Korean Entertainment News 2011

katt

July 28, 2009

Big Bang Wraps Up Promotional Activities in Japan with Live Performance



The popular band Big Bang concluded its promotional activities in Japan on July 26 by staging a live performance at a summer event that was organized by Fuji TV in Odaiba, Tokyo. Three thousand out of some 10,000 fans were picked by lottery and invited to the event.

Big Bang performed five songs, including its Japanese debut song "My Heaven" as well as the title song of its second single "Go!" and the ballad "Stay." In the encore performance of the hit song "Number 1," Big Bang appeared wearing pink T-shirts that were designed by the leader, G-Dragon, and that featured the autographs of all of the group members.

"We have appeared on many shows in Japan, but this event was the most memorable," said G-Dragon. Another member, Tae-yang, said that despite the tight schedule and the hot weather, everybody in the group had gained valuable experience.

Big Bang will visit Japan again next month in time for the concurrent release of its first studio album "Big Bang," the best songs album "Asia Beat" and the live DVD.

Source: KBS Global

katt

July 28, 2009

Film Industry to Launch Online Movie Portal

Korea's film industry is collaborating on an online movie portal that will let users choose from approximately 20,000 downloadable films. A pilot version of the project will start in late October with an official launch scheduled for the end of the year. Joining the project are the Korea Film Council and 60 production companies, movie distributors and VOD service providers.

Rather than streaming movies, the portal will allow viewers to download and store files on their computers. Service prices have not been settled yet, but will vary according to the film's date of release. The movie files will include digital rights management (DRM) software to limit either the period or number of times they can be played.

The legal home video market has shriveled in recent years, making up just 2.27 percent of the income of Korea's film industry in 2007, down from 12.35 percent in 2001. The industry estimates that illegal downloading causes some W500 billion (US$1=W1,244) of damage annually. There have been calls for a legal space for movie downloads, but until now most efforts have been poor. Paran, one of the country's leading portals, offers for-pay downloads, but its selection of only a few hundred films is not satisfying for users. P2P companies have also recently launched for-pay download services, but few people are using them and illegal file-sharing remains prevalent.

In order to encourage the participation of the film industry in the new project, the KFC will pay network and storage expenses. In return, three percent of download revenues will go to the council. P2P sites are likely to be excluded from participation. "P2P sites are not a legal space to download movies," a KFC official said Monday.

Credits: englishnews@chosun.com

katt

July 27, 2009

Jun Jin's Leaked Music Video Finally Released



Singer Jun Jin’s tentatively edited music video of “Like a Fool” had been leaked prematurely, according to his representative. This music video had not been disclosed to the public even after Jun Jin released his latest song.

The video was kept secret because Jun Jin wanted to make it a surprise present for his fans. However, an editor had mistakenly released the tentatively edited version of the music video, which spread rapidly on You Tube and other internet sites. Jun Jin’s agency had to postpone the release date of the music video and cancel all video-related events. The singer was obviously very disappointed to have his surprise for his fans spoiled like this. The newly edited video of “Like a Fool” was finally released on Monday.

Source: KBS Global

katt

July 28, 2009

Celebrities Band Against Illegal Downloading



Some 200 celebrities gathered at a conference for the promotion of cultural contents held in Yeouido, Seoul on Tuesday to voice their opposition to illegal downloading. The conference aimed to protect and nurture domestic cultural contents and discourage illegal downloading of music, TV programs, and movies rampant on the internet.

Celebrities who attended the conference included musicians Lee Seung-cheol, Ok Joo-hyun, Rain, Chae-yeon, Horan of Clazziquai, Jo Kwon of 2AM, and composer Bang Shi-hyuk and many more musicians. Lee Seung-cheol criticized today’s musical environment, where musicians’ hard work is not rewarded properly and easy downloading on the internet devalues musical creation. Singer and musical star Ok Joo-hyun said that illegal downloaders claim that today’s albums are not worth buying, so it’s up to musicians themselves to make albums that are creative and culturally meaningful enough for consumers to open their wallets.

Source: KBS Global

katt

July 29, 2009

Ivy to Make a Comeback in November



Singer Ivy is gearing up for a comeback in November. She is currently working on an album that will again put her in the upper ranks of music charts. A close associate of Ivy has told the press that the singer has left for the United States last Friday to prepare for an album. She is scheduled to visit New York and Los Angeles to see the latest trends in music and dance. Her album preparation will begin in earnest once she comes back to Korea.

