A movie starring Kim Su-hyun, star of MBC drama “The Moon That Embraces the Sun” last year, has taken a promising first step.
“Secretly Greatly” attracted about 500,000 moviegoers on the day of its release Wednesday, setting a new record for Korean movies. The previous record holder was “The Theives,” which sold roughly 430,000 tickets on its first day last year.
“Secretly Greatly” is expected to continue its good run, as distributor Showbox said yesterday that it attracted more than one million fans within two days since the release. The time taken for the movie to have one million fans was shorter than for “Transformer: Dark of the Moon.” The 2011 movie took three days to sell one million tickets at local theaters. The third Transformer series also set a record for attracting the most fans on the day of release among imported films.
“It looks like people went to the theater a lot prior to the holiday and students who are done with their school tests have also started heading to the theater,” an official at Showbox told Ilgan Sports, an affiliate of the Korea JoongAng Daily. June 6 is Memorial Day in Korea, which is a national holiday. “The popularity of stars like Kim Su-hyun have also given the film a boost.”
In the movie, Kim plays a North Korean agent who infiltrates the South.
For actress Yoo In-na, spending two hours each evening swapping stories with listeners as the host of a prime-time radio show, "Volume Up" on KBS 2FM, is nothing but fun.
"I like reading books out loud and listening to people's stories," she said of the program, which now has the highest listener ratings for the 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. time slot across both AM and FM bandwidths.
Yoo originally dreamed of becoming a rock star. She joined an entertainment agency as an apprentice singer in 1998 at the age of 16, but things did not pan out as she had hoped after 11 years at five agencies. She recalled how she came close to joining a girl group at one point before this aspiration, too, fell flat.
"You need to be a good dancer to do that, but I was unable to memorize the choreography properly, as though I had some kind of affliction," she joked. Yoo said she practiced her dance moves for eight hours a day, six days a week, for a year before calling it quits.
In 2006, Yoo joined YG Entertainment as an apprentice actress. "If singing wasn't meant to be, I decided to give acting a go because it seemed fun. I never gave up. A lot of my friends did, though, even though they were prettier and more capable than me," she said.
Her big break came in 2009 with MBC's hit sitcom, "High Kick Through the Roof." With this, Yoo made a lasting impression on the public, and her popularity grew when she was cast in a number of TV dramas. She can now be seen in the KBS weekend drama, "You're the Best, Lee Soon-shin."
Yoo, who debuted late in the industry at the age of 27, had this advice for aspiring celebrities, singers and actors as they prepare for the world of showbiz.
"Even a compass, which is supposed to tell you which direction to go, wobbles before it finds its true course. I hope young people aren't too scared of facing the wobbles along the way, because they're a natural part of the journey."
SEOUL, June 9 (Yonhap) -- A South Korean comedy film about three young North Korean spies has exceeded the 3 million mark in the number of viewers at local theaters, the film's local distributor said Sunday.
"Secretly Greatly," which opened at 1,341 theaters across the country on Wednesday, passed the milestone in just five days, according to Mediaplex.
But the figure remains unofficial as the Korean Film Council that tracks official box-office data in the country has yet to release the latest information.
Based on a popular webtoon with the same title published in 2010, the movie is about three young and handsome North Korean spies dispatched to South Korea, disguising themselves as a fool, a rock star wannabe and a high school student.
Starring rising heartthrob Kim Soo-hyun, the movie topped the local box-office as of Saturday, accounting for 69 percent of tickets sold at theaters.
It also passed the break-even point, which stood at 2.2 million in attendance, just four days after opening, according to Mediaplex.
Actress and boxer Lee Si-young said that the heated debate on the legitimacy of her victory in the national boxing team tryout has helped her to focus on training.
“First of all, both the opponent and I did our best,” said Lee during an interview with KBS2‘s showbiz program “Entertainment Weekly” on Saturday.
Lee was at the center of dispute about the fairness of the final judgment when she won 22-20 against Kim Da-som in the national boxing team tryout for the 48-kilogram class. Many commented that the referees gave out the scores in favor of the actress.
“I always needed to try more. I think that even the disputes on the judgment will be of help in the future,” added the 31-year-old actress.
Maintaining her positive spirit about the controversy, she also said, “I learned a lot from the incident. I have to stand in the boxing ring again. I am going to try harder.”
Director Jang Cheol-soo's "Secretly Greatly" hit the 3-million mark in terms of cinema attendance on Sunday, just five days after it was released. The hit movie attracted 1 million moviegoers in 36 hours and 2 million in 72 hours as it continues to set a series of new records in the history of Korean cinema. It attracted a record number of daily spectators (919,000) on Thursday, saw the most tickets booked before its release, and reached the 1-million mark faster than any other Korean film to date.
The film is a light-hearted comedy revolving around three North Korean agents who disguise themselves, respectively, as a village idiot, a rock star and a high school student while they await their orders from Pyongyang. When their mission turns out to be an order to commit suicide, due to a sudden power shift in the North, none are best pleased.
The movie's huge popularity is being driven by teenagers, particularly girls, who have been eager to get their hands on tickets in advance. According to ticketing site Maxmovie, teenagers accounted for a mere 3 percent of viewers who pre-booked seats for movies that drew over 2 million cinemagoers. But the figure for "Secretly Greatly" stands as high as 13 percent.
