|
|
September 11, 2008
KIM Han-min casts UHM Tae-woong
UHM Tae-woong will tackle the role of a manager in KIM Han-min抯 Haendeupon (English translation: mobile phone). The main characters of the thriller are the manager and his female top star.
KIM Han-min wrote and directed last year抯 box office hit Paradise Murdered. It was his first feature film after being successful with awarded short films.
UHM is active in both Television and cinema. UHM was successful earlier this year with the surprise box office hit Forever the Moment, a sports drama from the hands of LIM Soon-rye. He also plays in LEE Joon-ik抯 Sunnywhich is playing in cinemas at the moment.
KIM revealed that this film will brim with suspense like his previous film Paradise Murdered, a well-structured film with a twist. The casting of the other roles have not been announced yet.
Credits: Yi Ch'ang-ho (KOFIC), image from empas.com
http://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/KOFIC/Channel/ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Friday, 12 September 2008
Universal, Focus board Korea's "Thirst"
Studios to invest in, co-produce latest film from "Oldboy" director Park
Written by Patrick Frater
HONG KONG -- Universal Pictures and Focus Films have boarded "Oldboy" director Park Chan-wook's in-production vampire movie "Thirst." It's the first time a Korean film has received U.S. studio coin and a Stateside distribution commitment before its local release.
Universal and Focus will invest in and co-produce the pic, which has so far been steered by Korean major CJ Entertainment.
Focus will bow the film in North America with CJ handling the remaining international sales rights. CJ also will distribute the film in South Korea.
The deal was announced Thursday by UPI Studio prexy Christian Grass, Focus CEO James Schamus and CJ CEO Kim Joo-sung.
"Thirst" stars Song Kang-ho ("Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance," "The Host," "The Good the Bad and the Weird") and Shin Ha-kyun ("Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance"). Involving unusually risqué elements, pic also stars Kim Ok-bi ("Dasepo Naughty Girls,") as leading lady.
Pic is about a priest who participates in a medical experiment to find a cure for a deadly disease with traumatic repercussions.
It is skedded to be completed in time for a festival bow in mid-2009.
" 'Thirst' is especially exciting for us, as it's the first time a major studio has co-produced with a South Korean entertainment company in this way," said Grass. "Park Chan-wook is one of the most talented and influential Korean directors working today. We're really pleased to be partnering with CJ on this production."
"First, this is a vote of confidence in CJ and director Park, but also having a film of this scale get the backing of a major studio in North America opens up an opportunity for all Korean films," said Katharine Kim, exec VP and head of international at CJ. "Second, it is important to us to have Universal and Focus' financial commitment while the film is in production."
Park is best known for "Old Boy," which won the Grand Jury Prize at the Cannes in 2003 and 2005 hit "Lady Vengeance," both of which sold internationally after their domestic release.
The co-production is being overseen by Grass; Jason Resnick, senior VP and general manager of worldwide acquisitions for Universal Pictures; and CJ's Kim.
(Bobbie Whiteman in Hollywood contributed to this report).
Source: Variety Asia, image from movie.daum.net
http://www.varietyasiaonline.com/content/view/6917/ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
September 12, 2008
TVXQ! to Hold Showcase at Seoul Plaza on 21st
The popular group TVXQ! will be holding a showcase event for the release of their fourth studio album at Seoul Plaza on Sept. 21st.
Located in front of City Hall, Seoul Plaza usually holds events which are of national significance, and solo performances there are very rare.
TVXQ! will be performing the title track to their fourth album, which will be released three days later on the 24th, and their showcase will be filmed for the SBS "TVXQ! Comeback Special" set to air in early October.
"The area around Seoul City Hall will be filled with fans holding pearl-red balloons, the color of TVXQ!," said a representative from the SM Entertainment agency. "This will be TVXQ!'s first public performance for album four and their first appearance on-air will be for an SBS music program broadcast on September 28th."
Source: KBS Global
http://english.kbs.co.kr/entertainment/news/1545657_11858.html |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
September 11, 2008
Battered BoA Still Headed for U.S.
Japan-based South Korean singer BoA (21, profile) appeared at a press conference yesterday with both her left arm and left leg in plaster. The event, held at a hotel in Seoul, was to promote her assault on the U.S. pop market, but the attention of the 200 gathered reporters was immediately focused on her barely concealed injuries. She suffered a broken arm and a fractured leg the previous day when she fell down a set of stairs after a meeting at her MS Entertainment management office in the Korean capital. She was rushed to a nearby hospital, where she was told the break would need about six weeks to fully heal. But she was upbeat about the accident, saying she was grateful it didn't happen closer to her upcoming U.S. debut. She is due to release the single "Eat You Up" through iTunes and MySpace on October 7 and in stores on November 11. She has been preparing for the last couple of years, even going to New York to take English and dance lessons. BoA first came to Japan to launch her pop career at the tender age of 14, and she quickly became one of the first artists to achieve the crossover.
