drama "Hwangjin-i".
Much of filming for the upcoming cinematic version has been shot in the Mount Kumkang area with the help of Hyundai Asan, the South Korean company that runs the tour to the mountain in North Korea. Hwang is said to be born in the region, which is now part of North Korea. The film is mainly based on the novel written by North Korean author Hong Seok-jung.
As for rumors that buzzed in the film industry last week that this film may have the chance to open in North Korea when it opens in the South in June, the producers said nothing has been confirmed.
"Of course we want our film to be opened there", said Kang Eun-gyeong, a team head from Laughing Boa, the promoter of the film. "But some media went overboard and wrote that North Korea has allowed our film to open there when nothing has been confirmed".
http://ngedate.blogspot.com/2009/09/kenali-dan-kunjungi-objek-wisata-di.html

"Le Grand Chef" Whets Appetites at AFM

2008-06-07T00:17:00.001-07:00

Released locally November 1st, Show East's cooking drama "Le Grand Chef" is drawing strong interest from buyers at the 2007 American Film Market, currently running Oct 31 – Nov 7 in LA. The film has been sold to Festive Films for Singapore and Taiwan, to Sundream for Hong Kong, to A.O.E. for Malaysia and to M Pictures for Thailand. Talks to take the film to China are also being negotiated.

Directed by Jeon Yoon-soo, known previously for melodramas such as "My Girl and I" (2005) and "Besame Mucho" (2001), "Le Grand Chef" moves out of the bedroom and into the kitchen. The film is anticipated locally for its parallels with pan-Asian hit Korean TV drama "Jewel In the Palace" ("Dae Jang Geum"), which had a palace cook as its chief character.

The film is based on a best-selling graphic novel by Heo Yeong-man, which also raises expectations for locals after the successful adaptation of another of HEO's novel's resulted in the 2006 hit "Tazza: The High Rollers" ("The War Of Flower"). The new film tells the story of a pair of young chefs who enter a tense cooking rivalry to win a long-lost knife used centuries before by the 'Grand Royal Chef' a title given to the top male chef in the country who cooked for royal banquets. During the Japanese occupation, the last Grand Royal Chef used the knife to cut off his arms in refusal to cook for the Japanese.

Show East is billing the film as Korea's first feature to deal intimately with culinary creation. Park Chul-soo's "301, 302" touched on the subject of cooking, but "Le Grand Chef" is the first to focus entirely on the world of gourmet cuisine. The film stars Kim Kang-woo and Im Won-hee as the competing chefs, and TV actress Lee Ha-na as a network producer assigned to capture the competition.

Nigel D'Sa (KOFIC)

Song Hye-kyo Makes U.S. Debut in Indie Flick

2008-06-07T00:13:00.000-07:00

Following Jang Dong-gun and Jeon Ji-hyeon, actress Song Hye-kyo will also make her U.S. screen debut. But instead of heading to Hollywood, the 25-year-old left for New York Nov. 21 to take part in a low-budget independent film project.

In the psychological thriller "Fetish", Song will play the role of a Korean woman with supernatural powers, who possesses an American woman's body in order to steal her husband. She will star opposite Austrian actor Arno Frisch, who is well known from the 1997 film "Funny Games".

Korean filmmaker Son Soo-peom will helm the project. The New York University graduate is the silver medallist of the 2002 Student Academy Awards and was invited to the Cannes Film Festival that same year for his short films. Sohn makes his feature film directorial debut with "Fetish".

Casting director Susan Shopmaker ("Hedwig and the Angry Inch", Michael Kang's "The Motel" and "West 32nd") took note of Song in her latest film "Hwangjin-y - Movie - 2007" at the Pusan (Busan) International Film Festival in October. She was reportedly impressed by Song's beauty, which has both Eastern and Western charms, according to Song's management agency Sidus HQ.

Most of the dialogue will be in English with some Korean. Song has been polishing her English during visits to New York and through lessons here, according to Sidus HQ.

The actress shot to hallyu superstardom through her roles in TV dramas "All In" and "Full House", but she was not so lucky on the big screen, with "My Girl and I" and "Hwangjin-y - Movie - 2007" garnering lukewarm responses.

"Fetish" is expected to become a stepping-stone for Song's international debut. "Song Hye-kyo has been receiving offers from Hollywood. While carefully looking through the scripts, she chose this one because it establishes a common ground between East and West", Na Byeong-jun from Sidus HQ told Yonhap.

Love Story in Harvard (DRAMA - 2004)

2008-06-07T00:07:00.000-07:00

16 episodes

Starring: Kim Rae-won, Kim Tae-hee, Lee Jung-jin , Kim Min The Harvard, full of everlasting love and passion Kim Hyun-woo (Kim Rae-won) A Harvard Law school freshman from Korea. He is very calm and composed in and out, warm-hearted who has enough to spare of money, honor and power. Lee Soo-in (Kim Tae-hee)

A Senior student at Harvard Medical School. She is a smart and intelligent, immigrated when little and while being brought up by her hard working father, she gained her independence and vitality. She is very honest with her feelings and knows what true love is, therefore she is ready to give up her chance of her lifetime for her love for Hyun-woo. Hong Jung-min (Lee Jung-jin) An American rationalist and man of principles.

Good mannered dresses neatly and has an aristocratic appearance. He has a rather cold and intellectual look, and is full of confidence. One may tend to think that he was brought up with no difficulty, however he’s deeply hurt by the lost of his father. His father had passed away after his company went broke during a lawsuit lead by Hyun-woo’s father’s law firm. Yoo Jin-ah (Kim Min) A typical girl raised in America. She is tenacious and possessive girl, who has to get what she wants no matter what. She has a desire to simply possess Jung-min at first but she falls in love with him. To win his love, she comes up to the point where she sacrifices herself, but nevertheless she fails to win his heart.

Kim Rae-won / Kim Hyun-woo: Cats on the Roof (MBC), Say you love me (MBC), Life is Beautiful (KBS)
Kim Tae-hee / Lee Soo-in: Stairway to Heaven (SBS), Screen (SBS)
Lee Jung-jin / Hong Jung-min: The Trio (MBC),
Kim Min / Yoo Jin-ah : Guardian Angel (SBS), Invitation (KBS)

Bitter Sweet Life (Drama - 2008)

2008-06-06T23:38:00.000-07:00

24 episodes

Alternative titles : "La Dolce Vita", "A Bittersweet Life"

Synopsis

A love that is unfamiliar but sad.
Love is an empty space that can never be filled in

A changing world with changing people...
In this rapidly changing world, people are caught off guard by new events and have a hard time adapting to the times. Some types of taboo behavior are now acceptable and people even flaunt it. The confusion in social values has become an individual problem that people must grapple with by themselves.
One middle-aged couple faces a crisis as the foundation of their family crumbles.
When they reveal their true desires to each other, it takes on the form of a question to viewers on how important it is to reconnect with the values that are in disarray around us.

A melodramatic story and mystery...
A high-priced luxury apartment in the downtown area of Seoul. In this peaceful neighborhood, one young man committed suicide under uncertain circumstances.
Park Byeong-shik, a retired detective, discovers that the dead man is Lee Joon-soo, a fugitive he had been pursuing for years before he left the force. He picks up clues to solve the uncertain cause of his death.
The story begins with events that had happened six months before the man died.
Did Lee Joon-soo really kill himself? He had a lover named Hong Da-ae.
And somehow he was also linked to middle aged housewife named Yoon Hye-jin. But what exactly was their relationship? The drama traces events in the past and present to reveal the intricate web of story arcs.

More sophisticated and more luxurious...
The first episode was shot on location in Sapporo for three weeks to capture scenes of beautiful snow-capped mountains. The production quality of the show is very high as each scene was meticulously shot with great attention to small details and angle shots.
The drama contains the fun elements of a miniseries as well as highly charged moments. It will bring a fresh breath of air to viewers who are weary of the tried and true formula that they see over and over again.

Starring

Yoon Hye-jin | actress Oh Yeon-soo
Age: 38.
Forgoing a career as an interpreter, she chose to become a full-time homemaker when she married Dong-won.
Although she gave up her career dreams, she made the decision based on what she thought was best for her children and husband. She believes that her choice equates to happiness.
So her husband is always the decision maker at home.
And so the life of one woman came to a standstill career-wise.
But when she begins to become suspicious of her husband, her life moves into a different direction.

Ha Dong-won | actor Jung Bo-seok
Age: 40. A proper gentleman.
A fund manager who oversees a mid-cap fund and is rated as one of the top ten fund managers in Asia.
He’s a handsome man and is also said to be one of the best-dressed people at work. He has a lovely wife and two children.
With a picture-perfect family, he has a narcissist bent. But it as so different with Hong Da-ae. If he could, he would have given her everything he had to win her heart but it was not easy. Even though he was carrying on a long-term affair with her, she never wanted to become his wife or mistress.
And Dong-won believed that was why they were able to have such a long relationship.
That is until Da-ae told him she wanted to stop seeing him.

Lee Joon-soo | actor Lee Dong-wook
Age: 28. A good fella.
In the beginning, he was introduced in business circles as a friend of Sung-gu.
But when Sung-gu withdrew from the social circles, Joon-soo inherited the fame that Sung-gu once had. People knew him as Joon-soo from then on. But Joon-soo and Sung-gu were very tight friends.
Sung-gu had everything that Joon-soo could never possible have.
But things were changing as Joon-soo started dating Da-ae.
Sung-gu wanted to check out Joon-soo’s girlfriend. In fact, he wanted to steal her from him.
Joon-soo knew what was going on. But Da-ae resisted the idea.

Hong Da-ae | actress Park Shi-yeon
Age: 27. Scarlett.
Scarlett, a jewelry shop in Apkujung, is famous for two reasons.
One reason was that top celebrities frequented the jewelry store and the other, Da-ae the owner of the jewelry store was strikingly beautiful. Da-ae has pretty looks that fit in with the times.
But when she began seeing Dong-won in an indecent arrangement, her dreams were dashed away and replaced with a different desire. Then one day, Joon-soo entered her life.
When she met Joon-soo, Da-ae found the man that made her realize that she could no longer continue her relationship with Dong-woon.

KOREAN FILM COUNCIL ANNOUNCES MENTORS AND SUCCESSFUL FINALISTS FOR FILMMAKERS' DEVELOPMENT LAB 2008

2008-06-06T23:32:00.004-07:00

June 3, 2008 (Los Angeles) - Now in its third year, the Korean Film Council's Filmmakers' Development Lab confirmed today the appointment of this year's Mentors, and also announced the five successful finalists who are this year's Fellows.

The Filmmakers' Development Lab (FDL) is an initiative of the Korean Film Council (KOFIC) to pair industry professionals and emerging filmmakers from Korea and the Korean diaspora to help realize their English language projects. The Fellows are chosen from open application and project submission process.

The program begins with one-on-one mentoring at an intensive one-week script development Lab which will be held in late June in Jeju Island, Korea.

The Fellows and their projects are then brought to Independent Film Week (previously IFP Market) in New York in September, and to the Co-Production Forum at the Pusan International Film Festival and Asian Film Market in Korea in October.

Throughout, Fellows are given opportunities to network and pitch their projects to producers and production companies in both New York and Korea.

The Mentors for this year's Filmmakers' Development Lab are Warner Bros. executive Lauren Craniotes who helped develop projects such as THE DEPARTED and IN THE VALLEY OF ELAH; Lee Joo-ik, noted Korean producer of many pan-Asian co-productions ("A Battle of Wits", SEVEN SWORDS); Oh Jeong-wan, producer who works with some of Korea's best directors including Kim Ji-woon ("The Foul King", "A Bittersweet Life") and Hong Sang-soo ("Woman on the Beach", "Night and Day"); Brant Rose whose agency in Hollywood represents writers and directors and whose clients have included Bill Condon (CHICAGO), Jessica Yu (BREATHING LESSONS), and Miguel Arteta (CHUCK AND BUCK); and Barry Sabath previously an executive with Robin Williams, Paul Schiff and at Columbia Pictures and currently Senior Lecturer and Mentor at the American Film Institute. (Detailed Mentors' bios below.)

The Fellows this year are Danny Lee ("WINTER WAR"), Helen Lee ("BEAUTIFUL WORLDS"), Steven Hahn ("LEO OF ST. GEORGE"), Josephe Shim ("LETTUCE IN LIFE"), and Christine Shin ("MY FAKE HUSBAND").

"In addition to the individual mentoring of scripts, we try to develop and broaden the Fellows' skills and knowledge", explained Roger Garcia, Director of the Filmmakers' Development Lab. "We run a pitch coaching workshop for each Fellow, and hold discussions on filmmaking in both the US and Korea drawing on the vast personal industry experience of our Mentors. We also offer insight and information into the international filmmaking community and industry in which young filmmakers today increasingly operate".

The FDL is held in association with the Academy for Creative Media at the University of Hawaii, the Center for Asia American Media in San Francisco, and the Independent Film Project in New York.

The Korean Film Council is based in Seoul, Korea with a satellite office in Los Angeles. Its mission is to raise the standard of Korean films, and to promote the Korean film industry at home and abroad. KOFIC provides and supports programs to develop creative filmmakers, improve the production of low-budget films, raise the profile of Korean cinema, and create a network between filmmakers in the Korean, overseas Korean and international communities.

The Academy for Creative Media at the University of Hawaii emphasizes digital cinema, computer animation and videogame design, and critical studies. Its student films have been screened at major national and international festivals. It is developing a Center for Indigenous Filmmaking, which will embrace story-tellers from Hawaii, the Pacific and Asia.

The Center for Asian American Media (CAAM) is a non-profit organization dedicated to presenting stories that convey the richness and diversity of Asian American experiences to the broadest audience possible. CAAM does this by funding, producing, distributing and exhibiting works in film, television and digital media.

IFP is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to building the community for a full range of independent film. Headquartered in New York City, its year-round and annual programs offer education, mentorship and worldwide industry access to members and the independent film community at large including The Independent Film Week which connects projects with financiers, producers and programmers before they're completed and on the festival circuit.

CONTACT: Sun-young Moon 323-932-7033 for Korean Film Council

Web site: Open the link

FILMMAKERS' DEVELOPMENT LAB – MENTORS BIOGRAPHIES

LAUREN CRANIOTES, executive (USA) – Lauren has spent several years at executive level at Warner Bros. Theatrical productions where she helped developed projects such as THE DEPARTED, NORTH COUNTRY, THE VISITING, MUST LOVE DOGS. As Vice President Production at Warner Independent Pictures since 2006, Lauren developed IN THE VALLEY OF ELAH and the documentary DARFUR NOW among others. She is a graduate of Wesleyan University and Harvard Business School.