Her regular album slated to be released in November will contain seven or eight songs she recorded before the troubles with her agency began. The rest will be new songs from famed composers. According to a source close to Ivy, her boyfriend, composer Kim Tae-sung, will not participate in the new album.

Ivy has been keeping out of the public eye ever since her ex-boyfriend had threatened to release sexually explicit video he took with her. After that problem was solved, she had a falling-out with her agency, which prolonged her absence. However, all that is behind her as she made up with an album producer, who has all the copyrights of her songs. Now her fans can look forward to her long overdue comeback in November.

Source: KBS Global

katt

News Index Page 30

July 27, 2009: 'G.I. Joe' premiere in Tokyo
July 28: Demilitarized Zone to Be Venue for Film Festival
July 28: Rain Dazzles Fans at Global Fan Meeting
July 28: Kwon Sang-woo May Make Hollywood Debut
July 28: Korean star is in GI Joe: The Rise Of Cobra, but ...
July 28: China welcomes 'Haeundae' wave
July 29: TV Commission Raps Weekend Shows Over Foul Language
July 29: Kim Jung-eun at Gwangju Kimchi Cultural Festival
July 29: Yoon Sang-hyun Joins Campaign to Help Hearing-impaired People
July 29: Lee Byung-hun says Koreans should be 'nonchalant' about his role in G.I. Joe film
July 29: TV Program Fuses Learning With Entertainment
July 29: Lee Byung-hun Returns With Film 'G.I. Joe'
July 30: 'G.I. Joe' stars plug new film in Korea
July 27: Japan GI Joe
July 30:  Stars from upcoming ‘G.I. Joe’ movie storm Seoul
July 30: Boy band members move from stage to the screen
July 30: Green light given to 'Project Runway'
July 30: Versatile actress aims for next big hit
July 30: Hwang Shin-hye Returns to Acting After 5 Years
July 30: Moon Jung-hee Wins Award for Commitment to Salsa
July 30: Girls’ Generation Hits Album Gold Mine
July 14: Korea 'Means Tech, Food and TV Soaps'
July 30: Top Singers of 1990s Back in K-pop Scene
July 30: G-Dragon of Big Bang to Release Solo Album

katt

July 27, 2009

'G.I. Joe' premiere in Tokyo



South Korean actor Lee Byung-hun greets fans during the Japan premiere of his latest film
"G.I. Joe:The Rise of Cobra" in Tokyo, Monday, July 27, 2009. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi)

Source: kr.news.yahoo.com



Left to right; Producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura, U.S. actors Marlon Wayans, Rachel Nichols, Channing Tatum, British actress Sienna Miller, South Korean actor Lee Byung-hun and director Stephen Sommers pose for photographers during the Japan premiere of their latest film "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra" in Tokyo Monday, July 27, 2009. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi)

Source: torontosun.com

katt

July 28, 2009

Demilitarized Zone to Be Venue for Film Festival

By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter

Poster for the 1st DMZ Korean International
Documentary Festival (DMZ Docs)

The Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) dividing the Korean Peninsula is one of the most heavily armed areas in the world. But it is also a unique hot spot for both tourism and scientific research ― a specimen of the Cold War where rare species of flora and fauna abound.

The 38th Parallel now aims to reinvent the remnants of conflict into a space for artistic communication through the DMZ Korean International Documentary Festival (DMZ Docs), which opens its inaugural event from Oct. 21 to 26 in Paju, Gyeonggi Province.

Under the theme "Peace, Communication and Life," the festival will showcase documentaries from near and far.

The opening festival will take place at Daeseong Elementary School, and festival goers can watch screenings at the Paju Unification Observatory, tour the area on bicycles and watch live performances by indie bands.

Popular actor and Gyeongi Performing and Film Council Chairman Cho Jae-hyun will lead the event as festival director. Joining him on the committee are Kim Dong-ho, festival director of the Pusan (Busan) International Film Festival (PIFF); veteran actors Ahn Sung-ki, Lee Soon-jae and Choi Bul-am; and directors Park Chan-wook and Lee Jun-ik, among others.

The first festival of its kind, DMZ Docs is hosted by Gyeonggi Province and Paju City, and organized by the Gyeongi Performing and Film Council and the Gyeonggi Digital Contents Agency.

