Korean Entertainment News Update (siri 2)

katt

January 24, 2009

Networks gear up for the Lunar New Year

Let抯 face it: For some, the Lunar New Year can be a drag. Preparations, traffic and other factors can make the holidays a bit burdensome. If you don抰 celebrate with family and friends, you will surely end up in front of the tube searching for entertainment.



Fortunately, the networks anticipate this. If you want to catch up on an entire series in one sitting, try the 揚rimeval Series 2

katt

January 26, 2009

Popularity of Song Ji-hyo's 'A Frozen Flower' Yet to Thaw


Song Ji-hyo

The popularity of film "A Frozen Flower" remains unshaken despite the release of a series of Hollywood movies.

Actress Song Ji-hyo, who played the queen, is riding a wave of popularity. "I put all of myself into this film for nine months. I shot almost all the scenes 40 times," said Song, hinting that it was a rough journey for her to finally meet audience's expectations.

On her much anticipated bed scene with actor Zo In-sung, Song said, "When I decided to do this film, nudity was not the central issue. How much I expose is not important to me; I thought without that scene, it would be difficult to portray subtle changes in emotion. What mattered to me at the time was working on my facial expressions apart from the posture that the director wanted me to convey."

The queen that Song played in the movie reluctantly sleeps with the king's guard Zo at the order of the king, but the two end up falling in doomed love.

Song was praised for her acting, naturally conveying complicated emotions. Song said the movie changed her thoughts on love. "Now I want to fall in love madly, very passionately, as if I would give up everything before I die," said Song.

"A Frozen Flower" has attracted 3.03 million spectators as of Jan. 17.

Credits: englishnews@chosun.com

katt

January 27, 2009

IPTV Changing Lifestyles of TV Viewers

By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter


LG Dacom offers a noraebang (singing room) feature through its myLGtv.
/ Courtesy of LG Dacom

Local Internet protocol television (IPTV) is expected to change lives to the fullest, according to IPTV operators KT, SK Broadband and LG Dacom.

KT's Mega TV, the first provider here, and SK Broad & TV by SK Broadband, both have 780,000 subscribers, while LG Dacom's myLGtv currently has 80,000. While the telecommunications industry is looking forward to a jump in subscribers and increased interest this year, viewers and potential subscribers are leaning in for the fun and educational factors.

Min Jin-ah, 40, is a housewife with two daughters. She has always been a big fan of television, but by subscribing to IPTV, her life and her family's have changed for the better. "I enjoy watching television, and I think IPTV is an interesting tool for entertainment. It's fun and easier to use than I thought. I think it will help my family in all areas, including education and getting information quickly and easily," she told The Korea Times.

Her younger daughter is seven years old and will start school this year. Just to make sure she has learned her basic math and English, Min turns on the children's education channel, which her daughter can watch, rewind and fast-forward whenever she likes.

Education will reach a whole new level, as all three operators offer distinctive programs and sections that will help students and parents alike. LG Dacom has created English content for young children, from kindergarten to elementary school levels. For pronunciation, parents and kids can play the section at three different speeds, which makes it easier to understand and follow. When Min's daughter grows older, she can start watching the "hagwon" programs, which allow viewer to solve problems, check correct answers and discuss them with teachers through the television screen live.

Min's older daughter is 17 and a big fan of entertainment. From shopping and watching movies to exclusive programs, the newly developed IPTV industry will offer a breath of fresh air. She can also chat with friends while watching her favorite drama or performance, as viewers can simply look up information on actors and everything about performances and exhibitions from tickets and schedules to locations while watching programs on a different picture window.

Viewers also don't have to wait for months to catch popular movies on television, as operators have managed to bring hit movies straight to the small screen. SK Broadband signed an agreement with film giant Warner Brothers, while KT joined hands with CJ Entertainment, Paramount Pictures and Dreamworks last year, adding to their roster of Sony, Fox, Warner Brothers and Disney.