JOOICK LEE (Lee Joo-ik"), producer (Korea) – Jooick is CEO of Boram Entertainment, Inc., a production company and an artist management agency in Korea. Lee Jooick is well known in Asia for international co-productions including " A Battle of Wits" starring Andy Lau and Ahn Seong-gi; SEVEN SWORDS directed by Tsui Hark, and most recently "LAUNDRY WARRIOR" starring Jang Dong-gun among other US and Asian co-production projects. He attended schools in Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore and the USA.

JUNGWAN OH (Oh Jeong-wan), producer (Korea) – Jungwan is CEO of b.o.m. productions, a major Korean film production company responsible for successes such as Kim Ji-woon's "The Foul King" and "A Bittersweet Life", E.J. Yong (Lee Jae-yong")'s "Untold Scandal", and Hong Sang-soo's "Woman on the Beach" and "Night and Day". She was named Producer of the Year in 2005 and 2006. She is a graduate of Yonsei University.

BRANT ROSE, agent (USA) - Brant has run his own Brant Rose Agency since 2000, after beginning his career at UTA in 1994. His agency represents writers, directors and producers for film and tv. He has shaped the careers of a number of Academy Award, Golden Globe, WGA and Independent Spirit Award winners and nominees. His clients have included Ken Nolan (Black Hawk Down), Bill Condon (Oscar winning writer/director Gods & Monsters, Chicago), Jessica Yu (oscar winner for docu Breathing Lessons), and Miguel Arteta (Starmaps, Chuck & Buck). He graduated from Darmouth College with a degree in Government.

BARRY SABATH (USA) is Senior Lecturer and Senior Mentor at the American Film Institute. He teaches development to producers and directors, and mentored the winning Student Academy Award for Short Film in 2005. As executive, Barry ran the film division of Marsha and Robin Williams' Blue Wolf Productions, (MRS. DOUBTFIRE, PATCH ADAMS and JAKOB THE LIAR); he was Senior Vice President of Production for Paul Schiff Productions at Twentieth Century Fox (MY COUSIN VINNY, GHOST IN THE MACHINE); and was Executive Story Editor and Vice President of Production at Columbia Pictures (FLATLINERS, IMMEDIATE FAMILY). He is currently producing a horror film project at MGM.

'Chil-woo' to Bring Joseon Hero to TV

2008-06-06T23:32:00.003-07:00

The Korean Broadcasting System (KBS) is bringing the courageous life of a mysterious, yet heroic assassin to television screens through its new drama "Choigang Chil-woo" June 9.

Along with exciting martial arts scenes, the drama will mainly depict the everyday lives of commoners who lived during the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910).

Mun Chong-hyok, also known as Eric Moon from the pop band Shinhwa, will act the part of the assassin leading a double life, while actress Koo Hye-seon will be the heroine.

"We had a hard time shooting the drama because of the martial arts scenes, but it was all worth it. This is my first period piece and we worked on creating a Korean hero, instead of those that we already know from comic books and movies", Mun said at the press conference for the drama Wednesday.

The main character Chil-woo is an official working at Euigeumbu, today's equivalent of a courthouse. The rather shy and ignorant Chil-woo leads a quiet life, turning a blind eye whenever his fellow officials receive bribes and carry out other dark deeds. But when his stepfather and sister die right before his eyes, the nonchalant Chil-woo vows revenge. Living as a hopeless courthouse official during the daytime, Chil-woo starts his journey as an assassin helping powerless people who are in need of a hero.

"People tend to search for a hero when they are in trouble, and Chil-woo is one of them. He'll be helping ordinary people, instead of royal families like other (dramas)", said Park Man-yeong, the producer of "Chil-woo".

"Choigang Chil-woo" aims for the first "traditional martial arts historical drama", but it faces competition even before airing. The Seoul Broadcasting System (SBS) started airing their historical drama "Iljimae" last month and has already gained popularity among drama fans with its dramatic and realistic action scenes. While "Iljimae" is going for an authentic action drama, "Choigang Chil-woo" will present comical and heartwarming tales of the Joseon people who lived here 400 years ago.

"All of the plots and characters are based on books and scripts that were written during the Joseon Kingdom. Of course, we think the fighting scenes are important, but our hero will be more down to earth", Park added. With many expectations and intense competition, "Choigang Chil-woo" will air at 9:55 p.m. June 9 on KBS.

9th Seoul International Film Festival Kicks Off

2008-06-06T23:32:00.001-07:00

Demur among Korea's more muscular, high profile movie fests in Busan, Jeonju, and Bucheon, the Seoul International Film Festival, known collectively with the Seoul Net Festival as SENEF, kicks off its 9th edition Thursday. SENEF runs June 5 to 11 at Sponge House in the Joong-Ang Cinema, central Seoul.

The festival will this year screen 47 feature films and 22 short films. Under the motto 'Imagine, share, and shift' the SeNefia08 section will present 8 features in international competition for a prize worth US$ 7000. The winning film will also screen as the closing film of the festival.

The opening film this year comes from Russian art house auteur, Svetlana Proskurina, and is titled The Best of Times. Proskurina is the focus of the main retrospective program this which will screen 7 of her films including one of her earliest from 1982.

The Over the Cinema section is always a must-see, presenting often-talked-about films on the festival circuits. This year's program screens 7 films with the theme of questioning authorized histories.

The HD Choice section presents the only Korean features in the festival, "Synching Blue" by SEO Won-tae and "LaLa Sunshine" by KIM Aaron. Both films deal with the theme of young individuals trying to overcome their isolation.

A section called Chilean Cinema Special will screen 5 films representative of the diverse currents in the Latin nation's film industry. Lastly Nouveau French Cinema showcases three cutting edge films selected by French film magazine editors for SENEF.

Moscow Honors IM Kwon-taek with Retrospective

2008-06-06T23:25:00.000-07:00

An impressive 12 film retrospective, surveying the work of legendary Korean director Im Kwon-taek, will be held in the Russian capital of Moscow this June. Running the 19th to the 28th at the Moscow State Central Cinema Museum in Arbat Square. Director IM has completed 100 feature films in his lifetime, winning the best director prize at Cannes in 2002 for Chihwaseon.

Cinema Museum director Naum Kleiman will introduce the retrospective with director IM and his wife especially invited to Moscow for the event. Kleiman, with the help of IM An-cha, vice-chairman of the committee for Korea's Jeonju International Film Festival, selected 12 representative films out of the director's 100-feature oeuvre.

Films included in the program are "Genealogy" (1978), the Buddhist-themed "Mandala" (1981), "Daughter of the Flames" (1983), Venice Best Actress (Kang Soo-yeon) winner "The Surrogate Mother" (1986), North-South family reunion drama "Gilsoddeum" (1986), all-time classic "Seopyeonje" (1993), along with his late-period films, "Chunyang" (2000), "Chihwaseon" ("Strokes of fire") (2001) and his 100th feature "Beyond the Years" (2007).

SM Introduces Super Junior-Happy

2008-06-06T23:23:00.000-07:00

Super Junior-Happy, the latest unit of the popular idol group Super Junior, is ready to make its debut.

Super Junior is the fourth in a line of Super Junior units put together by SM Entertainment after Super Junior-K.R.Y, Super Junior-T and Super Junior-M. The six-member Super Junior-Happy is made up of E Teuk, Ye Sung, Kang In, Sin Dong-hee, Sung Min and Eun Hyuk.

SM Entertainment recently said, like its name, Super Junior-Happy will debut with bright and upbeat music to bring happiness to K-POP listeners.

The title song of the group's mini album is entitled "Cooking? Cooking!"

Hollywood producer joins robot film team

2008-06-06T23:22:00.002-07:00

'There's an emotional touchstone in the story'.

One image captured the mind of William Teitler, a Hollywood producer known for his work on "Jumanji" (1995) and "The Polar Express" (2004).

That image was of a 60-meter tall robot ? and in his mind, Teitler was controlling it.

"It's a delightful fantasy just picturing the scene", he said.

Teitler, 57, is the executive producer of the Korean live-action film, "Robot Taekwon V", which starts shooting in September.

The animated film, directed by Won Sin-yeon, is based on the legendary 1976 Korean animated film, "Robot Taekwon V".

As the film's co-producer, Teitler visited Korea last week to meet with Shin Chul, the head of film company Shin Cine Communications; Kim Cheong-gi Kim, the director of the 1976 version; and Won.

They discussed the upcoming film's story and the use of computer graphics with seven local visual effects studios.

According to Robot Taekwon V Company, which is in charge of the filmmaking, this is the first time that a Hollywood producer has taken part in a purely Korean movie.

The modern-day Robot Taekwon V is the sequel to the 1970s animated science-fiction classic.

It is based on the Internet comic strip once serialized on the portal site Daum.

Kim Hoon, who played the 10-year-old protagonist in the original production, is now in his mid-40s.

Kim, a veteran taekwondo athlete, is the son of Dr. Cops, a rebellious and evil scientist.

To exact revenge on a world that has mocked him, Dr. Cops creates an army of giant robots to conquer the world. He gets help from his son, who controls the robots.

The cartoon was a big hit during the 1970s and produced many sequels.

"Though I'm not familiar with Korean culture, the story was very amusing", Teitler said.

"The scenario of Dr. Cops being mistreated by his co-workers and ignored at home and expressing emotion through a robot was unique".

Teitler added that across different cultures, most people yearn for the best moments of life.

"There's an emotional touchstone in the story that everyone can respond to", he said.

How did Teitler get involved with the Korean robot story?

The producer is a close friend of Shin, the head of the production company.

Six years ago, the two worked together on the "Bruce Lee Project", a restoration effort of films starring martial arts actor Bruce Lee (1940-1973) through computer graphics.

"One day, Shin talked about the overall story and concept of Robot Taekwon V", Teitler said. "He wanted to aim it at the local film market".

Teitler thought the story could be successful not only in the local market, but also in the West.

He got more enthused about the project after reading the comic strips online.

Teitler told Shin that Robot Taekwon V should be not restricted to local release but expanded globally.

The producer is confident about the content. He compares it to Hollywood blockbusters like Michael Bay's live-action film, "Transformers" (2007) and Stan Lee's "Iron Man" (2008).

While Transformers tells the story of shape-shifting robots and Iron Man of a superhero, Robot Taekwon V deals with an emotional bond between robots and humans.

The production cost of the upcoming film is estimated at 20 billion won ($19.6 million). That budget "is not much compared to other Hollywood science-fiction films", Teitler said.

But Teitler is worried about charming modern-day moviegoers, who are used to mind-boggling special effects. He questions how many youngsters will appreciate Robot Taekwon V. "That's what I'm most concerned about", he said.

In the end, he knows it's not about money. He hopes that content, story and character will win in the end and make the film work.
___________________
A scene from "Robot Taekwon V", a live-action film based on the 1976 film of the same name. Provided by Shin Cine Communications

Rotoscoped Film Shows Life in '4D'

2008-06-06T23:22:00.001-07:00

Director Choe Ik-hwan ("Whispering Corridors 4: 'Voice Letter"') brings "Life Is Cool", South Korea's first rotoscoped film. In this HD film project by CJ Entertainment, local production company DNA, which whipped up animation and graphics for "The Animatrix", creates hip visuals for a friendly love story.

Rotoscoping is a process in which animators trace over a live action sequence, frame by frame. It goes beyond computer-generated imagery for larger than life effects. By utilizing what's only possible in animation, it gives 3D action added dimension ― it's tech savvy and digital but breathes life into the film.

"Life" took only a month of actual shooting but almost two years and 140 artists for rotoscoping. One may wonder, why go through the trouble, as leading lady Park Ye-jin said. The director said he was inspired by "Waking Life", a rotoscoped film that captures human life despite being digital.

The movie takes advantage of the beauty of animation, which enables "cameos" like the recently burnt down national treasure Soongnyemun and Hollywood star Jennifer Aniston.

"Life" is fresh. As an animation, the constrained palette and simple silhouettes are markedly distinct from American or Japanese animations. While the subject matter ― complicated affairs of the heart ― is nothing new, its narrative approach is novel as it takes a "4D" look into life and love by delving deep into the male psyche.

In a press preview last week, Choe told reporters he was in trouble because the plot was inspired by a friend's actual story. It's basically about three best friends falling for the same woman and traces the respective dating styles of a goofy playboy, reckless Romeo and hopeless romantic.

In the movie, casting is key in establishing believable and amiable characters. Funny man Kim Soo-ro draws laughs with his lax demeanor and ad lib-ridden lines as Il-gwon, a womanizing Ph.D student searching for the perfect wife. Kang Seo-jin capitalizes on his gentleman image as Tae-yeong, a disheartened teacher who violently refuses to forget his first love.

Comedian Kim Jin-soo transforms his hearty laughter and beefy physique to play Seong-hun, the big guy with the sensitive heart who cooks like a veteran housewife while dreaming about the woman of his dreams.

Il-gwon turns his suave playboy tactics into top gear as he contemplates between two perspective wives, a rich but silly young woman or a beautiful but poor and sickly one. Our conniving playboy slowly falls in love with the latter, Yeon-u. However, things get complicated when she turns out to be Tae-yeong's ex-girlfriend he never got over and the very manifestation of Seong-hun's dream girl.

What could have stopped short of being a lighthearted romantic comedy gains added depth through sophisticated character development and layered narrative. The characters have flaws, tics and talents that are annoying and endearing, and they reflect different degrees of people we know. "Life" paints a portrait of urban life in Korea, as young men weep about careers, love, sex and friendships over a glass of soju or splash around like schoolboys in a public bath ― in the latter scene, "overexposures" were conveniently solved by rotoscoping.

This is a seriously funny animation for adults that will make you crave a round of drinks with old buddies.

YOO Ji-tae's short film to Tokyo and Seoul fest

2008-06-06T23:21:00.003-07:00

ctor Yoo Ji-tae – well known for his roles in Park Chan-wook's "Old Boy" and Jang Yoon-hyeon's "Hwangjin-y - Movie - 2007" – is successful with the short film "Out of My Intention" (Nado Moreuge) which he directed. "Out of My Intention" is invited by the Tokyo based Short Shorts Film Festival (SSFF), and the Mise en Scene Short Film Festival (MSFF) in Seoul.

The Tokyo Short Shorts Film Festival, one of the major short film festivals, opens on June 6 and YOO's short film will feature in the competition section. Afterwards, from June 26 until July 2, "Out of My Intention" will be back in Korea in the imaginative power section of the 7th Mise en Scene Short Film Festival.

Out of My Intention stars Jo An ("Project Makeover" - "Go Go Sister"/Eonniga Ganda) and LEE Dae-yon (Camel(s)/Nakta(deul)). The two share a car, but seem to be in different worlds when they try to communicate.