The site conducted a survey on 11,100 people in their 30s or older who had made reservations and asked them who they watched the movie with. Some 45 percent named their kids, while 16 percent said they booked the tickets on behalf of their children -- 97 percent of whom were daughters.
Movie pundits believe the flick has proven such a runaway hit among teenage audiences due in part to the lack of movies targeting such a young demographic in the last decade or so. Since the mid-1990s, only a small number of thrillers or horror movies were made for young people’s consumption during the summer holidays, as studios and producers focused more on the spending power of people in their 20s and older.
A staffer with CJ E&M said, "These days, adolescents have scant time to go to the cinema. There is also much more competition for their attention from other cultural products, such as fast-moving online computer games. Old-fashioned teen flicks barely draw their interest any more."
Show Box, the movie's distributor, said it adjusted the content to ensure "Secretly Greatly" got rated PG-15. "Viewers seem to be quite satisfied with the film, which is based on a popular Internet cartoon," it said.
Another factor is the use of young actors like Kim Soo-hyun, Lee Hyun-woo and Park Ki-woong. The same trend was observed in "A Werewolf Boy," which attracted many teenage spectators last year as it starred young heartthrob Song Joong-ki.
In contrast, the majority of recent hits in Korea have featured older performers in their 30s or 40s in a bid to capture a similarly-aged audience demographic, for example, Lee Byung-hun (Masquerade), Ryu Seung-ryong (Miracle in Cell No. 7), Ha Jung-woo (The Berlin File) and Kim Yoon-seok (The Thieves).
"Movies created with those in their 30s or over in mind don't appeal so much to teenagers. But 'Secretly Greatly' targeted younger people from the get-go and thus gives them something to talk about," the Maxmovie staffer said.
Actor and TV personality Marco Benjamin Lee was detained for using violence against his wife, local media reported Monday.
Lee, who uses the given name “Marco” when acting or appearing on TV, was arrested on Sunday for allegedly beating his wife Ahn Shi-hyun, a well-known professional golfer.
South Korean news outlets, citing an unnamed police official, said Lee and Ahn got into a quarrel while discussing how to raise their child.
Ahn immediately reported the case to the police, who took Lee into custody. He was released later in the day after a five-hour interview.
Lee, an Argentine-born actor and TV personality, married Ahn in 2011. The couple had their only child in May 2012.
June has long been preferred as the “month of weddings” in Korea; and this year has lived up to its name.
Not even halfway through the month, there are already several celebrities who have unveiled their spouse-to-be or actually tied the knot. Perhaps those who stirred the biggest media frenzy were actor Lee Byung-hun and popular TV anchorwoman Jung Sae-jin.
The 43-year-old actor, who made his Hollywood debut in 2011 and had his hands imprinted in front of the TCL Chinese Theater in Los Angeles last year, surprised the public last week with the announcement of his marriage with top actress Lee Min-jung on Aug. 10. On the same day, by coincidence or not, the 40-year-old anchorwoman of the country’s biggest TV station KBS said she will marry her boy friend on June 21.
Star’s weddings always draw massive public attention. And many new brides and grooms feel tempted to follow the way their favorite star hosts his/her own wedding ceremony.
More important, stars’ weddings are a showcase of new marriage trends. In this regard, the two celebrities are the latest cases reflecting a widening age gap between bride and groom.
Age gap widening
Actor Lee is 12 years older than his bride-to-be, while broadcaster Jung is 11 years older than her spouse. Another star promoting the trend was K-pop legend Seo Tai-ji who announced his second marriage last month with a B-list actress 16 years younger than him.
These are a radical departure from the conventional norm, built upon horoscope data, which claims a four-year gap is ideal to enjoy a trouble-free married life.
In particular, Jung’s case poses a challenge to still dominant couple formation where the groom is normally older than the bride. K-pop diva Baek Ji-young, 37, was another challenger of this kind earlier this month, when she married actor Jung Suk-won, who is nine years younger than her.
There are many male celebrities who tied the knot with women ten years their junior.
Lee Juno of the now-defunct legendary band Seo Taiji and Boys got married to a woman 23 years younger than him last September. Another member of the band Yang Hyun-seok, president of YG Entertainment that manages several K-pop superstars such as Psy, Big Bang and 2NE1, is 12 years older than his wife.
Other contributors to the trend include actor Lee Han-wi (19 years), Lee Beom-soo (13 years), singer-songwriter Joo Young-hoon (12 years) and actor Yoo Joon-sang (11 years).
Premarital pregnancy
Many stars have found themselves or their lovers becoming pregnant before making their marriage plans public.
In the past premarital pregnancy was a matter of humiliation so people tried hard to keep it a secret. As a matter of fact, public criticism over this still exists, but a growing number of people don’t take it seriously, instead they respond with a wink and a nudge.
K-pop diva Baek is the latest example of such a trend shift. Talking about her wedding early last month, her management agency said Baek’s first baby was already on the way. She has stopped working to take care of herself.
Other celebrities who declared themselves or their spouse-to-be be pregnant before marriage include actors Kim Jae-won, Um Tae-woong and Lee Chun-hee, singer Ha Dong-hoon who works under the pseudonym HaHa, actress Ko So-young (wife of actor Jang Dong-gun) and Son Tae-young (wife of actor Kwon Sang-woo).