Historical dramas are sometimes difficult to enjoy when viewers lack knowledge of the historical context, but they'll soon become more enjoyable, as IPTV subscribers can look up the information they need on an Internet sideline. SK Broadband also allows viewers to chat during programs and fans can also meet in IPTV space through clubs and fan meetings, while KT subscribers can choose to watch footage taken by cameras of their choice, just to watch their favorite celebrity's every move from start to finish.

For Min, shopping is one of the best surprises. SK Broadband allows subscribers to shop while watching dramas, and clothes worn by the actors can be immediately bought with a push on the remote control, while LG Dacom is also planning to offer the service soon. KT offers an upgraded home shopping system through which the viewer can watch, decide, and make payments through IPTV and its "magic wand" remote control.

Min's husband, an avid fisher, can log online for weather forecasts. While television news channels usually do not give viewers enough information about less popular areas, IPTV offers a special weather forecast service. As soon as the user decides on a particular region and location, IPTV gives the subscriber the forecast anytime he or she likes. LG Dacom's myLGtv offers other specialized programs, including exclusive fishing, baduk and other hobby shows. Viewers can actually play baduk with fellow subscribers, just like Internet game services.

Sports fans will be thrilled to know that most operators offer exclusive footage of sports games, like SK Broadband's Braod & TV's plans to air all of AS Monaco footballer Park Joo Young's games, the first television operator to do so.

When Min's family gets together and feel the need to get rid of stress, they visit a noraebang (singing room). With IPTV, they don't have to step out of their homes, as the operators offer the same system found at noraebang. The family can also test their creativity with operators' special programs made exclusively for IPTV. KT will bring a drama that has multiple endings, depending on the viewer. Instead of being upset about the storylines, the viewers can now become the writer and decide what will happen to the characters and the overall plot.

With high expectations, local IPTV operators will continuously look into bringing more interesting and fun content, along with easier use of the high tech television system.

Credits: sanghee@koreatimes.co.kr

katt

January 27, 2009

Back in Their Game, After Decade

By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter


Comedians Lee Bong-won, left, and Choi Yang-rak return to the small screen
the first time in 10 years. / Yonhap

Last year was all about newcomers and idol bands, but 2009 will have some familiar faces returning to the small screen.

Choi Yang-rak and Kim Jung-ryeol, who were popular comedy stars in the 1980s and early 1990s, returned to the small screen the first time in 10 years on SBS's "Yashimmanman" early this month. The 47-year-old and 48-year-old comedians, respectively, made their debut in 1981 and garnered fans with their witty lines and personalities, but dropped out of the spotlight in the late 1990s. Lee Bong-won, another hit comedian of the 1980s, also returned to television. His wife, popular "ajumma" comedienne and television hostess Park Mi-sun, made her debut in 1984 and made it big with comedy sequences and shows.

The three comedians saw their heyday when television programs were more focused on stand-up gigs, instead of the talk show-like programs with young, up and coming stars stealing the spotlight these days. "It's a great honor and I am so excited, but one thing I am worried about is that I have to be funny," Choi wrote on his Web site, expressing his excitement of making a successful return to his old and new fans.



The pop and drama scene will also see some "new" faces return, with veteran singer Lee Sun-hee, pop princess Kang Susie and actors Park Sang-won, Kim Nam-ju and Ko Hyun-jung planning to meet fans soon.

Lee is planning to release her first new album in four years, while Kang brought out her new digital single early this month, her first in seven years. She joined hands with fellow singer Yoon Sang, who also returned to the pop scene recently, after a 14-year hiatus.



Park, who made it big in the 1990s with dramas like "Hour Glass," will return to the small screen this coming February, while Kim will appear on television for the first time in eight years. Her hit film "Voice of a Murder" was released 2007. Ko, a fellow actress from the 1995 drama "Hour Glass," will appear again through a historical drama, the first in her career, displaying her versatility.

Local programs will not be the only place where fans will find some of their favorite stars returning, as BBC Entertainment is locally airing the fourth season of "Strictly Come Dancing" with some familiar faces.

The popular television series is the original version of American network ABC's "Dancing With the Stars."