For more information call (02) 3672-0181 or visit www.dmzdocs.co.kr (to be updated soon).

Credits: hyowlee@koreatimes.co.kr

katt

July 28, 2009

Rain Dazzles Fans at Global Fan Meeting

By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter


Rain greets fans who traveled to Seoul
from various countries including the Philippines
and Japan among others to meet him.  

Rain is back in Asia.

The 27-year-old singer and actor held a global fan meeting for the first time in a year, greeting fans from all over Asia, who returned his smiles with cheers and tears.

"Hello, everyone. It's been a while and it's great to see you all," Rain shouted at the Grand Peace Palace at Kyunghee University, Sunday. Now a designer with his own clothing line, Six to Five, the singer was dressed in a simple black suit, a white shirt and white sneakers. He opened the event by singing "Fresh Woman."

The venue was packed with some 3,000 fans from Korea, Hong Kong, the Philippines and Japan, and most looked thrilled to see their favorite singer up close.

One Japanese fan donned a pink-and-black floral kimono to show the singer the support of her home country, while a fan from Hong Kong brought an array of glow sticks and other items. "Rain's a great singer and actor. He's totally different because he is successful at almost everything. He can sing, dance and act," Ventura Crispen Jr., 30, from the Philippines, told The Korea Times.

For some fans, Rain is more than just a singer, but a way of introducing Korea to the world. "He's a Korean superstar and he's the perfect way to show some of Korea to my friends. We adore him!" said 14-year-old Samantha Skinner, from Austin, Texas.

Sunday was actually Rain's 27th birthday, and his fans had packed part of the stage with presents before his arrival, ranging from small accessories, flowers, and cakes to artworks. The meeting was hosted by television personality Kim Jae-dong, with various events prepared by Rain's fan club, Cloud.

Anticipating a large number of fans from other Asian countries, Rain's agency provided English subtitles on two big screens adjacent to the stage while he and Kim chatted. The subtitles were helpful, but following everything the star was saying was sometimes difficult.

When fans asked him to rate his own looks, Rain smiled and said that he was satisfied. "When I first went out for auditions, agencies told me to go under the knife, while others told me I was too tall to become a dance singer. When I first started out, most of the great dancers were relatively short. But now, boy, am I glad I didn't do plastic surgery," he said laughing.

The singer has spent the past seven years wisely, appearing in television dramas, filming movies that led him to the Berlin International Film Festival, appearing in the American show "The Colbert Report" and, finally, launching his own clothing line.

So why does the singer keep himself so busy?

"I strongly believe that if you are afraid of failure, you will never taste success. As much as I go through failure, I think it's just one step closer to my dream. It was like when I walked into Warner Brothers and watched the final version of Ninja Assassin for the first time. I went through hard times but I finally made it. I couldn't believe I was there with my fellow actors and the staff, watching the film," he said.

The moment of truth will be when his Hollywood debut film hits theaters in November. "To be frank, I didn't want to be modest in this film. I trained hard enough to consider entering a K-1 match. The movie is not just about fighting ― it has a story too, and that is why I enjoyed working on it. The movie will be the final test," said Rain.

Besides the movie, fans have another reason to be excited, as the singer announced plans for an Asian tour. "In the past, my concerts were strategically designed with various sets and props, but this time I wanted to communicate with my fans. The set will look like an amusement park and there will be a part of the show when everyone will have to dance like they're at a club," he said.

For celebrities who depend on their popularity among fans, negative rumors and the tabloids can be a pitfall. But for Rain, they were just a means to get better. "There are times when I really feel lonely and don't have the will to do anything. Whenever that happens, I look up negative articles about me. They give me a boost and I am up and ready for the day," Rain said.

Perhaps it was because he was with his fans, or maybe because it was his birthday, but the singer looked exceptionally confident and poised, joking and even answering some questions in English and Japanese.

"I'm Rain and you guys are my cloud. We should stick together, right?'' he said, bidding farewell to the waving crowd after singing "Rainism" and "My Girl."

Credits: sanghee@koreatimes.co.kr

katt

July 28, 2009

Kwon Sang-woo May Make Hollywood Debut

By Ines Min
Contributing Writer


Actor Kwon Sang-woo

Actor Kwon Sang-woo may soon be making his Hollywood debut with a role in the upcoming film "The Green Hornet," Nate News reported last Friday.

