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Post Last Edit by katt at 14-8-2009 17:31
News Index Page 33
Aug 6: Take Off Takes Up Second Place at Box Office
Aug 6: Actor Lee Byung-hun’s Hollywood Flick GI Joe: Rise of Cobra Opens this Week
Aug 8: Kim Hye-soo Returns with Fashion-Themed TV Soap
Aug 9: Cult classic goes bump in the night
Aug 9: 'Haeundae' Set to Top 7 Million
Aug 9: 'Haeundae' Hits 7-Million-Viewer Mark
Aug 10: Wonder Girls Start Over in the U.S.
» Weekly Box Office 2009.08.07 ~ 2009.08.09
Aug 10: Blockbuster Movie 'Haeundae' Boosting Busan Business
Aug 10: 'Mother' to represent Korea for Oscars
Aug 11: Film Council Selects 'Mother' for Academy Award Submission
Aug 11: 'G.I.Joe: The Rise of Cobra' Tops U.S. Box Office
Aug 11: EBS Apologizes for Copying Japanese TV Program
Aug 11: Restaurants go Hallyu
Aug 11: 6th Asia Song Festival To Take Place Next Month
Aug 11: Actress Sued Over Opposition to US Beef
Aug 11: Is There a Solution for 'Slave Contracts?'
Aug 11: TVXQ to Continue Activities in Japan
Aug 12: Actress Hwang Returns to Movie
Aug 12: Dae-sung of Big Bang Sustains Injury in Car Accident
Aug 7 : Impressive opening but mediocre ending in psychological thriller 'The Pot'
Aug 12: Big Bang Member Injured in Car Accident
Aug 13: Group Calls for 'Neutral' Judges in Beef Case Against Actress |
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August 6, 2009
Take Off Takes Up Second Placeat Box Office
While Haeundae continues to storm across the country Ski Jumping epic Take Off jumps into second place. Only eclipsed by Haeundae which has already has 4.7 million viewings Take Off is nearly itself at the one million mark in less than a week. KIM Yong-hwa the director had previously hit box office gold with comedy 200 Pounds of Beauty in 2006. Take Off also has significant star pull with actor HA Jung-woo who playing the lead character. HA has been busy of late staring in Boat released this year in May and also stared in last year’s The Chaser.
HA plays an adopted Korean American who gets intertwined with Korea’s North Jeolla Province’s bid to host the 2002 Winter Olympic Games. While coming back to find his real mother he gets roped in to form Korea’s first ski jump team. Along with a motley mix of others, the team must be ready to be able to assist with the province’s campaign.
This is a busy week for Korean entertainment companies. While CJ’s is handling sales for Haeundae, Take Off is being handled by Showbox. Take Off was released in Korea July 29 and has had 953,325 viewings.
Credits: David Oxenbridg (KOFIC) |
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August 6, 2009
Actor Lee Byung-hun’s Hollywood Flick GI Joe: Rise of Cobra Opens this Week
GI Joe: Rise of the Cobra starring Korean actor LEE Byung-hun is to open this Wednesday August the 7th. This is the latest international film to star a Korean actor in an English role. Just this year alone Blood: the Last Vampire staring Korean actor Gianna JUN (My Sassy Girl 2001) was released as well as Wolverine with Daniel Henny. In addition, this is not Lee Byung-hun’s first English speaking role. He also played an English speaking Hong Kong gangster in Japanese film I Come with The Rain (2007) along side Takuya Kimura and Josh Hartnett.
LEE plays character Storm Shadow in the film directed by Stephen Sommers of The Mummy Returns (2001). The Brussels-based Global Integrated Joint Operating Entity (GI Joe) is a world-wide organization dedicated to fighting evil. The film focus on the battle between GI Joe and the rising criminal organization ‘Cobra’ run by arms dealer Destro. .
The release of the movie signals Hollywood’s growing focus on Asia. As well as recruiting Asian actors in more and more English speaking roles Hollywood is also now focusing on making films in Asia. For years many Asian Film Industries have set their sights, in one way or another on Hollywood, however, it seems now as though Hollywood is coming to Asia. Paramount Pictures and Hasbro (who collaborated on the Transformers series in which the second installment was partly filmed in Shanghai) teamed up with Spyglass Entertainment to create the film. GI Joe will be released in Korea August 6 and in the U.S. August 7.
Credits: David Oxenbridge (KOFIC) |
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August 8, 2009
Kim Hye-soo Returns with Fashion-Themed TV Soap
Kim Hye-soo has returned to TV soap after four years of absence with the SBS drama "Style." Kim plays a charismatic career woman who is impeccably beautiful and professional.
"The four main characters in 'Style' are all charming with strong personalities. Watching how these people with contrasting characters harmonize and dispute, and imagining how the built-up tensions among them resolve themselves as the story unfolds will be very interesting," Kim says.
