Korean Entertainment News Update (siri 2)

katt

February 4, 2009

Young Director Scores International Success with Low Budget Movie
  

Noh Young-seok  

The film "Daytime Drinking," released here on Thursday, is a triumph of art over material constraints. Made with a budget of a mere W10 million, a crew of about 10, mostly a small network of acquaintances, and 11 shoots in 13 days, it debuted at the Seoul Independent Film Festival, moving on to the Jeonju International Film Festival, the International Film Festival Rotterdam, and the International Thessaloniki Film Festival, meeting everywhere with acclaim.

The director is Noh Young-seok, a 33-year-old graduate in ceramic art from Seoul National University, is now being referred to as Korea's answer to Robert Rodriguez, in reference to the maverick American director of low-budget movies and Quentin Tarantino protege.

The film is the story of a young man who decides to travel to the Gangwon Province after being dumped by his lover and the unexpected events along the way. "Daytime Drinking" offers both a toast to people who find a pint of beer the best way to drown their sorrow and a cheerful warning against the temptations of alcohol and women.

Why the title? "Because we didn't have much money, we had to wrap up our shoots in daylight. That's why I needed the word 'day.' And since there are lots of scenes where the actors drink alcohol, I hoped that the audience would find it cute if I called it 'Daytime Drinking,'" Noh says.

With a screenplay took him a month two write, Noh never dreamed it would end up on general release. But after its triumphant round of the festivals, that is precisely how "Daytime Drinking" is welcomed home.

Source: englishnews@chosun.com

katt

February 4, 2009

Local hit film 慡candal Makers

katt

February 4, 2009

14th PIFF set for mid-October but submission deadlines are well before

Good news for moviegoers - dates for the 14th Pusan International Film Festival have been announced.

PIFF announced last Friday that the film festival, one of the largest in Asia, will be held from Oct. 8 to 16.

Deadlines for the submission of films for official programs as well as the Asian Cinema Fund, Asian Film Academy and Pusan Promotion Plan have also been announced. Short films must be submitted by June 30 and long films by July 31. All non-English language films must be subtitled in English.

For further information, call (02) 3675-5097 or visit www.piff.org.

Source: http://joongangdaily.joins.com


Already in Toronto and Amsterdam, local documentary takes on the U.S.

Yi Seung-jun抯 documentary 揅hildren of God

katt

February 4, 2009

SM Entertainment to Hold Global Audition  



SM Entertainment, Korea抯 largest agency that produced such world stars as BoA, TVXQ, Super Junior, SHINee, and Girls

katt

February 4, 2009

Thriller 慔andphone

katt

February 4, 2009

S. Korea to spend $90 million on pop music industry

   SEOUL, Feb. 4 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean government on Wednesday unveiled a 127 billion won (US$91 million) plan to prop up the country's pop music industry, which will include building two massive concert halls in Seoul.

   The five-year plan is aimed at activating the home consumption of local pop music and globalizing the industry to increase exports, officials at the culture ministry said. The government hopes to increase the market size to 1.7 trillion won by 2013 from the current 844 billion won, they said.

   The Korean pop music industry has been suffering from record low sales since 2000 due largely to the spread of illegal music downloads on the Internet. "The government will reinforce policies on protecting copyright of songs and educating teenagers on the issue this year," Culture Minister Yu In-chon told a meeting with industry officials Wednesday. "There is a need for us to build a legal music-providing service online."

   Top-rate popular South Korean musicians, who used to sell as many as 1 million discs in the 1990s, have experienced steep reductions in sales over the past few years, barely managing to sell a few hundreds of thousands of CDs and tapes. Faced with dwindling domestic demand, many singers and music producers have shifted their sights onto the overseas markets in Japan and China, but often with little success.

   The culture ministry plans to build a 360-seat concert hall in Seoul Sangamdong, near the World Cup Stadium, and a 3,900-seat concert hall inside the Seoul Olympic Stadium. The two concert halls are expected to open as early as December this year.

   As part of its overseas promotion efforts, the government also plans to establish an official pop music chart, the so-called "K-Pop Chart," and a state-sponsored pop music awards event.

   Credits: [email protected] via yonhapnews.co.kr

katt

Jung Joon Ho Added to Spy Thriller Drama IRIS
February 4, 2009 by coolsmurf

Charismatic actor Jung Joon Ho recently confirmed his participation in IRIS and joins an already impressive looking cast on paper which include the likes of Lee Byung Hun, Kim Seung Woo, Kim Tae Hee and Big Bang member T.O.P..