Kwon is said to be up for the role of Kato, the Green Hornet's sidekick ― a role which was originally meant for Chinese star Stephen Chow. Chow was also supposed to direct the film based on the 1930s radio program-turned-comic book, but stepped down in December 2008 due to creative differences and pulled out of the role last July.

Kwon reportedly passed an English audition, attended by Seth Rogen and newly attached director Michel Gondry ("Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind"). The final decision will be announced in a month.

Rogen, who co-wrote the script, will play the role of the Green Hornet. The film will be about a newspaper publisher who becomes a crime-fighting vigilante at night. The Green Hornet has already been adapted into a comic book, TV series and feature film. Kato's ethnicity changed over the years from Japanese to Filipino to Korean, depending on current political climates. Nicholas Cage has also signed on to play a villain, while Cameron Diaz will play the Green Hornet's love interest.

If Kwon claims the role of Kato, he will be the third Korean actor to co-star in a major upcoming Hollywood action film. Lee Byung-hun will play Storm Shadow in "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra," to be released here Aug. 6, while Rain will fulfill the role of Raizo in "Ninja Assassin," to be released Nov. 25.

The Green Hornet has scheduled a U.S. release date of July 9, 2010. The release date for Korea has not been announced.

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

katt

July 28, 2009

China welcomes 'Haeundae' wave
Korean disaster film looks for success onshore in China

By Park Soo-mee


"Haeundae"

SEOUL -- In a rare indication of endorsing non-Hollywood films, state-run China Film Group confirmed Tuesday it will import “Haeundae,” a big-budget Korean disaster movie, on a revenue-sharing basis.

The film by Yoon Je-kyoon (“Sex is Zero”) about a tsunami sweeping the local beachfront is targeted for a wide release in the country as early as late August.

CJ Entertainment, the film’s co-producer and a distributor, is currently setting out details with the Chinese entity, but if all goes as planned, “Haeundae” will be one of the few Korean films to share boxoffice revenue with the Chinese importer.

The decision is likely to have been calculated by the CFG, based on the film’s successful boxoffice take at home during its opening weekend, and an attractive celebrity cast including Sol Kyung-gu, Park Jung-hun and Ha Ji-won. The film since opening Wednesday in nationwide theaters has so far attracted over 2 million filmgoers on 893 screens.

Previously, Kwak Jae-yong’s romance “The Classic” and Shim Hyung-rae’s monster flick “D-War” were distributed as revenue-sharing releases in China.

“The release of a Korean film in China on a revenue-sharing basis in itself is very significant,” said Mike Suh, the head of international sales at CJ. “We don’t have a particular competitor at the moment, and given that August is a high season in Chinese theaters, we’re expecting a big success in the country.”

A Chinese official quoted in a press release by CJ explained that most Korean films opened in Chinese theaters about six months to year after they are first released at home, noting that it's highly unusual for a Korean film to be released only a month later. The official also added that the film's big-scale disaster theme and family drama drew the company's attention, adding that the film is expected to "set a record as the biggest boxoffice hit" among the Korean films that have been released in China.  

CJ is currently organizing a promotional tour of the film’s director and main cast members in Beijing and Shanghai prior to the film's opening in China. "Haeundae" is also waiting for theatrical release in Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam in September.

Source: hollywoodreporter.com

katt

Thanks to the highlight by willenette at EverythingLBH-soompi.com, article translated & published by The Electric New Paper from U-Weekly Magazine, Singapore

July 28, 2009

Korean star is in GI Joe: The Rise Of Cobra, but ...
You can't see his face on the posters  
KOREAN star Lee Byung Hun's upcoming movie and first Hollywood film is GI Joe: The Rise Of Cobra.

We speak to the bona fide hottie.]



Your first Hollywood movie will premiere worldwide soon. Are you nervous or ecstatic?

This film is like all the Korean movies I've done. I'm never sure what the viewers' expectations are, so this will always make me nervous.

What do you mean by 'expectations'?

First, this is a movie that is both a big production and based on a popular comic. The character I play, Storm Shadow, is a far cry from my previous roles.

Simply because it's a comic-book character, I think the audience would already have set notions of what my character should be like. This translates into certain expectations.



[sise=2]There is one scene in the movie where you take off your top and show off your beautiful, chiselled body. There is also a scar on your torso which looks extremely sexy. Can you tell us more about the scene?