Former Spice Girl Emma Bunton will appear on stage to show her fiery moves, while former athletes like Peter Schmeichel and Matt Dawson join in.

Credits: sanghee@koreatimes.co.kr

katt

Weekly Box Office 2009.01.23 ~ 2009.01.25 3-day Gross/Total Gross (won)


Red Cliff 2/mydaily via empas.com

1. Red Cliff 2 (China) 2,899,046,000 / 3,790,616,500

2. Valkyrie (U.S.) 4 2,046,354,000 / 2,641,854,000

3. City of Damnation (South Korea) 1,663,094,500 / 2,209,518,000

4. Scandal Makers (South Korea) 1,032,970,000 / 43,881,757,400

5. A Frozen Flower (South Korea) 596,122,000 / 22,480,906,900

6. Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (U.S.) 332,334,500 / 5,852,417,000

7. Changeling (U.S.) 370,335,500 / 462,984,500

8. Bedtime Stories (U.S.) 264,780,000 / 325,953,500

9. Transporter 3 (France) 123,190,000 / 5,708,700,000

10. Old Partner (South Korea) 56,422,700 / 145,437,100

Source: KOFIC

katt

January 28, 2009

Hoopla over Seo Jang-hoon抯 love interest finally settled  

One of Korea抯 greatest ever basketball players, Seo Jang-hoon, 35, says the rumors are true. The 207-centimeter-tall (6-foot-9) center confirmed he is dating KBS TV host Oh Jeong-yeon, 26.

It抯 the first time the ET Land Black Slamer has been romantically linked during his record-breaking career. The two met a year ago on the sports show 揓ump Ball.

katt

January 26, 2009

Kim Hyeon-jung Cites "Split Personality" over Drama Role



In real life, he would choose first love Han Chae-young.

"I thought I would try to avoid criticism for my first acting role. But I'm getting some heat. People say my dialogue deliverance is still awkward. I didn't understand when actors said the character must be internalized. I'm realizing the meaning and will gradually improve my acting."

Kim Hyeon-jung (23) interviewed with KBS on the set of the hit KBS 2TV drama "Boys over Flower" while wearing the uniform of "Sinhwa High School," where he is a student in the drama.

He was closely monitoring his shots despite the hectic filming schedule. He plays Yoon Ji-hu, one of the popular school foursome known as "F4" and the grandson of a former president. Tensions flared from the fifth episode as he created a love triangle with Gu Jun-pyo (played by Lee Min-ho) over heroine Geum Jan-di (Gu Hye-seon). "I'm rather shy like Ji-hu and my actual facial expressions when I meet a stranger come out during acting. Ji-hu has many internal wounds so conveying facial expressions is, I think, more difficult than saying lines."

"I thought we would shoot in the order of the storyline but we first shot the overseas scene in New Caledonia and Macao. My head was bursting from having to constantly show different emotions. On one film set, I changed into six different outfits. Waiting like for eight hours on set was also tough. We barely had time to eat. But memorizing the lines is not difficult at all. I can easily remember them by just reading them out loud a few times."

He said his most memorable scene in the series so far was in episode 5, when Ji-hu confessed his feelings to Jan-di at their school hideout. He also said he read the original Japanese comic and found the scene interesting when Ji-hu asks Jan-di to date him behind Gu Jun-pyo's back. He said it's not his opinion alone, and that many other readers also regard this scene as highly important in the plot development.

Until the sixth episode, Kim is "sandwiched" between the younger Jan-di and elder Min Seo-hyeon (Han Chae-young). "I was never in a love triangle in real life. In real life, I would choose Min because she is the one whom Ji-hu liked first. I believe first love is more important. For me, when I'm dating, I make it a rule not to be distracted by any other person." "I used to like girls the same age as myself but I now know that age matters little in love."

He must have felt uneasy about the kiss scenes in his first acting role. One famous anecdote is well known by now. He had a kiss scene during a brief appearance in the KBS 2TV sitcom "Can love be refilled?" Before the scene, he asked the staff if he needed to put his tongue in his partner's mouth. He revealed the story only recently on an entertainment program.