YOO debuted as a short film director in 2003 with "The Bike Boy" (Jajeongeo Sonyeon). His next short film "How Does the Blind Dream" (Jangnimeun Mooseun Kkoomeul Kkoolkkayo) was screened at the Pusan Asia Short Film Festival in 2005.

KIM Ji-woon's kimchi western sells like hot cakes

2008-06-06T23:21:00.001-07:00

Innovative director Kim Ji-woon presented with "The Good, the Bad, the Weird" one of the most anticipated and applauded films at Festival de Cannes, which is reflected in the slate of international distribution right sales at the Cannes market by CJ Entertainment.

The kimchi western – a reference to the influence of Sergio Leone's spaghetti western The Good, the Ugly, the Bad – stars Lee Byeong-Heon, Song Kang-ho and Jeong Woo-seong, three star actors with international appeal.

So far, most interest was expressed by European and Asian buyers. Icon Film obtained the UK rights and Huayi Brothers bought the rights for the Chinese market. Innoform (Singapore) Maywin Media (Russia), Horizon International (Turkey), Independenta (Romania), and Farabi (Iran) also successfully pursued the distribution rights for The Good, the Bad, and the Weird.

KIM said that the Cannes version was not yet fully finalized. He also spoke of different versions of the film. The international version holds more references to Sergio Leone's classic, while the Korean version will be more directed at entertainment.

"The Good, the Bad, the Weird" will open in Korean cinemas in July. KIM previously showed originality in "A Bittersweet Life" (Dalkomhan Insaeng), "A Tale of Two Sisters" (Janghwa Hongryeon), and "A Quiet Family" (Joyonghan Gajeong).

HA Jeong-woo in Korea-Japan co-production

2008-06-06T23:13:00.001-07:00

Ha Jeong-woo will star together with the Japanese actor Satoshi Tsumabuki in a film tentatively titled House. Kim Young-nam is at the helm of the project and Aya Watanabe writes the scenario.

HA and Tsumabuki will portray smugglers who work together while they are based at each side of the East Sea. Complications arise when they receive the order to kidnap a Korean woman together.

HA commanded attention with his role in Yoon Jong-bin's "The Unforgiven" (Yongseo Batji Mothan Ja). He extended his name internationally with Gina Kim's "Never Forever" (Doobeonjjae Sarang). With his latest film "The Chaser" (Choogyeokja) he also scored a major box office hit.
http://kunjungiobjekwisata.blogspot.com/
KIM directed the film "Don't Look Back" (Nae Cheongchunaegae Goham) which was invited by the Locarno International Film Festival for its 2006 international competition section where it received the FIPRESCI and NETPAC awards. His debut film Outcry of Youth was selected for KOFIC's 2005 Production Support Program for International Co-productions. Outcry of Youth was also a Korea-Japan co-production.

Tsumabuki is known for his role in Josee, the Tiger and the Fish. Watanabe is also responsible for the scenarios of La Maison de Himiko and Josee, the Tiger and the Fish.

Kraze Pictures (Korea) and IMJ Entertainment (Japan) share an equal financial share in the production which is scheduled for a release in 2009.

New technological step in Korean animation

2008-06-06T23:12:00.003-07:00

After Ryoo Seung-wan's "The City of Violence" (Jjakpae) and Park Chan-wook's "I'm a Cyborg, But That's OK" (Cyborgjiman Gwaenjanha), Geunyeoneun Yeppeotta (English translation: "She was beautiful") will be the next instalment of CJ Entertainment's HD Project, and the first Korean animation film using the technique rotoscoping. With this procedure, live-action film is being traced by animators frame by frame.

Kim Soo-ro ("Vampire Cop Ricky"/Heuphyeol Hyeongsa Nadoyeol), and television actress Park Ye-jin are among the actors involved in the project. Choi Ik-hwan directs this tale about three distinct male friends who fall out with each other when they all fall for the same woman.

Rotoscoping opens new doors in filmmaking. One of the benefits is that it makes facial expressions more realistic than other forms of animation. The animation technique was also used for A Scanner Darkly, starring Keanu Reeves, and the music video Take on Me by A-ha. Also, the procedure is easy on the budget as animators can creatively come up with the background instead of expensive sets or locations.

CJ Entertainment's HD Project intends to explore cost-efficient and innovative new digital techniques, and also involves leading directors; its latest project, Geunyeoneun Yeppeotta, will be released on June 12.

Yi Ch'ang-ho (KOFIC)

New Chairperson to Head KOFIC

2008-06-06T23:12:00.001-07:00

The Korean Film Council (KOFIC) is pleased to announce that KANG Han-sub is appointed as its new chairperson.

KANG is a distinguished film professor and well-known media-policy expert. He has taught in the department of Film Studies at the Seoul Institute of the Arts since 1994 and published several major academic papers on the Korean film industry. He has also served as a member of the Korea Media Rating Board and on the editing council of respected Korean magazine Cine 21. In 1996 he participated in the establishment of important reform measures for KOFIC.

KANG graduated with a degree in Literature from Kyunghee University, an MA from Sogang Graduate School and wrote his doctoral thesis in the narrative structure of classical Hollywood films at Paris 2nd Graduate School.

Korea's Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Sports selected KANG out of a group of candidates recommended by former KOFIC commissioners and members of the film industry. A new group of commissioners, to be selected by the Ministry of Strategy and Finance and the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Sports, will be announced in mid-June.

KANG replaces former chairperson AN Cheong-sook, who resigned three months short of her three year term in March 2008. She is remembered for her diligence in promoting Korean film overseas and fostering diversity at home. KANG assumed the head position June 2nd and will lead KOFIC forward through a challenging new landscape for a term that will last until 2011.

Nigel D'Sa (KOFIC)

[HERALD INTERVIEW] Korean power behind 'Kung Fu Panda'

2008-06-06T23:11:00.000-07:00

"Kung Fu Panda", a new animated feature from DreamWorks, thrives on its sophisticated cinematography. When the main character named Po suffers a punch, the screen shifts into slow-motion for greater effect. When Po provides a slapstick gag, the camera does not move, allowing the audiences to enjoy the scene as it is.

The enhanced techniques have been spearheaded by Jhun Yong-duk, head of layout at DreamWorks -- equivalent to cinematographer or director of photography in conventional filmmaking.

It was Jeffrey Katzenberg, chief executive officer of DreamWorks, who asked Jhun to revamp the cinematography to give "Kung Fu Panda" its seamless and uninterrupted visuals.

"One day, I had a breakfast with Mr. Katzenberg, and he told me that 'Kung Fu Panda' should be made as a really cinematic film, so I did my homework, for about two months, and then gave a presentation to him about the cinematic camera technique, and he liked it", Jhun said in an interview with The Korea Herald on Wednesday.

It was a critical and rewarding moment for Jhun because he received not only Katzenberg's recognition but also got a chance to incorporate his own ideas into a global animated feature -- something he had dreamed of when he first set foot in the animation industry.

Jhun, 36, was born in Seoul and graduated from the University of Seoul in 1996. He entered Keumkang Communications, an advertising agency and started his work in the design department. But he decided to study in the United States in order to achieve his dream of working in a major animation studio such as DreamWorks and Disney.

After graduating from the prestigious School of Visual Arts, he briefly worked at an art studio in New York. "At the studio, we analyzed the art of Marcel Duchamp, using computer graphics but after five or six months there, I realized that's not what I really wanted to do", Jhun said.

In 2001, he moved to Chicago to Big Idea Productions to work as a layout artist, formally starting his career in the animation industry. But he confronted an unexpected challenge in April 2003 when Big Idea Production went bankrupt following the failure of a major animation project. "Suddenly I got laid off, and at the time my son had just been born, so I was really worried about what I had to do", Jhun said.

Jhun scrambled to find a new job because, if he couldn't, he would have had to return to Korea due to visa problems. He frantically sent his portfolio to various animation companies. Fortunately, he got a call from an animation company in New Jersey, notifying an opening for him. And then something unexpected happened. As he was settling in New Jersey, he got a call -- this time from DreamWorks.

After a telephone interview, DreamWorks hired him, opening up a new career path for Jhun -- an animation artist at the very studio he wanted to work for. Jhun worked on various projects at the studio, but "Kung Fu Panda" was special for him because it was his first as head of layout.

Working as head of layout for "Kung Fu Panda" was a combination of happenstance and talent. As the project was delayed for longer than expected, the original head of layout moved to Disney. DreamWorks had to find a new layout chief.

"I applied for the job, and I stressed that I was born in Korea and I knew a lot about Asian culture and sensibility, and if the company wanted to incorporate Asian culture and include many action scenes, in which I have expertise, I said I would do it better than the others", he said. The next day, Jhun was told he got the job.

Jhun said "Kung Fu Panda", which took five years to make, showcases not only a very interesting story, but also rich Asian flavors in terms of distinctive visual effects and angles.

Jhun, who is now working on "Shrek 4", said the new installment of the Shrek franchise will be dramatically different. "The new Shrek film is being produced as a three-dimensional feature that will require audiences to use stereoscopes, so it will come as a very new movie", he said.

"Kung Fu Panda", distributed by CJ Entertainment, was released nationwide yesterday.

http://ngedate.blogspot.com/2009/09/kenali-dan-kunjungi-objek-wisata-di.html

Entertainers likely to become good husbands or wives?

2008-06-06T23:09:00.002-07:00

Actor Lee Beom-soo and Kim Jeong-eun were chosen to most likely become family-oriented after marriage.

Eduwill held a poll of 980 people, and Lee Beom-soo (31%), who received much love as a manager in SBS "On Air", was first.

Lee Seo-jin (29%), who is playing King Jeong-jo in MBS "Yi San", was second. Jang Dong-gun (18%), Jeong Joon-ho (14%), and Ha Jeong-woo (8%) also placed.

Kim Jeong-eun (27%) was chosen as the top female entertainer who would be a wise mother and good wife. Next were Park Seon-yeong (25%), Han Ji-hye (20%), Kim Tae-hee (14%), and Kim Ha-neul (13%).

Also, the people expected to live well if they got married were official couple 'Lee Seo-jin-Kim Jeong-eun', who received 53% of the votes.

In addition, 'Lee Beom-soo - Kim Ha-neul', (20%) the manager and star couple from "On Air", were second. The remaining order was 'Jang Dong-gun - Kim Tae-hee' (14%), 'Jeong Joon-ho - Park Seon-yeong' (7%), and 'Ha Jeong-woo - Han Ji-hye' (5%).

Wedding date set for celebrity couple

2008-06-06T23:09:00.001-07:00

Yoo Jae-seok, a hugely popular comedian and show host, will marry his broadcaster-fiance Nah Kyoung-eun on July 6, Yoo said at a press conference Wednesday.

Nah, who works for MBC, was not by Yoo's side at the conference held in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, as she is on business trip to the United States. About 150 reporters showed up at the event where Yoo, best known as a main emcee of the popular MBC variety "Muhan Dojeon (Infinite Challenge)", fielded questions on their marriage schedules and love story.

The couple first met on the set of "Muhandojeon" two years ago, but, according to Yoo, 35, he didn't even dream of marrying her at the beginning. "I used to say that I wanted to marry an announcer on television, even before I met her. And that made it harder for me to develop the relationship as I wished", said Yoo, seriously but happily, during the press conference.

The veteran entertainer didn't hesitate to give an answer when asked when the two kissed for the first time. "Our first kiss was in the car. It was after two months of dating", he said.

Known for his good-natured and humble style of presenting, quite a few programs Yoo has been emceeing were, and still are, ranked in the top 10 most watched entertainment shows.

Yoo who was discovered in 1991 through a talent search organized by KBS was a late bloomer. Nearly a decade after his debut, Yoo landed a short but regular spot on the Seo Se-won Show that was the real start to Yoo's career as a star comedian.

Once he was recognized for his candor, charm and friendly image, however, offers to host shows rolled in. For years now, he is among television's most sought-after presenters.

Today Yoo is also the highest paid television presenter, reportedly earning 8 million to 9 million won ($8,000-$9,000) per episode. It is estimated that his annual earnings are approximately 200 million won this year.

After the press conference, Yoo made a heart with his hands for his future wife. "I heard my future in-laws didn't expect her daughters would marry an entertainer. But now they feel comfortable about telling our relationship to their friends and relatives. My parents love my fiance of course. You know, she got this sweetness that makes everyone happy", You smiled.

Yoo is currently looking for the right place for their wedding, he said. Yoo's fellow comedian Lee Hui-jae will host the couple's wedding, while singer Kim Jong-gook is scheduled to be the wedding singer.

"Formidable Rivals" Wraps at 9.4%

2008-06-06T23:08:00.004-07:00

The KBS2 TV Monday-Tuesday drama, "Formidable Rivals", ended on June 3rd, with the final episode ratings unable to break through 10%.

According to AGB Nielsen Media Research, the last episode of "Formidable Rivals" did, however, receive the highest rating (9.4%) of its broadcasts. The drama started airing on April 14th and its average TV ratings were calculated at 7.7%.

Starring Chae Rim, Lee Jong-hyuk and Lee Jin-wook, "Formidable Rivals" was a TV drama about the lives of Secret Service agents who worked at the Blue House. Though the plot was unique, it was overshadowed by the popularity of the MBC period piece, "Yi San", Wind of the Palace.

On June 3rd, the TV ratings of "Yi San" were 28.9% and the ratings of the SBS drama "Tokyo Sun Shower" were recorded at 4.2%.

The production filling the "Formidable Rivals" spot will be the martial arts period drama, "Chil-woo, the Mighty", starring Eric Moon and Koo Hye-seon. Its first broadcast will be on June 9th.

"Cooking Up Romance" on KBS Off to a Smooth Start

2008-06-06T23:08:00.003-07:00

"Cooking Up Romance", a brand new drama series on KBS 2TV, is off to a smooth start.

According to AGB Nielson Media Research, the first episode of "Cooking Up Romance" recorded viewer ratings of 9.6%.

Although the viewer ratings failed to exceed the 10% mark, it was twice as high as the final episode of the sitcom "Unstoppable Wedding", which had preceded the new drama.

Meanwhile, "Elephant", a daily MBC sitcom which airs on the same time slot as "Cooking Up Romance", recorded viewer ratings of 8.2%.

The new drama series is a remake of a popular drama series entitled "Seoul Ttukbaegi" that was aired on KBS in the early 1990s.

The first episode of "Tokyo Sun-Shower", a four-part special drama series on SBS, recorded viewer ratings of 6.3%, "Yi San" on MBC recorded 29.8% and "Formidable Rivals" on KBS recorded 7.6%.

Main actors' fighting spirit, Will "Iljimae" soar?

2008-06-06T23:08:00.001-07:00

The backbone actors of SBS "Iljimae" are becoming a hot issue. They are Lee Moon-sik, Kim Chang-wan, and Ahn Kil-kang.