I had a detailed discussion with director Stephen Sommers before we shot the scene. My idea was to increase the intensity of the battle between Storm Shadow and Snake Eyes. I suggested losing the shirt to achieve this and the director thought it was a great idea. So we ended up shooting it that way.

How did you manage to achieve such a perfect physique? Did you restrict your diet and train vigorously daily?

I actually felt more like an athlete than an actor during this period when I was perfecting my body. I had no previous sword-wielding experience, so I had intensive lessons in swordplay.

There was also a fitness coach who would make sure that I exercised and did weight training daily. I was also extremely strict with my diet.

Did you mind the fact that your face could hardly be seen on the promotional posters for this movie?

When I accepted this role, I was fully aware of the film's content and where each character in the movie stood.

Out of the eight roles, I knew which were the leads and the supporting roles - and then there was my role. I just gave it my best shot. As for the lack of visibility in the movie posters, I'm not disappointed, nor do I have any thoughts about it.

[szie=2]This article was translated from the latest issue of U-Weekly. For more news on Asian entertainment, get a copy of U-Weekly, out on news-stands today. U-Weekly now gives you double the value. For only $2, you get your regular dose of celebrity news, as well as a free special pullout focusing on real life people and their stories. Remember to ask for your special pullout when you buy the magazine.

Source: www.tnp.sg

katt

July 29, 2009

TV Commission Raps Weekend Shows Over Foul Language

Most weekend entertainment programs on the major terrestrial networks use inappropriate language, the Korea Communications Standards Commission says. In the commission's analysis of language both spoken and written on those programs in June, MBC TV's "Impossible?! Possible! The Unlimited Challenge!" violated broadcasting standards 57 times, KBS 2TV's "Happy Sunday, The Quality of a Man" 32 times, SBS TV's "I Love Sunday" 28 times, and KBS 2TV's "Two Days and One Night" 20 times.

The programs used slang or incorrect expressions or abusive nicknames, the KCSC said, sometimes emphasized in subtitles. It also spotted some slightly altered curses and vulgarisms.

The KCSC analysis also covered language that does not expressly violate broadcasting standards but had an unpleasant effect if used repeatedly. "In so many cases, entertainers spoke without any consideration and producers emphasized rude talk in the subtitles. But it's practically impossible to control all such cases," a KCSC official said. "We're going to collect uses of inappropriate language and inform viewers of them so they can send their feedback to broadcasters," he added.

Credits: englishnews@chosun.com

katt

July 29, 2009



Actress Kim Jung-eun presents a kimchi dish during a promotional event for the Gwangju Kimchi Cultural Festival 2009 in Seoul on Tuesday. The festival starts on Oct. 23. /Newsis

Credits: englishnews@chosun.com

katt

July 29, 2009

Yoon Sang-hyun Joins Campaign to Help Hearing-impaired People



Actor Yoon Sang-hyun, 36, has joined a campaign to help people with impaired hearing. The campaign was organized by the online music site Soribada to donate mothly proceeds from online album sales to help people with hearing disabilities receive artificial cochlear implants.

Cochlear implants are electronic devices that serve as hearing channels in people with severe deafness.

Yoon personally picked 40 songs about love for the campaign. The songs are downloadable on Soribada.

Yoon, who rose to stardom for his role in the MBC TV drama "Queen of Wives," will appear in a new KBS series next month.

Source: KBS Global

katt

July 29, 2009

Lee Byung-hun says Koreans should be 'nonchalant' about his role in G.I. Joe film

By Shin Hae-in



SEOUL, July 29 (Yonhap) -- While Hollywood colleagues called it an "honor" and "great opportunity" to have worked with him in Paramount Picture's upcoming "G.I. Joe," South Korean actor Lee Byung-hun fears too much attention by fans at home toward his character may take away from the film.

"This movie will bring before your eyes all actions and adventures you have ever imagined," Lee said at a Seoul press conference with cast and creators of the movie Wednesday. "I hope you will not pay too much attention to my appearance. It's a great film as it is."

   "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra" is the first episode in the live-action adaptation of the popular TV series and classic comic book from the 1980s. Lee plays Storm Shadow, a key villain in the Cobra society, a role praised by critics as his successful Hollywood debut.