“Becoming pregnant is obviously something to celebrate. But celebrities are still reluctant to make it public on fears of negative reactions,” said a showbiz industry insider. “But what is interesting is that a growing number of celebrities take the risk to tell all, reflecting a generous shift in public attitudes toward the matter.”
Wedding as donation method
A growing of celebrities use their wedding ceremony as an opportunity to make a donation to underprivileged people. And this has inspired many ordinary people to do a similar philanthropic work.
Comedian couple Yoon Hyung-bin and Jung Kyung-mi made headlines in March for giving all the wedding gifts they received from guests to two rehabilitation centers. Prior to the ceremony, the couple asked potential guests to bring packaged rice as gifts and they collected 370 kilograms on the wedding day.
Another star couple, actor Yoo Ji-tae and actress Kim Hyo-jin donated all cash gifts for their wedding to a construction project for a school in Myanmar. Actor Lee Beom-soo spent money collected during his wedding ceremony hosting a joint wedding ceremony for three interracial couples suffering from economic hardship. Lee took the stage to sing a song to celebrate the event.
Meanwhile, comedian Kwon Young-chan spent cash gifts for his son’s first birthday providing intensive medical care to two children with sight problems.
Fellow comedians have joined together in mourning the death of Ham Hyo-joo, who was hit and killed by a car early Saturday morning. She was 29.
Ham was on her way home from an after-work party near Singil-dong in Yeongdeungpo District, western Seoul, at about 3 a.m. when she was hit. She was reportedly jaywalking.
“I would like to express my sadness about the death of Ham Hyo-joo, who always worked to make people laugh,” comedian Park Hwi-soon tweeted Saturday.
“Ham Hyo-joo was so young. Her family must be heartbroken,” comedian Ahn Sun-young tweeted.
Ham debuted as a comedian in 2005 after graduating with an acting degree from Seoul Institute of the Arts. Apart from her career as a comedian, Ham also taught acting to K-pop stars such as Lee Joo-yeon of After School.
“I was so shocked to hear the news. Please pray for the peaceful repose of Ham Hyo-joo, who was my acting tutor,” Lee tweeted.
Actress Ha Ji-won poses during a camping event which began on Saturday and was organized by fashion brand Crocodile Lady, where she is a model.[NEWSIS]
Actress Ha Ji-won of 2010 drama “Secret Garden” met with fans during a camping event called “Healing Talk Concert,” which was organized by fashion brand Crocodile Lady to commemorate the launch of “Eco Mile,” a new label.
During the event, which began on Saturday, she spoke during a “Healing Talk Concert” with 100 families.
Ha Ji-won reads from a script on Saturday at a camping event called “Healing Talk Concert,” held by fashion brand Crocodile Lady to commemorate the launch of “Eco Mile,” a new label.[NEWSIS]
The star of TV drama “Secret Garden,” Ha Ji-won, talks to 100 families who came for a camping event, “Healing Talk Concert,” which began on Saturday and commemorates the launch of “Eco Mile,” a new label.[NEWSIS]
Actor Ji Chang-wook keeps his pitch pose after he threw a ball at a baseball game between the LG Twins and Lotte Giants on Sunday in Jamsil Baseball Stadium, southern Seoul.[NEWSIS]
Actor Ji Chang-wook of 2011 drama “Warrior Baek Dong Soo” threw a ball at a baseball game between the LG Twins and Lotte Giants on Sunday at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in southern Seoul.
Ji also received Best Rookie Actor for the 7th Musical Awards earlier this month for his role in “The Days.”
Actor Ji Chang-wook pitches a ball at a game between the LG Twins and Lotte Giants Sunday at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in southern Seoul.[NEWSIS]
Ji Chang-wook, who recently received the Best Rookie Actor at the 7th Musical Awards, prepares to throw a ball at a baseball game between the LG Twins and Lotte Giants Sunday at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in southern Seoul.[NEWSIS]
“Secretly Greatly,” an action-comedy starring teenage heartthrob Kim Soo-hyun, is on pace to become one of the highest grossing Korean movies ever, at least after its first week. / Korea Times
Filmmakers mostly tailor their products and marketing efforts to moviegoers in their 30s and 40s, who are considered the main sources of consumption in cultural products.
However, the massive success of “Secretly Greatly,” an action-comedy starring heartthrob Kim Soo-hyun, raises the question whether the industry has been underestimated the economic power tied to teenagers in non-children’s movies. While they might not often spend their own money to buy the tickets, they do have the talent to nag their parents until they do so.
“Secretly” is already one of the most successful works in a boom year for Korean films, topping the box office since its release last Wednesday and setting new audience records for the opening week.
The movie sold nearly half a million tickets on its first day and exceeded 3.4 million in just five days, representing a faster pace than any other Korean movie. The audience at theaters seems to be predominantly teenage girls and their parents.
According to a survey conducted by online ticket seller Max Movie, 45 percent of the over-30 customers who bought tickets for “Secretly” online said they are going because of their children. And more than 80 percent of them said their children were daughters. Many parents were also buying the tickets for their daughters but had no intention of sitting through “Secretly” with them. For most online purchases, it was the father who was typing in his credit card numbers.