Source: japan-zone.com |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
September 12, 2008
New Couples Segment Added to "Happy Sunday"
KBS 2TV added a new celebrity-couples segment to their Sunday program, "Happy Sunday."
Tak Jae-hoon and Shin Jung-hwan will be hosting the segment and the guest panel includes singer Lee Min-woo, actor Shin Dong-wook, singer Tim, Gil from Leessang and volleyball player Moon Sung-min. The female guests are Park Jung-ah, Jung Si-ah, Tiffany, Amy and Hong In-young.
The group recently returned from their first shoot in Saipan, which took place from August 30th to September 4th.
"The celebrities will invite someone they have been interested in and get to know them during a trip somewhere," explained the producers. "Audiences will get to see the true, sensitive side of celebrities as they open their hearts on air."
Source: KBS Global
http://english.kbs.co.kr/entertainment/news/1545656_11858.html |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
September 11, 2008
Singer BoA to Knock on US Music Market
By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter
Pop singer BoA
Korean pop princess BoA is about to knock on the door of the U.S. music scene.
At a press conference in Seoul, the 21-year-old singer expressed her excitement at being finally able to reveal to the world what she has been up to for the past couple of years.
"It was so hard to hide our plans. People kept asking me why are you not making an album, but the truth was, I was already working on one! Now, I am finally showing everybody what I've been working on. Now it really feels like I'm going to the U.S.," she said at the conference Wednesday. Lee Soo-man, president of her agency SM Entertainment, project manager and producer Max Gousse, music executive Hayden Bell and choreographer Flii Stylz joined her for the conference.
Debuting in 2000, BoA started out as a young, aspiring artist with a big voice and superb dance talent. She moved to Japan, becoming one of most popular performers among Japanese fans. With the catchphrases "Best Of Asia" and "Bring on America," she has teamed up with some of the best producers, choreographers and managers in the U.S. to bring her best to the U.S. public.
The singer had a cast on her arm on Wednesday following a fall down some stairs.
"We started working on her entry to the U.S. market in 2005. We considered other options like acting, but came to the conclusion that music was the best way to start. The people we met through the project actually knew who BoA was, and this was already a good sign," Lee said.
Following the other two major agencies JYP Entertainment and YG Entertainment's U.S. market endeavors with Rain and Se7en respectively, Lee has confidence that BoA has the chance to repeat her success in the U.S.
"BoA's debut in the U.S. is meaningful as she will be competing in the mainstream of the main market in terms of music," Lee said.
Aiming only for the best, BoA and Lee joined top production team Bloodshy & Avant. The team has worked on Britney Spears' "Piece of Me," "Toxic" and Madonna's "How High" and others including Jennifer Lopez and Kylie Minogue.
Two music videos of her new digital single "Eat You Up," directed by U.S. director Diane Martel and Korean Cha Eun-taek, and a short documentary of BoA working with dancers and producers were unveiled at the conference, complete with short messages from the team to her.
When asked about BoA from a producer's and choreographer's point of view, Stylz and Gousse said that she was one of the best they have ever worked with.
"I was initially taken by her charisma and her mastery of English. I've come to know her as someone with a great work ethic," Gousse said.
BoA has been considered one of the best dancers in the Korea pop scene among local and Japanese fans, and the professional choreographer agreed that she was ``fantastic.''
"BoA can be summed up in one word: innovative. (She) is like a canvas. You can try out anything; she has a lot of vocabulary. She's the elite class around her age whatever it may be. For choreographers, she's a challenge, because you don't want her to be bored. I believe she is approaching the level of master of her craft. She's the most diligent and most hard working artist I've (met) in my life," Stylz added.
BoA looked quite tired from her injury but when reporters asked about her plans and future, her voice jumped with excitement.
"I was like a fish in the water. I never really showed hip-hop to fans, but I'm actually very fond of (the genre). I'm thrilled to now finally share it with you. It was hard to follow the different culture, but I'll work on it slowly," she said.
The next goal for the ambitious singer?
"I want to perform in Las Vegas. I watched Celine Dion's concert and was moved by her performance. I want to do the same too, soon I hope," she added.
BoA will unveil her new single "Eat You Up" online on Oct. 7; her debut single in the U.S. Oct. 11; and finally release her first album in the U.S. early next year.
Credits: [email protected]
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/ ... 8/09/178_30949.html |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
September 13, 2008
Fan frenzy
Korean stars Hye Kyo and Hyun Bin, in Singapore to film new drama, rouse local fans
By Chang May Choon
SHE found out that one of her favourite Korean stars was in town for a drama shoot and immediately, Mary Tan, 38, sprung into action.
(Top, left) PICTURE: LANEIGE
(Bottom, right) PICTURE: AP
The administrative executive quickly rushed to Duxton Hill after work on Tuesday evening and was one of the first to see actress Song Hye Kyo filming.