Set in fashion industry, "Style" offers viewers lots of visual treats. It portrays the romances of a fashion magazine editor, macrobiotic chef, and photographer.
/Courtesy of Yein Culture
Credits: englishnews@chosun.com |
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August 9, 2009
Cult classic goes bump in the night
They're back. KBS' cult classic "Korean Ghost Stories" is returning to the small screen this summer. Titled "2009 Korean Ghost Stories," the series is looking to continue a tradition that was revived last year.
After a nine-year hiatus, the 2008 revival paid homage to a time-honored KBS custom that started in 1977. Double-digit viewer ratings for last year's series -- a reported average of 17.7 percent -- testified to its continuing popularity.
"Korean Ghost Stories" still had its mojo.
Now, KBS is testing the waters with yet another set of old-school ghost stories, starting tonight.
So, what can we expect from this summer's installment?
First off, two more tales were added to the mix, for a total of 10. A vampire will be kicking things off this year, proof that even KBS has not managed to escape the recent vampire craze. Also, this time around, the computer graphics give the 2009 version a bit more oomph.
A diverse line-up of vindictive ghosts will exact their revenge this summer, while inanimate objects, i.e. a wooden doll and a cursed book, will take on a life of their own.
Fans, however, can rest assured that the cheesy special effects and costuming that gave the original its cult status haven't changed much over the years. Neither has the overall content of the series, which will feature iconic figures like the nine-tailed fox.
This year, singer and actress Jeon Hye-bin will be tackling the classic role of the nine-tailed fox.
"I feel like it is a love story," said actress Jeon at a press conference held last week.
Jeon revealed the difficulties she faced with the slit-eyed lenses she wore for her role as a fox.
"The lenses kept moving," she said. "So I couldn't blink. ... We tended to film in the dark and I couldn't see well because of the lenses."
For actor Kim Ji-suk, who plays a vampire in the first episode of "2009 Korean Ghost Stories," the challenges he faced were more or less in the department of romance.
"The first kiss scene was very hard," he joked, looking at co-star Lee Young-eun. "She had her lips clamped firmly."
"There were a lot of outtakes for the kiss scenes," quipped Kim, who revealed that the characters lock lips twice in the upcoming episode.
When asked what he thinks about the recent popularity of vampires, Kim answered: "A male vampire can come across as sexy. Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise were sexy."
Will Kim make for a seductive vampire? Tune into "2009 Korean Ghost Stories" on KBS 2 TV, tonight at 9:55 p.m. to find out.
By Jean Oh ([email protected]) via koreaherald.co.kr |
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August 9, 2009
'Haeundae' Set to Top 7 Million
Ticket sales for "Haeundae," a mega-hit disaster movie, are expected to surpass 7 million Sunday.
The big-budget action, portraying a fictional tsunami that hits a famous beach in South Korea's southern port city of Busan, drew about 6.8 million viewers as of Saturday.
"About 300,000 on weekdays and 500,000 on weekends watch the blockbuster. If the current pace continues, the number of viewers is certain to top 7 million Sunday,'' an official from CJ Entertainment, the movie's distribution company, said.
It will take 19 days for "Haeundae" to break the 7 million mark.
The film community is looking forward to seeing the movie to top 10 million by the end of this month.
"Haeundae," directed by Yoon Je-kyoon, is a local take on the classic Hollywood disaster formula, starring several big names such as Seol Gyung-gu, Ha Ji-won, Park Joong-hoon and Eom Jung-wha.
South Korean films, which have been performing well this summer despite a deluge of Hollywood blockbusters, saw their worst sales figures in eight years last year, falling by more than 20 percent from the previous year.
Source: koreatimes.co.kr |
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August 9, 2009
'Haeundae' Hits 7-Million-Viewer Mark
By Chung Ah-young
Staff Reporter
A scene from the local blockbuster film "Haeundae" / Korea Times File
Local summer blockbuster "Haeundae," directed by Yoon Je-kyoon, has been seen by 7 million viewers in 18 days since its premiere July 22.
The film is expected to break the 10-million-viewer mark soon with its present pace. Currently, only four domestic movies ― "Silmido" (2003), "Tae Guk Gi: The Brotherhood of War" (2004), "King and the Clown" (2005) and "The Host" (2006) ― have drawn more than 10 million viewers.
"Haeundae" attracted 180,000 viewers on opening day and reached 1 million viewers July 25, four days after its release.
The film has continued to draw an average 300,000 viewers a day during the weekdays and 500,000 viewers a day on the weekends. If the film reaches the 10-million-viewer mark, it will be the fifth film to do so, three years after "The Host," the last film to do so.
The movie's popularity is attributed to the wide range of audience members it appeals to, from teens to the middle-aged, due to its comical and emotional scenes.