To put it simply, the commercial power of “Secretly” relies on “daddy’s girls” and their affection for Kim, a baby-faced television star who appears ubiquitously in television commercials and print advertisements.
“What can be seen from the survey is that young girls wield power as consumers with their ability to persuade their fathers to spend. This seems to be especially the case with Secretly because of the appearance of Kim Soo-hyun,” said Kim Hyung-ho, an official at Max Movie.
“Secretly” is currently topping the charts on Internet portal Naver and Max Movie with 66 percent and 62 percent reservation rates, respectively.
The movie’s success defies critics, whose reviews were underwhelming. According to Naver, half of the country’s movie critics and journalists publishing on mainstream media outlets gave the movie low ratings. Predictably, the audience was much more forgiving, giving the movie 8 points out of 10.
The movie is about three North Korean spies who are dispatched to Korea on a mission to disguise themselves as a fool, a rock star wannabe and a high school student to monitor South Koreans and even their colleagues.
The three main male actors in the movie (Kim Soo-hyun, Park Ki-woong and Lee Hyun-woo) are all young, handsome with hunky physiques that may have made it worth watching for young female viewers, despite a few gruesome and violent fight scenes.
Singer Jang Yoon-jung, left, holds hands with her husband Do Kyung-wan during a photo shoot in Gyeonggi for their upcoming wedding on June 28. [JoongAng Ilbo]
Singer Jang Yoon-jung and KBS announcer Do Kyung-wan did a photo shoot Friday at a studio in Gyeonggi prior to their wedding on June 28.
The couple was caught laughing during the photo shoot, which was closed to the public but had several of their close friends in attendance. Photos were released by the couple’s wedding consulting company, iWedding Networks.
Singer Jang Yoon-jung, left, poses with her husband Do Kyung-wan in a photo shoot on Friday in Gyeonggi for their upcoming wedding on June 28. [JoongAng Ilbo]
It might be impossible to see “Secretly, Greatly” without being immediately drawn to the protagonist, Kim Soo-hyun, who switches back and forth from an agile spy to perfect idiot.
His Webtoon-based movie “Secretly, Greatly,” which opened last Tuesday, is centered on an elite spy, Won Ryu-hwan, from the North who has gone through brutal training, only to be ordered to play an idiot named Dong Goo in a poor neighborhood in South Korea. And Kim Soo-hyun just effortlessly plays the dim-witted big brother, Dong Goo, wearing in his trademark green tracksuit.
With his immense popularity, the film’s success was somewhat predictable. But it took unexpected turns to continue breaking box office records by storm. It has set a record to be the first Korean film to sell 3.49 million tickets in the shortest period (five days) in theaters. That number already is the top-ranked ticket sales among Webtoon-based movies, beating “Moss” in 2010.
However, the movie did not set off breezily as it faced scathing reviews from critics before the release. Now the harsh criticism just serves as a counterexample of the star quality the 25-year-old is endowed with as the heartthrob surely plays the biggest part in attracting moviegoers.
The JoongAng Ilbo sat down with the star to discuss his first lead role, the challenges of shooting the film and his future.
Q. You shot to stardom in the smash hit drama, “The Moon That Embraces the Sun” last year. How was it?
A. I was overwhelmed by so much attention in such a short period. I felt burdened because there seems to be more things I had to be responsible for. I felt like a coward for a while. I didn’t want to go outdoors and I didn’t like myself. Now I’m getting used to the attention. It seems like the spotlight motivated me to be a better person. I came back to school this semester. I felt that I changed a lot.
What is the biggest difference you made?
I used to like to be front and center with a big mouth, Now, I find myself more comfortable just sitting in back and observing my friends. I became so reserved that I can’t say hello to newcomers in my college.
Your movie “Secretly, Greatly” is a little distracted by a lack of focus.
I was too focused on the disappointing parts of my performance while watching it. I think it will take some time before I can watch it and get the grasp of the whole plot.
What left you feeling unsatisfied?
The fighting scene left much to be desired. When I shot the action scene with the North crew on the roof of the building, it was hard to deal with both physical and emotional action. Especially as I couldn’t focus on expressing subtle emotions because it was so freezing cold that I was stiff and trembled. It was really irritating, so I once hit the ground with my fist.
It is your first lead role in a movie after the small role in the film “The Thieves” last year.
When I played the youngest thief, Champano, I felt like I was building a small belfry just belonging to a sand castle. This time, I feel like my co-stars built each of their towers and I played the role of bridging them.
It’s completely the opposite to play an idiot and elite spy. How was it?
Rather than an excellent performance, I thought what mattered was what kind of idiot I could show. I tried to portray a natural idiot so people can just sit back and enjoy.
How do you evaluate your performance in a lead role?
I spoke with Choi Dong-hoon, director of the film “Thieves.” He told me my performance kept him sufficiently riveted throughout, even though I appeared the whole time. It was the best compliment I ever heard from him. But actually, I was fed up by my voice halfway through. I wanted to play it as naturally as if I became a sponge that gradually soaked up water.
What would you choose between a role that you can show your prowess or one that challenges you?
I would choose the latter. It is also good to have compliments, but I think I’m now at a stage where I should keep challenging myself.
Is there any particular role you want to try to play?