   "Lee Byung-hun is the only one we went for," said director Stephen Sommers, explaining how his team decided to cast the South Korean star in the role almost immediately. "I watched some of his movies and fell in love with them. It was his eyes. They showed he's a fantastic actor." "The energy here is amazing," Sommers added. "With this guy (Lee) here, it's like traveling with Elvis."

   Actress Sienna Miller, who plays the villainous Baroness, thanked Korea for "lending Lee" to Hollywood. "I saw him in 'Bittersweet Life' and thought he was incredibly talented and handsome," she said. "What you might not know is that he is also incredibly funny, silly and kind. It must have been intimidating for him to work in a different environment, but he didn't let it show. It was a huge opportunity to work with someone like him."

   Lee is considered a leading actor in the South Korean film industry, the winner of dozens of local awards for his roles in "Joint Security Area (2000)," "Bittersweet Life (2005)," "The Good, the Bad and the Weird (2008)" and more.



   Although he is not the first local actor to break into Hollywood -- coming after Jeon Ji-hyun in "Blood: The Last Vampire" and Daniel Henney in "X-men Origins: Wolverine" -- Lee is considered to be the most successful so far, starring in a leading role and one of the most eye-catching characters in the film. Lee has already signed with Paramount to appear in the two sequels for the "G.I. Joe" series.

   "I have to admit I had a difficult time at first trying to adapt to a different language, culture and environment," the South Korean actor said. "But with these guys being so down-to-earth and kind, I could make myself at home, enjoy myself and learn something all the while."

   Lorenzo di Bonaventura, producer of the movie, said it was "interesting to watch Lee getting used to" the U.S.-style shooting. "Storm Shadow is an iconic character. We needed someone with grace and style and the sureness to make the character striking," he said. "We're lucky Lee joined us. We learned something from him and I hope he was able to learn something from us."

   Bonaventura picked the showdown between Storm Shadow and Snake Eyes, his main rival, as one of the most compelling scenes in the movie.

   Set in the fictional Brussels-based G.I. Joe, an acronym for the Global Integrated Joint Operating Entity, the movie revolves around an international co-ed force of operatives who use high-tech equipment to battle Cobra, an criminal organization headed by a notorious Scottish arms dealer.

   G.I. Joe is originally a line of military-themed articulated "action figures" produced by the toy company Hasbro in 1964. "I thought the story was about an incredible visual world, where I could have a huge cast from a lot of different countries," said director Sommers. "It's okay if you know nothing about G.I. Joe. You are still guaranteed a great time."

   "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra" will open simultaneously in South Korea, Germany, Hong Kong, Australia and Russia on Aug. 6.

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

katt

July 29, 2009

TV Program Fuses Learning With Entertainment

By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter


Han Yong-kee, senior producer
of "Let's Speak Korean," smiles
for the camera as he talks about
the importance of bringing fun
into educational TV programs.

Learning Korean is not an easy task. It's complicating, hard to pronounce and even has a different way of speaking to the elder. Korea's English broadcaster Arirang TV's hit show "Let's Speak Korean" has been a big help, and this year marks its fifth season.

"It's important to have a program like ours because it's important to not only introduce Korean culture, but also the language,'' Han Yong-kee, the senior producer of the show told The Korea Times during an interview at Arirang TV last week.

It was in the late 1990s when the broadcaster started airing the first version of the show, where Han was working as an assistant producer. It was revamped after viewers started to lose interest in the cookie cutter lessons. "Even I thought it wasn't fun. Educational it may have been, but it was not entertaining," he said.

The crew realized that it would help to have a foreigner with mastery of Korean, as he or she would know the difficulties in learning the language. Having a Korean-speaking foreigner proved to be a big hit, and although it meant longer hours of planning and research, it was worth it.

"It takes time to plan an education program. In our case, we had to discuss with Korean language professors just to make sure we were on the right track, and that took about a year,'' he said.



The following seasons were a success, but Han and his staff felt they needed more. In season four, they brought comedian Kim Young-chul as co-host and even made a mini sitcom to explain conversations. "We wanted to translate the hit drama 'Jewel in the Palace,' but it was too difficult because it's a historical drama. So we brought some actors who appeared in the drama as supporting roles and made our own," Han explained.

The fifth season is completely different from the previous teach-and-learn methods. Four participants compete as two teams and they are given questions regarding Korean words and sentences. The winning team them must compete individually to become the winner. Every now and then, the two hosts Lisa Kelley and Kim Young will step in and explain the words and phrases in English.