The movie, billed as the nation's first disaster film, was directed by Yoon Je-kyoon who is known for his sex comedy "Sex Is Zero" and the feel-good romantic comedy, "Miracle on 1st Street."
The film is set in Busan, the nation's second-largest city, which is about to be hit by a tsunami and focuses on the story of a group of protagonists ― seaside-eatery proprietor Man-sik (Sul Kyoung-gu) and girlfriend Yeon-heui (Ha Ji-won); his coast-guard brother and his sultry counterpart; and a divorced couple, one of whom is a workaholic ocean geologist (Park Joong-hoon) and the other a political adviser (Uhm Jung-hwa).
Although the drama deals with a natural disaster, the story touches on complications in love caused by relatives, class differences and human relations.
The $13 million production by CJ Entertainment, one of the most expensive in Korea, is now showing on 869 screens nationwide.
"Haeundae" shows Hollywood-caliber visual effects placed in a richly localized setting for the Korean audience by Hans Uhlig, the computer graphics expert for the film, also known for his work in "The Perfect Storm" and "The Day After Tomorrow."
Credits: chungay@koreatimes.co.kr |
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August 10, 2009
Wonder Girls Start Over in the U.S.
The Wonder Girls, one of the most popular girl bands in Korea, were totally obscure rookies in the United States, but that did not discourage them. On Saturday at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, they sang their signature song "Nobody" at the ever popular Jonas Brothers' concert. Since the end of June, they have been opening shows for the Jonas Brothers' nationwide 45-city tour.
Most of the audience, of course, come to watch Jonas Brothers, but they find themselves cheering for the girl band, giving the Wonder Girls a reception unusual for unknowns from Korea.
Sun-ye of the Wonder Girls says, "We expected to start from scratch when we came to the United States, and after each concert, we get to take a fresh look at ourselves. Now we're happy that more and more Americans are recognizing us." So-hee says at first during meetings with audiences, "we had to ask people who were not interested in us to take pictures with us. But now we don't need to ask, since unbelievably, 300 to 400 people are coming to take pictures with us."
/Courtesy of JYP Entertainment
The girls think their future is bright. "I think the fact that there is no girl band of our age in the U.S., the fact that we five girls show perfectly choreographed moves in perfect order, and that we feature retro style from the 60s and the 70s is attracting attention," says Yu-bin.
But staying abroad without knowing when it will end has been a difficult experience for the young girls. "I cry often because life here is so different from Korea, where we get treated as top stars," Ye-eun admits. And So-hee says, "I miss Korea every time I have a meal."
To compensate, the Wonder Girls sang "Nobody" in front of over 100,000 spectators from Friday to Sunday alone in LA. Once the tour is over, they will have played in front of over 1.5 million spectators. The girls are now looking forward to the release of their first U.S. album in October. The challenge has just begun.
Credits: englishnews@chosun.com |
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August 10, 2009
 Weekly Box Office 2009.08.07 ~ 2009.08.09 3-day Gross/Total Gross (won)
1 Haeundae (South Korea) 8,284,380,500 / 52,063,960,000 2009/07/23 700
2 Take Off (South Korea) 4,982,916,500 / 16,653,024,500 2009/07/29 634
3 G.I. Joe: The Rise Of Cobra (U.S.) 4,947,957,500 / 6,621,796,500 2009/08/06 514
4 A Million (South Korea) 1,316,796,500 / 1,821,743,500 2009/08/06 292
5 Up (U.S.) 1,301,774,500 / 6,024,387,500 2009/07/29 387
6 Detective Conan: The Raven Chaser (Japan) 695,534,500 / 3,193,903,000 2009/07/30 173
7 Chaw (South Korea) 358,075,000 / 12,201,004,000 2009/07/15 225
8 Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince (U.S.) 209,693,500 / 20,138,563,000 2009/07/15 203
9 The Meerkats (U.K.) 68,632,500 / 80,208,000 2009/08/06 72
10 Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen (U.S.) 41,157,500 / 50,641,362,500 2009/06/24 33
Source: KOFIC |
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August 10, 2009
Blockbuster Movie 'Haeundae' Boosting Busan Business
By Kim Hyun-cheol
Staff Reporter
The port city of Busan has received an unexpected and lucrative boost to its business this year: a mega-hit blockbuster movie featuring the city and named after its famous Haeundae beach.
With "Haeundae" taking the box office by surprise, the number of visitors to Korea's second-largest city has steeply risen, helping local businesses, especially retailers.
The disaster movie, which was filmed entirely in the city by Busan-born director Yoon Je-kyoon, has attracted more than 7 million viewers since its release on July 23. It portrays a fictional tsunami that hits the beach.