"Kissing with Gu Hye-seon in New Caledonia was more nerve-racking than the scene with Han Chae-young later on, though the latter appears first in the drama. Now I joke around and am at ease with Gu. I've also become close with Lee Min-ho. We eat together and play billiards. Gu and Lee are both highly committed to their roles. I learn a lot from them."

Due to his aristocratic character, Kim finds himself more polite in speech and behavior in real life. His longtime friends from the Songpa district in Seoul make fun of him. "I live a high life on screen but drink soju in street stalls in real life. I feel I have a split personality (laugh)."

He is also proud of his group, SS501, who are currently missing two members, himself and Park Jeong-min, who is appearing in the musical "Grease."

"Their success will lay the groundwork for our resumed activity in July when we release a new album and begin our Asia tour. I just want to thank the three active members."

Source: KBS Global

katt

January 28, 2009

Marine Boy hooked on diving for drugs

Trying to pigeonhole the upcoming crime caper 揗arine Boy,

katt

January 28, 2009

Flowers may wilt, but the F4 can save a life


Four 揻lower boys

katt

January 27, 2009

TVXQ's 25th Japanese Single Tops Oricon



The first single album of the year released in Japan by top Korean idol group Dong Bang Shin Ki (Tong Vfang Xien Qi, or TVXQ) has topped the Oricon daily single chart.

The group's management agency says the group's 25th single "Bolero/Kiss The Baby Sky/Don't Forget Me" topped the charts on its release day Wednesday.

It is the group's sixth top Oricon daily chart ranking following their 12th single "Summer Dream," 16th single "Purple Line," 22nd single "Beautiful You/1000-Yr Love Song," 23rd single "Why did I get to like you?" and 24th single "MIROTIC."

The latest single consists of "Bolero," the main theme of the joint Asian film "Subaru," "Kiss The Baby Sky" composed by Micky Yoochun and "Don't Forget Me," a piece by Hero Jaejoong.

Four of TVXQ's singles released in Japan last year topped the Oricon weekly charts to make them the foreign artist with the highest record.

Source: KBS Global

katt

January 27, 2009

Actor Cha In-pyo, Who 'Fathered' 34 Children



The top celebrity couple, Cha In-pyo and Sin Ae-ra, is known for their religious faith and tight family bond. They had a child of their own, adopted two more, and recruited numerous others in helping destitute children. Their charitable deeds have inspired many to also serve their needy neighbors.

Serving Others, Adopted Children

Anyone who gets to know the joy of sharing is said to want to continue their service. This has become the everyday norm for Cha, which led to his dormant acting career. He has also donated W100 million each to the charity organizations Good Neighbors and Compassion. He was at one time burdened by the excessive attention the couple抯 activities were attracting. He was uncomfortable with respectable titles people invariably used to described him. He knew only too well the capriciousness of social perceptions. But he has now become relatively free from what others think. He says he began a new task of "emptying the drawers of his mind" through which he was able to shake off much of the greed he had inside him.

Public attention is also on his number of children--his eldest biological son Jeong-min, second daughter Ye-eun, adopted in 2005, and youngest, Ye-jin, who just turned a year old. Counting the 31 children and college students the couple sponsors through Compassion, they have 34 children in total. Cha clearly remembers the series of events that shook him up to the core and transformed into a serving person. In Oct. 2005, he followed his wife, a PR envoy of Compassion, to the Philippines on a Vision Trip, or a short term mission trip. He was stunned by the destitute, starving children there. His heart began to break in the thought that all human lives are equal, but that these children lived in such devastation. After the trip, he couldn抰 forget their faces. They smelled bad and were dirty but had pure hearts. His wife first suggested that they help the kids, which led to their support for ten children through Compassion. Initially, it was simply good-hearted support, until Cha made a major life decision. He would adopt a child. Since having their son, Sin asked him about adopting a girl. But right around this time, his mother-in-law was diagnosed with gastric cancer and the couple looked after her for five years. When she died, they then revisited the idea and adopted Ye-eun in Dec. 2005. They still believe God had answered their prayers. They say that giving to others is actually giving to yourself, and that loving others is another way of loving oneself. They say that the joy in serving and giving is truly immeasurable. The joy the couple received from Ye-eun exceeded their expectations. This led them to adopt Ye-jin two years later.