Ms Tan is one of several Singaporean fans who have been eagerly trailing Hye Kyo (Full House), 27, and Hyun Bin (My Lovely Samsoon), 26, while they are here shooting their new drama, Worlds Within. She told The New Paper that she got the news of the shoot from a reliable source and rushed over after work with three friends.
Ms Tan, who loves Korean dramas, said Hye Kyo was shooting a scene where she was looking for someone in a back alley at the location. 'We couldn't talk to her because she was filming, but we could observe her very closely. She's very sweet and pretty, and she dressed like a school girl.'
Likewise, student Furnaces Yap, 24, said he saw a posting on the forum Hardwarezone about the shoot and alerted others through Soompi, a popular forum for Korean drama lovers.
(Top, left) PICTURE: COURTESY OF ALICIA CHENG.
KOREAN HUNK: A fan-taken photo of Hyun Bin (in pink shirt) that is circulating the net.
(Right) The actor in the drama The Snow Queen.
ON LOCATION (Below) Song Hye Kyo (in shorts) filming in Chinatown.
The Hye Kyo fan made his way to Boat Quay on Wednesday and managed to snap photos of his favourite actress, whom he has liked since watching her 2000 drama Autumn In My Heart.
The noon shoot, at bustling Boat Quay, attracted at least 50 fans and curious passers-by. Mr Yap said of Hye Kyo: 'She was very friendly and she looked a lot better in person.'
Fans could not get close because the actress was constantly surrounded by several minders who formed a human barricade around her. The entire TV production has been shrouded in secrecy and information has been scarce.
Word had got out last month that the Korean stars would be in Singapore for a film project. The Korean drama fan community here started talking about it from as early as 27 Aug, and some diehard fans have reportedly been going to Changi Airport every night, hoping to catch a glimpse of the two stars.
It was only on 1 Sep that the fans finally got lucky. Hye Kyo and Hyun Bin arrived with a crew of about 70 for two weeks of filming in Singapore and Bintan. Their fans have since been chasing them around the island - Boat Quay, Chinatown, Empress Place, Sentosa and Changi Airport.
The Singapore Tourism Board, which is helping to facilitate the production under the ongoing Film In Singapore scheme, would not reveal any details about the shoot. An insider revealed that the Korean producers were very strict with what went out to the media, and they did not want any disturbance during filming.
But the fans always have their ways. Some of the more aggressive ones tried to talk to the Korean crew members or the locally-hired bus drivers to get more information.
While Hye Kyo has been getting media attention, her hunky co-star has not received as much. The reason? His protective minders would stop fans from taking photos or physically block him from their view.
Accountant Jaslyn Tan, 29, a fan of Hyun Bin's, said: 'They were very alert and they kept looking at us. Once they saw our cameras, they would tell us in English, 'No photos!' 'And they were very good at blocking. One of his assistants was such a big guy that he blocked Hyun Bin totally. It was very hard to take photos.'
However, Miss Tan, who saw her idol at Boat Quay last Wednesday, said Hyun Bin would always acknowledge his fans. 'When you smile at him, he would always smile and wave back, even from afar.'
Another Hyun Bin fan, student Binnie Chen, 26, followed her idol for four days before she finally succeeded in getting his autograph at Rasa Sentosa Resort, where he was staying.
Miss Chen had gone there last Saturday with some other fans and gave the actor a cake - his birthday is on 25 Sep - when he appeared at the hotel lobby around 8pm. Miss Chen shook his hand and for once, his assistants also allowed him to sign autographs for the group of fans.
But that was it - no photo-taking for the lot. Not that it mattered, since the actor's smiling face and his 'deep dimples', as Miss Chen put it, were already seared in their minds.
Source: The Electric New Paper, Singapore
http://newpaper.asia1.com.sg/show/story/0,4136,176489,00.html
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
September 12, 2008
Fire arrows, fighting and a great big fib
By Hannah Bae Contributing Writer
“Singijeon (The Divine Weapon)” may end up being more fodder for anti-Korean sentiment among the Chinese.
Ludicrous rumors like “South Korea claims Michael Phelps is Korean” and “South Koreans are taking credit for China’s four great inventions” have been circulating as of late on Chinese Web sites. If Singijeon is any indication, the latter is kind of true.
For those of you who aren’t on Wikipedia yet, gunpowder is one of China’s four great inventions, and it plays a large role in this Korean film.
The story unfolds in the Joseon Dynasty of the 1400s, during a time of great governmental turmoil. China’s Ming Dynasty is encroaching upon Joseon, increasingly demanding more tribute from King Sejong and his court. As a Ming army of 3,000 creeps closer, the Chinese envoy places the entire Joseon court under surveillance. This drives military official Chang-gang (Heo Jun-ho) to seek help elsewhere.