Located near Haeundae beach, Shinsegae Centum City, the world's largest department store, said Monday its sales amounted to 16 billion won ($13.1 million) for the last 10 days starting July 27, with visitors tallied at 760,000.
This is a 1.7-fold jump in the number of customers. It's an exceptional success, according to Shinsegae, because July is traditionally a slow season for department stores.
In a notable sign highlighting the movie's success, shoppers from outside Busan accounted for 45 percent of its overall customers, up 15 percentage points.
A growing number of foreign shoppers are visiting thanks to the aggressive marketing targeting Asian countries, a spokesman of the store said. In the 10-day period, the ratio of customers from overseas increased from 10 percent to 13 percent.
In addition, unusually chilly weather is helping Busan.
Other major retailers in the city are enjoying booming sales as well.
Lotte Department Store's Haeundae branch, standing next to its archrival Centum City, also posted a 12-precent rise from July 27 to Aug. 6. Sales of Homeplus' Haeundae outlet this month were up from last month by 11.3 percent.
Busan stores are well ahead of the franchises' other provincial operations in sales. The 11 branches of Lotte Department Store outside Seoul posted an 8-percent growth in the same period, while other provincial Homeplus discount stores rose 0.7 percent in sales.
"Sales this summer well outshine the traditional tendency as a slack season," said Park Gun-hyun, director of Shinsegae Centum City store. "If this continues, sales are expected to hit an August record in department stores in Busan."
Credits: hckim@koreatimes.co.kr |
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August 10, 2009
'Mother' to represent Korea for Oscars
Maternal thriller beats out vampire flick and farmer documentary
By Park Soo-mee
"Mother."
SEOUL -- “Mother,” the latest feature film by the helmer Bong Joon-ho (“Memories of Murder”) has been selected to represent Korea for the best foreign-language film in the next year’s Oscar on March 7, 2010.
The strength of the story's narrative, its potential for the film's wide release in the United States and the director’s reputation were considered as priorities for the final contender, Korean Film Council said.
A total of six films were submitted to compete for the Korean finalist including Yu Ha’s “Frozen Flower,” Park Chan-wook’s “Thirst” and Lee Chung-ryul’s “Old Partner,” and were reviewed by a special team of jury including director Lee Myung-se (“No Where to Hide”).
“Mother” was domestically released in May, and garnered over 3 million admissions, falling below the score of the director’s previous films like “The Host,” which set the record as the biggest boxoffice hit in Korean film history, with 13 million filmgoers.
The story, set in a rural village, traces the battle of an anxious mother (played by Kim Hye-ja) out to prove the innocence of her mentally-challenged son (Won Bin) who is accused of murdering a high school girl. The film premiered at Cannes earlier this year.
“One of the most critical considerations [for the selection] was to see whether the film had reflected on sentiment particular in Korea,” said in a jury statement. “We also had to consider if the film was compelling enough to appeal to juries who didn’t know anything about the country or whether the film’s distribution had the ability to be marketed abroad.”
In the statement, the juries also added that “Thirst,” despite the film’s strong plot and solid distribution network, was unfit for Oscar’s popular tastes. “Old Partner,” a documentary about an old farmer and his cow, was considered “too local” in its appeal.
“While ‘Mother’ had a flaw in its ambiguous construction packaged as a mystery thriller, it was agreed that the story of a mother had a genuine appeal and that the director’s previous work “Memories of Murder” was well-regarded in the United States,” the release said.
The nominations for a foreign-language film will be announced on February 2.
Source: hollywoodreporter.com |
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August 11, 2009
Film Council Selects 'Mother' for Academy Award Submission
The film "Mother" by Bong Joon-ho will be submitted for consideration for next year's Academy Awards. The Korean Film Council on Monday announced the selection to compete for the Best Foreign Language Film in the 82nd Academy Awards in 2010.
Six films were initially chosen as candidates. The others were "A Frozen Flower" by Yoo Ha, "Thirst" by Park Chan-wook, "Breathless" by Yang Ik-june, "Old Partner" by Lee Chung-ryoul, and "Lifting King Kong" by Park Geon-yong.
The KFC said, "The final decision came down to choosing between 'Mother' and 'Breathless,' and based on the artistry of the film, the influence of the distributor, the reputation of the director and the level of recognition of the film, we chose 'Mother' in the end."
Credits: englishnews@chosun.com |
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August 11, 2009
'G.I.Joe: The Rise of Cobra' Tops U.S. Box Office
Actor Lee Byung-heon's Hollywood debut movie "G.I.Joe: The Rise of Cobra" has topped the U.S. box office. According to AFP on August 10, the movie brought in $56.2 million during the first week since its opening, surpassing "Julie & Julia," which stars Meryl Streep and which brought in slightly over $20 million.
"G.I.Joe: The Rise of Cobra" is based on a famous American cartoon. Lee Byung-heon plays the cool-headed killer "Storm Shadow," who has a painful past.