IRIS has already generated quite a huge interest because of its 20 million KRW budget and its stellar cast of Lee Byung Hun and Kim Tae Hee. The addition of Jung Joon Ho recently has once again increased the drama anticipation.

Jung Joon Ho has been widely acknowledged as a charismatic actor in the industry over the years thanks to his roles in his drama and movies. In IRIS, Jung Joon Ho will act opposite Lee Byung Hun as his colleague in the same organization with their relations along the lines of friend and foe.

According to someone from the production company, IRIS will begin filming in March in Akita province in Japan. The first scene that will be filmed there will be a big-scale action scene involving Kim Tae Hee, Jung Joon Ho, Lee Byung Hun and T.O.P.. The station that will broadcast IRIS (20 episodes) is yet to be decided but it is estimated to greet viewers in the latter half of 2009.

Source: coolsmurf.com, image from daum.net

katt

February 4, 2009

7 Korean films at Berlin film festival
  


Seven Korean films will be screened at the 59th Berlin International Film Festival, which kicks off today in the German capital.

Although no Korean films made it to the much-coveted competition section, five titles have been invited to this year's forum section. The sidebar will feature "My Dear Enemy," "Land of Scarecrows," "Treeless Mountain," "Members of the Funeral" and "One Fine Day."

Director Lee Yoon-ki's "My Dear Enemy" is drawing keen attention both at home and abroad. Lee's debut feature "This Charming Girl" and third film "Ad Lib Night" were previously invited to Berlin in previous years. "My Dear Enemy" also stars Jeon Do-youn, who won the best actress award at the Cannes International Film Festival in 2008, and Ha Jung-woo, who built his fame with a memorable act in "The Chaser."

"Land of Scarecrows," directed by Roh Gyeong-tae, is also deemed a promising film that is likely to capture the attention of foreign critics and distributors. The film made a debut at the 2008 Pusan International Film Festival and won the New Currents award. Roh's debut feature, "The Last Dining Table," won awards at the Pusan International Film Festival and Seoul Independent Film Festival. Roh is adept at weaving an experimental tale, as showcased by his short films such as "Father and Son" and "Reincarnation."

Meanwhile, Kim So-yong's "Treeless Mountain" is a Korea-U.S. co-production. Kim gained recognition with her thought-provoking debut feature, "In Between Days." In the new film, Kim puts her camera on two young sisters who encounter different yet similarly frustrating situations ranging from their hapless mother to an alcoholic aunt.



Kim's new film has already screened at several festivals and won the Best Film award at Dubai and the Jury prize at Tokyo FILMeX. "Members of the Funeral" is a debut feature of Baek Seung-bin, who solidified his position with his successful short film "The French Lieutenant's Woman." Baek is rapidly gaining reputation in Korea and elsewhere thanks to his new film, which won the NETPAC award at last year's PIFF.

Director Lee Suk-gyung also joins the Forum with her debut feature "One Fine Day." Lee's entry to the Berlin film festival came after her 13-minute short film "Once Again" was well received by critics. Aside from the Forum section, two Korean films are set to join the Berlin film festival. Jung Ji-yeon's short film "Blooming in Spring" is invited to Generation 14-plus and Min Kyu-dong's third feature "Antique" will screen in the Culinary Cinema section.

Jung's film received the KODAK short film production grant and got positive reviews when it was featured in the Wide Angle section at PIFF last year. Director Min's "Antique" involves four handsome young Korean men at a cake shop, a peculiar story that drew many female moviegoers last year.

So far, eight Korean movies have made it to the competition section at the Berlin film festival. Maverick filmmaker Kim Ki-duk won the best director award with "Samaria" in 2004, and veteran director Im Kwon-taek received the Honorary Golden Bear award in February 2005 for his contribution to cinematography over the past four decades.

In 2007, world-renowned director Park Chan-wook won the Alfred Bauer Prize with his film "I'm a Cyborg, But That's Ok" at the Berlin film festival.

By Yang Sung-jin ([email protected])
http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/NEW ... 05/200902050012.asp

katt

February 3, 2009

Hit play returns to breathe life into Korea's theatrical industry

SEOUL, Feb. 3 (Yonhap) -- Unlike South Korea's cinema and television industries, which saw dramatic expansion in recent years, theatrical performances here have long been abandoned by local audiences, with adaptations from foreign plays barely able to keep the industry afloat.