Enter Hong-li (Han Eun-jeong), a tragic, brainy heroine who’s just lost her father to an attack. Hong-li is apparently the only person in Joseon who knows how to craft the state’s secret weapon, the singijeon, or “the divine weapon.”
I’m going off the subtitles here, but in the film, Ming leaders, upon discovery of the convoluted singijeon manual, can only deduce that it’s a “version of our fire arrows - only more powerful.”
Here’s the thing, though: The singijeon, which actually exists in real life, and fire arrows are basically one and the same. The former is a launcher for multiple fire arrows, or gunpowder-fortified projectiles that explode after three seconds of hitting their target.
It’s all very spectacular, but make no mistake - the Chinese had fire arrow launchers, too.
Well, since the Joseon court is under close watch, Chang-gang has the brilliant idea of keeping Hong-li at the home of Sul-ju (Jeong Jae-yeong), the leader of a band of merchants. Of course, the brilliant, beautiful but chaste Hong-li ends up falling for pervy playboy Sul-ju as they work together to save Joseon, which is constantly referred to as “small” and “humble.” Inferiority complex much?
As an action epic, Singijeon features much bloodshed, and at times gets quite touching. But I think I’m with my co-worker, who upon seeing me check out the Singijeon Web site, said, “Oh, it’s yet another nationalistic Korean movie.”
Joseon does see moments of weakness, like when it decides to succumb to Ming’s request for eunuchs by butchering its own boys. But as much as Joseon concedes to Ming, the film still makes sure to note how the latter has “always been a threat.” Hence, in “300”-esque battle sequences (only with more clothing), the tiny band of Joseon warriors succeeds by pure ingenuity.
It’s nationalistic, long and predictable, but Singijeon does provide a peek into the world of Korean film, which few non-Koreans ever get to experience on the big screen. Plus, the splendid costume department does a nice job of bringing the faces on the won notes to life.
But let’s just be clear: The Chinese invented gunpowder ... and fire arrows.
Singijeon (The Divine Weapon)
Historical Drama / Korean with English subtitles
134 min. / Now playing
By Hannah Bae Contributing Writer [[email protected]]
http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2894791 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
September 14, 2008
Cold, curt, then cut off
Korean star Song Hye Kyo's media conference marred by slip-ups
By Chang May Choon
BOO-BOOS: Hye Kyo (above)
at the media conference
KOREAN beauty Song Hye Kyo sauntered into the room and gasped.
'Oh, so cold!' she exclaimed in Korean. Then began a press conference filled with cold, awkward moments.
Hye Kyo, 27, has been in town since 1Sep with actor Hyun Bin to film their new drama, Worlds Within. But the media gathering that marked the end of their trip here on Thursday evening was marred by boo-boos.
First, the two stars and director Pyo Min Soo (Full House) turned up one hour and 25minutes late at 7.55pm, supposedly due to a delay in their boat ride from Bintan to Singapore that day.
Fans who were following them claimed they reached Singapore around 4pm, but then, Hye Kyo had to attend an advertiser's event at Wisma Atria at 5pm first.
So reporters waited, patiently. But, none of the apologies we heard later were about the excessive waiting time.
Surprised
Hyun Bin at the media conference
--PICTURE: LIANHE WANBAO
Director Min Soo apologised for his casual dressing - leather jacket over pants - adding that he had no chance to change as he had come straight from filming.
Actor Hyun Bin, who exuded coolness in a black suit, uttered in English: 'I'm sorry'.
Never mind it was not his fault that he walked in without introduction, took a seat at the panel's table, and was then told, to his surprise, to move to the seats in front of the table.
The emcee, pan-Asian actress Angela May, just stood there. She did not introduce the three stars as they came in, and then, as if reacting to a cue, she 'chased' them to the side after they had taken their seats.
Definitely an embarrassing start. After two short speeches, the Q&A session began with the usual questions.
What obstacles did they face?
Min Soo said: 'None, except that permits took longer to be approved here.'
Did they try the durians here?
Hye Kyo said: 'No, but fans gave me dumplings to try.'
IN TOWN: Hye Kyo (left, with Hyun Bin in a drama still)
has been in Singapore to film Worlds Within --PICTURE: LIANHE WANBAO
Which location shoot left the deepest impression? Hye Kyo recalled a romantic scene shot at 3am outside the Asian Civilisation Museum along the Singapore River, while Hyun Bin enjoyed going out to sea in a yacht from Sentosa Cove.
Min Soo also revealed that he picked Singapore as he has been here three times on holiday and he loves our 'unique combination of city and nature'. He added that the 'bench scene' outside the museum will be a crucial turning point in the drama's story line. Hye Kyo and Hyun Bin play TV producers who come to Singapore for work and develop feelings for each other here.
Then Lianhe Wanbao asked something, and was rudely halted by emcee Angela.