At number 3 was "G-Force," which recorded $9.8 million. It was trailed by "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" at $8.9 million.
"Funny People," which stars Adam Sandler and which topped the box office last week, has plummeted four notches to number 5 at $7.9 million.
Source: KBS Global |
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August 11, 2009
EBS Apologizes for Copying Japanese TV Program
By Kwon Mee-yoo
Staff Reporter
The Korea Education Broadcasting System (EBS) apologized Tuesday for plagiarizing a Japanese television program. It said "Sci-Fun,'' a science experiment program, outsourced to a subcontractor, was found to have copycatted a similar Japanese TV program.
The program in question was aired July 23 and carried out experiments regarding musical instruments and paper cup phones.
However, the experiments borrowed ideas from the Japanese program "Odoroki no Arashi,'' a science experiment program hosted by the popular Japanese pop group Arashi. Plagiarism was first raised as an issue by Arashi fans in Korea.
"We issued an apology to our audience and cancelled the contract with the subcontract producer,'' an EBS official said.
"We will take all steps to stem piracy in the future.''
EBS also admitted that another episode of the program, aired last week, involving grafting watermelons and other melons, is suspected of being a copy as well.
Credits: meeyoo@koreatimes.co.kr |
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August 11, 2009
Restaurants go Hallyu
The tourist boom fueled by the Korean Wave is nothing new. Nor is the impact of the hit television series "A Jewel in the Palace" on the popularity of Korean cuisine abroad.
Hallyu stars and their dramas have become an effective medium through which to attract tourists, primarily from Japan, China and Southeast Asia.
The continual influx of Hallyu fans into Korea has spurred the proliferation of Hallyu-related tourist attractions, including restaurants run by the stars and entertainment companies that stand at the epicenter of the Korean Wave.
The increase in such eateries has given Hallyu fans the opportunity to enjoy cuisine inspired by their favorite dramas or dine in restaurants run by their favorite stars during their trip here.
Here are three Hallyu-related establishments -- one a karaoke-meets-restaurant venue -- that fuse two major components of the Korean Wave: food and entertainment.
S.M. goes gastronomic
S.M. Entertainment, the entertainment and media group that spawned K-pop icons TVXQ! and Girls' Generation, opened multi-entertainment space "e" last September.
A five story -- plus a basement floor -- complex where fans of S.M. Entertainment's stars can sing, dine and splurge on idol paraphernalia, e attracts visitors from all over Asia. "20 to 30 percent of our customers are Hallyu fans," said an S.M. Entertainment representative, who said cites Taiwanese and Chinese tourists as a big part of the entertainment space's customer base.
Even though it is a weekday afternoon, quite a few Asian fans are checking out the wide range of star souvenirs on sale on the second floor. Souvenirs run the gauntlet from SuperJunior mirrors to TVXQ! blotting paper for the face. Several of the items on display already sport sold-out signs, evidence of the overwhelming popularity of the paraphernalia and the K-pop icons who grace them.
In mid July, "I STAR SHOT" -- a sticker photo booth where fans can take pictures that feature their favorite stars -- opened. Up until Aug. 9, SuperJunior star shots were available. Starting this week, visitors can get glossy snaps that feature the boy band SHINee.
The snack bar, e-block is slated to open in mid August, says an S.M. Entertainment representative. According to S.M. Entertainment Food and Beverage Team Leader Kwon Yong-ki, e-block will serve up yogurt ice cream, noodles and tteokbokki made from two different kinds of chili powder.
Customers can drop by e.table for upscale Korean cuisine. Located on the fifth floor, the cozy yet chic joint dishes out elegant fare, but not before inducting customers into the world of Korean cuisine with a complementary glass of "makgeolli" (rice wine).
"Kimchi is brought in from Jeolla Province," Kwon attests to the high quality of the ingredients used at e.table. "No MSG or artificial food additives are used."
Excellent judgment is used in both the presentation and seasoning of each dish. Yuzu marmalade and two kinds of chili powder play up the sweet flesh of the butterfish, while imbuing it with a citrusy fragrance and a bit of kick.
While e.table alone merits a visit, S.M. Entertainment's "everysing" -- their karaoke space -- lives up to its name.
Three floors worth of colorful and clean karaoke rooms offer major perks to K-pop fans and aspiring singers.
Fans can request rooms that SuperJunior, Girls' Generation, SHINee and TVXQ! have filmed in, check out making-the-video montages of their favorite stars and sing songs where the choruses feature the voices of the K-pop singers.
Aspiring singers will be pleased to know that all the songs sound like they are straight off the album, meaning that guitar chords, real voices and pianos, etc. will be playing in the background.
"Our karaoke system uses real sound, so that our trainees can practice," an S.M. representative explained. "Our artists come with their friends frequently to sing and practice."
