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Author: katt

Korean Entertainment News Update (siri 2)

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 Author| Post time 10-9-2008 04:51 PM | Show all posts
September 10, 2008

Autopsy Planned for Late Actor Ahn

By Bae Ji-sook
Staff Reporter

Bereaved family members of actor Ahn Jae-hwan, who is believed to have committed suicide using briquette gas, requested an autopsy Tuesday.

Police have yet to figure out the exact time of his death as well as how and why he died. Ahn reportedly called up his wife of 10 months, comedian Jung Sun-hee on Aug. 21.

What was said between them is yet to be revealed because Jung is suffering from shock, but police believe it to be the last call Ahn made. It is said that Jung reported to the police her husband was missing around the end of August, but requested the investigation be kept secret over concerns the media might chase them.

The actor, famous for his roles as elite but jolly characters, was found in his sport utility vehicle parked in Hagye, northern Seoul, Monday. His dead body was severely decayed and police assumed the actor killed himself using toxic fumes several days ago.

Some speculated that a recent string of business failures mounting up to 4 billion won in private debt had driven him to the drastic choice. However, police cannot rule out the possibility of murder in the absence of a witness for his death.

Ahn's body is expected to be cremated Friday, if the autopsy is finished in time.

Credits: [email protected]
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/natio.../117_30825.html
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 Author| Post time 10-9-2008 04:53 PM | Show all posts
September 10, 2008

Boycott by protesters blamed in actor's death

A day after 36-year-old entertainer Ahn Jae-hwan was found dead inside his car, members of an Internet group against anti-U.S. beef protests claimed that the demonstrators are at least partly responsible for his death.

They said protesters put Ahn抯 cosmetics business in jeopardy by initiating a boycott campaign against Ahn in revenge for his wife抯 remarks critical of the protesters.

Ahn, whose real name is Ahn Gwang-seong, married Chung Seon-hee, a popular actress, last November. After she criticized the beef protesters during her radio show in May, demonstrators posted angry remarks on an online bulletin board and called for a boycott of Ahn抯 products. TV and cyber shopping malls ended up dropping his cosmetics line from their product lists.

At that time, Chung acted as a model advertising the cosmetics. 揥e chose to stop running the advertisements due to threatening calls and spiteful postings,
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 Author| Post time 10-9-2008 04:59 PM | Show all posts
September 9, 2008

PIFF Selects Opening Film



The Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF) has selected 揟he Gift to Stalin
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 Author| Post time 11-9-2008 01:46 AM | Show all posts
September 10, 2008

Korean singers surf into Osaka and Tokyo for a hallyu bonanza

Hallyu, or the Korean wave, will hit big this time in Japan.

The Korea Culture and Content Agency organized a concert staging popular drama theme songs in Osaka and Tokyo. They aim to showcase Korean pop to the Japanese music industry. 揇rama Original Sounds Korea
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 Author| Post time 11-9-2008 01:47 AM | Show all posts
September 10, 2008

Park calls for a more cosmopolitan hallyu


Park Jin-young says a second Korean wave is building. [YONHAP]

Everything that has a beginning has an end, and hallyu, or the Korean wave, is no exception, according to singer-songwriter Park Jin-young. 揟he wave has lost its heat,
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 Author| Post time 11-9-2008 01:48 AM | Show all posts
NEWS INDEX page 46

September 10, 2008: 揚ortrait of a Beauty?Most Anticipated Film in Fall
Sep 10: Malicious Comments Haunt Celebrities Even After Death
Sep 10: Visual stylist - Director Kim Jee-woon
Sep 11: Keyeast unlocks "Drops of God"
Sep 9: Pusan fest swells to record size
Sep 10: PIFF puts spotlight on Central Asian films
Sep 11: Bae Yong-joon likely to star in TV drama based on popular Japanese comic
Sep 11: M and Shin Hye-sung to Hold Concerts in Korea & Japan on Sept.28
Sep 11: Hit vampire sitcom turned into musical
Sep 11: "Country of Wind" & "Beethoven Virus" to Face Off
Sep 10: Fest unleashes Dragons & Tigers
Sep 11: Drama Sets in Suncheon - Journey to Past
Sep 11: Critics judge Secret Sunshine as 2007's best film
Sep 11: Lee Hae-jun films Jung Jae-young's adventures
Sep 11: Kim Han-min casts Uhm Tae-woong
Sep 12: Universal, Focus board Korea's "Thirst"
Sep 12: TVXQ! to Hold Showcase at Seoul Plaza on 21st
Sep 11: Battered BoA Still Headed for U.S.
Sep 12: New Couples Segment Added to "Happy Sunday"
Sep 11: Singer BoA to Knock on US Music Market
Sep 13: Fan frenzy - Korean stars Hye Kyo and Hyun Bin, in Singapore to film new drama, rouse local fans
Sep 12: Fire arrows, fighting and a great big fib (Divine Weapon)
Sep 14: Cold, curt, then cut off - Korean star Song Hye Kyo's media conference marred by slip-ups
» Weekly Box Office 2008.09.12 ~ 2008.09.14