How was it for Hye Kyo and Hyun Bin to work with each other on their first-ever TV collaboration, and was there an onscreen kiss for them filmed in Singapore? Before the question could be translated, Angela curtly announced that 'we'll be dealing with other areas of filming in Singapore'.
When The New Paper and another reporter tried to protest, she added unapologetically: 'We'll just be moving on.' Imagine the awkward silence that ensued.
Equally abrupt was how the session ended, with no signal of the usual, 'Last question, please'.
When quizzed by reporters later, Angela said she cut the question off on a cue from the Korean producers, and then declined to speak further.
The man responsible was Mr Johnny Park from Vimfilm, which helped to facilitate the filming here. He later explained that he was given strict instructions to limit the Q&A session to questions about filming in Singapore, and he blocked the question upon hearing the word 'kiss'.
He apologised for causing a mini media uproar as he did not hear the first half of the question. By the way, Worlds Within is partly subsidised by the Singapore Tourism Board's Film In Singapore Scheme.
The emcee had repeated the words 'filming in Singapore' tirelessly during the press conference. Hello, we are not deaf.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WHAT WENT WRONG
1 The two stars and director turn up 85 minutes late
2 Our reporter didn't hear any apologies forthe waiting time
3 A question from Lianhe Wanbao was cut off by the emcee
Source: The Electric New Paper, Singapore
http://newpaper.asia1.com.sg/show/story/0,4136,176615,00.html
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Weekly Box Office 2008.09.12 ~ 2008.09.14 3-day Gross/Total Gross (won)
1. The Divine Weapon (South Korea) 3,972,907,000 / 12,037,777,000
2. Mamma Mia! (U.S.) 3,704,808,500 / 10,831,115,500
3. Rough Cut (South Korea) 1,852,041,000 / 2,225,696,500
4. Our School E.T. (South Korea) 1,230,172,000 / 1,407,180,500
5. Bangkok Dangerous (U.S.) 533,869,500 / 641,026,500
6. Twentieth Century Boys (Japan) 447,589,500 / 639,706,000
7. Boys Over Flowers (Japan) 265,235,000 / 341,895,500
8. The Dark Knight (U.S.) 200,926,000 / 26,475,759,000
9. Earth (U.K.) 172,785,500 / 767,265,500
10. Star Wars: The Clone Wars (U.S.) 98,165,500 / 475,312,500
Source: KOFIC |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NEWS INDEX page 47
September 11, 2008: Hollywood Major Co-produces Park Chan-Wook’s 박쥐 (Thirst)
Sep 15: SBS puts money on 'Tazza' drama
Sep 11: The Times Reports on Bae Yong-joon’s New Drama
Sep 12: Shinhwa’s Kim Dong-wan Holds His Last Concert
Sep 16: Big Bang Signs Modeling Contract with FILA Korea
Sep 16: CGV Screens Latest Korean Movies With English Subtitles
Sep 16: Celebrities unite to host a photo exhibition
Sep 16: J-pop Idols Arashi Returns in November
Sep 17: Action movie hits the bull's-eye over the holiday period
Sep 16: Heading to China for his drama comeback (Kim Jae Won)
Sep 17: Eye Candy - Who's sizzling? Who's scorching?
Sep 16: Korean Movies Bring Period Pieces to Life
Sep 17: So Ji-sub Is Optimistic -- but Only Just
Sep 17: 'SM Town Live 08' Held in Shanghai
Sep 17: Koreans harvest "Divine" box office
Sep 17: Seo Taiji to Operate Exclusive Train for His Concert Goers
Sep 17: World's first rocket launcher recreated for movie
Sep 16: Soccer Star and K-pop Legend to Meet in England
Sep 15: “Project 1448” Tops Holiday Box Office
Sep 18: S. Korean actor models for Sony's DSLR camera (SJS)
Sep 18: Debut U.S. Novelist Is Entranced by Korean Soaps
Sep 18: SBS bets the house on "Tajja"
Sep 17: SG Wannabe to Hold Concert in Seoul
Sep 17: "Beverly Hills Ninja" moves to Korea
[ Last edited by katt at 19-9-2008 01:52 AM ] |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
September 11, 2008
Hollywood Major Co-produces Park Chan-Wook’s 박쥐 (Thirst)
Posted by X at 8:17pm
It seems it has become a trend, that of directors engaging in “extra-curricular” activities. Jang Jin doing everything but directing is nothing new, but Park Heung-Shik produced a TV drama, Bong Joon-Ho had a cameo in a recent film, and both Kim Ki-Duk and Park Chan-Wook have transformed themselves into producers. Particularly interesting is Park’s case: his Moho Films produced the upcoming release 미쓰 홍당무 (Crush & Blush), also written by Park and, as we said, starring Bong in what might prove to be an interesting cameo. Still, Park Chan-Wook is at his best behind the camera, and it’s with his long-awaited 박쥐 (Thirst) we will see such comeback.