Lee Moon-sik, who plays the role of Swe-dol, showed his 'passion' by volunteering to taking out his teeth to differentiate from his character in "Damo". The producers, who were moved, inserted the story of his teeth coming out in the drama.

In the drama, Swe-dol will face the danger of getting his wrist cut off from Byeon-shik (Lee Won-jong) because he assaulted Shi-wan. But eventually, it will change to him getting his teeth pulled. They will show him without his front teeth.

Following his role in "King and I", Ahn Kil-kang drew attention when he shaved his head for his role of a fake Buddhist monk. In "Iljimae", he has the important role of Bong-soon's (Lee Yeong-ah) adoptive father and martial arts teacher to Iljimae.

Kim Chang-wan is growing a beard to fulfill the role of king. He is working carefully to exhibit a realistic charisma as the villain who corners his younger brother Lee Won-ho into death.

There is anticipation if the backbone actors will bring more popularity to "Iljimae", which secured its spot as a top drama after its first broadcast.

Stars' How To – Pretty women like exercising

2008-06-06T23:07:00.003-07:00

It is the last week of May, and from next week, it will be officially summer.

If you are one who is overwhelmed with revealing clothing, increase the volume and focus on the screen.

Advice we get from stars! This week's Star How To is stars' weight control techniques.

The basics of exercise

Exercise is probably the most certain way to become skinny.

Advice from stars who have great bodies start now.

[Interview: Seong Yoo-ri]
"Truthfully, I don't really like exercising, but I'm at an age where I should take care of my body so I'm exercising well. My secret is eating well and exercising? I'm lying too much".

Q) What kind of exercises do you do?
A) "I use the running machine or do yoga".

[Interview: Kim Ha-neul]
"I started exercising three years ago, and I've faithfully done it since".

Q) What kind of exercises do you do?
A) "Weights!"

Weight training would be the best for firm muscles and a toned body, and Daniel Henney's secret is exactly this.

Lee Wan, Cast as main character for movie "Goose's Dream" - transformation into a boxer

2008-06-06T23:07:00.001-07:00

Actor Lee Wan was cast as the main character for "Goose's Dream" after the movie "Boys Don't Cry", set to come out this fall.

"Goose's Dream" is about the life and dream of a boy Jeong-woo (Lee Wan) who has gambled his life on boxing. It will be a low-budget film, produced by the Korean Film Council, KBS, and the Chonbuk Provincial Government as a HD movie.

Lee Wan plays Jeong-woo, who has been obsessed with boxing since he was young. After meeting Ki-chul (Im Kyeong-eob) who has an inborn talent for boxing, Jeong-woo gives up boxing and lives his own life.
The theme of this movie is that the achievement of a dream starts with not giving up that dream. It is to embrace the hearts of those who have difficulties because of the separation between their dreams of youth and dreams of reality. Lee Wan is showing his passion by receiving training every day from a former national boxer. He said, http://kunjungiobjekwisata.blogspot.com "There is a lot of pressure but I want to learn so I don't look awkward as a boxer". Lee Wan worked so hard that his trainer asked him if he had any thought of seriously pursuing boxing. The movie that contains the transformation of Lee Wan into a boxer and the story of dreams that will unite generations will start filming on May 29.

Bae Yong-joon, Interview in Japan, "I have thoughts of marrying but it's not working out"

2008-06-06T23:06:00.001-07:00

On the 1st, after the three-hour "The Legend Premium Event 2008 in Japan" held in Osaka Kyocera Dome, Bae Yong-joon held an interview with Korean reporters for about thirty minutes in the waiting room. Director Kim Jong-hak of "The Legend" was also there. The following are questions and answers that were exchanged.

-Thoughts on the event held today, with 35000 fans?
-Even in the disappointment that came with the end of filming, Director Kim and I said that it was over yet. But now, I have a real feeling that it's over. It was nice today. I was able to meet my family in Asia eye-to-eye. And it was better that I was able to come with the director and fellow actors from "The Legend" this time.

-You also referred to your next work at the event today. (Bae Yong-joon said, "I want to give a different kind of feeling with my voice on the animation of "Winter Sonata" and there's nothing certain, but I'm looking into a drama that is a remake of a Japanese comic".)
-I haven't signed anything yet. So it would be difficult to say anything.

-You were hurt while filming "The Legend". How is your health now?
-It's still a little uncomfortable to walk. I am getting shots on my knees. For my shoulders, we have to wait 1-2 months and I may have to get surgery. I was seriously hurt during filming of "The Legend" ten days before the end, but I couldn't go to the hospital because I thought I would have to put on a cast, which would stop filming. It hurt so much that I couldn't sleep, and I took pain-killers so I could film. I went to a hospital once after getting hurt, and all the nurses were attending to the emergency patients, so I had to put in pain-killing shots myself (laugh).

-Director Kim said "Bae Yong-joon is faithful to his emotions and pursues perfect acting".
-Firstly, I'm grateful. I think I have to stay truthful to my emotions because I can't act. Truthfully, I was surprised as I saw Director Kim working on this work. Director Kim was also hurt during filming, and even though he was in a bad condition, his leadership was outstanding. I sometimes call him father, and sometimes, he feels like a friend. (At this, Director Kim said, "While filming "The Legend", I realized that Bae Yong-joon is here because of his own work and acting. He's a great actor. If it is possible, I would want to work with him again".)

-It's known that you will lend your voice to the animation of "Winter Sonata", which plans to air next year.
-That's right. It's planned to do it in Korean, but I have thoughts of also doing it in Japanese.

-In addition to your arrival in Japan, you filmed your fans with a digital camera today too.
-I really like taking pictures. I've wanted to take pictures of my family (fans). I am also thinking of making a book introducing famous places in Korea to foreign tourists. This book will have pictures that I took myself.

-You are keeping your long hair that you had for "The Legend".
-When my next work is decided, I will change my hair accordingly. There are many uncomfortable aspects about long hair, like using a lot of shampoo and taking a lot of time to dry (laugh).

-While filming "The Legend", there was talk about trouble with Director Kim.
-That's not true at all, and that's all because of reporters (laugh). My relationship with Director Kim is very good. He is sometimes like a friend and sometimes like a father. During filming, we also talked about medicine that was good for us (laugh).

-Marriage plans?
-My friends and juniors are all marrying, and I do have thoughts about it. But it's not working as I want it to (laugh). Even at home, my parents are talking about marriage. Last year at the MBC Acting Awards, I said I wanted to marry within three years, and I still have that desire. Introduce me (laugh).

-If there's something you want to say to your fans in Korea and Asia.
-I believe that the love I receive not just from Korea but from Asia is undeserved. If I cannot repay the love I receive through my acting and movies, I want to repay it some other way. When I find out how, I will let you know.

Kim Min-seon, Shin Yun-bok casting - acting competition with Moon Geun-yeong

2008-06-06T23:05:00.000-07:00

Actress Kim Min-seon was cast as artist Shin Yun-bok in "Le Grand Chef" Director Jeon Yoon-soo's next work "Portrait of a Beauty". This movie started with the idea that artist Shin Yun-bok of the Choseon era was really a woman dressed as a man. Although she had great talent, she had no choice but to dress as a man because she was a woman. It is a movie about the love story that surrounds her painting 'Portrait of a Beauty'.

Kim Min-seon, who was cast as Shin Yun-bok, will compete with Moon Geun-yeong, who is currently filming SBS "Painter of the Wind", which is a drama with a similar story.

In order to play the role of the genius artist Shin Yun-bok, Moon Geun-yeong is learning calligraphy and Korean art.
"Portrait of a Beauty" will start filming on May 31, and will aim to premiere this fall around the same time as "Painter of the Wind", which will air in September. In the movie, Kim Yeong-ho plays artist Kim Hong-do, the teacher of Shin Yun-bok who begins to love her as a woman. In the drama, Kim Hong-do is played by Park Shin-yang.

Bae, Choi to Voice 'Winter Sonata' Cartoon

2008-06-04T22:16:00.002-07:00

Actors Bae Yong-joon and Choi Ji-woo, who gave flight to hallyu or the Korean wave with the TV series "Winter Sonata", will team up again to play the voices for the animation version of the love story. They will record the voiceovers in Korean, which will be translated into Japanese subtitles.

December last year, Korea's Key East and Japan's Total Promotion signed an Memorandum of Understanding for a joint project to make an animated version of "Winter Sonata". Bae had publicized plans to voice the part of his character Jun-sang at the Tokyo International Animation Fair in February, and Choi decided to join the team as well, Choi's management agency Olive9 announced Thursday.

"Choi Ji-woo decided to participate in the animation project as a token of appreciation for her fans, and hopes to rekindle the emotions of the original drama", said a representative of Olive9.

After airing here on KBS2 in 2002, the drama "Winter Sonata" became explosively popular in Japan, where fans affectionately dubbed the lead actors "Yonsama" and "Jiwoohime" respectively. In 2005, a musical version starring popular crossover tenor Im Tae-kyung drew crowds in both countries. Even now, the shooting sites around Korea ― like Yongpyong Ski Resort and Nami Island, continue to draw tourists.

There will be two versions of the animated "Winter Sonata", a TV series and feature film. While retaining the essence of the original TV soap, it will be crafted like a family animation to reach out to a wider audience, particularly children.

The animation is currently under production and the voices are yet to be dubbed by Bae and Choi. It is slated for release toward the end of the year, and will be distributed internationally.

LEE Hae-joon castst JEONG jae-yeong

2008-06-04T22:16:00.001-07:00

Lee Hae-joon, half of the directing duo of "Like A Virgin", announced the casting of his next film mr. Kimssineun Pyoroogi. Jeong Jae-yeong and actress Jeong Ryeo-won will be the lead actors.

The film seems likely to be financed by director/producer Kang Woo-seok. They are still preparing the shoot.

LEE directed "Like A Virgin" together with Lee Hae-yeong. Kimssineun Pyoorogi is about a man and a woman meeting at the Han river in Seoul it will be LEE's first time directing alone.

JEONG's filmography includes, "Someone Special" and "Welcome to Dongmakgol". JEONG starred in the film "2 Faces of My Girlfriend".

Yi Ch'ang-ho (KOFIC)

More Lifelike Animation Due in Theaters

2008-06-04T22:13:00.002-07:00

Coming to theaters soon is a film that will display a new technique in filmmaking.
The process uses actors to advance animation closer to the realm of the real world.
Kim Jiyoung has more.
At first glance, it looks like your ordinary animated movie.
But the movement and expressions of the characters in "She Was Beautiful" are more real than typical animation work can portray.
And the faces belong to those of well-known actors.
This is something different created through a process known as rotoscoping.
Movies made with this technique are actually filmed live first.
Animators then trace over the film, frame by frame, with a computer.
One second of a movie is 24 frames so for every second of film time animators must draw 24 pages of pictures.

Yoo Ji-tae's film invited to SSFF

2008-06-04T22:13:00.001-07:00

"Out of My Intention", a short film directed by movie actor Yoo Ji-tae, has been invited in the Asia Section for the Short Shorts Film Festival 2008, which kicks off on June 6 in Tokyo, Japan.

SSFF, one of the biggest short film festivals in the world, and the biggest in Asia, marks its 10th anniversary this year.

The 24-minute film is a story about a middle-aged man visiting his hometown cherishing the memories he had with his lover in the past.

Jang Nara Visits China to Help Earthquake Victims

2008-06-04T22:12:00.001-07:00

Singer and actress Jang Nara was in China to help the victims of a recent earthquake that shook the province of Sechuan in China.

The singer's official website said Jang delivered relief funds and supplies to Chinese officials in Bejing before flying to Sechuan Province the following day.

The relief funds collected by members of Jang's fan club will be used to assemble prefabricated school buildings. Relief supplies provided by the Korea Food for the Hungry International included medicine and clothes.

Jang headed to Vietnam on May 2 and held a concert with Vietnamese singers on June 1.

Korean Stars Sing to Deliver Message of Hope to Quake Victims

2008-06-04T22:10:00.004-07:00

Some 30 popular celebrities, including singers, actors, comedians and sports stars, sang together at a studio in Samseongdong, Seoul on May 29.

The 30 stars, all dressed in a white T-shirt with the slogan 'I Love Asia', took part in a project jointly put together by Jackie Chan and Park Jin-young to help the victims of the earthquake victims in China. Renowned film director Kang Je-gyu, the executive producer of the video shoot, was not able to attend due to personal matters overseas.

The 30 stars included figure skater Kim Yuna, actors Kim Ah-joong, Park Yong-ha, Han Hye-jin, Yoo Seung-ho and Jeon Hye-bin, and singers Ku Jun-yeop, Jo Sung-mo, Chae Yeon, Kim Dong-wan, Kan Mi-yeon, Alex, Horan, Joo, Wonder Girls, Brown-Eyed Girls and Battle. They all sang and recorded 'I Love Asia' composed by Park Jin-young.

The project was organized to help the quake victims as well as to express hope that Asia will unite to help all those in need in times of crisis.

The song will be distributed around Asia via the Internet, DVD and music video. The song will also be performed in front of a live Chinese audience.

[MOVIE REVIEW] New 'Public Enemy' upgrades humor

2008-06-04T22:10:00.003-07:00

In "Public Enemy Returns", the third installment of the police action series by director Kang Woo-suk, the most visible -- and welcome -- change comes from the central character, detective Gang Cheol-jung.

Gang, played by veteran actor Seol Kyeong-gu, still works as a quirky, almost uncontrollable detective who specializes in hunting down the vicious villains. But this time around Gang is much more tenacious: even after he gets stabbed by an attacker and goes through a major surgery, he springs back to his feet and runs after what he sees as "a public enemy".

The enemy is Lee Won-sul (played by Jeong Jae-yeong), chairman of Geo-seong Group. An up-and-coming entrepreneur, chairman Lee runs a host of seemingly legitimate businesses, but his real business remains deeply rooted in his lifelong career of gangster. All of his employees are in fact members of a massive gangster group led by Lee, and their key business is to threaten, stab and kill for money.

Compared with the previous two installments, detective Gang looks bigger and more powerful, and even the evil character, Lee, comes with multiple psychological layers in a departure from the typically cardboard criminals. The movie also draws strength from a solid cast of supporting characters who do their part in throwing in more dramatic effects as well as a whiff of realism. The movie, however, is not exclusively devoted to action sequences. Jokes are inserted in key moments, softening the overall tone of the film and offering a much-needed Korean sense of humor. The credit of this enhanced comic effect goes to the screenwriter Jang Jin, an established filmmaker himself who is known to be adept at creating tongue-in-cheek comic scenes, which are plentiful in "Public Enemy Returns".