In regards to the current legal action taken by members of TVXQ! against S.M., the representative stated that it would not affect the sales of TVXQ! paraphernalia or the use of TVXQ! songs at e.
Mr. Tears hits Myeong-dong
In mid-May, Hallyu star Kwon Sang-woo opened a coffee shop in tourist hotspot Myeong-dong.
On a weekday afternoon Kwon's TEA'US is brimming with Japanese customers. While the storefront and stairs leading up to the cafe sport life-sized pictures of the "Stairway to Heaven" star, the spacious shop itself is surprisingly devoid of Kwon paraphernalia.
Photos of him are stealthily hung here and there and a secluded area to the right showcases montages of the star on an LCD screen. Hardcore fans can still get their Kwon fix by nibbling on cookies and cupcakes that bear edible pictures of him. "Fans tend to know when Kwon Sang-woo is here," said TEA'US director Kim Yoon-kwan.
When asked how, Kim divulged the secret to catching a glimpse of the star. "Because he always comes when there are not many people," said Kim, who stated that Kwon visits his shop on a near daily basis. "When he isn't busy he visits the shop once a day and supervises the employees, checks the menu -- and also develops and tastes new items," Kim elaborated.
Kwon's involvement in the menu resulted in the creation of three special teas, each bearing a reference to the star and "Mr. Tears" -- the nickname given to him by his Asian fans, after which the shop is also named. "Kwon Sang-woo tried each tea," said Kim. "He selected three teas that truly reflected his tastes, him and that suited his image and made them into special teas."
Titled Natural Tears, Mr. Tears and August Five (in reference to the day he was born), the three blends top the menu hanging above the counter. The August Five blend incorporates the tang of yogurt into the brew, which suits the slightly bitter green tea base of the drink.
Natural Tears fuses apple, hibiscus, peach and apricot for a fruity brew, while Mr. Tears blends rooibos and orange peel. The gelato, which is made at TEA'US, is respectable. The Bon Bon, in particular -- a luscious chocolate-based Italian ice cream with a nutty flavor -- is good.
According to Kim, their gelato and waffle dessert is one of their most popular dishes. A mug bearing the slogan, "Taste coffee, tea and him," is on sale for those who want to take home a souvenir.
'Sikgaek' restaurant open
The set where scenes of the restaurant Unamjeong were filmed for the hit SBS drama, "Sikgaek," was transformed into an upscale restaurant and opened its doors on July 10.
Located in High1 Resort in Gangwon Province, the restaurant features elaborate courses that start at 35,000 won, including a multi-course meal based on dishes featured in the original comic book series that inspired the drama. "I believe the 'Gourmets Set Meal' is the most popular," said a High1 Resort representative.
According to the representative, 90 customers a day visit Unamjeong, sampling delicacies like red sulfur duck and badger. Dishes are served up on artisanal pottery, which, according to the representative, is collectively worth 370 million won ($302,50). Guests can also experience the art of ceremonial tea-making and take a stroll through the scenic grounds.
Details
Multi-entertainment space e
Opening hours for everysing are from 11 a.m. to 3 a.m. daily. Karaoke prices range from 10,000 won to 35,000 won per hour. Teens are allowed. No alcohol is available at everysing and will not be served at e-block.
Opening hours for e.table are from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.; 6:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. Reservations are required for dinner. Multi-course meals cost 15,000 won to 70,000 won per person.
To get there go to Apgujeong Subway Station Line 3, Exit 2 and walk towards Galleria Department Store. Before reaching Galleria, turn right onto Rodeo Drive. e will be on your right, before you reach Starbucks.
To make reservations at e.table call (02) 545-6676. For more information call (02) 6404-9850 or visit www.everysing.com
TEA'US
Opening hours are from 7 a.m. to midnight, daily. Drinks cost 3,300 won to 6,500 won. Food costs 1,300 won to 10,000 won, take-out gelato not included. To get there go to Myeongdong Subway Station Line 4, Exit 6. TEA'US is located across the street from Migliore. For more information call (02) 2079-0990 or visit www.tea-us.co.kr
Unamjeong
Opening hours are from noon to 3 p.m.; 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Multi-course meals start at 35,000 won and can run as high as 350,000 won. The restaurant is located at High1 Resort in Jeongseon-gun, Gangwon Province. For more information call (02) 1588-7789 or visit high1.co.kr
By Jean Oh ([email protected])
http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/NEWKHSITE/dat...00908120008.asp |
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August 11, 2009
6th Asia Song Festival To Take Place Next Month
By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter
Korea's popular idol group Big Bang and rising newcomer 2NE1 will be part of a start-studded lineup of Asian musicians performing at the 6th Asia Song Festival in Seoul.