The fact Song Kang-Ho would star in this, as a priest turned quasi-vampire falling for his friend’s wife, was announced long ago; also, young Kim Ok-Bin of 다세포 소녀 (Dasepo Naughty Girls) accepted a very daring role (Korean press is saying “a la Tang Wei,” but that’s very likely just to create buzz), after quite a big roster of acclaimed young actresses turned it down. But the real news, as reported by Screen and most of the Korean media today, is that Hollywood’s Universal Pictures International and Focus Features will co-produce the film, along with CJ Entertainment. Although there were instances of foreign capital invested in Korean productions—think 무영검 (Shadowless Sword)—this is the first time a Hollywood major actively enters this kind of deal with Chungmuro. The plus, of course, is that Focus will release the film in North America, which should help the film tour more than the usual few markets. Film has completed around 85% of its shoot which started last April and is set to complete later this month, and is slated to release early next year.
Source: [No Cut] [Screen] [Naver] via twitchfilm.net
[ Last edited by katt at 17-9-2008 12:20 AM ] |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
September 15, 2008
SBS puts money on 'Tazza' drama
In the hopes of carrying a trilogy of dramas based on the works of cartoonist Hur Young-man to a successful end, SBS starts airing the final installment tonight.
The broadcasting channel kicked off a trio of Hur's dramas in April with "I Love You," followed up with the hit series "Sikgaek" in June and will now complete the set with "Tazza (The War of Flowers)."
Like "Sikgaek," the original comic series was already made into a blockbuster movie in 2006. The film wowed audiences with its ruthless plotline, superbly executed by actor Cho Seung-woo and actress Kim Hye-soo, becoming the second-biggest film of the year. The small screen version plans on repeating that kind of success.
The drama's formula to success lies in a revamped storyline, an infusion of humor and a brand new character. Planning to capitalize on the riveting tale of a skilled cardsharp -- or "tazza" in Korean -- named Goni, the bare bones of the plot remains intact, with favorite characters Madame Jung and Ah Gwi still in the script.
The main cast of Tazza, from left to right, Jang Hyuk, Han Ye-seul, Kim Min-jun and Kang Sung-yeon
[Olive Nine]
Cardsharp Young-min, played by actor Kim Min-jun, will stir things up, radically changing the structure of the story. "This character is not in the original version," said the 32-year old actor at the press conference held last week, who likened Young-min to villain Anakin Skywalker a.k.a. Darth Vader from "Star Wars."
Kim, who won women over in SBS' "Lovers in Praha" (2005), takes on the complex role of a high school dropout and close friend of Goni. Attempting to raise money to pay for his grandmother's surgery, he ends up losing at a round of "hwatu" -- an Asian card game -- and crosses over to the dark side, learning the tricks of the trade from top cardsharp Ah Gwi.
Actor Jang Hyuk will be joining in on the game as Goni. Having showcased his mastery of the art of mixing comedy with action as a wannabe thug in the flick "Jungle Juice" (2002), the 31-year old actor promises to draw laughs.
"I created my own new character," said Jang at the press conference.
Unlike Cho Seung-woo's artful portrayal of Goni in t |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
September 11, 2008
The Times Reports on Bae Yong-joon’s New Drama
Renowned British daily the Times reported that Bae Yong-joon’s upcoming drama “The Drops of God” will create a wine boom all over Asia. “The Drops of God” is a remake of a Japanese comic book of the same name, which deals with wine and sommeliers.
The Times introduced that Shizuku Kanzaki, the main character of “The Drops of God,” has led the popularity of wine in Japan over the online markets. The daily also added, “In South Korea, translations of his adventures are believed to have triggered a wine boom, making it a serious competitor for beer and local rice-based spirits.” The article also said that the wines introduced in the comic books have enjoyed a 70 to 80% increase in sales and Bae’s drama will further escalate the interest in wine.
“The Drops of God” is Bae’s first project since “The Legend (a.k.a. Four Gods)” in 2007. He will play the leading character as well as take part in the planning and production of the drama. Currently resting after sustaining injury during the filming of “The Legend,” Bae will start shooting early next year and the drama is slated for airing in late 2009.
Source: KBS World
http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/e ... _detail.htm?No=8190 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
September 12, 2008
Shinhwa’s Kim Dong-wan Holds His Last Concert
Kim Dong-wan, a member of the longest-running idol group Shinhwa, will hold his first solo concert “Promise” on September 20th and 21st. It will also be his last concert before he goes to serve his mandatory military duty at the end of this year.
Making Kim’s concert even more meaningful and special is the fact all six members of Shinhwa will make guest appearances in the performance. Eric, who is scheduled to begin his own military service on October 9th, will join his fellow Shinhwa members on stage. In addition to Shinhwa, other musicians such as Yunha, Sweet Sorrow, Joo, and July plan to take part in Kim’s concert. Kim also plans to attempt impromptu phone calls to his fans during a segment in which his radio program “Kim Dong-wan’s Ten Ten Club” is to be reenacted.