In the beginning, Detective Gang is seriously considering a career change. For years he has tracked down really bad criminals, but he does not have enough money to secure a decent house for his daughter and mother. Gang drops in at a bank to get some loans, but the bank clerk's answer is resolutely negative. After all, his credit rating, because of his dangerous and terribly busy job that does not come with corresponding monetary returns, is at rock bottom.

Gang files his resignation letter to his boss but nobody believes he's quitting. While he is trying to get out of his trap, something serous hits the town. Gang's team is confronted with two murder cases whose traces seem to be linked with Geo-seong Group chairman Lee.

Lee is a very affectionate father who brings his son to a weekend farm house to teach him lessons about nature and humanity. He loves his wife dearly to the point of obeying her orders whenever possible. But behind this gentleman's facade lies a hidden identity: a merciless gangster boss who makes money, even by recruiting high school students and training them to stand in the front line of deception and violence.

Noticing that Lee's dirty hands are linked with the murder cases, Gang sets aside his career problem and begins his investigation, which turns out be more dangerous than he imagines.

Seol Kyeong-gu has increased the energy of Gang's character, showing off a more relaxed yet seasoned touch. Jeong Jae-yeong, despite his first-ever role of an evil character, has successfully created an intriguing persona who is hopelessly corrupted to the heart and yet humorously vulnerable in a way that generates plenty of sympathy.

The original "Public Enemy" was a commercial hit in 2002, and the sequel "Another Public Enemy" ("Public Enemy 2") produced mixed results in 2005. The third installment of the series, which draws keen interest as a major Korean film with box-office potential, is scheduled to be released on June 19.

Hallyu Wood Draws Attention of Asian Press

2008-06-04T22:10:00.001-07:00

Ten major press agencies around Asia flocked to cover the launch of the construction of the Hallyu Wood Theme Park and the Hallyu Wood Start Festival.

A 34-year-old reporter from Hong Kong's cable network CEN spent a busy day interviewing Korean celebrities in Ilsan, the venue of the Hallyu Wood Start Festival. She said that the Hallyu Wood complex will be a great entertainment space for Asian fans of Korean cultural content.

Another reporter from a Japanese cable network program entitled 'Movie Plus' also expressed his hope that Hallyu Wood would become a great venue for cultural exchange.

Choi Ji-woo, Jewelry, Kim Ah-joong, Big Bang, Jo Hyeon-jae, Lee Hye-young, Baek Yoon-sik and Lim Kwon-taek were among the celebrities who were present at the festival.

Korean, Japanese Actors to Star in Joint Movie

2008-06-04T22:09:00.001-07:00

Two top actors, Korean Ha Jeong-woo and Japanese Satoshi Tsumabuki, will join forces to star in a joint Korean-Japanese movie "Boat" (working title).

The Korean movie production company Kraze Pictures announced that the movie will start filming June 28 with Japanese production IMJ Entertainment in Niigata, Japan.

"The movie will be filmed completely in Japan but Ha will speak Korean (in the film). It is scheduled to be in theaters next year", Byun Bong-hyun, the film manager at Kraze Pictures told The Korea Times.

"Boat" depicts the story of two young Korean and Japanese smugglers who try to kidnap a Korean woman. The Korean actress has not been confirmed yet.

Korean director Kim Young-nam, who won the International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI) Award and the Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema (NETPAC) Award for "Don't Look Back" (2006) at the 59th Locarno International Film Festival, will produce the film, while Japanese writer Aya Watanabe will work on the script.

Watanabe became popular among Japanese and Korean movie fans through movies such as "Josee, the Tiger and the Fish" (2003) and "Mezon Do Himiko" (2005).

The 30-year-old Ha has appeared in several films and dramas but stepped up as one of Korea's most talented actors with his performance in the hit movie "The Chaser" (2008). Tsumabuki gained stardom in Japan and Korea with his performance in movies such as "Josee" and "Tears for You" (2006).

Korean Drama Highlight:Summary

2008-06-01T22:12:00.000-07:00

Lee Dong-geon Meets Japanese Fans

2008-05-29T03:11:00.001-07:00

Hallyu star Lee Dong-geon is slowly getting over the tragic death of his younger brother by keeping his schedule busy. On May 25, Lee visited Japan to hold a series of fan meetings. He is also busy with shooting a drama and releasing his latest album.

Soon after he arrived in Tokyo, Lee made a guest appearance on a live radio show and talked about what he has been up to as well as his new album. The one-hour open radio show was held at Cafe M.net in Shinjuku, Tokyo to celebrate the 2nd anniversary of the founding of M.net Japan, a satellite channel that specializes in Korean cultural contents.

Lee, who is currently shooting a new drama on MBC 'Every Single Night', also made a guest appearance on a TV show in Osaka and met the members of the press and fans in Tokyo while promoting his latest film 'Cross-Scandal' which was released in Korea last year.

Fans stayed up all night to meet their favorite Korean star and when he finally made his appearance, they all cheered.

Lee says he plans to perform all the songs in his latest album live during his upcoming concert in August. He also said he is content as a singer and musician and was excited to meet his Japanese fans.

Jackie Chan to Publicize Korean-Wave Theme Park

2008-05-29T03:10:00.000-07:00

Gyeonggi Province is to appoint Jackie Chan as a goodwill ambassador for a Korean Wave theme park on Wednesday. Hallyuwood -- a conflation of "hallyu" or Korean wave and Hollywood -- features a variety of tourist facilities such as studios where Korean soap operas and films are made, entertainment facilities, museum, shops, Korean cooking classes and restaurants. The park is going up on a 990,000 sq.m site and is to be completed by 2012.

"We thought Chan is a perfect fit for this position to publicize Korean culture to the world, as he has a deep interest in Korean culture and is on intimate terms with many Korean stars", an official with the Gyeonggi provincial government said.

The martial arts comedian will be present at the Hallyuwood ground-breaking ceremony in Janghang-dong, Goyang City on Thursday, joining Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Yu In-chon and many other Korean celebrities.

The Korean Gangland Is 'a Dirty Carnival'

2008-05-27T22:08:00.001-07:00

Byung-Doo, lanky and adorable, (played by TV drama star Jo In-Seong from "Something Happened in Bali") is a 29-year-old career criminal working for the middle-rank enforcer Sang-Chul (Yoon Je-moon, a Molotov-cocktail-loving vagrant in "The Host"). Burdened with a terminally ill mother and taking care of younger siblings, Byung-Doo is feeling financial pressure as a substitute patriarch. When the big boss President Hwang (Cheon Ho-jin, "The Big Swindle", "Crying Fist") is cornered by a corrupt prosecutor, Byung-Doo volunteers for a whack job and wins the man's trust. However, his real trouble begins when friend Min-Ho (Nam Goong-min), an aspiring movie director, asks him to be a "consultant" for the latter's debut film, a gangster epic not unlike "Dirty Carnival".

Yoo Ha's follow-up to the successful "Once Upon A Time In Highschool" is another intelligent, fast-moving and ultimately poignant melodrama that actually reminds one of the classic gangster pictures from Hollywood's yesteryears. Despite its self-reflexive modernistic devices, such as having a filmmaker as a character, "A Dirty Carnival" shares the kind of straightforwardness and moral concerns that would not be out of place in films like James Cagney's "Angels with Dirty Faces" (1938).

Yoo, who grew up in a rough neighborhood, refuses to romanticize the thugs. They are the scum of society, parasitic worms nourished by Korea's vast underground economy and controlled by a clean-cut businessman like President Hwang, who quips, "real gangsters don't use knives, they use calculators", and never once raises his hand or voice against his underlings. (It is wonderful to see Chun returning to the type of classy villain role first shown in the underrated "Double Agent".)

The unfussy, straightforward approach is extended to the film's ugly and painful "action" scenes. They can only be aptly described as eruptions of violence, as each baseball bat swing lands with a bone-cracking crunch and each sashimi knife stab is felt by a viewer with an involuntary cringe. You are impressed as hell at Yoo's directorial prowess, but only afterwards: while you are watching these scenes, you want them to be over.

The movie-within-a-movie subplot could have been a mess but is handled surprisingly well. Min-Ho, an obvious stand-in for Yoo Ha himself, pays a steep price for not realizing his complicity in perpetuating the vicious cycle of violence and hypocrisy in real life through his "art". There's no tasteful "ambiguity" to sneakily rehabilitate an artist's privileged position here. At times this section appears to be a barely veiled commentary on the symbiotic relationship going on in real time between Korean filmmakers and career criminals, especially the rather ugly aftermath of the financial success of "Friends".

Jo In-Seong, who occasionally looks like an overgrown junior-high kid, with his crew-cut plate and doe eyes, was a risky casting choice for the title role but he pulls it off. While not a brilliant actor yet, Jo is believably awkward and conflicted in key emotional scenes, especially working opposite terrific supporting players like Yoon and Cheon. Ironically, it is his romance with the childhood sweetheart Hyun-Joo (Lee Bo-yeong), a terrain that Jo and Yoo Ha should be familiar with, that feels lifeless and cliched.

While "Dirty Carnival" does not break new ground for the gangster-film genre, and its narrative is ultimately fairly conventional, it is nonetheless a superior example of a talented director with something worthwhile to say saying it with economy and confidence, within the perimeter of an established genre.

DVD Presentation:

Genius Entertainment. NTSC. Dual layer. Region 1. Video: Anamorphic widescreen, 2.35:1. Audio: Korean Dolby Digital 5.0. Subtitles: English. Supplement: Making-of featurette, deleted scenes. Retail price: $24.95. Released: May 20, 2008.

Genius Entertainment, a big DVD distribution company, has recently jumped into direct releasing of Asian titles. I am not sure whether this is a long-term policy or a temporary measure resulting from copyright/distribution deal disputes, but in any case, "A Dirty Carnival" receives a rather indifferently designed if qualitatively superior presentation in Region 1 DVD from Genius.

Transfer is generally satisfactory: every so often the picture gets excessively grainy and black levels get wobbly, but this might have been the problem with original film elements. The film's harrowing scenes of violence, which often employs direct overhead shots, are very effectively conveyed. The audio is equally good with unusually crisp Korean dialogues sometimes taking a back seat to the saccharine score by Jo Yeong-wook. English subtitles are above average, avoiding excessive crudeness and displaying excellent fidelity to Korean colloquialisms.

Supplementary materials include one short-form documentary on designing action sequences that is surprisingly detailed and features input from all major staff and cast members except Cheon Ho-jin. Deleted scenes mostly center on character development of Byung-Doo and Min-Ho. The supplements come with very good English subtitles.

Overall, the presentation is on a par with Tartan USA's best efforts. The only noticeable defect is a rather ugly and (literally) colorless cover design. One interesting tidbit is that all retail advertisements for the DVD show a cover with Jo In-Sung carrying a huge gun (as shown here), which is completely inappropriate given the content of the movie, whereas the copy I have received shows him holding a jackknife. I am not sure what is going on here, but if this change was due to a response to someone pointing out the incongruity of a Korean gangster casually brandishing a pistol, then Genius deserves praise.

Korean Chick Lit Books Turned Into Dramas

2008-05-27T22:07:00.001-07:00

Chick lit books have always been popular among young Korean women, especially the "Shopaholic" series by Sophie Kinsella and "The Devil Wears Prada" by Lauren Weisberger.

Korean chick lit books are also gaining popularity, and two popular books are being turned into television dramas.

The glamorous world of the fashion industry will be the backdrop for the up-coming SBS drama "Style", based on a novel written by Baek Young-ok, a former fashion reporter.

A producer from SBS said Tuesday it has finalized the purchase of the rights to turn "Style" into a drama. The drama is expected to air by March next year.

There is no word yet on who will play the lead role in the TV soap. In "Style", the main character is a 31-year-old female reporter at a fashion magazine. It gives an inside look at the world of fashion and luxury. It also deals with office politics, fierce competition in the fashion world and the luxury goods industry.

"Style" has been likened to "The Devil Wears Prada", a fictionalized account of a young woman's experience working for a top fashion magazine in New York.

The novel was chosen as the winner of Segye Ilbo's 4th World Literature Award last year. Baek has also published other works including "It's All Roh Moo-hyun's Fault" and "Cat Shanti".

Along with "Style", another popular book "My Sweet Seoul", written by Jeong I-hyeon, will be brought to the television screens June 6.

Dubbed as a "premium drama", the best seller turned production will portray the life of a 31-year-old single woman Oh Eun-soo played by actress Choi Kang-hee.

The novel "My Sweet Seoul" first appeared as a series in the Chosun Ilbo back in 2005. The realistic storyline and detailed literary style grabbed the attention of young women in their mid-20s and 30s, and the author soon came out with the book version. Through the protagonist Oh, the book displays the story of her love and office life, friendship and family. The drama is expected to pick up the detailed and trendy life of Oh from the book.

The drama will follow the basic story line with additional plots along the way. Along with actress Choi, actors Lee Seon-gyoon and Ji Hyeon-woo will also appear as the main male characters.

Another interesting feature of the drama is the production crew. Park Heung-sik, the producer of the drama, will join writer Song Hye-jin and shooting director Choi Yeong-ta to create the drama version of the book. Park, Song and Choi have worked together for the movie "My Mother, the Mermaid" (2004) and they promised to bring movie-like scenes and backdrops for drama fans.

"My Sweet Seoul" will be aired 9:55 p.m., June 6 on SBS.

[MOVIE REVIEW] 'Girl Scout' short on comedy, long on realism

2008-05-27T22:06:00.001-07:00

Life is tough, especially money-wise, for these four women.

Mi-kyeong (Kim Seon-ah) confronts one financial setback after another. Lee-man (Na Mun-hee) barely makes a living working at a store for a meager salary. Bong-sun (Lee Kyeong-sil) struggles to find the money for her son's surgery. Eun-ji (Ko Joon-hee) is saddled with deepening debt.

The women, aged from 20s to 60s, do not need extra troubles given their dire financial conditions, but the accidental nature of life does not leave them alone. In fact, an unexpected turn of events has all of them running, screaming and fighting all the way through the end of the film.

The story development highlights a private cooperative fund, known as "kye" in Korean. This collective installment savings system, still popular among Korean housewives, has one tiny problem -- the lack of security.

In general, a single "kye" master manages the collection and management of the entire funds, and each member take turns getting a large sum of money on a monthly basis. If that master turns greedy and takes off with the money while the payment cycle is still under way, all the innocent members -- those who pay the monthly fees in hopes of getting the lump sum later -- end up empty-handed.

Mi-kyeong, Lee-man, and Bong-sun belong to the innocent camp, which means their precious savings are gone. Together with their younger acquaintance Eun-ji, the three women set out to track down the beauty parlor owner Hye-ran (Lim Ji-eun), a former kye master who has the guts to vanish with the money.