The festival, which brings 14 teams from nine Asian countries, is slated to take place at 6 p.m. on Sept. 19 at Seoul World Cup Stadium in northern Seoul.
They were part of the second lineup announced by the festival's main organizer, the Korea Foundation for International Cultural Exchange. Also included in the second line-up as special guests are popular Japanese group V6 and Hong Kong actress/singer Ekin Cheng.
Fans of Asian pop music can expect Korean idol groups Girls Generation and Super Junior at the festival. Also participating are Gackt and the co-ed duo Mihimaru GT from Japan, Chris Lee of China, Show Luo of Taiwan, K-Otic from Thailand, Ho Ngoc Ha from Vietnam and Agnes Monica from Indonesia.
"This event will develop as a representative brand for the cooperation and cultural exchange of Asian countries, and become the stepping stone to heighten the competitiveness of Asian music in the global music market,'' said Yong-hoon David Kim, the chairman of the Korea Foundation for International Cultural Exchange.
The foundation said that the Korean 2NE1 will be receiving this year's "Asian Newcomer's Award.'' Admission to the festival is free. Those interested can log on to the festival's Web site at www.asf.or.kr starting Aug. 21 to download the free admission ticket.
Credits: sanghee@koreatimes.co.kr |
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August 11, 2009
Actress Sued Over Opposition to US Beef
By Bae Ji-sook
Staff Reporter
Actress Kim Min-sun
A U.S. beef importer filed a 300-million-won ($250,000) compensation suit with a Seoul court against actress Kim Min-sun for allegedly misleading the public into a boycott of their product and damaging sales.
According to the Seoul Southern District Court, A-Meat, which specializes in U.S. beef, filed the suit against the actress, claiming that Kim's comments, along with ``twisted reports and comments'' made on MBC's investigative program "PD Notebook" about the beef, have caused the company to shut down 47 franchise stores nationwide, inflicting more than 2 billion won in losses.
Amid fierce debates over the Lee Myung-bak government's resumption of U.S. beef imports, Kim posted an article on her Web site in May claiming that she'd "rather drink up potassium cyanide than eat U.S. beef and bones tainted with bovine spongiform encephalopathy virus." Her comment caused a stir among consumers and is said to have led many other celebrities to speak up against the imports.
"Due to Kim's ignorant comments, people refused to eat U.S. beef. She damaged our business and, furthermore, the 300 billion won domestic market," Park Chang-kyu, the head of A-Meat, reportedly said.
Kim's agent declined to comment on the issue.
Credits: bjs@koreatimes.co.kr |
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August 11, 2009
Actress Sued Over Opposition to US Beef
By Bae Ji-sook
Staff Reporter
Actress Kim Min-sun
A U.S. beef importer filed a 300-million-won ($250,000) compensation suit with a Seoul court against actress Kim Min-sun for allegedly misleading the public into a boycott of their product and damaging sales.
According to the Seoul Southern District Court, A-Meat, which specializes in U.S. beef, filed the suit against the actress, claiming that Kim's comments, along with ``twisted reports and comments'' made on MBC's investigative program "PD Notebook" about the beef, have caused the company to shut down 47 franchise stores nationwide, inflicting more than 2 billion won in losses.
Amid fierce debates over the Lee Myung-bak government's resumption of U.S. beef imports, Kim posted an article on her Web site in May claiming that she'd "rather drink up potassium cyanide than eat U.S. beef and bones tainted with bovine spongiform encephalopathy virus." Her comment caused a stir among consumers and is said to have led many other celebrities to speak up against the imports.
"Due to Kim's ignorant comments, people refused to eat U.S. beef. She damaged our business and, furthermore, the 300 billion won domestic market," Park Chang-kyu, the head of A-Meat, reportedly said.
Kim's agent declined to comment on the issue.
Credits: bjs@koreatimes.co.kr |
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August 11, 2009
Is There a Solution for 'Slave Contracts?'
By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter
Three members of TVXQ, Xiah, Micky and Hero, stirred the nation
when they decided to take legal action against their entertainment agency
SM Entertainment. From left, Xiah, Micky, Hero, Max and U-Know. / Korea Times File
With Korean pop group TVXQ embroiled in legal action against its agency, SM Entertainment, over an allegedly unfair contract, fans and agencies alike are focusing attention on the validity of so-called "slave contracts.'' Contracts are dubbed as such for reported disadvantaging the stars and would-be stars who enter into them with management agencies.
These excessively binding contracts came into focus when actress Jang Ja-yeon ended her life earlier this year amid allegations that she was threatened and forced to provide sexual favors by her former agent.
TVXQ brought yet another perspective to ongoing speculations regarding unfair practices carried out by both large- and mid-sized entertainment agencies here.