   "Dandelion Becoming the Wind," created by the small South Korean theater company Best Plays Inc., was among the very few domestic productions that managed to sell over 5,000 tickets last year. But ticket sales don't reflect the scale of the play's success. It actually achieved far more.

   Performances of "Dandelion" were sold out for nearly three months starting in November, a first for a locally produced play. The production drew audiences of more than 20,000, mostly in their mid-30s to 40s, proving there is still room for an onstage drama amid the country's wildly popular onscreen alternatives. The play tells the story of a heart-to-heart conversation between an old man who sits at the foot of his wife's grave. The story follows his reminiscences about their youthful and at times agonizing marriage. "Dandelion" will go on a repeat run starting Feb. 13.

   The play's second run will feature actors Cho Jae-hyun, Jung Woong-in and Ahn Nae-sang, all of whom enjoy wide popularity among Korean audiences and whose participation has built up anticipation. "We have long believed that theatrical plays were for a few devotees. I had a feeling this play could rid people of that prejudice once and for all," Ahn told a press gathering Tuesday. "The script itself holds a certain quality that makes it possible for audiences to be immersed in the play regardless of who is playing the characters." "I'm not a man of many tears, but this play makes me cry every time," Jung said. "I hope people come to the play, find us, find themselves and also find a future in Korean theater."

The company behind the production vowed to put on stage only plays that have never been shown before. Its stated goal since being founded in 2004 has been to expand the popularity of plays to all generations while luring more young and emerging actors and directors to the theatrical world.  The company produced 11 plays last year, including "Shape of Things" and "Night Mother," attracting over 180,000 patrons despite the longstanding slump in Korea's theater arena.

   "Dandelion" will run through Jun. 7 with tickets available for 35,000 won (US$25) for adults. For more information, visit www.idsartcenter.co.kr or call (02) 766-6007.

Source:  [email protected] via  yonhapnews.co.kr

katt

February 4, 2009

Theater to Host Movie Watching Marathon

CGV Theater will host the 1st Movie Watching Marathon at its Wangshimni chain in Seoul Feb. 24.

According to the Guinness World Records, the longest movie-watching marathon took place over 70 hours, 33 minutes in Norway. South Korea's top score stands at 66 hours 41 minutes 56 seconds set in 2005 at Theater Scala in Seoul. Participants will have a chance to rewrite movie-watching history and win prize money and gifts.

The competition will begin at noon and continue until participants fall asleep. Following regulations of the Korea Record Institute, there will be a five-minute pause after one movie and then a 15-minute break after three movies. Contestants must use the breaks for eating and using restrooms, because they will be dropped out for leaving the seat or using cellular phones during the screening.

Organizers will monitor participants through camcorders during the entire event. Those who close their eyes for more than 5 seconds or use "artificial means' (such as matches) to keep their eyes open will be disqualified. Contestants who converse with or bother others will be asked to leave. About 200 staff members will be employed for the event, as well as 26 paramedics.

Anyone aged over 18 can apply to compete at CGV Theaters across the country or at www.cgv.co.kr. The deadline for applications is Feb. 15 and some 300 will be chosen by a draw on Feb. 18. Top contestants will be rewarded with cash prizes: 3 million won for first place, 2 million won for second and 1 million won for third.

On Feb. 23, the day before the marathon, there will be an online contest for guessing the record of the first prizewinner. Participants that make the closest estimates can win television sets, digital cameras, laptop computers and mp3 players.

Credits: hyowlee@koreatimes.co.kr

katt

NEWS INDEX page 87

February 4, 2009: Top Korea, Japan Idol Groups Share Talk Show
Feb 5: Singer Baek Ji-young: Refusing to Stand Still
Feb 5: Korean Commercials Prove Goldmine for Hollywood Stars
Feb 5: 'Kitchen' Offers Tasteful Romance
Feb 5: Jung Woo-sung's daily life aired on TV
Feb 5: Ex-idol Yoo to attempt comeback  
Feb 5: Singer Yoo Debuts in Jackie Chan Movie
Feb 5: Back to their origins
Feb 6: S. Korean moviegoers surge in January
Feb 5: Show Host Gets Suspended Prison Term for Gambling
Feb 5: Tablo and Kang Hye-jung an Item
Feb 6: Andy Debuts as Producer   
Feb 5: Big Bang's Seung Ri Cast in Film with Kim Beom
Feb 6: Jang Nara 'Not Obssessed with Changing Image'
Feb 6: Jung Woo-sung and Kim A-jung join Kim Jee-woon
Feb 6: Boy band writes about their success
Feb 5: Word of mouth advertising attracts 100,000 to 'Old Partner'
Feb 8: Two Indie Directors Conquer Local Cinema
Feb 8: 'Boys Over Flowers' gains attention overseas
Feb 9: Sandara Park to Make Acting Debut
Feb 9: Seoul theaters to offer English subtitles
Weekly Box Office 2009.02.06 ~ 2009.02.08
Feb 9: Documentary film is surprise hit
Feb 9: Enjoy Romantic Evening Valentine's Day Concerts