So far, so good. As far as realism is concerned, the storyline up to this point has not deviated too much from the reality often documented and reported in the Korean media. A logical jump happens when the four self-styled girl scout members go off on the woman-hunt. They drive their yellow mini-van to the front yard of a cafe in Misari, Gyeonggi Province, a place that the beauty parlor owner is said to frequent.

True to the spirit of girl scouts, the four women set up an outdoor camp in the front yard of the cafe. They cook, roast and drink as if the yard is their backyard. Miraculously, neither the cafe owner nor the police make any forceful move toward the girl scouts.

While the girl scouts have a field day, Hye-ran is hatching another plan to line her already bloated pockets. She has a boyfriend named Hong-ki (Park Won-sang), a trickster who snatches up bundles of money through embezzlement. In Hye-ran's calculation, Hong-ki's money can be turned into hers, if he falls into her trap.

Hye-ran's well-organized scheme, however, gets disrupted when the four fearsome women spot Hye-ran at the cafe, leading to a wild chase scene where bags of money get exchanged several times. A hired goon (Lee Jong-dae) also gets involved in the head-spinning hunt for money, creating a complex game of cat and mouse.

But the chase-the-money plot should not detract curious moviegoers. Although this film is packaged as a comedy and the cast members are fully qualified to evoke laughs, the actually outcome is far from a comedy.

All the four women in the yellow mini-van bellow out their troubles in a fashion that is hardly delightful. Even the baddies seem too serious, adding to unwarranted realism that drags down the tone of the film. Is there anyone who would take a movie titled "Girl Scout" seriously?

Park Yong-ha to Launch Fan Meeting Tour in Japan in July

2008-05-27T22:05:00.001-07:00

Thirty thousand tickets to Hallyu star Park Yong-ha's fan meeting tour in Japan have been sold out.

According to Y&S Communication, Park will make a special guest appearance at the '2008 Premium Concert' at the Super Arena in Saitama Prefecture in Japan on June 7, and begin his fan meeting tour of eight Japanese cities in July.

Park will begin his tour in Sendai on July 5 and go on to Fukuoka on July 8, Sapporo on July 11, Niigata on July 13, Osaka on July 16, Hiroshima on July 18, Nagoya on July 20 and Tokyo on July 23 and July 24. During his tour, the actor and singer will meet with the members of his official Japanese fan club, Summerface Japan.

Y&S Communication recently announced that the tickets had sold out three weeks after ticket sales were launched. For fans who could not obtain tickets, the company extended Park's schedule in Tokyo by one more day, but those extra tickets also quickly sold out.

Park's popularity has soared in recent months due to the success of his recent drama series "On Air" on SBS. He plans to release his sixth single album in Japan in July.

Park's management agency said although the actor had planned to focus his activities in Japan in the second half of the year, he may have to travel back and forth between Korea and Japan as he has now been offered numerous media appearances in Korea thanks to the success of "On Air".

A backward glance for Mr. Bae

2008-05-27T22:04:00.002-07:00

Failures become most obvious in retrospect. The past allows you to see situations objectively. At least that's how life works for director Bae Chang-ho.

Currently, The Korean Association of Cinematheques is holding a "Retrospective on Bae Chang-ho" in Seoul Art Cinema in Jongno, central Seoul.

The featured films include Bae's debut work, "People in the Slum" (1982) and "Whale Hunting" (1984). The retrospective started last Tuesday and ends this Sunday.

"At first, opening a retrospective was a burden for me", Bae said. "On second thought, however, it was a chance to look back on my career from a third-person point of view".

Those films that Bae thought were failures based on audience attendance turned out to be significant for the lessons they taught him.

"Looking back relates to the future", the director said. "For future reference when making films, it's important to be in touch with what the public is interested in".

"Deep Blue Night" (1985), which plays tomorrow at 5 p.m., stars actor Ahn Seong-gi and actress Jang Mi-hee. The film was a big hit during the 1980s.

In the film, Ho-bin (Ahn Seong-gi) dreams the American dream. He intentionally meets random Korean-American women in the hope of obtaining American citizenship. Ho-bin's wife, however, is in Korea.

Whale Hunting, a film capturing the contemporary emotions of youth, screens today at 2:30 p.m. It features Byung-tae (Kim Soo-cheol) and Min-wu (Ahn Seong-gi).

Byung-tae, a young man, runs away from home in despair after being turned down by his lifetime crush.

While wandering along the streets, Byung-tae meets Min-wu (Ahn Seong-gi), a bold beggar. The two wander together around the city.

Other films to be screened are "Road" (2004), "My Heart" (1999), "Love Story" (1996), "The Young Man" (1994), "Hello God" and "Our Sweet Days of Youth" (1987), "Hwang Jin-ie" (1986), "How Warm Was the Winter" (1984) ",The Flower on the Equator" (1983) and "People in the Slum" (1982).

Bae, 55, became a director at age 29. In the 1980s, he directed 10 films, which is an average of one per year.

Bae says film culture is different now.

"Young directors today are fearful of failure", Bae said. "But failure is what makes you learn. It points out what you are missing".

"Young directors and filmmakers today are artificers of a capitalistic society", Bae said.

Youthful passion is what's needed today, Bae says, though he himself pursues depth in films, which reflects his life experience.

And to proceed with in-depth features, Bae quit his job as a professor early last year to concentrate on his work as a film director.

This isn't the first time Bae has said farewell to a secure life. At age 29, he quit working at Hyundai and became a film director.

It wasn't easy at first. His future was unclear.

And from his experience, he tossed some realistic advice to those youngsters who dream of being directors.

"Jumping into the film industry comes with a heavy price", Bae said.

"It's economically insecure", he added.

"Writing one or two interesting novels during a lifetime is possible. But sustaining good work is what's most difficult.

"Always remember that life comes before films".

By Lee Hoo-nam JoongAng Ilbo/ Lee Eun-joo Staff Reporter

The retrospective runs until Sunday. All films have English subtitles. Tickets cost 6,000 won for adults and 5,000 won for students.

[Talk of the town] Awards elude Korean film stars at this year's Cannes Film Festival

2008-05-27T22:04:00.001-07:00

So long to the 61th Cannes Film Festival, which ended last Sunday. Koreans didn't have much reason for celebration this year.

Na Hong-jin, the director of "The Chaser" and one of the 11 candidates for the Camera d'Or (The Golden Camera Award), lost out to Steve McQueen, the director of "Hunger".

Korean fans had hoped that another prize would follow last year's award to Jeon Do-yeon for Best Actress in "Secret Sunshine" (2007).

Previous Korean award winners from Cannes also include Im Kwon-taek's "Strokes of fire" (2002), which won the Best Director Award, and "Old Boy" (2004), which won the Grand Prix.

However, there are still reasons for hope for the Korean film industry.

Director Kim Ji-woon's "The Good, the Bad and the Weird", which screened at the festival's main venue last weekend, received positive responses from viewers.

The film was set in Manchuria during the Japanese colonial period and is about three Korean outlaws there in the 1930s.

It is based on Sergio Leone's 1966 film, "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly".

The action film stars Lee Byeong-Heon, Song Kang-ho and Jeong Woo-seong.

The updated version of the film will be released in Korea in early July.

Chinese culture enjoys its hallyu in Korea

2008-05-27T22:03:00.002-07:00

Just a decade ago the Korean cultural impact on Asia grew stronger and more influential. It soon became known as the "Korean wave", or hallyu, as it spread beyond from television to films and pop music.

Korean celebrities subsequently enjoyed newfound fame in China, Vietnam, Japan and Taiwan.

However, in recent years, the tables have slowly turned as more and Koreans are once again showing interest in Chinese culture, which flourished here during the late 1980s and 1990s.

Hong Kong film actors like Andy Lau, Chow Yun Fat and Leslie Cheung appeared on Korean commercials when Chinese film noir was in its heyday 20 years ago.

"The cultural ties between Korea and China are hard to break. They date back thousands of years", said Chung Nam-no, vice chairman of the Korea-China Cultural Association.

"Thanks to the hallyu, many young Chinese people have a positive view about Korea. Cultural exchanges in literature, arts and performance are increasing", Chung said. "There couldn't be any other culture with so many similarities from lifestyles, the way of thinking and the Confucian upbringing".

One significant sign indicating growing interest in Chinese culture is the revival of Chinatowns.

Unlike other Chinatowns in San Francisco, for example, those in Korea were nearly extinct.

"Sure, there are more people coming to festivals held in our Chinatown", said Koo Young-sil, who is in charge of cultural events for the Chinatown in the Jung District of Incheon, Gyeonggi.

Koo has helped raise the number of visitors to the most famous Chinatown on the peninsula. "More people come each year to our Jajangmyeon Festival", said Koo. Jajangmyeon is a famous Sino-Korean delicacy commonly described as bean-curd noodles. The festival is held every October.

Chinatowns in Korea used to be known mainly for their delicacies, but now people visit art exhibitions and traditional performances, Koo said.

"Chinatowns have a huge potential in Korea as tourist attractions", said Koo.

From May 16 through 18, the fourth Busan Chinatown Special Zone Festival features Chinese traditional costumes, masks and a lion dance.

Earlier this year in January, construction started on what is expected to be the largest Chinatown in Korea. It will be built near Kintex exhibition hall in Goyang, Gyeonggi. These commercial, entertainment and lodging facilities will cover 69,108 square meters (744,000 square feet). They will be used for facilitating Chinese culture-related events.

Prime Group, a majority shareholder of Seoul Chinatown Development, has invested 161.8 billion won ($154.4 million) in the construction of Dragon Plaza, which is to be completed by December 2009.

Noting that Chinatown in Goyang will be the hub of cultural exchange between Korea and China, Baek Jong-heon, Prime chairman, said, "Unlike Chinatowns in other countries and other regions [in Korea] where they were formed naturally, I'm certain Goyang Chinatown will gain an international reputation as a global culture due to flawless planning".

The entire Chinatown should be completed by 2012.

Interest in China has helped spark a boom in language learning in Korea. Three years ago, Chinese language institutes in Korea saw a sudden spike in enrollment as the Chinese economy continued its relentless growth. Korea's business with its neighbor has surged, and so has the desire to speak the language.

Elementary and middle school students are particularly keen to learn Chinese. Caihong Chinese, a Chinese-language education institution, launched a program for elementary school students in 2005. Today, it boasts 23,000 students. Tiancai Chinese, which began a similar program just 10 months ago, has 10,000 students already attending its classes.

"At first, businessmen who worked with Chinese partners dominated the classes. Later, college students preparing for employment began to enroll", said Jeon Hye-ran, a manager at Yi Er San Chinese Institute.

"Today, teenagers make up the majority of Chinese-language learners. They hope to get an advantage in their college entrance exams. We even got a request for kindergarteners".

According to Jeon, who majored in Chinese language and literature at college and studied in China, some the students learn Chinese language because they are drawn to the Chinese culture.

One such student is Lee Mi-jeong, 23, who fell in love with Chinese pop culture when she was in middle school.

"I fell in love with Chinese epic movies and dramas that depict heroes and chivalry", she said.

The number of Korean students in China is rising. China's education ministry says Korean students accounted for a third of international students there last year, the most from a single country.

"Students' age and study purpose might change", said Jeon. "But interest in Chinese is unlikely to disappear soon".

Pop culture highlights shared values and styles

2008-05-27T22:03:00.001-07:00

Lee Wook-yon is a professor of Chinese culture at Sogang University and an expert on Lu Xun, a legendary general during the kingdom of Wu. He has researched various cross-cultural issues, particularly concerning Chinese pop culture and hallyu, or the Korean wave, that spread across Japan, Taiwan and China. Lee recently granted an interview about hallyu with the JoongAng Daily.

What are some of the characteristics of hallyu in Chinese-speaking regions?

[The Chinese] seem to discover modern elements in the traditional sides of Korean popular culture. The style differs depending on each generation. If younger generations understand modern Korea through pop music, the older generation takes a keen interest in Korean family dramas, which maintain traditional Asian values. That's why TV dramas by conservative writers like Kim Su-hyun are a big hit in Chinese-speaking regions. As for mainland China, modernization hasn't come full circle yet. Besides, traditional Chinese culture has been completely absent in modern-day China since the socialist revolution. That's why they view Korea as a model nation that succeeded in modernization and still maintains its authentic values.

How much do Korea and China know about each other's culture? What has changed before and since hallyu?

In the old days, Korea and China shared similar cultures. After 1948, the two became political enemies, and even in the modern day, the two held some serious hostility about each other because they were on opposite sides of the cold war for nearly five decades. For a long time, China saw Korea as an American colony while Koreans saw China as a dictatorial Communist nation. Attitudes have changed since hallyu hit China. Before, there was no such thing as the Korean Republic for the Chinese. They saw us as South Joseon, an enemy of North Joseon [North Korea], China's political ally. Now the Chinese see Korea in a positive light, a nation that preserves East Asian traditions, a dynamic and patriotic country, an IT leader and a nation of passionate minds.

Park Yong-ha, a hallyu actor, recently said in an interview that "hallyu is over, the business is over". How much do you agree?

The impact of hallyu has declined since 1995. It would be hard to repeat the same fever. But hallyu won't disappear in China or other parts of East Asia. But whether it continues to impact Asia depends on whether Korea has a strong cultural identity that differs from China or Hong Kong. The pop culture in East Asia is increasingly unified. Entertainers from China, Japan and Korea are sharing substantial crossover.

Many Chinese celebrities are coming to Korea. Do you think this trend could ease anti-hallyu sentiment?

Whether we intend it or not, Chinese culture will continue to flow into Korea because the standard of Chinese culture is gradually improving. That would bring more Chinese into Korea, and the exchange would inevitably thrive. This will help ease cold war tensions and China's worries that their culture will be overrun by Koreans.

In the past, hallyu stars went through some adverse situations when they went to China. Their concerts were cancelled without notice, or management companies ran into disputes with local organizers. Is this because the business practices of the two nations are different?

Those incidents happened during the early phase of hallyu due to a lack of experience. But many shows then were also heavily for investment purposes. Events should be rooted more on the local standard, and events should move away from inviting just top stars. The fact that Korean stars like Jang Nara or the management company SM Entertainment are focused on local Chinese culture is meaningful. China has a strong sense of cultural pride.

Jang Nara Donates Money to Help Earthquake Victims in China

2008-05-25T23:46:00.000-07:00

Hallyu star Jang Nara has donated 150,000 dollars to a charity organization in China for the rescue of disaster victims and the restoration of Sichuan Province, which was recently hit by a devastating earthquake. Jang has worked with the same charity organization in the past to help Leukemia patients.

Jang's father, who is based in Beijing, said in a recent telephone interview with the Yonhap News Agency that the situation in China is appalling and that his daughter plans to continue with her relief efforts in collaboration with members of her fanclub.