[ Last edited by  katt at 17-9-2008 12:00 AM ]
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 Author| Post time 11-9-2008 01:38 PM | Show all posts
September 10, 2008

揚ortrait of a Beauty
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 Author| Post time 11-9-2008 01:39 PM | Show all posts
September 10, 2008

Malicious Comments Haunt Celebrities Even After Death


By Kim Rahn
Staff Reporter



Malicious online comments sometimes drive celebrities to drastic measures, and in a worst-case scenario, suicide, and won't even leave them in peace even after death.

Naver, one of the nation's largest portals, Tuesday banned Internet users from writing comments on articles about the late actor Ahn Jae-hwan, following a flood of negative and malicious comments posted on its Web site.

At the end of each news article about Ahn, Naver has put a notice: "We restrict writing comments on this article, as it is feared that they may seriously damage his privacy, or defame him. We seek your understanding."

Naver said comments about Ahn went beyond a tolerable level. "There was no request from the bereaved family of Ahn for the restriction, but we made our own decision to do so," an official of the portal company said.

After Ahn was found dead of an apparent suicide Monday, most bloggers posted condolatory comments. However, some defamed him and his wife, comedian Jung Sun-hee, and spread rumors about their relationship and his business.

Not only news portals but also Ahn's personal blog was under attack. Some people even left comments arousing curiosity, so that other users would visit their blogs so that these could be selected as "most-hit".

Some of Ahn's friends say malicious online comments may be a part of reason that drove him to his death. In May, when his wife made a negative comment about the anti-American beef rallies on her radio show, Internet users denounced her and him, too, boycotting cosmetic products which the couple sold, and worsening Ahn's financial difficulty, they said.

Police say that those writing malicious comments can be charged with libel or defamation of the deceased, which is subject to up to two year in prison or 5 million won in fines.

"We can start an investigation only when the victim or the family reports it," a police officer said.

Ahn is only the latest case ― such negative comments have repeated whenever celebrities die, including actress Jeong Da-bin, comedian Kim Hyung-eun, and actor Lee Eon.

"Freedom of speech should be guaranteed. However, negative comments and groundless rumors on the Internet are like a gun, and they devastate the victims," said Min Byoung-chul, head of Sunfull Movement, an NGO promoting positive comments. Min stressed the importance of education about online etiquette. "Malicious comments are no less than assaults and onlookers are abettors."

Credits: [email protected]
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/ ... 8/09/117_30861.html
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 Author| Post time 11-9-2008 01:41 PM | Show all posts
Thanks to the highlight by deka_if at soompi.com

September 10, 2008

Visual stylist - Director Kim Jee-woon



The ticket sales of "The Good, The Bad, The Weird" surpassed the 6-million mark at the domestic box office on Aug. 10, emerging as the most successful Korean film in the first quarter of this year. (note: as of Sept 7, GBW now stands at 7-million plus admission)

Director Kim Jee-woon is behind the strong performance from the star-studded cast and $17 million budget.

Born in 1964, Kim studied dramatics at the Seoul Institute of the Art. But he quit the school early and learned theater acting following his older sister Kim Jee-sook, who is a veteran actress. He appeared on stage and also directed some plays, experiencing the real theatrical world.

In 1998, he made his debut as a filmmaker after his scenario for the film "The Quiet Family" won a prize. In the same year, the black comedy about a strange family involved in serial killings was invited to three leading international fantastic film festivals including Portugal's FantasPorto, Spain's Sitges Film Festival and Brussels International Fantastic Festival.