[ Last edited by  katt at 12-2-2009 10:35 PM ]

katt

February 4, 2009

Top Korea, Japan Idol Groups Share Talk Show



The top pop groups of Korea and Japan--DBSK (or TVXQ) and SMAP--have met on a Japanese program.

DBSK on Jan. 29 joined the recording of the popular show "SMAP譙MAP" on Fuji TV, hosted by SMAP. In a friendly atmosphere, the two groups talked and sang together. The program airs next month. Previously, top Korean stars such as Jang Dong-geon, Song Seung-heon, Lee Young-ae, Choi Ji-woo, Ryu Si-won, Kwon Sang-woo and Shin Hye-seong appeared in the program's "Bistro SMAP" segment. Shin notably sang a live duet with SMAP member Kusanagi Tsuyoshi.

The two top groups had already met Dec. 31 during an NHK year-end pop festival, the most prestigious of its kind in Japan. The two groups briefly met during rehearsals and DBSK later went to SMAP's room for a formal greeting. SMAP member Takuya Kimura talked about that first encounter on a radio show last month. He laughingly said, "The room was small for ten healthy men. It was suffocating. Kusanagi Tsuyoshi's supposed Korean skills didn't really come out."

The Korean group's appearance on "SMAP譙MAP" is as significant as their first meeting last month. Japan's Johnny's Entertainment manages not only SMAP but many other top notch idol groups including KinKi Kids. It maintains their popularity by having group members host shows on all private broadcasts.

DBSK is also scheduled to appear soon on a Fuji TV show hosted by the KinKi Kids (Domoto Koichi, Domoto Tsuyoshi). The "honeymoon affair" between DBSK and Johnny's is expected to continue for quite some time.

Source: KBS Global

katt

February 5, 2009

Singer Baek Ji-young: Refusing to Stand Still
  

Baek Ji-young  

While other Korean singers danced hectically to techno music, Baek Ji-young performed Latin dance, helping to kick off a boom in Korea. More recently, while everyone has been busy showing off their sexy dance moves, she has topped both on- and offline music charts with ballads. Her success seems to give her enough strength to stay just ahead of the curve and leave her fraught past behind.

The explicit video scandal is almost forgotten, so does the 33-year old have any special plan for the 10th anniversary of her debut? "I'm thinking of doing something, but I don't want to give it any special meaning. I'm thinking of giving a concert this spring though."

One reason she will not make a big deal out of her anniversary is that she plans to keep trying new things, staying musically young even as she becomes middle-aged. That's why Madonna is her role model. "Madonna is over 50, but her sense for choosing visuals and music is unbelievably young," she says. "I think it's because she has such power to compete with younger singers. Among Korean singers, I admire Lee Sung-chul, Uhm Jung-hwa and Insooni."

Every musician dreams of trying new things, but the danger is alienating their fans. For Baek Ji-young, however, the adventures have mostly been successful so far. "When my debut album was released, I stressed the visual side as a dance music singer. Then I took an inevitable break for a few years, and after my absence, I started to sing ballads. I really want to be able to sing different kinds of songs so that I can be a singer for a long time."

Credits: englishnews@chosun.com

katt

February 5, 2009

Korean Commercials Prove Goldmine for Hollywood Stars
  
Hollywood stars are making a beeline for Korea to star in TV commercials here, with Emmy Rossum, of " Phantom of the Opera" fame, only the latest to sign a contract with the Aekyung Group. Former James Bond Pierce Brosnan has been modeling for Cheil Industries since 2006, and Richard Gere appears in magazine ads for clothing line RKFN.

The reason Korean companies are choosing top Hollywood stars is that they cost the same or less than Korean stars. Rossum gets paid W800 million a year, and Gere about W1 billion (US$1=W1,379).