Having debuted as a solo artist last year with “Handkerchief” last year, Kim has solidified his position as a ballad singer with a series of hits like “It’s My Fault” and “Secreet.” He’s apparently very excited to hold his first solo concert and determined to show all he got to his fans and to make it a memorable experience for everyone.
Source: KBS World
http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/e ... _detail.htm?No=8191 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
September 16, 2008
Big Bang Signs Modeling Contract with FILA Korea
Members of the male vocal group Big Bang have been chosen as models for Italian sports brand FILA. FILA Korea recently said it has signed a modeling contract with the fashion-savvy members of the popular group.
The company said Big Bang had modeled for FILA Korea early last year and that it will be its second time working with the group for one of its ad campaigns. The six-month contract will go into effect in December although the photo shoot will begin in November.
FILA Korea said it plans to continue to work with big names in the entertainment industry, including high-profile Hollywood socialite Paris Hilton and Big Bang.
Big Bang recently released its third mini-album. Its title track "Day by Day" has been sweeping various K-pop charts in recent weeks.
Source: KBS Global
http://english.kbs.co.kr/entertainment/news/1546222_11858.html |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
September 16, 2008
CGV Screens Latest Korean Movies With English Subtitles
By John Redmond
Contributing Writer
A scene from ‘The Divine Weapon’
Korean cinema has a prolific output of local content. New movies being released on a weekly basis consist not only of blockbusters, but also art house and low budget features that are winning awards even at the international level.
For most foreigners wishing to sample homegrown films with English subtitles, the only alternatives were regular DVD screenings on a large screen at Seoul Selection Bookshop in Seoul, or renting the DVD yourself and watching it at home.
For most movie lovers, watching a movie on the small screen, irrespective of surround sound system, still pails when compared to watching a movie in the way the director intended ? on the big screen.
CGV cinema complex in Yongsan has screened a few Korean new releases complete with English subtitles. The latest is the hit movie "The Divine Weapon." The film is the third English subtitled movie CGV has released at regular show times.
The film tells the story of the world' first rocket launcher developed under the reign of King Sejong (Ahn Sung-ki) in the 16th century during Korea's Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910). After the intervention of Chinese officials, the inventor commits suicide and the inventor's daughter Hong-ri (Han Eun-jeong) guards the national secret. It was used as a key defensive tool against the imperial ambitions of China's Ming Dynasty.
The action-packed film offers great visuals plus elements of romance and tension-filled drama.
A lot of the film's estimated $8 million budget was spent on recreating the Korea that existed at the time of King Sejong's reign. In this respect, the film affords foreign residents and visitors the additional benefit of witnessing Korea as it was at that time.
The film screens at Yongsan CGV until Sept. 25. The cinema is located at i Park in the Yongsan Station complex.
For more information and screening times, visit the Web site at www.cgv.co.kr or call 02 1330. The site is in Korean only.
Credits: [email protected]
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/ ... 8/09/177_31098.html |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
September 16, 2008
Celebrities unite to host a photo exhibition
Digital cameras are very popular in Korea, and many people rival professional photographers in their enthusiasm, if not in actual skills. Entertainers are no exception to the fad.
In fact, four celebrities -- singer Kang Won-rae, rapper Baek Seong-hyeon, comedian Lee Byeong-jin, and singer and artist Lee Sang-eun -- are now showing their works at Gallery Iang in an exhibition titled, "Moments in Time -- Atelier in Everyday Life."
The photos in the exhibition mostly generate heartwarming feelings from viewers, which is one of the exhibit's purposes: Part of the earnings will be donated to the Beautiful Fund to give more cultural and educational opportunities to underprivileged children.
Comedian Lee Byeong-jin's photographs are witty. In "A Scene with Marshmallows," Lee took pictures of hay bundles, which he calls marshmallows.
"My photos need additional explanations next to them," Lee said on the opening day earlier in the month. He pointed at "Happy Imagination," a picture of a window above a washstand. Beyond the window, viewers can see giraffes and hippopotamuses roaming peacefully. "I imagined what it would be like to live with these animals, if hippopotamuses ate my dirty laundry," Lee said. "I was in the bathroom of the Seoul Grand Park for an hour waiting for the giraffe to appear in the middle of the window."
The comedian's love of photography is well-known.
Lee published a photo essay "Neglect of a Second" in 2006. He is also an active participant in an online photographers' community of the same name.
Lee took up photography six years ago.
"Back then, I used to have more than 50 cameras," he said. He now only uses three of his favorites.
But Lee dismisses those who label him a professional photographer.
"I'm just an amateur who happens to love taking pictures," said Lee.
Baek Seong-hyeon, a member of the pop group "Koyote," used to make a living as a photographer before he became a rapper. He was only 10 years old when he discovered his love for photography.