He also asked fellow Koreans to join hands in helping the victims of the recent earthquake in China and to refrain from criticizing her daughter.

He added that although relations between Seoul and Beijing may seem to have cooled in recent days due to the clash which occurred when the Olympic torch was passing through Seoul, it was important to help China's suffering victims in times of trouble.

In the meantime, Jang will leave for Southeast Asian countries, including Malaysia and Singapore, to promote her latest album next month. The artist is considering accepting a film role once she gets back from her promotional tour.

Kim Hee-seon an Expectant Mom

2008-05-25T23:33:00.001-07:00

Actress Kim Hee-seon will be having a baby sometime in late January next year. Often cited Korea's most beautiful actress, Kim went to an OB/GYN yesterday to confirm her pregnancy. She is currently five weeks into her pregnancy and her due date is late January 2009. Kim and her husband are naturally elated, and her in-laws are also overjoyed to see their first grandchild.

According to Kim's closest associate, the actress found out about a week ago that she was expecting, after taking several at-home pregnancy tests. Kim's friend said that Kim wanted to have a baby ever since she got married and always dreamed of having at least three children. Kim herself is an only child, so she has always wanted a big family.

Kim has married businessman Park Ju-young, second son of Larksan Group Chairman Park Seong-gwan, in October 2007. She has stayed out of the limelight since she got married, and with the news of her pregnancy, her comeback is likely to be postponed until late next year after she gives birth to her baby.

Kim's filmography includes "The Myth" in 2005 with Jackie Chan, "Wanee and Junah" in 2001, "Bichunmoo" in 2000, and "Calla" and "Ghost in Love" in 1999. She has also starred in a number of hit TV series, such as "Mister Q" in 1998, "Tomato" in 1999, and "Sad Love Story" in 2005.

Indiana aims to crack open box-office skulls

2008-05-25T23:32:00.003-07:00

It's been a long, long time since Dr. Henry "Indiana" Jones Jr. rode off into the sunset. Or, to be more specific, it's been 19 years. Yet it is still too early to discount this Hollywood adventure film franchise. In fact, the newest Indiana installment seems likely to snatch up many, if not most, of the crystallized box-office skulls in Korea.

After a press preview on Tuesday, initial reaction from theater operators and critics about "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" seemed largely positive, especially concerning its potential as a box-office frontrunner. The film, released nationwide yesterday, is widely expected to outsmart other Korean and foreign competitors easily.

The film had already scooped up a record 86 percent in ticket reservation rates across the nation as of Wednesday according to the Korean Film Council, sparking speculation that Indiana might ride off to the biggest hit in Korean cinema this year.

The fourth installment of the much-touted Indiana series is not without weaknesses. Extravagant computer graphics has been certainly overdone -- so much so that Harrison Ford, who has been playing the worldly, punch-trading archeologist since 1928, looks somewhat "alien" in the South American jungle. The ultimate secret surrounding the mystery -- the Crystal Skull of Akator -- might not please all moviegoers, especially those who want a pure-play action-oriented adventure, not the oft-hackneyed theme of something that goes beyond our earth-bound grasp.

But Steven Spielberg knows how to rein in the uncontrollable wanderlust of Professor Jones while setting the action sequence machine wheeling and spinning at a breakneck speed that will surely delight diehard fans with an appetite for lethal traps, hidden entrances and goose bump-raising insects.

In the movie, Indy encounters rebellious young Mutt (Shia LaBeouf), who sets them on a mission with personal stakes but packages it as a quest for the most spectacular archaeological find in history. Before Indy notices it, he finds himself setting out for the most remote corners of Peru along with Mutt -- but it turns out that they are not alone.

This straightforward storyline, interspersed with occasional twists, is designed to justify and highlight all the action sequences. Forecasting a far stronger demand than usual, the film's Korean distributor CJ Entertainment has secured about 570 screens for "Crystal Skull".

The mighty publicity machine of the Spielberg-led Indiana franchise, bolstered by CJ Entertainment and its affiliated multiplex chain CGV, hints at a convincing formula for a smashing hit in the Korean market.

The question is whether Indiana's crystal skull could shine through the 10-million viewer market. Several Korean flicks have achieved the box-office landmark, helped by the steady increase in multiplexes and a growing moviegoer base. But no Hollywood film has reached the 8 million viewer mark in Korea, much less 10 million.

Last year, "Transformers" set a new record here as a Hollywood blockbuster by selling 7.45 million tickets, taking advantage of its universal appeal to audiences from adults to children. The Indiana series has similar qualities given that its simple adventure tale without much violence can appeal to all the age groups. An extra advantage is that many Korean moviegoers in their 30s and 40s vividly remember Indy's weapons of choice -- the whip and his cunning flexibility to use a gun from anywhere when confronted with an armed enemy in a public square.

A decisively favorable condition for Indy in Korea is that major Korean films have put off their release schedules in order to avoid a direct showdown with the Indiana series amid growing concerns about the dearth of Korean hits.

Korean shows picked at 'European Emmies'

2008-05-25T23:32:00.001-07:00

Five Korean programs have been nominated for awards at the 48th Monte-Carlo Television Festival.

Slated to run from June 8 to 12, the festival -- regarded as the European Emmies -- has been selecting the best of worldwide television programming since 1961, after it was founded by Prince Rainier III of Monaco.

This year, Korea is making its mark at this international event, receiving nominations for five out of eight programming categories.

Among the five nominations, MBC managed to nab three, with its cable series "BSG Police" (ByeolSunGeom) and drama "Coffee Prince" as strong contenders for the best TV series categories. Four "BSG Police" cast members -- Ryoo Seung-yong, On Joo-wan, Ahn Nae-sang and Park Hyo-joo -- are also up for the best outstanding actor and actress awards.

Cable series "BSG Police", a Korean take on CSI set in the Joseon Dynasty, was nominated for best drama, while the hit series "Coffee Prince", starring celebrities Yoon Eun-hye and Gong Yoo, nabbed a nomination for best comedy.

But fellow nominees NBC's "Heroes" and "The Office" promise to give these TV series a run for their money.

MBC landed its third nomination for the category of best news documentary. "The Mystery of Hankook Tire" from the popular news issue series "News Magazine 2580" is up for the award.

KBS garnered the final two nominations, outperforming SBS, for the categories of best television film and best miniseries. KBS' film "A Dwarf Launches a Small Ball", based on a famous novel of the same title, and its miniseries "Conspiracy in the Court", a drama set during the colonial period, managed to capture the attention of the jury with its deep look into Korean society and politics.

"Iljimae" Lee Joon-ki Clad in 5 Million Won Wardrobe

2008-05-25T23:31:00.000-07:00

A 5 million won outfit shows up on "Iljimae", a new period drama. It is the armor that Lee Joon-ki wore in yesterday's first broadcast of the SBS fusion period drama "Iljimae", (screenplay by Choi Ran, directed by Lee Yong-seok).

Lee Joon-ki wears three types of armor in the TV drama, and one chest armor he wears is an art piece that took metal craftsman Park Joon four months to create.

The producers of "Iljimae" said that they didn't "cut any costs when it came to making fashionable armor".

The SBS art designer in charge of "Iljimae's" wardrobe is Tak Eun-joo. "An important criteria for Iljimae's wardrobe includes maintaining his ability to use various weapons with ease", she explained. "His black outfit was accented with a red band around the waist and most of his accessories weren't purchased, but made delicately by hand. We wanted him to stand out".

Song Hye-kyo to star in John Woo's film

2008-05-25T23:30:00.000-07:00

Korean actress Song Hye-kyo will appear as the heroine of the popular Chinese director John Woo's new movie "1949".

The 26-year-old will play a war widow in the movie about a tragic love story set in 1949, when China was in the middle of a civil war between the Nationalist and Communist parties.

Song, who is very popular in China riding on the back of the Korean Wave (or Hallyu, referring to the popularity of Korean pop culture especially in Asia), will play a woman whose husband dies in the war and who then becomes involved with a man played by the popular Taiwanese actor Chang Chen.

John Woo, the director of hit movies "Face Off" (1997) and "Mission Impossible II" (2000), said that after he saw Song's performance in"Hwang Jin-Yi" he decided then to cast her in "1949".

After she was cast, Song said, "I was offered the role early this year, and the script was very tempting. I am very pleased to be working with Woo".

Based on true events at the end of WWII and the final years of the Chinese Civil War The screenplay for 1949 was written by Wang Hui-Ling of the much-lauded "Lust, Caution" (2007) and "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" (2000).

Filming will start at the end of this year and the movie is slated to be released sometime in 2009.
Song Hye-kyo has appeared in numerous dramas, commercials and films, including the hit drama "Full House" (2004). She has recently been busy with other overseas productions as well, having performed in the upcoming American supernatural indie thriller titled "Fetish".

Meanwhile, John Woo's epic film "Red Cliff" will be released this summer just before the Summer Olympics, starring Chang Chen, Tony Leung and Takeshi Kaneshiro.

Korea's Growing Animation Industry

2008-05-25T23:29:00.001-07:00

Prospects for Korea's animation industry are looking bright as it shifts from subcontracting to producing original content.
Our Jang Jiyun has more on this PLUS scenes from Seoul's annual animation festival.
With a growing number of Korean animated characters gaining international fame, Korea is becoming one of the leading countries in animation.
And, more companies like this one are getting the chance to enter lucrative foreign markets.
Pororo the Little Penguin is what children are all hyped up about, both in Korea and abroad.
This company has already exported content, currently being aired in ten countries outside Korea to over 40 countries.
As for the reasons behind the country's fast growing animation market, the company says it's due to a major shift in production.

[INTERVIEW : Shin Changhwan, Chief Producer of ICONIX Entertainment]"As Korea's animation industry began transforming from mainly subcontracting to creating our own original works, the international animation community began recognizing our creative power and advanced techniques in 3D animation. So this change in perception greatly opened the doors for Korean companies to enter foreign markets".

And on Wednesday, one of Asia's biggest animation festivals lifted its curtains in Seoul.

[REPORTER : ] "I'm here at the 12th annual Seoul International Cartoon and Animation Festival, where Korean animators have a chance to not only show off their own work, but also how far the Korean animation industry has come".

This event was originally established to promote the Korean animation and cartoon industry, as well as to provide a platform for local talent.
But now it has grown into a world-renowned festival featuring the latest trends in animated films and works of artists from around the globe.
And Korea's animation industry is gaining support from the government as it realizes just how large profits from successful animated characters and their subsequent licensing can be.

[INTERVIEW : Bang Joonghyuk, General Director of Seoul Animation Center] "The government recognizes the importance of the digital content industry and how big a contribution it makes to the overall Korean economy. As a result, the Seoul city government has created a fund which goes toward nurturing innovative artists and the production of original works".

The Seoul Metropolitan government says it plans to expand this fund to 100 billion won or 96 million US dollars by 2010.

Jang Jiyun, Arirang News.

TV is the No. 1 local leisure activity, finds poll

2008-05-25T23:28:00.001-07:00

A 42-year-old public employee in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, starts his Saturday by turning on the television from his bed with the remote control. He then falls back asleep while zapping through the channels. Sometimes, his two daughters drag him out to the playground but he soon returns home and sits in front of the TV.

"Even if I try to do something with my family, there isn't much to do", said the man, who asked that his name not be used. "My wife often nags me about spending so much time watching TV".

Koreans spend the majority of their leisure time watching TV, according to the Korean General Social Survey conducted by Sungkyunkwan University's Academy of East Asian Studies. Eighteen universities across the country participated in the survey, which polled 1,457 adults from June to August last year.

Among leisure activities, watching TV or DVDs topped the list, with a score of 4.6 out of 5. Listening to music (3.7), talking on the phone (3.6), surfing the Internet (3.4), exercising (3.3) and meeting with friends (3.2) followed.

"As the country has experienced fast industrialization, people are not used to enjoying their leisure time", said Yang Jong-hoe, a sociology professor at Sungkyunkwan. "These days, some young people spend their spare time doing diverse activities such as traveling, enjoying cultural performances and more, but they are still a minority".

A 43-year-old office worker in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, also spends his weekend in front of the tube. When the five-day workweek started in 2004, he and his family used to take short trips out of the city every weekend. "It's hard to go somewhere every weekend as it costs a lot", said the man, who refused to be identified. "I feel more tired and stressed on the weekend because I can't satisfy my family. My son, who goes to kindergarten, always wants to go out on weekends".

On average, respondents rated their satisfaction with their leisure activities as 53 out of 100. According to the National Statistical Office data, 78 percent said they were not satisfied with their leisure activities last year, up from 68 percent in 2000 and 72 percent in 2004.

"Because Koreans tend to focus on resting, they do not find ways to actively enjoy their spare time", said Koh Dong-woo, a tourism management professor at Daegu University.

By Kim Ki-chan, Han Eun-hwa JoongAng Ilbo

Park Tam-hee, Marrying businessman four years older on June 11

2008-05-25T23:27:00.002-07:00

The ceremony will be held at 6 pm at Seoul Jang-choong Shilla Hotel Dynasty Hall. She wanted a devout Christian wedding, so she only invited family and close friends to the private affair.

She doesn't have a management company, so she sent the news to the press herself. "We met through a friend, and after deepening our love within our faith, we decided to get married".

According to Park Tam-hee, her future husband is very tall and good-looking. Since he is not a celebrity, she said she would not reveal a picture of him.

She has been in "Lotus Flower Fairy", "Jumong", and "Air City", and she is filming the movie "School Story" with Jeon Moo-song and Park Cheol-min. She is also studying some drama scenarios.

"Lovers in Paris" writer Kang Eun-jeong to write Korean-Japanese "Lovers in Asuka"

2008-05-25T23:27:00.001-07:00

"Lovers in Asuka" is a joint production of Olive Nine, the producers of "Jumong", "Hwangjin-i", and "The King and I", and the Japanese advertising agency Dentsu. It will air on SBS this December.

Olive Nine said that "Lovers in Asuka" will be set in Nara in Kansai, Japan, and contain an exotic love story. Writer Kang Eun-jeong is already working on it, and SBS director Boo Seong-cheol will hold the megaphone.

For actors, they are considering Hallryu stars who are at the top of Asia.

Sassy girls who are taking the screen, success? 'Maybe'

2008-05-25T23:26:00.001-07:00

The screen these days is full of bizarre girls. After Jeon Ji-hyeon played the youthful and charming bizarre girl in the romantic comedy "My Sassy Girl", the line is not ending. They are now bolder, one step above Jeon Ji-hyeon's sassy girl. But as there is no young brother like an older brother or a younger sister like an older sister, there are not as many successes as "My Sassy Girl".

"Frivolous Wife" – Park Jeong-ah
There is Park Jeong-ah of "Frivolous Wife", which saw the light due to Jewelry's popularity. It is a family comedy that outlines the happenings when the flirt Chun Yeon-soo (Park Jeong-ah) marries the only son of a rich family, Lee Jung-do (Park Jin-woo).