After three rounds deciding three winners, the show will host the final competition to choose a winner. The winner will get to travel abroad to promote the Korean language. "Because it's a competition, the contestants tend to get very competitive. We have so many people who want to try out, so we are holding auditions every weekend,'' Han said.

Despite the success, the producer pointed out the difficulty in trying to bring both educational elements and entertainment. While professors wanted to stress the proper usage of the Korean language, program makers thought it was also important to teach slang and jargons as well. "Learning is important, but having fun is too. We think having fun is a great way to learn anything, especially something as complicating as a language,'' Han said, shrugging.

The program attracted not only foreigners who wanted to learn Korean, but also unexpected fans. Koreans who want to learn English tuned into the program, as the overall English content is easy and "perfect to learn English."

One of the most asked questions is about actual foreigners who appear on the show: How well do they speak Korean now?

"This is something we are very proud of, for the program actually helped a lot of people, some becoming university professors and others running successful restaurants. They have basically become Korea. Sometimes we wonder if we should change the name of the program to 'How to Become Korean,'" Han said beaming.

So what would be the final mission for the producer of the hit program?

"I want people around the world who are interested in learning Korean to study with our program. I also want to make an international version of `Let's Speak Korean. We would shoot the show in the Philippines, Vietnam and so on. It won't take long, I hope, as long as we are willing to continue," Han said.

Credits: sanghee@koreatimes.co.kr

katt

July 29, 2009

Lee Byung-hun Returns With Film 'G.I. Joe'

By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter


Lee Byung-hun, left, and Sienna Miller in a scene from "G. I. Joe:
The Rise of Cobra" / CJ Entertainment

Hollywood and hallyu star power reigned in Seoul Wednesday with the arrival of the main cast and crew of "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra."

A group of middle-aged Japanese women waited outside the hotel ballroom for the South Korean premiere of the action-packed film ― to catch a glimpse of "All In" star Lee Byung-hun, who makes his Tinsletown debut opposite Sienna Miller, Channing Tatum and Dennis Quaid.

Based on the G.I. Joe Real American Hero toy franchise, the film is about an elite American military squad that must stop the evil terrorist group Cobra from destroying the planet.

"Naneun baboda (I am dumb)," director Stephen Sommers proudly told reporters, and the venue broke into a rumble of laughter ― Lee had mischievously taught Sommers the wrong phrase to greet Koreans. Tatum, the heartthrob of "Step Up," said he "sniffed it out" and didn't fall for the trick.



"We had a fantastic reception at the airport yesterday… It's like traveling with Elvis," said Sommers, referring to Lee and the huge crowd of fans that welcomed the stars at Gimpo Airport, Tuesday. Producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura said it was "great to have such a great Korean star" accompany his fourth trip to the country.

Tatum, 29, said his manager is Korean so he had seen Lee's performance in "Bitter Sweet Life." Miller, who was seen laughing and whispering with Lee throughout the event, said she had also admired the actor in the Kim Ji-woon film. "It was one of the most astounding performances and one of the most incredible films," said the 27-year-old screen beauty, adding that her co-star is not only "incredibly talented and handsome" but also "incredibly funny, silly and kind."

Director Sommers ("The Mummy") seemed to retaliate on Lee's prank earlier. "He's a mildly attractive guy, got an OK body but his eyes, it's all in the eyes,'' he said about watching the actor in a Korean film whose title he couldn't recall. "No, just kidding. He's a really great looking guy with a great body,'' he said, saying that "his eyes are always doing something.'' He said that the makers had a very short pre-production period and met one other person for Lee's role of Storm Shadow "but we asked (Lee) right away."

"Storm Shadow is an iconic character and we needed somebody with the grace and the style and the physical prowess and the assuredness to make that character work," said di Bonaventura, the producer behind such blockbusters as "Transformers."


L-R: Producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura, Channing Tatum, Sienna Miller, Lee
Byunghun and Director Stephen Sommers

The 39-year-old returned the compliments by saying that his co-stars were "the most kind, down-to-earth people" and they became friends in no time, making his first project in the United States much easier. "He must have been intimidated but he didn't show it," said Miller.

In the film, Storm Shadow is portrayed as a Japan-trained Korean ninja who is part of terrorist group Cobra. A young Storm Shadow speaks Korean while training in Tokyo, and the director explained he meant the martial arts center to be international so Storm Shadow could well be Korean.