Sharing the happy virus

An MBC special program entitled "The Secret of W35,000" followed Cha抯 second visit to Ethiopia. Since it aired, 10,000 Koreans have joined the monthly W35,000 child sponsorship with Compassion. The growing recognition of the song "Dear My Rica," whose lyrics were written by Cha is a testament to the fantastic role model the couple represents. The song is about his own story of when he visited the Philippines instead of Sin to meet the orphan Rica, whom his wife sponsors. Sin was not able to go because of her busy schedule. Cha wrote a brief note on his personal homepage about the trip and his encounter with Rica, which moved many people.

The couple抯 humility, sincerity and love is serving as a "happy virus" and catalyst that is inspiring many Koreans to look to our needy neighbors. The public sees that Cha and Sin are similar even in their career moves, not to mention their private lives. Since appearing in the film "Korean Peninsula" and the TV drama "White Tower," Cha filmed the much-talked about movie "Crossing," about the touching love of a father and son. In the film, he played a North Korean defector whose love for his child had many viewers sobbing throughout the film. This is remarkably in line with his wife抯 movie "Ice Bar" in which she plays a strong but kind single mother who raises her son by selling smuggled cosmetics. The two have grown identical in their career moves and attitudes. In choosing their next drama or film, they are famous for looking at the work itself and not how much it pays.

Cha and Sin are no doubt a top celebrity couple in Korea. But they are clearly different from other star celebrities. Cha is also set to publish a children抯 book "Goodbye, hill" in March. The story is set in a "tiger village" near Mount Baekdu during the Japanese colonial era. The book is just one of the many things he wants to give back to society. His wife plans to enter graduate school next year to study social welfare. Her dream is to build a childcare center.
We realize the true meaning of life and happiness from Cha, who hopes to see all Koreans take a small step forward in helping others in the future.

Source: KBS Global

katt

January 28, 2009

Lee Seung-gi Hopes to Appear on Japanese TV



Singer Lee Seung-gi (22), among the star group of the hit "1 Night 2 Days" travel corner on the entertainment program "Happy Sunday," held his first fan meeting in Japan Tuesday at the Laforet Museum in Tokyo.

At the event designed as a radio recording open to the public, Lee surprised the fans when he sang his hit number "You are my girl" in Japanese.

He said, "It's late but I wish everyone a happy New Year," also in Japanese, and confessed that his preparations for the event were difficult and that he was so nervous that he hardly slept.

He also said he was sorry he could not be with his family at home during the lunar New Year holiday but happy to be with his fans in Japan. He said he was given an award for his role in "1 Night 2 Days" last year and hoped to focus more on his singing this year and be awarded for that as well.

The other members of "1 Night" -- Gang Ho-dong, Lee Su-geun, Kim C, Eun Ji-won and MC Mong - delivered congratulatory greetings at his fan meeting via video.

After handshakes and photo shoots with fans, Lee said he wants to be extra busy this year. He vowed to strive hard both as an actor and singer and expressed his hope of appearing on Japanese television.

Source: KBS Global

katt

January 24, 2009

Boys over Flowers



'Boys over Flowers' is the highly anticipated remake of a famous Japanese comic book series. The story begins when Jan-di, the heroine from a humble background, transfers to an exclusive high school where only the rich go. There, she meets four rich and quirky boys and experiences love and friendship.

Actress Gu Hye-seon plays the role of Jan-di, whose parents own a Laundromat. She is a swimmer at her school which doesn抰 even have a swimming pool. One day, she visits Shin-hwa high school, attended by the top one percent of wealthy children. Jan-di accidentally saves a student from a suicide attempt during her visit. After this incident, she is recruited by the prestigious school抯 swim team.

The school itself and the students who go there do not suit her taste and are completely different from her previous school and friends. Although she is unhappy with her new and unfamiliar surroundings, Jan-di bears the problematic circumstances because her parents want her to get close to the rich.