"Every time we went on school trips, I was always running around taking pictures of my friends," Baek said.
People seem to be Baek's favorite topic. Many of his works in this exhibition such as "An Old Man and Romance" or "With You" put the spotlight on ordinary people.
"Once someone scolded me for taking pictures without telling them ... I just take pictures of the random moments that give me a certain feeling," he said.
The best thing about photography? The freewheeling photographer is certain of the answer.
"That I don't have to negotiate with anyone. I work on my own and make my own decisions," Baek said.
Kang Won-rae, a member of the group "Clon," displays many photos of the disabled in wheelchairs. The photos are extra-meaningful, considering that he himself became disabled following a motorbike accident in 2000.
It is hard to casually walk past the photo "I Can Cross It," taken by Kang's brother Kang Won-do. The sight of Kang Won-rae struggling to cross a stream in his wheelchair is, to say the least, moving.
Lee Sang-eun, a singer and an artist, is the only female photographer in this exhibition. She captures sensuous moments and things from everyday in a stylish manner.
"Moments in Time -- Atelier in Everyday Life" runs through Sept. 28 at Namseoul University Art Center Gallery Iang. Admission is free.
For more information, call (02)-3672-0201 or visit www.galleryiang.com
By Park Min-young ([email protected])
http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
September 16, 2008
By Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Staff Reporter
J-pop Idols Arashi Returns in November
Japanese pop idols Arashi will return to Seoul for a series of concerts in November
Japanese idol group Arashi returns to Seoul for a series of concerts in November as part of its Asian tour. One of the most popular J-pop groups in Korea, Arashi will hold concerts Nov. 1-2 at the Olympic Fencing Stadium, Olympic Park, southern Seoul.
The "Arashi Around Asia" tour kicked off Sept. 5 with the group's first outdoor concert at the National Stadium, Tokyo. Arashi will perform in Taipei, Taiwan Oct. 11-12, and Shanghai, China Nov. 15.
Arashi first performed in Korea in September 2006, as Japan's representative to the 2006 Asia Song Festival in Gwangju. The group returned in November of the same year for four sold-out concerts at Olympic Hall.
Arashi, one of the idol groups under Johnny's Entertainment, was formed in 1999. Arashi, which means storm in Japanese, is composed of Masaki Aiba, Jun Matsumoto, Kazunari Ninomiya, Satoshi Ohno and Sho Sakurai.
This year, Arashi completed their first "dome" tour, holding concerts at dome stadiums in Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka and Sapporo. The "Arashi Marks 2008 Dream-A-live" reportedly attracted a total audience of 440,000.
Arashi released their eighth studio album "Dream-A-Live," which debuted at number one on the Oricon charts. Also this year, the group released three single albums, "Step and Go," 'One Love" and "Truth/ Kaze no Mukou e," as well as a concert DVD "Summer Tour 2007 ― Final Time."
The group's members are also hosts of weekly television shows such as "VS Arashi" and "Arashi's Secret." Aside from their activities as a group, members also appear individually in dramas, movies and television shows.
Matsumoto gained fans around Asia for his role as Tsukasa Domyouji in "Boys Over Flowers," a drama adaptation of the Japanese comic of the same name. He starred in films such as "Tokyo Tower" and the remake of Akira Kurosawa's "Hidden Fortress."
Ninomiya, also an actor, received critical acclaim for his role in Clint Eastwood's Oscar-nominated film "Letters From Iwo Jima." He has appeared in several Japanese dramas such as ``Dear Father," and played an autistic marathon runner in the Japanese TV movie "Marathon," based on the hit Korean film of the same name.
Sakurai, a graduate of Keio University, is also a news anchor on NTV's News Zero. He played the lead role in the film "Honey & Clover," and will star in the live action film version of the anime series "Yatterman."
Ohno recently appeared in the Japanese remake of the Korean drama "The Devil," while Aiba is a co-host of the show "Tensai! Shimura Doubutsuen."
Arashi will have three concerts Nov. 1 at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and one concert Nov. 2 at 7 p.m. Tickets, which go on sale Aug. 24, are 88,000 won. Visit www.auction.co.kr (Korean only).
Credits: [email protected]
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2008/09/143_31102.html |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
September 17, 2008
Action movie hits the bull's-eye over the holiday period
Singijeon
During Chuseok, “Singijeon (The Divine Weapon)” was top on the list for holiday moviegoers.
Director Kim Yoo-jin’s bloody action film about the world’s first multi-launch rocket system attracted some 597,793 viewers in 597 screens from Sept. 12 to 14, according to the Korean Film Council, Monday.
The musical film “Mamma Mia!” ranked second with 544,332 viewers, “Rough Cut,” third with 265,727 and “E.T. at My School,” fourth with 187,181 viewers.
Source: INSIDE JoongAng Daily
http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2894924 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Author