Then he directed "The Foul King (1999)," a drama featuring a salary man dreaming to be a professional wrestler, and participated in a Korea-Hong Kong-Thailand joint project producing an omnibus film titled "Memories" in 2002.

In 2003, he succeeded in satisfying both movie fans and critics with the horror movie "A Tale of Two Sisters." The movie sold over 3 million tickets at the domestic box office. The Hollywood remake of the movie, whose English title is "The Uninvited - A Tale of Two Sisters," is scheduled to be released in the United States next year.

In 2005, the Cannes Film Festival finally invited him and his film "The Bittersweet Life," which is considered to be the greatest honor given to a talented filmmaker.

For actor Song Kang-ho, who is well-known for his roles in Park Chan-wook's "Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance" and Bong June-ho's "Memories of Murder," this is the third time to work with director Kim after "The Quiet Family" and "The Foul King."

"Director Kim has a unique art world. He makes his own version in whatever genres he takes. Because he always makes me expect something different, I have wanted to work with him again," Song said at a news conference for the latest "The Good, The Bad, The Weird."

By Lee Ji-yoon - KOREA, September 2008
http://summit.korea.net/news/new ... =1&source=KOREA
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 Author| Post time 11-9-2008 01:43 PM | Show all posts
Thursday, 11 September 2008

Keyeast unlocks "Drops of God"

Korean superstar's shingle set to produce TV adaptation of famous comic series


Written by Han Sunhee

SEOUL
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 Author| Post time 11-9-2008 01:44 PM | Show all posts
September 9, 2008

Pusan fest swells to record size

Kazakhstan's "The Gifts to Stalin" is set as opening film. World Cinema and New Currents deliver plenty of premieres


Written by Patrick Frater and Han Sunhee

HONG KONG -- The 13th edition of the Pusan Int'l Film Fest, Asia's leading movie fest, will kick off with Kazakh helmer Rustem Abdrashev's "The Gifts to Stalin" and close with Korean helmer Yoon Jong-chan's "I Am Happy."

In between, the event (Oct 2-10) will pack in a record number of movies. The 315 total from 60 countries exceeds even the puffed up tenth anni event. Fest this time claims some 85 world preems, 48 int'l bows and 95 Asian firsts.

Trio of Gala screenings go to Wong Kar-wai's "Ashes of Time Redux," Zhang Yuan's "Dada's Dance" and first time helmer Sohn Soopum's Korean-U.S. co-production "Make Your Self at Home," starring Korean beauty Song Hye-kyo.

The competitive 'New Currents' section counts 14 titles of which selectors said "most of them are low-budget independent films, they are complete with strong storylines, social authenticity, and creativity."

Highlights include O Nathapon's Thai relationship drama "A Month in June," Indonesian race drama "Blind pig who Wants to fly," Chinese helmer Yang Lin's "Er Dong" and Korean titles "Member of Funeral" by Baek Seung bin, and "The pot" by Kim Tae-gon.

Most surprising is the number of world preems of films by major directors presented in the annual 'World Cinema' round-up section, which the selectors oddly describe as leaning on U.S. and U.K. films.

First time outings include the Taviani brothers' "Maybe God is ill," Peter Greenaway's "Rembrandt, J'accuse," Raul Ruiz's "Nucingen House," and Jean-Xavier de Lestrade's "Welcome Home." Other preems include Anna Chi's "Dim Sum Funeral" and Anna Karina's "Victoria." Section's round up of festival faves also includes Mike Leigh's "Happy-go-Lucky," Paolo Sorrentino's "Il Divo," Christian Petzold's "Jerichow," the Dardenne brother's "The Silence of Lorna," Arnaud Desplechin's "Christmas Tale," Ferzan Ozpetek's "A Perfect Day" and Atom Egoyan's "Adoration."

Continuing the fest's role as regional showcase, 'Window on Asian Cinema' section counts 53 titles from past 12 months and highlights emergence of Indonesian cinema and resurgence of filmmaking in The Philippines. Filipino titles include Joel Ruiz' "Baby Angelo," Adolfo Alix Jr.'s "Adela," Ruel Dahis Antipuesto's "Confessional" and Brillante Mendoza's "Serbis." List also includes foreign-language Oscar hopefuls "Captain Abu Raed" from Jordan and "Cape No. 7" from Taiwan.