I want to act an unlikable character just like a ruthless murderer in the 2010 movie, “I Saw the Devil” that Choi Min-sik played. I mean a character nobody would ever like. I just want to embody and exude such an ambience.
World-renowned director Kim Ki-duk has asked Korea’s movie rating’s agency to reconsider its decision to give a highly restricted rating to his latest film.
Kim’s new film “Moebius” got a “restricted screening” rating from the Korea Media Rating Board on June 1. Given that Korea does not have a single theater dedicated to screening films with a restricted rating, the agency’s decision means audiences cannot watch Kim’s new film in his home country.
The board’s decision was prompted by the film’s controversial scene that portrays incest between mother and son. Other scenes portray adolescent characters committing copycat crimes.
But Kim said on Tuesday in a letter sent to the chief of the KMRB that “the scene in question is not focusing on incest itself but on the relationship between mother and father who took the appearance of his son. It was inevitable to emphasize the motif of the film.
“I think Korean movie fans should have a chance to make their own judgment of my film and I am sure they would be able to get what ‘Moebius’ really wanted to say,” Kim said.
The director said he will give up on screening his films in domestic theaters unless the board changes its decision.
A growing number of South Korean celebrities have been meeting their soul mates within the entertainment industry, heralding a boom of star couples. Against this backdrop, The Korea Herald has summed up the top 10 celebrity couples that draw keen attention from fans in Korea and elsewhere.
1. Lee Byung-hun & Lee Min-jung
Actors Lee Byung-hun and Lee Min-jung are tying the knot in August. Breaking up after a brief relationship in 2006, they reunited and have been together since last year.
Lee Byung-hun is best known for movies such as “Joint Security Area,” “A Bittersweet Life” and “Gwanghae.” He recently starred in “Red 2” and “G.I. Joe: Retaliation” alongside Hollywood actors. Lee is also the first Asian to place his hand and footprint in the forecourt of Grauman’s Chinese Theater in Hollywood, Los Angeles, along with actor Ahn Sung-gi.
Actress Lee Min-jung gained popularity from the drama “Boys Over Flowers” and the film “Wonderful Radio.” She recently acted as a politician in the drama “All About My Romance.”
2. Han Hye-jin & Ki Sung-yueng
Actress Han Hye-jin and Swansea City football player Ki Sung-yueng are engaged, becoming newlyweds in July. The couple has been dating since earlier this year when they met on TV show SBS “Healing Camp” as host and guest. Ki is eight years younger than Han.
Han Hye-jin, who starred in several dramas and movies, has long hosted “Healing Camp” with comedian Lee Kyung-kyu and Kim Jae-dong. She will move to the U.K. after marriage while continuing her acting career.
Ki Sung-yueng currently plays as a central midfielder for Premier League club Swansea City and for the South Korean national team. Ki transferred to Swansea City last year after playing for FC Seoul and Celtic.
3. Seo Tai-ji & Lee Eun-sung
The legendary musician Seo Tai-ji is marrying actress Lee Eun-sung soon. They met each other first in 2008 when Lee appeared in a music video for Seo’s eighth album, “Bermuda Triangle.” After remaining as friends for a year, the couple began dating in 2009, overcoming the 16-year age difference. They are already living together with Seo’s parents. This is Seo’s second marriage after a divorce with actress Lee Ji-ah in 2006. No concrete plans for the wedding ceremony have yet been announced.
Seo Tai-ji was the leader of Seo Tai-ji and Boys, the first modern band that sparked a new music trend in the early 1990s. After the team broke up in 1996, Seo flew to the U.S. and released his own albums from time to time. He is now living in Korea.
Lee Eun-sung appeared in several dramas and movies such as “Sharp” and the film “Take Off.” Lee’s acting career has been inactive since 2009.
4. Baek Ji-young & Jang Suk-won
Singer Baek Ji-young recently married actor Jang Suk-won on June 2 after dating for more than three years. Jang is nine years younger than Baek. The couple is expecting their first child this coming fall.
Baek Ji-young, who debuted in 1999, explored a broad range of music from ballad to Latin-style dance music. Baek is considered one of the most popular female dance artists. She has been featured as a music coach on cable channel Mnet’s “Voice Korea,” a singing talent competition show.
Jung Suk-won has appeared in several television series including “Rooftop Prince” and “Haeundae Lovers.” He is currently in the midst of filming “N.L.L -- Battle of Yeonpyeong,” a movie based on the true story of the battle of Yeonpyeongdo Island.
5. Shin Hyun-joon
Actor Shin Hyun-joon just tied the knot with a Korean-American woman 12 years his junior last month. His wife is currently studying for a Ph.D. in music in the U.S. According to Shin, he ran into her on the street and fell in love at first sight.
Shin, who debuted in the film “General’s Son” in 1990, has broadened his acting career through diverse roles in films such as “The Ginko Bed,” “Barefoot Ki-bong” and “Marrying the Mafia.” Shin also hosts KBS2’s entertainment news show “Entertainment Relay.”
6. Sun-ye
Wonder Girls leader Sun-ye married Korean-Canadian missionary James Park in January this year. It marked the first case in which a South Korean idol got married while maintaining an active career.