From left, Pierce Brosnan, Emmy Rossum and Richard Gere (file photo)  

Yet although they are seen in commercials here, it is rare to see them advertising in their own countries. In Korea, advertising contracts are an index of popularity, but Hollywood stars see it as a way to earn living when their acting career is not going well. "Many Hollywood stars seem to think of old music videos and foreign commercials they did in the past as something they want to hide," one industry insider says.

Credits: englishnews@chosun.com

katt

February 5, 2009

'Kitchen' Offers Tasteful Romance

By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter


From left, actors Synn Min-a, Ju Ji-hun and Kim Tae-woo star in the sugary romance
"The Naked Kitchen," which is now showing in local theaters and the Berlin International Film Festival.
/ Courtesy of Silver Spoon

The title says it all: "The Naked Kitchen." Newcomer Hong Ji-young brings a sensuous romance that paints the taste of juicy meals and unforgettable kisses.

After competing at a few international short film festivals with "Herstory," Hong makes her feature film debut both here and abroad through the Berlin International Film Festival, which continues through Feb. 15. The movie's nationwide release in Japan is slated for June.

For local moviegoers, "Kitchen" will be a delightful trend-spotting, trend-setting franchise. It capitalizes on the national obsession with fine dining, particularly the recent interest in food styling and things fusion. Martha Stewart can feast her eyes with brunch dished up on Hermes china and Korean court cuisine served in a Western-style multiple-course meal.

Other scenes are like fashion magazine spreads, as the cellophane-thin lead actress struts around trendy neighborhoods in her candy-colored shoes. But the emerging director displays a sense for both style and substance as she delves the meaning of love and infidelity. The movie is a fine asset to the Korean chick flick genre as it sugarcoats the sensitive subject matter with scrumptious dishes, summer sunshine and colorful parasols.

Mo-rae (Synn Min-a) is a young parasol designer happily married to the love of her life (Kim Tae-woo). She is the perfect wife who supports Sang-in even when he secretly quits his high-paying job in finance to pursue his dreams of becoming a chef. Their newly wedded bliss, however, is disrupted when a new man (Ju Ji-hun) enters Mo-rae's life.

Unlike other stories about clandestine liaisons, "Kitchen" depicts the incident with fairy-tale charms, though not without a touch of eroticism. 'He tasted different," Mo-rae immediately confesses to her husband, with childlike innocence, that she kissed a stranger in an art gallery. Sang-in tries to forgive and forget, having always been the generous older brother figure to his childhood friend-turned-wife.

Mo-rae's mysterious kisser, however, turns out to be none other than her husband's dear friend Du-re, a genius cook who was invited to stay at their home while helping out with Sang-in's new restaurant. And so begins a shaky, three-way cohabitation.

"Kitchen" can be compared to Gina Kim's "Never Forever," as both show that first loves, or one great love, does not necessarily last forever. The movie also suggests it is possible to love two people at the same time, quite like Chong Yun-su's "My Wife Got Married." But unlike the said film's openly polygamous wife, Mo-rae is more "ordinary" and tries not to fool around with Du-re. But considering their having exchanged kisses before names, it's not easy. "It started as Eros and now you want to go platonic? Does that make sense?" reprimands Mo-rae's friend.

The viewer is bound to sympathize with Sang-in, who cannot help feeling an inferiority complex toward Du-re's innate cooking abilities. Others might take sides with lonely boy Du-re, played by the model-turned-actor Ju. The heartthrob of the hit TV soap "Princess Hours" is an actor to watch out for, as his big screen debut "Antique" is also being shown alongside "Kitchen" at Berlin. Yet one drawback is that this non-francophone actor plays a character that is supposed to speak better French than Korean. Those who aren't distracted by the actor's natural charms may find his chanson d'amour version of a popular Shim Su-bong trot beat rather cheesy.

Now showing in theaters. 102 minutes. Distributed by Silver Spoon.

Credits: hyowlee@koreatimes.co.kr

katt

February 5, 2009

Jung Woo-sung's daily life aired on TV



A documentary about actor Jung Woo-sung was shown on On Style. On Style is a cable television channel. "Jung Woo-sung's Project J" aired on Jan. 23 and 30.

The documentary showed Jung's daily life. It also shows how Jung works behind the screen. Jung debuted as an actor. But now he does many different activities. He is a producer and a business man. Last year he launched a cosmetic brand. Fans will also see how Jung spends his spare time.