One day, she stands up for one of her classmates who gets bullied by four boys who go by F4 (which stands for Flower Four), and gets a 慠ed Card

katt

January 26, 2009

Wonder Girl Sohee抯 Debut Film



Fans of So-hee, the youngest member of K-pop group Wonder Girls, have found her debut film taken five years ago when she was just an elementary school student. So-hee played a minor role in a short film directed by Yu Dae-eol, twin brother of singer Na-eol, the vocal for Brown Eyed Soul.

So-hee抯 fans dug up film archives to unearth her first film role, when director Yu posted a photo taken with So-hee on his personal homepage with his comments about being delighted that So-hee remembered him after all those years. People have believed that her first film debut was the 2008 release 揑 Like It Hot.

katt

January 27, 2009

Han Chae-young Eager to Start Her First Overseas Film



Glamorous actress Han Chae-young is getting ready to work in her first overseas film, 揝oul Mate.

katt

January 28, 2009

FT Island Member Leaves the Group  



Oh Won-bin, guitarist of hot idol group FT Island, left the team, according to the group抯 representative, F&C Music. Oh started off as a founding member of FT Island, but has been having problems over music with other group members. Aware of the problem and ensuing bad publicity, F&C Music allowed Oh to withdraw from the group and go solo.

How will Oh抯 departure affect the group? The group抯 agency said that a new member will be sought to fill up the void. FT Island is getting ready to release a mini album in mid-February and that抯 when a new addition will be introduced to the public.

Other FT Island members are reportedly sorry to see Oh go his separate way, but wish him well in his future career.  

Source: KBS World

katt

January 28, 2009

'Red Cliff' dominates holiday box office

"Red Cliff: Part 2," the long-awaited second and final part of the Chinese historical blockbuster, dominated the Lunar New Year's holiday, outsmarting other Korean and American competitors by a wide margin. "Red Cliff," directed by John Woo, sold more than 1 million tickets in just five days since its release on Jan. 22 in Korea, reflecting its surging popularity among Korean moviegoers, its distributor Showbox said yesterday.

The historical movie features a number of special effects in depicting the famous battle at the Red Cliff near the end of the China's Han Dynasty, a tale that is widely known among Koreans. If the current trend continues, "Red Cliff" is expected to easily surpass the box-office performance of the first installment, which sold 1.57 million tickets last year.

While "Red Cliff" swept the theaters with a 30 percent share in the total ticket sales between Jan. 22 and Jan. 26, "Valkyrie" trailed behind with a 22 percent share, and Korean gangster comedy "City of Damn Nation (Yugamseureoun-dosi)" ranked third with a 18 percent share, according to the Korean Film Council.



"Valkyrie," based on a true story, involves German military men who attempt to assassinate Hitler, but its outlook was far from bright, largely because it struggled at the North American box office. But the actual box-office scores were better than expected, helped by Tom Cruise's visit to Seoul two weeks earlier.

The Lunar New Year's holiday is usually a big season for film distributors in Korea, but ticket sales this year were almost half at 1.4 million from last year due to the lack of smash hits. Fewer Korean films competed for the holiday period while foreign films, except for "Red Cliff," did not draw much attention from Korean audiences. The market share of Korean films for the Lunar New Year holiday is estimated to be about 36 percent. Korean movies, which used to control more than half of the domestic market, are struggling to fight off the attacks from Hollywood flicks in recent years.

The most frustrating development for Korean filmmakers involved "City of Damn Nation," a gangster-oriented comedy that relies heavily on Jeoung Jun-ho, a leading Korean actor behind the huge success of "My Boss, My Hero" in 2002. The failure of "City of Damn Nation" illustrates the steady decline of gangster-themed comic films at the box office. Although Jeoung represents the heyday of Korean gangster comedy, local audiences seemed to be tired of the same old comical tricks.

"Speed Scandal," meanwhile, reached the 7 million mark in ticket sales as of Monday, a breakthrough for a relatively small-budget Korean drama starring Cha Tae-hyun. Released on Dec. 3, "Speed Scandal" emerged as the biggest hit in early 2009 on the strength of Cha's refined acting and a well-developed storyline.