The couple met during a missionary trip to Haiti in 2011. After the wedding, Sun-ye moved to Canada where her husband’s family lives. She is expecting her first child soon. The couple is briefly visiting Korea now.
Sun-ye was originally scouted by JYP Entertainment through the TV show “Park Jin-young’s 99% Challenge” in 2001. After several years of training, she debuted as a member of Wonder Girls, a five-girl pop group.
Having many hit songs including “Tell Me” and “Nobody,” the group released a single album in the U.S. and made the Billboard Hot 100. Sun-ye has not officially left Wonder Girls but it is unclear whether the idol group will be back.
7. Haha & Byul
Entertainer Haha and singer Byul joined hands in matrimony last year after an eight-month relationship. Originally friends, they gradually became closer through Haha’s consistent efforts. The couple is expecting a child due this summer.
Haha, who originally debuted in a hip-hop group, challenged other fields such as entertainment shows and sitcoms. He is currently one of the main characters of “Infinite Challenge,” a popular entertainment show.
Byul is a ballad singer who debuted in 2002. She had several music collaborations with other singers including Rain and Na Yoon-kwon.
8. Jun Ji-hyun
Actress Jun Ji-hyun married an old friend in 2012. The couple were neighbors before officially dating. Her husband, Choi Jun-hyuk, is a banker whose grandmother is renowned hanbok designer Lee Young-hee.
Jun gained popularity throughout Korea and Asia with megahit rom-com flick “My Sassy Girl.” After several movies, she jumped to Hollywood and took the lead role in “Blood: The Last Vampire.” Her most recent film was “The Berlin File,” a spy thriller directed by Ryu Seung-wan.
9. Jung Jun-ho & Lee Ha-jung
Actor Jung Jun-ho married anchorwoman Lee Ha-jung in 2011. They met in 2010 when Lee interviewed Jung on the set of his drama, “Queen of Reversals.”
Jung has been active in dramas such as “Iris” and “The Last Scandal of My Life.” He also appeared in many movies like “My Boss, My Father” and “The Siren.” He also organized “Love Food Car,” a volunteer organization which prepares free meals for the unprivileged.
Lee Ha-jung is currently an anchorwoman for a cable TV channel, hosting a current news program.
10. Jang Dong-gun & Ko So-young
Top star couple Jang Dong-gun and Ko So-young tied the knot in 2010 after a two-year relationship. They have been friends since they met on the set of “Love Wind Love Song” in 1999. The couple has a 4-year-old son.
Actor Jang Dong-gun has been a major star since the late 1990s. Starring in movies such as “Friend” and “Taegukgi: The Brotherhood of War,” Jang also appeared in foreign films including “Dangerous Liaisons” and “The Warrior’s Way.” His most recent appearance was in “A Gentleman’s Dignity,” a romantic comedy drama about 40-year-old men finding their true loves.
Actress Ko So-young had her big break with “Beat,” starring with actor Jung Woo-sung in 1997. Ko has been inactive since the movie “Project Makeover” in 2007. She has been keeping up public appearances through commercials and the fashion business.
Child star Yun Hu of “Dad, Where Are You Going?” remains in the spotlight after the launch of a web site dedicated to hating the 8-year-old.
Yun was among the most-searched terms on local portal sites from both supporters and detractors.
He is the son of singer Yun Min-su from male duo Vibe and has garnered widespread popularity after appearing on the reality television program with his father. Some fans credit the show with breaking Yun out of his previously close groups of fans.
The Yun Hu “anti-cafe” describes itself as a “gathering of [anyone] who hates Yun Hu and also a cafe where [anyone can] just talk and hang.”
Netizens began expressing their disapproval of the group on Monday when it was among the most-searched terms in the country. They argued it is inappropriate to express such hatred of a child in a public forum though they also voiced their support for individual freedom of speech.
To support the child star and his parents, netizens began searching the phrase, “I love you, Yun Hu,” pushing it to the top of rankings.
Many celebrities joined the movement to support Yun, including Kangin of boy band Super Junior, Lizzy of girl group After School and singer Baek Ah-yeon, a former contestant from the singing-survival program “K-Pop Star” on SBS.
“We can’t let Yun Hu feel hurt,” Kangin said on Twitter.
Some stars even posted screenshots of portal sites as they searched the phrase “I love you, Yun Hu” to encourage others to follow suit.
Production staff from “Dad, Where Are You Going?” also posted an encouraging note on the show’s official Facebook page. They said they hope Yun and his family are not upset over the ordeal.
The operator of the controversial web site said it will operate until June 17.
Sorting out a list of top celebrities is relatively easy for ardent Korean Wave fans who keep tabs on their favorite stars. For non-experts, not many lists offer a guide into who is winning the most hearts in South Korea. Here is The Korea Herald’s list of the hottest celebrities out there.
Female
1. Bae Suzy
Bae Suzy, better known by her stage name Suzy, debuted as a member of JYP Entertainment’s girl group Miss A in the summer of 2010. The 20-year-old singer-actress is one of the most talked-about celebrities in South Korea, charming fans with her glamorous image that has won her roles in many TV commercials.
Although she debuted as a main vocal of a girl group, she nailed the country’s “first love” image with her role in the movie “Architecture 101” in which she co-starred with Lee Jae-hoon.