Source: Variety Asia
http://www.varietyasiaonline.com/content/view/6896/
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 Author| Post time 11-9-2008 01:45 PM | Show all posts
September 10, 2008

PIFF puts spotlight on Central Asian films


Image 'The Gift to Stalin' from yahoo.news, thanks to Huangsy

Organizers of the 13th Pusan International Film Festival have taken some major steps to address past criticisms and ensure maximum convenience for guests and participants this year.

"The means of purchasing tickets have been updated. One example is the ability to buy tickets by using your cell phone," said Hur Nam-sik, the festival director, at a press conference on Tuesday.

"We've also done our very best to ensure that commuting to and fro around the festival venues and various sites hosting special events will be as hassle-free and convenient as possible."

For the last two years, the PIFF has been criticized for having a "lack of administrative insight."

In terms of the national origin of the films, organizers of this year's competition have gravitated towards Central and Southeast Asia, in addition to inviting more selections from non-Asian countries.

Previous editions of the PIFF were mainly for East Asian films, with selections outside of the region premiering out of any competition.

"We noticed that other major film festivals around the globe were neglecting the Central and Southeast Asian regions," said Jay Jeon, the deputy director of the festival.

"The quality of the films that were submitted from Southeast Asia convinced us that it's a region which has been unjustly neglected, so we decided to reach out. It is also a way for us to truly distinguish ourselves from the rest of the festival organizations."

A Kazakh film, "The Gift to Stalin," directed by Rustem Abdrashev, was picked to open the festival, which will run from Oct. 2-10. During that time, 315 films from 60 countries will be screened.

"We felt that this film deserved as much exposure as it can possibly get because it moved us to the core. What better way for it to get that exposure than for it to be the opening film?" said Kim Ji-seok, who is the executive programmer of the festival.

Yoon Jong-chan's "I Am Happy," starring Hyun Bin and Lee Bo-yeong, has been chosen to close the festival.

The opening and closing films share the theme of rehabilitation in the aftermath of tragedy. Perhaps that best reflects the somber mood of this year's PIFF.

One addition to this festival that will surely have movie lovers excited is the Lotte Cinema Multi-plex, which will screen various international films in both HD and 35mm. Domestic films with subtitles will be shown, as well.

By Song Woong-ki ([email protected])

http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/
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 Author| Post time 11-9-2008 01:47 PM | Show all posts
September 11, 2008

Bae Yong-joon likely to star in TV drama based on popular Japanese comic


The front cover of a "Kami no Shizuku" book, left,
and South Korean actor Bae Yong-joon.


SEOUL -- A Japanese comic that triggered a wine boom in South Korea will be adapted into a TV drama likely starring popular South Korean actor Bae Yong-joon, an entertainment production company of which the actor is a shareholder has announced.

The production company Keyeast said that it concluded a contract at the end of last month with Kodansha, the publisher of the comic titled "Kami no Shizuku" (Drops of God), for the copyright for the South Korean drama version.

The show is expected to be broadcast in South Korea in the latter half of next year, but the TV station has not yet been decided.

"Kami no Shizuku," whose story was conceived by Japanese comic author Tadashi Agi, is about two men competing with each other in search of extremely rare wines. The translated version of the comic has sold over two million copies in South Korea.

Bae will apparently play the role of an up-and-coming wine expert who is the rival of the main character. Agi said the wine expert is modeled after Bae.

Source: The Mainichi Daily News
http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/n ... 006000c.html?inb=rs
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 Author| Post time 11-9-2008 03:03 PM | Show all posts
September 11, 2008

M and Shin Hye-sung to Hold Concerts in Korea & Japan on Sept.28



Shinhwa members Lee Min-woo and Shin Hye-sung will hold solo concerts in Korea and Japan, respectively, on the same day. To celebrate the release of his fourth studio album, Lee will launch his "M Rizing Tour" by performing at Club Answer in Cheongdam-dong, Seoul. He will then go on to perform at the JCB Hall, located within Tokyo Dome City in Tokyo, Japan for two days from December 17.