"Ssanghwajeom," a provocative historical drama, sold 3.5 million tickets as of Monday, reaching the break-even point, defying the limitations as a serious melodrama targeted at an adult-only audience. The movie earned plenty of media coverage thanks to several sexually explicit scenes and its subject matter of homosexuality at a royal court.

By Yang Sung-jin ([email protected]) via koreaherald.co.kr

katt

January 28, 2009

BoA to target N. America with debut album
  


Asian pop-idol and superstar BoA will enter the North American pop market with the release of her U.S. debut album on March 17, her management company SM Entertainment announced yesterday.

The self-titled album will include the singles "Eat You Up," released last October, and "Look Who's Talking," which premiered in December. The album will have 11 tracks.

The pop diva's first American album features the participation of celebrated hit-maker and producer Sean Garrett, who has contributed music for Usher, Chris Brown, The *****cat Dolls, Beyonce, Britney Spears and Jennifer Lopez.

The first single to be released off the album will be "I Did it for Love," which was written and composed by Sean Garrett, who also features on the track.

The album will be released in Korea, Japan, and the rest of Asia after the North American release.

By Song Woong-ki ([email protected])
http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/NEW ... 29/200901290063.asp

katt

January 28, 2009

[HERALD INTERVIEW] Doing it for the right reasons

Bobby Kim is not your standard K-pop star. He does not have salon hair that might have set someone back a day's wages nor does he look like a character straight out of a Japanese animation series. There is nothing generic or manufactured about him.

Labeled as his "special" album, his latest is a collection of contemporary ballads more in tune with classic singers like Barry Manilow and Billy Joel. Titled "Love Chapter No. 1," the album is his cross-over of sorts. The songs were written for and not by him - a first in the 16 years he has been in music.

While some might accuse the 36 year-old of selling out, once they listen to the album, any doubt that he has failed to retain his identity will be tossed out the window. Kim has been labeled the "Godfather of Soul" throughout his career and it is a label he has been reluctant to accept. "Maybe it's because I've been in the game for so long, but I've never once considered myself 'The Godfather of Soul.' That's James Brown, not Bobby Kim. I'm just a regular Joe just doing my music. It's disturbing when I hear people in the domestic media call me that," Kim said in an interview with The Korea Herald.

"I've also been called the grandfather of rap which I actually like because I've been around for so long that I do feel like an old man now."

Kim has been toiling away in the Korean music industry since 1992 when he crossed the Pacific from San Francisco, to realize his dreams as a singer-songwriter here. He has seen many ups and downs writing music not just for himself but for other artists - from a failed boy band to a struggling solo artist, he's been there and done that. But all this has led Kim to steadily build his career with humility.


[Lee Sang-sub/The Korea Herald]


"I want to be modest as a musician. I don't want to be labeled anything. I just want to make my music and let it be known to the public."

In this age of irreverence and irony, so-called artistic integrity is considered for chumps and naive idealists. The consensus is there is no honor in creation of something new, something different, the honor is in the won. But among the heap of cookie-cutter Korean boy bands and assembly-line girl groups, Bobby Kim has been part of a posse of artists who have stuck to their guns. This community of artists known as "The Movement" has flown under the mainstream radar for over a decade.

Formed mostly by hip-hop, soul and R&B artists, the concept of this content-focused group was spearheaded by Tiger JK of hip-hop group Drunken Tiger. Kim, one of the key members of "The Movement, has devoted himself and his craft to abiding by the rule of content-first and everything else later. But in an industry where there is no market for anything other than what is "in" at the moment, sometimes, compromises must be made.

So for the time being, Bobby Kim has abandoned his musical bread and butter of the soul and R&B genre - genres his entire career has been devoted to.

During the interview, Kim spoke about his new album, view on music and other things.

KH: The new joint "Love Chapter No. 1," consists of songs written for you. Being a songwriter most of your career, were you hesitant to accept?