Other drama series such as KBS2 TV’s “Dream High” and “Big” also helped her rise to stardom.
2. Kang Min-kyung
The 23-year-old singer is a member of a K-pop girl duo Davichi, which debuted in 2008.
Even before her official debut, Kang was already going viral among Internet users with her pretty face and unique fashion sense. After extensive vocal training, she successfully made her way to professional singing. Fans say her mature and deep voice in contrast with her feminine look is one of her prominent charming points.
Aside from her vocal career, the singer also made her first small-screen appearance in 2011, playing a role on SBS’ TV series “Smile Mom.”
Davichi released a digital single “Melting” in April, an R&B-based hip-hop track featuring Verbal Jint.
3. Go Jun-hee
The career of Go Jun-hee, 28, has reached a new high this year.
After debuting in 2011 as a model for a school uniform brand, she has recently taken over the screen, doing more than 10 commercials in 2013 alone.
Go has recently taken the honor of being a poster girl for Korea’s biggest-selling liquor, “Cheoumcheorum” soju. The brand is known for recruiting the nation‘s hottest actresses.
After appearing as a supporting role in several mainstream movies such as “Architecture 101” and “Girls Scout” in 2011, she made her way to TV dramas. She performed in “Can You Hear My Heart?” in 2011 and “King of Ambition” in 2013.
Go joined the fourth season of dating reality show “We Got Married” with Jung Jin-woon, a member of the hallyu boy band 2AM.
4. Son Yeon-jae
Youngest among the enlisted celebrities, Son is a rhythmic gymnast not only winning the hearts of Korean fans, but also those around the world.
The 20-year-old gymnast is the 2010 Asian Games bronze medalist and three-time gold medalist at the Asian Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
Son’s slender figure and lovely face enchanted the country’s TV commercial industry and she has made appearances in ads for various products ranging from air conditioners to sportswear brands.
Son is often compared to Kim Yu-na as she is another sports beauty who performs strongly in international competitions.
5. Park Shin-hye
Model-actress Park Shin-hye’s first appearance on TV involved Korea’s famous rocker Lee Seung-hwan’s music video “Flower.”
She debuted in the TV drama genre with the child role of Choi Ji-woo on “Stairway to Heaven” in 2003.
Park gained fame through TV drama series, notably with “Tree of Heaven” in 2005 and “You’re Beautiful” in 2009.
Park starred in the cable drama “Flower Boys Next Door” with Yoo Si-yoon and the box-office hit “Miracle in Cell No. 7” which helped her rise to stardom.
Sorting out a list of top celebrities is relatively easy for ardent Korean Wave fans who keep tabs on their favorite stars. For non-experts, not many lists offer a guide into who is winning the most hearts in South Korea. Here is The Korea Herald’s list of the hottest celebrities out there.
Female
1. Bae Suzy
Bae Suzy, better known by her stage name Suzy, debuted as a member of JYP Entertainment’s girl group Miss A in the summer of 2010. The 20-year-old singer-actress is one of the most talked-about celebrities in South Korea, charming fans with her glamorous image that has won her roles in many TV commercials.
Although she debuted as a main vocal of a girl group, she nailed the country’s “first love” image with her role in the movie “Architecture 101” in which she co-starred with Lee Jae-hoon.
Other drama series such as KBS2 TV’s “Dream High” and “Big” also helped her rise to stardom.
2. Kang Min-kyung
The 23-year-old singer is a member of a K-pop girl duo Davichi, which debuted in 2008.
Even before her official debut, Kang was already going viral among Internet users with her pretty face and unique fashion sense. After extensive vocal training, she successfully made her way to professional singing. Fans say her mature and deep voice in contrast with her feminine look is one of her prominent charming points.
Aside from her vocal career, the singer also made her first small-screen appearance in 2011, playing a role on SBS’ TV series “Smile Mom.”
Davichi released a digital single “Melting” in April, an R&B-based hip-hop track featuring Verbal Jint.
3. Go Jun-hee
The career of Go Jun-hee, 28, has reached a new high this year.
After debuting in 2011 as a model for a school uniform brand, she has recently taken over the screen, doing more than 10 commercials in 2013 alone.
Go has recently taken the honor of being a poster girl for Korea’s biggest-selling liquor, “Cheoumcheorum” soju. The brand is known for recruiting the nation‘s hottest actresses.
After appearing as a supporting role in several mainstream movies such as “Architecture 101” and “Girls Scout” in 2011, she made her way to TV dramas. She performed in “Can You Hear My Heart?” in 2011 and “King of Ambition” in 2013.
Go joined the fourth season of dating reality show “We Got Married” with Jung Jin-woon, a member of the hallyu boy band 2AM.
4. Son Yeon-jae
Youngest among the enlisted celebrities, Son is a rhythmic gymnast not only winning the hearts of Korean fans, but also those around the world.
The 20-year-old gymnast is the 2010 Asian Games bronze medalist and three-time gold medalist at the Asian Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
Son’s slender figure and lovely face enchanted the country’s TV commercial industry and she has made appearances in ads for various products ranging from air conditioners to sportswear brands.
Son is often compared to Kim Yu-na as she is another sports beauty who performs strongly in international competitions.
5. Park Shin-hye
Model-actress Park Shin-hye’s first appearance on TV involved Korea’s famous rocker Lee Seung-hwan’s music video “Flower.”