According to the legal document filed by three members of the group ? Micky, Xiah and Hero ? the agency prohibited their freedom as artists by claiming that the group's and members' activities belonged to the agency, requiring them to follow the agency's demands to appear at certain performances and broadcasts, and requiring them to stay under the agency's wing for 13 years.
Experts say that this type of contract is standard in Korea's entertainment industry. A newcomer's path to stardom depends highly on local agencies' investments, unlike in the United States, where up-and-coming artists often sign deals with agencies after proving their talents at bars and small theaters on their own.
"From top stars like the late actress Choi Jin-shil and singer Uhm Jung-hwa, celebrities were 'made' into stars by their agents and agencies. These young artists need to be `invested in' for at least 10 years,'' said Choi Jung-han, a lawyer and former head of the Korea Entertainment Law Society.
The agencies, naturally, extend contracts for more than 10 years to collect investments in the future. Of course, this only applies to successful cases.
Choi explained that although agencies spend their time and money investing in several groups and aspiring talents, only a few of those clients ever taste success. This leads to contracts that trap successful stars into what is now referred to a "slave contract."
"If the case with TVXQ and SM does not settle down in a proper way, the same incidents will continue again and again. We must revise contract terms regarding the contract periods and profit distribution,'' Kim Won-chan, chairman of the Korea Singers Association, said during a radio interview last week.
Kim pointed out that although SM Entertainment claimed that they offered 11 billion won to the members, the fairness of the payment amount should be questioned, considering the overall profit the agency has received over the past years.
"There must be separate regulations detailing the maximum and minimum amounts in profit distribution," he said.
The Fair Trade Commission posted a recommendation notice regarding the issue last month, setting forth a standard contract for artists and agencies.
"The commission did release the notice as a standard contract, but this does not have any legal effect, which is why many agencies and artists are quarreling about the actual practice of it,'' culture critic Kim Sung-soo said.
Kim added that the overall atmosphere must change to scrap such ``slave contracts'' and messy legal disputes.
"This type of discontent appears because Korea focuses on only a number of stars. Agencies have no choice but to rely on those who are popular and successful. In the case of major entertainment agencies, newcomers have no choice to follow their contracts to become famous. We have to change the overall system so that the entertainment business can focus on a larger and longer perspective and nourish various types of artists,'' he said.
Meanwhile, the group is expected to follow through with their scheduled performances in Japan. Avex, the group's agency in Japan, said last week on its official Web site, "We will support TVXQ's Japan activities to the full. We expect fans to continue to root for TVXQ,'' according to Yonhap News.
"We have received assurances that both sides don't want the group to disband. This is interpreted as meaning that SM and the three TVXQ members will go ahead with their scheduled performances in Japan,'' Avex said.
The K-pop group will sing in Tokyo on Aug. 22 and 23 and Osaka on Aug. 29 and 30.
The five-member boy band will also appear on "Music Japan," NHK's music program next month.
Credits: sanghee@koreatimes.co.kr |
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August 11, 2009
TVXQ to Continue Activities in Japan
Dong Bang Shin Gi (TVXQ)
Dong Bang Shin Gi, a South Korean pop group also known as TVXQ, is expected to continue its activities in Japan despite the recent legal dispute with its agency, SM Entertainment.
Avex, the group's agency in Japan, said last week on its official Web site, "We will support TVXQ's Japan activities to the full. We expect fans to continue to root for TVXQ,'' according to Yonhap News Agency.
"We have received assurances that both sides don't want the group to be disbanded. This is interpreted as meaning that SM and the three TVXQ members will go ahead with their scheduled performances in Japan,'' Avex said.
Earlier this month, three TVXQ members ? Micky, Xiah and Hero ? filed a petition with the Seoul Central District Court seeking a provisional disposition to terminate the validity of their contract with SM Entertainment. Max and U-Know, the two other members, did not take part in the legal action.
In a legal document released through the law firm Kim & Shin, the three stated that their 13-year exclusive contract with SM was not different from a binding lifelong deal. They also said that they were not treated fairly by the agency in terms of profit distribution.
Despite the legal action, TVXQ has been appearing at summer concerts together with singers affiliated with Avex. The K-pop group will sing in Tokyo on Aug. 22-23 and Osaka on Aug. 29-30.
The five-member boy band will also appear on "Music Japan,'' NHK's music program, next month.
TVXQ debuted in 2004 with the album "Hug'' and shot to stardom in Korea, Japan and elsewhere in Asia. Their subsequent albums were well received and their fourth album, "Mirotic,'' released last year, sold 500,000 copies in South Korea despite sluggishness in the Korean record market.
In Japan, the group has topped the Oricon daily singles chart six times and recently gave a concert at the Tokyo Dome, which is regarded as a top-tier venue. They also have staunch fan bases in China, Taiwan and Thailand.
Source: http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2009/08/135_49915.html |
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