Miller trained six weeks for her tough evil femme fetale, the Baroness, who also happens to be an old flame of the film's hero, Duke (Tatum). Tatum, who grew up as a fan of the G.I. Joe franchise, said his "childhood didn't get let down at all, (Lee as Storm Shadow) knocked it out."

"It's a big, fun, crazy ride, gamsahapnida (thank you)," said Tatum.

In theaters Aug. 6. Distributed by CJ Entertainment.

Credits: hyowlee@koreatimes.co.kr, image from daum.net

katt

July 30, 2009

'G.I. Joe' stars plug new film in Korea  

Smoke and flames put a bit of sizzle into the "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra" press conference yesterday at the Shilla Hotel in Seoul. Background music blared. Flames shot up on screen. Clouds of smoke wafted up. "G.I. Joe" stars Lee Byung-hun, Channing Tatum and Sienna Miller - flanked by "G.I. Joe" director Stephen Sommers and producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura - emerged from the haze.

Bordering on cheesy, the theatrics and the colorful "G.I. Joe" banners draping the walls served as a flamboyant precursor to the big-budget film, which Tatum dubbed "a big, fun crazy ride." "All the action that you could possibly dream up will come to life before your eyes," Hallyu star Lee said of his Hollywood debut film.



Di Bonaventura pinpointed the fast pace of his third Hasbro-related actioner: "Just enjoy it, and hopefully you'll be able to breathe, cause Steve (Sommers) made this thing so fast."

Based on the Hasbro toy line and its comic book spin-off, the upcoming flick charts G.I. Joe's battle against the terrorist organization Cobra and the arms dealer Destro.

Rising star Tatum plays Duke - a special operation forces commander charged with the task of transporting powerful state-of-the art weapons. After losing his team members to an ambush orchestrated by Cobra, Duke and sole surviving member Ripcord join G.I. Joe in their fight against the organization.

Miller and Lee star as members of the terrorist organization Cobra; with Miller carrying out her evil plans as the leather-clad Baroness, and with Lee wielding his sword as the Korean martial arts fighter Storm Shadow.  "Storm Shadow is an iconic character and we needed to have somebody who had the grace and style and the physical prowess and the assuredness of performance," said Mr. di Bonaventura regarding the decision to cast Lee.

"The next two movies I direct he'll be in," Sommers said of Lee at a round table interview following the press conference.  "He seemed very quiet and reserved," Sommers described his initial impressions of Lee. "And then we found out he's got a great sense of humor."

"I respected him way before I met him," said co-star Tatum, who saw Lee in "A Bittersweet Life" prior to working with him.

Tatum also revealed that his interest in Korean film extended beyond Lee's work, briefly discussing a film project he is involved in that may use Korea as a backdrop. "I have a Korean manager," Tatum elaborated. "He's always trying to get me to watch movies."

"The style that Korean film is in is so much more gritty and kind of tough and slick," Tatum stated with admiration. "I was like, 'Okay, let's go and maybe try and do, you know, an American movie in Korean.'"

Still in its early stages, Tatum said that they were initially inspired by the Michael Douglas flick "Black Rain," where Douglas plays a New York police officer who gets entangled in the Japanese underworld. But now they are going to aim for a different angle. "I wanna come here on a trip by myself and really get to see Korea for myself," said Tatum. "If we're gonna do it at all, we're gonna do it right."

When asked about plans to star in a sequel to "G.I. Joe," Tatum answered: "We haven't really talked about number two. If people go see the movie and they like it, obviously we would like to."

The movie has already garnered attention from the Korean press for the reportedly substantial amount of screen time Lee receives and his relatively fluent English.

While Lee's appearance in the Hollywood flick is sure to attract domestic moviegoers, Miller also set forth a convincing summary as to why audiences should check out "G.I. Joe."

"We blew up more cars than have ever been blown up before. ... We have Byung-hun Lee without a shirt on, which will draw a crowd ... and Channing without his shirt on."

"G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra" hits theaters nationwide on Aug. 6.

By Jean Oh ([email protected]) via koreaherald.co.kr

katt

July 30, 2009



Actor Lee Byung-hun (right) whispers to actress Sienna Miller during a press conference for their latest film "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra" in Seoul on Wednesday. /Yonhap

Credits: englishnews@chosun.com