She debuted in the TV drama genre with the child role of Choi Ji-woo on “Stairway to Heaven” in 2003.
Park gained fame through TV drama series, notably with “Tree of Heaven” in 2005 and “You’re Beautiful” in 2009.
Park starred in the cable drama “Flower Boys Next Door” with Yoo Si-yoon and the box-office hit “Miracle in Cell No. 7” which helped her rise to stardom.
Debuting in 2007 through the MBC TV sitcom “Kimchi Cheese Smile,” the 26-year-old actor had not gotten much spotlight after that although he has appeared in more than five movies and TV series as supporting roles since then.
In 2012, Kim hit the jackpot with MBC historical drama “Moon Embracing the Sun,” where he left a strong impression on many female viewers in and outside of Korea with his role as a fictional king of the Joseon Dynasty.
Recently, the heartthrob starred in “Secretly Greatly,” a movie about a North Korean spy.
2. Lee Jin-wook
Actor Lee Jin-wook made his debut in 2003 as a model for Panasonic. Since then, he has built up his acting career through TV series such as KBS2 drama “Resurrection” in 2005, and cable TV OCN’s “Someday” in 2006.
Despite his model-like figure and handsome looks, the actor did not get much attention until he revealed his relationship with hallyu star Choi Ji-woo, whom he met through the MBC TV drama “Air City” in 2007. However, the couple broke up in 2011.
He then played the role of on-and-off boyfriend in tvN series “I Need Romance 2012,” one of the most successful cable dramas that year. Lee continued on to his latest role in fantasy melodrama “Nine,” on the same station. “Nine” was considered a turning point in his acting career since the drama has become a hit.
3. Lee Soo-hyuk
Lee Soo-hyuk, whose birth name is Lee Hyuk-soo, is a model-actor who debuted as a professional model in 2006 for designer Jung Wook-jun’s fashion show.
The 26-year-old model walked down the runway of the nation’s famous fashion brands including General Idea and Song Zio, and managed to do cover shoots with several renowned fashion magazines such as GQ, Bazaar and Elle.
Lee expanded his career into acting, doing several TV series and movies including “Deep Rooted Tree” in 2011 and “The Boy from Ipanema” in 2010. Lee is certainly not the type that falls into the category of “handsome guy.”
However, his skinny figure and white skin have charmed the public.
His recent drama “Shark” is shedding light on his future career as a promising actor.
4. Lee Je-hoon
The actor started his career in 2007 at a relatively late age of 23 through a short film “They Live By Night.” Ever since, he has appeared in more than 18 short films including a gay romance film “Just Friends?” directed by Kim Zho, who has recently tied the knot with his boyfriend.
In 2011, he featured in an indie movie “Bleak Night” in a role that gave him the honor of sweeping the “Best New Actor” award at movie festivals including the Blue Dragon Film Awards.
Another box-office hit that cannot be left out is a 2012 movie “Architecture 101,” where he played a shy college boy pining for his first love. Gaining public fame through the film, he starred in a comedy-drama “My Paparotti” with Korea’s veteran actor Han Suk-kyu.
Lee has not appeared on-screen since October 2012, due to mandatory military service.
5. Song Joong-ki
Born in 1985, Song is known for his good educational background. He graduated from Sungkyunkwan University, majoring in business administration.
Song debuted as a supporting role in 2008 through “A Frozen Flower,” a movie starring Zo In-sung.
He appealed to his fans through SBS variety show “Running Man” and KBS2 TV drama series “Sungkyunkwan Scandal.”
Aside from his proven popularity, his acting skills began to shine through a fantasy romance thriller “A Werewolf Boy,” which premiered in 2012. The film sold more than 7 million tickets and is ranked as one of the most successful melodrama films in South Korea.
Song took on the leading role in a TV series “The Innocent Guy,” which was as successful as “A Werewolf Boy,” once again cementing his position among the fans favoring the melodrama genre.
South Korean actor Song Seung-heon said he couldn’t have achieved dramatic transformation on his latest television series if he hadn’t changed. “I had to put myself down for that.”
The 36-year-old actor received favorable reviews for his performance on the television drama “When a Man Loves” -- which went off the air on June 6 -- playing a cold-hearted loan shark who morphs into a successful businessman for his love.
Making a debut in 1995 as a fashion model, Song gained fame with his handsome face coupled with a muscular body. He worked out hard and quit smoking to stay fit and healthy.
Song realized that the public focus on his looks became an obstacle to his acting career at some point as it stopped viewers from immersing in the story and character.
“I wanted to break away from the controversy over my acting skills. Some said they see Song Seung-heon before the character I played. I dropped the styles and tones I used to have and tried something new this time.”
The veteran actor said he wanted to play a completely different character from his previous obliging roles in melodramas to shed his “pretty boy” image.
His iconic dramas such as “Autumn in My Heart” and “Summer Scent” fell into the same genre, allowing him to perform a limited range of emotions.
After a hiatus to fulfill his military service, Song intentionally chose masculine characters to broaden his acting spectrum.
“I was drawn to roles of tough guys who have ambition and loyalty to their friends, but they all seemed to be rough externally yet soft and kind inside. I want to play a character filled with desire,” Song said.
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