BK: I wanted to change direction and just focus on the vocals. I'm usually writing my own stories so you can say I debuted on this album as an actor because I was interpreting lyrics and music that I didn't write. It was a good experience.

KH: Do you feel your style of music is too progressive for the public to embrace and was that the reason you accepted songs written for you?

BK: I don't think my music is ahead of its time, but I do think it's different from the rest of what's out there right now. I grew up half my life in America and the other half here in Korea so I think that's why my music is different from everyone else's. It's sort of a Koreanized Americanized style that's been fused together that's become representative of my music. Everyone's in the struggle hustling these days so with my new album I wanted to ease it down a bit so it could be more accessible and easier to listen to.

KH: When is the third album going to drop?

BK: My third album's coming out in late fall or early winter this year and this new record is sort of my present to the public with these easy listening love ballads that's more digestible than my previous stuff. The third album will revert back to my old sound, Bobby Kim-style.

KH: How is the music industry different now compared to when you started your career?

BK: Album sales dropped tremendously. We have people because of that fact selling out doing music for the internet. Good musicians are not making the music that they want to because the industry is in such a bad shape due to album sales spiraling down that bottomless pit. But I still see a lot of musicians trying to make good music and keeping their artistic integrity in tact. But these days it's like this: less concerts, less promotions, but more facial operations because if they can't pull it off with their music, they've at least gotta be good looking.

KH: Words to your fans?

BK: Hopefully I made this project album that fits this cold winter season. It's laid back, easy listening love songs. Also, I'll be working on my third solo project that should be coming out around fall or early winter. Be healthy, positive, and be happy that you're living today, not tomorrow, but today.

By Song Woong-ki ([email protected])
http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/NEW ... 29/200901290060.asp

katt

January 28, 2009

Stars' Families Stealing Spotlight

By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter


TVXQ's Xiah Jun-su, left, brought his twin
brother to the program"Introducing Stars'
Friends" on MBC. /Courtesy of MBC

Do celebrities come from a special family, where all of their siblings are talented as well? Fans who wonder have had the chance to get a glimpse of some celebrities' family members through various programs. More are coming soon.

MBC's program "Introducing Stars' Friends" was one of the most popular shows last year and it has now become the stage for friends and family members of celebrities who also have what it takes to be a star. To start with, TVXQ member Xiah Jun-su brought his twin brother Kim Jun-ho to the program last November. Many fans were surprised to see the talented and handsome brother, which led him to a commercial for a beverage company.


Former announcer Kang Soo-jung,
left, recently appeared on a program
with her brother Kang Dong-won, also
an announcer on OBS./Courtesy of OBS

Kim later said that he has been thinking about making his debut as an actor, and that appearing on the program helped him gain confidence.

Singer Sol B and Super Junior's Lee Teuk also surprised fans by bringing each of their sisters to the television screen early this year, also shocking fans with their similar looks and charms.

Actress Lee Ha-nee, who appears in the SBS drama ``Terroir,'' is known to be the sister of KBS announcer Lee Seung-yeon, while singer Jeon Bo-ram, who released her first single last year, is the daughter of veteran singer Jeon Young-rok.

Kang Soo-jung, a former KBS announcer and now television hostess, has a fellow announcer brother Kang Dong-won at OBS. They recently appeared on a show together after fans found out they were siblings.

Hallyu star Jang Na-ra's cousin Jung Jae-yeon also made her debut as a singer and actor in China, attracting fans from around the country.

Bringing family members is actually nothing new. Veteran actors like Choi Min-soo and Lee Duk-hwa followed in their movie star fathers' footsteps, while young stars like 12-year-old Kim Dong-hyun appeared separately or with his father, television host Kim Gu-ra. According to program staff, interest in stars has further expanded into their families, and they will be seeing more in the near future.

"Fans want to know everything about their favorite celebrities. It's only natural that they are interested in their families. Family members bring the ratings up for networks, and they also have the chance to become popular stars themselves, so it's like killing two birds with one stone," an SBS producer said.

Credits: sanghee@koreatimes.co.kr