Park Jeong-ah plays Chun Yeon-soo, who received all the love of her father, who became a millionaire overnight. She had been in a beauty pageant and has a pretty face, and she is also good at drunken singing and dancing. She stops her crazy life and marries into a rich family but like a new-generation daughter-in-law, she is expected to make many mistakes.

"While You were Sleeping" – Ye Ji-won
Ye Ji-won will show her comical acting in the movie "While You were Sleeping". It is a comedy that outlines friendships and incidents that alcohol caused for singles in their 30s.

She plays Yoo-jin, a 32-year-old single woman. If Yoo-jin drinks, she may act crazy, but the next day, she can't remember what happened. She finds herself naked in a hotel, but she doesn't remember any man and there are only bills for thousands of dollars. And her extravagant inferences begin as she tries to get out of a dangerous situation.

"My Mighty Princess" – Sin Min-ah
Sin Min-ah, who is recently in a scandal with TOP, returns with "My Mighty Princess". It is the work of director kwak Jae-Yong, who created the sassy character in "My Sassy Girl". This movie is about a martial arts master who takes a risk becoming a university student to not lose her first love.

Sin Min-ah plays So-hwi, a young, bright martial arts master. She is able to knock down ten men with her skill, but she is also a girl who blushes in front of her first love. She goes against the wishes of her family and thus begins the hilarious events between So-hwi and her family.

"Hongdangmu" – Kong Hyo-jin
Kong Hyo-jin changed into an unlikable old, single woman. "Hongdangmu" is a comedy about an annoying single woman who tries to prevent her crush from dating.

She takes a radical chance as she enters a war trying to defend the man she loves. She forms an alliance with the man's daughter and the school's loner Seo Jong-hee (Seo Woo) and stalks him. But she is always flushing and when she is in front of her crush, her face turns red like a radish.

'Loyal' Kim Ah-joong, Starring in music video of vocal teacher "Yoo-mi' with no guarantee

2008-05-25T23:25:00.002-07:00

Actress Kim Ah-joong will star in the music video of singer Yoo-mi, who became famous for 'Love is Always Thirsty". The title song of her third album 'Melody & Memory' is 'Words I Can't Say Because I'm a Woman'.

Yoo-mi was Kim Ah-joong's vocal teacher while she was filming "200 Pounds Beauty". Kim Ah-joong received an award for the movie, and she willingly accepted to star in the music video with no pay and proved their friendship.

The music video was filmed on the 16th and 17th, and it will be released in the end of May along with her album.

Ha Ji-won, Prime Minister Award for Ministry for Health, Welfare, and Family Affairs

2008-05-25T23:25:00.001-07:00

Ha Ji-won attended the '2008 Family Month Event', and was the only entertainer who received the award. Her management company, Well-made Star M said, "She participated in many programs for disabled families and poor families. It wasn't a one-time event but she participated from the preparation stages for various programs and received recognition for her active, consistent hard work.

This event was the first to be held since family policy transferred into the Ministry for Health, Welfare and Family Affairs. The slogan is "Family Love 2008 – Diverse families! A Fair tomorrow!'

Ha Ji-won will soon enter filming for her movie "Haeundae".

Lee Seong-jae, Han Eun-jeong, Lee Soo-kyeong, Lead roles for new MBC Drama

2008-05-25T23:24:00.001-07:00

Lee Seong-jae, Han Eun-jeong, Lee Soo-kyeong, and Ryoo Soo-yeong were cast for the drama "South Korea Lawyers", to air after "Spotlight".

"South Korea Lawyers" is a drama about the love line and struggle between two lawyers who are representing a fighting couple.

Lee Seong-jae plays Han Min-gook, who maintains a million dollar fortune. Han Eun-jeong was chosen for top actress Lee Ae-ri, who files a lawsuit for 100 billion won against her husband Han Min-gook.

Han Min-Kook's lawyer is a newcomer, Woo Lee-kyeong, played by Lee Soo-kyeong. The lawyer for Lee Ae-ri, Byeon Hyeok, is from a famous law firm, and is played by Ryoo Soo-yeong.

It will air in the beginning of July.

Lee Soo-kyeong won't play in the drama "When It's At Night" with Kim Seon-ah and Lee Dong-geon.

Park Si-yeon, Challenge Kim Hye-soo of "The War of Flower" as 'femme fatale"

2008-05-25T23:23:00.002-07:00

Park Si-yeon received the role of Yoo-ri, a provocative, sexy woman, in "Marine Boy", a thriller surrounding a marine boy who transports drugs in the ocean by hiding them in his body.

For Park Si-yeon, her idiot and sexy images are said to coexist, but through "Marine Boy", she will officially act as a "Femme Fatale". Yoo-ri interferes in the business between drug carrier Chun-soo (Kim Kang-woo) and President Kang (Jo Jae-hyeon), who puts Chun-soo in danger.

She has the job of a jazz singer, but she hides her real identity and tempts President Kang and Chun-soo and unfolds her secret plans.

In order to transform into a provocative and sexy Yoo-ri that surpasses Madame Jeong in "The War Of Flower", Park Si-yeon has prepared to be thoroughly transformed from her head to her feet. After casting, she is receiving vocal training for a perfect performance as a jazz singer.

A former swimmer, the drug carrier Chun-soo is played by Kim Kang-woo. Chun-soo hides drugs in his body and transports them across the ocean. He is harassed as the 'marine boy' and is in the center of a legal whirlpool. In order to play the part of a swimmer, he is practicing scuba and training in swimming.

President Kang, who puts Chun-soo in danger, is played by Jo Jae-hyeon. Jo Jae-hyeon threw away his soft charisma as Professor Choi Kang-gook from "New Heart" and transforms into the boss of the drug business.

In addition, Lee Won-jong plays a leader of the drug control team and Oh Kwang-rok plays a professional in bugging and hidden cameras.

"Marine Boy" had its first filming on the 17th in Seoul. The filming was of Chun-soo and Yoo-ri's first meeting, and Jo Jae-hyeon and Oh Kwang-rok, who had no parts that day, visited the set and encouraged Kim Kang-woo, Park Si-yeon, and the staff and created a warm atmosphere.

"Marine Boy" is set to premiere at the end of this year.

Kim Hee-seon, 4 weeks pregnant, 'A mom in December'

2008-05-25T23:23:00.001-07:00

'Seven months after marriage'

Actress Kim Hee-seon is four weeks pregnant.

Kim Hee-seon, who verified her pregnancy with an obstetrician, will be a mother in December or January.

On her mini homepage, there are messages congratulating her.

A representative has said in an interview, "Kim Hee-seon is four weeks pregnant and will be focusing on that for a while".

Because of this, Kim Hee-seon's comeback set for this year will be put off in the future.

'Marriage Rumor' Bae Yong-joon, Avoiding the press

2008-05-25T23:22:00.002-07:00

Hallryu star Bae Yong-joon is taking a break in America.

He has been surrounded by various rumors, including a marriage rumor. He filmed a commercial in New York Manhattan and is still vacationing in America.

A representative of his management company said, "Bae Yong-joon, who has been the subject of many rumors, could not stand the paparazzi that kept following him and is staying in America. We realized that there really are rumors".

The representative said that he has been under a lot of mental stress from the press and paparazzi. After renewing his mind until the end of this month, he is to attend the Japanese promotion of "The Legend" with Moon So-ri, Lee Ji-ah, and other actors. It will start airing June 1 on NHK.

Chae Si-ra, drama comeback after two years

2008-05-25T23:22:00.001-07:00

Actress Chae Si-ra received the title role of the historical drama "Che".

KBS said on the 19th, "Chae Si-ra was chosen as the main character for "Empress Cheon Chu", which will star airing in October after "The Great King Sejong". This drama is about heroine of the Goryeo dynasty who fights against the Tungustic people of Manchuria in order to achieve the dream of reclaiming their old land.

As the granddaughter of Wang Geon, and mother of Mokjong, she had great power as a regent. Chae Si-ra will play Empress Cheon Chu, who has is broad-minded, and will show a charismatic heroine.

The script will be by Son Yeong-mok, who wrote "The Final Match" and "Faraway Country", the producer will be Sin Chang-seok of "The Age of Warriors" and "Golden Apple". For Chae Si-ra, who had her second child last November, it has been two years since her last drama, KBS "Invisible Man".

[Interview] Song Hye-kyo "I got to do a movie like a first love"

2008-05-25T23:21:00.000-07:00

Top star Song Hye-kyo was at the 61st Cannes International Film Festival. She agreed to star in Director John Woo's next work "1949", and although she arrived in Cannes on the 17th, she had to hide in her hotel room.

On the 20th around 10:30 am, Director Woo and Producer Terence Chang held a press conference for their next work, and when Song Hye-kyo appeared, the Chinese journalists were shocked. It was because Director Woo did not even mention Song Hye-kyo in a briefing session on the 19th.

She wore a white dress and arrived with her opposing character, Chinese actor Chang Chen. She seemed flushed to be working with big names.

Song Hye-kyo said, "Director Woo contacted me after watching "Hwangjin-y - Movie - 2007", It's my honor to be able to work with a director that I respect". Her popularity is high in China because of "Autumn in my Heart" and "Full House" and many journalists were asking more questions toward Song Hye-kyo than the director or Chang Chen.

The following is from the press conference and an interview afterward.

-How do you feel about starring in Director John Woo's "1949"?
-I'm very happy that I get to work with a famous director and Chang Chen. I'm nervous but I'm also excited. I want to show everyone a fantastic, completed movie.

-When did you get the request from Director Woo?
-Last January, he said that he liked "Hwangjin-i"and contacted me. He said the character images in "Hwangjin-i" and "1949" are similar. I received the scenario and I liked it so I decided to take it.

I met Chang Chen in an awards ceremony last March in Hong Kong. I had a good feeling about him and wanted to act with him, but I didn't know it would happen this quickly.

-What is the story of "1949" and what role do you have?
-This movie takes place in 1949. There are three couples, and Chang Chen and I are one of them. After wealthily living in Shanghai, I lose my husband in the war and go to Taiwan. I meet Chang Chen and meet a new fate.

-It's a historical film. How are you going to get into character?
-It is like homework because it's before I was born. I'm studying while looking at documents. I'm very happy about it because it's the first movie I'm filming in China. There will be other great actors, and I think it will be like a " first love " to me.

-Did you like Director Woo's works?
-I really like "The Killer". People say it is an action movie, but I say it's a love story. So I think he'll portray love in a warm and beautiful way in this movie, too. I'm looking forward to it.

-It's a Chinese role and you'll have Chinese lines. How are you preparing for that?
-There are not only Chinese lines, but English as well. There is not exact scenario yet so I'm preparing for it. I'm planning to try very hard.

-You agreed to a drama with Director Pyo Min-soo. Don't the schedules conflict?
-Director Pyo's drama will film in July and finish this year. "1949" will start filming at the end of the year and are aiming for a premiere next year, so there won't be a big problem.

-Isn't working with Director Woo overwhelming?
-I'm not in this movie alone, and there are many more famous actors. I'm the only Korean, but I want to film with a joyful heart instead of being overwhelmed.

-You arrived at Cannes on the 17th, but no one saw you.
-Director Woo said not to go anywhere until the press conference. So I stayed in the hotel except following the director to one party. He said not to meet with any reporters. (Laugh) I'm going back on the 21st so I'm going to enjoy the film festival as much as I can.

Epik High's Tablo Recovers from Car Accident

2008-05-25T23:15:00.002-07:00

Hip hop group Epik High's leader Tablo has returned to work after a car accident left him in hospital on Tuesday. He appeared on the cable music channel Mnet's "M Countdown" and hosted his live radio program "Tablo's Dreamy Radio" Thursday night.

Tablo's representative Ulim Entertainment says that the singer has decided to resume his TV and radio appearances, promising the doctors that he won't overexert himself. He has to return to hospital after work, because he has not been discharged yet.

Tablo has thanked his fans for their support and concern about his well-being on his personal mini homepage Wednesday night. He admitted that he still suffers from the complications and pain from the accident, but looks forward to resuming work the following day. Tablo also commented on a number of mishaps that took place before and after the release of Epik High's latest album. Epik High was shocked when their new songs were distributed illegally before the official release and there have been talks about Epik High retiring, which set off a flood of protest from the fans. However, Tablo put all the rumors to rest by saying that Epik High will continue performing until the end of this year.

Kim Jang-hoon Donates 15 Million Won to North Korean Children

2008-05-25T23:15:00.001-07:00

Singer Kim Jang-hoon is planning on donating 15 million won to an organization that aids the children of North Korea at the "Crossing" Special Movie Concert.

The investment and distribution company of "Crossing", Big House Vantage Holdings, announced that Kim will be participating in the movie concert to be held at the Jamsil Indoor Gymnasium on the night of the 26th. Along with his performance, Kim has pledged 15 million won as a donation.

"I'm deeply moved by all the community service that Cha In-pyo is involved in", said Kim. "I'm touched that Cha In-pyo and his wife, Sin Ae-ra, have adopted children into their family and are the sponsors of about 30 children around the world. If I can be of any help to Cha In-pyo, his new movie 'Crossing' and the children of North Korea, this is the least I can do".

"Crossing" is a movie opening on the 26th about a North Korean escapee and his son.

Cast of "The Legend" to Appear on Japan's NHK TV

2008-05-25T23:09:00.000-07:00

ArrayStars of "The Legend", high-rating historical drama about King Gwanggaeto of Goguryeo Kingdom, are invited to appear on a special program for Japan's premier broadcasting station NHK. Bae Yong-joon, Lee Ji-ah, Moon So-ri, and director Kim Jong-hak will talk about the drama and its making on an hour-long show. Bae played the leading role of Gwanggaeto and Lee and Moon the parts of his love interests. They are scheduled to be in Japan for the "2008 The Legend Premium Event" slated for June 1st in Kyocera Dome in Osaka first, and then fly to Tokyo for the taping of the show.

It is very rare for NHK to slot in a show for the main cast members of a foreign drama. Japanese media insiders say that the special programming indicates the high expectations for and popularity of Bae Yong-joon in Japan. The actor has gained a huge following in Japan for his role in "Winter Sonata", the first Korean drama to win explosive responses in Japan and initiate Hallyu, the Korean pop culture wave.

The Japanese entertainment industry is reportedly very excited to have Bae and the rest of the cast in Japan. Even some Japanese celebrities have said in public that they wish to meet Bae. The leader of the Korean Wave is flooded with interview requests and press meetings. "The Legend" has been airing since April 5th at 11 o'clock every Saturday night. Episode 8 is to be broadcast tomorrow, May 24.