Interviews with Jung's friends were also aired. Through the interview, people got to know more about Jung -more of Jung as a "person" not as a "celebrity." His close friends include actors Park Joong-hoon and Lee Byung-hun. Photographer Jo Sun-hee is also close with Jung.

By Yeom Min-a ([email protected]) via koreaherald.co.kr, image from newsis/empas.com

katt

February 5, 2009

Ex-idol Yoo to attempt comeback  

Disgraced former K-pop sensation Yoo Seung-jun (known these days as Steve Yoo) will make his film debut opposite action star Jackie Chan in his new flick tentatively titled "Foot Soldier, Little General (Da Bing Xiao Jang)." Yoo is set to play the role of a villain.

The movie will begin production next Tuesday in Yunnan, a province in southwest China. The former idol will also share the screen with popular Taiwanese singer-actor Wang Lee-Hom, both of whom will play princes of warring empires.

Set during ancient China, the film is about the lives of three soldiers during empirical warfare. It is considered a pet-project by Chan and had been in development limbo for over two decades. "I can't talk about the film in too much detail but I play a bad guy in it," Yoo told Yonhap News Agency during a phone interview. "The role I've been given requires a lot of physicality, such as aggressive horse-riding while displaying swordsmanship."

Budgeted at 80 billion won ($58 million), "Foot Soldier, Little General," is set for a fall release in China and worldwide. Filmed in Chinese, Yoo said he will not have any difficulties with his lines during production. "I've been breaking bread here in China for a few years now so acting in Chinese isn't much of a problem for me, but I am still working on the ancient Chinese dialects," Yoo said. "When he was preparing this project 20 years ago Jackie saw himself playing Wang Lee-Hom's role, but now that he's too old to play a young prince, he cast himself as one of the foot soldiers."

Yoo also commented on the size of his role in the film. "At first my role was a small one, but after the director met me he thought I could play a more prominent role in action scenes so my role grew bigger."

This will be the former K-pop idol's first foray into acting. Yoo had once gained superstar status here in Korea during the late 90s, but his controversial decision to evade the mandatory military service after obtaining American citizenship resulted in his deportation and ban from the country.

Since then, Yoo has been featured as a rapper in H-Yujin's 2006 debut single and released his 7th studio album the following year in Korea, but failed to re-ignite his struggling career.

Yoo instead focused on his career in China and in May of last year, the 33-year-old signed a seven year exclusive contract with Chan's JC Entertainment and began preparing his debut as an actor. "Jackie Chan saw potential in Steve not only because of his Adonis-like physique and ability as a singer-dancer, but also because of his multi-lingual abilities. Furthermore, he sees Steve as someone who can make the break into Hollywood because of those combined factors," said Lee Mi-sun, the representative of JC Entertainment Korea.

"I'm very nervous as if I'm just starting out all over again in this business. Especially more so because I've been given a big role in the film," said Yoo.

By Song Woong-ki ([email protected])
http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/NEW ... 06/200902060005.asp

katt

February 5, 2009

Singer Yoo Debuts in Jackie Chan Movie

By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter


Yoo Seung-joon appears in Jackie Chan抯 film
揇a Being Xiao Jiang.擺/color]

Yoo Seung-joon, a former K-pop star who became notorious for evading mandatory military service, will make his big screen debut in Jackie Chan's epic action film "Da Being Xiao Jiang" (Big Soldier Small General or Junior Soldier), Chan's entertainment company JC Group International said Thursday.

The 33-year-old was recruited by Chan last year and will play a supporting role opposite the world famous action star and Taiwanese-American actor Lee-hom Wang. Shooting for the Qin Dynasty-era movie begins Tuesday at a fortress in Yunnan, China. Chan will play a common soldier, while Wang and Yoo will play princes of warring states. Yoo's character will be the villain of the story. In a telephone interview with Yonhap News, Yoo was quoted as saying, "I cannot speak in detail about the movie, but I will play the bad guy. Because I play a fighting prince, I have to do action sequences involving horseback riding and swordsmanship."

"Junior Soldier'' is an 80 billion won project that its actors, producer and writer Chan have been preparing for 20 years. The Chinese-language film anticipates worldwide release in the fall. "I've been working in China for a while, so the Chinese lines won't be too much of a problem" said Yoo. "But I'm continuing to practicing lines that are in archaic Chinese."