Meanwhile, fellow Shinhwa member Shin will hold a launching ceremony for his official Japanese fan club "Always Hyesung" in Odaiba, Tokyo on September 28. He will hold two concerts entitled "Always Hyesung Le Petit Chambre" in front of the members of his fan club. Reportedly, all of the tickets to the event have already been sold out.

During his first solo concert in Japan held last year on August 25, Shin told audience members that his friend and fellow Shinhwa member Lee Min-woo (M) was also holding a concert in Seoul.

Source: KBS Global
http://english.kbs.co.kr/entertainment/news/1545479_11858.html
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 Author| Post time 11-9-2008 05:15 PM | Show all posts
September 11, 2008

Hit vampire sitcom turned into musical
  
Hit movies are often made into musicals and vice versa, creating hybrid terms like "Movical." However, stage adaptations of television shows have not been as common.

This is probably why the long-awaited new musical, "Hello, Francesca," an adaptation of the popular homemade TV sitcom of the same title, is attracting a lot of attention.

The sitcom, which aired on MBC from 2005-2006, appealed to the public with a fresh topic and characters. It was one of the first domestic TV shows that presented a number of ideas and twists that had not been tried before, and it was clearly different from shows in the style of "Friends."

The sitcom featured the unlikely character of Francesca, a 500-year-old Romanian female vampire, and her clan visiting the human world. However, the audience did not see a bunch of scary vampires trying to attack people the way they might see them in a horror movie.

The characters in "Hello, Francesca" were a little creepy but nice; they were even able to mingle with humans.



The TV show contributed to the public's increased interest in sitcoms in general, and later initiated the creation of more eccentric sitcoms such as thriller comedies like "Highkick" in 2007 and "The Secret of Keke Island," which is currently on MBC. While most domestic sitcoms have a shelf life of one season, "Hello, Francesca" continued for two more seasons and became the first domestic TV show to be serialized.

The musical version is going to be somewhat different from the TV show, however, according to MBC.

"Apart from the characters and the setting, everything -- including the plot and the cast -- will be different from the sitcom -- not to mention the catchy musical numbers," said Kwon Yoon-suk, an MBC spokesperson.

The leading musical actress Choi Jung-won will play the role of Francesca, the seemingly arrogant but witty and warm-hearted vampire. Chae Dong-ha, the singer-turned-actor who led the popular R&B band SG Wannabe, will also star in the show, playing Kyun, the youngest (200-year-old) and attractive, but dumb, vampire.

The musical will present a funny yet touching process in which Francesca and her friends each find their true love in the human world -- which is forbidden by the vampire community -- and how they start to realize feelings like friendship which they never felt before.

"Hello, Francesca" will be staged at Theater Yong at the National Museum of Korea through Oct. 26, and on Nov. 1 and 2 at Goyang Aram Nuri Theater in Ilsan, Gyeonggi Province. Tickets run from 40,000 won to 100,000 won. For more information, call (02) 789-3160.

By Koh Young-aah ([email protected])
http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/
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 Author| Post time 11-9-2008 05:26 PM | Show all posts
September 11, 2008

"Country of Wind" & "Beethoven Virus" to Face Off



The KBS 2TV drama "Country of Wind" and MBC's "Beethoven Virus" will compete for Wednesday and Thursday's primetime ratings.

According to AGB Nielsen Media Research ratings, "Beethoven Virus" recorded a rating of 15.1% on the 10th, with "Country of Wind" garnering 14.0%.

However, the two dramas did not have a "face to face" confrontation due to the fact that MBC broadcast the live coverage of the South Korea vs. North Korea World Cup match from 8:45 p.m. to 10:53 p.m. "Beethoven Virus" was aired after the game at 10:56 p.m.

The ratings for the football game were 17.5%, and the SBS Wednesday-Thursday drama, "Working Mom," recorded a rating of 14.5%.

The true showdown between "Country of Wind" and "Beethoven Virus" will take place on the 11th.

Source: KBS Global
http://english.kbs.co.kr/entertainment/news/1545557_11858.html

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 Author| Post time 11-9-2008 10:47 PM | Show all posts
September 10, 2008

Fest unleashes Dragons & Tigers

Highlights include Kim's 'Weird,' 'Serbis'


By DON TOWNSON



VANCOUVER -- The 27th Vancouver Film Festival has unveiled the lineup for its Dragons & Tigers: The Cinemas of East Asia sidebar.