Emerging director Ding Sheng ("The Underdog Knight") will helm the movie. "When Jackie Chan was planning the project 20 years ago, he was thinking of playing Lee-hom Wang's part. But because time has passed, he decided to take the role of the common soldier," said Yoo. "My part wasn't very big at first, but the director changed that after meeting me, saying I'm fit for the action sequences."

This will be Yoo's first attempt at acting. JC Group Korea said that Chan thought highly of Yoo's well-toned physique and fluency in English, Korean and Chinese, and that he had the potential to become the next Jackie Chan. "I feel nervous, like a newcomer again," said Yoo. "Starring in a Jackie Chan movie alone is a such a great honor, and playing a sizable role is really exciting."

Local criticism still lingers about Yoo's controversial military service evasion and subsequent deportation. "Of course I am still very cautious about that,'' he said. "But I want to show that I am trying my best wherever I am, and I hope to inch my way back to stand before those I've disappointed."

Credits: hyowlee@koreatimes.co.kr

katt

February 5, 2009

Back to their origins



Two established actors Jung Woong-in and Ahn Nae-sang will put aside their lucrative TV and film careers for a while to appear in a play at Daehangno in Seoul, the country's theater mecca. The two will share the leading role in the encore run of "Mindeulle Baramdoeeo (Dandelion Becomes Wind)," which starts Feb. 13, with another actor Cho Jae-hyun.

Their reason for taking the offer from Cho, a veteran actor who is at the forefront of revitalizing the struggling theater industry, was simple. The play, an emotional portrayal of married couples, moved them beyond expectations. "I cried so much by the time the play ended. I was surprised at myself because I hardly cry and often struggle with crying scenes," said Jung, who has appeared in such hit films as "My Boss, My Teacher" ("Two-sabu ilchae") and is considered one of the country's leading comic actors, at a press meeting at Daehangno, Seoul, on Tuesday.

Ahn also said he was impressed by the audience, which was full of middle-aged men and women, who are not often seen at plays. Jung and Ahn are not exactly newcomers to theater. In fact, both of them began their acting on Daehango but soon moved onto TV dramas and films through which they raised their profile. Nonetheless, it is their first play in years -- seven for Ahn and 13 for Jung. "I felt so burdened at first. I thought doing a play wouldn't be so hard since I've done it before, but it felt awkward because it has been so long," said Ahn.

For Ahn, getting rid of the stereotypical comic and evil image that he earned from his role in last year's "Wives Club," a TV drama, was another challenge. The drama made him a star but also fostered a lot of so-called "anti-fans" who hated his on-show character. "I feel that it is time that I showed a different side to my acting and get some warm responses, not criticisms, from the audience," said Ahn, chuckling. Through his unique interpretation of the role, Ahn said he intends to make the audience laugh when other actors make them cry and vice-versa.

Jung, on the other hand, stressed his goal to harmonize with other actors while adapting to the new environment quickly. Although already noted as a versatile actor, Jung said he wanted to earn a reputation for good acting regardless of the genre. "We want this piece to become a steady-selling repertoire like 'Guys and Dolls,' by especially drawing more elder viewers to theater," said Jung. The play has the potential to become more popular and enliven Korea's theater industry, Ahn added.

"Mindeulle Baramdoeeo" will be staged as an open run at PMC Jayu Theater at Daehangno. Tickets are 25,000 won and 35,000 won. For more information, call (02) 766-6007 or go to www.idartscenter.co.kr

By Koh Young-aah ([email protected]) via koreaherald.co.kr, image from empas.com

katt

February 6, 2009

S. Korean moviegoers surge in January: report

SEOUL, Feb. 6 (Yonhap) -- The number of South Korean cinema goers surged 27 percent in January from the same month last year, a local report said Friday, providing hope for the industry hit by an ongoing economic downturn and rampant illegal online downloads.

Some 16.5 million people went to theaters last month, an increase of 16 percent from the previous month, according to CJ CGV, the country's largest cinema operator.

The diverse genre of recently released movies and the lengthy Lunar New Year holiday, which ran from Jan. 24-27 including a weekend, appear to have attracted the larger number of audiences, the multiplex cinema chain said.

Domestic movies took up 46.8 percent of the cinema market, backed by three long-running films including "A Frozen Flower" and "Speed Scandal." "A Frozen Flower," directed by poet-turned-director Yoo Ha, pulled in 3.2 million viewers.

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