Among highlights are Korean helmer Kim Jee-woon's homage to Sergio Leone, "The Good the Bad and the Weird," and Filipino helmer Brillante Mendoza's "Serbis" (Service), about a dysfunctional family that operates a rundown cinema in a small town. Both pics played at Toronto.

Dragons programmers Tony Rayns and Shelly Kraicer said the series will feature 27 international preems and 18 North American preems to cater to the area's growing East Asian population. Fest claims to be the preeminent showcase of East Asian films outside Asia.

Dragons & Tigers includes a C$10,000 ($9,300) award for a new director from the Asia Pacific region that will be handed out before the North American preem of Korean helmer Yim Phil-sung's "Hansel and Gretel."

"Italy, Mexico and Israel also are proving strong on the filmmaking front at this year's festival," said fest director Alan Franey.

More than 350 films from 60 countries will unspool at 10 Vancouver venues.

Franey said the fest has expanded once again to include 573 screenings, up from the 546 that drew almost 150,000 last year.

The 16-day run opens Sept. 25 with "Stone of Destiny," Charles Martin Smith's take on the true story of Ian Hamilton's theft of an important cultural artifact

Source: Variety.com

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117992017.html


Korean movies screening at 27th VIFF 2008
September 25 - October 10, 2008


Dragons and Tigers: The Cinemas of East Asia
- the largest annual exhibition of East Asian films outside Asia


Action Boys
Crossing
The Good the Bad the Weird
Grandma and Wrestling
Hansel and Gretel
Night and Day
Out of My Intention
Seoul, Farther than Heaven
Synching Blue
Tokyo!
Tropical Manila

Official Website http://www.viff.org/home.html
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 Author| Post time 11-9-2008 10:51 PM | Show all posts
September 11, 2008

Drama Sets in Suncheon: Journey to Past

By Brian Deutsch
Contributing writer


A drama set shows an instersection in Seoul in the 1980s. The set is located in Suncheon,
South Jeolla Province. / Photo by Brian Deutsch


One of Suncheon's claims to fame is a set used for the filming of the drama "Love and Ambition," a soap opera that ran on SBS in 2006. As a matter of fact, the set has been labeled the "Love and Ambition Set" on some signs around town. I also used to be able to visit and have it nearly all to myself. But that may change soon as officials in the South Jeolla provincial city are expecting business to pick up.

The local government expects not only to increase tourism there but also to attract more productions through a "Suncheon Familiarization Tour" that will acquaint filmmakers and writers with not only the set but other local attractions as well.

The city has been promoting the set more heavily in recent weeks, featuring it more prominently on the Suncheon Web site and posting larger signs around town. This comes after other dramas and movies have used it recently to replicate older authentic scenes that are not so commonly found these days.

Parts of the much-anticipated new blockbuster TV soap opera "East of Eden" were filmed on the Suncheon set, with scenes also shot in Hong Kong, Macau and Japan. The 50-episode drama, which is reported to have cost some 25 billion won to produce and debuted on Aug. 25, has thus far been one of the top-rated programs on TV. The story begins in the 1960s, and follows the lives of two men born on the same day at the same hospital and whose paths have become ironically intertwined. It is the biggest-name production ever to be filmed in Suncheon, though there has been plenty of other recent activity.

The movie "Sunny," released in July, shot some scenes in Suncheon as well. Set in the early 1970s, it is the story of a young woman who signs up as a troop entertainer to follow her husband to Vietnam. The film got mixed reviews in Variety magazine, and interestingly a photo still on the movie's official Web site reveals, unintentionally, that in spite of striving for realistic settings, the characters were anachronistically using American money from 2001 to bribe officers in 1971.

Other notable movies partially filmed in Suncheon include "Mapado 2" (2007), "Once In A Summer" (2006) and the as yet-unreleased "Story of Branch School" and "Bloody Shake," filmed in May and July, respectively.

One of the earlier dramas to come out of Suncheon was "Seoul 1945." However, the first series was "Love and Ambition," and in fact, the set has heretofore frequently been labeled the "Love and Ambition set" on promotional material. But the Suncheon set goes by many other names in Korean. Each promotional poster around town seemingly gives the set its own title, though any name will suffice for a taxi or bus driver.

It sits on roughly nine acres on the western edge of what is known as Suncheon's "New Downtown" and is separated into three sections and three decades: Mock-ups of the 1960s' Suncheon-eup (a precursor to the current Suncheon-si or Suncheon city), 1980s' Seoul, and a generic 1970s' slum that is set on a steep hillside.

Almost all of the buildings are empty and unfurnished, although the street scenes are charming. There are some interesting differences between them, most of all the language used on the signs: Moving chronologically through the set means a shift away from Chinese characters, native Korean words and borrowed "hangeulized" English. In the 1960s, a coffee shop even retains the Japanese pronunciation of "coffee" on the window. None of the three neighborhoods would look terribly out of place in rural South Jeolla Province.

The Suncheon set is one of several such locations in the province, along with larger and more-visited sets on Wando Island and in Naju. Unlike the Suncheon set, though, which recreates mid-20th century scenes, the other two large sets are used for historical dramas and movies set in dynasties past.

Scores of films and soap operas have been shot in South Jeolla Province due in no small part to acclaimed director Im Kwon-taek, who was born in Jangseong county and who often films his movies locally. Scenic spots like the Boseong tea fields, the bamboo forest and Metasequoia Road in Damyang also show up on screen from time to time.

After arriving in Suncheon by bus or train, take local bus No. 777 to the set in Jorye-dong or take a five-minute taxi ride. The set is also a stop on both of the Suncheon City Tours, which shuttle guests around to major tourist attractions in the area. Walking through all three neighborhoods takes roughly an hour.

Admission is 3,000 won for tourists, though if you are interested in filming your own work there, the cost is two million won per day for a movie and 800,000 won per day for a drama. More information on the set is available on its Web site, in Korean, www.suncheon.go.kr/drama.



Source: The Korea Times
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2008/09/135_30922.html
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 Author| Post time 12-9-2008 01:56 AM | Show all posts
September 11, 2008

Critics judge Secret Sunshine as 2007抯 best film



LEE Chang-dong抯 Secret Sunshine is voted the best film of 2007 by a select group of Korean culture and society critics. KIM Ji-hoon抯 May 18 came in second and LEE Myung-se抯 Mcompletes an illustrious top three of in total twelve selected Korean films.



Secret Sunshine continued to cement LEE抯 name among the great auteur cineastes. The film accumulated numerous awards, culminating in JEON Do-yeon抯 best actress crown at Festival de Cannes.

May 18 is exemplary how cinema can represent popular memory and assist in creating alternative histories. The popular film chronicles the Gwangju uprising from the point-of-view of the Gwangju citizens who were branded criminals and vandals by the military government and leading conservative newspapers.

M is an impressive technical achievement of great aesthetic beauty, containing a layered story which plays on memories, love, and reality.

The participants of the annual questionnaire consist of distinguished people from the film industry, film critics and culture academics.

The best foreign film vote went to Ang Lee抯 Lust, Caution, followed by Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu抯 Babel, and John Carney抯 Once. Eight foreign films were named.

Credits: Yi Ch抋ng-ho (KOFIC)
http://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/KOFIC/Channel/
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 Author| Post time 12-9-2008 02:05 AM | Show all posts
September 11, 2008

LEE Hae-jun films JUNG Jae-young抯 adventures



LEE Hae-jun is attempting his solo feature film directorial debut with the film Kimssi pyoryoogi (English translation: The Adventures of Mr. KIM). He previously co-directed the acclaimed Like a Virgin with LEE Hae-young.

The titular character will be played by JUNG Jae-young. JUNG抯 character runs to the Han River in Seoul to commit suicide, but it won抰 come that far. JUNG previously starred in JANG Jin's Someone Special and Guns and Talks. He is currently in cinemas with Public Enemy Returns and The Divine Weapon.

Mr. KIM抯 change of plans is due to another KIM, a woman played by CHUNG Yeo-won. CHUNG was seen in last year抯 Two Faces of My Girlfriend.

Filming started in late August. The film is scheduled for a release in next year.

Credits: Yi Ch'ang-ho (KOFIC), image from CINE21

http://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/KOFIC/Channel/
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